Hello hello! I've been branching into new territory a lot lately, so I thought I'd come back to my roots and write some FMA. Here we go!

Side-note: I freaking love this one.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for the plot and the characters Anna and Jacob.

Rated T because of one swear and some minor implications. Nothing bad.

Of Braids and Princesses

Winry set down the automail arm she was working on and stripped off her oily gloves, wiping her sweaty forehead with the back of her hand. It was time to take a break. Sighing, she glanced at the clock in the dim lighting of her workshop before heading out the door. It was one in the afternoon, which meant nap time for Anna. She was just glad that they only had to try and settle down one child today; silently, she thanked Roy and Miss Riza for taking Jacob off their hands for an afternoon. Playdates were a wonderful thing.

She wandered calmly around the house, searching for her daughter. After no luck finding her in the living room, a muffled male voice reached her ears, followed by a high-pitched giggling. Turning on her heel, she made her way to her bedroom. She gripped the brass doorknob and twisted it, pushing the door open.

Nothing could've prepared her for the sight that greeted her eyes.

Her five-year-old daughter glanced up at her, bright-eyes and blonde hair in short pigtails, as she sat at the edge of the bed. And Edward Elric, hero of Amestris and Alchemist of the People, sat cross-legged in front of her as she gripped his long locks tightly in her chubby hands. Several large chunks of his hair were tied in messy knots – probably a failed attempt at braiding.

Anna gave a bright smile. "I'm making Daddy a princess!"

Winry crossed her arms and brought a hand to her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter. "Are you, now?"

"Yup! Isn't he pretty?"

"The prettiest." Oh, the look Ed gave her was priceless.

"He's almost ready for the ball, I think."

"Well, sweetheart, I think the ball's gonna have to wait until after naptime." She stepped into the room as she spoke. Anna frowned as she made another knot.

"But I'm not," she yawned, "I'm not tired, Mommy!"

"I think you are."

"I think I'm not."

Winry put her hands on her hips. "You need to lay down, Anna. But I promise that Daddy will be ready for the ball when you wake up."

Her daughter pouted and Ed watched the exchange, an amused expression on his face. Big help, he was. "You have to be ready too!"

"Yeah, Mommy," her husband piped up, grinning like the little shit he was.

"Daddy has to go with you to the ball, so you need to be a pretty princess too!" Ed's grin widened as he unfolded his legs and patted the space in front of him. She sighed and cocked an eyebrow, looking back at her daughter.

"…If I let him make me a princess, will you lie down without a fuss as soon as we're done?" Anna agreed enthusiastically and, grudgingly, Winry sat on the wooden floor in front of Edward.

At first, nothing happened. Then, a large hand gently touched her hair. His fingers weaved into the strands and she did her best to suppress a shiver as his touch trailed down her spine. Once he would reach the bottom, his hand would lift to her scalp and start its journey once more. It was slow and gentle, and Winry soon found her heart picking up pace. How he could still do this to her, she would never know. Anna started singing, making up the tune as she went along.

Edward was making no moves to hurry up the process. Obviously, he was enjoying making her squirm.

After a minute or so, he had cleared all of the tangles in her hair. Lightly, he moved his hands and gathered her hair together at the base of her head, deliberately letting his fingertips graze her neck. Fire danced on her skin. Suddenly, a puff of air hit her exposed neck. Goosebumps shot down her arms and her face started tingling. She scowled heavily and pinched his leg. Behind her, he snickered quietly. Anna was too caught up in her song to notice.

He separated her hair into three distinct chunks and started braiding. Winry thought back to the last time she braided his hair; it had to have been over ten years ago. She found herself wondering if he had ever braided hers before. She couldn't draw up a memory. Was this the first time? His deft fingers moved quickly and, as she felt him nearing the ends, she pulled off a spare band from her wrist and gave it to him. He took it and tied her braid off quickly. Without a word, his hands trailed to her sides and lingered there for a moment. She forgot to breathe.

He cleared his throat and, embarrassed, she suddenly remembered that their daughter was in the same room. "All done, Anna. Mommy's ready for the ball."

"Aww," Anna pouted, withdrawing her hands. She hopped off the bed. "Is she pretty?"

Winry could practically feel his smile. "I think so."

The five-year-old wandered to stand in front of her mother and brought a tiny hand to her chin, inspecting her dad's work closely. Winry turned her head left and right, batting her eyelashes in an exaggerated fashion. Anna smiled. "Yep! She's ready!"

"That means it's nap time," Winry grinned in relief.

"Nope!" Before she could react, Anna ran out of the room as fast as her little legs could carry her.

Winry groaned loudly, bringing a hand to her forehead. She should've known it wouldn't be that easy. Ed laughed warmly and snaked his arms around her middle. She leaned back into his chest and relaxed against him, allowing herself a little smile. His heartbeat was strong and steady against her back.

"How do you feel about having another kid?" he asked quietly.

His words rumbled in his chest and made her toes tingle. She turned her head toward him and smiled coyly, running her fingers lightly on his forearm.

"Put Anna down for a nap," she said in a low voice, "and then we'll talk."

She had never seen him move so quickly. She stood, laughing as his footsteps echoed down the hall. A girly squeal and heavy giggling followed.

End.

I seriously love this one so much. It was a ton of fun to write! I have an unhealthy affection with Daddy Ed and Mommy Winry. Seriously, it's borderline obsessive. But I can't help it! I love putting them in cute family situations and God they would just make the most perfect parents ever.

Please let me know what you thought! Anonymous reviews and constructive criticism is welcomed and encouraged.

Thanks for reading :)

Vee