My first FMA fic! Be nice.
Chapter 1: The Plot
Ed always hated answering to people. Colonel Mustang was the worse because of his arrogance. So when Ed was faced with a choice he simply couldn't pass it up.
Ed arrived in Central late at night from a mission in a city near Risembool. Due to protocol, he was supposed to immediately give his report in to Mustang but he was thoroughly exhausted. Al had decided to spend some time with Winry and Pinako so Ed was free to travel by himself for some time. Despite it being late at night, Ed was sure Mustang would still be awake, probably going over some paperwork, and he was not ready to face the Colonel.
He was able to sneak into headquarters undetected by anyone but Hawkeye and into his room. When faced with her, he faltered immediately. "Lieutenant Hawkeye," he said quickly, saluting. "Good to see you, Fullmetal sir. Did your mission go well?" He scratched the back of his head, "Yeah, I suppose so. I'm exhausted. Is Mustang awake?" Hawkeye nodded, "Yes sir." Ed sighed, "I was afraid of that. I'm too tired to deal with that idiot. I'll give my report tomorrow."
Hawkeye gave him a stern gaze. "Are you sure that's wise, Fullmetal?" He shrugged. "I don't care if it is or not, I'm going to bed. I will see you in the morning, Hawkeye." And he walked into HQ to his room. Almost instantly, he fell asleep. But Edward Elric's sleep hardly ever came without nightmares. . . .
In the dream, he was in Risembool. A younger version of Winry appeared. She was smiling brightly and in the next moment she was crying, having found out her parents were dead. "It was all the State's fault! They murdered them," she sobbed. She vanished and was replaced by Elicia Hughes. Elicia gave a bight smile and then she too was crying, at her father's funeral. "Why're they burying Daddy? Stop them, Mommy! Daddy has a lot of work to do!" Ed's eyes narrowed. "Shit," he cursed lowly. And then Elicia looked at him. "Why didn't you help? The Homunculus got him. . ." Ed shut his eyes tightly. "Damn." When he opened them again, he was a little boy standing in front of his mother. He held the silver horse he transmuted for her. "Look mom! I made it for you!"
She smiled. "You did it perfect, Edward." She paused and a shadow passed over her face. "But you couldn't make me perfect," she added and blood ran down her face. In the blink of an eye, he was back at the night he and Al had tried their human transmutation for her. The disfigured form of his mother shrieked at him. He could see her inside out heart beating and he screamed. . .
At the same time, Mustang was standing outside Ed's room ready to really chew him out about not giving his report before he heard Ed's scream. It was so sudden, Roy jerked to keep himself from rushing into the room and cradling Ed in his arms and. . .wait, what? He peeked through the door which was slightly ajar and saw Ed hugging his knees to his chest. He was sobbing quietly and Roy found the sight pricked his heart sharply. He had grown a strange fondness for Ed, one could even say he had a crush on him, but to cover that up he seemed to enjoy verbally abusing him.
Not now though. He really did wish he could give Ed a tight hug but he held himself back. Fullmetal looks really shook. Nightmares, I suspect. He sighed, figuring he could always just bug him tomorrow. Hesitantly, he left Ed to his tears and a relentless sleep.
The next day, Ed woke up with a headache and a heavy heart. He pulled himself to his feet and began to get dressed. The morning light was a contrast to his somber mood and he knew Mustang would only make it worse. He just didn't know how much.
"Could somebody tell me what the hell is going on!"
Hawkeye was standing patiently in front of a fuming Mustang whose entire desk was covered with papers. Ed watched from the hall. . . Mustang covered his eyes. "This is completely crazy! How is it that work can never be finished around this place!" Hawkeye looked at him patiently. "Colonel Mustang, try to control yourself. It's just a few papers." Ed turned the corner into the room and gave a lazy salute. "Good morning, Lieutenant Hawkeye. Colonel Mustang."
"What's so good about it," Mustang muttered, sitting back in his chair. Ed felt bad for him for a moment before Mustang set into him. "And why don't you tell me the reason why you didn't report to me last night?" Ed's defense went up immediately, "I was tired, okay?" The colonel rose up again this time with a cocky expression on his face. "And just what are you tired from? You went to stop a string of murders correct? But as I understand it, three deaths occurred while you were in the town before the criminal was apprehended!"
Ed stopped, his eyes narrowed. He knew that, had mourned that family's death, even berated himself; maybe he could have done something. . . Roy took his silence as defeat. "I don't have time to hear any excuses. Unlike you, I try to get my work done as quickly as possible. Observe!" In the blink of an eye, Mustang swirled with exaggerated elegance and raised his right hand. "In no time at all the work will be finished!" He snapped his fingers and set all the papers on fire. Hawkeye sweatdropped before rushing out of the room for a fire extinguisher.
Ed smiled inwardly. He liked Mustang's time to time periods of insanity. They reminded him of himself. "Yep, you've got everything under control, I see." Mustang nodded firmly, "Damn right, Fullmetal. Now get out." Ed shrugged and turned for the door as Hawkeye returned to extinguish his desk. Mustang sat back and smiled. "Sir, is it just me or do you seem more manic lately?" Mustang closed his eyes and sighed. "I've been so stressed. Riza, can I tell you something that you promise not to tell anyone else?" Are we in fourth grade, she thought briefly before nodding.
Ed perked outside, listening carefully. Mustang sighed again and after a pause said, "I think I'm starting to really like Fullmetal." Both listeners balked. "You like Fullmetal!" Mustang rolled his eyes a little and nodded, "Yeah." Hawkeye's eyes grew slightly sad. "But about. . ." Ed was silently freaking out. He didn't just say that? I thought he liked Hawkeye. This is way too freaky. I can't stand that jerk! Besides, I like Winry. What can I. . .His thoughts slowed as something devious started to form in the back of his mind. So Mustang seems to like me, huh? Now this is interesting. . . He snuck off to his room to further his plot.
First chapter complete! Ten reviews for the next chapter, thank you!