I feel unoriginal, since this ficlet is just some quotes with a little speculation in between them, but reading volume 16 inspired me, so here it is.

WARNING! SPOILER FOR CHAPTER 62 and up. If you haven't read it, you probably won't get it at all...

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"...move this country toward true democracy...means abolishing the state alchemist system as well..."

Ed listened intently, his body not slouching, but more relaxed than he usually allowed himself to be. He was in Hawkeye's territory, her domain. She was in control her, and he felt protected in a completely illogical way, considering neither of them were really safe anywhere anymore.

"Hold on!"

Ed's body jerked forward in his seat, his mind processing her words.

"...the colonel knows, but he's still aiming for the top? He's on a path of self-destruction!"

Inside, Ed panicked a smidgen. Mustang, and all his subordinates turned into criminals by a shift of executive power?

"The homonculi were the ones pulling the strings!"

Ed blurted the rest of his thought which, had he not been here in Hawkeye's realm, never would have been uttered...

"It's not fair that the colonel and you should be the ones who are punished!"

Hawkeye's eyes glowed and Ed could not quite decipher the emotions behind them.

"The homonculi may have started the war, but we were the ones who carried it out."

In his mind, Ed could understand but not accept Hawkeye's description of duty and what it entailed.

"That's why, at the very least, we want the next generation to be able to laugh and live a happy existence."

Ed couldn't keep the corner of his mouth from pulling down. His hands began to shake and he just barely kept himself from crying. Even here, under Hawkeye's eye and protection, he would not allow himself to cry however.

Inside the "little" alchemist wept at the idea of losing his tiny, tiny haven of safety and guidance (although he would never admit that that's what it was).

I am the next generation... But look at me.

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