Chapter 1 - Forced Hand
"You can't be serious?" The murmuring was soft spoken, but not hard to hear if you tried. "Well, it would explain a lot. I mean.. He's so young.. It's weird." How many were talking? Four? Maybe five. "He is kinda cute." Laughing mixed with shuffling feet. "You're such a fag, Marcus." Laughing then silence. "I'd fuck him." That's all it took for the conversation to take a dark turn.
It had just been a few soldiers, chatting about the work day ahead as they sipped at their coffee. One man bringing up old rumors that some how begun spreading heavily through military as of late. When Edward had first become a State Alchemist, many within the military lashed out in jealous, childish, fits. Spreading rumors like school children. Saying he had only been let in because he knew how to use his mouth for more then just shit talking. How he was lucky he only had to report to Mustang.
It was always clear what they meant. Edward had fucked his way into become a State Alchemist. That we was allowed to roam as he pleased because he would bend over for his commanding officer, Roy Mustang. To be honest, when Edward first began noticing the rumors, they had made him sick, even frightened him to a degree, but after a while he understood. It was all just talk. Jealous jerks that only knew how to attack a person behind their back. It eventually died down and nothing really came from it, so Edward let it drop. He was only twelve and just starting out.
That had been six years ago. Before the Promised Day. Before Alphonse had his body returned and Edward was stuck with his automail. That was before Roy had become a General and he had become Major General. Before he had lost his ability to use alchemy.
No one was certain what was wrong, perhaps the gate wanted more then a couple limbs to be willing to return Al's soul to his body. No one could figure it out and Edward didn't care. He got what he wanted and could care less that he wasn't able to transmute. He was still more then a handful in a fight and quite the brilliant mind. He was quick witted and determined. Compassionate and willing to go the extra mile. This is why he was asked to stay with the military. Surprisingly, Edward had wanted to stay as well.
Regardless of any of that, many soldiers couldn't understand why Edward was still here. He was accepted because of his alchemy skills, without that many simple viewed Edward as a smart mouth, disabled, brat. So, it wasn't too surprising when the rumors had come back to be whispered through the halls.
Edward bite into his lip as he pressed himself further back against the wall. Listening to the random group of soldiers on break talk about him in such a sickening manner. A hand clenching at his stomach while the other gripped harshly into his report at his side. Eyes narrowed and staring pointedly to his feet. This wasn't like when he was a child. The things being said now were more detailed, spreading around like a forest fire to the point Edward was surprised when he didn't catch a group or two talking about all he 'did' or could do with his mouth. He knew that Roy and his unit had heard the rumors as well, even Alphonse knew them. Several people had attempted to approach Ed on the matter, but the blond would shake it off and ignore the subject completely. Saying it was just talk. It would die down just as it had when he first joined.
He'd only returned to the military about a month back now. Edward had taken a four month leave to attend to his little brother. Helping him get back to the healthy boy he should be. Making sure Alphonse felt calm and sure of his new yet old body before returning to work. Though, Al basically had to shove his over protective brother back to work. Now, he felt maybe he should have stayed away..
Edward shook the thought from his head. He wasn't about to let a few childish words, that no one seemed to dare say to his face, stop him from doing what he wanted. He was Edward Elric. He didn't back down and he wouldn't. Taking a breath and letting it out through his nose, Edward pushed from the wall before rounding the corner. He smirked slightly as the chatter died down almost immediately. Panicked gazes shifting away or jumping to the floor. His smirk pulling more at the corners of his mouth as he made to move through the small group and head to his unit's room. He'd stalled long enough and he had no desire to be at the barrel end of Hawkeye's gun.
His train of thought grinding to a halt at the sound of someone whistling. The blond stopped mid-step, jerking his head to glare down at whoever decided to blatantly cat call at him. He was ready to punch someone black and blue. He was certain the rumors would die down, but it had been a month. Ed knew he would get strange looks or catch hushed words, but cat calling was too much. What he wasn't ready for was to find himself caught around the five men that had just moments ago seemed so ashamed for nearly, in their minds, getting caught talking about him.
Edward was still small, he figured he'd always be below average in height even when he had finally started gaining so inches on his taller little brother. Most of the men in the military were above average in height and most towered over the five foot two inch tall blond. So, when he found himself caught around his fellow soldiers Edward had to look up and he really wish he hadn't.
They stood lazily, a few of them. Leaning against the wall or standing about the hall, making a small circle that they had been whispering rumors about just moments before. Ed had wanted to be a bit smug when he decided to come through, purposely pushing to walk through their little circle. A couple of the men looked unsure of what to do. Panicked almost. Almost. The other three seemed to be rather pleased, smirking hard as they stared down the blond and sipped their coffee. Ed jolted when he felt one move directly behind him, blocking the path the blond had been going before he heard the whistle and whirled about. The action made Fullmetal step back into the center of the circle. Jaw clenched as he scowled at the men, glancing about before settling his scowl on the man that had stepped up behind him.
"Something the matter, Major General?" The question innocent enough, but the tone was mocking. He'd opened his mouth to retort only to have it catch in his throat when he felt a tug at the end of his braid. A hand snapping up to his hair as he turned to look at the others. All seeming to act as if nothing had happened. Ed jolted again as a hand came down to rest on his shoulder, head snapping back with a slight stab of pain from the sudden movement. The soldier blocking his way with the mocking voice had placed his hand on him, playing off like he was concerned, but Edward wasn't playing this game. He snapped and slapped the hand away with his automail arm. Glare stabbing daggers at the other. "Fuck off."
When Edward made to leave their circle, he propped his right shoulder out, his automail shoulder. He slammed it into the man blocking him as he pushed past him and continued on his way. The report in his hand now being held to his chest and gripped with both hands. He most have looked extremely pissed because the moment he entered the office everyone that had turned to give their greetings quickly glanced away in a hurry. Hawkeye just giving a concerned, though concealed, look to Fullmetal before approaching him.
"You're late." Her tone as professional as always, but with a hint of worry. She said nothing more as she held her hand out for his report. Nothing important honestly, just minor things. He looked up to her as he held out the folder, tired smile gracing his lips. A look that told her it was the same thing that had been bothering Edward for the last week and a half. "You have a total of seven reports that need to be read through, signed, and on my desk by five. You are needed in the library to talk about a book that has not been returned." Edward nodded as his Lieutenant spoke, not truly paying much attention as he already had a file opened. Skimming through it halfheartedly.
It was one thing to hear the rumors, but what happened after the cat call had made Edward feel uneasy. He hadn't known who any of them were, let alone their rank. Sure, Edward could break the nose of every person that even made a rude comment with his name in it, but Edward knew, technically, he couldn't. There was a rule that stated no one was allowed to lay hands on fellow soldier, in any manner. The higher their rank the higher the rule was enforced. The result could be the lost of their rank and their job. That rule alone always made Fullmetal feel more at ease as he waited for the talk surrounding him to died out, but now he wasn't sure how he felt on the matter.
