PROLOGUE
Mismatched feet thumped down the smooth hallways of Central Command, and, despite not having been in the building in years, well worn feet briskly made their way to their destination. As his golden hair swung with his swift steps, annoyance stretched across his features, Ed made his way to his commander's office.
"...the stupid bastard…. Was on retirement too….. " Ed sighed, wondering just what kind of shit he had been called back to deal with.
In spite of the few years that had passed, it almost seemed like nothing at all had changed since he had last been in the office.
As Ed kicked down the door with vigour he was met with expectant faces, fond looks, and the usual horseplay until Hawkeye pulled out her gun. It was just how he remembered it.
He smirked, eyeing the door at the far end of the room, quickly awknowledging the team before heading towards his final destination.
With a loud bang, the door flew open and regardless of the years since they had last seen each other, they greeted each other in their old way. But underneath the yells and calm teasing there lay a fondness that could only have come from the absolute trust they had in each other.
Fellow alchemists stared each other down before genuine smiles made their way onto their faces.
"Welcome back, Fullmetal."
His eyes creased as he stared at his subordinate.
"Like hell, you bastard."
"That's the spirit, no matter how small."
"I'M NOT SMALL YOU BASTARD!"
Still smirking, the General slid his hand into his pocket and deftly brought it out.
And, quietly, Roy slid something shiny over to the younger.
His old state alchemist watch glittered in the daylight from the open window.
As Ed reached out a hand to grip the worn metal under his hands, feeling the familiar grooves etch themselves under his skin, he felt a warm feeling in the back of his throat.
He knew he shouldn't feel this happy. After all, he had simply become a dog of the military again, to be sent out in war, to fight, to get injured, and maybe even worse. But as he made his way to the old couch that he used to collapse on every night after a mission all those years ago, he felt happy to be back with all of his team.
As that happy feeling bubbled in small of his chest, he almost wanted to climb onto the roof and shout to the entire world.
After all of these years the Fullmetal Alchemist was finally back in action.
