Havoc would say "Everyone smokes these days." and Hawkeye would say "Don't smoke. It will ruin your lungs."
Now, Ed could clearly imagine running without much breath. He'd done it before, after all, being booted in the stomach and having to run away.
Watching Havoc smoke was beautiful. The cigarettes he favoured were made of dark, unfiltered tobacco and had such a distinctive scent. The smoke was light and would travel upwards quickly. Havoc was great at blowing rings and would always show it off. He said that the big packs were a deal, made right there in the East. Edward had seen them in the stores before. They were cheap, only 120 cens a pack.
When Havoc gave Ed one to try outside of headquarters, Edward was delighted and took it with a form of glee. Havoc took a match and smiled as he lit it, brushing Ed's hair back afterwards.
Edward took a breath, but quickly grabbed the cigarette from his mouth and choked out a cough. It surprisingly had a great taste, but it made him feel light-headed.
The next time he smoked, he shared it with Havoc once again. Out on the roof, this time it was smoother and woke him up. It gave him a high, it made him talk more, it made him alert. It felt great, and he wasn't afraid to ask for a pack of his own.
He smoked the pack on his own on a bench after work. The stares from the lower ranks only pushed him to smoke more. Glaring at one left him vulnerable from a side, and he felt the cigarette be pulled from his fingertips.
It was the Colonel. Of course.
"Interesting." He inspected the lit cigarette and placed it back in Edward's hand. "I used to smoke a lot of these, the same brand, too. It does some damage to your breathing. And I have been wondering why you reek of these."
"Fuck off, will you?"
"Who gave you these?"
"Havoc, of course. Now go away."
Mustang looked back from his eyes to the cigarette and sat down, making Ed push away. "Let me see one" The low voice said.
Edward reluctantly pulled one from the pack and threw it into the outstretched hand. He watched how the Colonel slowly slid it into his lips and lit it with a snap. A light cough made it's way through Mustang's throat, and it made Edward throw his head back with a laugh. How pathetic.
"Why are you laughing, Fullmetal?"
"Everyone smokes, Colonel, and you're coughing."