Disclaimer: Of course I find these things absolutely pointless. Really if I owner this series, why the hell would I be writing a fan fiction at all? Hopefully all of you can tell I do not own this anime/manga/game series. It belongs to the very talented Hiromu Arakawa. And obviously not mine. Although this story does belong to me.
Warnings: Yes this fanfic is Yaoi, so if you do not like guy pairings I suggest you don't read this. You have been warned.
Authors note: This story is slightly 'AU' because well we all know Al doesn't really die. I haven't watched any episodes in a while so if anything is off, I apologize greatly.
.:Chapter 1:.
Dull sounding footsteps echoed down the unusually empty halls of Central headquarters. Normally at this time of day there would be at least someone wandering the halls aimlessly. Today, on the other hand, it seemed like everyone was eager to do their work.
Void golden eyes stared at the ground, hands shoved deep into military issued pant pockets. The boy stood outside the door unable to knock on it. He stayed quiet not wanting to disrupt the strange silence inside the office. His blond locks swayed slightly as he lifted his head to take a look at the door.
Anyone who saw the young state alchemist would suddenly notice the absence of a rather large suit of Armor. The very armor that had housed Alphonse Elric's soul until recently had been destroyed. It had been a terrible battle, one that the Full Metal alchemist himself had barely escaped. Although the younger Elric's death had been a few month's ago, Edward could remember his brother's dying scream as if it'd happened a few minutes ago.
His body tensed tears that had been welling up now fell. Quickly shutting his eye's he lowered his head once more; his blond hair fell in his face. He didn't even know why he'd come back to headquarters, now that Al was gone what good was he to anyone?
"Colonel!" A female's voice echoed through the door. "Stop sleeping and get some work done!" After a paused three gunshots were heard.
Edward smiled grimly; it seemed as if Mustang had gotten Hawkeye mad again. Never a good thing to do, not unless you had a death wish.
He took his hands from his pockets brushing the irritating tears from his face. Making sure no more were about to fall he returned his auto mail hand to his pocket. Raising his flesh arm, he knocked lightly on the door. Standing silently he waited for one of the Colonel's subordinates to answer it.
Silence followed as he head someone approach the door, he shut his golden optics and took in a shaky breath. He stared at the door as it began to open.
As the door fully opened a woman with blonde hair stood in his way. "Edward?" Came the stunned response, seeing as he hadn't been out of his dorm room in the three month's following Al's death. Hawkeye smiled at the boy, "What brings you here?"
He placed a fake smile on his face as he looked up at her, "Well I haven't been to work in a while, so I thought I should come in." His voice no matter how happy he tried to make it still seemed empty.
"I see." She moved from the doorway, "I'll tell the Colonel you're here." She said nothing more to the boy her footsteps echoing in his head.
He suddenly noticed how quiet the office went, he inwardly cringed. Everyone had been treating him as if he were a child since the accident. He glanced at Roy who hadn't noticed his presence yet. The man staring at his dreaded paperwork, pen in hand. He cleared his throat, "You know bastard," His voice suddenly sounded like it used to, "I didn't think you were that old that you can't see your work without squinting." He replaced his empty looking eyes with a lazy look instead.
A growl escaped the man as his head shot up, "I wasn't expecting such a small guest today." His smirk suddenly came to him as he watched the boy, forgetting about his sorrow.
His eyes fixed on coal black, "Small?" he repeated slowly, it taking a moment to set in. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SMALL THAT HE HAS TO STAND UNDER A MAGNIFYING GLASS JUST SO YOU CAN SEE HIM?"
Hawkeye watched the two as their infamous verbal spars started once again. She noticed how Ed seemed to appear like he had before. Even if it was only for a little bit, he deserved to be happy once more. "Colonel, you have work to do."
Her words seemed to fall on deaf ears as the twos yelling seemed to increase, she sighed walking silently out of the colonels office and to her desk. She got looks from Havoc, Breda, Fury, and Falman. She shook her head returning to her own paper work.
Suddenly silence followed after Roy had said something. The subordinates hadn't heard what he said, but it resulted in a small figure storming out of the office. His face pale and ghostly, they cringed at the distant look in his eyes.
"Full metal!" Roy now stood in the doorway, "Wait!"
The boy ignored him and kept on walking, he hadn't intended on suddenly breaking down in front of the colonel. His legs swiftly carried him down the halls. He didn't have the slightest idea of his destination. Just that he couldn't stay near anyone at the moment.
The images of Al's death had suddenly barraged him, he hadn't been expecting it, and he turned quickly Roy's orders for him to stop blocked out. He was glad no one was in his way if they were he would have mowed them down. Any where was better than being around people who knew his brother. His quick pace suddenly turned to a run, hair in his face. Shadowing the tears that now fell, he couldn't stop them, and he had no self control.
"Full metal, god dammit stop!"
He didn't look back to the owner of the voice as he skidded around a corner, there were people here now. All through the hall, but upon seeing the boy they moved out of his way.
He found himself skipping the steps in front of head quarters, by twos. He could hear many people chasing after him; most likely it would be Roy's subordinates. But he didn't care, he looked up emotionlessly. He found himself crossing the street, cars swerving to avoid him. He couldn't handle the pain in his chest; he had to make it all stop.
"Edward!" The voice of his commanding officer seemed to close for comfort.
He refused to look back; he could hear the heavy breathing of the man, just behind him. If he was going to be stopped they'd make him talk about what happened. "Go away." He had intended in it to sound like a snarl but instead it was just cold, dead.
The man's raven locks swayed he couldn't keep up with Edward for much longer, he had gotten a head start before Hawkeye and Havoc. Breda, Fury and Falman hadn't noticed what was happening 'till the last second.
He quickly turned down an alley way, he had to get rid of them. Why wouldn't they leave him alone, they had done so for a long time already? Why did they need to talk about it now, it still hurt to say his brother's name?
Roy was close enough to touch the boy now, but running was starting to become hard. He only had one chance to stop the boy who knew what he could do if left alone. "Full metal, that's enough!"
Once more Edward didn't stop; Roy came to a stop catching hid breath for a moment. Fists clenched tightly, he glanced down at his gloves. Roy started to run again he would not loose. His hand rose, eyes narrowing. Suddenly a loud snap was heard. Fire appeared in front of the boy, causing Edward to come to a halt.
His hair hung loosely around his face, he watched the flames, they blocked his path to freedom. He bit his lip until it drew blood, the copper taste lingering in his mouth.
"Edward?" Roy's voice suddenly turned concerned, a total change from his previous commanding voice.
He turned slowly, hair fanning out; he stared blankly at the man. The tears having vanished by now, leaving wet streaks down his cheeks.
Roy shuddered at the boys broken appearance, he wasn't the full metal alchemist he had once loved to tease. He was just a shell of his former glory. It was pitiful really, that one could fall so far without any effort.
He could tell that Havoc and Hawkeye's were coming to a stop behind him, everything remained quiet.
The full metal alchemist was no longer the people's hero, but a shadow of the past.
.: --x--:.
Hopefully this didn't suck as badly as I think it does. It wouldn't hurt if you could review my story.
- Kena-san