Okay, just so you all know, this particular fan fiction has been my life for the past while. Whenever a bit of creativity hit, I worked on this. It will be multiple chapters, eventual Roy x Ed, etc. I hope like hell that I can finish this story, seriously, I adore the plot. I've been working on this since, I'd say, about maybe late July? I have a bit of the plot worked out, I know how I may end it, but no guarantees.
It's sad. I actually have a life now. I'm in my schools Army JROTC and, on top of that, I'm getting into the Drama Club/School Play and I'm in the Band. Lately, my time has been scarce. So, I apologize if the chapters for this upload in an ungodly slow way. If you like this, then I have a good bit of the second chapter done.
If people like this story, or if one or two people really love it to the point where I'm getting comments with evidence of begging in them, then I'll post chapter two.
Constructive criticism is awesome too, just no flaming. You flame, I ignore and/or fight you back with good old logic. Catch my drift? This will eventually be yaoi. I am giving you fair warning. Ed is over the age of eighteen in this fic, well over sixteen, so Mustang is no pedophile. "Well yaoi is just gross and wrong." That's fine. That's your opinion. We are all entitled to our opinions. I happen to have wuite a few gay friends and they are some of the best friends I've ever had. Try being open minded? I'm asking that as sincerely as I can.
That all being said, I'll stop myself there. You catch my drift. Either way, this fic is my baby right now. o, I hope you all enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist, the characters, plot, etc.
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"Ugh... damn it, I can't believe this!" The blonde complained, throwing down the newspaper and standing up angrily. "The marks value has gone down again! Are they trying to turn us all to poverty!?" He was sick of it, really. Now the mark was practically worthless! "At this rate we'll all be dead or starving by the end of the damn month!" Edward glared at whatever he saw, stomping around while he grabbed his coat and looked for Alphonse.
"Don't worry so much, brother. We haven't been having any trouble lately." The younger tried his best to be optimistic, but he had to admit, the bills were getting a little harder to pay. "Noah helps us, and so does some of what Alphonse left behind." Al emerged from the stairs, coat slung over one shoulder as he searched the room for Ed. "If you're so worried about it look through the help wanted Ads." The younger shrugged, pulling his coat on and walking to the front door, planning on seeing Gracia and her newborn daughter as usual. He was helping her run the flower shop since now she had to take care of the baby and Hughes couldn't take off from his work. Al glanced over his shoulder at his brother, kind of worried.
Ed sighed, pulling his own jacket on. "There's a general store a few streets over that's looking for work, I think I'll stop there." he announced, scribbling a small note on a piece of paper in case he didn't get back before Noah stopped by. Alphonse nodded, waving goodbye and shutting the door behind him. Ed followed close behind, not expecting what he would soon see at the store.
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It was a quaint little building, with two stories and steps leading to the front door. A small bell dangled above said door to notify whoever was inside that someone was coming or going and there were two windows on either side of the building. In one of the windows a small, handwritten 'help wanted' sign hung.
The building itself was wooden, simple. As Edward approached the front door he noticed the small sign that read 'open'. Inside, the place seemed empty save for the goods on various shelves and a counter against the back wall. There was evidence of people being there though, such as a half empty coffee mug by the cash register. The bell chimed as he opened and closed the door, and he called out a cautious and slightly nervous, "Hello?"
A few scuffling noises came from upstairs, accompanied by the sounds of talking and a woman soon hurried down the stairs, a small clipboard in her hands and a pen behind her ear. Her blonde hair was pulled back, pinned to the back of her head by a clip and her blue eyes were soft with apology. "I'm sorry, I was just cleaning up a bit upstairs. Can I help you?" She asked, sitting the clipboard down on the counter and walking back to Edward.
Ed smiled to himself, instantly recognizing the Riza Hawkeye of this world. "Um, yeah. I'm here about a job?" He only wondered whether or not she had a gun hidden on her person, heh. It really wouldn't surprise him in the least. He put his hands in his pockets, moving out of the way of the door just in case.
Riza looked almost surprised as he spoke, looking quickly from him to the sign, "Oh, yes. I didn't expect to get a response to that, to tell you the truth." She turned back to him, looking sheepishly apologetic, "But I'm the only one here right now, and you'd have to speak to the Manager about the job." She kept speaking, looking over Edward's shoulder to the door, "He should be here any time now, he's twenty minutes late." Again. The blonde woman sighed, shaking her head. "If you wouldn't mind waiting a little bit, the office is upstairs, we can sit up there until he arrives."
Edward nodded, "That's fine, I don't mind waiting." Riza smiled and nodded in response, starting the walk back up the stairs. Ed followed, wondering what kind of person the manager was now. The steps were fairly steep, leading up to a nicer looking second floor of the shop. There was a clearly marked bathroom, two office doors--one of which was wide open and very clean and organized--, and a small room with a couch, a few chairs, tables, a window, a coffee maker and a sink. There were various other attributes to the room but Edward's mind was pulled away from the very homey space when he heard a key in a lock.
"I'm sure there's a mess and a half in here, please excuse it." Riza spoke, somewhat in a motherly tone. Like a woman fed up with her child's messy room but tolerating it all the same. She removed the key from the door with a small jerk and pocketed the small metal object, opening the door and flicking on a light.
The office was a bit messy, in comparison to the cleaner one next to it. There was a wooden desk and a padded chair in the center of the room, a large window behind it. A telephone and a coffee mug (which held pens and pencils) sat to the left corner of the desk and the rest was just about taken over by paperwork, envelopes, and the like. A small couch was to the right of the room, against the wall. Those were just the major things that stood out, there was of course much more to this room as well. Ed followed Riza's lead, walking into the room and jumping back a bit when he stepped on something, a crumpled piece of paper.
Riza shook her head, kneeling down to pick up the paper, "I swear, he needs to learn where the trashcan is." No sooner had she disposed of the trash then did another voice speak from the doorway.
"Loosen up a bit Riza, jeez. We were seeing who could get the most trash in the basket yesterday, of course some of it missed."
Riza and Ed both turned around, Ed more in surprise than anything. Jean Havoc was leaning casually in the doorframe, cigarette and all. Riza glared at him, "Loosen up? Now that you've given me proof that he's been slacking off again? Where is he anyway, Jean? I have half a mind to go out and search for him soon." The blonde woman meant business, her tone was far from happy.
Havoc shrugged, "I saw him on the way here. We were together until a huge crowd came through, haven't seen him since." He looked down at Edward, questioning with his eyes. "Who's this?" He asked, taking the cigarette from his mouth to speak clearly.
Ed opened his mouth to speak, but Riza beat him to it. "He came a few minutes ago, in response to the sign in the window." She explained, cleaning up the office a little bit.
Havoc nodded, "Oh, all right. What's your name, kid?" He smiled welcomingly, placing the cigarette back in his mouth.
Ed looked up from poking a piece of trash with his foot, "Oh, sorry. My name's Edward...Elric." He wondered whether or not he should say his last name, would these people know about his father?
Havoc nodded, "Nice to meet you Edward, I'm Jean Havoc." He extended his hand, and Ed shook it happily.
Riza chimed in, a much happier tone to her voice, "You can just call me Riza, Edward. I promise I'm a much happier person most of the time."
"When she's not yelling at us twenty-four seven." Havoc mumbled, earning himself a glare. But their little scuffle was interrupted by the dinging of the front door, followed by a bit of annoyed grumbling and footsteps.
Havoc moved out of the doorway and Riza stormed through, stomping down the steps. "Where in the world have you been!?" She shouted angrily. Havoc and Ed exchanged glances and soon cautiously ventured down the stairs themselves, peeking around the wall like the scared morons they were.
Ed almost shouted out in complete and utter shock when he saw whom exactly Riza was yelling at. He stared, wide eyed and mouth slightly agape. But he caught himself before anyone else did. The blond shook his head fiercely, unable to keep himself from staring, the shock refused to wear off. "Colonel...?"
Riza had stopped her verbal assault in order to breathe, and thus the room was pretty quiet when he spoke. Havoc gave him an odd look, "Colonel? Did you know someone that resembled him in the military or something?" Riza and the man looked up at Edward as well, and Ed suddenly found himself looking at the dark blue eyes of Roy Mustang.
This world's Roy was as would be expected. An exact replica of the one in Amestris, only he had no eye patch or gloves. Not ones that produced flame anyway. Ed broke the eye contact and answered Havoc, "No... it's nothing..." Havoc shrugged, walking past a still very thrown aback Ed and making his way downstairs.
"Boss is back, now we actually have to work." He half complained, fishing an apron-like thing out from behind the counter and tying it around his waist. He soon disappeared into a back room, reappearing with boxes that he then started to unload.
Riza sighed, running her hand through her bangs, "Yes, to work with you..." The woman closed her eyes for a minute, considerably calmer than she had been just moments before. She looked back up to Roy, her blue eyes holding a normal sense of calm now, "That boy is here about the job, I told him to talk to you." She said, glancing Ed's way as she spoke.
Roy nodded, shrugging out of his jacket and hanging it over his arm, "All right, I'm sure there's a new stack of papers upstairs too?"
"Just a small one."
"Lovely..." Roy sighed comically, apparently he hated paperwork as much as his other self did. The raven haired man started up the stairs, stopping in front of Ed and extending a hand in greeting, "Hello, sorry for the wait. We're usually a bit more organized than this--"
"Since when!?" Havoc shouted, earning himself a glare from both Riza and Roy.
"--but we all just had an off morning." Roy finished, shaking Ed's hand briefly. "My name is Roy Mustang, I'm this building's manager--"
"Though you wouldn't know it from his timing and how he keeps his office." This time came Riza's bland comment.
"--and it seems the others who work here are looking for a very large cut in their paychecks!" he snapped back, grimacing when he heard Havoc start laughing from behind a row of shelves. Roy sighed again, "All right. The office is just up here." Roy walked past Ed and up the rest of the stairs, followed closely by the young blond.
"I'm Edward Elric, it's nice to meet you." Ed greeted, not hiding the smile that played across his lips from Havoc and Riza's little bit of earlier input. This place seemed energetic at least. In a lot of ways it reminded him of Central, which resulted in a very nostalgic feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Once again Edward found himself in the messy office, watching as Roy merely kicked paper balls out of the way as he walked. The man mumbled something about lighting his desk on fire before plopping down in the chair and looking up at Ed, obviously fighting to keep a professional face. "Okay, first things first. Do you know what you'd be getting yourself into if you took this job?"
Ed immediately thought of the scene he just saw downstairs and shrugged, "If you're talking about the people here, I'm fine with it. If not then, I'd like you to explain, please." He spoke casually, an effort to keep from fuming at Roy's likeness, blurting out a report and storming out of the room after getting a short joke thrown at him.
Roy smirked and nodded, "I was talking about mainly just the type of work you'd be doing, but I suppose Jean and Riza count as well. If you get along with them then you must already fit the job description." He pulled a piece of paper out of the small pile on his desk, writing something on it as he spoke, "You'd mainly be helping Jean with odd jobs around here. Stocking shelves, carrying out empty boxes, that sort of thing. It really doesn't require much experience, just a bit of common sense. And maybe a good bit of upper arm strength and elbow grease." The raven haired man had to stop himself from laughing at some remembered joke.
Ed nodded, "That sounds easy enough. What about hours, pay...?" Really, this sounded like something a five year old could do easily. Save for box carrying, anyway. Pay is what he was really concerned about, in these times, though.
"The store hours are from seven a.m. to six p.m. usually, with breaks, six days a week. Like I said, we were all pretty off today except for Riza." Roy sighed, getting another piece of paper, "As for pay, it all depends on how many hours you put in. You'd be getting the same pay as Jean, which is about 150 dollars a week." (I have no idea about German money, so bear with me here. Nor do I have a clue about normal/below average pay.) The man looked up from his paperwork, "Sound all right to you?" He asked, though it really wasn't a question.
Ed nodded, "Yeah, that's fine." He was still fighting the urge to act like a brooding teenager, and he had to remember that he couldn't be as familiar with this Roy as he had been with the other. This Roy knew nothing about him, or his brother. The Elric brothers, in turn, really knew nothing about this world's Roy. It was like starting over, a clean slate.
Roy now wore his trademark smirk, "All right then, Edward, you've found yourself a job." He congratulated. "You can start tomorrow, if you like. Today Jean can show you around a bit." With that he opened a small leather-bound notebook, writing in it. Ed watched him oddly. Was that some sort of work log or something?
As if on cue, Havoc appeared in the doorway again. "Congrats, kid, you're officially now one of Mustang's stooges." He laughed, patting Ed on the shoulder and causing him to stumble a bit. Roy glared up at him in a 'just do your job' kind of way. Jean rolled his eyes, steering Ed out the door. "Okay, okay, we're going. Remind me to come back when you've had more coffee." Everyone tended to be in a better mood in the morning after a cup of coffee, he swore to it.
The day actually passed pretty quickly, with Ed learning the ins and outs of the shop as fast as he learned alchemy back home, the prodigy that he was. Jean and Riza were a bit more open than Roy was about making conversation, which often resulted in comments about the man being antisocial, said just loud enough for Roy to hear and get pissed off about.
The atmosphere at the shop was just all around very easy to get used to, Ed was actually sorry to leave at the six. He wanted to stay, get to know his old friends. But, all good things had to come to an end, and there was always tomorrow. The blond said goodbye to everyone, throwing a few glances back at Roy on his way out, and went to find Al at Gracia's flower shop. Of course he saw Gracia and Maes there as well, with their baby girl. This world's Maes was almost as obsessed with his family as the one Ed had come to know, but this Maes knew when to keep it down to a dull roar better than Roy's best friend.
Ed and Al left the shop before Ed mentioned his new job. "So, I got the job at that store today." He said, stuffing his hands into his pockets and grinning.
Al looked over at him, happily surprised, "Really? Brother, that's great!" He congratulated, grinning a very childish grin. "We have to tell, Noah!" They'd helped Noah get a job and her own home, and they still kept in close touch with her.
Ed nodded, "But... that's not the best part..." He smiled, lost in memory for a brief minute. "You'd never believe me if I told you who I saw there, Al. It's amazing." He walked at a slower pace, unintentionally going into a daydream again.
Alphonse watched his brother for a minute, deciding not to say any more on the subject. It had been so long since he'd seen the elder like this, he didn't want to spoil the moment by asking who was there. "You know I'd believe you..." He spoke softly, barely audible. Of course Edward didn't hear, as far off as he was. Back in Amestris, as close as they could get to their old home at this point.
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Hehe, for once, no cliffhanger ending. Shocker, for me anyway. Well, at least now you wont be too eagerly anticipating the next chapter, if I get a good response from this.
I'm sorry about the length of my opening, really I am. I'm longwinded lately, I blame role playing.
Feel free to school me in the way of life back then, by the way. I love history, so anything said nicely and civilly will be taken just as nicely and civilly by me. So, if you know more than I do or see a flaw in my historical stuff in here, feel free to say something.
Read and Review please?