Author Note: Whoo so welcome, new story for you. This is a very slice of life story involving Ed and a OC. No romance between these two, just pure friendship. There will be minor romance but nothing that overtakes the main point of the story. I hope you enjoy! RxR.
"Hey Skyler, Wait up!" laughed the young golden haired boy as he ran down the hill.
A young raven-haired girl turned his way and flashed a large grin with her sapphire eyes sparkling. She outstretched her hand for his. Just as the young boy was about to grab her hand , she faded away before his eyes.
His golden eyes widened, and he began to shake. As the world around him slowly grew dark and cold, he grew stiff. He let out a loud cry for the girl.
"Brother…Brother!"
Ed jumped in his seat. He looked around and saw that it was day. A dream of course. He rubbed his head and looked at the large suit of armor next to him that was Alphonse. Even though the armor was expressionless he could tell that Alphonse was looking at him with concern. Ed flashed a grin and waved him off.
"Are you ok brother? You seemed a bit restless this past hour." Al questioned.
"Oh yeah I am fine. Just too much thinking the night before, I guess," Ed said as he massaged his temples. He turned to look out the window of the train. Central was just in site from the train. He grumbled at the thought of having to go hand in a report to the Colonel. This would entail senseless mocking and snide remarks about his written, though half-assedly, report.
The rest of the ride was silent between the two brothers. Ed stared mindlessly out of the window while Al watched his brother. This was a bit of a ritualistic thing, when Ed was thinking about something or something was bothering him, he would fall into a deep thought. Then Al would just stare at him waiting for some clue as to what was bothering the elder brother. He didn't say much of his feelings ever since they left their home in Resembool. Ed being 14 only made it worse because even though he had a hard time saying it, he was still a kid, so he was prone to being moody. Nonetheless, Al cared for his brother and watched over him with watchful eyes.
The train whistle filled the air with its wails as it squealed to a halt at the platform. Ed rose from his seat and stretched his human arm in the air, giving air to a small crack of the back. He let out a pleased sigh and cracked his neck before grabbing his luggage from under his seat. "Ready to go Al?" The younger merely nodded as he stood to follow his brother out.
They traveled through the streets of Central. It was a busy day in deed with shoppers about and kids running down the streets. It was a nice day in fact. The sun was shining and the air was free of any breeze. It was the kind of weather where it was neither too hot nor too cold. Ed prayed it be a sign that something good was about to happen. He chuckled to himself at the thought. He was never one to really believe in luck or signs. He felt that they were merely just things people thought up to get them fruitlessly through the day. It was that little piece of immaturity in people that they clung to.
"Brother, are you going to try and get along with the Colonel?" Al asked with a bit of demand in his tone.
"Hey I would have no problem with the guy if he wasn't such a condescending moron." Ed scoffed throwing his nose in the air with disgust.
"Oh Ed," Al shook his head. He stopped for a moment then turned to look down at his brother again. "By the way what is the Colonel doing in Central? I thought he was supposed to be in East City."
"I don't know. When I talked to him on the phone he had said something about having some formalities to attend to. Whatever that means," Ed said shrugging his shoulders. It was neither his business or of any concern to him where and what his Colonel was up to. As long as he provided him information regarding the Philosopher's Stone, then it all really didn't matter.
Before long they were standing outside Central Headquarters. Ed heaved a heavy sigh and walked in with his brother in tow. The halls of Central were quieter than usual. The occasional soldier past by with a short salute to Ed. Ed peered slowly around the corner and saw that there was no one to be found. He sighed heavily and smiled. But just when he thought it was clear he was bombarded by a lovestruck man with pictures.
"Hughes," Ed sighed.
"Edward it has been a long time! Alphonse you too, how are you?" Maes Hughes questioned as he gave a friendly slap on Ed's back.
"Hi Hughes, I have been well thank you. So has brother. How is the family?" Al asked. Ed could have killed him in that moment. Pictures began flying as Hughes rambled on about the latest misadventures he has been having with his beloved daughter. He fawned over his wife like a goddess and adored his daughter like a new puppy with each picture he showed them. In the meantime Ed was trying to find the quickest escape route to no avail.
"Isn't she just adorable? Just the other day she was calling me daddy and saying how she wanted to be like me!" Hughes chimed as he continued to fawn over his child.
"That's great Hughes, but I am really looking for the Colonel right now. So I will be seeing ya," Ed stated as he slowly began to creep away. He left Al to the dogs which he knew the younger would not appreciate. Ed would definitely hear about it later. But he knew he had to get his report to the Colonel. If it wasn't there soon he would get some speech about being prompt and such. That was definitely not on his list of things to listen to today.
He walked through the first set of doors to see all his subordinates working hard.
"Well hey there Chief," Havoc greeted with a unlit cigarette loosely hanging from his mouth, "back already?"
"Yeah the lead was a bit of a dud. Just some half-wit alchemist with painted stones," Ed sighed as he scratched his head.
"Too bad maybe next time," Havoc said with a genuine look of disappointment for the boy. He knew how much this stone meant to the brothers, especially the elder. It definitely concerned the soldiers to see those boys run themselves ragged over this stone. They were still young and they threw themselves at life's dangers.
"Yeah hopefully," Ed said as he wound his foot back to kick the door in.
"Please Ed, he is in a good mood today," Hawkeye urged.
Ed sighed and knocked on the door before waiting for the husky 'Enter' to be called. He walked in and shut the door as the Colonel briefly looked up from his work.
"Fullmetal, to which do I owe this honor," Roy stated as he set down his pen.
"You know why I am here Mustang. Don't start," Ed said as he set his file down on the desk. He took a seat on the couch rubbing his temples.
"Fair enough," Roy said as he grabbed the manila folder and looked over the report. He glanced back at Ed and cocked an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"
"None of your business but yeah I am a little tired," Ed said as he kept his eyes shut, massaging the side of his head.
"Proper rest is a necessity Edward," Roy stated as he shuffled through the pages of the report.
"Thank you, Dad," Ed mocked shooting an irritated glare the elder's way. Roy just smirked as he continued looking through the report. The next fifteen minutes were relatively silent for the two. For Ed that was just fine as he continued to rub his head.
"Well," Roy began as he closed the file, "I have to say I am impressed Ed. For once your report was well written."
Ed opened his eyes and turned to Roy in a state of shock. "Go figure and I did this one so half-assed."
Roy sighed and shook his head. He couldn't help but give a small smile. "Well maybe you did a higher level of half-assed." Ed just laughed and nodded in some agreement. The silence soon followed, and Roy leaned on his elbows and placed his chin on folded hands. He stared intensely at the boy. "Now tell me. Why with the exhaustion? Was the train ride that uncomfortable?"
"I told you it was no big deal," Ed grumbled, his anger slowly rising.
"It is a concern when I am spending the money to send you on your investigations. You are a liability as a kid."
"I am not a kid!" Ed snapped. "Look I am just tired. Just having some of those restless dreams."
"Care to share?"
"Look I am not a kid, so don't treat me as such. Besides this isn't a therapy session. I told you this was no big deal." Roy gave a huff as he rose from his chair to look out the window. Just as Ed got up to leave, Al came flying in through the door.
"Brother how could you leave me there by myself! That was so mean!" Alphonse whined as he got in his brother's face. Roy turned to look at Ed who was squirming and laughing nervously. He was trying to give his younger brother the best answer he could. Roy merely observed the brothers.
No matter how much he says it. They really are still kids. He thought as he chuckled to himself.
Havoc, Breda, Falman, Fuery, and Hawkeye peered into the room as the scene was going on. "Jeez Boss what did you do?" Havoc questioned with a smirk.
"He left me with Hughes and his pictures that's what he did!" Al exclaimed waving his arms in the air.
"Oh man that is low," Breda said as he shook his head.
"Hey, I had to turn in my report to the Colonel. It was important," Ed stated trying to save himself from more lecturing.
"Don't you drag me into this Fullmetal," Roy warned knowing exactly what the boy was up to.
The bickering continued on between everyone. They made it look as though this was routine for them. Soon Hughes came speeding through the door. Everyone turned their attention to man who was breathing heavy. He waved his hand trying to catch his breathe.
"T-the Furher…is on his way," he managed to breathe out.
Everyone scattered to get back to their stations but it was too late. Furher Bradley had reached them with Armstrong by his side escorting him and the Generals to the room. Everyone stood up right and saluted. The Furher gave his usual calm cool smile. "At ease. I heard all the chatter, what was all the fuss about?"
"Nothing sir, just some minor bickering," Roy stated. The Furher chuckled and shook his head. The group was always a sight for sore eyes.
"Well you all are causing quite the commotion. But a little excitement has never hurt anyone right?" he asked with a soft, cheerful smile on his face.
"Excitement never hurting anyone…not sure about that," Ed mumbled. Roy elbowed him in the chest and shot him a glare, which was returned by the young teen.
There was a silence that filled the room for a moment as everyone inspected everyone. Ed observed the Generals that followed Bradley. They all stood poised with stoic faces. He couldn't tell what they were feeling or what they were thinking, which was what they were exactly trained for. A General usually showed hardly any emotion when in the presence of subordinates. They had to keep that strong and cool façade of a leader.
Most of the generals that followed Bradley were tall and had a very strong build. They were all men of course. Rarely did you find a female general, especially one that followed the Furher around. However, there was one general that followed the Furher who was smaller than the rest. The runt of the litter, who was no more than 5'5" and was very lean, the general kept their eyes cast down. Ed cocked an eyebrow.
The Furher to this general and smiled, "Despite the commotion you raise a well-built team." The general raised their head and Ed's eyes shot open. It was a young woman with sapphire blue eyes. She was no more than 24.
"Thank you sir," she said with a small smile, "I care about this team very much, so spending the time is well worth it." The Furher smiled and gave a smile. He signaled for his departure and everyone in the room saluted him.
"General Shales," he said with the tip of head. She saluted and he exited the room. The door shut behind them and everyone stood still for a moment. The young general turned to them and smiled.
"Heh sorry you guys, I wasn't aware we would be making a visit. I would have warned you so you all didn't look like a bunch of fools," she exclaimed. Then she got a large grin and laughed. Everyone in the room merely smiled and shook their heads.
"Same as always General," Havoc said with his cigarette balancing from his mouth. She continued to laugh as she rubbed the back of her head.
Ed stared at her for a long moment. He studied her face from beneath her hat. It can't be. He continued to study her mannerisms as a conversation carried on around him. She was so familiar that it almost made him sick to his stomach. It was when she stopped and smiled that it hit him like a ton of bricks. A rage consumed his body as he lowered his head.
"Brother?" Al whispered quietly as he observed the shaking teen.
"Oh right, Fullmetal, you haven't met our immediate General," Roy began as he motioned to the girl. Ed lifted his head, eyes narrowed. He began walking towards her and Roy's speech droned out as everyone watched the boy. They all cocked an eyebrow as he approached the girl. "Fullmetal?"
Ed stopped in front of her and looked up to the girl. She looked down at him with her deep blue eyes. His metal arm shook with rage. Before everyone knew it the girl was sent flying across the room with a punch to the face by a strong-built automail arm. The soldiers that filled the room were in an utter state of shock.
"Brother!" Al screeched.
Roy filled with anger and shocked nearly attacked the boy. "Fullmetal! Have you lost your fucking mind!"
Ed ignored the yells that were aimed him. He walked up to the girl on the ground who was rubbing her face. Her hat lied lazily on the floor next to her revealing her long raven locks that full down to her mid-back. She looked up at Ed, whose eyes were narrowed and filled with anger.
"Hello Edward, it has been a long time, " she said with a sweet smile. Everyone stopped in shock.
"You, where the fuck have you been!" He screamed.
Then, that eerie silence fell across the room once more as everyone observed, in shock, the showdown that was happening right in front of them between the General and the young boy.