(A/N: Hello, welcome to my first (posted to this site) fanfiction! Sadly, I cannot quite call it 'fanfiction' is it is a series of drabbles. They will be mostly unrelated, and as the summary warned, will vary in many ways. I am open to constructive criticism and friendly reviews. Enjoy!)

1 Beginnings

They all had reasons for joining. Some were more selfish than others.

The ambitious of course joined for the power that the stripes on the uniform brought them. The command of countless men in the strongest army Amestris had seen in centuries. The respect of adoring citizens.

The brave joined to protect their home. Since the start of the Eastern Rebellion, no one felt safe and that was why these soldiers enlisted. To bring about a sense of security to loved ones. Or perhaps even to watch over loved ones already enlisted.

Kain Fuery wasn't sure why he enlisted. Growing up, he knew he was far from the heroes depicted in the war stories. He wasn't tall, muscular, an alchemist, or even a smidgen tolerant of violence. He much preferred the company of critters and books to contact sports. He wore large glasses, was prone to tripping and had less backbone than a tapeworm.

Despite these glaring drawbacks, Fuery enlisted. He became a technician and eventually found himself under the command of Colonel Mustang and in the company of four very likable people. Work was far more akin to a playground than a military office.

Perhaps it was because of this lack of formality that caused the accident. Perhaps it was only the cloud of bad luck that was always just over his shoulder. Either way, it seemed Fuery would not have been able to avoid such an occurrence.

It was the dead of winter, and only the third week of Fuery's entry to Mustang's company. His shift had just ended and Fuery was relieved to be headed back to his dorm. Too relieved, maybe, because while he was contemplating the falling snow, his boot met ice. His reflexes had always been a little slow when it counted, too. He flailed his arms in an attempt to regain balance, but was too far gone.

Before he could hit the pavement, however, a strong grip encircled his wrist and yanked him back up.

" 's slippery, kid," was all he got from his savior. Fuery watched the retreating back of Second Lieutenant Havoc.

"T-thank you!" he called. Havoc waved an acknowledging hand but did not turn around.

Now, as it may seem, this was not the aforementioned accident. No, the accident was what occurred the following day in the office.

Determined to properly thank the blond-haired man, Fuery headed into work early.

"Lieutenant! May I speak with you?" Fuery called upon spotting his target. Havoc meandered over to the technician. He motioned for Fuery to continue. "A-about yesterday. I wanted to …to thank you. For what you uhm did…" Half way into his speech (which was prerehearsed, mind you), Fuery noticed the intensity of Havoc's gaze upon him. Havoc didn't seem to actually be listening to him. But was rather focused on his face.

"Yeah, hold on a second," Havoc leaned forward and squinted a bit. Then he reached up and pulled something from Fuery's face. "You had dog hair stuck in your glasses."

Fuery's entire face flushed. How the hell did dog hair get there?

"Anyways, go on."

"N-never mind. Not important." Fuery scampered away. He planned on actively avoiding his superior for the rest of the day. And the week. And for the rest of his life, if he could.

Unfortunately for Fuery, Havoc liked to pop up on him to play his favorite game: Pick The Animal Hair Off Of Fuery. It became almost routine for them. An inside joke. Something intimate that they shared in the office. At first it was embarrassing. Fuery didn't want the others to think he was not well-groomed. He just happened to have a lot of smuggled strays in his dorm. But the days that Fuery came in clean were the days that Havoc did not talk to him as often. To the Lieutenant, it was an important part of their relationship that without it was just not as fun.

Yes, everyone had their reason for joining. Even Kain Fuery, whom thought he had no special reason. You see, Kain Fuery joined in hopes he would someday be important to somebody else.