Ed was rather proud of himself. That much was obvious as the little boy of 13 waltzed down the hallway with a big childish grin on his face. After watching Mustang's Flame Alchemy for less than a year, he managed to figure out how it worked. The arrays on his gloves rearranged the molecules in the air to concentrate a ton of oxygen in one place, and by snapping his fingers, Mustang's ignition gloves created the spark that started fires. Simple, really.
Ed snickered, thinking about how long it probably had taken for Mustang to figure it out. Here he was, a 13 year old kid, capable of learning what a grown man could in years, in less than half the time!
He made it to Mustang's office, and he swiftly kicked it open, announcing his arrival. Few people looked up, all of them having gotten used to his sudden entrances by that point.
"Ah, Fullmetal, I didn't realize that they were serving shrimp today," The Colonel said easily, not bothering to look up from his paperwork.
Ed ignored the jab at his height, instead choosing to walk up to the Colonel's desk, smirking proudly. "Well, Flame, it seems that this shrimp has managed to copy your fire."
This caught the attention of the other soldiers, all of them curious as to why the midget hadn't blown up yet. Roy however was more curious as to what the kid meant by "copy his fires".
Hawkeye eyed them carefully as she dropped off more paperwork for the others. She wasn't getting a good feeling from this. "And what do you mean by that?" Mustang asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ed merely grinned, slipping off his right glove, revealing the shining Automail. Mustang and Hawkeye managed to catch a glimpse of what looked like transmuted flint on his fake digits. Though what caught them off guard was the transmutation circle on the back of his hand.
It was Flame Alchemy.
Mustang's eyes widened in shock, and Hawkeye froze in her place as the boy easily activated the circle, and snapped his fingers, creating a burning fire flickering above his Automail hand.
Mustang sat there in complete and utter horror and he watched the flames eventually flicker out after a couple seconds.
After a moment of silence, Havoc let out an impressed whistle. "Wow Chief, managed to figure it out that fast?
"It's only been about a year since he saw the Colonel first use Flame Alchemy, must've figured it out way faster than Mustang." Breda chirped, flashing the kid a grin.
Ed smiled in return, his chest filling with pride. "Yup, it's not that hard, really." He turned his golden gaze back to the Colonel. "Really, Flame Alchemy's practically child's play once you figure out how it works, after seeing your oh so mighty flames a few times, it was just a matter of practical practice-"
He was abruptly cut off by a hand grabbing a fistful of his shirt, shoving him against the wall. Ed snapped his mouth shut, golden eyes as wide as saucers as he was met with the sight of matching obsidian black eyes glaring at him fiercely. "Where the hell did you learn that?"
"B-Boss!" Havoc practically yelled, standing up immediately to approach them. Mustang ignored the Second Lieutenant, instead choosing to growl venomously at his subordinates, a silent warning to stay back.
Ed gaped at the Colonel in disbelief, stammering, "I-I didn't-"
"Tell me!" The grip on his shirt tightened and Mustang pressed his forearm up against the boy's throat. "Where. Did. You. Find. Out?"
Edward choked a bit, instinctively reaching up to try easing the pressure off his throat a bit. "I le-earned it by m-myself-"
The Colonel dropped him, and Ed stumbled a bit, choking and gagging at the sudden intake of air. That was short-lived however, as he felt something hit him right across the face, whipping his head to the side and making him stumble back slightly.
There was a long silence as Hawkeye stared at the Colonel wide eyed, and Havoc and Breda looking mortified. Falman was staring in disbelief, and Fuery looked horrified.
Ed went ridged, still staring at that one spot on the floor. There was a faint sting on his cheek, and carefully, he reached up to press the cool metal of Automail against it as if to check if that actually happened.
The sudden sharp stings and burns that resulted confirmed it. Mustang had slapped him, hard, and it hurt...
Edward slowly looked up at Mustang, eyes wide and confused. The man growled, and said quietly, "Don't you ever dare try Flame Alchemy again, got that?"
Ed could hear the underlying threat laced into Mustang's words, and he blinked in shock. He saw no regret in those furious black eyes.
It hurts...
Why does it hurt?
Ed pursed his lips, and dropping his hand away from his now red face, he carefully took a shaky breath. It's because somewhere deep inside, he wanted Mustang to be proud of him.
Like a father, like how Hohenheim failed to. Just a little praise was apparently too much to ask for.
And it really hurts.
Ed gritted his teeth, putting on his well worn mask again. "F-fine! Who needs your shitty Flame Alchemy anyway?! It's useless in the rain anyhow!" With that, he turned on his heel, and marched out of the office, trying to hid the tears that were threatening to escape.
It hurts, why...?
I just wanted a dad to praise me, even just a little. Though I suppose a failure like me would never be able to have it.
...o0o...
Hawkeye swore she saw the kid tear up a little, and that practically tore her heart to shreds. Watching the boy turn around and rush away seemed to rub salt and lemon juice in the wounds.
She turned to Roy, frowning disapprovingly. "Sir!"
Roy seemed to snap out of it, blinking at the door in slight confusion. He looked over at his subordinates, who were each giving him disgusted looks.
That's when his actions caught up with him. He could feel his gut twisting as that realization slammed into him like a truck.
He had slapped Fullmetal.
Holy shit I hit a subordinate.
"Boss, I know you're agitated that a little kid managed to steal your thunder, but that was low." Havoc muttered, sending his superior officer a glare.
"I'm more surprised he actually struck out against a fellow officer..." Fuery said quietly, looking away.
"And against Ed, of all people."
"Just cause the kid wanted to show off a little?"
"Well, the Chief is only 13..."
"Sir," Hawkeye said, walking up to him. Roy swore he could feel her piercing gaze stab through him. "I would like to speak with you in private."
Mustang wasn't given anytime to comment as she dragged him away from the office, and into another, empty one. If any higher-ups saw the grown man being pulled away by a very pissed looking Lieutenant, they didn't comment.
She swiftly shut the door behind her, and turned to face her partner. "Sir, I do know you're upset Edward, somehow, managed to figure out how to use Flame Alchemy, but lashing out at him was uncalled for."
Mustang paused, pursing his lips. Hawkeye remained silent, the look she was giving him demanding an answer.
He truly did regret that. He really did. He was just too blinded by the shock and anger to really comprehend it all until it was too late.
That hurt and confused look on that kid's face seemed to bury itself deep into his mind, and just seeing it made his heart nearly explode with guilt.
He had hurt him.
Both physically and emotionally...
Eventually letting out a sigh, Roy muttered, "I know, I just panicked... I didn't mean it."
Hawkeye paused, eyeing him carefully. He seems to be genuine about it..."Colonel..."
"I'm just shocked at how fast he managed to figure it out just by watching me." That caught her off guard. He learned just by watching? No research notes?
Really, Flame Alchemy's practically child's play once you figure out how it works, after seeing your oh so mighty flames a few times, it was just a matter of practical practice.
"That kid is too smart for his own good." Mustang sighed, shaking his head. "That's going to be his downfall someday."
Riza stood there, frowning a bit, "You should apologize to them."
Roy gave her a baffled look, "Them?" He echoed curiously.
"Both Edward, and the team," she clarified, narrowing her eyes. "You didn't quite set the ideal example for them to follow."
Mustang winced slightly, recalling their comments.
That was low...
He struck out against a fellow officer...
Against Ed of all people...
The Chief is only thirteen...
That was uncalled for...
Mustang nodded in understanding. "I will..."
...o0o...
Damn it why did his cheek feel like it was on fire?!
Ed rubbed his now red cheek in discomfort, scowling. It hurt worse than a punch would, what the hell?
Maybe it's because of the one who inflicted it.
Edward growled quietly to himself, shoving away his inner self. He didn't want to think about it.
He stopped, pausing to quickly compose himself. "C'mon Fullmetal," he muttered quietly to himself, "we need ya here while Edward Elric takes a break."
He took a deep breath, and slowly exhaling, he let his prosthetic hand drop to his side. He couldn't let these people see him weak.
In the military, if you showed weakness, they'd eat you alive. Just like a bunch of dogs.
Fullmetal looked up, straightening his posture and continued walking. No one would know how he felt.
He ambled up to the door, about to leave to head towards the library where Al was, that is until he heard someone call, "Major Elric!"
Edward sighed in frustration, turning to find himself face-to-face with a man who seemed to be late thirties to early forties, of average height, a square chin with a slight stubble, with graying black hair, and narrow, dark blue eyes. Edward raised an eyebrow, prompting the man to continue, "Major Elric, I-"
"Don't call me that." Ed cut him off, frowning a bit in distaste. Seeing the man's confused look, Ed clarified, "I'm just a State Alchemist, I'm not an official Major. Just Edward or Fullmetal would be fine."
"Ah, right, Edward," He corrected himself, nodding all too readily. "I am Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Ollivander, and I was hoping you'd be interested in transferring under me?"
Ah, so he's one of those guys. Ed immediately drones him out, and continued walking. Following the kid, the Lieutenant Colonel went on to describe all the oh so wonderful benefits the kid would get from transferring, and blah blah blah and all that crap.
Truth was, Edward couldn't transfer. As much of an asshole Mustang could be, he and his brother needed him. The man was high up in rank, and he knew their secret of what happened that night. Why Ed was in the military to begin with. They couldn't transfer without risking someone else finding out about Al. He wouldn't risk his baby brother for something as petty as a promotion.
Ollivander suddenly turned and half out his hand towards Ed, smiling a bit too widely for comfort. "So, do you agree?"
"No." Ed deadpanned immediately, brushing past him. Ollivander blinked, staring at the empty space for a moment before turning to ash after the young Alchemist.
"But-"
"No."
"Edward I-"
"I said no."
"Then tell me the secrets of Flame Alchemy!"
Edward froze. Flame Alchemy? Is that what this rat bastard was after this whole time? He turned and gave Ollivander a slight glare. "How the hell would I know?"
Ollivander's bright smile slowly dripped into a sinister smirk. "Now now, you didn't stop to think that anyone would listen into your little conversation with the Flame Alchemist earlier, now did you?"
The boy froze, eyes wide. This man eavesdropped on them?! So that means... Ed grits his teeth, about to clap his hands to perform a quick transmutation, when a sudden shadow loomed over him from behind. Startled, Ed was about to turn around to see his other opponent when something heavy suddenly slammed into the back of his head. The boy collapsed onto the hard ground, head spinning as black spots began to swarm into his vision.
Just before he blacked out, Ed could see Ollivander giving him a grin, blues eyes bright and dangerous, like alchemical light...
"Nighty night, Fullmetal Alchemist."
Everything faded to black.
...o0o...
A/N: Just a little idea I had, I really wanna make this a multi-chapter story, BUT WHY DO I KEEP POSTING NEW STORIES AND NOT UPDATING UGH! Uh yeah, I see fics all the time where Flame Alchemy is handled carelessly and Roy and Riza are all like "Oh yeah sure go ahead it's not like we care! It's not like Roy literally burned Riza's back to ensure that nobody else could learn Flame Alchemy!" Like that bothers me, so freaking much. Same for the whole "Major Elric" thing, cause like, Ed's not an official Major, his title as a State Alchemist just happens to have a rank equivalent to Major. So I'm sticking with Fullmetal or something. Yeah, does anyone want me to continue? Y'all would get to see more of my crappy writing and crappy plot skills in action! But yeah, please review, I live off of them.