Ed clapped his hands together expecting the familiar blue flash.
Al laughed softly behind him. "Brother no matter how many times you try it your alchemy isn't going to magically come back."
"It's always worth a shot Al. Besides that's why I have you by my side. Can you unseal this door?" Ed asked. Al walked over and with a clap unlocked the door into the lab they were investigating. Edward couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort watching Al. Human hands, human legs, and that kind grin he always remembered albeit a bit older. He would never regret giving up alchemy for his brother.
"Brother hurry up."
Ed startled realizing he had spaced out and Al was already inside. "Yeah, yeah I'm coming Al."
The colonel had sent them on a routine investigation of a laboratory that hadn't been cooperating with the mandatory state checks. They were to sneak in and find if anything was out of line. Ed knew these missions were pointless and he had no real reason to stay in the military but he never had the heart to leave and settle back into the small country life after seeing the world. "Maybe one day when I'm older I'll settle down." Ed thought to himself. "Maybe with Winry. She is really pretty even if she's a gear head. I always kind of liked her. No wait! Stop that Edward! Winry is like a sister to you and you sure as heck don't have feelings for her!"
Al stopped studying Ed "Brother are you sick? Your face is all red." The younger brother started to feel the elder's forehead.
"Stop it Al." Ed swatted the hand away embarrassed. Al chuckled "Brother you have too much pride, but you feel fine?" "Of course I'm fine idiot." Ed crossed his arms in a pout but let the corners of his mouth rise a little.
"Brother did you hear that?" the brothers froze at the sound of footsteps.
"Hurry Al, find him." Ed charged off in the direction of the noise. Suddenly his foot hooked on box of some kind and he tumbled forward and just his luck, straight into a bucket of blue liquid.
"Brother!" Al yelled rushing over.
"Don't touch me Al you don't know what this stuff is." Ed got out angrily wringing his shirt. "This is disgusting." He scrunched his nose in disgust.
"Brother I can't hear the footsteps anymore." The brothers searched the building and found nothing else out of the unordinary.
"Let's report back to the colonel. I'm sure he's dying to hear the details of another stupid pointless mission he sent us on again."
Al looked disapprovingly at Ed. "Brother you know he's General Mustang now and he's done so much for us. Without him we might not have gotten our bodies back. Can't you speak a little more highly of him?"
Ed flashed a smirk. "Sorry Al but to me he will always be the bastard colonel."
Al sighed in defeat. "Let's just get the gunk cleaned off of you brother. You're starting to smell." Al teased pinching his nose and waving his hand.
"Oh hush Al." Ed pouted but smiled at his brother. His dear brother. Those kind eyes and a heart just as golden. No he wouldn't ever regret the decision to give up alchemy for him.
~~~~~Later at the military dorms~~~~~
"I guess the blue stuff was harmless because I feel fine." Ed said shaking his wet hair.
"Brother you're getting me wet." Al laughed playfully punching the others shoulder. Ed yawned.
"I think I'm going to bed Al. G'night. See ya tomorrow."
"Goodnight brother."
Edward pulled the blanket over himself falling asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow. He'd have to report to the stupid colonel tomorrow.
~~~~Morning~~~~~
Ed's head was itching terribly. He scratched at his hair angrily. His hand brushed against something soft on his head. He yelled jumping out of bed swatting at his head. Al burst into the room.
"Brother what's going on!"
"Al I think there's a bug or a mouse or something in my hair get it out." Ed yanked on the soft thing and yelped in pain as he did so. "Whatever it is it's stuck tight. What are you doing Al come help me?" Ed froze when he saw his brother staring mouth a gap at him. "Al?" Ed asked uncomfortable by the look Al was giving him.
Al walked over to the dresser grabbing a mirror. "Um brother?" Al held up the mirror at Ed. "I don't think that blue liquid was nothing.
Ed snatched the mirror in shock. On top of his head were two German Shepard like ears the same color as his hair. He touched one softly. "Oh my God Al. I have freakin dog ears."
Al touched one and half smiled coyly. "Well at least they are cute."