All I Need
It was just another day in Central Headquarters. Both boring and exquisite, for all those who actually give a shit whether the world is going off its hinges or not, thought Ed grumpily, having just woken up a few hours ago and practically sprinting to the main building, already very late.
Of course, he wouldn't even have to be here, if not for a certain Colonel Bastard having demanded him to report his latest exploits. Having to see that smug face and take snotty comments about his height in the morning was not Ed's idea of a good morning starter. But the truth is that nothing could really be any worse than their latest mission. Their leads to find the Philosopher's stone had proven to be faux; he had ended up being chased by a freaking horde of angry commoners and somehow damaged his automail in the process.
Well, when he thought about it that way, it didn't really seem that different from his other missions, but still, something had bothered him this time. Probably just the way all his latest adventures seemed to go down the drain. He had had enough of it and he was now, to put it simply, very pissed.
Thus, he reluctantly shuffled down the hall which would lead him to his office and burst in without knocking.
"Ah, Fullmetal," Mustang said, without even troubling to look up from his papers to know he was there. "Astounding manners as usual. Have a seat." He motioned dismissively to the couch as he finished with the report he had in hand, signing it and putting it aside.
Finally Mustang looked up from his table to see a very pissed looking Edward glaring at him from his seat on the couch. "What happened? You look dreadful." The hint of concern in his superior's voice confused the teen a little, but he just shrugged it off, assuming it was simply part of his "look at me; I'm so great I patronize everyone around me" act.
Ed then proceeded to impassively describe his latest adventure as he knew it was his duty to his commanding officer and the reason he was there anyway. As much as he wanted to avoid talking about it, as he generally did with everything that worried him, he had to admit that it actually felt quite good to have someone listen to you once in a while.
After Ed finished, there was an awkward moment when none of them truly knew what to say. This is stupid, Ed thought. He had reported missions tons of times before, but now he felt silly and pathetic telling it to a man who, no doubt, realized how silly and pathetic he was. Fuck, it is agonizing really, and Ed didn't know if he was referring to the mission, or the awkwardness, or the way Al seemed to grow more distant every day, or maybe the man in front of him staring at him with that I-can-see-right-through-you sort of look. He sat there, avoiding the older man's eyes, trying to fight the pain away, but not knowing how to do it and already feeling a distinctive prickling in his eyes and a churning sensation in his throat. That at least he knew how to fight back before it evolved into something as unmanly and unbecoming as tears.
Then, just as the silence had started to grow to become more oppressive, Mustang moved closer and embraced him. Ed stiffened a little, completely taken aback by the unexpected affection. Oh, what the hell; screw it, Ed thought and let himself be hugged tight, relaxing into the strong arms around him. Feeling the strong surge of despair closing in on him, Ed buried his face in the older man's shirt, gripping it firmly in the back. In response, Mustang rubbed his hands comfortingly over the younger man's back. Then he tipped Ed's face up and kissed him softly on his cheek and near his eye. Ed snuggled closer, closing the gap between them, drunk in the warmth he felt from the man's touch. It felt so good and natural to be held this close, as if that was all he had ever needed.