There he is, standing ramrod straight, in full military uniform. Custom made, Roy Mustang thinks, for it fits perfectly. Long blonde hair pulled into a tight ponytail.
A snappy salute.
"Major Edward Elric, Fullmetal Alchemist, reporting for duty! Sir!"
Edward is still short, still young. But there will be no terse remarks, no smirk, no snickering. No, not this time. Not ever, really. There is too much pain in the boy's eyes.
Mustang returns the salute with a seriousness reserved only for special occasions and the Fuhrer. "Stand at ease, Fullmetal."
Edward obeys instantly.
Mustang opens the file before him. Routine stuff really. Fullmetal is assigned to Colonel Mustang▓s command. He is to be housed....in the dorms?
The room he shared with Alphonse.
The room with all those memories.
Roy ponders the question; should I even offer....?
"Permission to speak, sir?" Edward says, puberty cracking the boy's voice on the word 'sir'.
"Granted." Mustang decides it is easier to play along. To let Edward play at soldiers if it will keep an emotional scene from happening? Let Edward hold onto his dignity?
"Sir, I respectfully request transfer to Bachelor Officer's Quarters.■
"Request granted." Roy scribbles a note.
There is a discreet knock on Roy's office door and Riza Hawkeye enters. She carrying her usual arm load of papers. Reports. Requests. Military junk mail. She takes in the awkward situation quickly. A very worried Colonel, sitting behind the desk. Wanting to offer sympathy, to take on the role of concerned parental substitute. Wanting to talk to the grieving boy as a friend. Wanting Edward Elric back draped over his sofa, legs splayed, feet on the table, head leaned back and sarcasm dripping from his lips.
Not this robot.
This military stiffness. This person calling him 'Sir!'. This saluting at attention.
Riza sets the stack of papers down. Her eyes are fixed on the boy. She is worried, afraid for Edward. She, too, wants to comfort him. The situation is threatening to unleash every carefully hidden shred of maternal instinct she has. 'Come home with me, Ed. I'll make a nice home cooked dinner. (maybe a glass of wine to loosen the tongue). Black Hayate would love to see you.'
Instead, she gives him a nod, and leaves the room.
to be continued before the next millenia...
