Not in chronological order, but the boys' ages will be listed at the top of every chapter.
Edward, 12.
The Mission Report
Eastern Headquarters
Office of Col Roy Mustang, Flame Alchemist
7:55 am
Although Eastern Headquarters never technically closed, official office hours began every morning at nine. Colonel Mustang arrived every morning at exactly eight thirty-nine, seven minutes later than any other officer of his rank or higher in command but still earlier than was expected. It was his minor act of defiance. No one ever mentioned it.
First Lt. Riza Hawkeye arrived every morning at exactly eight. She used the time before her commander's arrival to prepare the office for the day, begin the coffee, and enjoy the last moments of peace before the daily insanity of being the caretaker of four overgrown children and two real children began. She needed these thirty-nine minutes of peace to maintain her sanity, especially after the events of the last week.
This was a well-known routine to those who worked in Eastern Command. You knew exactly what time it was on any weekday morning by the arrival of Mustang's team. Falman was next to arrive everyday at precisely Eight forty-three. Breda would arrive at Eight forty-five. Fuery was always next at eight fifty-five. Havoc would then arrive at eight fifty-nine, apologize for being late, and offer pastries to everyone. It was routine.
Edward, when he was in town, would arrive every morning at exactly eleven fifty-five. This was so that he could defy the order to arrive in the morning while still following said order. A technicality he learned from Mustang though both would deny this mimicry if confronted. This too had become a comforting part of the routine. It was a shock then, for Hawkeye to arrive a little early (she felt she may need extra time after everything) only to learn that not only was Mustang at the front desk chatting with the receptionist, but Edward was standing next to the locked office door.
Edward Elric was proud of himself. The twelve-year-old was actually running thirty minutes early according to his plan, even with the late night just behind him. He had cheerfully walked into headquarters at seven thirty carrying the extremely thick file under his right arm and eating a pastry. He had happily waived at the receptionist but kept walking, so it wasn't until he reached the locked door of Mustang's offices that he realized he was early. With a shrug he had then leaned against the wall and waited. The file shifted to his left hand at seven forty-five when he realized he might bend it slightly without noticing in his automail hand. This report had to be perfect.
Following his first mission, A Mine Inspection, Colonel Mustang had lectured him. Edward was determined to give a good report this time, so he wrote down everything he remembered about his eventful week with Chen Li. A name he hoped to never hear again, unless it was in the form of an apology he knew would never happen.
Apparently, he mused, arriving at seven thirty was to early to be "First thing in the morning." Mustang wasn't here yet, and neither was anyone else. Just when Ed was growing bored he noticed Hawkeye unlocking the door next to him and talking to him. He missed everything she had said so he simply nodded and said "Good Morning Ma'am."
"Are you alright Edward?" Hawkeye repeated, concerned over the boy's battered and exhausted appearance. "I hope you have not been waiting long."
"Nah, it's fine." Edward said as he smiled brightly. "Mustang said come first thing so I came over as soon as I woke up."
"I see."
"I finished my report." Edward added as he happily held up the thick folder. Hawkeye noticed his over-bright eyes and dirty grass stained clothing. His hair had been hastily shoved into a messy bun on the top of his head although his face had been washed and the cuts clearly treated, he still looked like he had drug himself straight from the forest.
"You did sleep at least, sir?" Hawkeye asked carefully as she watched the boy sway slightly on his feet.
"Yup." Edward exclaimed, louder than normal if that was possible. He once again held out the folder, and she noticed the thickness. "I stayed up a bit late to finish but I got to bed around three I think it was."
"I see, That's your report? It seems a bit thick for a short mission, even with complications." Hawkeye said as she made a mental note to try to get the boy to sit down somewhere to get a bit more sleep.
"Uh-huh. Colonel Mustang said my last report was to short and lacked detail, so I made sure to include everything this time!" Ed replied with an air of carefree innocence that even the always suspicious Riza Hawkeye fell for, she firmly believed he had simply followed the order to the best of his understanding. She was spared a response by the arrival of the Colonel.
Colonel Mustang was surprised to see Edward standing in the office, he had told the young Major to arrive first thing but had not expected the boy before noon. He hid his surprise well however, in hopes of starting a trend of early arrivals. He gestured for the tired child to follow him into the inner office as he , like his adjutant, noted Ed's bedraggled appearance. As Mustang sat he finally acknowledged the thick folder under Edward's arm.
"I intended to give you an assignment Fullmetal." Mustang said as he gestured toward the file. "There was no need to seek one out."
Edward stepped up to the desk and handed over the file as if one wrong move would cause it to burst into flames, which, considering he was talking to the Flame Alchemist, was not an entirely unfounded fear. "Actually, sir, This is my mission report, completed by morning as requested."
Mustang stared in shock at the folder before him. Had the boy slept at all? How had he managed to write this much overnight? With broken automail and what was likely at least bruised if not twisted knee judging by the way the boy had been favoring his side when they found him and the princess yesterday. He stared dumbfounded at the boy until he realized Edward was waiting for him to read the file.
With a sigh he opened the file and began to read, as Ed sat on one of the couches to wait. Five pages later Mustang heard soft snores coming from the couch. He looked up to see the boy still sitting up straight with arms and legs crossed, his chin now resting on his chest as he breathed slowly. Mustang returned his attention to report wordlessly. The boy was clearly exhausted. Twenty minutes later he signed off on the report, and looked up again to see that at some point the boy had slid down onto his side and was now laying sprawled on the couch.
Noise had filled the outer office as the others had slowly trickled in, Hawkeye had closed the door to muffle the sound and had draped her overcoat over the boy when she came in to refill Mustang's coffee. He nodded his thanks as he filled out the expense report that needed to be attached to Edward's mission file so the boy's account would be credited. Not because the boy couldn't fill it out himself, and (he told himself) not to be nice, but because he fully intended to send him back out on the next mission as soon as possible. Though looking at Fullmetal, he decided the mission may be able to wait a few days until everyone involved had a chance to recover.
An hour later Mustang was busy signing forms as slowly as humanly possible when the loud clanging footsteps announced the arrival of Edward's younger brother, Alphonse. The lighter, higher voice suggested that Al was joined by Edward's mechanic Winry Rockbelle as well. With a sigh Mustang set down his pen and looked once more at the sleeping form across the room. It looked like it was time to wake him. "Fullmetal." Mustang said softly as he gently shook the boy's small shoulder." Come on, time to get up now."
Edward blinked, confused for a moment, before he remembered where he was and jumped to his feet as Mustang returned to his desk without mention of the boy sleeping on his couch. "About your report." Mustang said instead, as if he didn't notice the boy's momentary embarrassment and confusion. "There is a fine line between detailed and overdetailed."
"What line is that?" Edward said grumpily as if he hadn't drawn the report as long as possible to annoying his commanding officer.
"I would say about fifty pages." Mustang said dryly. "Mentions of details such as questionable hygiene habits of persons not involved in the case need not make it into the file."