-.-.-.-.-. notes .-.-.-.-.-.-
I do not own FMA, nor do I wish to. Seems like it'd be a lot of trouble. I'm just writing for fun, no money is being made.
This chapter is probably more of a General rating, except language.
italics are inside thoughts.
-.-.-.-.-. story.-.-.-.-.-
Al had called the office to tell General Mustang that Ed wouldn't be in to give his report for a few days. He'd gotten sick on the train back from a mission and was delirious, no information would be forthcoming. Mustang wasn't about to allow Ed any leniency though, the higher ups were breathing down his neck and he ended up telling Al to cart his brother in on a wheel-barrow if necessary. He needed that report today.
So Al came in, carrying Ed on his back and depositing him on the general's couch before stepping back and glaring at Mustang while the team tried to wake Ed up. Which worked, eventually, and Mustang dismissed his crew before asking questions. Al stayed, it would be a fight to get the younger Elric to leave the office and he didn't have time.
Getting all the answers took a lot longer than he'd originally thought it would. Ed was practically drunk on military grade fever meds. Giggling at some questions, falling in and out of consciousness, giving half answers, and constantly forgetting nouns.
Eventually it was over and Mustang dismissed Al and Ed. He had to translate the notes he'd made into an actual report for his superiors before 14:00.
"I know this wasn't ideal Al, but thank you. This report is quite urgent or I wouldn't have asked you to bring him in."
Ed started giggling from the couch where Al was trying to gather him onto his back.
"Hey Al, Flame Brain hasn't figured it out yet." He giggled some more. "My secret is still safe."
Al started to worry, Mustang was now scrutinizing Ed instead of the notes. "Yes yes Ed. Back to sleep."
Ed was still mumbling, "It's starting to get obvious though."
"Ed! Shush!"
He'd better get his brother out of here before anything else fell out of his mouth.
Mustang was still in interrogation mode though, and while he was strapped for time, he couldn't just let this go. Especially since a part of Ed's phrasing struck him as odd.
"Al, stop." He directed his voice toward Edward, his eyes scrutinising the older blond. "What's obvious Ed?"
Ed giggled some more, "Nothing General." he emphasised the word and even in his medicinally facilitated drunken state managed to sound condescending. "Hawkeye figured it out years ago though." Then collapsed into a fit of giggles and coughs.
Al was starting to panic, he knew he shouldn't have brought Ed in. Ignoring the General's orders to stop he gave up on backpacking and scooped his brother up and made for the door.
Mustang had not expected Ed's comments to be any more than drunken rambling, so Al's panic and attempted escape surprised him. It wasn't too hard to block the door before the boy had made it too far through the room.
"Sir, Ed's sick, I have to get him back to the dorm before his fever rises more than it already has."
Mustang ignored him, opening the door to summon his Lieutenant, "Hawkeye. Come in here for a moment." He stepped just far enough away from the door to let her in.
Al's panic grew, "Sir. No! Please! Just let us go back. Ed needs sleep! Please?"
The General's concern doubled, Al was begging. What the hell kind of secret had they been keeping from him?
Hawkeye entered the room, taking in Al's fearful expression and the worried confusion of her superior she plastered indifference to her face, she was not choosing a side.
Keeping his eyes on his friend and partner for almost a lifetime he directed his question at the medicated drunk, "Ed, what did Hawkeye figure out years ago?" and Mustang watched her face drain of colour. He had to give her credit though, she didn't flinch or otherwise give any indication she knew what was coming.
Ed decided to just repeat Mustang's earlier sentence instead of answering, "bring him in." and he giggled some more, "bring HIM in. bring hiiiimmm in. bring him in bring him in bring him in." He continued to sing in the background and Mustang started to get a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. Still looking at his unflinching subordinate he asked Ed another question, "Who should he have brought in Ed?"
Ed stopped singing, "HER!" he shouted at the top of his lungs then collapsed into another fit of giggles, which turned into a coughing fit, before passing out cold.
No one moved. Mustang felt his stomach drop to the floor. Hawkeye's lack of response confirming his suspicions.
Slowly, Al started making his way toward the door. The sleeping Ed still on his back. Mustang turned his head to acknowledge the escape, stepping out of the way, "Do NOT leave your room!"
Al nodded and fled the office. He wouldn't leave the room, but he didn't have to let anyone in. He'd alchemically remove the door and replace it with a wall as soon as he got there.
Mustang watched Al's retreat through the outer office without further comment, he was still processing the information. Hawkeye dared not move in case it triggered a reaction she wasn't ready for. They stood in silence until Havoc knocked on the door. "Sir, admin called. They've moved the report deadline up to an hour from now."
Mustang snapped out of it. "Fuck." He didn't have time to get upset about this right now.
He motioned for Hawkeye to sit down and then he moved behind his desk.
First, he'd get this report done. Then, he'd get all the answers he needed from Riza. THEN he was going to the bar to get very drunk.
