Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.
Counterfeit
Small, obsidian eyes stared curiously at Alphonse Elric, with its irresistible purrs and a face that screams out 'I'm cute, pet me.' Al had no choice but to surrender to the temptation and pet the adorable little thing.
It was Al's third day in vacation, and spending it in Resembool was a great idea, he got to spend more time with the Rockbells, and the town's atmosphere was very calming. But still, as great as the time off was, he's still too eager to be back in Central with his brother, Edward. Leaving the
cat with a small scrap of food, the suit of armor made his way back to the Rockbells.
"Winry! Grandma! I'm back!" he yelled as he took everything he bought into the kitchen.
The house was fairly quiet, except for a faint whirring of machines in the basement, meaning Winry and/or Pinako are hard at work again. After putting all the things he recently bought to their proper locations, Al made his way to the basement, to help the Rockbells out in any way possible.
The telephone rang even before Al even reached the door. Since it might be a customer, Al picked the phone up.
"Hello?" he said.
"Good afternoon," replied the person on the other end, "is this Alphonse Elric?"
"Yes, this is he."
"This is Central Hospital, it's about your brother."
"W-what's wrong?"
The second day of investigation and so far Lieutenant Colonel Hughes hasn't found anything that could point him to the attacker, much less point him to a suspect. The culprit nearly left no trace of evidence, and for the past few days the only evidence the investigators found was a small key discovered just outside the crime scene, it was speculation that this was the key the culprit used to open the room, but it was still being checked for finger prints.
As Hughes made his way down the library stairs he thought of possible suspects, people who might hold a grudge against Edward, men who are after his blood, pondering this for a few moments he realized that there were way too many to list. Heaving a deep sigh, he gave up.
"I knew you'd be here."
Roy Mustang was looking up at him at the foot of the first floor steps.
"Of course I'd be here I'm in charge of this investigation." replied Hughes as he walked down the remaining steps and up to his friend. "What kind of officer would I be if I skip my responsibilities?"
"I can relate." said Roy grinning at his friend, then in a serious expression, "I got your report."
"Why didn't you tell me that Edward was hospitalized?" said Roy before Hughes could answer.
"With the investigation and all I didn't have the time." said Hughes.
"A simple call would have been sufficient." said Roy with gritted teeth. "Or you could have at least pass by my office and say 'Hey, Roy, guess what? Ed been attacked by some maniac and now he's barely alive'!"
"That's not funny, you know." said Hughes.
"I'm stressing my point here, Maes! You should have told me this sooner, not two days later!"
"E-excuse me, Sirs?" someone piped up.
The two turned and met eyes with the librarian, who was looking at them curiously. "Which one of you is Maes Hughes?"
"Yes?" replied the correct person.
"You have a phone call, from your wife, she says she wants to talk to you."
Hughes was very much obliged, he quickly made his way to the phone leaving a flustered Roy behind, returning moments later very excited.
"Good news:" said Hughes " Gracia said that Ed woke up not too long ago."
"I'm coming with you." said Roy.
"Hurry up then!" said Hughes nearly running out of the library. Hughes reached his car and sat in the driver's seat, and Roy sitting on the passenger's side. "Roy? I thought you had a car."
"I walked my way here." He said.
Maes looked at his friend then to the direction of the military head quarters, then back at him, "You have got to be joking" he said, seeing the tiny speck of the headquarter's rooftop.
"I wish I was." said Mustang, chuckling to himself.
Upon reaching Hughes' residence, Roy and Hughes hurried their way to the front doors, not even bothering to take their jackets off the moment they entered. Quickly making their way up the stairs almost running like little children, only to be stop by the strict mother that was Gracia..
"I told Elicia not to run up or down the steps," she said in a stern manner "and here you go running like maniacs, you two are setting a very bad example for her."
"We apologize, Gracia." said Hughes, scratching his head.
"So, is Ed alright?" asked Roy.
Gracia's face turned from stern to concerned, "Well, I'm not sure."
"Is there anything wrong?" said Hughes
"Well, the thing is . . ."
"Mommy! Look!" Elicia piped up as she jumped gleefully in front of Ed's bedroom door.
"What's the matter honey?" Gracia asked.
"Look at big brother!" she pointed inside the room.
The three adults swiftly made their way through the hall and into Ed's room, and stopped dead on their tracks.
"E-elicia?" stuttered Gracia "What did you-?"
"Isn't he pretty Mommy?"
Roy doubled over and laughed out loud, Gracia tried her best to hide the giggles, and Hughes was just plain silent, although he was grinning uncontrollably.Apparently Elicia had fun with Gracia's make up, because Ed's face was all caked with all sorts of colors, making him look like a clown, his hair was very messily tied to a ponytail, that it seriously made him look like a seriously abused clown in a birthday party.
Poor Ed was embarrassed, not to long ago Elicia asked him if he could play with her, he politely agreed, he thought that it might be another clapping game. He didn't expect this. It was embarrassing already, with the make up and all, but it was much more humiliating when some stranger sees you.
"Mom," said Edward trying to muster all the dignity he could "don't tell me I'm related to that insane man over there?"
The whole room was silent, Roy and Hughes looked at Gracia curiously, waiting for a reaction. She just smiled, "No, Edward, he's just a friend."
Edward seemed relieved, satisfied with the woman's answer, Ed started taking off every single trinket in his hair, then wiping off the make up on his face.
"Gracia," said Hughes, "what's wrong with-?"
"Let's not talk about this in front of him, please?" she pleaded.
The adults left the bed room continued on with their conversation in the kitchen.
"That kid does not sound like Full Metal, who is he?" said Roy.
"That is Ed" said Hughes "but why did he just call you mom, Gracia?"
"Something Elicia said made him think that I'm his mother," she said, the two looked at her "he doesn't remember anything, Maes."
Geez. . . I haven't gotten any where in this chapter.