AN: First chapter! Enjoy it :3


Chapter 1: Homecoming

The sound of the train abruptly stopped when it halted in the station of Central. Many people exited immediately; people to visit relatives, go to their work, people who were on vacation. Most seemed to be unconcerned about the world around them and just walked on hurriedly, mingling with the crowd on the station and simply disappearing from Edward's sight. The blonde boy exited the train, sighing as he ran a metallic hand through his hair as he looked for a familiar face.

It had been five weeks since his failed mission. He had been wounded gravely- almost died from the loss of too much blood even, but he had pulled through. When he woke up in one of the bigger tents standing in the middle of a thick forest for cover (the tent functioned as a small hospital- most wounded soldiers were taken there and were cared for), he saw General Bell hovering over him, an expression of annoyance and disappointment gracing his old face.

Bell hadn't been the worst of men, especially not towards Edward. He was strict and could kill people without batting an eye, but he was always very kind towards the infamous Full Metal Alchemist, sometimes even treating him as a father would. It pained Edward to see that look in his face and he knew immediately that he had failed his mission- Bell had filled him in with all the blank spaces, for Edward could hardly remember anything that day.

The mission had been a tough one, though not an impossible one and definitely not an assignment that could be failed easily. However, Ed had been careless and hadn't thought everything through- he had been known for his impulsiveness and that was both his weak and strong point. He had cursed himself mentally for being so reckless.

The mission was to infiltrate a hidden underground base where some rebels were hiding. Apparently, they had been leading every soldier in the city Jhing(1) and if they would've been taken down, chances were that taking the city would be like taking candy from a baby. Edward hadn't counted on a trap, a setup and that was one advantage the rebels of Jhing wouldn't pass up.

They attacked them immediately; soldiers were hiding in the pile of rocks that were once houses and attacked as soon as they were into the city far enough- they surrounded Edward's troops and forced them to all get together. Edward's troops fought them off rather nicely, despite their huge disadvantage and managed to kill off most of the people there. It was, though Edward was reluctant to admit it, mostly because of their Major's alchemic skills and as soon as a bullet had hit the young Alchemist in the leg, things started to look even worse for them, without the protection Edward could offer them with his walls and weapons; it really did look like a hopeless case.

From that point on, Edward didn't remember anything, but the General had explained it further. Apparently, reinforcements had been sent because one soldier had been able to escape the slaughter and managed to inform the General just in time. If it hadn't been for that man, Edward would've been a goner.

When the Full Metal Alchemist had woken up, he had been told that he could go home, provided that he would return back when they needed him. Of course, they always needed extra men, but Edward was worthless, due to the injuries. The young man wasn't complaining; even though it might've been for a short while, he was still going to see his brother, Winry, all of the friends he had made. The long and harsh journey was definitely worth it.

"Niisan!" A voice sounded; Edward immediately recognised it as the voice of his younger brother, who launched at him in a blur of yellow. The older Elric let out a hiss in pain at the assault of his still wounded body, but wrapped his arms around his brother nonetheless. It wasn't everyday that he would get to see his little brother after years of being away. He could see Winry walking slowly towards them, a genuine smile gracing her pretty face as she waited patiently for Alphonse to withdraw himself from the hug.

Edward was surprised at the way they both still looked the same, with the exception of a few minor things. Alphonse had grown much taller in those few years, he was – though Edward was reluctant to admit it – almost one head taller than the older brother was. His hair was still a slightly darker shade of blonde than Edward's was and was still long, tied up neatly in a ponytail. He had grown some muscle in the two years and Edward was proud to see his little brother in such a happy and strong state.

Winry had grown as well, apparently both inside and outside. She had grown a few inches, Edward noted and her face was more mature, more feminine. In fact, she was even wearing a light pink dress, which suited her features quite well; she seemed to be more calm than a couple of years ago, when she would run around excitedly looking at all the machinery and wanting to dissemble it. She now didn't seem to be the type to throw wrenches at them either… Perhaps Al's good nature had rubbed off on her.

"I missed you so much!" Al continued. Edward could see a hint of tears in his eyes and gave him a small smile. Al grinned back at him happily, before finally detaching himself from Edward's waist. Winry was next in line and threw her arms carefully around his neck, obviously noticing he was still in pain. The alchemist happily returned the hug and felt that it was wonderful to be there; the city, where no one was dying. Where there was not the smell of blood in the air, not the screams of pain, but only him, his brother and Winry. Just them and peace.

At least, he tried to tell himself that.

In his mind there were still pictures flashing through, his heart was weary and his body felt like it was made out of lead. Though he felt more at ease being in Central, he still had an anxious feeling in his heart that, someday, he had to return to that horrible battlefield.

Winry and Alphonse had noticed the blank look on his face, the stare, the look as if he was in a world far away- it made them worry, to say the least. They knew that he wouldn't be the same cheerful, obnoxious, arrogant and loud Edward they had known for years, but it was still hard to face the truth what a war could do to a person. Alphonse had sometimes seen the dark face Roy Mustang made whenever he had flashbacks of the war in Ishbal, but never had he thought of seeing that same weary look on his own brother's face.

He could only hope that everything would turn out for all of them.

"Come on," Winry said, letting go of her childhood friend hand grabbing his hand carefully. Edward felt comforted by the small gesture and was surprised when his eighteen year old brother grabbed his automail hand, grinning down at him happily. Edward smiled back, finally feeling human again…

Finally feeling home.

Not two minutes later, they found themselves standing outside of the station and Edward felt as if he had landed in a whole different world. There was no rubble, no empty streets, no threat, no bodies… He took his chances to look around; people were smiling, no guns, not one weapon. Edward found it hard to believe still, that he was finally back. It was hard to walk around with caution and fear for your life for two years and then coming home so suddenly where everything was at peace.

"Edo(2)," Winry said, squeezing Edward's hand softly so that his attention was focused on her. He turned to look at her and gave her a soft smile, still wondering if this was all a dream. "What would you like to have for dinner tonight? We could go out and eat, just the three of us," she paused, looking at him hesitantly. "Or you could go with Alu(3) alone, if you'd rather have that. I could also cook for us all."

"I think I'd like to have a home-cooked meal tonight, Win," Edward said, smiling. Winry and Alphonse breathed a sigh of relief at the response; he hadn't had said a word since he had arrived and they had been starting to get worried. They couldn't imagine the things he had seen, didn't want to, but they had agreed on taking Edward's mind off of things as much as they could possibly do. They knew that they could never make him forget, but they could try nonetheless; they would try.

"Good, Winry's cooking is the best!" Alphonse said enthusiastically, earning another smile from his brother, even though it wasn't the smile he was used to. This one was empty, void of emotion-- forced, it seemed. It made Alphonse's heart sink to see his brother in such a state and he knew not what he could do about it. All he could do was support him and he would do that, no matter what his brother did or no matter what Edward was like- he still remained his brother and he would love him, even if Alphonse felt like they had grown distant from each other.

They continued their walk, Edward remained silent during the entire time. Perhaps it was because he was concentrating, taking in everything he saw, savouring the moment of him walking down the street with both of his hands clasped in those of Alphonse and Winry, chatting cheerfully about their old friends, who was dating who and who was dying to see him again.

Their evening was spent in each other's presence. Winry had cooked them dinner-- Edward had found it quite delicious and was wondering if she could cook for him every evening – and they spent talking, not ever mentioning the war. Edward occasionally asked how Riza was doing, or Jean, or Ross and Alphonse was happy to see that his brother had interest in them, even though he noticed that Edward slightly forced himself to ask such questions, as if he were afraid that they would notice that he had been gone to fight in a war for two years. He also noticed that he had not asked about Roy Mustang once.

"Niisan," the younger Elric said, standing up and clearing his throat. Edward looked up at him and blinked once, wondering why Alphonse looked so serious and why he took Winry's hand.

Alphonse figured it was time for at least some good news and he had been waiting the entire evening before he had finally gained the courage to tell Edward about him and Winry. After all, it was a happy occasion to be together again, just the three of them, after all those years. The blonde girl blushed slightly and covered it with a grin in Edward's direction, squeezing Alphonse's hand slightly as he looked at the older Elric with a smile on his face.

"You know that Winry and I have been together for some time now, three years to be exact and," a hesitant pause. Edward already knew where this was heading and he couldn't help but feel a flutter in his stomach—he was feeling truly happy, for the first time in so long. Alphonse continued, "And we've decided that we are going to marry," he finished. Edward smiled, a true smile this time and stood up himself, hugging his brother and his soon-to-be wife.

"Congratulations!" he said and Alphonse recognised a hint of his usual loud voice—he couldn't help but grin at his brother and pulled him into a gentle hug, this time being careful for his brother's wounds.

"I'm so glad to have you back here, Niisan," he murmured. He felt Edward smile into his shoulder.

"Me too Alu, me too."


An odd feeling in his stomach rose when he saw him, coal-black eyes looking right back at him. His hair seemed as if it was ruffled, though it was the way it usually looked, and he wore the blue uniform every 'dog of the military' wore. He couldn't remember ever seeing him wearing something else.

"Mustang," he whispered, reaching out his hand. The man turned around, away from him and didn't spare him a second glance. He walked away, too fast for the younger man to catch up to him. "Mustang!" he yelled again. The word didn't reach the other person. He ran, desperately, after him, but no matter how fast he went, he couldn't catch up to him. "Roy!"

Somehow, the man—Roy – did hear him and turned around, now smiling slightly at the man who called out to him. He then started to walk again and disappeared into the distance.

"…Roy… Roy!" But he didn't listen.


"Roy!"

He bolted up, sitting straight and cold sweat dripping off his forehead. A dream… He blinked and wiped the sweat off, still panting slightly from the dream. At least it's better than dreaming about Drachma, he thought bitterly, snorting at the thought that, even after two years, Edward still couldn't stop thinking about him.

Even after two years, he still wasn't over it.

He shrugged the thought off and threw the thin blanket off of his body. He knew he couldn't sleep anymore anyway—glancing at the clock, he saw it was almost time for breakfast anyway. He decided he would make some for Winry and Alphonse, while he was at it. There were certain things that a war couldn't change, and that was Edward Elric's appetite.

An hour later, he had everything ready (it took him a long time before he could finally find everything he needed) and he was ready to give Alphonse and Winry their wake-up call, before the phone started to ring. Edward briefly wondered who it was that was calling so early in the morning, before picking it up.

"Edward Elric," he said, a little weary from the lack of sleep still. They had gotten in bed very late in the evening, despite Edward's protests, and waking up early after that definitely wasn't good for him.

"Edward!" a female voice sounded through the horn, pleasantly surprised. Edward immediately recognised the voice, even though it usually was stoic and strict.

"Hawkeye," he replied, a friendly tone in his voice. Even though he sometimes was a little frightened of her, he liked her—she had always treated him as if she was a mother to him and Edward had needed that sometimes.

"Just the man I needed to speak to," she said, surprise and happiness out of her voice immediately. He smiled, she had let her stoic mask go for a moment, but it was immediately back again. "General Mustang(4) would like to speak to you."

Oh shit.


AN: Dun dun dun duuuuuuuuun o.o… I'm not used to writing angst. Am I doing a good job? XD Any pointers? O.o…

(1)Another city I just made up

(2)I like their nicknames :3 I love the way they pronounce it in the anime, sounds like a cute nickname, right? XD

(3)Same as 2 :3

(4) I figured I'd give the guy a raise :3 Roy-boy deserves it!