Hi there, back again folks! Half done with homework so I decided to do a little break and write up a new one shot! :)

BTW: This is a prompt from daughterofapollo12345 and I hope she likes it and that I met her expectations for this one! ^^

ANSWERS TO REVIEWS:

Penguin20: hahaha who doesn't? That awkward lil' flirt lol

Lily: haha you're welcome Lily! I thought so, thought I would let him have a short cameo appearance :3 Maybe I should add him in a few funny one shots.

Emma: Really? :/ I'm sorry about that, well I'm not sure if my advice will be any good since I suck at sleep too but I usually read fanfics (which aren't too hyped and adventurous so that I wanting more) rather something relaxing, listen to slow music or try to shut out all the bad things (like annoying people, your buzzing phone...etc) for a while. That usually helps me calm down ^^"

Natsu: (hides face) Ah! Oh god, sorry! I just revealed far too much since the GMG and Eclipse are pretty far behind at this point. . Well, I pretty much liked the Nalu moment at the end, when Lucy hugged Natsu after the whole fight :3

Cassey: hahaha oh man, seriously? (shakes head) Well, I think it's wrong. Bradley is more human and has more of a heart than Trump after everything that he allowed himself (sighs) I fear for America's future tbh. (shrugs)

Panic: (bows over and over) Sorry! I knew I screwed it! I originally wrote something completely different, but it was crappy, so I changed it to this writing style ugh, I knew it was a mistake! (hides face) Should I rewrite it? Write another one? Thank you really! :) Call me crazy, but before Wrath died, I got the feeling he regretted not seeing her at least once before he died, however I also think he was at ease, knowing she was safe and alive. I imagine he would have willingly given his life to protect her, since she was the only thing he freely chose in his predetermined life as a human based Homunculus. (slaps forehead) right, right, I remember it now too, the scene where Greed approached Ed and Al (I think it was after they talked to Winry on the phone? I'm not sure) and told them Ling's message.

Haha hey, don't worry about it, as long as nobody thinks I'm a selfish/demanding writer I will write all your prompts ;) It's just, since I have limited time on my hands now, I sometimes (randomly may I add) get those urges to write something quick before I lose focus/inspiration and tadaaaa...the random, new ideas are born! (sweat drop) Hm, (rubs chin) Guess I'll add them to the bunch too, Lingfan, Royai and Grena/Greela whatever (Greed X Lena) it will be! ^,^ BTW: I'm sorry that my responses are always so long! .

Daughterofapollo12345: (sweat drop anime style) Eheh, sorry about that, I tried keeping it to a minimum, only hints, since I'm bad at writing Rated M stories and this isn't a Rated M story ^^" haha Actually, I randomly remembered it, started feeling extremely guilty, then thought on what to write to make it up to you (scratches head) Hope I managed somewhat eheh...though if you and the others agree, I could write more about Bradley and his family, IF I write them in character and not too OOC. This IS the first time I wrote them so yeah.. (grins) You got it! And since I'm in the mood for some Homunculus writing, I will write it right up!

If anyone wants to PM me about my stories, ideas, personal stuff, whatever, please send me a email HERE: dragonredfox 98 gmail. com (without the spaces of course)

My First Friend

"Selim! Please be careful!" Mrs. Bradley called out to her son, smiling softly when she spotted him waving at her reassuringly and playing with his new friend, Renier, a boy who had actually befriended her son and regularly visited them.

Mrs. Bradley smiled, she had been very happy when she noticed how Selim's days were filled with smiles and laughter ever since playing with Renier. She had been afraid he would be isolated, after the whole ordeal with finding out he was a Homunculus and the thing with Father. But if he had at least one friend that he could count on, that was all he needed.

"Are you positive he can be trusted?" General Mustang asked, politely sipping on the coffee Mrs. Bradley had offered him, keeping a watchful eye trained on the playing boys.

Mrs. Bradley's expression grew serene and Mustang was immediately hit by a wave of guilt, "I apologize, it was very rude of me to-" but she cut him off with a raise of her hand.

"It's alright General, please at ease," her tone was soft, peaceful and Roy had the decency to look embarrassed and remorseful, "Now that everything has calmed down, I've spent constantly worrying about...Selim, about how he would fit in society and with the other children, how people would look at him...but I realized ever since the death of my late husband, that no matter what happened, I can trust the boy,"

Mustang stiffened, his eyes widening in surprise at the madam's words.

She giggled softly at his expression, "I know it is quite a surprise but...I've realized...Selim had been...a Homunculus all this time, without me knowing it and yet, he has never done anything harmful to me or my late husband. I cannot help but think that despite being what he is, that Homunculi can feel human emotions just as much as we can. I think he thinks of me as his mother, as absurd as that idea may sound," she smiled gently, making Roy's posture relax.

He sighed heavily, "I'm sorry Mrs. Bradley, it was not in my intention to reopen old wounds," Mustang took a small sip of his coffee, hearing Selim and Renier laughing in the distance. He smiled, despite his concerns.

She waved his concerns away with a smile and a shake of her hand, "Please, don't feel guilty General. I understand your concerns all too well, after all, Renier is your son and to play with a Homunculus..well..." she took a deep breath, "I know you have your doubts, but I've spend years with my late husband and Selim and none of them ever harmed a hair on my head. Don't you think if they truly were as evil as those other Homunculi, that they would have killed me the moment they no longer needed me?"

The bluntness of her words stunned Roy, his lips drew in a thin line. It was still unaccustomed to see Mrs. Bradley like this, to hear her talking about things like the Homunculi and lastly her husband like that.

"So...you knew? About...Bradley?" Mustang cleared his throat and took another sip of his coffee.

Her eyes held a deep seated sadness within them, her lips forming a small smile, her thoughts elsewhere, "I had my suspicions...for a long time, ever since we first heard of the Homunculi to be honest. I've accepted long ago that he was a formidable man when angered, back then I had thought he was simply such a man, but then after I've heard of the other Homunculi and that they represent the seven deadly sins, my suspicions only grew stronger," she paused, gathering her thoughts.

Mustang threw a quick look back at the boys, he internally sighed in relief when he saw them still playing innocently, chasing each-other around and laughing. You couldn't blame him for being a doting father...

Mrs. Bradley began speaking anew, "I've remembered all the Homunculi that were known to public and I've noticed how, whenever they were mentioned, how he would shake in barely controlled anger, as if he were furious at them for failing or something. I've counted out the Homunculi that had been missing so far, it had been the sins Pride and Wrath. The Homunculus Greed was the one sharing a body with the current Emperor of Xing if I remember correctly, the one that had attacked us...when my dear husband had actually managed to defend himself against him and even gain the upper hand...I knew that he wasn't a normal man..." she pressed a hand to her cheek, "And I've been unsure at first...but I realized, I didn't need to be afraid. So many years have passed with him by my side and he never showed me anything but kindness and adoration." She sighed, looking at the playing boys.

Roy looked as well, relaxing considerably when he saw the happy expression on his son's face.

Then it happened.

A duty truck suddenly crashed right into the metal gates of the manor, shattering them and rushing straight toward the two playing boys.

Roy's eyes widened, "REN!" Mrs. Bradley and him shot up from their seats, the staff and them frantically running toward the children, but they wouldn't make it in time, they couldn't, they were too far away.

Ren heard his father's concerned shout, he looked at his running father, then back at the truck. His mother's face, his friends, family friends resurfaced in his young mind and he felt fear envelope him like a vice. His eyes widened, his father's terrified voice ringing in his ears as he crossed his arms over his face and braced himself for the impact.

There was a loud crash, hissing noises and shocked.

Ren slowly opened his eyes, wondering why he felt no pain. When his eyes fully opened, he soon saw why.

Selim was standing in front of him, his small body protectively standing in front of Ren's own cowering form.

But...there was something...there was something there, coming out of Selim's shadow...it were long black things...

"S-S-Selim?" Ren whispered, shocked beyond belief, the weird shadow limbs were keeping the truck suspended in mid air before lowering it a good distance to the ground, various projectiles had been dropped by the shadow limbs, mostly shards of glass or parts of the metal gate clanking loudly on the cobblestone path.

Selim slowly turned his head, checking to make sure his friend was alright, before he smiled brightly, eyes open and...purple...wait...Selim never had purple eyes...

"Hey, are you alright Ren?" Selim turned around fully, his hair messy as he kneeled down scanned his friend for injuries, the weird shadowy limbs disappearing back into Selim's shadow beneath his feet.

Ren blinked, "W-wait...w-what were those shadows? W-why did...h-how did you?" he didn't understand anything, he had heard about species called Homunculi from his parents and their friends when they would sometimes discuss them. Uncle Greed used to be one too, but he was usually so kind and funny. But the way the adults talked about them like they were something bad and evil.

"A-are you...are you one of those Homunculi?" he needed to know, he never expected to find out his new friend of over a few months could be something many considered to be evil. He was so kind and funny and so fun to play with! Besides, his father would never allow to play with him had he known...right?

Selim's expression grew serene, lips formed into a thin line, "Yes...I am...my name is Pride..." he looked at Ren, his eyes holding sadness in them.

He tuned out his father, who was frantically calling his name, then his eyes sparkled back to life.

Stars shone in his eyes as he launched himself at Selim, or uh Pride, and hugged the boy tightly, laughing loudly, "Oh god Selim! That's so cool! I never knew you were a Homunculus! Why didn't you tell me?! That's so awesome! Can you teach me how you do that with your shadows?! Can I do that with mine too? Why didn't you tell me anything before?" he grasped the younger boy's shoulders, giddy with excitement, his earlier fear gone.

Pride's eyes widened, stunned to silence. He hadn't expect that reaction in the slightest, he saw how General Mustang and his mother looked worried and shocked at him. He felt a pang in his heart.

He remembered. Who he was.

What he was.

He remembered Wrath and Mrs. Bradley, them acting as a family...having a place to call home...having this woman actually care for him...

Purple eyes returned to Ren's excited ones and he couldn't help but smile a small smile, "You...you aren't afraid of me?"

Ren shook his head furiously, "Afraid?! 'Course not! Why would I be? I have the coolest friend ever! My friend's a Homunculus, how cool can that be?" he grinned widely, a typical cheery Mustang smirk.

After a few moments of stunned silence, Pride laughed and hugged Ren close to him, he whispered lowly, "Thanks...thank you Renier..." he couldn't believe how this young boy could bring so much relief to him by calling him 'friend'.

"Ren!" Roy shouted, falling to his knees and drawing Ren towards his chest, his heart beating wildly in his chest, still in shock at what happened just now.

Selim...he had activated his powers. He had become Pride.

Roy looked at the child over his son's shoulder and his eyes widened in realization.

Pride had protected his son. He had protected him.

Roy only hugged his son tighter, stroking his short dirty blonde hair affectionately. Mrs. Bradley drew Selim into a tight hug as well, worry lacing her tone, "Oh my goodness Selim! I'm so relieved you're alright!"

Pride froze for a split second, before he relaxed against his mother figure and hugged her back, his cheek resting against her shoulder.

"I'm alright mom...I'm alright," warmth enveloped him by calling her that, his mother.

She drew back, inspecting his face for any cuts or bruises, before she kissed both his cheeks and combed his hair with her hand, her smile warm and open, "I knew it...I knew you were a good boy, my son..." Pride's eyes widened.

"But I...I'm-" he was cut off by his mother.

"It doesn't matter Selim...it doesn't. You're still my good boy, you just saved your friend. No matter who or what you are, you will always be my son Selim," tears glistened in her eyes.

Pride suddenly felt moisture gather in his own and he shakily lifted a hand to touch his moist cheeks, finding he was actually crying. He never thought Homunculi could be capable of shedding tears...

"Mom..." Mrs. Bradley smiled, hugging her son close to her, ignoring the guards as they ran around frantically and called an ambulance.

"I love you..." she whispered into her son's ear lovingly, stroking his back.

Pride smiled, tears streaming down his face, "I love you too mom..."

He had a friend who wasn't afraid of him, he still had his dear mother figure who still loved him despite knowing who he was...

"Wrath...such a shame you can't be here, I know how much you cared for her, even for me. I hope you can finally rest..." were Pride's thoughts at the thought of his deceased youngest sibling and his father figure.

Renier Mustang smiled, drinking his coffee as he looked at his oldest friend, "So, Selim, have any plans today?"

The young man looked at his old friend, making his own coffee, "Not that I know of. Why?" he tilted his head.

Ren smiled, "I was thinking of getting back at my old man for setting me up on that horrible blind date. And I know just the way how..." he grinned, the grin all too familiar to a certain Mustang in the family.

Selim shook his head, sighing in amusement, "I swear, you are still such a kid in your heart," nonetheless he grinned back, purple eyes and sharp teeth showing.

"Same as last time?" Ren grinned, picking up his jacket and donning it over broad shoulders.

Shadows emerged from beneath Selim's feet, carrying his own jacket over to him and setting it on his shoulders, a wicked gleam in his eyes, "Mhm. Same as last time,"

Ren smirked, "Let's go partner," he high fived with his best friend, laughing all the way out of the office.

Even after all these years, they, along with the rest of their "squad", stuck together and became the closest of friends.

"I wonder if Emilia has time today..." Selim wondered aloud, a goofy smile on his face.

Ren stuck his tongue out at him, nudging him with his elbow, "Come on man, admit you have feelings for her! Though it's a bit weird...isn't it? C'mon, uncle Greed is your younger brother and all," he made a show of cringing in disgust.

Pride rolled his eyes, roughly shoving his friend back, "Not by blood he isn't. Besides, that old greedy bastard would try to get my head on a spike if I tried anything with his daughters," he waved his hand casually, "We are just friends,"

The two young men laughed, heading straight for the Mustang mansion.

The end for this one shot! I sincerely hope daughterofapollo12345 likes it! Suggestions for improvement are always welcome! :)