"What the fuck do you mean I've been drafted?" It's 6:03 in the morning, light barely filtering through the windows. The colorful leaves outside made for this morning to be a beautiful one. it was late fall, his favorite, but not right now. Edward is half dressed for work with his blue military pants pressed and primed, one boot on, and his white button up neatly tucked into his waistline. His hair is down, the hair tie in his left hand. In the other, a paper telling him to report for duty on the front lines, tomorrow. Glancing down at the paper in his hand then back up to the two soldiers wincing in his doorway he continued, incredulous. "I'm on Roy Mustang's black list, I'm not supposed to go to war, ever." The men couldn't look him in the eye, the bearded one spoke.
"Forgive us sir, we don't like this either, but as of 9:37 p.m. last night, the black list has been terminated. As you know, Fuhrer Roy Mustang has been missing for over 7 months. For the sake of the war front, and the possibility of finding the fuhrer alive, all black list soldiers are to report for duty in no more than 24 hours." Edward grit his teeth at the mention of Mustang's disappearance. Over the years he'd grown close to the man, hell, he'd probably consider him a father figure if his pride would let him. Naturally his disappearance caused quite a stir. Hawkeye has been ever more stone cold, Havoc has been distant and smoking even more than usual, Breda and Falman have used every single connection they have to try to discover Mustang's location, and Fuery has been trying his best to be a mediator of sorts for the crew and their emotions. Edward's just been angry. He wants to strangle whoever thought it was a good idea to take a country's well beloved leader away. Not to mention take away his friend dammit who do you think you are.
"What's going on? Who's at the door, Ed?" Ed snapped from his musing and turned around, both happy and tense about finding his wife standing there. She was half asleep still, wearing his tank top and some baggy shorts, holding a brimming cup of coffee. Ed sighed and put the paper down, tying his hair back as he spoke.
"There's kinda a big problem, Win. They plan on sending me off to the war in 24 hours because the black list has been removed "For the sake of the war effort"." He wasn't going to lie to her, or even sugar coat it for her. He had promised her years ago to tell her everything he could about his journey, and ever since he has tried his best to tell her everything he feels she can handle. Usually she appreciates it, now is not one of those times.
"What?!" She glares death at the poor men in her doorway and they begin to feel like this is their end. "That's ridiculous! You shouldn't have to, just say no!"
"I'll be court marshaled and sentenced to a minimum of 8 years in prison." He picks up the paper again facing halfway to either party, "And don't shoot the messenger Win, they don't deserve that." She spluttered for a moment before her brow knitted together and it sunk in.
"So...you have to then, don't you." It was more of a statement of fact than a question, she hopped up and sat down on the counter, putting her coffee aside. She looked defeated, unready to let her husband go head first into a raging war zone, but then again who is? Edward nodded, not looking at her knowing the expression on her face would kill him, instead focusing on the paper. He's read it at least a dozen times but he rereads it anyways.
"There's a chance Mustang is on the battlefield. No one has even considered the possibility that the safest place to hold a hostage is on the other side of a war zone. I bet if we tried, we could make it to the other side and take him back. If he's not there, we could still end the war that way." He finally stopped burning a hole in the paper and looked up at the men, who flinched. "Fine. But i'm not doing this for the country, or hell even for the possibility of being court marshaled. I'm going so I can find the fuhrer and stop this damned war. Te,l the council I'll be there." The men saluted and swiftly turned on their heel, Edward closing the door in their wake. He took a deep breath and set the paper on the counter before looking at Winry. She felt completely and utterly heart broken, powerless, but she and him both knew they'd follow each other through anything. That support was going to be a lifeline, he could feel it. He placed a soft kiss to her forehead before sighing again, leaning on his hands on the counter to either side of her. "...We should tell the kids." Winry hummed, handing him a coffee mug, one she had made for him beforehand.
"We should. At least they're not small anymore, you going to war if they were too young to understand..." They both made a noise halfway between a groan and a wince, Edward standing up fully and taking a sip.
"They're almost teenagers, I think they'll understand. Hopefully." He clenched his eyes shut for a moment. "If Lizzy cries..." Winry wrapped her arms around him and kisses his temple.
"Its inevitable, she cries as easily as I do, but this isn't a small thing to cry over. Her dad is going to war, her hero, so just try to bear with it okay?" Ed hums, hugging a little tighter. He sighs into her neck before standing up straight and, using his "Dad Voice" Calls, "Eliza! James! Come down here please!"
I haven't written in like a year. tell me how it is! I have a lot planned for this one! -AF