Hello again!
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"You know Edward, there's plenty of room if you want to-"
"No need" the teen cut Winry off before she could finish. "But thanks for the offer"
Roy, Risa and Havoc were still busy packing and in the process of lugging their heavy cases to the doorway. Ed leaned back on the doorframe, frowning at the small leather case hanging limply from his fingers. He hadn't spent much time packing. After living out of a suitcase all his life, Ed barley had anything to his name. The teen only had what he'd arrived in. The clothes he was wearing, and a wallet full of currency that was of no use to him.
Al had thoughtfully given him some clothes and old possessions, the few things he'd left behind before his trip to the gate. His book of research notes and trademark crimson coat. Ed knew it was highly unlucky he would ever be seen in the tatty thing again, but he just couldn't bring himself to part with it.
"Are you sure this is what you want brother?"
"A hundred percent"
"I thought you hated being a dog of the military?"
"People change"
"But there's no reason for you to go back!" the mechanic frowned, "You got Al's body back!"
"I always did, and always will hate being a military dog. But I owe a lot to these guys" the blondes gaze drifted to his team mates, who were chattering amongst themselves. "This is the least I can do"
Alphonse lowered his head sadly. "I'll miss you brother"
"I'll miss you too Al" the teen smiled, "I promise I won't leave it so long next time"
"Are you sure about this?" a voice appeared from behind him.
"Positive. That's if you'll have me of course" he turned to the raven haired Colonel leaning beside him.
"It would be an honour.... FullMetal"
"Back to FullMetal again huh?" the blonde smiled. It was odd being called by his military name. It hadn't been used for several years. Not that he'd missed it or anything.... especially coming from those smug lips. It wasn't long until Havoc and Risa where finished. The military dogs left their cases by the door and said their formal farewells. Then it was Edwards turn. His featureless expression soon curled into a loving smile as he embraced Al into a brotherly hug. The younger Elric clung to his brother's shirt, reluctant to let go. He finally pried his fingers from the fabric and smiled sadly.
"I'll call you" the blonde held his smile, "I promise"
"Promises are made to be broken"
The teen sighed. "You still believe that? I thought you'd grown up by now" he smirked. It was only a matter of time until the brunette began to fume.
"I have grown up!"
"Course you have shrimp! Just keep telling yourself that..." Ed grinned triumphantly, "I've waited all my life to say that!" Al rolled his eyes. "See you later Al!" the blonde called back as he made his way down the gravelly pathway, "And don't forget to cut your hair!"
"I'm not cutting it!!" the brunette replied stubbornly, clamping his hand over his small ponytail protectively. Ed laughed softly under his breath, finally realising why everyone had gotten satisfaction from teasing him as kid. The reactions were highly amusing.
"Colonel!" Alphonse called, "Make sure brother doesn't do anything stupid! And make sure he stays in one piece!"
"I'll try my best, but he's bound to do something! Its written in the stars..." he smiled cockily.
Ed turned to Havoc and Hawkeye, "Has he always been like this?"
"Only since he met you" the both replied in sync, ignoring the glare from Roy, as if the line had been rehearsed.
"Poor kid" Edward took a final glance back at his younger brother and smiled. "Trying to be me when I was younger... You really had your hands full back then..."
"And still do" the Colonel replied smugly.
They were reaching the end of the long trail of fields, and more and more houses began to appear. Ed smirked at the panting team mates beside him, all nursing stitches and sore feet.
"Tired are we?"
"If... I had... the energy to throttle you... I would..." Roy replied between breaths, glaring at the teen.
"You're not tired Chief?" Havoc groaned.
"Takes some getting used to. I used to do a lot of walking, especially on those crappy missions..." he ignored a glare from Roy; he could feel the man's gaze burn into his back.
Sometimes, there was a good side to automail, no matter how irritating or grotesque it could be. It meant Ed didn't have to deal with sore feet and blisters unlike the others. But at times, his ports ached. A dull, throbbing sensation that would occasionally crawl up his thighs like a python, gnawing at his sensitive nerves. Of course he regretted gambling with the gate, but the pain made him stronger. He could endure much more pain than the average person. Each scar marked on his pale skin was like a paper cut, just another one of life's annoyances. He wore those scars to remind him of his mistake, driving him forward.
Edward checked his pocket watch and called back to his team mates, "Quit slacking! It's leaving!"
A few close calls later, team Mustang threw themselves through the carriage doors, ignoring the odd looks they were receiving.
"Jean...." Edward tugged at the man's sleeve, "Sit with me?" he smiled sweetly.
"Of course Chief, but it's going to cost you..."
"You'd charge ME?" the teen gasped, "Do you know who I am?!" "Please! I'm not sitting with that asshole!" he pleaded.
"If you insist" Jean sighed, smiling. Some things never change.
Havoc, Risa and Roy sunk deeper into their seats. Just minutes after their departure they began to fidget, attention shifting from one thing to another. Edward was casually slumped back in his seat, arms folded under his head, eyes scanning the view. The snow began to disappear as the town faded from view; the rays of the sun grew stronger, warming his face pleasantly.
"Got ants in your pants?" he snickered.
"I never thought I'd say this but... this is more tedious than paperwork" Roy sighed, rubbing his temples.
"That really is a miracle sir, because to my knowledge you never do any" Risa glared daggers. It wasn't surprising that the Colonel remained silent. He couldn't find a comment to reply with. Without getting shot anyway...
"I'm guessing you don't ride trains too often" the teen closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth bathing his skin and the breeze caressing his face from the open window. It had been a while since he'd last felt so content. It was one of the few moments in life without annoyances.
"I tend to avoid public transport..." Roy muttered, ignoring the looks from the other passengers.
"Mixing with normal people a little bellow standards for you?" "We can't afford chauffeurs, unlike snobby bastards like you, who get paid for sitting on their asses all day!"
The Colonel looked on, not fazed in the slightest.
"Some people have to work for their wages" the blonde continued, "Unlucky mugs like me..."
"Aren't you exaggerating a little Edward?" Risa frowned. "We all do our fair shar-"
"FAIR?" "So it's fair to send low ranking soldiers like me half way round the world, only to find dead ends and false information?" he huffed grumpily, "I don't think so" the blonde had every right to be irritated. It was rare for him to stay anywhere for more than five minutes. He loathed officers that took so much leave for fancy holidays. Other people couldn't afford to take holidays...
He'd never been granted leave, only when he'd been confined to a hospital bed. It had hardly been a relaxed life for Edward so far. At twelve years of age he signed his childhood away to the military. After questing for the stone for five years, serving Germany for two, he felt his fare share of work had been done. The truth was, his life had barely started. After so much already, the teen wondered what else life had in store for him.
Ed heard a groan from beside him. Jean was rubbing his temples and cursing under his breath.
"What the hell are you- Ohh..." the familiar waft of nicotine wafted through the carriage. Jean Havoc growled weakly as the smell found his nostrils, making his head thump in response.
"God really hates me" he groaned, smacking his head back on the seat.
Roy smiled smugly. "I bet a week's wages he doesn't last a week"
Jean glared. The Colonel really knew how to destroy his self confidence. Ed shared his pain. He too had been the unfortunate victim of many degrading insults. He put a hand on Havocs shoulder sympathetically.
"Ignore him"
"What's wrong FullMetal? Not man enough?"
"As much as I'd love to, I'm a little hard for cash right now, unless you accept marks"
"Excuse me?"
The blonde took out his worn leather wallet and dropped a faded looking note into the man's lap, watching him inspect it with confusion. "What is this, wallpaper?"
"Its money dumbass, and I'm not betting anything with you"
"Ok, two weeks wages"
"Are you trying to bribe me Roy Mustang?" Ed raised an eyebrow. "As a loyal friend, I will avoid temptation" he said finally, throwing an arm around Jean.
"Whatever you say FullMetal" the Colonel smiled. It had been far too long since that name had passed his lips. How he'd missed that flaring temper. The blonde was tempted to correct him. He did have a name after all. But he decided not to waste his breath. He did have standards after all, unlike some...
Two hours later, and a near break down from Havoc, the team arrived at central. Edward suppressed a grin as he stepped foot on the familiar platform, admiring the surroundings he hadn't seen in years. This was it. Where his journey had began long nine years ago. Where he'd first encountered the Colonel without pretending to be asleep.
"Right where I left you" Risa said as she approached the black car. The three males collapsed into the back, slumping tiredly in their seats.
"You'll needing a dorm" Risa reminded Ed. "I'll drop you off on the way back"
"Dorms" Edward groaned, "You mean those crappy craters we're supposed to live in"
"You could always crash with Roy" Havoc suggested, grinning.
"Now that you mention it, Dorms really aren't so bad!" the blonde insisted, "Wait. What am I going to say to people? They're going to ask eventually..." the question was bound to crop up sooner or later. The Colonel paused for a moment before replying rather unhelpfully,
"You're smart, think something up"
The teen glared. "Gee, nice guidelines"
The car ground to a halt a mile from headquarters, and Risa turned to the blonde.
"Take your old room, the key should still be in your case, and if anyone asks where you've been tell them its top secret"
"Thanks" he smiled. "If anyone wants me, I'll be sleeping
"Oh really?" Roy raised an eyebrow, "You should get started on your report, it's a little over due after all"
Needless to say, the feisty teen retaliated with a very colourful expression. Roy Mustang wasn't impressed.
It was longer! Yay!!
Hope there wasn't too much dialogue. See you next chapter : )