Disclaimer: FANfiction
IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE!
Facts in this story may not coincide with that found in the anime and/or manga. That is simply the way they are in the story. I received a review addressing this issue, so I thought I would clarify things.
Edward Elric made his way through the corridors, the sparse light emitted from the window outlining his features. Weeks of practice allowed him to pass through the halls silently as he trekked back to his dorm. It was nearing three in the morning now and he was just returning from Mustang's room. Only when he was in the sanctuary of his own room did he allow himself to think back to the conversation they'd had.
R-2-F
"What year is it, Mustang?" Edward snapped while making a conscious effort to keep his temper in check. The man before him was just as arrogant as before he fell comatose. Albeit, he seemed a bit more cautious about what he said, but he was still as cocky as Ed remembered him. The blonde brushed his hesitance off as the effects of waking up in such unfamiliar surroundings.
"1896." Roy Mustang replied, his voice scratchy from lack of use. The raven haired man brought a hand up to rub absentmindedly at his sore throat. Ed's eyes widened in realization and he hurried over to the table in the corner of the room that held a pitcher of water the nurse had left. He silently poured a cup of the water and brought it over to the General. At the man's look of uncertainty he took his cue to move to the edge of the bed. "Let me help you up." He offered, his voice soft. "You need to take it easy."
The General gave Ed a suspicious look, but it was fleeting. One glance at the promising cup of water caused the man to nod absentmindedly. With Edward's help he was able to lean up in a semi upright position. The blonde wordlessly brought the cup to his lips, tipping it back slowly so not to overwhelm the General.
As soon as the first drop of water hit Mustang's tongue he attempted to gulp down the remaining liquid before Ed pulled back the cup with a disapproving frown. "Don't try and drink it so fast." He rebuked gently. As if on cue the older man was thrown into a coughing fit, his whole body shaking with each cough. Edward rubbed his back soothingly, his frown deepening. "See what I mean?"
The older man shot a glare over his shoulder as his coughing subsided. "Th-hanks for the warning." He croaked grudgingly, wincing when it hurt to speak. Edward raised the cup to Mustang's lips again, this time giving him a warning look. The General obediently sipped the water, breathing a sigh of relief when he finished the rest of the water with no further incident.
Edward moved off the edge of the bed allowing him to help the General lay back down. The dark haired man watched as the teen situated the blankets around him, golden eyes intense as he worked. Something about the teen made Mustang believe the blonde was always this passionate, regardless of the situation. He could only imagine what kind of alchemist the young man was. "Why did you ask that?"
Edward's movements paused and he straightened, knowing full well what the General meant. His eyes darkened in determination. One way or another Mustang was going to find out what was going on. He had hoped he wouldn't have to break it to him quite this soon but circumstances had complicated things. Scar's death had enraged a powerful adversary. Members of the military were being attacked left and right and two of the State's top alchemists had been reported missing. An order had gone out for all military personnel to remain indoors after dusk, the Fuhrer refusing to risk anymore of his men.
"Another time." Edward deadpanned, patting the edge of the bed as he took a step back. "Get some sleep." He bade as he headed to the door. He turned the lights off as he walked out the door, leaving before the General could protest.
R-2-F
Edward sighed and flopped down on his bed, his arms spread out on either side of him. A flash of silver from the dying light brought his eyes to his auto-mail arm. His sleeve had ridden up ever so slightly allowing a small strip of metal to be visible between his gloves and sleeve. The metal reflected the light that filtered through the small window above Alphonse's bed, giving the limb a luminescent glow.
It had been ten years since he came to Headquarters and took his alchemy exam. Edward's sole purpose in joining the military had always been to be able to gather information concerning the philosopher's stone. During his first few years Mustang had sent him all over the country following random leads. Ed had still been a child and hadn't understood at the time that it was the older man's way of helping him. By allowing them to travel freely Mustang had given them room to investigate any leads they could find that correlated to the stone while appearing to be on military business.
Mustang had never been the type to openly give help. Edward figured the General was afraid it would make him appear soft. The blonde was now old enough to know that being soft was a weakness, especially in the cut throat world of the military. If you let your weaknesses show then those weaknesses could be used against you, even by those you believe to be your allies. Mustang was wise enough to keep his weaknesses under a tight lid, even if it did make him appear heartless to those who didn't know him.
Edward sighed as he felt a headache coming on. Now wasn't the time for such thoughts. Tomorrow would prove itself to be a long, hard day and he would need his rest. Not only did he have a pile of paper work to shift through, something told him he would be forced to face the General again.
As the teen slipped into what promised to be a fitful sleep, he wondered, as he did every night, if things would ever be the same again.