#52 Hairclip

Edward comes across what seems like a distracted Mustang and is asked to fulfill an interestingly simple request.

Edward Elric couldn't help but to be grateful but feel bad at the same time about taking advantage of his younger brother's kindness. Winry was in town and wanted to check out the shops. Ed made it a point to express that he had no interest in shopping and bailed as soon as he could. Yeah, he felt bad, but there were less boring things to do.

With a lazy expression on his face and hands shoved in his pockets, the blond alchemist walked through the busy streets of central with no real destination. Every now and then he'd come across and soldier and nod a greeting or be tempted by food vendors, but it otherwise appeared to be an uneventful day… so he thought.

Not too far off a familiar figure was talking to a flower vender. He appeared stressed, his hands shoved into his pockets as the old woman smiled at him. After what appeared to be a two minute conversation, the man gave a small smile and wave before walking away. "Hey, hey Colonel Jackass. What was that I just saw? Trying to impress your new girlfriend?" The raven haired man turned and looked at the blond teenager unentertained.

"Ah, Fullmetal. I thought I heard something. "Ed scowled. Roy Mustang. How anyone dealt with the man he would never know. "What are you doing wandering around by yourself?"

"Didn't feel much like shopping. What are you doing? " Ed asked, following after his superior.

"Looking for something…" Ed raised an eyebrow.

"Something important?"

"You could say that." Mustang had a blank expression on his face as he looked ahead. Ed couldn't help but to be slightly annoyed by the older man's distraction.

"So where is Lieutenant Hawkeye at?" Mustang stiffened.

"Ah, she's got the day off today."

"So that's why you're wandering around like a lost dog." Ed teased. A slight frown crossed Mustang's face. There was a silence and he came to a stop, looking at the boy with a thoughtful expression, causing him to step back a bit. "What?"

"You know, Fullmetal, you could actually come in handy to me after all." He informed with a smirk and grabbed the blond by the back of his shirt, dragging him down the street.

Ed stared blankly at the Colonel who had dragged him back to his office and slammed the door. He watched as the Flame Alchemist went running over to his desk and began digging through his drawers. The teenager was convinced the man had lost his mind. "This!" Mustang declared and slammed as shinny piece of what appeared to be marble on his desk. Ed raised an eyebrow.

"What is this about?"

"Well see, I've been thinking about getting a marble desk so I have marble samples," Mustang began casually as he dropped into his chair. "But I'm thinking this wood desk will be just fine for a while longer." Ed looked at the shinny piece of royal blue marble.

"What the hell does that have to do with me?"

"I want you to transmute this piece of marble for me."

"Into a desk?!"

"No, into this." Mustang pulled open another desk drawer and held between his finger a hairclip. Ed's face went blank and he looked at the Colonel suspiciously.

"Are you insane?" he asked coolly and Mustang glared.

"Don't ask questions. I have no other ideas and I need this done! You do this and you get a free pass the next time you owe me a report."

"You got it!"

The next day, Ed was reporting to inform Mustang he would be on his way when Lt. Hawkeye caught his eye. "Hey Lieutenant!" he called. The blond looked up from what she was doing and smiled over at the teenager.

"Oh, hello Edward. Coming to see the Colonel I suppose." He nodded and let out a sigh.

"Also wanted to ask him about something he had me doing yesterday." He answered. The woman nodded in understanding.

"Well I'm on my way to the office now if you're coming along." She said. Ed nodded and began to follow behind her when something caught his eye. He cocked his head to the side as he stared at the marble blue hairclip in her hair. He wasn't really an observant individual when it came to female matters, but for some reason, something was clicking when it came to this. When they entered the office the Colonel was lounging in his chair casually and sent a cool smile in their direction.

"Good morning, Hawkeye. Hope you enjoyed your day off yesterday." He informed as he sat up straight in his seat. She nodded as she placed some files on his desk.

"It was an enjoyable birthday, I will admit, sir. Very considerate gifts this year." Ed blinked a few times when he saw the smile exchanged between the two.

"Nice to hear that, Lieutenant." He said. She nodded and left the office again, not noticing the look that had crossed Edward's face. "What's with that look, Fullmetal?"

"Yesterday when I saw you… you were shopping…" Mustang sighed as he leaned back in his seat once again, glancing out his office window.

"Shopping for women is such a difficult and tedious task," He smirked over at the teenager. "But that's what I have you for, isn't it Fullmetal? I must say, Hawkeye was very appreciative of the thoughtful gift I came up with." Ed glared. That day, the meeting was cut short and Ed made sure not to make any trips to Central around any potential holidays or birthdays.

author's note: i've been working on getting back into my fanfics. got a couple drabbles already typed out and i've been writing some in a notebook i've got during my more uninteresting classes. hope everyone enjoys!!! i'm alot prouder of my older drabbles, but i think i might be getting back into the swing of things now :)