The night you happened ch.10

The plans you make

"A mission?" Al asked voice tight, Al continued "since when do you kiss your way through a mission?"

Ed's eyes snapped up to meet Als. The air was thick with tension, Ed's mind was frozen.

Ed forced out a small chuckle. "kiss? oh Al where'd you get a dumb idea like that?" Ed fighting a losing battle to keep his blush from rising.

"Since I saw you make out with a man twice your age on our doorstep?"

Well, heck. Ed thought glumly. The gig it seemed was up before it even really began.

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Ed looked anywhere but at his brother.

"Al….I…" Ed's blush only brightening as he struggled to get the words out.

"Brother, I want you to know, no matter what, I'm here for you."

"I know Al…I know but… I just need time."

"Please Al?" Ed looked directly into his brothers' eyes, just willing him to understand.

Al sighed, how could he say no to that face?
"Ok brother. I won't ask again. But…just don't lie to me ok?"

Ed nodded slowly, crisis averted. Al gave his brother one last look before heading into the kitchen. He might as well get started on dinner. He needed time to think.

Ed went back to his papers scattered around him, although he looked at them all he wasn't in the mood to continue his planning. Not now at least. He needed to let his brother they were still good.
Packing everything up and making sure it was as good as when he first came into the room, so Al wouldn't get annoyed him for making 'another mess unnecessarily'.

Al was busy pulling things out of the cupboards and placing them on the kitchen bench when Ed came in.

"Can I help?" Ed asked, his voice telling his brother he apologized for earlier

Al stopped and looked over at his brother, he couldn't help but smile. His brother was such a child sometimes. And he was ment to be the younger brother here! Not Ed.
"Sure, could you peel these?" Al gestured to the potatoes and carrots sitting on the chopping board. Al then returned to the cupboard he had stuck his head into, searching for something.

Ed moved over to the chopping board. He may not be as good in the kitchen as Al, but he had picked a few things up from his brother. Especially so since Al got his body back. The first few weeks had been filled with trying all types of food, and drinks. So the kitchen got used a lot more regularly now. The peeler felt odd in his hand, but Ed was determined to do a good job. Ed grabbed the first carrot and started peeling. Trying to keep the carrot still and the peeler going straight used all of Ed's concentration.

Al looked over every few moments, knowing full well how Ed was in the kitchen. It was actually quite counter productive to have Ed in the kitchen but Al didn't have it in him to turn his brother away.

Not even halfway through peeling his first carrot, Ed somehow managed to slice his finger instead of the carrot.

"gosh ddddddrrrrrrrnnnnn fffffffffffgggggggggg" Ed yelled loudly while holding his now bleeding finger. Al dropped his measuring cup and ran to his brothers side. He just knew this was going to happen.

"Brother, stop moving around so much, I can't see it properly."
"how can you not see it?! It's massive Al!" I swear all these kitchen tools are just death traps!"

"Ed…." Al sighed. Gently pushing his brother in to a seat near by so he could see how much damage had been done.

Ed just sniffed in the background as Al gently turned his hand over checking the wound to make sure it wasn't anything serious. Which it wasn't. But Al wouldn't say that to his brothers' face.

"Just sit still Ed, I'll be right back."

"Thanks Al." Ed said to Als retreating back.

Ed sat in his chair listening to Al in the bathroom grabbing various things for Ed's hand.

"Al…." Ed called through their small house, it was easier to do this when his little brother wasn't right there. He had to get this out before he lost his courage. He didn't want to keep this from al, but he didn't want him to know either… but at this point there was no other option. I mean, Al had already seen him make out with Eric on their front doorstep.

"Al I'm…kind of….dating someone…"

Al poked his head around the corner. Ed's confession taking him by surprise. But he was happy. His brother had finally admitted to it. Though Al had seen enough to already know this, it was different to hear it straight from his brother.

"Thanks Ed." Al whispered quietly as he reached his brother. Al took his hand and started to clean the blood off. It was only a small cut and the bleeding had stopped. But Al took his time, enjoying the quiet with his brother.

It was at this time Al realized his brother was home during work hours. Being so hung up over their fight and Ed's lies that he hadn't really thought about it.

"Ed. Why aren't you at work?" Al questioned lightly

"Oh, I'm in the middle of an assessment at the moment. Some stupid mission Mustang came up with no doubt." Ed was happy to change the subject to something a little less embarrassing.

"A mission? What is it?" Al asked Ed intrigued. Ed got some bizarre jobs from Mustang, and some were just down right funny.

Ed shifted his weight a bit as Al finished wrapping his finger. "Something about an imposter in the military. He wants me to find them. I think it's just a hoax though. You should have seen the file he gave me!"

"hhmmmmm, Im sure mustang wouldn't waste your time like that brother. Surely there's some truth in it."

At Ed's look of disbelief, Al continued "I mean Ed that that's a pretty serious accusation. Not like the time he got you to find the mysterious panty thief…." Al tried not to laugh at the memory of Mustangs 'mission for his brother. Only for it to look like his brother was some creepy peeping tom. The rumors went on for weeks after, and Ed refused to talk to Mustang for 4 days after finding out it was all made up.

Ed sighed and thought about what Al had said. It made sense. There was a definite difference between the two cases, but it was still ridiculous. Did mustang not know how many personnel there were in central? And Ed voiced as much.

"Do you know how many personnel there are stationed in central?" Ed huffed
"No…?"Al cautiously answed.

"No of course not! Because there's so many! How am I ment to find one that's not who they say they are? I don't even know what? 20-30 people! Out of how many?! It's impossible!" Ed was breathing harshly after his little rant.

"But you could always just look for discrepancies, couldn't you brother. I mean you might know them but surely someone out there does?"

Al stood up and took all the supplies back to the bathroom, until the next time they were needed.

"Al! You little genius! I love you!" Ed yelled out as he got up and grabbed his coat, stuffing his feet in to his boots and making his way to the front door.

"I'll be back later Al!"

Al came back into the room a second later but Ed had already left. Al sighed to the empty room. At least with the house to himself he could just read until he needed to make dinner. Al looked at the clock on the wall. He had a few hours so he grabbed a book and settled in for a nice relaxing afternoon.

Ed walked briskly from his small house he shared with Al, it was close to central HQ so Ed didn't have to walk too far but also close to the main street for Al to do shopping and go out whenever needed.

Ed could easily cover the rent with his pay alone and they managed to make the place one of a kind between the two of them and their alchemy.

On his walk to work his mind was full of finding the imposter in the military, the issue of who broke into his room pushed to the back of his mind.

As soon as he got there he headed for the personnel files kept on base. There was a young girl manning the desk when he arrived. Ed showed his state alchemist watch first; there were still people who didn't know who he was.

"How can I help you?" her voice was high pitched. Ed found it quite annoying.

"I need information on every personnel stationed here." Ed told here.

The young girl looked at Ed for a moment before replying "Every personnel…?" she queried her eyebrows raising.

"That's what I said." Ed replied sharply

"Usually only generals and higher have the clearance to look at personell files. But even then… to see every personnel file…There are over 7000 files each pertaining to every officer stationed here in central alone…"

Ed tsked at this. He thought it was a possibility. Damn bastard, probably knew about it and didn't say anything. But now he knew how many people there were. And it was a lot.
"Thanks." Ed said as he walked away. Time to go annoy the bastard.

Ed walked in to the office not sparing any hellos to his team mates and went straight for Mustangs door. With his automail hand he roughly pushed the wooden door in and slammed in behind himself.

Roy looked up upon hearing his door slam, though he had a good idea of who it was. Even after all these years and all that they had been through together, it seemed like a habit the older Elric would never grow out of.

"What can I do for you Full metal?" Roy leaned back in his big chair. There was no use trying to get work done until Ed left. Which would hopefully be without him destroying his office.

"I don't have authority to get into the personnel files. Which I'm sure you already knew." Ed flopped into a chair in front of Mustangs desk.

"Why would you need to go through personnel files may I ask Full metal?" It was his job to make people feel stupid when he could. Call it a gift if you will.

"You gave me this ridiculous mission!" Ed practically yelled.

"Yes! To find an imposter! Looking through files would just be a waste of time."

"But at this point I don't know whos real and whos not! How can I find an imposter like this?"

"Surely you remember the people you work with? Ask around, see if anyone knows anything. Its your job and you should be a bit further into than this!"

"Well sorry for not doing this stupid job fast enough!" Ed realized he just admitted he was wrong. He never did that. What on earth was wrong with him today?

Roy felt a headache coming on and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Look Ed, I know this mission is going to be trying. But I believe you're the right person for the job." Roy looked straight at Ed, trying to make him understand.

Ed looked down at the floor, his face feeling oddly hot. Damn mustang! What was he trying to do? Being all nice and understanding and offering praise all of a sudden. And using that voice! Ed was shocked at his own thoughts. Since when did he think of his commanding officer like that? All he could think of was Eric. Being with Eric must have made him more sensitive guys. In a weird way it made sense to Ed.

Roy was waiting for Full metal to respond, and after a few moments got out of his chair and made his way around to the young man. Thinking that maybe something was wrong, Roy placed his hand on the younger mans shoulder. However, when he saw Ed's face it was clearly not what he had thought it was.

Ed was trying his hardest to fight off the blush on his face, and failing miserably. Mustang was so close. Ed could smell his cologne clearly and even feel his body heat radiating off his superior officer. It held him in a trance. He could clearly see each and every little hair that had obviously been shaved this morning. 'Hello Mustangs stubble.' Was all his brain could seem to work up.

Roy was feeling unsure of himself. The last time he had been this close to an Elric something very bad happened. His mind was screaming at him to remove his hand and step away. But his body wouldn't budge. Since when had Fullmetal looked that good? Did he work out?

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Without waiting permission to enter a small boy entered the room, he had a letter and a rose in one hand.

The two men in the room just stared at the young boy who seemed to appear suddenly.

"Delivery for major Edward Elric!" The boy said loudly stepping up between the men, forcing Mustang to step backwards. The boy charmingly bowed to Ed and handed him the letter then the rose. As he turned to leave the small boy glowered at Mustang, who swore he heard the kid growl at him. That was seriously the weirdest thing that's happened to him in quite awhile.

Ed looked to his newly received gifts and felt his blush return ten fold. 'what was he doing!' feeling attracted towards his boss when he already had someone he was interested in! Ed felt terrible. Thankgoodness that little post boy came in otherwise Ed wasn't sure what act of stupidity he might have committed.

Ashamed and embarrassed, Ed stalked out of his room, clutching his prize to his chest. Ed kept his head down and left the building completely. He wanted some privacy when he read his note from Eric. Just the thought of reading it had his heart pounding in his ears.

Mustang blinked a few times, trying to figure out just what had happened in the space of two minutes. He was talking to Ed about the mission, check. Ed went quiet, weird but check. Ed was blushing and oozing sex appeal, what the hell….but check? Then random mail boy comes in, without permission and hands Ed a rose, even weirder, and since when did they have kids in the military? Triple check. Then he gets growled at and Ed runs away with his rose. Check.

Still not helping work out what happened. Hawkeye gently knocked on the still open door, waking Mustang from his daze.

"Come in." Roy said softly, returning to sit in his chair.

Hawkeye quietly shut the door behind her. Before coming to stand in front of Roys desk.
"I believe I have a lead in the imposter case sir."

Roy looked up at her sharply, now Paying full attention. "Well Full metal seems to need all the help he can get. What have you found out major?"

"I was curious before when the young boy came to deliver mail, only to run off shortly after dropping mail everywhere but not delivering anything. I asked around and apparently there is no mail boy."

Mustang leaned even closer. "Are you saying that we have a child on the loose?"

"I'm saying he's either connected to it or a big part of it. The only times anyone has seen him is when Fullmetal is here. More specifically, in your office."

Mustang considered this for a few moments. The timing was oddly perfect to break him and Ed up. But it was a little too perfect. And then there was lack of protocol, even if it was a child.

"See if you can get a hold of the kid before he leaves base. I think we're going to need a good chat."

"Yes sir." Hawkeye saluted and walked out, closing the door behind her.