Introduction

“Are you absolutely positive that we have to take them in? I mean, why us? What about Armstrong’s crew or something?” The volatile blond was not happy with the new arrangements at all; he wasn’t one for meeting new people, especially through the military.

The black-haired Brigadier General heaved a sigh at Ed’s resistance, fighting the urge to whack some sense into him. Unfortunately, he himself held the same feelings for this idea. Their team was already loaded with members, and loyal ones at that, so why give them more? Because they would be best suited to train them well?

Repressing another sigh, Roy forced a smile upon his face. “Of course they’ll be welcome into our group, General Hakuro. I expect they are awaiting our arrival in the front lobby?”

“Yes, Mustang. Don’t keep them waiting.”

Without further ado, Edward and Roy turned from the General’s desk, walking purposefully out of his office. As they made their way along the maze of hallways that made up Eastern Headquarters Edward’s posture became more relaxed, and he started muttering something about pompous assholes and the unfairness of life in general. Roy was inwardly amused at the colonel’s discomfort, even if it was a shared annoyance. He would never grow tired of seeing an angry Edward.

Fortunately for some other military personnel, the blond had decided to quiet down upon the duo’s arrival to the building’s main entrance. As his eyes landed on the mismatched group that was to merge with Roy’s, he stopped dead in his tracks and shot them a fiery glare, not even taking a second to measure them up. “There’s way too many of them to add to our squad,” he growled to Roy. “Five more people is far too much.”

Two sergeant majors, one a spectacled man and the other a blonde woman, stood at the ends of the line, all five at attention. There were also two second lieutenants, a black-haired man with two decorative guns at his hip, and a brown-eyed one that might have been a doctor, judging by the medical pack at his waist. The last was quite an anomaly: an Ishbalan woman at the rank of captain, definable by her dark skin and red eyes.

They were all waiting for Roy to accept them into his group.

At a signal from the Brigadier General, they fell into more relaxed states, though all remained alert. It wasn’t common for transfers to be tested, but it wasn’t altogether unusual. They could be mock-attacked, or have to figure out mind games; it set them all on edge.

The captain took a deep breath before stepping forward. “Sirs, with all due respect, none of us here have a clue who you are or who we are to be assigned to. If you would please assist us, Brigadier General, Colonel, we would greatly appreciate it.” She gave a sharp salute.

Not being in General Hakuro’s office had calmed Edward down a bit, and he was beginning to feel more comfortable around even these strangers – not that anyone could tell. Regardless, the simple fact that he was being saluted grated on his nerves.

“You must have been assigned to the Colonel here,” said Roy with a gesture to said man, thinking quickly and ignoring the wrathful gaze that had fallen upon him. “ As I’ve already got my own large squad, it would only be suitable that a young man of his rank should have his own group of direct subordinates.”

Roy was going to pay for that.

The captain turned to her new commanding officer. “And who might we be serving under?”

A wicked grin made its way onto Edward’s face as he came up with just the words to scare these transfers away.

“I am Colonel Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist. This man here happens to be my husband, Brigadier General Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist.” Damn it, she’s not weirded out in the least! “We have a very active love life…”

“Edward,” interrupted Roy, an annoyed and slightly startled expression on his face. Ed, satisfied at alienating both lieutenants, both sergeant majors, and a couple of military passersby (but not the Ishbalan captain), merely looked up at his husband with a falsely innocent smile on his face.

“Shut up.”

Unbeta'd.

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Based on ChibiEdo's 100 themes. More info on my profile, along with links to the pictures.