Equivilant Exchange chp.7[Ed and You]- Some Birthday

RECAP

“Give meh a smooch!” Roy said closing in on your lips fast.

But before his drunken lips could meet yours, a gloved hand intercepted the fake kiss. You looked to your right and saw Edward with his hand over the Colonel’s mouth, dragging his now unconscious body away from you and to the nearest form of furniture.

“Bed. Now.” He said barely pushing your back towards the stairs.

You smiled faintly at his gentle touch and caring nature. You gave every one a hug before trudging upstairs. You climbed into your bed and giggled slightly to yourself.

You passed the State Alchemist Exam.

You are the Steel Diamond Alchemist.

Start

~“Happy Birthday Anna!” Everyone shouted. It was your sixth birthday and you were excited to receive any gifts, as long as you were with the Fullers.

“It’s too bad Eli couldn’t make it. He sent a note saying he would try to be here, but I guess he got stopped by something.” Mrs. Fuller said, giving you a motherly smile.

A knock came from the door and you jumped out of your chair and rushed to it.

“Daddy! Daddy!! You made it just in time for c-“ You stopped midsentence when you opened the door.

A large man with a blonde mustache, wearing a blue army suit and a silver pocket watch was standing where your father should be standing. He wore a grim expression that you didn’t like so you looked back at Mr. and Mrs. Fuller. You didn’t like their faces either.

“I’m sorry to intrude on your events. I’m Major Armstrong, a State Alchemist.”

“Not at all sir. Please come inside.” Mr. Fuller said erasing his pained look.

The Major came inside, not bothering to remove his coat. Obviously, it wouldn’t take very long.

“May I speak to a Miss Anna?”

You had been hiding behind Stephen’s chair. Slowly you came out and walked up to the stranger. He motioned you to a room that was empty and closed the door. Faintly, you could hear Mrs. Fuller sob slightly.

“Anna, I work with your father, Elijah Calden. He was stationed in Ishbal only a few months ago.”

You nodded your head confirming the facts he was giving you.

“You know that a lot of people give their lives to the war in order for peace.”

You didn’t like the way this was going. Him talking of death was too much to take. You could feel wet spots on your hand that was clutching your dress, turning the knuckles on your right hand white.

“Dying in battle is a noble and brave way to die in the line of duty. He sacrificed his life to protect his country; to protect you.”

You were sobbing so hard, that you felt like you couldn’t breathe. You knew what he was saying. Knew that he was telling you that your father, your last parent, was dead.

“Anna?”

“Get out.” You said in an icily whisper.

“What?”

“GET OUT!!!!” You screamed this time, unable to control yourself. You clapped your hands so that a blizzard of hail came at the Major. He stumbled backward, hesitating, but finally left the room.

“DAAAAAAADDDDDY!!!!!!!!”~

You bolted up right, screaming slightly. Confetti and small streamers exploded through the air.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNA!!” Ed, Al, Stephen, Elicia, and Hughes were gathered around your bed, poppers and a cake in hand.

You looked at them and forced a smile. You couldn’t very well tell them that you had gotten news of your dad’s death on your birthday. It would only give them reason to pity you. And that was the last thing you needed.

“Thank you so much!” You got out of your bed and hugged each one of them.

“Anna, you better hurry or you’ll miss your meeting with Roy.” Hughes said glancing at his watch.

You were already rushing to the bathroom to change before he could finish his sentence.

FF>> Central HQ

You were running through the halls, dodging pedestrians and one dog.

You burst through the double doors of Roy’s office and your jaw dropped.

“Ah, you’re both here. Please come in Anna, and be careful with my doors.”

Sitting on a black leather couch was Gabriel, a smug expression on his face. You were trying to focus your attention on Roy, but every other glance you saw Gabriel, his leg crossed over the other, arms draped over the head rest.

“Colonel, I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but, what the hell is he doing here?!”

“Gabriel Godfrey is here for the same reasons as you, to get your state certification.”

“But I beat him fair and square! He should be booking a train to go home and cry to his mommy! Saying that he was beat by a tiny girl that was stronger than him and should learn to respect women more!”

“What does that last part have anything to do with this?” The Colonel asked.

“I don’t know! But it seemed reasonable at the time!” You pouted.

Gabriel had been sitting in his seat, slightly irritated, but still containing his composure, unlike someone.

“No it’s not like I’m right here or anything. Please keep insulting me!” He finally said.

Roy sighed before continuing, muttering something that sounded like she was the girl version of Ed.

“Both of you displayed magnificent talent and skill during the test. Even though Anna won the battle, Gabriel still had a straight knock out rate. The Fuhrer said he would also be a wonderful asset to the military. So suck it up!”

You still pouted a little bit, but lost your childlike behavior and got down to business.

“ ‘By the State, and the Fuhrer, King Bradley, it is shown that Anna Marie Calden be classified as a State Alchemist and will go under the alias, ‘The Steel Diamond Alchemist’”

You came up to him and took the silver watch that you had worked so hard for.

“ ‘By the State, and the Fuhrer, King Bradley, it is shown that Gabriel Godfrey be classified as a State Alchemist and will go under the alias, ‘The Angelic Alchemist’”

Roy handed him the watch, and just faintly you could hear Gabriel laugh.

“As I understand, Gabriel, you are going to be stationed near your hometown, so you are free to go.” Roy said.

Gabriel saluted the Colonel and the turned to face you. Before he passed you he whispered, “Good luck girly.”

You were shocked. You spun around to see him wave behind him and leave.

“As for you Diamond, you have a different mission.”

“Please sir! Not trying to speak out of turn, but it is my wish to stay with Fullmetal. I want to help him look for the Philosopher Stone.”

He looked at you for a time before responding, “May I continue?”

You nodded your head, feeling embarrassed for speaking like that to a superior.

“You will be traveling with a state alchemist by the name of Fullmetal, Edward Elric. Don’t mention his height and you’ll get along just fine.”

You began to glow. Roy gave you the coolest smile ever. You saluted him before exiting.

You skipped down the hallway without a care. As you were bounding around the corner, you bumped into a blue suit that was carrying a large amount of papers.

“I’m so sorry! I guess I wasn’t looking where I was g-”You stopped your sentence and looked at the bald mustachio man from ten years ago.

“I’m sorry Miss. No need to help pick up. I’ve got the strength of the Armstrong generation to back me up!”

He smiled at you and looked at you slightly longer than any person would. Then as if a light went off, his face turned to a different expression of regret.

“How are you Miss Anna?”

You shook away your sadness and replied cheerfully, “I’m good! I passed the State Alchemy Exam, so I’m in the ranks along with you!”

“That’s wonderful. Best of wishes to you. Oh, and happy birthday.” With all of the papers back in his arms, he scuttled of towards his destination.

You could feel the tears start to roll off of your cheeks and the wind of you running.

FF>>

“One pint please.” You said holding out your pocket watch. The bartender looked hesitant, but began to pour the cold liquor in your glass.

You had no recollection of how you got to Jack’s Bar, but you were glad you did. The sting of the beverage running down your throat felt good and the warmth numbed the pain.

By the time three hours had passed, you were up to your seventh shot, with four beers already in your stomach. You could feel your inhibitions start to fade away, along with your troubles.

Faintly you could here whispering, then snickering, and then irregular footsteps coming up from behind you.

“Hey girlie! Why don’t you come and drink with us? It must be lonely on this stool.” A strange man had said eyeing you up and down.

“How about you put that thing in your pants away and get a brain, then I’ll think about it.” You said slamming back another shot of straight vodka.

“Well then, be a bitch!”

“Whatever asshole. Bet you couldn’t wipe your ass without needing a manual and one of your boyfriends to hold your hand.” You replied with no emotion.

“Want to say that again?!” He came straight at you ready to strike.

Before he laid the blow, a metal hand came in contact, dislocating the man’s hand.

“Picking on girls in a bar while they’re defenseless? That’s low, even for bottom-dwellers like you.” Ed said punching the guy in the gut.

The guy doubled over in pain. His buddies came over picked him up and staggered towards the door.

“Are you two boys her friends?” The bartender asked Ed and Al.

“Yes sir, how much does she owe?”

“I’ll take twenty bucks. Just promise me you’ll take her home and never let her in a bar again.”

“You can count on us.” Ed said. Al got out a few bills and placed them on the counter.

But you didn’t stay. You left while the bartender was talking. You wobbled out the door, slowly, and searched for another pub or bar near. You still had no idea what you were doing, but the alcohol seemed to make more sense than life.

Ed’s POV

It had been three hours since Anna had left. It was starting to get dark and your worry only grew more.

“Al, let’s go look for her. I have some ideas.” You said putting on your coat.

Al was ready to go as well. You started your search at the nearby pubs. None had seen Anna. Your faith was diminishing, when you see fiery strands of hair surrounded by darkness.

You rush into the bar and see an odd man coming at Anna. You immediately raised your right arm and placed it below the man’s lowering arm. A satisfying crack, told you that you either broke something, or dislocated it.

“Picking on girls in a bar while they’re defenseless? That’s low, even for bottom-dwellers like you.” You said punching the man in the stomach.

As he fell to the ground his friends came to pick him up and drag him out of the bar.

“Are you two boys her friends?” The bartender asked you and Al.

“Yes sir, how much does she owe?”

“I’ll take twenty bucks. Just promise me you’ll take her home and never let her in a bar again.”

“You can count on us.” You said. Al got out a few bills and placed them on the counter.

“Alright Anna, lets get you sobered up.”

“Uh brother? She left.”

You anime fell and then angrily got up and stomped out the door.

She hadn’t gotten far. She had rested on a bench only twenty feet from the bar.

“Honestly Anna, what were you thinking? Do you know what would have happened if Al or I weren’t here to get that creep off of you?”

“We were really worried about you Anna.”

“I always do this on my birthday. Have been since then.” She said very slow and groggily.

“What?”

“I was told on my birthday, that my dad had died in Ishbal. It wasn’t that big of a deal this morning. When I got my certification, I just forgot. But then I ran into him.”

“Into who?” Al asked with a caring tone.

“Major Armstrong. He was the one who told me. I just don’t want to feel the pain.” She was crying very hard and you wish you could restart the day.

You pulled her into your arms and held her like that for a while. Her head was buried in your chest and she was shaking violently.

She then became very still. You pulled her away, to see that she was asleep.

*She cried herself to sleep. She’s gonna have such a hangover!*

You laughed slightly in your head then raised Anna to her feet, sweeping her into your arms, holding her close to your chest, hoping to protect her from anything that would hurt her again.

When you walked into Hughes’s house with Anna in your arms, he helped you carry her.

As you placed her onto her bad she stirred only faintly. You began to tip-toe away.

“Ed?”

You turned to see her awake, but still drunk.

“Yeah crazy?” You said smiling, while reaching out for her hand.

She used that hand to pull herself up a bit more before kissing you lightly on the lips.

“Thanks for listening.” She said laying back down and then fell right back to sleep.

You blushed a deep red and stumbled out of her room, trying very hard to close her door quietly.

Hughes, Al, and Stephen were gathered around, teary eyes and a giddy smile plastered on their faces.

“What?!” You said, knowing your blush never faded.

“AAAAWWWWWE!” The three of them squealed simultaneously.

“Shut up!!”