Prompt 150, I don't want to kill you but I will, "Twelve"
Title: Twelve
Author: meredavey
Series: manga/brotherhood or first series. Either fits
Word count: 446
Rating: K+
Characters: Roy, Edward
Summary: Twelve - grow up soon, Fullmetal, because you’re a dog of the military and - please.
Authors Note: I just…well, have been thinking about a young Edward. I was talking with a friend about how Ed’s character developed, and I’d like to think he did mature as he got older…and Roy’s belief in Ed and what Ed stands for. I’d think he’d have been torn up if anything happened to Ed or Al - he wanted them to succeed. So…this is kind of what happened.
“No! I don’t want to!”
Fullmetal was being especially obstinate this afternoon, the lieutenant colonel thought sourly. Of course, he was still a child. Twelve years old. Just twelve years old and a state alchemist.
Lieutenant Colonel Mustang stared across at the boy - child - and said again firmly, “It seems you don’t quite understand the rules, Fullmetal, I’m your direct superior and you obey me. You are a dog of the military.”
Roy saw the frown - glare really - on Fullmetal’s face. Obstinate, hot headed, childish…twelve.
“I’m not going.”
Roy ground his teeth together. When he’d taken on the kid he’d thought that the eyes he’d seen then - those strong, hard eyes - would mean more promotions for him. And he truly did want to help the kid but -
“You can’t make me go because I’m a much better alchemist than you,”
-the smug little brat made him so irritated.
He’s twelve, what did you expect? Kids throw tantrums all the time. Except his type of tantrum was much, much more dangerous than any other kids would ever be. He vaguely wondered if Alphonse had inherited all the calm, respectful traits. He wished the suit of armor was here to control his brother.
But Fullmetal had spoken the truth, he was an exceptionally skilled alchemist, he was brilliant, he liked helping people, he was easy to trust but sometimes -
“If you want an alchemist why don’t you go, you lazy bastard?”
-he had to resist the urge to bang his head on the desk - that’s not how officer’s act - and he most definitely should not bang Fullmetal’s head on the desk. That automail was dangerous. And don’t even think of trying alchemy on him because really, he is useful.
But right now he’s twelve. He’s young and his life has been hard. Give him a break. Just this once.
“Fine, Fullmetal, I’ll assign it to someone else. But you’ll be doing another assignment instead.”
The glare should have cut through stone. Or turned him to stone.
“I don’t want to kill you - ” Don’t want to kill your strength , don’t want to hurt you, don’t want to change you, just want to protect you, keep you safe, you’re twelve you don’t deserve this, you’re supposed to be a child, not a dog of the military -
The door slammed behind the boy.
Grow up quickly, Fullmetal, get over these tantrums because they’re foolish and stupid and the military is strict and -
“but I will.”
Edward don’t make me kill you - don’t make me kill you - I wouldn’t be able to…wouldn’t have the strength.
Please, Edward, please, I’ll beg on my knees if I have to, just - please, please.