Chapter Text
Ed was simply reading a book when suddenly he was engulfed in a blast of white light - he was so surprised that he wasn’t able to move in time to dodge it and then he disappeared in the light - leaving just his book behind. Before he disappeared he only had one thought in his head - What the FUCK! Not again!
When he opened his eyes again he was met by a familiar view - white walls with a figure in front of a big gate - Truth.
“What do you fucking want Truth? I didn’t do anything that could warrant me being here, I can’t even do alchemy anymore. What more can you possible fucking want?”
Truth only giggled at Ed’s outburst and smiled when the blond looked at him with a scowl on his face. “I’m here to make a deal with you, one that could be very beneficial to you little alchemist~”
Ed looked skeptical at Truth wondering if it was one of his tricks again. Truth smiled like he was reading Ed’s mind and responded before he could even open his mouth to ask the question.
“And no it is not one of my tricks as you like to call my deals.” Ed frowned at Truth but ultimately decides that he can at least hear about the deal before refusing. He nodded at Truth for him to talk.
Truth smiled and did as he was asked. “What I want you to do is spy on the British government - more specifically on the Ministry of Magic and to help you do that I am giving you back your gate so in short your alchemy and when the mission is complete you can even keep it.”
He paused for a moment before continuing.
“And you can have some of my powers - meaning you can punish anyone you see fit to - you are going to be my representative for this mission. I think you will enjoy them very much since you like to show off.”
As Truth was talking Ed was looking more and more surprised by the second and more and more confused.
“And there is no catch at this deal you are making?" He asked.
“None, little alchemist~.”
Ed scowled again but decided not to say anything and just thought about the deal Truth just made to him. Thinking back about it he did miss his alchemy even though he would have made the same deal back then if it meant that Al could get his body back.
His mind was in shambles trying to figure out if the deal was really worth it - if it was really worth all the work he was going to have to do just to have his alchemy back. But in the end he couldn’t deny that he missed his alchemy in his everyday life.
In the end he decided that he had nothing to lose accepting the trade so he nodded at Truth. “Fine, I accept your stupide trade.”
The white figure smiled and Ed was sucked into the Gate once again - and the event wasn’t something he was ready to experience again - returning him to his room. Back to his room he immediately tried to do alchemy - moving a small part of the wall - and it fucking worked damnit, that bastard wasn’t lying when he said he was going to give him back his Gate and his alchemy with it.
Ed wanted to laugh so hard but he knew that if he did his brother would hear him and be concerned about what he did again to laugh so hard alone in his room in the middle of the afternoon.
Ed still smiled at the thought of showing Al and the face he would make when he uses alchemy in his face - but not today, he is too tired after what Truth told him and added to the fact that being summoned by him was not an enjoyable experience - something he definitely didn’t want to repeat.
However as he thought about it, he was sure a hundred percent that he will again be back in that forsaken place where he is not supposed to be able to go back after the first time - and yet he did - multiple times at that point.
As he deliberated going to bed or to at least finish his book before he was called by Al for dinner or some shit like that since he mostly stayed inside these days unless he was needed by that bastard that was once his superior - even though he never listened to him when he was under his command in the military and even less when he wasn’t anymore.
The phone rang in the living room - not wanting to go and get it - he waited for his brother to go. And just as he thought, he could hear Al walking down the stairs and him picking up the phone. After a while, Al called him down - saying that the call was for me - which was weird since Ed didn’t usually get phone calls especially when he wasn’t on a mission.
But either way he still went down stairs - giving Al a hug and a kiss to his forehead in the process when he passed him, he was a lot more affectionate since Al got his body back and his brother hasn’t complained yet so Ed thinks that he also enjoys the little physical touch he gives every now and then.
El* on the other hand showered Al with affection - and also did it with Ed too - they both weren’t complaining about it though. He has always been like that - even more so when they got Alphonse’s body back three years ago. And it still hasn’t gone back to before the accident.
*[El or Eli is the diminutive of Elijah. He is my OC who is the older brother of Ed and Al, he is three older than Ed - he was supposed to appear in a prequel I was going to write based on the manga but I lost my motivation for that so here i will do a small presentation but if you don’t want any spoilers for the prequel - if I eventually write it - then don’t read the next part. Although you can read the last two paragraphs since it’s just his physical description and his personality.
Eli was not present when Ed and Al performed human transmutation and only learned of it the day after the act, he immediately went home after the call and was met with a horrible sight - which you probably know if you watched or read Fullmetal Alchemist. What I didn’t say was that he also tried to perform human transmutation and failed as well - he is partially blind on both eyes and needs glasses at all times and even then his vision is still kind of blurry. He also has mobility problems since he is in a lot of pain when he moves his legs and can only walk with a cane and if he eats painkillers.
Although before Ed and Al committed a crime that was sentenced to possible death if discovered by the military, he was actually in Central becoming a State Alchemist to gain money and support the three of them - he managed to pass the exam and was nicknamed the Blood Alchemist since he is able to manipulate his own blood but also the blood of others - not that anyone knew that he was able to control someone else's blood.
But because he didn’t tell his little brothers of the fact he passed the exam and he didn’t want them to know and to worry about him since the day he collapsed and vomited blood - that was the same day he performed human transmutation - a day after he became a dog of the military - without the knowledge of Ed and Al. They went and took the same test to become a State Alchemist without saying anything to him. Leaving him in Resembool one of the days he couldn’t move a muscle because of the pain - it was just after a mission that was quite brutal physically.
It’s only later on - a few years - that Ed and Al know that he is a State Alchemist and added to the fact that he was the famous Blood Alchemist, who managed to be the youngest and the fastest to reach the rank of Major General - at the age of 16 and in 2 years since he became a State Alchemist at the age of 14 - it was the same day as the Promised Day. It’s where he showed everyone why he was one of the most feared alchemists despite his age - he was only 19 - and how he got his rank so fast - even though he never showed his face for the duration of the entire fight - he gained a promotion for his exploit - he was now a General - he is still the youngest and the fastest to gain this rank and that much power.
He has brown hair that goes just under his shoulders, he mostly keeps it in a half ponytail with a braid on each side. He is quite androgynous and kind of looks like a girl so he is sometimes mistaken as such, although he doesn’t mind since he considers himself as apagender or gender apathetic which means that he doesn’t care what pronouns people use to address him. (I found this on the internet so please tell me if I’m wrong since it’s something I can consider myself as I don’t care about the pronouns people use for me so I would like to know if that is correct)
He also doesn’t wear the military uniform since he mostly wants to keep his identity secret, instead he wears a white button up with a black waistcoat and a grey suit jacket and grey pants. He also has heterochromia - his left eye is green and the right one is a gold like orange - because of the eyes he wears a mask to hide them and his face, he has two moles, one under each eye. He is quite calm just like Al and their mother and doesn’t get angry as easily. He is academic, generous, affectionate, analytical, patient but also stubborn. Plus he had to become quite tolerant to live with Ed.]
Speaking of him, he was on the couch reading a book with the cat on his lap, the cat’s name was Cinnamon, it was Alphonse’s cat that he wanted absolutely - they got it only two months after Al recovered his body. And for some reasons the cat liked Eli much more than Al - that information devastated Al for a few days until he realised that Cinnamon and his brother made a cute image together.
Ed was stuck in his memories and almost forgot why he even came down stairs before Al called his name again - that’s right - he had received a phone call - on his day off - which was fucking fantastic if you asked him - he hasn’t taken a day off since the start of his military days and that is saying something since it has been 8 years since he became a State Alchemist. Taking the phone from Al’s hand he asked, “This is Edward Elric, who am I talking to?”
“Well hello to you too Fullmetal. I was waiting for a warmer welcome. But I suppose I shouldn’t have expected any less from you.” It was that bastard, of course it would’ve been him - he is the only one who would call anyone - especially him - on their day off.
“What do you want now, bastard? It’s my day off and you know it’s my first one in years.” He barked at the phone - wondering why he even agreed to take a day off if the person who asked him to is just going to call him.
“I need you to come into the office, it is somewhat urgent. So I am expecting you within the hour.” Ordered Mustang. The Elrics moved to Central since it was easier for their - Ed and Eli’s - job considering they worked in the same department now that Ed is under Eli’s command. Al also sometimes helps at the office when he isn’t studying for a test.
“Fine, I’ll be there, even though I’m not supposed to be. It’s a law you even passed too.” He mumbled the last part. Without even seeing him, Ed could see that bastard smile - the smile he uses when he won something - in politics or in his everyday life.
Ed hung up on Roy before he could have added anything else. He muttered something under his breath before going up the stairs to his room. Al and El looked at each other - wondering what happened now for Ed to be in that mood - they both shrugged and decided to wait until he came back down to him themselves.
After a while Ed came back down in different clothes - he was wearing a white button up with a beige waist coat and matching pants, his hair in his usual braid. He still had a scowl on his face and was now in the kitchen. “Who was behind the phone?” Inquired El. Al had put his head on El’s lap and the rest of his body on the couch and El had his hand in his hair - petting and running his hand through it.
“That bastard that I call a husband.” Answered Ed as he prepared coffee for whatever conversation he will have at the office. Eli hummed at his answer while Al was falling asleep. “He asked me to go to the office for some reason that I didn’t want to hear on the phone.”
“Do you want me to come with you? I’m not in that much pain today and I have nothing else to do.” Asked El to Ed. He looked up from what he was doing and considered the image he saw in front of him - Al with his head on Eli’s lap and hand in his hair.
Ed would’ve definitely liked having his big brother with him on whatever this was supposed to be - but they looked peaceful like this and he didn’t want to aggravate his brother’s pain when they still hadn’t found a way to cure it. Of course, because he didn’t respond immediately to Eli’s question Al decided to say something.
“I’ll also go since I don’t have anything on as well.” Eli smiled down at Al and ruffled his hair making him sputter a bit. That made Eli smile wider than before. Ed on the other hand looked at both of his brothers and wondered how he could have such great siblings when he was like this - all angry and broken from his own arrogance.
Eli - who was looking at Ed’s face all along - suddenly got up from the couch - gently putting Al’s head in the place he was previously in - and walked up to Ed to look him in the eyes. “I know what you are thinking about and I’ll stop you right now, you deserve everything we give you, without any exception.” It was said in a stern tone - and that was rare coming from Eli who usually speaks in a gentle almost inaudible voice.
Ed should have seen that coming since for some reason, Eli and Al and sometimes Roy are the only people who can read him when he is like this and tries to hide his emotions - which is rare mind you but since he doesn’t usually hide his emotions like that not a lot of people notices because of that.
“Alright, I’ll stop. I guess you guys can come with me but on two conditions.” He said as he looked at both Eli and Al. “One, if the pain becomes unbearable please don’t force yourself.” He looked at Eli who smiled and nodded. “ And two, don’t strain yourself.” This time he looked at Al who also nodded from his position on the couch.
“Fine, let’s go then, unless you guys need to change - on second thought Eli don’t forget your cane this time, so at least you’ll have something to lean on just in case.” Al went and got change while El just took his cane off of the wall it was leaning on and took some of the coffee Ed made in two thermos - one for Al and one just in case since he preferred to drink tea but he wasn’t in the mood to make and drink tea - and walked to the door.
While he was doing that - Ed drank his cup of coffee and put some in another thermos for himself. Al came back five minutes later in a white shirt with a green jacket and some black pants. El just wore a black sweater and some grey pants and had his hair in his usual style - a half ponytail with a braid on each side.
“Ready to go?” Eli looked at both of his little brothers when he asked the question. They both nodded.
***
They arrived at Führer Mustang’s office ten minutes later - they were a little late since they had to stop because Eli’s legs started to hurt so they had to go back home and pick up Eli’s wheelchair for him.
Al pushed the wheelchair while Ed walked side by side next to them. Ed barged into the office and was met by a half screeching office - even he always did that when he came by and didn’t understand how they still weren’t used to it. Well Ed didn’t work with them anymore and by consequence he doesn’t come by as often as he did back then but still did that quite often when he worked with them.
“You guys are still not used to the fact that I always do that when I come to visit? And you call yourselves the best of the best. And yes I am talking about you Havoc and don’t you dare deny it, my brothers can back me up, they were there when you said it.” And that was how Ed announced his presence after a few seconds of silence - by slandering Jean Havoc.
“Oh come on Boss!” Whined Havoc “That was a long time ago!” The Elrics all raised their eyebrows and stared at him and that made him deflate and he huffed a little - but he was smiling good naturally at them.
“Now, where is my stupide husband who fucking asked me to come here on my first day off in years?” Questioned Ed - Eli and Al had started talking to Hawkeye who was working unlike Havoc who was being a nuisance. They were talking about work when Ed asked the question and Hawkeye answered him. “He is in his office with two other people from Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which I believe is in Scotland.”
Ed was surprised by the coincidence since he also needed to go there for that bastard called Truth. He didn’t think much of it and just pushed the door of his husband’s office and walked in followed closely behind by his two brothers.
The two people that they didn’t recognise jumped at the noise and even whipped out some kind of weird stick from who knows where - which was kind of weird but okay. Roy on the other hand seems to not have flinched but they could see that he jumped as well but not much - which was better than his team - except Riza of course - and the strangers.
“Hello, we were waiting for you, although I wasn’t expecting your brothers to come but that makes the job easier. May I introduce you to Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall.” The old man smiled a little creepily at them while the woman just nodded with a pitched face. “And may I introduce you to Edward Elric-” He pointed at the boy with long blond hair. “-Alphonse Elric-” The boy with short blond hair who was behind the wheelchair. “-and Elijah Elric.” The girl with middle length messy brown hair in the wheelchair.
***
Minerval wondered why the Führer asked for these people to come into his office - it looked like to her that he was taking their request for help as a joke. But before she could voice her opinion to Albus, he asked the Führer the exact same question she was thinking. “Sorry to ask this, but how would they be able to help us about what we requested?”
The Führer looked at us for a second before he smiled. “Alchemy has a lot of different branches and all of them have specific rules common to that type of alchemy and they are all hard to learn. A lot of people will only learn one or two branches and that is still rare, even for experienced alchemists. I am considered one of the best in my field but even I can’t perform another branch of alchemy. The Elrics on the other hand are the best alchemists in Amestris, the only ones who are currently alive that are able to understand not one but multiple branches of alchemy and they are able to work and perform them flawlessly. They are what we call prodigies, they would be the perfect choice for your request.”
The boy who barged into the room looked angrily at the Führer like he wasn’t scared to be reprimanded by him - and maybe he wasn’t - thought Minerva. But she could also smugness in his eyes with a hit of softness which surprised her considering his anger.
“And what fucking mission are we talking about, because you still haven’t said anything about that yet. And don’t you dare involve my brothers into your little manipulation games, or I’ll swear to Truth I will punch you in the face.” Edward said.
He really had no respect for his superior and his brothers aren’t even stopping him from doing it - like they are used to it. Used to his behavior to the leader of their country. “Ed, please lower your voice, you’ll lose it again if you don’t and you remember how miserable you were for a week, right?” The one in the wheelchair tried to calm his brother. Although that didn’t stop you from doing some rather interesting activities with your husband Eli internally thought. We could hear them from the kitchen and they were on the second floor with the door locked.
He just huffed and went back next to the girl - he marched up to the desk during his rant - he was rewarded for his action by a ruffle to his hair. Albus had a small surprised spark in his eyes - he wasn’t the only one surprised - Minerva also thought that it was astonishing that he was this obedient with his sister compared to the leader of his country.
The other people in the room didn’t seem surprised at all by their interaction - they actually seemed used to it - was this normal - thought Minerva as the girl smiled softly at Edward - his cheek was a little rosy - he was probably a little embarrassed.
“Now that you have finished your little tantrum, I can now explain why I asked Edward to come and even though I didn’t call his brother and-” He looked at the girl and she nodded before he continued - which Minerva deemed a little weird. “-his sister, I still need their opinion on the matter you talked about.”
Albus and Minerva looked back to the trio and they were looking back at them. “And what is this request you are talking about?” Asked Alphonse sweetly while smiling - the only one that didn’t talk until now.
“Well, they requested that I send an alchemist as their new alchemy professor and they need someone competent.” Explained the Führer.
***
Ed was annoyed - what do you mean they had asked for a skilled alchemist to become a professor at their school - and that must mean that Roy wanted him to become that alchemist since he asked him to come and not his brothers. And he guessed that he presented El as a woman because it would probably confuse the two strangers and they probably didn’t have the time to explain it to them.
“And would the person you thought of for this mission possibly be my younger brother?” Asked Eli gently. The way he said that could be interpreted as a question but for those who knew him could recognise the way he wasn’t asking and was more saying it like a statement.
Roy was sweating a little thinking about how long his scolding will last - and by his brother-in-law no less. He still smiled through the pain and answered him anyway. “He is the best option. After all his knowledge in alchemy is one of the best and his experience in teaching is also an advantage and he is knowledgeable about magic too which is a big advantage in a school where magic is everywhere and in everything.”
Ed looked more and more annoyed at his reasoning - Al looked worried at the thought of Ed being so far from home and causing chaos to a school without himself and Eli to watch him and ground him and Eli just hummed a bit. Albus expected a different kind of reaction at their request for an alchemy professor since he heard rumors explaining that most took pride in their techniques and don’t normally share it with others and even less with people with magic in their veins.
“And why should I accept their stupide fucking request? I’m not even your subordinate anymore. You will have to go through Eli for this to be an actual order and you know this.” Exclaimed Ed as he pointed a finger to Eli and then crossed his arms. Eli just smiled pleasantly and placed a reassuring hand on Ed’s arm and placed his other hand on Al’s hand that was on the handle of his wheelchair.
“Is that all there is to their request or is there something else that they need?” Asked Eli as he retracted his arms from his little brothers and looked at the black haired man. Before he could even respond - El already knew the response and made a sigh for Ed to come closer - Ed did and Eli whispered something into his ear which changed Ed’s demeanor instantly.
“Fine I accept their request but I want you to know I do not like this and that I will complain all throughout the period this mission will last. And I will make you regret not talking to Eli first before calling me here.” Ed finally said after a while and he took the contract that Roy waved in his face when he heard his response.
He read the three pages of text quickly - so quickly in fact that Albus and Minerva were flabbergasted at how he was able to understand everything on it - every legal term. After he finished reading he gave a look of pure rage and something else that the professors couldn’t place. He signed the contract with a fountain pen Mustang offered him.
After that was done he pushed Al out of the way and took the handles of El’s wheelchair and wheeled them both out as Al said goodbye to Roy and the two wizards and told them to excuse his brother’s attitude and to not pay attention to his brother’s attitude before bolting out of the door - closing it as he went. They all said goodbye to the office and went home.
***
Roy finally came home at around midnight and was met with the Elrics all sat at the dining table - waiting for him. And if that wasn’t creepy and he didn’t know what was - nothing was more scary then the three brothers - together - silent - waiting. Which was unusual since Edward would definitely - and always - be ranting about his new mission to his brothers.
They all turned simultaneously to him when he opened the door and he almost screamed like a girl when he turned around after closing the door - although he did clutch his heart - feeling it beat a little faster than normal. Eli - having recovered from the pain this afternoon and was now able to walk without the wheelchair and the clutches - rushed to ask if he was alright while his two younger brothers laughed at Roy’s face.
“I’m fine, now could you please explain to me why, when I enter my own home I am greeted by a circle of people like I’m in a sort of cult? Because I am certain that I wasn’t in one the last time I checked.”
That comment revived their laughter. Which only stopped when Eli glared at both of them. He guided Roy to the chair he was previously occupying and slapped both of his brothers’ heads as a reprimand.
“We were just waiting for you.” Said Eli as he went into the kitchen to heat up dinner for Roy since it was past midnight and he probably didn’t eat anything before coming home.
“Yeah, because what do you mean I have to go to fucking Scotland to teach some rich brats in a fucking boarding school?!” Asked Edward as he leaned forward towards his husband so he could strangle him himself for trying to flatter him so that he would take the job without complaint - and well he was mistaken if he thought that he wouldn’t see through his scheme and manipulation tactics.
“So what is the real reason you accepted their request?” Ed asked as he leaned back into his seat and El came back from the kitchen and placed a plate of food in front of the Führer.
“What do you think is your real mission?” Roy returned back as he started eating - it was just some mashed potatoes, some greens and a piece of steak but it was absolutely delicious and he couldn’t understand how the Elrics were able to cook something so good when they didn’t have the time to cook often before the Promised Day - their cooking compete with the best restaurants in Central.
Ed looked his husband in the eyes before sighing. “ You want me to spy on them or at the very least see if they could be a good ally to keep close just in case.” He looked at his nails, “At least it will be a lot easier to complete Truth’s fucking deal.” He mumbled barely audible for the rest of the room to hear.
“What was that last part brother?” Asked Al with a smile that wasn’t really a smile and was more like a mask to Al so that he could fool anyone into thinking he was good and innocent when in reality he could be scarier than Ed in a conversation.
“Nothing! Just thinking out loud that’s all!” Ed said awkwardly - not wanting his little brother to scold him. The last time that happened was in front of strangers and he didn’t want to repeat that mistake again - even in front of family.
Al stared at him for a while before bursting out laughing and the rest of them joined in. After they had calmed down a bit Roy just hummed at Ed’s response. “You got part of it right, but… I also received an invitation from Minister Fudge, asking for a meeting to discuss an alliance with them and to absolutely not trust Albus Dumbledore because apparently he was now talking nonsense because of his age.”
Roy signed and massaged the bridge of his nose. “This is more of a political situation and at first I didn’t want to involve any of you in this mess but then I received a letter from the same Albus Dumbledore the Minister was talking about and he also asked for a meeting and his request was what I told you.”
Ed thought that this was about to be a long and complicated mission - it could’ve been better if it wasn’t for the fact that Truth also wanted information from the exact same people. “And what? You can’t send someone else there? I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that their knowledge on alchemy isn’t that great so why not send someone else on this mission if you didn’t want to involve any of us.”
The Führer sighed and shook his head - he looked tired as he looked at the three brothers. “I can’t send in anyone else because I trust no one else enough to complete this mission than you, that is strong enough not to get them killed on the spot and that has enough experience with alchemy to teach it to some beginners in a magical school.” His gaze shifted to Eli. “So! Please don’t be mad at me! And don’t kill me either!” His head bowed.
They were startled at his outburst and Ed and Al even started laughing. While Eli was also trying very hard not to smile. “Don’t worry about that I was just pretending to be mad at you, I know you had to have a solid argument as to why you are sending Ed on this mission. So really I only did that to scare you a bit.”
Roy sighed in relief and continued on with what he was saying. “As I was saying, I need you to teach at the school but at the same time try and see who we could and should trust between the Ministry and the Headmaster. I on the other hand will be at the Ministry doing my own investigation on the inside. But since the one at the school will be alone during this mission while the team will be with me, I wanted someone I wouldn’t worry about a lot since I trust you and I know you will come out alive.”
Eli looked thoughtful at that. “Shouldn’t you have at least contacted us before their arrival so you could’ve had the chance to brief the situation to us? Unless of course they arrived with the letter? Which I supposed they did based on your face?” Roy’s face almost didn’t change at all - for those who didn’t know him at least but to them - his face was like an open book - with the way he would furrow when he was irritated or when his eyes would light up when he saw Ed or anything he liked, really.
“Maybe we should go to bed and talk about this when it isn’t so late at night.” Said Al. And he was right - they talked for so long that it was past one - they talked for over an hour and they needed to go to work early in the morning.
They all said their goodnights and went their separate ways. Ed and Roy to the second floor - Al to the first floor on the far left and Eli right behind him to go to his own room on the far right - just in front of Al’s. They both hoped that Ed and Roy would be too tired to do any physical activities - or at least not loud enough for them to hear.