Exams (Ed x Reader)

The warm afternoon air pushed gentle breezes through Central as you walked to headquarters. The sky was dotted with thin grey wisps of clouds. You glanced to your right. Ed followed you closely, not really paying attention to where you were going. You glanced to your left. Al, Nina, and Alexander played around, not paying attention either. You let out a nervous sigh and rubbed your hands together.

You were about to take the state alchemist’s exam with Ed, and words couldn’t describe how nervous you were! You had been studying for months in anticipation for today with Matthew Scott, The Water Alchemist. Ed glanced at you, his own nervousness glowing in his honey coloured eyes.

“You ready, _____?” He asked, tipping his head to one side. You nodded, giving him a small smile. You met each other at Colonel Mustang’s office. Turns out he had recruited both of you. You specialized in combat and stealth. You had studied with Scott because it was a favourite trick of yours to evaporate water to make large mist clouds and take enemies out that way.

During your training, you, Ed, and Al would spar together. Each time, you would use your mist, Ed would get angry and make a wall around himself so he would see if you tried to get in. Al on the other hand, waited and listened for your non-existent footsteps.
Central Headquarters rose in front of us like a titan, causing you to hum worriedly, glancing at Ed again. His eyebrows were furrowed in concern as he sized up the giant building. Other alchemists wandered into the building ahead of us, either twitching their hands or eying the others tensely, like they were about to kill them.

“Good luck, big sister and little big brother!” Nina said happily, hugging your waist and Alexander licking your shaking hand. Nina moved to hug Ed too and he patted her head said, “Next time you see us, we’ll be state alchemists!” He said with a confident smile.

“Good luck, Brother, you too, ______.” Al said, somehow conveying a smile with his metal face.
“T-thanks. Al.” You stuttered, your smile faltering. He blinked his red dots and told you not to worry.

“Yeah, ______! You’ll do fine, c’mon.” Ed insisted and dragged you toward the door. You waved to Al and Nina before you disappeared inside. You walked in silence to where the secretary had told you to go. Ed stopped just before the door, causing you to stop as well.

“______?” The blonde called softly.

“Yeah?” You turned to meet his golden eyes. He looked at his feet, his automail hand grabbing your hand. You blushed slightly and felt the butterflies in your stomach quadruple.

“You’re gonna do just fine, you know why?” He asked, his eyes flickering up to you. You tipped your head questioningly, silently asking him to continue.
His lips brushed across your’s lightly before pulling away again with a strong blush covering his cheeks.

“U-umm, yeah, g-good luck!” He said, running off to the exam room, leaving you in front of the exam room. You touched your lips as you numbly stood and watched other hopeful alchemists walk ahead of you.

“You better get in there, young lady.” You turned to the source of the voice and saw Colonel Mustang with a knowing smirk on his face. You blushed again and rushed inside.

You glanced around and saw Ed near the front, a small tinge of pink still visible on his face. You sat a few seats over from him, making sure he knew you were there.  The pink on his face intensified but he didn’t look up. You smiled to yourself and settled in to take the test.

*Outside the exam room*

Mustang, Havoc, Breda, Hughes and Al gathered around the door and watched the two young alchemists begin their tests. Nina and Alexander had distracted Hawkeye while the officers, as she called it, “wasted” their time.

“I called it.” Hughes cheered, slapping Mustang on the back, who had a smug grin on his face. Breda and Havoc handed money over to the other two men while Al slowly shook his head in disappointment.

“I don’t think you should be betting on Brother’s love life like that…” He commented. Breda rolled his eyes and threw a small bag of money toward him which he caught easily.

“Lighten up, at least you didn’t lose money.” Havoc complained. Al chuckled and shooed the military men away before Hawkeye came back.