Unfiltered (Edward Elric x Reader)

3 - Interrogations, Strange Coincidences, and Apple Pie

Your cheeks were on fire, loudly wearing an angry shade of red. So bright it could've stopped traffic a mile away.

"Wait- (Y/n)!" Alphonse ran after you, despite Edward insistence that they just leave. The elder Elric stood there in disbelief, internally questioning why he kept getting mixed up in situations he had no business being in.

You were followed into a room, where you anxiously paced and bit your thumb nail in deep thought. The room was a mess with books and loose papers scattered everywhere. You often occupied the space, researching and studying even when you weren't actively working on a case.

Edward sat on the floor in front of the low coffee table, observing the spread of familiar sheets.

Alchemy, the Philosophers stone, alchemy, alchemy... The more he read, the more curious he grew. He wanted to know what an ordinary person like you had to do with something so dangerous.

"Why is your brother linked to the philosophers stone?" He shamelessly questioned, keeping his eyes glued to yours. Although they were dark with anger, he thought they were a beautiful color.

"Why are you?" You answered his question with a question of your own, still hot headed and coming down from your rage high.

"I asked you first."

There was a long moment of intense silence, and Alphonse watched helplessly as you stood up to each other. Your eyes locked, unwavering. The tension so thick Alphonse felt as if he would suffocate.

You finally broke eye contact, crossing your arms and clicking your tongue. "He... Liam used to be obsessed with trying to create the stone. He partnered up with some guys and got himself killed." You summed up a much more complicated story. "If you haven't caught on, Lenny was one of them."

"Why did they need the stone?"

"I don't know," you sat down on the floor across from him and fidgeted with your fingers. Ed and Al shared a glance, and without saying a word they knew each other's intentions.

Edward hated to admit that Al was right about you being more connected to the stone than he initially thought, he now knew it would be best to stick the case out for their own potential benefit.

"Well, what about you guys? Does your connection to the stone have to do with that empty suit of armor?" Your blunt question caught them off guard and the blonde choked on his own saliva.

"Wha- how did you-" the synchronized brothers began to ask, pausing when you laughed.

"The sound of your footsteps. Besides, I have a hard time believing anyone would wear that even for 'intensive training,'" you reached across the table and grabbed Edward's right arm, pushing his sleeve up to his elbow. "Not to mention you have a couple interesting things about you."

The boys went silent, scrutinizing you with an intensity that would be intimidating to most people. You'd proven to them how observant you are, but they didn't expect you to uncover their darkest secrets within a day.

"We..." the younger brother quietly started, but before another word could be spoken the door flew open and a worried Maes Hughes came through.

"Hughes..!" You stood up quickly, suddenly feeling very flustered.

"Lieutenant Hughes?" Edward questioned.

"(Y/n), are you okay?" For the time being he ignored the Elric brothers and marched straight to you.

"I-I'm fine," he grabbed your shoulders and inspected you. You had a bandage over your forehead, and some minor cuts and bruises, but he acted as if you were missing an arm.