Fullmetal Alchemist: the Gunslinger

Chapter 1: Military Dogs

"You know, you're gonna get a hunchback if you keep reading like that, kid."

Tom looked up at his father. The dark haired man was giving him his usual warm smile, though Tom imagined that would change if he didn't provide an explanation soon.

"Sorry, dad. I can't really help it. Correct posture is not exactly something that tends to cross my mind when looking through your sketches."

Tom's father chuckled.

"Well, I think you've done enough of that for today. Let's tidy this up."

He began picking up and organizing the sketches on the table. Tom smiled and stood up, collecting the different papers and sketchbooks spread throughout the room.

"Why, Tom?"

Tom looked up in confusion. His father's voice sounded different, strained, like it was taking a lot of effort to bring out the words.

"Why, Tom? Why didn't you do anything?"

A chill ran down Tom's spine as his uncle seemed to shudder.

"Dad? What's wrong?"

His father turned around, and Tom wished he hadn't. He was slightly hunched over, ragged breaths escaping his lungs. A stream of blood dripped out of the corner of his mouth. Six bullet holes were painfully visible on his chest.

"Why, Tom? You were right there. Why didn't you do anything?"

Tom scrambled backwards, heart hammering against his ribcage.

"I-I..."

"Why did you just stand there?! You knew alchemy! I taught you how to shoot! Why did you do nothing!?"

"I-I'm sorry..."

"Sorry doesn't cut it! Tell me why, Tom! Why!"

*

A gasp broke past Tom's lips as he startled awake. It took him a few seconds to calm down, though he could still feel his accelerated heartbeat.

"Nightmare?"

Tom glanced to his left, spotting a strawberry blonde girl sitting next to him. Her fingers were carefully flipping a knife between them, the base of the blade engraved with a circle containing several polygons and symbols. But her emerald eyes barely payed the weapon any mind. Instead they were focused on him.

"What gave it away?" Tom asked, giving her a weak smile.

"You kept tossing and turning and muttering in your sleep."

Tom snorted.

"So you were watching me sleep? You know, Amelia, someone else might find that creepy."

She smiled.

"Good thing you know better."

The two of them shared a small laugh. This was nice, having little moments like these. It was certainly better than traveling alone like he had before. Not to mention that simply having Amelia there to talk to him had made getting through the nightmares a lot easier.

"We should get going if we don't wanna lose the trail of those bandits." Tom eventually said.

Amelia nodded and stood up, the two beginning to pack up their things. There wasn't much, just their bedrolls and weapons. Amelia had quickly fastened her bandolier of knives, checking that all the blades were accounted for.
Tom in turn took his holster and fastened it to his belt. He took special care to make sure his revolver was clean and in good condition. It was more than just a prized possession, it was his lifeline. He couldn't afford to have the weapon jam in the middle of a fight.