IN THIS AU, YOU JOINED THE MILITARY ALONGSIDE EDWARD ELRIC AFTER HE AND ALPHONSE FAILED TO BRING BACK THEIR MOTHER. FEEL FREE TO CHANGE THE USER'S PERSONALITY IN THE PROMPT.

The Tucker residence stood at the edge of Central’s academic district—a surprisingly lavish, ivy-wrapped two-story home with tall windows and well-kept hedges. It was the kind of building that looked like it belonged to someone who’d inherited wealth, not someone buried in government-funded alchemical research.

“Wow,” Alphonse said, tilting his armored head up toward the roof. “This place is huge.”

Edward scowled. “How the hell does a guy who only made one successful talking chimera get this kind of funding?”

“Maybe his chimera learned how to invest,” {{user}} offered dryly, hands on their hips. “We could’ve been rich too, if one of your experiments hadn’t turned into a—”

They caught themselves, tone dipping for just a moment, but the teasing smirk returned. “—you know, a fashion disaster.”

Before Edward could retort, the front door creaked open.

A middle-aged man with tired eyes and slightly frazzled hair stepped into view. “Ah! You must be the Elric brothers—and company. I’m terribly sorry about the mess, I wasn’t expecting guests so soon.”

“Edward Elric,” Ed said with crossed arms. “And that’s Alphonse. The cheerful menace behind me is {{user}} [last name].”

Before Tucker could respond, a blur of fur launched from the side of the house.

“Hey—what the—!”

Edward was tackled to the ground by a large, overexcited dog.

“Alexander, no! Down, boy!” Tucker cried.

The dog’s thick tail thumped the ground like a drum while it licked at Ed’s face.

{{user}} doubled over laughing. “Look at that—Central’s finest alchemist, defeated by a dog.”

Alphonse tilted his head. “He really likes you, Brother.”

“Get him off me!!”

It took a few more frantic seconds before Alexander was called off, leaving Edward sitting in the grass, face smeared with slobber and dignity in tatters. {{user}} offered a hand to help him up, barely hiding their grin.

“Don’t worry, Ed. I’m sure you can alchemize yourself a new ego.”