⭐star⭐ (for the fanfic meme)
Director’s cut, from chapter 6 when they’re getting ready to leave on the train, and everyone is saying goodbye:
Mustang dragged him off to the side for last second orders.
"Make sure you send in a report at least once a week," he said, in Amestrian.
"Yeah, I know the deal. I report on time, and you make sure my letters get to Al."
Mustang continued as if Ed hadn't said anything. "It's unlikely that you'll face any actual physical danger in the school, aside from what's already there, but the political situation will be uncertain. Don't alienate anyone you don't have to. Political allies are going to be important to you for the duration. While you're doing your research, make sure that you don't forget to attend meals and class-"
"And blend in and play nice with all the other kids, and make sure Harry doesn't get any scrapes, I get it," Ed said, throwing a hand up in impatience.
Mustang shook himself, obviously ruffled at being interrupted. "And, of course, make sure Potter is safe." He shoved his hands into the pockets of his coat.
"I get it, bastard Colonel. I'll be a good little d- soldier. I'll do my reports. You'd better make sure my letters get to Al."
"I'll hold up my end of the deal," Mustang said. "Make sure you hold up yours. And make sure they are actual reports, Fullmetal, like I know you can write." With his hands shoved deep in the pockets of his coat, he looked hunched over, as if a cold wind was blowing through the station, instead of the few muffled gusts that had managed to wend their way through the crowds.
Ed flapped a dismissive hand. "Yeah, yeah. I know what to do."
In this scene the unreliable narrator REALLY comes into play. Here, Ed sees Mustang just listing off orders, and getting annoyed at being interrupted and maybe cold or something. But... sure Mustang has a job to do, but he certainly has some reservations about Ed’s status in the military (see: his convo with Armstrong about how Ed’s getting closer to the age where he can be on the battlefield) and now he’s sending Ed thousands of miles away with no ready backup...
I think the big clue is how in Mustang’s final recitation of “orders” he only says stuff that pertains to Ed’s safety. It’s only after Ed reminds him ‘yeah yeah I’m on the job” that Mustang realizes how much he’s slipping, how much he’s fussing. That and the “obviously ruffled at being interrupted” is... no, Ed, he’s trying to recover from that slipup of showing that he cares.
Ed can’t see it because he’s so deep in his view of Mustang’s cultivated image that it’s almost physically impossible for him to imagine Mustang as actually giving a shit. Also, Ed has several other things on his mind and is is, y’know, like 15. He’s smart, but a theme of this fic is that he is SO BAD at emotions and interpersonal relationships.
