cornerofmadness

To Breed a War
Author –

cornerofmadness
Disclaimer – not in any way mine
Rating – PG-13
Characters – ensemble, Roy/Riza, Ed/Winry
Spoilers/timeline – future fic so spoilers all the way up to 108
Summary – All he wanted was a peaceful life but he’s not likely to get it.
Author’s Note #1 – this is for

help_haiti (at long last) for

floranna who wanted blind!Roy. Five years in future, parings Riza/Roy and Ed/Win in the background. Angst in the way you do your angst but in the end somehow hopeful quality. Roy should have dealt with his blindness and won't angst about that. The angsting for what it is you can choose. And of course completely in mangaverse.
Author’s Note #2 – thanks to

evil_little_dog for the beta and to her,

bob_fish &

enemytosleep for the hand holding and plot suggestions. There will be a bit of blindness angst but it won’t be the main gut wrenching stuff. I have two blind friends, one who went blind from an accident and another who slowly went blind. Let’s just say I didn’t think I could do Roy realistically without him thinking on his limitations from time to time, based on what I see those two brave ladies going through.
Author’s Note #3 This was started before eppy 108 rolled around so there are several AU elements. Obviously from the prompt, Roy didn’t regain his sight. Also in this, Ed didn’t get back his arm or lose his alchemy and Grumman isn’t Fuhrer.
Author's Note #4 - yes, I'm completely reposting this since it's been totally overhauled.

It needs but one foe to breed a war, and those who have not swords can still die upon them.- J.R.R. Tolkien
* * *

A heart-rending shriek shattered the tranquility of the house. Roy set aside his tea cup, canting his head toward the secondary crib set up in the corner of his library to make it easier on him when Riza was away. “Alphonse, could you please check on Christopher for me?” He offered up a smile for the young alchemist. Together, they had been working on a book of healing alchemy; their time together based mainly around Alphonse’s medical school class schedule. Roy knew he should feel guilty about taking advantage of Al’s easygoing nature, but the boy honestly seemed entranced by the newborn. He wanted to help, unlike Edward, who avoided the baby as if pregnancy was contagious.

“Sure.”

Roy heard Al pop up and head for the distressed infant. He might not be able to see what was wrong with his son but Roy could smell it. All the more reason to send Alphonse to tend to the baby’s needs. Roy could change diapers. He’d learned to do most things in the handful of years since he was robbed of his sight. In his own house, Roy barely needed his cane, let alone Winter who dozed, half crushing Hayate, according to Alphonse. He had made his peace with his blindness. He still felt robbed but he had been given something in return: the ability to do alchemy without a circle. That said, Roy really didn’t want to change dirty diapers and he knew that was awful of him.

Listening to Alphonse cooing to Chris, Roy turned back to his green tea, brewed perfectly this time. Alphonse was learning. While Alphonse bustled about, gathering up stuff to change the baby, Roy contemplated their current field of research. Maybe one day soon, Havoc would walk again and he would see. Spinal cords, optic nerves, surely they could be fixed somehow. Sipping tea and twisting the thorny problem around in his mind, Roy waited for the inevitable. Al had never faced a poopy diaper before.

A retching sound reached Roy’s ears and he couldn’t contain the smirk. Al gagged several times more. “You okay, Alphonse?”

“Oh god, it’s everywhere!” Al cried. “It’s on my fingers.”

Roy clamped a hand over his mouth, trying not to snicker. He knew how fussy Al was. The boy helped him develop newer, neater habits – since both Roy and Riza were not naturally neat – to help Roy from falling over things he could no longer see. Roy sucked in a calming breath. “Yes, that happens. Thanks, Al. Just take the diaper to the toilet and flush a few times while you hold the corner then toss it in the diaper hamper.”

Al gagged some more. Chris squealed like he did whenever his diaper came off. Roy’s son liked to be free and natural as far as his father could tell. A soft whoosh sounded followed by the smell of talc.

“When you’re done with the diaper, could you get Chris his bottle? It’s about meal time.”

“What? So he can turn milk into this?” Al snarled. “I don’t think so.”

When he heard Al stomp out of the room, taking the fragrant square of cotton with him, and the young alchemist hadn’t handed him Christopher, Roy assumed he had put the baby back in his crib. Roy got up and headed for the kitchen. He carefully felt along the inside of the ice box until he came up with the slick, cool glass milk bottle. Roy knew where the pans were. The tricky part was heating up the milk and formula mixture without burning it. He couldn’t see the little bubbles forming.

“Roy, I was kidding,” Al said from the doorway. “I’ll heat up the baby’s bottle.”

“You watch the milk. I’ll get the bottle.” Roy opened the cabinet that held the glass bottles. He got one and put it in a pan of water to warm. “Thanks. You’re going to be a good father some day, Al, better than I am,” Roy said, a wistful tone to his voice.

“You’re a fine father, Roy. You just have a couple of limitations,” Al countered.

“I can’t see my child. I won’t be able to keep track of him once Chris is mobile and it hurts to hold him sometimes.” Roy flexed his hands. Marcoh had healed them, but his hands were plagued with residual pain and stiffness some days. “That’s more than a few limitations.”

“Still, it could be far worse.”

Roy shrugged. That was true. He and Riza both had nearly died. “Tell me something funny before I get maudlin.”

“Go get situated with your son and I’ll bring the milk. I have a great story for you.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Heading into the living room this time, Roy scooped up his son and sat on the couch with him. It was easier to sit somewhere roomier for feeding time. Where the hell had he put the burp rag? He called to Al to fetch him one. Chris squirmed in his arms. Roy stroked his son’s forehead, so soft, so new. He let Chris’s little finger close over one of his. There was such surprising strength in them. He couldn’t see his child, but Roy knew the boy was strong. Chris smelled of talcum powder and milk and he was getting heavier by the day. These were sensations not lost to Roy.

He shifted his hand to Chris’s crown, smoothing out the baby’s silky hair. The kid had been born with so much of it. His men joked Chris could sport Fullmetal’s braid if the baby wanted to, an exaggeration, of course, but amusing. Roy knew his son had walnut-hue hair and had his mother’s brown eyes. Riza told Roy every night how beautiful their boy was, but he had to wonder, if, in fact, Chris looked just like every other baby. Roy never knew how nursery nurses told newborns apart without looking at the tags on their wrists.

“Here you go, Roy.” Al sat down next to Roy, handing him the bottle. “I already tested the milk. It’s fine,” he added, draping the burp rag over Roy’s shoulder.

“Thanks, Al.” Using the pinkie finger of the hand holding the bottle, Roy guided the rubber nipple into place. Chris was generally a huge help, latching on with greed hitherto unknown to mankind, unless in homunculus form.

“So, story, last weekend Ed tried to take Winry dancing,” Al said.

“I do remember him being exceptionally grumpy. What did he do?” Roy smirked. “Fall on her?”

“Never even got the chance. You know my brother’s sense of style.”

“As abysmal as Maes’s ever was but on the opposite end of the spectrum. Maes made you long for a black and white world.”

“And Ed thinks black trousers and a black pull over shirt are the answer for everything. At least he put on his black jacket,” Al said.

“So he looked like a badly dressed mortician.”

Al snorted. “I tried to warn Ed. He informed me in no uncertain terms that Winry liked him no matter what he dressed in. I didn’t bother to correct him after that.”

“He didn’t get past the bouncer, did he?” Roy laughed, making Chris lose his seal on the bottle. The infant wailed until Roy plugged his mouth with the nipple. Chris sucked noisily.

“Nope.” Al snickered. “They wouldn’t let him in without a proper hat and tie. He tried to transmute one of Winry’s hair ribbons into a tie then got into an argument about the hat.”

“He didn’t want to squash his antenna,” Roy said and Al howled.

“A moot point since Winry beat it into oblivion with her purse. She had to settle for going to the movies.”

“Al, take that boy shopping. Make him see a tailor,” Roy implored. “Assure him that suits come in black if that’s what he wants.”

“He won’t go with me. He says I’m fussy. You take him.” Al’s tone left no doubt he was rolling his eyes at his brother.

“I can’t see what he’s buying.”

“Blind, you’d do a better job than Ed does when left to his own devices.”

“I’ll have Riza talk to Winry about places Ed can go to shop and let Winry take him.” Roy felt Chris push against his bottle. “How’s Chris doing with his bottle, Al? He’s starting to fight it.”

“Almost done but I think he’s losing interest,” Al replied.

“Chris not interested in food? Who knew that could happen?”

“Here, I’ll take care of the bottle while you burp him.” Al took the glassware out of Roy’s hands.

Roy put his son on his burp rag guarded shoulder, patting the baby’s back. Chris let out a burp that could be heard all the way to Drachma. “Thanks, son. Now I’m deaf as well as blind.”

“No wonder he was done eating. He was one giant gas balloon,” Al said, coming back into the living room.

“Al, is it about time for me to head to The Fat Lady’s Arms?” Roy had a grandfather clock but when he got engrossed in his studies, he never paid heed to the number of bongs.

“You have an hour.”

“I wanted to walk if you were coming, that is.”

“I’ll walk with you. Ed wanted to get dinner tonight. We might as well eat there. Your mom makes some great browned chicken soup.”

“Says it was Granny’s recipes. Christmas is not much of an inventive cook. Heaven help her if she loses Granny’s cook book.”

“Let me give Ed and Winry a call. You don’t mind us joining you and Riza for dinner, do you?”

“Not if you don’t mind dinner with Chris the Cranky.”

“Aw, he’s a good baby.”

“I meant my mom.” Roy smirked.

“I’m telling her you said that.”

Roy flinched. “Don’t. She’ll hit me and I can’t see it coming.”

“Like I tell Ed, if you keep asking for it, I can’t feel sorry for you.”

“You’re a harsh master, Alphonse.”

“I’ll go hook up Winter’s harness for you.”

“I want to push the stroller,” Roy protested.

“And how do you plan on guiding it? Tie your seeing eye dog to the front?”

Roy huffed. “You can help guide.”

Al sighed. ‘Fine, but I’m hooking up Winter anyhow.”

Roy put Chris in his stroller, found a clean bottle and nipple and put them in the smaller bag. He sat that bag next to the diaper bag just in case Riza was late and the boy got hungry again. Babies needed so much junk just to travel. It amazed Roy. He hadn’t any idea. Maes had glazed over those details and, by the time Roy was old enough to really understand all that was going on with his sisters’ babies, he had already been shipped off to Hawkeye’s for his apprenticeship.

“Are you sure you won’t just take Winter’s harness?” Al sounded worn out. “I won’t be responsible if Riza sees you doing something foolhardy.”

“I’m blind, Al, not helpless.”

“You shouldn’t even be that.” The bitterness in Al’s tone threatened to wake the sleeping dragon inside Roy’s head, the one that made Roy parse through all his anger and regrets until he was in a fine frenzy.

“Even so. I’ll let you get the stroller outside. Give me the dogs until we’re out on the sidewalk.”

Once they were on their way to the Arms, Roy could feel the setting sun on his face. Al had the front of the stroller acting as a guide and walking the dogs at the same time. Roy had to keep urging him to go just a little faster. He could walk at a normal speed so long as he had a guide outside of the house.

“Roy, are you really sure you want to push the stroller with me guiding?”

“Alphonse, I can use my flame alchemy with Riza guiding me. Pushing a stroller down the sidewalk is a hell of a lot easier,” Roy protested and the younger alchemist snorted at him. “How are things going with Ed, his inability to go on a successful date aside? Last time I saw him, he was fighting with Winry over him not wanting to take her to Xing the next time he goes.”

“She said, and I quote, ‘Fine, then I’ll ask Ling to let me come so I can work on Ran Fan’s automail and then Ling can make me his wife’.”

“Edward is his own worst enemy. I almost feel sorry for him.”

“Fighting is like breathing to those two then they make up.” Al hesitated and Roy could imagine the scowl. “Loudly. I’m getting my own apartment. I don’t care what Ed says.”

“Our place has a huge and unused third floor, Alphonse. You could stay there.”

“I can’t imagine you’re any less loud.”

Roy could imagine the annoyed look he was doubtless getting. “Well, no, but I’m not swinging from the chandeliers any more either.”

“That was a most unwelcome mental imagine, Roy,” Al replied and Roy snorted. “You just want a live-in babysitter and diaper changer.”

“That apparent?”

“What do you think?” Al sighed then yanked the stroller away from some broken side walk. “I’m fairly sure Winry will be going to Xing. Eventually, Brother will yield to her.”

“A smart man usually will. I’m hoping some more ambassadors from Xing will come here. I’m getting bored.”

“Don’t say that. You’ll jinx yourself and we’ll get overrun with Xingese with dire problems,” Al scolded.

Roy snorted. “You don’t really believe in jinxes, do you, Alphonse?”

“Not necessarily but I do believe in being careful of what you wish for.”

Roy really couldn’t argue that. Stumbling a little over some uneven sidewalk, he was thankful Al didn’t call him on that. He could smell the booze and food the moment they turned onto Spanker Lane. His mother’s new bar was the crown jewel of the row but there were a few other bars in the area, each and every one popular with both civilians and the military.

Roy had his mother describe the bar to him after she bought it with his money, the least he could do after blowing up her other place. He knew the façade curved around the corner and the imposing building was four stories of red brick, sandstone and granite. Inside the place was huge with intricately carved wood, stained and leaded glass and an immense fireplace that he was still in charge of lighting whenever the need arose.

He had familiarized himself with the bar area so he didn’t really need his cane to get around. He could even tend bar since his sisters were draconian about keeping all the liquor bottles in order and he had that order memorized. Sometimes he helped out to alleviate the boredom.

He had lost the battle to go to Xing as the ambassador – for the time being, at any rate – so he had to wait on Xingese ambassadors to make their way west. His other duties included composing letters and propositions to send to Xing, slow work since the railroad wouldn’t be fully reestablished for at least another year. It had taken months to both recall his mother’s native alphabet and to learn to touch type in Xingese on the typewriter he’d been gifted from Auntie Yin, his mother’s best friend from way back in the day when his mom was young. Yin read over his missives to be sure they were right and the old lady loved having a little governmental supplemental pay to add to her tea house earnings. The only other thing left to him in his job was keeping up a presence in the small Xing quarter in Central.

“Here, Al, you’d better give me Winter and take the stroller, just in case Riza’s in there.”

“Covering for you again, am I?”

“You’re so good at it.” Roy exchanged the handle of the stroller for that of his dog’s harness. He could imagine the looks Al and Winter were giving him. His dog hesitated after a few steps so Roy put out a hand, fumbling for the door knob. He held the door open for Al and the baby. Roy didn’t hear many voices in the bar.

“Slow afternoon?”

“We’re between lunch and dinner,” a feminine voice answered him.

“You’re as beautiful as ever, Susan.”

“Like you’d know, Roy Boy. I could be behind this bar naked for all you know.”

“Nonsense. If you were naked, this place would be swarming and Al would be panting and shoving my son at me so he could get behind that bar.”

She snorted at him. “Let’s have a look at that baby.”

Al pushed the stroller forward.

“Roy, are you making Alphonse do all your work for you again?”

Hearing Riza behind him, Roy turned. “No.”

“Just the diaper changes and anything else he doesn’t want to do,” Al offered as Susan cooed at Chris.

“You’re too nice, Alphonse,” Riza said, slapping Roy’s arm.

“I’m blind. I can’t see if the baby is clean,” Roy protested.

“You have fingers.”

“I’m notusing my fingers. Being blind needs some kind of benefit. Not having to clean a poopy bottom is it.” Roy made his way to the bar. “I’m not too proud to admit I need help occasionally.”

“Yes, and as Al observed, it’s usually with things you don’t want to do in the first place,” Riza said wryly. She pressed her lips to his cheek.

“Nothing’s changed,” Chris said. Roy heard her heavy footfalls as she came into the room. “His father was the same way and had just enough charm to get away with it, too. I’m not sure Asher ever changed your diapers either, Roy.” She sat next to him. “Poor Dai-Yue had to do all the dirty work. Men.”

“Hey, I had no control over Dad.” Roy waved a hand at her. “You should have scared him into shape.”

“If his wife couldn’t, what do you imagine I could have done, son?”

“You’re far more terrifying than Mom.” Roy shrugged. “We’re not all lazy. Al makes a great babysitter.”

“Riza, the little one is getting fussy,” Susan said.

“I gave Chris a bottle just before we left. He ate most of it but got a little gassy,” Roy said. “See, I do do some things.”

“Again, just what you want to do.” Riza’s tone was light. He could hear her taking their son from Susan. “But it’s a help. This little boy is a handful.”

“Just like his father and his father before him,” Christmas said. “You can use my office, Riza, if you want to feed him.”

“I’ll put the dogs there, too,” Roy said, trying to maneuver the stroller.

Riza took it from him, putting their son it. He let her lead the way while he handled the dogs. He wouldn’t need Winter inside the bar and she’d appreciate being off her harness in his aunt’s spacious office. He sat next to Riza on the couch, digging in the bag for the burp rag. Somehow he knew she was getting her shirt open one-handed, not entirely sure how women could balance a heavy baby, open their shirts and hold a conversation all at the same time.

“I hope you don’t mind I invited Al, Ed and Winry to join us for dinner here.” Roy put a hand on Riza’s knee. “I didn’t think you would.”

“I don’t mind. I only mind if you invite people to dinner at the house without asking me first.”

“Are you kidding? I saw Maes make that mistake once. I thought Gracia was going to spit him on a skewer. I know better.” Roy reached over, touching his son’s hair. Chris nursed loudly as if he hadn’t seen food in days. “I think we should have taken the young emperor’s suggestion and given Chris the middle name of Ling.”

“Because he’s so greedy?” Riza laughed. “We probably should have, even if Ling no longer has Greed living inside him.”

“Chris Ling might have had a better ring than Chris Feng but since that was Granddad’s name.” Roy shrugged. “Though I wonder if Dad would be disappointed we didn’t name him Asher.”

“I think he’d be pretty happy you chose your aunt’s name for our son. She did raise you and it’s far better than my father’s name so, it’s good.”

“So the next boy is Asher Zebulon?” Roy grinned.

“You can leave my father’s name entirely out of it. And just how many babies are you planning on?”

“Planning on fleeing if I say six?” Roy laughed.

“You’re definitely on your own there.”

“Let’s get use to having one before we plan on siblings. I’m not much help to you as it is.” Roy sighed. “I thought being an alchemist, and already being accustomed to not getting much sleep because I’m embroiled in research, would have helped out with the baby. But there’s so little I can do to help at two in the morning when by the time I can get downstairs, get the milk warmed and a bottle ready, you’ll have had him fed and both be back to sleep.”

“You’re a big help, Roy.” Riza shifted Chris’s weight, managing to get a hand free to rest it on Roy’s. “For those middle of the night wake ups when Chris is just being a curious brat and is awake just to be awake. I fully intend to keep handing him off to you if he doesn’t need fed or changed.”

“I’m fine with that. We can explore together. I’ll read from my alchemy books to him, well recite from memory.”

“Are you planning on warping our child’s brain from the get go?” Riza bumped his hip with hers. “This is why I never wanted to fall in love with an alchemist. You’re all obsessed. Find something better to tell our child.”

“I’ll tell him how he doesn’t want to be like his Uncle Ed and give him examples.”

How she got a hand free to pinch his side, Roy had no clue. “Roy…”

“What can I do? I can’t read children’s stories to him, just the ones I can remember. I’m still learning to read Mizu’s touch language and I don’t think children’s stories come in it. I know that alchemy books do not but I have mine memorized. So it’s alchemy or stories about Ed.”

“Hmm, running away sounds better all the time.”

Roy pressed against her, kissing Riza’s neck as he slid his arm around her waist. “You wouldn’t want to go anywhere without me and you know it.”

“Yes, I do.” Riza shifted Chris up onto her shoulder to burp him. Roy tried to duck out quickly lest he be deafened or vomited on but Chris snared his hair. Roy eased away much to Chris’ boisterous complaints.

“Why does he like my hair so much?”

“He likes what his dad smells like, I guess. Or your hair is a great touch sensation.” Riza gently thumped Chris’s back. He gave a little burp then quieted. “Let’s see if you’ll sleep and let Mommy and Daddy have dinner now that you’ve had yours.”

“We could get lucky. If not, maybe I could alchemize the stroller to give it a little more bounce. We could rock it a little while he’s at the table. Chris seems to like movement.”

“Your daddy is going to spoil you from the start,” Riza said, getting up. Roy heard her put Chris in the stroller.

“You and I had crappy childhoods. I want our son to have a better one.”

“He could hardly have worse.” Riza’s breath hitched. “Forget I said that. Shouldn’t tempt the universe.”

“No, you should not.”

Roy let Riza take the stroller back into the dining room. He shut the dogs in the office, grateful they were too well behaved to whine about it. From the loudness in the dining room, Edward had arrived. Roy followed Riza to a table, taking the one seat left.

“Hello Winry, Edward.

“Been bothering my brother all day again, b-a-s-t-a-r-d?”

“Ed, spelling it out is no better than actually saying it,” Winry scolded.

“It’s not like the baby can spell yet.”

“Yes, Riza, those two in the morning ‘I’m too curious to sleep’ sessions will be filled with don’t be like Edward tales of woe.” Roy grinned.

Riza sighed. “Let’s just order dinner before you two get started.”

“Good idea. Susan, why don’t you start us with the soup while everyone makes a choice,” Chris said. “Roy, Riza, do you want some? Everyone else decided to try it.”

“What is it?” Roy asked.

“Oxtail.”

“Ooo, with red wine? Yeah, I want that,” he replied eagerly. “What else is on the menu tonight?”

“We have lamb with currant and mint sauce,” Susan replied. “Lamb’s fresh from Resembool. And there’s curried chicken as the other main dish. You can have either corn fritters or sugared beets and baked potato or potato marbles.”

“Lamb, sugared beets and potato marbles,” Roy replied.

“I hope you don’t plan on doing what Ed plans on doing with those marbles,” Al said.

“If anyone starts flinging food, I’m going for my gun,” Riza warned.

“Noted.” Roy pouted. “Madam, you’re really branching out food-wise here.”

“This is a respectable place. I’ve got a new place opening soon,” Chris replied. “Bar only, no food.”

Roy turned to his mother. “Since when?”

“I was going to surprise you with it. It’s the Plastered Bastard over by the enlisted barracks. You know the strip of bars I mean. Always good to own one dive bar in my business.” Chris said.

“Ha, she named it after you, Mustang.” Ed snickered.

“Riza, seriously, I know how I’m spending my late nights,” Roy grumbled. “Really, Christmas, Plastered Bastard?”

“It seemed to fit,” his aunt replied as Susan returned with the fragrant soup.

“It was not named for me,” Roy said. “Even if it was.” He took a sip of the soup, letting the deep red wine and spices wake up his tongue.

“It definitely was,” Ed said then grunted. Roy assumed Winry hit him.

“Winry, how are the last days of your apprenticeship going?” Roy asked.

“I had planned on going to Xing to celebrate and to see if we could make some inroads there. Some other apprentices show an interest in going to Xing and trading ideas,” she replied. “But Ed’s refusing to take me with him.”

“Much like his fashion sense, Edward’s sense of romance and adventure is as stunted as his height,” Roy said sweetly. Riza kicked his ankle in warning or was that Christmas? Either way, it hurt.

“I’m not rising to the bait,” Ed said far too self satisfied with himself, leaving Roy wondering what Winry had said, or more like did, to get Ed to behave.

“You should take Winry to Xing, Edward. I always wanted to see it, maybe meet some of Mom’s kin.” Roy felt the hand pass in front of him setting down a plate. “Now I can’t even see it and appreciate that part of it if I were to go. It’s a shame to miss something.”

“Exactly. Thank you, Roy,” Winry replied and Ed grumbled something. “I still have a few weeks left to go but it’s a little scary trying to decide where to set up my practice and how hard it will be.”

“I’m sure.”

Roy listened to the young people debate back and forth where Winry should set up shop. Riza and Chris, both of them, were uncharacteristically quiet. Roy wondered if they were regretting choices they had made in life or longing for the freedom to make them. Lately fate seemed to be making his choices for him and Roy wasn’t sure he was entirely content. He loved his wife and his son. He just wished he could do better by them.

The door to the pub slammed open. Even Roy turned instinctively though he couldn’t see if the wind had caught it when a customer came in or if there was a danger. He hated this.

“There you are!” an oddly familiar, Xingese-accented voice said. “Do you know how hard it was to find you?”

“Ling!” Ed cried. “What the hell?”

“Someone is out to kill my entire clan,” he said. “I could use your help.”

Chapter Two

“What do you mean they’re trying to kill you?” It wasn’t the first time Roy had asked the question but Ling had claimed he hadn’t eaten in days and seemed ready to pass out where he stood until Roy’s sisters rescued him with food, lots of food. Roy’s patience was fraying fast.

“Just that,” Ling finally responded. “There is a faction, Ding Clan, I think, who want to wipe out the Yao Clan and take my throne.”

“You have allies,” Ed said.

“Some have deserted me. Others are rallying. My cousin, Nuo, is in charge while I’m here. She doesn’t want the throne but she does like a good fight.” Ling’s voice dropped in volume as he added, “She’s scary.”

“Mei’s clan was supporting you. Is she helping Nuo?” Al asked.

“Her clan has been wiped out to the last, including Mei,” Ling paused, giving time for the round of surprised, unhappy outcries.

“Oh, no, poor Mei,” Winry gasped.

Roy heard Al make a strangled sound then fell eerily silent.

“Her death, her head left in Master’s chamber, was the final proof of the seriousness of this threat. Master didn’t want to leave but the clan insisted,” Ran Fan said, taking a break from eating.

“I know people here so they thought it best I came in person,” Ling said. “You’re the ambassador, Mr. Mustang, and even if you might be from an enemy clan, you’re Amestrian. I doubt you care which clan gets the throne or maybe you do.” Another pause before Ling added, “You are Xingese, after all.”

“Half. My mother was Feng Clan, but I have no idea where they stand in the political arena.”

“Nowhere when it comes to the throne,” Ling replied, “Distant offshoots of the Yao Clan.”

“Artists,” Ran Fan added with a slight hint of distaste.

“We thought since this country is interested in reestablishing ties with mine that it might be possible to get some help.” Ling made an angry sound. “I hate asking for help. I’m no longer Greed. Sometimes, I do miss being able to do what a homunculus can. There would be no danger to me then.”

Roy remembered all too well the first homunculus – he refused to give it the title ‘Father’ – pulling the Philosopher Stone out of Ling in a liquidy mass. How the young man survived, no one knew.

“Until some smart enemy decided to find an alchemist capable of hurting a homunculus,” Al reminded Ling. “We were able to destroy all the homunculi; even Ran Fan did it without alchemy.”

“I’ve reminded my Master of that often on this trip,” Ran Fan’s tone was sharp.

“I should put in a call to the president,” Riza said. “She’ll have to be consulted.”

“You can use the phone in my office,” Chris said.

“We’ll see what we can do,” Roy told Ling. “Xing is so far away. We won’t be able to move a lot of forces and the Ishbalans won’t like it if we cut through their territory en masse. It would have to be a smaller force.”

“I was thinking more of a few alchemists,” Ling replied after a pause.

“Edward and Alphonse aren’t killers, Ling,” Roy tapped his fingers on the table. “And I’m not as helpful in a fight as I used to be. My targeting system is down.” He smiled wryly.

“Both of them,” Riza said. “I can’t be there to guide you.”

“The baby is yours?” Ling asked.

“His name is Chris,” she replied.

“He’s cute,” Ran Fan said and even Roy turned toward her in surprise. He heard the soft rustle of silk and the movement of a metal shoulder, imagining her shrug. “I like babies.”

“I could help,” Ed said, “But Mustang’s right. You already know that, Ling. I’m not even sure I could help you capture them, knowing you’ll kill them afterwards.”

“Nor could I,” Al replied apologetically.

“Something could be arranged,” Ling replied reluctantly.

“We’ll need to find a safe house for you while you’re here and the Fuhrer is deciding what to do,” Roy said.

“Our house has the room,” Riza said. Roy assumed she was waiting for the other shoe to drop before making her calls. “Until we find something better. Madam?”

“I’ll arrange for appropriate lodgings for them,” Chris replied. “Unless the Fuhrer has a better idea.”

“For now, I need you to watch our son. I won’t take him home with me if there’s danger,” Riza replied. “It will only be for tonight, just until we find the prince a place to go.”

“Chris will be safe with me,” Roy’s aunt assured them. Roy knew that was true. Chris was well versed in firearms and guile. She hadn’t gotten this old, not in her business, without being handy with weapons.

“I’ll bring over what you need,” Riza said.

“Maybe you should stay with Chris, Riza,” Roy said.

“I’m not leaving you alone when assassins could come calling and I’m not putting that on Edward’s shoulders, either,” Riza snapped. “Chris can survive being bottle-fed for one night.”

“I didn’t mean to be a burden,” Ling said. “Couldn’t I stay with the Elrics?”

“Their cottage isn’t big enough,” Roy replied. “It’s late already or we could have gotten you to the safe house tonight. As ambassador, I have a duty to you and I mean to uphold it.”

“Why don’t I go make that call?” Riza left the table.

Roy got up and felt his way to the stroller. He scooped his son up, holding him close.

“Madam, you’ll be busy finding that safe house. I know you have your girls, but I’d like to help keep an eye on Chris while you’re busy,” Winry said.

“Winry,” Ed murmured.

“It’ll be safe, Ed,” she replied. “The baby isn’t a target. Ling is. His enemies wouldn’t even know there is a baby.”

“She’s right about that. We didn’t know the baby was born yet,” Ling said. “And I hadn’t shared the ambassador’s news with anyone. There is no reason to assume my enemies would know. They probably don’t even realize I’m in Amestris.”

“It wouldn’t be easy to track up across the desert,” Ran Fan said. “Still…there were times.”

“We never found evidence that we were being followed,” Ling reminded her. His guardian grunted.

“When Riza is done, we’ll get you to my home.”

“Thank you,” Ling murmured.

“It’s what I’m here for,” Roy said, trying to sound nonchalant but in the back of his mind, he was thinking about Maes and little Christopher. He finally understood some of Maes’s worries. What the hell had he just gotten his family into?

X X X

Riza wrapped her arms around Roy, snuggling against his back. He twisted over in bed, facing her, trying to remember what she looked like. Sometimes he truly hated his useless eyes.

“You should have stayed with Chris. I’m fine by myself,” he grumbled.

Her lips pressed against his. “Roy, I’m not leaving either of my boys unprotected. Your mother will keep our son safe as houses. How many children has that woman raised? It’s only for one night.”

Roy pointed to the ceiling. Above them in the empty third floor, the prince and his guardian had finally settled down. “Are you mad that they’re here in our home?”

“Of course not, it’s your duty,” Riza said. “I want to help but I do hate being away from Chris more than I expected.”

“Riza, you don’t have to keep working. I saved more than enough from the state alchemist stipends. Neither of us would really ever have to work. I don’t want you to feel like you have to keep doing this.”

“I wouldn’t survive not working. That’s not my nature, Roy.”

He brushed his hand over her arm. “I know but I wanted you to know it would be all right. You don’t have to do anything dangerous.”

“And what else would I do? I’m good with guns, Roy. I’m not sure I have other employable talents.”

“If there is anything I’m sure of, it’s that you have plenty of talents.”

“Roy, do you want me to quit?” The coolness of her tone left him momentarily speechless.

“No,” he said, not even managing to convince himself. “I know you will never be like Gracia. I’m just feeling out of the loop. I’m an ambassador who should be allowed to travel but I’m not and can’t now, not until Chris is a little older. I feel like I’m contributing nothing.”

“Roy, you know that isn’t true. You’re helping on how many different committees for Olivia in addition to being an ambassador. You would have served as ambassador to Ishbal because you wanted to help rebuild what we destroyed but they chose to have someone non-military. You do more than you seem to realize.” Her lips grazed his. “Maybe we’ve slowed a step but that’s understandable. You had a lot to relearn and, right now, our son can’t fend for himself. Before you know it, he’ll be racing all over and you’ll be longing for these days where all he wants is to be cradled in your arms.”

Roy wrapped his arms around her. “He’s already the most curious of creatures.”

“He’ll be like his daddy, into the alchemy books before we know it.”

“I won’t be able to teach him to read.”

“No, but I will and his Uncles Al and Ed can take over his training from there.” Riza squeezed Roy hard.

“Riza…we’ve talked about this.”

“Fine, fine, Al will teach him. Honestly, Roy, what do you think Edward is going to do to poor Chris?”

“If you were a man, you’d understand.”

“Yes, I’ve noticed the warping and lowering of intellect that happens when you happen have two heads and have to divide the thinking.”

Roy snorted. “Riza!”

“Made you smile.” She kissed him again. “You don’t do that nearly enough any more, Roy.”

Roy thought about Maes for a moment. How he missed how that man could make him laugh. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“It’ll be all right. We should get some sleep. Tomorrow’s a long day. Pleasant dreams, love…just not the one with me and Olivia and the lake.”

“Damn, Al told.” Roy chuckled.

“You just forgot to listen to hear if I were in the next room when you told him. You’re just lucky your son isn’t old enough to understand his father’s perverted.” The mirth in her voice made him laugh again.

“He’s a boy. He’ll understand.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

“Good night, Riza.” Roy snuggled down. “I’m going to have that dream anyhow.”

She pinched his side. “Brat.”

Roy settled in. No dream beat out who he had lying next to him but still, it was a pretty good dream.

continue on to chapter three and four