Happy Birthday Story Part 2
Apr. 12th, 2006 06:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cornerofmadnessIf I don't get a reliable archive soon that lets me post erotica I'm gonna scream. Okay the story was too big for one post. Here's chapter 3-4....i hope.
If Happiness Forgets You
D M Evans
Disclaimer - not mine, all characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa et al, Square Enix and funimition. Time Line - Post Anime but with a vastly different ending (and hey some elements of the manga in there for good measure including a spoiler for issue #38 and 57
Pairing - let’s just say it’s polyamorous with both m/m and f/m pairings and if that bugs you, please don’t read.
Rating- FRMAO (yes, there's sex, lots of it actually, lots of other stuff too, but there's het sex, yaoi, and threesomes)
Summary - With the government reborn, and the brothers still wanted by soldiers loyal to Bradley’s memory, Roy and Riza have their hands full. The last person they expected to see in Rush Valley was him.
Author’s Note#1 - This was written for![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
evil_little_dog’s birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Author’s Note #2 - Thanks tomjules for all the betaing and suggestions. The story is better for it. This story is unusual for me since it’s heavily anime influence with just a hint of manga (instead of the other way around), you’ll see some things are very different than the ending of the manga however (like anything pertaining to Earth, the movie or Ed’s fate). I chose this route mostly because I wanted to poke out Roy’s eye and deal with the reality of that loss.
Even if happiness forgets you a little bit, never completely forget about it. ~Jacques Prévert
Chapter three
Maes heard the water running and the bed beside him was empty. He stretched until his joints popped. Feeling sated and lazy, Maes rolled out of bed and padded into the bathroom. Steam swirled and danced inside the little room. Maes sneaked into the tub. Roy glanced over his shoulder at him, his bangs slicked down over his eye, hiding the wound. Maes had to wonder if Roy had purposely grown them longer for that reason.
Maes put his arms around Roy and kissed his soapy shoulder. He slid his hand up Roy’s torso to tweak his nipples. “Morning.”
“And a good one,” Roy said, letting his head drop back against Maes’ chest.
“How are you this morning?” Maes’ hands skimmed down and closed over Roy’s awakening cock.
“Good, tired,” Roy said, pumping into Maes’ hand. “A little sore.”
“Sorry about that.” Maes kissed his neck. He hated knowing that occasionally he left his partner hurting a little, even when he did his best to be gentle.
“It’s okay.” Roy licked his lips.
“Don’t want to tire you out too much, Roy.” Maes stroked him slowly, wondering if Roy was being honest about how tired he was. He looked exhausted. “Because I’m hoping Riza will be joining us. I...” Maes bit his lip. “Or did I just presume too much?”
Roy turned in Maes’ arms, reaching down to stroke his own cock and Maes’ at the same time. Maes shuddered at the feel of Roy’s hot flesh against his own. “You haven’t. I don’t blame her for this.” He shook his hair back away from the destroyed orbit. “She was trying to save my life. We’re still...”
“In love, yes, I could see that in your eyes. And I’m glad of it. I knew she was still with you as your adjutant but...I wasn’t sure.” Maes just shut up, leaning into Roy’s touch. The man had talented fingers. “If there were things you couldn’t get past.”
“I love her,” Roy said, simply. “Nothing else matters...though sometimes it’s a little hard when she starts feeling guilty. That’s getting better.”
“Good.” Maes sank to his knees, water cascading over his shoulder and down his back. “Of course, maybe you’ll be too tired to enjoy anything tonight after all.” Maes’ hungry mouth wrapped around Roy’s cock.
Roy ran a hand through Maes’ wet hair. “If we keep to this, there’ll be no problems tonight.”
Maes let Roy pop free just long enough to purr, “Great.”
X X X
Maes started the coffee and got out the fixings to scramble eggs and make bacon while Roy finished showering. Maes had gotten him all messy again. The knock on the door startled him and he was just a little too paranoid not to answer it. Maes pocketed one of his little triangular blades as he went for the door. He was too shocked to move when he opened the door and saw three happy faces there. He counted himself lucky he got the door shut after he was mobbed and before Ed blurted out, ‘Maes!’ loud enough to be heard on the moon. Maes nearly lost his footing as six arms wrapped around him. “Whoa kids, easy!”
Maes couldn’t sort out the babble of voices as Winry, Ed, and Al all tried to talk at once. Winry’s face was wet with tears but it was Al that Hughes couldn’t tear his gaze away from. How different was he that the image he had in his mind of what Al would look like? There was some resemblance to Ed, of course, but not as much as Maes had expected. Al had big innocent brown eyes and that tousle of sandy hair.
“I can’t believe they lied to us about you being dead!” Ed said, hurt and anger warring in his face.
“They didn’t know, Ed, not until yesterday,” Maes said, defending his friends. “It’s a very long story but it can wait.” He shook free of all the hands on him then clapped his over Al’s shoulders. “Look at you! I can’t believe I’m actually getting to see the real you, Alphonse.” Maes ruffled his hair. “You look good, thin but good.”
Al beamed. “Thanks. It feels good to be me again. It just feels good to feel.”
“Maes, did I hear voi...” Roy’s voice trailed off as he poked his head out of the bathroom. He had on nothing but a towel. He dove back in, slamming the door.
“What was that?” Ed jerked a hand at the bathroom door.
“Did Roy spend the night? I know he never came home,” Winry said, a fretful look passing over her face.
“Yes, he spent it here. We hashed out some things out. Roy was understandably hurt over being deceived,” Maes said regretfully as he managed to extricate himself from the gaggle of teens. He went to pour two mugs full of steaming coffee. “Want some, kids?”
Ed and Winry shook their heads but Al nodded. “I’m trying out new tastes. I’m not sure I like coffee yet.”
“It takes some acquiring.” Maes smiled, pouring some for Al. He let the boy doctor it up as he hitched himself up on the counter top. Hughes liked having high ground.
“Roy has a black eye. Did you hit him?” Winry gave Maes a critical look.
“He hit me first,” Maes replied with a shrug. “He didn’t take the news quite as well as you kids.” He realized they didn’t understand why Roy had stayed over. They seemed to think he innocently spent the night on the couch. Maes caught Ed looking back that way as if assessing the situation. He wasn’t sure if he should tell them or not. Not everyone understood the kind of relationship he and Roy shared.
“He’s a bastard,” Ed grumbled and Al elbowed him hard.
“He’s keeping me safe,” Alphonse reminded him. “He could be back in Central doing General stuff instead of jumping from town to town with us.”
“I think he does it because he likes playing house with Hawkeye,” Ed said, and Maes could have sworn he heard Al mutter, ‘can’t blame him.’ It was Winry who applied the elbow to Ed this time.
Roy looked nervous as he slowly made his way back into the kitchen. “Next time you could warn me, you know. I don’t like getting caught.” He gave Maes a sour look.
“Well, until you just opened your mouth, they thought you were here talking all night,” Maes said, handing Roy his coffee without moving off the counter top.
“Caught at what?” Al’s face was perfectly ingenuous.
Roy glanced over at Maes with a smirk. “Were we ever that innocent?”
Maes rolled his eyes at his lover. “You sure weren’t. Someone took that away a long time ago.”
Roy snorted. “I think that was you.”
“What are you saying?” Ed’s eyes narrowed.
“I think they weren’t...talking,” Winry said, her face starting to pink up. “But you’re married, Mr. Hughes.”
Maes smiled, trying to think of how to say what he needed to. “It’s Luc Gibson now and yes, I am. I love Gracia very much but there is room in my heart for more than one.”
“You mean him?” Ed’s eyes opened wide as his jaw slackened. “Why would you want that bastard?”
“How did you even get here anyhow?” Roy snarled, looking ready to add to his angry outburst with a little physical intimidation if Maes knew him, which he did.
Maes reached out and put his arms around Roy, tucking his mug against his lover’s chest. He pulled Roy to him. “I know this is like spitting in the wind, but try not to be so grumpy, Roy. The look in Ed’s eye says he’s readying for an outburst of his own and I can’t handle the both of you when you get like this.”
Roy wriggled in Maes’ embrace and Maes didn’t have to look at his face to know Mustang was uncomfortable with public displays of affection. It would be the same if Riza hugged him. “I’m not going to explode and neither’s Edward.”
“I might,” Ed countered, his eyes still huge. “Are you saying that you two are lovers?”
“Yes, that’s what he’s saying,” Roy said, still wiggling. “Move the mug, Maes, before you scald off something I need.” Roy pointed to his chest and the nipple under the ceramic.
“Sorry.” Maes set the mug on the counter then locked his arms around Roy’s narrow chest. He wasn’t going to let Roy escape. The kids needed to know the truth and Roy was the kind to hide everything away.
“Does Gracia or Riza know?” Al asked, every bit as wide eyed as his brother. He clutched the coffee mug like a lifeline.
“Usually they join us,” Roy said, giving up the fight. The kids couldn’t look more stunned. “So if Riza disappears tonight, too, you don’t have to worry about it.”
“Oh.” Winry’s cheeks imitated ripe red apples. Al and Ed looked no better.
“I didn’t know you could do that!” Ed blurted out and Al nudged him.
“You probably aren’t talented enough to try,” Roy retorted with an evil look, and Ed bristled. Al grabbed hold of his arm.
“Don’t provoke.” Maes slapped Roy on the head. “Edward, Roy did have a good question. How did you know where to find me?”
“We heard Riza talking to Gracia on the phone and overheard the street name,” Al confessed, looking far more embarrassed to be caught eavesdropping than he did at learning his friends were bisexual.
“And what? Ran up and down waking up everyone on the block looking for the right house?” Roy sipped his coffee as he leaned back against Maes.
“Pretty much.” Winry’s blush deepened.
“Well, we were about to have breakfast. Would you like some?” Maes offered, rubbing Roy’s back.
“That would be nice. I’ll help,” Winry said, bustling over to the ice chest in part to hide her embarrassment at interrupting the lovers.
“Thanks.” Maes gave Roy’s neck a final snuggle then swung away from him to land next to Winry.
“He’s usually not this demonstrative,” Roy said, a plaintive look in his eye. Maes knew that was as polite as Roy would be in asking him to knock it off.
“I’m just glad to see you again and that you aren’t mad at me!” Maes beamed widely.
“Oh, I’m still mad but I’m forgiving.” Roy rolled his eye.
“Since when?” Ed snorted, sinking against a cabinet.
“Shut it, Fullmetal,” Roy barked. Al moved so he was blocking Roy and Ed’s lines of sight. Roy turned to Maes. “Maes, I’ll help Winry. You talk to the boys.”
“Sounds good.” Maes waved them into the living room.
“You’re dangerous, Roy. Stay out of my kitchen,” Winry warned, a brown egg in hand.
“I’m not dangerous. I’m good with barbecuing meat.” Roy pouted, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Not a help when I’m making eggs and toast,” Winry replied. Roy watched her crack eggs for a moment then glanced back onto the living room. He decided the brothers needed to talk to Maes. He’d only be in the way. Helpless, he picked up the loaf of yesterday’s bread and reached for the knife. Winry rapped his knuckles with a wooden spoon and gave him a mother’s look of ‘get out of my kitchen now, son.’
Roy sighed. “I guess I’d better call Riza and let her know where you are.”
Someone knocked at the door before Roy could move. “It’s Hawkeye,” she called through the door.
Roy went over and let her in. He flashed a tired smile. “They heard you on the phone to Gracia.”
“So I gathered.” Riza stepped in, dressed in her uniform. She thrust Roy’s at him after giving him a warm smile and fussing with his slightly skewed eyepatch.
“Winry’s making breakfast,” Roy said, taking the uniform. “And thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” Riza said then made a beeline for Maes.
He met her halfway across the living room, wrapping her in his strong arms. Maes kissed her. “You look as lovely as ever.”
“It’s so good to see you, Maes. We missed you so much.” Riza rested her forehead on his shoulder.
“And I missed you. Sorry...just sorry I had to lie.” Maes squeezed her tight.
“I understand.” Riza disengaged herself, looking as if she’d rather just hang on forever. “I’d better go and help Winry.”
Roy sat down on the couch wearily, realizing Ed would just have to put up with his presence. “What, Ed?”
“I can’t believe Hughes has such bad taste,” Ed replied, wrinkling his nose.
“Brother! Don’t say things like that!” Al scolded, shoving Ed lightly.
“What? I mean Mrs. Hughes is so nice and then there’s him.” Ed stabbed a finger at Roy. “I didn’t know you even liked men, too.” Ed’s eyes raked over Mustang as if he had never seen him before.
“Mostly just one man,” Roy replied wryly, glancing at Maes. His eyes flicked back to Ed and read a bit of anxiety in the young man’s body language. “You look nervous.”
“Sort of.” Ed’s shoulders hunched.
Roy understood. Until he met Maes, he never thought about being with a man and it had left him uneasy at first. “You can relax. You are way too short for me, even if you weren’t too young. And I would need to love you, which, ha!” Roy smirked.
“Who are you calling so short I can’t even measure up to your low standards?” Ed bellowed, jumping up to his feet. Al yanked him down by the belt loops.
“Roy, if you don’t quit provoking Ed, Riza and I are going to lock you out of the house tonight.” Maes pinched the bridge of his nose as if he could squeeze the budding headache out.
“We will, too,” Riza called from the kitchen.
Roy settled back with a pout.
“Roy does have a point, though, Ed. It’s not really about the sex. It’s much more about love,” Maes said, hoping to put the young man more at ease.
“It’s a little...not what we’re used to. Well, I guess I might be, training under Mr. Garfiel.” Winry shrugged. “But it’s okay.”
“There’s not enough love in the world,” Al said, a mournful timbre to his voice. “More’s always good.”
“See, be more like your little brother, Ed,” Roy said, wagging a finger at him, his lip curling at the ends.
“Guess you’ll be spending the night on the porch!” Ed shot back, trying to get back up. This time Al yanked on the waistband of Ed’s boxers and Ed sat back down with a squeak of pain.
“You both will,” Winry said from the kitchen.
“Al, why don’t you tell me all about what you’ve been doing since you got your body back while your brother and Flame tear each other apart,” Maes said, giving them up as lost causes.
Alphonse smiled and started telling Maes everything he could think of about what it was like to be able to taste and smell and sleep and feel again. There were so many words Al was stumbling over them and Maes let him go, right through breakfast. Roy had even taken the time to go change into his uniform and Al was still talking.
“Now, the corrupt generals, the ones who were supporting the Fuhrer, are still looking for me and Ed,” Al said, finally becoming quiet. His brown eyes misted up.
Roy put a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “We don’t know if they want to kill the boys or set them up as the next Fuhrer. Parliament wants them protected. That job’s fallen to Riza and me. Parliament thinks its safe enough to put us back in uniform but, to tell the truth, I’m not sure that I agree. I thought I saw General Leonard here in town.”
Hughes pulled a long face. “Never could figure out if he really was a doddering old fool or if that was an act.”
“Either way, he was the old guard and might be a threat,” Roy said. “And Hawkeye and I really do need to get on with our duties.”
Maes nodded. “Understood. Think it will be safe enough for the kids to stay with me for a while?”
“I should think so,” Roy replied and the teens looked immensely grateful.
X X X
“I know I should feel guilty about leaving the kids alone,” Riza said, relaxing back on Maes’ couch with her wine glass.
“Ed and Al are better alchemists than me,” Roy said, propping his feet up on the coffee table. “But don’t tell Ed I said that.”
“Like I’d have to. Ed’s already convinced of that.” Riza grinned, sipping her wine.
“The brothers don’t need arrays and that teacher of theirs sure as hell taught them to fight. Ed, I can take easily. He’s a hot head. Al’s the really dangerous one,” Roy replied, draining his wine.
“Do you know just how unnerving it is to hear you say that?” Maes flopped down, loose-limbed, between them.
“I suppose, but it’s true. Don’t underestimate Al because he’s sweet-natured. He’s also very fierce. They’ll be okay one night alone. If not, they know where to find us,” Roy said. The look on his face said it damn well had best be an emergency if the kids showed up.
Riza glanced towards the unlit fireplace. Over the thick rug in front of it, sheets had been laid down with pillows. More bedding was tucked along the couch for later, as if anticipating no one wanting to move to the bed. “Guess you’ve already thought this out.” She nodded towards the little love nest.
“I had a little time after the kids left. My bed is too small for three. It barely fit me and Roy,” Maes replied, slipping an arm around them both
“And he takes up no room at all.” Riza reached over Maes and patted Roy’s thigh.
Roy’s lips fell into a dramatic frown. “Hey!”
“We love you, even if you are nothing but a rack of bones,” Maes said, his fingers tickling along Roy’s ribs.
Roy squirmed away from those fingers. “I’m wiry!”
“Of course you are,” Riza said, soothingly. “In the same way Ed’s not short.”
Roy crossed his arms, pulling in on himself. Maes could pin a ribbon on him for the best sulk in Rush Valley. “If you pick on me, I’m going to go home.”
“Like there’s any real danger of that.” Maes snorted then leaned over, kissing Roy’s cheek. “Start the fire.”
“What am I? A match?” Roy grabbed for the wine bottle but Riza intercepted it.
“A wet one given your attitude,” Maes replied, rubbing Roy’s shoulder, sorry for teasing him. “You really are still trying to be angry, aren’t you?”
Roy’s narrow shoulders twitched as he crossed over to the fireplace. “Trying not to be would be more accurate.”
Maes got up and pulled Roy into a bear hug. Riza followed Maes but didn’t touch either man. She knew Roy needed to get through his problems with Maes’ deception on his own. “I am sorry.”
“I know.” Roy squirmed free, digging in his pocket for his glove. He put distance between himself and his lovers.
Riza put her lips next to Maes’ ear and whispered, “He’s been more moody ever since...”
Maes just nodded as the fire caught. He swept Riza around so he could kiss her, feeling her tongue caressing the top of his mouth. Roy leaned on the mantle, watching them. Maes worried for a moment that his friend was upset, then Roy smiled. Maes took that to be the encouragement he knew it was. Maes slipped a hand under Riza’s shirt, caressing the strong muscles of her back as her mouth worked fervently against his.
A strong hand tucked against Maes’ hip as Riza was pressed against him when Roy joined them. Maes knew their impatient, greedy boy couldn’t hold out for long. Maes broke his kiss and leaned over her shoulder. As his lips and tongue toyed with Roy’s, Riza massaged Maes through his trousers. He moaned into Roy’s mouth as Riza worked him. They were all too hungry, too needy and Maes knew there was no fighting that. There would be other nights to worry about lasting and pacing one’s self. Tonight they needed to be reminded they were almost all together again.
Maes came up for air as Roy slowly peeled Riza’s shirt up. He let Mustang free her from the bra since he was a master at it, such nimble, delicate fingers that man had. Roy’s mouth went to the scars on poor Riza’s back, tracing the ruins of what had made her even more special to the alchemist. Maes had always been in awe of that sacrifice of pain and blood, of self. It meant more than wedding rings did to far too many. Maes dipped his head to lick and suck her lush breasts. Riza’s lean body was all scars and muscle and yet had retained the best features of a woman, the soft curve of the hip and the full, yielding swell of breast like some goddess of old. Just thinking of her in that context made Maes harder.
His glasses dug into his nose as he nuzzled her. Riza plucked them off and handed them back to Roy who set them on the mantle. Maes let the glasses go. This time, they’d just be in the way. He kissed his way down her belly and Riza buried her fingers in his hair. Roy snuck around the crook of her hip to greedily steal a kiss from Maes. Together they took down Riza’s pants and she obligingly stepped out of them.
Roy and Maes’ lips alternated between each other and her silky white thighs. She trembled under their touch. Maes rose to his feet as Roy stretched out on the prepared sheets. Maes guided her back and Riza got to her knees over Roy’s face. Maes watched her dark eyes shutting in pleasure as Roy’s tongue fluttered over her flowery folds. Maes coveted a taste for himself as he unzipped his trousers. Riza leaned forward in Roy’s grasp so she could flick her tongue over Maes’ cock.
Maes moaned as she slipped him deep into her throat. Their rhythm was a little clumsy at first as their bodies tried to recall how they used to make the threesome work, then slowly settled into a nice easy pace. Maes slid out of her warm mouth before she made him spill way before he was ready to. Riza shifted, bearing back more on Roy’s mouth, her neck arching. Divesting himself of his pants, Maes reached down and undid her hair clip. As her golden hair spilled over her shoulders, he massaged her breasts.
Maes’ hands went around Riza’s back as her eyes lost all focus, awash with lust. Her head fell back, sharp little cries of pleasure nipping out of her as her body shook with her orgasm. Maes moved so he had her in his arms as more followed the crashing waves of the first. Roy let her go into Maes’ embrace and the taller man eased her back onto the sheets, tucking a pillow under her head. Roy, wet faced, grinned at them both as he rolled up to his knees and started to undo his pants. Maes leaned down for a panting kiss from Riza while Roy lost the last of his clothing.
He took a step back to watch them. Roy and Riza always seemed so perfect together. She had just enough discipline to keep him in line and entertained - since Roy did love a challenge - without stifling the things that made Roy, Roy. Maes watched the tangle of arms and legs and lips. Without him here, or if he were wonderfully distracted by Gracia, he knew Riza would roll Roy onto his back. Maes knew full well Roy enjoyed letting go the dominant position to the people he loved and trusted. Maes got a condom out of the box for Roy, helping him snug it up over his weeping cock.
Riza’s arms snaked around Roy’s shoulders, pulling him down to her. Her strong legs locked over his back as he dove into her. There was something inherently beautiful in watching people in love, as if the emotion ameliorated the strained, almost silly expressions of sex. Listening to their soft, guttural sounds, Maes fetched the lubricant he had bought after the kids left for the day. His hand fell into rhythm with Roy’s thrusts as he slicked himself.
Riza pushed on Roy’s chest. “Rest a moment,” she said and he slipped free of her with a disappointed growl. His lust-clouded eye turned on Maes, a hungry look on his face. Riza squirmed over to her discarded trouser and took something out of the pocket. “It’s been a long while since you’ve been in the middle. Don’t want you finishing too soon.” She looped a piece of black leather around Roy’s cock and balls and pulled tight. He made a little meeping noise and Maes laughed softly, going over to ruffle Roy’s hair. The device looked like a collar Hayate might have worn as a pup. “Tight?” Riza asked.
“Yeah,” Roy said, his hips pumping against her hand.
“Good.” Riza reclined back, taking him with her. “That should keep you nice and hard.”
Maes waited for Roy to reestablish his rhythm, as the smaller man got used to the cock ring, then he moved behind his friend. Roy stopped, buried deep in Riza, then looked over his scarred shoulder at Maes, who raised an eyebrow as if to say, ‘you sure?’ Maes knew Roy had only just recovered from his injuries at Bradley’s hand and didn’t know if he were pushing just a little too hard. Roy just smiled at him and Riza pulled him back down, steadying Roy against her body.
Maes knelt and guided his slippery cock against Roy’s ring of muscle. His fingers entwined with Riza’s over Roy’s back as he pushed forward slowly. Roy’s head dropped against Riza’s shoulder as he shuddered, a low moan tumbling from his lips. Riza kissed his cheek as Maes asked, “You sure you’re ready for this, Roy?”
Roy pulled away from Riza a little, trying to capture Maes over his shoulder. Maes leaned in, sliding deeper into Roy who kissed him. “I’m fine,” he promised.
“If you’re not...”
“I am,” Roy said, rubbing back against him.
Maes hoped his friend meant it. He thrust into Roy who in turn found a new rhythm between him and Riza. Maes was always a little jealous of Roy’s spot in the middle. The stimulation of giving and receiving at once had to be overwhelming. The expression on his face, the sounds he made, suggested Roy was in some blissful place few ever touched.
When Maes felt his own body tensing, readying to cum, he reached between Roy and Riza’s crashing hips so he could release the cock ring. Roy cried out with the sensation. Riza rocked hard against him and Roy came noisily, crashing down against her. Maes thrust hard into Roy, short, deep strokes that left his lover moaning until Maes exploded as well. They stayed interlocked for a few brief moments, just content to have such a connection in their lives.
Maes slipped free of Roy and flopped down on the sheets as Roy rolled off Riza. Maes snuggled up against Roy’s sweaty back, reaching over to caress Riza who tucked up close to Roy’s chest. For a little while the only sounds were their deep ragged breathing as hands soothed over flesh. Finally Riza rolled free of the pile, the condom in her hand. She disposed of it and snagged the blankets. She tossed one over Maes and Roy. Riza smiled down at them. “I think he’s out cold.”
Maes rolled up on his elbow and looked at Roy who was on his side, an innocent, relaxed expression on his face. His lips parted just a bit. “You think?” Maes grinned. “Poor fellow.”
“That’ll happen when you’re well and truly used,” Riza said, sitting back down with them. She curled up under the covers then eased Roy’s eyepatch off without waking him. A painful look flickered over her face.
“What’s wrong?” Maes asked, reading her expression.
Riza set the patch aside. “I did this to him, Maes.”
“I know. He told me,” Maes replied, seeing her tumbling into despair in a fashion that would do Roy and his mercurial moods proud.
She caressed the red scar that overlaid the area of shattered bone, which had been reconstructed. “I took his sight, ruined his face, hurt him worse than anyone ever has.” Riza’s voice shook.
Maes reached over and stroked her arm. “He doesn’t blame you, Riza. We talked about it. You saved his life.”
“You don’t shoot without considering what’s behind your target. I know that. I broke a cardinal rule.” Tears trickled down her face.
Maes caught one on his finger. “To save his life,” he reiterated. “He loves you very much, you know that right?”
She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders heaving. “You haven’t seen him trying to recover, Maes. He tries to pretend it isn’t difficult but it is.”
“And he’ll overcome it,” Maes replied, not wanting her to wallow in this pain.
“You don’t know that.” Riza sniffled.
“Of course I do, if for no other reason than to spite Edward. If that impertinent boy can come back from losing an arm and leg, no way will Roy let one eye hold him back.” Maes smiled.
Riza hiccuped a laugh, wiping her face. “You always could make us laugh, Maes. We both missed that so much.”
“And I missed you both. Don’t worry too much about him, Riza, and put the blame where it belongs, with Archer and Bradley and those taking their side,” Maes caressed Roy’s cheek while keeping his eyes on Riza.
“Thank you, Maes.” She leaned in for a kiss.
Roy stirred between them, his one eye opening blearily. “Riza? Something wrong?” he muttered.
She kissed him, too. “Nothing, baby. We’re going to sleep.” She put her arms around him and Maes put his arms over hers.
“Sounds good,” Roy replied then dropped back off.
Riza smiled at Maes who was looking sleepy-eyed himself. They all settled down until there were no sounds but the crackling fire and deep even breathing.
Chapter Four
“You have a strange look on your face,” Winry remarked as she settled next to Ed on the couch in their newest furnished home that felt like anything but home. “And you boys are washing those dishes! Thirds on pie? You should be ashamed.”
“We have to take advantage of Riza not being here. She never lets us get away with anything.” Ed licked his lips, snagging a smear of brown sugar.
“You can’t threaten us like she can.” Al patted his currently-big belly. “You’re not as scary as Teacher or Riza.”
“I’ll have to try harder.” Winry scrunched her nose at him and Al’s eyes widened.
“Don’t!” he shouted, startling Hayate and Den who looked up from their places parked near the heater.
Ed waved Winry off, looking almost ready to open the button on his pants and let his belly bulge. “Call it eating Mustang’s share. It’s not like he eats much even when he is here.”
“Roy and Riza’s shares if that’s how you want to look at it,” Winry said sourly, knowing no amount of yelling would help. They were too content with themselves. “So, what was the strange look for?”
“Roy and Riza.” Ed shook his head. “I can’t believe they all do that, that Hughes lets Mustang do that to him.”
“It’s not your business, Brother,” Al scolded gently, the look in his brown eyes saying ‘please don’t make an issue of it.’
“And I think you have it backwards, Ed,” Winry added, a hint of color in her cheeks. She wasn’t sure she liked thinking of their guardians in sexual terms, but it was cute that Riza and Roy would occasionally get a little lovey dovey.
“Huh?” Ed cocked his head at her.
“She means Roy’s the uh....girl.” Al flushed brilliant.
“That’s even more disturbing somehow.” Ed made a face. “And how do you even know about this stuff, Al?”
Al just shrugged as Winry leaned against Ed’s shoulder. “Does it bother you?” she asked.
Ed licked his fork, thinking about it, then set his dinnerware aside. “Not really. I was more nervous when Mr. Garfiel said he’d entertain me. I don’t think that I have anything to fear from the bastard.”
“Brother, you really shouldn’t call him that. Roy’s our friend.” Al wagged his head, a put upon expression on his face.
Ed tossed a couch pillow at his brother. “Do you know what Mustang said to me while he was recovering from his wounds? I was being nice to him and he said to stop because if I was being nice it must mean he was dying.”
“That says nothing good about you, you know that right? The two of you are a real pair.” Winry’s head dropped back against the couch cushion. “You’re so mean to him and he either expects it or wants it. How you didn’t drive poor Al insane all these years, I’ll never know.”
“What makes you think I’m sane?” Al grinned at her.
“My mistake.” Winry laughed, pointedly resisting the urge to clean up the pie plates. “So, what should we do tonight?”
“With just the three of us?” Al rolled his shoulders as he considered the popular games, most of which required groups or just duos. “Charades.”
Ed scowled. “I hate that game. I stink at it.”
“Because you have no patience.” Winry patted his thigh then got up. “I’ll get some paper so we can make up some categories. Everyone for themselves tonight, no teams.”
“I think we’d better walk Den and Hayate first,” Ed said, trying to find ways to delay a game he knew he’d lose, and the dogs’ ears pricked hearing their names.
Winry nodded as Al got up to help his brother leash up the hounds. Hayate pranced at the end of his leash in anticipation. Den stood more sedately. Al peered out the window into the street.
“Brother, someone’s looking at the house.” Worry tightened Al’s voice. Winry dropped the tablet she had fetched as she made her way to him. Ed crowded into the window, too, not thinking that three people in a well-lit window might raise suspicions.
“That’s General Leonard,” Ed said, squinting into the gloom. “Or at least I think so. I’m pretty sure that’s one of the people Roy was warning us about. Sort of looks familiar. I don’t know the woman with him but I think I’ve seen her before.”
“This is bad.” Winry headed for the phone. After she picked it up, her lips curled. “It’s dead.”
“Do you think they cut the lines?” Al’s eyes went huge with worry then he calmed himself. “We can fix them.”
“Let’s not take the time. Into the back yard with the dogs,” Ed said, yanking on Hayate’s leash. “We can go through the fence. They won’t be expecting us to make our own door there.”
“What if there’s more of them?” Winry went to Roy’s desk and retrieved his gun. She didn’t really know how to use it but she hoped it would be intimidating enough that she wouldn’t have to.
“You shouldn’t need that,” Ed said grimly as he eyed the pistol. From the look in his eyes, Winry knew he didn’t like her touching it. “But bring it.”
The youngsters went outside with the dogs. Al pointed to someone just tall enough to barely be seen over the back gate. They went as quietly as they could to the far back corner away from the gate. The sound of the transmutation was thundering but they didn’t linger to think on it or look to see if the military men were following. Ed took the lead, racing through the streets with Winry and Al following. Poor Den’s metal leg clacked out a staccato ‘we’re over here’ but in Rush Valley, with all its noise, they hoped the sound got lost.
“We’re not far from Mr Garfiel’s. Should we take cover there or will that put him in danger?” Winry asked breathlessly as they paused to get their bearings
“Big as he is, I don’t see Garfiel as a fighter. We’d best go straight to Mustang. Hu...Gibson won’t be pleased if we lead anyone to his place, but he can handle himself if something is still following us,” Ed said, glancing over his shoulder. “Don’t see anyone.”
“We’d better hurry, just in case,” Al said and they picked up the dizzying pace again.
By the time they arrived at Hughes’ nondescript little house, even Winry wasn’t sure she knew where she was. Hopefully no one could follow them. Ed pounded on the door with his usual loud impatience. As Winry stood between the brothers, she suddenly felt serene, in spite of Mustang and Hawkeye’s constant warnings about the danger. She knew even if she failed to keep herself safe - and she was pretty confident in her abilities to take care of herself, gun aside, - the brothers would protect her. Still, that didn’t make this any less scary.
X X X
The sounds of someone at the door startled Maes awake. Riza looked up groggily, too. Roy remained dead to the world, which was all Maes needed to see. Tomorrow night, like it or not, Roy would need to rest and admit he wasn’t at full strength. No more sex for Roy until he was actually recovered. “I’ll get it,” he mumbled to Riza as he hunted for his boxers.
“Who could it be?” She rubbed her eyes. “Damn, if it’s the kids...” She wormed over, trying to find her pants along with her gun in the dark, with just the embers of the fire shedding a bit of light.
“Then there’s trouble.” Maes unlocked his door, feeling exposed. He hadn’t had time to find his blades. He sighed in relief as he saw the kids. “Get inside,” he ordered, knowing they hadn’t come for no reason.
“We don’t think they followed us,” Al said as they and their dogs came inside.
“Hold the story for just a moment.” Maes flipped on the light and Hawkeye mewled, trying to shove into her pants. “Sorry, Riza.”
Ed and Al stared at her bare back while Hayate danced, seeing his master. “That array,” Ed breathed, his eyes drinking in the bright ink over her pale flesh. “It’s his.”
“Oh...those scars,” Al shuddered, concentrating on the ruin of the masterpiece. Riza blushed at all the attention.
“Quit staring at her.” Winry forcibly turned both boys around. She was more disturbed that the brothers were far more interested in the alchemic array than in ogling a half naked woman. Winry was trying hard to not stare at Maes in his boxers. “Sorry, we didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“We were asleep,” Maes assured her. “I think Roy still is. Is he dead, Riza?”
“Might be,” she replied, muffled by her shirt as she pulled it on.
Maes nudged Roy’s foot where it stuck out from under the covers. “Roy, wake up.”
Roy’s head came up but he was lying on the wrong side, leaving the empty socket trying to scan the room. He scowled as he rolled so he could see. “Where?”
“You’re on the floor. The kids are here. I think something’s happened.” Maes tossed Roy his pants then went to pull on his own.
“Did they see Riza naked?” Roy flopped back on the pillow, his voice almost unintelligible it was so thick with sleep.
“Yes, they know why we want her. Now do try to wake up, Roy, and make some sense,” Maes scolded, buckling up before hunting for his shirt.
Riza plopped the eyepatch down over Roy’s head. “Yes, do. You boys can turn back around now.” She glanced over to the brothers who were fighting Winry trying to catch another glimpse of her.
Roy squirmed around, trying to pull on his pants under the covers. “What’s happening?”
“Sit, kids, tell us, what’s going on.” Maes instructed, waving at the couch. None of the teens seemed to want to come into the living room love nest any further than they already had.
“We tried to call you but our phone is dead. We think the line was cut,” Winry said, reaching down to soothe Hayate who still wanted loose.
“I think I saw General Leonard and a woman outside watching the house. That’s when we tried to call you,” Ed added, letting Hayate go. The dog trotted over to Riza.
“We decided to make our own gate out of the fence when we couldn’t call. There was someone with dark hair at the real gate but that’s all we could see, so there were at least three of them. We don’t think they followed us,” Alphonse added, running his hands through Den’s fur as the older dog looked for freedom of her own.
“Should we check it out?” Ed cast an eye at the front door. “They might still be watching the house but I doubt it. They probably followed us for a little while.”
“No one’s going anywhere yet,” Maes said then looked over to Roy who was still slowly trying to get to his feet. His solitary dark orb remained clouded with sleep. “Roy?”
“I’ll call headquarters and get some troops mobilized to round them up,” Roy replied, staggering over to retrieve his shirt.
“We could handle three people,” Ed argued, not really wanting to wait.
“Just because you saw three people doesn’t mean that’s all there are Ed,” Maes said, gently. “Though if a general is doing his own scouting it means one of two things; there really is only three of them or he wants full credit for capturing you and your brother.”
“We have no idea how many Bradley loyalists there are,” Riza reminded them as she looked at her gun clip as if to reassure herself that it really was fully loaded.
“I guess,” Ed said, sullenly. “I don’t like this. People shouldn’t be chasing us. This should be over.”
“Once I make the call, Edward, you, Riza and I can scout out what they’re up to if we can,” Roy said, running a hand through his wildy disarrayed hair. “Winry and Al can stay here with Maes.”
“Who said I’m staying behind, Roy? You’re still recovering and you spent the last two days over exerting yourself. You’re in no condition to go out there,” Maes protested, putting a hand on Roy’s shoulder.
“Maes, if you’re spotted, someone might recognize you. I can’t risk that. Can you? Are you ready to be reborn as Hughes or do you want to stay Gibson?” Roy grumbled, shaking free.
Maes scowled, looking at his feet. “I don’t know. I want this to end as much as the brothers do but I’m still not sure if it’s safe for Gracia and Elicia if I’m back.”
“Envy’s gone,” Alphonse said. “Into the gate. Lust, Wrath, Greed, Pride and Sloth are dead. We lost track of Gluttony, if that matters.”
“Dante’s gone, too, and she was behind all of this with the homunculi,” Edward added. “But I wouldn’t say it’s safe out there. There were a lot of people who had to fall when Bradley went down. They blame me and Mustang mostly for that; Hawkeye, too. We aren’t exactly safe to be around but I can’t convince Winry of that.”
“I’m not leaving you and Al,” she said wearily, as if this was a very old argument.
Maes rubbed his chin. “I’ll stay here with Winry and Al. I want to come back to my old life but I want it to be as safe as possible. That won’t happen if I go dashing around recklessly. You three be careful out there.”
“We’ll be fine,” Roy said with his usual overconfidence. “Riza will protect us.” He frowned, seeing her wince at those words. “You will.”
She just nodded, not looking at him as she rechecked her pistol.
Winry got up and handed Roy his pistol. “You might need this.”
Roy looked to Maes. “You have enough weapons here? I have my gloves.”
“Take the gun. We won’t need it,” Maes assured him, going to his own gun cabinet. He fetched a weapon for himself, Winry and Al.
Roy pocketed the weapon then went to make his call.
“I hate this...feeling helpless.” Ed stomped his foot. His body trembled with barely contained fury.
“Ed, if there’s one word I’d never use for you, it’s helpless,” Maes said, soothingly. “You were caught between two forces, with the phone lines cut, and you managed to escape and get to safety. That is not helpless.”
“How did you even see them outside the house?” Riza holstered her weapon.
“I was dragging my heels so I wouldn’t have to play charades,” Ed said. “And said we should walk the dogs.”
“You do stink at that game,” Riza agreed with a gentle smile. Ed, as per usual, bristled at the teasing.
“And when I looked outside to see what the weather was like, I saw them,” Al said as Ed made a face at Riza.
“Lucky break then,” Maes said. “I can understand why you feel out of control, though. Of course, it was mere luck that brought Roy across my path yesterday. You never know how things will go.”
“Well, I hope they start doing a better job than they have at rounding up the loyalists. I’m tired of running. I’d like to stay here in Rush Valley a little while. I have someone here willing to train me,” Winry said, bitterly. “And I’d like Ed and Al to stay, too...though I know Ed might not get to unless he quits the military. There’s really no need to stay in any more.” Winry’s eyes cut back to Riza. “No offense meant, Riza. It’s just...I don’t think it was Ed’s dream to be a soldier.”
Riza smiled softly. “It really wasn’t mine either until I realized that I had someone to protect and that my best talent was with a gun.” Her smile softened. “Until I....” she shook her head, her dark eyes misting.
Winry got up and hugged her. “He still thinks you’re the best, you know.”
Riza patted Winry’s back with a rueful look. “Does Roy talk about this with everyone?”
“Pretty much,” Al said with a gentle smile. “I think he likes talking about you, Riza.”
Roy came back, cutting off anything Riza might have to say. “It’s settled. Armstrong is coming with reinforcements from Central and I’ve mobilized the troops here. We should go.”
“Maybe you should put on your uniform first,” Ed said, gesturing to Roy’s love-bitten neck, his cheeks going pink again. “Or at least something that has a collar.”
Roy scowled, a low grumble rolling around his throat. “Yeah.”
Once they were properly dressed, Roy and Riza left with Edward. Maes started cleaning up the bedding, a little self consciously. Al and Winry took that time to step outside and let the dogs actually do their business. By the time they got back, he had gotten some ice cream out of the ice chest. “Want some?” Maes asked.
“Sure,” Al said, a hungry look in his eyes.
“Al, you had three pieces of pie. I know you’re so excited to taste things again but you’re going to get fat,” Winry warned, shaking a hand at him.
“But I don’t do it every night. Besides I’m worried. I need a distraction,” Al protested, casting a longing look at the ice cream container.
Maes just spooned out three small helpings. “A little won’t hurt. You two okay?”
“Angry that they won’t leave us alone,” Winry said, grimly, accepting the bowl of ice cream. Maes waved her back to the couch.
“And sorry we had to bother you,” Al said, a whisper of pink on his cheeks as he followed Winry.
“Don’t worry about it. Honestly, we were asleep,” Maes said. “Roy could probably sleep for a day at this point. He wasn’t hurt all that long ago, was he? News of what happened in Central is spotty here and very sanitized. I don’t know what really happened.”
“It’s only been about a month, I guess. He was hurt pretty bad. That sword went into his lung. I guess if the Fuhrer had cut the other way, Ed wouldn’t be the only one with an automail arm,” Winry said, with a doctor’s practicality. “Roy is luckier than he knows...or he does know and he just doesn’t want to admit it.”
“He’s been a soldier since he was a young man, too, he knows. That’s why Riza is so down on herself,” Maes said, his lips falling into a frown that seemed foreign on his long face. “They were so lucky that bullet’s path caught him in the eye and just went out through the orbit. Anywhere else and she would have killed him.”
“I know. She’s so sad,” Al said, as if feeling Riza’s pain and giving it voice. “I think she’s just starting to see that there’s no point in blaming herself. I bet...you could help her with that. She looked so happy to see you, too.”
“You’re a sweet, kid, you know that, don’t you Al?” Maes asked and Al blushed. “I don’t like just sitting around here doing nothing. Tell me what you can about what really happened with Bradley.”
“I was in Rezembool so I only know what they told me,” Winry said. “But I can tell you that.”
“That’ll do.” Maes settled back and tried to concentrate, hoping not to worry. He knew none of them would succeed in that.
X X X
“This sucks,” Ed muttered, glancing around the barely lit street. “How could they have disappeared so fast?”
“You did run all over town trying to be sure you weren’t followed. It wasn’t all that fast,” Roy said, leaning against a street lamp.
“I know.” Ed studied Roy under the dim yellowish light. “You okay? You look like hell.”
“I’m just exhausted,” Roy said, pushing off the pole.
Ed snorted. “I wonder why. No, I don’t. I don’t want to wonder. I might start picturing it and that would just disturb me. I never want to imagine you naked, for any reason, ever.”
“That’s actually comforting,” Roy replied, wearily.
“Nothing down here,” Riza called, coming out of an alley way. Her eyes narrowed. “What are you two arguing about now?”
“We’re actually agreeing on something.” Roy smiled.
Riza rolled her eyes. “They’re nowhere around the house. We should find a call box and see if they did manage to find Maes.”
“I don’t want to think about that,” Ed shuddered. He knew he’d never handle Hughes dying twice, not to mention his brother and Winry.
“We’ll call then we’ll head to the Nobody’s Inn,” Roy said, rubbing the bridge of his nose, nearly dislodging his eye patch.
“We’re going drinking?” Ed’s brow knit. “Why?”
“We’re not. It’s probably closed but the general and his men might be there looking for clues. How did they find us tonight of all nights?” Roy’s lips thinned. “If someone saw me in the bar last night, they might have reported it to Leonard and he might have tracked me back to our home from there, though it would make more sense if they managed to follow me to Maes’,” Roy reasoned, starting towards the pub. “It’s about the best I can think of at the moment.”
“It’s another place to start,” Riza said soothingly.
“Why not? Hell, I’m surprised you’re actually able to get up and walk around, let alone think,” Ed said then flushed ruby as Roy and Riza both stopped and stared at him. “I didn’t mean....I meant the injuries...quit looking at me! Forget I spoke. Ugh, now I’m picturing things.” Ed scrubbed a hand over his eyes.
“Just shut up, Fullmetal. I’m going to let Leonard have you,” Roy said, tapping his fingers in Ed’s general direction.
“Al will cry,” Riza pointed out.
Roy snorted. “It’s the only thing staying my hand.”
“That and the fact I could take you without trying given the shape you’re in,” Ed said, embarrassment washing away in a flood of temper.
“Boys, I’m really thinking it’s you two who should be on leashes, not Den and Hayate,” Riza said scathingly. “Would you like to shut up now or shall you just write ‘here we are’ in flames over our head for Leonard and his men?”
The two men silenced with twin pouts, and Roy took them to the Nobody’s Inn. There was a light on inside the building. Roy tensed and his companions took note of it. It was late, later than most places would be open. “Riza, you and Ed go in through the back. I’ll take the front, keep whoever it is distracted and hope it’s just not the cleaning person or something.”
Riza blanched. “You’ll be in my line of fire if you....”
Roy put a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry about it, Riza. I’ve been there many times before. You are not responsible for the freak ricochet off Archer’s automail. I trust you.”
“It’ll be okay, Riza. The bastard knows what he’s doing,” Ed said, almost sounding convinced.
Riza nodded, a dejected look in her eyes. She followed Edward around the pub. Roy waited a few beats then stepped inside. He was not surprised to see it wasn’t the cleaning crew. Leonard was sitting at a table with his adjutant, a woman whose name he couldn’t remember, watching two other men slapping around the waitress who had served him last night. The bartender was tied up on the floor.
“They got away at the house. Our man saw the General leave there and come here. Where else would they go?” Leonard asked the bleeding girl.
“How should I know?” She wiped her split lip. “The one-eyed man was only ever in here once. I don’t know him.”
“Mustang’s a drinker. You expect me to believe he’s never been in here.” Leonard laughed as one of his lieutenants slapped the girl again.
“He hasn’t been,” she said, her eyes leveling on Roy. To her credit, she gave no signs of seeing him as Roy shoved his hands into his gloves.
“Really, Leonard, it’s not like I’m a lush,” Roy said, snapping his fingers just enough to make warning sparks. “Now be good henchmen and let the girl go.”
“We’re the true officers of the military, not some turncoat like you. You don’t get to order us around,” one of the lieutenants snarled at Mustang, giving the waitress a good shake for emphasis.
“You can tell your men to stop grandstanding now, Leonard. You’ve found me,” Mustang smirked at the general.
“Yes, I didn’t think you’d make it this easy for me to kill you, murderer.” Leonard’s hand went towards his gun.
“Uh–uh-uh, Leonard, I’ll burn you before you clear your holster,” Roy said, the humor leaving his face. He saw Riza and Ed working their way into the room. He could afford his own grandstanding. He extended his arm, gloved fingers at the ready.
“Is that how you killed our king?” Leonard asked, his hand stilling.
“Murderous bastard,” the female lieutenant growled, her own hand twitching over her weapon.
“He was strangling his own son. I don’t feel too guilty about what I did. Now why don’t you all just put your weapons on the table. I think the new parliament would love to speak to you, General Leonard,” Roy said, keeping his voice controlled, not giving a clue to how tired he was. “Or I’ll have Hawkeye shoot you and you don’t even want to know what Fullmetal wants to do to you.” He tried not to let it show that he was hurt when Riza flinched at that.
Leonard whipped around to face Ed and Riza, his color fading when he realized he was the one surrounded.
“Fullmetal’s pretty pissed that you people won’t leave him and his brother alone. He’s little but he’s scary,” Roy said, his fingers dancing over each other in a showy display of untapped power.
“Don’t call me little,” Ed grated out, his palms pressing together.
Mustang was honestly surprised when Leonard had his men give up. Most of the old guard generals had been fools who knew which ass to kiss with a few exceptions like Basque Gran. Leonard had a tougher reputation but he probably liked his own skin too well. Mustang, Hawkeye, and Edward trussed the loyalists up the best they could.
“Why won’t you people just leave me alone?” Ed asked, getting into Leonard’s face while Roy borrowed the pub’s phone to call in the reinforcements. Riza freed the bartender.
“Oh, there’s big plans for you and your brother,” Leonard said, not cowed by Ed’s bravado but cautious never the less. “But don’t think I’ll tell you anything, no matter what you do to me. I’m nothing. There’s so many more of us, you’ll never know what happened to you when it comes to it.”
Edward tried to threaten the general and Roy let him practice his skills. Edward didn’t really have the heart for it. Roy lost track of what was being said, fighting to not fall asleep at the table while they waited for the parliamentary soldiers to show up and take custody. Finally they did and Edward came over to Mustang. “It’s never going to be over, is it?”
Roy shook his head. “Not yet. I didn’t call Ma...Luc...should have.” He brushed a hand over his face. “We need to go home.”
“We can’t. They were in there.” Ed shuddered. “If we didn’t get them all, they’ll be back.”
“I meant Luc’s place,” Roy said as Riza put her hands on him.
“There’s not enough room for us all to stay there. There’s a hotel down the block. Mr. Wilson’s brother owns it.” Riza gestured at the bartender. “He’s called and got him to fix up some rooms for us.”
“But...” Roy said, dragging to his feet.
“No buts. I’ll call Luc from the hotel. Either Winry and Al can sleep on the floor there or he can bring them to the hotel. You’re in no shape to walk back, General.” Riza said, sternly. “Look at you. You’re white as milk and you’re holding onto the table so you don’t fall down. Next time when we ask are you sure you’re all right, don’t lie.”
“You do look like hell,” Ed said, glancing away as if he didn’t want to think about what Riza was referring to.
“So you’ve said before.” Roy tried to put some starch in his step. “Let’s see that hotel.”
Roy didn’t even remember getting to his room. The last thing he would be able to recall the next day was warning Ed to not let Leonard worry cracks in his psyche. He didn’t know that Ed helped walk him to the room, pull down the covers and get the combat boots off him so Riza wouldn’t have to do everything, and wouldn’t know unless Riza broke her word to Ed about it.
If Happiness Forgets You
D M Evans
Disclaimer - not mine, all characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa et al, Square Enix and funimition. Time Line - Post Anime but with a vastly different ending (and hey some elements of the manga in there for good measure including a spoiler for issue #38 and 57
Pairing - let’s just say it’s polyamorous with both m/m and f/m pairings and if that bugs you, please don’t read.
Rating- FRMAO (yes, there's sex, lots of it actually, lots of other stuff too, but there's het sex, yaoi, and threesomes)
Summary - With the government reborn, and the brothers still wanted by soldiers loyal to Bradley’s memory, Roy and Riza have their hands full. The last person they expected to see in Rush Valley was him.
Author’s Note#1 - This was written for
evil_little_dog’s birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAYAuthor’s Note #2 - Thanks to
mjules for all the betaing and suggestions. The story is better for it. This story is unusual for me since it’s heavily anime influence with just a hint of manga (instead of the other way around), you’ll see some things are very different than the ending of the manga however (like anything pertaining to Earth, the movie or Ed’s fate). I chose this route mostly because I wanted to poke out Roy’s eye and deal with the reality of that loss.Even if happiness forgets you a little bit, never completely forget about it. ~Jacques Prévert
Chapter three
Maes heard the water running and the bed beside him was empty. He stretched until his joints popped. Feeling sated and lazy, Maes rolled out of bed and padded into the bathroom. Steam swirled and danced inside the little room. Maes sneaked into the tub. Roy glanced over his shoulder at him, his bangs slicked down over his eye, hiding the wound. Maes had to wonder if Roy had purposely grown them longer for that reason.
Maes put his arms around Roy and kissed his soapy shoulder. He slid his hand up Roy’s torso to tweak his nipples. “Morning.”
“And a good one,” Roy said, letting his head drop back against Maes’ chest.
“How are you this morning?” Maes’ hands skimmed down and closed over Roy’s awakening cock.
“Good, tired,” Roy said, pumping into Maes’ hand. “A little sore.”
“Sorry about that.” Maes kissed his neck. He hated knowing that occasionally he left his partner hurting a little, even when he did his best to be gentle.
“It’s okay.” Roy licked his lips.
“Don’t want to tire you out too much, Roy.” Maes stroked him slowly, wondering if Roy was being honest about how tired he was. He looked exhausted. “Because I’m hoping Riza will be joining us. I...” Maes bit his lip. “Or did I just presume too much?”
Roy turned in Maes’ arms, reaching down to stroke his own cock and Maes’ at the same time. Maes shuddered at the feel of Roy’s hot flesh against his own. “You haven’t. I don’t blame her for this.” He shook his hair back away from the destroyed orbit. “She was trying to save my life. We’re still...”
“In love, yes, I could see that in your eyes. And I’m glad of it. I knew she was still with you as your adjutant but...I wasn’t sure.” Maes just shut up, leaning into Roy’s touch. The man had talented fingers. “If there were things you couldn’t get past.”
“I love her,” Roy said, simply. “Nothing else matters...though sometimes it’s a little hard when she starts feeling guilty. That’s getting better.”
“Good.” Maes sank to his knees, water cascading over his shoulder and down his back. “Of course, maybe you’ll be too tired to enjoy anything tonight after all.” Maes’ hungry mouth wrapped around Roy’s cock.
Roy ran a hand through Maes’ wet hair. “If we keep to this, there’ll be no problems tonight.”
Maes let Roy pop free just long enough to purr, “Great.”
X X X
Maes started the coffee and got out the fixings to scramble eggs and make bacon while Roy finished showering. Maes had gotten him all messy again. The knock on the door startled him and he was just a little too paranoid not to answer it. Maes pocketed one of his little triangular blades as he went for the door. He was too shocked to move when he opened the door and saw three happy faces there. He counted himself lucky he got the door shut after he was mobbed and before Ed blurted out, ‘Maes!’ loud enough to be heard on the moon. Maes nearly lost his footing as six arms wrapped around him. “Whoa kids, easy!”
Maes couldn’t sort out the babble of voices as Winry, Ed, and Al all tried to talk at once. Winry’s face was wet with tears but it was Al that Hughes couldn’t tear his gaze away from. How different was he that the image he had in his mind of what Al would look like? There was some resemblance to Ed, of course, but not as much as Maes had expected. Al had big innocent brown eyes and that tousle of sandy hair.
“I can’t believe they lied to us about you being dead!” Ed said, hurt and anger warring in his face.
“They didn’t know, Ed, not until yesterday,” Maes said, defending his friends. “It’s a very long story but it can wait.” He shook free of all the hands on him then clapped his over Al’s shoulders. “Look at you! I can’t believe I’m actually getting to see the real you, Alphonse.” Maes ruffled his hair. “You look good, thin but good.”
Al beamed. “Thanks. It feels good to be me again. It just feels good to feel.”
“Maes, did I hear voi...” Roy’s voice trailed off as he poked his head out of the bathroom. He had on nothing but a towel. He dove back in, slamming the door.
“What was that?” Ed jerked a hand at the bathroom door.
“Did Roy spend the night? I know he never came home,” Winry said, a fretful look passing over her face.
“Yes, he spent it here. We hashed out some things out. Roy was understandably hurt over being deceived,” Maes said regretfully as he managed to extricate himself from the gaggle of teens. He went to pour two mugs full of steaming coffee. “Want some, kids?”
Ed and Winry shook their heads but Al nodded. “I’m trying out new tastes. I’m not sure I like coffee yet.”
“It takes some acquiring.” Maes smiled, pouring some for Al. He let the boy doctor it up as he hitched himself up on the counter top. Hughes liked having high ground.
“Roy has a black eye. Did you hit him?” Winry gave Maes a critical look.
“He hit me first,” Maes replied with a shrug. “He didn’t take the news quite as well as you kids.” He realized they didn’t understand why Roy had stayed over. They seemed to think he innocently spent the night on the couch. Maes caught Ed looking back that way as if assessing the situation. He wasn’t sure if he should tell them or not. Not everyone understood the kind of relationship he and Roy shared.
“He’s a bastard,” Ed grumbled and Al elbowed him hard.
“He’s keeping me safe,” Alphonse reminded him. “He could be back in Central doing General stuff instead of jumping from town to town with us.”
“I think he does it because he likes playing house with Hawkeye,” Ed said, and Maes could have sworn he heard Al mutter, ‘can’t blame him.’ It was Winry who applied the elbow to Ed this time.
Roy looked nervous as he slowly made his way back into the kitchen. “Next time you could warn me, you know. I don’t like getting caught.” He gave Maes a sour look.
“Well, until you just opened your mouth, they thought you were here talking all night,” Maes said, handing Roy his coffee without moving off the counter top.
“Caught at what?” Al’s face was perfectly ingenuous.
Roy glanced over at Maes with a smirk. “Were we ever that innocent?”
Maes rolled his eyes at his lover. “You sure weren’t. Someone took that away a long time ago.”
Roy snorted. “I think that was you.”
“What are you saying?” Ed’s eyes narrowed.
“I think they weren’t...talking,” Winry said, her face starting to pink up. “But you’re married, Mr. Hughes.”
Maes smiled, trying to think of how to say what he needed to. “It’s Luc Gibson now and yes, I am. I love Gracia very much but there is room in my heart for more than one.”
“You mean him?” Ed’s eyes opened wide as his jaw slackened. “Why would you want that bastard?”
“How did you even get here anyhow?” Roy snarled, looking ready to add to his angry outburst with a little physical intimidation if Maes knew him, which he did.
Maes reached out and put his arms around Roy, tucking his mug against his lover’s chest. He pulled Roy to him. “I know this is like spitting in the wind, but try not to be so grumpy, Roy. The look in Ed’s eye says he’s readying for an outburst of his own and I can’t handle the both of you when you get like this.”
Roy wriggled in Maes’ embrace and Maes didn’t have to look at his face to know Mustang was uncomfortable with public displays of affection. It would be the same if Riza hugged him. “I’m not going to explode and neither’s Edward.”
“I might,” Ed countered, his eyes still huge. “Are you saying that you two are lovers?”
“Yes, that’s what he’s saying,” Roy said, still wiggling. “Move the mug, Maes, before you scald off something I need.” Roy pointed to his chest and the nipple under the ceramic.
“Sorry.” Maes set the mug on the counter then locked his arms around Roy’s narrow chest. He wasn’t going to let Roy escape. The kids needed to know the truth and Roy was the kind to hide everything away.
“Does Gracia or Riza know?” Al asked, every bit as wide eyed as his brother. He clutched the coffee mug like a lifeline.
“Usually they join us,” Roy said, giving up the fight. The kids couldn’t look more stunned. “So if Riza disappears tonight, too, you don’t have to worry about it.”
“Oh.” Winry’s cheeks imitated ripe red apples. Al and Ed looked no better.
“I didn’t know you could do that!” Ed blurted out and Al nudged him.
“You probably aren’t talented enough to try,” Roy retorted with an evil look, and Ed bristled. Al grabbed hold of his arm.
“Don’t provoke.” Maes slapped Roy on the head. “Edward, Roy did have a good question. How did you know where to find me?”
“We heard Riza talking to Gracia on the phone and overheard the street name,” Al confessed, looking far more embarrassed to be caught eavesdropping than he did at learning his friends were bisexual.
“And what? Ran up and down waking up everyone on the block looking for the right house?” Roy sipped his coffee as he leaned back against Maes.
“Pretty much.” Winry’s blush deepened.
“Well, we were about to have breakfast. Would you like some?” Maes offered, rubbing Roy’s back.
“That would be nice. I’ll help,” Winry said, bustling over to the ice chest in part to hide her embarrassment at interrupting the lovers.
“Thanks.” Maes gave Roy’s neck a final snuggle then swung away from him to land next to Winry.
“He’s usually not this demonstrative,” Roy said, a plaintive look in his eye. Maes knew that was as polite as Roy would be in asking him to knock it off.
“I’m just glad to see you again and that you aren’t mad at me!” Maes beamed widely.
“Oh, I’m still mad but I’m forgiving.” Roy rolled his eye.
“Since when?” Ed snorted, sinking against a cabinet.
“Shut it, Fullmetal,” Roy barked. Al moved so he was blocking Roy and Ed’s lines of sight. Roy turned to Maes. “Maes, I’ll help Winry. You talk to the boys.”
“Sounds good.” Maes waved them into the living room.
“You’re dangerous, Roy. Stay out of my kitchen,” Winry warned, a brown egg in hand.
“I’m not dangerous. I’m good with barbecuing meat.” Roy pouted, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Not a help when I’m making eggs and toast,” Winry replied. Roy watched her crack eggs for a moment then glanced back onto the living room. He decided the brothers needed to talk to Maes. He’d only be in the way. Helpless, he picked up the loaf of yesterday’s bread and reached for the knife. Winry rapped his knuckles with a wooden spoon and gave him a mother’s look of ‘get out of my kitchen now, son.’
Roy sighed. “I guess I’d better call Riza and let her know where you are.”
Someone knocked at the door before Roy could move. “It’s Hawkeye,” she called through the door.
Roy went over and let her in. He flashed a tired smile. “They heard you on the phone to Gracia.”
“So I gathered.” Riza stepped in, dressed in her uniform. She thrust Roy’s at him after giving him a warm smile and fussing with his slightly skewed eyepatch.
“Winry’s making breakfast,” Roy said, taking the uniform. “And thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” Riza said then made a beeline for Maes.
He met her halfway across the living room, wrapping her in his strong arms. Maes kissed her. “You look as lovely as ever.”
“It’s so good to see you, Maes. We missed you so much.” Riza rested her forehead on his shoulder.
“And I missed you. Sorry...just sorry I had to lie.” Maes squeezed her tight.
“I understand.” Riza disengaged herself, looking as if she’d rather just hang on forever. “I’d better go and help Winry.”
Roy sat down on the couch wearily, realizing Ed would just have to put up with his presence. “What, Ed?”
“I can’t believe Hughes has such bad taste,” Ed replied, wrinkling his nose.
“Brother! Don’t say things like that!” Al scolded, shoving Ed lightly.
“What? I mean Mrs. Hughes is so nice and then there’s him.” Ed stabbed a finger at Roy. “I didn’t know you even liked men, too.” Ed’s eyes raked over Mustang as if he had never seen him before.
“Mostly just one man,” Roy replied wryly, glancing at Maes. His eyes flicked back to Ed and read a bit of anxiety in the young man’s body language. “You look nervous.”
“Sort of.” Ed’s shoulders hunched.
Roy understood. Until he met Maes, he never thought about being with a man and it had left him uneasy at first. “You can relax. You are way too short for me, even if you weren’t too young. And I would need to love you, which, ha!” Roy smirked.
“Who are you calling so short I can’t even measure up to your low standards?” Ed bellowed, jumping up to his feet. Al yanked him down by the belt loops.
“Roy, if you don’t quit provoking Ed, Riza and I are going to lock you out of the house tonight.” Maes pinched the bridge of his nose as if he could squeeze the budding headache out.
“We will, too,” Riza called from the kitchen.
Roy settled back with a pout.
“Roy does have a point, though, Ed. It’s not really about the sex. It’s much more about love,” Maes said, hoping to put the young man more at ease.
“It’s a little...not what we’re used to. Well, I guess I might be, training under Mr. Garfiel.” Winry shrugged. “But it’s okay.”
“There’s not enough love in the world,” Al said, a mournful timbre to his voice. “More’s always good.”
“See, be more like your little brother, Ed,” Roy said, wagging a finger at him, his lip curling at the ends.
“Guess you’ll be spending the night on the porch!” Ed shot back, trying to get back up. This time Al yanked on the waistband of Ed’s boxers and Ed sat back down with a squeak of pain.
“You both will,” Winry said from the kitchen.
“Al, why don’t you tell me all about what you’ve been doing since you got your body back while your brother and Flame tear each other apart,” Maes said, giving them up as lost causes.
Alphonse smiled and started telling Maes everything he could think of about what it was like to be able to taste and smell and sleep and feel again. There were so many words Al was stumbling over them and Maes let him go, right through breakfast. Roy had even taken the time to go change into his uniform and Al was still talking.
“Now, the corrupt generals, the ones who were supporting the Fuhrer, are still looking for me and Ed,” Al said, finally becoming quiet. His brown eyes misted up.
Roy put a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “We don’t know if they want to kill the boys or set them up as the next Fuhrer. Parliament wants them protected. That job’s fallen to Riza and me. Parliament thinks its safe enough to put us back in uniform but, to tell the truth, I’m not sure that I agree. I thought I saw General Leonard here in town.”
Hughes pulled a long face. “Never could figure out if he really was a doddering old fool or if that was an act.”
“Either way, he was the old guard and might be a threat,” Roy said. “And Hawkeye and I really do need to get on with our duties.”
Maes nodded. “Understood. Think it will be safe enough for the kids to stay with me for a while?”
“I should think so,” Roy replied and the teens looked immensely grateful.
X X X
“I know I should feel guilty about leaving the kids alone,” Riza said, relaxing back on Maes’ couch with her wine glass.
“Ed and Al are better alchemists than me,” Roy said, propping his feet up on the coffee table. “But don’t tell Ed I said that.”
“Like I’d have to. Ed’s already convinced of that.” Riza grinned, sipping her wine.
“The brothers don’t need arrays and that teacher of theirs sure as hell taught them to fight. Ed, I can take easily. He’s a hot head. Al’s the really dangerous one,” Roy replied, draining his wine.
“Do you know just how unnerving it is to hear you say that?” Maes flopped down, loose-limbed, between them.
“I suppose, but it’s true. Don’t underestimate Al because he’s sweet-natured. He’s also very fierce. They’ll be okay one night alone. If not, they know where to find us,” Roy said. The look on his face said it damn well had best be an emergency if the kids showed up.
Riza glanced towards the unlit fireplace. Over the thick rug in front of it, sheets had been laid down with pillows. More bedding was tucked along the couch for later, as if anticipating no one wanting to move to the bed. “Guess you’ve already thought this out.” She nodded towards the little love nest.
“I had a little time after the kids left. My bed is too small for three. It barely fit me and Roy,” Maes replied, slipping an arm around them both
“And he takes up no room at all.” Riza reached over Maes and patted Roy’s thigh.
Roy’s lips fell into a dramatic frown. “Hey!”
“We love you, even if you are nothing but a rack of bones,” Maes said, his fingers tickling along Roy’s ribs.
Roy squirmed away from those fingers. “I’m wiry!”
“Of course you are,” Riza said, soothingly. “In the same way Ed’s not short.”
Roy crossed his arms, pulling in on himself. Maes could pin a ribbon on him for the best sulk in Rush Valley. “If you pick on me, I’m going to go home.”
“Like there’s any real danger of that.” Maes snorted then leaned over, kissing Roy’s cheek. “Start the fire.”
“What am I? A match?” Roy grabbed for the wine bottle but Riza intercepted it.
“A wet one given your attitude,” Maes replied, rubbing Roy’s shoulder, sorry for teasing him. “You really are still trying to be angry, aren’t you?”
Roy’s narrow shoulders twitched as he crossed over to the fireplace. “Trying not to be would be more accurate.”
Maes got up and pulled Roy into a bear hug. Riza followed Maes but didn’t touch either man. She knew Roy needed to get through his problems with Maes’ deception on his own. “I am sorry.”
“I know.” Roy squirmed free, digging in his pocket for his glove. He put distance between himself and his lovers.
Riza put her lips next to Maes’ ear and whispered, “He’s been more moody ever since...”
Maes just nodded as the fire caught. He swept Riza around so he could kiss her, feeling her tongue caressing the top of his mouth. Roy leaned on the mantle, watching them. Maes worried for a moment that his friend was upset, then Roy smiled. Maes took that to be the encouragement he knew it was. Maes slipped a hand under Riza’s shirt, caressing the strong muscles of her back as her mouth worked fervently against his.
A strong hand tucked against Maes’ hip as Riza was pressed against him when Roy joined them. Maes knew their impatient, greedy boy couldn’t hold out for long. Maes broke his kiss and leaned over her shoulder. As his lips and tongue toyed with Roy’s, Riza massaged Maes through his trousers. He moaned into Roy’s mouth as Riza worked him. They were all too hungry, too needy and Maes knew there was no fighting that. There would be other nights to worry about lasting and pacing one’s self. Tonight they needed to be reminded they were almost all together again.
Maes came up for air as Roy slowly peeled Riza’s shirt up. He let Mustang free her from the bra since he was a master at it, such nimble, delicate fingers that man had. Roy’s mouth went to the scars on poor Riza’s back, tracing the ruins of what had made her even more special to the alchemist. Maes had always been in awe of that sacrifice of pain and blood, of self. It meant more than wedding rings did to far too many. Maes dipped his head to lick and suck her lush breasts. Riza’s lean body was all scars and muscle and yet had retained the best features of a woman, the soft curve of the hip and the full, yielding swell of breast like some goddess of old. Just thinking of her in that context made Maes harder.
His glasses dug into his nose as he nuzzled her. Riza plucked them off and handed them back to Roy who set them on the mantle. Maes let the glasses go. This time, they’d just be in the way. He kissed his way down her belly and Riza buried her fingers in his hair. Roy snuck around the crook of her hip to greedily steal a kiss from Maes. Together they took down Riza’s pants and she obligingly stepped out of them.
Roy and Maes’ lips alternated between each other and her silky white thighs. She trembled under their touch. Maes rose to his feet as Roy stretched out on the prepared sheets. Maes guided her back and Riza got to her knees over Roy’s face. Maes watched her dark eyes shutting in pleasure as Roy’s tongue fluttered over her flowery folds. Maes coveted a taste for himself as he unzipped his trousers. Riza leaned forward in Roy’s grasp so she could flick her tongue over Maes’ cock.
Maes moaned as she slipped him deep into her throat. Their rhythm was a little clumsy at first as their bodies tried to recall how they used to make the threesome work, then slowly settled into a nice easy pace. Maes slid out of her warm mouth before she made him spill way before he was ready to. Riza shifted, bearing back more on Roy’s mouth, her neck arching. Divesting himself of his pants, Maes reached down and undid her hair clip. As her golden hair spilled over her shoulders, he massaged her breasts.
Maes’ hands went around Riza’s back as her eyes lost all focus, awash with lust. Her head fell back, sharp little cries of pleasure nipping out of her as her body shook with her orgasm. Maes moved so he had her in his arms as more followed the crashing waves of the first. Roy let her go into Maes’ embrace and the taller man eased her back onto the sheets, tucking a pillow under her head. Roy, wet faced, grinned at them both as he rolled up to his knees and started to undo his pants. Maes leaned down for a panting kiss from Riza while Roy lost the last of his clothing.
He took a step back to watch them. Roy and Riza always seemed so perfect together. She had just enough discipline to keep him in line and entertained - since Roy did love a challenge - without stifling the things that made Roy, Roy. Maes watched the tangle of arms and legs and lips. Without him here, or if he were wonderfully distracted by Gracia, he knew Riza would roll Roy onto his back. Maes knew full well Roy enjoyed letting go the dominant position to the people he loved and trusted. Maes got a condom out of the box for Roy, helping him snug it up over his weeping cock.
Riza’s arms snaked around Roy’s shoulders, pulling him down to her. Her strong legs locked over his back as he dove into her. There was something inherently beautiful in watching people in love, as if the emotion ameliorated the strained, almost silly expressions of sex. Listening to their soft, guttural sounds, Maes fetched the lubricant he had bought after the kids left for the day. His hand fell into rhythm with Roy’s thrusts as he slicked himself.
Riza pushed on Roy’s chest. “Rest a moment,” she said and he slipped free of her with a disappointed growl. His lust-clouded eye turned on Maes, a hungry look on his face. Riza squirmed over to her discarded trouser and took something out of the pocket. “It’s been a long while since you’ve been in the middle. Don’t want you finishing too soon.” She looped a piece of black leather around Roy’s cock and balls and pulled tight. He made a little meeping noise and Maes laughed softly, going over to ruffle Roy’s hair. The device looked like a collar Hayate might have worn as a pup. “Tight?” Riza asked.
“Yeah,” Roy said, his hips pumping against her hand.
“Good.” Riza reclined back, taking him with her. “That should keep you nice and hard.”
Maes waited for Roy to reestablish his rhythm, as the smaller man got used to the cock ring, then he moved behind his friend. Roy stopped, buried deep in Riza, then looked over his scarred shoulder at Maes, who raised an eyebrow as if to say, ‘you sure?’ Maes knew Roy had only just recovered from his injuries at Bradley’s hand and didn’t know if he were pushing just a little too hard. Roy just smiled at him and Riza pulled him back down, steadying Roy against her body.
Maes knelt and guided his slippery cock against Roy’s ring of muscle. His fingers entwined with Riza’s over Roy’s back as he pushed forward slowly. Roy’s head dropped against Riza’s shoulder as he shuddered, a low moan tumbling from his lips. Riza kissed his cheek as Maes asked, “You sure you’re ready for this, Roy?”
Roy pulled away from Riza a little, trying to capture Maes over his shoulder. Maes leaned in, sliding deeper into Roy who kissed him. “I’m fine,” he promised.
“If you’re not...”
“I am,” Roy said, rubbing back against him.
Maes hoped his friend meant it. He thrust into Roy who in turn found a new rhythm between him and Riza. Maes was always a little jealous of Roy’s spot in the middle. The stimulation of giving and receiving at once had to be overwhelming. The expression on his face, the sounds he made, suggested Roy was in some blissful place few ever touched.
When Maes felt his own body tensing, readying to cum, he reached between Roy and Riza’s crashing hips so he could release the cock ring. Roy cried out with the sensation. Riza rocked hard against him and Roy came noisily, crashing down against her. Maes thrust hard into Roy, short, deep strokes that left his lover moaning until Maes exploded as well. They stayed interlocked for a few brief moments, just content to have such a connection in their lives.
Maes slipped free of Roy and flopped down on the sheets as Roy rolled off Riza. Maes snuggled up against Roy’s sweaty back, reaching over to caress Riza who tucked up close to Roy’s chest. For a little while the only sounds were their deep ragged breathing as hands soothed over flesh. Finally Riza rolled free of the pile, the condom in her hand. She disposed of it and snagged the blankets. She tossed one over Maes and Roy. Riza smiled down at them. “I think he’s out cold.”
Maes rolled up on his elbow and looked at Roy who was on his side, an innocent, relaxed expression on his face. His lips parted just a bit. “You think?” Maes grinned. “Poor fellow.”
“That’ll happen when you’re well and truly used,” Riza said, sitting back down with them. She curled up under the covers then eased Roy’s eyepatch off without waking him. A painful look flickered over her face.
“What’s wrong?” Maes asked, reading her expression.
Riza set the patch aside. “I did this to him, Maes.”
“I know. He told me,” Maes replied, seeing her tumbling into despair in a fashion that would do Roy and his mercurial moods proud.
She caressed the red scar that overlaid the area of shattered bone, which had been reconstructed. “I took his sight, ruined his face, hurt him worse than anyone ever has.” Riza’s voice shook.
Maes reached over and stroked her arm. “He doesn’t blame you, Riza. We talked about it. You saved his life.”
“You don’t shoot without considering what’s behind your target. I know that. I broke a cardinal rule.” Tears trickled down her face.
Maes caught one on his finger. “To save his life,” he reiterated. “He loves you very much, you know that right?”
She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders heaving. “You haven’t seen him trying to recover, Maes. He tries to pretend it isn’t difficult but it is.”
“And he’ll overcome it,” Maes replied, not wanting her to wallow in this pain.
“You don’t know that.” Riza sniffled.
“Of course I do, if for no other reason than to spite Edward. If that impertinent boy can come back from losing an arm and leg, no way will Roy let one eye hold him back.” Maes smiled.
Riza hiccuped a laugh, wiping her face. “You always could make us laugh, Maes. We both missed that so much.”
“And I missed you both. Don’t worry too much about him, Riza, and put the blame where it belongs, with Archer and Bradley and those taking their side,” Maes caressed Roy’s cheek while keeping his eyes on Riza.
“Thank you, Maes.” She leaned in for a kiss.
Roy stirred between them, his one eye opening blearily. “Riza? Something wrong?” he muttered.
She kissed him, too. “Nothing, baby. We’re going to sleep.” She put her arms around him and Maes put his arms over hers.
“Sounds good,” Roy replied then dropped back off.
Riza smiled at Maes who was looking sleepy-eyed himself. They all settled down until there were no sounds but the crackling fire and deep even breathing.
Chapter Four
“You have a strange look on your face,” Winry remarked as she settled next to Ed on the couch in their newest furnished home that felt like anything but home. “And you boys are washing those dishes! Thirds on pie? You should be ashamed.”
“We have to take advantage of Riza not being here. She never lets us get away with anything.” Ed licked his lips, snagging a smear of brown sugar.
“You can’t threaten us like she can.” Al patted his currently-big belly. “You’re not as scary as Teacher or Riza.”
“I’ll have to try harder.” Winry scrunched her nose at him and Al’s eyes widened.
“Don’t!” he shouted, startling Hayate and Den who looked up from their places parked near the heater.
Ed waved Winry off, looking almost ready to open the button on his pants and let his belly bulge. “Call it eating Mustang’s share. It’s not like he eats much even when he is here.”
“Roy and Riza’s shares if that’s how you want to look at it,” Winry said sourly, knowing no amount of yelling would help. They were too content with themselves. “So, what was the strange look for?”
“Roy and Riza.” Ed shook his head. “I can’t believe they all do that, that Hughes lets Mustang do that to him.”
“It’s not your business, Brother,” Al scolded gently, the look in his brown eyes saying ‘please don’t make an issue of it.’
“And I think you have it backwards, Ed,” Winry added, a hint of color in her cheeks. She wasn’t sure she liked thinking of their guardians in sexual terms, but it was cute that Riza and Roy would occasionally get a little lovey dovey.
“Huh?” Ed cocked his head at her.
“She means Roy’s the uh....girl.” Al flushed brilliant.
“That’s even more disturbing somehow.” Ed made a face. “And how do you even know about this stuff, Al?”
Al just shrugged as Winry leaned against Ed’s shoulder. “Does it bother you?” she asked.
Ed licked his fork, thinking about it, then set his dinnerware aside. “Not really. I was more nervous when Mr. Garfiel said he’d entertain me. I don’t think that I have anything to fear from the bastard.”
“Brother, you really shouldn’t call him that. Roy’s our friend.” Al wagged his head, a put upon expression on his face.
Ed tossed a couch pillow at his brother. “Do you know what Mustang said to me while he was recovering from his wounds? I was being nice to him and he said to stop because if I was being nice it must mean he was dying.”
“That says nothing good about you, you know that right? The two of you are a real pair.” Winry’s head dropped back against the couch cushion. “You’re so mean to him and he either expects it or wants it. How you didn’t drive poor Al insane all these years, I’ll never know.”
“What makes you think I’m sane?” Al grinned at her.
“My mistake.” Winry laughed, pointedly resisting the urge to clean up the pie plates. “So, what should we do tonight?”
“With just the three of us?” Al rolled his shoulders as he considered the popular games, most of which required groups or just duos. “Charades.”
Ed scowled. “I hate that game. I stink at it.”
“Because you have no patience.” Winry patted his thigh then got up. “I’ll get some paper so we can make up some categories. Everyone for themselves tonight, no teams.”
“I think we’d better walk Den and Hayate first,” Ed said, trying to find ways to delay a game he knew he’d lose, and the dogs’ ears pricked hearing their names.
Winry nodded as Al got up to help his brother leash up the hounds. Hayate pranced at the end of his leash in anticipation. Den stood more sedately. Al peered out the window into the street.
“Brother, someone’s looking at the house.” Worry tightened Al’s voice. Winry dropped the tablet she had fetched as she made her way to him. Ed crowded into the window, too, not thinking that three people in a well-lit window might raise suspicions.
“That’s General Leonard,” Ed said, squinting into the gloom. “Or at least I think so. I’m pretty sure that’s one of the people Roy was warning us about. Sort of looks familiar. I don’t know the woman with him but I think I’ve seen her before.”
“This is bad.” Winry headed for the phone. After she picked it up, her lips curled. “It’s dead.”
“Do you think they cut the lines?” Al’s eyes went huge with worry then he calmed himself. “We can fix them.”
“Let’s not take the time. Into the back yard with the dogs,” Ed said, yanking on Hayate’s leash. “We can go through the fence. They won’t be expecting us to make our own door there.”
“What if there’s more of them?” Winry went to Roy’s desk and retrieved his gun. She didn’t really know how to use it but she hoped it would be intimidating enough that she wouldn’t have to.
“You shouldn’t need that,” Ed said grimly as he eyed the pistol. From the look in his eyes, Winry knew he didn’t like her touching it. “But bring it.”
The youngsters went outside with the dogs. Al pointed to someone just tall enough to barely be seen over the back gate. They went as quietly as they could to the far back corner away from the gate. The sound of the transmutation was thundering but they didn’t linger to think on it or look to see if the military men were following. Ed took the lead, racing through the streets with Winry and Al following. Poor Den’s metal leg clacked out a staccato ‘we’re over here’ but in Rush Valley, with all its noise, they hoped the sound got lost.
“We’re not far from Mr Garfiel’s. Should we take cover there or will that put him in danger?” Winry asked breathlessly as they paused to get their bearings
“Big as he is, I don’t see Garfiel as a fighter. We’d best go straight to Mustang. Hu...Gibson won’t be pleased if we lead anyone to his place, but he can handle himself if something is still following us,” Ed said, glancing over his shoulder. “Don’t see anyone.”
“We’d better hurry, just in case,” Al said and they picked up the dizzying pace again.
By the time they arrived at Hughes’ nondescript little house, even Winry wasn’t sure she knew where she was. Hopefully no one could follow them. Ed pounded on the door with his usual loud impatience. As Winry stood between the brothers, she suddenly felt serene, in spite of Mustang and Hawkeye’s constant warnings about the danger. She knew even if she failed to keep herself safe - and she was pretty confident in her abilities to take care of herself, gun aside, - the brothers would protect her. Still, that didn’t make this any less scary.
X X X
The sounds of someone at the door startled Maes awake. Riza looked up groggily, too. Roy remained dead to the world, which was all Maes needed to see. Tomorrow night, like it or not, Roy would need to rest and admit he wasn’t at full strength. No more sex for Roy until he was actually recovered. “I’ll get it,” he mumbled to Riza as he hunted for his boxers.
“Who could it be?” She rubbed her eyes. “Damn, if it’s the kids...” She wormed over, trying to find her pants along with her gun in the dark, with just the embers of the fire shedding a bit of light.
“Then there’s trouble.” Maes unlocked his door, feeling exposed. He hadn’t had time to find his blades. He sighed in relief as he saw the kids. “Get inside,” he ordered, knowing they hadn’t come for no reason.
“We don’t think they followed us,” Al said as they and their dogs came inside.
“Hold the story for just a moment.” Maes flipped on the light and Hawkeye mewled, trying to shove into her pants. “Sorry, Riza.”
Ed and Al stared at her bare back while Hayate danced, seeing his master. “That array,” Ed breathed, his eyes drinking in the bright ink over her pale flesh. “It’s his.”
“Oh...those scars,” Al shuddered, concentrating on the ruin of the masterpiece. Riza blushed at all the attention.
“Quit staring at her.” Winry forcibly turned both boys around. She was more disturbed that the brothers were far more interested in the alchemic array than in ogling a half naked woman. Winry was trying hard to not stare at Maes in his boxers. “Sorry, we didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“We were asleep,” Maes assured her. “I think Roy still is. Is he dead, Riza?”
“Might be,” she replied, muffled by her shirt as she pulled it on.
Maes nudged Roy’s foot where it stuck out from under the covers. “Roy, wake up.”
Roy’s head came up but he was lying on the wrong side, leaving the empty socket trying to scan the room. He scowled as he rolled so he could see. “Where?”
“You’re on the floor. The kids are here. I think something’s happened.” Maes tossed Roy his pants then went to pull on his own.
“Did they see Riza naked?” Roy flopped back on the pillow, his voice almost unintelligible it was so thick with sleep.
“Yes, they know why we want her. Now do try to wake up, Roy, and make some sense,” Maes scolded, buckling up before hunting for his shirt.
Riza plopped the eyepatch down over Roy’s head. “Yes, do. You boys can turn back around now.” She glanced over to the brothers who were fighting Winry trying to catch another glimpse of her.
Roy squirmed around, trying to pull on his pants under the covers. “What’s happening?”
“Sit, kids, tell us, what’s going on.” Maes instructed, waving at the couch. None of the teens seemed to want to come into the living room love nest any further than they already had.
“We tried to call you but our phone is dead. We think the line was cut,” Winry said, reaching down to soothe Hayate who still wanted loose.
“I think I saw General Leonard and a woman outside watching the house. That’s when we tried to call you,” Ed added, letting Hayate go. The dog trotted over to Riza.
“We decided to make our own gate out of the fence when we couldn’t call. There was someone with dark hair at the real gate but that’s all we could see, so there were at least three of them. We don’t think they followed us,” Alphonse added, running his hands through Den’s fur as the older dog looked for freedom of her own.
“Should we check it out?” Ed cast an eye at the front door. “They might still be watching the house but I doubt it. They probably followed us for a little while.”
“No one’s going anywhere yet,” Maes said then looked over to Roy who was still slowly trying to get to his feet. His solitary dark orb remained clouded with sleep. “Roy?”
“I’ll call headquarters and get some troops mobilized to round them up,” Roy replied, staggering over to retrieve his shirt.
“We could handle three people,” Ed argued, not really wanting to wait.
“Just because you saw three people doesn’t mean that’s all there are Ed,” Maes said, gently. “Though if a general is doing his own scouting it means one of two things; there really is only three of them or he wants full credit for capturing you and your brother.”
“We have no idea how many Bradley loyalists there are,” Riza reminded them as she looked at her gun clip as if to reassure herself that it really was fully loaded.
“I guess,” Ed said, sullenly. “I don’t like this. People shouldn’t be chasing us. This should be over.”
“Once I make the call, Edward, you, Riza and I can scout out what they’re up to if we can,” Roy said, running a hand through his wildy disarrayed hair. “Winry and Al can stay here with Maes.”
“Who said I’m staying behind, Roy? You’re still recovering and you spent the last two days over exerting yourself. You’re in no condition to go out there,” Maes protested, putting a hand on Roy’s shoulder.
“Maes, if you’re spotted, someone might recognize you. I can’t risk that. Can you? Are you ready to be reborn as Hughes or do you want to stay Gibson?” Roy grumbled, shaking free.
Maes scowled, looking at his feet. “I don’t know. I want this to end as much as the brothers do but I’m still not sure if it’s safe for Gracia and Elicia if I’m back.”
“Envy’s gone,” Alphonse said. “Into the gate. Lust, Wrath, Greed, Pride and Sloth are dead. We lost track of Gluttony, if that matters.”
“Dante’s gone, too, and she was behind all of this with the homunculi,” Edward added. “But I wouldn’t say it’s safe out there. There were a lot of people who had to fall when Bradley went down. They blame me and Mustang mostly for that; Hawkeye, too. We aren’t exactly safe to be around but I can’t convince Winry of that.”
“I’m not leaving you and Al,” she said wearily, as if this was a very old argument.
Maes rubbed his chin. “I’ll stay here with Winry and Al. I want to come back to my old life but I want it to be as safe as possible. That won’t happen if I go dashing around recklessly. You three be careful out there.”
“We’ll be fine,” Roy said with his usual overconfidence. “Riza will protect us.” He frowned, seeing her wince at those words. “You will.”
She just nodded, not looking at him as she rechecked her pistol.
Winry got up and handed Roy his pistol. “You might need this.”
Roy looked to Maes. “You have enough weapons here? I have my gloves.”
“Take the gun. We won’t need it,” Maes assured him, going to his own gun cabinet. He fetched a weapon for himself, Winry and Al.
Roy pocketed the weapon then went to make his call.
“I hate this...feeling helpless.” Ed stomped his foot. His body trembled with barely contained fury.
“Ed, if there’s one word I’d never use for you, it’s helpless,” Maes said, soothingly. “You were caught between two forces, with the phone lines cut, and you managed to escape and get to safety. That is not helpless.”
“How did you even see them outside the house?” Riza holstered her weapon.
“I was dragging my heels so I wouldn’t have to play charades,” Ed said. “And said we should walk the dogs.”
“You do stink at that game,” Riza agreed with a gentle smile. Ed, as per usual, bristled at the teasing.
“And when I looked outside to see what the weather was like, I saw them,” Al said as Ed made a face at Riza.
“Lucky break then,” Maes said. “I can understand why you feel out of control, though. Of course, it was mere luck that brought Roy across my path yesterday. You never know how things will go.”
“Well, I hope they start doing a better job than they have at rounding up the loyalists. I’m tired of running. I’d like to stay here in Rush Valley a little while. I have someone here willing to train me,” Winry said, bitterly. “And I’d like Ed and Al to stay, too...though I know Ed might not get to unless he quits the military. There’s really no need to stay in any more.” Winry’s eyes cut back to Riza. “No offense meant, Riza. It’s just...I don’t think it was Ed’s dream to be a soldier.”
Riza smiled softly. “It really wasn’t mine either until I realized that I had someone to protect and that my best talent was with a gun.” Her smile softened. “Until I....” she shook her head, her dark eyes misting.
Winry got up and hugged her. “He still thinks you’re the best, you know.”
Riza patted Winry’s back with a rueful look. “Does Roy talk about this with everyone?”
“Pretty much,” Al said with a gentle smile. “I think he likes talking about you, Riza.”
Roy came back, cutting off anything Riza might have to say. “It’s settled. Armstrong is coming with reinforcements from Central and I’ve mobilized the troops here. We should go.”
“Maybe you should put on your uniform first,” Ed said, gesturing to Roy’s love-bitten neck, his cheeks going pink again. “Or at least something that has a collar.”
Roy scowled, a low grumble rolling around his throat. “Yeah.”
Once they were properly dressed, Roy and Riza left with Edward. Maes started cleaning up the bedding, a little self consciously. Al and Winry took that time to step outside and let the dogs actually do their business. By the time they got back, he had gotten some ice cream out of the ice chest. “Want some?” Maes asked.
“Sure,” Al said, a hungry look in his eyes.
“Al, you had three pieces of pie. I know you’re so excited to taste things again but you’re going to get fat,” Winry warned, shaking a hand at him.
“But I don’t do it every night. Besides I’m worried. I need a distraction,” Al protested, casting a longing look at the ice cream container.
Maes just spooned out three small helpings. “A little won’t hurt. You two okay?”
“Angry that they won’t leave us alone,” Winry said, grimly, accepting the bowl of ice cream. Maes waved her back to the couch.
“And sorry we had to bother you,” Al said, a whisper of pink on his cheeks as he followed Winry.
“Don’t worry about it. Honestly, we were asleep,” Maes said. “Roy could probably sleep for a day at this point. He wasn’t hurt all that long ago, was he? News of what happened in Central is spotty here and very sanitized. I don’t know what really happened.”
“It’s only been about a month, I guess. He was hurt pretty bad. That sword went into his lung. I guess if the Fuhrer had cut the other way, Ed wouldn’t be the only one with an automail arm,” Winry said, with a doctor’s practicality. “Roy is luckier than he knows...or he does know and he just doesn’t want to admit it.”
“He’s been a soldier since he was a young man, too, he knows. That’s why Riza is so down on herself,” Maes said, his lips falling into a frown that seemed foreign on his long face. “They were so lucky that bullet’s path caught him in the eye and just went out through the orbit. Anywhere else and she would have killed him.”
“I know. She’s so sad,” Al said, as if feeling Riza’s pain and giving it voice. “I think she’s just starting to see that there’s no point in blaming herself. I bet...you could help her with that. She looked so happy to see you, too.”
“You’re a sweet, kid, you know that, don’t you Al?” Maes asked and Al blushed. “I don’t like just sitting around here doing nothing. Tell me what you can about what really happened with Bradley.”
“I was in Rezembool so I only know what they told me,” Winry said. “But I can tell you that.”
“That’ll do.” Maes settled back and tried to concentrate, hoping not to worry. He knew none of them would succeed in that.
X X X
“This sucks,” Ed muttered, glancing around the barely lit street. “How could they have disappeared so fast?”
“You did run all over town trying to be sure you weren’t followed. It wasn’t all that fast,” Roy said, leaning against a street lamp.
“I know.” Ed studied Roy under the dim yellowish light. “You okay? You look like hell.”
“I’m just exhausted,” Roy said, pushing off the pole.
Ed snorted. “I wonder why. No, I don’t. I don’t want to wonder. I might start picturing it and that would just disturb me. I never want to imagine you naked, for any reason, ever.”
“That’s actually comforting,” Roy replied, wearily.
“Nothing down here,” Riza called, coming out of an alley way. Her eyes narrowed. “What are you two arguing about now?”
“We’re actually agreeing on something.” Roy smiled.
Riza rolled her eyes. “They’re nowhere around the house. We should find a call box and see if they did manage to find Maes.”
“I don’t want to think about that,” Ed shuddered. He knew he’d never handle Hughes dying twice, not to mention his brother and Winry.
“We’ll call then we’ll head to the Nobody’s Inn,” Roy said, rubbing the bridge of his nose, nearly dislodging his eye patch.
“We’re going drinking?” Ed’s brow knit. “Why?”
“We’re not. It’s probably closed but the general and his men might be there looking for clues. How did they find us tonight of all nights?” Roy’s lips thinned. “If someone saw me in the bar last night, they might have reported it to Leonard and he might have tracked me back to our home from there, though it would make more sense if they managed to follow me to Maes’,” Roy reasoned, starting towards the pub. “It’s about the best I can think of at the moment.”
“It’s another place to start,” Riza said soothingly.
“Why not? Hell, I’m surprised you’re actually able to get up and walk around, let alone think,” Ed said then flushed ruby as Roy and Riza both stopped and stared at him. “I didn’t mean....I meant the injuries...quit looking at me! Forget I spoke. Ugh, now I’m picturing things.” Ed scrubbed a hand over his eyes.
“Just shut up, Fullmetal. I’m going to let Leonard have you,” Roy said, tapping his fingers in Ed’s general direction.
“Al will cry,” Riza pointed out.
Roy snorted. “It’s the only thing staying my hand.”
“That and the fact I could take you without trying given the shape you’re in,” Ed said, embarrassment washing away in a flood of temper.
“Boys, I’m really thinking it’s you two who should be on leashes, not Den and Hayate,” Riza said scathingly. “Would you like to shut up now or shall you just write ‘here we are’ in flames over our head for Leonard and his men?”
The two men silenced with twin pouts, and Roy took them to the Nobody’s Inn. There was a light on inside the building. Roy tensed and his companions took note of it. It was late, later than most places would be open. “Riza, you and Ed go in through the back. I’ll take the front, keep whoever it is distracted and hope it’s just not the cleaning person or something.”
Riza blanched. “You’ll be in my line of fire if you....”
Roy put a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry about it, Riza. I’ve been there many times before. You are not responsible for the freak ricochet off Archer’s automail. I trust you.”
“It’ll be okay, Riza. The bastard knows what he’s doing,” Ed said, almost sounding convinced.
Riza nodded, a dejected look in her eyes. She followed Edward around the pub. Roy waited a few beats then stepped inside. He was not surprised to see it wasn’t the cleaning crew. Leonard was sitting at a table with his adjutant, a woman whose name he couldn’t remember, watching two other men slapping around the waitress who had served him last night. The bartender was tied up on the floor.
“They got away at the house. Our man saw the General leave there and come here. Where else would they go?” Leonard asked the bleeding girl.
“How should I know?” She wiped her split lip. “The one-eyed man was only ever in here once. I don’t know him.”
“Mustang’s a drinker. You expect me to believe he’s never been in here.” Leonard laughed as one of his lieutenants slapped the girl again.
“He hasn’t been,” she said, her eyes leveling on Roy. To her credit, she gave no signs of seeing him as Roy shoved his hands into his gloves.
“Really, Leonard, it’s not like I’m a lush,” Roy said, snapping his fingers just enough to make warning sparks. “Now be good henchmen and let the girl go.”
“We’re the true officers of the military, not some turncoat like you. You don’t get to order us around,” one of the lieutenants snarled at Mustang, giving the waitress a good shake for emphasis.
“You can tell your men to stop grandstanding now, Leonard. You’ve found me,” Mustang smirked at the general.
“Yes, I didn’t think you’d make it this easy for me to kill you, murderer.” Leonard’s hand went towards his gun.
“Uh–uh-uh, Leonard, I’ll burn you before you clear your holster,” Roy said, the humor leaving his face. He saw Riza and Ed working their way into the room. He could afford his own grandstanding. He extended his arm, gloved fingers at the ready.
“Is that how you killed our king?” Leonard asked, his hand stilling.
“Murderous bastard,” the female lieutenant growled, her own hand twitching over her weapon.
“He was strangling his own son. I don’t feel too guilty about what I did. Now why don’t you all just put your weapons on the table. I think the new parliament would love to speak to you, General Leonard,” Roy said, keeping his voice controlled, not giving a clue to how tired he was. “Or I’ll have Hawkeye shoot you and you don’t even want to know what Fullmetal wants to do to you.” He tried not to let it show that he was hurt when Riza flinched at that.
Leonard whipped around to face Ed and Riza, his color fading when he realized he was the one surrounded.
“Fullmetal’s pretty pissed that you people won’t leave him and his brother alone. He’s little but he’s scary,” Roy said, his fingers dancing over each other in a showy display of untapped power.
“Don’t call me little,” Ed grated out, his palms pressing together.
Mustang was honestly surprised when Leonard had his men give up. Most of the old guard generals had been fools who knew which ass to kiss with a few exceptions like Basque Gran. Leonard had a tougher reputation but he probably liked his own skin too well. Mustang, Hawkeye, and Edward trussed the loyalists up the best they could.
“Why won’t you people just leave me alone?” Ed asked, getting into Leonard’s face while Roy borrowed the pub’s phone to call in the reinforcements. Riza freed the bartender.
“Oh, there’s big plans for you and your brother,” Leonard said, not cowed by Ed’s bravado but cautious never the less. “But don’t think I’ll tell you anything, no matter what you do to me. I’m nothing. There’s so many more of us, you’ll never know what happened to you when it comes to it.”
Edward tried to threaten the general and Roy let him practice his skills. Edward didn’t really have the heart for it. Roy lost track of what was being said, fighting to not fall asleep at the table while they waited for the parliamentary soldiers to show up and take custody. Finally they did and Edward came over to Mustang. “It’s never going to be over, is it?”
Roy shook his head. “Not yet. I didn’t call Ma...Luc...should have.” He brushed a hand over his face. “We need to go home.”
“We can’t. They were in there.” Ed shuddered. “If we didn’t get them all, they’ll be back.”
“I meant Luc’s place,” Roy said as Riza put her hands on him.
“There’s not enough room for us all to stay there. There’s a hotel down the block. Mr. Wilson’s brother owns it.” Riza gestured at the bartender. “He’s called and got him to fix up some rooms for us.”
“But...” Roy said, dragging to his feet.
“No buts. I’ll call Luc from the hotel. Either Winry and Al can sleep on the floor there or he can bring them to the hotel. You’re in no shape to walk back, General.” Riza said, sternly. “Look at you. You’re white as milk and you’re holding onto the table so you don’t fall down. Next time when we ask are you sure you’re all right, don’t lie.”
“You do look like hell,” Ed said, glancing away as if he didn’t want to think about what Riza was referring to.
“So you’ve said before.” Roy tried to put some starch in his step. “Let’s see that hotel.”
Roy didn’t even remember getting to his room. The last thing he would be able to recall the next day was warning Ed to not let Leonard worry cracks in his psyche. He didn’t know that Ed helped walk him to the room, pull down the covers and get the combat boots off him so Riza wouldn’t have to do everything, and wouldn’t know unless Riza broke her word to Ed about it.
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Date: 2006-04-12 11:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-13 12:15 am (UTC)We're trying to get the archive up at our site but our mistress is a working mom so it's slow going. Not all my stories are Jossverse if that matters. I do appreciate the offer.
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Date: 2006-04-13 05:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-13 04:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-13 02:23 am (UTC)*dances muchly*
THANK YOU FOR MY FIC.
*is a very, very happy girl*
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Date: 2006-07-17 01:46 am (UTC)