Birthday Fic !

[cornerofmadness]

Happy Birthday mjules !!!

Hope you have a great birthday. Here's your birthday fic...it's not done because I just don't have enough hours in the day.

Petals Fall like Tears
A Color_i_fic story - Color - Cherry Blossom
D M Evans
Rating - R
Pairings - Roy/Riza, Maes/Gracia (and ANY combination of the four of them you can think of), Ed/Winry, Izumi/Sig, Heck even Al, Havoc and Armstrong get a girl
Time Line - Post Anime, ignoring the movie with a few key anime points changed like, Ed’s not in Europe, Al’s not a kid, all of Rush Valley is Manga centered and oh, a few people didn’t actually die.
Summary - With friends and family all around and a Cherry Blossom Festival to go to with new loves, what could possibly go wrong?
Author’s Note - Thanks to evil_little_dog for the beta. This was written for mjules for her birthday. Happy birthday; sorry it’s not finished. This is the sequel to If Happiness Forgets You and a prequel Curiosity Killed the Teenager to and was written as part of the color_i_fic Garden of Eden challenge and thanks to ELD for the title which this didn't have when I first posted it...


Chapter One

“You have to be so excited,” Winry said, pouring the tea for everyone as they crowded around Maes’ living room on a bright weekend afternoon. Since discovering Maes was alive and living under cover as Luc Gibson in Rush Valley, Roy, Riza and the teens liked to spend time together but usually their togetherness didn’t have the energy thrumming through the room now.

“I haven’t seen Gracia in weeks, so you’d better believe it.” Maes smirked, sipping the tea, his eyes glazed with thoughts of seeing his wife.

“But she’s not bringing Elicia.” Winry’s lower lip pouched out.

“I think she’d be in the way for the kind of week they have planned,” Ed said wryly, blowing over his tea. His eyes cut over to the adults, sitting clumped together on one of Maes’ two battered, old couches. He glared at them for making him think about them having sex.

“Brother,” Al moaned reflexively. He always wondered where their mother’s training in good manners had disappeared to in Ed.

“Hush, Fullmetal, or we’ll make you witness it,” Roy threatened, smirking at the young man. Riza elbowed him.

Ed shuddered, capping a metal hand over his eyes. “I’m good. Keep it all to yourself, you horny bastard.”

“Calling him a bastard is only going to make him more likely to tell you all about it,” Riza warned with a sinful smile. Thinking Riza was imagining naked scenarios with her men, Ed shuddered some more.

“Well, I think it’s sweet that you get to spend the Cherry Blossom Festival with your wife, sir...Maes.” Al stumbled, still not used to calling the adults in his life by their proper names. It was all still so new to him. Everything was, even the taste of tea on his now-human tongue.

“Thanks, Al,” Maes replied, favoring the slender boy with a smile.

“Speaking of the festival, Alphonse, have you asked her out yet?” Roy’s eyes gleamed wickedly. Ed’s head snapped over, his brow knitting as he tried to puzzle out what Mustang meant.

Al flushed and set his tea cup down. “I think it’s time to go meet the train.”

“We just poured the tea. There’s time,” Winry pointed out, smiling at Al. “So, did you ask her?”

“Winry!” Al’s blush deepened as Ed turned on him, planting an arm near his brother’s shoulders and sinking into the couch pillows. Al scooted away from his brother and set his chin, waiting for the barrage.

“You like someone?” Ed’s expression said he couldn’t believe that he had missed that.

“Who are you taking to the festival dance, Ed?” Al asked, trying to deflect attention.

“There’s a dance?” Ed wrinkled his nose. “Isn’t this festival just a bunch of people coming to see cherry blossoms that don’t even grow here! They have to bring them in by train. Why don’t they just call it the ‘it doesn’t rain here, we have no flowers’ festival?”

“I’ve already told Mr. Garfiel that I’ll have to go to the dance all alone. He’s so upset.” Winry shot Ed a look that could have smelted his automail.

“Edward, you’re just not very bright, are you?” Roy wagged his head but looked amused at the plight Ed didn’t even know he was in.

Ed scowled. “What now?”

“I’ll tell you after we get back from meeting the train,” Roy said, setting aside the cup. “And we need to talk later, Alphonse.”

“Yes, sir,” Al said meekly as he got to his feet. Ed’s scowl grew to display his dislike of Roy taking over the role of big brother as of late. Roy just arched an eyebrow at Ed who showed unusual discretion in not getting into a snit about it.

They all set aside the tea cups and made the short drive to the train to pick up Gracia. There weren’t many streets in Rush Valley that were wide enough to accommodate a car but at least there were ones that allowed them to get to the train station. Ed had been surprised to learn Mustang could drive since he’d never really seen him do it until after Bradley was dead. Ed was used to seeing the man being shuttled around by his junior officers. Now, Roy liked to drive as if he had something to prove while the rest of them white-knuckled the ride, afraid that his depth perception problem would end up with all of them wrapped around a pole. Today Maes took the wheel, probably not trusting the life of his beloved wife to Roy’s impatient half-blind skills. Roy was left riding shotgun. Riza and the teens crowded into the back of the large vehicle. Roy fidgeted, hating to have his blind spot to the driver but decided that was probably better than having it to the window where real danger might lie.

“There’s a girl?” Ed hissed to Al who flushed. Just like a terrier, Ed refused to let go no matter how much his brother wanted him to. Al was ready to deal with Ed like he would a terrier, with a slap on the nose.

“If you paid the slightest bit of attention you’d know that Ed, and you’d know who,” Winry said bitingly. Her arms folded across her chest as she eyed him.

Ed tossed up his hands. “Who is it?”

“Winry’s right. Everyone knows but you. I shouldn’t have to tell you, Brother.” Al crossed his arms, sulking.

Ed’s eyes tightened to golden pinpoints as he scanned the car for support and found none. “Fine. Don’t.”

“Ed, this is the time to start living a little,” Maes said, glancing up into the rear view. “You’ve accomplished a lot of your goals. You’ve earned a little fun. You can act like a teenager. It’s all right.”

“I’m okay,” Ed said, crossing his arms as well, making a matched set of sulky teens.

“Ed, Maes is right,” Roy said, cupping his chin in his hand as he looked out the side window. “You need to cut loose a little, have fun, catch some movies, got to a dance, have a few beers, get la-”

“Roy!” Riza said sharply, kicking the seat.

“What? It might improve his disposition,” Roy protested, dropping his hand.

“For all the sex you have, your disposition doesn’t get any better,” Ed retorted, punching the seat back.

Maes howled with laughter, jerking the wheel. Roy flailed around, trying to twist to look in the back seat, cursing at his blind spot.

Riza patted Ed’s knee. “That was beautiful, Ed, truly.”

“Don’t encourage him, Riza!” Roy said, petulantly. He pouted at his lover and adjutant.

“That was too perfect not to,” Riza said, and Roy sank into a sulk that lasted until they arrived at the train station which involved a lot of hassle in finding a parking spot and trudging in the heat of the morning sun. Ed and Roy sent up twin whines about being too hot, Roy adding grumblings about how much he hated the desert.

Maes’ eyes opened wide when Gracia disembarked with Elicia in her arms. The little girl gave no signs of recognizing her father in his disguise as Luc Gibson with his bleached blond hair and clean shaven face. Maes went to the effort to disguise his voice as he called Gracia’s name. She came over and gave his cheek a chaste kiss, pretending that this man wasn’t really someone she knew well. Pretenses had to be kept up. “Hello again, Mr. Gibson. Meet my daughter, Elicia. There was a slight change in plans and I brought her along.”

“Isn’t this train from the south?” Winry asked, seeing which track it was on.

Maes’ brow knit. He shot his wife a confused look. “Yes, it is. Gracia?”

“We took a detour to pick someone up,” Gracia replied, casting about for a porter to get her luggage.

“We?” Mae’s eyebrows climbed.

Gracia turned and pointed to the elderly woman disembarking the train.

“Granny!” Winry cried and ran to embrace Pinako, with Ed and Al right behind her.

“If I had to wait for you three to come home, I’d be an old lady.” Pinako grinned as she was mobbed by teens. She embraced Al and gave Ed a slap on his backside. Ed regarded her with surprise.

“That’s a nice thing you did, Gracia.” Maes hugged her and Elicia all at once. Elicia fussed, not recognizing her father with his bleached hair.

“Oh, I’m not done. Resembool isn’t south of here,” Gracia said, smiling as she went to greet Roy and Riza.

“No, that would be Dublith,” Roy said, kissing Elicia’s cheek as the little girl put her arms around his neck, bubbling out an ‘Unca Roy!’

“Huh?” Ed’s head jerked up at the name of the town that had been home for a short time. “You didn’t bring...”

“She did.” Al nodded toward the train, a worried look on his face. Ed blanched. Izumi and Sig came down the stairs with a small boy between them. Sig looked as stoic as ever. Izumi wore her customary mildly irritated expression. “Teacher!”

“Did you two think a mere phone call was enough to let me know you got Al back? Did you not think I’d want to see him!” Izumi roared and strangers on the platform backed away. The boy let go of her hand and clung to Sig’s thick leg. “You idiot boys.”

“It wasn’t our fault, Teacher!” Ed said as he and Al snapped to attention. “The military has been moving us around to hide us. There are still people who’ll hurt us.”

Roy glared at Ed for blurting out what should have been a closely kept secret.

“And you couldn’t move a few more miles down the track to Dublith? What damn military dog’s decision was that?” Izumi pressed, stalking up to Ed, leaving the placid Sig moving in her wake, holding the boy.

“General Jackass!” Ed stabbed a finger at Roy.

Roy’s eye widened then his mouth tightened. The look on his face told Ed this would be back to bite him in the ass. Roy inclined his head to Izumi. “My apologies, ma’am. If the brothers had merely said their teacher was so close, I would have been sure to arrange a visit. I know we spirited them away before you were fully recovered after your assistance in Central. I do thank you for all you did there.”

Izumi shot him an incredulous look. She knew when someone was laying it on thick. “Who the hell are you?”

Roy smiled and put his hand on Riza’s arm as she went to answer. She had been the one to deal with the Curtises when the Elrics suggested them as adoptive parents for Selim after Bradley’s death and his wife’s disappearance. “Well, in spite of what Fullmetal will tell you, I prefer not to go by the name ‘Jackass.’ I’m General Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist.”

Izumi rolled her eyes then turned back to her former pupils. “So, is he right? Did you not try to come see me?”

“We were lying low. People know who trained us. You’ve have been...in danger,” Al finished lamely, trying to picture Izumi actually in danger and failing. He tugged on his ponytail nervously.

“And don’t be so sure that General Shit didn’t know that you were in Dublith,” Ed said, glaring at Roy. The general curled his lip at him.

“Ms. Curtis, how did you handle Edward’s potty mouth when he was under your tutelage?” Roy’s voice dripped with sweetness.

“Smack him in the head.” Izumi reached out and did just that, making Ed’s braid swing wildly. Winry tried not to look too triumphant, having been wanting to do that since his ill thought out dance comments.

“I was afraid of that. Sadly, I’m not permitted to hit junior officers.” Roy pouted as Gracia and Pinako talked to some porters as their luggage was delivered. “I’ll just have to maneuver others into doing it for me.”

“Al wouldn’t hit me,” Ed replied with a smirk, rubbing the back of his head. He took a step closer to Maes, probably thinking Hughes wouldn’t hit him either.

“I’m betting your girl will.” Roy smirked back.

Ed’s cheeks went crimson. “My what?”

“See?” Roy pointed to Winry’s pinched, angry face. “I’ll give you a club, Winry.”

“I have my wrenches,” Winry grated out, shooting daggers at the blond youth and Ed winced.

“There are better uses for your tools, girl,” Pinako said, wagging a finger at her granddaughter. “And I expect to see the progress you’ve made here.”

“But first we should get everyone home. Unfortunately, I have no guest rooms,” Maes said, surveying the crowd of friends.

“I have a few. Our house is rather large. Dr. Rockbell, you’re most welcome to stay with the teens, Riza and I, though I can’t swear Loyalists won’t try to rout us.” Roy held her gaze uncomfortably for a moment, wondering if Pinako knew what he had done to her family, then he turned to Izumi and Sig. “And you’re also welcome to stay, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis. If you aren’t comfortable with staying with military men, I’m sure we can find you a good hotel even with the Cherry Blossom crowd in town.”

“Do stay,” Al pleaded, turning big hazel eyes on Izumi.

Izumi turned to Sig and he shrugged expansively, peeling Selim away from his leg finally. Izumi regarded her former charges and said, “We can stay. Selim would probably enjoy that more than a hotel.”

“Good,” Ed said, honestly looking happy to have his teacher around. “Thank you, Teacher.”

“We’ll have fun with Selim,” Al said, squatting down to eye level with the boy who smiled shyly at him. “You’ll have to tell us your favorite games. I bet Elicia would like to play, too.”

As Selim tucked against her, Izumi smiled, patting Al’s head. “You’re going to be so good to have around for Selim.”

“Have there been problems?” Roy asked, quietly.

“We were warned by your friend that there could be,” Sig said softly, nodding at Riza as Selim was tempted from his side by Elicia. “But he’s been pretty good. There have been no problems with the neighbor children. Selim does have a sense of...entitlement.”

“I’m glad to hear that, about there not being problems. I’m sure he grew up with a strong sense of entitlement,” Roy said with a shake of his head. “It’s not his fault his father was what he was.”

“Many times he has told us the Flame Alchemist saved him. You’re his hero.” Izumi glanced at her adopted son, who was showing Elicia his toy truck. “He doesn’t usually mentioning seeing you hurt. I was told you were.”

“He didn’t even flinch when it happened. I was...nothing because Bradley told him I was. That was a little frightening,” Roy said, looking at Selim thoughtfully. He saw Maes tensing. Roy hadn’t told his friend that part of the story. “I don’t think Selim understood what that meant.”

“That might be what his nightmares are about. How much did he see?” Izumi’s eyes flicked to Roy’s patch.

Roy fingered it as Riza’s hand brushed the small of his back. “That happened after Selim was unconscious. I can tell you the rest later when we get home. Speaking of which, not everyone is going to fit in the car. Ladies, Riza will drive you, the kids, and the luggage home. Gentleman, we get to walk.”

“The route’s not going to run past the Down on the Corner, is it?” Ed moaned, his shoulders sinking. Al just covered his face briefly. Leave it to his brother to start up again.

“What are you? My Mom?” Roy shot back, his onyx eyes darkening.

“It’s just most of your routes home run through the center of a bar,” Ed said and Al winced, taking a cautious step away.

“Only when you’re around.” Roy poked Ed in the chest. “You drive me to drink.”

Ed batted Mustang’s hand away. “It’s a short drive.”

“Children!” Maes broke in, nudging them both. “Not in front of the guests.” He surrendered the car keys to Riza. “Help our family with their luggage before I have to separate you two. It’s going to look funny with a major and a general standing in the corners.”

“Bet someone spent a lot of time in the corner,” Roy grumbled, taking some of Gracia’s bags.

Ed’s lips skinned back. “Bet I wasn’t the only one.”

“Riza, I’d have you paddle Mustang, but...” Maes shrugged.

“He’d enjoy it too much,” Riza finished, glaring at her lover who refused to look apologetic.

“I have an extra wrench,” Winry said. “Generally they don’t like taking them to the head.”

Maes glanced over at the newcomers. “I’m sorry but you probably already know what at least one of these two are like.”

“We do,” Izumi said grimly, glowering at Ed who, just like his superior officer, refused to look contrite.

Once the women were off in the car, the men started hiking toward home, wending through the crowded, noisy streets of Rush Valley. Al, seeing the look in Ed’s eye and how he was sneaking up on Roy’s blind side, grabbed his brother’s golden braid and hauled him back.

“Ow!” Ed yelped, reaching back to free himself of his brother’s death grip.

“Thanks, Al. I would hate to have to burn him right before the big dance,” Roy said, not even looking back at Ed.

“Like to see you try,” Ed growled, dodging a lamp pole, trying to get away from Al.

Al shoved him. “Brother!”

“Just because you messed up with Winry doesn’t mean you get to be pissy with me all day, Ed,” Roy said with a little dismissive wave of his hand.

“I didn’t mess up with Winry,” Ed growled, the color rising in his cheeks.

“Ed, yes, you did,” Maes said, with a rueful shake of his head.

“Really, Brother, you should know better.” Al just rolled his eyes then looked to Sig who seemed to be concentrating on dodging the crowds and ignoring the feuding men.

“That dumb dance,” Ed grumbled, expertly outmaneuvering an automailer whose eyes lit up voraciously at the sight of Ed’s bared metal arm.

“Generally speaking, Ed, women like festivals and dancing. Some even enjoy dressing up occasionally,” Maes said gently, hoping to defuse some of the tension.

“And you have to fake enthusiasm sometimes or you’ll get very lonely very quickly,” Roy said, a soft note to his voice that was wasted on Ed.

Ed made a face. “But I don’t like dancing, all that wiggling around.”

“Better that than doing all your wiggling by yourself. That metal hand of yours might snag something tender.” Roy smirked, making an appropriate hand gesture.

Ed’s jaw dropped, his face flushed and he made a noise that said, ‘see, killing him should be legal.’ Maes elbowed his friend.

“A dance,” Sig rumbled, scrubbing a finger in his beard. “Izumi would like that.”

“You and Teacher dance?” Ed asked as if that was the most unbelievable thing he ever heard.

“She taught you, didn’t she?” Sig’s beard twitched as he smiled. “Your friends are trying to give you good advice, Edward.”

“Fine, I’ll ask Winry to the dance,” Ed huffed, his lips falling into a pout.

“Try not to make it sound like she’s holding your feet to the fire, Brother,” Al moaned, wondering not for the first time what was wrong with Ed that he hid so hard from closeness to anyone.

“At this point, you’d better bring make-up gifts for her, flowers, candy, a new tool, something,” Roy said with a knowing look.

Ed’s eyes turned dark like an angry sun. “Well, you’re the master at pissing people off, where do I go to find this make-up stuff?”

“The flower shop at the corner of Grand and Second street,” Roy replied without hesitation. “I’d tie a bouquet to a wrench if I were you.”

“Fine.” Ed stalked off, practically vibrating with frustration.

“I should go with him.” Al’s eyes tracked Ed’s path through the crowded streets.

“Sometimes a man has to do things for himself, Alphonse,” Sig said and Al shrugged.

A young girl flipped off a low roof of a nearby bakery and Roy turned to her saying, “Oh, hello, Paninya. Working hard?”

She grinned. “The roof was leaking around the chimney. That’s all taken care of now.” Paninya turned slowly to face Alphonse. “Hi, Al.”

“Hi.” He fidgeted, turning pink.

“You have guests.” Her dark eyes alighted on Sig.

“This is our teacher’s husband, Mr. Curtis,” Al said, gesturing at the huge man. “Sir, this is Paninya.”

“The new go-to fix-it girl in town,” she said proudly.

Sig held out his enormous hand and engulfed hers. “Pleasure to meet you.”

“Maybe you could join us for dinner some time, Paninya. You’d like Teacher,” Al said, an enthusiastic gleam in his eyes.

“I’d like that.” Her face brightened for a moment as her eyes met Al’s then froze. Both kids fell silent. Tension pulled between them like taffy. Roy gave Al a pointed look that made Al flush. “I’d better get back to work.” Paninya ducked inside the bakery so fast it looked like she had been shot from a cannon.

“Al, I know you’re very new to all of this but that was almost Ed-level pathetic,” Roy said, critically.

Al curled his lip at him. “Ed’s right, you are good at pissing people off.” Al stomped off ahead of the adults.

“Amazing, Roy, you made Al swear.” Maes shook his head then glanced over at Sig. “I can’t take him anywhere.”

Sig just grunted. Maes decided to look forward to corralling Gracia and Elicia and taking them back to his place. Roy could go lie in the prickly bed he had made. Maes was not about to bail him out this time.



Chapter Two

Ed spied Roy in the living room, and, unless he counted the glass of whiskey and Hayate, alone. Setting a box of cookies, with a roll of heavy paper tied to the top, down on the table, Ed grunted and wiped the sweat off the back of his neck.

Sacked out on the old couch - one of the various second hand items the military had found to stock the proud old house that served as their temporary housing - Roy stirred himself and pointed a finger at Hayate edging hopefully toward the box. The dog sat. “No flowers?”

“This town stinks. All the flowers looked wilted.” Ed flopped on the chair, his legs outstretched on the stone flooring. “Winry was over the moon about those schematics when she made me go window shopping with her.” He tapped the roll on the cookie box. “Where is everyone?”

Roy stretched lazily and Ed wondered if the general had been napping in the heat of the day or maybe drunk. Ed hoped it wasn't the latter. Despite his dislike for the man, he didn't like seeing Roy hiding inside a bottle and it was becoming a common occurrence. “Gracia and Elicia went to Maes’ place. I think the Curtises are taking a nap after the long trip. I know Riza was showing the Curtises where they can sleep and trying to find a trundle bed for Selim. Riza....I’m not sure where she went once she went upstairs. Winry’s with Pinako getting her settled and Al’s somewhere upstairs sulking.”

Ed’s eyes narrowed dangerously, his automail hand creaking as he clenched it. “What did you do to him?”

“Why did it have to be me who did anything?” Roy sipped his whiskey.

“Because there’re probably only two people in the world who can make Al mad and I wasn’t here,” Ed replied grimly. What could have Mustang done? Ed could imagine any number of scenarios and they all pissed him off.

Roy’s lips curled in amusement. He looked up at the decorated ceiling of the gorgeous old house. The octagon house probably dated from long before the Ishbalan war turned Rush Valley into a boom town of small, boxy, built into the cliffs houses, though Roy couldn’t imagine why anyone would come here for anything other than automail. “Al’s girl showed up after you left but he didn’t do much better with her than you did with Winry. You two are amazingly stunted.”

“Maybe we’re just not perverts like you,” Ed grated out, his eyes glowing like twin suns. Mustang was on wafer-thin ground talking about Al like that. “And who are you calling stunted?”

Roy ran a finger over his patch, a habit he seemed to be getting in to. Ed understood. He was much the same with playing with his automail when he first got it. “Doesn’t take a pervert to ask a girl to a dance.”

“Who is this girl?” Ed asked, exasperated. Had he honestly been this locked up in his own world that he hadn’t noticed Al had an interest in a particular girl?

Roy reached down to scratch Hayate’s head. “I’m not telling you. Go talk to your brother.”

“Talk to Al about what?” Winry asked as she and Pinako came into the room. Roy and Ed both sat up straighter as if they needed to impress the ladies.

“About girls.” Roy grinned as Hayate licked his fingers.

“Shut it, Mustang,” Ed growled, the menace apparent in his eyes.

“You still don’t know who Al likes? That’s just sad.” Winry shook her head.

Ed pouted. Why was everyone so upset with him? “I...” Getting up, Ed picked up his gifts. He could at least appease Winry. “I got these for you, Winry. I’m sorry about this morning.”

Winry’s eyes went impossibly wide. Ed wished she didn’t seem so surprised that he’d done something nice. She pulled the schematics off the cookie box, opened them then squealed, throwing her arms around Ed’s neck. He dropped the cookie box and Roy lunged and caught it, much to Hayate’s disappointment. “You got me the extremely lightweight designs for the Tite 1000 leg replacement. I am going to make you one right away!” Winry babbled, rapping him with the designs in her glee. Pinako shot Ed a look of approval.

When Ed did nothing more than mutter a ‘thank you’, Roy got to his feet with a disgusted expression on his face. “Winry, I think Edward has something more to say.” He shot Ed an encouraging look.

“I wanted ... I mean...” Ed turned redder than a cherry. Why did the bastard have to do this to him in front of everyone? “I...wi...if, you.”

“Did you let him get into your whiskey, Mustang?” Pinako asked wryly. Amusement deepened the wrinkles around her mouth.

“Oh, for god’s sake.” Roy pinched the bridge of his nose. “Winry, Edward wants you to go to the dance with him but he’s too dumb to make his tongue work.”

“Really?” Winry’s face all but glowed. She squeezed Ed tight.

“I’m not dumb. I just don’t like an audience,” Ed hissed at Roy as Winry nearly knocked him off balance. He seemed a little lopsided lately any how.

“In that case, I’ll take the cookies to the kitchen.” Roy beamed, looking well pleased with himself. “Dr. Rockbell, can I interest you in some refreshments? Tea? Juice?”

“Make it some of the whiskey and you have a deal,” Prinako replied, looking at the youngsters happily.

Roy picked up the bottle and the cookies and sailed off toward the kitchen, Pinako following him. “Try not to hurt yourself, Edward.”

“Die, bastard!” Ed’s lunge was aborted by the death grip Winry had on him.

Pinako laughed gruffly, taking a seat at the table, nestled in the large kitchen. Roy hated the cabinets that ran all the way up to the tall ceilings. They made him feel small and while he was and usually wasn’t bothered by it, he didn’t like to be dwarfed in this manner. “You’re hard on that boy.”

“He loves it. Ed needs a foil and that’s me.” Roy got down a glass, practically needing to stand on tip toe to get it. Poor Ed needed the step stool in the corner. Roy poured her some whiskey. “There you go. Anything else I can get you?”

“The truth from some ten years past,” she said cryptically, her clear eyes pinioning him expertly.

Roy fumbled with the whiskey bottle’s cork. His shoulders slumped. “Your granddaughter told you.” His voice was only a thing whisper of its usual deep timbre.

“Yes. Winry said you gave her reasons for what happened in Ishbal, and that she forgave you.” Pinako folded her rough hands on the table. “I want to hear those reasons from you.”

Roy sat at the table with her, his head lowered, unable to meet her gaze for a moment. His head came up slowly as he spoke. “Your granddaughter is more gracious than she knows. For reasons I can guess at, Ed makes her happy so if I have to nudge him to keep her happy, I will. I owe her that much.” Roy rubbed under his patch. “You just saw what I did. That’s not what you want to hear about. Truth is, in Ishbal I was barely older than your granddaughter is now, so over my head that the only thing I could do was follow orders. I was too afraid not to.”

Reaching for his whiskey with a shaking hand, Roy wet his lips. “I knew that when I enlisted I could be used as a weapon. My teacher hated my decision, died telling me so from...well, I’ve never known really what he died from. He choked on his own blood, died as I was trying to get him to a doctor.” Roy sighed, all too aware of the fact Pinako’s eyes never left his as he prevaricated so he wouldn’t have to talk about this with her. It was just too hard. “I thought protecting this country was the right thing to do. I still believe that. But I was unprepared for what I could do. My abilities are...horrible. I doubt I have to tell you that. I’m sure in your career you’ve seen limbs lost to fire.” When she nodded, Roy took another deep breath. “I wanted out of the desert. I couldn’t live with what I was doing. It never occurred to me to do what Armstrong did and refuse a direct order to get sent home. I was given orders to kill traitors, someone giving aid and comfort to the enemy, a capital offense.”

“They were doctors,” Pinako broke in softly, tears standing in her eyes.

“I know...and I never knew why I was selected for the duty. I’m not a sharpshooter. Details like this usually went to someone like Riza.” Roy took a deep drink of the whiskey at that thought. “Military Command wanted to make a statement. They wanted to be sure everyone knew that sympathy for the Ishbalans was not going to be tolerated.”

“They wanted you to burn them.” Pinako’s eyes gleamed with horror.

Roy shuddered, running a finger over the back of his hand where his array usually rested. “I couldn’t do it. As it was, I was directing my flames against the buildings as much as possible and not the Ishbalan people. I’m under no illusions that I’m not a mass murderer. I know what I did there. I killed by the dozens. My life was ruined in many ways but at least I still have a life.” He poured more whiskey for them both. “I couldn’t burn your son and his wife alive. I didn’t even believe they had done anything wrong. It was made clear that refusing the order would brand me a traitor. I often wished I had chosen that option.” Roy shut his eye. “I did to them what I thought would be less horrible than using my alchemy.”

“Winry said Edward told her that you tried to kill yourself afterwards,” Pinako said, rimming a finger over the glass, not letting him escape her gaze.

“I...I couldn’t...” Roy swallowed hard. His head swivelled back toward the living room. “I didn’t know Edward knew that.”

Pinako’s eyebrows arched. “You didn’t tell him?”

Roy shook his head. “I’ve only told three people. Hughes or Riza might have told Edward but I doubt it. Edward did meet with Dr. Marcoh. He was the one who stopped me.”

Pinako let that hang for a while as if waiting for him to say more. He had mostly run out of words and willpower. She said, “And Winry said that what you did made you want to work to change things, to become Fuhrer to keep things like that from ever happening again.”

Roy laughed bitterly. “Winry really did tell you everything.”

“And now we have no Fuhrer at all and you’re still not in charge,” Pinako observed.

She was gauging him very closely on this, he could tell. “I’m fine with democracy so long as it’s less corrupt than what we had. I think it will be. They’re already trying diplomacy at the borders.” Roy took a sip of whiskey, his hand still shaking. “Those now in power could have taken me out, given all I know about the corruption. Instead, they’ve rewarded me.”

“But you are in danger,” Pinako said, worry written in the lines of her aged face.

“From Bradley’s Loyalists, yes. Edward and Alphonse even more so, though I’m not entirely sure why. I’m the one who kill the Fuhrer but Ed and Al are definitely marked as well. That’s my current goal, keeping them safe.”

“I know Winry trusts you to do so.” A gentle tone edged into her words.

“I’ll do my best.” Roy fell silent for a moment then refilled his whiskey glass and Pinako’s. “I hate remembering the war.”

She nodded, taking a drink. “I can see why.”

Al entered the room and paused, surveying the obviously depressed adults and the open bottle of whiskey. “Is everything all right?” Concern laced through his words.

“Just talking about a past better left dead,” Pinako said, taking another sip.

“How many whiskies have you had, Roy?” Al gave the general a critical look.

Roy’s eye canted up. “You and your brother...you’re going to start counting every drop in the house, aren’t you?”

“We do need you to help keep everyone safe,” Al said gently as he confiscated the bottle. Roy just gave him a shocked look. “What does Winry look so excited about? Did Ed ask her to the dance?”

“Well, technically Roy asked for him,” Pinako said, allowing amusement to seep into her tone.

“He was stuttering and mumbling so badly, it was like a puppy bleeding to death. I had to put him out of his misery.” Roy smirked, hurriedly downing the remains of the whiskey in his glass before Al took it. “Winry’s happy. Edward will be, too. Sooner or later he’ll realize what dancing leads to. Well, Edward has a date. Now it’s your turn, Alphonse, or do I have to ask her, too?” He eyed the boy meaningfully.

“Why does that scare me so?” Al shuddered.

Roy shook his head, exchanging a knowing look with Pinako. “It’s honestly not hard to do. How could she say no to you? You’re cute and you’re nice. If Edward can find someone to put up with him, you should have no problems.”

Al made a face at him.“Well, Winry has known him forever so that’s a point in Edward’s favor.” He put the bottle in the cabinet. “Then again, you have no problem finding women and you’re as much of a brat as Ed.”

Pinako choked on her whiskey.

Roy made a wry face. “You’re going to make me suffer for today’s comment, aren’t you?”

Al flashed him a smug look that was better suited to Ed’s face. “Yes.”

Roy snorted. “Well, I happen to know your girl is supposed to be at the Down on the Corner pub to fix a leak in the wine cellar. You might want to head down there and ask her out.”

The younger alchemist rolled his eyes. “Are you going to walk me to the pub?”

“I could go for a drink or two,” Roy replied, starting to get up.

Crossing his arms, Al arched an eyebrow. Roy sat back down. “More?”

“You’ve been hanging out with Hawkeye too much,” Roy lamented, knowing that look.

“I’ll go talk to Paninya. You stay and entertain Granny,” Al said, wagging a finger at Roy. “Don’t tell Ed or Winry what I’m doing.”

“Yes, sir.” Roy grinned, flashing him a sloppy salute.

Al rolled his eyes again and let himself out of the kitchen. Pinako waited until he was gone then asked. “Is this girl nice?”

“For an ex-thief, yes,” Roy replied, picking up the glasses to wash them.

Pinako took our her pipe, tapping tobacco in thoughtfully. “Interesting people you introduce my boys to.”

“Don’t blame me.” Roy held up a hand. “The way I understand it, Paninya stole Fullmetal’s watch but it was your granddaughter that stopped her and struck up a friendship, something about Paninya’s particularly fine automail.”

Pinako puffed on her pipe. “Sounds like Winry.”

“She’s a bright girl,” Roy said, leaning against the sink. “I almost feel sorry for her.”

Pinako looked askance at him, surprised at those words. “How so?”

“Loving an alchemist is never easy. We are...peculiar as a group,” Roy admitted with a shrug.

“That I know.” Pinako shook the stem of her pipe at him. “I was friends with the boys’ father. I’ve seen the obsessions.”

“And Ed seems to be combining obsession with willful cluelessness,” Roy said, returning to his seat at the table.

“He’s young,” Pinako defended her boy.

“I wasn’t that clueless at his age,” Roy said, remembering wistfully the sweetly wasted days of his youth.

“Ha!”

Roy’s head jerked up at the laugh. Riza lounged against the door frame, amusement lighting her eyes. “You were hopeless. There were times I thought I’d have to dance naked on your books to get you to notice me and even at that, you’d probably just have yelled at me to get out of your view.”

Roy snorted, ignoring Pinako’s amused look. He assumed Winry had filled Pinako in on his relationship with Riza or his adjutant would never be so free with her tongue. “Trust me, I noticed you back then. I was simply afraid your father would roast parts of me like a breakfast sausage.”

Riza sauntered over and patted him on the head. “He would have.”

“So we don’t have to put any ideas in Ed’s head about me being clueless.” Roy’s lower lip poked out and quivered.

“Don’t ever fall for that lip, Dr. Rockbell. It’s a lie,” Riza said knowingly, ticking a finger against the pouting lip.

“He’s what Ed will grow up into, isn’t he?” Pinako sighed, waving a hand at Roy.

Riza nodded, a mock somber expression veiling her face. “You should warn your poor granddaughter now.”

“I don’t have to sit here and take this abuse,” Roy huffed, glaring at them.

“Well, if you go, we can abuse you more freely.” Riza grinned. Pinako laughed lowly here.

As Roy got up, his pouting lip grew to gigantic proportions. “Why do I like you?”

Riza looked around to assure herself they weren’t visible from the windows then pulled him in for a quick kiss.

“Oh yeah,” he mumbled, leaning in greedy for more.

She brushed the hair out of his eye. “You okay, Roy?”

“No, but I will be,” he said, heading into the living room.

Pinako got up, craning her head toward Riza. “He makes himself suffer for the things he’s done, doesn’t he?”

“You wouldn’t have to do anything to punish him but if you wanted to, he’d accept it,” Riza replied quietly.

Pinako took a long drag on her pipe. “I’m not interested in that. Hatreds and foolishness took my son. His daughter chose to believe in this man and forgive him. That’s good enough for me.”

“I’m glad. He’ll never forgive himself,” Riza said sadly, heading into the living room. Roy had tossed himself onto a wing-backed chair like a lazy cat. He and Ed were eyeing each other like territorial toms and Winry still had stars in her eyes as she ignored the men.

“Al talked to you and left. Why?” Ed asked and Riza got the impression it wasn’t for the first time.

Roy shrugged in a fluid motion. “He stepped out, had things to do.”

“Teacher is going to wake up from her nap and she’ll want to talk to him,” Ed said, realizing it sounded lame and perhaps suggested he was simply trying to start trouble.

“Edward, Mrs. Curtis plans on being here for a few days. There’ll be plenty of time to talk,” Riza said gently. “I hear you’re taking Winry to the dance. You’re going to have fun.”

“Yes, Edward, you need to get a suit. It’s not a military function so you can’t wear your dress uniform, even if you have one.” Roy narrowed his eyes at the boy. “Do you even have anything besides black shirts and trousers?”

“Leave me alone,” Ed snapped, shifting uncomfortably.

“He doesn’t. You can help, right, Roy? I’ve seen your laundry. You have good tastes in clothes,” Winry said, flicking a finger against Ed’s braid. He didn’t know which one to glare at first.

Roy puffed up proudly. “Thank you. I’ll take Ed shopping.”

“The last person in the world I’d go with is General Jackass, Winry,” Ed moaned. Riza and Pinako just rolled their eyes and moved out of blast range.

“I have exquisite taste,” Roy argued, rubbing his knuckles against his finely cut shirt.

Ed grunted. “You suck.”

“Fine, I won’t take you shopping.” Roy’s eye gleamed evilly. “Winry, I think I know who can help Edward. Your boss. He has impeccable taste.”

Ed’s jaw fell and he couldn’t speak as Winry’s face lit up. “That’s perfect. Mr. Garfield will be thrilled! He loves Ed.”

“Winry!” Ed whined, a very nervous expression on his face.

“No arguments! You’re not escorting me dressed in some old rags.” Winry crossed her arms.

“That man scares me,” Ed said, shifting from foot to foot.

“But he likes you, thinks you’re cute for some reason.” Roy’s tone said he was a moment away from snickering.

“That’s the problem,” Ed whined, gesturing wildly. “I was better off with you. You might kiss boys but at least you don’t want to kiss me!”

“Not even slightly tempted,” Roy assured him and Ed looked offended until he remembered he didn’t actually want Roy to want him. “And what did we say about keeping my love life secret, Edward?”

Ed snorted. “Granny doesn’t care and who would she tell? Riza already knows you cheat on her.”

“It’s not cheating,” Roy grumbled, an ill-natured look on his face.

“Come on, Ed. You can fight with Roy later.” Winry tugged on Ed’s flesh arm. “The dance is only a few days away and you need help now.”

“You’re going to pay for this, bastard,” Ed growled as Winry hauled him off.

Riza eyed Roy sourly as she sat on the couch. Pinako sat next to her. “Are you happy with yourself, Roy?”

“I feel much better, yes.” He grinned broadly.

Pinako snickered. “I can’t believe you sent that poor boy off with Garfiel.”

“Do you know him?” Amusement pirouetted over the planes of Roy’s face.

“We’ve worked together. He’ll have Ed dressed up like a peacock,” Pinako said, grinning at the mental images. “Though I suppose Edward was asking for it.”

“Edward and Roy are always asking for it,” Riza said, leveling another glare at Roy.

Pinako shook her head. “Why do I believe that?”

Roy sat up straighter, hearing foot steps on the stairs. Izumi and Sig entered the room, Selim still clinging groggily to his new adoptive father. “Did you have a good rest?” Roy asked.

“Yes, thank you.” Izumi sat on one of the free chairs and Sig set the boy down. “Where are the boys?”

“Al’s out trying to get a date for the Cherry Blossom festival and Ed’s out purchasing clothing for the dance,” Riza replied.

“They’re growing up.” Izumi sighed happily. “Al seems so happy and Ed...well, he seems like Ed.”

“That about sums it up,” Roy said. “I’m sorry that I didn’t get them to Dublith to see you.”

“We understand that you’ve been moving, trying to keep the boys safe,” Izumi said with a shrug.

“Things have started to quiet on that front,” Roy said. “That’s why Gracia Hughes came for a visit and invited everyone. It’s a good thing, being able to relax a little.”

“I’m sure,” Izumi said as a knock sounded on the door.

Riza went to answer it. Gracia and Maes came in. Elicia made a beeline for Selim and was asking for her cards so they could play Old Maid before her parents could even get settled.

“We wanted to see if you and Roy wanted to go to dinner, Riza,” Gracia said. “Not tonight since everyone just got here but maybe tomorrow if Winry would like to babysit. Dr. Rockbell, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis we’d like you to come, too.”

“Thank you. That would be nice. Do you think Winry and the boys would like to babysit Selim, too?” Izumi asked.

“We can ask,” Roy said, his eyes straying from Riza to Gracia. “An adult only night, that’ll be nice.”

“You’re counting yourself in with the adults after today’s performance?” Riza raised an eyebrow at him.

Roy scowled at her. “Yes.” He glanced over to where the children were lost in their game. He stood up and peeled off his shirt. “Mrs. Curtis, you asked to see what Bradley did to me with Selim looking on.” Roy rolled a finger along under the scar that cut across his torso. Sig’s eyes narrowed, getting lost under his thick eyebrows.

Izumi’s face went dark and she got up, getting a closer look. “He did this much damage with Selim watching?”

“And the boy didn’t bat an eye. For all I know, I wasn’t the only person Selim saw that homunculus hurt,” Roy replied, pulling his shirt back on.

Izumi’s lips thinned. “I...wish I could know that Selim will be all right down the road.”

“You said that he’s been pretty good,” Maes said, casting a worried glance towards the kids at play. A protective gleam flashed in his eyes.

“Maybe we’ve got to him in time,” Izumi said, hope in her dark eyes.

The front door opening cut off the depressing topic. Al stumbled in, his eyes huge. He had the look of a shell-shocked soldier. Roy went over and put a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “You asked her, didn’t you?” Al just nodded dumbly. “Did she say yes?” Another head nod. “Great. Luc and I will take you shopping for a suit,” Roy said using Maes’ code name

“Okay,” Al mumbled. He stumbled away from Roy then whipped around, his face alive and joyous. “I have a date!” He sounded as stunned as he looked.

Roy laughed, patting Al’s shoulder. “Indeed you do. Good for you.”

Izumi went over and hugged him. “Congratulations, Al. You’ll have to introduce us.”

“Oh! Sure.” Al’s hazel eyes danced happily. “Mr. Curtis has already met her.”

“She is lovely,” Sig confirmed.

“Thank you, sir.” Al glanced around. “Where’s Ed? I should tell him.”

“Out shopping with Mr. Garfiel.” Roy smirked. Maes looked over in shock.

Al’s eyes popped. “Do I want to know why?”

“He thought my help with dress clothes wasn’t necessary and Winry decided Ed couldn’t be left to his own devices on this matter.” Roy’s smile was positively evil.

Al just shook his head. “He never learns.”

“That’s what makes him fun.” Roy chuckled and Maes shoved him.

Al sat down on the floor next to Pinako, staring at his hands. “I have a date,” he whispered, almost frightened now that it was sinking in.

Pinako patted his shoulder. “You’ll do just fine, Al.”

He smiled. “Thanks, Granny. I’m glad you’re here.”

“Glad I came.”

Al sat back and listened as the adults started talking about things that had nothing to do with wars or alchemy or hardship. He listened to the swirl of polite conversation with half an ear, thinking about what he had done, this biggest step he’d taken since becoming human. Hurry and get home, Ed. I can’t wait to tell you.

Comments

[mulzrule.livejournal.com]

This is adorable! You'be brought back Maes and Selim, you rock! Never would've thought of Al/Paninya, but it's too cute. So much to read, so little time......

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

thanks. I'm glad you like it. I have a hard time leaving Maes dead. I just loved him so much.

Well Al needs a girl and there just aren't that many of them so Paninya seemed to be a natural

[mulzrule.livejournal.com]

I hear ya. Al often gets strange girls ranging from Sheska to Marta. I think Al would identify with Paninya, aside from Marta.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

I could probably see Al/Marta if you were really into the anime but i'm not so... I have done Al/Scieza once. Usually I put him with Paninya or adult Elicia.

[mulzrule.livejournal.com]

Adult Elicia is cute, once I get past that fact that he's older. I do like the idea of Al Sheska. They're both research geeks after all. :P

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

Nods. I just didn't like Sciezca enough to want to write her again. in their corresponding earth time period marrying an older man was par for the course