Fic Update - The Source of Sorrow
Nov. 7th, 2007 06:13 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cornerofmadnessThe Source of Sorrow
Disclaimer - not mine, all characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa et al, Square Enix and funimition.
Pairing – Eventually Roy/Riza but starts out Roy/OC, Riza/OC
Rating – R (for adult situations)
Time Line – anime based, future fic after that movie, with some manga elements like Xing, where Roy learned his alchemy and Armstrong’s other, older sister
Summary – Roy knows he has made a complete and total mess of his life but is he getting a second chance?
Author’s Note – This was written for the challenge put forth by![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
tiptoeinthesnow and she wanted some speculation on whether or not Roy would end up as Fuhrer and some romance (okay this is far more angst than romance.) Also, the spark of this story came before the challenge after hearing some songs by Hinder and a few others (I could easily suggest a listening soundtrack for this one). Special thanks to Ishte, mulzrulz, and Mjules for helping me with the movie details (since I was unable to actually make it through the movie) and thanks to evil_little_dog and mulzrulz for the beta.
chapter onehttp://cornerofmadness.livejournal.com/591436.html
chapter two
chapter three
Chapter Four
Nothing is more wretched that the mind of a man conscious of guilt – Plautus
“I’m not sure I’m entirely clear on this,” Roy said, looking up at the fat, black clouds that had slowly been gathering. “What do we do if it rains?”
“President Armstrong has kindly given us the area around Slate Run Lake in the park so we can celebrate properly,” Aris said with a grin.
“I think General Mustang wants to know if he’ll have to do as you do and dance naked in the rain,” Riza said wryly, rolling her eyes at him.
“Shy, General?” Uzziel’s smirk deepened his wrinkles, his eyes flicking downwards.
Riza snorted indelicately. Roy glared at her. “Not in the least,” he replied, puffing up. “I’m just surprised that nudity is involved. No offense but your culture just seemed more staid than that but I’m sure what little I know is distorted.”
“We are a bit staid,” Uzziel admitted. “However, it rains so infrequently that feeling it on your skin, especially after you’ve asked God for it, is a good thing.”
“You can smell the storm coming now.” Roy looked back up at the clouds as if willing the rain to start. “So, Captain Hawkeye and I will be dancing naked in public.” He smirked but it flipped into a frown as he saw Riza’s wide eyes and remembered her tattoo.
“Do I even want to know?” A woman laughed behind him.
Roy turned to see Gracia and Winry browsing along the festival booths with Elicia between them. “Part of the celebration should it rain, Gracia.”
“So, did you finally find religion, Roy? It looked like you might have been praying for rain,” Gracia teased and Roy made a face at her.
“Do we get to watch?” Winry asked, her eyes dancing.
“I believe it’s a private ceremony,” Roy replied, waving her off.
“Oh, you can bring a few guests, Mustang,” Aris offered with a cheery grin.
“That includes bodyguards right?” Havoc called from his spot a few feet away, leaning against a tree. Riza whipped around, glaring.
She stabbed a finger at Havoc. “No!”
“I’m pretty sure it does, Captain,” Havoc replied, with a cocky smirk forming around his cigarette.
“She’s going for her gun, Lieutenant,” Roy put in with a wide grin.
“Hey guys, we might get to see the Captain without her robes,” Havoc bellowed back to the rest of Mustang’s men then quickly put the tree between him and Hawkeye.
Roy caught hold of her as she fumbled in her robes. “I need him. No shooting.”
“These robes aren’t conducive to quick-draw.” She jerked free of his grip. “Just like I was telling David last night, you all have the maturity of his school kids.”
A hurt expression kissed Roy’s face and he shot her a look that said, ‘what did I do?’ He shrugged it off. “They’re men and, as Winry was pointing out to me last night, sometimes we’re very stupid.” He glanced over at the girl. “I hope the rice wine didn’t have any lingering effects.”
Riza and Gracia both looked surprised at that but neither said anything.
“I’m good,” Winry assured him cheerily.
Roy nodded. “I think Hawkeye and I have a few more festival things to do before we’re free until the afternoon. Unless of course it rains.”
“Just come get us if it does.” Winry grinned, ignoring Riza’s withering glare. “Wouldn't want to miss that.”
“We’d better go meet up with David. The children are having a cultural exchange at the school this afternoon. Elicia’s class is attending and I know David’s group will be there, too,” Gracia said, nudging Winry. “I understand there’ll be quite a few Ishbalan children there for the exchange,” she added, looking at the two priests.
Uzziel nodded. “Dev is supervising them, though you’d have thought I was asking him to muck out the sewer. He doesn’t think babysitting is proper work for him.” The old priest snorted. “You were very right about teenaged boys, Mustang. Stubborn, arrogant creatures.”
“Yes, apparently we get little better with age.” Roy shot Riza a look and she wrinkled her nose at him.
“All right then, Winry and I will see you later, Roy,” Gracia said, then smirked. “Maybe all of you.”
Roy snorted and waved at the women as they left. He could feel Riza’s eyes on him. She wasn’t pleased. When they had a second alone, he’d suggest faking a sick headache so she could get out of having to show that tattoo of hers in public.
X X X
“Are you sure you feel up to this, Captain Hawkeye?” Aris asked as they headed for the school. Sprinkles of rain had begun to fall. “You don’t have to participate in the cultural exchange. If you have a headache, noisy kids won’t do it any good.”
“I think I’ll be good for a little bit more,” Riza said, glancing up at the sky. “I’ll beg off going to the park though, as sorry as I’ll be to miss that.” Her eyes cut over to Roy in time to see him smirk at her. His preening wasn’t lost on her.
Aris nodded. “I’ll send Mara to go for my herbs. I have something that is good for headaches. I’d send Dev but knowing him, he’s likely to substitute a purgative just to register his general displeasure with the world.”
“I gave him a lot of reasons to be displeased,” Roy said softly then looked up, seeing Armstrong heading his way in his dress uniform. “Lieutenant Colonel?”
“My sister asked me to represent her at the cultural faire. I’m looking forward to it!” Armstrong beamed, cracking his thick knuckles.
“He likes kids,” Roy confided in Uzziel and Aris. He sighed. He didn’t have Armstrong’s gift with children. They made him vaguely nervous but not as nervous as the thought of a naked dancing Armstrong should his sister wanted him to go to the lake with him and the Ishbalans. Over seven foot of dancing naked muscle would make anyone feel inadequate. “Okay, we’d better get in there.” As they headed for the door, there was the sound of breaking glass. They all paused, looking for the cause. Roy sniffed then swore. “Gas and fire!”
“Roy, the school!” Riza pointed to the flames rising from the back of the school. “Fire bombs.”
“Shit! All the kids are inside. Falman, Fuery, Breda! Find who threw those damn bottles and call the fire department,” Roy roared. “Everyone else, we have to get the people out of there.” Roy’s eye widened, seeing the flames leaping much higher than they should have. “Everyone’s in the gymnasium for the cultural exchange right? They must have poured fuel in the empty halls.” He didn’t take the time to go for his glove. He didn’t need to make a spark and now, with that happened to him at the Gate, his array wasn’t necessary to control the flames.
“Sir, can you contain it?” Riza asked.
“I think so. Armstrong, we could use some sand to smother the rest of the building. I’ll handle the flames going for the gym,” Roy said, pressing his palms together, feeling the energies building.
Armstrong grunted his agreement, pulling on his wrist bracer. His fist hit the ground sending a wave of grit and freshly made sand over the school, smothering some of the spreading fire. Roy concentrated on the flames licking at the gym, barring them from their fuel. Streamers of sweat popped out over his face and neck as he struggled to contain the large blaze. The sky chose that moment to open up and help them. The heat and crackle of the fire died away.
Roy waved a hand to those closest to him, ignoring the cries from the crowd and the distant fire engine siren. “We’ll go in through the gym doors. Follow me and don’t open any doors unless I say so. If all the fire isn’t out, there could be a back draft. It’s a tricky thing, fire.” Roy pointed to the gym door, grimacing where he saw some sadistic bastard had chained and padlocked it from the outside to make sure everyone inside died. He reached out, trying to determine if a fire was still inside, risky business at best. It wasn’t like he had some kind of magical sense, just a good understanding of fire. He nodded and Armstrong took the door down.
The cries of frightened children echoed in the large room. A wave of them headed for the now-open door, their watchers barely able to keep a handle on them. Armstrong barred the door long enough for the adults to regain order. Roy’s heart thundered seeing Gracia and Winry in the crowd. Elicia clung tight to her mother.
“Is anyone missing?” Armstrong’s voice boomed out before Roy could ask.
“There were some kids in the auditorium. That angry Ishbalan boy was going to round them up when the fire started. We haven’t seen them since,” Winry offered shakily.
“Armstrong, you come with me. Hawkeye, you help David with the children. Uzziel, Aris, you want to help them as well. I don’t want to risk you two inside the school. There might still be flare ups and hot spots.”
“It’ll help to see familiar faces.” Uzziel nodded to the Ishbalan children.
Roy gave a curt nod and he moved deeper into the school, Armstrong moving along very silently behind him for such a big man in dress boots. Roy pulled on his gloves. He didn’t want too many questions on how his alchemy had evolved. They saw no one in the hallways as they went but the smell of accelerant was strong. Roy heard the whimper of children just ahead and saw that the auditorium door was open. He and Armstrong picked up the pace. Three small children were huddled on stage around Dev who looked odd, like half of him had been swallowed, then Roy realized that’s what had happened, he had gone through the flooring. The smell of smoke beat at Roy and the heat inside the room was all wrong.
“There’s still fire in the walls, Armstrong. We have to get them out of here,” he whispered and the big man nodded. Roy smiled at the children so not to worry them more. “We’re going to get you out of here. Dev, how badly are you hurt?”
The young man canted his face up at Mustang, too frightened to be angry. Roy could see the nightmare memories of the boy losing his arm had come back for Dev. “The fire….didn’t get me but I’m stuck.” He waved his hook. “Can’t pull myself up with this.”
“We’ll get you out,” Roy promised. “Armstrong, could you?” He nodded to the three younger kids and Armstrong scooped them up. “Are you stuck on anything I can’t see?”
“Don’t know…don’t think.” Dev shook hard. “Don’t want to burn again! I can’t…”
“I know. No one is burning today,” Roy said grimly as the sound of break glass cracked through the acoustically perfect room. Roy’s pupils dilated as he heard the rush of rekindling flames. “Armstrong, run! It’s going to flash over.”
Armstrong whirled, racing out of the room. It felt like the air was being sucked out of the room and then the crisp crackle of fire danced across the ceiling. Dev screamed but Roy ignored him, concentrating on his alchemy. The fire died a premature death and Roy sagged against the floor, drained. He rallied quickly, not sure if they were out of the woods yet.
“You’re safe,” he told the boy, grabbing him around the chest.
“You…you put it out.” Dev’s red eyes seemed too big for his face.
“I am the Flame Alchemist, after all. Hold onto me. I’m going to try and pull you out. Damn…could have used Armstrong for this,” Roy said, wondering if he could do this alone. The young man’s arms wrapped tight, nearly strangling Roy. The hooks dug into his shoulders, which didn’t help matters. Roy strained to pull Dev up. “Damn, I’m too short to get much leverage,” he groaned but the terrorized young man wouldn’t let go to help, even if he could. Roy slipped, falling back and dragging Dev with him. The boy sprawled on top of him and Roy counted himself lucky they didn’t go back through the unstable floor. Red eyes met Roy’s and Dev’s mouth tightened as the boy rolled away.
Getting onto his backside, Dev checked out his legs. “You saved me.”
“You’re bleeding. How bad did your legs get cut up?” Roy took a look at the scratches and hoped they were superficial. “Do you think you can walk?”
Dev nodded. “To get the hell out of here, I can.”
Roy got up and helped the boy to his feet. Dev was less stable than his momentary bravado would suggest. Roy slipped a steadying arm around him and Dev glared. “Hate me later. Let’s get out of the potential fire hazard first.”
“Not arguing.”
Roy half dragged the young man to the nearest exit then out into the smoky, wet air. He saw the fire engines arriving in the downpour. He managed to get Dev half way to where most of the others had evacuated to before the boy’s legs went out. Roy eased him down. “Let’s have a look.”
“What do you know about first aid?” Dev growled at him.
Roy sighed. Finally he had found someone more annoying and mouthy than Edward Elric. “Enough but here comes some help if you don’t trust me.”
“I don’t,” Dev said without much conviction as his fellow priests descended upon him.
“Fair enough.” Roy sat back on the wet grass and let Aris and Uzziel take over. Using his alchemy like that was tiring but he wasn’t about to show weakness now, no matter how much he wanted to just lay down and let it rain on what was left of him.
“Is he all right?” Aris asked.
“I don’t think it’s bad but he won’t let me look,” Roy said, levering himself back up as he remembered he wasn’t here alone. Riza had gone inside and Gracia, Elicia and Winry had been in the fire. “You can take care of him. I’m going to go look for my friends who were inside. I need to be sure they’re okay.”
“Of course,” Aris said, rain sluicing down his face.
Roy went through the crowds, looking for his friends. He knew they should all be all right. The only one he didn’t know about was Riza. Once again she had followed him into danger. He hated it. He hated that children were left crying, terrified, some would carry the mental scars all their lives. Just look at what he had done to Dev. It was time for the hate and pain to end. That wouldn’t happen overnight he knew so he concentrated on things he could do something about, like finding Riza. Roy finally spotted her with Winry, Elicia, Gracia and David, trying to keep the kids and their parents calmed. “Hawkeye, report,” he called, trying to hide his immense relief that she was all right.
“Armstrong and his three charges are fine,” she said. “Is Dev all right?”
“Scratched up but he’ll be fine. I left him with Aris,” Roy said. “How bad was it?”
“Everyone is accounted for and no real injuries, just a few bumps and bruises and a lot of reddened eyes and a little too much smoke,” Riza said. “It could have been so much worse.”
Roy nodded. “I’m glad you’re all right.” He squatted down to Elicia’s level and hugged her. “Especially my favorite little girl.”
“Was scary, Uncle Roy.” Elicia tossed her arms around his neck. She looked at him “Your flowers are all crooked.”
“Flow…” Roy touched his head. He had forgotten he was wearing those. What a sight he must be. “I’ll fix them just for you.” He straightened up. “Mr. Calvert, I’m going to assign a detail to make sure you and your charges get back to the hotel all right, since we don’t know who did this. The streets might not be safe. I’ll have to find a few more policemen and some other troops to get everyone back to where they belong. Gracia, Winry, you can wait for me…maybe not. It’ll be a long wait.”
“Sir, you should delegate some of the responsibility,” Riza said gently. “You look exhausted.”
He pulled himself up to his full height. “I’m fine, Hawkeye.”
“Roy, your shoulder is bleeding.” Winry pointed to it.
“Damn. Well, I think Aris has his herbs or something with him. He seemed to think he could help Dev. I’ll go see if he has some bandages.” Roy said and his friends came with him. He let them, rather having them close than not. He did notice David stayed behind with the kids. Roy stopped when he found the Ishbalans again. “Do you have any bandages, Aris? I could use one. If not, I’ll try to track down a paramedic.”
Aris squinted up at him. “Sit. I’ll have a look.”
Roy sat next to Dev. “How bad was it?”
“He’ll be just fine,” Aris said, peeling the robe off Roy’s shoulder. “Got a couple punctures, here, look a little deep. I’ll put some antiseptic on them and bandage them up. It’ll sting a little.”
“That’s fin…ow!” Roy hissed as Aris swabbed his torn shoulder. Roy glared at Winry as if it were her fault. “What is it with you doctor types and ‘it’ll sting a little?’ Just say, ‘here’s some fresh hell for you, sit as still as you can’.”
“Oh, just be brave little soldier,” Winry said and Riza rolled her eyes at him.
“Sorry,” Dev muttered, his face going as red as his eyes.
“It’s fine. Not like it could be helped. It’s better than leaving you wedged in a burning building.” Roy sighed. “I’m just glad that no one was seriously hurt.”
“Sir.” Riza pointed to Breda and Havoc who were making their way through the crowd.
“Report,” Roy demanded.
“We caught two of them, sir,” Breda said.
“More Bradley sympathizers with the bombs yesterday?” Roy asked almost hopefully. At least that was a devil they knew.
Havoc shook his head. “A couple of Ishbalans. They are being quite vocal about their feelings for this festival and the cultural exchange.”
“Damn it,” Uzziel huffed and Aris looked stricken.
“Couldn’t have said it better,” Roy muttered.
“You’re telling me I almost got killed by of my own people!” Dev roared. “I mean, it’s not like I’m thrilled about this either but it’s better than another war, right? They were just a bunch of young kids, like I was when this happened.” He shook his arm.
“Yes, they could have at least selected a military target to make their statement,” Roy said.
“They were probably more interested in killing ‘traitors’,” Aris said, well aware that some of his people didn’t like the cultural exchange.
Sighing Roy nodded and got up. “So much for your ceremony. It’s probably not safe to go to the lake at all.”
Uzziel shook his head. “We will not let fear conquer us. Let’s deal with the matter at hand and then tonight, we dance. We could use the celebration.”
“And you thought you might wiggle out of this,” Riza whispered to Roy. “Though wiggling might still happen at the lake.”
“Don’t make me order you to dance, captain,” he hissed back and she scowled. He turned to Gracia and Winry. “I’ll find someone to take you two home. I have to go handle this.”
“Don’t worry about us, Roy. We’ll just go with the others,” Gracia said.
“And I’ll be around later to check that shoulder.” Winry patted his arm.
Roy nodded and wearily led his men off to deal with this latest threat.
X X X
In an eerie repeat of the night before, an unexpected knock sounded on the door. Roy set down his dinner bowl and padded toward the door. He should have just gone out for dinner since it was late by the time they left the lake, a bunch of wet, naked, dancing fools. He suspected someone had a camera with a telephoto lens in play, Fuery being the likely candidate. Just what he needed, men in possession of naked pictures of him and Armstrong.
Instead of going out to eat, Roy had come home for some comfort food, just like grandma used to make. Well, he wasn’t as good a cook as his Gram but he knew how to make a decent rice wine sauce for his beef and vegetables. Roy wondered if it was Riza at his door again; he could hope. Or Winry, which was okay; still, it could be his death waiting. Close enough, he thought, opening the door to see three Ishbalans standing there. “Oh, I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Maybe we should have called first,” Aris said, a sheepish look on his face.
“No, that’s all right. Come in.” Roy stepped back. “I was just finishing up dinner.”
“Sorry to interrupt,” Uzziel said, hesitating in the doorway.
Roy waved him off. “Not a problem. I have leftovers if you’d like a little something.”
“We ate,” Aris said while Dev craned his head around, looking at the foyer and the grand staircase.
“This is huge!” Dev cried.
“That’s about the third time I’ve heard that this week. Not exactly my taste. Half the furniture isn’t even mine. They gave it to me when I became ambassador,” Roy said, heading back for the living room. “It was meant to impress important guests…to be honest, I don’t get many yet…well, you’re among the first.”
“It is impressive,” Uzziel said, herding Dev along. The boy limped after Aris.
“Have a seat. Is there something I can get you to drink? Dev, why don’t you take that chair, you can put your feet up on the ottoman,” Roy pointed to the wingback. Dev plopped down on the love seat instead. Roy couldn’t help but be reminded once again of a certain short, irascible alchemist.
”We’re fine,” Aris said, leaving the chair to Uzziel. He sat next to Dev.
“To what do I owe the honor of this visit?” Roy reached for his dinner bowl, poking at it with the Xingese sticks.
“We wanted to talk to you about your next trip to Ishbal and how we might want to present what happened today,” Uzziel said, his eyes tracking Roy’s dinner utensils. The old man harrumphed. “I never noticed it until now, your heritage.”
Roy smirked. “Maybe because of my reputation with this country’s army. When I’m here, I’m always worried I can’t hide my telltale eyes any more than you can.”
“No, I suppose not,” Uzziel said, studying Roy’s black, almond-shaped eyes.
“As for what happened today, I’ll trust you to suggest a way of bringing this to your people. I’m assuming you mean me stopping that fire,” Roy said, stirring his dinner listlessly in its bowl.
“You saved a lot of lives,” Aris said, the gratitude evident in his eyes.
“Which doesn’t change how many lives I took all those years ago,” Roy replied quietly, setting his dinner aside. “It might seem self-serving for me to mention this incident at all.”
“What? You want us to sing your praises for you?” Dev grumbled, his eyes angry red slits.
“No. As far as I’m concerned, this never has to be mentioned again.” Roy shrugged. “If the families that were involved say something, all well and good but I will not trade on this to make myself look better.”
“I…yeah well,” Dev sputtered, clearly not ready for that. He was spared further embarrassment by another knock on the door.
“Hmm now who? If you’re all here then…” Roy’s nose wrinkled.
“Maybe it’s Mara,” Dev drew out her name like a curse. “Why don’t you go let your girlfriend in.”
Roy snorted, ignoring the boy and the mortified looks of his elders as he left to answer the door. He came back with Riza, Winry and David. “My lucky night, two girlfriends and an extra,” he said, sweeping his hand toward David and Riza elbowed him hard. He glared at her, holding his side. “You three sit down. I’m going to get us all something to drink.” Roy let them settle themselves while he went to warm up a bottle of rice wine for everyone. He added a bottle of plum wine to the tray to give a choice. “Here we go. Help yourself. Xingese rice or plum wines. Watch the rice one, it’s sneakier than it looks.”
“We’re used to desert lily liquor,” Aris assured him with a dismissive wave.
“Oh, yeah, that stuff. I’ve been knocked on my ass more than once by that.” Roy laughed.
“It’ll do that.” Uzziel grinned knowingly.
“So, before I ask the newcomers why they’re here, let’s finish up the other business,” Roy said. “Are we in agreement that might be the best idea?”
Uzziel nodded. “We were going to suggest that, actually. Let us and those whose children you saved carry the tale. It might go down better that way.”
Seeing the curious looks on the newcomers faces, Roy just nodded. “Agreed. All right, and what brings you three out tonight?” he asked of his friends.
“After everything that happened today, we just wanted to make sure you were all right,” Winry said. “Gracia wanted to come, too, but Elicia was so upset that she didn’t want to just leave her with a sitter.”
“And I didn’t want them going by themselves so I volunteered to come,” David said sheepishly. “Though, I’m pretty sure Riza would be the one rescuing me if any more trouble erupted.”
“She’s quite good at that.” Roy turned to Winry. “I’ll stop by and see Gracia tomorrow.” He gave Winry a look, nodding toward Dev. She wrinkled her nose in response.
The exchange didn’t go unnoticed. Dev’s tanned features took on high color as his brow knitted over those red, fierce eyes. “She talked to me about doing the automail for the cost of her services only. I’m not stupid. I know how much the actual automail costs. I don’t what your charity!”
Roy just rolled his shoulders, nonplussed. “Fine, keep your non-functioning hook. It doesn’t really matter to me.”
“You’re just trying to make yourself feel good,” Dev accused, his body quivering with anger.
Roy saw Riza take a step closer to him then back again when she remembered David was in the room. “Maybe. Or maybe I was just trying to help. If you don’t want the offer, don’t accept it.”
“I didn’t!”
Winry shot the boy a ‘grow up’ look and the two priests shook their heads. “Sometimes, Dev, you need to learn to accept help,” Aris said gently.
Dev glared at his elder. “Not his.”
Roy sighed, feeling very tired. He just wanted them all to go home, including Riza. He knew she probably had tried to discourage David but here he was, in Roy’s home. All Roy wanted was to crawl under the covers and hide for a while. He held up a hand. “It’s all right, Aris. It’s his body, his choice.” He looked at everyone, picking up the letter he had started to his sisters about the whole festival, planning to cap it off with the naked dance. He was hoping they’d all take the hint. “Is there anything else I can do for you all?”
“What is that?” Winry peered over his shoulder. “I’ve not seen writing like that.”
“Yeah, you probably don’t have a Little Xing in Resembol,” Roy said. “Aris and Uzziel, being a little older, can tell you there used to be whole sections of Eastern cities and even here in Central that were all Ishbalan suburbs. Same with Xingese people. My sisters live in one in the northeast. This is Xingese writing.”
“You have sisters!” Winry asked in shock. “Ed didn’t know, did he? He would have been horrified to know there were more of you.”
Riza bit back a laugh then went over to David who was studying Roy’s bookshelf as she tried to avoid Roy’s glare.
“Why do you think I’m so brave?” Roy smirked at Winry. “I don’t just have a sister, I’m the youngest of five and I’m the only boy.”
“Oh dear,” David said, turning away from the bookshelves. “Bet that was rough.”
“Tell them about what your sisters used to do, sir.” Riza smirked wickedly.
Roy pointed at her. “Shut up, Hawkeye!”
“He was their favorite doll,” she continued and he knew this was part of his penitence for the things he put her through.
“Did they play dress up with you?” Winry giggled.
“You shut up, too.” Roy stabbed a finger at her. “It was awful, all those girls and me. The things they’d do…just so long as no one else bugged me. Bullied would get a face full of Mustang girls. Scary, let me tell you. Then there was the train wreck, bang, no parents, so me and the sisters lived with Grandfather and he was very big on us maintaining our Xing heritage, so I still write to all of them that way.” Roy shrugged. “And when I was nine, Grandfather said I was going to go live with an alchemist so I could train more. Mom was an alchemist so without her I was kind of lost. I was so excited, no more evil sisters. I was thrilled to go someplace new, like I was a big boy and I had all these plans…then found out Teacher had a damn daughter. Gah, girls, the bane of my nine year old existence.”
“With those bruises on your cheek, I’d say women still are the bane of your existence.” Uzziel laughed.
“Okay, everyone’s going to be banned from my house but David, Aris and Dev but I suspect he wants banned,” Roy grumbled, rubbing his bruised face. Dev’s lips skinned back from his teeth.
“So what happened with your teacher’s daughter?” Aris asked.
“Oh, she was an awful thing. Headstrong and bossy. And when she’d get caught doing something bad, she’d blame me and I’d get in trouble,” Roy said, smirking at Riza
“I only did that once,” Riza argued to the amusement of the Ishbalan priests.
“More than that. You used to make stuff up, like the time you got mad at me and told your dad I was in your underwear drawer.” He poked her shoulder.
“That was just funny. I thought Dad was going to kill you.” Riza giggled.
“Not funny. I thought he was, too. See? Honestly, awful.” Roy waved a hand at her.
“If she was so awful, then why did you keep her on your staff for so long?” David asked, shooting Roy an intense look.
“Because I apparently like being bossed around and picked on,” Roy sighed. “I live for it. She used to shoot at me. Havoc and the others can be a nightmare and then there was Fullmetal. I might as well hire Dev to the open junior liaison position just to round out the set.”
“I’m not working for you,” Dev huffed then thought for a moment. “Who’s Fullmetal?”
“The Fullmetal alchemist, a little young man pissed at the world and most especially me, though I never figured out why.” Roy shrugged. “You think you’re being nasty, Dev? You have nothing on him. Used to call me Colonel Shit to my face.”
“Or the bastard,” Riza offered.
“And some other really nasty things I’m not repeating,” Winry demurred and Roy just raised his eyebrows, wondering what else Ed used to say. He’d ask Winry privately later.
“Any reason you crave abuse?” Aris asked, a serious look in his red eyes.
Roy shrugged again. “Some of them tease me because they actually care about me. As for the rest, maybe a part of it is, I deserve it. I can’t change the past but I can punish myself for it. I’m not sure I’ll ever see myself in whatever heroic terms might be in your books, David.” Roy got up and beckoned to his visitors. “Come on. There’s something I want to show you. No one’s been back here yet. I finally had some things sent to me from my sisters. I’ve always been afraid to openly embrace my heritage while I was in the Fuhrer’s service. I saw what happened to the Ishbalan citizens and always knew that it could happen to the Xing ones as well. I think that’s half the reason I was so hesitant to buck authority during the war. I doubted anyone would have cared I’m half Amestrian.”
“That’s understandable,” Uzziel said, openly appraising Roy.
Roy opened the door to a room that very much highlighted his heritage. In the center of the room was a low table surrounded by mats. Along one wall stood a tea chest that had a dragon tea pot and cups displayed on it. On the other wall a dragon kite had been tacked up giving the illusion of flight over two tiny trees in pots and a very solitary flower arrangement.
“This is very pretty,” Winry breathed, taking it all in as she stopped in front of two metal peacocks with tiny reflectors and candles in their tail feathers.
“It really is, Roy,” Riza said softly, going to look at the kite. This was side even she hadn’t seen before.
“Thank you.” Roy took a picture off the book shelf and handed it to Dev and David. “None of these men are probably in the history books but should have been. Maes Hughes, my best friend. It was his daughter you mistook as mine, David. He’s gone now. There’s me, of course, next to Maes. On the other side of him is Arnold Bryden. He died in Ishbal and on the other side of me is Serik, an Ishbalan who was my roommate with me and Maes for a year in the Academy. I never did learn what happened to him. I know he was rounded up with the rest of the citizens. I’d like to think he was just relocated to the camps but I know they killed him.” Roy’s voice broke. “I’m the only one in that picture left alive. Most of my friends are gone already.” He tossed his head like a horse. “Guess we all know how that feels. Everyone here lost someone in that war…well, I don’t know you, David, but certainly the rest of us.”
“My older brother, he came back minus three limbs. They’re all automail now so I guess, I’m luckier than most,” David replied softly.
“You look happy here,” Dev tapped the picture. “Or drunk.”
“Both,” Roy admitted.
“The Ishbalan was your friend?” The boy sounded surprised.
“A very good one. It was no easy thing, being sent off to war.” Roy shook his head. “I had no reason to hate anyone in Ishbal. I didn’t even understand fully what was going on but I thought I was doing what I had to for my country and later…when I did understand, it was too late. They had turned me into something I never wanted to be.”
“You killed children there. You nearly killed me,” Dev whispered.
“I tried not to. I didn’t want to and it won’t ever happen again. I won’t use this power to further my cause. I could, I could use it to become very powerful indeed but I won’t. If I wanted to take power from President Armstrong, there’d be little she could do to stop me but that’s not the kind of man I am,” Roy said, a morose expression on his face.
“There’s no guarantee of that,” Dev said.
“No, there is. It was a deal I made with Hawkeye. I would never teach anyone my alchemy, which was her father’s wish to begin with and if I ever stepped out of line, she would kill me,” Roy said flatly.
“That’s awful,” Winry shuddered, her eyes flickering between Riza and Roy. “You can’t think like that. I’ve given you back two good feet, Roy. It’s time for you to just move forward and leave this behind you as much as you can.”
Roy managed a lopsided grin for Winry. He wanted to go to Riza and hold her, seeing in her eyes how much of a toll this conversation was having on her. Instead he took the picture from Dev and put it back. “I think you’re right. Well, I think I’ve depressed you all enough for one night. Let’s go back to the other room and have some wine.”
“It’s not fair,” Dev said as he left the room.
“What isn’t?” Aris asked, glancing at the boy.
“He’s not supposed to…I’m not supposed to like him,” the boy grumbled. “He’s not supposed to be like this.”
“I’m just a guy, not the hero here or the monster in your home. I’m just a mostly normal human being with a very different skill,” Roy said. “It’s harder to hate me in person, isn’t it?”
Dev nodded.
“That’s the way it should be. We should have to know someone before we can actually hate them and want to hurt them. It would probably happen a lot less that way,” Roy said, sitting down in front of the wine tray. “Who wants what?”
“We’ve kept you long enough, maybe we should go,” Uzziel said.
“If you want, but I don’t mind that you stay. I’d rather not be alone in this big place. I do that every night,” Roy said, hoping that wasn’t pity he saw in Riza’s eyes.
“Well, then I’m sure we can stay awhile,” Uzziel replied.
“Hawkeye can probably entertain you with more tales of embarrassment on my part,” Roy said wryly, pouring himself some rice wine.
“I could keep us here all night with those,” she shot back.
Roy snorted. “Kill me now.”
“Don’t tempt fate.” Winry smacked him on the head before going for the plum wine.
“You mentioned that the liaison position is still open,” Aris said, pointing at the rice wine. “The one that would reach out to our young folk.”
Roy nodded. “That position is still open as is the one as my personal attaché and bodyguard. They’re both rather thankless positions.”
“So why would you think I’d want it?” Dev asked.
Roy studied him for a moment. “Because you seem interested in making a change for your people but you would have to decide how best to do it.”
He made a face. “In other words, if I were to take it, I’d be seen as a traitor by those who want to isolate totally from Amestris.”
“That’s just half of it. You might learn of something like what happened today and have to make a choice, let them strike against a perceived enemy or stop them,” Riza said.
Dev shook his head. “Today was wrong. Those kids didn’t do anything to deserve to be hurt. They were just children and if he wasn’t there some of us would definitely have died before the firemen arrived.” He pointed at Roy with his hook. Dev considered the older man. “You could have run when that fire started to flash over but you stayed to save me. I wonder if the people who set the fire even gave a moment’s thought to the fact that an Amestrian might do that for an Ishbalan.”
“Probably not,” Roy said sardonically. “The job pays very well. You could probably buy your own damn automail.”
Dev nodded, looking down at his hook. “I heard that is hurts, automail.”
“Exquisitely,” Roy replied. “Think about it. Just know it’s a dangerous position, too. People might shoot at you.”
“If your job was so dangerous, then why did your president assign you to it, being the big hero of Ishbal?” Dev asked.
“He has a good point,” David said, giving Roy a curious look.
“Because…she thought I’d do a good job,” Roy said carefully, keeping his ‘because Olivia wants me dead because she knows I want to be president, too,’ to himself. “And I’m serious about the danger. Aris already works as a full liaison. He was there the last time someone tried to shoot me. Luckily nobody got hurt.”
“You ruined my automail,” Winry reminded him.
Roy sighed. “Next time I’ll try to take the bullet in a fleshy part, okay?”
“Automail can be replaced, you can’t.” Riza shot Winry a look and the girl blushed.
“I know,” Roy sighed, knocking back his rice wine and refilling his glass. “Me actually staying alive has seemed unlikely these last few years. I think that’s part of the reason I’ve been so…remote. Better if everyone just hated me and left me alone than have to deal with my death.” Roy ducked Winry’s irritated blow only to get hit by Riza instead. “Oww, quit hitting me.”
“Quit being a morbid ass,” Riza replied, her brown eyes flashing.
“Scaring people away and planning your own death is a bit…unusual,” David put in.
“Maybe. I suppose that’s the turn my life’s taken of late.” Roy shook it off. “So, anything else I can get for anyone? More alcohol, something to eat, a less depressing topic?” Roy found comfort in the role of host.
“Well, we could mention there might have been pictures of you at the celebration at the lake,” Winry grinned. “And I might be convinced not to sell them…or maybe you’d like the attention selling them would bring.”
“Don’t make me discourage people from using you as a mechanic, girl.” Roy huffed, taking another drink. “But the festival is over now and I think it was rather successful. Do you two think so?” he asked of the priests.
“I think it went much better than expected, barring idiots from both sides, trying to ruin it,” Uzziel said.
“Yes.” Roy looked over at Riza. “Now that it’s over, I guess you and David will be going back East.”
Riza swallowed hard and Winry looked like she wanted to kick Roy for bringing that up in front of everyone. “Yes, tomorrow actually.”
Roy looked at his wine cup. “That soon? Pity. I was enjoying getting to see you again, Captain. It almost felt like old times.”
“Yes,” Riza replied tightly.
“I think General Grumman wanted to station you back here with your former team,” Roy said, a miserable look flashing in his eyes. “I dissuaded him not to. You have a new life out East.” He cast a look at David. “It wouldn’t be fair.”
“Roy, I’d like a refill.” Winry shoved her glass in front of his nose before he could keep twisting the knife.
He read her expression; do it or get hit again. He refilled it and let the conversation shift again. Somehow, in spite of it all, he wasn’t unhappy that his guests stayed late. The Ishbalans left first then David, Winry and Riza.
Riza hesitated on the outside step then held up a hand. “Hang on for a moment. I forgot something inside.” She barreled past Roy into the living room, waiting for him to follow. “Why would you bring that up? Me having to leave?”
“Because it’s reality,” he said, seeing his night was going to end in a fight and it was his own stupid fault. “Because I can’t ask you back here, because I don’t even know if you’d want to come back. You’re a captain now, you don’t belong doing work for me and the job I really want you to fill would mean you resigning because my bodyguard can’t be military. I can’t ask you to do that. We never even talked about it.” Roy’s fists clenched. “It would have been easier if you just kept hating me.”
Roy knew he was going to get hit. He didn’t even try to dodge the blow. He just wished Riza would have opted for an open-hand slap. He could feel his lip swelling.
“I never hated you. I tried but I couldn’t,” she said then whipped around and stalked outside.
Roy heard her telling the others that she found the nonexistent item and then they were gone. He wanted to run after her, beg her to stay, right in front of her new lover if he had to. He wanted to tell her that when he looked in her eyes, he saw his unborn children, that in those sepia depths he was home. Instead, Roy told himself he was doing the mature thing and letting her go. Shaking, he dragged himself back into the living room. Polishing off the bottle of rice wine left him ‘asleep’ on the couch.
X X X
Riza collapsed on the bed after they had taken Winry to her lodgings. “It’s been a terribly long day.”
“It really has, hasn’t it?” David got in next to her. “Riza, I know this is the wrong time but can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“How long have you been in love with Mustang?” The question was flat, emotionless.
Riza flipped over on the bed to look at him. She wanted to lie. Instead she said, “I was in love with him even when I was that bratty little girl and for a long time afterward. Finally, it was like Roy said, he cut himself off and we went our separate ways. It’s been over a few years now.”
David shook his head. “I don’t know. I’ve always known that there was something between us, something I could get around. I thought maybe it was the differences in our jobs and upbringing. I know it’s obvious that I just don’t understand military life but I’ve tried.”
“You’ve been wonderful, David,” she said honestly.
A sadness cloaked him. “I shouldn’t have brought it up tonight. But…”
“I have choices to make,” Riza whispered.
He nodded. “I know what I want to you chose but I think I know where you really belong.”
Riza touched his lips. “Please, I just…I need time.”
David put his arms around her. “You have it.”
“Thank you.” Riza turned in his arms, letting him pull her closer. She didn’t want him to see her cry even though she knew she wasn’t fooling anyone. How could he be so understanding? Why was Roy such an ass sometimes? It wasn’t fair. Fair or not, Riza already knew who she was going to chose. She just wanted it not to hurt so much.
Epilogue
Disclaimer - not mine, all characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa et al, Square Enix and funimition.
Pairing – Eventually Roy/Riza but starts out Roy/OC, Riza/OC
Rating – R (for adult situations)
Time Line – anime based, future fic after that movie, with some manga elements like Xing, where Roy learned his alchemy and Armstrong’s other, older sister
Summary – Roy knows he has made a complete and total mess of his life but is he getting a second chance?
Author’s Note – This was written for the challenge put forth by
tiptoeinthesnow and she wanted some speculation on whether or not Roy would end up as Fuhrer and some romance (okay this is far more angst than romance.) Also, the spark of this story came before the challenge after hearing some songs by Hinder and a few others (I could easily suggest a listening soundtrack for this one). Special thanks to Ishte, mulzrulz, and Mjules for helping me with the movie details (since I was unable to actually make it through the movie) and thanks to evil_little_dog and mulzrulz for the beta.chapter onehttp://cornerofmadness.livejournal.com/591436.html
chapter two
chapter three
Chapter Four
Nothing is more wretched that the mind of a man conscious of guilt – Plautus
“I’m not sure I’m entirely clear on this,” Roy said, looking up at the fat, black clouds that had slowly been gathering. “What do we do if it rains?”
“President Armstrong has kindly given us the area around Slate Run Lake in the park so we can celebrate properly,” Aris said with a grin.
“I think General Mustang wants to know if he’ll have to do as you do and dance naked in the rain,” Riza said wryly, rolling her eyes at him.
“Shy, General?” Uzziel’s smirk deepened his wrinkles, his eyes flicking downwards.
Riza snorted indelicately. Roy glared at her. “Not in the least,” he replied, puffing up. “I’m just surprised that nudity is involved. No offense but your culture just seemed more staid than that but I’m sure what little I know is distorted.”
“We are a bit staid,” Uzziel admitted. “However, it rains so infrequently that feeling it on your skin, especially after you’ve asked God for it, is a good thing.”
“You can smell the storm coming now.” Roy looked back up at the clouds as if willing the rain to start. “So, Captain Hawkeye and I will be dancing naked in public.” He smirked but it flipped into a frown as he saw Riza’s wide eyes and remembered her tattoo.
“Do I even want to know?” A woman laughed behind him.
Roy turned to see Gracia and Winry browsing along the festival booths with Elicia between them. “Part of the celebration should it rain, Gracia.”
“So, did you finally find religion, Roy? It looked like you might have been praying for rain,” Gracia teased and Roy made a face at her.
“Do we get to watch?” Winry asked, her eyes dancing.
“I believe it’s a private ceremony,” Roy replied, waving her off.
“Oh, you can bring a few guests, Mustang,” Aris offered with a cheery grin.
“That includes bodyguards right?” Havoc called from his spot a few feet away, leaning against a tree. Riza whipped around, glaring.
She stabbed a finger at Havoc. “No!”
“I’m pretty sure it does, Captain,” Havoc replied, with a cocky smirk forming around his cigarette.
“She’s going for her gun, Lieutenant,” Roy put in with a wide grin.
“Hey guys, we might get to see the Captain without her robes,” Havoc bellowed back to the rest of Mustang’s men then quickly put the tree between him and Hawkeye.
Roy caught hold of her as she fumbled in her robes. “I need him. No shooting.”
“These robes aren’t conducive to quick-draw.” She jerked free of his grip. “Just like I was telling David last night, you all have the maturity of his school kids.”
A hurt expression kissed Roy’s face and he shot her a look that said, ‘what did I do?’ He shrugged it off. “They’re men and, as Winry was pointing out to me last night, sometimes we’re very stupid.” He glanced over at the girl. “I hope the rice wine didn’t have any lingering effects.”
Riza and Gracia both looked surprised at that but neither said anything.
“I’m good,” Winry assured him cheerily.
Roy nodded. “I think Hawkeye and I have a few more festival things to do before we’re free until the afternoon. Unless of course it rains.”
“Just come get us if it does.” Winry grinned, ignoring Riza’s withering glare. “Wouldn't want to miss that.”
“We’d better go meet up with David. The children are having a cultural exchange at the school this afternoon. Elicia’s class is attending and I know David’s group will be there, too,” Gracia said, nudging Winry. “I understand there’ll be quite a few Ishbalan children there for the exchange,” she added, looking at the two priests.
Uzziel nodded. “Dev is supervising them, though you’d have thought I was asking him to muck out the sewer. He doesn’t think babysitting is proper work for him.” The old priest snorted. “You were very right about teenaged boys, Mustang. Stubborn, arrogant creatures.”
“Yes, apparently we get little better with age.” Roy shot Riza a look and she wrinkled her nose at him.
“All right then, Winry and I will see you later, Roy,” Gracia said, then smirked. “Maybe all of you.”
Roy snorted and waved at the women as they left. He could feel Riza’s eyes on him. She wasn’t pleased. When they had a second alone, he’d suggest faking a sick headache so she could get out of having to show that tattoo of hers in public.
X X X
“Are you sure you feel up to this, Captain Hawkeye?” Aris asked as they headed for the school. Sprinkles of rain had begun to fall. “You don’t have to participate in the cultural exchange. If you have a headache, noisy kids won’t do it any good.”
“I think I’ll be good for a little bit more,” Riza said, glancing up at the sky. “I’ll beg off going to the park though, as sorry as I’ll be to miss that.” Her eyes cut over to Roy in time to see him smirk at her. His preening wasn’t lost on her.
Aris nodded. “I’ll send Mara to go for my herbs. I have something that is good for headaches. I’d send Dev but knowing him, he’s likely to substitute a purgative just to register his general displeasure with the world.”
“I gave him a lot of reasons to be displeased,” Roy said softly then looked up, seeing Armstrong heading his way in his dress uniform. “Lieutenant Colonel?”
“My sister asked me to represent her at the cultural faire. I’m looking forward to it!” Armstrong beamed, cracking his thick knuckles.
“He likes kids,” Roy confided in Uzziel and Aris. He sighed. He didn’t have Armstrong’s gift with children. They made him vaguely nervous but not as nervous as the thought of a naked dancing Armstrong should his sister wanted him to go to the lake with him and the Ishbalans. Over seven foot of dancing naked muscle would make anyone feel inadequate. “Okay, we’d better get in there.” As they headed for the door, there was the sound of breaking glass. They all paused, looking for the cause. Roy sniffed then swore. “Gas and fire!”
“Roy, the school!” Riza pointed to the flames rising from the back of the school. “Fire bombs.”
“Shit! All the kids are inside. Falman, Fuery, Breda! Find who threw those damn bottles and call the fire department,” Roy roared. “Everyone else, we have to get the people out of there.” Roy’s eye widened, seeing the flames leaping much higher than they should have. “Everyone’s in the gymnasium for the cultural exchange right? They must have poured fuel in the empty halls.” He didn’t take the time to go for his glove. He didn’t need to make a spark and now, with that happened to him at the Gate, his array wasn’t necessary to control the flames.
“Sir, can you contain it?” Riza asked.
“I think so. Armstrong, we could use some sand to smother the rest of the building. I’ll handle the flames going for the gym,” Roy said, pressing his palms together, feeling the energies building.
Armstrong grunted his agreement, pulling on his wrist bracer. His fist hit the ground sending a wave of grit and freshly made sand over the school, smothering some of the spreading fire. Roy concentrated on the flames licking at the gym, barring them from their fuel. Streamers of sweat popped out over his face and neck as he struggled to contain the large blaze. The sky chose that moment to open up and help them. The heat and crackle of the fire died away.
Roy waved a hand to those closest to him, ignoring the cries from the crowd and the distant fire engine siren. “We’ll go in through the gym doors. Follow me and don’t open any doors unless I say so. If all the fire isn’t out, there could be a back draft. It’s a tricky thing, fire.” Roy pointed to the gym door, grimacing where he saw some sadistic bastard had chained and padlocked it from the outside to make sure everyone inside died. He reached out, trying to determine if a fire was still inside, risky business at best. It wasn’t like he had some kind of magical sense, just a good understanding of fire. He nodded and Armstrong took the door down.
The cries of frightened children echoed in the large room. A wave of them headed for the now-open door, their watchers barely able to keep a handle on them. Armstrong barred the door long enough for the adults to regain order. Roy’s heart thundered seeing Gracia and Winry in the crowd. Elicia clung tight to her mother.
“Is anyone missing?” Armstrong’s voice boomed out before Roy could ask.
“There were some kids in the auditorium. That angry Ishbalan boy was going to round them up when the fire started. We haven’t seen them since,” Winry offered shakily.
“Armstrong, you come with me. Hawkeye, you help David with the children. Uzziel, Aris, you want to help them as well. I don’t want to risk you two inside the school. There might still be flare ups and hot spots.”
“It’ll help to see familiar faces.” Uzziel nodded to the Ishbalan children.
Roy gave a curt nod and he moved deeper into the school, Armstrong moving along very silently behind him for such a big man in dress boots. Roy pulled on his gloves. He didn’t want too many questions on how his alchemy had evolved. They saw no one in the hallways as they went but the smell of accelerant was strong. Roy heard the whimper of children just ahead and saw that the auditorium door was open. He and Armstrong picked up the pace. Three small children were huddled on stage around Dev who looked odd, like half of him had been swallowed, then Roy realized that’s what had happened, he had gone through the flooring. The smell of smoke beat at Roy and the heat inside the room was all wrong.
“There’s still fire in the walls, Armstrong. We have to get them out of here,” he whispered and the big man nodded. Roy smiled at the children so not to worry them more. “We’re going to get you out of here. Dev, how badly are you hurt?”
The young man canted his face up at Mustang, too frightened to be angry. Roy could see the nightmare memories of the boy losing his arm had come back for Dev. “The fire….didn’t get me but I’m stuck.” He waved his hook. “Can’t pull myself up with this.”
“We’ll get you out,” Roy promised. “Armstrong, could you?” He nodded to the three younger kids and Armstrong scooped them up. “Are you stuck on anything I can’t see?”
“Don’t know…don’t think.” Dev shook hard. “Don’t want to burn again! I can’t…”
“I know. No one is burning today,” Roy said grimly as the sound of break glass cracked through the acoustically perfect room. Roy’s pupils dilated as he heard the rush of rekindling flames. “Armstrong, run! It’s going to flash over.”
Armstrong whirled, racing out of the room. It felt like the air was being sucked out of the room and then the crisp crackle of fire danced across the ceiling. Dev screamed but Roy ignored him, concentrating on his alchemy. The fire died a premature death and Roy sagged against the floor, drained. He rallied quickly, not sure if they were out of the woods yet.
“You’re safe,” he told the boy, grabbing him around the chest.
“You…you put it out.” Dev’s red eyes seemed too big for his face.
“I am the Flame Alchemist, after all. Hold onto me. I’m going to try and pull you out. Damn…could have used Armstrong for this,” Roy said, wondering if he could do this alone. The young man’s arms wrapped tight, nearly strangling Roy. The hooks dug into his shoulders, which didn’t help matters. Roy strained to pull Dev up. “Damn, I’m too short to get much leverage,” he groaned but the terrorized young man wouldn’t let go to help, even if he could. Roy slipped, falling back and dragging Dev with him. The boy sprawled on top of him and Roy counted himself lucky they didn’t go back through the unstable floor. Red eyes met Roy’s and Dev’s mouth tightened as the boy rolled away.
Getting onto his backside, Dev checked out his legs. “You saved me.”
“You’re bleeding. How bad did your legs get cut up?” Roy took a look at the scratches and hoped they were superficial. “Do you think you can walk?”
Dev nodded. “To get the hell out of here, I can.”
Roy got up and helped the boy to his feet. Dev was less stable than his momentary bravado would suggest. Roy slipped a steadying arm around him and Dev glared. “Hate me later. Let’s get out of the potential fire hazard first.”
“Not arguing.”
Roy half dragged the young man to the nearest exit then out into the smoky, wet air. He saw the fire engines arriving in the downpour. He managed to get Dev half way to where most of the others had evacuated to before the boy’s legs went out. Roy eased him down. “Let’s have a look.”
“What do you know about first aid?” Dev growled at him.
Roy sighed. Finally he had found someone more annoying and mouthy than Edward Elric. “Enough but here comes some help if you don’t trust me.”
“I don’t,” Dev said without much conviction as his fellow priests descended upon him.
“Fair enough.” Roy sat back on the wet grass and let Aris and Uzziel take over. Using his alchemy like that was tiring but he wasn’t about to show weakness now, no matter how much he wanted to just lay down and let it rain on what was left of him.
“Is he all right?” Aris asked.
“I don’t think it’s bad but he won’t let me look,” Roy said, levering himself back up as he remembered he wasn’t here alone. Riza had gone inside and Gracia, Elicia and Winry had been in the fire. “You can take care of him. I’m going to go look for my friends who were inside. I need to be sure they’re okay.”
“Of course,” Aris said, rain sluicing down his face.
Roy went through the crowds, looking for his friends. He knew they should all be all right. The only one he didn’t know about was Riza. Once again she had followed him into danger. He hated it. He hated that children were left crying, terrified, some would carry the mental scars all their lives. Just look at what he had done to Dev. It was time for the hate and pain to end. That wouldn’t happen overnight he knew so he concentrated on things he could do something about, like finding Riza. Roy finally spotted her with Winry, Elicia, Gracia and David, trying to keep the kids and their parents calmed. “Hawkeye, report,” he called, trying to hide his immense relief that she was all right.
“Armstrong and his three charges are fine,” she said. “Is Dev all right?”
“Scratched up but he’ll be fine. I left him with Aris,” Roy said. “How bad was it?”
“Everyone is accounted for and no real injuries, just a few bumps and bruises and a lot of reddened eyes and a little too much smoke,” Riza said. “It could have been so much worse.”
Roy nodded. “I’m glad you’re all right.” He squatted down to Elicia’s level and hugged her. “Especially my favorite little girl.”
“Was scary, Uncle Roy.” Elicia tossed her arms around his neck. She looked at him “Your flowers are all crooked.”
“Flow…” Roy touched his head. He had forgotten he was wearing those. What a sight he must be. “I’ll fix them just for you.” He straightened up. “Mr. Calvert, I’m going to assign a detail to make sure you and your charges get back to the hotel all right, since we don’t know who did this. The streets might not be safe. I’ll have to find a few more policemen and some other troops to get everyone back to where they belong. Gracia, Winry, you can wait for me…maybe not. It’ll be a long wait.”
“Sir, you should delegate some of the responsibility,” Riza said gently. “You look exhausted.”
He pulled himself up to his full height. “I’m fine, Hawkeye.”
“Roy, your shoulder is bleeding.” Winry pointed to it.
“Damn. Well, I think Aris has his herbs or something with him. He seemed to think he could help Dev. I’ll go see if he has some bandages.” Roy said and his friends came with him. He let them, rather having them close than not. He did notice David stayed behind with the kids. Roy stopped when he found the Ishbalans again. “Do you have any bandages, Aris? I could use one. If not, I’ll try to track down a paramedic.”
Aris squinted up at him. “Sit. I’ll have a look.”
Roy sat next to Dev. “How bad was it?”
“He’ll be just fine,” Aris said, peeling the robe off Roy’s shoulder. “Got a couple punctures, here, look a little deep. I’ll put some antiseptic on them and bandage them up. It’ll sting a little.”
“That’s fin…ow!” Roy hissed as Aris swabbed his torn shoulder. Roy glared at Winry as if it were her fault. “What is it with you doctor types and ‘it’ll sting a little?’ Just say, ‘here’s some fresh hell for you, sit as still as you can’.”
“Oh, just be brave little soldier,” Winry said and Riza rolled her eyes at him.
“Sorry,” Dev muttered, his face going as red as his eyes.
“It’s fine. Not like it could be helped. It’s better than leaving you wedged in a burning building.” Roy sighed. “I’m just glad that no one was seriously hurt.”
“Sir.” Riza pointed to Breda and Havoc who were making their way through the crowd.
“Report,” Roy demanded.
“We caught two of them, sir,” Breda said.
“More Bradley sympathizers with the bombs yesterday?” Roy asked almost hopefully. At least that was a devil they knew.
Havoc shook his head. “A couple of Ishbalans. They are being quite vocal about their feelings for this festival and the cultural exchange.”
“Damn it,” Uzziel huffed and Aris looked stricken.
“Couldn’t have said it better,” Roy muttered.
“You’re telling me I almost got killed by of my own people!” Dev roared. “I mean, it’s not like I’m thrilled about this either but it’s better than another war, right? They were just a bunch of young kids, like I was when this happened.” He shook his arm.
“Yes, they could have at least selected a military target to make their statement,” Roy said.
“They were probably more interested in killing ‘traitors’,” Aris said, well aware that some of his people didn’t like the cultural exchange.
Sighing Roy nodded and got up. “So much for your ceremony. It’s probably not safe to go to the lake at all.”
Uzziel shook his head. “We will not let fear conquer us. Let’s deal with the matter at hand and then tonight, we dance. We could use the celebration.”
“And you thought you might wiggle out of this,” Riza whispered to Roy. “Though wiggling might still happen at the lake.”
“Don’t make me order you to dance, captain,” he hissed back and she scowled. He turned to Gracia and Winry. “I’ll find someone to take you two home. I have to go handle this.”
“Don’t worry about us, Roy. We’ll just go with the others,” Gracia said.
“And I’ll be around later to check that shoulder.” Winry patted his arm.
Roy nodded and wearily led his men off to deal with this latest threat.
X X X
In an eerie repeat of the night before, an unexpected knock sounded on the door. Roy set down his dinner bowl and padded toward the door. He should have just gone out for dinner since it was late by the time they left the lake, a bunch of wet, naked, dancing fools. He suspected someone had a camera with a telephoto lens in play, Fuery being the likely candidate. Just what he needed, men in possession of naked pictures of him and Armstrong.
Instead of going out to eat, Roy had come home for some comfort food, just like grandma used to make. Well, he wasn’t as good a cook as his Gram but he knew how to make a decent rice wine sauce for his beef and vegetables. Roy wondered if it was Riza at his door again; he could hope. Or Winry, which was okay; still, it could be his death waiting. Close enough, he thought, opening the door to see three Ishbalans standing there. “Oh, I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Maybe we should have called first,” Aris said, a sheepish look on his face.
“No, that’s all right. Come in.” Roy stepped back. “I was just finishing up dinner.”
“Sorry to interrupt,” Uzziel said, hesitating in the doorway.
Roy waved him off. “Not a problem. I have leftovers if you’d like a little something.”
“We ate,” Aris said while Dev craned his head around, looking at the foyer and the grand staircase.
“This is huge!” Dev cried.
“That’s about the third time I’ve heard that this week. Not exactly my taste. Half the furniture isn’t even mine. They gave it to me when I became ambassador,” Roy said, heading back for the living room. “It was meant to impress important guests…to be honest, I don’t get many yet…well, you’re among the first.”
“It is impressive,” Uzziel said, herding Dev along. The boy limped after Aris.
“Have a seat. Is there something I can get you to drink? Dev, why don’t you take that chair, you can put your feet up on the ottoman,” Roy pointed to the wingback. Dev plopped down on the love seat instead. Roy couldn’t help but be reminded once again of a certain short, irascible alchemist.
”We’re fine,” Aris said, leaving the chair to Uzziel. He sat next to Dev.
“To what do I owe the honor of this visit?” Roy reached for his dinner bowl, poking at it with the Xingese sticks.
“We wanted to talk to you about your next trip to Ishbal and how we might want to present what happened today,” Uzziel said, his eyes tracking Roy’s dinner utensils. The old man harrumphed. “I never noticed it until now, your heritage.”
Roy smirked. “Maybe because of my reputation with this country’s army. When I’m here, I’m always worried I can’t hide my telltale eyes any more than you can.”
“No, I suppose not,” Uzziel said, studying Roy’s black, almond-shaped eyes.
“As for what happened today, I’ll trust you to suggest a way of bringing this to your people. I’m assuming you mean me stopping that fire,” Roy said, stirring his dinner listlessly in its bowl.
“You saved a lot of lives,” Aris said, the gratitude evident in his eyes.
“Which doesn’t change how many lives I took all those years ago,” Roy replied quietly, setting his dinner aside. “It might seem self-serving for me to mention this incident at all.”
“What? You want us to sing your praises for you?” Dev grumbled, his eyes angry red slits.
“No. As far as I’m concerned, this never has to be mentioned again.” Roy shrugged. “If the families that were involved say something, all well and good but I will not trade on this to make myself look better.”
“I…yeah well,” Dev sputtered, clearly not ready for that. He was spared further embarrassment by another knock on the door.
“Hmm now who? If you’re all here then…” Roy’s nose wrinkled.
“Maybe it’s Mara,” Dev drew out her name like a curse. “Why don’t you go let your girlfriend in.”
Roy snorted, ignoring the boy and the mortified looks of his elders as he left to answer the door. He came back with Riza, Winry and David. “My lucky night, two girlfriends and an extra,” he said, sweeping his hand toward David and Riza elbowed him hard. He glared at her, holding his side. “You three sit down. I’m going to get us all something to drink.” Roy let them settle themselves while he went to warm up a bottle of rice wine for everyone. He added a bottle of plum wine to the tray to give a choice. “Here we go. Help yourself. Xingese rice or plum wines. Watch the rice one, it’s sneakier than it looks.”
“We’re used to desert lily liquor,” Aris assured him with a dismissive wave.
“Oh, yeah, that stuff. I’ve been knocked on my ass more than once by that.” Roy laughed.
“It’ll do that.” Uzziel grinned knowingly.
“So, before I ask the newcomers why they’re here, let’s finish up the other business,” Roy said. “Are we in agreement that might be the best idea?”
Uzziel nodded. “We were going to suggest that, actually. Let us and those whose children you saved carry the tale. It might go down better that way.”
Seeing the curious looks on the newcomers faces, Roy just nodded. “Agreed. All right, and what brings you three out tonight?” he asked of his friends.
“After everything that happened today, we just wanted to make sure you were all right,” Winry said. “Gracia wanted to come, too, but Elicia was so upset that she didn’t want to just leave her with a sitter.”
“And I didn’t want them going by themselves so I volunteered to come,” David said sheepishly. “Though, I’m pretty sure Riza would be the one rescuing me if any more trouble erupted.”
“She’s quite good at that.” Roy turned to Winry. “I’ll stop by and see Gracia tomorrow.” He gave Winry a look, nodding toward Dev. She wrinkled her nose in response.
The exchange didn’t go unnoticed. Dev’s tanned features took on high color as his brow knitted over those red, fierce eyes. “She talked to me about doing the automail for the cost of her services only. I’m not stupid. I know how much the actual automail costs. I don’t what your charity!”
Roy just rolled his shoulders, nonplussed. “Fine, keep your non-functioning hook. It doesn’t really matter to me.”
“You’re just trying to make yourself feel good,” Dev accused, his body quivering with anger.
Roy saw Riza take a step closer to him then back again when she remembered David was in the room. “Maybe. Or maybe I was just trying to help. If you don’t want the offer, don’t accept it.”
“I didn’t!”
Winry shot the boy a ‘grow up’ look and the two priests shook their heads. “Sometimes, Dev, you need to learn to accept help,” Aris said gently.
Dev glared at his elder. “Not his.”
Roy sighed, feeling very tired. He just wanted them all to go home, including Riza. He knew she probably had tried to discourage David but here he was, in Roy’s home. All Roy wanted was to crawl under the covers and hide for a while. He held up a hand. “It’s all right, Aris. It’s his body, his choice.” He looked at everyone, picking up the letter he had started to his sisters about the whole festival, planning to cap it off with the naked dance. He was hoping they’d all take the hint. “Is there anything else I can do for you all?”
“What is that?” Winry peered over his shoulder. “I’ve not seen writing like that.”
“Yeah, you probably don’t have a Little Xing in Resembol,” Roy said. “Aris and Uzziel, being a little older, can tell you there used to be whole sections of Eastern cities and even here in Central that were all Ishbalan suburbs. Same with Xingese people. My sisters live in one in the northeast. This is Xingese writing.”
“You have sisters!” Winry asked in shock. “Ed didn’t know, did he? He would have been horrified to know there were more of you.”
Riza bit back a laugh then went over to David who was studying Roy’s bookshelf as she tried to avoid Roy’s glare.
“Why do you think I’m so brave?” Roy smirked at Winry. “I don’t just have a sister, I’m the youngest of five and I’m the only boy.”
“Oh dear,” David said, turning away from the bookshelves. “Bet that was rough.”
“Tell them about what your sisters used to do, sir.” Riza smirked wickedly.
Roy pointed at her. “Shut up, Hawkeye!”
“He was their favorite doll,” she continued and he knew this was part of his penitence for the things he put her through.
“Did they play dress up with you?” Winry giggled.
“You shut up, too.” Roy stabbed a finger at her. “It was awful, all those girls and me. The things they’d do…just so long as no one else bugged me. Bullied would get a face full of Mustang girls. Scary, let me tell you. Then there was the train wreck, bang, no parents, so me and the sisters lived with Grandfather and he was very big on us maintaining our Xing heritage, so I still write to all of them that way.” Roy shrugged. “And when I was nine, Grandfather said I was going to go live with an alchemist so I could train more. Mom was an alchemist so without her I was kind of lost. I was so excited, no more evil sisters. I was thrilled to go someplace new, like I was a big boy and I had all these plans…then found out Teacher had a damn daughter. Gah, girls, the bane of my nine year old existence.”
“With those bruises on your cheek, I’d say women still are the bane of your existence.” Uzziel laughed.
“Okay, everyone’s going to be banned from my house but David, Aris and Dev but I suspect he wants banned,” Roy grumbled, rubbing his bruised face. Dev’s lips skinned back from his teeth.
“So what happened with your teacher’s daughter?” Aris asked.
“Oh, she was an awful thing. Headstrong and bossy. And when she’d get caught doing something bad, she’d blame me and I’d get in trouble,” Roy said, smirking at Riza
“I only did that once,” Riza argued to the amusement of the Ishbalan priests.
“More than that. You used to make stuff up, like the time you got mad at me and told your dad I was in your underwear drawer.” He poked her shoulder.
“That was just funny. I thought Dad was going to kill you.” Riza giggled.
“Not funny. I thought he was, too. See? Honestly, awful.” Roy waved a hand at her.
“If she was so awful, then why did you keep her on your staff for so long?” David asked, shooting Roy an intense look.
“Because I apparently like being bossed around and picked on,” Roy sighed. “I live for it. She used to shoot at me. Havoc and the others can be a nightmare and then there was Fullmetal. I might as well hire Dev to the open junior liaison position just to round out the set.”
“I’m not working for you,” Dev huffed then thought for a moment. “Who’s Fullmetal?”
“The Fullmetal alchemist, a little young man pissed at the world and most especially me, though I never figured out why.” Roy shrugged. “You think you’re being nasty, Dev? You have nothing on him. Used to call me Colonel Shit to my face.”
“Or the bastard,” Riza offered.
“And some other really nasty things I’m not repeating,” Winry demurred and Roy just raised his eyebrows, wondering what else Ed used to say. He’d ask Winry privately later.
“Any reason you crave abuse?” Aris asked, a serious look in his red eyes.
Roy shrugged again. “Some of them tease me because they actually care about me. As for the rest, maybe a part of it is, I deserve it. I can’t change the past but I can punish myself for it. I’m not sure I’ll ever see myself in whatever heroic terms might be in your books, David.” Roy got up and beckoned to his visitors. “Come on. There’s something I want to show you. No one’s been back here yet. I finally had some things sent to me from my sisters. I’ve always been afraid to openly embrace my heritage while I was in the Fuhrer’s service. I saw what happened to the Ishbalan citizens and always knew that it could happen to the Xing ones as well. I think that’s half the reason I was so hesitant to buck authority during the war. I doubted anyone would have cared I’m half Amestrian.”
“That’s understandable,” Uzziel said, openly appraising Roy.
Roy opened the door to a room that very much highlighted his heritage. In the center of the room was a low table surrounded by mats. Along one wall stood a tea chest that had a dragon tea pot and cups displayed on it. On the other wall a dragon kite had been tacked up giving the illusion of flight over two tiny trees in pots and a very solitary flower arrangement.
“This is very pretty,” Winry breathed, taking it all in as she stopped in front of two metal peacocks with tiny reflectors and candles in their tail feathers.
“It really is, Roy,” Riza said softly, going to look at the kite. This was side even she hadn’t seen before.
“Thank you.” Roy took a picture off the book shelf and handed it to Dev and David. “None of these men are probably in the history books but should have been. Maes Hughes, my best friend. It was his daughter you mistook as mine, David. He’s gone now. There’s me, of course, next to Maes. On the other side of him is Arnold Bryden. He died in Ishbal and on the other side of me is Serik, an Ishbalan who was my roommate with me and Maes for a year in the Academy. I never did learn what happened to him. I know he was rounded up with the rest of the citizens. I’d like to think he was just relocated to the camps but I know they killed him.” Roy’s voice broke. “I’m the only one in that picture left alive. Most of my friends are gone already.” He tossed his head like a horse. “Guess we all know how that feels. Everyone here lost someone in that war…well, I don’t know you, David, but certainly the rest of us.”
“My older brother, he came back minus three limbs. They’re all automail now so I guess, I’m luckier than most,” David replied softly.
“You look happy here,” Dev tapped the picture. “Or drunk.”
“Both,” Roy admitted.
“The Ishbalan was your friend?” The boy sounded surprised.
“A very good one. It was no easy thing, being sent off to war.” Roy shook his head. “I had no reason to hate anyone in Ishbal. I didn’t even understand fully what was going on but I thought I was doing what I had to for my country and later…when I did understand, it was too late. They had turned me into something I never wanted to be.”
“You killed children there. You nearly killed me,” Dev whispered.
“I tried not to. I didn’t want to and it won’t ever happen again. I won’t use this power to further my cause. I could, I could use it to become very powerful indeed but I won’t. If I wanted to take power from President Armstrong, there’d be little she could do to stop me but that’s not the kind of man I am,” Roy said, a morose expression on his face.
“There’s no guarantee of that,” Dev said.
“No, there is. It was a deal I made with Hawkeye. I would never teach anyone my alchemy, which was her father’s wish to begin with and if I ever stepped out of line, she would kill me,” Roy said flatly.
“That’s awful,” Winry shuddered, her eyes flickering between Riza and Roy. “You can’t think like that. I’ve given you back two good feet, Roy. It’s time for you to just move forward and leave this behind you as much as you can.”
Roy managed a lopsided grin for Winry. He wanted to go to Riza and hold her, seeing in her eyes how much of a toll this conversation was having on her. Instead he took the picture from Dev and put it back. “I think you’re right. Well, I think I’ve depressed you all enough for one night. Let’s go back to the other room and have some wine.”
“It’s not fair,” Dev said as he left the room.
“What isn’t?” Aris asked, glancing at the boy.
“He’s not supposed to…I’m not supposed to like him,” the boy grumbled. “He’s not supposed to be like this.”
“I’m just a guy, not the hero here or the monster in your home. I’m just a mostly normal human being with a very different skill,” Roy said. “It’s harder to hate me in person, isn’t it?”
Dev nodded.
“That’s the way it should be. We should have to know someone before we can actually hate them and want to hurt them. It would probably happen a lot less that way,” Roy said, sitting down in front of the wine tray. “Who wants what?”
“We’ve kept you long enough, maybe we should go,” Uzziel said.
“If you want, but I don’t mind that you stay. I’d rather not be alone in this big place. I do that every night,” Roy said, hoping that wasn’t pity he saw in Riza’s eyes.
“Well, then I’m sure we can stay awhile,” Uzziel replied.
“Hawkeye can probably entertain you with more tales of embarrassment on my part,” Roy said wryly, pouring himself some rice wine.
“I could keep us here all night with those,” she shot back.
Roy snorted. “Kill me now.”
“Don’t tempt fate.” Winry smacked him on the head before going for the plum wine.
“You mentioned that the liaison position is still open,” Aris said, pointing at the rice wine. “The one that would reach out to our young folk.”
Roy nodded. “That position is still open as is the one as my personal attaché and bodyguard. They’re both rather thankless positions.”
“So why would you think I’d want it?” Dev asked.
Roy studied him for a moment. “Because you seem interested in making a change for your people but you would have to decide how best to do it.”
He made a face. “In other words, if I were to take it, I’d be seen as a traitor by those who want to isolate totally from Amestris.”
“That’s just half of it. You might learn of something like what happened today and have to make a choice, let them strike against a perceived enemy or stop them,” Riza said.
Dev shook his head. “Today was wrong. Those kids didn’t do anything to deserve to be hurt. They were just children and if he wasn’t there some of us would definitely have died before the firemen arrived.” He pointed at Roy with his hook. Dev considered the older man. “You could have run when that fire started to flash over but you stayed to save me. I wonder if the people who set the fire even gave a moment’s thought to the fact that an Amestrian might do that for an Ishbalan.”
“Probably not,” Roy said sardonically. “The job pays very well. You could probably buy your own damn automail.”
Dev nodded, looking down at his hook. “I heard that is hurts, automail.”
“Exquisitely,” Roy replied. “Think about it. Just know it’s a dangerous position, too. People might shoot at you.”
“If your job was so dangerous, then why did your president assign you to it, being the big hero of Ishbal?” Dev asked.
“He has a good point,” David said, giving Roy a curious look.
“Because…she thought I’d do a good job,” Roy said carefully, keeping his ‘because Olivia wants me dead because she knows I want to be president, too,’ to himself. “And I’m serious about the danger. Aris already works as a full liaison. He was there the last time someone tried to shoot me. Luckily nobody got hurt.”
“You ruined my automail,” Winry reminded him.
Roy sighed. “Next time I’ll try to take the bullet in a fleshy part, okay?”
“Automail can be replaced, you can’t.” Riza shot Winry a look and the girl blushed.
“I know,” Roy sighed, knocking back his rice wine and refilling his glass. “Me actually staying alive has seemed unlikely these last few years. I think that’s part of the reason I’ve been so…remote. Better if everyone just hated me and left me alone than have to deal with my death.” Roy ducked Winry’s irritated blow only to get hit by Riza instead. “Oww, quit hitting me.”
“Quit being a morbid ass,” Riza replied, her brown eyes flashing.
“Scaring people away and planning your own death is a bit…unusual,” David put in.
“Maybe. I suppose that’s the turn my life’s taken of late.” Roy shook it off. “So, anything else I can get for anyone? More alcohol, something to eat, a less depressing topic?” Roy found comfort in the role of host.
“Well, we could mention there might have been pictures of you at the celebration at the lake,” Winry grinned. “And I might be convinced not to sell them…or maybe you’d like the attention selling them would bring.”
“Don’t make me discourage people from using you as a mechanic, girl.” Roy huffed, taking another drink. “But the festival is over now and I think it was rather successful. Do you two think so?” he asked of the priests.
“I think it went much better than expected, barring idiots from both sides, trying to ruin it,” Uzziel said.
“Yes.” Roy looked over at Riza. “Now that it’s over, I guess you and David will be going back East.”
Riza swallowed hard and Winry looked like she wanted to kick Roy for bringing that up in front of everyone. “Yes, tomorrow actually.”
Roy looked at his wine cup. “That soon? Pity. I was enjoying getting to see you again, Captain. It almost felt like old times.”
“Yes,” Riza replied tightly.
“I think General Grumman wanted to station you back here with your former team,” Roy said, a miserable look flashing in his eyes. “I dissuaded him not to. You have a new life out East.” He cast a look at David. “It wouldn’t be fair.”
“Roy, I’d like a refill.” Winry shoved her glass in front of his nose before he could keep twisting the knife.
He read her expression; do it or get hit again. He refilled it and let the conversation shift again. Somehow, in spite of it all, he wasn’t unhappy that his guests stayed late. The Ishbalans left first then David, Winry and Riza.
Riza hesitated on the outside step then held up a hand. “Hang on for a moment. I forgot something inside.” She barreled past Roy into the living room, waiting for him to follow. “Why would you bring that up? Me having to leave?”
“Because it’s reality,” he said, seeing his night was going to end in a fight and it was his own stupid fault. “Because I can’t ask you back here, because I don’t even know if you’d want to come back. You’re a captain now, you don’t belong doing work for me and the job I really want you to fill would mean you resigning because my bodyguard can’t be military. I can’t ask you to do that. We never even talked about it.” Roy’s fists clenched. “It would have been easier if you just kept hating me.”
Roy knew he was going to get hit. He didn’t even try to dodge the blow. He just wished Riza would have opted for an open-hand slap. He could feel his lip swelling.
“I never hated you. I tried but I couldn’t,” she said then whipped around and stalked outside.
Roy heard her telling the others that she found the nonexistent item and then they were gone. He wanted to run after her, beg her to stay, right in front of her new lover if he had to. He wanted to tell her that when he looked in her eyes, he saw his unborn children, that in those sepia depths he was home. Instead, Roy told himself he was doing the mature thing and letting her go. Shaking, he dragged himself back into the living room. Polishing off the bottle of rice wine left him ‘asleep’ on the couch.
X X X
Riza collapsed on the bed after they had taken Winry to her lodgings. “It’s been a terribly long day.”
“It really has, hasn’t it?” David got in next to her. “Riza, I know this is the wrong time but can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“How long have you been in love with Mustang?” The question was flat, emotionless.
Riza flipped over on the bed to look at him. She wanted to lie. Instead she said, “I was in love with him even when I was that bratty little girl and for a long time afterward. Finally, it was like Roy said, he cut himself off and we went our separate ways. It’s been over a few years now.”
David shook his head. “I don’t know. I’ve always known that there was something between us, something I could get around. I thought maybe it was the differences in our jobs and upbringing. I know it’s obvious that I just don’t understand military life but I’ve tried.”
“You’ve been wonderful, David,” she said honestly.
A sadness cloaked him. “I shouldn’t have brought it up tonight. But…”
“I have choices to make,” Riza whispered.
He nodded. “I know what I want to you chose but I think I know where you really belong.”
Riza touched his lips. “Please, I just…I need time.”
David put his arms around her. “You have it.”
“Thank you.” Riza turned in his arms, letting him pull her closer. She didn’t want him to see her cry even though she knew she wasn’t fooling anyone. How could he be so understanding? Why was Roy such an ass sometimes? It wasn’t fair. Fair or not, Riza already knew who she was going to chose. She just wanted it not to hurt so much.
Epilogue
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no subject
Date: 2007-11-08 01:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-08 02:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-08 03:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-08 04:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-09 01:35 am (UTC)...I should be reviewing for my pre-calc test tomorrow. Grr. *sigh* back to work...
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Date: 2007-11-09 02:34 am (UTC)pre-calc, ick can't help you there. been way too many years ago
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Date: 2007-11-21 06:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-21 06:16 pm (UTC)as for Roy after I gave him this background then i realized oh dear...him AND Armstrong have 4 sisters and are the only boy. they can go bond