cornerofmadness (cornerofmadness) wrote in royai, @ 2008-08-23 16:13:00 |
|
|||
Current mood: | busy |
Current music: | You Are Loved - Josh Groban |
Fic Update - Sorrow's Dark Array Chapter Nineteen
Sorrow’s Dark Array
Author - cornerofmadness
Disclaimer - not mine, all characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa et al, Square Enix and funimition.
Pairing – Roy/Riza, Ed/Win (eventually) Winry/OC, mentions of Maes/Gracia and Al/OC
Rating – will vary from chapter to chapter, mostly Pg-13 but will eventually contain well marked adult chapters.
Time Line – anime based, spoilers all the way through the anime and the movie and does have strong manga elements such as Armstrong’s older sister and the land of Xing
Summary – As Roy and Riza prepare for their wedding, while dodging assassins, Ed and Al try to find their way back home.
Author’s Note #1– This was written after much prodding by evil_little_dog as a sequel to the source of sorrow and is now her holiday gift even if she has beta’ed part of it. So thanks to her and lyricnonsense for the beta. You do not have to read the first story to understand this. You’ll quickly pick up that Riza has retired from the military to be Roy’s wife and bodyguard. Olivia Armstrong is now president and she’s assigned Roy as the ambassador to Ishbal; oh and that Roy was severely injured in the destruction of the Gate, requiring some of Winry’s automail.
Author's Note #2 - This is a longer work and like real relationships, the ones listed in the pairings, take time to mend and come together. They have to work at it. Hope you enjoy the ride.
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter eight
Chapter nine
chapter ten
chapter eleven
chapter twelve
chapter thirteen
chapter fourteen
chapter fifteen
chapter sixteen
chapter seventeen
chapter eighteen
“Days of absence, sad and dreary, Clothed in sorrow's dark array, Days of absence, I am weary; She I love is far away.” – Shakespeare
Author's Note _ since no one got the shout out last time, it was Miao-Yin's name and description which came from Kurt Russell's Big Trouble in Little China
Chapter Nineteen
So I’m going home, back to the place where I belong Daughtry
“I think Riza is happy,” Roy said, stretched out on a blanket next to the pond. The grassy bank was duck-poop free thanks to Hayate’s intent patrol of the gardens. No duck felt safe bothering with Roy’s small pond and its beautifully hued and finned fish. He liked lying here watching them. He glanced up at the man casting a long shadow over him.
Hughes sat down at the edge of the blanket. “Did you even ask her what she wanted before this?”
Roy threw a piece of kibble into the water, watching the fish swarm. “She didn’t want anything big, or at least didn’t feel comfortable telling me that she did. Riza was content with life as it was. I was the one all sappy about the ring and wedding.”
Hughes grunted, reaching over to snare a few pieces of kibble. He winged one of them into the water. “I know how that goes.”
Roy snorted. “I remember, or at least one version of it.”
Hughes glanced over at him, grinning. “If there was a lot of crying, throwing up and nearly running away, then it’s pretty much the same.”
“I had to threaten to break your knees, especially since you made me go pick out the ring with you and wouldn’t stop babbling about it for weeks.” Roy tossed more food. “The jewelers probably thought I was just an ugly girl and you were going to marry me, the way you were carrying on.”
“Sounds about right.” Hughes laughed. “Only I didn’t have you to bug.”
“I wanted a small wedding, just me and Riza, and the officiator. But now…” Roy sat up. “I don’t even know who to ask to be in the wedding. Of course, I need to talk to Riza about who she wants as her bridesmaids. I was thinking naturally, you’re the best man then I remember…”
“That I’m not him,” Hughes said softly.
Roy’s head bowed. “Yeah.”
“If it helps, I’d be honored, if you still want me to. I can’t explain it,” Hughes looked out at the fish that had come to the shoreline, mouths opening and closing hungrily in the shallow water. He tossed them another treat. “My Roy died when we were young but your mannerisms, some of the things you do and say, I can imagine him doing, had he lived longer. I’ve only known you for a few days but it feels like there isn’t a part of my life I could look back on and not feel like you’ve been there. Is that creepy?”
Roy rolled his shoulders. “Maybe it should be but it’s not. I feel the same way but my Hughes was part of my life for a long time. You’re just so much like him. You have the hard part, trying to slip into his skin.”
“It’s not being as hard as I thought.” Hughes blanched just a bit at that admission. “I have Ed and Al and I feel like I’ve known you forever. I feel fairly at home here. But Gracia…I almost wanted her not to like me, to think it was too strange to have me around. I wanted to feel that way about her but I don’t. I think she likes me, could actually accept me into her life, and I’m not sure that’s healthy.”
Roy turned to face him. “Maybe not. Maybe she’s thinking of what might be best for Elicia. Maybe she needs you to be him as much as you need her to be your Gracia.”
Hughes’ chin dipped. “I thought this would be like betraying my Gracia and sometimes it does feel that way. But I want this. I want to be part of her life, or at least I think so. Maybe we’re rushing it but it’s hard not to. I mean, sooner or later Elicia is going wonder why she gets sent away to friends more often.”
“I can’t tell you what to do, Hughes. This is between you and Gracia. You’re both smart people. I trust you to figure it out,” Roy said, running a hand through his tousled hair. “Even if hearts make things messy.”
“Understatement,” Hughes said, nodding his head toward the stepping stones. Dev was coming up the path.
“Thought I heard you back here. Guess whatever it is you had to be home for, hasn’t happened yet, too quiet,” the young priest said. “Why exactly did I have to come?”
“Call it a whim,” Roy said. “Call it keeping you were I can see you.”
“Jerk.” Dev watched Roy slowly get to his feet. “I don’t know why I came. It’s…how does Mera work with you knowing Riza is right there?”
“She always knew my heart was somewhere else,” Roy said, his face feeling hot. He should have known how uncomfortable Dev would be. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking earlier. I shouldn’t have asked you here. It’s just well, it would help the brothers having someone their age around and it wouldn’t hurt you to have friends that aren’t always judging everything you do.”
“You’re meddlesome,” Dev huffed.
Hughes got up and clapped a hand on Roy’s shoulder. “Dev might have a point.”
“I suppose that I am.” Roy started for the house. “You’re here now, might as well come in. I’d go directly to the library. That’s where I left Edward and Alphonse. The ladies are all talking wedding, which reminds me again to kick your ass later, and it’s like an ocean of femininity in there.”
“It frightened me and Roy out to the gardens.” Hughes’ citrine eyes glinted.
“What do I have to do to get out of performing the marriage?” Dev grumbled, following the men inside.
“Die,” Roy replied, slapping Dev’s back. “Other than that, you’re committed. This will teach you to keep your mouth shut.”
“Why do I doubt that?” Hughes asked.
“Don’t you start, too,” Dev poked Hughes’ shoulder.
Hughes just grinned. “Count yourself lucky to slither by the ladies. The priest doing the ceremony is sure to be dragged into the wedding planning.”
“Just perfect.” Dev slumped. “Knew I should have stayed at home.”
X X X
“You look…irritated,” Attaway said, pretending he wasn’t looking over his tea cup to the table next to him at the outdoor café.
“I tried to get invited to tonight’s doings.” Anah picked at the muffin on her plate. “I can’t get through to that idiot priest that I like him.”
“Maybe he senses you loathe him.” Attaway’s razor thin smile infuriated her or so he gauged the looks of her eyes.
“I’ve never had trouble making men believe what I want.” Anah popped a piece of muffin in her mouth. “I wanted to see Mustang die.”
“We all have sacrifices to make,” Attaway said. “If I had known that there was going to be a special luncheon today, I would have arranged for it to happen there and throw suspicion on the Xing, as if our country needs their kind in it.” His face screwed up as if his tea cup contained gall.
“Or my people,” Anah reminded him hotly.
“We’re already blaming Resembool on an Ishbalan rebel if we can. Surely it’s not too far of a stretch that she could have been in the Center.” Attaway sighed. “It’s one of the few lucky breaks we’ve had.”
“Some people wouldn’t make the distinction. I’m in this to help my people, not condemn them.” Anah’s red eyes studied him as if wondering just what sort of man she had made a deal with.
“Well, if you’re lucky, I can let you into the coroner’s office after Mustang is dead and you can do what you want with the body,” Attaway said, detesting the vulgarity of it but knew she would love it. The glee in her eyes proved him right. He hated having to deal with people like this but it would be worth it in the end.
X X X
“Let me repeat this, for everyone in the room who has gone deaf,” Roy said, glaring at the collection of people in his living room. “I am wearing my dress blues to my wedding.”
“You have to wear that dragon dress,” Ed insisted, sitting sideways on the chair, legs dangling over the arm carelessly.
“ Robe,” Roy corrected, frustrated that Li-Ying had brought it up. “And I’m wearing my dress blues.”
“But, Brother, we’ve talked Riza into a traditional wedding dress,” Li-Ying’s full lips pulled into a pout. “You need to match her.”
“I’m a general,” Roy reminded everyone. “And since someone ,” he glared over at Dev, “messed up my nice quiet military wedding, it doesn’t automatically mean we throw protocol out the window. I’ll be expected to wear the dress blues.”
“Then you’ll have to wear the dragon dress to the reception.” Edward was determined to have his way.
“ Robe,” Roy growled. “Tell him, Dev.”
“He’s always in a dress, that doesn’t count.” Ed waved them off.
“I’m in a robe. It has pants under it. It is not a dress,” Dev said and Ed just rolled his eyes. “Some people find it very attractive.”
“I think you’re very attractive in it,” Miao-Yin said quickly before Ed could take the barely veiled bait about Winry. Roy rolled his eyes at his niece.
Before the battle could continue, there was a knock at the door. Riza went to answer it. To everyone’s surprise, she came back with the Armstrongs and several people, many carrying boxes. They trooped past the living room, heading for the kitchen. Both Armstrongs, however, stopped as did the young lady with them. Rose’s eyes lit up and without waiting to see what the president would do or say, she darted into the room and threw her arms around Ed’s neck, knocking him back in the chair. Rose planted a kiss on the startled young man’s lips. It required effort on Ed’s part to peel her away but Rose didn’t seem to notice as she bounced over to Al and gave him a hug, but not a kiss. Ed exchanged looks with Winry, trying to shrink into his chair.
“Rose, I didn’t expect to see you,” Ed managed to stammer out.
“I can’t believe you’re back,” Rose said, “and no one told me until Mr. Attaway suggested to President Armstrong that we should have a welcome home party for you.” She beamed over her shoulder at Olivia. “I helped put this all together.”
“A surprise party?” Roy’s eyebrows lifted as he studied Olivia. “So, this is why you made sure we’d be home.”
Olivia rolled her shoulders. “I didn’t see how it could hurt. Your friend was very excited by the idea and I’m sure many of us are pleased to have the Fullmetal Alchemist back and, of course, his brother.”
Ed’s jaw tightened, seeing the dark glint in her blue eyes. “Yeah.”
“So, I’ll leave you to enjoy your party,” Olivia said, turning her back to them.
“You’re not staying?” Riza asked in a tone that sounded hopeful the woman would leave.
Olivia glanced back. “My brother can represent me.”
“Good, maybe he can help make the decision about if Roy has to wear dress blues for his wedding,” Hughes said and Roy glared at him.
“I still say dragon dress,” Ed argued.
Olivia whipped around, her blue eyes gleaming. “What is this about a dress?”
Roy gave Ed a look that promised a slow death. “Thanks for nothing. It’s a robe, and I’m wearing my dress blues.”
Rose looked at them, confused then tried to get the brothers' attention. “Shouldn’t we go in the other room? They’re putting out your welcome home goodies.”
“Yes, let’s go have some treats,” Alex Louis said, sparing a glance for his sister who nodded.
“I think I will stay. I want to hear more about the dress for Mustang.” Olivia’s grin went rapier sharp.
Roy got to his feet and beckoned for everyone to follow. He put a hand on Rose’s back. “I’m General Mustang,” he told her. “I know I’ve heard your name from Winry.”
Looking up at him, Rose smiled. “She’s told me all about you.”
“See, no one has been spared the stories about how much of a bastard you are,” Ed snickered.
“Edward,” Winry hissed, glancing over at Olivia but the president seemed amused if nothing else.
The servers who had carried in the food boxes had unloaded the contents in the dining room. Ed was first to the table, not minding any manners or sense of decorum as he started helping himself. Alphonse and Winry chorused their sighs then Winry let out an extra one as Rose promptly plopped herself on one side of Ed. As Winry took the seat on the other side of Ed she couldn’t help notice Dev’s amused look, nor that he did manage to sit next to Miao-Yin. Well, at least he was spared being stuck beside Olivia, like Roy, but she didn’t like Dev’s chances of out-grabbing food if Mr. Armstrong was hungry since he sat between Dev and Li-Ying. Apparently, neither Roy nor Olivia had any effect on the relationship, yet. Winry was glad of it.
Al looked at the food on the table, trying to figure what he wanted the most so he could get a fair helping before Ed ate everything including the table cloth. A large luscious looking fruit tart sat next to two pies in the middle of the table, with a whole assortment of appetizers ringed around it, including sautéed mushrooms scented strongly with garlic, a strange salad of artichoke, melon and good, fatty sausage chunks, little puff pastries filled with olives and cheese, tiny meatballs in almond sauce and little rounds of bread smothered in caramelized onions and goat cheese. Al wondered if there was more in the kitchen. The tiny bites would barely hold Edward alone and he didn’t want to think about what it would take to keep the Armstrongs going. Then again, it was probably meant to be done as Roy was doing, just a little of each on a plate.
Knowing he had only one chance, Al loaded up on the things he wanted to try most. He saw Winry whisper something to Ed but it appeared to go ignored. Some days it didn’t pay to be an Elric.
Rose put a hand on Ed’s metal arm. “Before you tell me all about where you two were, I have to say two things. One, welcome home. I’m sure everyone is so happy you’re back.”
Ed and Al both flushed a little at the enthusiastic agreement Rose got in response. “And secondly, Ambassador Mustang, there is something special for you. They said to make sure you got a get well treat.” Rose pointed to the little covered dish next to the pies.
Roy’s eyebrows rose and his eye took on a gleam. “Oh? Well, I want that first.”
“We don’t eat dessert first,” Riza reminded him absently.
Ed leaned across the table to snatch up the cover. His golden eyes brightened, seeing the long cream-filled pastry with chocolate icing. “That’s too good for him.” He grabbed the pastry.
“Brother!”
“Ed!” Winry and Rose said together.
Roy stood up. “Give me my get well goodie.”
Ed’s answer was a wide, evil grin. His big mouth opened, the pastry angling towards it. Roy lurched forward. He only snared back half of it. The rest disappeared into Edward’s maw. Roy shoved the remainder into his own, chewing quickly.
“ Gott! For a moment, I thought Roy was going to just bite off one end like a dog. If those two touched lips…” Hughes shuddered.
“Don’t even suggest it.” Al stabbed a finger at him. Ed’s face infused dangerously.
“Is it always like this?” Olivia asked nonplussed as she reached for the cheese and olive pastries.
“Pretty much,” Riza replied.
“Edward, you are such a brat,” Winry huffed.
“That was for the Ambassador,” Rose fretted then shook her hair back. “Too late now, I suppose. I didn’t get to bring Kane but you all have to come see him. He’s getting so big now. You can bring your boyfriend along, Winry, if you want.” Her eyes cut over to Dev, missing Winry’s shoulders slumping. “I’m not sure I got your name, though.”
“I’m Dev,” he said. “And I’m not her boyfriend any more. She’s better off with shorter, blonder and prettier.” He nodded his head towards Ed to give Rose warning.
“Dev!” Winry hissed.
“WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SHORT AND…” The word pretty finally sank in and Ed’s jaw dropped then he stabbed a finger at Dev. “Did he say pretty?”
Roy laughed and Al rolled his eyes, visibly swallowing his own laugh. “Not when you’re spraying stolen pastry all over. Sit down.”
“Thanks, Dev.” Winry rubbed her forehead to stave off the impending headache as Ed plopped back down.
“I was trying to help clear things up so no one gets the wrong idea.” Dev inclined his head at Rose who just looked at him, confused.
“Lost cause,” Miao-Yin whispered to him.
“Dev, do I need to remind you of those words you’re going to have to learn to say?” Roy shot a critical look at their closeness.
“Is he threatening you? He does that. My mom gets him to threaten all the boys who talk to me.” Miao Yin wrinkled her nose at her uncle. “Usually it goes something like ‘don’t make me have to remove body parts with my alchemy’.”
Dev cringed. “I’ve already lost body parts to that. Once was enough.”
Roy held up his hands. “I got that threat from my Teacher when it came to Riza.”
“I see you listened really well,” Hughes said, his eyebrows wagging.
“He did.” Riza chuckled. “Until my father passed on. He only got singed once.”
“Just couldn’t resist, could you?” Olivia snorted. “Not surprised.”
“Who could?” Roy shrugged.
Miao-Yin put a hand on Dev’s. “Just so you know, I don’t listen to my uncle.”
“It’s not your body parts being threatened. That piece is still pretty much pristine and I want to keep it like that.” Dev said, trying to distract himself with melon salad.
Rose just stared at them all for a moment then turned back to Ed. Her hand closed over his wrist. “You still haven’t told me all about your adventures.”
Ed tried to worm away, looking to his brother for help. Al abandoned him, figuring Ed could use a lesson or two. “It wasn’t very exciting. Mostly I was away studying physics.”
“And trying to teach yourself automail mechanics…not very successfully,” Al said. “Honestly, mostly Ed just studied. I…” Pain crossed Al’s face as he remembered Ziata. “I fell in love but she was killed in a car accident.”
“He doesn’t like to talk about it,” Ed said as Rose covered her mouth.
“Oh, Al, I’m so sorry.” Rose got up and went over to him. She rested her hands on his shoulders. “I know what that’s like. I lost my fiancé, too.”
Al managed a smile for her, reaching up to squeeze her hand. “I remember.”
“So let’s talk about other things,” Ed said, blinking his eyes as if to clear his vision. “Like the Bastard in a dress.”
“Yes, what is this about you wearing a dress to your wedding?” Olivia smirked at Roy.
“Robe, it’s a dragon robe. Like the Ishbalan robe, it’s worn with pants under it.” Roy pounded a fist on the table, making the plates jump. “And I’m wearing dress blues.”
“He’s so boring.” Li-Ying huffed. “Madame President, the dragon is meant to be worn by the husband for luck, while the wife wears the phoenix. Together they’re very powerful symbols. It’s not like I’m asking Cricket to wear the winged hat.”
“There’s a hat?” Dev’s red eyes gleamed.
“With wings?” Edward whipped around to Roy, nearly smacking Winry in the face with his braid. He swayed a little, grabbing hold of the back of his chair to keep his balance. “No one said anything about wingsh.” He frowned. “It’s hot in here.”
“Yeah, it is.” Roy rubbed his red face. “And I’m not wearing the hat!”
“I see no reason why the ambassador can’t wear traditional clothing for his wedding,” Olivia said and Roy turned to her, fingers pressed together, a useless gesture without his gloves. “You don’t have your gloves.”
“I do have the candles.” He pointed to the table’s center where Ed was busy pulling the pie towards him. Al caught it and started to dish out pie more fairly.
“And you’ll do as ordered,” Olivia said and her brother scowled at her officious tone. “I had no idea you spoke the Xingese language until recently. I could use you as an ambassador there.”
“But, he’s really helping us,” Dev said in a quiet tone, as if shocked he was speaking out against the president and to keep Roy at that.
“I know we’re opening relations with Xing but…I didn’t want to travel so far,” Roy tugged at his collar, his face getting redder.
“Ed,” Winry warned as Alphonse had to fight to keep his brother from eating all the pie, “let everyone else have a taste, all right?” She turned her attention back to the president. “He is doing a lot of good, Roy, I mean.”
Olivia held up a hand. “I don’t plan on taking you away from the Ishbalans or sending you to Xing. We could use help here, when the Xing ambassador arrives. You can be a liaison. It won’t take up much time.”
Roy nodded, a pleased expression on his face. “I can do that. Sorry, Dev, you don’t get rid of me that fast.”
The Ishbalan snorted, relief obvious in his eyes. “Damn.”
“Edward, are you all right?” Alex Louis asked. Al glanced over at that, seeing his brother couldn’t seem to find his mouth with the pie-laden fork.
“I’m just hot…and I have something in my eye. Can’t see straight.” Ed put the fork down and rubbed his eyes. “So the Bastard wears the dress and the winged hat.”
“Oh, I should say so. After all, it’s no longer just a military wedding. We have two different religions represented. I think it would be very appropriate to have you and Hawkeye in traditional dress.” Olivia’s smile was cool and wicked.
Roy glowered. “Fine but then my groomsmen have to be in traditional dress, too. That’s means you, Elric.” Smacking his lips, Roy’s grimace deepened. “Blech, what did I eat that gave me such a dry mouth?”
“Quit looking at me!” Ed snapped.
“What?” Al turned to his brother, expecting a fuss at Roy’s words but Ed’s growl didn’t follow the conversational thread.
Ed stabbed a finger over Dev’s shoulder. “I said, quit looking!”
Seeing Winry staring at him, Dev tossed up his hands. “I’m not looking at him!”
“Ed, what’s wrong?” Winry took hold of his shoulders, turning him to face her.
“Mom is in the corner. Al, make her stop staring at me.” Breaking out of Winry’s grip, Ed turned plaintive eyes on his brother, pupils so wide almost no gold could be seen. “Tell her it’s not my fault. I tried. I really did.”
“Brother,” Al whispered, jumping to his feet. “What are you talking about? There’s no one in the corner, Edward. Mom’s not here.”
“She’s looking at me,” Ed hissed, grabbing hold of his brother so hard Al’s arms throbbed. “I have to stop her.” Ed let go of Al, clapping too fast for Al to stop him. The floor rippled and flung up into a carpeted wall. “I can see her through that. I have to make her stop!”
“Ed, no!” Al tried to grab Ed’s wrist. Hughes and Alex Louis nearly upset the table as they got up to help. Alex Louis captured Ed in his strong grip, pinning Ed’s arms down.
“What’s wrong with him?” Rose whimpered.
Roy giggled, the only one still seated. “I can see the music.” He twisted around to find the phonograph in the other room. “It’s beautiful. The crescendos are red with diamonds! Look, they’re falling from the sky. Put on something else. I want to see more!”
“They’re hallucinating,” Li-Ying said, stark realization hitting her.
“From what?” Olivia growled.
Dev grabbed hold of Roy. “Shit, I can’t see the signs. His eyes are so black to start with. Skin is dry and hot, though.” He let go of Roy and tried to look at Ed’s eyes as the young man thrashed in Strongarm’s grip. Dev nodded knowingly. “Hot as a hare, blind as a bat, dry as a bone, red as a beet, and mad as a hatter. Ed didn’t have anything in his eyes. His pupils are blown. That’s why he can’t see.”
“Poisoning.” Li-Ying clapped a hand over her mouth then her eyes hardened as the worried sister gave way to the healer.
“Yeah, I know this. Moonflower, it grows in the desert. Small quantities it can heal. I have it in my kit but in large quantities, it can kill,” Dev said, worry roughening his voice. “Check your brother’s pulse.” He grabbed for Ed’s wrist but Winry was already there.
“How could they have gotten poisoned and not the rest of us?” Winry asked. “His heart is racing.”
Dev nodded. “This is definitely moonflower.”
“I’ll call for an ambulance and call ahead to the hospital,” Riza said, unsteady on her feet as she went for the phone.
“The pastry,” Hughes said. “It was meant for Roy, right, Rose?”
She nodded. “That’s what I was told. Oh!” Her eyes widened in horrified realization. “Someone meant it all for the ambassador.”
“If Ed hadn’t stolen half that pastry…” Hughes glanced at Dev. “Roy would have died. Will they still die?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think so. They’re both breathing pretty well. We need to get them cooled down.” Dev rested his hand on Edward’s forehead, wincing at the heat already radiating off the blond.
“There’s a tub in the bathroom down here,” Li-Ying gestured toward it. “Miao-Yin, go draw a bath.”
“I can ice the water down more with alchemy,” Al offered, following Miao-Yin.”
“Ooo, lookee at the candles.” Roy reached for them. “Let’s make them dance.”
Olivia whipped around and blew them out. “None of that while you’re like this.”
Roy pouted at her. “The diamonds are too bright. They’re hurting my eye.”
“Armstrong, get Ed into the bathroom. Hughes, can you wrangle Mustang?” Dev asked. “Their pupils can’t constrict. There’s too much light in here but there’re no windows there.”
“I can move him. Come on, Roy.” Hughes put a hand on Roy’s elbow, trying to make him stand.
Roy snatched off Hughes’ glasses. “Wow, I can see through time with these.”
“Give me those.” Hughes took them back. “You’d be amusing if we weren’t afraid you’d die.”
“I think they’ll be okay,” Dev said, looking from one man to the other. “Once they come down.”
They managed to get both men into the bathroom and Al turned the water to slush. “It’s ready for them.” He knelt, trying to catch his brother’s flailing feet to get off his boots. “Hold still, Ed. Nothing is going to hurt you, promise.”
“The walls are breathing. They have teeth!”
“There are no teeth, Ed.” Winry loosened his belt.
“Roy, can you take off your clothes?” Hughes asked.
Roy scrunched up his face. “Why?”
“Riza is waiting for you in that tub.” Hughes nodded toward it. “And I’ll give you back my glasses.” Roy just grinned and whipped his clothes off. Hughes caught his hand before Roy could tear off the boxers. “Leave those, buddy.” Hughes guided him into the tub.
“It’s cold !” Roy tried to pop up but Hughes held him down.
“Scoot back so Riza can get in,” Hughes instructed and Al and Armstrong shoved Ed into the icy water.
“Hey, that’s not Riza but she sure is pretty.” Roy lurched out of Hughes grip to snare the whimpering Edward.
“Are they still okay?” Riza poked her head into the bathroom. “The ambulance is coming. Uh, what is Roy doing?”
“Enjoying his high,” Hughes said, wrestling Ed away from Roy but losing his glasses to the older alchemist.
“THE WALLS ARE TRYING TO EAT ME!” Ed tried hard to climb out of the tub. Armstrong and Al tightened up their grip.
“No, it’s much grosser than that,” Dev mumbled then reiterated. “I think they’ll be okay. I’d expect them to have trouble breathing by now if the dose was fatal. There’s not much to do other than let them ride it out and support them, just in case.”
“There’s Riza.” Roy blinked behind Hughes’ glasses at his fiancée. “My bits won’t work in this cold water but I like your present.” He pointed to Ed. “You can bring Winry and Olivia in with you, too.”
Riza sighed, crossing her arms. “I’m going to attribute the proposed orgy to the chemicals racing through you, Roy.”
“I’m just pretending I never heard it,” Olivia said. “Though I think I hear the ambulance.”
“I’ll go let them in,” Rose said.
“No,” Olivia barked. “You don’t go near the door.”
Rose looked at her, stunned as Winry headed out to get the door.
“Alex Louis, when the ambulance hauls these two off, you and Hughes take Jasso into custody. I’ll handle Rose,” Olivia said.
“What? What did I do?” Dev protested, his red eyes the size of apples.
“I would never hurt Edward.” Rose’s hands twisted up.
“Am I back in the fold already?” Hughes shot Olivia a perplexed look.
“Yes. And you just volunteered that you have the poison in your possession, Jasso,” Olivia said, folding her arms, staring down at him as if from the top of a mountain.
“As a medicine, yes. Aris and I have it. It’s locked up in the Center ever since our office got blown to hell,” Dev said, red faced. “If I wanted to kill the bastard, I wouldn’t do it at a party I wasn’t even really invited to.”
“Probably not but you will talk to Investigations and you will show them where the supplies are kept,” Olivia said and Dev warily nodded his consent. “And you, Rose, you made sure that technically only Mustang would eat that pastry. I want to know everything, where you got it, whose idea it was and who would have had access to it.”
Rose only managed a frightened nod.
“THE WALL HAS MY DICK!” Ed’s back arched so hard he nearly slipped the sturdy grip on him.
“That’s Roy’s foot. Roy, stop that,” Riza ordered.
“Ambulance,” Winry said, running in ahead of the paramedics. “Just in time it sounds like.” She blinked at the tub tableau. “I hope he doesn’t remember this when he’s better.”
“Let’s get Roy out first,” Hughes said, waving Dev over to help.
“Hughes, you thinking what I am?” Dev asked, slipping his good arm under Roy’s. “Thank Ishbala I’m not blond?”
“Only thing saving your innocence at this point,” Hughes said as they hauled Roy up.
Roy leaned his face against Dev’s neck as the two men steadied him long enough for Riza to pat him off a little with a towel. “You smell spicy.”
“I’m neither food nor fun, remember that,” Dev said as he let the paramedics take over. Hughes snagged his glasses back as the men were strapping Roy down just in case.
Ed was harder to maneuver onto a gurney between his automail and his thrashing around. Ed grabbed hold of Winry’s skirt, nearly pulling her off her feet. “Don’t let them take me! I’m gonna die. They’re gonna cook me up.”
Winry’s lips trembled as she smoothed Ed’s bangs off his hot forehead. “You’re not going to die. I promise. Al and I will go with you.”
“We don’t allow riders,” one of the paramedics said calmly, used to emergencies.
“You’ll allow them now,” Alex Louis rumbled and the paramedics took a step back. “Both of these men are alchemists. You’ll want another alchemist along with them.”
“We’ll only have room for one,” the paramedic insisted.
“I’ll go,” Al said, shooting Winry an apologetic look that she waved off. “Winry will come with Riza and the others right after us, Brother.”
Ed just wailed piteously then both men were whisked away, leaving a void for fear to creep into.