Fic - Family Business
Family Business
Author- Cornerofmadness
Disclaimer - No moos coming from this corner of the world. Not mine, just having non-profit fun.
Rating- PG-13
Pairing - Roy/Riza, Roy/OC
Timeline/ Spoilers - Manga verse. While it’s set before the series starts, it has definite spoilers for the latest manga chapters, especially where Roy is concerned.
Summary - Roy is learning just how dangerous the family business can be.
Author’s Note - written for anat_astarte at the fall fandom free for all . She wanted Roy/anyone which was straightforward enough. That said, this probably is way more different than she imagined. For now I’m not posting this to the communities until after the Free for All deadline passes. I wouldn’t have posted it here but it was too big to shove into a comment. Enjoy
XXX
Roy slowly realized Riza had stopped talking. He couldn’t concentrate on her, even though returns to Teacher’s house usually brought a wave of excitement. This time events marred his homecoming, ruined by things he had never imagined himself doing and yet… He roused himself, sitting more upright on the brightly floral couch. “I’m sorry, Riza. I wasn’t paying attention.”
The fifteen year old rolled her eyes. “I can tell. You’ve been distracted all day.”
Roy noticed her blouse was unbuttoned a little more than usual. He tried not to stare. When had Teacher’s tomboy daughter started getting breasts that full and ripe? She couldn’t have picked a worse time to try flirting with him. He needed another shower in water hot enough to remove the slime from his skin, as if water could hold that much heat. “I didn’t get as far as I wanted to on the project your father gave me.”
Riza’s brow beetled, her dark eyes clouding. “No. Something didn’t go right when you visited your mom’s.”
Roy shuddered. He concentrated on the fireplace. Family photos rested on the mantle piece, put there by Riza’s mother, unmoved since her death. He looked away, reminded of his own family. “I don’t want to talk about it, Riza.”
She moved closer to him, taking his hand. He knew the look on her face. His mother had schooled him well in its meaning. Teenaged girls, she had said, feel things with insane intensity. The whole of them are convinced the first time they fall in love as girls is a love for the ages. They won’t understand how fleeting it is until they’re older. He saw that love in Riza’s eyes. The problem was just like Madame Christmas has said. Teenaged boys were just as doe-eyed and stupid half the time. She expected Roy to be above that. He had to be in order to succeed. Usually he was but Riza made it difficult. Roy knew how disastrous it all could be. “You can tell me anything, Roy.”
“I know,” he lied. He couldn’t tell her what he had done. She wouldn’t understand it. It was too ugly. He regretted listening to his mother. He should never have taken the job but how was he to know how it would end?
“Why was that unconvincing?”
Roy let his head drop back onto the pillows. He couldn’t hide things from Riza. He had been amazed by that fact ever sine he came to live in her father’s house. She could always see through his bullshit where most couldn’t. “I can’t really talk about it.”
“I don’t like you being so sad.” Riza took him by surprise, brushing her lips over his.
Any other time it would have been a welcome kiss, illicit as it was. Hawkeye would kill him. Roy returned the kiss but made it quick, trying not to see the pain in her eyes when he eased Riza away from him.
“Your dad will kill me.” That was the safest explanation for his actions, a good solid truth.
“I’m not worth the risk?” The coy flirtation of her body about slayed him.
“You don’t understand. Teacher promised to use his alchemy,” Roy groaned, his thighs pressing together preventively.
Riza shook her head then snickered. “Sorry, the image of fried sausage came to mind.”
Roy’s jaw dropped. “Riza!”
She giggled again, head back against the frightening floral pattern. “Sorry.”
“That isn’t funny and that’s exactly what he said he’d do!”
Riza rubbed his chest. “Dad’s a pussy cat, all hiss and no scratch.”
He tapped her nose. “It’s not your prized possessions in the line of fire.”
Riza kissed him mercilessly then got up off the couch. “True. I’ll leave you to your sulking then.”
“I’m not sulking,” he lied pointlessly.
“I hope you feel better tomorrow, Roy.”
He watched Riza go, another dangerous proposition, then got up and headed to his room in Teacher’s big, drafty house. Riza had no idea how hard it was to resist her, threats of fire not withstanding. But tonight it hadn’t been too difficult. He could swear that he could still smell Amaranthe’s perfume. Riza couldn’t know about her. No one could, but especially Riza. Roy wished he could forget but he would take the events of the last two weeks to his grave. Damn his mother for it all. Roy shut his eyes, trying not to replay it in his mind. He failed.
X X X
“How did I ever meet anyone so wonderful?” Amaranthe laughed as they strolled through the arboretum.
Roy slid his arm around her waist. “Just lucky I guess.”
“I’ve lived in Central all my life and I’ve never came here. Why is that, I wonder?”
”We’re only sixteen and we’ve had other things to do.” Roy favored her with his best smile, one he knew would get him most anything he wanted.
“That sounds about right.” She swung in front of him, taking both his hands. Leaning close, she brushed her lips against his. “I have a great idea. My older sister’s birthday party is this weekend. Come as my date. At least then you can meet my parents in a group, probably less traumatizing that way.”
Roy laughed, watching her long, pale-gold hair blowing like so much dandelion fluff in the wind. “I don’t think anything will make the general less scary but I’d love to go to the party.”
“Wonderful.” Amaranthe pulled him along. “Look at those flowers over there.”
Roy let Amaranthe lead him around. In spite of his agenda, he liked her and the arboretum was gorgeous. He’d enjoy it more if he was being completely honest with the young lady. He ignored the nagging little voice in his head as it told him this wasn’t fair.
When the date ended, Roy headed to the Bitter End bar. The bartender paused in pulling down beers to grin at him like she knew a secret that he didn’t. No one raised a fuss at an underaged boy in the place. Anyone drinking regularly at the Bitter End already knew him. Besides, in just a year, he’d be old enough, even if he was small for his age and looked too young.
Roy went into the back office. The windowless room always seemed grim. The once-floral wall paper had gone grey from cigarette smoke. The whitish smoke haloed the head of a middle-aged woman. She might have been pretty once but life had tempered her to sword-sharpness. Chris Mustang had begun to put on a few pounds, too many nights drinking and eating with clients or their marks. She grinned around her cigarette at him, waving to the sagging couch in the corner.
“Sit, Roy Boy. Give me a minute.”
He tossed himself onto the lumpy couch, stretching languidly. Vacations with Mom and his foster siblings, like Iris at the bar, were usually working ones. This time, he was trying liberate Amaranthe’s father’s documents from him. He didn’t really know why Mom needed them. He never wanted to know much and, while Mom approved that he didn’t pry too much into her business, she wanted him to take more of an interest in his marks to better understand what her syndicate did for their country and to see the results of his actions.
Finally, his mother finished up her work, looking up at him expectantly. “How is it going, Roy Boy?”
He winced. “Madame Christmas, don’t call me that. I’m not a boy.” His mom wanted addressed that way. The less who knew she was a foster mom, the better.
She simply smiled. “Anything you say, kiddo.”
Roy scowled, hiking himself up straighter on the couch. “Amaranthe invited me to her sister’s birthday party. I might be able to snag those documents then.”
“No doubt, Roy Boy. General Jernigan is an important man and likes throwing huge splashy parties. No one will even notice you. We couldn’t ask for a better chance.” She nodded her head, her dark hair not even moving, lacquered into its elaborate design.
Roy thought for a moment, waving a hand in front of his face to dispel the smoke. He wished his mother wouldn’t smoke so much. It wasn’t good for her. That was the nice thing about living most of the time with Teacher Hawkeye. The man might be the flame alchemy expert but the only smoke around was that necessary for their experiments. “What are these papers I’m taking? I mean, I know what to look for but why am I doing this?” Maybe she was right. He should understand what he was getting into.
Her plucked brow beetled over brilliant blue lids. “Nothing you need to worry about right now. Why don’t you go see if your sisters need a hand with the dinner? If nothing else, get the stove started for them.”
“One day I’ll be able to do that with alchemy,” he informed her proudly.
Her answering laugh was as honest a laugh as he ever heard from his mother. “I have no doubt you and your alchemy will be famous some day, little Roy.” Chris got up and came over to him. She kissed his forehead. “You’re one of the smartest kids I’ve ever had. I’m sorry you had to lose your mom but I’m glad that I got you.”
Roy wet his lips. His mother wasn’t an overly demonstrative woman so those words meant a lot. He thought about his own mother, barely a memory any more. Lien Cheng had braved the desert only to end up dead in an alley in Amestris. As to his father, she had never said other than he was an alchemist, not enough for anyone to find Roy’s family for him. Chris Mustang and her fosters, the Hawkeyes, they were his family and made a damn good one. “Thanks, Mom.”
She tapped his nose. They weren’t really allowed to call her ‘mom’ in public, just in case, but he figured her office was safe enough. “You’ll get those documents, Roy. I have no doubt of it.”
He nodded. He might not know what the documents were or why Mom wanted them but he was sure as hell going to get them for her. In the meantime, he’d enjoy Amaranthe Jernigan’s company and try not to think about Riza Hawkeye. She was younger, well only a year, and forbidden, making her even more desirable. Still, he could be professional and not think of some pesky girl who mostly existed to plague his existence in her father’s house.
X X X
Roy tugged on his tie. Iris and Becky had giggled at him as they helped him into his formal clothing, saying he looked too young to be wearing them. Mom had shushed them and sent him on his way with a slap on the backside and a caution to be invisible and silent while he worked. The silly bowtie had felt so off kilter that he had to steal away from the party to check it. It was way too early to go looking for the documents. Instead, he was waiting for the band to start.
Amaranthe rounded him up the moment he reappeared from the rest room. “Daddy wants to meet you.”
Roy schooled the grimace away before it could fully form. He wanted to not really have to meet General Jernigan. The man might remember him, might think he was the untrustworthy one or would the man suspect one of his closer military friends? Of course, he couldn’t tell Amaranthe he really didn’t want to meet the family. She thought he was as head over heels as she was. He really hated that he’d end up hurting her by the time this was over. He rationalized it as they had only known each other little more than a week, hardly the romance for the ages. “Okay.”
At least the general moved away from the royal blue uniformed gaggle of older men when Amaranthe approached. Still, Roy knew they were all looking at him; he could feel their eyes. Jernigan’s iron grey eyes fixed on him, piercing him, leaving wounds. The man’s hair was one shade lighter than his eyes, cut so short and thick it looked like he could balance a drink there without effort. From the way she spoke, Roy knew Amaranthe didn’t see the disapproval her father already had for him.
“Daddy, this is Roy. He is the nicest boy I’ve ever met,” Amaranthe gushed, making it easy for Roy to blush and pretend he was bashful.
Those cold eyes swept over Roy’s wrists. What was he looking for? An i.d. bracelet instead of jet cufflinks? Was he about to ask Roy for his papers? Roy swallowed back the rising ire this man’s gaze was igniting. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir,” he lied. “Amaranthe speaks so highly of you.”
If Roy had any hopes his words would thaw the general a bit, they were quickly dashed. “You couldn’t find anyone less…foreign to invite, Amaranthe?”
Her delicately painted face fell, blue eyes going misty grey. “Daddy?
“We do have an image to upkeep,” Jernigan snapped, making his daughter quail. His gaze never wavered from Roy. “I don’t want a scene so you may stay tonight but after this, you are to stay away from my daughter. Do you hear me?”
Roy just curled his lip at the man, refusing to back down or answer. Jernigan turned away, heading back to his friends as if confident Roy would never show his face again. The part that grated on Roy was the man was right but only because he planned to get the documents and never come back.
Amaranthe put her arms around him, resting her head on his chest. He could feel the tears soaking into his shirt. “I can’t believe Daddy is so mean.”
Running a hand over her back, white-gold silk spilling through his fingers, Roy leaned down and whispered, “What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
Lifting her face, Amaranthe gazed at him in amazement. “Do you mean that?”
“Of course.” He touched her wet cheek. “Go dry your eyes and we’ll dance. I don’t like bullies and I have no intention of paying any attention to your dad.”
Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him. “You are so wonderful.”
“Naturally I am.” Roy laughed, trying not to sound humorless as he thought about how wonderful she’d think he was when he did leave her. Mother never told him how hard this part was. He liked just harmless flirting for tidbits better than this. Someone was bound to get hurt.
Amaranthe kissed him again then flitted off to fix her face. He wouldn’t have time to do what he had to by the time she got back so Roy made sure to take as much food as he wanted from the appetizer trays, hoping Jernigan saw him. In fact, it would be a good idea if Jernigan saw a lot of him, make him think Roy didn’t have time to break away and do what he had to. Still, if he did it right, the man would never know until too late.
When she came back, Amaranthe’s eyes were still a little red but her make up had been repaired and she seemed happier. He caught whiff of her perfume as she took him into her arms. Sweet scents of jasmine and honeysuckle tickled his nose. Roy let her lead him onto the dance floor. His mother had made a point of having him well schooled in a variety of gentlemanly arts, dancing especially. Even at Hawkeye’s three times a week, he had to take time off from his studies to practice with a dance instructor.
Finally, several of Amaranthe’s girlfriends cornered her for what was apparently gossip they didn’t want their boyfriends to hear. That suited Roy just fine. He excused himself and went exploring as quickly as he could without drawing attention to himself. It didn’t take long to sneak into the general’s den but several longer moments working without light to find the hidden safe.
Roy pulled out some paper he had in his pocket and nabbed the fountain pen on the desk to draw an array. With it, he made the metal melt like wax until it hung open enough to get his hand inside. Roy pulled out several folders, rummaging swiftly and neatly until he found the one Madam Christmas was interested in. Tucked into an inner pocket of his jacket was the camera his mother had armed him with.
As he snapped photos of each page, Roy realized why his mother was so interested in this. He had to wonder who in the military had put out the contract on Jernigan. The man was selling secrets to the Drachmans. No wonder he had money for lavish parties. Carefully, he put away all the folders and alchemized the safe door before hiding it again. He positioned the pen back where he found it and started for the door. He froze, his gut twisting making him regret all the food he stuffed in it, as the door opened before he got to it.
Amaranthe’s eyes widened. “Roy, what are you doing here? No one is allowed in Daddy’s den.”
“Sorry. I was looking for the rest room and took a wrong turn.” He tried not to wince at his own lameness.
“In the dark?”
“I couldn’t find the switch,” he said, sailing past her. Roy caught her around the waist, hustling her with him. Mother was going to kill him. “Sorry.”
“I’m mad at him anyhow so it’s not like I’m going to tell Daddy.” She slipped her hand into his. “Want to dance some more?”
He beamed at her, happy for the distraction. “All night long, dear.”
X X X
Roy dragged into the Bitter End, feeling dead on his feet and somehow dirty. All he wanted was to go home but he needed to report to his mother first, especially since he had messed up. He had gone to their huge, rambling house just long enough to change out of his formal wear before heading to the pub. His brother, Scott, a half Ishbalan with flashing eyes and a killer smile was working the bar, flirting with some women in uniform. The older boy raised a hand in greeting but Roy hadn’t even seen him look away from the women so he wasn’t sure how Scott even knew he was back.
He found his mom slinging some kegs into place downstairs. Roy helped her with the heavy things. Once the amber liquid was filling the pipes, heading up to thirsty mouths, Roy brushed dirt off his shirt.
Chris smiled at him. “How did it go, Roy boy?”
He scowled. “Not as smooth as I had wanted it to. Amaranthe walked in on me. I couldn’t lock the door since the general didn’t have it locked. She’s very pissed at her dad though, so I don’t think she’ll say anything to him.” Roy dug in his pocket, handing over the camera. His mother didn’t look happy.
“That was careless. You can’t trust that.” She wagged a calloused finger at him.
“I know. I messed up.” His head dipped. “She introduced me to her dad and he hated me. All but called me a squint.”
His mother rested a hand on his shoulder. “There are narrow-minded people everywhere, son. You can’t let that get to you.”
Roy glanced up at her. “I didn’t. I used it against him. He was very busy watching me all night. If he notices anyone was in his study, he probably wouldn’t think I had time to do it under his scrutiny.”
“That’s my boy.” Chris ruffled his hair. “The client’s young daughter was at the party. She was watching you. I didn’t know until after you had gone that she’d be there. I don’t like being checked up on but when you deal with old important families you get this.” She sighed.
“Really? Who is she?” He held up a hand. “Yeah, I know you won’t tell me.”
“Did you notice anyone watching?”
Roy thought about it then nodded. “Oh yeah, there was this one really gorgeous blonde, with the best…” He started to make a ‘grabbing boob’ gesture then remembered who he was talking to. Blushing, he added, “She was sort of cool, though. I just thought she was checking me out since well…” He shrugged.
“Because you’re too handsome for words?” His mother laughed at him. “Ah, that ego of yours.”
Roy wrinkled his nose. “I know when someone is looking at my butt.”
“More like dreaming it.” His mother swatted said body part. “Go on home, son. You look tired. It’s been a very long day for you.”
Roy didn’t argue. He left the incriminating evidence with Chris Mustang and headed back to the house. His room was on the third floor, less a room than a cave of books with a bed shoved into it precariously. An ornate wardrobe and a well-used mirror were the only other things inside it. Cramped as it was, it was his and it was warm, occasionally too warm, unlike the drafty big cavern he occupied in Teacher’s home. Trying not to replay his near failure over and over, Roy covered up, read a little then tried to sleep.
X X X
Roy slept late, made some brunch for the youngest fosters and, when he couldn’t find Mom around the house, headed into the bar to see if she had gone in early. Iris was busy serving up the lunch crowd with a few employees he wasn’t actually related to by the foster system.
“Madame Christmas is busy,” Iris called to him. “Have a seat and stay out of the way, lazy little brother.”
Roy made a face at her. Legally, he couldn’t pitch in yet, not old enough to serve drinks, so he sat himself down at the end of the bar and picked up an abandoned newspaper. He didn’t get further than straightening it out when the front page made his fingers convulse. Roy clenched his jaw, feeling his bile rising. Mother had wasted no time with the information he had gathered.
His hands began to shake as the headline etched into his soul. He was barely aware of Iris’ hand on his shoulder and her calling his name. All he could see was ‘General accused of Espionage. Murders Daughter.’ Scanning quickly, unable to put it down, Roy read that the military police had gone to arrest the man who demanded to know what charges. The story read General Jernigan was ranting about his daughter bringing a squint spy into the house just before shooting her.’
Roy exploded off the stool, nearly knocking his sister down. He barely made it to the rather smelly bathroom but didn’t make it all the way to a stall. He decorated the stained, cigarette-ashed old tiles as his stomach rebelled. He managed to lean on the vanity and get some of it into the sink. Feeling hands on his shoulders, he flinched.
“Roy, what’s wrong?” Iris rubbed his back.
He spat, trying to clear his mouth then looked up into the greasy mirror. How could he have gotten so pale? “He killed her! It’s my fault.”
“I don’t understand,” Iris said then went pasty. She put a finger to his lips. “Not here. Come on, let’s go sit down before you fall.”
Roy looked back at the bathroom as she escorted him out. “I made a mess.”
“Nothing I can’t mop up. I’ll leave Mom to mop up the other mess.” Iris tapped his chest.
Roy choked, not wanting to cry in front of his sister but he needed to. To hell with boys don’t cry. He got an innocent girl killed.
Iris knocked on the door. “Madame Christmas, are you free?”
“Come in.”
Iris hustled him into the room and sat him on the lumpy couch. Their mother was out from behind her desk in a flash, moving faster than Roy would have thought she could. Chris sat on the couch with him, her hand on the back of his head. “I’ll take care of him from here, Iris.”
She nodded and left. Roy looked at his mother, his teeth starting to chatter. He was so cold. “You knew.”
“Not until I got here. I was just talking to those involved. I was coming to tell you next. You saw the paper,” she said, rubbing his arm. It did nothing to warm him.
Roy bobbed his head, gagging a bit. His mother got up and got the trash can, putting it next to the couch before going to a closet to rummage around. She came up with a thick blanket and a thin pillow. Chris tucked him in on the couch, sitting back down with him, stroking his hair. “I got her killed. This is all my fault.”
“It’s not your fault, Roy. Jernigan pulled the trigger, not you.”
He shook his head. “She had to have told him I was in that den or he just hated people with Xing blood that much.”
Her face twisted. Roy had never seen her sad, not like this. “You can’t blame yourself, Roy. The man was a traitor and he was desperate. No one could have predicted this. I’m very sorry that young lady died but it’s not your fault.”
“Then why do I feel like it is?” Roy buried his face in the flat pillow.
She kissed his crown. “Because you are a gentle, sweet soul, son. Try to rest a little. I know it won’t make it better but you need it.”
He wanted to argue but the emotions waved over him, rolling him like a pebble on the beach. Roy went under, tumbling into a dreamless sleep. He woke up, dazed later, hearing voices. Roy only cracked open an eye to see a short, stocky man in the chair by his mother’s desk. Behind him stood an enormous young man with a shaved head and the ice queen from last night. Roy shut his eyes again, realizing his mother thought he was so out of it that she invited the clients in even though he was in the room. Then again, important, rich clients, they probably barged in.
“How did this go so bad?” Chris asked.
“They wanted to be respectful of his rank,” the short bearded man replied. “They didn’t expect him to be armed, the fools. Why in my day, we soldiers would never have been so careless. I wasn’t there. I don’t know why he had to kill his poor daughter.”
“I have some ideas, General Armstrong, but none of them pretty,” Chris replied.
“He didn’t like that one sniffing around his little girl.”
Roy could feel the finger being pointed his way, trying not to wince and let them know he was awake. That had to be the pretty, cold girl, Armstrong, yes he knew that name. How could he not?
“He might have figured out you sent him in,” she added.
“That’s what I assumed. I just wish they hadn’t been so careless and we wouldn’t be in this mess,” Chris said and Roy thought she might be looking at him, hating him for messing up. He couldn’t keep the tears from slipping out from under his lashes.
“This can’t be tracked back to us,” General Armstrong rumbled.
“It won’t be, though you had best leave the pub now, just in case someone comes here looking into it. I’m not expecting it though. My son is better than that.”
Roy tried to take pride in that but he wasn’t better. He got Amaranthe killed. He listened to the Armstrongs leaving. He could hear his mother walking across the room. Her hand rested heavy on his shoulder. “Don’t tell anyone what you heard in here, son. Try to get some sleep.”
Roy wiped his wet cheek on the blanket and tried to get comfortable. “Not sure I can sleep more,” he said even as he began to fade. Roy was aware of his mother’s comforting touch as he chased into the darkness. He needed both.
X X X
Roy slumped at the breakfast table. He had very little sleep, thinking about all his mistakes with Amaranthe. He eyed the expansive breakfast spread. “What’s all this about? Usually I’m lucky to get toast.”
Riza popped some coffee down in front of him, ignoring the slight. “Dad usually wants you in the lab too quick but he went to see Mrs. Simon about some of her late husband’s books. He won’t be back until late tonight. You have a day off.”
“That doesn’t explain food for a hundred.” He gestured at the table.
She patted him on the head. “You barely ate last night. Boys are always hungry.”
“But I’m not,” he said, even though his belly was growling.
“Eat anyhow,” Riza insisted, sitting down to a plate of eggs and sausage.
Roy nibbled a little then started to eat with relish, hungrier than he thought. Afterwards, he helped her clean up the dishes. Riza took his hand and started dragging him along. Bemused, he let her lead him through the house.
“Where am I going?” he asked as she shooed him out into the garden.
“Out to get some sun. You’ve been in the lab so long, you look like a ghost. You’re scary to see,” she replied and he winced, covering his heart.
“You wound me.”
“I will if you don’t use part of today to relax.” Her grim expression had him believing she might. Suddenly, the clouds lifted and the bright sun of her smile shone. She dug in her pocket and handed him a book, Albertus’ Guide to Combustible Compounds. “I know you’ll go into withdrawals if you don’t have a little alchemy to read.”
He laughed. “Thanks, Riza. You’re the best.”
She pointed a finger at him. “Never forget that.”
“I won’t,” he promised.
Roy wandered through the unkempt gardens, more weeds than flowers now that Mrs. Hawkeye was gone. The only part that was tended well were the herbs and flowers they could use in the lab. There was a hardy patch of roses that Riza seemed to favor. A nice splay of grass rolled down the gentle slope near them. Roy peeled off his shirt and wadded it into a pillow. He stretched out on the grass and tried to concentrate on the explosive properties of sodium and forget what he had done to Amaranthe.
It didn’t help. No matter how many times his mother told him it wasn’t his fault, Roy couldn’t help believing it was. Amaranthe trusted him. He flirted with her to get access to her house and her father murdered her for his transgressions. Yes, a dangerous traitor was brought to justice, but at what cost? Nothing would bring back Amaranthe or wash her blood from his hands. Rather than read, Roy shielded his eyes with the book and lost himself in his dark thoughts.
Roy’s belly shuddered a bit as something tickled him. Blearily, he realized he had fallen asleep in the sun. The tickle was followed by a full-on icy assault as an ice sliver flopped onto his hot skin. Roy sat up right, the sharp corner of the book landing in his lap, making him groan. The ice skittered down his chest and over his belly into the grass. He glared up at Riza, standing over him with two glasses of lemonade on a tray. “Riza!”
“Sorry, couldn’t resist. You looked too cute and comfortable.” She offered him a glass, which he took, then she sat down with her own drink.
“And you had to mess with me.”
“Remember the things you’ve done over the years,” she said, nudging his shoulder.
He laughed then lost the humor as thoughts of things he had just done flooded back. Riza noticed his pain, he could see it in her eyes.
“Are you going to tell me what happened?”
“Someone I know died when I was home,” he edited the experience for her. Maybe one day he’d tell her the whole story but not today. “I feel responsible. I know that I didn’t make it happen but I feel like a catalyst.”
She set her drink down, covering his sun-kissed hand with a glass-cooled one. “I’m so sorry. What happened?”
Roy shook his head, leaning a little closer to her. It felt good to have someone close, even if he couldn’t tell her the whole truth. “It was ugly and I’m not really ready to talk about it.”
Riza squeezed his hand. “I’m here when you are. It might help to have someone to listen. I’m sure you talked to your mom about it.”
“Yeah, didn’t help much though.” He flinched at his own brutal honesty. There was no way of feeling good about this. “She couldn’t do anything, not this time.” No, really, she was just as guilty of helping to cause Amaranthe’s death as he was. His mother had maneuvered him into the situation and dispersed the information. The only innocent one was Amaranthe.
Riza seemed to sense he didn’t want to talk. She rested her head on his shoulder and he took comfort in her closeness, drinking his sweet lemonade with slow deliberation, trying to empty his head of all the conflicting emotions. Finally, she spoke up, “Do you ever miss her?”
“Who?”
“Your mom.”
“Your dad keeps me too busy to miss much,” Roy said with a rueful chuckle. “And I do get home a few times a year.”
“No, I mean your real mom.” Her quiet voice and the way her eyes went soft took Roy aback.
He wadded up the shirt again and stretched back out, looking up at the sky. A pure unbroken blue, it was too cheerful for his state of mind. “I do but…I hardly knew her. I have some nice dreams of her, bravely coming across the desert looking for my dad but that’s all they are. I can remember her singing songs in Xing to me when I was in bed and the smells from the kitchen but not much else. She never even told me Dad’s name. All I knew was ‘blond, Amestrian alchemist.’ When I first came here, I was wondering about your father.”
“Dad was never in Xing,” Riza quickly assured him.
“I know. I asked and I’m pretty happy about that. I mean, to have you as a half sister would be…” Roy ran a hand up her arm as she looked down on him. “Disappointing.”
Riza leaned down, brushing her lips over his but she didn’t linger. “Very much so. Sometimes, I’m jealous of your foster mom. Don’t get me wrong, I love Dad but he’s not very…emotional. He’s not so good when I need someone to talk to and neither are you since half the time you’re the subject at hand.”
Roy wrinkled his nose and started to respond but she covered his mouth.
“It would be nice to have a mom again.”
He kissed the palm of her hand and she moved it away from his lips. “My mom isn’t too much cuddlier than your dad, really. I love her for taking care of me. No one wanted a half-breed child then she came along. I owe her for that and my foster siblings are pretty good, too, but in a lot of ways, I like being here with you and your father.”
“That’s mostly because you’re just a lab rat who can’t wait to be eyebrow deep in alchemy books.” Riza laughed.
He smiled in agreement. That was true but also, he didn’t have to play at his mother’s information gathering games, no seducing innocents and getting them killed. He was going to learn fire alchemy and save lives with it, well at least wherever it was he decided to live. No one was going to burn to death in a house fire if he had anything to say about it. Of course, the way he felt right now, he’d like to use that alchemy to turn Jernigan to toast for what he did.
“That’s a strange look,” Riza remarked, studying his face.
Roy realized his bloodlust must have been showing. “Just thinking. So, what else shall we do on this day off?”
She tickled his belly. “I’m sure we can think of something.”
He caught her hand. “Something that doesn’t end up with me having a roasted sausage!”
Riza giggled. “Come on, get up. Let’s just go into town and wander around, maybe get something to eat. That safe enough for you?”
“He’s your dad, you tell me? Is dinner with the daughter allowable?”
“Probably not but I say we risk it.”
Roy got up then offered her a hand up. He didn’t really want to have company tonight but it was hard to tell Riza no. He was just glad she was far away from his mother’s world, where she was safe. He didn’t know what it was about Riza that made him want to protect her but he did. She made him feel someone safe and wanted. That in mind, he gave himself over to her plans for the day, letting them drive some of the badness out of his consciousness. He had mourned, now he needed to let go just a little before he was sucked under. He couldn’t fix what he had done but Roy knew he had learned important lessons.
He planned to never forget them.
Author- Cornerofmadness
Disclaimer - No moos coming from this corner of the world. Not mine, just having non-profit fun.
Rating- PG-13
Pairing - Roy/Riza, Roy/OC
Timeline/ Spoilers - Manga verse. While it’s set before the series starts, it has definite spoilers for the latest manga chapters, especially where Roy is concerned.
Summary - Roy is learning just how dangerous the family business can be.
Author’s Note - written for anat_astarte at the fall fandom free for all . She wanted Roy/anyone which was straightforward enough. That said, this probably is way more different than she imagined. For now I’m not posting this to the communities until after the Free for All deadline passes. I wouldn’t have posted it here but it was too big to shove into a comment. Enjoy
XXX
Roy slowly realized Riza had stopped talking. He couldn’t concentrate on her, even though returns to Teacher’s house usually brought a wave of excitement. This time events marred his homecoming, ruined by things he had never imagined himself doing and yet… He roused himself, sitting more upright on the brightly floral couch. “I’m sorry, Riza. I wasn’t paying attention.”
The fifteen year old rolled her eyes. “I can tell. You’ve been distracted all day.”
Roy noticed her blouse was unbuttoned a little more than usual. He tried not to stare. When had Teacher’s tomboy daughter started getting breasts that full and ripe? She couldn’t have picked a worse time to try flirting with him. He needed another shower in water hot enough to remove the slime from his skin, as if water could hold that much heat. “I didn’t get as far as I wanted to on the project your father gave me.”
Riza’s brow beetled, her dark eyes clouding. “No. Something didn’t go right when you visited your mom’s.”
Roy shuddered. He concentrated on the fireplace. Family photos rested on the mantle piece, put there by Riza’s mother, unmoved since her death. He looked away, reminded of his own family. “I don’t want to talk about it, Riza.”
She moved closer to him, taking his hand. He knew the look on her face. His mother had schooled him well in its meaning. Teenaged girls, she had said, feel things with insane intensity. The whole of them are convinced the first time they fall in love as girls is a love for the ages. They won’t understand how fleeting it is until they’re older. He saw that love in Riza’s eyes. The problem was just like Madame Christmas has said. Teenaged boys were just as doe-eyed and stupid half the time. She expected Roy to be above that. He had to be in order to succeed. Usually he was but Riza made it difficult. Roy knew how disastrous it all could be. “You can tell me anything, Roy.”
“I know,” he lied. He couldn’t tell her what he had done. She wouldn’t understand it. It was too ugly. He regretted listening to his mother. He should never have taken the job but how was he to know how it would end?
“Why was that unconvincing?”
Roy let his head drop back onto the pillows. He couldn’t hide things from Riza. He had been amazed by that fact ever sine he came to live in her father’s house. She could always see through his bullshit where most couldn’t. “I can’t really talk about it.”
“I don’t like you being so sad.” Riza took him by surprise, brushing her lips over his.
Any other time it would have been a welcome kiss, illicit as it was. Hawkeye would kill him. Roy returned the kiss but made it quick, trying not to see the pain in her eyes when he eased Riza away from him.
“Your dad will kill me.” That was the safest explanation for his actions, a good solid truth.
“I’m not worth the risk?” The coy flirtation of her body about slayed him.
“You don’t understand. Teacher promised to use his alchemy,” Roy groaned, his thighs pressing together preventively.
Riza shook her head then snickered. “Sorry, the image of fried sausage came to mind.”
Roy’s jaw dropped. “Riza!”
She giggled again, head back against the frightening floral pattern. “Sorry.”
“That isn’t funny and that’s exactly what he said he’d do!”
Riza rubbed his chest. “Dad’s a pussy cat, all hiss and no scratch.”
He tapped her nose. “It’s not your prized possessions in the line of fire.”
Riza kissed him mercilessly then got up off the couch. “True. I’ll leave you to your sulking then.”
“I’m not sulking,” he lied pointlessly.
“I hope you feel better tomorrow, Roy.”
He watched Riza go, another dangerous proposition, then got up and headed to his room in Teacher’s big, drafty house. Riza had no idea how hard it was to resist her, threats of fire not withstanding. But tonight it hadn’t been too difficult. He could swear that he could still smell Amaranthe’s perfume. Riza couldn’t know about her. No one could, but especially Riza. Roy wished he could forget but he would take the events of the last two weeks to his grave. Damn his mother for it all. Roy shut his eyes, trying not to replay it in his mind. He failed.
X X X
“How did I ever meet anyone so wonderful?” Amaranthe laughed as they strolled through the arboretum.
Roy slid his arm around her waist. “Just lucky I guess.”
“I’ve lived in Central all my life and I’ve never came here. Why is that, I wonder?”
”We’re only sixteen and we’ve had other things to do.” Roy favored her with his best smile, one he knew would get him most anything he wanted.
“That sounds about right.” She swung in front of him, taking both his hands. Leaning close, she brushed her lips against his. “I have a great idea. My older sister’s birthday party is this weekend. Come as my date. At least then you can meet my parents in a group, probably less traumatizing that way.”
Roy laughed, watching her long, pale-gold hair blowing like so much dandelion fluff in the wind. “I don’t think anything will make the general less scary but I’d love to go to the party.”
“Wonderful.” Amaranthe pulled him along. “Look at those flowers over there.”
Roy let Amaranthe lead him around. In spite of his agenda, he liked her and the arboretum was gorgeous. He’d enjoy it more if he was being completely honest with the young lady. He ignored the nagging little voice in his head as it told him this wasn’t fair.
When the date ended, Roy headed to the Bitter End bar. The bartender paused in pulling down beers to grin at him like she knew a secret that he didn’t. No one raised a fuss at an underaged boy in the place. Anyone drinking regularly at the Bitter End already knew him. Besides, in just a year, he’d be old enough, even if he was small for his age and looked too young.
Roy went into the back office. The windowless room always seemed grim. The once-floral wall paper had gone grey from cigarette smoke. The whitish smoke haloed the head of a middle-aged woman. She might have been pretty once but life had tempered her to sword-sharpness. Chris Mustang had begun to put on a few pounds, too many nights drinking and eating with clients or their marks. She grinned around her cigarette at him, waving to the sagging couch in the corner.
“Sit, Roy Boy. Give me a minute.”
He tossed himself onto the lumpy couch, stretching languidly. Vacations with Mom and his foster siblings, like Iris at the bar, were usually working ones. This time, he was trying liberate Amaranthe’s father’s documents from him. He didn’t really know why Mom needed them. He never wanted to know much and, while Mom approved that he didn’t pry too much into her business, she wanted him to take more of an interest in his marks to better understand what her syndicate did for their country and to see the results of his actions.
Finally, his mother finished up her work, looking up at him expectantly. “How is it going, Roy Boy?”
He winced. “Madame Christmas, don’t call me that. I’m not a boy.” His mom wanted addressed that way. The less who knew she was a foster mom, the better.
She simply smiled. “Anything you say, kiddo.”
Roy scowled, hiking himself up straighter on the couch. “Amaranthe invited me to her sister’s birthday party. I might be able to snag those documents then.”
“No doubt, Roy Boy. General Jernigan is an important man and likes throwing huge splashy parties. No one will even notice you. We couldn’t ask for a better chance.” She nodded her head, her dark hair not even moving, lacquered into its elaborate design.
Roy thought for a moment, waving a hand in front of his face to dispel the smoke. He wished his mother wouldn’t smoke so much. It wasn’t good for her. That was the nice thing about living most of the time with Teacher Hawkeye. The man might be the flame alchemy expert but the only smoke around was that necessary for their experiments. “What are these papers I’m taking? I mean, I know what to look for but why am I doing this?” Maybe she was right. He should understand what he was getting into.
Her plucked brow beetled over brilliant blue lids. “Nothing you need to worry about right now. Why don’t you go see if your sisters need a hand with the dinner? If nothing else, get the stove started for them.”
“One day I’ll be able to do that with alchemy,” he informed her proudly.
Her answering laugh was as honest a laugh as he ever heard from his mother. “I have no doubt you and your alchemy will be famous some day, little Roy.” Chris got up and came over to him. She kissed his forehead. “You’re one of the smartest kids I’ve ever had. I’m sorry you had to lose your mom but I’m glad that I got you.”
Roy wet his lips. His mother wasn’t an overly demonstrative woman so those words meant a lot. He thought about his own mother, barely a memory any more. Lien Cheng had braved the desert only to end up dead in an alley in Amestris. As to his father, she had never said other than he was an alchemist, not enough for anyone to find Roy’s family for him. Chris Mustang and her fosters, the Hawkeyes, they were his family and made a damn good one. “Thanks, Mom.”
She tapped his nose. They weren’t really allowed to call her ‘mom’ in public, just in case, but he figured her office was safe enough. “You’ll get those documents, Roy. I have no doubt of it.”
He nodded. He might not know what the documents were or why Mom wanted them but he was sure as hell going to get them for her. In the meantime, he’d enjoy Amaranthe Jernigan’s company and try not to think about Riza Hawkeye. She was younger, well only a year, and forbidden, making her even more desirable. Still, he could be professional and not think of some pesky girl who mostly existed to plague his existence in her father’s house.
X X X
Roy tugged on his tie. Iris and Becky had giggled at him as they helped him into his formal clothing, saying he looked too young to be wearing them. Mom had shushed them and sent him on his way with a slap on the backside and a caution to be invisible and silent while he worked. The silly bowtie had felt so off kilter that he had to steal away from the party to check it. It was way too early to go looking for the documents. Instead, he was waiting for the band to start.
Amaranthe rounded him up the moment he reappeared from the rest room. “Daddy wants to meet you.”
Roy schooled the grimace away before it could fully form. He wanted to not really have to meet General Jernigan. The man might remember him, might think he was the untrustworthy one or would the man suspect one of his closer military friends? Of course, he couldn’t tell Amaranthe he really didn’t want to meet the family. She thought he was as head over heels as she was. He really hated that he’d end up hurting her by the time this was over. He rationalized it as they had only known each other little more than a week, hardly the romance for the ages. “Okay.”
At least the general moved away from the royal blue uniformed gaggle of older men when Amaranthe approached. Still, Roy knew they were all looking at him; he could feel their eyes. Jernigan’s iron grey eyes fixed on him, piercing him, leaving wounds. The man’s hair was one shade lighter than his eyes, cut so short and thick it looked like he could balance a drink there without effort. From the way she spoke, Roy knew Amaranthe didn’t see the disapproval her father already had for him.
“Daddy, this is Roy. He is the nicest boy I’ve ever met,” Amaranthe gushed, making it easy for Roy to blush and pretend he was bashful.
Those cold eyes swept over Roy’s wrists. What was he looking for? An i.d. bracelet instead of jet cufflinks? Was he about to ask Roy for his papers? Roy swallowed back the rising ire this man’s gaze was igniting. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir,” he lied. “Amaranthe speaks so highly of you.”
If Roy had any hopes his words would thaw the general a bit, they were quickly dashed. “You couldn’t find anyone less…foreign to invite, Amaranthe?”
Her delicately painted face fell, blue eyes going misty grey. “Daddy?
“We do have an image to upkeep,” Jernigan snapped, making his daughter quail. His gaze never wavered from Roy. “I don’t want a scene so you may stay tonight but after this, you are to stay away from my daughter. Do you hear me?”
Roy just curled his lip at the man, refusing to back down or answer. Jernigan turned away, heading back to his friends as if confident Roy would never show his face again. The part that grated on Roy was the man was right but only because he planned to get the documents and never come back.
Amaranthe put her arms around him, resting her head on his chest. He could feel the tears soaking into his shirt. “I can’t believe Daddy is so mean.”
Running a hand over her back, white-gold silk spilling through his fingers, Roy leaned down and whispered, “What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
Lifting her face, Amaranthe gazed at him in amazement. “Do you mean that?”
“Of course.” He touched her wet cheek. “Go dry your eyes and we’ll dance. I don’t like bullies and I have no intention of paying any attention to your dad.”
Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him. “You are so wonderful.”
“Naturally I am.” Roy laughed, trying not to sound humorless as he thought about how wonderful she’d think he was when he did leave her. Mother never told him how hard this part was. He liked just harmless flirting for tidbits better than this. Someone was bound to get hurt.
Amaranthe kissed him again then flitted off to fix her face. He wouldn’t have time to do what he had to by the time she got back so Roy made sure to take as much food as he wanted from the appetizer trays, hoping Jernigan saw him. In fact, it would be a good idea if Jernigan saw a lot of him, make him think Roy didn’t have time to break away and do what he had to. Still, if he did it right, the man would never know until too late.
When she came back, Amaranthe’s eyes were still a little red but her make up had been repaired and she seemed happier. He caught whiff of her perfume as she took him into her arms. Sweet scents of jasmine and honeysuckle tickled his nose. Roy let her lead him onto the dance floor. His mother had made a point of having him well schooled in a variety of gentlemanly arts, dancing especially. Even at Hawkeye’s three times a week, he had to take time off from his studies to practice with a dance instructor.
Finally, several of Amaranthe’s girlfriends cornered her for what was apparently gossip they didn’t want their boyfriends to hear. That suited Roy just fine. He excused himself and went exploring as quickly as he could without drawing attention to himself. It didn’t take long to sneak into the general’s den but several longer moments working without light to find the hidden safe.
Roy pulled out some paper he had in his pocket and nabbed the fountain pen on the desk to draw an array. With it, he made the metal melt like wax until it hung open enough to get his hand inside. Roy pulled out several folders, rummaging swiftly and neatly until he found the one Madam Christmas was interested in. Tucked into an inner pocket of his jacket was the camera his mother had armed him with.
As he snapped photos of each page, Roy realized why his mother was so interested in this. He had to wonder who in the military had put out the contract on Jernigan. The man was selling secrets to the Drachmans. No wonder he had money for lavish parties. Carefully, he put away all the folders and alchemized the safe door before hiding it again. He positioned the pen back where he found it and started for the door. He froze, his gut twisting making him regret all the food he stuffed in it, as the door opened before he got to it.
Amaranthe’s eyes widened. “Roy, what are you doing here? No one is allowed in Daddy’s den.”
“Sorry. I was looking for the rest room and took a wrong turn.” He tried not to wince at his own lameness.
“In the dark?”
“I couldn’t find the switch,” he said, sailing past her. Roy caught her around the waist, hustling her with him. Mother was going to kill him. “Sorry.”
“I’m mad at him anyhow so it’s not like I’m going to tell Daddy.” She slipped her hand into his. “Want to dance some more?”
He beamed at her, happy for the distraction. “All night long, dear.”
X X X
Roy dragged into the Bitter End, feeling dead on his feet and somehow dirty. All he wanted was to go home but he needed to report to his mother first, especially since he had messed up. He had gone to their huge, rambling house just long enough to change out of his formal wear before heading to the pub. His brother, Scott, a half Ishbalan with flashing eyes and a killer smile was working the bar, flirting with some women in uniform. The older boy raised a hand in greeting but Roy hadn’t even seen him look away from the women so he wasn’t sure how Scott even knew he was back.
He found his mom slinging some kegs into place downstairs. Roy helped her with the heavy things. Once the amber liquid was filling the pipes, heading up to thirsty mouths, Roy brushed dirt off his shirt.
Chris smiled at him. “How did it go, Roy boy?”
He scowled. “Not as smooth as I had wanted it to. Amaranthe walked in on me. I couldn’t lock the door since the general didn’t have it locked. She’s very pissed at her dad though, so I don’t think she’ll say anything to him.” Roy dug in his pocket, handing over the camera. His mother didn’t look happy.
“That was careless. You can’t trust that.” She wagged a calloused finger at him.
“I know. I messed up.” His head dipped. “She introduced me to her dad and he hated me. All but called me a squint.”
His mother rested a hand on his shoulder. “There are narrow-minded people everywhere, son. You can’t let that get to you.”
Roy glanced up at her. “I didn’t. I used it against him. He was very busy watching me all night. If he notices anyone was in his study, he probably wouldn’t think I had time to do it under his scrutiny.”
“That’s my boy.” Chris ruffled his hair. “The client’s young daughter was at the party. She was watching you. I didn’t know until after you had gone that she’d be there. I don’t like being checked up on but when you deal with old important families you get this.” She sighed.
“Really? Who is she?” He held up a hand. “Yeah, I know you won’t tell me.”
“Did you notice anyone watching?”
Roy thought about it then nodded. “Oh yeah, there was this one really gorgeous blonde, with the best…” He started to make a ‘grabbing boob’ gesture then remembered who he was talking to. Blushing, he added, “She was sort of cool, though. I just thought she was checking me out since well…” He shrugged.
“Because you’re too handsome for words?” His mother laughed at him. “Ah, that ego of yours.”
Roy wrinkled his nose. “I know when someone is looking at my butt.”
“More like dreaming it.” His mother swatted said body part. “Go on home, son. You look tired. It’s been a very long day for you.”
Roy didn’t argue. He left the incriminating evidence with Chris Mustang and headed back to the house. His room was on the third floor, less a room than a cave of books with a bed shoved into it precariously. An ornate wardrobe and a well-used mirror were the only other things inside it. Cramped as it was, it was his and it was warm, occasionally too warm, unlike the drafty big cavern he occupied in Teacher’s home. Trying not to replay his near failure over and over, Roy covered up, read a little then tried to sleep.
X X X
Roy slept late, made some brunch for the youngest fosters and, when he couldn’t find Mom around the house, headed into the bar to see if she had gone in early. Iris was busy serving up the lunch crowd with a few employees he wasn’t actually related to by the foster system.
“Madame Christmas is busy,” Iris called to him. “Have a seat and stay out of the way, lazy little brother.”
Roy made a face at her. Legally, he couldn’t pitch in yet, not old enough to serve drinks, so he sat himself down at the end of the bar and picked up an abandoned newspaper. He didn’t get further than straightening it out when the front page made his fingers convulse. Roy clenched his jaw, feeling his bile rising. Mother had wasted no time with the information he had gathered.
His hands began to shake as the headline etched into his soul. He was barely aware of Iris’ hand on his shoulder and her calling his name. All he could see was ‘General accused of Espionage. Murders Daughter.’ Scanning quickly, unable to put it down, Roy read that the military police had gone to arrest the man who demanded to know what charges. The story read General Jernigan was ranting about his daughter bringing a squint spy into the house just before shooting her.’
Roy exploded off the stool, nearly knocking his sister down. He barely made it to the rather smelly bathroom but didn’t make it all the way to a stall. He decorated the stained, cigarette-ashed old tiles as his stomach rebelled. He managed to lean on the vanity and get some of it into the sink. Feeling hands on his shoulders, he flinched.
“Roy, what’s wrong?” Iris rubbed his back.
He spat, trying to clear his mouth then looked up into the greasy mirror. How could he have gotten so pale? “He killed her! It’s my fault.”
“I don’t understand,” Iris said then went pasty. She put a finger to his lips. “Not here. Come on, let’s go sit down before you fall.”
Roy looked back at the bathroom as she escorted him out. “I made a mess.”
“Nothing I can’t mop up. I’ll leave Mom to mop up the other mess.” Iris tapped his chest.
Roy choked, not wanting to cry in front of his sister but he needed to. To hell with boys don’t cry. He got an innocent girl killed.
Iris knocked on the door. “Madame Christmas, are you free?”
“Come in.”
Iris hustled him into the room and sat him on the lumpy couch. Their mother was out from behind her desk in a flash, moving faster than Roy would have thought she could. Chris sat on the couch with him, her hand on the back of his head. “I’ll take care of him from here, Iris.”
She nodded and left. Roy looked at his mother, his teeth starting to chatter. He was so cold. “You knew.”
“Not until I got here. I was just talking to those involved. I was coming to tell you next. You saw the paper,” she said, rubbing his arm. It did nothing to warm him.
Roy bobbed his head, gagging a bit. His mother got up and got the trash can, putting it next to the couch before going to a closet to rummage around. She came up with a thick blanket and a thin pillow. Chris tucked him in on the couch, sitting back down with him, stroking his hair. “I got her killed. This is all my fault.”
“It’s not your fault, Roy. Jernigan pulled the trigger, not you.”
He shook his head. “She had to have told him I was in that den or he just hated people with Xing blood that much.”
Her face twisted. Roy had never seen her sad, not like this. “You can’t blame yourself, Roy. The man was a traitor and he was desperate. No one could have predicted this. I’m very sorry that young lady died but it’s not your fault.”
“Then why do I feel like it is?” Roy buried his face in the flat pillow.
She kissed his crown. “Because you are a gentle, sweet soul, son. Try to rest a little. I know it won’t make it better but you need it.”
He wanted to argue but the emotions waved over him, rolling him like a pebble on the beach. Roy went under, tumbling into a dreamless sleep. He woke up, dazed later, hearing voices. Roy only cracked open an eye to see a short, stocky man in the chair by his mother’s desk. Behind him stood an enormous young man with a shaved head and the ice queen from last night. Roy shut his eyes again, realizing his mother thought he was so out of it that she invited the clients in even though he was in the room. Then again, important, rich clients, they probably barged in.
“How did this go so bad?” Chris asked.
“They wanted to be respectful of his rank,” the short bearded man replied. “They didn’t expect him to be armed, the fools. Why in my day, we soldiers would never have been so careless. I wasn’t there. I don’t know why he had to kill his poor daughter.”
“I have some ideas, General Armstrong, but none of them pretty,” Chris replied.
“He didn’t like that one sniffing around his little girl.”
Roy could feel the finger being pointed his way, trying not to wince and let them know he was awake. That had to be the pretty, cold girl, Armstrong, yes he knew that name. How could he not?
“He might have figured out you sent him in,” she added.
“That’s what I assumed. I just wish they hadn’t been so careless and we wouldn’t be in this mess,” Chris said and Roy thought she might be looking at him, hating him for messing up. He couldn’t keep the tears from slipping out from under his lashes.
“This can’t be tracked back to us,” General Armstrong rumbled.
“It won’t be, though you had best leave the pub now, just in case someone comes here looking into it. I’m not expecting it though. My son is better than that.”
Roy tried to take pride in that but he wasn’t better. He got Amaranthe killed. He listened to the Armstrongs leaving. He could hear his mother walking across the room. Her hand rested heavy on his shoulder. “Don’t tell anyone what you heard in here, son. Try to get some sleep.”
Roy wiped his wet cheek on the blanket and tried to get comfortable. “Not sure I can sleep more,” he said even as he began to fade. Roy was aware of his mother’s comforting touch as he chased into the darkness. He needed both.
X X X
Roy slumped at the breakfast table. He had very little sleep, thinking about all his mistakes with Amaranthe. He eyed the expansive breakfast spread. “What’s all this about? Usually I’m lucky to get toast.”
Riza popped some coffee down in front of him, ignoring the slight. “Dad usually wants you in the lab too quick but he went to see Mrs. Simon about some of her late husband’s books. He won’t be back until late tonight. You have a day off.”
“That doesn’t explain food for a hundred.” He gestured at the table.
She patted him on the head. “You barely ate last night. Boys are always hungry.”
“But I’m not,” he said, even though his belly was growling.
“Eat anyhow,” Riza insisted, sitting down to a plate of eggs and sausage.
Roy nibbled a little then started to eat with relish, hungrier than he thought. Afterwards, he helped her clean up the dishes. Riza took his hand and started dragging him along. Bemused, he let her lead him through the house.
“Where am I going?” he asked as she shooed him out into the garden.
“Out to get some sun. You’ve been in the lab so long, you look like a ghost. You’re scary to see,” she replied and he winced, covering his heart.
“You wound me.”
“I will if you don’t use part of today to relax.” Her grim expression had him believing she might. Suddenly, the clouds lifted and the bright sun of her smile shone. She dug in her pocket and handed him a book, Albertus’ Guide to Combustible Compounds. “I know you’ll go into withdrawals if you don’t have a little alchemy to read.”
He laughed. “Thanks, Riza. You’re the best.”
She pointed a finger at him. “Never forget that.”
“I won’t,” he promised.
Roy wandered through the unkempt gardens, more weeds than flowers now that Mrs. Hawkeye was gone. The only part that was tended well were the herbs and flowers they could use in the lab. There was a hardy patch of roses that Riza seemed to favor. A nice splay of grass rolled down the gentle slope near them. Roy peeled off his shirt and wadded it into a pillow. He stretched out on the grass and tried to concentrate on the explosive properties of sodium and forget what he had done to Amaranthe.
It didn’t help. No matter how many times his mother told him it wasn’t his fault, Roy couldn’t help believing it was. Amaranthe trusted him. He flirted with her to get access to her house and her father murdered her for his transgressions. Yes, a dangerous traitor was brought to justice, but at what cost? Nothing would bring back Amaranthe or wash her blood from his hands. Rather than read, Roy shielded his eyes with the book and lost himself in his dark thoughts.
Roy’s belly shuddered a bit as something tickled him. Blearily, he realized he had fallen asleep in the sun. The tickle was followed by a full-on icy assault as an ice sliver flopped onto his hot skin. Roy sat up right, the sharp corner of the book landing in his lap, making him groan. The ice skittered down his chest and over his belly into the grass. He glared up at Riza, standing over him with two glasses of lemonade on a tray. “Riza!”
“Sorry, couldn’t resist. You looked too cute and comfortable.” She offered him a glass, which he took, then she sat down with her own drink.
“And you had to mess with me.”
“Remember the things you’ve done over the years,” she said, nudging his shoulder.
He laughed then lost the humor as thoughts of things he had just done flooded back. Riza noticed his pain, he could see it in her eyes.
“Are you going to tell me what happened?”
“Someone I know died when I was home,” he edited the experience for her. Maybe one day he’d tell her the whole story but not today. “I feel responsible. I know that I didn’t make it happen but I feel like a catalyst.”
She set her drink down, covering his sun-kissed hand with a glass-cooled one. “I’m so sorry. What happened?”
Roy shook his head, leaning a little closer to her. It felt good to have someone close, even if he couldn’t tell her the whole truth. “It was ugly and I’m not really ready to talk about it.”
Riza squeezed his hand. “I’m here when you are. It might help to have someone to listen. I’m sure you talked to your mom about it.”
“Yeah, didn’t help much though.” He flinched at his own brutal honesty. There was no way of feeling good about this. “She couldn’t do anything, not this time.” No, really, she was just as guilty of helping to cause Amaranthe’s death as he was. His mother had maneuvered him into the situation and dispersed the information. The only innocent one was Amaranthe.
Riza seemed to sense he didn’t want to talk. She rested her head on his shoulder and he took comfort in her closeness, drinking his sweet lemonade with slow deliberation, trying to empty his head of all the conflicting emotions. Finally, she spoke up, “Do you ever miss her?”
“Who?”
“Your mom.”
“Your dad keeps me too busy to miss much,” Roy said with a rueful chuckle. “And I do get home a few times a year.”
“No, I mean your real mom.” Her quiet voice and the way her eyes went soft took Roy aback.
He wadded up the shirt again and stretched back out, looking up at the sky. A pure unbroken blue, it was too cheerful for his state of mind. “I do but…I hardly knew her. I have some nice dreams of her, bravely coming across the desert looking for my dad but that’s all they are. I can remember her singing songs in Xing to me when I was in bed and the smells from the kitchen but not much else. She never even told me Dad’s name. All I knew was ‘blond, Amestrian alchemist.’ When I first came here, I was wondering about your father.”
“Dad was never in Xing,” Riza quickly assured him.
“I know. I asked and I’m pretty happy about that. I mean, to have you as a half sister would be…” Roy ran a hand up her arm as she looked down on him. “Disappointing.”
Riza leaned down, brushing her lips over his but she didn’t linger. “Very much so. Sometimes, I’m jealous of your foster mom. Don’t get me wrong, I love Dad but he’s not very…emotional. He’s not so good when I need someone to talk to and neither are you since half the time you’re the subject at hand.”
Roy wrinkled his nose and started to respond but she covered his mouth.
“It would be nice to have a mom again.”
He kissed the palm of her hand and she moved it away from his lips. “My mom isn’t too much cuddlier than your dad, really. I love her for taking care of me. No one wanted a half-breed child then she came along. I owe her for that and my foster siblings are pretty good, too, but in a lot of ways, I like being here with you and your father.”
“That’s mostly because you’re just a lab rat who can’t wait to be eyebrow deep in alchemy books.” Riza laughed.
He smiled in agreement. That was true but also, he didn’t have to play at his mother’s information gathering games, no seducing innocents and getting them killed. He was going to learn fire alchemy and save lives with it, well at least wherever it was he decided to live. No one was going to burn to death in a house fire if he had anything to say about it. Of course, the way he felt right now, he’d like to use that alchemy to turn Jernigan to toast for what he did.
“That’s a strange look,” Riza remarked, studying his face.
Roy realized his bloodlust must have been showing. “Just thinking. So, what else shall we do on this day off?”
She tickled his belly. “I’m sure we can think of something.”
He caught her hand. “Something that doesn’t end up with me having a roasted sausage!”
Riza giggled. “Come on, get up. Let’s just go into town and wander around, maybe get something to eat. That safe enough for you?”
“He’s your dad, you tell me? Is dinner with the daughter allowable?”
“Probably not but I say we risk it.”
Roy got up then offered her a hand up. He didn’t really want to have company tonight but it was hard to tell Riza no. He was just glad she was far away from his mother’s world, where she was safe. He didn’t know what it was about Riza that made him want to protect her but he did. She made him feel someone safe and wanted. That in mind, he gave himself over to her plans for the day, letting them drive some of the badness out of his consciousness. He had mourned, now he needed to let go just a little before he was sucked under. He couldn’t fix what he had done but Roy knew he had learned important lessons.
He planned to never forget them.