Prologue:

The sky was clear and the sun shone warmly on the lawn of the former first-lady's estate. It was one of the first comfortable and cloudless days the people of Central had seen since the early fall, and just in time, too. The eighth annual Promised Day Commemoration was upon them again, and April third became a time of remembrance, memorial, and celebration for the citizens of Amestris. Galas, picnics, and festivals were held throughout the land, all decorated with the Amestrian green, white and yellow.

Roy Mustang tugged uncomfortably at his collar, his suit too thick for the unexpected warmth of the afternoon. He wasn't sure how he had done it, but he had managed to sneak away from the crowd of party-attendees in the hedges surrounding the courtyard. His presence there was a big topic of party chatter, and each and every guest wanted the chance to leave saying they had met the new fuhrer. He was honored, of course, and engaged in polite conversation with everyone who approached him, but for the most part he was tired of reliving that hellish day over and over while still having to maintain a civil and delightful demeanor. He needed a break, a moment with himself, to swallow down the feeling of severity that was swelling up inside of him. But the well-intended badgering and the painful recollections weren't the only thing at the party that made his nerves uneasy…

"Done basking in the glory of the Commemoration, huh?"

Roy turned his head and saw a familiar man in his mid-twenties weaving through an arrangement of hedges, his golden hair loosely braided behind his head.

Roy smiled and looked forward again, a cocky gleam dancing across his eyes. "Well, this is a sight. The famous Edward Elric not eating up every bit of attention the public has to throw at him." Ed stood next to the Fuhrer, his hands in his pockets and his shoulders slouched. "Didn't feel like hogging the spotlight?"

"Not today." His voice was light, desperately trying not to sink into the darkness that surrounded the holiday.

Roy put on a smirk that rivaled Edward's and looked him in the eye. It was uncanny to think that this full-grown man was the very same hot-headed teenager that had been responsible for more than a few of the wrinkles beginning to show themselves on Roy's face. Who would've thought that the two of them would be hiding behind the bushes, hanging up their titles, and escaping their pasts together. "The Fullmetal and Flame Alchemists…" Roy snickered. "Nine years ago we took on immortal soldiers, homunculi, and even a damn god…and now we can't even face a crowd at a picnic."

"We had a little more help back then." Ed replied.

They both smiled half-heartedly in an attempt to lighten the shadows that crept behind their nerves. For a moment they didn't speak, but just stood there, greatful to be around someone who remembered the promised day for what it was and not for the excuse it gave them to throw a party.

"There you ar— oh, hello Edward." Both men turned to see the small yet comforting smile of lieutenant and first lady Riza Mustang. "I was wondering where you had wandered off to, Roy." Ed still hadn't gotten used to hearing these two call each other by their first names. He had been at the their wedding and everything and yet it was still weird. "And I believe Alphonse is looking for you, Ed."

"Oh. Yeah, thanks—"

"Mrs. Mustang! Did you find them?" Riza tried not to wince at the voice behind her, but even she couldn't suppress the feeling of immediate danger. Her eyes widened ever so slightly, Roy stiffened, and Ed felt the hairs on his neck rise in alarm. Riza quickly forced her face back into a kind smile and turned to face the child.

"I did." She laughed, no one but Roy being able to sense her hidden edginess. The small boy excitedly ran to her side behind the bushes before his eyes widened in adoration at the two men standing before him.

"Wow!" He said with a wide and ecstatic smile. "The Flame Alchemist and the Fullmetal Alchemist! My mom told me you were coming but I couldn't believe it! You're here! You're really really here!"

Roy's eyes lingered on the distinct, circular scar on his forehead—his mark—before plastering on a smile and kneeling down to be leveled with the young boy. "Of course! It is a very special day, after all!"

The young boy beamed, almost visibly shaking with excitement. "My mom told me I'm old enough to start taking alchemy lessons soon! Maybe one day I'll be a famous alchemist just like you two!"

The idea echoed dangerously through Roy's mind, and he hoped to god that it wasn't showing in his face. He laughed. "If you work hard, you just might!"

"Oh, Selim!" Mrs. Bradley's voice rang over the courtyard. "Selim!"

"Sounds like you better get back to your mom." Roy said kindly as he stood back up to his full height.

"Yeah, I guess." Selim obeyed, disappointed that he couldn't stay and talk longer to his two greatest heroes. "Thank you for coming!" He remembered his manners.

"We'll see ya around, kid." Ed finally managed to say without his voice dripping with venom.

Selim beamed back at them before turning to run towards his mother.

"Oh, and Selim?" Roy said.

The boy turned back to look at him, his eyes wide and expecting.

"Happy Birthday."

Selim's face broke into the single most overjoyed smile Roy had ever seen. "Thanks!" He laughed, and then took off towards his mother.

"There you are." The voice of his mother greeted him from a distance. "We're going to open your presents now!"

Selim happily followed her, bursting with enthusiasm, his jubilant laugh singing over all the guests' noisy chatter.

Roy, Riza, and Edward stood in silence for a moment or so, their nerves high on end and their internal alarms screaming wildly.

"Is it just me?" Ed broke the silence. "Or does anyone else get the urge to attack that kid every time they see him?"

"It's awful, isn't it?" Riza's steady voice agreed. "He's such a nice boy."

"Selim Bradley has always been a nice boy." Roy said, watching the child excitedly receive the first gift his mother handed to him, muttering a thanks before tearing into the delicate, white wrapping paper. "It's Pride that I'm worried about."