Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or any related characters.
WARNING:The premise for this story is that Roy Mustang is a pedophile. DO NOT READ if this makes you sick/uncomfortable/angry/etc.
Roy Mustang had made some pretty bad decisions in his life, but this had to be one of the worst.
He had hidden his desires to the best of his ability, fooling everyone. Even Hawkeye, who was now walking behind him, hadn't guessed at his secret affinity, believing (just as they all did) that he had a love for women. For years, being in the military, Roy had managed to avoid even being in contact with children, for the most part. Really, hiding hadn't been so hard.
Until that report came in. The report about two talented alchemists in Risembool, of all places. Two young alchemists.
Roy couldn't refuse the order to go investigate, and, hopefully, recruit them. Even if he could have, he wouldn't have, because his curiosity had been piqued. Two little boys, studying alchemy…could there be any stronger temptation?
And so the Lieutenant Colonel, Roy Mustang, now found himself approaching a small automail shop, his subordinate in tow, trying to keep himself in check. A part of him hoped that the children would be older than believed, or maybe not to his liking. But the greater part of him, the part filled with desire for small limbs and soft skin, hoped against all hope that the children, at least one of them, would be as perfect as he had imagined.
A dog glared at him as Roy approached the door to the shop, which, he could see now, was also a house. It barked softly as he knocked, sniffing Hawkeye.
"And what do you want?"
Roy looked down, startled by the voice, hostile, and saw a minuscule woman glaring back at him.
"Lieutenant Colonel Roy Mustang. I'm here to investigate a report of two young alchemists, ma'am."
The woman threw her hands in the air. "Can't you leave them alone!? After what they've been through! You have no business here." She tried to close the door, but Roy pushed it open.
"I know what they've been through—I saw the shed. But I'm afraid I have to insist."
He walked around a corner, into the kitchen, and his whole world turned upside down.
First of all, thought it was true Roy had seen the remains of human transmutation in the shed by the boy's house, he hadn't expected the appearance of the one child. Missing both an arm and a leg, the boy sat in a wheelchair, eyes downcast. Even so, the boy was beautiful, more flawless for his flaws; everything Roy wanted. He did not look up when Roy approached, nor did he seem concerned by the armored man behind him—
Or could that be the second child? How unexpected.
"I am Lieutenant Colonel Roy Mustang," he said, holding his watch out. "State Alchemist. I'm not here to hurt you, or arrest you, so don't worry. But I have to know…" he addressed the blonde in the wheelchair, allowing a small bit of anger to creep into his voice. He had a part to play, after all. "Why did you do it? What made you think that you could disobey the laws of alchemy?"
The armored boy placed his hand on Roy's arm. "Please," he whispered—definitely the other child, his voice was rather high-pitched. "We didn't know this would happen. Please. We're sorry…so sorry…"
Roy looked down at the armor, sure his suspicions were correct—that it was empty. "So you lost your body, huh? And your brother his arm and his leg…"
"His arm was lost when he put me in this armor." He was quiet.
"A bonded soul? Impressive. Well, I daresay you two have been punished enough. Like I said, I'm not here to reprimand you."
Roy bent down until he was eye level with the child in the wheelchair. His eyes were gorgeous, liquid gold, but terribly sad. Roy tried to ignore the pull he felt, did not touch him. "Can you speak? What's your name?"
"I'm Alphonse…" once again, the one with the armor spoke. "He's my older brother, Edward. He…he hasn't spoken since that night."
"Edward, eh?" Roy knew he was fighting a losing battle to maintain his composure. This one was…perfection. Despite the missing leg and arm and the dead eyes, Roy sensed something in him; Edward was a fighter.
He just had to pull him back out.
"Alright then, Edward, Alphonse. I'd like to speak with you, as well as your guardian—that woman who opened the door. I'll be right back."
Roy left, breathing easier. Away from the boys, it was easier to ignore his want, but still he could not get rid of the image of the older one's—Edward's—eyes. He longed to see them light up, in happiness, in pleasure…no, he would not, could not pass this opportunity up.
"Excuse me," he tapped the woman from before on the shoulder and she swung around, almost smacking him with the automail she was working on. A girl, maybe her granddaughter, watched with amusement. "Whoa! I need to speak with you about the boys. Also, I didn't get your name."
"I don't need to speak with you! You're not touching them!"
"I believe that is their choice, ma'am…"
The woman glared. "I am Pinako. Now let's get this over with, so you can be disappointed and get your ass out of my house!"
Well, it wasn't the most polite introduction ever, but Roy would take it.
Once Pinako had sat down next to the boys, he closed the door. "Now, I'm not saying what you boys did was right, or smart, but it was exceptional. You are both very talented, especially you, Edward. How old are you?"
Pinako jumped in. "Ed's eleven, Al's ten. So leave them alone."
"It is incredible that you could bond a soul at that age, Edward." Roy's heart was pounding. Eleven? So young, such a ripe age. "You can't give up now. That can't be your peak. You possess amazing potential, and I wouldn't put it past you to find a way to restore your body, along with your brother's."
At this, Edward raised his head, meeting Roy's eyes for the first time. In that electric moment, he came up with a plan, a crazy plan, but the only way he could see to get the boy closer to him. And he needed to do that. Any thought of resisting his urges was gone.
"If you were to become a State Alchemist, you would be able to access the most secret of information, libraries full of alchemy you couldn't even imagine. Furthermore, if you choose to pursue that path, I would suggest coming with me, to East City. I can coach you, help you along in preparing for the exam, and besides that…I can't imagine it would be good to have you and your brother stay here. Too many memories."
His speech finished, Roy watched Edward expectantly, waiting for the answer that would end or begin his advances.
As Pinako listened to the Lieutenant Colonel ramble on, she studied him. The way he gazed almost exclusively at Ed, his nervous hands, that light in his eyes…this "Mustang" character was rather suspicious.
And then he dared to suggest he should take the brothers away, to East City!? A chill ran down Pinako's spine. There was something wrong with this man, she could feel it. No way would she let those boys be taken away.
"Now wait just a minute! You can't take them away, this is their home. I won't have it torn apart by some military bastard who thinks he can do anything he wants just because he wears a uniform!"
"Pinako, with all due respect, this is their decision. This is not their home, their home is empty now. I am offering them a new one, a new life, away from the memories this place will drag up. I am trying to help."
"Trying to help, my ass!"
"Ok." The words were so faint, Roy barely registered them.
"What?" he turned, eyes wide, to Edward.
"We'll go with you," he whispered, barely making a sound.
"Are you sure, Brother?" Alphonse asked.
Edward nodded, gazing up at Roy, a strange emotion in his eyes. He would not call it hope; rather, Roy thought it was the hope for hope.
He smiled. "Well, that's that then. I promise, I will take care of these boys, Pinako." Roy's next words were directed at Edward. "I won't let you down."