Chapter 1: Soldiers and Alchemy
"I believed that alchemy would give people dreams and hope and that the military would protect this country's future…" she said without looking at him. She stared at her hands and wondered if she will ever see them clean again.
Roy stayed silent, looking at the beautiful horizon, the sun setting into the desert dunes, a bitter mockery towards the unsightly reality of the present surrounding them.
"Please tell me major," he turned towards her, "why are soldiers who ought to protect the citizens killing them instead?" She choked on the guilt of her own words. Before he could answer her, she continued, looking at him with those hazel eyes, killer's eyes, "why is alchemy which ought to bring happiness to the people, being used for murder?"
Hearing it from her was more painful then having admitted it himself. Dogs of the military indeed, we're all killers. The sorrow in her eyes matched those of his own, his killer's eyes.
He walked towards her, dust floating slightly off the ground with each step. Her eyes were no longer staring into his but gazing at the horizon, the sun no longer visible. He seated himself next to her and sighed, hardly audible but she heard it nonetheless. In the uncanny stillness of the dessert, even a soft click of the safety could be heard from miles away.
"I never thought that you, of all people would be here", he said, breaking the silence. "I suppose I should be grateful, I may not even be here if it weren't for you earlier today", he went on when she didn't say anything.
"Why are we even here Roy?" she turned and faced him. Even with her face half hidden in shadow, he could see her eyes were glistened with tears too stubborn to fall. "I look at my hands and all I can see are the blood of those I killed, people whom I only see through the scope of my rifle". She was looking down at her hands again and Roy saw that they were shaking, ever so slightly, but shaking.
She clenched her hands, her fingernails digging into her palm. Roy placed his own hands over hers, holding them steady. He felt water drip onto his hands, those stubborn tears finally falling. She let out a sob, and soon found herself wrapped in his strong arms. "Reality's a bitch" he said, now softly patting her back as she clenched onto his overcoat, face buried in his chest, stifling the painful sobs.
"I will change it all Riza", he said, embracing her tighter. "Soldiers will protect and alchemy will bring happiness". She looked up at him. She thought of how foolish his words were until she met his gaze. "Your father's work... I will prove to him that I can use it to bring happiness". His voice, never had she heard him speak like that before. Never had she seen him look so serious.
"Let's just get through this fucked up war", he said, and without thought, without any hesitation, he kissed her. As though in retaliation, she forcefully kissed him back. They parted abruptly when their ears pricked with the sounds of footsteps approaching. Roy turned his head, his eyes narrowed, focused at the darkness ahead, finger poised to snap. Riza clutched her handgun and was about to remove the safety when Hughes stepped into the light.
"It's just me" he said, his hands in his coat pocket as he walked towards Roy and Riza. "You two better get back to camp if you don't want to starve. They're serving swill" he said, his face contorted with disgust. "I preferred yesterday's" he added.
Roy got up, followed by Riza. Riza moved to salute Hughes but he waved it off. "Nobody here gives a damn about formalities", he said to her. She lowered her hands and excused herself before setting off towards the camps.
"Old friends Roy?" he asked, as Roy stared at Riza's back as she slowly disappeared into the darkness. "You could say that" he replied, a hint of sadness in his voice. "Her father was my master".
Hughes didn't inquire further. "You better go eat", he said, slapping Roy on the back, causing him to stumble forward. "At least the two of you don't have to worry about getting caught, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't want to court martial their precious weapon for fraternizing" he said, his tone almost cynical.
"Very funny Maes" Roy said, and the two of them headed back to camp.