Sun Hands, by JACmRob
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N: Takes place several years after the events of the manga, in a bit of an AU in which Ed keeps both his alchemy and his automail limbs.
"You could at least try and look like you're listening, bastard."
Roy looked up from where his fingers had been drumming on the desk.
"I'm listening," he said mildly. "You're telling me about how some rebels ran train on your infiltration scheme, and you botched the whole thing by transmuting that damn automail blade and giving everything away. Now you're probably bitching about how you couldn't take a train and your feet hurt."
"Is this a fucking joke to you?"
Roy scrubbed his fingers across his face, trying to think of something stymie the inevitable rant that was coming before the blonde hit his stride. Maybe it hadn't been the right idea, pushing Fullmetal's buttons; their position was anything but good and now the rebels knew the military was sending State Alchemists after them?
Not good, Roy thought sourly. The rebels would be even more likely to turn to Drachma for weapons and support.
"—Because in case you didn't realize, they expected us to do this and if they didn't want to negotiate in the first place, why the hell would it help to go in there and try to make friends? Honestly, did you seriously believe that—"
"Best case scenario we get a few of them on our side by spreading good propaganda. Worst case scenario, we get some a tap in the rebel base. But now we don't have either. You weren't even supposed to go to the base, much less reveal yourself—"
"They already knew we were military, they were going to kill us, you idiot, what was I supposed to do?"
Roy pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to keep his temper. What a nightmare.
In the years since the dismantling of Father's regime in Amestris, the attempt to plant democracy in Amestris had been a disaster. Half the country was clamoring for voting rights and designated terms of office and the other half wanted a strong leader like Fuhrer King Bradley back. Hell, most of the dissenters didn't even believe that Bradley was corrupt to begin with, and thought that the whole thing was a ploy for a few people to seize power. Roy had his fair share of enemies who thought he was behind the whole coup. State Alchemists were more unpopular than ever, even the famed Hero of the People.
On top of it all, in the last year the border war with Drachma had exploded. What was worse, the Drachmen had alchemists, and they were using them. And Amestrian alchemists were growing fewer and fewer.
We're fighting the rebels and the Drachmen, Roy thought bitterly, and we don't have the means to do either. With half the government fractured over the new regime, the so-called 'Parliament' was nothing more than a puppet show. The anti-democracy elects stopped any actual legislation from passing. The nation was completely stalled in terms of policy.
And the military was a clash of forces as well. Officially, the democrats reigned and it was the military's duty to support them, but this was as much a joke as the Parliament. Sure, there was a core of loyal supporters of the new government, but some of the higher-ranking MPs wanted to see it torn down. A rebel faction had sprouted out of the discord, outside both military and government, and their numbers were growing every day.
Roy turned his attention back to Edward, who looked ready to start frothing at the mouth. He noticed for the first time a huge burgundy stain on the side of the younger man's uniform. He was injured, though in usual Elric fashion he was hiding it to the best of his ability.
Twenty, Roy thought. The age when most people join the military. And he's been getting beat up by us for years.
"The problem is now they think we're not just turning military against them, but State Alchemists as well," Roy explained wearily. "Technically, the rebels are still a civilian group. And you can bet they're going to milk this incident to the public. Make out that we attacked them. Try and turn those who are undecided or still support us."
"That's bullshit!" Ed burst out, slamming his fist onto Roy's desk. "They had guns pointed at our party, they were going to fucking execute all of them! I couldn't just sit back and watch that happen!"
"I know," Roy said through gritted teeth. "I'm not saying you did the wrong thing. But I've heard all I need from you to know what kind of mess I've got to start cleaning up."
A hurt look flashed across Ed's face, and Roy regretted the words. Kid's still doing what he's always done, playing hero. Doesn't want to see anyone get killed.
"You should go home," Roy said, more gently. "Look, I'm glad everyone got out of there, but this whole fiasco has now got your face slapped across it. We need to keep you out of the spotlight for a while."
Ed glowered. "What does that mean?"
"Sorry, Fullmetal, but it's going to be desk duty for a bit."
Roy winced as he was hit by a stream of curses. Biting his lip, he ushered the blonde out of his office, firmly shutting the door. The curses continued, muffled by the wall, and then there was a heavy thud that sounded like the kick of a metal foot.
Roy slumped back at his desk. As difficult as Fullmetal was, he'd mostly been an asset since this whole thing began. Edward's positive reputation had given some credence back to the military. And it might be completely gone now.
Even now, Roy didn't fully understand why Ed had come back to the military after restoring his brother's body. Alphonse was off in Xing, studying something called alkahestry. Ed had spent a few years at home, but as soon as the new order began rupturing he'd shown up at Roy's desk to reenlist. When Roy asked him why he didn't just stay in Resembool, where things were peaceful, he'd just shrugged and said "looks like you could use some help."
The door swung open and Roy sprung up, ready to kick Ed out by force if he had to, and then relaxed back into his chair. Just Hawkeye.
"So the meeting with Ed went well?" she asked, noting his distress though her face maintained its usual composure.
Roy groaned.
"He's acting like I'm punishing him for what happened. Wasn't his fault. The plan was terrible to begin with. But now he's in a very, very bad position."
"You might want to contact PR about running some anniversary story about one of his big rescues. See if they can scrounge up anything notable he's done around this date."
"That's so obvious," Roy mumbled. "Give them the kid in the red coat with the tin-man brother and they'll forget about the man in the military uniform holding a gun."
"You know that's not Ed," Hawkeye said steadily. She perched herself on the edge of his desk. "We send him on these missions but he's no killer. You know he just wants to see this fighting end."
"Don't we all." Hawkeye gave him one of her rare smiles, and Roy felt a sudden, strange urge to reach forward and tuck a stray hair behind her ear. He shook himself. "Anyway, are you here to give me some bad news too?"
"Afraid not. I just wanted to see if you were planning on leaving any time soon. I was going to cook."
She'd been doing little like that for him lately. She could sense he was stressed, wasn't taking care of himself or getting enough sleep. That's the reason why. At least that's what he told himself.
Roy groaned again. If only he could, if only there wasn't a mountain of things to do since Ed had given his report.
"I've got to stay. It's going to be a long night with all this."
"Don't stay too late. It'll all still be here in the morning."
"And I probably will be, too," Roy said with a wan smile.
"Ring if you want to stop by. There'll be leftovers."
The door closed with a soft thump, and she was gone. Roy stared down at the mess of papers on his desk. His thoughts returned to the Drachmen. He'd have to double the number of men working to intercept Drachman spies and couriers trying to deliver bribes or messages to the rebels. Drachma wanted to see the rebels in power, and see their old enemy, the Amestrian military, overthrown. They're already pushing into the north. If they offer the rebels the weapons the need to overthrow us, the rebels will accept.
And if that happened, it wouldn't be long before the violence hit Central.
A/N: I'm starting a new, longer story! I've had some FMA ideas floating around and I've finally decided to put them to paper. I'm aiming to make it around 10-15 chapters, and hopefully I can keep up with it even with uni. Will be a war!fic, with lots of intrigue, suspense, drama, and angst. The post-manga Amestris is a chaotic place. EdWin and Royai, and you can bet those boys are going to be sacrificing for the people the love. Oh and I'll try and bring in Al eventually.
Please, review! I LOVE reviews! Especially if you have ideas/suggestions. (Have I mentioned that I love reviews?)
-JR