A/N: Well, I've been absolutely blown away by the response to the chapter I only put up yesterday! So much praise and constructive criticism, I literally almost started crying when I saw it all. 34 views, 3 reviews, 3 followers… what am I supposed to do with all you lovely readers? Just do my best to entertain you I guess. I do try! Here's your second chapter. And don't worry. Your WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED TO ED AND AL!? questions will be answered… next chapter. This one is dedicated to my favorite pairing of all. Enjoy!
Chapter Two
Dinner was mostly quiet and all members of the house were asleep quickly after going to bed. Except one. Roy lay awake in his bed, staring at the ceiling and following his thoughts around in circles. He thought about Ed mostly, and Al. He shouldn't have been so cold and harsh. They might have worried him sick and disobeyed every order he had given him, but that was no reason to continue the cycle of anger and hatred. It was no wonder Ed hated him; he hated himself. Why was it so darn hard to show when he cared about someone?
And then there was Riza. When had things gotten so freaking complicated with her? One day she was his back-up, his conscience, his right hand. The next, she had stolen his heart and made it impossible to be apart from her. Even sleeping in this bed with her upstairs made his heart ache. In the few weeks when she had slept in a cot by his hospital bed, he had gotten used to the soft sound of her breathing and the scritch-scratching of her pen as she finished her paperwork and the sweet tones of her voice as she hummed when she thought he was asleep. Havoc's snoring didn't help at all either.
Roy frowned in the darkness, rolling onto his side. He was her superior; he couldn't become involved in a relationship with her. But no matter how many times he told his heart to stop jumping at the sound of her voice, it still did it without his permission. The stupid thing was no better at listening to him than the Elric brothers were.
The brothers. What in the world had happened to them? The last time he'd seen them, a month and a half or so ago, Ed had automail, eyes and was strong and healthy. Al had been an empty suit of armor with nothing of his past life but his brother, memories and voice. Now they were both fully human, emaciated (despite the Rockbell's attempts to put meat back on their bones), and one was sightless while the other was mute. At least he wouldn't have to wait long to find out that story.
What were they going to do now? Now they had what they had worked for so long to get, did they have any plans for the future? They couldn't work for the military anymore. Ed would be dismissed with honors for his part in overthrowing the conspiracy, he would see to that. But the brothers would not be content to sit at the Rockbell's house for long. They were too used to a life of action and travel to just give it up and lounge around for the rest of their lives. Besides, that much potential shouldn't go to waste for something as trivial as a physical disability. It had never stopped them before, and he was sure it wouldn't stop them for long now. Maybe they'd go and learn a trade or just travel around until they found a reason to settle down. Either way, he would not be seeing them often after this final report.
Strangely enough, this made upset him more than he would ever have thought. As much as the boys worried and bothered and made his life difficult, he was fond of them. So was the rest of his team. It was almost as if they had all taken it upon them selves to be the boys' big brothers, with Riza as the mother holding all the rambunctious children to their work. He smiled at the image. What does that make me? He wondered. The grouchy, lazy old uncle I guess. He toyed with the idea of being 'the father' but dismissed it. He wasn't the fatherly type.
But why can't I be? His mind rebelliously answered. For a moment, he pictured it.
A warm hearth with winter winds blowing outside. Riza, dressed in a pretty silver sweater and black pants holds his hand and rubs her rounded stomach as they sit in the two armchairs. Ed and Al tell stories and bicker lightheartedly in front of the dancing flames. A few pictures adorn the mantle: Hughes with Elicia in his arms and Gracia smiling in the background; Trisha hugging two small boys in her arms; an old man with Riza's eyes sitting in a chair with Riza smiling behind him. Also in a place of honor, two framed sheets of paper that show to the whole world that he is the proud father of the two boys, despite them being born of different parents. Behind them, Havoc, Breda, Fuery, and Falman chat and laugh over steaming cups of cocoa and by the window, Gracia and Elicia giggle about the doodles the girl scribbles on the paper. Suddenly, the four-year-old stands and races over to the fire. Tugging on Ed's sleeve, she got his attention.
"Brother Ed, is Santa coming tonight? Is he really going to sneak into my house and fill my stocking with candy?" Everyone in the room smiled at the innocent question.
"Of course Elicia. When you wake up in the morning, there'll be all sorts of little goodies just for you." The little girl frowned.
"What about you? Doesn't Santa bring things for you and brother Al too? And Uncle Roy and Aunt Riza and Uncle Jean and…" She ran out of breath, but Ed's laugh cut her off.
"We get things too. Don't worry." The moment stretched as Elicia grinned, clapping her hands in delight.
"Yay! Candy for everyone!" Laughter filled the space, warming everyone.
He yanked himself out of the comfortable dream. He wouldn't let himself go any further. It would never happen. Standing quietly, he went to the kitchen for a glass of water. Running the tap, he rummaged through the cupboards for a glass. Filling it, he drank slowly. The cold liquid refreshed him and calmed his mind.
"Sir? Can't sleep." His pulse began to race. Stretching nonchalantly, he put the glass down and turned slowly.
"I'm fine Hawkeye. Just thirsty is all."
"You were thinking about the boys weren't you?" Her abrupt, knowing words threw him off guard. He should have known she would see right through him. Luckily, she had only seen part of the thoughts keeping him awake.
"Well, that is why we all took time off work right? We were all worried, and besides, after everything that's been going on since that battle… well, we needed a break."
"You're changing the subject sir. Anything you want to talk about?" He looked her in the eye, feeling his heart beat faster as he studied her face. She really was too beautiful.
"No Lieutenant. I'm fine. Besides, you need your sleep. I have a feeling that getting a report out of that boy is going to almost be more stress than it's worth." He walked to the door, she stepped respectfully back to allow him to pass. As he brushed by her, walking past without looking at her face. He couldn't look. If he did, he'd have to kiss her. If he kissed her… He couldn't threaten their friendship for the sake of his stupid, disobedient heart. So, he would stay distant. He had to.
Upstairs, Riza lay in bed, turning over every few minutes. She couldn't get the look in Roy's eye when he had looked at her face out of her mind. His dark-as-night eye had conveyed such tender care that she had been taken aback. Her heart had fluttered lightly at it, giving her low-burning candle of hope a new life. She had wished for so long for one man to look at her that way, but now that he had, she wished he hadn't. The hope made her heart ache. And the way he had brushed past without even glancing at her had caused it to throb dully. Did he really care so little? If he didn't even take a moment to say good night and couldn't even stand to look at her, why had he studied her with such love in his eye? Had she been deceived?
Of course, it was all irrelevant. Whether he cared for her or not, she was his subordinate and he had dated every girl he had ever met without ever glancing at her or so much as telling her she was pretty. Until tonight. Confusion reigned in her mind. Her subconscious resolved itself while her conscious mind kept turning the issue over and over. She had waited this long for him and she would wait forever if she had to, for her heart would have no other.
Neither broken heart allowed its owner sleep that night. But the next morning, both resignedly went about their business as nothing had happened, as if nothing could happen. They were soldiers, and soldiers take care of their duties before themselves. So both toiled, showing anything on their faces, hearts weeping within them.
A/N: I don't really have anything to say. Review, enjoy, share, be safe, love you all!
