I own nothing. Just so you know, this and the next few chapters are set in the past- not so much flashbacks, as chapters set before the story officially begins. Also, this Dante does not look like Lyra, because Lyra and Dante are two different people. She also doesn't look like Izumi Curtis' teacher, because again, that wasn't the real Dante and also she was too old for this story. Instead, if you watch one of the later episodes, there is a flashback sequence showing when Hoenheim made the Philosopher's stone, and in it, you see Dante's original body-not very clearly, I admit, because of the dramatic shadows all over the place, but still. That is what this Dante looks like. You can find a picture on wikipedia, I think. And just so you know- Envy's birth name is not Envy, because, well, how many people do you know would name their child Envy?
Chapter Three: First-born Son
Twenty years ago:
It was a warm evening, and on the horizon the dark sky was still lit deep orange by the setting sun. The moon was full and bloated overhead, and a few stars glittered. The street lamps glowed a sulphurous orange and the windows of the suburban semi-detached houses were bright with electrical yellow light.
On the doorstep of one of the houses stood a young woman. She had dark brown hair, curled elegantly around her face, with a straight fringe. Her eyes were an odd purple colour, and she was beautiful- but the expression on her face was angry and cold. In her arms was a boy of around one year old, with wispy golden-blonde hair and wide purple eyes like his mother's. The woman rapped sharply on the door.
After a few minutes, a tall man with glasses and long blonde hair tied back in a ponytail opened the door. He had a rather scholarly look about him, and he looked rather shocked to see the woman on his doorstep.
"Dante?" he said. "And... a baby? Dante, what...?"
The woman scowled. "This baby is your son, Hoenheim. His name is William Daniel Elric."
"My son? Dante, I left you over a year ago... you were pregnant? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I didn't know. Hoenheim... please. You can't abandon me. I'm the mother of your child!"
Hoenheim sighed.
"You'd better come in, Dante."
A few minutes later, the two adults were sat on the couch. William was asleep in a makeshift cot constructed from a drawer and some pillows.
"Dante, we've talked about this. I don't think we work very well together. You're possessive, and bad-tempered, and, at times, even violent, Dante. I am not going to start going out with you again just because you have a child."
"Hoenheim, you cannot abandon me! I cannot take care of a baby on my own!"
"I don't think you could take care of a baby with me, either. To be frank, I doubt you'd make a very good mother." he said, coldly.
"What do you mean?" Dante asked, eyes flashing with anger.
"Dante, you associate with gang members. I strongly suspect that you are a gang member. You are involved with violent people- occasionally even with criminals, Dante. Don't think I didn't know."
Dante sat silently for a moment.
"Well, what do you plan to do, then? You're going to leave such an irresponsible person to look after your son?"
"No."
Dante scowled. She had been expecting him to take her back again, to apologise. Maybe even ask her to marry him. He was hers, damnit! She was not going to lose him.
"Oh? So what are you going to do? Come on, Hoenheim... I thought you loved me." she said in a low, seductive whisper, almost pouting. "That's what you said, wasn't it? Wasn't that what you whispered to me all those months ago?"
"No, Dante. I don't love you, and I never have. As for our son... I certainly don't trust you to raise him. He will stay with me. We can sort it out with social services- I'm sure they'll have no problems."
"But Hoenheim-"
"No, Dante. Now kindly leave my home."
Dante stood up and glared at him coldly. She made her way over to the makeshift cot, but Hoenheim shook his head.
"I said I would take care of William. You can bring his things over tomorrow, if you like, or I can buy him new clothes, and so on. But William is staying here. He deserves better than you, Dante."
She opened her mouth, as if considering protesting- but then shut it again. "Fine," she said. "He's your problem now. Goodbye, Hoenheim."
Dante left, and Hoenheim carefully locked the door behind her. Once she was gone, he crouched down beside the makeshift cot, looking down at the blonde-haired child within.
"Hello, William." he said softly. And then he stood, and reached for the phone.
"Eve? I'm sorry to call you so late. I don't suppose you could lend me one of your girls' travel cots for the night, could you? And some baby milk... It seems I have a son I never knew about..."
