This work is collaboration between myself and phantasy . cat. Neither of us owns Fullmetal Alchemist.

Late update = I'm sorry. That aside, this chapter was really hard to write (and made me very, VERY angry on multiple occasions when I was working on it) and filler-ish. But I touched on the subject of Alphonse so I'm happy. Oh. And I was impossibly tempted to say "Now I'm putting this on hiatus" just to scare everyone who finishes reading this chapter. But I'm nice so instead I'll say that I already have Chapter #10 started and it's in the works. ^_^

Also, I've never really thought about it until now but this fic is sort of based of the first anime with manga/brotherhood elements. Huh. Weird how I just started writing and never really thought about it…

Chapter #9

Mustang groaned. An insistent ringing noise was dragging him out of a delightful sleep.

The damn alarm clock.

He rolled over to the edge of the bed, grabbed hold of the evil thing and tried to turn it off. He was tired and fumbling and the damn clock just wouldn't turn off. He tossed it to the floor in sleepy frustration.

But then he realized it wasn't his alarm clock ringing. It was the phone.

He struggled out of bed and stumbled across his room, swearing. By the time he'd reached his bedroom door the phone had stopped ringing. He stood there, growling to himself. Who the hell would call him first thing in the morning? He went and picked up his alarm clock, checking the time. Ten a.m.

On a Sunday yet! That was just rude.

Maybe it was the person who had tried to call him last night. Not that it really mattered since there was nothing he could do about it. They would just have to call back again.

He sighed and stretched, figuring that he might as well check on Edward since he was up. He padded down the hall and peeked into his room.

Ed was awake. He was lying on his stomach, propped up by his pillow, The Coelum Philosophorum opened in front of him. He was reading, completely focused on the book. He was half way through.

Mustang smiled, pleased. Edward must have really liked his present. He wondered if the youth was really reading the book or just skimming it. It would have taken Roy himself a lot longer to get that far. Then again, when had Ed woken up? He took a lot of naps during the day.

Roy knocked on the door and Ed tore his eyes away from the book to look up at him.

"Good morning," Mustang said. "Enjoying your book?"

"Yes," Ed said. He sat up, ears alert. The covers slid down showing Roy that the youth had slept in his boxers. His blond tail curled in the air behind him. "It's very interesting. Thank you, sir."

"Roy," he corrected.

Edward flushed as he looked down. His ear twitched nervously as he modified his reply, "Thank you…Roy."

"Would you rather call me Mustang?" the man asked, wanting to make things easier for the youth if he could.

"Calling you Roy is just…different," Ed said shyly, curling his tail around himself. "I'll get used to it."

"Okay," the Colonel responded. They would do things at Edward's pace. "By the way, did you hear the phone ringing just now?"

"Yes," the youth answered nodding.

"If it rings again when I'm not here or busy, could you answer it and take a message for me?" Roy asked, running his hand through his dark tousled hair.

"Sure!" Edward agreed eagerly, happy to have the opportunity to be useful. His ears perked up. "I can do that!"

"It might be military HQ. If anyone wants to know who you are just say you're my nephew," Mustang instructed, smiling at his enthusiasm. "Now how about breakfast?"


After they had both showered and dressed, Mustang made the rest of the bacon for breakfast. Edward wolfed down enjoying it every bit as much as the day before. This time, Roy let Ed help with the dishes when they finished.

"So," the Colonel said, putting the last of the dishes away. "What would you like to do today?"

Ed looked puzzled. "What can we do?"

"Oh, plenty of things. We could go for a walk. We could stay here and listen to the radio," Mustang suggested. "Or if you'd like, we could go down to the museum or the library. Maybe even to the movie theater and see a show. Whatever you like."

"Library?" the youth repeated, perking up at the word.

Ah… Roy had suspected as much. An alchemist who had preformed human transmutation before the age of twelve would have to be a bookworm. He smiled.

"Yes. If you want, I could even take you to the First Branch library. It's only for state alchemists but I could sign you in as a guest," he said.

"Really?" Edward asked in amazement. His tail lashed and his eyes were bright.

"I wouldn't mind," Roy admitted enjoying his reaction. "I haven't been there in a while."

"I would like that," the youth said enthusiastically.

"Alright then," the Colonel said. "The library will be our first stop."


Mustang had no problem signing Edward in as a guest. He was The Flame Alchemist after all, one of the younger and certainly the best looking of the State Alchemists. He flirted and charmed the librarians, explaining how his nephew was visiting him. It was easy to keep their attention focused on him and off of Edward.

Though he didn't visit the library often, he knew the rules. Guests were only allowed in a few general areas and Roy wondered if the trip might be a disappointment for Edward. But it turned out he needn't have worried. Walking around the massive building among all of the books, Edward was enraptured. His eyes shone drinking in everything. In the short time Roy had known him it was the happiest he'd seen him.

They were there for most of the afternoon. Whenever they came across any alchemy texts Ed seemed intent on examining each of them. He was able to determine quickly whether they interested him or not but it was still slow going. Roy himself just patiently guided him along. Since it was Sunday the place was nearly deserted but he kept an eye on the youth to make sure his hood didn't slip off or his tail show from underneath his red coat. Ed himself seemed to be oblivious to anything but the books.

Roy was surprised at the focus the youth had as he devoured each book. With the hood covering his ears and his golden eyes scanning the texts eagerly, anyone walking by could mistake him for an alchemic prodigy studying for the State Alchemist Exam. Gone was the sickening subservience and fear. Edward was in his element.

It was a refreshing change and Roy might have stayed longer but Edward's stomach began to growl rather loudly and persistently.

"We can come back another time," Mustang assured the disappointed youth when he informed him that they would be leaving. "It's time we got something to eat."

Ed brightened considerably when Roy offered to sign some of the books out for him. The youth had accumulated a rather large pile. It was more than the two of them could carry comfortably so Roy limited him to a total of six.

After leaving the library Mustang took them to small café he knew of nearby and got them a booth in the corner. The Colonel ordered them each a steak sandwich and something to drink. While they waited for their order, the man struck up a conversation with the youth.

"So, did you find any good books?" he asked.

"Plenty," Ed said, barely concealed excitement in his voice. "Can I really go back there again?"

"Sure," Roy agreed easily smiling. He really enjoyed seeing this side of Edward. "Maybe next weekend, if you want to."

Edward bit his bottom lip and began to fidget with his mittens. They were the blue ones that Gracia had given him. He had taken then off but he didn't really seem to want to put them down. Maybe he was afraid of losing them. Mustang realized that he probably hadn't been given any gifts in a long time.

"R-Roy," the youth began nervously.

"Yes?" Mustang asked, trying to sound encouraging.

"I was wondering…"

Just then the waitress brought their drinks. She smiled at Roy when he thanked her but he was preoccupied with Ed so he didn't encourage her. She left and Roy wondered if Edward had lost his nerve in whatever he was going to ask.

But suddenly the youth looked up and locked his golden eyes onto Roy's. "Will you teach me alchemy?" he asked breathlessly.

The determination in the youth's voice surprised Roy. But then it suddenly occurred to him that alchemy might be a vital key in the path to Edward's recovery. He had an insatiable appetite for it, if their afternoon in the library was any indication.

But Roy wanted to proceed cautiously. The notebook in the red coat was evidence of an alchemic talent far beyond Ed's years. With alchemy came power but power needed to be tempered with wisdom and compassion. It was more than arrays and transmutations. Edward had already lived through several alchemy disasters. Mustang didn't want to be responsible for another.

"If you want to learn," Roy answered seriously. "I'll teach you what I can."

"I do want to learn! I have to!" Edward exclaimed emphatically. He looked back down at his gloves a bit sheepish after his outburst. "Or I'll never be able to face Alphonse again."

"Your little brother?" Roy asked confused. "What does he have to do with it?"

"Everything," replied the youth quietly, still fascinated with his gloves. "He hates me… I just… I'm… I'm just like Dad… But if I can go back knowing how to restore his body, then maybe he'll be able to forgive me."

Roy was confused. Ed was just like his father? Al hated him?

"I don't think Alphonse hates you…" Roy began delicately but Edward shook his head harder.

"No. He does. I know he does. You don't understand. I left him all by himself without telling him where I was going," Ed said, biting his bottom lip. "Just like Dad. He left us without a word and never came back – even when Mom got sick and died. He didn't even come to the funeral."

Mustang was shocked. He had no idea. It must have made the loss of their mother even harder on the two young boys. His heart went out to Edward. "I'm sure that he'll understand when you explain it to him, " he assured him. "But I don't understand. Why didn't you tell him where you were going?"

Golden eyes looked up at him for a moment, wide and nervous then dropped back to the table in shame. The youth continued with effort.

"I… I wanted to fix things. It was my fault. I talked Al into doing the transmutation with me and when I first heard of Master Cassius' research I didn't want to get Al's hopes up…" Ed explained, fidgeting. "And then Master Cassius said not to tell anyone so I didn't."

The mention of that bastard's name made Roy's blood boil but he was confused and wanted to get the whole story. "Basan told you not to tell? How long did you know him?"

"I was twelve when we met," Edward said. "But I'd been writing to him before then."

"So you were pen pals?" Roy asked, feeling lost.

"Um… Kind of," Ed said. He paused as he realized the Colonel needed a more detailed explanation. "I was trying to find a way to restore Al after we…you know. I saw some of his research and it looked promising so I started to write to him. When he found out what I was interested in, he said he would only correspond with me if I didn't tell anyone so I kept my mouth shut. Eventually we agreed to meet each other in person and…well…it was too late to tell Al by then so I…I kept it a secret. I just told him I was leaving to do some research.

"I was hoping to come home with a solution of how to restore Al to his body and get my arm and leg back," Ed said wrinkling his nose as he continued. "But Master Cassius' research wasn't what I thought it would be. I told him I wanted to go home and he said it was okay but then he drugged my desert. After that he performed this transmutation on me. It fixed my limbs but I ended up like this and then well…"

"Yes," Mustang said cutting him off gently. He already had an idea of what had happened after that and just thinking about it made him feel ill. He didn't want to push Edward. "That must have been hard."

Ed flushed a little and looked down, mumbling, "Sometimes."

"Don't worry. Alphonse will understand," Mustang assured him.

Edward lowered his head so only the red hood was visible. He shook his head.

"No reason is good enough to abandon people who are important to you," said the youth with conviction. "I have to make it up to him." His voice cracked with emotion.

Roy could see Ed had been persuaded either by himself or Basan that his brother hated him but Roy was unconvinced. If Edward had disappeared without a trace it was more likely that his little brother was searching for him and would be ecstatic about his return. He resolved to reunite the two brothers whatever it took. The sooner the better. But now was not the time to pursue the subject with Edward.

"Well, having me for a teacher won't be easy," Mustang warned the youth, changing the subject smoothly. He took a sip of his coffee. "I want your word that you won't just up and quit on me. I'm not about to waste my time."

Ed looked up and met his eyes with determination. "I won't give up."

"Is that a promise?" Roy asked. "Do you give your word that no matter how hard it gets, how much I ask of you or what happens you'll keep studying alchemy with me?"

"Yes!" Ed agreed with resolve. "I promise!"

"Alright then," Mustang agreed. "I'll teach you alchemy." He offered his right hand across the table and Edward took it. Roy shook it firmly.

Their waitress arrived with the supper but Roy barely noticed her. Ed held his attention. He grinned at him as they both dug into their supper with enthusiasm.

Yes, he would teach Ed alchemy and give him the courage to face his brother. Roy had no idea whether they would be able to find a way to restore Alphonse's body or not but if it was Ed's dream, he would help him pursue it. All the evidence he had seen Edward was an alchemic genius so there was no saying what he could accomplish. Maybe someday he would even become a State Alchemist.

Mustang smiled to himself wondering what kind of name the Fuhrer would assign Edward. The Kitty-Cat Alchemist?

Just then Ed stuffed a large piece of steak into his mouth. It brought to mind the first footage Roy had seen of him fiercely resisting Basan.

No if anything Edward would be the Wild-Cat Alchemist.

Yes, Roy could see Edward becoming a State Alchemist with his mentorship and guidance. He would be proud to have him as a subordinate. He certainly showed more promise as a candidate than that annoying Russell kid.

When they finished eating, Mustang considered how Ed would like to spend the rest of the evening.

"So would you be interested in going to the theater to see a show?" he asked him.

"I've never been to one before," Edward admitted, seeming a little hesitant

"You can think about it," Roy said, noting his reluctance. He didn't want to pressure the youth. "There's no hurry."

"I think I'd like to go… What's it like?" the youth inquired. "Going to a movie, I mean."

Mustang explained it to him as he finished his coffee – from the ticket booth to leaving the show. Edward seemed genuinely interested and the more he listened the more relaxed he became. Roy took it as a sign that the youth was opening up to him.

Roy paid their tab at the diner and then the two of them headed over to the theater. Mustang was glad to find a comedy was playing. They purchased tickets and Roy bought Ed popcorn. He was rewarded with a shy smile and a small thank you in return.

The show was good. At first, Ed was obviously a bit nervous being in a crowd of people. But once the piano began playing and the film started rolling, things went smoothly.

Edward had a healthy sense of humor, and one that enjoyed slapstick. In no time he was laughing so hard he was in tears. Even afterward the infectious humor followed them as they walked home. It was easy to get a giggle from Ed with a simple joke. Mustang couldn't help but laugh along with him delighted with how well their day together had turned out.


This had been one of the best days of Ed's life. He couldn't remember when he had been this happy or laughed so much. For the first time in years he had real hope for the future. Not only had he gotten his 'birthday wish' that he could stay with Mustang, the man had even agreed to teach him alchemy.

Alchemy! He would be able to really perform alchemy again and continue his research. There was finally a chance that he could make things right and Alphonse would be able to forgive him. And the Roy was a state alchemist – he must know everything that there was to know about alchemy. He couldn't wait for his first lesson!

Of course recalling training under Izumi, he had to be prepared for the worst. Training under a housewife would be nothing compared to alchemy training with a state alchemist. He could only imagine how grueling it would be. Not that it mattered, he would go through hell itself to find a way to restore Alphonse's body. And he had given Roy his word.

When they arrived home, Edward was beginning to consider taking a nap. The day had been a great day. It was more excitement than he was used to and he was a little tired. Tightly gripping the books that Roy had signed out of the library for him though, he considered doing a bit of reading first. He was halfway through the Coelum Philosophorum and he did want to finish it…

Mustang opened the door and Edward followed him inside. He opened his mouth, planning to ask the older man when they would start his alchemy training when the phone rang. Roy sighed and Ed closed his mouth, ears drooping. The Colonel walked over to the phone. Edward took off his coat and boots and followed him into the living room, wondering who was calling.

"Colonel Roy Mustang," the man began after picking up.

"Colonel," a cool female voice responded. Ed could hear the voice clearly with his heightened senses. "This is Lieutenant Hawkeye."

Is that who had been phoning all this time? Edward sat down on the floor to examine his books and listened attentively.

"I'm calling to give you a preliminary report of my findings on Edward Elric's family, sir," she said. "I just returned from Resembool."

Edward's head snapped up. Roy had sent someone to Resembool? Had she talked to Alphonse? To the Rockbells? Edward's heart started to pound and his palms started to sweat. Had she told them that he was here? What would they think of him?

"Oh," Mustang said. He looked over and smiled at Edward reassuringly. "Right. What did you find, Lieutenant?"

"Not very much," the woman admitted. "I'll have a complete report for you in the morning. But to summarize: Edward lived with his younger brother Alphonse and his mother Trisha. His father has been absent since shortly after Alphonse was born. The three of them lived together until their mother died of illness. After that, Edward and Alphonse left home for a short period while they learned alchemy from a woman by the name of Izumi Curtis. She lives in Dublith. There is more information on her in my report."

It was very strange for Ed to hear about his life from an outside perspective. He frowned a little, cocking his head to the side. Mustang glanced at him.

"Very good," Mustang said with a nod. "Is there anything else?"

"Yes, sir," Riza responded. "Edward vanished at age twelve; he left to do research but never came back." She paused for a moment. " His younger brother, Alphonse also disappeared two months ago and is presumed dead."

Edward's heart stopped.

"What!" Roy exclaimed shocked. "Why? What happened?"

'There was a house fire, sir," the woman replied calmly.

Edward couldn't breathe. A fire? Al presumed dead?

No.

No!

He looked to the Colonel desperately, eyes wide and filling with hot tears. He could fell the panic rising.

"Was Alphonse inside?" Mustang asked concerned. He looked to Ed briefly again, gesturing for him to relax.

"No one knows for certain," Hawkeye said quickly. "They never found a body."

No body. Al didn't have a body.

Edward bit his bottom lip. Would anyone have investigated just another one of his father's charred suits of armor? And Al… He couldn't smell smoke. The armor was strong but his soul was sealed with blood. Blood would burn especially if it was old and dry. Or if someone had tried to put the fire out with water, it could wash away…

Edward felt the tears streaming down his face but did nothing to stop them. Alphonse was dead? Was he really gone? It couldn't be… It couldn't…

"I see. Is that everything?" Roy was saying.

"Yes," Riza responded. "Most of the townsfolk were very uncooperative but I learnt what I could."

"Thank you," Mustang sighed. "I'll see you tomorrow at the office."

"Yes, sir," she said. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye," he replied, hanging up the phone.

Mustang turned to face him and Edward closed his eyes tightly. His fists were balled up and his shoulders were tense. He shuddered as a sob racked his body.

He couldn't even look at the man. He who had failed his brother – the only family he had left…

He felt a warm hand on his shoulder and opened his eyes to see Roy crouched down beside him. "It's alright," Mustang said, his own eyes shining with tears. "Alphonse may have just left Resembool to look for you. The fire could be coincidental. They didn't find a body. We don't know yet for sure."

The youth blinked and looked up at the man. Didn't he understand? Why…?

"R-Roy," Edward hiccoughed. "Al d-doesn't have a b-body."

Mustang sucked in a quick breath and looked briefly surprised. Somehow that made Edward feel even more lost. There was no hope for Al. There was nothing… Alphonse was dead.

"I didn't… I mean…" Mustang fumbled as tears started slipping down his face.

Ed looked away. This was his fault. All his fault. Not even Roy seemed to know what to say to him. He let out another sob and covered his face with his hands. A pair of warm arms circled around him and he found himself pulled into a hug, Mustang's warm, familiar scent all around him.

"I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. I forgot that he didn't have a body there for a second. I'm really, very sorry," Roy said to him sincerely. "But we can't just give up, can we? I mean, he could have survived. It's not impossible."

"H-he wouldn't have b-been able to smell the sm-smoke," Edward mumbled into his chest. "Th-the seal was d-drawn in b-blood. H-he wouldn't… If the f-fire got him… It c-could have… It would have… Alphooonse!" He ended in a wail. "Nooooooo!" The sobs began to repeatedly rack his body as he let his grief over take him.

The warm arms enveloping him grew tighter. He could feel Roy's warm breath in his hair. But nothing would alleviate the pain and anguish burning in his soul facing a lifetime without Alphonse. He would have done anything, suffered anything if he could've made it right between them again. But all chances of that were gone. He would never see or talk to his brother again.

And so he wept for his brother and for himself. For his choices and his mistakes. The floodgates of emotion were wide open and he could not hold back.

Edward didn't know how long it was but he cried until he had no more tears to shed, sobbing dryly clinging to Mustang. He felt empty, lost. It should've been a dream but the reality of the situation weighed on him heavily.

He barely noticed when Mustang scooped him up in his arms, brought him upstairs and laid him on a bed. But when he made a move to leave Ed panicked, grabbing his arm tightly with a small whine. Mustang shushed him softly, lay down next to him, and pulled him close. Though his body relaxed, Edward couldn't help but feel that everything in the world was entirely wrong.

With the loss of Alphonse, Edward felt indescribably alone. All he could do was snuggle up as close to Roy as possible and lie there, shaking with grief until morning came.


Roy raised his head and looked at the alarm clock again. Another ten minutes had passed. He lay back down and put his arm over his eyes. Sleeping was impossible.

He couldn't help thinking about what was going to become of Edward. He realized now that he had been assuming that Edward would return to his family and live with them once they had contacted them. But now that was no longer an option what would become of him?

He had no family. Well, Edward theoretically had a father somewhere. But even assuming they could find him, Roy doubted he would be interested in taking in a son turned chimera when he didn't bother to come home for his wife's funeral.

Roy racked his brain to think of an alchemist that might have the skill to return Edward to his normal self. The only person he could think of that might have some knowledge in that area was Shou Tucker but there was just something about the man that Roy didn't trust. And he was not going to subject Edward to another creepy scientist. Still, Roy might be able to get access to his research.

There was always the possibility that he and Edward would be able to find the solution themselves. But just the idea of doing another transmutation on Edward made Roy's heart pound and throat dry.

And who was to say that Edward would want to stay with him anyway? Sure he had said that was what he had wanted at the Hughes' but that was when he was thinking like a slave.

Roy lifted his head and checked the time. Damn! Only seven minutes this time.

He sighed and decided that he might as well get up. Lying in bed thinking in circles was driving him crazy.

Gently, he rolled onto his side and checked on Edward. At the moment the youth was curled up beside him peacefully. It had been a rough night for both of them. Mustang imagined that he must have finally exhausted himself from crying all night. He smiled humourlessly and tucked the covers around Ed before sitting up. Yawning, he got up, deciding to start his day with a nice warm shower.


Edward woke to the sound of the shower running. Logically, it occurred to him that Roy must be in the shower but he couldn't help but reach out to see if the man was still there. Mustang was gone so Ed shuffled over into his spot and buried his face in Roy's pillow.

He wished that the night before had just been a terrible nightmare but the hollowness inside him told him otherwise. Though he was awake still felt drained from all night. He let out a low moan. Alphonse was gone. The thought was like a physical blow.

If one thing that Izumi and his failed transmutation had taught him, however, was that he couldn't bring back the dead. It was over. Al was gone. Edward had to live with it. That was just how the world worked.

The sound of the shower cut off and it occurred to Ed that he was thirsty. Reluctantly, he sat up in bed and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. His ears twitched as they caught the sound of Roy's return.

Mustang walked in drying his dark hair with a towel. He was wearing only his pyjama bottoms. Edward flushed and turned his head to look away but he couldn't take his eyes off all of that pale skin and toned muscles.

"Good morning," Roy greeted him kindly. "How are you feeling?"

Ed considered the question. At the moment he wasn't feeling anything. "Alright, I guess," he answered.

"I didn't wake you, did I?" Roy asked as he went to his dresser and began to look for something to wear. "It's still early. You can go back to sleep and get another couple hours rest."

"No, it's okay," Ed responded.

He didn't want to go back to sleep. After the news about Al, he was afraid his nightmares might start again.

"Hmm…" Mustang said. "Well, why don't you get cleaned up and put on something comfortable to wear? Sleeping in our clothes wasn't the best idea. I'll get dressed and go make some breakfast."

"I'm not really hungry," Ed told him slipping out of bed. "Just thirsty."

"It's fine," Roy said. "I'm not that hungry myself. But if we're going to get through this, we need to keep our strength up." He gave the youth a small smile as he left the room and closed the door behind him.

A faint glimmer of hope lit in Edward's heart as he walked down the hallway. Roy had said 'we'. If we're going to get through this, we need to keep our strength up. Was he really not alone after all?

The hope he felt turned into a shard that twisted painfully in his heart and fresh tears started to flow. Didn't Roy know that he was an evil filthy beast and didn't deserve kindness? Couldn't he see that Edward would just disappoint him in the end? He wiped his face hastily with his sleeve and headed into the bathroom.


Ed came into the kitchen just as Roy was spooning the scrambled eggs he'd made onto the plates with the toast. He smiled to himself to see that the youth was dressed as he himself had been earlier, in pajamas with a towel around his neck. Roy couldn't help but notice that his eyes were swollen and tinged with pink but he let it pass without comment. Nothing but time could heal this wound.

Roy set the plates on the table where there were already glasses and a large jug of orange juice. The two of them sat down. Edward didn't say much and ate less. He had several glasses of juice but only pushed his eggs around his plate and nibbled on his toast occasionally. Roy didn't feel the need to try and force a conversation. Living alone, the sound of the kitchen clock ticking and the occasional hum of the refrigerator usually accompanied his breakfast.

Although Mustang was dressed for work it was still very early. He wondered if perhaps he should stay home with Edward. Even though he couldn't do anything for him, it seemed cruel to just abandon him in his grief. He had already been through so much. Roy's heart just ached for him.

A sharp rap at the front door brought him from his thoughts. It was too early for visitors so he figured that it must be work. He got up and walked to the door, opening it. He was prepared for the sight of someone in military uniform but got something of a surprise.

There was a man on his doorstep. He was short and rather stout looking in his dark coat and hat, a plaid scarf wrapped tightly around his thick neck. His completion had an unhealthy ashen colour and he when he blinked his pale green eyes it reminded Roy of a fish. He wondered for a moment if this man had somehow gotten the wrong house number.

"Good morning, Colonel Mustang," the man simpered.

That voice. Everything clicked into place.

Basan.

Cassius Basan.

Cassius Basan on Roy Mustang's doorstep, standing before him with a sly little smirk.

Without a second thought, Roy raised his hand and snapped his fingers.