Hostage
By Yellow Mask
Disclaimer: I do not own FMA, the characters or the situations.
Spoilers: Heavy spoilers for chapter 56 of the manga.
AN: Yes, I realise that I've
already done two fics on Chapter 56, but this came to me while I was
working on one of my other stories and I just felt compelled to write
it.
oooooooo
Once, they had been free. They had been bound to the military, but free never the less, able to snap the rope now and again and run far. Only to return, as always, ready to break the rope the next time.
But now, they couldn't. Now, they were held too tightly to escape. Bound not by the crumpled material of their uniforms or the silver of their watches or the paper of their contracts.
Now, they were bound by the life and safety of another. Now they wouldn't strain at the rope, they wouldn't risk breaking it, wouldn't risk even stretching it a little. For if they ran, it was not they who would feel the bite, but someone else, someone they loved.
Now, the bridle on Mustang's head was not his ambition, but Riza Hawkeye's life.
Now, the collar around Edward's neck was not his quest, but Winry Rockbell's safety.
And they will obey. They will strangle themselves with their own tethers rather than let them snap.
oooooooo
Once, Riza had to nag relentlessly to persuade Roy to finish his paperwork before he hit the town with his 'flavour of the week'. Now, he barely dates anymore. He starts early, finishes late, and works with a diligence that astounds all who know him. But he does not work because Riza prods him to. He works because the Fuhrer asked him to, and now every request from the Fuhrer comes with an unspoken threat against Riza.
Once, he worked to keep her from nagging him, now he works to keep her alive and safe.
Once, he wouldn't hesitate to say what he thought of the Fuhrer, of anyone, regardless of who was present. Riza would warn him, preach caution, and insist on keeping his mouth in check. Now, he watches his words carefully, anxious that no whisper of dissent will reach the Fuhrer's ears. He has learned caution, but not the way she would have liked. Roy keeps his words in check not for prudence, but for fear of her being harmed.
It is not one of the countless women he has slept with that is the key to his undoing, but the one he has never so much as dated.
Riza Hawkeye is the bridle that forces Mustang to bend to the bit.
oooooooo
Once, Winry always screamed at Ed whenever he called or came to visit, because the only reason he called or dropped by was because he had damaged her masterpiece yet again. Now, she gets calls at all hours. Calling her is the first thing he does after he returns from one of the Fuhrer's 'errands', just to check in and make sure the Homunculus hasn't followed through on his threat.
Once, he spent all the time he could researching on the Philosopher's Stone, and God help anyone who got in his way. Now, he practically leaps to the Fuhrer's bidding, because he knows that his obedience buys her life, her safety for one more day.
Once, Winry was one of the most prominent reasons he had for leaving the military as soon as he could. Now, she's the reason he stays.
Winry Rockbell is the leash that stops Ed from running.
oooooooo
Winry Rockbell, Riza Hawkeye. Once, they were trusted friends and valued colleagues. Now, they are the hostages keeping Roy Mustang and Edward Elric in line.
End.
