Roy was entertaining the Tringham's in the living room when there was a crash followed but a wail. Like a bolt he was off the couch and up the stairs, his husband following. Al walked out of the kitchen drying his hands and shrugged at the brothers on the couch and motioned to follow. The scene at the top of the steps was chaotic but it's halted the moment Roy opened his mouth.
"Olivia Adeline Mustang-Elric, what did you do to your brother?" It was the voice he usually reserved for insubordinate soldiers and it brought the same reaction. Tears welled up in the girls eyes, but she stood up, cocked her chin and looked him in the eye.
"I was trying to transmute the lamp into an elephant for Maes, b-but I think my circle was messed up and it broke. It scared him, and I didn't mean to!" Fat tears rolled down her cheeks, but she did not back down.
"What did we tell you about alchemy, young lady?" Roy waited patiently as the 5 year old composed herself.
"I can only do it if you or daddy are watching me." She hung her head and soft golden locks fell to obscure her face.
"Exactly. Edward, look at her array and see what is wrong with it. Then explain it to her. I want that lamp fixed before dinner or you're not getting dessert. Do you understand me, Olivia?"
Olivia looked up at her papa, a smile starting on her face.
"Yes sir."
Roy nodded once, and then scooped up the still sniffling baby.
"C'mon baby, let's go help Uncle Al make cookies for dessert." He smirked when he heard the little girl behind him gasp 'my favorite!'
Russel turned to Al with wide eyes.
"That's her punishment?"
"It works too. We figure it's better to teach her what she's doing wrong hen just punish her. There are fewer accidents that way. Also, Brother feels very strongly about stifling her genius." Al grinned when Ed glared up at him, and then went back to teaching his daughter.
At dinner hat night, there was an elephant lamp displayed proudly in the middle of the table. The only sign of Ed's workmanship was on the bottom "O.A.M-E" was scrawled on its belly along with the date. Olivia ate more cookies than she should have, but no one wanted to put a damper on her excitement.
The night ended amicably, the other two Brothers promising to visit again soon and Al retiring early to bed. Roy and Ed took turns reading the children two stories each before falling into bed together.
"That went well." Roy murmured against Ed's shoulder.
"Yeah." Ed breathed, arching into his touch.
The bedroom door swung open a second later and both men really regretted not taking the plate of cookies from their daughter.
"Will you please read me one more bedtime story?"
