When You Lose
Thanks for the Feedback: Prozacfairy, Yimi Makuya, Wing Omega, nn..., winryrockbell2, Lurkinshdws, CatharineofKally, star, silent:tears:fall, AngstReflection, Lawrence Hazeltoe, Shakia, S'Star
Lawrence Hazeltoe: Hope your computer gets better soon.
star: Tell me specifically what you found confusing and I might be able to add things to the story to clear it up.
nn... : The relationship between Ed and Roy is strictly parent/child in this story.
Disclaimer: Characters and setting are the property of Hiromu Arakawa. I'm just borrowing them for a bit of non-profit angst.
Roy glanced up at the sound of his office door opening then leapt to his feet and saluted as he recognized Fuhrer Bradley.
"At ease, at ease," the Fuhrer laughed. Roy shifted to parade rest. Fuhrer Bradley walked across the office to examine Roy's face more closely. Roy fought down the urge to shy away and stared blankly ahead. "That's quite the shiner," the Fuhrer remarked.
"It looks worse than it is Fuhrer," Roy replied stiffly.
The Fuhrer put his hand on Roy's shoulder sympathetically. Roy's muscles went rigid. "He's getting to be too much for you to manage isn't he?"
"Sir, I have no idea what you're asking," Roy stated.
"Fullmetal. I admire the lengths you've gone to for the boy, but don't you think it's time you turned him over to a professional?"
"Respectfully sir, I don't know what you are implying. Fullmetal does not work well with other officers so I pulled him out of the field upon his brother's death. I was not comfortable sending him into hostile situations without having someone he would rely on to watch his back. His analytical skills remain invaluable to the Military," Roy insisted.
"And he didn't give you that black eye during one of his episodes," the Fuhrer said with a smile. "I can see why your staff is so loyal to you but I don't appreciate being lied to."
"No sir. The incident happened while we were both off duty, I do not see it as a Military matter," Roy protested.
The Fuhrer shook his head sadly. "Despite your best efforts Fullmetal's condition is degrading. You no longer feel that it is safe to allow him to play with little Elysia Hughes. His resurfacing memories result in frequent, violent fits. Your staff is covering for you to hide the number of times you've spent the day dealing with Fullmetal rather than attending to your duties. You're too concerned about harming him to effectively restrain Fullmetal during his fits and even untransmuted his automail limbs make for fairly effective weapons – I imagine that felt like getting hit upside the head with a lead pipe," the Fuhrer commented with a gesture to Roy's badly bruised face. "You're in over your head and I'm intervening before you really get hurt."
A panicked look entered Roy's eyes. "Sir, I –"
The Fuhrer held up his hand to silence Roy's protest. "Fullmetal is a member of the Military and I out rank you. Telling you in person was just a curtsey. My personal secretary has already seen to removing him from your custody."
"But Sir-"
"That will be all. Good day Mustang."
