Originally Published: May 6, 2021
Last Edited: April 6, 2022
A/N: Ahhh, Chapter 17, the source of all my writers block problems. Don't get me wrong, what I have happening in this chapter is exactly what I want to happen, but writing a follow up has been difficult.
Anyways, I feel pretty confident that I'll have chapter 18 ready by next Thursday. Thank you all for reading, and thank you for the new follows, favorites, and reviews!
As always, I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 17
Seven
Monday, November 7, 1890
Roy stared at the massive bed, silently frustrated at the height. The deep red comforter and four posters gave a dark feel to the room, helped by the turned off lights. The only illumination came from the fire cracking in the mantle on the far wall, the curtains drawn against the starry sky.
Izumi's bare feet padded into the room from the adjoining bathroom, her hand raised to cover her yawn. "Come on, it's bedtime," she mumbled, easily hoisting herself onto the bed and climbing under the covers.
"I miss my own bed," Roy protested, tugging at the bottom of half of his nightshirt, stretching the stripes on the blue fabric.
"Why? This bed is awesome," Zumi shot back, Roy able to see a pillow being moved, but his sister was out of sight.
"It's too big," he walked over to the edge of the bed, little fists gripping the silky comforter as he tried to pull himself up high enough to see over the edge.
Her hand reached out, grabbing his arm and dragging him up. With her help, he scrambled into the sheets, curling up against his big sister's side.
"You're just a shorty," Izumi dismissed, taking care to tuck him in before turning her back on him.
"I'm just younger than you," Roy huffed, grabbing her shirt and scooting against her back. "Besides, you're just old. Eleven is sooooooo old. How old do you think Aunt Chrissy is?"
"I'm not old!" She shrugged him off of her, scooting away from him and further onto the mattress. "It's rude to call people that. Especially girls."
Alone in the big bed, he buried himself in the covers, hiding all but one eye, watching the back of her head. "Oh..."
The door opened, Roy instantly clapping his hands over his ears as Chris stepped in, the fresh scent of cigarettes wafting in. He didn't like most of the Bar- there were always sounds coming from the other bedrooms. People panting and groaning and even screaming, especially late at night. He'd noticed them for the first time that afternoon. He'd stopped next to the door and listened in horror.
Were people being hurt?
Worried, he peeked in, seeing one of the girls, Millie, sitting naked on a strange man. She'd rocked on his waist, brown hair falling down her back as she tilted her head back, moaning loudly as he spanked her with one hand, the other touching one of her boobs.
The sight made his body buzz with confusion and warmth, his belly twisting strangely as all he could do was stand there and gape for a few long heartbeats.
Someone suddenly grabbed his arm, pulling him away from the door. He spun around to see Gwen grab the door handle, closing it quietly before ushering him back to his aunt's room. Once there, she knelt before him, brown eyes wide and earnest as she rubbed his arms.
"Roy-Boy, stay out of the rooms. You don't need to see that kind of thing. And if you're caught, the guests will get really mad."
"What were they doing? Millie sounded like she was in pain."
"She- wasn't in pain, kid. She was... Dear god, I did not sign up to tell a five-year-old what sex is," she lifted a hand to her brow, massaging her temple slightly.
"Is she alright? Is that man hurting her?"
"No. I'll- I'll talk to Madame Christmas, see what she wants to tell you. For now, stay out of any bedroom except this one, alright?"
As soon as Chris closed the door, Roy uncovered his ears, sitting up to look at his aunt. She paused, looking at him with surprise. "Roy, you're awake."
"We just got into bed," Izumi murmured, pulling her pillow closer.
"Aunt Chrissy, what's going on here? Why are there weird sounds in all the rooms?" he blurted out.
Besides him, Izumi stiffened, pulling another pillow over her ears.
Chris sighed, gliding over to the end of the bed, sitting down on the edge. "I was worried about this. Roy, you know what a bar is, right?"
"This is a bar, right? You sell liquid!"
"It's liquor, dear. See, this isn't just a bar, it's a brothel as well."
"What's a brothel?" Roy tilted his head, never having heard of the word before.
"It's..." she sighed, getting up and moving around the bed, sitting again right next to him. She offered her hand to him and he quickly took it, her skin warm and smooth. "It's a place people come to buy sex."
"Gwen said that word when I saw Millie with that man. It sounded like he was hurting her."
"He wasn't hurting her, Roy-Boy. Sex is... it's how babies are made."
Roy blinked, looking down at his lap. "I thought babies were made through alchemy."
Izumi removed the pillow from her head, "No, you dunderhead, that's human transmutation. Remember mom said we shouldn't ever do that. It's not allowed."
"Oh. Well, I didn't know!" he pushed back, squeezing Chrissy's hand.
"You're so dumb."
"Izumi, he didn't know. That's not his fault," Chris chided. Izumi huffed, curling further around her pillow. Sighing, Chris turned her attention back to Roy.
"So... they were making a baby?" Roy asked.
Chris winced, "Not- exactly. It can lead to babies if they're not careful, but everyone here is extra careful to not make any."
"Then why were they doing it?" The longer this conversation was going, the more confused he was getting.
"Because it feels really good," Chris shrugged.
Baffled, Roy let her hand go. "But that man spanked her!"
Chris gave a gruff laugh, pushing his bangs back. "Spanking during sex is- not always a bad thing."
Roy pouted, "I don't see why it wouldn't be."
"No, I don't suppose you do. Roy, Izumi, I'm really worried about you living here. That's why I'm having you sleep in my room."
"Why are you worried?" Roy asked, his eyes growing wide.
"Some- scary people come here sometimes. The girls and I, we know how to handle them, but I'm worried they'll see you and target you. I don't ever want either of you to be alone with a guest, alright? And if any of them try to get you to follow them into a room, or if they try to touch you, I want you to find me or one of the girls immediately. Scream for help if you have to. Even if they seem really nice, or they offer a treat or toy."
Roy shifted in the sheets, nervous with her warning. "Why can't we just live at home again?" Izumi asked, bitterness in her voice.
"Because you can't live alone and I have to live at the Bar," Chris answered, growing stern.
Izumi huffed, grabbing the pillow to hide her head again. Roy frowned, looking between his sister and his aunt. "Are you coming to bed, Chrissy?" He asked, hopeful.
"Not yet. I have to stay up late every night," she soothed. "I'm going to lock the door though, okay? To keep you safe."
Roy nodded, taking comfort in the promise. He laid back into the pillows, Chris tucking him in. "Can I have a kiss goodnight?"
She hesitated, a strange look crossing her face before she leaned down, kissing his forehead. "Go to sleep, 'kay kid?" She instructed, standing up and rounding the bed. Roy watched as she eased the pillow off of Izumi's head, tucking her in as well. Leaning down to kiss her, Izumi rolled back towards Roy, evading the kiss. Her eyes were closed, tears leaking from under her eyelids.
Roy glanced back at Chris, seeing the concern in her face. "Goodnight," she whispered, brushing Izumi's hair before pulling away and moving towards the door, stepping out.
Roy relaxed as he heard the lock click, turning to Izumi. "I think you hurt her feelings."
"Shut up and go to sleep already," she snarled, wiping her face with her palm and turning away from him yet again.
Wednesday, September 25, 1918
Under the deepening pink glow of evening, Roy rounded the car quickly, tugging his jacket into place and flattening his lapels. He grabbed Riza's door before she could, Hayate jumping out onto the pavement, alert as he evaluated their new location before his tail started wagging, tongue lolling out of his open mouthed smile. Riza shifted her legs out of the car first, knees kept together as she accepted his offered hand, honey eyes lifting to meet his gaze. "Thank you, Sir," she offered professionally, smoothing her skirt down as she stood up, her brown heels clicking on the pavement.
The vixen who'd mounted him on the bathroom floor was cool and composed now, wavy golden hair framing her face. Her maroon dress hugged her curves flatteringly, the square neck showing some cleavage. His eyes fell down to her thighs, remembering the sight of her strapping her Desert Eagle in place with a leather thigh holster. Blood rushed to his groin as he tried to compose himself, silently promising he would be the one to take that holster off when they got home. The idea of a third session in one day had him humming happy birthday in the back of his throat again.
Supposedly she was his designated driver for the night. He wasn't too keen on getting drunk though. He didn't exactly trust himself to keep his inebriated hands off of her now that that boundary had been comfortably crossed between them.
"You seem pleased," she commented as she settled her purse on her shoulder.
"Because I have you," he murmured lowly as he closed the car door. He had to resist the urge to offer his arm to her, it was a little too intimate of a gesture between Superior and Adjunct. He did pause though, holding his keys out for her. "Major."
"Sir," she accepted the keys, tucking them into her purse. He didn't miss the flash of black metal inside the bag, one of her Glocks in there as well.
She'd bullied him into wearing his shoulder holster between his maroon vest and dark brown suit coat (noooo he hadn't intentionally matched her when he'd seen what she was wearing... Alright, he had). Roy decided not to fight her on it if it made her feel better at the party. His ignition gloves were tucked into his pockets as well, just in case.
He led the way onto the sidewalk, hands slipping into his pockets as she fell a step and a half behind him to his left. Reaching the door to his aunt's bar, he noted the paper taped to the glass. In familiar, sharp cursive, it read: Closed for a family event. We'll reopen Thursday, Sept. 26th at Noon. -Madame Christmas
He silently began calculating average income for a weekday night, plus the price of the liquor, food, staffing, and venue rental. He'd give the money to Vanessa. She did more of the bookkeeping than Chris did, and his aunt wouldn't touch a single cenz if he offered.
Riza grabbed the door before he could, Roy resisting a scowl. Yes, she usually held the door for him at work, but this was different. He gave her a look, which she flatly returned, stubborn will clashing against his own. Unable to correct the exchange, he walked in with an exagerated confidence to his stride.
Alcohol and smoke greeted him as usual. Some upbeat jazz filled the air from the radio in the corner, the additional scent of food wafting through the air. "He's here!" Armstrong's booming voice easily carried through the bar, triggering a sudden chorus of "Happy Birthday!"'s to greet him. Hayate added a belated bark in excitement near Roy's feet. A pop to his left made him flinch, turning just to have confetti burst into his face. Ed's familiar, taunting laugh informed him of the culprit.
As he began dusting his coat free of confetti, something slammed into his waist, thin arms wrapping around him. "Uncle Roy!"
Looking down, he was shocked to find Elicia squeezing him as tightly as she could manage. Her ponytails were longer and she had more than doubled in height since he'd last seen her, but those bright green eyes were unmistakable.
"Elicia?" He bent down, wrapping his arms under hers and hoisting her off her feet. He grunted, exaggerating the sound as he lifted her. She laughed, her legs wrapping around his waist as he met her eye to eye. "My goodness, you've grown! How long has it been since we last saw each other?"
"Three years," Gracia's warm voice informed. Roy glanced at her, his friend's widow sending a pang through his heart, his smile fading instantly.
She crossed her arms, giving him a pained smile. "Now please, Maes wouldn't want you to feel like that. This is a happy event. Elicia," she prompted.
"Happy birthday Uncle Roy!" she beamed. "You must be super strong. No one's picked me up like this since I was five." As if to emphasize the fact, she held up five fingers as she swung her legs at the knees. "Oh, thank you for the new teddy bear. I named her Marjorie."
"Did you?" Roy asked, shifting his arms under her bum to support her properly. He moved further into the bar, glancing around at the familiar faces who'd come to celebrate.
He was used to Chris inviting his immediate team and the current girls from the Bar. The four year hiatus between parties must have called for a larger guest list in her mind. Two birthdays in Ishval, and the year Hughes had died. Between his move to Central, and the thought of his best friend not being there, he'd asked his aunt to forego his thirtieth birthday party.
Madeline and his aunt were behind the bar, serving an eager looking Breda sitting next to Vulcan. They certainly seemed to have a comradery that Breda had claimed, laughing and chatting over drinks. Catalina and Havoc sat next to them, only half joining the neighboring conversation. Roy didn't miss the way their lower bodies naturally pointed towards each other in clear preference, something the girls and Christmas would notice too.
Near the radio, Fuery was pointing something out to Miss Rockbell inside the cover, the young woman's eyes wide as she nodded earnestly, absorbing his information like a sponge. Sheska sat nearby with her nose in a book, oblivious to her surroundings.
Alphonse, with Mei hugging his arm, sat in a booth across from Dr. Knox and Dr. Marcoh, a cigarette smoldering in the corner of the former's lips. Mei leaned closer to the two Doctors, speaking animatedly as Marcoh furrowed his scarred brow.
Armstrong, Ross, and Brosh had crowded around the billiards table, Armstrong bent over and angling his cue stick carefully. Edward moved to join them again, snickering as he kept glancing back at Roy.
Vanessa stood next to a round table topped with food, smiling flirtatiously at Charlie and a few more of Roy's old war subordinates, handing out plates topped with food.
A large amount of Chris' staff from the past twenty-five years were around too. Gwen, who'd long retired to run her own information branch/brothel in West City, sat across from Rachel, who'd fallen in love with a patron and left to get married.
The list seemed to stretch on, Roy recognizing everyone except a few new girls who'd joined Chris's staff in the three years since he'd gone to Ishval.
Elicia had begun chattering away about her stuffed toys. How Marjorie and Miss Stuffins originally didn't get along, but now they were best friends and always sat next to each other when they had tea parties with Betty and Dorothea. Whether Betty and Dorothea were people or toys was- uncertain.
Seven-year-olds.
He listened with half an ear as he paused, turning back to find Riza still by the door. Her expression was flat, maroon painted lips pursed as she picked confetti off her dress, having been a victim of Edward's prank too.
She looked up, meeting his gaze.
"Doggie!" Elicia squealed. She wriggled free, stealing Roy's attention as he had to catch her as she fell back to her feet. Unphased, she ran over to Black Hayate, who watched her with uncertainty. She stopped a few feet away, holding her palm out in greeting. "Hey puppy! Can I pet you?"
Hayate hesitantly edged forward, sniffing her offered hand. With a careful motion she petted the top of his head. Finding no negative consequences, they both stepped closer, Elicia dropping to her knees and Hayate flopping on the floor, tail wagging.
"What's its name?" she asked no one in particular, raising her voice in hopes someone who knew would hear. Roy glanced at Riza, her face having taken on an ashened tinge.
"That's your Aunt Riza's dog," Gracia offered, glancing up at Riza herself, "Is it alright that she's petting it?"
Riza met her gaze, nodding stiffly. "Yes, of course."
"What's its name?" Elicia repeated, asking Riza directly this time.
"His name is Black Hayate," she answered.
"Black Hayate," Elicia repeated, focus returning to him as he rolled onto his back, begging for belly rubs. "Sissy! Have you met Aunt Riza's doggie?" she suddenly shouted, standing up and rushing towards Winry.
"Oh, there she goes," Gracia laughed. Hayate perked up, ears forward and alert as his smile vanished, denied belly rubs with Elicia's departure.
"I'm glad you could make it, I've been meaning to make a trip out to Central..." Roy began.
"But you are a General now," she filled in for him. "Congratulations on the promotion. I know Maes would be ecstatic."
"Roy! Come get some food, it's getting cold!" Vanessa's familiar voice cried over the warm buzz of conversation and jazz filling the air.
"Excuse me, I'm going to go add my present to the gift table," Riza murmured, still looking unhinged as she moved past them.
Roy watched her go, concern furrowing his brow. "Don't worry, I'll go check on her," Gracia offered in a soft voice. "Go enjoy your party."
Roy still hesitated, meeting her green eyes. He didn't like having to pass that over to Gracia, but it would be odd if he hovered around Riza all night. Granted, if she was the one doing the hovering, no one would think twice about it.
"If she needs me, please let me know," he whispered.
"I know," she patted his arm before pulling away, following after Riza.
Exhaling heavily, he turned, finally heeding Vanessa's summons. He reached the food table at the same time Jean did, the taller man bringing over a shot glass.
"Breda wants you to take thirty-three shots," Havoc announced as Roy accepted the glass.
"You're joking. I'd get alcohol poisoning," Roy laughed, bracing himself as he lifted the glass, knocking it back and embracing the burn. The taste was not one he liked and he recognized it almost instantly. "Tequila! Who the fuck told you to give me that?" Roy coughed, passing the empty glass back. From the bar, Chris' familiar, barking laugh roared to life with his response. Shooting her a glare, Roy raised his voice, "Don't keep giving me shit I don't like, or next year I'll let someone else host my party!"
"How about an East City Haze?" Vanessa interrupted lightly, grabbing an empty plate.
Roy's ears pricked with the code phrase, his eyes catching onto hers instantly. "Yeah? Maybe."
"Jean, will you go ask the Madame to get him one?" she asked, popping her hip and fluttering her eyelashes slightly. Jean shifted a bit uncomfortably. They used to flirt a lot, but now Jean had been in an apparently successful relationship with Catalina since being paralyzed, it was clear he wasn't eager to participate. At least, that was what Roy could figure.
"Right. See you Chief..., Vanessa," he mumbled, walking away.
A sharp look behind Vanessa's stormy blue eyes evaluated Havoc for another moment before turning back to Roy. "Roy, come closer. I have a secret to share," she simpered, giving him a sultry smile as she began serving his plate with food. He shifted slightly, glancing back at Riza and Gracia near the gift table. Vanessa hissed softly, grabbing his arm and pulling him close. "What are you doing? Have you completely forgotten how to do this while in Ishval?"
Slipping on a flirtatious smile, he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her against his side as he moved to whisper in her ear. "No, but I don't want to hurt her."
"What I have to tell you concerns her. I'm pretty sure she'll understand." She released his arm, grabbing a pair of tongs and gesturing to the tempura shrimp. "We made this just for you, Roy-Boy. Want some?" she asked with a flirty lilt, not keeping her voice low.
His mouth watered at the sight. "You know me, Nessie. Of course," he replied warmly. Ducking closer, he returned to a whisper, "What's the intel? I don't have all night."
"We managed to get Annette out for a few hours, but she'll be coming back around nine. Chicken wings?" she added lightly.
Riza. She knew Riza's face and she knew her as Elizabeth, his long time lover. Glancing around the party-goers, his heart faltered. Coworkers and friends dominated the crowd. People who knew her as Riza Hawkeye, his adjunct and bodyguard. If Annette arrived with everyone calling Riza by her proper name, their cover would be compromised.
"How do we get her out?" he asked, ignoring her inquiry about the wings.
"I can expedite the cake and gifts. You have an hour and a half until she should be getting back, but it would be suspicious if Elizabeth left without you. Get trashed?"
"I have work tomorrow," he resisted scowling in response only by a hair, squeezing her around the waist tighter instead.
She giggled, "Oh, Roy!" She ducked closer again, freeing a hand to play with his lapel. "Pretend to be sick. Say you're partied out. I don't know. I just know Elizabeth won't be going anywhere without you."
She offered the plate to him, dominated by shrimp and chips and chicken wings. Raising his voice, he lightly offered, "Thank you, Nessie. And that dress really does look good on you," he added, giving her a cheeky grin and a wink.
"Roy, stop!" she laughed, playfully pushing his face away.
"Right, right. See you around," he offered, stepping away from her as Havoc met him again, passing over a blue and purple shot.
"Thank you, Jean," he offered lightly, taking the glass. A hard light in Jean's eyes made him pause. "Havoc?"
"You're a dick sometimes, you know that," Jean growled under his breath.
Confused, Roy paused, holding his gaze. "You have a problem, Captain?" he clipped tightly.
"No, but you do. I thought you were with Ha- Elizabeth now," he lowered his voice, looking around cautiously.
Roy's grip tightened on his glass, looking back towards the gift table. Gracia was gone, replaced by Winry who was talking to Riza animatedly.
Had she seen?
Behind him, Jean scoffed, walking off.
Riza stared at the pile of presents stacked on the gift table, wrapped boxes and gift bags overwhelming due to the amount of guests. Reaching into her purse, she pulled out the gray velvet jewelry box. It was tied shut with some twine, bearing a tag with her name on it. Well, her father's. She would have put Riza if it hadn't been too informal, so she'd simply signed it Hawkeye instead.
Absently, she twisted the fraying end of one of the strings, purposely reminding herself what Roy had promised in the bathroom.
"What did you get him?" Gracia's voice surprised her. Turning, Riza's eyes immediately flashed to her soft soled flats, explaining her silent approach.
"Cufflinks," she answered simply, letting go of the twine and placing the box between a bag from Breda and a rectangle that was obviously a wrapped book from Sheska.
"He's fairly classy. I expect he'll enjoy them," Gracia nodded.
Riza didn't visibly react, stifling her earlier discovery about his bias against them. "How about you? What did you get him?"
Gracia's gaze visibly softened as she pointed to a small rectangular box, only about twice the size of Riza's gift. "Maes's glasses. I know he wears reading glasses now. He could switch out the lenses and..." she trailed off, a distant pain in her emerald eyes.
"He uses his father's straight razor," Riza supplied instinctively. "I think he'll do the same for the frames."
Gracia looked sideways at her, "You don't think it'll be too painful?"
"Maybe for a while," Riza relented, shrugging slightly. "But he'll wear them. I'm sure of it." She met Gracia's eyes more directly. "It looks like it's painful for you too."
"Yes. It is," she answered simply, looking back at the presents. "Riza, is it horrible I want to start dating again?" Riza's eyes widened in shock as she stared at her. "It's just- the Military is proving for Elicia and I, but I'm lonely. I don't want people like Roy always looking at me with pity. I don't want Elicia to be wanting in the parent department her whole life."
Riza couldn't fathom how isolated Gracia must feel. If Roy had died instead of Hughes, she knew she wouldn't have lasted 24 hours. The guns she was so familiar with would be too tempting. Riza opened her mouth to speak, words catching in her throat. She carefully tried again, "I don't think I'd be as strong as you are in your situation," she admitted. "I admire you for that. But at the same time, I understand the need to have support and affection," she'd gone so long without the second, but she had needed Roy's love for years now. Every ounce of it was a balm on the wounds that life left. Looking back at the gifts, she asked, "So, what kind of partner are you interested in?"
Gracia sighed softly, rubbing her bare bicep as if warding off the cold. "Someone who knew Maes. Someone who can share stories with Elicia about her father. But not- replace him."
"Are you wanting a partner, or are you wishing the General would step up as a godfather more?"
Her eyes widened as she turned to look at her, "He's so busy! And Maes would always talk about how passionate he is about helping Amestris."
"But he made a promise to Brigadier General Hughes that he'd be there for you if this ever happened. He knows he's slacking in that commitment, he's confided in me that he knew as much."
Gracia looked down, subdued. "Yes, I wish he came around more. But he can't be here as much as I need. Again, back to dating. I just also want Elicia to remember her father."
"I have my mother's copy of her favorite poetry book. The spine is broken and the pages are worn. I've poured over those words so much the ink has begun fading in some places. Sometimes it hurts to read. Most of the time it's the only thing that makes me feel her warmth again. If there are items like that you can share with Elicia, it might help."
"I- know your father died right before you joined the Academy, but how old were you when your mother died?" Gracia asked, her tone careful.
"Nine," she answered shortly.
Gracia nodded, a prolonged silence falling between them. "Cheerful conversation for a birthday party," Gracia lilted, giving her a forced smile.
"I'm dismal at small talk," Riza joked, a soft smile tugging at her own lips.
"Can I ask...? When Elicia started playing with your dog, you looked a bit disturbed. Is something wrong?"
Riza closed her eyes, exhaling slowly through her nose. The distinct memory of Roy holding a child in his arms like she was his own made her stomach twist.
Elicia was seven.
It had been nine and a half years since Roy had burned her back. Since that burning string of kisses on his couch after the War. If things had gone differently, she could have been their own daughter.
"I am sorry, Gracia. I cannot answer that."
"Just as long as you're well," Gracia offered lightly. "You aren't nauseated or anything?"
Evaluating herself, an emptiness in her stomach reminded her she'd only eaten one bite of pancake all day. Old habits of ignoring hunger had kicked in to hide her need. "I haven't eaten much all day," she admitted, turning to look at the food table.
Roy was there, arm wrapped around Vanessa's waist, holding her close as he whispered in her ear, a heat in her eyes and secretive smile on both of their faces. Her heart ached at the sight, tears flooding up behind her eyes as she quickly looked away. He- he needed to maintain appearances of his playboy persona. Surely that was all. He wasn't cheating. He'd said he saw the bar girls as sisters and Vanessa had been open with her when she'd stayed that one night last week.
She was having little success convincing herself.
"There it is again. Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?" Gracia prompted softly. Riza turned back to her, meeting her emerald eyes.
"No. I'm sorry, I know you're just worried about me, but I can't talk about this," Riza offered, doing her best to maintain a graceful humility.
Gracia glanced towards Roy, her expression grim and knowing. Turning back to her, she offered, "Well, if you're hungry, go get some food once it's- less crowded over there. I'll be around." She briefly squeezed Riza's wrist as she passed her and slipped down the back hall, likely towards the bathroom.
She exhaled through her nose, feeling guilty. She hadn't meant to chase Gracia away and she'd likely guessed Riza's distress. That added to the fact she couldn't stand going closer to the PDA between her Superior and another woman kept her at the gift table longer, brushing residual tears from the edge of her eyes.
She only had a moment to herself before a happy voice cried out, "Miss Riza! Ed told me you agreed to be in the wedding!" Riza turned once again, this time finding Winry bounding to her, hand entwined with Elicia's. She let a smile tug at her lips at the sight of the two girls, trying to put the pain aside.
"I get to be the flower girl!" Elicia announced brightly.
Winry grinned down at the girl before letting her hand go, "Go play with Hayate again, I'm certain he'd love it," she prompted, giving her a gentle push behind the shoulder blades.
"Alright!" Elicia cried, beaming as she moved off towards Fuery and Hayate.
"Sorry, I wanted to give you a little rundown while we had the chance," Winry explained, tucking a strand of pale blonde hair behind her ear.
"Of course," Riza steadied herself by grabbing the strap of her purse in both hands.
"So, it's on Winter Solstice. We have this cute little reception house booked for the ceremony and all that," Winry began, reaching into her own bag and pulling out a little notebook. "As Mother of the Groom, I'd like you in Risembool on the twentieth. I already have a final dress fitting scheduled that afternoon for all of us ladies in the wedding party. Oh, I need your measurements for the dress by the way. You can mail them or call me. But anyways, Mei and my friend Paninya are going to be my Bridesmaids and Granny of course is standing in as Mother of the Bride. Then there's General Mustang as Father of the Groom, and Al and Ling as Groomsmen."
"Wait, Ling Yao?" Riza asked, interrupting Winry before she could continue.
Winry looked up, having pulled out some fabric swatches from the notebook. "Yeah, he's one of the Groomsmen."
Riza began processing the situation differently. They'd need to provide extra security at the wedding. She'd bring it up with Roy first, then with Edward. No reason to bother Winry with that quite yet. "Alright. Go ahead," Riza nodded.
Winry passed over the swatches, one a dark, forest green, another a lilac purple, and the third a sparkling silver. "These are the wedding colors, Mei and Paninya keep switching between wearing silver or lilac as the Bridesmaids. I'm going to have the Groomsmen match them. Granny would like the green. I was wondering what color you'd like for you and General Mustang? His vest, tie, and pocket square will all match your dress. All the tuxes will be black. If you want the green, I'll just have the Groomsmen and Bridesmaids in different colors."
A bit blindsided by the information, she looked back at the swatches. "I- have a similarly colored green dress, if you'd like to cut on wedding expenses," her mind going to the dress from the Gala two weeks before.
"Oh! I have a dress style picked out. I'd like all the ladies to match. Thank you for the offer," Winry smiled.
Riza hesitated, looking at the green swatch. Yes- she looked nice in green, but it felt a bit- wasteful to have two separate green dresses of practically the same shade. "Could- I've always been fond of purple."
"You want to be in lilac?" Winry asked, blue eyes wide.
"I don't mean to inconvenience you," Riza rushed.
"Bridesmaids and Groomsmen in silver then! That'll be fun, and it should go well with all of their different skin tones," she grabbed a pen from her bag, scratching something out and scribbling a note next to it. "Yes, I like that. I was thinking about getting you ladies shawls because of the cold. Maybe a silver one for Granny and Riza! Hmm, should I do green or lilac for the girls? And then there's Elica..."
Riza found a soft smile as she watched the excited gleam in Winry's eyes, her gaze catching onto the glint of her white gold and diamond engagement ring on her left hand.
"I want to marry you, Riza," Roy's voice echoed back to her, his face lit by the glow of the fire as they had their picnic on his living room floor.
She glanced over her shoulder, finding him at the booth with the good Doctors, Mei, and Alphonse, hands filled with a plate in one and a shot glass in the other. At least his arm wasn't around another woman's waist anymore. A bitterness rose up in her throat, making her shift uncomfortably.
"Oh, and don't worry about finding a place to stay. Granny agreed to let the wedding party stay at the house. Then we can celebrate Solstice as one, big, happy family!"
Riza turned back to Winry, smiling in response to her excitement. "That's very generous of Mrs. Rockbell. Thank you, Winry."
An arm suddenly wrapped around her shoulders, making her tense. "Riza! You must introduce me to this cute young lady!" Rebecca gushed, leaning on her a bit heavily. She smelled like alcohol, quite an achievement as the party had started less than an hour ago.
Stiffly, she escaped Rebecca's embrace, having to twist out from under her arm. "Rebecca," she forced herself to grin, wondering if it came more as a grimace. "This is Edward's fiancée, Winry Rockbell. Winry, this is my friend, Captain Rebecca Catalina."
Winry blinked, meeting Rebecca's eager expression with surprise. "Fiancée, you say? I'd love to hear about the wedding plans!" Rebecca gushed.
A sparkle returned to Winry's blue eyes. "Would you!"
"I'm going to go get food," Riza backed out, already sensing the shrieks of excitement and giggles of conspiracy that were on the horizon.
"Oh, Riza, there's shrimp," Rebecca warned, growing more alert.
Pausing, she looked back at the food table, then towards Roy right as he took a bite of a tempura style shrimp, discarding the tail. "Oh," she uttered, disappointment sinking in.
There went any ideas about kissing him the rest of the night. She should have expected it, Ms. Mustang always had some shrimp for Roy's birthday. Sighing, she waved regretfully back at the two girls and made her way over to the bar and Madame Christmas. Both Jean and Chris were smoking, the scent growing stronger as she drew closer.
"Hey Riza," Jean greeted. "Want a drink?"
Glancing at him with a raised brow, she patiently reminded him, "I'm the General's designated driver. That would sort of defeat the purpose."
"Oh, right," Jean nodded as he picked up his glass and switched his cigarette out to take a drink. There was a worried crinkle to his brows as he glanced back at her.
She turned her attention to Chris who was watching her with an attentive eye. "What can I do for you, dear?" she asked, taking her cigarette between her fingers, tapping it over the shared ashtray with Jean.
"I was told there was shellfish on the food table. Is there something I can eat that hasn't been around it?"
Chris froze halfway in returning her cigarette to her mouth. "Fucking damn it," she growled, snubbing her cigarette instead. "It'll be a few minutes dear. I'm sorry, I forgot. Madeline, you've got the bar," she barked, moving past the other woman and heading back towards the kitchen.
Riza resisted a sigh, sitting down as Madeline gave her an apologetic shrug, placing a glass of water in front of her. "It was on her to-do list. There's just been a lot going on preparing for the party."
"There's a lot of people this year," Riza acknowledged, taking the glass.
"You're allergic to shellfish, Major?" Vulcan asked, drawing her eyes.
"Some. I'm not willing to risk hospitalization to find out which are safe, though," she stated simply as she took a sip of her water.
"I remember when you found out," Breda interjected with a laugh. "It was right after Mustang pulled the Team together. The Eastern Military Ball of '09. The whole right side of her face swelled up!" he joked, nudging Vulcan's shoulder with his own.
"Haymens, shut it," Jean growled, shooting him a glare over his glass.
Uncomfortable, Riza slipped from her stool, "Excuse me," she whispered, leaving her water behind on the bar.
"Wait, Riza..." Jean called after her.
Brushing her hair behind her ear, she pretended to not hear him. She wasn't in the mood for another conversation turning on her like that, and she glanced around evasively. There weren't any empty tables with all the people here and it looked like Roy was still making his rounds, greeting guests who had come to celebrate. The quietest place in the entire bar seemed to be the corner Sheska had taken up, her nose still buried in her book. She moved over to her, quietly sitting next to her, crossing her legs for modesty. The familiar lump of her Desert Eagle between her legs made the position a little uncomfortable.
Sheska peeked her nose out from her book, looking at her. "Oh, Major!"
"You're welcome to keep reading, Sheska. I was just looking for a quiet corner," Riza informed in a low voice.
Sheska hesitated before lowering her book anyways. "But, I like your company, Major."
Blinking, slightly surprised, she looked at the mousy woman, her brown eyes wide behind her glasses. Expression softening, she smiled, "Thank you, Sheska. I enjoy your company too."
They relaxed into a comfortable silence, Riza shifting her attention to find Kain and Elicia still playing with Hayate nearby. "Riza," Sheska broached shyly. "How- do I know when to start- a..."
Riza glanced sideways at her, seeing the blush on her cheeks as she watched Kain. "Are you asking about your relationship with Lieutenant Fuery?"
Sheska ducked her head, nodding to her lap. "I don't know when to take the next step. We've had five dates now, and I really, really like him, but- when is it okay to kiss him? Or wear that lingerie Maria and Rebecca talked us both into."
Riza shifted awkwardly in her seat, trying not to think about Roy's reaction that morning. "Sheska," she started, voice gentle. "Just because others decide to have sexual relationships doesn't mean you have to. It's your relationship, not someone else's."
Sheska met her gaze again, her fingers tightening around the cover of her book. "But, you are. With James," she nodded slightly towards Roy, her cheeks reddening further.
That took out any question as to whether she had figured it out.
Six.
"Do you know how long we've known each other?" Riza asked, trying to keep herself calm. Her heart was still palpitating in her chest though.
"It's been a long time, right? Since you were kids?"
"Twenty and a half years," Riza replied, "April of 1898, he came to my house asking to be apprenticed by my father," her voice tightened with the title, her eyes narrowing as she turned her focus back on Roy. He was chatting with the group at the pool table, laughing warmly with Colonel Armstrong. "Do you want to know how long we've been- intimate?"
"Major?" she asked hesitantly.
Riza turned to meet her gaze levely. "A week and a half."
Sheska blinked in clear shock, her lips slightly parted as she glanced between Roy and her.
Leaning closer, she lowered her voice. "I trust you Sheska, and so does he. We figured you'd realize last week.
"But, on the matter of you and Kain, if it's meant to happen, let it happen naturally. When you're both ready. We- had a pretty bad hiccup about nine years ago and it really strained our relationship for a long time."
"What? I never noticed," Sheska exclaimed quietly.
She grimaced as her mind pulled back the image of Roy's arm around Vanessa earlier. "We got really good at hiding it. Not exactly a positive thing. The only other Team members who know are Jean and Rebecca, so please, don't talk to Kain about it."
She nodded quickly as Vanessa's voice chimed over the crowd. "Hey everyone! We're going to have the birthday boy blow out the candles!"
Roy looked up, Riza catching the briefest flash of chagrin before his face split into a natural looking smirk. "What, already?"
Riza caught sight of Vanessa as she carried a three tiered cake with another one of Chris's girls, the two of them placing it on the corner of the bar. Roy moved over to the cake, several other people following suit as he pulled out an ignition glove, joining Vanessa. She scowled, smacking his hand lightly. "No, the birthday boy can't light his own candles."
Riza's fists formed in her lap, her entire frame tensing at the playful teasing.
Roy shrugged innocently, giving a casual snap halfway through the motion. The trail of fire left the candles on top of the cake lit, burning merrily against the white icing. "Woops!" he offered innocently.
"Roy!" Vanessa chided, harmlessly batting his shoulder with her hand as several people chuckled, a few others booing halfheartedly.
"Let's get this done, I have food cooking," Madame Christmas broke in impatiently.
A round of Happy Birthday started by Maria was quickly picked up by most of the guests, Riza cringing slightly with the out of tune sound that predominated the singing (by no fault of Maria's). Roy smiled patiently, his dark eyes scanning the crowd until he found her right as the song ended. His smile shifted to a brief flash of concern.
She broke eye contact, shifting her purse in her lap. A moment later, the room was filled with clapping, a few woops coming from the more energetic guests.
"I promise, Riza, no one will hear about it from me," Sheska whispered, leaning closer. "But what's going on between you two right now?"
Riza glanced at her, measuring herself and her response before answering, "I'm not comfortable with how he's still flirting with other women."
"Then why don't you tell him that?" Sheska asked, her voice soft.
Riza met her gaze, wide, innocent, brown eyes meeting hers. "Because I understand why he's doing it."
"But it's clearly making you unhappy. I don't think he wants to do that, but he can't fix it if you don't tell him."
Her words sunk in as she held her purse a little tighter. "Alright. I'll- think about it," she promised, her stomach tightening from hunger and nervousness. She glanced back at the lineup near the bar. "Would you like me to bring you a slice of cake?"
"Oh, no. I'll get some when I finish this chapter," Sheska smiled, picking her book up from her lap again.
Riza nodded, standing up and moving back towards the bar. The happy buzz of chatter and laughter filled the air, Riza moving to the far end of the bar, avoiding the crowd and out of conversation range from her Teammates. She pushed herself up onto another barstool, leaning against the cool brick wall as she opened her purse. She began digging through her things absently, trying to avoid attention. Pulling out her compact powder, she opened the case, checking her makeup in the small mirror.
She wasn't used to her face being so glammed up. It was so unnecessary in her opinion, but this made the second event in two weeks where she'd put in the extra effort.
"You look lovely, Major."
She pulled her eyes away from the mirror to meet Roy's smile. He held two plates with slices of the white frosted, red velvet cake. He placed one in front of her before climbing onto the barstool next to her.
She looked down at the cake, closing her foundation with a click. "Thank you, Sir."
"You haven't eaten yet. Are you feeling well?" he asked lightly, but the measured look in his eyes was serious.
She picked up the fork on the plate, fiddling with the utensil evasively. "There's shrimp on the food table. I don't want to risk cross contamination."
He paused for a long second before muttering a quiet, "Damn."
"That's what your aunt said," Riza informed, voice flat as she met his gaze. "Don't worry, she's making me some food right now."
"That's good," Roy offered, lightly tapping the butt of his fork on the bar twice. Her eyes flicked to the movement as he began, "Armstrong is interested in taking Nessie on a date. Knowing Nessie, though, it won't go anywhere."
A-N-N
She looked at his face, his expression calm and composed. Softly she tapped her own fork on the bar twice. "Maybe she'll surprise you. He is a good man," she offered weakly, looking back down at her cake.
"Maybe. Elicia liked the bear you picked out. It was one of the first things she told me."
-E
"Good," Riza clipped, tightening her grip on her fork.
"Tim Marcoh was hinting at doing some research into healing eyesight better. Tim feels guilty for only partially healing my eyes, but I'm not too bothered. I don't think Edward would forgive me if I had been completely healed."
-T-T-E
Hearing Dr. Marcoh referred to as 'Tim' was a very strange experience. She kept her face clear though as she replied, "Perhaps not. But he hasn't seemed to hold it over your head for what happened. You didn't choose to perform human transmutation."
"You're right, I suppose. I wish Izumi was here. I wonder if she still takes after my mother, Sying."
-I-S
She looked back at him, her heart aching as she saw the subtle signs of pain on his face. "Sir..."
"I'm glad Miss Chang came. I almost wish Olivier was here... and Maes."
-C-O-M
"Roy..." she breathed, hand edging towards his forearm.
On his other side, someone climbed into the barstool. Eyes flashing past him, her cheeks grew numb at the sight of the voluptuous blonde. Her red dress had a plunging neckline, her natural curls putting Riza's to shame. Her mind instantly put together Roy's unfinished message: Annette is coming.
She was already here.
Annette lightly laid a hand on Roy's arm, her long, red lacquered nails standing out against the dark brown fabric. "How cute, you two are matching," she lilted, her voice a bit breathy. "If I had known who 'Elizabeth' was sooner... Well, Major Hawkeye, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Riza gave no response, her instincts yelling at her to grab the Glock from her purse and eliminate the threat. However, that wouldn't go over very well in the middle of a party. Besides, she'd likely be charged with first degree murder of a civilian.
Roy's dark eyes narrowed fractionally, his jaw tightening as he attempted to pull his arm back. Her grip visibly tightened, her gaze flashing dangerously. "I wonder who would be interested in buying the information I'm privy to. I could earn quite a lot for this little nugget. I know a certain General down south is in business for this sort of information. I also know you're eager to keep it from him."
"What do you want, Annette?" Roy asked flatly, an edge to his voice that made Riza's hair stand on end.
She hummed lightly, letting go of his arm to trace a fingernail across his sleeve. "I'm willing to negotiate, but only with you, Handsome. You can wait down here, Major." The smug glare she darted towards Riza made her stomach twist.
Riza had a very good idea what her price would be.
Annette slipped off the stool, smirking as she moved towards the stairs, Riza getting a very good look at her legs thanks to the high slit on both sides of her skirt.
"I want you to stay out of this," Roy breathed.
"But..."
"Get my aunt," he turned to meet her gaze. "Do you understand me, Major?"
She hesitated, a pain growing in her chest. "Roy..." she started to reach for him but stopped herself, heat flushing through her body as her mind ran through the events of the Third Laboratory.
He held her gaze for another moment before slipping out of his seat, unbuttoning his suit coat as he slowly followed Annette upstairs.
Taking a steadying breath, she found Vanessa across the bar. The other woman was staring at her with clear anxiety, her fists clenching and unclenching at her sides. All of Riza's jealousy towards her from earlier took a back seat with the real threat.
Slipping out of her stool, Riza wove her way through the party goers, making her way to the back hall and meeting Vanessa outside of the kitchen door. "She wasn't supposed to be here until nine," Vanessa hissed, opening the door for them as they quickly stepped inside.
"She knows. She's threatening to tell Hakuro," Riza rushed, turning to face Ms. Mustang, the kitchen's only occupant.
That made seven.
"What is this?" Chris asked, looking between them critically.
"Annette's finally got her hook in Roy," Vanessa's voice came out hard as steel.
Riza pulled out her Glock from her purse, stepping closer to Chris, "He told me to get you and ordered me to stay out of it," Riza informed Chris briskly.
Chris looked from the gun to Riza. "I take it you plan on disobeying that order?"
Riza checked the magazine, quickly clipping it back into place and making sure it was cocked. "Do you really think I would stand aside when he's in danger?"
Turning off the stove with a flick of her wrist, Chris glanced towards Vanessa, bending down to hike up her navy skirt. Glancing down, Riza was surprised to see her draw a black, short barreled revolver from her garter.
"Vanessa," Chris began, looking back at Riza. The determination in Chris's dark blue eyes put Riza on edge, Vanessa turning her attention towards her as well, grimacing.
Glancing between them, suspicion rose in her belly as Vanessa stepped between her and the door, blocking the exit. "Stand down, Elizabeth. The Madame will handle this," Vanessa warned.
Chris cautiously moved towards the door, not taking her eyes off of Riza. "What are you doing? I've trained for situations like this," Riza protested.
"Roy made it clear that if you ever disobeyed an order to stay out of a conflict in the Bar that we were to neutralize you," Vanessa explained, her voice hard. "I know you can shoot me, or beat me in hand-to-hand, Major. So please, just stand down."
Roy tugged his left ignition glove on, leaving the right one in his pocket. His suit coat was open, leaving easy access to his Glock. It could take a few minutes for Chris to come up. He had to stall until then.
Reaching the landing on the second floor, he slowly walked past Chris's door, continuing down the hall past five separate rooms before finally stopping in front of Annette's. It was cracked open, the warm light from inside shining into the hall.
Steeling himself, he hid his gloved hand in his pocket before pushing his way inside.
Annette sat cross-legged in a plush, wine red armchair, the slits in her flaming red skirt exposing her legs nearly all the way up to her hips. Her bosom threatened to push out of her low neckline, her hair having a slightly tossed look to it. She'd lit a cigarette while waiting for him and casually pulled it from the edge of her mouth, lazily letting smoke seep from her scarlet painted lips. "Do you know how long I've waited for this?"
"Somewhere around nine years, I'd guess," he replied, keeping his eyes on hers.
"Then you'll understand why I don't care to play games," she uncrossed her legs, kicking her red high heels off lazily before hooking a knee over an armrest, her legs wide, giving a clear view of her thong. She casually snubbed the cigarette in an ashtray, mostly wasted. He narrowed his eyes, glaring at her as she continued, "You're sleeping with your adjunct, Major Riza Hawkeye. The Fuhrer's Granddaughter. What's more, you left with contraceptives on the fifteenth. She might be pregnant. Oh, Darling, didn't Madame Christmas teach you to wrap up?"
"That's not exactly proof. She could have slept with another man and come to me for advice. Knowing my connection to the Madame, it's a logical choice," he pointed out coolly.
"Maybe, but I know you two are living together. I've collected quite a bit of evidence concerning that fact. If I were to put a word in the right ear, I could trigger an investigation. Are the General and the Major fraternizing? Is there proof? I don't think you have the savvy to cover your tracks that well, Charming."
"Then what do you want? What's your price for silence?"
She smiled, her glossy red lips curving sultrily, "500 million cenz. And I want you to sleep with me. Once a week for the next year."
Roy scoffed. He knew it would likely be something along those lines, but part of him still found it absurd. The expectation that he would humor her for an entire year was just icing on the 'ridiculous' cake. "That's what you want? I'm certain you've been with thousands of partners, and you're still holding out for me?"
She simpered, splaying her hands for him in a careless shrug. "Since I laid eyes on you, General Roy Mustang, you've been the ultimate prize."
"You know I can't give you what you really want. Even if I did agree to sleep with you, you'd be left terribly disappointed."
"Oh, I don't think so," she unhooked her leg from the armrest, placing both feet on the ground as she leaned towards him, a hunger in her eyes.
"You may have deluded yourself, Annette, but I know what people like you are really looking for. Satisfaction. And not just the satisfaction of a good orgasm. The kind of satisfaction that only comes from a real connection with someone you care about. Someone you love. Someone who loves you back."
Her sultry expression fell, one of her eyes twitching as she scowled at him. He smiled back, a warmth in his chest as he recalled that feeling that he was growing more familiar with by the day. The feeling he was allowed to revel in every time he was alone with Riza. The pain which had tainted their relationship for so many years was finally gone. He wouldn't ever endanger it again. Not even to protect them from the anti-fraternization laws.
"You don't know me," she hissed warningly.
"No, I don't, and I plan on keeping it that way. I'll offer you the money, but that is all you'll get from me. I have no intention of humoring your sexual desires."
Her green gaze hardened. "Shame. I hope red suits you."
A click of the door latch sounded behind him, right as Annette reached into the cushion of her armchair. The hair on the back of his neck and arms suddenly stood on end as a flash of black metal and a barrel came into view.
He pulled his gloved left hand out of his pocket, eyes widening as she leveled the revolver, pulling the hammer back.
He snapped right as the gun jerked Annette with the force of the shot's recoil.
"No!"
The fiery trail of his transmutation hit Annette's gun, burning the metal. She screamed as someone slammed into his left shoulder, forcing him to stumble to his right, knocking him against the wall.
He caught himself as a second shot was fired, close behind him this time. His brain latched onto the sound, eyes widening.
Riza.
Spinning back around, his eyes caught onto an unexpected sight.
Blood.
Not his, he'd never felt the impact of the bullet.
No.
The color was quickly draining from her face, her hand falling to cover the maroon stain growing on her right breast, her other hand shaking as she clutched her pistol. She slumped against the doorframe, her dark blue eyes glaring at Annette in the armchair.
"You're fired, bitch," Chris growled.
His brain seemed to click back into gear, adrenaline making his mind focus. His eyes flicked back to Annette, her green eyes wide as she struggled with wet sounding breaths. Chris's bullet had struck near her clavicle, blood running down her bare chest into the low collar of her dress. Her left hand rose to press the wound, her body convulsing as blood began trailing from her gaping mouth.
Her pistol lay on the dark red rug, the fibers smoking from the heat. Her right hand had a clear welt on the palm, burned from his transmutation.
Stomach twisting at the sight, he dismissed her as a threat. Focusing back on his aunt, her breaths grew shallow as they rattled in her chest.
"HELP!" He grabbed her shoulders, easing her down to the ground as he shouted. "I NEED A DOCTOR UP HERE! MARCOH! KNOX! MISS CHANG! PLEASE!"
Chris gave a weak laugh, focusing on him with a surprisingly gentle gaze, sweat beading on her brow. "You look worried- Roy-Boy. Don't be. I'm made of- stronger stuff than this," she groaned, dropping her revolver and exhaling in a huff.
Tears stung his eyes, his mind clambering with the memories of his parents in their caskets. The crime scene photos of Hughes dead in a phone booth. Riza's neck sliced open, laying limply in a pool of her own blood.
Behind him, Annette's strangled breaths stopped.
"AUNT CHRISSY!"