AN: Hope you enjoy!

Armed to the Teeth

Edward Elric knew how lucky he was to be adopted by the Mustangs, how they didn't hesitate to adopt him together with his brother, how they refused to interfere with their surnames, how they dealt with his temper, how they asked for Izumi to be their alchemy master… how he and Al were not separated from Winry.

He knew, but with that acknowledgment came a boatload of fear he refused to talk about out loud.

The Mustangs were no ordinary couple.

Where usual jobs revolved around pen and paper, theirs included fire and firepower. Where typical love stories begin with wide-eyed infatuation and drawn out courtship, theirs involved tattooed secrets and plans to change the country.

The fact they were unusual posed a constant threat to their peaceful lives as a family, no matter how much the couple tried to shield the Elrics from fear.

Riza told him she knew what she was doing when she decided to live this kind of life with her husband; whereas Roy once showed him he and Riza had each other's backs. But was it enough?

He told himself to be content with not knowing. To take each day they come home as a blessing. With Roy's status as General and Head of the State Alchemist Program, they reportedly rarely got sent out for missions anymore.

But it's hard not to worry when they're arming themselves to the teeth like that. He fiddled with his tuxedo collar, frowning at his foster parents getting ready for the annual military ball. They would have looked normal if not for the fact that Riza was tucking in an extra pair of Roy's gloves in her silvery purse with her husband strapping a gun on the inside of his jacket.

Ed knew Riza's purse contained a gun too and despite the classy black gown and silver accessories she wore, she hid at least one knife and one other gun on her person. He knew Roy had his gloves tucked safely in his pockets, easily accessible.

"Ready?" Riza straightened, beaming at the Elric brothers.

Her hair was long and loose for the occasion and if Ed didn't know any better, he would have assumed she was an aristocrat's wife.

Assumptions are dangerous for these two, he thought not for the first time.

/-/ /-/ /-/ /-/

As the night progressed and guests mingled amongst themselves while he and Al alternated between keeping Elicia Hughes entertained and eating, Ed found himself observing his parents make their rounds.

Unlike Mr. Hughes, who had a hand or an arm around his wife at all times, Roy and Riza stood and walked together with absolutely no physical contact. Sometimes they would even separate for Roy to talk to various people and leave Riza behind.

Roy attracted women and older gentlemen, most likely the top brass of the military, so Riza politely stepped away everytime the conversation would shift to softer tones.

Roy was charming, engaging, polite, and from where Ed witnessed the conversations, even witty enough to make some choke on their own laughter. He wondered why someone who clearly had things figured out socially needed to work twice as hard to change their country. His gaze tracked his adoptive mother, casually leaning against a wall, her poker face intact.

Amidst the buzz brought about by the party and its attendees, she calmly waited off to the side, looking not in the least bit uncomfortable. Ed thought it was strength as well to be as calm as she was despite her surroundings. He moved to stand beside Riza, raising his brows as she turned her face to acknowledge him.

It wasn't his first military ball, and he and Al were nearly adults now, but Riza still told him, "Hang on a little longer."

"We're alright." He tugged on his collar, eyeing Al who was showing Elicia something.

"You don't need to keep me company."

"I know," he said honestly. He was the one who wanted to do it.

"Major? Major Hawkeye."

Riza stiffened and straightened at the greeting to face the man who called her. Ed discovered his name was "General Grand", which he thought was unnecessary since the man looked pompous enough even without his equally pompous name. He stood by as Grand discussed work and Riza was forced to take it like a good subordinate.

"I heard your husband has been doing good with his position."

Ed forced a neutral expression even though he was dying to insert himself into the conversation, to know what this man had to say about Roy.

Over the years, his adoptive parents had been straightforward enough about their jobs that they knew the basics, but secretive enough that Al and Ed often didn't fully grasp the nitty gritty of their day-to-day activities. To say that both Elrics had been 'curious' would be an understatement and that they have inevitably had to fill-in the gaps of their knowledge with assumptions.

"Thank you, sir."

"I look forward to working with him closely for the upcoming State Alchemist Exams." Riza didn't say anything, but Grand still found it necessary to explain further, "I'll be serving as the Fuhrer's Representative."

"That is a great honor, sir."

Ed was amazed that despite how respectful Riza was speaking, Grand kept a safe distance and was visibly alert like Riza was bound to attack him and he ought to be ready just in case. Apart from his mother's straight spine, though, nothing else was worth noting that there was any sort of potential threat.

Pleasantries set aside, Ed watched the tall and bulky man stalk toward Roy. He wondered if Riza would jump at the opportunity to join them, but all she did was head for Al and Elicia. Observing Riza as closely as he did, he noted the very subtle shift in her expression where it softened at the sight of the little girl.

He wondered if Riza and Roy considered having a little girl but was forced to take them in… until Riza looked at him with the same softness. Here, with them in their little bubble among other military officers, Riza was mom.

Outside their little bubble, however… "Major Hawkeye," said Maes as he approached.

Riza straightened. Again.

"Time to tuck this pretty lady in. Bedtime, yes?"

"No!" protested Elicia, grabbing hold of Al's sleeve.

Gracia looked apologetic when she bent down to her daughter's eye level. "You'll play with Ed and Al again soon, sweetie."

"Mm." Al nodded with a smile as he urged Elicia to take her mother's hand.

After the Hughes family bid their goodbyes, Riza asked if Ed and Al wanted to head home too. "Roy might need another hour, but that doesn't mean you have to stay."

Ed looked at his watch, it was later than they usually stayed during these kinds of events. Why was their pop taking so much time? "We're allowed to stay?" It was past their curfew.

"If you want."

He caught Al's gaze. Equally curious as to the full extent of their parents' jobs — like why and how an annual ball where everyone is dressed up related to a soldier's job — they both nodded their heads.

"We want to stay," said Al.

"Who was that?" asked Ed, cocking his head at General Grand who now joined Roy in conversation with two other men.

"General Grand." Ed raised his brows to let Riza know he didn't appreciate being told what he already gathered earlier. "He used to be your father's direct superior officer," she murmured.

"And now? What was that about honor?"

She was still murmuring when she explained, "The State Alchemist Exams. The Fuhrer handpicks a representative every time for the panel assessment."

"I thought pop was the Head of the Program?"

Riza laid a hand on Ed's arm and directed him to sit down beside her. "He is, but he can't grant certifications on his own. Everything is put to a vote since applicants may or may not come from the military."

Why are you whispering?

"It's best not to discuss specifics out loud in public," explained Riza as if she read his mind, "Roy is the head, but to safeguard the accreditation, there are four other people with him. This year, I suppose General Grand received a spot."

"It wasn't like that last year?"

"No. Just a bit, Roy's calling me."

He turned his head. How did Riza know and see what was going on behind them? "Wha —"

Patting his shoulder twice, she stood and made her way toward Roy.

Ed shifted his seat so he could see them and true enough, Roy's face lit up in acknowledgment as Riza joined the conversation.

Al took the seat beside him. "Mom doesn't look like a soldier," he commented.

"Mm." He roamed his parents' forms and expressions.

How Riza was steadfast, almost to the point of blind stubbornness, as she watched and waited for Roy to finish mingling. How she didn't need to speak to show her strength, as demonstrated from General Grand's overall wariness.

How Roy remained as charming as he was since the start of the event, like he hadn't been talking to people for hours. How he looked laidback, seemingly acting the fool at times, despite the intelligence the man undoubtedly possessed.

And that, to Ed, were different kinds of strength in itself compared to alchemy and weaponry.

He realized on top of the weapons they carried with them and skills they undoubtedly had, the two were likewise armed with charm, intelligence, and resilience he wasn't sure the others in the military were fully aware of.

They wouldn't get this far if they weren't skilled in combat, but this… this is different.

Roy and Riza once said they wanted to change the government for the better. It was only now that Ed realized they weren't blind dreamers. They had the skills and the capacity to see this through.

For the first time in his life, he wondered what it would be like to stand by their side.

He turned to Al. "Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work with mom and pop?"

"Like a soldier? Or a State Alchemist?"

AN: Chapters 18 to 23 would pick up from this "timeline".

Then, if inspiration strikes, I will be writing chapters based on your lovely suggestions. xx

'Til next time!