Hi guys! I'm feeling a lot better than the last time. Um, heh heh, yeah. Again, sorry for that little mess of a chapter...anyways! I'm so sorry it took so long to get this out! And uh...I just realized that this is out of order for the suggestions. Jane's suggestion was actually first before this one, by Lady Jessica Mustang...oh my god I hate myself! Sorry, got carried away. Anyways, I'll get right on that Jane, I'm so fucking sorry. Jesus, I'm a mess. Anyways, onto the story!

Summary: Edward and Alphonse have been studying for too long. Roy and Riza have something to say about it.

Idea Came From: Lady Jessica Mustang who suggested it

Timeline: A little after the encounter with Scar

Rated: T for cursing

Warnings: None

Notes: review replies at the end

Story 21: Study by the Firelight

Roy Mustang sits at his office desk. He is tapping his index finger against the top of his desk. Riza is staring at him, obviously not happy with the fact that he isn't doing paperwork. The fact that he isn't doing it in front of her is a little worrysome. Roy has barely done any work, and in the presence of Riza Hawkeye, that is a dangerous feat.

"Sir, I don't want to have to tell you again. Get back to work." Riza says, her tone emotionless as her hand moves to the gun at her hip. Roy doesn't even react. She then pauses, frowning slightly. "Sir? Is everything okay?"

"I'm not sure," Roy replies with a heavy sigh as he sits back, looking up at Riza. "What was the last time you saw Fullmetal?"

"Um...I think three or four days ago when he was in the cafeteria. Why do you ask?"

"Because that's when I last saw him as well," Roy replies, leaning forwards. "Which is strange, concidering this is Fullmetal we're talking about. What about Alphonse?"

"I saw him early this morning, he was walking back to the barracks. He was carrying a few books and he had his brother's pocket watch-"

"Wait, Alphonse had Fullmetal's pocket watch?" Roy asks, raising an eyebrow as alarms start going off in his head almost instantly. He starts mumbling to himself. "Could he be sick? That could be why he's avoiding my calls...or hurt, perhaps?"

"Sir, is everything okay?" Riza asks, only picking up on a few words the Colonel mumbles to himself. "Should I send someone to get-"

"No, I'm going there myself." Roy replies hastily as he quickly stands. If something had happened he doubts that any other regular soldier would be able to deal with it. Like Scar, for example, or some other crazy person that's after Edward for some reason. Roy wouldn't be surprised, Edward seems to run into trouble everywhere he goes.

"Do you think something has happened to them?" Riza asks as Roy walks from around his desk and towards the door leading out into the outer office.

"I'm not sure, but it's better to be safe than sorry." Roy replies as he pulls the door open, causing the men to look up from their work with curiosity as both Roy and Riza head out of the main office.

"I'm going with you, sir," Riza says as Roy walks straight towards the second door without hesitation.

"Alright."

When the door shuts the team all look at one another, a bit surprised.

"Um...what?"

Edward's expert golden eyes quickly read through the words on the page, ignoring the stinging of strain. The light in their room had burnt out, and yet he refuses to go anywhere else. So, all he has is a candle to light the pages of the book while the curtains are drawn closed.

Alphonse had tried to get him to keep them open, but Edward would always stand up and shut them a few minutes after Alphonse opened them. He didn't want people looking in to see what they are up to. Doesn't want to risk the possibility of someone seeing something that they shouldn't.

Of course, Al thought this to be ridiculous but dropped the subject nontheless. It's Edward's eyes anyway and if he wants to hurt them reading in the dim light, then so be it. Maybe he would learn a lesson. Of course, that didn't stop Al from going to read somewhere else. That's why Edward had given him the pocket watch so the younger Elric could read in the library without his eyes straining in the dim light.

But now Alphonse is back in the room and sitting on the chair under the window, the curtain peeled back some to let light flood in on the book he is reading. He hadn't wanted to stay at the library for too long, seeing as Scar is still out on the lose. And, seeing as if Scar had seen him enter the library and thought he was a State Alchemist, that could have been bad to. So he only read for a few hours and then checked some other alchemy books out that he hadn't read yet.

The room is covered with books and loose paper. So much so that the boys have created a unique trail from the door and to sitting areas and stacks of books so as not to step on anything. Though, to the outside eye, it would just look like a mess all the same.

Edward tries to ignore the headache that is slowly eating away at his brain as he flips the page. He can hear Al do the same a minute later as the brothers continue reading and writing down coded notes to hopefully try and find a lead. They are so close to a lead on the Philosopher's Stone. All it takes is some research and they could be able to find it.

A knock at the door pulls the boys from the reading spell. They jump at the sudden noise in the otherwise silent room, both looking at one another with frowns on their faces.

"Who do you think it is?" Alphonse asks as Edward sets the book down on the table.

"I don't know, but I'm already annoyed with them." Ed mutters as he scoots the chair back enough for him to stand. He makes his way through the intricate path they have created through the books and papers, stopping at the door. Alphonse holds back his sickers as Ed has to get on his tipee toes to see through the peep-hole.

"Oh for the love of-" Ed sighs, cutting himself off as he lowers back onto the floor. He turns around, opening his mouth to say something to Al when he only glares. Al is covering his mouth with his hand, body shaking with silent laughs. "The hell is so funny?"

"Nothing, answer the door." Al says after taking a deep breath to calm himself. Ed rolls his eyes and looks back to the door, opening it.

Roy and Riza stand on the other side, Roy's hand raised to knock on the door for the second time. The two look surprised when they see Edward standing there, glaring up at them like they were the milkman.

"What the hell do you want? And why didn't you just send someone to get me?" Ed snaps, locking eyes with Roy, challenging him. Something that isn't unknown for the young alchemist to do.

"Well, I wanted to check and make sure you hadn't gotten stepped on, seeing as you're so-"

"WHO'RE YOU CALLING SO SMALL THAT HE COULD FIT UP THE NOSE OF A DOG!?" Ed shouts, arms flailing around as he cuts Roy off. Roy only smirks while Riza lets out a small sigh.

"Brother, he didn't say that..." Alphonse mutters from across the room, shaking his head as he lowers his book. "It's good to see you, Colonel."

"Good to see you as well, Alphonse." Roy replies with a nod at the younger boy, dark eyes studying him. It is rare to see Al dishelved. Usually Al's clothes are neat as well as his hair, even if he's tired or after they've fought with someone, though how Roy will never know.

But right now, Alphonse's hair is messy and his clothes are wrinkled. There are bags under his eyes. The same could be said for Edward, who not surprisingly looks worse out of the two of them. His golden hair is down and falling around his shoulders in tangled strands, dark circles under his eyes. He is only wearing a black tank top and his normal leather pants, the clothes wrinkled.

"You look like shit," Roy comments casually, earning a glare from Riza. "What happened?"

"What does it look like happened?" Ed retorts sharply, motioning to the inside of the room with an automail hand. "We've been studying, dumbass."

"Watch your tongue," Riza says, eyes sharp. "Have you been studying this whole time? And why is the light turned off?"

"It burnt out...a day ago, maybe?" Ed mumbles, half to himself as he counts on his fingers. "It's fine, I've been using a candle to-"

"That's bad for your eyes. Do you want to go blind, Fullmetal?" Roy asks, his own eyes narrowing. Though, the boys are obviously safe, their living condition isn't all that great. "And how much sleep have you gotten?"

"A couple hours, I guess, I don't know," Ed replies quietly as he glances away. "Alphonse forces me to."

"Yeah, and if I didn't you wouldn't sleep at all." Al calls from the other side of the room as he walks over, joining in on the conversation. "I keep telling him that reading in the dark is bad for him. He doesn't listen."

"What about food? Have you been eating?" Riza asks and Edward looks down, almost guiltily.

"I have to practically force it down his throat," Al answers for him, earning a betrayed glare from the elder Elric.

"This isn't healthy," Roy mutters as he glares at the boys. Al shrinks away while Edward only scoffs, crossing his arms as his eyes lock with Roy's once more.

"It's fine. I don't care, as long as I can study then I'm fine."

"But you're not fine!" Roy suddenly shouts, startling the boys. "You look exhausted and I doubt you've eaten anything within the past twenty four hours, if not more. You've been reading in the dark for god knows how long! You're a mess!"

"So?"

"Edward, we hate to see you do this to yourself," Riza says more calmly than Roy, but she also has a bite to her words. "We all care what happens to you. And if you deprive yourself of sleeping, and if you don't eat, it worries us. Everyone back at the office keeps asking when you'll stop by, they stop Alphonse on the way back here and ask how you are. We stopped by today because we were worried something had happened to you."

"See, brother? I told you." Al says, almost smugly. But a glare from Roy makes him shut his mouth.

"You're not off the hook either, Alphonse," Roy says sternly. "You're not living any better than Edward. Though, you seem to be getting more sleep and you seem to be eating more...but still. This is still bad for your health! You need to take a break from researching!"

"Just go away! We're fine, okay?" Ed snaps before Al can defend himself. Not like he would try, he sees the truth in Roy's words.

"No, we're not leaving. Not until you start to take care of yourself properly." Riza says as Ed goes to shut the door. She plants a firm hand against the door, pushing to keep it open. "Once you've eaten a full meal and you're taken care of. That's when we'll leave."

"Oh, come on!" Ed shouts as the door is pushed open once more. But this time, Roy and Riza both force themselves inside the room. Al steps back, watching with mild bewilderment as the two adults start to clean up the mess off the floor. Edward, on the other hand, is looking on the verge of exploding.

"What the hell!? Get out! I didn't give you permission to come in here and act like you own the place!"

But the two ignore him. It isn't until the floor is mostly clean that they acklowledge the brothers again, both still standing by the now closed door.

"Hawkeye, go get another lightbulb." Roy says and the woman nods, swiftly leaving the room. "Edward, Alphonse, if you pick up another book so help me I'll burn you both alive."

It only takes a few hours for everything to be taken care of. The new light is in and dinner has been cooked and eaten. The brothers now sit on their own beds, staring as Roy and Riza stand in the middle of the room.

"Have you learned your lesson?" Roy asks, arms crossed over his chest while Riza stands by his side, arms at her sides.

"What lesson? That you like to break into people's rooms and do things without permission?" Ed asks sarcastically, crossing his own arms.

"No, I'm talking about taking better care of yourselves." Roy snaps back, narrowing his eyes. "If you don't, we'll be back. And we'll do more next time, like pin you to the bed and force feed you."

"I feel like that's something you would have to do on a daily basis," Al mutters.

"Hey! No fair, Alphonse!" Ed shouts, pointing at his brother. "Don't side with them!'

"But they have a point, brother. If you don't take care of yourself something could happen."

Ed sighs and looks away. "Fine, I get it, okay? I'll start taking better care of myself. There, you happy?"

"Very."

"Now, can you go? I wanna sleep." Ed groans as he crawls under the blankets, cucooning himself in a matter of seconds. Much to the surprise of Roy and Riza. Al only rolls his eyes and lays down on his own bed, like a normal person.

"Sure. But I expect you to be in my office first thing tomorrow, got it?"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever."

And as the adults walk out of the room and turn the lights off, the brothers are already fast asleep.

That's it! Sorry if it felt rushed, I wanted to get it out to you guys. I'll try to start updating regularly again, but like I said in the previous chapter, I can't make any promises. Anyways, onto the review replies!

Patsy Koala- thank you! Seriously, you've been giving me so much support and I honestly can't thank you enough. As for your suggestion, I'll get started on it as soon as I can! Sorry it's taking so long

Anon- I'm sorry you feel that I limit myself. I just feel like there aren't enough stories where Al has his body back, but I get what you're saying. I could probably squeeze a few stories in with his armor, only on speical occasions or something, though. If you want. But only on special occasions! Also, for your suggestion, I like it! Sorry, it's taking so long to get out.

Lady Jessica Mustang- I'm glad you liked it! And I'll start working on the Scar one when I have time. I just gotta get all these reviews done and over with first! And I'll try to include Black Hayate in more of these, I agree that he's part of the family.

That's all everyone! Thanks for the continuous support and sticking with me, even though I'm pretty shit at updating regularly. Anyways, thanks for reading! Have a good day/night!

*You can suggest future ideas if you want to, but I'm kidna busy with the ones I have right now so I don't know when I would be able to get them out.*