Soubi couldn't believe his eyes. Roy Mustang had just set his own hand on fire.

It wasn't the masochism of the act that disturbed him; he was all too familiar with self-mutilation, and this was not the first time he had witnessed such a thing. It was the fact that Roy was burning his own Name. Deliberately severing his connection to his Sacrifice. Of all the things Soubi had endured in his lifetime, this was something he was sure could never, ever force himself to do. The agony of it was inconceivable to him. And yet here he was, complicit to the act, holding Roy down as he writhed in agony. How the hell had it come to this?

***

Earlier…

Roy Mustang was seriously, seriously not okay. He was simply not able to get drunk enough fast enough, and it was royally pissing him off. There just wasn't enough time. He knew Edward was in grievous danger and he had to get to him immediately. He was throwing down scotch as if it were water, but as he'd discovered on many a desperate evening, it matters very little how much you want to get drunk; your body still takes its own sweet time. If he drank any faster he'd make himself seriously ill and be of no use to anyone. And yet there seemed to be no other option. Roy hated being without options, he hated Edward for doing this to him, and this entire scenario was absolutely fucking infuriating.

He shook himself all over for the hundredth time. Think, Mustang. This is not real. This fucking Fighter/Sacrifice bullshit is not real. It's part of this world's alchemy, but we are not of this world. It's not real. What's real is that Edward has just put himself into an extremely hazardous situation and it is my job to get him out of it. Not as his Fighter, but as his superior officer. He's a child. I just allowed a child to walk into an ambush like a helpless refugee. This is not okay. No part of this is okay.

Soubi had thrown his arm around Roy's shoulder and would take a swig of scotch for every three of Roy's, which was oddly comforting. This was the second time they'd become drinking buddies by default. Roy couldn't remember the last time he'd had someone to get drunk with. In fact, now that he thought about it, the last real drinking buddy he'd had was… Hughes. Well, now that was ironic. Thanks a lot, Maes. Not only did I lose a drinking buddy, I gained about a hundred more reasons to need one.

A bitter voice in the back of his head, which was getting louder and louder as he got drunker and drunker, had a ready-made solution to all of this: when all else fails, burn everything down. Roy didn't want to hear it. Too many times he'd been pushed to that point, and too many times the aftermath was so much worse than anything he could have imagined. Shuddering, he forced himself to ignore the suggestion. It's ridiculously illogical, anyway. What on earth would I do, set the whole house on fire? What possible purpose would that serve?

The sneering voice seemed to laugh, then began to mock him in the words of all his old military instructors. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. When in doubt, a soldier takes the straightest path available to him. If that means taking down a wall, take it down. Hesitation could cost you precious seconds that could mean the difference between victory and defeat.

A terrible idea began to form in Roy's mind. A soldier takes the straightest path available to him. If that means taking down a wall… He put his head in his hands. Soubi tightened his arm around him. No. No, I couldn't, it's too horrible…

Roy felt Soubi's muscles tense. Something was happening down at the house. Soubi lifted his head. "Ritsuka… has just gone somewhere where I cannot reach him. Can you feel Edward at all?"

Roy tried. Whatever Ed was doing, he wasn't letting Roy in. He shook his head.

"Roy, I'm… not going to be able to stay with you for much longer. I have to go down there after my Sacrifice, even if it is a suicide mission. You understand."

Roy nodded. This entire engagement was a fucking suicide mission. He took another sizable gulp of the burning liquid. Damn it, I've nearly put away this entire bottle, how much more of this do I need to suck down to be rid of you, Edward Elric?

Suddenly, Roy sat bolt upright. He knew in an instant exactly what had happened. Edward had opened the Gate. Oh. shit. That little bastard! What the hell is he thinking?

Soubi looked at him, worry evident on his face. Roy took a couple of deep breaths, fighting Ed's order to be silent with all his might. "The… Gate... Ed… opened."

Soubi's eyes went wide. "The Gate between our two worlds, you mean?" Roy nodded vigorously, but immediately regretted it. Woah! Nearly. Drunk. Now. Yes. Good. Right.

"This is not good. Ritsuka could be in serious danger. I am sensing his presence again now…" Soubi moved to stand. "I must go to him."

"I think… I think…" Roy managed to stand up and tried to move in the direction of the house, but it was as if there was an invisible barrier stopping him. "D-damn it!" Soubi caught him before he hit the ground. Roy fell against him, kicking at the ground in frustration. Great, now I'm acting just like Edward. Isn't this a splendid turn of events. He put his head against Soubi's chest, resisting the urge to start sobbing.

Soubi held him for a moment, then moved to pull away, when a horrible stomach-churning wave of nausea hit Roy without warning and he doubled over, crying out in agony.

Edward!

Roy tried to focus, but the pain was so intense that he nearly passed out. He couldn't imagine what was happening to Ed, but he knew one thing: he was done fucking around. He was going to get to Ed now. The shortest distance between two points…

"Soubi!"

Soubi was kneeling in front of him, holding him by the shoulders. "Roy, what's happening?"

"Hold me… down. That's an… order."

Soubi didn't hesitate; he immediately pushed Roy down and put his knee on his chest.

Fullmetal, I'm coming. Fight it. Don't give in. Don't you dare give in.

Roy swallowed, once. Hesitation could cost you precious seconds. He snapped his fingers. Then he screamed.