1. He will only oversee the State Alchemist testing and selection process
2. Only under threat of total annihilation would he be called in as an active State Alchemist to save the world
3. That Richard be entered into the Officer Training Program
4. Once Richard completes the program and is given his commission, he will be left to progress... on his own! That the Fuhrer would have no hand in guiding his every move (in other words, don't manipulate him like you did me you bastard).
The agreement was signed and witnessed by Al and Elysia, both all smiles and satisfied with the conditions. It wasn't exactly the most eloquent contract and far from being professional but it was to make a point and Mustang signed it promising he would honor the agreement.
Edward could certainly live with the new arrangement, especially with Al and Elysia's approval. And as long as he was free to establish the school, assessing new State Alchemists wasn't much of a big deal. He and Al had already begun retraining active State Alchemists - the school not yet built as they were still looking for instructors, the site already chosen - so it was only natural that he would have a hand in the selection process. And he had, after all, promised his watch to Richard and no matter what pain and guilt being a State Alchemist within the military had caused him, he would always be attached to the watch as he was to his title: the Fullmetal Alchemist.
Besides, he figured he'd get bored if he didn't have someone like Mustang to bicker with. Al and Havoc were fine but to truly test his wits, Mustang was the man to beat.
While the summer didn't start off so well it was ending on a high note. Edward was enjoying the warm, summer evening as he walked through the rolling hills of Resembool with Richard and little Erika, letting the calm quiet of the countryside refresh him. Despite wanting to take it easy and having a lot of time on his hands after resigning as a General, the summer months had been filled with activity. There had been Havoc's wedding, Richard's visits to Central, making the necessary plans for the school and his settling back in Resembool.
Even retraining alchemists hadn't provided enough of a challenge. The truly talented ones; who were curious enough to have already read up on Xing alchemy - more so in recent years since both countries were allies and freely exchanged information and ideas - were already readjusting on their own. Then there were the exceptional ones like Mustang and the Strongarm Alchemist whose main techniques had roots into Xing's alchemy already. The Armstrong's had a long family history, with members who traveled extensively and recorded their adventures and discoveries. Mustang's instructor too - based on Riza's recollections, he being her father - had once received a large crate full of alchemy text from Xing. A few adjustments to the transmutation circle and Mustang was able to use his flame rather effectively.
Though it was a busy time for him and Al, he knew Mustang had it the worse as he calmed, first the State Alchemists who suddenly found themselves weakened, then the citizens of Amestris who were worried their best defense would leave them vulnerable to hostile neighbors. Drachma's invasion twenty years ago wasn't easy to forget; there were still areas in the north that hadn't been rebuilt yet and there were plenty of veterans who suffered from post traumatic stress even though the war had ended sixteen years ago.
The rumors had spread quickly despite Mustang's efforts to keep things as quiet as possible. But since he couldn't avoid the truth for long Edward was amazed how quickly he came up with a story that didn't implicate a rogue Drachman General collaborating with a retired Amestris General and a former State Alchemist, who then released two homunculi imprisoned by the Fuhrer and Emperor of Xing to create and use an army of mindless homunculi.
It was the truth but who would ever believe it? It was easier to spin something that was believable for the non-alchemical citizens and those who had not witnessed such things first hand.
Mustang's explanation was quite simple. Bradley did it.
The former Fuhrer, King Bradley, long ago killed for his crimes against the State, had a nation wide underground transmutation circle built to control the State Alchemists and the alchemy they used. Of course, the current Fuhrer, Roy Mustang, had no idea about this circle until a certain former State Alchemist, by the name of Russell Tringum, discovered the truth and threatened to destroy it if Mustang did not give in to his demands. It was this very reason that the Fullmetal Alchemist was dispatched to the north, in order to stop this threat with the Fuhrer close behind to see oversee the final outcome. Unfortunately, Tringum managed to destroy part of the circle permanently, leaving all State Alchemists powerless. It was also the reason Russell Tringum was tried and sentenced to life imprisonment for his crimes against the State.
Edward could see the glaring holes. Like what were Russell's demands? And where was this transmutation circle located? As far as Edward knew, it had been wiped from existence by the Gate. He himself thought it strange that a nationwide, underground transmutation circle, that was partially damaged in the North but did not present any signs of its existence elsewhere.
However, Mustang's explanation seemed to be enough. Why question the work of a war hero and the Fuhrer who had led them through the war with their country in tact and into years of prosperity? But Edward wasn't too concerned with Mustang's story. He was happily situated now in Resembool, away from the hustle and bustle of Central and the gossip that was always a part of life in a big city. He was also far enough away from Mustang so he wasn't tempted to draw Edward into some military emergency.
However, as he walked along he remembered his joy would soon be overshadowed.
Richard was leaving the next day for Eastern Headquarters for his training. He still had another year of school left but insisted on joining the military immediately; that school wasn't that important to him. Edward tried to talk him out of it... unsuccessfully. He was finding that when Richard wanted to be, he could be just as stubborn as Edward. But at least Richard had a few more years over him than when he joined at the age of twelve.
He had enjoyed the visits through the summer though. He was going to miss his son. But before Richard left, he needed to be introduced to his grandmother.
As they came over the top of a hill, the small cemetery was clearly seen. And so was the man standing near Trisha Elric's grave.
Edward was hit with a sudden surge of acid reflux, he nearly gagged. As he was contemplating turning around and suggesting they come back later, Van Hohenheim looked up and spotted them.
"Hello, Edward!" He called out.
Edward groaned and stopped. Richard gave him a questioning look. "Who is that?"
Edward smirked, despite himself. "Isn't it obvious," he said. He wouldn't admit it out loud but the resemblance was too hard to ignore, even from several yards away.
Richard looked back at Hohenheim in awe. He had gown up an only child without knowing either Erika's parents - who had disowned her years ago - or his surrogate father's, who was an orphan, so he was new to the world of extended families.
"What are you doing here?" Edward asked as they approached.
"I'm visiting with your mother," Hohenheim said ignoring his son's rudeness.
"Yes, I'm not blind," Edward said sarcastically. "What are you doing in Resembool?"
"Your brother invited me and promised to tell me what agreement he made with the Gate. It also provided the opportunity for me to meet my long lost grandson. Hello, Richard."
"Hello, sir," Richard said smiling, his eyes wide with curiosity as he shook Hohenheim's extended hand eagerly.
It was a short visit around the grave. Hohenheim relating a bit of what he had been up to and reminiscing about Trisha and of Resembool, commenting the small town hadn't changed much. Richard could not be distracted from his grandfather and little Erika was fascinated by his beard as he held her. Edward stood off, letting his father get to know his grandkids without his interference.
The sun was setting and dinner would be ready soon. They were all to eat at Al's, where Elysia was currently waiting, having helped Gloria with dinner while Al kept the kids occupied. As they walked back, Ed lingered a step behind Hohenheim, who was happily chatting away with Richard while still holding Erika who had turned her attention to her grandfather's glasses. When they got to the house, Edward stayed out on the porch, saying he'd be in after a cigarette. Hohenheim decided to wait for him, passing Erika to Richard who then went inside.
"He's a good boy," Hohenheim said referring to Richard. "He looks so much like you but he's very much like Alphonse and your mother."
"So what's the sudden interest in us now?" Edward asked bitterly. Hohenheim was trying to reconcile. It was clear. He did have his moments when he wasn't that oblivious to what was going on. But it annoyed him.
"Better late than never, I suppose," Hohenheim said with a shrug in that always calm, patient way of his.
"But I made the offer two years ago, after Erika was born," Edward pointed out. "You didn't accept it. I haven't seen you since then."
"I know and I'm hoping the offer still stands."
Edward turned away from him, not really understanding what was bothering him. He didn't think he was jealous of Hohenheim's showing interest toward his grandkids instead of his own kids. Perhaps he was still angry that Hohenheim waited so long to show any interest because it reminded himself too much of what he missed with Richard?
Hohenheim went on when it was clear Edward had nothing to say to him at the moment. "I see myself in you, Edward."
His statement was rewarded by an angry, indignant scowl.
"You're probably beating yourself up for not being there for Richard," he said knowingly, looking Edward straight in the eye. "I know because I've done the same thing all these years to the point that I've felt I didn't deserve pushing my presence upon you and your brother. If it hadn't been for Alphonse's insistence, I might have disappeared for good." Edward wanted to say something rude and inconsiderate, like he would have done them all a favor if he had, but refrained. "However, there is a big difference between you and me," Hohenheim continued. "You have no right to beat yourself up. I do. I left willingly and Richard was purposely kept from you. You didn't know you had a son out there but I knew I had two sons who needed me, yet I wasn't there for them. I'm not just here for my grand kids but for you and Alphonse. I love you both very much."
Edward realized he had been staring at his father with his mouth slightly open. He turned away and lifted the cigarette to his mouth, his hand shaking. He tried to tell himself his right hand was still weak. But it wasn't because of that. It was the first time he heard Hohenheim say that he loved him. He felt Hohenheim approach him and put a hand on his shoulder.
Edward put his cigarette out on the railing. Intending to turn the other way and go back inside, leaving Hohenheim alone, he ended up turning the other way and his arms went around his father. Hohenheim returned the embrace.