There's nothing quite like publishing your first fanfic, sitting back, sighing with relief, then noticing that you didn't name your first chapter.

Oh, and thanks for the review, ForTheGloryOfSparta. :3

Criticism is very, very much appreciated.

Golden eyes, full of determination. The oddly metallic voice of a young boy, filled with gratitude. The Elric brothers sat in front of Colonel Roy Mustang's desk, full of excitement at the thoughts of getting their bodies back.

Shou Tucker, the Sewing-Life Alchemist. A man who worked and studied hard, always proving himself with his chimeras to be an excellent alchemist. His status as a husband and father? Sadly, what these two boys were going to find out.

The lessons of life were often learned in cruel and sadistic ways. A young boy may learn to be careful around machinery by losing his arm. A girl might learn not to trust strangers by getting kidnapped by them. And two kids may learn that they can't help everyone by watching someone start the path to death right in front of them.

These boys were no strangers to pain or death, but they had only experienced it in their own little worlds. Tomorrow would mark the day where the brothers would realize that the things outside of their world weren't so good, either.

But, Roy reflected, these things had to be learned…

-x-x-

Lieutenant Colonel Roy Mustang, aspiring Führer, man of flames, was starting to be known throughout the military not only for hi s impressive fire, but also for his calm and steady approach to anything standing in his way. That was why it was so unnerving for Maes Hughes to walk in on his friend shaking, phone in his hand, face twisted as though he'd start crying at any moment.

"H-hey, Roy… you alright?"

At Maes' nervous question, Roy seemed to realize what he was doing and gently, albeit shakily, laid the phone back down. He put the small slip of paper in front of him back into his desk, and then leaned back in his chair, hand over his face.

A few silent moments passed, and Maes debated whether to leave him alone to sort out his feelings, or try to cheer his best friend up. He was just about to pull a picture of his girlfriend out when a few hoarse laughs came from his friend.

"I'm fine… I'm fine. Just nervous about going to Ishval."

Roy, Maes, and other military personnel were getting shipped to Ishval in a couple of days. It was a cause of concern for some, a reason of excitement for others. Maes had been filled with a mixture of both, and he expected that his friend would simply keep a calm, yet determined attitude about it. He hadn't expected Roy to suddenly act like those 'cold-feet' officers, the ones who tried to beg and charm their way out of the conflicts.

"Who were you calling?" Maes asked, trying his best to sound cheerful and social to his friend.

"…A relative. My aunt, actually." Roy smiled bitterly. "In case I don't come back."

Maes nodded. He stayed silent for a moment, then, realizing that Roy didn't seem to be in the mood for speaking, left the room, finding another poor victim for his seemingly endless batch of photos. After finishing his work, he walked back home and sat at the table, exhausted. A few moments passed and, with shaking hands, he decided to call Gracia.

-x-x-

Lieutenant Colonel Roy Mustang sighed with relief as his friend, Maes Hughes, left without even a single word of praise for his girlfriend. As ashamed as he was to admit it, Maes being around was like being in hell. Every time he spoke, Roy could only hear the long, lost words of a dead man.

He was certainly grateful that Maes hadn't done what he'd usually do, that being giving in to his curiosity. He could easily have taken up the slip of paper, not really caring about what was written on it, but he'd still get confused by the name "Riza Hawkeye" printed quite clearly next to the phone number.

Roy sighed, got up, and walked to the men's bathroom, where he splashed water on his face for a few seconds. Looking up into the mirror above the sink, he could see why Maes sounded so oddly nervous. His eyes were unusually red. He smiled weakly.

He was really lucky to be such a fool. At this point in time, Riza wouldn't be at her home, she would still be in the academy. He had, without even thinking, dialed her number, hoping, just hoping, that he could spare her all the pain with three simple words: Don't follow me.

But, of course, there was no answer from the empty house. He had panicked, the world in front of his eyes had started to blur. Then, Maes had shown up and broken his delirious reasoning.

But still, if he had told her…

He dried his face with a towel, and started to walk back to his office.

The same. No matter what, everything had to be the same. He had to carry this guilt, if only to find a happy ending.

-x-x-

"WE'RE ONLY HUMAN!"

The broken cry of the Fullmetal Alchemist echoed through the dismal air. Suddenly, the rain was much too quiet and much too loud at the same time.

Roy Mustang simply walked past him, secretly sympathizing with the young boy. But when Riza glanced back at him with concern, he smiled at her assuredly. It was an important lesson for those brothers to learn, no matter how cruel it was to be taught. It wasn't possible to save everyone.