A/N: Sorry for the very late update (can't believe it's been a year…oops…), I've had a serious case of writers block and lack of enthusiasm recently but hopefully that is all over now.
In answer to a reviewer's question; the military didn't know the thieves where just little kids and because the boys resisted they had to take them in. Plus they would have to contact the boys' parents to inform them that the children had been stealing. As for the fact they only steal what's necessary; 1) it's still stealing and illegal, 2) Mustang doesn't/didn't know exactly what the boys have been stealing, 3) Dark's hand glowing when he went to attack Mustang when he had grabbed Daisuke would probably raise loads of questions and interest the Military, 4) Now Mustang knows the boys are orphans he can't just let them go, and he still has lots of unanswered questions. …I hope that answered the questions… and thank you to all my reviews.
Chapter Three – Arrangements
Mustang lent slumped against the wall outside the integration, a hand covering half his face as he processed what he had just learned. His charcoal eyes focused on the notepad held limply in his free hand. A small sigh escaped his lips as he stared blankly at his own neat handwriting. The sound of footsteps approaching caused Mustang to push himself straighter against the wall; the hand covering his face fell to his side limply.
"What are we going to do with them?" He asked sparing a quick glance at Hughes who had just stopped next to him, his usual grin missing from his face. Hughes leant against the wall beside Mustang, his normally bright eyes clouded over with emotion.
"I honestly don't know the answer to that, Roy." He replied, looking down at his notes before passing the notepad to Mustang. Mustang quickly read over his friends notes and finished just as Hawkeye walked over. Looking up to meet her amber gaze the Colonel was surprised by how emotion filled the normally stoic eyes were. She saluted when she reached them before holding her report out to Mustang. Mustang took the notes and scanned over the curly script.
"What do you think we should do with them, Lieutenant?" Mustang asked her as he finished reading.
"I don't know, Sir, but these boys have been through so much." She said her voice full of sadness. Mustang nodded his head in response. Edward walked over, a frown curving his features.
"Here, Colonel Bastard." He said, chucking his notes to Mustang. The Colonel caught the notes and looked over them, his brow furrowed slightly as he tried to decipher Ed's messy scrawl. Edward shoved his hands in his pockets and put his weight on his automail leg.
"So, now what?" He asked, cocking an eyebrow. Hawkeye looked at Mustang who just continued to read Ed's notes whilst Hughes shrugged. Ed let out a heavy sigh, his eyes smouldering with slight irritation.
"Let's take them to my office for now; we can decide our next move there." Mustang said, lifting his gaze from the notes in his hand. After receiving a round of nods the four separated, regrouping again a few minutes later with the children in tow. Mustang couldn't keep the slight smile of his lips as he watches Dark immediately go over to his brother, small slightly tanned hands skimming over milky skin to check for injuries. After making sure his brother was fine the young purple haired thief enclosed the red head in a tight hug, his tear and blood stained face pressed against a small shoulder. Satoshi smirked at his older brother, his blue eyes locked on the handcuffs that were still in place.
"Say something and pay, Geek." Krad replied, his voice like ice. Satoshi raised his gaze to lock them with gold.
"I would never dream of commenting on your current predicament, dearest brother." He said putting fake emotion into his voice as a smirk curled his lips.
"Let's go." Mustang said, tearing his eyes away from the four boys to head in the direction of his office. The kids exchanged a glance before following. Hughes and Ed slipped in beside the children whilst Hawkeye brought up the rear.
"Where are we going?" Daisuke asked, his eyes shining with curiosity.
"You ask a lot of questions, don't you?" Mustang said, glancing back towards the small red head. The child's cheeks flushed red at the comment as he looked down slightly. Dark's hand instantly grabbed onto Daisuke's, curling his fingers tightly around it.
"We're going to my office, for now." Mustang said, turning back to face the way he was walking. Upon reaching his office the Colonel opened the door and held it for the four children, watching their expressions as they filed into the room. Dark's gaze swept over the room quickly, taking note of all the ways in and out. Daisuke waved happily to the members of Mustang's team that were sat at their desks filling in paperwork, the suit of armour sat with them. Satoshi's eyes were locked on the young red head, his face blank. Krad glared at everyone and everything, his teeth bared in a feral sneer.
"Havoc, first aid kit." Mustang ordered, walking through the room to enter his own inner office. Havoc nodded his head, rushing to grab the medical kit from its shelf in the corner. Hawkeye led the children to a black leather couch at the side of the room, gesturing with her head for them to sit. The children sat, the younger two positioned between their brothers. Havoc knelt beside the couch, the first aid kit beside him. He wearily glanced up at Hawkeye, who returned the look with a sharp glare. Turning his attention back to the children Havoc began to deal with their injuries, calling out to Breda information about the boys' conditions for the man to write down. Dark's amethyst eyes stayed locked on Havoc the whole time, his body stiffening whenever Havoc moved too quickly. Krad glared at Havoc, especially when the man checked Satoshi for any injuries. Daisuke happily chatted with the man, a grin plastered on his face that only widened every time Havoc absentmindedly nodded his head. Satoshi watched them all with a bored expression. When he was done Havoc packed away the medical kit and put it away, moving his chair to face the boys he sat down. A hand snatched the lit cigarette that had been on its way to his lips causing his eyebrows to furrow.
"You shouldn't smoke near kids." Dark said, standing on his tiptoes to stub out the cigarette in Havoc's ashtray.
"The boy makes a very good point, 2nd Lieutenant Havoc." A cheerful voice said from the doorway. Every head in the room turned to face the newcomer.
"Fuhrer Bradley, Sir." The team said in shock, all standing quickly with a salute. Krad raised an eyebrow from on the couch whilst Satoshi just fixed the smiling man with a stare. Daisuke frowned slightly; confusion swirled in his ruby eyes. Dark jumped when he heard the new voice, his hand overturning the ashtray and causing it to cover him in embers and cigarette butts. The ceramic bowl smashed on the floor loudly, making every eye in the room fix onto Dark. Mustang opened his door, peeking his head out to see what the commotion was. Upon seeing the teary eyed, ash covered boy Mustang rushed over, scooping Dark up into his arms. He brushed the cigarette remains off the child gently.
"Colonel." Hawkeye said to gain Mustang's attention.
"Yes Lieutenant?" The Colonel said with a raised eyebrow.
"The Fuhrer, Sir." She said, gesturing towards Bradley. Mustang quickly spun on his heels to face the Fuhrer, a smile plastered on his face.
"Hello, Fuhrer Sir, I apologise for not noticing you sooner." He said, shifting his hold on Dark so he could salute. The Fuhrer waved a hand at Mustang, indicating he should relax.
"It's quiet alright, Colonel Mustang, I can see that you have your hands full at the moment." Bradley said his visible eye fixed on Dark, who had started to struggle within Mustang's arms. Mustang nodded his head, most of his attention focused on trying to get a secure hold on the wriggling child.
"The report, Sir." Hawkeye said from behind Mustang, causing the Colonel to jump slightly. He nodded his thanks to her as he took the report. Turning his attention back to the Fuhrer he held it out.
"The report on the thieves, Fuhrer Bradley sir." He said. Mustang felt Dark tense in his arms; the child's small hands tightened their grip on his uniform.
"You caught them with minimal trouble, I assume?" Bradley asked, taking the report without looking at it. Mustang felt a sharp intake of air graze past his ear as Dark stiffened completely.
"I'm afraid not, Sir, the thieves proved to be quite allusive," He explained, subtly moving his hand to rub Dark's back in comfort, "they managed to make a break for the East." Dark relaxed slightly against Mustang, his chin dropping down to rest on the man's shoulder.
"Hmm, well not to worry Colonel, I'm sure the desert will be able to take care of them," Bradley said with a smile, "and if it can't, they'll be Xing's problem." Mustang shifted slightly at the unsaid threat in Bradley's voice.
"We'll try harder next time, Fuhrer Bradley Sir, I won't let this happen again" He said with a salute. Bradley's eyes crinkled at the sides as his smile widened.
"Good," He said, "now tell me about these children." Forcing a smile in return Mustang shifted his hold on Dark slightly before speaking, "They're distant relatives of mine, Fuhrer Sir, as a last minute arrangement Madame has put me in charge of looking after them due to her place being unfitting for young children."
"Your office is neither a suitable nor practical place for children to be either, Colonel, whether they are relatives or not," The Fuhrer said, moving forward to ruffle Dark's hair causing a few remaining ashes to fall free, "so I suggest finding a babysitter for them by tomorrow."
"Of course, Fuhrer Sir." The Colonel said with a nod. The Fuhrer walked away with a hand raises in farewell over his shoulder. As soon as the door clicked closed a collective sigh escaped the group.
"That was a close one, Chief." Havoc said with a cigarette clutched between his teeth. Dark frowned before whacking a fist on Mustang's head. With a grunt of pain and irritation Mustang shifted so Dark was held an arm's length away.
"What?" He asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Why'd you lie for us?" The purple haired thief asked, tilting his head to the side. Mustang shrugged, setting Dark down on the floor.
"You could say I saw a fire in your eyes at some point today, a fire I've only ever seen in one other child," Mustang explained, "I'd like to see more of that fire."
"Pyromaniac bastard." Ed said from his place propped against a wall.
"Brother, be nice." Al scolded, turning with a clang to look at the elder Elric.
"What are you going to do with them now, Colonel Bastard?" Ed asked, arching a golden eyebrow.
"I have no choice but to have them stay at my house now." Mustang replied.
"Who are you going to get to watch over them? You don't let Edward in your house unattended so I don't imagine you'd leave children you've just met unattended in there. Plus it's not a responsible thing to do." Hawkeye said.
"Good point." Mustang replied. He paced for a few seconds, his brow furrowed in thought. The four children watched him closely; their expressions ranging from curious to apprehensive.
"We'll just have to take shift staying at my house during the day to watch them." Mustang said, turning to face his team.
"I'll create a schedule, Sir, so that everyone can still complete all their work efficiently." Hawkeye said returning to her desk. Dark frowned up at the adults.
"Hey! What if we don't want to stay at your house?" He shouted his hands on his hips.
"You don't get a say in this, kid." Mustang replied. Dark let out a growl. Daisuke rushed over and laid a gentle hand on Dark's shoulder.
"Brother, calm down. The Colonel's just trying to help us." He said. Dark shrugged his brother's hand off.
"I don't care; we don't need his charity. Me and Krad can take care of you all by ourselves fine." He said, folding his arms over his chest.
"Mousy, I have to agree with Little Red on this." Krad called over from the couch.
"It would be beneficial to have an adult take over our care so that all four of us make it to our own adulthoods without fear of malnourishment or risk of being arrested again." Satoshi added sliding his glasses further up his nose with a finger. Dark glared at them both before turning back to face Mustang. He could see Daisuke's hopeful face out of the corner of his eye.
"Fine, I'll let you take us to your house for now." He said. Mustang's eyebrow twitched slightly as he turned his glanced sideways at his team.
"Why do I feel like he isn't going to make this easy?" He muttered. Hughes grinned and moved to lay a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"You'll have Ed and Al's help, Roy, so don't worry," He said, his grin growing in size, "you'll also have my expertise." Mustang let out an exasperated sigh.
"I forgot Fullmetal and Alphonse are staying at my house whilst they're in town," He said, ignoring the second part of Hughes' comment, "my poor house, oh how will it survive?"