Roy was the first to wake. He always had been an early riser, which made it easier to get up in the mornings for work. Although, it usually led to dodging Hawkeye for a midday nap.
As the rest of the crowded household slumbered, he made his way toward Auren's room. He and his subordinates had shared the living room, while Gregor and Erik shared the spare room across the hall from Auren.
The house was rather small and humble, making Roy wonder if Auren had a lack of frivolity or if it was merely a location for hiding. Books naturally were present on nearly every surface, mostly in the Drachman language and mostly texts alchemical, political, and fictional. There were few mementos, mainly some photos of Auren through the years, and what Roy assumed were shots of Auren's men during different events. It struck Roy, then, that Auren really was a separate identity. Ed wasn't just hiding out and masquerading. He had a life as Auren. A life in Drachma.
A life that, as Auren claimed, was completely separate from that of his brother; the both of whom were, until Ed's disappearance, nearly inseparable. How could he swear away his life and his past relationships so easily? Could he honestly have the idiotic thought that a personal life would slow him down? Or perhaps he was afraid that returning to Amestris would stop his international peace goal altogether. Roy would ask Auren about the subject later, and remind him of his future role as ambassador.
Arriving in Auren's room, Roy had to chuckle. Despite the coolness in the entire house, Auren's belly was exposed from the blanket just as Ed's always had been. Though it wasn't as taut and toned as it used to be...
"Edward?" Roy spoke quietly, trying to wake him so that they could speak in private. "Ed?" Receiving no sign of consciousness, he reluctantly switched names. "Auren? Emil, wake up. ...General?"
"Leave me sleep, Bernard." His words switched from Drachman to accented Amestrian when Roy nudged him. "I said go away, Ustor!"
Roy would use his foolproof method for waking Fullmetal. A strong poke of his ribs and he would spasm amusingly, then yell at Roy and promise death.
Auren's response was quite different, though; an automail fist collided with Roy's face, ineffectively padded only by a thin glove. He then awoke drowsily, gazing down as he heard Roy hit the floor.
"Dammit, Fullmetal!"
"Mustang?" For one word, the accent disappeared. In the next moment, so did Edward. "Who has woken me..." Auren grumbled and grabbed his glasses from beside his bed, shoving them onto his sleepy eyes.
"Edward?"
"Emil." Auren gazed at Roy, as though trying to solve a complicated puzzle. He finally put a hand to his head with a moan, accent back in full effect. "Why are you in my house? Never mind. Go light my fireplace."
"You can't just give me an order-"
"You are in my house and in my country. As our nations are still unfortunately hostile to each other, I could hold you prisoner for any reason I see fit. Now go light my fireplace," Auren repeated unpleasantly, a constant scowl set on his face.
"You're really unpleasant when hungover," Roy muttered before leaving. A quick snap of his fingers and the fireplace roared to life, waking Riza.
"Sir...?"
He offered her a warm smile. "Good morning, Riza. Auren is awake. I'm going to go make coffee," he stated, his erratic subject change indicating that he was lost in thought. He hadn't even noticed her follow him to the kitchen until she met him with two mugs and a smile.
"How is he?"
"Still Drachman," Roy answered sadly. "I know he's still in there, it's just going to be difficult to get through."
"Of course he's still 'Drachman', Roy." Riza set the mugs on the counter, pouring out the right amount of water for Roy's coffee ground collection. "He has been eating, sleeping and living this life for ten years. He is also still Edward, and his past will always be a part of him, and help to shape his actions throughout his life." Her hand trailed over Roy's as she reached for the sugar bowl. "He'll warm up to us eventually. Give him time, and remember to appreciate his new life as well as the old. We're lucky that he's even alive."
"As always, Lieutenant, you are completely correct."
"Can I have that in writing, sir?"
"I knew it, you do try to make more paperwork for me!"
"You always blamed that on Edward," Riza laughed at the memory.
"And he's doing it again!" Roy groaned, hanging his head. "Do you realize just how much paperwork this whole alliance thing is going to generate?! I'll never reach fuhrer, I'll be stuck doing paperwork until I die!"
Riza held in her giggle as she poured out several mugs of coffee. She handed two to Roy, understanding in her eyes. "Go speak with him."
"Thank you, Riza." Roy made it to Auren's room without alerting Gregor or Erik, noting with amusement that Auren's protection consisted of sleepers as heavy as the General himself. "Emil?" Though the name sounded alien for the eyes that turned to him, he indulged the man who he hadn't seen in a decade.
"Coffee? Good to see you've gained some competency in ten years," Auren said with a chuckle, accepting the warm mug graciously. "You have lit my fireplace?"
"Some time ago. It seems to be slow in reaching your room. Is that why you're still in bed?" Roy smirked. "Not fond of the cold?"
"Ten years in Drachma," Auren replied with a groan; "still my automail gives me hell every morning." He took a sobering sip of the coffee, spotting Roy's expression as he lowered the mug. "Don't make that face. I don't need your pity."
"What made you think it was pity?" Roy smiled. "I'm sorry that you have to have achy bones, old man, but I was merely thinking about how sad it is that you haven't enjoyed beautiful warm weather in ten years."
"We do have summer in Drachma."
"It lasts all of a month and never reaches higher than early spring in Central."
"Why have you come to Kondrav, Colonel?" Auren's question was voiced with annoyance, which Roy hoped was only the hangover's doing.
"To meet the General I had been working with but never spoken to. Why did you stall our meeting?"
Golden eyes gazed at him, unspoken reserve visible through the post-drunken haze.
"You knew it had to happen sooner or later," Roy continued, swishing around the strong coffee. "And yes, I was shocked. I was angry. You had been lying to me for ten years. You did it to save your life, your family, and soldiers in two countries. I can respect that. But to shrug off a future with your family isn't the right decision. Once they find out, once they see your photo in the newspapers and you haven't told them, they'll be angrier and more hurt than I ever could be."
Auren stared down at his forgotten coffee, Roy's words were slowly absorbed by the contemplative man.
"I will only hurt them," he finally uttered, "They will see the face of Edward but I am not the same man. I react differently. I speak differently. I..."
"You will explain what happened, just as you've told me. Just try not to do it while you're smashed, okay?" Roy was relieved to see a small smile on his friend's face. "Bernard constantly tells me that you're a good man. I support you, and I know Winry, Al and Jasmine will, as well."
Auren lifted his head curiously. "Jasmine?"
"Their daughter. She's so sweet, and she has a smile that can brighten anyone's day."
"Aww, Colonel, you sound so domestic," Auren teased, though Roy sensed a hint of derision in the tone. It disappeared in his next question, replaced by a coarseness that Roy suspected was to stave off an overwhelming of emotion. "How is Alphonse?"
"You haven't kept tabs on him?"
"I have...considered...surveillance, but..." He practically inhaled the lukewarm coffee before continuing. "It was easier to bear the separation of our lives."
"Which will only make your reunion more difficult." Roy glanced up at him. "We can arrange that soon enough, though. Now, tell me about your life in Drachma!"
Auren laughed, sliding his achy body out of bed slowly. "Soon. First, you must meet my-" he paused, watching the doorway as two bodies appeared there. "Men. Gregor, Erik! Good morning. Come in, meet the Colonel properly."
Gregor was faster to accept the invitation, a somewhat wary Erik following. "General, we have been-"
"Asleep, I know." Auren threw his empty mug at Gregor, who caught it with a grin. Roy could tell Auren had a habit of throwing things from the way Gregor seemed to expect it.
"Taking a lesson from Winry, are you?"
"That woman is a menace. Because my arm and leg are metal, she thinks my head is too!"
"You've gone ten years without a visit, how is your automail holding up?"
"Drachma is not without mechanics," Auren sneered. He pulled his slept-in top off, revealing gleaming silver automail free of rust and scratches. Perhaps what shocked Roy most…
"That's Winry's automail, isn't it?"
"I have kept it in good service. She makes excellent automail, which," Auren said with a grin, "when I'm not fighting, will last a lifetime."
"She'll be happy to hear that," Roy replied with a chuckle. He pointed to Auren's waistline questioningly. "No longer have time to work out?"
A tinge of red appeared on Auren's face. He crossed his arms, challenging Roy. "And you are completely fit?"
"Admittedly, more so than you are."
"I've been a bit...indulgent lately."
"A bit?"
Auren clapped his hands as he shot a dangerous glare to Erik, silencing him immediately. He placed his hands on his shirt, instantly giving it the appearance of having been perfectly pressed. He lazily tossed it back on, only snapping the bottom half which left his chest partially bare.
"Not sensitive about it at all, are you?" Roy only smirked when he received an angry glare before Auren left the room.
"Oh, hey Ed!" Auren nearly ran into Havoc on his way to the kitchen, but just pushed past him with an annoyed shove.
"I no longer use that name."
"Uh...right." Or your manners. "Sorry. Good morning, General."
"You may call me Emil." Auren tried to be a bit more civil, as Havoc was an old friend and not yet used to his new personality. "Have you had coffee?"
"Yeah, thanks. It's uh, really weird to hear your voice with that accent," Havoc pointed out, leaning against the door frame as Auren fished around for food.
"For ten years, everyone I know speaks Drachman or Amestrian with an accent. You pick it up."
"Yeah, no, I get that. Still, it's strange to hear you with it." He watched as Auren snagged some eggs and sat them on a plate. Ignoring the strange breakfast choice, he took note in how different Auren looked and moved compared to Ed. The physical differences were mostly cosmetic, but he no longer moved like a cocky young man who knew he was a great alchemist and knew that everyone recognized him as someone who had saved the country. No, Auren's posture and movement was that of an adult carrying a fair amount of stress on his shoulders. Havoc didn't know how Ed became Auren, but he could tell that Ed was buried considerably deep down inside.
"Yes, Jean, I look different." Auren's voice shook Havoc from his reverie, causing him to jump uneasily.
"Sorry, I just-"
"It's okay, I expect this."
"So, I have to ask… your hair, do you have to dye it often?"
"Every other day with alchemy," Auren admitted. "At first it was a disguise, but then it became habit..." He trailed off, turning back to his plate. He transmuted the raw eggs into hard-cooked, sliding the shells into the trash.
"And the glasses?"
"An unfortunate aspect of aging, I suspect," he said with a coarse laugh. "Tell me, does Alphonse wear glasses too?"
"Al? Uh, y'know, I'm not sure. He rarely leaves Risembool. I ran into him once in Central about six years ago, he said he was picking up parts for Winry. Wasn't wearing glasses then…"
"Al doesn't visit you and the others?" Auren's characteristic glare was replaced by surprise.
"Nope." Havoc lowered his voice as he continued, glancing around to be sure Roy wasn't listening. "I think your brother blames Mustang for your...death. They haven't been on speaking terms since you disappeared."
"That-for ten years?!" Auren cursed, muttering words that Havoc couldn't understand. "Alphonse you idiot. I didn't know I would cause such a rift…"
"Right, never learned Drachman, chief." Havoc grinned cluelessly. "You are gonna visit your bro and let him know that you're alive, right?"
"...I don't know how he'll take my...new life. But Mustang says I should tell him before Amestris begins putting me in their papers."
"Pretty good advice," Havoc replied, inching over before snatching the last of Auren's eggs. Having just been reaching for it, Auren stared at the empty plate in bewilderment, then turned his unreadable gaze to Havoc. He finally shook his head and tossed the plate into the sink, snickering as it shattered.
"Uh, I think you broke your plate."
"I break it every day. I will fix it later." Auren waved dismissively as he snatched a bottle of beer from his fridge, popping the lid off easily with his automail thumb.
"Geez Ed, you've turned into an alcoholic!"
"A bottle of beer is a decent treatment for a hangover," Auren replied irritably. "I do not drink everyday like you smoke, Jean. Last night was rough." His words were as corrosive as his personality had been since they met him.
"Yeah, tell me about it. You had me knocked unconscious." Havoc crossed his arms. "And Hawkeye, too. You don't think she'll just let that slide, do you?"
"She has no choice," Auren boasted confidently. "She is in my country and-" Auren dropped to his knees as Hawkeye kicked his legs out from under him. He swung an arm back in defense, but froze when her gun met the back of his head. He growled furiously, turning his head just enough for her to see the rage in his piercing eyes.
"It's not advised for you to put yourself above others due to your position, Edward," Riza scolded. "Whether that position is your rank or your home. Don't forget where you come from and who you are." She tensed as she heard a click to her right, glancing over to spot Erik and Gregor holding both her and Havoc at gunpoint. She began to wonder where Roy was, but when she heard off-key singing in the bathroom, she dropped her head in disbelief.
"At ease, men," Auren hissed, relaxing when all guns were lowered. He stood, so very tempted to punch Riza, despite their past together. He decided on the non aggressive route, leaving the crowded kitchen area to march down the hall. With his men holding Mustang's at bay, he barged into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
"Uh, occupied!" Roy said loudly, not quite daring to peek out.
"Yes, we know, we can hear you," Auren snapped. "When are you leaving Drachma?" His question wasn't just out of curiosity; Roy could hear the aggravation in his tone.
"Oh, General, we just arrived! We have so much to discuss in making our plans for peace." Roy purposefully added humor to his tone, though he yelled out in alarm when Auren reached in and turned off the hot water.
"I want you out of my home and out of my country today!" Auren left the bathroom, throwing on his jacket and boots as he made his way to the door. His fierce gaze met Riza's surprised expression. "Gregor and Erik will be happy to show you to the border. It was nice seeing you again. Do vizanya." The front door shut with a loud bang, causing all to cringe in the General's wake.
"Did he really just kick us out?"
"Not just out of town, I'm afraid."
"Out of the country. Ouch." Havoc turned to the two annoyed Drachmans with them. "How do you put up with that guy? I thought the Colonel was bad, but he's just annoying."
"He has a temper," Gregor admitted. "But he doesn't mean to be so violent."
"I have never seen him so...full of rage before," Erik added, almost fearfully. "Who were you to him?"
"Friends," Riza answered quietly. "Close friends."
"He's still in shock." Roy arrived freshly clean and dressed as he dried his hair with a towel. "He'll need more time. It's best that we do return to Amestris for now."
"But boss, what if he..."
"I'm hoping our new friends Erik and Gregor," Roy looked pointedly at them; "can convince the good General to remain in Kondrav for our next visit."
"I can see no harm in that," Gregor said with a shrug. "Do we need to escort you to the border or can you make it on your own?"
"Thank you for your help," Roy assured him; "but we can find our way. You don't mind if we grab a quick meal at the Kruza, do you? We haven't eaten since breakfast yesterday."
"No, of course not. We will accompany you to avoid any confusion." Gregor chuckled. "And as I doubt you have our currency, we will charge the meal to the General!"
Roy remembered how Ed would charge his meals to Roy in the past, and he couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Wonderful. Thank you, Gregor." Fullmetal may have grown aggressive, but he still befriends the best people.