I ADMIT this chapter isn't as long as I'd like it to be and the next one may be a bit longer than the usual. I also apologize because I'm focusing more on my other story at the moment aaaand the Risembool reunion may be a while. Sorry! ❤

Nearly an hour had passed since Auren left their small cabin. Riza didn't need to look at a clock to confirm it; she was well versed in timing the Colonel's absences.

Just as she was ready to venture out in search of the two missing men, they appeared stumbling into the cabin. Roy had Auren's metal arm slung over his shoulder, a rather nasty bruise coloring the skin on his cheek. He hefted the stumbling General, setting him down in between his men with as little grace as Auren was displaying.

"General?!"

"He's fine, Gregor." Roy flopped onto the seat next to his shocked Lieutenant. "I found him in the refreshment car, getting so drunk he couldn't even talk straight."

Just as Roy had described, Auren muttered something that sounded almost Drachman, though it couldn't be deciphered. He glared pointedly at Roy, despite his red-faced, drunken stupor.

"Something tells me Havoc wasn't wrong about calling him an alcoholic," Riza said with a sad sigh.

"You are mistaken," Gregor insisted. "He has never been friends with the bottle. He occasionally 'celebrates with the boys', as you would say, but he only recently began drinking regularly."

"Why?" Roy pressed as Auren tried pointlessly to remain conscious.

"You hear his tale of torture and have to ask? Every time he thinks of people from his past, he must relive the time he lost his former identity and left all of his loved ones behind." Gregor gazed over at Auren just as he passed out and slumped against Erik. "He focused on his work for so long, but when he was close to success, he knew he would have to face his old life. We tried to help him cope, but he preferred to numb his fears than to face them."

"Is that why he's been so violent?"

"Mostly, yes. He is rowdy and quick-tempered, but not a mean man. I have never seen mood swings so severe from him before."

"I'm sorry that he's allowed himself to suffer. That doesn't mean he should treat so horribly the people around him." Roy turned his hard gaze to Gregor. "Why didn't you push harder to assist him?"

"We did, Colonel." Gregor sighed. "He did not want to speak with us about it, but we know he was in pain. He did not tell us why, but he did tell us he would go easy on the alcohol." Gregor shook his head, looking angry with himself. "He lied to us. He would go home and get drunk and return to work late in the morning. He always is a little late… his automail gives him trouble… but with hangover, it was later. We realized too late what was happening. You showed up, and it has been downhill for him ever since."

"...I've always tried to be someone he could turn to for help. Now, I'm a source of pain for him."

Riza set her hand on Roy's, smiling softly. "He still needs you, sir. Don't give up on him just yet."

Roy gazed at Auren, who had been positioned to use Erik's leg as a pillow while the man contentedly read the newspaper. He still looked awful, face flushed as he drooled in his sleep; but he had the support of everyone in the cabin.

Of course not. I owe him that much.

"Hell," Auren muttered, holding his head as the world materialized around him with all too much brightness. He squinted groggily through his smudged glasses, finding all of his traveling companions asleep… except for the one he wanted most to still be out.

"Welcome back to the land of coherency, Emil," Roy said coldly.

"Colonel," Auren replied with a rasp, slowly uprighting himself without disturbing his sleeping men. "What a beautiful bruise you have. Who did you piss off this time?"

"I shouldn't be surprised that you don't remember, with as drunk as you were last night."

"I was the lucky man to serve it, Hm?" Auren removed his glasses to rub at his eyes. "Apologies."

"We are old friends. You never bothered with formalities before, don't start now."

"It's something I should practice, yes? It'll be a good start for diplomacy."

"So would trust." Roy's gaze hardened as he switched to Amestrian. "Why didn't you trust your men to help you?"

"What are you talking about-"

"I'm sorry that facing your old life is causing you so much pain, but you have support behind you from us and as Auren. Why didn't you ask them to help you?"

"It's easier to-"

"The Edward I know didn't look for the easy way, he looked for the right way!" Roy's tone had grown louder, causing the other cabin occupants to stir. "You helped so many people, dammit; stop being so prideful and accept some help for yourself!"

"I was forced to forge my new life alone! I couldn't turn to anyone for help!"

"That doesn't mean it had to be forever. You have good men behind you, who are willing to help."

Auren clutched his head, guilt and stress and hangover all working together to carve at his skull from the inside out. "I have always... So many people depend on me," he groaned. "As Fullmetal, as Auren. For help, for safety, for home and country and I... Not used to depending on others."

"Well it's time you start," Roy replied, not softening his tone one bit. "And set a better example as a leader than what you're doing now. Knock off the drinking and drop your nasty attitude."

"I told you, I am not the same man," Auren replied with a growl. "I-"

"That doesn't excuse your actions! You can't punch people just because they piss you off! And enough with your damn superiority complex! You can flaunt your rank all you want, but don't let yourself think you're better than anyone. Because lately I've seen a severe lack of self-discipline, General... and a startling lack of self respect."

Auren glared at Roy, but it faltered as he saw the disappointment in Riza's expression, and disappeared altogether when he saw agreement on his mens' faces. He cast his gaze down, allowing the shame and guilt to sober him.

"We want to be there for you, whether you're Edward or Emil," Roy spoke again, anger gone from his voice. "But you have to trust us."

Auren nodded slowly, glancing up at Roy apologetically. "I'll-I'll try." After a tense silence, he cleared his throat and made for the door. "Erik, Gregor, accompany me for breakfast."

"What, you don't want all of your buddies to join you?"

With a resigned sigh, Auren smiled and threw his hands up. "I would love to have the Lieutenant join us. Colonel, that makes you invited by default."

Riza closed Roy's gaping jaw on her way out, smiling. "Well thank you, Emil. We'd be happy to join all of you."

Roy finally seemed to find his voice as they all left, leaving him alone. "What-hey!"