A/N: Morning, so this is the new chapter. Thank you very much for reading, and don't forget to leave some feedback, I very much appreciate it. As usual, I don't own anything but the OCS and plot.
That being said, on with the show...
Chapter 26 – Pointing fingers
Morning came too soon that day. Roy extracted himself from underneath Olivier, who was sleeping soundly on his chest. Her mouth was slightly ajar and her hair was tousled from sleeping, falling over her face. She looked a lot like Edward in the mornings, he thought as he fixed his clinging shirt. He pulled the blanket back to the base of her chin and stroked her golden locks. Her eyelids looked impossibly heavy under long lashes, like stones over delicate grass. She appeared to be very tired, he didn't want to wake her, so he gently moved away from the bed.
However, she stirred awake, her blue eyes fluttering unfocused. She looked up at him and blinked hard, not realising whom she was looking at. She felt under the pillow, expecting to find her revolver, but it wasn't there. The cold tips of some foreign fingers caressed her cheek, soothing her back under the safety of the blanket."Shh, Olivier, it's me. Go to sleep, it's still early," Roy whispered.
Olivier forced her bleary eyes to look at him. "How early?"
"Almost seven. I was going to call Hawkeye to tell her that I'll leave Central earlier than planned. I wasn't going to go to work today, but I didn't buy any tickets for the train."
"Oh, okay." Olivier closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep.
Roy took another glance to his friend to make sure she was indeed asleep and went downstairs to call his assistant. As usual, Hawkeye proved very helpful, discretely securing him two tickets to Resembool without asking any questions. She wished him a restful vacation and asked him to call her when he returned.
After they made their goodbyes, Roy went back upstairs to his bedroom. The train would leave at midday - he could sleep a few more hours.
He couldn't though, because Olivier scrambled out of the bed as soon as his head touched the pillow. She skidded down the corridor and burst into the bathroom, falling to her knees and retching violently.
Roy wobbled to her, startled by the noise that resembled someone drowning more than he liked. He entered carefully and squatted next to the shaking woman, careful not to disturb her. He traced circles on her back and lifted her long hair up and away from any dangers. Olivier shivered a few more times, emptying her stomach. With a grunt, she looked up at him, visibly angry. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"You sounded like you were dying, thought I should check on you. You look like shit, by the way."
"Yeah, thanks," she muttered hoarsely and rose to her feet, a little uncertain. It was such an absolutely disgusting feeling, that damned nausea. She looked down at her stomach, glaring daggers at the little life that was slowly growing inside her. She flushed the toilet and took a great mouthful of water from the tap to rinse her mouth.
Roy stood uselessly in the middle of the bathroom, watching the woman cleaning her mouth. "Are you okay?"
She spit unceremoniously in the sink. "Mhm, that's only the wonderful morning sickness everyone is advertising about. You should feel important, you're the first to see me vomiting like a sailor."
"It's an honour," he mocked appreciation and Olivier rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, sure. Well, kiddo, seems uncle Roy is the first to see how mommy's stomach looks inside because of you," she said to her belly. "But don't you mind him, he's useless."
"Why, thank you, isn't your mommy a great sport," Roy made sarcastically, a little pleased to be called an uncle by his old friend. "Seems you are a little more comfortable with it this morning than yesterday's evening."
Olivier opened her mouth and then closed it. She wanted to argue, but she actually felt better. "I guess. Well, it's not that bad, if you get past the little show earlier. I heard the sickness only lasts a few weeks and then it's gone."
Roy smiled at her and left her to her things. Since he couldn't go back to sleep after he was presented with more bile than he cared to see in the morning, he descended to the kitchen and started making something to eat for breakfast. He suspected coffee wouldn't be beneficial for an unborn child, so he settled with boiling water for tea. That couldn't hurt anyone.
Olivier joined him a little later, looking much better after she has washed her face with cold water. "Morning, ye fair maiden," Roy greeted and presented her with steaming tea.
"Sod off," she growled and took the mug from him. "I'm hungry and hormonal, Mustang, it's a lethal combination."
"You are starting to enjoy this, don't you?" Roy asked lamely and complied with filling her plate with scrambled eggs.
"I think I'll be more frightening now that I'm pregnant, don't you think? I will be terrorising everyone more organised and methodical, it shall be a delight." Olivier's eyes had a malicious glint in them, her grin was wide.
"Sounds great, congratulations," the brunette said around his eggs, trying not to choke on them.
XXXXX
"What's the matter, dearie?"
Olivier glared at Roy, brushing her hair vengefully. He took the brush from her hand and grabbed her long hair. He swept her fringe back and braided her long golden locks in a thick braid he then rolled in a bun at the base of her neck. He wrapped a blue ribbon around it that matched her ultramarine dress, securing it with a few hair pins from the nightstand. "There."
She nodded approvingly, gazing in the mirror. "You do braid a lot of hair, don't you?"
"Almost every other day, you could say I am practically an expert."
"You weren't joking, you really like him," she said apprehensively, watching herself from another angle.
"I love him, you know."
"I know. Come on, let's go," she said and motioned for the door.
"Yes," Roy replied and extended his hand to help her stand up. Olivier looked at it dejected and slapped it away. "I'm not incapacitated yet, shove off."
"Suit yourself," he said grinning and looked at his reflection. He flattened his messy fringe, careful to keep it in place. He grabbed the deep blue knitted beanie hat on the table and pulled it on like a beret, allowing the inky locks to fall over his eyes. Olivier snorted from behind him. "Do you want to try and convince the bartender to give you alcohol?"
"Did you even look outside the window?"
"No, why would I?"
Roy rolled her eyes. "It's snowed all night and it's freezing, I thought you mountain bears checked the weather before going out."
"I live in the North where it snows ten hours a day on a torrid summer day, do you really think I care about some snow in Central? Warm weathered idiot," she spat unimpressed. "Though I can't say I don't hate this bloody dress, it gets rather windy underneath."
"The wonders of being a woman, right?"
She made an amused sound, shaking her head. "Damn right, it sucks. My joints ache."
"I don't think that has anything to do with being a woman, sweetie."
"Shut up, Flamey."
Roy chuckled and wrapped a matching scarf around his neck. He put on his dark coat and made to help Olivier in hers, however she refused him again with the flick of her hand. She might be dressed like a lady, but she wasn't about to behave like one. Not completely, at least.
She covered her hair with the creamy muffler, thinking that it wouldn't do to catch a cold in her state. She was surprised that she even thought about the well-being of the child, given how spiteful she had been the other day. Roy seemed to have noticed her careful demeanour as well, but he had the inspiration not to comment on it. She was grateful for that because she didn't know how she would have reacted.
They made their way to the main street by the back door, Roy carrying their cases in one hand. He waved for a cab and opened the door for his companion, waiting for her to get in before he handed their luggage to the driver, who put it in the boot.
They were taken to the station just in time to catch their train. Olivier grabbed their things from the driver and went to the steaming train. Roy grabbed the tickets Hawkeye had reserved for them from the nearest office and made a sprint for the departing vehicle, jumping in at the very last moment. He grabbed Olivier's hand which pulled him inside the safety of the moving wagon.
The female officer was beaming with unexpected glee. "Hah, that sure brings back memories! I see you can still run properly, desk boy," she mocked as she handed him their suitcases. She didn't feel like carrying them anymore, he wasn't doing anything worthwhile anyway. He could be useful at least like that.
"I didn't forget how to be a soldier, dearie, even if all I do is sign papers."
"Yes, every good soldier must know how to catch a moving train," she agreed with a great grin. It fell the moment she realised she had approved of something that he had said. She promptly changed it with a scornful frown.
They made their way to one of the more recluse booths, Roy giggling fitfully behind Olivier. She gave him a murderous look and reached for the door to the cabin, nearly knocking him as it swung open.
"I see your sense of humour is still widely evading you, Mira."
The woman made an undignified noise and turned her eyes to the window. The scenery was slowly changing as they were leaving the capital behind. The industrial outskirts of the city were replaced by extensive fields, peppered with white from the heavy snow that has been falling since the previous night. Olivier tightened the grip on her coat, looking conflicted at the bare land.
Roy rummaged inside his bag and got out his unfinished book. He opened it at the bookmark and started reading, humming lowly to himself. He got a pen to the head for his effort.
"Is this the new strategy? Pen them to death?" he asked as he threw the pen back to its owner. Olivier caught it and threw it again.
"Stop humming or I'm going to throw it until you get a hole through that thick skull of yours!"
Roy cleared his throat and resumed his reading, rolling the writing instrument between his fingers. He was imagining the horseback chase in his book, the adrenaline that was being pumped through his own veins by the black printed words. He could almost feel the character sweating with the thrill, smell the horse's acrid breath and the dust rolling around its ankles. He wet his lips unconsciously and started whistling, completely focused on the action.
He was interrupted by another skilfully thrown pen in the forehead. "Ouch!"
"Stop that!"
"How many pens do you even have with you?" Roy exclaimed, rubbing his brow.
"When it comes to hitting you, not enough," she replied sarcastically and put her feet on the bench facing her.
"Feeling better?" he asked, crossing his legs and thumbing the pages of his yellowed book. Olivier smirked and pulled out a notebook and a pencil, looking smug about her accomplishment.
"After I've hit you? Much better."
XXXXX
Edward played with the bottom of the page, absently watching the paper bend and twist. The edge started to crumple, crushed by the circular motion.
"Ed? Are you with us?"
He looked up, stopping his assault on the book. He didn't even know what he had opened, but now that he had put it down on the table in front of him, he realised he was holding it upside down.
"Did you take an interest in refining engine oil?" Pinako asked, her wrinkled eyes sparkling with mirth. The blond looked at the cover and read the red title – Roaring Engines. A Guide How To Make Them Purr.
"I'm always interested in learning new things," he commented lamely. "What is it, Granny?"
The old woman looked at the boy she considered a grandchild of her own. The boy who grew up so fast in so little time. "I was just looking at you, Ed. You've became quite the handsome lad," she said fondly, making Edward smile.
"Your glasses are dirty, Granny."
"Oh, are they now?" She took them off the bridge of her nose, examining them. "I don't see anything," she said but started cleaning the lenses with the hem of her apron anyway.
"That's because you don't look through them anymore!" Ed joked, his face splitting in a great grin. Pinako shook her head, smiling under her nose.
"So, what's gotten you so distracted?" she asked, rubbing the round glasses meticulously. "You seem nervous."
"I am not," Ed protested weakly.
The grandmother raised the glasses to examine them in the little sunlight that was coming from the window. Satisfied with their state, she put them back on and pulled her pipe from the front pocket of her apron. "I don't believe you," she finally said, lighting the pipe with a long match. "Is this about that lad of yours?"
"Hm? Oh, no, not really."
"Now, really? Then why are you blushing like I've caught you eating cookies from the hidden jar?"
Ed clicked his tongue over his teeth. "Fine, I'm a bit nervous," he admitted.
"What for? If you are thinking that I'm going to send him back to Central in a tin the moment I see him, you are gravely mistaken. I would've liked to hear about your relationship from you and not from your brother, but I have nothing against Mustang. I've seen it coming, anyway."
He turned his head like he was struck by the lightning. "Sorry, what?"
Pinako chuckled as she let out a roll of smoke. "Don't give me that face, boy, I've raised you and your brother ever since you were snotty brats. I've seen you two at Al's wedding to my girl, you were glaring like you wanted to beat each other senseless or jump on one another, pick your choice."
"Granny!"
"Oh, spare me. I know you too well."
"It's not about that."
"Then? I told you, I'm not mad for you bringing a lad home. You could bring anyone for all I care, as long as you're good and happy. Are you good and happy?"
"Obviously," Ed said a little too fast, making the old lady look over the rim of her glasses.
"Are you, hm? So why're you so nervous? Is this about this person he's bringing?"
Ed nodded silently. Misses Rockbell huffed and tapped her pipe with a twisted finger. "You've grown so much, but you're still a boy when it comes to understanding people. Are you worried he's going to bring some lady? You're being stupid."
"That was uncalled for," Ed snapped.
"It was very much called for. That man has too much pride to do something like that, he wouldn't want to make a scene if he wanted to dump you. That's why you're being stupid. Have a little more faith, Ed."
"Yeah, I know," he said sheepishly and scratched his head. "I'm just a bit worried, you know. I mean, don't get me wrong, but neither of you really spent all that much time together, excepting when Al got married. I don't want to impose, I've been practically freeloading in here for a week and I'm bringing company for another week or two."
Pinako rose to her feet and poked Ed in the forehead. "Stupid, stupid boy, you're not imposing! I've been telling you to come over for ages, you can stay and bring anyone for as long as you want. You're family, not a stranger. Any friend of yours is ours, too."
"Thanks, Granny, you're not bad for an old hag."
"Hah! Stupid little shrimp," she taunted, making the blond giggle.
They stood like that in silence, Edward looking out at the setting sun and Pinako smoking her pipe. She chanced a glance at him, taking in his unguarded features. He looked so much like his father, far more than his brother did. Alphonse had too much of their mother in him, her sincere smile and kind face. Ed was more caustic, sharper and rougher around the edges, always burdened by some unseen force, just like Hohenheim.
She got distracted by the sound of footsteps closing in. She turned her head to the source of the noise, noticing Ed had shifted his eyes as well. He had a look of longing in his golden eyes as he looked at his brother. "Hey, the General's called from the station to tell he's just arrived," Alphonse informed him. "He said he didn't want to intrude on us."
"Pff, conceited bastard," Ed muttered under his breath. Pinako looked at him carefully, watching the strange expression on the blond's face. His mouth was drawn in a scold but his eyes were radiating with joy. The mirth evaporated just as fast as it came, something resembling concern taking its place.
She left him to his own devices in the kitchen and went to feed the chickens before the sun set.
XXXXX
Olivier stuffed her hands deeper in the coat's pockets, watching Roy lift their luggage. He waved to a villager who was patting a sturdy looking mare on its mane. "Sorry to bother you, Sir, but where are you headed?"
The man measured him with his eyes and then nodded, liking the slight Eastern accent Roy adopted when addressing him. "No bother. I'm going a little further over the cemetery hill," he said pleasantly. "If you and the missus want to come up," he motioned for the carriage, "I can take you there with me."
Roy smiled and put his hand on the small of Olivier's back. "You're very kind, thank you." He lowered the cases to the ground and made to help the woman up, but she climbed in the carriage with practised ease. The villager laughed good natured. "Your missus is one after my heart! If you don't mind, were you raised in the countryside?" he asked as he climbed in the front of the carriage. Roy gave Olivier their luggage and jumped next to her.
"You could say that," she lied, thinking about the Armstrong estate. "I've learnt how to ride before I knew how to walk. My father used to mount me on his horse and slap it to go."
"You've got a good father, missus, he raised his daughter right. I've taught my daughters how to ride and work too, they need to know how to use their hands before they use the machines, right, mister?" he asked Roy.
"Right, Sir," he agreed. "Nothing can be compared to what the hands of a man does."
Olivier watched him with amusement. "Or of a woman."
"Of course."
They listened to the Eastern man talk about his two daughters he was so proud of and how he and his wife worked the wool and milk of their many sheep. He told the strangers about the money he loaned from the state, helping him hire another lad to work for them and modernise the sheds. He said his business was going well because he managed to get his cheese to the Eastern City with the train and he was thinking about expanding.
Roy smiled at that. It seemed the aid he provided with the new laws for the farmers was proving its worth. He dusted the snow off his coat and started asking questions about how everything went in the village and what the new rumours were.
The three of them rode pleasantly in the carriage. The villager, excited to share more about the blooming area, took them very close to their destination. They got off on the rural road and said their thanks and goodbyes to the kind man.
"Seems your little pull-offs are working around here," she said impressed, watching the mare make its way through the powdery snow. "Seems you're not that much of a desk idiot, after all."
"Told you." Roy offered his arm, smiling charmingly. Olivier looked it over before she took it, tangling her arm around his. Together, they walked the short distance to the Rockbell's shop.
The first they saw was the smoking chimney. White fumes were rising heavily, surrounded by the untouched snow of the hill. The house started to be visible as soon as they left the main road.
Olivier tightened her grip on Roy's arm. He looked down at her, his brows raised. "Is anything wrong?"
"No. Keep walking," she replied, looking forward. "It's just my ankles, they're frozen."
He didn't buy that excuse, but he kept on walking next to her, following the little country road over the hill. "I didn't take you as the kind to play the farmer's daughter," Roy commented, distracting Olivier from whatever she was thinking about.
She snorted rudely and shook her head. "Nor you as the Eastern chap returning home from the city. Nice accent, by the way."
Roy made an undignified noise. "What do you mean? I am from the East, I was practically born and bred here!"
"Just born, mind you. Though you were trained in here, if what you did can be called that."
"And fought in a war here," he said gloomily, ignoring her side comment.
"That too," she agreed. "It seems so distant, don't you think? When did all that time pass?"
"Why, for you I imagine it must have been quite some time since then."
Olivier elbowed him, glaring. "The war happened at the same time for all of us, idiot."
"Whatever makes you feel better, Mira."
"Oho, is this an obedient Mustang that I hear? Do you feel the leash closing in? The waves of dominance?"
"Yes, and the whip splitting the skin. Please, I am just being polite. Something you should try from time to time, the kid will have the worst mannered mother ever."
"I will be proud to teach it how to kick, spit and swear!"
He started laughing. "Way to go, Mommy."
XXXXX
Edward felt shivers down his spine when he saw Den run to the door. The dog was sleeping peacefully on the rug in front of the fireplace in the living room, but he was woken up by the unfamiliar sounds outside the house. He sniffed around the frame and started barking just a moment before the doorbell rang.
The door was opened by Pinako, who was just returning from the kitchen after feeding the chickens. She patted Den on the head and shoved him to the side, before he jumped on their guests. "Ah, Mustang, good to see you, come in!" she greeted and welcomed them inside, casting a glance at the woman accompanying him. It seemed that Edward's hunch wasn't without fundament.
"Good to see you looking so good, Misses Rockbell. You too, Den," Roy told the dog and scratched him between the ears. The old woman smiled at his condescendence, so easy it must have been practised a thousand times before. She turned her gaze to the young female at the door. "This is Olivier, Major Armstrong's older sister, if you remember him," Roy supplied and allowed Den to smell his coat, waving his tail happily at the vaguely familiar scent.
The wrinkles in Pinako's forehead lessened. "Of course, he was such a nice gentleman. Pleased to meet you, Olivier," she said and extended her hand.
Olivier looked at the hand and shook it curtly, faintly offended by hearing her given name instead of her rank. "How do you do, Misses Rockbell. Thank you for having us both."
"Don't mention it, dear. But come on in, don't be strangers!" She turned to the end of the entrance hall and shouted for the brothers and Winry. Soon after that, they appeared in the doorframe of the living room.
"Hey, Roy!" Winry bubbled, the first to talk out of the trio. She rose on her toes and hugged him tightly, hanging from his neck. "How've you been? Was the trip okay?"
"It was, thank you, Winry. Oh, Alphonse, hello," he said and shook the younger brother's hand with a little smile.
"Good you've made it, we were worried the snow would cause problems," Al said sincerely.
"No, it was quite clear on the way here," the brunette replied and gave his coat to Winry, who extended her arms to take it. He looked at Ed and smirked, making the blond roll his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, great you didn't drown," he made disinterested, looking at his fingernails and studying them intently.
"Brother, you're terrible! Don't be so rude!" Alphonse admonished.
"Don't bother, Al, you know your brother," Roy waved dismissively. "But don't you worry, Fullmetal, I would've called if I were to drown. I'm sure your brother would've answered and told you."
Ed refrained himself just barely from kicking Roy in the shins, as a welcome gift. Roy took off the beanie and his blue muffler, ducking to unlace his heavy boots. His tall frame lowered, allowing the three friends to see behind him.
They all looked at the woman standing next to Pinako, looking commanding and uneasy at the same time. She uncovered her head and let the heavy scarf fall on her shoulders. "Good evening."
"Major General?" Edward asked. "Roy, is that...?"
"Yeah, Fullmetal, it's me, now you can collect your jaw from the floor. Hello, Alphonse, Winry. It's nice to see you again, thank you for having me over."
They saluted Olivier, all surprised to see her. Something in Ed wasn't all that distressed by the sight of the officer, but the rest of him didn't understand what she was doing in Resembool. If anything, he thought she would spend her holidays with her parents like the previous year, or stay in North like she always did.
Alphonse took their luggage and put it away in the guest rooms. The three women went together to the living room, chatting. Den followed them, sniffing Olivier in his earnest.
Only Roy and Ed remained in the hallway, looking at each other quizzically, but for very different reasons. Roy wondered why his partner seemed so displeased to see him, whereas Ed wondered why Olivier came over.
When the blond wanted to open his mouth to talk, he was stopped by the older man's deep voice. "It's a long story, you will hear about it soon enough," he explained and brushed some golden strands of hair off Ed's face.
Ed smirked in return and raised his flesh hand to Roy's cheek. He stroked it gently. "I'm glad you're here. Don't be a bastard, okay?"
Roy chuckled and kissed him on the top of his head. "Of course not. Let's go before the harpies think we are doing Truth knows what."
"We wouldn't want that," the other agreed and turned on his heels to join the rest of them in the living room.
XXXXX
"Ah, it's so good to be out of that bloody dress!" Olivier sighed and patted her creamy riding pants. She straitened the black shirt she wore, thankful for her curves that would be hiding her pregnancy for a while. She wondered for how long it would go unnoticed, she'd never paid too much attention to her mother when she was carrying her brother and sisters. "I have no idea how women stand them."
"Nor do I," Winry admitted loudly and sat next to the officer on the couch. "They are stingy and impractical!"
"But you wear them, Winry!" Ed echoed from the adjoining room. He came in with a large pot of steaming coffee. Behind him, Roy was carrying a pitcher of milk and another of boiled water for tea. Olivier noticed it and nodded discretely at her fellow officer, who dismissed her with a general wave.
Winry noticed the little display but responded instead, "I wear skirts, it's not the same! I like skirts, but dresses suck big time. They cling to you and you can't properly bend in them."
"Here, here," Roy cheered as he filled two mugs with water and dipped tea bags in them.
"Don't tell me you've dressed in that, too," Edward said shocked. Olivier gave him the thumbs up, smirking maliciously.
"For an entire New Years' party, if I remember it well."
"Hell yes and I looked absolutely fabulous," Roy said proudly and gave her one of the mugs. "Anyone else wants tea?" he asked, not knowing if he could take the second cup, choosing tea over coffee out of solidarity to his fellow officer.
"I'm not going to ask," Ed cut in and poured coffee for Winry, Al and himself. Pinako accepted some tea, looking amused at the bantering officers.
"You should, Fullmetal, we all laughed our arses off with this shit head parading in veils and leaving glitter trails."
"Shush it, Mira, you're jealous I pulled it off so gracefully."
"Definitely that, Mustang. It couldn't be the overflowing robes and fake breasts, no."
"I was positively glowing," Roy burst, grinning from ear to ear.
"You're quite a brave man, Mustang," Pinako commented, stirring the sugar in her tea. "I didn't see any men who have worn a dress look so proud of it afterwards."
"It isn't bravery, it's mere bad choice in friends, that's all. Though I was crowned the queen of the ball, mind you," he replied mirthfully. "But I like your version much better, Granny. I hope it doesn't bother you if I call you that, yes?"
Pinako shook her head. "Go ahead, lad. The tea you've brought smells wonderful, by the way."
"I'm glad you like it, I took my time picking up the best one. I had my reservations, but it seems I have made the right decision."
Ed took a sip from his coffee and choke on it, coughing hard and spilling some of it. Roy made to stand up and see what has happened to him, but the frantic way the blond was waving his hand in front of his open mouth stopped him. "Argh, it's so bloody hot! Pfu!" the blond grunted, moving his cupped palm faster to cool off his tongue.
The General chuckled, joined by the others who were laughing at the ever careless older brother. "Hey, stop laughing," he mumbled, feeling his tongue sting. He stuck it, pointing it rudely to Roy.
"God forbid you think before acting," Olivier noted sagely and blew over her tea to cool it.
XXXXX
The evening passed surprisingly fast after they have dinned. Before they knew, it was nearly midnight. The grandmother excused herself for the night. Al and Winry soon followed her example and went to bed.
Sometime later, Edward walked to the staircase, expecting to see Roy at his toes. However, the brunette looked absently out the window. The blond sighed and paced to him. "What's wrong with you?" he asked and punched his arm lightly.
Roy lowered his black eyes to him. "Nothing's wrong, I was just admiring the snow. Do you think we will be able to make a snowman soon?"
"Probably, I don't know. Do you want to go out for a bit?"
"Good idea," Roy agreed. They made their way to the outside door and exited the house, tightly wrapped in their coats. "Did you have fun without me, Edward?" Roy asked as he sat on the pillow his lover gave him.
"I had the time of my life!" he replied, a shit eating grin plastered on his face. "How was it for you?"
"Marvellous."
"I hope you didn't drink my tea, bastard."
Roy rolled his eyes. "You don't see me for a week and the only concern you have is if I drank your tea or not."
"So, did you?"
"No, evidently! I'm afraid to take your stuff, it might bite." The younger man laughed and proved the point by biting the other's shoulder through his coat. "You minx," Roy teased. He hugged his boy's waist and pulled him closer.
"Mhm, hand me over to the MPs."
"I'm not that much of a fool, it'd be hard to explain," Mustang said and kissed his partner's cold lips. They shivered at the contact, both feeling suddenly warmer. "You know I've missed you?"
"Yeah, I know. Missed you too." He saw Roy smile and slapped his forearm. "Don't get cocky, I didn't miss you that much!"
"I know, I know," Roy hummed. "You are my sunshine," he whispered in Ed's ear, who rubbed his cheek on the other's arm. Roy stroked the top of his head, caressing the smooth golden crown of hair. "You are thinking of something."
"Yes," the blond admitted. "I am. Roy, I need to tell you something." Mustang felt his heart skip a beat, but he nodded, remaining silent. "You see, I was talking to Al and... and something came up to me. I want to learn more, you know? I want to see more of the world, to widen my horizon. I-" Ed took in a deep breath and heard Roy keep his, like he didn't want to miss a word. He felt him tense and suddenly, guilt washed over him. "I'd like to go away for a while to study more about alchemy."
Roy let out a shaky huff. He had been afraid for a moment, but he didn't want to show that. "I understand," he said with all the compassion he could muster without sounding sarcastic. "You didn't get to study everything you wanted to."
"Yeah. Yes. I mean... yes. You- do you really understand?"
"Of course, Edward, I'm a scientist too. I love you, I don't want to hold you back. If that's what you want to do, then go ahead. What do you have in mind?"
"I was thinking about going West, perhaps to Aerugo. I can't go through the desert, the automail joints would burn my skin, but I could accommodate to the western weather. Al could go East, to Xing. That's just a thought, because neither of us really has a plan."
"I see." Roy absently moved his fingers through Ed's hair, enjoying its silkiness.
"Do you mind it?"
"Edward..." he started. He grabbed his face in his hands, making him look into his eyes. "Edward, look at me." He was greeted by two shaking orbs, as golden as the sun and shining like the stars. "I will tell you again. I love you and whatever you want to do, I will support you as much as I can. I want you to be happy."
"What about you? Would you be happy if I went abroad?"
"I am happy as long as you are happy. I doesn't matter to me, I will wait for you."
'Yes, but for how long?' Edward asked himself, feeling ashamed. He chose not to talk anymore and simply listened to the older man's heart, thumping regularly under the many layers over it. A hidden heart he was offered without any restraints, but was he really worthy of it?
They stood like that for a while, looking at the dark sky. It was snowing gently, with small flakes that were melting the moment they touched their warm clothing. Ed put his head on Roy's shoulder, rejoicing in the heat.
"You surprised me today, you drank tea while we had coffee. Don't tell me you're starting to consider your insomnia. I'm not buying that."
"I just felt in the mood for tea."
"Mhm. Is it because Armstrong drank it too?" Ed guessed, nudging his lover with the tip of his nose. Roy hummed in approval. "It's a bit more complicated, but don't worry, it's nothing bad. I'll tell you, but not now."
"Okay. Does she know Miles is coming on Sunday?"
"Evidently not, she wouldn't have willingly come all the way here if she knew it."
The blond lifted his head and looked at him with apprehensive eyes. "Did they fight or something? I've never heard of her avoiding anyone, usually it's the other way around."
"It's a bit more complicated..."
"But you can't tell."
He shook his head. "No."
The door behind them opened, hiding a frowning Olivier from sight. "You two want to catch your deaths in this cold? Come back in, you've been out for more than two hours and haven't move one bit."
"Two hours? Really?" Roy perked up surprised and slowly rose to his feet. He felt them shaking under him from lack of movement, making him believe her words.
"Yeah, really. I'll make some tea to warm you up, come in," she said and left, leaving the door open for them. The men followed her, leaving their coats in the rack and going to the kitchen. There, Olivier held up a potful of water. "Heat it," she ordered and lifted the pot to Roy's level. He snapped his fingers, the tips emitting a red light, and the water started to boil. She poured it in three large mugs and left the kettle in the sink to cool.
"Couldn't sleep?" Roy asked while he selected his tea. He was alarmed by the quantity of tea he has started to consume, it was starting to match his ridiculous coffee intake. Maybe it was because he had discovered the caffeine in the tea leaves, he had never suspected it would be that much.
Olivier looked at her mug and nodded. "I'm just feeling a little strange, that's all."
"Are you okay, Major General?" Ed asked condescendingly. She shook her head and watched him straight in the eye, her electric blue orbs shining in the lamp light. "Don't call me that, Fullmetal. I'm not in the mood."
"Alright, but are you alright? You've been shifting all afternoon, are you hurting somewhere?"
"In my pride, mostly. But no, I'm fine. I was just thinking."
"You've got a funny way of thinking, then."
She clicked her tongue over her front teeth, not interested in pursuing any conversation. "You know what? I think I do," she said in a final tone and bid them goodnight.
XXXXX
Not before long, Sunday morning came with a bright sun. Roy woke Edward early and dragged him out of bed to make snowmen, excited that the snow was good enough to be rolled in big balls. He said that he has been checking it since he had arrived there three days before and it was finally perfect. The blond cursed all the way to the lower floor, missing Olivier's routine of rushing to the bathroom to throw up just barely.
She has been in Resembool for a few days, yet the woman still couldn't make up her mind when to tell everyone else about her pregnancy. If she were to tell anyone. Well, she couldn't hide it forever, but she supposed it could wait. Roy proved himself to be quite a good friend, not once mentioning anything that might have led to her discomfort. Thankfully, no one in the house, apart from him evidently, knew her all that well, so they didn't notice the subtle changes in her behaviour.
She descended to the kitchen after she rinsed her mouth. She hated that part with everything she had. "Good morning," she told to Pinako, who was cleaning her pipe with a brush. The old woman raised her eyes to her. "Good heavens, girl, you look so pale!" She rushed to her side and put the back of her hand over Olivier's left cheek. "You're a bit warm, too. Do you feel fine? Are you sick?"
"I'm alright," Armstrong swatted her off and went to the sink to take some water. She drank it slowly, soothing her racing heart. Behind her, the grandmother was fishing for the tobacco box to fill her pipe. "Can you please not smoke in here?" she asked, a little too strained.
Pinako watched her carefully but put down the tin box. "I should start breakfast, those two morons are playing in the snow and will come ravenous and drenched. Silly boys." She pointed to the window. "Men don't outgrow the age of ten."
"No, they sure don't," Olivier agreed. "My men might be hardened soldiers, but give them a puppy and some chewing toys for it and they melt."
Alphonse and Winry soon joined them. They noticed Roy and Ed rolling big snowballs and excused themselves to help building the snow forts. They left with some toast for the two builders from outside. "Aren't you going to join them, Olivier?" Pinako asked, looking out at the playing people. Roy was towering over them, taller than everyone, but he was smiling just as brilliant as an overgrown child. He was throwing snowballs at Winry, sabotaging her fort. The girl was defending herself, shouting at him every time she missed a hit. The brothers were ducking away from the conflict, hitting the two fighters from below.
"No, I'm sick of snow. I see it every single day of the year, I lost the taste of playing in it long ago."
"That's a pity, everyone should be able to enjoy some snow," the old woman commented. Outside, Ed jumped over the mould of snow Roy has claimed and was smashing it, while Winry tackled Roy to the ground. The man fell on his back and Al started smearing his face with snow. "Seems Mustang is losing."
"No, he's just being a pig. He loves rolling in things, be it snow or mud."
Pinako chuckled. "Men," she said airily. Roy seemed to have enough of the treatment he was getting and started running after Al. The boy dashed and jumped over one of the snowmen, nearly knocking it over. Winry tried to throw him off-balance with a well-aimed snowball, but she was hit by a skilful blow coming from Roy. He stopped in his tracks and Ed crashed into him because he had been running right before him. He flew straight over the brunette, who caught him with one hand and buried him face-first in a great pile of snow.
"You're right, he has just smashed Ed."
"Told you! He used to be champion at throwing dirty socks, he could hit anyone from anywhere."
"He's a man of many talents."
"Hm." Olivier cocked her head, gazing transfixed at the window. She wasn't looking at anything, she was only seeing her reflection.
"So, tell me, Olivier, how is it being a woman in the army?" Pinako asked, startling her from her intense staring.
"I'm used to it by now, but it's not that easy. It's so much harder to advance and you're not treated as an equal most of the time. You have to be tougher than most men if you want to do anything. Much tougher."
"I guess you are tough, aren't you? Since you are a Major General," the elder pondered pensively.
"Need made me that way, you cannot survive the North if you're not hard. But I was lucky, too. All the commanders in Briggs in the little time I was stationed there as enlisted personnel were pathetic, they all died like idiots. I was advanced three ranks in less than two weeks, you can imagine their incompetence. Next, I took over the fort and changed the balance. I had good men at disposal."
"You talk really fondly about your men, you know. Whenever you mention them, your eyes shine."
The blonde looked at the other woman. She tapped her chin with a finger, thinking. "They're the ones I see all day, if I can't stand them, then living among them would be hell. You see, it's all about respect in the mountains. It's very different from the fields. Up there, you respect the mountain, it respects you back. If not, it will take its revenge on you. You cannot fight it. It's the same with the mountain's people. My men are mountain people. I am, too."
"That's noble. You really esteem your work."
"No one else does, so at least I should."
"That's not entirely true," Misses Rockbell argued. "My granddaughter respects what you do. So do the Elric boys. You have helped them very much, they have told me. Tell you the truth, I've never expected you to be so down-to-Earth before I met you. But, after all, even the toughest are only human."
Armstrong looked down at her lap. If only that kind lady knew the horrors she had seen, what those 'humans' could do, what she had done herself - she would change her opinion. But it was nice to hear some appreciation.
"I only did what I had to do. I wasn't about to let some kids being hurt in our war. Both me and Mustang fought it for many years, we were born in that filth. We shouldn't have dragged innocent children in our mess. But without them, we would have never won. We wouldn't have even realised we were leading a war against our own state. Your grandchildren made the difference, not us."
"But you did."
"Perhaps we did."
Pinako cleared her throat. "You and Mustang seem really familiar with each other. It was a surprise to see you, especially after meeting your brother. He came here as a subordinate, you came as an equal."
"I wouldn't put it that way," the officer started. "Though you are right, we are familiar with each other. We've known each other for years, since he was in the first year in the academy. We've been stationed together for a while, in the East."
"You were stationed here? Aren't you from Central?"
"I am, but I ran as far as I could from home. I never fitted in my family, I enlisted the moment I could and joined the military academy. My father is a General in reserve and so was my grandfather before him - I come from your typical army family, I was practically born with the gun in my hand and smell of smoke in my hair. I met Mustang and his friend, Maes Hughes, at the training camp. You knew him?"
Pinako shook her head. "I didn't have the pleasure, but my grandchildren told me many beautiful things about him."
"Yes, he was a good man. I liked him, he helped me a lot when I had some problems."
"And Mustang?"
Olivier frowned. "It's complicated. We had to kick each other oftentimes, we never really got along. I guess it's how people say, we love each other just as much as we hate each other. We-" She stopped, realising the woman's intentions. "Excuse me, Misses Rockbell, I don't mean to insult you, but did you think I had anything to do with Mustang?" She shivered, imagining that.
"You can't blame an old woman for worrying, Olivier. I love that boy too much, I don't want him to be hurt."
The blonde officer took the grandmother's hands in hers, aiming for contact to prove her words. "Ma'am, if you are thinking of me, I will never ever get involved with that man. We've seen each other's arses, we held each other's hair when we were throwing up behind a bush and rubbed our knees and ankles when we had to kiss up to the superiors way too many times to share anything but a life-long grudge and a few bruises. You needn't worry, we've shared a bunk for many times and all I got was a black eye and he, a kick in the groin."
"I didn't mean to accuse you of anything, I was simply asking. You two seem a lot closer than just that, he looks up to you very much."
"I wouldn't put it that way either. We have a lot of history together, but so far from romantic that I can't even make out the words in all the fog."
"Hm," Pinako hummed. "If it's so, then my interpretation was wrong. I first thought you two were involved in some way, but now I realise what I've seen in him. In each other's eyes." Olivier raised her eyebrows. "It was protectiveness. He is protective over you and so are you."
"Well, I have as much metal in my joints as he has burn scars. We've learnt how to care for each other. It's necessary if we want to sur-"
"No, no, it's not about survival, dear. You are protective over yourself, not him. You are hiding something, Olivier."
She looked back at the little grandmother with incredulity. The woman was bluffing, she knew it. "I am a soldier. We all hide something."
"No, no. It is different. A woman like you has her secrets, I'm sure, but this is different."
Prepared to make a stand, Olivier brushed her belly, unthinking. The gesture didn't go unseen to the grandmother. "It's a pity a woman quite as lovely as you doesn't have a nice lad," she commented breathily. "You are beautiful, girl, you have a good body shape. Not many have such full hips and look so good."
"Oh my, aren't you a sweetheart," Olivier made sarcastically. "That's one way of saying I have a big bottom."
"Eh, the bigger, the better?"
"Damn right, Ma'am. Tell you what, Misses Rockbell, I really like you. You don't mess around with pretty words, I appreciate that in people."
"Life made me less poetical, sorry. I had been a widow for many years and what the world has taught me in all these years was to read people. You, my dear, have a heavy conscious."
"There is always a burden in anyone's path, I don't think it's necessary to talk about mine," Olivier interjected, tired of the subject.
"I beg to differ. Because we've just eliminated the possibility of you having an affair with my boy's man, I have to chance another shot. Blame me for being an old crone, but I want those under my roof to be honest."
Armstrong stiffed. "I see. Well, take your shot."
"Do you really have no man in your life?"
"Yes," she replied without skipping a beat.
"Liar."
"You-"
"Me. You are lying," the grandmother repeated. "You are rubbing your belly every now and then and you hold an arm over it when you sit. You have rushed every morning since you came here to the bathroom, first thing in the morning. You are feverish and pale, you don't drink coffee and you don't want me to smoke. You like the smell of gunpowder, don't you? You like the smoke, you said you were with it in your hair. But you don't want it now. This might have been nothing, but what gave you away was how you immediately put your arm over your stomach when I accused you of having an affair."
Olivier stared at her. She didn't say a word, not wanting to give herself out. Her body was betraying her, if a stranger was noticing her from so little. She felt the muscles in her hand twitch, wanting to touch the little life forming inside of her, to protect it.
"A woman of your calibre doesn't hide behind clothes. A woman like you wouldn't have come to us, in a small village in East. A woman like you creates a hard exterior to keep people away, but the moment you are to safety, it crumbles. You have crumbled, you put your dreaded dress on and came here. You are running away from something."
"I only wanted to change the scenery, I get tired easily of visiting my relatives."
"Oh, please. I had my boy, Yuriy, before you were born and my daughter-in-law, whom I've loved like she were mine, had Winry in my house. I know how a woman looks and how she feels. You either have some nasty stomach flu, or you are pregnant. I think the later, am I right?"
The officer clenched her jaw, looking stoically and composed. "What do you want to do with it?"
"What do I- Girl, I don't want to do anything with it! I just wanted to congratulate you without offending you! I don't like taking shots in the dark, I just wanted to check my hunch before I said anything!"
"Then why didn't you just ask?"
"Would you have told me?"
"No."
Pinako shrugged, "Then you understand. Well, congratulations! How far along are you?"
"Seven weeks, not much."
Pinako smiled. "I'm glad for you, Olivier. I'm sure the child will be blessed."
"Thank you," the officer replied and looked down. "I- You were right, I went to Roy to help me get rid of it. He convinced me to keep it and asked me to follow him for a little break."
"He did well."
"I guess."
"Did you tell the father?"
Olivier shook her head. "No, only you and Mustang know. It seemed dishonest not to tell you when you've been so nice to me, I've been waiting for the good moment, but I didn't seem to find one."
"I know what you mean, it happened to me to when I was young. One more question, if you don't mind. Is the father any of your subordinates? You seem to me like one to follow this tradition, I don't think you would have a child outside of marriage if something else didn't prevent you."
Olivier gulped drily. "I-"
Heavy footsteps echoed from the front door. Den dashed from his place under the table and ran in the noise's direction. He started barking loudly, making both women jump to their feet. "Wait," Olivier commanded, feeling her usual self surfacing. She quickly looked out the window, noticing the snow forts abandoned. She turned her gaze to the door, prepared to overcome any situation that might arise.
But what she finally saw, she wasn't prepared for.
A/N: That's it for now, thank you very much for reading. The next chapters will be more focused on the boys, but this little intrusion was necessary for the rest of the story. Please don't forget to leave some feedback, thank you very much!
Till next time, ta-ta!