Housework

Yay, new chapter done. Had a hard time with this one, editing was a pain. Anways, this is a bit darker, but the story must move forward! And I have no idea when birthdays are, so Ed and Al are in March and Elysia is in June. Happy reading and thank you for reviewing!

Teacher, birthdays, confidances

The drive went shockingly well, both boys were quiet for almost three hours before even arguing. It seemed like a good time for a break, so Roy stopped in the next town and sent them in to get something to eat. Twenty minutes later, they were off again, fed and stretched. The quiet only lasted two hours, but they played with a notebook Roy gave them for a while before Edward fell asleep. Al traded spots to sit in the front and chatted to Roy for the rest of the trip.

They pulled into Dublith and Roy easily found the butcher shop. They woke Edward and Roy brushed his hair and straightened his clothes before they went to meet the Curtis couple. The oldest alchemist was unnerved by the sheer size of the butcher, but the boys ran up and were patted soundly on the head. A young man, Mason, lifted Edward up and proclaimed him to be growing quickly. He wriggled and kicked, protesting he wasn't small dammit. Mason just laughed and patted Al on the head. The door was kicked open and the blond brother went flying straight into Roy, who caught him and placed him safely behind him. Al ran to him for protection as well, calling a greeting to their teacher.

'This is their teacher? She's younger than I thought she would be.' Roy was careful to stay between the brothers and the slim woman in front of him. She glared at him, taking in his uniform and the arrays on his gloves.

“State Alchemists are not welcome here. Leave.” She crossed her arms and her husband moved up to stand behind her.

“The boys wanted to see you, and I wished to speak with you. I am Colonel Roy Mustang, Flame Alchemist, and you know Edward and Alphonse Elric. We've come a long way.” She frowned harder, clapped her hands, and pressed them to the ground, driving a wedge between the boys and Roy. He grabbed them and rolled, keeping them near him, and used his gloves to set a wall of flame between them and this crazy woman until he could get back to his feet.

Al started yelling for her to stop and Edward clapped his hands and formed a wall to replace the flames. He used Al as a jumping point and hopped to the top. “Teacher, please! Don't attack Roy, we just wanted to visit. We'll go.” Izumi stopped and stared, it looked like Ed, but that voice... It had been so clear and beautiful, was it really them?

“Edward? Alphonse? Come here. It's alright, I won't do anything.” She held out her hands to the boy and he dissolved the wall, drifting to the ground. The two boys ran to her and were hugged tightly. “Where have you been, we've been looking for you. What happened to you?” Ed snuffled closer and wiped his eyes on her shoulder. She glared up at Roy, standing by himself, watching his boys be so affectionate with someone else. He thought maybe he might be jealous. “Well, come in. And I suppose Mustang can come too.”

“Thank you very much, I appreciate your hospitality.” The dark haired man followed the group inside. After much talking, the boys explained vaguely what they had done and what their goal was. Izumi was not amused and promptly beat both of them into the ground. Roy stood back and watched, he'd figured out she wouldn't hurt them that badly. Mason took them outside to see what they had learned and to show them his new dog. Roy sat at he table in silence, eying the boys' teacher.

“I see you do not use a circle either. Did you teach him?”

“No, I don't know if it can be taught. But, if anyone can learn how through sheer stubbornness, it's the Elric brothers. Why are you here?”

“The boys wanted to see you. It was a convenient time so we left. You can also answer some questions about their past.”

“Hmm. I don't believe you but I don't care either. I'm not telling you anything, they'll tell you what you need to know.”

“How am I supposed to raise them if I don't know anything about them? Edward just started talking to me today, he only talks to Al unless he's really upset, and Al doesn't remember much, he's too young.” Roy's voice raised slightly in frustration and Sieg shifted beside Izumi. He calmed himself and continued, “I also wanted to know exactly what you taught them. I'm continuing their lessons in alchemy and they are enrolled at the Military Academy, mostly to improve their writing skills.”

“I taught them the basic principles of alchemy, how to use circles fluidly, the runes, how to follow the flow of the world. Obviously not well enough.” She sighed and looked out the window to watch them playing. “They're geniuses, you know that? They make their own arrays as if it's nothing, when others will devote their lives to a single one. They already knew how to draw circles and make small toys when I met them, they taught themselves from their father's books; only 7 and 8 year old. So determined to learn.” She caught herself, remembering who she was talking to. She glared at him. “Sieg and I, we can't have children of our own. We'd like to take them in, adopt them. They'll be happy here, cared for.”

Roy drew himself up in offense, “I care for them, they are happy with me. I realize they are alchemical geniuses, but there is more than alchemy out here and they need to learn that.”

“You're a single man, military too. Do you have time to give to them, time to care for them properly? They need more than a few hours a day. We can give that to them here, time, love, a safe home.” She pressed her argument, but Roy couldn't just let them go.

“I'm doing my best for them. We can ask, but I won't force them to do anything. It's their choice.” He stood and called the boys in, waving to Mason to stay out for a bit longer. “Boys. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis would like for you to stay with them, here in Dublith. They wish to adopt you. It's your choice, you're welcome to stay with them or come home with me. I'd like for you to think about that for the week and let us know your decision.”

The two looked at each other and communicated the way they always had, through little head turns and body motions, almost imperceptible. They seemed read each other's minds; it often made people nervous when first confronted with it. Al spoke up, “Roy, sir. Brother and I would like to stay with you, please.” He turned to Izumi and Sieg, “Thank you, we appreciate the offer, but we can't stay here now. We have to keep looking, trying to get our bodies back. And we like living with the Colonel, he looks after us.” He bowed to the couple and his brother imitated him. “Thank you.”

Roy let out the breath he hadn't even realized he was holding. Izumi just smiled, “Still stubborn. Well, let's see how soft you've gotten since you left. Outside.” Both boys lit up and attacked immediately. She threw them off easily and let them get set up. The three moved as a team, over and under, the boys working in sync to attack simultaneously. Roy watched with interest, he hadn't seen them work since he was evicted from Carter's field. They had definitely improved but were no match for their teacher. She finally called a halt when Edward collapsed, Al standing over him in a defensive position. “Not too bad, you need to practice more.” Roy groaned, more running, earlier mornings.

The week passed quickly, filled with practice and Izumi's teachings. She reinforced her rules with brutal training and Roy got dragged in a few times, mostly for running and sparring. The evenings were spent studying and debating philosophies, which the boys listened to with interest. Finally, five days after they arrived, it was time to leave. Izumi hugged the brothers and told Roy to look after them. It took almost an hour to drag them both to the car and they waved and stared out the window until long after the town was out of sight.

“Can we come back?” Edward was the first to speak. Roy smiled at him in the rear-view mirror. “Please?”

“Of course we can. Maybe in a few months, alright? When school is out, then you can stay there longer.” The answering grin was worth the loneliness he knew he would face while they were away. As long as they were happy, and he knew they would come back, just like they were now. The drive home was short and quiet, with the blond fast asleep the entire way and Al lost in his own thoughts.

Three months later

“We're having the best party ever this year! Even bigger than last year.” Maes, Gracia, and Roy sat at the kitchen table, watching the three children pay in the yard while planning the birthday party. Al was holding Elysia while Edward drew plans for a playhouse in the dirt. As usual, the brothers were arguing, but Elysia served as a buffer and it didn't look like they would come to blows this time.

“She's four, we don't need to go crazy. Balloons, cake, and a few friends will do it.” Roy was not looking forward to this, every year, it was a major pain. A month in advance, Maes would call him and make him help plan this fiasco of a party.

“What? Not nearly enough for my perfect princess.” Who was currently running all over the blond alchemist's blueprints.”We need ponies and clowns and rides and”

Roy cut him off before he could go any further, “Wait, rides? Ponies and clowns, ok, we had those last year, but we do not need rides. Who is going to pay for all this anyways? Last I checked, you hadn't gotten a raise lately, and I have my own you know.”

“How can you deny my vision of perfection anything? You're so cruel.” Another annual ritual, Roy was a cruel monster with no sense of appreciation for his best friend's wonderful daughter. Maes changed gears, “When are their birthdays? You've had them for almost six months, they must be soon.”

An embarrassed flush rose in Roy's cheeks. “I'm not sure, I forgot to look at the forms. I'll ask.” He rose and went to the window, “Boys! Come in for a minute.”

Gracia got up and started making a snack while the brothers chased Elysia around before carrying her in. “So? When are your birthdays?” Maes' loud voice still made Edward flinch a bit, even if he wasn't afraid. They shuffled their feet and looked at him.

“Well? I know I should have asked before now, but we've been a bit busy, haven't we?" They grinned back at him then shrugged. “You must know, if only to fill in the wardship papers. Am I going to have to dig them out?” His eyebrow was arched; he certainly hoped not, he had no idea where he had put them.

Al shook his head, “My birthday is March 5th and Brother's is March 19th.”

“But, that was three months ago! Why didn't you say anything?” Roy was shocked, they hadn't said anything at all, and he would have at least expected Al to say something for his brother, sixteen was a pretty big birthday.

Edward glared, “So I'm older, big deal.” He sniffed rudely.

“Edward, be polite please.” The boy just shrugged and Roy determined they would have a talk about manners later that evening.

“Anyways, you got us that book. And we visited Teacher.” Roy vaguely remembered buying them something around that time, an old manuscript they had eyed but not said anything. He'd gotten it on a whim, as much for himself as for them. He started to feel guilty for not asking sooner and decided they were definitely going present shopping soon.

“You two should tell me things like that. Would you like to have a small party? Maybe on the same day as Elysia's.” He raised an eyebrow at Maes. That had potential, the information agent would tone it down for them and make his job that much easier.

“My special girl would have her brothers at her party too!” As if they weren't going otherwise. “Would you like that darling?” He made big eyes at his little girl.

“Yay!” The baby blond threw her arms in the air.

“It's settled then. We'll have a party for all three. We'll need” Roy cut him off quickly.

“A small party, family and immediate friends. We can have it at my place, the yard is bigger.” He shot a look at the boys, reminding his friend about them.

“Oh, alright. But we need three cakes, absolutely.” Gracia handed out pie and patted Al on the head.

In the evening, Roy asked Edward to stay up a bit later to discuss his manners. “For the most part, you have very nice manners, Edward. I am very pleased and proud that you can behave yourself as well as you do. Would you like to tell me why you were so rude this afternoon?” Edward shook his head, bangs flying in his face. “Do so anyways, please.”

“Birthdays aren't that great. It was a bad thing to look older, in Lior. You got sold if you were too old, and not anywhere nice either. At least at the Lotus, you had a bed and some protection, it was worse to whore on the street. I was small,” The glare that accompanied that said he wasn't anymore and nobody had better say otherwise. “So I looked younger and lasted longer than the other boys did. And 'birthdays' weren't anything good, for any of us. It was a punishment, to be the 'birthday whore'” His shoulders were shaking and the odd tear trickled down his face. “Anyone could have you, right there on the floor.”

“Edward.” Roy didn't know what to say, this was something he couldn't even imagine happening, never mind seeing it or living it. He knelt in front the boy and reached out a hand to brush away the tears and waited for a little nod before touching the soft face. His head tilted so he could see the gold eyes. “I swear, as long as I am alive, you will never, ever see or hear anything like that again. I wish I could have protected you, and I will from now on.” The tears had stopped but the tiny sniffles continued. Roy sat back and tugged Edward into his lap, rocking him slowly. “You are safe here, no matter what. I'll die to protect you and your brother.” The blond head snapped up, denial on his lips and Roy pressed his fingers against them. “Yes, you two are the most important people in my life and you will be safe.” He pressed a soft kiss to Edward's forehead. They sat, holding each other until the boy fell asleep and Roy carried him to bed.

Things had returned to normal in the morning and no mention of manners or confidences was made.