Housework sides

It's really late, not sure how interesting this is, but I just can't leave the story alone, I want to play with it all the time. This happens within the first two weeks of school, Ed isn't talking to Roy yet.

Fighting

“Colonel, the Dean is on the phone.” Roy rolled his eyes, this was getting to be a steady thing. They'd be having tea daily if this kept up.

“Good afternoon, how are you today?” He tried to be pleasant to stave off the headache he knew was in the making.

The Dean cleared his throat, “I'm calling in regards to your ward, Edward Elric. We're at the hospital, he was in a fight. Again.”

“Is he alright? Did he break anything?” Roy stood, banging his knees against the desk. He waved frantically at Hawkeye to get his things.

“No, no, he's fine. The other boy, though, suffered some harm, a broken arm, some bruises, and a split lip I believe. You do have to come and get Edward though, he has been expelled and you must sign the documents saying that you were informed.” The man sounded put out by the thought of having paperwork; Roy commiserated briefly.

“And Al? Is he alright?” Riza stood in the door, holding his coat and gloves. She was removing them from him when he arrived and held them hostage until she felt he'd worked enough to go home. She was waved in and he wrote a quick note for her to have Havoc get the car; she waved that she already had.

The Dean sighed, “It occurred during history class, Alphonse was not present.” Well, thank goodness for small favors or Roy would be picking up two instead of one.

“Alright, I'll be there in a few minutes, less than half an hour.” He hung up quickly and finished putting on his coat. “Lieutenant, I doubt I'll have time to come back, Edward has been in another fight. He's fine but the other boy isn't. Nothing life threatening.” He waved as he strode out the door, laughing a bit at the moans he left behind him. They would just have to do his work for him today.

Ten minutes later, the two men pulled up in front of the hospital. “Yo, you want me to come in? I can entertain him while you do your parent thing.” Havoc smirked, he loved to tease the ultimate bachelor about being a daddy.

“Why, yes, I would like for you to come in. You can also collect all the nurses phone numbers for me while you're at it.” Roy smirked back and swept inside, Havoc mumbling along behind him. He spotted Edward sitting in a chair immediately, and walked over to stand over him. The boy shrunk even more and didn't look up. “Edward.” More shrinking occurred. “Look at me.” Gold eyes peered up, tears glistening faintly. “Are you alright?” First things first; the blond head nodded.

The older man held out his hand and the boy grabbed it. Havoc stood to the side, offering moral support while Roy sat beside the young man and hugged him, rubbing his back until he calmed, the tears fading. “Well? Would you like to tell me what happened?” He shook his head no. Roy sighed. “One of these days, you are going to have to tell me about things. But, not today. Shall we go speak with the Dean? I'm sure he has a lot to say.” He smiled at the boy and got a quick smile back. They stood and noticed the Dean standing to the side, waiting for them.

“So glad you could make it. Edward won't say anything to me. Hopefully, he will tell you what happened.” The man quirked an eyebrow at Edward, who ducked his head and looked away.

“We'll find out. What do you know already?” Roy tucked his ward a bit behind him, giving him the protection of his back, and felt him lean a bit.

“As far as I know, they were in groups, working on a project, Tom started teasing your boy a bit and a fist fight broke out. Not that unusual, as you know. Unfortunately, Edward didn't stop once he had won, placing at least one solid kick to Tom's ribs and splitting his lip before he was pulled off by his professor.” Roy glanced behind him but the blond had his face hidden against his back. “I was called and we brought Tom in. Apparently, his arm was broken in the fight when it was slammed against a desk. I need Edward to tell me if this is correct, this is only what the professor has told me, Tom has been on painkillers since he arrived and isn't in any condition to speak to us.”

Roy turned and looked down. “Edward, is this correct?” The boy shrugged, his standard answer if he didn't want to give one. “Edward.” He shook his head a bit for no. “Alright, what part was wrong? Fighting?” Head shake. “Damage then. Did his arm break while you were fighting?” Nod. “His lip?” Nod. “Kicking?” Head shake. “So, you split his lip and broke his arm then kicked him when he was down.” Nod. “Why? It can't have been that bad of teasing.” Vigorous nodding occurred. The boy bit his lip to keep it from trembling, it was just so frustrating.

Roy crossed his arms and stared down. “What about? Al?” Nod. “You?” Nod “Well, really Edward, you get teased a lot, it's not that big of a deal.” The blond waved his hand in little circles. “More? What else is there?” A slim finger pointed at him. “Me? What could he have possibly said about me that you haven't already heard?” Gold touched skin turned red. The older man frowned; Edward waved his hand indicating them both. Roy frowned more, he had no idea what his ward was talking about.

Havoc broke in, “Uh, sir? I, ah, think I know what he's trying to say.” He leaned over and whispered in Roy's ear, “Probably something about you keeping them for sex, a crack about them both might set him off. Especially where he's from, and how sensitive he is about Al.”

Roy just looked at him like he was an alien. Then he turned to look at Edward, whose face was a shade of red he hadn't even known existed. “Is that it? He made a crack about you two sleeping with me?” The Dean sputtered and blushed, while the boy looked like he wanted to sink into the floor. He nodded slightly. The State Alchemist dropped to his knees and looked into the gold eyes. “Edward, you know, and I know, and Al knows that it isn't true. We're the only ones who matter, ok? Anyone else is an idiot if they believe that kind of thing about us. Now, you can't go around kicking people when they're down. I'm not angry with you, but you still need to be punished. You understand?” The blond head nodded.

Roy looked up at the Dean from his place on the floor. “I expect that brat to be punished as well, with extra time for his crudeness and disgusting attitude. A day's suspension should suffice for Edward, don't you agree?” The Dean nodded, after what he'd heard, he wasn't going to let it get out he tolerated that kind of thing. It could mean the loss of his position if the parent board found out.

Havoc reached down and offered his superior a hand up. “I think that's enough for the day, Havoc, take us home please. Edward, come along.” A tug on his sleeve stopped him. Edward waved towards the door, obviously Tom's. “Of course. May we?” At the Dean's nod, he opened the door and they looked in. A younger looking boy, about 12, was asleep, his arm and ribs wrapped up. “It's alright, you can apologize later. We'll come visit tomorrow if he's still here. If not, we'll arrange something with his parents. Come on, let's go.”

He lead the way, holding the door for an irate blond man who stomped in without a second glance. 'Really, some people.' As he motioned Edward out and moved to follow Havoc, a loud voice caught his attention. “What do you mean, he;s suspended? That little shit who did this ought to be expelled. That little freak and his freak brother shouldn't be allowed in the same school as normal kids. What do they need an education for anyways? Everyone knows they're just Mustang's latest bed toys.” Edward had stopped as well and was wiping at his eyes, Havoc awkwardly patting his head and offering a handkerchief while glaring at Tom's father.

Roy turned and headed back in. He stopped behind the man and tapped him on the shoulder. “Do you know who I am?”

“Damn right I do, you're that pervert Mustang. Why the hell are your toys in a decent school? They shouldn't be allowed, beating on innocent children, probably infecting them with whatever is wrong with them.” The man glared down at Roy, spitting venom with every word.

Roy glared back through his lashes, he was damned well not going to look up at this man. “Then you know exactly what will happen to you if I hear you are spreading those disgusting lies about my wards. There is nothing wrong with those children at all. Only idiots like you, and apparently your son, make them any different. AS to my tastes, I believe we both know where they lie, don't we, Thurry? I seem to remember a few lovely young ladies you brought to my attention before you got married. Did I ever thank you for that? How is your lovely wife these days, still trying to get you to dye your hair black?” Roy examined his fingernails and smirked. He knew he recognized him. Asshole.

The taller man growled, “We all know why you have them, and where you got them. A rather nasty brothel in Lior, no? I guess you must be doing some pretty intense work to have your superiors allow you to keep them, publicly no less.” The snotty tone said exactly what kind of 'work' Roy was doing. Roy froze for a second, how did he find out about Lior?

No matter. “For your information, I did NOT get them at a brothel, in Lior or elsewhere. They came to me through a mission. Now, if you have nothing other than disgusting accusations to make, we'll be leaving. Don't forget not to spread nasty rumors, they might come back and get you.” A quick smirk and Roy turned away, intending to leave on a high note.

“Whatever you say there Mustang. You just make sure they don't infect my boy with anything. One with no limbs and one too ashamed to show his face. It's a wonder their mother didn't drown them at birth.” The alchemist turned slowly and walked back, finally looking up. His eyes glowed with rage and he swung his fist into the blond man's stomach, then slammed the other into his chin when he bent over.

“Don't ever speak of my boys again, you make their names dirty by talking.” He turned abruptly and strode out the door Havoc was holding for him while saluting sharply. Edward was herded out behind him and sat quietly in the car on the way home. Roy leaned his head back against the seat, trying not to think of the paperwork he had just caused.

When they arrived home, Havoc opened the doors for them and even took his cigarette out of his mouth to salute properly. Roy saluted back and Edward waved as he drove off. The two sat in the kitchen, Edward waiting for his punishment, Roy trying to think of a way not to look like a hypocrite. “So. Didn't set a very good example, did I? Well, nothing to be done I suppose.” He sighed. “Edward, you are grounded for two days. Tomorrow, you will come to the office with me, no exercise, no school, no library. I'm sure there is something you can help out with. As for myself, I will have to deal with the complaints and paperwork associated with my little outburst. At least I wasn't on duty. Is that a fair enough punishment do you think?” He raised an eyebrow and smiled when the boy across from him smiled back. “Now, you can not be fighting anymore, Edward. This has to stop. I understand that they make you angry, that they say nasty things, but you need to be the bigger man. They are just bratty children and you are much more mature than they are. You are also much stronger than them and I don't want you to hurt anyone by accident. Alright? And once you win, it's over, got it? There will be major punishment if I hear about you kicking someone you've already beaten again.”

Black eyes met gold across the table and a small nod was received. “Thank you. I am pleased with the restraint you show, I know you try hard to control yourself.” He planted his hands on the table top. “Well, is it settled? Anything else to add?” The blond head shook no. “What should we do for the afternoon? Would you like to go for a walk or maybe play chess?” Gold eyes lit and that was good enough.