#Edward without his coat I’ll finish drawing the rest later

[fullmetalscullyy]

the way it was - chapter 26

summary:  what if riza never went to war?  riza hawkeye has just married the man she loves. six months into their marriage, an unexpected surprise stops her from following roy to the military. a canon divergence au that explores what might have happened had riza been unable to join the military. there will be plenty of family fluff, angst, and royai.

rated: m | warnings: no archive warning apply

read on ao3

1914

'cause the devil's got my arms

and it pulls me back into the night

well, i should just walk away, away

oh, it grips me

“Sir?” Fuery poked his head around the door, looking anxious. “We have a situation.”

“What is it?”

Both Riza and Roy had been talking quietly while Havoc slept that afternoon before Fuery entered. Roy’s tone had been normal, just like what he used around her at home. If she closed her eyes, Riza could pretend they were at home, and not in the hospital. Now, however, his expression turned serious and authoritative. Roy was all business, totally calm and collected as he waited for his subordinate’s report.

“I’ll give you both a minute,” Riza excused herself, rising to stand.

Roy nodded, his expression softening when his eyes settled on her features. She didn’t think he’d send her away, however from the urgency of Fuery’s voice, Riza knew it was a serious military matter. Plus, she needed to use the bathroom anyway.

By the time Riza returned Fuery was gone and Roy was lying back in his bed, one hand on his chin in thought as he stared down at his legs.

“Everything okay?” Her question was hesitant. It felt like she would be intruding on his thoughts. The cogs were turning inside his mind, whirring away as they always did when he was deep in thought.

Roy’s head snapped up and he looked startled. She’d been correct in her assumption. “Oh, yes. Everything’s…”

“Roy?”

“Well, it’s not… okay,” he finished, his brow furrowing as that hand returned to his chin. “Fuery was right, we do have a situation.”

“I don’t suppose there is, but is there anything I can help with?”

He hesitated then shook his head. “I don’t want to get you involved.”

Riza sighed quietly. “Okay. Do you want to tell me about it?” She approached his bed and returned to her chair.

His jaw set and he said nothing.

“You don’t have to, but I just thought I’d offer.”

“I know.” Roy sighed and lowered his hand, shooting her a grateful smile. “I appreciate the offer.” He reached out, palm up, and Riza slid her hand into his. Roy gave her hand a quick squeeze.

A knock sounded at the door and Fuery had returned. “Falman and I are on our way to assist Edward, Sir. However, Winry Rockbell was involved too. The MPs are with her for now, but she’s upset. There was a confrontation with Scar.”

Riza felt dread begin to creep up her spine. Winry had confronted Scar? How had that happened?

“Winry?” Roy echoed Fuery’s message, as disbelieving of the news as Riza.

Fuery nodded, his expression grim. “Yes, Sir.”

“Very well. Go and assist Edward and Alphonse. Drop them off at that address and wait until I arrive.”

Riza never moved her head, but she glanced at Roy out the side of her eye. Her body went still, the realisation of his announcement settling in. They’d had this conversation earlier, but it still didn’t mean Riza had to like Roy’s plan.

“Sir,” Fuery saluted, then closed the door.

“Winry was with Scar,” Riza stated slowly, speaking to the room, rather than anyone in particular.

“I know.” Roy’s lips were pressed into a thin line. “I don’t know how that happened.” He glanced over at her, not moving his head. Whatever thought he’d had it was dismissed with a tiny shake of his head. Unfortunately for him, Riza picked up on it.

“What?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Roy,” she warned.

“You’re not going to let it go, are you?” He wasn’t irritable. He sighed heavily, his eyes begging her to drop it.

“If I’m able to, I want to help. I can go pick up Winry,” Riza offered, “I can take her to our house, so she’ll have some company for the afternoon?”

Roy debated with himself for a moment and Riza could see her proposition was wearing down his resolve.

“All right. I actually like that idea better than what I had in mind.”

“What did you have in mind?” Her tone was wary.

“Take her back to HQ,” he shrugged.

Riza shook her head. “I don’t think that would have been the best idea. She needs familiar company, not strangers.”

“Neither did I, but that was all I had.” He threw back the sheet and swung his legs out of the bed.

“What are you doing?”

“It’s time for me to move.” He spoke as if that was the most natural thing in the world.

“What?” Riza blinked at him, that realisation from moments ago rearing its head, bringing dread and anxiety along with it. It forced the question from her lips before she could halt it.

Roy winced as he took a step over to the empty bed next to his own. It was currently shielded behind the curtain. He pulled it back and stepped around, shrugging out of his hospital shirt. He was out of view of Havoc, but Riza could see every movement.

He didn’t answer her question and Riza felt her irritation spike. He was leaving the hospital. He wasn’t healed, that limp proved it. When the shirt lifted over his head he hissed quietly but continued moving. All Riza could do was sit and watch, looking at the large patch of dressing on his side. It was big. She’d never seen it fully before. She’d only been offered a quick glance at it underneath Roy’s shirt where it had been slightly rumpled from his sitting position. He didn't want to show it and Riza didn’t have a morbid curiosity. Plus, seeing it with her own eyes would only make her more anxious for him. 

The glaring white bandage wrapped around his side and disappeared around to his front. Bile crept up her throat. She knew Roy would have both a puncture and a burn scar. Riza had processed and accepted this but that dressing… It was bigger than both her palms, side by side. It had to be. Seeing its true size made it feel so much fresher than it was, like the attack had only happened that morning.

“The Elrics need me,” Roy stated quietly. His fingers had paused for a second when he’d heard her disbelieving tone, but they continued on their way as he buttoned up his shirt. Roy’s shoulders tensed slightly. “And I feel we’re on the precipice of something large. I can’t leave them to fight it alone.” While his tone was absolute, his breathing hitched towards the end.

Riza pursed her lips as she tried to reign in her irritation. She did tell him to do what he had to do. Riza couldn’t go back on that now, and a part of her didn’t want to. It would only cause him pain and anguish if she did. Roy had already been so torn over upsetting and leaving her and going and doing his duty. She didn’t want another argument. That wouldn’t help Edward and Alphonse, who were currently involved in an incident with Scar. It wouldn’t help Winry, left at the hands of the military police after an upsetting altercation. It certainly wouldn’t help Roy.

Still… After seeing that dressing…

No. Roy was not a stupid man. He was more than capable of making his own decisions and knew his own limits, but Riza couldn’t help but worry. She always would.

 “I need you to go pick up Winry. Take her home.” Roy turned and his eyes met hers. He was determined to work, adamant in his plans. However, he also looked slightly uncertain, trying to gauge her reaction while he still awaited her approval. “I’ll meet back up with you after we have a handle on the situation.”

Riza let out her breath and nodded. She took a step forward, hiding herself behind the curtain to give them some semblance of privacy from Havoc. A hand rose to cup Roy’s cheek, and he let out a shaky breath. Her acceptance meant more to him than she’d realised.

“Be careful.”

“Always,” he replied immediately.

His head bent and he pressed his lips gently against hers. Riza, however, needed something more. Her eyes squeezed tightly closed and she moved her hand to the back of his neck, drawing him closer to her. Her lips pressed hard against his, her face twisting in her own quiet anguish.

“Come back home,” she whispered.

“Of course.”

“I mean it,” she added, pulling away to scrutinise his face.

“I know you do, Love.” That one word made her pause and Roy bent his head to peck her lips. “I’m sorry to ask this of you. I know it’s hard. It’s hard for me too,” he admitted.

“Go and help them. Just… come home in one piece.”

“I promise,” Roy vowed. His head bent again, and they shared another softer kiss before Riza pulled away.

“Where’s Winry?”

Roy reached over to the bed for the change of clothes she’d brought in for him earlier in the week. It was just in case he needed to mobilise himself. While Riza was glad that had been postponed to later than she initially feared, it was still a tough moment to accept, now it was here. Riza promised she’d support him, though, and that’s what she’d do. She’d place her trust in him like always and do her best to assist.

Rifling through the clothes, Roy extracted a piece of paper from his black overcoat pocket. “Here.” It had a street name on it. “Thank you,” he breathed. “I love you.”

“Love you too, Roy. I’ll see you at home.”

Her farewell was partly a warning. If he got hurt again, she’d drag him back to the hospital herself and handcuff him to the bed, throwing away the key, until he was fit and well.

*          *          *

“Here.”

Riza wrapped a blanket around Winry’s shoulders. Edward’s red coat slipped, causing Winry to jerk and grab it before it could fall. It was pulled tight against her body as she walked in a slight daze, not even reacting to the blanket around her. Without removing her arms from the girl’s shoulders, Riza escorted Winry back to her car.

In silence, they both entered and Riza pulled away from the scene. Glancing in the rear-view mirror, she noted Winry’s posture. She still didn’t hold the blanket to her. Winry’s only concern was Edward’s coat. Her head was resting against the window and she stared outside it, unmoving. Riza felt concern wash over her.

“Would you like to discuss what happened?” Riza ensured her voice was quiet as she probed, not wanting to startle the girl.

Winry shook her head.

“Not a problem, Winry. Just let me know if you do.”

“Okay,” she whispered. Her voice wavered and Winry cleared her throat. Her head shifted slightly and as she repositioned herself in the chair. The blanket slipped off one shoulder and she made no move to right it.

Riza drove through the streets of Central and wondered what the hell had happened. When she’d arrived at the scene she’d seen rubble everywhere. The MPs had escorted Winry to the curb to wait for Riza, however it wasn’t hard to miss the carnage in the background. Just what had Edward and Alphonse done here? Roy always grumbled that they were destructive, but Riza just thought it was in the same vein as most teenagers were, like they were untidy and unorganised around the office. She didn’t realise he meant it literally. Despite the mess, Riza was mildly impressed.

Glancing at the clock, she noted the time. “I need to pick Mia up from school. Do you mind?”

“No, Mrs. Mustang.”

Riza glanced back at her again. Her voice was distant as she continued to stare at the passing buildings, not really seeing anything. Mia was always a bouncing ball of energy and the last thing Riza wanted was to thrust that upon Winry while she clearly wasn’t feeling up to it, however Riza was running out of time. She had no other choice.

“Mum!” Mia grinned and sprinted over to Riza, who was crouching with her arms open in the school’s playground. She latched onto her mother’s neck, hugging her tightly.

“Hello, Mia Bear. Did you have a good day at school?”

Her head nodded vigorously. “Yes! It was lots of fun and me and my friends played a fun game at lunch time!”

“That sounds fantastic,” Riza grinned. “Listen, Mia.” She straightened her school jacket and patted the front of it, making eye contact with her daughter. “Winry is coming home with us for a little while this afternoon.”

The little girl’s eyes lit up excitedly. She’d taken a shine to Winry at their dinner party months ago.

“Listen,” Riza scolded lightly when she started bouncing excitedly, “she’s not feeling very well though.”

Mia stopped bouncing, her face falling slightly.

“Yes, so we need to a bit quieter in the car and try not to upset her.”

“She’s upset?” Mia’s eyes were wide with concern.

“She is,” Riza nodded. “I know you’re always on your best behaviour, but I need be extra careful in the car, okay? Try not to get too excited and let her rest for a bit, all right?”

“Okay, Mum,” Mia nodded in determination. “I can do that!”

“Thank you,” Riza smiled. She leaned forward and kissed Mia’s cheek before rising from her crouch. Fairly soon, she wouldn’t be able to crouch like that. Her bump seemed to be growing every day. Thankfully, it didn’t feel like she was waddling everywhere yet, but Riza knew that would come, much to her dismay.

“Hi Winry,” Mia greeted brightly as Riza strapped her into the seat.

Despite Winry’s effort, her smile still appeared to be a sad one as she turned to look at Mia. At least she’d reacted to her daughter and looked a little more like her old self. Seeing the bright and positive young woman so dejected had broken Riza’s heart.

“Hello Mia.”

“It’s so good to see you!”

Like Riza had asked, Mia hadn’t pestered Winry. She’d hummed along to the music on the radio and kicked her legs happily in the back seat instead, looking out the window as they drove the short distance home.

“Mia, why don’t you run upstairs and get changed?”

“Okay!” She darted towards the stairs, her footsteps like loud thumps as she ran up them.

“In here, Winry,” Riza directed softly, showing her through to their living room. “Make yourself at home.”

Winry took a tentative step forward before breaking into a more confident stride. Her head was down, her hair shielding most of her face from Riza’s view.

“Would you like a glass of water?”

“Yes, please.”

Riza cast one last look over her shoulder and noticed her tone, with dismay. It wasn’t as distant as it had been in the car, but it still wasn’t happy.

“Do you want to talk about it yet?” Riza offered her the glass.

“I –”

“Done, Mummy!” Mia’s announcement came at the most inopportune time, but Riza didn’t mind at all. Her daughter stood on the threshold of the door, hands on her hips, and beaming proudly at the two of them. Her ponytail was skewed with the haste she’d thrown on her t-shirt and her fringe was in disarray, almost completely covering her eyes. Mia also only had one sock on the right way. The other was inside out. Apparently someone was excited to see Winry.

She’d woken up Hayate from his nap too, because the dog trotted up behind her and when he stopped he gave a big yawn and stretched.

“What will we play today, Mum?”

“We can’t play right now, Mia.” Her face fell. “We have a guest, remember?”

Mia spine straightened, remembering what her mother had asked of her in the playground at school. Winry wasn’t up to much socialising, much less so playing with her rambunctious daughter, so Riza thought it would be good to try and calm Mia down slightly.

“No, it’s okay. I’ll go, and you can –” Winry began to excuse herself, but Riza wouldn’t let her.

“Winry, I would feel terrible letting you leave right now.”

Her head jerked up and she looked worried. She obviously fretted that she looked terrible, but that wasn’t the case. Riza could tell she was still upset.

“We all need someone after an upsetting experience. We don’t need to talk, but I’ll be here to keep you company.”

Winry blinked at Riza and she offered the girl a warm smile as her eyes filled again with tears. “Thank you, Mrs. Mustang.”

“Riza, please,” she corrected gently. “You don’t have to be so formal with me,” Riza smirked.

“Mrs. Mustang?” Mia echoed the name, her face scrunching up. “Isn’t that Grandma?”

“Exactly,” Riza chuckled as she stood. She ruffled Mia’s hair affectionately, then set about fixing her fringe. “What toys do you want to play with today, Mia?”

“But… I have…” Mia trailed off and snapped her mouth closed immediately, eyes wide with dread.

“Do you have some schoolwork to do?” Riza lifted an eyebrow.

She wanted to shake her head no, Riza could tell, but Mia nodded dutifully. “I do,” she mumbled miserably. “Just a little bit though,” she insisted.

“Then we can do that later,” Riza dismissed. “Go and get your toys.”

Mia’s whole face lit up.

“We have a guest,” Riza added. “We can move it to after dinner.”

Her daughter whooped and left the room at a sprint. Hayate watched her go and turned, almost tripping her in his haste to catch up and be by her side. A quiet bark left him as he passed Mia, bounding up the stairs eagerly, making Mia collapse into a fit of giggles.

“Please, don’t put yourselves out for me –”

“Winry,” Riza admonished gently. “You’re our guest,” she chuckled. “And it’s no trouble at all.”

“Thank you… Riza.”

She grinned at Winry.

Mia entered the living room, dropping the pencil case that was full of her coloured pencils. She stopped, huffing in annoyance, but Hayate bent his head and picked it up inside his mouth. Grinning at him, Mia continued on her journey to the rug in front of Riza and Winry. “Thank you Hayate!”

“Mia? Why don’t you go through to the table with Hayate,” Riza interjected before she could make herself too comfortable. “We’ll be through in a little bit.”

“Okay!”

“Please, go on,” Riza prompted. “What were you going to say before Mia came in?”

“You… You really don’t mind listening?” She glanced up at Riza through her hair.

“Not at all.”

Winry bit her lip.

“I… I saw that man… Scar. He was the one who killed my parents in the war.”

Riza nodded, urging the girl to continue.

“My parents were doctors. I… I pointed a gun at him, but Ed stepped in and stopped me. And then…” She sniffed again, harder this time. “He told me I wasn’t meant to take a life. I was meant to give it.” She turned her hands over in her lap before scrunching them into fists.

Riza listened, not saying a word, and letting Winry get it all out.

“Then he ran off after the man and…” She sniffed, wiping away a tear. “I felt so helpless. I couldn’t move. I wanted to call out to him to stop because I was so worried. I didn’t want him to leave me but…”

“Edward gave you his coat.”

Winry’s fingers broke free from the fist and dug into her legs. “He did. Then he ran off after Al and…”

“And what, Winry?”

“I… I was just so happy he left that coat. I don’t know why.”

“He gave you a piece of himself when he left.”

Her head looked up. “What?”

“I don’t think he would have wanted to leave you either, but he knew he had to go help Alphonse. He knew you’d be safe, and he had a job to do.”

That sounded like someone else Riza knew. The knot that had been present in her stomach after leaving the hospital loosened slightly and Riza felt her shoulders relax.

“I just wish he’d be less reckless,” Winry whispered. “He threw himself in front of me to… To stop Scar.” Her breath hitched when she paused.

A knowing smile spread across Riza’s face. She placed a comforting hand on Winry’s shoulder. “He was very brave. He wanted to protect what he loved and held dear.”

“What he…” Winry trailed off, her face screwing up in confusion before it dropped suddenly. Her eyes widened slightly.

Riza hid her grin when Winry finally realised what she was feeling. “I’ll go and grab us some tea.”

A knock at the door diverted Riza attention from her task. Edward and Alphonse were on the other side of the door. Immediately she gave them a quick once over to check for any injuries but found nothing of note.

“Hello, boys. Come in,” Riza beckoned, stepping aside to welcome them into her home.

“Actually –”

“Ed!” Mia yelled. “Al!” She came barrelling through to the door, interrupting them. Alphonse must have thought Mia was going to launch herself at him, so he stepped in full view of the door and steadied himself. However, Mia stopped short. “Hi,” she beamed.

“Hello, Mia.”

“Hi, Mia!”

“The Colonel told us Winry was here.” Edward was straight down to business, turning to face Riza.

“She is, yes. Would you like to come inside?”

“Actually…” Alphonse trailed off and his armour clinked as he shifted in place.

“We can’t today,” Edward interrupted. He looked uneasy as he spoke. He shifted his weight as well. “We got a lift here, so we need to get going soon.”

“Okay, no problem.” Riza eyed them for a second longer but said nothing more. There was obviously something bothering them. Before Riza could dwell on it any further, Winry came into view in her hallway.

“Hi.” Her voice was quiet but there was a tug of a smile at the corner of her mouth.

“Winry…” Edward’s face was pained as he set his gaze upon her.

“You promised me you’d tell me everything.” Winry commanded their attention. It wasn’t harsh, it was gentle. Riza understood the feeling of being left in the dark with nothing other to do than worry about the people she loved, so she only hoped the brothers would honour Winry’s request.

Edward regarded Winry silently for a moment before he nodded. “All right. We will.”

“Thank you for your hospitality, Riza,” Winry smiled at her.

“Of course, Winry. You’re welcome.”

“I, um, I think I’m going to head back to my hotel though. I’m a little tired and…” Winry glanced over at Edward, who shot her a quizzical look. “And we need to talk,” she finished.

“You’re going?” Mia’s voice piped up, sounding so disappointed that her friends weren’t staying.

“They have something important to talk about, Mia,” Riza explained. “They need to go for now.”

“But you’ll come back soon?” Her eyes were wide as she looked up at the three teenagers in turn, begging them to say yes. “I miss you guys!”

“I promise,” Winry nodded. “I’ll try my best.”

“We will too,” Alphonse chipped in.

“Okay then,” Mia agreed.

“You three take care now, all right?” Riza narrowed her eyes, waiting for them to agree.

“We will,” they all promised.

“I’ll see you soon. Remember, if you ever need anything, just give us a call.”

Winry’s smile was small but genuine as she turned and gave Riza a wave while walking down the path.

As they walked away, they revealed who was waiting for them in the car at the side of the street. The driver wasn’t someone Riza knew, but she recognised the man in the back. There was no way she wouldn’t be able to pick out Fuhrer Bradley.

He turned his head as the trio approached, smiling at them in greeting, his one eye crinkling at the edges. He gave off the image of a doting grandfather who was looking out for his grandchildren. However, when the three teens passed out of his sight to round the car, his smile dropped. His expression wasn’t menacing however it made Riza’s skin crawl. His one eye met Riza’s gaze head on, and she shuddered underneath it’s scrutiny.

“I’m glad we found your friend,” Riza heard Bradley say as they climbed in the car. “You boys need to make sure you protect her.”

It sounded like a threat. Riza was torn. She wanted to call those kids back inside her house and wait for the Fuhrer to leave so she could drive them to their hotel herself. However, the car quickly pulled out into the street and drove off.

*          *          *

An urgent knock at the door drew Riza’s attention away from the dishes late that evening. Riza stopped what she was doing and approached it cautiously. After her last pseudo visitor, she’d been unsettled all evening.

 Before Riza could even make it out of the kitchen, the knock sounded again, impatient, banging loudly. Cursing their visitor, Riza hurried forward before they could pound on it again and awake her daughter.

Peeking through the curtain to see who would be demanding such an audience at this hour, Riza’s stomach dropped. Thankfully, Mia was already asleep, because Roy was leaning heavily against Fuery’s side, looking pained and worse for wear, with a worrying patch of blood forming on his shirt.

“What –?”

Riza had thrown open her front door so quickly that it surprised Fuery and the smaller man almost lost his grip on Roy. Lunging forward, she looped Roy’s arm over her shoulder and helped Fuery carry him inside.

“What happened?” Her initial surprise and fear were shelved for the moment as she carried her husband inside their home.

Roy groaned in their arms and hung his head. Her worry spiked along with her heart rate.

“It appears the Colonel overdid it a bit,” Fuery answered.

Riza grit her teeth and tried not to get too angry.

“I’m fine!” he argued.

“Clearly,” Riza snapped at him.

“We captured Gluttony and, well,” Fuery grimaced, “things were messy. I think the Colonel just stretched his wound. It doesn’t seem to be anything too serious.”

“In here,” Riza directed Fuery to Roy’s study. It was the closest room to the front door, and she didn’t want any of the blood staining his shirt to drip on the carpet. It would make Mia curious and there would be no way she’d be able to get the stain out.

“Doctor Knox said he’d be fine. We just needed to keep an eye on it and make sure the bleeding stops. If it does then he’ll be all right.”

“It better stop,” Riza muttered underneath her breath.

“Riza –”

“You got him, Fuery?”

When he nodded, she stepped away and began to clear the files off the desk. Gathering them up, Riza put them in a haphazard pile on the floor. She didn’t care if they were in some kind of order. Knowing her husband, probably not, or it was more of an “organised chaos”. Still, getting him sitting down was more important.

“Get him on the desk,” Riza directed.

“The desk?”

Riza ignored Roy’s question and slight protest, helping Fuery so Roy was sitting on top of it. Once he was settled, Roy leant into his sore side and clutched it.

Fuery let out a sigh of relief, shaking his arms and rolling his shoulders after carrying Roy’s weight.

“Thank you for bringing him home, Fuery.” Riza forced her tone to be soft and grateful as she turned to address the Sergeant. Anger would serve no purpose here.

“Of course, Ma’am. It was no problem.”

“I’ll take it from here if you need to go?”

“I would much appreciate that, Ma’am.”

“Okay, take care, Fuery.”

“I will. Sir,” he saluted at Roy. “Take care of yourself too. Give us a call if you need anything.”

“We will,” she reassured him.

After seeing Fuery out, Riza hurried into the kitchen where she kept her first aid bag. Grabbing the whole thing, she returned to Roy’s study. As she opened the door he was groaning, halfway through removing his shirt. Placing the bag down, Riza approached and helped him, swallowing her worry for the moment as she tried not to touch the patch of blood soaking his shirt. It was right through the dressing.

As she disposed of the shirt in the wastebin in his study, Roy peeled back the dressing. “It looks all right,” he told her.

Saying nothing, Riza pulled on a pair of gloves and removed his hands from the white pad. Taking a deep breath, she began to remove it. Gnarled skin came into view, smeared in blood. Although he’d cauterised the wound, there was a clear puncture wound. The skin was still mottled but there was a small circle where it was pulled tighter and there was a ring of blood around it, where the sensitive skin was still healing. It was large, just like she’d feared inside the hospital. For such a small wound there was a lot of burned skin.

A horrifying thought came to Riza. He’d been stabbed and was probably losing a lot of blood. It was likely he couldn’t focus enough to pinpoint the accuracy and to realise how much fire he was using.

Riza raised the back of her hand to cover her mouth.

He must have been in so much pain.

“Riza –!”

“I’m fine,” she forced out. She didn’t even look at him. If she did, she’d break down with her realisation and Roy needed her right now to clean him up.

Pulling the rest of the dressing away, she placed it atop his desk and lifted the cleaning alcohol. Her teeth were clenched together so hard she thought her jaw may snap. Riza picked up a swab and got to work, the two of them silent.

“Are you angry with me?”

Riza finally looked up from cleaning the blood on his abdomen. He looked like a small child, wondering if a parent was furious with them. Riza’s silence was because she was trying to reign in her concern and frustration whereas Roy’s silence was him trying not to appear as hurt as he seemed. Riza could see right through it.

But no, she wasn’t angry. She was relieved he was home. She was frustrated at his disregard for his own health but knew that he didn’t stretch his wound on purpose. That emotion had drained out of her the moment she saw it.

Riza shook her head. “No.”

“What are you feeling?”

Her lips were pressed into a thin line as she returned to cleaning up the rest of the blood.

“Let me get through this first, then I’ll tell you.”

Nothing more was said after that while Riza worked. Every so often his abs would tense in pain, but he uttered no sound. She could see his fingers fidgeting. Roy wanted to speak, to say something, but he honoured her request. The only reason she’d asked was because if she opened her mouth again, the bile that was roiling inside her stomach may spring forth without warning.

“Done.”

Riza pressed a new dressing over his wound, hiding it from view. However, even with it covered, Riza would never forget the sight of it. The angry red skin, the large burn mark, the blood… She’d never be able to remove it from her mind.

Roy took a deep breath and straightened his posture, testing his limits now that there was a new dressing on. He grimaced but let out the breath he’d held in a rush. He nodded to Riza. “Thank you,” he whispered.

Riza just nodded.

“I know you’re going to hate me for saying this, but I need to go to HQ.”

She finally let her frustration show. “Roy. Can you not rest for… five minutes?”

A knock at their front door stopped any further argument. Shooting him a warning look, Riza stood to leave the room.

“Do not move,” she commanded through clenched teeth.

“Mrs. Mustang,” Fuhrer King Bradley greeted with a warm smile on his face. Behind him, his bodyguards stood to attention on either side, backs to him, and scanning the street ahead.

Riza’s grip on the door handle tightened considerably. Luckily, it was inside the house, and the Fuhrer wouldn’t be able to see her reaction to seeing him at her front door. Why was he even here?

“I just wanted to thank you for taking care of one of my soldier’s friends this afternoon.”

Forcing the bile down in her throat, Riza nodded, the warning that Bradley may be somehow connected to the homunculi settling heavily on her mind. “It was not a problem, Sir.”

“I also wanted to check up on Colonel Mustang. I hear he sustained a rather nasty wound recently.” His one eye opened and seemed to pin Riza in place. “I was unable to pay him a visit in the hospital, but I heard this afternoon he was discharged.” His tone was smooth and pleasant, but that stare told another story. Its intensity was back and was unrelenting.

“He was, yes,” Riza replied. “He’s actually resting right now, so is unable to see any visitors.”

“Darn,” he chuckled. Riza tried not to think how sinister it sounded. “I’ve missed him again. It appears us meeting wasn’t meant to be,” he grinned. It did nothing to soothe Riza’s unease. “Apologies for the disturbance, Mrs. Mustang. I’ll be going.”

Riza nodded. “It’s not a problem, Sir.” It wasn’t a problem, but it didn’t mean she wanted to see him again. In fact, in the future, Bradley could stay as far away as possible from her.

“A wonderful family you have, Mrs. Mustang. Make sure you take care of them.” He tilted his head down slightly, his eye fixating on hers, and Riza felt her blood run cold.

Was he… threatening her?

Without another word, Bradley turned on his heel and walked away. Lifting a hand, he offered her a wave as he walked, but he never looked back.

“Lovely to meet you, Mrs. Mustang,” he called, “enjoy the rest of your night.”

He entered his car and it drove off, leaving Riza standing on her doorstep. She had to force her hand to loosen its grip on the door handle.

That probably had been a threat. So did that mean… he knew what Roy was up to? Or had an inkling of it?

Unable to stop her shudder, Riza slammed the door closed, forgetting there was a sleeping child in the house. It was locked hastily and after she did so, Riza’s palms came to rest against it as she tried to calm herself. Her palms were sweating, and her hands shook slightly, remembering the look in Bradley’s eye as he told her to take care of her family. In her mind, Mia flashed into view. A hand moved from the door to come to rest upon the bump on her stomach. Gritting her teeth, Riza vowed no harm would come to her family. That bastard wouldn’t touch any of them.

Finally recovered from the unsettling encounter, Riza turned in place and saw Roy staring at her. No, he wasn’t staring at her. He was looking past her, at their front door. It was as if he could see through it. Dread clawed up her throat when she saw the look in his eyes. It was murderous.