Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Descent ❯ Lies ( Chapter 13 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

By: ZaKai

Descent

Chapter Thirteen

Lies

Russel turned in his sleeping roll and threw a stick into the small fire, idly watching it burn. The last few days had been lonely ones without Fletcher to keep him company. He hated leaving his brother in the middle of a war zone. But even if there was fighting, Fletcher shouldn't see much of it anyway. They'd want to save his talents for when they were facing alchemists and that probably wouldn't be for a while. The thought was a frightening one; his little brother fighting in a battle against State Alchemists…

It was hard... but he wouldn't allow it if he didn't truly believe what they were fighting for was the right thing.

The tall sixteen year old frowned.

South.

They sent him south to spread the word of the People's Government, and they had denied his request to take his brother with him. He wasn't really surprised.

What was surprising was how well Fletcher had taken the news. The boy had seemed slightly disappointed, but other than that you'd never know the kid was being left by himself in the middle of a war zone.

Russel shook his head. His brother was growing up fast. Sometimes he thought the boy was more mature than he.

The sound of a twig being broken sounded beyond the fire and Russel sat up quickly. “Who's there?” He called.

There was a moment of silence before he repeated the call.

When he saw who it was, Russel sighed and mentally took back everything he had just thought about Fletcher being so mature.

The short blond boy, who was now coming out of the darkness, grinned in unashamed delight. “I was wondering when you'd notice I was there.”

“Well you were making so much noise, how could I not?” He grunted in feigned irritation.

“I've been following you since the day you left.” The boy pointed out.

Russel shook his head. “There are going to be some very unhappy people when they find out you're missing.”

Fletcher shrugged and knelt down by his brother's bedroll. Russel looked him over and said in concern, “Where are your supplies?”

The boy fished some dried biscuits and jerky from his pockets. “I had more, but I ate it. There were berry bushes along the way too.”

Russel nodded, remembering, then said, “What? No bedroll?”

The small alchemist rolled his eyes and said, “I didn't want to attract attention.”

When the tall teen nodded and lifted one side of his blanket, Fletcher kicked his shoes off and scooted next to his brother. Russel wrapped his arms around the boy, pulling the small, warm body against his own. He kissed Fletcher's neck tenderly, then whispered, “I'm glad you came. I missed you.”

;-;-;-;-;-;-;

Roy looked up when a stack of folders, thick with paper, were dropped gracelessly down on his desk. He had been so engrossed in what he was reading that he hadn't even noticed Ed entering his office. The short blond, looking bored beyond belief, gazed down at Roy with a flat expression.

“General Hakuro(1) asked me to bring these to you.”

Roy's eyes looked at the pile, then back at Ed. “And…?”

Ed sighed. “And, he said he wanted files 465, 763, and 884 back by Monday.”

The dark haired man grunted. “And?”

“And he said he'll be thinking of you this weekend and how you're such a hard worker, while he's out on the lake.” Ed said flatly.

Roy glared at the folders, then looked back up at the short alchemist. “AND?”

Ed muttered something that Roy couldn't hear. Frowning, the Colonel had to tell the boy to repeat himself.

“AND” Ed growled angrily, “He said, `You're such a great little helper, Fullmetal, when you aren't running around the country like a lost puppy. Tell Mustang that he's doing a good job finally getting you house broken.' Oh!! I am so going to kick his uppity ass!” Roy watched in amusement as the young alchemist raised a fist and shook it. “He'd better watch himself! I own his fucking life! If I hadn't been on that damn train…(2)”

Sitting back in his chair, the Colonel watched the young alchemist continue with his rant. It had been one week since he'd found Ed wandering the streets of Central. After the weekend, life had settled into a routine of sorts. Generally they woke up together, rushed out the door together, then spent the rest of the day at headquarters.

In the evenings Ed would leave by himself while Roy worked late; usually getting home around midnight. By that time the young alchemist would already be asleep. Roy would go to bed, then the same thing would happen the next day.

Despite living together under the same roof and seeing each other frequently during the day, they didn't speak to each other much. Roy knew Ed was avoiding any sort of conversation that could lead to questions he didn't want to answer. Unfortunately, most of their waking hours together were spent at headquarters. Such an arrangement meant that Roy couldn't use a non-verbal way of getting Ed to open up to him.

He had been hoping they would have a chance to get intimate again over the upcoming weekend. It wasn't just conversation Ed had been avoiding. Most nights when he returned home, Roy found the blond sleeping on the couch; however, come morning Ed was usually snuggled up to him like a defenseless kitten.

Roy would hold the boy in his arms, enjoying the feel of the young alchemist under his touch. He would breathe in Ed's scent and sometimes plant feather soft kisses on the blond's skin. The peaceful scene never lasted long though, because when Ed woke, he would move away from Roy; sometimes fleeing from the room as fast as his legs would carry him.

Roy wasn't sure what had happed the night he had come home to find Ed asleep and the telephone lying on the floor, but he was sure that it was influencing the boy's current behavior toward him.

“…can't believe that son of a bitch compared me to a little puppy!” Ed shouted then looked behind him as the door opened and a man with short red hair poked his head through the opening.

“So, uh, is it safe to come in?”

“GRRrrrrr” Ed growled, but Roy just nodded and motioned with his hand.

The door opened the rest of the way and Heymans Breda walked in carrying a box of doughnuts, followed by Jean Havoc and Vato Falman. As each of them settled themselves onto one of the two couches in the office, Roy turned to Ed and said, “Well Fullmetal, as much as I've enjoyed this little conversation, we're just going to have to save it for another time.”

Ed glared at him before turning his angry stare on Havoc, who had started snickering. The short alchemist stalked across the room and threw himself onto one of the couches, where he folded his arms and tried to ignore everyone.

Roy shook his head, then asked, “Where are Fuery and Hawkeye?”

“Jus' saw Fuery a bit ago, `e said `e was comin'” Breda said around a mouthful of doughnut.

After a few minutes, Lieutenant Hawkeye let herself into the office. She was wearing a men's three piece suit and her hair was tucked under a cap(3).

“You're late.” Roy said simply.

She nodded, looking weary and irritable. “I had a hard time getting away.”

“It's not a problem. We're just waiting for Fuery now.”

She sat on the couch next to Breda and snatched a doughnut from the box. Roy watched as Ed looked the First Lieutenant up and down then said, “What's with the clothes?”

It took her a moment to answer, having just bitten into a doughnut. “It is part of an assignment.”

“Oh I see. You almost look like a guy.”

The blonde woman looked over at the short alchemist and said blandly, “I often think the same thing about you too, Edward.”

Ed's mouth fell open as Havoc, Breda, Falman and Roy all started laughing.

“She got you on that one, boss.” Havoc chortled.

The teenager folded his arms again and stared at them with a disgruntled look on his face.

“Here, have a doughnut.” Breda offered, holding the box out toward Ed, but the boy shook his head stubbornly and looked away.

Hawkeye opened her mouth to say something; she seemed to regret her previous words, but stopped when the door opened and Fuery walked into the room carrying a thin folder. His face held a serious look on it and the jovial mood evaporated instantly.

“I'm sorry I'm late…” The short Master Sergeant said solemnly as he made his way across the room and handed the folder to Roy.

The Colonel took it, and without another word Fuery sat on the couch between Falman and Ed. Roy opened the folder and began to quickly scan the contents. With each paragraph, his heart seemed to sink lower in his chest.

He looked up to make sure the door was closed, then said, “Someone lock that door.” He looked back down at the paperwork, not caring who carried out the order.

Roy took another five minutes to go over the information, then closed the folder and laid it down. Sitting back in his chair, Roy pressed his fingers together in a steepled position and stared at the soldiers in front of him.

Fuery had done some excellent information gathering; almost too excellent. Much of what they were about to discuss was highly classified; for how long was another matter, but at the moment it was. If they were caught with this … well… they just wouldn't be.

“The Organization has formed a governing body in the east.” Roy began. “They call it `The People's Government'. Although this began in Lior, many of the eastern towns have joined this rebel government and come out in open opposition to the military. What troops remain in the outlying settlements are being recalled to East City in order to defend the military's position there. It is believed that Bartholomew Kagegkuski has plans to send his army, what they are calling `The People's Army', against the city to drive the military out of the east completely.”

Roy paused for a brief moment, letting his subordinates absorb what he'd just said, then continued.

“There are also reports of runners being sent to the north and south, spreading the news of the new government. Patrols stationed along the way have captured a few of these, but most go undetected. The Fuhrer will be deploying troops to the east in an attempt to quell the eastern rebellion. He is also sending troops north and south; to every town, village and city to enforce martial law. Any person found making declarations about The People's Government will be publicly executed to make an example.”

“Colonel…” Havoc interrupted with a worried look on his face. “What about the people in the east who aren't a part of this new government, what will happen to them?”

Roy looked seriously at the Second Lieutenant. Havoc's family owned a general store in the east(3) and would most likely get caught up in all that was happening, if they weren't already. “There were no contingencies for innocent civilians made in this report.” Roy said, tapping the folder lightly with his finger. “However, I'm sure that oversight will be taken care of.”

The tall Second Lieutenant seemed to consider this for a moment, then said hesitantly, “What if sending troops to the east fails?”

Roy turned his gaze to Fuery, who hung his head, then looked at Ed. He was silent for a moment as his eyes locked with the other alchemist's, then said gravely, “At that time, preparations will be made to deploy the State Alchemists to annihilate the resistance.”

He frowned and continued. “This makes it all the more imperative that we discover who in the military is connected with Kagegkuski. Those soldiers who will be sent out on the battlefield, they won't have any idea that the person ordering them to risk their lives could be a traitor.”

Roy wasn't sure what he'd do if he was deployed before they found the traitors. Unlike the uninformed soldiers that made up of most the military, he knew there were people in the military who would sell out the lives of others just to stay in power of some sort. If it seemed the current government was losing, well then they had connections to the opposition to save their worthless asses…

The silence in the room was heavy and oppressive, each person lost in their own thoughts.

Suddenly the phone rang, startling a few of them.

Roy picked it up, and said simply, “Mustang.”

“Colonel Mustang?” Roy recognized the voice immediately. “It's Alphonse Elric.”

Every person in the room was watching him, listening to his side of the conversation.

“Alphonse.” Roy said flatly, and watched as Ed's eyes widened.

The voice on the other line began to sound a little nervous. “I'm sorry to bother you. I'm sure you're busy… If this is a bad time, I can call back.”

“No this is fine.” He said, trying to sound more friendly. “What can I do for you?”

Ed began to fidget nervously and a few of the other officers cast curious glances his way.

“Well… I was wondering if you've seen my brother.” The boy asked in a worried voice.

“Fullmetal?” He questioned, his voice once again taking on a flat tone. He watched as the young alchemist became panicked and shook his head vigorously; a pleading look filling his eyes.

“Colonel?” Al's voice sounded in his ear. “Are you there?”

“Yes. Sorry.” Roy paused. He was beginning to feel angry. He didn't like the idea of lying to Alphonse, especially when he didn't have a good reason to. “No, Al. I'm sorry. I haven't seen him.”

“Oh.” The disappointment came clearly over the phone.

“I'm sorry.” Roy repeated. He really was sorry, but more than that, he was angry; angry with Ed for not telling him what the hell was going on; angry for being caught up in a situation he had no control over. He could, of course, ask Al what was going on, but he didn't want to hear it second hand. Perhaps it was childish, but he wanted to hear it from Ed.

“Okay… well… If you see him….” Al said, sounding unsure.

“I'll tell him to call you.” Roy said, looking pointedly at Ed.

“Right… well… thanks…”

Roy hung up the phone and stared hard at the short blond.

He wanted answers, and he was going to get them.

;-;-;-;-;-;-;

Al hung up the phone and stared at it, one thought filling his mind.

He lied...

---

1) You'll remember this guy from the series. Refer to Episodes: 5, 9, 26, and 49… I'm sure he's in some other ones, but, haha, I'm just too lazy to look them up.

2) Episode 5

3) Got this look from episode 49. (although she isn't exactly wearing a three piece in that episode…) Just had to use it. Riza looks cute wearing guy clothes. Haha.

4) I've taken this from the manga.

Thanks to:

MasamuneReforged for being my beta.

Al is just so intuitive sometimes…

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