Fic - The Reason of Fools - FMA
Mar. 27th, 2007 11:22 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cornerofmadnessThe Reason of Fools
Boys Blue #14
By![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
cornerofmadness (and mjules )
Disclaimer – So not mine, all right belong to Hiromu Arakawa et al, no profit made, just a lot of fun to be had
Rating – R (for violence)
Pairing – Maes/Roy
Summary – The fun of being on vacation comes to an abrupt and harsh end
Author’s Note – written for the 30kisses project for prompt #21 Violence. Thanks tomjules and evil_little_dog for the beta. If you’d like to read the rest of the series, here you go All the Boys Blues
Prejudices are what fools use for reason.
Voltaire
“I can’t believe we have to go back in a few days,” Roy said around a mouthful of food. He looked longingly at the omelet, bacon and waffles in front of him as if he was unwilling to ever give it up.
“Back to cafeteria food,” Maes said, reading his mind. He shoveled in some bacon.
“And that terrible little dorm room,” Roy moaned, looking around the kitchen, feeling homesick before he even left.
“And boring classes.” Maes shuddered.
“And thin little mattresses.” Roy covered his face and the boys groaned in unison.
Bryony poured her coffee then set it on the counter. She walked over to her brother. “In all of that moaning not once did you mention you’ll miss your wonderful sister.” She put him in a headlock.
Arms flailing, Roy yelped, “That’s a given.”
“Uh-huh.” Bryony popped him on the head as she let Roy go. Maes tried to hide his grin.
Roy rubbed his throat. “For someone with such a feminine eye for decorating, you’re rough.”
“Do I have to give you a knot on the head to go with the one you got the other night?” Bryony glared at him.
Roy pushed out his lower lip at her. “You love your little brother.”
Bryony picked up her coffee, sweetening it. “Ha! I asked Dad for a puppy and he gave me you.”
“You might have been better off with the puppy. It would have listened better,” Maes said, grinning at Roy over the maple syrup bottle.
“Oh, so you want to go back to the dorm alone now?” Roy glared hot enough to boil syrup. “See if I’m nice to you any more.”
“Yeah, like you’d last that long without sex,” Bryony said dryly and both boys flamed red to their hairlines. They looked anywhere but at her until she cleared her throat, “Speaking of which, Stephen is coming over tonight.”
“Say no more, and I really mean that.” Roy held up his hands. “We’ll be gone. Just tell us what time would be okay to sneak back.”
Bryony sipped her coffee thoughtfully. “How about midnight?”
“Consider it done.”
Bryony grinned, tousling his hair. “You’re a good brother….or at least you can be good when you want to be.”
“Which are times rare enough to be hoarded like treasure.” Hughes grinned, a glisten of syrup on his lips.
Roy glowered. “If I come home alone, Bry, you know what happened.”
She just shook her head at them.
X X X
“I’m bored,” Roy moaned as he and Maes strolled through town. “Too early to go drinking and too cold for anything else.”
“We could go shopping.” Maes gestured at the stores surrounding them on the street front.
“I’m looking for something to decrease the boredom. Oh, bookstore!” Roy’s eyes lit up.
Maes clamped a hand on Roy’s arm, dragging him to a halt. “No way. I’ll never get you out of there. You’ll find something pertaining to alchemy and be lost for hours if not days.”
Roy pouted. “But, Maes, books.”
“We could find something for your sister as a thank you,” Maes suggested. “What does she like besides flowers?”
“Apparently lace.” Roy made a face. “And sex with police officers, leaving her only brother abandoned out in the snow.”
“Maybe because said brother whines so much.” Maes shoved Roy lightly. “Come on, let’s find Bryony something nice.”
Roy nodded and they went into the boutique. Dust tickled at Roy’s nose but he figured it would be hard to clean in a store like this. Packed with furniture, odds and ends, vases, chests and other knick knacks, it barely seemed able to fit in any patrons inside. Of course, outside of one old woman, he and Maes were the only ones.
“We could be here all day,” Roy groused, trying to figure out where to even begin.
“We should split up,” Maes suggested and headed off to the other side of the store.
Roy picked through tea sets, candy bowls and a mind-numbing parade of vases. Finally, he came across a cherry wood end table carved with cherry blossoms on the front piece of the door and set with slate on the top. He opened it and ran a hand over the carved flowers. He knew his sister would love it. Roy looked at the price tag and winced. Well if he didn’t go out for beers and stuff back at the academy when they got home, he’d be okay. He could make the end table a wedding present and a thank you combined.
“Hey, Roy, how about this?” Maes asked, coming over with a small keepsake box. Made of thin white shell, its top was decorated with shells arranged in a floral pattern.
“That’s pretty. Bry would like it,” Roy said, gently touching the box. “Is it expensive?”
Maes shook his head. “No, it’s really affordable.”
“Oh, good. Because I was thinking of buying her this.” Roy ran a hand over the burnished wood.
Maes whistled softly. “You’d be her favorite brother.”
“It costs a fortune but I can swing it. Just don’t expect me to have money to go out drinking once we get home.” Roy scowled slightly.
Maes leaned in close and whispered, “So…expecting me to foot the bill? You really are the perfect girlfriend.”
Roy’s face grew dangerously dark. “You are so lucky I don’t know flame alchemy yet.”
Maes snickered then straightened up as the sales clerk came over. “Can I help you boys?”
“I’d like to buy this,” Roy said, pointing to the end table. “Could it be delivered?”
“Of course,” she said merrily. “That’s a very beautiful piece.”
”My sister will love it,” Roy said, his head nodding.
They arranged for the delivery for the next day and Maes had them add the shell box to the delivery so he wouldn’t have to carry the delicate thing around on the icy sidewalks. Their purchases done, they headed back out to see what trouble they could find.
X X X
“Thanks for dinner and the drinks, Maes,” Roy said as they finally started back for his sister’s house, or at least had finally dragged themselves out of the bar.
“No problem.” Maes looked up into the night sky. A fine, dry snow had begun to fall. “Just what we need, more snow.”
Roy snorted, feeling the snow collecting on the fringe of his eyelashes. “So much for staying out much later. We can sneak in the back of the house. I’m not freezing off my fun parts just to give anyone a few more minutes of alone time.”
“Are you going to tell a commanding officer that once you get assigned to night watch?” Maes laughed.
“I’m passing my state alchemy exam. We don’t do night watch,” Roy replied haughtily with a wave of his hand.
Maes yanked Roy down into the alleyway behind the bar. “So arrogant. Why do I like you?”
“Because I’m so damn good.” Roy smirked.
Maes kissed those leering lips. “I would have said because I’m obviously insane.”
“That works, too.” Roy slipped his arm around Maes’ shoulder and dared a more intimate kiss in spite of being in public. He heard the rustle of clothing a moment before a heavy rock slammed into the brick wall just missing his head. Both boys jumped.
“I can’t believe you two freaks are back for more.”
Roy and Maes both recognized their attackers from before. A quick glance told them the alley was blind-ended so fighting past the two men was their only option. Less drunk and a lot angrier than before, neither cadet regretted that option. They rushed the men, all those hours of combat training flooding back to them. Fists met flesh. Boots skidded on the ice and snow as bodies clashed.
Catching a look at Maes, Roy realized they both understood something: these men really wanted to hurt them and their grunts and snarls to one another told the boys they weren’t used to people fighting back. Planning to use that to his advantage, Roy snapped a kick into one of the men’s hips. His boot slipped as he tried to get his leg back under him and he bobbled long enough for the man to plant him face first into the brick wall. Dazed, Roy still retained enough presence of mind to ram his elbow back. Fire from abused nerves licked up his arm but Roy felt ribs crack and the pressure the man was using to grind him into the brick disappear as the man fell back gagging.
Roy caught the bit-off “J” that he assumed must start off the man’s name before his buddy realized no names was his best bet. One of Maes’ punches sent the other man backwards. Their attacker squatted down and came up the lid from one of the bar’s trash cans. He swung it mightily, clipping Maes on the side of his face. There was a cracking sound and Maes went down.
Roy screamed, barely registering new voices at the mouth of the alley as the fight drew attention from inside the bar. He leapt on Maes’ attacker, his fist breaking the man’s nose. The attacker with broken ribs managed to dislodge Roy. He grabbed his buddy’s arm and they fled the alleyway, pushing past the people at the mouth of the alley.
Roy knelt down in the dirty snow, trying to see in the gloom how badly Maes was hurt. His own blood half-blinded him as the grated skin of his forehead bled profusely. Roy saw Maes’ glasses were in two pieces. “Maes.”
“I’m okay,” Maes said, groping nearsightedly for his busted frames.
Roy handed him his glasses and the broken stem. “You sure? That was a hell of hit.”
“I’m not the one bleeding all over the place.” Maes gently touched Roy’s head and Roy hissed.
“Are you boys all right?” someone asked, coming into the alley.
“Yeah. Does anyone know who those two were?” Roy asked and saw the man exchanging looks with some others in the forming crowd.
“No, it was too dark to get a good look.”
Roy and Maes met eyes as Roy helped him up, neither boy sure they believed the bar patrons.
“We’re okay,” Maes said, wondering if that was true.
“Let’s just go home,” Roy said, pushing free of the alley, hoping he wasn’t shaking too badly as he tried to hold it all together.
X X X
“Twice, how could this happen twice?” Bryony raged as she finished bandaging up the large scrape on Roy’s forehead. Maes already lay on the couch with an ice pack on his head while Stephen worked to repair the boy’s glasses, at least temporarily. Roy let him since he was too groggy to do the alchemy to fix them.
“And it was the same men? You’re sure?” Stephen asked.
“Yeah,” Maes said, looking greenish. “One guy had a J name.”
“They said the some thing this time, ‘freak’,” Roy groaned. “I’ve seen people be afraid or jealous of alchemists but this is the first time someone’s hunted me for what I am.”
“I wonder,” Stephen rubbed his chin. “If this has anything to do with the deaths I’m investigating.”
Bryony whipped around. “You didn’t tell me they were hunting alchemists! If I knew that…”
“No, no!” Stephen held up a hand. “The ones who were killed, they were all known or suspected to be homosexuals. That detail is something no one is supposed to know so I’m trusting you three here,” Stephen said, missing their horrified looks as he concentrated on taping Maes’ glasses together. “Another detail we withheld is that the killer or killers paint the word ‘freak’ in their victim’s blood. Maybe they find alchemists as unnatural as they seem to find homosexuals.”
“I’ve…been called unnatural before,” Roy said quietly, his mind reeling. It was the same men, he knew it. He and Maes has escaped death twice. He had to tell Stephen but he couldn’t find his voice.
“For all the times I’ve called you a freak jokingly, Roy, I’m sorry,” Maes said, sitting up. He took the ice pack off his forehead.
“It’s okay,” Roy managed a smile. “I know you mean it affectionately.”
“You’re not a freak,” Bryony said, squeezing her brother’s hands. In her eyes, Roy could read other emotions than pride and fear. He knew she wanted him to tell Stephen, too, but he couldn’t make himself.
“You boys have given me great descriptions and you’ve given me a place to look,” Stephen said, sounding pleased that at least one good thing might come out of the night’s ugly events
”I’m pretty sure that the bar patrons saw something or know the men,” Roy said, disgust for their lack of cooperation evident in his tone.
“Don’t worry, I’ll start there. Why don’t you boys go up to bed?” Stephen shot them both a sympathetic look. “You’ve had a terrible night.”
“Sounds like a good idea,” Maes said, bobbling on his feet as he stood up. He lost all color.
“I think you have a concussion,” Bryony said. “If you don’t feel better tomorrow, Maes, I’ll call Dr. Wiener.”
“Thanks,” Maes said as Roy slipped an arm around him to steady him. They made for the stairs after saying their good nights.
Roy helped Maes undress and washed the grime off him, carefully with the places Bryony had bandaged up. Maes tried to do the same for him. Neither boy said a word until they crawled under the covers. “You sure you’re okay, Maes?”
“I will be.” Maes tucked an arm around Roy.
“We have to tell Stephen,” Roy said, his voice shaking.
“I know,” Maes said quietly, his pain-filled eyes meeting Roy’s. “I can…”
“No, he’s going to be my brother-in-law. I’m the one who needs to do this,” Roy said grimly. “I just…I know I should go down there tonight. What if they kill anyone else if I wait?”
Maes had nothing to say to that, his eyes showing his agreement. Roy reluctantly dragged himself out of Maes’ embrace and peered outside his bedroom but the house was darkened. He returned to bed. “I think he went out. Tomorrow…”
“You’re not going to be alone in this, Roy. I’ll be there and so will your sister,” Maes said comfortingly.
“I know.” Roy tucked his face against the pillow. “I just need to sleep now. I’ll face it in the morning.”
Maes agreed but neither boy slept easily.
X X X
“I have to do this myself,” Roy said, sitting on the edge of the bed. He looked back at Maes who was still pale and rather sickly looking after the blow to the head he had taken.
Maes shifted under the covers. “You don’t have to, Roy. You’re not in this alone. We’re partners.”
“I know but…I just have to.” Roy picked at a hang nail. “He’s going to marry into my family. I owe it to Stephen to be honest about everything. I appreciate your support, Maes, and I need it. I need you.” He smiled almost shyly at Maes. “And I feel scared half to death about telling him.”
“It’ll be all right,” Maes said, not particularly convincingly.
“I just don’t want to mess things up for my sister.”
Maes sat up. “Roy, she loves you. And Bryony is smart and she might want to know if her future husband would hate you for who you love.”
Roy ran a hand through his hair, hunching up. “I know and I don’t think he would. He didn’t seem judgmental about it last night but you never know.” He touched the bandage on his head. “It doesn’t matter. I know I have to tell him. No matter what happens, I can’t hide this and let someone else get murdered when I know who’s doing the killing, or at least I’m pretty damn sure of it.”
“Exactly.”
“You rest. I’ll go talk to Bryony first and see what she thinks. If she thinks it’s a terrible idea, we’ll have to come up with some other way of clueing Stephen in.” Roy patted Maes’ leg lightly. Heading downstairs, he found Bryony in the living room, dusting around her numerous knick knacks. She set the rag aside, exchanging glances with Roy as if taking the measure of the other.
“You’re going to tell Stephen, aren’t you?” She reached out and brushed Roy’s hair back. “About you and Maes?”
“Unless you think it would be bad. I can probably think up some story to make him look at those guys for the killings.” He leaned into her touch, wanting the comfort. He was frightened by the whole turn of events.
Bryony put her arms around him and hugged him tightly. “No matter what happens, you are my baby brother and I will always love you.” She kissed his bruised cheek. “And I think Stephen will be fair to you.”
Roy thought he heard a note of uncertainty in his sister’s voice. Maybe she was just as nervous as he was about how Stephen would react. “When he comes off work, I’ll talk to him.”
“He’s here.” She pointed at the ceiling. “He came back last night and doesn’t go in until this afternoon.”
“Oh well…” Roy felt his heart puddle around his ankles. He swallowed hard.
“I’ll stay with you while you talk to him if you want.” Bryony rubbed his arm.
“I told Maes I wanted to do this alone.” Roy’s head drooped. “I really don’t.”
Bryony hugged him again. “I’ll stay. I’ll go get him now.”
Roy let her go, sagging onto the couch. While he was waiting, a thought hit him like a sledge. He and Maes couldn’t press charges, they couldn’t go to court. They’d be ruined. His mouth went as dry as the Ishbalan desert while sweat trickled down his sides. It wasn’t too late to change his mind. Hearing footsteps on the stairs, Roy glanced over at a sleepy-looking Stephen as he made his way down the stairs in front of Bryony. The man’s hair stuck up all over. Roy sucked in a deep breath and made up his mind to do it.
Stephen sat down heavily on the chair, scrubbing a hand over his face. His eyes fixed on Roy. “Bryony said you had something to tell me.”
Roy waited for Bryony to sit next to him, her hand on his knee before he spoke. “I think the two men who attacked me and Maes are the ones who’ve been killing here and in that other town you were sharing information with.”
Stephen blinked rapidly. “Why? I mean, I know we talked about it last night. They could be going after alchemists, too. What makes you more certain today the cases are connected?”
“Because I don’t think they even know I’m an alchemist.” Roy shuddered, feeling Bryony’s arm going around his waist for support.
“I don’t follow you,” Stephen said, his brow knitting.
“Maes and I were in the alley…” Roy looked at the flowered throw rug under his feet. “We were kissing.” That came out as the barest whisper.
Stephen sat back as if punched and Roy felt the panic washing over him. He wasn’t sure he could have stayed on the couch if not for his sister-shaped anchor. The detective composed himself then said, “I thought you liked Riza.”
Roy tried to find moisture enough to talk. “I do…I…I like women. But I like Maes, too. A lot. It’s new to both of us. I mean, he’s had more women at the Academy than I can name. I’ve had my share. But this got hold of us and I’m not sorry for it,” he finished strongly, feeling Bryony’s arm tightening.
“This changes things,” Upon seeing the looks on Roy and Bryony’s faces, Stephen added quickly, “with the case. I’m not sure what I think about it all but it’s your life. You’re important to your sister and that’s what matters to me.”
Roy exhaled sharply then glanced up hearing a creak on the steps. Maes shot him a sheepish look for spying. He motioned Maes downstairs. “The only problem is…we can’t testify, Stephen. Our careers would be over before they began.”
Stephen rubbed his chin as Maes came and sat down on the other side of Roy. “We want these guys for murder, not assault. Now that we have an idea who we’re looking for, we might not need to bring your assault into it at all. I don’t see them confessing to it…unless they’re oh so proud of themselves.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Maes said, wiping a faint sheen of sweat from his forehead. His concussion didn’t make getting around pleasant.
“You’re supposed to be in bed with a concussion,” Roy informed him. “Is there anything more we can do, Stephen?”
“I don’t think so.” Stephen got up and crossed over to Roy. He put a hand on the teen’s shoulder. “Thank you for being honest. I know that was a very hard thing for you to do, little brother.”
Roy stared up at Stephen, shocked at those words. His eyes misted and he quickly scrubbed a hand over them. “Thanks…it was. Damn.” A tear sneaked past his hand. “I think you might be right, Maes. I am getting girly.”
“It’s just the pain of the head wound making you lose control,” Maes said gently, breaking the tension.
Roy snorted. “I like that story. I think I’ll go with that.” He looked back up at Stephen. “And thank you for…well, for accepting me. I didn’t want…” Roy leaned against his sister. “I just didn’t want to be a problem between you and Bry.”
“Don’t you worry about that,” Stephen said as Bryony patted her brother’s knee. “You’re not. I’m going to go change and go to work early. I’ll do my best to keep you two out of this.” He leaned down and kissed Bryony’s cheek then gently slapped Roy on the back before going upstairs.
Roy shuddered hard again, his breath coming in a choking gasp. Bryony hugged him hard. “It’s okay, Roy.”
“Yeah,” he said, muffled against her shoulder. “Better than I thought.”
Bryony let him go and Maes tugged Roy against him. “You boys are brave, know that.” She got up. “Now that you’re down here, would you like a little light breakfast? You still look green, Maes.”
“I feel it, too, but a little cereal or something would be good,” Maes said.
Bryony nodded. “And I’ll call Doc and get him to check you both out.”
“Thanks, sis.”
Bryony went into the kitchen and Roy clung to Maes. “I never want to go through this again.”
“We won’t. We don’t owe anyone else any explanations,” Maes said softly, wishing that were really true.
Roy said nothing, too drained to do anything more.
XXX
Bryony came inside, her face pale. She sat down hard on the flowered couch. Roy and Maes glanced up from where they were playing Go and listening to the radio. Roy nearly knocked the board over jumping up. “What’s wrong, Bryony?”
“There was a shoot out,” she said in a tight voice. “I heard about it at the market.”
“Stephen?” A nervous wave swept over Roy.
“Fine.” Bryony placed a shaking hand over her mouth. “He didn’t get hurt but those terrible men who beat you up and killed those other men…they tried to kill Stephen and his partner.”
“Those men…are they?” Maes asked, something between hope and fear in his eyes.
“Dead, yes,” she spat, punching the couch pillow shaped like a rose.
Roy’s shoulders slumped and he sat next to his sister. “Is it wrong to be relieved that they’re dead?”
“No, they were awful people,” Bryony said. “They got what they gave others and now…they can’t hurt you any more.”
“I don’t feel sorry either,” Maes said.
“I’m just glad that Stephen is okay,” Roy said then jumped as a knock sounded on the door before it opened. Stephen came in, looking harried and exhausted.
Bryony bolted off the couch, tossing her arms around him. She didn’t say anything, just crushing herself to him.
Stephen hugged her so hard he lifted her off his feet. “I came as soon as I could. I have to go back but I needed you to know I was all right.”
“I knew but…I’m so glad you’re here.” She kissed his cheek. “I worry about you and soon I’ll have to worry about my little brother going to war. You two will make me grey.” Bryony laughed a little through her tears, to lighten her words.
“At least they didn’t hurt you, too, Stephen,” Roy said, patting the man’s shoulder.
“Not for a lack of trying,” he replied sardonically, letting Bryony go. “And now you won’t have to worry about what they might have to say about you and Maes.”
“That thought crossed our minds,” Maes said, a grim look in his eyes.
“It’s over,” Roy said, rubbing his arms as if he had caught chill. In a sudden rush, all his anxieties spilled out of him and he was glad to see them go. “If I believed in god, I’d thank him.”
“Well, maybe there is one and he just granted you a big break, Mr. Skeptical Alchemist.” Bryony went over to him and patted his cheek. “Can you stay just for a little while, Stephen?”
“I’m afraid not. I’ll be back as soon,” Stephen broke off as someone knocked on the door.
Bryony shrugged and answered it. She stepped back, surprised to see a delivery man standing there. “Can I help you?”
“I have a delivery, a gift from a Mr. Mustang,” the man said, looking at his clipboard.
“Oh hell, I totally forgot about it,” Roy groaned. “Bring it in.”
“What did you do, brother?” Bryony arched an eyebrow at him as the man wheeled the end table in on a dolly.
“I wanted to get you a little thank you for letting me and Maes stay here for our break,” Roy said.
Stephen eyed the furniture. “That’s little?”
Roy blushed a bit. “I thought Bry would love it so now it’s a wedding gift.”
Bryony ran a hand over it. “I do love it!” She squeezed Roy so hard his ribs creaked while Stephen signed off on the delivery. “It’s beautiful, Roy. Thank you so much. You didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to,” Roy said, squirming in her grip. “Easy, sis, bruised ribs remember?”
“Please, put it here,” Bryony said, giving the delivery man directions. He complied and left. She surveyed the end table and the rest of her floral-inspired furniture. “It really matches everything.”
“Look inside,” Maes instructed.
Bryony complied, pulling out a small, well-wrapped box. She peeled it open eagerly and lifted out the shell box. “Oh, this is so pretty.”
“Just a little token of thanks. I really appreciate you letting me stay, Bryony,” Maes said with a smile.
She gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You are a very sweet young man, Maes Hughes.”
“When he wants to be,” Roy smirked at him and Maes cuffed him lightly.
“Maes, I’d like you to come to the wedding,” Stephen said, surprising the boy. “You’re like part of the family, too.”
Maes flushed. “Thank you. I don’t know what to say.”
“Yes would be appropriate,” Bryony assured him.
Maes grinned. “Yes.”
“I have to be getting back,” Stephen said, regret heavy in his voice.
Roy beckoned Maes and the teen followed Mustang into the kitchen, giving the couple a bit of privacy before Stephen had to go. Roy sagged against the ice box, suddenly weary and sick. “I can’t believe…what could have happened to us.”
Maes pulled Roy close. “But it didn’t. And we’ll be more careful in the future.”
“A lot more,” Roy said, his lips close to Maes’ neck, thinking that they would be back at the Academy all too soon.
“And we only have a few more days of vacation left so we’re going to enjoy them and forget those monsters,” Maes said, rubbing Roy’s back.
Roy’s only answer was a soft kiss.
Boys Blue #14
By
cornerofmadness (and mjules )Disclaimer – So not mine, all right belong to Hiromu Arakawa et al, no profit made, just a lot of fun to be had
Rating – R (for violence)
Pairing – Maes/Roy
Summary – The fun of being on vacation comes to an abrupt and harsh end
Author’s Note – written for the 30kisses project for prompt #21 Violence. Thanks to
mjules and evil_little_dog for the beta. If you’d like to read the rest of the series, here you go All the Boys BluesPrejudices are what fools use for reason.
Voltaire
“I can’t believe we have to go back in a few days,” Roy said around a mouthful of food. He looked longingly at the omelet, bacon and waffles in front of him as if he was unwilling to ever give it up.
“Back to cafeteria food,” Maes said, reading his mind. He shoveled in some bacon.
“And that terrible little dorm room,” Roy moaned, looking around the kitchen, feeling homesick before he even left.
“And boring classes.” Maes shuddered.
“And thin little mattresses.” Roy covered his face and the boys groaned in unison.
Bryony poured her coffee then set it on the counter. She walked over to her brother. “In all of that moaning not once did you mention you’ll miss your wonderful sister.” She put him in a headlock.
Arms flailing, Roy yelped, “That’s a given.”
“Uh-huh.” Bryony popped him on the head as she let Roy go. Maes tried to hide his grin.
Roy rubbed his throat. “For someone with such a feminine eye for decorating, you’re rough.”
“Do I have to give you a knot on the head to go with the one you got the other night?” Bryony glared at him.
Roy pushed out his lower lip at her. “You love your little brother.”
Bryony picked up her coffee, sweetening it. “Ha! I asked Dad for a puppy and he gave me you.”
“You might have been better off with the puppy. It would have listened better,” Maes said, grinning at Roy over the maple syrup bottle.
“Oh, so you want to go back to the dorm alone now?” Roy glared hot enough to boil syrup. “See if I’m nice to you any more.”
“Yeah, like you’d last that long without sex,” Bryony said dryly and both boys flamed red to their hairlines. They looked anywhere but at her until she cleared her throat, “Speaking of which, Stephen is coming over tonight.”
“Say no more, and I really mean that.” Roy held up his hands. “We’ll be gone. Just tell us what time would be okay to sneak back.”
Bryony sipped her coffee thoughtfully. “How about midnight?”
“Consider it done.”
Bryony grinned, tousling his hair. “You’re a good brother….or at least you can be good when you want to be.”
“Which are times rare enough to be hoarded like treasure.” Hughes grinned, a glisten of syrup on his lips.
Roy glowered. “If I come home alone, Bry, you know what happened.”
She just shook her head at them.
X X X
“I’m bored,” Roy moaned as he and Maes strolled through town. “Too early to go drinking and too cold for anything else.”
“We could go shopping.” Maes gestured at the stores surrounding them on the street front.
“I’m looking for something to decrease the boredom. Oh, bookstore!” Roy’s eyes lit up.
Maes clamped a hand on Roy’s arm, dragging him to a halt. “No way. I’ll never get you out of there. You’ll find something pertaining to alchemy and be lost for hours if not days.”
Roy pouted. “But, Maes, books.”
“We could find something for your sister as a thank you,” Maes suggested. “What does she like besides flowers?”
“Apparently lace.” Roy made a face. “And sex with police officers, leaving her only brother abandoned out in the snow.”
“Maybe because said brother whines so much.” Maes shoved Roy lightly. “Come on, let’s find Bryony something nice.”
Roy nodded and they went into the boutique. Dust tickled at Roy’s nose but he figured it would be hard to clean in a store like this. Packed with furniture, odds and ends, vases, chests and other knick knacks, it barely seemed able to fit in any patrons inside. Of course, outside of one old woman, he and Maes were the only ones.
“We could be here all day,” Roy groused, trying to figure out where to even begin.
“We should split up,” Maes suggested and headed off to the other side of the store.
Roy picked through tea sets, candy bowls and a mind-numbing parade of vases. Finally, he came across a cherry wood end table carved with cherry blossoms on the front piece of the door and set with slate on the top. He opened it and ran a hand over the carved flowers. He knew his sister would love it. Roy looked at the price tag and winced. Well if he didn’t go out for beers and stuff back at the academy when they got home, he’d be okay. He could make the end table a wedding present and a thank you combined.
“Hey, Roy, how about this?” Maes asked, coming over with a small keepsake box. Made of thin white shell, its top was decorated with shells arranged in a floral pattern.
“That’s pretty. Bry would like it,” Roy said, gently touching the box. “Is it expensive?”
Maes shook his head. “No, it’s really affordable.”
“Oh, good. Because I was thinking of buying her this.” Roy ran a hand over the burnished wood.
Maes whistled softly. “You’d be her favorite brother.”
“It costs a fortune but I can swing it. Just don’t expect me to have money to go out drinking once we get home.” Roy scowled slightly.
Maes leaned in close and whispered, “So…expecting me to foot the bill? You really are the perfect girlfriend.”
Roy’s face grew dangerously dark. “You are so lucky I don’t know flame alchemy yet.”
Maes snickered then straightened up as the sales clerk came over. “Can I help you boys?”
“I’d like to buy this,” Roy said, pointing to the end table. “Could it be delivered?”
“Of course,” she said merrily. “That’s a very beautiful piece.”
”My sister will love it,” Roy said, his head nodding.
They arranged for the delivery for the next day and Maes had them add the shell box to the delivery so he wouldn’t have to carry the delicate thing around on the icy sidewalks. Their purchases done, they headed back out to see what trouble they could find.
X X X
“Thanks for dinner and the drinks, Maes,” Roy said as they finally started back for his sister’s house, or at least had finally dragged themselves out of the bar.
“No problem.” Maes looked up into the night sky. A fine, dry snow had begun to fall. “Just what we need, more snow.”
Roy snorted, feeling the snow collecting on the fringe of his eyelashes. “So much for staying out much later. We can sneak in the back of the house. I’m not freezing off my fun parts just to give anyone a few more minutes of alone time.”
“Are you going to tell a commanding officer that once you get assigned to night watch?” Maes laughed.
“I’m passing my state alchemy exam. We don’t do night watch,” Roy replied haughtily with a wave of his hand.
Maes yanked Roy down into the alleyway behind the bar. “So arrogant. Why do I like you?”
“Because I’m so damn good.” Roy smirked.
Maes kissed those leering lips. “I would have said because I’m obviously insane.”
“That works, too.” Roy slipped his arm around Maes’ shoulder and dared a more intimate kiss in spite of being in public. He heard the rustle of clothing a moment before a heavy rock slammed into the brick wall just missing his head. Both boys jumped.
“I can’t believe you two freaks are back for more.”
Roy and Maes both recognized their attackers from before. A quick glance told them the alley was blind-ended so fighting past the two men was their only option. Less drunk and a lot angrier than before, neither cadet regretted that option. They rushed the men, all those hours of combat training flooding back to them. Fists met flesh. Boots skidded on the ice and snow as bodies clashed.
Catching a look at Maes, Roy realized they both understood something: these men really wanted to hurt them and their grunts and snarls to one another told the boys they weren’t used to people fighting back. Planning to use that to his advantage, Roy snapped a kick into one of the men’s hips. His boot slipped as he tried to get his leg back under him and he bobbled long enough for the man to plant him face first into the brick wall. Dazed, Roy still retained enough presence of mind to ram his elbow back. Fire from abused nerves licked up his arm but Roy felt ribs crack and the pressure the man was using to grind him into the brick disappear as the man fell back gagging.
Roy caught the bit-off “J” that he assumed must start off the man’s name before his buddy realized no names was his best bet. One of Maes’ punches sent the other man backwards. Their attacker squatted down and came up the lid from one of the bar’s trash cans. He swung it mightily, clipping Maes on the side of his face. There was a cracking sound and Maes went down.
Roy screamed, barely registering new voices at the mouth of the alley as the fight drew attention from inside the bar. He leapt on Maes’ attacker, his fist breaking the man’s nose. The attacker with broken ribs managed to dislodge Roy. He grabbed his buddy’s arm and they fled the alleyway, pushing past the people at the mouth of the alley.
Roy knelt down in the dirty snow, trying to see in the gloom how badly Maes was hurt. His own blood half-blinded him as the grated skin of his forehead bled profusely. Roy saw Maes’ glasses were in two pieces. “Maes.”
“I’m okay,” Maes said, groping nearsightedly for his busted frames.
Roy handed him his glasses and the broken stem. “You sure? That was a hell of hit.”
“I’m not the one bleeding all over the place.” Maes gently touched Roy’s head and Roy hissed.
“Are you boys all right?” someone asked, coming into the alley.
“Yeah. Does anyone know who those two were?” Roy asked and saw the man exchanging looks with some others in the forming crowd.
“No, it was too dark to get a good look.”
Roy and Maes met eyes as Roy helped him up, neither boy sure they believed the bar patrons.
“We’re okay,” Maes said, wondering if that was true.
“Let’s just go home,” Roy said, pushing free of the alley, hoping he wasn’t shaking too badly as he tried to hold it all together.
X X X
“Twice, how could this happen twice?” Bryony raged as she finished bandaging up the large scrape on Roy’s forehead. Maes already lay on the couch with an ice pack on his head while Stephen worked to repair the boy’s glasses, at least temporarily. Roy let him since he was too groggy to do the alchemy to fix them.
“And it was the same men? You’re sure?” Stephen asked.
“Yeah,” Maes said, looking greenish. “One guy had a J name.”
“They said the some thing this time, ‘freak’,” Roy groaned. “I’ve seen people be afraid or jealous of alchemists but this is the first time someone’s hunted me for what I am.”
“I wonder,” Stephen rubbed his chin. “If this has anything to do with the deaths I’m investigating.”
Bryony whipped around. “You didn’t tell me they were hunting alchemists! If I knew that…”
“No, no!” Stephen held up a hand. “The ones who were killed, they were all known or suspected to be homosexuals. That detail is something no one is supposed to know so I’m trusting you three here,” Stephen said, missing their horrified looks as he concentrated on taping Maes’ glasses together. “Another detail we withheld is that the killer or killers paint the word ‘freak’ in their victim’s blood. Maybe they find alchemists as unnatural as they seem to find homosexuals.”
“I’ve…been called unnatural before,” Roy said quietly, his mind reeling. It was the same men, he knew it. He and Maes has escaped death twice. He had to tell Stephen but he couldn’t find his voice.
“For all the times I’ve called you a freak jokingly, Roy, I’m sorry,” Maes said, sitting up. He took the ice pack off his forehead.
“It’s okay,” Roy managed a smile. “I know you mean it affectionately.”
“You’re not a freak,” Bryony said, squeezing her brother’s hands. In her eyes, Roy could read other emotions than pride and fear. He knew she wanted him to tell Stephen, too, but he couldn’t make himself.
“You boys have given me great descriptions and you’ve given me a place to look,” Stephen said, sounding pleased that at least one good thing might come out of the night’s ugly events
”I’m pretty sure that the bar patrons saw something or know the men,” Roy said, disgust for their lack of cooperation evident in his tone.
“Don’t worry, I’ll start there. Why don’t you boys go up to bed?” Stephen shot them both a sympathetic look. “You’ve had a terrible night.”
“Sounds like a good idea,” Maes said, bobbling on his feet as he stood up. He lost all color.
“I think you have a concussion,” Bryony said. “If you don’t feel better tomorrow, Maes, I’ll call Dr. Wiener.”
“Thanks,” Maes said as Roy slipped an arm around him to steady him. They made for the stairs after saying their good nights.
Roy helped Maes undress and washed the grime off him, carefully with the places Bryony had bandaged up. Maes tried to do the same for him. Neither boy said a word until they crawled under the covers. “You sure you’re okay, Maes?”
“I will be.” Maes tucked an arm around Roy.
“We have to tell Stephen,” Roy said, his voice shaking.
“I know,” Maes said quietly, his pain-filled eyes meeting Roy’s. “I can…”
“No, he’s going to be my brother-in-law. I’m the one who needs to do this,” Roy said grimly. “I just…I know I should go down there tonight. What if they kill anyone else if I wait?”
Maes had nothing to say to that, his eyes showing his agreement. Roy reluctantly dragged himself out of Maes’ embrace and peered outside his bedroom but the house was darkened. He returned to bed. “I think he went out. Tomorrow…”
“You’re not going to be alone in this, Roy. I’ll be there and so will your sister,” Maes said comfortingly.
“I know.” Roy tucked his face against the pillow. “I just need to sleep now. I’ll face it in the morning.”
Maes agreed but neither boy slept easily.
X X X
“I have to do this myself,” Roy said, sitting on the edge of the bed. He looked back at Maes who was still pale and rather sickly looking after the blow to the head he had taken.
Maes shifted under the covers. “You don’t have to, Roy. You’re not in this alone. We’re partners.”
“I know but…I just have to.” Roy picked at a hang nail. “He’s going to marry into my family. I owe it to Stephen to be honest about everything. I appreciate your support, Maes, and I need it. I need you.” He smiled almost shyly at Maes. “And I feel scared half to death about telling him.”
“It’ll be all right,” Maes said, not particularly convincingly.
“I just don’t want to mess things up for my sister.”
Maes sat up. “Roy, she loves you. And Bryony is smart and she might want to know if her future husband would hate you for who you love.”
Roy ran a hand through his hair, hunching up. “I know and I don’t think he would. He didn’t seem judgmental about it last night but you never know.” He touched the bandage on his head. “It doesn’t matter. I know I have to tell him. No matter what happens, I can’t hide this and let someone else get murdered when I know who’s doing the killing, or at least I’m pretty damn sure of it.”
“Exactly.”
“You rest. I’ll go talk to Bryony first and see what she thinks. If she thinks it’s a terrible idea, we’ll have to come up with some other way of clueing Stephen in.” Roy patted Maes’ leg lightly. Heading downstairs, he found Bryony in the living room, dusting around her numerous knick knacks. She set the rag aside, exchanging glances with Roy as if taking the measure of the other.
“You’re going to tell Stephen, aren’t you?” She reached out and brushed Roy’s hair back. “About you and Maes?”
“Unless you think it would be bad. I can probably think up some story to make him look at those guys for the killings.” He leaned into her touch, wanting the comfort. He was frightened by the whole turn of events.
Bryony put her arms around him and hugged him tightly. “No matter what happens, you are my baby brother and I will always love you.” She kissed his bruised cheek. “And I think Stephen will be fair to you.”
Roy thought he heard a note of uncertainty in his sister’s voice. Maybe she was just as nervous as he was about how Stephen would react. “When he comes off work, I’ll talk to him.”
“He’s here.” She pointed at the ceiling. “He came back last night and doesn’t go in until this afternoon.”
“Oh well…” Roy felt his heart puddle around his ankles. He swallowed hard.
“I’ll stay with you while you talk to him if you want.” Bryony rubbed his arm.
“I told Maes I wanted to do this alone.” Roy’s head drooped. “I really don’t.”
Bryony hugged him again. “I’ll stay. I’ll go get him now.”
Roy let her go, sagging onto the couch. While he was waiting, a thought hit him like a sledge. He and Maes couldn’t press charges, they couldn’t go to court. They’d be ruined. His mouth went as dry as the Ishbalan desert while sweat trickled down his sides. It wasn’t too late to change his mind. Hearing footsteps on the stairs, Roy glanced over at a sleepy-looking Stephen as he made his way down the stairs in front of Bryony. The man’s hair stuck up all over. Roy sucked in a deep breath and made up his mind to do it.
Stephen sat down heavily on the chair, scrubbing a hand over his face. His eyes fixed on Roy. “Bryony said you had something to tell me.”
Roy waited for Bryony to sit next to him, her hand on his knee before he spoke. “I think the two men who attacked me and Maes are the ones who’ve been killing here and in that other town you were sharing information with.”
Stephen blinked rapidly. “Why? I mean, I know we talked about it last night. They could be going after alchemists, too. What makes you more certain today the cases are connected?”
“Because I don’t think they even know I’m an alchemist.” Roy shuddered, feeling Bryony’s arm going around his waist for support.
“I don’t follow you,” Stephen said, his brow knitting.
“Maes and I were in the alley…” Roy looked at the flowered throw rug under his feet. “We were kissing.” That came out as the barest whisper.
Stephen sat back as if punched and Roy felt the panic washing over him. He wasn’t sure he could have stayed on the couch if not for his sister-shaped anchor. The detective composed himself then said, “I thought you liked Riza.”
Roy tried to find moisture enough to talk. “I do…I…I like women. But I like Maes, too. A lot. It’s new to both of us. I mean, he’s had more women at the Academy than I can name. I’ve had my share. But this got hold of us and I’m not sorry for it,” he finished strongly, feeling Bryony’s arm tightening.
“This changes things,” Upon seeing the looks on Roy and Bryony’s faces, Stephen added quickly, “with the case. I’m not sure what I think about it all but it’s your life. You’re important to your sister and that’s what matters to me.”
Roy exhaled sharply then glanced up hearing a creak on the steps. Maes shot him a sheepish look for spying. He motioned Maes downstairs. “The only problem is…we can’t testify, Stephen. Our careers would be over before they began.”
Stephen rubbed his chin as Maes came and sat down on the other side of Roy. “We want these guys for murder, not assault. Now that we have an idea who we’re looking for, we might not need to bring your assault into it at all. I don’t see them confessing to it…unless they’re oh so proud of themselves.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Maes said, wiping a faint sheen of sweat from his forehead. His concussion didn’t make getting around pleasant.
“You’re supposed to be in bed with a concussion,” Roy informed him. “Is there anything more we can do, Stephen?”
“I don’t think so.” Stephen got up and crossed over to Roy. He put a hand on the teen’s shoulder. “Thank you for being honest. I know that was a very hard thing for you to do, little brother.”
Roy stared up at Stephen, shocked at those words. His eyes misted and he quickly scrubbed a hand over them. “Thanks…it was. Damn.” A tear sneaked past his hand. “I think you might be right, Maes. I am getting girly.”
“It’s just the pain of the head wound making you lose control,” Maes said gently, breaking the tension.
Roy snorted. “I like that story. I think I’ll go with that.” He looked back up at Stephen. “And thank you for…well, for accepting me. I didn’t want…” Roy leaned against his sister. “I just didn’t want to be a problem between you and Bry.”
“Don’t you worry about that,” Stephen said as Bryony patted her brother’s knee. “You’re not. I’m going to go change and go to work early. I’ll do my best to keep you two out of this.” He leaned down and kissed Bryony’s cheek then gently slapped Roy on the back before going upstairs.
Roy shuddered hard again, his breath coming in a choking gasp. Bryony hugged him hard. “It’s okay, Roy.”
“Yeah,” he said, muffled against her shoulder. “Better than I thought.”
Bryony let him go and Maes tugged Roy against him. “You boys are brave, know that.” She got up. “Now that you’re down here, would you like a little light breakfast? You still look green, Maes.”
“I feel it, too, but a little cereal or something would be good,” Maes said.
Bryony nodded. “And I’ll call Doc and get him to check you both out.”
“Thanks, sis.”
Bryony went into the kitchen and Roy clung to Maes. “I never want to go through this again.”
“We won’t. We don’t owe anyone else any explanations,” Maes said softly, wishing that were really true.
Roy said nothing, too drained to do anything more.
XXX
Bryony came inside, her face pale. She sat down hard on the flowered couch. Roy and Maes glanced up from where they were playing Go and listening to the radio. Roy nearly knocked the board over jumping up. “What’s wrong, Bryony?”
“There was a shoot out,” she said in a tight voice. “I heard about it at the market.”
“Stephen?” A nervous wave swept over Roy.
“Fine.” Bryony placed a shaking hand over her mouth. “He didn’t get hurt but those terrible men who beat you up and killed those other men…they tried to kill Stephen and his partner.”
“Those men…are they?” Maes asked, something between hope and fear in his eyes.
“Dead, yes,” she spat, punching the couch pillow shaped like a rose.
Roy’s shoulders slumped and he sat next to his sister. “Is it wrong to be relieved that they’re dead?”
“No, they were awful people,” Bryony said. “They got what they gave others and now…they can’t hurt you any more.”
“I don’t feel sorry either,” Maes said.
“I’m just glad that Stephen is okay,” Roy said then jumped as a knock sounded on the door before it opened. Stephen came in, looking harried and exhausted.
Bryony bolted off the couch, tossing her arms around him. She didn’t say anything, just crushing herself to him.
Stephen hugged her so hard he lifted her off his feet. “I came as soon as I could. I have to go back but I needed you to know I was all right.”
“I knew but…I’m so glad you’re here.” She kissed his cheek. “I worry about you and soon I’ll have to worry about my little brother going to war. You two will make me grey.” Bryony laughed a little through her tears, to lighten her words.
“At least they didn’t hurt you, too, Stephen,” Roy said, patting the man’s shoulder.
“Not for a lack of trying,” he replied sardonically, letting Bryony go. “And now you won’t have to worry about what they might have to say about you and Maes.”
“That thought crossed our minds,” Maes said, a grim look in his eyes.
“It’s over,” Roy said, rubbing his arms as if he had caught chill. In a sudden rush, all his anxieties spilled out of him and he was glad to see them go. “If I believed in god, I’d thank him.”
“Well, maybe there is one and he just granted you a big break, Mr. Skeptical Alchemist.” Bryony went over to him and patted his cheek. “Can you stay just for a little while, Stephen?”
“I’m afraid not. I’ll be back as soon,” Stephen broke off as someone knocked on the door.
Bryony shrugged and answered it. She stepped back, surprised to see a delivery man standing there. “Can I help you?”
“I have a delivery, a gift from a Mr. Mustang,” the man said, looking at his clipboard.
“Oh hell, I totally forgot about it,” Roy groaned. “Bring it in.”
“What did you do, brother?” Bryony arched an eyebrow at him as the man wheeled the end table in on a dolly.
“I wanted to get you a little thank you for letting me and Maes stay here for our break,” Roy said.
Stephen eyed the furniture. “That’s little?”
Roy blushed a bit. “I thought Bry would love it so now it’s a wedding gift.”
Bryony ran a hand over it. “I do love it!” She squeezed Roy so hard his ribs creaked while Stephen signed off on the delivery. “It’s beautiful, Roy. Thank you so much. You didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to,” Roy said, squirming in her grip. “Easy, sis, bruised ribs remember?”
“Please, put it here,” Bryony said, giving the delivery man directions. He complied and left. She surveyed the end table and the rest of her floral-inspired furniture. “It really matches everything.”
“Look inside,” Maes instructed.
Bryony complied, pulling out a small, well-wrapped box. She peeled it open eagerly and lifted out the shell box. “Oh, this is so pretty.”
“Just a little token of thanks. I really appreciate you letting me stay, Bryony,” Maes said with a smile.
She gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You are a very sweet young man, Maes Hughes.”
“When he wants to be,” Roy smirked at him and Maes cuffed him lightly.
“Maes, I’d like you to come to the wedding,” Stephen said, surprising the boy. “You’re like part of the family, too.”
Maes flushed. “Thank you. I don’t know what to say.”
“Yes would be appropriate,” Bryony assured him.
Maes grinned. “Yes.”
“I have to be getting back,” Stephen said, regret heavy in his voice.
Roy beckoned Maes and the teen followed Mustang into the kitchen, giving the couple a bit of privacy before Stephen had to go. Roy sagged against the ice box, suddenly weary and sick. “I can’t believe…what could have happened to us.”
Maes pulled Roy close. “But it didn’t. And we’ll be more careful in the future.”
“A lot more,” Roy said, his lips close to Maes’ neck, thinking that they would be back at the Academy all too soon.
“And we only have a few more days of vacation left so we’re going to enjoy them and forget those monsters,” Maes said, rubbing Roy’s back.
Roy’s only answer was a soft kiss.
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