HoS fics

[soc_puppet]

This. Is going to be tricky, perhaps.

Okay, so back in the day, there was an LJ community dedicated to a first-run anime FMA AU where Roy from another universe (possibly the movie universe?) made it to the canon universe. And lots of fun was had with that, but it mostly stayed a similar rating and level of romance to canon. Which, considering this is fandom, people wanted to play with. So then came an offshoot community, houseofsmex, which had a fivesome between Roy, AU!Roy (Masuta Ichiro), Hawkeye, Ed, and Al. I wrote some fics for that AU. I am now moving them here, because I never cross-posted them to my original LJ account, and thus they never migrated over to this account. I'll be replicating the community's original labels, most (if not all of) my original author's notes, and we'll see what else.

Arc: Main: Smut, probably, though I doubt the content gets above PG-13
Summary: Roy needs to work on his calligraphy
Title: Learning Aid

It had been several years and Roy still hadn't gotten the hang of calligraphy. Masuta had tried his best, really, but Roy hadn't learned any more than the basics.

Masuta was incredibly patient, but even he was starting to get frustrated. As a last-ditch effort, he approached Ed and Al and asked them to whip something up for him.

He found Roy in the living room with a brush, ink, and some practice sheets. Roy seemed quite absorbed in his work and only looked up when Masuta put a hand on his arm.

"Oh, hello Ichiro," Roy smiled at Masuta, then glanced back at the papers forlornly. "I still haven't gotten the hang of it, I'm afraid," he admitted.

"That's fine," Masuta replied. "Besides, I got something for you that might help."

"Oh?" Roy tried unsuccessfully to peer around Masuta. "What is it?"

Smiling, Masuta held the jar and brush out for Roy to see. "Chocolate body paint," he explained. His eyes glinted in the lamp light. "Care to try it out?"

Shortly thereafter, not only had Roy's calligraphy improved drastically, the rest of the household had begun demanding to learn.

--Fin--


Arc: Main, Smut again, though still with a low rating.
Summary: Masuta likes showers in the rain, and sex in the shower, so the next obvious step is...
Title: Useless

Masuta stretched deliciously aching muscles, quite satisfied with himself. It had taken months to set something up outdoors where the neighbors wouldn't see it. He'd been dropping hints of this since he'd started the project, trying to sound his lovers out and get them used to the idea. He didn't think they'd guessed what he was doing, though they'd all probably known he was up to something.

Once he'd gotten everything set up, he'd had to wait for the perfect weather. It couldn't be too cold, after all, and thunder storms were obviously out; they were much too dangerous, especially with metal limbs involved, and didn't last nearly long enough besides.

In the end, it had been more than worth the effort. Sex in the rain was even better than in the shower. Masuta smiled fondly at his sleeping lovers, but his expression turned thoughtful when he looked at Roy.

His counterpart, usually dominant during sex, had gone almost completely submissive throughout their tryst in the rain. It wasn't that Masuta hadn't enjoyed the change of pace; far from it, in fact. He couldn't help wondering, though, what had caused this sudden change in character.

Beside him, Edward stirred, and Masuta smiled at him warmly before continuing his study of Roy. Ed glanced from one to the other, and then enlightenment dawned.

"Oh, you're wondering why he was so...docile?"

"Well, yes," Masuta admitted.

Edward grinned. "Didn't you know?" he asked, then gestured toward the sleeping man. "Roy's useless in the rain."

--Fin--

I refuse to appologize for the last line.


Arc: Main, Mei
Summary: Perhaps, Mei thought, she could do something to help.
Title: Pins and Needles

For the past few days, Mei noticed, Mr. Edward had been acting more grumpy than usual--and that was saying something. He had also been rubbing his shoulder a lot and was favoring his left arm more than usual. His...housemates, including her long-lost older brother, had suggested something called 'aspirin'. Mr. Edward had ingested some with complaint, but it seemed to do little good.

Perhaps, Mei thought, she could do something to help.

Mei found Mr. Edward hunched over a book in the library. His brow was creased in concentration, which Mei had learned was unusual; apparently Mr. Edward was usually relaxed when he read. Swallowing, Mei approached him. "Mr. Edward,"

Mr. Edward grunted, but didn't look up from his book.

Mei took it as a good sign that he responded at all and continued. "I've noticed some things you've been doing recently and... Mr. Edward, does your shoulder hurt?"

At this Mr. Edward looked up, gold eyes flashing like coins from Mei's homeland. "And what if it does?"

"I'd like to help, if you'd let me. I know some medical techniques that might work. I want to repay you for your kindness," she added hastily. What was it she kept hearing him say? Oh, yes, "And it would be equivalent trade."

Mr. Edward closed his book with reluctance and arched a perfect eyebrow. "Okay," he said, setting his book aside, "What do I have to do?"

Mei smiled, glad both that he wasn't angry for her presumption and that she would be able to help him. "First, you should take off your shirt. Then we need to find a place for you to lie down..." Noticing the look Mr. Edward was giving her, Mei trailed off.

Mr. Edward cleared his throat. "This isn't some strange plan to seduce me, I hope."

Blood rushed to Mei's face. "I--no! No, of course not! I know that you're happy with your... with your family, and I wouldn't dare come between you!" Besides, she added silently, all of you would hate me, and I couldn't bear that.

Seeming to decide she was sincere, Mr. Edward nodded and removed his shirt, wincing as he pulled it off of his right arm. "Okay. Would the large table or the floor be better?"

Mei's eyes tracked the movement of the metal limb. Such amazing things they have here, she thought. Still, it would make her work a bit more difficult. "The table would be better," she said, taking a sheaf of acupuncture needles from her sleeve. "And if you could lay face-down...?" Mr. Edward complied almost without hesitation. Positioning a needle carefully over Mr. Edward's spine, Mei's hand hovered uncertainly for a moment. "This may sting for a second," she warned, then punched the needle into Mr. Edward's skin.

Mr. Edward tensed for a moment after the needle was inserted, then relaxed. He looked over his shoulder and smiled slightly at Mei. "That does feel a bit better," he admitted. "Can you keep going, possibly?"

Mei smiled back brightly and continued.

-----

Hours later Roy entered the library to find Edward sprawled out on the table and stripped of his shirt. While this was normally a welcome sight, the needles sprouting from his back and left thigh were a bit discouraging. To Ed's left, and in a chair, thank God, sat Roy's younger sister. Edward appeared to be relating to Mei what he knew of automail, who was listening in rapt attention.

Roy eyed the coffee mug in his hand and decided it would probably be best if he didn't brew it himself any longer; after all, the coffee Edward and Riza made was never hallucinogenic.

--Fin--

Okay, couple of quick notes. Firstly, while I did do some research into acupuncture for this, it wasn't actually a lot, so if anyone out there notices any particular mistakes I'd be very greatful if you could let me know. Edit: Okay, went through and altered the ending a bit. Hopefully, it's closer to being accurate ^^; Thanks for the info, sleepywanderer! (still don't know if the needles in his leg would work from the back, though; help?) /edit. Second, when I first wrote this (Sunday), there wasn't really anything to establish what Mei called pretty much any of the characters, so I just went with instinct ^^;. 'Mr. Edward' is about as close as I could get to being formal and not confusing anyone, so I hope there are no objections. I am quite aware of the 'Mr. Ed' jokes that could potentially be made with this, and I'd be much obliged if you didn't make them -_-. Or at least not unless they were really, really funny.


Arc: Main, no idea; possibly Smut (though again, low rating)
Summary: Hot Springs fic!
Title: Rest and Relaxation

It had taken a good deal of persuasion for the military to allow Roy, Ed and Riza to take a vacation at the same time, but they had managed it. After a good deal of argument, the five decided to spend a week at a hot spring resort. Unfortunately, their troubles hadn't ended yet.

-----

In the men's pools, Al and Masuta were enjoying a nice long soak. Roy, on the other hand, was busy.

"Come on, Ed, get in the water. It feels wonderful!"

"Hell no! That's mineral water! That stuff would get into my automail and leave residue when it dried! Winry would kill me!" Ed glared at Roy, but looked longingly at the water.

Roy huffed. "Really, Fullmetal, I'm supposed to be the one who has trouble with water."

Masuta looked up from giving Al a back rub. "He has a point, you know."

"I'm telling you, no! Do you know what Winry threatened to do to me after what she found dried in the cracks last time?" Ed shuddered. "I'm not taking any chances, thanks!"

"I'm certain she wouldn't resort to that," Al pointed out. "Schiezka's next birthday would be very disappointing if she did."

Roy decided it was time to play his trump card. "Of course, if you're afraid you wouldn't be able to touch the bottom, that's another matter entirely. Why, it's almost three feet deep in places!"

"WHAT?! WHO ARE YOU SAYING COULD DROWN IN A PUDDLE?!"

Roy smirked; all was right with the world. "I didn't say that, Edward; I merely meant that if you wanted to find a shallower pool--"

"I'LL KILL YOU FOR THAT!" So saying, Ed leaped from the side of the pool and tackled Roy, plunging into the water. Roy grinned as Ed tried to strangle him; his plan had worked perfectly. Now there could be gratuitous hot spring sex!

"Would you mind not splashing so much?" Masuta asked politely. "We're trying to relax."

"YOU FUCKING BASTARD! I'LL RIP YOUR OTHER EYE OUT!"

They were abruptly silenced by a clear voice saying, "I think that's quite enough, thank you."

Ed released Roy's throat in shock. "Riza?!"

Riza glared sternly at Ed and Roy. "I'll not have any fighting on my vacation."

"That's fine, but--Riza, what the hell are you doing in here?"

"Relaxing," Riza replied, lowering herself into the water. "Is that bad?"

"Well, no, but--Riza, this is the men's pool!"

The water must be warmer than he thought, Masuta reflected, because Riza certainly didn't blush. "I managed to convince the staff that we should have a pool to ourselves for the duration of our trip," she explained.

"Really?" Alphonse asked. "How'd you manage that?"

Riza smiled. "I have my ways."

There was a heartbeat of silence. "You brought a gun to a hot spring resort?!"

The remainder of the vacation was, if not restful, at least entertaining.

--Fin--

You asked for hot spring fic, I gave you hot spring fic. So yes, you win.

Arc: Doubles, Traveling Companions continuity
Summary: Cats are naturally curious...
Title: The Feline Condition

Edward Elric, cat, poked his nose into the human's study. The human was out at the library (Edward didn't know what a library was, but hoped it involved bringing back lots of food for growing kittens), Roy was preening of all things, and Maes and Riza were babying Nina. It was the perfect time to explore.

Ed pushed the door open enough to admit a cat, then padded softly into the room. He didn't quite understand why their adopted human made such a big deal about this room--and cats getting into it--but he intended to find out.

With a mighty leap, Edward reached the top of the desk, the place where the human's scent was strongest. He pawed curiously through the papers strewn there, looking for answers. He didn't understand most of the markings the human left, but some of the shapes looked like things his mother had once told him about. Some of them smelled funny, too.

Edward paused in his shuffling to examine one of the drawings more clearly. Planting his paws on the paper, he leaned in close to get a better sniff. It reminded him of something, like the earth in spring or the air outside after rain...

Edward yowled and jumped from the desk, scattering papers, as the array began to glow. Tail waving like a banner, he fled the room. He stopped to rest once he reached the kitchen. Small chest heaving, Edward groomed himself, trying to regain his composure. What the hell was that?

In Alphonse's study, a piece of paper with an array drawn on it fluttered to the floor.

--Fin--

Okay, I have absolutely no business writing this, especially considering the amount I know about anime canon could maybe fill a thimble ^^;, but I assume you all know how plot bunnies are. Anyway, probably rife with mistakes, but we can work things out, I'm sure. And now, I flee.


Arc: Doubles, Traveling Companions continuity (direct sequel to The Feline Condition)
Summary: Edward!kitty does some research
Title: Trial and Error

Edward avoided paper for almost a week after the glowing mark incident. When he finally gathered the courage to paw at a newspaper he was almost disappointed that nothing happened. Clearly it wasn't just paper that made human marks glow.

The lack of reaction from the paper, rather than deterring the kitten, only piqued Edward's curiosity. He became determined to solve the mystery.

The first thing Edward checked out was scent. He searched the whole apartment--not that there was much of it--for a close match to the wet-earth smell. Whenever he found something that was similar enough, he would press his nose as close to the source as he dared and wait for something to happen.

Roy ran across him during his search. He watched Ed curiously for a while, but Ed ignored him. As soon as Roy figured out that all Edward was doing was smelling things, he laughed and lost interest. Ed wanted to attack him on principal for that, but didn't want to be distracted from his task.

Once Edward had eliminated scent as the trigger, he turned to the study. He had to wait for another time when the human went out to be able to sneak in, but that never took too long.

Roy found him again while he was searching the study. This time Roy watched silently , which Ed found curious but didn't bother to point out; he was too busy. Engrossed in his task, he barely noticed when Roy left the room as silently as he'd entered.

There was nothing in the room that lit up for Ed, not even the desk or chair when he'd gotten close enough. Edward abandoned the room to brood over the problem (preferably in a nice beam of sunlight where he wouldn't be disturbed). If it wasn't the paper that caused the glowy thing, and it wasn't the scent and it wasn't the desk, then what was it?

He was still puzzling over it when the human got back that night. Maes and Nina rushed to greet him, and Riza followed to herd him inside. Roy sat a short distance away from the action, washing himself and trying (but failing) to look aloof. Edward joined in the greeting, because sometimes the human brought food. Even when he didn't have a treat for them, though the strokes and skritches were nice, and the way his lips turned up when he saw them waiting made Edward feel warm and comfortable. He often found himself purring, though he couldn't say why.

They followed their human into the kitchen where he set some packages down and all the cats looked at him expectantly. He laughed--a strange sound when it came from a human, Edward thought--and said, "Okay, okay, I'll get you some food."

Now that was more like it! Edward was purring right up until the human set down the fifth mismatched saucer in front of him.

Edward's nose wrinkled as he smelled the pasty white substance, and he sneezed in disgust. Ew, milk! Feeling quite put upon, Ed stepped firmly on one of the saucer's edges, spilling the milk over the floor.

Hearing the clatter, the human looked down at him inquisitively. "Don't like milk, huh?" He snorted. "Why am I not surprised?" Fishing something from his loose, removable outer-skin, the human bent over. "I'll just fix this up and then the rest of your family can have it," he said, and then started marking the floor.

Edward watched as the human scribbled, wondering when he was going to get something decent to drink, until the human set aside the marking tool and put his hand on the symbol. Edward's eyes widened as the mark began to glow, and he barely noticed his fur rising as energy sparked off of it. Soon, the milk had collected back into the saucer in front of him. Once the glowing stopped, the human pushed the now full dish toward te other cats. Roy, Nina and Maes practically dove into it, but Riza managed to practice more restraint.

Edward wasn't paying attention; he was lost in thought. So that was how the glowy thing worked! Still, Edward could think of much better applications for it than just cleaning up a little spilled milk.

--Fin--

You people and your angst obsession -_- More fluff, I say!

And Edward!kitty learns a little bit more about alchemy ^_~

Have a few more bunnies for Alchemist!Kitties, but don't know when they'll get written. If any of you get a plunny for this thing, feel free to work with it. Oh, and the first person to even think about suggesting Feline Transmutation gets to take Roy!kitty to the vet for his "little operation".


Arc: Main, Pets
Summary: It was inevitable that they get one
Title: Inevitable

Ed wanted to blame it on someone, but Roy and Riza didn't do that sort of thing, Masuta hadn't been out of the house that day, and Al swore up and down that the only thing he'd brought home that day was the ragged old gray tomcat that was making itself at home in the library. It left Edward with painfully few options, especially since he knew he himself wasn't to blame.

Masuta walked up to him as he was brooding. He followed Ed's stare out the window, where they could see it in the yard. "It's very cute," Masuta commented. "Do you suppose it's wild?"

Edward shook his head. "Color's wrong," he answered simply.

"Ah. Then do you suppose it's one of the neighbors'?"

"Not likely. The lady across the back is allergic, the ones on the right won't let their daughter get a pet, and the ones to the left are a one-pet household with a dog already." Ed continued to stare out the window.

"How do you suppose it got there?"

A shrug. "Beats me."

Masuta was silent for a moment. "Edward," he said at last, "Would you like to go out there and bring it in?"

At this, Edward managed to tear his eyes away from the window to glare at Masuta before stomping off to the library.

Silently Masuta watched him go. Well, he thought, that was different.

By six o'clock Edward had given in and gone out to get it. Roy found them both in the kitchen, Edward sorting vegetables into a new food dish for it. "Well," he said, looking from the ginger-colored rabbit to Ed and back again, "You have to admit, it fits right in."

Roy was out for two hours after being decked, but Ed thought it was worth it.

--Fin--

Because, really, this house needed a bunny >3

Tried to make Ed grumpily protective of it ^^; Hope it came across right.

Dedicated to our pet green iguana, Hamilton, whom Dad saved from what was likely to be a (very short) life of malnutrition, cramped spaces, and metabolic bone disease, and whom Mom spoils ruthlessly. He is very cute when eating.


Categories: Main, Smut (though for all I know, it'll grow into its own arc -_-), Pampering
ysabet
Summary: Return of the hot springs fic! Sequel to Rest and Relaxation
For Ysabet :)
Note: Please excuse my gross incompetence in failing to include this in the first one.
Title: Proper Attire

After a nice, long soak, the five had decided to retire to their rooms and, at Roy's insistence, test out the beds. In addition to the spring itself, Riza had managed to persuade the staff to make the changing room private. This was their first stop on the way to their room.

Once dry, Al set his towel aside and glanced around the room, half wondering if his brother needed help drying his automail, half hoping to catch an eyeful while his lovers were changing. He was, after all, still a growing boy. His eyebrows went up when he looked at Masuta. "Ichiro, what's that you're wearing?"

Three new pairs of eyes turned to lock on Masuta.

Masuta glanced at Al, then looked down at his clothing. "Hm? Oh, it's called a yukata. It's a type of lightweight kimono that people from my homeland wear in the summer. It's traditional to wear them when visiting hot springs." He flushed slightly. "I, ah, had it in my closet, and I thought that as long as we were going to a hot spring... that is, I hope it's okay?" He looked up again to see his four lovers staring hungrily at him.

Suddenly, Masuta was keenly aware of how lightly colored the fabric of his yukata was. He hadn't bothered to dry off much before putting it on, and the water made it practically translucent, molding it to his skin.

"Oh, no, it's definitely okay for you to wear that," Riza purred, a smile forming on her lips, her eyes glinting.

Edward nodded, also smiling. "Especially since it's so easy to take off."

Masuta didn't even bother to protest as his lovers jumped him. Vacations, after all, were meant to be enjoyed.

--End--

Because Japanese clothing = teh smex
Also because Ysabet needs to be spoiled. Lots. Now.


Originally inspired by Breasts by terrierlee
Arc: Twins
Summary: Edward is haunted by slightly more than memories. Possibly non-canon.
Fic: Echoes

1.
When Maes and Nina were infants, everyone tried to make sure there was someone there to watch them at all times. Once in a while, though, there was only one adult in the house, and if he or she had to leave the room, improvisation occurred.

Riza was just trying to put Maes and Nina down for their afternoon nap--Nina was usually good about that sort of thing, but Maes liked to stay awake and demand attention from the nearest family member, so nap time provided a degree of difficulty--when the doorbell rang. Riza, having finally managed to get Maes to lie down in the crib next to his sister, blew her bangs out of her face in frustration. She glanced around the room, not sure what to do. On the one hand, it could be important; on the other, she really didn't want to leave the twins alone. When she was about to give up and ignore the caller all together, she heard a soft 'woof' behind her. She turned to see a large white dog standing in the doorway.

Riza frowned, not recognizing it. Perhaps Al or Masuta had brought it in and she just hadn't noticed? The doorbell rang again, breaking into her thoughts, and Riza made her decision.

"Come here," she said, beckoning to the dog. Obediently, the dog walked over to her. "Sit," she told it, "stay. Don't bark. If anything happens, come and get me." The dog sat, looking for all the world as if she didn't need to worry if he was here.

Riza paused to survey the room a final time, then walked quickly to the front door.

It turned out to be one of the neighbors with a petition of some sort about local schools. Riza signed it, thanked her, and hurried back to check on Maes and Nina.

To her amazement, both Maes and Nina were sleeping soundly. The dog was lying at the foot of the crib with a trustworthy look on his face.

Riza stared for a moment. Suddenly it seemed that all she could think of were the chores piling up around the house. She thought longingly of being certain that she would have something clean to wear the next day--but she couldn't leave Maes and Nina for that long; could she?

The white dog stared up at her beseechingly. Go ahead, he seemed to say, I've got things under control here.

Riza hesitated a moment longer, then gave in. "Okay," she murmured to the dog, "I'll just be a few hours. Come get me if anything happens?"

The dog barked softly in reply, and laid his head down over his paws. Satisfied, Riza left to tackle the laundry.

The rest of that afternoon was spent in more or less the same manner. Riza would be doing chores and the dog would appear, as if out of nowhere, to alert her that something was happening with the children. Once nap time was over, Riza left the twins in a playpen under the dog's watch. The interruptions were more frequent then, but still occurred slightly less often than usual. Riza decided that the new dog was the ideal baby-sitter.

When the others arrived home that evening, they were surprised and delighted to discover a full meal waiting for them. They found Riza in the den, entertaining the twins; she'd gotten a lot of work done and had sent the dog out to take a break. She looked up and smiled when her lovers entered the room. "Welcome home. How was everyone's day?"

The four exchanged glances. "Not as productive as yours, from the look of things," Al said, amused.

Riza shrugged. "I had some help," she admitted. Then she asked, "Masuta, Al? Did either of you bring in a dog I don't know about?"

The two men exchanged glances. "I haven't brought any new animals in for months," Masuta confessed.

"Me, neither," Al told her. "I've been too busy."

Riza frowned. "You're sure? Has anyone brought in a large white dog recently?"

They shook their heads. "No,"

Ed looked troubled. "A large white dog, you said?"

"Yes," Riza frowned. "What's going on?"

Edward shook his head. "Where is it now?"

"I sent it out a while ago to play with the other dogs," Riza told him. "Edward, what...?" But Ed was already moving. Curious, the four followed Edward to the back yard, Riza taking Maes and Masuta carrying Nina. There they saw Edward watching Black Hayate and the Dalmatian playing in the yard--but no other dog. Edward was frowning.

Alphonse, who was closest to Ed, thought he heard his brother mutter, "Alexander," but wasn't sure. Why would Ed say that, anyway?

For the next few weeks, the five kept a lookout for the white dog around the house, but could find no sign of it. Eventually they were all distracted by other things, and the incident was forgotten.


2.
It wasn't uncommon for children to have imaginary playmates when they were young. Nina, though, seemed to be something of a prodigy in that area; her invisible friend showed up when she was three.

Edward was the first to notice. He found Nina setting out an extra dish of food for the pets one day.

"Hey, Nina; what're you doing with that?" he asked, trying to sound friendly. He'd learned early on that sounding mad only made the twins upset, and he had trouble dealing with crying children.

"Feeding my new pet," Nina answered simply, not looking up.

"Pet?" Frowning, Edward looked around the room. Cats, dogs, rabbit, but nothing he didn't already know. "What new pet?"

Nina looked at him as if he was stupid (which, before he'd had children, didn't actually happen that often). "You can't see him, Papa; only I can."

"Oh, right," Light dawned on Edward Elric. Winry had had one of those when they were kids, he remembered; Al, too. Of course, theirs were human, but it could hardly be that different. "So, can you tell me about, uh ... him?" he asked, trying to fish for information about his daughter's new 'playmate'--though why she needed one in this household was a mystery.

Nina beamed. "Uh-huh! He's a big white dog, and his name's Alexander!"

Ed's face froze. "Alexander, huh? That's a good name."

"Yup!" Nina reached over to pat 'Alexander's' shoulder. Edward could almost make out a blurred canine outline under her hand, and blinked quickly to make it disappear. "He's really soft and friendly, too," Nina went on.

Ed nodded absently. Bits of memory were flowing back to him from when he was twelve, swirling in his thoughts like eddies in the wind. "Say, Nina," he said, "Once Alexander finishes breakfast, do you think he would like to play outside with the other dogs?"

Nina looked at the empty patch of air as if expecting an answer, then smiled. "Yep, he would! He's finished now, so can I take him out, please?" Nina turned large pleading eyes on Ed.

Edward chuckled weakly. "Go right ahead. I'll be in here if you need me."

"Yay!" Nina cheered. "C'mon, Alexander, let's go!" Excitedly, Nina dashed out the back door.

Edward watched her go, and then sank gratefully into a chair. It was much too early for this sort of thing.

Roy stumbled into the kitchen, still half-asleep by the look of it. "Coffee?"

"In the pot," Ed answered automatically, his attention focused out the window.

Roy had begun drinking by the time Edward's tone of voice registered to him. "Ed?" he asked, sitting next to the blond, "Is something wrong?"

Ed pointed out to the back yard. "Look,"

Roy looked. There was Nina, playing with Black Hayate and the Dalmatian. "...Something about Nina?" he guessed.

Edward smiled wanly. "You could say that. Look closer."

Roy wanted to protest. It was really much to early in the morning for him to be of much use, and besides that he was missing an eye and hadn't had his coffee yet. The last one, though, he could fix, so he brought the mug back to his lips and watched Nina play.

After a while he began to notice something. Nina seemed to be giving three sets of orders to two dogs. If that weren't strange enough, sometimes the dogs acted as if there were a third animal in their midst, frolicking and playing with thin air. "Edward, what...?"

"She says his name is Alexander," Ed answered bitterly. His eyes, when he looked at Roy, were sad and almost haunted.

Roy rested his head in the hand not holding his coffee mug. He needed something stronger than coffee to deal with this. "What do we do about it?" he asked tiredly.

"Nothing," Ed replied, "Except ... wait."

Alexander was a part of the household until the winter after Nina turned four. When asked where he went, Nina looked at her parents and said, "I don't know. He just couldn't stay for some reason."


3.
Every summer like clockwork, Maes' and Nina's Aunt Mei came to visit from her homeland. Whenever she showed up she would bring strange and elaborate gifts from far away, and spoiled the twins ruthlessly.

When Maes and Nina were six, Mei brought Nina a steel-ribbed fan and Maes a set of throwing knives. With them, she gave the promise that she would teach the twins weapon arts. Masuta had already begun training them in hand-to-hand, but the only weapon art he knew was archery, and Mei wanted to teach them something as well. Weapons, it had been decided, would be left to her.

With what amounted to a collective blessing from their parents, Maes and Nina began training the next day. They stayed out well into the afternoon, and returned home exhausted but happy. Trailing behind was a slightly puzzled Mei.

Sitting down at the table across from Masuta, Mei reached out and snagged an orange. "Are you sure you haven't been teaching them any weapon styles?"

Masuta frowned. "I've only been teaching them Aikido; we agreed to leave the weapons up to you, you know that."

Mei sighed and slipped a slice of orange into her mouth. Swallowing, she said, "Maes is a natural with throwing knives. He hit every target I set up for him. The first one he missed was fifty yards away, and that was only by half a foot! I asked him if he'd been taught how to throw, and he said he'd never had a lesson before." She shook her head. "It's not right! No one should be that good with a knife when they're this young. No one."

Masuta couldn't think of anything to say to that, which was just as well, as he would have been interrupted by Ed dropping a large frying pan. Ed bent to pick it up. "I'm fine," he said quickly, "Really."

The next day, Mei switched Maes from knife throwing to staff combat.


4.
Maes was eight when he got his first camera. At first it was only for a school project, but when he found out he liked it--and that he was good at it--he began taking photos of everything and everyone he could. Soon his shelves were brimming with photo albums, and a small bathroom downstairs had been converted to a development room.

While Maes would take pictures of anything, his favorite subjects would always be of his family. He had entire shelves dedicated to 'Mom,' 'Dad,' 'Papa,' 'Father,' 'Otousan,' and 'Nina,' and that wasn't even including group shots. On an additional shelf were albums of pictures of Aunt Winry, Aunt Sheska, Maes' and Nina's cousin and Aunt Mei. Maes even started carrying around a pocket album with some of his favorite shots so he could show other people.

Maes himself was rarely the subject of photos. Whenever someone in his family managed to persuade him to join a group photo or to have his own picture taken, it turned out strangely. His image would be smudged, or he would be flanked by a figure-like shadow.

Maes would joke that he was a camera jinx when other people photographed him, but nothing seemed to go wrong when Nina or someone outside the family took a picture. It became a family mystery, and a bit of a running joke.

Edward was probably the only one bothered by it, though the instances when this occurred were few and far between. Mostly they revolved around certain times of the year, though it took a long time for anyone to notice.

Roy was the first to put things together. He didn't confront Ed about it until one night when the younger man slipped off after the other four had settled down to sleep. Roy followed him to the kitchen where he found Edward staring at old photographs, a mug of cocoa in his hands.

"Edward," Roy started when the silence became overwhelming, "Why now? Why does this only bother you around..." He trailed off, and Ed smiled bitterly.

"Because," Edward told him, "the shadows only show up when his picture is taken by someone who knew Hughes."

Roy closed the distance between them and folded his arms around Edward. Ed nearly spilled his cocoa setting it down to do the same.

"Ed," Roy said softly, "we gave our children those names so we would remember. That's all this really is, Ed, another reminder--so we never forget the people we've lost, or the ones we have now."

Ed bit his lip to keep it from trembling, and tightened his hold on Roy. "I know," he said quietly, "I know..."

--Fin--

* The Dalmatian needs a name. Help, please?
* "You can't see him, Papa; only I can." That was my mentality for my imaginary friend when I still had her ^^; She didn't have much personality, though.
* Not sure if this is a Mei-verse or not, so I'm taking a chance and saying 'yes'.
* Do we have designated father names? Roy = Dad, Al = Father, etc? If not, how do the kids keep the men straight from being confused? Names, maybe?
* ...I seem to have developed a habit for trying to make characters like the people they're named after. If this is thrown out of canon because of that, I'll understand.
* C&C appreciated ^^v And Happy Three Month Anniversary!

...Wow, that took a really long time to type *_*


Phew! Okay, I think that's everything. And that should be all of the fics I left behind on LJ, minus maybe one that's in the comments of a friend's locked account. I'm pretty sure I could recreate that one in a hurry, though; it was pretty short, and I remember the punchline 😛