The Flowing Alchemist [FMAB Fanfic]

12} Don't Let Go <edited>

(Y/n)'s pov

My eyes flutter open slowly to the sound of footsteps pacing the floor beside me and something cold and wet guzzling against my cheek.

Someone approaches. Hokori growls in my head and I push myself to a sitting position, drawing Maes' attention.

"Someone is coming, should I hide?" I ask him, petting the wolf by my side for reassurance.

"It's just Roy, he said he'd help us. He's been pleading your case against the Fuhrer King Bradley. They...they are lobbying to have you...they think you're too dangerous to be allowed in central." His brows are furrowed in his anger and he refuses to meet my eyes.

"I should run away, I could cross the desert, they'd never find me there-"

"No! I won't let them treat you like a rabid dog!" Maes shouts just as the door opens and Roy steps inside.

"And I won't let you ruin your life and the lives of your family fighting against the Fuhrer!" I shout back, Hokori tensing at my feet. "Easy," I mumble, hearing his growl of warning to the two men.

"Flow, glad to see you unharmed," Mustang jokes, his eyes betraying his concern.

"Roy, what's the word from King Bradley?" Maes demands.

"He would have her be relocated to Briggs, it's remote and ruled with an iron fist. It's either that or imprisonment, I'm sorry but it's the best I could do."

"They're acting like I was harmless before even though one snap of my fingers and the whole Capitol could've been incinerated," I mutter.

"There are no state alchemists in Briggs, that's probably why they think you'll be easier to control there," Mustang adds, giving my wolf a side long glance and stepping back almost imperceptibly.

"I'll go. I'll play along, behave myself and then get reassigned to central."

"No, you haven't done anything wrong, (y/n)." Maes begins his pacing again and I stand to stop him, holding his arm firmly.

"Maes, if the alternative is becoming a fugitive or a prisoner then I don't have a choice. I know the north well and I'll prove myself there the same way I did here. I will come back," I promise, "so you'd better not get a better lieutenant after I leave because I'll be kicking them to the curb as soon as Bradley gives me the all clear."

Maes nods, tearing up too much to say anything and instead pulling me into another embrace, his hands faltering as they near my back which is now turned to Roy, my coat still torn open to expose the skin. I glance at him over my shoulder and when his eyes meet mine I see the fire behind them. His clenched fists and taught jaw speaking every emotion I know he would never admit to anyone. Once Hughes releases me, he excuses himself to make arrangements for my travel. Roy and I stand in silence for a few moments, Hokori circling the man and sniffing him before returning to me.

He reeks of anger. He protects you also?

I nod my reply to the animal who finds that good enough motivation to hop back onto the chair and rest once more.

"I...I had a team review Tucker's notes after I found you, I believe I know what he did," Roy finally breathes, his voice rough.

"You found me?" I can't help the widening of my eyes at the statement, remembering how swollen Tucker's face was when I saw him. "I take it you're the one who pummeled him then?"

"I wish I had less self control," he admits. I wonder just when he started getting so protective over me.

I gently peel the coat off my back fully and hold it to my bare chest, pulling my hair off of my skin and giving the man a better look.

"Can you decipher it? I haven't been able to fully look at it yet."

He clears his throat and I hear him stepping forward before a hand lightly traces the fresh markings on my back. A shiver ripples from his touch and I fight the urge to arch my back, feeling my skin break out in goosebumps.

"This is the transmutation circle he drew on the ground. The inner rings represent you and the wolf, the outer ones are binding. How he fused your souls together is beyond my understanding but the circle itself...the words are plain. You and the wolf are bound in every way." Roy draws in a loud breath and I feel him stepping away, my cue to pull the coat back over my skin. Before I can attempt to make it cover my back, a new coat is thrust in my direction. Roy's coat.

"Take it, it will cover you a lot better than those tatters," he smirks, "you really should be more careful with your uniform, Miss (l/n)."

I smile back with a shake of my head.

"Whatever you say, Sir."