A Letter to Hughes
Maes,
Throughout my life, you were always the pillar supporting me. Without you I wouldn't be in the position of privilege I now occupy. Without you I would have never even dreamt of becoming Fuhrer. You showed me how to aspire and how to forget past tragedies. How to overcome the revulsion of being in the front lines during a war. You cannot even begin to comprehend how grateful I am for that.
You saved me from the point of no return once, explaining why performing human transmutation on the men and women I had murdered was a taboo, ultimately useless no matter what. I had listened to your wise advice then, continuing to live my life within the rules. But now… things have changed now. You're not here. Don't be disappointed in me but I have tried resurrecting you, yet I only got halfway through the process. Even though I refuse to admit it aloud, I am weak. I should have continued, yet inside I knew of the horror that would ensue if I did so. I was not ignorant like the little boy. He had performed the transmutation in blissful self-assurance that he and his brother would gain what was most precious to them: their mother. Instead, they lost it all. Despite my almost desperate need to somehow make you return, I am afraid to lose more than I already have. I cannot do it. For now, I must adhere to the advice you gave me decades ago and continue to live while trying to forget. But I can't. I know I will never forget you, nor will the desire for revenge ever leave me.
Grace is sad, in mourning, but she continues to remain optimistic and as beautiful as always. She is a strong woman, caring for Elysia very deeply. Your daughter is still coming to terms with your… death. There, I have finally stated it. You are dead. Still, I write this as if you are beside me, my partner in military and my most trusted friend.
I remember you joked around, saying that nothing, ever, would make me –'serious Colonel Mustang'- cry. Well, you were wrong. You, Maes, you have made me cry. All the deaths I've encountered combined did not cause as much grief as yours alone. I suppose I have become desensitized to it all, hiding my emotions so deeply that even I don't know what I feel anymore.
You know, it should have been me. You have a family that loves you and you were happy. I, on the other hand, was the ill-reputed upstart detested by quite a few people. Why didn't you call me earlier that night? I would have replaced you easily. The world needs more honourable men like you. It misses you. I miss you.
I promise, I will find the person that did this to you and I will commit murder. I know this will not be the solution you would have wanted, but for me it is the only true and plausible answer.
I'm sorry, Maes.