AN: I actually forgot I wrote this, which is sad because I'm pleased with how it came out.
Darkness and silence. Those were the two things Roy was aware of. The darkness was a given, it had been since 'the Promised Day' when he'd been robbed of his sight.
The silence was not, nor was it true silence. Slow breathing, light footsteps over the linoleum tiles of the hospital floor, the rustling of papers from off to one side. But no speaking. Not since he'd announced what he planned on doing.
It was finally the day, the day the darkness would be no more.
He took a deep breath as one hand curled tighter around the small, glassy object. A stone, uncut, but with smooth, fine edges. A red one if the texts were right.
"See you shortly," he croaked, a laugh catching in his throat.
There was a familiar groan from beside him, but he knew she was smiling. Even if he couldn't see it he knew. Despite her reprimands she always smiled at his bad puns and jokes.
He shifted the stone to sit between both hands, mentally trying to prepare himself for what was to come. Havoc had said it was painless, for the most part. Of course, he hadn't been the one doing the transmutation and he was still in physical therapy.
Noting the irony, he closed his eyes and focused. The stone was the payment, to bypass the equivalent exchange.
Crackling was the first sound to pierce the silence, a noise accompanied by a pickling in his hands not to dissimilar to regular transmutation, and shortly after his head. The noise soon became deafening, a roar and howl of noise, and from the darkness behind his eyes a bright light even he was aware of.
The prickling became sharp, as if someone was poking around his head and behind his eyes. It was unpleasant and uncomfortable, he was definitely going to kill Havoc for telling him it didn't hurt.
Another familiar voice reached his ears and he clenched his teeth. The faceless bastard Truth.
"My payment." He held up the stone between his thumb and forefinger. he wasn't going to bother wondering why he found himself standing when he'd previously been sitting. Or how he hadn't noticed.
"Very well."
Hands, millions of tiny, tiny hands began to touch him, grab him, pulling him from behind towards the doorway. He knew this feeling, even if the last time he'd been sent here against his will.
The roar of voices reached his ears again, a droning almost monotone roar of trapped souls and, whatever else lived within the doors.
Silence. The noise ended almost as soon as it started. No not silence, he could hear his own heavy panting, it felt like he'd run a marathon. His arms shook as he held onto the bed for support. He was back.
"Colonel!"
He lifted his head, turning to face the familiar voice.
"Lieutenant?" He reached a hand out, grasping at thin air for but a moment before a soft, gentle hand took his. A familiar hand rough with callouses and neatly trimmed nails.
"I'm here." The worry in her voice ebbed away, turning to comfort as she relaxed, holding his hand between hers. "Did it work?"
At first all he saw was white, the light nearly blinding his vision as he opened his eyes. Slowly it began to clear and refocus, colours and shapes sliding into view. A navy blue uniform, golden blond hair, and deep brown eyes.
Roy smiled, he didn't even dare blink as he took in the sight before him. The first thing he saw. The face of the person he trusted most, who'd stayed at his side during his recovery.
His silent smile was all the confirmation she needed as her face broke into a joyful smile and she held his hand tightly.
The darkness was gone at last. And in it's place the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen.