Roy returned his gaze to people riding along with him, Riza had elected to drive and Fuery was sitting shotgun tinkering with an old pocket watch. Roy suppressed a tiny smile.
Where Roy had leniently dismissed the tardiness earlier of both drivers, Riza thought that she would take back the reigns of driving for the remainder of their stay in Resembool. Riza was a conservative when it came to what was required of an Army professional. Her austerely orderliness and rational readiness was what other officers aspire. She was his adjutant and bodyguard. She had designated herself role of protecting him 'her own words' which he had learned was one of the reasons she had become his aide. Or perhaps it was the fact that it was her father's work that had made him one of strongest and probably most powerful Alchemists in the Army. His ideals for Amestris's future was probably the ruling factor and of course she didn't want her father's research used as a weapon again. Whatever the list of reasons for why Riza continued to remain at his side, he was appreciative to her far more than she realized.
He trusted her decisiveness and her candor when it came to keeping him on his path of honor and holding together virtues that were lack thereof in the Army. During the time of Father, he had displayed a side of himself, going as far as to protect her from harm, but he would of course offer the same assurance to all his subordinates if ever they were threatened with violence. With Riza it always seemed like they were two that would probably be sitting across from each other sharing a cup of coffee, and many people had emphasized that perhaps she would be the country's next first lady.
Their history together could probably factor in those beliefs. Roy had picked up a few times where that notion may have gone beyond the standard relationship of a superior and subordinate from Riza. But that knowledge would remain just that because as much as Riza is a Queen on his chess board, he could not foresee a future of idly holding hands together as they take in a afternoon stroll. She is after-all the stronghold of his team, someone he trusted and friend above-all-else.
The Military frowned upon fraternizing, so the formality of having a relationship would have been thwarted by the upper brass. They would never have crossed that line, being the consummate professionals they are, and Roy, he had goals set in motion, he may have lapsed a couple of times before risking both goals and life, but reasons at the time was outweighed by the danger that impeded all around them.
Besides, one crystallized truth remained; Roy's heart was already held captive by another. Although said heart was big to accommodate the country, his subordinates, and anyone else he wanted to fit in it, he could not share the deepest part with anyone else in the capacity of love. That chunk, allotted, prime real estate of his humanity was hidden amidst a storm of memories, longing, experiences, pain and loss and before he released the keys to anyone other than the capturer, he was going to get through this weekend first and foremost.
They finally arrived at the house where they would be accompanying several other guests for a dinner party. The drive up the dusty road to the dwelling was long, leaving behind a thick, smoky swirl of dirt. Roy opened the car door. He stepped out of the solid car, leaving behind any last visages of the self-doubt.
There was a calmness in the air, a stagnant cloud of dust the car kicked up was pricking his eyes and drying out his mouth. The fragrance of the jasmine, lavender and sun kissed grasses was apparent, the smells invading his senses in a glorious warmth and peace. The sun bathed earth settled back to a stillness and Roy inhaled a deep gust of the sweet-smelling atmosphere, loosing the noose around him, that was coiling and tightening his throat. He looked over to Riza and Fuery and they were both jovial greeting Falman and his family as they pulled up in the other car.
This was it. No, 'I'll deal with it tomorrow.' He had to come face to face with what the invitation signified and hope that he would leave here with his pride and heart intact.
Roy looked around at the property and dwelling, noting that their wasn't a single change to the overall appearance from the last time he was here, with the exception of a new sign at the front of the house 'Auto Mail by The Rockbell's'.
"They are here," a voice called out.
From the side of the house walked Alphonse Elric. Roy was slightly taken back by his appearance. He'd only seen him once maybe twice since he regained his body and the shock factor still resinated with was the clanking of metal footsteps, replaced by a graceful stride, and he was tall, perhaps two inches taller than Roy himself. His eyes honey brown, warm and welcoming and his hair, strawberry blonde dipped in the sun as it sets, was short and slightly spiked. He was definitely a sight to behold and Roy could not help but plaster on a smile, a genuine one.
"We were wondering if perhaps you could not find the house." Alphonse said, smiling pleasantly as he extended his hand for Roy to shake. "General, it's nice to see you again."
"I would say the pleasure is all mine, Alphonse. You are certainly an envision to be apprised of and please, don't mind my gaping. I'm still processing the fact that you returned from the Gate of Truth in one piece and please, it's Roy outside the office."
"General, ahh thanks...I mean R...Roy." He replied, cheeks taking on a faint blush. "Captain Falman, Lieutenant and Sergeant. Brother will be thrilled that all of you made it, Havoc and the others are already here." He gestured to the back of the house.
Alphonse asked animatedly about how their trip was and if this was Falman's and Fuery's first time in Resembool and other such things. He continued with a couple of questions until he brought them to the rear of the home. There was music emanating from the back and the hush tones of voices talking.
When they emerged, Roy felt like he'd stepped into a garden of some fancy aristocrat from Central.
"Do you all like what we've done to the place?" Alphonse was asking.
Cleary the look on their faces said that they were to stunned to respond.
"I designed it myself, along with help from Mei. You remember Mei, right sir?" The youngest Elric questioned.
The girl who Roy had a brief encounter with two years ago had walked up to them and was looping her arm into one of Alphonse's while she exchanged her pleasantries. Girlfriend Roy assumed.
"Alphonse it's simply breathtaking." Riza replied, Falman and Fuery both agreeing with variations of the statement.
"Thank you. I'll let brother know his guests have arrived. Feel free to explore; and their are drinks being served and light bites before the dinner starts over there." He gestured to the end of the garden where Roy saw a small bar and behind the bar was Dr. Pinako Rockbell.
"Sir, will you be alright? I see Rebecca and I'd love to go and say hello." Riza was asking.
"Lieutenant, we are not on the clock and this is a party." He said smiling. "Please go and enjoy yourself. I'm a grown man."
Riza gave him a puzzled look. "Sir, please take your own advice and try and relax tonight. I'm sure whatever it is that have been occupying your mind can't be that bad that you can't enjoy this special occasion and perhaps a drink would help lighten your mood."
"Right," he said.
Funny how a couple of choice words was all it took for him to recognize that he was not acting like himself and was bound to have Riza or any one from the team ask him what was really going on.
"Sir, are you alright?" Riza murmured.
Roy nodded, "Yes, and thank you Lieutenant. I'll go and see if Pinako can whip me a special Resembool cocktail."
"Of course, Sir, and please only a few drinks tonight."
"Lieutenant, I'm your commanding officer and..." Riza scrutinized him sternly "Say no more. A few drinks is all or even less. Please, go, it seems like Rebecca is looking over here for your attention. I'll catch up you with you later."
Roy walked away and made a beeline for the bar. He really had to commend Alphonse, the garden was enchanting. They had constructed an exquisite dining area which was enclosed by a wisteria arbor. Twinkling lights weaved in the spectacular and vigor tree. Flower beds and hedges added to the splendor of the space. Roy saw familiar faces, all filled with joy, nodding and extending beaming smiles. They all bare the mark of being in good spirits. They were here for a celebration for one of their own, someone who have touched theirs hearts and countless many others. The music added to the ambiance, emphasizing the tone for what the night was truly about. It was all very romantic and Roy's knew of another Elric who would have probably erected a gothic structure added a few gargoyles here and there and called it good taste.
Before reaching the bar Roy could hear the confident voice of Edward Elric. He was walking towards him and it was suddenly difficult to concentrate on anything. It was like a moving train crashed into him, leaving him on tracks, death slowly taking over.
Roy just stared. He stared. How can others be unsuspecting of how his breath was pounding in his ears and his heart was beating to a tune of nerves whenever he was in close proximity of Edward. How he looked at him? He is the most fascinating creature Roy knew. He was a golden god in his eyes. How can they be so credulous to Roy's behavior? How can Edward not know what he did to him?
Of course he knew why, his artfully superiority mask was always in place, especially around Edward. The face beneath the mask, was one that no one saw, not since Hughes's death, he did not dare show what lies underneath. Maybe he's afraid to strip away the guise and bare it all, but he's not quite prepared. He thought he was strong enough to pull down the barricades of that emotional veil, but that bravery vanished immediately upon seeing Edward.
Yes, the Edward, he was why Roy's heart was fighting him. It was presumptuous to think that he had everything in control after stepping out from the car. He wrote the book on control, on manipulation. He was a master after-all, but being the master at changing the out come of events, did not make him the master of your his own consciousness. Apparently Roy still had lots to learn when matters of the heart take charge.
So what if he didn't want to cross that bridge of fear? He was safe where he was, stable and secure, rooted to tangible beliefs.
"Roy you're kidding yourself. You don't want to keep these feelings sheltered anymore, right. You don't want to questioned yourself for years on the 'what ifs' and 'if you'd just let it all slip free'. You dreamt of taking that plunge in it, move with it, an ocean that was all Edward, so deep that it would take lifetimes just to get to the bottom." A voice that sounded suspiciously like Hughes stated.
God, he was cool. It was what he admired about Edward. Roy was not cool. He was dashing, a classic debonair and devilishly handsome, but cool that was Edward. The fact is he didn't know he possess such a quality.
He'd always reminded Roy of a lion; independent, fierce, admired and feared at the a same time for his brilliance and he was filled with a restless energy. He could stop any passerby in their tracks, when he was performing alchemy or talking about it or simply gazing upon his beauty. Hair soaked in the sun, aureate and lustrous, bangs curving around his prominent jaw, brushing his neck, defying the rules of tradition. He kept it long and have abandoned the braid form to wearing pulled up in a tie. He had grown tall, not as tall as his brother, but now his height matched Roy's. He always had an alethic build at an earlier age, but as a young adult, his entire body was shaped and sculpted, two strong arms and a face, flawless without comparison.
And his eyes were gold. Two glowing golden orbs. They were mesmerizing and captivating. They had a divine power that when Roy gazed upon them, he wanted to know more, to see what hid beneath them, to unlock the secrets that he never knew he wanted to unlock before.
Roy had been good. He'd been damn good. He kept a promise to himself that he would wait until Edward was old enough to even consider asking him out for a drink, but he never did quite get around to it. He played that fine line of masking his feelings for his young subordinate and done a pretty damn good job of it. He honestly didn't know how he managed to keep his hands off him some days. Of course, Edward didn't see himself as desirable, but Roy knew better and what he saw in Edward was a beautiful light in his darkened world.
Edward was a loose canon of sorts, self absorbed, ego inflated, but under all that deluded display of resolute, Edward had a truly heartfelt soul and an unflinching compassion towards the people he cared for. He felt privileged to be even considered apart of the close knit of people that Edward regarded as friends.
This however wasn't always the case, because he was Edward's superior officer and their relationship during Edward's time in the Military had always bordered on professionalism, a pull and push friction of who of the two would be the victor in the taunts they displayed whenever they were together.
He'd given Edward a choice of joining the Military at the tender age of eleven. A chance of becoming a State Alchemist and he wasn't surprised to see that he'd taken it. He had seen the "fire in those eyes" the night he had visited Resembool and throughout the battle against the Homunculi and the events that took place on "The Promised Day". Their relationship had changed into something as honor that tied them together. His assurance to see Edward with his own goal of retrieving his brother's body and eventually Edwards words for a promise to him to become a leading light in his endeavor of Fuhrership had only reinforce the bond that they'd somehow established.
An unspoken contract of 'Ed would keep him safe and in return Roy would let him be a wild'.
He wanted Edward. He needed Edward. It wasn't about desire. It was strange. It wasn't about taking Edward. He wanted to look at him and really know him. He wanted to wake up every morning with him. He wanted to give the remaining of his life to him. Share in all the dazzling experiences that was Edward. He needed him now. What he felt for Edward wasn't just a passing shadow. It was something that paralyzed his thoughts and trapped his heart in an unbounded array spreading its poison throughout his body. It took him a while to accept it, but when Roy did there was no longer any denying.
He, Roy Mustang, was madly in love with Edward Elric. He was the one, the one he could love for an eternity.
The universe knew it and in another time or as another man, he would make Edward his eternity. It wouldn't be his secret to hold because love, his love wanted an escape. It yearned to soar and close the distance, the in between and transform into honesty.
But Edward was already spoken for, he was getting married tomorrow.