Chapter 4- I'll Think About It
Roy Mustang was known throughout Amestris as the ladies man of Central. Any given day he could be found entertaining a different gorgeous woman, making him the center of much jealousy and gossip. He heard the whispers as he walked by people in the streets:
I hear he's a player
Dumps them after one date, no explanation
Do you think he'll be a bachelor forever?
Does he have a type?
Do you think he's ever had his heart broken?
"When are you gonna settle down and get yourself a wife?" asked Maes Hughes as he burst through the door to Roy's officer.
Roy sighed. This had become their routine. There was no "hello, good morning, how are you?" with Hughes. No, he got straight to the point.
"Nice of you to join us Hughes," replied Roy.
"Sorry I'm late," he said as he closed the door behind him. He saluted Hawkeye and Major Armstrong who were also in the room. "Elicia got a new hair bow yesterday and I HAD to take pictures."
"Of course," muttered Roy. "Did you bring the files I asked for?"
"Yup, got 'em right here," said Hughes, handing them over. "So what did I miss?"
"Not much," answered Hawkeye. "The Major was just filling us in on some leads regarding a robbery that happened last week."
"It seems to have been an inside job," continued Armstrong. "The investigation will most likely require overtime from all personel involved in order to explore this new development further."
"Overtime?" wailed Maes sadly. "That means more time away from my beloved Gracia and Elicia!"
"On the bright side, you'll have more time to pester the colonel about finding a wife," offered Hawkeye as she began sorting through the files Hughes brought.
"Yes, lucky me," groaned Roy.
Hughes perked up. "Oh, c'mon Roy it's all in good fun!" he insisted. "Being in love is the greatest thing ever! Can't a guy want his best friend to be happy? Is that so wrong?"
"I must agree with the Lieutenant Colonel," chimed in Armstrong. "Love truly is a blessing, one best when shared."
"See!" added Hughes. "It's not just me, Roy! It's common knowledge that you need to find yourself a wife!"
Roy rolled his eyes. "You act as though proposing is that simple, Hughes."
"Well, it doesn't have to be hard," he insisted. "I mean, it should be a grand gesture. You've got that flame alchemy of yours, so the special effects should be a cinch! Oh, have I ever told you about when I proposed to my dear Gracia?"
"Only a hundred times," answered Roy.
"Well, then you have the perfect example to follow," said Maes. "Now you just need the girl!"
"As entertaining as this side bar is," began Hawkeye. "We are here to discuss a mission, not plan a wedding."
"Thank you Hawkeye," said Roy, "Now I think-"
"OH BUT JUST IMAGINE ENGRAVING THE NAME OF YOUR BELOVED IN THE SKY WITH FLAMES!" interrupted Armstrong. "WHAT A BRILLIANT SYMBOLISM OF LOVE! TRULY AN HONORABLE WAY TO PROPOSE A FUTURE WITH THE ONE WHO BRIGHTENS YOUR LIFE."
"Oh no," said Roy
"It's contagious," added Hawkeye.
"Oh oh! And you have to have someone there to take her picture the moment it happens!" added Hughes.
"Yes! Such precious memories must be preserved for generations to come!"
"And Elicia can be the flower girl! Oh Roy, can you picture anything cuter?"
"I'm becoming teary eyed just thinking of this most wonderful event!"
"Oh and just imagine how-"
Their obsessing over Roy's fictional wedding was cut short by a gun shot. Both men turned in fear to the source: an obviously very annoyed Hawkeye.
"Gentlemen, I highly advise getting back to work," she said sternly.
Roy chuckled. "Trust me; it's in your best interest to listen to her."
"A thousand apologies Lieutenant Hawkeye," said Major Armstrong sincerely. "I just get carried away at the glorious thought of someone close to me finding eternal and true love."
"Yeah Hawkeye," added Hughes. "Have a heart!"
"As much as I appreciate the sentiment men," interjected Roy. "She has a point. You know something is seriously wrong when I'm the one trying to get back to work."
"Fair enough," agreed Hughes. "But you've got to admit, we have a point too, Roy. The clock is ticking, you won't be young forever."
"Well, like I said before Maes, I can't just 'go out an find a wife,' as you so adamantly suggest," offered Roy. "I have more important things that need my attention."
"Oh, c'mon Roy." said Maes. "I've seen you out and about with all those girls, you're not fooling anyone. Why, I bet you 2,000 cenz that you could propose to any woman in Central and she'd say 'yes' in a heartbeat."
Roy smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Anyone woman in Central, huh?"
"That's what I said!"
Roy gave a small laugh. "Fine," he said. Then he turned his attention to his subordinate who was attempting to focus on the file in her hand. "Lieutenant Hawkeye..."
"Yes sir?"
"Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
"I'll think about it," she replied without hesitation. She closed the file in her hand and headed for the door. "Let me know when you gentleman plan on actually being productive. Colonel, those papers need your signature." She then proceeded out the door.
"Well," offered Maes with an emerging smile. "She didn't say no."
Roy shook his head. "You're impossible."
"Oh c'mon Roy! If you ask me, it was only a matter of time before-."
Maes was cut off by the sound of whimpering. The two friends turned and saw Armstrong dramatically looking at Roy, fighting back tears as manly as he could, sparkles surrounded him in a great abundance.
"That," he struggled to say. " was quite possibly the moST BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY OF LOVE I HAVE EVER SEEN! TO THINK I WAS PRESENT AT THE VERY MOMENT A NEW ROMANCE BLOSSOMED AND SHALL BE THERE TO WATCH IT GROW! THE VERY NOTION IS TRULY SPLENDID! I SHALL CHERISH THIS MOMENT JUST AS YOUR CHERISH YOUR LADY LOVE! HOW HONORABLE..."
He went on and was joined by Maes as the two continued their conversation very loudly and excitedly. Roy sighed, Now he knew how Hawkeye felt when he refused to get back to work. What idiots.
He looked out into the hallway to where she stood, shaking her head with a slight smile overhearing ridiculousness happening in front of him. He caught her eye and she offered him a subtle wink.
As well as he and Hawkeye knew each other, for the first time he was unable to understand what her signal meant. Was she commenting on the absurdness of the moment? Was she mocking him for having to deal with the two fools in his office until their conversation fizzled out (which could be hours)? Or was she quite possibly... answering his proposal? Did that wink mean that she really didn't technically say no? Or rather, that she wouldn't say no?
Or maybe it just meant that she expected him to split that 2,000 cenz with her.