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Ebony eyes stared into glaring gold. It was a battle of who could and would dominate this argument. "I told you that I would explain didn't," the Colonel spoke lowly, "Fullmetal?" The way that Flame paused before saying his codename sent a chill down the younger's back. "My only condition is that you remain calm and to not raise your voice."
"Fine."
It was Mustang that broke the eye contact first. His eyes wavered down at the sleeping form by his side. Shutting the book and setting it down on the nightstand by the bed, Roy closed his eyes and sighed. "Simply put, M.J has extremely vivid nightmares."
"That can't be all it. You're holding something back."
"That was the simple version, Fullmetal. It's a bit more complicated than that." The younger shut the door quietly, feeling like this story was going to take some time. His commanding officer nodded at the sound of the door shutting. "Tell me, how much do you know about her, Quicksilver?"
This mad Ed stare down at the bland floor in clear embarrassment. "Not much, to be honest. I knew of the name and that it was linked to a great alchemist. However, besides that nothing – not even the alchemy type, which I just learned today."
"I was just like you back before I met her because she prefers being low-key whenever it's possible. It wasn't until Ishval that I met M.J personally, and it was there that we became close," there was a fondness in Mustang's voice, "However, the reasoning for our time there was marred with death and destruction." Ed noticed that the Colonel was looking at his lap, his dark eyes seeing something that he would never know: Ishval. "Due to her affinities in various types of alchemy M.J was a key player in the extermination, as well as a good defense to keep my alchemy in check. So, in other words, we were often paired with each other."
"What do you 'keep you in check,' Colonel?"
A sick grin broke out on Roy's face as the memories plagued his eyes. "At the time, I was skilled with my alchemy, but I hadn't refined it as I have presently. Therefore, if I lost concentration or didn't focus enough the flames would spread out of control. I hurt some of my fellow soldiers that way." Mustang's pale hand rose and hovered over Foxtrot's head, a slight hesitation before he gently placed it on the mutli-colored locks. "Because she could manipulate molecules in the air as well she could create shields – in a sense – to contain the flames by cutting off the oxygen at specific radii. Together, we were the military's pride for ending the war so quickly after getting assigned to that place."
"So, Fox's nightmares are of Ishval?" Ed thought about all the information given and that's what he was able to conclude. "The amount of destruction she had to do because of some orders?"
There was slow release of breath that echoed out of the room, until Mustang nodded. "Yes, a portion of them are."
"A portion?"
"That's not my place to tell you," Roy lifted his head to glare at Ed. Unconsciously, his body moved slightly over the sleeping alchemist.
Ed noticed it and started connecting dots slowly. "You two have something," stated Ed because it was fact. Fullmetal had only ever seen Mustang react like this with his team, most of all the Lieutenant. "Something that runs deep."
"Go to bed, Fullmetal, and that's an order."
"Tell me more."
"No."
Clenching his fists by his side, Ed glared deeply. However, a tired voice broke the intense air between the two. "Will you both just shut up, trying to sleep here."
"Told you not to raise your voice," smirked Mustang.
"Just because sleeping beauty rescued you this time doesn't mean I'll forget this conversation." With that, Ed turned and left the room because he did feel bad for waking up Foxtrot. His mind filling with questions. The walk back to his room was tortuous at the quantity he had managed to come up with. As he turned the door knob to his room a small flicker of light began to leak out. "Major?"
Major Armstrong sat against the wall at the foot of bed. His long, muscular legs crossed one another as he balanced a book between them. "I woke up and you weren't here, so I waited," he spoke gruffly, "Children shouldn't be running around a place like this at night. So, from now on please stay here at night." Baby blue eyes peered at Ed, hopeful.
"Sure," Ed agreed nonchalantly. He crossed the room and fell on his bed, crossing his arms behind his head and thinking. "Major, what was Ishval like?"
"Why do you ask about such an atrocious thing?" If Ed had been looking he would have realized that Armstrong had tensed and shook slightly.
Sighing, Ed said, "I just had a brief conversation with Colonel B-Mustang and he said that some alchemists have nightmares." To Ed, he just twisted what the Colonel had said slightly to get the information he needed.
An audible snap of a book rang through the silent room. "It was hell there. Ordered to kill innocent Amestrian citizens in cold blood just because they were defending their land weights heavy on one's psych. It caused undesirable affects long after the fact for me, despite only being in Ishval for a few weeks compared to those that were there for months." Armstrong saw the woman and child he had tried to save, only to be killed by Kimblee before his eyes. "However, some did like it, but only a few. If there is an alchemist here that fought for that war saying they weren't affected somehow – physically or mentally – then they are lying. That's a fact. As for the nightmares, I only know of a few alchemists that suffered from them because of my station here in Central."
"Like the Major General here?"
"Yes, she had them," whispered Armstrong. "I remember her coming into work fighting the urge to sleep extremely often during the first few months back. Her and Colonel had it very bad to the point that they were ordered to take time off because their work was highly affected. But, the nightmares did cease after some time, granted they resurfaced after another incident later on.
The shushed voice that the Major used was odd to Ed, only every having heard him boasting loudly. However, the new information that came from this conversation turned the tables on how he would address Mustang. "Another incident? Ishval related?"
"Yes and no," confirmed Armstrong. The burly man laid down on his bed and pulled the sheets up. "You and I should sleep. We have more training tomorrow."
The light clicked off, but Ed was wide awake. He thought of what it could be to cause nightmares and the reasoning to why the Colonel had a soft spot for the Major General.
As the door clicked shut, Mustang's smirk diminished as he looked down at the semi-sleeping individual. The usually straight hair was spread out unevenly around Mackenzie's shoulders and face. Gently, he pushed the askewed hair out of the tanned face with the tips of his fingers, which acted as a way for him to caress the soft skin that now laid beneath his fingers. "Sorry for waking," whispered Mustang. His thumbs brushing back and forth against Mackenzie's right cheek.
"S'alright, military life means," a pause in the extremely tired voice as a yawn broke through, "sleeping lightly." Heavy lashed eyelids cracked open slowly, revealing gleaming silver. There were a few test blinks as Foxtrot tried to get used to the light, but she managed. After getting used to the light somewhat, she focused on Mustang's face. Silver stared into obsidian. "But, sleeping next to you always make me feel so safe that I can sleep deeply for once in this long military led life." Lifting a heavy ring laden hand to rest against Mustang's right cheek s, cupping the rather chubby cheek.
"Funny because that how I feel whenever I'm with you," Mustang smiled gently. He removed his own hand to rest it against hers, relishing in the warmth it gave off to the point that his eyes closed. "To feel like a normal human."
Foxtrot hummed gently, sleep starting to conquer her body once again. "Thanks for not telling the kid."
"It's not my story to tell." Mustang lifted his hand away from Mackenzie's, causing hers' to fall against the pillows, and turned to turn off the light. Twisting back towards the woman he shared the bed with he settled down. Sheets were pulled to cover them both. "It's all yours to tell when you're ready or if you think you should tell him something so cruel," whispered Roy. He wrapped his arms around Mackenzie's upper body, her head resting on his left arm with her forehead pressing against Roy's chest.
"Im'miss this," mumbled Mackenzie, getting lost in the throes of sleep. She pressed deeper into Mustang's muscular chest. Her hands, pressed together, were placed between her and Roy's chest. "S'not fair we can't do this m'often."
A slight rumble reverberated throughout Mustang's body as he chuckled at Mackenzie's response. "No, it's fair.
"Hmmmm," hummed Foxtrot in mild agreement.
The evening and deepened breaths started to resonate from the figure pressed against Mustang. Looking down at the ebony head that was tucked against his chest he smiled gently, hand caressing softly against clothed skin. "It's not fair that we have to be separated like we are, or to hide what we are," thought Mustang, "To hide the fact that . . ." Mustang's thought trailed as he caught sight of gleaming silver that rested against the adjacent night stand. He knew that it was the necklace he had given Mackenzie on that memorable day. The style was a simple horizontal bar attached to a short and thin chain that no one would have guessed the deeper meaning
Despite not being able to see the word that was etched into the one side, the side that rested against Mackenzie's chest: Forever. The memory of the day he gave it to her filtered before his eyes, like a film. "The best day of my life," mumbled Roy as sleep started to take over him, "Will forever be the day that I married you."
***Dream-memory/flashback***
"Roy Konrad Mustang, do you take Mackenzie James Foxtrot as your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do you part?"
Obsidian eyes looked down at the one he was going to commit himself to for the rest of his life. He knew that this was the right and the best choice that he was making. "I do," he said confidently. His heart beat faster at seeing a faint blush spread against Mackenzie's face at his declaration.
"And do you, Mackenzie James Foxtrot, take Roy Konrad Mustang as your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do you part?"
"I do." The answer was said without any hesitation. Silver peering up to take Mustang's full form. She never felt this happy before: looking in the eyes of the man she cared deeply about, while looking at his tall and lithe frame dressed in a formal three-piece suit with tie and tailored jacket.
The priest looked past between the couple that stood before him and motioned with a wrinkled hand to the witness section of his small office. "Ring bearers, if you could present the rings." He loved weddings because he adored seeing the expressions of love and tears of happiness that came from them. A tall, approximately 6'0", male with lime green eyes covered by spectacles walked towards his best friend, leaving his wife behind, and stopped with his hand digging into the pocket of his slacks; a woman with loose blonde hair and reddish-brown eyes stopped before her friend and smiled as she pressed the object the priest called for into Mackenzie's hand. After Maes placed the found object into his friend's hand he smiled with an all-knowing look in his eye, which caused Mustang to roll his eyes. "Now, the groom and bride have written their own vows." He nodded his head towards Mustang.
"Mackenzie, I choose you to be by my side for the rest of my days," smiled Roy, "I promise to love you every day, both physical and verbally, while making now into always. To always share in any moments to see you smile, to make you laugh, or to comfort you in times of difficulty. Together, let's forge a path of hope. From this day onwards, I will share every moment of my life from you until my dying breath." The tears that began to prick at the corners of his love's eyes made this seem real to him, for once that day. However, the weight in his hand, despite barely weighing anything at all, felt heavy as he lifted the silver necklace up for her to inspect: a simple silver bar necklace that had the word "Forever" etched into it. After a few seconds he leaned in close to clasp it around her neck. "With this, I seal my promise to you," Mustang spoke loud enough for all to hear. As he pulled away, Roy kissed Mackenzie's cheek and felt the immediate warmth.
After Roy pulled away fully, Mackenzie swallowed the lump in her throat. "Roy, I love you unconditionally and without hesitation. Today, I solidified my promise to you: in times of joy I will laugh and smile with you, while times in tragedy I will comfort you unreservedly. My love for you will is and always will be eternal. From here on, I vow to support you and your ambitions, to push and inspire you to achieve your goals. Together, we'll build a better life, a better world for those around us. Until my last moment in this life you have 50% of my life, as I have 50% of yours." Slowly, Mackenzie spread the silver chain between her hands, so Roy could see it: a silver chain bracelet with a plate that read "My Light" etched into it. Upon closer inspection, Roy noticed his flame transmutation circle etched into it, as well as a few other transmutation circles engraved into the plate and wide chain links. Delicately, Mackenzie wrapped the bracelet around Mustang's right wrist and sealed it shut with alchemy.
"By the authority vested in me by the country of Amestris I now pronounce you man and wife," he looked at Mustang, "You may now kiss the bride." Roy brought his hand up and caressed the tanned, supple cheek with his thumb. Pulling the slightly rounded face towards his descending face, his form bending and adjusting to bring their lips together. Roy felt a small release of breath against his lips, while his nose nudged against her petite one, before smashing their lips together. Mustang felt arms twist their way around his neck.
"To think that stubborn bastard managed got married after all," cheered Hughes.
"Hmm, but they do make a cute couple. Don't they?" Gracia walked up and pushed herself against Hughes side, who wrapped his arm around her waist.
The pair broke off their kiss and smiled at each other. The Lieutenant Colonel gazed down at his now-wife, not caring that she wasn't wearing a traditionally pristine white dress, or the fact that he wasn't wearing his formal military attire because he knew that those traditions wouldn't work for them: white was too innocent, which he knew that they both didn't possess anymore, and that the military could and would never affect them this way. "I love you," he whispered so that she could only hear him. Her gray floral dress wrapped around his thighs seductively; her shoulders covered by a thin barrier of silk that felt incredibly against the tips of his fingers. "So, so much."
"As I love you," Mackenzie said as she rose to her tippy toes, kissing him deeply. When they broke away she curled against his chest. She turned her attention to their three witnesses. "Thank you for coming and being witnesses for us," Mackenzie beat Mustang to the punch, "It means a lot to us. Thank you Riza, Maes, Gracia."
"I never thought I'd live to see the day that you would marry, Roy-Boy. So, I guess this means I have to stop teasing you to find yourself a lucky gal to marry."
"No," Roy said firmly.
"But Roy!" argued Hughes. The people surrounding the newly married couple looked at Roy like he was insane. "You just got married. Like literally just go married!"
Mustang's hard eyes looked into Hughes'. Obsidian against lime green. "I know I did, but we can't display our marriage because of the military. What would this do to us and our goals if the brass or the Fuehrer found out?" Roy say the realization lighting up in Hughes' eyes like a Christmas tree. His lips stuttered, and for once Roy chuckled at making his friend utterly speechless.
"Roy and I have already discussed this beforehand, multiple times even. But pretending that we aren't married is the safest way for us to continue our goals, especially if we want to see Roy achieve his dream."
"Then why would you two bother getting married at all?" Riza looked between the two, slightly upset that it wasn't her being held against the Lt. Colonel's chest with his arms wrapped around her. "It seems a little redundant."
The three witnesses and priest were left with an eerie silence. Minutes ticked by before anyone spoke up. "It's because I wanted to be connected with the one I've loved since Ishval. And after what happened to M.J when we got back I realized that I wanted to be with this one," Mustang paused to kiss her briefly on the lips, "Because I couldn't stand the thought of a day passing by without at least knowing what it was like to have the person of my dreams mine, physically and mentally, by an eternal bond." Roy had yet to return his gaze towards the witnesses, but kept them on his wife.