Sup.

Okay, so I made what Thalia is supposed to look like on a dress up game. Here's the link- profile/RussianTeacup/images/11814

Plz read the description when u see it. I also drew a pic of her and will post it when I get the chance. Thanks!

Chapter Ten: A Goodbye

"Long time no see."

Thalia paused for a moment as she made her way through the streets of Dublith that evening, a few days after her birthday. Was that statement directed at her?

She turned around and was surprised to see the housewife she had had a heart-to-heart with a while ago.

The woman smiled. "How have you been?"

"Oh, good," Thalia said, returning the smile. "It's nice to see you again, Ms…Ms…?"

"Call me Izumi," the woman stated.

Thalia nodded. "Ms. Izumi. I'm Thalia, by the way."

She watched the woman turn to the sign on a door and change it from Open to Closed.

"Is this your shop?" Thalia asked as she looked up at the sign above her reading Curtis Butcher Shop.

"My husband's and mine," Izumi replied. "You should stop by sometime when it's open. By the way, how's your love life coming along?"

Thalia snorted. "There isn't one to begin with."

"Well, what's the problem?"

Where do I start? Thalia wondered sarcastically. She leaned against the wall of the butchery and sighed.

"He's being stubborn," she explained to Izumi. "And I know why, but I wish he'd just give it up. It's obvious we both really lo-!"

Thalia stopped herself. She couldn't believe what she was about to say. It just came out. She hadn't thought about it before, but she supposed, after all this time, it was true.

Still, she corrected herself. "How much we both like each other."

"Ah. I see," Izumi said. "Well, I'm sorry, but I'm not sure what to say to that." She chuckled. "Just…try to get through to him."

Thalia nodded. "I've been trying. Anyway, it was nice speaking to you again. Tomorrow night I'll put your umbrella by your door since-"

Izumi shook her head. "No need. Keep it."

Thalia blinked. After a moment, she smiled and agreed.

As she left, she passed a flower shop. It brought back wonderful memories as she walked by.

However, she overheard a conversation between the two florists on the doorstep.

"Did you hear? The owner of Hawthorne Flora in East City is nearing death."

"I didn't! I thought she was just sick?"

"She was, but the pain of losing her daughter in Ishbal must finally be too much to bear. Oh what a shame. We'll lose a valuable partner in the business."

Thalia froze in utter horror and disbelief. The words the florists said played over in her mind a million times.

"Mama," she whispered as tears threatened to escape her sapphire blue eyes.

###

Greed heard the door open and shut. Thalia was back from the errand he sent her on.

He entered the foyer and greeted her. "Hey, what's-?"

His eyes widened when he saw her tear streaked face.

"…What happened?" he asked firmly, immediately assuming someone had hurt her.

She pushed the package she had retrieved for him into his arms. "My mama…she's sick. It's all because of me…"

He watched her tremble, still unsure of what happened. What does she mean?

Suddenly she burst into sobs and threw herself against his chest.

"My mother is dying," she cried. "Because she thought I was killed."

Greed watched silently as terrible sobs ripped through her throat. Her small frame shook uncontrollably and he put his arms around her to stop her from trembling.

"Hey, it's gonna be okay," he murmured, stroking her hair. "It'll be fine; it was probably just a rumor. Calm down."

He'd never been this close to her before. He would enjoy it if he didn't feel so bad.

As he soothed her cries, she breathed in one final ragged breath and fell silent.

"You…you might be right," she muttered in a barely audible tone. "But…I just don't know…I don't know…"

She let go of Greed and he released her reluctantly. "Hey, Thalia, if you need to go-"

"No," she stated, shaking her head. "I can't. I have duties to you as your minion. Besides, like you said, it might be a rumor."

"…Okay," Greed said, a little relieved she wasn't leaving him.

His eyes followed her as she trudged upstairs to her room. She'll be fine, he thought. She said she would. She will be…At least, I hope so.

That day, Greed watched Thalia tremble in her sleep, calling out Mama, Mama, over and over again.

It was all he needed to make his final decision.

###

Thump.

Thalia looked over to see a bag had been thrown onto the mattress. In front of her stood Greed, his expression unreadable.

"Uh, sir, what-?"

"Toothbrush," he said, interrupting her, "toothpaste, food, water, train ticket, your pistol and umbrella. Everything you need to go back to East City."

Thalia's eyes widened. She couldn't believe it. "No, sir, I told you, I can't."

He kind of chuckled bitterly. "I tell you time and time again not to call me that. Especially don't call me it now. That's my final order…No, wait, this is: Go to East City and see your mother. She needs you. A hell lot more than I need you."

Slowly, Thalia stood up. She gingerly reached for the bag, not wanting to take it.

"You're not supposed to disobey my orders," he told her. This was like the time he forced her to leave a month ago, he thought.

Only it was a lot quieter now.

"C'mon, just go," he stated, turning his head. "The train's gonna get here any minute."

When he looked up again, he saw Thalia was crying.

"…Thank you so much," she said finally. "I don't know what to say…"

Greed closed his eyes. "Yeah? Well, just-"

His eyes widened when Thalia wrapped her arms around him. It was much more like a hug than yesterday.

"Look I know you're against…us," she mumbled, hugging him tighter. "But I'm never gonna see you again. And I know it'll be better for you when I'm gone. You can finally get your mind off me. So just let me have this…as a goodbye present?"

…Thalia, Greed thought as tears threatened to leave his eyes. I…I don't think I like you anymore…I'm falling in love with you.

He returned her embrace and closed his eyes. "You're not the only one who needs this…"

Slowly, they let go.

Greed looked at her.

Thalia looked at him.

She left the room, and he closed his eyes. When he heard the final door close, the tears finally fell.

"Thalia," he whispered.

Love is letting something go. If it comes back, it was meant to be.

~Chapter Ten-Fin~

I hope you enjoyed it!