Central Headquarters
Central City, Amestris - night
General Roy Mustang, the legendary Flame Alchemist, one of the big heroes of the Promised Day, and Furher hopeful, flung down his pen after signing the last of a string of priority documents and buried his haggard face in his arms. All right Roy. Next time, never let the Major coerce you into signing a week's worth of paperwork ever again. It's just a PARTY we're attending for God's sake.
But Major Riza Hawkeye was relentless. And he swore she kept her gun trained on him all week on purpose so he wouldn't slack off.
Right on cue, the door creaked open. He raised his tired obsidian eyes to meet the sherry orbs of the love of his life. They couldn't declare themselves as a couple, forbidden by the frat laws, but those who knew them the longest knew they shared a connection that went far beyond the bounds of a superior and adjutant. The horrors they were both forced to commit in Ishval and fought against up to the terrible Promised Day only served to bind them and their small squad even closer together.
"Sir, your car's waiting."
He gave her a tired smile, insides warming when she returned it with a very small quirk of her lips. "Thank you Major. Now I can get home and finish packing."
"Ready when you are sir." She walked over to his desk and picked up the stack with practiced ease. Not one paper fluttered to the ground. "I'll just drop these off at Investigations then we'll be on our way."
Roy stretched, wincing as his back popped then swept his black coat over powerful shoulders. The sky, which had been clear and full of stars ten minutes ago, was now a thick, ominous grey. That's strange. We're not supposed to get rain until next week.
"Carry on Major. Let's get this over with."
As the pair walked through the darkened corridors, their boots the only sound in the hushed building, Roy couldn't help but feel a twinge of uneasiness in his gut. Something about the weather creeped him out. The only other time he could recall feeling this way was his visit to Resembool 12 years ago, when he barged into Pinako Rockbell's home after discovering the Elric brothers had committed the ultimate sin. Of course, having been forced through the Gate himself, (a memory that still gave him nightmares) he'd become more sensitive to atmospheric changes among other things.
Reaching into his pocket, he slipped on his trusty ignition gloves. Riza noticed it out of the corner of her sharp eye.
"Sir the dark's nothing to be afraid of, unless you need a night light."
He narrowed his eyes. "Very funny Hawkeye. I don't like how the sky looks. It wasn't supposed to get cloudy and I don't feel good about this."
She raised an eyebrow but before she could say anything the door to Investigations flew open. Colonel Alex Louis Armstrong's gargatuan body filled the frame and his booming voice echoed through the empty hallway.
"OH GENERAL! MAJOR! What on earth are you two doing in my domain this la-oomph!"
Hawkeye shoved the stack of papers into his massive chest.
"Here's the priorites Colonel. I trust you're heading out as well?"
"Yes, yes of course I was Major," Armstrong said firmly clasping the precious stack between his meaty palms. Heaven forbid he drop her handiwork and make a mess. "Excuse me." He ducked under the lintel, impressing them both and they heard him cross the room to set the papers down to be processed. In no time his large bald head reemerged, wearing his cap and black coat.
"Well? Shall we?"
This time the silence was amicable until the trio reached the front steps of the Headquarters. A stiff wind blew, one that caused Mustang to shiver beneath his coat.
"I can't believe we were able to procure three days of freedom." He laughed suddenly startling his companions. "Three blessed days of no paperwork! No stuffy meetings!" Then his deep, rich baritone dropped to a mumble. "And three days I can breathe easier without Grumman's attack dogs waiting to pounce on us-"
"Sir?"
"Nothing Major. Let's get out of here already."
She nodded in aquiescence and without another word, took her place behind the wheel of his military car. Armstrong opened the back door for his friend and Mustang threw him a grateful glance before climbing into the back seat.
"So, I'll be seeing you both at the train station then?"
"8:00 am sharp Colonel."
"I'll be there sir. It'll be a well-deserved break for everyone and we get to see Edward Elric and his brother and family again."
Mustang smirked at the thought of surprising his former subordinate.
"Heh, I can't wait to see Fullmetal's reaction when he sees us all there."
"You mean when he sees you, sir," Hawkeye corrected. Honestly, he can't go one time without pissing the kid off. I swear he lives for those moments.
"Hey don't give me that what's wrong with you people?!" Roy held up his hands as innocently as he could manage. Which failed miserably.
"Whatever. You need to finish packing. Besides, you're useless when you don't get any sleep."
Roy's face fell. "Thanks a lot Major."
Armstrong stepped back from the vehicle's bullet-proof exterior and saluted.
Mustang and Hawkeye returned his salute, then the blond sharpshooter put the car into gear and pointed the vehicle's nose toward her superior's apartment.
Roy propped his elbow on his thigh, chin resting on his gloved hand. Staring out at the roiling cloud cover.
Something doesn't feel right. What's going on out there? Dammit. Last thing I need is another layer of stress to deal with.
And it wasn't just paperwork. Grumman's elite power hungry regime was becoming a serious force to be reckoned with. To them, those who'd served under Bradley were nothing more than blight on the face of "transparency, honesty, and the new order" and were being investigated under the full extent of the law. Even now, military tribunals were underway thanks to several big names at the top, with General Hakuro leading the charge. It wouldn't be long before it was Roy's turn as he'd been responsible raining hell down on Ishval, inflicting a staggering amount of casualties. Never mind the fact he made atonement on the Promised Day, to a lot of the brass, his actions taken before and during that time were illegal in nature, one being his recruiting of a twelve year old boy into the State program, an unheard of feat.
That and the fact his youngest charge had lied straight to Bradley's face and all the higher-ups present durning his certification exam about how he aquired his metal limb. It was one of the things that kept him on his toes and responsible for dark circles piling up under his eyes.
I'm too close to the top. My dream's within reach! And he wouldn't have been able to see it though if it wasn't for the love and dedication of his comrades and the beautiful young woman driving him home. Hughes, he thought, a pained wistful expression clouding his face. I wish you were here right now buddy. You'd come with us to Resembool, I know ya would. See Fullmetal and Winry and their kids, and Al's dating May...can you believe that?
A pang of longing for a family of his own swept over the 37 year old General. But he knew, as long as him and Riza stayed in the military this wish would never be fufilled until he became Furher.
...
Hotel Black
New Optain Amestris - night
In the dim stormy greyness of the night outside filtering into their hotel room, Alanna arched her back moaning as Drake's skilled mouth and hands made her body dance.
"Oh my God...ungh...Drake-!"
"That's right." Her release was building to an unbearable crescendo as Drake's dark chocolate voice dripped with animalistic lust. "Scream for me ya dirty whore."
"Yes..." she gasped, fingers twined in his short hair, their sweat mingling. "Yes...right there OH!"
Alanna cried out as pleasure exploded through her core, earning a low chuckle from her partner under the sheets of their queen bed. Tony was in a suite two doors down fast asleep. He needed it after employing his alkhasetry to link the many circles needed to aquire their fifteenth Stone, using the city of Emell as material.
It was a bold move. What Drake really wanted was a huge city like Liore or Youswell, or East City, but all in due time. He needed an entry point into the military where he could get in with key military brass and unearth secrets starting with Ishval all the way through to the Promised Day and everything in between.
Alanna collapsed, limbs boneless, long hair splayed like curtain of black silk over the pillows. Felt Drake grasp her bare shoulder and pull himself out from under the cool sheets to lay his head on the pillow next to hers, staring up at the ceiling fan's spinning blades, draping a long muscled arm over her waist.
"We're getting closer to our goal Lana." She hummed in response belly tightening as he traced lazy patterns over her skin. "The country's dead weight only becomes useful when they're packed into pretty red stones."
"You got that right. But it's time to rest Flint," she said laying her hand over his chest, the nickame a reference to his ruthless nature. "Big days ahead."
"Yes." Drake murmured staying awake long after she'd drifted off. "Soon Mustang, I'll make your life along with your band of mutts such a living hell, you'll regret the day you laid eyes on the Elric brothers."
TBC...