Title: Theme 021 Repentance/Confession
Author: Tressa
Rating: K+
Summary: #021 of the 100 Royai Themes
It sat in its usual place, a gentle reminder of what used to be. Shoving aside his unfinished paperwork, he took the frame in his hand and looked at it.
"Hughes."
His friend had met an untimely and unfortunate death. And for Mustang, it was an open wound that would never fully heal. He remembered Gracia's pained expression; recalled Elicia's desperate cries to her mother. He vaguely wondered how Gracia and Elicia were getting along without Hughes.
He stared at the picture again. They had been so hopeful, so eager, even then. Even knowing all they did, they still had bright hopes for the future.
"I'm sorry, Hughes," he whispered. "If I had only known . . ."
He knew in reality that there was no possible way to change what had happened. It seemed inevitable. And here he was, trying to atone for that mistake.
"There's only one way I can fix this," he murmured at the picture. "I couldn't save you. But I can save everyone else."
He chuckled. "You know how many lives you've affected?" he asked rhetorically. "I can't imagine what Fullmetal would say." He frowned. "Perhaps, its best not to tell him. Not yet. He needs to focus."
Gripping the frame tightly, he allowed the tears to fall from his eyes. They splattered on the glass and trickled down. He knew no matter what would happen, Maes would no longer be by his side.
"Sir?"
A quick swipe at the eyes before turning around. "Lieutenant." Cursing his shaky voice, he set the picture aside. "I thought you went home."
"I was worried about you," she said simply. Before he could respond, she came closer, pulling a chair closer. Her eyes were red and swollen and he momentarily found it a bit odd she wasn't bothering to hide it. Every since they first heard the news in the train, she had managed to keep her composure. Without another word, she pulled him close. He sobbed on her shoulder, grasping her uniform in his hands.
"I miss him," he confessed. "This was all my fault."
"It's not your fault," she whispered. "But you can make it better."
He nodded and continued to cry.
And she never let go.