The Ties that Bind
A series of related one-shots that range from Roy finding Ed and Al in Resembool and far, far beyond. Not chronological. EdWin, AlMei, Royai Parental!RoyEdAl Parental!RizaEdAl
Her Favorite Flower Part 2
Older Brother 17, Younger Brother 16
Roy stepped rapped a quick knock against Havoc's office door but didn't pause for an invitation. As a Brigadier General and High Commander of the East, Roy outranked everyone currently stationed at Eastern Command (the Promised Day had taken a serious toll on the upper ranks, particularly considering the entire Senior Staff was either arrested or dead. Grumman had given out a lot of promotions, but there was only so much he could do all at once), so any knocking he did was a courtesy at best—though he did at least respect his men enough not to barge in without at least some level of warning. Havoc didn't seem to notice either the knock or his entrance, however. The First Lieutenant was frantically scribbling away on a sheet of paper with dozens more crumpled and discarded on the floor around his desk, making it almost impossible for anyone to navigate the room without stepping on something.
"No, no, no," Havoc said around the mostly smoked cigarette dangling from his lips. A stack of ash flecked free to sprinkle his desk and uniform, but the Lieutenant didn't seem to notice. "That's too grand; too flashy. Needs to be something more subtle. With maybe a little sexy?"
Roy quirked an eyebrow. "Those must be some interesting combat drills you're thinking up, Havoc. Sexy? Really?"
Havoc started, his wild eyes shooting up as both hands slammed down on the paper he'd been writing on as if to hide it from view. "General! I…hello, sir."
"Hello, Havoc." Roy motioned toward the desk with his chin. "Having trouble with the assignments for the joint training exercise?"
"Ah…no, sir." Havoc was equal parts pale and flushed as his eyes darted every which direction without lighting on anything. "I actually haven't had much time to look into that today. Sorry."
Not much time? Roy frowned. "What are you talking about? I told you about it this morning and it's already well passed noon."
"Well…you see, sir…" More red blossomed over the white skin of Havoc's neck, forehead, and ears. "Lieutenant General Armstrong stopped in to see me at around 10:00, sir."
General Armstrong? Roy had known she was in East City, of course, he'd been at the train station to greet her when she rolled in, though she'd ignored him as usual. However much they'd cooperated back in Central, it was clear the general had no interest in furthering her association with Roy in the least. Still, he knew Olivier well enough to know she valued the chain of command, specifically the immediate command of one officer over another, so even though she technically outranked Roy (for now, but there were already talks of another promotion for Roy if he had visible success in Ishval by the end of the year), he knew she would never go behind his back and give one of his direct subordinates a counter or supplemental order to one Roy had already given. So what could possibly have Havoc so frantic he would waste an entire ream of paper with half-assed plans?
Well, he wasn't going to get any answers by speculating, now was he?
"Okay," Roy said at last. "And what, pray-tell, did the good General want?"
"She…she told me we were going on a date, sir."
"She told you?" Roy's brow furrowed as the information didn't quite connect in his brain. "Don't you mean she aske—no, never mind. Of course she told you."
"Right, so I'm sure you can see why I've been a little preoccupied."
"No, of course." Roy waved a dismissive hand. "I'd call you a fool other wise. But, Havoc, is this something you want? I mean, this is Olivier Armstrong we're talking about."
Havoc snorted. "Well it's certainly not something I've ever thought about before!" He paused a moment to calm his erratic breathing before seeming to finally remember the cigarette hanging precariously between his teeth.
"But…" He took one last draw before snuffing the butt in an overflowing ash tray. "I can't say I'm against the idea, General. I mean, forgetting the fact that she's hot as hell, I've always kind of had a thing for assertive women, you know? Plus, she's military, so I wouldn't have to explain if something came up suddenly. There is the bit about her outranking me, by a lot, but I'm secure enough that it doesn't bother me. Besides, with the fraternization laws, I wouldn't ever have to worry about being placed under her direct command and having things get really complicated. So…Yeah. I guess I'm fine with it, sir. It's weird as shit, but I'm fine."
"Well…" Roy fumbled a bit, not sure what to say. At long last, he just shrugged. "If you're fine with it, then I'm certainly not going to say anything."
Havoc offered him a weak smile. "Thanks, General."
"So what exactly has you so frantic, then? I mean, sure, General Armstrong is enough woman to frazzle six men together, but knowing her, she already has a plan for your date, so what exactly are you planning?"
Havoc deflated—he almost looked about to burst into tears. "She told me not to bring her flowers—"
Roy quirked an eyebrow at that. All this fuss because Olivier didn't want flowers?
"—unless they were her favorite."
Ah. So basically, Havoc had been ordered by the general to find and deliver her favorite flower upon pain of dismemberment without having actually been told what said flower was.
No wonder he was panicking.
A sudden memory poked at the back of Roy's mind and he straightened up. "Actually, Havoc, I might be able to help you out there."
Havoc sat up from where he'd rested his chin against the edge of his desk, nearly a watery mess of desperate tears. "Really?"
"Really." Roy grinned at his friend. "Just wait here a minute. I'll be right back."
Roy left Havoc's office beneath a hail of praise and prayers, stroking his chin as he crossed the hall to his own office. Now if only he could remember where he'd placed that flower seller's business card…
Kaliea: Poor Jean is so frazzled, and the date is still hours away! How will he possibly handle the raw womanhood that is Lieutenant Olivier Mira Armstrong in the flesh when just the idea of her sends him into near hysterics? I guess we'll find out together ^0^ Also, I'm taking suggestions for Olivier's favorite flower as I have yet to decide on it myself.
Anywho, thanks for reading!