Disclaimer: I do not own Hagane no Rekinjutsushi, nor do I stake any claim on it.
Note: I know this small drabble is riddled with countless grammar errors, but please be easy one me. If you would like to beta-read for me, just comment. Thanks!
After The Rain
By Sh4d0w
He did not know why he came.
Perhaps, somewhere deep within his conscience the thought that he could be gone seemed impossible. The truth appeared as a naïve farce exchanged between the military subordinates who worked in his halls. He was not dead, he simply could not be. Despite his desires, Roy was not one to believe that a steadily, repeated mantra could possibly amend his death. He was a scientist, a pragmatic thinker; he knew death could not be redeemed by just words or wishes. There was no point in doing anything anymore. He once had a goal, a silent promise to the people and himself. Decaying corpses, cries of the wounded, and the constant screaming of children that had found the dead bodies of their parents; it was not a sight Roy wished to experience again. He thought that gaining the rank of Fuhrer would allow him prevent such a disaster of Ishbalian proportion.
That was before he left.
How could Roy protect countless lives when he was unable to prevent his death?
The carnations were dead, what a simple word to describe it. He could have chosen a more eloquent word: deceased, defunct, lifeless, departedbut what was the point? It made him laugh. Not out of humor, mind you, but rather as a way to suppress his nerves. It was ironic though, how the flowers seemed to make the truth seem even more obvious than it was. The petals were parched and yellow, fluttering lightly in the spring draft. It made him strangely sick, leaving him with a bitter taste in his mouth. He wanted to leave, but he could not. Maybe if he stared long enough he would realize the sight in front of him was merely a hallucination.
Great.
Not only had he lost his determination, but he had lost his sanity, too.
'You did this to me, taking apart of my sanity piece by piece. I did not grasp it before, but now I realize that despite how I try to accept your death; the effects of it can not be stopped.'
He had placed everything on the line just to be with him. Two military officers, busy with their work and personal affairs. Who would have expected them of having after-work escapades within the arms of one another? The boundaries of marriage and fatherhood had been crossed for his sake, yet he spoke nothing of it nor complained. Despite his ties, he gave everything to Roy, his heart, his love, his soul. Corny as it may sound, it was true. Roy did the same, giving what he could to him; it was not about equivalent trade, rather it was actually about affection.
Maybe this was karma coming back at full force for breaking the hearts of countless girls. Even the slightest though of his death made his stomach clench and his body ache. It was pathetic really, to be put in a position that he would only expect a lovesick girl to be, in. He was Roy Mustang, thesmooth-talking, debonair, flame alchemist, not some pathetic angst-filled teenager.
The petals cracked into arid fragments as a gloved hand enclosed around the flower. Dark eyes sat watching as the pieces flew into the air, carried off by the brisk wind.
No, Roy knew why he came here.
He came because he loved him. No scientific terms or analysis was needed to prove that fact.
Fresh, red tulips were laid gently against the cool marble slab. The engraving carved upon it greatly noticeable in the sun.
He smiled sadly.
'Bradgier General Maes Hughes
Loving husband, devoted father, and friend of many
May you Rest in Peace'
