Epilogue: Simplicity Speaks for Itself

Roy Mustang had taken to watching steeplechase races when one was at the Central Racecourse. Sometimes Ed tagged along with him, sometimes he didn't.

Rationally, Roy told himself that he was relaxing, that he enjoyed watching the magnificent horses flashing across the finish one mere seconds behind the other. That played an important part.

But it wasn't the real reason.

He wanted to see Jean again. Yes, he knew that obsession was unhealthy. But... it's hard severing all ties after so many years of intense attachment. Ed had told him at one point (after the boy had also resigned and became just another civilian alchemist) about what Jean had told him.

Damn, that had hurt.

Even though he knew it was so very, very wrong.

Every time he went to the races, there was always at least one of Jean's horses in each race. Teabiscuit, Sandcastle, Padfoot, Rattail, Snowdancer, Breezy City, the list went on and all. They were all magnificent beasts.

But the best was the stable's prize stallion, Fullmetal. The horse that Jean had had since it was born. The horse that Jean had helped to train when he was on leave. The three-million dollar horse.

Roy privately thought that the horse's name should have been Havoc, not Fullmetal. The precocious youngster reminded him sharply of the first days that he had known Jean, back in the Ishbar war. It reminded him of the headstrong Sergeant that had saved his life at one point.

"Wake up, sleepy," a familiar voice teased over the wind. "Don't tell me you're going to miss the race of champions."

"Shut up, Captain," he growled automatically. "I still haven't forgiven you for the grapes."

"That was more than two years ago," the man protested, laughing. "You sure hold a grudge."

"There are a number of ways that I can answer that, Captain. I'll choose the direct way: screw you."

"That's not very nice, especially since I haven't seen you for a while."

Roy turned around, fully expecting to see the neatly-dressed trainer that he had always glimpsed. Instead, he found a man dressed like a stablehand. "What the...?"

"Mike's pretending to be me again," Jean said cheerfully. "I told you, I don't like being a trainer like that."

"What if Fullmetal wins?"

Jean shrugged, carefree and happy. "Then he does. Mike takes the picture with him, I stay just another trainer. Publicity never was my style."

... god, there are so many meanings layered in that...

"By the way, congrats on the Ultimate Promotion, Roy. I'm glad you made it."

President Roy Mustang smiled. "It makes it worth it to hear you say that, Jean."

A tan, calloused hand rested on the railing, close to his. "I told you I'd support you all the way. I'm sorry for copping out on you like that."

"Don't apologize. It's not needed, trust me. I knew you would come back if I asked."

... wouldn't you?

The tall blonde laughed. "You know me way too well. All you would have had to do was tell me to, and I would have followed you to hell and back... or to whatever you godless alchemists call hell." Friendship, respect, love, everything shone out of those clear blue eyes.

He slid his hand along till it barely touched Jean's. "I know. Believe me, I know."

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

It's done. It's finally done. Jean and Roy are back together (after all, this was originally an alternative to the twelve Havoc/Roy themes). I'm sorry Liza/Jean and Ed/Jean people out there. I had to finish what I set out to do. If you ask really nicely by email, you might convince me to write another pairing involving Jean. But I still have to finish 24 before I do anything of that sort.

Thanks so much to each and every person what that left a review. You kept me going and made me keep churning out ideas even when I felt like I couldn't keep a halfway decent fic going. Torii, I have to thank you, and same with sketchyheart. You two are my two most vocal fans, and I love you for it. I always looked forward to reading your reviews. (sketchyheart, where's that Ed doodle, h'm? -I heart you-)

–waves– Well, moray the chibi alchemist signing off for now. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I loved writing it.