The Wants of the Few
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's notes: Whoa! OO I've got over 700 hits on this story...cool! Just to warn you...this is a really sad chapter.
Chapter 6 – Melancholy Tears
Back at the Hughes' residence Roy and Gracia were busy setting up for Elysia's party. Roy had just finished hanging the last banner. He stepped back to admire his work but was interrupted by a huge yawn. Gracia smiled tiredly at him. "Maybe you should get some rest Roy." She advised.
"No, it's all right. I don't mind helping." He said. They'd been decorating and getting ready for the party for the past 3 hours and he was getting tired. Unable to conceal it, he yawned again.
"Roy, the only thing left is to finish the cake, and I can do that."
"No, I want to help." He said again.
"You can barely keep your eyes open. If you won't go home and sleep at least go sit on the couch for a while. Just looking at you is making me sleepy." She said, yawning almost on cue.
"Ok." He replied, too tired to really argue. It'd be nice to get to sit down for a while. He'd not sat down since they'd started. He started toward the couch and Gracia went to the kitchen to check on the cake. Almost as soon as Roy sat on the couch he fell asleep. Gracia was also having trouble staying awake as she waited for the cake to finish. When it finally finished baking she iced it and put it away. Another hour had passed. Sluggishly she dragged herself into the living room. Roy was quietly snoozing on the couch. She smiled, if she'd just glanced at him she might have thought it was Maes with that black hair. She went over to the couch quietly and sat down gently on the edge. Gracia watched him as he slept. It felt strange to have a man in the house again…the thought made her think of Maes again. 'I'd give anything to have him be Maes.' She thought. "You know Roy," she said to the sleeping figure, "Maes told me once that you had a theory for human transmutation. Part of me almost wants to wake you up right now and make you to bring him back." When he didn't stir, she knew he couldn't hear her. She continued, wanting to just voice these anxieties she had, "Hearing you talk today, I doubt you'd say no." Tears threatened her eyes. "I miss him so much, and I'm afraid that I'm starting to forget him. Sometimes it's hard to remember what his voice sounded like, or the way his skin felt…losing the memories feels like I'm losing him all over again. The empty places where those memories used to be just make me feel so much more lonely…I'd give anything to just hear his voice, or see him walk through that door one more time." Silently she started to cry, tears streaming down her face in a soundless flood. She started a little when she felt a hand on her cheek, wiping away a few tears. She turned to see Roy sitting up. Shamefully she averted her eyes, after their discussion today about not regretting anything, she felt a little sinful letting him see her cry. His hand cradled her chin and made her look at him. "I miss him too." He said, his voice catching a little. Gracia's body began to shake a little as she cried and Roy drew her close. She embraced him fully and cried deeply into his uniform. Soon her silent cries became heart-shattered moans. After a moment or two Gracia could feel her own shoulder was a little damp. Some how knowing he was in just as much pain made her feel just a little less alone. The two sat there holding each other for a long time. Eventually, both were beyond exhausted and they soon fell asleep in each other's arms.