Living on Borrowed Time
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's note: wooo! Sorry for the hiatus, I just turned in a 4 pg paper, 5 cubes (3D class) and 5 paintings. So for next week I've got to read 10 chapters, write an 8 page paper, do 5 more paintings and an in depth drawing of a still life…yup, I'm a little busy ;) Sorry the chappie's so short, if it'll make you feel better Riza's funeral is coming up next and stuff starts to really hit the fan.
Chapter 11 – Epiphanies and Shiny Things
The sun filtered into Roy's bedroom on Sunday morning. He opened his eyes lazily and smiled up at his former Lieutenant's expectant face.
"Morning." She said with a quiet smile.
"Morning" he replied back. He couldn't help but smile widely at her translucent face. She looked like an angel. 'My guardian angel' he thought casually. Strange how little random everyday thoughts can suddenly become epiphanies. There was something so reassuring seeing her there when he woke up. Part of him wanted to always see her there when he opened his eyes in the morning. The other part of him quickly pushed away the feeling…the very idea was dangerous. If he should actually develop feelings for her, romantic ones, what was he supposed to do? There's not much use in falling in love with a ghost.
"What's this?" Mustang asked as he opened a small velvet box he'd pulled from Hawkeye's dresser drawer. General Grumman had called that morning to ask Mustang if he'd be so kind as to box up Hawkeye's things. The General was on his way back in, but wouldn't be back at Eastern Headquarters until the morning of the funeral. Mustang had felt rather lopsided about the request. On the one hand he didn't want to have anything to do with Hawkeye's belongings. Her death was still fresh in his mind despite her spirit hovering over him. On the other hand he'd never actually seen the inside of her house and he was curious. In the end he couldn't help but agree to the terms. The General was really grief stricken over the loss of his granddaughter and Roy couldn't say 'no' to a man whose voice was cracking.
"That's nothing." Hawkeye replied quickly making a grab for the little box. Her hands disappeared as they hit the solid box.
Mustang couldn't help but look at her with question. Slowly he cracked open the little box to reveal a beautiful diamond ring. "Who gave you this?" he asked as he pulled the ring from its velvet cushion. Hawkeye cringed behind him as he read the inscription out loud, "I'd do anything for you." Roy looked at her, clearly expecting an answer. Too bad she couldn't give him the answer. They stared at each other for a few moments and when she realized he wasn't going to continue until she answered she simply said, "I don't really want to talk about it…it's sort of complicated."
Roy could sense the discomfort of the subject so he dropped it. Unconsciously he put the ring back in the box and put it in his pocket. The rest of the day was filled with cardboard boxes and Hawkeye's gasps of "Don't open that!" "Be careful!" "That's too heavy for you" and Roy's personal favorite: "Don't look at that!" The most memorable event of the day being when he had to pack up her underwear drawer. The expression on her face was to die for. The two were both a little embarrassed when Roy happened to come across a silky red night gown that he couldn't believe she owned. Unwillingly Roy couldn't help but picture her in it…consciously he wiped his nose not quite sure if it was bleeding or not.