Sorry it's been a couple of days, guys! Here's the next chapter and it is a lot longer, just like I promised! Enjoy.
It had been a month. A whole month. Riza hadn't bothered to come see him. She was having tea with the Fuhrer and even lunch with Havoc, but she didn't have time (or didn't want to) come see him. Whereas he should have been angry in the situation, all he wanted to do was drink until the empty hole was filled. It was what he had been doing for the last two weeks, and it was what he fully intended to do tonight. There had been pretty girls, mostly pretty blondes, who had been enjoying his debauchery and gladly took the drinks he offered. Almost all of them were willing to come back to his place and allow him to satisfy his most carnal desires, especially after they were drunk enough to be incapable of walking properly. With each hangover and new one-night stand, the emptiness inside of him grew. It ate away at everything until he felt sick. He just wanted to find the one to make it better.
Another pretty woman sat by his side, dark eyes and luscious blonde hair that he just wanted to bury his face into. Drinks were shared and there was much flirting. But it wasn't enough to fill the void.
"Say, Veronica…"
The woman giggled drunkenly, barely having two of her fruity drinks before she was hammered. Fingers found their way to his thigh. "It's Monica, Roy. Monica."
He smiled halfheartedly before brushing her hand away, "Look, Monica. This has been fun, but I think you've had just a little too much."
"I haven't had enough, yet. At least, not enough of you." The expression she was going for was sensual. Instead, she looked like a Xingese cannibal who just found her next meal.
He sighed at this, "I'm sorry. This just isn't gonna work out. You get home safe, okay?"
She frowned now, pouting a little, "What are you, gay? Any sane straight man would take me home and have his way with me."
"No, I'm not. I just can't do this tonight. Maybe next time…" He stood up to retreat to the bar.
Monica glared at him, "I hope it falls off!"
Roy didn't look back. He sat down and ordered a whiskey to wash down the two he had with lackluster company and this bubbling feeling of sadness. Alcohol was the perfect cure for thinking of the one woman he knew would make him feel whole again. However, after the sixth or seventh, all he could think about was her sad eyes, wheat hair, and sweet voice. A few more went down the same as he tried to drink her away.
"Chief, you might wanna slow down there," Havoc commented, returning from a cute brunette that he had been dancing with. He ordered two drinks and watched the Colonel waringly.
Mustang merely gave him what was supposed to be a glare. It turned out more of a pout. "I am fine, Jean."
Havoc gave him a look of sympathy before patting his back, "Look, she misses you too. But, you know how women get."
The Colonel shook his head, "She's not just any woman and you know that. She's…" He trailed off, watching some spot on the wall with a dazed expression. He couldn't say it. Not in the current company. Havoc only knew that the two hadn't been speaking. He didn't know about Roy's worries and insecurities when it came to his first lieutenant. He didn't know about their relationship. Or know about how much he just wanted to kiss her again.
The blonde man became nervous, "Boss, I'd rather you didn't throw up out here."
Mustang just shook his head again before getting up. He took money out of his wallet, setting his empty glass on top of it. Still looking slightly lost, he wandered away. Havoc watched him for a moment, debating on following. That was, until his drinks were set in front of him. He glanced back at the pretty girl who had been with him most of the night and decided that Colonel Roy Mustang, Hero of the Ishvalan War, was more than capable of getting himself home while he was plastered.
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He didn't remember why his feet had brought him here. Nor did he understand why they marched him up the stairs and put him directly in front of her little shabby door. He knew it was late. He knew that he shouldn't have ever came here without asking her. He also knew that she would be more likely to shoot him than talk to him given his current state. But, even in being wise to all of this, he still brought his hand up and knocked on her door at some ungodly morning hour.
Seconds ticked on. Mustang was acutely aware that his heart was pounding and his palms were sweaty. He didn't know what it was, but this woman made him extremely nervous. A minute came and went, then two. He sighed before turning to walk away. He didn't even make it a few steps before he heard the lock click and the quiet whoosh of the door sliding onto carpet. He spun around to see a sleepy faced Lieutenant looking at him with such confusion.
"Sir…? What are you doing here at 3 a.m.?"
Relief flooded his face and he managed to get a halfway acceptable smile before he promptly threw up in her apartment building's hallway. Riza sighed heavily before pushing open the door all the way. She stepped out in her nightgown in order to help him inside as quickly as her growing belly would let her. Mumbling her frustrations, she managed to push him onto the couch before waddling back to retrieve a towel to clean up the mess.
Roy did not protest. He suddenly felt tired and wanted nothing more than to fall asleep here in the place that felt like home. Perhaps he would have if a rather large puppy hadn't decided that he needed to give his friend slobbery affections.
"Ugh, Hayate, get down! I missed you too. Now get off me!"
Riza came back inside to this, frowning slightly, "He's preparing to eat you. Good boy, Hayate."
The dog looked up at his owner with a happy expression and wagged his tail wildly.
Roy groaned before pushing Black Hayate off of the couch so he could sit up, "I didn't do enough to deserve that."
"Depends on who you ask," the blonde woman mumbled before going to toss the towel into the bathroom down the hall.
He watched her walk away, saddened by her choice of words. Hayate nudged his hand gently and Roy obliged with pets. He turned his attention to the face of Riza's most beloved companion and sighed.
"How do you always get out of trouble? Teach me, oh smart dog…"
"First off, he doesn't show up at my door at three in the morning and then vomit on my doorstep. Second, he's cuter than you."
He hadn't heard her come in, but he didn't glance at her now. Roy felt sick, but he didn't feel nearly as drunk as when he showed up. Apparently, he needed the literal spilling of his guts to figure out he wanted to figuratively do the same. There was a long pause of silence before Roy spoke quietly, "I wanted to see you… You were avoiding me…"
"So you decided to get drunk and wake me up, just because you think I have been avoiding you?" When he didn't reply, Riza frowned. "I've been busy making arrangements and dealing with a lot of things. Not avoiding, just busy."
"Then tell me why you have had time to go get lunch with Havoc?"
This caused the woman to pause and stare at her ex-lover with surprise. "Are you jealous of Jean? He was helping me find a family in his hometown to take the baby. Someone that he knows well and who would love this child and give it the attention it deserves, Roy. I'm not capable of that right now. I have a mission to finish and devoting all of my time to you is a priority. I said I would follow you, no matter what. This is no matter what."
"This is a kid, Riza! Aren't you supposed to love this child unconditionally, care for them, be there when they need you? How is leaving him with strangers even an option?" There was anger and hurt in his voice as he protested.
"You aren't the one who has to live with it, Sir. This is my child and my choice. You don't have a say so."
"What if it IS my choice too? Logically, there is a good chance, Riza." Riza looked away. Roy couldn't determine if it was shame or sorrow that crossed her face now. He didn't understand why it would be shame. Unless… Then it clicked. He swallowed hard. When he spoke again, his voice was hoarse and quiet. "It is, isn't it?"
Her silence was enough damning evidence to confirm his suspicions.
Well, there's that. I told you guys that I would be doing the confrontation soon! Review and favorite or follow for more goodies. I already have the next chapter started and *maybe* half of the way done. I'll try and finish it up tomorrow and post it before bedtime! You guys are wonderful. Thank you as always!
