AN: OMFG, THIS CHAPTER IS FINALLY DONE! X-X
Sorry for not updating sooner guys, but this chapter took longer than expected. There was a lot that I wanted to shove in, and as a result, this is probably the longest chapter yet, although I think it's mostly because of all the dialogue. Also, as a result, I had to rewrite this chapter a bit. There were lines I had to cut, because the chapter was just dragging on too much, scenes I had to merge, and so on. Tho, there were still some things I insisted on being in here, like Roy's little trip into the neighborhood, the apron and mini skirt scenes, the bit with pies and the second phone convo, as well as the introduction of an original character who will be appearing more often. (That had to be done this chapter) So yeah, lots to absorb here. I'm glad I'm finally done. /whew/
Oh, and some Japanese appears in this chapter, although I don't like using Japanese in FMA fanfiction because well…the FMA world is a lot like Europe, Amestris even being a parallel of Germany, not Japan. So why use Japanese words unnecessarily? However, I couldn't resist these two because they just…sounded best in my mind. The more used one is "ne", which is kinda used like "hey", "eh" and what not are. Not too big a one. The other one is "Yatta". Yatta is sort of like an equivalent to "yay", "hooray", "yippe" and all other expressions of joy. I cannot be hundred percent sure because I haven't taken Japanese classes yet (will do in Uni, a thank you) but that's what I've picked up so far from other people who do know the language (we get tons of Japanese exchange students fyi) and from watching anime in subtitles.
And once again, thank you so much for your reviews! You all make me so happy! AWWOWOY is now my most viewed and reviewed story. :'D I feel so…happy. n-n
And now, this chapter's musical excerpt. Enjoy the chapter, guys :O
"Shiroi mune eguru no wa/Bishou to atsui iki/Koi to iu uso ni shinu/Yo ni mo oroka na otogibanashi"
-"What gouges my white breast/Is your smile and warm breath/I die in a lie called "love"/A foolish fairytale…"-
-Atashi ga Alice datta koro (When I was Alice) sung by Ali Project, used in the anime Rozen Maiden, translated by Miyuki on animelyrics . tv
-
The days went on, one by one. Just one more, and Roy Mustang would have been a part of this world for a week.
And he STILL had trouble adjusting.
Especially this Saturday morning, when he awoke to a…movement at the end of the bed.
"Eh? Wha…?" he groggily began, looking up.
What met his eyes was a small shiba inu humping the sheets.
Roy watched for a few seconds with wide eyes before screaming in disgust.
"ELICIA-CHAN, STOP THAT!" He threw Maes' pillow at the pup and missed. She continued on regardless.
"Oh god! This is so wrong…." Roy moaned in anguish, hiding his head with his pillow. Whenever he heard Elicia, his mind still went to the little pig-tailed girl after all. "SO-SO-SO-WRONG!" he screamed again, pounding his fist on the headboard at each syllable.
Elicia stopped momentarily to look at her master, then resumed her activity.
-.-.-.-.-.-
"Maes. DISCIPLINE YOUR DOG."
Hughes stopped in his morning washroom preparations to look at the now aggravated Roy and the innocent looking Elicia. Roy was holding her out in both hands, as far away from him as possible.
"My dog? She's always my dog when she does something wrong." He muttered.
"It's because she learnt from you." Roy hissed at him.
"What's that supposed to mean? What'd she do now anyways?"
"Hump the sheets."
"…………………Roy, darling, there comes a time in every dog's life, where her hormones start to take over and she…"
"She wouldn't do it if you didn't try to straddle me every night!"
Maes blushed, taking the dog. "Oh."
"Doggie see, doggie DO. Let's see…there was Monday's fiasco…" Roy began to recount, using his fingers. "And then Tuesday…"
"We're good now, right hon? How about we…""NO!"
"Wednesday…"
"Roooooooooy……You know, I just can't seem to sleep…"
"Take a sleeping pill then."
"Thursday…"
"Wow, you know honey, I think a dinner this amazing can only be repaid one way…"
"MAES!"
"And let's not forget last night!""Hmm…no, let's." Maes said, last night's incident still vivid in his mind despite his attempts to forget.
Since his attempts in bed had all failed, Hughes decided to infiltrate another battlefield: the shower.
He could plainly remember thinking how cute Roy's shocked expression was, as well as the way he quickly turned around to avoid staring. Maes used the excuse that he was in there to wash Roy's back for him and the other seemed to whimper quite a bit. They hadn't been fully naked in each other's presence yet. It was a bit much.
Maes started out doing exactly what he said he was in there to do. But soon he began to lay on the romantics. And that was far too much for Roy. Maes saw something he hadn't seen (and didn't expect to) in years.
Roy Mustang had always had a bad bladder.
When he was child, Maes would often find him being teased by a group of older kids for his exotic, Xingian-like appearance (the fault of his great grandmother, who had been Xingian), crying, his pants soaked with his own urine. And Maes was the one who defended him, then led him hand in hand to Mrs. Mustang to explain 'it happened again'. Of course, Roy stopped wetting his pants at adolescence. You would never have guessed that he ever did looking at his adult self. Maybe he just wasn't scared anymore…
So the trail of yellow Maes saw between their legs that night told him he had gone too far. Again.
Roy didn't seem to be aware that he had just relieved himself and was completely confused when Maes left him, covered in suds, to finish up.
"When did you become so horny anyways!?" Roy asked as the other released Elicia and returned to his morning routine. "I don't ever recall you being so sex-crazed."
"I could say the opposite for you." Maes countered. "I don't ever recall you declining a chance to have sex. In fact, it's because of you I'm so 'sex crazed'."
Roy blinked in confusion. "Eh? How so?"
Maes finished his business in the washroom and glanced at the clock. "Come on, I'll tell you while I make breakfast."
-.-.-.-.-.-
The two relocated to the kitchen, where Maes worked on two omelets and Roy sat waiting.
"Well? Why is it my fault?" he asked impatiently.
"Hmm? Oh, right. Well…" Maes began. "How to put this? You know how a husband can usually shower his wife with gifts to show his affection?"
Roy nodded, although not seeing what this had to do with sex. "Yes. Go on."
"Jewelry, perfume, dresses, lingerie, flowers, you know…things women like. If he really wants to show he loves her, he'll cook an amazing dinner for her, even clean up the house and allow her to relax."
Roy nodded again. Although he felt Maes was confusing love with appreciation, he was basically right.
"But…" Maes started again, stopping all he was doing. "It's different for two men."
Roy froze as well. Now he understood what Maes was getting at.
"I can't exactly buy you jewelry, perfume or lingerie…well, there's cologne but there's nothing romantic about cologne. If I buy you a dress you can't wear it in public…"
Roy snorted loudly. WHAT.
"Flowers work, but there's only so many times I can buy you those. So, I tried to always cook and clean for you. But I…uh…get tired of cooking all the time and you insisted on cooking as well. You also kept on saying my cleaning wasn't satisfactory. And then you tell me I dote too much…"
You do… Roy kept to himself.
"So what's a man to do? But then…lucky for me…"
"I'm a sex fiend…" Roy muttered.
Maes pointed his spatula at him. "Bingo. And a demanding one at that." He said. "I had to adjust to just how often you wanted it. I had to actually TAME you as well."
"So to please a sex fiend, you became one yourself…" Roy murmured under his breath.
Then something hit him like a brick.
"Tame me!? What do you mean by that!?"
Hughes grinned as he flipped over half of one omelet.
"Remember Monday, when I brought up handcuffs?"
Roy blanched. He thought he was gonna be sick.
"I remember one time-"
"SO HOW'S BREAKFAST COMING ALONG!?" Roy yelled. Anything to change the subject.
"Just about done!" Maes replied, almost in singsong. "Anyways, I don't know what your problem's been Roy…I can't believe you're denying sex of all things…"
Roy turned scarlet. You honestly can't think of why…?
"Well excuse me for only finding out I'm married to you a week ago. Oh wait! How easy you forget! Sorry, I forgot that little detail myself, how silly of me!"
Maes' eyes went wide and he stopped once more. He had just gone and fouled Roy's mood. …Again.
"…Sorry…" he muttered.
Roy huffed, crossed his arms, and looked away. Yup, mood fouled.
"You forget I don't know anything too easily Maes…" he said. "I wonder if you're even taking this seriously…"
Hughes hung his head as he brought over breakfast. "Of course I am…"
Roy pouted; that defeated tone got him every time.
"Can I ask you a question?" he began, returning to Maes as the other sat down. Maes was caught by surprise; he thought he was going to get the silent treatment.
"When did we first have sex?" Roy continued.
"Uhm…a month or two after we started dating-"
In an instant Roy's finger shot up. Maes suddenly got the point he was trying to make.
"Ohhhhhhhhh…wait a minute. I thought you didn't remember anything!?"
"I don't. I just assumed it wouldn't have been right away. You're special to me, Maes. The one night stands I used to have, all the girls I dated…they weren't special to me. But I loved you since we were kids. I couldn't just rush into sex with you." Roy explained.
Never mind that until a week ago, you were dead and previously married with child to Gracia…
"So…unless you get your memory back, I'll have to wait at least a month to have sex?" Maes asked.
Roy nodded.
Maes moaned.
"Oh, it's not that bad."
"Easy for you to say! Roy, that's just not fair…"
"What's unfair is expecting me to submit to your sexual wants when I'm still getting used to being married."
"But, but…what am I supposed to about my…?"
"Masturbate like every normal sex-deprived male."
Maes moaned again.
"Suck it up." Roy muttered, shaking his head, before turning towards breakfast.
He soon noticed however that Maes was eating rather quickly, the opposite of how he usually tried to take his time and enjoy the food. Huh…now why was Maes hurrying?
"By the way, what do you want for lunch today?"
"Hmm? Why are you asking that at 8:30?"
"I think – if I hurry up with breakfast and run – I can make you some lunch before I go."
"Go? Go where? What the heck are you talking about?"
"Oh, right, you were in the shower last night when I got the call, so I forgot to tell you after last night's…incident. I have to go to work today."
Roy turned red as he finally realized why Maes was in uniform and up so early.
"Oh…"
"So what do you want for lunch?"
"Um…maybe some…hey, just wait a minute! I'm not a kid!"
Maes paused to stare at him. "Oh? Sometimes I wonder."
"Haha, hilarious, Maes. Look, I'll make my own lunch, all right?"
"Are you sure you can manage?"
"Of course I can! I just have selective amnesia , I wasn't made dumb!"
"Well, if you say so…"
"Oh and Maes, another thing I wanted to bring up with you…"
Hughes paid strict attention. It's hard not to when Roy Mustang uses that kind of menacing tone.
"On my first day here - I mean, on Sunday, you said we – as in, you and I – take turns cooking as well as cleaning. But all this week you've been the one cooking."
"Well…you haven't been feeling well…"
"Maes…you go to work. When you get home dinner will be waiting."
"Roy… I know I said we take turns, but…you don't have to do that…not until you get better…"
"Yes I do. Equivalent Exchange."
Caught off guard, Maes was silenced.
"You've done enough this week Maes. It's my turn." Roy added, smiling.
Maes' face flushed and he went deep into thought. Then, he rose from the table.
"Just one thing Roy…" he spoke, running off leaving Roy confused. Roy himself got up to follow.
"What is it Ma-"
"Wear this while you cook and clean."
"What!? NO!"
"Come on, pretty please?"
"WHY!?"
"Because I love you."
"But you won't even see me in it!"
"I will when I get home. I can look forward to it all day at work…"
"You pervert! No!"
"You were the one who bought it."
"I don't believe you."
"Come on, if you can't give in to my sexual needs, the least you can do is appease my fantasies…"
He said it with such a pout, Roy couldn't say no.
"Fine, fine! I'll wear it!" Roy gave up, taking the frilly white apron Maes had pulled out of the closet.
"YATTA!" Maes exclaimed in joy, raising his hands in the air as Roy put it on.
"This…is degrading…" Roy moaned, pulling at a ruffle on one of the shoulder straps.
"Shshsh! Don't say that! You're so cute!" Maes told him dreamily, his rectangular glasses opaque.
"Your fantasies frighten me."
"Nyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…….I wanna stay home now…" Hughes sighed. "It looks so good on you, Love…"
Roy twitched. Even after a week, he couldn't handle that name…
"Maes…" he began softly. "Could you…stop calling me that?"
Hughes stooped swooning to stare in confusion. "Eh? What do you mean?"
"It's strange…and awkward…hearing you call me that…call me anything else, please…"
Maes was quiet for a moment, before shrugging.
"All right, Muffin, whatever you want."
Roy's hair stood on end.
MUFFIN!?"Uh oh. I lost track of time. I'll be late if I don't leave soon. Ne, ne, Muffin, do that thing again, one more time, please, please!?" Hughes exclaimed, his glasses opaque once more as he fussed.
Roy was confused. "What thing?"
"You know, where you were all like this, looking down, speaking softly, playing with your fingers…oh, it was so cute, do it again!" he explained, imitating the way Mustang had been moments earlier.
Roy felt his stomach churn again. Had he really looked that pathetic!? Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a familiar pair of gloves on a small table next to him. Aha, something good finally…
"I have a better idea Maes…"
"Oh? Lemme guess, saying 'come home soon, darling' in that soft voice before kissing me good bye? (insert heart here)" Maes swooned more, his eyes closed behind the lenses.
"Noooooooooooo…"
Maes opened his eyes and jumped at the now gloved hand stretched out in front of him, the fingers bunched together, a familiar red array glaring at him. And, worst of all, a homicidal look in its owner's eyes.
"Eep!" was right.
"More like, let's see how quickly you BURN darling…(insert heart here)"
"Uh, no thanks hon, I really got to go!" Maes replied nervously, going in for a quick kiss.
The kissing was still something Roy was getting used to, but he loved it either way.
"I love you Muffin, bye!" he cooed quickly before running off.
Roy sighed. He was alone now, save for the dog. He could finally have some time to think.
…Once he figured out where the hell Maes got Muffin from…
-.-.-.-.-.-
So far, Roy had gotten dressed (and still wore the apron. What he'd do to make Maes happy…), and cleaned up from breakfast. He just finished making his and Maes' bed when he got an idea.
"Remember Monday when I brought up handcuffs?""Time to teach you a lesson, bastard." Roy muttered deviously before heading to the drawers to find the offensive items and hide them.
He was having no luck. Roy began to suspect Maes hid them – and any other bondage equipment – some where safe, just in case of days like today. The ebon hued man growled in defeat.
Then, something caught his black eyes. In a mix of shock and 'dear lord, what the hell is this', he pulled out a blue garment. Not just any piece of clothing though. A pleaded, light mini-skirt.
Now normally, Roy would be happy to see this; but under the circumstances he had heard about this morning…
His jaw fell open. Oh god, what went on with this!?
The skirt in hand he made a run for it out the door. If he couldn't hide the handcuffs, he could at least hide this.
-.-.-.-.-.-
After cleaning he took a break, propped up on the couch. His mind focused on the one thing it hadn't been able to all week; what the hell was going on.
Could it really be a dream? It seemed too long to be a dream. Then again, some dreams covered 'years' of material. But were dreams usually this vivid, where every moment of life was laid before you and fresh in your mind? The longer this went on, the more Roy disbelieved the dream option. Plus, if this were a dream…that would mean it would have to have an end…
No…please don't let this be a dream…But then what could it be? Could the story he had been going with be true? Could he really have selective amnesia after all? What if his 'previous life' really had been just a long, horrible dream? He didn't know anymore. For all he knew, this could actually be a parallel world he stumbled into by accident, like that girl in that popular children's story…what was her name? Alice?
Roy thought some more, this time playfully. If he was Alice, what did that make Maes? That silly cat?
Well…Maes did always smile at him…
Roy got a strange thought all of a sudden. Of Maes, with a pair of cat ears and tail, wearing a coat with fur collar and a kitty bell. He…surprisingly didn't look too bad…Kinda hot actually…
A huge blush crept into his face. Now he really was Alice, in a light blue dress and still that blasted apron. Maes-Cat was there, trying to romance him. He was purring in his ear – oh god, that felt good – telling him how cute he looked, looking down, talking softly and playing with his fingers like that…
Then the real Roy smacked himself.
"……Must be an exhaustion of energy….time for lunch…"
After preparing himself something, Roy sat down and began to look through the numerous cookbooks and magazines he found lying around the living room. So many different ideas…he couldn't decide. Maybe he should check what they had to cook with first and make a decision based on that.
He checked. The fridge and pantry were practically bear. A frown spread across his face.
"You're kidding me…there's nothing I can make with what we have left." He moaned. That meant only one thing; he'd have to go grocery shopping.
He began to make a list of items they really did need (like more eggs and bread – there were hardly any left of both), then decided on what he wanted for supper and wrote the ingredients needed for that. Then he realized a flaw in his plan: he didn't know where to go.
He knew where the Central Market Place was (and he thought he'd seen it earlier this week on their way home from work) but he didn't know how to get there from here. This neighborhood was still a mystery to him. Maes had told him they bought this house half a year after they declared their marriage and it was a part of Central he'd never been familiar with.
Sighing and swallowing his pride, Roy picked up the phone and called Maes.
"Hello?"
"Hey Maes, it's me."
"Oh hey Muffin, I was about to call and check up on you! How's everything going?"
"Just fine. I finished cleaning already."
"…It's only noon. Yet it takes you how long to finish paperwork?"
"Anyways," Irritation was visible in his voice so Maes left the matter of bad paperwork habits alone. "I was gonna start supper but…I've come across a problem."
Maes sounded concerned. "What's wrong?"
"I need to go shopping."
"Oh." Concern went away. "Okay…well, you have money, it shouldn't be a prob-"
"Maes, I don't know my way around this part of Central."
"…What? Really?"
"Yes, it's like I've never been to this neighborhood until a week ago. Look, just give me directions, okay?"
"Roy…I don't think you should go by yourself."
"Why not? I'll take my gloves for protection if that's what you're worried about."
"Of course not. I doubt you'll be attacked in broad daylight."
"Scared of women then?"
"No! I just don't think you should go out by yourself if you don't know your way around."
"I'll be fine Maes. I'll take Elicia. She knows her way around relatively well, right?"
On the other end, Roy could hear an irritated exhale. Maes said nothing for a moment.
"Fine, but pay attention to your surroundings, all right?"
"Yes, yes, now the directions?"
"There's a bakery around the corner. The deli run by Anna is next door."
"Anna? Who's that?"
"What? You don't remember her or Ruthie, either? …Hrmm, they're the Oslo family, it's just Anna, her father and her daughter. They're neighbors and friends of ours."
"Oh."
"Anyways…for produce and anything else you'll have to go to the market."
"So we do live by the market place? I thought I saw it near by…"
"Yeah, pretty close. I say go to the market first, then stop at the bakery and deli."
"Waiting on those directions."
As Hughes spoke, Roy scribbled his words onto the same sheet of paper as his grocery list. Finally, they exchanged good byes and Maes sent him an I love you that Roy hesitated too long to return before hanging up. Stuffing the paper in his pocket and grabbing his wallet, he went to put Elicia on a leash. He was about to open the door when he realized that he was still wearing the apron.
"Oh god, if I had gone out in this…" he moaned, taking off the article of clothing and hanging it by the door. His face had turned red at his own forgetfulness.
Opening the door, he set out into the unknown, his first exploration of his neighborhood, with only a piece of paper to guide him.
-.-.-.-.-.-
"Look at that salmon! Its meat is so pink! What do you think Elicia-chan, would Maes like that?"
"Woof!"
"Mister, if your dog licks that salmon you're going to have to buy it."
Roy turned to give a glare at the rather grumpy man at one of the fish stalls.
"She's my darling's precious little girl, her opinion is important." He replied, seemingly unaware that 1) he had just been talking to a dog and 2) he'd just call Maes his darling. "We were going to buy it anyways." He went on, handing the slab of fish that his fingers handled so delicately back to the man to wrap up. The man declared a relatively expensive price as he took back the meat and pulled out some thick paper. Roy pulled out the exact amount, without any thought at all whether or not it was too expensive and even had the nerve to ask how much that shrimp on display was. It seemed none of these venders knew how much being a military official paid.
He decided against the shrimp (it really was un necessary to his cooking plans and a little too expensive) but took the now triple wrapped salmon – tied with a piece of string – and gently maneuvered it into his bag, already full of produce and eggs. Scooping his bag up, he went to his last destination: the dairy stand.
As he left, the fish vender couldn't help saying "His girlfriend's name is Maes…?"
Roy honestly couldn't help smiling. He was actually having fun. He had been through this market dozens of times before back 'home' (if that really had been home…) and had never really enjoyed it that much. It was just shopping. But now…it felt…great to be shopping for someone other than himself. Carefully considering each food, wondering if your significant other would like it, or better yet, if it would make him happy. And thinking of how great all this fresh food would be in dinner that night…it all couldn't help but make Roy happy.
"Why, hello there Mr. Mustang!" the dairy vender, a young and pretty farm girl (obviously helping out her parents) greeted him cheerfully. "What will it be today?"
By this point Roy didn't let the fact that someone he didn't know knew him bother him. Not only had some people in the neighborhood recognized him and said hello, but the couple at the vegetable stand, the man in charge of fruits and the crazy chicken lady did as well. The fish vender was apparently new. It'd only make sense; he and Maes must've come here often over the course of their 'marriage'.
The girl on the other hand seemed surprised. "Where's Mr. Hughes? You two always come together…"
The vegetable couple, the fruit man and chicken lady had said the exact same thing.
"He's at work today." Roy told her, having said the exact same words three times previous.
"Oh. Well, what will it be?"
"Hmmm…I think I'll take that cheddar there. Oh, and a block of that mozzarella. Might as well throw in a brick of butter too, please.""Okay, let me wrap them up."
Roy watched as she took the blocks and began to wrap them in a different type of paper than the fish man, but in the same style. As he watched he began to commend Maes and his self in this world for making such a smart housing location. Everything was in walking distance; the famous Central Farmer's Market, a bakery, and a deli. Headquarters was relatively close as well, just a twenty minute walk away in fact. He and Maes must've thought this over very carefully when choosing the home they would share together…
At this, Roy froze. He and Maes. No. His self here and Maes. He had nothing to do with the decision, and if he had in fact he couldn't remember. Such a special memory either never experienced or forgotten. Roy's happiness left him and he suddenly felt depressed again. It was too cruel whatever was done to him whether he was dreaming or experiencing memory loss. Too cruel…
"Mr. Mustang? Will there be anything else?"
He snapped out of his thoughts at the young vender's question. He tried to cover his current feelings.
"Ah…what do you think, Elicia-chan?" he began, looking down at the dog, hoping the action would fool everyone that he was still in a lovey, happy mood. "I think I'll get some milk as well. Milk straight from the farm is always better than what's delivered to your door."
"Of course it is." The girl explained. "Because it's fresher straight from the farm. Big or small bottle?"
"Indeed, it is. Big, please."
She pulled out a bottle for Roy to examine. As he observed the white fluid, the teenager was busy observing him.
"Mr. Mustang…you know we now have a phone at the farm."
"Oh really? That's nice."
"I'm also old enough to start going into town by myself."
"Well, that's very nice, you can get yourself a boyfriend now. I'll take this milk by the way."
"Yes, I know. You know what Mr. Mustang, the milk's on the house. Just pay for the cheese and butter, please."
Roy paused. The brunet's face was tinted with a familiar shade of red. He recognized this. She was attempting to flirt with him. She was inexperienced at it, but it was still flirting.
"Why, thank you. I hope you have fun with whatever boy you decide to grace with your company." He began, in an automatically smooth voice.
She giggled. "Yes, I hope so too. Personally, I'm not into boys though. Older men are more my thing."
"Oh?"
"Mr. Mustang…can I give you our new number? You know, just to see how the phone works and all…" Her face was redder.
And without even thinking, Mustang replied "Of course."
The young girl seemed ready to squeal at that point. She hastily ripped off a piece of wrapping paper to write the number down and give it to Mustang. She was so happy, she didn't even ask Roy to pay for the other things he was buying, and didn't care when he left without paying at all.
The cheese, milk and butter now carefully in his bag with the fish and produce, and Elicia's leash in one hand, he left the market. Feeling quite proud of himself as well.
"I still got it in this world it seems." he hummed quietly to himself.
Elicia was growling at him.
"What are you mad about?" he asked as they walked. "Hmph, I bet Havoc would hate this. I didn't even try and she gave me her number. I'm sure Maes will-"
He was hit by a brick again. "Oh shit."
Elicia wasn't growling anymore, but one could tell she was unimpressed. Roy looked at his hand, the number clenched in it, in silent disgust.
"What have I done…Oh god, Maes…"
Hurriedly, but carefully, he set down the groceries, even let go of Elicia's leash. Then he commenced in ripping up the number in as many pieces as he could, until it was nearly dust.
"I'm a horrible person…Oh Maes, I'm so sorry…" he whispered, feeling so ashamed and disgusted at himself, even if his actions had been done without thinking. Fact of the matter was, he did it.
If he hadn't felt depressed enough earlier, he certainly did now. Picking back up the groceries and Elicia's leash, he headed for the bakery, feeling like slapping himself.
-.-.-.-.-.-
"Damn…my arm is getting tired…" Roy moaned as he walked out of the bakery later, yet another bag with a loaf of bread and a few other baked things in his arms. "At least there's only one more stop…"
With difficulty, he pushed open the door to the deli with his back. The sound of a bell chimed, and from a corner came a "Oh! Mr. Mustang! Do you need help?"
Roy turned towards the source of the voice. It belonged to an eight-year-old girl, with curly, shoulder length, red hair, big brown eyes and freckles dotting her cheeks and nose.
"Uh…yes, please?" Roy replied, unsure of whether or not he should accept the offer.
"Here! I'll take one of those!" The redhead insisted, reaching for one bag, the one he just received at the bakery.
"Er…thank you?"
"Hi, Elicia-chan! Mr. Mustang, can I play with Elicia-chan later?"
"Uh…"
"Ruthie, how about giving Mr. Mustang some space?"
"Sorry, Mama. Sorry, Mr. Mustang."
Roy looked to behind the counter where a woman that was obviously this girl's mother stood. Her little girl was practically the splitting image of her, except the mother had long straight hair, and no freckles. This must have been that Anna Oslo woman Maes mentioned on the phone.
"Sorry about that Roy. Hmm? Where's Maes?" the mother asked.
"He's working today…" Roy replied.
"Oh? And yet you still went out? I don't believe I've ever seen the two of you shopping without the other…or not going together anywhere for that matter."
Roy supposed it made sense that this woman would be more surprised by an absent Maes than the vendors at the market place because she was a friend. However…the things she said made him feel uncomfortable around her. The Roy she knew was not him, so it felt as if she was placing expectations on him.
"Now, what would you like, Roy?" Anna then asked.
Roy quickly made his selection. After paying a price he thought was too low (she must've given him a discount), he turned around to put the meat in the bag from the bakery, which Ruthie still held. Roy tried to take the bag back from her, but she wouldn't let go.
"Mr. Mustang, I'm helping you, remember? I'll carry this home for you. Then you won't get headaches."
Headaches? What in the world had she meant by that? The smirk on her face told him there was some joke behind that statement. They both turned to Anna as if making sure it was all right.
"Just come straight back Ruthie."
And with that the girl made off with Roy's groceries and he had to run after her.
-.-.-.-.-.-
"Mmmmmmm, this bread smells so good, Mr. Mustang!"
"Yes…it had just come out of the oven when I bought it." Roy muttered, amazed at his luck today. He and the young girl were walking side by side, her holding the one bag with both small hands, he (of course) holding the considerably heavier bag and Elicia's leash.
He cast a glance at the little redhead. Something was bothering him. Why did she look so familiar? He could've sworn he'd seen her somewhere before. Maybe she was stirring up memories of this world? No, if that was true, Anna would've as well, and she hadn't. Then, had he seen her back home? But when? And if he had, it would've been a long time ago, so he shouldn't really remember. Where had he seen this face…?
"Mr. Mustang?"
"Mmm?"
"Is Mr. Hughes gonna be able to baby sit me again soon?"
"Huh? What does Maes do?"
"Mr. Hughes baby sits me."
"Eh? Really?"
"Uh huh. When Mama and Grandpa are too busy, Mama sends me to Mr. Hughes. Otherwise I just sit around the Deli all day long and that's BOR-ing. I like to go to your place instead."
"And why does only Maes baby sit you? What about me?"
"You always have a headache."
"Oh…" Now he understood the comment made earlier.
Roy could only imagine babysitting a little girl was Maes' attempt to replace the void he had with no Elicia around. The actual human one, not the dog. But he also couldn't help wondering if that just increased Maes' longing for a child…
Or maybe he was just over-analyzing. Maybe Hughes just really wanted to do a favor for their neighbors.
"What about your father Ruthie?"
"Huh?"
"Your father. Don't you…"
But the look on Ruthie's face told him it was best to shut up about that.
It didn't take long to get home. Ruthie brought the bag in for him and everything, and even unleashed Elicia. She tried to give the pup a hug but she ran into the living room like a bullet.
"Thanks for all your help Ruthie." Roy said to the young girl.
"It was nothing Mr. Mustang! Anyways, I gotta go! Mama's orders!" At this she saluted, an action she no doubt learnt from observing her two military neighbors.
"Wait a minute."
The little girl watched in confusion as Roy dug through the bag she had carried. What Mustang pulled out made her wee jaw drop and her brown eyes become the size of saucers.
"Oh my…" she began. "COOKIE!!!"
Roy handed her the rather large snack with a smile on his face. It had originally been for Maes, but he decided Maes shouldn't get one for forcing him into an apron. "For all your hard work. Just don't tell your mother."
She took the chocolate chip cookie in both hands and looked with eyes that seemed ready to burst, and a shaky smile. "Mr. Mustang, I LOVE YOU!!!"
Suddenly, she threw her arms around his legs, catching Roy completely off guard. Well he hadn't expected a reaction like that. Quickly, she ran out of the house, chanting about cookies, and Roy wondered what sort of devil he had just released on the world.
He took his own cookie out of the bag as well as a biscuit for Elicia, and began to nibble on it as he went in search of the pup.
This time he found her humping the couch.
"BAD GIRL!!"
-.-.-.-.-.-
As he was cooking, the phone went off. Curious as to who would be calling, Roy answered. "Hello?"
"Roy? It's Gracia."
"Oh. …Hi."
"I had some time today so I made you and Maes some pies."
Roy beamed. Yay! Dessert!
"Wait…didn't you go into work too?"
"Huh?"
"Maes had to go into work today. How come you didn't?"
"Oh, that's because I'm of lower rank. Maes is more needed than I am. So, how about you come by later and pick up those pies?"
"I-" Roy began, then stopped. "I can't."
"Huh? Why not?"
"I uh…don't know where your house is…"
There was a short silence.
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Gracia suddenly began.
"I…I'll call Maes at work and he'll pick them up on his way home."
"Alright. See you on Monday."
"Bye."
Once he hung up he dialed for Maes. There was no way he was going to miss out on pie.
"Hello?"
"It's me again."
"Awwwwww, Muffin, do you miss me? I bet you wanna know when I'll be home…"
"Wrong."
"…You don't have to say it like that, dear."
"Maes…Gracia made us some pies."
"Oh? Really? That's great! Do they look good?"
"…I haven't seen them yet."
"Didn't you go get them?"
"Maes…I need you to go get them on your way home…"
"Why? Why can't you-"
"I don't know where she lives…"
"Oh…Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I see now…You can't even remember where she lives?"
"No…"
"But…she's our friend, we've been to her place hundreds of times…how could you not-"
"Maes!"
Hughes shut up. He quickly realized by Roy's tone that he was having a hard time with this, and everything else he was forgetting (or didn't know in the first place).
"…Okay, I'll grab them on the way home. How did your shopping adventure go?" he said, changing the subject.
Roy peeled potatoes as he talked, the receiver held between his shoulder and ear. He'd brought the phone closer to where he was working in the kitchen so as to not waste any time with dinner as he spoke. "A cakewalk."
"Really now?"
"Okay, not so much. The way there was fine, but on the way back I had to get help from that little girl."
"Ruthie?"
"Yes. I didn't know you baby sat her."
"We baby sit her."
"No, she said you do. She said I always gets headaches."
"Oh, oh right, that." Hughes could be heard stifling a giggle on the other end.
"Hey, don't laugh at me-OW!"
"Hmm? What happened?"
"Argh...it's nothing, just my knife slipped and cut my finger…"
"Awww…poor Muffin…hey, press it against the receiver."
"Huh? Why?"
"Just do it."
Wondering what the heck, Roy did as Maes told him. After a few seconds, he could faintly hear Maes' voice again telling him he could stop.
"What did you do?" he asked when he put the receiver back to his ear.
"I kissed it better."
Roy smiled and blushed. "Maes…you're so corny."
On the other end, Hughes grinned. He knew the smile he had just provoked. He could sense it in Roy's tone.
"Anyways, I guess I better let you go before any more accidents like that happen. Then I'd be tending to your wounds all night! I'll see you when I get home, okay Muffin?"
"Okay."
"I love you."
"…….I-"
But Maes had already hung up.
On the other end, Hughes sat back in his chair rubbing his chin thoughtfully and distressed. He doesn't even remember how to get to Gracia's house…
-.-.-.-.-.-
"I'm home, Muffin!! (imagine a heart here, here, here, oh and here)"
Roy peaked his head around the corner. "Good, just in time."
"Mm, is that salmon I smell?" Hughes said as he set down the bag of pies he received onto the table near the door. "Ah, hello Elicia-chan, how's my girl?" he greeted the pup when she came to him, barking.
Although it was when Roy came to greet him that he got excited.
"OH MY GOD YOU'RE STILL WEARING IT."
And with that, Maes pounced on him, sending them both to the floor.
"ACK! MAES!"
"Oh, Muffin, you're so cute! I didn't think you were actually going to still be wearing it when I got home but-ohhhhhh! What do you say we skip dinner and go straight to bed, ne, ne!?"
"GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF!"
Eventually, Maes did get a hold of himself and their attention went to the bag the pies were in.
"What kinds did she make?"
"You're gonna love it, Muffin. One's apple, the other is your favorite, raspberry rhubarb."
"Raspberry!?"
"Anything with raspberries in it will drive you wild, won't it?"
"Quick! Let's have supper so we can have some of that!"
"Hang on a sec, Muffin. Get your coat."
"Huh?"
"Come on. We're going for a walk."
Roy looked Maes up and down. He hadn't taken off his shoes or jacket, or anything.
"A walk? But why?"
"Well…" Maes began, scratching the back of his head. "You calling for directions and not knowing where Gracia lives made me think…I really haven't taken your memory loss as seriously as I should've been. Insensitive about it, even. I should've taken you out for a walk around the neighborhood and show you everything long ago. So, come on, we're doing it now. Go get your coat."
"But…what about supper?"
"We'll have it when we get back."
"But then it'll get cold!"
"We could just reheat it, can't we?"
"But…Maes…I…worked hard on it…"
At this, Maes stopped and turned back to his husband. He looked only a little hurt really, but Maes could tell he was trying to hide how hurt he really was. Realizing his mistake, he gave up.
"Okay, okay, we'll go for a walk after dinner."
And immediately, Roy brightened up.
-.-.-.-.-.-
"…Uhm…Roy?"
"Maes, didn't we talk about this, this morning? I'm tired…don't bother me about that tonight please…"
"Well uh…see…that's the thing…I know you don't want to have sex but…."
"…"
"…Can we at least snuggle?"
"……Yes."
The enveloping warmth was like a sort of bliss now, rather than an uncomfort. Roy felt it soothing, and his uncertain thoughts about this situation seemed to drift away to a far off land and be forgotten while he was in Maes' arms.
"Maes?"
"Yes, Roy?"
"…I love you."
"……I love you t-"
But Roy had already fallen asleep.