It had been a month since that dinner party. Rick and Lily were still together, always going out together whenever they had the chance. Lily would come over to Rick's grand house to just hang out with him and Lexi or visa versa. The weather was warm now, some of the personal at work at taken off their outer jackets, a light shirt underneath, while they outside. Now, both Mary and Leo were either acting stranger because of the warmer weather or that Lily's birthday was in a week from now. They would run around, getting birthday supplies, shopping for gifts, and all sorts of strange things. But all she wanted for her birthday was being at home with her friends and love ones, and have some gifts as well. What? Can't she act a little greedy on her birthday? It was her twenty-first birthday after all. Everything was fine and dainty for Lily and everyone else until he came.
Lily and the rest of her co-workers, minus Roy and Riza (she was sick today), were coming back from lunch. She laughed when Breda explained about to her about the prank he pulled the week before while she was gone. They walk in the hallway that lead to the office, Lily being the closet, she reached over, grasping the metal knob, she open the door. There it was then they saw him. Sitting in one of the chairs, his legs propped up against the desk, acting looking like he own the place. He still looked the same, expect for the little streaks of red in his ebony locks. A cigarette was placed in between his lips. He wore dark cloths, some of the fabric had gothic symbols on it, and he could look like a vampire if his skin wasn't sun kissed tan skin. Everyone was silent, the man oblivious to everyone around but himself. Finally, he turn his head, looking everyone up and down, looking very bored.
"Yo,"he said, cooly.
Havoc was the first one to speak, and he spoke loud,"Who do you think you are! Busting into private office building without permission!"
"Yeah! What gives you the right to break in?"yelled Brenda
He just blinked at the two extremely loud men.
"Easy guys,"Lily stepped in, placing both hands of their shoulders,"I know this...guy."she manage to get out.
"You...you do?"Havoc asked, getting down from his anger levels.
"Yes, we know each from way back...too bad it didn't end so well."Lily said
Finally, he spoke, with a cocky smile on his face,"Aw, that's no way to treat your fiance, Lily."
"Fiance!"Lily heard the men behind her yell in shock.
"Ex-fiance to be more exact,"she explained, her eyes set on the man before us.
"Why are you going here, Adrian?"she asked, her eyes were emotionless expect with a tinge of hate.
"I came here to see you of course,"Adrian placed both of his feet on the ground.
He got up from the chair, walking up to her, almost towering her in size, he lifted her chin to look her in the eyes.
"You can't forget all those nights we had together, love,"he turn his head to the stunned men in the room,"I see you have already made your mark here. So, how many have you seduce?"he purred, looking back at her again.
She swung her arm, knocking his hand away,"None. I don't sleep around unlike some people."
Adrian laughed,"Ouch. Still feisty as ever."
"What are you really doing here, Adrian? If your going to say that you want to hook up with me, sorry to break your happy thoughts but I already have a boyfriend. A boyfriend who loves me, holds me when I'm down, and not sleeping around with other women!"Lily yelled
"What in the Seven Rings of Hell is going on here?" said a new voice, interrupting their conversation.
Everyone turn their head to see Roy standing in the room, glaring at the lot of them. Adrian looked at Lily, a smirk appear on his face as he looked back to Roy.
"This is your boyfriend? Isn't he older then you?"Adrian ask
"Excuse me?"the both asked
Adrian walked up to Roy and looked him up and down, he shook his head in disgust.
"I knew you look familiar. The famous great Roy Mustang my sister speaks so much about. Shame really, I thought you would be like this great god or something. So, Mr. Mustang, how does she ride?"he asked
"What?"
"Lily. How is she good in bed? Or has she been too busy to sleep around to get to yours? She is a bit-"
WHAM!
Adrian stumbled a bit backwards his hand over his right eye. He looked at Roy who was now cracking his knuckles.
"I really don't like it when someone disrespects the members of my team, especially a women. Unless you want another black eye to match the other, by all means, stay."Roy said
Adrian looked at Lily,"This isn't over, wench."
He ran pass Roy and out of the office. Everyone looked shock and surprised at Roy's behavior.
"Wow, sir,"squeaked Havoc,"That was...new..."
"Miss Marshall,"Roy now had his attention on the female in the room,"May I ask who that man was?"
Lily snapped out of her thoughts and looked up at Roy. His face had a look of 'I'm not leaving until I get an answer.'. After what he did to Adrian, was...she couldn't put it into words. Was Roy, her boss, acting noble or did he just got off the wrong side of the bed this morning. She sighed, having no choice to do so. She sat on the desks, carefully not to sit on anything like paperwork.
"Fine, you want to hear my story. Well, it's going to be a big one...so back out now,"No one did,"Alright then, on with the story. It all started on a mid-summer's morning, two years ago..."
----
A eighteen year old girl sat in front of a vanity mirror, putting on the last brush of the powdery substance on her cheeks, she stood from her seat. Her blonde hair brushing along her bare shoulders. She walk across the room to a closet, pulling the double doors open, she looked through the racks of cloths. Taking a sleeveless dress, she held it against her robe cover body. She heard someone knocking on the door, almost too softly to even hear it.
"Come in,"she said
The door open and a girl with raven hair slipped in, closing the door behind her. She merely plopped herself in the chair near the bed without asking for permission.
"What are you doing, Lily?"she asked
Lily turn on a heel, holding a red dress to herself,"Mary, your my friend, right? Please, with all of your honesty, is this a bit too slutly or too much of 'asking for too much'?"
Mary bit the inside of her lip from laughing out loud,"What does this have to do with anything?"
Lily groaned and fell back on the bed, the dress laid next to her.
"Adrian..."
"What about my dear brother of mine?"Mary asked, laying down beside her friend.
"Is...just...next month, we...you know..."she tried to find the right words.
"Getting married? Gah. You had to remind me,"she groaned
"But, what about him, Lily?"Mary asked
Lily's face was deep beet red, she played with a loose thread on her robe,"Well, he is older and well...ummm...God, this is embarrassing!"
She turn her head to Mary's and whisper something in her ear. When she pulled back, Mary had a look on disgust plaster on her face.
"Eww! I don't want to think about you and my brother in that sorta of light. Unless it's about Roy Mustang, I can talk about him all my life and never hate it!"exclaimed the partly insane girl.
Lily sat on the bed, looking down on her on the bed.
"Mary! I'm serious! I'm getting married soon and I don't want to be you know...a virgin,"she whisper the last part.
"So, that is why you called me over. You want me to help you pick out a dress so you can surprise my brother and...well become a woman, right?"Mary asked, like she read her friend's mind.
"H-how did you know?"Lily asked, a bit shocked.
"Please, your asking the 'Great and Powerful Mary Lucas'! MUHAHAHAHA!"Her friend laugh and suddenly they could hear lighting and thunder outside.
"Where did that come from?"
"I don't know. Everytime I laugh it always happens,"
"Anyway,"Mary jumped off the bed, facing Lily,"You came to the right girl! Now, let's make you so sexy that my brother can't take his hands off of you!"
An hour later, and many dresses later, Lily took a deep breath as she looked at herself in the mirror. She had on a short, black dress that showed her belly button and two straps that connected to the top. She had a black pearl necklace with a small black heart with a small flower in the middle. Simple black high heel shoes adorned on her bare feet. She turn around with a smile on her face to face Mary. She wished her luck and will make an excuse for her if Viktor asks. And with that, she was off.
As she walked the stone path to the Lucas' house, Lily's stomach was in knots. She was nervous, scared, excited, and a bit sad. After this night with her husband-to-be, she was going to be a change girl, or should I say woman. As she walked in warm, black ridden sky, she remember how this all happen. How she and Adrian came to be.
Lily remember that she always had a crush on another boy in the village for as long as she could remember. Lucius Reid was his name, he was a year older then her, he always had his ginger color hair in a ponytail at the base of his skull. That's what she truly loved him above the rest of the boys in school. When he let his hair loose and let it billow in the wind on some days was perfect, and when several of the kids went to the local pond after a hot, summer's day, she remember how his hair clung to his wet frame. Lucius was smart, funny, handsome, kind, and generouse. Lily even gotten photos of him, putting them on her wall, and kissed them everyday before heading off to school.
She was sixteen when she finally got the guts to ask him out. She sent him a note to meet her at the town's lake at eight o'clock that evening. She remember the clouds were dark and covered the full moon. Lily had walk to where she told Lucius to meet her. He was there, which lifted her spirits up a bit. He smiled his wonderful smile and gave her a hug in welcome and asked her why she wanted to meet up. Lily almost died from the little hug of his. It was too dark to see her blushing face as she tried to find the right words. After a few minutes, she finally did it, she asked him out. Then silence fell on them, Lucius looked stunned and confused. After awhile, he had sighed, and told her that he already had a girlfriend, one in the next town over, and promised that they could friends. When he said this, Lily felt her heart break into a million of pieces. And without a word, she ran the other way, blindly into the woods as tears ran down her cheeks.
Lily collapsed on the ground and didn't bother to move when she felt cold rain hitting back, damping her cloths. She just wanted to die. She wanted to bury her head into the ground and never come up again. She wanted...she wanted to throw Lucius' girlfriend off a bottomless cliff. She sob like a baby as the weather matched her mood. Lily looked up, her make-up runny and messed up, as she felt something covering her back. She looked up to see Adrian, bending on his knees as he placed his leather jacket over her frame.
"Hey, what are you crying about, Marshall?"he asked
Adrian...Mary's older brother, the leader of a group of older kids that looked tough and mean. She had seen him sometimes at Mary's house and around the town but never talked to him or his friends. Truth be told, she was scared of their dark auras. Now...now, she was just thankfully someone was here. Before he could do anything, she launch herself onto him, pulling herself tight around him, burying her head in his chest, she cried her eyes out.
"Hey, hey,"he pulled her off of him,"What's the matter?"
"Lucius...He has a damn girlfriend!"she cried
Adrian was surprised at her strong language,"You mean Reid? That wimp loser? Don't tell me you liked that guy,"Lily looked away,"Oh my God, you gotta be kidding me! I thought you were smart, Marshall. Lucius Reid doesn't have a girlfriend at all, he likes men more then girls, if you know what I mean."Adrian said
Lily sobbed even harder,"Oh God! I'm such an idiot!"
Adrian lifted her head and looked straight in her eyes,"The only idiot is that loser Lucius...for not returning your feelings,"with his thumbs, he got rid of the runny black that leaked from her eyes,"Come on, let's get you into warmer cloths."
Adrian help her up from the ground, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he kept her close. Lily looked up at him and smiled and rest her head under the crook of his arm.
And that's how it started. Lily would talk and hang out with Adrian for the next year or so before Adrian asked her out on a date. She was surprised and having many thoughts of it before answering with a simple 'yes'. Their date was magical for Lily, they went to the hill that over looked the whole town, right under the stars, they had dinner. As Lily watched the stars twinkling against the black sheet of a sky, Adrian leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. Her first kiss! My God, it was wonderful. She could die and be happy still. He pulled away, they both had smiles on their faces. Lily got closer to him and return the favor, they spent the whole night like this, their food forgotten.
They were like this until several months ago, Adrian asked her to meet him at the lake. The full moon shined on the lake as the stars were nowhere to be seen. Lily was surprised to see Adrian had his hair slicked back and had elegant cloths on. When she reached him, he smiled and kissed her hard on the lips, leaving her breathless. Before she could react, he pulled away, bending down on one knee, he pulled out a small velvet box from his box. Opening up the lid, Lily had nearly fainted at the sight of a small ruby on top of a silver band.
"Lily Marshall,"Adrian said,"Will you do me the honors of becoming my wife?"
Lily took less then a moment to speak her words,"Yes! I will!"she cried
He slipped the ring on her finger, it fit perfectly. He stood up and nearly swallow her whole with kisses.
And that's how it happen. Lily and Adrian were going to get married in less then a month, it was hard to convince Viktor and her friends to be happy about her and her new fiance. They did, only to keep Lily happy. She snapped out of her thoughts as she found herself standing in front of the door of the Lucas' home. This was it, once she enter into the home, her life was going to be different. She took a deep, calming breath before knocking softly on the door. What surprise her that the door was open, she turn the handle and walked in. No one was in sight, and inside it was dark. She step forward, looking around for any signs of life. Lily stopped when she saw light coming from under Adrian's bedroom door. Her ears caught a soft sound of someone...moaning? With a curiosity filled mind, she walked slowly to the door. Finding the door unlock, she turn the knob and swung the door open. her heart sank in her stomach at what she saw in front of her. There, in Adrian's bed, a strange woman laying underneath of the it's owner. They were both naked under the thin sheet that covered their lower halves. The woman turn her head, her dark hair damped and in knots as it laid against the pillows, as she notice Lily in the room. It's owner notice the woman's line of vision, turning his head to face the blonde, a smile on his face as he stopped his movement.
"Oh, hello, love. If I knew you were coming, I would plan something better,"he said
"Adrian...wh-what's going?"Lily asked, her throat felt dry and it was hard to breathe.
"What do you think? I'm a man and she,"he gesture his hand to the still nameless woman below him,"And she is woman and we are both naked. Unless you want to join us, your have all means."Adrian said
Lily felt the stingy feeling tears at the corners of her eyes as both rage and sadness filled her every pore. Grabbing the small ring off her finger, she flung it at Adrian's head.
"This marriage is off, you sorry son of a bitch!"she yelled
She turn and ran out of the house, running to the sanctuary she called home. There, she flung herself on her bed, burying her head in her pillow. Mary, who still hadn't left, put down the book she was reading and looked her friend. Getting up from her seat, she walked over and wrapped arms around her friend the best she could, letting Lily cry all she wanted. Somehow, Mary knew what made her beloved friend cry like this. Maybe it was because of the missing ring or that she knew her brother a little too well.
----
"...And after Viktor found out, well...he gave Adrian a piece of his mind. Lost a lot of hair in various places and got kicked out of the house by his parents. Oh course, he didn't leave without leaving his mark. His and his..his concubine started spreading rumors about me and Mary. They started to say that me and her were a couple and I romantically went to her after I saw Adrian and that girl together. I stayed inside my house for a month while Viktor and some close friends tried to get rid of the evil rumor once and for all."Lily finally finished her long tale.
"Wow...that's...that's pretty sad,"Havoc said from his spot.
"Yeah, a tale of heartbreak and wicked people, pretty harsh."stated Breda
"It all sounds rubbish,"
Everyone turn their attention to Roy, his arms cross over his shoulders. Lily stood from her spot and walked towards Roy, staring him right in the face.
"You think I made that up for people to feel sorry for me? You can't make up stuff like that. Do you think it's fun to get your heart broken twice in less then five years? It's not. You, a guy who goes to dates nearly everyday with different women, wouldn't know a thing about heartbreak. And just when I started to like you again, you decided to be your normal self and being...and being a total jackass!"she yelled in his face.
Grabbing her bag, she stormed out of the building. She walked through the crowds of people on the sidewalks, her bag clung to her side. For the second time today, in less then an hour, she was angry at the men in her life. First Adrian showing up without warning and then Roy not believing her story. Everytime she saw him, he always wanted to act superior and be a jerk to her. Lily didn't care if she got fired from her job, just as long she didn't have to put up with him all the time. Practically life was always around Roy Mustang! Her friends starting a club and now working for him. Were the Fates playing tricks with her? She leaned herself against a random brick wall and covered her hand over her face, as tears leaked from the corners of her eyes.
"Stupid Roy making me cry like this. He probably does not have a single kind bone in his body. I wish he would just go away and let me live in peace."she to herself.
She looked up from her hand and saw what building she was standing next to. A bright neon light had the words 'The Sirens Den'. She got interested and started to head inside. She was surprised to see a small dance club, very few people were dancing, some were either sitting around the bar. She walked slowly to the bar and sat down on an empty seat.
"What can I get you, honey?"the female bartender asked, cleaning a glass with a cloth.
"The strongest drink you got and make it quick."Lily order
----
A few hours and drinks later, Lily smiled as she spin in her seat before stopping in front of the bar, taking a big sip of the drink that called 'Sweet Elixir'. It tasted sweet, just like the name, and it was very addicting. She had already gotten through ten drinks of this stuff, of course she had a few other drinks. The club was already packed with people that it was hard to hear to your own thoughts.
"Are you sure you had enough, miss?"asked the bartender
"Not enough! This is wicked stuff here, it's very sweet and...and elixirly! Ha ha, I get it now, Sweet Elixir, that's funny."Lily laughed, chugging down another shot of her drink.
"Mind if I take this seat?"a new voice was heard behind Lily.
She turn her head to see a rather handsome gentleman with very dark hair and eyes and wore a navy shirt and black jeans.
"Sure, it's a free country,"Lily said sheepishly
He sat down next to her and ordered a beer. Lily turn her head to look at him, somehow he looked very familiar but she couldn't place from where.
"Hey, what's your name, guy?"she asked
"That's a bit rude, you know? Anyway my name is...Jeremy Crone."
"Jeremy...Jeremy...that's a cute name,"she smiled
"What's yours, miss?"
"I can tell you...if you buy me a drink,"she smirked.
"I like your style."Jeremy smirked as well.
---
Her and Jeremy spent the night talking, laughing, and drinking together. Lily still had the feeling of she still knew him from somewhere and it will not pass. Jeremy just finished telling her a joke about a monkey and a balloon when he asked a question she regretted ever hearing.
"So, what brings you here tonight? Mostly people come here to escape from their lives when some bad happens to get pissed drunk."Jeremy explained
Lily sighed,"It's my boss. For the past month or so he has been riding my ass and not in a good way. It all started with my ex-f...friend decided to show up without a word. Then I tell him what happen and he doesn't believe me! I told him how I got my heart broken by my friend and still doesn't believe me! He thinks I made it all up! He is a total jackass and yet..."she looked towards the drink in her hand.
"And yet what?"
"And yet...I have some feelings for him. Feeling I shouldn't even have, and they won't go away no matter how much alcohol I drink."Lily, tears spilled down her rosy cheeks.
Jeremy turn her head to face him and wiped the tears from her eyes. He stood up, taking her hand, placing a kiss on her knuckles.
"Come on, follow me,"Jeremy spoke in a low and silkily voice.
Lily had followed him with a second thought. She followed him through the dancing people and couples and through the back door and outside in the chilly night, He guided her to the wall and pinned her to the wall. He ran a hand down her arm to her ass where he pushed her towards him. Jeremy bend down and kissed her softly on her neck, sending chills down her spine. He kissed his way to her shoulder and back up to her neck where he moved upwards to her ear.
"I'm going to make you pay for what your little boyfriend did to my face,"he whispered into her ear, almost hissing.
He moved his head, Lily gasped when the streetlight shone on his face. There, instead of the guy named Jeremy she knew, was Adrian. She couldn't recognized him in the bar because the colorful dim lights in there made him look different. She couldn't believe that Adrian would ever be nice to her like that. Her body shiver and was not because of the cold air, she was scared of her life now, with the evil look in Adrian's eyes. Before she do anything he swung his fist and it collided with her face. She fell into a heap on the dirty ground. He started to kick her in the stomach over and over again. She didn't have a chance to use alchemy or try to escape. She finally looked up from the ground she saw a flash of fire and scream of pain from Adrian. In a flash, she felt being lifted to the ground and held against a hard chest.
"Run away, Mr. Lucas or else I burn off the thing you desire most."the owner of the chest called.
Lily heard Adrian huffing and puffing before running away like the coward he was. She finally lifted her head and was soon face to face with Roy. Her stomach tighten and her heart began to beat quicker as she notice what position they were in. He held her close with his arms wrapped around her tightly. His face looked softer then she last saw him.
"Roy...what are you doing here?"she asked
"Saving you of course. I was walking out from work when I saw Adrian, dressed in different cloths and his eye patched up, probably from using make-up, and walking into this dance club. He looked shifty and decided to follow him in, hiding in a booth, I spotted him walking towards you. You get drunk too easily, Lily. After watching you and him flirt, I saw him take you outside and found him hurting you, moments later."Roy explained
Lily felt her stomach sink,"D-did you hear anything from me?"she asked
"No, was too far away to have. Why? Did you say something about me?"he asked
Lily smiled in relief,"No, nothing. Roy, can you...can you walk me home?"
----
Roy and Lily walked up the stoop to her home. Before she could open the door, it open by itself and Lily was covered by two figures. The figures pulled back after a few bone crushing hugs and revealed themselves to be Mary and Leo.
"Lily! I..We were so worried about you! What happen to you? You look like you just got back from a bull fight!"exclaimed Mary.
"She had a...meeting an old friend of yours. Your brother, Adrian I believed."Roy said, cutting into their little love circle.
Mary and Leo turn their attention to Roy, they hadn't even saw him there.
"You mean my big brother did this to my precious Lily? I'm going to fucking kill him!"yelled Mary before looking sweet and loving at Roy,"But, thank you for rescuing Lily from his dark clutches and bringing her home. Can we ever repay you? How about a kiss?"she asked, looking hopeful.
Roy laughed,"That wouldn't be necessaries. Just keep a look out for Adrian, I rather not see Lily be hurt by him again. I will see you tomorrow, Marshall."
He turn and walk out their sights and into the night.
"Wow, he is some guy, Lily. I'm so jealous that you get to see him everyday!"exclaimed Leo
"Can you give the fangirlism up for tonight? I rather head to bed and sleep this whole day off..."Lily said, walking past them.
"'Ey,'Ey, Captain Marshall! We will let you dream of Roy for tonight! But in the morning, he is ours!"Mary said before walking back inside with Leo and shutting the door behind him.
------
Author's note: Hey, not much of an ending with the last few lines but I'm tired. I do my writing mostly at night when everything is done and is on. And not much of an author's note this time, so I'm going to answer some question from a reader named Runningstorm.
Answer to Question One:
Yes, I did make Lily use alchemy without clapping her hands because I really couldn't think of a way to put that in. Either I forgot or I just wanted to happen that way. Sorry for misunderstanding.
Answer Number Two:
Lol, wow, I thought no one would ever get that. Bravo, Runningstorm. But, sadly, I can't really answer this question without giving away the story. You will find out eventually.
Anyway, until then, keep reading! I'm going to have a brainstorm with my friend for the next two chapter, meaning we are going to throw brains around at each other. It's fun with the kids!