MoonlightsMadness: I own no one. Thanks for the reviews everyone, keep them coming!
Chapter 6: Roy Mustang
2nd Lieutenant Jean Havoc peeked around the doorframe into the office where he worked with his superior. "Havoc, what are you doing?" 1st Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye asked from behind him. "My cousin's coming to visit." He replied. "So?" she asked. "My cousin's Kagome Higurashi." He replied. "You mean your cousin's the model that's coming here to re-open the parade grounds that were destroyed?" Riza asked surprised. Havoc nodded and looked at her. "You might want to go find out if the Colonel knows about her." she suggested taking the papers that needed to be signed into the office. Havoc took a deep breath and walked into the room.
"Colonel Mustang, have you heard about that model that's going to be here?" Havoc asked nervously taking a drag from his cigarette. Colonel Roy Mustang looked away from the window and turned to his 2nd Lieutenant. "What model? There's a model coming to East City? Why?" he asked curiously. "Her name is Kagome Higurashi; she's coming here to repair the parade grounds that you and Ed destroyed a few days ago, sir." Riza explained. "Kagome Higurashi? Oh she's that gorgeous lingerie model right? Well, I think I should go and introduce myself to her." Roy said smirking and standing up. "But Colonel Mustang, you have papers you need to sign!" Havoc stammered. "Later." The Colonel replied.
Walking down the hallway, the three pushed open the doors that led outside and saluted to their superior, Fuhrer Bradley. "Relax, this is a pleasant surprise that the three of you are here." he said smiling at them. "Yes sir, well you see, we just wanted to-" "I know Mustang; you wanted to catch a glimpse of Kagome. How did you find out? I made sure no one knew." Bradley asked giving a knowing look to Havoc. Roy opened his mouth to answer his commanding officer just as a car pulled up to the stairs.
Roy waited with baited breath as the door swung open and two long, creamy legs appeared, followed by a crown of black-blue hair, as the female pulled herself out of the car. Shading her eyes from the sun, the female looked around at her surroundings in a scrutinizing way. "So, this is East City? I don't see what all of the fuss is about, it doesn't look too impressive." She pouted staring at the four soldiers in front of her. "Well, if you stay here long enough, I'm sure you'll find East City to be very impressive." Roy said throwing the woman a rakish smile. "I'm sure I will Colonel. It's nice to meet you Fuhrer Bradley." She said climbing the stairs gracefully. "You as well, your cousin's told me many wonderful things about you. I'm sure the soldiers will be very happy to have you here." Bradley said shaking her hand.
Kagome smiled and launched herself at Havoc, throwing her arms around his shoulders as he picked her up in a hug. "It's so good to see you again." She smiled. "You too, I'm glad you're here. We should go call Aunt Kara to tell her you made it." Havoc said before turning to Fuhrer Bradley. "Of course, I don't want to cut into your family time. Feel free to tour the city, I'll check in with you both in a few hours." Bradley said raising his hand. 'Cousin?' Roy thought sadly as the two walked away.
Roy Mustang shot up from how he fell asleep on his desk, papers scattering around him. 'Deep breaths, relax, it's okay Mustang.' He thought noticing his shaking hands. Laying his face in his hands, he gulped air deep into his lungs. "It's not okay." He said leaning back, the wood of his chair creaking with the movements. Sighing, he grabbed his empty glass and swished the empty whiskey bottle around, hoping he still had something left. Sighing again, he glanced up at the clock above the doorway and stood up.
Stretching, he threw out the empty whiskey bottle and walked around his desk, putting his long black military issued jacket on as he did so. Walking out of his office, he wandered into the hallway and down the halls until he reached the double doors that led outside. Taking a few deep breaths, he pushed the door open and walked down the stairs slowly before beginning his trek home. He walked slowly, dwelling on the memory he had recently dreamed of. Stepping onto the wooden bridge that separated the military building from the housing, he stopped in his tracks and looked into the river rushing below him.
Roy walked home happily, taking the news that Kagome would be staying in East City until their transfer in a few weeks. 'I wonder if Kagome would like to go out for coffee.' He thought stuffing his hands into his pockets. Stepping onto the wooden bridge, he looked out to the water below him and stopped. Walking over to the edge, he placed his hands on the rail and spotted Kagome straddling two rocks. "Hey Kagome, what are you doing?" he asked. Kagome jumped and moved to turn to look at him, right as her foot slipped out from under her, sending her tumbling back into the river.
Roy's eyes widened before he ran the rest of the way across the bridge and ran down the slope to the river.
Kagome sputtered and stood up, pushing her long, dark hair out of her eyes. "I'm sorry; I didn't know the rocks were slippery. I mean I know they're slippery, they're in water." He stammered wading into the water and up to her. Kagome flipped the remaining hair out of her face and smiled at him. "Hey Roy, if it's okay with you, could I borrow some clothes?" she asked giving a slight shiver. "Yeah, sure." He said noticing the slight blush that was on her face. Stepping to the side, he led her up the slope and began walking with her down the road.
"This is embarrassing, I'm a model, and I can't even keep my footing." She laughed as she followed him up the stairs to his apartment. "Don't worry, I won't tell." He said. Kagome smiled as he unlocked the door and turned the light on while stepping inside. "I'm sorry about the mess, I don't really have much time to clean up around here." he said throwing some things sitting around in the trash can. "Well, maybe if you slept less in the office…. All it really needs is a woman's touch." She shrugged. "Does that mean you'll stay?" he asked softly, his arms full of clothes. Kagome's head shot towards him as a blush crossed his features. "I mean—never mind." He exclaimed dashing into his bedroom.
He came back out, a pair of sweatpants and a white t-shirt over his arm before he stilled in the doorframe. "What is it?" Kagome asked. "Your shirt, it's kind of see-through." He said as his eyes roamed lower from her face. Kagome started and walked up to him slowly. "I really shouldn't be here, my cousin's said that you go through women like water." She whispered stopping a few feet away from him. "I think you're different, I don't want to go through you like water." He said closing the distance between them. "Do you say that to all of the girls?" she laughed stiffly. "No." he said before he captured her lips with his.
Breaking out of his trance, Roy continued his walk, feeling the cold air bite at his skin. Walking up the stairs to his apartment, he unlocked the door and stumbled inside. Locking the door behind him, he let both of his coats fall to the ground as he walked into the bedroom. Standing in the door frame, he stared at the bed, imagining her body lying under the covers, waiting for him. Turning around, he stumbled into the kitchen and grabbed a half empty whiskey bottle, drinking it straight from the bottle.
Bringing it over to his couch he slumped down in the cushions, occasionally bringing the bottle to his lips. He stared at the window, his eye drooping as his liquor induced haze brought him into the darkness.
"So this is how it's going to be for the rest of your life? Getting drunk all day, every day?" Roy sat up and turned to the door way watching Kagome lean against the doorframe. She raised her eyebrow in irritation. "Well?" she demanded. Roy sighed and brought the whiskey bottle to his lips, breaking eye contact with her. Kagome sighed and walked into his apartment. "So it is." She said sitting on the coffee table across from him. "I can't do this, not without you. It's too hard." He said, shame making its way into his voice. Kagome's hard eyes softened towards him and she placed a hand over his eye patch. "Roy, it was hard before me." She said softly, moving to kneel in front of him.
"But, it's my fault you're gone. I should have known that they would go after you." he said. Kagome brought her hand to his head and ran her fingers through his black hair. "It's not your fault. Jean and I don't blame you, you told me to hide and I didn't because I'm stubborn. Listen to me Roy; you're a wonderful husband and a fantastic father. Now you have to show it. Do this for me? Please?" Kagome pleaded. Roy's onyx eye locked onto her sparkling green ones. "You haven't aged at all." He said caressing her cheek. "Neither have you." she smiled. Roy snorted and looked away. "Yes I have, I've lost an eye, I'm older, and I drink way too much…." He trailed off disgusted with himself.
"That doesn't make me love you any less, you're everything to me." She said. Roy looked at her, disbelief etched in his face. "You're just saying that." He sighed. Kagome shook her head and went back to sitting on the coffee table, pulling the whiskey bottle out of his grip and putting it on the table next to her. "I'm not just saying that. What you do now Roy, is your choice. No matter what you choose, I will always love you." she said standing up. Roy shot to his feet as she began walking to the door. "Where are you going?" he asked. Kagome turned to him and shot a wistful look at the door way. "I was going to go to the light." She said. "Don't you want to stay with me?" he asked taken aback. Kagome gave him a tired smile and cupped his face. "Of course I do, but my time in this world is over, you know that." She said. Roy gave a reluctant nod and followed her a few more steps.
"She's been waiting for you for a while now, maybe this time you might give it a chance?" she asked nodding to the picture hanging on the wall of Roy with his subordinates. Roy followed her gaze and saw it trained on Riza. "But Kagome—" "I want you to be happy." She said moving in to place a lingering kiss on his lips. "Tell Percy that mommy loves him." She said before walking backwards. Roy watched her go, watching the white light engulf Kagome's form.
Roy jumped from his position on the couch and glanced around. 'It wasn't real.' He thought sighing. Brining the bottle to his lips, he paused and looked at the bottle. Climbing to his feet, he walked over to the kitchen sink and poured the remaining contents down the drain and dropping the bottle into the trashcan. "I will not disappoint you, Kagome." He vowed walking into his son's room.
Riza glanced over at Havoc, noting how he was re-reading the same sentence of the paper for the fifth time in the last ten minutes. "Maybe we should take a break." Vato Falman suggested eyeing the blonde wearily. Fury and Breda both agreed; throwing Havoc sympathy looks as they watched him. "Why don't you go home, we know this is a difficult time for you." Riza said placing a hand on Havoc's shoulder. Havoc twitched and looked at the others. "What did you say?" he asked, his raspy voice proving that he had been crying. The others glanced away, tears making their way to everyone's eyes when they noticed his.
Havoc sighed and rubbed his eyes. "I'm fine guys, really, it's just…. I'd rather be around people then alone right now." He finished. Riza placed a hand on his shoulder, knowing the date was what was getting to him most right now.
Today marked the first year, the first year that Edward and Alphonse had gone through the gate, the first year that marked the death of the cousin he was closest to.
"If this is too hard for you, we can all take you out if you want." Breda suggested. Havoc shook his head and returned to the paper he was reading. "Good morning everyone!" Roy exclaimed bursting into the office. Everyone stared at him, wondering where the drunken Roy was and who this new Roy was. "Uncle Jean, daddy says that you and him are taking me to go see mommy!" a five year old Percy exclaimed jumping into his uncle's lap. "We are?" Havoc asked glancing up at his officer. Roy nodded and handed his coat to Havoc before taking his son in his arms.
"If you want to of course, you don't have to come if you're not feeling up to it." Roy said with a knowing voice. Havoc shook his head and threw his coat on. "I want to." He said. Roy nodded and let Havoc walk past him before turning to those that worked under him. "You can all have the day off." He said nodding to each of them. His eye locked with Riza's; giving her a tentative smile he followed after his cousin-in-law.
As they began to get closer to the cemetery, Roy and Havoc both bought a bouquet of flowers, buying a third for Percy to give to his mom. They stood somberly, putting the flowers on top of the grass near the headstone. "Uncle Jean, what was mommy like?" Percy asked, sensing his dad was not all with them. Havoc picked up his nephew and began walking towards the gates, telling Percy about Kagome as he went.
Roy kissed his fingertips and laid them on the headstone before following after them. "Told you it would be okay." Her voice floated into his ear. Roy turned around and smiled at Kagome, sitting on her stone. "You were right, is this good-bye then?" he asked. Kagome uncrossed her arms and legs gracefully, using the modeling skills when she was living to saunter over to him. "Is it ever really good-bye? For now, just say I'll see you later?" she asked, tears in her eyes. Roy nodded and gulped back his tears. "I love you, and I'll see you later." He said reaching a hand to brush her hair back.
"Mustang, what are you doing?" Havoc asked snapping him out of his daze. Roy dropped his arm and walked up to him. "I was saying I love you." he said. Havoc gave him a look and shrugged before picking Percy up and walking away.
20 Years Later
Percy walked down the streets of Central City, like he did on this day every year, two flower bouquets clutched in his hands. "Hey kid, thought I might see you here." his uncle said walking with him through the gates. Like Percy, he had two flower bouquets, both intended for two of the people he loved. "Yeah, it's weird isn't it? They both died on the same day, dad was just one year after mom." Percy said as they laid the flowers on the grave. Havoc nodded beside his nephew, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're parents really loved each other." He said. Percy nodded and threw an arm around his shoulder, both turning and walking to the gates of the cemetery.
"Hey kid, you're going to leave without saying good-bye?" Percy dropped his arm from around his uncle's shoulders, making Havoc turn around just as he did. Kagome and Roy were standing on their graves, Roy's arm wrapped around Kagome's shoulders and her arm wrapped around his waist. "I miss you." Percy whispered. Kagome smiled at him and nodded. "We love you." she said back. "You take care of our son." Roy said directing it in Havoc's direction. "I will chief, I've done good for 19 years now." He said. Both spirits nodded and began to fade, showing Havoc and Percy their smiles before they faded altogether.
Havoc and Percy stood there for a few more minutes, enjoying the breeze that played with their clothes before turning and walking through the gates.