Chapter 24 - Let it go
"Good morning everyone!" Havoc announced in a loud proud tone as he entered Mustang's office, his arms extended above his head and a mile wide grin on his face. "Isn't it a great morning?"
Everyone looked at him and raised an eyebrow, except for Breda who knew exactly what the good mood was a result of. Falman stood up and straightened his papers he had been working on since nine. "Ten o'clock and you're already in such a good mood. Usually we don't see this side of you till Friday around seven...that's days away and--"
Breda raised a hand to Vato to stop the talking textbook routine. "He got laid last night."
"Oh really?" Falman seemed shocked.
"And twice this morning." Now everyone was shocked. He had such a wide, happy smile; it was going from ear to ear. "She's a frisky little one. I can tell this is going somewhere for sure." He rubbed his chin as he thought about all the posibilities.
"Well at least you're in a good relationship, one that will last long." Falman smiled, he too had found a special someone recently, it took all the courage to ask her but he finally gathered the courage to ask Sheska to the bonfire last Saturday.
"Yup!" Havoc rested his hands behind his head and stretched. "On top of all that, I haven't had a cigarette since yesterday."
The group brightened their expressions. Kain piped up. "So I take it you're going to quit for good."
Havoc nodded. "Yeah, if we plan to have kids someday I won't be able to smoke around her. But that'll be a few years down the road, so I'm just giving myself a little lead way."
Breda gasped. "Kids? You guys are thinking of having kids?"
Havoc nodded. "We were talking about it, she really wants to settle down someday and have a family. I've always liked kids, I wouldn't mind a couple of my own."
Breda shook his head. "It's shocking enough to find out Fuery had a son, but you too."
Fuery jumped up and held out a little picture of Ravi. "Isn't he sweet."
Breda pushed and held him back. "Hughes was more than enough."
"I think kids would be fine, provided you two were married." Vato carefully pointed out. It was true the kids would sure be fun, but he feared the worst if they didn't get married.
"Yeah, I know." He placed his fists on his hips as he immitated Alex's voice. "'It's a family tradition for the Armstrong women to be married before having relations with the opposite sex in such a manner"." He smiled again. "Cathrine didn't seem to mind though. I guess some traditions weren't meant to be kept." They had talked about it almost all morning. What they would name the kids, who the might look like, the raising and discipline. Havoc didn't mind talking about things like that, he just figured that the 'mommy' instinct kicked in for her because she was with him. He took it all in stride.
"Marriage is a big deal Havoc, are you sure you're ready for that kind of commitment?" Breda was a little skeptical.
Jean nodded. "You bet. This way I'll be able to keep an eye on just my girl and not have to worry about Roy moving in on her...speaking of witch, where is he?" He looked around the office, Mustang was nowhere to be seen.
"He's got the day off, and so does Hawkeye." Fuery smiled as he sat down at Roy's desk. "That's why we're actually getting something done, and not being rushed to do it." Roy was lazy and Hawkeye was a workaholic, one without the other was kind of painful, but neither was just as good as both.
"I wonder what he's doing on his day off...probably flirting at the bar." Havoc snickered. Everyone nodded. Roy was always a womanizer, it wouldn't shock even one of them if he came to work the next day, hungover, not knowing how he got home the previous night and his wallet missing. Roy was clumisy like that. And it wasn't like it didn't happen before.
"One thousand cenz says he's sick tomorrow." Breda held up the money. Falman and Havoc gathered around to place their bets. Gambeling in the workplace was illegal, but so long as they kept it quiet, it went unnoticed. It also kept them remotly sane. "What's wrong Fuery? Ya' scared to bet?"
Fuery shook his head. "Nah, I'm heading to Lior and I need some spending money to get there." He was only going to visit for a week, but he still needed to cover living expenses.
"You're not going for good huh?" Breda asked, a little sadness in his voice.
Kain shook his head. "I can't, they didn't approve of me transfering. So they gave me a week's vacation. I'm not sure if it's paid vacation yet, but I'll know by the end of next week."
They smiled at him and then Havoc piped up. "That's great, getting to see your son will do him and Rose a world of good." Havoc smiled.
"Sooo." Aria began. "I notice you didn't correct Mrs. Mullins when she called me your girlfriend." She grinned and looked at him off to the side. The three of them had headed off to the dock and to their surprise, Hohenheim was no where to be found. They all looked for an hour but nothing.Al blushed as he walked beside her. He remembered that Phylis in fact did refer to Aria as his girlfriend, but he didn't see it necessary to say anything. "Well..."
"Well, what?" She teased, a sly smile on her face.
"Well...I didn't correct her because...I was hoping...we...After Felix was out of the picture that is...we could..." He trailed off.
She took hold of his hand hand held it tightly in her own. "That's sweet Al..." She smiled at him and he returned the gesture. They walked down the dock hand in hand until Aria stopped and let go. Al seemed a little hurt. "I'm sorry...I forgot...I can't."
Al's smiled faded for a moment and then it lit right back up. "No worries, I'll make it up to you!" He clenched and held his fists up in an egear way. "I'll take you for a long walk right down by the river back in Resembool." His eyes were filled with anticipation. "You'll love it."
Aria nodded and smiled. "That's really romantic Al."
He blushed. "It is, isn't it?" He rubbed the back of his head. 'Why in the world did that come to mind?' He never really looked at himself as a 'romantic' type, but if the things he liked to do seemed romantic to her, he figured the best bet would be to go with the flow.
"Come on Al." She waved him on. "I want to go see the tall ship." She pointed to the tallest one sitting at the very end of the harbour.
"Alight." They walked side by side, not touching at all, but still enjoying their time together none the less.
"Where in the hell could he be." Ed walked around the dock looking form side to side, trying to spot of a glimpse of his father, but to no avail. "Dammit old man...where are you." Ed cussed under his breath. He walked passed another cafe sitting along the side of the dock, maybe his father was sitting in there. But nothing, again.
"Gah..." Ed was beginning to become frustrated, he needed to get home, he really needed to drop something off, it was beginning to burn a hole in his pocket. He clasped his left hand around the little box in his pocket and then let it go again. "Where could he be?" Ed sped up his walking, he passed a post office, a small inn, a bar, a nice seafood resturant. He then stopped.
"...wait a sec." Ed backed up about fifteen feet and peered in the doors of the bar. Sure enough, there was Hohenheim, sitting with his back up against the bar, with a woman on his side, enjoying a drink with him. "YOU OLD BASTARD!" With that Ed stormed into the bar, fists and teeth clenched, ready to kill.
"Hey there little man." A man's sounded, he looked like he could have been a bouncer. "You're to young to be in here."
Ed turned a death glare on him and quickly swung his right automail fist straight at the crusty old man's face, knocking him down. Ed proceeded to stomp on the guy. "Who are you calling so small he'd drown in a pint of beer! I'll be allowed to drink here in a year in a half you muscle bound dumbass!" Ed fumed but then upon realizing he had captured the attention of the entire bar, he composed himself and straightened his coat.
Hohenheim looked at his son from across the bar, rather disamused. The women turned to him. "I take it that's your son."
Hohenheim put his drink down on the bar and nodded. "Yeah...how could you tell?"
She smiled at him. "He has the same temperment as you do." She laughed.
Hohenheim smiled. "I'd better go." She planted a kiss on his cheek as he stood up and began to approach his son who was closing in fast. It was amusing watching him wrestle through the crowd of superiorly taller men.
"See you later Von." She waved at him and went on her way.
"You son of a bitch!" Ed finally made his way to the older man, grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt and dragged him down till his father's face was on level with his own. "You're suppose to be working!" Ed pulled him along, making him slouch a foot lower than his full standing height.
"Edward, calm down." Hohenheim struggled slightly as Ed pulled him right out of the bar.
Ed turned and faced his father. "And just what the hell do you think you were doing in there? We're suppose to be looking for someone!" Ed paused and looked at the dazed look on his father's face. "...you're not drunk are you?" Ed squinted his eyes.
Hohenheim shook his head. "If I could get drunk from half a drink, the world would be a better place."
Ed scowled. "Whatever..." He averted his gaze and looked off into the distance.
Hohenheim fixed his collar and coughed a little. "That's quite the grip you have there Ed, have you always been that strong?"
He shrugged at his dad's question. "I don't know, Winry makes the best automail...she's always upgrading it for me."
Hoehenheim shook his head. "You had me with your left hand."
Ed thought about it; he was right. "..." He huffed and stuffed his hands back in his pockets, once more checking on the little box that he had with him. "Let's go." Ed seemed a little detached from his words as he turned to walk.
The sun was hot and blazing, it probably was the hottest part of the day. Hohenheim took off his long coat and draped it over his shoulder, looking down at his son made him feel kind of warm just seeing him there with the coat on. "Why not take your coat off, it's too hot to be wearing something so heavy."
Ed blushed and then went quickly back to normal. "No...I'm fine."
They walked a little further and Hohenheim couldn't help but notice the depressed look on Ed's face. "Listen, if I thought stopping for a drink would have bother you this much I--" He began but got cut off.
"It's not that...you're trying to replace her!" Ed's fists clenched again. Hohenheim was a little shocked that he came out and said it like that, he was going to try and get it out of him the hard way.
His smiled faded as he put a hand on his son's shoulder. "Listen Ed, I know it seems like that's what I'm doing is cruel, but you have to understand, I really don't think I could stand being alone for the rest of my life. When you're older, you'll get it."
"Older?" Ed scoffed. "I think I'm old enough to understand that you're trying to replace the best thing that ever happened to you because you screwed it up big time."
Hohenheim sighed. "No one could replace your mother Ed...substitute maybe, though it would never be the same...but like I said, you're too young to understand what I'm getting at. I have needs too you know. It's kind of lonely..." He folded his arms, clenching his coat tighter.
Ed stopped and turned around. "What in the world are you talking about, you have your family here with you! You shouldn't need anyone else!"
Hohenheim stared at his son, he couldn't possibly be that dense. "You can't be serious...I guess you'll find out someday...hopefully."
Edward gave him an odd glance. "What do you mean by that?"
He couldn't help but stare. "Are completely lost with this?"
Ed thought. "I sure hope not. I think..." He confused himself.
Hohenheim sighed, talking with young people wasn't one of his strong suits, well, at least not Ed. "Well...you see, when I say lonely I mean--"
Ed held up a hand. "I know what you're getting at, I just enjoy making it difficult for you..." He sighed and continued to walk. "I suppose I can't make you be alone like that for the rest of your life." Ed lowered his gaze, though he meant what he said, he still couldn't help but feel a little bad about allowing his father to replace his mother like that.
"Could you at least not go with a bar fly?" Ed said, a hint of disgust in his voice. Hohenheim laughed. "What? I think it's a reasonable request." If he was going to go with someone, Ed would have prefered it not to be some random girl from the bar.
"No, she's not like that. I've known her for quite a while now." Ed listened on carefully. "She was married once too, her husband was lost at sea during an invasion on their ship. Since then she's taken charge of his ship, the 'Alcalda'. It's the big one at the end of the dock. It's a very successful fishing and delivery vessel." He was relieved somewhat.
"At least she's not some dumb broad. Looks are one thing, but without brains, it's all wasted." Ed continued walking, the crowd of people began to get thicker, he had to weave a little bit.
"So you think she's cute then..." Hohenheim smiled.
Ed blushed a little. "...Yea...well, I mean, for an older woman...she's ok I guess."
"Good." He smiled that wide Elric smile that he had handed down to both his sons. "Then you wouldn't mind taking a little cruise on Wednesday then?"
"Cruise? Don't we have work to do?" Ed looked at his father over his shoulder.
"Yeah, for now, but if we can't come up with anything before Tuesday, then they're sending in the special forces to do a sweep of the overlaying area. But I'm sure we'll find something." He smiled as they continued walking.
Ed couldn't help but notice his father's mood elevate the more and more they talked. Though that initial anger was there, he could feel himself become somewhat attached to his father. It was because of him that Al was back, so that gave him some credibility. Ed let it go, for once in his life, he dicided just to let things be. There was no longer a reason to hold a grudge.
"Look! There's a fish!" Aria leaned over the side of the boat, making Al quite nervous. He held on to her tightly around her waist.
"You're going to fall over." Al lead her back down to the floor of the ship.
"Sorry, I got carried away...hey!" She walked forward to the large pillar standing in the middle of the ship. "Can we go up there?" She shielded her eyes from the bright sunlight as she peered up at the crow's nest.
Al looked up as well at the rather tall protrusion in the ship. "I don't think we should...it's kind of high up."
She tugged him by the arm over to the rope lattace ladder that connected to the top from the side of the ship. "Naah, it'll be fun. Come on." And thus, she began her trek up the ladder.
"Uh...I guess it would be pretty fun." He smiled and headed up the ladder right behind Aria. The further up they went, the wind got cooler and, with no buildings or trees in the way, it blew more freely.
Aria's hair was trying to engulf her. "Ah...I can see so far!" She allowed one of her hands to travel to her forehead to shield her eyes again. "How about you Al? Do you have a good view?"
Al looked straight up at her and blushed. The wind caught the hem of her skirt and gave him a good view right up it. "Yeah! Great view!" He couldn't help but have a misgevious smile on his face. "It's very pink! I mean perfect! Yeah...perfect." He snickered to himself.
Only a few more minutes passed and they were sitting up in the crow's nest chatting away. "It reminds me a lot of Lush..."
Al smiled. "Yeah, your home town was really nice too. Not a whole lot of water, but still just as many trees, if not more." The wind blew once again causing Aria's unbound hair to fly over the edge and flow in the breeze. He watched her fuss with her bangs, trying to get them to go in the right direction. It seemed as though they just didn't want to obey. "Aria..." He began.
"Hn? Yeah?" She grabbed all her hair and slung it all over her back, with little success of getting it out of her face.
Al's expression darkened. "What if he comes for you? I mean, what if he finds us and takes you away?"
Aria shrugged and then smiled. "Let's not worry about that right now." She rested her head against his shoulder as they both leaned over the edge to enjoy the view better. "Let's just enjoy the time we have now."
He stood there, hunched over the edge of the lookout, Aria resting quietly on his shoulder. He was happy with her, why anyone would want to treat her badly was beyond him. He mulled it over and over in his mind. Normally he didn't worry, but this Felix guy seemed a bit on the crazy side, a little too far for his liking anyway.
Instead of dragging it out, he let it go and just enjoyed the time he had with this special girl. Pausing in thought for a moment, he couldn't help but mention one last thing. "Um...Aria...can I give you some advice?"
"Sure..." She was slightly confused, but still listened intently.
"Next time you want to go climbing...you might want to try wearing pants." He said with a slight stifled laugh in his voice.
Aria blushed a deep red. "Pants? ...You mean you saw...how much did you see?" She grew anxious.
"They're pink." He couldn't help but snicker. "I'm sorry, but it was right there." Aria sunk down into the crow's nest with embarassment.
HEY! You guys want to know a great way to completely screw over someone's computer? Go into (Start), click (run) then type in (regedit) (Without the brackets though). Go into the directory that says HKEY CLASSES ROOT and then just delete things at random! Trust me, this is how I got my spell checker to stop working. And, from working with computers, I know that all the basic functions of your computer reside in that same area... SO! If you want to total one of your X's computers, just do that. (I'm not saying do it, but if someone tells you it's a good idea, just tell them to piss off.)
I'm not proud of it...but I have spyware on my computer! ;-; It just won't go away, so I have to make a backup of EVERYTHING on DVD disk and burn it and it's just going to be terrible...oh well, so long as I can save my sims again, all shall be well:)
I hope you liked the chapter, remember, this is just a building chapter, I'll be making it go somewhere soon. Hehe, more cute fluffy things coming your way!
Review please!
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