Seasons with Orpheus
By: gianduja
Disclaimer: Obviously the characters are not mine. Credit to Hiromu Arakawa and fma.
Summary: After losing his wife to a series of kidnappings and murders, Hughes dedicated his love and time to his young daughter. However once his daughter finds a stranger she dubs as a 'kitten' for their family to adopt, Hughes finds himself feeling odd and unexpected feelings of déjà vu. While trying to solve the mystery of his wife's death, Hughes must figure out when and where he once knew this other man.
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Roy stifled a yawn as he lazily stared out the window. All the while wondering where Hughes could have disappeared off to. Supposedly on 'police business,' but how valid could that statement be? It seemed that the handsome single father did not plan on returning for him. Though he should have left earlier Roy still waited patiently. It was rare for this realist to give into wishful thinking. At least he should finish the coffee Hughes kindly treated him to before heading out. It certainly smelled wonderful. Behind him he could hear the lady, who owned this cozy shop, going about her chores. It was a soothing background noise that aided him while he drifted off deeper into his passing thoughts.
Who could he be meeting this late at night? It seems too late in the evening to be out on official business. He's probably off seeing some beautiful mother figure for Elysia. I certainly don't make a proper mother for anyone. Heh. Don't I sound like some love struck idiot? How embarrassing... He shook his head with a laugh.
Outside the city square was filled with a surprisingly good amount of people. Everyone was still out enjoying the night. If Roy could only let go of these unwarranted feelings and join them, he'd make every effort to forget about Hughes. Easier said or thought than done...
Despite having met not too long ago, there was this longing that stirred inside of Roy each time Hughes was nearby. It felt difficult to explain and intangible at best but strangely these emotions managed to remain. It was frustrating to say the least to be reduced to a flirty mess around the police officer. Not to mention it would be a wasted effort to try and woo such a target. The end result would not be pleasant. Hughes was not one to be 'wooed'. Roy snickered to himself at the very thought of pursuing the taller man with chocolates and fresh flowers.
Hughes was not the least bit attracted to him, going as far to wrinkle his nose in distaste at each flirty look and teasing gesture Roy aimed at him. Imagine the looks of sheer panic and fear that Roy would invoke if he truly decided to 'woo' Hughes? A wide smirk was mirrored back at Roy from his reflection in the window. Coughing, he lifted up the mug of cooling coffee to hide his silly and inappropriate grin.
It was time to be serious about the jumbled thoughts regarding this police officer turned strange, reluctant savior. Questions were in order. Such as, where did these feelings come from? True, there were many splendid characteristics to rave about. After all, the subject at hand was quite handsome from his sharp golden eyes to the stubble that graced his chiseled face. The father of one cute Elysia was tall, nicely built, and had a confident swagger to him. She had to get her adorable looks and daring personality from somewhere.
Just summoning the very image of him made Roy feel warm inside. His hands felt all tingly especially. A bit too tingly. Staring down suspiciously at them, Roy gingerly began to unwrap the bandages that were tied loosely around his left hand. From the time he met Hughes and Elysia his body temperature had been steadily rising. He had been worried that it was due to infection or fever. Yet there was nothing that could cause such a reaction.
With a firm tug the white gauze came off. What was hidden underneath bothered Roy a great deal. He stared at his hands nervously and quickly re-bandaged them as quickly as he could manage. His hands always felt strangely much warmer than the rest of his body.
W-why did these symbols reappear on my hands? Where have I seen it before...? Roy was so lost in thought. He could barely finish his coffee. Mentally he began to review what had happened to him thus far.
Some time had passed from the moment Roy woke up alone and wounded in an underground tunnel. When he finally gathered enough strength, Roy explored the perimeters of the sewer. There was a ladder that led up to an abandoned warehouse. He stayed there for a few more days, finding the accommodations far warmer and better than where he originally woke up. Soon after that he was taken in by a strange, quiet man by the name of Shou Tucker. He offered him free housing and a fair bit of cash in exchange for odd jobs, in addition to a few back alley other sort of jobs (hands, mouths, whatever) with specially picked clients.
Occasionally, when he felt endangered by these men, the outline of a two red circles, one bordering inside of the other, would appear on the tops of both his left and right hands. His hands would then feel as though they were on fire. The flames would never hurt him however, but serve as a warning to those who intended to attack. Besides, the men never dared to press their luck and harm him. The chance to test out whatever ammunition that was lurking underneath his skin never occurred. Tucker must have briefed the men to leave him unharmed for the most part.
Thinking back to the circles, Roy thought at first that they were tattoos or a branding mark, but once they disappeared he had to rethink his theory. He didn't dare pass them off as birthmarks. The appearance was far too perfect and symmetrical on each hand to be a blemish or birthmark. Plus they would always disappear after the threats went away. As a protective measure Roy tried to wear gloves or bandages to cover up the unnatural markings.
Feeling self-conscious, Roy tucked his hands into his coat pockets. Looking at everything but his hands, a white and red blur caught Roy's attention from the corner of his eye. Turning to look out the window he saw a familiar dog trotting closer to the shop.
"Nina..." He let out a small gasp as the entourage following the animal came closer. A soft tinkling chimed from the bell attached above the door, signaling new arrivals.
"You guys didn't believe me, but I knew I was right!" one of Roy's former clients laughed. "I knew it was the one and only Mustang sitting around here in this dump!"
In response, Roy stood up and wrapped himself in the coat given to him by Hughes, already feeling safer in it. He wanted to leave before things got out of hand.
"Is that anyway to greet us, when we've all had you before? You were late in coming to see me. What would your boss think if he knew one of his best sat around idly instead of servicing?" another one of the men spoke. The source of Roy's annoyance continued to lean closer to him. He leered appreciatively.
Looking to the side of the stranger, Roy could see the shopkeeper's nervous glances. Judging by her reaction, she wanted everyone out as soon as possible.
"I have the parcel I was supposed to deliver to you. Today I was too busy to bring it to you." Roy said in an even tone. He hated being called Mustang when a nicer name was given to him. He whipped out a manila envelope and shoved it at the man beside him. The person threw it to the ground with great disinterest.
"That's not what I want. I want you to show me something else." the man sneered.
"Listen, I was only told to give this to you," Roy gradually stepped away from the group of men, attempting to get closer to the door. "The other servicing requires an extra fee. I doubt any of you can afford it. After all, I think Tucker cut everyone a deal the first time you had the chance to cop a feel. A freebie if you will."
"Why you little shi--" the aggressor was stopped by a man Roy did not recognize. This person had not spoken yet and was possibly the ring leader sent to bring him back to Tucker; a man with spiked hair, dark sunglasses and a fur collared vest. "Fine. You deal with the Mustang and put him in his place then!"
With more bravado than he felt, Roy smirked with a look that dared them to fight back. Immediately, he was forcibly dragged from the seating area by their leader. The man shoved Roy on the floor and stomped on his hands, followed by a swift kick to the ribs. Roy coughed painfully.
The bandages on Roy's hands began to unravel. They were loosened by the sharp grooves under the man's heavy boots. One of the long strands slipped loose and revealed part of a circles that would appear atop of Roy's pale hands. The stranger hauled Roy up into a standing position as he stared at what was hidden behind the gauze bandages. Roy blinked blearily and gave a sharp intake of breath as triangular hourglass-like figures began to appear in each circle. He never saw them before. This did not bode well... he did not dare use whatever hidden powers he had in front of an innocent civilian. They had to leave the premises.
Behind the counter the shopkeeper watched with a worried look. She dropped a tea set when the men continued to attack. With a shaky balance, Roy attempted to stand and back away.
"If a fight is what you want, at least wait until we are back at home base." Roy clutched his throbbing hand to his chest. It felt as though it were on fire from where that belligerent moron stepped on him.
"I never thought you were ever going to get down to business, Mustang. I need to get paid and the only way that'll happen is if I bring you back." the ring leader grinned. He turned to look cruelly at the shopkeeper. "I was about to give up on you and just kill the witness watching all of this, no offense lady."
"You wouldn't..." Roy could not stop from grimacing.
"Not if you come with us quietly." the leader grinned. With a defeated sigh, Roy followed the men out and spared a small smile at the large dog named Nina, who helplessly watched and then followed along with a soft whine.
To be continued...
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Hurray! Now I must haul butt on Chapter 5 and 6! Anyone wants to help me brainstorm/beta/flush out the retardation, please drop a line! If not, I'll still be fine as I truck along with the ideas and writings eventually. Thanks again for tuning in!