Gains And Losses- Chapter 1: "Frienships Renewed" (Havoc)
This is the first chapter of the arc called "Gains and Losses". It is Havoc-centric. It is set in the mangaverse, so if you don't know what happens to Havoc around Chapter 38, then read that before you start this fic.
Title: Friendships Renewed
Author: SeaweedOtter
Characters: Mostly Jean Havoc, Roy Mustang, Riza Hawkeye, but others will appear.
Rating: PG for a little language
Disclaimer: Manga Spoilers... Set in the manga, a couple years after the end of chapter 38. Maybe AU?
Summary: Jean didn't really need the constant reminders of how much he had lost.
Read all the chapters so far HERE!
In the time since the Fuhrer Bradley had been thrown from power, Amesteris had been unstable, to say the least. That was just what Roy Mustang had been hoping for. It made his rise to the top even easier.
There had been little resistance when he rose quickly thru the ranks after the ursurp, seeing as how Mustang had a very large part in taking him down. When the people of Amestris saw how much better thier lives were after Bradley was gone, the whispers of General Mustang becoming Fuhrer started. It was quiet at first, innuendos and mumbled rumors in beer halls and over secret meetings. But like a snowball, things gathered fast, and there were very few people who were surprised when his inaguration day fast approached.
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"Come on! I have to go, he was my superior officer!" Jean whined to his doctor. He had been transferred to the East after his injury had stabilized, and being away from his former soliders was driving him just as batty as not being able to move his legs. He had, surprisingly for him, been very dilligent about his reahabilitation and exercises, but he still didn't seem to be any closer to walking than he had been the morning he woke up in the hospital.
The doctor sighed, taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes. "Alright. Perhaps getting out and seeing your friends may not be bad for you. But we are going to have to find someone to travel with you. You are going to need help."
Havoc's face soured, his mouth dropping to a quick frown. "Gee, thanks, doc. I never would have figured that out myself." he snapped. He reached, almost without thinking, to the table by the bed, but didnt find his normal pack of cigarretes waiting for him, just a small shotglass filled with toothpicks. Grumbling, he picked one up and shoved it into his mouth, chewing on it angerly.
The doctor sighed again and stood up, gathering his bag and stepping towards the door. "I will talk to a few people, to see who may be free to assist you in travelling back to Central."
"I know who I want." Havoc said, his voice still low and humorless. "Call Central, and get Major Breda. I am sure he would love an excuse to come visit. He is a good friend, you have seen him around. And if I have to have someone babysit me, I would rather it be him."
"Okay. I will call him today." The doctor nodded and exited the room, softly closing the door behind him.
Havoc let out a short sigh, frowning again when he looked back at the empty, crumpled cigarette pack that he had thrown on the floor earlier that morning. "Oh great." he quipped. "This day is just getting better and better." He turned his head and looked out the window, watching the few white, puffy clouds float by on the warm spring breeze and chewing harder on his now mangled toothpick.
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"Hey, Havoc! Long time no see!" Breda waved a hand, grinning broadly as he walked in the door. Havoc managed a slight smile and waved back, his mood lightening for the first time in several days.
"Hey, Breda. It has been too long. Did you bring what I asked?"
"Yeah, but I still think they are bad for ya." Breda sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly as he took a pack of cigarettes out of his coat pocket and gently tossed them on the bed. Havoc didnt care about looking desperate when he quickly grabbed the pack, tore it open, and shoved one of the sticks into his mouth. His hand shook just a little as he took the lighter from the bedstand and lit it, puffing a couple of times. His whole countenance changed in an instant with the smoky breath that he released.
"So, I am gonna help you get to Central, huh?" Breda said after giving Havoc a few moments to enjoy his nicotine rush.
"Yeah, the sooner the better. I am going crazy here." he replied. "I feel like I am stagnating. I need something else. I want to get out.. get up..." he stopped, letting out a deep breath and going silent again.
"Okay, chief. Let's get you ready."
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They were able to book a train for the next morning. Breda had been a huge help the whole time. Not only had everyone noticed that Havoc was in a much better mood than he had been in a long time, but Breda assisted with packing, getting his medicine in order, and getting very implicit instructions from the doctor on what can and cannot be done while he was gone. The doctor went with them to the train station, giving Breda some final instructions as they boarded the train to Central.
"I know it is hard, but he can only have 3 cigarettes a day. It should be less than that, but we had to compromise. Don't let him forget to take his medicines 3 times a day. It says on the bottles which are to be taken when, but he should remember by now." He handed Breda a sheet of paper. "This is a list of telephone numbers for me, and other doctors both here and in Central City, if there are any complications at all. His wounds have all been healed, but with injuries like this, it is impossible to tell what may come up."
Breda nodded, taking this all in. "I got it, Doc. I know he can be a handfull at times and I am sorry. I am sure that he will take my advice more readily than a doctor's. I am his friend. he will listen to me, or I will make him. Thanks." The doctor nodded, taking no offense to what he had said. He understood. He had seen the stubbornness that was Havoc when he dug in his heels. The more his doctor inisted the more he didn't want to do it. Perhaps hearing it from someone else would make him listen.
A train whistle cut off any further communication. The doctor waved, and Breda walked back over to his friend, and wheeled Havoc onto the train to find thier cabin. Havoc had been unsually quiet this morning, something that the sharp-witted Breda hadn't missed. No sooner had they found thier cabin and gotten settled in, stowing thier luggage away, when Breda confronted his friend.
"You alright, chief?" Even as slow as Havoc admitted to being, he had noticed that Breda had taken to use his way of adressing people.
He shrugged noncommittaly. "I guess.. But it is going to be hard to go back there. Besides you, I really haven't had any visitors." There was more than a small hint of sadness in his voice. The train shuddered to a start, causing Havoc to have to steady himself, bracing himself on the window. He sighed softly, looking down at the blanket that covered his usless and steadily weakening legs. "Have.. they forgotten about me?"
Breda shook his head slowly. "No, they haven't. Not at all. In fact, I already told you before that I have been acting as thier liason. I come visit, then tell them how you are doing. You know that I have been trying to keep you up to date on thier doings as well. There hasn't been much to tell them about you, unfortunatly." He frowned and ducked his head downwards, trying to pay attention more attention to the donut that he was munching on. He didn't want to meet his friend's steely blue eyed, cold gaze.
"Yeah, that is why I wanted to get out. I am hoping maybe this is the kick in the ass that I need to get going, to start... moving forward." Havoc paused for a moment. "Hey, can I have a smoke?" Wordlessly, Breda took the pack of smokes from his jacket pocket and shook one out. He replaced them, taking Havoc's lighter from his pocket and lighting the end. There was a slight crackling noise when the paper and dry tobacco caught on fire, and the sound of Havoc's breath sucking in, holding, then deeply releasing, then nothing.
The rest of the train ride was handled in an uncomforatable silence.
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"Lieutenant Havoc!" Armstrong beamed, his huge frame dwarfing everyone else at Central Station. Havoc sighed and shook his head, nibbling on the toothpick that had become his smoking subsitute. Many a toothpick had become a sad victim at his incessant chewing, the target for the rage that Havoc had stored up inside of him.
"It is just Jean now, Armstrong. I am not a Lieutenant any more." he said sourly. His huge, mustachioed face immediatly changed. Armstrong looked like a puppy that had been left out in the rain, the sparkle in his eyes gone.
"Oh, yes. I am sorry, Jean." He said awkwardly. After a moment of empty silence, he pointed towards the exit. "Let's go. You have lot of friends who are waiting for you."
The car ride was about as uncomforatable as the train ride had been. Armstrong had tried to start a conversation a couple of times but no matter what he did, it seemed to go the wrong direction and mention something that Havoc would rather not think about, and the dealthy silence that filled the car started anew.
As they drove thru Central City, Havoc was very surprised how much he remembered about the town, even though he hadn't seen in in nearly 2 years. "Ah, over there is the courthouse, and over that way are the military dorms." he said, pointing in various directions outside his window. Breda smiled a bit. Just for a brief moment, he heard the tiny hint of excitement in his friend's voice, that little sparkling gleam that his blue eyes used to hold. He wanted to say something, but he wasn't sure what, so he just nodded to his friend. As soon at they passed the military dorms, Havoc's eyes went wide for a moment.
"Er.. I guess in all the excitement I forgot. Where... am I staying?"
"Dont worry, chief, we wouldn't leave ya high and dry." Breda smiled. "You are staying with Janet and I."
"Oh yeah. I forgot. You got yourself a nice gal, didnt ya? You are gonna be married soon arent you?" He tried to keep a smile on his face but inwardly, Havoc groaned. This was yet another reminder of how he was falling further and further behind his friends.
"Yeah, and you as the best man are going to be there, come hell or high water."
Jean, once again, was silent. Another toothpick bit the dust.
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Havoc's stomach twisted when he saw the giant gray building of Central Command looming in front of him. It was somewhat lucky for him, because since this was a building that many people needed access to, there was already a ramp built in. That was a luxury that wasnt always available in the much smaller Eastern city that he lived in, which limited his travels in many frustrating ways.
"Come on, chief. They are waiting." Breda said, snapping him out of his thoughts. He slowly wheeled Havoc up the side of the building and towards the door. Armstrong followed a couple of steps behind, a much quieter and more serious look to him.
Never had Havoc wanted a cigarette more than when he was being wheeled down the long hallway that he used to frequent. The doors seemed to never end, and he remembered what each of them were, without having to reading the labels. His eyes lingered slowly on the door that lead to the office where he had spent most of his time, the colonel's office. How many times had Mustang been at the desk at the far end of the room, with Breda, Fuery, Falman and himself at the desks in the center, and Hawkeye, his loyal bodygauard, at the colonel's side? He wondered who was in there now? Did he or she have a loyal and trustworthy following like Mustang had?
"It isn't anyone you know, the colonel who is in there." Breda could easily tell what his friend was thinking. He paused by the door for a moment. "We can go in, if you want, though it wont probably won't look the same. I myself haven't been in there in a while. No need."
Havoc shook his head. "Nah, it is alright. Thanks anyways." Breda nodded and started to wheel his friend towards the large office at the far end of the hallway. Havoc had only been in there a couple of times, but you didn't need to see the inside of it to know by the ornate doorway and large plaque on the side of the wall that it was the office of the Fuhrer. Breda paused for a moment at the door to the Fuhrer's office. The whole hall was strangly silent. Gone were the bustle of people that were usually walking around on any working day. It was like even the building was holding its breath and waiting for the next moment to come.
"Are... you ready, Jean?" Havoc shot Breda a wierd, confused look. He wasn't used to his friend using his first name. After a moment of thought, he shrugged it off and nodded.
"As ready as I'll ever be, chief." He managed a small grin, leaning his head back to look at Breda, turning his own phrase back on his friend. Breda opened the door.
The room was huge, and even this was just the waiting room. It had portraits on the walls and a desk to the side, where the Fuhrer's secretary usually sat. It was oddly empty inside, both devoid of any sort of familiarity and personality, but of actual personel. It wasn't as if Havoc had been expecting, or even wanting, all his some big party, his friends yelling out "Surprise!" or something like that, but Havoc was more than a little dissapointed at the total lack of humanity in the room. Given that it's pervious owner had been a Hommunculous, he guessed that was strangly appropriate.
"Oh, I guess they are in the inner office. Sorry, boss." Breda gave a weak smile and they continued on, rolling across the great expanse of the outer room, to the inner office door. This time, when Breda opened the door, a sea of familiar faces hit him.
"Hello there, Havoc. I am still waiting for you to catch up." Mustang looked older. He had lines under his eyes, and his hair was longer, but still just as disheveled as it had always been, his bangs brushing over his forehead. The fire was still in those deep black eyes.
Havoc smiled at the future Fuhrer. As a habit, he saluted, catching himself in the middle of it. "Oh, sorry, sir." he said with an embarassed smirk on his face.
Mustang smiled and returned the saulte. "It is alright, Jean. And you dont need to call me sir, at least not yet. But you better get used to that, and to saluting me. I want to see you back in your uniform, and soon." Havoc noticed the sad smile he had on his face.
Slowly he panned his eyes around the room. They were all there. Fuery, Falman- who had recently switched from Investigations back to Central command, Armstrong, Breda, and Hawkeye. The gang was all here. They didnt look all that different, for the most part. It looks like Fuery had gotten a tiny bit taller, a late growth spurt, it seemed. Falman was still as stiff and proper as ever, his gray shock of hair as study as the rest of him. He smiled just a little as his eyes slowly scanned over each of them. Then he noticed- in the back, away from the group, there was a somewhat short, sandy haired child.
"Al- Alphonse?" Havoc asked softly, causing the boy who had apparantly been looking out the back window and daydreaming to jump a little at his name. He blushed a little and rubbed his hand on the back of his neck.
"Yes, Mr. Havoc. It is me." He gave an embarassed grin.
"Jean, or just Havoc is fine."
"Oh, okay..er.. Jean," Havoc smiled. He wasn't really sure why everyone had suddenly taken to use his first name. It just seemed rather.. wierd.
"It is nice to... see you." Havoc said, pausing in the middle. He had been told by Breda that Al had gotten his body back, but this had been the first time that he had seen this boy in the flesh. Oddly enough, he looked... younger. He wasn't sure how, but he looked to be closer to 12 than the 16 that Havoc figured he should have been. He hadn't been given many details about Al's reappearance, and Havoc hadn't tried to pry, guessing that the wounds were still fresh. That was something that he could definatly understand. Iddly, his hand went to his shirt, feeling the scars on his stomach.
After a moment, Havoc's gaze went back, full circle, to Mustang. At his side, as always, was the beautiful Riza Hawkeye. He sighed. How many days had he seen her walking one step behind his former colonel? He had wanted to tell her how beautiful she was, how her golden hair and hazel eyes melted into his soul. Even though it had never come up in the office, he had assumed that the bond between her and Mustang was more than just an officer and his bodyguard, and he had kept his feelings to himself. When he looked down slightly, and noticed that they were softly holding hands, he was suddenly glad that he had never said a word.
"R-r-riza." he stammered, almost glad that one particular part of his body could no longer give away how he was feeling at the moment, though he figured that his deep blush probably gave enough information to everyone.
"Hello, Havoc. It has been a long time." She managed a small smile, but she could clearly see the conflicting emotions that were going on in his eyes. It hadn't been hard for her to tell that Havoc had had feelings for her, but she had always been very appreciative that he had kept things professional. She liked him as a fellow officer, but she was glad that she had never had to break it to him that she didn't share his feelings. He had always been unluck enough in love, she didn't want to make him feel any worse.
"Heya, Fuery, Falman". Havoc managed a little smile and a wave. Even the ever stiff Falman managed a little smile and waved back. "So... I guess the party can start now ?" Havoc smirked, his trademark grin plastered on his face for just a moment before he faded back into the rather flat countenance that had overtaken his face since his injury. There were a few moments of silence. There was alot that people wanted to say, but no one was really sure what they wanted to say or where they wanted to start.
"Well, I know a few of us have to get back to work, but dont worry. We will see you around, and we are all going to get together tonight for dinner." Armstrong finally said in his flat, low, gruff voice. Fuery, Falman, and Al nodded thier agreement, and headed towards the door, each of them gently putting thier hand on Havoc's shoulder as a farewell gesture as they left.
"Well, I am on leave, chief. My orders are to be your chauffer while you are here in Central." Breda smiled down to Havoc. "So you aren't getting rid of me so easily."
"Hmph. I thought I was usually the one driving people around." Havoc replied, somewhat bitterly.
"Well, then it is time for me to return the favor."
"Thanks, Breda. You are a good friend." Breda just smiled.
Mustang and Hawkeye stayed silent for a moment, thier hands unlocking. He cleared his throat. "I am very sorry to do this, Havoc, but the inauguration is in two days, and I have alot of things that I have to finalize, alot of paperwork that has to be done, and you know how much I look forward to that." Breda and Havoc didnt miss the knowing smile on Hawkeye's face when he said that, knowing how many times that she was the one to light a fire under the former colonel to get him to do his paperwork. "But I will be there tonight, and we can catch up on old times."
Havoc nodded, actually a little glad to get away from a somewhat awkward situation. "Thanks, chief... er.. Fuhrer." He smiled. "I will have to get used to that." He saluted again, and Mustang saluted back. Breda did the same, and turned Havoc around, wheeling him out of the office, thru the huge, and still empty, waiting room, and back into the large, looming hallway.
All of a sudden, Havoc was wondering if coming here was really the 'kick in the ass' that he had thought he needed.
Title: Friendships Renewed
Author: SeaweedOtter
Characters: Mostly Jean Havoc, Roy Mustang, Riza Hawkeye, but others will appear.
Rating: PG for a little language
Disclaimer: Manga Spoilers... Set in the manga, a couple years after the end of chapter 38. Maybe AU?
Summary: Jean didn't really need the constant reminders of how much he had lost.
Read all the chapters so far HERE!
In the time since the Fuhrer Bradley had been thrown from power, Amesteris had been unstable, to say the least. That was just what Roy Mustang had been hoping for. It made his rise to the top even easier.
There had been little resistance when he rose quickly thru the ranks after the ursurp, seeing as how Mustang had a very large part in taking him down. When the people of Amestris saw how much better thier lives were after Bradley was gone, the whispers of General Mustang becoming Fuhrer started. It was quiet at first, innuendos and mumbled rumors in beer halls and over secret meetings. But like a snowball, things gathered fast, and there were very few people who were surprised when his inaguration day fast approached.
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"Come on! I have to go, he was my superior officer!" Jean whined to his doctor. He had been transferred to the East after his injury had stabilized, and being away from his former soliders was driving him just as batty as not being able to move his legs. He had, surprisingly for him, been very dilligent about his reahabilitation and exercises, but he still didn't seem to be any closer to walking than he had been the morning he woke up in the hospital.
The doctor sighed, taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes. "Alright. Perhaps getting out and seeing your friends may not be bad for you. But we are going to have to find someone to travel with you. You are going to need help."
Havoc's face soured, his mouth dropping to a quick frown. "Gee, thanks, doc. I never would have figured that out myself." he snapped. He reached, almost without thinking, to the table by the bed, but didnt find his normal pack of cigarretes waiting for him, just a small shotglass filled with toothpicks. Grumbling, he picked one up and shoved it into his mouth, chewing on it angerly.
The doctor sighed again and stood up, gathering his bag and stepping towards the door. "I will talk to a few people, to see who may be free to assist you in travelling back to Central."
"I know who I want." Havoc said, his voice still low and humorless. "Call Central, and get Major Breda. I am sure he would love an excuse to come visit. He is a good friend, you have seen him around. And if I have to have someone babysit me, I would rather it be him."
"Okay. I will call him today." The doctor nodded and exited the room, softly closing the door behind him.
Havoc let out a short sigh, frowning again when he looked back at the empty, crumpled cigarette pack that he had thrown on the floor earlier that morning. "Oh great." he quipped. "This day is just getting better and better." He turned his head and looked out the window, watching the few white, puffy clouds float by on the warm spring breeze and chewing harder on his now mangled toothpick.
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"Hey, Havoc! Long time no see!" Breda waved a hand, grinning broadly as he walked in the door. Havoc managed a slight smile and waved back, his mood lightening for the first time in several days.
"Hey, Breda. It has been too long. Did you bring what I asked?"
"Yeah, but I still think they are bad for ya." Breda sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly as he took a pack of cigarettes out of his coat pocket and gently tossed them on the bed. Havoc didnt care about looking desperate when he quickly grabbed the pack, tore it open, and shoved one of the sticks into his mouth. His hand shook just a little as he took the lighter from the bedstand and lit it, puffing a couple of times. His whole countenance changed in an instant with the smoky breath that he released.
"So, I am gonna help you get to Central, huh?" Breda said after giving Havoc a few moments to enjoy his nicotine rush.
"Yeah, the sooner the better. I am going crazy here." he replied. "I feel like I am stagnating. I need something else. I want to get out.. get up..." he stopped, letting out a deep breath and going silent again.
"Okay, chief. Let's get you ready."
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They were able to book a train for the next morning. Breda had been a huge help the whole time. Not only had everyone noticed that Havoc was in a much better mood than he had been in a long time, but Breda assisted with packing, getting his medicine in order, and getting very implicit instructions from the doctor on what can and cannot be done while he was gone. The doctor went with them to the train station, giving Breda some final instructions as they boarded the train to Central.
"I know it is hard, but he can only have 3 cigarettes a day. It should be less than that, but we had to compromise. Don't let him forget to take his medicines 3 times a day. It says on the bottles which are to be taken when, but he should remember by now." He handed Breda a sheet of paper. "This is a list of telephone numbers for me, and other doctors both here and in Central City, if there are any complications at all. His wounds have all been healed, but with injuries like this, it is impossible to tell what may come up."
Breda nodded, taking this all in. "I got it, Doc. I know he can be a handfull at times and I am sorry. I am sure that he will take my advice more readily than a doctor's. I am his friend. he will listen to me, or I will make him. Thanks." The doctor nodded, taking no offense to what he had said. He understood. He had seen the stubbornness that was Havoc when he dug in his heels. The more his doctor inisted the more he didn't want to do it. Perhaps hearing it from someone else would make him listen.
A train whistle cut off any further communication. The doctor waved, and Breda walked back over to his friend, and wheeled Havoc onto the train to find thier cabin. Havoc had been unsually quiet this morning, something that the sharp-witted Breda hadn't missed. No sooner had they found thier cabin and gotten settled in, stowing thier luggage away, when Breda confronted his friend.
"You alright, chief?" Even as slow as Havoc admitted to being, he had noticed that Breda had taken to use his way of adressing people.
He shrugged noncommittaly. "I guess.. But it is going to be hard to go back there. Besides you, I really haven't had any visitors." There was more than a small hint of sadness in his voice. The train shuddered to a start, causing Havoc to have to steady himself, bracing himself on the window. He sighed softly, looking down at the blanket that covered his usless and steadily weakening legs. "Have.. they forgotten about me?"
Breda shook his head slowly. "No, they haven't. Not at all. In fact, I already told you before that I have been acting as thier liason. I come visit, then tell them how you are doing. You know that I have been trying to keep you up to date on thier doings as well. There hasn't been much to tell them about you, unfortunatly." He frowned and ducked his head downwards, trying to pay attention more attention to the donut that he was munching on. He didn't want to meet his friend's steely blue eyed, cold gaze.
"Yeah, that is why I wanted to get out. I am hoping maybe this is the kick in the ass that I need to get going, to start... moving forward." Havoc paused for a moment. "Hey, can I have a smoke?" Wordlessly, Breda took the pack of smokes from his jacket pocket and shook one out. He replaced them, taking Havoc's lighter from his pocket and lighting the end. There was a slight crackling noise when the paper and dry tobacco caught on fire, and the sound of Havoc's breath sucking in, holding, then deeply releasing, then nothing.
The rest of the train ride was handled in an uncomforatable silence.
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"Lieutenant Havoc!" Armstrong beamed, his huge frame dwarfing everyone else at Central Station. Havoc sighed and shook his head, nibbling on the toothpick that had become his smoking subsitute. Many a toothpick had become a sad victim at his incessant chewing, the target for the rage that Havoc had stored up inside of him.
"It is just Jean now, Armstrong. I am not a Lieutenant any more." he said sourly. His huge, mustachioed face immediatly changed. Armstrong looked like a puppy that had been left out in the rain, the sparkle in his eyes gone.
"Oh, yes. I am sorry, Jean." He said awkwardly. After a moment of empty silence, he pointed towards the exit. "Let's go. You have lot of friends who are waiting for you."
The car ride was about as uncomforatable as the train ride had been. Armstrong had tried to start a conversation a couple of times but no matter what he did, it seemed to go the wrong direction and mention something that Havoc would rather not think about, and the dealthy silence that filled the car started anew.
As they drove thru Central City, Havoc was very surprised how much he remembered about the town, even though he hadn't seen in in nearly 2 years. "Ah, over there is the courthouse, and over that way are the military dorms." he said, pointing in various directions outside his window. Breda smiled a bit. Just for a brief moment, he heard the tiny hint of excitement in his friend's voice, that little sparkling gleam that his blue eyes used to hold. He wanted to say something, but he wasn't sure what, so he just nodded to his friend. As soon at they passed the military dorms, Havoc's eyes went wide for a moment.
"Er.. I guess in all the excitement I forgot. Where... am I staying?"
"Dont worry, chief, we wouldn't leave ya high and dry." Breda smiled. "You are staying with Janet and I."
"Oh yeah. I forgot. You got yourself a nice gal, didnt ya? You are gonna be married soon arent you?" He tried to keep a smile on his face but inwardly, Havoc groaned. This was yet another reminder of how he was falling further and further behind his friends.
"Yeah, and you as the best man are going to be there, come hell or high water."
Jean, once again, was silent. Another toothpick bit the dust.
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Havoc's stomach twisted when he saw the giant gray building of Central Command looming in front of him. It was somewhat lucky for him, because since this was a building that many people needed access to, there was already a ramp built in. That was a luxury that wasnt always available in the much smaller Eastern city that he lived in, which limited his travels in many frustrating ways.
"Come on, chief. They are waiting." Breda said, snapping him out of his thoughts. He slowly wheeled Havoc up the side of the building and towards the door. Armstrong followed a couple of steps behind, a much quieter and more serious look to him.
Never had Havoc wanted a cigarette more than when he was being wheeled down the long hallway that he used to frequent. The doors seemed to never end, and he remembered what each of them were, without having to reading the labels. His eyes lingered slowly on the door that lead to the office where he had spent most of his time, the colonel's office. How many times had Mustang been at the desk at the far end of the room, with Breda, Fuery, Falman and himself at the desks in the center, and Hawkeye, his loyal bodygauard, at the colonel's side? He wondered who was in there now? Did he or she have a loyal and trustworthy following like Mustang had?
"It isn't anyone you know, the colonel who is in there." Breda could easily tell what his friend was thinking. He paused by the door for a moment. "We can go in, if you want, though it wont probably won't look the same. I myself haven't been in there in a while. No need."
Havoc shook his head. "Nah, it is alright. Thanks anyways." Breda nodded and started to wheel his friend towards the large office at the far end of the hallway. Havoc had only been in there a couple of times, but you didn't need to see the inside of it to know by the ornate doorway and large plaque on the side of the wall that it was the office of the Fuhrer. Breda paused for a moment at the door to the Fuhrer's office. The whole hall was strangly silent. Gone were the bustle of people that were usually walking around on any working day. It was like even the building was holding its breath and waiting for the next moment to come.
"Are... you ready, Jean?" Havoc shot Breda a wierd, confused look. He wasn't used to his friend using his first name. After a moment of thought, he shrugged it off and nodded.
"As ready as I'll ever be, chief." He managed a small grin, leaning his head back to look at Breda, turning his own phrase back on his friend. Breda opened the door.
The room was huge, and even this was just the waiting room. It had portraits on the walls and a desk to the side, where the Fuhrer's secretary usually sat. It was oddly empty inside, both devoid of any sort of familiarity and personality, but of actual personel. It wasn't as if Havoc had been expecting, or even wanting, all his some big party, his friends yelling out "Surprise!" or something like that, but Havoc was more than a little dissapointed at the total lack of humanity in the room. Given that it's pervious owner had been a Hommunculous, he guessed that was strangly appropriate.
"Oh, I guess they are in the inner office. Sorry, boss." Breda gave a weak smile and they continued on, rolling across the great expanse of the outer room, to the inner office door. This time, when Breda opened the door, a sea of familiar faces hit him.
"Hello there, Havoc. I am still waiting for you to catch up." Mustang looked older. He had lines under his eyes, and his hair was longer, but still just as disheveled as it had always been, his bangs brushing over his forehead. The fire was still in those deep black eyes.
Havoc smiled at the future Fuhrer. As a habit, he saluted, catching himself in the middle of it. "Oh, sorry, sir." he said with an embarassed smirk on his face.
Mustang smiled and returned the saulte. "It is alright, Jean. And you dont need to call me sir, at least not yet. But you better get used to that, and to saluting me. I want to see you back in your uniform, and soon." Havoc noticed the sad smile he had on his face.
Slowly he panned his eyes around the room. They were all there. Fuery, Falman- who had recently switched from Investigations back to Central command, Armstrong, Breda, and Hawkeye. The gang was all here. They didnt look all that different, for the most part. It looks like Fuery had gotten a tiny bit taller, a late growth spurt, it seemed. Falman was still as stiff and proper as ever, his gray shock of hair as study as the rest of him. He smiled just a little as his eyes slowly scanned over each of them. Then he noticed- in the back, away from the group, there was a somewhat short, sandy haired child.
"Al- Alphonse?" Havoc asked softly, causing the boy who had apparantly been looking out the back window and daydreaming to jump a little at his name. He blushed a little and rubbed his hand on the back of his neck.
"Yes, Mr. Havoc. It is me." He gave an embarassed grin.
"Jean, or just Havoc is fine."
"Oh, okay..er.. Jean," Havoc smiled. He wasn't really sure why everyone had suddenly taken to use his first name. It just seemed rather.. wierd.
"It is nice to... see you." Havoc said, pausing in the middle. He had been told by Breda that Al had gotten his body back, but this had been the first time that he had seen this boy in the flesh. Oddly enough, he looked... younger. He wasn't sure how, but he looked to be closer to 12 than the 16 that Havoc figured he should have been. He hadn't been given many details about Al's reappearance, and Havoc hadn't tried to pry, guessing that the wounds were still fresh. That was something that he could definatly understand. Iddly, his hand went to his shirt, feeling the scars on his stomach.
After a moment, Havoc's gaze went back, full circle, to Mustang. At his side, as always, was the beautiful Riza Hawkeye. He sighed. How many days had he seen her walking one step behind his former colonel? He had wanted to tell her how beautiful she was, how her golden hair and hazel eyes melted into his soul. Even though it had never come up in the office, he had assumed that the bond between her and Mustang was more than just an officer and his bodyguard, and he had kept his feelings to himself. When he looked down slightly, and noticed that they were softly holding hands, he was suddenly glad that he had never said a word.
"R-r-riza." he stammered, almost glad that one particular part of his body could no longer give away how he was feeling at the moment, though he figured that his deep blush probably gave enough information to everyone.
"Hello, Havoc. It has been a long time." She managed a small smile, but she could clearly see the conflicting emotions that were going on in his eyes. It hadn't been hard for her to tell that Havoc had had feelings for her, but she had always been very appreciative that he had kept things professional. She liked him as a fellow officer, but she was glad that she had never had to break it to him that she didn't share his feelings. He had always been unluck enough in love, she didn't want to make him feel any worse.
"Heya, Fuery, Falman". Havoc managed a little smile and a wave. Even the ever stiff Falman managed a little smile and waved back. "So... I guess the party can start now ?" Havoc smirked, his trademark grin plastered on his face for just a moment before he faded back into the rather flat countenance that had overtaken his face since his injury. There were a few moments of silence. There was alot that people wanted to say, but no one was really sure what they wanted to say or where they wanted to start.
"Well, I know a few of us have to get back to work, but dont worry. We will see you around, and we are all going to get together tonight for dinner." Armstrong finally said in his flat, low, gruff voice. Fuery, Falman, and Al nodded thier agreement, and headed towards the door, each of them gently putting thier hand on Havoc's shoulder as a farewell gesture as they left.
"Well, I am on leave, chief. My orders are to be your chauffer while you are here in Central." Breda smiled down to Havoc. "So you aren't getting rid of me so easily."
"Hmph. I thought I was usually the one driving people around." Havoc replied, somewhat bitterly.
"Well, then it is time for me to return the favor."
"Thanks, Breda. You are a good friend." Breda just smiled.
Mustang and Hawkeye stayed silent for a moment, thier hands unlocking. He cleared his throat. "I am very sorry to do this, Havoc, but the inauguration is in two days, and I have alot of things that I have to finalize, alot of paperwork that has to be done, and you know how much I look forward to that." Breda and Havoc didnt miss the knowing smile on Hawkeye's face when he said that, knowing how many times that she was the one to light a fire under the former colonel to get him to do his paperwork. "But I will be there tonight, and we can catch up on old times."
Havoc nodded, actually a little glad to get away from a somewhat awkward situation. "Thanks, chief... er.. Fuhrer." He smiled. "I will have to get used to that." He saluted again, and Mustang saluted back. Breda did the same, and turned Havoc around, wheeling him out of the office, thru the huge, and still empty, waiting room, and back into the large, looming hallway.
All of a sudden, Havoc was wondering if coming here was really the 'kick in the ass' that he had thought he needed.