(Hunter's POV)
I stepped off the train and onto the platform. I looked up at the sky and took a deep breath but immediately regretted the decision.
I forgot about Central's disgusting air.
"Hunter?"
"Hm?" I glanced at Roy, he finally shaved the moustache.
He stood with worry in his eyes. It had been almost three years since I had been back here, so of course, he was worried.
I chuckled and walked towards him, linking my arm with his. "I'm fine."
"Alright.."
We walked in silence for a moment.
"Has everyone returned from Ishval?" I broke the quiet.
He took a breath. "Probably, it's been over two months."
"And the squad is staying in the East?"
He nodded. "From what I can tell."
"Ah." I nodded. "Do we really have to meet with Mrs Bradley?" I sighed.
He nodded. "She requested a meeting with me."
"Why'd you bring me then? If she only wanted to meet with you."
He chuckled. "I like having you by my side. Besides, we won't be here for long."
"I don't think I can look the woman in the face.. and did she really keep Salem? Even after we advised her not to?"
"She did, but from what I've been told he seems normal."
It wasn't long till we were walking into Mrs Bradley's mansion. We were greeted by both her and Salem, I tried my best not to show any disgust or discomfort.
I followed her and Roy up a flight stairs and into a sitting room, there they sat and talked about whatever they needed to talk about.
I just walked around the room, not paying any attention.
The room was nice, with big mirrors and paintings on the walls, bookshelves that were stacked high and furniture scattered around the room.
I stood in front of the large floor length windows, slightly marvelling at the scenery outside.
I froze feeling a pair of small eyes on me.
I looked down and found Salem looking at me, my heart started racing on instinct.
"Hello!" He smiled brightly.
I swallowed hard before speaking. "Hello.."
"You're really pretty!" He beamed. "But short.."
"Salem." Mrs Bradley called him. "It's not nice to comment on people's height. Apologize."
His face dropped. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."
I marvelled at the small child for a few moments. He reminded me so much of Peter. Peter was about this age when he-
I knelt down so that I was eye level with him. This wasn't a Homunculus, this was an actual child. I chuckled as I stared at him.
For no reason, tears sprung to my eyes. I sniffled lightly as my laughing came to a stop.
I flinched feeling a tiny hand wipe away my tears. "Why are you crying?" He sounded concerned. "Are you sad?"
"Hunter." I looked up as Roy stood up from his chair.
I shook my head, he understood but hesitated to sit back down.
My gaze darted back to Salem. "You remind me of my son." I smiled. "And I miss my son."
"Oh no, what happened to him?"
I continued smiling. "He was hurt, a long time ago and he never got better."
"Oh no! That's awful."
I straightened myself up and walked passed him. "It was a long time ago."
He followed me.
"Do you think we would've gotten along?" He continued following me.
I stopped at another window that overlooked another side of the courtyard. "Maybe."
"What did he look like?" He continued questioning me about Peter.
I didn't mind, I liked talking about Peter and telling stories about him.
This new Salem was pleasant and cheerful. It wasn't long until he guided me out of that sitting room and brought me to another room in the house.
Halfway through the visit Roy found us.
I sat on the floor with Salem looking at wood cravings and other things Bradley had owned.
He handed me a file, I raised a brow at him, looking for an answer.
"Can you hand deliver the final progress report to Grumman?" He smiled.
I took the file. "I thought you sent it out last week?"
He shook his head. "I never got around to it."
I sighed as I stood up. "Sorry Salem, it looks like our visit ends here."
He stood up quickly. "Oh! Please do visit again!"
I smiled at him, ruffling his hair. "Okay."
I followed Roy out of the room.
"Are you really planning on visiting him?" He asked.
I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know."
He walked me to the main foyer, we stopped at the top of the flight of stairs.
"I'll be at train station when you're done, I'll send one of the Hall Boys to get you."
"Okay." I kissed his check before walking down the stairs.
"And don't go to the main gate." He called after me.
I turned back. "Don't tell me what to do."
He growled. "I'm serious, Hunter."
"So am I, Roy." I smiled at him before leaving.
I walked along the street, report tucked in between my arm when a certain yellow haired boy entered my line of sight.
"Alphonse!" I called to him, waving my hand in the air.
He turned around at the sound of his name and smiled when he saw it was me.
I jogged over to him.
"I didn't expect to see you here." His soft voice tickled my ears.
I missed the sound of it.
"General Mustang-Devlin sent me to hand deliver the final progress report to Furher Grumman." I explained.
"Ooh that's right, he was promoted."
I laughed lightly. "Ya he was."
"And I see you were promoted too." He gestured to the stars on my uniform.
I smiled proudly, patting my own shoulder. "Yup, Major General. Still higher than him."
He chuckled.
"He hates when I tease him about it." We started walking.
"How was Ishval?" He asked.
"Great! We rebuilt half of the city in over two years."
He smiled. "That's great! It looked great the last time brother and I visited the place."
"So where are you headed?" I asked.
"Meeting Jerso and Zampano at a restaurant." He explained.
"Aaahh you're off to Xing then?" I nudged his shoulder playfully.
He chuckled shyly. "Ya, I'll be meeting Mai up there."
"And where's Ed?"
"Still in Resembool, I think." He pondered.
We continued walking, making small talk until he found the restaurant he was supposed to be at.
"Well, I have to head to Central command now." I stopped at the door. "Give Mai and the others my hello."
He nodded. "I will."
"Oh, and write. I want to read about your adventures in Xing."
"Okay."
I was about to walk away but stopped. I quickly turned around and pulled him into a hug.
"We're probably not going to see each other for a while huh?" I spoke, my chin rested on his shoulder.
"Probably."
"Say hi to Zampano and Jerso for me?" I asked.
He chuckled. "Of course."
I pulled away and smiled at him, brushing his cheek lightly.
He smiled back at me.
"Well." I stepped back. "See you later."
"See you later, General Devlin-Mustang."
My heart ached lightly at the bittersweet moment.
I waved to him as I walked up the street, towards Central command.
I walked up the steps of the familiar courtyard, the events of the promised day replying in my head.
Sheska, the little mousey woman stopped me at the main desk. I simply raised my report file and she nodded, knowing exactly what I was there for.
"I heard the wedding was lovely." She started.
I stopped and smiled at her. "It was."
I quickly turned, not wanting to talk anymore with her. I still don't approve of your stupid nicknames for me.
The guards outside of Grumman's office nodded and let me in.
Grumman stood up with a smile. "General Devlin-Mustang! What a pleasure!"
I smiled as I put the report on his desk. I sat down as he started reading.
Once he was done reading, he stamped the report, signifying that the mission we set out to do was now over and completed.
I smiled looking at the stamp mark.
"So."
I looked up at him.
"How is Roy?"
Just then the phone rang, he picked it up. "Speak of the devil." He glanced at me.
"He's waiting at the train station for you."
I shook my head. "Tell him to head on home, I'll meet him there in a few hours."
He nodded. "She says get lost."
I chuckled.
He laughed and hung up. "He's heading home. He sure is clingy isn't he?"
I laughed in agreement. "I don't mind."
We continued talking, catching up on a few things and then he sent me on my way, his late wedding gift in my hand.
I stopped by Armstrong's office, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
"It's only been two months General, how I've missed your face!" He cried.
I laughed at his cries. I ended up visiting for a little while, Brosh and Ross joining us soon after.
It was nice, I actually did miss the three of them, even though it had only been a month since we finished the project.
I strolled along the halls of Central command, smiling and chatting with people I had became close with in Ishval.
Honestly, it felt bittersweet being back here.
And then suddenly, I found myself at the main gate, and as expected everything played in my mind again. With clear picture and clear sound, like it happened only a few moments ago.
I glanced at the spots my friends had died in, the images permanently etched into my mind.
It didn't necessarily hurt being back here but it didn't feel good either. My eye and my shoulder ached, as if those lacerations were still in place.
I walked to the gates wall and looked out onto the city, a smile crept onto my face as I remembered Greeds rampage. I glanced at the stair shaft and empty gunshots replayed in my head.
A sigh left my mouth as I turned and walked back to the large door but stopped when a plaque caught my eye.
I smiled as I read the words engraved into it.
To the brave souls who gave their lives defending Central's main gate. Fu of Xing, Greed the Homunculus, and Captain Buccaneer of Fort Briggs, honorary member of the Briggs Trio.
My eyes softened as I reread the memorial piece.
Another sigh left my mouth as I walked down the stairs, it was so surreal. It had been two years since the promised day battle and yet it felt as if it happened only days ago.
Maybe it was because I avoided this place since then.
Maybe it was because I was left haunted.
Left haunted and scarred but those events didn't control my life anymore.
———
I stepped out of the car and walked up the steps. It was late by the time I made it back home.
I entered the main foyer walking passed the picture wall that had grown immensely.
Pictures of Ed and Al, Miles and Scar. Mustang squad, there were more pictures of General Armstrong and more pictures of Major Armstrong just like he wanted.
Pictures of Ling and Lan Fan from their last visit, they even mailed me old pictures of Fu.
Falman framed a picture of us and came over the next day so that he could pick the spot he wanted it to hang from.
I had put up even more pictures of Buccaneer, pictures from his photo albums. Those pictures were placed neatly besides the ones of my mother and Peter, in between the ones of Hughes and his family.
There were even pictures of Izumi and Sig, the four chimeras. Pictures of Ishval, the beautiful place it had grown to be, I even had pictures with Ishvalans I had befriended.
Mrs Babin met me at the top of the stairs, she kissed my cheek. I handed her the decorative vase Grumman had gifted Roy and I.
I walked into the bedroom, tired from the train ride back. I laid down but then jolted when the phone rang.
I groaned, rolling over and answering it.
"Hello?"
"General Devlin?"
I sat up. "Kid!"
I smiled hearing Ed's voice again.
"I'm in West City."
"You're already in West city? You didn't stop at the Estate to say goodbye?"
He paused. "Well I did but it was only the Colonel home, what am I supposed to talk to him about?"
I laughed. "He's a General now, and I don't know, anything?"
Suddenly he got all quiet and awkward. "So um.. I proposed to Winry before I left.."
"You did?! How'd it go?"
"Awkward!"
I laughed at his embarrassment.
"I um... used the law of equivalent exchange."
I paused, processing what he just said and then I bursted into laughter.
He groaned loudly into the phone. "Don't laugh at me!"
I caught my breath. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry." I wiped a tear. "That's just so you though. I can't picture a more Edward proposal."
"Ya.. well."
I straightened myself up. "Did she say yes?"
He chuckled softly. "Ya, she did." He sounded soft.
I smiled. "That's great. I'm happy for you two. I can't wait for the wedding."
"How did the Colonel do it?"
I raised my hand and looked at the ring on my finger. I gazed at the H and R that were stamped into it, our initials.
I smiled warmly, remembering that day.
"Oh, he was just as awkward."
"Is that so?"
I gasped feeling a pair of lips on the back of my neck.
"What?! Are you okay?!"
I laughed at myself. "Yes. Everything's fine."
I shoed Roy's face away from me.
He yawned into the phone. "Well, I should get off the phone. I have to wake up early tomorrow, get a head start."
"Alright, I'll let you go. I hope you write Edward." I used his real name instead of his nickname, trying to show that I meant it.
"Alright, alright." He whined.
"Night Kid. I'll see you later."
"See you later. Goodnight." He hung up the phone.
I sighed putting the phone down.
"See you later huh?" Roy rested his chin on my shoulder.
"Yup." I turned to him. "There are no goodbyes. Only see you laters." I cuffed his face with both hands.
I let go and walked over to my wardrobe.
"I saw Al." I began unbuttoning my uniform top.
"I knew you would, that's why I sent you to deliver the report." I could feel him eyeing me.
I smiled. "I was wondering why you didn't just mail the progress report."
"Ed showed up here?" I asked.
"He did, that's why I wanted you to come home with me, so that you could see him before he left."
I sighed in frustration with myself. "I should've come home then..." I rubbed my neck.
"Don't worry, you'll get to see him again. He's Edward." He comforted me.
Suddenly his arms wrapped around me and he pressed himself against my back.
"I caught you admiring your ring." His voice was low in my ear and it sent shivers of arousal down my spine.
"I knew you adored it, but I didn't know you adored it that much..." He continued talking in the same low tone. "I almost wish you showed me the same appreciation.."
I rolled my eyes.
"Why don't you show your husband some appreciation? Mrs. Mustang."
I bit my lip. Dear lord...
I turned to face him. "And what exactly are you suggesting? Mr. Devlin."
He looked at me and then eyed the wardrobe.
My face dropped and my eyes widened. 'In the wardrobe??' I mouthed to him.
He nodded.
I shook my head vigorously. No...
He smirked and then pushed us in.
It wasn't as fun as he thought it would be, we moved to the bed.
My eyes fluttered opened as the morning sun entered the room.
The bed was warm and comforting, and everything stood still and quiet.
I smiled to myself, everything was peaceful and calm.
I held up my hand again, looking at the ring on my ring finger. A simple gold band with a notch in the centre, H and R stamped neatly and perfectly on both ends.
Flashback
I walked along the streets of Ishval with Roy. He was extremely on edge and nervous today, though I paid no mind to it.
I stopped and looked at all the different types of flowers that were in the market place. A smile crept onto my face, I looked at Roy he just stood with a pale face.
"Are you alright?" I cuffed his cheek, his face was pale but his skin was hot.
He nodded. "Yup..."
I raised a brow.
He walked passed me. "Let's just keep walking. I have something to show you."
I followed after him, slightly concerned.
We walked out of the city and onto a hill that overlooked everything.
I could see the Eastern tents, the new buildings and houses, the crops and wells. I smiled at the view.
"S-So uh..." He started.
I glanced at him, waiting for him to continue.
"You know how..." He stopped.
"Uh." He cleared his throat.
He looked as if he was having a panic attack.
"Are you alright love?" I put my hand on his shoulder.
The way he looked at me.
Just..
His face read pure panic.
The longer he looked at me, the more he seemed to relax.
His shoulders eased up and his breath evened out.
He cleared his throat. "In Alchemy, you're taught the law of equivalent exchange." He seemed calmed.
"I'll you give half of myself, if you give me half of yourself." He took my hand and turned to me.
I had no idea what he was trying to say.
That's how alchemy works but what did that have to do with us? His point wasn't clear-
I glanced at his hand, it was sweaty and kind of gross.
I slipped my hand out of his grip and wiped it on my pants. I looked back at him and he looked on the edge of tears.
He took my hand again and I slipped it away from him again.
He growled. "Take my hand!"
"Why?! It's sweaty! And gross!"
He whined loudly. "I'm trying to ask you to marry me damn it! So take my damn hand!"
I stood blank faced for a few moments.
I watched as his face went from pale to scarlet, he covered his face with one hand, half with embarrassment, half with anxiety.
"Just take my hand." He held his free hand out.
My heart was pounding against itself and my stomach fluttered, I grabbed his hand anyways.
He sighed.
"Marry me." He spoke breathlessly.
"From the time I've known you, I haven't thought of anyone else the way that I think of you."
"You were a risk, a mystery, and the most certain thing I'd ever known. My heart does not have a fallback or a plan b, it's you, or no one else."
"You are exactly, precisely and perfectly what I've waited for. I've never known anyone who actually believed I was useful, until I met you."
He took a shaky breath and placed a rock in my hand. "So I ask you, half in anguish, half in hope, that you end my anxiety and marry me."
I smiled looking at the rock in our hands. "You proposed to me with a rock?"
"What else? Fruit? A kiwi? Apple? I can get you one." He turned away.
"No! No! No! No!" I pulled him close to me, the rock still in my hand.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and relaxed my head on his shoulder, I whispered. "You never have to ask. I'm yours, Roy."
There was a muffled squeal and suddenly I found myself being lifted into the air.
I laughed as he lowered me down onto my feet again.
"Why would you ever want to marry me?" I looked at him.
He smiled. "So I can kiss you whenever I want."
He cuffed my face and bombarded me with kisses, ending his shower of love with a slow and devouring kiss. He opened his eyes midway, making eye contact with me.
My heart fluttered and my stomach filled with intoxication.
He pulled away, slightly out of breath, he rested his forehead against mine keeping eye contact with me. "I don't have much to offer, but I promise you can have the best of me."
I smiled with affection in my eyes and bliss wrapped onto my lips, the amount of love and appreciation I had for this soul was unimaginable.
All I've ever wanted was for someone to stay by my side, without any complaints, without any questions. To stay purely because they wanted to. I never thought I could find that person and as it turned out, this person was by my side all along.
"Thank you for loving me when I tasted of heartache and war."
He kissed my hand. "You never have to thank me for that."
Flashback
I glanced at the marriage rock that sat on my night side table.
I glanced back at my hand when his hand wrapped around my raised one. I gazed at our matching rings.
He pulled himself closely to me, the feeling of his warm skin further enticed me.
He dug his face into the crock of my neck and breathed.
"Good morning, Mrs Mustang."
I chuckled softly and shifted myself onto my side, wrapping my arm around him.
"Good morning, Mr Devlin."
————————————————————————————————————————————————Bohannon
Epilogue will be uploaded next.
So... yeye...
Thanks for reading!
-I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist or any of its characters