Chapter Text
The sun was setting along the horizon of East City as her and the Lieutenant Colonel leaned against the railing of the roof. Havoc had invited them all to a roof top bar he found and wanted them all to see. He said that on Saturday nights the place was packed and thought they might have fun. Though she was certain he was just trying to find a girlfriend since his last one dumped him.
But they all still decided to go. Though since most of their unit lived far apart they all were arriving at separate times. And since there was traffic coming into the city, it was just her and the Colonel currently. The bar was also relatively empty currently, leaving just them to watch the sunset.
“Do you think Havoc lied about this place being popular?” The Colonel asked, looking over his shoulder at the main sitting area just inside.
The turned and looked over her shoulder to see only a couple inside, there heads were close together as they shared some drink and laughed.
“No, I just think it’s early.” She said, turning back to look at the sunset as the a gust of wind hit her face, sweeping her short hair that had only just grown to her shoulder away from her neck. “There’s still time for people to come.”
“That’s good, hopefully Havoc can find a girlfriend so he’ll stop whining about it at work.” He teased as he looked back at her with a smile.
She nodded, though she was worried that the Colonel would also go home with someone tonight. She didn’t like that thought, or the twinge of jealous that sprang up in her stomach. She’d been trying to snuff it out ever since it started arising a few months ago.
She’d had a crush on him before when they were younger. Though she thought she’d gotten over it. They’d been able to work together for a few years now with no issues arising. But now she was jealous of every girl he went in a date with.
She even started to think he was watching her in quiet moments. Like when they were alone after hours in the office and she’d feel him watching her instead of doing his work. And when she’d catch him she’d swear there was a soft, almost affectionate look to his eyes.
But she knew it wasn’t real and it would never be. Even if he reciprocated her feelings, which was doubtful since he could do far better than her in a heartbeat, it would still be illegal to attempt it. Which would interfere with their future goals.
It was a selfish thought and feeling, she knew this. But it still wouldn’t die. Every time he went on a date or flirted with someone it made her sick to her stomach and furious at him for making her feel like she was a teenager again. Especially the morning after, when she’d have to pretend to not be affected when she noticed his jacket and shirt were a bit more rumpled than usual.
She brought it up with Rebecca (more like Rebecca saw her being moony-eyed one night while she was too drunk and ripped it out of her) and she suggested to try and move on by dating a random guy or even just a one night stand. Though Rebecca did also seem in favor of her having an illicit affair with her boss.
She sighed and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, though it quickly slipped out because of the wind. Maybe she should take her advice and try something, though the thought wasn’t appealing at all in the slightest, it would maybe help her get her mind off of him. Like how his eyes would hang on her a second too long sometimes when they were alone in the office together…
Yes, maybe a one night stand would be smart.
“Is something wrong?” He asked, jolting her from her depressing thoughts of longing.
Can it really be longing if he’s standing right next to me?
“No, nothings wrong.” She said, standing up a bit more and resting the Vodka Mule she’d been drinking on the ledge. “I’m just thinking.”
“Thinking about what?” He asked, straightening himself and facing her more as he took a sip from his whiskey on ice, her eyes focusing in on how his fingers rested against cold glass.
She had to blink a few times to try and help her focus. Blaming the vodka for her inability to focus as she tried to think over her words.
Behind them, she heard more people start to come in and she looked back briefly to see the couple from before still at their table. Though they seemed to have gotten closer somehow. She wondered if people might mistake her and Roy for a couple. After all they were both standing close to each other while overlooking a sunset. She felt an odd satisfaction at that, though she knew it was wrong.
“I’m thinking of whichever poor girl Havoc will manage to take home and if we can save her before then.”
He laughed at that and gave her a big grin. “How considerate of you. Though now I’m worried I’ll have to warn Havoc about you sabotaging him.”
“Why, do you want to go home with him tonight?”
He glared at her and she smiled before leaning her hip against the rail to face him.
“Well then, maybe I should help you find a date. So you won’t stop me.” Though she kept her voice even she felt her chest tighten at the thought.
He groaned and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “That would be even worse. Please don’t.”
“Don’t?” She felt herself start to smile, which made him give her a confused look and she knew she had to cover her tracks. “I can’t believe the infamous womanizer Roy Mustang is asking me to not help him find a date.”
He let out a breathless laugh at that.
“I should’ve known you’d tease me at my lowest.” He said, moving to rest his elbow and forearm against the rail. “But, if you must know, I’m taking a break from dating.”
“Why’s that?” She asked, feeling a bit more lively. Though she told herself it was the vodka and nothing more. It had to be nothing more.
“Well, the last date I had ended with a shoe being thrown at my head the following morning, so I think it’s time I take a break for a bit.”
She couldn’t help it, at that she let out a loud laugh while he just gave her that miserably wounded look he’d never been able to shake since childhood.
“Well, if it isn’t the consequences of your own actions catching up to you.”
“Yes yes,” he sighed, running a hand down his face. “What goes around comes around and all that.”
She let out another giggle and shook her head lightly as she turned to face the sunset again, resting her forearms against the rails. Though she didn’t see just how close her hand was to his now, or how he was intentionally moving his hand closer to hers.
“Though, maybe it’s a sign,” he said, making her to look at him. “Maybe it’s time I settle down.”
“Settle down?” She asked, amused by the thought.
“What’s so wrong with that?” He asked, slightly offended.
“Nothing, I just think it’s funny is all.”
“ Funny ?” He said, annunciating each letter while raising an eyebrow at her.
She rolled her eyes. “It’s just odd to think of you with a family. Having a wife and baby at home while I have to hound you to finish your paperwork.”
Not odd so much as heartbreaking, it was one thing to watch him date girls left and right. She would tell herself he was just having fun and that it didn’t mean anything. So that way whenever he looked into her eyes she didn’t feel as bad imagining what it would be like if he was hers. But if he settled down with someone it would hurt her like nothing else. She didn’t even know how to handle him steadily dating someone, let alone married.
“That is true,” he said as his fingertips grazed the back of her hand. “I don’t know if the family man model fits me quite well.”
She froze.
She didn’t know how to respond, all she could think of was his skin on hers. The touch was feather light, barley a whisper on her skin but it felt like it set of a million fireworks inside her all at once. And when she didn’t move her hand away he decided to be bold and touch more of her hand. Making her cheeks grow hotter ever second she felt his soft hands on hers. His hands had changed since they were kids, in more ways than one. But they were still just as soft as before. Not rough and calloused like hers from working with guns all day. The most harm it had felt like his hand had taken was a small bump on his middle finger from where he held his hand to tightly over his pen.
“Then in what way were you thinking?” She asked, a bit too breathlessly for her liking.
He stood up straight then, not leaning against the railing at all as he closed the gap between them, which helped conceal the fact that he was practically holding her hand to the bar that was now much more full now, and greedily her hand closer to his chest. Her breath caught in her throat and she could feel her heart beating in her chest.
“I’m not sure myself actually,” he said, his voice dropping an octave. “Though, I’m hoping I could get your advice.”
“My advice?” She asked, daring to look up at him. His eyes looked at her so softly and lovingly, though with a hint of worry in it. Like he didn’t know if this was okay, but to be fair, neither did she.
He nodded. “Yes, I’m hoping we could talk over it more at your place or mine.”
Is he… trying to ask me out.
“You think my advice would be best here?” She had no idea what exactly she was saying, or even if the metaphor made sense.
“Well, I asked a few people what I should do and they think you’re the best person,” he said, looking at her intently. “To ask.”
She knew him well enough to know that he’d only talk to Hughes and Chris about this, they’d known each other long enough to know of each others confidants. And if he’d gone to his best friend and foster mother for advice on this… he was being serious.
“Well, I don’t know how useful I’ll be on the subject, but I’d love to try and help.”
She saw the corner of his mouth quirk up briefly, before he forced it back into a straight line, though his eyes betrayed him and told her exactly how excited he was. And she knew if they weren’t in public, he’d probably be grinning from ear to ear.
“Wonderful, I’m hoping tonight we can leave early and-“
“Why not now?” She said, so suddenly even she was surprised by the words leaving her mouth.
She didn’t know what had gotten into her, but she didn’t want to wait around for them to make their grand escape when they could be alone and doing things she only ever dreamed of being able to do with him.
“Now?” He seemed more shocked than opposed to the thought thought.
She nodded, trying not to back down while her courage was high.
“Yes, the others aren’t here yet and I think both of us discussing this in a… private setting,” she quickly looked out to the bar that was now reasonably full along with other parties on the patio. “Would be most beneficial.”
He took a quick look out at the bar and nodded.
“Good thinking as always, Lieutenant.” He said as he dropped her hand, which she missed immediately, so he could turn around to grab his coat.
“Of course, Sir.” She said and slowly started to follow him through the bar toward the elevator.