Fic update- The Hour of Separation
Mar. 7th, 2007 09:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cornerofmadnessAt long last I have a new chapter. sorry for the long delay
The Hour of Separation
Shades of Grey Series #6 - Shade Mist
D M Evans
Disclaimer - not mine, all characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa et al, Square Enix and funimition.
Time Line - This has elements of the anime up to about #25 and definite spoilers for the manga past #38 and beyond. More manga-based than not
Rating – FR
Summary - Riza and Roy’s life takes an unexpected turn, especially when old enemies put in an appearance
Author’s Note – Thanks to evil_little_dog for the beta. This is one story in a series but is a stand alone. This series was started long before the wonderful Ishbal arc so it’s AU for the Mustang and Hawkeye history and there is no real way around that I’m afraid. Also, the Ravensdales are original characters that have small recurring roles in the series.
previous chapters
The other stories in this series are Roots of Violence
Ashes and Bone
Why They Call it Falling
Point of Fracture
With Silence
Chapter Five
The sun didn’t seem quite as malevolent as it sometimes did to Roy. Ever since Ishbal’s blazing sun, Roy had lost his taste for bright light. His skin had gotten so pale since he spent so much time avoiding the sun. Today, he didn’t mind waiting in the town square under the hot, yellow rays. He was, however, getting a little worried that Maes was late. Hughes was usually very punctual. Finally he saw his friend cutting through the crowded square. Could the man have a bigger grin on his face?
“What?” Roy growled, not sure why his friend’s good mood put him in a bad one. He pulled the gloom around him like a defensive cloak.
“You’re not bullet ridden so you must have made it all right,” Maes said, chucking Roy’s shoulder.
Roy let go of the building negative emotions. Maes was just excited on his behalf and he had no call to be an ass about it. “It’s all right.”
When Roy didn’t offer any details, Maes prompted, “So?”
Roy smirked, making Hughes work for it, if he wanted to know. “What?”
Maes shoved him, his citrine eyes narrowing impatiently. “Tell me what happened.”
Roy glanced around the square, trying to see if there was anyone about that he needed to worry overhearing the conversation then whispered, “We’re having a baby.”
Maes chuckled lowly, putting his arm around Roy’s shoulders. “You look like you’re about to faint.”
“My head does feel a little detached.” Roy grinned, running a hand through his hair. “But don’t you laugh at me.”
“As I recall, you laughed your fool head off at me.” Maes wagged a finger at him.
“You were hysterically giddy. It was laugh-worthy,” Roy protested, remembering when Hughes had told him Gracia was pregnant. There had been tears and high pitched noises more at home coming out of a chipmunk. “I, on the other hand, am just a little shell shocked.”
“Go look in the mirror, Roy. You might as well write ‘I’m going to be a daddy’ across your forehead. Your eyes are actually dancing.”
“That’s your story.” Roy blushed, hoping that Maes was wrong. He didn’t want anyone guessing how happy he was. It was so out of character. “Mine is, I got really lucky last night.”
Maes snorted, remembering this fantasy. “With twins.”
“And their younger sister,” Roy shot back, obviously having worked on the finer details of his fantasy.
Maes rolled his eyes. “Nice touch. But that look on your face still says baby!”
“Will you shut up!” Roy shoved him. “Why are you even here? You called me at Hawkeye’s to tell me something about Kimblee. It had best be important. Riza is getting pissed at Julien calling all the time.”
“Kimblee went to Cerulean’s last night,” Maes broke into the rant and Roy’s eyes widened.
“Then I am right, she has something to do with it.” Roy sounded triumphant. “What did they do?”
“Once the clothes came off, I stopped looking,” Maes replied, making a face.
Roy shuddered. “Okay, I didn’t blame you for not watching that. Now what?”
“I’m going to meet with Armstrong to give him some places to look at,” Hughes said. “Let’s see what investigations can turn up. You need to get into the office before your crew starts to wonder about you more than they already do, Roy.”
Roy nodded sharply, feeling very light of spirit. After all these years his suspicions about the Cerulean Alchemist might be proven true. “Keep me apprised, Julien.”
“Will do.” Maes clamped Roy’s shoulder. “Congrats, Roy...though I’m not sure the world is ready for another you.”
“For that crap, I hope it’s a boy and, in fifteen years, he’ll be dating Elicia because you know a little age difference is not going to stop a Mustang.” Roy smirked evilly.
Maes glowered at him, his eyes deepening to almost black. “That isn’t funny.”
“I think the funny is going to keep me smiling all through the work day.” Roy waved a hand and headed back to the office, utterly pleased with himself.
X X X
Riza took Roy up on his offer of another day off but she felt a little guilty about it. Jenna’s tea was helping so she decided to go talk to the herbalist some more to hear her suggestions for a good pregnancy. Riza knew stress was bad and, like it or not, she was under a lot of tension. Roy was never an easy man to love and now with his fears about the government, the homunculi, Hughes’ death and keeping Edward as safe as he could, Roy was a mess. In turn, it put stress on her. Now the added strain of the baby and trying to decide what to do with her life, Riza felt tight all over. She’d talk to Doctor Crosier, too, but it was easier to get an appointment to see Jenna than the doctor.
Riza had nipped around to the corner grocer and got some bottles of Havoc’s favorite beer and a pack of cigarettes, even if they were forbidden. She felt sorry for him. So long as he smoked them outside, Havoc could have his vices. Riza went home, leashed up Hayate and headed for Jenna’s.
X X X
Winry sometimes wondered about Ed’s sanity. It couldn’t be too smart to try and lure out the homunculi, not to mention Scar. She was the one to repair the damage the last time Ed and Al had gone up against the man. Apparently Ling had caught Ed’s insanity or maybe vice versa. Winry wondered if she was just as infected because she was still seeing a future life with her and Ed. What made her think he’d live that long?
Ed and Al had disappeared somewhere, leaving Winry at loose ends. She decided to do a little shopping for parts and tools, things that would only make Ed moan if she took him along. Besides, knowing Ed, she’d be needing the parts soon to repair him.
Winry snagged herself a sandwich from a street vendor, a fried ham and cheese. As she nibbled and window shopped, she thought she saw someone familiar peeking in a florist’s window. The red hair was different, the glasses, too, but there was something familiar about the way he stood and held his body. Winry edged closer to the man. Yes, he definitely seemed familiar. She stepped closer. No, it couldn’t be. Her heart thundered and her hands shook. The man resembled Mr. Hughes but he was dead. Maybe he had brothers. She had never thought to ask. Winry got closer and he sensed her scrutiny. The look in his eye said ‘back off.’ She decided she couldn’t do that. “Excuse me. I don’t mean to stare but I think I know you.”
“Never met you before,” he said gruffly, not looking at her.
Winry kept her eyes on him. “I’m pretty sure we’ve met.”
“Do you mind?” I’m really too busy to be bothering with you,” he replied, turning on his heel and stalking off.
Winry couldn’t figure out why she had made him so mad. Maybe he was just rude but she didn’t buy that. He even sounded a little like Mr. Hughes with a funny accent. Winry had to know who this man was so she started to follow him only remembering once the hunt had begun in earnest about Ed and Al’s warnings about shape changers.
X X X
Damn his luck. Of all people to come across him, it had to be the inquisitive Miss Rockbell. All he wanted to do was buy some anonymous flowers for Riza and now he had a tenacious hound dog on his trail. If he took off running, she’d know he was up to something. He was good at hiding but she had a persistence he wished some of his former underlings would have had. Why was she so determined to follow him? Had she read one too many amateur sleuth novels?
Maes cut up toward the residential area and she stayed with him. He knew how singled minded one could become during a pursuit. It was a very dangerous state of mind and she was clearly in it. Still, Winry was just a kid and not trained in this art. He could lose her in someone’s back yard. He wasn’t far from Mustang’s friend’s home. She had extensive gardens that would do well in hiding him.
Grimacing as he spotted Riza and Hayate heading down the street, Maes cursed his luck again. Riza seemed to be heading for Jenna’s and for the love of hell, Havoc was on the porch in his wheelchair, absently smoking and watching the people go by. Maes had no luck at all today. He put his head down and walked past Riza. She was so into her own little world that she didn’t so much as look up.
Maes counted that as lucky. Maybe he’d get luckier and Riza would derail Winry. Of course, knowing how his day was going, Winry would get Riza after him. She would be much harder to escape. The sound of screeching rubber made both Maes and Riza spin around to face the road. A bakery van careened up and came to a halt with the stink of burning tires. Men spilled out of the back, their faces disguised, guns very much in evidence.
“Get him!” one of the men growled and Maes fumbled in his pocket for his knives.
“What about the girls?” another masked man asked.
“I recognize one of them,” another said, “grab them both.”
“Get your hands off me!” Riza snapped, dropping Hayate’s leash as she went for her ever-present gun.
Winry screamed and bit one of the men who had hold of her.
“Let her go!” Havoc demanded from the porch of Jenna’s home.
Maes flung his knife, sinking it into the neck of one of Winry’s captors. She broke free but another man grabbed her. As he dodged a man after him, Maes saw Havoc pull a pistol from the carry all strapped to the side of his wheel chair, old habits dying hard.
Maes tried to duck for cover, hearing the multiple reports of gun fire; Havoc’s, Hawkeyes’, the enemies’. He saw Havoc spill out of his chair, either ducking for cover and forgetting himself or trying a maneuver his chair couldn’t handle. Maes refused to think on the other reason Havoc might have fallen.
Winry and Riza were screaming inventive curse words that should never be coming out of a lady’s mouth; Hayate barked and growled; the smells of cordite and blood filled his nose, taking him back to Ishbal. He threw another of his knives, trying to keep Winry from being dragged into the van. Maes saw the blade sink into the man’s thigh then stars exploded behind his eyes and everything went black.
The Hour of Separation
Shades of Grey Series #6 - Shade Mist
D M Evans
Disclaimer - not mine, all characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa et al, Square Enix and funimition.
Time Line - This has elements of the anime up to about #25 and definite spoilers for the manga past #38 and beyond. More manga-based than not
Rating – FR
Summary - Riza and Roy’s life takes an unexpected turn, especially when old enemies put in an appearance
Author’s Note – Thanks to evil_little_dog for the beta. This is one story in a series but is a stand alone. This series was started long before the wonderful Ishbal arc so it’s AU for the Mustang and Hawkeye history and there is no real way around that I’m afraid. Also, the Ravensdales are original characters that have small recurring roles in the series.
previous chapters
The other stories in this series are Roots of Violence
Ashes and Bone
Why They Call it Falling
Point of Fracture
With Silence
Chapter Five
The sun didn’t seem quite as malevolent as it sometimes did to Roy. Ever since Ishbal’s blazing sun, Roy had lost his taste for bright light. His skin had gotten so pale since he spent so much time avoiding the sun. Today, he didn’t mind waiting in the town square under the hot, yellow rays. He was, however, getting a little worried that Maes was late. Hughes was usually very punctual. Finally he saw his friend cutting through the crowded square. Could the man have a bigger grin on his face?
“What?” Roy growled, not sure why his friend’s good mood put him in a bad one. He pulled the gloom around him like a defensive cloak.
“You’re not bullet ridden so you must have made it all right,” Maes said, chucking Roy’s shoulder.
Roy let go of the building negative emotions. Maes was just excited on his behalf and he had no call to be an ass about it. “It’s all right.”
When Roy didn’t offer any details, Maes prompted, “So?”
Roy smirked, making Hughes work for it, if he wanted to know. “What?”
Maes shoved him, his citrine eyes narrowing impatiently. “Tell me what happened.”
Roy glanced around the square, trying to see if there was anyone about that he needed to worry overhearing the conversation then whispered, “We’re having a baby.”
Maes chuckled lowly, putting his arm around Roy’s shoulders. “You look like you’re about to faint.”
“My head does feel a little detached.” Roy grinned, running a hand through his hair. “But don’t you laugh at me.”
“As I recall, you laughed your fool head off at me.” Maes wagged a finger at him.
“You were hysterically giddy. It was laugh-worthy,” Roy protested, remembering when Hughes had told him Gracia was pregnant. There had been tears and high pitched noises more at home coming out of a chipmunk. “I, on the other hand, am just a little shell shocked.”
“Go look in the mirror, Roy. You might as well write ‘I’m going to be a daddy’ across your forehead. Your eyes are actually dancing.”
“That’s your story.” Roy blushed, hoping that Maes was wrong. He didn’t want anyone guessing how happy he was. It was so out of character. “Mine is, I got really lucky last night.”
Maes snorted, remembering this fantasy. “With twins.”
“And their younger sister,” Roy shot back, obviously having worked on the finer details of his fantasy.
Maes rolled his eyes. “Nice touch. But that look on your face still says baby!”
“Will you shut up!” Roy shoved him. “Why are you even here? You called me at Hawkeye’s to tell me something about Kimblee. It had best be important. Riza is getting pissed at Julien calling all the time.”
“Kimblee went to Cerulean’s last night,” Maes broke into the rant and Roy’s eyes widened.
“Then I am right, she has something to do with it.” Roy sounded triumphant. “What did they do?”
“Once the clothes came off, I stopped looking,” Maes replied, making a face.
Roy shuddered. “Okay, I didn’t blame you for not watching that. Now what?”
“I’m going to meet with Armstrong to give him some places to look at,” Hughes said. “Let’s see what investigations can turn up. You need to get into the office before your crew starts to wonder about you more than they already do, Roy.”
Roy nodded sharply, feeling very light of spirit. After all these years his suspicions about the Cerulean Alchemist might be proven true. “Keep me apprised, Julien.”
“Will do.” Maes clamped Roy’s shoulder. “Congrats, Roy...though I’m not sure the world is ready for another you.”
“For that crap, I hope it’s a boy and, in fifteen years, he’ll be dating Elicia because you know a little age difference is not going to stop a Mustang.” Roy smirked evilly.
Maes glowered at him, his eyes deepening to almost black. “That isn’t funny.”
“I think the funny is going to keep me smiling all through the work day.” Roy waved a hand and headed back to the office, utterly pleased with himself.
X X X
Riza took Roy up on his offer of another day off but she felt a little guilty about it. Jenna’s tea was helping so she decided to go talk to the herbalist some more to hear her suggestions for a good pregnancy. Riza knew stress was bad and, like it or not, she was under a lot of tension. Roy was never an easy man to love and now with his fears about the government, the homunculi, Hughes’ death and keeping Edward as safe as he could, Roy was a mess. In turn, it put stress on her. Now the added strain of the baby and trying to decide what to do with her life, Riza felt tight all over. She’d talk to Doctor Crosier, too, but it was easier to get an appointment to see Jenna than the doctor.
Riza had nipped around to the corner grocer and got some bottles of Havoc’s favorite beer and a pack of cigarettes, even if they were forbidden. She felt sorry for him. So long as he smoked them outside, Havoc could have his vices. Riza went home, leashed up Hayate and headed for Jenna’s.
X X X
Winry sometimes wondered about Ed’s sanity. It couldn’t be too smart to try and lure out the homunculi, not to mention Scar. She was the one to repair the damage the last time Ed and Al had gone up against the man. Apparently Ling had caught Ed’s insanity or maybe vice versa. Winry wondered if she was just as infected because she was still seeing a future life with her and Ed. What made her think he’d live that long?
Ed and Al had disappeared somewhere, leaving Winry at loose ends. She decided to do a little shopping for parts and tools, things that would only make Ed moan if she took him along. Besides, knowing Ed, she’d be needing the parts soon to repair him.
Winry snagged herself a sandwich from a street vendor, a fried ham and cheese. As she nibbled and window shopped, she thought she saw someone familiar peeking in a florist’s window. The red hair was different, the glasses, too, but there was something familiar about the way he stood and held his body. Winry edged closer to the man. Yes, he definitely seemed familiar. She stepped closer. No, it couldn’t be. Her heart thundered and her hands shook. The man resembled Mr. Hughes but he was dead. Maybe he had brothers. She had never thought to ask. Winry got closer and he sensed her scrutiny. The look in his eye said ‘back off.’ She decided she couldn’t do that. “Excuse me. I don’t mean to stare but I think I know you.”
“Never met you before,” he said gruffly, not looking at her.
Winry kept her eyes on him. “I’m pretty sure we’ve met.”
“Do you mind?” I’m really too busy to be bothering with you,” he replied, turning on his heel and stalking off.
Winry couldn’t figure out why she had made him so mad. Maybe he was just rude but she didn’t buy that. He even sounded a little like Mr. Hughes with a funny accent. Winry had to know who this man was so she started to follow him only remembering once the hunt had begun in earnest about Ed and Al’s warnings about shape changers.
X X X
Damn his luck. Of all people to come across him, it had to be the inquisitive Miss Rockbell. All he wanted to do was buy some anonymous flowers for Riza and now he had a tenacious hound dog on his trail. If he took off running, she’d know he was up to something. He was good at hiding but she had a persistence he wished some of his former underlings would have had. Why was she so determined to follow him? Had she read one too many amateur sleuth novels?
Maes cut up toward the residential area and she stayed with him. He knew how singled minded one could become during a pursuit. It was a very dangerous state of mind and she was clearly in it. Still, Winry was just a kid and not trained in this art. He could lose her in someone’s back yard. He wasn’t far from Mustang’s friend’s home. She had extensive gardens that would do well in hiding him.
Grimacing as he spotted Riza and Hayate heading down the street, Maes cursed his luck again. Riza seemed to be heading for Jenna’s and for the love of hell, Havoc was on the porch in his wheelchair, absently smoking and watching the people go by. Maes had no luck at all today. He put his head down and walked past Riza. She was so into her own little world that she didn’t so much as look up.
Maes counted that as lucky. Maybe he’d get luckier and Riza would derail Winry. Of course, knowing how his day was going, Winry would get Riza after him. She would be much harder to escape. The sound of screeching rubber made both Maes and Riza spin around to face the road. A bakery van careened up and came to a halt with the stink of burning tires. Men spilled out of the back, their faces disguised, guns very much in evidence.
“Get him!” one of the men growled and Maes fumbled in his pocket for his knives.
“What about the girls?” another masked man asked.
“I recognize one of them,” another said, “grab them both.”
“Get your hands off me!” Riza snapped, dropping Hayate’s leash as she went for her ever-present gun.
Winry screamed and bit one of the men who had hold of her.
“Let her go!” Havoc demanded from the porch of Jenna’s home.
Maes flung his knife, sinking it into the neck of one of Winry’s captors. She broke free but another man grabbed her. As he dodged a man after him, Maes saw Havoc pull a pistol from the carry all strapped to the side of his wheel chair, old habits dying hard.
Maes tried to duck for cover, hearing the multiple reports of gun fire; Havoc’s, Hawkeyes’, the enemies’. He saw Havoc spill out of his chair, either ducking for cover and forgetting himself or trying a maneuver his chair couldn’t handle. Maes refused to think on the other reason Havoc might have fallen.
Winry and Riza were screaming inventive curse words that should never be coming out of a lady’s mouth; Hayate barked and growled; the smells of cordite and blood filled his nose, taking him back to Ishbal. He threw another of his knives, trying to keep Winry from being dragged into the van. Maes saw the blade sink into the man’s thigh then stars exploded behind his eyes and everything went black.
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no subject
Date: 2007-03-08 04:15 am (UTC)Kit~_^
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Date: 2007-03-08 04:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-08 02:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-08 03:30 pm (UTC)Glad you liked that though.
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Date: 2007-03-08 04:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-08 04:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-08 05:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-08 05:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-09 02:22 am (UTC)i loved to see that there will be more than 5 chapters !!!
please update soon!!!
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Date: 2007-03-09 02:44 am (UTC)