FMA oneshot - "The Underground"
May. 9th, 2005 11:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
aquabeanTitle: The Underground.
Author: Rune
Words: 417
Notes:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
ranalore inspired it and beta'd it too. I'd look much sillier without her. Set between chapters 43 and 44 of the manga.
Summary: It is information shared. A cold comfort now, he knows....
“Fullmetal will be back from Xerxes soon.” His voice was low, a whisper against prying ears, “His anger before he left was perhaps too justified....”
“You won’t believe me, but,” and the smug smile came in spite of itself, small, barely more than a twitch of his lips, “I think he may have actually gotten taller. His body may finally be catching up with that brain of his.”
No laughter followed, and the quiet stretched unbroken. Fists clenching again he returned to business, “We need to track Marcoh down, but--” frustration and anger choked the words; he stopped rather than let his voice break. The moment passed. “Breda’s volunteered. He would be the wisest choice all things considered; it’s him or Fury and I need Fury here more. We won’t tell Jean until after Breda’s gone.”
He shifted, briefly scanning over his shoulder. “If we can get the Elrics out of Central it will be easier to keep them safe.” The cold of the evening made his left side ache and he shoved his hands more deeply into his pockets, resisting the urge to hold the still raw wound. Even in this company he felt too exposed to show that kind of weakness. “Ed--Fullmetal,” he stumbled, denying himself the comfort of such familiarity, “will blame me for the interference, but I refuse to make the same mistake twice.”
The moment for denials came and went, something harder than the cold making his chest throb more than his ribs. There was no holding that would fix it and so he kept his arms at his sides.
“He’ll do what he set out to do.” For the first time there was no doubt in his voice, a hard resolve entering his eyes, “I’ll make sure of that.” He marked the silence this comment received with a snort, “Whether he knows it or not, yes.” And then more quietly, “Whether he hates me or not, yes.”
Voices called out to each other in the distance, too far to understand the words, but he stiffened nonetheless. “I should go.” He stepped away, then stopped without turning back, “I’d tell you not to do anything stupid but it’s too late for that, isn’t it?”
He got no answer, but then he hadn’t expected one. Maybe next time he’d bring a bottle with him, the exchange of information wasn’t the same without a glass in his hand. It didn’t matter that he wouldn’t be able to offer Maes a drink.
Author: Rune
Words: 417
Notes:
ranalore inspired it and beta'd it too. I'd look much sillier without her. Set between chapters 43 and 44 of the manga.Summary: It is information shared. A cold comfort now, he knows....
“Fullmetal will be back from Xerxes soon.” His voice was low, a whisper against prying ears, “His anger before he left was perhaps too justified....”
“You won’t believe me, but,” and the smug smile came in spite of itself, small, barely more than a twitch of his lips, “I think he may have actually gotten taller. His body may finally be catching up with that brain of his.”
No laughter followed, and the quiet stretched unbroken. Fists clenching again he returned to business, “We need to track Marcoh down, but--” frustration and anger choked the words; he stopped rather than let his voice break. The moment passed. “Breda’s volunteered. He would be the wisest choice all things considered; it’s him or Fury and I need Fury here more. We won’t tell Jean until after Breda’s gone.”
He shifted, briefly scanning over his shoulder. “If we can get the Elrics out of Central it will be easier to keep them safe.” The cold of the evening made his left side ache and he shoved his hands more deeply into his pockets, resisting the urge to hold the still raw wound. Even in this company he felt too exposed to show that kind of weakness. “Ed--Fullmetal,” he stumbled, denying himself the comfort of such familiarity, “will blame me for the interference, but I refuse to make the same mistake twice.”
The moment for denials came and went, something harder than the cold making his chest throb more than his ribs. There was no holding that would fix it and so he kept his arms at his sides.
“He’ll do what he set out to do.” For the first time there was no doubt in his voice, a hard resolve entering his eyes, “I’ll make sure of that.” He marked the silence this comment received with a snort, “Whether he knows it or not, yes.” And then more quietly, “Whether he hates me or not, yes.”
Voices called out to each other in the distance, too far to understand the words, but he stiffened nonetheless. “I should go.” He stepped away, then stopped without turning back, “I’d tell you not to do anything stupid but it’s too late for that, isn’t it?”
He got no answer, but then he hadn’t expected one. Maybe next time he’d bring a bottle with him, the exchange of information wasn’t the same without a glass in his hand. It didn’t matter that he wouldn’t be able to offer Maes a drink.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2005-05-10 08:17 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-05-10 11:42 am (UTC)I'll just be in the corner crying now.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-05-10 04:27 pm (UTC)Then my job here is done. *G* But I'm stoked you liked it. I never know how these random little pieces I toss off will be received. 'S good to know I'm doin' alright.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-05-10 04:30 pm (UTC)But seriously, you got to write us some happy!
(no subject)
Date: 2005-05-10 04:17 pm (UTC)There's just something in the relationship that Roy and Hughes had that marks it as something Roy wouldn't just let go of. Roy still needs the sounding board, the solid support that Hughes offered him. And it's true, it's a huge sign of the humanity Roy manages to maintain in spite of everything, that he's still needing/willing to go to Hughes for that support.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-05-10 01:08 pm (UTC)He marked the silence this comment received with a snort, “Whether he knows it or not, yes.” And then more quietly, “Whether he hates me or not, yes.”
Yes, exactly like that *melts*
Ahh, another thing of heartbreaking beauty. Thank you.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-05-10 04:29 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-05-10 07:47 pm (UTC)You MADE me WAIT (Phantom, however, is still going strong)
Marvelous characterisation and the nuances from subtle to smack-you-in-the-face... *babble* GUH.
*points accusingly* Stoppit with the tear-making! *rereads anyway*
(no subject)
Date: 2005-05-11 06:30 am (UTC)...and I'm going to tease and say there's a none tear inducing piece to go up tomorrow as soon as I get the beta back. *G*