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Author of 79 Stories |
Listen to the Wind
By Henrika
Henrika- My tribute to Maes as seen by two of the people he left behind.
He was surprised when he saw someone standing near where he was heading; the place was almost empty of visitors on the cold day. As he came closer he realized that the man was standing in front of the grave he had come for. And he looked awfully familiar.
"Mustang?"
The man whipped around, the melancholy look on his face quickly shifting into a neutral mask. "Full Metal." The dark-haired man shifted back, rolling stiff shoulders underneath his black jacket and civilian clothes. "What are you doing here?"
"Paying my respects. You as well?" Mustang nodded, moving back a little so Ed could step forward to read the epitaph chiseled into the stone. Brigadier General Maes Hughes. Loving father, husband, and friend. Died serving his country. May he rest in peace. Ed pulled something from his cloak, setting a stone over it so it wouldn't blow away.
"Photos." Roy smiled as he saw the offering on the grave. There were glossy pictures of Elysia and Gracia, along with a few of the Elric brothers and some of Mustang himself.
"Equivalent exchange." Ed grinned. "I'm sure he would have wanted it that way." The wind seemed to lessen in response.
"I'm sure he would have wanted to be here too." It was said lightly, but the bitterness came clearly through.
"We can't bring back the dead Mustang." Roy looked at him incredulously for a moment, the realized who he was talking to, the boy staring rather penetratingly at him. "All we can do is honor their memory and live in a way that would have made them proud." Edward turned back to the headstone, saluting. He looked resolute, as if he had realized the value of his own advice. He left the cemetery without another word. Roy stayed for awhile longer. "I'll become Fuehrer." He renewed his promise to his best friend before he walked away.
On the way home, he bought a camera.