Hey Commander, can you unplug me? [Closed]

[ghostofaqueen]

Characters: Roy Mustang (thewarisover) & Sarah Kerrigan (ghostofaqueen).
Location: Watch HQ Rooftop
Rating: PG
Time: February 16 - Noon'ish
Description: Roy told Sarah to meet him on the rooftop for a lunch he's bringing. Like a good soldier, they are both good at following orders.


[Roy had told her to be on the rooftop of the Watch for noon, and she arrived to gargoyle herself at a corner of the building precisely at the required time. She crouched on the ledge of the building, her arms settled across her knees as she stared off across the city and waited for whatever meal was about to be provided.

They hadn't spoken much, not with all that had happened to him. He needed his peace, and she was willing to give it to him. Until he was ready, he could do as he pleased until he had recovered from his losses... and his gains.

Reaching up, she pushed a strand of red hair that had flown across her face and pushed it behind her ear. She had her own matters to deal with anyway, and her duties were as busy as ever. She never knew who she would bump into while easing through the shadows anymore. She turned her gaze to glance towards Shibusen's looming building and narrowed her eyes at it but said and did nothing more.]

Comments

[thewarisover]

Thanks.

[A wan smile, then he's taking another sip of his tea.]

So. How have you been?

[ghostofaqueen]

[She glanced over at Roy now that business was over for the afternoon. She had her new assignments.]

[At his question, she simply shrugged her shoulders.]

Same as always. You're the one with the rough ride lately. How are you holding up?

[thewarisover]

Honestly? Much, much better.

[Eating, eating.]

I've mourned, and I still have my moments, but I've got people here. I've also managed to work through some of the things that were bugging me. Can't say that I'm completely all right, but...

[Hell, these things take time.]

[ghostofaqueen]

[She was pleased to hear that he was feeling better, though she was well-aware it would take longer than a few days. He suffered heavy losses after all, and seeing his pain just reminded her not to get attached to anyone.

That sent a painful pang through her, but she covered her grimace with eating.]

Meaning you still have things that bug you? Would you like to talk about it?

[thewarisover]

[Humming, while he's chewing his food. Swallowing now, taking another sip.]

I'm not really sure that I can. I don't know what to say, or where to start. Or how.

[ghostofaqueen]

[She shifted her position and came to crouch right next to him, still digging through a box of noodles. One knee came to rest against his leg, a simple but physical act of support.]

I suggest starting where it bothers you most. Work your way from there. If you still don't know, wait until you're ready.

[thewarisover]

[Good advice, that. This should be simple, really.

...It should be, anyway.]

Maes Hughes is back in Death City. You've probably seen his posts.

[ghostofaqueen]

[She shrugged at his words like it was no big deal, even if she knew that it was.]

The Rook, yes. I've spoken with him once, and he seems like a nice person for a dead man.

[thewarisover]

[A quiet laugh.]

He is, isn't he? And I think he's not telling me exactly what he's feeling about this entire situation right now.

[That bugged him.]

[ghostofaqueen]

[She glanced at him, eyeing his position and expression for a moment before nodding.]

He probably doesn't know what he feels about this entire situation. Being dead changes one's priorities as well, and only he can figure out what he wants to do.

[She remained silent for a moment.]

He does still want to support you though. That much I know.

[thewarisover]

He doesn't have to, though. That got him killed last time.

[ghostofaqueen]

Hmpt, so the real problem is that you feel guilt for his death.

[She rose and poked him hard in the chest with a finger. She knew that martyr attitude all too well.]

You can't control a man's actions to save his life. He has to do that, and he made his choice. You feeling anything for yourself belittles his sacrifice for whomever he died for.

[thewarisover]

[Ow. ;;

Shaking his head.]

...I know. It's just... [Phew.] I'm getting over it.

[At least it's not the Crushing Guilt that he used to feel.]

[ghostofaqueen]

Good because you're not help to anyone anguishing over the choice of another person. Besides, he's here now, so you'll just have to take care of him.

[thewarisover]

I'd like to if he'd let me. I suppose we'll both have to figure out how to make this a mutual thing.

[ghostofaqueen]

[She gave him a stern look.]

Then do like me and don't give them an option otherwise. That's the easiest way to get things done.

[thewarisover]

[Heh.]

I think I can manage that.

[Tea, tea.]

...Other than Hughes, I suppose I'm a bit apprehensive about how things are Hawkeye and I now.

[ghostofaqueen]

[Like the topic of Hughes, her expression remained carefully blanked of emotion as she regarded him.]

How things are? I'm not a mind-reader anymore, so you'll have to provide details.

[thewarisover]

It's going well. [A beat.] Too well, given our history.

[ghostofaqueen]

Meaning that you're waiting for the other shoe to drop and a horrible thing to happen then?

[thewarisover]

Yeah. I normally wouldn't, but...

[It's Complicated.]

[ghostofaqueen]

Given all that's happened lately. [She had always had a habit of finishing sentences since childhood, but now it was just guesses.]

Where are you two at then? Friendship, partners, what?

[thewarisover]

Friends and partners, I suppose.

[They used to be so much more.]

I'm trying not to expect that to change. She probably resents me, in her own way.

[ghostofaqueen]

[She twitched her fingers at the clarification.]

Well, at least you'll have protection, which is the best thing in such a situation.

[Her jaw worked silently for a moment before she forced herself to take a sip of tea.]

If you want to know, you have to ask her. She seems like an honest woman, and she has his best interests at heart. Don't squander that.

[thewarisover]

[He's quiet for a moment.]

I will, I guess. Eventually.