#my havolina

[edxwin-elric]

Tell Me Not To

pairing: Havolina/Jean Havoc x Rebecca Catalina

rating: T

type/genre: angst,fluff

word count: 4.2k

summary: Close to the end of Rebecca’s pregnancy, she notices Jean has been acting very strange, and she starts seriously wondering if he might be cheating, but she knows Jean, and he wouldn’t do that, except what other explanation is there for all of the weird stuff going on?

disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.

contains: explicit language, implied sexual themes

note: n my head, this one goes along with my earlier fic “Three of Us.” Comments are always appreciated. Enjoy!

ffn || ao3 || havolina tag

Rebecca

I feel crazy. 

Maybe I am crazy. Maybe being pregnant has altered my brain chemistry so much I'm out of my mind. Is that possible? Can that happen?

"Sorry, I'm late." Riza breaks my deteriorating train of thought as she sits down across from me. "Your call sort of woke me up," she admits.

"Yeah, um, sorry."

I tried not to bring Riza into this, but when I woke up this morning and… Well, I couldn't stand it anymore. I called her and asked her to meet me for coffee. It's the ass crack of dawn, but she's my best friend, so of course she agreed.

"So what's going on? Why are you so freaked out?"

"Well, I… It's…" I swallow.

"Your drink," a server announces as he drops off Riza's steaming cup, giving me a few seconds to try to compose myself.

"Thank you," she says softly before looking back at me as the server leaves us.

"Oh God," I whisper.

I'm insane.

"Rebecca? What's going on?" Riza asks again slower, her eagle eyes watching my every move. "Is it the baby?"

"No." I shake my head at once. "I… It's…I shouldn't have woken you up," I sigh.

"But you did," she counters before taking a sip of her drink. God. I miss caffeine. "So why are we here at this ungodly hour?"

"It's Jean," I blurt finally.

"What about Jean?"

"I…He…Lately, he's been…" I feel paranoia and doubt swirling in my chest and sliding into my throat. "I think…"

"Rebecca, spit it out."

"I think he's cheating on me."

She blinks at me, and I distract myself by taking an unsatisfying drink of herbal tea.

"Jean Havoc?" she asks when she finds her voice.

"Yes."

"The father of your baby?"

"Yes," I repeat, a frown forming between my eyes.

"You think he is cheating on you?

"I know it sounds crazy. I feel crazy," I hiss. "But…"

"But what? Why do you think this is happening?"

"Lately, he's been working a lot of overtime, you know, staying late at the office or leaving early, but then…he stopped coming home."

"What?"

"I mean, he came home, but he would be gone for the whole night. He said he was crashing on the couch in Roy's office, which made sense at first, but then, there were the other things."

"Other things?"

"I found a gift bag with lingerie in our closet," I exhale. "And before you ask if he could've bought it for me, it was all the wrong size, and I know it was new because I just cleaned out that closet a few weeks ago, and it wasn't there then."

"Okay, that is not great, but—"

"And also he's started being cagey and weird whenever he's on the phone. Like, if I walk in, he suddenly hangs up or he interrupts whoever he's talking to and changes the subject or something."

"Hmm."

"And then, last night, I heard him make a date with another girl."

"What?"

"I got up to get water, and he was in the kitchen. He didn't see me, but I heard him saying something about meeting for coffee today at noon saying, 'don't worry. She'll be busy with her prenatal massage', and then he called the person he was talking to 'sweetheart.'"

"You're getting a prenatal massage?"

"Yes…it was Jean's idea."

"Fuck."

"So you agree? I'm not crazy?"

"Well…he's definitely acting weird," she concedes. "But this is Havoc. Have you tried to talk to him about any of this?"

"No, because… If he is cheating, I…I don't know if I can…"

My lungs seize up, and I reach up to pull my top away from my throat as heat blasts through my body. Fuck, what is wrong with me? I'm not ever this insecure or emotionally vulnerable. Is this because I'm pregnant? Or has being out of the military made me weak?

"If it's real," I say after taking a slow breath, "I don't know what that will mean for us, and…"

"Okay, I get it. Did you hear where this 'date' was happening?"

"Yeah. They're meeting at the cafe around the corner from Central HQ."

"Oh, that's perfect." She grins as she takes another sip of coffee.

"Why?"

"Because the general loves the pastrami-on-rye from that place, and I told him I'd pick up lunch today," she explains, unable to keep from smiling when she says his name. 

"You're picking up lunch for General Mustang?"

"He has meetings all afternoon," she explains without missing a beat. "Anyway, you're going to have to cancel your prenatal massage, is that a problem?"

"What?" I blink at her.

"Catch up, Catalina," she says setting her cup down. "We're going to crash Havoc's date and find out what the hell is actually going on."

"We are?"

"I mean, we're going to do it stealthily, because I don't want him to see us and bolt or something if he is cheating, though I really hope he isn't."

"Me too."

Jean

"You're late, Havoc," the general glowers at me as I pull out my chair and sit down at my desk.

"Sorry, Sir."

"Are you wearing the same uniform as yesterday?"

"Sir?" I ask instead of owning up to it.

"Your shirt is wrinkled, and you just look…rumpled."

"Sorry, Sir," I echo.

"At least it looks like you've had a shower."

My hair is still wet even though I tried to get it dry.

"I was in a rush this morning, Sir," I explain quietly.

"Tomorrow, I expect you to be more presentable."

"Sure thing, Sir."

My phone rings, and I'm grateful for the excuse to get out of this conversation.

"Lieutenant Havoc," I announce into the receiver.

"Hey, hottie, I need to talk to you."

I flinch at her tinkling voice and look around the room, before hunching over my desk.

"I told you not to call me at work," I hiss.

"Well, I know, but—"

"This is a secure line, but I can't guarantee I'll be the one to answer it."

"Jean, please—"

"No. I think Rebecca is getting suspicious, and if we're going to get away with this, you can't be calling me here. I told you I'd meet you for lunch, okay? We can talk then."

"Fine."

She hangs up, and I let out a sigh of relief.

"I hope you're not taking personal calls at work, Lieutenant."

I jerk back to find Lieutenant Hawkeye frowning at me from beside the general's desk.

"No, of course not, Ma'am."

She doesn't say anything, but I see a muscle in her jaw tick before she turns and walks away. The last thing I need is her poking her nose in. I can handle Rebecca, but if her best friend starts digging around, she could ruin everything.

Rebecca

At noon, I watch through the window as Riza enters the cafe. We decided it would be too conspicuous if I went with her. I have no real reason to be here at this time of day. Though, I could use the excuse of eating lunch with Riza. But the idea was to not be noticed by Jean and his date, and he'd definitely notice me.

Riza comes back out a few minutes later, and I feel my heart stall at the look on her face. She carries the brown paper back with the cafe's logo on it across the street, and I meet her outside on the sidewalk.

"What happened?"

"It looked like he was on a date," she sighs.

"Who was she?"

"I don't know." She shakes her head. "She was blonde and pretty—"

"Did she have big boobs?" I cut her off.

"I don't know," she sighs. "But, he gave her a gift bag, and I'm assuming it was the same one you found in the closet."

"Her boobs, Riza, give me a cup size. Best guess," I push.

"Uh…maybe a C cup, but I—"

I inhale as sharp pain radiates through my chest. The lingerie I found was a C cup. He gave another woman lingerie.

"I didn't see them touch or kiss or anything," she goes on, but that tidbit doesn't make me feel any better.

"Thank you," I say softly, as cold slips down my spine and begins spreading through my entire body.

"I still think you should talk to him. Or at least, you need something more concrete for evidence."

"More concrete than that?" I gape at her pointing behind us.

"It's Havoc," she says, grimacing. "It just feels…"

"I know how it feels," I hiss.

"I've got to get this back to the office." She nods to her bag. "Call me if you need anything."

"I will."

I move to hail a cab as she disappears around the corner.

Jean

I leave the office right at six. Rebecca thinks I'm working late, and I was, but I don't call to tell her I've left. What she doesn't know won't hurt her.

I pull into the parking lot of the cheap hotel and wait. She pulls in five minutes later and grabs a small duffle bag out of her backseat. I wait until she's disappeared into the room before I follow her in. The duffle probably wasn't necessary. I mean, this place is pay-by-the-hour. This little rendezvous shouldn't take that long.

Rebecca

I must be crazy.

If I'm not crazy, why am I digging through Jean's things.

I mean, I trust Jean. I do.

But…

I spent most of yesterday trying to talk myself down after the cafe thing. I was trying to wait for Jean, so I could talk to him before bed. But at eight when he still wasn't home, I called his office to see if he was still there, they told me he'd left hours ago.

I tried to rationalize it. Maybe he went out with some of the guys and forgot to call. Or he went to work out and forgot to call. He's answered all the other times I called when he worked late, so it's probably nothing to be worked up over…

I tried to wait up for him, but I tire out so easily these days, I fell asleep.

Then, this morning, he was gone before I woke up. The only reason I know he was ever here was the note he left for me on his pillow.

He said he loved me, and that he'd try to be home earlier tonight.

I started crying when I read it.

Because was it real or was it just something you put on a note to keep your pregnant girlfriend in the dark?

And now I've been alone all day with my thoughts, and my paranoia, and my doubts… Which led me to looking for something I hope I don't find.

Something concrete, as Riza put it.

I shut the drawer of the dresser and move to the next one.

Even Riza agreed he was acting really weird lately, I remind myself. The late nights at the office. The way he's been secretive and…lying. I can feel him lying. Plus, she said he got that call from some woman at work yesterday, and it sounded like…

Not to mention he hasn't touched me in weeks. I mean, I'm late-term pregnant, but my doctor didn't say anything about abstaining from sex.

And Jean loves sex. He needs sex. So if he's not having it with me…

I shake my head and rifle through the next drawer. I shouldn't be doing this. I should be nesting. There's so much baby stuff in the spare bedroom that needs to be organized and put away, and instead I'm acting like a paranoid lunatic.

My mind is spinning out of control, when I spot something in the back.

Papers. 

Something concrete.

I reach to the very back of the drawer and struggle to pull them out.

Receipts. A stack of them. And clearly he didn't want me to see them since they're all smashed into this drawer like this.

"Secrets," I whisper, an invisible knife slamming into my gut.

I start skimming through them and feel the air constricting in my lungs.

Lunches for two. Flower shops. A boutique. A jeweler. A—

I gasp, dropping the offensive piece of paper and stumbling back. My hands are shaking. My entire body is.

I thought I was crazy. I had hoped I was, but… I'm not.

How could he do this to me? To us? I'm pregnant. We're having a baby. We… We already picked out names!

I feel tears building behind my eyes, and I try to swallow.

Hurt is replaced by rage as I stare down at the paper trail of betrayals. I grab the stack and shove it into my nightstand before turning around and going to the closet, digging around for Jean's suitcases.

If he thinks he can have his cake and eat it too, he has another thing coming.

Jean

As soon as I walk in the door to the apartment, I know something is wrong. It's too quiet. Too dark. Where's Becca?

I shut the door and throw the coat of my military uniform over the back of the couch. Normally, Rebecca would be here teasing me about leaving my stuff everywhere. Rubbing her hands over my arms while making little nonsense comments about what bad habits I'm going to teach the baby.

But instead, it's dark and cold.

I start to turn on a light in the living room when I hear a pained noise from the hall. Without thinking I move toward it. Rebecca is thirty-four weeks pregnant. If she's in pain, it could be something to do with the baby—

"Fuck!" I hiss as I stumble over something in the hall. 

It's still dark, so I don't see what it is. Shoving it aside, I continue to the bedroom. The door is cracked, and it's just as dark inside the room as it is everywhere else in the apartment.

"Becca?" I ease the door open and stare into the darkness until my eyes adjust.

She's curled up on the bed, facing away from me.

"Baby, are you okay?"

"Leave me alone, Jean," she replies, and the ache in her voice tears at me.

"Did something happen?" I ask, ignoring her pained words. "Is it the baby?"

Fuck, if something happened to the baby this late in her pregnancy—

"No. The baby is fine."

"Okay, then—"

"When I said, 'leave me alone,' I meant it," she repeats, her voice taking on a hard edge. "Get out."

"Wait, what?" I pause. "Are you mad at me?"

"Am I mad at you?" she echoes darkly.

"Yeah," I frown. "Did I do something—"

"Did you really think I wouldn't find out?" she interrupts as she slowly sits up in the bed. "You thought you could play me, and I wouldn't realize it?"

"Rebecca, what are you talking about?" I ask as confusion fills my chest.

"I know you've been seeing someone else," she hisses.

"What?" I gape at her.

"You can play innocent all you want, but I know, okay? And I want you to leave. Your stuff is in the hall."

My stuff? That's what I stumbled into? She packed my shit without talking to me first? What the hell?

"Becks, I haven't—"

"Don't call me 'Becks,'" she spits. "And don't try to lie to me."

"Why the hell do you think I've been cheating on you?"

"Well, where should I start?" She climbs to her feet, the bed between us, wincing as she turns to face me. Her face is puffy, and my stomach drops when I realize she's been crying. "All the late nights you've been spending at the office, not to mention the ones where you don't even come home."

"I told you I was working overtime for—"

"The baby. Yeah. I know. Except I called last night, and the security guard who answered said you left at six."

"Rebecca—"

"And what about the way you've been acting cagey and weird every time I walk into a room and you're on the phone. For weeks, I've noticed you hanging up suddenly or changing the subject out of nowhere."

"Okay, I get that, but I was—"

"And then there's the personal call you took at work yesterday. The one that wasn't from me."

"How do you know about that?"

"Riza was watching you. She heard you say whoever it was wasn't supposed to call you at work if you wanted to get away with whatever it is you're doing."

Fuck. This is not going well.

"Okay, yeah, I can see how that looks bad, but—"

"Not to mention you—" her voice catches, and I feel my stomach twist when her arms come up to wrap around her. "You haven't touched me in ages," she says softly. "I know my body is—"

"Rebecca," I start toward her, but she moves back.

"You need sex, Jean. I know you do, and we haven't been having it, so…"

"Please," my voice is thick, and I wince.

I'm in pain seeing her in pain.

"Then there's the receipts I found."

"Wait, what?"

I feel myself pale as she pulls out a stack of papers from her nightstand.

"This one is for lunch for two on a day I had a doctor's appointment, and you told me you had a work meeting." She holds up the first one before moving on to the next, flipping through them angrily. "This one is for from Madam Whisper's adult boutique for…lingerie and unspecified sex toys. This one is for a piece of jewelry that costs over three hundred thousand cens. Oh, and let’s not forget this one." She holds up a yellow slip of paper, and my stomach dips. "A room at a pay-by-the-hour hotel. Dated yesterday." 

I cringe as she crumples the paper in her fist and throws it at me.

"Tell me again how you're not cheating on me," she seethes.

"I'm not," I argue, running my fingers through my hair. "I— Please, Rebecca, I know all this looks damning as fuck, but I can explain."

"I'm sure you can."

"Why would I keep those if I was cheating on you?" I nod to the receipts.

"Why would you keep them in the back of a dresser drawer if you weren't hiding them from me?" she snaps.

"I was hiding them," I start, "but not because I was cheating. Please, Becca."

"Fine." She shakes her head. "I will give you…" she swallows and glances at the clock on her nightstand. "Ten minutes to convince me. Otherwise, you're sleeping somewhere else tonight."

"Thank you." I nod to her. 

I move to sit down on the bed, but she flinches, so I remain standing instead.

"The overtime is just overtime," I start with the first thing on her list of offenses. "I can prove it. The security guards see me there every night. Last night, I had an errand to run, so I left early, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

She crosses her arms over her extended belly and frowns.

"What errand?"

"I'll get to it in a second, I swear."

"Okay." She nods. "Keep going."

"It was all supposed to be a surprise for you."

"What?" she blinks.

"I've been planning something for a while, and I was actually going to tell you this weekend, but…anyway, the reason I've been cagey on the phone is because I was talking with vendors."

"Vendors?"

"I needed flowers and a photographer, and I was reserving a venue."

"But what about—"

"The call I took at work was one of the girls who works for Madam Christmas."

Her eyes narrow, and I hold my hands up.

"It wasn't like that. I needed someone to help me buy the things for you at Whisper's, and I couldn't ask any of the men because they would've given me hell. I couldn't ask Lieutenant Hawkeye because the general would've skinned me alive for suggesting it."

"Well, that is true," she concedes.

"So, I asked a girl I was sort of friends with. Yes, we went out a couple of times in the past, but that was before you and I got together, and she's seeing someone else now. She told me she already had plans to buy some things for her and her new boyfriend, so it wouldn't be an issue to pick up the things for me."

"And the lunch? And the hotel room?"

"The lunch was my meeting with her to explain what I needed and to see if she would agree. The hotel was where she handed the items off to me after, and I paid her. I couldn't very well have her bring the bag to the office or meet her in public with it."

"Okay. I guess that all makes sense…" she says slowly before her eyes meet mine. "You really weren't sleeping with her?"

"I swear, Becca."

She nods slowly, and my entire body is vibrating with the need to hold her.

"That just leaves—"

Rebecca

"You have to act surprised," he interrupts me.

"What?" I feel my face twist with confusion.

"This weekend," he explains as he fiddles with something in his pocket, "when I take you to the place I booked, where the flowers and the photographer are going to be, you have to act surprised."

"What? Why? How am I going to act surprised if I already know—"

I cut off as he drops down on one knee and holds the box out to me.

"Rebecca Catalina?"

"Shut the fuck up, Jean," I hiss, fresh tears spilling down my cheeks.

"I love you, and I'm going to keep loving you until you tell me not to. And probably even after that. Will you marry me?"

"You absolute asshole," I whimper as he walks closer to me on his knees. "You made me paranoid for weeks, and now you…"

"Becca?"

"How am I supposed to act surprised now that you've ruined it? I'm gonna say 'yes,' and everyone will already know I—"

"You're gonna say 'yes'?" he cuts me off.

"Well, obviously," I snap at him. "Why would I be this upset you were hypothetically cheating on me if I wasn't fucking in love with you?"

"Baby?" He drops his hand holding the ring box and presses his lips to my belly.

"Yeah?"

"What if we just have hot makeup sex and try to forget any of this ever happened?"

My heart leaps, but I try to ignore it.

"Do I still have to act surprised when—"

"Let's make a deal. If I can make you come at least three times before I do, you have to act surprised."

"You're sure?"

"Well, I'm pretty good at making you come, so—"

Pretty good is an understatement.

"I mean, you're sure you want to have sex with me?"

"Fuck," he hisses, climbing to his feet and pulling me into his chest. "I didn't realize I was neglecting you that much, baby. I'm so sorry. You're beautiful, and hot as fuck. I will always want to have sex with you."

"Yeah?"

"I swear it," he groans. "Hell, Becca, just now, if you hadn't been so mad at me, I was going to tell you how incredible you look when you're angry. Like a goddess of sex and rage—Fuck. I was turned on even while you were threatening to kick me out."

"But, then why—"

"I've been putting in all that overtime, and you kept saying how you were constantly in pain… I was tired, and then, when I wasn't, I was afraid of hurting you."

"Sex makes me feel better when I'm hurting," I explain softly. "Just so you know, and if you'd asked, I would've told you that."

"Fair." He nods. "And maybe next time you think I'm acting weird, just ask me instead of packing all my shit and dumping it in the hall for me to break my neck tripping over."

"Right. Sorry, I—"

"No time for apologizes, Becks. There's sex to be had."

I giggle, and he kisses my neck, long and slow.

"So, what do you say to my offer? Three orgasms or you don't have to act surprised when I propose?"

"Sounds great to me either way. You have a deal, baby daddy."

I see a flash of fear skitter across his face, and I lean my head to the side.

"Jean?"

"Sorry." He shakes his head and turns me, so my back is to the bed.

"Where was your head just now?"

"Just deciding what position I want you in first," he grins, but it doesn't reach his eyes.

I'll just ask him in the middle of sex. He won't be able to resist me then. Ooh. Speaking of resisting…

"Hey," I whisper, and he freezes. "Didn't that receipt say something about sex toys?"

"Yeah." He frowns. "Why?"

"Do we have to wait until after you propose to use them?"

He stares at me, frozen for a full ten seconds before flying into action.

"Oh my God, I love you." His lips lean forward to kiss me before he's off me, heading out the door. "Don't move from that spot. I'll be right back!"

"I love you, too, Jean," I murmur over my shoulder, and then wince when I hear him stumble into the suitcases again.

"Fuck a duck!"

A laugh bubbles up in my chest, and I cover my face with my hands. God. I can't believe I thought that precious, foul-mouthed idiot was cheating on me. I really must've been temporarily insane.

[ghostyolive]

WAKE UP BABE, NEW GHOSTYOLIVE DROP!!!

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN.

I am yet again dropping a new charm set, and this time I actually managed to order proofs! These bad boys are for pre-order on my Etsy until November 20th, 10PM CST! Get your FMA ship charms and shitpost crucifixion charms now in like 2 months!

[lilywave]

anyway. i will never shut up ever

(edit: added winry for @oompadearest bc they are 100% right that she belongs on this list. she and ed just traded. something something equivalent exchange)

[edxwin-elric]

I'm back (for however long this lasts) and I'm taking FMA fic requests for royai, edwin, and/or havolina. Send me your desires!

25 Angst Dialogue Prompts Pt.1

1. “How could you do this?!”

2. “When did everything go downhill so fast?”

3. “Who died and made you dictator over my life..”

4. “You can’t control me! Not anymore…”

5. “I’m done.”

6. “It’s over.”

7. “I’ve been hurt too much to trust anymore.”

8. “My heart will never be warm, only cold.”

9. “There is no, ‘putting me back together..’ I’m ruined.”

10. “I knew I would hit rock bottom, I just didn’t know it’d be this lonely.”

11. “I’m honestly too numb to care anymore.”

12. “Tired. I am fucking tired.”

13. “When I said ‘leave me alone’ I meant it.”

14. “Since when did you ever think we were a thing?”

15. “I guess I’ve only loved me all along.”

16. “You hurt me this badly and all you’ve got is ‘sorry’?!”

17. “Fuck you… Honestly.. Fuck. You.”

18. “I never cared for you, you were just a pawn.”

19. “Funny you think I’m some righteous person.. You know nothing of who I really am.”

20. “You treat me as if I’m some fucking toddler! I’m over it!”

21. “’Protecting’ me only led to me getting more fucked up in the first place!”

22. “I don’t recognize who’s in the mirror anymore. All I see is an empty shell.”

23. “You should’ve just killed me right then and there, I’ve only suffered since.”

24. “My life has been a living hell for years and I’m just now figuring out it’s your fault?!”

25. “Don’t talk to me every again. Whatever it is we had, it’s gone and never coming back.”

[goneadrift]

Last line meme

rules: post the last line that you wrote and tag someone for every word in the line.

Thanks @scienceoftheidiot for tagging! At last i actually wrote something after months of slump. Returned to my most non-pressing wip 😅

In his opinion the latter made her a fair game for sharp comebacks and so they exchanged barbs as often (if not more) than pleasantries.

It's from wip for my smoking-related collection, this time for havolina. I'll take base of 25 and tag 5 😄

Tagging @nichyevosobachka @saecookie @traumschwinge @gerec @khrysopoeia and whoever wants to! 🧡

[musing-and-music]

I fall down at your doorstep, knocking frantically and pleading:

"Please don't cry" for havolina 🥹💕

or

"You need to stop, I'm serious. I don't want to lose you" for royai 😭❤️‍🔥

I chose Havolina for you, and maybe I'll write that Royai, but it's still uncertain, given the time I took to answer your ask!

Here's some angst!

Jean welcomed Rebecca against his chest as she collapsed on him, spent and panting. He wasn't any better, feeling his sweaty skin cool down after their passionate lovemaking. He caressed her curly hair, enjoying their softness between his fingers while they both regained a normal breathing.

With rest came the awful realization that it was time for him to tell her. Since that afternoon when Mustang had told him about the team's mutation to Central, he feared that conversation with Rebecca.

She raised her head and kissed him softly, before snuggling against him, one arm thrown across his chest, her legs tangled with his, ready to fall asleep, none the wiser to his inner turmoil.

He had to talk now, or he would lose any courage.

"Becca?"

"Hm?" She looked at him with a smile so tender he felt like melting and breaking at the same time.

"Do you know about Mustang leaving for Central?"

"I'm Grumman's assistant, of course I know about it. And Riza told me she and a few men are going with him. I don't really like him, and now that he takes my best friend away, I'll like him even less," she pouted.

In any other circumstances, he would have grinned and lightly mocked the chief with her. Today, though, was a day for gravity.

"I'm one of the men," he announced in one breath, freezing as he waited for her reaction.

She blinked a few times, and her pout changed into a real frown. "You're going too?"

A lump in his throat, Jean nodded. "I wish we had got more time for ourselves, Becca," he murmured, his hand cradling her cheek. "I couldn't believe my luck when you accepted to be my girlfriend, and I swore I wouldn't hurt you, because you're so precious to me. And now, I must break that promise I made to myself..." His voice broke, and he closed his eyes. "I'm so sorry I have to leave, Becca."

When he finally dared look at her again, here dark eyes were shining with tears, her face set into a pout that tried to hide the truth of her feelings.

"Please, don't cry," he said, almost begging while his words caught in his throat.

Rebecca blinked, tears flowing on her face, that she hid in the crook of his neck, her arms tightening around his chest.

"How long do we have until you leave?" She sounded strained, with a hint of desperation in her tone.

Jean pulled her even closer, wishing he could put her in his rib cage so they wouldn't be parted by his superior's ambition.

"... two weeks," he replied reluctantly. "Do you want us to stay together until the last moment?"

Her whisper brought him both pain and relief.

"Yes. Because I don't know how I can live two weeks seeing you at work and being unable to touch you, to kiss you, to spend time with you. At least, when you leave, it will be a clear break, and I won't agonise over lost time and passed opportunities. We'll both be messes after your move, but that might be a little less pain than if we end things now."

He kissed her temple. "Alright, then," he breathed against her hair. After a glance to the clock, he brought his hands to her waist and caressed the curve of her naked body, placing another kiss next to her ear, then to her jaw. "We still have time tonight, darling, want to go again?"

Rebecca rose on her elbows to stand above him, her hips grounded against his. Her lips found his for a long, lingering, and salty kiss.

"I want to take everything I can with you," she breathed in reply.

For the last hours of the night, they loved each other, again and again, forgetting about the uncertainty of their future together.

[scienceoftheidiot]

Do you take prompts? 👀 it's probably too selfish to ask for havolina so how about Rebecca and Riza sharing gossips or having a little competition at the shooting range?

Hehehe yes I do !

Thank you for asking ! I tried to fit everything in there 😇 I hope it pleases you !

.

Riza had not expected to meet anyone at the shooting range, but Rebecca had fallen onto her as soon as she took her rifle out of its case.

"Hey Riza! Fancy meeting you here, it's been litteral ages!"

"We've been busy with the reconstruction. It's the first time I come since -"

"Tell me about it. Like, I'm not complaining that Grumman has decided to keep me, but even I have been running around like a headless chicken. I'm glad we saved the world and all, but really, we should have thought about all the cleaning that'd bring. This is going to take decades for Central to get its shine back."

"Working all together towards a same positive goal will strengthen the bond between the people," Riza replied placidly. Rebecca was the kind to carry a conversation all by herself, which was part of why they got along so very well. While Rebecca talked, Riza disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled a couple of key components of her weapon. Everything was well oiled, kept and maintained perfectly -- she'd spent part of her forced convalescence cleaning all the guns she had in her home.

There were a lot of them. It kept her busy.

"You heard about Emily?"

Rebecca, too, had taken her rifle out. It was the same type, but a shorter, newer version. This one was favoured in the trenches of the southern war.

However, neither Rebecca nor Riza, both snipers, had changed for the new automatic guns. Bolt-action rifles, while being slower and asking you to aim anew between each shot, were a lot more precise.

"No. Emily what?"

"Lancaster. She's a Warrant officer under Foch's."

"Nope. Never heard of her."

Riza took her rifle and waited for Rebecca, who was still talking.

"She's going out with Carcano."

"Who?"

"Riza!"

"I don't know them! I haven't been stationed in Central for long, and for a big part I have been kept by the Fuhrer. I know no one."

"Andrea Carcano. The other warrant officer in Foch's."

"Oh."

"Yeaaah, me too." Rebecca seemed to have read a lot more into Riza's reaction than Riza herself wanted to show. She, too, took her rifle and Riza and her started looking for empty shooting places next to each other. There were a lot of soldiers, today.

"They're both warrant officers, so the frat laws are somehow in a grey area, but if any of them gets promoted..."

Riza didn't answer. The conversation was veering too close to personal matters for her liking.

"Have you?"

"Have I what?," Riza asked reluctantly.

"Kissed another officer in your own team?"

Riza felt herself become instantly red from head to toe. She had. Once. Not too long ago. She tried to keep her voice stern.

"No. And have y--"

"OH MY GOD RIZA YOU HAVE?"

"I --"

"Don't lie to me! I know that face! Oh my, Riza, please tell me it wasn't Havoc!"

Riza stood dumbfounded, but quickly took advantage of the remark.

"Why, Rebecca, you have your eyes on Second lieutenant Havoc, maybe?"

"Of course I do. He's tall, handsome, and nice. I've chatted extensively with him on the phone, to get you weapons before the battle of Central, remember?"

"Not too loud, Rebecca. We don't want to be investigated from too close."

"Right. Hey, here. We can shoot next to - WAIT."

Riza, who was already kneeling, stopped in her tracks.

"If it wasn't Havoc, then who? Who did you kiss?"

Riza frowned and lied on her stomach.

"None of your business."

"All of my business, Riza. You've kissed someone of your own team! I ought to know who. Tell me."

Riza shouldered her rifle.

"No."

"Why? Oh, you're ashamed. Who could it be, then? Oh, Riza, tell me you didn't kiss Fuery. I know you have a soft spot for nerds. I mean, he's cute, but it's a baby --"

"Not telling you."

"What if we make it a contest?"

Riza who was already aiming, sighed.

"Meaning?"

"Five shots. The one who leaves as little impacts in the target wins and gets to have an answer to her question."

Riza threw a stern look at Rebecca.

"You have no problem in competing against the Hawk's Eye?"

"You just said it's your first since you were injured," Rebecca flashed a vicious smile. "I think I have my chances. I train three times a week."

Riza curled her upper lip.

"Traitor."

"You will tell me."

"No."

They both settled and got ready.

"Five rounds, Riza. Ready?"

"I'm always ready," Riza had a small smile. She knew she was going to win.

"Let's go, then. Shoot!"

Five rounds, even with a bolt-action rifle, didn't take long. They both retrieved their targets and compared the results.

Riza's target had two separate holes -- one small, her first shot, was a mistake. The second hole was bigger, visibly a conflation of the four other shots.

Rebecca had three holes.

Not bad.

But not as good.

Riza beamed.

"I win. Told you. Now I get to ask you."

"That's so unfair!"

"Do you want a date with the lieutenant Havoc?"

"Riza!" Rebecca whined, then narrowed her eyes. "You could get me one?'

"He's in rehab for now, but as soon as he feels better I'll have a word with him." Riza smiled to herself as she put new rounds in her rifle. "I could maybe talk to him next time I visit him, though. I'm sure extra motivation would help."

Rebecca chuckled, and her cheeks got a little red.

"Damn Riza, if you do you'll be the best."

"Promise. I have a couple of books to bring him, I'll test the waters. But knowing him..." Riza wiggled her eyebrows.

"Great. You really are the best of friends, Riza."

"No problem," Riza replied, laying again on her stomach and getting ready to fire. She was glad that Rebecca was happy, but the best part was that she had totally forgotten about her question.

Riza still hoped that one day, she could tell her.

.

If you've read until here thank you ! Feel free to send me prompts while AO3 is down 🥲 (it's back ! But still you can lol)

[milekael]

Jean Havoc for the character ask!!

CHARACTER ASK LETS GOO

How I feel about this character

I think he is alright! He does what he has to do. I am just... not extremely invested in him? Ngl out of all of Team Mustang members I find him the least engaging ASDFG WHICH IS NOT BAD I still love all members, is just I find everyone else has something more to give me than silly yet good spirited coworker that ultimately wants for the best.

All the people I ship romantically with this character

I think Havolina is nice dfghj but my true OTP with him is BredaxHavoc (idunno if they have a proper ship name LOL). Have that bear destroy this twunk. I think the idea of Super Straight Man Havoc finding out he is gay to be really funny and compelling and I like it way more with Breda than any of the alternatives because I like Breda a lot ASDFGH

My non-romantic OTP for this character

Riza and Jean are besties to the end. I also think Havocai is fine is just lower of my Riza ships brain palace so more often than not they are just besties in my brain.

My unpopular opinion about this character

I mean I already kind of said it lol I find him to be the least interesting out of all of Team Mustang and part of me wonders why so much of the attention goes to him (Maybe pretty privilege, maybe taking advantage that he is kind of basic enough that you can input new personality traits into him without being disruptive). NGL he is at his most interesting after his injury and the 20th anniversary book with his new short story is the closest I felt to him lmao

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.

I mean. Continuation from the last point. I think there should have been more exploration of his time being paralyzed, both in canon and in fanfics. I get that in canon they didn't so you could have that twists of Havoc calling them and helping and all but man. In a way I also recent the short story for that LOL because it had the very good idea and opportunity and while I like what it did, I wish it did... more?? Maybe is lost in translation, but the writing is extremely plain, just explaining the things he does instead of having a narrative to them, so him figuring himself out is not explored and then the story gets where it truly wants to which is him meeting with Maria Ross and at that point the story is more fun because it is about her SOBS and I feel bad because I feel like... damn, this exists now, so idunno if we'll ever get anything else from this time of his and I have to live with what we got being kind of whatever ASDFGHJ

[andthatisnotfake]

40 for 40

I'm nearly 41 (lol), but I've finally finished these. These drabbles are to celebrate my 40th birthday.

It's 40 different ships, some of which I had never written or even read fic for before, so please bear with me. I think they didn't turn out too OOC lol.

I hope you all enjoy them and celebrate my birthday with me!

1 - Madirosh: Goal!

2 - Matt x Tommy: The sunset couldn't compete

3 - Runhlidia: Suffocating

4 - Dralivia: Home

5 - Elle x Tao: Flowers

6 - Taywhora: Good food, champagne and pretty girls

7 - Kurtofsky: Too sick for fashion

8 - FirstPrince: Suck on it!

9 - Diamond Chaney: Spilled coffee

10 - Branjie: Just be happy

11 - Ca$h x Darren: Darren and Ca$h sitting on a tree...

12 - Patrochilles: Silent Vows

13 - Haruka x Michiru: The Sun Inside

14 - Vegebul: The Only Alternative

15 - Quinlar: Better than sunball

16 - Asttimini: Catastrophe

17 - Ineffable Husbands: Teacher Aziraphale

18 - Ed x Stede: Offended

19 - Bertvannah: New Look

20 - David x Patrick: Cheap Tactic

21 - Darcy x Tara: Just like in old times

22 - Fiyeraba: Cliché

23 - Brittana: The Future

24 - Havolina: Shoot your shot

25 - Stedrika: Natural enemies

26 - Kurtbastian: Love Kicks

27 - GreenTia: Not starry night

28 - Rune x Addam: Midnight blue roses

29 - Amerie x Malakai : Untamed

30 - Kofi Grande: Snack

31 - Poppy x Casteel: Watching

32 - Gelphie: Hair

33 - Black Cherry: Company

34 - Zutara: Bedtime story

35 - Wilmon: Funny Coincidence

36 - Edwin: It’s the thought that counts

37 - Chanevi: Warm me up?

38 - Narlie: First Dance

39 - Gallavich: Hot and Cold

40 - Royai: Silent Request

[alicitas]

a special commission that i’ve been working on since last year

[harcidian]

Mmmm, for writing meme: [prompt] in the realm of "lowkey" Rebecca expresses to Jean her concerns about Riza's dedication to work and/or her excitement over Riza finding someone 😏 and maybe Jean distracts her from those worries

why not both? 👀 here u go, based on the au of lowkey !! thank you for the ask btw this was fun to write!

Rating: Teen and Up

“Tell me something, Jean.” Rebecca turns to her side, shuffling under the covers until she’s greeted with drowsy, ocean-blue eyes. “Would you buy clothes for someone? Like, I don’t know, after your first date?”

Jean looks at her as if she asked him if he ever went to work without wearing boxers. “Uh, no?” Rebecca then jabbers a series of incoherent I knew it I knew it IknewitIknewits, rubbing her hands together until Jean is noticeably gawking at her. “What, did you finally find someone you wanna date?”

“No, just asking for a friend,” she chirps. “Remember Riza?”

“Oh, yeah. Riza.” He’s rubbing the blonde bush at the top of his head (as if it couldn’t get any messier than it already is). “Are you finally letting me date her—”

She yanks the said bush of hair, gritting her teeth as she says, “No. Way. In. Hell! Are you even paying attention?”

“Sheesh, Becca, I was only kidding—”

“Somebody bought her new clothes even though they only met once! Once!” Rebecca’s cupping his face and squeezing his cheeks. “I mean, who the hell does that right?” Jean only chuckles, watching her squeal her heart out of her throat before he mutters, “My boss, probably.”

She stops shaking him. “Pfft. Mustang? I don’t think he’s that romantic.”

“I mean, some people could be desperate to get laid, right? They’d give them gifts or sweet words or something just to get in their pants. Not everything’s romantic or genuine.”

Rebecca gasps at this. ”I don’t think Riza’s dating someone like that.”

“What makes you so sure about that?”

“Well, all the other people she dates are high-profile. At least, that’s what she says. I mean, I’ve never heard of their names! And I know my taste in men is better than hers, but, come on, I don’t think she’d ever date someone who notoriously sweeps everybody’s feet.” She pauses, and suddenly all her excitement melts into dread. “Oh my God what if she is seeing someone like that? What do I do whatdoIdo? Should I steal her phone and fucking yell at whoever that creep is—”

“Hey hey hey.” Jean claps her cheeks, squeezing her lips into a little ‘8’. “You said it yourself: she knows what she’s doing. Do you seriously think she’d let anyone get to her that easily?”

Her hands touch his wrists, just enough to soften his hold on her face. “Yeah. Yeah I guess you're right.” It takes a while for her to notice that Jean is tucking an error lock to her ear. “You could always ask her about it. See if she needs some of your advice.”

“I did, and,” she pauses to meet his gaze, “she said she couldn’t tell me yet. She’s always been like that, you know?” She closes her eyes, indulging in the way his hands are brushing her hair.

“Do you trust her enough to punch anyone who’s just trying to get into her pants?”

“Hell, yeah I do.”

“Then there you have it.” He pats her head. “I don’t know much about her but I trust you’ve taught her everything you know about dating. Sometimes I wish you would lecture my ex.”

She laughs. “Oh, boy, no amount of lecturing would stop her from chasing her boyfriend’s boss—”

“Hey hey hey, now don’t you go insulting my boss and my ex like that— only I can do that.” His hands attack her stomach and she bursts into giggles. Laughter fills the room, until Rebecca finally grabs hold of his arms, still chuckling. “God, I still can’t believe she dumped you just to simp on Mustang and other guys like him.”

“I know, right? I’m way too damn taller than him or the rest of the men in town.”

“Damn, right you are!” Rebecca playfully slaps his arm and rocks him back and forth. “To hell with those exes, and to hell with their hoes! You’re way too damn worth it than she thinks! Nobody else is as cunning, and sweet, and funny, and…” she trails off, biting her lips as she feels her face heat up. But there’s nothing wrong about it, right? Isn’t it normal for friends to compliment each other? Now he’s looking at her with that same damn goofy eyes she always hated but couldn’t get enough of. “What are you looking at?”

“Nothing. You’re red as a peach.”

Her palm meets his face, pushing him away. “It’s ‘cause you tickled me to death, moron.” When he doesn’t budge, she rolls over, turning her back on him. “There. If I bother you that much, then this would do.” Rebecca feels his warm arms over her stomach, pulling her back to him, until his breath is on her ear. “You don’t bother me at all.”

omg my first havolina ficlet HAHA lemme know if you love it! and go read lowkey 👁👄👁

ask me

ask game reference

[edxwin-elric]

Club Immortality

Rating: T

Pairing: Havolina/Jean Havoc x Rebecca Catalina

Disclaimer: I don’t own Fullmetal Alchemist.

Word Count: 2696

Title: Club Immortality

Description: Havolina One Shot – modern au

Rebecca and Riza are having a girl’s night at Central’s hottest club, Club Immortality, to celebrate Rebecca’s new job. Things get interesting when Rebecca’s phone goes missing and she enlists one of the bouncers to help her find it.

A/N: A very old request by both @random-rave and @royaigarbage. #13 - “I could kiss you right now!” from these prompts.

ffn || ao3

Rebecca

I take another sip of my drink and throw my head back, my hips swaying in time with the deep bass. The music is loud, the alcohol is strong, and the lighting is low—exactly perfect conditions for a night out. There are bodies everywhere because the club is packed, but I don’t care. I’m here to drink and to dance.

I steal a look to the edge of the room where Riza is still sitting at the bar. She’s supposed to be celebrating with me, but she’s still on her first drink. I wave to her, but she shakes her head. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that she’s over this scene since she spends so much time here, considering her boyfriend is the owner, but I can’t let that stop me from having some fun.

The song changes, and a smoke machine releases thick clouds from the ceiling, obstructing my view of her. Turning to the crowd, I lose myself in the moment, my body moving on its own. I make eye contact with a criminally attractive hot guy a few feet away and he moves closer, his large body crowding mine as the loud beat vibrates through us. I feel a trickle of sweat drip down my temple, and I reach up to lift my hair off my neck.

The guy’s hand finds my hip, holding me closer. I bite my lip and look to the ceiling. His head leans down until his nose brushes my exposed ear. I gasp, shutting my eyes as his tongue runs along the column of my neck.

“You taste like sex,” he rumbles into my ear. “I want it.”

I shake my head and playfully shove him, turning my back. His hand moves with me, sliding around to my pelvis, moving up my ribs. I lean my head back onto his shoulder and sway with him, my fingers running up his neck.

“Wanna get out of here?” he asks loudly to be heard over the music.

“Not yet,” I answer somewhat truthfully.

I don’t plan on leaving with him at all. I’m here with Riza, after all. Right now, I’m just having a little fun.

“If you say so.”

His hands go to my hips, pulling me back against him. I gasp at the feel of his boner against my ass. I frown and roll my eyes before reaching behind me and sliding my hand down between us. He grunts as I palm him over his pants, using the distraction to turn to face him again. With my hand still on his crotch, I lean up and shout in his ear.

“I’ll let you know when I want this, got it?”

He grins devilishly, and I suppress another eye roll, his hands sliding around my back. I let him fist my hair as I trail my fingers up and down his chest. After another song, I use my empty drink as an excuse to leave the floor. When I make it back to Riza, I feel sticky and out of breath.

“You okay?”

“Just a little overheated,” I gasp with a smile, fanning myself with my hand as I slide onto the stool beside her.

And a little aroused. I knew I wasn’t taking Hot Guy home tonight, but that doesn’t mean what he was doing to me wasn’t effective as hell at making me wet.

“You looked like you were about to be arrested for public indecency,” Riza chimes in.

“This is a private club,” I remind her. “As the owner’s girlfriend you should know that.”

“That doesn’t make it a sex club,” she points out, sipping her drink. “And I really don’t love the idea of having to explain to Roy why my best friend got thrown out for having anonymous sex on the dance floor.”

“Calm your tits, Riza. Sex with that guy was never on the table.”

“He didn’t seem to know that.”

“Yeah, well…he didn’t need to.” I shrug.

“Hey, what time is it?” she asks suddenly. “We can’t stay out too late. I need to check on Hayate, and you have work in the morning.”

“Oh, let me check.”

It wouldn’t do for me to finally get the P.A. position I wanted only for me to fuck up and lose it by being late on my first day. Sliding the hem of my dress up my thigh, I reach for my phone in the lace holster I’m wearing except…

“Hey, have you seen my phone?” I turn back to Riza and scan the floor around where we’re standing.

“What?” she frowns. “I thought you had it.”

“So, did I.” I show her my empty thigh band, and she blinks.

“Where did you have it last?”

I reach up and lift my hair off my neck with both hands, still scanning the ground. “I don’t know. Out there I guess.”

I look out into the sea of grinding, rolling, sweating bodies as the music swells around us. This isn’t good.

“Do you think he took it?”

“What?” I frown.

“That guy, the one you were all over. Do you think he could’ve taken your phone?”

I blink and suddenly remember his fingers trailing up my thigh while his teeth nipped at my ear. I wasn’t even thinking about my phone, but now…

“I think so, maybe.” I nod. “I’m not sure, but how do we find him anyway?”

There’s no way I’ll be able to track him down inside that throng.

“We could try calling it?” she suggests, handing me her phone.

I start to pick my name off of her favorites when I stop.

“He took it on purpose. Why would he answer it now?”

“Maybe he’s trying to get your attention?”

I roll my eyes and call my phone. If he is trying to get my attention, this is a stupid way to do it.

“Straight to voicemail,” I mutter darkly, handing the phone back to her. “Shit.”

“Okay, come with me. I have an idea.”

I don’t bother asking what it is, because anything she can think of is better than the pile of nothing I have to offer.

God. I would get my phone stolen by a hot guy the night before I start my new job, but, in my defense, I didn’t think “criminally attractive” meant he was actually a criminal!

Riza leads us to the far side of the dance floor where private booths are set up on a roped-off platform for priority guests. There are bouncers standing by to make sure only guests with VIP access gain entry. Of course, her boyfriend. Why didn’t I think of that? Though I’m not sure what he’s going to do, exactly.

“Which booth is he in?” I ask her as we get closer.

“What?” She frowns at me.

“Your boyfriend. Which one?”

“Oh, no,” she stops near one of the entrances. “Roy isn’t here. He didn’t want to steal your thunder tonight, so he’s working from home.”

“What?” I blink at her, momentarily distracted from the panic of having my phone stolen. “What does ‘working from home’ even look like for a rich night club owner?”

“Drinking whiskey and watching HBO, I assume,” she mutters. “I’ll find out after we get your phone back.”

“Right.” I nod. “So…what are we doing over here then?”

“Havoc,” she says loudly to the bouncer beside her. “This is my friend, Rebecca.” She signals toward me, and I step closer.

Holy shit. Bouncer Guy is HOT. Like, I wasn’t really paying attention before because, well, phone stolen by a literally criminally hot guy, but whoa. Not only does he have hair exactly my preferred shade of golden blonde and a jaw line that could cut diamonds, but he is ripped. Like, his entire torso—chest, shoulders, arms—is positively Herculean, and his black shirt does nothing to hide it, which is probably good since he’s supposed to be muscle here.

“Um, hi,” I semi-shout over the pounding bass when I realize they’re both staring at me, waiting for me to say something. “Havoc,” I add, shifting my weight.

“Jean.” He grins, and I let out a tiny gasp when I feel a spasm between my legs. “What can I do for you ladies?”

A thousand dirty responses flash through my mind at his question. Luckily, I don’t say any of them.

“An asshole stole my phone,” I tell him loudly.

His eyebrows rise and he turns to look at Riza, crossing his arms.

“What happened?”

“She was dancing.” Riza throws a hand out toward the pulsating crush of people. “He came up to her; they danced together, and at some point, he snatched her phone.”

He looks back over at me, his eyes traveling up…and then back down. Another spasm. Damn his stupidly blue eyes. They can see straight through me.

“Where?” he asks suddenly, still looking me over.

I blink.

“What?”

“Where was your phone?”

I feel my cheeks go slightly pink, but I try to ignore it.

“Here.” I thrust out my leg and slide the fabric of my dress up, revealing in the empty holster.

“Aha…” he says slowly, meeting my eyes. “And you didn’t notice it?”

“We were kind of…physical while we were dancing,” I explain as I stand and adjust my hem. “Anyway, can you help me?”

“Maybe. Follow me.”

Jean leads us away from the noise to an almost invisible door on the back wall. It leads to a hallway, which has other doors, one of which leads to a security office of some kind. Jean ducks inside and pulls out a chair in front of a computer screen and waves for me to sit down.

“Look through this footage and tell me when you see your guy.”

Leaning over me from behind, he pulls up the cameras from the front door and starts replaying it from the beginning of the night.

“I’m gonna call Roy really quick,” Riza says suddenly. “I’ll be back.”

She slips out the door, and Jean leans down more, his arm brushing my cheek as he shifts the mouse.

“Anything yet?”

“No, not—wait! That’s him! That’s the hot guy!”

I point to the dark man on the screen.

“Really?” he asks with more than a hint of surprise. “You’re sure?”

“Yeah. Of course.”

“So that’s your type then?” he mutters, with an annoying amount of judgement. “Circle sunglasses and a fur-lined vest?”

“What? No!” I crane my neck to glare at him. “Shut up. Who asked you anyway?”

He laughs softly, and I feel like growling. It’s not like he was wearing the glasses and vest when we were dancing. If we were, I clearly wouldn’t have been into it. Ugh.

“Move over, sweetheart.”

I open my mouth to tell him not to call me “sweetheart” when he shoves my rolling chair aside and starts doing things to the computer. When he stands up, he grabs my hand and pulls me to my feet.

“I sent his face out to all of our guys. If anyone sees him, they’ll hold him, so if he hasn’t already left the building, we can probably get your phone back.”

“Really?” I whisper. “You can?”

“Sure.” His pocket vibrates, and I watch him slide out a slim black phone. “Looks like we caught him already. Let’s go.”

Taking my hand again, he leads us back to the main room and around to the bar.

Where Not-So-Hot Guy is sitting, waiting for a drink.

“Excuse me, are you–”

“Give me my phone, jerk,” I interrupt from behind Jean.

“I’m sorry,” Not-So-Hot Guy grins slowly. “What was that?”

“Mr. Rice?” Jean asks, moving in front of me. “It seems this young lady lost her phone earlier. She seems to think you might have located it.”

The guy pretends to think and gives his head a small shake before raising a finger to his lips.

“Hmm. I don’t remember finding a phone. Sorry, but I don’t think I can help you.”

“I know you have it,” I hiss.

“Just hand over the phone, and I won’t have the owner eighty-six you for life,” Riza moves up beside Havoc and crosses her arms.

Not-So-Hot Guy whistles low as he appraises her.

“I’m not really sure you’re in a position to make such a threat, but damn you look fine doing it.”

“As his girlfriend, I think I’m in a pretty good position.”

“Oh, you’re Mustang’s girl?” his eyes glint. “Care to share what other positions he puts you in?”

Riza tenses, and Jean steps forward.

“I think that’s enough. Before I escort you out, I’m going to have to search you.”

“Search me?” Jerkface stands up, a sneer twisting his features. “I don’t think that’s legal.”

“Legal or not it’s policy to prevent guests from being robbed, so unless you care to produce that phone now, I–”

“Just hand it over, creep.” I step out from behind Jean and glare at the guy. “Why do you want it so badly anyway?”

“Oh, did you say a phone?” he feigns realization. “I found one of those earlier. Actually, I was just about to give it to this nice bartender here.”

His eyes are seething behind his false smile as he pulls my phone out of his pocket. I snatch it, and move away from him, checking to make sure it’s all right.

“See, that wasn’t so hard,” Jean smirks at him. “But since you insulted Ms. Hawkeye, I’m afraid I’m going to have to have Breda escort you out.”

“What? That’s bullshit! I gave her damn phone back–”

The stout bartender comes around and grabs the guy by the scruff of his collar and starts dragging him to the door. When he’s gone, Riza’s phone rings. She walks away to answer it, leaving me alone with Jean.

“Is everything there?” he asks over my shoulder.

“What? Oh, yes.” I hold up my phone. “God. I have no idea what I would do without this thing. Seriously, I could kiss you right now!”

He blinks, and I feel heat rush into my face.

“Not that I—I didn’t mean–”

“Hey, if you’re offering,” he interrupts, lowering his head to mine, “I’m not going to stop you.”

I stare at him, unable to formulate a response to that.

“I’ll take that as a ‘no,’ for now,” he grins slowly.

“What?” I whisper.

His grin spreads wider, and I reach up to put a hand on my chest where my heart is tripping wildly.

“Here’s my number,” he goes on, pulling a business card out of his pocket. “Feel free to call me anytime.” He pauses and meets my eyes before finishing, “Becca.”

“Okay, yeah.” I swallow and nod. “I will.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

He walks away before I can say anything else, and I’m startled by Riza touching my shoulder. How long was I staring after him? It feels like I forgot how to breathe.

“Ready to go?”

“I think so.” I tuck my phone and the business card back into my thigh holster.

She looks past me, and then studies my face.

“You and Jean seemed to be flirting pretty heavily.”

“What? No,” I lie lamely. “That was–”

“You’re right,” she breaks in. “It was more of light seduction than flirting.”

I blink at her, but she grins, and pulls me toward the door.

“Come on. You have work tomorrow, and Hayate is waiting for me. Plus, I know you’re dying to get home so you can text Jean something naughty.”

I start to tell her I wasn’t going to do that, but the look she’s giving me says not to bother. She knows me too well, and yes. Maybe I was considering texting Jean, but he gave me his number, so he probably won’t mind.

When we reach the entrance, I look back and scan for him. I spot him for a split second, and I could swear he winked with that stupidly sexy grin on his face.

Yeah. I’m definitely going to text him when I get home. Luckily, he got me my phone back, so I can.

[ghostyolive]

A closer look at my FMA date night themed charms! You can pre-order them below until November 20th, 10PM CST!

[jonoosa]

Hey @chai-and-coffee !! I’m your secret Santa! Sorry for being a little late, I had some issues and I wanted to let you know that I didn’t forget but you didn’t have the anon feature activated, but here it is! I hope it was worth the wait haha I hope you had an amazing Christmas and a Happy new Year 💖💖

[flyinbanachab]

Comfortember 9: Confession

The night was darker than usual, heavy clouds blotting out all trace of moon and stars. Maybe a bit gloomy, but it did give some extra cover to the four cadets drinking on the lakeshore. They sat on a blanket, gathered around a lantern in a loose semicircle, voices obscured by the wind and waves.

"Never have I ever..." Cadet Hawkeye paused to think. She was the most sober in the group by far, but she was being a good sport about it. "Lied about my age."

Read on AO3 or...

"What, never?" Cadet Catalina asked, taking a drink. "You've never told a guy you're older than you actually are."

"Or tried to buy cigarettes? Or beer?" Cadet Havoc asked, having taken a swig himself.

"Or," Cadet Breda, pulling his bottle from his lips, added with a smirk, "enlisted a year early?"

Rebecca turned her attention on him like a spotlight. "You didn’t. You can’t-- are you seriously eighteen? You were FIFTEEN-- ? No way. No-- no WAY."

Breda's smirk only intensified. "Some of us mature faster than others. Jean, go."

"Never have I ever... hmm... accidentally started a fire."

A pause while the other three racked their memories, then Breda took a drink. Riza looked from her beer to Jean and said tentatively, "If I didn't start it myself, but I caused someone else to accidentally start a fire..."

Jean grinned like he’d just snagged the stuffed bear from the claw machine. "Drink, girl! And then tell us the story."

"Yeah! Story time, story time! You never tell us anything!" Rebecca cheered.

Riza sipped at her beer, made a face, and shook her head. "Not tonight."

"Awww," Rebecca pouted.

Breda's turn now. "Never have I ever... been skinny dipping."

Rebecca took a drink, and so did Jean, conspicuously not looking at each other.

Breda laughed. “Why am I not surprised.”

“Night’s young, Red,” Jean said to Breda, gesturing out at the lake. “Wanna go?”

Breda blanched. “Not with you, cowboy.”

Riza hastily added, “Yes, let’s not please. Becca, it’s your turn.”

"Never have I ever..." Rebecca looked down at her bottle, then around the circle. Her closest friends in the academy. Her closest friends, ever. Riza, her roommate, relentlessly driven by some secret she would never share. Breda, the insufferable jackass who'd somehow become one of her favorite people. Jean, ...Jean. Loving and loyal to a fault. He deserved better than a train wreck like her.

The question she was going to pose died on her lips.

"...been scared of deployment," she finished, in a tiny voice. And tipped her head all the way back, draining her bottle.

A moment's hesitation, and three more bottles rose up in turn.

The cadets met each other’s eyes in the dim lantern light. Do they really look like soldiers, ready to fight and die for their country? Or do they look like kids playing pretend, up past their bedtime, afraid of the dark?

The waves lapped the shore, steady and sure. Frogs chirped in the distance.

Jean put his arm around her, and she knew she shouldn’t, but she allowed it. He was strong and familiar and warm. She leaned against him, breathing in cologne and ash. "We'll be okay," he said. "We'll make it. I know we will."

Strong and familiar and naive. Oh, Jean. She knew she shouldn’t, but she rested her head on his shoulder.

Reluctant nods all around. Do they believe it? No, but it would be silly to argue. Riza suggested they call it a night, and the cadets started gathering their things with a collective sense of relief.

Jean kept an arm around her all the way home. She knew she shouldn’t, but she allowed it.

[goneadrift]

Laying down the prompt at your doorstep like a baby at an orphanage's door and running away:

"you told me not to worry. You told me you were fine" for Havolina 🥺

I'm not sure I'm ready to adopt a baby but I readily take the prompt (☞ﾟヮﾟ)☞

Thank you! It allowed me revisit my old idea and actually use it, albeit twisted 😏

Buzzing and ringing sounds just didn’t stop even for a moment. Everything was swimming before the eyes when burning pain in the abdomen made them shut completely. Soon, sounds became more and more muffled. At last, blissful darkness took over completely.

part 1 on AO3 ✨