True Light Prologue

[okami_hu]

Title: ... (True Light Prologue)
Authors: kira_k & okami_hu
Beta: hime_no_nishi
Rating: PG
Warning: none
Pairing: Havoc x Fury
Summary: “You're such a romantic,” Havoc shook his head with a smile. He really loved his small companion. Even more than anybody would have imagined it.


“Goodnight, Lieutenant Hawkeye! And goodnight, Black Hayate!”

Havoc smiled as the merry words floated to him from the outside where Fury said his goodbye to the blonde officer and her dog. When the small-framed soldier entered the restroom with his usual sunny smile, Havoc couldn’t resist saying something.

“Why so cheery?”

“Why not?” Fury laughed. He was obviously in a good mood, the usual energy and warmth radiated from him, which was able to miraculously brighten the darkest night or dullest day.

“You're such a romantic,” Havoc shook his head with a smile. He really loved his small companion. Probably more than anybody would have imagined it.

“Plus, I'm cute beyond belief!” Fury giggled and he jokingly batted his eyelashes. “Love me! I'm small and fluffy, I need protection and many hugs!” He laughed sweetly, his voice sounded like golden bells.

The tall officer’s eyes started to sparkle. The game was way too tempting. “So you need protection? And what are you willing to give me as an exchange?

"Umm, Lieutenant Havoc...?" Fury's chocolate eyes went wide. "I was joking... kind of."

"I know," Havoc nodded with a small smile. He pushed aside his unlit cigarette and looked a little embarrassed. "I just caught up in it for a little. Forget I said it."

Fury blinked. Somehow, the slight disappointment in his comrade's voice hade his chest hurt a little. "Lieutenant... You would really protect me?"

The question caught the blond soldier unguarded - he didn't think Fury would continue this topic. "If you needed my protection, yeah."

A sunny smile spread out on the small-framed soldier's face. "You're very kind, Havoc! I'm glad you're my comrade. The trust between the members of the same unit," he continued with a more serious expression, "is very important. That makes us effective, that we really care for each other, and we protect each other. It's a good thing we're friends!"

Havoc's shoulders slumped a little, at the middle of Fury's speech. He tried to cover it by leaning against the wall and he nodded absentmindedly. Being friends was a good thing, really, just... It wasn't enough for Havoc.

"I think, you're very cool, Lieutenant!" the little technician exclaimed enthusiastically. "And I would protect you too if you needed that..." he stopped here and scratched his head embarrassed. "Although I don't think you would ever need my help... Even though I'm quite a good marksman, I always had difficulties with working on the field."

"Thank you," Havoc said, touched by the offer. His heart ached as at Fury's kind words he realized again he won't have anything more than the other man's friendship. It must be enough. Havoc smiled at the smaller soldier and forced his thoughts back to the topic. "However you're quite good with the technical stuff I can't get. We would make a good match. I mean if we needed to work in pairs."

Cain blinked and nodded. "Aa, I think, yes. If you needed to go out for a mission, where a car is required, I could accompany you to maintain it. And I'm very good with the radio. I think if I put a little effort into it, I could even repair a gun. Of course, I'd need an array for that-"

"You're an alchemist?" Havoc asked, surprised at it. He didn't know it, even though he tried to know everything about Fury.

The small-framed youth nearly jumped and he flushed prettily in a very flustered manner. "A-ah, well, not a very good one... I know some basic arrays and well, I can understand the more sophisticated ones too but I still have a long way to go until I can try the exam."

"That's really great!" Havoc exclaimed. "I'm sure you'd pass it if you were to take it. How come you never mentioned this to anyone?"

"Umm..." Fury smiled shyly. "The young Edward knows, I asked him to teach me because even though he's so young he knows so much! The Colonel knows too because I need a few extra hours to learn. But I didn't want the others to laugh at me and... it's nothing important. The alchemy helps me to do my job better and that's all. If I pass the exam, I'll try to find new ways to improve the alloys we use and to build better, safer cars and such."

"You've great plans, don't say it's nothing!" Havoc felt a little jealous at the two State Alchemists that were getting to spend time with Fury. He wanted to know and keep all of Fury's secrets. It felt like everyone whom Havoc loved paid more attention to Roy Mustang than to him and he though that it was unfair. "I may not know a lot about alchemy but I'd like to listen to your story. How long have you been studying it and what field of alchemy? If you want to share, that is."

"Ah, with you, gladly," Fury's chocolate eyes shone with unquestionable trust. "You won't laugh at me, Havoc. You're nicer than that. So, I've been studying since I finished high school. Ever since I enlisted, I tried to gather more and more knowledge because I wanted to help people. Back in East City, I had a wonderful mentor, who was a State Alchemist himself. But I had to come here, so he couldn't teach me further." He sighed a little then looked up. "Lieutenant... There is one field of alchemy I'd really-really like to explore but I couldn't this far. I... didn't even dare to tell this to Edward or Colonel Mustang."

"I won't laugh, I promise. I'm honored by your trust," Havoc said encouragingly.

Fury glanced around and stepped a little closer. "You know, in Xing," he said on a hushed voice, "people use alchemy for healing. Here, in Amestris, we use it on things, not on people. There are a few, who can transmute medicines but that's all. I think it's kind of silly. If we could save lives with alchemy, why won't we do it instead of making guns with it? So I'd like to study healing alchemy. Actually, I need the research funds to cover the trip."

"You'd be gone for a long time," Havoc noted then shook himself a little. It didn't matter if the trip would make Fury happy. "This choice shows your kind nature, Fury. Don't ever change."

Fury's eyes began to shine strangely and he sniffed a little. "I don't want to." And with that, he embraced Havoc tightly. "You're my best friend, Havoc. You're like an elder brother or even a father... When you say, that I'll be able to do what I want to accomplish, it seems so believable!"

Havoc stiffened then put his arms around Fury's smaller frame. It felt nice to touch the other man but he had the feeling he won't forget it again. Havoc would crave it from now on. However it wasn't like the cigarette he could buy anywhere, it was something unique, unrepeatable. And being addicted without the means to get what he needed would be hellish. "I'm... thank you. And you should have more faith in yourself."

"Edward tells me that constantly too." Fury let go of his tall comrade and smiled on him with a small blush. "Ah, Lieutenant, duty's over for today. Would you like to... go with me for a while? You have to turn the left on the first corner and I have to turn right on the second."

"Of course," Havoc nodded and smiled teasingly but his tone was serious. "I'll even see you home if you won't mind it."

"Oh no, of course! But only if you'd really like to. I don't want to be a bother."

"You're worth any bother," Havoc said quietly then turned away quickly to put on his coat.

"Havoc, you don't ever change out of your uniform when you go home?" It was merely innocent curiosity, nothing accusing or scolding. "You have to wait a minute or two because I always leave my uniform here."

"I'm changing at home," Havoc answered and tried to not stare at Fury. It was impossible and he found his eyes glued to the smaller soldier's form. The blue coat and trousers hid a lot, and he wanted to know if he imagined the other's body well.

Fury went to his locker and opened it. "Ah, they cleaned my shirt! And Annemarie even ironed it, how kind! I have to thank her." He shrugged of his jacket and carefully put it on the hanger. Underneath it, he was wearing the brownish T-shirt, the other piece of the standard military clothing. He sat down to pull off his boots and removed the trousers too. He turned his back to Havoc and bent down a little to fish out his civilian clothes from the small cabin.

"Who is Annemarie?" Havoc asked with a swallow. He couldn't have been that blind to not notice if Fury had a sweetheart...!

"She's a girl in the cleaner staff. She's very kind. There was a time when I stayed in long and I met her once or twice. The cleaners all do such a nice job! They do the dishes and take care of our clothes if we leave them in." He found his trousers and while he put them on, he pouted a little. "Many soldiers don't even know they exist, I'm sure! They think the food and the clean shirts just grow on trees! Those men and women work hard and they hardly get any appreciation! That's not nice."

"Ah... I wash my own clothes so I never needed their services however I'm sure they get paid for it."

"Yes, the pay is nice but everybody loves to get a few nice words. And when you are being praised, you'll work in a better mood and that means, you'll work better. When I was a mere private, I had a wonderful Sergeant. He knew how shy I was and he always praised me when I did something well. It really helped me a lot. And besides, everybody, who works hard deserves a little thank you sometimes."

"You've interesting ideas, Fury. Yes, being praised is nice but look at the Colonel - he was praised too much. I'm not telling you not to say a few words for them but it's their job to do it at their best. If you do something you should do it with full heart independently from being praised or not." Havoc pulled out his matches and smiled at his comrade. "Do you mind if I lit up?"

"No, I don't mind," Fury shook his head. "And you're right with the full heart... but some people... who work unnoticed... it doesn't feel right. It's like they're won't be our _equals_." Then, he frowned a little. "Don't say mean things about the Colonel! He's a good man he just..." he stopped a little here, searching for the right words, "he has a unique way to show he cares. He never let us down and always takes full responsibility for anything."

"Yes, very unique way..." Havoc murmured bitterly against his hand as he lit his cigarette. He was still devoted to his commanding officer but sometimes it felt good to complain. "Fury, you may think elsewhere but inside the military not everyone is equal to the others. Our ranks show our importance. The Colonel is worth more than we are, for example."

Fury blushed again but this time, from anger and annoyance. "It's... it's not like that! Yes, we have different ranks but that's only... a measurement, that how much we should respect somebody! The higher rank means, a soldier did well, he protected Amestris and by that, he earned our respect. But what about a teacher, who spends his day with educating children, that they could grow up to protect the country? And what about the doctors, who cure us when we get wounded? And the chefs, who provide us with food, that we could remain strong and healthy to fight? Everybody is important in the chain because if a link misses, the chain breaks."

"I wasn't talking about this. We protect them and they provide us with food and medicines and such. It's like the equivalent exchange that you alchemists use. Respect and getting praised for your job is another thing. If you take off your uniform no one would be able to tell you're a soldier of Amestris aside from us. Yet, have you ever run into a disrespectful, sober soldier? No, you didn't because we treat the civilians with respect they deserve as Amestris' people."

Fury sighed and closed his locker. "I wonder if it does have to be two different things? The respect and the praise...? And," he looked up on Havoc, the dark brown eyes shining with a definite sadness, "I have seen sober soldiers being disrespectful. Remember, I'm from the East, where people's skin is sometimes darker, even though they're Amestrisian residents. I've seen people being harassed by soldiers when their only fault was their darker skin." He looked away. "I'm sorry, I got carried away. If you still would like to see me home, we can go now."

"Of course I'd love to see you home. It's good to know your opinion about such things," Havoc said and stepped next to the smaller man. He had never seen the East and he chose to believe Fury's experience. Yet he thought, those soldiers were idiots. "Respect and praise are two different things. You praise the dog and you respect your superior. Probably they are different aspects of liking someone... Like friendship and being in love."

"But the difference is so hard to tell sometimes," Cain looked up at his comrade. "It could happen that you think, you're friends with somebody and then you realize you actually love that person. Or vice versa."

Havoc stopped in mid-step and stared at Fury for a moment. It couldn't be... "The harder thing is to figure out if your friend loves you back or doesn't."

The small-framed soldier nodded. "Yes, that's hard indeed. After all, you could be refused and that hurts much." As they stepped out of the building, Cain took a deep breath from the fresh night air. "It takes a great deal of courage to face your feelings and tell about them to the one you loves, doesn't it, Lieutenant?"

Havoc opened his mouth to answer then closed it again. He took a deep breath and shook his head sadly. "I guess then I'm a coward," he said quietly. He couldn't give up his friendship with Fury only to be refused.

"Huh?" Fury blinked up, the question sign almost visible above his head. "You love somebody, Lieutenant? Neeh, You can't be a coward! You're always so brave and stable! I'm sure you won't be rejected!"

Havoc cursed inwardly and shook his head. "I don't have a good record with stable relationships Fury, so I doubt it... and I'd rather if he remained my friend."

Fury stopped in his tracks and stared. Stared hard. He even blushed. "H-h-he...? H-Havoc, you're in love with a... man?" In the next moment, ha gasped and shook his head wildly. "Not like that would be a problem!! I really don’t mind, I mean, I have no problems with that, I was just surprised!" He stopped, lowered his head and exhaled loudly. "Lieutenant, if you'd like me to help you, I'd be glad to do something for you, honestly!"

"I doubt that you could help with this, but thank you for the offer," Havoc said and tried to ignore the shocked reaction to his careless revelation. "Sorry for making you uncomfortable."

"It's not that!" Fury grabbed Havoc's coat with a desperate expression. "I have nothing against it, I was just surprised! Really, Havoc! You always seemed to go after the ladies so it was a little bit of a shock to find out, you're in love with another man." Cain stopped here and his expression changed again to total surprise. "You... the Colonel...?"

"No," Havoc shook his head with a bemused expression. "It was quite a shock to myself too." He slowly put his hands around Fury's and gently held the warm, small wrists. "He is... kind and passionate and…" Havoc dropped his eyes, which were staring into the chocolate ones until now and added in a whisper, "you."

The most beautiful crimson dawn would have envied Fury's color after Havoc's words. The small soldier's mouth opened but no words came out. He could barely believe what he heard and most of all he tried to figure out a good answer, a true answer. "H-Havoc..." he breathed, feeling utterly lost. “You love me...? But... when? How...?"

Havoc didn't lift his head. "I don't know, just one day... I saw as you beamed at everyone when you came to the office... Do you hate me now?"

"N-no, no, how would I?!" Fury cried out and launching at the other, he buried his face into the blue uniform. "You're really my best friend, Havoc! I feel at ease with you and I think you're very attractive, I just..." he looked up hesitantly, "don't know, how I feel. I don't dare to say that I love you but I don't dare to deny it either. Could you give me a little time to settle this in myself?"

Havoc embraced the smaller man tightly. This answer meant a lot to him and he nodded eagerly. "Yes, thank you, Fury, yes! Take all the time you want, I'll wait patiently. And I'm glad this didn't destroy our friendship."

Fury smiled brightly and reached up to caress his comrade's face. "Nothing could ever destroy our friendship! And please, call me Cain from now on, okay?

"Only if you'll call me John," Havoc said with an eager grin.

"Alright, John." The small-framed soldier nodded and rubbed himself lightly against Havoc's arm. "Let's go home now, okay?"

"Lead the way, Cain."

~tbc~