dream ⊗ first
The sun was setting on Central City, but despite the time, the man seated comfortably on the bench did not make a single move to get up and head on home. Instead, his gaze followed a young child playing along with her friends, picking flowers by a nearby tree. Hughes didn't mind staying in the park a little longer if it made his daughter happy. He couldn't even bear to think about when he would actually have to call her to head on home.
It had become somewhat routine for the two of them whenever he was able to take off from work early. He would rush home immediately, picking her up with an estatic look on his face as he made it out the door once more, daughter in tow.
She had chosen to head over to the park today, and Hughes was more than happy to bring her there. They arrived without a hitch and Elicia was quick to spot her friends before heading off at their direction. The man couldn't help but give the boys an evil eye for a moment, making sure to remain vigilant from where he sat.
On the rare occasion another parent would strike up a conversation with him. He would trade stories with them, though this attention never drifted from his daughter. He probably wouldn't forgive himself if his precious Elicia were to become upset during his watch.
When it was finally getting dark, he called her over, watching as she made her way back to him. He lifted the girl on his shoulders and bid the other parents farewell.
"Papa!"
The man titled his head slightly, just enough to make eye contact with his daughter. "What is it?"
A tiny hand clutching a few assorted flowers came within his line of sight. "I got this for Mama. Do you think she'll like it?"
Hughes could not help but beam at his child. Removing her from his shoulders, he carried her in front of him so he could look at her better. "Of course she'll like it. Especially if it came from you, Elicia!" As if on impluse, he pulled her close, rubbing his face against hers.
Elicia just squealed, immediately erupting in giggles."Papa! Your beard tickles!"
He made no sign of stopping, instead joining in her laughter as they made their way home. Just being alone with her was more than enough for him.
That had been his first dream since he's gotten here and it didn't help the homesickness he felt. Even if he were to somehow leave this place, there was no guarantee that he could make it back to Amestris, to his wife and daughter. Knowing that only made things harder.
With a heavy heart, Hughes got out of bed and cut the feed of his Dreamberry.
It had become somewhat routine for the two of them whenever he was able to take off from work early. He would rush home immediately, picking her up with an estatic look on his face as he made it out the door once more, daughter in tow.
She had chosen to head over to the park today, and Hughes was more than happy to bring her there. They arrived without a hitch and Elicia was quick to spot her friends before heading off at their direction. The man couldn't help but give the boys an evil eye for a moment, making sure to remain vigilant from where he sat.
On the rare occasion another parent would strike up a conversation with him. He would trade stories with them, though this attention never drifted from his daughter. He probably wouldn't forgive himself if his precious Elicia were to become upset during his watch.
When it was finally getting dark, he called her over, watching as she made her way back to him. He lifted the girl on his shoulders and bid the other parents farewell.
"Papa!"
The man titled his head slightly, just enough to make eye contact with his daughter. "What is it?"
A tiny hand clutching a few assorted flowers came within his line of sight. "I got this for Mama. Do you think she'll like it?"
Hughes could not help but beam at his child. Removing her from his shoulders, he carried her in front of him so he could look at her better. "Of course she'll like it. Especially if it came from you, Elicia!" As if on impluse, he pulled her close, rubbing his face against hers.
Elicia just squealed, immediately erupting in giggles."Papa! Your beard tickles!"
He made no sign of stopping, instead joining in her laughter as they made their way home. Just being alone with her was more than enough for him.
That had been his first dream since he's gotten here and it didn't help the homesickness he felt. Even if he were to somehow leave this place, there was no guarantee that he could make it back to Amestris, to his wife and daughter. Knowing that only made things harder.
With a heavy heart, Hughes got out of bed and cut the feed of his Dreamberry.