Notes: Found in my tags today. Written in June, 2007.
Orders from Above
By Miki
Maes Hughes burst into the office, throwing the door wide open and greeting the colonel with a salute and then with a grin and a twinkle in his eye.
Roy shuddered, recognising the familiar wallet in Hughes' hand and knowing he was going to be subjected to a torturous display of his subordinate's familial affection. He ignored the man, turning his attention back to the paperwork on his desk.
"Hmm?" Hughes smiled, leaning back against Roy's desk, reading the top paper on his pile. "What a paperwork pusher you are, Roy Mustang. You're approving a request for increased funding to training programs in the North? Oh? I'm sure Ed will love you for that."
"Yes, I'm sure he will," Roy said, rolling his eyes and signing on the dotted line.
He hated paperwork. He just happened to hate Hughes barging in with his photographs of his family even more.
He didn't have problems with Hughes' family. No, no. Roy's problems stemmed more from petty jealousy and feelings he'd harboured for many too many years.
"I have something to show you," Hughes declared loudly, opening up his wallet right under Roy's nose, making him sit back in his chair. "I found another photograph. Look, look!" Hughes insisted, unzipping one of the compartments of the thing and fumbling around. A few notes fell out and rolled around on Roy's desk.
"Look, why don't you take tha-"
Hughes cut him off. "But look, Roy! Isn't he so handsome?" Hughes laughed, not put off by his friend's lack of enthusiasm.
Roy startled, sitting still in his seat. "He?" he questioned.
Hughes gave a grin, leaning further across the desk. He flipped the small card in his hands to show a photo to Roy.
Roy sucked in his breath quickly, alarmed by the tight feelings in his chest; too old to be of use to either of them now.
The photo was one of himself taken years before. He looked rather baby faced and he wondered who had taken the picture and how Hughes had come across it.
"How stupid," he muttered. "Put it away somewhere no one can see it," he snapped, shaking his head.
"How cold of you," Hughes laughed. "I'd have thought you'd be touched."
Roy crossed his arms. "I don't have time for your sentimental nonsense," he scolded lightly.
Hughes gave a slightly sad smile, walking around the desk, making Roy want to get up and step away from him.
"So what do you have time for?" Hughes asked gently, leaning in to kiss his lips.
Roy felt as though his heart were twisting in his chest, pangs of guilt and want and feelings he'd thought were only memories once again exposed.
He wondered if it wasn't wrong to do this; to know what he was doing would hurt someone else if she were ever to know about it. He wondered, if in another ten years, he and Hughes would find themselves looking back at this time and laughing about it. He'd probably be sitting at his desk, of course, and Hughes would just barge in and Roy would pretend to be annoyed and… And…
Roy's thoughts drifted off. Sometimes he had trouble thinking past tomorrow. Other times he found himself thinking of the future and wishing it would come faster. It was only ever Hughes who managed to put things back into perspective for him.
"I'll take that as a 'yes'," Hughes said when they stopped kissing. "Take this off," he said, pulling lightly at Roy's belt.
Roy smirked very slightly and managed to kick the back of Hughes' knee, surprising him and sending him to his knees.
"Actually, I do believe I'll be the one giving the orders around here, Lieutenant Colonel Hughes."
.fin.