Whether You Like it or Not
Early morning saw two men hurriedly traversing the corridors of Eastern Headquarters, arguing semi-quietly.
"I said, I'll see."
"And I'm saying that there's no point in waiting for you to waffle this around! I'm getting married, and you're going to be there, whether you like it or not."
Roy stopped in his tracks. "How d'you figure that, if I don't want to go?" he challenged.
Maes turned to face him and said quite matter-of-factly, "Because I invited Hawkeye, and you're the only one besides me she's going to know very well."
"Maes…" Roy groaned.
But Maes was hearing none of it. "I'm doing this as much for her as for you. More for her, actually. I may need glasses, but even so, I can see that that poor kid's life has been shattered, and she's been left to pick up the pieces by her lonesome."
"And how do I come into this?" Roy wanted to know, starting to walk again.
"Because you had a hand in said shattering?" Roy stopped dead, his surprised look not fazing Maes in the least. "I'm not stupid, Roy. I can put two and two together to come up with four, and more than once, I might add."
Roy was speechless for a second, but managed to stutter, "It's not what you think, Maes!"
"I don't really care what it is or isn't—you had a hand in it. And so help me, you're going to have a hand in fixing it." Maes walked off.
Roy hurried after him. "You're a real bastard sometimes, you know that?"
"I know, Roy. Life is just so unfair. You have a job, a place to live, food on your table, and people who care about you. What more do you want?"
"Nothing for myself, you idiot! You know damn well what I want and just how hard I'm willing to work! Cut me some slack!"
"If I cut you slack in something you deem less important, what's to stop you from slacking off everywhere else eventually? Don't argue with me, Roy. You won't win." Maes turned to look over his shoulder. "And by the way, this is no less important; it's just important in a different way."
Roy sighed impatiently. "Just admit it: you want to see me married to her."
Maes shrugged. "Never said I did or didn't. I don't really matter, though, in the grand scheme of things. All I know is that there's something there, and you can act on it or not as you see fit, but that doesn't change things." They stopped walking, having reached Roy's office. "Well, here we are. Your stop, as it were. Time for you to make a choice."
"Thought you said I didn't have one," countered Roy.
"And you're going to spend the rest of your life wondering which one is true." Maes smiled enigmatically. "Later, Roy."
And how did we become friends again? Ugh…
But as much as Roy complained, he couldn't convince himself not to ask Riza to accompany him. Maes was right—he did owe it to Riza, and he really did enjoy time spent in her company. He just hoped that she felt the same way about him, despite the hand he'd had in completely screwing up her life.
She'd follow me into hell. I guess Maes's wedding is a walk in the park compared to that. Roy opened the door. "Liuetenant Hawkeye—no—Riza, I have something to ask you…"
Around the corner, Maes leaned against the wall and smiled.
A/N: I can imagine Maes doing this to Roy, what with how he drags off Winry and lectures Ed. He's a very lovable character because of that, though. Incredibly frustrating, but lovable none the less, and loyal to the point of feeling like he's almost against you sometimes, before you realize it's you against yourself. (And, it being Thanksgiving, I'm reminded to be thankful every day for having friends who are the same way.)
Really, though, the scene just popped into my head, and I went, "I have got to write this!" Et voila. Here ya go. Please let me know whether or not you enjoyed it, what needs work, etc. I value your guys' opinions!