Seaside
He had just arrived at the sea shore less than thirty minutes ago; but he watched the waves go in and out and he felt like he had been there much longer. Now that he was alone, he stood there, not caring if the wet sand gathered at the bottom of his uniform pants. He just didn't care anymore. Salty tears came down his cheeks, out of his closed eyes. They stung coming out and he could imagine that those few tears were more salty than the whole ocean he was at. The surf sounded as the waves rolled in, then went back out. It was beautiful here, no doubt, but he didn't care.
He had been busy a few days before, on a train to Central. How he wished that he hadn't have made that train! Hughes had called his office that night and mumbled that the news that he had could have sent him straight to the top. Ignorant man, not to tell him there. He died before he could have given Roy the news. He could still recall clearly the night that Hughes had stopped him from doing something horrible, something that would have cost him his own life - not that he hadn't tried suicide. He had put the pistol in his mouth, and yet, he couldn't squeeze the trigger. Then he had tried to do what was forbidden - human alchemy.
His life was worthless after taking so many. He loathed himself. His best friend had been murdered due to that information. What could he have done different to save him? Was there anything different he could have done? More than likely, there wasn't. The waves were crashing on the shore again, reminding him where he was. "You said you'd be there Maes, you said that you would help me rise to Furor, being under me and pushing me upwards. You lied Hughes, and now, now your even higher in rank than me. I really don't know whose worse - you or the state." he mumbled to himself, salty tears still coming down his cheeks.
Wiping at them, the sound of seagulls up ahead, screeching thier enigmatic song, he turned when he heard someone behind him. He turned around, his red eyes meeting hers. Ah, Hawkeye. 'Will everyone I know die before I reach my destiny?' he wondered. She had a kind look in her eyes that wasn't found there very often. Her right hand was by her temple, saluting the colonel. "Sir, we need to go. The funeral will begin soon." she said more softly then he had ever heard her speak before. He nodded, hating himself, loathing that he still drew breath when Maes did not. He laughed bitterly. "You know, Hawkeye, he's the reason that I'm still alive now." he said and she nodded. "I'm glad of that then sir." she said and he thought he saw a smile, albeit a sad one, but still, a smile.
Were things changing between them? Yes, he could say they were. Into what? Well, that, he couldn't say, because he didn't know. For good or bad, things were, and he found that he was smiling in spite of himself. He turned to the waves again, smirking. "I hate to go, but I have to Maes. You see, I have a funeral to attend." he said and turned around. He looked upwards and put his hat on. "It - looks like its going to rain today." he said shakily. Riza smiled softly at him. "Yes sir." she said quietly, supporting him. She would support him until the day that she died, just like Hughes. As well as anyone who ever served him.
He heard the helicopter land that would take them both to Central, where he could say goodbye to Maes Hughes - the legend. "I hope you annoy the hell out of the angels with the pictures of your daughter while your up there." he added as he boarded the helicopter and the smell of the sea followed him when he closed the helicopter door.