A/N: Thank you to Neko78 and Attackoneverything for the reviews! The idea for this comes from my headcanon. You'll understand when you read it.
Note: Colonel Keith Cromwell is a character I created for my multi-chapter fic, where he appears in the same role (i.e. as Maes' superior, though he is a Lieutenant Colonel then). His last name comes from the Cromwell tank used in World War II by Britain (and it is named after Oliver Cromwell, an English military and political leader).
Prompt 37: Promotion
Inspiration: My personal headcanon.
"Sir?" Maes asked once his salute to his superior had been returned. He was confused on why he was being called to Colonel Cromwell's office; he ran the recent days through his mind, and nothing of great interest had happened.
The colonel straightened up, folding his hands atop his desk. There was an air of seriousness, and it didn't help that nobody except them were in the office. Everybody else was working in the main office, but out of nowhere, he had been summoned by Cromwell.
"Major Maes Hughes." He nodded, unsettled by the formality but he hid it with a smile. "I wish to offer you a promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel."
He was glad his reaction didn't show; although he looked calm outwardly, inside he felt shocked. It had been a scant two years after Ishval, and he had already gained one promotion. This one would make him on equal level with his best friend.
"You will be working here in the Investigations department of course, but you will have extra powers-"
"No, sir," Maes said, shaking his head. There was no way he was going to let himself be promoted.
"Major?" Cromwell was frowning, trying to find out why the promotion he offered had been immediately turned down.
"I apologize, sir, but I… don't want the promotion, to be honest." Maes knew not many would understand why he had done it, but he himself knew and that was enough for him.
Once dismissed, he turned around and walked off.
After all, how was he supposed to push his best friend through the ranks from underneath if he was on equal level with him?
It came as no surprise to any of the military officers that Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes was given a double promotion upon his death. All of them knew he rightfully deserved it, even if he had turned down all of them before.
A/N: And that's my headcanon. I just thought of this one day, and started creating evidences for this (which may be wrong, but I still stand by this). It's just a fun little thing.