Disclaimer: I do not own Full Metal Alchemist. If you sue you won't get anything because I have about 10 cents and some lint to my name.
Spoilers/Warnings: HUGE SPOILER FOR EPISODE 25. IT'S ABOUT AS HUGE AS THEY COME. BE WARNED.
Maes Hughes —
Darkness…fading…he couldn't see…couldn't hear…so hard to think…
He'd seen this coming from a long way off. It's what happens in this line of work. You don't see a lot of old military dogs. That's because they don't make it to old age. It's too dangerous, too risky a job. But he did it anyway.
Why? He'd made a promise. He'd promised to push Roy to the top, all the way to the to the top.
Promises…
He'd made a lot of them. There was another…he could almost hear it. Maybe if he strained, maybe if he tried…
Daddy!
He couldn't hear anything but that one word. One word, leading to so many thoughts: daddy, husband, friend. He didn't want to break those promises. It would break his heart…his heart was already broken. Broken for what he'd never see. He'd never watch her grow up, never see her go to school, her first date, his grandkids…
Alicia…
He'd spent his whole career dealing in intelligence and information. You would have thought he'd get sick of knowing things, but he'd have done anything to know more about her life, to be a part of it, to learn who she was as she grew every day.
But he'd seen it coming. Things had been getting worse for the military for a long time. That was why he tried so hard to live every moment he had for her. That was why he took all those pictures. He'd shove them under everyone's nose, and tell them, "Isn't she pretty, and talented, and wonderful?" And he'd ignore the irritated looks and the brush-offs because he knew they agreed. He knew they didn't really mind. It was just something for him to hold onto. They all had something to hold onto.
Slipping…
What could he hold onto now? Maes had known a lot of fear in his life, but nothing could compare to the fear he felt now. Because it wasn't for himself, it was for someone so much more important. It was his worst nightmare, and now it was true.
Gracia…
God, he'd left her alone, all alone with Alicia. Would they cry? Would they silently die inside? Had he done enough? He wanted to tell them he loved them. Did he say it enough? Who would take care of them? How could he break these promises? How could he die here!
Was it worth it? Should he have gotten out before this? Roy…he'd had to stay, for a promise he'd made long before all the others. But was it right? It was. It had to be.
And off somewhere, just a shadow in the corner of his eye…
Was this what Ed had seen on that night when he and Al almost lost everything? How had he done it? How had he fought it? Another piece of information he'd give the world to know…but it slid from his grasp like a knife from bloody fingers.
One life, lived for those he loved, for Gracia, for Roy, for Alicia. He hoped it was enough. It had to be enough, enough to leave without regrets, enough to let go without fear, with assurance that somehow, it would turn out okay. Somewhere beyond the Gate…
He'd never really been one to sit in self-pity. It just wasn't in the nature of Maes Hughes. He'd go thinking of her, one bright spot in the darkness of the world, one last picture in his mind's eye. Isn't she pretty? Isn't she talented? Isn't she wonderful?
Thoughts were coming so slow now…the shadow was growing…the shadow was here…
And he hoped…
Fin
