What up, this is Seto'sgal29. Just in case the name didn't give it away, I'm more of a Yu-Gi-Oh gal, but I do love FMA. I'm def buying the DVDs, cuz I just can't wait until Adult Swim starts playing the second season. So anywho, I was deeply moved by Maes' death, and I love the couple of Roy and Riza, so I decided to kill two birds with one stone. This takes place right after the end dialog between Roy and Riza in episode 25. Enjoy!

Silent Watcher

By: Seto'sgal29

Colonel Roy Mustang stood perfectly still, slowly closing his tired eyes as the warm, moist air caressed his face. In his mind he could see the scene perfectly. He could see Maes walk up to him; ask him what he was looking at. Roy would look away and mutter,

"Just some poor, dead soul."

Maes would laugh, slap him on the back, and tell him to lighten up.

But Maes wouldn't come, he wouldn't laugh.

Because Maes was that poor, dead soul.

Roy opened his eyes; the name hammered onto the perfectly polished stone seemed to be laughing at him, taunting him. Colonel Roy Mustang was a military man; he had seen thousands of deaths in his short military career. Hell, he himself had caused hundreds with a simple snap of his fingers. But, now none of that mattered.

Maes was dead.

He was his best friend; he knew everything about Roy, all his dreams, his faults, his glaring mortality. He saw Roy for what he was, not necessarily a broken man, but onein which the cracks were clearly visible.

Maes was also a liar, he promised that he would always be there, pushing his bud up to the top from the backdrop. But Maes had left him, and Roy wasn't anywhere near the top yet. In fact, a dead man was closer to becoming Fuher than he was.

Roy smiled.

Sure, he loved to joke about the mini-skirts, but Maes knew better, he knew Roy had to Fuher to make it all right, equivalent exchange. Roy's soul in exchange for the soul of the State.

The wind blew once again, this time revealing the distinct sent of vanilla, her smell. So, she was still there, he was at ease with the fact that he had almost forgotten her presence by his side.

A silent watcher, unquestioning and unyielding.

He knew she didn't care whether he stayed here and mourned or left and forgot. She would, just be there.

Roy watched the grave.

"Killed in Action," he scoffed. "When someone is killed in battle, they're Killed in Action. Maes was murdered, just murdered." Roy laughed. "So, maybe, there's no difference between being Killed in Action and being murdered."

"So then, "What's the difference between war and murder."

Roy looked into Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye's golden brown orbs.

"Don't you go anywhere on me, ok?"

Riza slowly turned and began walking away.

"You had better get those papers signed Sir, they're due to Central tomorrow."

Roy smiled, taking one last glance at his old friend, jogging to catch up with the Lieutenant. He watched as her lips formed into a rare, beautiful smile.

"Thought you would have figured out by now that I'm never gonna take a goddman step without you right by my side Colonel, Sir."

Roy laughed as he threw her a sideways glance.

"I wouldn't have it any other way Lieutenant."

"See Lord, don't they make a cute couple?" Maes Hughes laughed as the sun slowly began to set.

Seto'sgal29: (Sniff, sniff) Soo sad, RIP Hughes, we won't forget you. Don't forget to R&R!