Understanding
I understand.
Many people had told Roy Mustang that over the years, and in many different situations. None truly had understood, of course, but many had said it all the same.
Some had just said the words to be polite. It was the thing to say, so they said it. Such was the pageantry of social life. Others had wanted to use him, and used the words with fake smiles on their faces, hoping to calm him down again so they could use him one more time.
Others, while they did not understand, at least attempted to. Those were his friends... his loved ones. They had looked at him with wide concerned eyes, and truly did try their best. These people always looked distant though, their expressions tense and their words pleading.
It was an impossible thing, to expect anyone to really comprehend. And really, given the situations, he was glad they did not... that they had not experienced the same things he had.
All the same, though...
Roy stood up from his kneel in front of Maes' grave, idly dusting the dried grass off of his knees as he did so. It was still early in the afternoon, and the day was gorgeous. The sort of day his friend would have loved. Maes always was fond of taking Elysia to the park when the weather was like this.
Maes wasn't able to do that anymore. Or much of anything else.
"Here," Edward stepped forward, handed him the bunch of flowers he had been carrying, and gestured to the vase set before the stone. "Better get them in the water before they wilt."
Nodding, the older man took the flowers and did as asked. He felt weary. Each time he visited Maes, it always was the same. A terrible feeling of weight and oppressive guilt.
Roy had not said anything, but Edward spoke up then all the same.
"I understand."
For once, Roy had the feeling that someone really did.