More Than A Fire Hazard: Chapter Three
In the end, it didn't take all too long for Roy to have his hand wrapped tightly in a make-shift cast and given a short-term supply of pain killers. But it had seemed like an eternity to Edward. Who stood there not so complacently, watching the various expressions run their way over Roy's face. It intrigued the younger man, because the Colonel usually wore a mask of smugness, or showed no emotion at all. To see him be so human, it made him curious as to find out how to learn more about the man. But those thoughts, even just wondering about the man made a chill run up his spine, since when did he care about knowing Colonel Mustang? And why should he care, other than he had broken three of his bones. But otherwise, Edward was fine with his spit-fire type relationship with the Colonel. Or that was just what he was able to convince himself as he was brought back to the present time by said Colonel coughing to get his attention, "We can leave now, Fullmetal." With a curt nod towards the door, Roy's eyes did not stray from the wrap on his hand, totally missing the inquisitive stare on his subordinate's face.
The walk back up to Roy's office was completely silent, that was until Roy had dropped the small bottle of pain medication. As soon as he entered the hallway where Havoc had previously tripped over Edward. Edward muttered something lowly as he let the door slam with a deafening sound behind him and easily walked around the Colonel to pick up, more like chase after, the bottle. The sight of Edward actually doing something nice, for him nonetheless, brought a not so smug smirk to his lips. Just a peaceful look. But it might have just been the painkillers taking effect.
It was at that time though, of that tiny little satisfied smirk lying complacently on the Colonel's lips that Maes Hughes and Jean Havoc entered the hallway. One Jean Havoc almost tripping over the small Alchemist whom had just recovered the elusive pill bottle. Righting himself he shot a nasty look in Edward's direction and shoved an elbow in Maes' stomach for sniggering at him. Without a word Havoc moved straight to the door leaving a winded Maes with a Colonel with a bigger smirk, and Edward with a huffy look crossing his features. "It's not my fault he doesn't look where he's going..." Edward huffed as he shoved the bottle into Roy's good hand. "And you might want to put that in your pocket, I don't want to have to chase after it all day Mustang."
The look that Havoc had shot him had apparently shattered his quiet pensive mood, and was certainly bringing that smirk right off of Roy's face, but the only one who noticed was Maes. Although having slight difficulties breathing he said his good-bye and followed Havoc's route to the exit, intent on catching up with him.
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After a little lapse of time, Maes and Jean could be found sitting idly in a darkened bar. Although it was only mid-day things could always be accented with a relaxing beer or three no matter the time. Conversation had ranged from everyday menial tasks, to of course Maes' favorite topic, Gracia and Elysia. To which Jean rolled his eyes and lit up another cigarette, he had heard this story yesterday. By the time he had to snuff out the barely live butt of the cigarette Maes had a totally different look in his eyes as he surveyed the half full contents of his bottle. Deep green eyes held a glint that was somewhat unknown to Jean, and Jean was curious as to find out what exactly was going through his superior officer's, and friend's head.
As if reading Jean's mind Maes opened his mouth to speak, but stuck his bottle in his mouth draining a good portion of the remaining beer in one swig, eliciting a prolonged sigh from Jean. "If you have something to say Maes, just say it already. We aren't in grammar school anymore, you don't have to stall." His voice held it's ever present snarl to it, but it was affectionate, he actually liked Maes as a friend. To Jean, Maes was simply a great guy.
With a slight twitch of his lips, Maes was smirking quite eerily. "You know how I'm insisting that Roy get himself a nice wife..?" Of course this answer was an expected yes because it was no secret that Maes wanted Roy to be happy if anything, and the thing that made Maes the happiest was his wife, and daughter. So naturally it would be the same for Roy right? If he had found the right woman, is all. But being as human as he was Maes was having doubts over his previous actions and thoughts.
To this, Jean snorted into his drink. Picking his head up he shook it lightly, "Of course I do. He only rants about how idiotic you are for suggesting such a time consuming thing… You know as well as, or more than any of us, that he really only cares about his friends and the military. A steady relationship would only hinder him…" Jean thought he was right on the nose about Roy, he was close, but close wasn't enough in Alchemy. So why should it be in love?
Maes showed Jean a thoughtful nod before going on to speak, "I know how he feels about that… now. I can't believe it actually took me so long to see this. That Roy doesn't need a woman after all," he stopped speaking at the incredulous look on Jeans face. Coughing to clear his throat, he didn't pause for long, "He needs Edward."
The look was indescribable on Jean's face. A mixture of the past incredulity, with a new dumbstruck and almost horror stole over his features. "No, that would be disastrous. They are far too different… Plus Edward is far too young, and male…" The idea could not wrap itself around what Maes was trying to get at. His fearless leader, whom he pledged to follow forever because he wanted all women in the military to wear mini-skirts, could quite possibly be… gay? He needed another cigarette. Taking another from his pack he placed it idly between his lips, not lighting it immediately, "No… it couldn't work. They are too different." his voice was adamant, even through the cigarette's muffling abilities. It bounced lightly with the movement of his lips, and surprisingly didn't hinder Maes' hearing abilities.
With a short laugh Maes downed the rest of his drink, and rolled the bottle between his palms, "Jean, I think those cigarettes are affecting your thought processes. Too different? Ha. They couldn't be anymore similar." Everyone in Central as well as Eastern knew that Maes Hughes knew Roy Mustang more than anybody could ever imagine. As they had been friends for an extended period of time. But what Maes did not exude to anybody other than Gracia, or nobody else seemed to notice was that he was one of the few people to actually get to know Edward Elric as well. The things that both of them had seen and done would always haunt them in the back of their minds, the horrible images making themselves known forever. He himself could only imagine the pain they have dealt with, knowing that nobody else could comprehend.
Maes was pulled from his thought process as Jean shoved another cold bottle of beer into his face, the cold sweat on the bottle clinging to his skin. "Are you okay Maes? You seem kind of spacey… what are you thinking about?" Jean's voice was inquisitive as he sipped at his own beer. His own blue eyes shooting his superior a suspicious glance.
The older man just grinned maniacally across the table at the other man and took off his glasses to wipe them with a handkerchief he produced from his pocket. "Well, my dear Jean," he slipped his glasses up his nose carefully, "with our difference of opinion, I'd say a bet would be in order. I say that Roy and Edward are perfect compliments for each other, minus the age difference and the tempers." he said with a slight chuckle. "But otherwise I think they'd actually be happy."
The grin stood resiliently upon Maes' lips, giving Jean slight doubts about this particular bet, but being him, "I guess I could take you up on that Maes. But how about we cover our own asses and keep this between us? Hawkeye would pump our asses full of lead if she found us meddling in Mustang's affairs." They both shuddered at the thought of pissing Hawkeye off, and that part of the deal was sealed. "But we also need terms…" Getting straight to the point, he was.
The grin that was previously on Maes' lips feel eventually into a thoughtful smirk, "If you are so confidant Jean, then how about if you are proved right I will give up showing pictures of Elysia every chance I get." This was a hard thing to lay on the line, but Maes had insight into the two, and thought that he was more than right about the topic at hand. "And if I prove to be right, you must give up smoking." Of course Maes would never suggest that he would stop taking pictures, because that would be highly scandalous. But not showing them should be enough to provoke Jean into agreeing.
The look on Jean's face was of both object horror, and thankfulness. He neither wanted to give up smoking, but the thought of Maes having to stop shoving picture after picture down everybody's throat was appealing. A defiant sneer took over Jeans lips as he fluidly pulled a cigarette from his metal case and held it between the same scowling lips. Pursing them against the paper encased tobacco, Maes' eyes followed the cigarette as it moved while Jean spoke again, "You've got yourself a deal. Mustang would never jeopardize his rank for anything, or anybody. Especially for an illegal relationship. I've got to tell you Maes, this doesn't seem wholly fair; to you. Mustang's a skirt chaser if I've ever met one."
Without his heart, Mustang will only see women. No love, just pure lust to satisfy missing emotions. But with his heart he could see love and possibly even feel, no matter what. "Jean, one last thing. No interference. I cannot push them together, and you cannot pull them apart. We must see what will happen naturally."
His only response was a metallic click of a lighter and a curt nod.