The request was as follows- "Roy and Hughes being friends and, for once, Hughes not torturing Roy with pictures". i figure this counts. -fireun
"Can't sleep either?"
Roy turned, seeking the speaker with a smile on his face. Maes sat, back against a tree a few feet away from the front of the building, bottle in the crook of one arm. "Whatcha got there?"
"Brandy, care to indulge?" Maes lifted the bottle, waving it in a slightly inebriated yet inviting fashion.
"You don't mind if I join you?"
"Not at all, pal. Not at all. In fact, I brought the bigger bottle, so all is well." Maes shuffled to the side a bit to accommodate his friend's lean form, the manic grin shifting into a more serious concern. "What's on your mind?"
"Nothing much. State of the government, death and destruction, protection of loved ones. The usual."
"Helluva lot to sift around up there. I suggest dousing it in good brandy." Maes shoved the bottle into Roy's arms, and then passed a keen eye along his reclining form. "Seriously though, how are you?"
"Better. Don't worry, no threat of my trying to revive the dead anytime soon." At Maes' sideways glance Roy lifted his hands in defense, dropping the bottle. A deft snatch on Maes' part saved the alcohol from a tragic demise. "Really, Maes. I am better. A good solid punch between friends appears to have helped get my head back on straight."
"As straight as possible, eh?" Maes stood and stretched with a massive yawn. "Well, the brandy is yours. Make good use of it."
As Maes started to amble off, a small detail came to Roy's attention. "Maes!"
"Hmm?"
"What had you awake so late?"
"A woman."
"Miss her?"
"Every second I am away, Roy. Every second I am away." Maes slouched his shoulders as if to ward off the late night chill. But Roy knew better, knew him better. "We'll get back soon."
"I know." There was a definite wistful tone to Maes' chronically cheerful voice, a tone that Roy felt honored to be privy to. Maes turned his head for a moment and mock scowled at Roy. "None of that now, I was trying to take care of you."
"Let me take care of you sometime, Maes."
"Naw, I get by just fine." The manic grin was back in place, and Roy was sure the man actually stuck his tongue out before resuming his walk.
Roy settled back against the tree, shaking his head gently in exasperation. Dutifully he applied a liberal amount of Maes' cure-all, enjoying the pleasant warmth it sent throughout his body with each sip. It wasn't that he had conceded the win to Maes this evening…In another night or so, they would sit up again at night, viewing the starts through the gentle haze of inebriation. Maybe next time Roy could lend Maes the proverbial, and much needed, shoulder.
responses tomorrow...i promise...-fireun