more roy abuse. it is becoming a sort of hobby i think... i am counting this as royai. it is...after a fashion... -fireun

"Whatcha looking at, old man?"

Roy started as Maes' perpetually scruffy face appeared next to his, thoughtfully peering off in the direction that had been so absorbing Roy's attention while reaching one arm out to deftly rescue the cup Roy's sudden movement had toppled.

"What the hell! Can't you act normal once and awhile?"

"No need to snarl, Roy. I did act normal." Maes assumed an expression of deep sorrow as he straightened. "I spoke to you for about five minutes before I realized you weren't hearing me, not just indulging in your more common just plain ignoring me." Lightning fast, feigned sorrow was replaced with a rather smug amusement. "Though now that I see just what had your rapt attention, I think I can forgive you."

"Are you implying something?" Roy hissed out from gritted teeth.

"Only that you have fantastic taste in women." Maes grinned broadly.

"I was not looking at a woman."

"Were too. I saw you watching her over there, the blonde."

"Was not."

"Aww, c'mon Roy, it's not like I caught you ogling Havoc or something. What is there to be embarrassed about?"

"I am not embarrassed." Roy clipped out each word with deadly precision, his face transforming into a glower that would have sent anyone with sense running.

Unfortunately this was Maes he was dealing with, who seemed to value nothing more than getting a rise out of Roy, not even his own life. Roy glared at Maes who smiled back, blissfully oblivious to his impending doom.

"Pardon me, sir's." An impassive, decidedly female, voice snapped both men out of their staring match. Roy decided, at that moment, that he was definitely killing Maes, as soon as the blond soldier left the immediate vicinity. He had been…admiring the woman. Just for a moment though, not this idiotic sort of drooling that his friend had accused him of. The fact that she was at their table, and might have heard even part of their argument, made Roy's suave exterior shudder and try frantically towards some sort of recovery.

Maes beat him to it. He rose with a surprisingly graceful movement of gangly limbs, smiling. "I am Maes Hughes. Don't bother with the whole rank thing. This is a mess hall. It doesn't matter. My friend here is Roy Mustang."

Maes' winning smile and irreverent attitude weaseled a tiny smile out of the woman. "Riza Hawkeye, sir."

"Well, Riza, I need to run a quick errand or three, why don't you keep my friend here company until I get back." Maes flashed a toothy smile and trotted off.

Roy cast a glance at Riza, who shrugged slightly and sat across from him. He was definitely going to kill Maes, charbroil him, slowly. Roy hated being embarrassed; hated feeling awkward, and Maes had done it to him again…

"Sir, I believe lunch was over about five minutes ago. Shouldn't we be getting back to duty?"

"Ah, yes…"Roy stood, his plans to lounge away at least fifteen more minutes shot to hell. "Well then, I will see you this evening?" He hoped so, so he could try this whole meeting her thing again. He did not want this to set a precedent. She deserved to be wined and dined…not stared at in a mess hall.

He let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding when she smiled. "I look forward to it."

Maybe he would just…singe Maes a bit. Just for the gall of setting him up.

i am the worst drabble writer ever...i will respond to comments soon. i promise. my life kinda went downhill and i have no time for anything apart from classes, work, and slamming my head into a wall with great enthusiasim... love you all and your comments really do make my day -fireun