"Checkmate."
Roy gazed blearily at the chessboard, trying to figure out when exactly he had managed to lose the game. Then he turned an accusatory gaze towards his opponent. "You got me drunk."
"You did the drinking yourself, pal."
"You aren't drunk."
"Astute as ever. You will conquer continents with that cunning sense of perception." Maes started gathering up the pieces with hands that were, in Roy's opinion, inappropriately steady.
"Why?"
"Well, when one captures the…"
"No, ass. Why you get me drunk?" Roy was rather proud of the fact his speech slurred only a little, the result of years of attempting to hide one's state of inebriation while attending university.
"You needed it."
Damn, Maes was using that tone of voice again, the one that implied he knew what was best for Roy and was going to act accordingly. He hated it when Maes belittled him like that. Feeling rather truculent, Roy jabbed awkwardly at the chessboard, happily sending a pile of small chessmen to plummet to the floor with a clatter. A piece or two took the fall rather poorly, one snapped in half at the impact and another cracked.
There was a pause, and then Maes moved, silently, to gather up the pieces.
And it occurred to Roy that while Maes really was being an ass, he didn't deserve to be upset. The usually ebullient man's careful silence was a testament to the level of his displeasure, which prompted Roy to feel rather forlorn.
"Sorry."
"No problem." Maes shook his head as Roy moved to help gather up his mess. "Hey, you've had a rough spell. No hard feelings."
"'s not an excuse to be a bas'ard." Roy muttered, hunching in his chair.
"Roy, old man, if you are starting to feel depressed it is time to either pound you with more booze or start saturating you with coffee. Your call." Maes lovingly deposited the last of the pieces back into their box and folded up the worn board.
"Café. Get coffee with me?" Roy turned a hopeful eye Maes' way.
"Sure thing, pal. Sure thing." Maes patted Roy on the shoulder affectionately. "You ok to walk or should I lend you a shoulder?"
Roy's first inclination was to be offended at the suggestion he might need assistance. But, as usual, his better judgment kicked in, jumpstarted by the warm smile on his friends face. "Shoulder." He cracked a smile. "Only this once though."
"Sure, old man. Suuuuuure." Maes hauled Roy to his feet, and then smiled sheepishly, peering over his glasses. "And sorry for being such an ass, Roy. I was worried about you. Must be the left over stress or something."
Roy snorted, waving away Maes' apology. " S'ok." His head chose that moment to acknowledge the fact that he had been drinking rather heavily for the past couple of hours, springing a rather acute headache to life with inappropriate enthusiasm. "Coffee?" Roy all but begged Maes.
Who had the presence of mind not to laugh.
Though there was a most definite glitter in his pale, expressive eyes.
yo, long time no update, m'friends. i am still writing, just usually too busy to cross post everything i write. mostly drabbles and fics make it to lj. the name there is fireun, same as here. stop by!