Ch. 3

Hughes and Mustang

The dusk air was fresh and cool. The sun had not yet gone down, but it was on its way. There was a slight aroma of burning wood off in the distance and a warm breeze made its way past Roy as he slowed his pace and glanced behind him to be sure no one was watching him. It was only then did Roy allow himself the luxury of a deep breath. His eyes fell on his pale skin.

An alchemist, his thoughts mused as the steady walk to his friend's house began. A true alchemist. What would it take? Surely I wouldn't be stuck inside all the time, like I am now. Anything's better than this hell I'm living in. My parents think they know best, but they don't. I shouldn't have to become a solider, or a scholar, or anything else they want if I don't wish it, should I?

"Roy, hey there!" a friendly and familiar voice called through the air.

Roy looked up and felt a smile creep over his stone face. His buddy, Maes Hughes, stood at the door of the Hughes household, his hand waving like a flag in the wind. A smile was plastered on the kind face and gentle, but sharp, golden raven eyes looked out at Roy.

"Maes," Roy laughed. "I was just coming to see you."

"I know," Maes stated as Roy neared the porch. "I saw you coming down the walk."

"Good to see you're back," Roy smiled. "I was lonely, if I dare say it."

"Roy!" a herd of small children, ages ranging from three all the way to ten, ran out to massacre the new arrival.

Roy couldn't help but laugh as the group toppled him over, pushing him into the plush green grass. Little arms grabbed at him and wrapped around his torso and each trying to tell Roy some or another.

"Brother Roy's here mama!" a few called as the mother of the army came up beside them.

"Hello Roy," Maes' mom smiled. "How are you?"

"Doing fine Mrs. Hughes," Roy nodded courteously at the large woman.

"Get off of him, I'm sure he wants to breathe," Mrs. Hughes playfully scolded the group.

Grumbling in compliance, the children crawled off Roy's chest and went to playing with each other as Roy stood to his feet and dusted himself off.

"Oh, you're so thin," Mrs. Hughes grabbed Roy's shoulders and turned him a little. "You've become much thinner since we left. Have you not been eating?"

"I've been eating fine," Roy lied.

"Come now," Mrs. Hughes good-naturedly prodded. "I know how horrible the cooking at your own house can be. Come eat with us tonight."

Roy sighed, though a happy sigh. It was true. The food at the Hughes household was much preferred by Roy, despite the high dollar stuff that his parents insisted on buying and eating. Roy found that stuff alright, but it lacked something, something that Mrs. Hughes knew how to make.

"I've already eaten," Roy stated.

"No matter, you are as thin as a pole," Mrs. Hughes ruffled Roy's hair. "You could stand to eat a bit more, huh?"

Roy looked helplessly at Maes who just chuckled and shrugged. Maes liked it when Roy ate with them and, of course, wouldn't stop his mother in her attempt to lure Roy to their dinner table. If anything, Maes was prone to helping her.

"Well, I guess if you don't mind," Roy gave in.

"'If you don't mind'! I insist!" Mrs. Hughes exclaimed.

Roy chuckled and followed Maes and his mother into the dining room, the herd of siblings following the two older boys. Maes smiled at Roy as they walked down the hall.

"We were just sitting down to dinner," Maes informed.

"Oh, really?" Roy cocked his head. "Then it seems I have good timing."

"As always," Maes laughed.

"Hey Maes, can we talk after dinner?" Roy timidly asked in a hushed tone.

"Sure, I'm sure you have a lot to talk about since we've been gone so long," Maes nodded. "Still having at-home issues?"

"You have no idea," Roy admitted.

"Roy Mustang," Maes' thin, but strong, father beamed as the flock entered the dining room. "What an honor it is to have you!"

Mr. Hughes stood from his seat just to come and nearly smother Roy in a bone-cracking hug.

"Nice to see you too, Mr. Hughes," Roy squeaked.

"Dear, put the poor boy down, you're suffocating him," Mrs. Hughes scolded.

Sheepishly, Mr. Hughes dropped Roy and brushed his shoulders off before stepping back to take a look at his other raven-haired son.

"My, my boy, what have they been feeding you over there?" he critically asked. "Chicken feed? You're scrawnier than my aunt Petunia. They have been feeding you, right?"

"Yes sir, they have been," Roy nodded.

"Leave the poor boy alone Frank," Mrs. Hughes told her husband as she placed the last of the food on the table. "Can't you see he's been depressed without us?"

Of course, Roy knew she was teasing. She had no way of knowing that to be fact. It was depression that kept him from eating. It was alchemy that kept him sane.

The dinner was rather long, as was the Hughes fashion. Conversations were often held here, everything from weather to family things, and Roy was always included.

"So, Roy, what have you been up to?" Mr. Hughes took a drink.

"Oh, this and that, nothing note worthy," Roy shrugged.

"How's the private schooling going?" Mrs. Hughes gathered plates.

"Horrible, I hate it," Roy sighed. "I wish I could just leave, but my mother insists that I have to have the perfect education and be the best scholar."

"I wonder if she's ever thought that maybe you weren't born to be a scholar," Maes stroked his chin.

"No," Roy answered bluntly. "She's so set on me being a college scholar that she won't open her eyes to anything else."

"That's a shame," Mrs. Hughes noted from the kitchen.

"It really is," Mr. Hughes nodded. "It's quite obvious your talents lie elsewhere."

"Heh, yeah, now if only you could convince my parents of that," Roy chuckled.

"You should come live with us," Maes perked. "Then my parents would be your parents and you wouldn't have to worry about that."

Roy laughed hollowly. "I wish I could. That would be great."