Inspired by fireun's "Bedside Drabbles: drabble the EightySixth" and FelisDeityus' "Dark Humor." Also, was written while waiting for the latter to be updated.

Reminiscent

Roy Mustang couldn't say that he exactly missed the way Hughes had had with photographs. Possibly because he'd merely gotten a break from it. He missed Hughes greatly; oh did he miss his friend. But not the pictures. And why not?

"Roy!"

He winced at the voice, and turned to see one Edward Elric, now twenty-two, walking his direction with a sheaf of glossy paper in one hand and a little girl in the other arm.

"Roy, you've just got to see these pictures. My little girl's getting so big!"

The alchemist nuzzled his daughter before setting her down and turning to his elder. Roy shook his head.

"You realize Ed, Maes would be proud of the camera junkie you've become."

Golden eyes stared up at him from behind bronze framed glasses; not angry, just...thoughtful. His voice was much softer the next time he spoke.

"You really think so? Ya know Roy, nobody's mentioned Maes in a long time..."

Edward was right. It had been quite a while since Maes Hughes had come up. It still...well, it hurt to talk about him. Roy had seen to it that Gracia and little Elysia were well taken care of. Then again, Elysia wasn't so little anymore. Ten years old and counting, and proving she was going to be beautiful. He was sure Maes would be proud of her too. Hell, Maes might even be proud of him he thought, smiling as Riza Mustang swooped down on the tiny, violet-eyed blonde.

"Aren't you just darling? Roy, can't we have at least one?"

And Ayla Elric was giving Riza ideas. Come to think of it though, there was a lot that had happened since Maes died. Havoc and Fury had gotten married, as had he and Riza, Alphonse was going out with Winry, Farman and Schieska were together, Ed had a three year old daughter and another baby on the way...

Envy wasn't the one who had killed Maes. Not this Envy anyway. This Envy had given Edward one child, and was carrying a second. Was doing so willfully. Wanted to. No, this violet-eyed mother wasn't the cold-blooded killer that had taken Maes from them. Lust, Wrath, and Sloth weren't the same either.

There was a small crowd now, all his family, his family, all gathered around, looking at photos and chattering happily. He felt a tug on his coat and looked down to meet a pair of shining lavender eyes.

"Pick me up? Pwease Uncle Roy?"

He smiled and complied, going so far as to put the child on his shoulders. She giggled.

"I'm so high up."

"She's right Ed, you're still short."

"Who're you calling short!"

Everyone laughed, because between the photographs, the little girl, and the yelling and teasing, everythingwas so reminiscent of the days when they'd all been together.

And those were good memories, however bittersweet they'd become...

owari

O..kaay... That--didn't turn out the way I intended it to. Yeah. Anyways, I think I still like it, even though it's not what I meant. Also, too long to really be a drabble, but aren't all of mine?

Oh well. Now, lessee here...

Midori-Jester: Ask me if I care about your quota. Thank you, thank you. No, I've never heard of Bluebird's Illusion? Why do you ask?