Maes Hughes

Edward and his brother had just enjoyed some excellent cooking on Gracia's part. Everyone was still at the table digesting the sustenance they just ingested. The Hughes' and the Elric's made small talk for quite some time until Ed's face flushed and he excused himself quickly. Hughes couldn't help but notice that the 12 year-old had his coat wrapped around him. Al wasn't sure what to think of his brother's sudden departure. He considered going after him, but assumed he was just going to the bathroom and chose to help Gracia clear the table. Maes remained at the table and considered Ed's behavior. Hughes waited a few more minutes for his little guest to return, and when he didn't, he went upstairs after him. The bathroom was unoccupied, but there was light under Ed's door. Maes was about to tap on the door, but he heard the boy talking to himself.

"God, why does this keep happening? I can't do anything without this crap. Ugh, I hope no one saw it. Go down, you bastard!"

Hughes knew at once what was troubling the kid. He was a boy once after all. He rapped lightly at the door and immediately heard rustling and the light beneath the door shut off. Hughes knocked again and spoke.

"C'mon, Ed. I know you're in there. I just want to make sure you're not sick. Can I come in?"

"Umm….I…Yeah, okay you can come in." Ed sounded embarrassed and tired. Hughes opened the door slowly and saw Ed lying in his bed. He had all his clothes on and his hands were under the comforter. Hughes flicked on the bedside lamp and sat at the foot of the boy's bed.

"You know kiddo, if you're having any problems at all, you can talk to me. I won't make fun of you, or think you're weird. I know you are a growing young man and things start to happen, but if you don't talk to me or Roy-…Gracia, you might not know what's normal." Ed's face got redder and redder as the man spoke. He glanced away before he responded.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Hughes. I'm just tired."

"Don't give me that, Ed. You left the table in an awful hurry, and now you're covered in sheets with those leather pants on. I'll bet they're not all that comfortable right now, are they?" Ed wasn't sure what the man meant by that last question. Did he know, or was he commenting on his sleeping in leather pants? It seemed that Maes read his thoughts because the man spoke again.

"I was a twelve year-old boy too a long time ago. Almost anything can trigger it, or it comes out of nowhere. I strongly suggest you wear something a little less constricting, Ed. This will happen for a while."

Ed was a little relieved that he didn't have to hide his secret any longer, but now he had this problem and couldn't do anything about it.

"What can I do? It won't go away!" Ed looked like he was about to burst into tears of humiliation. Hughes could only pity the poor boy. He knew exactly what he was going through. He was happy that Ed trusted him enough to let him in on his little secret, but he wished he could make it easier on the boy. All he could do was tell him what he did in this situation.

"If you have the time, you could take a cold shower. Otherwise, just think about something else. Something that requires all of your concentration."

"But, what if I'm around people?! If I have to get up, they'd see it!" Ed looked genuinely horrified. When it happened tonight, it was just in front of Hughes and his wife, who he trusted. However, if it happened at the office, or in public, he could be ridiculed. It was time for Maes to give the boy the advice that saved his dignity more than once in his youth.

"Try this when that happens. Just put your hands in your pockets like this." He got up and demonstrated.

"Then pull the front of your pants forward and it'll hide it until it goes away." Ed nodded and looked away, face still flushed. Maes walked over to him and messed up his hair and wished him good-night. As he walked down the stairs, he heard the shower turn on behind him. He smiled and walked into the kitchen. Alphonse and Gracia were playing cards on the table and looked up at the man.

"Oh. Hi honey, is Edward okay?" Al looked at him too, to hear the answer.

"Yeah, he's fine. He was feeling a bit hot and I told him to take a cold shower." Gracia knew this code very well unlike Al, who was blissfully ignorant to the whole situation.

"Well I hope his fever goes down soon." Gracia replied coolly.