Along the Beach - Saturday Afternoon
As if he'd known that Aly was getting close to being completely overloaded with questions and confusion and thoughts, Nawat took himself off to investigate the murder of crows flocking in the Preserve.
She couldn't help but smile at his innate tact, something she'd been torn between loving and being incredibly frustrated about when he was alive. Everything he'd been saying seemed like something she only hoped he might believe, and she needed time to work it out into something that made sense. She found herself walking through town, marking the places she'd known when she'd lived on the island until she got a coffee from the Perk and walked out to the beach again. Anyone who wanted to would find her there.
"There you are!" Hughes waved from a distance as he spotted Aly, Roy a few steps behind him. "I was going to start thinking you were avoiding me."
Aly looked up from her coffee and managed a quick smile at the pair of them. "Why would I ever do that?"
"True," Hughes agreed and smirked. "In all honesty, I thought you might be avoiding Grumpy Pants over here, but I was trying to be polite."
Roy raised an eyebrow. "There's a new one," he said dryly, his hands shoved in his pockets and he didn't quite seem to know where to look so he settled for the horizon.
She looked at Roy, her own eyebrow raised then back at Hughes. "Grumpy Pants?"
"It's short for something," Hughes frowned as he tried to think of it. "Grympy Idiot... No. Broody Self Sacrificing I Shoot Myself In My Own Foot... Too long."
"Are you quite done?" Roy glared at him, but he was trying not to laugh.
"Haven't even gotten started," Hughes said lightly, winking at Aly. "I'm sure you get my drift."
"What is he shooting himself in his own foot for this time?" she asked, directing the question to Hughes though there was a look of amusement in her eyes that was really just for Roy.
"Hey, I've never shot myself in my own foot," Roy objected, shaking his head but he knew that look and the line of his shoulders seemed less tense.
"You demoted yourself," Hughes scolded, "and now you're waiting too long asking a beautiful, interesting woman to marry you. You're more like nailing yourself to the floor."
"Man's got a point," Aly admitted. "About the demoting yourself and exiling yourself to Northern at least." She shrugged a little, not quite wanting to touch the last part unless she had to.
"Don't tell him that. You give him a finger and he'll take an arm," Roy grumbled, glaring at Hughes for bringing up the subject when he knew Aly's dead husband was around.
"Only when I know I'm right on all accounts," Hughes assured them both, apparently oblivious of any looks Roy was giving him. "You're lucky to find someone who can tell you off. Someone's got to do it when I'm gone and the poor Lieutenant already has her hands full with you without needing that as a full time job. You're a brave woman, Aly."
She chuckled, shaking her head at Hughes and obviously not terribly upset by anything he'd said. "Am I now? I'd think Hawkeye's the brave one."
"Oh, you and me both," Hughes agreed instantly, "but at the end of the day she can go home and ignore he exists. She gets paid for you, you're actually voluntarily putting up with it. Now that's insane."
"Remind me again why you were my friend?" Roy demanded, but there was no real annoyance behind his words.
"At the end of the day, I get to go home too," Aly pointed out, giving Roy a little wink. "Or didn't your friend tell you I don't live in Amestris."
"The Copper Isles where you work as spymaster for your Queen Dove," he raised an eyebrow at her, reminding her of the joke she'd been trying to play at his expense. "I admit that I'm kind of curious on how you're going to balance that along with having your little boy. When Fullmetal gets to find out..." Hughes said, sounding confident that it would happen.
She chuckled at Hughes' little reminder, totally unrepentant about her attempts to tease both him and Roy, but the chuckle faded as his words continued, and Aly shot a glance at Roy, surprised to hear he'd discussed that child that had appeared two years ago. "Nothing's set in stone," she said finally.
"You don't have to tell me that," Hughes assured her with a chuckle, and quite possibly he was taking pity on his dumbfounded friend. "It'd be way too easy if it was."
"Easy for you to say," she muttered, giving him a little Look.
Hughes didn't glance away from it and he minutely shook his head. "Not really," he said quietly enough that Roy wouldn't be able to make it out.
Roy was trying to decide if he wanted to actually hit Hughes for spilling half drunken words. Right in front of him, too. At least he knew what to expect, but if the timing hadn't been right before (or his degree of soberness), then it definitely wasn't now. Maybe dragging him off the beach would be the safest option. He had no idea what was going on in Aly's mind, and Hughes' poor matchmaking skills were as subtle as a kick in the teeth.
"Nothing about you is easy, Maes," he said before he could ask Aly another dumb question.
Aly took a breath at Hughes' words, giving him a little nod, a look of compassion in her eyes. "You're right," she murmured to him before looking over to Roy again. "Huh, if nothing about him's easy, guess you two are completely matched exccept in one way."
"And what way's that?" Roy asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
"Oh, don't ask her that," Hughes groaned.
She smirked at the pair of them, enjoying their reactions. "One of you is easy."
"That's definitely you," Hughes decided instantly. "You're a slut." He got his shoulder punched for his trouble. "See? He proved me right."
"I have lousy friends," Roy complained.
"General Hughes, if you'd like to come spend time with me instead with with General Mustang who so obviously doesn't appreciate you," Aly teased. "You're more than welcome."
Hughes smirked and he stepped closer to stand beside Aly. "I would actually. Roy, get lost."
Roy shook his head. "You know what? You two deserve each other," he decided. "I should go take a nap now that no one's snoring."
"And a shower," she agreed, tilting her head to watch him. "You look like you need it." Or maybe he just needed a hug. Either way.
"Are you saying you can smell me just looking at me?" he asked, rubbing his chin to encounter a whole lack of stuble. He shook his head at her, she really wasn't the one who should be worrying about him. There were a few things he wanted to ask or do, but it was harder with this audience. "Maybe you're right."
Aly nodded at Hughes then stepped closer to Roy, drawing him a few steps down the beach. "Of course I'm right," she murmured, tilting her head to make sure he was okay.
"Don't give me that look," he whispered, his back to Hughes to shield them even if he knew his friend would be looking the other way. "You have enough on your mind as it is," he added, his fingers brushing her cheek tentatively.
"You're on my mind," she said softly, reaching up to cover his hand with hers. "Don't want you to be worrying about things."
He let out a breath and pressed a long kiss to her forehead, buying a little time to answer and to just be close to her. "Message received," he murmured, staying near. "How are you?"
"It's been an interesting day," she replied, her eyes closing to feel his presence around her. "Not what I expected. Even with the dreams."
It was a lot harder to worry at her words when she was right there in front of him. "Good or bad?" he asked. "Or are those questions for later?"
"Little bit of both?" Aly tried, twisting her lips a little. "What about you?"
His thumb brushed over her cheekbone and he held her gaze for a long moment. "I've missed him," he said quietly, convinced that he'd gotten the easy deal here.
"I've missed him too," she murmured, wanting him to hear the meaning behind her words. "I wish Lianna and Elysia were here."
"Yes," he said with a sigh, but Hughes' reasoning was one he couldn't argue with. Not when part of him wished he could protect Aly from getting hurt over this. "A day at the beach, I think they'd have enjoyed it."
"Is Elysia the boat still at the docks?" Aly asked. "You should show him that." She smiled a little and glanced back at Hughes. "Don't worry. I'll take care of him. You go rest."
"Huh, unless someone moved her," he nodded and he caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. She was always taking care of others, and he didn't feel like he was doing a good job of taking care of her right now. Not that she'd accept the notion if he ever did suggest it. "You just want to find out my last secrets from him," he teased instead.
"I do," she admitted unrepentantly, giving him a teasing grin. She could tell he was completely worried, but right now all she could do was try to act like everything was okay. "I'm sure there's plenty I haven't been able to find out yet."
He shook his head, amused. "Better take advantage of it while you can then," he said quietly, not only meaning Hughes. He cupped her face and rested his forehead briefly against hers. "We're in room 504 if you need me."
Aly nodded and stepped away from him, her fingers brushing his briefly. "Take care of yourself, boyo."
"Mmmmm. Stop worrying yourself," he commented and he cast a look in Hughes' direction before he left. He was going to end up regretting this, but a shower sounded good and giving Aly space was more likely than not the wisest move. He'd just had to trust Hughes with his reputation then. That couldn't end well.
"Well, now I'm curious about all these secrets you're holding about Roy that makes him so nervous about leaving us alone together," Aly said to Hughes as Roy started back up the beach.
Hughes chuckled. "We've known each other since the academy, I'm bound to know some tale or other that he wishes I'd forgotten."
Aly closed the distance with him and looking up expectantly.
"What? You expect me to just spill like that for nothing in return?" he asked, laughing at her.
"It depends what you want then, doesn't it," she smirked. "We both know how this works."
"We do," he agreed, studying her for a moment. "I admit, you've got me curious. I wouldn't have been able to get him to go rest now."
Aly shrugged a little. "Maybe it's just a talent. And he's worried about the whole thing." She glanced up at him. "So what are you curious about?"
"You mean aside from everything?" he raised an eyebrow at her. "Roy told me a little about your world, your position there. You were very young and already a spymaster. I get a feeling there's much we could have discussed, even without having to embarrass Roy."
"You're likely right," she agreed. "And I don't know nearly as much about Amestrian intelligence as I'd like. Why are your codes so terrible? And there's general counter-intelligence methods that could be taught right in your academy, but no one seems to consider it."
Hughes eyed her, blinking in disbelief before he started laughing. "You haven't sat still while you've been visiting Roy," he concluded. "The academy does put its priorities elsewhere. I don't know how much's still the same now, but alchemy was being introduced at that point and it took up a lot of resources. Intelligence seemed a whole lot less important compared to what those freaks could pull off."
"Gotta have something to do if that little boy comes around," she pointed out, shrugging as she glanced over at him. Making a face at his comment, Aly rolled her eyes. "That's an idiotic and short-sighted decision. All the officers should have some basic training if only to keep them from stopping babbling everything they know to the first pretty face they see."
"Not that it's set in stone," he commented slyly, but he nodded. "You're right, and you do have a General's ear. Roy's more than aware, his team's one of the most organised units even if it was born out of a sense of paranoia that was proven just."
"He's not bad," she admitted fondly. "He had a good spymaster."
"He had the best spymaster," Hughes corrected, eyes twinkling, "but I think he found another decent one. If a Queen thinks she's fit, it's not up to a General to argue."
"Not me. Bad form to be involved with someone you're spying for," Aly said instantly. "Too many problems there, too many possibilities for screwing it up completely."
"But you'd have his back regardless," Hughes wagered.
"You're not wrong," she agreed, raising an eyebrow. "Satisfied your curiosity yet?"
"Not by a long shot, but you're starting to look impatient," he teased as he motioned for them to walk a little.
"I'm never impatient," Aly contradicted, moving around him to walk in the surf.
"Or you just learned to control it," he corrected. "Same difference. What do you want to know?"
"What's Roy worried you'll tell me?" she asked, glancing up at him with mischief in her eyes.
"A number of things, knowing him," Hughes frowned. "Except that I might be wrong, he's been catching me off guard more than I'd like. No doubt you've heard the boasting and how much he's played the field."
He pondered it for a moment. "Did he tell you about the twins?"
"The twins?" Aly repeated, a little amused at Maes' annoyance at being off-guard. It was so very familiar to her.
"Oh, it isn't what you think," Hughes chuckled and it was obvious from his expression that he did find this a good story. "He was seeing a few girls at the time and there was this one girl from a bar close to the academy he saw about every week. Until this one cadet starts bragging how he'd taken the same girl out on a night Roy had been with her. He was pissed, got all worked up in defence of the girl - or himself really, - like only he seems capable of while he's still dating a whole bunch of other girls."
He shook his head. "Anyway, it leads to a whole discussion where the cadet is calling Roy a liar and they come to some stupid agreement to a drinking match. Roy must have known he couldn't win a fight, the guy was a foot taller and build like a house. So next day, the entire academy's taking bets on who'll win and when the weekend comes around, the bar's filled with cadets like it was just graduation. I think they were about on their fifth beer when in walk these two twins and Roy's squinting them and mumbling about seeing double." Hughes snickered, remembering it. "Turns out those were the girls they'd been seeing. They occasionally swapped dates around and they'd been playing the both of them for a while now."
Aly raised an eyebrow, a little amused. "Sounds like he deserved it."
"And much more probably," Hughes agreed, "but I'm sure I don't need to tell you that. You're sure you don't want to change your mind about him?" he joked.
"Mmm, not yet," she decided. "He knows about my adventures at Court when I was a teenager. This is just payback for when he met my parents."
"Wait, does that put me on the same level as his father would?" Hughes frowned. "I know he looks younger, but we're the same age, you know... Actually, he's definitely older now."
She chuckled a little sympathetically. "You're one of the ones who's known him the longest," she pointed out. "And Riza isn't about to tell me stories."
"I don't think she knows as many stories as I do," he replied. "Not like that. She's been his subordinate for years, but he was different by then. I used to think they'd end up together eventually, when he'd achieved his goals."
"I wondered that myself when I first met the Lieutenant," she acknowledged. "It wouldn't be a bad match though I don't think she's in any hurry to deal with him more than at the office."
"And I don't think anyone could blame her," he chuckled and glanced at Aly. "You don't see people work together like that very often, but if there was something there they missed their window. It's kind of embarrassing how much you seem to own him." Definitely teasing, but there was too much truth in it.
Aly burst out laughing. "Own him, do I? I'll have you know, Maes Hughes, I've never held with slavery." Sure, she knew what he meant, but it was more fun to tease.
"I don't know. Sounds like a decent side business for a spymaster," he replied, letting her change away from the topic too easily.
She shook her head just a little, more serious now for the moment. "Not this one. The idea takes on a different perspective when you're on the other side of that line."
He raised an eyebrow. "You really do have quite a tale to tell, don't you?" he guessed.
"Let's just say that Roy and I have a different idea of what age constitutes 'grown up'," she said lightly, giving him a smile.
"Blame that on the Elric brothers," Hughes said, shaking his head. "Even if it gives me a headache trying to figure exactly what was going on in his mind."
"They were here for a while, the pair of them," she said. "Did he tell you? I think it was part of what let him heal after killing the Fuhrer and losing Edward."
"He did, something about them being caught beyond the gate," he frowned. "This is why I didn't study alchemy. Poor kids, at least they've got each other."
He shook his head regretfully, but there was still something of what she'd said that he didn't want to pass him by. "So how much of the other part were you responsible for?"
Aly gave him a sidelong glance and a little smile. "I never tried to do anything but be a friend when he needed one," she said. "The island did its own thing, and there's lots of peace to be gained from the ocean."
"Spoken truly like someone selling themselves short," he teased, but he was nodding and glancing across the water. "Elysia and Gracia would love to see this."
"I've invited them to the Isles whenever Gracia wishes to come," she said. "I hope they will once my daughter is home from visiting her grandparents. Elysia and Lianna seem to appreciate each other."
"I bet they're pretty adorable together," Hughes grinned. "Have to be when they're as cute as their parents. Roy says Elysia's quite taken with you. Something about you teaching her spy stuff."
Aly chuckled, giving him a little nod at the compliment. "Just basic things. I started learning when I was her age. Lianna's not interested at all, but Elysia's got a bit of a knack for it. Fast hands too." She glanced over at him. "Do you approve?"
"I'd be a bit of a hypocrite if I wouldn't," he pointed out and there was pride in his voice. "I probably would have taught her, if she'd wanted to learn and as long as she uses her powers for good. I'm not sure Gracia would agree."
"Gracia doesn't mind," she assured him. "It might change if she becomes more serious about it, but for now, it's just a little lockpicking and observation. Basic self-defense. Stuff every kid should know."
"Lockpicking?" Hughes laughed. "Does Roy agree on this? It's certainly going to make parenthood interesting. He might have to use alchemy to keep his porn stash safe."
"It's one of those non-negotiable things," Aly said, laughing a little. "He'll figure it out. Wouldn't want it to be boring for him."
"Of course not, you can't be a good parent if it's too easy," he chuckled. "And as much as I've been trying to get him to settle down and takes things differently, it's strange to think he might actually end up doing it. I'm blaming you for that, or thanking you. It suits him more than I could have imagined."
She gave him a little smile and a nod. "Well, it helps that he's hot," she teased.
"Not my type, but I've seen a lot of women think so," he grinned at her. "You better not let it go to his head."
Aly winked. "I've got that taken care of. Helps that I'm hotter."
"Oh, you're totally worth each other," Hughes decided, shaking his head in amusement. "I suppose everyone's got to have a shot at it."
"A shot at it?" she asked, turning to him as they walked.
"Even those that lack modesty," he shook his head, indicating that he was just joking. "I'm surprised to still be learning something about Roy even now."
"And what have you learned about Roy so far this visit," Aly said, consciously referring to it like it might be something that could be repeated.
"That he's capable of having a life outside of work," Hughes smiled. "And that he can voluntarily attend family occasions without having to be tricked into it."
She shrugged a little, smiling. "I don't know," she admitted. "Sometimes I think he did it the smart way. Finish one thing before moving on to another part of your life. The focus isn't divided as much. You can give everything your full attention."
"Maybe, but if it was then he didn't exactly chose it," Hughes shrugged. "It's a gamble, you don't know if you'll ever really get to the next part."
"You're not wrong," she agreed thoughtfully.
He glanced at her. "I'm glad he did. After Ishbal... It would have been easy to go down that road again. I think I'll rest easier now myself."
"You're a good friend," Aly said. "Not that you needed me to tell you that."
"Let it be known that I never turn down a compliment," he grinned at her. "And now, I think it's time for you to cough up those embarrassing stories he's been hiding from me."
"You say that like I'm one to kiss and tell," she teased, turning her nose up playfully.
"Oh trust me, I don't want to hear any naked stories," he chuckled. "And I'm good at keeping secrets. I'm taking them to the grave with me after all."
He wasn't always a good joker.
Aly rolled her eyes and playfully slapping his shoulder for the terrible joke. "Well, there was this one time..."
She couldn't help but smile at his innate tact, something she'd been torn between loving and being incredibly frustrated about when he was alive. Everything he'd been saying seemed like something she only hoped he might believe, and she needed time to work it out into something that made sense. She found herself walking through town, marking the places she'd known when she'd lived on the island until she got a coffee from the Perk and walked out to the beach again. Anyone who wanted to would find her there.
"There you are!" Hughes waved from a distance as he spotted Aly, Roy a few steps behind him. "I was going to start thinking you were avoiding me."
Aly looked up from her coffee and managed a quick smile at the pair of them. "Why would I ever do that?"
"True," Hughes agreed and smirked. "In all honesty, I thought you might be avoiding Grumpy Pants over here, but I was trying to be polite."
Roy raised an eyebrow. "There's a new one," he said dryly, his hands shoved in his pockets and he didn't quite seem to know where to look so he settled for the horizon.
She looked at Roy, her own eyebrow raised then back at Hughes. "Grumpy Pants?"
"It's short for something," Hughes frowned as he tried to think of it. "Grympy Idiot... No. Broody Self Sacrificing I Shoot Myself In My Own Foot... Too long."
"Are you quite done?" Roy glared at him, but he was trying not to laugh.
"Haven't even gotten started," Hughes said lightly, winking at Aly. "I'm sure you get my drift."
"What is he shooting himself in his own foot for this time?" she asked, directing the question to Hughes though there was a look of amusement in her eyes that was really just for Roy.
"Hey, I've never shot myself in my own foot," Roy objected, shaking his head but he knew that look and the line of his shoulders seemed less tense.
"You demoted yourself," Hughes scolded, "and now you're waiting too long asking a beautiful, interesting woman to marry you. You're more like nailing yourself to the floor."
"Man's got a point," Aly admitted. "About the demoting yourself and exiling yourself to Northern at least." She shrugged a little, not quite wanting to touch the last part unless she had to.
"Don't tell him that. You give him a finger and he'll take an arm," Roy grumbled, glaring at Hughes for bringing up the subject when he knew Aly's dead husband was around.
"Only when I know I'm right on all accounts," Hughes assured them both, apparently oblivious of any looks Roy was giving him. "You're lucky to find someone who can tell you off. Someone's got to do it when I'm gone and the poor Lieutenant already has her hands full with you without needing that as a full time job. You're a brave woman, Aly."
She chuckled, shaking her head at Hughes and obviously not terribly upset by anything he'd said. "Am I now? I'd think Hawkeye's the brave one."
"Oh, you and me both," Hughes agreed instantly, "but at the end of the day she can go home and ignore he exists. She gets paid for you, you're actually voluntarily putting up with it. Now that's insane."
"Remind me again why you were my friend?" Roy demanded, but there was no real annoyance behind his words.
"At the end of the day, I get to go home too," Aly pointed out, giving Roy a little wink. "Or didn't your friend tell you I don't live in Amestris."
"The Copper Isles where you work as spymaster for your Queen Dove," he raised an eyebrow at her, reminding her of the joke she'd been trying to play at his expense. "I admit that I'm kind of curious on how you're going to balance that along with having your little boy. When Fullmetal gets to find out..." Hughes said, sounding confident that it would happen.
She chuckled at Hughes' little reminder, totally unrepentant about her attempts to tease both him and Roy, but the chuckle faded as his words continued, and Aly shot a glance at Roy, surprised to hear he'd discussed that child that had appeared two years ago. "Nothing's set in stone," she said finally.
"You don't have to tell me that," Hughes assured her with a chuckle, and quite possibly he was taking pity on his dumbfounded friend. "It'd be way too easy if it was."
"Easy for you to say," she muttered, giving him a little Look.
Hughes didn't glance away from it and he minutely shook his head. "Not really," he said quietly enough that Roy wouldn't be able to make it out.
Roy was trying to decide if he wanted to actually hit Hughes for spilling half drunken words. Right in front of him, too. At least he knew what to expect, but if the timing hadn't been right before (or his degree of soberness), then it definitely wasn't now. Maybe dragging him off the beach would be the safest option. He had no idea what was going on in Aly's mind, and Hughes' poor matchmaking skills were as subtle as a kick in the teeth.
"Nothing about you is easy, Maes," he said before he could ask Aly another dumb question.
Aly took a breath at Hughes' words, giving him a little nod, a look of compassion in her eyes. "You're right," she murmured to him before looking over to Roy again. "Huh, if nothing about him's easy, guess you two are completely matched exccept in one way."
"And what way's that?" Roy asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
"Oh, don't ask her that," Hughes groaned.
She smirked at the pair of them, enjoying their reactions. "One of you is easy."
"That's definitely you," Hughes decided instantly. "You're a slut." He got his shoulder punched for his trouble. "See? He proved me right."
"I have lousy friends," Roy complained.
"General Hughes, if you'd like to come spend time with me instead with with General Mustang who so obviously doesn't appreciate you," Aly teased. "You're more than welcome."
Hughes smirked and he stepped closer to stand beside Aly. "I would actually. Roy, get lost."
Roy shook his head. "You know what? You two deserve each other," he decided. "I should go take a nap now that no one's snoring."
"And a shower," she agreed, tilting her head to watch him. "You look like you need it." Or maybe he just needed a hug. Either way.
"Are you saying you can smell me just looking at me?" he asked, rubbing his chin to encounter a whole lack of stuble. He shook his head at her, she really wasn't the one who should be worrying about him. There were a few things he wanted to ask or do, but it was harder with this audience. "Maybe you're right."
Aly nodded at Hughes then stepped closer to Roy, drawing him a few steps down the beach. "Of course I'm right," she murmured, tilting her head to make sure he was okay.
"Don't give me that look," he whispered, his back to Hughes to shield them even if he knew his friend would be looking the other way. "You have enough on your mind as it is," he added, his fingers brushing her cheek tentatively.
"You're on my mind," she said softly, reaching up to cover his hand with hers. "Don't want you to be worrying about things."
He let out a breath and pressed a long kiss to her forehead, buying a little time to answer and to just be close to her. "Message received," he murmured, staying near. "How are you?"
"It's been an interesting day," she replied, her eyes closing to feel his presence around her. "Not what I expected. Even with the dreams."
It was a lot harder to worry at her words when she was right there in front of him. "Good or bad?" he asked. "Or are those questions for later?"
"Little bit of both?" Aly tried, twisting her lips a little. "What about you?"
His thumb brushed over her cheekbone and he held her gaze for a long moment. "I've missed him," he said quietly, convinced that he'd gotten the easy deal here.
"I've missed him too," she murmured, wanting him to hear the meaning behind her words. "I wish Lianna and Elysia were here."
"Yes," he said with a sigh, but Hughes' reasoning was one he couldn't argue with. Not when part of him wished he could protect Aly from getting hurt over this. "A day at the beach, I think they'd have enjoyed it."
"Is Elysia the boat still at the docks?" Aly asked. "You should show him that." She smiled a little and glanced back at Hughes. "Don't worry. I'll take care of him. You go rest."
"Huh, unless someone moved her," he nodded and he caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. She was always taking care of others, and he didn't feel like he was doing a good job of taking care of her right now. Not that she'd accept the notion if he ever did suggest it. "You just want to find out my last secrets from him," he teased instead.
"I do," she admitted unrepentantly, giving him a teasing grin. She could tell he was completely worried, but right now all she could do was try to act like everything was okay. "I'm sure there's plenty I haven't been able to find out yet."
He shook his head, amused. "Better take advantage of it while you can then," he said quietly, not only meaning Hughes. He cupped her face and rested his forehead briefly against hers. "We're in room 504 if you need me."
Aly nodded and stepped away from him, her fingers brushing his briefly. "Take care of yourself, boyo."
"Mmmmm. Stop worrying yourself," he commented and he cast a look in Hughes' direction before he left. He was going to end up regretting this, but a shower sounded good and giving Aly space was more likely than not the wisest move. He'd just had to trust Hughes with his reputation then. That couldn't end well.
"Well, now I'm curious about all these secrets you're holding about Roy that makes him so nervous about leaving us alone together," Aly said to Hughes as Roy started back up the beach.
Hughes chuckled. "We've known each other since the academy, I'm bound to know some tale or other that he wishes I'd forgotten."
Aly closed the distance with him and looking up expectantly.
"What? You expect me to just spill like that for nothing in return?" he asked, laughing at her.
"It depends what you want then, doesn't it," she smirked. "We both know how this works."
"We do," he agreed, studying her for a moment. "I admit, you've got me curious. I wouldn't have been able to get him to go rest now."
Aly shrugged a little. "Maybe it's just a talent. And he's worried about the whole thing." She glanced up at him. "So what are you curious about?"
"You mean aside from everything?" he raised an eyebrow at her. "Roy told me a little about your world, your position there. You were very young and already a spymaster. I get a feeling there's much we could have discussed, even without having to embarrass Roy."
"You're likely right," she agreed. "And I don't know nearly as much about Amestrian intelligence as I'd like. Why are your codes so terrible? And there's general counter-intelligence methods that could be taught right in your academy, but no one seems to consider it."
Hughes eyed her, blinking in disbelief before he started laughing. "You haven't sat still while you've been visiting Roy," he concluded. "The academy does put its priorities elsewhere. I don't know how much's still the same now, but alchemy was being introduced at that point and it took up a lot of resources. Intelligence seemed a whole lot less important compared to what those freaks could pull off."
"Gotta have something to do if that little boy comes around," she pointed out, shrugging as she glanced over at him. Making a face at his comment, Aly rolled her eyes. "That's an idiotic and short-sighted decision. All the officers should have some basic training if only to keep them from stopping babbling everything they know to the first pretty face they see."
"Not that it's set in stone," he commented slyly, but he nodded. "You're right, and you do have a General's ear. Roy's more than aware, his team's one of the most organised units even if it was born out of a sense of paranoia that was proven just."
"He's not bad," she admitted fondly. "He had a good spymaster."
"He had the best spymaster," Hughes corrected, eyes twinkling, "but I think he found another decent one. If a Queen thinks she's fit, it's not up to a General to argue."
"Not me. Bad form to be involved with someone you're spying for," Aly said instantly. "Too many problems there, too many possibilities for screwing it up completely."
"But you'd have his back regardless," Hughes wagered.
"You're not wrong," she agreed, raising an eyebrow. "Satisfied your curiosity yet?"
"Not by a long shot, but you're starting to look impatient," he teased as he motioned for them to walk a little.
"I'm never impatient," Aly contradicted, moving around him to walk in the surf.
"Or you just learned to control it," he corrected. "Same difference. What do you want to know?"
"What's Roy worried you'll tell me?" she asked, glancing up at him with mischief in her eyes.
"A number of things, knowing him," Hughes frowned. "Except that I might be wrong, he's been catching me off guard more than I'd like. No doubt you've heard the boasting and how much he's played the field."
He pondered it for a moment. "Did he tell you about the twins?"
"The twins?" Aly repeated, a little amused at Maes' annoyance at being off-guard. It was so very familiar to her.
"Oh, it isn't what you think," Hughes chuckled and it was obvious from his expression that he did find this a good story. "He was seeing a few girls at the time and there was this one girl from a bar close to the academy he saw about every week. Until this one cadet starts bragging how he'd taken the same girl out on a night Roy had been with her. He was pissed, got all worked up in defence of the girl - or himself really, - like only he seems capable of while he's still dating a whole bunch of other girls."
He shook his head. "Anyway, it leads to a whole discussion where the cadet is calling Roy a liar and they come to some stupid agreement to a drinking match. Roy must have known he couldn't win a fight, the guy was a foot taller and build like a house. So next day, the entire academy's taking bets on who'll win and when the weekend comes around, the bar's filled with cadets like it was just graduation. I think they were about on their fifth beer when in walk these two twins and Roy's squinting them and mumbling about seeing double." Hughes snickered, remembering it. "Turns out those were the girls they'd been seeing. They occasionally swapped dates around and they'd been playing the both of them for a while now."
Aly raised an eyebrow, a little amused. "Sounds like he deserved it."
"And much more probably," Hughes agreed, "but I'm sure I don't need to tell you that. You're sure you don't want to change your mind about him?" he joked.
"Mmm, not yet," she decided. "He knows about my adventures at Court when I was a teenager. This is just payback for when he met my parents."
"Wait, does that put me on the same level as his father would?" Hughes frowned. "I know he looks younger, but we're the same age, you know... Actually, he's definitely older now."
She chuckled a little sympathetically. "You're one of the ones who's known him the longest," she pointed out. "And Riza isn't about to tell me stories."
"I don't think she knows as many stories as I do," he replied. "Not like that. She's been his subordinate for years, but he was different by then. I used to think they'd end up together eventually, when he'd achieved his goals."
"I wondered that myself when I first met the Lieutenant," she acknowledged. "It wouldn't be a bad match though I don't think she's in any hurry to deal with him more than at the office."
"And I don't think anyone could blame her," he chuckled and glanced at Aly. "You don't see people work together like that very often, but if there was something there they missed their window. It's kind of embarrassing how much you seem to own him." Definitely teasing, but there was too much truth in it.
Aly burst out laughing. "Own him, do I? I'll have you know, Maes Hughes, I've never held with slavery." Sure, she knew what he meant, but it was more fun to tease.
"I don't know. Sounds like a decent side business for a spymaster," he replied, letting her change away from the topic too easily.
She shook her head just a little, more serious now for the moment. "Not this one. The idea takes on a different perspective when you're on the other side of that line."
He raised an eyebrow. "You really do have quite a tale to tell, don't you?" he guessed.
"Let's just say that Roy and I have a different idea of what age constitutes 'grown up'," she said lightly, giving him a smile.
"Blame that on the Elric brothers," Hughes said, shaking his head. "Even if it gives me a headache trying to figure exactly what was going on in his mind."
"They were here for a while, the pair of them," she said. "Did he tell you? I think it was part of what let him heal after killing the Fuhrer and losing Edward."
"He did, something about them being caught beyond the gate," he frowned. "This is why I didn't study alchemy. Poor kids, at least they've got each other."
He shook his head regretfully, but there was still something of what she'd said that he didn't want to pass him by. "So how much of the other part were you responsible for?"
Aly gave him a sidelong glance and a little smile. "I never tried to do anything but be a friend when he needed one," she said. "The island did its own thing, and there's lots of peace to be gained from the ocean."
"Spoken truly like someone selling themselves short," he teased, but he was nodding and glancing across the water. "Elysia and Gracia would love to see this."
"I've invited them to the Isles whenever Gracia wishes to come," she said. "I hope they will once my daughter is home from visiting her grandparents. Elysia and Lianna seem to appreciate each other."
"I bet they're pretty adorable together," Hughes grinned. "Have to be when they're as cute as their parents. Roy says Elysia's quite taken with you. Something about you teaching her spy stuff."
Aly chuckled, giving him a little nod at the compliment. "Just basic things. I started learning when I was her age. Lianna's not interested at all, but Elysia's got a bit of a knack for it. Fast hands too." She glanced over at him. "Do you approve?"
"I'd be a bit of a hypocrite if I wouldn't," he pointed out and there was pride in his voice. "I probably would have taught her, if she'd wanted to learn and as long as she uses her powers for good. I'm not sure Gracia would agree."
"Gracia doesn't mind," she assured him. "It might change if she becomes more serious about it, but for now, it's just a little lockpicking and observation. Basic self-defense. Stuff every kid should know."
"Lockpicking?" Hughes laughed. "Does Roy agree on this? It's certainly going to make parenthood interesting. He might have to use alchemy to keep his porn stash safe."
"It's one of those non-negotiable things," Aly said, laughing a little. "He'll figure it out. Wouldn't want it to be boring for him."
"Of course not, you can't be a good parent if it's too easy," he chuckled. "And as much as I've been trying to get him to settle down and takes things differently, it's strange to think he might actually end up doing it. I'm blaming you for that, or thanking you. It suits him more than I could have imagined."
She gave him a little smile and a nod. "Well, it helps that he's hot," she teased.
"Not my type, but I've seen a lot of women think so," he grinned at her. "You better not let it go to his head."
Aly winked. "I've got that taken care of. Helps that I'm hotter."
"Oh, you're totally worth each other," Hughes decided, shaking his head in amusement. "I suppose everyone's got to have a shot at it."
"A shot at it?" she asked, turning to him as they walked.
"Even those that lack modesty," he shook his head, indicating that he was just joking. "I'm surprised to still be learning something about Roy even now."
"And what have you learned about Roy so far this visit," Aly said, consciously referring to it like it might be something that could be repeated.
"That he's capable of having a life outside of work," Hughes smiled. "And that he can voluntarily attend family occasions without having to be tricked into it."
She shrugged a little, smiling. "I don't know," she admitted. "Sometimes I think he did it the smart way. Finish one thing before moving on to another part of your life. The focus isn't divided as much. You can give everything your full attention."
"Maybe, but if it was then he didn't exactly chose it," Hughes shrugged. "It's a gamble, you don't know if you'll ever really get to the next part."
"You're not wrong," she agreed thoughtfully.
He glanced at her. "I'm glad he did. After Ishbal... It would have been easy to go down that road again. I think I'll rest easier now myself."
"You're a good friend," Aly said. "Not that you needed me to tell you that."
"Let it be known that I never turn down a compliment," he grinned at her. "And now, I think it's time for you to cough up those embarrassing stories he's been hiding from me."
"You say that like I'm one to kiss and tell," she teased, turning her nose up playfully.
"Oh trust me, I don't want to hear any naked stories," he chuckled. "And I'm good at keeping secrets. I'm taking them to the grave with me after all."
He wasn't always a good joker.
Aly rolled her eyes and playfully slapping his shoulder for the terrible joke. "Well, there was this one time..."