Maes Hughes was seventeen when he decided it was time to settle down.

He waited for Roy Mustang to stop laughing. "No, really," he insisted. "I'm getting old, I'm nearly twenty, I want someone to spend the rest of my life with!"

Again, he waited.

Eventually, Roy said, "Hughes, you're seventeen, you're a Sergeant... you've got to be focussing on your military life now."

"You just want to keep me single so you can have all the women to yourself!" Maes pointed at him. "Admit it!"

Roy considered. "It's a thought."

"None of that, Mustang," Maes chided, waving a finger under Roy's nose. "I need to get married, and I need to get married soon. Now, for some reason, women never seem to want to come home with me, but you don't have that problem."

Obligingly, Roy looked suspicious. "Now, Hughes," he said, carefully, "there's a reason for that."

"Which is?"

"I'm young, attractive, a Major on a fast track to promotion, and I'm not looking for a deep commitment."

Maes glared. "Are you saying that I-"

"Last time you dated, she tried to get a restraining order on you, Hughes."

There was a moment of silence.

"But I'm young and attractive," Maes protested. "I am!" He ran a hand through his hair, mussing it further. "And I'm not an asshole like you! Besides, you're only a Major because you cheated."

Roy crossed his arms. "Is this how you ask for help?"

"Okay, fine! Help! Please!" Maes went to his knees and held his hands up as if in prayer. "Oh, great, mighty Flame Alchemist, please help set me up with a woman!"

Maes was pleased to see Roy look half-mollified and half-embarrassed. "Why," Roy muttered, "am I even *friends* with you?"

***

The first woman was named Anne-Marie Pickerman. She was a short blond, the type Roy seemed to go for, but Maes could hardly protest on those grounds. She was wonderful. Not perfect, but he could live with that.

And with luck, he would be, he decided gleefully.

He used all of his month's wages to take her to dinner and dancing, and she seemed impressed that a Sergeant-Major could afford such luxuries. He knew he'd be counting his pennies later, but it'd be worth it.

He made sure to complement her. A lot. Constantly. Her eyes were a beautiful green, her hair was so soft and luxurious, she had the most beautiful skin on anyone he'd ever seen. And that dress - he made sure to complement it.

She was an incredible dancer. Like an angel.

He offered to walk her home but she refused, and wouldn't explain why. He tried not to let it bother him.

When he called her the next day to ask if she wanted to meet again, she told him that it wasn't him, it was her, but she didn't think it would work between them.

"Oh," Maes said, and tried not to sound hurt. "I understand."

***

"I don't get it," Maes groaned. He'd tried more, other women, and he swore he knew every excuse in the book now. It's not you, it's me. I'm not ready for this level of commitment. I'm not looking to settle down. You're wonderful, but somehow it just isn't working. And, of course, the ever damnable Let's just be friends.

Roy made a sympathetic noise.

"I just don't get it, Mustang! What'm I doing wrong?"

Maes watched Roy watch his drink, and waited.

"Well," Roy said, after a moment. "You come on too strong. You know what you want out of these relationships and that can be disturbing when it's so early on in the relationship."

"But women want commitment," Maes said, helpless. He'd even looked it up in evolutionary science textbooks. "Women have only so many chances to have children, and they're left mostly helpless later in pregnancy, and feeding two, and so having one person who'll look after them in that time was evolutionary sense!"

Dryly, Roy drawled, "I see you've been doing research on this. Hughes, even from a biological standpoint, if a woman needs commitment, like you said, they need to be selective about it. They need to start slow, examine their man from every possible option, and decide that that's the one they want to use their limited chances with. Plus while that's true, people don't think on an evolutionary level. If you scare them off, they're scared off. It's all about individuals, not the species." He considered, then added, "If you've been telling them the evolutionary reasons they should want you, that might explain your lack of a second date."

Maes gave him a look. "I'm not a complete idiot, Mustang."

"Had to ask."

"But you don't offer them any commitment at all, and you still trip over women every time you turn around."

Roy smirked, faintly. "Do you want the evolutionary explanation for that or the practical one?"

"Asshole."

"I'm an officer, and I'm an alchemist. Those make me special, there. I'm attractive - don't say anything, Hughes - and I'm good in bed." Roy sipped his drink. "I'm also not looking for anything but a fling. I'm not potential husband material, but I am a good time."

Crossing his arms, Maes leaned back in his seat and scowled. "You think highly of yourself."

Roy sighed. "You're just trying too hard, Maes. You're not in love with anyone, you're in love with the idea of being in love. Girls can sense that. Just... give it a rest. Enjoy your life now, work hard, and eventually things will happen, or they won't."

"But I don't want to," Maes said, and tilted his head back. "I want to be happy - have a family, have a life."

"Yes," Roy said. "But that won't change anything."

***

He dated a while more, then gave up. It seemed Roy was right about women - like always. He still wanted to get married, but it was now a 'someday' thing, even if he hated it.

Maes still went out with women now and then, and sometimes even managed to get them in bed, but it never seemed to go past that, and it just wasn't fun the way it used to be, even with all the rejections.

Still, it helped him with his work. Lack of other distractions gave him a boost, and that, at least, was tolerable.

***

When Maes was twenty, he and Roy went out for a few drinks to celebrate his promotion to Second Lieutenant. The bar wasn't a bad one - not cheap, though nothing that'd empty their pockets. They laughed, and talked, and avoided mentioning the war that Maes had been informed he'd be shipped out to within the month.

"Hey," Roy said, after an odd moment of silence. "That waitress is watching you."

Maes blinked, and looked around as subtly as he could. Indeed, a waitress was looking their way - not a beautiful woman, but a pretty one, with short brown hair and blue eyes he could see from there. He glanced away immediately, laughed at himself. "Sure. Any woman would stare at me when I'm sitting beside the most attractive bachelor on base."

"I mean it," Roy insisted. "Here. Get up and head to the toilet - I'll see who she looks at."

Maes shifted uncomfortably, then felt angry at himself for being uncomfortable. "Fine," he muttered, hunching his shoulders a little as he rose and headed off.

He stayed in there for a few minutes, suddenly nervous to go back out. What if she had been watching him? Would she make the first move? Maybe he had something on his face? He checked in the mirror to be sure.

Eventually he gave up on stalling and headed back to his seat.

"She was-" Roy began, than stopped and looked up.

Maes followed his gaze.

The waitress smiled, and that was enough to transform her all the way into beautiful. "Hello," she said, and Maes smiled at her. "I couldn't help but hear that you've had a promotion, so I thought I'd make the next round of drinks complementary."

"Oh," Maes said. His tongue felt thick. "Ah - thank you!"

"Well, then." She nodded, glanced around the room. "I have to get back to work, so..."

Roy kicked him under the bar.

"Are you free after work?" Maes blurted, then gave a vicious kick back.

She smiled again. "I get off at nine," she told him, and headed back to her rounds.

Maes stared after her, trying to keep a grin from utterly invading his face.

"Hughes?" Roy asked, blandly.

"Mmm?"

"Never question me when I say who a girl's looking at. I know these things."

***

Her name, he found out, was Gracia Alderman. He waited after Roy headed back with a clap on the shoulder and a "Good luck," and realized, just as Gracia approached, that he had no idea where to take her.

"I'm sorry," he blurted as she stopped beside him. Her face fell, and he hastened to clarify, "No, just - I invited you out, but I'm low on money and I'm not sure what you'd like to do. I - this is awkward."

She considered him, thoughtfully, then smiled and took his hand off the bar. "All right. I have an idea."

"You do? You do-! That's good." He wished he could just cover his mouth. "I'm sorry, I'm babbling."

"A little," she agreed, and lead him out and through the city. "So - I heard your name was Hughes?"

"Maes. Maes Hughes. I'm a Second Lieutenant. As of today."

She laughed, took an abrupt right. They walked in silence for a bit, which she, at least, seemed comfortable with, and then she took another right, leading him to a riverbank. "Here," she said, and smiled. "A date that doesn't cost anything but time."

"I have enough of that. Well, some." I should just shut up, he thought. "Ah - and you? Gracia, yes?"

"Yes."

He waited, convinced himself he might as well, and drew in a deep breath. "Okay - why?"

"Why?" She seemed startled.

In for a penny, in for a pound. "Why go on a date with some strange soldier you just met? I got a promotion, sure, which is great for me, but - you don't owe me anything for that."

Gracia was silent for a moment before she lay back in the grass, looking up at the stars. "You looked lonely."

"I-"

"And I thought, he's so young, and this should be a happy day for him, a promotion, a drink with his friend - but he's lonely. It made me sad."

Maes stared down at her, not sure what to say. He wanted to ask if it was pity or kindness, but looking at her smiling and watching the stars, he thought he might know.

"Is that odd?" she asked, just a tinge of self-deprecation in her voice. "Besides, I listened to you, and you're clearly nice. Do I need more of a reason?"

"Thank you," he said, and was pleasantly surprised to hear her laugh.

***

"How did it go?" Roy asked when Maes got back. He was sitting on his bunk with a book open in his lap, which was so obviously an excuse so he wouldn't have to admit he waited up for Maes.

Maes decided not to mention it. "Wonderfully," he gushed. "Incredibly well. She's the dearest, most sweet woman ever to live. I'm seeing her again tomorrow, taking her out to dinner, well, we're going dutch because she insisted, I'll be picking her up from her house, I'm so glad I met her!"

It dawned on him that Roy was laughing at him.

"What?" he grumbled. "I can be happy, can't I?"

"Of course you can," Roy said, and laughed. "Of course you can."

***

They went out for dinner the second night.

The third night, he visited her at work.

The fourth, he woke her up by singing silly songs under her window.

It was the fifth night that they kissed, and she was a playful kisser, laughing in between kisses, one hand tucked behind his head.

The sixth night, he told her he was being called away to war.

"I'll wait for you," she said. "If we still want to date after that, let's."

"If I come back," he said.

"You will," she said. "You have to."

***

Maes did, seven months later. He was given official leave, because they were going to send the National Alchemists in; many of the soldiers were being withdrawn as the rest fell back to defensive positions.

He met Roy on the platform, about to board the train he'd just disembarked from. He saluted his friend, who nodded back, then looked startled. "Hughes? I didn't recognize you. You look-" and there was nothing he could say.

Maes rubbed at his stubble and dredged up an unfamiliar wan smile. "Sorry. I. Good luck."

There was concern in Roy's eyes, but he was being ushered onto the train, so he simply waved in farewell.

After the train had pulled away and Maes had watched it disappear into the distance, he shouldered his bag and headed to the dorms, feet heavy.

Halfway there he changed his mind and walked deeper into the city.

Gracia stared at him, a housecoat wrapped around her. "...Maes?" she asked and when he heard her voice tremble, he was afraid.

"I'm back," he said, uncertainly.

She held the door wider, reached out to pull him in. "Welcome home," she whispered, her voice thick with some unsaid emotion.

He nearly fell inside, let her catch him, leaned against her. "I'm sorry," he said. "I need a shower, I know I smell terrible, it-"

"It's okay."

He said, "I have a razor in my bag, I'll shave if I can use your bathroom, it's just-"

"It's okay," she said, and started to cry, holding him. "It's okay. It's okay."

***

He slept for a full day and a half, only waking up to use the bathroom and to eat from the food Gracia left beside the bed.

When he finally woke up, he felt a bit more like his old self. He gave Gracia a large, embarrassed smile when she came in to check on him. "Sorry," he said before she could say anything. "I know, I'm a terrible nuisance."

"You're worth it," she said.

Maes didn't know what to say, looked down and ran his hand over the comforter instead as she sat beside him on the bed. "I'm First Lieutenant now," he said. And, "I turned twenty-one last week."

"Happy birthday," she said. Then, "I'm sorry."

He put a hand on her cheek. "Gracia," he said, and then, because he could, he said it again. "Gracia, Gracia..."

"I know," she said, and closed her eyes, leaning into it.

***

They made love the next day, because it just seemed right.

She was soft under him, and gentle as if afraid he'd break. She wound herself around him as if she couldn't let go, legs tight, one arm clutched to his back, fingers digging at his spine.

He buried his face in her hair, cheek to her cheek, and inhaled her in, whispering her name, one hand tracing the curve of her breast. She was warm, so warm, so welcoming, and made little sounds in her throat as he moved.

He came like a gunshot, shocking him to the core, and she sighed under him.

"I," he said, and then stopped and kissed her ear, afraid.

"I'm so glad I met you," she whispered, and cuddled close.

***

Maes was still living with Gracia months later when Roy returned. He kissed her goodbye and went to meet his old friend at the station. He watched Roy get off the train, waved.

For the second time, Roy didn't recognize him. He walked over, put a hand on Roy's shoulder, and for a long moment Roy just stared right through him, blankly, before focussing.

Guilt swept in on his features and was quickly hidden. "Hughes," Roy said. He swayed.

"Come home," Hughes said, and lead Roy back to his house.

Gracia met them at the door, and immediately pressed a cup of coffee in Roy's hand. Roy stared at it as if he didn't know what it was, then absently raised the cup to his mouth and sipped.

Maes shut the door, and turned back to see the mug fall from Roy's hands and shatter as Roy's face clenched up and froze that way.

He didn't know what to do. They'd heard of the massacre, even here.

"Maes," Gracia murmured and he looked up at her, helpless. She gestured to him, between them, and it was too simple, it would never work.

Still, what other idea was there?

Maes put his arms around Roy and tried not to startle as Roy grabbed onto him too tightly, squeezing, and buried his face in Maes's shoulder, shaking, trying not to cry.

***

"I love you," Maes told Gracia that night.

They'd let Roy fight through whatever he was fighting through, silently, then Gracia had got him another cup of coffee and watched as he drank it. He was sleeping on the couch now, a blanket over him, and Maes had eventually convinced himself to stop checking on him and go to bed.

Gracia smiled. "I've been waiting. I love you too."

He laughed, mostly at himself, and stroked her hair. "I want to be with you forever."

"I'd like that," Gracia murmured, curling closer.

"I - think I can get promoted soon," Maes told the wall past her head. "To Captain. My pay will go up a good deal, and then I could afford to get married. If you want to."

Gracia pulled back enough to look at him seriously, and he swallowed, mouth too dry.

Then she smiled as if the sun had come up early, and she was more beautiful than he'd ever seen. "You're supposed to ask," she said, and laughed. "Ask!"

Her laughter was infectious and her smile was hope. "All right! Gracia, my love, will you marry me!"

She grabbed onto him, held him, and he didn't think they could get closer and still be two people.

"Yes," she said, and smiled, and smiled. "Yes!"