Lt. Col. Maes Hughes (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
dadandgone) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
bearwithme2019-03-14 09:46 pm
dadandgone) wrote in bearwithme2019-03-14 09:46 pm
Entry tags:
Bringing the Boys to Dinner
Who: Maes, Keith & Shiro
Where: Maes's Home; Central, Amestris
When: ???
Rating PG?
What: In another time, in another place this is what could have been. Is it another reality? Is it a dream? We don't know nor do we care. We just wanted something sweet and precious in contrast to in game horrors.
Maes is home and he's bringing guests to dinner.
[It doesn't matter how they got to this point, because like most dreams that isn't the most important part. For the purposes of this particular dream or alternate reality all you need to worry about is that apparently the Circle members have been granted a type of 'leave' to visit places important to them and that certain events in Maes's life (or lack there of) have simply not occurred. It's a dream or something, so let's just let them be happy for once.
It is a sunny, warm day in Central City. The vehicles and fashions are perhaps a little old fashioned to Shiro and Keith, but Maes is right at home. No more robotic, apocalyptic waste lands or undersea kingdoms. He's home and he's excited to give two of his closest friends from the Circle a rare treat in their travels: a nice home cooked meal. More importantly, he'll finally get to show off both his beautiful wife and precious baby daughter, something he had looked forward to doing for some time now.
While he knew Gracia never minded when he brought home guests on a whim, something he was prone to do quite often, he had stopped inside a florist on the way in order to pick her up a bouquet and use their phone to call ahead. Once that was taken care of, he rejoined Shiro and Keith, a simple, yet colorful floral array tucked under his arm.]
It's not much further now. She's really looking forward to meeting you both.
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Sometimes his mother's voice is as clear as if he heard it yesterday instead of two decades ago. He snaps out of his thoughts of the past in time to walk after then catch up to Hughes and Keith.
It's been a while since he's seen small shops like this. He enjoys it. Shiro soaks up the atmosphere and grins at Hughes obvious bias. He nudges Keith with an elbow. They both see it.]
Nothing wrong with having a preference and I bet your right.
[His grin remains on his face the whole way to the Hughes residence. He doesn't let go of Keith's hand. It warms his heart to see Maes smile and look relaxed, at ease. It's also clear as crystal that he's head over heels for his wife. He pauses when Maes does and lets go of Keith's hand to put his hand on the small of his back.] You'll do fine.
[He murmurs in Keith's ear and waits for Maes to lead the way.]
i finally have an excuse to use this icon
Putting aside the fact that you're supposed to say things like that...I'll let you all decide for yourselves. I know she's gotten praise from other people besides just me.
[And with that, Maes leads them through the gate and up the stairs to his family's apartment. Even though it's his home, he does knock at the door to give Gracia some warning before letting them all inside.]
Gracia! We're here.
[The military pays him well, so it's a rather nice complex. Not only is the building nice, but Maes's family has what might be considered rather luxurious accommodations. They're immediately greeted with a spacious living area as soon as they walk in. Off to the left is the kitchen and a comfortable dining area, while the right leads of to (one would assume) bedrooms. From the kitchen drift wonderful smells of baking bread and sizzling vegetables and there is a soft clatter of utensils stirring something.
The living room boasts a beautiful window looking out onto the city below and a young girl, no older than three, has already bounced off the couch and is barreling towards the trio. It's not difficult to surmise that she had been watching the street below for her daddy's return.]
Daddy!
[At the same time a voice from the kitchen calls out.]
I'll be right out! Maes,dear, why don't you get them seated?
[Maes, however, is preoccupied with a toddler. He quickly sets the flowers on a nearby table and scoops the little girl up into his arms. Shes giggling and clinging to him as he snuggles with her. For a brief moment he has probably forgotten his two companions -- just so thrilled to see his little girl.]
Hello my Princess I hope you were a good girl for mommy today.
I was Daddy! I was! [She pulls away, turning her attention to the two young men. She stares at them curiously, but at the same time dips her chin towards her daddy's shoulder. Her mommy had mentioned that daddy would be bringing home guests. So she knows she needs to be polite. She holds up a hand to wave.] Hello. [And then to Maes, in a whisper that is easy to overhear because most children don't understand how to really whisper.] Daddy. Who are they?
[He smiles fondly. Turning his attention back to his nearly forgotten guests. Sorry fellas. Priorities.] Elysia. I'd like you to meet my friends, Keith and Shiro. We were...working together on a special assignment.
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They'll find out anyway. He follows along after Maes, into his home. Keith barely has time to look around when suddenly Elysia makes her appearance. Well, he's seen the pictures, so it's not hard to put that together at all. ...not that it would be hard anyway, with the way Maes and the little girl both react.
It's adorable, and even Keith feels a smile starting on his face. Until he's noticed. Elysia waves and Keith blinks before raising a hand to wave back, tentative.]
Hi. [Nailed it.]
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He and Adam had a similar sized apartment. His attention is torn from looking around when a small girl darts forward like a tiny sparrow. Even at a glance she and Hughes resemble each other. He mirrors her, holding up his left hand in a wave and smiles back at her.
He catches Keith smiling and then being him struggling with this social atomosphere.] Hey.
Don’t mind him, he can be a bit shy around new people. [He tosses Keith an amused and reassuring glance.]
It’s been a little bit of a long assignment. I hope we haven’t kept you waiting for your dad too long.
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Okay! He can play with me later!
[Because by Elysia's two-year old logic playing means they'll be friends and then he doesn't have to be shy. He seems nice though, they both do, a lot of Daddy's friends always seem so serious. Maes chuckles, giving his daughter another hug before setting her down.]
Let's go help mommy with set the table for dinner, okay sweetie? Then you can play with Keith.
[Elysia lets out a little cheer at that suggestion. Maes winks at Keith and then motions for them both to follow him towards the dining area. He gets Elysia in her high chair and then starts to lay out plates. The motion is so familiar that it's easy to guess that even without guests this is a regular routine for Maes Hughes as his wife takes on the role of cooking in the kitchen.
It's at just that moment that Gracia comes out of the kitchen carrying a large platter with a roast. She'd already set out most of the side dishes in the meantime. Her first smile is directed towards her husband, but she's a natural born host and immediately her attention is drawn to Shiro and Keith.]
Hello. You two must be Shiro and Keith, right? I hope you don't mind that I didn't quite have everything finished. My timing was a little off. Go ahead and have a seat, I just have to fetch one more thing.
[Maes chuckles sheepishly.]
That wouldn't be because of my phone call would it?
I wasn't going to say anything. [She's teasing him of course, or so her tone of voice implies, as she does appreciate that he was just trying to be thoughtful.]
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Yeah, we'll play later. It'll be fun.
[He totally can handle playing. Right? Right. Probably.
For now though, dinner. And Maes's wife. Keith looks up as Gracia emerges from the kitchen.]
Thanks for having us. It's really good to meet you. Maes has told us all about you.
[With pictures. And stories. And stories with pictures.]
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He glances at Keith and has to wonder if they’ll switch off who sets their own table. They always switch off onna lot of things. He draws his gaze away at a sound and turns. There’s the long heard about Gracia. He nods.] We don’t mind at all. It’s a pleasure to meet you at last.
[He would offer to help but he recognizes the kitchen chain of command here. If she needs help she’ll turn to Maes. He lightly touches Keith’s arm.] Keith, let’s do as she says and have a seat.
[In a way seeing Gracia and Maes in the same room he’s reminded of Sam and Colleen Holt.]
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He goes on quite a bit about us from what I hear. I hope he didn't go overboard again. But if you're here that means he didn't completely drive you insane with his talk.
[She bobs her head and turns to go back to the kitchen. She did say she had to get one more thing. Maes almost stops her to go help, but he imagines it might be awkward for his guests so he stays put. He knows whatever it is Gracia can handle it. Maes takes a seat, gesturing for Shiro and Keith to sit as well, though there's a sheepish smile there after Gracia's teasing.
Gracia returns a moment later with freshly baked rolls and a dish with butter.
She sets these down and then takes a seat herself. Maes takes up a plate and talks as he serves.]
Don't let the spread fool you, we keep things pretty informal here.
[Gracia nods encouragingly, picking up a smaller plate to make for Elysia. There's the roast and bread of course, but the table is also loaded down with your traditional sides of mashed potatoes and gravy, peas, and glazed carrots.]
Put as much on your plate as you like...although I should probably give you a heads up that there's an apple pie for dessert. It's Maes's favorite.
[Maes suspiciously stops filling his plate with as much food. But the clatter continues as he helps make Gracia's plate since she is taking care of Elysia. When things begin to settle Gracia picks back up on the conversation as she had left it.]
Thank you for taking care of my husband. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for knowing as much about you both. I know you can't say a lot about how you met...but please tell me about yourselves.
[She knows they can't tell her a lot. Maes had been rather vague about things, but surely they could say more than their names. This was what Maes loved about his wife though, she was supportive without having to know all the details, but he knew if he told her she would be just as willing to listen and help in anyway that she could.
Honestly he did believe that between the two of them she was the strongest.]
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[Keith agrees. Sitting. He can do that. Really, he's almost mystified by all of this, this happy domestic scene. At the furthest reaches of his memory, he does have warm and happy memories of dinners with his dad -- around a table or around a campfire -- but those are distant and far away. The family dynamic is strange to him, strange and kind of wonderful really.
It probably shows on his face, too. Keith has never been good at hiding his emotions, wears his heart on his sleeve at the best of times. And this is a pretty good time, isn't it? He settles into his chair, beside wherever Shiro has chosen to sit, and watches.]
Not completely insane. [Keith agrees, with as serious an expression as he can manage before a faint smile surfaces.] It's been nice to hear.
[Food is distracting, however, and he will see about making a plate for himself. It all looks delicious. Home cooked meals are real, despite Hunk doing his level best with the options put before them.]
Maes has been a good friend. [He glances over to Shiro, unsure how to go about explaining who they are.] We've been traveling together for a while now. Shiro and I know each other from a long time before that though.
[The affection that creeps into his voice when he says that last part is probably more obvious than he intends it to be.]
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Gracia is right that they can't say much. But there's something he can say to paint a clearer picture. At least as clear of one as he can manage. He makes sure there's not too much on his plate. He hasn't had apple pie in over two years. Tell her about themselves...] Keith and I met when I was doing recruitment for the Garrison. People like me serve as explorers of the unknown. We need people capable of enduring that kind of existence. They need to be skilled and have a will to match it.
It's difficult. At best we get two to three recruits who make it all the way through. [They'd made a game out of it to really test those skills. He butters his bread to hide a small smile that's trying hard not to morph into a grin of pride.] Keith made the test look like it was nothing.
[There's no helping it now. A grin spreads across his face and lights up his eyes. Thinking of Keith at the controls of an aircraft doing what he does best never fails to bring it out.] ...and after all this time he still makes it look easy.
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[Gracia laughs softly. If it's one thing she wishes she could see more of around here it was pleasant dinner conversations like this. She enjoys hearing what little of the story she can, especially in regards to these two new friends of her husband.
It's hard not to miss that smile from Shiro and the light in Keith's eyes. Maes isn't the only observant one around here, especially when it comes to relationships.]
I'm glad. It's nice that you can work with someone you care so much about. From what Maes has told me, you're both quite capable.
[As best she can tell, both from what Maes has and hasn't said, he'd been off on a special assignment. A complicated one at that. It must have been far away or perhaps some sort of joint operation with another country for him to have met these two. He'd indicated something to that effect at least, that both Shiro and Keith were from 'far away.']
They've certainly kept me on my toes.
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[It's cute, Maes. And sweet. Seeing how much Maes cares about his family is honestly great. And the way Gracia and Elysia and Maes interact, it's unmistakable how close they are.
But what Shiro has said has Keith fighting a blush. what the heck, Shiro?]
What Shiro is leaving out is that he was out recruiting because he was the Garrison's golden boy -- broke all sorts of records like it was easy.
[Take that Shiro.]
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And Maes has been pretty instrumental into why we've made it this far with our mission.
[He gives said man a softer smile, one of his rarer just Shiro expressions.] But trust me, you didn't drive me crazy with the photos and the talk. It's important sometimes to remind yourself and everyone around you that there's a world out there.
[Or 'worlds' as the case may be. He thinks he's given it long enough that the 'golden boy' bit Keith has just almost gotten his blush under control. He takes a bite of his bread and savors it. Almost.
He looks at him out of the corner of his eye.]
I was just very dedicated and wanted to make the cut. [Bullshit. He was a natural from the start and they both know it.]
You were showing third-year cadet skills without even breaking a sweat. All because I gave you the chance to do it. I knew you had to come with me. It would be a crime to let that talent go to waste.
[Shiro takes another bite of his bread then a bit of the roast on his plate as if he hadn't just dished that bit of a compliment out. He beams at Gracia.] This is wonderful! Thanks again for having us over.