Dawgs of the Military

Lazy Bums

     Maice clung to everything, trying to keep herself up. "Are you sure you don't want Edward or I to carry you Maice?" Alphonse asked, politely. "Thanks, but I'm fine Al." She said. It started to rain, the cool droplets of water kept her from screaming in pain at every step. Edward wasn't doing as well, whining about how achy his leg was. "Suck it up, buttercup. " Maice would say. She kept her eyes forward, watching her steps. "I'm taking a break." Edward stated, sitting at the next bench. Maice kept walking, focusing on getting to the bar. "You don't want to take a break Andrews?" Roy asked. "There's no time in life." She responded still walking. "What?!" Edward said, confused and frustrated. Maice stopped. "Get off your ass and make your life worth living Edward. Cause once it's over, you never get it back." Maice saw the bar ahead and started pulling herself closer, grabbing poles and trees. Bull and Yen were waiting outside, with Tilly sitting next to them. She was the first one to spot Maice, dashing towards her then pouncing, making her fall over. Maice laughed as Yen and Bull pulled her off of her now slobbered face. Edward, Alphonse, and Hawkeye caught up with them as they were walking in the bar. Maice grabbed her apron, but before she could put it on Bull snatched it out of her hands, then handed it to Yen to hang up. "Hey!" She said reaching for it with her only arm. She almost tripped but Bull didn't let her fall. "No, your in no shape to work Maice! You need to rest and get fixed up." He said, helping her onto a stool. "But Bull! Four hours a day, six days a week! That's my rule for myself!" She complained. "Suck it up, buttercup." Edward snorted. "Your just begging to get shorter, aren't you Ed?" Maice smirked. Edward sighed and rolled his eyes. "Anyways.., I will take care of the bar for this week." Bull interjected. "Gah! Fine." Maice said, upset. Roy walked in, his arms crossed behind his back. "I just called Armstrong down for a ride back. We better get moving." He said, examining them. Bull growled, but helped get down from her seat. "Before you go," he said, running into the back room. He came out, holding a gray hat, with two small feathers on the side. "My dad's hat!" Maice exclaimed. Bull placed it on her head and smiled. She hugged him but before she could pull away Bull whispered, "Keep yourself safe, Maice." She smiled once more then replied. "I'll try my best." Yen gave her a hug, then a peck on the cheek. "Good luck." He said. "What's that!?" She giggled. They hugged once more, then Maice turned to Roy and glared. Frowning, she said, "Let's head out then." And started pulling herself out the door. The gang followed her, but before Roy could leave, Bull turned him around. "Good luck with that. You've pulled her away from her family once more, she's not going to do well there. How do you expect to keep her cool?" He asked worried. "I have my ways sir." Roy said with a small bow. "Hurt a hair on that girls head and we'll crush your whole facility." Bull warned. Roy turned around. "I'll keep her as safe as I can, sir." He said walking out.
     The car ride was long and boring. Maice just stared outside the window, watching the stars. Before long, Roy started rambling about where she worked. He made comments such as, "Unsanitary," or "pitiful enclosure". Maice just replied with a simple, "mmhm" or "sure". Once he was done ranting about it Maice responded softly, "So what I'm hearing is, you liked it?" She smiled. Edward looked at her, giving her an odd expression. "What?" She laughed. "You've got quite the family Maice." Alphonse said. "Thanks again Alphonse, but their really only friends. There's only one person I consider family." Maice replied, stroking her dogs back as she slept. "Who?" Edward asked, curious. Maice just stared at the stars. "Maice, who do you consider family?" Edward asked again. "I heard you the first time, Edward." Maice said, agitated. "Then who is it?" He kept asking. "Shut up." Maice mumbled. "Hmm?" Maice glared at him. "I said, SHUT UP YOU DICK!" Edward turned away. "Jeez, I was just asking." He looked at the window. Maice adjusted her fathers hat, and pulled out his gloves as well. She caressed them in between her hands like they were gold coins, or jewels. But no, she thought of them as her destruction, the one thing that could burn her to ashes.