And the other one.



His position was one that he’s come to perfect over the years. With an air of nonchalance, added with a touch of boredom, Roy set his elbow on his desk and leaned his head against the raised hand to peer at the young alchemist through his eyelashes.

After making him wait a week to merciless tease Full Metal, Roy figured that he’d rather let Edward squirm as punishment.

But instead, because Edward never really did what Roy wanted him to do, instead of looking and squirming, amber eyes had settled on the young woman standing behind the Colonel’s chair.

The Full Metal Alchemist seemed to have completely forgotten why he was there to begin with as he apparently absorbed the wrecked appearance of the First Lieutenant Hawkeye.

“Full Metal, in case you have forgotten why you’re here, you owe me a report on your work, not to stare at my second-in-command. Even if she looks like Hell warmed over.” He added the last part and relished in the feel of cool metal against his temple.

Oh, he could just imagine the mounds of paper that would be piled on his desk by evening.

It had been her own damned fault through for being there.

Not for getting her ass kicked as that damned discipline streak had urged her to break up an upcoming brawl that promised for broken bones. Nor was it her fault as some idiot slugged her and then proceeded to go the extra mile.

However, when he heard the story from Havoc, who had been there the entire night as a protective gesture to the First Lieutenant, one or two battalions had came in at the right time and even though they were scared stiff of Hawkeye, a compromised Hawkeye made their blood boil.

It had given Havoc enough to get out of there with the target.

Lucky, lucky, Havoc.

Remembering that he had an alchemist to tease, Roy sat up fully and tipped his head back. “Hawkeye, I need to speak with Edward alone. Please return in five minutes, regardless of what you may see or hear from in here. Dismissed.”

“Yes, sir.” She saluted and left the office.

Silence reigned over the room as black and amber eyes focused on the shutting door.

“Colonel,” Edward licked his lower lip before speaking.

“Yes, Full Metal?” Roy adopted that lean again.

“What happened to the Lieutenant?” The teen’s question was rather quiet.

Edward was never quiet unless he had a damned good reason to be.

“Why do you ask?”

“Because I’ve never seen her look so tired before.” Concern laced the alchemist’s tone as he clenched his metal fist into the fabric of his red coat.

Oh, Roy mused as his grim mask dissolved into one of amusement. This was rich. Riza hated when anyone’s concern was for her, so he was rather glad that he had dismissed her when he did, otherwise Ed may have found himself as part of her shooting range.

“What every soldier goes through at least once. A good bar fight.” Roy filled in the blank as Edward blanched.

“But they don’t bother with the small ones, so you have nothing to worry about, Full Metal.”

White did a quick turn into scarlet as Edward exploded.