[closed] Give me your hand and take what you will

[firebornfidelis]

Who: Riza Hawkeye (firebornfidelis) and Roy Mustang (ignite_the_sky)
When: Just after he arrives
Where: Outlander building
Format: Paragraph
What: Oh, it's a reunion.
Warnings: Angst? sob

Comments

[ignite_the_sky]

That fleeting glimpse of a smile on her face gave him pause, forcing him to think long and hard about something. It was difficult to say, and harder still to predict a response, because Riza Hawkeye was anything but the typical woman.

By the time he'd finally decided on what he wanted to say, he had to lengthen his stride to catch up to her. That would teach him to space out when he should be paying attention! As he rushed to catch up to her, he couldn't help but wonder if it was like this for her. Always trailing in his shadow, unable to glance away in case of sudden stops, turns, or something happening that would require immediate action. It wasn't exactly the greatest feeling, to know that someone he'd requested as his aid and thought of as an equal was reduced to the shadows.

There were certain things that they didn't talk about, preferring to let the weight of the words they did say speak for themselves, but he wanted to say it -needed to say it- if just because he hadn't thought he'd ever have the chance again. "You have a beautiful smile. You should use it more often."

[firebornfidelis]

It did seem odd to have him following her for once. To feel him a step or two behind where she usually stood. But he was new here and didn't know the way so there really was nothing else for it. Strange though it may be, she had to take the lead this time.

But at his words her steps faltered, if only for a second as she tried to compute what he had just said to her. It was exceedingly uncommon that she got compliments in general, and from him even more so. She glanced back at him, a little bewildered and very unsure how to respond.

"Colonel?" That, paired with a questioning glance, was all she could come up with.

[ignite_the_sky]

He gingerly tucked his hands into the pockets of his long black overcoat, a purely innocent expression -or as close as he could manage- on his face. This was why he'd been debating saying anything. Most women he'd encountered were of the blush-and-giggle type, but Riza... she was on a completely different wavelength.

"There isn't anything to be read from it, so you have nothing to worry about, but given the circumstances, I thought you could stand to hear something positive."

He knew it was rare for him to drop compliments, and that it could easily be taken the wrong way, but after everything she'd endured, he'd figured that she deserved to hear it. And to be honest, she was attractive. She was also off-limits due to her position as his direct subordinate. Anatole wasn't Amestris, but the rules and restrictions he'd lived with for so long, whether self-imposed or not, were ones he wasn't liable to break any time soon.

[firebornfidelis]

She had known him a long time - over ten years now - and she liked to think that she was largely immune at this point to the charms and good looks he employed to win others over. And on top of that, she prided herself on the fact that she had never been a particularly "girly" girl. She didn't flutter and blush and tease but was straight-faced and honest - more so even than some of the men.

But he could, on occasion, make her heart beat just a little faster and cause a warm feeling to spread out from the center of her body to the tips of her fingers. For this sensation, he was generally rewarded with a glare. Unless of course he wasn't looking.

"If you say so, sir," she answered, mock-skeptical, and turned her head back facing forward to keep her eyes on the road ahead. Only with him a few steps behind and unable to see her face did she let herself smile again.

[ignite_the_sky]

He was quiet for a short while, just taking pride in the fact that he'd managed to startle her with something so simple. It proved that despite it all, she was still the same woman he'd known nearly half of his life.

For everything they'd touched on, though, there was one thing that hadn't come up in conversation thus far which was of concern to him. "If it isn't asking too much, perhaps you could provide me some insight as to what passes for life here in terms of occupation and entertainment?"

[firebornfidelis]

She dropped back enough now to walk beside him but didn't glance up at his face as she began reeling off information.

"Anatole isn't terribly different from East City," she began, "with the exception of the lack of military base or theatre. As far as employment, there is the patrol and the police as well as the assorted occupations that can always be found in a city." She paused. "The patrol provides the benefit of housing at headquarters in addition to salary." She wasn't really sure how she felt about Colonel Mustang rejoining the patrol. It made her a little nervous to think of him patrolling the ruins again, but if he were to join she knew she would be able to keep an eye on him. It would be his decision, of course, but she wasn't sure whether to advise for it. "There is more information on all of those options in the document I'll get to you.

"And as far as entertainment, sir, there isn't much that is likely to keep your attention I think, outside of the library. Though there is a bar owned by the woman who lives across the hall from me, Helen," and here she glanced up, though not too disapprovingly, "that is friendly to those of us not native to this place."

[ignite_the_sky]

"I suppose this means I'll be perusing that document and seeking employment," he replied, laughing weakly. The prospect of job-hunting was definitely not appealing. He'd spent nearly ten years in the military, not counting his time in the military academy, so he was a little behind on how to go about finding new employment.

Then again, there probably weren't many positions available to someone capable of incinerating a large area with just a snap of their fingers. And after everything she'd just told him about what had happened three months prior, she would probably object if he jumped right into something that could potentially get him killed.

The mention of a bar -and one owned by a woman, no less- perked him up a bit. Bars meant people. People meant interaction. Interaction meant information. Sure, Anatole wasn't East City, but old habits died hard and if nothing else, there was always the possibility of scoring a date.

[firebornfidelis]

"I suppose so, sir."

She walked quietly for a few minutes, following a not-infequently used route to the clinic. It had been relatively simple for her when she arrived here. The Colonel was already employed at with the patrol at the time, so she joined as well. It had seemed natural. But she could sympathize with his position now. She herself had never been anything but a soldier, and, more importantly, his bodyguard and aide.

"Colonel," she began, though she wasn't totally sure what she was about to say. "I will continue to support you, sir, whatever you choose to do." Generally she didn't feel as if such things needed to be said, but partially in the spirit of his earlier declaration, she felt the need to say it aloud.

[ignite_the_sky]

He kept close to her to avoid getting separated, mulling over everything she'd told him to that point. There was a lot to remember and a lot that would require reflection and consideration, but something told him that he probably wasn't cut out for anything more than public service. It didn't bother him, but it was definitely going to limit his options.

Her words were reassuring. Whether he opted for the familiar or chose to try his hand at something different, he wasn't going to lose her. "I solemnly swear to put serious thought into whatever decision is forthcoming, Lieutenant, to ensure that your sentiment is not wasted."

It was silly to say it, but at the same time, he did it to let her know he intended to take the matter seriously and not make a snap decision.

[firebornfidelis]

She nodded very soberly. "I know you will, sir." I trust you. That was what it always came down to. Trust. She had trusted him with everything from her father's life's work to her own life and the future of their country. And despite one very close call, he had never once failed her. And even if he were to rejoin the patrol, she would continue to trust in him. She would be the one who would have to work harder, try harder, be better in order to keep him safe. To not fail him.

They reached the clinic finally and Riza held the door open to let him pass through.

[ignite_the_sky]

Though Riza couldn't see it, he was definitely smirking and blushing. It might take a bit of getting used to, but there was something about setting foot into a place one never knew existed that had him somewhere between concerned and amused.

Without a word, he stepped beyond and into the clinic, taking the lead for the first time since he'd woken up with two injured hands.