A/N: Hello! Thanks for reading! Spoilers ahead, for anyone who hasn't finished the series! I'd also like to thank my wonderful beta, bookluver100. I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or any of its characters. Please review! :)

Now that the battle was over and done, Riza Hawkeye didn't know what to do. She hadn't planned this far ahead. She had protected the one person she swore to protect, and he had made it out alive and mostly well. She had done all she could and fulfilled her duty. Now there was nothing left for her to do.

She had told Colonel Mustang that she would put a bullet in her head after it was over. However, now that said time had come, Riza was having second thoughts.

She stood beside Mustang, her hands hanging by her sides. She looked at the ground, tears glistening in her eyes. Somehow, Riza had almost managed to convince herself this was a result of the ash and dust that had been tossed around in the fight. That seemed like a better excuse than what the little voice inside her head kept screaming over and over again.

I'm afraid.

Afraid of what? Afraid of dying? No, that wasn't it. It couldn't be. Riza had stared death in its cold, unforgiving eyes too many times. She wasn't afraid of it. There was something more.

Afraid of leaving him, the voice nagged, seeming to grow louder with each word.

Riza's heart pounded in her chest. A single tear leaked out of the corner of her eye and rolled down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away before anyone could have had the chance to notice.

Riza knew she and the Colonel would be admitted to the hospital, and it was only a matter of time before the doctors came to take the two of them away. She knew her wounds would heal. Eventually, at least. Riza was more concerned about Mustang. What could the doctors do for him? There's no cure for what human transmutation takes. She sniffed loudly, wiping again at her already dry eyes.

From beside her, Mustang tensed. "Lieutenant?" he murmured, turning his head in Riza's general direction.

"I'm right here, Colonel," she replied quietly.

I'm not going anywhere.

The Colonel's blank gaze shifted a little bit closer to where Riza actually stood. He was looking more at her forehead instead of her eyes, but it was close enough. "Are you doing alright, sir?" Riza asked softly.

Mustang exhaled, the breath somewhere in between a small laugh and a scoff. "I'll be fine." he said nonchalantly, as if he wasn't affected by his situation. Riza could see straight through that facade. The subtle crinkle in his brow told a completely different story.

His frown deepened as he tugged at the edge of his left glove. He pulled it off in one swift action before letting it drop to the ground beside him.

Riza looked at his newly bared hand, expecting him to take off the other glove. She was surprised when he simply lowered it. He clenched and unclenched his hand a few times before he finally just stopped moving it at all.

Then, in a slow but undoubting motion, the Colonel stretched his hand sideways a few inches. Riza followed the movement of his hand with her eyes. Within a couple seconds, his hand came in contact with her wrist. Her heart skipped a beat. She felt her cheeks grow warm. Riza felt like a teenager again, blushing over Roy Mustang. He slid his hand down and around her hand until their palms touched. Blood pounded in Riza's ears. The two stood unmoving for a few seconds before Riza laced her fingers in Mustang's. He squeezed her hand in response.

The gesture was small, but Riza felt a flood of affection rush over her. She squeezed back, her hand trembling slightly. When she was with Mustang, she felt safe. It was a strange feeling. Even though she was the one protecting him, Riza always felt like he would make sure she was never in harm's way. It was as if he radiated a sense of composure and authority that made her feel more secure than she had ever felt before. Now that they stood hand in hand, Riza was suddenly struck by the realization that she never wanted to let go. The idea hit her like a ton of bricks. Her heartbeat quickened and she felt the butterflies in her stomach intensify. She dismissed the thought as quickly as it had appeared, her heart in her throat.

He was her commanding officer. She had to let go.

Despite her rationalizations, Riza would have continued to hold Mustang's hand if it wasn't for the doctors. "Colonel Mustang! First Lieutenant Hawkeye!" they shouted, running across the courtyard toward the pair. Mustang's grip slackened at the sound of his name. Riza reluctantly pulled her hand away from his, silently wishing she could hold on for just a little longer.

The next few hours sped past in a blur of the white doctors coats and bandages. The doctors escorted Riza and the Colonel to the hospital in Central Command with little conversation passing between any of them. When they arrived, Riza was reluctant to be separated from Mustang. It was hard enough for her to leave him long enough to let the doctors treat her injuries. The thought of being away from him now was out of the question for Riza. They had been through too much together "Please," she had begged their shared doctor, "at least put me in the same room as him."

The doctor had obliged, even if he was hesitant at first. Before the nurses put another bed in the Colonel's room, Riza had explained the situation and her request to him. "Would you mind, Colonel?" she had asked tentatively, uncomfortably aware of how her request sounded.

A small smile had crept into Mustang's face. "I would like nothing more." he had said simply. They discussed the matter no more. The nurses set up the new bed within the hour.

So there Riza had stayed. During the day she would spend her time talking to the Colonel. Most of their conversations were short, as most of what they had to say didn't need to be spoken. The rest of the time, Riza would help him study Ishvalan culture. Some days the old team would come by and help her out.

Sometimes, Rebecca would visit. The doctor would usually let Riza go outside with her. That was always nice. It was a change of scenery, even if the new scene involved her friend constantly griping about being single. Of course, Riza didn't mind. She was used to Rebecca's ramblings.

At night, she would have trouble sleeping and simply listen to her surroundings. A lot of the time, Riza could tell that Mustang was awake in the bed next to her. He had been through so much. She wanted to go to him, to comfort him. Help him in any way she could. She wanted to hold his hand again.

Above all else, Riza desperately wanted him to regain his sight, though she knew that had to be impossible.

So, naturally, when Dr. Marcoh offered to make this a reality, Riza's heart leapt with joy. She wanted to see him happy, to see his eyes brighten with laughter like they used to. She wanted him to see the path he was so determined to follow.

She wanted him to see how loved he was.