Gen, G. For Kazaera's birthday.

Gentle Work
by Maaya

Fullmetal's nose is red and his cheeks are trying for an unhealthy shade of pale yellow. For once, his red coat is buttoned all way up, even the top button tightening that fabric around his throat. Pathetically sniffling, he us using his sleeve to dry his runny nose.

Fullmetal doesn't look nearly as aggressive as he usually does in Roy's presence. In fact, Roy thinks he might even describe the boy as looking miserable, if the word hadn't felt so wrong to use on someone like Fullmetal.

Well, it shouldn't be very surprising that Fullmetal is sick. It has been raining outside for more than a week now and if Roy remembers correctly, Fullmetal's last mission had forced him to walk in the rain a few miles before reaching a small country town, in which some sort of gang had decided to use simple alchemic tricks for stealing. Fullmetal hadn't been too pleased about that one.

Roy peers at the twelve-year old boy over the 'how to draw a cat' tutorial on the children's page in his newspaper. "Yes, Fullmetal?"

The whole office jump as Fullmetal sneezes, a loud and wet sound.

Roy dries away some stray drops saliva and snot from the back of his newspaper. "Yes?" he repeats in a somewhat less pleased tone.

Red spots appear on Fullmetal's cheeks, looking just as unhealthy as the rest of his appearance. He dries his nose again and clears his throat, opening his mouth, but no words come out. It takes a few attempts before a hoarse voice struggles through his throat. "Sick leave."

No surprise there. Giving Fullmetal a few days off would be preferable, even. As long as the boy would get out of here as soon as possible and quit spreading those germs...flu, most probably. Roy searches on the desk and hands Fullmetal an application.

Fullmetal sneezes again as he fills it out, Fury who is closest to him leans away with a pained expression. After a moment, the paper is handed back. Roy signs it thoughtfully. His train of thoughts doesn't quite want to make it to his tongue.

Hawkeye can apparently read Roy's thoughts. It relieves him when she asks instead of him. "Edward, where are you staying tonight?"

The boy blinks tiredly. "Me 'n Al will be in the dorms tonight. Can't infect Alicia with this."

The occupants in the office look at each other reluctantly, no one liking the thought of that a sick boy and his brother spending the night alone in the military dorms, but none willing to invite them to their own places. The risk of infection makes it somewhat less than tempting.

Guiltily, their eyes follow Fullmetal as he coughs out a "bye" and leaves the office, too tired to care about being very respectful or make a disciplined salute.

The office is quiet.

Roy looks at the childish cat-drawing tutorial for a moment before looking up. "Lieutenant Hawkeye. An order."

Hawkeye stands straighter. It is obvious she has caught the glint in Roy's eyes. "Sir?"

Roy smiles and leans back, letting his newspaper fall back onto the desk. "Cook some soup and bring Fullmetal tonight, will you?"

For a moment she tries for a scolding expression because he knows very well she can't cook, she'll probably have to buy something from a restaurant. But she can't help that little smile which shines through. "Yes sir. I will."

"Perfect."

The atmosphere in the room brightens.

end