Nonetheless

The rain was heavy, black clouds masking Mustang's vision.

The drops were warm though, and there was a ray of light starting to pierce beyond the brim of his hat, and he wasn't drenched. He would have moved to follow Riza's advice, but he couldn't. He was already cold anyway, his hands motionless, useless from the rain that had wet them.

"Colonel, we must go," Hawkeye said, wiping a bead of sweat off her brow.

Mustang appeared not to listen as he stepped closer to Hughes' gravestone, the rain intensifying until it was almost deafening.

"Was it us who caused this, Major Hughes?" Mustang whispered. "Was it retribution for our sins in Ishval? I need you to answer me."

Hawkeye grew worried when Mustang grew silent. The stagnant air seemed to grow even more lifeless as he spoke, and the graveyard seemed to take on a noir hue. It was completely quiet and they were alone. However, she refused to show her worry. As the Colonel's assistant, it was her duty and obligation to be strong for him.

Despite that, the Colonel was also her friend, and it pained her to see him in such a weakened state. The Lieutenant steeled her heart as she considered how she was going to get the Colonel back in the right mind.

"Colonel Mustang, we have a duty to help in the investigation of a murder," Hawkeye's voice was unmoving, tight, and professional. "There is no time to waste."

At that, Mustang shook off his trance, straightening his hat as he did so. The Lieutenant was right – there was no time to waste. There would be more time for grieving and reminiscing later. The rain seemed to slow down as he took off his hat, and he winced when a strong ray of sunlight almost blinded him.

The Lieutenant placed a hand on Mustang's shoulder, and he understood. A close comrade had been lost. But, nonetheless, as a Colonel, he still had a duty to the army... and to Hughes.

"We've been here long enough, Lieutenant," the Colonel said. He took one last look at Hughes' grave, before leaving towards Central HQ.

Hawkeye nodded and followed.

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