It was two and a half years after the Promised Day. Hawkeye walked down the street. She held a small bouquet of pink flowers that she had seen on a floral cart on the side of the road. The sky was shining and the weather was warm. A little too warm for the Amestris military uniform, which was why Hawkeye was glad she ditched that for her basic black shirt and cargo pants.

Hawkeye turned and walked up the steps of a small house. She pulled a ring of keys out of her pocket that was attached by a chain to her belt loop. She leafed through the keys until she got to the one she wanted. She unlocked the door and stepped inside. She closed the door behind her and headed further into the house.

Hawkeye walked passed the kitchen and smelled a waft of spices. She chuckled softly to herself and walked into the kitchen. She opened one of the cabinets and grabbed a vase out of it with her right hand. She walked over to the sink and filled up the vase. She put the flowers in the vase and placed them on the central counter.

"You're later than usual," a deep voice said behind her. "And what did you bring me this time? Smells like some flowers."

Hawkeye nodded and turned around. "Yes, sir. I got them from the most peculiar of florists. They really sold me on the flowers when they told me that these particular flowers are good for those that need help."

Mustang's nose wrinkled. "Hey, who's cooking, here? Who really needs the help around here, Captain 'Can't Lift Her Left Arm Above Her Head?'"

Hawkeye rolled her left shoulder. "I'm working on it, sir."

He laughed a deep, rich laugh that he gave oh so well. His laugh was so rich it made Hawkeye shiver.

"Loosen up, Captain," he said with a smile. "I'm only kidding. Besides, I'm blind. I can't even see you lift your arms."

Hawkeye leaned against the counter and took a deep breath. "When are you going to let Marcoh heal you anyway? He healed Havoc almost a full year ago, yet you keep holding him off."

Mustang took the food he had been cooking off of the stove. "Do you want some lunch? I may be blind, but the food is still good."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "I wasn't planning on staying for long. Fuhrer Grunman wanted me to come in later today to get some simple desk work done."

Mustang shook his head. "That crazy old man." He put some of the food onto two plates. "I'm sure he'll understand if you stick around."

Hawkeye laughed. "Are you afraid of being alone? Did Armstrong leave or something?"

Mustang nodded. "He also left for some business with Grunman. He'll be gone for a few days since he has to travel west for whatever the Fuhrer is having him do." He put his hands on the counter and leaned against it. "It's not that I'm afraid of being alone, Captain. It is just that it has already been a long day, and I would rather not be alone right now."

She raised an eyebrow. "Did something happen, sir?"

He nodded. "Yesterday, Marcoh came by. He had some news to share. I should have known that it couldn't have been good."

She reached a hand out and put it on his shoulder. "What news did he bring?"

Mustang laughed. "You know, after two and a half years, I had come to terms with my blindness and had even gotten really good with doing all of my day to day tasks without my sight. Thanks to you, Armstrong, everyone really, even Black Hayate." He put a hand on hers. "But hearing that the Philosopher's Stone had been stolen from Marcoh really puts a damper on things."

"Stolen?"

He nodded. "Some punk stole it and used it to make a getaway. Seems like Marcoh has made quite the reputation out east."

Hawkeye slowly moved her hand out of his. "Is there a current effort to find it again?"

"Alphonse is working towards narrowing suspects."

She nodded. "Is that the only effort we have out there? Philosopher Stones can be a huge trouble in the wrong hands. I should see if Grunman will allow me to go out there and help Al."

Mustang shook his head. "Captain, I will not allow you to go to Youswell by yourself. There's a maniac on the loose with a Philosophers Stone, and you are no alchemist. You're good with your guns, but there's no way that you could take the guy on your own."

Hawkeye rolled her eyes. "But, sir, that maniac is what stops you from getting your sight back."

"Well, have you ever asked yourself what if I don't want my sight back?" Mustang said through gritted teeth. "This has only made me stronger. I've done just fine without it."

She frowned. "I highly doubt that you would be able to stop me, even with this new found strength that you have."

Mustang reached out and grabbed her arm, gently. "Riza, please," he said softly. "Stop this. I'm fine, really. You need to take a deep breath and calm down. You have seen what I can do without my sight. I'm fully capable of fighting. I still have a job. This hasn't exactly been something that has limited me from doing whatever I needed to do. Don't mistake my vacation time for something else."

Hawkeye kept a stern look on her face before taking a deep breath. "Mustang, I'm well aware of everything that you are capable of. After all, I am the cause of some of it. I just worry that you'll get caught up in wanting to be Fuhrer again and let a little thing like this slide will prevent that from happening. No one is going to trust a blind leader, physically and figuratively."

He patted her arm and chuckled. "Don't worry. There will be a day when I am Fuhrer, and there will be a day that I will get my sight back. I'm not necessarily too worried about which order those come in. Now, how about some food?"

She jabbed a finger into his chest, making him stumble back a bit. "Goddammit, sir. You're foolish to think that I shouldn't worry about you. You have been even more reckless since the Promise Day." She tensed her body up. "Even if you won't let me go out to Youswell to help Al, I'm going to do whatever I can here to help."

Mustang smirked and reached over and grabbed a plate of food. He handed it to Hawkeye. "I wouldn't expect anything different."

Hawkeye took the plate and walked over to the small table that was by the window. She sat down and looked over at Mustang. He looked like he had not slept at all during the previous night. He obviously had not shaved since he started his vacation two days ago. His hair was a mess, and his white button up shirt and black pants were dishevelled. Her guess was that he had stayed up all night also trying to figure out what happened to the Philosophers Stone. That would be just like him.

Mustang took a seat across the small round table from her. He noticed that there was a change in the atmosphere around him. He could feel her gaze on him.

They both ate in silence for a few moments before Mustang cleared his throat. "So, Captain, has there been any news from Fullmetal about his new little predicament he's gotten himself into?"

Hawkeye shook her head and shrugged. "Kind of, not really. Though, you should stop calling it a predicament, sir. He's engaged now, not stuck out in some war in the west. Winry, on the other hand, has been preparing everything from what I've heard. She's already sent out invitations."

Mustang scoffed. "I haven't received one. I know Fullmetal and I had a few issues over the years, but you would think that I would have been invited."

Hawkeye chuckled. "I didn't think you were the wedding type. After all, was it not you that said you wanted all of the female soldiers to wear 'tiny miniskirts?'"

He laughed nervously and his face turned a slight shade of red. "Yeah, that was then. I'm a changed man, Captain, and that is something I no longer would implement. Some people would get no work done, and, you know, it would make it difficult for them to fight."

She smiled. "I'm glad. Though, I would not have worn that anyway."

"If I became Fuhrer before I became the man I am today, then I don't think you would have much of a choice."

"Oh, I would have had a choice. I may have said that I would follow you to Hell, but that doesn't mean that I'll listen to every order you give. If I had, then I think both of us would be dead by now."

Mustang pursed his lips. "Oh yeah? I think I've done pretty well saving myself from death. Remember that one time after my fight with Lust and even you thought I was dead. You wasted bullets and tears because you were convinced I was dead."

Now, Hawkeye's face was a light shade of red. "I took a few of her lives, so I don't think it was a total waste."

"And what about when Envy disguised himself as me?"

Hawkeye stammered. "H-he tried to convince me that he was you, but he made a mistake that led me to know it was him."

"But there had to be a reason he picked me instead of someone else to disguise as."

She shoved food in her mouth until it was full, so she could not speak. She mumbled some incoherent noise and shrugged. Mustang smiled and shook his head.

"I received an invitation, so if you really want to go, then you can," she said, bringing it back to the other conversation.

Mustang nodded. "We'll see when the day comes. Who knows? I may be Fuhrer by then."

She leaned back in her chair and chuckled. "Well, there wasn't a date on it yet, since Ed's still out west doing his research, but I'll let you know when it's finalised."

Mustang mimicked her body language, even though he could not see her to be able to do so. He rubbed the stubble that was on his chin and frowned.

"I should shave," he mumbled.

Hawkeye smiled. "As long as you don't make a fashion of some facial hair, I think you'll be okay while you're on vacation, sir."

Mustang smiled and took a deep breath. "Yes, ma'am, Captain, ma'am."

She shook her head and stood up. "I should get going to command. Grunman's going to start wondering where I am if I don't show up soon."

He leaned his head back. "I already told you that he can handle you not going in for a day. Besides, I have some work for you to do here. You are under my immediate command anyway."

"I don't think that counts when you are on vacation."

"It counts when you are on vacation, right, Elizabeth?"

Hawkeye smirked and shook her head. "Those were times that desperate times called for desperate measures. You cannot be using this against me right now, sir."

Mustang chuckled. "I guess I am." He took a deep breath. "Hughes would do this to me, too, when he was on vacation. He'd try to get me to not do my work, or distract me enough from it to where I couldn't get anything done."

She sat back down slowly. "Remember his idea of an energy booster? He would go on about Elicia until you did your work actively enough."

He looked over in Hawkeye's direction and nodded curtly. "She's almost seven years old. I wonder what majestic present he'd get for me to give her this year."

She took a deep breath. "I'll stay."

He had a solemn look on his face. Remembering Hughes was never a fun activity to do; especially after all of the trouble it took to track down his murderer. The whole event was not something either of the military pair liked to remember. The events that led to the Promise Day were a touchy subject, but they never regretted doing what they had to do to stop the whole of Amestris from being destroyed. If they had not had happened, then Mustang and Hawkeye would not be as close as they were. They were both indebted to each other.

Mustang stood up and reached a hand over to Hawkeye.

"There's something that I'd like to show you."

She took his hand and stood up as well. He led her out of the kitchen and down a short hall and into the spare room at the end on the right. He snapped his fingers and a few candles around the room lit up.

"You've gotten really good at that circle-less alchemy," she said, looking around.

He dropped her hand and nodded. She walked further into the room and glanced at the walls. There were pictures on the walls that were attached by strings. There were also newspaper clippings that were attached to some of the pictures.

She gaped slightly. "What is all of this?"

Mustang frowned. "Research from Xing and other countries about their research on either Philosophers Stones or any type of healing alchemy that there is. I haven't been completely helpless nor have I given up, despite what you may think."

She turned back around and looked at him. "Has there been any headway?"

Mustang shrugged. "Feury has helped me organise all of this, and there have only been a few minor connections. While you aren't working under the Fuhrer, I was hoping maybe you could help me here."

"Sir, how can I help? It looks like you have everything you can get from this stuff."

He nodded. "There's someone there, in Youswell, who is from Xing and has knowledge of Alkahestry. They've apparently done some pretty good work with it. I want to go and see what he knows."

"What does that mean for me?"

He took a deep breath. "I'm temporarily promoting you so you can get everything that needs done here in Central and no one suspects that the Philosophers Stone is missing."

Hawkeye blinked. "So you're going to travel all the way to the edge of the country alone?"

Mustang nodded. "It's the only way."

"No, it's not, you idiot," she snapped. "I'm coming with you, and you cannot tell me otherwise. You cannot travel alone. What if something happens to you? You are well known all around the country. If there's someone that wants to harm you, then it won't take much to do it, if you are on your own."

"I'll take a detail."

"With all due respect, sir, a detail would make you a better target."

He frowned. "So what do you suggest? I can't go alone, you won't let me take a detail, and you can't come with me."

Hawkeye put her hands on her hips. "And why not?"

Mustang took a deep breath and looked towards the floor. "Because I don't want you to get hurt. It will be foreign territory, so I won't be able to help you out of any alchemy centred situation."

She laughed. "I'm not helpless. Sure, I've gotten injured in the past, but I'm still capable of protecting myself."

"Well, how do you suppose that we not get attacked while travelling out of Central towards Youswell?"

"As we always have gotten away with things," Hawkeye smirked. "Through disguise, obviously."

Mustang laughed. "Oh yeah, Elizabeth?"

XXX

Hawkeye and Mustang sat down in their train seats across from each other. They tried to disguise themselves as best that they could. To the both of them, they would always be Riza Hawkeye and Roy Mustang, but they hoped that it would be good enough for the rest of the world.

Hawkeye decided that cutting her hair was for the better good. Though, it was at a different length than she had ever had it before. Her hair now fell halfway down her neck. She donned her glasses and a dress because that was the last thing anyone would ever see her in.

Mustang really didn't look any different. He parted his hair the other way and wore a pair of sunglasses, like most blind people tended to do. He wore a travel outfit, similar to the rest of the men on the train.

"We should probably take this time to get our story straight," she said, quiet enough so that only he heard her.

"Right, Elizabeth," he replied. "Um, I guess my name with be Aden. So what is our relationship?"

Hawkeye shrugged. "I'm not sure. What do you suggest, sir?"

He pulled a ring out of his pocket. "I was thinking something like this. I figured it would be the most believable to a sort."

She blushed a dark red. "Married, sir?"

"Or engaged," he nodded and held the ring out a little further. "I thought an engagement would save us from having to figure some things out."

She nodded curtly and grabbed the ring. She slipped it on her finger and looked at it intently. It was weird wearing any jewellery, but it felt even weirder wearing an engagement ring. There was an even odder feeling in her stomach that the ring belonged to her General, General Roy Mustang.

"Where did you get the ring on such short notice, sir?" Hawkeye asked. "We only decided that we were leaving two days ago."

He cleared his throat and adjusted his tie. "It was one of the rings my foster mother gave me that belonged to my mother. In hopes that something like this would happen for real one day."

She nodded and looked around the train. "Okay, so we are an engaged couple. Named Aden and Elizabeth."

Mustang reached over and grabbed Hawkeye's hand. He pulled her over into his seat beside him. She yelped quietly and brushed her hair down. She looked over at the General hoping for some sort of explanation.

"We may as well start acting the part, while we work through things," he said as he intertwined his fingers in hers. "How did we meet?"

Hawkeye blushed fainter than she had before. How was he so comfortable with this?

"We both work for the same law firm. I was the secretary, and you were an apprentice with a lawyer. I thought you were cute when you came in your first day with no idea where to go. You asked me for dinner after you helped your master win your first case." Hawkeye looked up at him.

Mustang chuckled. "Dinner went awful, and I was too scared to talk to you the rest of my career there. Though, on my last day, I invited you to drinks and that went a lot better."

She smiled and began to relax with holding his hand and how she sat. "Remember how you asked me to marry you?"

He smiled as well. "It was right before I lost my sight. I lit a few dozen candles around the living room while you were sleeping on the couch. It was almost midnight when you woke up from your nap. I knelt down and-"

"All you got out was, 'Eliza, will you-' before I punched you across the face because you scared the living daylights out of me."

He looked over in her direction. "But after we iced my face for close to half an hour, you said yes."

Hawkeye took a deep breath. "You've always been an idiot, sir."

"You can't call me sir," Mustang corrected her. "We're engaged now. People might find that weird."

The train started to take off. There was no going back now that the train was already in motion. Now, all that was left to do was to enjoy the ride to Youswell. Hawkeye stared out of the window.

This was going to be a weird adventure.

The train had only been travelling for twenty minutes before Hawkeye fell asleep. She was still holding Mustang's hand, and she had moved over so her head was now lying on Mustang's shoulder.

Mustang moved his hand out of hers and put the arm around her shoulders, holding her closer. He suddenly was angry with himself for not taking Marcoh's offer sooner. Even though this whole thing was fake, he still wanted to be able to see her. He only wanted to see her, even if he saw nothing else.

He remembered what it felt like, losing his sight. He did not care initially because he just wanted to know if Riza was okay. He was in an unfamiliar environment and upset with himself. He never wanted her to get hurt in the midst of all of it. She was never supposed to be in danger.

His blindness what just a reminder of the pain that he had to see her go through. He remembered holding her in his arms briefly. It was a nice feeling to have her in his arms once again.

He was terrified that it was going to happen again. He was even more useless this time around. If Hawkeye was injured this time, he was not sure that there was any way that he could help her. He was blind. He had little to no knowledge of Alkahestry, and everything that he had done before was just sealing the wounds with heat. Could he trust himself to do that blind? He needed his sight back for her. He just wished that she did not get herself involved.

It was only his fault though. He made her promise years ago that she would follow him no matter what. That seemed like ages ago. Things were so different then. Things were even different before that. There was once a hope that there could be something between them similar to what they were faking now. That all seemed like such a dream.

After thinking about their past for nearly an hour, Mustang also slowly fell asleep. His head rested gently on top of Hawkeye's. They looked like an ordinary engaged couple.

There was a large bump in the train tracks. Hawkeye along with a few of the other passengers gasped loudly and looked out of the window. She was relieved when she just saw that the train had switched tracks and that was what caused the bump. She relaxed back in her seat and looked over at Mustang.

His head was leaning back, and his mouth was slightly open. He was dead asleep. His arm was lying on the seat in a weird position. Hawkeye deduced that it was around her while they were sleeping. She smiled and moved the hand into his lap.

This reminded her of the numerous times that he had fallen asleep at his desk doing whatever it was that he did before he would hurriedly sign his papers minutes before the deadline. He always had some trick up his sleeve, and she was always lucky enough to be one of the few to know it, which was why it was weird that he tried to keep her out of this mission.

She knew he still was not over what happened on the Promise Day. She was hardly over it herself. There was nothing like almost dying in someone's arms. Though, if it had to be anybody's arms, she was glad that it would have been Mustang's.

He had been there for her from the beginning. It only made sense that he would be there for her until the end.

Hawkeye's thoughts were interrupted when someone sat down in the seat across from them. The seat she originally sat in. She looked over at the elderly lady with a confused look.

"Can I help you, ma'am?" She asked politely.

The lady smiled. "My name is Lilith Manello. I felt the bump on the train and almost fell out of my seat." She laughed lightly. "I figured that I needed to find a new one, so that wouldn't happen again."

Hawkeye faintly smiled back. "Oh, I see. Well, you are welcome to the seat." She gestured to the bench.

Lilith nodded and took Hawkeye's hand. "Oh, this ring is so pretty. Aren't you a lucky girl? Is this the lucky man? You both are so cute together."

Hawkeye blushed a bright red. "Yes, ma'am. I definitely have to say that I'm the lucky one though. I don't know where I would be without him." The statement was not a lie.

"What are your names? I must tell my husband when I get home that I met a nice couple that reminds me so much of us when we were younger."

"You-you just met us, ma'am. What are you saying?"

She smiled widely and pulled a locket out of her pocket. She opened it and showed Hawkeye the picture inside. The picture showed a younger couple, similar in stature to Hawkeye and Mustang. She had short blonde hair and he had longer black hair. They looked happy.

"You see?"

Hawkeye nodded. "Yes." She leaned back in her chair and looked over at Mustang. "My name is Elizabeth, and this is my fiancé, Aden. We're headed to Youswell."

"Oh, my husband and I live in Youswell, you two must stay with us," Lilith said, almost too happy.

Hawkeye shook her head. "I couldn't trouble you with that. We don't even know how long we're going to be there. We're just visiting someone."

"Oh, nonsense." She took both of her hands in hers. "You must. It will be no trouble. You are welcome to stay with us as long as you like."

Hawkeye looked over at Mustang. "I'll talk about it to my fiancé when he wakes up. He's very particular with how he does things." She chuckled. "He's always been that way."

She smiled. "Yes, of course. He looks like one of those people. Most men do. There's not much we women really can do."

Hawkeye smirked and looked back at her. "Oh, there's a lot we can do. Even though I said that I didn't know where I'd be without him, I know where he'd be without me."

She laughed. "Of course, of course. Well, I guess I will leave you two be. Let me know what he says when he wakes up, dear."

She nodded. "Alright. See you later, ma'am."

The elderly lady stood up and left the booth. Hawkeye looked back over at Mustang and laughed softly. She raised a hand and gently flicked his nose, the way she always woke him up at his desk.

Mustang jumped and looked around. He took deep heaving breaths before setting his eyes on her.

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop doing that?" He said through gritted teeth.

She chuckled. "I needed you up, so until I find a better and faster way…" She shrugged.

He smiled. "Yes, ma'am." He took a deep breath and rubbed his face. "Where are we?"

Hawkeye looked out of the window. "I'd say we're maybe an hour or so out from Youswell." She looked back over at him. "It's hard to tell. I was asleep for an undetermined amount of time."

Mustang nodded. "We were travelling for about an hour before I also fell asleep. It was nice sitting in the quiet for a bit." He rested his elbows on his knees and leaned forward. "Just me and my thoughts."

Hawkeye nodded and put a hand on his back. "Speaking of you and your thoughts, there was a lady who stopped by and said we could stay with her while we were in Youswell. She was very insistent."

He raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

She shrugged. "She sat down with me, and she went on and on about how we reminded her of her marriage." She leaned back against the window and propped her feet in his lap. "I said that I would talk it over with you, and we'd let her know."

He put one of his hands on her leg. "I mean, I'd rather not have to pay for our stay."

She nodded. "Right, sir."

"That was rather kind of them to offer room for some strangers," Mustang moved his hand down to the top of her foot. "I wonder why. There must be some kind of motive behind it."

Hawkeye watched him carefully. "We can refuse the offer if you are that freaked out over it."

He nodded. "Well, we have some time to think it over. Now, what to do with our free time?" He smirked and slipped her shoe off. He started tickling her foot.

She laughed and sat up straight. "Stop it!" She squirmed and closed her eyes. "That tickles! Stop!"

Mustang laughed as well and continued to tickle her foot before starting to also tickle her side. "What's wrong, Elizabeth?"

Hawkeye arched her back and laughed even harder. Her side was starting to cramp between laughing so hard and being tickled. "Sir, stop!" She squirmed around before she fell out of the seat.

The train braked roughly as she fell, causing Mustang to fall down as well. He landed on top of her. His face was in her chest. He did not need to see to know what happened. His face turned bright red.

She laughed and put her hand on his chest. She started to catch her breath. Hawkeye watched him and smiled. He chuckled and put a hand over hers.

"I told you to stop," she joked.

He shook his head. "I don't recall what you are talking about, Elizabeth," he teased. He paused before speaking again. "It's nice to hear you laugh, Captain."

Hawkeye's smile dropped, and she nodded. "Yes, sir."

Mustang could feel the atmosphere change. He looked up where he thought her face was. He took a deep breath and rubbed her hand.

"Hey, I think we should take up the offer," he said softly. "I think it will be good practice for us, in case we have to go anywhere else."

Hawkeye nodded and put her forehead against his. "Let's get you back into your seat."

XXX

Hawkeye put their bags down next to their bed. She sat on the edge of the bed and looked up at Mustang. She turned her gaze over to the elderly couple at the door. She gave them a smile of gratitude.

The old lady smiled back and nodded before leaving the room. She closed the door behind her.

Hawkeye reached over and held Mustang's hand. She tugged on it gently. He nodded and sat down on the bed next to her. He took off his sunglasses and threw them across the room.

"I hate these damn things," he grumbled. "I swear I could feel them becoming one with the bridge of my nose." He pinched his nose. "I'm glad that we are off of that train though."

She chuckled and took her glasses off as well. "Yes, it's nice to sit on actual cushioning for once."

Hawkeye looked over at the couch that was beside the fireplace. She took a deep breath and stood up. She let go of Mustang's hand and nodded.

"I'll take the couch," she said solemnly. "It's been a long day. We need to get our rest for tomorrow. We have quite the adventure before us."

He frowned and took her hand again. "You are not taking the couch. What kind of gentleman would I be if I let you take the couch?"

Hawkeye laughed. "A good one, sir. Besides, I can see where the couch is, so I'll be taking it for tonight. We can argue about tomorrow night when that comes."

Mustang scowled. "I'll burn the couch before I let you sleep on it." He pulled her back down to the bed. "You didn't need to come with me; therefore, you get the bed."

She pulled her hand out of his. "General."

"Captain."

She sighed. "You take this side of the bed, and I'll take the other." She stood up. "I'm going to take a shower."

Hawkeye stood up and reached into her bag. She grabbed her night clothes before walking into the bathroom. She closed the door behind her and locked it. She leaned against the door and took a deep breath.

Mustang kicked off his shoes as he heard the water start running. He took off his jacket and dropped it onto the floor. He loosened his tie before slipping it off and tossing it onto the jacket. He looked over at the general direction of the bathroom and sighed.

"When am I ever going to learn…?" He grumbled to himself. "Riza is a difficult one to work with."

He stood up and unbuckled his belt. He undid his pants and slipped them off as well. He unbuttoned the sleeves on his shirt and the few top buttons of his shirt. He ran his hands through his hair and ruffled his own hair.

Being blind and bored was the worst combination. Mustang sat back down on the bed and looked falsely around the room. He felt around for the pillows and moved them to a position that would be comfortable for him to sleep on. Then, he slid his arm over to see how large the bed was. It was large enough for two people. It was either a double or a queen, so it would not be awkward for them. Though, he figured Hawkeye would have said something if it was too small. He moved the sheets and got under them. He continued to sit up, so he could stay awake. He wanted to at least tell Hawkeye goodnight and give her another thank you before going to bed.

Hawkeye turned the shower off and took a deep breath. She reached out and grabbed the towel to put around her. She wrung the water out of her hair before putting it up in a towel. She walked over to the mirror and wiped the condensation off.

She looked at her reflection. Everything that happened on the Promise Day seemed like it was forever ago, but the events also seemed so recent. The scar that marked her shoulder and neck brought mixed emotions. It was a reminder of how easy it is to die, but it was also a reminder that not only did she always have Roy's back, but he also had hers. After all, what was a King without his Queen?

She smiled at the analogy. She learned about the analogy after the Promise Day when she and Mustang both had their debriefing about the events that had occurred. She remembered the look on Mustang's face when she talked about how Envy tried to disguise himself as Mustang in order to get to her. His look of shock came mostly from how she figured out it was not him. She did not really understand the look of shock, but, nonetheless, their whole debriefing experience was interesting.

Hawkeye took her hair out of the towel and put the towel up to dry. Then, she removed the towel from her body and put it up, too. She began to get dressed in the clothes she brought into the bathroom for her to sleep in. It was just a simple shirt and pants. She did not believe in night gowns.

She took a deep breath before opening the door and walking back out into the bedroom. She tossed her clothes next to her bag and walked over to the bed. She could feel Mustang's eyes on her, even if he couldn't actually see her.

She got under the covers and mimicked his position of sitting up. She took a large breath and sighed heavily.

"General-," "Captain-," they said at the same time.

Mustang cleared his throat. "Ladies first."

Hawkeye nodded and fixed a few of his hairs that were sticking up. "Thank you, for what happened on the Promise Day. I don't know if I could ever thank you enough."

The corner of his mouth twitched with a smile. "It was definitely an interesting day with everything that happened. I don't know why you are thanking me for saving your life, though, Captain. You were pretty adamant on me not saving you."

She shrugged. "But you did, and we are still here, so I guess it's about time I said something."

Mustang moved his hand along the sheet until he found hers. "It's not necessary. You would have done the same if the roles were reversed, I'm sure. And besides, it's not like I was actually the one that saved you nor did I do the transmutation voluntarily."

Hawkeye nodded slowly. "But why didn't you just let me go? There wouldn't have been a Promise Day to stop if you hadn't become the last sacrifice. Logically, you would have saved a lot more people, had you not done that."

He took a slow deep breath before answering, like he was choosing his words carefully. "Yes, Riza, I would have, but none of those people that would have been saved are you. None of them are my right hand. None of them are my best friend. None of them had my back. None of them helped me get to where I am today. None of them are you. Plus, there would have been the same result whether I let you go and the doctor lived or what actually happened." He paused. "I just couldn't stand to see you die."

Hawkeye looked up at him with shock and blushed. "Uh… um… General," she whispered.