Blood shot eyes watched the entryway carefully. How could she be late? This had been planned for weeks. And she had sworn that she would be there on time. But now she had been late. Twenty-five minutes to be exact. Mustang sat and stewed in his worrisome thoughts. Maybe something had happened? What if she forgot? But Hawkeye never forgot. That was about as likely as a professional pianist forgetting what the notes on a music sheet meant. But stranger things had happened.
When Mustang had thought all was lost, Hawkeye charged in with a graceless entry. He had forgotten for a moment that she was late and nearly fell out of his chair with an animated excitement. Then when he noticed the apologetic expression on her face, all frustration came back and his memory returned.
"You're late." Mustang stated simply.
A nervous expression crossed Hawkeyes features and then vanished just as quickly.
"I know. And I didn't mean to be," was all she had managed. What else could she say?
"I had some things that needed to be done. I lost track of time and then… well I'm sorry."
But Mustang was not about to accept an apology so easily. His eyebrows raised toward his hairline that made his face appear comical.
"Oh are you now?" Dull eyes closed and reopened slowly.
"Yes Colonel. I am sincerely sorry and will not let it happen again."
"Lieutenant," Mustang began.
"I am… a forgiving man. But there should be no excuse for this important occasion."
Hawkeyes eyebrows mimicked that of the colonels.
"Excuse me?" A new emotion evoked the lieutenant. "You are criticizing me about being late?"
Mustang tilted his head in confusion as Hawkeye continued.
"You have absolutely no room to criticize me on whether I was late or not. You have been late plenty of times, without reason, for something far more important than this."
Mustang flinched at Hawkeyes tone. It was unusual of her to act this harsh toward him.
"Who were you with?" Calm eyes grew smug. It was a statement, not a question.
"W-what? What are you talking about?" Worry crossed lieutenant Hawkeyes eyes and then vanished.
And then he knew. Colonel Mustang may have been slow on occasion but he was not foolish. Jealousy bloomed like a prickly flower in the pit of his stomach now that almost made him sick.
"Do not lie to me Lieutenant. I know you well enough to know that you are not telling the truth."
A gust of wind escaped from the Lieutenants chest with a large exhale.
"If you already know," She began slowly, "Then why must you ask?"
Mustang smiled wryly. He was right. "Call it curiosity and… worry for your well-being."
Frustration built up inside of the Lieutenant now. "Worry? And what exactly is there to worry about? Clearly it is none of your business."
"I was just curious dear. No need to get upset."
"Upset? Who's upset? I'm not upset. I just wanted to know what made you think that you had any right to care who I was with."
"Because I care about you," It was simple. Short and to the point, but it had held so much more meaning to it than just those few words. This was something that they both knew.
Hawkeye held her breath as the two of them watched each other carefully.
"Good for you." She turned on her heel to escape the unfamiliar rush of emotion.
"Lieutenant?"
Hawkeye stood for a moment and waited. Silent words passed between the two for a short moment.
"Right," and with that she left him with a swirl of thoughts and a dull ache in his chest.