A/N: Just another addition made to the truckload of Royai 100 Themes out there… because I'm just that unoriginal and I want in on this action. It's been a while since I wrote anything, so I might be a little rough around the edges. In addition, this will be one of those fics that attempt to create a continuing story with each theme. I hope I do well.

Also Royai Day is this Friday. I intend to post at least a chapter a day for this, so hear you go.

Manga spoilers will be present I suppose. For now, it's just spoilers for chapter 58/60.

Beyond The Camaraderie

Chapter 1

Military Personnel

As he briefly glanced up from the report he was filling out, a small smile tugged at his lips when his eyes made contact with the amber ones of a specific lieutenant's. She hesitantly returned the smile. Recalling their past together, the man realized how different things were between them. Yes, things were very different now.

He put his pen down. Satisfied with the report he finished, he lifted the two pages from his desk, and leaned back into his chair, staring at the report in his hands. The ink scribbles on the sheets were less than interesting to stare at and his onyx eyes began to survey the room (which was vacant other than himself and his lieutenant; the rest of the team had left moments ago). His eyes continued to wander until they landed on the woman he glanced at not too long ago.

Suddenly she stood, startling the man whose eyes lingered on her. She turned her head to look at him.

"I'm going to get some tea, Colonel," she said. "Would you like me to get you something while I'm gone?"

The colonel smiled and said, "No, thank you, Lieutenant. I'm fine."

In response, the woman nodded at him and started walking to the door until the colonel noisily stood up and said, "Actually, Lieutenant, I think I'll go with you." For a moment, he stretched his arms and walked over to her and they proceeded toward the officers' lounge.

"Have you finished your reports, sir?" she asked him.

"Finished two in the last hour," he proudly stated. "One more report to go and we'll be done for the day." They continued walking; their paces, slow and steady, clacking against the tiled floor.

The colonel sighed when he realized he was no longer walking abreast of his lieutenant, but a pace or two in front of her. He furrowed his brow, shoved his hands into his pockets, and muttered something his lieutenant couldn't here. Eventually, they reached the lounge. With their cups of tea in hand, they both sat down at a table, sipping occasionally.

"It's so different between us now… Riza," the colonel said. She looked up at him, somewhat alarmed by his demeanor and absolutely puzzled by his statement. There was a momentary silence between them. "Do you…" he paused, and then said, "Do you ever miss the old days?" A look of soft hope was plastered on his face.

The lieutenant sighed. "We're in the military, sir. We have an obligation to act professional in any given environment." Her eyes locked onto his. "And given your goals and aspirations, it would be best if we didn't let on about our childhood together."

Her lips shifted to a smile barely noticeable. The colonel smiled sadly.

"Yes." he said. "I suppose you're right."