Hey! It's been...months? XD; Ah, only a few, but I was hoping to finish it already. Few more chapters more to go and we're set!
I enjoyed writing this chapter, heh heh, you'll see why. ;)
Wow, over 10k already! A record! Once again, thanks to the lovely The-Flame-And-Hawks-Eye for being my beta reader! And also Dorminchu for being my second beta reader, you guys are awesome, much love 3.
Read and Enjoy!
Thank you all for the feedback!
"Come on, Roy."
"Look, it's better if I stay another week. I can't just leave-"
"You used up all your sick days. You can't afford another week."
Roy breathes out through his mouth, causing some of his bangs to fly up, then runs his fingers through the hairline. He knows she's right; it's been three weeks already and it's becoming dangerously close to his limit of sick days. Roy figures maybe he could get away with one more week due to his status that comes with the privileges, but not even him could get away with a leave of absence for such a long time. However…
Roy gazes up at Riza. She's healed enough to wear her thin-layered white tank top over her bandages so they wouldn't have worry about the cold nights. Her hands clutches onto the ends of the blanket, trying to convince Roy with pleading eyes.
Roy draws his mouth into a thin line, looking down in his already-worn, full uniform attire. He furrows his brows in contemplation.
"I just don't feel comfortable leaving you here for too long."
"Roy, I'll be fine." Riza clamps over a comfort hand over his fringed one. "I'll contact you in case I need something, in which I'll most likely not anyway." She shrugs. "We have everything done for the morning and afternoon."
"Well…what if you get bored? I mean, we spend the hours mostly talking and with me gone all day-"
"Roy, don't make excuses." Riza deadpans. "They can keep me company." She glances over to the direction where all her favorite books are placed by the bedside. The look on her face alone acknowledges Roy it's the end of the discussion.
The flame alchemist blows through his nose in defeat. Once again, the almighty Hawk's Eye stubbornly gets her way, again.
"Fine" he mumbles, lifting his weight off the bed causing it to creak under Riza. She takes lightly at Roy's childish respond and can't help but stifle a laugh to herself as her eyes follow her Commander making his way out the door.
"But remember," Roy sharply says, one hand is clasping around the doorknob and the other pointing in Riza's direction, "Call if you need me for anything. I'm just a phone call away. I'll have my secretary not to hold any and have them transferred to me immediately."
Riza answers with a nod and makes a "shooing" gesture. "Go, go, you're going to be late."
Her own little smile manages to warm Roy's chest for a moment as he closes the door behind him; though the thought of going to work has re-entered his mind and sours his mood. He releases his hold on the doorknob after realizing the amount of time that has passed. Grimly, Roy puts his military cap on and picks up his feet one by one until he made it to the main doors.
The outdoor atmosphere welcomes the young man and a slight breeze brushes across Roy's skin. He reaches in one of his pockets and got out his military watch. Opening it, Roy reads the current time then takes his eyes off the watch and at the cooling blue sky and clouds along with the sun's rays glistening. It disrupts his vision but he could see some movement swimming across the clouds and pick up the cries of birds.
Roy's attention is back at the watch in his hand. He takes a deep breath and roughly breaths out through his nose.
He REALLY doesn't want to go to work today.
Putting his watch away, Roy walks over to his car and reluctantly starts the engine.
He thinks: It would be a hell of a lot easier if they ever make a sort of mobile phone of some sort for traveling.
Is it too much? Maybe.
Roy rests his head on one of the train's' windows. Sucks that he has to drive AND take a train to work. The cityscapes passing by as only blurs of shapes weren't helping, hell, it only made his eyes grow heavier by the minute. Maybe it's from lack of sleep again? Who knows, what does it matter?
Roy, then, ponders for a moment. Hey…what if he turns back and tells Riza there were delays and there won't be another one scheduled until tomorrow? …
No she won't fall for it.
The train starts to halt. Well how lucky of him, Roy made it to work.
A resentful stare burns a hole through Central's Headquarters by one of Amestris's state alchemists. Roy's already overwhelmed by the amount of people rummaging around the area, and that's just the OUTSIDE of the building.
Come now, Roy, the less time you keep standing there, the sooner you can get this day over with.
Once he manages to wiggle himself out of the crowds, Roy began to climb up the staircase. He felt as though he's running a marathon with the speed he's going; Probably to avoid people as much as possible. It may be a little rude but Roy's just not in the mood to interact with anyone.
Few more steps…
"Yo, Roy!"
Damn it.
Roy's shoulders slump down as the owner of the familiar voice ran past a few soldiers to catch up to him. Roy's demeanor lessens as Maes Hughes skids to a stop in front of him, glasses slightly disoriented.
"Roy! There you are!" Maes said in relief while he catches his breath. "Where have you been?!" Collecting himself, he uses both hands to put his glasses back in place. "It's been three weeks, I was getting worried!"
"They didn't notify you that I was on sick leave, Hughes?"
"Well, yeah they did but when I came over to, you know, see how you were doing, Madame told me you weren't here and that you were staying somewhere else."
Roy remains still.
"I didn't think you were visiting family or Madame would've mentioned…" Maes trails off when realization hits him as he looks over Roy's shoulders. "Say where's Hawkeye? Don't you two usually come together?"
"Hughes…Hawkeye's been bed-ridden with a nasty flu for awhile and I've been using my time on sick leave taking care of her."
Maes furrows his brows, parts his lips in worry. "She's been sick? When, how lon-, is it serious?"
"No need to worry, she's progressing but it'll take a week or two for her to fully recover and be proficient enough to come back to work." Roy stoically explains while he continues to climb up the stairs, eyes closed with shadows painted under his cap.
Maes twists his torso around, Roy's back faces him as he almost reaches to the top of the staircase. "Oh well, that's good to hear! I'll have Gracia bake up one of her special apple pies. You can give it to Riza!"
Roy almost stops to give him his thanks but couldn't muster a word out from his tight lips so he carries on his way to the entrance.
"Roy!"
He winces at his name being called. Grudgingly, Roy turns on his heels, hearing Hughes's panted breaths as he caught to him once more.
"Hey, you ok?" Maes asks, lace in concern.
Roy, suddenly taken back at the sudden question, raises an eyebrow at his whiskered friend.
"I mean, something seems off about you. Are you sure everything's ok? Do you…is there anything you want talk about?"
Hoping to not appear as an open book, Roy swallows his pitiful state and bares a new mask.
"Everything's fine, Hughes"
Lying
"You don't have to worry."
You're lying.
The alchemist forces a smile. "Thank you, though"
Why are you still lying?
Roy parts ways with his fellow comrade, dark aura sneaking back the minute he knew he could take off the mask.
Maes manages a smile of his own but quickly drops into a frown. Something tells him he is not convinced.
Hide your shame, Mustang, hide your shame...
The workplace is active as usual. Soldiers and secretaries running around to finish up today's tasks. Constant chatter, whether work-related or not, fuming the air. The Major shuffles his way to his desk, black overcoat draping over his arm and cap in the opposite hand. Roy settles himself down after hanging his coat and hat, ready to begin his pile of paperwork. He clears his mind and syncs out any background noise to busy himself.
An hour or two passes.
It's funny, Roy thought, how Hawkeye would nag at him like a mother to her child to do their homework or finish their chores; in his case, work documents or homework notes. But now that she isn't here at the moment…he's actually getting his work done on time…her absence is starting to get to him. His diligence to work is decreasing.
Roy feels someone abruptly slamming his shoulder that has him almost choking his breath. He softly clears his throat and composes himself back to professional stance. Annoyed, Roy wheels around to find another soldier leaning over him, beaming his set of pearl white teeth.
"Heey, Mustang, the Flame Alchemist! Just the guy I wanted to see!"
"Major Smith."
Of all the people he comes in contact with, it had to be Major Campbell Smith. Roy haven't interact with him much before but from what he has heard, Smith is known to be an…egotistical moron, if you want to put it nicely.
Tall, lean, blonde hair slicked back that's always covered by his military cap because Smith likes to show off his rank to everyone. He's all talk and facade appearances and tends to boast about his "many accomplishments" in his time at the military.
Yeah, if you call lazily shouting out nonsense from his high horse to his men that actually does the work for him and abuses his power to his liking.
Rumor has it that he had family connections to where he is today. Roy shouldn't be shocked. Whenever he and Maes overhears Smith bragging to other soldiers, they try to avoid him and his non-stop bullshitting.
Today is not that day.
"So anyway," Smith said rather loud and close to Roy's liking. "I was wondering, You're close with Sergeant Hawkeye, right?"
Roy almost cease writing the remaining documents when hearing her name but carried on.
"Yes, we've worked together for awhile."
"Yeah, so you must know more about her than everyone else here, right?"
"…yes," Roy, not liking where this is going, rises from his seat with the finished work in his hands to place on the superior's desk, Smith trails behind.
"WELL, I've been thinking…do you think she would go out with someone like me?"
Papers suddenly slip from his hands, landing in a messy pile on his Superior's desk. Roy stiffens, mouth shut tight,
Smith raises an eyebrow, finding the sudden silence strange.
"…Yeah, so anyway. Do you think Hawkeye would be interested in me?"
His lip twitches upward then a moment later, gathers the paperwork and tucks them into a cleaner pile.
"Hawkeye is currently bedridden at the moment so she wouldn't be able to partake in any events for quite some time." Roy passes by the blonde major.
"Well I know that, I'm just saying, when she comes back, I can ask her out on a date. You could give a good word for me?" Smith uncharastically anxiously rubs the back of his neck.
Roy pauses mid-way, nails digging into his palms but releases.
"Hawkeye would be too preoccupied with finishing the work she missed even if she did wanted to."
Smith's sheeply grin drops. "What do you mean by that?"
"Trust me, Smith, you're not her type."
Flabbergasted, Smith's having trouble finding the words.
"How do you know what her tastes are?"
"Like you said, I know her better than anyone else here and I say she wouldn't have any interest in you, so you might as well forget about it."
"W-well, it's not like I'm asking for your permission if I can ask her out! You can't know what she wants all the time!"
Smith stops Roy, hooking an arm around his shoulder. That overbearing broad grin coming back.
"Come on, Mustang, tell me the truth." He leans in so Roy could only hear. "You're not scared she'll say I'm better in bed than you are, are you?"
As if time stood still, one loud crash and several materials falling on the floor has everyone in the office and some outside stop what they're currently doing and gasp at the sight.
A Major Smith on the ground on his back with numerous supplies clutter beside him and parts of a broken chair, holding his sore jaw and bleeding lip, gaping in shock at the fury-driven Mustang. Fist tained in Smith's blood, chest heaving and nostrils flaring, death stare sending chills to everyone around them.
No one else is sure what to do. They could feel the heavy tension weighting in and kept glancing left and right on the two majors, anticipating on what happens next.
"You son of a-!"
Smith lunges at Roy who immediately went on the defense and dodging swiftly at Smith's incoming blows.
Smith manages to score a hit at Roy, giving him a swollen eye in the process. One of the secretaries screams in horror and covers her mouth when Roy sends himself and Smith on the ground, Roy pinning Smith with his knee on his chest and a hand grasping his throat.
Teeth seething and blinded in rage, He doesn't hold back as he pumples Smith's face and hearing a crack from his nose. Soldiers race to break the fight but one of them beats them to it, grabbing Roy by the armpits and getting him off the bloodied Major.
"Roy!" Maes cries.
"LET GO! GET YOUR HANDS OF ME!"
"ROY THAT'S ENOUGH! WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU?!"
Maes could feel his grip on Roy slipping, he struggles to hold him back while a few soldiers are having the same trouble with Smith, who's shouting back insults.
"WHAT IN THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!"
The commotion quiets down when everyone (minus red-faced Roy trying to struggle out of Maes's grip) sees a furious General, by the name of Brooks, standing by the doorway.
"General Brooks!" Major Smith gasps, darting an accusing finger at Roy's direction, blood seeping out from his fingers. "That crazy bastard attacked me out of nowhere!" His throat tightens from catching his breath and Roy's grip from before. "For no reason!"
The anger inside triggers Roy once more as he snarls and attempts to launch himself at Smith if it wasn't for Maes's hold on him. The crowd goes on a frenzy, few soldiers each holding back the two majors while some step in the middle to keep them apart until the General barks "ENOUGH!", silencing everyone including Roy and Smith.
"Smith, you go get yourself clean up and head to the infirmary! Mustang! I expected better from you! You're on temporary probation! No pay!"
Roy grudgingly breaks Maes's hold from here and growls in frustration while storming and pushing his way out of the room, passing the wandering eyes.
"Roy wait a minute!" Maes scurries, pushing people by.
He sprints past onlookers down the hallway, but not before striking a wall with his fist, leaving a small dent.
"Roy! Stop!" Maes halts to a stop outside.
"Can't we talk about this?! Roy!"
There's nothing he could do, his pleas fell on deaf ears. Maes's legs couldn't move. Roy is a only speck in the distance now, the entrances door's slams bounces off the walls.
Roy doesn't care, he has to get away from it all. Them, this place, these nightmares, himself, EVERYTHING.
It's too much, it's just too much
Maes curses to himself and places a hand upon his forehead, face scrunches in distress.
Just what is going with his friend?
Evening dawns early in the day, The long hour train ride eases his mindset, but not enough to rid of the thoughts. Sunk in his seat, Roy, the only passenger in the car, buries himself in his arms and jacket, either to warm himself or avoid any human contact, or both.
He pinches his good closed eye, ignoring the soreness of his blacken one, being sync with the speed the train's going. None of the attendees bother to try get a word from him or offer any of their services. Roy's gloomy aura sends them away. He could feel their sympathetic eyes bare on him as they walk away.
He doesn't care, let them feel sorry for him, let them feel sorry for a pile a crap, it's not like he gives a shit.
Roy makes out an announcement from the conductor saying his stop has arrived. Something in his mind tells him time to get up and get going, but he ignores it. Roy's legs felt like concrete, didn't want to move at all.
The conductor announces once more before he has to depart to another stop. Roy knows it's an hour away from now.
Perhaps he could sleep it off for awhile, a little rest wouldn't hurt…
Riza lays comfortably on her side, one arm propped up to rest her head on her hand and the other turning the page of another novel she's about finished. Two books lying on the side were already read for today and she enjoys the company the stories have given her.
Books used to only entertain her as a child since she didn't have anyone her age to play, that is until Roy came into her life. And now that he's gone back to work, Riza relies on her books once again and becomes memorized with the words. Would it be lovely to be able to create stories of her own, she considers writing a type of art.
Her train of thought is disrupted by the sound of the doors closing. Her sprint lifts up with Roy coming back and hears the staircase creak and insists on reading one more page before she's finished.
Roy, closing the door behind him, takes in the scene of Riza in contempt after so long, it almost has him forget his troubles. Glancing up, Riza smiles at the sight of her commanding officer and closes her book while propping herself in a better lying position.
"Hey, how was work?" She warmly smiles.
"Fine, just the usual." Roy returns the smile wearily while grabbing the small chair, setting it next to the bed like he has the weeks before. The sunset's rays hit Roy just enough to show Riza all is not what it seems.
"…what happened to your eye?"
Shit. He forgot about that.
"…I…it must be allergies." He waves it off.
Riza furrows her brows.
"You're lying."
"Wh-what do you mean?"
"What happened?" She asks sternly, barely in question form.
"Nothing, just that time of year I suppose."
"Roy-"
"It's nothing, now just stay put, I'm going to get the medical creams-"
Roy's eyes widen by the sudden knock of the door. He exchanges a confused glance with a baffled Riza then quietly notifies he'll be right back.
Another set of knocks awakens the whole estate, Roy hurriedly comes down the stairs, hand in pants pocket ready for the ignition glove.
Slowly, the flame alchemist reaches for the door knob and creaks open the door until he's taken back by the unexpected guest.
"Hey, Roy." Maes smiles, not in his uniform but in a brown overcoat and a simple red-piece suit.
"…Hughes," Roy steps outside, looking over his friend's shoulder to check if he came alone. "What are you doing here?"
"You forgot a few things," Maes held up Roy's black overcoat hanging over his arm and his military hat in his hand. "Since you…left in a hurry."
Roy hangs his head down wearing a scowl, flash backing to today's incident. He wipes the memory clean and focuses on the specked man.
"You didn't just come all the way here to return my things, did you." Roy pinpointed.
Maes sighs in defeat. "Yeah, you caught me…I also brought Gracia's famous pie!" That ridiculous grin Roy's gotten used to over their years together stretches out wide as he pulls out the bagged dessert in Roy's face. "Remember? For Hawkeye? One bite of this and she'll be up in no time!"
Roy eyes the pastry in Maes's hand and exhales sharply through his nose. He gathers the items and brings them inside.
"Thanks, and give Gracia my thanks as well. I know Hawkeye will enjoy it." He mutters under his breath.
"Ah w-wait, Roy" Maes holds out his hand, stepping in the house. "I uh, I need to know…what was that all about?"
Roy came to a halt, lump forming in his throat.
"I mean, I know Smith could be a prick sometimes but…what did he say that made you snap?"
He couldn't say anything, he doesn't know what to say. Roy stalls time by hanging his coat and hat and left the pie on a side table.
"Roy?"
Nothing
"Roy, come on. What's going on here? You've been acting strange lately. First you disappear without telling me then when I came to your apartment, your landlord said you were currently staying in the other side of the city."
The back of Roy's mind echoes the word 'coward'.
"I had to ask around until someone finally told me where you were staying! An abandoned estate? And not just any estate but Hawkeye estate?!"
It's getting harder to breathe.
"Is Hawkeye here? Does she live here? What's going on? Please, Roy, I'm your friend! If you or Riza are in trouble in some way, let me help!" Maes pleas desperately.
Roy scrunches his face, biting the inside of his lip.
"We've been through so much already. Whatever it is, let me in on it."
They have gone through a lot…well, it's not like Maes haven't seen his low point before. Plus, he's not going to let up about this anyway, he's not called one of Amestris's best detectives for nothing.
"…come with me"
Both men make it to Riza's room. Roy instructs Maes to wait outside while he knocks on the door and quickly sneaks inside. Maes could hear faint mumbling behind the door but can't make out anything.
He steps back when Roy returns, leaving the door open. He gestures him to come in. Baffled with his friend's strange behavior, Maes obliges. He chokes a breath seeing Cadet Riza Hawkeye, in a simple long skirt and white tank-top, lying on a bed.
Roy's stoic face urges Maes to come forward. Maes tries to get over his shock when he spots bandages showing under Riza's shirt. He darts his eyes at Roy demanding an explanation.
Roy turns his head away from Maes in shame, still unable to find the words. Noticing the guilt painted on his face, Maes focuses back to Riza. His eyes widen at the sight of faint red marks see through the bandages. It appears to look-
burnt...
Maes heaves Roy by the shirt, crashing him to the wall and pinning him in place.
"What did you do, Roy." Maes growls.
Roy's left speechless, sweat running down his cheek, unable to comprehend a single word. Riza, meanwhile, freezes in place, eyes widen at the scene before her.
"WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
It happened so fast. Maes Hughes, who everyone considers the most amicable and easygoing, practically threaten death in his eyes. Roy could see the anger radiating off from him.
Maes tightens his grip, ramming Roy's head back to the wall, demanding an answer once more. The shorter man attempts to talk his friend down until a "click" is heard behind them.
The ravaging tension in the air is replaced with tense silence, They gape at the pistol in Riza's hand.
"Major Hughes, I'm asking you to please release Major Mustang." Riza orders, face hardening. One of the drawers by her side left open.
Both of the male soldiers aren't sure sure what to do at this point, Roy in the meantime is thinking where the hell did she get that pistol!
Riza's glare bares onto Maes, gradually he lets go of Roy's shirt, gaze not leaving the small object. Roy's form slumps down, letting out a breath he didn't realize he was holding before.
Realizing all is calm for the moment, The cadet lowers her weapon. She slowly sits up while holding the blanket to her chest.
"I'll explain everything."
For what seems like an eternity, Riza finally finishes the whole tale of the situation.
Her father, the tattoo, Roy's promise back in Ishval, the burning, everything.
"-so there wouldn't be any more flame alchemists."
Roy is silent throughout the whole thing, sitting in a chair, arms crossed. He let Riza do all the talking, shamelessly didn't want to repeat it himself.
Maes listened and never interrupted once, But his mind is rampaging all over, struggling to take in all the details and the whole ordeal altogether.
The rest of the time Riza reveals everything, Maes bore down the wooden floor mixed with disbelief and anguish. They both know he had been paying attention throughout all of it. All of it.
Maes nods and covers his mouth with a fist, clearing his throat. "Well...that's it then."
The main characters of this pleasant story tale and their audience remains quiet, the bestilled room welcomes the evening's cooling weather and soothing melody glistening in their ears.
Maes breaks the tranquility, "But you know, both of you could've told me or-...I could've been there to help."
"We had to make sure no one was to know of this, the risks are too great." Roy finally spoke.
"Yeah but Roy!," Maes launches from his seat, chair squeaks back against the wooden floor. " I'm not just 'anyone'! I could've been there for the both of you! We could've find alternatives, something else we could've use to remove the tattoo, you didn't have to resort to this-!"
"The risks were too great." Roy hardens. "We couldn't let anyone else to see it or it would get into the wrong hands."
He reverts his stare on the floor, then closes his eyes. "Besides...what's done is done. Nothing can change that."
Standing up, Roy walks over to the two, placing his hands in his pants pockets.
"Only we can change the future."
Maes pauses, he glances over to the side.
"...Well," Maes sighs, massaging his forehead to ease the headaches. "...since I'm roped into this crazy fest," one of his comforting smiles made its appearance, easing Roy and Riza, but only a short time when a serious face over masks. "No more secrets."
Both exchanges glances across the room and then to Maes.
A silent oath is commenced.
Maes takes his leave, Roy opens the door for him. "Like I said, if you need anything," He offers one last smile at The two and generously, Riza returns a warm one back, thanking him in silence.
A thought then hits her. "Oh wait, Before you go-"
Pausing, Maes sends a questioning look towards Roy, who shrugs his shoulders in response.
"...What really happened to Major Mustang's eye?"
The men perks up at the question and Roy meekly makes a noise inside his throat, fingers roughly pulling his eyes and the bridge of his nose.
Maes meekly chuckles.
"Funny story about that…"
After telling Riza the "rather" amusing story that happened in Central HQ not too long ago, it's time for Maes to officially takes his leave.
Roy rests upon the open door, watching his friend getting ready to depart. But something seems off with Maes the way he's slowly taking his time putting his coat on.
"Everything ok, Hughes?" Roy asks, raising an eyebrow.
Smoothing out the drapes of his coat, Maes contemplates in thought.
"It's just...after hearing what Riza said, about her father and all...I mean, I know she said she volunteered but.." Maes winces then faces Roy seldom like. "Still...to do that to a child."
Roy looks down at his boots.
Maes shakes his head, "It's just...disgusts me to have your own flesh and blood to bare something like that...I can't...I mean, I would never-..."
Again, Roy is silent. He could see how painful it is to Maes, he knows how much he wants to be a father.
Roy admits though, if his master would've still been alive after finding out what he did to Riza, he would've literally throttle him. He remembers, after Riza showed him the tattoo, Roy imagined himself grabbing Berthold Hawkeye's corpse from his grave, shaking him and screaming curses at him.
It wouldn't solve anything, and Roy wouldn't talk, for he damned himself with his own sins later on.
He jerks up at Maes's placing a hand on his shoulder, waking him from his thoughts.
"You're gonna be ok, yourself?"
Roy bites his bottom lip and swallows, clearing his throat. "We'll just have to see, don't we?"
Maes sadly smiles, running a hand through his hair. He exhaled. "If Hawkeye haven't stopped me, I was seriously ready kicked your ass."
Not like I wouldn't mind. Roy bitter said to himself, holding the door while Maes steps out of the house.
Right in the middle of the driveway, The speckled man turns over his shoulder. "You two take care of yourself, you hear?"
A weak but generous, smile and nod returns to his direction, before slowly closing the door between them.
"You know, that man...it's not everyday we have someone like him in this world." Riza smiles, short blonde curls floating a tip on Roy's chest. A strong arm rested around her shoulders.
Roy nods in agreement, gently squishing Riza's shoulder in response. "He's really something, alright. Sometimes I wonder how I deserve a friend like him in my life." He breaths out.
Riza gives a hard, but playful tap on Roy's chest. "You sell yourself too short."
Roy doesn't bother to retaliate and gazes the ceiling above him. The window-shaped shadows floating around told the sun's about to disappear in the horizon and welcomes the night beauty.
The little sniper taps along a rhythm on his chest with one of her knuckles, fidgeting.
"I'm yearning to get out of bed and work again. This room's becoming so stuffy in here."
"I can move you into a new room if you like."
She shakes her head, wrinkling his shirt. "No, it wouldn't matter. Besides, this room's one of the better suited ones. At least I have a view to enjoy."
Roy hums in response. "Well no worries, before you know it, you'll be back nagging my ear off to do the paperwork."
She tugs on his ear, receiving a groan from the poor man. "I wouldn't have to if you actually do the work. You've always been like this, with homework my father use to give you. Remember, I had to use my slingshot to wake you."
Both fell silent, enjoying the quiet scenery until Riza broke through.
"Remind me of something."
"What?"
"To kick Smith's ass once I go back to work."
Chapter 4 is a done! Max chapters will be 6-7 def. I hope I wrote Hughes ok, first time writing him ;;
Please leave reviews\critiques!