33. A Walk

Flame vs. Fullmetal anime episode spoilers. Sort of, not really.

Don't own FMA. Woe.

"It's late, Lieutenant. Are you planning on heading home any time soon?"

Colonel Mustang fiddled with the papers on his desk and stretched somewhat. He had spent nearly the entirety of his day on the parade grounds fighting Fullmetal shrimp and then a good portion of his evening trying to clean up the mess. By the time the escapade was over, he realized he still had a full day's worth of work to accomplish and grudgingly set about the task of at least starting it.

"Not until you've finished, sir," came the blonde's starch reply. Lieutenant Hawkeye hadn't even looked up as she responded; her gaze fixated on paperwork that probably didn't need to be addressed for another week or so.

"It's almost 2300 hours. Finished or not, I am going home," the colonel declared, pushing back from his seat. "There is one matter I need to address before I do so, however. Would you be so kind as to join me? It won't take long."

Immediately, she stood, nodding. "Of course, sir." He found himself grinning, both amazed and definitely amused by the fact that she was quick to agree to leaving. From where he stood, he could see the slight bags beneath her eyes; she was tired as well. It certainly hadn't helped that he and Edward had taken so long tidying up the parade grounds that she eventually began to pitch in as well in hopes that the day would end sooner. The two of them made quick, silent work of gathering their things and putting on their coats. Hawkeye had just grabbed her keys from her desk when Mustang swung open the office door, yawning.

"Permission to speak freely, sir?" Lieutenant Hawkeye followed him out the door and locked it behind them as they started down the hall.

"You've been off duty for three hours, you could've spoken freely then," the colonel replied flatly.

"Where, exactly, are you headed to so late at night that you need accompaniment?"

He smirked. "I suppose you'll see when we get there."

Whether Lieutenant Hawkeye was satisfied by this answer or not, her straight face gave no inclination either way and the walk was relatively quiet. She huddled under her coat slightly as the chill startled to get to her, wondering when they'd get to their destination. The streetlamps flickered dully, casting long shadows down the street as they trudged along.

"Fullmetal did a surprisingly good job today," he remarked quietly.

"He did, though I can't say I'm all that surprised. He's very talented for his age—he's managed to do things with alchemy that most won't even consider—binding his brother's soul to a piece of armor…"

He nodded, sighing softly. "I wish I had gotten the letter from them sooner. If I had—"

"Had you known they were looking for their father sooner rather than later or not, it would not change what they had had planned. Edward and Alphonse had the whole thing figured out long before you even met them. It would not have changed what they did," she replied quickly. "You can't think you are responsible for that."

The silence draped heavily for a few moments. "No, I suppose not."

Stuffing her hands deep into her pockets, she cast him a sidelong glance, pleased to see that he wasn't looking quite as guilty as she might have otherwise expected from his earlier statement. Mustang seemed uncomfortable, though, and it was beginning to rub off on her; she could feel her nerves growing slightly frazzled and that incessant creaking from that carriage down the block was not helping.

"And here we are," he declared, stopping in front of the small baby carriage, crossing his arms.

"A baby carriage, sir?"

Mustang leaned over, fussing with the blankets and, grinning with approval, stood back up straight, now cradling a small, orange striped kitten. "A kitten carriage, actually. I couldn't let Fullmetal know I was actually going to help him out."

She could feel her smile growing as she reached to scratch the cat's head gently. Several stray animals had found their way to headquarters today. "So you are going to take in the cat for him."

"Now I didn't say that, at least not for Fullmetal. Alphonse was traumatized that he had to leave the cat behind. It's the least I could do for him," Mustang replied, quick to jump to the defensive.

She grabbed the blanket from the carriage and put it over the cat, moving just slightly closer to him than was proper for a commanding officer and subordinate, again gently petting the small orange ball of fur. "I think it's very kind of you to help the boys out."

Mm...I've had this idea in my head since I saw Flame vs. Fullmetal. I couldn't remember or find out what color the cat was so I picked orange because for some reason that's what I thought it was colored...I don't know if I like the execution of this as much...but I did like the idea.

Oh well.