Title: 036 Dog

Author: Tressa

Rating: K+

Summary: #036 of the 100 Royai themes

Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me. They belong to Arakawa.

It was rare that her commanding officer came to her residence. But Colonel Mustang had insisted that he needed to speak to her. And he needed to do it some place where he was sure no one would be listening.

Though she was pretty sure she'd notice anything unusual around her apartment, she knew he had every reason to be cautious.

It was time to take Black Hayate out, anyhow. Ducking into her bathroom with a change of clothes, she began the quick process of changing.

She had barely finished and had cracked the door open a bit when an odd sounding voice came from the main room. Peering out, she watched as the Colonel sat on her bed, holding her dog out at arms length.

"You know, Black Hayate, you've got a great owner. I don't know if you know that or not, but you do."

Almost as though he understood the Colonel, the little black and white dog yapped.

"Yeah, I know she's a tad strict. Sometimes it seems her gun is used more as a disciplinary tool than a weapon." He paused. "Though I know she'd rather have it that way."

Her eyes must have been playing tricks on her; she thought she saw her dog shudder.

"But," the Colonel continued. "She also takes care of you. I dare say she loves you." To her slight annoyance, he set Hayate on the bed. She'd been trying to break him of that habit for some time now and the Colonel wasn't helping any.

Still, as she felt herself soften a bit, it was nice to see him scratching the pup behind the ears.

"And you know that strictness is because she cares. And it doesn't matter that she calls me useless because I know she's just trying to protect me." He paused. "Just like she promised."

There was another yap.

"We're lucky to have her in our lives," he finished. "I don't think I've met anyone as kind or as self-sacrificing as she is. We're definitely lucky."

There was silence. She didn't want to move for fear of breaking the feeling that had settled over her small residence. However, it was necessary for them to speak over whatever issue the Colonel needed to address. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out.

"Hawkeye." He greeted her, standing up. "You ready?"

Grabbing Hayate's leash as he jumped at her feet, she attached it to his collar before standing. "Yes sir." Pausing, she looked at him. He looked tired, eyes dropping a bit, shoulders slumped a little. Whatever it was, it was obviously important. "Let's go. And then you need to go home and sleep."

"Always looking out for me, right Hawkeye?"

She smiled in the darkening night as they walked the usual route. "Someone has to, sir. It might as well be me."