Roy/Riza. Fluff. Humorous undertones at the end? Argh. Is this what jumped out from my mind at the words 'beloved dog'? Well. Mustang is a dog of the military, isn't he?
#2: Beloved Dog
By Maaya
Hawkeye doesn't believe in love. At least, not nearly as much as she believes in loyalty. She decided early on that she wasn't one suited for love the way most people describe it; she is too firm, too down-to-earth and too logical. The fact she'd never let another male flirt with her possibly plays a part in it, too. Sweet words, promises of forever, she doesn't buy it because to her, there is always the possibility that a person changes. Moves on. Hawkeye has to live with that she isn't the type to blindly have a crush and fall in love.
She doesn't mourn the fact.
The Colonel follows her home sometimes. They are comfortable with each other, no nervousness, no uncertainty. They know each other, and they know each others' bodies - it's a sweet routine that doesn't occur too often, or too seldom. Sometimes they talk, but more often than not, they say what they want to have said by sharing a look.
At work, they are professional, but close. Hawkeye will follow the Colonel to the end of the world, if needed. She knows that he will do anything for her sake, as well. But she has no illusions; he would do everything to help any of his subordinates. She is not special among them. Not like that.
Hawkeye isn't pained by the Colonel's tendency to flirt, and date. But she worries about him, hopes that he's not doing it to cover up pain. She does not want him to hide himself behind a reputation. It took a while until she realized, the Colonel doesn't hide behind his reputation, even if it is a cover. He uses it. To reach his goal. Everything is a goal.
She doesn't miss the excitement of a new crush, the awkwardness of bringing a stranger home. Hawkeye knows that the Colonel will always be there, every time he needs it, every time she needs it.
He won't ever complain about her habit to keep her gun on the counter where she can easily reach it, because he understands that she feels more secure that way. He accepts that she wants to protect him just as much as he wants to protect her; he knows the need to protect.
He often trips over Black Hayate's bowl, or the dog himself, on the way to the bedroom and he can loudly curse the fact. But he never suggests selling the dog, and he'll even walk him, if Hawkeye for some reasons feels she can't.
If there is one habit Hawkeye has never really cared to train/threaten out of Black Hayate, it would be his fondness of sleeping in the bed. The Colonel has never minded, either, but he is remains firm on one point. The dog is not to be there when they are doing things that do not include sleeping, in the bed.
Hawkeye never protests to that. She'd be weird if she did.
It's amusing. The Colonel has never complained when Back Hayate wakes him up with a wet tongue in his face. He is probably used to it by now.
She can't help but smile to herself when she sees the Colonel and the dog sleeping in the bed. Together they create a humorous image of loyalty, side by side. Cute, her mind whispered. If anything was, it would be this.
And to think that the Colonel needs to ask what she finds funny, when he wakes up.
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