In the Rain

"It's beginning to rain." He said, and she nodded, responding affirmatively as was expected of her. His head was down-turned, staring at the monument to a man who had once been the closest to him. His back remained all that she could see – she knew what it was that he intended to keep from her.

For several long moments, she simply stood nearby, a few paces back and to his left, eyes flickering this way and that in case anyone should decide that this open field filled with the remains of good men would make the perfect spot for the end of Roy Mustang.

"Lieutenant." He said after several moments, still refusing to turn towards her.

"Sir?" She replied, politely inquisitive and sharp as ever.

"It is unnecessary for you to remain here." The grated sound of his voice pained her, reminding her of when she had been a child and her teacher had run her nails down the chalkboard to regain the attention of her classmates. The words themselves stung.

Riza paused for a moment, studying the man before her in an effort to determine his resolve. He held himself ramrod straight, except for his head, bent at a precise 45 degree angle. She could almost have convinced herself to go, if it hadn't been for the tight clenching of his fists…

"Lieutenant." He repeated, and she pulled back from her thoughts quickly. "Please… go."

Riza glanced around the graveyard quickly once more. On the perimeters now she could see Havoc, Fury, and Breda returning… she could trust them now to make sure that they remained safe where they were. Slowly, carefully, she had approached him, reaching out to claim his hand in hers. He turned, startled, and she could see the glistening shine on his face. Gently, she brushed the streams away with the back of her hand. Determinedly, she crooked the edges of her mouth into a tiny, encouraging smile.

"Colonel." She said, quietly but firmly. He looked about to interrupt, to tear away from her grasp, but she shook her head and held more tightly to his hand. With a soft, mirthless laugh, she continued, "You're useless in the rain."

It took several attempts for him get his jaw working, even as the sunlight shown on the rivers replacing those she had dispatched moments ago. He glanced slowly from her, to the grave before them, and back to her at once, his eyes meeting hers and resting there at last.

"I guess so." He answered eventually, drawing in a deep breath as he stared into the horizon. His grip tightened at last on her own. Gently, she placed her free hand on top of their clasped hands, trying as best she could to keep the warmth, the spark that was Roy Mustang there inside him.

In all the time he remained there, she never once left his side.