As Roy Mustang made his way down the hospital hallway, he ran a tired hand through his raven hair. Between work and Edward, there was enough stress to make an army fear basic training. He should have expected this when Fullmetal had come to him a few days ago, claiming he'd found the the location of a real Stone this time.
Sitting patiently in the waiting room, wearing black slacks, a blue blouse and her hair down was Riza Hawkeye. She sat cross-legged upon a black cushioned chair, reading a novel with a jungle-green cover. When Roy sat next to her, slumping in the seat and placing hands upon temples, she didn't look up. And Roy didn't say anything either. Part of the reason was because he was afraid he'd get shot if he interrupted her. But he also did not know how to put what had just happened into words. So he shut his eyes and heaved an exhausted sigh. After a minute or so, he heard Riza turn the page of her novel. He listened as a bookmark was placed in the crook where the two pieces of paper met and then as the book was quietly shut.
"How is he?" Riza asked finally after gazing at Roy for a few moments.
"Alive. Awake. A little upset, but ok," Roy said.
"And his condition?" she inquired.
Roy sat up, put his elbows on his knees, folded his hands, and rested his chin upon them.
"Well, it seems his heart rate and breathing have stabilized, but the entire incident took a toll on him psychologically."
"What do you mean?"
Roy shut his eyes again, wondering if he should tell her what had happened it that room, or his illness. It was hard enough for him to believe it, but at least now he knew his suspicions were correct.
Instead of replying directly, he simply said, "That boys acts as though he's older than I am, yet he's still just a boy."
Riza nodded. Roy wasn't wasn't sure if he understood, but she probably did; she was a smart woman. But she also didn't want to pry into the matter. Obviously, it difficult for him to speak about it. Not only that, but the man was exhausted. With Edward in that condition, Roy hadn't slept well. He visited Ed every day, at least three times, often skipping skipping his lunch break. She would walk into work each morning to find him pacing or anxiously tapping his pen against his desk.
"Colonel, you should go home and get some rest," Riza said after a few minutes.
"I know, but..." Roy said quietly.
"He'll be fine," she said quickly.
"..."
"You two are always at each other's throats, you hound him about his destructive ways and joke about his height and lack thereof; but you really care about him, don't you?" she asked.
He nodded, small smile creeping onto his face, although his eyes emanated sorrow.
"It's ok, go home," Riza prompted, putting a hand on his shoulder.
Slowly he nodded and stood, Riza standing with him, putting a hand on his shoulder to steady him. Cautiously, she led him out of the hospital and down the street to his house, where he opened the door and walked to the couch and slumped down.
"Thank you, Riza," he said tiredly. "Now you should go home, too; Hayate must miss you."
"Just get some rest, ok?"
"Sure."
Riza nodded, not bothering to hide the concern in her eyes. With one last look back at him, Riza shut the door and made her way home.
