I know there was a hell lot of delay in posting this chapter, but I made it! This one occurs in Episode 2: First Day of Brotherhood. It's more the parental side of Mustang and Hawkeye than Royai, though.

My reviews are toooooo less compared to the hits. Why don't you readers at least criticize?! -_-

CHAPTER 3 – BURDENS

Mustang's POV

I was still in Central though my cold had lessened considerably due to Hawkeye's care; the terrible sneezing had finally ceased. I decided to visit Hughes before boarding the train that would carry me back to East City.

"ROY!" Hughes chortled happily when I entered his office. "Hey, you're still in Central?" He asked. His loud, immature curiosity made me frown.

"For now, anyway," I told him. "And they're shipping me back to Eastern Command this afternoon."

"Well now, aren't you the lucky one?" Hughes leaned back in his chair forgetting his work momentarily. "The next time you come here I expect you to have made Brigadier General, you got that?" He winked playfully like the childish man he was and chuckled.

"Easy for you to say," I muttered walking to his desk while he laughed.

"Oh, by the way," He began as he stood up and offered me a clipboard with papers. "If you're leaving, I'll go ahead and give this to you, Roy."

"What is it?" I wondered uninterestedly.

"Something you might find interesting – the final report on McDougal." He paused taking in my expressions. "I'm guessing it hasn't reached your office yet."

"No, it hasn't." I agreed taking the clipboard and reading through the words quickly. My brows furrowed when I came across an entirely new term. "Xingese Alkahestry? What's that?" I asked.

"Apparently, that's something they have; to be honest, no idea." He rubbed at his head sheepishly. "You don't know it?" Hughes added.

"No it's the first I've heard of it." I replied now curious about what it could be. The alchemist within me wanted answers, wanted to desperately know what this unknown thing was but I managed to ignore that urge because there were other things on my mind.

"Oh, never mind." Hughes smiled. "Let me escort you to the Exit, will you Roy?" He asked.

I frowned again. "I know my way around this place, Hughes."

"Aw c'mon, I insist!" He pouted.

That's how I ended up leaving Central Command with Hughes at my heels. I wondered to myself how Gracia was able to bear all of Hughes's over-enthusiasm all the time. Well, I couldn't complain much, Maes was the closest friend I had. And despite him being so hugely annoying, I couldn't help but secretly admire his optimism and excitement about everything.

"So how're the Elrics doing?" Hughes's voice pulled me out of my train of thoughts. "You're keeping those boys out of trouble?"

"I'm their Commanding Officer not their father." I stated in reply. Hughes sure was too nosy sometimes; what did he have to do with those kids, anyway?

"Hmm…" He was silent for an entire second. What a miracle. "Hey, tell me something Roy: Why did you decide to make Ed a State Alchemist anyway? He's just a kid. I mean, military life isn't easy, you know. That boy is gonna have to go through hell someday." Hughes sounded thoughtful to me. "You and I have certainly seen our share." He added as an afterthought.

I considered answering Hughes… but decided against it. I didn't think I could explain to Hughes what kind of hell the Elric brothers had already seen. The time of my return train was nearing and Hawkeye would be waiting at the station. Honestly, I just couldn't bring myself to speak about the slightly softer side of me which had compelled me into making Ed join the Military.

I turned when I descended the last step and Hughes waved a silent goodbye with his best grin. I waved back and left for the Railway Station.

First Lt. Riza Hawkeye, my ultimate supporter, sat across from me in the train. We sat in pleasant silence while both of us stared out the window at the greenery that ran past. Train rides with her were always quiet and serene, just like her. She preferred to let both of us have the deserved peace of mind for the few hours of travel.

"Hawkeye?" I said turning to her, a possible thought had invaded my mind.

"Sir?" She answered instantly, her steady gaze locked with mine. My womanizer side would've marvelled at the way sunlight complimented her skin and golden hair if interest hadn't found the better of me.

"Have you heard this term: Xingese Alkahestry?" I asked.

She blinked and thought before saying, "No, sir."

"Oh." I tried to avoid the frown but it came anyway. "Well, it was mentioned on McDougal's final report that Hughes showed me. Even he doesn't know what that means."

"Hmm." A furrow grew between her brows; but it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. "He'll find out. There's a reason why he's in the Investigations Department." She assured.

"Right." I consented with a small smile.

As we returned to staring out the windows like usual, my mind wandered to what Hughes had said just before I departed. Why did you make Ed a State Alchemist, anyway?

Now I didn't know whether I had done right by offering Edward the chance to become a State Alchemist. Hughes had been right, the military was hell sometimes. But then, Ed and Al were already so helpless after committing the ultimate taboo that nothing could've worsened their situation. Four years ago, I was sure that they deserved a second chance. But now I wasn't sure whether joining the military was the finest second chance available.

Would they have to go through hell yet again just because Ed was part of the Amestrian Military now? Just because I hadn't considered my offer through this weird angle? What would I do if Ed and Al suffered again because I roped Ed up in the Military for their own good? Should I have waited for them to grow up and have better understanding of the atrocities in our world?

I shut my eyes and leaned my head into the back of the seat. My internal battle was silly perhaps, but it was valid. No matter how annoying Ed was at his young age, I wouldn't want him to suffer something like Ishval only because I recruited him into the Military. He'd suffered enough, anyway. And Al? He would always follow his older brother. After losing his entire body would he be able to take on any more agony?

I wanted to slap myself really hard.

"Is something bothering you, Colonel?" Hawkeye's tranquil voice cut through the silence.

Uh-oh. I couldn't lie to her no matter what I tried. And I didn't want her to feel guilty, either. Curse you, Hughes, I thought opening my eyes. Hawkeye's penetrating stare was fixed on me, it was like she could see exactly what was on my mind; maybe she could. I sat straighter in my seat and interlaced my fingers as I chose words to answer her.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't wish to, I can understand, sir." She stated when I took too long to reply. No other person could've seen the slightest bit of hurt in her chocolaty eyes as she looked away again.

"Look at me, Hawkeye." I murmured and she did. "Of course I'm going to tell you, wouldn't dare to hide anything from you." I assured her with a soft smile, and she nodded. I went on, "I just don't know how to tell you ... Don't laugh, okay?"

"I don't laugh at things that bother others, sir."

I sighed. "Well, Hughes asked me why I made Ed a State Alchemist. He wanted to know why I would let him take the first step into hell. I was thinking about that." I paused looking down at my gloved hands. "Do you think I did wrong? Was Ed too young to join the military? Will those boys have to endure hell because of … me?"

I waited for her to answer as I stared at my hands. I didn't like my hands much, they'd slaughtered too many. When she didn't answer for a long while I looked up. Hawkeye wasn't looking at me, though her eyes were on me. She was elsewhere, deep in thought. Her gaze was glassy and she reminded me of the young Riza who would get into a momentary trance if I said something that hurt her.

"... Hawkeye?" I said, trying to make myself visible to her.

She blinked and her eyes found me immediately. "Sir, I don't think we did anything wrong by making Ed a State Alchemist. Besides, we only offered, the choice was entirely his." Hawkeye stated simply. "He chose to move forward and seize the chance that we presented. We guided him because he wanted to do anything that could restore his brother."

I nodded, she was so unquestionably right.

"And we don't need to worry about those boys now, sir. They're strong, stronger than anyone can imagine. If at all they need help, they will always have us." Despite myself, I liked the way she said us. She made it all sound perfect and easy. Like there never had been any doubt. "You don't need to worry yourself, Colonel. No one blames you for anything, Ed and Al would never."

"You're right," I whispered.

"And," Hawkeye began. "If anything goes wrong, the burden would be equally shared by us both. I would be as much a culprit as you because I let you play with Ed and Al's lives despite being your adjutant and having the right to shoot you." She paused. "You won't shoulder any burden on your own till I'm alive, Colonel." She added in a voice so low I could've missed it.

"I know." I smiled. "I just don't know how I got so lucky."

Hawkeye let a smile touch her lips and turned back to the window. I felt lighter after that because of everything she'd said. She had only repeated what I already knew but ... maybe my mind just wanted to know that I wasn't alone in anything. Perhaps I only needed to know that I was on the right path. My burden shared, I fell asleep in no time.

…TBC…

That's all… I like how Riza says – "You won't shoulder any burden on your own till I'm alive, Colonel."

Please TELL me what you think! Reviews are an incentive for writing more and better guys …