Disclaimer: They don't belong to me.
Dog
He found his Lieutenant sitting outside on a bench while her dog alternated frolicking and lolling in the tufts of grass a few yards away. He sighed and tucked his hands in starched pockets (how long had it been since he had adopted such a lax posture?), following the line of light as it stretched its beam onto her, melding and disappearing into her own golden hair.
After returning from a brief debriefing, he had been told by the others that she took a late lunch, as she had forgone taking a break earlier to help sort out papers that had pressing urgency. At realizing that he had done the same (he really relied on her to keep his timing in line, including his breaks) he announced his own break and ventured out to find Lieutenant Hawkeye and some food, respectively in order of importance.
He wordlessly sat down next to her, waiting until she acknowledged him.
"Colonel."
"Lieutenant. I see you're taking a late lunch today."
She shifted her eyes to her right, glancing at Roy as he settled into an almost slouched position. "I see you are as well, sir," she commented.
He shut his mouth against telling her that he hadn't yet, so he wouldn't see the patronizing and maybe surprised look on his Lieutenant's face at his explanation, though he wasn't sure if he even had a good one. Instead, he watched Black Hayate chew on an abandoned boot sole.
"He's a good dog."
Riza nodded, and from the corner of his eye Roy saw the makings of a small smile. Of course her pup would be the only living thing to draw such endearment from his usually stoic lieutenant. "He is."
"He's quite obedient," he said, referring to the various actions Black Hayate was taught to perform.
"As well as reliable. Black Hayate is a good listener."
Roy smirked. "Didn't know dogs could listen."
She shrugged and replied, "It doesn't really matter whether or not he understands the words. But he knows when I talk to him."
"He's dedicated to his owner. A good, loyal dog."
She shook her head. "He really is dependant on me."
"He loves you," Roy said, finally turning to her.
Riza quickly ducked her head, but not before he caught the faint blush that snuck onto her cheeks.
Roy cleared his throat and continued in his observations of her beloved pet, secretly elated at the effect his words had on her. "He stays by your side."
Recovered by her colonel's blunt opinion, Riza looked down at her large puppy (has it really only been seven months since she's taken him in?) and agreed. "Always."
Black Hayate's characteristics were strangely familiar. "Just like a . . ."
"Soldier, sir," Riza finished quietly.
Roy saw that she likened her dog's attributes to that of a dog of the military, but he felt embittered by the comparison, knowing that her dog's role in her life was worth more than being just a follower. He felt that Black Hayate best represented something real, tangible and more personal. Those attributes were strangely like those among the two of them, definitely beyond military obligation.
"No, Lieutenant."
Riza looked up at Roy's refutation, the low position of the setting sun casting a jagged halo around his head. Imperfect, but setting nicely against his dark hair and placid smile. He sounded offended by her statement.
The sunlight linked the two together, like a leash connecting a dog to its owner, but more fitting to the man and woman seated together, like a chain connecting two dog tags as they hang close to the heart, a daily reminder of consistent camaraderie.
"Like a friend."
Riza blinked and then understood, like she always did. When Black Hayate made his way over, she bent down and scratched behind his ear, allowing the smile to slowly expand.
Yes, a friend indeed.