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Pain and Wounds
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Ed shoved his hands into his pockets thoughtfully as he trudged through the hallway of Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye's apartment building. After hearing everything, he had been thrust deeper into the mysteries of everything that was going on, and his mind was interpreting all possible conclusions and possibilities that had been opened, and was also closing the doors on the things he understood. He was so immersed in his thoughts he paid no attention to where he was going, and as a result, walked right into someone, as cliché as it seems.
"Sorry, I didn't see you…" A voice said. Ed froze. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SMALL YOU CAN'T SEE HIM WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH A HALLWAY?" He stopped and panted from his outburst, standing on tiptoe and attempting to eye the man who had run into him face to face. The man blinked in shock. "Hagane no?" Ed stepped back. "Taisa? What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
"I was returning something to the Lieutenant."
"Ah. Well."
"Yeah."
"So… um..."
"I gotta… get going."
"Yeah."
"Hey wait, you have any money?"
"What? I just gave you some this afternoon!"
"Yeah well… we need more."
Roy shoved his hands into his pockets and handed Ed a bill. "There, that's it. Use your own money next time." Ed did a quick salute. "Thanks, taisa. Well… You just... do whatever... I'm leaving now."
"Ok then."
"Yeah."
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There was a sharp knock at the door for the second time that evening. Riza sat up from where she had been sitting with Hayate, pushing her hair behind her ears as she walked to the door. Her expression revealed a hint of shock as the door swung open. "Taisa?" She asked. "Is… what is it?"
"Um… chuui…" He began slowly. "Can I come in for just a minute?"
"Sure…" She said a bit hesitantly. She stepped away from the doorway to allow him to enter. He walked through somewhat uncertainly, slightly uncomfortable at being welcomed into her home. She walked briskly past him and pointed to the seat that Edward had sat in a few minutes before. "Please sit down, taisa." She said bending over the table and clearing away the tea that had been left from when she and Edward had talked.
"No, I'll only be a minute, it's ok." He said, making a hasty motion with his hands. He took a deep breath and collected himself, moving a hand behind his head, rubbing his neck somewhat nervously. "Chuui," He began again, softly.
She walked past him, clearing away the rest of the mess from the living room to her small kitchen. "Hmm?" She replied, her tone unreadable. Roy sighed and shifted his gaze to the corner of the room. "I just… I wanted to come by and apologize. I mean…" He faltered slightly. "It's just, I've put you through so much. You've served under me and been nothing but faithful, but all I've been able to give you in return was pain and wounds. An image of her broken on the ground behind Alphonse shot through his mind. She was still moving around the room, moving assorted items into their positions, but he could tell that her focus remained on him. "And now…" He started again, his eyes following her. "Even though I tried as hard as I could, you're in the worst possible position because of my actions. I didn't' come to ask for your forgiveness; in all truth I don't deserve it. I just wanted you to know-" He reached out and grabbed her wrist as she walked past him. She stopped and turned to face him, her face showing a small hint of surprise.
"-That I really am-" He bent forward and kissed her cheek gently. Her whole body froze; he could feel her become tense. "Sorry." He finished. He dropped her wrist and turned to walk away. Just as his fingers closed around the doorknob, she spoke softly. "There's absolutely nothing I regret, taisa. I would rather have suffered all that I have under you than have been assigned to someone else in the first place." She paused, taking a breath. "Thank you."
He turned and smiled sadly at her before opening the door and stepping into the hall, closing it softly behind him.