Fuery's Collection

Kain Fuery had missed two days of work in a row—without calling in sick. Such behavior was unusual for the newbie. He was always sure to alert the office as to why he wasn't coming in.

This strange conduct came to the attention of one Jean Havoc.

"Boss, why hasn't the new kid come in this week? Did you fire him and forget to tell us or somethin'?"

Roy didn't even glance up from his journal entry. "No, Havoc, I did not fire him, although I might fire you if you don't sit down and do some work."

Jean continued to smoke, glaring at his superior officer. It was only a question; no need to get so angry about it. PMS'ing…

As if she had read his thoughts, Riza glared from behind her paperwork. "Havoc, why don't you visit him. Make certain he's alright and find out when he'll come back to work."

It was more of a threat than a suggestion. Honestly, who gave out orders in this mixed up outfit he had no clue…

This was the reason why Havoc was where he was at this moment. In the cold, damp corridor of EHQ dormitories, knocking at room 2-15, smoking the last cigarette of his pack, impatiently tapping the heel of his military-issue boot.

He was in a bad temper. While looking for this place, he had flirted with the pretty girl at the directory, asked her on a date, and been rejected; all within the course of two minutes.

He raised his fist to knock once more on the door. If that stupid newbie didn't open this door within thirty seconds, Havoc was going to…well, he didn't know exactly what he'd do; but whatever it was, it would not be pleasant.

Fortunately for Fuery, the door swung open of its own accord, revealing a scene that made Havoc's jaw drop, along with his cigarette.

It was at this ideal Kodak moment that the Master Sergeant made his way up the stairs, carrying a bag of groceries in one arm, and messing with his keys in the other. He glanced up to see his colleague and, not noticing the look on Havoc's face, he called out to he older man.

"Hello, Lieutenant, sir!" he smiled momentarily. Then he realized it.

Havoc was at his doorway.

Havoc was at his open doorway.

Havoc was staring through his open doorway.

Oh, snap.

Fuery dropped his keys and grocery bag, leapt forward and slammed the door shut, protectively standing in front of it, his arms stretching across the entrance.

The noise of slamming aroused Havoc from his shocked trance. He stared in horror at the young man in front of him. Never in all his life had he seen anything so terrifying as what was in that boy's room. Havoc's mind screamed out the word "ILLEGAL!"

Havoc, desperate to distract himself from that sight, stamped out his cigarette. It's not like he could enjoy smoking anymore now. Not after…that.

"Second Lieutenant Havoc, sir," Fuery started, his tone defensive, "I-I would appreciate it if you didn't mention what you saw in my room."

Havoc slowly smirked. He would appreciate it, eh? Well, now he had blackmail information on the kid.

The next day at work, the blonde soldier found himself practically skipping. He had enough cartons of smokes to last him until the end of the month. All thanks to Master Sergeant Fuery, who had bribed his superior's silence with a store's worth of cigarettes.

Now is the part where I tell you what Havoc saw in that room; it's my duty to describe it, because, quite frankly, I doubt very seriously that you'll ever convince the Second Lieutenant to tell you. That moment has become one of his many suppressed memories.

Inside that forsaken dorm room, piled, stacked, and almost overflowing, were kittens puppies, mice, birds, a litter of raccoons, a fox kit, and what looked like a baby badger. The sergeant, with his huge and animal-loving soft heart, had discovered each and every one of these helpless, abandoned creatures and taken them in to nurture them back to health. Their presence explained not only Fuery's absence, but also the fur and strange smell of his uniform.

Within the week, they would be gone, completely healthy and ready to return to the wild, thanks to the young man's help. And Havoc would be somewhere (hopefully on a date), enjoying one of the smokes that the poor boy had bought him.

Gotta love the boy for his giving heart.

A/N: that thought kinda just came to me. I really like Fuery's love for animals, and I just had to try writing a fanfic about it. Plus, I realized I had like two Royai fics in a row, and I kinda wanted a little variety.

Review, if you like.