Sweet is the Night

Riza Hawkeye wasn't an easy woman to work with, every one knew that. She would never let you slack off. She would cast you a dark look if you made a mess. And if you ever, ever dozed off, there would be a bullet whizzing past your ear in no time. However, if you were to ask any of the men she worked with they would say they wouldn't have her any other way.

She worked long hours, sometimes after hours. Her CO was a renowned womaniser who liked nothing better than to go out to a bar in the evening and drink as many as he could before the bartender said it was enough. All the bartenders knew who to call.

However, the bartenders didn't know how to react when the roles were reversed. No body really noticed what was eating her on that particular day. She had acted like everything was normal during the office hours but she had drifted towards a bar after work and settled on a stool where Mustang normally sat. she ordered drink after drink until she was in the similar situation he would normally be in.

The bartender was confused. He fumbled for a phone number, one that he had collected one time back when the drunken Mustang had tried to chat him up. The barman shuddered at the memory. He dialled the number and was quite surprised when a man picked up.

"Colonel Mustang?" the barman asked.

"Yes,"

"We have your subordinate in O'Riley's. Could you come and pick her up?" the barman asked.

"Er… Are you… Sure," Mustang replied. He slammed down the phone and rushed off towards O'Riley's. He found Hawkeye sat at the stool, playing mindlessly with an empty glass. He sat beside her.

"What are you doing, Lieutenant?" Mustang asked, his voice soft despite his annoyance. Hawkeye looked up at him, her amber orbs looking slightly red and watery.

"Sir?" she said plainly, "I was thinking that if glasses were square then dirt would get stuck in the corners."

Mustang chuckled lightly, "Come on, Lieutenant."

He gently coaxed her off her stool and led her to the door. They returned to his apartment since it was closer than hers.

"I felt rubbish today, sir," she said blankly, "So I thought I'd go and do what you do to make yourself feel better but all I feel is icky and bler and smelly."

He looked at her and smiled. He brushed his hand against her cheek.

"It's not the drinking that helps," he admitted, "The drinking hinders more than helps but you know what really makes me feel better?"

"What, sir?" she asked. He put his arm round her and led her to the sofa.

"It's the short amount of time that I get to spend with you as you walk me home because sweet is the night when you are close," he said. Hawkeye smiled.

"Goodnight, sir," she muttered before dozing off.

"Night, Lieutenant."

Words: 500

(Discovery)