Disclaimer: FMA belongs to Arakawa Hiromu

Notes: "Underwater no futari" is translated, roughly "the both of us underwater". This theme comes back to touch on the characters' swimming abilities, that I had a peek at in theme 23 (Someone I Want To Protect). Oh, and about the little-known coastal path - it is canon. Ling came to Amestris via the desert because he wanted to see the ruins, and Maria went out via the desert because she was less likely to be recognised as Not Dead through there, since less people go that way. The coastal path is only mentioned once in the manga, I think, by Ling or Ed or someone around the time of Ling's first appearance. So for people who aren't trying to sight-see, or who are moving around legally, the coastal path would be the more likely way.

Seventy-nine: Underwater no Futari (roughly "The both of us underwater")

Hawkeye hadn't been swimming before. She had grown up in a small village too far away from the coast for day trips, and her family had found other ways to amuse themselves before her mother had died. After her mother had died, she and her father didn't do much together.

Mustang, however, had grown up with a family full of children to entertain, and so, from time to time, they had gone out to new, exciting place, and seen things their childhood chums may not have had the chance to see. He had been to the seaside a handful of times, before, and if his swimming was not particularly strong - he learnt in lakes without currents - at least he knew how to do it.

It was on a business trip to negotiate an alliance with Xing that they came across a particularly nice beach. For the meeting, Xing and Amestris had agreed to convene on the neutral land along the ocean path between the two countries – a lot prettier than the ruins of Xerxes along the desert route, if not quite as historical.

"Are you just going to stand there on the shore all day? Come on in!"

Hawkeye's wary gaze moved up from the waves. She had been letting them wash over her feet for the past five minutes, but didn't move any further into the water. Mustang was already waist-deep in the stuff. "It feels a lot safer up here, thank you very much," she said, switching her weight from one foot to the other nervously.

"Hawkeye," he said, "I'm right here. If anything goes wrong . . . Nothing will go wrong." Mustang smiled at her encouragingly, holding out a hand. "Join me – it's lovely."

Somehow, the way his teeth chattered as he spoke didn't reassure her.