A/N: Felt like writing something a little more sentimental and this piece came up. Anyway this drabble takes place during the Ishbal war.

Habit:

She quietly made her way through the camp, weaving through the mess of tents randomly pitched around the desert while trying to avoid the attention of any soldiers still awake. Despite the late hour a few soldiers were still huddled by the campfires, exchanging stories while they tried to stay warm against the chilly desert wind. She quickly ducked behind some supply crates when she saw two men heading towards her and waited till they passed before coming out of her hiding place. The last thing she wanted was for someone to know where she was going this late at night. Pulling her hood over her face even more, she darted past a few more tents before she found herself at her destination.

She could feel her heart pounding slightly as she approached the tent. What would she do if he was already asleep? Would he be upset if she came in while he was sleeping?

"Major?" she whispered into the flap opening. She heard a slight shuffle inside followed by a slight cough before he replied. "Come in." Smiling slightly, she quickly looked around to make sure she wasn't being watched before she lifted the flap and went inside.

He was sitting in his cot, writing into his journal, something he did almost every night. He looked up at her, apparently unsurprised to see her in his tent so late at night.

"Another nightmare?" he asked, his dark eyes studying her.

"Sort of," she answered hesitantly, looking at the top of her boots. "I was just having trouble falling asleep. I keep seeing things from the battlefield every time I close my eyes."

He sighed and placed his journal and pen on the crate next to his bed and lifted the covers. "Alright. Come in."

Smiling, she removed her coat and kicked off her boots before crawling in beside him. He grinned slightly as he watched her get comfortable.

"You know, I never understood why you always came to me whenever you had a nightmare."

"To be fair the first time was because there was thunderstorms and Father was out of town that weekend. And besides, I was seven. I was scared and I didn't know better."

"And now?"

"Old habits die hard I guess," she mumbled as she pulled the itchy military-issued blanket over her shoulders. She watched as he leaned over her to blow out the candle, plunging them in darkness but she didn't care. For some reason, she felt safe when she was with him.

She was just starting to drift off when he spoke again. "Ever thought of trying to break this habit of yours?"

Confused, she turned over to face him. "Why? You're tired of my company already?"

"I never said that. It's just that it's only a matter of time before someone catches us like this. Are you prepared for the repercussions?"

She snuggled a little closer to him before answering. "If I wasn't I wouldn't be sneaking in here so often would I? Some things are just too good to give up." She heard him laugh quietly. "What about you?" she asked. "If you're so worried about us getting caught shouldn't you have sent me back to my own tent instead of letting me stay?"

"Hmm…You do have a point. Then again, I did promise Sensei that I would look after you which is what I'm doing right now isn't it?"

"I guess." They were silent for a moment before she finally spoke again.

"How do you avoid getting nightmares, Mr. Mustang?"

There was a pause before he answered. "I don't. I still get them almost every night."

She stared at him though the darkness. "Then why didn't you ever tell me?"

"What's there to tell?" he replied while staring up at the tent canvas above them. "I see the faces of those I've killed every night in my dreams. I still hear their screams as their life drained from them."

He was silent for a minute. "Sometimes they're so bad I just wish I could end it, to pull the trigger and end these nightmares once and for all but then I remind myself that that's the coward's way out.

She looked down, lost in thought. She had no idea he had those nightmares too and she felt a little guilty for never bothering to ask before.

"You know, you could always ask me to leave if you need to be alone. I don't want to burden you with my problems when you already have your own to deal with."

He turned his head to look at her. "Don't be ridiculous," he replied. "Just having you here helps a lot. Don't ever think of yourself as a burden."

She smiled at the comment. Content, she snuggled even closer to him. "I'm glad. Now let's get some sleep. We have a busy day tomorrow."

"Don't I get a good night kiss first?"

Riza couldn't help but grin as she placed a light kiss on his lips. "Good night, Mr. Mustang," she said before settling her head on his shoulder. She felt him wrap an arm around her waist.

"Good night Riza."