Buried Beneath The Inferno, Chapter 2

He had yelled her name three times now, but Hawkeye was unable to hear him, deaf from the gunshots she fired continuously. Only when she paused to reload did she hear him. So gripped with her aim she didn't consider anyone wanting to speak with her.

At once she saluted, smacking her heels together. Mustang nodded in response.

'What are you doing out here, Lieutenant General?' He asked, narrowing his eyes. Riza usually went out to the firing area whenever she needed time alone to think. Naturally Roy would be concerned. 'I need you to come back in.'

His tone was sharp and commanding. Ever since receiving his golden rank, Mustang was pressured with doing his job well. Hawkeye found this silly. He had always done his job well –– for the most part. She didn't believe he needed to act any differently just because he was Führer.

Führer Roy Mustang. Upon hearing it, she didn't feel anything. The name had rolled in her head countless times; those hours when she dreamed of the title to be attached with his name. And now it was there was nothing surprising about it. Just a numbness she wanted to desperately shake off.

'Of course sir.' Riza briskly returned her sniper and followed the commanding officer inside headquarters. It was strange how such a simple title made him that much more powerful. Officers seemed to cower whenever he walked past, and she had a hunch Roy didn't enjoy it. He was a man who wanted to be loved; not feared.

'Have you been well?' Simple conversation. Safe.

'Yes.' Lie. Hawkeye had been throwing up all night. She hadn't had a decent sleep since Roy Mustang received the honour. Roy wouldn't be hearing this piece of news though. He had enough on his plate already. 'What about you, sir?'

'Y–– What, yes I'm fine.' He flashed her a grin, and she forced a crooked smile. There was something unconvincing in the way he smirked at her. Something's bothering him. Someone has bothered him. 'How could I not be? I gotta tell you, Hawkeye, work has been hectic since I became Führer.'

He earned a chuckle. 'Are you telling me you thought you'd do nothing but sit around?'

'Ha, maybe.'

They passed several offices, before entering a long hallway. The wall was mainly a window, looking over the city of Central. Mustang liked this spot, and he halted here before turning to a confused Hawkeye. She looked up at him and raised an eyebrow, expecting him to tell her what was on his mind.

Yet he kept his secrets hidden, like she. It was a shame: they had known each other for too long to not trust one another with words. Or was it simply fear? Were they not revealing their secrets to protect the other? She sighed.

'You haven't had a promotion in several years, Hawkeye.'

She widened her eyes. 'Oh! No, no, sir. I'm perfectly fine.'

'Hm.' He rubbed his chin. 'I am the Big Man now, so there's nothing stopping me from promoting you up several ranks. You deserve it: your determination and hard work has paid off. It's about time someone rewarded you with something juicy.'

Riza was shaking her head before he had even finished. 'Just think what gossip will spread if you did that, sir. People are already suspicious of our relationship. If they were to discover you've promoted me when it's only been three days, they'll not trust you. They'll think it's favouritism and I know you hate that sort of treatment.'

He stared at her for a while, blinked, and then smiled charmingly. 'Where would I be without you and your advice?' Roy struggled to not say "nagging". Too harsh a word. 'I suppose you're right, but I can't never promote you.'

'Sir,' she said sternly. 'We have work to finish.'

Mustang squinted his eyes. Her heart pace increased, concerned she had upset him or caused offence. But Riza always had her head on straight and Roy needed to work properly. The pressure was too high for him to lounge around.

Things had changed.

'Very well.' His voice was cold. He was embarrassed.

Roy swivelled on his heel then stopped. Hawkeye wondered if he was about to speak to her again, but he remained frozen for a couple of seconds, before slowly turning to face her. Neither spoke. At once her entire body shuddered. What she saw in his eyes was fear.

Glass smashed, tearing their flesh apart. She heard someone screaming –– no, several people screaming. Blood trickled over her eyes, her cheeks stung harshly. Riza collapsed to the side, falling heavily on her front, glass shattered around her. It took her a couple of seconds to recover.

And then––

'Colonel!' Wrong title, but she would punish herself later. Hawkeye quickly crawled towards his limp body, and shook him. 'M––Roy!' Her hands were trembling viciously. She inhaled sharply between her teeth and finally spotted the bullet dug into his shoulder. Glass had slashed his face apart, and he was unconscious. 'Damn it.'

Officers hurried over and medics were called rapidly. Hawkeye couldn't move. Someone was speaking to her, but she couldn't hear them. Her ears were deaf; her eyes were blind. She was dazed.

Then sound flooded her ears, and her sight returned. The female officer turned her eyes to the broken window. Civilians looked up in awe, but no one with a gun was in sight.

She clenched her fist, hot anger boiling inside her belly.






Past the age to retire Grumman scribbled his signature onto the sheet of paper, stood and gave one last salute before leaving military headquarters for good. At first the old man had doubts he would survive without a career, but after several days he was convinced he couldn't be happier. His long walks in the park and meeting familiar faces was pleasant.

He certainly enjoyed it when lovely ladies came and spoke to him in the pub, even though he was fully aware they were only in for the dosh. Grumman wasn't stupid so only allowed words to pleasure him. After several hours of sweet talk and he being the centre of attention, Grumman left and headed home.

The retired officer wasn't expecting to hear the phone ring when he returned.

'Hello?'

'Good evening, Mister Grumman. It's Kain Fuery.'

Grumman gave a lighthearted chuckle once hearing his name. 'Ah hello Fuery. It's been such a long time since we met. What're you doing ringing me at this hour?'

'Oh–– ah, you see there's... We'd appreciate it if you dropped into Central hospital.'

He frowned. 'That's an usual place to meet for drinks.'

'I'm serious: there's been an accident. Of sorts.'

The man had been waiting for this phone call. A devilish grin crawled over his face. 'I'll be there soon.'






Roy Mustang didn't wake up. He lay motionless in his bed, bandages covering his bloodied cuts, his shoulder bare but given medication to. Even though she hated the sight of seeing this man unconscious, Hawkeye had to admit he had never looked so at peace. His breaths were soothing and controlled. It was almost like he was sleeping than anything. Just dreaming.

Like he always has.

Ironically Hawkeye was in a worse state than he. Her bandages needed relaying often, and her head pounded awfully, whilst her eyes were sore and hard to keep open. Stress had unraveled her usually combed hair. Riza was exhausted, but she had no desire to leave his side. Especially in these horrifying circumstances.

Fortunately she had company with her. Fuery disappeared moments ago to ring Grumman, yet Havoc remained, a hand touching his pocket every so often. He wanted a cigarette and badly. She had to owe him credit for being so patient.

'It's almost funny,' Havoc grinned. She looked at him. He had nothing more to say. His expression fell and his gaze remained locked to the floor.

'Yes.' Hawkeye reached over and touched Mustang's limp hand. 'He must have known all along though. Once Führer you're always targeted.'

'It happened so fast though.'

Her eyes flickered away from the man's face. 'That's why Marshal Armstrong turned it down. She knew once you're Führer you're a prime victim for murder. No one seems to like anyone on that seat. Not everyone's satisfied.'

'You blame yourself.' It wasn't a question. Havoc knew.

'I should've thought standing next to a window would––'

'Oh come on!' Havoc ran a hand through his hair. 'No one would have thought of that. Anyway the chief's fate doesn't always have to be in your hands. Give yourself a break, Hawkeye.'

She threw him a glare. Havoc rolled his eyes and stood.

'I'm going to smoke.'

Hawkeye said nothing whilst he briskly left the ward. She removed her hand from the Führer's, and leaned back in her seat. Soon footsteps were heard approaching them. Hawkeye turned and jumped to her feet when Fuery arrived with Grumman.

He, of course, looked rather cheerful considering the present circumstances.

'This sort of thing never happened with me. Well... not this direct anyway.' Grumman tutted to himself and approached the bed. 'When did this happen?'

'Approximately five hours ago,' Fuery stated.

Grumman looked at Riza, and then finally showed concern. 'You look terrible, my dear! Go home and rest.'

'I'm fine,' she insisted, ignoring Fuery's sigh.

'So young; so stubborn.' Grumman smiled slightly. 'My daughter was incredibly stubborn. As was her husband.' He let the sentence trail. 'Second Lieutenant, please escort Lieutenant Brigadier Hawkeye home. I don't want her walking around at this hour.'

'Sir!' Riza stopped. This was the second time she had used an inappropriate title.

'Call me grandpa.' He grinned, possibly teasing, maybe serious. Either way Hawkeye had no desire to call him grandpa or anything of the sort. 'I want you home, and so does Führer Mustang. Be off with you now!'

She stood her ground. 'I refuse to leave.'

'Then you're a silly girl.' He sighed heavily. 'I have no desire to force you to do anything though, so on your own head be it. When Mustang wakes up, tell him to call me. Make sure he uses a public phone box.'

Riza curled her lips and nodded.

'Seeing as my granddaughter has refused your lift, I'll have it.'

Fuery sighed and followed the man out. Hawkeye waited until they were gone, before facing her commanding officer.

'I know you're awake.'

Roy opened his eyes.