Flowers
By Yellow Mask
Spoilers: Up to chapter 72.
Disclaimer: I do not own FMA.
Roy doesn't know what drives him to pick up the phone. It's just an impulse, a hunch, an entirely illogical feeling that he should call her right now, not necessarily to talk to her, but just so she can hear another human being's voice.
He knows something's wrong by the way she speaks. It's too strained, too tired, for a simple day at the office. Then a vicious demon in the back of his mind reminds him exactly what a 'day at the office' for her now entails, and his stomach contracts like he's eaten bad veal – did Wrath hurt her?
No...she doesn't sound hurt. Spooked, maybe. Roy calms slightly, but then he begins to consider exactly what could spook Riza Hawkeye, and the fear returns. Whatever could rattle this woman would have to be something of apocalyptic proportions.
He wishes he ask her what happened, but after what happened to Hughes he vowed to never trust anything to a phone conversation unless it was relayed in their private code, and they never actually came up with a coded way to ask 'did the monster that's masquerading as our leader harm you?'
Still, Riza is exasperated but courteous as she refuses his flowers, claiming there are no vases in her house. Knowing her ruthless practicality, this is probably true, but he can't help the small frown on his face when she hangs up.
Something happened. He doesn't know what, but he wants to make it better somehow. If everything was the way it used to be, he could just ask her tomorrow, he wouldn't have to stare at the receiver in his hand and listen to the dial tone and do nothing but worry...
But that's the point, isn't it? Nothing's as it used to be.
He sends her flowers anyway. Not the whole truckload, just a small collection of pink foxgloves. She sounds like she needs something bright.
The next morning, Riza finds a small bouquet of bright pink on her doorstep, resting comfortably in elegantly patterned porcelain.
He even bought her a vase.
End.
AN: Thanks - as per usual - to my beta, LaughingAstarael.