Back And Forth, To And Fro, a fullmetal alchemist fanfic

Back and Forth

AN. Inspired by the true story at "nifplay (dot) org (forward-slash) polar-husky (dot) html" It's absolutely amazing! -Riss

Riza stared at the bright yellow tennis ball in her hand tiredly. It had been a long day at work and Black Hayate's insistence that she take him to the park afterwards had not helped in the slightest. Exhausted, the blonde's eyes fell to rest on the old dog sleeping peacefully at her feet as she leaned back against the park bench more fully.

Work had become doubly taxing since Colonel Mustang's return from the North- not because he wasn't pulling his share of the weight, but because of the awful feelings that his half-hearted return had somehow evoked in her… She had wanted him back -wanted him back more than anything in the world- but she wasn't sure if she could handle it anymore: the horrible aching pain that she felt in her chest when she saw what he had become, the knowledge that it could never be alleviated… It was almost too much for her poor broken heart to bear.

Gripped with sorrow at the thought of leaving, but knowing that she would eventually have to, Riza gripped the ball in her hand tightly, focusing all of her energy on it in an attempt to lessen the pain that she felt.

But just then, a twig snapped.

Head shooting up in an instant and catching half of a glance of a head-full of black hair, Riza released the ball without thinking- her sniper's aim sending it hurtling directly toward the creature that had made the sound.

Heading down the adjacent path, Roy Mustang glanced up at the very last moment to see the ball inches from its destination- a nanosecond later it had met its mark. He froze in shock.

For what seemed to be several lifetimes, the two stared at each other, Riza scrambling to her feet but unable to move in any way to offer assistance. Then, slowly, Roy bent down to retrieve the ball that had bounced back to land at his feet. A small smile curled over his lips and he lobbed the ball back toward her. Catching it, Riza frowned in confusion. Roy held out his hands in an open gesture until, cautiously, she threw it back.

Thus, a slow, careful game ensued, eventually becoming easier and more comfortable. Still, neither of the two spoke. Back and forth, back and forth, until out of nowhere they were smiling and laughing and all the world of differences and broken promises couldn't have come between them.