AN: Hey everyone! So, I re-watched FMA: Brotherhood and I'm re-reading the anime now, so of course I wanted to write some Royai. Just for clarity's sake: Mustang is General and Riza is a Colonel at this point in time. I figured if Roy was climbing the ranks, then so was she. Also, canonically Grumman is Riza's maternal grandfather, but she doesn't know it according to Chapter 60, so I was playing with that.

Chapter 1

Fuhrer Grumman was dead. According to military personnel, he died of natural causes in his sleep. An official investigation and autopsy was performed in order to validate this claim.

The following week, after a routine mourning period, General Mustang was given the title of Fuhrer.

Colonel Hawkeye knew this day would come. One day, Fuhrer Grumman would die and General Mustang, the man she lived and (nearly) died for would become Fuhrer. It was what she fought for, shed blood for and yet…she cried at the late Fuhrer's funeral. Just a couple of tears, but they confused her. She had no strong connection to this man, but his passing had left an odd little hole in her. Like she had lost something important.

She should be happy. This was the General's chance. The long awaited day, but she felt so guilty about her joy that she became depressed. No death should ever give her joy.

Col. Hawkeye wondered if the General felt the same because there was no look of triumph in his countenance. The passing of Fuhrer Grumman seemed to properly shake him.

That didn't stop his coronation day from being a happy one. Lieutenant General Armstrong looked murderous, but other than that, it was a day full of smiles and congratulations. After the initial celebrations, the Fuhrer motioned for the Colonel to follow him. She obeyed, like always. She followed him in silence as they navigated through Central's military branch. They finally landed in the Fuhrer's office. It was bare with the except of the cleared out furniture and expensive dressings. Fuhrer Grumman's books and personal items must have been cleared out to make way for the new Fuhrer.

The Fuhrer closed the door and took a few steps around the room, hands on his hips, and an air of accomplishment following him.

"We did it, Colonel" he said.

"Yes" she replied. He turned to her and smirked.

"'Yes', what?"

"Yes, Fuhrer Mustang" she said, her lips curling into a smile against her will. Fuhrer Mustang's smile got wider.

"Hearing you say it…now it feels real," he said and took a seat at his new desk, "Please sit, Colonel"

She obliged.

"Sir?"

"Colonel, I think it's time we had a frank discussion" he said seriously. His tone made her stomach drop.

"Of course, sir" she said. He looked across the desk directly at her, his hands folded at his chin, deep in thought.

"Colonel, there's no denying that your aid to me has gotten me this far. Now that I am Fuhrer, I think it's time I look ahead to the future. Laws will be changed and roles will be switched"

"Sir?"

"Your service to me has been invaluable. The dream we fought for is here. Thank you" he said and it was as sincere as she had ever seen him.

"Please, sir, I only ever did what I wanted" she said, an odd nervousness bubbling in her. The Fuhrer smirked again.

"I know, I know, but still, it's equivalent exchange. My dream for yours. I can give you any rank you want, any position you want, just name it. Even then, I don't think it'll be enough"

She was stunned. What could he possibly mean? Another rank? Another position? The only position she had ever wanted was beside him. Her dream? She didn't have one other than aiding her new Fuhrer.

Then, a dream popped into her head, quite uninvited. It was a silly, frivolous thought so she cast it away from her mind.

"Thank you, sir, but I still have a promise I have to keep. Now, more than ever, I have to make sure you stay on the right path. I haven't forgotten" she said, her resolve strong. The Fuhrer laughed.

"I shouldn't have expected anything less! Still, I think three gold stripes would look good on you. What do you say Brigadier General Hawkeye? Help me protect the people Amestris?" He asked, standing up and saluting her. She stood up and reciprocated the gesture.

"Sir!"

Then she noticed it: a smile on her Fuhrer's lips, but it didn't reach his eyes. If she wasn't mistaken, she swore she saw disappointment there.

In time, she would find out why.

AN: Pretty short, but it gives you the idea. I'd like to update this consistently, but I work two jobs, and internship, and I'm a full-time grad student, so please have patience with me!

Expect a slow burn, but a burn none-the-less. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments and thanks for reading!