"Roy, someday you've got to realize that staring and signing are not equivalent things."

Roy Mustang was leaning back in his office chair, glaring at a stack of paperwork and doing his best to ignore his first lieutenant's wise advice. For all the months he'd given up being an officer, he came back and nothing had changed. He glanced up at her, his eyes pleading, 'make it go away!'

The blank stare she returned was none-too-encouraging.

"Fine," He gave in first. She left the packet she was supposed to bring on his desk, turning to leave. "I'll stop procrastinating if you'll go on a date with me."

Riza spun sharply. "Mustang, we've gone over this before-"

"I know."

Ever since he'd come back to reclaim his former position, Roy had been more incessant. Glances here, comments there – they were just little things. Things that she shouldn't even notice by now with him.

But now they bothered her even more. He made her heart speed up now more easily than ever. The months without him had driven her crazy.

Then he came back and suddenly took interest in her, after all the years she'd been right under him in the chain of command.

He went to get out of his chair, feet leaving one of the larger stacks of printed paper. How did those build up so fast, really? His footsteps towards her resounded in the silent office.

"Roy-"

"Sssh."

Before Riza could remember how to move, he was in front of her. It still shocked her sometimes, seeing him right in front of her real and here and alive. For a minute she couldn't breathe. Then his arms were around her waist, and her face was sheltered against his neck.

"You have work to do."

"I have more important things to do."

Roy gently leaned down to kiss her forehead. She looked up at him with a thousand emotions. Suddenly she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled herself back against his neck. "I'm glad you're back, Roy," Riza whispered, muffled.

"Me too."

For a few long minutes they stood against each other, both holding the other up. They breathed quietly and drank in the rare serenity. Well, as serene as life could be when you were confused and your heart was going just a bit faster than usual. Or yearning for something you knew you might not get, probably wouldn't get.

"Riza." Roy's voice was a bit hoarser than usual. She nuzzled his neck a bit in response. "Riza, I lost myself for a long time after… after Hughes."

She glanced up at him and his stare caught her. Neither could look away.

"Now, the only thing I'm scared of losing," Roy leaned down. Their foreheads touched, their noses brushed softly – "Is you."

Holding her tightly against himself, Roy kissed the woman he loved in a long, drugging sweep. Riza's finger found their way across his scalp and he gave a tiny moan. They both tried to be as close as two humans could get, gripping and exploring all at once.

His gently licked at her lower lip. When she let him in, Roy stopped trying to hold back. He probably couldn't have if he wanted to. He poured all of his pent-up passion and desire out through his fingers, lips, tongue.

Riza was finally here, against him, kissing him back and holding him close. He'd wanted this too long.

They parted too soon. One breath was all they bothered with, and again they were joined.

The next time they managed to separate – it was harder than it seemed – Riza managed to breathe,

"You couldn't lose me, Roy. I've always been yours."

-----------------

The next day, when they were both remarkably late for work, muted whispers filled the office.

"About damn time."