Here's my take on Royai 2016's prompt 'Warmth.' This is kind of angsty… For some reason I always end up getting ideas that are a little… off from where others interpreted a prompt. Anyway, here is my first ever offering for the FMA fandom. Of course it would have to be Royai. What else would I want to write about?

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Roy Mustang and Riza Hawkeye had survived war, loss, and horrifying monsters. It seemed utterly ridiculous that either of them be struck down by a common terrorist. Yet they were facing that very real possibility. Riza was dying, a bullet through her chest. A bullet meant for him.

Roy's hands shook as he held her in his arms. Despite the warmth from her blood seeping through his clothes, a creeping chill slowly settled over him. How had this happened? They had been so careful. An anonymous tip off had been phoned in early that morning about the location of a group of terrorists Mustang's team had been trailing for months, and with very few leads to go on, they had to take the chance that it wasn't a trap.

With this in mind, they took every precaution to ensure the safety of the team in the event of a surprise attack. After a thorough search of the premises they believed the tip had been a red herring, and Roy let his guard down for no more than a few seconds. But not Riza. Never Riza. Always diligent. Constantly aware of everything around her. After all, a bodyguard never rests while in the field. Her need to protect Roy came above all and, that evening, her instincts once again proved to be invaluable.

As Roy and Riza exited the warehouse, Riza had caught a glimpse of something shining off the adjacent building. Within moments, a gunshot rang out as Riza pushed Roy to the side, shielding him with her body, firing off several rounds in rapid succession, taking down the sniper, but not before getting hit herself, having no time to move out of harm's way if she wanted to eliminate the threat. She slumped onto her side once she was sure they were in the clear, unable to ignore the effects of the bullet between her ribs any longer. Roy shouted to Havoc who was positioned at the other side of the warehouse, his voice panicked as he instructed the second lieutenant to call for an ambulance.

Roy held Riza tighter in his arms.

"Don't close your eyes, Lieutenant, stay with me," Roy spoke softly, trying to keep his voice steady. "That's an order."

"I'll try, sir," she replied weakly.

Keeping herself conscious was difficult and she leaned into him, absorbing the warmth his embrace provided as her own slowly drained from her. Roy ran his hand through her hair, brushing her bangs from her eyes. The ambulance was taking a long time to reach them. Too long.

"You're going to be fine," Roy whispered, dread settling in the pit of his stomach at how cold and still his lieutenant was becoming. "Help will be here soon. Just hang on."

Riza took in a ragged breath and looked up at him, her vision blurred, a small smile on her lips.

"I…might not be able to…follow your orders this time…" she breathed.

Roy clenched his teeth, his eyes beginning to sting.

"Don't you dare…" He growled, unable to hide his grief any longer.

"I'm sorry," Riza managed, her voice barely audible.

Roy shook her, trying to keep her with him.

"No…No, no…"

This was not the end. He would not let her die. But doubt fell over him as he stared down at her. What if it really was the last time he'd see her?

In a last desperate act he leaned down closer to her, warm breath tickling her rapidly cooling skin. As he gently touched his lips to hers, he couldn't tell which one of them was crying.

Their first kiss tasted of copper and salt.

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Eh, I knew how I wanted to end this, but the rest of the fic took a turn I was not expecting… Not sure I like it, but that's what I get for waiting to write at the last minute… Anyway, thanks for reading. =)

Edit: Oh, I probably should point out that I was thinking she'd live after this, so it's not completely angsty, but I do so love death fics and angst so who knows. I left it in the air for the reader to decide. xP This is also a possible excerpt from a longer Royai fic I've had in mind, one that follows the series as if they were the main characters.