"Burns"
I always thought about Riza's back. She begged Roy to destroy the research, all of it. But in several pictures in the series, we see that only a small portion of her back is burned. I wonder, why is that? Why didn't he do as she asked? This is why.
"Riza… are… are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure." Riza took off her coat and dropped it onto the couch. She knelt down onto her knees and crossed her arms over her chest. "And call me 'Lieutenant' from now on."
Roy swallowed, slipping on his gloves. He studied the bright tattoo on her back. His eyes traced every line, every curve until it reached her hips, where black cloth squeezed her skin. She wore a tight undershirt, the back cut open just for this occasion.
"Once I do this, there is no turning back. We can't heal it—"
"I know that Colonel. Just destroy it." Her voice was firm, but the last words quivered on her lips. Her whole body was shaking, and her muscles tensed in preparation of the raging pain she would soon feel.
Roy frowned, feeling his heart racing. He walked to the windows, closing the curtains tightly, and looked to Riza whose eyes were closed.
He held his breath, and stood behind her, letting the image of her tattoo seep into his mind.
He snapped his fingers, feeling a burst of energy flood from his body and through his hand. He felt heat rising in his blood, his skin radiating with heat. He heard the jolts of fire and storms. Then he heard the screams.
He jerked back his arm, hearing blood-curdling shrieks from Riza. He opened his eyes, the wall in front of her was ablaze, and part of her back was charred and bloodied. She was screeching, her voice cracking with sobs of agony. He ran to her, avoiding her back and dropping down by her side. He wrapped his arms around her and steadied her shaking body.
She cried out, calling her father's name, and cursing him. She even cursed Roy, who sat patiently beside her, his own body shaking.
"I'm so sorry.. I'm so sorry…" He whispered, tears streaming down his face. Riza cried, digging her fingers into the folds of his jacket. Her back was arched, her burns literally crackling on her back. Roy looked over her, his own heart wrenched from his chest as he saw that he had only touched a portion of her back with his alchemy.
"Finish it." a rumble came from the woman he was holding. "Finish what you started!" she was screaming at him now, pounding her fists on his chest, biting his uniform, tears and saliva staining his clothes.
He was so shocked that he had no words. He sat still, feeling explosions of pain ripple through his body with each throbbing punch.
"Finish it… destroy me.." she whispered finally, her body relaxing as her spirit began to ebb away. Roy felt tears roll down his neck, and watched as she lay defeated, half of her body laid across his legs, and the other on the floor.
All was silent. Then she began to cry again. She tried to suppress her weeping but she failed miserably. She gripped her friend's arms as if they were anchors and she was a sinking ship. She didn't want to let go.
"I'm not going to finish." Roy finally said, his mouth dry and his arms aching. "I won't hurt you again."
"You promised…" she gasped through her tears. She looked up at him, big brown eyes staring into his shadowed ones, pleading for her wish to be granted.
"This is a promise I cannot keep." Roy whispered, pulling her into his arms and letting her bury her face in his shoulder. "I can't destroy something that I love this much…"