AN: "Can I please request some Modern AU with a spoonful of pining/adorkable Roy and tons of fluff? :D :D thank youuuu in advance, Emma!" - ruikosakuragi


There was an incessant banging on his apartment door. Stumbling through his living room, Roy cursed as he kicked the corner of his couch hard, his toe throbbing. His irritation growing by the second, his visitor still banging away on the door like there was no tomorrow, he wrenched the door open with a glare. Riza, his neighbour, stood on the other side of the door, hand raised and poised to knock again with an impatient expression.

"What?" he growled irritably.

"Hey," she greeted brightly, unconcerned about the time and the sacred rite that was a lie in on a fucking Saturday. "Can I ask you a favour?"

"Riza, it's Saturday morning."

"And?" Damn her. Dam her and her ability to rise at six in the morning any day of the week. The woman had probably never slept past seven before in her life. Roy, on the other hand, appreciated and valued his sleep.

"Saturday," he stressed slowly. He had finished work late last night and had been looking forward to his sleep. Now it had been ruined by Riza.

They were good friends and hung out frequently. Starting off as neighbours who politely greeted each other every morning, they quickly discovered they shared mutual friends, so it was easy for their relationship to develop. To Roy it had been the most natural thing. The only down side was said friends were both couples and they ended up third wheeling any outing they attended. Through this, however, they had formed a close friendship, which he deeply valued.

But when she interrupted his morning by loudly banging on his front door for about five minutes instead of waiting for a more respectable hour, Riza really tried his patience.

"Good observation," she quipped. "Anyway, I need a favour, if you're up for it?"

Roy sighed, admitting defeat. He rubbed his eyes tiredly, resigned to the fact that for the fourteenth day in a row, he had been woken up at six thirty in the morning.

"What?" he asked irritably.

"I've got a work thing tonight and I need you to come with me." Roy narrowed his eyes critically, eyeing her open and honest expression.

"What's this really about?"

With a sigh, she finally revealed the truth. "You know that guy I was dating?"

"The stick?"

Riza huffed. "He's not a stick."

"Riza, he's built like a stick."

"Anyway, it didn't work out and now I have… a situation."

It shouldn't have excited him so much to hear that her relationship with Stick Man Dan didn't work out. Roy wasn't blind, Riza was a beautiful woman. Plus, he adored her as a friend. They had clicked instantly and the banter they shared was effortless. If things were to progress further between them, Roy certainly wouldn't say no.

"A situation?" Roy asked doubtfully, yawning loudly. "What kind of situation?"

"Just some friendly stalking, that's all."

That woke him up. "He's stalking you?"

Riza nodded and Roy didn't miss the briefest flash of worry appear on her face. "Have you gone to the police?"

Riza nodded. "Yeah, of course, but they won't do anything."

"Why?" he asked, unable to keep the anger out of his voice. Regardless of his feelings towards Riza, they should be doing something about it.

"Apparently until he does something concrete, and there's evidence, they can't charge him."

"Bullshit."

Riza's lips quirked upwards. "I'm inclined to agree. Anyway, it's fine. I can look after myself. My hope was that you could accompany me to this thing tonight to try and gently tell him that, you know, I've moved on."

"Yeah, of course," he replied, tone concerned. "Do you need somewhere to stay? Is it that serious?"

Riza smiled at him instead of replying, Roy unable to determine the emotion on her face. "No, thank you. I'm okay."

"Let me know if you do. And if Stick Man Dan comes around, give me a text or a knock."

"I will," she smiled that cryptic smile, expression soft. "Thank you."

"Okay then. What time do I need to be ready for?"

"Six, if that's okay?"

"No problem."

"It's date," she grinned.

"But be warned," Roy added. Riza's expression turned expectant. "Wake me up, banging on my door, at this time tomorrow and I will remove your hands from the ends of your arms."

Riza grinned. "Thanks Roy!" She walked towards the lift, a spring in her step, completely unconcerned about his empty-but-tempting threat. He sighed, closing his door, but smiled as he re-entered his apartment. An evening with Riza on a "date" didn't seem so bad.


RM: What do I need to wear tonight? 13:44pm

RM: Smart? Casual? We talking tux? 13:44pm

RH: Smart casual is fine. 13: 51pm

RM: Wow. Thank you. Much helpful. Very cool. 13:51pm

RH: You're welcome. 13:52pm

RH: Do I detect sarcasm? 13:53pm

RM: Your powers of deduction are unparalleled. 13:53pm

RH: Thank you. I pride myself on that. 13:54pm

RH: Idk just wear trousers and a shirt. 13:54pm

RM: Still not helpful. 13:55pm

RH: Idk, I'm not a dude. I don't know what you wear on a night out. 13:55pm

RM: Where is it being held? 13:56pm

RH: In a function suite. It's just a gathering to celebrate a colleague retiring. Dan will be there because he was a friend of the retiree and one of my colleagues. 13:57pm

RM: Stick Man Dan is friends with old age pensioners? 13:58pm

RM: Riza. 13:58pm

RH: Shut your mouth right now. I already regret the decision no need to rub it in. 13:59pm

RH: And if you say I told you so I will punch you in the face. Guaranteed. 13:59pm

RM: What a catch. 14:01pm

RH: I hope you enjoy that punch coming your way in approximately 4 hours. 14:03pm

RM: Hey if no one else will make fun of you for it I've got to step up to the plate. 14:05pm

RM: I'm just fulfilling my duty as a friend. 14:05pm

RH: Two punches. 14:05pm

RM: Come at me. I look forward to them. 14:06pm

RM: So… About that dress code… 14:10pm

RH: Roy. You're a grown ass man. Dress yourself. 14:11pm

RM: Do you want Stick Man Dan to get the message or not? 14:11pm

RH: What, pray tell, message could you send from the way you are dressed? 14:12pm

RM: That I'm a sexy motherfucker and you've done so much better than him already? 14:13pm

RH: … 14:13pm

RH: Insert picture of me laughing my ass off while rolling my eyes here. 14:13pm

RM: Just staying true to myself. 14:13pm

RH: Keep telling yourself that buddy. 14:14pm

RM: To be honest anyone is a step up from Stick Man Dan. 14:14pm

RH: All right I'm going now. I've got more important shit to do than tell a grown man how to dress for a "date". 14:15pm

RH: I thought you were "Mr. Hot Stuff" anyway? Surely you know how to dress for a date. 14:16pm

RH: Wait. 14:18pm

RH: You've gone on a date before, haven't you? 14:18pm

RM: I'm not even going to dignify that stupid question with an answer. 14:22pm

RH: Oh my god. 14:22pm

RH: Hahahaha. 14:22pm

RH: That pause speaks volumes. 14:22pm

RM: I was in the bathroom. 14:22pm

RH: TMI dude. 14:23pm

RH: Roy is not the "player" he makes himself out to be. Confirmed. 14:23pm

RH: I can't wait to tell Becca. 14:25pm

RM: You wouldn't dare. 14:25pm

RH: ; ) 14:28pm

RM: Your loyalties, and any impending betrayals, are noted. 14:29pm


"I'm going to kill you," Roy grinned, trying to hide his irritation as they walked arm in arm towards the function room where this party was being held. "Really, Riza. This time, I will."

"I'd like to see you try," she muttered under her breath quickly before greeting a colleague and introducing Roy.

"You told Catalina of all people." Riza snickered beside him, steering Roy towards the buffet table. "You lied to her as well."

"You neither confirmed, nor denied, if it was true."

"I said I wouldn't dignify it with an answer," he bit back, his irritation rising. He couldn't believe Riza had said to Catalina that he'd never been on a date before. Of course, he had been on a date before. The woman had phoned him up, cackling, asking if it was true. No matter what he said, Rebecca refused to accept any other answer.

God, he hated those two when they were together. A force to be reckoned with, for sure, and often at his expense. Although they were maddening, Roy never minded it really. It was all good fun. However, it was just as entertaining to banter back and forth with Riza about the situation.

"Well, now we know you have," she deadpanned, picking up a paper plate and filling it with food.

Roy followed suit, a smirk on his face as he shook his head in amusement. "I don't feel so bad about making fun of you about Stick Man Dan anymore. In fact, I don't feel bad at all."

"I would care but that's history."

"Doesn't look like it," he muttered in her ear, picking out the Stick Man himself heading their way, his approach unknown to Riza. Roy shot him a polite smile, which was ignored.

"What?" she asked, mid turn.

"Hey, Riza," Stick Man Dan greeted his ex, still completely ignoring Roy. Thanks, mate.

Roy had never liked him. He was built like a stick, all skin and bones, and taller than anyone Roy had ever met, which did nothing in his favour in the appearance department. Every time they met up as a group, he would completely gloss over everyone who wasn't Riza, offering only one-word answers. Not to mention he hated Roy for some unknown reason. He couldn't figure out what it was. Roy would chuckle to himself when he considered Stick Man Dan may have felt threatened by him.

Roy had often wondered what Riza saw in him. "As a concerned friend," he would tell Hughes and Catalina irritably when they gave each other The Look. Said look was a "oh-shit-he-loves-her" look.

Amusement aside, Roy did consider how it looked from an outsider's perspective. Both he and Riza were very close. Probably too close in the opinion of significant others, but nothing had ever happened. It didn't mean Roy didn't want it too, but if Riza wasn't interested, then so be it. He wasn't about to mess up this friendship and make it awkward by asking her.

As Stick Man Dan ignored Roy, he considered that perhaps they were close enough that it wouldn't make it awkward between them. They told each other everything.

Only one way to find out, however now was not the time.

"So, you're here with Gerald?" Riza asked him politely gripping Roy's arm tighter and sliding an arm around his waist. Not expecting such close contact, his breath hitched as he ate, but was luckily able to hide it behind that.

"Gerald, unfortunately, was unable to make it tonight, however I thought I would just come anyway to honour Janine."

Roy frowned. What person comes to a friend's retirement party? At said friend's place of work?

A stalker, looking to see someone who shot them down.

Roy shifted, wrapping his arm around Riza's shoulder as he continued to eat, staring Stick Man Dan down. His hand came to rest on said shoulder and he gave it a quick squeeze. Dan seemed to realise who it was standing beside Riza, and his eyes flicked to Roy's briefly, before moving to Roy's hand on Riza. If a six foot seven bean pole could look dangerous, then that's what Stick Man Dan's eyes looked like.

And Roy did not like it.

Apparently, neither did Riza. She was tense underneath his arm, so he rubbed his shoulder in response. This man made her uncomfortable now, that was for sure. That was his job tonight, as a friend, to help her make it through this night and get rid of this guy forever. The only way Stick Man Dan would ever take the hint was if they were convincing.

However, he didn't want to push the boundaries too much –

Oh my god, Roy, chill. You're here as a friend, that's it. Nothing more. Just help her out.

"That's very nice of you," Riza replied.

Stick Man Dan's eyes flicked over to Roy's once more. Oh, so he wasn't invisible? Who knew? "I was wondering if I could talk to you for a minute?"

"Sorry, Janine asked us to come and speak to her after we've grabbed a plate," Riza lied smoothly. Roy watched as the disappointment crossed Stick Man Dan's face, feeling very pleased by the show. Riza begun to walk away, neglecting to offer Dan another chance for his talk, and Roy let his arm drop, regrettably, but followed after her.

"Can you see me?" Roy whispered to her quietly, leaning in close, as they left Stick Man Dan at the buffet table alone.

"What?" Riza asked, looking up at him, confused.

"Can you see me?" he repeated. "Stick Man Dan acted as if I wasn't there and I was wondering if I've miraculously achieved the ability to turn invisible." Riza snorted, loudly. "I mean, it would come in incredibly useful. I'll be disappointed if you can see me at this point."

"Shut up," she laughed quietly, approaching the woman of the hour. "He's an ass."

"I honestly don't know what you saw in him," Roy joked, sighing dramatically. He would never let on that he was being serious. "I mean, clearly he was a charmer."

"He never liked you, did he?" Riza smirked, popping a sandwich in to her mouth.

"Oh, we were best buds. Me and Dan?" He rose his hand, crossing over his pointer and middle finger. "We were tight, just like that."

"Shut up," she chuckled.

The rest of the evening was pleasant. Riza's colleagues were good people who welcomed him with open arms. Apparently, they were in on the whole stalker situation, and were aware of Roy's role in the night. It didn't stop them from playing it up, perhaps too much. As much as Roy enjoyed pretending that he and Riza were a couple, that was just it.

Pretend.

"Do you want to go with them?" Riza whispered in his ear. The feeling of her hot breath on his ear made him shiver, goose bumps rising on his flesh. There were a few people who were going out for the night to a club nearby. Truthfully, Roy didn't want the evening to end. He enjoyed having his arm around Riza as they sat together, their thighs pressed against each other. Holding her hand was something he couldn't get enough of, and often found himself stroking the back of it with his thumb as they sat.

It's all an act, he kept reminding himself.

But as the night wore on, Roy found he didn't want it to be just an act.

So, he agreed to going out to the club.

That was his first mistake.

His second came when they were dancing under the dim lighting, smoke coiling around their legs as they moved dangerously close to one another. Roy saw, rather than felt, his hand reaching out to brush her bangs off her face, his hand curving around her cheek to cup it. Riza's eyes that had once been on the space between them had snapped up to meet his, both their dancing slowly coming to a stop. A thumb brushed over her cheekbone and Riza's eyes widened. The music in the club dulled to a heavy thump, the words fading away to become obsolete.

He pressed his lips gently against Riza's, feeling her breathing hitch underneath them. His free hand made its way to her waist, hand gliding effortlessly across the material of her silk top as it moved around to her lower back. Riza responded eagerly, deepening the kiss after she locked her arms around his neck, pulling him tightly against her body.

For a few moments all was right in the world. This felt good. It felt natural. It made Roy wonder why they hadn't done it sooner. He pulled back, as if his brain finally realised what he had done, and who he had kissed.

Riza was a friend. This was supposed to be pretend. Not that Riza could hear him, but he stuttered, trying to apologise for overstepping that final boundary.

The look in her eyes told Roy she was okay with it.

One of her own hands rose to cup his cheek this time, drawing his lips back against hers.


"Would… Would you like to come in for a coffee?"

Riza smiled tiredly. She had ridden in the lift with her head on his shoulder, eyes closed, and a small smile on her face. It had made Roy's stomach go crazy and grip her hand tighter as they stood waiting on their floor.

That second mistake was working out all right.

"I would love to, but I think I'm just going to go to sleep."

"See, if you slept in at the weekend, you wouldn't be so tired at one am."

Riza smirked but the lift dinged at their floor before she would reply.

"Maybe one day, you could teach me," she replied, playing coy, before giving him a wink as she stepped out of the lift. That left Roy staring after her, desire in his eyes.

A hand stilled the one on her door handle, gently but firmly spinning Riza around so her back was against her apartment door. Roy's hands were pressed flat against Riza's apartment door, trapping her head between them. Her surprised squeak was adorable and so was the grin on her face as Roy bent to kiss her lips. Since he had done it for the first time in the club, he had ached to do it again.

"See you tomorrow?" Roy murmured, his hands moving slowly up and down her waist.

"See you tomorrow," she agreed, her face and neck flushed from their activities. "You can count on it."

He bid her goodnight and entered his own empty apartment. The memory of kissing Riza, the feelings of her skin underneath his hands on her waist, the softness of her hair as he ran his hands through it feverishly were fresh in his mind as they lulled him peacefully to sleep.

Only to be interrupted by incessant knocking on his apartment door.

At six thirty in the morning.

There is only one person…

Gearing up for his charade of being truly irritated, but ready to joke with his friend, his retort about removing her hands from the ends of her arms died on his tongue. One look at Riza's face told him this visit was different. She looked… scared?

"Can… Can I stay here?" Her voice was hesitant and quiet, almost fearful. His irritation gone after hearing her speak, Roy opened the door wider so she would enter his apartment. He was worried. Riza never looked like this.

"Yeah, of course. Is everything okay?"

Riza shook her head, offering him her phone instead of replying. Apprehensively, Roy took the phone from her unresisting hands.

Unknown Number: Riza we need to talk. I didn't like what I saw tonight. I don't like you spending time with that guy. I won't allow it. 06:21am

Roy looked up at her from the screen. Her eyes were cast down towards the floor, not looking at him in the eye.

"I got that this morning, a few minutes after I woke up."

He tried to reign in his anger. He really did. Was he watching her? The thought made him physically ill and see red at the same time. "This happen often?" he asked curtly, but somehow, he already knew her answer.

"Yes," she replied in a small voice.

"Has it ever escalated?" Riza was silent and that was the only answer Roy needed. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I could handle it," she replied, voice stronger now. "But even after last night he still hasn't gotten the hint and…"

"What?"

"I'm scared," she whispered. "I'm scared of what he might do, of what he's possibly already done, and I… I don't want to be alone right now. Especially not in my apartment."

Roy closed the door behind her, putting the chain across it, as if a reassurance that Dan wouldn't get anywhere near her. Not while Roy was around anyway.

"Block that number after you've reported him to the police," Roy told her. "I'll drive you down there tomo – Well, at a more respectable hour," he quipped.

"Why don't we just go now?" Riza asked, confused. Ah, of course, Miss what-is-sleeping-past-six-am?

"I'm going back to bed," Roy told her. "And – only if you want to – you can learn the benefits of sleeping past six am at the weekend."

His attempt at humour was only to try and lighten the mood – to try and take Riza's mind off things – and he was pleased to see she fell into step with him, their banter coming easily to each other. He was thrilled to learn thigs weren't different between them, despite what happened tonight.

Riza's lips quirked up and her posture relaxed. Instead of her arms hugging her body, they moved into the front pocket of her hoodie. "And what benefits would those be?"

"Waking up next to me?" he offered with a smirk.

Riza sighed, cocking her head as if to consider his proposal. "I think I like that benefit. Are there anymore?"

Roy grinned widely as he closed the distance between them, kissing Riza Hawkeye like his life depended on it.

God, it felt good.