I do not own FMA or its characters. Spoilers for Hawkeye and Mustang's past. This is AU.
Quiet Early Morning
The morning after her father's death, Riza woke to an empty bed shortly after dawn. She frowned, remembering the warmth next to her. She pulled a housecoat on and headed downstairs. Roy was in the kitchen, puttering around the stove. He held out a mug of tea and gestured for her to take a seat. He didn't try to make conversation. Riza was grateful for that. She didn't want to talk, not right now. Her father was dead. He might not have been much of a father, but he was all she had.
A plate of waffles was placed in front of her. Roy smiled and held out the pitcher of syrup. He sat across from her, eating quietly. It was only when the meal was finished and the dishes washed that Roy spoke.
"We need to talk, Riza." He gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I need to know what your situation here is. I can make arrangements for the funeral. That's no problem, but I don't want to leave you without what you need."
"I told you Father was deeply in debt. The house and it contents won't be enough to settle the debt." She hesitated; she was not supposed to know what she did, but she didn't think Roy would care. At least, not about the fact that she had been eavesdropping. "There was an offer to Father a few months ago. My hand in marriage for the relief of the debts. He refused. I expect the offer will either be extended to me personally or through a lawyer now."
Mustang's hands wrapped around hers. "Do you want to marry him?"
"No." The answer came easily. "I may not have a choice though. I have very little in the way of job skills, and the military does not accept women. I have very little in the way of options."
He squeezed her hands. "Do you trust me?"
"Yes." There was no question about that. She had known the moment he returned that she trusted him enough to give him her father's secrets. She had planned to even if her father had refused.
"Then trust me. I won't let you be forced into anything you don't want." He smiled at her and pulled her into a hug. "Now what we need is a plan…"
Theme: First Sunlight in the Morning ; Sunrise
