"So how'd you end up here?" her gaze was trained on the sidewalk beside them. The air was glazed in a gentle warmth that she hadn't felt in a while. It had been months since she'd been out during the day.
Her head shifted towards her company; her arms crossed underneath her shifted against the table. Her eyes were on his lips now.
"I got a good deal with an apartment downtown," she said quietly, letting her gaze fall back on the table. She was an expert at this. Lying was like a game of cards and she always had the right ones to play. The trick was drawing out her partner's most valued hand for her own use later. She took her time to talk again, glancing down at her billowing cream skirt and silky collared shirt. She'd even let her hair down for him.
Riza would have to admit she was a bit of a tease when it came to her victims, but this was different. She knew him. She wanted him to notice.
"my old friends live close by... I've got a good job. I've settled in nicely." she gave a soft smile and looked up to the dark haired alchemist. She rested her chin on her fists and raised her brows. "And you?"
His face was red instantly, and he seemed to know it. He smiled, trying to shake the blush off but his efforts were quickly turning into a quirky habit around her.
"I'm here for a library visit," he held his hands up with an even more embarrassed smile, "it isn't as dorky as it sounds,"
"I don't think it's dorky at all," she said, biting her lip. She'd have to be more careful about letting the truth slip out. "What are you studying?" she asked to recover.
He looked hesitant but she nodded for him to continue.
"Different forms of alchemy." he replied plainly. She tried to show her disappointment. Her past jobs had required a dense ignorance between herself and the reason she was hired.
"Given up on the fire stuff, eh?" she asked jokingly, giving an airy laugh before sitting back in her seat. She let the smile drain off his face. Riza quickly spoke again before he could redeem himself, "I can see how you'd be interested in the fine arts of alchemy. I was never that good at it... perhaps why my father took on an apprentice." she smirked and looked away from the table.
"So where exactly is downtown?" his voice was softer, more timid. She almost laughed at the sudden submission. The Roy Mustang she used to know wouldn't be like this. But times were different now. She was the leader and he was the foolish one.
"Why? Do you have your mind set on coming back to my place?" she asked slyly. His eyes widened and his face turned red again. Her stomach flutter but she stifled the feeling with a laugh. She wouldn't admit that she liked the idea.
"Me and my room-mate live a block down from the market. It's convenient but neither of us get out much. He's a bit of a hermit- works from home. I get hired out as a caterer. It's nice, 'pays fine." she crossed her arms and sat up, watching slight discomfort at the middle of her sentence.
"He?" Roy's gaze was jagged, and she took pride in the fact that he felt threatened by Havoc. The more she thought about it, the more she saw the two of them becoming friends.
But no. Roy was a target. Her prey. She was just playing with him for some fun. She'd get to her job later. She was just having some fun.
"We aren't together," she replied, motioning towards herself and the empty space beside her, "we're strictly friends... why? Does it bother you?" she tilted her head, pulling out her adored smile. She could feel her face warm, and for the moment she let it.
Roy shook his head slowly, then blinked and swallowed, "Not at all- I just- I uh-" he swallowed again nervously, then he relaxed and looked downwards, "I didn't want to take another man's girl away from him."
The small implication of possession irked her but she let it slide. She'd get him back later. The blonde noticed herself swallowing. One only did so when under the pressure of extreme emotions. She tensed. Assassins didn't feel. They hunted. She was supposed to be hardened against this kind of thing.
Somehow he made her soft.
She wasn't sure if she liked that or not.
Riza took note of it and glanced away, as if she were flustered. "Well you can take me anytime you want, Roy." she said jokingly. The gleam of hope in his eye made her heart sink.
She stood, and tried to ignore the small look of panic upon Roy's face. He stood too and bit his lip, grasping the table anxiously.
Riza brushed her skirt with a gentle hand, and then held it out for him to shake.
"Nice to see you again, Roy," she chirped, "but I've got to be off now." he gave a nod and stepped forward to shake her hand lightly in his own. She tried not to enjoy the warmth, and tugged it away before sliding it behind her back.
"We didn't get to talk much," he began, nodding his head as if to gain courage for his next words, "perhaps we could talk over dinner tomorrow. I'd be interested in your job and your plans for the future and..." his voice trailed off and he smiled. She returned it, feeling her heart thudding again. She was overwhelmed with guilt.
Her first lesson during her training rang in her mind, Jean's sarcastic voice whispering in her ear.
Kitties shouldn't play with their food!
She nodded in agreement, something she knew she'd regret later. "Alright, give me a call... my room-mate's a bit territorial though, so if he answers just ask for Riza and he'll make sure I get the phone." He gave a nod and bowed slightly.
"See you soon."
She returned the gesture with another nod, then turned, making sure to sway her hips a bit more than she should. And on her way home she tried to think of a logical reason for doing so. She couldn't find one.
When her foot came into contact with the inside of the apartment, Havoc stood a foot in front of her, arms crossed against his chest, a scowl and an empty space where a cigarette should have been.
"Where were you?" his voice was booming although he hadn't yelled.
"Out." she responded quickly, attempting to scoot past him. His hand caught her before she could leave his presence and she whipped around in retaliation.
"You didn't kill him yet-"
"I will!" she screamed, rocking backwards. She hadn't meant to yell. It was another thing she could see the man taking a mental note of. She hated him for knowing too much.
"You're going to fall in love with him and then he'll break you and you know-"
"Love him? Like I loved you, right?" she spat. Her stomach churned. Why did she say that? He softened, genuine hurt in his eyes. She didn't want to apologize though. She wouldn't. She knew he knew that.
"I'm just looking out for you, okay?" he breathed, narrowing his eyes in pain. Riza turned to face him, reaching up and wrapping her arms around his neck.
She pressed her lips against his for a solid moment of silence, and when they came apart with a sickening and quiet smack, and buried her face in his shoulder.
"That wasn't meant for me." he whispered. She raised her weight onto her toes, then climbed upwards, wrapping her legs around him. He caught her as she jumped, and held on to her knees, letting her cling to him. "I've never seen you like this." he muttered, waddling into her room and hugging her tightly before letting her slip onto the bed.
"I think I want to get hurt..." she murmured, closing her eyes and curling into a ball. It had been so long since she'd felt human. So long since she'd longed for another person. For a friend. For love. So long since she'd felt love. She wanted to feel like herself again. Like the kind-hearted child she used to love being.
She was afraid that that part of her had evaporated forever. Dried up along with her other emotions.
"No you don't," Havoc scoffed, making his way out of the room with his hands jammed in his pockets, "and before I forget," she heard her door slide closed and then a cough, "you owe me a pack." and then there was silence.
How could she break that terrible silence?
And the only idea that crossed her mind to answer that question was the sound of gunfire and heartbeats fading.
A/N: Uh oh dontcha just love that tension? Riza and Havoc have a past that will probably explained in further chapters- but I'm using this fic to get all my Royai and Riza/Jean feels out. This was quite fun to write, actually.
A lovely person who reviewed the last chapter asked for more and I was highly motivated to continue this- so I did! This won't be a regular thing, but I've already written about 9 pages of this lovely fanfiction and I'll upload parts when I can.
Enjoy, and thank you for your lovely reviews! ^^
