DISCLAIMER: I do not own FMA or any of the related titles.
A/N: Okay, I'm just trying to update all of my stories. This isn't a very long chapter, and doesn't really provide you with any answers yet, but it's some cute moments and sort of helps the plot along. I've been super busy lately, so I don't know when my next update will be. Wednesday at the VERY latest. I PROMISE! Enjoy!
Chapter 3: Tears Of Joy
Riza stared at him, unsure of what was going on. He was supposed to be dead! Everyone had said so. She was even filling out a report on it. He shouldn't have been there. Or, perhaps she was wrong. Perhaps this wasn't the Colonel at all.
But then, how did he know her name?
"Can I come in?" he asked.
She wasn't sure how to answer. If he really was Roy Mustang, she would let him in, in a heartbeat, but if he wasn't, then she could be making a big mistake.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, still very confused.
"It's a long story," he said. "Please, Hawkeye, may I come in?"
She couldn't resist the urge any longer. She nodded and gestured into the apartment.
"Of course, come in, sir!" she said.
He walked past her into the apartment and she shut the door behind him. She noticed a distinct limp as he walked by. She frowned, watching him carefully.
"Where have you been, sir?" she asked, staring at the back of his head.
He didn't answer immediately. Looking over his shoulder at her, he avoided her gaze.
"Perhaps we'll save that for another time..." he said quietly.
She nodded and moved toward him. A part of her was still determined to check and see if he really was the Colonel, but another part of her wanted it to be him so desperately that she'd believe almost anything.
Black Hayate began sniffing at Roy's legs. Riza watched them and jumped a little as he barked happily. She smiled, feeling as if she were about to cry. Even through all the dirt and grime, Black Hayate could tell who this man is.
Slowly, Roy bent over and patted him on his head. "Good boy, Black Hayate..."
It was him! How else would he know Black Hayate's name? It was certainly enough proof for Riza. It absolutely had to be him!
She hurried over to his side and took his arm, hesitantly. There was a sharp intake of breath as she pulled him along toward the couch. He looked tired and it would be best if he sat down for a while. Before sitting him down, she stopped.
"Perhaps we should clean you up first..." she muttered.
Roy didn't say anything as she turned and led him to the bathroom instead. She sat him down and rushed to find a face cloth. Running it under cold water, Riza realized he had been staring at her the entire time. It made her quite self-conscious. She had forgotten that she was still in her pajamas and looked as if she hadn't slept in ages.
However, in comparison to how Roy looked, she couldn't complain.
She kneeled down in front of him and slowly ran the cloth over the side of his face. His eyes relaxed and came to a close as she carefully removed most of the dirt. As it brushed across a large wound, he gasped and she pulled away quickly.
"I'm sorry," she said.
His eyes opened and he watched her. "It's all right..." he said quietly.
Tenderly, she finished washing his face as best as she could. His beard however, still made him look grubby. However, she didn't have anything he could use to shave at the moment. Next, she pulled out a comb and started to brush through the knots in his hair.
"If you'd like to take a shower, you can..." she offered. "Unless you'd rather go home and-"
He shook his head. She was certain she had never seen him so quiet in her life. What if she had been wrong? What if this wasn't Roy?
"I can't go home..." he muttered.
"Well, sure you can," she said, trying to sound cheerful. "I mean, you'd probably like to-"
But she had forgotten. It wasn't his apartment anymore. After his disappearance, his things had been removed and sent to headquarters. Last she'd heard, some young kid had rented the place out. Roy continued to shake his head.
"I'm not supposed to be here..." he said matter-of-factly. "I'm supposed to be dead, Hawkeye..."
She kneeled back down in front of him, attempting to look in his eyes. They were filled with sorrow and it troubled her greatly. She had only seen him look so upset once before and she hoped she never would again.
"Would you rather stay here?" she asked, barely above a whisper.
His eyes met hers in an almost pleading gaze. He seemed so vulnerable. Whatever he had faced had taken it's toll on him. She wondered if he would ever be the same again.
"Yes..." he answered.
Riza's hands rested on his knees and she nodded. "I'll go find you something you can throw on for tonight. Perhaps tomorrow we can find you some real clothes. You should take a shower, sir..."
He chuckled lightly. She was glad to see him smile.
"You keep bringing that up," he said softly. "I'm starting to wonder if I really stink, or if you just want to see me naked."
Riza couldn't help but laugh. There was no denying it anymore. This man was definitely Roy Mustang. Standing back up, she ruffled his hair.
"Trust me," she said. "You stink."
She left the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. Black Hayate followed her as she went into her room to try and find something for Roy to wear. Her dog wagged his tail excitedly. It had been ages since he'd last seen his owner smile.
Pulling out a large shirt and a pair of pants, she left the room and knocked on the bathroom door.
"I've got some clothes for you..." she said through the crack in the doorway. "I'm going to leave them right out here for you."
"Okay..." he replied.
She placed the clothes outside the door and headed into the kitchen, suddenly feeling wide awake. Her mind kept wandering back into the bathroom where Roy was in the shower.
Cut it out! she told herself forcefully. That's bad!
When he finally came back out, he looked much cleaner, though the long hair and the beard bothered her. She wasn't used to it and frankly, it didn't work for him.
Pouring him a cup of coffee, the two of them headed into the living room. He sipped at it and sat down on the couch. Riza sat down opposite him in a nearby chair.
"So, you can sleep out here tonight..." she said. "Or you can sleep in my bed and I'll sleep out here. It doesn't matter to me..."
His eyes wandered to her bedroom door and he smirked. Riza shook her head sadly, knowing exactly what he was thinking. Good thing he didn't actually say it, or she would have been even more embarrassed.
Good ol' Roy...you're the same as ever...
"I'll stay out here tonight," he answered. "You need to go to work tomorrow. I don't want to steal your bed."
Riza frowned. She had completely forgotten about work. Now that Roy was there, with her, she had no intention of going back to work. She wouldn't need it anymore. They could just lock themselves in the apartment and be perfectly content for the rest of their lives.
Slowly, she nodded. "So..." she started hesitantly. "Do you want to tell me where you've been for the past three months?"
He shook his head. "I told you," he said. "We'll save that for later. I don't want to talk about it right now."
She understood. It was going to be a sensitive subject and she would wait until he was comfortable with it. However, she wanted to know who had taken him. She wanted to make sure that they would pay for the grief that they had caused her and the pain that they had caused him.
It was as if Roy could read her mind. "Don't go off getting any ideas, now..." he said slowly. "Not until you have all the facts. I don't want you getting hurt, just because of me."
She stared at him and he drank his coffee, suddenly not looking at her. She breathed deeply, trying to think of something to say to break the silence.
"How long do you want to stay here, sir?" she asked, realizing it sounded a bit rude after saying it.
"Call me Roy," he told her. "We're not at work."
She gave him a look and he smiled.
"Fine then," he continued. "I won't call you 'Hawkeye', if you won't call me 'Sir'."
She nodded. "Very well. Then, how long do you want to stay here, Roy?" It sounded weird calling him by his first name straight to his face, but somehow, it was much more natural.
"Well, Riza," he said with a small laugh. "I don't know. I don't want you to think I'm overstaying my welcome, so it won't be very long, but it's not like I can really go anywhere, can I? I mean, I'm supposed to be dead. I can't go wandering the streets."
"Yes," she agreed. "Which means you're staying here. I don't care for how long. You'll stay here until everything is settled and this whole thing is over."
It sounded like she was giving him an order. He smiled at her and took the coffee cup from her hands.
"All right, then..." he said. "If you say so. But, now, you should go back to bed. It's going to be a long day for you tomorrow."
She nodded and stood up, remembering that she needed to get Roy some blankets before she went to bed. She returned with an old quilt and he took it graciously.
"I'm sorry for waking you up in the middle of the night," he apologized as he laid the blanket out on the couch.
She shook her head. "Don't worry about it. I'll get you back for it somehow..." With a small smile, she headed back toward her bedroom.
"Good night, Riza..." he said to her retreating back.
She stopped before her door and turned back to look at him. He was staring at her, smiling. "Good night, Roy..." she replied.
Lying down in bed, Riza pulled the covers to her chest, clinging to them tightly. So much had changed in just a few hours. She was awake. She was happy. She was smiling. And Roy...
Roy was alive. He was walking around like a human being. Breathing and eating and everything. And now, he was sleeping in her living room.
Yes, so much had changed and Riza never wanted it to go back to the way it was before.
She felt tears start to roll down her cheeks and land on her pillow. For the first time ever, Riza Hawkeye cried herself to sleep with tears of joy.
A/N: Yeah I know, it's short, but please bear with me. I've got a lot going on right now, so I'm updating whenever I get the chance. Please REVIEW! I love hearing from everyone. Oh yeah...and I've been meaning to ask...I have two different versions in my head and you guys get to choose...Homunculi Villian or New Villian that I make up? Majority rules! Tell me in your reviews...or PM me. Whatever works. Thanks!