Author's note: I do not own FMA or its characters. Spoilers for Hawkeye and Mustang's past. This is AU.

Secrets in Flesh

Roy kept her hand trapped in his throughout the entire service. Riza knew it wasn't strictly appropriate, but she was grateful none the less. She didn't know what she would have done without him the past few days. Roy had taken over everything, making the arrangements for the funeral and the burial. It was something of a relief not to have to worry about all of that. And while under most circumstances Riza would have found Roy's hovering annoying, right now it was very welcome. He kept her from feeling alone. Right now it would be all too easy to get swallowed up by her fear, guilt, and sadness.

She didn't know what she was going to do next. It had been clear to Riza that she was not suited to running the estate, and she didn't really have any viable skills to live off of. She could always marry, but that was not what she wanted. At least, not unless she was actually in love with the man. A marriage of convenience was not in the cards for her. There was also the matter of her father's research. Riza already knew what her decision about that was. Unfortunately, she really hadn't had the chance to broach the subject with Roy. She had tried once or twice, but he had brushed her off, telling her there would be time for that later.

Now, with her father buried and the funeral reception over with, Riza figured it was time for them to address the subject. She was a little nervous about it. Not about giving Roy the information, she knew that was the right decision, but about actually showing him the research. The only person who had ever seen that much of her before was her father, and at the time, she had been in too much pain to really care. This would be different though. It also didn't help that she had what was at least a crush, if not more serious feelings, on Roy. She didn't know how he was going to react to the information either.

Once she was sure everyone had left, Riza led Roy into the library. It had the best light in the manor house. She locked the doors behind them. Privacy was a must for this.

"Having you take care of everything for my father's funeral, I can't thank you enough for that." She offered him a shy smile.

"Don't worry about it." Roy shook his head. "It's the least I could do for the two of you. What will you do from now on?"

She shrugged. "I need to think about it. At least Father made sure I had a proper education. I'll be able to figure something out."

"I see." He let out a deep breath. "If you ever need any help, you know you can contact me through the military. I'm probably going to be in the service for the rest of my life."

"For life?" Riza found herself asking with out thinking.

"Yeah. I can't really see myself getting into court politics at this point, and I seem to be pretty good at the military stuff. I think I can help protect the people of the country that way. As long as I can do that, I think I'll be happy." Roy ran a hand through his hair. "That's the reason I wanted to become an alchemist. Even though I wasn't able to learn your father's techniques in the end. Sorry, I don't mean to ramble on about my foolish dreams."

"I think it's a wonderful dream." Riza hesitated a moment then continued, "The research my father left behind, he said that it would be impossible for an average alchemist to decode."

Roy blinked. "So he left behind his manuscripts after all?"

"No." Riza bit her lip. "They're not manuscripts. He said it would be a problem if his research fell into the wrong hands or was lost."

Roy was frowning now. "Then how did he leave them behind?"

"That dream of yours, that there can be a future where we all can live in happiness, can I entrust my back to it."

There was something in his eyes now. She could tell he was close to understanding. Riza carefully unbuttoned her jacket. She had deliberately worn a blouse that would show part of her back. Turning away from Roy, she slipped the jacket off, knowing that some of the crimson lines on her back would be visible to him. Riza heard a sharp intake of breath, and before she could speak, she found herself wrapped in a backwards hug. Roy held her tightly against his chest, and his face was buried in her hair.

"I'm sorry, Riza. I'm sorry. He shouldn't have done this to you. You're not notebook paper."

She was startled. Of all his possible reactions, she had not foreseen him being upset for her. When she had agreed to accept her father's research, she had not known exactly what it had entailed, and by the time she did, it was too late to refuse. Riza relaxed a little in Roy's embrace, and he pulled away somewhat. Soon Riza could feel gentle fingers tracing the markings on her neck and the top of her shoulders. She pulled away from him then, moving to draw the curtains and then sitting done on the couch. Roy seemed confused until she started removing her blouse.

"You'll need to see the entire thing."

Riza had seated herself so he couldn't see her front and discarded her blouse. She felt the couch dip with Roy's weight, and then his careful fingers touched her back again. Roy's fingers felt so different than her father's. Roy's touch was warm and extremely gentle as if he was afraid he would break her.

"Are you sure about this, Riza?"

She nodded. Roy took a deep breath.

"All right. Let's get started."

Theme: Ink