Hello!
Sorry I haven't updated in a bit but here's an awesome new chapter for you! I love it so much I just got so excited while writing it!
It's Roy and Riza's picture and after some thought about what the hell was going on in the picture, this chapter was easy to write. I HATE that Riza cut her hair and for all you anime watchers out there NO, Roy does NOT have a little douchebag mustache in here. (Just wanted to rip that thing off of his face when I saw it)
Enjoy!
Riza stared into the foggy mirror in front of her and ran her fingers ruefully through her hair. She did not mind her long locks but they were beginning to feel like a hindrance to her again.
I should probably cut it, Riza thought as she twisted a lock around one of her slender fingers.
She then pulled down the tall collar of her pajama top and stared at the pale bandages that wrapped around her throat, just over the healing scars. Brushing the area where her throat had been slit on a few days prior made her cringe slightly. Even though Mei Chang had healed some of the initial wound, Riza was supposed to be on bed rest for another few days; but she could not and would not take the day off today. Gently, she unwrapped the bandage and set it onto the sink before stripping of her clothing and entering the hot water of the shower.
Today would be the day where the memorial for Fuhrer King Bradley and his son Selim would be held. The entire memorial would be put on the airwaves for the entire country to hear. The memorial was mainly something for the greater population who only knew the version of the was sent over the airwaves a few days ago; plenty of military staff knew the true version and were only playing along.
After stepping out of the shower and putting her bath robe on, Riza put a small amount of healing cream on her scar before rewrapping a fresh piece of gauze around her neck.
Suddenly, something cold and wet pressed to Riza's foot, surprising her and causing her to jump back away. Hayate stood a few steps away from she stood a moment ago, looking concerned at his master. Letting out a small sigh, Riza moved forwards and lowered her self to that she could look into his dark eyes.
"Good morning," she said quietly with a smile as she rubbed his head; Hayate barked in response.
In the kitchen, after going through Hayate's daily obedience check, Riza fed Hayate and began a breakfast of her own.
Once done with breakfast, Riza moved to her bedroom to grab her formal military wear along with the proper under garments. Carefully, Riza pulled her tight brown turtle neck over her head and over her bandages. She could still see the edge of the white material poking through the neck of the shirt but hoped that her uniform ops high collar would hid the bandage. After Riza had finished with putting on her clothes, she went to work on her hair. She picked up her brown hair clip but did not put her hair in it yet; should she choose to cut her hair again or to keep it long, submitting to vanity over efficiency?
Because Riza had taken longer than average and because of the unusually cold and biting winds, Riza chose to drive to work that day. It was not something she did often, (driving around was still a luxury to her), but as she hardly ever used her recently acquired car, she felt like today was a good day to use it.
Riza knew the ceremony would be taking place at the newly repaired parade grounds but would not start for over another hour. The reconstruction of Central Command was coming along quite nicely; alchemists could be seen all around the remains of Central Command, slowly fixing bit by bit of the once grand building. Riza could not help but smile sadly at the sight of the hard-working alchemists.
Edward probably could have fixed all of this in a day, Riza thought.
But she knew that the price for an alchemy-free life had a great reward in Alphonse regaining his body. The two brothers were still in Central, recovering from the hard battle. Edward could have left a day or two ago after his wounds had healed and the bolts from his automail had been surgically removed but there was no doubt about him staying until his brother had healed. Riza had gone to see Alphonse and was alarmed but his emaciated state but the doctors all assured her, along with many other worried friends, that Alphonse would be fine after some food and rest.
Riza stop the car in an empty parking space, cut the engine, and got out, Hayate jumping out behind her.
"Excuse me, Mr. Elric, you have a visitor," said a nurse, popping her head through the hospital room door.
Lying on the only bed in the room was Alphonse; still extremely thin and weak looking but better than what he had been only a few days ago. Several different tubes fed into his body, giving him nutrients his body desperately needed as fast as possible. Sitting next to Alphonse in a chair pulled close to the bed was his Edward. Almost all of his injuries had healed but was looking a bit tired; probably from staying up so late to watch over Alphonse.
"Oh, let them it," Al said pleasantly.
At the sight of who their guest was, Edward scoffed and said, "Well look what the dog dragged in."
"Hello to you too Fullmetal," Roy Mustang said with his customary smirk.
"I'm not a dog anymore," Ed growled.
"Well as you are yet to hand in your resignation papers I'm afraid that as for now you still are."
"Whatever," Ed mumbled, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair. "What are you doing here anyways? Isn't there some big thing for Bradley that you should be attending?"
"Am I not allowed to visit you and your brother in the hospital after years of waiting to see if you'd attain your goal?"
"…I hear that you've chosen to put off achieving your goal Mustang," Ed said quietly, staring straight at Roy.
"Yes Edward," Roy said after a heavy sigh. "I have chosen to let Lieutenant General Grumman become the Fuhrer. Perhaps in a few years I shall become Fuhrer."
"Hmp…well if then I should let you know that you won't be getting your money back," Ed said with a smug smile.
"I wouldn't think of asking for it before I have achieved my goal Edward," Roy said before taking a step forward and turning to Alphonse. "I see that you're look better."
"Feel a lot better too," Al said with a big smile that forced smiles onto the other two men in the room. "But I think I can understand why Brother always hates the hospital food now; it's terrible."
"Well hopefully you'll be getting out soon."
"Yeah, but not for a while," Al said. "Not until I've gain some more weight."
"I assume you two are leaving for Resembool once you are released," Roy said with a smile.
"Duh," Ed answered.
"Well I'm sure Miss Rockbell will be quite pleased to see you two," Roy said with a lingering smile towards Edward, who felt his face heat up slightly at the look Roy gave him.
What the Hell does he think he knows? Ed thought, glaring at the man who continued to look particularly amused at Edward.
"Anything else?" Ed growled at the man and his laughing eyes.
"Not really. Just stopped by while I had the chance before you two ran off again; who knows when the next time I might see you again."
"Right, what a tragedy it would be if you went too long without verbally abusing me," Ed said, voice rich with sarcasm.
"Oh brother…" Al sighed.
"Well, I hope you heal up soon Alphonse."
"Thank you General."
"And remember Edward, resignation papers-."
"Yeah, yeah I got it."
"And I'll be wanting my 520 cenz back soon."
"Right," Ed said with a small smile.
Roy gave a small nod to the two before turning on his heal and exiting the room. Just as the door swung closed, Ed muttered with a small smile, "Bastard."
"Sir, you've finally arrived," Breda said as Roy walked towards the group.
"I had to make a quick stop before coming here," Roy said as his newly fixed eyes scanned the room. "Hawkeye decided not to show up?"
"Isn't she on bed rest for another few days?" Falman asked.
"I did not expect her to listen to those orders," Roy muttered.
"You were quite correct in thinking that," said a voice from behind him.
Turning around, Roy saw Riza walking towards them, but something looked off about her. It took another moment for Roy to realize that her long hair, usually held back by a clip, was gone. Riza's hair was cut just as it had been when Roy first met her. The other men were almost stunned into silence by this sight.
"You cut you're hair lieutenant," Furey said.
"Yes," she answered simply with a small smile to the man.
"You are supposed to be on bed-rest lieutenant," Roy said using his commanding officer tone of voice.
"You've already stated that you did not think that I would listen to those orders Sir."
"Of course," Roy said before he was cut off by a voice on the loudspeaker announcing for them to take their places on the parade grounds.
The service was given from several innocent higher-ups, mostly by the new Fuhrer Grumman. He spoke of Bradley's traits of being a great commander, a valiant fighter, and ruler and how it was unfair for his young son to be taken so early in life. Mrs. Bradley sat up on the raised platform along with the other speakers; she looked close to tears during the entire speech. After all the others had spoken, Mrs. Bradley came to the podium and spoke a few words. She said thank you to the men who protected her during the coup and said thank you to Roy Mustang for saving her life. Many of the people in the audience barely kept their composure as she began to weep before she was escorted off of the stage. Once everyone had settled down, Grumman came back to the podium to speak his last few words to them.
"Citizens of the nation of Amestris," Grumman said quietly into the microphone. "I would like to thank all of you who were able to attend today and to all who are listening at home. Thank you for your time and thank you for your cooperation during this hard time."
The audience burst into applause as Grumman returned to his seat. A few moments passed before people began to stand and mingle around. Paparazzi and reporters of newspapers and tabloids could be seen running around the scene like hawks, snapping pictures and asking for interviews from people left and right.
"How are you feeling lieutenant?" Roy asked as he got up from his seat; Riza followed his actions. "And be honest with me."
"I feel perfectly fine," Riza said.
"Good. We have plenty of work on our hands right now and I'll be needing your assistance."
"Of course sir," Riza said, turning to look at him.
"Are you ready to follow me again?" Roy asked, turning to look her in the eyes.
"Always," Riza said with a small smile.
Hmm...I think the ending is a bit suggestive? But really, I did want to make this story have some sort of Royai feel to it but I didn't want it to seem all forced like some rabid Royai fangirl wrote it. (NOT DISSING CRAZY FAN-GIRLS OR ROYAI.) I love Royai but I wanted these chapters to be realistic.
I loved writing when Roy visited Ed and Al...scratch that, I loved writing all of this chapter and I hope you enjoyed reading all of it too! ^^
Bye!
-FSK
