Author's note: I do not own FMA or its characters. Spoilers for Hawkeye and Mustang's past. This is AU.
Plotting Out the Future
Roy sighed wearily as they packed up their camp. It was finally over. The king was finally satisfied that Ishbal had been defeated, and they were going home. Roy didn't really know how he felt about that. The war might be physically over, but it was going to be with him for a long time. He didn't thing that the nightmares were going to go away anytime soon. In some ways, Roy wasn't sure he wanted them to. As much as he hated remembering what had happened here and what he had done here, those memories gave him even more of a reason to find a way to change things and make sure this never happened again.
Those plans were still in the works. Roy knew that he was going to do it, but the details of the plan were unclear at the moment. He did know one thing though. He was going to have to get involved in court politics. It was something he had never really wanted to do, but if he was going to change the way things worked, short of starting a civil war, that was what he needed to do. Roy couldn't say he was looking forward to it though. Court politics were nasty, vicious, and underhanded. They were probably one of the worst parts of life at court, and being as far from the throne as he was, Roy had never expected to have to take part in them unless he wanted to.
Still, he would need to come up with a strategy as well as a few more allies before he started any intrigues. Roy knew that Maes and Riza would support him, but he would need more than just them. Roy frowned, beginning to draw up a mental list of people who might be of help in his efforts. He would need allies on all fronts. Riza's hands came into view as she reached over to help him finish packing up his tent. Their eyes met for a moment, then both quickly looked away. There were things that they needed to discuss, but that was better left for a safer and more private place. His plans were one of those things. His feelings were another.
Truthfully, Roy couldn't say when he started feeling more than just a general affection for Riza Hawkeye, but he knew that things were serious on his side at this point. Somehow Riza had become one of most important parts of his life. And he didn't think his feelings were going to change just because they were away from the battlefield. This was more than adrenaline and after battle lust. But if he drew her even farther into his plans, he would be putting Riza in danger. Roy wasn't sure he could do that. He wanted her safe. The idea of a world where Riza Hawkeye didn't exist terrified him.
Roy also didn't think that he could convince Riza that she should stay safe and out of his plans. No, she would refuse to let him do this alone. He couldn't blame her for that either. Roy understood that she felt that she needed to do something to help prove that her father's research was more than just something that would case death and destruction. Especially since that research was literally a part of her. Roy frowned at that thought. He and Riza needed to discuss what to do about that research. He didn't know what her feelings on the tattoo, but it did make her vulnerable, and there were people out there who would do almost anything for that information. They needed to figure out something to keep her safe, even if it was just a cover story for what happened to her father's research.
It was selfish of him, but Roy was glad that she would be at his side. Their time in the desert had taught him several things. One of them was that the nightmares were easier to deal with if she was there. There had been a few nights where they had ended up sharing a tent due to either sandstorms or the cold. Those were the nights that Roy got anything resembling rest. Even when he woke up from nightmares, there was something comforting about not being alone.
He and Riza went about the rest of their duties for the clean up before joining the others in loading the equipment into wagons and finishing the preparations to leave. Finally, it was time for them to climb into wagons themselves and head out. Roy was thankful to be sharing his wagon with Hawkeye, Maes, and Havoc. At least he knew he could trust them, and they were better company than many of the other soldiers. Then began the long march home.
Curled in the back of a wagon with Riza at his side. Roy let out a soft sigh. Havoc was driving, and Hughes was making commentary on the driving. Roy let his head drop onto Riza's shoulder, and she ran a hand through his hair.
"Get some rest," her voice was soft. "We have a lot of work to do when we get home."
She was right, but Roy was pretty sure as long as he had her on his side, that they would manage.
Theme: Future
