AN: HAPPY ROYAI DAY! wow so it's been a very long time since we updated and for that I can only apologise. Here's the next chapter, another update will come soon but probably not for another week or so while I finish up my exams. Enjoy! ~EmpressofBread

Riza stepped out of the station and glanced up at the grey sky warily before looking back down at the card she had clutched in her hand. She shoved it into her pocket with a huff and started off down the street. It was the third time she had checked it in the last five minutes. She couldn't understand why she was so nervous, she and Roy were friends. Yes, her visit was unexpected but they had been sending each other letters ever since he arrived at academy. So why was she so nervous? You know why. She shook her head to try to dispel the doubt circling her mind. She couldn't think of any reason why Roy wouldn't want to see her; if there was why did he give her his address? A low rumble of thunder sounded in the distance and Riza could feel drops of rain on her head. She quickly ducked inside a small café, deciding to wait until the rain had passed before continuing.

She ordered her drink and sat down at a table in the corner, staring absent-mindedly into the dark liquid filling her cup. Her eyes shot upwards as cackling laughter erupted from a table of women a few meters away from where she sat. They looked to be a bit older than her and Riza discounted them quickly, not wanting to get involved in their gossiping. That was, however, until she heard a familiar name resonate from their chatter.

"I heard you went on a date with that Roy Mustang guy." Said one of the women on the table.

Riza frowned slightly. Why where they talking about him as if he was well known? It must be a different man who just happened to have the same name. But what if it wasn't? Her frown deepened. Did it matter if he'd been on a date? He was perfectly entitled to do so. Then why did Riza feel her stomach twisting in sickly knots at the thought?

The other women's jaws dropped, their eyes wide. "Roy Mustang?" One of the women managed to splutter out, "As in the Flame Alchemist?"

The woman who these comments were being directed at had a smug look plastered on her face, "The very same."

Alarm bells went off in Riza's mind. There was no doubt about it now, it was definitely the same guy, but why where they calling him the flame alchemist? She didn't know much about the military but she had been researching while Roy was away and it sounded a lot like a state alchemist title. But he hadn't told her. She had to resist the urge to slam down her mug as she quickly exited the café and stormed off down the street in search of Roy's apartment. As she reached his building and climbed to the top of the stairs thoughts were whizzing around her mind like a swarm of bees; you honestly didn't expect him not to find anyone else, how naïve are you? You're just his teacher's daughter, you were friends then, nothing more. Why are you surprised? Before she knew it she was at his door and ringing the doorbell. Her hand froze above the button. What was she going to say to him? Did he even want her there? She clenched her hands into fists at her sides and turned to head back down the stairs this was a mistake when an all too familiar voice stopped her.

'Riza?' She turned to look into the face of her only friend and couldn't help but smile. He still had the same look about him, determined and ambitious, but as her eyes scanned the rest of his body she noticed how much he had grown up; he was no longer the small, scrawny boy who came to her house all those years ago, he was a soldier.

'I…uh….I just wanted to come by and see how you were getting on.' She scolded herself when her voice shook.

'That's so nice of you,' a huge grin spread across his face. 'I've been so busy recently I haven't had a chance to write you a proper letter,' he paused suddenly, his face dropping slightly, a hand coming up to brush the back of his head nervously. 'You should have told me you were coming.'

Riza opened her mouth to speak but was silenced by a voice from inside the apartment. 'Roy? Who's at the door? I haven't finished telling you about Lulu's party!'

Roy shot Riza an apologetic look and reached out to take her hand, a serious expression on his face.

'It's not what you think. She-' Riza wrenched her hand out of his grip 'Don't. Just stop it, Roy.'

Roy was filled with regret when he saw the look of betrayal pouring out of her like an open wound and went to reach for her again.

'Please, Riza.' She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head ever so slightly and wiped her features of emotion before speaking in a cold voice.

'There's nothing to say, Mr Mustang, you're clearly fine here and you certainly don't need me for anything.' She turned away and started to walk off but paused at the corner. 'Sorry, how rude of me,' her words stuck in his chest like ice. 'I suppose I should congratulate you, Flame Alchemist.' Roy's mouth dropped open and he couldn't focus enough to form words to stop her. He couldn't snap out of his state of shock to go running after her, pull her around, tell her that it was only his sister and that he couldn't have done any of it without her and he missed her so much it felt like a piece of him was missing, that food tasted bland when it wasn't cooked by her and that his apartment felt empty and cold without her comforting presence. But all he could do was watch as she walked away, eyes dry but heart breaking inside.