In Sickness and in Health
Roy loved it when Riza got sick.
He was not mean-spirited; he hated seeing her suffer. But a part of him, the part that didn't like getting shot at, kind of liked her more docile personality—a personality that was only evoked by a slight illness. Like the common cold.
One of the many great things about Riza was the fact that she always adapted. She improvised. In this case, she determined to work, despite her symptoms (unlike the rest of her colleagues, who were all currently taking the week off).
She was sitting at her desk, filing yet more paperwork. Roy stood and stretched, his military uniform was uncomfortable. She didn't even glance up as he walked over to her desk. She felt miserable; her nose was stuffy, she had a mild headache (not necessarily painful, just enough to make it harder to focus). She didn't react when he placed his hands on her desk and began speaking to her.
She listened, sort of. He droned on and on about his last date. She kept scribbling on the page, intent on at least getting some work done for this outfit. Normally, she probably would have snapped at him to get back to work; but right now, she was just too tired.
That was exactly what Roy wanted.
He plowed on through the mindless drivel, hoping to catch the sniper off guard. "Anyways, like I said, this girl she was really annoying; kept talking about wanting to get married someday with her true love. 'Partners for life!'" Roy glanced sideways at his lieutenant. "So what do you think about that, Hawkeye?"
"Hn," she replied noncommittally. She had heard every word he said; she just hadn't really paid that much attention to it.
Roy's scheme proved successful. He suppressed a smirk.
"I think you and I should be life partners, Hawkeye."
Riza's attention wasn't piqued. She kept writing, although his statement did gain a snort of dry humor. She stared at the page, "Sir, you and I are already 'life partners'. Stuck in the military, remember? It's not like we can just leave anytime."
"I thought you'd say that, Lieutenant." Roy walked back to his desk smirking openly. Success!
Riza finished the report she had edited; she stapled the papers together and placed them neatly into the stack of finished work. She stretched and grabbed a tissue.
It was only as she was coughing into the fabric that she realized what Roy had said.
She sank heavily into her chair, the memory replaying in her head.
Without another thought she stood and strode to her superior's desk. "Sir, what did you—" she began.
"Yes."
"Sir?"
"Yes. I did ask you that."
Riza inwardly gasped. Her mask dropped for a moment, and her expression was one of absolute confusion.
"So then you mean—"
"Yes." Roy stood from his desk and grabbed the blonde woman by the shoulders. "I asked if you would marry me, Riza."
Riza stared into his black eyes with disbelief. Slowly, she turned around and walked back to her desk. When she reached it, she extended her right hand and began toying with the grain of the wood. Roy smiled in anticipation. Yes, everything was going according to plan. She would turn around with happy tears in her eyes and slowly say, "Roy, of course I want to m—"
"Sir."
Roy stopped the creepy daydream. Riza's voice was cold and harsh; the same tone she used when she punished Hayate. Roy frowned. He hadn't expected this…
"I told you," she paused. Roy gulped. Told him what? His every dream and fantasy froze as he considered what might happen if she said no.
"I told you," she turned slowly, happy tears in her eyes as she slowly said, "We're already partners for life, Roy Mustang."
His obsidian eyes widened with shock. "You're saying—?"
"Yes." It was her turn to interrupt him. She walked up to him and stared up into his eyes. "Yes, I'll marry you, Roy."
One of the many great things about Riza was the fact that she always adapted. Whether it was facing a cold or a proposal, she always managed to knock Roy off his feet.
A/N: another Royai chapter, as promised! I hope that you liked it! If you did, feel free to give me your input. I love reviews!