Hiii, guys! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everybody! Here's your Christmas present:) Enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 12
Don't tell me it's too much aftershave
"What do you mean?" Riza asked as she moved her glance from an automatic gun hanged on the wall.
"I mean we are locked in. We have to wait for someone to come in and open the door."
"Can't you draw a circle and open the door?"
"I have no chalk or pen." He shrugged and went to look over the window. "And we are too far from the ground." Roy said and smirked. He wasn't the one to stress over situations like this one. Riza seemed worried as her happy face transfigured in a distressed one.
"I did it again." She said looking down. Roy wanted to say something but Riza continued: "It's Christmas's Eve and we can't celebrate it like normal people at home, because I wanted to enter a forbidden room and now both of us will be in trouble as soon as someone finds us here. Sorry. The only thing I do is getting us into trouble and you always find a way to make it right…"
"C'mon, Hawkeye-"
"No, Roy. I promise to you there will be a time when I will get you out of trouble!" She said decisively, her eyes burning. Riza was intriguing him sometimes. He decided not to contradict her as she seemed angry already and they were surrounded by dangerous weapons. He didn't want to test Riza's limits.
"Whatever. Have you calmed down?"
"Yes, I think so. We'd better hide under the table so when someone's coming we won't be seen. I know that my grandpa is the Fuhrer and that no one can do anything to us, but I feel bad for entering here." She explained and hid under the table. It had a table cloth on it so you couldn't tell someone was hiding under it.
"So the plan is: we hide under the table until someone notices the door is locked and repairs it?" He asked himself and hid near Riza. She was hugging her knees as the table wasn't very tall. He decided not to complain. He had to make her feel better without telling her that directly. He could tell she was feeling guilty. Before he could talk to her, she asked:
"Have you learnt new things? From my father."
"Oh, yes. Lots of things.. You know, I've thought about something…"
She arched an eyebrow and looked at him. She knew her father was skilled indeed, but she couldn't bring herself to imagine her father being a good teacher. He wasn't the social type.
"If you want, I can teach you alchemy. I don't think you would be that bad at it." He said and ruffled his messy hair.
"Thank you, but no. I have my own beliefs about it. The only good thing alchemy brought to me is you." They both smiled. Riza had her own life experiences about alchemy. And for sure they weren't pleasant. They both flinched. Someone was trying to open the door. They stood silent for a while, their hearts rushing. After ten minutes the door opened. A man spoke.
"I only have to fix this knob here."
"Well, hurry up. We have something important to discuss here." The voice of an older man resounded. Roy lifted a bit the tablecloth and saw the feet of three men. One of them was repairing the door and the other two were dressed in military clothes. Riza gestured to him to be careful. Roy let down the cloth and continued to listen.
After the repairman fixed the knob, he left and closed the door after him. The two militaries sat down at the table. Roy and Riza crowded into each other so the militaries won't hit them with their feet. Riza was very restless, but her eyes widened in surprise as Roy whispered to her 'I'm going to sneeze.' She shook her head and mimed on her lips 'Don't think about that.'
He really tried not to as the men started to speak.
"So what were you saying about Kimblee, sir? You said you know him?"
Roy and Riza frowned.
"Yes. We fought in the same frontline. He was kicked out of the military after he had that access in front of the Fuhrer." The old man informed the younger one. "He was sure that after the Mustangs died he would be promoted. But he was wrong and when he was told he wasn't going to advance in rank…"
Riza bit her lips. Roy closed his eyes and frowned, focusing on the discussion. "Yes, but the others claim that he himself killed the Mustangs."
"Rumors. We can't be sure of anything. All we know is that he's going directly into jail right now. He was implied in a fight or something. He kidnapped the Fuhrer's granddaughter. That's what I've heard. He is in East right now."
"What about his son?"
"They couldn't blame him for anything. He's only 17 and they said he acted under his father's orders so they set him free." Riza grasped Roy's shoulder annoyed by what she heard. He was to be blamed for kidnapping her. What kind of justice was that?
"But still, he had been implied…"
"Yes, in the war, Kimblee had a huge battalion by his side. People that shared his beliefs. They barely revolted against Grumman when Kimblee had been kicked out. Those people are now helping him. He has many relationships in the military, so his son isn't going to be punished."
"So he himself will be free soon enough. That's not good at all. We don't need a riot against Grumman." Roy felt Riza tensing up next to him and touched her hand on his shoulder to assure her she had no reason to worry about. She sighed silently.
The older man wanted to say something more, but they both flinched from the table as Roy sneezed loudly.
"Who's there?" The young man asked pointing a gun to the table. Roy and Riza gulped and crawled outside the table. Both men were now pointing guns at them. They got up. "Who are you?! This room isn't for outsiders."
"We were just looking…" Riza said looking at the weapons from the walls. "The Fuhrer permitted us to explore the Headquarters but we kind of got lost and the door was locked and…."
"We won't tell anyone about what we've heard if you don't tell anyone you've seen us." Roy said stepping in front of Riza as he did not like at all how that man was pointing the gun at her.
"Let's let them leave. They are only some kids." The older man nodded."Go away." The younger officer said and Roy and Riza got out of the room. Outside, they could finally sigh in relief as they walked away from the room. "He is planning a riot in the military. Should we…"
"No, I don't think we should worry. These are only rumors. There are much more soldiers who aren't by his side, so…" He stopped in midsentence and ruffled his hair. "Sorry. I shouldn't have sneezed."
"It's okay. It's probably because you use so much aftershave." "What do you mean, Hawkeye? You seemed to be enjoying it…"
She blushed. How that he knew that?
"Well, let's just say I don't detest it." She answered and crossed her arms.
"That's-that's good." He nodded and they both continued to walk. Their awkward silence was interrupted by Rebecca who had a huge smile spread on her face.
"Oh my God, I met so many handsome soldiers! I even saw them while shooting! Where have the two of you been? Why do you have those guilty expressions?"
"N-No, we don't guilty expressions." Roy said and hoped he sounded more serious than he thought. "We only looked at some guns." Riza approved nodding.
"You weirdoes, you started to have little secrets. Who knows what the two of you have done in this meanwhile. But it's only your business." Rebecca said and blew a kiss to them. Roy and Riza blushed again. Neither of them could understand why everyone thought they were a couple.
Did they really look like one? And if so, they didn't care. Rebecca and Izumi's theories were funny anyway and they had gotten used to them by now. The three of them lingered a little more around the HQ until the Fuhrer said that he had finished his business.
The Christmas day passed slowly. Riza enjoyed the family vibe that she hadn't felt for many years. And it was snowing too!
As in every Christmas, Rebecca and Riza gave to each other photos of both of them that they took during the last year. It was like a tradition for them.
Yesterday's evening, Roy promised her he would come to see her today. Even though Rebecca had insisted the whole day that she wanted to know what Riza bought for Roy, she refused to tell her. Rebecca annoyed her about 'the little secrets she and Roy shared', but Riza didn't mind that. She was in a too good mood. It was actually funny to listen to her.
As soon as Roy arrived, they hugged and wished to each other a Merry Christmas. Rebecca noticed he had a little bag in his hand and wondered what he had bought for Riza. The two of them entered Riza's bedroom as she insisted she had something for him. She was as nervous as he was, but he didn't let it to be seen.
"I have something for you, too." He said ruffling his hair.
"You go first." They said at the same time. "Okay, at the same time." Riza suggested. They exchanged the little boxes. Riza felt her hands getting cold as she unwrapped the silvery ribbon. She looked at Roy who was looking at her.
"You're cheating."
"I want to see your reaction." He grinned.
"Okay, I'll open it first, then." She said and hesitatingly opened it. Her eyes widened in excitement. Her heart started to rush as she saw a silver gun with a black grip. She felt so many emotions flooding her that she couldn't speak. She placed the box on the bed and held the gun inspecting it. Her eyes fixed the subtle inscription written on the gun's barrel. "My Queen." She pressed her fingers against it.
"I-I…I don't know what to say. I adore it. It's wonderful."
"Ah well, I knew you would love it." He answered as a wide smile spread on his face. She really seemed impressed. And the times Riza was nervous were extremely rare so he was proud of himself.
"But how legal is this?" She wanted to know. Teenagers weren't simply allowed to use guns when they wanted to.
"Your grandpa signed an authorization for you. It's in the box. It says you are allowed to use-" He couldn't finish the phrase as she threw her arms around his neck.
"I love it." She sniffed loudly only to make him comment.
"Don't tell me it's too much aftershave…" he said amused amused.
"No. It's perfect. Everything it's perfect."
Roy really enjoyed these little moments between him and Riza. They were making his day. He adored to see her happy. He remembered the first day he had seen her. So shy and silent and adamant. Hence, now her arms were wrapped around his neck and he couldn't be happier.
She stepped back and placed the gun in the box.
"It's my turn." He said as he started to open the little box, but stopped as Riza started to giggle. "W-What?"
"Never-mind. It's quite a funny coincidence…You'll see."
He opened the box and found inside a glossy black pen. He remembered telling her that he would probably not lose all his pens if he had a special one. She had always been so considerate towards his words. But a little certain detail made him understand Riza's chuckle. It had a silver inscription against it.'My King'.
He looked in her eyes and saw she was nervous as she was playing with one of her blonde locks.
"You really listened when I said I needed a pen. I love it, really." He said as he took the lock from her fingers and put it behind her ear. She had always enjoyed when he was doing that.
"Do you really like it?" She asked, her eyes gleaming in excitement.
"More than you can imagine." He said and smiled softly to her. "You can say we've been quite telepathic."
She nodded. She was simply radiating of happiness. Their presents matched perfectly. They had both thought of each other as their match.
"I think that after you go with someone through so many things together, you kind of learn how they think." She added, playing unconsciously with his fingers. Her hands were as cold as always. As he answered, he held her hand to make it warmer.
"We've really been through many 'interesting' situations together, haven't we? I am glad we are having this." There was no need for him to specify what he was talking about. Riza knew he was referring to their relationship, about their bond.
"Aww!"
"Move a little so I can see too…aww!"
Riza drew back her hand and they both stepped back as they heard the muffles from outside the room. Riza rolled her eyes and opened it. On the floor, Izumi and Rebecca were looking through the keyhole at them. Roy slapped his face.
"Um, Merry Christmas, Riza!" Izumi shouted, got up and hugged her.
"Merry Christmas, Izumi…" She said taken aback by her gesture.
"What the hell are you doing, Iz?" Roy asked showing an exasperated face. The most dangerous thing that could happen was the encounter of his sister and Rebecca. Even though both girls loved them, was spying necessary? He realized he was extremely frustrated that their moment was interrupted. "Oh, moron. How many times do I have to tell you this? You have to share Riza with others. Oh, and Riza, you have such a lovely friend!" She added looking at Rebecca.
They all went down so they could talk more. One of the maids had even brought them biscuits and milk. Izumi and Roy left Fuhrer's place around midnight when Roy had insisted Riza was very tired. She was feeling tired indeed, but enjoyed too much the company of her friends to simply go to sleep.
When she had returned to her bedroom she sat on one side of the bed and started to inspect her new gun. My Queen. She smiled as she caressed the inscription.
Roy was in his bedroom and even though it was very late and his eyes wanted to close, he was awake looking at his pen. It still amazed him how he and Riza had thought about each other as "King and Queen" at the same time. Riza was indeed special.
He put the pen on the bed table and fell asleep thinking of her.
