I transcribed a scene directly from the manga here again. You'll know it when you read it. Obviously, the dialogue and situation belong to Arakawa, because if I owned FMA, Roy and Riza would have kissed on the Promised Day. _
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The Central train station was bustling with activity as Colonel Mustang, Edward Elric, and Lieutenant Hawkeye disembarked their train. They had come from Eastern because Edward was taking his State Alchemist exam that afternoon and, as the person responsible for recruiting the boy, the colonel was expected to be there.
As his bodyguard, it went without saying that the lieutenant would accompany Mustang.
It had only been a couple of weeks since Hawkeye had returned to work, having mostly healed from the gunshot wound, and Roy wasn't happy that she had come with him. She told him he was being ridiculous with how much he was still fretting over her and assured him she was fine enough to handle a trip to Central. It was her job to watch his back and she refused to listen to his order for her to remain in East City, on the grounds of impracticality. The Drachman arms dealers were still out there somewhere and if they were angry at Mustang for almost catching them during their deal over a month ago, Roy would need to be extra cautious. Going out of town without her was too dangerous and so Roy reluctantly gave up trying to convince her to stay behind.
There would be no time to visit his family on this trip as he, Ed, and Riza had to catch the train back to East City that evening, but Roy hoped he would have a chance to see Hughes. They spoke on the phone almost every day, but getting to actually see his best friend was so much better. Plus, Hughes' calls were usually information exchanges under the guise of him calling to brag about his wife and soon-to-be-born child, though the man did genuinely love to gush, so talking like normal friends was a refreshing change Roy was looking forward to, if they had the time.
By the time Mustang, Hawkeye, and Ed arrived at Central Headquarters, Ed and Roy had to go straight to the exam arena. Riza was not allowed inside due to her rank, so she saluted to Mustang as he left with Ed, then stood outside the door to the arena to wait.
"Yo!" came a familiar cheery voice off to her left, and Riza turned to find Maes Hughes waving and walking her way. He stopped next to her and she saluted. "At ease, Hawkeye. I heard Roy was going to be in town today. I'm a little surprised he let you come with him, though I did have a feeling you'd convince him somehow. How are you feeling? That was quite the ordeal. We were all worried about you."
"I'm feeling fine, lieutenant colonel," Riza said simply. "How is Gracia doing?"
"That's good to hear," Hughes said, face lighting up at the mention of his wife. "And Gracia is doing wonderfully! It's only another month now until she's due! I'm going to be a daddy! I can't wait!" The lieutenant colonel whipped out his wallet that was full of nothing but pictures and shoved it toward Riza. "Look! Isn't Gracia just glowing? You're going to come visit us next month before the baby's born, right?"
Riza smiled at Hughes, his happiness was almost overwhelming, but a welcome diversion from the imposing seriousness of Central HQ.
"Yes, the colonel mentioned that you wanted both of us to be there so I'll be accompanying him."
"Excellent!" Hughes smiled broadly, putting his wallet of photos back into his pocket. "Now, where is Roy?"
"It took us a little longer than expected to get here from the station so we arrived with only a few minutes before Edward Elric's exam was to begin." Riza glanced at the clock on the opposite wall then looked back to Hughes. "Looks like his exam will start shortly."
"Well, I think I can spare some time until he gets out," Hughes said thoughtfully. "Mind if I join you while you wait? And by the way, you're growing your hair out? It looks good!"
Riza smiled lightly at that and laughed to herself. Roy had said the exact same thing just a few days earlier when he noticed it was now almost shoulder length.
"Of course not, sir," she replied, sitting down in one of the chairs lining the wall. "And thank you."
Hughes sat next to her and chatted animatedly about his wife. Riza just listened patiently, finding it almost endearing that he could talk about his family so much. She was genuinely happy for him, that he was able to find such happiness despite the things he had been through and done. Riza didn't think that was something she could do. Happiness wasn't meant for someone like her and she wondered how the man next to her managed to find it within himself to keep up his upbeat and joyful personality all the time.
The door opened next to Riza and the higher ranking officers that had been in attendance at Edward's exam filed out, speaking in alarmed, raised tones about the events that occurred during the exam. Things like "Mustang found that kid? Unbelievable," and "How is a brat like that able to do such a thing?" or "Attacking the Fuhrer like that...Such audacity!" reached Riza and Hughes' ears and they looked at one another before focusing back on the door, waiting for Mustang to walk out.
As soon as he did, Riza saluted and she and Hughes walked up to him.
"They all seemed to be in such a huff," Hughes said. "What happened in there?"
"Was the Fuhrer really there?" Riza added. "Did we hear that correctly?"
"We can talk about it later," Roy said, glancing back at the higher ranking officers who were still within ear shot. "Hughes, it's good to see you."
"Likewise, Roy," Hughes said, grinning as he pulled out his wallet of pictures. "And look! Gracia is looking as marvelous as ever!"
Roy groaned and glared at Hughes, but looked at the pictures anyway and agreed that his friend's wife was indeed looking well.
Roy and Maes spoke for a bit about random things as they walked toward the front of the building where Roy was supposed to meet Ed. When they arrived at the door, Hughes informed them he needed to get back to work and clasped Roy on the shoulder.
"You will be here when the baby is due, right?" Maes asked for what seemed like the fiftieth time.
"Yes, for the last time Hughes, we'll be here," Roy replied, waving his friend off.
"Good. Oh! And before I forget. Those Drachman arms dealers you were tracking ended up in Central and were caught yesterday. So you won't need to worry about them anymore. Thought you'd be happy to know that, considering what happened."
This made both Roy and Riza very relieved, not for themselves, but for each other. They had both been on edge and stressed out since Riza had been shot, though they never expressed this outwardly. Riza was constantly watching her surroundings even more carefully than normal, if that were possible, to ensure no one was hiding in the shadows waiting to try to take out the colonel again. And Roy was being extra cautious everywhere he went so that he wouldn't make the same mistake of not paying attention so Riza wouldn't have to put herself in harm's way for him again.
"That's good to hear," Roy said. "Thanks for letting us know."
"Sure thing," Maes said, turning and waving behind him as he left. "I'll see you next month!"
Mustang smirked at his friend, thankful the man hadn't told him to get a wife like he did almost every time he called, then turned to leave the building, Riza right behind him. They pushed through the glass doors and walked down the main staircase to meet Edward who was waiting for them at the bottom.
"I have to say," Mustang said casually as he, Ed, and Hawkeye walked away from Central Headquarters. "You put on quite a show back there."
"Shut up," Ed snapped. "I should charge you a spectator's fee."
Roy laughed at the young alchemist.
"You're lucky to get out of there alive after pointing a spear at the Fuhrer-President like that, even if it was just a practical joke. If you get your license, you will become a member of the military. But, if there's any doubt of your loyalty to Bradley, your license will be revoked in a second. Be careful."
"I'd say the same thing to you," Ed pointed out, glaring at Mustang, unamused. "When I pointed my spear at the president, you didn't react at all. You just sat there. Hardly the reaction of a loyal subordinate."
Mustang stared at Edward, dumbfounded, then turned to Hawkeye, pointing at Ed.
"Did you hear that?" Mustang said to Hawkeye. "Unbelievable…"
Riza sighed.
"Colonel," she said, exasperation in her tone. "In those kinds of situations, you should at least act like you're worried."
"Too bad," Roy said thoughtfully, seeming to ignore Riza's reprimand. "If you had done away with Bradley back there, it would have opened a position for me."
"Hey, hey, hey!" Ed shouted in disbelief, then grinned maliciously. "What a juicy bit of gossip. Maybe I should snitch on you to military command."
Roy just laughed, clearly unphased by his threat.
"And where would that get you?" he said, then smirked. "Besides, I've got some dirt of my own."
Edward shot Mustang a quizzical look.
"Huh?"
"'Do not create humans, do not create gold, swear absolute loyalty to the military.'" Roy quoted, turning to Ed. "Those are the three rules a State Alchemist must never break. Even though the process was incomplete, you guys did try to transmute a human being. If that were to come to light, your career would be over before it started." Roy's smirk grew almost cold toward Ed and the boy grew angry as the colonel continued. "And your brother might even be sent to the lab for study. Do you understand, squirt? You keep your past a secret and accept the license as if nothing happened. And my own stock will rise for finding such a talented alchemist."
Ed practically growled at Mustang for suggesting anything happen to Al and stopped walking, staring after the colonel in disbelief and astonishment.
"As long as your little secret stays under wraps, we both win." Roy added, continuing to walk with Riza just behind. "So don't get any funny ideas."
"WHY YOU LOUSY-!" Ed began to yell, but was cut off by Mustang laughing at him.
"You've still got a week until they announce your results, so just go back to East City and relax while you wait."
Roy and Riza continued on down the path away from Central HQ, leaving a fuming Edward behind. The boy had his train ticket and if he was so angry that he didn't want to be around Mustang, then he could find his own way back to the train station.
"Did you really need to threaten him like that?" Hawkeye asked quietly once they were far enough away that Ed wouldn't hear.
"What? He threatened me first! I was just blackmailing the blackmailer. Equivalent exchange. If he really ever did inform the upper brass of my reaction, or lackthereof, toward the Fuhrer being threatened, everything we're working toward would've been destroyed. I couldn't let that happen, even if I had to be petty and cruel to a child."
Riza didn't respond to that, agreeing with him, but still uncertain if he had to use that cruel of a threat against the boy. Using Ed's little brother as leverage was pretty low.
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Hawkeye and Mustang found themselves a ride back to the train station and arrived early, standing on the platform to wait for their train back to East. The station was much less crowded than it had been a few hours earlier so they guessed their train home would be less crowded as well. Sure enough, when the train pulled up minutes later, Roy and Riza were among only a dozen or so others that boarded the train. They took a seat in one of the cars toward the back and Riza kept glancing out the window to look for Ed, wondering if the boy would make it on time.
Ed arrived only minutes before the train was to leave, flopping breathlessly into a seat several benches behind Mustang and Hawkeye. He had run the entire way there from Central Headquarters and he was sweaty and tired because of it.
The rest of the car was empty as the train pulled away from the station, so it would be a nice and quiet ride back to East City with only them in one train car, a fact which all three of them were happy about.
About an hour into their three hour train ride, Ed stood and stomped passed Roy and Riza, grumbling something about being hungry and going to get some food, leaving Roy and Riza alone in the train car.
"He's an awfully grumpy child, isn't he?" Mustang chuckled after Ed had left.
"Well, sir, he is only twelve and a lot has happened to him," Hawkeye reasoned.
Mustang nodded and frowned at Riza.
"Yeah...I know."
A few minutes passed before Roy spoke again.
"Hey, lieutenant?" he asked quietly, gazing at Riza intently.
Riza turned her attention back to him, waiting for him to continue. Roy paused for a moment before shaking his head and turning to look out the window.
"Forget it," he grumbled, making Riza give him a curious look.
Roy could feel her eyes still on him and he looked back at her, meeting her gaze. They stared at each other for a while before a curious look overcame Roy's features and he slowly leaned forward in his seat towards her. Riza didn't realize what he was doing until his lips were on hers and her eyes widened in surprise.
The kiss was gentle and warm, but didn't last for long before he pulled back to gauge her reaction. He didn't know why he kissed her, the moment just felt right. He had found himself often thinking about kissing her again ever since the day she had been shot, wanting to do it properly, and not just because he was a desperate fool in a panicked state of mind.
But, when Riza just quietly stared at him, wide eyed, lips slightly parted, he began to fidget and worry that he had been reading her wrong the whole time. He thought she felt the same way he did, but what if she didn't see him that way? Had he just pushed his feelings on her and complicated their relationship again because he foolishly misinterpreted her?
"I'm sorry," he said quickly, looking away from her in embarrassment, fumbling over his words and unable to form complete sentences. "I don't know why I did that… I thought...I just…I'm sorry."
"Colonel," Riza said softly, and Roy turned to look at her again. She no longer looked surprised, but instead had a light blush on her cheeks, though she tried to hide it behind her stern demeanor. "I…"
Riza didn't get a chance to speak before the door to their train car opened harshly and Edward returned with a sandwich in his hand, chomping away as he slammed the door behind him and shuffled back to his seat, not even looking at Mustang and Hawkeye.
Roy and Riza both sighed and looked from Ed to each other again. Their conversation would have to wait until they got back to East.
That conversation never did come up though as the three of them parted ways at the East City train station two hours later. Riza drove Roy home, which gave them plenty of time to say something about what happened on the train, but it seemed like neither of them knew how to bring it up, both too nervous about the situation, and the consequences it could have, for them to even mention it. When they arrived at Roy's apartment, they both exited the car, Riza handing the keys to Roy saying she would walk the fifteen minutes to her own apartment because she could use the exercise and fresh air. Roy didn't argue, telling her to be careful as she left.
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Work was almost monotonous the next day due to a surprising lull in paperwork that required immediate attention. Most of the team was slacking off more than usual, with the exception of Hawkeye and Fuery who always managed to find something to work on even on days where there wasn't a pressing need to get things done.
With nothing to do, Mustang found he couldn't stop glancing over at Hawkeye, which wasn't really anything new, but the sheer number of times his eyes slid over to admire her profile was definitely out of the ordinary. Thankfully, no one else really noticed, either too busy doodling or napping to bother looking at what their colonel was up to.
As a result of the lack of things to do, the team filed out for lunch much earlier than they should have, dragging Fuery along with them despite his complaints about needing to fix a radio for the secretary office by that afternoon. This left Roy and Riza alone in the office, something which Roy took note of immediately, though Riza never looked up from the paperwork she had been going over all morning. The paperwork on her desk was for the next day, but, knowing her colonel would slack off, she had decided to get a head start so they wouldn't get behind on things.
Riza wasn't a fool. She had felt Roy's eyes on her all day and deliberately didn't divert her attention from her work so she could avoid the look she knew she would find if she met his dark gaze. Burying herself in tomorrow's paperwork was the only thing she could think of to avoid something potentially dangerous to their jobs. Unfortunately, that plan was about to backfire as Roy hadn't looked away from her since the rest of the team left. She sighed quietly, deciding she needing to find him something to do so neither of them would be distracted by the other.
Hawkeye stood from her chair and grabbed a stack of paperwork that needed signing and walked it over to the side of Mustang's desk, dropping it in front of him, doing her best to avoid meeting his eyes the entire time. Mustang was quick to notice her deliberate aversion to looking at him and he attempted to move into her line of sight to give her a questioning look. When he managed to finally meet her eyes, he was met with a look that mirrored his own, one full of affection and longing.
It wasn't clear who moved first, but they met each other halfway in a soft and gentle kiss, much like the one they shared on the train the day before, Roy's fingers weaving through Riza's hair and Riza gripping his shoulders lightly.
They pulled away, both gazing at each other with adoration, just as the team walked back in carrying trays of food. No one seemed to notice the way their superiors were looking at each other which gave Riza enough time to turn away from Roy and retreat back to her desk without anyone really seeing just how close she had been to the colonel.
The rest of the week went by in much the same manner, with Roy pulling Riza into dark corners to kiss her during working hours or stealing kisses when the others weren't in the office. Both of them were unable to hide their feelings for the other any longer and as the days wore on, their kisses grew increasingly more passionate.
A discussion about what was going on between them never happened. Neither felt like anything needed to be said. They knew how they felt about one another. They knew it was dangerous. They knew the consequences of being found out and they both felt like they didn't deserve the happiness they received by being in each other's arms, but they couldn't stop their outpouring feelings either. So instead, they continued with their clandestine trysts in the dark and never spoke about it, as if saying anything would solidify it and make it real, like it was all just some vivid dream until it was brought up.
The week went by in a blur and on Friday, the day Edward Elric's license and title came in, no kisses were shared, as they were too busy to even find a second to spare for anything other than work, until the day was finally over and Riza walked home, Roy having to stay later than the rest in order to give Edward his State Alchemist paperwork.
Riza had just finished dinner and was quietly reading a book later that evening when a knock at her door made her look up in surprise. It was quite late and she didn't think Roy would actually show up that day for her weekly dancing lessons since he had to stay late to finish paperwork and give the Elric boy his license, but she didn't know who else it would be at such an hour. She set her book down and went to open the door, finding her colonel in his usual inconspicuous casual attire for when he walked to her place, hands in his pockets, looking almost uncomfortable being there.
He looked up at her, expression serious.
"I would say I'm here to give you dancing lessons," he began with a sigh. "But actually...we need to talk."
And there it was. Confirmation that what had been happening that week had been real and not just delusions between two people in love but unable to express it because of who they were. Riza nodded stiffly and let Roy in.
"Yes, we do," she agreed quietly, closing and bolting her door once Roy entered her apartment, shedding his coat and hat and draping them over one of the chairs in the kitchen.
Before Roy could say anything, she spoke again, voice firm and determined.
"We can't keep doing this," she said bluntly, facing him head on, hoping he'd agree with her. "It's too dangerous."
Roy frowned and stepped toward to her.
"I disagree," he said, speaking just as firmly as she did, leaving no room for argument, though that never stopped Riza from trying. "I want this to continue."
"Sir," she said, unwilling to let her resolve waver. She would never forgive herself if what she felt for him ended up costing him his dreams for a brighter future. "There's too much at stake if we're caught. The fraternization laws…"
She didn't finish her sentence as Roy interrupted her.
"It's not fraternization if no one knows," he joked, smirking and taking another step toward her. "I can't keep hiding the way I feel about you," he continued, growing serious again. "I want to be with you. We'll keep things a secret. We're good at that, acting and keeping secrets. We've been doing it since you gave me flame alchemy..."
Riza frowned, feeling her determination slipping at his argument.
"But what if we're caught?" she argued, but only half heartedly, turning away from him. "I can't...I'd never live it down if I knew I was the reason you couldn't achieve your goals."
Roy finally stepped close to her, stopping in front of her and lifting her chin so she was forced to look at him.
"That's not going to happen," he said, smiling softly. "I trust you. We'll keep what's between us a secret and we won't show our affections in the office anymore."
Riza took a deep breath and let it out slowly, the trust and admiration in his eyes undoing her the longer she held his gaze.
She closed her eyes and finally nodded, desperately wanting what he was offering just as much as he did.
With that, they leaned into each other and sealed their romantic arrangement with a kiss.
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Whoo, I had no idea how to end this chapter so sorry if it's really dumb and cheesy sounding. Lol
If you couldn't tell by now, I love romantic tension to the point that sometimes when a couple gets together in a story, I almost lose interest in that pairing. But I felt like it was time to get more serious Royai action going on so voila. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for reading!