an: if you're still doing prompts, can i ask you to consider one where roy's dogsitting and starts talking to hayate about how much he loves riza and how he wants to marry her. idiot doesn't know that she's just conveniently come home and is short circuiting in the corner – anon
"Here, boy," Roy commanded to his charge, slapping his thigh. Hayate followed him into Riza's living room, out of the kitchen. Roy sat on her couch and Hayate sat obediently by his feet. Roy cocked his head and looked at the pup, causing Hayate to copy him. After a moment's deliberation, Roy patted his lap and motioned for the dog to jump up. Hayate shifted in place and whined, obviously unsure. "I won't tell if you won't, boy," Roy whispered conspiratorially with a grin, bending forward to lift Hayate onto his lap.
Riza was adamant he wasn't allowed up on the furniture, but technically this wasn't the furniture. It was Roy's lap and he wanted the comfort from the pup. Plus, Roy knew for a fact that Hayate was allowed up on the furniture, because Roy had seen him up on Riza's couch countless times before when she was home. Perhaps she just didn't trust him not to let Hayate run riot in her house while she wasn't home… The cheek!
Hayate made himself comfortable and settled on Roy's lap, his head resting on Roy's knees. Sighing happily, Roy sat back in place and ran his hands over Hayate's fur. He loved this little dog as if it was his own. In a way, he snickered to himself, he was Roy's dog. No one could know about it right now, of course, but he and Riza had been together forever and that hadn't changed since the Promised Day happened. They'd grown closer – in every way possible – and the thought made Roy grin.
"How are you doing, boy?" Roy asked, bending forward to look at Hayate's face. He let out a sigh and Roy laughed in response, rubbing his head vigorously. "Yeah, I miss her too." He'd only been dog sitting for two hours but he still missed Riza. Ever since they'd hooked up – discreetly, of course – every moment apart was agony. Riza had rolled her eyes at his dramatic claim, making Roy grin. He'd smile, because claims like that always drew a smile out of her too, and it was a wonderful sight.
But he still moped and pouted when she had to go somewhere without him.
Maybe he was just whipped. Roy chuckled. He was definitely whipped. He missed his girlfriend, so sue him. Well, his girlfriend, who wasn't really supposed to be his girlfriend, but they'd both said fuck it and done it anyway. Roy snickered again at the pun.
Roy's eyes roamed around Riza's apartment and noted the photos she had placed on her coffee table. There were photos of them both, professional and personal. There was the team. Rebecca was in there too. Then there was the photo Winry had sent each of them of her new family. Roy's smile turned into a grin after seeing that one. He hadn't got around to finding a frame for his yet, so it was pressed in a book in his bookcase to keep it tidy and clean. He was so proud of those kids. He would've never admitted it to Edward or Alphonse, but they did feel like sons to him. Riza felt the same way. She was the only person who was aware of just how much Roy cared for them, and vice versa.
He grinned again. Despite all they'd been through, he was happy Riza was still there with him. It felt wonderful to share his life with her, even when they weren't together. He hadn't exactly told Riza how much she meant to him yet, but something told Roy she already knew. Still, it was different to hear it in person. Perhaps he should do it soon…
"Y'know," Roy began, using both hands to pet Hayate's fur. "I really do love Riza, Hayate," he told his canine companion. "I'm so happy she hasn't kicked me out on my ass yet," he chuckled. "God knows I deserve it after all the headaches I've caused her," he grinned. "But no, she truly is a gem and I honestly don't know what I'd do without her." Roy leaned forward again, watching as Hayate's eyes looked up at him. "What would you say to me marrying her?" he mused aloud. Roy had spotted the joke gift he'd given her one Christmas. It was a sign that said, "all visitors must be approved by the dog before entering", and it hung up on her wall. It looked tacky as hell, Roy had to admit, but it was a joke and he hadn't expected her to hang it up, of all things. "Hm?" he prompted the dog.
Hayate sighed but his tail began to wag, the fur brushing over Roy's stomach. That had to be a good sign, right?
Raising an eyebrow, Roy stared down at the dog. "A yes or a no would be great, buddy," he joked. Hayate let out a quiet yip, lifting his head to lick Roy's cheek. A grin broke out over his face. "I'll take that as a yes," he replied proudly. Sitting back, Roy beamed. "I'll ask her to marry me then. I just need to find the perfect time –"
"Married?" a startled voice cried out in disbelief.
Roy froze. The hands petting the dog stopped and Hayate looked behind him, whining for Roy to continue. Obviously seeing Riza drew his attention away, and Hayate hopped down off the couch and padded over to his stunned master.
Standing in a flash, he whipped around, panicking slightly. Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit! "Uh…" Roy stated eloquently.
"Married?" Riza stuttered again. Roy blinked at her, the panic within him dying down when he noticed the state she was in. Her mouth was opening and closing like a goldfish in her surprise. Her eyes were wide and, he hated to say it, slightly crazed.
"Uh… surprise?" he grinned sheepishly.
That seemed to throw her over the edge because her eyes almost bugged out of her head. Roy felt a laugh bubbling inside of him. He'd never seen her so surprised before. It seemed like her brain was short-circuiting, unable to restart and function again after hearing that titbit of information. The laugh left him, and that caused Riza to frown. Then glare.
"I'm sorry," Roy replied through his giggle. He approached her hurriedly, gripping her biceps gently in his hands as he gazed into her eyes. "I didn't even realise you were home." She wasn't supposed to be back for another hour, that's the only reason he was talking to Hayate about marrying her. Whoops.
"Married?" she stated again, disbelieving.
Roy nodded, his sheepish grin returning. "Not the most conventional way to ask – and not the way I planned to ask at all – but it's out there now. So… What do you say?" he asked expectantly.
"Married."
Roy felt his laughter bubbling back up again. That seemed to be the only word she could say. Her, Riza Hawkeye, his Captain, reduced to one word and completely speechless outside of that. It was entertaining, and Roy was glad he'd been the one to do it. This was unprecedented. He never thought this could be done! Gleefully, he was taking great pleasure in bringing her to this state, so shocked she couldn't believe what he was saying.
"Yes. Riza Hawkeye, will you marry me?" he asked, his voice soft.
"Married…"
Roy rolled his eyes fondly at her, drawing Riza into his embrace.
"Married," he confirmed, apparently finally speaking her language.
There was a long pause before she replied, and it had begun to set Roy on edge, but everything was right with the world when she finally replied.
"Yes," she whispered, the grip on him tightening as she squeezed him, and her voice cracking in her joy. Roy grinned and returned the tight embrace, kissing her temple in response.
"Married," he confirmed with the happiest smile on his face.
