Rating: MA/18+

Pairing: Royai/Roy Mustang x Riza Hawkeye

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.

Word Count: 3.8k

Chapter Title: Safe

Summary: Royai multi-chapter/modern/BDSM AU where Riza, a cautious submissive, met Roy, an experienced Dom, and now there is sex with future romance potential / Continuing where we left off at Grumman's ball, Riza is catching her breath on the veranda when Roy finds her.

Note: There's no smut this chapter, but the next one, which should be sooner than AN ENTIRE YEAR (so sorry), will have it.

Riza

Oh my God.

Oh my God!

I grab the railing with both my hands and throw my head back.

I can't believe I said that! What's more, I can't believe he's even here!

If I'd known he was coming, I would've done what he asked. Not because I didn't want to get caught, but because I would've felt safe with him, so it would've been okay. But on the other hand, if he'd come with me like I had asked, it would've been as Roy Mustang, my boyfriend, and there wouldn't have been any need for me to wear it anyway.

Another wave of heat washes over me, and I press my hand to my neck as I try to slow my breathing. It's a stupid thing to have a panic attack over, really. Using my safe word. But then I guess panic attacks aren't known for being logical.

"Riza?"

I flinch when I hear his name, my head jerking toward his voice to see him walking out onto the veranda.

"I needed some air," I whisper, quickly shifting my eyes away from him.

"You used your safe word," he reminds me, as if I can't get the sound of my own voice hissing it at him out of my head.

"You cornered me," I murmur, my hands gripping the railing even tighter.

He walks closer, and my spine straightens. Immediately, I feel tears build behind my eyes. I mean, he's Roy. It's not like I'm afraid of him or something. I trust him completely.

Except…

"Riza, are you okay? Your face is very flushed…"

"I'm fine," I whisper. "Well, not 'fine,' but physically, I'm okay."

"As your security detail, that's good to hear," he says quietly. "As your boyfriend, I'm still a concerned."

I sigh and turn completely to face him.

"I'm not certain what I said exactly that upset you," he continues in that low, soft tone, "but I'd like to apologize, and if you'll explain it to me, I want to avoid ever doing it again."

"Thank you," I nod, looking back out over the courtyard. "The truth is I'm not incredibly fond of this crowd—neither the number of people nor which people they are specifically. I don't have anything against them really, I just…don't fit in with them. I get nervous at high society functions. I wasn't brought up in this life, and I don't think I'll ever be used to it," I start explaining. "I asked you to come because you're my boyfriend, but also because I feel safe with you."

"You do?"

"Of course, I do." I frown at him. "If I didn't feel safe with you, I could hardly let you do the things you do to me when we're alone."

"I guess that's a good point."

"That said, what just happened while we were dancing?" I turn to look at him. "That didn't make me feel safe."

He grimaces. "I noticed."

"When you asked me to wear the toy, I didn't love the request," I remind him. "I tried to convince myself it would be okay, and that I didn't want to disappoint you, and, the truth is, I was turned on by the idea. Mostly the idea of wearing it, not wearing it here to this ball, though."

"Mmm."

"I almost used my safe word then," I admit quietly. "But I was hoping never to have to use it at all. Just now…you blindsided me. I didn't know you were coming, and given how unpleasant I knew this night was going to be for me without you, I decided I would spare myself the added worry of having the plug and take a punishment when I saw you again. But then you were here, and you started asking me about it in the middle of a group of people that already made me uncomfortable and one that includes my grandfather –"

"Fuck," he mutters softly. "I see why that was a problem. I'm sorry."

"I tried to ask you to wait until we were alone…"

"I shouldn't have pushed. I wasn't thinking about the people around us or how you might be feeling about the setting. I was just thinking about you."

"I know," I tell him. "But I needed you to listen to me, and my safe word was the only thing I could think of in the moment."

"Well, it worked."

"I hope I never have to use it again." I sigh.

"I guess it's good to know you can if you need to." His hand touches my back, and I lean into him as his arms slide around my shoulders.

"If you'd like to go back down, we can."

"Truthfully, I think I'm fine right here," he whispers above my head.

"Aren't you working?"

"My job is to keep you safe, and I feel like I'm doing that pretty well. I have men keeping an eye on us, so no one can sneak up on us or anything. What about you? Do you feel safe with me now, Riza?"

I relax into his arms, turning my cheek against his lapel.

"Yes," I confess, my heart rate finally slowing. "I've never felt safer."

"Oh, by the way," he adds with the hint of laughter. "I ran into Rebecca earlier, and I have a funny story."

"What did she do now?" I ask, looking up at him.

"Not really what she did as much as who her boyfriend is."

"Jean? Why does that matter?"

"Well, you remember my employee who was worried his girlfriend might be pregnant?"

"Yeah—wait. No. You're kidding." I turn in his arms to look up at him. "Jean works for you?"

"Only on days when he's not panicking about his girlfriend."

"Oh my God. What are the odds?"

He sighs, tilting his head back. "If only I'd known, I could've told him weeks ago. Of course, then I would've had to explain how I knew, which could've been more information than I wanted to share at the time."

"Rebecca wanted us to go on a double date. Did I ever tell you that?"

"What? No."

"Well, she did. Would it be too awkward? Going on a date with one of your employees? And me and Rebecca of course."

"Maybe, but they're both going to need something to distract them from impending parenthood, so I might can manage it."

"Rebecca will be thrilled," I murmur, turning my head to look out at the courtyard again.

I shift my weight from one foot to the other and wince as feeling rushes back to my pinched toes.

"Are you okay?" Roy's hand lightly grips my elbow, and I sigh.

"I'm fine except my feet are killing me," I confess. "Honestly, heels aren't really my preference for footwear."

"Why don't you take them off then?"

My eyebrows rise, and I wave my hand toward the door behind him.

"I can't just go barefoot at Governor Grumman's birthday ball. I have to keep up appearances and–"

"You can put them back on when we go back downstairs," he interrupts quietly. "But for right now, it's just us, and you know you don't have to put on airs for me."

"Oh." I nod. "Well, if you really don't mind…"

Using his arm for balance, I lift one foot behind me and fiddle with the strap until it comes loose. Dropping the shoe on the ground, my barefoot lands on the cool concrete, and I gasp, ignoring the sudden loss of five inches of height, before I lift my other foot and repeat the process.

"So these are uncomfortable?" Roy bends down and snags my discarded heels.

"Extremely," I exhale, leaning back on the railing, my toes wiggling free beneath the skirt of my dress. "But only when I have to put my weight on them for long periods of time. I mean, eventually my toes go numb, but the second I take the weight off, they hurt like hell."

He gives me a shifty look before tilting his head at my heels, and a tingle runs down my spine.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing," he replies casually. "Just imagining how you'd look wearing these during our play."

"I'm sorry, what?" I blink.

"You chose to disobey me and take a punishment, yes?" He lowers my shoes and faces me.

"I mean, I did, but–"

"That was the choice you made before you and I ran into each other here, so I think it should still stand. In which case, I have to find a way to punish you."

Heat races up my neck, and I reach for my heels.

"Roy, that's not–"

"They're painful but only if you put weight on them. How are they the rest of the time you're wearing them?"

"Well, they're not fuzzy slippers," I hiss. "They pinch a little, and the ankle strap isn't the most comfortable thing ever, but it's manageable if I have to do it."

"So, it wouldn't be painful to wear them, say, on your knees in my bed? Just a little uncomfortable?"

"Are you really doing this now?" I frown at him.

"We're alone," I remind her.

"There's no other punishment you can think of?"

"Well, I already have the image in my head, so I'm pretty determined to see it in reality at this point."

"Fine." I grab the shoes and pull them out of his fingers. "I'll bring them to our next session," I whisper.

"Don't worry, Riza," he murmurs quietly. "Remember you're always safe with me, and I never deliver a punishment that isn't followed by pleasure."

My thighs squeeze together, and I bite my lip.

"Well, that is comforting." I nod. "But can we please change the subject."

"Yes." His hand comes up to my waist before he glances back at the door. "Truthfully, we should probably go back down. Your grandfather is going to make a speech soon, and if you're not there, you'll be missed."

"Oh no, his speech. I completely forgot." I groan. "Here, help me get these back on."

"If they're that painful, you can keep them off."

I open my mouth to argue when he continues.

"I won't tell if you won't, and your dress will hide your feet."

I think about it for all of two seconds before I shake my head.

"I'll feel naked without them," I admit.

"Funny. All I want is you naked except for them."

"Quiet." I roll my eyes at him. "Anyway, what would I do with them if I wasn't wearing them."

"I could give them to Jean."

"Thank you, but no. I can manage for a single evening."

He holds me steady as I wriggle back into the shoes, and when I'm ready, he leads the way downstairs. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot him putting his earpiece back in, and then I hear him muttering softly, so I know he's updating his security guys. But he's silent again by the time we reach the main ballroom, tucking my hand into his arm, as if he were my date like I had originally hoped for him to be, rather than my bodyguard.

At the small gesture, any anxiety I had about the crowd disappears, and I finally feel truly comfortable. Well, except for the pinch in my toes.

Roy

For the rest of the night, Riza stays close to my side. We dance a bit more following the governor's speech. She's stolen for brief moments to greet other guests, giving a few hugs or air kisses from cheek-to-cheek, but she's never more than an arm's length from me. I spend these moments staring at her, probably too hard, but I can't stop myself. She's enchanting. The way she looks in that dress, the way she moves, the way her gorgeous smile brightens the whole room. She's holding herself with more confidence than earlier—more naturally. I would like to think I had something to do with it, but I can't know for sure.

The occasional man asks her for a dance, but she's quick to smile and shake her head, my presence serving as her excuse. A few people ask if we came together, but Riza's quick to give them a beguiling smile before moving us away, never answering their question.

As the night wears on and the level of drunkenness among the party-goers rises, my training kicks in, and I start assessing threats without thinking. I move Riza closer to my side and her eyes lift to mine.

"Is something wrong?"

"No," I answer softly. "I'm just concerned."

"About what?"

"About–"

A man stumbles suddenly, and I turn her quickly, putting my back between them so he rams into my shoulder instead of trampling her completely.

"That," I grunt. "Are you almost ready to leave? I don't want to rush you, but the more inebriated these guests are, the less safe it is for you here."

She pulls on my wrist, turning it to look at my watch.

"It's late enough now that I should be able to leave," she murmurs. "I just need to say goodnight to my grandfather."

I walk with her, my eyes scanning for danger, as she makes her way to him to tell him "Happy Birthday" one final time, kissing his cheek before returning to my side. He makes eye contact with me, and I jerk my head to the side. His nod tells me he bought that I'm just doing my job as her security for the evening. Not that I don't think he should know, or that he would mind, but I don't know how Riza would feel about him knowing, so I'm going to leave it up to her to inform him.

We start for the exit, and I send Breda to go get her car from the valet, leaving Havoc as my only backup. Hopefully, it won't be an issue.

"I could drive you home," I remind her. "It would save me the trouble of having one of my men follow you."

"What?" she blinks.

"To make sure you get home okay," I say quieter. "Or I could follow you, if you'd prefer."

"Why do I feel like if you follow me home, you aren't going to leave?" She smirks.

"Because I wouldn't," I confess. "Unless you forced me to."

"I'm not opposed to you following me home," she says quietly.

I open my mouth to say something in response when Rebecca appears out of nowhere.

"Riza, come with me, I have to talk to you. Now!" She grabs her arm and starts pulling her away, but I clear my throat, causing them both to pause.

"I don't want you where I can't see you," I say quietly.

"I'll be back in a second," she says quickly. "Just let me go to the restroom first, so she can tell me this."

I nod and start to follow her into the side hall when she stops.

"What are you doing?"

"You're forgetting I'm working, Riza," I remind her. "I'm not going to let you go off alone. With Rebecca," I amend quickly.

"I can go to the bathroom, Roy" she murmurs. "It's just Rebecca. We'll be fine."

"I'm just going to stand outside and make sure no one goes in who shouldn't."

She sighs and shakes her head.

"If you're going to follow me home, you should go get your car since you already sent for mine," she replies logically. "Just have Jean come stand out here. I know he's close by."

I frown, but before I can argue Havoc arrives as if on cue, his hand landing on my shoulder.

"I don't mind, chief. I'm driving Rebecca home after this anyway."

Giving in, I pass responsibility on to him, reminding him just how much trouble he'll be in if anything happens to her before going to find the valet and send for my car. I still have my earpiece in as I walk away, though there's nothing to really hear. Havoc is in an empty hallway, and the girls are inside the bathroom.

I'm halfway across the ballroom when I hear a loud Thunk! followed by a muffle of voices and ending in a low grunt and a short cry of pain.

"What the fuck?"

Turning back, I shove my way through the sparse remnants of the crowd and dash to the hall. Havoc is on the ground with a hand over his eye with Rebecca hunching over him.

"What happened?"

"This guy just…came in! I didn't even have time to scream or anything. He was looking for Riza."

"He took me by surprise," Havoc groans. "I'm sorry, chief."

"She took him down like…like I don't know," Rebecca whispers. "It was incredible."

"Where is she?" I glance around wildly, ready to bolt in any direction.

"She's still in there," Rebecca nods to the bathroom. "She said she was waiting for you."

"Call Armstrong and get his men over here now."

Stepping over them, I shove the door open so hard it bangs against the wall only to find Riza standing over a disheveled-looking man with one of her heels planted in his spine. In her hands is a small hand gun, and she looks ready to use it.

Her wide, angry eyes jump to me as soon as I walk in.

"Call security," she says immediately. "I want him arrested. I want to press charges."

"Okay…" I say slowly, reaching for her weapon. "What exactly happened? What did he do?"

"He's been watching me all night," she hisses at him more than at me. "I didn't know he was here because it's a violation of his restraining order."

He opens his mouth and her foot twists on his back, digging her heel in deeper.

"Who is he, Riza?"

"I'm her ex-boyfriend–"

"He's a stalker," she says over him. "He used to work in the governor's office, and after I visited my grandfather a few times, he started following me. Calling me. Leaving unwanted gifts on my doorstep."

"You have a stalker and you never thought to tell me?"

I can't decide if I'm more upset as her boyfriend or as her bodyguard.

"I thought it was over," she says looking at me. "I haven't heard from him in over a year. Not since I got the restraining order and I moved from my old apartment. If I'd even thought he might be here I would've told you."

"Well, I think you can put the gun away now," I murmur to her. "He's not going anywhere."

I watch her eyes shift to the weapon in her hand, which instantly starts trembling as she lowers it. I take it, at the same time Armstrong and his men arrive, quickly assessing the scene and recognizing the man on the ground.

"I specifically told you to be on the lookout for this one," Armstrong's voice booms. "I don't know how he slipped past us, but I'm going to get to the bottom of it," he says slightly less loudly to me.

"No one told me about him," I announce, irritation clear in my words. "It's a little hard to handle security when I'm not aware of all the threats."

"Your concern was Miss Hawkeye," Armstrong nods to Riza, who holding my arm and glaring down at the man being escorted from the room.

"He was looking for her, and he found her because I didn't know to be looking for him."

"I'm fine, Roy," she says, her grip on my arm squeezing with her words. "It's okay."

"Everything turned out all right in the end," Armstrong concludes optimistically. "I'm going to deal with things out there and let the two of you go back to your evening."

"I want to press charges, Alex," she speaks up suddenly. "Violation of the restraining order and assault."

"He assaulted you?" I turn to face her, my hands coming up to her face, checking for injuries.

"Attempted assault," she covers quickly, removing my hands. "I took him down before he could touch me."

I exhale and watch as Alex nods. "All those hours teaching you hand-to-hand combat were worth it, it seems. Though I wish you never had to use them."

"Thank you, Alex."

"I or the police will be in touch, Riza."

He nods again and disappears out the door. As soon as he's gone, Riza slumps against my side, and I slide my arm around her waist.

"I really thought he was gone," she whispers, her head pressed to my jacket, her body trembling.

"He is gone now," I assure her. "Your grandfather will make sure he never comes near you again after this. And if he doesn't, I will."

"Thank you, Roy." She leans back and looks up at me.

"I'm going to insist on driving you home now, you know that, right?"

"That's fine. I don't feel like driving now."

Leading her out of the bathroom, past the spot where a medic is checking Havoc's bump on his head with a quiet Rebecca sitting next to him, holding his hand, I start toward the door.

"At some point you're going to have to give me the details on that guy," I tell her, "and also about this special training you've been doing."

"I knew you'd ask that."

"Not to mention why you have a gun. By the way, where were you hiding that?"

"Garter holster," she murmurs. "I…didn't want to mention it because I didn't think I'd need it."

"Are you any good?" I hold her closer as we step outside, and I head to where my car is waiting.

"Actually, yes," she confesses. "But telling my boyfriend or Dom or whatever you were at the time that I have excellent precision and accuracy with a handgun isn't really something I thought was important. It's not like I want to shoot anything," she goes on. "I just…needed to be prepared."

I open the passenger door for her and wait for her to slide in.

"In the future," I say leaning down, "if we're ever going somewhere and you feel unsafe to the point you need a gun, I would like you to tell me."

"I will." She nods. "But hopefully I won't have to."

Closing her door, I walk around to mine, opening it quickly and folding into the driver's seat.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there," I say to the windshield. "I never should've left you with Havoc."

"Roy, don't." She puts her hand on my arm. "He would've surprised you just like he surprised Jean. And I'm okay, so–"

"Jean is distracted," I cut her off. "He found out three hours ago he's going to be father. And you're mine. I should be the one keeping you safe."

"I'm yours?"

Fuck.

"My sub," I supply instantly. "My girlfriend. My-my… You're my… Shit." I wince. "It's not like I think I own you. I just… You're special to me, and I would've done a better job looking out for you than Havoc. That's all."

"I love you, too, Roy," she whispers, her lips on my cheek surprising me. "Now, take me home."