Young Lovers: A Royai FanFic

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA… It is annoying to constantly write that… .

And now time for some response to reviewers:

Lt. Hawkeye: School only bothers because it really fills up my schedule. . As for Riza, she'll get there and you'll see some drama because of it. (Hence the Romance/Drama genre I placed this on)

Rizahawkeye21: I'm trying my best for the readers! XD I tried my very best to get this done fast.

Sakurapixi: Hurray a satisfied reader (among a few). I'm glad this story has kept you interested.

Tsunade-chan: Yeah I would feel uneasy if a guy was staring at me. Then again, this is Roy so I might be staring back. XD

Tear drops of flaming darkness: Chapter 4 cool! Sorry, I'm being a ditz.

MoonStarDutchess: Now that you mention it, I haven't spotted many either. Thank you for reviewing.

Chapter 5: Timeless Garden

Roy smiled. It must've been the third time he laughed and they've only been out there twenty minutes. He was standing a little off to the side while Riza was walking around and playing with Hayate. There were a few lights hung around the garden and he made sure he could always see her.

Without a doubt, the garden was the best part of the house. Riza walked pass so many flowers at the same time as she was telling Hayate not to ruin them. Eventually she got tired and sat down at one of the many fountains that spread throughout. It was then she noticed that Roy came and sat next to her.

"I thought something was strange…"

Riza took a better look at Roy. "Eh? Excuse me…?"

Roy laughed. "Nothing. I was just wondering why I've never seen you around before. Now it makes sense, you're the new neighbors." He bent over to pick up Hayate, who was squirming around between their legs.

She reached over and pet Hayate and then smoothed her dress out. She thought about changing her clothes but that never happened. She would've liked to run around but she knew she'd fall. "Your friend, Maes, he noticed that pretty quickly. It was a little embarrassing."

"Why's that?"

Riza sighed and stared at her shoes. "It's a little difficult to be so casual when you come from an upbringing that it anything but casual." She pets Hayate again. "Like Hayate. He's playful, of course he is. A dog knows how to play and to protect and other things. Everything has its limits and I suppose Hayate realizes that. Perhaps I need to too…"

Okay, not only is she formal, she's insightful. She's got a brain and knows how to use it. Roy could only shrug his shoulders and look at the night sky. "You could try to loosen up a bit if you really want to. I can help with that. I've been told that formality is something I'm lacking."

A small smiled spread on Riza's face. He's nice enough to help me so quickly. That's very sweet. "Thank you."

Alex was already becoming close friends with the Mustang family. Both he and Mr. Mustang got along so well. There was never an awkward silence or cough. It was obvious that the two families would see each other and often.

"So, what do you see in your son's future Mustang?"

"He's learning alchemy and getting very good at it."

"Good enough to pursue the title of a Nationally Certified State Alchemist?"

Roy's father shrugged. "I'm not sure. That decision would be up to him. What about your Riza? That's a long line of military participation. Do you ever think she'll enlist someday?"

"She's got enough experience and once again, that would be her choice. There'd be no problem enlisting. The name 'Hawkeye' would be more than enough. We'll see what paths our children take."

Hayate was squirming around in Roy's arms. The pup noticed a squirrel pop out and was excited to go chase it. He finally managed to escape and began his pursuit.

Riza was the first to get up. "Hayate! Come back here!" How much land the mansion had was unknown to her; Hayate could end up anywhere. She looked down at her dress and picked up as much of it as she could before she ran after the puppy. Roy was only seconds away and easily caught up. "Oh no, who knows where he might end up…"

There were lots of plants growing in the garden. After ten minutes they still didn't reach an open field. Roy reassured Riza that he could see Hayate and that the pup was fine. It made her feel better but she would rather hold her dog to be positive.

By the time they caught up to Hayate, he was looking in a hole that might've been the squirrel's home. Both Riza and Roy were out of breath and plopped down to the ground. Hayate finally took notice of the two and crawled up into Riza's lap. "Please don't do that again, Hayate." The small puppy barked and she shook her head. "Roy…?"

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Thanks for helping me track him down." She lifted the dog and gave him a hug. "You have no idea how much this dog means to me." Riza turned to Roy and smiled at him. Maybe… just maybe… we've become good friends already.

Roy didn't just smile back; he sat there admiring. She had a beautiful smile. So many ideas flooded his mind. Oh right, I forgot about Crystal. That's it! Tomorrow she and I are going to have a talk, one final talk. Once he came back to reality, he saw that Riza noticed his spacey look. However, this time she didn't look away. Now they both sat next to each, looking into the eyes of the other. Both felt like they couldn't tear away from the other until the both looked at the sky and noticed a shooting star.

Maes was sitting happily on top of his roof when he noticed the shooting star. He grinned and began swaying back and forth. It was a good time. His parents finally gave up on trying to get him off the roof and now this.

Roy and Riza spent the rest of the time talking while Hayate was running around and jumping. It didn't take long for the two of them to ask more personal questions about the other. Riza was realizing that Roy was a kind person and intelligent as well. Roy was discovering that Riza was a strong girl who thought of the future, and it wasn't simply about getting married.

Disappointment came when Riza finally asked him what time it was. He glanced at his watch and told her that it was almost 11 p.m. They were outside for almost three hours. This made Riza wonder if her father was wondering where she was. So, she stood up and suggested that they head back. Roy didn't want to press the issue and agreed.

Going back didn't stop them from talking until they got there. Hayate was held firmly by his owner. She was not about to let him run away again. As they were approaching the house, Roy asked Riza if she would like to get together sometime before school stared. Riza happily accepted but not for same reason Roy had. In fact, it changed the whole idea when she asked is Maes would be coming with them.

She didn't get that it was meant to be a date? Oh well, she's a sensible girl. It's probably no good to try and rush things. But there is a sudden rush of feeling that I have that makes me want to see her exclusively…

As they were approaching the back doors, Riza put Hayate down and started walking up the steps with Roy. She took a wrong step and slipped on the dress, causing her to lean forward. Luckily Roy noticed and broke her fall, with him hitting the steps instead. Hayate barked and run circles around the two. Riza looked up and found herself staring face to face with Roy again. He didn't look angry, just wistful. That same admiring gaze was fixed on her elegant features.

Riza gasped and immediately started apologizing. It was her fault and now she managed to hurt her friend. He quickly dismissed it and helped her get up. It was becoming more and more obvious that Riza was very slow when it came to flirting and relationships. Looking at her living conditions, it makes sense. Roy never saw a trace of any other family member. It was enough to make him not ask her. He was afraid of hurting her by making her recall any painful memories she might have.

Almost on cue, they arrived while the rest of Roy's family was picking up their coats. Alex was having a few final words with Roy's father when both stood there waiting. "Oh Riza, there you are! You've been outside a very long time with your new friend there."

Riza nodded. "Hayate got away and ran pretty far, father. I apologize if I've made you worry."

He brushed away her excuse, saying that he wasn't too worried. Roy walked up to her father and thanked him for inviting him and his family. He turned again to Riza and said he'd hope to see her again soon.

Alex and Riza were left alone in the front hallway once everyone said goodbye. They both yawned and laughed when they realized they did it at the same time. "I think I should go to bed now, father."

"Go ahead Riza. Sleep tight."

"Thank you, father, I will." She was already halfway up the first staircase when she spoke. She kept climbing until she rounded off onto the fourth floor. She looked down to see if her father was still there and spotted his shadow walking on the floor beneath her. That floor was reserved for his study and library. Whenever he had to work, that was where he went. I guess he must not be as tired as I thought.

Alex opened a door that lay on his right. Inside was a well furnished desk with papers scattered all over. He sighed and took a seat in his chair. Scanning over the papers, he picked up one paper and began reading. Notice to Return on Active Duty. That phrase made Alex cringe. It was the first of many that he received. It was times like that which made him question whether or not he should tell his daughter about their predicament…

Author's Notes: Chapter 5 is finished! I didn't have a lot of homework today so I seized the opportunity! For those who are wondering, I wanted to be dumb and include a brief paragraph on the whereabouts of our dear friend Hughes. It was meant to draw attention from the sappy love scene. Looks like Roy is getting more interested and Riza… she'll come around eventually. Pay attention to the notices Riza's father has received. Most of the drama will be sparking from the secrets he's keeping from her. Reviews always welcome!

BloodAura