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 (Sorry if I missed you, I try my darn hardest not to forget anyone.):

Rizahawkeye21: I've got Crystal all lined up for the following chapter so you'll see that in a few!

Unexpection: Yeah I realize that chapter was focused on them, in fact, so is this one…

Lt. Hawkeye: Thank you. X3

InuTachi lover: I guess I can't resist puppy dog eyes XD Heres the next chapter!

Cecilia: Yeah things just are not looking good for her but she's got Roy.

Yularouge: I feel so glad that you like the chapter!

Saun: Thank you, things like that will only encourage me though… XD

Tear drops of flaming darkness: Yes it was a cute moment! I've had the giggles for some time now. X3

Cashmeritan: Heres the next chapter so go ahead and read! XD

Yyhpunk: Yup, being new can be a drag. Yet some good came out of it for Riza!

charriXD: I'm sorry about not updating enough… If I could make more time then I would.

Jenn – formerly known as Guest: Makeout session…? Oh my, I wouldn't go into that so suddenly. X3 Thank you for the comment and here's "Confessions" so you can see what exactly they say to each other…

Chapter 12: Confessions

People were pointing and staring from other tables. Off to the side, was a small table for two. In those seats sat a boy and girl who wore uniforms from the same school. The girl, they noticed, had long blonde hair and was absolutely stunning. Sitting opposite from her was the boy and he had short black hair. "It's almost an odd contrast…" They muttered other things about the young "couple" before getting back to their snacks.

Riza was still blushing ever since they left the school. Every time she looked up from her ice cream she'd see him staring back at her. They'd both pause until one started to bring up a topic…

"Is Hayate still as mischievous as ever?" Roy took a sip from his soda.

Riza looked back up at him and smiled. "Yes he is. He won't miss out on an opportunity to play with someone." In her spoon was some ice cream and she was about to eat it before an idea came to mind. It couldn't hurt to try, right? Leaning over, she offered the spoon to him. He looked surprised at first but then helped himself to the ice cream. Once again he tried looking at her but she moved her head down far enough that her bangs covered her eyes. Her mind was screaming until she felt the spoon move, meaning he accepted. I thought for sure he'd think I was crazy… I wouldn't know if this is good or not but please let this be good. Afterwards he was about to offer her some of his soda but she dismissed it, saying that she wasn't thirsty. Then again, she leaned over and took a sip anyway.

Once the bill came, Roy immediately snatched it. Riza observed this and suddenly broke out laughing. He remembered about their argument during dinner. Riza kept watching as he reached down to get his wallet out. It was then that she noticed that he had to put the bill on the table. Slowly lowering her hand to her book bag, she snatched the bill and ran towards the register at the front. The people nearby didn't complain but felt nostalgic of young love. Roy bolted out of his chair laughing. By the time he reached her, however, the employee was already handing her the change.

Stepping out of the restaurant, Roy smiled. "So why didn't you let me pay?" Riza followed after him and shrugged.

"It was… my fault that you missed lunch in the first place." She stared down at the ground until feeling his hand brush through her hair. Looking back up, she gave him a weak smile. "You know that they were waiting for me. They didn't do anything to you."

Roy placed both hands on her shoulders and leaned into her. They were centimeters apart and he was looking directly into her eyes. "I don't regret helping you. Please understand that I'll do anything if it means protecting you…" It was then that he let go of her and looked down the street. He tried glancing back at her but it was too hard. Oh sure, Roy. You just blurt it out without hearing what she has to say… If she thinks you're moving too fast, she might try to avoid you from now on…

Riza barely spoke up. "I don't deserve it…" Roy finally got the nerve to look at her again and she continued. "I don't deserve it… how well you're treating me…" A sting of guilt struck Roy's heart as he saw tears swell up in her eyes. He gently took her hand and asked her if she was feeling alright. You might as well then him… Maybe he can help more than you thought before. If he says he wants to protect you, then surely he'll listen… It was then that Riza said she had a problem and asked if he'd be willing to listen. Sure enough, Roy agreed and they started walking.

"So, Riza, what has you so sad?"

"I found out something yesterday… I'm not at all happy about it. In fact, it makes me a little scared…" Her expression clearly matched her worries as she kept switching her book bag from one hand to the other and then back again. Roy was about to say something when she cut him off. "My father… works for the military. I have always felt that I'd be next to follow in his job. He's a good man and I know he only concerns himself with how to make my life better."

"Well it looks like he's been doing that, hasn't he?" Roy questioned.

She smiled and nodded. "Yes and he has always been there for me. My mother…" Riza paused, trying to keep the tears from falling. "…died shortly after my first birthday. From then on, all I've ever known was that he was always there and never left me." Roy looked concerned and stopped her for a moment to tell her to turn at the next corner. "Right now, I'm afraid he may not be around as much. My grandfather, who picked me up from school yesterday, came and told me that soon he'll have to return to work. I must admit, I've never known him to go. I have no siblings. I'd be left in that house all by myself."

There was a long pause and Roy was at a loss for words. However, Riza kept going. "Maybe a person might say that I'm overreacting. Yet… I couldn't take it yesterday. I cried and spent the whole night with him in his study. Even now it hurts me still. Though I need to thank you…" She looked ahead a bit and noticed that her gate was coming up. "You…" You might as well say it. "You helped me keep my mind off of it. But after what happened today, it still made me think… How do I intend to keep going once he needs to leave? I can't stand it and being in that big house with just Hayate is something I'd rather not let happen."

"You'll be fine…" Roy finally spoke up and lightly touched her arm and slowly moved up to her shoulder. By this time, Riza came to a complete stop. They stood right in front of the gate that led up to her house. Before he knew it, Riza closed any gap between them in a tight hug. She kept muttering that she didn't deserve it. "Hey, c'mon, don't say that. Look, I'll stop by to see you as much as I can okay?" Riza nodded and muttering a "thank you" into his uniform. It was only then that she realized what she had been doing the past few minutes. Instantly she pushed back and apologized over and over.

Again she was interrupted but this time two warm hands reached and cupped her face. Riza felt like her face was on fire and her heart was pounding. On the other hand, Roy had a calm face even though he had a faint tint of pink on him. Her hands reached up and grabbed hold of his. "Roy…?" Her voice was barely above a whisper. It was hard enough to breathe, yet alone try to raise her voice.

"I want to tell you something… Please don't laugh, alright?" Riza assured him that she wouldn't. "I'm not perfect… I've had my share of mishaps and failed relationships. Basically, I'm not saint… Don't give me that smile because I know that you understand where I'm going with that. Regardless, I can't explain what has been going on with me lately. You're standing right here but if I close my eyes, you'd still be there." Riza gasped as he pulled her face closer to his. "Perfection was never something I thought was possible but… I'd be willing to bend over backwards…" He gulped. It's now or never and never would certainly tear my heart in half. "…If it meant I could have you… I-I love you."

At that moment, Riza felt as though she could fall over unconscious. He loved her and it showed. Thinking back on it, it was making sense to her. The way he was staring at her, his open kindness and dedication, as well as his words all made sense.

The silence was almost a little too unnerving for Roy to handle. "Please… this silence is killing me. Is there anything that you'd like to say…? Riza…?"

So how do I respond? He loves me and I'm taken back by it but do I love him? There's something in my heart but I don't want to say its love unless I'm sure… She took a deep breath and gave him her reply. "Roy… I care for you. Please believe me when I say that I do but…" He turned away. The last thing he wanted to hear was the word "but." Hurt, Riza walked around to stand in front of him again. "Roy I'm just saying that I want to think about it. I've never had to deal with this before so I'm not sure about my feelings. Could you… let me think it over?"

They gazed into each other's eyes again. He could tell that Riza was really struggling with it. Perhaps it wasn't a good time to confess. She poured her heart out to me about her family situation and now I dump this on her. Yes, she could use the time to think about it. I'd never try to force her into anything. Finally Roy smiled and she felt better. "I understand, take all the time you need until you're sure…" He leaned forward and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek and started walking by home.

Riza turned around and used her key to unlock the gate and started walking towards the house. For a brief second, she paused and looked around. If only for a moment, she thought that someone was watching her. It was a tough day so she blamed it on stress. Little did she know that there really was someone looking. Across the street from her house, a car just parked. The windows were dark but there were two men looking up at the house.

"This is the place?"

"Yeah, the letters have been coming here and we've received no notices. If it was a wrong address they would at least notify us." The man grabbed some binoculars and spotted Riza. "Besides, that girl right there looks like him. That must be his daughter." He handed the binoculars to his partner and he caught a glimpse of her face as she looked around for a moment.

"Yeah that's probably her. She really looks a lot like him." He sighed and leaned back in his seat. "Let's keep watch for a few days. If we can confirm that he's there and not moving, we'll go in and make sure he comes back with us."

"What about the daughter?"

"We don't need to bring her into it. All we're after is her father. If he didn't want this to happen, then he shouldn't have lied to us about his whereabouts."

Inside the Hawkeye mansion…

Riza was greeted by Hayate, who came bounding down the staircase. She started laughing and picked up the puppy after he slipped on the smooth floor. It was then that she noticed her father looking at her with a smile. "It's nice to see that you're smiling." He walked up to her and kissed her forehead before leading her into the den. Leading her to the long couch, he sat down with her. "Riza, as you know, I may be leaving soon and I apologize for having to remind you of that. However, I want you to know that I've been looking into things to make sure that you're not shut out. I decided to hold a party here in two days. You'll see everyone in the house working so please don't bother them too much."

Riza looked confused. "Father, why would you hold a party?" Alex laughed and explained that he hoped to find someone who could at least come and check up on her every once in a while. Suddenly Riza recalled her conversation with Roy. I'll stop by to see you as much as I can okay… "I understand father. May I go to my room now? I do have some homework that I'd like to take care of."

After Alex dismissed her, she made her way up to the fourth floor. The whole time she kept thinking about Roy's confession. She wished she had an answer for him but she didn't at the time. It was something she really wanted to stop and think about. When she reached her room, she threw the book bag onto her bed and she soon accompanied it. Grabbing a pillow, she tossed and turned about. All that stayed on her mind was the time she spent with him. Every moment of it was pleasant and they made her feel calm. The party… I should invite him and Maes to the party… Maybe by then I'll have an answer for Roy. I have two days to think about it then. Soon her book bag was opened and she started on her homework, secretly worrying about a more personal matter…

Author's Notes: Here is Chapter 12 for those who have been waiting for it! Confessions and yes, the big one was centered on Roy. He loves her and has now openly admitted it. It wouldn't be Royai if she didn't love him back right? That will have to wait though. Also tensions are rising due to the fact that the military is now inches away from them. I hope everybody looks forward to the party they'll be having. I also hope that everyone enjoyed this chapter. I'm writing this at 12:15 in the morning because I felt I had to finish it for the loyal readers! I'll begin Chapter 13 when I have more energy so, for now, I'm gonna head off to bed. Reviews as always please!

BloodAura