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.):

charriXD: Yeah actually you're right, the roles are switched here. Maybe that's why she'll be so protective of him in the future. Anyway, don't worry about the update. I know you're not holding me at gun point of anything hint hint X3

tear drops of flaming darkness: Thank you and here is the awaited chappy!

Lt. Hawkeye: Yay! I've got you really interested then? Hurray!

Unexpection: Yes, its always so nice to feel warm and giggly! I feel that all the time when I read Royai. I won't Riza get into too much trouble when it comes to the military scooping out her house. Give that another two chapters or so.

Tsunade-chan: Read on to see Maes' reaction! X3

Rizahawkeye21: I'm happy to hear the suggestions. XD I'll see what I can do. I think it's a little late to do a masquerade but I'd love to hear other suggestions! Thanks for reviewing!

Cashmeritan: Oooo food! That alone will be enough! X3

Jenn – formerly known as Guest: Roy and Riza tend to be pretty easy when you think about it. Maes is the easiest though, but that's my opinion. Thanks for the review.

BGwildRose: 400 reviews? I wouldn't have the time for that haha! Thanks for the nice comment.

Chapter 13: Reflection

Neither Roy nor Maes tried to snap Riza out of the trance she seemed to be having this morning. Roy did try to ask but she shook her head and assured him that there were a lot of things on her mind. She didn't have to tell him that his confession was one of them. Blushing, he turned away and apologized for bothering her.

Maes could tell something was going on between the two and so he shifted over towards Roy. "So hey buddy, what is with the shy attitude towards Riza…?" Glancing over at her, Maes noticed that Riza was back in her daze and wasn't paying them any attention. Roy noticed this too but still leaned over to whisper into his ear.

"I told her how I felt about her yesterday. She wants time to think about it. To be honest, I'm feeling very nervous." Standing straight, he looked over at Maes and almost fell over. Maes' face was blank and his mouth was hanging open. A huge grin spread on his face and he started nudging him, saying that he was right all along. He started skipping around Roy and singing some strange tune that he probably just made up. Just as Roy was feeling extremely uncomfortable, Riza suddenly broke the tension with a gasp. They both looked back at her. "What's wrong Riza?"

She smiled and wasted no time in explaining. "Well, my father is going to have a party at our house tomorrow. It's…" She paused. "…an attempt to go to know the neighborhood better! My father and I would like it if you two came too. Did you think you and your families will be able to make it?"

"Your father and mine are already getting along so well…" Roy spoke up. "So you might as well say I'm coming anyway." Maes said he'd tell his parents but they were probably going to end up going as well. By then, they were coming up on the school and after a few trips around the hallways, the bell rung. Riza and Maes walked off together as Roy said he'd meet them for when they had a class together.

Roy was about to turn a corner when he heard a pair of voices coming from the side…

"She was completely drenched from head to toe! That kept me laughing the whole day. It's really a shame that I have no classes with her or else I'd rub it in…"

"Do you think she'll try to avoid anyone during lunch now?

"Maybe… We'll have to see…"

Roy scowled and finally turned the corner. Crystal stood with the two girls from yesterday. The two nameless girls looked shocked but Crystal looked like she had expected him to show up. He was about to speak when they all turned and walked off into the classroom behind them. Roy came close to hitting the wall. He was right and he had a hunch that they would try to do more to Riza. Another bell rung and it indicated that students only had another minute before being marked tardy.

"Darn it… The last thing I need now is detention…" Roy rushed down the hallway, hoping he'd get to his class in time.

Meanwhile, with Riza and Maes…

"So Riza… Roy let me in on a little confession he made to you today."

Riza immediately turned red and tried hiding her face. Roy telling Maes wasn't exactly a bad thing. In fact, she thought he would tell him. After all, she suspected that Roy would've already told Maes about his feelings for her before confessing. "Yes… that's true. I still don't know what to tell him."

"Try not to stress about it so much. I won't force you to think a certain way. All I'm saying is that you should think back on your reactions to him and piece it together from there." Maes reached his hand up and placed it on her shoulder, drawing her closer to him. "In any case, the most important thing to do is listen to what you think feels right…"

She felt like she was almost on the verge of tears. "That makes a lot of sense Maes. I'm feel really about this now. Perhaps I'll have my answer in time to tell him at the party." She looked down at the floor as they continued walking to class. When she looked back up at Maes, she came close to screaming. He had put on a strange face in attempts to cheer her up. Instead it scared her and she fell back onto the ground. Just as Maes was about to help her up, she started laughing. "You didn't have to do that. I'm already feeling plenty better. Thank you for caring so much about me."

"No sweat…!"

At the Hawkeye Mansion…

Alex was walking around the room and smiling to himself. He had just received the most interesting phone call from his father-in-law. It was concerning a few things Riza discussed with him. The most noticeable thing was about the friends she had made. Coming straight down to it, the subject of Roy Mustang was on Alex's mind. He was told that she spoke of him in a way that was admiring. So is she interesting in that young boy? I've already invited that family to the party. I'll just have to observe their interactions… He was cut off from his thoughts when Hayate came in and charged over at him.

Hayate whimpered at his feet and kept walking circles around him, sniffing at his feet. "Do you miss Riza, Hayate?" The puppy barked on cue, as if to answer "yes." Alex bent down and picked up the small bundle of white fur and kept walking around the house. "Call it a hunch, little one…" Hayate's ears perked up. "…I'm getting the feeling that you may need to share Riza with someone else…"

Hayate thought about it for a moment and started barking happily…

During class…

Riza spent most of the time in each class just staring out of the window and thinking about what her answer to Roy might be. Taking Maes' advice, she was thinking back on the time they spent together. It was always full of laughs and good times. She admitted to feeling someone when she first saw him. Later on they met again when her father invited his family to dinner. Suddenly Riza remembered. They chased after Hayate and ended up talking in a field at night. A shooting star appeared and they were also staring at each other. I simply couldn't take my eyes off of him. It was like I was meant to see him. Maes looked over at her and noticed she was starting to blush deeper and deeper. She… fell on top of him as they were going back inside. She remembered that too. Then there was dinner. That dinner they had together because Maes had to go home. They had a lot of fun. Thinking back, she remembered how warm it felt to have Roy slip his hand into hers. It was all coming into place. I can't deny it any longer… looking back… I love him. Roy… I love Roy. It was during calculus that she realized it. Suddenly she felt afraid to look at Roy because she felt like she'd blurt it out. When the bell ran, the three walked out to lunch.

Riza and Roy were sitting together outside, waiting for Maes to come back with food. For now, Riza wasn't too excited about going in there and so Maes volunteered to get the food. She was still feeling a little bit uncomfortable and so she decided to hint it along. "Um… Roy? I have something to say and it's about what we talked about yesterday."

Roy perked up and fixed his eyes on her. "Yes? Did you find an answer?"

Riza tried not to smile and nodded. "I have. I'll tell you tomorrow at the party. Is that alright with you?"

Roy agreed and added that he'd be waiting until then. Even though he seemed calm on the outside, something was killing him inside. Darn! I was hoping she'd tell me right now. I guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow. I only hope that the news is good. That was when something came to his mind. "Riza, no matter what your answer is… we can still continue to be friends right?"

Riza looked almost shocked at the question. "Of course we'll still be friends. Now matter what that's something I don't want to lose." They smiled at each other and looked up to find Maes having a hard time balancing three lunch trays. Roy and Riza suddenly broke out laughing.

After lunch was over, she told Maes about her answer. It felt only natural to let him know. However, she pleaded with Maes so that he wouldn't say a word about it. "I won't tell him Riza. Although, let me say that I'm very happy for the two of you. What do you think you'll do from here?"

Riza blushed. She hadn't really thought about it. She was so concerned about understanding her feelings that she didn't even consider the future. Would they start dating? Would they just live with only their confessions? She wasn't sure. "I really don't know. I guess I'll ask him when I tell him. It's better to talk to him directly." Maes agreed with what she was saying…

As usual, the three started walking back after the bell rang. It was Friday so the whole world was charging out of the school gates. Riza sighed and admitted that she would have to go home and help prepare for the party tomorrow. Maes asked if she needed any help but she assured that she was only complaining. Finally they got to a corner where Maes had to go in a different direction. He waved goodbye to his two friends and started walking down the other road.

Roy didn't talk much afterwards and neither did Riza. She was too busy thinking about the party and he was wondering about her answer. If it were up to him, he'd rather her just love him with all her soul. Then again, he would rather her feel that way willingly. They parted when they needed to but not without saying that they'd see each other tomorrow.

Riza let out a huge sigh. It was torture keeping in my confession to him. Luckily I'll be able to tell him when I see him again. I wonder what I should wear for that… She thought about it all the way up until she reached her room. Even when she opened the door and walked up the stairs, she was focused mainly on the problem at hand.

When Alex called Riza down for dinner, she ate silently and answered quickly whenever he asked her something. Before she excused herself, he told her that she had to be ready by 1600 tomorrow. She acknowledged the info and went up to her room to sleep. She didn't as first and just fixed her eyes out over the land from her balcony. By now she couldn't stop smiling. She felt like she was finally going to get a load off her shoulders. All her thoughts were fixed on how that moment would go. What would he do when she tells him that she loves him back?

Those were the kind of thoughts she had before finally going back inside, changing, and drifting off to sleep…

Author's Notes: There we go! Chapter 13 is done! Next chapter will be the declaration of love! Doesn't that make you feel giddy? I know that it applies to me. I honestly don't know when I can get started on Chapter 14. I already have ideas but not the time. I know I keep saying that but I just want to reassure everyone that I'm always thinking about this story. As always, I look forward to reading reviews.

BloodAura