WARNING: This fic takes place post-series and is a prelude into the movie. Spoilers for the entire series! Oh and the quote at the end...it's a parting for Roy

#73: Parting

His mind was stirred by unfamiliar yet familiar warmth. He kept his eye shut as his hands moved along the form that was clinging to his bare chest. A woman, his mind gruffly thought. He peered through his good eye to see if he recognized the woman in his bed, only to have a beautiful image greet him. It consisted of none other than Riza Hawkeye, burying her head into his neck, clutching at his chest with her bare hands. A small, simple smirk appeared across his face as he realized that his one arm supported the underside of her head, wrapping around her uncovered shoulders, while his other rested against her naked hip. Roy could've sworn that a soft glow radiated from their bodies. He started to pull her tighter against his body, but paused as he felt her body stiffen in his embrace. There eye's met as she roused from slumber.

"Hey."

"Hey," he replied in a soft voice, brushing a few golden strands from her eyes. They stayed silent for a few moments, each sorting through the events of the night before.

There was a going away party for Roy the night before at one of the local bars. Neither of them drank, Roy needing to stay in good condition for the long journey to the front lines, and Riza staying sober to make sure everyone stayed in a semi-polite manner. They left the bar together, Roy offering to take her home. The two arrived outside her apartment door, and said their goodbyes. He leaned down and gave her the traditional good night kiss, which led to winding up in her bed.

A light pink blush graced her pale face as she accounted for what happened afterwards, but then sadly remembering what this morning meant.

"What time is it," his deep voice whispered.

"Early. What time do you have to leave?" She turned her gaze down to the imaginary pattern that she was tracing on his chest.

Roy let out a deep sigh, not wanting to answer, "In a few minutes." Riza replied with a sad 'oh.' He leaned down and pressed a light kiss on her forehead before he started to disentangle himself from her. Mustang scooted to the edge of the bed looking for his strayed garments of clothing. An awkward silence formed between the two, neither knowing what to say to the other. Riza sat up, pulling the white sheet with her for modesty. He was slipping his pants on when he finally spoke:

"Was it worth it?"

She stayed silent, his words churning in her mind.

He took her silence as a notification to continue, "I didn't want to put you in a situation you couldn't handle. I guess I put myself in a sort of Catch-22. I didn't want to hurt you by telling you I love you, but I'd never forgive my self if I didn't tell you." Roy stood by her table where his shirt lay discarded.

"I just can't bare the thought of something happening, and you ending up like Gracia Hughes. But I want to have someone to come back to after the rebellion." He slipped his State Military jacket on as Riza stepped in front of him. "I don't want to do something that would hurt you," he whispered as he held her sheet-covered body. Roy buried his head in the crook of her neck as she pulled him tighter.

"You of all people should know, Roy, that I never regret my decisions. We're both stuck in a Catch-22. If you did or did not tell me, it still would have hurt when you leave." Riza ran her fingers though his mess of black tangles as she tried to comfort him. "I'm glad for what happened because I won't be left wondering what could have been, but I'll still cry because you're gone." Roy's embrace tightened around Riza as she whispered these words into his ear. She pulled his head from her shoulders, and gently cupped it with her right hand, running a thumb over his eye patch.

"When you're out there, remember that it's a time for you to grow and learn, and that you have something to come back to." Roy nodded, committing the Lieutenants face to everlasting memory. He spoke a few words to Riza, telling her that he'd write every chance he had, and that he'd come back safely. He placed small kisses on her forehead, before stealing one last kiss from her velvet-soft lips.

A quiet sob escaped from the apartment as Roy shut the door, as Riza sat back down on her bed. A lone tear slid down her face.


"So be it. Welcome, O life! I go to encounter for the millionth time the reality of experience and to forge in the smithy of my soul the uncreated conscience of my race."
--James Joyce, A Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man


AN: Well, another one in the books! Thanks for all the comments! I'll try to have another chapter posted this weekend...or I may even update transfer!