Author's Notes - This chapter has been expurgated to fit the FFN guidelines. If you want to read it in its original form (provided you're old enough) head to livejournal and look in the royaifiction community. You can also look at the whole story there complete with hyperlinks to all the clothing and jewelry that I couldn't do here.
Chapter Six
"Your gloves are in your pocket, right?" Riza whispered, her lips so close they nearly brushed his ear. He nodded, trying to ignore the sounds of panic from all the teens at the dance. "My gun is in my purse."
Of course it is. Roy scanned the crowd for Maes and saw his friend looking back, his eyes hard. There were four men by Roy's count, provided there was no one outside. And lucky for him, he and Maes were standing around in peacock blue uniforms. They might as well wear signs that said 'shoot us first.' "Don't do anything yet," he hissed.
"They won't give up their money and especially not their jewels." Riza's eyes went to her beautiful ring. "They don't know how to take orders."
Roy wished she was wrong about her former classmates but knew she wasn't. "I know."
As if on cue, Keddrick took a step away from his date and Roy was shocked when his mind flashed to, shoot him now before he causes you guys to shoot us all. "Who are you? How dare you point guns at us?"
"You're not really in a position to demand answers, now are you?" one of the insurgents said, training his gun on them.
"We Thornes own half this town. We will not tolerate or capitulate to people like you." Keddrick tossed his head like a proud stallion, as if in denial as to the danger he was facing.
"Shut up, Thorne!" Roy glared at him and then turned to the Drachmaian on point, figuring him to be the leader. "This man doesn't speak for the group."
"I didn't really think he did." The man smirked. "But he's given me a brilliant idea. All the sparklies here aside, the real money is in nice rich hostages. I can imagine what your parents would pay to get all of you back."
Roy spared a withering glance for Keddrick. He took a step forward, trying to get a little control of the situation. "That takes time and the military has an obvious interest in this academy." He made a sweeping gesture at his uniform. "You'd be better off just taking the money and running because if I don't check in on time, they'll dispatch the troops," Roy lied. Everyone would live if they lost their jewelry - no matter how much it hurt - but if these people barricaded themselves in with them all as hostages it was all going to get ugly.
"Why are you even talking to these people? You can't deal with them," Keddrick said, getting into Roy's face
"If you talk one more time, I'll take you down myself, Thorne, before you get someone killed," Roy snarled. Keddrick flinched, looking moments from wetting himself.
"Listen to the soldier, boy. I'm already half tempted to shoot you just to silence your gnatty voice," the leader said, gesturing with his gun.
"Hampson, the soldier has a point. Hostages are too risky," one of the other Drachmaians said and Hampson, the leader, shot him a hot look.
"Then let's start. Ladies, you first. Go get your purses. Gentlemen stand perfectly still and no one gets hurt, except for you two blue coats. Front and center with you." Hampson indicated the spot with his rifle barrel.
Maes looked over to Roy who nodded. Let the Drachmaians think they were in control. They had no idea, Roy didn't think, that he was an alchemist. They had no way of knowing Maes had knives concealed in his belt or that they had just given Riza the go ahead to get into her purse and hence her gun. Roy just needed to keep them all alive a little longer. He and Maes went to the indicated spot without a word.
Hampson's rifle steadied, pointing at Maes. Roy could see the fine bead of sweat on his friend's face. "So, you have to report in. That means this one doesn't. The last thing I need is military men running around freely."
"You can't kill him either. We both report. We serve different masters," Roy said very quickly as Maes' fingers edged towards his blades.
"Uh-uh, don't move," Hampson warned then his brow knit as he considered this bit of news. "Let's make sure you two aren't armed. Let's have those jackets off, very slowly or else."
Maes and Roy obeyed, turning around, even turning out their pants pockets. Out of the corner of his eye, Roy saw Riza had purse in hand. "Satisfied?" he asked Hampson.
"How can you not have any weapons?" Keddrick asked from where he had been herded next to the tables. Walchiria tossed her arms around him.
"For now, I'm satisfied," Hampson said. "Though I'm disappointed you really aren't armed and are unable to drop him, as threatened." Hampson's eye canted towards Keddrick.
Roy saw Riza pushing forward towards one of the Drachmaians, doing a good job of looking too scared not to comply. Avaron was behind her, the wine bottle from the table in her hand, as if she might want to use it as a weapon. The other man was trying to get Walchiria's purse away from her as she clung to Keddrick, who was frozen in place. The third Drachmaian, the one who had protested the hostage idea, looked to his boss as if to decide should he stay and keep his gun on the soldiers or help the other two so they could make it all go faster. Roy edged Maes around a little, his eyes flicking towards Walchiria and Keddrick. Maes put his hands in the small of his back. Roy gave Riza a long slow blink hoping she read that as consent to start. They had to do this fast and almost as one. Roy turned his attention back to Hampson and his right hand man.
"I can't. They're family heirlooms!" Riza cried.
"Too bad." The Drachmaian jerked her purse away, leaving Riza with her gun exposed.
Without hesitation, she gut shot him and turned to shoot the one wrestling with Walchiria but he was already on his knees howling with Maes' knives between his shoulder blades. Roy snapped his fingers and struggled with a very controlled burn. He didn't want to kill these men. Householder and Investigations would certainly want to question them. Roy watched the gun stocks catch fire and the air was filled with the acrid stench of burning hair and clothing. For the most part, the men underneath would be only burnt slightly if he did it right.
Seeing Maes and Riza collecting the other weapons and trussing up the injured men with their own belts, Roy allowed himself a little posturing time. "You see, Hampson. I'm the Flame Alchemist. I don't need weapons. I am one. That was just a warning. Give us any more trouble and I'll cook the meat off your bones. Mrs. Mock, sorry for the scorch marks. Could you please call the base for us and tell them we need assistance. Cadet Hawkeye, could you go with her. I think Lieutenant Hughes and I have this in hand," Roy said. Seeing all Hampson could do was moan in excruciating pain, he crossed over to where Maes and Riza were shoving the table clothes against the men's wounds. The one man lay at Keddrick and Walchiria's feet. Walchiria was clinging to Avaron now. Keddrick had a spray of the man's blood across his dead white face.
"I'll make sure the base knows what's going on, sir," Riza said, wiping her bloody hands on the man's shirt. "I'll take the gun just in case they had anyone on the outside standing guard that we don't know about yet."
Roy nodded. "Of course."
"What did you do to them?" Keddrick breathed, his face pasty. "You set them on fire! You...you're a monstrous freak."
"I think he means thank you," Avaron said archly.
"You're welcome." Roy leaned in close, his eyes flicking down to the dark stain on Keddrick's pants front. "At least I didn't piss myself. Maes, I could use a hand tying up the other two."
Maes gave him a sloppy salute and headed for the burnt men. Avaron patted Keddrick's back. "Nice puddle," she said then went for the tie backs on the huge ballroom curtains so Maes and Roy would have something to use on the insurgents.
It took a few hours before everything was finished up at the Academy. Householder was beaming like a proud parent at his three young officers by the time it was over. Many family members had arrived to take their daughters home, even ones that usually stayed on campus, which was most of them.
"Your father not coming for you, Avaron?" Maes asked.
"He's out of town with Mom. Igrayne and I have to go home alone," Avaron said, pouting at him.
"That won't do," Householder interrupted as he came over to put his hands on Hughes and Mustang's shoulders. "The weather is turning bad. Lieutenant Hughes, why don't you see the Laganas home."
"Of course, sir." Maes' topaz eyes glittered eagerly.
"And Cadet Hawkeye, your uncle called and wants you home," Householder said.
"Sir?" Riza couldn't hide her distress.
"Do humor the man, Hawkeye," Householder said gently.
Riza seemed to wilt. "Yes, sir."
"Major Mustang, make sure she gets there safely," Householder said. "We'll be here for hours more, settling everything. Why don't you three go now? You've had a stressful night. Have more punch. It'll settle the nerves." Householder pounded on the boys' backs then headed back to supervise the troops in the clean up. He paused, went and filled two punch glasses and handed one to Mustang and the other to Hughes before thumping off.
"That's right, get you drunker and then let you drive me home in the snow," Riza said as Roy drained it greedily, hoping his hands didn't belie how nervous he was after he had time to think about what happened.
"Maybe we should just run for it before he changes his mind," Maes suggested.
"Roy!" Malca cried before Roy could answer. She broke away from her father and flung her arms around Roy's shoulders. "You were magnificent." She kissed him. "You can be my escort any time," she got in before her father dragged her away.
Riza just arched an eyebrow at him and Roy had the good grace to blush.
"Take your hero home, Riza. And remember, rewarding him carnally is expected for heroes." Avaron's eyes gleamed as she patted Maes' backside before hauling him off.
"Does everyone forget I'm the one who shot first?" Riza scowled then jabbed a finger at Roy. "And not one word about awarding me carnally!"
"I have no idea what to say to that...let me go get your jacket so we can go home," Roy said, frazzled.
He did that and they were silent for a few minutes as he hunched over the wheel of the vehicle as it skittered on the icy streets. Cars were still fairly new and he was new to driving. This wasn't his idea of fun.
"Were you frightened?" Riza asked in a very quiet tone.
"Scared to death but we did well...really well. The three of us, we're a good team," Roy said, yanking on the wheel.
"We are." She nodded. "I'm sorry you got stuck with taking me home. I'm sure Malca would have been glad to follow Avaron's line of thought."
"You mean if her father didn't shoot me the moment I tried to come through the door," Roy said, a wry expression on his face. "And I wouldn't say stuck. I'm happy to take you home." The car skidded again as the snow really began to fall. "Though I'm wondering if we'll even get there."
"It's just a little further."
Roy managed to get the military vehicle to the drive before miring it half way up. He came around to her side of the car and held out his arms. She gave him a curious look. "I don't want you to ruin your shoes. Besides, it'll be so cold on you since you have nothing between your legs and the cold but silk stockings."
"Roy, you don't have to..." Riza didn't look convinced he was capable of carrying her.
Roy scooped her out of the car, hip bumping the door shut. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders as he struggled through the thick snow with her. Twice she thought they'd go down in the drifts. Riza tucked her face against his neck, feeling the snow collecting on her eyelashes. She took what warmth she could from him. Roy set her on her feet at the doorway then knocked loudly.
Bob opened the door quickly, as if prepared for their arrival. "I'm so glad you're safe," Bob said, tossing his arms around Riza much to her chagrin. "Thank you for keeping her safe."
"Actually Riza took the first shot. You should be thanking her," Roy replied, shutting the front door against the weather.
Bob's eyes widened a bit. "I'm impressed. Let's go into the den. You're frozen, dear."
"I'm tired. I should go to bed," Riza said, too exhausted to deal with her uncle.
"Once you're warm." Bob pulled her toward the den. His footfalls were slightly uneven, telltale of how much he had to drink.
Roy just followed to give her support. He didn't know what else to do. He was stuck here unless he wanted to walk back to base and he really didn't. "Mr. Hawkeye, sir, I think I'm trapped here. I got the car stuck in a drift."
"And this storm is not going to stop any time soon," Bob said, poring out three glasses of whiskey. "Here." He gave them the whiskeys. Roy sipped his while Riza set hers aside, moving towards the fire place, holding her hands out.
"Son, I can't expect you to walk to the base in this blizzard. Your old room is vacant. The bedding might be a little musty, yours, too, Riza, but I think we can find cleaner sheets at least. Will the base let you stay here or do you have to report back?" Bob asked, a little slurred in speech but he seemed to be relatively clear of thought.
Roy nodded, relieved not to have to go back out in the blizzard. The ramshackle Hawkeye manor felt oddly comfortable despite the chill in the place and the presence of Bob, himself. Teacher had never been the warm and cuddly kind but this had been home for Roy for some time. "I'll call and let them know Hawkeye and I are stuck here so they don't think the Drachmaians have us or we went a.w.o.l. together"
"Do that. It'll be good to have company." Bob's eyes clouded. "This old place is so lonely sometimes."
"The whiskey makes him maudlin," Riza whispered, brushing against Roy.
Roy gave her a knowing look then made his call to the base, while tippling at his whiskey. He hoped it wouldn't make him as soppy as Hawkeye. There were things he wanted to say to Riza and a little liquid courage would be welcome. "Okay, sir, they'll send someone to dig us out tomorrow," Roy said. "It's been a long hard night."
"And you both want to head up to sleep," Bob said morosely. "Go on up. I'll see you both in the morning. I'll stay down here for a while."
"Thanks, Uncle Bob. I'll make us a nice breakfast," Riza said, placatingly. Roy noticed she was slow going up the stairs, unsure if that was because she was utterly exhausted or because Bob did follow them up. Roy hoped it was the latter because he wanted to talk to her.
Bob rapped on a hallway door. "I moved the bedding to here. I'm sure you can handle things from here. I have things I need to do yet tonight so if you'll excuse me." His gaze swept back towards the stairs.
"Of course. Thanks, uncle. We'll be fine," Riza said, opening the linen closet. She handed some sheets to Roy.
Roy returned to his old room, which proved to be unchanged since he had left it. The only thing missing were his personal touches. He stripped the bed, snapping the bed spread a few times to shake the dust from it. After remaking the bed, he started a fire in the fireplace, hoping the chill would be soon chased from the room. He figured by now Bob would be ensconced in front of the den's fire, whiskey in hand so it should be safe to visit Riza. Besides, she would be wanting a fire in her room as well. Roy knocked on her door softly.
When Riza opened it she had a dull grey, very heavy robe wrapped around her. Roy could see hints of lace peeking out from where the robe was sloppily wrapped. She must be wearing the frothy nightie he had found in the drawer. His mouth went dry at the very thought. "Uh...I wanted to see if you needed help with the fire," he stammered, his face pinking up.
Riza stepped back to allow him in. "I was about to come find you. I can't get it started."
Roy smiled and looked at the pile of wood behind the fire dogs. He snapped at it and the flames danced on the logs. "There you go."
"Maes is right. You have your uses." She smiled wickedly.
Roy pouted. "I'm not a match, you know."
Riza moved to the fireplace, opening her robe a little to let the heat in. "It's fun to watch you sulk about it. Maes is right about that, too."
"When do you two find so much time to talk about me?" Roy also moved closer to the flames. It was cold in the closed-up room.
"It's easy. Half the time your head is in the clouds. We could be talking about you and you wouldn't even notice." Riza looked over her shoulder at him, seeing the depths of his pout. "But when we need you, you come through just fine. You really did do a good job tonight."
The pout melted into happy lines. "Thanks. You did, too. Riza...can we talk for a moment?"
Her brown eyes swept over him, something oddly timid hiding in them. "About what?"
"Tonight. I think I did something that made you mad but I'm not sure what," he said gently, wondering at the wisdom of starting with that topic. "I didn't mean to do that."
Riza sighed and went over to her bedroom door, locking it. She sat on the window seat, pressing back against the heavy, drawn curtains. "It's not your fault, Roy. I was being...stupid. I know you were assigned to escort Malca. It wasn't your idea but you seemed to be enjoying it."
"I really wasn't." Roy leaned against the mantle, thinking about that. "Would you have been happier if I were miserable?"
"Of course not." Her cheeks colored.
"I don't know why it matters," he said, thinking maybe he did. Only he wasn't sure if her being jealous was a good or bad thing.
Her brown topaz eyes lit with inner fire. "You can be so stupid sometimes, Roy."
"About what?" he asked foolishly, his temper getting the better of him.
"Oh, never mind. It's just not worth it." She pulled her robe tighter around her, her eyes going watery.
"Yes, Riza, it is," he replied softly, reaching for her but she pulled away. "And you were the one ignoring me tonight."
She made an inelegant noise. "Tonight? Did tonight have anything to do with something beyond pricking at Keddrick?"
"You think that was what tonight was about?" He couldn't keep the hurt out his tone.
"What else should I think?" Riza leapt to her feet, the color in her cheeks born of fury this time. Her robe gaped, showing distracting glimpses of lace and silk. "You've never paid any attention to me, Roy. You're just like father, absorbed in your damn alchemy like men possessed. The few times you even noticed I was in the house, it was more like I was an annoyance that you wished would buzz off back to the academy." Her body shook hard as she tried to rein in her emotions. "Tonight, you only managed to drag your eyes away from Malca's cleavage long enough to get Keddrick in your sights."
"I'm sorry you feel that way." Roy peeled his gloves off and pocketed them nervously. "I can't deny getting lost in my research but tonight, if it looked like I was doing nothing more than trying to irritate Keddrick, well, I'm sorry. I wasn't. I knew you didn't want him bothering you and I was trying...I didn't want him around you. I didn't know how to get rid of him without looking like I didn't trust you to handle yourself."
"So your sudden burst of concern had something to do with anything other than Keddrick insulting you?" she asked, the sneer in her voice unlike anything he'd ever heard in her tone before.
"Apparently you don't believe so," he said, his eyes hardening. This was no how he imagined this talk was going to go. He had no idea she resented him this much.
"How can I, Roy? The one and only time you've ever noticed me was when I gave you father's secret." Tears cut rivulets down her face. She wrapped her arms around herself as if she were trying to hold back the torrent of quakes that shook her. "The only time I ever showed my body to a man and the only thing that hardened him was the damn tattoo," she snarled, turning away from him.
Roy felt the fire in his face, acutely ashamed of himself. How could he have made her feel so small? He had thought she had missed that indiscretion of his and instead she had let it erode her faith in herself. He twisted, rested his forehead against the marble mantel as he stared into the crackling fire. He couldn't feel the warmth, the chill of her words frosting him from the inside. "I'm so sorry, Riza. I never meant...I didn't mean to diminish you." He heard her stifle a sob behind him. "I had no idea..." Roy turned around to face her. "Your father never wanted me paying attention to you. I didn't know why. At the time, I assumed he thought I wasn't good enough for you, and I needed him. I didn't want him angry with me and Teacher could be...frightening."
Riza hiccupped up a nigh hysterical laugh as she sank on to her bed. "He was."
Roy went over to the bed, leaning down. He stroked her cheek. "I am sorry, Riza. I never meant for you to feel like a one night stand that got used and tossed aside."
She cradled her face on the soft thick sleeve of her ugly robe, letting the make up smear there. She scrubbed the back of her other hand over her eyes. "I shouldn't have expected you to read my mind about how I felt either. I could have told you but with the specter of Father hanging over us and then our ranks..."
"That is an inconvenience," Roy admitted, sitting on the bed next to her.
Her eyes widened in surprise. "You thought about it?"
"When Maes isn't conspiring with you to tease me about being a glorified lighter, he spends his time teasing me about my feelings for you." Roy managed a weak smile. She looked at him questioningly. Roy ran a hand over her curled hair. "I guess you weren't the only one expecting a mind reader. If it looked like I was suddenly taking notice of you tonight, it's because you looked so beautiful that I was completely moonstruck. I've never seen you look like a princess from a fairy tale before. Those horrid Rennsa uniforms..."
"Is that what you want, Roy? A girl who knows how to dress and all that sort of thing? Rennsalaer certainly prepared me for that," she interrupted bitterly.
"No, I'm far more impressed by the girl who isn't so afraid of four armed gunmen that she couldn't shoot her way out." Roy smiled and Riza echoed it. "I don't want some dreadfully dull wife, Riza, never have. I want...well, everything that makes up my partner, all the facets. If it's not been clear." He hesitated, knowing it hadn't been. How could it be? It hadn't even been clear to him. "What I want is you."
He took a chance, leaning in close, and brushed his lips over hers in just a whisper of a kiss. He traced the bow of her lips with his tongue. Riza put her arms around him, pressing into him. Her mouth opened and he slipped his tongue into her warmth. Her strong fingers buried themselves in his hair as he kissed her harder. His mouth nearly felt bruised from the force of which she kissed him back, all but devouring him. She tasted of lipstick and tears.
Roy came up for air. "Riza...maybe this is too fast."
"We've been friends for years." She unbuttoned his uniform jacket. "How many chances will we have to be alone? I know what I want. Do you have doubts?"
He wondered if she were that naive. Most teenaged boys in this position weren't likely to suddenly say no but he realized almost belatedly that she meant it on a deeper level than 'do you want to have sex?' "None," he said, easing away from her gently. She gave him a puzzled look. Roy slipped his jacket off then dug out something from the inside pocket.
"You carry chalk?" Her tone went incredulous.
"I do know more alchemy than fire." Roy got up and drew an array on the wall next to the marble topped wash stand. "Anyone comes to the door, I go through this wall."
She smiled, slipping the ugly robe off. The frilly nightie looked better on her than he imagined. "If Uncle Bob comes up here, I'll protect you."
"You may need to." He grinned, coming back to the bed. "Because I want to wake up here with you."
Her lips trembled at that. He moved in to kiss them and her body melted against his. Roy contented himself with learning the contours of her mouth before finally moving off to unexplored territory. He nuzzled into the silk and lace, peeling the silk ribbons down the front open. Riza moaned softly as his lips and tongue teased her. She arched into him.
He moved his greedy mouth between them as Riza worked her hands under his collar and along the rim of his shoulders. He didn't want to tell her he'd never been with a virgin before, usually allowing himself to be seduced by more knowledgeable, older girls. There were things he was vaguely aware of about that state but hadn't ever worried about it. Now he did. He didn't want to hurt Riza.
She had switched her attack to trying to get his shirt unbuttoned. Roy sat back, giving her better access to him. Riza all but tore him out of it. Her hot lips pressed against his belly and he worked his fingers into her stiff curls, massaging her scalp as her lips worked on his flesh. She pulled away.
"You have to get your boots off," she murmured.
Roy wrinkled his nose, wondering how ridiculous he looked, lust clouded, and those stupid military boots all stained and damp with melted snow. He flopped back on the bed and struggled with the laces. Riza leaned over and helped him.
Her eyes met his. He'd never seen her look like this, the veil of carnality drawn across her delicate features. He moaned into her mouth as she kissed him.
Roy slipped out of her grasp, his hands going to her nightgown. He eased it off of her, letting it flutter to the floor. He just looked at her strong, muscled body and the expanse of breast he hadn't realized she was hiding behind all her various uniforms. Her coloring reminded him of strawberries and cream and he wanted to lap up every last bit. He got off the bed and let his trousers slide off. His pocket watch made a dull thud as it hit ground swathed in wool.
He crawled back on the bed with her, bearing her backwards against the sheets. "You're so beautiful," he whispered, curling his tongue around her ear, sucking in the lobe. Her sapphires clacked on his teeth. Roy stretched out along side her, slowly trailing his fingers up her thigh, feeling her tense a little. "You're sure?"
"Yes," she said but he could see the hint of fear mixing in with the lust.
X X X
Afterwards, Roy let himself lie in a tangle with her for a while before rolling onto the mattress, panting. He brushed a sweat-slicked curl off her face. "Riza, I'm sor-"
She pressed a finger to his lips. "It wasn't as bad as you think. I knew what it would be sort of like." She skimmed a hand over his trembling arm. "It was good."
"I'm glad." Roy pulled her closer, snuggling for a while. After a while, his gaze drifted up and a little frown kissed his lips.
"You're looking at that horrid headboard, aren't you?" she said, her lips moving against his shoulder.
"I can't help it." Roy's eyes fixed on the squirrel raiding the bird's nest.
"I used to have nightmares about squirrels coming to eat me. Don't look at it. You'll have bad dreams," Riza squirmed on the bed, rolling a bit.
"Rather look at you." Roy turned her more so he could kiss her shoulder blade. His tongue flicked out and traced along the tattoo.
Riza giggled, wriggling under him. "Roy, that tickles."
"So I see," he murmured against her flesh before continuing his pattern trace.
"You and that tattoo. Did it..." She looked over her shoulder at him. "Make you happy, Roy?"
"It unlocked the doors that needed unlocking," he replied, toying with her hair. "You made me happy, not a collection of ink."
Her face turned tender with love and relief. "Thank you. You are staying here, aren't you?" She took his hand. "I don't think Uncle Bob will be sober enough to realize you're not in your room."
"I'll stay."
"We could..." She smiled at him.
"And smarter this time," he said sheepishly.
"Smarter...oh." Riza's eyes flicked down to their waists then back up horrified. "What did we do?"
"Got a little too caught up. It's not like I don't have one in my billfold." Roy scowled at his own stupidity.
Riza's brow stitched up. "You were on duty. Why would you have one with you to escort Malca?"
"It's always in there, just in case. Of course, it's dependent on me being smart enough to remember it." Roy pulled her closer. "Next time," he murmured sleepily, draping himself around her. Riza just muttered something affirmative against his skin as they both drifted off to dream.
