Originally Published: March 25, 2021

Last Edited: April 5, 2022

A/N: I hope you enjoy. I'm feeling sick and I sort of forgot that I was scheduled to publish today, so it hasn't been through the last round of edits I usually put into my chapters. I'll probably come back to it later today after I get some sleep and make sure it's not horrible. (Yay overworking myself at work! *facedesk*)

Thank you all again for the Favorites, Follows, and Reviews. They keep me going.

Chapter 11

Protection

Sunday, September 15, 1918

For the second morning in a row, Riza was eased from sleep with pleasant dreams and filtered light coming through the curtains. Inhaling deeply, she languidly opened her heavy eyelids. Before her lay Roy, his ebony eyes watching her, a light sparking behind them as he lifted his head an inch.

"Good morning," he grinned, the expression boyish and bright. "I didn't wake you, did I?"

"Mmm, no. What time is it?" she mumbled, tempted to close her eyes again, only resisting because of him. He was quite a sight, jaw dusted with stubble, hair tousled from sleep, and absolutely gorgeous.

"Um," he sat up, reaching for his nightstand. He slipped on his reading glasses before clicking open his State Alchemist watch. "0936."

She groaned, raising a hand to rub her face, trying to break the groggy spell on her. "That's bad. I don't sleep in. Getting up tomorrow for work will be dangerous."

"Dangerous?" he lilted, cocking an eyebrow as he looked down at her, closing the watch face.

"Mhm. I'm going to have to set an alarm at this rate, and I usually shoot my alarm clocks."

He blinked, taking off his glasses. "Well, don't take your gun to bed. I'd rather not be shot when you mean to shoot the clock."

Riza snorted, grabbing a pillow and covering her face. "I thought you knew: I don't miss."

He mumbled something incoherent, encouraging Riza to uncover her face and give him a glare. "Well, what do you suggest instead? I'll let you know I still tend to sleep in," he scooted to lay beside her again, face level and close to hers. His smoky scent reached her faintly across the sheets, her stomach tangling into knots of nerves and anticipation.

"We'll just have to let Hayate sleep under the covers," she determined, closing her eyes again, settling back into the mattress, trying to calm her butterflies.

"Why? I just asserted dominance over him last night. If he's sleeping in the bed, I'll lose the ground I gained."

"Hmm," she offered half heartedly. "He licks my feet when I sleep in. It's the only non aggressive solution I have, Sir."

Roy's arms wrapped around her center, pulling her to him, his breath dancing across the shell of her ear. "Am I going to have to wear socks to bed?"

She turned her head to face him, her lips brushing skin. Eyes opening, she found him right there. Surprised, she pulled back a hair, eyeing him cautiously. "If you don't want to be woken up by dog tongue."

"What about your tongue?" his sultry rumble drew her eyes to his mouth.

He closed their minimal distance, lips parted as he captured her in a deep kiss. She moaned as she felt his tongue rub across hers, urging her to return. She embraced his kiss, sucking softly on his mouth. Heat rushed down her torso to her crotch, her butterflies solidifying into proper arousal.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, her knee lifting to rest on his waist. His hand clutched at her offered leg, running down her thigh and across her silky robe. Reaching the hem, his fingers pushed under the fabric, his touch along the bare skin of the back of her thigh causing her breath to catch. Her head involuntarily knocked back, separating their mouths. He took it in turn, kissing her jaw then her throat. His tongue ran across her windpipe, drawing another moan from her as he rolled on top of her.

She felt her robe drop to her waist, his body comfortably positioned between her legs. His hips met hers, his flannels between them as his erected member began grinding against her wet area. His hands gently tugged her robe open, caressing her abdomen and waist almost reverently.

His mouth pulled away, heated breaths short against the moist spot he'd left on her neck. "Is this alright? Am I pushing too far?"

She opened her eyes, meeting his intense, black gaze, desperate to know if he was accepted. A soft smile twitched the edges of her mouth, her gaze softening. "Do you have a condom this..."

A thunderous knock came from the door downstairs, cutting off Riza's question. She stiffened, pushing herself up to her elbows as Roy rose to his knees over her, his jaw tight. "Is Chris coming again?" she gasped, Hayate beginning his territorial bark at the door.

"No," he answered tersely, climbing off of her, giving her space to sit up properly. She glanced over him as he climbed off the bed and rounded to the door, steps determined.

"Roy," she drew him to a pause, "Your pants."

He glanced down, cursing softly as he changed directions to the dresser, pushing the waistband of his soiled flannels down. "Get dressed. Or at least make the guest bed look used. I'll get the door, but with Hayate, whoever it is is going to know something is up."

Riza climbed out of the bed, keeping her steps light as she rushed out of the master bedroom and into the guest room. Another knock came from the door as Riza began pulling at the sheets, pressing some pillows and doing her best to make the bed look used. Hayate's barks downstairs continued, making her grimace as Roy's rushed footsteps left the other room, descending the stairs.

Satisfied with the bed's distress, she moved to the doorway of the room, fumbling with the sides of her robe, pulling it tightly closed as the door opened downstairs.

"Sheesh, give me a chance to answer, Havoc," Roy's voice grumbled as Riza tied her robe again. Havoc? Remembering the 'sex hair' comments from yesterday morning, her hands flew to her hair as she began combing through it with her fingers.

"Hayate's here? Riza! Riza, I'm sorry..." Rebecca's cry made Riza cringe, ducking behind the door frame more.

"Excuse you, Lieutenant, I didn't invite you... where are you going? Catalina!"

"Becky!" Havoc added to Roy's protest as determined steps stomped across the wooden floors below.

Riza pursed her lips, grabbing the door and easing it shut, "Riza, I have to talk with you," Rebecca insisted as she fastened the lock as quietly as she could.

"What the hell are you doing, Catalina?" Roy's voice came muffled through the door as Riza slowly retreated back to the guest bed, sitting hesitantly on the end.

She loved Rebecca Catalina, but after their last interaction, she became very aware of the fact she hadn't prepared herself to speak with her again. Housing and Chris and Roy had taken nearly all of her attention the last day and a half, and the thought of facing Rebecca so ill prepared left anxiety crawling in her chest.

"Where is she? Clearly she's been here," Rebecca demanded, her voice coming with a muffled huff.

"We just want to make sure she's safe. Right, Bec- Catalina?"

"She's safe, but if she was here and wanted to talk to you, don't you think she would have shown herself by now? Why are you even looking for her?" Roy asked, his voice getting harder to hear as he calmed his tone.

"That's none of your business, Mustang," Becca snapped. "Hayate, where's your mommy? I need to talk with her."

"Hayate, stay," Roy growled, Riza left imagining her poor dog trying to decide who to obey, and who to ignore. She hoped Roy's offhand comment about establishing authority with Hayate wasn't false.

A pause was followed by Rebecca's groan of frustration. "Hayate, you're supposed to be on my side. Nevermind, I'll find her on my own." Her heavy steps moved again before the stairs began to creak with added weight.

"She's not here," Roy pressed, doing well at sounding annoyed, though she doubted that was due to any acting on his part. "She went to get a few things from storage. Left maybe thirty minutes ago."

"What kind of things?"

"I don't know. I was sleeping when she left. She also doesn't have to tell me every detail of her life. An attitude you could adopt. She'd likely appreciate it."

There was a prolonged pause before she announced, "She's hiding upstairs."

"Rebecca, she hasn't come down. The Chief is probably right, she likely doesn't want to talk to you," Jean cautioned.

"Why wouldn't she want to talk to me? I'm her best friend!"

"I don't know, something about you making her cry the last time you spoke?" With Jean's words, Riza grimaced, fingers curling into the sheets as she exhaled slowly through her nose.

"You had to say that in front of him?" Becca bit.

"I already knew and she's already had a hell of a weekend without you making it worse. I suggest you go, Catalina. Let her come to you when she's ready."

"But I'm the one in the wrong," the crack in her voice made Riza sigh in resignation. Clearly her friend was worried and a tad desperate.

Pushing herself to her feet, Riza crossed to the door, unlocking it and opening it half way. "I'm up here, Rebecca." Without waiting for her response, Riza turned back to the bed, briskly beginning to fix the messed up sheets. There was a beat before Rebecca's steps began calmly climbing the stairs, the murmur of the men's voices reaching her from downstairs. The door creaked slightly as it opened more, Riza keeping her back to her friend as she tucked in sheets.

"You slept in," Rebecca commented lightly.

"Yeah, well after crying myself to sleep the night before, and spending all day yesterday looking for an apartment in the rain, I figured I should catch up," Riza answered briskly, aware of the men's voices downstairs moving underneath them, likely to the living room. She glanced back towards Becca, curly hair in its usual ponytail, wearing jeans and her favorite blue sweater. Her expression was guilt ridden, her dark eyes wide. Riza turned back to the bed quickly, brushing a strand of hanging hair behind her ear. "You wanted to talk to me?"

"Riza- I am so sorry about Friday night. I shouldn't have said anything like that. Even if it were true- which, of course I now know it isn't- I was entirely in the wrong. I suppose I was just scared. I know I shouldn't have been, I trust you, but..."

"You know, I'm scared for you too," Riza interjected, voice quiet and soft. "And you were right. I should be supporting you in this," she straightened, turning to face Rebecca properly. "If Jean really makes you that happy, I want things to work out between you two. You're both my friends, after all."

Rebecca's shock melted into a watery smile, tears brimming her eyes. "Oh, Riza, thank you! Jean has been so good to me the last three years, I can't imagine... Is that a- a hickey?" Rebecca blinked away her tears, eyes focusing on Riza's neck.

An electric wave of fear, shock, and pleasure shot through Riza's veins, a hand lifting to brush her throat subconsciously. Heat rose in her chest with the memory of arousal, the phantom feel of Roy's lips making her cheeks prickle with warmth, a heat pooling between her legs again, threatening to run down her legs.

Horrified by the instinctive reaction, she stepped her legs together tightly as Rebecca's eyes widened, a mischievous light in her eyes. "Did you...? Have you been...? With whom? Riza, you have to tell me about this- lover!" she gushed in an excited whisper. She closed the door quickly before rushing to Riza's side, grabbing her hands and squeezing them.

"Rebecca, no," Riza tried pulling away, her heart racing with anxiety. She didn't like lying to Rebecca almost as much as she didn't like lying to Roy. There was also the fact that Rebecca could sniff out her falsehoods like a bloodhound.

"Come on. I've spent the last two nights worried that you'd never let yourself find love because of that bastard. If you've really moved on..."

"Don't call him that!" Riza snapped, jerking her hands free. "He's your Commanding Officer and deserves your respect."

"My respect? Respect my ass! That dickhead broke your heart and has been dragging you around with him the last decade. All for his personal ambition. Jean and I are both mad about that, by the way."

"Rebecca, he can probably hear you. Sound travels really easily through this house."

Rebecca cringed at that, but not for the reason Riza had assumed. "He hasn't had any lovers over, has he? If he's fucking other women with you in the house..."

"No. Nothing like that," Riza shook her head, fascinated at the way her mind came up with all of this.

"Oh good. Now, you were telling me about this lover of yours. That's a pretty good hickey. I think your turtlenecks should hide it though. Was he any good? How big was he?"

Riza balked, "Big?"

"You know, his ding dong. His peen peen. His cock-a-doddle-do."

"What! Rebecca!" Riza had to forcefully lower her voice from outrage, instead hissing, "I don't know. I'm a virgin. I got drunk at a bar on Friday and he got a little handsy."

"But you liked it! I saw that blush. You want to get tongue tied with him again, don't you?"

"What? No! I don't know. I don't even know his name. He helped me get to the General's house and that was that."

"Did he think you were married?" Rebecca asked, clearly mortified by the idea.

"I- I don't know," Riza stammered, desperately hoping Rebecca wouldn't press further into events and sniff out the lie. The huge lie. If Rebecca found out...

"Do you think he frequents the place? Maybe we can get you two together again. I mean, thirty-one's a bit old to still have the cherry intact, if you know what I mean."

"I do not need your help to get laid, thank you very much," Riza snapped, turning her back on Rebecca and moving over to the dresser, beginning to pull out clothes for the day. She desperately needed to put on a pair of panties, but that wasn't an option with Rebecca there.

"Come on, I'd love to see you happy with someone. Not that you can't be happy on your own, it's just- I've seen you get really down about Mustang from time to time," her voice grew quiet with the confession.

Riza pursed her lips, trying to find a non-work shirt that would hide any marks on her neck (most collars were only high on the back to cover the ink). "And when you thought we were sneaking around, what exactly did you think was going on?"

"Maybe you two were fighting. I don't know, I knew it was directed at him though."

Riza inhaled, closing her eyes as she struggled internally with the desire to tell Rebecca the truth. The only thing holding her back was the fact that she hadn't talked it over with Roy- and the best way to keep a secret was to not tell anyone. But she and Roy knew about her and Jean. Wouldn't it only be fair to come clean.

"What is it?" Rebecca murmured in concern.

Lowering the shirt she held, Riza dared to ask, "If- if the General and I had been together like you had thought, would you have been angry that I kept it from you?"

"Not angry. Disappointed, but I would have understood why you had. Why do you ask?"

Disappointed. The word hit her like a wall of bricks, her shoulders collapsing under the weight. She couldn't keep it from her.

She prayed she wouldn't regret this later.

"I didn't lie to you on Friday. There was- a night when I expressed my feelings to Roy, and he shut me down. That was right after the War.

"But I didn't get drunk Friday night. There wasn't some nameless stranger who took advantage. I didn't go to a bar. After our argument, I went back to headquarters, intending to stay the night camping in the office."

Riza forced herself to turn towards Rebecca, meeting her silent, steadfast gaze. "The General left his ignition gloves and when he came to retrieve them, he found me there crying. He insisted I come stay with him here. That night I had... I dreamt about him, and..." her voice quavered, her lips resisting the confession.

"Dear god. Did Mustang give that to you?" Riza nodded silently, heart pounding. "Riza... fuck... Is he using you?"

"What?" her voice cracked, her heart threatening to shatter with Rebecca's words. Roy was...?

Who would love her? Her father certainly hadn't. Why would Roy?

It had been one of her concerns all those years ago, making out on that damn couch of his. It had seemed to be proven correct as his playboy reputation had boomed in the following months.

But... Chris had said it was a cover.

She took a deep breath, doing her best to combat the rising panic in her chest, her hands trembling.

"Riza? I- that was the wrong thing to say. I've seen how he cares about you. The entire Team has. It was just my first thought. You know me, I spit out everything that crosses my mind."

"Please- shut up," Riza whispered. She turned from Rebecca, crossing to the bed with weak knees, taking a seat on the edge. She bent over, her golden locks curtaining her view. She lifted her hands, digging her fingers into the roots of her hair.

"I don't think you understand. If he doesn't care- if he's really using me- then..." Riza's words caught with a restrained sob in her throat, no sound escaping as her breath hitched.

"Ri," Rebecca rushed to her side, the bed dipping next to her as her arm wrapped around her shoulders. "He does, though. He really does. If he didn't, he wouldn't have brought you here. If he didn't, he wouldn't look at you the way he does. Trust me, I've been the brunt of a lot of his passive apathy."

Riza made a sound somewhere between a snort and a sob, mentally allowing herself to nestle into Rebecca's arms, seeking comfort. "He's not apathetic, he's jealous. For a long time he was my only friend and you were the first addition to that exclusive group."

"See, who would get jealous over someone they don't care about?" Rebecca soothed, her hand gently rubbing across her shoulder blades, the feeling coming in and out of her sense of touch. Riza closed her eyes, tensing slightly with the realization she wasn't wearing much and Rebecca could likely feel her scar. Her friend said nothing about it though, instead changing the subject for Riza's sake. "So, what kind of dream did you have to trigger this change in your relationship?"

Riza sighed, making herself sit up. "Take a guess. Hayate woke us both up, and I was really aroused."

"But- you said you're still a virgin. Is that true? Did you lie to me again?" Rebecca demanded lightheartedly.

"Just because I was aroused doesn't mean he took advantage of me. Maybe of the situation, just to clear the air, but he's been a perfect gentleman."

"I can't believe you. So if I'm understanding this right, you've been in love with this man for years, and after you both are honest about your feelings, you still haven't fucked him yet? I think you might need help getting laid after all."

Riza grimaced, looking at Rebecca with a cold stare. "With your help, our moment was interrupted when you came knocking on the door. Yesterday it was his aunt. At this rate, we may never get the opportunity because apparently this house attracts unwanted visitors."

Rebecca's eyes widened in complete horror. "We... You were... JEAN!" She stood up in a flurry, opening the door and rushing downstairs. "Jean, we need to go! No buts, I'll explain later! BYE RIZA! I expect good news tomorrow!" she sang, the front door opening, then closing with a rattling snap.

With their absence, Hayate gave a single bark, likely bidding the two of them farewell. Riza gave a weak laugh, laying on top of the floral print comforter, resting her forearm over her eyes. Somehow, someway, Rebecca had made her morning a little brighter, despite the rough meandering of their conversation.

Roy's footsteps began slowly climbing the stairs, the wood creaking softly under his steps. She found a slight smile as he reached the landing, his knuckles rapping softly on the open door.

"Come in, Sir."

"I feel like a hurricane just passed through," he admitted as he stepped in, stopping at the foot of the bed.

"She does leave that impression, doesn't she?" Riza smiled before sitting up, meeting his calculating gaze. She could see the curiosity burning behind his charcoal eyes, Riza reaching out to take his hand.

"I told her," she watched for his reaction, but he gave none. He had far too much practice hiding his emotions in his maneuvering for Fuhrership. "I hesitated because I didn't ask you, but between us knowing about them, and her increased enmity towards you, I couldn't leave her with a lie... And my cover story was awful."

"Cover story?"

She lifted her free hand to brush her throat, "How noticeable is the hickey?"

He glanced down to her neck, his eyes fractionally widening. "I- I didn't..."

"It's alright, Si- Roy," she corrected, allowing a tenderness to enter her voice. "Did Jean give you grief?"

"I noticed he was tense, but he didn't seem keen on talking about it. He just agreed to help me take the couch out back," he shrugged.

"The couch? Why?" she asked, bewildered.

"I burned it."

"You what!"

He shrugged, "I burned it. I made quick work of it, but the couch is gone. I don't want it reminding you of painful memories. Not when we're finally replacing them."

His words sank in and settled over her. "Oh... Roy." She was surprisingly- touched by the gesture. He went and burned his favorite couch because she didn't like it. Maybe a bit extreme, but it was also symbolic. Burning the past and moving on, so to speak.

"Anyways, what was Jean upset about?" Roy asked lightly, a soft pink hue coloring his cheeks.

She smiled, his embarrassment rather adorable. "He and Rebecca were apparently pretty upset about your 'treatment' of me ten years ago and since."

"Oh. He didn't say anything about that. He mainly wanted to know details about you staying here. I told him about finding you in the office and that I knew you ladies had been in a serious argument, but I fudged it by saying I thought the argument was about their relationship only, not ours."

"So it's a good thing I told the truth. My cover involved a handsy bar patron bringing me here after I got drunk. Rebecca would have caught the lie pretty quickly and interrogated me again. So, Jean knows you know- about them."

His lips parted for a brief second before he answered, "Yeah."

"I wouldn't put it past Rebecca telling Jean," Riza confided, grimacing slightly. "That makes five."

He suddenly shushed her, lifting his free hand and brushing back her bangs, digging his fingers into her hair and cupping her cheek. As he did, a wave of anxiety washed over her, Roy seeming to have known her fears before she had. "At least we can trust them. It helps that we know about them too. They know how frightening discovery can be."

She closed her eyes, pressing her cheek against his palm for added reassurance. "Hold me," she whispered, wanting nothing more in that single instance than to feel his warm arms coiled around her frame, her body held against his.

Without hesitation, he sat beside her, his arms shifting around her and tugging her against his side. She frowned, instantly pulling away and pushing herself back further on the bed.

"Ri," he protested lightly, "I thought..."

"Not there, lie with me," she instructed, pulling her feet onto the bed last, curling back onto the blankets.

He gave a disbelieving laugh, "We can't stay in bed all day. My adjunct wouldn't allow it."

She narrowed her eyes at him, scowling. "She's not here right now. Come cuddle me before she comes back."

He chuckled again, a playful glint in his eyes as he turned towards her, a hand softly brushing her ankle, sending a tingle up her leg. "Just cuddle? You don't want to- pick up where we left off?"

She felt her cheeks heat with the question, her eyes flicking subconsciously to his lap. He'd switched from his flannels to his lounge pants earlier, but she could clearly see the tent forming. She swallowed, meeting his eyes again as her heart thundered in her throat.

"I think I'd be alright with that, if you're gentle," she breathed. Daringly, she parted her legs for him, her breasts rising and falling faster with her quickening breaths.

His lips parted, eyes fastened to hers save for a brief flicker down at her movement. His fingers caressed up the length of her calf, around the edge of her kneecap, to the inside of her thigh. His gaze moved downward again as he edged the silky fabric of her robe up her leg.

He paused, licking his lips as he looked back up at her. "Are you sure? I've been trying really hard not to push you."

"Roy," she murmured, holding his gaze. She reached for the tie of her robe, tugging it loose in a slow motion.

He inhaled sharply, climbing up onto the bed, moving over her. His hand drifted towards her core along her thigh, causing her breath to hitch as she flew to catch his wrist, stopping him. His brows twitched, confusion flooding his face.

"Not yet. I- I want to wait until we're both ready. Does that- does that make sense?"

He nodded, his hands moving to her waist instead, pulling her robe open. She glanced at his mouth, her lips parting as she met his gaze. It didn't take him more prompting than that, his kiss heated, his tongue finding hers eagerly as his hand traced up to her breast, caressing the edge of her areola. She exhaled in a rush, kissing back just as deeply, her hands reaching up to grab the soft cotton of his nightshirt in fistfuls. He pulled away, ripping his shirt over his head, exposing that beautifully cut torso of his right in front of her face. Toned muscles, clear abs, pink scar, and that taunting v plunging under his waistband.

She sat up, shrugging her shoulders from her robe as his head came free of the cloth, his hair mussed from his haste. Her hands found his skin, feeling his taut abdomen as his hands cupped her neck, pulling her in for another fiery kiss. His teeth caught her lower lip, grazing softly over the plump flesh, stirring butterflies in her stomach again. Her fingers hooked under his waistband, teasing the fabric for a moment before she began tugging them down.

He released her lip, forehead pressing against hers as their breaths mixed. "Careful, Love," he murmured, one of his hands joining hers and helping to remove the last of his clothing. He pulled back, the distance leaving her cold as he worked himself out of his pant legs. Her eyes fluttered open, his intense expression and focus on his task, leaving her a brief second to look down.

She'd been in the Military for thirteen years now, and in her line of work she'd been granted unintentional glimpses of male anatomy on several occasions. In that moment she was hit by the reality that she'd never seen one so close. Never seen one aroused. Never seen his.

Nerves tumbled in her gut and she was reminded of the time she'd first been presented with a pistol in the Academy. The gleaming black metal, the unfamiliar grip, the knowledge that something so small could so easily kill or harm. It wasn't the same, but the emotion was: intense, intimidating, and inevitable.

"Hey," Roy breathed, his hands cupping her jaw and lifting her face to his, concern in his eyes. "If you're not ready, you're not ready. We can stop. I could please you instead. We don't have to go the whole way."

Breath thick in her throat, she glanced down at his Adam's apple, level with her eyes. With a steadying breath, she reached for him and gently wrapped her hand around his length. He gave a slightly strangled sound, his hands tightening on her jaw briefly as she met his eyes again. "No. No, teach me," she whispered.

She wasn't going to let this scare her anymore.

He shifted his hand around hers, silently guiding her to tighten her grip. When she squeezed too hard he winced slightly, Riza released him, grimacing. "Sorry."

He shook his head, "Imagine you're holding your gun. Firm, but not too tight," he murmured, guiding her wrist back to him.

She gave a breathy laugh at that, tightening her grip, finding the right pressure easily this time, "Can you actually read my mind, Roy? I was just thinking about..."

He guided her hand in a very familiar motion, her eyes widening in shock. He smirked at her reaction, leaning closer to her ear, his voice coming in a whisper, "There's a reason it's called 'cocking' a gun, Captain. I expect you'll be fairly good at this, even without experience. Only thing is, this gun isn't semi-automatic."

He guided her through the motion again, his cheek brushing against hers, his stubble scratching her skin. She pulled back slightly, wanting to see his face as she took initiative, pumping him without his urging. A strangled groan came from the back of his throat, his eyes briefly rolling back before he quickly made eye contact with her again, releasing her hand.

She faltered briefly, heart thundering as she started a rhythm. His hands cupped her jaw, pulling her in for a gentle kiss, which quickly became more passionate the more she rubbed him. The more heated the kiss, the less steady her rhythm, going fast, then slow. He moaned and shuddered, suddenly shoving her back to the bed, his breath ragged.

Their kiss broke, his hand catching her wrist and pulling it away from his length. "Ri... please..." he groaned, nuzzling her neck as he pinned her wrist to the bed, his teeth nipping at her throat and down to her collarbone. She gasped as she felt his tip graze her area, fire rolling through her body as she instinctively lifted her knees, moving her thighs to either side of his hips.

"Get in me, Roy," she breathed, a tightness of anticipation and desire between her legs. He shuddered again with her words, his mouth dipping to her breast, latching onto her nipple. "Please... I'm done waiting. I want you," she whimpered, his tip against her area driving her to desperation. "Roy," she begged.

He released her tit with a wet pop, pulling back to look at her properly. An unfamiliar, warm, desperate light was in his eyes, not quite lust, but certainly driven by desire. Almost- hesitant. His hand shifted from her wrist to entwine with her fingers, his other hand catching her free one to do the same, pinning both on either side of her head.

"It'll hurt," he breathed raggedly.

"I know."

"I don't want to hurt you," he shook his head for emphasis, the desperation dominating his mixed expression with the confession.

"Please... Roy," she thrust her hips upward against his cock, causing him to gasp. "I've waited so long. I need you."

He exhaled unevenly, glancing down and shifting ever so slightly across her womanhood. She didn't look away, his eyes finding hers again as he gently pressed against her entrance. She gasped, her body briefly resisting his size before he sunk in, Riza feeling a slight pop. She flinched, breath catching.

His eyes widened at her reaction, freezing only an inch or two inside of her, "Ri?"

"Keep going, I'm fine," she tried to reassure, her voice breathy and higher pitched than usual.

He hesitated a moment, searching her eyes desperately, his hands squeezing hers. She steadied her breath, squeezing back as she nodded. He gulped, glancing between them as he began pressing in again.

Breath stolen, her back and neck arched with the sensation. As he reached his base, he stopped, his panting breaths rushing across her skin as he squeezed her hands again. Her body ached around him, unused to his size- and he felt huge. Her own pants came from processing his width, her mind and body consumed by that moment of finally having this. Finally being one.

"Are you alright?" he panted, diverting her minimally from the feeling.

"Y- yeah," she exhaled.

"We can stop if it's too much."

She gave a breathy chuckle, her toes curling in response to his overwhelming physical presence. "You're already in me, why would I want to stop now?"

His expression remained serious, "I mean it, Riza. If you ever need to stop, I will." She held his gaze, her grip between his fingers tightening subconsciously. A muscle in his cheek twitched, "Rate your pain for me."

She blinked with the- order. It was an order, she could see it in his eyes. She focused on how she felt, evaluating her response. "It's- not pain, it's- discomfort? You feel really big and I'm not used to that."

"Number," he pressed, not deterred.

She took a deep breath, processing swiftly. "A- two? One. It's growing less uncomfortable."

He held her gaze for another heartbeat before pulling back. She gasped sharply, her entire body tensing with the sensation, clutching to his scarred hands. He stopped, "Number."

She whimpered ever so slightly, trembling, "Three. Go slower."

"Shit, Ri. Three? You act like-"

"Three, Roy," she interrupted, meeting his gaze firmly. "Stop worrying and just- go slow."

His expression softened, giving a measured exhale. He eased into a slow rhythm, Riza far too aware of his focus on her reactions. Her body groaned silently, the ache beginning to mix with pleasure slowly but surely. She exhaled, pulling her hands free from his, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. She pulled her chest up, flush with his, her face next to his. His warm breath on her shoulder and stubble on her skin helped her relax after the stress of hiding her discomfort. One of his arms moved to support her back, his hand splayed across her tattoo and scar as he gently lowered her back to the mattress, keeping their skin in contact.

She closed her eyes, nuzzling his muscled shoulder and deeply inhaling his scent as a proper wave of pleasure rushed through her, causing a gentle moan to escape her throat, "Oh, Roy."

He stiffened, head twisting towards her as he halted mid thrust. "Do I need to stop?"

"No, it's just starting to feel good. Mmmf, go a little faster."

He grunted, his mouth pressing against her jaw, lips trailing to her ear. He nipped at her earlobe softly, his tongue rolling her stud as he complied with her request, his thrusts coming faster than before. She didn't hold back her moan, fascinated by the new sensations she was finally experiencing, heat bubbling in her chest pleasantly.

She dug her fingers into his shoulder blades, her head knocking back as she tightened her thighs around his waist. His mouth dipped across her jaw and to her throat, his hand sliding out from under her as he moved his weight to both arms. He pulled his chest away, still nuzzling her neck as he picked up his pace more.

She moaned under him, heat and pleasure flooding through her veins as she braced herself against him. "Roy?"

He released her neck, panting heavily against her skin. "What is it- Love?"

"Are- are you enjoying this? What- what can I do to- make it better?"

He lifted his head, sweat beading his forehead as he gave a breathy laugh, "Better? Ri, you're perfect!" He paused, his focus fuzzing for a moment as he gave a heavy groan. He blinked, eyes locking onto her again as he moved a hand to the back of her thigh, pulling her leg higher up his side.

The shift in position made her flinch, body suddenly remembering this was her first time and she was far from accustomed to his size. "Roy," she gasped, hands moving to his abdomen instinctively and pushing.

He tensed, releasing her leg and pulling out of her instantly. "Shit! Are you alright?" His hands moved to cup her jaw, frantically brushing her hair from her face.

She shuddered with his withdrawal, a hollow emptiness replacing him that she'd never felt before. Accompanying the sensation, her body began to ache with a dull throb, her eyes watering as a tear ran down from one of her eyes.

He licked his lips, hastily brushing the tear away as the tension in her body melted, leaving her feeling limp under him. "Ri?"

"I- I-" her voice quavered, eyes closing, "I'm fine."

Through their touch, she could feel him flinch. She forced her eyes open to see the hurt in his eyes, his brow furrowed. She'd seen that expression too recently to mistake it. Sighing, she reached up to gently caress his stubble lined jaw, enjoying the feel against her skin. "I ache. It- it hurt when you moved my leg, but I'm alright now- just sore."

"Number?"

"Two-two and a half," she relented, dropping her hand, body feeling heavy.

He carefully brushed her fringe across her forehead, leaning down to press a gentle and brief kiss to her lips. "I'm going to take care of you," he promised, voice husky. "Do you still like baths?"

She chuckled breathily. A bath was a luxury she'd only had while visiting her grandfather in the Fuhrer's Manor since she'd returned to Ishval. (Soldier's barracks in the middle of the desert weren't really known for bathtubs.) With her current state, the concept sounded heavenly. "That would be wonderful."

"I'll get you some aspirin as well. What can I make you for breakfast?"

"I'm not eating breakfast in the tub," she protested with a weak chuckle.

"Why not?" he smirked, a light in his eyes.

"Because- if it falls in the tub, it'll get all soggy."

He laughed, pecking her lips again as he pushed himself off the bed. As he turned his back on her, moving to leave, she admired his broad shoulders, muscular back, and that fine ass he'd been hiding for years. Her face heated as he stepped out of sight, walking down the hall. Sighing, she melted into the bed. She closed her eyes against the aches and listened to the water beginning to roar in the bathtub, her mind wandering to what had just happened.

Rebecca would be glad- though she'd hardly done it for her. In fact, she'd not say a word about the whole thing. Her sex life was none of Rebecca's concern. No, that belonged solely to her and Roy.

Roy.

She inhaled with the memory of his penetration, her fingers and toes curling into the sheets as her body flush with heat. She- she wanted to do it again! She laughed lightly at the realization, stretching her arms above her head, arching her back.

Mid stretch, a thought hit her. A pit suddenly grew in her stomach, smile fading and eyes opening. Roy's footsteps began returning with an urgency that hadn't been there before. She sat up, meeting his gaze as he stopped in the doorway, eyes wide and expression ashen.

"Riza," he breathed.

"We forgot the condom," she finished for him.