"You know, I almost died today. How would you feel if I died and you didn't get the chance to go out with me?"
When Roy had radioed Riza to come into the supply room, the last thing she expected was to see him on the floor, limbs tangled up in a pile of boxes, with stationery and paper strewn everywhere. She'd learned not to even ask with him but did notice a rather large lump appearing on his forehead.
Accepting this new, bizarre, scenario he'd found himself in, Riza helped him up. Steadying him, Riza had moved him over to the chair by the door and left to retrieve the first aid kit.
"You know what?" she'd stated, handing him the ice pack. "I'm not even going to ask."
"I'd rather you didn't," he grimaced, pressing down on his skull and hissing as the cold plastic met the skin of his forehead. "But," he grinned playfully. "You know, I almost died today. How would you feel if I died and you didn't get the chance to go out with me?" Roy winked.
Things had been easier between them since the initial meeting, and he still liked to pepper in the request every now and then. Riza wasn't sure if he was still serious, but she'd class them as good enough friends now, that they could both look back on that rocky first few weeks and joke about it.
"A box of office supplies narrowly missed your head," Riza deadpanned.
"Have you felt the weight of those things? You could kill a man with a well-placed blow."
"Yes, actually, I have to lug them around half the time."
Roy opened his mouth to retort, but he had no reply. He closed it promptly, chuckling. "I suppose you do." His laugh even seemed nervous. "Sorry, of course."
The room fell silent. Roy winced for a third time as he pressed the ice pack against his skull.
"Here," Riza sighed, rolling her eyes. She reached out and gently took the ice pack from his hands. Roy was too stunned to even grip onto it. It almost fell to the floor. He winced again when it was pressed back against his head, but the pressure never let up. "The swelling is never going to go down if you don't hold it against the wound properly."
"Wound is extreme."
"Says the man complaining he almost died today," Riza fired right back, making him grin. "Stay still!" she scolded after he hissed in pain and winced again, recoiling away from her now iron grip. She had to grab his upper arm to try and keep him from moving.
"But it hurts," he whined. Every time he'd pressed it harder against his head, he had let up on the pressure. It almost gave him brain freeze and was incredibly uncomfortable. It was even more uncomfortable now because Riza was suddenly very close to him. He could feel her breath on his face as she dipped her head and examined his wound.
He tried to remain inconspicuous as they sat there quietly, shifting minutely to try and angle himself away from her so her breath would stop hitting the skin of his face.
It didn't work.
"I was never opposed to a date with you," Riza murmured suddenly, stunning Roy for the second time in the space of five minutes. "I… I had a really good time the night we hooked up. Well, from what I remember," she chuckled. Roy had opted to stare at her as she spoke, unable to look anywhere else, however Riza was the opposite – avoiding his gaze completely.
Although, it did give Roy the opportunity to notice how pink her cheeks were getting as she voiced her thoughts.
"I wanted to do it again, but then I realised you were my "boss"," she lifted her free hand to make quotations in the air with her fingers. "And I kind panicked. I thought I might get fired," she laughed quietly. Riza removed the ice pack from his head, bringing it to rest on her lap, where her gaze followed. "But then everything happened – and you certainly didn't help – and, well, I just thought it wasn't worth the hassle."
"Sorry. I was an ass."
"You were," Riza quipped, but she smiled, amused, finally lifting her gaze to meet his. "But I was overstressed and perhaps a little too harsh on you."
"No, no, you weren't. It was well deserved," Roy reassured her. Roy ran a hand through his hair – then winced as he hit a tender spot, causing Riza to laugh quietly to herself, and shake her head. He reasoned if it drew out that reaction, the pain was worth it. And, well, he should've known better. "I've always been good at reading people, and I thought it would be fine, but I didn't consider the fact that yes, we're at work, and in a completely different environment. At my old work, things were completely different. I'm not saying we all slept around and flirted with each other," he added hastily, catching her questioningly raised eyebrow. "But what I'm saying is the dynamic was different between the staff. I thought it would be okay because, well, we already knew each other. But no. I was an ass. I was just too –" Roy shut his mouth promptly, eyes widening as he realised what he'd almost revealed; that he was too hung on Riza to think otherwise.
"Too what?" Riza questioned.
His saviour came in the form of Rebecca Catalina.
"Riza?" Rebecca called over the radio.
"Hello?"
"Can you come up to reception and give me a hand with moving all this stationary stuff? A big order has come in."
The two shared a look.
Roy quickly removed his radio and intervened. "It's okay, Rebecca," he replied for Riza, meeting her eyes. "I'm down this way anyway doing an inventory check. I'll move it all down."
"Okay, no problem."
"I still have all this mess to clean up anyway," he chuckled, standing from his chair.
"Do you want some help?"
"No, I'll be fine. It's okay. Thank you, though. For the offer, and for hearing me out."
"No problem, Roy," Riza smiled, slipping out the door after one final smile she shot his way.
Roy let loose a heavy sigh. He'd almost blew it by telling her everything. He was happy that the offer of a date wasn't off the cards, but it would do no good for him to admit that she'd essentially stolen his heart the first night they'd been together. She'd been a riot then and working with Riza, he'd gotten to know her better, which further revealed even more things he loved about her and her personality.
He was completely gone when she quietly returned with a coffee for him, equipped with a small smile. She placed it on top of the shelf opposite him and slipped back out the door.
Roy was in big trouble.