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—
Riza Hawkeye looked out the window as the black car approached the Fuhrer's mansion.
The driver remained silent, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
She was wearing the necklace, dress, and heels she had been sent.
On her way out the door, she had hastily let down her long blonde hair, combed it, and pulled it half-back.
She had even splashed on a little bit of perfume.
That felt odd.
She normally only wore perfume when she was attending a special event.
Well…
She supposed this was a special event.
As the car turned down the driveway, finally reaching its destination, Riza felt her stomach churn anxiously.
What would the new Fuhrer have to say?
Riza sighed, she needed to calm down.
Indeed, today had been a trying day, but why was she nervous?
Fuhrer or not, it was just Roy, right?
—
Fuhrer Mustang was perched looking out the window, waiting.
He felt his skin grow clammy as the car finally appeared and made its way down the driveway towards the mansion.
This was ridiculous!
He had worked with the lieutenant, er, Riza, for years.
Why should he be nervous now?!
The car came to a stop and as it parked, Fuhrer Mustang put his hand on the doorknob, preparing to walk out.
No!
That….that would be awkward…..
Maybe he should just stand in the foyer?
No, that would look stupid!
Glancing back out the window, to his horror, Fuhrer Mustang watched the driver exit the car and walk around to open the door for his female passenger.
Roy's felt himself start to sweat as his face began to turn red.
Oh my gosh!
She was really here!
She was really getting out!
Where did he go?!
What did he do?!
A few heartbeats away from an all out panic, the flame alchemist quickly sped out to the back lighted patio and sank into a chair facing the walkway.
Yes, here was best.
Before he had made it out of the house, Fuhrer Mustang could hear the front door being opened behind him.
That meant that by now they, Riza and her chauffeur, were walking through the house.
In just a moment, his subordinate would bring Riza outside.
He would bring Riza to him.
Roy narrowed his eyes like he did when he was going into battle.
Was he ready?
Was she ready?
—
Inside, Riza followed closely behind her chauffeur as he walked her into the large estate and across the mansion.
"Right through here, Miss Hawkeye." The driver gestured as he opened the door that led out back.
He stayed inside as she exited the house and stepped onto the stone path that led to the patio a short distance away.
The first thing that caught Riza's eye were the tons and tons of lighted candles that had been elegantly positioned around the table and chairs.
The first thing Fuhrer Mustang noticed was how beautiful his former lieutenant looked in that dress he had sent.
Riza locked eyes with Roy as she quickly made her way up the path.
In the air, through their mutual gaze, a thousand different things were said.
Secretly, she noted how handsome he looked in his black suit, his tie skillfully knotted, his raven-black hair shining in the candlelight.
Roy allowed himself to see her the way he had when they first met.
Tonight, she wasn't a soldier, no, she was a woman.
His eyes took in every detail of her visage. His onyx orbs admiring the soft gleam of her long, blonde hair, the delicate features of her face, the way her dress hugged her figure.
His eyes danced over the lines of her hips as she walked…..
Once she came to the table, he stood up and on his most chivalrous behavior, pulled out her chair for her.
"Hello, Fuhrer Mustang." Riza said very formally.
"Hello, Lieutenant." Roy replied.
The blonde woman frowned but accepted his gentlemanly gesture and took her seat.
Roy then walked over and sat back in his chair across from her.
"I am not a lieutenant anymore. You were quick to see to that." Riza said a bit curtly with a bitter chuckle.
Roy had wounded her pride, he could see that.
But there was a look in her eyes that excited him, a look in her eyes that he had hoped he would see…
That look meant he may have a chance.
"I had a good reason. Besides, you said you'd follow me anywhere, Riza." He replied, using her first name, the name he only called her when they were alone.
It was important to Roy that she knew they were speaking freely. His words and his attitude indicating that he had indeed called for her presence as more than just a mindless order, a worthless errand.
"How am I supposed to follow you when you threw me out of the military, Roy? What do you want me to do, open up a bake shop? Just pay taxes? Is that how you want me to follow you now?!" Riza asked.
Roy could hear the hurt and anger rising in her voice.
"No, that's not what I want you to do." He replied, his dark eyes regarding her seriously.
"Couldn't you at least let me be your assistant or something? I assisted Fuhrer Bradley! If I can survive with a homunculus, I can easily handle anything that you can throw at me! You know that!" Riza cried.
"You can't be my assistant.' Roy said simply.
"Why not?!" Riza cried slamming her hand down on the table.
Riza was losing patience.
She lost her job today and thought that maybe she may be offered a new one tonight…...somehow.
Apparently not.
Why had he invited her here anyway?!
Her eyes widened as Roy's hand shot out and grabbed hers, holding it.
"Because I have a much more important position for you, that's why." Roy said seriously, his onyx orbs boring into her own brown gaze.
Riza was a little stunned and confused.
She listened silently, not moving her hand away from Roy's.
"Riza, I brought you here tonight because I need you. I need you more than I ever have. Do you remember when…...before the war…?" Roy's voice trailed off.
The anger and shock left Riza's face and her eyes softened. "When you first came to my house and I watched you learn from my father?" Riza paused to chuckle. "I used to daydream about my father's apprentice." Riza smiled softly.
"Do you still?" Roy asked very seriously.
Riza's cheek turned pink.
Was he asking….
After all this time?
After all the fights they had been through and all the obstacles they had overcome together through their work relationship, underlined by silent, but serious truths?
Oh…
Riza struggled for words. "Well….um….Roy, I really don't understand what you're trying to…."
"I'm in love with you, Riza." Roy interrupted her.
Riza's eyes widened in surprise.
A moment of silence passed between them.
"W-what?" She gasped.
After all these years, he just blurted it out?!
Blatantly admitting his feelings, the feelings that they had shared secretly for all this time?
Wow, she guessed the power of being the Fuhrer had really gone to his head.
And on the first day…
"Roy….." Riza breathed.
Roy clutched her hand in his.
"That's why I discharged you from your post. That's why I asked you here tonight." Roy admitted, raising her hand to his lips and delicately placing a kiss on her knuckles.
"You…..did this just to tell me you loved me?" Riza asked, confused.
Roy's dark eyes flickered up to meet hers as he sat her hand back down on the table, still holding it in his own.
"No. I did all this because I've been told that as Fuhrer, I must take a wife." Roy informed her very matter-of-factly.
Riza's heart skipped a beat.
Suddenly, she found herself dizzy with anticipation as to what her former commanding officer would say next.
"If I do not chose, one will be assigned to me by the state. I love you, Riza. I've been in love with you since before the war. Obviously, I chose you, Riza. But tonight…. Tonight, I need to confirm that you will still chose me."
Riza's head spun.
This was why he had discharged her…..
Obviously, the wife to the Fuhrer couldn't be in the military….
This was why he was so dressed up, why he had asked her to dress up.
Riza looked at him from across the table, still in shock.
Roy was very focused but he gave her a soft smile as he spoke. "Will you still follow me anywhere, Lieutenant?"
His face….
She knew that face.
He was serious.
He was also hopeful.
Now he did not have to hide the softness in his gaze as he watched her, trying to read her thoughts.
Riza felt her mind swirl, attempting to decide what to say next…..
Within a few hours, she had been fired from her years long career and practically proposed to by the stoic, handsome man that she had silently cared for since her youth.
The man that was now the most powerful person in the entire country…
The man who loved her.
Goodness, what a day…...