AN: this is the last oneshot of this fic! it's been a wild ride that started all the way back in 2014. four and a bit years later i'm finally finished with this au. i have enjoyed every minute and i hope you have too!

thank you to all who have followed this story and it's oneshots, and who are still interested in it! i'm grateful for every one of you!

RIZA

Riza crept up the hallway to the dining room. A mischievous grin bloomed over her face as she heard her mother and father talking. She was still too far away to hear what was being said but she heard her father's deep voice resonate through the room. She giggled to herself. She was going to get them good this time!

Grandfather had often told her she was as silent as a mouse. She could creep up on anyone in the castle without being discovered. She gave the maids a shock every time. Except old Mrs. Henderson, Riza frowned. She always seemed to know where Riza was. With a huff she crept further forwards, her ears straining to listen to what was being said so she could pick the perfect time to jump out.

"I can't do this. Not again," her mother whispered. She sounded sad Riza noticed with a start. Worry crept into her chest. Why was Mama sad?

"I'm sorry," her father replied. He sounded sad too. Why was everyone so sad? "I really am, but I think it's for the best."

"The best for who, Roy?" Her mother's voice rose. It sounded like she was angry at him. "Because it sure isn't the best for you. This will solve nothing and you know it."

"But I need to go. If there is a chance that this lead takes us somewhere then I can't put you at risk."

Riza edged around the corner to peek in the room. Mama was angry! Her hands were on her hips and she was looking at Dad like she looked at little Riza when she did something bad. Pressing her hand over her mouth to hide the sounds of her breathing, Riza watched the exchange silently with wide eyes.

"You can't put me at risk but I can sit here and do nothing once more while you risk your life?!" Riza jumped at Mama shouting. She didn't like it when Mama shouted. Riza had only seen it happen once before. It was scary. "I've already watched you die once, Roy, and I do not intend to sit around while it might happen again!"

Dad's hands clenched into fists. Riza's eyes widened. Now he was angry too! Riza wanted to run away. She had never seen both of them so angry before. Especially not at each other. She didn't like it. Mama and Dad loved each other very much so why were they shouting at each other? Her Curiosity held her hostage and Riza remained put.

"Would you just think for a second? What about Riza?" The girl jumped at the mention of her name, thinking she had been spotted. Fearfully, her eyes jumped between her parents, afraid she had been discovered. "Who will protect her?"

"Do not play that card on me Roy." Mama raised her hand and pointed her finger at Dad. Riza stifled a gasp. It was rude to point at people! Mama told her off for that all the time. "She's your daughter as well, in case you had forgotten. You can protect her as much as I can."

"But I'm the only one who knows what to expect!"

Tears sprang to her eyes at the sound of Dad shouting. Riza clamped her hands over her ears at the volume. Squeezing her eyes shut she tried to block it out. Cracking one eye open, Riza noticed that Dad looked darker somewhat. The candles around the room flared suddenly. She knew Dad used fire magic, but why would the candles act like that? Did that happen when he was angry? Would water move when Riza became angry?

"I'm the one who has been there before. I am the one who has… worked with these people before. I know how they operate."

"Do not ask me to go through that again Roy." They were both speaking quieter now, which Riza liked. Hesitantly she removed her hands from over her ears. Riza was shocked to discover Mama was crying. She felt her own tears build behind her eyes. Mama never cried! "Because I won't. And I won't let you relive it again either. We've worked too hard to get you through everything. I won't have it discarded because of some hunch some seedy bastard has." Riza gasped. Mama swore!

Both her parent's heads turned in her direction. Oh no! Riza turned to sprint away but the tone of her mother's voice froze her in her tracks.

"Riza Hawkeye." Busted.

Briefly, she thought about running away, but her mother already knew she was there. If Riza ran, then Mama might shout at her. Poking her head around the corner, Riza peered sheepishly at her parents. Dad didn't look dark anymore and the fire from the candles had stopped moving.

"Come here, sweetheart." Riza shuffled around the corner at her father's soft command.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to listen," she mumbled to the floor. "I just wanted to play a trick on you both and I forgot I'm not supposed to listen in on people talking."

The room was silent and as time passed Riza became to fear that her parents would shout at her. They had never done it before, but she had seen other parents do it to their own children outside the castle. Riza never liked those people.

"Come here," Dad beckoned, opening his arms for her. Riza scuttled over, clutching onto him tightly as she was lifted off the ground.

"Are you mad at me?" she asked, voice small.

"Not at all," Mama smiled, but it wasn't like her usual smile. It was like she was forcing it. Mrs. Henderson had told her all about those kinds of smiles. Riza still couldn't wrap her head around why people would even do that in the first place.

"Why were you shouting at each other?" Riza gaze dropped to her hands that she currently clutched together. Her elbow rested on her father's shoulder. "I don't like it when you do."

"It was nothing for you to worry about, little Riza," Dad replied, kissing her cheek. Riza wasn't convinced, but Dad wouldn't lie to her, would he? And what was all that talk of Mama watching Dad die? She didn't want him to die! She didn't want him to go away!

"Listen, Riza, honey, there's nothing for you to worry about, all right? We were just having a discussion that got slightly out of hand. I… I got angry when I shouldn't have." Riza looked up at her mother but noticed she wasn't looking at her, she was looking at Dad. "I shouldn't have shouted, I'm sorry." Mama's eyes were still on Dad's before she finally looked down at Riza. Mama smiled at her, a proper one this time, and Riza found herself returning it.

Mama and Dad wold make sure she was safe. They would protect her like they always said they would. So, if Mama said it was nothing for her to worry about, she would believe her.

"Okay."

"Why don't you run along and see if your Grandmother would like some help in her garden?" Mama suggested. "She was asking for her favourite gardener earlier."

Riza perked up at that. She liked planting things with Grandma. She had even given Riza a little pot to put in her room by the window so it would grow into some pretty flowers.

"Okay!"

Riza wriggled out of her father's hold and ran for the door.

In her excitement at helping her grandmother she missed her mother and father talking quietly.

"We need to stop this," Dad whispered.

"I know," Mama replied sadly, wrapping her arms around Dad's neck. "I'm sorry."

"So am I."