Lights! Camera! Christmas!
Author: MoonStarDutchess and Rinoaebastel
Chapter 6: Meeting Roy and Media Madness
Disclaimer: We do not own Fullmetal Alchemist and gain no profit from this fanfiction other than needed writing practice and enjoyment.
Riza knew having wine wasn't the best choice for the first drink of the day, but she couldn't bring herself to give a shit. No one in the private restaurant would dare to say anything to her about it. Her sister had chosen to stay home that day to get some much-needed sleep, so she wasn't there to question the actions either.
Besides, with all that was going on in the media right now, she doubted there was a celebrity around that would blame her for her beverage of choice. They would probably be drinking something much stronger.
She hadn't originally intended to order a glass of wine this morning until she'd walked through the restaurant doors and saw the television.
She glared at the television as the news people spouted off that she was engaged to Roy Mustang. She knew her father didn't tell the media. He would rather catch a disease than speak to any reporter.
Her mother could've possibly let it slip, but she couldn't think of an instance where reporters would get near either of her parents. Maes wouldn't have said anything because he didn't yet know about the problem he helped exacerbate. So the only other person who would've done this was Lauren. Though her hate for the media rivaled that of their fathers, she would be willing to talk to the reporters if it meant creating problems for her.
She'd been surprised there were no reporters following her that morning. Perhaps they hadn't thought she'd go out this early. Her being anywhere other than the studio at this time of morning was an anomaly.
She stared at the television as another report about her came on. She figured Maes would handle it immediately once he awoke. If he didn't soon, she'd make a statement to them herself or contact the media rep in her company to do it.
She heard her name mentioned on another TV farther down the hall and cringed. This restaurant was supposed to be an oasis for celebrities and political figures. A place they could escape the media and critical eyes of people who disliked them. It was ridiculous they had news like this blaring across the screen and through the area's speakers.
She picked up her phone and went on Growler for the third time that morning. The fans had been oddly supportive, some even excited about the news. There were a lot of random photo manipulations of the two of them. Some even showed fanfiction that had been written for years about her and Mustang.
Rebecca told her the women that lurked on Instaman were supportive as well. They were talking about how jealous they were of her, but said no one else was fitting for him. Riza was tempted to see, but she'd made a promise to herself that she would never go to that realm on the internet.
She put her phone down and heard a few whispers from people as they walked past her. She glanced at them. She didn't recognize the people, so she reasoned they were some D-list reality TV "celebrities."
She took a big gulp of the wine left in her glass.
"Fuck," she muttered, when she moved the glass away from her lips.
"I think Pinot Gris would be better. Though, I prefer vodka with my scrambled eggs," a male voice said.
She lowered her glass and looked to her right. By the morning's end, she would need something far stronger than wine, and vodka could be a reasonable option.
Roy Mustang was standing at her table. He smiled down at her and didn't carry a single hint of hostility in his expression.
"May I?" he asked, motioning to the seat next to her. She nodded. He took off his coat, pulled out a chair, and sat down. When a young waitress approached, he gave her his breakfast order. Before she could leave, he touched her arm and flashed a charming smile.
Riza almost rolled her eyes.
"Can you turn these televisions off? It's jarring to have breakfast with them on."
She blushed. "Cer—Certainly, sir. Can I get you anything else, Miss Grumman?"
"I'd like a large cup of coffee," Riza said.
The waitress jotted it down and then left the two of them alone.
"Hi," he said and glared at the television when his name was mentioned. It clicked off as if his glare controlled it.
"Good morning," she said. If he weren't disturbed by the rumors then she wouldn't be either.
"Mind telling me how it happened?" Roy said, getting straight to the point. It was something she could appreciate. Directness circumvented issues like the ones happening now. If she'd just said no when Lauren asked about someone new in her life, this wouldn't be happening.
"Do you want the long version or the short version?"
"Short version first."
"It was a huge misunderstanding that spiraled out of control."
"Maes was involved then."
"I can't fathom how you would ever guess something like that," Riza said.
A smile flashed on his lips. "Okay, so Maes unsurprisingly was involved in a misunderstanding. Now, what's the longer version?"
"It's not much longer. It all started over a puppy."
Roy raised an eyebrow. "A puppy?"
"My sister asked me if there was anyone new in my life, so I made a joke about a puppy I was going to adopt. It spiraled from a puppy to Maes coming in and getting the puppy mixed up with you and this potential movie deal. Now my family and the rest of the nation think we're engaged."
"You know, normally I wouldn't believe that sort of thing actually happens, but with Maes involved I have zero reason to doubt it." He laughed. "Well I hope the puppy is as cute as I am at least."
"I guess he would've been." She cringed. Did she just admit he was cute? Well, it wasn't like she didn't have eyes, though cute wasn't the word she'd use to describe Mustang.
"Would've?"
"I got a call from the shelter earlier this morning. Since all the news networks are showing I'm engaged they decided that my situation isn't the type to bring a puppy into. They revoked their acceptance of my application."
"That's ridiculous," he said.
Riza sighed. She'd been looking forward to getting a dog. Maybe she should just go to a breeder.
"It is what it is," she finally said.
"Based on all of this, I assume it wasn't you that released this to the press."
Riza gritted her teeth for a few seconds before forcing herself to relax. "Do you think I would be staring murderously at the TV and drinking wine for breakfast if I were the one that done it?"
He shrugged. "I don't know your morning habits." He grinned at her. "But the media thinks I do. Intimately."
Riza's cheeks reddened. "No, I didn't release the information. I'm not sure who did it, but I have my guesses. I figure it was my sister. She got the idea due to the misunderstanding and decided to leak it to hurt me."
He took off his gloves and put them in his pocket as a waiter brought his food and Riza's coffee. "Can't even trust your family? I know how that is."
That caught her attention, but information about his family wasn't any of her business. "Why haven't you said anything about it?" Riza asked.
"I've been busy most of the night. I would've gotten Maes to handle it if I could find out where the hell he is," Roy said and then took a bite of his bacon.
Riza's brows furrowed. "You can't contact him?"
"He didn't show up to the photoshoot I had this morning, and when I tried to call him it went to voicemail. I assume he's with Gracia."
"That's not like him. He hardly ever takes a day off without letting me know." Riza picked up her phone and dialed Maes's number. Seconds later, they heard her most recent song.
Then the ringtone abruptly ended.
Riza and Roy looked at each other. Riza dialed the number again and they heard a buzz this time. Then two more before the call was once again ceased.
"Call again," Roy said. He put down his fork and stood. She got to her feet and then redialed.
The buzzing began again and they followed it. It ended after two buzzes.
She hit redial again. "There," Roy whispered as he spotted someone darting behind one of the large indoor plants that decorated the restaurant. They walked toward the plant as the person behind it scrambled to hang up the phone again.
"Maes…" Riza said.
He took off running, rushing toward the doors while stumbling several times along the way. Roy and Riza chased him out of the restaurant and down the hallway toward the elevators. He managed to close the elevator doors before they could get to him.
"The stairs!" Roy said. Riza was already ahead of him with the door opened and going through it. They hastened down the stairs. She was glad she chose to wear comfortable boots that day instead of heels.
They managed to get there just as the elevator got to the lobby. He bolted out of the doors and exited the building.
They followed.
And ran straight into droves of reporters and photographers.
Their names and numerous questions were yelled at various volumes as the crowd surrounded them.
"Shit! What is Maes thinking?" She could barely hear Roy above the rest of the voices.
"We need to get back inside!' Riza yelled.
As if summoned, a tall muscular man and shorter chunkier man leaped in front of them. "Get them back into the hotel," Armstrong yelled.
A tall blond man with a cigarette perched between his lips grabbed the two of them by their arms and the stockier man pushed away the crowd as they made their way back through the doors to the hotel.
Armstrong followed them a minute later. The manager of the hotel rushed over to them and offered them use of a room.
They went back into the elevator and were escorted to a suite near the top of the building. Riza and Roy didn't speak until they were safely ensconced and the hotel manager had left.
"Why would Maes lead us into that?" Riza said as the blond bodyguard handed her bottled water.
"Thank you..."
"Havoc, ma'am," he said.
"That man wasn't Maes," Armstrong said.
Roy took a drink of the water handed to him. "We called his phone. It buzzed and we followed him out."
The stockier man shook his head. "Maes was mugged earlier this morning. He's in the hospital."
"What? Is he going to be okay?" she asked.
"He'll be fine," Armstrong said. "He's a bit scraped and bruised but nothing is broken. Gracia called Breda to let us know what was going on. The guy that mugged him had a press badge. Our guess is that he was trying to get a scoop and thought the best way was through Maes' messages and using them to follow you two."
"Well, he succeeded in getting everyone a scoop," Roy said and looked at Riza. "We're in a hotel together in the morning. This is going to be tabloid fodder for months."
She took a deep breath. "I don't care about that right now. We need to go see Maes at the hospital first."
"Shall I call for your limo?" Armstrong asked her.
Riza was about to answer when Roy said, "We can go in my car. It's already here."
"Don't you think that's just going to add fuel to the fire?"
"According to them we've been fucking in haystacks, knocking boots in recording booths, and screwing backstage at award shows."
Riza groaned. And to think people genuinely believed shit like that. "Well, since they already know we're here, I guess us leaving this hotel in the same car is minimal kindling."
"Exactly," Roy said.
"Then let's go," Riza replied.
-/-/-
Roy cursed when they were told the photographers and reporters were in the underground garage where his car was. They had no choice but to go through the front doors and into even more photographers. They waited beyond the main lobby out of the sight of flashing cameras. Havoc soon returned with news that Roy's car was now out front.
Armstrong stood to her right and Havoc stood to Roy's left, then they walked. As they came within sight of the hotel windows, dozens upon dozens of flashes went off and scores of questions emerged from the reporter's mouths.
When the door opened, the flashes blinded her. She felt someone grab her, from the left, knowing it could only be Roy. She moved her head and face towards him. He had his head lowered and smiled at her, the smile extremely comforting amongst the chaos.
Armstrong, Breda, and Havoc pushed the reporters away from them as they made their way to a black Rolls Royce.
She focused on safely walking through the throng and only paid half attention to the questions being thrown at them.
"How long have you two been involved, Riza?" one yelled.
"Do you two plan to have a public wedding, Roy?" another asked.
"Instaman fans and other netizens want photos!"
"Can you confirm your relationship to us?"
A photographer jumped in front of them and flashed a camera, blinding her. Armstrong pushed him out of the way.
Her head hurt, and she almost threw up her breakfast. Breda had run ahead and opened the door for them. Roy let her in first then got in afterward.
She was grateful for the bit of darkness in the car after all that flashing, but she could still see some dim camera flashes in her window.
Taking photos was the worst part of her job. The lights of a concert were so much better since she was moving around and they were different colors and intensities.
Roy entered the car and the door closed. Armstrong got into the front seat with the driver.
"Where to?" the driver asked.
"Broken Angel hospital, please."
"Yes, sir." He carefully shifted into drive and edged his way through the crowd.
A man leaped in front of the car. He was shirtless and his abs was painted with black glitter. He had Roy and Riza's names in a heart on a poster he carried.
The driver hit the brakes just as he was making a turn, sending Roy on top of Riza and the car skidding to a stop.
She landed on her back. One of his hands was at her waist and the other at the side of her head. His face was inches away from her.
Wild screams echoed from outside the car as camera flashes surrounded and illuminated the inside of the vehicle.
The car started moving again and finally rode away from the crowds.
Mustang pulled away and extended a hand to help her straighten. She took it and sat up straight. He let go of her hand.
"Sorry about that," he said. "Did I hurt you?"
She shook her head. "It's okay, and no, I'm not hurt."
They looked behind them at the photographers still snapping photos of their departing car.
"This is a mess," Riza said.
RW: 2022
