A/N: Another RoyAi fluff filled chapter. I hope it's not too tedious of a story so far. Things will pick up soon, I promise!
With much work consuming her usual days (and her penchant for not taking days off), Riza finds herself sleeping without waking up in the middle of the night due to a nightmare. That first night with Roy inside her bedroom was one of such nights and she was thankful for it since she didn't wish to bother him with her sleep terrors.
The same could be said for the brigadier general sleeping just a foot away from her bed, it seemed. She wasn't sure if he still had nightmares but she could allude his restful sleep to his predicament and the overwhelming emotion they shared the night before.
Riza was likewise grateful for the early rays of the sunshine that penetrated her window as it aided her in watching Roy as he slept. The colonel was unconscious of the tender look in her eyes and the soft smile her lips bore. The blonde soldier clutched his hand a last time before she laid it down to his side, feeling bad that she monopolized it while they slumbered.
She took one last look at Roy's sleeping form and a warmth on her chest made itself known. Turning on her heel, she pressed a finger to her lips to shush Black Hayate before he even started to greet her with a yip. Riza picked up her beloved pet and snuggled with him for a while before she took him to the kitchen and poured his food into his bowl.
As soon as she washed her hands, she set on to make breakfast for her and her fiancé. Fiancé. It was such an odd moniker to use to refer Roy. He had been Taisa and Junshou to her for the longest time that something personal was a little challenging to swallow.
For a moment, she wished to revert back to how they were last night when they let their emotions run the course of their actions, but she knew it wasn't always logical to do that. After all, they still need to keep appearances during work. The fraternization law might not cover them anymore but it would serve them well to not push their limits.
Hawkeye was far too indulged in making waffles and coffee while planning hers and Roy's maneuver in the office, that she missed the sound of her bedroom door opening. She was, however, pulled out of her reverie when Black Hayate rushed to the newly roused brigadier general to revel in some of his affection, to which the pup was indulged in.
"Good morning," he said gruffly, voice rougher than usual with his throat still parched from sleep.
Riza turned and smiled at him kindly. "Good morning. Wash your hands before you take a seat."
"Aye, Ma'am," he hummed, going to do as he was told. Roy hummed a thanks to his fiancée when she laid a glass of water before him.
"Sleep well?" she queried, setting the stack of waffles and fruit in between them on the table.
Roy set to pour coffee from the pot for them both and stirred two sugar cubes into Riza's, just the way she takes it. "Yeah. My stomach acted up at around four in the morning but I took the medicine you had waiting on the counter so you don't have to worry about that."
"No coffee for you, then," she said, standing up to put away his cup before he could even pour the black liquid into them.
He narrowed his eyes and pouted at his fiancée but made no move to contradict her since he didn't wish to spark her irk so early in the morning. Roy sighed and shrugged instead. "How about you? Did you sleep well?"
Riza reclaimed her chair and crossed her legs underneath the table. "I did, thanks," she said, eyes turning to look at the empty plate before her.
The black-haired man eyed her curiously. "Is something the matter, Riza?"
She shook her head and blushed, a little startled that he could read her so well. "Nothing wrong. I just can't believe that last night happened."
"Well, is that a good disbelief or a bad one?" he asked slowly.
Amber eyes met his obsidian-coloured ones. "It's a good one, Roy-kun."
Roy blinked and smiled awkwardly instead of releasing a sigh of relief. "I'm glad to hear, Riza. It has been a long time coming, hasn't it? At least for me it is…"
Her brows cocked swiftly before she angled her head sideways in a curious manner, urging Roy to explain what he had meant.
The brigadier general cleared his throat and blushed a little, palms sweating a bit. His eyes misted as he recalled the snippets of their life that led to where they were now. Roy smiled softly and then shrugged.
"I just felt that I wouldn't ever get this chance with you, you know?" he whispered, fiddling with the fork to his right. "It had been a fanciful dream for so long, and I was set on believing it will never happen even though my heart wants me to believe that maybe one day we'll get here. If not in this lifetime, then the next.
"You have meant so much to me for the longest time; you were my first friend. I was picked on by a lot of kids before I came to Hawkeye manor because they found my eyes too tiny and plain. They said I wasn't really an Amestrian, and while that is true, it stung the child me that they rejected my offer of friendship.
"But you didn't seem to mind that my skin color was a little different or that my eyes weren't round enough. You even defended me from the neighbours we had back then when they called me an alien from the East," Roy chuckled mirthlessly, shaking his head, before he continued. "I guess as early as then you've wormed your way under my skin, never to leave.
"When I left for the military, I had no regrets but leaving you with Sensei. I know how sad it made you and I hated making you sad. Growing up, I always tried to make you smile by goofing off and being silly. Those memories of ours were the ones that kept me sane during the academy, honestly. I made it a point that I would come see you when I get out but the times shifted then and ambition clouded my mind.
"I…I always feel ashamed when I remember talking with you before Sensei's gravestone. Telling you all about my naïve dreams in hopes of procuring what Sensei left. I manipulated you then, and I regret doing that now. For whatever reason that the universe had for making us meet in Ishval, I was grateful then because I thought to myself I that I would finally have the chance to apologise and make it right.
"Somehow that was pushed back once more when you asked me the favour," he said, gaze shifting down to his plate. It was one of the worst moments in his life thus far, and it was up there right next to Riza having her neck slashed. Swallowing, Roy took a few breaths. "I know you asked me for that but I still regret hurting you. I could have found a better way to rid you of it but I didn't so I promised myself that I will just make it up to you all the more.
"I was close to begging the council to have you under my command but thankfully, they randomly assigned you to me and we've been together since. All that business about protecting my back was just a ploy so I could keep you close to me and sneak in chances to rectify the disappointments I caused you.
"I'm sorry if I placed a heavy burden upon your shoulders. I certainly didn't expect you to be so fiercely loyal after everything I had done to you. I made you sad by leaving the manor. I broke your trust by using the alchemy you shared with me to murder people.
"My head can't comprehend why such a woman as yourself would waste her time on me and risk her life for me day in and day out. The support you have for me is the sole reason why I am driven to achieve my goal, Riza. You go far beyond and do more than what is asked. You've saved my life countless times in more ways than one.
"There are days when I question what I do, and then I just look at you. I see how hard you work, how dedicated you are to me and my goal, and then the doubt goes away. I think, then, that maybe if you remain with me, I'll be able to do it…because I can't do it without you. And I can't give up on my goal because if I do so, I know I would disappoint you again. And damn it all, I don't want to do that anymore.
"Ever since I left the manor, I kept on telling myself that I will do whatever it takes to make you happy but somehow I end up doing the opposite. But in the middle of everything, my tremendous care for you as my first and closest friend grew into something more.
"Try as I might, I couldn't stop it because it made me happy. It's such a selfish thing that I let happen but seeing as we are here now, I can't bring myself to regret it. You don't know how long I have yearned for something like this to happen. What I thought was impossible given our circumstances is happening now and it feels like a drug I can't help but be addicted to.
"I can properly make you happy now, and I will. I will make you so goddamn happy your heart will burst. I will make you happy to make up for every wrong I did, and when that's over, I will start all over again…
"…because you deserve it and because I love you, Riza," he said, looking up at her once more.
"I love you so much that it hurt that I couldn't tell or show you that before. But now I can and I will repeat it till you get tired of me and even then, I'll just keep on saying and showing it. Because it's true and will remain true even when this lifetime is over."
Riza didn't know how long she had held her breath as Roy spoke. Every word he uttered made her chest constrict all the more but she didn't mind that she couldn't breathe properly. The colonel wasn't sure whether it was the tender and amorous look in his eyes or the weight of the words that he said that swept her off.
She let out a shaky breath and took a few inhales to calm her respiration. Her hand trembled as it sought out his and she felt the need to feel his pulse when they were in contact. The gentle thump of his life against her fingers reinforced the reality of the situation that they were in at the moment. Her mind swirled for the few moments of silence but she gathered herself enough to return his sentiments.
Offering a watery smile, she spoke. "But you've always made me happy, Roy."
The blonde sniper looked briefly to the side before she let her gaze met his once more. "I don't regret anything that happened between us, especially now that we're here. I understood why you had to leave. I made the decision to let you in on the secret of my father's alchemy. And most of all, you didn't force me to guard your life. I could have easily removed myself from the situation but I didn't see the need to do that.
"I chose to trust you again because I felt that you're worth it. I went with gut feeling then and I am so, so glad that I did. You have proven yourself worthy of the promises you've told me. You gave my life purpose, Roy. I don't know where I would have ended up if you didn't arrive in my life on the moments that you did.
"Probably somewhere safe and mundane, and it would no doubt be not as worthwhile as what we went through. After Ishval, I considered it a saving grace that I was placed under your command because at least I knew my life in the military wouldn't be as daunting as I had perceived.
"And I know of those moments, I take note of them. Every time you tease me subtly or make a cocky joke…it reminded me of the silly faces you used to pull to cheer me up when I missed my Mother or when Father couldn't spare time to talk with me or even look at me.
"I know myself well enough that I have changed after Ishval, that I was toughened by the horrors I saw. However, in those little moments in the office, the late nights when we would slave over the paperwork…they reminded me to allow myself to feel happy. You reminded me that, despite everything I caused with these hands, I can still live my life.
"I'm humbled by your sentiments, Roy-kun. And I return them. I had not known warmth after my mother died but somehow, I ended up finding that within you. I can't ask for a better person to follow because you make it worth it. I would gladly go through everything again if it meant I would share the rest of my life with you," she ended with a whisper.
Overcome with emotion, Roy's lips quivered and he squeezed her hand. He stood from his chair and went around the table. The brigadier general knelt beside the colonel and he took her hand. "May I embrace you?"
Wordlessly, she gave her permission but she didn't wait for him. Instead she sunk down into him and made herself at home against his chest. Riza let her arms wound around his form and she sighed slowly, reveling in their first embrace after they hugged each other goodbye when he left the manor almost 15 years ago.
"You were with me in the best and worst days of my life and I can't imagine myself without you anymore. Please marry me," he whispered into her shoulder, eyes shut tight.
Roy felt his chest vibrate slightly at her chuckle.
"Roy, I already gave my 'yes' last night."
"No, I mean today. Let's do it today," he said, gently pulling them apart. "Just the two of us. We'll go to the registration office and have a civil ceremony."
Riza scanned his face but she found no signs of humour nor did she find his anticipation to deliver a punchline. Several thoughts ran through her mind and she blinked rapidly to clear her head. "B-but…the registry of the ceremony will no doubt be accessed by the military. We might be in hot water if we do that."
Surprisingly, he shook his head. "I know a minister who owes his life to me and he says he owes me a favour. This is the perfect favour, Riza. We'll keep this under wraps and then announce it when the time is right."
The highly logical part of her brain was screaming a solid 'no' but temptation was far too enticing to ignore. Swallowing deeply, Riza shut her eyes tight and grit her teeth. Groaning, she made a decision to follow her gut once more.
She could not count anymore the times when she let gut feeling make the decision when the man before her was concerned, but they always ended up somewhere good. One more time couldn't hurt. "All right."
The grin on Roy's face at that moment was the biggest she had ever seen, she thought silently. Shortly after, she found herself against his chest once more. Her mind may have defied logic once more but Riza was overcome with joy that she couldn't find it in her to care.
When the couple got down from their emotional high, they finally sat back down to enjoy their breakfast. It was a quiet affair between them, with occasional glances thrown in and the occasional giggle when one would catch the other staring.
"Right, then. I'll head down to the registry to settle matters. He'll most likely be available after office hours so 1800 hours is a good time to be at Madame's building," Roy said with a nod.
"What happened to keeping it between us?" she asked as she finished wiping the plates he handed her.
Roy wagged his hands and then took a few plies of paper towel. "The Madame will not know. I'll let the minister through the back door and up my bedroom. We'll do it there."
"If you say so," Riza hummed, taking his coat and helping Roy put it on. She fixed his collar and patted down the fabric. "Well, I'll see you later."
The flame alchemist wrapped his fiancée in a bear hug, drawing her in as close as possible. "I can't wait."
"Grandfather?! What are you doing here?!" Riza asked in surprise once she entered Roy's living quarters. Not much surprises the Hawk's Eye but apparently the persona of Charleston Grumman and Chris Mustang being present at their supposed very, very private wedding was one of the few.
The Führer of Amestris grinned cockily and scratched his chin to pretend to think. "Mm, let's see. Probably witness my beloved granddaughter get married?"
Riza didn't even mask the confusion on her face as she sought Roy's face. Her brow raised to question him without words regarding the scenario before her.
The man in question let out a nervous chuckle. "Ah, well… While Minister Harris owes me a favour, it seemed that he owes your grandfather an even bigger one so…"
"And I called up Madame Christmas because it is only right. And I couldn't help myself from sharing the good news!" the old man explained.
"Besides, you need witnesses for the ceremony to be officially honoured," Christmas shrugged.
The blonde colonel pinched the bridge of her nose to release the tension she gained from the surprise appearance of their family members. "I suppose it can't be helped. But word doesn't go beyond us five."
The ceremony was quick, not even taking half an hour. The papers needed were duly signed and then kept by the Führer in a highly secured suitcase to be filed away from public documents. Madame Christmas ushered the two elderly men out of Roy's bedroom to give the newlyweds privacy, offering drinks on the house.
Grumman made himself comfortable on the bar stool, serving Minister Harris his preferred drink. The old man clutched the briefcase containing the newlywed couple's marriage documents, and then eyed the man sideways. "I suppose I don't need to reiterate that importance of the secrecy, Minister."
"You can count on honour as the man whose life you saved in war once, Your Excellency," he replied reverently. "I can assure you this is a secret I shall guard with my life."
The Führer nodded and brought the glass of scotch to his lips, sipping the amber liquid. "And I also don't need to reiterate the consequences that will arise should an unfavourable situation happen."
"On my honour, Sir," he replied once more, solemnly and firmly.
"Good, because I don't take any chances when it comes to my granddaughter," Charleston Grumman stated seriously. "This period of restoration has been quiet so far but I won't be surprised if detractors and other illogical coups would suddenly surface. These people will no doubt target personnel they suspect are close to me. While Mustang and I are very careful regarding our personal meetings, we would rather take extra care when we move forward. If someone acts suspiciously towards you, I must oblige you to report it to me at once through our old correspondence."
Minister Harris nodded, procuring a piece of paper and a pen from the bar. He wrote down an address and details to a code for a secret network. "You can count on me for information as well, Führer—"
"Charles; we're old friends."
"Charles," Harris corrected himself. "My scope might not be as wide as the Madame Christmas' but I am sure you shall find it useful as well. I'm proposing a liaison between me and the Madame to consolidate our information gathering for easy triangulation, if need be."
Madame Christmas spoke from behind the counter. "No need for such an elaborate scheme. We can be at a need-to-know basis so we can prevent any and all information to be leaked out. I offer my residence as a rendezvous point, just holler. Right now, business is slow, but who knows if it will be the same in a month. Or a week even."
Harris nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Nevertheless, my men will be at your disposal as well, Madame Christmas."
"Thank you."
Grumman had an amused look in his eyes. "Well, this certainly is convenient. There has been a slight rumor mill going on regarding illegal opium trade in the West. I'd like for you to look into that, see what you can find. I say West but it's actually to the Northwest. However, I doubt Armstrong-shoushou will let anything tarnish the land of Briggs, so I suspect they operate more freely in the West."
Madame Christmas made a mental note of it. "I'll see if they have connections here in Central."
"And I will deploy some of my men to go undercover," Harris offered.
Christmas smirked at their conversation. "My, my… What a warm welcome back for me and my girls."
A/N: I kinda want to write a young!RoyAi now, with my headcanons sprouting here and there! But I want to do justice for this fic first!