A/N: Decided to update today, and I used Riza's POV! :)

Disclaimer: When will I wake up as Hiromu Arakawa?

Grave

"Wow."

That was the first word Roy uttered when Riza exited the bookstore. She raised an eyebrow in response.

"What?"

He gestured at the pile of books she was holding. "Where did you get the money for those expensive books?"

Riza smirked as she walked past Roy, hugging the three new books she would add to her collection. "Let's just say that I am using my advantage."

With the two bags of groceries that he was struggling to carry, Roy walked in a slow pace. Riza, feeling pity for the boy, took the lightest one as they were walking down the pavement. "Oh, you mean the advantage that your classmate at the cashier has a crush on you that's why you had a huge discount? That advantage?" There was a slight hint of irritation in his voice.

"Now, now. No need to be jealous, Roy Mustang. This is for the books," she paused, before adding "and since you volunteered to help me even though I know you hate shopping, I'll let you borrow these. It's our advantage."

Roy gave her a lopsided grin, obviously very happy that she would let him borrow her books, which she usually did not consent. "Stop giving me that face." Riza muttered.

"Why? What's wrong with it?" He closed his eyes while smiling; Riza was now having second thoughts. She decided to ignore him instead, the pair now walking in comfortable silence.

Mother was supposed to be the one doing the shopping, but Father insisted that Riza should learn how to buy food since she was already ten. Plus, Mother was tired from work. Riza was more than happy to comply, if it meant that she could help her mom, and that she would have some "me" time.

The "me" time did not happen, much to her dismay. Roy was at the porch when she was about to leave, and he insisted that he should join her. That puzzled her – Roy ranted about everything, and that included shopping. But here he was, accompanying her while she was buying from the list her mother gave her. She figured he was just being a gentleman.

He did not seem bored too, which surprised her. She expected Roy to whine and regret going to the market with her. Instead, he played with the celeries, grabbed the milkfish and waved it at her face, and lots of other things she would rather forget. It was embarrassing on her part. The vendors gave her a look and she just shrugged. "I don't even know him," Riza would say. And Roy would call her attention, ruining her plan of pretending he was a stranger. It was a very tiring day.

They were now in the outskirts of the town, nearing their home. It was mid-afternoon, the sun was shining, yet it was not too hot that it would cause sun burns. Riza loved feeling the fresh air kiss her skin, and hearing the sounds of nature from the surroundings. The wildflowers that grew on the side of the way also pleased her eyes.

Roy was picking said wildflowers with one hand, carrying the bag of goods in the other one. It was a variety of colors – from purple to yellow to blue. Riza was wondering for what – or for whom – those flowers are. Roy hummed a tune while picking. She was already used to Roy's antics, but it never lessened her curiosity on what was going through his head every time.

"We could put these bags down for a while," Riza said while putting her things in the grass, which made Roy look at her. "Wouldn't it be easier to pick wildflowers with arms free of baggage?"

Roy followed suit, wiping a bead of sweat on his forehead afterwards. "Yeah, you're right."

He continued picking wildflowers, she did the same. "Why are we doing this?" Riza asked.

"Uh, are you in a hurry to head home?"

Riza gave him a questioning look. "No. Why?"

"Good. I want you to come with me." Roy beamed before picking wildflowers again.

She approached him, a bunch of wildflowers in her hand. "What are you planning, Roy?"

"This should be enough," Roy said to himself, before grabbing Riza's wildflowers and picking up a grocery bag. "Let's go, Ri."

She stared at his retreating figure before gathering her own things and following him.

They headed to another way, one not heading to the house. There were a few houses, but it was not that crowded. They had been walking for quite some time when she realized where they were heading. The roads were leading to the cemetery.

Riza felt something stir in her chest. Did somebody die? She tried to recall any depressing news of the town lately, but to no avail. Surely her mother must've mentioned it to them if somebody had died, so Riza guessed that was not the case. What was Roy up to? Maybe he knew someone from this town who was dead. But how?

They had reached the black cemetery arch, the words Dorhedge Cemetery etched at the top. She scanned the place; it was a very lonely sight. Not that it was completely void of life – there was the smell of freshly-mown grass and some flowers, there were people visiting their loved one, there were some tombstones that were maintained clean by their family. It was the heavy atmosphere the place carried which made it lonely. Six feet under the ground were people who couldn't enjoy life anymore, people who left their loved ones. It was a sad thought, and a sad place.

Roy tapped her shoulder and pointed to one grave on the far left side of the cemetery before heading there himself. She followed him, passing by rows of tombstones. Some looked like it existed for centuries, with cracks on their sides which made it seem like was beginning to crumble; others looked like it was newly-placed. She averted her eyes to Roy's back, avoiding reading the names of the dead. Riza did not know why but she felt kind of scared; she rarely went to the cemetery.

As they reached the grave Roy pointed, he placed the bouquet of wildflowers they had picked earlier in its foot. He placed his things on the ground before sitting cross-legged, and gestured Riza to do the same.

"And this is…?" She asked once they were both settled.

He leaned forward to read the tombstone. "Isidor Kistler. 1841-1872." He sighed, before glancing at the girl. "He died when he was 31 years old."

"Who's he?" Riza pressed on.

Roy shrugged. "I also don't know."

Her only response was to look at him, searching for any explanation as to why they were now sitting on a grave of someone they did not know. Roy hesitated before answering. "I have this weird habit of visiting graves of people I don't know, particularly the ones who, judging by their grave's appearance, were not that visited by their loved ones."

Mr. Isidor's grave certainly looked like it was rarely visited. It was unkempt, with mold beginning to cover his name, making it kind of hard to read. Weeds began to grow on both of its sides. She wondered what Mr. Isidor would say if he saw his own grave.

"I don't clean their graves, though," Roy continued. "I think that there are reasons why some of the dead are not much visited. Maybe their loved ones live far away from here; maybe they haven't accepted that fact that they are gone. They could also be busy from their lives, couldn't find the time to visit. They might feel offended if I clean the grave, but I think flowers are not offending."

There was a pause between them, before she spoke. "Is this the reason why sometimes you disappear?" Riza glanced at him. There were times when she looked for Roy in the house, but she had seen no signs of him.

He smiled at her. "Yeah. I wouldn't want to tell you before because, it might creep you out."

She returned her gaze back to Mr. Isidor. "Creepy at first, yeah. But now I understand, and I wouldn't call your habit weird. It's unique; I find it interesting," she plucked some of the weeds near them. "Mr. Isidor wouldn't mind the company, too. I think."

"I think he wouldn't, he must be happy that he met two kids today. Imagine having no one to talk to for years, now he has us." They shared a look, and Riza found herself being at ease in his company more, despite the fact that they are in a place that was making her feel uncomfortable.

They stayed there for an hour, and when it was time to head back home, Roy asked her if she would join him again someday. It had been her habit too ever since.

I already have an idea on what to do with the future chapters, but it's still fuzzy in my head. XD

Please tell me your thoughts and review!