A/N: Lots of cheers and chocolates to theblonde's maid, CrescentSnow and Kitsune-Blue!

Initially, I had planned that the winter season would come next. I had already started it but it is yet to be finished. Unfortunately, I still don't have the motivation and the inspiration to complete it so hang around. I also was not intending to update Four Seasons mainly because I am currently focused on Ray of Hope which, I THINK, has more eager readers.

However, blame the drawing that I unintentionally made where spoiler was spoilering on spoiler's spoiler. Very understandable. But don't worry. You'll get a clearer image after reading.

Disclaimer: The instance below is not uncommon so before you sue me, I'm telling you now that this fic is my idea and that if you've already read something similar in Royai then I am not aware of it. [Just being cautious] I apparently don't own Full Metal Alchemist or any of its characters.

"Love is the flower of life, and blossoms unexpectedly and without law, and must be plucked where it is found, and enjoyed for the brief hour of its duration."

Just because she was hard working doesn't mean she was a workaholic.

Any normal person with a gruelling job would certainly love a break from it and Riza Hawkeye was no exception. No matter how people saw her diligence in work she always appreciated her days off. She had to make sure to enjoy that precious day of peace. There were no childish men to put in line, no workload to worry about, and no procrastinating superior to look after.

The final thoughts hit her like a car speeding down a ravine. What was the result if you add all three in a room for just one day without her as the one person to keep them in place? Probably pandemonium at its worst degree. Nothing big. No, especially if the Elrics were in town and happened to drop by, they'd be perfectly fine.

Ah, hell, she thought her ass. They'd be as fine as a fish swimming out of water. They wouldn't need her help to get themselves in trouble.

She and Hayate had left her apartment moments ago for a walk in the park. She had decided that instead of spending the day in her residence, she would go outside for fresh air and a change of environment—like a visit to the typical park. It wasn't every day that she had that opportunity. Being a soldier wasn't a walk in the park but she was still a citizen who yearned for normality. And a day off was a reward she wouldn't miss. It was a chance to be able to be just her; just a civilian having a normal day in the gardens with her dog.

But life was a cruel equivalent exchange. Was the price of her rare peace the dread for the future? If it was then life certainly wasn't a beach—but a bitch. She could only sigh in remorse knowing she'd only end up worrying about her co-workers on her supposed stress-free day off. And it was such a real shame, she thought ruefully, that work was still on her mind when she should have been relishing the calm and clear blue sky above.

The lieutenant still had those thoughts in mind even as she reached the park. It wasn't too crowded and she blended well with the hoi polloi who were enjoying their time with their company. It was just her and her dog by the time she sat half absent-mindedly under a tree when she found the good spot a little way from the people.

She made another sigh full of disquiet. She had worked overtime once again last night. It wasn't helping that instead of relaxing, she was fretting about how the boys were doing. She really should put more faith in Mustang. After all, he was actually their leader. It was because of him that Lt. Hawkeye was there having a breather. At this, a smile replaced Riza's worried look. She wasn't the only one working a little too hard these days. The colonel had been doing all-nighters to speed things up during the past weeks, determined more than ever to get up the ranks the long way without going to war for the easy way. Ishval was enough hell as it was.

She knew his actions but was aware that it wasn't good for him to overwork himself. So last night, she had stayed behind with him knowing what he was up to. Roy had insisted that she go ahead home; a request she stubbornly refused. Knowing what she was going at, he had to give in to go home if it was the only way to make her rest, knowing that she, too, was tired. So in her insistence, she had driven him home to make sure he got there safely. With a little arguing, she made him agree since he wanted to do the other way around. After dropping off a sulky Mustang, she drove back to HQ to finish what he had been doing, thus breaking the promise to him that she'd go straight back to her home.

The female sniper still hadn't lasted five minutes there since arriving when an annoyed Roy Mustang suddenly turned up on the door with a look that said, "Oh, you're in trouble, missy." It turned out that he had already suspected what she was intending to do and, yes, she was caught red-handed. Her sheepish grin did little to ease his fury at her, yelling at her that she was killing herself and she'd die of exhaustion at pushing herself too hard. It was funny, really, that he should be listening to himself; he in truth did sound hypocritical.

So she was given her punishment—which was to take a day off the next day to rest—she accepted, having no other choice. And in conformity, both retired home without leaving any one to burn the midnight oil.

Which was why she was there… under the azure sky, under the shade of a huge tree, with the cool spring breeze blowing, with her dog, and with a head full of anxious thoughts. It was her day off.

She more than appreciated it but didn't he deserve it too, if not more? Pull yourself together, woman! He didn't give you this day to stress yourself out! Riza mentally scolded herself. She heaved her fourth sigh that day. She had to clear her head even for a moment or else she'd never be relaxed. A gentle wind whispered and she inhaled deeply to calm her nerves, her blonde tresses dancing along the gust as sunshine grazed her hair. For a moment, Riza was tranquil. She leaned against the hard wood of the tree and gazed up at the horizon as cotton white clouds floated across it. Involuntarily, her eyes slowly shut as she drifted off to a placid sleep.

Berthold Hawkeye's only apprentice sat on a stool by the window, dark eyes absently staring out at the peaceful scenery of the countryside instead of reading the thick alchemy text book sitting open in front of him that was meant to be memorized by the end of the day. But his mind was wandering elsewhere. Not in his studies, not at the breath-taking landscape he was staring at, but at his teacher's pretty yet perplexing daughter.

Do not be mistaken. The young Riza Hawkeye was nowhere close to where Roy-boy was looking at. However his mind was occupied by her and not the image his eyes were fixed upon. They had known each other for almost two months then. During his first days, she had been wholly unapproachable, giving him sharp, straight-to-the-point replies whenever he tried to make a conversation with her. Sure, she was giving him a cold shoulder but eventually, she warmed up to him thanks to his unrelenting effort to unmask her aloofness. And within a few days, he had grown quite attached to her. She was actually just lonely and nonchalantly claims she was used to it. He couldn't imagine anyone being content by being alone and was struck by the thought that when he had befriended her, he had saved her and had given her a reason to smile. From then on, he had made it his aim to make her laugh and smile more, realizing that he also craved her company as much as she did to him.

Last night, however, he did badly with his objective of making her smile. He managed to make her glower. And he wasn't even aiming at anything but to finish reading the generously-paged alchemy book Hawkeye-sensei bade him to do! He didn't know how he could possibly disturb her sleep when he was simply reading that bloody book in silence in the middle of the night. She just showed up leaning on his door, tapping her foot with a look that said, "You're in trouble, mister." So she had scolded him that he was supposed to be in bed at that hour. Tempted as he was to ask her why she wasn't, he knew better and apologized for waking her and obliged instead like a boy reprimanded by his mother.

It was just that morning that Roy realized that she might not have been angry at being awakened but she was frustrated at his own actions. Could she be worried about me? He wondered wistfully, a bubble of joy growing within him. He knew Riza wasn't the type to openly express her feelings but she was pretty much an open book to him by then. So maybe… maybe she was really just thinking about him. He smiled quietly. She was worried about another person when she could have just let him burn the midnight oil. Riza really is sweet.

Then the object of his thoughts entered his line of vision. He looked a little to his left to see a blonde girl sit under the old maple tree beside the Hawkeye manor. The shade of the tree was truly inviting, the grass soft, and the cool breeze whooshed causing the leaves to dance and her hair to join along the wind. The rustle of nature brought forth such calming melody that Roy was compelled to lean closer by the window to watch the picturesque view, her presence forming perfection.

He watched as Riza opened a book. She looked so at peace that he forgot she was cross at him last night. He stood by the back door to watch more closely, Riza still oblivious that she was being observed. Roy strongly felt that he needed to approach her—to keep her company like they used to. But she was angry at him, wasn't she? What if she didn't want him there? Besides, he wouldn't want to ruin the solitude that she seemed to enjoy.

Making up his mind, he grabbed his alchemy book and went out to join her. He was planning to apologize when she asks but when she looked up at him, he instantaneously forgot what he was going to do.

"Um… uh… Do you mind if I join you?" he managed to tell her.

Her lower lip trembled and he could only wonder if she was trying to hold in anger or suppressing a smile. He suspected the latter for she muttered a "Humph," before swinging her head to the opposite direction, nose up high. Well, at least it wasn't a refusal.

He sat two feet away from her, tentatively respecting her space. For some reason, all his bravery seemed to have left him for he learned that it was harder to apologize in actuality than he thought. The dark-haired boy swallowed as he opened his book but not intending to really read it. All he wanted to devise at that point was how to speak to her. He inched himself a little closer to her. If he was going to apologise then she might as well hear it properly. When she didn't seem to notice his action or chose to ignore it, he repeated edging closer to her until their arms were almost touching.

How to do this… he pondered, biting his lip. Roy cleared his throat once but no audible sound came. He swore in his head. His guts were failing him just when he desperately needed it. He swallowed again but when he was about to speak, he felt a weigh on his shoulder and saw Riza's head resting on it.

She had fallen asleep. Whether she decided to rest against him or if it was by accident, Roy didn't care. He was there to support her—literally and emotionally—and that's all that mattered.

A genuine smile crossed his lips as he watched the sleeping form of Riza. He liked seeing her like that. She looked just like a girl free from worry and tension. Her body was relaxed and her expression, serene. Then he noticed that she had a small smile on her face. It made his smile stretch into a grin.

It was true that he had slept quite late last night. If it wasn't for her, he wouldn't have slept at all. But in her case, she would've had less sleep for they slept at just about the same time yet she wakes earlier than anyone in the house. He couldn't blame her for suddenly dozing off.

They stayed like that for a long time; Riza, fast asleep on Roy's shoulder, and him, exulting the peace of spring and the company of his childhood crush with a smile that would have forever remained frozen on his face.

"Thank you…"

The soft words that left her lips were caught in the wind. He wondered for a while if she was dreaming or was addressing him when his name followed after a while. He leaned his head against hers as he pulled her in a comfortable position, the curve of his lips still firmly in place.

"My pleasure." He whispered.

Silence.

Roy glanced at her and saw that she wasn't pretending to be asleep. Her steady breathing was calming and her scent that wafted with the spring air was brought to his nostrils. He took a deep breath before leaning his head against the tree, sighing in contentment. He wouldn't mind staying like that forever. Though he knew it was impossible. There were certainly a lot of things in store for them in the future and he wasn't thrilled to reach the fork on their road yet. The time would come when he had to leave that place, meet new people, and Riza on her own different pathway.

His smile diminished a little. He didn't like thinking about the day when they would be separated. Upon looking around, he thought that life was too short and he ought to enjoy every little moment because tomorrow, it would only be a memory. He had to take the moment and make the best of it.

He scanned the area warily. Satisfied that they were truly alone, he gave the figure next to him another yearning glance. Speaking of taking the moment and making the best of it…

It would cause him his life, he knew very well the consequences, but it might or it might not be his only chance. Whichever it was, he had to seize his luck. With the remaining shards of his fearlessness intact, he put up his trademark smirk to add up to his quivering confidence. He was going to do another deadly feat. Because it was now or never.

He leaned closer to her face… He could hear his heart roaring in his ears… upon seeing her face at such close proximity, he blushed but it was too late to turn back (not that he had any intention to do so)… closer… her lips; they were so lush and pure… closer…thump (why did his heart have to beat so loud? It might wake her)… thump… in a heartbeat, his lips was against hers, pressure as light as a feather as he slowly shut his eyes. It was just an innocent peck but it meant the world to him. Oh, he was floating in paradise!

With lightning-fast speed, he withdrew his face from hers, blushing furiously. He did it. He did it! And he freaking survived! If anyone was there to see his expression, they'd think he had lost his sanity. He had the most outrageous grin he had ever worn. It took every fiber in his being not to get up and dance and to scream to the world that he had conquered the insurmountable.

He dared another stare. Riza was still leaning against him fast asleep, completely clueless about what had happened. If she found out, she was going to murder him for sure. He paled at the thought. He just had to make sure she wouldn't, right? It would be his precious little secret to keep. The apprentice leaned back, careful not to wake the sleeping girl, as he tried to fix his stupid grin to a more realistic smile and to cool down his still flustered self. That spring day was one hell of an adventure. And he could have died.

Oh well. Risking his neck was more than worth it.

~After a while~

Caramel eyes leisurely opened from a deep slumber. She felt her head resting on something that was certainly not the surface of wood. A breeze flew by and she caught the scent of fresh spring with a whiff of something very familiar.

It smelled of Roy.

Riza Hawkeye whipped her head up so fast that Roy was sure she could've broken her neck.

"M-Mustang-san! ...I mean… Roy! I-I'm sorry!" she stuttered, growing bright scarlet. She couldn't believe she just slept on his shoulder!

Roy, for a quick moment, turned a bit red but he immediately gathered his bearings. "No, it's okay! I don't mind, really." In fact, I enjoyed it.

She was about to apologize again but Roy interrupted her, "You know, I'm really sorry about last night. I should have known I was bothering you."

"Actually, I'm the one who should be sorry." She murmured, looking down the grass, "You were just minding your own business and yet I yelled at you."

"Riza, I'm not angry at you or anything! You were right when you told me it was too late for me to be studying!" Roy groaned. Before she says another retort, he stood up and stretched. "Well, come on. Would you like to take a walk? It's not everyday that this kind of season comes across here."

He offered her his hand as she stared at it. Her perplexed expression changed to one of mockery and she gave him a sarcastic smile. "Don't you think this is the perfect time that you should be studying? And not doing things at the last minute?"

Realizing that she had a point, he chuckled guiltily. But he had a card of his own. "Speaking of time, you slept quite well, didn't you?"

Instead of being flustered at the reminder of her too good a slumber, she suddenly gasped. "Time! What time is it?"

Bemused, Roy answered, "I'd say it's almost midday."

"I have to prepare lunch!" she was about to scramble to her feet when she remembered his still outstretched hand. She looked up to see him smiling at her. She blushed but took his hand eventually.

"Let's put the walk on hold then," he stated as they walked back to the house, "I'll help you cook."

"You still have work to do, Mustang." She tried to sound stern to hide the heat that was rising to her cheeks.

"Hmm," he smirked, "I'll do that when we're done."

They arrived at the house still holding hands. Roy had refused to let her hand go. He also refused to forget the day Riza Hawkeye fell asleep under a tree and the day that he stole a kiss from her.

Colonel Roy Mustang drowsily raised his head from his desk, unaware that all throughout his sleep he was wearing a soft smile. He yawned widely and checked the time with his pocket-watch. It was past twelve in the afternoon. With the little work he'd had and finished that day, the rest of his day was pretty much free.

He glanced around his office and saw that he was alone. His men must have went out somewhere again but he had no intention of searching for them; He had no reason to. They had also finished their work in record time.

He rubbed his eyes, wondering what else he should do with the rest of his time. He wasn't in the mood to sleep again and all the paperwork was done for the day. The office seemed tidy so he didn't have to clean it like he used to when he was by himself. He stood up to face his window. The sky was clear—a good sign that there'll be no rain—and it wasn't too sunny or hot. After all that sitting in the office for hours, he decided that a walk outside would help his aching bottom.

He stretched a little, fixed his hair and uniform, before walking out of the office and out of HQ. It wouldn't be nice to see charming Roy Mustang waltzing about like he'd just awoken from sleep so obviously. He thought that just walking around HQ would be boring. After working there for a long time, it was normal for him to get used to it that he had already memorized its grounds by heart. He decided that a walk in the park sounded good. At least it was something different.

The park wasn't too far and when he had reached it, there weren't that much people. He looked around, seeking a good spot where he could sit in peace and simply marvel at his surroundings. Knowing he wouldn't get that when there were people close by, he went somewhere more secluded.

He was very satisfied when he found a certain area close to a pond. The trees gave a good shade and rays of sun were peeking through the leaves and splashing down the green ground. He approached a tree which he thought was the best to rest and saw something he was utterly not expecting.

What are the odds, he thought with his lips curving upward. He kneeled noiselessly next to the sleeping figure of one Riza Hawkeye, unable to resist brushing a hair from her face. Black Hayate, who was lying next to her, looked up at him. The dog moved toward him with its tail wagging excitedly. Roy patted him on the head and said, "Hush, boy."

He positioned himself next to her but not too close so he wouldn't wake her. It was very rare to catch the infamous sniper off-guard and Roy didn't like the thought of anyone else seeing her in her current state— so defenseless and at peace. He was glad that he was the only one who ever had that privilege and he more than appreciated it. Going to the park and finding Riza there was probably the best small decision that he'd ever made. It was dangerous for her to be sleeping at such a public place so he was utterly fortunate that it was him who found her.

To his surprise, Roy yawned. It was suspiciously odd that he suddenly felt sleepy again. He glanced at the lady beside him and couldn't help but smile. Her hair was down and she was in civilian clothes. Most importantly, her expression was serene and free of any worry as he gazed intently at her face.

She always looked so beautiful.

A smile tugged at his lips. It was nice to watch her asleep every time he had the chance. After all they've been through, they were still together until now. The fork in the road seemed to have bent their paths together in spite of everything that they have come across. Funny how fate works. But he doesn't believe in fate so what could have led to such encounter? Whatever it was, he didn't know. All he knew for sure was that he was there with her and that's all that mattered.

After all that thinking, Colonel Mustang drifted off to sleep too… but not after taking another chance.

~After a while~

Riza Hawkeye awoke, feeling an odd weight on her lap. Thinking it was her dog, she let her hand lightly brush the soft hair. In the end of all that worrying, she had fallen asleep thinking of her superior. But now, there was a new found hope within her. It was Roy Mustang she was thinking about there. He may be childish at times but he knew when he had to act his role. He was a born leader and she should have known perfectly well he could handle his team with ease.

The thought was a huge weight lifted from her shoulders. She let herself smile. Roy must be in the office at that moment, either taking a break, working, barking at his men, or staring off into space.

The hand that was brushing soft black hair stilled. Riza tried to ignore the disturbing difference of Black Hayate's feature and the one on her lap. Surely, it was Hayate sitting there, right? Who else would have the guts to sleep on her lap?

With a sinking feeling, lieutenant Hawkeye lowered her eyes upon the thing resting on her lap.

Colonel? It was a good thing she was able to quickly compose herself or else the man's head would have met the ground face-first. Her face burned hot not from anger but from embarrassment. She knew all too well that their position wasn't in the least bit proper for a superior and a subordinate, day-off or not. She had no idea how long he was there, dozing oh-so peacefully on her lower body. The thought sent goose bumps all over her arms.

Much to her mortification, Mustang began to wake. His eyes met hers. Then he blinked. Just when she was thinking he had realized his mistake, he turned his head so he could see her better and grinned. He just grinned and Riza was doing her best not to fire up.

"What the hell are you doing here, sir?" she asked him calmly.

He didn't even move from his position as he answered her with a smile, "I needed to get out of the office. But don't worry. We finished work rather early and I have the rest of the day to myself."

"And… what are you doing, sleeping here?"

"It's a good spot." He gave her a bright beam that could have rivalled the sun.

Are you serious! She fought hard not to blush and resisted the urge to just push him off her. It wasn't that she didn't want him there, she merely had no idea what to do now that he was awake. Besides, it wasn't everyday that she found the love of her life sleeping next to her. And the worst, most awkward part was the fact that he didn't seem to mind their position.

"Get off me." She told him sharply.

He smirked, "Why, lieutenant, I'm not… on top of you."

That was it. He just crossed the line. She turned several shades of scarlet and before she could do anything, he leapt to his feet and stood before her, grinning like hell. She opened her mouth but no words came out. She was too flustered to know what to say. But Mustang was ahead of her, offering her his hand.

"Well, come on. Would you like to go for a walk? It's not everyday that we get this chance."

She stared at him for a few seconds before smirking, "Don't you think you should be working?"

He pouted. She was obviously shooing him away. "I thought I told you I already finished it."

She laughed, music to his ears, as she took his hand and let him pull her up.

"So, have you had lunch yet?"

"Nope."

"Let me treat you to this restaurant."

"You still have work to do, sir."

"Hmm," he whined, "Fine. I'll do that when we're done. In the meantime, call me Roy."

He was expecting her to refuse but happiness must've crept up his face when she said, "Alright."

They left, holding hands. No matter how much she tried to pry his hand off hers, he simply wouldn't budge. She couldn't believe she fell for it again. She just hoped he didn't notice that she didn't put up much of a fight on the holding hands part. Oh well. It was her day-off so why not? She certainly loved a break from all the usual stuff. Because on that day, she was just Riza Hawkeye enjoying time with the man she loved.

Roy was trying hard not to crush her hand with his joy. The day was full of surprises and he was taking the best of it. It may just be another moment in their lives but he would never forget it for it was his precious moment. He was determined to make more of those kinds of time but right now was all that mattered.

Besides, he also refused to forget the day he found Riza Hawkeye asleep under a tree… and the day he took his second stolen kiss from her. From the woman he loved.

A/N: Somehow, the ending was kind of… disappointing. It was, wasn't it? (-_-||l)