"Roy?" Riza called. "Do you know where my earrings are?"
"Which earrings?" Roy asked, stepping into the room. He was dressed only in pants and shirtsleeves, and he was looking around the room with a helpless air. "Do you know where my cufflinks are?"
She rolled her eyes, scooped them out of the little dish where his cufflinks always were, and dropped them into his hands. "The earrings with the little blue stones," she said. "I suppose I can just wear my studs," she sighed, and reached for her jewelry box.
Roy stepped in front of the mirror, and picked out a tie. "I like your studs," he said, flipping his collar up.
"Only because they remind you of me in uniform," she accused, putting the earrings in.
"I did like the way you looked in the uniform," he admitted, grinning wickedly. "It's the only bad thing about leaving the military." He looped his tie around his neck, began tying it.
"Well," Riza said, coming up behind him, "If that's the way you feel about it, I could get Rebecca to lend me one of her spares." She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, breathing him in.
He turned then, and kissed her. He kissed her the way he did everything: with purpose. After a long, very pleasant moment, she grabbed his tie and used it to push him away. "Mr. Mustang," she said, with a small smile. "You're already running late."
Roy smiled, and turned back to the mirror. He tidied his tie, and combed down his hair. "I can always blame it on having such a pretty wife," he said. "Everyone will understand."
She rolled her eyes. "I suppose you imagine that you're very smooth," she said.
"Other people think so," he said, with false wounded pride.
"I'm not so easily impressed," she said, slipping on her heels. She stood up, checking herself in the mirror.
"Xingese styles suit you," Roy said, watching her. He pulled his jacket on, buttoning it carefully.
"I thought it would be appropriate for our guests," she said. It was also convenient that the high-necked gowns covered her entire back, of course, but she didn't need to mention that.
"I wonder who Ling sent as his ambassador this time," Roy sighed. "He has a terrible sense of humor about those sorts of things."
"That's why you two have worked so well together over the years," Riza observed. "Ready to go?"
"You tell me," he said, smiling at her. She checked him up and down- shoes tied, pants pressed (fly buttoned), jacket and waistcoat buttoned, tie impeccable. He really did look wonderful. His black hair might have a few silver streaks in it, but time did get the best of everyone in the end.
"Acceptable," she sniffed.
His eyes were laughing as he took her arm. "I can always trust you to be honest with me," he said.
"Of course," she said. "Someone has to be."
They started down the stairs to meet the Xingese delegation. "I'm glad I've got you watching my back," he said, mildly.
"Always," she said.
