FMA Week 2015, Day 7 (last day): Journey

The compartment hummed around them as the train approached their destination. Riza lightly nudged Roy awake, disturbing his head from her shoulder. "We're almost there, sir."

Roy squinted around the compartment, disoriented. He brought the back of his hand up to his mouth and wiped saliva away before looking at Riza. His gaze fell to the shoulder he had slept on. "I drooled on you." The corners of his mouth betrayed a grin. "Forgive me."

Riza took a handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed at the dark spot on her uniform. "Think nothing of it, sir. It will dry."

Roy rolled his eyes. "It's just the two of us still, Riza. No need to start using formalities again quite yet. Let's wait until we're back among the brass to return to using titles." Roy leaned back in his seat, hearing his back crack as he stretched. "Two years spent rebuilding in Ishval, and we're finally coming back to Central. How are you feeling, Riza?"

Riza considered for a moment, before sighing. "It feels like we still have a lot to do."

Roy nodded. "I'm sure it will be a while before Ishval and Amestris are truly at peace, but I trust that we're leaving the remaining reconstruction in good hands. Scar and Major Miles know to alert us immediately in the event that conflict occurs." He reached down to scratch behind the ears of Black Hayate, sleeping on the seat next to him. The dog was probably the most excited of all of them to be going back to Central.

"I wonder what Fuhrer Grumman needs us for, though, to summon us on such short notice. You're sure he didn't say? You don't think he's considering stepping down already, do you?"

"I doubt the old man would be willing to give up his position so soon." Roy frowned, thinking. "It could possibly have something to do with the reforms to the state alchemy program that I had been discussing with him. But he made it clear that our return is not meant to be a temporary one."

Silence hung in the air as the two sat together, thinking. Roy noticed as Riza's brow began to furrow, her eyes serious.

"Something on your mind?"

"We've come a long way since that first time we returned from Ishval. At least this time we were there to right the wrongs we had previously committed." Riza sighed. "Before the Promised Day, when the fate of all of Amestris was in question and we could only communicate by code, I often found myself wondering if fate was only dealing out to us what we deserved. But then we survived, and watching the people of Ishval return home and start to put their lives together made me think that maybe at least a little redemption is possible for us. Maybe we can allow ourselves some tiny bit of happiness." She smiled at Roy, her eyes pleading for him to agree with her.

Roy held her eyes, remaining silent for a few moments, processing her words. "Maybe we can." He reached into his pocket and took out a small box. He placed it in Riza's hand, watching her fingers curl around it as she held it up to inspect it.

She looked at him, perplexed. "What-?"

"You should open it." He watched her face intently as she pried the box open, grinning at her sudden gasp.

"But Roy-"

"I already talked to Fuhrer Grumman. He says he's willing to wave any military laws that would otherwise stand in our way. Something about a special exception for two of the people who helped save the citizens of Amestris from a deranged homunculus." He watched Riza remove the ring from the box and inspect it in the sunlight that shone through the window. For once, he found himself unable to read her. "Well?"

"Well, what?" She raised an eyebrow at him.

"What's your answer?"

"You haven't asked me anything." She smiled, enjoying her chance to tease him.

Roy took her hands in his, smiling goofily at her in exasperation. "Riza Hawkeye, will you marry me?"

Riza stared at him silently for a few moments, seeming to consider. Finally she answered. "Yes."

Roy let out the breath that he didn't know he had been holding and beamed at her. He took the ring from Riza's hand and began to slip it onto his finger.

"But I have a condition."

Roy paused. "A condition?"

"Well, there are several things that we'll need to discuss, but one major condition: Hayate is part of the package."

Roy laughed. "I wouldn't dream of separating you from Hayate." He finished slipping the ring on, then admired it. It was a small stone on a simple white-gold band, tiny enough to keep from getting caught on anything while big enough to still be noticeable. He was soon distracted by cool hands cupping his face. He looked up to see Riza leaning down to kiss him. Soft lips pressed against his and he melted into them.

Once the kiss was broken, Roy leaned back, content. "I agree with what you were saying earlier. Our journey isn't over. We may have a happy ending, yet."

The train whistle blew as it pulled into the Central station. Roy began to straighten his uniform out, watching as Riza did the same.

"Ready to face Central again, General?" The corners of her mouth turned up in a smile that would likely be impossible to erase for quite some time.

"Only if you're there to face it beside me, Captain." Roy quickly swooped down to kiss her cheek as the train made a complete stop.

"Of course, sir."

Thanks for reading! Feedback is always appreciated (whether good or critical), and encourages me in the writing of any future RoyAi!