Ever since the Ishval War where Roy Mustang and Riza Hawkeye faithfully fulfilled their duty to massacre the Ishvalan people as the Fuhrer commanded, every night their minds and heart wont let them forget about it, Nightmares that would follow guilt and regret would crawl into their hearts every night. Ever since returning from that Riza Hawkeye spent almost a year crying herself to sleep every night softly whispering "Sorry" to to all those people's life she has taken away knowing they would never forgive her. Roy Mustang wasn't far off from her either. Roy was worse than Riza when it came to his state of mind, truthfully he would have taken his own life already a long time ago if it wasn't for the most important person in his life Riza and his best friend in his life Hughes. He was very glad he was alive this very moment. Roy was the first to wake up. He slowly opened his eyes, staring up at the ceiling he noticed light has filled the room where he laid, it was morning already. Roy felt warmness and felt half of a small body on top of him.
"Please...please don't let this be a dream." he whispered very softly.
Roy was scared. He was scared to think this was all nothing but a dream. That one of the most important night in his entire life was nothing but an illusion. He slowly but carefully moved his right arm and moved it gently to the center of his chest where he felt a weight laying on top of it. His fingertips felt silky and soft hair as he reached his destination, he slowly and gently caressed the sensation he was feeling.
"Hmm.." Riza let out a small soft groan. Reacting right away to Roy's touch Riza had her left arm wrapped around Roy's stomach and gripped him harder towards her.
Feeling Riza's arm tighten around his waist confirmed that this was not a dream. Everything that was said and done did indeed happen last night. He looked down to see Riza's face that lay on top of his chest.
"How can you be so beautiful?" he thought. Riza's face showed a calm and soothing face, it almost seemed that she had a very small smile on her. Roy knew that this was perhaps a night in which neither of them have slept since the war. For the first time in so long the only thing on their minds that night was each other. Roy stayed awake for almost an hour more and once again engraved this moment into his heart ending a dear magical moment in his life that started last night. He wanted now to cook breakfast for Riza. Roy Mustang was not a morning person, he hated waking up early and for the most part he was in a rather bad mood until he got to the office. But today was different, but then again perhaps not, because the time his bad mood went away entering the office was the moment he saw Riza Hawkeye.
The task was very hard to get out of bed without Riza waking up. It took him fifteen minutes to slowly move Riza's arm across his stomach, slowly move her head away from his chest and finally move a leg she had wrapped up with one of Roy's. Surprisingly enough Riza Hawkeye was clingy in bed, a trait Roy rather loved.
Riza's body started to automatically respond to the morning. After years of waking up early despite not sleeping well her body was used to being up no later than 7. Her senses slowly woke up and she noticed the smell of bacon in the air followed up by what seemed like the smell of coffee. Knowing it all seemed out of order and unusual she opened her eyes, without lifting her head she moved her eyes to look around her surroundings, as she did everything came back to her. After knowing she was in Roy's apartment she slowly started to move to get up from the bed, as she did she noticed she was still naked. She looked around and located her underwear and her white shirt and put them on. She slowly walked out of the small bedroom and saw Roy by the couch placing two plates in a very small table he placed in front of it. He felt Riza's presence and looked up to find her looking at him, she gave him a small smile.
"I made us breakfast, I hope you like eggs and bacon."
"Yeah, that sounds good"
He grabbed a cup of coffee he had placed in the small table and walked up to Riza. He gently handed the cup to her making sure she wouldn't burn herself. She grabbed it and looking into his eyes she took a sip. Roy walked to the couch and sat down, Riza followed him and sat down next to him, without a word they started eating. Roy and Riza hardly ever looked away from each other as they ate. Riza noticed Roy didn't have a mug of coffee.
"Your not drinking coffee?"
"Yes but this cup is enough for the both of us." Roy wanted to drink off the same cup that Riza did. She giggled at the fact that Roy was unconsciously already coming up with "couple" traits, she also knew that this was something they needed to importantly talk about. Things were going to be different now between them, because of that they need to be even more extra careful from now on how they acted with each other, things they might do unconsciously without realizing it. Riza waited till they finished eating breakfast, she put her fork down and grabbed Roy's hand and made a serious face. Roy's heart tightening up as soon as he saw her face, the possibility of Riza perhaps regretting what happened last night would crush it, there was no way this could have been a one night fling, never, not between them.
Riza saw Roy's expression and knew right away what Roy was thinking, she felt touched and thought it was adorable. She gave him a warm smile and put her forehead against his bringing their face close to each other.
"Don't be silly its not that."
Roy was so relieved when he heard Riza say that.
"Roy...remember and never forget that between us before anything in the world comes the promise we made that day first. I swore my life to you, that I would protect you and see you make your way to the top and change everything in this army that's wrong. You promised me that you would change not only the army but this nation, this world and build a better place for everyone, a better future. You said that what happened in Ishval would never happen again once you became Fuhrer. We owe this, we have to do this for all those people we have killed."
Roy knew what Riza wanted to say by this, before her happiness and life they both wanted from the bottom of their hearts together, they would never be able to do it before this was accomplished in their life first.
"Yes I did, and if I ever do sway from that promise, that path ive sworn to take, you know what you promised me."
"Yes I do. We are soldier's before we are regular people Roy, its who we are right now. You asked me last night if I ever got tired of being "Off the clock" but we never are Roy, and so we have to properly be what we are...do you understand?"
"Yeah I do, but you know I need you too Riza. I wont make it without you."
"I know, that's why I will give you anything and everything you need Roy as your subordinate."
"Because your a faithful subordinate that follows order's?"
"Because I love you and its you who im doing it for Roy."
Roy kissed Riza deeply. He took in her taste along with the lingering taste of bacon and eggs from her breakfast.
"Roy...i should go take a shower, I smell."
"Are you kidding?! If I can make a fragrance of your smell I would wear it every day!"
Riza laughed at Roy's comment but honestly she loved his scent as well
"Go and take a shower, ill clean up here." Roy started gathering the plates and cup off the desk. Riza got up and went to the bathroom that was located in the bedroom. She stared at herself in the mirror for a couple of minutes. She looked at her body and remembered everywhere Roy touched last night, she never felt so loved and her body never felt so satisfied. She looked at herself and for the first time ever she thought to herself "I want to be beautiful.. for him"
She decided to quickly take a shower and head back to her dorm so she can take another long hot shower there dress up and pack up for today. Roy finished washing the dishes and walked back into his bedroom. The thought of Riza being in his shower made his imagination of his fantasy and desires run wild.
"Shit" he thought. "How can I keep myself together and compose if I cant control my emotions"
He tried very hard to control and stop thinking about the most magical night that just happened off his head, he walked to his bed and lay-ed in the side where Riza had slept, he inhaled very deeply taking in as much off Riza's scent he could take in that lingered from the mat and pillow. He slowly closed his eyes and wondered off again in his dream of last night they had spent together.
After 20 minutes Riza walked out of Roy's bathroom wearing the same cloth's from last night. She saw Roy sleeping on the bed and scoffed.
"Your really not a morning person Roy"
She walked towards Roy and slowly carefully sat next to him by the edge of the bed. With her hand she started caressing his face and moved his hair as to get it out of the way. She leaned in and gave him a peck on the cheeks. As she moved away it seemed Roy had felt her and had his right hand already moving to the back of her head to stop her from moving away. He brought her back down to kiss her on her lips. After savoring the long kiss they shared Roy pulled away and rested his head back in the pillow.
"I can get used to waking up like this everyday."
"Yeah I bet you can but..." Riza trailed off not wanting to finish what she was going to say, she knew this was not something that would happen anything time soon, or would even happen at all. She sighted and gave him a small smile. "Its okay you can rest a little while longer but meet me at the East Train Station at 1 pm, ill see you then."
Roy just nodded his head but never took his eyes off her, he saw her get up grab her purse and walked out of his place locking the door behind. He closed his eyes again and decided to stay in bed just a little while longer before he took a shower and packed up.
East Train Station 12:40 pm...
Roy was surprisingly enough the first one to get there, He walked to the ticket booth to purchase his and Riza's ticket. There was a young early 20's beautiful girl whose heart was stolen by Roy the moment he walked up. Roy had a strict dress code he always followed if he wasn't in military uniform, he would always wear very professional expensive suits and attire around his neck with dress pants and shoes.
"How... how can I help you sir?" the young girl mumbling and stuttering her words
Roy staring at the young girl's eyes leaned in closer with a smirk on his face.
"I sure hope you can Missy. I would like to purchase two train ticket please."
"Tw..Two train tickets?" The young girl looked around for his companion to no avail.
"Yes with a private cabinet to the Central Station please. Have you ever been there Missy?" Roy said raising an eyebrow.
"N..No I haven't."
"Hmm..well we definitely have to do something about that...don't we?" winking at the girl.
The girl excited started to process Roy's request as if she was booking for the two of them. As she did Riza started to approach the booth as well strolling her luggage. Roy turned around to see Riza on a white short sleeve shirt but the surprise part was seeing her on a black skirt that came up almost to her knees with black high heels. Now fully giving his attention Roy turned around and gave Riza a good look from head to toe, to say the least he didn't expect her to be "slightly" over dressed since Riza never showed an interest in how she dressed herself. She looked simple and very beautiful at the same time, it amazed Roy that Riza never had to put on any make up on her face to look stunningly beautiful. Her hair started to almost reach her shoulders now, Riza never had let her hair grow out this long before she always kept it short for her professional military look. Roy was slightly confused but really liked what he was looking at.
"I'm impressed that your here early" Riza simply stated looking at Roy.
Roy was lost for words at the moment and only came back to his senses when the young lady grabbed his attention.
"Sir..Excuse me sir your tickets are ready."
Roy turned his body and reached for his wallet to pay for the tickets. He no longer gave any attention to the young lady that desperately seek-ed his attention wishing that he kept flirting with her to arrange a date or a number to contact. The young girl now stared at Riza knowing she was the cause that Roy had lost his "Cool"
"Thanks Missy." Roy just gave the young girl a quick glance with a smile and quickly turned to face Riza. As Riza walked up to the young lady to purchase her ticket Roy gently grabbed her arm.
"I bought yours already, here."
"Thanks"
Before Riza could notice Roy reached to grab her luggage to carry for her, a sweet gesture but something she wasn't used to.
"Roy you don't..."
"Cmon lets go"
Roy and Riza walked towards the train leaving behind the young disappointed girl in the booth knowing very well she would never come close to this beautiful blonde girl who already had this young handsome man around her fingers.
"A private cabinet?"
"I don't want to be annoyed by crying kids or loud people, I just want a nice quiet trip to central, ill have plenty of headache when im there tomorrow." As Roy said this his mind finally processed that Riza perhaps thought that Roy had a "hidden motive"
Riza walked in a small but comfy cabinet and sat on the left side of it. Roy walked in put their luggage down and sat on the right hand side showing he had no bad intention. Riza just looked at him and reached over to her luggage to grab a book she had brought to read. Through out the time since the train departed to Central Roy stayed quiet and just simply looked out the window. From time to time he would close his eyes as to sleep for a little while but then a sudden movement or simply after a time he would open his eyes again just to keep looking out the window. Riza had read quite a bit off the book she was reading and now seemed that her eyes were getting tired. Roy had really behaved himself despite knowing how intense it was between them being alone and wanting to do so much with each other. This really was going to be freaking hard, not just for Roy, but for Riza as well. Riza would never say it loud or admit it, her pride as the person she was and as a woman would not allow it. She craved for Roy just as much as he did for her and perhaps some times, even more.
She looked at Roy who at this time was awake and looking out the window. She sighted quietly, closed her book, reached into her bag and put it away. Roy didn't even once looked at her since they left the station, he knew if he did, he wouldn't be able to stop himself. He was really trying hard, for this perhaps was going to be the biggest hardest challenge in his life he was going to face, keeping himself collected with Riza.
Riza feeling bad also knowing and feeling what Roy felt, she got up, walked up to the door and locked it and before Roy could turn his head around to see what Riza was doing she sat next to him and really leaned up against him placing her left arm around his waist and her head against his chest really leaning her weight and in a position comfortable for her stating she was getting ready to fall asleep in his arms.
"You really are unfair you know" Roy whispered quietly to her as he wrapped both his arms around her and held her dearly.
Roy noticed and smelled Riza's perfume, she was wearing a rose fragrance perfume that her mother wore. He remembered that was one of the very few things Riza ever knew about her mother, before her father threw everything away that belonged to her she was able to find and hide her mothers only and most favorite perfume she ever wore. He was really surprised to find now she was wearing that exact fragrance.
"Was it because she's meeting my foster mother?" he thought
Not really knowing the answer to that he finally gave up and closed his eyes and joined her sleep till they got to Central Station.
A sudden shake from the train woke Roy up as the train finally came to a stop
"We have now arrived to Central Station! Please don't forget your belongings when you leave the train!" a train worker shouted
Roy gently patted Riza on the head then cupped her face to slowly lift it up to kiss her forehead
"Cmon, we are here already, lets go"
"Hmm" Riza groaned as she lazily got up and after a minute to compose herself she grabbed her luggage
Roy looked at his watch and saw it was 10 before 7 pm. He grabbed his luggage and walked with Riza out the train. He looked for a Taxi and called it over and gave the direction to Christmas Bar
"How long has it been?"
"Since I last saw my foster mom? Its been a little over 3 years I suppose."
"That's quite some time, I guess with everything that has happened it couldn't be helped."
"Yeah, I guess not"
As they approached the bar Roy couldn't help but to feel a little nervous, but the place hasn't changed since Roy left before the Ishval War, and that gave Roy a little comfort. They got off the taxi and stood In front of the place, Riza wasn't sure exactly what to do or to expect but decided to stick close to Roy until then. As they walked in they both took in the surroundings and environment, it wasn't just a bar, it was a hostess bar. Beautiful woman surrounded the whole place, laughter, flirting, drinking and men enjoying the very company of these woman. Riza couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, she was definitely surprised. This was the occupation of the woman who raised Roy, she never expected this.
"Roy are we in the right place?"
"Yes Riza, this is my home."
"Home?" Riza no longer could find any more words to say to Roy, she was confused but was careful to say anything until she knew everything.
"Please, just try to bare with me, I know you must be confused but ill let you kill me later"
Riza was now even more lost with those last words that came out of Roy's mouth. She felt a bad premonition to it as well and knew that whatever it was she would have to keep an open mind about it.
Before Riza and Roy could take another further step into the bar a very young beautiful blond girl came up to Roy and approached him.
"Hi there handsome, you came to the right place and boy am I glad you did"
Roy did not recognize this girl so he knew she was just a regular escort here but before he could ask her anything she started to caress his chest and warp her hands around him. Poor Roy, it didn't take a second longer to feel the killing intent that he felt behind him from the beautiful blond he came with together, indeed she might kill him after all. He didn't waste any time and gently pushed the girl away from him.
"No im not here for that, I'm here to see Madam Christmas, could you please tell me where she is?"
Greatly disappointment the girl crossed her arms and and scoffed.
"I'm not sure, but maybe the bartender can tell you." With an attitude she leaned back and gave an eye to Riza, " And im sorry I don't do women"
"Shes with me!" Roy quickly gave an answer before Riza could react and decide to put a bullet between her eyes.
Roy grabbed Riza's hand and passed the girl and some tables heading towards the bar, he found a table really close to the bar and sat Riza there.
"Please just wait here"
Riza didn't reply back to him she just stared at him with a blank look not to give out what she was thinking and feeling so far about the place, and that scared Roy but alas, it still wasn't over. He walked over to the bar and saw the bartender very busy with some people on the other side, he knew that dark hair beautiful woman very well. He sat down putting his elbow's and hands together on the counter and waited for her to notice him. After three minutes she finally noticed him.
"Ill be with you in just a minute!" She yelled across the bar
Busy making drinks she hustled quickly to make the drinks for all the people at the bar, she was the only one there at that time, Roy wondered where Madam Christmas was. Finally after six minutes she finished and rushed to where Roy was.
"Sorry about that! What can I get for you sir?" she asked him
"A shot of Whiskey please, on the rocks"
"Sure! Coming right up!"
Roy couldn't help but hide the big smile on his face, she didn't recognized him yet. This was going to be good. While she poured the shot Roy put down his hands revealing his face.
"I'm very disappointed Rachel, I didn't think a little time away from each other would make you act like a total stranger with me"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!" Rachel yelled from the top of her lungs dropping Roy's drink and breaking the glass, more than half the people there turned around to look, she wasted no time in getting around the counter quickly and giving him a very strong hug that almost made him fall out of his chair.
"Oh My God! Roy! I missed you soo much!"
"I missed you too Rachel" Roy returned the hug . "Is Madam Christmas Here?"
"Uh..Yeah! Shes just getting some more alcohol for me! But wow I cant believe it! its been so long Roy!"
"I'm sorry I haven't stopped by for so long"
"I'm just so happy to see you and that your okay!" Rachel was genuinely happy to see Roy, tears were forming from her eyes.
It would be a lie to say that it didn't hurt Riza, she couldn't help what she was feeling but knew to hold it in, she wanted to know who she was to him.
"Hold on Roy, ill be back with her"
"Thanks Rachel"
As Rachel left Roy turned around to look at Riza. She had a poker face, Roy couldn't tell how she was taking all this but when their eyes met he gave her a small warm smile. Changing his mind he walked up to her and grabbed her hand to take her to the bar area as well. Riza was still quiet and still didn't say a single word.
As they waited patiently after 5 minutes Rachel came back with a Strong woman that had dark black hair, a large furred coat, heavy make up and jewelry that covered her neck and almost every finger. She was rather a intimidating gruff woman.
"Hello Madam Chris, its good to see you again" Roy simply said
Riza knew that this was the woman who had raised Roy. She could tell this was rather a person who gave a strong presence being with her, with one look you could tell she looked very strict and had a strong personality, definitely a person capable to run a place like this. Even then, she looked at her eyes and could tell how happy she really was to see Roy, she simply stood there staring at him. With out saying a word, she reached into her coat's pocket and took out her cigarette pack, took a cigar, light it and put it into her mouth. Riza couldn't help but see it as a gesture to control her emotion's she perhaps felt at that time.
"I see you have not quit that nasty habit, I guess some things just never change" Roy said giving her a smile
"No...i guess they don't little Roy"
After taking a good long look at the handsome man standing in front of her she walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder
"Welcome home" She simply said, she then turned to look at the beautiful blond woman who stood behind him, Roy never had brought home anyone before, let alone a girl to introduce to her.
Roy put a hand around Riza's waist and pushed her forward so Madam Christmas could take a good look at her.
"Hi, my name is Riza Hawkeye, its a pleasure to meet you Ma'am"
"Ah I see, the pleasure is all mine. Thank you for what you and your father have done for Roy all these years, im sure it hasn't been easy."
Hearing Riza's last name Madam Christmas knew exactly who she was, as a matter of fact, ever since Roy left she's been keeping an eye on him. Madam Christmas had another job, a secret job that she did. She gathered information of all kinds. She used her place and her adopted daughters she had as hostesses to get information from the men that came to the bar. She also had people who would go outside the city to collect information or people that already lived in different places in the world to trade information with. Her informer in the East always mentioned a blond girl who never left Roy's side, like his shadow always with him. She was more surprised to find out that the daughter of the man who took in Roy to teach him alchemy would follow him into the military and stay with him for so many years. She already suspected something very special between them.
"Not at all, im sure deep down my father was very happy to do it"
"Wait, your Riza?! Oh my gosh! Its an honor to finally meet you!" Rachel bust out and walked up to Riza to give her a huge hug. "Wow! Your so beautiful and have such a great figure!"
"Excuse me?" Riza was confused
"Never mind that, Rachel why don't you take them to their room so they can settle in, also today we will close early."
"Yes Madam!"
Riza and Roy followed Rachel to the far back left corner of the place to go up the stairs to reveal the rooms where they slept, there were six rooms total for Madam Christmas and her four daughters she raised, the other belonging to Roy.
"Here we go! How does it feel to be back to your old room huh Roy?" Rachel asked
"Its been so long it doesn't really feel like I used to live here."
"This will always be your place Roy, nothing is ever going to change that"
"Um so is this going to be my place where im staying too?" Asked Riza connecting the dots together.
"Oh... is that not okay? Is that a problem?" asked Rachel looking at Riza then at Roy.
Riza not knowing how to go about answering without giving any hints to the relationship she shared with Roy just stood there looking at him.
"Yes Rachel, its more than okay" Roy simply stated not even hesitating to answer.
"Great! then make yourself comfortable and when you are ready you can head down to catch up!" Rachel said leaving the room
Roy slowly closed the door and locked it. He turned around to see Riza putting her luggage on the floor and walking towards a desk with a chair in the room to sit down, she crossed her arms and looked at Roy. Without any words Roy knew it was explanation time.
"Okay, so where do I start?. I have been living here since I was six years old. I have four foster sister's who are Rachel, Jill, Eleanor and the oldest Eliza. You already know what kind of establishment this is but there is more to that, Madam Christmas also collects information, and shes really good at it."
"Wait, so are you telling me she knows about me?"
"I'm very sure she does but only the basic things, nothing really personal or secrets" Now it made all sense why Rachel approached her like that.
"So.. does she know about us?"
"No but that woman has an incredible intuition when it comes to putting things together with what she knows, plus of course she knows me very well"
"So shes assuming we are together because of you? How?"
"She raised me Riza. It just takes one look for her and she knows how crazy in love I am with you."
Riza's cheek turned red. She didn't expect a simple yet so straight forward response from Roy.
"Its okay to trust her Riza, trust my sisters, they are my family. They been helping me out ever since I was little and even now with information."
"Yeah, those womanizing skills and traits sure came in handy all right." Riza teased Roy.
"What can I say? They wanted me to grow up to become a fine man in life" Roy said with a cocky attitude.
"Yeah, they must have cried when they saw you"
Roy quickly walked up to Riza and picked her up with both hands and threw her into the bed. Before she can react to get up or anything he got on top of her and started tickling her.
"Roy...wha..what the hell?!" Riza couldn't stop from laughing
It seemed being back here brought Roy back to the old times when he was little with Riza. He found out long ago that Riza Hawkeye in fact was very ticklish. She was caught off guard.
"Roy!"
To no avail Riza tried to escape from Roy's clutches. As Roy tickled her the fragrance once again hit his senses and stirred up his emotions. Tickling around her sides and stomach Roy soon pressed his body against hers and started to kiss the nape of her neck. Riza let out a small squeal surprised by Roy's action.
"Roy...we..cant..."
"I need you" That's all Roy could say after holding out this much today. He was already on his limit after the train ride. He started to fiercely kiss her on her neck and explore her body with his hands.
"Oh...dammit.." was all Riza could say as she quickly gave in to her cravings as well
Roy wasted no time and started to unbutton Riza's white shirt to reveal a white colored bra covering her chest. As his hand moved down to her skirt he placed a nice firm hand of her ass and in between kissing her neck whispered
"You looked so beautiful today you know.."
Riza grabbed Roy's face to direct it from her neck to her lips, her heart cried with happiness to know Roy noticed her effort.
"Hurry up and take it off" Riza said mournfully as she worked on Roy's shirt.
Roy never in his life but now looked forward to obeying a command. He found it way to exotic taking Riza's cloths off her, it aroused him more than he ever expected. Once again they become one, trying to keep quiet as they consumed their passion for each other.
Two Hours have gone by, trying to cover any suspicion Roy decided to head down first. He came down wearing a simple white dress shirt and his dress pants. He noticed the placed was almost completely empty, he headed to sit in the bar where Rachel and Madam Christmas was. As he approached Rachel yelled out
"Hey girls hes back! Come and say hi!"
Before Roy could sit down Eleanor and Jill popped out screaming as they ran to give Roy a hug.
"Oh my god you really are here!" cried Eleanor a beautiful young girl with short black hair and blue eyes wearing a beautiful black dress.
"Little Roy is here! Man I didn't think I was going to ever see you again!" said Jill a beautiful tomboyish girl with brown hair and a pony tail but dressed rather plain and not fancy like her sister.
Madam Christmas just smiled as she saw her family again reunited after so long, without Roy there always was someone missing to complete the family.
"So Cmon! Tell us how you been? Whats new? What have you been up to?!" asked Jill excitedly.
"I'm not here to bore you with my story sister. I just came to relax and see you guys again. I'm only here for a week so no wasting time like that."
"Its not wasting time! I wanna know what you been up to!" cried Jill
"I'm sure you do know most of it anyways Jill, why don't you tell me about you guys since im not the one who gets informed at all" Roy said knowing they keep tabs on him and find out everything that happens in the east and with him from their informer.
"Its not the same you know, hearing it from you is very different" said Eleanor.
Madam Christmas saw that Roy was avoiding the subject because he didn't want to talk about it, perhaps some of it was very painful and ran deep. In truth she was very scared for Roy. Ever since the Ishval War she found out Roy survived it but the damage it did on him was more than she can ever imagine but to see him composed and with such a smile in his face she was speechless. She felt that Riza greatly had something to do with that.
"Now now ladies. Rachel pour a shot for Roy and the rest of us. A toast to our little Roy coming back home."
As Rachel grabbed some rock glass and started pouring some whiskey for everyone Riza came down the stairs to see everyone turn around and look at her.
"Heeey! Who's that pretty girl?!" cried Jill
"Did you bring her here Roy?!" asked Eleanor with excitement
"Hi, my name is Riza Hawkeye, its a pleasure to meet you."
"Wow such manners! I like her!" said Jill as she ran towards Riza and grabbed her hand to shake it
"I'm Jill!" she simply said
"Hi, I'm Eleanor"
Jill and Eleanor eyed Riza from head to toe. They couldn't help but notice that Riza seemed a little flustered and her cheeks were slightly red. It seemed her hormones were running high. Being more experienced than Roy or Riza they knew what perhaps has transpired and had an idea what this woman meant to Roy.
"Ahhh.." they both said unison. They both turned around to look at Roy with a smirk on their face and dragged her to the bar. They sat her next to Roy.
"Now lets get to know each other!" Jill exclaimed
It seemed that Roy's beautiful sister's were too much for Riza. She never could tell what they were thinking and how they knew certain things about her life without ever revealing anything. They spoke about old times to Riza about Roy. They would ask her how it was working with Roy and how he acted at work. Madam Chis hardly ever talked, she just kept looking at Roy and Riza. As time passed by and came close to 11:30 at night, the door swung open, everyone turned around to see Eliza coming back home. She was the oldest adopted sister and perhaps the most beautiful. She was wearing a long red one piece with red heels, white silky skin and beautiful long blond hair with black eyes. Looking around to see everyone together at the bar she wondered what everyone was up to until she saw Roy sitting at the bar.
With out saying a word she simply walked up to Roy and stood in front of him. Roy stood up from the chair he was sitting to let her give him a big warm hug which he returned. Catching Roy by surprise she also gave him a small kiss on the lips. She was like a second mom to Roy, he was mostly attached to her ever since he was little, they were always together until Roy left to study alchemy at Hawkeye's home. She always had a habit to give Roy a peck on the lips every time as a greeting or goodnight kiss. Riza wasn't able to cover her surprise as she saw this, Madam Chris saw it on her face too.
"Was Roy expecting this?" Thought Riza. She was a little hurt to say the least, she had an idea who this woman was but still, this was the first time seeing Roy kiss another girl other than herself and right in front of her too.
"Wow she still does that?!" cried Jill looking at her older sister
"Ugh, sorry about that Riza, its been a habit of hers since a long time ago" said Rachel being the second oldest
Riza didn't reply, she just kept staring at Roy and the beautiful woman who she presume was Eliza.
"Uh its really good to see you again sis." said Roy flustered and nervous at the same time, he was crying inside his head to turn around and apologize to Riza.
"Here let me look at you. You have become quite the man Roy. Have you been taking care of your body? Have you been eating properly?" She really was like a mom to Roy.
"Yes I have, im glad to see you have become so beautiful as well sis." he turned around and took Riza's hand to move her in front of him but didn't let go of her hand.
"Sis, this is Riza Hawkeye"
"Hi, its a pleasure to meet you" Riza couldn't help but stare at this beautiful woman who stood in front of her. She perhaps felt in the first time in her life inferior to this woman in terms of beauty. This was not the case but perhaps now more than ever she was conscious of herself. She couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked with long hair. An inspiration to do the same suddenly came to her.
Eliza took in this woman's presence very well. She knew exactly what Roy wanted to say by introducing Riza personally to her, this was the most important person in his life.
"Its a pleasure to meet you Riza." She extended her hand to shake Riza's.
Riza gave her a small smile and shook her hands, part of her still felt envious of her relationship with Roy.
"Well I guess we have a lot of catching up to do don't we?" said Eliza as she sat at the bar next to Roy on the other side.
As they continued to talk the night away Eliza kept all her attention to Roy and Riza. She noticed every little hidden gesture and importance to each other as Roy kept talking and teasing her. She never saw him act the way he did with her with just anyone, the tension and the way they looked at each other was way to obvious to Eliza and Madam Chris, it was written all over their face. The longer everyone kept spending time with Riza and talking to her the more they liked her. Eliza knew that her spot as perhaps the most important girl in Roy's life was taken from her, she couldn't help but feel a little jealous about that. As time passed and came midnight Roy being tipsy from drinking Whiskey that Rachel kept pouring it seemed Roy was ready to hit the sack.
"Okay everyone, I think you guys should call it a night." Said Madam Chris.
"Awww okay" said Jill "Cmon little Roy! Time to go count sheep's!"
"Alright my little prince, tomorrow we will have plenty of time to keep going" said Eliza giving Roy a smile.
"Yeah I guess so"
Roy slowly got up from the chair as he tried not to fall on his ass while getting down, he reached over to grab Riza from her hand
"Come on lets go"
"Yes your highness" replied Riza teasing Roy from Rachel's previous comment. She was sober since she never had a drink the whole night unlike Roy. Roy leaned over Riza for walking support and together headed to their room.
"Those two are sooo cute together!" squealed Jill as they left the room. "I'm soo happy for Roy!"
"Yeah I have to admit, they really do. I can tell they really love each other" said Eleanor
"You know honestly im really surprised, I was sure he was a guy who wouldn't settle or commit himself to one girl! Hes such a stud I thought he would have one hundred ladies chasing after him."
Eliza and Madam Chris just looked at each other, they had to admit they perhaps thought the same thing.
"Are you coming along Chris?" asked Eliza to Madam Chris
"No, you ladies go ahead and go to sleep. I'm staying up just a little bit longer."
"Okay Ladies you heard her! Lets go" Eliza said and with that everyone headed up stairs to go look for their pillows.
Riza lead Roy to the bed and laid him down. As soon as he laid down it seemed he was already knocked out. Riza knew that Roy must have been really tired from the trip, their passionate moment when they got here and the drinks he had to top it off. Riza gave Roy a kiss on the forehead and decided to change to her sleeping cloths. She laid down next to Roy and comfortably positioned herself wrapping her hands around Roy and resting her head against his back since he was facing away from her staring at the wall.
3:16 am...
Riza found herself waking up in the middle of the night having to use the bathroom. She carefully got up not to wake up Roy and walked down the hallway to find the bathroom at the end of the hall. As she came back and headed towards Roy's room she heard a loud sound as if a bottle had hit the floor without breaking but making a loud sound. She slowly but carefully walked down the stairs to investigate what was going on, as she moved towards where she heard the sound came from she saw Madam Christmas laying on the bar with half her body in the counter, it seemed she fell asleep there drinking. The bottle that she had finished had accidentally fallen to the floor. She slowly walked up to Madam Chis and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Excuse me Ma' am are you okay?" asked Riza with a worried look on her face.
Madam Chris woke up and squinting her eyes as she looked at Riza and noticed she had fallen asleep without realizing it, she had quite some drinks and still was drunk from it.
"Oh im sorry dear, did I wake you up?"
"No Ma'am its okay, you should get to bed now, its not healthy for you to sleep out here"
"You really are a gentle soul you know that? I must be giving you the worst impression of me looking this way right now drunk"
"No Ma'am, this is your home, you can do whatever you want"
"Thanks dear. Did you know its been 3 years since I last had a drink?"
"No Ma'am, I didn't" Riza knew that was the time she last saw Roy
"My god that boy has really grown up has he? Ever since his father left him with me without saying much words to me I was completely lost. Never in my wildest dreams I thought I would be a mother to that boy"
Riza didn't know what to say. Suddenly Madam Chris was talking about Roy's past and what she never knew hardly about him, his parents. She sat down next to Chris without saying a word wondering if it was alright that she was hearing this from her.
"Before I know it, hes already so big." she went on.
"Hes a good person Ma'am. You have raised him very well, I really respect and admire him. I've gotten this far because of him, I really mean it."
"Yes and I can say exactly the same about him. He wouldn't be here and be the person he is today if it wasn't for you sweetie. I've been informed of all the things you have been through with him but I cant imagine the hell and things you have experienced together. It must have been hard without parents."
"We have each other." Riza simply and honestly stated, she remembered that Roy told her she could trust Madam Chris and honestly she also sought her approve from her. She wanted an honest and close relationship with Roy's foster mother.
"Yes, I think I was so glad to see that without knowing I felt so relieved after all these years. I feel like such a burden has been lifted from my back but..."
Riza just gently placed her hands on top of Madam Chris and looked into her eyes. Without a word she wanted to express that she was here and would listen to anything she said. Really giving over to Riza's honest eyes and concern she knew that maybe she was the one person in Roy's life that would always be with him till the very end, to accept everything there is to him and do anything for him.
"Would you please listen to a crazy story from an old lady?" she simply asked, it seemed that whatever she was going to say has been really a burden for her after so long.
"I'm more than happy to hear a story from a beautiful lady" Riza replied back
"Me and my brother were really close. After our parents past away it was just me and him living together. My brother was a responsible and very smart men. He took care of me most of my life and still did even way after our parents passed. He was an interpreter. God knows how many language he knew and studied but helped out very big rich people and company's. One day he came and told me the military had hired him and needed him in Xing. He never gave me details or explanation, just that he was going to be away for some time. I got a job as a bartender since I was going to be left alone but my brother always send me money even after he left. I would only receive letters with money from him but it seemed that was the last time I ever saw him for some time. After three years I stopped receiving letters from him, I never knew what happened to him or heard anything about him." At that point it seemed that tears were starting to swell up inside Madam Chris eyes. "Two and a half years later on one night around this time, he quietly sneaked inside our house, he wasn't alone. There was a small boy with him and a very beautiful girl with him, I would never forget her. I've never seen a girl like her my whole life. I could tell she was a native from Xing but my god I could tell there was something different about her. She seemed very fragile like a doll but at the same time gave this strong proud presence about her. Everything happened so fast, it was obvious that she was romantically involve with my brother and this boy they came with was their son but I had no what the hell was going on. After not seeing him for almost six years he just said to please take care of his son and raise him well. He gave his son a strong hug as did his mom, gave me and envelope and left, just like that he vanished from our lives leaving me and the boy behind. He simply left with her and left no trace whatsoever ."
Riza was stunned and speechless as she intensely listened to Madam's story.
"After two years I saved up money with the job I had and the envelope my brother gave me had all his money he seemed he saved all those years over there and I bought this bar. I never thought in my whole life I would be able to pull it off being a mother. Two years later I took in Rachel after seeing her outside my bar one night. Without realizing it I was making a family, perhaps desperately trying to build what I lost. I was happy but..my brother never left my mind. I couldn't accept that I didn't know what happened to my brother and what changed his life and so.. that's when I started my second job. It took me another year to really finally get my connections to Xing and hear anything I could about my brother. I never found anything except this one crazy story."
Riza just stood there now holding tightly Madam's Chris hands and waiting with suspense for her to finish her "Story".
"It seemed that there was this translator that came to Xing to translate the relationship with Amestris to form a trade with the military here. It seemed he spent a lot of time with the ruler at first but after a couple of weeks the king decided his eldest daughter would be best to take over to learn about the language and culture of Amestris. There was rumors that the king's daughter and the translator would spend a lot of time together. It seemed that they fell in love. Apparently the kings daughter had been caught with the translator one night together. That was a huge treason he had committed but before he could be captured and killed they ran away together and no one ever heard from them again. It seemed they finally were caught after seven years and the man was executed. Some say the daughter was disowned but she's been imprisoned inside the palace ever since. That's some story isn't it?" She said as a tear came down her cheek.
Riza was completely lost for words, she didn't believe what she just heard. This was perhaps the most important thing related to Roy's parent. On the verge of crying herself she composed herself and asked
"Have you ever told this story to Roy?"
"No. Only me and Eliza knows about this. Nobody else...but now you do."
If this story was true then it seemed Roy had an incredible lineage. To think that Roy might actually be "Royalty"
"Is that why Eliza called him little prince?" she thought.
"Ma'am, why would you tell me this if this is something really important that not even his other three sisters knows?"
"I know your the most important person in Roy's life right now, your the only person who can be with him by his side, accept everything that he is, i can see how much you love him too." She turned around to fully face Riza and now holding Riza hands she pleaded. "Please forgive my selfishness but I want to pass this story onto you now, I want you to be the one to tell him when you think the time is right. Your the one that knows Roy more than anybody in this whole damn world, more than me and Eliza now.
Riza still shocked from all this simply gave Madam Chris a reassuring smile and said
"I understand"
"Thank you...now go to bed honey, its really late now, ill be okay"
"Yes Ma'am" Riza said as she got up and started to head towards the stairs.
"Riza?" Madam Chris called out before she turned the corner.
"Yes Ma'am?"
"You do love my boy don't you?"
"More than I love my own life Ma'am"
Madam Chris just gave Riza a huge warm smile knowing she truly meant what she said and she couldn't be happier to know that. Riza walked up the stairs and walked quietly to Roy's room. She slowly laid down again and this time Roy was facing her, she kept staring intensely into Roy's sleeping face and remembered the story Madam Chris just told her over again.
"Shit...how am I going to sleep now?" This new information was too much for her head, it seemed Riza Hawkeye was not going to get any sleep tonight.