Smile Like You Mean It

by Dailenna

Royai 100 Themes. Anything and everything from childhood, to alchemy, to Ishbal, to the coup, to parenthood. Roy Mustang, Riza Hawkeye, and the faithful comrades with them will stick together through it all.

50. Fingertips

Disclaimer: FMA belongs to Arakawa Hiromu

Notes: Hints at my idea of Riza's childhood (which has already been shown in previous responses - 16 and 48), but no direct spoilers.

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Fifty: Fingertips

As a girl, Riza had always been cautious. She'd gauge temperatures and emotions before she entered into a conversation, because she knew all too well how quickly an argument could be turned on her. To see her do it was quite like watching a child lean over a pool of water, testing the depth with one outstretched finger.

Over time, with people who allowed her to be more confident, she learnt that it was okay to join in even when things began to leave the shallows for deeper topics. On the odd occasion she was drawn into one of these conversations too fast, Roy noticed, she would become more of a listener than a participant in the conversation, once again testing those waters cautiously before she proceeded. It made her seem impersonal at times, but it made her Riza.