19. Let the Flames Begin (Paramore)

A/N: AU—Roy and Riza are civilians instead of soldiers, but Roy still has his alchemy. A group of peasants including Ed, Al, Winry, Roy's subordinates, Hughes, and Gracia are running from the terror of war, setting up camp where they can. More "olden" times, though.

"Stop!"

No way in hell!

Roy Mustang vaulted over the fence, leaving the pasture behind. He did not stop his mad dash for freedom until he made it to a small grove of trees. Even then, he was climbing one in an instant.

He could hear hoofbeats, and stayed perfectly still, listening for the rider.

"Roy, come on! We have to move! They'll have horses in a moment—we have to be out of their sight before then!"

Sighing, Roy rolled out of the tree and—in a rather practiced move—onto the horse ridden by his right-hand woman, Riza Hawkeye.

Shouts could be heard in the direction from which Riza had just ridden. "No time to switch," Roy muttered, grabbing the horse's reins. "Hang on, Riza."

Riza's skirt was already hitched up around her thighs, allowing her to grip the horse as best she could. It had been so long since she had ridden bareback, but she had not really had a choice once the guards had caught her retrieving her horse. She leaned forward with Roy, getting ready for the breakneck pace that would bring them back to camp.

"Go," she whispered, and Anil did.

"I think we lost 'em," Roy whispered. "Really, don't they know a suspiciously large rock formation when they see one?"

"We shouldn't be in here," Riza whispered back. "It's unstable, and Anil doesn't like it. You know that."

"Sorry, Anil," Roy whispered sarcastically, unwilling to believe he was apologizing to a horse. Anil seemed to sense this and snorted right back.

Roy left the small cave to make sure the guards were heading back. They were. But it would be safer to stay quiet and go quickly, in case they were going to return with reinforcements. He turned to signal to Riza, but she was already beside him. He sighed. "Riza…" but she walked ahead of him, Anil's reins firmly in her hand.

He walked behind her a little ways, then came up beside her and matched her stride. "Forgive me for trying to be sure that you're safe," he told her, then sighed. "You can take care of yourself, Riza, I know. But you know that I love you, and that pushes me to keep you safe, even if it means overstepping your boundaries." Riza did not speak, but slowed down a little. Roy tried again. "I can't lose you, Riza. I don't know what I'd do if they got their hands on you." He put a hand on her shoulder, and she stopped and leaned against him for a moment.

She started forward a second later, remembering something. "I need to put on my scarf. Blond hair is rare around here, you know." She pulled her scarf from a small purse, and a picture fluttered to the ground.

Roy picked it up. It was a picture of himself and Riza looking each other in the eyes with a single expression that said more than words ever could. Havoc had taken it at as the pair had been dancing at the wedding of Maes and Gracia a year prior. "I wondered why Anil wasn't saddled. You saved this."

Riza nodded. "How could I not?"

Smiling, Roy took Riza's hand and began to walk again.

A/N: Anil? It's from Sanskrit, and pretty much means "wind". Pretty fitting name for such a fast horse, huh?

A short one this time. I was gonna extend it, but it didn't seem right when I tried. If I feel like coming back to it, I will, but not at this time.

As always, I love feedback, even if it means telling me things I don't want to hear.

'Til next chapter!