43. Light Up the Sky (Yellowcard)
A/N: Takes place in the same universe (even along the same timeline, I suppose) as Chapter 19 of this collection.
"You're going to wear a hole in the ground if you're not careful," Havoc chided as he watched Roy pace.
"I'm nervous. What would you rather have me do?" was the reply.
"Riza can take care of herself." Havoc took a drag on his cigarette. "And she spends too much time worrying about you as it is."
Roy paused only briefly to glare at his friend. "I know damn well that she can take care of herself, but she's… You wouldn't get it."
Havoc barked a laugh. "Just 'cause I'm not attached doesn't mean I don't get love. I'm worried for her, too, you know. It's just that she's more of a sister to me than… yeah."
It was a sort of unspoken rule in the little nomadic band that you, well, didn't speak about the relationship between Roy and Riza unless it was strictly necessary. Things would usually take care of themselves one way or another.
"I just wish there was something I could do to help her."
After another drag, Havoc suggested, "I hear women like it when men wait up for them. Really, though, it's just a stupid supply run. How much trouble can that be?"
"If that's how you feel, you volunteer next time," Roy muttered, grabbing some wood to make a fire.
"No thanks. I don't have a death wish—dammit, Roy!"
"That's what I thought."
Havoc yawned. "Well, I'm gonna turn in for the night." He walked over to his tent, then seemed to change his mind and walked over to the supply tent and grabbed a couple of blankets, tossing them at Roy. "Good night."
Roy made some sort of noncommittal noise and focused on the task on hand. Once the area was clear and the wood was arranged properly, he pulled a glove from his pocket and snapped, igniting the kindling. He grabbed the chair Havoc had occupied and sat to wait.
The small fire had long since gone out when Roy awoke to the sound of stumbling feet. He was immediately alert, looking around for the source of the noise.
Someone ran into his chair and tumbled over it, landing half on the ground, half in Roy's lap.
"Ow! Why is there a chair here, of all places?" Riza whispered angrily before realizing she had fallen on a person. "Oh!"
"Hi," was all Roy could manage as he tried to keep Riza from falling onto the remains of his fire, in case there were still any warm coals.
Riza struggled to her feet. "You were waiting for me."
"I know you said not to worry and everything, but I can't just turn that all off on a whim. You're the most important thing in my life, Riza. I don't want to lose you because some idiot soldiers declared us outlaws." Roy stood and walked with Riza over to a clearing where they wouldn't disturb anyone.
Riza crossed her arms and turned away, but sighed. "Thank you for worrying. It's just not something I'm used to, and I second guess myself. You know, if someone's worrying about me, do they have a reason?"
Roy put his arms around Riza. "You know my reasons," he murmured.
The both of them looked to the sky when it seemed neither of them had anything more to say.
"I worry about you, too," Riza finally said softly. "If we're in danger of getting caught, especially. I worry about not getting to say good bye. I'd die before betraying everyone, but I'd still wish…" she trailed off, not wanting to think about it.
Roy just held her closer for a moment. "What were we even made outlaws for, again?"
"Libel, slander, treason, sedition—something like that," Riza reminded him.
"Why do I even care? That's not going to change how I live now." He thought for a moment. "We're going to make it through this, Riza. Don't ask me how I know, but I just do. We know it won't be easy, but we'll make it."
"After all we've given up, I hope so." Riza wasn't the sort to let go in front of just anyone, but she sighed again, a bit more deeply this time, and relaxed against Roy, closing her eyes and covering his hands with her own. "Some days, I just miss the way things used to be."
"So do I. I miss the weirdest things, too. Sitting down for all three meals, playing cards in a smoky room, rain on a roof instead of a tarp… but I've got you, and that makes up for all those losses."
Riza had to smile. "To hear you flatter me like that, you could be a poet. But thank you. You remind me of those things in life that are worth sticking around for." She yawned.
"I also miss my bed," Roy joked. "Let's get some sleep, shall we? Something tells me tomorrow's going to be a long day."
They parted ways, each giving the other's hand a brief squeeze—the promise that tomorrow brought another chance with it. No matter how bleak it looked, things would be okay until then.
A/N: I'm not even sure this should be posted. It's rather sleep-influenced. There's just something about it that I like, though. Maybe I'll come back to it at a later time. Perhaps the low quality of this one will give you something to hope for next chapter? (And writing later on...) Two not-so-good ones in a row. I think I like this one better, though.
Let me know!