#royaiweek2020

[naatss7]

<3

[justangortchansblog]

The Colonel and (his) Lieutenant

[snowdog49]

Sparklers

Royai Week day 4

Prompt: Crackle

“What’s this?” 

“It’s a firework.” 

Riza looked at the little balls with fuses out of them, tilting her head with curiosity. 

“You light the fuse and they make sparks.” 

“Is it alchemy?” Her head tilted with curiosity. 

He shook his head as he handed her a stick. “Chemistry. Like…” She could see him scrunch his face with a thought of how to explain the process. “Kind of like alchemy. It’s the concept of alchemy, but not...” He lit the tip of the stick with a match and golden sparks accompanied with a light crackle of the chemical reaction sprang from the stick. Riza held it out in front of her, shocked with eyes wide, as she looked at in wonder. Alchemy was one thing, but this was something different. It didn’t create or destroy. If just reacted to something as simple as a flame. The young girl didn’t really appreciate being mocked, but at the moment, she wasn’t sure what to think. She’d never seen anything like it, nor had she ever heard about anything like it. The experience was terrifying and welcoming at the same time. 

Roy lit his next to her, the young boy with a big grin, appreciated her reaction. He held it out from him and drew in the air, the light following the movements of the sticks. “It’d be cool to draw alchemic circles in the air and have a reaction.” He drew a large circle in front of him.

“No it wouldn’t,” the blonde girl quickly argued. She wasn’t a fan of alchemy as it was, which is why the sparkling stick interested her so. 

She could see him pout, quickly looking at her with a pout, but he recovered with a shrug. “I think it would be,” he muttered under his breath.

She followed his actions, waving the sticks back and forth, watching the lights in the dark night. “This is neat,” she finally admitted. 

As their sticks dimmed and was absorbed by the night, Roy turned to a triangle with a fuse, liting it. Golden colors flew from it, little bursts sprung forth from the top of the pyramid, looking as if it was an electric bouquet. It popped and sizzled as the colors changed from gold to silver. All this time, Riza just stared, looking upon it in wonder. “I think this is better than alchemy,” she whispered, watching it die. There was little destruction to property from a certain student of her father. There was also more attention 

“Kind of,” he responded, handing her a ball. “Here.” He lit the green fuse. “Now throw it!” 

Riza flung it from her hand, terrified of its action. It popped loudly, crackling riveting through the darkness. “Oh!” She jumped, holding her hands close to herself. 

“It’s okay,” he laughed, throwing one for himself. “Here’s another.” 

She laughed as she threw another, pulling herself inward as it blew up and spent sparks flying. Never had Riza experienced anything like this! Her father was not a joyful man by any expression, however, he also did not indulge in anything but alchemic reactions, not… chemical...reactions. She threw another a shrill laugh following. “Can I have another sparkling stick,” she asked, now starting to bounce on her ankles. Her face beamed with enthusiasm.

“Yeah, of course, Riza.” Roy reached into the bag and pulled out another one. 

She ran up and down the sidewalk, laughing as she watched the light follow her, Roy following her with a laugh. It had to be magic, or at least she’d be happy to call it that. Beautiful magic. She stopped and turned to see her friend drawing in the air again. 

“It’s like light art,” she whispered in awe. 

Roy gave her a cheeky grin, drawing out a heart. “I’m glad you like it,” he whispered. 

Riza nodded happily, drawing her own heart and smiled a toothy smile back. “I love it.” 

**********

Whistles and pops reverberated through the courtyard. “Yeah!” Another loud bang echoed out. 

Roy stood behind his men with a raised eyebrow. He stood taller than he was as a boy, square shoulders, and in a collared white shirt instead of a dirty t-shirt. His jacket sat on the bench behind them as he watched with amusement. Young Fuery threw out a fistful of poppers. His second lieutenant Breda jumped up and down, with waving in the air, cheering as they exploded. It wasn’t very often that they celebrated, especially like this. He could easily just watch them, enjoying their excitement from afar. He didn’t see his first lieutenant come up next to him and bump his shoulder with hers. He turned and smiled softly, happy to see that he did come to the little event in the court. 

“Oh, hello Lieutenant.”

“Colonel,” she smiled back. “I think it was good for the men to celebrate,” she nodded, looking at Fuery who threw out a small sparkling bomb. 

“I do too.” He nodded, seeing even Falman lighting a firework. A bump to his shoulder caused him to look over at her, noticing her handing him something. There in her hand she held a little stick. She offered it to him with a familiar smile, her eyes squinted and her smile larger than he’d normally notice. 

“Sometimes its good to let the alchemy go every so often and see an earthly chemical reaction.” 

Roy tried his best not to smile too large, too boyish to give away his remembrance that struck him. Instead, he watched as she pulled a lighter from her pocket and ignited it. He watched as his stick erupted in sparkles, fizzing away in the dusk light. Years ago, he was the one lighting hers, bring her the mystical joy that it brought. He bopped the stickup and down, drawing a circle and a few memorized alchemic symbols. “It’s too bad I can’t do alchemy with this,” he pouted. 

He heard he snort. “It’s probably better that way.”

Breda let out a “yahoo,” and Roy stopped to look at Havoc lighting a bigger fountain-like firework. When he looked back, his lieutenant drew a heart in front of her. He nudges her this time, smiling fondly when she looked towards him. With a careful hand, as he would draw a transmutation circle, he drew a heart for her. 

“Thanks, Roy,” she whispered. 

There was no need for words as she waited for her sparkler to die and walk towards the men. However, Roy stayed where he was to watch her. Of course, she wasn’t one to give a cheering yip with the men but she was happy to hand out a batch of sparklers. A part of him wished that he could see her grin ear to ear, a childish laugh, as she would look at the crackling fountains. With a chest full of warmth, he put his hands in his pockets and joined the group, pulling out a glove to light a fountain.

[thevintagehawk27]

@royaiweek day 4 - crackle

[mydolcepiano]

RoyaiWeek Día 2: Little Pistol by Mother Mother

Segundo día de la RoyaiWeek 2020

Riza tiene que regresar a aquella vieja casa de su padre y confrontar muchos recuerdos dolorosos. A la vez que todo comenzaba a estancarse en su vida, quería pensar que su relación con él, no. Sin embargo, habían muchas cosas que habían cambiado, con ella y con la persona que estaba siempre a su lado. RoyaiWeek 2020. Día 2: Little Pistol. 

Fanfiction:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13610084/2/Tiempo-para-avanzar

Wattpad:

https://www.wattpad.com/901170203-tiempo-para-avanzar-d%C3%ADa-2-little-pistol

[hisguardingqueen]

Royai Week 2020

Day 1: Letter

Here is some Nendoroid photography for the first day of Royai week ❤️

[katestrophic]

Royai Week Day 3

Prompt: Old wounds

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Roy shot up from his bed, sweating bullets. He panted, taking deep breathes, trying to calm himself down. It was another nightmare about the Ishval Civil War. Though it wasn’t uncommon for him to have dreams about the atrocities he committed during the war, they were still unnerving. The nightmares plagued him ever since he stepped foot on that battlefield.

Roy swallowed his spit, his mouth feeling dry all of the sudden. As his heart rate settled, his body relaxed sightly. He reached out for the glass of water by his bedside table, finishing the glass in a few gulps. As he calmed down slightly, he laid back down, turning his pillow over so he could lay on the cooler side. He closed his eyes, trying to get back to sleep.

All Roy could see behind his shut eyelids were the countless Ishvalans that had died because of him. Those who burned to death by the literal snap of his fingers. Though it may seem awful, but Roy has grown accustomed to this and learned to sleep despite seeing the dead every single time he closed his eyes.

At this point, this was routine. Roy was used to waking up a few times throughout the night from nightmares. He’s catch his breath, drink some water, turn his pillow over, lay down, and go back to sleep.

As Roy tried to fall back asleep, he couldn’t get comfortable.He became more and more annoyed as he tossed and turned. It was the middle of night, and he had work first thing the next morning. He needs all the energy he can work, even though he’d be asleep by his desk at noon.

He groaned and got up, sitting at the side of his bed, rubbing his face with his hands. He got up from his bed as it creaked with his movements and walked slowly to the living room. Coming up to the phone, he began to dial a familiar phone. He held up the receiver, listening to the dial tone until it clicked.

“Hello?” A voice said.

“Good morning, Lieutenant,” Roy greeted.

“Oh...good morning sir,” Riza sighed. “Even though it’s the middle of the night, it is technically morning. You aren’t wrong about that. ...Is there something you need?”

“No, no,” Roy shook his head, even though Riza couldn’t see it. “I just couldn’t sleep and I needed someone to talk to.”

“Oh, I see,” Riza sighed.

“...You sound like you’ve been up for a while, Lieutenant,” Roy noticed. “You couldn’t sleep either?”

“Oh?” Riza dryly laughed. “You noticed?”

The two sat in silence as Roy felt himself relax in the Lieutenant’s presence, even though she wasn’t directly by him. Just knowing that she was always there for him, and vice versa, seemed to set him at ease. He had calmed down by now, even more than the other nights when he was by himself.

Just when he was about to bid her good night, she cut in. “Do...do you think about the war?” Riza asked.

Roy responded right away, “Every night.”

“You too?” Riza said.

The two sat in silence for a few of minutes and Roy spoke up, “I actually feel a lot better calling you. Better than most nights when I’m alone and have to calm myself down.”

“Want to call again tomorrow?” Riza offered. “If it makes you feel better and help you sleep, I’ll be willing to help you, sir.”

“Yeah,” Roy nodded, chuckling dryly. “Thanks, though I’d argue I deserve these nightmares after everything I’ve done in the war.”

“Don’t say that sir,” Riza scolded. “I’ve committed atrocities along with you, and I already promised that I’d follow you into hell if I had to. If it means suffering through and helping you with your nightmares, then so be it. I don’t think we’ll ever be able to move on, but we can get through this together.”

“...Heh,” Roy smirked. “Anyways, thanks Lieutenant. Have a good night. Er, morning.”

“Have a good morning sir,” Riza laughed as she hung up.

Roy remained by the phone for a few minutes before returning back to bed. He slipped back into his bed, pulling the covers over him, and closing his eyes.

That woman...I don’t think I’ll be able to live without her, he thought to himself, smiling softly as he slipped into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.

[sootyfeathers]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood & Manga Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Riza Hawkeye/Roy Mustang Characters: Riza Hawkeye, Roy Mustang Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Nightmares, One Shot Summary:

A late contribution to Royai Week :) (also posted on fanfiction.net) Though the Promised Day is behind them and they are only a day away from leaving the hospital, the emotional scars Lieutenant Hawkeye and Colonel Mustang had sustained still have a long way to heal (one-shot).

[ao3feed-royai]

Words left unspoken

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/3ffM5kt

by lastwagontrainhopper

In the midst of the Ishvalan Campaign, Roy finally decides to send some letters back home. A sense of duty, or maybe guilt, drives him to send the last one to Miss Hawkeye. But what can he tell her? How can he justify what he has done with her trust? They were still only strangers, bound together by duty rather than by choice, and by the ghost of a man who had left an indelible mark on both of them.

Written for RoyaiWeek2020, prompt 1: Letter (French version available on my profile)

Words: 2141, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Fullmetal Alchemist - All Media Types, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood & Manga

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Roy Mustang, Riza Hawkeye, Berthold Hawkeye, Chris "Madam Christmas" Mustang, Maes Hughes

Relationships: Riza Hawkeye/Roy Mustang

Additional Tags: Angst, Pre-Canon, Canon Compliant, Royai Week, Royai Week 2020, Ishval Civil War

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/3ffM5kt

[ao3feed-fma]

Words left unspoken

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/3ffM5kt

by lastwagontrainhopper

In the midst of the Ishvalan Campaign, Roy finally decides to send some letters back home. A sense of duty, or maybe guilt, drives him to send the last one to Miss Hawkeye. But what can he tell her? How can he justify what he has done with her trust? They were still only strangers, bound together by duty rather than by choice, and by the ghost of a man who had left an indelible mark on both of them.

Written for RoyaiWeek2020, prompt 1: Letter (French version available on my profile)

Words: 2141, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Fullmetal Alchemist - All Media Types, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood & Manga

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Roy Mustang, Riza Hawkeye, Berthold Hawkeye, Chris "Madam Christmas" Mustang, Maes Hughes

Relationships: Riza Hawkeye/Roy Mustang

Additional Tags: Angst, Pre-Canon, Canon Compliant, Royai Week, Royai Week 2020, Ishval Civil War

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/3ffM5kt

[katestrophic]

Royai Week Day 1

Prompt: Letter

First time taking part in this and I’m super excited! Kinda rusty because I haven’t written anything in a while haha...

Anyways, I hope you enjoy!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Roy was walking briskly down the hallway to his office for work. It was lovely morning, the sun slowly rising into the sky. It casted its pale, warm rays into the building as if it was sleepy like everyone else. As Roy turned a corner to his office, his heart nearly stopped.

Riza was also coming down the hallway as well. Her posture was tall and straight as she held various documents in her arms, close to her chest. She took wide strides, showing that she wasn’t in a rush to get where she needed to be, but she need to be there soon. As she passed various soldiers, they stopped what they were doing and saluted at her, which she responded with a respectful nod at them. They resumed whatever they were doing once she passed.

She was coming up to Roy’s office, and he was well. As soon as they crossed paths, time seemingly slowed down for Roy. His hand reached out slowly for the brass knob as Riza slowly brushed past him. As soon as time resumed, Riza was already down the hallway, and Roy was opening the door into his office.

He sighed, closing the door and heading over to his desk It was quite unusual for Riza just to brush past him. Usually, they engage in small talk as they entered into Roy’s office for work. They were colleagues, but they shared history together. Roy was an apprentice under Riza’s father, so they were close friends. At least, that’s what they say when they’re at work. In truth, the two were seeing each other very often outside of work in a very romantic manner.

All of this was unusual, if it weren’t for the fact that she was working underneath the Führer himself.

He had separated Roy’s closet allies, scattering them in various bases all over the map. He taunted Roy by taking away his Lieutenant and making her work for him right in front of him. Now, Roy was all alone with no one to talk to, other than a stack of papers that greeted him every morning on his desk.

Was he really all alone?

As Roy got comfortable in his desk, he checked to see if he was alone before unclasping his fist. In his hand was a small envelope from Riza. She had slipped it into his hand as they had passed each other in front of Roy’s office earlier.

He opened the envelope, careful not to tear the paper as he took out the small note inside and unfolded it to read what it had to say.

Roy,

I am doing fine. I know I say so every time I give you one of these, but if repeating it brings you ease, then I shall.

As for work, I’m just filling out paperwork for him and accompanying him to his meetings. It’s the same work I had with you, but I’d much prefer doing your paperwork over his.

The Führer said something pretty interesting to me the other day. He said that although he had no choice in everything that has happened to him in his life, the one thing he did get to choose was his wife. If it weren’t the fact that this man is our greatest enemy, I would’ve felt sympathy for him.

I can’t wait for all this to be over. I miss you, and I love you.

Take care,

Riza

After finishing reading the note, he carefully folded the note back up and put it back in its envelope. He opened the bottom drawer of his desk and after taking a folder full of paperwork out, he dropped the envelope in it. As it fluttered to the bottom, it lied with several other notes that Riza has written after her transfer. Roy placed the folder back over the notes she gave him and closed it, getting ready to start working.

These notes weren’t meant to be replied to, as Riza didn’t need Roy to tell her that he’s alright. These notes weren’t hiding any secret message that needed to be deciphered. These notes weren’t even carrying any information on the Führer himself.

They were daily reminders for Roy that his beloved was alright, and that’s all he needed to get through the workday. One day at a time. After all, actions speak louder than words.

“Oh Riza,” he sighed as he grabbed the top piece of paper on the stack to start on. “I swear I’ll make it up to you once this is all over.”

[katestrophic]

Royai Week Day 5

Prompt:

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Riza sat in the park bench, located in the far end of Central. Far away from their colleagues, so it would be unlikely that they’d be spotted. She drummed her fingers against the wooden bench as he patiently waited for her date. It had been a long day at work for her and she couldn’t wait to spend the evening with him.

“Did I keep you waiting?” He asked her. Looking up, she say Roy with a bouquet of flowers in his hand, and she smiled.

“No,” she shook her head.

He handed her the bouquet of flowers. “For you,” he said.

“I figured,” she smirked, accepting the bouquet and holding it close. “Were you drunk and bought and entire cart again?”

“No, not this time,” Roy laughed as he sat down next to Riza, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close to him. Looking out into the distance, they could see the sun sinking from the sky, painting the sky in orange, red, and yellow. “This sucks,” Roy sighed.

“What does?” Riza asked.

“That we have to do all of this just to see each other outside of work,” Roy explained.

“Well, I’m enjoying myself right now,” Riza shrugged, trying to comfort him.

“I am too,” Roy added. “But I want to show you off to everyone as my girlfriend.”

“Oh, you,” Riza rolled her eyes, shoving him playfully. Roy laughed and feigned hurt while she shook her head, smiling. “Cocky as always.”

“Hey!” Roy chuckled before looking longingly at her. “You’d think after everything we went through on the Promised Day, we’d be allowed to see each other outside of work, but here we are. Frat rules is something I’m going to abolish once I become Führer.”

“Will that come before or after you require all female officers to wear tiny miniskirts,” Riza smirked.

“Before, just for you,” Roy snickered, kissing her forehead.

“I feel honored,” Riza smiled, relishing in the affection.

The two sat in comfortable silence, watching as the sun slowly sank behind the horizon as the sky darkened as well. No matter the circumstance, the two will always be together, just as they promised all those years ago.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Anyways, this was fun while it lasted. Can’t wait to do it again next year!

[katestrophic]

Royai Week Day 4

Prompt: Crackle

Snap Crackle Fizzle Pop is the sound of the fire Mustang makes

I was debating on turning this into a crack one shot, but I decided against it last minute for angst. Priorities amirite.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Whenever Roy hears the crackle of fire, the first thing his mind goes to is the war. How people burned to death by his hand with the flames consuming them whole. He slowly began to associate the sound of the crackling flames to the dead of the war. It was because of this he also tensed upon hearing this sound, no matter the circumstance.

Today was another ordinary day in Central Command. Roy was walking down the hallway with Riza at his side. He was on his way back to his office from a meeting, and she was holding the paperwork he needed to complete once he got back. There was a fire lit in a fireplace to warm up one of the rooms in the building. Upon hearing the crackle of the fire as it burned the wood, Roy tensed up and slow down.

Memories of the war filled his mind as he got lost in his thoughts. Screams filled his ears. Charred bodies dropped like flies right before his eyes. Burnt flesh overwhelmed his nose. Roy felt his heart rate pick up and his breathing became shallow.

As his senses went on overdrive, his thoughts were interrupted by Riza. “Colonel?” She called out for him.

He turned to his Lieutenant, about to blow off his behavior but hearing the crackle of the fire beside her invoked an old memory inside him that he had long since forgotten.

He remembered the winters he spent as a young boy with Riza while apprenticed under her father. They befriended each other during his years as an apprentice. During the winters, whenever it snowed and her father was busy with his research or resting, they’d always go out and get in a snowball fight and building (transmuting, in Roy’s case) snowmen.

Afterwards, they’d wrapped themselves up in layers of blankets ,snuggle each other for warmth in front of the fire, and have a warm drink. The crackle of the fireplace, the warmth of their bodies, and the soothing hot drink always lulled Roy into a state of peace, or to sleep in some cases.

“Colonel?” Riza asked again, reaching out to shake his shoulder. “Sir? Are you alright?”

Finally freeing himself of his thoughts, Roy shook his head, bringing himself back into reality. “I’m fine,” he replied to her as he continued forward. “Just tired. I got lost in my thoughts.”

Riza hesitated before following behind him, catching up. Roy felt himself relax at the memory that he managed to recall among the nightmares he had suffered years.

Riza had always helped him ever since she agreed to work for him after the war, even if it was intentional. Just like she slowly helped him to recover from being reminded of his sins by a crackle of a fire by just being there for him at the right moment.

[mydolcepiano]

RoyaiWeek 2020. Day 1: Letter/Carta

Riza tiene que regresar a aquella vieja casa de su padre y confrontar muchos recuerdos dolorosos. A la vez que todo comenzaba a estancarse en su vida, quería pensar que su relación con él, no. Sin embargo, habían muchas cosas que habían cambiado, con ella y con la persona que estaba siempre a su lado. RoyaiWeek 2020. Día 1: Carta.

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13610084/1/Tiempo-para-avanzar

[sootyfeathers]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood & Manga Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Riza Hawkeye/Roy Mustang Characters: Riza Hawkeye, Roy Mustang Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Nightmares, One Shot Summary:

A late contribution to Royai Week :) (also posted on fanfiction.net) Though the Promised Day is behind them and they are only a day away from leaving the hospital, the emotional scars Lieutenant Hawkeye and Colonel Mustang had sustained still have a long way to heal (one-shot).

[katestrophic]

Royai Week Day 2

Prompt: Little Pistol by Mother Mother

Day 2! I struggled a little bit with the prompt, but this is what I came up with. It does contain some wacky imagery, but I hope you enjoy ^^;

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Up on my side, where it is felt

I pack a little pistol on my pistol belt

I think it might be fear

Of the world and the way it makes you feel afraid

Riza knew better. Riza always knew better.

She knew better than to get close to any of the apprentices her father took on. It wasn’t because of some negative experience she had with one (not yet at least). It was simply common sense and from what she had observed.

They’d always come, young and bright eyed, excited to learn everything that her father had in store for them. But, they’d always leave. They couldn’t handle the amount of research they needed to learn. They couldn’t please her father and his high demands. They couldn’t deal with his strict teachings.

No one ever stayed long enough to learn everything her father had for them. And it was because of that Riza never bothered to befriend any of them. She maintained a indifferent relationship with all of them. She kept a pistol on her and held it out in order to maintain that distant relationship. The apprentice was just a houseguest that she had to tend to, that’s all. In some cases, she never even saw their faces, only learned their names.

That all changed when he came along.

Roy Mustang. A young boy with black hair and gray eyes. Gray eyes that were just as bright as everyone else that came before him. He was a few years older than her. Riza had expected the pattern to repeat and didn’t prepare herself for the long haul. Unfortunately for her, Roy had different plans.

It was a mundane afternoon that he approached her. She was taking the sheets off the drying line when he seemingly manifested behind one of them. Riza jumped, as she did not expect Roy to be there but quickly recovered. “Yes?” She asked, drawing her pistol and held it to her chest, close to her heart.

“I just wanted to get to know you better,” Roy explained. “I never really get to talk to you, let alone see you.”

He took a step closer and Riza held out her pistol in order to maintain distance. “You’re not here to make friends,” she snapped. “Father will be furious at the both of us if he finds us hanging around. You are a student, and I am the teacher”s daughter. I’d like to keep it that way.”

Roy hesitated at first before sighing, turning on his heel and head back into the house. Riza put the pistol back in her pocket and turned back around, resuming her chores.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end to their encounters. Time and time again, Riza would run into Roy who just apparently to be around where she was. The first few times, she chalked it up to coincidence and just held out her pistol to ward Roy off as if he was some evil spirit. As these encounters began to occur more and more often, Riza slowly came to the realization that they were calculated, not unexpected. That fact alone infuriated her.

The next time they ran into each other, Riza was weeding the vegetable garden that she had growing in the backyard. Roy just happened to come out of the house the precise moment she began that task. “Hey,” he said, standing off to the side as Riza bent over, yanking the weeds out from between the growing vegetables.

Riza wasted no time. She stood straight and drew her pistol, holding it out at Roy. “You planned this, didn’t you?” She yelled at him. “All these encounters...they aren’t some mere coindences, are they? How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t want anything to do with you? Go away!”

“Please don’t get upset!” Roy pleaded, stepping closer to her.

“No!” Riza shouted, stepping back as well, but still holding her pistol out at him. “Leave me alone! Go back to your studies!” It was then Riza began to dryly laugh. “Actually...why should I be telling you that?” She sneered. “It’s only a matter of time before you leave, just like the rest of them!”

“I never intend on leaving here,” Roy insisted, stepping closer.

Riza was baffled at Roy. Couldn’t he see that she wanted to maintain distance? That, she didn’t want a friendship with him? Why was he so annoyingly persistent. Regardless, she snapped back, “That’s what they all said. And you know what happened to them? They’d all left.”

“Well, luckily for you, I happen to be very stubborn,” Roy proclaimed, stepping closer and closer until he nearly closed the distance between them, the pistol practically stabbing him in the heart. “Please? I just want to talk. Have a conversation with you. Just this once.”

Riza was stunned. She’d never seen someone this persistent with something. But, perhaps she’d humor him, just this once. Just to bring some variety into this repetitive pattern she’d became accustomed to.

“Fine,” she sighed in defeat, dropping the arm that held the pistol. “Let’s talk.”

Roy’s eyes lit up.

*~*~*~*~*~

Who knew that one conversation Riza and Roy has once became two, then three, and soon the two were hanging around whenever her father was busy or resting. They made sure to keep quiet whenever they did so they wouldn’t disturb him. She had stop carrying her pistol around her, getting comfortable around Roy.

As Roy got further and further into her studies, he began to move on from the basics into Riza’s father’s studies. Roy’s bright eyes soon burned with flames of passion, determined to stick around, even though he had gotten further than any other apprentice in the past.

One day, when Riza came into the garden, she was greeted with a very strange sight. In between the patches of vegetables was a single, burning rose. It’s flames flickered, as the fire was small. As she watched the flames move around, it reminded her of the fire that burned in Roy’s eyes whenever she saw him studying.

Upon having that thought, Riza’s eyes widened with realization. She had fallen in love with Roy. She shook her head, taking a step back, the flames on the rose burning brighter with the realization. She turned and fled the garden, not even bothering to pick the vegetables that day.

It wasn’t meant to go this far. She only meant to be friends with him. She never intended to befriend him in the first place. She shouldn’t had let her guard down so easily. She should’ve been more determined to keep Roy out, just like how determined he was to further his studies...

She shook her head, ridding herself of that thought. She needed to get rid of these feelings for Roy right away.

Soon, she distanced herself from Roy just like she had with the beginning. Roy was confused with her actions-they used to be please friends, Why was Riza now giving him the cold shoulder? She even began to carry her pistol around her again to maintain that distance once more.

But, the inevitable happened. Roy left. He didn’t leave because the work became too hard, or he couldn’t meet her father’s expectations, or he was displeased with how her father taught him, oh no. It was so much worse.

He left to join the military academy.

Her father was devasted and betrayed, never taking on another apprentice again after Roy left. Riza was upset too, as she had opened herself up to Roy. But, even with him gone, her feelings for him never went away, no matter how hard she tried. She was reminded of this every single time she went into the vegetable garden and saw that burning rose. She learned to ignore it as time went on whenever she had to work there.

But, her father’s life ultimately came to an end tragically. Roy had came back from the academy to visit and witnessed to his death, coughing up blood as the life drained from his eyes. A funeral was held, with Roy and Riza being the only attendees. As they headed back to the now empty home, Roy asked, “Is it okay for me to stay at your place for a while? I originally intended to come down and visit you and Master Hawkey. But now he’s gone, and I want to help you out around the house until I have to return.”

Riza looked into Roy’s eyes before replying, “Sure, I guess. I really don’t mind.”

Roy maintained eye contact for a short moment before breaking it, thanking her briefly. Even after joining the academy, those flames of passion never left his eyes, just like the fire in that rose still sitting in that vegetable garden...

That night, Riza couldn’t sleep, tossing and turn in her cot. Out the window, she could see the soft glow of the fire from the rose that still burned. Seeing that she had nothing better to do, Riza crept out of bed and into the garden. She inspected the rose more closely, never doing so before even though it sat there for a while. Its red bud was engulfed in orange and yellow flames that flickered, along with a regular green stem that had some thorns on it.

Carefully, Riza took a finger and held it close to the flame, just enough to lick it. As the flame made contact with her skin, a warm, fuzzy feeling filled her heart and spread throughout her body. She blinked, surprised that she didn’t burn herself touching the fire. She stroked the blazing petals gingerly and those same feelings filled her once more, now stronger.

Those flames were harmless. They never burned anything. They weren’t supposed to hurt anybody or anything.

Why didn’t Riza realize it sooner?

“Riza?” A sleepy voice called out to her.

She turned around, still clutching the burning rose to her chest, close to her heart. Roy was outside, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “What are you doing out here?” He yawned. “Can’t sleep? Do you want to talk? I know we drifted apart before I left, but I want us to be close friends again. I really missed that.”

The flames began to hurt Riza slightly upon hearing close friends, and she knew what to do. She came into Roy’s face and placed her lips over his, kissing him quickly. When she pulled back, Roy was stunned. He looked no longer sleepy as his eyes were wide. He stood, frozen, still processing what just happened.

She snickered at his reaction. “I love you, Roy,” she stated.

Slowly, it all fell into place. Why the distance, why the cold shoulder, why everything. Roy snickered as well as he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her and pecking her cheek. “Love you too, Riza,” he said. “Man, why are you girls so complicated?”

Riza laughed softly, still holding the burning rose in its hand as it flames burned brighter than ever before.

She vowed to never carry her pistol around Roy ever again.

And I, well I found what’s best for me

And now I see no tragedy

And I, I found a burning rose

And now I won’t be packing little pistols

No, no, no more

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In case the symbolism isn’t exactly clear, the pistol that Riza carries is her guard that she has up against Roy, telling herself not to get too attached to him because he’ll leave eventually, but stops bringing it once she lets her guard down around him. The burning rose is her realization that she loves Roy which develops over the course of this mini story. Roy doesn’t see the pistol or the burning rose, only Riza and by proxy, the audience can.