royaimonopoly

[royaimonopoly]

As I looked to the heavens, I found you by armstrongcurl

AO3 | FFNET

Summary: Free from Berthold's grasp, Riza pursues the one thing she's always wanted: his student

[royaimonopoly]

Moment of truth by Musing_and_Music

Read on AO3 / Read in French

Lust smirked and turned to Riza, pointing her with the long, threatening spears that were her nails. Riza froze.

Then everything went too fast. She saw the spears lengthen toward her, then a black figure stood in front of her, receiving the deadly blow in her place. Riza’s breath caught in her lungs when she recognized the Colonel. Wide-eyed, she saw the spear disappear from his left flank. A desperate cry escaped her as she lounged to catch him when his legs gave in.

“Colonel!

She received him in her arms, and her right hand went to cover the wound on his back, the other helping him to keep his hands on the other end of the wound. Blood was already soaking his gloves and she heard him struggling to breathe through the pain.

Feeling Mustang so close to her in such a situation was excruciating. Her head was nestled on his shoulder, and he was almost sitting on her lap, but their position wasn’t romantic. It was dramatic, and Riza felt her heart stop when Lust spoke again.

“Even the Flame Alchemist has a soft spot,” she said with a smirk. She retracted her nails and walked away.

Riza moved her hand so it covered Mustang’s. The blood flow was too strong, and she tried to focus on his wound more than on what happened next to her.

“Fullmetal,” the Colonel managed to stutter, “you have to stop them. I’ll be fine. Just go!"

Edward hesitated for a few seconds, then ran after the homunculi who’d escaped in the tunnel, leaving Mustang and Riza alone.

Riza gulped, trying to erase most of worry from her voice. “Colonel, there’s a first-aid kit in the car. Let me get it.” She began to move but Mustang caught her hand. “Don’t go.”

“Colonel!” Riza frowned, her jaw clenched as she scowled him. “Don’t be so reckless, we need to do something to stop the bleeding and take you to the hospital.”

“That’s why I’ll…” Mustang winced as he tried to straighten. “I’ll burn it.”

This time Riza winced. She remembered the same pain on her back. Flames erasing the secret from her skin, lifting some of the burden she’d borne for years. How could he put himself in such a position?

“Colonel,” she protested.

“Lieutenant, it’s the most effective way to stop me from dying so I can go help Fullmetal.”

“You plan to go anyway?” Riza glared at him. He was being a fool again. That wasn’t the first time he’d wanted to keep going even in a bad situation, but this time… it was worse.

“Help me get off these clothes, Lieutenant,” he ordered.

“Colonel!” She repeated. Her throat tightened. She couldn’t bear the thought of seeing him burning himself, but the thought of him dead was even worse. Hastily, she obeyed, swiftly opening his uniform jacket and his shirt, lifting them so his wound was exposed. She winced at the sight. It was ugly, and she knew he was going to make it even uglier.

“Hold me so I can’t escape the burn,” the Colonel ordered again.

Cautiously, Riza took him back in her arms, embracing him with all the strength she could put without hurting him further.

Mustang snapped and screamed as the flames burned his side. The memory of a fateful day came back to Riza’s mind and the tears she hadn’t spilled back then flowed on her cheeks. The flames were put out, and she felt her Colonel going limp in her arms.

“Colonel?” She laid him on the ground and checked his breathing. It was here, faint and labored, and his forehead was already burning hot with fever. The wound on his side had stopped bleeding, but the burn was huge. It needed immediate care. Riza ran to the car and took the first-aid kit along with a water bottle she found on the floor. She treated his wound, giving him back what he’d given her all those years ago. He would need to be in the best possible condition if he wanted to keep fighting. She knew he would want to fight again, and he was too strong-minded for her to stop him. Tears flowed on her cheeks when she realized she was almost useless in their situation. She hadn’t been able to protect the man she’d sworn to protect, the man she loved. And she knew he wouldn’t stop before he was done with everything here.

Riza stopped her treatment when she felt him move. “Lieutenant?”

“Yes, I’m here,” she replied softly, before resuming her actions.

His hand caught hers. Taken aback, Riza glanced at his gloved hand around her bloodied one, then looked at him. He was looking at her with fevered but determined eyes. “I’ll keep fighting,” he said.

“I know, and I’ll help you,” Riza replied. She wiped her tears. However, she wouldn’t let him go without scolding him. It was necessary, because he didn’t need to do that every time. “But you were reckless! How can you put yourself in danger when so much is at stake? Your goal matters more than me!”

“Lieutenant.” His voice was calm, composed, but she could hear his pain… and something else she couldn’t point out. “Lust was right. I’ve got a soft spot, and it’s you.”

Riza’s eyes widened and she gasped. “What do you mean?”

Roy smiled. “You matter to me, Riza. You’re the one keeping me in line, and I can’t afford to lose you. I can’t work without you. I… couldn’t bear living without you.”

Riza shook her head, tears threatening to spill again. “Your goal is more important than I am. Please, don’t say things like that.” That wasn’t good. If he kept confessing to her, she would do something reckless too. And it would be as dangerous as putting herself in front of him to protect him.

“You’re one of the reasons I want to reach that goal, Riza.” Roy kept one hand on hers and lifted the other to reach her cheek. There was a truth in his eyes that she knew she couldn’t fight. “For years I didn’t realize how important you were to me. It took a mission where you’ve been injured to make me open my eyes on my feelings.” His thumb stroked her skin, wiping a lone tear. “I love you,” he whispered. Riza squeezed her eyes shut. “I love you, Riza.” She opened her eyes to see his own filled with the feelings he’s professed. “What do you say?”

What could she say? Now wasn’t a good time, but it felt like the good time to spill the truth. She leaned against his palm and intertwined her fingers with his. She suddenly wanted to pull his gloves off, she wanted to feel his skin against hers. She tried to smile, but there was too much happening at the same time, and only managed to turn the corners of her lips a bit upward.

“I don’t want you to die. I don’t know how I can live without you, Roy…” she almost choked on his name. “Your goal is my only hope to mend the wrongs of my life, and your presence alone is enough to give me the will to live. I know it’s wrong to think like that, to see you like that, but I can’t help but love… love you.”

She’d said it. Their true feelings were laying bare between them, their gazes locked, their hands in the other’s. The time wasn’t good, but it was the right time.

Suddenly Roy smiled. “I’m glad. I’m really glad.” He winced as he tried to rise up and Riza slid her arm under his shoulders to support him. “Thank you,” he breathed when he got on his feet.

They were standing face to face, Roy had one hand on his side and the other on Riza’s shoulder. Riza’s hand was still on his shoulder blade and it felt like the right place at this moment. Roy took a step toward her, leaning to be at her level. It wasn’t difficult, given their height difference and the fact that pain was already bending him.

“Riza… I know what I must do, but right now, I know what I need.” His eyes anchored in hers and she couldn’t help but smile gently.

“I want it too, Roy. Don’t forget that after we’ve got bad guys’ asses to kick.”

Roy snickered and winced. “Don’t make me laugh, it’s painful.” But his smile reappeared immediately.

Riza cupped his cheek. "Then I’ll kiss the pain away.“ And she did.

They would deal with the consequences later, after the fight. For now all that mattered was Roy’s lips that didn’t wait long before replying to her kiss. It was warm, it was soft, it was right. His hand slipped from her shoulder to settle on her back and pulled her closer. Their kiss changed pace, and he was soon devouring her lips like they were his only food. Riza wanted nothing more than to close the last centimeters between their bodies but his injury stopped her from doing so.

They parted, panting, gazing at the other, their foreheads touching. “I loved it,” Roy whispered.

“Me too,” Riza replied. “Now, let’s kick some asses!”

She placed her arm back on his back, her other hand on his chest, and he put his hand on her shoulder for better support. They began to walk together, closer than they’d ever been, toward the enemies who had taken Hughes’ life and were threatening Edward.

[royaimonopoly]

Born Lucky by armstrongcurl

AO3 | FFNET

Summary: Riza Hawkeye is Roy Mustang's true love, but he can't stop thinking about that one time he got it on with Maes Hughes while lost in the desert.

[royaimonopoly]

Storm by Musing_and_Music

tumblr / AO3 / French

“Take cover!” A loud shout rings outside the small tent. “Sandstorm! Go back to your tent!”

Riza raises her head from the map she was studying and her gaze meets Captain Mustang’s eyes. He came to her tent at her invite so they can check their next movements for the mission they’ve been assigned together.

The brass have seen their deadly efficiency on the battlefield so they’ve decided to pair the Phoenix Alchemist and the newly promoted Captain Mustang to increase the victory rate and the extension of Amestris’ domination over Ishval.

However, this is the first time they must go so far from the base camp and their unit has settled for the night.

At the sentinel’s cry, Riza has stopped talking. Outside the tent that’s suddenly shaking she hears the wind howling and the panicked footsteps of soldiers running to their tents. Mustang stays silent, his eyes locked on hers. Riza shudders as goosebumps form on her forearms. There’s something going on, and she can’t tell for sure if it comes from her or him or them.

Then Mustang begins to move, raising on his knees. “I should go if I don’t want to be caught in the storm.” He smiles apologetically and folds the map he’s brought.

“Wait.” Riza’s voice sounds more pleading than commanding, but he stops anyway, a strange light in his eyes. Riza gulps and she feels her heartbeat increasing. She doesn’t want to see him leave. And she knows it’s not the first time she’s felt that way or thought she wants him to stay with her.

For the last few weeks she’s grown fond of his presence next to her. He’s a good soldier, a good commander, a good man. She’s seen him on the battlefield where his men trust him, where he questions her orders only to find a solution that will cost less lives - on both sides. After each battle they speak, they share their thoughts about the project they plan to carry on once the war is over. He soothes her pains and her nightmares are less frightening the night after, but she doesn’t forget. She can’t and won’t. It’s her duty for those who’ve died because of her, because of a Government that only wants its people to suffer.

But tonight there’s something more to the simple words.

Her hand lands - unconsciously - on his arm. Still, she’s conscious of the way she’s looking at him. Her lips are suddenly dry and she wets them with her tongue. His eyes fall on her fingers on him, her lips, then return to hold her gaze with a questioning look.

“Does…” her throat tightens. “Does your offer still stand?”

She hasn’t forgotten his words from the first mission they’ve accomplished together. If you need me for comfort, I’ll be there. Is he still thinking about her like that?

They’re on the verge of a new dangerous mission but now more than ever she wants to forget her title and her rank, she wants to know how it feels to be held, she wants to be a woman, fully, completely. She suddenly aches for Roy’s hands on her, for his lips on hers, for his body against hers. For his presence inside her.

“Do you want me?” He asks, leaning toward her. His head is only centimeters apart from hers now, and air catches in her lungs when she feels his breath on her skin.

“I do, if you want me too,” she replies.

Suddenly his lips are on hers, wild and hot, and she forgets the military. His hands roam on her body, grazing her hips, playing with her breasts, groping her ass, and she wants more. It’s the second time they kiss, it’s the second time he touches her, but this time she wants to touch him too. She replies eagerly to his kiss, tasting his lips, feeling the taste of the chocolate from the combat ration he’d eaten earlier. She combs his hair with her fingers, the other hand on his jaw where she feels his stubble.

He pushes her backward on her mat and she complies willingly, spreading her legs so he stands between them, on his knees. He grins at her, but his voice is soft. “Tell me if you don’t like something. I’ll stop immediately.”

Riza nods. Then he opens her pants and slides it on her legs, taking off her shoes and socks in the same movement. She’s almost entirely exposed to him, and his gaze on her legs, on her hardened nipples peeking through the cloth of her black turtleneck, arouses her. She can feel the wet pooling in her underwear and her core is begging for more.

“You’re gorgeous, Major,” he whispers, and it makes her blood boil.

She yanks him to her by his shirt collar and kisses him hard. She needs action. “Call me Riza,” she tells him. She wants to separate what they’re doing from the military. That way it’s theirs.

She begins to unbutton his shirt, feeling his firm chest under her hands.

“Riza,” he moans when her lips land on his neck and suckle his skin.

“Take me, Roy,” she commands in a hurried breath. Her arousal is almost painful. She begins to reach for his pants, but he stops her, grabbing her hand, pushing her underwear aside to plunge one finger in her. She gasps and feels her orgasm building up. “More,” she whimpers, and he adds one finger, his thumb rubbing against her clit.

Riza bites her lip, stifling a loud moan. He’s good. He’s better than any of her past experiences. She’d learned about her own pleasure thanks to other girls in the academy, but something had always lacked from them. She now realizes they were too delicate, too cautious with her. That was enjoyable but not what she needed. Roy’s fingers are thick and rough, and they bring her close to the edge. Her legs shudder and her mind turns blank when he pushes her clit one more time, his fingers thrusting hard inside her. Suddenly she can’t breathe and she cries as pleasure overwhelms her.

Roy removes his fingers from her pulsating core and she feels cold there as she comes back to reality. No. To his darkened eyes and his lips on hers and his hands - she feels her own wetness on her skin - pulling her shirt off.

Next thing she knows Roy is above her, his pants and underwear out of the picture, his erection in all its glory in front of her. He kisses her again while he takes her drenched underwear off.

“Let me pleasure you, Riza,” he whispers and she shivers at his voice so low in her ear and his breath so hot on her skin.

“You already did.” She wants to know how it feels to pleasure him too and her hand slips along his toned stomach under his shirt to touch him. A groan escapes Roy’s lips and Riza feels powerful. Her fingers circle his shaft and she begins to rub him slowly, carefully, spreading his precum along his length. She sits and observes every change on his face while she closes her fist around his hardening cock.

Roy has closed his eyes and his breath is laboring.

“Take off your shirt,” Riza orders. She kisses him and her free hand cups his jaw. She doesn’t know why, but the rough sensation of his stubble on her palm makes her wet again. His hands are now on her hips, then her ass, and Roy brings her closer. She wraps her legs around his waist and her left arm circles his shoulders to keep her stable.

His fingers are back on her, and he circles her swollen clit with slow movements. Riza represses a shiver but can’t keep her moan inside her lungs. She’s working hard on his cock, and he’s grown and thick now.

“It’s the first time I’m sleeping with a man,” she admits, pulling away from the kissing. She knows Roy will understand what she implies and suddenly hopes he won’t run away.

Instead he kisses her again, his fingers thrusting inside her. “Then I’ll make it pleasurable.” She feels his smirk on her lips. He licks them and she opens her mouth. Their tongues turn around each other, exploring and discovering the other.

Riza squeezes his cock and he can’t hold back his loud moan. “Fuck, Riza, I need…” he groans against her lips.

“Do it, Roy,” she replies and raises above him, above his throbbing erection. Roy holds her by her thighs, then his tip slides between her folds. His cock disappears in her opening as he lowers her over him. There’s a brief pain and Riza bites her lower lip, whimpering. Then he stops and Riza opens her eyes wide.

He’s inside her. He’s filling her completely. Riza’s breath catches in her lungs at the sensation and the realization. She feels good, stretched, full.

“Are you okay?” Roy asks, light worry in his voice.

“I love it,” she whispers in his ear, nibbling his earlobe, kissing his neck.

Roy begins to move. He lifts Riza by her thighs and pulls from inside her core. Then he lowers her again and thrusts into her, reaching a spot that makes Riza cry. She clings to him and her nails scratch his back as he thrusts again and again and the small space of her tent is filled with her pants and moans, his groans and whispers, the scent of their joined bodies, and the faint light of her lantern where the flame is dying. The wind is still howling outside, shaking the tent.

Heat is growing inside Riza, and each time Roy hits that same spot her senses become a mess. She trembles as her orgasm is building under his thrusts and ministrations. His lips have left hers and he’s sucking her breast, while his hands caress her ass, thighs and clit.

“Roy… harder…” She breathes and accompanies his movements with her hips, meeting him every time so he goes deeper inside her.

His rhythm increases and she’s crying louder at each thrust. Her cries become moans when he kisses her. When he stimulates her clit with his fingers - damn, his fingers make any other thing look like straws beside them - she shivers and arches her back, bringing her chest closer to his. The heat is too much, the pace is too fast, Roy inside her is all she wants.

Everything is too much and perfect at the same time, and Riza tenses, freezes, comes. Her walls throb around Roy, then she collapses on him as he keeps thrusting inside her. But his hands are soft and gentle on her cheeks, her hair, her back, contrasting oddly with the erection she feels on the verge of bursting.

Barely one minute later he comes too, spilling inside her, kissing her lips, her forehead, her neck, and they fall on the mat, still in a blissful state, gradually coming down from the height they have sent each other to.

They stay there for a moment, still, then Roy pulls out of her. Riza shivers from his absence. They’re a messy tangle of limbs and sweat and other fluids but she just wants to stay in his embrace.

“Thank you,” she whispers against his lips as she kisses him again.

“Any time,” he replies to her kiss. It’s delicious, and she would do it all over again without hesitation. “How were your past experiences?” He smiles, maybe expecting a tale from her.

Riza knows she must clean herself and Roy. She takes a clean cloth from her backpack and wipes any drop on her and her companion.

“They were baby steps compared to that,” She replies as she blows the last spark of the lantern and takes her blanket. She settles beside Roy and lets him hug her again. “I got really nice sex with other women, but you've made me feel complete in a way none of them had before.”

Roy hums, nestling his head in the crook of her neck, kissing her skin there. “I’ve seen some women’s bodies, but none of them were like yours. None of these women were you. I feel like there’s something more than just sex between us.”

Riza tries not to start at his confession. She’s come to think the same, but as much as she wants it she knows how dangerous it is for them. So she keeps her feelings for her. Anyway, this is war, and these are maybe only because of the circumstances. How will it be once the war is over?

Silence falls in the tent, and Roy’s breathing becomes slower. His warmth is relaxing and she knows she will follow him soon into sleep. For once it’ll be a dreamless sleep, she hopes.

The storm has fallen, Riza doesn’t know when, but she doesn’t care. She drifts asleep, Roy’s arms around her, her thin blanket covering them. She’s about to close her eyes, but even in the darkness of her tent she sees how relaxed and handsome he looks when he sleeps.

If they fall tomorrow, she won't regret knowing Roy that way.

[royaimonopoly]

never saw the mornin' light quite like I do now by Musing_and_Music

AO3 / tumblr

Chance card: insert a non-FMA quote

... ... ... ... ...

“Was the morning light always this bright before?” Roy asked himself in a whisper, his eyes trying to adapt to the light of the sun rising over Central City, his hand laying on the sheets of his hospital bed.

A hand touched his, and the damaged skin under the bandages felt significantly warmer. “This is the sunrise of victory and life,” a soft voice came from his right side. “The sunrise that makes you realize that lots of things have changed in the space of one day and many things will change in the future.”

Roy turned to Riza, who was lying on his bed, sleepily smiling at him. “Did I wake you?” he worried. More than ever she needed to rest. She’d been hurt in so- too many ways during Promised Day, and her wounds, even healing nicely, were still painful.

“You didn’t. But the sun did.” Her clear eyes soothed his heart and he couldn’t help but gently smile at her.

Her thumb stroked the back of his hand and he sighed at her touch. He’d longed for it so many times, and it was the first time they could be tactile with each other. It has been one week since Promised Day.

One week during which he’d begun to recover from his wounds, on his hands, but in his heart too. One week during which Riza had done the same.

He’d seen several specialists, for his hands, for his sight - the use of the philosopher's stone had been a secret - and for all the events he’d been through during that day. And Riza had done the same too.

After a few sessions with the psychiatrist, the doctor had decided it could benefit them both to see her at the same time. And she had been right. They’d been given a real opportunity to speak in truth, to expose every feeling they’d been through that fateful day. Roy had almost lost Riza twice. Once because of himself and his hatred, and the other because of the gold-toothed doctor - speaking about him had made him shiver with disgust and fear. Riza had almost lost Roy twice. Once by her own hand, because of his hatred, and the other because of Pride and Wrath.

That had been the best talk they’d had in years, after Ishval. Words had flowed, always precise and just, healing some of the wounds in their minds, in their hearts. Words are gifts, words are not wasted. They knew it wasn’t over, they knew the other would wake up sweating because of awful nightmares, they knew it would take time to accept that they wouldn’t disappear forever. But since that session they had laid out their feelings for the other. Roy had then wondered how they’d managed to keep that for themselves for so long, without betraying every goal they’d placed on their path.

Roy knew they would have to change the way they worked and behaved together so no one would suspect anything. But for the time being they were free. Riza and him were still recovering, she was technically still under the Fuhrer’s order - Grumman wouldn’t keep her near him, would he? - so what could the military say if someone were to see them cuddling in one bed or another?

Cuddling wasn’t the only thing they’d done.

“Should the sun go back where it was so you can sleep again?” Roy bent toward Riza and kissed her. It was new, soft, warm, and everytime his lips touched hers, he could feel his stomach flutter with anticipation. Because when Riza returned his kiss, it became familiar, passionate and hot.

The only problem was… they weren’t in the right physical condition to go further.

But that gave them enough time to speak about their relationship. How they would keep it between them, how they would meet when they’ll go back to work, when they’ll begin the reconstruction of Ishval.

“I don’t need more sleep right now, Roy,” she said, and his name on her lips sounded like honey. It was sweet and gave him strength.

“Alright, then. It’s only six hundred, what should we do while we wait for the nurses?” Roy winked at her and her smile widened.

“What about we just lay together in your bed?” She extended her arms for him to settle between them.

One minute later, his head on her good shoulder, their legs entwined together, he found himself getting his hands massaged by her lithe fingers.

“How do you do that?” He marveled at the sensations she was giving him with the gentle pressure of her fingers.

“I… I don’t really know. But I used to give massages to the other girls in the academy,” Riza murmured. “That wasn’t as delicate as it is now. I don’t even know if I’m doing it right.”

“I can tell you you’re doing great.”

“Isn’t it painful?”

Roy lifted his head to look at Riza. “I would have told you if you were hurting me. My wounds are getting better, and my exercises make it easier to do things like closing my fist, making precise movements, or clapping my hands.”

Riza’s hands stopped moving around his. “Clapping your hands? Roy, you must have been in such pain that day! And you still clapped to attack Father?” She frowned, and she cupped his face, looking straight at him. “Tell me you haven’t worsen your condition because of that.”

Roy could feel her fingers trembling against his cheeks and he placed a hand on hers to calm her, the other supporting him over her on the bed. “I can’t tell you since I don’t know. I think adrenaline reduced my pain, so it wasn’t that hard.”

Riza sighed and closed her eyes. Roy leaned and kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry about that. Focus on your own recovery instead.”

A chuckle escaped her mouth. “For once you’re the one telling me that!”

“I am,” he smiled. “How’re your exercises going?”

“They’re making me move my arm to test my strength, turn my head to see how my cut is healing. And…” she hesitated. “And they’re making me sing.”

Roy grinned. “You sing?” It had been years since he hadn’t heard her sing. She’d sung when she hung up the laundry outside the house on sunny days when he was her father’s apprentice. She’d even whistled to warn the hens when she went to fetch the eggs in the chicken house.

“Yeah, apparently it’s good for my voice. It’s not opera airs, but lullabies and nursery rhymes.”

Roy hummed. He placed his head back on Riza’s shoulder. Her hospital shirt was soft against his cheek. This time he was the one intertwining his fingers with hers, while her other hand rubbed circles on his back. “I want to hear you sing again when your throat will be healed,” he whispered as he felt sleep claiming him again.

“You will,” Riza replied.

Roy drifted away, the sun and Riza’s hand warmed his back, her chest rising and falling regularly lulled him, and his heart burst with love when she kissed his forehead, a soft melody escaping her lips.

[royaimonopoly]

A Man's Back by Cyborgartalchemist

“Burying a friend?” A familiar voice asks softly.

Roy wonders how often she is going to find him in front of a grave. Surely this second time isn’t a coincidence. The first time was at his aunt’s grave, where the silly ideals of Riza Hawkeye made him believe she was worthy of his aunt’s research. Her dreams of a better Amestris had led him to giving up the secret he carried. The secret emblazoned upon his back like a brand. 

“No Sir, an Ishvalan child, he was abandoned on the side of the road,” he answers heavily. His hands still in the dirt where he kneels. He hears Riza shift uncomfortably behind him. There is an intake of breath as she tries to think of something to say, something that will not sound cruel or uncaring after the months of bloodshed and destruction. But she fails.

“We should go home, the war is over,” Riza manages something that isn’t too callous. She stands over Roy watching him as he shifts to look at her finally. 

“No, no it isn’t over. Inside me, this war will never end,” he replies in a torn voice. “I’ll carry it as long as I live.” Roy sighs heavily his dirty hands clenching into fists. He surveys the landscape before him, broken buildings, still smoldering fires, and the stench of decaying bodies. Is that what he had wanted when he chose to give her the research? Was this what he had wanted when he gave Riza everything he could?

 His mind falls back to a night, just after his aunt’s funeral when he invited her over to the crumbling house he called a home. The night when he divulged his family’s dark history to Riza Hawkeye, the only student of his aunt. Roy’s aunt had lost her mind at some point to her alchemy research and she had just detached herself from sanity. In fact Chris Mustang was so detached from reality she tattooed her own nephew with the finished research. The key to fire alchemy that she uncovered in her years of research were deposited in blood red ink upon his back. Ink that mapped out the array and the knowledge of manipulating fire.

Roy had let himself believe that Riza was going to do good in the world, that she would be the perfect embodiment of what an alchemist was supposed to be. Be thou for the people. Alchemy was never to be used in the ways it had in this bloody war. Roy thought she would be better than that, that Riza’s desire to protect the nation would protect her from descending into darkness. Alas Roy had now witnessed two women become monsters thanks to fire alchemy. The first he couldn’t stop, but the second? He’d given the second the key to becoming that monster. The guilt was his alone to carry.

But on that night, Roy let her into the house and with a sigh he spoke, “My aunt left me her research. It’s in my possession, if you want it, all you need do is ask for it,” he said.

“Please, I really do believe it could be used to benefit this country,” Riza had replied eagerly. Ever the ambitious alchemist her eyes had glistened at the prospect of finally obtaining those secrets. Back then he had found her drive for mastery of the element endearing. And he had wanted to give it to her, to give her something of himself in so intimate a manner.

Roy stood then and began removing his vest and shirt. Inside he had wanted to be looked upon by Riza, to have her eyes roving over his flesh hungrily. Even if she were more focused on what was written on his skin, it was better than to be ignored by her completely.

“My aunt wanted her research well protected, so she did something unorthodox to ensure it never fell into the wrong hands,” he explained. 

“What did she do?” Riza asked watching as Roy unbuttoned his shirt slowly.

Instead of answering with words Roy simply shrugged out of his upper garments and turned to let her see the big ugly tattoo sprawled over his back. Roy flinched at her startled gasp. But as the shock wore off and her thirst for knowledge took over she closed the gap between them. Roy jumped when her icy fingers brushed along his shoulder blade. He stood there, bare for the world to see while she scrutinized his back. 

He had remained still despite the alluring sensation of fingers on his back. Despite how badly he wanted those fingers to run along other parts of his body at the time. He had never been touched by a woman before in such a reverent manner. The way her fingertips hovered, the gentle swooping glides she made, and grip as she focused on a particular spot did all kinds of things to him. He had found himself fighting the urge to spin around and kiss her. 

But that was then and this is now. Roy didn’t want to kiss her anymore, at least not at the moment. He could hardly stomach the idea of returning to a normal life after what they had done. How many lives had Riza taken here in Ishval with fire alchemy? How many lives had he taken as a sniper because he had so blindly followed after her? 

Bile rises in Roy’s throat, it’s all his fault. He didn’t just give that power to Riza, he ruined her. Ruined the woman he had intended to help, he had ruined his friend by giving up that knowledge. 

There was only one thing he could do now. Absolution was impossible and atonement unreachable, but Roy could make sure it stopped here. That this disease did not spread beyond the Mustang and Hawkeye hands. But for that, his aunt’s research was to be destroyed. To do that he’d have to- Roy’s thoughts grind to a halt, and he steels himself for what he is about to suggest. It won’t be easy, and she might outright refuse, but it’s worth a try. He could probably do it himself if he was desperate enough.

Roy’s voice is full of anguish and disgust as he speaks. “I chose to trust you with my aunt’s research. I also chose to join the academy to improve the lives of this nation’s citizens. Though I regret what I have taken part in, I can not escape the harsh reality that it was my decisions that brought me here. I’m a killer and no amount of denial or repentance can free me of that.” He takes a shaky breath, all the while Riza watches in silent regret. 

“I have a favor to ask of you Miss Hawkeye,” he starts in a suddenly sure tone. “My back, I want you to burn it so it is incomprehensible.” 

Riza’s eyes widen with shock and she immediately objects to the idea of hurting him. “What?!” She shouts, “I could never do such a thing to you!”

“You have to!” Roy fires back. “I can never atone, but I can prevent the brith of another fire alchemist. I want the secret branded on my back to become undecipherable.” He gives her a steely glare as he makes his request perfectly clear. “To remove the burden of my aunt’s legacy and allow me, Roy Mustang to be independent, it must be done. I ask this one thing of you.” Roy knows there is no other way, and so does Riza. He can already see it in her eyes, the understanding that this secret dies with them both. 

Riza pulls out the specially made gloves she wears to use fire alchemy. The gloves whose array matches the one on Roy’s back. The one she knows so very well by now. 

“It’s ironic, that during the course of the war I have learned how to control the flames enough to differentiate between incineration and non-fatal burns.” Riza sighs heavily. “I’ve become far too accustomed to burning people.” 

Roy manages not to scream, Riza does her best to keep the burns small and to only erase the most crucial bits of information. He leans on her through the pain as they follow their fellow killers towards the train station. Even through the pain, Roy Mustang finally feels separated from the alchemy that has turned good women into monsters.

[royaimonopoly]

The Phoenix Alchemist

Tumblr / AO3

When she’d learned Flame Alchemy from her father, Riza hadn’t expected it to turn like this. When her father had died, she’d wanted to do something useful for her country, and entering the military had seemed a good idea at that time.

It wasn’t.

State alchemist certification had been easy to get, and the military academy hadn’t been hard on her. She’d even met some friends there. Rebecca Catalina was the best of them. But she hadn’t even had the time to finish before she’d been sent to the front line in Ishval with other State Alchemists as the Phoenix Alchemist - a wordplay between her name and fire found by none other than the Fuhrer.

She was the youngest of them all, and they all seemed to look at her with pity. Riza was used to the feeling and didn’t really care about them. She had other matters in mind.

How to keep her sanity in this Hell on earth was her main concern. And she’d succeeded on this task until now. For months now she’d managed to keep her feelings deep down in her, she’d tried to forget she was killing people by burning them alive. But keeping things hidden, buried, couldn’t last long.

She’d been assigned to a new unit led by Lieutenant Mustang - a dark haired young man who seemed as tired as her - for this mission. She’d never met him, but some soldiers had told her he cared a lot about his men’s lives.

They stood in front of General Reynolds as he gave them their orders. The more he spoke, the more Riza felt sick. All the feelings she had bottled away were coming back, even stronger now they were numerous. Nausea settled in her stomach, and she struggled to keep a neutral face when her guts were a battlefield.

An entire village of women and children.

That was their target.

Riza didn’t make it ten meters before she collapsed on the ground and threw up. She was sick of herself. Sick of this war. Sick of the command center that ordered her to kill without regret. Sick of the trust she’d placed on this country she wanted to protect. Sick of everything.

A hand fell on her shoulder, light but somehow reassuring. She raised her head and met concerned black eyes. Lieutenant Mustang removed his hand with an apology. “I felt you needed that.” And she did. But she stayed silent, and instead rose on her feet and walked away. This guy didn’t know her, and didn't need to either.

She would deal with her guilt alone. She was used to it. She didn’t need other’s pity because it only made her feel even worse.

“Let’s go,” she said after she wiped her mouth with her sleeve. It was already dirty anyway.

  The operation was a disaster. A slaughter. A nightmare.

They fell into a trap. The women and children were armed, and definitely not alone. Fifty men had joined the fight, and even with Riza’s alchemy her unit struggled to kill them all.

During the fight she could understand why his men trusted Mustang. He made the right decisions, he shoved some soldiers away from the enemy’s fire, knew when they could attack, with how many men, when to take shelter, when to retreat, when to circle the enemy.

But that didn’t prevent half of the soldiers from being killed where they stood.

And when the last Ishval man fell, when the last child burned, she felt empty. Why was she here? Why was she killing the citizens of her own country? Why was she using a power she wanted to dedicate to the weak to kill said weak? Why was she still alive?

She walked back to the camp with the men left in the unit, her mind lost in a thick fog. She didn’t even acknowledge their greetings as she walked away from them. She just wanted to lay down. To lay for a long time. Forever.

She hadn’t even been able to keep her men alive, and she’d killed innocent people. Again.

That was something she had never gotten used to. And it had happened too many times.

Riza sat on her cot, her alchemist’s watch between her hands. She knew the lines drawn on the lid, the amestrian lion, the star. She knew how it would warm between her fingers, she knew the number of links on the chain. She knew how heavy this piece of metal felt in her mind and on her shoulders.

That was too much to bear. She had no one in her life anyway. It wasn’t like someone would miss her. Maybe the Ishvals would even be happy she was gone.

She set her watch away and pulled her gun out of her holster. She didn’t use it a lot, but she knew she hadn’t lost the aim she’d at the academy. This would be a quick affair, and no one, nothing would bother her anymore.

Standing in the middle of her tent, she placed her weapon on her temple.

Footsteps sounded on the outside, getting closed to the entrance of her tent.

Panic flooded her. She needed to get this done. Now.

The safety clicked.

The tent opened.

Riza’s eyes met Mustangs’.

She pulled the trigger.

Too late.

The gunshot rang at her ear before her weapon was taken from her hand and thrown away.

Mustang took her lapel and shook her, a furious light in his eyes. “What do you think you're doing?” He shouted.

Riza didn’t react at first. It was obvious, why should she bother answering him? Why would he care about her anyway? Why didn’t he leave her alone? Why was he here?

“Let me go,” she whispered. “Nothing will be better than that.”

“There are things better than that, Major!”

Riza shook her head. She was his superior officer, and even when he mentioned her rank she didn’t react. He was almost attacking her, but she didn’t care.

“You’re better than that, I’m sure!”

She let a sour laugh escape her throat. “What could I do? I’m powerless in this war I can’t stop. I can’t even protect the men under my command. I’m worthless, Lieutenant.”

He shook his head and let go of her uniform. “You’re not powerless. You’re not worthless. I looked at you today, I watched you before, and I saw a soldier who’s capable, I saw a woman who cared deeply for the people under her command, I saw a powerful alchemist who knew how to use her ability to protect others. I’ve protected you today too, but I know I could have stayed there if you hadn’t been with us.”

Riza flinched at Mustang’s words. How could he see such things in her? “I’m not…” she protested in a weak voice. “I don’t know how I could use that power outside of this war… How can I prevent other wars like this one?”

She still hadn’t looked at him.

“You can climb the ranks.” Mustang’s voice startled her. He was speaking softly but firmly, like he was trusting her. “You can climb to the top and try to change things from there. It’ll be long, but with the good people you’ll manage.”

“Climb to the top?” Riza almost chuckled at his idea. It was a silly, unreachable goal. But when she finally met his gaze, she realized he was serious. “And why should I, the Phoenix Alchemist, should listen to you, an anonymous Lieutenant?”

“Because I feel the same guilt as you, everyday, and I long for peace in this country. I entered the military to protect the people I love, and now I kill innocents against my will. I’m as guilty as you are, and I feel like you are the only one I can trust to go that far to change Amestris. I’m as guilty as you are, and we can work together to make things right. Your death would be a waste. Let me help you do something else with your life.”

He was dead serious.

A sudden weariness overwhelmed Riza and she slumped on her cot, her hands limp at her sides.

“Why… Why do you want to help me?” She muttered, her throat tight. Why her, when others had claimed their opposition to this war, like Armstrong?

“Because I know I can really trust you,” Mustang replied. “Because you’re the only one I want to imagine at the top of Amestris. Because…” his voice was a whisper “I want to get to know you better because you’re a beautiful woman, even in this shapeless uniform, even after you threw up, and despite all the things you’ve done I know deep down you’re a good person.”

Riza’s breath caught in her lungs. Beautiful? her? A good person? The only one she’d heard say that about her was Rebecca, and she didn’t know how to face her friend after what she’d done here. A single tear rolled on her cheek and she didn’t try to stop it. It was swept away by Mustang’s thumb, and she raised her eyes to him. He had knelt in front of her, a soft frown wrinkling his forehead. What was he trying to do?

When she felt his lips on hers, she knew he was definitely trying to hit on her. He was soft and gentle, and he pulled away after a few seconds. His hand left her skin, and she suddenly felt cold.

“I know I’m going beyond the rules, but if you need me for… comfort, I’ll be there. Either way, I’ll follow you when this war ends if you’ll have me. That’s a promise.”

His eyes bore a sincere look, and Riza found herself wanting to know more of this man who’d appeared almost from nowhere in her life, given her back her will, and set a goal for her. She only had to trace her path. To trace it with him.

“Don’t die, then,” she murmured with a faint smile.

“I count on you to do the same, Major,” he replied, squeezing her hand in his. Then he rose back on his feet.

He was about to leave when Riza found the words. “Lieutenant Mustang.” He turned to her. “Thank you. And concerning your offer… I’ll think about it. But I want to know you more before anything happens between us.” He was pleasantly looking, he seemed nice and gentle, but that was only the image he wanted to show.

“Alright, then. I’m looking forward to working under your command, Major Hawkeye.”

With one last smile, he left the tent and Riza reflecting on the latest events.

The next months would be hard, but she knew she had someone she could count on, and maybe trust.

[royaimonopoly]

To Hear His Voice by cyborgartalchemist

Tumblr | AO3

Time Period-Canon Era:

Riza lets Hayate go and answers the phone “Hello?”

The breath she was holding came out in a sigh of relief as the familiar voice of Roy Mustang emanates from the receiver. His warm, pretend intoxicated voice cuts through the encroaching darkness like a beacon. She would never comprehend how he could embody his chosen element so well. From a destructive force to be reckoned with, to a light that seared through the darkest places, even to the idea that the flame represents passion; Roy Mustang was fire incarnate. 

“Good evening Madame. The flowers you ordered are ready for delivery.” Roy was putting a bit of emphasis on his vowels, a clear sign he was faking drunkenness. Riza held back a sigh of exasperation. Of course he would call now of all times. When she was still reeling from the revelation that innocent looking Selim Bradley was numbered amongst the homunculi threatening the entire country. 

“I didn’t order any flowers,” she replies crisply. She couldn’t let him know how grateful she was to hear his voice. How she desperately wanted to hear him assure her she was safe and everything was alright. Because tonight had been quite the shock to her system. And now to hear his voice after meeting Pride was like a balm to the lingering fear. It soothed her soul to hear the voice of her colonel after she had faced such an enemy alone. A warmth replaces the cold pit in her stomach as she smiles to herself. Only he can make her feel like this right after the overwhelming dread that Pride had filled her with.

“All right sorry,” he says still playing drunk. “I got drunk and bought a ton of flowers. I’d be really grateful if you’d help me get rid of some.” He sounds like he’s having a rough night, but she knows he probably paid for information and got the flowers in the bargain.

Riza pauses, he was asking to see her. Using his drunken ruse as a cheat to find a moment to speak with her. And oh, Riza had never wanted to succumb to her feelings for Roy more than she did right now. She wanted to let him put his arms around her and just hold her tightly. She needed to let his warm, ever-present glow chase away her fear and unease. But the words of Pride echoed in her ears and mind. ‘Watching from the shadows.’ She couldn’t be seen with him tonight, no matter how badly she wanted to see him face to face. 

Pride would see it as her attempting to get Roy the information. He would assume she was already making a move to out him to her colonel. 

And what then? Would Pride do as he threatened and hurt Roy? Would he strike them now physically, or would they perhaps suffer another setback? Would they take Roy prisoner? He was a sacrifice candidate after all, whatever that meant. Would she cost him his chance to make moves against their enemy by letting him come to her door? Roy’s plans were finely detailed and complex, with intricacies no one else could replicate. They all needed him capable of continuing to conspire against their homunculus run government.

And yet she hesitates, hanging between desperately wanting to invite him to her door even if it was just to hand over a bouquet or two, and her need to protect him. She failed him once, and Lust had nearly killed him. It still burned her pride to know Lust had done that to her beloved Colonel. The homunculus bitch had gravely wounded Roy and then gloated about it. Lust had reminded Riza of a schoolgirl then, kissing another girl’s crush and then boasting about it to said girl. And Riza had reacted in kind, she had let her temper get away from her and lost her cool. Lost her ability to think just long enough to put Alphonse Elric in danger.

And Roy had scolded her for her failure. For letting that bitch get under skin like she did. Riza sighs as she tries to get herself under control. She won’t fail him again like that. She won’t let the enemy win against her a second time.

Roy notices her confliction, “What’s wrong? What happened?” He asks soberly, his voice laced with concern. Even over the phone it’s cute how much he cares. It’s endearing to know he is so concerned with her wellbeing. She feels something fuzzy settle in her chest at his words. It’s nice to know he worries about her, that he cares enough to call at all. And it makes it harder to do her duty.

She has to lie to him. Has to pretend she is okay so he will leave her alone. She has to protect him from Pride and his promise. So she sucks it up, she’ll suffer tonight in the darkness so he remains unharmed. Because despite how much she will deny it when asked, she loves him. Riza loves him enough to suffer a lifetime of only being his faithful adjutant if it means he is safe and reaches his goal. She loves him enough to watch him flirt with his Aunt’s girls for information, loves him enough to put all her effort into making sure he reaches his goal, loves him enough to not accept his flowers tonight.

“Nothing Sir, it’s nothing,” she answers in an even voice. Her heart clenches at the lie. She hates to be dishonest with him, no matter the reason. 

“Really, are you sure?” He presses. She wants to say no. Riza longs to beg him to come over flowers or not and just dispel the darkness, even for a few minutes. What would it feel like to have his hands on her in a way that was not professional? Would she smell ash and smoke or aftershave if she leaned in close to him? Would his breath tickle her ear if he whispered something flirty to her?

“Yes Sir, I’m sure.” I’m not sure, I’m not alright. “About the flowers, Sir… I don’t own a vase.” I have a jar though. “Thank you for calling Colonel.” I needed to hear your voice, Roy. 

She hangs up the phone and covers her face with her hands. How had that been the hardest thing to do to tonight? Hell, turning Roy down was more upsetting to her than learning Selim was a monster.

She slumps to the floor again and Hayate comes to her side. She pets him and smiles to herself. “How does he have such uncanny timing?”

[royaimonopoly]

Hello assorted nerds, and welcome to Royai Monopoly! I thought I had a little more time before writing a first post, but apparently I underestimated your enthusiasm? @cyborgartalchemist aready devoted color ink to this and honored the board with a tiny Riza!

[ID: A color print out of the Roya Monopoly game board printed in full color so each prompt space is topped with a colorful rectangel. Two six-sided dice and one ten-sided die, all blue, sit on the lower left corner. A small figure of Riza Hawkeye with chibi proportions is onthe "Go!" space]

Because people have already made some excellent suggestions for improvements or alterations, I'm going to call the current version of the game a beta build and revise it at the end of August. Feel free to send asks with suggestions, as well as with any questions. There's a to-do list here, including things like making an accessible version for visually impared people and fixing a spelling mistake.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that minors should not interact with this blog. If you're under 18 , you're welcome to use the prompts and the board, but please don't submit your work. There's likely to be smut on here eventually, and I will not be responsible for mixing underage teens and erotica.

Finally, I should acknowledge that this game is inspired by RoyEd OTPoly, something I noticed coming up while scrolling through the Roy tag on AO3.

Thank you all for playing!