Work Text:
And I am your future
And I am your past
Never forget we were built to last
Step out of the shadows and into my life
...
I won't let go with you by my side
The calm, the storm we'll face it all
-“Take on the World” by You Me at Six
They made it.
Roy Mustang was looking at the crowd and he finally believed that the long twisting road led them to this moment. There was still so much ahead of them but this moment was the milestone that sometimes seemed almost unreachable.
But here they were. Him, as the President of Amestris. Her, as the First Lady. Them, as always evident but only recently publicly acknowledged package deal. And he would be damned if he let her ever be underappreciated again.
“I am immensely grateful for your support and proud to have earned it. However, I can’t omit the fact that all this would not be possible without the most dedicated and resilient woman by my side, without my most trusted aid, without the essence of my soul, who I am lucky to call my wife.”
Roy turned away from the gathered people to his team behind him and met Riza’s widened eyes, boring holes in him. He only smiled - it was still rare when he could meet her gaze in public. Old habits die hard - and Riza was more used to looking out for possible threats than exchanging glances with him unless there was an extra urgent need for that.
But Roy always took time to admire her, and now was no exception. From her concentrated expression, a little frown on her forehead (that he longed to erase with his fingers) , a stayed lock of hair (that she futilely tried to tuck behind her ear but they were too short for that; Roy reminded himself to get her new smaller hairpins) . To the thin line of her lips (only evidence of her true irritation at his stunt) , her neck and bare arms - strikingly framed by her short-sleeved dress with high collar. Changed wardrobe was not an anticipated perk of her new status but Roy enjoyed it more and more with each passing day.
Roy beckoned Riza to join him at the stand. After years together stepping closer to his right side came naturally to her, but lifting her left arm and putting it around his shoulders was a newer move drilled by their untiring publicist that she only did with a deliberate intent. Roy lifted his right hand as well and lightly stroked her upper arm, right below the hem of the sleeve.
He smiled wider and continued, never averting his eyes from Riza’s face.
“My dearest Riza, I can’t ever thank you enough for everything you did and continue to do for Amestris and for me. But I can promise you that I will show and prove to you my gratitude every single day.”
Riza gasped and went rigid, staring at him. Roy was never shy about voicing his affections but usually he saved that for private moments, when he whispered compliments, praises and promises right into her ear or against her skin in between kissing every bare part of her body. The last time he was so open in front of others was at their wedding when he was saying his vows - when he rendered her speechless and spent some time kissing off her tears before she found the voice to say her own vows.
Now Roy saw how her eyes started glistening again. But he didn't want to make the moment uncomfortable for Riza or make her lose composure. That wasn't his intention. He just wanted the whole country to see and recognize Riza Hawkeye for the amazing person she is.
And if he could show his utter infatuation in the process, it wouldn’t hurt anyone, right? Now it couldn’t hurt, now he didn’t need to constantly keep himself in check about his feelings.
Roy felt drunk on joy from this freedom, their success and Riza's closeness so to cover up the stiffness in her pose he did the first thing that came to his dizzy mind -
he turned his head and kissed the inner side of her stretched arm, the softest spot right above her elbow.
He only meant it to be a brief peck. But the moment his lips touched her skin Roy closed his eyes and got lost in her taste, such a familiar coolness, her smell, so heady and overwhelming to his senses.
He didn’t know if a second or eternity passed and, frankly, he hardly cared. Public was always hungry for something scandalous - like his allegedly frivolous bachelor lifestyle that was under scrutiny for a long time. Instead of new ridiculous speculations about him and yet another female officer, Roy would rather see them write how he was besotted with his wife.
His wife .
Some days Roy could hardly wrap his mind around this fact. This new development, mostly pushed by outer circumstances, didn’t really change anything between them in private. They’ve been together for such a long time. They already shared everything. Work, home, bed. Fears, nightmares, hopes and goals. And yet this final tie affected Roy more than he expected. Now he could take and hold her hand wherever and whenever he wanted. He could say her name - not only in the sanctuary of their home, but anywhere. She obtained a new title - the one that announced to everyone her unquestionable claim on his heart and his life. Roy found it surprisingly thrilling not only to say it, but also hear her calling him “husband” in return.
Suddenly Roy felt a cool touch to his cheek and that prompted him to open his eyes, pry himself away from Riza’s skin and meet her gaze again.
He expected her to silently reprimand him, using one of her special stern looks. And her expression was indeed special but far from berating - she looked as happy as Roy felt. His breath hitched when he saw Riza mouthing ‘ I love you too ’.
Roy beamed and lowered his hand to wrap around Riza’s waist and pull her closer. Her fingers glided over his cheekbone, jawline and neck before her hand found rest on his shoulder.
Reluctantly Roy tore his eyes from her and looked at the crowd again - only to get instantly blinded by hundreds of flashes. He squeezed his eyes shut and felt that Riza made another step to stand flush to his side and gripped his hand reassuringly.
Roy grinned wider. Being his eyes and anchor was another habit that she probably could never give up. But as long as it meant he could hold her in return, Roy would never complain.