Archive of Our Own

Riza loved her grandfather, she really did. Amos Grumman was her mother’s father. He’d been absent for most of her childhood, not having liked her father, but after her mother died, he’d realized what he’d lost and stepped in before he could lose anything else in the form of his granddaughter.

Riza supposed that she should have felt resentment towards him. After all, he’d ignored her mother for the last years of her life, missing her final moments. That’s what Riza’s father, Berthold, always reminded her. But Riza felt that Grumman had been punished enough, and her father wasn’t exactly father of the year. So, she’d grown closer to her grandfather and farther from her father, and she’d never once regretted it. She still didn’t regret it, even when her grandfather got very, very pushy about things. Like marriage. And grandchildren.

“I’m only twenty-three, Grandfather,” Riza reminded him over the phone as she cleaned up the mess she’d made from dinner.

Grumman scoffed. “So, what?”

“I just graduated college,” Riza listed. “I’m getting started in my career. And, oh, yeah, I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“You don’t need a boyfriend to have a child,” Grumman said.

“I don’t have the money for a child,” Riza told him.

Grumman scoffed again but let it go. “I just don’t want you to be lonely.”

“I’m not lonely,” Riza lied. “I have Rebecca and Hayate.”

“Ah, yes, the scatter-brain and the dog,” Grumman said.

Riza frowned. “You love Rebecca.”

“Of course I do, but she’s got boys on the brain. As soon as she meets someone, she won’t have as much time for you.”

“That’s normal, Grandfather.”

“So, then, who are you bringing to my party next weekend? Rebecca or Hayate?”

Riza froze. “Party?”

“The launch party for my patent?” Grumman asked.

“Yes, of course, that one,” Riza said. She had completely forgotten. “I have a date.”

Riza could practically see his eyebrows raise.

“What?” Grumman asked.

“A date,” Riza repeated. “I have one.”

“You just said you didn’t have a boyfriend.”

“Having a date doesn’t mean I have a boyfriend.”

“You never bring a date.”

It was true; she never did. If she wanted someone there with her, she begged Rebecca to tag along. But all of this talk of boyfriends and grandchildren had made her feel more pathetic than she already did, and she didn’t want her grandfather to worry about her. So if she needed to come up with a date before next Saturday, she would. It didn’t have to be anything serious. Just enough to show him that she wasn’t going to be lonely forever. Probably.

“Well, I have one this time,” Riza said.

“What’s his name?” Grumman sounded equal parts giddy and skeptical.

“It’s a surprise,” Riza said. “I don’t want you trying to stalk him before you meet him.”

“What if I promise not to do that?”

“I’d say you’re a liar who cheats at chess.”

“I never cheat at chess.”

“Yet no denying the liar accusation.”

Grumman laughed. “Oh, Riza, you keep me young. Alright, then. I look forward to meeting your mystery lad next Saturday.”

So did Riza.

“See you then,” Grumman said.

“Goodbye, Grandfather,” Riza said and hung up the phone. She stood at the sink for a moment, up to her elbows in suds, taking in the conversation, and cursed herself at the knowledge she was going to have to download Tinder.

“Why did I say that, Becca?” Riza whined to her best friend the next day at lunch. Becca poked at her salad, spearing a tomato and popping it into her mouth. She took a minute to chew, prompting Riza to pull at the crusts of her peanut butter and jelly sandwich some more.

“Your grandfather is a piece of work,” Rebecca said finally.

Riza fought a groan. “I know that. But now what do I do?”

“Don’t worry about it, Riza,” Becca said, scooping up a piece of chicken. “I know plenty of guys I can set you up with.”

Riza wrinkled her nose. “No offense, Becca, but I don’t want to be ‘set up.’ I just need a date for this stupid party.”

“Party?” Maes Hughes appeared, towing an exhausted-looking Roy Mustang behind him. “Would this happen to be Dr. Grumman’s patent party next weekend?”

“Yes,” Riza said slowly. “How do you know about that?”

“Grumman mentioned to Roy that you were his granddaughter,” Hughes told her. “And Roy here was invited to the party as well. Something about science.”

“Well, I suppose at least I’ll know someone,” Riza said, offering Roy a slight smile. He didn’t return it. His face looked rather gray, and his eyes were red. He looked, for lack of a better term, awful. “Are you alright?”

Roy coughed and looked down at his hands, picking at his fingernails. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just, uh… Serena and I broke up.”

Riza’s heart jumped to her throat. “Oh?”

“Yeah.” Roy nodded. “On Friday.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that,” Riza said. Under the table, Becca kicked Riza in the ankle. Riza shot her friend a look, who gave her an unapologetic smirk in return.

“And the worst part is that he’s been bragging to his mentor about his amazing, beautiful girlfriend for months now, and he was going to show her off at the party,” Hughes added. Riza’s stomach twisted as Hughes went on about how great Serena was.

Roy’s entire face twisted. “I wouldn’t say that that’s the worst part.”

“Riza just told her grandfather that she was bringing a date to the party,” Rebecca chimed in.

“And you’re not?” Hughes asked.

“Well, uh,” Riza stuttered, face turning red.

“Not yet,” Becca said. “But if Mustang here needs a date…”

“I think that’s a great idea!” Hughes exclaimed.

“What?” Riza asked as Roy choked on seemingly nothing.

“You two go to the party together,” Hughes said. “You can have a date for your grandfather, and Roy can introduce his girlfriend to his mentor. It’s perfect!”

Riza couldn’t figure out how to form a sentence. Roy, on the other hand, was opening and closing his mouth like a fish. Finally, he was able to find words.

“I—I couldn’t ask Riza to do that,” he said.

“Well, she’s getting something out of it, too,” Rebecca chimed in. “Grumman can be clingy when it comes to Riza.”

“Come on, Roy,” Hughes said, nudging his friend. “You’ll have fun with Riza, at the very least.”

Roy sighed. “Is this alright with you?”

Riza swallowed. “It’s fine, but you don’t have to go with me—”

“No, I want to,” Roy said. He seemed to wince a little at his words but forged on. “I want to help you.”

“And I want to help you,” Riza said.

“So, it’s a date.” Roy smiled. He still looked tired, especially in his eyes, but the look he gave her was genuine. Genuine enough that it made Riza’s heart skip.

“A date,” she agreed.

Saturday came both slower and quicker than Riza wanted. She couldn’t help but look forward to her pseudo-date, even if she knew Roy was in no state to make any romantic decisions. Nonetheless, she found herself picking out her dress with Rebecca and doing her hair and makeup with care. As she slipped into her heels, there was a knock on her door. Riza hurried to her door and opened it to Roy, dressed in a white button-up and hair slicked back.

“You look beautiful,” Roy greeted. It was so honest, so unprompted that it took Riza’s breath away for a moment. She gained her bearings and smiled.

“Thank you,” she said. “You look nice, too.” Quickly, she gathered her keys and purse, blew a kiss to Hayate, and stepped out of her apartment. Locking the door behind her, she and Roy headed downstairs to his car. The drive to the convention center where the party was being held was long but passed quickly, conversation filling the car. They finally arrived at the center, and the valet took the keys, driving the car to the parking lot.

Roy held his arm out for Riza, and she took it with only slight hesitation. The two headed into the center, which was decorated lavishly in white and black-and-white photos of Grumman’s old inventions. The man in question stood near the entrance, dressed in a smart, black tuxedo. He lit up when he saw Riza, opening his arms. Riza went willingly, letting her grandfather hold her for a moment.

“My darling granddaughter, how are you tonight?” Grumman asked.

“Well, Grandfather, thank you,” Riza said. She took a step back and motioned to Roy. “This is my date, Roy Mustang.”

If possible, Grumman seemed to brighten even more. “Roy Mustang! What a delight to see you here—with Riza!”

“It’s good to see you again, Dr. Grumman,” Roy said, holding his hand out. Grumman shook it enthusiastically, grinning widely.

“I didn’t know you two were close,” Grumman continued. Roy and Riza shared a look.

“Er—”

“Oh—”

“Mustang!” It was a gruff voice, and one that was, unfortunately, familiar, even if it had been nearly six years since she had last heard it. Riza, Roy, and Grumman all turned to see Berthold Hawkeye coming towards them. He wore a wrinkled button-up, and his long hair was ratty, hanging down to his shoulders.

Riza turned to look at her grandfather. “You invited him?”

“I wasn’t in charge of the guest list, my dear,” Grumman said lightly. But his eyes were dark as they followed Berthold. It was Roy’s reaction that struck Riza the most. He smiled brightly and waved at her father.

“Dr. Hawkeye, it’s nice to see you here,” Roy said.

Berthold simply grunted in response, eyeing Riza and Grumman.

“Why on earth would you think it was a good idea to come here, Berthold?” Grumman asked.

“Mustang convinced me,” Berthold said simply.

Roy’s expression had dimmed, coming to stand near Riza once more and grabbing her hand. “Is everything okay?”

“My father doesn’t really get along with my grandfather,” Riza told him.

“He’s your father?” Roy asked.

Riza gave him a strange look. “We have the same last name.”

“Dr. Hawkeye never mentioned having a daughter,” Roy said. “And you never mentioned him either. I figured you would have said something, considering we work in the same field.”

“Of course he didn’t,” Riza muttered.

Berthold turned his attention to Roy and Riza, eyes lingering on his daughter.

“Mustang, your girlfriend is my daughter?” he asked.

Grumman coughed. “Girlfriend?”

Riza and Roy exchanged a look once more.

“Uh…” Roy stammered.

“Yes,” Riza said. “I’m his girlfriend.” Roy squeezed her hand, and Riza squeezed back, hoping it was a good squeeze and not a what do you think you’re doing? squeeze.

“I didn’t think Riza was the name you told me,” Berthold said.

“It was,” Roy said. “Definitely.”

Berthold frowned but let it go. Riza knew for a fact his memory was shit, so she knew better than to expect a fight.

“How did it never come up that you were dating my daughter?” Berthold continued to prod.

“When did you ever pay attention to me?” Riza fired back. She grasped Roy’s hand in both of hers and turned to Grumman. “We’re going to find our seats.”

Grumman simply nodded, and Riza led Roy away to the front table. She collapsed into a seat and dropped her head into her hands. She let out a sigh. That had thrown her off for the night.

“Are you okay?” Roy asked.

“I’m fine,” Riza said sharply. She closed her eyes and shook her head before looking at Roy once more. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting to see my father. I had no idea you knew him.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t put two and two together,” Roy said.

Riza gave a thin-lipped smile. “It’s okay. Let’s just—can we avoid him for the rest of the night?”

Roy reached for her hand, drawing circles on the back of it with his thumb. “Yeah, I came here to spend time with you anyway.”

“I thought you came to show off your girlfriend,” Riza said, looking at their hands.

Roy let out a self-deprecating laugh. Riza winced.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“It’s fine,” Roy said. “Things just didn’t go the way I thought they would, but that’s okay. I have friends like you to keep me company.”

Riza pursed her lips. Friends. There was that stupid word again. How she hated that word.

“Think we accomplished what we set out at least?” Riza asked.

“Yes, I think so,” Roy said. “Now, we just have to sell it.”

“Sell it?” Riza asked.

In response, Roy simply grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it, his lips lingering longer than Riza’s heart could take. Grumman sat down at the table, then, smiling at the two of them. Riza realized what sell it meant. And while the knowledge that that was him selling it stung slightly, she knew that the imprint of his lips on her hand would live in her memory for a long time.