ROYAI HOLIDAY FANFICS

Royai 4th Of July 2019

To say that the office was hot was an understatement. To Roy, it felt more like he was standing in the middle of a desert while wearing winter gear. Well, to be exact, Roy had the second part halfway. His uniform stuck to his body, and it made him even more fidgety than he already was. The air conditioner that usually kept them safe from the heat of the summer was broken. Roy cursed Fullmetal for breaking it.
"Colonel, no matter how much you fidget, the temperature of the room will not change." Riza reminded him.
He didn't respond.  He knew she was right, but he couldn't help it.  He couldn't get comfortable.
"Stupid Fullmetal..." Roy grumbled.
Riza only grumbled at the memory of what caused the broken air conditioner.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Yesterday night*
The lights in the boiler room were the only lights on in the whole building.  Roy and Ed were cleaning out the crates that were stored down there.  Unfortunately, Riza has to oversee the process.  She stood and excused herself to use the restroom, but not before warning them to behave.
"How'd we get picked for this?" Ed mumbled.
"It's because of your stupid outburst in the meeting the other day.  And somehow, I was blamed." Roy growled.
"Me!?  I was just speaking the truth!" Ed yelled at him.
"You shouldn't curse out a brigadier general though!  I know you're small but is your brain small too!?" Roy argued.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SHORT YOU can't EVEN SEE HIM WITH A MICROSCOPE!?" Ed yelled while transmutations a spear.  He swung it at Roy.  He barely leaped out of the way in time as Ed's spear sliced right through the air conditioning unit.  Riza has appeared in the doorway just in time to see the whole thing unfold, yet not soon enough to stop it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So... what are you guys doing this weekend?" Fuery tried to break the silence and the miserable air.
"Isn't this weekend the 4th of July?" Havoc asked.
"Yeah.  I'm going to my cousins house to celebrate." Falman said.
"Ooh cool!  I'm headed out to My parents house." Breda said excitedly.  "It's been a while since I've seen them, and I miss their BBQ parties!"
"That sounds like fun!" Roy said. 
"Im going to Rebecca's!  What about you, Lieutenant?" Havoc asked looking in Riza's direction.  She hadn't spoken since the conversation began. 
"I'm going to Rebecca's." She said simply.
"Heyyyy, cool!  Anyone else going to Rebecca's?" Havoc asked.  "She told me she invited all of you..."
"I'll be there." Fuery smiled.
"Me too!" Roy added.
"Gracia and Elysia are going I think..." Havoc said.
The room went silent for a moment.  It was her first holiday without her father around. 
Nobody knew what to say in that moment, but thankfully, the AC clicked back on.
"Oh thank God!" Roy groaned.
All of team mustang took a sigh of relief as the room slowly became cooler.  They finished their work in record speed - in fear that the AC would shut off again, or that Fullmetal would show up and break it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
Riza stood in her closet staring at the clothes hanging there as if they committed some form of offense.  She didn't really have any festive clothes that would be appropriate for a barbecue.  Finally, she settled on blue jeans, navy flip flops, and a white button up sleeveless shirt.  She didn't have any red to wear, and she didn't feel like wearing lipstick.  With that, she got in the car and drove over to Rebecca's.  When she arrived, there was a sign on the door indicating for her to go straight to the back.  There were already a bunch of people mingling and eating and drinking.  The grill was getting started and Havoc was bringing out plates of raw burgers and hot dogs to be cooked.  Elysia was playing in the pool along with some other children that had been invited.
"Riza!" Riza turned at hearing her name called.  It was Rebecca.
Riza smiled at her and returned the hug that Rebecca had initiated.  She and Rebecca walked over to where Fuery, Havoc, and Roy were chatting.  They were each holding a drink.
"What can I get you, Lieutenant?" Roy offered.
"I'm not sure yet, honestly.  I'll grab something when I figure it out" Riza smiled.  "But thank you, sir."
Roy couldn't help but stare at Riza.  It was just like her to look as professional as ever even when at a party.  Her golden hair was in a ponytail rather than a hawks clip.  Roy smiled when she looked at him and they made eye contact.  He didn't realize that they were the only two left in the group, as the others went to get food.
"Are you having fun, sir?" She asked him with a light voice. 
It wasn't her normal, strict tone.  You could tell she was relaxed.
"Yes.  And you?" He asked.
"I am enjoying myself yes.  I don't typically like parties but this one isn't so bad." Riza said.
"Hungry?" Roy asked motioning to the now open buffet.
Riza nodded. "Should we grab something?"
They walked up to get food together.  Riza took baked ziti, a cheeseburger, and a few ribs while Roy piled pasta salad, 2 hot dogs, corn, and ribs onto his own plate.  They found a seat next to Havoc, Fuery, and Rebecca. 
"The food is so good!" Riza complimented Rebecca.
"Aw, thanks Riz!" Rebecca smiled.
They all made casual small talk while they finished their meals. 
"Are you guys staying for the fireworks?" Havoc asked after Rebecca left to go socialize with other guests
"I didn't know there were fireworks." Roy commented.
"It's the 4th man!  There's always fireworks!" Havoc laughed.
"We have some here we are going to set off.  Rebecca said there's a window to the roof for anyone who just wants to watch and not set them off." Fuery informed.
Roy thought about it for a moment.  He looked at Riza, and then to the roof.  It would be perfect.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once the sun had finally set, one could hear fireworks being shot from every corner.  Riza didn't want to set off the fireworks.  She just wanted to sit back and watch.  She and Roy climbed up to the roof.  There were some but not many people up there, so Roy and Riza picked a spot and sat.  Soon enough, bright colored lights filled the sky.
"They're beautiful." Riza commented.
"Just like you." Roy told her.
Riza only looked at Roy.  Did she hear him correctly? "Thanks... Colonel." She told him.  She could feel Roy staring at her even after she looks away, so she redirected her attention back to him.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"Nothing."
"I know you like a book sir." She reminded
"Sorry.  I just have to say this now."  Riza, I love you.  Please... would you go on a date with me?  Forget the frat laws..." he said boldly.
His face was lit up by the red and blue fireworks being shot off.  Riza could only smile at his bold statements.
"I think a date would be lovely." Riza told him in response.
As Roy leaned in to kiss Riza, he failed to notice the little red light from down below coming from Havoc and Rebecca's video camera...