Author's note: I do not own FMA or its characters. Spoilers for Hawkeye and Mustang's past. This is AU.

Not Quite Smooth Sailing

They had to go back to the ball eventually. As much as Riza would prefer to stay outside with Roy, she knew that sooner or later they were going to have to go back. She was happy enough that she didn’t really mind too much. The weight of the engagement ring on her finger was a small thing really, but it somehow made everything much clearer. It was a decision she hadn’t expected from Roy, and one that was also rather obvious. She couldn’t think now why she hadn’t come up with it earlier. That would have been much better than spending her time worrying about what would happen to their relationship when Roy married someone else.

When they did go back inside, Roy refused to let her leave his side. Of course, given the way some of the women in the room were eying her, Riza didn’t mind having someone to put between herself and them. It seemed that a number of people had deduced Roy’s choice of bride from his reaction to her entrance. Quite a few people approached the pair offering veiled congratulations and trying to figure out just who Riza was. It still baffled her that so many people couldn’t figure out who she was. She might not be that well known by the court, but really, how many blonds were there that spent as much time as she did around Mustang?

Everyone would find out soon enough. Roy was supposed to make the announcement of his bride at midnight when everyone would unmask. It was going to cause quite a stir was her guess. Riza was a member of the nobility, but she clearly hadn’t been considered as one of those in the running for Roy’s wife, and she rather doubted that Roy had discussed his choice with anyone other than Maes and Gracia. Hopefully once everyone gets over their surprise, things would go smoothly from there. Not that it truly mattered as long as come what may she was at Roy’s side. At least the people involved in the office betting pool about them would be happy. Riza’s known about it since it was started even if she doesn’t know who had what dates. But somebody had probably won a lot of money tonight.

Roy kept the two of them out on the dance floor for most of the evening. It was one of the few places where the two of them weren’t being bombarded with congratulations and questions. Unfortunately, they couldn’t dance forever. As midnight approached, Riza prepared herself for the announcement. There were going to be a number of disappointed women, and Riza was rather comforted by the fact that she was armed. She didn’t really think anyone was going to try anything other than talk Roy into a different choice, but her guns were a comforting weight that reminded her if something happened she could take of it.

Roy squeezed her hand. “So I figure we make the announcement tonight, and then hide for the next few days to escape the hue and cry before figuring out how to elope. I just realized that the same people who planned the balls will probably want to plan our wedding.”

She bit back a smirk. He had only just realized that he had to go through a formal wedding ceremony that if certain people had their way would probably resemble an overblown romantic theatrical production. It was something she had realized once the balls had been announced. For all that Roy was not fond of the formality and pageantry that came with rank, there were some things he couldn’t avoid. Of course, if the two of them actually got involved with the wedding plans, they would be able to keep that at a minimum. As much as Riza would have liked to elope, she doubted it was an option they really had. Especially given that their wedding ceremony might give Roy a chance to appeal to the public of the country. Everyone loved a wedding.

A few minutes before midnight the two of them made their way to the platform in front of the band to make the announcement. One minute before midnight everyone in the room prepared for the unmasking and announcement. As the clock struck midnight, all hell broke lose.