Ze Cocktail Partay Aftermath!

[drownsinflowers]

[Sometimes, things work out perfectly well.

They'd managed to successfully say goodbye to their hosts, upholding an incredibly professional appearance at least until they left the building. He might have snuck in a few touches of his hand against Riza's over his arm on the way home, and the conversation took on a much more relaxed air.

He paused just outside her apartment, glancing up-- and then back at her trying to gauge the mood because he really wasn't sure if it was something she still wanted to do. This was a big deal, even if it was just tea.]

Here we are...

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[drownsinflowers]

[The magnitude of all this between them would very likely take a lot of time for him to truly realise, but slowly, surely he was seeing all the pieces, and all the thoughts of how, when, why, where flitted through his mind and back out of it again.

She was warm after all, warm, and right there by his side - tangible and real. This was real, they were real. Not something drawn of his most intimate dreams and desires - in innocence as well as in something intense and sexual.

Riza has always managed to bring him right back to where he needed to be. Away from the precipice of his anger, down from the ledges he'd pushed himself to, and most regularly to come back to the paperwork that so frequently filled his desk.

This was different, it was simple and yet so important. She was right of course, as she often was. It was the most important thing was it not? They could have this, the rules of the military might find themselves needing to bend to meet their needs now - but things were different, and they'd proven to themselves and the world that they were capable of putting bigger things first.

So she earned herself his quiet for the most part, a smile that he rarely wore even when it was just the two of them.

He wasn't drunk, not by a long shot. Perhaps the hormones riddling his body had a lot to do with it, but the words had never been truer from anyone else. Slowly he shifted to be able to rise up onto his elbow, free hand reaching out to touch her cheek, coaxing her to look at him as he bent closer, with every intention of kissing her - not that he needed his gaze to flick between her lips and her eyes much more to convey that.]

I love you.

[inhersights]

[ She was just about to be content for the silence, for the words left unsaid as they are wont, until Roy spoke...

-- and for a moment that seemed to have stretched on to forever, Riza gazed as if puzzled -- but it was more of her trying to recall as to when exactly was the last time she had heard him say those words?

The opportunities were far apart and far too few, in her opinion. There were eyes and ears that followed -- preyed -- on them. Tonight however, was further proof that the world is changing, and that indeed, whatever efforts and sacrifices they have sowed in the past, they now come to reap their fruits.

With the physical high subsiding, her heart gives way to a different kind of high -- relief, joy, satisfaction all in one package. Her emotions then bid her to smile in return. With her hand over his heart -- ]

Will you say it again? Please.

[ She's not drunk either, but her request was far less because of her misunderstanding, but she just wants to hear his voice saying those words again. ]

[drownsinflowers]

[There's quiet.

It's not the kind of silence that he's afraid of. He can hear the beat of her heart although it's more likely because he can feel it, but her breathing is leveling out rather than hitching, his own equally so.

Although, there's almost too much time between his words and her smile. It stretches his anxiety, and tendrils of worry begin to try and worm they way through his veins but then there's that look on her face, a hand over his chest and he lets out a soft half-laugh, leaning closer to kiss the corner of her mouth, her cheek, the side of her face, settling by her ear.]

I love you, Riza Hawkeye.

[inhersights]

[ When Roy drew nearer, Riza held him tighter. Soft laughter bubbled to her lips at Roy's kisses, and she nuzzled his face as he did so.

Anticipating her request to be granted, she closed her eyes...

And when he said it, she released a breath that she barely realized she held. In a sigh -- ]

Roy...

[ She shifted, gently coaxing her partner to a position where she can touch his face and look him in the eye. ]

I love you.

[ Her face showed all of the gladness to be able to say those words to him. For all those times they have only allowed themselves the most subtle of gestures and looks, being able to speak her heart to the man she loves made it all feel complete. ]

[drownsinflowers]

[Hearing her laughter was enough to bring on a smile of his own, but he was already somewhere in the clouds. This was... so surreal and yet so right. After years of ignoring these feelings, deny the truth, and forcing themselves to forget about it. Here it was.

Roy would have looked at her without the nudge, but he let her guide him all the same, lips curling up into a very comfortable smile as the words left her mouth.

There was nothing else to say, not really. It was there, in those three words and nothing would change it. Right now, here, in her bed he vowed never to let a thing come between them, no matter what the challenges, and with that quiet promise to himself he tipped his head closer, pressing his forehead against hers.]

[inhersights]

[ Albeit that old habits die hard, but Riza was just thankful for the option, and in the same heartbeat, she vowed to the same in return for Roy. It would be back to the strict formalities once they step back out into the world, but that was something to worry over for another time.

She closed her eyes at the contact, revelling in the closeness. Brushing her lips to his, she mouths those words again -- only because she can -- before pressing in for a brief kiss. ]

Lights out?

[ She's loathe to remind him verbally that they have Things To Do in the morning. Besides, Riza knows when to figuratively pour a bucket of ice over Roy. ]

[drownsinflowers]

[He would have been happy to settle here, not quite hovering over her for at least another half hour, but the kiss she does press him into is pleasing enough. More than pleasing, especially when he can easily recognise the words she mouths against his lips.

A chuckle rises from him with little effort, and he very slowly drops back down into the space beside her, letting his hand sweep over her stomach in the process, settling right in the middle over her navel.]

Lights out.

[Not that he's sure he'll be able to sleep. Tomorrow - they will have their tea and he supposes, there are plenty of other things to be doing too. A sly smirk curls the corner of his mouth up but he presses his head to her pillow, turning his face toward it and inhaling slowly.

It was silly to think that her bed sheets wouldn't smell of her.]

[inhersights]

[ Riza made a mental note to summon that sound from him more often -- she would confess to do so for her own personal enjoyment; but of course, if Roy was happy in any measure, then she was happy.

Roy's touches coaxed more soft sounds of amusement, as she took a short moment to reach out and switch off her bedside lamp. As she slid back closely beside him, she smiled amusingly. She was tempted to fight and stay awake, just so she can watch him sleep in her bed, but he'll need her eyes alert, as always. ]

Good night, Roy.

[ ... and now her sheets will smell of him, too. ]

[drownsinflowers]

[It was highly likely that over the course of-- whatever this was, he would make more pleased sounds around her. Whether they be gentle, cited chuckles or full on laughter would depend on the situation. Generally speaking though, he felt like a huge weight had been lifted and perhaps that was why his eyes closed so easily after she turned off the light, letting her move until she'd tucked herself in beside him.

His only real fear right now was that he would wake up in the morning and things would be different, but there was no waiting it out, so he settled closer to her, let his lips move to brush against her cheek, and his hand relax across her.]

Goodnight, Riza.

[It didn't take him long to fall asleep, but once he'd fallen deep enough there was little that would shake him. Whatever alarms Riza had set made him grumble, and he'd moved enough during the night to have no qualms about turning his back to her, groaning as he did.]