Chapter 3: Changes

Roy was sitting on his camp bed, unknowingly staring at the lit oil lamp when he heard someone opening the flap of his tent. He turned and was startled to find Riza ducking her head and entering his tent.

"Riza?"

She didn't say anything. Instead, she continued to walk towards him. She kneeled between his knees and softly cupped his face in her hands. He could feel slight roughness on her hands. The war has even changed her beautiful hands…

"What are you…", she placed a finger on his lips.

"Shh. We all deserve happiness Roy. Even you" she whispered. She then placed her lips over his, caressing them softly.

It wasn't long before Roy kissed her in return, his hands roaming to the back of her neck, pulling her closer towards him. The kiss was very unlike the one a fortnight ago. It was soft, lips pillowed against each other. It was unhurried, as though time had ceased for them alone. It was also bittersweet, neither Roy nor Riza daring to forget the aching present (their guilt would never allow it).

They part for air, breathing in the scent of each other along with the putrid smell of war that they very much wished to forget.

"Even after all I've done?" Roy asked, forehead leaning on hers.

"I don't care what you have done. We are dogs of the military Roy", she replied softly. She started kissing the side of his lips, kissing his cheek, kissing his neck then pushing aside his collar, and finally kissing his collarbone, erupting goosebumps on his skin. There are things which remain the same…

She slowly unbuttoned his shirt, slipping her hands beneath it, her hands roaming at the newly exposed skin as she pushed the shirt past his shoulders. As her fingers worked to remove the unwanted clothing, her lips were once again on his neck. A sudden jerk and hiss from Roy immediately caused Riza to pause. He wore a slightly pained expression thus Riza completely removed his shirt, tossing it carelessly to the floor.

There she saw it, an ugly bruise just below his left shoulder. She tenderly ran a finger over it. Roy looked down at her and saw that her brows were furrowed. He took the hand hovering over the bruise, and said to her, "It's nothing Riza".

"I didn't know it was this bad" she said. "I didn't think it had hit you that hard". She stayed silent as she continued to look at the discoloured skin.

"It's just a bruise Riza. It'll heal". It's only a bruise…

He kissed her forehead, then lifted up her chin and placed another kiss on her lips. She opened her mouth a little, allowing access to him. He could still taste the coffee in her mouth, as his tongue and hers battled for dominance. Only in ranks they differed, but in every other aspect, they were equals. She was not one to allow domination, and that was exactly what he loved about her.

He parted, causing her slight irritation but she was soon moaning softly as he trailed kisses on her cheek and just below her chin. He nibbled a little on the tip of her ear, one hand pushing back her hair whilst the other on her waist. He went back to kissing her cheek when she suddenly pulled back.

She stood up, taking his hands with her, beckoning him to join her. It didn't need telling twice before he stood before her, lips once again pressed against hers. His hands roamed once more over her body, softly rubbing her back. His fingers slowly moved to the hem of her black t-shirt, pulling it up, exposing her stomach. He slipped his hands beneath the shirt, rubbing her sides. His lips and hers were constantly caressing each other.

Her hands too were roaming over his exposed body. She soon settled with one hand on his chest whilst the other in his hair.

They parted, and he lifted up her shirt, pulling it over her head. He started trailing more kisses over her collarbone, smiled a little as she suppressed a giggle (still ticklish there I see…some things don't change) and continued to leave butterfly kisses over her chest, between her breast and he was soon kneeling, kissing her stomach but stopping abruptly when he came across a fresh scar just below her bellybutton.

"When did you get this?" he asked, a silent rage emerging itself within him. His fingers stroked the scar tenderly. "About two weeks ago. A rogue bullet" she said, her hands now resting on his shoulders. "It's healing" she said, making him look at her small smile. Injuries heal…

He returned to kissing her stomach. She beckoned him to stop for a moment as she unlaced her boots and kicked them off. Whilst she was doing so, he had spread a sheet on the floor (As if the bed was going to be big enough).

Both their trousers were soon found at some remote part of the tent, and she was lying beneath him, being constantly subjected to his adoring kisses and teasing bites. She too had her little demeanours in bed, never allowing Roy to suckle her nipples. It's for our children Roy she teased him. Yes, they had talked of children light-heartedly once.

I still want to be the father of our children Riza, just give me time. Let me become a father worthy of our children…

I wish that one day I could be the mother of our children Roy. Do you think that is nothing but an unrealistic fantasy?

Can we ever find that simple happiness with our hands filth with blood?

Senses now heightened beyond comprehension, they were soon joined as one, a familiar emotion erupting in them once again. There was simply too much death surrounding them for their love-making to ever be truly romantic. A combination of lust, guilt, desire, and love made it all too bitter-sweet, just like the moment their lips had touched each other.

Desperate to mute the barely controllable moans, she would bite her lip, a little too hard when he hit her g-spot that a she could taste her own blood, unwillingly letting out a surprised gasp. He would look up at her, his head buried at the nape of her neck previously, and he would kiss her, tasting her blood on his lips.

The night wore on as they continued to make love in silence, too fearful of getting caught and twisted inside at the guilt of feeling such completion in a war where everything was torn.

They moaned each other's name as they climaxed. She held him tightly as she felt a wave of sensation consume her. He too held her tight, a childish fear that he would lose her once it was all over. He kissed her passionately once again before rolling to her side.

They were both panting slightly, bodies now covered in sweat and a musky smell of sex.

"Everyone deserves some kind of happiness", she whispered into his ear. She sat up and bent down to kiss him. She moved to get up but he caught her wrist. He didn't look at her at first, his head still bowed down, the short bangs of his hair casting a shadow over his eyes.

"Roy?"

"One day Riza…" he looked up slowly. "One day, I'm going to change it all and make you happy". His voice was soft but she could see the determination in his eyes, eyes which many found so difficult to read.

He was now sitting up as well, level with Riza. She looked at him, put her hand on his cheek and leaned her forehead against his. "Make us happy" she said. She smiled at him and after one final kiss, they both got up and started putting on their clothes.

As she started to walk towards the exit, he asked her, "Will you be there for me?"

"Always", she replied. She ducked her head once again and he could hear her footsteps fade away.