The Value of Things Like Paperclips

Author: MoonStarDutchess

Part 5: Even Paperclips

Disclaimer: I claim no ownership whatsoever of Fullmetal Alchemist and gain no monetary profit from this fanfiction. I do own my plot so if I catch anyone copying it, regardless of fandom, I won't be a happy MSD.

Even Paperclips

Roy looked away, as if he didn't feel fit to set eyes on her. "Why is it always, always about what I want? Don't you ever think of yourself in the slightest?" His voice was full of anger, at her for putting focus on him: at himself for always taking her focus without a word of resistance. He turned back to look at her, resisting a smile upon seeing her beautiful face. "I'm your boyfriend, no, not only that. We've been together, around each other since we were children. I didn't know anything like your birthday, or any other special day you might find meaningful."

"But, I don't find my birthday meaningful or any other days particularly special other than…"

"Don't you dare say my birthday," he snapped.

Riza laughed and skipped that part of her reply; it had indeed been about his birthday.

"Seriously, you should just forget about me."

It was Riza's turn to get angry; she couldn't believe that he was being so hard on himself over such a trivial matter. . "Don't be so hard on yourself. I would have mentioned it if I had cared."

Roy sighed and tried to calm his nerves. "I should have known that you wouldn't give a damn. In fact, I think I did, it's just… it's just that I felt like a horrible man for not knowing something I should have known."

She smiled, "You are far from a horrible man Roy. Did you spend your entire lunch break trying to find out when my birthday was? You could have just looked in my personal record. "

Roy looked surprised at the question and shook his head. "No, that's not what I was doing. I tried to do some shopping in the main district." He cringed; he hadn't meant to tell Riza about that, it had just come out before he could think about his words.

"You! You went shopping?"

Roy frowned, "You don't have to say it like it's a shocking revelation."

"But it is shocking. You rarely shop and never on your own, and never in the main district. You always said it was too crowded."

"It was for something important."

"You didn't come back with anything though."

"Don't remind me. I failed."

"Failed? How do you fail shopping?"

Roy sighed, "I couldn't find you anything. I was going to go to the Xingese marketplace but-"

"Wait a minute, find me something?"

"Yeah, I was going to get you a gift. A really good one."

"You took the gift thing the girls said, seriously as well, didn't you?"

"Well…" he trailed off, lowering his focus to his tray and studying the pattern that was slowly peaking out between the sandwiches. He directed his gaze back to her when he heard her laugh.

"I made it clear it to them that it didn't bother me not to get any gifts," she said.

"Yeah, but by me not getting you anything I was afraid deep down you wouldn't think I cared for you. I never do anything nice for you."

"Are you insane? She held up the blue paperclip in her hand, "How about this?"

"That's nothing."

"You're wrong," she said. "You put your heart into this. You remembered how much I liked blue paperclips. I had no idea that you would remember that I had such a strange fondness for an item. You surprised me with this and that means so much. I would rather have something like this than anything you could buy me."

"Do you really mean that?" he questioned.

"Yes," she said, "I really mean that."

Roy grinned. "You'll probably never stop hearing from the girls about what a lousy boyfriend I am."

"Then I'll have to correct them the next time they bring up the gift issue. Maybe I'll tell them about the paperclip."

"Won't mean much to women like them," he said. "They put too much focus on what is purchased."

"They'll learn when they find a guy as great as mine," Riza said, standing up and grabbing the paperclip off the table.

Roy swiveled in his seat and grabbed her around the waist. He pulled her closer and rested his head against her stomach, causing her to smile. She ran her hand through his dark locks but paused when Roy spoke, "I love you."

"I love you too," she said.

It was times like that and words like the ones spoken that showed that there were more valuable things than what could be bought with money. There were things more valuable than silver, gold, jewelry, and yes, even paperclips.

AN: I thought for sure this part would be long but alas, no. Still it didn't feel right putting it with the previous chapter so here it is. Hope you all liked the story! By the way, please go to my profile to vote in a poll I made. It could possibly affect something I do writing wise.