day 1 - stargazing
24 days - 24 oneshots | a collection of oneshots to celebrate royai
rated: g | words: 1334
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“Do you think we’ll be able to see them tonight?”
Riza’s wide eyes whipped up from her schoolwork spread out on the table. She glanced around fearfully, looking for the one person she didn’t want to overhear them.
“It’s okay,” Roy whispered to reassure her. “He’s not nearby. I heard him go back to his study ten minutes ago.”
Her shoulders relaxed. “Still,” Riza berated lightly, “you shouldn’t talk about things like that so openly, Roy.”
He snorted. “I don’t get it,” he murmured, speaking softly. “Why doesn’t he like you enjoying yourself? It’s so weird,” he proclaimed as he sat back in his chair. A crease formed in between his eyebrows as he half glared at the table on her behalf.
Riza supposed her father’s behaviour was strange for someone like him. Someone who’d come from a background where he was surrounded by loved ones who looked out for him and cared about him. And Riza was sure she knew the answer to his musings but wouldn’t dare voice it. Not in this house. Plus, she had no desire to divulge anything either, so she simply shrugged.
“It’s better just to play by his rules.”
The look on Roy’s face made her chest hurt slightly but Riza brushed it off. He looked so sorry for her.
Well, Riza didn’t need his pity, nor did she want it. She was fine. She would be fine. Even after Roy left once his studies were finished, she’d continue to be fine.
It was a mantra that repeated over and over inside her head.
Roy sighed in resignation and went back to his work across the table from Riza.
Some time passed before Riza spoke again. “To answer your question, yes. I think we’ll be able to.”
Roy’s face lit up and he grinned. With renewed energy he returned to his studies.
* * * * * * * * *
“Roy,” Riza called out to him in a whisper. She knocked on his door so lightly, she didn’t think it would alert him to her presence, however it didn’t hurt to try.
The door was wrenched open eagerly. Roy stood wrapped up in his warm clothing and with a scarf secured tightly around his neck. His gloves had been shoved hurriedly into his pockets. They hung haphazardly out of them, threatening to fall to the floor. A black woollen hat had been placed upon his head, the fabric tucked completely over his ears and causing it to sit low on his brow, almost covering his eyes.
“Is it time?” His excitement was palpable, and contagious.
“Yes.”
Riza silently led the way to the back of the house, to the entrance of their attic. She unlocked the door and pushed it open slowly, listening out for creaking hinges. With success, the door was opened with no trouble at all. The duo crept up the stairs into the freezing loft space. Roy shuddered and caught the chill quickly. His arms wrapped around his torso tightly. He tucked his gloved hands underneath his armpits.
Riza walked slowly over to the window to their left. She avoided all the creaking floorboards and indicated Roy to do the same. The thick layer of dust allowed Riza to leave a clear pathway, which Roy followed with ease. His booted feet slotted into her footprints and their travel across the attic was soundless.
As soon as the window was cracked open a biting wind rushed inside. Both children shivered and groaned but it didn’t deter them in their quest. Riza climbed out first to show Roy where to go, and he followed quickly behind. Both finally came to rest on the roof, perched atop the spine of it, where it was flattest. Once they were safe – relatively safe – and steady, Riza looked up.
“Oh, wow,” Roy breathed beside her.
The night was clear and bright. The moon reflected off the fallen snow, making the world a lot lighter than it would have been without it. The sky was covered in stars.
Riza looked up and excitedly pointed out a galaxy to their right. She leaned into Roy and directed his attention towards it immediately and with glee. She was so excited to see it. She’d read about it before, been told about the possibility of seeing it on a clear night in winter at the market but had never had the chance to experience the sight. It left her in awe. It was so beautiful.
“I’ve never seen so many stars before,” Roy declared. He sounded as amazed as Riza felt.
“On clear nights we can see a lot,” Riza whispered enthusiastically. She was almost bouncing on the spot but managed to restrain herself. “But I’ve never seen this many before. I haven’t seen the galaxy before.” She sighed happily. “I’m so glad I got the chance.”
Roy didn’t reply and silence fell between them for a short period of time. Riza thought nothing of it and continued to stare up at the night sky in wonder.
“You really love this stuff, don’t you,” Roy grinned down at her.
Riza tore her gaze away from the stars and blinked at Roy. As his question registered and she saw his smile, embarrassment and a hint of shame crept up on her. Fear curled around her heart and Riza was sure she paled.
You shouldn’t be wasting with that drivel, her father’s angry voice echoed in her head. Only that was for everything that wasn’t related to alchemy. Fictional stories, radio dramas… Everything.
She felt the skin of her face heat up. “I – I mean –”
“It’s okay if you do, Riza,” Roy replied kindly, sensing her embarrassment and fear at being found out. “It’s a good thing. It’s great! Thank you for telling me about it and sharing this with me,” he added as he turned his head up to look at the stars once more. “I’m so grateful for you,” he breathed.
Cheeks still feeling rather pink, Riza nodded and smiled shyly. “You’re welcome, Roy.”
Silence fell once more, and she brought her knees tighter to her chest. Riza tucker her chin inside her scarf, hiding her mouth, as she mulled over what just happened. Her smile was tentative, but it remained. It threatened to spread wider, and Riza let it. She didn’t know why Roy’s acceptance of what she found interesting mattered so much, but it was so… nice to finally get it from someone she considered close to her. To hear that it was all right to like the things she did. She’d been bereft of it for too long in this house.
“Thank you for listening, Roy,” she whispered.
Riza wished she could voice how much it meant to her, but the words wouldn’t come. She did feel a warmth spread across her chest and a peace wash over her. It relaxed her posture and her face peeked out from beneath her scarf to face him once more.
His grin returned to his face.
“Tell me more about them,” Roy requested. “Please. I would love to learn.”
Riza blinked up at him in disbelief. “Are you sure?”
His nod was enthusiastic.
“Oh. Okay.” Riza shifted and leaned into him so she could direct his gaze easily. Without fear and hesitation, she started to point out things of note. She showed off her knowledge and understanding and was happy and proud to do so.
That night, she told Roy everything she knew about the stars and the planets above them. He was attentive and respectful, asking questions and keeping her talking about it for far longer than Riza ever would have expected. She wondered if he was simply doing it because he felt sorry for her, but that wasn’t the case. He was excited to learn and wanted her to teach him. Roy told her that himself. He wanted her to tell him all about it. He told her he was happy she’d found something to be so passionate about.
And that meant the world to Riza.
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