Chapter Text
https://www.deviantart.com/jsprocket/art/Mustang-and-Hawkeye-869708897
Roy was disturbed from much needed sleepby the sound of a dog barking. For a moment he wondered who let their dog bark senselessly. Refusing to open his eyes he tried to remain close to the warm fuzzy feeling of sleep. When four paws landed on his stomach winding him he remembered the dog was his. Or rather his god-daughter's.
"Shit Hayate!" He choked as he pushed the dog off to clutch his gut. "No jumping!" He ordered. The dog whined then looked towards the front door. "I should quit sleeping on the couch. Is it time for Elicia to get home?" The dark haired man reached over a hand and scratched the little black and white dog's head.
He sighed and stood up rubbing his face and trying to look better rested than he felt. "She already worries enough," He muttered picking up some dishes off the coffee table and taking them to the kitchen sink. His house was fairly clean. Mostly a little cluttered and in need of a dusting but otherwise tidy.
The place was a little lacking in decor. Roy could always agree to that, even after he'd let Elicia run rampant with some paint samples and a few gift cards he'd decided were better used on the house. But the walls were a warm grey with blues and a hint of black in the bits of wall art and the photo frames. The only room in the house that looked complete was the girl's.
Elicia's room was a gamer's hideaway. Roy had been too eager to listen to his charge's request for a tech themed room and it was done up in retro arcade fashion. She loved it. While still very much a femenine child she leaned towards pop culture. Roy had no problem and even encouraged her. Who was he to judge the daugher of his best friend?
Maes Hughes had been a fellow police cadet in academy. Although rivals at first they discovered a shared common goal and became fast friends. As they went on to be actual officers and Hughes got married their friendship had reached the bonds of brotherhood.
When Maes and Gracia Hughes were killed by a drunk driver one night everything changed. As the girl's Godfather, Roy had legal rights to her. He had expected Gracia's family to show a desire in raising the girl in a proper home instead of leaving her to a bachelor cop. But it seemed Hughes was a bit disliked by his wife's family and they had shown no interest in Elicia.
Of course once Roy had agreed to the child services evaluation-which he passed to his suprise-Gracia's sister and mother had made demands of Roy on visitation rights. Roy had looked at his lawyer who nodded in approval and then explained that requesting absolutely no rights before Roy Mustang was deemed fit meant that they had no grounds to demand anything.
Footsteps hurried up the porch breaking his reverie and then the key turned in the lock. The door swung open as Black Hayate bounded to the girl yipping excitedly. "Uncle Roy I'm home!" The twelve year old called out.
"In the kitchen Elicia. I'm trying to figure out dinner," He replied.
There was the sound of two sneakers dropping on the faux wood floors followed by a heavy bag of books and then she appeared. Her light reddish brown hair was braided and she carried the Shiba Inu in her arms. "There's still some leftover lasagna. Unless you want something else?" She suggested.
"No that works," Roy said. "I'll go put my uniform on, mind heating it up?"
Elicia smiled wide and put her pet down.
Roy went to his room, shut the door, and sighed. Pulling out his blue uniform and leather shoes. "So much for rest," he mumbled. After a quick shower and shave he got dressed and then went to comb his unruly hair. The shadows under his eyes were almost too dark and his black eyes looked dull. His natually fair tone looked even paler due to the recent stint of night shifts.
Chief Armstrong hated him enough to ignore his family requirements and had him working evening patrol. This had been going on for three months and Roy was getting fed up. Technically he had a daughter to raise. And leaving her home at night never felt safe.
"I'm going to make Armstrong take me off of night patrol," He said as he walked back to the kitchen. Two plates of warm lasagna and breadsticks were on the little table at the window. But Elicia and Hayate were no where in sight. "Elicia?"
"Boo!" The girl jumped out from the pantry behind him.
Admittedly he started at her scare. This caused him to trip and he grabbed the counter to catch himself. She laughed as he narrowed his eyes at her. "Oh you think it's funny huh?" He asked. "How about I give your food to Hayate. I'm sure he'd be delighted."
No that's mine!" The preteen charged for her seat, Roy hot on her heels. He took his own as they shared a laugh.
Dinner was a quick event as it was these days. Once finished with his plate Roy went to make a pot of coffee. "I'm going to leave a little early tonight and stop in on Riza."
Elicia grinned knowingly. "Good idea." As far as anyone who knew Roy could tell, he had a huge crush on the scientist. Riza Hawkeye was the daughter of Professor Berthold Hawkeye and his research partner. Roy had known them since childhood and the Professor had taught them both science in high school. Roy had never gotten over his childhood feelings for Riza even when she went to university and he to police academy.
Now they remained good friends. Riza was a bit oblivous to Roy's feelings, always too focused on her research and experiments. And Roy was hopelessly anxious and unskilled in actually explaining his emotions. He was known for flirting with any female by reputation but in reality he choked when it came to someone he actually fancied.
"You should bring something with you," The girl added.
"Like what?" The bachelor turned to give her a slightly terrified look of confusion.
"Something she'll find useful. Like a treat or maybe some of that really good coffee you make."
Roy pointed a finger at her. "Ok, coffee." People often wondered what he did to make such good coffee. He never explained that it was several different blends mixed with some vanilla syrup. Why give away his trade secrets when he could have people begging him to make them some.
He made the coffee and put into a thermos.
Roy adjusted his uniform once more before looking at his goddaughter. "Well?" He asked in concern.
"You look great, now hurry!" She ushered him out.
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The Hawkeye Research Institute may not have been large or impressive but it was full of cool stuff. By this time of day it was rare for there to be anyone other than the father and daughter on premise. Which meant he would probably get a few minutes alone. His hands gripped the thermos tightly as he walked to the apartment on site.
As a trusted friend Riza had given him an entry badge so he wouldn't get harassed by the pushy little guard. It also helped he was an officer, if he popped in he could always claim it was out of duty to check up on them. So when he knocked on the door to their living quarters Riza wasn't surprised. "Roy," She greeted. When the security company they hired refused to let her have access to the surveilance she had simply hacked in and watched the feeds whenever she wanted. Of course she knew he was here before he knocked on the door.
"I brought you coffee." Roy held up the thermos with a wavering smile.
"That's very thoughtful, do you have time to come in?"
"My patrol doesn't start for another hour," He replied. Riza slid out of his way letting him in.
"Daddy, look who dropped by with coffee."
The older scientist looked up his dark brown eyes lighting up at the familiar cop's features. "Hello Mustang, come to see the curiosities?" He was getting on in age and health, a reason they both worked day and night on their Bionic Technology Integration project.
"Of course. I'm always wondering what you two cook up," He replied.
Riza took the thermos and then handed out mugs filling them up with the hot fluid. She took a sip and hummed appreciatively. "Oh you made your special recipe."
"How's the arm?" Roy asked.
Berthold and Riza pointed to a work table where a very human looking robotic arm lay. "Still having trouble getting it to work. It'll flinch and make a fist sometimes when we're trying to get it to move but it seems the transferance of human thought to computer code is a little more complicated," The father explained.
Always intrigued by the Hawkeyes' attention to detail he stared at the full length arm with a series of wires jutting from the shoulder joint. "It looks like the real deal," He noted.
"Once we figure out where the miscomunication between brain and processor is this will revoutionize the world of medicine." Riza stood beside him close enough they were almost touching. Roy became aware of her presence and froze. To keep calm he drained his coffee. For a moment he was aware of the warmth coming off her and then he looked at her face. She was watching him curiously as if she knew his feelings and was waiting for him to make a move.
He panicked and turned away too quickly stumbling over his own feet and almost dropping the now empty mug. Flailing he righted himself as Riza and her father watched nervously. Roy had always been a bit of a klutz and they feared for the safety of their work with him near sometimes.
"You'll be making organs too?" Roy asked to ease the tension.
"Yep this here is the hydraulic heart." Riza showed him a small pump with clear outer walls so the dual ventricals within were visible. She pressed a button on the stand it was displayed on and it started pumping. Roy listened raptly at the unsual beat it made. Rather than the th-thump of a human heart this made a soft sh-shunk noise. "One day people won't die on a waiting list for heart transplants," Riza murmured.
Roy nodded silently. They were close again but this time he enjoyed the proximity.
"What about the you know what?" He asked. Neither one had really been supposed to tell him about their project for the city but he knew and kept it quiet. He just didn't know the actual title.
"Oh the blueprints are there on the wall." Riza pointed and Roy took a look.
Said blueprints featured a man's body with detailed designs of marvelous machinery. Including an array of everyday items that felt out of place. "Are those tools in the fingers?"
"Twenty every day items used by the average person and detective. All at one's fingertips," Berthold answered. "The mayor wants a Cyber-officer in the next five years."
"I know we only agreed to it for our funding grant," Riza added, "But we've had some fun with the design."
"When will you start this?" He looked a little concerned.
"Not until we get a willing volunteer. It's a big deal and no cop wants their insides played with," Berthold answered. "At the moment, no one has and our grant will run out if we don't get someone."
The officer looked between the two of them and noted the concern and worry in their identical brown eyes. Roy knew he wanted to show Riza he was there for her but if he said what he was thinking of saying would they take him seriously? So few people did.
"What about me?" He blurted. So much for thinking it through.
"What?" Riza frowned at him.
"Me, I'll be your first volunteer. You don't have to do anything yet. It's a reconstructive process in the event of fatal injuries. But having a name on the project keeps you going yes?"
"Roy do you know what this means?" Riza was giving him that look. The one she made when she thought he was being outrageous or hadn't thought something through It was a look of bemused worry. He squared his jaw turning his intense onyx gaze to her.
"I do and I mean it. Elicia is counting on me, I'm a cop. Cops die from wounds and injuries all the time. If I die who does she have? Her aunt is a crazy woman and her grandmother is the evil stepmother from cinderella." He took a deep breath. "I'll do whatever I can to keep my promise to Maes even if I have to cross a river of mud. There are goals I refuse to give up."
Riza stared at him in surprise. "You're sure?" She asked. There was an incredulous gleam in her eyes. "Once you agree there may not be time to back out if the time ever does come. You may be comatose."
"I know," He murmured softly. "I think I could survive getting turned into your science experiment. I trust you."
Riza grabbed his face and kissed his cheek suddenly. He remained motionless feeling her lips on his face. For a moment there was nothing but that breif contact. She pulled away and smirked at his shocked state. The mug slid from his hands crashing on the floor.
The resounding shatter startled him from his trance and he winced. "Shit," he murmured bending down to pick up shards of ceramic. Riza put a hand on his shoulder to stop him.
"It's ok I'll clean it up. You should get to the precinct for your patrol."
"Ok," He murmured. She kissed me. Was all he could think as he made his way to the door. "I'll see you soon I'm sure."
"I'll call in on Elicia in a bit and see how she is," Riza promised.
"Thanks." He opened the door and she grabbed it.
"Good luck tonight." Riza whispered.
"Thank you," Roy whispered back. Then he was walking down the steps missing the last one and barely correcting himself before nose diving into the asphalt below. He gave a sheepish grin and waved as he hurried to his patrol car.
Berthold chuckled from behind his daughter. "Sometimes I wonder how he graduated the academy."
"It's not his finesse that makes him a good cop it's his heart," Riza replied. "He cares about people."
"Which is why he would make an excellent candidate," Her father added.
"Which is why he makes a good man," His daughter corrected while he chuckled more.
Berthold went over to the arm and sighed. "How to get this working..." Riza came back from disposing of the mug remains to find her father armwrestling the robotic protoype. She stared blankly.
"How?"
"Instead of trying to force it to work I just thought about an action as if I were doing it and now it works." He grinned. "It's not thought but will that works it."
Riza went to get something to celebrate with.