Warning: mild spoilers ahead. No like, no read, or at least don’t highlight.

This is perhaps one of the most recognized/flouted pairings in all of FMA. It’s also the only one I can (in good conscience) support. It honestly makes sense, and there is a great deal of subtle interplay between the characters that seems to support this shipping. (After seeing the end of the movie, I have come to the conclusion that this is the only canonical shipping. EdWin doesn’t work for obvious reasons in the anime; however, *Mustang and Hawkeye get absolutely NO ending whatsoever*, so this isn’t exactly Word of God yet.)

Mustang is a colonel (and later, general) in the Amestrian army; Hawkeye is a lieutenant who serves beneath him to help him reach his goals. She is extremely devoted to him and even acts as an informal bodyguard in several circumstances. For example, in episode 14 (manga volume 2), when they’re fighting Scar, Riza knocks him out of the way so he won’t get killed. Of course, she then promptly informs him that he’s useless in the rain and should stay out of her way. Way to ruin the moment, Hawkeye. But then, she’s not very emotional anyway.

What the heck was that for?!

Most of their relationship is formal, as expected in the military. However, Riza good-naturedly puts up with his womanizing ways and personality quirks. She also withstands his ego (major props to her) and loyally stands by him, even when he’s not necessarily in the right.

All right, Roy, that’s enough…

*Major spoiler alert for the next two paragraphs*

One of the most poignant moments of the whole season was in Episode 51 (no corresponding manga chapter), following Roy’s battle with Fuhrer Bradley. He’s collapsed, bleeding, having lost an eye and been cut multiple times by Bradley’s sword. Hawkeye, believing he’s dead, begins to weep over his prone form while a Chopin piano piece plays in the background. Very, very sad. Of course, we eventually find out he’s not dead (yay!). Then he decides to be all emo off screen, gives up his generalship (so he’s just enlisted), and heads off for a little post out in the sticks. IDIOT!!! YOU COULD HAVE HAD RIZA, BUT NOOOOOOO!!! *cough* sorry.

Please don’t die…

In the movie, Mustang finally comes back at the very end to aid his comrades against the invaders. He assumes command and directs everyone to an organized defense. (As Havoc points out, he sure gives a lot of orders for an enlisted man.) Hawkeye, for some reason, is not given any orders; he seems not to notice her. After saluting him, she says very softly, “We’ve been waiting for you.” The last you see of these two is when Mustang jury-rigs a hot-air balloon to take him up to the Elric brothers. He tells her there’s only room for one; she yells (while being restrained by Armstrong) “You liar! Get back here!” Aaaaand… you never see them again after the battle. No joke.

*end major spoilers*

Canon? I’ll definitely say yes on this one. There is so much subtext and subtle interplay between these two characters that unless Hiromu Arakawa wants a fan revolt on her hands, this will pretty much be an official pairing. As I said – perhaps the only official pairing, considering what happens to the Elric brothers and Heidrich. I would guess that perhaps 35-40% of romance-based fanfics are centered around this pairing; the only one that is possibly more popular would be EdWin. (You’ll notice I’m only including het pairings. There’s a reason for that.) IMHO, Hawkeye could possibly find a better man (i.e., less womanizing), but it would be a pretty tough job. And Roy would be really hard-pressed to find a better woman. This is perhaps my favorite pairing (out of, like, the three that I support), and I find it really sweet and beautiful for some reason.

~Stardragon

PS- Bonus fanart by me~!  (Fanart is © 2008 to Stardragon – but Fullmetal Alchemist is not.)

(Admin note: CJ ships this pairing too~! And in her humble opinion, Roy would do anything to see Riza in a miniskirt. ;D)