A/N: Well… It has been a long time. As I was going through my bookshelf, I found an old copy (regrettably, the only copy) of Full Metal Alchemist, and out of sentiment began thumbing through it. I realized how much that series, and the people I'm reminded of when I think about it, influenced my everything and so to make a long story short, thumbing through that volume turned into watching all of Brotherhood for the first time, reading more or less every Royai fanfiction I could get my hands on without cringing, and thus being inspired to write more of my own. I like to think I've improved a little bit since I was thirteen, and will attempt to rewrite the horror that is 'coffee chat'. Why did I even name it this? There's only one chapter that deals with coffee. UGH.

Outside the garden window the winds howled and the rain poured, leaving the colonial in a less than chatty mood. It was well past the normal hours of a day in the office for someone of his rank – any other bachelor in his position would have left already, probably at one of the bars they frequented, searching for something (someone?) to take the edge off. Alas, Roy Mustang was on a mission. Not even the rain could ruin this.

Clearing his throat and pulling his eyes from the clouds he spoke up.

"You know, Lieutenant, it's looking pretty bad out there." The woman sitting opposite him made a noncommittal noise, pen scratching softly on paper. "Perfect weather for a cup of coffee." At that she looked up, the scratching stopped.

"Yes, sir. Should I go make a pot?" Roy grimaced, evidently not relishing in the thought.

"That sludge is hardly fit to be called coffee. I'm sure it's responsible for some of the higher ranks going crazy…" Riza's eyes danced, but she said nothing. "Actually, they just put in a new Café across from the florist. I wouldn't mind checking it out…?" Roy noticed a frown tugging on Riza's lips. "Purely for military purposes, of course."

"Military purposes, you say?" A blonde eyebrow rose up at him. Roy smirked.

"It could be an undercover operation of some sort. Drachma has been fairly active recently, they could be making plans."

"Making plans by running a coffee shop," Riza clarified. Roy shrugged.

"Do I have to make it an order?"

Riza stopped writing again, and her shoulders rose and fell with a sigh.

"No, sir. Let me get my coat."

On the way, Roy was mostly quiet, only offering her small observations of what was happening around them. He held an umbrella over them both, but that didn't stop the wind from chilling them both to the bone. She replied with small nods and the occasional smile – Roy began to rethink the entire situation. Maybe years of being together in a military setting really had ruined his chances.

They at last reached the café, sliding into a booth opposite one another. A barista practically threw them both small menus, sneering at Riza's 'thank you'. There was no love for the military it seemed, even in a neutral place like a coffeehouse.

"Thank you, sir." Riza said quietly, after the woman had left. Roy smiled in response, gently chiding her.

"We are off duty, Riza. I'd prefer it if you called me Roy."

Riza almost smiled. "But, sir, I thought we were here to investigate the threat of Drachma?" Inwardly, Roy cursed. He'd forgotten about that. At Roy's pained expression Riza gave a small laugh. "It was a joke, Roy."

Roy could have shouted in joy, and he had trouble containing his mirth. "Why, Riza, you do have a sense of humor! I never would have thought!"

"Just don't let it get out to the rest of the office, they would never get anything done for trying to cajole me into saying something amusing," Riza shook her head, accepting her coffee from the waitress. "Thank you."

The pair sipped at their drinks, Riza relishing her cappuccino and handing two sugars to Roy for his coffee.

"So Lieutenant, what's your opinion on this place? Is it Drachman, or are we safe from an attack for the time being?" Riza considered this, a smirk on her delicate lips.

"My professional opinion is that this cappuccino is far too good to be Drachman, and therefore I cannot question its loyalties."

Roy hid a smile from her, raising an eyebrow in reply and leaning forward to press his lips to hers ever so softly.

"Far too good indeed," he replied, and Riza could only smile back.