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Dance With Me
It had been quite the week for Team Mustang. By the time Friday came along, they were all exhausted and in the need of a pick me up. Their superior took the executive decision to take the whole team out for a few drinks. They ended up in Madame Christmas' bar by the end of the night listening to a jazz band. Everyone was a little merry, some more than others.
Roy Mustang sat on a bar stool, a glass of brandy in front of him on the counter. He watched his aunt behind the bar wiping glasses. It was nice to be back in Central once again. He missed this place and his aunt. But it wasn't the same without Hughes.
"You're supposed to be enjoying yourself." Chris topped up his glass of brandy. "What does it say about my establishment when you're sat here with a face that would turn milk sour?"
"You know alcohol makes me maudlin."
Her expression softened but she didn't say anything.
He raised the glass. "To Hughes, the bastard."
Chris smirked as he drained the glass.
"I guess I'm having another glass."
Chris frowned staring over his shoulder. "First, I think you should take care of her."
Roy turned around and followed his aunt's gaze. Riza was dancing by herself in the middle of the revellers even though the music had stopped. Some tables and chairs had been cleared away for the night to create a small dance space. Riza's arms were outstretched and she was swaying from side to side. He smiled and watched her move her body to some music only she could hear. She didn't let her hair down very often. It was good to see her enjoying herself. All the same, he didn't want anyone to take advantage of his Lieutenant.
Chris gave him a little shove. "I think she's had a little too much to drink."
He chuckled. "Yeah, I guess I should go."
The jazz band started up again and Roy slid off the stool.
He arched an eyebrow as he approached her. "Lieutenant, are you having a good time?"
Her eyes widened. "Colonel, you're here."
"Well, we did come here together. You should sit, Lieutenant."
She shook her head, "Colonel, I want to dance." She stepped closer, her gait unsteady, and took his hands. "Won't you dance with me?"
"Uh-uh-" He took a small step backwards, "You're really drunk right now."
"No, I'm not, you're just…" She frowned a little and closed the distance between them again, "You're blurry."
She put her hands on his shoulders and smiled at him. His whole body froze as he looked into her eyes. She was really close now. His eyes went to her lips. She smiled again and damn he wanted to kiss that smile. He wanted to run his fingers through her hair, bury his face in her neck. She was too close. He couldn't think straight. This was bad.
"Mmm, you smell good," she murmured.
He took a deep breath. He could swear he could feel his aunt's gaze on the back of his head. He was pretty sure she was enjoying his predicament.
"Uh, thank you, Lieutenant." He laughed nervously. "I just need you to let go of me." He tried to take her hands off his shoulders but she laid her head on his shoulder instead. "Look, you have to let go of me. We don't want people to get the wrong idea, huh?"
Roy looked around, desperately hoping they weren't being watched by the wrong person. People didn't seem to be paying them much attention but it only took one person with loose lips and one wrong move to get them in trouble.
"I want to dance, Roy."
He could hear the pout in her voice even though he couldn't see her face. Her breath tickled his ear.
"C'mon now, Lieutenant." He led her off to the side. "You know we can't dance in here."
She hiccuped. "Remember when you taught me how to dance?"
"Yes, of course, I remember." They reached the table they had been sitting at and he picked up her coat. "I think it's time for you to go home. I'll walk you."
She wasn't even listening to him. "You're a good dancer."
"You're not bad yourself, Lieutenant."
He held out her coat.
"I don't want to go," she whined even as she put her arms through the sleeves. "Dance with me, sir. Please."
Havoc was standing at the wall, a smirk on his face. Roy jerked his head for him to come over and help but the blond ignored him.
She grabbed his hands again. "Just one dance, please. I promise I'll go home then."
Her eyes were wide and pleading; he couldn't say no. Damn, he was an idiot. A glutton for punishment.
"Alright fine, just one dance." He put a hand on her waist, careful to avoid stepping into dangerous territory.
She smiled at him and he gulped. She was going to make him regret this; he knew it. She pulled him back into the makeshift dance floor. This was dangerous territory but what damage could one little dance do? Besides, his aunt had already called last orders and it wasn't like they would be staying much longer after all.
The beat of the music was uptempo which Roy was grateful for. She was leaning into him and his body was reacting to her. It felt good to hold her in his arms no matter how foolish it was. She was more intoxicating than the liquor he had imbibed. He wanted to close the distance. He wanted to taste her but that was a very bad idea and not just because she was drunk. For once he wished Catalina was here. He had seen her handle drunk Riza with ease in the past.
"Roy?"
His eyes went to her lips. "Yeah?"
"I think I'm going to get sick."
The next thing Roy knew, his shoes were covered in vomit. He looked down in disbelief.
"I'm so sorry!"
He raised his head and her eyes were filled with tears.
"Hey, it's alright," he said gently. "Let's get you to the bathroom before you get sick again."
"Come out back," Chris called, "Bathroom's closer. First on the left, Riza."
Riza ran through the bar and Roy followed.
As he passed Chris, she handed him a glass of water. "She's going to need this."
Riza didn't close the bathroom door behind her. She was sitting on the floor, her head over the toilet bowl. He slipped out of his shoes and threw them into the bath. He put down the glass and pulled her hair out of her face.
"Thank you, sir."
She retched again and he rubbed her back. "It's ok, we'll all been there."
She wiped her mouth with her hand. "I'm so embarrassed."
Roy rolled his eyes. "You've saved my drunken ass on more than one occasion. I think I can deal with a little puke, Lieutenant."
To his horror, she started to cry. He always forgot how emotional she could be when she had been drinking. She wiped at her eyes and he handed her the glass of water.
"Thank you."
She gulped down the water.
Chris poked her head inside. "You can sleep in the guest bedroom, Riza. You're going to have one hell of a hangover tomorrow."
Riza shut her eyes. "Oh, shit!"
"Roy-boy will take you up." Chris winked. "I trust there will be no funny business."
Roy pinched the bridge of his nose. " You're not helping."
"I'm just joshing you." She ducked out of the way when he threw a towel at her head. "If you'll excuse me, I better go and kick everyone out. I trust you've got this in hand."
She laughed as she disappeared into the bar.
Roy sighed. "Sorry about that. You know what she can be like."
"Like you, you mean."
"Well, I had to learn it somewhere, huh?"
"I think I'll be okay now. Can you show me where the guestroom is?"
Riza leant on Roy as she stood up. He steadied her when she stumbled.
"I'm never drinking again," she said in a small voice. "Why did you let me drink so much?"
He arched an eyebrow. "Don't blame me, you wanted to prove to Breda that you could drink him under the table."
She smirked. "And I did."
"Yes - you did. Falman took him home and Fuery home."
Roy helped Riza stagger up the stairs. When they got to the bedroom, she collapsed onto the bed with a groan.
"I'm going to get you some more water and some headache pills for the morning?"
She just nodded, her arm covering her face.
When Roy came back with the glass five minutes later, she had fallen asleep fully clothed on the bed. He took her shoes off. She moaned slightly but didn't open her eyes. He took a light blanket from the wardrobe and placed it over her. To his surprise, she grabbed a handful of his shirt.
"Stay," she whispered.
He lifted an eyebrow, "I thought you were asleep."
She smiled but didn't open her eyes. He brushed her hair from her face and kissed her lightly on the forehead.
"I really wish I could stay," he whispered.
She really was an adorable drunk. He wondered if she would remember this tomorrow but perhaps it would be better if she didn't.
Fin
