Crocus

Riza looked out the window, wincing at the harsh reflection of the mid-morning light off of the snow. She sighed.

"What's the matter?"

By now, Riza was used to Roy sneaking up on her, not that he did it on purpose. They just tended to gravitate towards the same part of the house.

"Riza? Are you all right?"

Not taking her gaze from the view out the window, Riza answered, "It's the snow. When… when I was younger, being stuck inside for days was a sort of adventure. But now…" She trailed off. Roy would understand.

He nodded, seeming placated for the moment.

Then: "Do you miss her?"

Riza bit her lip. "Who?" she asked quietly.

Matching Riza's softness, Roy supplied, "Your mother."

"What's that got to do with this?" Though nearly a whisper, Riza's tone was taking on an edge that told Roy the subject best remained closed.

Roy sighed and smiled just a little. "I don't remember my parents well—mostly feelings, little snatches here and there. But I remember winter was my favorite time of year. Family dinners, nights by the fire, just being safe and warm."

Riza crossed her arms. "Maybe I just don't like snow and being stuck inside. Maybe it really is as simple as that."

"You said you liked it when you were younger," Roy pointed out. "I just thought there might be a connection."

"Do you want me to tell you I miss my mother? Does it seem like I don't care enough? I just want to get along in life—that's all. I'd be quite thankful if you'd just let it go, please."

Roy was a bit stunned. "I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to imply anything like that."

Riza met his gaze squarely, then looked down. "No," she breathed. "I overreacted. I'm sorry." She looked up again, and Roy indicated she could go on. "I've just become so used to not saying anything. I can't. Because there's no one to tell." Her voice once again dropped to a whisper at the end.

"I'm sorry," was all Roy could think to say.

"You had nothing to do with it." Riza shook her head, as though she needed to convince herself of this.

"I sympathize, then! I empathize! I might be your father's student, but completely separate from that, I'm your friend."

There was a brief pause. "You say that so certainly… Oh… It's like I've forgotten how to relate sometimes. Despite my best efforts, I've learned from my father that pushing people away keeps them from hurting. I don't want to hurt anyone." Another pause, then, so quietly Roy had to strain to hear what he knew was coming: "I don't want to be hurt."

Their eyes met again, and the pause seemed both infinite and infinitesimal at the same time. "I won't hurt you," Roy promised.

What Riza said next surprised Roy more than he had expected.

"I know."

"You… trust me that much? I… Thank you, but…" Roy trailed off helplessly, hoping Riza would explain. Despite their friendship--admittedly rather tentative, but friendship all the same--Roy could think of no single thing he'd done to earn such wholehearted trust.

"You've never given me reason not to, and that's the most anyone's done for me in a long time."

"But how do you know I won't?" Roy wanted to know, the words tumbling from his mouth.

Riza sighed and finally looked down. "I don't know. Maybe…" She had to look back up. "Maybe it doesn't matter as much. Maybe you're worth the risk." She turned and walked out of the room.

Roy stared after her. "For your sake, I hope I am, too."

A/N: This was going to be more about Riza missing her mother. I get the feeling that she would, as is natural for anyone who's lost a loved one.

It turned into this, though, and I have to say, I am satisfied. It flowed pretty well when I was writing it, so I just let it go. Hopefully, the title fits.

Well, what did YOU think? That's what I want to know! Drop me a line!