Disclaimer: The song is Better Days by the Goo Goo Dolls, so, obviously I don't own that, and pretty much everything else is Tamora Pierce's, so obviously I don't own that either. I don't own much of th is at all if you look at it that way.

And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

"I don't want you to buy anything Evin." He looked up from the pile of coins on the floor that he was recounting for the fifth time, hoping he'd miscounted and there was more than there actually was.

"It's your birthday. I always get you something for your birthday."

"So?"

"Then what do you want from me?" he asked with a sigh. She knelt beside him, attempting to look him in the eyes.

"I just want things to be better between us." He met her gaze for the first time in nearly a month. She was finally willing to forgive him for his screw-up at Midwinter.

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

"What do you say?" she asked. "Shall we start over? Wipe the slate clean?"

"You don't know how happy I am to hear that," He pulled her into his arms and held her so tightly she wasn't sure he'd ever let go.

And it's someplace simple where we could live
And something only you can give
And that's faith and trust and peace while we're alive
And the one poor child that saved this world
And there's 10 million more who probably could
If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them

"I was an idiot," he murmured, his breath warm against her cheek.

"Finally, something we both agree on." she said wryly.

"I didn't mean anything...I was stupid to risk everything for one pointless kiss..." The regret in his voice was clear. He kissed her gently on the tip of her nose and finally withdrew, both of them grinning idiotically, but the relief was clear in both his bright blue-grey eyes and her startling green ones.

"I know," she whispered. "I would hate myself indefinitely if I didn't give you a second change. I've screwed things up plenty before - I know what it feels like."

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

"What did I ever do to deserve you?" he wondered aloud.

"Nothing," she replied. "But I want you anyway." Then she smirked. "As to what you do deserve, well, I don't know If I could come up with something awful enough." She paused. "Although..." She stopped, enjoying the slightly apprehensive look on his face.

I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

"Yes?" She grinned.

"I'm sure Farant and the others could come up with something suitable."

"Have I ever told you how much I love you?" She shot him an amused sideways look.

"It's not going to win you brownie points, but yes, though, I wouldn't mind if you told me again."

"I don't know Miri...if it's not going to get me anything, I don't think I will." She cuffed him gently on the head, laughing.

"You are an idiot Larse." He caught her hand and pulled her into a kiss.

"But a very lucky one," he said. She rolled her eyes.

"Make that very, very lucky and we're even."

"Deal."

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

A/N: I'm not sure I like this...in fact, I think it's just o.k., so let me know what you think. I might do some more of these, if you like this one. It's my first attempt at a songfic, and I'm not really sure if it works, but, oh well.