Title: The Next Best Thing
Author: Lynx212 aka OnyxLight
Fandom: FMA
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Ed/Riza (if you squint)
Genre: Fluff
Word Count: 421
Spoilers/Warnings: Nada

Ed was walking home through the snow-covered streets of Central, flakes clinging to his bangs carrying a bag of goodies from his favorite pastry shop and café. A few blocks from home he spotted a familiar figure sitting on a roadside bench looking more distraught than he could ever have imagined possible.

"Riza?"

Sad eyes looked at him and a weak smile eased across her delicate features, "Hello Edward."

"What are you doing out here just sitting in the cold?"

"I was headed home for the Holidays but the weather has halted all trains in and out of the city."

Her remorse at missing the event was obvious to Ed as was the fact that she'd been sitting on that bench for quite a while. Her cheeks and nose were that harsh red that only came from exposure and she was trembling slightly.

"I don't live to far from here Lieutenant. Could I interest you in a cup of hot chocolate?"

Her smile became a little more genuine as she said, "Sounds good to me, I'm frozen."

Without asking, he stooped down, picked up the suitcase at her feet, offered her his elbow and off they went.

When they arrived at Ed's apartment, Riza was shocked to find it tidy and tastefully furnished. He took her coat, hung it on the rack and told her to make herself at home. She watched as Ed bustled about his kitchen preparing their warm drinks. She marveled at how comfortable and relaxed he was in the kitchen.

He passed her a steaming mug of something that smelled too sinfully decadent to be ordinary hot chocolate and said, "I can feel your pain Lieutenant, an assignment kept me here longer than I'd like and I won't be making it home either."

"Sorry to hear that, Edward. I was wondering why you were still in Central and not in Resembool."

"Damn weather," he mumbled as he took a sip out of his own mug. "I know it won't be the same as being with your family but you are more than welcome to hang out with me through the holidays," Ed offered before he thought better of it. Blushing furiously, he tried to hide behind his mug as he kicked himself for making such a bold proposal.

Noting the blush he was trying to hide Riza smiled at him and said, "I think I'd like that."

Ed beamed at her and she couldn't help but return his infectious grin. This holiday was going to be just fine.