37. Match
A/N: Song: "December Makes Me Feel This Way" by Dave Koz
Just to clarify, Mr. Hawkeye is visiting Chris during Winter Solstice. Roy and Riza were supposed to have joined them, but got snowed in. (The story arc of 35/36 is over, by the way.)
"Of all the times for the power to go out…" Riza shivered and readjusted the blanket she had wrapped around herself. She was sitting as close as she dared to the hearth while Roy was attempting to light a fire.
Attempting… and failing. His hands shook so badly that the matches either snapped or lit too briefly to set the kindling alight.
Night was falling. They were going to be in serious trouble if they didn't get that fire started soon!
"Here." Riza put out her hand for the matchbook. "My hands are warmer. I can light a candle, and we can use that as a source to light the kindling."
"Fair enough." Roy took the blanket Riza handed to him as she successfully lit the candle.
She frowned. "That was the last match." Going over to the hearth, she managed to light some of the kindling. She sat back, and hoped that this would work.
Soon, the fire was at least big enough to give off heat.
"This is miserable," Roy murmured. "We were supposed to be celebrating Solstice with our families. Instead, we're stuck here."
"Oh thanks," Riza replied somewhat acidly.
Roy looked at her. "You know I didn't mean it like that," he said flatly. What could he do? It was hard to be convincing at the moment. "The present company isn't the problem."
"Whatever you say." But Riza's voice was a little softer this time. She pulled her knees to her chest and scooted a little closer to the fire.
Roy followed her lead, getting close enough to add another log to the fire before backing up. He settled back next to Riza, wrapping the closest edge of the blanket around her shoulders. Without so much as a word or a glance, Riza worked the inner edge of her blanket to that it encompassed them both, as well.
It was odd, but it came as no surprise to either one that there, in front of the fire, squeezed up next to one another and sharing blankets, it completely made up for just how disagreeable the situation was.
A/N: To be continued in 49 (Cold Hands).