AN: Remember when I said I would make up for all the angst? Well... :D This is my present to you!
Also, whoops! I totally forgot to post this on Sunday D: So there will be a double chapter for you today!
Riza had never celebrated Christmas. Well, that was before she remembered her real childhood. With Berthold it was just another day. Riza would have to remember and stock up on food a few days before because the shops would be closed on Christmas Day, much to Riza's frustration. If she forgot, she would have to walk to the next town five miles away to the large supermarket which remained open every day of the year. As she passed the houses she would look inside longingly at the families celebrating happily and eating a large meal together. Riza would pass by bitterly, her stomach rumbling unhappily as she braced for the long walk ahead of her.
Shaking the unpleasant thoughts from her mind, she admired the décor of the town hall. The main room was decorated to the nines and looking very festive. Tinsel with fairy lights wrapped around it hung from the high ceiling, casting a soft glow over the room. Mistletoe hung above every doorway partially as a joke but was often occupied. Rebecca had pointed it out first, excitedly pulling a surprised Jean into her arms. The man returned the gesture in kind, having been too caught off guard at first.
Riza had laughed as she had watched them, glad the pair had worked themselves out. After Riza had opened up to Roy, the next day she had found Rebecca and the pair had spent a much needed Girls Day together. Everything that had happened had been discussed. There was a lot of tears, a lot of TV, and a lot of chocolate involved. And Riza couldn't have been happier in that moment with her best friend.
The tables were filled with food. There were four long tables in the room, running the length of the building. Each sat about thirty people and even with the majority of the seats filled, the space around the tables was crowded as others laughed together and ate.
A large Christmas tree sat on a dais at the far end. It was over eight feet tall and decorated divinely. Not a light, bit of tinsel, or bauble was out of place on the pine tree. The star on the top almost brushed the ceiling, but never came into contact.
Riza spotted her grandfather dressed up as Santa beside the tree and tried to hide her grin as he spoke to the children of the settlement, offering them presents with a kind smile and a hearty laugh. He took the time to sit and chat with every single one of them. Riza found herself sad as she thought of how much she had missed with him. The blonde could picture herself doing the same thing when she was young. Instead of letting the sadness fester, Riza smiled as the young boy skipped away happily.
"You okay?" Roy asked quietly, lowering his head to her ear so they wouldn't be overheard. There was no risk of that anyway, even in this room full of people with super human hearing. The roar of the conversation combined with the music from the sound system drowned almost everything out.
The felling of Roy's breath on her ear sent a shiver down her spine.
"I'm great," she smiled. "Let's get some food."
Riza sat next to Rebecca and Havoc. Roy sat on her left, next to Maes. Riza waved at Elicia and Gracia, who returned the gesture with a smile.
Instead of staring at the food like Fuery currently was, Riza filled her plate full of turkey, mashed potatoes, chipolatas, and vegetables. The smells which assaulted her nose were heavenly and caused her stomach to rumble loudly.
As they ate, their small group chatted together. Jean had revealed that the majority of the people here called each other by the last names. He, Breda, and Falman had all adopted the system years ago, so they had begun to do the same with the newcomers. Riza liked the sound of it, so joined in as well. She had even taken to calling her grandfather Grumman. Saying grandfather over and over was tiresome. Grumman was quicker and more efficient. However, the blonde had a soft spot for her old pack and continued to call both Rebecca and Roy by their first names.
That pair, however, called each other different things depending on their mood. When they were getting along fine, it was a first name basis. When they were winding each other up, it was Mustang and Catalina. Now that Riza had someone to help her if they tried to kill each other, she didn't mind their bickering so much.
"Would you like to dance?" Roy asked, presenting his hand with an over the top flourish.
"I would love to." Roy lifted her from her seat with ease, whisking her onto the dancefloor. The floor in question was in between all the tables which had been moved aside after the food was finished. An easy job for a group of supernatural beings.
Their first dance was a fast beat, which Riza found herself moving to effortlessly. Roy didn't have much in the way of rhythm, much to Riza and Rebecca's amusement, but it didn't faze him. With a grin, he continued miming "big fish, little fish, cardboard box".
Roy watched as Riza through her head back and laughed at his antics. It brought him great joy to see her so happy and carefree, especially after everything she had been through.
The weeks and months following her capture had been extremely tough for her. It was only after the first panic attack that he witnessed that Roy found out she didn't like the darkness. From then on, every night, he left all the lights on. She had begun returning home to him earlier and earlier after their chat. He was pleased she was getting help, but wanted to help her too, hence the lights.
From walking with her to Grumman's house, to cooking her dinner every night so it was ready for when she came home, Roy tried his best to be there for her. Only Riza could truly help herself, Roy knew that, but he would do everything in his power to be supportive. She certainly appreciated the small gestures.
"Oh, I love this song!" Rebecca cried, bolting towards Havoc. The man looked fearful as he was dragged onto the dancefloor. He was even less coordinated than Roy.
"Help me!" he hissed, wide eyed, as Rebecca pulled him into the middle of the floor.
Riza chuckled at her friend as they slow danced to Can't Help Falling in Love.
Without a word, Roy offered his hand to Riza as Elivs' vocals drifted melodically around the room. Riza took it with nothing but a soft smile. Roy held her close as they moved. He counted himself truly lucky in that moment. This… incredible woman loved him, something he still couldn't quite believe to this day. She accepted his faults wholly and helped him become a better person. What she had done with his wolf earlier still confused him, but overall he felt an overwhelming sense of calm now. The wolf was quiet and if Roy was a betting man (of course he was), he would bet it was because of the proximity of the woman in his arms. An old memory was called forth in his mind. It seemed like an age ago.
"You two are very cloak and dagger," Roy remarked. "What's going on?"
"We are for a good reason. It's nothing you need to concern yourself with just yet."
His anger spiked. "You told me if I valued my life and those around me I would lay low," he growled. "If they are at risk I need to know. I'm not stupid, this had something to do with me."
Riza's eye snapped to his. "I said yet. Calm down."
Roy froze at her words. He felt his anger dissipate slowly. Truly, for the first time in the last few months, he felt totally calm. There was no underlying anger, no irritation…
It made sense now why he had calmed so quickly. Riza simply had that effect on him. He thought back to how he had almost let the wolf take over, back in Riza and Rebecca's old house and at the hospital. Her words had anchored him in place and dissipated the fire within. If he was the fire then she was the water, ready and waiting to cool him if he became too hot. It was a perfect balance. One that he would be loath, and terrified, to lose.
"Penny for your thoughts?" the woman he loved asked, gazing at him.
Roy smiled. "Just thinking how lucky I am to have you."
He heard her breath catch in her throat. Instead of replying, Riza tightened her hold around his waist. She lay her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes as they swayed into the night. A smile crept onto her face at his words. For the first time in her life, Riza felt content.
Grumman grinned as he watched his Riza dance with Mustang. He watched as he said something quietly to her, causing his granddaughter to smile happily.
"They are truly happy together, aren't they?" he sighed happily.
"Yeah," Christmas replied, taking a swig from her drink. Out the corner of her eye she watched as the old man all but swooned at how perfect they were together. Christmas rolled her eyes. He had been babbling about nothing else all night. However, he had a right to be proud. Christmas felt the same way for her nephew. Riza was perfect for him. She didn't take any of his shit and was more than ready to put him in his place. That was who he needed. At first she had almost wished the girl luck, but seeing them together changed her perspective. Now, she threatened her nephew not to let this one go. She was a keeper.
Tears formed in Grumman's eyes. "This is all I have ever wanted for her. To be here. And to be happy." His voice took on a wistful lilt as he spoke, sighing once more.
Christmas knew that sigh all too well. It was the one people used when they were searching for confirmation.
Normally, Christmas would scoff at him and roll her eyes. Instead, tonight she indulged Grumman. Not only because both he and Riza truly had a tough time, but also because it was her nephew who was involved. "Don't be too hard on yourself Grumman," she began, turning her gaze back to the young couple. "Riza is here now and she is happy. Focus on that and quit living in the past."
Grumman nodded. Wiping his unshed tears, he turned to her with a toothy grin. The edges of his eyes crinkled as he smiled.
"Please, call me Walter."
"Riza, we are heading up the mountain to watch the stars. Do you two wanna come?" Rebecca's request was incredibly tempting, but the thought of being outside at night still didn't sit too well with her. Around the settlement was fine because everywhere was well lit. But walking out into the forest where anything could be lurking in the shadows? No thank you. My brain would have a field day when I fall asleep.
"We'd love to," Roy answered, casually throwing an arm around her shoulders. Riza's gaze snapped to his, studying his face. He had mentioned not an hour ago that he was getting tired. A run through the forest with a pack of werewolves and a couple of vampires at three in the morning was the opposite of his plan.
"Great! Let's go guys!"
Several cracks filled the air as Breda, Falman, Havoc and Rebecca change into their wolf forms. They took off running into the night. Breda playfully snapped at Havoc's tail, causing the blonde wolf to growl unhappily.
"You two go ahead," Gracia smiled, ushering Hughes and her daughter along. "I will come next time." She yawned loudly, unable to stop herself.
"I'll walk you home first," Hughes offered, although he left no room for argument.
"That's okay, it is just around –" Her sentence was cut off with a shriek followed by a laugh as Hughes picked her up bridal style and took off running.
"Come on kiddo," Roy said to Elicia. "Think you can keep up?" He grinned and changed into a wolf.
Elicia harrumphed indignantly. "Think I can keep up old man? You need to try and keep up with me." With a laugh the girl took off like a shot into the night. If Roy had been human, there would have definitely been a shocked expression on his face in regards to Elicia's trash talk.
Roy was about to sprint after her, before he remembered Riza hadn't changed. He turned to face her expectantly. The blonde made no move to change. Instead, she fidgeted with her hands, staring into the darkness uncertainly.
Finally understanding, Roy had an idea. He approached her slowly, dipping his head so it rested on her shoulder.
"I don't think I can do it," she whispered, clutching the thick fur around his muzzle. It was incredibly soft under her hands. She stroked it distractedly, loving doing so. The movement relaxed her and did the same for Roy.
Roy lifted his head. Unexpectedly, he licked her cheek. His tongue was wet and slobbery, causing Riza to groan in disgust. Within his wolf, Roy was in peals of laughter at the sight. Glaring at him, Riza changed into a wolf. She stood tall. Even fully grown, Riza was still taller than him.
"You will pay for that!"
"You will need to catch me first," came his cheeky reply. Roy took off running into the night, hearing the others chattering away in the distance.
"Hey! Get back here!"
"Not a chance!"
The pair took off into the night, Roy laughing away in his head as Riza chased him down. She may have been bigger in size, but Roy was faster. He continued to outrun her, but didn't stray far. The black wolf continued to taunt his mate as they ran. Shortly afterwards, they caught up with the rest of them. Elicia leapt gracefully from boulder to boulder as they climbed the mountain.
"Where is Hughes?" Havoc asked, checking behind them.
"He walked Gracia home," Roy answered.
"He won't be joining us then," Rebecca replied dryly, the meaning clear in her voice.
"Catalina!" Breda hissed. "His kid is here!"
"She can't hear us, doofus! Unless she can read minds."
All six of them looked fearfully towards the young vampire as she climbed gracefully, way ahead of them and completely oblivious.
"Of course she can't," Breda replied, his laugh nervous.
Havoc laughed loudly. "You are an idiot."
"I am not!" Breda replied indignantly as a human, having reached the top of the mountain first.
"Not what?" Elicia asked.
"Nothing!" the ginger man squeaked in response.
The vampire narrowed her eyes, but shrugged and dropped the subject.
As each of them changed back into their human form, they all felt invigorated by their run.
"I told you, you could do it," Roy grinned, slinging his arm around Riza's shoulders once more as they picked their spot.
"You didn't say shit," she replied with a grin.
Roy paused for a moment. "In my head I did."
"That doesn't count," Riza replied.
"Of course it does." Childishly, he stuck his tongue out at her, followed by a grunt as she elbowed him in the ribs.
"Shut it you two," Havoc barked. "I am trying to enjoy the peace and quiet."
"No one can enjoy the peace and quiet with Falman snoring like that," Roy shot back.
"Exactly so don't add insult to injury."
"Oh yeah?" Roy grinned as he spotted Riza's "please don't" look. "And what are you going to do about it?"
Riza rolled her eyes, leaving her perch beside Roy. Instead, she grabbed Rebecca's hand and motioned for Elicia to follow her. The three woman walked away from the now three men bickering.
"I love them both but my god," Rebecca announced, flopping onto the ground. Riza lay down beside her, suddenly feeling déjà vu. It wasn't too long ago the two lay down on the forest floor on an autumn day before Roy had even become a werewolf. Those were simpler times, Riza thought. She smiled. But now, these are happier times.
"I hear ya," Elicia replied. She perched on a boulder above their head, staring up at the sky. All was quiet, save for the banter further down the hill. Even after a while, that eventually died down.
"Do you think they have killed each other yet?" Rebecca asked.
"One can dream," Riza replied, getting to her feet.
Riza ventured to find out. Rebecca remained in place, not wanting to awaken Elicia who had fallen asleep on her lap. It was late for the girl to be up, but she was a vampire and required less sleep than a human child. Rebecca had also guess that even though biologically she was a five year old girl, her brain was fully developed. Not to mention the fact she acted like a twenty year old. She's certainly more mature than that lot down there, Rebecca chuckled.
Picking her way down the mountain, Riza found Havoc and Breda were the only two awake. They were speaking lowly as Falman and Roy slept peacefully beside them.
"Hey," she greeted quietly.
"He was moaning about Falman's snoring," Breda scoffed. "Has he heard himself snore?"
"I don't know how you put up with it, Riza," Havoc added sympathetically.
To his credit, Roy's snoring was ten times quiet than Falman's. The man was like a foghorn. She smiled as she lay next to him. She placed her head on his chest and settled in for the night. The ground wasn't entirely comfortable, but it would make do. At the feeling of pressure on his chest, Roy's hands wrapped around her body, pulling Riza in close.
Once again, this man had helped her through her fears. When Rebecca first suggested heading up the mountain, terror shot through Riza. There was no telling what was waiting for her in the dark forest. Anything could be waiting in the trees to grab her and take her back to the cave. There were visions of crossbow bolts, gunshots, and red vampiric eyes in the darkness.
But he had stepped up and drawn her to face her fear, albeit by distraction, but she still managed it. She was happy with him helping her, but she would need to push herself from now on. She was Riza fucking Hawkeye. She could do anything, she thought fiercely. I will beat this, she told herself determinedly. Starting tomorrow. And no doubt she would, even through sheer will alone.
Roy's grip tightened once more and he mumbled her name in his sleep, causing Riza's heart to soar ecstatically.
As Riza sighed, content, and begun to drift off to the sleep, she smiled as she heard Havoc say, "Man, the bastard is in deep."