Lights! Camera! Christmas!

Author: MoonStarDutchess

Chapter 18: Town Encounters Pt 1

Disclaimer: We do not own Fullmetal Alchemist and gain no profit from this fanfiction other than needed writing practice and enjoyment.


"Gr…Grandfather?" Riza said, stopping him from moving outside. He turned, concern displaying on his features. "What is it? Are you okay?"

"Roy and I had to ride the horses up. There weren't enough sleds."

"Of course there were enough! We have plenty."

"Lauren hired the drivers and they only brought two." Brian and Millet were driving them."

Roy nearly took a step back when Grumman's face darkened. "I did not hire them," his voice came out as if someone took over his body for a moment. "You know I'd never do that."

"I know. Lauren did it on her own," she said. "I never thought she'd stoop that low."

"Don't worry about that. They aren't our drivers, and I will handle what Lauren did," he said.

They walked outside and down the steps. Four sleds were there along with another person who was sitting next to Breda already in the sleigh.

"Hi!"

"Maria! I thought you were spending Christmas with Denny."

"Ah, I'll tell you later what happened. Mister Grumman caught me as I was about to leave for my hometown and invited me here," she said.

"I'm glad to see you," Riza said.

Rebecca got in the first sled, scooting in a bit closer to Havoc than necessary. The blond man blushed at the action. Martina hastily sat next to Armstrong and started chatting with him as soon as her butt hit the seat.

"You think she likes him?" Roy asked when he saw Riza laugh and smile in their direction. "I mean in a romantic sense."

"He's exactly her type, so she probably does."

Lauren and Antonio had taken a seat behind Riza's parents in the second sled. Maes was sharing a sleigh with Maria and Breda. He was looking down at his phone.

"What's he staring at? The signal isn't good here," she said.

"Probably a picture of Gracia," Roy said as Grumman sat next to Maes.

Riza frowned when she remembered what Roy told her in the elevator. She didn't want to be the reason why Maes had trouble with his in-laws, but she couldn't think of a single way to fix it. Seriously, haven't those people ever heard of coworkers or opposite gender friendships before?

"There's a sled left in the back," Grumman said. "Enjoy it, you two!" He directed his attention to the driver in front of him. "Let's go." Each sled headed down the hillside and the last one pulled up in front of them.

"That man," Riza said, exasperated. Roy took her hand and helped her into the sled before getting in himself. The driver followed the others, staying a bit further behind than Roy thought was normal.

Riza took a blanket nestled in a long, narrow basket at their feet and spread it over their laps.

"I noticed those two drivers from before weren't there."

She swallowed and shifted in her seat. He regretted bringing it up

"Lauren probably paid them out of her own pocket. Like Grandpa said, he didn't hire them. She'll get a chiding. He hates when people go behind his back to do something," she said. "He's a reasonable man, but you have to talk with him before you act."

"Glad to hear."

"I've…" she swallowed and took a deep breath. He was about to tell her that she didn't have to talk about it anymore, but she spoke before he could. "I've had issues with Brian when we dated, and Millet had a thing for me. Or rather, for my fame and money."

"I know how that is," Roy said. He was glad she trusted him with this much.

She smirked. "He couldn't take no for an answer and nearly got his dick shot off."

"Duly noted to keep my hands to myself," he said.

She looked at him and her smirk changed to a smile. She leaned into him ever so slightly and said, "I said he couldn't take no for an answer. I don't think you'd have any trouble with it."

"Well, you haven't said no to me yet."

"I have no intention to."

Gods! This woman put such sensual thoughts in his head via such simple wording! Most women either played overly coy with him or threw themselves at him. Like Millet with Riza, they only wanted the wealth and fame. Riza didn't need that from him.

She was genuine. She had moments of shyness, sure, but she was also in possession of a forwardness and openness that made her into a seductress.

And he was living for it. Wanted to see more of it. He wanted this woman. With every minute he spent with her, it went from wanting to share a night with her, to having something more long term. Something with more stability and steadiness.

"Let's say, I did become bolder than I have been. What would you do?"

She moved her lips to his ear and slid her hand to rest on his thigh. "Guess you'll have to try and find out."

Before he could respond, they were heading into town. They went past several stores and a real estate office before pulling up to an old tavern separated from a line of three storey buildings.

The tavern was a one storey building and painted a pale yellow, and adorned with Christmas decorations like all the other shops in the area. A mallet shaped sign hung above the door that said, "The Cyclonic Potter."

There was a larger square sign on the door itself. White with purple letters.

"Still owned and operated by Filia and Xellos," Riza read aloud and then laughed.

"Why are you laughing?" he asked.

"I'm laughing on the secret sarcasm in that sign. When they announced they were going to get married, almost everyone was doubtful of their relationship, some even refusing to show up to their wedding in protest. But they're still together while those people have been married several times over."

"Why'd they protest?"

"Because they're very…hm…gruff with each other. Not your typical couple."

"Oh, I know people that are like that too." He jumped down from the sled and grabbed onto it as his feet went in two different directions. The driver helped him steady himself.

"Thanks," Roy said.

The driver inclined his head in response.

"It's slippery. Here," he said and reached up to her when he got some solid footing. She placed her hands on his shoulders as he grabbed her waist and helped her step down.

When her feet hit the ground, he wanted to pull her closer rather than let her go, but standing there kissing her wouldn't be proper or respectful to the public. She let her hands slide down his chest, her fingertips pressing against him just enough for him to feel it under his shirt. He knew it was a deliberate action on her part and nearly shuttered as it made him recall the way she felt under him, as she clung to him, when they were in bed on the train.

Calm down, Roy. Now is not the time to be thinking about that.

Riza pulled away, shooting him a smirk, and walked past him.

Damn woman. He followed her into the tavern.

-/-/-

Roy had never been in a place like this before. He'd been famous since before he was old enough to drink. The drinking age had been 21 at that time, so patronizing places like this wasn't something he would've done pre-fame. By the time he was able to do so, he was too famous, and it would cause more ruckus than the experience was worth.

He couldn't go out and eat like the average person. The hotels that offered private or special restaurants were where he ate most of the time if he went out. Even that was a rare occurrence since it was troublesome when the paparazzi found out he was there and waited outside for him. He'd become very familiar with takeout or personalized meal plans from companies that catered to that sort of thing.

This place was busy, but not crowded. The people there were preoccupied with their meals and conversation and either didn't know or didn't care who they were. Both were fine with him.

The bar was situated on the right side of the room and was in the form of a long arch instead of the standard straight style. Several green shaded lights hung down in increments along it. Yellow stools with legs that looked like dragons twisting around each other lined the bar, with only one man at the far end choosing to sit in that area. On the shelves behind the bar, amongst all the bottles of alcohol were purple, green, and yellow figurines of wolves and cyclones with no obvious rhyme or reason to their positions.

The tables were circular and took on the same color pallet as the bar and stools. They were all in the middle of the room. Around the other walls and in front of the windows sat green and yellow booths.

"Why there?" Riza said with a groan. Roy didn't know what she meant until he saw where her family was. They were in the largest booth in the restaurant, and it was in front of the window.

"You have an issue with windows too?" he asked.

Riza looked up at him, clearly surprised. "I know a paparazzi attack or a mob of fans isn't likely, but it's been long ingrained in me not to eat near a window. I assume from your 'too' that you're the same way."

"Yeah, and especially when one is close to a door," he said.

Maes looked at them and motioned to Lauren. He rolled his eyes. She'd taken the seat with her back to the window, as did her fiancé.

"Bitch knew what she was doing," Roy said. He smirked at her. "We could always sit at a different table. Doesn't look like there's much room there anyway."

"Come on, we'll tell grandfather."

"And the worst he can do is throw us out of his house. If that happens, I sense Honolulu in our future."

She laughed. "He'd never do that."

They walked up to the huge booths where everyone sat. "Grandfather, we're…"

"Don't worry," Grumman said, cutting her off. "I'm aware of what was done. Go enjoy your dinner together."

"Excuse me," a timid voice said from behind the two celebrities. They turned and saw two girls with light blushes on their cheeks. A guy was with them and actively trying not to look at Riza, but the light flush on his cheeks as well showed how effective he was at it. "We don't want to bother you but…um…are you Riza Grumman and Roy Mustang?" a red-haired girl asked.

"We are," Roy said kindly and winked, causing the other girl to giggle.

"C—Could we have a picture and an autograph?"

"Of course," Riza said.

The guy stood back and let the girls take the picture, all the while casting Riza furtive glances. When Riza smiled at him, his face reddened even more.

"Would you like one too?"

The guy nodded but didn't speak. When he stood between her and Roy, he shook slightly as the girls took the picture with their phone.

"Will you two hurry up? Seeing there are people with such sickening taste makes me not want to eat," Lauren said.

Riza glared at her, but before she could say anything Grumman said, "Mind your own business, Lauren, and act like an adult."

She scowled and looked back down at her menu.

Riza returned her attention to the fans, signing a few things before they left the restaurant. She hoped the rumors of them being there wouldn't spread too much around the resort if that were where that group was staying; otherwise, they'd have to remain in her grandfather's house for the remainder of the holiday. This was the first time she'd ever been asked for an autograph in town.

Riza turned to Lauren. "Never," Riza snarled. "Never ever talk like that around fans again. Do you understand me?"

Lauren seemed to push further back into her seat at Riza's tone. "Um…"

"Do you?" Riza snapped.

"Yes," Lauren replied.

"Good." Riza took Roy's hand, squeezing it a little harder than needed, and led him over to the bar.

"You okay? That's the first time I've seen you that angry."

"Yes, sorry. I just can't stand it when people are rude to well-meaning fans," Riza said.

"No apologies needed."

"Riza!" a tall woman ran around the bar and lifted her into a huge hug without effort.

"Jesus, Filia, you're as strong as a dragon.

The woman laughed and set her on her feet. "Congratulations! I read about your engagement," she said. "Where is the lucky Roy Mustang?"

"Huh? He's right he…" Riza looked beside her and saw Roy wasn't there.

When two glasses clinked together, they looked towards the bar. Roy sat on a stool with a bewildered expression on his face. There was a glass of whiskey in his grasp and a purple-haired man toasting him.

"Xellos! Pumping someone full of alcohol before being formally introduced is rude."

"Hey! It's the good whiskey!" he said.

When Filia glared at him, he held his hand out to Roy. Roy shook it. "Xellos Metallium," he said.

"Roy Mustang."

"There! We're introduced now. Bottoms up!" he said and took a shot of whiskey.

Riza cringed. Such good whiskey should be sipped.

Riza and Filia approached the two men. Her eyes zeroed in on Roy's hands. They trembled as he set the glass down and scooted it away from him.

Her stomach sank with the action.

Shit.