Solaris Bailey had a passion for food. She believed a properly prepared meal could lift the spirits and cleanse the soul. Berthold Hawkeye had employed her services shortly after the untimely death of his wife, and her heart had gone out to the sad little girl who slunk around the house with a perpetual frown. She'd managed to coax a smile from Riza with warm and melting chocolate chip cookies. The elder Hawkeye took some time. He claimed to not be a picky eater, but Solaris could tell which recipes he cared for more than others. Eventually, she eked out which were his favorites and experimented with the ingredients to learn specifics.

She wasn't sure when she fell into a silent love with Berthold. Perhaps it was the quiet way he loved his daughter once he'd cleared the cloud of grief. Or maybe she felt the first tugs of affection when she'd catch him reading in stocking feet by the fireplace in winter. The coldest of seasons was his favorite, and Solaris suspected this was because he enjoyed the freedom of manipulating the flames without curious eyes. No one sat by an indoor fire during the summer.

Riza had the quiet demeanor of her father and same obsessive nature. She pursued her interests with a sometimes-terrifying focus. Solaris was often the audience for her carefully-written debate positions and felt honored to be in possession of a trusted opinion. The mood in the house lifted when Roy Mustang was present. His friendship with Riza brought out a witty side of her, and Solaris enjoyed the sound of her shameless laughter. A young boy was easy to please with a loaded plate, and she'd heard his extravagant praise enough to know her efforts were appreciated.

Working under the Hawkeye roof for nearly a decade gave her a sense of safety and purpose. They were like family to her, and Solaris grieved deeply when Berthold passed away. She'd never acted on her private feelings toward him, as it would've felt wholly inappropriate and unprofessional, and didn't believe he'd ever known of them. Now he never would. Loving him from a distance had been enough for her once, and after his death, her heart sat empty.

Always the giver, Solaris wished she could do more for the daughter left behind. Riza seemed to be in good hands, though. The woman was a romantic at heart and had been secretly delighted when it became clear the friendship with Roy Mustang had bloomed into something more. Such a change had been expected, but young love eased the pain of death. Losing Berthold would always linger as a sadness, but remaining in the life of a young girl who'd lost far too much, far too early in life brought her resolve. Riza had made it clear she needed Solaris to stay for her skills, but the subtext behind her eyes said much more. Continuity. Familiarity. Trust. Riza needed her.

And Solaris needed to be needed.

Roy had done nothing but stare at the scenery flashing by as the train sped back to Central City. He'd done his utmost best to follow Cadet Ross's advice and block out the anxiety until he returned home. For the most part, he'd been successful. The second day of tours and meetings with cadre had been quite busy, and his mind was preoccupied with absorbing information at a rate he hadn't believed he was capable of. More than ever, he felt confident that ECMU was the place he needed to be. More than one high-ranking professor had complimented him and seemed impressed he'd worked so closely with Doctor Hawkeye. They'd expressed an eagerness to work with him in the coming years.

The moment he'd stepped on the train, though, all the rough edges in his mind frayed hopelessly. He wanted to see Riza and apologize. For better or worse, he couldn't leave at the end of the summer and not know where he stood with her. Roy had no energy to apply to the situation and resigned himself to going straight to bed once his aunt brought him home. He'd made a decision to give her until Monday, and he would stick to it.

When the train squealed to a halt at Central City Station, he pulled his bags from the overhead storage and exhaustedly dragged himself from the carriage. The platform was busy, as usual, and he scanned the crowd for his aunt. Surely she hadn't forgotten to come and collect him? His heart stuttered when, instead of Chris Mustang, he saw Riza standing off by herself near the main archway leading outside. Roy cautiously approached her and felt a weight slide from his shoulders when she graced him with a smile. He dropped his bag and held out his hands in a show of peace. Riza wrapped her arms around his middle and drew him into a tight embrace. Roy could do nothing but hold her close.

"We need to talk. I've done a lot of thinking while you've been away."

He inhaled the scent of her hair and smiled awkwardly when she took his hand. "I owe you an apology."

"You do, but let's get outside. I have something to show you."

He allowed her to pull him through the crowd and under the archway.

"Do you have a cab waiting? I'm assuming my aunt isn't here."

Riza smiled back at him. "Nope. I bought a car this weekend!"

"You… bought a car?"

She led him to the paved parking area and stopped next to a shining black vehicle. "Wow, Riza, this is… wow!"

"Do you like it? Grandfather helped me pick it out, and Mister Havoc gave me a great deal."

"You can drive, right?" He grinned at her over the top of the car.

Riza rolled her eyes. "Of course I can drive! It's been a while since I rolled my dad's station wagon through the garage door when we were thirteen." Roy tossed his bag in the back seat and slid into the passenger side.

"This is really nice, Riza. I'm sure you'll be much happier having your own way around town."

She smiled broadly. "I already am." The car started easily, and with expertise, Riza pulled out of the parking lot and onto the main road. "I know you're probably tired and cranky from the train, but we need to talk about this."

"We do, and Riza, I'm so fucking sorry for not telling you everything. I swear I meant to, but after your dad passed away, I couldn't find a good time, and then things just sort of… spiraled." He glanced over at her, but her eyes remained on the road.

"It was humiliating, Roy. I felt like everyone else knew but me. Shouldn't it be the other way around? Even if we weren't dating, I'm your best friend, and I should've been the first to know! You really hurt my feelings, and I can't believe you had the ability to keep such a big secret from me for so long."

"You're right. There isn't an excuse for keeping secrets, and I've never felt worse about anything in my life. When you walked away from me on Friday, I honestly felt like you'd physically hurt me." He stared down at his hands. "I never want to make you cry again."

"I accept your apology. But I swear to god, Roy, if you ever keep anything from me again, I'll run you over with this car."

"I never should've lied to you." He heaved a breath and let his head fall back against the seat. "This whole weekend has been stressful."

"Well, you're home now. Tell me about the university; do you feel good about transferring early?"

"Absolutely. It'll be shitty being at the bottom of the food chain, student-cadets are damn near despised, but I met people who knew your dad. I'm anxious to get into the labs."

"I'm happy."

"Are you? I was so afraid you'd be angry at me for leaving you alone here."

Riza smiled sideways at him. "I was only angry at you for not telling me. I can handle things on my own. Grandfather and I have a good relationship now, and your aunt is very kind to me. Don't worry about any of that. You should be focused on your studies and earning your state certification."

"You know I love you, right?"

"I do."

Roy let his eyes slide shut and enjoyed the lightness in his chest.

"Do you want me to take you straight home? I'm sure your aunt wants to see you, though, I think she's uptown right now."

"If you don't mind? I'm really tired, and I don't think I can handle much of anything else."

Riza nudged him awake when she pulled into his driveway. Roy left his packed bag in the foyer and dragged himself straight up to his room. He fell into bed, and Riza lay next to him, brushing the hair from his eyes. "Want me to leave you to your nap?"

"No. I want you to stay." He pulled her against him and kissed her soundly.

Riza kicked off her sandals and tucked her head under his chin. "I'm going to miss you terribly, Roy."

"There isn't a single person I'll miss more than you," he sighed before drifting off to sleep.

The end of the school year chugged ever closer, and Roy's excited anxiety built. Once Riza knew of his transfer, the secret exploded. Teachers went out of their way to congratulate him and wish him their best. Bradley's demeanor didn't change at all, and he was happy only a few weeks of being under the headmaster's eye remained.

With final exams looming, Roy didn't have much time to devote to romance. His formal acceptance to the Eastern University of Military Application wouldn't come until the last round of postings, and he would often lose himself for hours in review material. Riza had her own exams to worry about, as well, but it irritated him that such a large chunk of their last months together had to be spent separated. Early efforts to study side by side ended in half-clothed distraction, with no productive work being done. Riza insisted on the time apart. Her final grade in government and political science would determine her spot in the advanced placement courses for the next year, and Roy knew she had her eye on the Central College of Humanities.

Roy found himself alone, pacing distracted circles in the dining pavilion on a rainy afternoon only days before the academy shut its doors for summer break. Most of the students had vacated the grounds already, but Roy needed stark quietude. Riza's house was out of the question, and his own bedroom contained a certain trace of her that would only lead to the opposite of studying. He hadn't meant to keep the panties, but when she'd hurriedly thrown on her athletic shorts after a quick tumble in his bed, they were left behind. Of course he'd return them! Eventually.

A quiet yipping noise brought him from his mental calculations, and he glanced around the pavilion. Kain Furey was sitting cross-legged under a table, and he had a squirming ball of fur in his lap.

"Hey, Furey, what's that you've got down there?" Roy crouched next to the table and peered underneath.

"Oh, hi, Roy. It's a puppy. I found him sniffing around the garbage bins behind the kitchens, and I couldn't leave him. Poor thing's all wet and alone." The dog barked in response and turned its glassy eyes on Roy.

"Are you going to take him home with you, then?"

Kain's face fell. "I can't. My mom and I aren't allowed pets where we live. I was going to take him to the shelter downtown."

Roy held out his fingers, and the dog eagerly sniffed them. Its black fur was unexpectedly soft, even if a little wet. "How old do you think he is?"

"Oh, I don't know. I do think it's a puppy, though. He isn't very big."

"Huh." An idea was forming in Roy's head. Even though Riza promised him she'd be okay in his absence, he still worried about her being alone in her house at night. He knew, despite her assertions of independence, loneliness would settle in eventually. Riza could be far too much like her father sometimes. "You know, Kain, I think I may have a solution for you."

Roy's eyes flitted to the puppy in the passenger seat of his car several times during the ride to Riza's house. He'd stopped by a supply store to purchase basic dog products just so she didn't think he was giving her a pet and immediate financial responsibility. When he pulled into her driveway, he turned to the nameless creature again.

"Well, pup, try and look cute. First impressions are important here, and I want you to look after my girl while I'm gone. Can you do that, boy? Riza might be kinda stern, but she's a softy inside." He reached out and gave the puppy a scratch behind the ears, and in return, a pink tongue flicked out and lapped at his fingers. "That's exactly what I want to see from you when she opens the door, okay? Cute and friendly." Roy cradled him against his chest and stepped from the car. "Ready for your big debut?"

When Riza opened the door, her smile faltered. Her eyes went from his face to the dog several times. "Why would you get a dog now? You're leaving in a few months."

"Well, it's not exactly my dog. Furey found him behind the kitchens at school, and I couldn't let him go to the shelter."

Riza quirked an eyebrow and leaned casually against the doorframe.

"I maybe thought that you'd like a dog?"

Her expression didn't change, and Roy's heart rate picked up.

"Look how cute he is! He can sleep on your bed at night when I'm gone and keep you company!"

"I've never had a pet before," she said dryly.

"Well, now is a perfect time to invite a furry companion into your life. He'll be great!" The black puppy seemed to sense his new home was in the balance and barked playfully. "He wants you to take him, Riza! How can you say no to that face?"

"He's not as cute as you, and I tell you no all the time." She sighed and took the dog from his arms. "You do realize that by bringing me this animal you've become that boyfriend?"

Roy shook his head and followed her into the house. "What boyfriend?"

"The one who gives outrageously irresponsible gifts like pets."

"It's not irresponsible! He's homeless, and you're going to be alone."

"How do you know I'm not allergic to dogs?" Riza sat on the couch and ran her fingers through the dog's fur. He walked a tiny circle on her lap and fell into a contented heap. Roy scowled. Riza ran her fingers through his hair. That was his thing.

"You aren't allergic to dogs."

"But you didn't know that!"

Roy fell into a chair. "I did. Anyway, I think he likes you."

Riza continued to stroke the dog's fur as he let out a tiny sigh. She glanced up at Roy and laughed. "You're not jealous of this puppy, are you?"

"No."

"Roy Mustang, you are! It's all over your face." She leaned down and kissed the dog's downy head. "He stays, then. But he needs a bath."

"I bought some pet stuff. It's in my car. I'll go get it and bathe him for you." Roy stood and glared at the traitorous, usurping dog before retrieving the bags of supplies from his trunk. He'd wanted the puppy to be cute, but not romance his girlfriend.

He left his uniform shirt in the kitchen and gave the puppy a thorough washing in the guest bath. The dog was much dirtier than he'd thought, and the thick fur was difficult to wash out. Eventually, the water ran clean, and Roy wrapped him in a towel. Before returning him to Riza, he held the bundle close to his face.

"Listen, pup, she's mine, okay? You can be her friend and keep her from being lonely while I'm away, but she's always going to love me more." He nodded to himself. "I'm glad we had this chat."

Riza waited in the kitchen with a bowl of food and water. "Do you think he's potty trained?"

"I have no idea, but it's probably a bad idea to assume he is."

She smirked at him. "You give the best presents, Roy."

He slid his hands around her waist and pulled her against him. "I just want you to have someone with you when it's dark. He'll be perfect."

Riza wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled. "Not as perfect as you. Don't think that getting me a dog is going to make me miss you any less."

Roy brushed his lips against hers. "Don't be lonely, okay? I'm coming back."

"You'd better fucking come back."

"Only death could keep me away," he mumbled.

"That's not funny," Riza scolded, pushing away from him.

"It wasn't meant to be. This isn't forever. When private alchemy is legal, I intend to resign my commission. The military isn't my home, Riza; you are."

Riza smiled and pulled him close again. "Let's go upstairs."

"What about the dog?" He glanced around and saw the puppy had curled up in the fuzzy, circular dog bed in the corner of the kitchen.

"I think he'll be fine," she whispered, tugging on his hand. "I need to thank you properly for your thoughtfulness."

Roy followed her up the stairs and to her room, where she promptly divested him of his uniform. "You're not expecting Solaris any time soon, are you?" He pulled her undershirt over her head and found the side zipper of her skirt.

She laughed. "Nope, and you can't blame her entirely. Your aunt busted up our last moment together. I want my panties back, by the way."

Roy let the skirt fall from her hips and pulled her against his chest to better reach her neck. "But I like them."

"I didn't know you had a panty kink, Roy. They better not be in a drawer with a bunch of others." She bit her lip and pulled him into the bed.

He grinned and deftly unclasped her bra, tossing it aside. "If I had a panty kink, I wouldn't have let you keep the ones Catherine Elle foisted upon me for my birthday." His mouth closed around a nipple, and Riza's fingers gently raked across his scalp.

"Those were new," she whispered breathlessly, "It's not the same."

Roy kicked off his boxer shorts and tugged down her panties. "You sure know an awful lot about this. Maybe you have a panty kink? I mean, you did take mine, and those were a gift." Riza sucked in a lungful of air, and he groaned as he slid inside of her. She was always so ready, and he never ceased to be amazed by it.

"Want them back?" Her legs wrapped around him, and she arched her back helpfully.

"I doubt they'd fit me, Riza, and like you said, they're new, and it's not the same." His hand ghosted up her side and into her hair. His mouth captured hers, and he squeezed his eyes shut. The feel and taste of her all around him stole his senses. Roy couldn't believe he'd chosen to leave her behind in favor of academia. What had he been thinking?

He kissed her cheeks and temple before sucking the soft skin of her neck into his mouth. "To be honest, they don't fit me either. Catherine Elle is tiny, and I couldn't even get them around my waist."

Roy snorted and stifled a laugh. "Are we really talking about panties another girl gave me while having sex in your bed?"

Riza turned his head to face her. "I like that I can talk to you. What we do is about you and me. There isn't anyone else I can have this with. She or anyone else can give you all the panties in the world, and it won't matter."

He kissed her again and hastened his pace. "I love you," Roy whispered against her lips.

When, much later, Riza walked Roy to the front door, they made the discovery that the puppy was not, in fact, house trained.