9. Like Younger Brother

As much as Edward tried to deny it, Riza always thought he was like Alphonse. Not totally alike, but they had strong similarities. Like when you comment on a child looking like their mother - they always deny it. Now, there were all those personality traits that they had in common, but there was one thing that Edward would deny if it was mentioned, and now you all get the chance to read it.

It was just after work had ended, and Riza was headed home quite pointedly. Above her head the skies rumbled angrily, dark clouds blocking out the light - and it wasn't even late yet. She rounded the corner to her house when it finally began to rain, not steady, as expected, but a sudden gush from above. She sheltered herself under the eaves of buildings, until she managed to open the door to her apartment block. She shivered slightly in the empty, cool hall, but soon advanced up the stairs, reasoning it would be warmer up there. Black Hayate was, as usual, awaiting her return, which he heralded with excited yipping and running around in circles. Riza chuckled, and stooped to pet his head lovingly, before taking of her jacket and lighting a small fire. She stretched out on her couch, Hayate jumping up to join her. The young dog curled up into a ball, and Riza just lay and watched the fire for a while. She was tired, and hungry, but just laying there was so inviting. Until there was a loud knocking on the door. She considered letting the person keep going, but they probably knew she was there. She shoved the dog from his position, and yawned, heading towards the door. Who would visit her at this time of night anyway?

"Edward?" Riza asked blearily, still half-asleep, "Why are you here?"

"Uh… puppy?" He asked, holding up a small, brown dog, "I just naturally assumed you had dog food, and besides, it's cold outside," Ed added, pushing through into the warm living room. Riza just nodded, and shut the door behind him.

"Why do you have a puppy?" Riza asked later, seating herself at the kitchen table. Edward had begun rummaging through her cupboards, and the small bundle of wet fur was shaking on the table.

"… No reason," The blonde faltered in his search, but set off again, having noticed a bag filled with tins of dog food.

"Come on, tell me," Riza asked, watching Edward blush as he took Hayate's bowl and filled it. The owner of the bowl whined as he noted the food was not his.

"Well, it's cold outside. And the dog was cold. And I was cold."

"Awww, you took in a stray. That's sweet of you, isn't it?"

"It is not. I'm practically contradicting myself here. If Al found out we'd be a cat haven by tomorrow," Edward moaned distractedly, sitting down to watch the puppy eat.

"I still think it's sweet. And you say you're not like Alphonse at all," Riza sighed, petting the puppy lightly.

"I am not. I'm so much better."

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A/N; Bleh. I didn't know what to do for this one. And I was technically on hiatus. So here you go peeps. Enjoy.