38. Better Days (Goo Goo Dolls)

A/N: It's not Christmas, you say? Too bad! I've been writing a ton of depressing stuff lately, and just needed something to lighten the mood. (Plus, I'm in the middle of a heat wave. Snow sounds REALLY awesome right now.) You can come back and read this on December 25th if you're so inclined. 'Til then, enjoy! This is pre-Maes's death, by the way.

WARNING: Contains much (chaste!) flirting. Is most likely a bit OOC. I had entirely too much fun with this one!

It wasn't that Roy didn't like Winter Solstice—he did! The world just seemed a little brighter, a little more filled with laughter. It was that this was how it should be all the time, and that it wasn't.

Still, he had a hard time focusing on that with the antics of his subordinates. There was something to be said for Havoc being turned down for a cup of eggnog by a record number of women this year. Riza was the only one who'd agreed, but had immediately added that if she so much as suspected her cup was spiked, there would be injury. Havoc wouldn't do that to her, but it did keep him in line with any other girl he had a chance with.

The mistletoe in the center of the room was avoided at all costs. Nobody was quite sure how it had gotten there, possibly with the exception of Maes, who didn't seem surprised by its presence. Ed had actually been caught off-guard when, while giving a report, he found himself next to Riza, who had a high-priority paper needing only Roy's signature. The poor boy had turned red and shot out of the room mid-sentence before Riza had gotten the chance to tell him that they were not observing that particular tradition, Armstrong and—who else?—Maes being the only two exceptions. Roy had been given a bone-crunching hug by Armstrong ("This method of showing affection has been passed down the Armstrong line for generations!"), and Maes had winked conspiratorially at Roy before kissing an unsuspecting Riza on the cheek.

Small gifts of chocolate and trinkets were passed around, and anybody who was late had to bring hot chocolate the next day, or else.

Madam Christmas had invited them all to her place a week prior to Solstice for a private party. Roy had been concerned that his cover would be blown, but the woman simply played it off as a seasonal act of good will towards her favorite customer.

So, when the day came, everyone was there. It was a cozy party, and everyone was happy. Maes and Gracia had gotten a sitter for Elysia, Winry had managed to come in from Risembool, and even Rebecca had snagged an invite.

The snow was falling softly, as it was apt to do that time of year. Roy had to duck outside to get away for a moment and just enjoy it. A few moments later, Riza joined him with Black Hayate.

"I couldn't find anyone to watch him," she said by way of apology.

Roy smiled and bent to scratch the dog's ears. "I don't mind. I do love dogs, after all."

Riza grinned. "And to think we considered you a suitable owner."

Laughing, Roy straightened up. "You care for him better than any of us ever could. It shows."

"Thank you." It was hard to tell in the dim light whether Riza was flushing from the cold or from embarrassment.

"Shall we go back in?" Roy started for the door.

Riza shook her head. "Hayate's not finished," she reminded him.

Roy returned to her side. "I'll stay out here with you, then."

"You really don't have to do that."

With a half-shrug and a lady-killer smile, Roy simply said, "I know."

Turning to look at Roy, Riza couldn't keep the half-smile off her face. "Don't think I'm unaware that you're flirting with me."

"I don't think that at all!" Roy's smile turned into a smirk. "Don't think I'm unaware that you're flirting back, and enjoying it."

"Only for tonight," Riza half-sighed, sounding a bit wistful. "Any other time, and this would be dangerous."

"Flirting with you is always dangerous," Roy muttered.

Riza laughed. "You're really something, Roy."

"I would say that it's the spirit of the season, but I think we both know that's a lie." Roy put his arm around her. "We're among friends. I think we could oblige them, and ourselves, just this once."

"We are not going to 'accidentally' meet under the mistletoe, Roy," insisted Riza.

Roy's smirk took on a rather devious aspect. "What about on purpose?"

Riza shook her head. "You need something left to fight for, and I won't have anyone thinking either that I'm easy, or that I've finally lost it."

The smirk softened into a smile. "And you say I'm something. You, Riza, are entirely something else." Roy kissed Riza's cheek. "And I respect that."

"Thank you." Riza kissed Roy's cheek in return. Hayate nudged her leg, drawing her attention. She turned back to Roy. "Now we can go back in."

It was Roy's turn to sigh. "Just when I thought you might finally succumb to my charms for once and for all." He held the door open.

As Riza walked by, she smiled coyly and said so that only Roy could hear, "Only in your dreams."

A/N: Oh, I had fun with that! Trying to come up with the entire flirting scene was a bit challenging at times, but I hope it turned out okay in the end. Was it terribly OOC?

Let me know!