059. Gift

"Hey, Hawkeye." Pausing in her steps, the blonde glanced over her shoulder and turned promptly at the sight of her commanding officer. She moved into a swift salute, but paused half way when she noticed the entertained smile that had crossed the dark haired man's face. "Relax, we're off duty." Allowing herself to relax some, Riza remembered that she had in fact been walking though the market before the man had caught her attention.

"What're you doing in town today, sir?" She asked, allowing him to step into pace with her. Roy shoved his hands deep into his pockets and allowed a bored expression to cross his face as he looked forward.

"I'm visiting Madam Christmas today so I have to pick up a little something before I go." He answered with a dismissive wave of his hand. "What about you?"

"Picking up something for dinner tonight."

"Oh really? What's on the menu tonight?" Riza gave him a skeptical look. He was being far too casual, though it made sense seeing as they were off duty, but at the same time, she still felt like people were looking at them disapprovingly. He tilted his head at her expectantly.

"I haven't figured it out yet." She answered with a sigh. She chose to ignore the knowing smile that crossed her face.

"In that case, you should come by Madam's tonight."

"That wouldn't be appropriate, sir."

"Neither is spending your birthday alone. How old are you now, Riza? Twenty-two?" He smirked at the glare she had sent his way. She spent her childhood living with Roy Mustang, so it wasn't completely bizarre that he knew her birthday. All the same, she was looking forward to a quiet night at home.

"Yes, sir." She answered sharply.

"So then a proper celebration is in order."

"No, that's alright…"

"Nonsense! Think of it as an order from you commanding officer." He chimed and laced an arm around her waist, despite the warning look she shot him, leading her down the street and towards Madam Christmas's pub. When they had arrived, Roy led her through a back door, mentioning that there were still working hours and he didn't want to interrupt.

"I really think this is inappropriate, sir." Riza informed, but her complaint fell on deaf ears, especially after a bouncy brunette entered the room. She came to a pause when her eyes fell on Riza and an excited squeal escaped as she rushed past Roy, shoving him along the way, and pulled the shocked blonde into a tight hug,

"Riza-chan!" she sang out as she took a step back and grinned widely. "I didn't know we'd be having you tonight!"

"Hello, Vanessa." She greeted with a week smile.

"Why don't you tell Madam we've got company, Nessa." Roy suggested with a roll of his eyes. The excited woman grinned widely and nodded.

"Of course!" She skipped out of the room, calling for Christmas.

"Follow me." He led her up the stairs to a decent sized and well decorated apartment. Clearly it was where Christmas and her girls lived and Roy must have been spoiling them with the decent military check her received. Of course, Madam Christmas did make a healthy living herself. Roy casually hung his coat before reaching out for hers, which was hesitantly handed over. "You might as well settle in and relax because Vanessa isn't going to let you leave until you have dinner with us." Riza huffed all the same, earning a chuckle.

"Of course." She muttered, looking around curiously, her gaze falling on a few pictures of Christmas in her younger years with a round faced, excited young Roy covered in ice cream. Christmas was clearly entertained in the picture. There were pictures of him as well after her had graduated the academy. Hughes was in a few and so were the girls. She shifted awkwardly. "This is in no way appropriate."

"Then you're going to hate this." Riza turned to snap at the handsome man only to stare blankly at the small velvet box he was holding out to her. She eyed the box skeptically and then raised her gaze to the smirking alchemist.

"What is it?" He rolled his eyes.

"A birthday gift of course!" Eyes widening, Riza felt her face heat up.

"Sir, you really didn't have to do this!" she stated, but Roy easily waved it off.

"I wanted to. Take it." He practically shoved the box into her hands and waited patiently. Uncertain on how else to get out of this, Riza slowly opened the box and her breath caught at the sight of the pair of pearl earrings in the box. "I noticed you got your ears pierced. These were my great grandmother's earrings. Straight from Xing."

"Roy… Sir… this is," She couldn't figure out words as she stared into the box. Roy cocked his head to the side curiously.

"Eh, don't you like them?" he asked. She nodded mutely. "Try them on and see how they look." He offered and led her to the bathroom. He had stood behind her patiently in the doorway as she worked with the jewelry. They fit in place perfectly with her features, almost as if they were always meant for her. In fact, they reminded her of the earrings she had seen her mother wearing in pictures before.

"They're beautiful." She hadn't paid attention to the fact that Roy had come up behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders in a hug, despite how Riza stiffened at the contact. He placed a kiss swiftly on her cheek and grinned.

"Happy birthday, Riza." Fighting back the blush that was sure to take over her face, Riza nodded.

"Thank you, sir."