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Riza lingered after the party had died down, curled against the arm of Roy’s couch with one leg tucked up underneath her. Comfortable, finally, now that the commotion of the night had simmered down. She idly swirled her glass of wine as she watched Hayate sleeping near the hearth with a small, content smile on her face. From the other room she could hear Roy at the front door, wishing their guests a safe walk home and a happy new year. She breathed out a slow exhale, letting her eyes fall shut for a moment to enjoy the sound of the crackling fire and the heat it cast across her skin.
The winter months were hard for Riza. The cold and the dark wore her thin and left her doggedly fatigued. The grey streets of Central made her yearn for the snowy, open fields and infinite sky of the countryside. It was a struggle to maintain her routines and resist the tempting thrall of her warm bed when it was so miserably wet and cold outside. It was the season where the ghosts that haunted her felt the most tangible; when the dark voices that twisted through her mind called the loudest. And so, while she wasn’t a very energetic partygoer, she was grateful for the holiday get-together that the unit held each year. It was a nice little flicker of light and warmth that was sorely needed during the darkest days of the year.
She was suddenly overcome with fondness for her colleagues as she took a sip of her drink. It was a sweet dessert wine that Breda had brought, specifically because he knew she liked it. They had first had it one year back when they were stationed in East City, and when Riza commented how much she enjoyed it, he promised that he would bring it again next year. And he had, to every Year End party since.
It was a nice reminder of how cared for she was. As was how Falman sat quietly with her and they talked about the novel they were both reading while the other men decided to test how drunk they were by arm wrestling. As was how Fuery brought dog biscuits for Hayate so that he could enjoy a holiday treat as well, after sheepishly asking Riza at work if it would be alright. As was how Havoc had come outside to warn her about the ice at the foot of the stairs leading into Roy’s townhome, politely offering his arm to her to help her across the slick patch in her nice shoes.
Warmth glowed within her chest and spread through her like drops of ink unfurling in water, curling and billowing in elegant swells all the way down to her toes. In times like these, the kindness and grace that she experienced through others reminded her of what really mattered. Of the inherent, immutable goodness of humanity. Even in herself, though sometimes it felt so small and so deep that she couldn’t reach it—it was still there, despite everything. And despite everything, she was loved, and gave love in return.
“Tired?” Roy’s voice was low and rough from an abundance of conversation and laughter, bringing her out of her reflections. The cushion beside her dipped under his weight as he sat down. When Riza opened her eyes she found him reaching for his almost-empty glass of wine on the coffee table, looking tired but content, much like herself. He twisted towards her, smile widening when he met her gaze, and stretched to clink his glass against hers. “Cheers.”
“Cheers,” She echoed, tipping her drink back and draining whatever was left.
Roy grinned at her as he did the same, holding out his hand to take her glass and place them both on the table. Then he scooted close to her, wedging himself into the scant space between her body and the back of the couch, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Riza huffed, amused by his eagerness, having waited all night to hold her, and shifted her body so they fit more comfortably together.
They melted into each other at once, the lines between their bodies blurring. There had been no real reason they couldn’t do this in the presence of their team, except perhaps to avoid their teasing remarks. But it felt nice to have a private moment like this, after a night of socializing. Roy cradled the back of her head and kissed her, slowly and sweetly, holding her with so much gentle tenderness she felt she might burst.
“Happy Year End, Riza.” Roy murmured against her lips, and she could feel him smiling. “Any plans for the new year?”
Riza nestled against his shoulder, humming thoughtfully and stroking his hair, letting the silence settle around them comfortably. Roy didn’t press her, happy to rub his cheek against the top of her head and wait. Finally, she said, “No. I think I’m quite content to let things happen the way they will.”
It was Roy’s turn to grow quiet. Perhaps he was debating if he should tease her or not.
“Maybe that would be nice for a change.” He said, and kissed her again.
How lucky she felt. Tired, too, but in a familiar and comfortable way, like coming home to bed after a long day of work. Lucky that they could spend the last hours of the year tangled up together, for once not concerned about the future.
The date turned over quietly, with little fanfare, as the fire burned down to embers.