Equivalent exchangeA/N: Guess who has an exam tomorrow and who is wasting her time writing some Ed/Roy-fic…? Well, yea, that might be me… (though writing can't be a waste of time, right?)
It had taken years, many years until Ed had realized something important. He realized that there had to be a meaning for everything. And that was why Ed could feel the guilt ease so much that it felt like a burden was taken from his shoulders. When their mom had died. When Ed had came up with the stupidest idea there could ever be… It was the thing Ed regretted the most. He had made their, his and especially Al's life hard, nearly unbearable. But it had made them strong, stronger than anyone in their age could be.
They had experienced many things which had made the bond between Al and Ed so strong that nothing in the world could break it. They had met so many new people; they had sawn the bright and the dark side of life. And now that everything was alright, they were able to enjoy every little moment there was, living fully, just being happy.
If Ed wouldn't have persuaded his brother to try wake up their mother from the death, would they be so strong? Would they have realized that in life every little moment was special? Would they have met all the people? Would Ed have ever met Roy? Maybe. They could have crossed each other on the street, in a train, in the town…But then they most likely wouldn't have stopped to steal a second glance.
Where would Ed be now? Maybe he'd be just a normal 18-year-old, going to school, hanging out with friends, maybe girlfriend… And Ed would be just like everyone else, getting a job, getting married, living in a nice house with a lovely wife and few kids. Living his ordinary life. Would Ed be as happy as he was right now? Maybe… maybe not.
Roy pulled him in closer and buried his face into Ed's golden hair. "What are you thinking about…?" Ed smiled and leaned back against Roy's chest. "That I'm happy you found me."
Would Ed be as happy as he was now that Roy was there, holding him tightly? Would Ed be as happy if that person was someone else than Roy?
"I'm happy you found me too", Roy said softly and kissed Ed's neck gently. Ed closed his eyes. It didn't matter, what could have been. It didn't matter if Ed could be happier than he already was. Because just being there, lying against Roy's chest was just enough. Enough and more than Ed could ever hope of. Just knowing that Roy was there, right there. That he would be for a long time.
