This is an early Christmas fic written for HeartsFire1, without whom I probably would never have become a vegetable and never updated anything.

Oh, and expect and update on Eyes within the next couple of days. ^^

FreshWaterRain

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"Is my tie straight?"

"Yes, Edward. And for the tenth time, you look wonderful."

Ed took one last look in the mirror then turned to face Riza Hawkeye.

"Thank you…for your help."

"You're welcome, Edward. Now, if you don't leave soon you'll be late."

Ed glanced at his watch. "Shit, you're right."

She grinned and handed him a single white rose. "Don't forget this."

He grabbed the rose and pecked her on the cheek. "You're a life-saver Hawkeye." He gave her a last smile, then dashed out the door.

She watched him run down the street and smiled. He'd turned into such a fine young man.

"You should be proud." Said a voice from behind her.

She turned and let warm arms wrap around her.

"Don't worry Jean, I am."

Edward Elric stood outside of Central HQ and gazed up the steps. He'd waited so long to be here and now he wasn't sure if he could climb the last steps. He reached up to straighten his tie and remembered he'd ripped it off on the walk over. He let his hands drop to his sides and took a deep breath. It was now or never.

He took a step up the stairs and started the journey up.

He'd returned from the other side of the gate four years ago and realized just what had been missing, other than his brother. It had taken him four years, lots of nagging, and a ton of encouragement to get him to where he was now, and he appreciated all of it.

He reached that landing and looked around. All the lights, save one, were off. It was Christmas Eve and everyone was home with their families.

All he had to do now was reach for the door and pull it open. His hand didn't move.

What if he was wrong? He thought. What if he was ruining the only real relationship he had ever had?

He shook his head. He was the Fullmetal Alchemist. He could do this.

All of a sudden the door opened and light spilled out for a spilt second. The man who had opened to door and shut off the light hadn't noticed Ed and was now busy locking the door.

Ed stood there frozen and waited. Finally the man turned around.

"Edward? What are you doing out here? It's freezing, shouldn't you be in Risemboll with Al and Winry?" His commanding officer asked.

Ed shook his head.

"Ed?"

"Roy…there's something I need to say to you." He said slowly.

"What is it? Is Al ok?"

"Yes….yes, Al's fine." This wasn't going at all as he had planned. He hadn't planned on turning into a mushy ball of goo and here he was, acting like Winry.

"I love you." He blurted out. He could already feel his cheeks burning as he continued. "I've loved you for as long as I can remember and I'm tired of hiding it from you…I…just needed you to know."

There was shocked silence for a few moments. Ed turned and started down the steps. This was the worst idea he'd ever had, but surprisingly he felt better than he had in ages.

"Edward?"

He stopped and turned to look up at the other man.

Roy was standing at the top of the steps holding Ed's forgotten rose. "I'm assuming this was for me then?" He asked, as he twirled the stem between his fingers.

Ed nodded. "Yes, it still is."

He heard Roy mumble something as the man made his way down the steps to him.

He felt warm fingers wrap around his. "I don't really hate the snow."

"What?"

"Or the rain."

"Roy…?"

"I love you Edward…"

A smile touched Ed's lips as he leaned up to brush them against Roy's.

"Merry Christmas, Roy."

"Merry Christmas, Ed."

Edward soon found himself being tugged down the stairs with a warm hand wrapped around his. "C'mon shrimp, what are you waiting for."

Ed rolled his eyes. Some things would never change.