A/N OMG guys it's the last chapter, like, whaaaaa!? I REALLY don't want this to end, I thoroughly enjoyed posting it and writing it! Now I gotta continue my other stuff...I need to write...Like, ASAP.

I hope this is an okay closure for the whole thing, and I can personally say that I really like this chapter. It just shows their feelings really well, in my opinion. :) Anyway, i hope you like it as much as I do, maybe even more!

Chapter 14

Ed fingered the rose in her hand, twirling it around with her fingers. She stood in Taa's tent, the same one she had spent more than a week in. The others were outside getting ready to leave and Roy had left with Wang to get his uniform and gloves. Edeline knew she should probably be out there with Al and the others, yet she couldn't help feeling like leaving this place was something she didn't want to do. It filled her with a peculiar sadness, not so much about the place itself, but for the memories she'd created here.

Spending carefree days with Roy, laughing and bickering, feeling his lips touching her own, or waking up with his arm around her waist were only a few of the things they'd experienced together during their stay. These were moments only she and Roy would know about, and Ed already knew they wouldn't discuss them with anyone else. She wouldn't even tell Al.

She couldn't comprehend why, but she felt the need to keep her intimate moments with Roy private.

But how private would they be? She couldn't help but wonder whether she and Roy would ever bring up anything that happened between them here when they were back on track with their lives. Would Roy want to forget everything and go on with his womanising ways? Just the thought made Ed angry and hurt. She wasn't a temporary distraction, and she certainly wasn't someone who you just threw away when done with her. Was that what Roy was planning on doing? Damn it, why hadn't she thought of that before they started all this mess?

Her feelings for him, having been let loose now, had bloomed and grown, and Edeline really didn't know if she could forget him that easily if he did decide to stop whatever was going on between them. Her body was reacting much more strongly now every time she was with him. Before, she could restrain her emotions and lock them up inside, but now that she had gotten a taste of him, her body just screamed for him and his touch, her lips tingled when she thought of their kisses and her heartbeat picked up at the thought of something more.

She felt ridiculous, but she was actually scared to go back to Central.

With no way of knowing how things would go, Ed was left with her assumptions and thoughts, and those were never too optimistic. Questions and possible answers were uncontrollable, filling her mind and lingering there at the back. Would Roy turn all professional towards her again? Would he just start teasing her and mocking her, as if he hadn't kissed her or held hands with her?

Would Ed have to pretend she hated him, just because that was what everyone else thought she did?

Ed let out a frustrated huff, gently fingering the crimson petals of the rose with her other hand. Would Roy act like he had never given her that rose? Had it even meant anything in the first place?

The image of the cocky and supercilious Colonel Mustang she'd known up till now entered her mind and she frowned, her face twisting in a scowl as apprehension and further hurt filled her chest. She didn't think she could handle dealing with the horrible side of him when she'd witnessed firsthand what he was like out of the office, all soft and gentle, funny and loving.

Someone entered the tent behind her, bathing her back in the soft glow of the afternoon sun. She half turned, only a bit surprised when her eyes landed on Roy, fully dressed save for his military jacket, and ready. Already he was holding himself straighter, like the officer he was.

"Everyone's ready to go," he informed her, and Ed glanced away, not wanting to see the change in his expression. The professional air was back, and Ed took a deep breath, bracing herself for the quick 'we're never talking about what happened here again' talk.

Behind her, Roy entered the tent fully to come closer. Two warm hands appeared on her shoulders and a hot breath caressed her cheek. "Are you all right?"

Ed spared him a glance, biting her bottom lip when she saw his soft expression openly expressing concern. Her eyes wandered back to the flower in her hand, unknowingly making Roy's eyes follow hers. Ed relished in the proximity of their bodies. His front was pressed against her back, his strong, calloused hands trailing down her bare arms and grasping her elbows weakly. His thumb stroked her skin, making her shiver. She could feel his breath on her ear and cheek.

"What's wrong, Ed?" he asked, his deep baritone voice making her blood pound in her ears and rush to her cheeks.

"I'm fine," she breathed, "We should get going. The others will be wondering where we are."

Roy frowned, his arms holding her a bit tighter to prevent her from slipping away. "I think they can wait a few more minutes."

Ed exhaled, halting her half-hearted squirming and turning her head towards him. Their gazes locked and Ed was taken aback by the genuine worry lingering in those midnight blue irises. Were the same things passing through both their minds? Was he thinking what would happen if she decided she didn't want to have anything to do with him?

She had to ask. She couldn't stand the suspense until they returned to Central. Here she felt more confident, where she wasn't bombarded by fans wherever she went, and Roy wasn't expected to act like a high and mighty Colonel.

"What's going to happen when we return, Roy?" Saying his name made what she meant obvious, and when she saw his eyes staring back into hers, searching, she immediately felt like backing away and pulling her defences up so he couldn't see just how pathetically desperate she was for him.

"What do you want to happen, Edeline?" he murmured in return, and Ed noticed he'd leaned just a bit closer to her face.

Ed suddenly felt embarrassed. She knew very well what she wanted, but having to say it, to admit it, was a whole different story. She flushed, averting her gaze and staring back at the rose in her hand. "What do you want?" she retorted.

Roy's lips twitched upwards at her evident embarrassment and petulance, and he stroked a strand of her hair behind her ear. He remained silent for a few seconds, during which Ed grew increasingly nervous. What if he said that they couldn't do this; that it was against the law?

"I want you."

Ed swore her heart stopped beating, and her head swung to face him so fast she felt dizzy. Her eyes wide and disbelieving, she started, "B-But are you sure? I mean, you could get in trouble and it would be all my fault! What about your goal of becoming Fuhrer? If we get discovered you could be fired! I couldn't possibly live with the guilt. I'm not worth your dream, Roy!" She didn't even know why she was making excuses when he'd just said what she'd wanted to hear. Perhaps she wanted to be certain, to know for sure that he knew what he was getting into.

"You are worth it, Ed," Roy said softly, arms wrapping around her waist and face nuzzling her neck.

Ed's heart was beating like crazy, her face flushed scarlet and breathing short and quick. Whatever her reply would've been it was wiped away from her mind when Roy started planting soft kisses up her neck, each making a soft sound in all the silence around them.

"You're worth everything I have." His whisper sent a pleasant shiver down her spine. Her pulse pounded in her ears, and arousal was taking hold of her body, making her hands shake with need.

"E-Even your dream...?" Her voice sounded weak even to her ears.

Roy's lips pressed against her cheek in a soft peck. "Even my dream."

"We'll have to keep it a secret. I don't want to destroy everything you've worked for. I-I'll be careful." Ed didn't know who she was trying to convince exactly. Roy was already convinced they could do it, so she was just trying to get herself to stop worrying.

She felt his smile against her cheek. "Okay."

Cheerful laughter reached their ears from outside and they were reminded that they had to get going. Ed felt Roy withdraw, and now that she was out of Roy's embrace she felt cold.

"We should get going," she said, for a reason she couldn't understand avoiding Roy's eyes.

She was ready to start walking out when Roy grabbed her arm, pulling her back against him and softly connecting their lips. The kiss was hesitant, just a gentle brush of their lips, as though Roy didn't know if he should be doing this, even though they were now officially together. When Ed reciprocated, he gained confidence and wrapped an arm around her waist, the other cupping her cheek.

Ed's hands rested on his chest, one holding the rose and the other fisting the button up shirt Hawkeye had brought with her. The kiss became more passionate and needy, and soon Roy's tongue was licking her bottom lip, desperately demanding entrance. A soft hum gave away his pleasure and relief when Ed parted her lips, and a gentle moan escaped her when their tongues rubbed against each other in a loving dance.

For them it lasted for ages, and when Roy pulled back, they were both panting, faces flushed. Then, Roy grinned cheekily. "Sorry about that, I just didn't think I'd be able to wait until we got some privacy again."

Ed blushed, but a satisfied smile was already stuck on her face. She punched his arm gently. "Idiot, you don't need to apologise for that."

Roy's grin widened, and he gave her a quick peck, before his expression turned serious, and Ed cocked her head to the side, frowning. "What is it?" she asked.

Roy caught her eye, and his hand ran up her side fondly, his other stroking her cheek. "I love you," he breathed, swallowing and taking a shuddering breath.

Ed's eyes widened, her lips parting in shock.

Without allowing her to answer, Roy began to explain himself. "I've felt that way about you for quite a while now, but I just – it was a foreign feeling for me, and I admit to feeling confused and unable to handle it." Ed continued to stare in his eyes, clinging to every word for dear life. Never, not even in her dreams, had Roy ever said something alike to her, and now here he was, telling her exactly what her heart wanted to hear.

"I guess you could say it took saving your life, having that fear that you might die in my arms that made me realise just how strongly I feel for you." The hand on her cheek lowered, coming with his other one to circle around her waist. "You don't have to say anything, and I'm not asking for you to immediately reciprocate my feelings..." He paused, suddenly looking away uncomfortably. "But I hope in the future you will."

Ed was positive she had stopped breathing, her heart beating a mile a minute – and was Roy...Was Roy blushing?

"You're a complete idiot," she found herself blurting, and Roy stared at her wide-eyed in surprise. As if snapping out of a trance, she felt anger rise inside of her and she scowled, pulling out of his embrace. She saw a flash of hurt on his face, before she pointed at him, sticking her bottom lip out.

"Damn you bastard, don't start about how you fell in love with me first and all that shit! Let me tell you that I have had feelings for your sorry ass ever since I was a stupid teenager!" She saw his eyes widen even more as she continued. "I'm the one who's in love with you since forever! So don't you start on me about wanting me to reciprocate your feelings!" She humphed for good measure, looking at him stubbornly and crossing her arms – well, as much as she could, considering the flower she was still holding. "I love you, stupid bastard."

Silence followed her confession, during which Roy stared dumbly at her and she was positively pouting. Then, Roy's blank expression cracked, and a wide grin spread over his face, making those dimples show again. In one quick movement he had her in his arms again, squeezing until she couldn't breathe.

"Thanks," he mumbled against her hair. "I needed to hear that."

Ed smiled, her arms wrapping around his neck. "Stupid," she mumbled back, burying her face in his neck to conceal the goofy grin.

"Guys!? Are you ready yet?" The loud voice of Al, who sounded much too close to the tent for comfort, snapped them out of the moment, and after they jumped apart pathetically, they stared at each other and burst into giggles, which they'd both deny profusely later.

Roy grasped Ed's free hand, pulling her towards the entrance of the tent.

"Let's go home, Ed."

Ed nodded, suddenly craving the comfort of a bed, a hot shower and a decent meal. That rice was honestly the only thing she wasn't going to miss from this place.

The End.

*blows nose obnoxiously* I can't believe it's done guys. It's DONE. I don't know whether to be proud of myself for finishing a muti-chap fic or just sad that it actually ENDED.

Now I can proudly change this to 'complete'.

So, anyway, before I go and start on another one, i want to say a big THANKS to everyone who read/reviewed/followed/favourited this story. Your support had been so much more than what i thought I was going to receive for this fic, and it has made me really happy. Thank you! :)

Now go listen to Ed Sheeran - Photograph because I'm obsessed...uh...byeeee