A/N: I just want to thank everyone for reading this and being so kind and supportive! I've really enjoyed writing this series and I'm sad it's almost over but I'd love to keep writing more RoyAi in the future. So thanks again guys.

"What is taking her so long?" Ed said trying to brush off the panic in his voice as annoyance
"Patience now Fullmetal, it'll be worth the wait," said Mustang not even trying to conceal his smile

"But what if she's changed her mind and is halfway to the train station?"

"She wouldn't do that brother!" insisted Alphonse

"But what if she-"

"Brother, Winry isn't going to change her mind," said Alphonse firmly.

"Thanks Al."

"Yeah, if she hasn't come to her senses by now there's a good chance she never will,"

"You're lucky I promised Winry I wouldn't kick your ass on my wedding day, Fuhrer Bastard."

"I bet Ed's getting impatient," said May as she finished applying mascara to Winry's eyes.

"Oh let him!" said Winry as she blinked. "It's my wedding day, I think I've earned to be a couple of minutes behind schedule."

"He's going to be speechless when he sees you," murmured Hawkeye.

Winry blushed. "Well there's a first time for everything I guess,"

Pinako was rushing around her granddaughter, making sure the dress was absolutely perfect. While the old woman's true gift was automail repair, she had surprised Winry by proving herself a talented seamstress as well. The dress had truly been a labor of love, a restoration of the simple frock WInry's mother had worn at her wedding, with some modern touches to make it like something from a dream. Winry looked like a princess, with a sweetheart neckline and a skirt hit to the floor, covered in lace. Her hair was curled and surrounded her face like a halo, .

She's glowing, thought Hawkeye. Absolutely glowing. If you didn't know Winry, you'd think she was carrying on as if it were a normal day, getting everything in order and putting up with Ed's antics but Riza could tell her heart was all a flutter. Even if a part of Winry had always felt this day was inevitable, some part of her thought it would never come. That same part wanted to make it last as long as possible.

"Do you need anything? Are those shoes okay? Do your feet hurt? Are you thirsty?" asked Pinako.

"I'm fine grandma."

"It's best to not keep Ed waiting too long," pointed out Pinako. "I can tell that poor boy's getting restless."

"You're right," said Winry as she looked in the mirror, rightfully taken back by her own reflection. "I think I'm ready. No, I know I'm ready."

"You look beautiful," exclaimed May.

"Thank you," she said as she took a deep breath. "Okay let's get going!"

Her bridesmaids gathered their flowers and handed the bride her bouquet. The ushers opened the doors and and as the ladies prepared to make their way into the church proceeding the bride,Riza heard Winry whisper to herself: "There better not be anything about equivalent exchange in his vows, or so help me…"

"They grow up so fast," whispered the captain to the fuhrer.

"They sure do," he replied. "And there was a time when I thought Fullmetal would never grow."

Riza sighed. "Really sir? Even on his wedding day?"

"I think I've been fairly generous," he said with a smile. "I said nothing about the heels Winry chose to wear, there was a short joke there waiting to be made but I took the high road."

"Sparing him humiliation as you officiate his wedding ceremony, what fine gift."

"Well, at least I know he won't return it."

Riza have him a light laugh as she continued to watch the newly weds. Winry was talking to Major Armstrong, laughing about something and Ed just looked at her grinning like a fool. He was absolutely crazy about her.

"Did you ever think we'd be here?" asked Mustang. "At their wedding, I mean."

"Absolutely," she said. "It was obvious to me that Ed loved her, even when he didn't realize it. The way he talked about her, and the way she looked at him… those two were made for each other."

"I remember when we first met Fullmetal, he was just a child, and here he his getting married. Soon he'll be having kids, and they'll be just like him. Can you imagine?"

"It's a lovely thought, sir," she said quietly. The two sat in silence for a few minutes. Riza was fixated on Ed and Winry. She considered Ed to be something of a little brother to her, she had watched him grow up, looked out for him, and seeing him so happy filled her with pride. She'd see him overcome so much, him and Winry both. How the two of them could seem so different and yet so similar. How they had known each other practically their whole lives, and how their friendship had blossomed into this wonderful thing. And she had been a part of it.

A part of Riza fought to live vicariously through these two. They had endured so much, they relied on each other to make the pain more bearable. They had overcome so much to find this happiness and now they could share it with everyone they knew. Their story reminded her so much of another story. If only a few things been different, if only the world had been kinder, if only she believed she deserved such happiness, then maybe she and the man beside her could have this too.

Roy sat beside her. thinking all of this, but he was fixated on Riza, wearing the same expression as Ed.

"C'mon Riza she'd tossing the bouquet!" exclaimed Rebecca as she grabbed her friend by the arm. Jean did the same for Roy as Ed prepared to throw the garter. the two allowed their friends to drag them to their respective circles as the bride and groom prepared to throw their treasures into the excited crowd.

Riza and Roy had a bet on who would catch the bouquet and garter and share the ceremonial ance. She knew Rebecca was rather competitive, especially when there was an open bar. If she had her sights set on catching it then no doubt Jean was aiming to be the gentleman who got to dance with her, seeing as he'd get hopelessly jealous if it was anyone else. Although May was not so little anymore and it was no secret she was determined to lure Alphonse onto the dance floor, even though he was still a tad bit shy dancing in his new body. But no one would try to stop him if he had his sights on winning. Riza placed her money on Rebecca, but Roy had faith in mAy.

But as Winry threw the bouquet over her head, Riza couldn't help but notice that all the women around her stepped back. She also couldn't help but notice that Winry somehow aimed the bouquet right where Riza was standing. The flowers landed in Riza's hands almost effortlessly, and no one even tried to intervene. The knowing smiles that surrounded her meant that only one man could have caught the garter. She turned to confirm her suspicion, as Roy raised an eyebrow at her, to explain he knew absolutely nothing about this plan, but what can you do?

"Well look at that!" exclaimed Ed in a fake surprise. "The fuhrer and the captain! It's a good thing you've got Hawkeye to make you look good, as always."

"Very funny Fullmetal," said Mustang as he walked over to the captain. She avoided his gaze, trying to portray to the onlookers that she thought this whole situation was silly. But Mustang was less eager to hide his feelings on the situation. He extended his hand to her. "Shall we?"

She sighed and placed her hand in his as he lead her to the dance floor. The crowd murmured with enthusiasm, they are were in on the plan to make this happen after all, but the two mentally agreed to ignore them as the music began for their dance.

"Don't be afraid to step on his feet Captain!" exclaimed Ed, as Winry nudged him and gave him a glare.

"I'm tempted to let that short joke slip," whispered Mustang as he placed his other hand on RIza's waist and pulled her closer, as if it were something he did every day.

"Careful, sir," she whispered as she placed her hand on his shoulder. They began to dance, not oblivious in the slightest to all eyes on them. They were used to this kind of thing. Riza merely used it to heighten her senses, becoming overly aware of her environment and any threats within the crowd. Roy had become accustomed to merely focusing on Riza.

"So captain," he whispered. Ed and Winry had picked a rather long song for their dance. "Have you ever thought about this? Getting married, I mean."

"I suppose everyone does," she said back. "But I never really thought I would. I mean, maybe once when I was young and things were different…"

"Perhaps you just haven't met the right man,"

"Maybe I'm just not the marrying type,"

"Well, that's a shame. You'd make some lucky man very happy."

"There's already an important man in my life, and he's a full time job."

"Captain Hawkeye, are you insinuating that I've ruined all other men for you?"

"Take from it what you like," she joked as he spun her. "I'm committed to you, that's enough for me."

"Hm, would you say you're devoted to me?"

"Not aloud," she said with a smile. "But I will say I think the night's festivities are going to your head."

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean,"

"So you're telling me that Winry and Edward just so happen to pick this song?" she asked. "The same song you used to play all the time when we were younger? The same song we learned how to dance to?"

"Such a strange coincidence," he assured. "I may have offered my opinions on the music, but how could I have guaranteed the pleasure of dancing with you?"

"Perhaps the explanation is found in the fact that you've successfully repressed any jokes relating to Edward's height?"

"I haven't the foggiest."

"I see," she said, not convinced but she was enjoying the dance. "Edward told me you helped him with the proposal."

"He may have strayed from the script, but who can argue with the results?" he said with a smile. "But he only had to propose once, maybe I gave away my best trick,"

"Well they only have one story to tell, you have your pick,"

"Ah yes, I can tell everyone about all the times Riza Hawkeye didn't marry me."

He had said this lightly but she took his words to heart,

"You must hate me."

"I could never."

The song ended and she stared at the man before her, she felt him hold her closer. His eyes darted to the back and she nodded. She followed him out of the hall and they found a secluded staircase where they could continue their discussion in private,

"It almost makes you jealous," he commented. "Seeing how happy they are. Where we we at their age?'
"Don't think like that," she said. "Luckily, the world is a bit brighter for them. Their future won't have to stay dreary."

"Did you ever think our world would get brighter?"

"That's why I followed you," she said plainly. "You wanted to make the world a better place, and I thought you could. And here we are."

"Did I make the world a better place, captain? In your opinion?"

"You made mine a better place."

He smiled at her as she looked at the floor. Something had shifted between them where now she felt almost giddy when she said these things to him. But now she said these kinds of things more often. There were less barriers separating them now, so much had changed, yet she was still finding walls and excuses and she wanted to stop but she couldn't.

"I was just returning the favor," he said, stepping closer to her.

"Careful, sir."

He stopped. "Do you think I could make you happy, Hawkeye?"

Silence.

"Because you make me happy. And I just need to let you know that… it's okay if you only see me me as your superior. I know you care about me and my safety, but it's okay to hurt me. I'll get over it. So long as I don't lose you, I'll be fine. But if this is all we are and is all we're ever be, then it's more than enough for me. I can stop asking you to-"

He was cut off by her throwing her arms around his neck. She buried her face in the crook of his neck and he could feel her breathing. He returned the embrace as she tightened her grip because she didn't know what to say but she didn't want him to finish his thought. It was hard enough hearing it from slowly pulled away, somewhat surprised in herself. Here she was trying to lock in boundaries and stay professional and then surrendering to the same foolish nonsense she tried discouraging in the fuhrer. Mustang looked at her wide eyed and smiling as she cleared her throat, trying to get past her impulse.

"I'm sorry sir, that was… unprofessional."

"Don't worry about it captain," he chuckled.

She looked at him and began to chuckle as well, slightly embarrassed. Suddenly she felt ridiculous. Here she was, standing with a man who loved her and wanted nothing more than to spend his life with her and she couldn't see it through because… why? She was stuck. She knew things would be different, better with time, she had faith in his visions and ability. Yet, here she was living her life as if she was still the same person she was when they were fighting to get to this point.

But things change. They will change again. One day he won't need her. What would she be then? The person she was meant to be if the world had been a bit brighter from the start? As long as he had known her, she had been this unreachable force, pushing him forward and lifting him up. But what happens when he's accomplished it all? She'd still be there, but would he realize his need and especially his desire for her had an expiration date?

"Shall we head back inside?" he asked, extending his arm to her. "If we stay away any longer, people may start to talk."

"Let them," she said taking it. "It's nothing we're not used to."

They walked back to join the party and he felt her grip tighten. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked, he imagined how they looked to strangers. They'd smile at them in passing, and comment in their minds how well the two complimented one another.

He may not always need a bodyguard, but he would always need her. She was inevitable, like the rain or the sunshine but she separated herself from the elements by being the one constant thing in his life. The rare thing that makes itself both a desire and a necessity, but often these things do not recognize their own worth because they live to benefit everyone else.

Winry and Ed watched the fuhrer and his captain reenter arm and arm. Winry sighed.

"It feels like we've known them forever," she commented.

"We kinda have," said her husband. "It's a little bizarre, don't you think? I mean, the captain's way too good for him."

"Oh shush!" said WInry smiling. "It's sweet. I could tell they would end up together when I first met her as a lieutenant. The way she talked about him, the way his face lit up whenever she'd enter a room or he'd talk about her…"

"I still don't see it,"

"So that's why you agreed to aim the garter in his direction?"

Ed grumbled and avoided her knowing gaze.

"I just want them to be happy," she said dreamily. "Is that so wrong? They're nice people. they deserve to be happy."

"Yeah," Ed agreed. "But there could be alot of reason why they aren't together."

"Like what?"
"Maybe the 'equivalent exchange' line didn't work so well on Hawkeye."