Author's Note: Well, it felt like time for another light-hearted chapter, though once again I'm falling flat on my face in the attempt at humor. This actually took me a really long time to come up with; these romancey prompts just don't translate so well to this relationship, obviously. This was as close as I could come. Also, I honestly couldn't find a way to insert the words of the theme into the chapter like I usually do.

Timeline: Postseries

Theme 28: Love triangle

It had to be the most embarrassing moment of his life. How had he ever thought this would be a good idea? Hawkeye stirred sugar into her coffee, but when he said nothing she turned around, politely inquisitive. "Yes?" she prompted. "What did you want to ask me?"

Edward could feel the bright red blush seeping across his face, and he shuffled his feet, looking anywhere but at her face. He cleared his throat, took a deep breath, then squeezed his eyes shut and blurted, "I'm gonna ask Winry to marry me!"

He wanted to sink into the floor, and was about to high-tail it out of the room and never tell another living soul when Hawkeye drew him into a hug. His surprise made him forget his embarrassment for a moment; he couldn't recall a single time that Hawkeye had embraced anyone. Before he could collect himself enough to do anything, she broke away and held him at arm's length, beaming at him with an almost motherly pride. She looked him up and down (Edward noticed for the first time that she did have to tilt her head back slightly to look him in the eye) and said quietly, "Congratulations."

Edward grinned sheepishly and scratched the back of his neck, but even though that was the only thing she said, it somehow immediately put him at his ease. She'd always had that effect on people. "Um...you see...I was wondering if I could ask you how to ask her." He fumbled the ring he'd already purchased out of his pocket. "I mean, I've got the ring and everything..."

He was still blushing, but Hawkeye made no indication she noticed as she took a contemplative sip of her coffee. "Well, you know Winry much better than I do, but every woman I know would appreciate a simple, honest approach. It doesn't have to be elaborate. She already knows you love her, doesn't she?"

Edward's gut twisted uncomfortably inside him. Did she know? It had taken him a long time to admit to himself that he did love her, enough to marry her. He'd never been able to dredge up the courage to admit it to her before...and they were always fighting... Did she know? Did she even love him back? He realized he'd always sort of assumed that if he just asked, she would immediately say yes. But then...when he'd asked her years ago, when they were kids, she'd turned him down flat...

Gently, Hawkeye nudged him back to the present. "Why don't you practice?"

"Wha...? You mean, right now?"

She smiled. "No one else is here."

She had a point. He'd managed to corner Hawkeye when the break room was empty. So, blushing again, he sank onto one knee and held up the ring. He felt stupid, but Hawkeye nodded encouragingly, so he cleared his throat and began.

"Um...Winry," he said to Hawkeye's knees. "I don't really know how to say this... I've known you for almost as long as I can remember, so I guess I just never thought about it, but...I love you." As he spoke, he thought less about how embarrassing this whole situation was, and focused on the image of Winry in his mind. "I guess I should've said so before, but you know how it was...I was always running around and trying to get Al back, so I didn't have time for you. But I want to change that now. Maybe I'm not your ideal guy, but I want to do the best I can for you. So...will you marry me?"

He looked up swiftly for Hawkeye's reaction, but she had barely even opened her mouth when a voice suddenly spluttered behind him, "Full Metal! Wh-What's going on here?"

Edward leapt to his feet as if he'd been branded, blushing furiously again, and thrust the ring back into his pocket. Trust Mustang to come in at exactly the wrong moment. Hawkeye's only sign of irritation was a slight compressing of her lips before saying, "Sir, if I may-"

"No." He held up a finger to stall her, glaring at Edward all the while. "Full Metal – my office. Now."

He grumbled, but of course he had to follow. It had been ingrained into him after all these years. So he trudged behind Mustang back to his office, slouching so he even looked the same height as he used to. Edward was sure Mustang took great pleasure in that. Soon enough, they were back in the office, but instead of sitting lazily behind his desk, Mustang turned on his heel to face Edward directly as soon as the door closed behind them.

"What was that?" he exploded. "That...That indecent display of...of..." He seemed to be having a hard time forming words strong enough to convey his thoughts; he was gesturing in the vague direction of the break room. "And do you realize that Hawkeye is more than twelve years-"

"I wasn't proposing to Hawkeye!" he yelled, shutting Mustang up. "If you must know, I was practicing for Winry!"

Mustang stood with his mouth hanging stupidly open for a few moments, then managed a small, "Oh."

Edward snorted and turned away. "Sheesh, as if I'd marry Hawkeye. I don't know why you had to get so hot and bothered about it anyway..." He trailed off, his brain slowly catching up. Then he turned back and squinted suspiciously at Mustang, who suddenly seemed to find the bookcase fascinating. But there was an unmistakable rosy tint to his cheeks.

Smirking triumphantly at his little find, Edward turned to go. "If you hurry, you might still catch her."

When, a month later, he received an invitation to Mustang's small, private wedding, Edward just snickered quietly to himself.