It was a beautiful, cloudless night. Stars were shining brighter than usual and the moon seemed to have an extra ring of glow about it. All was perfect and romantic, an exceptional thing since this was the night that someone was going to pop the question; that one special question that joins man and woman until the end of time. That's right! Maes Hughes was going to ask Gracia to marry him! That is… once he got to her.
"Roy! Roooy. Please help me! I dunno what to do! I mean, I'm freaking out!" The cool headed alchemist was leaning against a wall as he watched his best friend pace back and forth in a tizzy. He just shook his head and walked over to the anxious man, placing a hand on his shoulder to halt him.
"First of all, do you have the ring?" Maes looked at him wide-eyed. The ring? Did he have the ring? Glasses fell slightly askew as he fumbled in his pockets, growing more nervous as he started to realize that three out of four were empty. He began the search through the fourth and immediate relief came upon his features. A black box was held between three fingers and a thumb. The ring was safe. But just to make sure, he cracked open the lid to look at the gold band with a decent sized diamond sparkling at him. Grinning like crazy, he gave Roy a thumbs up as he placed it back into the safe pockets. Giving a nod of approval, Roy then proceeded.
"Now, then… You have the dinner reservations?" Maes nodded, looking extremely concerned and serious, and much unlike his usual self. Roy continued.
"You're obviously dressed and looking good," the flame cracked a small smirk at his own comment, "so no worries about you showing up in your underwear. What time were you supposed to pick her up?"
"Eight." Maes looked down at his watch and nearly fainted. Eight o' six. "R-Roy! I'm late! I'll see ya later!" And with that he set off on the beginning of the long night to come.
The door to Gracia's small apartment opened slightly, revealing a nervous wreck that one would normally call Maes Hughes. A silent giggle floated through the air as Gracia gazed at the man she had grown to love. She opened the door fully, revealing herself. Maes stared at her for a moment before regaining his manly composure.
"Y-you look stunning!" All breath was leaving him as he looked upon the beautiful goddess that he would soon wed. If she said yes, that is. The mint green dress was simple, but complimented her eyes like nothing else. White-gloved hands smoothed all wrinkles as the unsuspecting bride said her thanks.
"You look handsome also, Maes even though you're fifteen minutes late." A blush spread across his cheeks as he held out his hand to lead her to their carriage. The white gloves were cool to his touch as he began to make his way to the passenger side to open the door for his beloved Gracia. She gave him a warm smile that made him weak in the knees as he shut the door. Climbing in on his side, he took a deep breath and calmed his racing nerves.
The couple arrived at the small café that Maes had chosen. It was their 'first date site' and he had grown fond of the cozy atmosphere that lingered about the café. His hand was grasped tightly around a cup of coffee as he chatted calmly with his date. The other hand was in his pocket, fingering the small black box that would soon change his life. 'Just a little while longer… Until I can get the right moment… the perfect moment… and then I'll spring it…' He took a sip of his hazelnut espresso, chuckling deeply as he made a funny comment. Gracia was sipping her raspberry tea and glowing, as usual.
"Gracia… There's… there's something I want to ask you." She just smiled an all knowing smile at him. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. It was going to be perfect. Amazing. Unbelievable.
"Would you like to share a piece of cake with me?" That piece of triple fudge cake had been staring at Maes since they entered. It had been a big piece too… and it was laced with little hearts and a red rose. Gracia chuckled, expecting something like this to pop up.
"I would love to, darling." He grinned widely and motioned at the cake. A worker nodded and brought them two forks and the large slice. Maes took one of the small forks delicately in his hand and precisely got a chunk of the cake. Holding it up to Gracia, he smiled.
"You take the first bite." She blushed, and carefully helped Maes guide the fork into her mouth. The sweet chocolate melted in her mouth as she sighed in delight. This was a cake. She took the other fork, got a piece and held it up to Maes' mouth.
"Your turn." He grinned and carefully took the fork from her and put it down on the plate. Gracia gave him a confused look as he leaned across the table and gave her a small kiss on the lips. Nothing to harsh, but it certainly wasn't lacking. She felt his moist tongue slip across her bottom lip before he broke the small movement.
"That's good cake," he said licking his lips, "I want another bite." And with that he moved in and gave her another kiss, a twin to its earlier brother. He broke the kiss once more and pulled the small box out of his pocket. Gracia was blushing and staring at Maes as he got off the comfy chair and onto one knee on the cold, hard ground. He didn't know what he was going to say exactly and he'd probably mess it up in a couple of places, but he was sure of himself as he began talking in a low voice.
"Gracia. We've spent a lot of time together. We've made memories together, both good and bad. We've lived through a bunch of crap that some haven't had the privilege to go through. I'm just glad that I had you to help me go through it. If I hadn't had you there, I certainly wouldn't be here today. Recently, I've been wondering about what would happen if I lost you, or if something happened later in my life and I didn't have you there to guide me through it. I realized… that I need you." He paused, mind going blank for a few moments.
"I need you there when I have to deal with anything, from Roy being a stuck up bastard, to me being on my deathbed. I just simply need you. Forever. I want to spend forever with you. I don't think that I'd live through it if I didn't have you. I love you. So please… Marry me?" He opened the small black box, revealing the glorious diamond ring. A desperate look was visible on his features as he awaited her reply. Tears were forming in her eyes as she smiled down at the man she knew that she would be nothing without. She took in a shaky breath and broke into a watery smile.
"Of course…" Maes sprung up from his place on the floor and swept his newfound fiancé into his strong arms, kissing her all the while. Finally setting her down, but still kissing her, he slipped the ring onto her finger. They broke the kiss and stared into each other's eyes for a few moments until they were brought back into the real world due to a loud clapping noise coming from the room. Other couples were staring at them admirably, a few of the women crying. The newly engaged couple blushed lightly. Maes placed his forehead on hers and gave her a soft kiss on her nose.
"Let's go somewhere else…" He pulled her by her hand out of the small café and opened the door to his car for her, once again. He hurried around to his side and leaned over to kiss her before driving off into the night.
Crickets were chirping as the moonbeams fell on the couple. A girl with golden hair was sitting on a bench, asleep, her head lolling on a man's shoulder. He was stroking the blonde strands out of her face and kissed her on her forehead before looking up at the night's sky. Pushing his glasses on the bridge of his nose he looked back down at his soon-to-be bride. He stood and lovingly and gently, he picked her up off the bench and carried her to his small house that was only a few moments away. Off into the moon he went a perfect ending to a perfect night.