Bane; "I figured there were too many moments that had not been exploited to let this come to a close. These are 'on subject' drabbles. Which is an oxy-moron, I know…."
A; "But still…enjoy."
Bane; "Ah, yes… Basser, I hate to say it, but your triumphs are not all satisfactory. There will still be a lemon for this chapter… simply not as part of this fanfiction…Muahaha."
A; -dances- -applies to learn lap dancing-
Drumstick; -.-' "Not even going to say it… I have such self control…. Won't say it…"
Bane; "Okay; this is the abosolutely last chapter (except for Commentary and Acknowledgements.) And, speaking of Commentary and Acknowledgements, I ought to explain how it's going to work. I'm going to arrange it into sections, composed of reviews from each person. How high up on the list your name might be will be determined by how many people came and read (and reviewed) before you.
I will update it regularly and add any newer reviews as we go. I find it necessary to say how you'll know that I updated it; It will say in the summary; 'update; 1…2…3…etc.'
I suggest that you read them all, though. A & I think that they will be very amusing. Yes, I'd bust my hand for you guys; I wrote it like that JUST to prove how much I luv' ya'll…" –shifty eyes-
A; "I DO NOT FIND IT AMUSING!"
Bane; -.-' "Okay, only I do. Whatever. Anyway, besides that, I will be moving to From What We Once Were as my main effort. Limitations is still going to be continued, however.
A; "The Moon's Chime didn't receive much attention."
Bane; "Yeah. I kind of noticed. That's why I deleted it..."
A; "Onward bound!"
"Do you suppose Den's okay?"
Ed shrugged, then shoveled another forkful of meat into his open mouth dodgedly.
"Edward?"
The golden-haired boy gave a pointedly inquiring glance at Al. How could he respond to Winry's direct question? Alphonse replied with an illthought-out blurt.
"Ummm…-er-… I'm sure he's fine."
Edward nearly blew some rice out of his nose from supressed laughter brought by this newest portrayal of his brother's descrecy. Winry might have glanced at him reproachfully, had she not still carried a look of worry. And Ed might have comforted her… but what could he say?
A short kick was delt to Edward from under the table.
"Owwww--wwwwow, er, this steak is really…"
His gaze was so averted, his eyes might as well have been fused to his plate. Kick, kick, kick.
"Den probably just got some indigestion."
Winry seemed massively relieved, and Al's impatient 'hints' ceased.
He had tacked his eyes to his paperwork that day, a feat which took most of his concentration. After all, she was always there in front of him, her eyes shining, smile heart-warming, and blonde hair brilliant…though, her triggerhappy threats… not so much.
The afternoon before, she had consented to a dinner at his place. Roy had bought the ring the following hour.
He now layed out the tablecloth on the dinning room table; it was small enough to sit two people comfortably. Mustang then placed two candleholders down; followed by the actual tapers.
The meal was slightly trickier. With an experienced hand, he pounded two forms of red meat until he was absolutely sure they were tender. First washing his hands, then slipping into an ignition glove, he snapped his fingers. Roy was careful not to let them roast past the point of medium rare; that was the way Riza liked it.
Next, he practically flew down the flight of stairs to the cellar. From a respectably full rack of well-fermented wine, he took a small bottle. It was perhaps two-thirds the size of the bottle as the various others, fairly mocked by their considerable difference. But Mustang was experienced in their tastes, and knew that this would undoubtedly be the one to please her.
It was a sweet white wine, a product from the vineyards in deep France. The elegant label was emblazoned with the golden imprinted words 'MUSCAT de BEAUMES de VENISE.' Placing it amongst two crystal wineglasses, a light knock at the door stirred his attention from preparation.
He opened the threshold to find Riza standing there, the small droop of her shoulders almost unnoticeable. She wore a black silk dress that served to define her most attractive curves. It came down past her knees, but revealed all but two sixteenths of an inch along her shoulders; thin 'spaghetti staps'. Around her neck she had left her dogtags, though they had been restrung onto a delicate chain that suited the dress much better. Her hair had been released from its usual tight-knit captivity, now in a loose ponytail that flowed to the point of her shoulder blades. Her heels were sensible, and by the way she stood, he could tell she found them comfortable to walk in.
She smiled half-heartedly, but he could tell she was having second thoughts about the outfit. It was clear, only to Roy, she was nervous as to what he would think of this more casual Hawkeye. It was silly, she had reasoned with herself, to worry her-self over what the man she had been courted by for seven months would think of her appearance. But she was concerned nonetheless.
"You look…" There was a slight pause as he took her hand and lead her inside, "…Radiant." This seemed to set her at ease, something that he enjoyed to see.
Riza's eyes wandered along the lengths of the living room and kitchen for seconds before they rested upon the set table. They widened in pleasant surprise; it still amazed her that he would go to such trouble to give her joy.
"Would you like to sit in the living room and talk, or dine now?"
"Whatever you want, Roy."
He gave a grin and pulled out a chair for her. Riza allowed herself to be seated. Mustang declined from her offer to help; she was obviously not used to not having to do anything. Gracefully he brought the arranged plates down onto the table, presenting hers before her almost flauntingly. (She had once stated that she doubted even a man of his stature could cook.)
"You thought I was going to buy pizza, didn't you?"
She didn't answer, but the hint of laughter in her eyes gave the wordless response away. He watched her cut the meat with highly distinguished ettiquette, bringing it tentatively to her lips. She's taunting me, now, Roy thought laughingly.
But it soon became apparent that his efforts had not gone unsuccessful. She smiled delicately, and continued to comsume her meal lightly. Like a bird, a distracted Colonel mused.
When, at last, both were satisfied, he took away the plates. But, to her confusion, he sat back down a moment following; as though he had no intention of leaving the table… not just yet.
"Now, Riza. I suppose there's a time in an average man's life that he has to come up with a dull speech summarizing everything he feels for a woman. And, therefore, there's a time in an average woman's life, in which he has to listen to such a drawl."
He could tell by her faint smile that she was enjoying this immensely.
"But, seeing as many would not categorize me as an average man, and you…" he smirked, looking her over with a gaze of admiration, "…are not an average woman, I think the drawl will not, to the best of my ability, come to be."
Her grin of appreciation willed him to go forward.
"Therefore, I have decided to put the following drawl into a form you and I would find more interesting."
Mustang paused to take the candles out of their holders. Holding one in each hand, he beamed at her confusion.
"There comes, I'm sure you know, a point at which every man finds himself at the mercy of a woman."
Her look couldn't have said anything plainer than 'And it helps to have a gun…'.
"When," Roy indicated the candle in his right hand,"although it's shone brightly all its life, a flame has lost its brilliance without another." Here, he touched the two tapers together. The combined wicks produced a heightened blaze.
"And, at this point, without the light of the second to share its task, it will be snuffed out completely."
Adeptly, he blew at the wick of the right, watching its secondary flickering—and its momentary demise.
"But here you are, so I suppose I much remain."
He used the remaining fire to relight his own 'candle figure'.
"And the way I see it, That's how it should always be."
The tapers, having finished their demonstration, were placed back to their previous locations. A small, neatly signifigant box was produced from his pocket. Silver banded and sleek, branches arched up to the middle to form a blaze-like figure. Garnet and amber laden it, the colors entwining themselves around the ring in glorious brilliance.
"Riza? Will you--?"
But she didn't let him finish the sentence. She leaned forward slowly, closing the distance between them. Their lips touched chastely, and he had his answer. Roy pulled her closer into the kiss—just as the flames flickered…and died out.
"Edward…?"
"Yeah, Winry?"
He came out of the shower, clad in only a towel.
"I need to tell you something…"
"Yeah? What is it?"
She flushed, and continued on to explain that it would need discussion.
"Just get some clothes on and we'll talk about it."
"Sure." He stated with some slight annoyance.
Once in a black tank top and pants, he addressed her once more.
"So what is it you wanted to talk about?"
"Well…I didn't some tests…"
"On what?"
"Edward…It's just…I'm not sure how you'll react…"
"What? Did you fail a test or something?" The confusion was etched in his face. "Why would you think I'd react badly to you failing a test?"
"It's not that I failed, really. It's that I tested positive." She looked down at the floor, unsure of how to introduce the subject.
"Huh?"
"Edward… I'm pregnant."
She was responded with silence. Suddenly, she realized that Edward hadn't wanted a child. Would he leave? Ask her for abortion? Wincing, she let ger gaze shift upwards to face him. She didn't want to see the shock plastered onto his face.
But when she looked up, it was her turn to look shocked. There sat Edward, nonchalantly leaning against the wall; grinning.
"Is it a boy, or a girl?"
"I'd like to make a toast!" Al announced meekly. "I've known both of them for a great time, through temper, and through tears. And I can't think of a better match. So to the Mrriage!"
"To the marriage!" Redunciated a cacophany of guests. Some voices were slurred and tipsy, but it went unnoticed.
They'd forced him to speak…not that he didn't wish them a happy marriage…but he wasn't a public speaker usually.
Winry laughed alongside Edward, who looked a good deal happier than he had in months. He grinned openly, holding her hand throughout. She whispered something in his ear, and he blushed slightly. But, in retaliation, he murmured something within hers, and she turned a bright vermillion.
This is it, he kept telling himself joyously, This is it.
It had been months since he had passed away. But in those few months, they had stumbled upon the discovery; Serenium could be reset if a death occurred. If, for example, a sibling died, and the blood relation had been too close, a new taste of crimson would be detected; a fold in the rules.
Winry, however, was stightly worried by his lack of interest in such a possibility. She confronted him, incidentally, about it one afternoon.
"Do you think you're going to try to regain your flesh body again?"
He grinned.
"If it's all the same to you—" He swooped her into a passionate kiss, "—I think you can love me—" He scooped her up into his arms, "—Just the way I am." She smiled faintly into his lips.
Bane; "Now! Wasn't that a fine piece of procrastination! But it's 5 pages long, so you shouldn't complain." –shakes finger-
A; "So it's pretty much finished?" –silent hurrah!-
Bane; "Except for the review resonses…yes. That's it."
A; "I think it was pretty good."
Bane; "Me too. But what do the reviewers think? Comeon! Make me write more reviewer responses! I want to know what you thought of it all; of the specific drabbles, of certain humorous lines! I love you guys; I want to know what you think!" –hugs awesome reviewers-
A; "Anyway, it's finally over. Be happy."