Edward finished reading through Roy's letters before his counterpart did. He couldn't keep the smile off his face as he watched Roy taking in Ed's last letter, his lips silently forming the words on the page. There had been more notes than Edward had expected; looking away for a moment, it was to find that the sliver of sky visible between the closed curtains in their living room had turned dark as night fell.

When he turned back, Roy was staring at him as well, with tears brimming up in his beautiful black eyes. Seeing that, Ed suddenly had to hold back tears of his own. Neither one spoke for a moment, before Roy lifted a hand to brush away the wetness now falling to his cheeks, breaking the spell of silence as he did so. "I wasn't waiting with flowers. Do you remember? It was some sweet buns from an Ishvalan bakery."

With those simple words, Ed was taken back to that day when he'd gotten off the train at Eastern Station to find Roy waiting for him. There had been so many people, and yet it had been all too simple to find the man he was looking for amongst the crowd. Edward nodded, grinning so wide he felt like his cheeks might split. "I remember. You were sitting on that bench, with your eyes closed. I only knew you were awake because you were tapping your foot, like you were impatient. Which, you didn't have any reason to be—I was on a pretty early train!"

Roy laughed at that, reaching out grasp Edward's hand. "It wasn't that I was impatient—I was anxious. I had no idea if you were even going to come, let alone what time, and—well, I was so excited to see you, but so afraid to at the same time!"

"I know what you mean." Ed had been terrified, when he had seen that Roy really was waiting for him. He'd almost hopped right back on the train to go back to Risembool. Little had he known, back then, that he'd never leave.

All was quiet for a minute, the two men lost in their reflections. Once again, it was Roy who spoke first. "I can't believe, all that time…we were always traveling towards each other. I always thought I'd been pining after you much longer than you had me, but from your letters it sounds like you fancied me before you even knew it."

Rolling his eyes, Edward nevertheless agreed. He'd had much the same thought. "Imagine my surprise! You knew you had feelings for me before I'd even accepted that I found you attractive. I can't believe how easy it was for you, to just know what your emotions meant."

Again, Roy chuckled. "Well, you were young. Besides, you seemed much more reluctant to embrace your emotions in general. I, on the other hand, had more than enough to deal with without also suppressing how I felt about you."

Edward ignored the comment on his age—he thought his life experiences more than made up their age gap, thank you very much. Instead, he squeezed Roy's hand as he replied. "Well, I'm glad you gave in and made the first move. I probably would have gone ages bottling up my emotions and being all bitter because of it."

"It was a gamble," Roy admitted, a smile dancing across his face. "But my gambles usually do pay off."

Unable to help himself, Ed groaned. "It's been three years since then, Roy. Amazing how you haven't learned any humility at all."

"You love it."

"Correction—I love you."

Despite the dim lighting provided by the lamp across the room, Roy's eyes seemed to glimmer at Ed's words. Though they professed their love often, it seemed delving into the past and reliving the early days had made him more emotional. "And I love you, Edward. More than anything."

"Don't get all sappy now." Ed averted his gaze slightly, trying to keep his own eyes from misting over. He wasn't immune to what he'd read in Roy's letters, and his emotions were running quite high as well.

"Ed…" That brought him back to attention. Roy's tone was hesitant, and the man was biting his lower lip like he wanted to say something but couldn't quite let it out. After a deep breath, he forced himself to go on, "There is something I should tell you."

Not a sentence that usually bodes well. Edward felt his gut tighten, his eyebrows draw together. Unthinkingly, he released Roy's hand and instead grasped the end of his ponytail, twisting the hair. It was a tic of his he'd developed as his hair grew, and he just couldn't help it with how nervous Roy's words had suddenly made him. "What is it…?" he asked, apprehension coloring his tone.

"Nothing bad!" Roy reassured him, holding his hands up. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you, I just—well, you—oh, fuck it! I'll be right back."

And with that, Roy jumped up from the couch they'd both been seated on, disappearing down the hallway towards their bedroom. Despite the man's attempts at soothing Ed, he wasn't feeling at all comforted. Normally a confident and frankly smooth person, it wasn't like Roy to be unable to just come out and say what was on his mind. What could he be doing back there…?

Edward almost gave into his nosy nature and followed Roy, but before he could even rise the other man was back, holding another small piece of paper in his hand. Roy tugged at his shirt collar (ridiculous, considering he'd already loosened it upon settling in for the night), holding the paper out to him like an offering. "There is one more letter I have for you, Ed."

Curiouser and curiouser. Only slightly hesitant, Edward took the little square from Roy. The other man sat down heavily, twiddling his thumbs round and round and Ed unfolded the paper and read its contents.

.

Dearest Edward,

Such time has passed since I last wrote to you in this way, such happy time! You've long since become a part of my life, and normally I am free to say whatever it is that comes to mind to your face. You are easy and pleasant to talk to, and yet in this case I find myself reverting back to old habits. Despite my best efforts, I am entirely unable to muster up the courage to do what must be done.

I am deeply in love with you, Edward Elric. You know this, you've heard me say it, but I wonder if you could ever truly know the depths of my feelings for you.

Perhaps this is just another letter that will never be touched by your hands. But in case I never can say it to your beautiful face, I will say it here: no one and nothing in my life could ever replace you. You are my sunlight, my joy. And I want you to be mine forever.

I don't know if you're the marrying type, and for a long time I didn't think I was. This isn't the first time you've taught me something about myself, Ed! For I know now I would be the happiest man on Earth if I were to be your husband.

That may never come to pass, but seeing the words in writing takes some weight off my chest. Regardless of my future bravery (or lack thereof), this will serve as proof of my undying love for you, Edward.

Eternally yours,

Roy

.

Ed could scarcely believe what he'd just read. Barely reaching the end, his gaze shot up to look Roy in the eyes. Once more the older man looked on the verge of tears as he smiled helplessly. "Are…are you proposing to me?" Edward asked, the words foreign but not unwelcome.

"You are my everything," Roy replied simply. "Reading your letters and remembering how hard I fell for you just reinforced how I feel. I want you to be mine and only mine. Officially and forever." Shifting his weight, Roy continued, speaking quickly as though now that he'd started, he couldn't get the words out fast enough. "I don't have a ring, but…yes, Ed. I'm proposing to you. Would you do me the honor of marrying me?"

Laughter, sheer, exuberant laughter, burst out of Edward like the cork from a bottle of champagne. "Obviously I will—was it really that hard to ask?"

Roy might have responded, but Ed was too busy strangling him with a hug to make out the words. Engaged. They were engaged. The two men kissed, and Edward couldn't tell if it was his tears or Roy's that wet his lips. Probably both. He'd have to tell Granny, and Teacher, and Winry, and Al, and—but all that could wait.

For the moment, Ed just focused on his now betrothed, being sure to keep the letter of proposal safe in his grasp. Of all the words they'd written each other, these were surely the most important, and he'd treasure them for the rest of his days.

Aaand we've reached the end! I hadn't originally planned for the last chapter to include a proposal, but the idea of Roy having one last letter to Ed was too cute for my cheesy brain to ignore.

Hope you all liked it, and thanks for reading!