One-Shots

The Best Man (FMAB)

Ed had only been a best man three times in his life: once at Al and May's wedding, and again at Ling and Lan Fan's. His and Winry's own wedding had included Alphonse as the best man and Riza as the maid of honor, much to Ling and May's dismay. Major Armstrong had also been distraught but was brought to tears by the brotherly love shown during Alphonse's best man speech. Edward suspected that Brigadier-General Mustang had also been slightly upset, but his pride and a glare from Riza kept him from showing it. Even so, his third and final experience as a best man was his most unique.

The wedding itself was one Ed thought he would never see. The day they got the invitation, both Edward and Winry were certain it was some kind of prank pulled by Havoc. He had called Roy almost immediately just to be sure. Edward nearly burst out laughing at the older man's words: "It's true, Fullmetal," Roy had said, choosing to call Ed by his old nickname. "Hawkeye and I are getting married."

Ed's only response had been, "So, who proposed to who?" Roy's response had been a long list of expletives and insults followed by a very sudden invitation to Central City. After arranging to leave the kids with Pinako, Edward and Winry had made their way to Central the next day. To his surprise, Alphonse, Ling, May, and Lan Fan were already there. The ladies had immediately flocked to Winry and disappeared within minutes of arriving at the Armstrong Estate where everyone was staying.

"Gentlemen," Roy had said to the group gathered in Major Armstrong's drawing room. "As you all know, Colonel Hawkeye and I have finally decided to get married." He rolled his eyes at the groans of "Finally!" and "Took you two long enough!" which erupted from Edward, Ling, and Havoc. "Anyway, there's something I need to talk to you all about before the wedding..."

The idea was a simple one, but everyone agreed. Roy had been tasked with telling the boys while Riza informed the girls. No one argued; in fact, they all considered it a brilliant plan. Major Armstrong had even been brought to tears, though that wasn't unusual for him.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The wedding took place in the winter. It was unusually warm, but Havoc - who was the MC - joked that he really could have used a Flame Alchemist in the cold. Roy had replied that his gloves were still in his pocket if Havoc really insisted on teasing him, to which Riza had responded by threatening to shoot them both. Everyone had laughed.

When the wedding party had gathered for pictures, there was an awkward space between Ed and Roy. The photographer asked them to move closer, but everyone insisted that the space was reserved for someone else. The rest of the wedding followed in a similar fashion. As the wedding party moved down the aisle, Winry walked alone while Edward walked with Riza's friend Rebecca. Neither one seemed to mind. The guests were confused by the space large enough for a whole person was left empty beside Roy, but the wedding party didn't seem to notice. Edward was the one to give Roy the ring.

At the reception, there was once again an empty seat beside Roy. The guests were confused, but were soon distracted by Edward's speech. "Mustang," he began. "You are the most annoying, arrogant, hard-headed, stubborn, irrational, smug fool to ever walk the earth. I have no idea how Riza puts up with you. But," conceded the older Elric. "You better be thankful she does, because you literally cannot live without her." Roy had glared at him while everyone else burst out laughing. "We are so glad you two are finally getting married." Both Roy and Riza had rolled their eyes at the crowd's shouts of agreement. No one else seemed to notice Edward's use of the word 'we'. "But now we just need you to do one thing, Roy." His tone had turned deathly serious and the dark-haired man stood and raised an eyebrow, certain that something had happened. "Stop calling her Colonel Hawkeye!" The younger man said into the microphone, a look of solemnity in his golden eyes.

Roy sat back down in annoyance as the crowd laughed at him once more. Riza smiled lovingly at her husband and Havoc said something about her being the new Colonel Mustang. Edward groaned and responded about praying that she would be better than the last one. After the laughter had died down, Edward's tone turned serious. "Alright, alright." He looked over at the newlyweds with a smile. "But seriously guys, we really are so happy it finally happened and we hope you have a happy, adventurous life together. Just one last thing before I hand the mike back to Havoc." He grinned mischievously at Roy as Ling and Havoc walked up to the stage and joined Edward. Together, the three yelled as loudly as they could. "ROY MUSTANG LOOKS DEAD SEXY IN A MINISKIRT!"

"Damn it, Fullmetal!" roared Roy as he began chasing after the three men. The boys cackled in laughter as they ran around the reception hall while Roy started pulling on his gloves. The crowd roared in laughter while the rest of the wedding party chased after them in an attempt to calm Roy down. No one noticed the dark-haired man with green eyes watching from the shadows. He was dressed in a military uniform and he was holding hands with a young girl and large white dog. They smiled at the spectacle before nodding to one another and disappearing one last time.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next day, Roy and Riza were scheduled to leave for their honeymoon. The others had practically had to force them into taking one as both of the newlyweds insisted that things go back to business as usual after the wedding. Eventually they conceded defeat after Fuhrer Grumman threatened to fire them both if Roy didn't take his granddaughter on a proper honeymoon.

Even so, they couldn't leave until the next day due to some business Roy needed to settle in Central Command before going. After everything was done, Roy asked Edward to accompany him somewhere before their departure. Edward reluctantly agreed, though once he realized where they were, his mood immediately became solemn.

The walk to the grave was quiet. Edward held a bouquet of flowers in his hands while Roy held a wedding program in his. When they reached their destination, Edward placed the flowers beside the headstone and moved to wait patiently at a nearby bench.

Roy waited until the younger man was out of earshot before speaking. "Well, Hughes," he began. "I finally did it. You always said I needed a wife, and I got one. Hawkeye of all people, too." His voice cracked and Roy had to take a deep breath before speaking again. "I really love her, Hughes. I just... I just wish you could have been here with us. Edward was a great stand-in, though. Every time he made a joke, I could just see you standing there smiling at me like an idiot. I just know you're probably smiling down at us right now saying I told you so." Roy smiled wryly as a single tear rolled down his face. "I'll see you soon, old friend."

With that, Mustang stood and placed the wedding program with the corner under the flowers so that it wouldn't blow away. He turned and nodded to Edward. The two men walked out feeling a little better than they had before.

Just as they exited the cemetery, a large gust of wind blew, causing both men to raise their arms as a shield. "That was some crazy wind," commented Edward.

"Yeah," Roy agreed. "It's weird, it hasn't been windy at all today."

Edward nodded. They shrugged it off as a fluke and continued walking. After a few moments of silence, Edward spoke again. "I still can't believe Riza was the one who proposed."

"Shut up!" Roy shoved him playfully and Edward smirked as they both made their way back to the car. Neither of them realized that the wind had blown open the wedding program on Hughes' grave, revealing the names of everyone in the wedding party. It was slightly different than the actual programs handed out at the wedding; this one was the original. It read:

Bride..................................................................... Riza Hawkeye

Groom.................................................................... Roy Mustang

Bridesmaids:

Rebecca Catalina, May Elric, Lan Yao, Olivier Mira Armstrong

Groomsmen:

Edward Elric, Alphonse Elric, Ling Yao, Alexander Louis Armstrong

Flower Girl............................................................... Elicia Hughes

Maid of Honor............................................................ Winry Elric

Best Man.................................................................. Maes Hughes