Fullmetal Alchemist and the Flight of the Anti-Social Butterfly

Chapter 19: Edward's True Feelings

      Edward had a big smile on his face which had Alphonse confused as he saw his older brother walk through the back door with DeAnna and Zoe.  "How did your girlfriend's training go?", Alphonse asked.  Then Edward told his younger brother, "I caught her, but what a beautiful butterfly princess and my prize is she gets to be mine to love forever!"  DeAnna blushed as Edward hugged her.  Edward continued, "I will always look out for her and take care of her at all times, even if I have to have the mentality of DeAnna being my pet butterfly princess."  DeAnna shouted in an embarrassed voice, "Hey!  Stop it, Edward!"  Then Edward asked, "Don't you want me to give you the best treatment possible?"  DeAnna lowered her head as she said, "Well....um....yeah, I guess."  Alphonse inquired, "Are you ok, DeAnna?  You aren't giving Edward any eye contact during your response."  Edward apologized, "I am sorry if I upset you.  To be honest, I had a great time with you and I'm proud of you for doing your best.  I'm also very happy that you love me enough that you let me catch you, even if it was all just a game more than it was training.  If you would rather I treat you like I always have then I'm ok with it."  

       His girlfriend looked upwards then he told her, "Apology accepted.  I'd rather you treat me the way you always have, especially since being treated like a pet would not be a very comfortable thing for me.  I'm your girlfriend, NOT a dog or a cat, silly!"  Edward smiled, "I was only kidding about treating you as a pet anyway.  I've always offered you all the food you can eat and a comforting hospitality in our home so no need to worry."  DeAnna's stomach started to growl so she asked Alphonse if there was any nectar in the fridge.  "You are fortunate.  We have some strawberry nectar or peach nectar for you to choose from until we get groceries next.", Alphonse answered.   DeAnna replied excitedly, "I will take the peach nectar, please and thank you!"  Edward smiled as he gave her a thumb up for good manners.  Many months had passed as Edward's relationship with DeAnna grew stronger with each passing day.  Edward had a secret ambition that he had to get off of his chest towards his girlfriend, but how?  Then Edward asked DeAnna on the day before Summer after he had been dating with DeAnna for a whole year, "I want to take you to the beach again."  DeAnna asked, "Why?"  Then Edward told her, "There is something I have been holding off for awhile, but I want to go with you to the beach tomorrow and just the two of us."  Alphonse thought to himself, "Could it be?"  Even DeAnna was curious herself on what Edward was up to, but only time would tell.

      DeAnna could not get any sleep that night because she was so full of thoughts in her mind.  "I wonder what Edward wants to do at the beach?  It is where we first met and also where I confessed my love to him in asking for him to be my boyfriend, but I'm confused.  Whatever it is, I'm sure it will make me happy because we are alone without anybody distracting us.  But I need to be strong and have courage with my response for Edward's sake."  

      Then as the sun came up, Edward checked to see if his girlfriend was awake.  It had been a whole year since he had met her, but now this was the day that Edward wanted to give it his all!  DeAnna took a hot relaxing shower first instead of eating breakfast this time, but only because Alphonse was too busy getting some quiche made and it was taking awhile.  Edward was practicing in his bedroom on how he wanted to speak to DeAnna on the beach and nothing sounded right to him, but he had to try.  Then DeAnna came out of the restroom wearing a sparkly gold dress which dazzled Edward's eyes.  "You look absolutely stunning in that dress!  Just like a natural young lady, complete with her own antennas and pair of butterfly wings."  DeAnna kissed Edward on his cheek as her butterfly wings twitched with happiness because she could sense something wonderful about to happen and her senses rarely failed her.  "Time for breakfast, you lovebirds!", Alphonse announced.  

       So they sat down and ate their breakfast.  Edward smiled as he noticed his girlfriend's improved table manners as he commented, "My, how you've grown into such a well-trained butterfly princess.  I wonder what your future with me beholds?"  DeAnna said, "Thanks, Edward!  Zoe has grown big and strong too!"  Edward nodded.  After breakfast, Edward took a shower then he got dressed in a dressy white shirt and black pants with a brown belt to go along with his matching black boots to protect his one automail leg.  Alphonse announced, "Your gentleman is ready, DeAnna!"  

       Edward smiled as he assured, "No matter what, everything will be fine."  Then Alphonse put his hand on his older brother and sighed, "Edward, good luck!"  Then Edward held DeAnna's hand as they walked to the beach together.  As they finally approached the beach, DeAnna asked, "What is it that is so special that you wanted to bring me back here to the beach for?"  Edward began, "I remember not too long ago meeting a young red-haired girl who lacked confidence in herself around guys and only wanted to be with her therapy pet chimera.  But yet that same girl was willing to give me a chance to show that I could be that one guy to make your view of guys change for the better.  You trusted me enough to train you as a student of mine and even move in with me, but you also grew to love me.  But I do wonder about how much you love me sometimes."  DeAnna answered, "With all my heart." Edward continued, "Even when you would become unruly, I placed my right hand on my heart as I cried out in pain because your words or actions felt like a knife to my heart so every wound needs a bandage and my right hand acted as a bandage until you actually handed me a real one because you cared about me.  I can't thank you enough for that!  This may seem like it's a bit off track for me to do this, but I used alchemy while you were in bed and I created a beautiful diamond ring.  No matter what the tears of pain and tears of joy, I am going to get on my automail knee for a moment to ask you something very important.  I've looked at you as my butterfly princess for a long time, but that isn't enough anymore and now I humbly ask for you to be my butterfly queen."  DeAnna asked, "So what are you saying?"  Edward held out the diamond ring that sparkled in DeAnna's eyes then he asked, "Will you please make me the happiest alchemist on Earth?  Or to put it bluntly, will you marry me?"  DeAnna took the diamond ring from Edward's hand then she slipped it on as she cried happy tears then she answered, "Yes!  I will for you, Edward!  But I don't know if it's possible for a human and a butterfly princess to marry each other because I'm not completely human.  Are you sure I'm the one for you?" Edward replied, "You have helped me to understand and accept many things related to autism.  You've also allowed me to help you to avoid living through the stages of struggling that Alphonse and I went through.  Through getting to know you by training you, I also fell in love with you.   I've also made a bigger ring for myself in case you accepted my proposal and you did.  DeAnna, I want to make you the happiest young lady in the world!"  Edward leaned in close with his eyes closed and he kissed her lips as he held her closely.  

       Then the stars came out and DeAnna saw a shooting star.  "Wow!  Do you think that shooting star danced across the sky for us?", DeAnna asked.  "Could be, but it's getting late so let's go home.", Edward answered.  DeAnna nodded then she walked home while holding Edward's hand tightly.  They approached home then Edward held the door open for DeAnna as he said, "After you, my butterfly queen!"  DeAnna giggled as she blushed then she skipped happily indoors then she went to bed with a smile on her face as she cuddled up with Little Eddy in bed for the night.