Chapter Text
Izumi was willing to admit she was getting teary eyed. She sat in the front row, watching Ed walk down the aisle. Sig was sobbing like a baby, and Izumi didn’t blame him. They had tried to convince Ed to wait until she was 18, but they knew it was a losing battle. If Ed wanted to do something, neither hell nor high water could stop her.
Izumi was so proud.
Oliver sat next to her, dressed in her best uniform. “Eden could have done better.”
Izumi almost burst out laughing, but managed to siffle her amusement. “Maybe. Ed’s happy though. Who are we to take that away from her?”
Oliver stared at Izumi with something in her eyes, then looked back at Ed. “Who indeed?”
Al looked like she wanted to pipe up when the officiant asked for any objections, but kept quiet.
Good.
Izumi would hate to see how that would’ve played out.
****
Mei still couldn’t believe Eden was actually going through with this.
Scratch that, Mei had watched Eden fist fight god and win , she could do what she damn well pleased as far as Mei was concerned. No, Mei couldn’t believe she wanted to marry Ling. Mei would worry for Eden’s sanity, but she thinks Eden probably never had any to begin with.
Mei walked through the halls, intent on talking to Eden. Around her the servants whispered about how golden Eden and Alphonse were. They spoke mainly of Eden, but that stood to reason given she was the one getting married and becoming the empress. Since they arrived, all of Xing had been in a tizzy. Two Golden people had come to Xing. The last time one had, Alkastery was made.
…It probably didn’t help that Eden was so insistent on helping the people she came across.
When she finally reached the door, Mei knocked.
“ Whomst would visit my door?” Man, it was still weird to hear Eden talk all poetic.
“Mei.”
Eden switched to Amerstian. “Oh, come on in!”
Mei entered to see Eden climbing into Traditional wedding garb. It was gorgeous, all red silk and delicate embroidery. Mei shook her head, she had a job to do.
“Eden, are you sure about this?”
Eden blinked, looking down at her wedding clothes and then back to Mei. “I mean, I sure would hope so.”
****
Lan was more than ready for the wedding. When she’d heard that her lord intended to make Greedling the best man, she knew what had to be done.
Lan kneeled in front of Ling. “I will prove my worth, my lord.”
Her lord blinked. “What-”
Lan punched Greedling in the face as hard as she could.
“OW- WHAT THE HELL GIRLIE?!”
Lan ignored him. It wasn’t until she was sitting on Greedling’s back, pulling his arm that her lord interrupted. “Lan! What are you doing?!”
Lan blinked. “I’m beating him in combat to be the best man. What else would I be doing?”
Her lord sighed. “Lan, you were already going to be the best man. It’s a shared title.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. Oh.” Her lord snorted.
Lan crossed her arms, sitting primly on a still screeching Greedling. “Well now I’m the BEST best man.”
Lan adjusted the gold star Nina had made her with a small smile. Nina had given it to her when she heard what happened. It read: ‘The BEST best man!’
At least someone was taking her seriously.
****
Paninya was way out of her element. She’d had a couple of questions when Winry said that they were invited to Ed’s wedding.
For example, Ed was getting married?? When did that happen? What do you mean you forgot to tell me Winry-
And, what fucking kind of wedding took place in Xing?! Winry what do you mean you forgot to tell me Ed was marrying a goddamn emperor-
Paninya really needed to get Winry to talk about her family more.
Now she was sitting in the goddamned palace of the Emperor of Xing, as her friend got married.
Paninya loved her girlfriend, she really did . Winry was one of the best things to ever happen to her. However , she would be so grateful if Winry actually remembered to tell her things.
Winry wouldn’t but y’know.
****
Hawkeye was watching the first dance with tears in her eyes. Eden looked- she looked so happy. Hawkeye had seen Eden happy before. She was always happy when surrounded by her family, but she always held the weight of them on her shoulders. She carried it gladly, but Hawkeye could always see how it weighed on her.
In this moment, Eden almost floated. She seemed weightless, like none of that weight could touch her.
Hawkeye didn’t like Ling, but if he made her this happy? She would tolerate him forever.
“Lieutenant, what’s happening?” Roy asked. Right, she’d been narrating the dance.
“Sorry sir, I got caught up. Eden is still dancing, she’s practically floating across the floor, completely weightless.”
Roy nodded, wiping some tears away from his eyes.
“Are you crying , Mustang?” Oliver poked.
Roy scowled. “I know for a fact that you were crying at the ceremony, Major.”
Oliver huffed. “One tear. That is all. Meanwhile you were crying like a baby.”
Hawkeye chuckled, but kept her eyes on Eden. Soon enough, the dance ended, and it was time for the bouquet toss. Mei looked about ready to shank anyone who wanted to take the bouquet. However, when the crowd formed, Eden just walked towards Hawkeye.
“Eden-”
Eden stared right at Roy, shoving the bouquet into Hawkeye's hands.
Hawkeye blinked. “Eden?”
Eden huffed, still glaring at Roy, and Roy stayed perfectly still, his face slowly heating up as he pieced together what had happened.
“...Alright.” Roy nodded.
Eden nodded back. “Good. I had to watch you two dance around each other for almost five years. It got old. Fast.”
Jean snorted. “Boss, imagine having to deal with it for ten years. Trust me, you’re doing us all a favor.”