That was one way to clear my sinuses. This story was very sweet, lighthearted even, but it also carried this undercurrent of pensive sadness. To dedicate their whole lives to this endeavor so that others can live in a much better world than they had lived in - and it is only now that this is the first true break they have to finally take a breath of that peace that they had helped bring in (when Riza looked at the buildings around her in awe, that walk through the park...)

It was almost strange to see them at this age but that's mostly due to the fact that most stories don't focus on this stage of our lives. The way you wrote it though suits their characters. I can see it. And I can believe it.

I'm grinning like an idiot right now. This is so sweet and fitting for these two. Actually, this feels really true to what would actually happen with them. I'm so happy they achieved their goals and that they're finally getting married. This was so well written, capturing their characters and dynamic very nicely.

Aw!

This is so sweet ! Almost makes me cry of happiness. They are so perfect.

Oh, this hurts my heart. So, so lovely. Also the fact that you chose a Last Five Years song as the title hits me in the gut because those characters and the happier songs remind me so much of them. Glad someone else might have thought so too :)

THAT REALLY HURT.

Whenever I read fanfictions where characters become old and gray, i can't help but feel this tiny, odd pang of saddness in my chest. But you provide this endearing sweetness to your story all throughout and I can't help but love it. Roy's adorable awkwardness and Riza's calm and knowing demeanor...it's all just so lovely. And I was so proud of myself for knowing Roy had the ring in his pocket the first time you mentioned his fingers brushing against the objects in his pocket xD

This was wonderfully adorable nicely done.

Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.

I'm crying and I can't stop dude, this is beyond beautiful and touching and I can't with this anymore because tears just keep streaming down my face and just...AMAZING job and virtual hugs and everything

Thanks for this history. I loved it. This is exactly what I imagine would happen between both of them. You have a beautiful style, I loved how you captured the comfortable atmosphere of a couple that has been long together...

Very well done. You really reflected their personality, too alive, even.

Despite the fact them growing old without being able to publicly become lovers breaking my heart, the very fact they always stick to each other is wonderful.

Velvet box was like a sucker punch for that I was on my angsty mood. XD

Again, loved it.

This is more than perfect.

Okay, I'm going to start by saying two things. First, I absolutely love love LOVE fics where Roy and Riza grow old together. It is my version of a happy end for them, even if the aging is proceeded by death or execution or other nasty things. To separate them when they're old and gray is probably the worst thing I can imagine for them. I once got a review for my fic Almost Here, which said that the reviewer wasn't entirely happy with Roy and Riza getting old and I sent a rather clipped reply with "yes, some relationships last even after you turn twenty five".

And second, this "review" isn't going to be helpful or as awesome as the ones you leave me. It will in fact just be (not so) cleverly disguised fangirling because I am ridiculously happy right now.

Firstly, the tone you set from the very start had me smiling like an idiot. Roy is well, cute, in his nervousness at retiring. And Hawkeye being so calm would naturally add to that. I love the description of how gracefully she's aged, of how they've both aged.

I cannot get over how much of a good mood Hawkeye is in, the way she keeps teasing Roy, the way she's walking with him. I just want to be one of those people in the park and shout at them to get on with it already, not unlike a certain Elric would.

Roy wondering if he can get away with holding her hand, she looking at the shops with the wonder of a child, their new found freedom, the awkwardness, the nerves, all these little things had me squealing in a very childish and undignified way at my computer. And when here "He slid his hand into his pockets, letting his fingertips run against the smooth velvet one more time, just to be sure it was still there." I actually yelled "YES!" like I'd won a great victory.

And of course she's never said no to him, he is a dummy to think she would now. For so long they have been identified by their uniforms but now they will be by each other. They are no longer soldiers, and now they can finally be just Roy and Riza... sigh.

So yes, this has made me one immensely happy reader. Thank you for writing something so simply brilliant and satisfying.

:D Yay! They're finally getting married! [Yes, I do get excited about fictional charicters, don't judge ;)] I loved this. They're so perfect for each other! And I'm using the exclamition mark way too much! But that's ok! Because I'm just so dang excited! I'm expeciting a wedding invitation in the mail any day now... But, all the excitement aside, this was a really great story. It was kind of weird to picture Mustang and Hawkeye with gray hair... but I loved it! And I love Ed: 'I'll be expecting my invitation in the mail shortly after'. Oh, Ed. You're so smooth. And there was Ed/Winry and Al/Mai in the story, too [always a biggie]. Great job!

livelaughlove,

kitty .