Yeah, know what? It's Christmastime. Deal. Review time!

Edward Mustang – Is that a good 'Feh' or a contempt 'Feh'?
tastyfacewash – Thought you might say that.
xxFaiaxx – Here you are!
Ellia-FMA-Addict – Thanks!
Shingo-sama – That she would.
Fox Loves Shinigami – Chapter.
Eds Lover – Thanks.
AngelSlayerKrow – Scary.
PatrioticPuppy I was gonna try Fullmetallify. It didn't work.

Chapter 9: Telling Teacher

Ed stared out at the falling snow from inside Mustang's office. The Colonel was resting amidst his paperwork. "Are you almost done," Ed asked, with a whine in his voice. "Don't be such a baby," Mustang scolded lightly. "But there's so much more you could be doing, if you catch my drift."

"Listen Fullmetal, I don't need a bullet in my head compliments of Hawkeye for a Christmas present for skipping out on my work again." He paused then said lightly, "Do you want your Christmas present early?" Ed blinked then nodded. "Come here then and close your eyes." Ed did as he was told with his eyes closed.

He sensed Mustang moving around him, felt something come up around his neck, then close off with a solid snap. Ed opened his eyes blinking, "What the hell?" He reached up and felt his fingers prick something sharp. A spike. "What is this?" He asked reaching up for a better feel and getting no answer from Mustang but wide smile.

The Fullmetal Alchemist was wearing a spiked collar.

"Why, you bastard-!" He was cut off however as the door was kicked open. "Merry Christmas!" someone's loud voice said brightly.

Ed turned, his eyes widening in surprise. "Teacher?"

It was indeed, Izumi Curtis, perched on her husband's shoulder, wearing a big smile. "Hiya Ed," she said. He blinked still in shock. What had put her in such a good mood? Teacher hardly ever reacts like that to me. "Teacher? What are you doing here?"

"I can't come to say Merry Christmas to my favorite students? And Happy soon to be birthday to you." She hopped from Sig's shoulder, smiling. "Why are you so happy, Teacher?" Sig answered for her, "Winter always gets her like this." Izumi smiled. "We just intend to stay for a bit then we're heading back to Dublith."

Ed smiled then remembered Mustang. "Oh Teacher, this is Colonel Roy Mustang, my superior. Mustang, this is my teacher Izumi Curtis and her husband, Sig." Mustang smiled extending his hand. "Nice to meet you, Izumi." Izumi crossed her arms and gave him a skeptical look. Despite, the giddiness Christmas instilled in her, she still bore a hatred for State Alchemists. "I suppose it's okay to let dogs roam inside here, huh?"

Mustang lowered his hand, blinking in surprise. She hadn't even tried to fake some kind of niceness towards him. Talk about crust. "Edward," she said, sharply and Ed straightened immediately. "Take Sig and me to a room." The order was direct, effective. Ed immediately headed for the door. Mustang blinked again. Ed had never followed one of his orders that quickly.

But as the youngest alchemist made his way past his teacher, she grabbed the collar of his jacket. "What is that," she said, having noticed his new collar/choker. "Um, an early Christmas present from a friend," he mumbled lowly. She raised an eyebrow. "It looks kinky," she said with faint distaste. "Who'd give you something like that?" Ed lowered his gaze. "A kinky person," he whispered.

Not long after, Izumi had set off with Sig to check out the stores and Christmas shop. Ed sat on the steps outside, staring into the snow. Christmastime may make Izumi giddy but it only brought up bad memories. His birthday was coming soon, next week in fact. It was snowing when he first took the Alchemy exam. And it was snowing the night Nina . . .

He shook his head, clearing the image of the huge blood splat on the alley wall and didn't look up as he heard someone approaching. "You okay, Ed," Mustang asked. He nodded. "Yeah fine." But Mustang could sense the vagueness, the lies under Ed's words. He decided to do thing of something to do for his secret lover. But of course, there was the obstacle of Izumi that still stood.

"Edward!"

Izumi once again stood in the doorway of Mustang's office. "Come on, Ed. We've got work to do." He blinked, sweatdropping slightly. "Uh, Teacher." She raised an eyebrow, "That is an order." Mustang rose to his feet. "With all due respect, Izumi, I am in need of Ed at the moment." She acted like she hadn't even heard him. Instead, she walked in and stood over Ed. Though she looked at him, she addressed Mustang. "Then I suggest you find another time to be in need of him." She grasped Ed's shirt collar. "We're going."

He slammed his hands on the desk, "Now, see here-" Izumi looked back at him with fierce eyes and he faltered, like the very first time he'd met her when she burst into the infirmary ward demanding to be taken to the Elrics. Satisfied, she turned and left pulling Ed after her.

Mustang sighed, resettling in his chair. He'd never met a woman like her, besides Hawkeye. It was useless to ask her for any help; despite their differences the two women had become friends. Oh well. There was still Ed's birthday to consider. And that could turn everything around.

-

"Surprise!" Everyone jumped out as Ed opened the door then stopped in surprise. Winry grinned at him, "We knew you didn't want a big party so we just got the regulars together." They were all there: Hawkeye, Izumi, Sig, Breda, Armstrong, Fuery, Falman, Havoc, Al, Winry, and Mustang. "Let me guess: The Colonel put all this together?" Mustang nodded, "Oh was it so obvious?"

The party progressed without too many hitches. Izumi was laughing with Hawkeye in the corner of the room, carefully keeping a watchful eye on the other military officers, and Sig and Armstrong were arm wrestling. "People, people, attention!" Mustang called from his place, cross-legged on the desk next to Ed. The Colonel was a little drunk. Only a little.

He flicked aside the tie that was tied around his head and took another drink that was handed to him by Havoc. "We're giving congrats to Ed for his birthday." Everyone clapped. "But more importantly," he downed his drink. "Over our new-found love!" And no one could have been more surprised than Ed when Mustang planted a firm kiss on his lips. In front of everyone.

Most people around the office, knew already or had suspicion but Izumi and Sig were caught off guard. Ed sputtered as Mustang broke off their kiss. "What are you doing?" Mustang smirked, "Lighten up, Fullmetal, it's a party." Ed didn't need to turn to feel Izumi's eyes on him.

She approached not long after. "So you are. . .lovers," she said, directing her question at Mustang. He nodded, "That's right." Ed noticed with faint surprise that Izumi looked more confused than angry. This was definitely a new issue. It wouldn't have been her particular choice but she was far from telling Ed how to make choices in his sexual life and she voiced that.

"Teacher," Ed said, quietly. "The important question is: will you accept it?" She sighed then smiled, "Of course Ed, you're my apprentice. Whatever you do is strictly up to you." She turned, glaring at Mustang and raising a fist. "But if you ever do anything to harm this boy, I'll make you wish I was never born." Mustang blinked, "Duly noted, Izumi."

Ed smiled. It felt good to be accepted for his choices, to be treated like an adult. He decided he liked the feeling.

Done. Okay, I am most definitely going to try and end this story next chapter. I love you all, my reviewers, for your loyalty and patronage.