Okay, I have officially decided that I have too many reviewers to answer them all on here every time. -.-;; So, I'll answer them on here one more time, and then I'll just be doing review responses, alright?

FMA-SN-Fan: Was I soon enough? o.o;;

edsgirl-bentobsessed: Who's Daen? o.o;; Well, thank you, if you like my wide eyed innocent Ed. XD

lost cause331: I liked the 'preparing to prepare breakfast' part too. :D What did your mom say?

dinopoptart: I'm writing more! I wrote a poem, too! Thanks for loving the story, and did I update soon enough?

animeaddiction23: Thanks for loving the story/plot--I'm going to continue to the end! This story is rated M for what starts to happen in chapter 11 (the beginnings of an evil plot) and for (eventually, you guys, be patient with me) sex. I have known the way this story was going to go since the very first chapter, and I felt that it would be misleading and extremely rude to rate it anything else when I KNEW that I would have to change it later. I am also too lazy to bother changing it. -.-;; I'm actually surprised that it took this long for someone to ask me. o.o

GreedxEd: The picture of Ed comes later. :) No, Ed is not going to go as far as thinking that Roy likes Riza--he may have his suspicions with Riza liking Roy, though. And thanks for liking my story. :D

secret25: Did I update soon enough:D Congratulations, you guessed it! This chapter is indeed Christmas! Have fun reading!

E.Mahiru: I think Roy just kinda..knew how to draw/paint, you know? Like the prodigies that just instinctively KNOW how to write concertos or play amazing songs on the piano or hit the target every time. I like the way I draw, so I don't need or want Roy's talent. :)

Yeah, some people do just go nuts. I actually just needed a way for Edward to end up in central, though, and Alphonse (sorry, Al) was NOT allowed to go. And the wolf--that was pretty gruesome, but no more gruesome than how he lost them in the show, eh?

XsleeplessX: Thanks, I liked the idea to it, too. XD Did I update soon enough?

darkshadowgirl666: Yeah, art stuffs is what he gets. I have perfect memory...when I want to remember. It must suck to have bad memory, eh?

SoSickOfNyQuil: o.o Complication? You guys are reading more into the Riza drawing than I did when I WROTE it! XD

Alright, so that's the end of the reviews. ON TO THE STORY!

Chapter Eight

Merry Christmas

Edward tugged his bootlaces tight and lightly jogged over to where Roy was waiting. They were both dressed in sweats, Roy's a navy blue and Ed's a dark red color. Edward's hair was tied back in its usual braid, and as Roy smirked at him from the sidewalk he had to resist smiling at the habit he had gotten Edward into.

"You ready then?" Roy's voice sounded amused at Ed for taking so long, and Edward had to bite back his automatic retort. Instead, he smiled.

"Which rout?"

"How about to the prison and back?" Roy held back a blush at the sight of Ed's smile. He just looked so cute…

"Fine with me. Lets go." And with that, Edward turned to the left and began jogging lightly. Roy hastened to follow.

At first they just jogged. Roy's steps were longer, but Edward was used to being faster, so they kept the same pace until Roy started pulling ahead. Edward glanced at Roy, who was smirking, and jumped ahead. He recognized Roy's change in pace for what it was; a challenge. Roy's smirk widened as he jumped forward to lead. Edward dropped all pretense of jogging and sprinted forward, leaving Roy behind in moments. Roy grinned and ran after him.

Edward's boots slapped against the pavement and the wind blew his bangs out of his face. He breathed deeply and skirted around the corner towards the prison. It was too early for anyone to be outside, so he was alone with Roy as they ran through the streets. He could hear Roy behind him, catching up. He grinned and raced faster, loving the game.

-----

Edward stood on the front step and watched Roy jog up. He wasn't going to brag about getting there first; they did this every Sunday, so what was the point? Roy could win next week, and the week after, for all Ed knew. They did this for fun and exorcise, not for the competition--although that was fun as well. Instead, once Roy made it up to the steps, Edward stood and cleared his throat.

"I have something to do today," He said nervously, hoping Roy wouldn't ask too many questions.

"Me too," Roy smirked lightly. Ed was making it so easy! He had thought it was going to be a lot harder to get Edward to leave him alone long enough for him to pick up his present. "I'll see you at lunch time, then?"

Edward nodded. That would give him just enough time… "I'll see you then." Edward started down the street while Roy walked into the house to change.

It was not until Ed had already turned the corner and was too far gone to follow that it occurred to Roy to wonder whether Edward actually had someone to see, since he had no money to do anything.

But by then, it was too late to ask questions.

-----

As Edward got closer to his destination, he could feel the dread creep up his spine, and he shuddered in apprehension. He had fully planned never to set foot in the Nick Knack Shack ever again after Mr. Crow had died. No offense to the old man, but his daughter was terrible. Seeing a large stone on the sidewalk, he bent over and picked it up. He would need it later.

He sighed as he saw the front of the shop come into view. He noted with disgust that Sara had painted the plain wood letters that spelled the store's name above the door a bright pink.

A bell rang as Edward walked through the door, another new addition to the store that had been fine as it was. Edward glanced around the store that he had such good memories of, and it was both disgusting and depressing that Sara had apparently painted the shelves he had made for Mr. Crow the same shade of pink as the store name.

"Can I help you?" Sara's annoyingly over-cheerful voice rang out as she walked in from the back room. Edward's face was carefully blank as he turned to look at her. Sara, however, had no such control, and her face twisted into one of hate and fury. "You! What the hell are you doing here, you worthless street rat?! Get the hell out of my shop!" Her eyes were blue fires as they gazed at the only person that had ever rejected her.

"Is that any way to talk to a potential customer?" Edward's gaze was forcibly cool, although he was fighting back the snarl that wanted to play across his lips. "I happen to have the power to make you rich, you know."Not that I ever will.

Sara snorted, flipping her long blond hair over her shoulder. "What riches could a pathetic urchin boy bring?" Her hands went to her hips as she sneered at Edward, and he wondered what all the men she had dated saw in her, besides her body. She had a knock-out body and a pretty face, but the ugliest personality...

"I'll have you know I am not an urchin boy any longer, and on top of that, I am an alchemist. What riches do you think I could bring?"

Sara's eyes widened and then narrowed. "What do you want?"

"The best sketchbook you have, the best set of paints and the best art pens as well."

"Double sided?"

"Sure, why not."

"And how do you plan to pay?"

Ed set the rock on the counter and Sara looked at it dubiously.

"You can't be serious."

"Patience is a virtue, Saralynn." Ed looked at the rock, picturing the sculpture he planned to make. Sara bristled at the name.

"Don't you call me that!" She snarled as he pulled his sleeves back slightly.

"You should be proud of the name you were born with. A good man gave it to you." Edward deftly clapped his hands and touched the stone. Sara gasped as the rock was enveloped in a golden light and closed her eyes against the brightness. When she opened her eyes again, a beautiful carving of gold sat were the rock used to be.

Even Sara had to admit that it was beautiful. The statue was of an angel, his hands gracefully stroking the fire that surrounded his legs and reached up just past his hips. The angel wasn't wearing any clothes, but the parts that were important were covered by the flames. The wings were slightly held out and slightly relaxed, and his head was slightly bowed, but turned, so that he was looking up at you from below. Curious to what his face looked like, Sara leaned closer, and Edward stepped back, revolted by her closeness. She sucked in a gasp of air as she saw the angel's face. It was handsome in a superior, aristocratic way, and the statue had a smirk locked on it's face that for some reason was so beautiful that it took her breath away. The shortish, spiky hair fell down over the angel's eyes.

"Who is this?" Sara asked, her voice breathless, and Edward bristled despite himself.

"No one that concerns you. What matters is that that statue is worth enough and more to get me what I want, so if you'll just bring them to me, I'll leave and we'll never have to see each other ever again." Like hell he was going to tell this witch about Roy.

Wordlessly, Sara brought Edward a package of 50 paints, a good brush set, 100 double-sided art pens and a thick, leather-bound sketchbook.

"Thank you." Ed nodded his head at the girl for a moment, then walked out, heading for a flower shop that he had seen had a sign offering to wrap gifts—for a price, of course—leaving Sara to stare bemusedly at the work of art he had left behind.

-----

Roy walked into his favorite bookstore and up to the counter with the biggest grin on his face, causing all the female employees present to swoon. The man at the counter grinned at Roy, used to the girl's reactions.

"Hey, Mustang, welcome back. What are you looking for this time?"

"That beautiful leather journal with the silver plate on the front."

"The really thick one you said you'd never get the chance to use?"

"The very one. And I'll also need one of those excellent pens of yours. Preferably black, silver, and red."

"Can do." The man smiled and started to walk into the back room. "Be right back."

Moments later, the man was returning, and he placed the journal and pen on the counter.

"Did you change your mind about finding the time to use it?"

"No." Roy smiled. "It's a gift."

"Oh." The man gave Roy a knowing smile, and he almost blushed. "You want it wrapped, then?"

"That would be wonderful." Roy smiled, and the man wrapped the journal and pen.

Roy paid and left, heading home.

-----

When Edward got home, Roy still wasn't there, and he ran into his room to hide Roy's gift under the bed. It could stay there for the three days until Christmas.

Just after he had set it down, he heard the front door slam and Roy walk up the hall and into his own bedroom. Quickly, Edward made his bed, concealing Roy's present with the blankets that hung down to the floor.

Ed and Roy walked out into the hall at the same time, and they smiled at each other, both trying to look like they had nothing to hide.

"Ready for lunch?" Roy smirked lightly and Edward grinned.

"Yeah!"

-----

The next couple of days passed by with nothing unusual happening.

Edward was sitting on Roy's couch in the office after lunch (reading, of course) and Roy was diligently working on his paperwork when Fuery walked in.

"You guys are coming to the office party tomorrow, right?"

They both looked up at him, and then at each other. Roy spoke first.

"Sure."

Fuery smiled at them tentatively. "That's great. Riza sent me in here to ask, and to make sure that Roy's doing his work. Mr. Elric, you really are a miracle worker, to get him to work so well. Well, I have work to do, so…I'll see you guys at the party." He grinned at them and then left.

Roy and Ed looked at each other for a moment, then shrugged and returned to what they had been doing before.

-----

Wednesday started like any other morning, as if it wasn't Christmas day and there wasn't a party at work that night and Ed's stomach wasn't full to bursting with annoying, jittering butterflies because of it.

He could hear Roy cooking in the kitchen, and he could smell the sausages. He had the feeling that Roy was making waffles, a feeling that was confirmed when the annoying ping of the waffle-maker sounded.

Edward ran into the bathroom to take a quick shower, and as he quickly scrubbed himself down, he had a short debate.

Should he give Roy his present now, or later? Probably now, since later they would be at the party, and it would be awkward if he was the only one with any gift. But it would be awkward giving him a gift anyway…it would be like he wanted something in return…

Fighting down his sudden blush, Edward roughly dried himself off and dragged on his clothes. Today he decided to wear a red button-up shirt, with the collar open and the first button undone, along with his usual boots and black leather pants. He walked back into his room and grabbed the red-ribboned box.

When he walked into the kitchen, Edward saw that Roy had already sat down to eat (in his uniform, as usual), and Ed's food was in front of the seat next to him, filled with waffles and sausages—just like Edward had thought. But that wasn't what caught his eye; his attention was first captured by the box next to the meal, which was wrapped in red paper and topped by a silver bow. Slowly, Edward walked over to the breakfast bar and set Roy's present next to Roy's plate. And Edward beamed.

"We can open them together, then," Roy said, smirking, and Edward's grin grew wider.

"Sounds like a plan."

-----

They were sitting together on opposite ends of the couch, each with their own gift on their lap.

"You open yours first." Edward said, not taking his eyes off his gift.

"No, you go first." Roy didn't look away from his shinning red package.

"No, really, you go first." Edward smiled at Roy, who was now giving him an inquisitorial look. "I like the anticipation."

Roy grinned. "Alright." Carefully, he tore the silver paper off and set the bow to the side. Slowly, he lifted the lid and looked inside. A thick sketchbook, pens, paints… "Art supplies?" Roy glanced at Edward in surprise, then began looking through them, judging their quality and worth.

"Yeah. I just thought, you know, you just have an amazing gift, and…" Edward trailed off and looked away. "…It's alright if you don't like them…"

"Oh, no, Ed, I do like them—It's just—how did you afford them?" Edward had no money. It's why they had met in the first place. So how did he pay for such high quality materials?

"I have my connections." Ed smiled cryptically and turned to his own gift. "So, it's my turn now?"

Roy smiled and put his box of art supplies to the side, to be used later. "Yes, go on, open it."

Grinning, Edward used his finger to slit the paper along the top and pulled the paper off, setting his red bow next to Roy's. He paused as he saw what was in the box, then slowly pulled it out, holding the pen in his left hand and thumbing through the thick, leather-bound book with his right, careful not to rip the pages with his metal fingers. "A journal?"

"Yeah." Roy kept his face carefully blank as Edward turned the pages, bemused. He was most likely looking through all the different alchemy symbols at the bottom corners of each page. He stopped at the symbol for perfection, and Roy continued. "It's for writing your story, you know? Look at the front." Edward flipped the book closed so that he could see the green leather cover. There was a silver plate bolted to the book where a title or the word 'Journal' should have been. "You can use your alchemy to put the title on there, and your name, if you want."

For a moment, they were both quiet as Edward gazed at the silver plate. Then Ed clapped his hands and touched the book, enveloping it in bright light. When the blue dots faded away from Roy's vision, he saw that the plate now read 'Urchin Boy' with 'E.E.' beneath it.

"I love it." Roy's heart skipped a beat as Edward gave him an ecstatic look. "I can't wait to start writing."

Roy smirked, fighting down the mushy, romantic words that wanted to pour from his mouth. "Then bring it with you, 'cause it's time to go."

-----

That day at work, Roy worked as diligently as was becoming normal for him, and Edward dove into his new task of filling his journal with the story of his experiences as a street urchin. Roy couldn't help but smile when he looked up occasionally to see Ed so inspired and riveted by his gift.

With them thus occupied, the time before the party passed quickly.

-----

It was about ten o'clock, and Edward was beginning to feel a little tired. Sure, the party was fun, but it was, after all, only an office party. And they did have work the next day. Edward began to make his way over to Roy, who was talking to Riza.

They were in some big office that had been decorated with mistletoe and strings of lights that twinkled brightly in the dimmed room. Annoying Christmas music was playing, as is the custom of every Christmas party, and everyone had some form of Christmas food or alcohol in their hands—mostly eggnog. Edward didn't care for eggnog. In fact, he felt that it tasted like ass in a cup. (Even though most—meaning close to none—of you won't get this, that was a shout-out to one of my friends :D) Shaking the thoughts of eggnog from his mind, Ed walked up to Roy and waited patiently for him to stop talking to Riza, who was sitting on a chair while Roy stood.

Together, they noticed that Edward was there, and the conversation stopped. Riza stood up, smiling at Ed.

"I'm going to go get some cake." She walked off, leaving Edward looking up at Roy.

Suddenly, Edward realized with a sickening jolt that the three of them had been under a clump of mistletoe. Thank god Riza hadn't realized…but now that he had noticed, what was he supposed to do, ignore it?

"What is it, Edward?" Roy smiled lightly at Ed, and he couldn't help but smile back.

"I'm feeling tired, so I'm going to go home."

"Oh, I'll drive you—"

"No, Roy, you're enjoying the party. You never get to socialize. I can walk."

"But—"

"Really, Roy. I know the way, and I can take care of myself."

"But I should—"

"Roy, look up." Roy looked up, wondering what he was supposed to see. His eyes widened as he saw the mistletoe, but before he could ask Edward why he had pointed it out, Ed's lips had pressed against his own. He could only stand there in shock as Edward's fingers dug into his shoulders.

Edward had been watching for Roy's eyes to widen, and as soon as he saw it, he stepped on top of the chair so that he could reach and pulled Roy to him by his shoulders. He kissed him softly, not moving, and only for a moment. Then, he pulled back to look at Roy's shocked face.

Edward fought back a smile and jumped off the chair. "See you at home, Roy." And, with that said, Ed walked out the door, leaving Roy to enjoy what was left of the party.

If he could ever shake off the shock.

Woot! A kiss that HAS to be acknowledged...or does it? XD You'll see!