run, i'm a natural disaster
40. Clothes
Sometimes they find it strange, the way Ed doesn't mind wearing dresses when she feels that the situation calls for it or she when she wears trousers or leggings underneath, but that she always categorically refuses to wear skirts. They find it worrying that she wears tight leather trousers most of the time, with the leather top that is tight around her breasts. Then again, the dresses she wears often have quite large V-necks, mostly with collars that seem to draw attention to them. They know that Ed doesn't care too much for modesty- has never cared too much for modesty, but it is still a little strange, particularly with the social stigma associated with it- especially in the places they stay.
It all falls into place when they meet Ed's teacher. She's a formidable woman, relatively tall, with a severe look on her face. She is not wearing a uniform, but looks as if she could kill someone with her bare hands, and considering the battle, she probably has. She surveys them and Heinkel and Darius unconsciously straighten up, as if she is a general they need to impress. Greed just looks at her disinterestedly, though they all know he is wondering what she is going to say.
"Make sure Edward doesn't get into too much trouble. I would never forgive her if she died." It is an order, and the two soldiers nod without question. Greed looks questioningly.
"You called Edward a 'she'," he notes. "Why? Most others are still referring to her with male pronouns."
Izumi Curtis smiles and it is terrifying. "Because that is the gender she has chosen. She chose to embrace it instead of looking for a solution. It may have happened anyway," she waves a hand, and Heinkel wants to ask her what she means, "but Edward has never really thought of herself as a gender, or indeed as his gender. He was always too busy to really think about it. But her way of referring to herself has changed and she has no trouble wearing more feminine clothing-"
"Skirts." Darius grunts. "She can't wear skirts, or dresses with nothing under them."
Izumi sighs. "I said 'feminine clothing'; I didn't go into the particulars. I'm just happy she's wearing bras. Anyway, Edward can wear whatever she feels comfortable in and still be female." Darius feels as if he has angered a god- Izumi scares him more than Father. "Do your best to be supportive, and let her lean on you as much as she can." She smiles, and it is a smile that could make children stop crying with just a look, but there is still an undertone of sharpness and knives and "don't you dare disappoint me" and then joins her husband.
"That is one hell of a woman," Greed whistles. "I guess she and the Granny back in Risembool is where Ed gets it."
"Not only that, did you see her dress?" Heinkel asks softly.
They look at the low cut, collared dress that shows off her tattoo. It is very similar to the ones Ed likes to wear. Scarily similar.
"Let us never speak of this again," mutters Darius. While he can accept that Mrs Curtis is a strong woman and a worthy role model for Ed, he would rather not be constantly reminded and therefore terrified of the blonde they travelled with.
A.N: Izumi Curtis for social justice
Ed does what she wants
Everyone else is terrified but in a good way