Please don't murder me for being so late with this update!

I just finished my first year of college, then I started working, then I went on a week's vacation, and then it was right back to work! But I really like my new job, and it's going to help me so much in the future.

Thank you all for being so patient with me as a try and figure out this new job and my ever-changing schedule. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Ed's POV

"Winry," I whined, thumping my head against the wall behind me. I mentally cursed myself for the very poor decision as I reached back to rub the now sore spot on the back of my head. "But I really really don't want to," I stressed. The blonde beauty didn't look up from where she was laying my various ribbons and medals across my classroom desk.

"And I really really don't care, Edward," Winry deadpanned. "Plus," she added, "I'll write to Mustang and tell him you refused to follow protocol, Mr. "I forgot to send in my resignation papers,'" she said, sending a pointed look in my direction.

"Protocol my ass," I mumbled under my breath, shoving my hands in my pockets and scuffing the toe of my boots on the floor. "And it's not like I purposely didn't turn the papers in; I was too busy getting Al back on his feet," I reminded the girl.

"Ed," Winry said, sounding nothing short of exasperated. "Whether you like it or not, you are still a State Alchemist of the military, and therefore need to follow protocol, even if there are no superiors present," she reminded me, and I knew she was right. I just didn't want all of those medals all over my uniform making me sound like a string of jingle bells. Truth, the uniform was going to raise enough questions as it was.

"Fine," I groaned and wandered over to Winry where she was sitting at my desk. I hopped up to sit on my desk, facing the woman I loved so dearly. "Winry," I muttered, causing the girl to look up at me. Her blue eyes were wide in expectation.

Without a word, I placed my thumb on her chin, my index finger nudging her head up before I leaned down to press a kiss to her lips. I felt her sigh against my lips as she pressed herself closer to me, reaching up to place her hands on my knees. Far too soon, she pulled away, but it wasn't by much. I was still close enough to see the ocean green flecks in her eyes and that dark blue ring around her iris. Truth, she was beautiful. And holy shit was I a lucky man.

"If you think this is going to get you out of wearing your awards you are very wrong, Mr. Elric," Winry whispered, her breath ghosting over my lips as she spoke. One of her eyebrows was raised as she looked up at me, not at all fooled by my attempt at distraction. I rolled my eyes as the corners of my lips quirked up into a smirk.

"Worth a shot," I said with a shrug before kissing her again. She giggled against my lips before pushing me back by the chest. I pouted at her until she sighed and rolled her eyes before she pressed one more peck to my lips.

"So, I was doing some reading through this paperwork that Mustang sent with your uniform and awards," Winry began as she grabbed the thick packet of paper that had also been in the bottom of the box my uniform had arrived in. "It has all of the awards in it and how you earn them. And you, sir," she said, sparing a glance in my direction before turning to the first page of the packet," have earned quite a number of these." Still sitting on the desk, I scooted forward to peer over Winry's shoulder so I could read through the packet with her.

"I was also doing some reading that besides formal ceremonies like receiving another award, you don't have to wear all of the medals; there are corresponding ribbons to wear in place of the medals," she explained as she gestured to the medals which did indeed have a ribbon sitting next to eat and every one of them.

"Oh thank Truth," I groaned throwing my head back. This action earned me a slap on the side of the leg but there was no power behind the blow.

"Don't think I won't make you wear every single one of these medals if you keep whining like a baby," Winry warned. "'Cause I have a wrench with your name on it, mister, and I'm not afraid to use it," she reminded me. I rolled my eyes but nodded anyway.

"Got it," I said, sitting up tall and giving her a mock salute. She only smiled and shook her head as she looked at me.

"Ready to look through these?" she asked, and I nodded, turning to look at the packet again. "So, we'll start with just the ribbons," she said through a breath as she turned another page. "You have the "Army Valorous Unit Citation," "Army Meritorious Unit Citation," "Army Superior Unit Award," and "Army Service Ribbon," she explained as she pointed to each ribbon respectfully. She then went on to explain how you earned each of them.

After she was done explaining, I could only stare at the ribbons I had been awarded, completely shocked. I hadn't been doing anything to try and get these medals. I was just doing what I needed to survive, to keep the people I loved safe. I didn't do any of what I did for recognition. A strange part of me worried other members of the military, those that didn't take part in the Promised Day, in the fight against Father, would think I did all of this for the glory.

"Think any harder and steam will be coming out of your ears," Winry said, a smile in her voice. I looked over at the girl to see her smiling softly up at me. "I'm proud of you, Ed," she pressed as she put a hand on my knee. "I'm proud of you, and you should be proud of yourself."

"I didn't do any of what I did to earn these silly awards," I explained. She sighed before turning to face me fully.

"I know, Ed. I know the type of man you are. You were just doing what you needed to do, just doing what was right, but that doesn't make me or Granny or Al any less proud of you," she promised. I gave her a small smile before pressing a kiss to her forehead. She smiled brightly in return.

"Thank you," I whispered to her. Her smile only widened.

"Ready to keep looking?" she asked, and I nodded, turning back to the packet with her. "Alright," she breathed as she flipped through the packet. "Bear with me, Ed. You have quite a few medals to get through here, so I'll list them off, and then we can read through the descriptions together," she offered. "How does that sound?" she asked, turning to look up at me once more.

"Fire away," I said, and she did just that, once again reading through the medal titles as she pointed to each medal-ribbon combo in turn.

"You've been awarded the "Distinguished Service Cross," "Army Distinguished Service Medal," "Silver Star Medal," "Legion of Merit," the "Purple Heart," "Army Commendation Medal," "Valorous Action on the Promise Day," the "Humanitarian Service Medal," and several Bronze Stars," she explained before turning to look at me.

"And you have the Medal of Honor, Ed," she pointed out, her voice soft, as she reached for the box with the medal attached to the blue ribbon. "It's the highest award you can earn," she explained, and I nodded, too shocked to say anything.

"Ed," Winry whispered, gaining my attention. "Don't overthink it. Remember, I'm proud of you, and so are Granny and Al and your entire team," she reminded me. I nodded silently, not able to find my words. I was too caught up in thinking back on my role in the Promised Day, that fight no doubt being what got me this medal. Silently, Winry leaned her head into my side, wrapping an arm around my back in a strong hug.

"Alright," she said as she stood up from her seat after a few minutes of contemplative silence. "Go put your uniform on so we can get these on your coat," she said, pushing me in the direction of my room. "While you do that I'll try and figure out how these are supposed to go on your jacket," she mumbled, flipping through the packet. I only shook my head at the woman and slipped into my bedroom to change.

After a few minutes of struggling, I finally got the stiff blue uniform on, but it was going to need some fixing. Even if I did attempt to put it on properly Winry would still probably find an issue with it, so I didn't even try. Though the white undershirt was on, the jacket was open, and I had no idea what I was doing with the golden rope thingy on the right shoulder. How the hell were these things practical on the battlefield? Hawkeye, Mustang, and the rest of the team made fighting in this monkey suit look so easy. I grunted slightly. Practice, I guess.

"Ed, what are you doing in here?" My head shot up at the sound of Winry's voice. I looked up to find the girl sticking her head through the now open door.

"Hey!" I shouted as a blush overtook my cheeks. "I could have been naked for all you knew!" I pointed out, trying to force the heat from my cheeks.

"Yeah right, like I haven't seen you half-naked when fixing your automail, Ed," Winry deadpanned as she pushed the door further. "Come on," she said, ushering me out the door. "All that time and you still look like a raging mess," Winry muttered. I only grunted at her comment, too fed up with the whole process already. Already I was sweating under the thick material of the uniform and the coat wasn't even buttoned properly yet.

"Come here, you," Winry muttered as she pulled me into the empty classroom by the collar of my white undershirt. I sighed but didn't say a word, knowing this was going to happen whether I liked it or not. And I certainly didn't like it at all, not one bit. I felt like a fool in this thing.

The girl in front of me buttoned the last button of my white shirt before straightening out my collar. She then moved onto the blue coat of the uniform, effortlessly pulling the blue material closed and buttoning it into place like she had been doing it for years. She then situated the yellow cord hanging off the right shoulder of the uniform to the silver clasp over my right breast.

"There," she said after she had smoothed out the lapels of my jacket to her liking. She took a step back and put her hands on her hips, looking me up and down. "You look good, Ed; you clean up nice," she said, pressing a kiss to my cheek.

"I feel like an idiot," I told her, a pout on my lips. She smirked at this.

"I never said you didn't look like an idiot," she pointed out cheekily as she made her back to my desk. I only rolled my eyes, a soft smile on my lips. "But seriously, Ed. You look nice, every bit of the military man and hero you are," she promised. I could only smile at her, her compliment having caused my normally sharp brain to short circuit. When she turned back to me, she only smiled and shook her head.

"Bear with me here, Ed," she muttered as she moved to put the first ribbon in place. "This might take a while," she said as she fastened the first ribbon into its proper place.

Most of the ordeal was silent except for some muttered curses and Winry making comments under her breath until she spoke up. "You know, a higher-up or a commanding officer would have had to apply for these for you," Winry said. I looked at her in shock. "Mustang did care for you," she reminded me. I huffed and crossed my arms over my chest. The truth was, I knew he cared for me, and I cared for him, but both of us had too much pride to admit it.

"I remember a conversation I had with Mr. Hughes on Elysia's third birthday," she said suddenly, her voice sounding as if were mind was a million miles away. I swallowed over the sudden lump that had formed in my throat in a matter of seconds.

"Originally, we were talking about you and Al, but know I see that it applies to Mustang as well," she explained. My eyebrows furrowed, not sure where this was going. "I was telling him about you and how you never told me what was going, but he explained that you're the type of person that speaks with this actions. He told me a lot of men are like that, and you and Mustang are not exceptions; your actions speak louder than his words," she explained, running a finger over the ribbons that were already in place. We were both silent for a moment, lost in thought, no doubt about the late Brigadier General.

"Mr. Hughes would be proud of you, you know?" Winry said quietly.

"I know," I finally forced myself to say, forcing back the tears that threatened to make an appearance. The rest of the ordeal proceeded in silence until Winry had placed every ribbon to her liking.

"There!" Winry finally exclaimed after what felt like a millennia. "All done," she said, her hands on her hips as she looked at her handy work.

"Finally," I muttered under my breath with a sigh as I slumped back into my chair. This is all getting very tedious and frankly completely unnecessary. But Winry and I had already had that argument. And with one look at my uniform anyone could tell who had won.

"Just one more piece," Winry murmured, reaching for something out of my field of vision. The next thing I knew, there was being shoved onto my head.

"What the hell!" I all but shouted, not prepared for something to be shoved onto my head and over my eyes. "Winry," I growled, glaring at the girl after I had removed what I realized was the cap of military uniform. I looked up at the girl with wide eyes, the stupid head piece resting in my hands. "Don't you dare. I'm not wearing this damn thing," I said, my voice low and serious. I already looked like a fool, but at least without the cap I wouldn't look like a pompous bastard.

"Yes, Edward Elric, you will where that damn thing, or the first place I will be going is Ishval to find Brigadier General Mustang what a disorderly subordinate he has on his hands," she warned as she produced a hair clip that looked similar to what Hawkeye would use to keep her hair up. "And if we want to keep them from chopping all your hair off, we need to put it up. Your lucky the former fuhrer, or Mustang for that matter, didn't make you shave your head," she reminded me. I didn't really have the room to argue with that logic.

With that, she moved to stand behind me so she could properly pin up my hair. She ran her fingers through my hair, and I couldn't help but lean back into her touch. I had her chuckle from above me, and she purposely spent a few more minutes than necessary combing my hair. After a few moments of this, I felt her pull my hair into a pony tail before twisting it and securing it with the clip. She then placed that awful hat on my head and fussed with my bangs for a few moments.

When she was satisfied with her work, she took my hand and pulled me from my chair and into my bedroom where a full length mirror was positioned on the back of the door. As I stood before the mirror, I could barely recognize myself beneath the swath of blue material. The me in the mirror didn't look like the me in the pictures on my desk and on the walls of my classroom. The contrast was striking.

Winry stood behind me, peeking over my shoulder as she straightened out my uniform to her liking. After a few moments of fussing, she seemed content to rest her chin on my shoulder and meet my eyes in the mirror. There was a small smile across her lips, a light dusting of a blush on her cheeks.

"There," she whispered before pressing a kiss to my cheek. "Now you look every bit the man I already know you are."