Hello! Aabalany here, I felt a little guilty becuase I saw other great holiday themed stories and thought about thow I didnt have one, so I decided to write one. I hope you enjoy
Geez, it doesn't even feel like Christmas anymore. I got all caught up with central and Homunculi and being a state alchemist I forgot the most important time of the year.
The young Elric sighed heavy. It had been nearly a year since he became a dog of the military, and he hadn't much thought about this particularly special time of year. It was a boring train ride, but Al had made it his business to mention and rave about how when Mother was alive. How they all had great pies like apple, and huckleberry, and cakes, where red velvet had been his favorite, and a great big hunk of ham, glazed with a sweet creamy solution of confectioners sugar, nutmeg, and water. With plenty of milk1 just for big brother. This nostalgia left Ed with a sharp pang of guilt with every word his precious brother said.
When Al had temporarily stopped and said, "Right Nii-san, right? And I remember when you and mom…", Ed found himself running a hand through his flaxen hair absent-mindedly, and giving a simple nod or a, "Yea, Al. I remember."
Nothing gets that hunk of metal down. Even being a hunk of metal.
Ed laughed icily, and 'tch'ed at his thought, inside felt bitter, and cold, and he felt like a damper on Al's parade, so he tried to put on a smile, which eventually became a scowl.
Al had been stuck in that body, and Christmas or not, Ed had been obsessed with getting it back.
I made him like that anyways, right? the young Alchemist smiled bitterly.
Alarmed by a well-heard 'clank' beside him, he turned to see his brother. Though, Ed thought, even though he is a…a..a-suit of armor, he still shows emotion. He still feels. And here I am, feeling sorry for myself, bringing him down. He's my brother.
"Nii-san….", the suit of armor didn't move an inch., "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to go off like that. Clearly, you're not feeling well. ", Al finished, "AHA!! Think of it like this, during our last fight with Env-"
"Save it, Al, ", Ed waved the topic off, "And tell me how you liked mom's blueberry pie."
Ed warmed his heart up and saw his brother smiling.
His smile is still so beautiful, even though its displayed through a jagged plate of metal.
Ed closed his eyes, and felt for a moment, his brother's warmth against his shoulder, while Al talked about Mom's pie.
"Well…", Al became unsure of himself and looked to his right at his brother.
Ed gave his brother the most encouraging, and loving smile he could muster, closing his eyes, and beaming like no tomorrow, showing off all his teeth and glee.
"…I had always liked how she used, Allspice.…", Al began….
1 Ed hates milk with a burning passion.
Review, and Happy Holidays people.
--Aaba-chan