Author's Note: Welcome to my first published Fullmetal Alchemist fic! As you can see, it is loosely based on Christmas because, well... it's almost Christmas! And I love Christmas! (Also note the word "loosely"... this is by no means your normal fluffy Christmas story. You have been warned...)

Anyway, some details to know before you read. I set this in my version of FMA's "perfect world." AKA, it's a few years later than the end of the anime, Alphonse's body is back, both he and Edward are in Amestris, Mustang is Fuhrer, and pretty much everything is hunky-dory. Except Hughes is still dead. And Edward still has automail. (My apologies, Mr. Elric, but it makes you more fun to write!)

This will be a multi-chapter fic (I KNOW: GASP) so do not be sad if this chapter is not full of action. It will come soon, my friends! Be patient and fear not!

I think that's about it, then, so just enjoy, and please leave feedback! Comments are love, people! Thanks!

Disclaimer: Fullmetal Alchemist belongs to Hiromu Arakawa, not me.

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1. The World In Solemn Stillness Lay

It was freezing on the deck of the St. Emery, but the chill did nothing to deter eighteen year-old Edward Elric from relishing the early morning air. Bundling up in his military uniform with a thick woolen hat and gloves helped defend against the sharp wind, and being below deck tended to make him seasick. It was nice to get some fresh air.

He heaved a sigh, leaning against the metal rail and staring out at the vast horizon. He was trying – and failing – to forget that today was Christmas Eve, and that Alphonse was happily back in Risembool with Winry and Pinako while he was stuck out at sea with that bastard of a Fuhrer. He ground his teeth at the thought of spending one of his favorite holidays with Mustang for company. While the two had definitely been getting along better since Edward had managed to get Alphonse's body back, he could not forgive the older man for making him tag along on this stupid political venture.

"Security, my ass," Edward muttered, glaring at the churning water below him. That had been Mustang's excuse; Edward was to provide extra security against any would-be assassins. While it was true that the newly appointed Fuhrer was at risk of being a target for any political radicals, Edward didn't understand why Mustang couldn't just use the plethora of military personnel whose job it was to keep him alive.

Edward sighed again, watching his breath mist before his face. If everything went well in Xing, they would be back before the New Year. That was consolation enough at this point, and Edward started to formulate plans for that night in his mind.

"Mornin', Chief."

Edward turned to greet the newly promoted Lieutenant-Colonel Jean Havoc, who was already lighting his first cigarette of the day.

"Hey, Havoc."

"You seem pleasantly morose this morning. What's up?" Havoc asked. Edward half-smiled sheepishly; the other man always had been good at reading him.

"I'm just thinking," he said, turning back to the horizon. "It's Christmas Eve, and we're stuck out here in the middle of nowhere escorting 'his highness' to Xing when we could be back with our families."

"Ah." Havoc joined him at the rail, blowing his smoke into the wind thoughtfully. "I guess that does suck for you, being away from Al, and all. But for me, you and the Fuhrer are two of the closest things I've got to family, anyway, so…" He shrugged, trailing off. Edward watched his profile and smiled, feeling touched.

"Thanks, Havoc," he said. Havoc smirked and punched him lightly on the arm.

"Don't let it go to your head, Chief. I outrank you now so I could have you court-martialed for getting too mushy," he joked. Edward grinned and relaxed against the rail, happy at least to have Havoc with him so they could deal with Mustang together.

"You know, I'm surprised Hawkeye didn't come along," he said after a moment of silence.

"She wanted to," Havoc said. "You know how she doesn't trust anyone else to protect Mustang properly." Edward nodded. "But he insisted she stay back in Central so he has someone reliable to delegate to while he's away."

"That makes sense, but I can't imagine her taking it well," Edward said with a mischievous grin. Havoc smirked.

"There was some yelling and threatening, but eventually Mustang made her see reason."

A bell tolled on the deck, making both men jump.

"Geez, I hate that," Havoc grumbled as they made their way inside. "Is it really necessary for them to announce breakfast like we're a bunch of cattle?" Edward chuckled and slipped out of his coat, hanging it beside Havoc's on the rack just inside the door. He stuffed his hat and gloves haphazardly into the pockets before the two joined the ranks of sailors and military personnel walking toward the mess hall.

Once inside they headed for the long head table, where Edward could already see the Fuhrer seated. He frowned slightly; Mustang was at the very end of the table, and he was cradling his head in gloved hands.

"What's up with Mustang?" Edward asked Havoc quietly as they approached.

"He's just stressed," Havoc muttered. "The Xing ambassador kept him on the phone almost all night. I heard him finally go to bed around four this morning." Edward winced in sympathy.

"You'd think they could leave the talking until we actually arrived," he said.

"Yes, Fullmetal, you would," Mustang grumbled, having overheard their conversation. Havoc saluted on reflex, but quickly lowered his hand at the exasperated look his Fuhrer shot him.

"You look like hell, Flame," Havoc said genially, clapping Mustang on the back as he took the seat beside him. Mustang laughed humorlessly.

"Well, good, because I feel like hell," he said. Edward settled across from them, already pouring himself a cup of coffee.

"Coffee, Fullmetal?" Mustang inquired, cocking an eyebrow his direction. Edward flushed indignantly.

"What about it?"

"Nothing," Mustang said with a careless shrug. "I just never knew you liked it."

"It's not the actual coffee I like so much as the caffeine," Edward said, sipping the black liquid with a pained expression. Mustang smirked.

"Well, it's nice to see you're finally growing up," he said, his visible eye twinkling dangerously. Edward's hands clenched around his mug at the veiled jab at his height, but he refrained from commenting. He had promised himself that he wouldn't let it bother him anymore, especially since he had grown three and a half inches that summer. He was still about a head shorter than Mustang, but that was beside the point.

"Excuse me, Fuhrer?" A young pageboy had just come up to the table, bowing respectfully. Edward watched him out of the corner of his eye, still rather unused to people showing Mustang such respect.

"At ease," the Fuhrer said, and Edward was surprised to hear a soft note in the man's voice. The boy appeared less nervous because of it when he rose.

"The Xing ambassador is on the telephone. He says he has a couple more subjects that he would like to discuss before the formal meetings commence."

"Not even four hours later…" Mustang growled. He sighed, then flashed his famous knee-weakening smile at the pageboy. "Thank you. You may tell him I will speak to him soon." The pageboy bowed and excused himself and Mustang dropped his head back into his hands with a huge sigh. "Ridiculous."

"It's karma. This is what you get for making me miss Christmas with Al," Edward said bitterly. Mustang glared at him from between his fingers.

"I had nothing to do with scheduling these meetings, Fullmetal. You don't think I would rather be back in Central for Christmas? Besides, they don't celebrate Christmas in Xing so you can't really blame them." He sighed and stood, stretching languorously. "I'd better go talk to that idiot ambassador." He reached across the table and plucked Edward's coffee mug from the young man's grip, eliciting a squawk of annoyance. Mustang just smiled and took a long drink, then replaced the mug and left without another word.

"Bastard!" Edward shouted after him, earning a couple of shocked glances. He slammed the half-empty mug down on the table in frustration and glared at Havoc, who was trying hard not to laugh. "Do you see this? This is what I'm missing my Christmas for!"

"It's his way of showing affection, Ed. You should be used to it by now," Havoc chuckled, standing to go to the buffet.

"I don't think anyone should have to put up with this kind of affection," Edward muttered. Havoc put a hand on his shoulder.

"Think of it this way," he said quietly. "Mustang could have chosen any alchemist in Amestris to guard him on this trip, and he picked you. What do you think that says about how he really feels?"

"He hates me and this is my punishment," Edward spat. Havoc just grinned and shook his head before heading off to the buffet.

Edward knew what Havoc was getting at. He knew that Mustang had chosen him because he trusted him and had faith in his skills, but it was somewhat hard for Edward to come to terms with that fact. He had always just assumed that he was a pawn for Mustang to use in his plans for becoming Fuhrer. He had been so ready to leave the military and be out from underneath Mustang's influence that he had gone straight to Central after getting Alphonse's body back, in order to finally quit being a State Alchemist.

Mustang had been ready for him. Edward remembered how grim the General's face had looked when he had walked into the office for the last time, ready to resign and leave the military for good. Mustang hadn't begged him to stay. He had just voiced his quiet disappointment at losing a trusted, talented subordinate, and wished Edward luck in his future. It was this that had made Edward reconsider his resignation, and now… here he was, still serving under the same bastard but respecting him more than ever.

Edward sighed and finished off his coffee before rising to go to his quarters. He didn't have much of an appetite because of the seasickness and just the smell of the food was making him feel nauseous. He waved at Havoc on the way out and soon found himself alone in the metallic hall. The abrupt loss of noise helped his dizziness, and he closed his eyes and rested against the wall for a few moments to collect himself.

From his position he could hear people speaking loudly in a room nearby. Curious, he listened in and recognized the voice of the good-natured first mate, to who he and Mustang had been introduced yesterday. His brow furrowed as he began to catch snatches of the conversation.

"- know anything about it! Where did you hear that?" the first mate was asking, sounding rather flustered. The other voice held a trace of a Xing accent, as though the speaker had once tried to hide it but his anger was making it more pronounced.

"One of your men mentioned that he was onboard! If anything goes wrong for this mission, both you and your captain will pay the consequences." Edward opened his eyes and edged closer to the door. This definitely was not a normal discussion…

"Honestly, I know nothing about it," the first mate insisted.

"Don't lie," the second man spat. "If the Fullmetal Alchemist is on this ship, he could ruin everything. You should know the mission, you are getting part of the reward. The Fuhrer must not reach Xing!"

Edward had to work to suppress a growl. So Mustang wasn't just being a paranoid bastard; people on this ship were after his life.

The blonde ran for Mustang's chambers, intent on warning him of the danger. When he got to the door he barged in without even knocking. Mustang was seated at a large desk with the phone to his ear, twirling a pen in his other hand. He fixed Edward with a dark look and gestured for him to leave with a flick of the pen, but the younger man shook his head. He walked up to the desk and snatched the pen from Mustang's fingers, then grabbed a spare piece of paper and scribbled down a quick message.

Danger. Assassins onboard.

Mustang watched him write, dark eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Sir, I am afraid I will have to call you back," he said into the phone. Edward could hear the ambassador's incensed blathering, but Mustang cut him off. "I am terribly sorry for the inconvenience." With that, he hung up the phone and focused all attention on Edward.

"Tell me."

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To be continued...