My very first Fullmetal Alchemist story! I recently started watching anime and FMA was one of the first ones I saw and I really love the characters. Combine with my love for all things December and this little story was born. So it may be a bit out of character, but I did my best. I'd love any advice or suggestions on how to improve this. This story is going to be five chapters in total. Enjoy!


December 20, 1911

Snowflakes drifted down gently from the skies, covering East City in a blanket of soft white. At least it looked like that from a distance. The roads were hardly as nice nor were the sidewalks. Edward suppressed a shiver, his automail ports aching horribly. He was so tired. Stupid Colonel Mustang and his lame mission! In the two months he'd been a State Alchemist working under Colonel Roy Mustang, the teen had learned to really despise the dumb things he had to do as a 'dog of the military'. The last one had been a doozy and Edward knew he'd be expected to report in tomorrow about what happened.

Edward pouted. He had a feeling he was going to be lectured, again, even though the whole situation had not been his fault!

"Brother, are you okay?" The tall suit of armor next to him peered at him with concern.

"I'm fine Al. Just ready to get inside."

He grimaced as they passed another festively decorated house. That's right, it was Yule. Edward swallowed hard. He hadn't gotten anything for Al this year. Usually, he tried to do a little something for his brother. Mom used to love putting up ornaments and greenery around their house. It was to remind them that even though outside was gloomy, inside they were warm and safe and could still have fun.

Edward scowled, telling his suddenly burning eyes to knock it off. He wasn't allowed to cry. Al couldn't and therefore he couldn't. It was equivalent exchange for what Ed had done to his little brother.

The brothers were quiet the rest of the walk back to the barracks. Once they stepped inside, Edward breathed a sigh of relief as a warm wave hit them. That was better! It took another few minutes to reach the small dorm they had been assigned. By then Edward was ready to curl up in his bed and sleep for a week.

"We're here Ed," Al said, opening their door. The boys promptly froze.

There, sitting on the couch in plain view from the door were two brightly wrapped presents.

"What—are those presents?"

The excitement in Al's voice roused Edward from his shocked stupor.

"Don't go near them Al!" He ordered. "It could be—"

But Alphonse was already at the couch, examining the packages.

"AL!"

"Brother, they're addressed to us!" Al said with delight, holding out a brightly wrapped parcel. "This one is yours."

Dumbstruck and still a little wary, Edward stepped into the dorm and closed the door before taking the offered present. It wasn't very big but was surprisingly heavy. There was a tag with his name, but nothing else. He frowned, not recognizing the writing. Al's was the same.

"Can we open them?" Al asked, his armor practically quaking with his excitement. "Can we Brother? Pleeeease?"

"I guess so."

The words had barely left his mouth before Al was tearing off the wrapping paper. "Oh, wow!"

"What is it Al?" Edward asked, curious what could have gotten that reaction from his brother.

"It's a book!"

"Huh?" Edward blinked as Al held out a large book. There was a rendering of a cat on in the middle and above it was the title, written in bold red letters: Warriors. The Complete Series.

"Look here, it's the summary." As Al began to read about warrior clans of cats and traitors and a heroic house cat, Edward gaped. The book was perfect for Al. Al loved cats and was always trying to sneak strays into their dorm. He looked down at the unopened gift in his hand.

Suddenly eager to see what was in it, Edward tore off the wrapping. It was also a book. The cover was a dark green and there was no illustration this time, just the title in gold. Sherlock Holmes. Volume 1.

He'd heard of Sherlock Holmes. He was supposed to be an expert at solving mysteries or something.

"You got a book too?"

"Yeah, I did," Edward answered, his sleepiness falling away completely.

"I wonder who gave them to us," Al said, holding his book reverently.

"No idea. They didn't sign it. Maybe Hughes?"

But wouldn't Hughes have signed it? In the months the Elric brothers had known him, he had never once struck Edward as someone who was capable of being sneaky.

"Maybe," Al said, happily sitting down on the couch.

Edward sat down too. The brother's opened their presents and eagerly began to read.