This is what you get when I try to write Christmas stuff. Happy memories, then... ugh. I hate my depressive-ness (which is totally a word. ya know, in my world). Well, there are bits and pieces of semi-happiness. More than usual for me.
But! There is hope, for I am almost done writing a SECOND Christmas oneshot! And it's actually HAPPY!
So, expect that soon! It's going to be up tomorrow at the latest, and it'll be added to this story as a second chapter.
Disclaimer: I wish.
Christmas is a time that is supposed to be spent with family. People are supposed to come together with friends and loved ones, and celebrate the holidays. It is a time of joy.
Ed knows his brother missed the holidays. He knows Al wants nothing more than to return to a time when Christmas meant long evenings spent curled up by the fireplace, the radio playing softly in the background as their mother sat knitting.
At some point the brothers would go to her, crawl into her lap and rest their heads on her chest, and she'd set down the scarf she was making and ruffle their hair. The small touch of comfort and love spoke more than a thousand words ever could, and the two brothers would sit, curled up on either side of her, basking in the warmth that was their beautiful, perfect mother.
The last Christmas that Ed and Al had spent with their mother was the best. The tree had been decorated all in gold and silver, and small ornaments hug off almost every branch. The star on top had glittered and shined in the light cast by the fire. The Rockbells, Winry and Pinako, had come over, and the children played and talked excitedly about what they hoped to get for Christmas.
The group had sat together at the old oak table in the Elric's dining room and dug into a delicious turkey dinner as the cold wind blew snow against the window panes. The moment had been perfect, like a portrait vignette in an art gallery, everything placed exactly according to a master's grand design, to create the very picture of a perfect family holiday.
That was the last Christmas that the brothers had spent with their mother. That summer, the sickness came, stealing their mother away along with any possible chance of another perfect holiday.
When they thought that they could bring their mother back, Ed and Al could picture only that scene, with their mom setting the still-steaming turkey on the table, a small smile on her face as her sons fought over who would break the wishbone with Winry- even then they had fought over her. Ed had won that round, but Al had sworn he'd get it next time.
But on the next Christmas Eve they spent in Risembool, the brothers hadn't had time for such frivolous ideas. Edward was just learning to use his automail, and Al... Al couldn't eat. He couldn't smell the turkey roasting in the oven, couldn't feel the cool kiss of falling snow. He had broken two ornaments before giving up on decorating the tree, stating that since he couldn't judge whether or not he was gripping the decorations to tightly he shouldn't be decorating. He had assured Winry that it was alright, but the girl could here the trace of sadness beneath his words.
Christmas is a time that is supposed to be spent with family. But the Elric brothers don't have that luxury. So every year, when the holidays come around, they throw themselves even further into their research, knowing all that the other wanted was to see his brother whole again.
Merry Christmas, everyone!