Countdown to Christmas

Lady Moon-Chan

AN: Okay, this chapter involves Pride!Ed and Envy!Al(Envy!Al is from my story, Becoming Sin, just so you know). So, you know, all warnings applicable to the homunculi stand tall. Oh, and, I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist or Christmas. R&R and make a geeky otaku author very happy this holiday season.

Homunculi!Elricest: Christmas is...

Pride frowned as he stared at the busy humans bustling on the streets below. "Pointless." he muttered.

"I don't know..." his younger brother Envy's voice issued from behind him. "There's plenty of good traditions about their Christmas. That's yet another kiss you owe me, Pride."

Pride snorted, glancing up at the green-and-white sprig Envy held aloft above both of their heads. "You don't need to wave some stupid plant around to get me to kiss you."

Envy brought his free hand up and ran it through Pride's loose golden hair. "Mm, I know. But it's fun."

Pride rolled his eyes. "That I doubt." Any further comment by him was cut off by Envy planting a kiss on his lips that started out chaste, but quickly turned passionate.

"See? Fun." Envy said with a smile, the childlike homunculus positively glowing with pride at having proven his big brother wrong.

"I'll show you fun." Pride murmured, pushing Envy down to the floor and beginning to divest him of his clothes.

A few hours later, with Envy asleep after some rigorous sex, Pride sat up, once again pondering what a certain day on the calendar could mean to humans to make them celebrate it so. Shadowed golden eyes drifted shut, pondering the few memories that remained of his humanity.

One of them was of this 'Christmas' and he had cherished it as a human because he had his beloved brother by his side. His brother was still here, wasn't he? So what was it, then? Was it possible that one had to be human, to have a soul, to understand 'Christmas'?

His thoughts were interrupted by Envy sitting up beside him. "You've got that look again." The younger homunculus observed. "Like you're thinking about sad things."

Pride shook his head. Then he glanced over at his 'brother'. They couldn't truly BE brothers anymore, since homunculi didn't technically have familial relations, but even as he thought that, a memory came to his mind, of a young homunculus calling the one he'd created as a human 'mommy'. "Envy?"

"Hmm?" the other nuzzled Pride's neck, throwing his arms around his shoulders affectionately.

"Do you remember what made this human holiday 'Christmas' so special to you?" Pride's eyes reflected the setting sun perfectly.

Envy looked down. "There's a few memories...mostly it was because you were with me, Brother..."

"I see."

"Humans cherish it because it gives them an excuse to see family members and loved ones they wouldn't have time to visit otherwise, I think."

"But that doesn't apply to us." Pride frowned. "We're right beside each other. Always."

"But most of the time we're too busy avoiding the military to really enjoy each other's company. This is the first time we've spent alone together without worrying about being caught in a long time." Envy rested his head against Pride's chest, listening to the slow rythmic beating from within.

"That's true..."

From outside, the two sins heard a group of human voices rise in chorus.

"It's the time

of the season

For loving

You..."

Envy twined his hands in his brother's hair, kissing the silky strands. "I think I understand it, Brother."

"Oh?" Pride favored the younger homunculus with a curious look.

"Humans value it so much because to them, Christmas is a time for joy and love and hope."

"Peace on Earth, good will towards men." Pride murmured.

Envy looked surprised. "Where did that come from?"

"Does it matter?" Pride countered. He trailed a few kisses down Envy's neck.

Envy blushed. "Pride, what are you doing that for?"

Pride grinned up at Envy, looking for all the world like the cat who'd just gotten the canary. "You said Christmas was the season of love."

Envy's blush deepened. "Well, that's...it..."

Pride shushed him with a kiss. "Ssh, little brother. Just lay back and enjoy it."

"I love you, Brother." Envy whispered.

"I love you too, little brother." No matter what. Human or homunculus, I will always love you.

Somewhere faraway, the human carolers sang again,

"It's the time

of the season

For loving

You..."

AN: There's the end. Next chapter, we find out Ed's reaction to Al's relationship with Alfons, which we witnessed in Garland Bondage. Review!