Colonel Roy Mustang hated Christmas, or just about any holiday in particular. They did nothing but remind him of how lonely he was. Sure, there were the countless dates with pretty young girls in mini skirts and hot sex after a movie but they never actually made him feel complete. He used to spend the holidays with Maes but his happy family made him feel lonelier than ever. Now that the man was dead, he was even more alone.
He was pretty sure the Elric brothers used to be like him. Now, the elder brother seemed more preoccupied than usual, although not in the manner of business. The brat actually seemed happy, which was one mood Roy had never seen him in before.
Roy was bored now that Fullmetal's height was no longer much of a joke; he began to look for a new way to amuse himself. Fullmetal came in one day, practically radiating joy. Roy knew the expression. It was a girl. Charming and nice man that he was, he simply couldn't resist this opportunity.
"Who's the girl, Fullmetal?" he had thrown out to the Fullmetal Alchemist leisurely.
Ed positively blanched and sputtered. "There is no girl!"
"I know the look, Fullmetal. Who is she, really?"
Everyone in the office was staring and Roy knew he was being a bit mean but he simply wouldn't help himself. It was very entertaining watching the younger boy squirm. The whole office knew that now that Ed had grown past the height of an average twelve year old, loads of girls were beginning to notice him. Edward, naïve as he was, ignored all attempts of flirtation girls threw his way. He didn't exactly ignore them he was just oblivious. That was just another of the Fullmetal Alchemist's charms.
"No one!" Ed repeated, cheeks flaming. Roy smirked as the boy stomped out with his brother running after him.
How pathetic, Roy told himself as he nursed a shot of brandy in his dark office, on Christmas Eve of all days. I'm dateless on Christmas Eve. His head snapped up as his office door creaked open. He had to get those damn hinges oiled; they were starting to give him migraines every time they swung open, whining loud enough for those in a twenty-foot radius to hear. First Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye entered, carrying two mugs of hot chocolate and a cheerfully wrapped parcel. She took the brandy glass from him and gave him a steaming mug and the gift.
"Merry Christmas, taisa."
---
Winry began to panic. It was Christmas Eve and she had absolutely no idea what to get Ed. She had a feeling that a wrench would not appeal to him as much as it would to her. What do you get someone like Ed anyways?!
She searched in vain. None of the stores in Central seemed to have anything that would please Ed. Maybe she could make him a new arm? She threw that thought away. She did that for him on a regular basis so that wouldn't be much of a gift. She could just imagine him opening her present and staring at the arm with an "umm… thanks, Winry. I love this… new arm you made me." Not a good idea.
Think! Winry told herself, staring at every Christmas display she could find, hoping to get some idea. Then it hit her… She had the perfect gift, which she was sure no one had ever given Ed before. A gift that she had never given anyone before, a gift she had hoped she could give to Ed and here was her chance.
---
They boarded the train that afternoon for Rizenbul and home. They were mostly silently throughout the trip, not saying much. Winry and Ed had decided it would be better to keep their relationship secret from Al. They didn't tell anyone for that matter. The secrecy seemed to enhance their relationship and appreciation for one another.
At Winry and Pinako's home, they were greeted and mobbed by friends and near family. Al and Ed's sensei, Izumi was there with her large husband, as was Hohenheim, the brothers' father. Ed scowled at him and walked past without a word. Much to his horror, he was stopped by Major Alex Louis Armstrong at the door.
The man was scary enough with his broad frame and pink face but he came complete with pink sparkles. Ed wondered just how and why the man sparkled. He often disregarded the thought, as it was better for his fragile mentality.
Armstrong grabbed both Ed and Winry in a rib-crushing hug as tears streamed down his ruddy face. "So happy to see you again, Edward-kun!" he exclaimed. "And Winry-chan!"
"Nice… to see you too… Major," Ed managed to gasp out through two hundred pounds of muscle. "Now… get the fuck off me!"
"Haven't seen you two in years!" he exclaimed, ignoring Ed and hugging them tighter. Ed and Al had done a good job at avoiding the Major. When he finally let go, Ed folded, feeling as though his ribs were indeed broken. "You've grown taller, Edward-kun!" Armstrong proclaimed when Ed finally felt well enough to straighten.
"Yeah," Ed replied sullenly and walked away quickly before any more ribs were broken. He didn't want to know why the Major was at Winry's house. If Al had lungs, he would've laughed. Then again, maybe not as Armstrong rounded on him.
---
Dinner was a festive occasion. Nearly everyone exclaimed over Ed's growth spurt, much to his annoyance.
"Edo-kun finally grew!" Pinako said.
Ed cursed and yelled back at her, "you certainly didn't, you old hag!"
"I'm too old to grow, mame."
"Whom did you just call a micro bean that is so tiny that you need a microscope to see?!" he shouted, as everyone knew he would. Old habits died hard.
---
Ed lay in bed with his arms pillowing his head, staring at the patterns of moonlight on the ceiling. He couldn't sleep. He felt strange sleeping in the bed where he had lain seven years ago writhing in pain from auto mail surgery. He ran his flesh hand over his cold metal arm subconsciously. As he continued to stare at the ceiling, he didn't notice the door opening and Winry creeping in. He didn't even see her until he felt something blond collide into his chest, knocking the wind out of him.
"Winry!" he hissed. "What the fuck?!"
She remained on top of him and folded her arms on his chest. "Don't curse, Ed. It's crude."
Ed rolled his eyes. "Why are you here?"
"Can't sleep."
"So you decided to go tackling people in the dark?"
"Just you."
"I feel all special now."
"You should." She smiled before raising her head to kiss him. He returned the kiss but broke away first.
"Get off," he groaned.
"No, I'm comfortable."
"I can't breathe!" She smirked and placed her head on Ed's chest, listening to his heartbeat. He sighed and turned over, landing on top of her. "That's better." He rested his weight on his elbows so he would not crush her. He kissed her again.
Winry reached up to take the tie from his hair and ran her fingers through the golden strands, freeing them from the braid. She ran her hands down his back under his shirt, sending shivers down his spine. She fingered the waistband of his pants before tugging.
Ed lifted his head to stare at her. "Are you sure?"
Winry paused. "I'm sure," she replied, pulling a blanket over the both of them.
---
They clung to each other, exhausted and sweaty, but happy. Winry hugged Ed closer. "Merry Christmas," she told him. "I love you."
Ed froze. He loved her, he really did but his tongue could not form the words. "I… I… uh… thank you." I love you, I love you, I love you, his mind shouted.
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Sorry I didn't upload this before Christmas like I had promised. My computer wasn't working for the past few days. Sorry again. Review please and a belated happy Christmas.