Not sure if this has been done before. It just came to me one day while I was working, and I've been wanting to put out something new for a long time (2020 hasn't been kind to anyone). If you wish to read the original poem again (or for the first time) you will notice how I incorporated a lot of the same wording and story-line.
So Merry Christmas Eve, or happy 24th. Whatever this day means to you, I hope it brings the same amount of joy to read as it brought me to write.
Disclaimer: "Twas The Night Before Christmas" is a poem written by Clement Clarke Moore and published in 1823 that I re-imagined in my own words to fit in the FMA world.
'Twas the night before Christmas when all through Amestris,
Not a soldier was stirring except the Fullmetal Alchemist.
His books were sprawled out on the floor without care,
Hopeful for the day his bother's real body be there.
He imagined a young Alphonse all nestled in bed,
With visions of apple pie dancing in his head.
But as the anxious Alchemist laid down for a nap,
He feared tonight would bring nightmares for him unwrap.
When all of the sudden a banging arose on the door,
Startling the eldest as he fell back on the floor.
With fists tight he stomped angrily toward the noise in a hurry,
Nearly ripping the door handle off in his fury.
The faint moonlight above made it difficult to see,
Just who the figure was interrupting his sleep.
When his eyes finally adjusted, the man's face did appear,
It was the last person in the world he expected to be here.
A trademark smirk and eyes piercing through bangs,
It was none other than the infamous Colonel Roy Mustang.
Ed silently pondered why by moonlight he came,
As the man greeted the brothers and called them by name.
"Now Edward now Alphonse..." he tried to explain plainly,
But his reason for coming sounded a little too saintly.
He wanted to check in, make sure they were okay,
And Ed scoffed at him suddenly acting this way.
A wild hurricane of emotions came over the boy,
But his curses and temper never intimidated Roy.
As the obscenities flew in hopes he would leave,
The Flame Alchemist presented him instead with a tree.
It was then the boy froze at the twinkling sight.
The object was small and green, covered in lights.
Ed drew in his head for being so easily riled,
And into the dorm came the man with a smile.
He was dressed in all red, from his head to his foot.
The young alchemist watched curiously as his body stayed put.
He saw the tied up package flung on the man's back,
And he felt his defenses starting to crack.
Roy's normally cold eyes filled with well-kept secrets
Twinkled in satisfaction at his makeshift Christmas.
He stood back once finished, proud of his work.
A warm smile now replaced the usual smirk.
The brother's gathered close, too stunned for words,
But oh how the elder wished to scream, "How absurd!"
All the laws he had broken- his mistakes that were criminal.
A failure that deserved to be lonely and miserable.
Then he laughed when the man placed two gifts under the tree,
For only a Philosopher Stone could make him truly happy.
Still the knots in his stomach twisted with shock
That he almost didn't notice when his superior started to talk.
"I knew Christmas would be somber so I brought you this tree."
And suddenly the young alchemist began to feel a little less lonely.
"I can't give you what you really want," he spoke with sincerity.
"But I can offer you something more priceless- the gift of family."
Ed's lips twitched upward, and his eyes started to sting.
For while it wasn't a stone, it was the next best thing.
Then Roy sprang for the door with his smile still intact,
Leaving both brothers dumbfounded at the selfless act.
They heard him exclaim before he walked out of sight-
"Merry Christmas to you Elrics, and to you both a good night."