Rating: PG (for the incest factor, I guess...)/AU (meaning takes place in Amestris w/ restored!Al); Christmas fic

Gifts

"Stop squirming, you little bastard." Edward Elric growled out as best as he could with ribbon caught between his teeth. "I have to get this bow on you!"

After already spending an hour trying to write the card, another forty-five minutes at the pet store, and then the extra hour spent on gathering supplies and wrapping for this little Christmas present, Ed was not looking forward to spending any longer than ten minutes on trying to tie a damn bow on a kitten. The fur ball was steadily getting more irritating and was certainly very playful. To any normal human being, a small blue-gray tabby kitten chasing a ribbon would've been adorable. To Ed? It was just annoying.

"Dammit…" he sighed, flopping onto his back on the floor; inadvertently giving up.

The tabby was happily nibbling on the ribbon, purring at the result of her efforts. Ed glared at her, feeling very insulted by the idea that the kitten was mocking him. Her tail swished back and forth, ribbon forgotten as she decided that pouncing on Ed would be more of a fun-filled adventure. Even if the kitten was not nearly as heavy as other incredibly cuddly things, the fact that it was a kitten was what had the golden haired boy tossing her aside.

"Get off me, you flea bag! Jeez, why the hell am I even doing this?" he groaned, now toying with the red ribbon he'd been trying to tie around her neck as she watched it dangle from his fingers.

Of course he knew why he was doing this, though.

Glancing at the kitten, which had now rolled over onto her back with her paws in the air and batting at the wiggling ribbon, he knew that this headache disguised as a kitten was worth seeing the love of his life glow with happiness. He also wouldn't have gone through the trouble of kicking him out of the house for the afternoon, despite the pathetic pleas to stay. Now that the kitten was still, he was able to effectively tie the ribbon around her neck and fashion it into a big bow. Attached to it were a little gift tag and a small silver bell that jingled as the kitten moved her head.

"All I'm saying is that you'd better make Al happy." He told her as he scooped her up and dumped her into the bedroom before he cleaned up the mess in the living room.

Alphonse was confused as to why his big brother didn't want him at home today. It's Christmas Eve… shouldn't we be spending time together rather than apart? He sighed, kicking at a clump of snow as he walked down the sidewalk. What could he be up to? He knew that Ed wasn't trying to sneak him a present, he'd already seen the two wrapped gifts under their tiny tree; one for him and one for Ed. Also, his big brother wasn't exactly the best cook in the world… so he wasn't making some kind of Christmas Eve dinner that was for sure.

"Well, I guess I'll see when I get home." He shrugged, "But he's still acting pretty suspicious…"

Ed had told Al not to come home before sunset, and that he was to go spend the day with Winry, but their time together had come and gone. The sun was sinking beyond the horizon, so Al figured that it would be okay if he went home. The door was locked, so he took out his keys and slipped into the house. He couldn't help the smile that came to his lips when he saw all the decorations lit up; there was just something about all the colors and lights that made him warm inside around this time of year.

"Brother?" he called out in his chirpy tone, "I'm home."

There was no grunt of a reply or a welcome home kiss or anything. This furthered Al's suspicion as he wandered into the kitchen. There was no Ed and the room was just as he had left it, except for the table where a small red envelope sat. It sparked his curiosity to see his name scrawled on it in delicate handwriting. Since it was clearly addressed to him, Al saw no problem with opening the card.

Brother-mine,

Nothing can express how happy I am to be spending this Christmas with you as you were meant to be. Whole, warm, soft, and an extremely good kisser. Heh, only playing with you, Al. But in all seriousness, there is no greater gift that you could give me than seeing you smile. I've never really been the sappy type, but I want you to know how much I care for you as a brother, friend, and lover. I love you more than anything, even if I don't show it sometimes, but I really hope you knew that. You are the star to my Christmas tree and the light to my candle and if you really want the last candy cane, then it's yours. What I'm trying to say is: Thank you for being my very own Christmas gift, Alphonse. I love you more than you'll ever know.

Merry Christmas, little brother,

Ed

Al could feel the tears welling up in his silver eyes; happy tears that shone as he smiled fondly at the little note in his hands. He could remember telling Ed how much he'd always wanted a love note, but the older boy had just rolled his eyes and said he wasn't one for such sentiments. What a liar. With a sniffle, he wiped away the tears before they could fall and some more writing caught his eye.

P.S.

Go look in the bedroom, I think there's something that you might like in there.

Even if curiosity killed the cat, Alphonse was certainly full of that feeling today. Clutching the note to his heart, he wandered down the hall to their bedroom. It was strangely quiet, Ed was usually making so much noise and now Al was finding it rather uncomfortable. In the silence, he managed to hear a small jingle coming from within the bedroom. Hesitantly, he poked his head inside the room and glanced around. He didn't see anything at first, so he stepped in a little further when a bundle of blankets started wiggling and jingling. Al pulled off the blankets and gasped when his gaze fell upon a tiny gray kitten.

The bright red bow and little tag which read: To: Al From: Ed clued him in that it was a Christmas present. He carefully took the kitten into his arms and cooed when the tiny pink tongue darted out to lap at his fingers. He could feel himself beaming at the kitten, and then spun around to go in search of his brother only to gasp in surprise.

Ed was leaning against the doorframe with a satisfied smirk, winking playfully at his little brother. Al flushed darkly, but his bright smile never left his face. He brought the kitten up to his cheek; he nuzzled her gently and then went to his brother's side. Topaz eyes followed his movements with some suspicion, widening in surprise as Al's lips claimed his own in a gentle kiss.

"Mm…" he sighed and found himself smiling genuinely at his little brother's sheer happiness. "You're welcome."

"Oh, brother, thank you so much!" Al gazed at him with adoration, "She's perfect; and the note was just… oh, thank you!" Ed wrapped his arms around him, careful not to squish the kitten. "I love you. I love you so much!"

Ed chuckled lightly, then pressed a kiss to Al's temple, "I love you too, Al. Merry Christmas."

"Yes, a very merry Christmas!" he nodded in agreement, wiping away the tears that came back. As Ed leaned down to kiss him again, brushing away his tears as he did so, Al gasped and pointed to the window, "Brother, look!"

A flurry of fresh Christmas snow was dancing outside their window; resulting in both rushing outside. Al set the kitten, which he planned on naming Silverbell due to the season and the adorable bell on her bow, on the couch in the living room and followed Ed to the porch. The golden boy took his brother's hand in his and gazed at him lovingly. Al returned the gaze and gave the hand in his a gentle squeeze. The Christmas lights of all the houses in their neighborhood started to light up simultaneously, as if to welcome the holiday.

With the houses all lit up and covered in snow, Al couldn't have dreamed of seeing a more perfect Christmas. Especially with Ed by his side. Nuzzling close to one another, they exchanged a passionate kiss that warmed their bodies even with the cold air.

"Merry Christmas, brother."

"Merry Christmas, Al."