Edward Elric had never thought much of religion, despite the fact that he all but worshipped the laws and principles of alchemy. He made no secret of this. He was not at all happy with being forced to attend the mandatory Midwinter church service. His poor brother was, as ever, dragged into his plans of protest.
On the day, the State Alchemists and other officers of High Importance arrived, on the dot, at the time of the compulsory service. The Elrics, surprisingly, were early. The church was a sea of men and women in their uncomfortable formal uniforms that did nothing to keep out the chill.
With two exceptions.
One, a tall suit of armour. The other, well…
Al had a bubble of empty space surrounding him. Nobody wanted to get too close and it was almost as if there was a physical barrier repelling anyone with a functioning nose away from the normally popular young boy. He was shifting uncomfortably and gave off a visible air of embarrassment. The Plan had seemed so reasonable when his brother suggested it!
Ed, on the other hand, could have been the personification of smugness. He sat slouched in his pew, ignoring the looks he was receiving from his neighbours.
For weeks he had been searching for the most hideous, eye watering, visually offensive Midwinter jumper that could be bought. It was red. It was tacky. It was a nauseating swirl of clashing colour and winter-themed patterns. Colonel Mustang, sitting three rows down, was stubbornly refusing to look at his subordinate and had finally realised just why the teen had been pestering Fuery for lessons in simple circuit-making.
Every time the blond moved, an array of lights started flashing. Every tenth time, a short, tinny snatch of a popular seasonal song played.
When the Flame Alchemist returned from the service, he scowled at Havoc over the desk, before handing over 100 cenz.
"What did they-?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
Later
"No, just socks and aftershave. Why, what did you wear to church?" Al, all innocence, informed Havoc.
Needless to say, the Elrics were not invited back the next year.
So, here is the Christmas Special! Happy Christmas-and-other-holidays-celebrated-around-this-time-of-year!