Yeah! I got this chapter done! I know people don't like excuses but here it goes: H.S.C, school assignments, Major Works and my mum was taken to hospital. But, yeah...

1. Sorry for grammar and/ or spelling mistakes. Let me know please

2. I do not own Full Metal Alchemist

3. I find Hughes the hardest character to write. I don't know why since he's such an amazing character but that's the way life works with me. So sorry if I disappoint you.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL MAES HUGHES

CHRISTMAS WITH THE HUGHES

EDWARD:

"This is so stupid," Ed mumbled, crossing his arms.

Maes Hughes gave a sigh, "I admit, I'd rather be at home with my girls but it would be rude not to come."

Ed glanced up at him, unimpressed, "To what? A party? The military's hosting it so what does it matter?" It was just then a bundle of falling snow landed on Ed's face. The fourteen-year-old jumped at the sudden cold and brushed it off hastily, ignoring the chuckling coming from Hughes.

"We work with the military Ed," Hughes reminded him. "And besides, we'll be able to see our friends tonight. Don't you want to?"

"…Not really," Edward said quietly, eyeing the snowy ground. He didn't catch Hughes roll his eyes with a knowing smile playing on his lips.

By the time the two managed to reach the hall where the Military Christmas Party would be held, Maes was pretty confident. He had a feeling tonight would be good. For both him and Ed. The two entered the hall and saw that they might have been a little late. It was pretty much filled with military men and women of all ranks. No one was wearing the standard military uniform that night though; it was all tuxedos and gowns. The bowtie around Ed's neck suddenly felt tight. Ugh, why did he have to dress up?

"Hey, there's Roy! Roy!" Hughes called out cheerfully.

The Lieutenant Colonel shook his head in disbelief when Ed, from beside him, and Roy, a couple of feet away, both turned their other way and bolted. Unbelievable. Hughes decided to chase after the younger of the two. He admitted it was a tad difficult to find the boy in the midst of the crowd…probably because of his height.

Luckily, Ed's bright golden hair made the search easy. Hughes caught up to Ed at a serving table. "You're hungry already?"

"Yeah," Edward might as well have said, 'duh!' He picked a plate and began piling on the food. Steak, chicken, pork, gravy and vegetables…wait. Hughes saw to his amusement that Ed had ignored the vegetables.

Ed was about to leave with his plate of meat when Hughes stopped him, "Hey, don't you want any greens?"

The boy lifted an eyebrow at him, "Uh, no."

"You sure?"

Ed scoffed, glanced down at his place and up again, "Yeah, I'm sure."

Aghast, and in the mood to annoy the young state alchemist, Hughes gasped dramatically, "Edward! How can you possibly say no to vegetables?"

Ed gave him a dull expression in return. His tone matched, "Pretty easily."

Determinedly, Hughes snatched Ed's plate and began to add lettuce to the mix. "What the hell? Give it!" Ed reached for it, but Hughes held it away from him. Ha, it was so easy being taller sometimes.

"No, Edward, you're a growing boy. You need your vegetables!"

"I do not!"

Hughes ceased collecting the lettuce and, instead, turned to the fourteen-year-old, "Come on. Just tell me what vegetable you like. That's not too hard is it?"

Ed did what he usually did when irritated. He folded his arms, "None! I don't like any."

The older man sighed, "Ed, seriously, just tell me what you like."

"I don't like any!" Ed threw up his hands in frustration. "Hughes, seriously, get over it! I don't need any."

Hughes considered giving up and just handing the plate of meat over but then he thought of his favourite vegetable and realised that there was no way anyone could hate it. "How about this, we'll find some beetroot for you and –"

"–Beetroot? Are you kidding me? That stuff taste like crap."

"Language –what? How can you hate beetroot?"

"Again, pretty easily!"

Hughes hummed to himself as he thought, "You like beans?"

Ed groaned, "What? Beans? Hell no."

"Broccoli?"

"Don't even mention those trees."

"Cauliflower?"

"Winter editions of broccoli."

"So that's a no?"

"No, that's a HELL NO!"

Hughes could have gone through all the vegetables and nearly did before the patience of Edward ran out. "Enough already!" Ed cried after been asked whether he liked carrot or not. Of course not! "When I say I hate vegetables I mean I hate vegetables."

Maes Hughes grumbled. But he was suddenly given the chance to smile when Roy Mustang actually came forward. Roy must want to talk to him! How nice of Roy –

"Get out of the way Maes," Roy orders dryly. "I need my steak and I need it now."

Strangely enough, both Hughes and Ed silently watched Roy take his food. "Ha! See? Even the bastard didn't take the vegetables!" Edward exclaimed triumphantly when Roy finished with his servings.

Roy froze at his subordinate's exclaim. What the hell? Hughes then slammed his hand on Roy's shoulder crying out, "Roy! What are you doing? You're being a bad role model!"

Roy stared his food, dumbfounded: steak, chicken, pork, gravy. He was a tad confused and befuddled as to why he was suddenly a villain for his choice of food. "Maes, relax. It's…it's Christmas?"

His best friend wasn't pleased with his answer. Well, it was a worth a shot.

"Exactly!" Edward agreed. "It's Christmas. I can eat whatever I want."

Hughes frowned, "Just because it's a holiday doesn't mean you can get lazy with your diet."

"Calmed down," Roy cut in. He noticed Ed's plate in Hughes' hands –not that he knew it was Ed's. "And besides, Mr Hypocrite, I think you of all people need to be eating vegetables."

"Are you calling me fat Roy!"

Roy hadn't expected that. Edward burst into laughter behind him. "What? No. I was just saying –"

"–I can't believe you Roy! Why would you say such a thing?"

"I didn't! Maes! Shut up!"

Hughes didn't shut up. He kept whining. In fact, Ed doubted Hughes was really that offended, probably just felt like annoying his best friend. He succeeded too. Roy stamped off with his plate of meat, grumbling to himself.

Hughes smirked at Ed, "Don't think I've forgotten about you. Now, how about we get some sweet potato –?"

"–No!"

"What's going on?" Before Ed got the chance to plead his innocence, Hughes spilt the story to Jean Havoc who had turned up, naturally smoking a cigarette. After Hughes' informed him of the issue, the 2nd Lieutenant gave him a look.

"Really? That's the problem?" he turned to Ed and shrugged. "I pity you Chief. I wouldn't want that crap on my plate either."

A silence.

"See?" Edward exclaimed as Hughes cried, "What!"

Havoc was shooed away instantly. Hughes growled impatiently before he said, "Come on. I'm going to find the others. They'll teach you some sense."

Ed groaned along with his stomach as he chased after Hughes who chased after the rest of Mustang's subordinates. Every time, Hughes would tell them the issue and ask them for their advice. Their answers shocked Hughes and formed a large grin on Ed's face.

Falman: I don't know. For me, I personally can't stand rocket. Nasty stuff. You are meant to have five servings of vegetables but it is Christmas."

Hughes: No!

Fuery: …You're not going to hurt me? …Oh, okay. The truth? Okay, uh, I don't really like vegetables. I still have to force them down. I admit I usually avoid vegetables during the holidays and my birthday.

Hughes: Fuery? Really?

Fuery: You said you wouldn't hurt me!

Breda: Personally, I'll eat anything. But, you should forget the greens and pay more attention to the meat. Like a steak or a salmon. Nah, don't bother with the greens Ed. I mean, you're a still a kid. It's harmless

Hughes: Unbelievable

Ed: I don't know; it's pretty believable

Edward was feeling damn pleased with the situation until Hughes found Hawkeye. Shit, he thought.

Hawkeye: Vegetables? Edward, you know you should be keeping a healthy diet and that means eating your vegetables…but it is the holidays so –

Hughes: What? You too!

Ed: Whoa. No way. Go Hawkeye

Finally, Hughes, defeated, handed the plate over to Ed. Edward sent a cocky grin and dived right into his dinner. He halted instantly though, "Dammit! It's cold now!"

"…Well, you're going to get more?"

"Yep."

Hughes watched Ed disappear into the crowd. He hung around, grabbing his own plate of food, chatting with his friends, generally having a good time after all the hassle before he was rudely interrupted…by someone kicking him hard in the shin, with his automail limb.

"Ow! Edward! What was that for!"

"For dragging me around when I could have eaten!"

"What? What do you mean –?"

"–All the meat is gone!"

Oh. Hughes snorted as he rubbed his shin, "Now, that's quite funny –"

"–No! It's not funny at all! I have nothing to eat!"

"What about the ones from before?"

"I threw them out before I realised."

"Oh Edward," Hughes laughed out loud. "The guys are going to have a field day with this."

"I can't believe you! I'm starving here! And it's all your fault!"

Hughes admitted that, yeah, it was his fault. He shrugged, "Hey, it doesn't mean you're going to starve. I'm pretty sure there are some vegetables left."

Edward glared at him darkly before muttering, "I'll starve."

And he did.

And Hughes was right. Mustang and his squad did have a field trip, laughing at Ed's misfortune. They didn't stop Hughes, though, from sharing a piece of meat with Ed from his own plate.

The squad then followed Hughes' example and gave Ed a bit of food too.

ALPHONSE:

Al wasn't really the type to throw insults around carelessly like his older brother but he couldn't help himself.

"You traitor!"

"Shut up Al, I'm sick," Ed replied, his voice muffled by the pillow.

"You're just saying that so you don't have to come along!"

Ed lifted his head off the pillow, "For good reason. I don't want to be around him when he's being an idiot."

"He's just delivering treats to the neighbours," Alphonse countered, quite annoyed. Annoyed that his brother was ditching him and annoyed that he had to go as well. It's not like he could pretend to be sick with this body. "I mean, why waste all those cookies?"

Edward scoffed, "You actually believe him? 'Gracia accidentally cooked too many,'" Al had to admit Ed's impersonation of Hughes was pretty good. "'We should share them.' Please! He just wants to sing carols to them, which I will not do."

"…Oh," Al considered something. "You don't think he'll make me sing do you?"

"I bet he will," the older of the two sniggered teasingly. "You poor thing Alphonse."

"If you cared, you'd save me."

Alphonse was grateful the Hughes weren't there to hear the conversation. He didn't think they'd be pleased with their choice of words such as 'save'. The thirteen-year-old armoured boy would have gaped if he had a jaw when Edward rolled over and wrapped the blanket over himself, "Goodnight Alphonse."

Well that was that.

Later…

"You ready to go Al?" Hughes asked, waiting by the door, pulling on his coat and scarf.

"Yes sir," Alphonse made sure he sounded eager. The boy tuned to Gracia who was holding a container filled with cookies. "Would you like me to take that Mrs Hughes?"

A smile blossomed on the woman's face, "Thank you Alphonse. That's very kind of you." She handed the container to the boy before attending to her husband, helping him to avoid choking himself by the scarf. How had he managed to do that?

Alphonse waited patiently, careful to keep the container balanced. The boy spaced out for a bit before a young voice went, "Hey!" Al jumped, startled, and looked down to see little Elysia by his legs. Her round face burst into a smile. She held out her chubby arms and cried, "Fly! Fly!"

"Er, um…" Maybe if he had been the older brother he'd know how to respond…

"Elysia," Gracia picked up her giggling daughter and shook her head, "No flying." At the disappointed expression of Elysia, Gracia added, "Alphonse has to help daddy."

Maes Hughes nodded and said in a baby-voice, "That's right. Come on Al," back to normal voice. Hughes gifted his daughter with a kiss on the forehead before skipping out the door into the cold. "Oh! It's cold out here! Really cold!"

Alphonse chased after him and closed the door once outside. Snow was falling gracefully from the sky. With the sun having set about an hour ago, the night was still young. Hughes and Al walked across the front yard to the edge of the property. Al was proud of himself for helping out with Hughes earlier to clear the pathway. Stupid Ed, insisting he was 'sick'.

"So Al," Hughes started as the two walked down the street. "You think you're going to get presents from Santa this year?" It was always so…so strange when someone treated Al like a child nowadays since he didn't look like one at all.

"Uh, I hope so," Al confessed sheepishly. "Ed promised he'd get me something good."

"Edward? What are you talking about? Santa's the one who gives you presents!" Hughes chuckled before he added normally, "So, you don't believe in Santa? Of course not. You're thirteen after all." He didn't have to look so saddened…

"Uh, yeah, but I found out a long time ago."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, Ed found out when he was seven and he told me. It was the one time I didn't get in trouble for punching him," Al told with a hint of pride in his tone. It was especially nice when Hughes laughed at the last part. "When did you stop believing in Santa, Mr Hughes?"

"…Would you believe that I still think Santa exists?"

Alphonse almost tripped over his own feet, "Uh…"

The older man gave a smile, "Well, not physically. I had my dad break the news to me when I was eight. I believe in the whole 'spirit' of Christmas. Don't you notice how everyone seems to be happier this time of the year? Not everyone, true; but there's something about Christmas that makes people happy…it's nice to not be the only person smiling…"

"…I wish he was real," Al whispered, stopping.

Maes noticed and stopped as well. He stared back at Al, waiting for the boy to continue. Al continued to stay quiet though and so Hughes decided to guess, "So you could get what you wish for?"

Alphonse nodded, "Y-yeah. Maybe then Ed would get his limbs back. I'd have my body again. I…I don't think even Santa would be able to bring back Mum but…" the suit of armour that was Alphonse Elric was beginning to turn a lighter shade of grey as snowflakes landed and stuck to his body. "…Santa only gives presents to good kids and we...well…"

"-Al," Hughes cut in suddenly. "Don't you dare finish that sentence. You were children. You wanted your mother back. You've realised what you did wrong and now you're trying to fix it. No one can call you bad for that." Before Alphonse could answer, Hughes turned his heel and continued walking down the street.

The two didn't come back to the discussion. They, instead, chatted to the neighbours they greeted down the street. Somewhere was Al's body. And it felt as though Al's heart was clenching in pain every time adults would stare in concern, and children would gasp and hide behind their parents in fear of the tall and scary figure. They were probably scared of Al because of his sin. They didn't know his sin but his suit of armour screamed that he'd done something wrong. If even strangers can tell then no doubt Santa would, if he existed.

By the time the two were done, an hour had past. Alphonse spotted the Hughes household up ahead and concluded that spending time with Hughes hadn't been that bad at all. Even if Hughes had decided to sing a carol at one point to an old couple. Al, though, felt something familiar coming up. Usually when something like…earlier happened, the adult would bring it back later. Al waited for Hughes' words but…

…they never came. Words weren't necessary.

When Hughes and Al walked past the gate into the property, something caught their eye. The door to the house was open…and they were waiting for them: Gracia, with Elysia in her arms, and even Ed had been (somehow) dragged out of bed to greet his younger brother. Gracia smiled and waved at the two. Elysia did the same and called out, "Daddy! Bigger brother!"

There wasn't a hint of fear in Elysia's behaviour. No concern etched in Gracia's features. Ed, of course, never feared his younger brother. He gave a short wave before yawning. It made Alphonse chuckle lightly. The armoured boy turned to Hughes who was giving him a smile. Then the two walked a little faster to meet their family at the door.

ENDING

This…wasn't how Ed pictured celebrating Christmas. Heck, celebrating…that was a word he didn't think he'd use in a while. But…here he was, in the living room of the Hughes household, passing Elysia decorations to place on the tree. Geez, it was huge –taller than Alphonse. How the hell Elysia was going to place the star on the top was beyond him.

He hadn't expected spending the morning of Christmas putting up the Christmas tree. Trisha, him and Al use to do it a couple of days earlier. Guess all households are different. Alphonse took a decoration the shape of a crescent moon and hung it on a branch. The younger brother wasn't even trying to hide his joy. Al had definitely wanted to celebrate Christmas.

Edward pulled out a tiny Santa figurine. There were times when Ed sometimes wished he wasn't so…smart. He believed the existence of Santa Claus up until the age of seven when he decided to do some… investigation. Scientifically, it was impossible. It was bad enough Ed had grown up a little too fast but Trisha just got annoyed with him when Ed chose to break the news to six-year-old Alphonse as well.

Well, there was no way he was ruining it for two-year-old Elysia. Mr and Mrs Hughes would most likely never forgive him. Speaking of which, Maes Hughes gave Ed quite a shock when he broke the silence by giving a cheer. "Yes! I got it!" At that, he plugged something in and the tiny bulbs around the tree lit up. Elysia clapped her hands excitedly and sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Oh God, not this song.

Mrs Hughes came into the living room where all the commotion was occurring. "Maes, it looks wonderful!" she cried. Was it bad to say that Ed had a voice at the back of his head grumbling at the Hughes family? The way they –er –loved each other so much? Cause, it was the truth. He always shoved it back down since that was rude but…

…it got a little hard in moments like this. When Gracia awarded her hard-working husband with freshly baked cookies; when Hughes would lift Elysia above him and pretend she was a bird; when the father and mother would share a kiss. Was it bad to imagine his mother and, god-forbid, his father acting like that? That it was his dad wrapping an arm around Trisha instead?

…It was bad. This was his dad. The guy chose to leave and he chose to never come back. No way in hell Ed was going to wish he was here.

As the Hughes family put a few decorations up together, Al sat down beside Ed. "…Brother?"

"Yeah?"

"…I'm glad we're here."

Edward watched the Hughes' family again. Okay…he admitted it. Part of him wished he could see his dad again. A more dominant part of him wished deeply that it was him, Al and his mum like old times but…that was gone…but that didn't mean he could never celebrate Christmas again. To Ed, you needed a family to celebrate Christmas. As it was a family holiday.

…And it wasn't like Ed and Al had no family.

"Yeah, same," Edward replied confidently.

Alphonse and Edward received quite a surprise when they were asked to put the star on top of the tree.

And yeah. It's done. Sorry it took so long. Review if you wish. Up next: ...Oh God. I don't know. I'll have to think about it.