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It was a chilly Christmas afternoon. Edward Elric walked through the thick snow toward the hill, dragging a sled behind him. He smiled, feeling excited for the ride. The air was cold against his face, but it felt good and refreshing.
The hill looked perfect. Fresh, smooth snow covered it like a blanket. Edward was already imagining the thrill of speeding down, the wind rushing past him. But when he reached the top, he saw someone was already there.
"Hey, the hill's already taken." A voice called out.
Edward turned and rolled his eyes. Of course, it was Envy.
"Envy, really?" Edward groaned. "I've been looking forward to this all day."
Envy stood at the top of the hill, arms crossed, wearing that mischievous grin Edward knew so well. Lust and Gluttony stood off to the side, watching with amused expressions.
"What's wrong, Fullmetal? You scared?" Envy taunted, raising an eyebrow.
Edward gave them an exasperated look. "Scared? Please. I just wanted to ride the hill without you ruining it."
"Oh, I see." Envy said, taking a step forward. "You think I'm gonna mess up your fun. Is that it?"
"Well, yeah!" Edward said, hands on his hips. "Every time we try to do something, you ruin it!"
Envy smirked. "You sure you can take me on in a snow fight? You don't exactly look tough in that red fluffy coat."
Edward's eyes narrowed. "Don't make me prove you wrong."
And just like that, they were at it, teasing, shoving, and bantering back and forth, both determined to be the one to ride the sled first. Lust and Gluttony watched from the side, clearly entertained by the back-and-forth.
Suddenly, Gluttony scooped up a huge handful of snow and shoved it into his mouth, crunching happily.
"Gluttony! What did I just say about eating everything?!" Lust snapped, wagging a finger.
Gluttony grinned sheepishly, snow dribbling down his chin. "It's just… snow!"
Finally, after a few moments of playfully arguing, Edward sighed and put his hands on his hips. "Fine. How about this... let's share it. You know, for Christmas or whatever."
Envy raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Now you want to be nice? Thought you'd be the one to fight for it."
"I was..." Edward said, smirking. "But I'm also a man of compromise."
Envy snorted but couldn't hide the amused glint in their eyes. "Alright, Fullmetal. Let's see if you can actually keep up."
The two of them squeezed onto the sled, Edward settling in front of Envy before they pushed off. In an instant, they were flying down the hill, snow spraying at their sides. The wind rushed past them, but all Edward could focus on was the warmth behind him.
Envy's arms around his waist and the soft brush of Envy's breath against his neck. Edward laughed out loud, exhilarated by the ride and the closeness they shared.
When they reached the bottom, the sled tipped, and they both tumbled into the snow, laughing as they rolled over each other. Envy was the first to get up, brushing snow off their black fluffy coat.
"Well, look at that. We didn't die!"
Edward grinned, shaking snow from his hair. "Thanks for not making it worse."
"Anytime!" Envy said with a smirk.
Lust called from the top of the hill. "Are you two done playing around? We're going to the Christmas market!"
"Yeah, yeah!" Edward yelled back, brushing more snow off himself.
"We're coming."
"Don't take all day, then." Envy said, turning toward the market.
The Christmas market was busy when they arrived. Lights twinkled from every stall, casting a soft glow over the snow-covered ground.
The air was thick with the warm, inviting scent of mulled wine, cinnamon, cloves, and orange, mingling with the sweet smell of freshly baked gingerbread hearts, decorated with colorful icing and tied with ribbons. The savory aroma of crispy potato pancakes sizzling on a griddle added to the festive atmosphere.
Stalls sold handcrafted wooden ornaments, and families and couples strolled by, wrapped in scarves, laughing and enjoying the holiday cheer.
Golden light flickered from candles in glass lanterns, casting soft shadows in the cold night air. In the distance, a group of carolers sang traditional German Christmas songs, their voices rising and falling with the wind.
Edward and Envy walked through the market, occasionally brushing shoulders as they moved through the crowd. There wasn't much conversation at first, just the quiet crunch of snow beneath their boots and the background hum of the bustling market.
Yet, every time their hands brushed, something warm stirred inside Edward. A flutter in his chest, a spark of something unspoken.
As they passed a stall lined with gingerbread hearts, each one decorated with bright icing and ribbons, Edward found himself slowing down. He stole a glance at Envy. No teasing smirk, just a soft, almost gentle look he wasn't used to. It made Edward's stomach twist in the most annoying way.
He hesitated, arguing with himself in silence. "Should I? No. Yes. Maybe. Ugh.... just do it."
With a burst of courage, he marched to the stall and bought a gingerbread heart with 'Giftzwerg' written across it, green icing neatly tracing the edges.
(*Giftzwerg means 'poison dwarf,' but it’s a cute, cheeky name of endearment for someone who's a little fiery or mischievous in a fun way. It’s like calling someone your spunky, lovable troublemaker.)
When he handed it to Envy, they actually blinked, surprised, and blushing just slightly. "Giftzwerg, huh?" Envy said, raising a brow.
Edward crossed his arms. "Well… it fits."
Envy smirked, the tease returning. "Cute. Didn't know you thought about me that much."
Edward spluttered, but before he could respond, Envy turned to the stall and bought one too. They handed it over casually, but the red-iced word in the center made Edward freeze.
"Pipsqueak."
Edward growled, cheeks instantly turning pink. "I...You-...! Seriously?!"
Envy grinned. "What? It fits."
Edward tried to glare, but the warmth in his face and the warmth in Envy's eyes made it impossible. He ended up looking away, still blushing, clutching the silly gingerbread like it meant something more.
Later on, they were eyeing a display of hand-carved wooden animals, though every now and then, his gaze flicked over to Edward in a way that made the air feel a little lighter, a little warmer.
They stopped at a stall where the vendor was selling potato pancakes, crisped to perfection. Envy raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Without waiting for a response, Edward pulled a few coins from his pocket and handed them to the vendor.
"Two, please." He said, his voice casual.
The vendor nodded and got to work, tossing the pancakes onto the sizzling griddle. Edward glanced at Envy, his impatience apparent as he tapped his foot while they waited.
"Won't be long now." The vendor reassured them.
Finally, the vendor handed over the hot, potato pancakes. Edward grabbed one immediately, taking a large bite and offering the other to Envy with a grin.
Envy felt a faint blush creep onto their cheeks as they accepted it.
"Th-thank you..." They said, a little awkwardly, blushing.
Edward chuckled, clearly pleased. "Here, try this. You're going to love it!"
"Not bad..." Envy said between mouthfuls, giving Edward a mischievous look. "Better than I thought."
Edward smirked. "Of course, I knew you'd like it!"
He took a bite of his potato pancake, letting the crisp edges mix with the sweet apple sauce. Envy followed, dipping their own pancake and taking a careful bite.
They ate slowly, enjoying the warm, comforting flavors. Every now and then, Edward glanced at Envy with a grin, and Envy's faint blush returned.
By the time the last pancake was gone, they were both full and satisfied, finishing their meal in comfortable silence.
As they continued through the market, the colorful lights from the stalls seemed to catch in Envy's eyes, making them glow softly in the evening darkness. Edward found himself stealing glances at them more often than he realized, his gaze lingering longer than it should. The air around them was crisp, but there was a warmth between them that was hard to ignore.
They passed a hot chocolate stall, the scent of cocoa thick in the air, and another booth filled with hand painted wooden angels and delicate glass baubles.
Christmas music played softly, mixing with the laughter of children as they ran past, their scarves flying behind them.
Edward felt a rare sense of calm, a contentment he wasn't used to. The soft bustle of the market, the night air, the steady rhythm of their footsteps. It all felt easy. Every time their hands brushed, his heart beat a little faster, like it was trying to keep up with the moments that were slowly shifting between them.
When they reached a stall selling mulled wine, the familiar scent of cinnamon and cloves hit them both at once. Edward inhaled deeply, eyes lighting up at the sight of the steaming mugs.
"That smells amazing." He murmured, his gaze fixed on the mugs with the name Munich written across them in elegant script, decorated with delicate snowflakes and festive designs.
Envy shrugged, their usual cool expression still in place. "Sure, why not."
They reached for a mug, their fingers brushing against Edward's in the process. It was just a moment, but the brief contact sent a jolt through Edward's chest, making him hold his breath for a second longer than necessary. The mugs, warm in their hands, seemed to add a little more heat to the chill in the air.
It had never crossed Edward's mind that he might feel more than friendship for Envy. But lately, he noticed something shifting inside him... something he couldn't quite name. There was a warmth that spread through him whenever Envy was near, a lightness in his chest he hadn't felt before. Being around them made Edward feel seen, like Envy understood parts of him no one else did.
Sometimes he caught himself watching them a little longer than usual, or listening more carefully to what they said. It was confusing, but not in a bad way, more like discovering a small, unexpected spark inside himself.
Edward couldn't help but smile as he took a sip. The mulled wine spread warmth through him, the spices and citrus dancing on his tongue.
"This is perfect." He sighed, letting the heat of the drink sink into his bones.
"It tastes ok.." They muttered, their voice softer than usual.
Edward leaned closer, eyes narrowing playfully. "Admit it. You like it."
Envy shot him a look that was half playful, half teasing. "I'm not admitting anything."
Edward grinned, taking another sip from the mug. He felt the warmth of the wine and the warmth of Envy's presence beside him, an unexpected comfort that seemed to settle between them.
They stood there for a moment, sipping their drinks, watching the crowd go by. The market buzzed with life around them, but it felt like the world had slowed down just for them. The sound of the Christmas music in the distance, and Edward couldn't shake the feeling that the moment was perfect, exactly as it was.
"You know..." Edward said softly, breaking the silence. "... I could get used to this."
They walked on, side by side, the warmth of the mulled wine keeping them cozy as they wandered under the Christmas lights. For a moment, the world felt a little softer, a little more magical like it was just the two of them, sharing this quiet, fleeting holiday moment.
He glanced over at Envy, who had their usual smirk on, but their eyes were softer than usual. There was something different about them tonight. Something that made Edward's chest feel a little tight.
Without thinking too much about it, Edward reached out and took Envy's hand, his fingers slipping between Envy's.
Envy looked down at their joined hands, blinking in surprise for a second. Then their smirk returned, though it was gentler this time. "What's this, Fullmetal? Getting all sentimental on me?"
Edward flushed, looking away. "Shut up. Just don't make a big deal out of it."
Envy's grin softened, and for a moment, they didn't say anything. Instead, they leaned in close, their faces just inches apart, and kissed Edward lightly on the lips. It was quick but warm, soft, and surprisingly gentle.
Envy lingered close after the kiss, their breath warm against the winter air. The world around them... glittering lights, drifting snow, distant laughter, seemed to fade until it was just the two of them in that quiet pocket of warmth.
Edward swallowed, his heart pounding far louder than any Christmas music echoing through the streets. He tightened his hold on Envy's hand, suddenly afraid that if he let go, the moment would slip away like a dream.
"Envy…" His voice came out softer than he expected. He forced himself to meet their eyes. Those sharp, amused eyes that tonight looked strangely open, almost vulnerable. "I… I never thought I could see you as my lover." He breathed out, the confession leaving him lighter, steadier. "But now… everything makes sense to me."
For a heartbeat, Envy didn't move. Their smirk flickered, replaced by something raw and honest. Slowly, almost carefully, they brushed their thumb over the back of Edward's hand.
"Fullmetal..." They murmured, and the nickname didn't sound mocking this time. It sounded fond. "You really are something else."
Edward felt heat rush to his cheeks again. "Is that… good?"
Envy stepped closer, close enough that their foreheads nearly touched. "It's better than good." Their voice dropped to a whisper. "Because I never thought I could feel this way either."
Edward's breath caught.
Envy's fingers curled around his, holding on like they meant it, like they finally understood the strange warmth between them.
"Soooo..." Envy said softly, leaning in until their lips brushed in a promise rather than a tease. "What do you say we start figuring this out together? We don't need to rush into things. We can take things slowly ok?"
Edward let out a shaky, happy laugh. "Yeah." He said, pulling them into a real kiss this time, slow, warm, and full of everything neither of them had said until now. "I'd like that.~"
When they finally parted, snow settling quietly around them, Envy smiled a real smile.
"Merry Christmas, Edward."
He squeezed their hand, his chest full to bursting.
"Merry Christmas, Envy."
And for once, the night felt perfect.