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The Fullmetal Alchemist had never once imagined that the military had a leisure area, with the infrastructure for barbeque, pools and game rooms. It was a nice surprise when Lieutenant-Colonel Hughes practically dragged him and Alphonse along to the small confraternization that had been organized. The reason for it, as Hughes had told them, was that it was Fuery's (or maybe Breda's, or Falman's, whatever, Edward wasn't good with names) birthday.
"Are you sure it's okay to come if we're not invited?" Skittishly, Alphonse asked when they reached the space. There was a nice carpet of grass and a wood floored area with some grills and tables; nothing too flamboyant, but simple and complete.
"Don't worry about it," Hughes smiled. "You're my guests. Besides, you're no strangers to anyone here."
The party wasn't full. Actually, the people present consisted only of Colonel Mustang's team and a woman Edward had never seen before. She had black hair and was talking excitedly to Lieutenant Hawkeye and the guy who smoked cigarettes. Honestly, he preferred it that way; eventful and loud parties were never his thing.
With the biggest smile ever, that surprisingly was genuine and natural, Hughes approached his friends and already started sharing the news and pointing at the boys who had come with him. Edward and Alphonse were polite, therefore they greeted everyone. The big short haired guy — Breda?? — messed his hair and gave the armor a good pat on the back. The cigarette guy just nodded, focused on the black-haired lady, who giggled at the brothers as Riza told them who they were.
"Awn, Riza told me everything about you guys," she showed her white teeth and Edward wondered how much did she know. Though the thought disappeared as Lieutenant Hawkeye gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze, then a nice half hug to both brothers.
Then there was the glasses guy, the old guy, the dog, and finally the Flame Alchemist. Almost fitting to his name, he was standing beside the grill — a black half sphere that looked like a bowl made of rusty iron. It had, however, not a single blaze on it. Shouldn't it be preparing the meat already?
Leaving Alphonse talking to the other groups, Edward trotted to Mustang's side, a smug look on his face.
"What are you doing, old man?"
The Colonel, who had been looking inside the coal filled bowl longer than it was considered normal, looked up with a furrow. "Fullmetal?! Who invited you?"
"Hughes," he pointed to the man. He was showing a long collection of baby photos to the glasses guy.
Mustang lifted his eyebrows in acknowledgement, then turned to the grill again. He put on his ignition gloves and, straightening his back, declared — a little bit too loudly — with a proud smirk, "I'm going to light up the fire so we can really start this barbeque."
Show-off, Edward rolled his eyes.
The man breathed in — a corny attempt of dramatic moment — and clicked his fingers in the direction of the grill. A small spark appeared and, as quickly as it was born, it died, far from reaching the alcohol soaked coal. Edward burst out laughing.
The Flame Alchemist just kept staring at the cold grill, shock inside his eyes.
"Flame Alchemist? More like lame alchemist, am I right?" The blonde boy joked between his laughing.
"You shut up!" Shock was replaced by anger in the Colonel's voice. But Edward just couldn't stop chuckling.
Then again, Mustang lifted his arm and snapped his fingers, this time with more dramatic motion and agility. Again, nothing happened. Nothing, except for Edward's laugh getting louder.
He cursed under his breath and tried again. Then again. And again. His sparks died right after they left his fingers to never reach their goal, and leaving the coal wet and useless.
"I don't understand! Why is it not working?!" He kicked the grill's feet, but quickly had to hold it or else it would fall.
Finally, Edward stopped laughing and cleaned his tears. He caught up his breath and stepped beside the Colonel. "What a shame, huh?"
"Fullmetal, did you have something to do with it?"
"Of course not!" The boy sounded offended and was fast to defend himself. "It's probably a weather thing or something. It's summer, the air's damp, or maybe you're just a moron."
Then, he pushed Mustang and took his place in front of the grill. "Let me try."
The man just released an annoyed, quiet snort. Edward, then, positioned himself, opening his legs slightly and joining his hands. Right after, he energetically slapped them on the coals and waited.
Suddenly, a small light and… one single coal became a piece of gold.
Roy snickered behind him.
Edward stood open-mouthed. "What?! It wasn't supposed to do that!"
"Should I report you to the martial court for transmuting gold?" The black-haired man teased.
The boy grunted annoyed, taking away the gold piece. He threw it behind a bush close to them.
After a few seconds of thinking, he turned around and rushed toward the tables. Having found a napkin, with a dry coal he drew a transmutation circle on it. Back to the grill, he placed the paper over the coals. "Watch and learn, old man!"
He tapped the napkin. Finally, something happened. Slowly, the paper started to turn black, from the inside out, releasing a putrid burning smell, until it became a pile of dark ashes that were taken away by a sudden breeze. The coals continued without any blaze.
"Oh, yes. I've learned a lot," the Colonel giggled. "I've learned that you can't even properly draw a fire transmutation circle."
Edward stuck out his tongue to him, who responded with the same manner.
"Ugh, you're so childish," the blonde boy said.
"At least I can use proper alchemy. Go build your little metallic toys and leave me alone, you little piece of—"
"Hey, guys. What's up?" It was Alphonse, as always in the best timing. Sometimes Edward wondered if he could sense when it was his time to show up. Like a character on stage. Or maybe Edward was just this predictable.
Mustang rubbed his nose bridge. "I was trying to light up the fire but your brother here just can't give me a break."
"Well, not my fault if you're terrible at your job!"
"Fullmetal…"
"Guys, calm down…" Alphonse was trying to sound the most positive as possible, waving his hands. "There's no need to fight over this. The sooner you light up the fire, the better. Breda is excited to grill the meat and the rest of the group is hungry too."
"We actually weren't able to do it. Both mine and the Colonel's alchemy is not working as we wished," Edward looked down, exchanging weight from leg to leg.
"Hmm… can I try?"
"Sure," the alchemists shrugged and opened way for the armor boy.
Edward was expecting for his younger brother to show the alchemy power of the Elric family in front of the Flame Alchemist's face. Meanwhile Roy was curious on what would he do, since, in his mind, Alphonse wasn't as studied as Edward — a fact he was going to prove him wrong.
With the confidence of a professional, Alphonse reached for a little box over a nearby table. He opened it, took out a match and struck it. A little flame appeared and was soon dropped onto the coals. It didn't take long for the blaze to spread and form a good, steady fire. The boy put the grill over the crackling coals with the biggest peace in the world, as if he hadn't just stopped the World War.
Both alchemist were too stunned to speak.
A long moment went by until Roy turned around with his hand outstretched towards the blonde teen. They shook hands as politely as they could. A silent agreement that yeah, they were both morons.
"Fullmetal."
"Flame Alchemist."
Then they went towards the tables where their friends had already gathered to prepare the food.
Breda was the one responsable for grilling the steaks and sausages, whilst Alphonse helped the girls with the breads and salads. Even if he couldn't enjoy the taste, he felt pleasure in helping people enjoy their meals.
When the Colonel told the reason he had taken so long to light up the fire (of course he kept most embarrassing details out), he was received with a hard stare from Riza and a good strong pat on the back by Hughes, which almost made him choke on his drink.
Meanwhile, the boys settled up between the adults as if they had always been part of the family. Edward ate like a lion and Alphonse was able to have just as much fun, even if he couldn't eat.
In the end, moments like these are essential in the middle of the chaos of life. Moments in which a group of people who love each other sit and have fun, not because they are winning something with it, nor because it inflates someone's ego. As love is not interested, nor it is selfish. Love is when a group of the most unexpected people find home in one another and make home inside each other's hearts. And share a good meal and a good laugh.
Sometimes people also fight but it's part of the spirit.