Music Lessons
Disclaimer:I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist, nor am I affiliated in any way with the copyright owners of Fullmetal Alchemist. Fullmetal Alchemist's story line and characters are copyrighted to Hiromu Arakawa and the various companies who produced the manga, anime and merchandise.
A/N: Oneshot. Complete. Originally part of Random Ficlets, which I decided to delete. I wanted to post each story contained there as its own story. Originally posted forever ago. My coworker asked me to write something silly, so I did. She gave me the prompt "music lessons" and this was the first thing that popped into my mind.
It was a bright, warm late spring morning, and two boys were playing in the grassy expanse of their yard.
"Al! Al! Wanna see something cool?" five-year-old Edward Elric cried out as he ran as fast as his chubby legs could carry him toward his younger brother, who was sitting alone in the shade of the large tree that grew beside the house. "Wanna see what the boy down the street just taught me to do?" The young blond placed his right hand under his upraised left arm. "Watch carefully, Al!"
Alphonse gazed intently at his big brother, honey-colored eyes wide with wonder. He had been playing, making figurines out of twigs, leaves, and tufts of grass, but he didn't mind being interrupted by Ed. "What is it?"
"Just watch and I'll show you," Edward quickly brought his left arm down over his hand. Frowning when nothing happened, he tried once more, smiling broadly when a glorious, squeaky, ripping noise was produced.
"Wow, Brother! I wanna try! Show me! Show me!" Alphonse dropped the bundle of sticks and clapped excitedly, giggling shrilly.
"Okay, look. Put your arm up like this and put your hand like this," the older boy slowly repeated his actions.
The sandy-haired boy mimicked his brother, but was unsuccessful, causing his lower lip to quiver and tears to form in his eyes. "I can't do it."
"Don't give up, Al," Edward clumsily rubbed the moisture away from his little brother's eyes. "You can do it. Just keep trying."
"Okay," the smaller boy sniffled as he made another attempt. This time he was rewarded with a soft huffing sound. A huge grin split his face. "I did it!"
"Good job, Al!" the slightly bigger youngster jumped about, clapping his hands. "Do it again!"
Al repeated his previous actions and made a much louder noise. "Yay!"
"Yay!" the older joined the younger, and soon the boys' arms were waving in rapid succession, created a chorus of armpit music was punctuated by the twinkling sound of young laughter.
"Boys! It's time for lunch!" Trisha Elric called from the back door. "Boys!" she yelled again after a couple moments' silence. Sighing, she made her way down the stoop and take a few steps before being intercepted by her sons.
"Mom! Mom! Look what Brother taught me to do!" Alphonse happily jogged up to the back door and demonstrated his newly acquired talent. "See? Isn't that cool?" he looked up at his mother, panting from his exertions, hope glowing in his eyes.
"Edward, why would you teach Alphonse to do something like that?" she asked, leveling a look at her oldest son.
"But, it's fun..." Edward whined.
"No 'buts,' Edward. Al, please don't do that. Now, go inside and wash up for lunch," her eyes followed the boys inside. "And no doing that at the table!"
"Yes Mom."