"Al, what are you doing?" Ed asked as Al pulled him up from the chair in which he was sitting. Ed had been so absorbed in his book that he didn't even notice when Al walked into the library and set up an old phonograph and started a soft waltz.
"I'm going to teach you how to dance." Al smiled. "And since you should be writing that report but aren't, I'm guessing it can wait until tomorrow. Besides, Roy and Riza are at headquarters and Masuta is out shopping."
Al led Ed into the center of the room and faced him. He took Ed's metal hand and placed it on his shoulder and placed his own hand on Ed's hip.
"A waltz is in three counts, with the accent on the first one." Al counted a few beats in demonstration.
"What are the steps?" Ed asked, interested.
"Since I'm leading, you'll be mirroring me. Step back with your left foot." Ed stepped back as Al stepped forward. "Good. Then take a smaller step back with your right foot." They moved another step. "Now take another small step with your left foot." They moved again. "Those are the steps. Of course there are more difficult ones, but for now we should stick to the basics. Once you complete a set of three, do the exact opposite. One big step with your right foot, then a small one with your left, then a small one with your right. And so on."
"Al? The record stopped." Ed pointed out. Al went to restart the record.
"Ready? One two three, one two three..." Al counted softly as they moved around the room. Al had to admit that Ed was a fast learner. He had picked up on the movements quickly and hadn't stumbled over his own feet yet.
Al smiled at his brothers' face. It was scrunched up in concentration, his gold eyes glued to the floor, determined not to mess up. In the soft light of the late spring afternoon, Ed lost most of his sharpness.
Al restarted the record five or six times, both had lost count, not even realizing how late it was getting or that they had acquired an audience.
Finally, the record was about to end again when Al leaned forward and gently kissed Ed. Ed looked up in surprise and stumbled. He fell to the ground, taking Al with him. Ed lay flat while Al was on his hands and knees, straddling him. Al leaned in to finish the kiss they had started when the record ended. Roy, Riza, and Masuta applauded and the two brothers looked up in surprise.
"Now you know how to dance, Brother." Al whispered.