Hello all. Here's the first in the 'shorter' fanfictions from the fma_fic contest on livejournal.
Title: The Greatest Teacher
Prompt: Candle
Word count: 250
Summary: They say experience is the greatest teacher...
Nuthin' too fabulous, didn't place, but still cute. Enjoy! And thanks as always to please-knock for the beta!
FMA Belongs to the Cow with the 'specs. Don't mess with the 'specs. :P
"Ready?"
Al quickly looks in all directions, and then turns back to his brother, face set. "Yup!"
"Okay." Ed took in a deep breath, the flickering light before him moving as the air did. "Come on." He whispers it, but Al shoots him a look as the flame flickers, seeming to almost go out. Ed sticks out his tongue, and scoots closer; Al on the other side of the small wax cylinder.
"Hah, I can't believe Winry skipped out on this. Who knew she could be such a girl?"
His voice disturbs the fire again, but Al doesn't seem to care, his eyes glinting. Even he can't resist the potential here to show up Winry- after all, she could beat them both up usual- er, on occasion. His head bobs up and down. "Let's do it before mom gets back."
"Mmm-hmm."
They get on their hands and knees, faces about three inches from the flame on either side, staring at it, light reflecting oddly in their eyes.
They stare at each other for approximately fifteen seconds before Ed pushes the ceramic holder toward Al. "You do it first."
"No, you do it first!" Al pushes it back toward Ed.
"No, you!"
Al stops, and eyes his brother. "Together?"
Ed nods. "One…two…three!"
Their hands shoot out over the candle, right at the top.
"Told you so," Winry says the next day, looking at the nearly identical burn marks on the boys' arms.