Author's Note: Thanks for reading! The story takes place during the two years AFTER Ed gave up his alchemy to save Al, but BEFORE each of them travels East and West at the end of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. This is a collection where each chapter is a day at the resturaunt, each day adding to the whole story of Ed, Al, and Armstrong's mishaps and managements at the restaurant. I hope you enjoy!
Mishaps and Management: A story by Legacy of I
Prologue
It had been a whole year since Edward and Alphonse Elric regained their bodies. During that time they retired to a peaceful life in Resembool doing odd and end jobs for Winry and Pinako, resolving that in one more year Al should be healthy enough to travel. When that time came, they would head East and West and learn all they could about alchemy in hopes of helping people. But until then, they still had a year to relax and take in the quiet life… Or so they thought.
"Edward!" Winry yelled, half of her jutting out the front door. "What's the hold up?"
What's the hold up? Ed mocked in his head before replying.
"Well Winry, I would have been done hours ago if I could have used ALCHEMY!"
Winry sighed and shook her head, now fully stepping out onto the front porch. "You've gone a year without it, you should have gotten used to it by now…" She grumbled as she walked towards Ed.
"Besides, it's not like Al is any help…" complained Ed as he glanced over to see still-skinny Alphonse lying in the grass with his hands behind his head.
"I told you." Winry began as she finally reached him. "Al isn't to be doing labor until he is fully recovered, I don't want him to injure the body he just got back."
Ed sighed and leaned on the shovel he was digging with. It was just like her; to worry to the point of absurdity. "He's just milking it; I know he's capable of at least digging a few stupid feet… Isn't that right Alphonse!"
Al looked up as he heard his name but didn't say anything. He was too damn smart.
"Well just get this trench dug so the water can drain away from the house, alright?" Winry said with a smile. Edward sighed and mumbled under his breath as he continued to labor away.
"Oh yeah!" Winry began as she walked back to the house. "Major Armstrong is coming for dinner, so be cleaned up in a few hours!" She waved and took off in a jog to avoid any repercussion from Ed.
"What!?" he cried. "Where the hell do you think you're going!" he shouted after the already gone blonde. "Winry!"
Damn… Just great.
The smell of stew was thick in the air as Winry and Pinako dished everyone a bowl. Edward and Alphonse sat next to each other with the Major across from them; Winry and Pinako at each end of the table. Once everyone was served the two of them sat down and joined their guest.
"So how are you two adapting to this lifestyle?" Alex questioned as he tasted the stew.
"Eh, it's alright; kinda nice to be in once place for a bit, although I'm stuck doing all the work around here." Ed finished with a bit of frustration in his tone, looking at Al.
"Hey brother, I'm still getting better, remember?" He said in a self-pity yet joking tone. Al he never imagined that having his body back after all that time would feel this good. So naturally he decided to enjoy it while it lasted.
"It defiantly feels good to have my body back, although it took some time to build my muscles to where I could walk and run."
That's for sure complained Edward to himself.
"Well I must say you look more handsome than I gave you credit for." Alex complimented.
Alphonse blushed and took another sip of his stew.
"Yeah, I was afraid he would end up being taller than me when he finally got his body back." Ed laughed as he too enjoyed the only meal that incorporated milk so perfectly.
"Yes, well you defiantly have grown some Edward Elric."
"Yeah, I used to be smaller than Winry! Can you believe that?"
"Hey! Why'd you say it like that? I'm not that short!"
"Well you haven't grown much have you Winry?" Ed teased.
"Have too! Besides at least I was never called a shrimp!"
"What did you call me?" Asked Ed in a raised tone.
"Did you call me a shrimp! A little person! A small guy!"
Before he could go on Winry threw a wrench that hit its mark, leaving Edward on the ground with his chair tipped over.
"I never said any of those things!" she concluded as she took her seat.
"Where the hell did you even get a wrench?" asked Ed as he rubbed his head and fixed his chair.
"I always carry a spare."
"Gearhead…"
"What did you say!?" Winry threw a screwdriver, this time sticking it in the wall.
"What the hell Winry! You almost impaled me!"
"At least it would have set you straight…"
Where does she even keep this crap?
"Thank you very much for the wonderful stew Ms. Rockbell." complimented Alex in an unusually nondramatic tone.
"It's no problem Major." Winry smiled back.
"Yes, as we said this is these boys home. It makes no difference whether we cook for two or three extra mouths." Pinako chimed in.
"Yes it tastes great!" added Al.
"Well I don't think you should get any. A man must work to eat." Ed teased.
"I would work if I could!" defended Al
"You can work and you know it!"
"But I'm still recovering!"
"It's been a whole year! You can help out even a little!"
"Shut up you two!" Winry interrupted as she stood up and leaned over the table.
"We have a guest and it's rude to argue at the table, let alone with food in your mouth!"
Ed and Al glanced at each other and sighed, swallowing the food they were chewing.
"That's better." Winry sat back down and pulled her chair back up to the table. "Now, I believe that Major Armstrong has a question to ask you both."
Both brothers' eyes shot to the muscular man that sat before them. Alex blushed red at the sudden spot light and cleared his throat as he sat down his spoon.
"Well Elric Lads, I wanted to ask you something."
"What is it Major, did something happen, you're not usually so…"
Alex suddenly stood up shaking the table as pink sparkles glittered his face. "I have retired from the military and used my retirement funds to open Armstrong's Authentic Mexican diner and Eatery!" he loudly spoke as tears ran down his cheeks. "The art of fine Mexican cuisine has been passed down the Armstrong line for generations! It has been my dream to open a resturaunt, and now that dream has graciously come true! I would like you two dear brothers to come work for me!"
Ed and Al's faces were both shocked and terrified at the same time. They slowly looked at each other with gaping mouths and then slowly turned to face the Major."
"Well Major-,"
"You may call me Alex!" interrupted Armstrong.
"Um… Erm… Alex." Edward continued. "That's quite a name isn't it?"
Armstrong sat back down with a smile. "Not at all dear Edward! It fits the family perfectly!"
"Why Mexican?" Alphose wondered.
"The art of fine Mexican cuisine is a treasured skill amongst the Armstrong family. It has been my dream to open a resturaunt and share that skill with the world."
Ed and Al looked at each other and nodded. They felt bad, but there was no way they would go work at a resturaunt with the Major!
"We like it here just fine, but thank you!" Alphose kindly rejected the offer.
"Yeah, there's no way I'd work at a resturaunt, I don't even like Mexican!"
Especially with you thought Ed.
Winry grunted and shook her head.
"You two are going." She bluntly said.
Ed and Al shot a look at her to be quiet.
"Don't give me that look! You two do nothing but sit around! It would be good for you to have something to do!"
"I don't just sit around! I'm helping out you know!"
"Well it's already been decided!"
"What!?" Ed stood up and slapped his hands on the table. "You arranged this!?"
"And what if I did?"
"It's my life! My Choice! You don't get to choose what I do!"
"Guys…" Al tried
"If you think I'm working in a greasy resturaunt then you're crazy!"
"It will be good for you to start earning some money!"
"I-," Ed stammered.
"Yeah, you lost your license after you lost your alchemy and without you paying us for your auto mail work we're running out of income!"
Ed grunted and sat back down with crossed arms. "It's not my fault."
Winry sighed
"So is that a yes?" asked Armstrong.
Winry gave another glance to Ed and Al.
"No, I'm a hostage being held against my will…"
"Smart ass." Replied Winry
"What's that!?" Ed shot back
"You don't have to be so rude!"
"Well you don't have to mess with people's lives!"
"I'm only helping!"
"Well then!" Alex interrupted "It's settled! You and Al will be on the next train to Central!"
"Hmph…"
"Looks like this year in the country has made you soft, brother." Alphonse whispered
"It's not like you had my back…"
Al smiled and looked back to Alex.
"Well, I guess we're going to Central!"
