Don't own it!

053: Melting chocolate

Alphonse savored a piece of the chocolate the Curtises gave him that morning. As Sig said, it's not everyday someone turns sixteen.

It wasn't a nickel bar, either; it was quality chocolate from the west. It was silky and bitter and sweet and absolutely delicious. And for once, Edward wasn't trying to steal his snack. Alphonse had received the gift at breakfast, and then he was promptly shooed from the room. He hadn't seen Edward since, actually.

Alphonse swished the melting square into his cheek.

He was getting somewhat concerned about his brother. It had been a good three hours since breakfast. Normally Edward could be found sneaking a mid-morning snack by now.

The phone rang shrilly, causing Alphonse to jump and almost choke on the chocolate.

The kitchen door opened, and the mystery of Edward's whereabouts was solved.

"Hey, Alphonse!" He called.

"Hmm?"

"It's Winry."

"She's calling for me?"

"No, I'm just bothering you for the hell of it," Edward replied with a little huff. "Yes she's calling for you!"

"Why?"

"Al!" Edward threw his hands up. Little puffs of flour puffed off his fingers. Alphonse thought he spotted the edge of a frilly apron peeking out around the door. "In case you've forgotten, little brother, today happens to be your birthday. She's calling to congratulate you for joining the big boys' club."

"Thanks, brother," Alphonse said dryly. "You know me, always forgetting the important things."

Edward rolled his eyes and thrust the phone receiver at him. Alphonse could hear Winry's tinny laughter. He swallowed the half-melted chocolate in his mouth and grabbed the phone.

"Hey, Winry!"

"Happy birthday, Al!" She was still laughing. "Welcome to the big boys' club."

"Oh, wow, thanks. I've only been sixteen for a few hours, but it's everything I dreamed it would be."

"Har har. Is your brother gone yet?"

"Yeah, he shut me out of the kitchen. He's probably listening at the doorway."

Alphonse heard a growl and a few deep chuckles.

"Edward? In the kitchen?"

"I know. I'm mildly terrified of what he's doing in there."

The growl turned into irritated yelling. Alphonse could make out a few of the words. Winry started laughing again.

"What was that, Al?"

"I think that was brother. All I could hear was something about this being the last time he tries to surprise me."

"What a weirdo."

"You're not related to him."