Author's notes: Ok, I know that I'm a little bit traumatized with this whole "apple pie" scene thing. But I get so many ideas! ((whines)) "Little Brothers" is, as the name gives away, a shot focused more on Alphonse, and works as a prequel for "Apple Pie." The second one doesn't have anything to do with either shot, but relates to them. Also, the second one might be a little bit of a spoiler… n.nU Ipromise the next ones will be sappier EdxWin's for you guys!
Extra note for "Apple Pie" readers: On the previous shot, only those who had reached that part in the manga may have understood what I was trying to imply with that scene, or rather, continuation of. I am really sorry as I cannot really explain to the rest of you because it is like throwing you one hell of a spolier for the manga (Have I mentioned I've only read the manga? (up to 46)). Sorry! Unfortunately, the same goes for these two, although it's probable you'll get thins better after the second drabble.
Little Brothers
14.04.2005
He knocks the door quietly, as quietly as his armored hand allows him to. Before anyone responds his call, however, the door opens itself and he is confronted with the sight of his elder brother and their childhood friend, silently sitting in front of each other.
An already sliced apple pie lays on the coffee table between them.
And all of a sudden, he's taken back to Rizenbul, to his former life and the memory of the sweet cinammon scent filling the kitchen. A gentle woman craddles her younger son as her first born, a chirpy four-year-old, tries to steal the dessert laid on the kitchen table. The younger boy scurries away from the warmth of his mother's arms and runs up to his older brother, attempting to grab a bigger slice. He can hear their mother's laughter fluttering behind them as she watches over them.
And then reality hits him and he's back to the room. He gazes down at his metallic limbs. In this state, Alphonse tells himself, he can't smell the sweet spice anymore.
Ed and Winry look up at him with slightly startled expressions and both their faces twists themselves to offer him sad smiles in an attempt of reassurance.
"Al," the girl is the first one to speak. Winry has been crying, her voice is still cracked up and her eyes are nothing compared to the bright blue gaze he is used to. "W-what's wrong?"
"Oh, Winry-chan… 'Nii-san… I…" He has forgotten what he was sent for as he takes in the girl's tear-streaked face. "AH," he turns to his brother, "'Nii-san, Lieutenant Hawkeye and Colonel Mustang need to talk to you in the Colonel's office."
His brother shifts in his seat, very subtlibly, lowering his head if just a little.
"I'll be there in a moment." The red-coated boy stands up from his seat and stands by Winry. Ed's gaze meets his, and Al thinks he can recognize the fire that used to lit up the amber eyes of the younger Edward from his memory. He'd smile if he could.
"Alright." The armored suit nods, and he hesitates to say something else and turns to leave. He glimpses back, just in time to see Ed sit next to Winry.
Alphonse closes the door behinds him as quietly as his armored hand allows him to. He decides right then that he will make them smile again, both Winry and Ed. Because, for sure, little brothers are meant to protect their loved ones too.
Special Ocassions
14.04.2005
Miss Rockbell wasn't the greatest cook. It was yet another irony of life, since she practically mastered mechanics and knew more than a few special moves with machinery involved. But she wasn't really bothered about it, it was not like it had been one of her priorities either.
She loved working hard with Granny at the workshop rather than spending their time in the kitchen, and she used the rest of her free time to either read her parents' medicine books or hang with her playmates, Edward and Alphonse.
She did make wonderful apple pies, however.
She made them only twice every year, on very special ocassions. One on General Brigadier Hughes' death anniversary, and one on Edward's birthday.