Greetings and Welcome! I wrote this as a "celebration" of sorts for reaching my 10th story/chapter. Don't worry though! I plan on writing many, many, many more :)
Before you get started I want to thank Guesttt, BuggyNess, QueenKarin13, and JustLetMeReadMyFanfictionsInPeace for the reviews. They really bring a smile to my face and keep me going!
I also would like to give a shout out and thank everyone who has favorite and followed so far, it means the world to me. So thank you!
I just want everyone to know that its you the reader that makes these stories what they are, so I truly hope you've enjoyed them this far. And like I said, I have sooooo much more to write and add :)
So without further ado, I present to you my 10th story special!
Moments Like These
Summary: A one year celebration since the Promised Day...
Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or any of the characters, I'm just bringing them together for a good time.
Written by: The Castle in the Clouds
Smoke was billowing into the air. Not the bad kind that indicates a fire or an accident, but the kind that produces smiles and earns laughter.
The smoke from a barbecue.
"Mustang you better not burn our steaks!" hollered Winry as she tried to balance a plate of drinks, noticing that said alchemist wasn't watching the grill. It had been a whole year since the Promised Day, and in celebration of the anniversary Winry and Pinako organized an outdoor barbecue to gather all their beloved friends. Everyone had gathered around and taken their seats at a long rectangular picnic table; laughing, joking, and telling stories as they waited for their anticipated meal. It really was a peaceful day as freedom rode upon the wind and the sun warmed their hearts.
"Yeah, yeah I know," grumbled Roy as he lifted the lid, sending smoke billowing into the sky.
"Damn that smells good," exclaimed Havoc with a deep inhale.
"Better than those shitty cigarettes of yours?" teased Roy as he reached for the spatula, flipping each steak with care.
Havoc frowned and folded his arms while leaning back in his chair. "Eh, they aren't that bad. You should try it some time, might relive some of that tension." Jean smirked and watched Roy as he closed the lid.
"Here you go." smiled Winry as she placed a drink in front of Havoc. "And one for you." She set down another drink in front of Falman, then Brosh, Fuery, Riza, Major Armstrong, Edward, Alphonse, Breda, and finally Ross. Afterwards she scooted back into the house and brought out another tray of drinks for Mustang, Pinako and herself.
"Thanks Win," complimented Ed as he took a sip.
"Yeah, thank you," chimed in Al.
Havoc thanked her with a smile as he raised the glass to his lips.
"This is great!" exclaimed Riza as she finished tasting the lemonade. "Did you make this?"
Winry giggled and blushed "Yeah, It's an old Rockbell recipe,"
Riza took another sip, savoring the sweet yet mildly sour taste that encompassed her taste buds. "Well its very delicious." setting down her glass, she eyed Edward with a grin. "You got yourself quite a girl Ed, she sure is talented and pretty."
Ed quickly swallowed the drink in his mouth, choking on it as it went down the wrong pipe. "I-," He paused as he coughed again, pounding his chest with his fist. His eyes widened as his face turned crimson red while trying to think of a response. Everyone was either looking at him or grinning, especially Winry.
Embarrassed and caught off guard, all Ed could do was give a shaky smile as he tried to keep his cool. "Yeah, I know." he softly spoke, glancing up to see Winry's reaction.
Roy smirked and fiddled with the spatula while nodding his head. "I guess I could see how she would fall for you since you've gotten taller. You were pretty short back then. And you were also pretty hot headed. And a Jerk. And reckless. And a profanity encyclopedia. In fact you still-,"
"Okay we get it!" interrupted Edward as he folded his arms, slumping down into his chair. "I've changed a lot since then."
Everyone chuckled at his protest, smiling as they pictured the before and after. He had definitely grow up.
Some.
"Well I can testify to that, It was Ed who ended up beating the crap out of that father guy and, you know, saved the world and all," smirked Ross as she elbowed the young ex-alchemist.
"Yep, and he helped keep Maria safe and prove her innocence so that she could come back home to us," added Brosh.
"Yeah, brother's changed a lot since we tried to brink back Mom. But some things will forever remain."
Ed's gaze shot to Al as he sat upright. "What the hell is that supposed to mean Mr. cryptic?"
Winry laughed as she guessed at Al's meaning. "Well Edward, I think what your brother is trying to say is that there are some things that make you, well, you!"
Ed's eyes shifted from Alphonse to her, his raised eyebrow inquiring an answer. "And that is?"
Winry took a deep breath as she looked him square in the eyes, prepared for any reaction he would dish out. "Well you are still hot headed, you're still reckless and get into trouble, you have a complex, you can't follow directions, you can't pick up after yourself, you grumble over the simplest things, you're still obsessed over alchemy even though you can't even do it anymore, you manage to disappear at the most inconvenient times, and you sure as hell can't cook."
Eyes widened as Winry fired off the "characteristics" Ed possessed, their gaze turning to see his impending reaction.
Silence.
"The hell I cant cook!" cried Ed after a long pause. Everyone burst out into a deep and gut wrenching laughter, gripping their stomachs as they laughed in amusement.
"What? What's so funny?!"
It was a while before Ed would receive his answer.
"Don't ever change Edward," expressed Winry as she wiped away a tear that arose from the laughter. Ed glared at her for a moment before softening his expression. She had meant it in a fond and loving way.
"Yeah, you bet." Ed turned to the side, trying to keep from blushing too bad. "How is it that we all get together and you guys still manage to make fun of me? I mean aren't there old war stories that you can tell instead of listing my fla- I mean my characteristics?"
Riza gave a small sigh. "Yes, we could sit around and talk about the old days and tell tales of war. Or..." she paused as a grin slowly formed on her face. "We could keep teasing you."
Ed bared his teeth preparing to protest against the idea, but a much anticipated shout out stopped him.
"Steaks are ready!" announced Mustang as he piled them onto the plate, walking their meal over to the table.
"And you're sure you didn't burn them?" teased Breda as he watched Roy plop it on his plate.
Mustang smirked as he made his way around the table, dishing the steaks onto the platters. "Nah, just yours."
When the steaks were plated Roy joined the rest of them as everyone spooned side dishes onto their plates. There were beans, potato salad, corn, and several others as well. It was a lively feast that would be remembered for a long time.
"Thanks for having us," said Fuery as he finished dishing up, "It's nice to escape the city and have some down time with friends."
Pinako and Winry smiled as they too finished. "No problem at all! We were too happy to organize it all, I mean after all you guys are family! Huh granny?"
Pinako nodded. "Yep, looks like were stuck with em'."
Everyone began eating, the conversation dying as spoons and forks clanked on and off the glass plates.
"This is wonderful Miss Rockbell! And the steaks came out great Mustang!" complimented Armstrong as he kept filling his mouth with all the savory flavors.
"Yeah, not to shabby," agreed Falman. "I could get used to this."
It went silent as everyone ate, thinking about the last year and all the changes that had taken place. Falman was right, it would be nice to get used to. But if it wasn't for people like them no one would even be able to have moments like this.
"Things sure have changed." expressed Breda as he took another bite. "I mean, who would have guessed we would be where we are now?"
Ed nodded in agreement. "Yeah, It feels great to have our bodies back. Well, most of our bodies back."
Alphonse chuckled. "Well its is you who still has the auto mail leg brother, I'm whole again."
"Haha very funny. I'm amused. But still, it feels good to have you back to normal Al." responded Ed
Roy set down his fork and took a drink from his glass. "Yeah, especially when you have to ride in the car with us."
Chuckles arose as they imagined a seven foot suit of armor trying to fit in a car.
"Hey," frowned Al "It wasn't my fault I was so big."
Riza smiled fondly at Al. "No Al, your right. But I'm glad you were as big as you were, It made for an effective cover during a gunfight," she smirked while taking a bite of steak.
"Cover! That's all I was good for?" demanded Al as if his whole existence was being questioned.
"Well, that was one of your biggest assets." chimed in Roy.
Forks, spoons, and knives clanked onto their respective plates as the food was eaten and bellies were filled. Several leaned back in their chair while others leaned into their elbows. The sky was blue and clear, the wind softly blowing though everyone's hair. It was nice to have everyone together, to still be alive and well. Friendship was a beautiful thing, and family was even better. Every person at that table would give their life for one another, and that kind of bond didn't happen every day. Maybe the whole thing wasn't a bad thing after all. Maybe it all happened like it should, bringing the unlikeliest people together to form a bond ship that was unbreakable. In the end, every single one of them ended up with a heart strong enough to overcome any obstacle.
"To moments like these!" announced Havoc as he raised his glass for a toast. "May they never end!
