It's all in the smile

"I look like an idiot…" gloomed Edward in front of a mirror. The uniforms for Armstrong's Authentic Mexican Diner and Eatery were yellow and green with a moustache on the apron. To top it off… A cute chibi taco resided on their head.

"You don't look that bad brother; I think it's kinda cool!"

"Cool?" mocked Ed.

"If Winry were to see me in this… I'd never hear the end of it."

"What's that?" Al was already half way out of the backroom.

"Nothing…"

The resturaunt was very small and quaint compared to Armsrong's personality. It was an outdoor eatery, so customers walked up to a counter that was covered by a small adobe structure and ordered their food; then they would take a seat amongst the semi-large seating area that resided right in front of the café. The eating area was made of several mosaic topped tables and old but sturdy chairs spread out through a rectangular space. On either side of the resturaunt was a line of trees, bushes, flowers, and assortment of plants to decorate and brighten up the place. Everything was outdoors.

"How are you doing Lad?" pondered Armstrong as he found Edward still pouting in front of the backroom mirror.

"You!" Ed spun to look at the Major. "Who designed this? And who the hell thought of the little bastard that's on my head!?"

Alex smiled and roughly patted Edward on the back, almost knocking him off balance.

"Why I did! I'm proud if it! If I'm so glad I have my two favorite boys helping me out!"

He squeezed and hugged Ed as tears ran down his face.

"O-ok M-m-major J-," Before he could finish Alex let him go and gave one last smile before returning to the counter.

"Sheesh, that guy will be the death of me…"

Ed sighed and slowly walked into the sunlight and stood at the counter. Alphonse had been tasked with cooking and Edward with taking orders. Alex was to help out wherever needed.

"So when do we open?" questioned Edward.

"Not for another three hours!"

"Three hours!" The brothers cried in unison.

"Of course! For the first day on the job Alphonse needs to familiarize himself with the kitchen. And you Edward Elric need to practice your smile!"

Ed and Al glanced at each other.

"So I'll be helping to cook?"

"Yes Alphonse you'll be helping me, and you Edward will greet customers and take orders."

"What!? Why do I have to greet them? I'm not good at giving a family friendly experience!"

Al nodded and looked to the major. "Yes, my brother isn't exactly good with people. Why don't you just switch us?"

Edward smiled and nodded in agreement, mumbling curses under his breath.

"Well I was going to! But dear Ms. Rockbell told me that you weren't the best cook Edward, and that Alphonse would be better suited to the job."

Not the best cook! I never even cooked a damn meal in my life! Why the hell would she say… Winry! She wanted me to suffer; she planned it this whole time! I'll show her…

"Elric?" asked Armstrong. Edward was looking to the side with balled fists as he rubbed his hands together as if he was plotting murder. He clearly hadn't been listening.

"Brother!"

Edward snapped out of his thoughts and looked back to the two that stood in front of him.

"Are you ok Edward?" worried the major. "I hope I didn't offend you."

"Hmph… so all I have to do is greet and take orders… sounds easy."

"Yes, but don't forget! It's all in the smile!"

Alex waved and grabbed Al by the sleeve and dragged him to the kitchen in excitement.

"Good luck brother!" he said as his heels dragged on the ground

"Yeah, I'll need it…"

Hmph Edward smiled that reminds me of Hughes…

"Don't forget Edward! It's all in the smile!" shouted Alex from the kitchen.

"Yeah yeah… the smile."

Three hours had managed to slowly pass. Alphonse was pretty comfortable with his new surroundings and Armstrong's instructions on how to make the various foods that the resturaunt offered. On the other hand, Edward stared out into an empty courtyard of chairs and tables, smiling and waving for practice… that is until he realized how stupid and ridiculous it was.

Why did he get the job of taking orders? Sure, it's not like he's afraid of people; it's just that communications have never been his strong suit. Plus, what would Winry do this to him? Was it a character building exercise or something? Yeah, sounds about right.

The sun was peeking through the surrounding building's corners, sending rays of lights into the courtyard when the hour came. Customers started walking in, slowly at first, but then the resturaunt gradually became busy.

Here we go…

A large and heavy man walked up to the counter. He was at least a head above Ed, and looked like he hadn't bathed in months. The shirt he wore was stained from neck to waist, and Ed didn't want to think about what it was.

Damn… Why me?

"Hello sir, welcome to Armstrong's Authentic Mexican Din-,"

"Yeah I know the name runt, just let me place an order. I don't know what idiot thought it right to have such a name."

Did that bastard call me a runt! Maybe I'll give him more than a stupid smile

"Kid! You're turning red and I can hear your teeth grinding, what's the deal?"

"What's the deal?" Ed grunted through barred teeth.

With a heavy sigh he managed to gain his composure. If this were any ordinary punk he would have socked him a big one, but this was the major's dream. Under all that "toughness" there was still a kind heart.

"What can I get you, sir?" he asked in a politely angered tone.

"B'out time, I'd like the Armstrong's authentic taco plate with re-friend beans as a side. Make everything large."

Edward nodded and jotted the order on a ticket and ripped it off the pad.

"Ok sir, your order will be out soon."

The man grunted and walked over to the nearest table, roughly taking a seat and belching at the same time.

Edward cracked his neck and walked over to the kitchen to give Alphonse the order.

"Here Al, your first order."

He slapped the ticket on the counter and walked back to his post, hands deep in his pockets.

At least I get paid for this crap. I wonder how long I'll have to put up with this.

Another man walked up to the counter to place and order. This time he was the same height as Ed and well kept. In fact, he was a little too well kept.

Remembering what the major stressed, Edward gave a big cheesy smile and greeted their next customer with a happy yet sarcastic tone, but as soon as the man stood at the counter Ed's focus went out the window.

"Hello, I'll take the-,"

Is that lipstick?

"And I would like-,"

What the hell is up with his clothes, they are a light shade of pink!

"But make sure you keep the-,"

And he has… I don't even know what the hell that is! And what sane person eats at a Mexican resturaunt in that nice of a getup.

The abrupt silence snapped Edward back into focus.

"Did you get all that? You didn't even jot a thing down."

Caught off guard from not paying attention, Ed gave a reactive nod and defensive reassurance that the man's order was correct. With a slight nod the man walked over and sat at a table in the corner. With no idea what the man ordered, Edward began to sweat about getting in trouble. After all, what would Winry say if he was fired on his first day?

"Better get Al."

Ed high tailed it to the kitchen, but to his surprise it was empty.

"Alphonse?"

With a turn of his neck, he found Al skipping and holding a plate of tacos. His younger brother approached the fat guy and sat the plate down in front of him.

"Here you go sir! Enjoy your authentic Mexican cuisine!"

As Al skipped back to the kitchen, Ed could have sworn that pink sparkles encompassed his face.

"What was that?" Ed pried.

"What? It's all in the smile! Remember brother?"

"Not that! The skipping and stuff."

"What about it? I was serving him with a smile and spring in my step! Alex says that the merrier you are the happier the customers!"

"You sound like the major… My own brother… makes me sick." mumbled Ed.

"What's that brother?"

"N-never mind. I need your help. See that creepy guy sitting in the corner?"

Al followed the point of his brother's finger. "Yeah, what about him?"

"Well, I was caught off guard by his strange and freaky appearance-,"

"Brother! That's no way to describe a customer!"

Ed slapped his forehead and pressed his fingers into his eyes. This was going to be a long day.

"Whatever, I was caught off guard by his…" Ed searched for a less insulting description. "unusual and slightly startling appearance."

Al put his hands on his hips and gave his elder brother a look of disapproval.

"What!?"

"You're doing it again, being rude."

"I'm not rude! I'm entitled to my own opinion aren't I?"

Al shook his head and rolled his eyes. His brother would never learn.

Before Ed finished, a thought crossed his mind. Why would he tell Al that he messed up on their second customer? He would forever get grief from him. And then a worse thought entered his mind.

What if he told Winry and the major?

A picture of the three of them laughing became very vivid and frustrating, so he thought it best to fix it himself.

"What about him?" Al asked again, his tone slightly more impatient.

"He… Nng! He wanted the…"

What would a weirdo like him eat?

"He wanted the deluxe authentic fish tacos…" Ed trailed off, his voice lacking confidence.

With a big smile, Al nodded and went right back to work with Alex to prepare the meal. Ed let out a sigh and moped back to his station.

The day was still young and they still had several hours before closing. Thankfully it hadn't been too busy so far, but there was still a ways to go. If he was lucky, Ed would make it to the end of the day with his insanity intact. But one thing was for certain, this would be a long summer.

Central is full of characters…