Late Night Delivery

"Ok boys; repeat it back to me one more time." Alex had gone through what was to happen, but he wanted to make sure it got through to the Elric brothers, especially Ed.

With a heavy sigh Edward went to restate what he had heard, but his younger brother had beaten him to it.

"We are to wait here until the food truck delivers the food to cook with, then once everything is refrigerated and put in place, we are to lock up the resturaunt and head home."

Alex nodded and smiled at Alphonse, he had started to grown fond of him and his brother, but Al's ability to work and pay attention was undoubtedly the major's favorite quality.

"Very well, I will you boys in the morning."

Alex smiled and waved his hand as he leaved through the courtyard and disappeared into the setting sun.

"How long do you think it'll take for the food truck to arrive?"

Al shrugged his shoulders and jumped up on the counter, letting his legs hang and sway. Edward followed his brother's lead as they sat side by side while the sun sank over the horizon.

"You know brother; I never imagined how wonderful it would be to have my senses back. Being stuck in a suit of armor for that long made me almost forget what it was like to taste and smell."

Edward gave a warm smile to his brother as he looked out upon the crimson and orange courtyard.

"Yeah…"

"Who would have imagined that after we got our bodies back we would have a job at a resturaunt?"

Ed huffed and folded his arms in disapproval. "Yeah, not what I was expecting. I can't believe Winry did this to us, making us work at a resturaunt for the major! I don't even like Mexican food!"

Al couldn't help but to laugh. After all they had been through; he found that it was better to chuckle at things than to be angry or sad.

They had their fair share of that.

"You like it and you know it brother."

Ed unfolded his arms but still protested with a frown.

"Besides, Mexican is not that bad! I've found that I really like the salsa here, along with the fajitas!"

Ed couldn't help but to smile at his brother's enthusiasm, it really was encouraging. But, his face soon distorted into confusion.

"Wait, I've never seen you eat here, how do you know you like it?"

Al stiffened as his eyes got wide and large. He gave a half-hearted chuckle and began hand gestures that tried to explain what his words were failing.

"Alphonse…" Edward pried. "Have you been 'sampling' the food?"

Al began waving his hands in front of him.

"No, it's not like that at all brother! I just, when I got my taste and smell back you see… It's been so long you know! I just sometimes couldn't help myself! Don't tell the major, please!"

It was Ed's turn to laugh, something he hadn't done in a while. His brother sure was a unique loveable person.

"So what? You gave the customer a plate with half-eaten salsa or a bite out of a taco?" teased Edward.

Al frowned and slugged Ed's newly acquired shoulder.

"Not funny! I never made it so…" Al lacked the description to continue.

"Obvious?" Ed finished.

Alphonse hung his head in shame, a cloud of despair hanging over him.

The sun had retired to its slumber, leaving a half-hidden moon in the sky along with speckles of stars. The air began to chill as the brothers continued to wait for the truck.

"It's amazing isn't it Al? All those stars, balls of gases just floating there to give us life. It reminds me of what teacher told us. One is all and all is one. Even stars that are billions of miles away are trying to keep us warm."

Ed gave a shiver afterwards, realizing how cold he was. Alphonse yawned and leaned his head against his big brother's shoulder. Ed smiled and continued to look up as he listened to his brother's breathing become shallow.

There is no such thing as a painless lesson, they just don't exist. Sacrifices are necessary and in order to gain something must be lost. Although… If you can endure the pain, and walk away from it, you'll find that you now have a heart strong enough to overcome any obstacle...

Ed couldn't help but to softly chuckle.

Even working at a resturaunt…

Edward tried his best, but his eyes soon gave way to sleep as he and his brother dozed off on the counter of the resturaunt.

"Edward, Alphonse!" came a voice from afar. It was the major.

I hope they aren't mad, I can only imagine Edward's fury when I tell him that the food truck isn't supposed to arrive until tomorrow…

Alex stepped into the courtyard to find the boys asleep. He paused, a little worried at first. For being such pistols, he didn't expect them to ever get tired. With a warmed heart he wiped away tears and approached them with a small but affectionate smile. He took off his coat and draped it over them to keep them warm.

They should be just fine, after all these two have endured worse things than dozing off in the cold. They sure do have strong hearts…

"Hearts made Fullmetal."