“No!” she cried out, her fingernails digging harshly into her palms as she tried not to lash out. “There was never an ‘us’, Roy, there was a you and your idiotic plan to save this country-”
“You said you would-”
“I KNOW WHAT I SAID!” The words left her like a wound being drained - immediately she felt better for having said them, but now -
An ugly silence settled between them and Riza felt her nails draw blood.
Briggs Ltd - Where only the strong (and thieves) survive
“Fuck.” Roy buried his face in his hands. “That thieving bitch Armstrong is going to bury me today, and I’m going to be out the door.”
“About that.” Riza dropped a bunch of files on the desk.
Roy looked up, frowned and picked up one. The frown turned into a smile.
“I recognise the handwriting.” He arched an eyebrow. “I thought you believed in playing fair and taking the high road.”
“I made an exception this once. After all, she did start it.”
“You know what, Riza.” Roy stood up and walked around his desk. “I could kiss you right now.” He shook his head. “Scratch that, I’ve never wanted to kiss you more.”
Fin
***********
Give me a AU setting
These AUs are such fun. Feel free to send me more if anyone is interested.
Maybe she was his weakness and he was her strength. Maybe it wasn’t equivalent exchange after all.
The first time it hit her was when she was transferred into the Führer’s office as King Bradley’s personal adjutant. Being held as a ‘hostage’ was definitely not the worst thing she had experienced in her short life. Besides, the second she set her feet on East City’s military academy turf, Riza Hawkeye had already prepared to face the grim reaper in her perfectly-pressed blue uniform at any given time—her naïve idealism accounted in or not.
Being taken hostage is a thing. Being taken hostage in order to keep him on leash is a whole different story.
It unnerved her.
Damn her and her blatant lie if she said she hadn’t been contemplating this whole thing all the time. It receded, yes, but never vanished. Even after being pushed into the deepest recesses in the back of her mind, it was still there. Dormant, lethal, ready to burst once she drop her guard.
Her fear was later amplified when she was laying down there—tormented, with pooling blood beneath, watching helplessly as her nightmare unfolded. One look at his desperate eyes, and she knew.
For a brief period of time, he was willing to do it.
For a very few seconds that felt like an eternity, he was willing to sacrifice everything for her.
(…and she was really, reallyreallyreally grateful he didn’t.)
That was the only thing she needed to confirm her worst fear;
Maybe she was his weakness and he was her strength. Maybe it wasn’t equivalent exchange after all.
Was she actually aiding him to achive his—their goal? Or was it only an illusion of control, while in reality, she was merely a burden to him? An achilles’ heel, useless and easy to exploit?
The entailing battle against Father gave her little to no time to even think about it. But now, in the aftermath, in a quiet, antiseptic-scented hospital room with only her and Edward Elric in it, she had way more than enough time for her not-so-bright thoughts to make their way to the surface.
“…ant? Hey, Lieutenant?”
Hawkeye blinked as she was forcefully pulled out of her trance. She turned to face the elder Elric sitting on a chair beside her bed—winced at the pain on her neck, since apparently the drug’s numbing effect was starting to worn out—and stared at him quizzically. “Of course you have to call her, Edward. I’m sure she’d been worrying you two a lot... Even if you don’t want to tell her when you will head back home yet, or that you two had successfully regained your bodies, she at least deserves to know that you made it out. Alive.”
Bless her lazy, procrastinating coworkers that tend to neglect works until the very last minutes, and later bombarded her with questions that she acquired the skill to explain what they didn’t understand and barking orders to make the said works were done efficiently and finishing her own workload, all at the same time. She knew her ability to focus on more than one thing simultaneously would eventually come into use—just like now.
Edward crossed his arms and legs and averted his gaze. A slight hint of understanding was displayed on his features. “M-maybe I should…”
The woman nodded in approval.
Silence engulfed the two blondes for a moment before Ed dared to take a peek to the soldier in front of him from behind his curtain of fringes.
Oh, that look again.
“So… how is that bastard doing?” He cleared his throat purposefully.
Hawkeye unconsciously stared at the bed at the other side of the room. Mustang was being checked-up somewhere in the hospital, thus it was currently unoccupied.
.
.
“Umm.. Lieutenant?”
“Ah. I’m sorry, Edward. He is fine now. A few stitches on his palms and he’ll be as good as he was before, aside from… that.”
Of course. Gulping, the boy carefully continued, “What is he going to do from now on? I-I mean… that guy still got a lot of things to do in the future and then… yeah, that happened.”
Sure, Mustang was an arse. Or at least he was, according to Edward’s opinion. But it doesn’t mean he deserved that. Not when he had such a grand vision for the future. Edward Elric will never admit it to anyone—not even Winry—but he’s glad it was Roy Mustang who found him. God knew how it could had felt working under one of those dirty, war-mongering, corrupted military brasses. At least he still got a noble heart under his shitty outlook.
She gave him a wan smile, “The Colonel is still intending to fix things in Ishval first. Although, I do not recall anything from the rules that explicitly allows blind officers to continue their services. Partially handicapped due to occupational injuries, yes. But not blind. He said we will work things out, though. Stubborn man doesn’t know when to give up, does he?”
“Like hell he does.”
Silence.
Edward’s furrow grew deeper as he straightened up on his seat. He had been called names—child prodigy, genius, brilliant-minded, you mention it. What most people failed to notice was that, despite his loud and obnoxious antics, he was also a good observer.
But one didn’t have to be at his caliber in order to see that something was off.
“Something is bothering you, Lieutenant.” He pointed out.
His first thought was that he should dash out of the room immediately in fear that the Lieutenant would not be happy at his accusation. God knew what she could had hid under her blanket.
But his second (and more rational) thought could not handle seeing her eyes went unfocused over and over again during their conversation—thus he decided to stay there, at least until he could figure something out.
Because she was Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye. The Lieutenant did not lose her focus.
Hawkeye, on the other hand, only looked at him with a small portion of disapproval and a big portion of astonishment. “There is not?”
“It was a statement.”
The woman sighed and readjusted her hospital robe. At this point she already knew there would be no use confronting Edward Elric when he decided to be persistent. “Well, perhaps. Aren’t you supposed to be at Alphonse’s room by this time, Ed?”
Edward scoffed, “The room was too quiet—Al sleeps like a log aaaaall the time! Not that he doesn’t deserve it, though—But I need some fresh air here and there, and I found out that I also have to check out on my friends while we’re all still here.” He looked at her in dismay when she only let out a small laugh.
“That’s so sweet of you worrying about my well-being, Edward. Thank you.”
Blushing almost instantly, the boy stuttered, “N-no! Well, yes, actually, but I meant—okay, they finally told me what happened down there and I couldn’t help but to think of ominous things—I mean we all know what harm such bloodloss could’ve done! You should’ve seen Mustang’s reaction when you suddenly collapsed beside him after I brought my brother back from the gate, though. Man, ‘frantic’ was an understatement.”
Her hazel eyes narrowed slightly—and with that, Ed knew he hit the nail right on the head.
“I am fine now, Edward.”
“You strayed off several times in one sitting, Lieutenant.”
“Maybe it was the drugs.”
“So what did Mustang do wrong this time?”
Ed regretted his words right after they escaped his tongue as her stare became more defensive. Maybe he shouldn’t have pried in after all. She had a thick, rigid carapace around her and even if she’d let anyone in, he doubt he would be one of them.
But even the hardest shell could crack and crumble if it was forced to contain too much things inside.
So if being shouted at or being slapped in the face for his intrusiveness or, God forbid, getting a clean-shot on his forehead is the only way to relieve her burden even just a little, Edward was willing to go through all of them.
The Lieutenant had been there for him during his worst of times. If he didn’t do the same—especially when that lame excuse of a colonel is nowhere near being useful to comfort her, Granny Pinako didn’t have to make all her way to Central to kick his ass. Ed will do that by himself.
“A lot,”
The young Alchemist brought his attention back to her, keeping his expression schooled.
“But to err is humane, Ed. Besides, that is not always the case.”
“Are you blaming yourself for that?”
Instead of an answer, Edward was met with yet another silence. The one he didn’t know whether to take it as an affirmative or a negative—or could it be both?
God, are all women in the world this complicated?
His next words were picked carefully, “I know how it feels, Lieutenant.”
The said Lieutenant’s brows raised slightly as he continued,
“I know exactly how it feels to lock everything up for myself. Well—I mean yes, I and Al share basically everything, but sure there are things I just can’t bring myself to tell him. They… haunt my mind like a lurking shadow. I was just lucky I got people like Teacher or Winry who are able to point them out and talk things through. But you—“ Ed hesitated for a moment, and decided it was better not to say it aloud.
“They will consume you, Lieutenant. They will drain you from the inside... I—no, I don’t want it to happen.”
Hawkeye stared at his golden eyes for a moment. She then shook her head, and again let out a small laugh.
Exhausted. Perplexed.
Being stared at like that was starting to make him nervous, thus he was a little relieved when she averted her gaze to the blanket—scrutinizing its every folds and wrinkles.
“You are a gifted kid, Edward. Genius, even,” She said, her voice barely audible if it were not for the tranquility. “Have you ever thought how your… significant other’s life would be better if they hadn’t met you at all? Where they can take every steps freely without you being there as a hindrance? Have you—”
“Lieutenant.”
His voice was thick and venomous. Gritting his teeth, Edward went on, “Please. Do not continue.”
“Not until he stopped making stupid decisions for my sake!”
If Hawkeye was trying to keep her expression neutral, she failed miserably.
Maybe she shouldn’t have said that. Maybe she shouldn’t have raised her voice to that boy, of all people. But the exasperation had overwhelmed her. Even the sharp pain on her neck had gone unnoticed—let alone her common sense and rationality.
The emotion inside finally overflowed its container, and there was little she could do to take it back.
“What was that, dancing right on their palm like he did? Aborting his meticulously-deviced plan, walking in their accordance just because they were dangling me right in front of him? Did he even realize what kind of dangerous game he was playing?”
Edward tightened his jaw as he saw her trying to catch her breath.
“What was the point of paving his way all these years, building his goals from scratch, if he is willing to throw them all in instance? Just because he almost lose one of his supporters? Ridiculous!
“If I knew I would only become his drawback—his weakness, I’d rather—“
The water glass clattered as Ed slammed his fist onto the end table. Hard.
She was startled. All her blurred senses—previously clouded by her morbid emotion—gradually made their way back. She started to feel the chilling air prickling her skin. She could feel the soreness on her neck—Hawkeye unconsciously brought her right hand there to soothe it.
And she could feel Edward’s sharp eyes piercing through her.
She was the Hawk’s Eye. She should be the one giving him her notorious sharp look, not the other way around. If it were not for the fury seeping from his being, she almost found the circumstance funny.
“One more word, Lieutenant, and I will throw this glass into pieces, nurses be damned.” He voiced.
Three years ago, he would had yelled indignantly, throwing whatever tantrum he had up his sleeves. This time however, he was mature enough to take control over his rage. Edward shifted on his seat. Crossing arms, he closed his eyes and after a few deep breathings, locked his gaze with those hazel orbs of hers—his prior rage already vanished into nothingness.
“Hear me out,” he started.
“Reality check, Lieutenant, not every single thing in this damn world is your fault. I mean it. There are things outside our control also taking their roles. It can’t be helped—it is just how the universe works.
“In the end, we are just tiny human inside a grander scheme. Yes, we have our part to play, and we better play it the right way. I’m not justifying anyone or anything here, but it won’t be called a ‘chain reaction’ if the chain only got one link. We need many other links—the ones we have no control over—in order to call it so. Thus when a chain reaction—an… occurance, happened, the other links are just as blameful as the link that started it. Heaven’s sake, and I thought you were the one giving me this lecture, Lieutenant!
“And that Colonel Useless—shit, don’t even make me start on that guy. You? A hindrance for him? He can’t even save his sorry ass in the rain without you being there! Get your facts straight!”
“Edward…”
“I am not done yet!” he slammed the end table once more—the water glass threatened to fall down. Hawkeye subtly shoved it to a safer spot as the Elric went on preaching his rage.
“I may have not known him as long as you have, Lieutenant. But at least it’s been long enough for me to understand how his mind works. Not gonna lie. If you, of all people, hold no personal stake on how he chooses to live his life, to make his decision—which is practically impossible, now that I think about it—I will go straight to wherever he is right now and shove some common sense down into his throat!
“I loathe to tell you this, Lieutenant, but you are the first, and the only person to hear this directly from me—Roy Mustang is one of the most selfless person I have ever known. And I have known Alphonse for basically my whole life, godforsaken. Despite his pain-in-the-arse attitude, I know that he cares deeply for his comrades. For me, Lieutenant Havoc, Lieutenant Maria Ross. We don’t even have to be you to be included into his calculations!
“So please, Lieutenant, don’t hate yourself just because he takes your well-being into account. Don’t blame yourself because he decides that you are one of the most important aspects in his life.”
Riza Hawkeye was not the one to be dumbfounded. She kept her silence most of the day because she chose to, not because she was out of words to say.
She thought she had already seen every side of Edward Elric, an observer she was. But today, he managed to prove her wrong. Twice.
Seeing the boy panting, she mulled things over inside her head—and even after a while, with the corners of her lips raised, all she was capable to say was a mere, “…thank you, Edward.”
Yes, she was aware that the then-boy she found years ago had achieved a certain level of maturity. But who had guessed it’d be this mature? His journey had surely taken its toll on him, she mused.
Edward’s face was lightened as he saw the gravity left her features.
But his relieve did not last long.
“Good day, Fullmetal. Are you done lecturing my lieutenant, yet?”
The said alchemist yielded an unmanly shriek as he jumped from where he was seated—the chair fell backward due to the sudden force.
“H-How… how come—how long h-had you been standing there, yo—you eavesdropping bastard?!”
Their subject of conversation emerged from behind the door—he slowly made his way into the scene, guided by a nurse. (At first he insisted that he could do it by himself, but a few bumpings into the furnitures later, the nurses knew better than to let him proceed.)
“Well,” he replied, his bed creaked as the man sat on its mattress, “long enough to know that I am, apparently, a selfless person with pain-in-the-arse attitude. Quite heart-warming to hear that directly from you. Isn’t it, Lieutenant?”
Mustang made sure he emphasized on that particular adjective on purpose.
Edward gaped in disbelief.
Did I just say that Roy Mustang is selfless right into his face?
“Yes, Sir.”
He was done for.
To hell with one-month-length of Alphonse’s recovery time. All he wanted was to take his brother and board a train to Resembool—the sooner the better—and leave without so much as looking back. Away from Central. Away from the Colonel—well, shit.
The next thing he did was rushing out of the goddamn room, running along the hallway with face red as beet—covering his ears, screaming blabbery to the point that the station nurses had to figuratively kick him out of the hospital building.
The Lieutenant couldn’t help but smiled, amused by Edward’s antics. Boys, she thought.
To say that she was ashamed of herself would be an euphemism, truth to be told. Between getting her mind caught by a fifteen-year-old, and scolded by him, and realizing that maybe (just maybe) what he said was actually right—Hawkeye didn’t know which one was the biggest insult to her adulthood.
A far-fetched cough coming from her superior officer caught the woman’s attention.
“So, Lieutenant. Care to explain?”
Phew, it’s been years since the last time I actually wrote something. And turned out that today, June 1st, is apparently Roy Mustang Day, say whaaat? So I decided to post this one today! Fic was inspired by @bleedingcoffee42 ‘s recent fic Absent, in which one of its chapters contained the sentences I used as the summary (p.s thank you for your permission!) I’d recommend you guys to take a peek on the fic. It’s awesome.
And I think I’ve seen enough parental Riza-Elric fics (well, who doesn’t love them, seriously?) but I felt like adding a twist… so instead of Riza patronizing the young alchemist, it’s the other way around! At first I’d like to go with Al, but then I realized maybe Ed would be more suitable for the fic.
The story takes place in the aftermath of Promised Day, some time after that (not too long, though—maybe a few days?) in which things had begun to settle, and Marcoh hadn’t paid Roy a visit yet.
Yeah sometimes Riza hates herself far too much that it needs to be pointed out teehee.
Maybe we will get a blooper... where dean fujioka sings roy's infamous "oh snap snap! Spark spark! It's time to light up the diggy diggy dark" rap lines?
Attachment : Elysia_001 .jpeg, Elysia_003 .jpeg, and 54 more attachments
Subject : Your morning dose of happiness
You’re welcome.
Maes Hughes
Teacher, English Literature
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
.
.
To : Heymans Breda, Jean Havoc
From : Roy Mustang
Subject : Re: Re: Abort mission (continued)
Before you guys judge me for being ‘ignorant’, yesterday was too hectic for me to check on incoming mails. And yes, Jean, listen what Breda said; you’re still a dumb-ass.
Miles was right though, you were lucky enough. At last I met her yesterday. And who could’ve guessed that that accreditation board member whom you had a rather unpleasant argument with three years ago is an Armstrong? (and the one who got a say in the board, while at it.)
Seems like she still hold grudges on me for a reason I don’t remember. Imagine the awkward silence (or you’re-dead-to-me glares) I have to go through everytime we encountered each others, considering we share an office room from now on.
Let’s just hope Maes won’t be genius enough to even try to push her button during his (suspiciously abundant) free time.
Roy Mustang
Teacher, Chemistry
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
.
.
To : Jean Havoc
From : Maria Ross
Subject : How many times do I have to tell you?
I don’t care how and when you do it, Jean, but no way in hell smoking is allowed anywhere inside school. The rooftop included. You’ll set bad examples for the students. Besides, the kids love you—they’re more inclined to justify your actions, and do it by themselves!
This will be my last warning before I write the Principal a formal complain letter on this matter.
Maria Ross
Teacher, School Guidance Counselor
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
.
.
To : Maes Hughes
From : Kain Fuery
Subject : Data Usage Notification
Mr. Hughes,
I regret to inform you that you have already used up all your bandwith. Please do take my advice to stop sending everybody gigabytes-worth of photos, and you will be able to enjoy this facility until the last day of every months. Thank you.
I’m not gonna receive your bribery, Sir. Mr. Greed already took suspicion on our internet funds, and had been eyeing me closely ever since. Sorry for that…
Regards,
Kain Fuery
Staff, Department of Information and Technology
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
.
.
To : Edward Elric
From : Riza Hawkeye
Subject : See me during lunch break
Dear Edward,
My experiences told me that detention letters have no effect on you. But that doesn’t mean you can get out from the fact that you sent a .docx with the writings ‘MUSTANG SUXX’ as its only content for your chemistry take-home assignment.
Meet me at the teachers’ room right after the bell rings. You know where my desk is.
Fail to do so, and I will pair you up with Ling for the upcoming group project(s).
Thank you.
Riza Hawkeye
Teacher, Biology
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
.
.
To : Olivier Mira Armstrong
From : Alex Louis Armstrong
Subject : Re: All those East City chickens are getting under my skin
O, my dearest Sister,
YOU HAVE JUST MISUNDERSTOOD OUR HOSPITALITY, THE PEOPLE FROM THE EASTERN SIDE OF AMESTRIS!
They were just trying to befriend you, Sister. Trust me. Perhaps the norms here are not exactly similar to those of North’s, but please adjust yourself.
Besides, it’s not a secret that Mr. Roy Mustang is the Principal’s favorite negotiator when it suits his needs, second only to himself. Do forgive me, Sister, because I can’t tell you what kind of demands Mr. Eugene Grumman insisted three years ago.
Oh, and I have done setting up your new desk according to your requests. I also added a little touch of fine arts to please your eyes. Worry not, my Sister, for my taste is far better than Kimblee’s.
With the spirits that had been passed down in the Armstrong Family for generations,
Alex Louis Armstrong
Coach, Physical Education
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
.
.
To : Kain Fuery
From : Rebecca Catalina
Subject : Is the Principal hiding in your server room again?
I swear to God I was just taking his tea cup back to the pantry and BOOM that old man disappeared like a trickster. He thought it would make me amused? Maybe, when the stars align. But absolutely NOT when we got a lot of works to submit before Tuesday!
Well guess what? Don’t tell him I’m going there. If he decided that the Principal’s Room is too boring that he chose to leave, trust me, his paperworks are more than eager to follow.
Why did I sign up for this shit anyway? Oh, right—Ri will kick me out if she’s the only one paying our room’s rent.
Rebecca Catalina
Staff, Principal’s Secretary
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
.
.
To : Christopher Vinther
From : Solf Z. Kimblee
Subject : This budget-efficiency-thingy is getting ridiculous
I’m a simple man; hence next time that old Grumman give me another warning due to unmet curriculum, I will just blame that on your decision to cut my clay-shopping budget.
Solf Z. Kimblee
Teacher, Visual Art
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
.
.
To : All contacts
From : Kain Fuery
Subject : Server Maintenance Notification
All students, teachers, and staffs,
Today we will be performing routine server maintenance and upgrading hardware on the server environment for performance and scalability. The maintenance will be performed on March 9th during a three hour window of 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM. We are expecting approximately two hours of down time during the maintenance. If you have any questions please contact our support team by emailing [email protected].
Thank you.
Kain Fuery
Staff, Department of Information and Technology
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
.
.
.
To : Mechanical geek (+xxxxxxxxx947)
From : Edward Elric (+xxxxxxxx311)
Hey Winry?
.
To : Edward (+xxxxxxxx311)
From : Winry Rockbell (+xxxxxxxxx947)
Yes?
.
To : Mechanical geek (+xxxxxxxxx947)
From : Edward Elric (+xxxxxxxx311)
Did you have a word with Miss Riza recently?
.
To : Edward (+xxxxxxxx311)
From : Winry Rockbell (+xxxxxxxxx947)
What do you mean?
.
To : Mechanical geek (+xxxxxxxxx947)
From : Edward Elric (+xxxxxxxx311)
Well… Did she, like, tell you something? Anything?
.
To : Edward (+xxxxxxxx311)
From : Winry Rockbell (+xxxxxxxxx947)
Umm.. no, I guess. Why are you asking?
.
To : Mechanical geek (+xxxxxxxxx947)
From : Edward Elric (+xxxxxxxx311)
Nothing. Really. Okay—one more thing—not even about me? Or something you don’t know??
.
To : Edward (+xxxxxxxx311)
From : Winry Rockbell (+xxxxxxxxx947)
Okay she did explain me some things about cellular metabolisms because I asked her, and technically that was something I didn’t know by that time. Aside from that, nope? Why so sudden??
.
To : Mechanical geek (+xxxxxxxxx947)
From : Edward Elric (+xxxxxxxx311)
Great. Well then. Better stop using our phones before Mr. Miles turn around from the whiteboard.
.
To : Edward (+xxxxxxxx311)
From : Winry Rockbell (+xxxxxxxxx947)
Weirdo.
.
.
.
To : Al (+xxxxxxxx744)
From : Edward Elric (+xxxxxxxx311)
Alphonse.
.
To : Brother (+xxxxxxxx311)
From : Alphonse Elric (+xxxxxxxx744)
What’s it, brother?
.
To : Al the TRAITOR (+xxxxxxxx744)
From : Edward Elric (+xxxxxxxx311)
You traitor.
.
.
.
To : Roy boy (+xxxxxxxxx489)
From : Maes Hughes (+xxxxxxxx138)
Ayyyyyy Roy! Guess who just caught the latest news from the water-cooler?
.
To : Hughes, Maes (+xxxxxxxx138)
From : Roy Mustang (+xxxxxxxxx489)
Stop texting me everytime the web is down, Maes. I’ve got assignments to grade.
.
To : Roy boy (+xxxxxxxxx489)
From : Maes Hughes (+xxxxxxxx138)
C’mon, why so salty? Okay then, my fault. But a heavy nosebleed, Roy? Seriously?
.
To : Hughes, Maes (+xxxxxxxx138)
From : Roy Mustang (+xxxxxxxxx489)
SHUT. UP.
.
To : Roy boy (+xxxxxxxxx489)
From : Maes Hughes (+xxxxxxxx138)
Oooouch! It’s alright, Roy-boy. Even without that, we all have seen your little crush on her already. Believe me, it’s reciprocal.
.
To : Hughes, Maes (+xxxxxxxx138)
From : Roy Mustang (+xxxxxxxxx489)
That’s none of your business.
.
To : Roy boy (+xxxxxxxxx489)
From : Maes Hughes (+xxxxxxxx138)
How rude! I’m serious, tho—you two keep getting closer day by day ever since she joined this school. You two are, like, what did Breda say? Oh—like an asymptote. Keep getting closer, never find each others. Seriously, does ‘commitment’ sound that frightening to you? As ‘asking her out’ does?
.
To : Hughes, Maes (+xxxxxxxx138)
From : Roy Mustang (+xxxxxxxxx489)
Me? Afraid to ask a woman out? Please. Reality check, I’ve got more experiences than you. Well, she just happened to be my professor’s daughter so I also have to include that into my calculations and believe me, Berthold Hawkeye is not a chill man.
.
To : Roy boy (+xxxxxxxxx489)
From : Maes Hughes (+xxxxxxxx138)
I call bullshit. You barely have a business with him nowadays after you got your master degree.
.
To : Hughes, Maes (+xxxxxxxx138)
From : Roy Mustang (+xxxxxxxxx489)
Take it or leave it.
.
To : Roy boy (+xxxxxxxxx489)
From : Maes Hughes (+xxxxxxxx138)
Well if you think you’re that great at dealing with women, gimme a prove.
.
To : Hughes, Maes (+xxxxxxxx138)
From : Roy Mustang (+xxxxxxxxx489)
Aren’t my weekly dates enough?
.
To : Roy boy (+xxxxxxxxx489)
From : Maes Hughes (+xxxxxxxx138)
No. Your aunt’s café workers are hardly dates. Show me the real thing—like, land a date with Olivier Armstrong before the end of this month, and I will believe it. I will even make your skill widely acknowledged. Heck, just tell me what you want.
.
To : Hughes, Maes (+xxxxxxxx138)
From : Roy Mustang (+xxxxxxxxx489)
Maes, you’re lunatic. You know the not-so-pleasant little story between us. What if I fail? What if I got my neck cracked?
.
To : Roy boy (+xxxxxxxxx489)
From : Maes Hughes (+xxxxxxxx138)
Well, if that’s not possible, it can’t be helped—then just ask Rizzie out for a date. Deal?
.
To : Hughes, Maes (+xxxxxxxx138)
From : Roy Mustang (+xxxxxxxxx489)
And if I refuse?
.
To : Roy boy (+xxxxxxxxx489)
From : Maes Hughes (+xxxxxxxx138)
I will inform Bradley that almost a third of your presence in the daily attendance list are fraudulent. Poor little Fuery could lose his job for manipulating them at your insistent request, right?
.
To : Hughes, Maes (+xxxxxxxx138)
From : Roy Mustang (+xxxxxxxxx489)
…you’re impossible.
.
To : Roy boy (+xxxxxxxxx489)
From : Maes Hughes (+xxxxxxxx138)
I’ll take that as a yes, then. Twenty two days from now. A fine date with the Armstrongs’ Lioness. Good luck, Mr. Gentleman.
.
.
.
To be continued
(Uploaded this chapter one day erlier since pretty sure I won’t have enough time for it tomorrow—tomorrow we’re gonna feast! Yay!)
…that was rather… blunt? And I don’t even have anything to say aside from thanking you guys for sticking around! I mean 24 followers? Whoa! Thank you, really. I mean it.
This chapter was necessary but I just lack the idea for more humor. Seems that writer’s block and the weekly-update schedule are starting to get their toll on me!
Really, I’m sorry for this chapter and I hope that the incoming chapter(s) could make it up for this! DX
Even so, kindly review?
(P.s Hughes is still the biggest Royai shipper—he only tried a different approach to push his bestie!)
Due to the lack of response on this ongoing fic (compared to my oneshot ones) I decide to stop posting it here. I regret to inform you this, but thank you for your understanding :)
However, if you wish to read it, I still update it regularly on my fanfiction(.)net account.
Please refrain from making unnecessary requests for money. Any unanticipated proposals submitted within the next two weeks will be denied. With, or without the Principal’s signature.
With the triennial accreditations ahead, a decent portion of the institution’s annual budget will be allocated for its preparation. Your understandings and supports would be truly appreciated.
Regards.
Okay, enough with the formality.
Seriously though, up to twenty six thousands centz in less than a week? What the hell! Why should I give you guys money for a shitload of pasta I did not eat? Or desks I did not break nor use? Go on destroying this school’s infrastructures and it will eventually close down even before we reach the accreditation terms.
Which means there would be less problem for me, now that I think about it.
P.s Dearest Miss Riza Hawkeye, if that lovely student of yours is keen enough to break a fire extinguisher, just like what he did last semester, I will grant you some cash just enough to refill it with lemonade iced tea. They can also put out a small fire, right?
Stay greedy for money,
Christopher Vinther
Staff, Treasurer
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Riza Hawkeye
From : Miles
Subject : Re: Money Proposals
It’s alright, Ms. Hawkeye. He also said that to me last semester when I was Edward’s homeroom teacher.
Suck up to Mr. Grumman a bit and the expense will be fully covered by the institution. You of all people would know better about his… peculiar taste.
Been there done that,
Miles
Teacher, Physics
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Roy Mustang
From : Heymans Breda
Subject : Alphonse Elric is surprisingly lovely
Before you take this mail’s subject the wrong way, I mean Alphonse is a caring, obedient student loved by his classmates, in contrast to his elder brother. Plus point, he also managed to achieve perfect score on my math pre-test.
You were right, though—three days into this, and I don’t think being a homeroom teacher is that bad.
Chess during lunch break?
Heymans Breda
Teacher, Mathematics
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Heymans Breda, Roy Mustang
From : Jean Havoc
Subject : Abort mission (continued)
So long story short,
I came to her as she was reading an online newspaper (in Dutch, my best guess) while sipping her coffee. Then I took a seat beside her. And then she eyed me curtly—hell, I hadn’t even said a thing!
Of course I was confused. After a few seconds of intense glaring, she told me, “Speak.”
So I did. I introduced myself—a little bit stuttered there coz who on earth can sit through her piercing blue eyes and stay collected?
Her response?
“Spit it out clearly. I don’t have all day to listen to your blabber.”
“Jean Havoc. P.E coach. Nice to meet you.”
“And?”
“Wha—err, you’ve got nice curves, there.”
The following events were a blur, and suddenly, I was laying on one of the beds in Knox’s room. With a cold ice pack on my crotch.
Yet Miles, who had spent years teaching in North, said that I’m apparently ‘lucky enough’ for getting ‘just that’. Well, luck my arse.
I repeat—abort mission. Those bada-boom breasts do not worth your (and your offsprings’) life.
Jean Havoc
Coach’s Aide, Physical Education
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Jean Havoc, Roy Mustang
From : Heymans Breda
Subject : Re: Abort mission (continued)
If stupidity could be expressed in graphics, yours would be graphs of exponential function y = 2^x when the base is greater than 1—smooth, continuous, and increases without bound as it approaches positive infinity.
Heymans Breda
Teacher, Mathematics
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Tim Marcoh
Cc : Yoki, Buccaneer
From : Roy Mustang
Subject : Who on their right mind refilled the chem lab’s fire extinguisher with expired lemonade iced tea???
A small-combustion-went-wrong and when we tried to put it out, it was fckn lemonade iced tea inside! Good heavens we installed automated water sprayers in the entire buildings last year in case of fire. (None was injured, fortunately.)
I’m going to make a formal request for a thorough inspection.
Drenched in water for the second time this week,
Roy Mustang
Teacher, Chemistry
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Roy Mustang
Cc : Buccaneer
From : Tim Marcoh
Subject : Re: Who on their right mind refilled the chem lab’s fire extinguisher with expired lemonade iced tea???
Sorry for the inconvenience,
I believe there has been no reinstallment for any of our fire extinguisher units recently. And considering that the last inspection was right before the winter break, whatever happened here afterwards, chances are it took place during the vacation, if that is even possible.
And yes, please proceed with the inspection. I will let the Principal know.
Regards,
Tim Marcoh
Staff, Head of the Laboratory
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Heymans Breda
From : Jean Havoc
Subject : Spring breeze had never felt this hot
Holy fuck bro, have you seen Ri’s outfit today? Mustang’s gonna regret this for his entire life if he missed the view!
Covertly admiring that suave thigh from afar,
Jean Havoc
Coach’s Aide, Physical Education
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Jean Havoc
From : Heymans Breda
Subject : Re: Spring breeze had never felt this hot
(You just never learn from past mistakes, huh?)
Beware. Ms. Armstrong could bust your nut. I bet she could do no less.
Can’t find myself disagree, though. Just make sure you don’t get caught by anyone. I mean anyone—that guy could set your ass on fire and make it looked like a small lab accident.
Heymans Breda
Teacher, Mathematics
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Roy Mustang, Tim Marcoh
From : Buccaneer
Subject : Re: Re: Who on their right mind refilled the chem lab’s fire extinguisher with expired lemonade iced tea???
Right away, Sirs.
Buccaneer
Staff, Head of Security Personnels
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Alex Louis Armstrong
From : Maes Hughes
Attachment : Elysia_photos_collaged .jpeg
Subject : Permission request for not attending your class
After a looong day of works, at last, I present you, A COLLAGE OF ELYSIA’S PHOTO COLLECTIONS! LOOK AT HOW CUTE SHE IS, ALEX!! Thee art mine life, mine every breath, little angel.
Anyway, I’m requesting permission for one of my homeroom student:
Windsor, Amadea (class of 2015)
for not being able to attend your P.E classes at least for the next two weeks due to an unfortunate accident leaving her with sprained ankle. In the mean time, could you give her written assignments instead? Thanks, Alex.
Which reminds me, have you seen Roy this morning? I know he will be busy in the lab today, but he’s not one to miss Sciezka’s Free-Brunch-Wednesday especially when quiches are involved!
I’m gonna spend the rest of the day being stuck here in my desk grading the kids’ essays. So if you managed to meet him, please inform him that today, for the first time in forever, Rizzie wore a high-slit pencil skirt to work today—bet you my monthly paycheck that he’d be way more than elated.
My heart belongs to Gracia Hughes but—deeeemn dude, those long, slender legs.
P.s The gossips regarding your sister are getting out of hand! I mean knocking Jean Havoc out in one kick? Come on!
Gracia’s hot hubby,
Maes Hughes
Teacher, English Literature
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Knox
From : Alphonse Elric
Subject : Medicication Request from Mr. Mustang
Good afternoon, Doctor Knox. I am Alphonse Elric from Mr. Heymans Breda’s class.
I was making my way to the boy’s restroom when I saw Mr. Mustang rushing to one of the stalls with drenched outfit and massive nosebleed. Miss Riza, whom he had been talking to only a few seconds before, admitted that she knew nothing beside his unfortunate water sprayer incident. He also won’t tell me the cause of his nosebleed, and told me to contact you instead to ask for some medications for him.
Does it have something to do with his beet-red face, Doctor? Since I did not see any signs of head trauma nor recent rigorous physical activity.
Best regards,
Alphonse Elric
Student, Class of 2017
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Alphonse Elric
From : Knox
Subject : Re: Medicication Request for Mr. Mustang
There’s no cure for his current nosebleed. Just tell him to shove some fabrics up his damn nostrils and stop thinking of inappropriate images of a certain coworker of him.
Coincidentally, your brother is here in my room. You might want to pay this brat a visit and give him a long-ass lecture as well.
Knox
Staff, Physician
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Edward Elric
Cc : Maria Ross
From : Riza Hawkeye
Subject : Detention Notice
The student Edward Elric will be detained during the lunch break on March 8 from 12:00 p.m until 12:45 p.m for the following reason(s):
- Mocking someone based on their racial features
- Being engaged in a physical fight resulting in mild injuries for both parties
Signed,
Riza Hawkeye
Teacher, Biology
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Ling Yao
Cc : Maria Ross
From : Riza Hawkeye
Subject : Detention Notice
The student Ling Yao will be detained during the lunch break on March 8 from 12:00 p.m until 12:45 p.m for the following reason(s):
- Intensely mocking someone based on their physical features
- Being engaged in a physical fight resulting in mild injuries for both parties
- Trespassing into the Curtis’ kitchen, consuming half of the prepared pasta and taking the rest of it home on Monday, March 6th 2017 (evidences were collected during the ongoing thorough inspection by the security personnels)
Signed,
Riza Hawkeye
Teacher, Biology
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Lan Fan
Cc : Maria Ross
From : Riza Hawkeye
Subject : Detention Notice
The student Lan Fan will be detained during the lunch break on March 8 from 12:00 p.m until 12:45 p.m for the following reason(s):
Encouraging a physical fight by being actively involved in it
Signed,
Riza Hawkeye
Teacher, Biology
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Riza Hawkeye
From : Maria Ross
Subject : Re: Detention Notice
Things are getting out of hand. Got a plan in mind?
Just got summoned to the Principal’s room for the first time in months,
Maria Ross
Teacher, School Guidance Counselor
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Riza Hawkeye
From : Eugene Grumman
Subject : To my beautiful granddaughter
My precious Queen Rizzie,
You know I support every choices you make in life, as long as you’re happy with it. That includes not majoring in organic chemistry (much to your father’s dismay), living on your own, and also teaching in the school I lead.
It saddens me to say this, but today, I couldn’t say I approve your choice of articles of clothing. Sure, they are still within the rules, and your friend Rebecca had been wearing even more revealing outfits for more than I care to count. It’s not that you look horrible in them, Honey—it’s the exact opposite. And such thing could make us men delighted, in a certain way. But no, when it comes to you, I am anything but delighted.
In the future, could you please do your old grandpa a favor and avoid wearing such clothing at all cost, both within and outside work environment?
Because I am the principal. And you will do as I say.
Lots of love,
Eugene Grumman
Principal
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Solf Z. Kimblee
From : King Bradley
Subject : Warning
Is there any reason for you skipping works for two days in a row without any notification? Are you that eager to become jobless?
King Bradley
Staff, Head of Administrative Affairs
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Alphonse Elric
From : Riza Hawkeye
Subject : Introduction
Hello, Alphonse.
I’m sure I had entered your class once before, but in case you forget, I will introduce myself first. My name is Riza Hawkeye, and I teach biology. I got your mail address from Mr. Breda, your homeroom teacher.
Don’t worry, Alphonse. I only write to tell you that I would like to discuss a few things with you regarding… your brother.
Could you please meet me after school at the teachers’ room on the third floor? My desk is at the far left (if your back is facing the hall) near the windows.
Thank you very much.
Regards,
Riza Hawkeye
Teacher, Biology
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Alex Louis Armstrong
From : Olivier Mira Armstrong
Subject : All those East City chickens are getting under my skin
Now I understand your reason for being the family’s disgrace despite having the same blood as mine running through your veins. Surrounded by these idiots doesn’t come without consequences after all.
First, that guy from the Administration Affairs who thought it was funny to joke on my first name since it is, apparently, a ‘masculine name of French origin’. If that means my name is way more masculine than the unmanly squeak he let out as I slammed his desk, I’m fine with it.
Grumman’s far-fetched goofiness is not something I like to deal with, but his secretary—Cataline? Caitlyn?—is way worse. Someone’s got to teach her proper manners to interact with someone who’s her senior by a couple of years. How did she make it to that position, anyway? Or does that old man got a disgusting affinity to low-cut blouses?
Don’t even make me start on that fuckin blond whose mouth was uglier than his face. Boy had to be reminded that his balls are not big enough to approach a stranger that way. I just wasted my two minutes I could better use for breathing peacefully yesterday.
Also that bespectacled technician who won’t let me have my bandwith yet. If only he worked faster and stop saying that lame you-just-arrived-here-today-ma’am-there’s-no-way-I-can-set-it-up-for-you-in-less-than-a-day excuse while trembling visibly as he entried my data, I would’ve had it by now. Using my smartphone for internet makes me less productive than normal.
I kinda see that old man’s reason to transfer me here—so that the accreditation board (mainly ran by the Armstrongs, yes) will ignore the fact that his school is lagging behind. Behind the North, at least.
And the worst of all—I now have to share an office with that guy? You heard my story about when I was one of the board’s members in the last triennial accreditation. The one where I got into a heated argument with a Xingese-looking teacher. Heck, I can’t even recall what we were arguing over—what I remember is his displayed ‘politeness’ during the bargaining. It was a fckn accreditation, Alex. And he conceitedly tried to make a concession. Do I also have to remind you that he did NOT do it the ‘clean’ way? Well maybe his ‘charismatic’ smile could woo most girls whose brains are smaller than their compact powder cases—but for me? It only made me want to punch him in the jaw. His smug face had been contaminating my mind ever since—and now I also have to learn that his name is Roy Mustang. And share a goddamn teacher’s room with him.
Summary: Stop making me ashamed by telling people that we’re siblings. I’d rather keep that one as low-key as possible.
Olivier Mira Armstrong
Teacher, Dutch Literature
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
Sent from mobile
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To : Maria Ross
From : Denny Brosh
Subject : I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, I just happened to be there
Do you know that Ms. Riza could be so… persuasive? I was collecting some files from the teachers’ room and accidentally (well not so accidental, I did do my job slower on purpose) overheard her conversation with a freshman. Didn’t get what they’re talking about, tho. I just knew that Edward was involved. Are they trying to blackmail that kid? Heaven knows.
Anyway, I have done making the recaps of last year’s senior students’ grades. Would you like me to print it out for you or just the softcopy will be fine?
At your service,
Denny Brosh
Staff, Administrative Affairs
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To : Rebecca Catalina
From : Riza Hawkeye
Subject : Your skirt gave me more trouble than Edward did
See? I told you it would be better for me to wear that you-so-called ‘boring’ trousers!
Riza Hawkeye
Teacher, Biology
East Amestris Senior High School | 75 Sycamore Lane, East City
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To be continued
Yes, Mustang’s infatuation to the biology teacher is something that everyone knows. He’s only too afraid to admit that to himself lol.
Pretty sure each places have their own rules, but here in my place, that kind of relationship between civilian coworkers is allowed as long as they are not placed in the same ‘unit’ or structural positions that would allow them to practice favoritism (for example, in fact, some of my college lecturers are married to each others). Of course I don’t mean to paint every places white with this, but let’s just assume that here, in East Amestris Senior High School, such thing is not against the rule! XD I do apologize if there’s anybody bothered with this matter…
Aaaand also this fic got more royai I initially planned. Should I apologize for that, too, being a royai trash I am?
Starting a fic is a thing. Keeping it interesting for several chapters is a whole different challenge. Your thoughts would be very appreciated for my improvements—reviewreviewreview! Do tell me if there’s any character you find OOC, or too inappropriate, or such.
