#also me: no royai for two chapters

[scienceoftheidiot]

Tag game for fanfiction authors !

I was tagged by both @the-blue-eyed-firebender and @lassusog, thank you so much to both of you !!

The story you're proudest of: 

I have two in mind, but I will be talking about the other one later, and I want to talk about a finished one. I’m incredibly proud of us, @qs63 and myself, for “My own worst friend and my own closest enemy” (does it surprise anyone that I am the one who chose the title? BTW fun fact, it comes from the same song as my username). I’m proud of us for  writing a four hands fic relatively seamlessly, and managing to get to the end of it in a relatively short time. It was a blast from start to finish, and I’m also glad it seems to still get love a year after we finished publishing. Bonus, it’s still very fun to re-read for me because I only wrote 50% of it so I don’t remember everything and I get surprised every time haha. We managed to make a fic that also delves into character study for both BH and 03 Roy and Riza, and that was INCREDIBLY FUN. Best time. 

Your story that's gotten the most love online:

We don’t talk about failures Murdocks Never Quit in this house so let’s talk about one I’m actually proud of (at least I did learn from my mistakes). Besides, it seems to have gotten that much insane love without me even knowing or being told it so uh. Nevermind. That just couldn't work, could it.

Of course since it’s a very long fic with multiple chapters the one which has received the most love is All the hope (not that people read more long fics but statistically more people are exposed to it thanks to the new chapters updates), which I am very proud and insanely happy about, because at first I wasn’t even planning to publish it. And now I’m gladly on the way to finish this monster of a fic and already planning the second part. Go figure XD but I am so so grateful for everyone who has given a chance to it and for those who keep on reading. Extra bonus for you who leave all these detailed comments at each chapters, all of you, you have no idea how you’ve kept me afloat all year. And kept/keep me writing. All the love for you. Thank you so much. 

Tease a current WIP or idea you're working on: 

I’m already thinking of what I could do once I’m done publishing All the hope, and I have some WIPs lying around. The most developed one has already been partially written, and I’m considering trying to start posting it with a long delay between chapters, to allow me to work on multiple things at once. Not sure it’s a good idea, though. This one, some of my followers might know about, has for working name “1923”, and explores the lives of the Roy and Riza of OUR universe that we don’t get to see in Conqueror of Shamballa. I couldn’t NOT have fun with sending Roy into WW1, I mean, ME. SENDING CHARACTERS INTO WW1? HOW SURPRISING. I even managed to find a historically accurate way to send Riza to war without making a nurse out of her (which. No. No nurse Riza for me, unless you count her nursing Roy back to health)(of course, who do you think I am, you know what I write). There’s of course all the other characters that pop up here and there. And yes of course this is 100% Royai lol (UPDATE : I don't know what possessed me. It's a Royai fic alright. However. There are surprises in it. If I don't mention that I know someone will come and kill me with her bare hands. Lol. Royai with a twist I guess?)

Your top 3 fandoms:

I don’t know if I can count FMA 03 and Brotherhood/manga as different fandoms lol so FMA, Daredevil (comics or show, but they ARE different characters)(I'm more of a comics Matt lover, to everyone's surprise), and Ripper Street (everyone watch Ripper Street please and you will thank me after wanting to kill me). 

Your top 3 ships:

Royai, Havoroyai (didn’t specify I can’t have OT3), Havoroy yes there is a pattern here.

Wait was I supposed to talk about different fandoms? Then Matt/Karen and Edmund/his hat (and anyone who would be willing to give some love to this disaster of a man). 

Rec someone else's fic:

Your Warmth Against My Scars by @lassusog. Just. It’s just so good. Perfect angst, perfect characterisation, and so, so, so good on all parts I just can’t seem to find the words and it makes me insane. Read it if you haven’t already, re-read it if you have, which is what I’m planning to do. 

Pick one!

Fluff or Angst (or both, they gotta earn the fluff)

Oneshots or longfics

Canon compliance or canon divergence

AO3 or FF.net

I tag @qs63, @wellbehaveddolphin, I think all the other royai people have been tagged already ? My memory is Swiss cheese so if you haven't and you see this, please do it. And I'll extend to @mabonetsamhain, @residentdormouse, @littleragondin and @riotbrrrd :)

[tare-anime]

Fullmetal Alchemist

Welp, finally I read this manga.

So very late, yes I know, but this and that happened and I've finally able to binge read this amazing 10 years work (2001-2010) in a little more than a week.

Tbh, the first book was mostly world building and kind of slow paced, but starting from the last half of second book.... I can't stop reading.

Wow. Just wow.

As a reader who usually has to wait a week or two between each chapter, being able to read a series from start to finish in a week is quite a different experience, tbh 🤣🤣 I need two days to take a breath and comprehend the story. There must be details that I missed that I need to reread.

Overall, the highlight of this series is the impecabble characterizations and the growth of each character, and character dynamics.

And not only Ed and Al as protagonists, or Winry, Roy, Izumi as the closest support characters but also the people around them up until the minorest characters. I love Scar, Barry the Chopper, the Homonculus, and even the main antagonist Shadow in the flask.

All of them get their moments to shine. All of them got their share of development, and most important, all of them got to do something in the plot!

The world building and plot also been done amazingly. From the current timeline, up until events in the past, and all loose ends being tied up in the end that give me the most satisfactory endings. It is still an open ending, but at the same time the epilogue feels enough.

And of course, this manga contains so many amazing female characters, and each one of them is so badass. They have their strength and weakness and impact to the people around them.

My favorites mommies.... Izumi Curtiz and Olivier Armstrong.

OmG!!!! Especially in these badass moments??? 🛐🛐🛐🛐 My Queeeennn!

Of course, I will always love black haired beauty with knives. LanFan my beloved 💖💖💖💖

And last but not least, Granny Pinnako!

I mean, this person has been there, and will always be there through sweet moments and sorrows. Supporting Trisha and Hohenheim, Ed and Al, Winry. She stands strong for them. She is there when these people needs some strong hands to steady their wobbly legs. And pushes them to carry on with their life.

That is.... one amazing woman right there!!

As far as pairing ships, being a TwiYor fan I am, I've always been bombarded with Royai fanarts (and I'm not complaining). Yes, I noticed the tragic pasts, the relationship, and how supportive Royai can be (and it is quite similar to TwiYor in a way), but I think for FMA, I lean more to Ed and Winry ship.

Don't get me wrong, I love both ships.

But seeing Ed and Winry grow from little boy and girls, do their share of hardships, realize their feelings, and finally voice their awkward proposal. Auugghhh!!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

My favorite moments for these ships are:

Yes yes, I will still love angst and hurt/comfort whenever I go 🤣🤣🤣

Oh, other ships that I like: LanFan and Lin, Izumi and Sig, May and Alphonse, Mr and Mrs. Hughes.

All in all, what an amazing series. I'm glad I finally able to read this 🥰🥰🥰🥰 and will do a reread while waiting for the next spy x family chapter.

[quiet-nocturne]

wip wednesday!

This is from one of my current royai wips that's *technically* a Christmas fic... but it is past Christmas and I am not done yet. 🙈 I'm aiming to have it published before New Year's.

It's a Christmas, get-together, snugglefucking, fluffy, hurt/comfort fic. Or at least that's the plan/what I want to write, lol. I also want to touch on Roy/Riza having a hard time with the transition from coworkers to partners, what to call each other, cute but awkwardness, etc...

In the fic, Riza slips and hits her head (and gets a nasty concussion). Roy takes care of her and then... basically doesn't leave her apartment lol. Below is from the beginning of the fic:

Anyway! Sorry I missed last week's wip / haven't posted chapter 2 of hopeless, breathless, burning slow (which will be posted in a day or two!). I had a super weird flu (viral throat infection? idk - it wasn't covid or strep) which basically knocked me out for two weeks and then I had to catch up on Christmas stuff. But now I'm feeling better, and I'm still here and as obsessed with royai as always. 💖

[dearreader]

hi it's me again (gift exchange anon), so sorry for the delay I kept meaning to follow up but you know how it is 😭

I'm lowkey invested in royai now, you're telling me that they never went canon? also what musicians other than taylor and fob do you like 👀

omg hi! it’s okay i’m so bad at responding lol.

but so royai, they’re not explicitly canon. but arakawa. the author, put a lot of details in that implies more is going on and their relationship is very deep. there’s a detail that rizas grandfather is general grumman, a mentor to roy in the military (also note rizas dad was roy’s alchemy mentor when they were growing up), and at one point before roy is transferred to central along with the rest of team mustang, general grumman asks roy to repay him by making his GRANDDAUGHTER the future first lady of amestris since roy’s plan is to become the fuhrer. roy says not to jump the gun. there’s details of roy ahd riza have a secret way of communicating that we do see when riza is transferred to work with fuhrer king bradley, cause roy was being to nosy so bradley said BACK OFF and relocated his entire team but kept riza as a hostage to get him to play nice (royai assigned divorce by the fuhrer) and roy responded by staging a coup on the government (he did this for multiple reasons. i’m making a joke), at one point roy calls riza after he buys a shit ton of flowers (don’t ask it’s a joke/plot relevant) and he hears something in her tone that makes him ask “WHATS WRONG?” (riza was just threatened by pride, again these two aren’t the main characters and there’s so much explanation im glossing over) and she responds with nothing but mentions to her dog that “he always knows what to say when i’m down” (or something along those lines, my manga is upstairs and i’m not walking up to grab it now so bare with me), during a bonus chapter that’s canon we see roy go on one of his “dates” with his informant (he has a womanizer facade and goes on dates with woman that gather intel and they’re implied to work for roy’s paternal aunt/foster mother who runs a brothel/informant buisness WHO HERSELF HAS CONNECTIONS TO GENERAL GRUMMAN, AGAIN RIZAS GRANDFATHER) and in this chapter he’s noted as being lazy (also apart of his facade but i like to headcanon him as having adhd like me anc this chapter is something i like to use) but he is notoriously known for not doing or finishing work but he finishes EVERYTHING in time to leave on time to go on his date BUT THEN RIZA WALTZ IN with a huge ass stack of papers that would take him hours to get through and says he needs to finish it all before leaving MEANING HE’D MISS HIS DATE but roy (in true adhd fashion) powers through it in like 15 minutes and goes on the date then riza goes down to the rifle range and instead of taking her training rifle takes her actual one and shoots the targets (implying she’s taking her frustrations out, i didn’t know how to phrase that. bare with me im tired), riza says she’ll shoot roy in the back if he ever starts from his goal of restoring peace and democracy (this is where the ICONIC “i’d follow you into hell if you ask me to” comes in) to the country and during a confrontation where she THREATENS HIM WITH DOING IT he asks what SHE’D do if she shot him (basically trying to call her bluff) but she then flat out says that if she shoots him she’ll kill herself after the smoke had settled on that day (it’s the promised day) and he comes down from his fucking insanity DISARMS himself by taking off his gloves and lowers her gun and apologizes to her, then like thirty minutes later the bad guys are like “hey roy, you need to do human transmutation to be a sacrifice. so do it.” and he’s like “no.” SO THEY SLICE RIZAS THROAT and say “okay, do it or she fucking dies” AND THIS GUY US SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING IT BUT DOESNT CAUSE RIZA GLARES AT HIM WHILE BLEEDING OUT AND LATER HE SAYS LIKE “i’ve known you long enough to know that look. ‘if you do human transmution, i’ll shoot you’” (riza also says to the doctor who’s saying she’ll die that “i won’t die, im under strict orders not to die.” BECAYSE EARLIER ROY SAID THEIR ORDERS WERENT TO DIE!),

(had to start a new paragraph cause apparently there’s a paragraph limit on tumblr???) BUT THEN ROY IS FORCED THROUGH THE PORTAL OF TRUTH AND LOSES HIS EYESIGHT SO DURING THE FINAL BATTLE WHERE HES SHOOTING FIRE HE IS HOKDING ONTO RIZA WHO IS ALSO HOLDING ONTO HIM CAUSE THEYRE BOTH INJURED AND SHES HIS LITERAL EYESIGHT AND TELLING HIM WHERE TO SHOOT CAUSE SHE TRUSTS HIM RHAT FUCKING MYCH AND *screams*

but yeah, they don’t end up together canonically because when someone asked arakawa if they’d get married, or something like that, she says “i can’t have them be married because then they couldn’t be surpior/subordinate.” which is insane if her to say cause she’s never not phrased them in a way like “they’re not together” but like “they can’t be together officially”. so they’re not canon but they’re heavily implied as canon and are, i think, the most popular ship for the show on ao3 (actively going out of my way to help but am being stopped by my depression/constanly being fucking tired)

but for artists it’s mainly just what everyone else here listens to! maisie, olivia, gracie, sabrina, grace enger, also have been getting into chappell roan and muna recently!!!!

[letters-to-rosie]

(I know you're already tagged, but here's mine anyway) Fanwork creators self rec! When you get this, reply with your five favorite fics/art/podfics/etc. that you've made, then pass on to others. Let’s spread the self-love 🌼

lol yeah I was gonna do it since I got the tag from @lullabyes22-blog but I will consider myself double-tagged

I only have 8 works on my ao3 lol let's go

bloom (Arcane; Caitlyn/Vi) CaitVi, 750 words, short and to the point. I like this one because I wrote it in like 20 minutes and it really did come out nice. Also, there is a pun, and what can be more me

Guardian Revisited (Fullmetal Alchemist Manga/Brotherhood; Lan Fan/Ling) Also a very quick write. There's just so much potential for yearning with this ship. They're like RoyAi but somehow even more emotionally stunted. Anyway, I think this one came out pretty. It makes me happy to read.

The Fire Next Time (Arcane; Ekko-centric, background Caitlyn/Vi) This is the story I started writing pretty much right after I watched Arcane, though I didn't post it for some months after. I was just feeling really emotional about Ekko lol and how much he must've been through. I was also reading James Baldwin at the time, hence the title lol. While it doesn't really get too deep into the politics, I think the relationship between Ekko and Jinx came out well, and since Ekko willingness to look out for her after everything is the heart of the story, I think it works.

talk revolution to me (Arcane; role-swapped Jinx/Ekko) The big one. It just keeps growing. I don't know. Anyway, after doing The Fire Next Time, I wanted to keep exploring political themes in the setting. I also happened to be wondering at the same time if a role-swap between these two was possible (because we all saw the Mush art okay), and I decided to put those ideas together. I do think it's been lagging a little, but in general it's actually pretty good. I'm working on my self-esteem this year. I can say that, right? Well anyway, I'm really glad a lot of people have found and loved it, and I'm extra glad people really love Powder. It's a lot of fun letting her be the hero of her own story and watching her grow, and the audience participation in terms of helping me write has been a blast.

heir (ap)pparent (Arcane; role-swapped Jinx/Ekko) So where the big story is Powder's, this is Ekko's bonus content story. It all started because I was having such a hard time writing him that I needed to experiment getting in his head, and here we are. I've said it before and I'll say it again lol writing a role-swapped Ekko is a pain in the ass. He's probably the hardest POV character I've ever written, but since the main story is over on Powder's side, I really get to just play around in these chapters and that is certainly very fun. Definitely pushes me to grow as a writer, and I'm having a lot of fun with the prose and style.

okay tag time @shokuto (wanna see your fave pieces) @jackalmeat (dude I didn't even realize you were an artist until we'd been mutuals for a while plz share art lol) @typewriteringalaxy (really curious as to your faves) @hungryistrying (same; also curious as to what your faves are)

also I did this q&a tag yesterday lol if anyone wants to see it

[iztopher]

🎵for joanlock, royriza, and galahadrhen (Teijalahad excluded because I know you have a whole playlist for them, but you can answer for them too if you like hehe)

EEEE thank u for the ask!! sorry to answer it like two weeks late!!

joan & sherlock:

Apocalyptic Love Song (For Hitchens) - Shelley Segal (youtube) "Yes I understand that my whole life is just the blink of an eye / in the history of the Earth and with each day that passes by / but this moment that I'm with you / it feels like time has stood still / it feels someone how like it matters / and that it always will" a to the point love song jam-packed with natural science references, finding nihilism beautiful rather than bleak.

Curses - The Crane Wives (youtube) "Every word I say is kindling / but the smoke clears when you're around / won't you stay with me, my darling / when my walls start burning down, down, down?" If I was making an actual mix I'd spend more time looking for a song that conveys the same idea without being this exact one, but I'm not, so. Feels like a good song to convey the relationship of sober companion turned platonic life partner

Mountain and the Sea - Ingrid Michaelson (youtube) "I will grow my own trees / while you follow the moon / I feel you in my knees / say you'll come in soon / you can move me if you want to / you can move a mountain, you can move a mountain" Joan finding a new direction through her life via working and living with Sherlock and also "I'm so glad I fell into your orbit" & the whole sense of his influence on her life being this massive, larger than life force. also gotta love a love song where the person being sung to is referred to as "my darling friend"

Plastic - Moses Sumney (youtube) "I know what it is to be broken and be bold / tell you that my silver is gold / though we're much too old for make believe / and I know what it's like to behold and not be held" Obligatory song from Aromanticism. I interpret this song as kind of untangling putting on airs of the type of person you are and feelings you have, even though that's hurt you before in the past, and now being honest with someone. which I think rings really true for these two, who spend a lot of time either working through what they want (in Joan's case) or refusing to express it (in Sherlock's)

royai I did over here!!!

and then Rhen and Galahad. If I had Rhen and Galahad songs you would know. Part of the reason it took me so long to answer is because I was putting off admitting that I just have One, Seashore by The Regrettes (credit to ishti for putting it on their rhenegade mix for the galahad chapter):

"You're talkin' to me like I'm hurt / at least I'm not six feet in the dirt / and I'll still kick your ass even in my skirt / you're talkin' to me like a child / but I'm not a helpless baby / not waitin' on you to come save me"

i also one time made a joke that the rhen and galahad dynamic is rhen being like "can someone tell this guy i didn't hire a babysitter" while galahad is imagining a king and lionheart amv in his head but that's more a joke than an actual saying that song fits

[firewoodfigs]

chapter 4 of a slow unravelling is up ^_^ 

read on ao3 

some farewells are eternal, others temporal 

At age thirteen, Roy Mustang’s world was made up of thick, complicated books, pesky friends who bugged him to fix things for them and sisters who praised him for the little trinkets he transmuted, for this was the nature of most young alchemists learning to be proficient in the art. And while he enjoyed every glorious minute of it, he was admittedly starting to get restless, as most boys his age would from being trapped in a routine. For the most part, though, Roy was content to deal with it quietly - patience was a virtue alchemists had to master, after all - and so he tried to view these mundane days in Central as honing his craft, as delusional as it might have been.

It therefore came as no surprise that he immediately jumped at the opportunity to be shipped off to some unknown town for months - years, even, because the prospect of breaking out of said routine was both terrifying and exhilarating all at once, and Roy had always been the naive, adventurous sort of young lad anyway.

“You in there, Roy-boy?”

“Yes! What’s up, Aunt Chris?” Roy piped up in his squeaky, prepubescent voice as she opened the door. His aunt waltzed into his bedroom, frowning in disapproval when she noticed the books strewn around everywhere in a mess. He smiled sheepishly, but noted that her eyes were slightly red-rimmed - whether from alcohol or from crying, he wasn’t sure, but he took it as his cue to start cleaning up a little (or at least pretend to).

“I have a proposal,” she began. He peered up at her curiously from a particularly dusty tome. “How’d you like to learn alchemy under a certain Berthold Hawkeye?”

Roy’s eyes widened. Though his mouth was open, words eluded him and he didn’t quite know how to react to such shocking, yet exciting news. “I suppose that’s a yes?”

“Yes, yes! Of course!” he grinned from ear to ear, the thought of finally having a master sending him giddy with enthusiasm.

But suddenly he remembered: hadn’t that girl with the awful punch and her mother come from the countryside all those years ago? “Doesn’t he live quite far away from Central, though?”

“That’s right. They live in Tobha, so you’ll be staying with them during your apprenticeship.” Roy pouted glumly. “Oh, don’t look so down, boy,” Christmas said, although her heart clenched traitorously at the thought of sending her precious nephew away. “You can come back and visit anytime. And this is too good of an opportunity to let slip, no?”

He nodded thoughtfully. It was a golden opportunity, and the sudden offer was like an answered prayer.

“Then get packing, Roy-boy. We’ll leave in a few days.” As soon as she uttered those words and left, Roy set about packing immediately, excitement rushing through his veins at the thought of a new beginning.

~x~

On the other hand, Riza’s disdain towards alchemy only grew stronger as the days passed after her mother’s death. The incident that solidified her resolve to stave off alchemy was when she’d brought up the delicate topic of human transmutation to her father at her mother’s grave - something she’d only come across once in her life when her mother had tried to teach her alchemy, but never dared to try.

It turned out to be the most unwise decision, if her father’s rage was any indication to go by. The ultimate taboo, he’d called it. Sacrilegious - she didn’t understand what that word meant, but it must have been something bad. He had simply said that it ‘trespassed the territory of God’ and left it at that.

Riza’s father had never struck her as a religious man, though, so this only aggravated her confusion. Nevertheless, she learnt to never bring it up again, and though she was only all of ten she’d already come to learn that no amount of praying or wishing would bring her beloved mother back.

For the most part, therefore, she spent her days with her sobs and books and sniffles in the isolated quietness of her room. Once or twice, her father might have tried to console her, but his cold, callused hand was unlike her mother’s warm, loving one and provided little comfort.

Occasionally, she would leave the house for the grocer’s with the meagre lot of money her father left behind on the table. But interacting with the townsfolk, Riza found, only worsened the loneliness she felt. Though condolences were offered and sympathies were strewn around, as if distributing some kind of largesse, they were but meaningless platitudes that did nothing to quell the ache in her heart.

She’d come to realise, soon enough, that she very much preferred solitude to company. Unfortunately, her father had informed her that he had another apprentice on the way, and while she’d been terrorised by the previous one she suppressed her fear and simply agreed noncommittally over dinner when he’d asked her to pick them up upon their arrival.

Sighing, Riza sat on the battered swing in their backyard, clutching onto the loosening ropes tightly - as if doing so would preserve whatever was left of her childhood innocence - wishing her mother was still around to play with her and protect her from whatever monsters lurked around in their home.

~x~

“Call. Write. Visit.” Vanessa said sharply, already feeling Roy’s absence. Not that she would ever admit out loud that she was going to miss him: he could be a total pain in the ass, as all brothers were prone to being.

She stepped back to admire her handiwork once more before he boarded the train. Vanessa had taken it upon herself to dress Roy up for his departure and successfully transformed him into a clean, refined boy instead of the scruffy heathen that he generally was, and felt rather proud of the end result.

Roy grinned, not missing her hidden message. “I’m gonna miss you too,” and he reached out to mess with her splendid curls.

She grumbled. “Not the hair!” Roy laughed and hopped onto the train quickly with his aunt before she could get her revenge.

“I’ll see you soon!” He waved excitedly to Vanessa and his other sisters as the train began to depart Central.

Roy sank into the squeaking, rather uncomfortable seat with his aunt, opting for chips and soda for a midway snack while Christmas politely declined.

The thought of having to stand before Victoria’s grave already made her queasy, and she doubted she would be able to stomach anything much.

“Are you okay, auntie?”

“Yeah,” she replied, a weak smile gracing her tired features.

Roy remained unconvinced. His aunt clearly looked bothered, and it hadn’t just been this afternoon. “It’s just…” she paused, massaging her temples a little. “Do you remember Victoria?” Roy nodded.

Christmas sighed. It was hard to explain the concept of death to a thirteen-year-old, but Roy was no ordinary boy. Having lost his parents at such a young age he was well-acquainted with the concept, and in any case he’d studied enough alchemy to understand that the dead didn’t come back from their grave. “She… she died a couple of weeks ago, Roy.”

And suddenly, it clicked. Roy was well capable of taking care of himself despite his relatively tender age, and while he was not the most skilful cook around he would have honestly content to survive on country loaf and a quenched thirst for knowledge.

It wasn’t so much sending him off, as much as it was sending Victoria - the lady he thought he might have bumped into once more in Tobha - off. A chance for her to say her last goodbyes.

“I’m sorry, auntie,” he whispered, leaning over to give her a loose hug as she combed her fingers through his hair.

“I’m okay, boy. Just… make sure you work hard and study well, hm?” Roy nodded vigorously. “And one more thing. Take good care of her daughter, will you?”

Roy flushes in embarrassment, nose wrinkling at the unpleasant memory of the last time he’d met that girl.

Nonetheless, he relents. Anything to make Aunt Chris feel better.

~x~

By the time they arrived the sky was a pretty palette of turquoise and purple, white clouds streaking across delicately like gossamer ribbons. Unhindered by the influx of tall buildings that were Central’s trademark, one could easily see the flickering stars paying a routine prelude to the evening-time that was dawning upon Tobha.

Roy paused for a moment to admire the raffish charm of the rustic countryside, and as he did so he caught a whiff of  coffee and bananas welcoming him from the small bakery nestled inconspicuously at the corner of the train station. Despite the countryside’s beauty, though, the atmosphere felt more melancholic than peaceful, and this much was certainly reinforced by the mournful contrition buried within his aunt’s frown.

He reached over to squeeze his aunt’s hand tightly, wishing he could console her somehow.

Some farewells were temporary, like theirs, but others were permanent. Roy knew, from the grief splayed across her face in shades of grey, that a part of herself had dived down six feet under and died with her as well - an eternal farewell, a final ode to her short and enigmatic life.

“Thanks, Roy. Let’s go - wouldn’t want to keep a girl waiting.” Christmas raised her chin to draw Roy’s attention to the scrawny girl seated at the rugged bench on the other end of the train station.

His aunt nudged him to go over to where she was seated, and as the distance between them gets closer Roy realises that her hair was now a lot shorter than he remembered (not that he had a crush on her or anything - it was just difficult to forget the face of the first girl who had punched him for trying to do something nice). It was now a rough, hewn mane, falling somewhere around her chin, and though he figured she would have sent a baleful glare his way by now she seemed lost in thought, sorrow resting on her shoulders like an unwanted shawl.

“Hello, Riza. Thank you for waiting for us,” Christmas tapped her lightly on her shoulder, breaking her out of her reverie. She stood immediately to bow, a little ashamed at herself for being so distracted.

“Not at all. Uh…” Riza scrambled for her name, trying to recall what her mother had called her all those years ago.

“Just call me Aunt Chris, Riza. And this is my nephew - if you remember?”

“Roy Mustang,” he offered with the friendliest smile he could muster, but her propensity to respond with an odd mix of distance and disdain still remained intact after all those years - to him, at least.

“Um, yes. Sorry about that,” Riza says to his aunt, averting her gaze from his. “Shall we go?”

The trio walked together in companionable silence, Riza maintaining a distance from the both of them as she shrank into herself. Roy thought she looked no older than ten, but there was a certain air of maturity - the kind that was forged from hardship and turmoil - around her that didn’t sit well with him.

“Ah, Riza - was it?” came the unfamiliar voice of a stranger halfway through their journey. “I’m sorry about your loss, your mother was a great person,” he offered, but though sympathy laced his condolence there was a sort of half-heartedness to it.

“Thank you,” Riza murmured listlessly as she continued to move ahead.

Roy wondered how many times the girl had heard these senseless platitudes by now. Guilt lingered on the tip of his tongue as he ambled along, unsure of how to comfort the younger girl. Ordinarily, he would have opted for giving his sisters a hug or something along the lines, but they were very tactile and fond of his hugs. Riza, though, was anything but.

He cleared his throat awkwardly. “Hey… are you alright?”

What a dumb question - clearly she’s not.  

“Yes,” she replied, as if out of instinct. Of course she wasn’t going to divulge her feelings to someone she’d only been acquainted with for a grand total of a few hours. Roy kicked himself mentally, though he was thankful that his Aunt had declined to remark on his stupidity.

“On that note, Riza… could we stop by your mother’s grave first?”

“O-of course, Aunt Chris. It’s… it’s in our backyard, so it’s on the way.” They continued the journey in a relatively peaceful quiet.

~x~  

Roy was both awestruck and mortified by the weather-beaten mansion that stood before his eyes. It was big, isolated - unlike the cramped cluster of buildings he’d grown up surrounded by in Central - and reminded him a little of a haunted mansion. The bushy, unkempt backyard only served to reinforce his unease, but he wisely kept his mouth shut as they arrived before the lonely tombstone decorated with wilting carnations and peonies.

He’d only ever seen Victoria once, and so grief didn’t hit him as hard - if barely at all. But his heart certainly ached seeing the way devastation devoured his aunt and Riza; how it darkened their eyes with a gloomy, sullen grey like the clouds above them.

The sky rumbled faintly, and he felt the barest hint of a raindrop on his neck - once, twice - but he knew this was nothing compared to the weight pressing on their sunken shoulders.

Roy watched as his aunt closed her eyes wearily, inhaling the faint scent of sandalwood around them. Her eyes watered as she heaved, inexplicable grief consuming her. Quietly, he reached out to intertwine his stubby hands with her callused ones.

The girl, on the other hand, stood proudly with a somewhat impassive expression, but she was biting her lip - hard - to keep from crying out loud. Her bottom lip quivered, her body trembled, and Roy’s other hand intuitively went to rest on her shoulder in what he thought was a comforting gesture.

Except she flinched violently like he’d burnt her.

“Sorry,” they both apologised hurriedly at the same time. Immediately he retracted his hand and stepped away from her, wondering if he’d done something wrong.

Thunder rumbled in the distance, and Riza jumped. She tapped on Christmas’ shoulder lightly. “We should go inside before we get caught in the storm.” As soon as she said that rain began pelting down viciously, unwelcomingly, and so she ushered them into the kitchen through the back door.

“Father’s in his room, but I’m sure you’ll meet him tomorrow morning…” she whispered as she poured tea for them, the prospect of having to enter his temple only served to unsettle her already troubled frame of mind further.

“That’s quite alright, it’s already getting late,” Roy said as he rose to help her bring the cups over to the oaken dining table, taking extra care to avoid any kind of physical contact with her. Friendly, but not touchy… “Have you had dinner, by the way?”

Riza nodded shyly as she followed him back to the table, warming her fingers with her own cup of tea.

“Thank you, Riza,” Christmas hummed appreciatively at the soothing drink. “You’re probably sick of hearing apologies and condolences, so I’ll refrain from doing so...” Riza said nothing, only stared placidly at the table top as she fiddled with the hem of her plain black dress. “Although - how are you coping, child?”

“I’m… I’m fine, thank you,” she muttered quietly. The rain was beginning to subside into a light shower, but even then Roy found that it had the effect of almost drowning out her quiet voice.  

“Are you sure?”

Riza nodded, keeping her eyes trained on her cup.

Christmas sighed wistfully at the awareness that she, like her mother, was a stubborn one who would neither budge nor talk readily about matters of the heart. She decided to let it slide. “Alright… if you need anything just…” she paused, unsure of herself - she wished there was more she could have done for the girl, but  she had to return to Central soon. “Just call me, or let Roy know.”

Roy caught the meaningful look his aunt gave him and nodded imperceptibly. Though he wasn’t particularly fond of the girl he took his duty to be civil - friendly, even - to her very seriously, and growing up with a swarm of women around him had developed an almost innate desire in him to protect the opposite sex.

“O-okay. Thank you, Aunt Chris.”

“Not at all. Alright, I should probably get going.” The drizzle had stopped, and she’d finished her tea. “Thank you for picking us up and for the tea, Riza.” She reached over to pat Riza fondly on the head.

Riza blushed slightly before excusing herself to fetch an umbrella for the older woman.

“So soon, auntie?” Roy pouted. Please don’t leave me alone with this girl.  

“Yeah, wouldn’t want to miss the last train.” Christmas pulled her nephew into a suffocating hug despite his muffled protests. “Take care, you silly boy. And take care of Riza, too.”

He nodded solemnly just as Riza returned with a blue umbrella. “Here you go, Aunt Chris, in case it starts raining again.”

“Thanks, Riza. You’re very sweet.”

Red mottled her cheeks with renewed vigour, and she ducked slightly to hide it. It’d only been a couple of weeks since her mother’s passing, but already Riza felt like an eternity had passed since she’d been privy to such open, unfettered affection.  

Christmas bent down slightly to reach her eye level. “Take care, Riza. Don’t hesitate to contact me if my idiot nephew does anything stupid, or if he bothers you in any way.”

“Hey!” Roy sputtered indignantly. Riza couldn’t help but chuckle faintly at the offer, and nodded in acquiescence.

“Right. I’ll be making a move first, kids. See you all soon.” Riza led them to the front door with a small smile. She liked the woman - she was funny, and every sliver of roughness was accompanied by a niceness that showed itself to the observant.

“Bye,” they chorused.

The two children found themselves standing awkwardly beside each other after Christmas left.

To Roy’s surprise, it was Riza who broke the silence first. “I’ll… I’ll show you to your room.” She began walking wordlessly, placing a careful distance between them. Roy trailed behind her with his bag, a brief smile gracing his features as the recollection of doing the same in a quaint cake shop years ago came back to him.

Riza shuddered when they arrived at the room, the disconcerting memory of a dastardly apprentice hitting her like a pile of bricks. She swallowed, trying to convince herself that she could take out the weedy boy beside her if push came to shove. Or at the very least, punch him in the nose or complain to his aunt that he was being a nuisance.

“Are you alright?” Roy asked, for the second time that day.

“Yes. I’ll leave you to rest... Mr. Mustang.”

His nose wrinkled in disgust. That makes me sound like some kind of ancient... grandfather…  

Before he could protest, though, Riza had already scurried away, leaving him alone with his unspoken objection.

Roy sighed as he entered the room - it was surprisingly neat and empty, cleaned to sparkling perfection - and dropped his bag on the creaking, wooden floor before flopping on the bed.

It had been a long day. Roy wanted nothing more to sleep, but the ceiling overhead suddenly seemed infinitely interesting - the only companion to the thoughts flooding his adolescent brain.

Already, he felt himself missing his aunt and his sisters. Growing up surrounded by noise and chatter meant that he was unaccustomed to such quiet solitude, but he had a nagging feeling that this was the very nature of the Hawkeye manor, if the girl’s personality was any indication. She was painfully reserved, and he wasn’t quite sure how he was going to break the ice, much less take care of her like his aunt had tasked him to. Any attempt at conversation had been nothing short of pathetic, and he highly doubted that anything beyond acquaintanceship was even possible.

Roy didn’t sleep well that night. Worry addled his poor mind, and though he’d tried to distract himself with alchemical theories the sun was already beginning to rise when he cracked his eyes open again.

[jedidragonwarriorqueen]

2021 Year In Review

(stealing this format from a review I did for last year. It was a tag game I think but I’m too lazy to start that up. I say after writing all this out, haha.)

Top Five Films you watched in 2021:

Your Name, 2016 (the animation! The music! The angst! Ahhhhhhhh)

Dune, 2021 (absolutely stunning, cannot recommend enough, whether or not you’ve read the book)

Wolfwalkers, 2020 (I loved the first two films in the Irish Mythology trilogy and this one completely blew me away)

Black Widow, 2021 (found family, no romantic subplots which is practically unheard of, women kicking ass, and a canon ace character? Sign me tf up)

Weathering With You, 2019 (utterly adorable and I listened to The Great Escape afterwards on repeat for hours)

Top Five TV Shows in 2021:

The Dragon Prince (Yes, we’ve been on hiatus for like 2 years. No, I don’t care. I rewatched it enough times to count)

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (recommended by @starsinyourskyes in retaliation for getting her hooked on the Stormlight Archive. Well, it worked. I’m obsessed, and I am absolute Royai trash)

Derry Girls (recommend by @iwillhaveamoonbase and her plethora of Sister Michael gifs. I laughed, I cried, good times)

The Wheel of Time (Siuanraine for the WIN. Also we're getting Aviendha next season right? Right??)

Uhhhhhhhhhhh freespace lol

Top Five Songs/Albums in 2021:

The Best Is Yet To Come by Shepard

Sky Full Of Song by Florence and the Machine

Heaven Knows by Five for Fighting

War Paint by Fletcher

Paper Planes by Elina

Top Five Books of 2021:

Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson (deep breath) (incoherent screaming)

Educated by Tara Westover

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (so. Much. Fun)

Artemis by Andy Weir (A rec from @mountainsatellite ! Let Jazz Bashara have her own private bathroom 2k21)(it's funny bc it's set in the future)

Wintering by Katherine May

Top Five Fanfictions of 2021:

Homeward Bound by @numptypylon (The Dragon Prince, an ongoing slow-burn Rayllum modern AU. It’s got fluff, it’s got angst, it’s got hurt/comfort, it’s got Rayllum being dorks--the emotional bandwith is both deep and wide!!)

delicate by @lantur (FMA, a Riza Hawkeye character study spanning from pre-canon childhood to well post-canon. Plenty of Royai, naturally. Words cannot give justice to how good this fic is and how much I love it!)

snipers solve 99% of all problems by silentwalrus (okay so like. I’m not usually a crossover person but holyyyy frick frack this FMA/Harry Potter one is fun. Still ongoing and basically 80 chapters of Edward Elric bitching about wizards and saying fuck 3,000 times. I hadn’t laughed this hard since I read The Martian.)

Son of Thorns by @truthwatcher-vez (The Stormlight Archive; I’m admittedly wayyy behind on this one, but it’s a post-RoW fic centered on Renarin Kholin. He definitely deserves some time to shine after we were robbed of content for him in RoW 😤 The author’s Rlainarin series, Chasms Between, is also excellent!)

Controlled Burn by madelinescribbles @okiedoketm (FMA role reversal where Al & Ed are climbing the ranks of the military and Roy commits human transmutation, blinding himself and getting Riza stuck in a taxidermy hawk. Ongoing fic, the characterization is soooo on point despite the role reversal, and the plot is so intriguing!)

Five good/positive things that happened to you in 2021

Seeing friends again!! I got to go visit a good college friend I hadn't seen in years since we graduated, and another friend I'd only seen once since we graduated came to visit twice! (Why do all my friends live across the country?)

I wrote. So much. Fanfiction 🤣 Hit a major slump this fall when rising COVID cases in my area started to make work hellish again, but I'm starting to get back into it!

Started therapy for the first time back in May. Also recently started a new antidepressant, after a bad adverse reaction scared me off from them for a while. Still have a long ways to go, but I'm feeling much better, and I haven't had an anxiety attack at work since.

Realized I'm asexual! Which explains soooo much about my life 🤣 Still coming to terms with it in some respects, but simply knowing brings so much peace and pride in my identity.

I got a Tumblr in 2020 but this was the year I really started becoming active in a few fandoms and really connecting with people on here! It's been a blast, and I love freaking out about shared interests with you all💕

[viterbofangirl]

I posted 3,877 times in 2022

11 posts created (0%)

3,866 posts reblogged (100%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@cat-a-holic

@canardbabillard

@featherfur

@squirrelasinthewoodlandanimal

@fallynleaf

I tagged 3,870 of my posts in 2022

#fanart - 278 posts

#star wars - 165 posts

#heaven's official blessing - 157 posts

#tgcf - 157 posts

#the daily adventures of viterbofangirl - 131 posts

#*undignified giggle-snort* - 130 posts

#dracula daily - 128 posts

#this blue hellsite - 126 posts

#just for fun - 122 posts

#somedays i love this website - 95 posts

Longest Tag: 140 characters

#every scene with renner and johannson together is played as a huge unspoken 'fuck you' to brucenat and the farm family and bless them for it

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Hey I don't have links myself but re: that post about DuckDuckGo: I've seen a different version of the post with links to the CEO's Twitter where he refuted that (and explained why independent outlets fall lower in results) and I don't think it's true. There are a few reblogs in the notes with links. Also many of the alternatives in that list are Google or Bing clones posing as "independent" search engines to lure in people who are cautious about the big names.

Thank you so much for this info! TBH it's a relief because I've been quite happy with DDG, and I will now be on the watch for poser search engines!

4 notes - Posted June 19, 2022

#4

Tag game!

Thanks to the ever-lovely @akamarykate​ for tagging me! <3 

Rules: Tag nine people you want to know better.

Three ships: Most recently, Jiang Cheng/Wen Qing from The Untamed, but I gotta go with Luke Skywalker/Mara Jade from the Star Wars EU, and Gary Hobson/Toni Brigatti for the longest-lasting ships!

First ever ship: See the above two! They were going on around the same time. L/M probably predates G/T by a year or two, but G/T was more viciously shipped (at first).

Last song: “Queen” by Loren Gray

Last film: Film? Ah geez. I honestly don’t know. I’m going to cheat a little and say “Frozen II” not because I recently watched it, but I’ve had a strong hankering for it so it’s got a 99% chance of being the next movie I watch!

Currently reading: I’m technically in the middle of “Because Internet” by Gretchen McCulloch, but tbh I’ve been reading a metric shitton of MDZS fanfic on my Kindle.

Currently watching: I’m taking a very brief hiatus from The Untamed and just finished up rewatching BBC’s The Musketeers, a.k.a. Man Candy the Series.

Currently consuming: Alyssa’s Healthy Chocobites

Currently craving: Reaching That Point In My Life Where I Regain A Smidgen Of Energy. And also the inspiration to continue some WIP fics!

Tagging: @themoonstarwarrior, @cat-a-holic, @fallynleaf, @threadsketchier, @squirrelasinthewoodlandanimal, @pityen81, @shaelit, @lucife56, @ancientstone but seriously no pressure on the above and loads of encouragement to participate to anyone else! To anyone who wants to play, please just tag me so I can see your answers! <3

5 notes - Posted February 24, 2022

#3

(x)

5 notes - Posted January 3, 2022

#2

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love! 💖

My sideblog was tagged by @ancientstone and so I decided to post there AND on my regular blog!

Okay, so, I've been writing and not completing fandom stuff since I was at LEAST 16 which means over twenty years now, but I looked through my folder and I *think* these are my faves in no particular order:

1) Sinbad and the Garden of the Hesperides: a Proteus-heavy sequel to Dreamworks' animated "Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas" because Proteus deserves ALL THE LOVE dammit! >:[  (currently over 41k words and unposted but stay tuned because I know the first 4-5 chapters are done at least...)

2) The Sense of Her: a FMA Royai one-shot taking place over multiple points in the series, each scene focused on one of the five senses (currently on AO3)

3) Gunslinger: written in a different narrative style than my usual (Old-West stylized omniscient present vs alternating third-person POV) it's a retelling of Roger Corman's (yes, I know) movie "Gunslinger" starring Beverly Garland that is one of my favorite MST3Ks (yes, I know) but still has really good bones to the story (unposted and honestly barely started but still has some damned good lines if I do say so myself)

4) No Miracle for the Likes of Us/Rebirth/Codename:Teen Idol 'Dite: *CHEATER ALERT!* These are _three_ Venus/Kunzite-centric Sailor Moon fics, but are set in the same no-Stars-AU, with the first detailing the fall of Silver Millennium, the second beginning with the Shitennou being revived immediately after the manga's SuperS arc, and the third being a plot line so heavily intertwined with Rebirth that I haven't decided whether or not to make them one big fic featuring Codename as specified interludes o_O;;; (overall size: *drops face into hands* it... it just keeps GROWING... *sobs*)

5) She-Ra: Princess of Power: a massive retelling of the original She-Ra series as a continuation of the Mike Young 200X animated He-Man and the Masters of the Universe series, with each chapter an "episode" (currently a highly disjointed >57k monster, but the first two "episodes” are on AO3)

Tagging @akamarykate @fallynleaf @rhysiana @threadsketchier @adriannasharp and anyone else who wants to participate! Tag me if you reply so that I might properly appreciate your efforts and genius! <3

7 notes - Posted April 3, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Offered Up

Abel you placed the stone in my hands Told me that God prefers innocent lambs Strike hard strike true my own my brother Then He’ll prefer you favored over another

Offer me up

Don’t worry don’t worry my own my brother I’m happy I’m happy my own my brother Release me release me my own my brother

Offer me up

The stone sat heavy and thick in my hands The blood ran heavy and slick on my hands This murder it seemed like a trick on my hands

Who is the victim? Who was the victim?

(inspired by @zelkam’s gifset)

22 notes - Posted March 29, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[scienceoftheidiot]

Tag the people you want to know better

I was tagged by @the-catmans-offical-2 thank you !!! I've made a new post hope you don't mind it's easier to handle 😅

Last Song: Bobby Sox by Green Day (but omg I love Bratja now I want to listen to it so bad 🥺🥺)

Colour: Irish green

Last movie: Deadpool & Wolverine (I know I said no more Marvel but we didn't pay technically so. And I love the Fox superheroes sue me)

Sweet, spicy or savoury: all threeeeee ! But if I have to chose I'd say savoury because too sweet isn't good.

Relationship: married (we've officially spent more than 1/3rd of our life together now... 😅). You want to see his face look for the #reenactment tag lol

Current obsession: FMA, any and all versions. I love manga, 03 and even Brotherhood, if only because it was my entry point into it (and because of the post promised day royai hospital scene that has prompted so many fics from me).

Last Googled : [area name] thunderstorm alert

Currently working on : Aaahhh I always have so many project going on at once !

A couple of prompts, but mainly I'm working on the last two chapters of the longest fic I have ever written, All the Hope, a royai post Promised Day AU where Roy stays blind (not by choice) and is dismissed from the army. The end is near !!!

On the other hand I am also working on and getting ready to switch to another royai AU, this one where I imagine the lives of the alternate Roy and Riza from our world, based on CoS and with CoS Ed and Al occasionally popping up. Which... Is honestly just an excuse for me to throw them (royai, I'm going back and forth in time) right into WW1. It's already pretty long and I'll probably start posting some chapters once I'm done with All the Hope.

Up until like five min ago I was working on a painting too that I'm going to post to my art blog once I'm done here ^^

Tagging : @riza-hawks-eye @imovyn @littlewitchbee @g3yser

[kallezandra]

‘author’ self interview

Tagged by @hawtnip 😎🥳

name: Kaytlyn. Katy or Kayty as a nickname. caandleknight as my handle on FF.N and Ao3

Fandoms: OOF. Professional at shipping the crash and burns 🤚.

- LoK, Makorra was the one that got me into fandom.

-tHG everthorne has my heart. Still hits different.

-T100 Bellarke was my obsession last year.

Lastly: clintasha (comics not really mcu), Riley/Ellie tlou. Royai from Fullmetal Alchemist, and Nalu from fairy tail.

Where do you post:

FanFiction.Net this is where I started. Posted my first everthorne on there. It was anxiety inducing.

Ao3 I bullied myself into figuring this site out lmaoo. Took some trial (learned through an email that RPF means real person fiction. I WAS NOT WRITING REAL PERSON FICTION SO WHOOPS. nearly half my stuff was taken down LOL.)

Most popular multi chapter fic: Soul of a ghost town this was the biggest thing I ever wrote—in terms of character, plot, and word count—and honestly, it gave me the confidence to believe I could write. Word counts used to haunt me. All it used to.

Favourite story you’ve written so far: Oh that’s hard.

Stories in limbo was my first attempt at multiple perspectives. A gen fic mostly but I love the motifs and flow.

Previously mentioned SoaGT^^ was my pride and joy for also previously mentioned reasons. I watched that story like a hawk, just waiting for feedback.

Panem sumebant: The ending. It came to me months after its original completion, and now, it’s so much better with the last chapter.

Idk if I’m allowed to pick more than one, but I’m proud of each of these for different reasons so-

So many times when I’m writing it starts so small… then grows and grows and doesn’t stop. SoaGT was like this—a five times this, one time that.

I have a 50k everthorne fic on the go rn that started out as a 500 word prompt. Wtf send help.

Fic you were nervous to post: My very first one, panem sumebant. The feedback I got from about three users is probably why I’m still writing. Thank you.

How do you choose your titles: often, i struggle so much with this. If I can’t find anything, look for metaphors or phrases/quotes/moments that really stick. A lyric. Maybe a language translation. I’ve never had a title drag me in. It’s almost always a struggle, and sometimes, much later, I hate said title 😭 but that’s okay. Helps me learn.

Do you outline: HA.

Quite amazing how organized I am. (These are digestible ones. The bigger they get the worse.)

Complete: often, I finish things before I post the. I’ve been that way from the start. All my Bellarke is complete (two are discontinued) All my Everthorne is complete… until suddenly I decide to add another chapter XD. Lonely Crowds, my Kanej, has the last chapter on the go but it will be finished. Idk my track record is pretty good I think.

Do you accept prompts: I’ve never been prompted, but lots I’ve made comes from discussion or picking my own prompts so I guess so.

Upcoming story you’re most excited to write: my OG work. Excited to finish lonely crowds, and I’m trying to finish these edits on everthorne but it’s kicking my ass.

stories you’re most excited to read: …everthorne. Young Royai😍 … Makorra… and the grishaverse fandom is just revving the engines so I’m really excited to watch this fandom grow. I’ve always been the person to walk into fandom after the explosions are simmering and the ship wars have devastated the masses so this will be fun.

Tagging: @rayhnetessamess , @theworldisbeautifulandcruel idkkkk too many writers 🥺🥺

Thanks Ellenka this took me forever but it was fun ❤️❤️

[nightofnyx8]

For the fanfic writer emoji ask

😈 and 🍦

Hello dear friend! Hope you're doing well! ❤

-

😈 Has there been a point in a story where you did something just to be playfully mean to your readers?

Cliffhangers :) Not only can it be a good way to end a chapter, it also creates suspence. I have something of a habit of making fun of Roy Mustang, but that's sort of a given. #snowman angsty boi roy

🍦What's the sweetest fic you've created so far?

Hmm, define sweet...there are a couple royai ones that are fluffy feel-good ones :) Two Creams and Sugar, All That Really Mattered, and I'm Only Me When I'm With You are probably the ones with the least amount of angst. The twiyor one I'm currently working on...ah, isn't quite that sweet, we'll just say that.

fanfic emoji ask

[that-crazy-five-foot-two-chick]

✨WIP/Prompt List✨

These are all my wips and ideas that I've thought to write. If one of them gets you hyped up, send me an ask, comment, or dm, and it might give me the motivation to get my butt in gear and write them (depending on busyness and current frame of mind)! I also may be up to PG-rated meme requests...is that even a thing? idk

They're all pretty happy/fluffy unless noted otherwise. That's just how I roll. All sfw. I do not take fic requests unless it really really strikes my interest cuz if ADHD brain don't go brrr, it ain't happening. Any wips that have posted content will have a link to the first chapter.

So without further ado:

👊 wip, some posted | 👉 wip, none posted | 💭 idea | italics stand-in title

Fullmetal Alchemist

EdWin

👊 Elric Escorts (EdWin and AlMei)—college/modern AU: the Elric brothers start a service at their college to escort people across campus after dark. On their walks, they meet people with pasts, presents, and futures that intrigue them

👉 Baby—modern AU, songfic, sequel to Hello Stranger: What do you do when you meet a stunning stranger that terrifies you with how much of an effect they have on you? Scrounge up the guts to ask them on a date. (And figure out how to get through the date) A/N: I figured if part one was a Stray Kids songfic, part two should be too ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Anyway, here's Wonderw—I mean Mixtape: Oh

👊 I Cain't Say No (but I wish I could)—modern/high school/theatre AU: Ed thought he could drop out after auditioning for the musical...and then he got cast as the lead. Cue situations that put the drama in drama class, including but not limited to a method acting costar, scruples over stage kisses, and stage makeup applied by a not-crush

👊 And Then It Hit Me—college/modern/enemies to lovers AU: Edward achieved every college student's dream: he got hit by a bus. Or, at least, he would have, if some know-it-all hadn't yanked him out of the way at the last second. There goes free tuition...

Other pairings/gen

�� Havolina (Havoc/Catalina) Bar AU—Catalina wants to go out to a bar but couldn't possibly go alone because it just isn't safe, and Havoc agrees to be her knight in shining armor. Strictly to keep her safe, of course. Perhaps she can get to know him better this way, since Havoc tends to only make an impressive fool of himself with women he's on dates with. And this isn't a date. Probably.

💭 Royai nonsexual FWB, mutual pining, probably modern AU—one day I thought "you know what would be a great/possibly terrible idea [for actual real life situations]? Non-sexual friends with benefits." Like, you're not in a relationship or have romantic feelings for the other, but want a semblance of that in your life. You need cuddles, a plus one for an event, somebody to do stupid romantic (but not for real) things with, someone to tell you you're pretty, someone to ward off creeps, maybe a kiss? Boom. You got it. So yes then I thought it'd be funny/cute to make that royai with a side of mutual pining.

💭 FMA Vietnam War AU—tbh I'm undecided on which generation I would focus on with this one, but there are so many parallels between the American side of the Vietnam War and the military events and perspectives in FMA. Royai/Team Mustang would be the early recruits that willingly shipped off to war while Ed would be one of the disillusioned latecomers to the war. I'm thinking because of his age and circumstances, he'd be a researcher for the military rather than a soldier. Still doing it for Al. There are a lot of loose ends and no particular plot thought up yet, but the similarity is so striking, I couldn't not write it down as a possibility to write. Obviously, being war-based, it would be a more mature, angstier fic, although it still probably wouldn't break the T rating, knowing me as a writer and since it's more character-based than action-based. And yeah, I'm a history nerd, fight me 👊🏻 although usually not military history nerd

💭 Ed's comic books—What if the comic books Ed had on his research tab were encoded alchemy texts? But of course, telling Mustang would take all the fun out of it.

💭 Mei & Hughes—just a couple of excitable throwing knife wielders that really should have met. I have no plot. I just think the two of them in the same room would be n e a t.

Mystic Messenger

👊 You Infect Me, covid/lockdown fic (Seven/MC)—Saeyoung Choi is bored to tears during quarantine, so he figures why not text one of the most available RFA members? But after a while, he realizes he's gotten in over his head... A/N: I haven't updated this since January, help. It was also the first fic I wrote, so I've definitely become a more comfortable writer since I started this

👉 The Song of Your Soul Is Not What I Expected (But It's Better) (Jumin/MC)—originally intended to be written for Mystic Messenger Reverse Big Bang 2021, but that didn't happen lol. For Jumin's first birthday as a married man, he decides to let his wife choose how they spend the evening. She chooses to go to an open mic night, but he never expected that to be her music taste. ...Blink-182. she sings Blink-182. Jumin may do some "MC research" and might learn a Fall Out Boy song as a comeback.

👉 Vanderwaiter (Vanderwood/MC)— MC is new to the world of being a businesswoman, and tries her best to navigate a dinner with a client. Which would be easier if the waiter weren't distractingly good looking. And if the restaurant didn't explode into chaos because his mission as a secret agent went south. (Definitely going to have an action scene, probably involving guns, but no graphic violence)

RWBY

👉 Insurance Scam (Renora)—Nora bursts into Ren's insurance agency asking for medical malpractice insurance for a pillow factory. Let the circus begin, clowns and all. A/N: this was a crack fic/prompt that my sister and I came up with when she was sick and loopy and I took it as a challenge. This will also be my first contribution to FNDM. Maybe I just haven't checked Ao3 since the last two seasons came out (I haven't caught up, don't give me spoilers 😩), but there is a sad, sad lack of good monogamous renora fics out there, and that really should be remedied.

Fruits Basket

👉/💭 Kyoru Bar AU—Tohru thinks it would be fun to go out to a bar with Kyo for their one-year dating anniversary. Kyo agrees, despite his misgivings. Includes: a heavy dose of Kyoko backstory fluff, a dash of Kyo backstory angst, and mayyybe a dash of jealous Kyo because Tohru collects hearts wherever she goes 👀

Ugh I'm finally done, this took so freaking long to get out 😩

As far as meme requests go if that's even a thing, if I've posted about a fandom, it's fair game. If you're not sure if I'm in a fandom, just shoot me an ask/comment/dm. And while I pretty much don't take fic requests, I'm totally open to getting asks on my thoughts about fandom stuff, because I can nearly guarantee you I have some sort of opinion, and I love the attention.

[tundrainafrica]

Do you kinda wish that Isayama would just come outright and say that Levihan is actually legitimate? I believe it is and that he tried his best to show it but people *still* fight against it and deny it to the best of there ability sometimes and I don’t know why. I admit, I have a selfish desire that he will just confirm it for us because I’m tired of being attacked out of nowhere or made fun of for believing it’s real and appreciating it. Forgive my mini rant. I’m just tired of the hate ^_^

I kinda wish he would too. But at the same time, I think one of the reasons why I fell in love with this ship more than others is because it was incredibly subtle and it left a lot for me to speculate.

I don't really fall for ships that are pushed by the author or are admitted to be 'canon' either through material or through interviews because for me, it's like "Okay, you had to tell everyone that they were together. You made them kiss, you made them fuck and you made them all mushy in the big screen" and it doesn't hit as hard as the subtle ones for various reasons.

For one, if they aren't mushy in canon, but there are enough hints for people to speculate, it implies one thing for me, the two characters--- in this case, Levi and Hange--- are naturally not romantic people but someone-- or some bond--- is changing them for the 'better' or someone was close enough to them to have them doing just the slightest things and isn't the 'slightest things' much more believable than having Levi and Hange just have forest sex in chapter 126 lmao. (I mean, if they did it would definitely feel like a cop out.

And a lot of the shows I watched or books I read which had my favorite characters end up romantic had romance fall flat for me because two things usually happen: One they just end up together with little to no reasonable development or two they make the romance such a big part of the story that it becomes annoying.

For example, I know twilight is a romance novel lmao but I remember having this rant with a few of my friends about how Twilight had such amazing lore which could have really been explored if the author didn't use up half the whole series showing how damn indecisive Bella was.

I mean I think I've pointed out that my favorite couples really were Yuuri and Victor for one because sure they were so obviously canon but the thing is, the fact that they hid the kiss in episode 7 and the engagement promise rings, just made all the speculation sweeter. And even if they didn't develop obviously, I found the dynamic and how their relationship developed just extremely natural that they were definitely one of the most refreshing ships I have witnessed in my life and definitely one of my favorites. I could say the same for both Royai, Percabeth and Shikatema, they had good grounds for a relationship.

Tbh, I have no problem with mushiness I guess but I usually only enjoy it already when I'm already invested in the couple and I think they have gone through enough soul searching and suffering on their own before getting together. Romance has to be worked on. Nobody falls in love with anyone over night. And I've said it before, but I don't find kisses and sex as 'moving' as a lot of other scenes. I mean I love my smut and all but kissing, making out and sex are really easy to do and most people could literally do it with a stranger because let’s face it, most if not all humans were biologically engineered to be intimate to keep our race alive but like humans also have a natural survival instinct to stay within their comfort zones. 

Love is a feeling which is supposed to transcend our current facilities as humans so if it’s not pushing us out of our comfort zones, it might not be love. Sure, it can be intimacy, it can be attraction but I like to think that intimacy and love or attraction and love can be mutually exclusive. 

Loving is very difficult to do. Thus I liken it more to cooperation than to intimacy or attraction 

If you really loved someone, you'd go to hell and back for them and I am a firm believer that you never know if you really love someone until you've seen the worst parts of them or how difficult it is to actually be with the person. So, how to check if someone really loves you, how do they handle anger when you piss them off, how do they handle you when you're at your most difficult. How do two people in a relationship handle each other when they're both at their worst states?

My favorite scenes in romantic movies were definitely the less mushy ones like in crazy rich asians, I really loved the mahjong scene when she confronted the dude's mom because kissing your boyfriend is easy, confronting the low key racist and anti-poor mom? In six of crows, Kaz and Inej too tbh, I mean come on, Kaz putting his damn business on the line for her? That's way better than a kiss.

Okay I'm digressing lmao, thanks for listening to my rant but in terms of 'canonicity,' yes I get frustrated that people don't notice it or just say 'best friends do that too because I dunno? I really think that most if not all best friends have considered dating the other at least for a while. Because no one gets that close without considering living together for life and living together for life? Isn't that the point of marriage? So like talking about living together for life, just the two of you, even just platonically is just like hmmmm. I mean no need for the romance and all but if people are willing to commit to someone like that, I think that's love.

I've said it before, I'll say it again.

If you wanna be in a fun, healthy, happy long term relationship you marry your best friend or you know, make your partner your best friend. Like date someone you've gone through hell and back with because relationships are hell and you're gonna go through hell and back again and again and again in an endless cycle so might as well do it with someone you're used to struggling with right?

[fullmetalscullyy]

royai week day 4 - communiqué

summary: roy has an announcement to make to everyone

rated: g | words: 2084 | tags: royai, post-canon, romance, marriage, marriage announcement, marriage of convenience, kinda? bc they just have~ to do it but it works out for them, basically royai using royai to further their agenda

read on ao3 | read on ffnet

“Good afternoon,” Roy greeted with confidence into the microphone atop the podium in front of him. Hundreds of pairs of eyes stared back expectantly, and while that should have been unnerving, his excitement at the upcoming announcement kept the feeling at bay. This communiqué had been a long time coming, crafted from years of subtle diversion, and playing a tactical game. Now, it was coming to fruition. It was all still part of their game, but Roy had a personal stake in this part of it too. It was still a win for both parties involved.

A huge personal win.

Up there, on the podium, he was completely exposed. While that was dangerous for someone like him with such high political standing, Roy trusted the eyes that were watching his back implicitly. He does not turn complacent, but is more than confident in their abilities. He trusts each and every one of his subordinates to ensure the day goes well and without incident.

“Today’s announcement,” Roy continued, “will hopefully put to rest any fears you may have had regarding me assuming the role of your leader. Fuhrer Grumman has led this country exceptionally well over the last five years but feels ready to step down. As you all know, I have been named his successor and will make a promise to you all now, this country’s citizens, that I will do my utmost to ensure I do my best by you.”

There was a pleased applause after he finished, accompanied by a quiet murmur.

He meant every word, but that was not the reason Roy had taken the stage that day.

“I would also like you to know that I’ve heard the rumours surrounding me,” he smirked, letting his gaze sweep across the crowd before him. Out the corner of his eye, he noticed how this had piqued the interest of those in the audience with the various media outlets. Their ears perked up at the mention of rumours, understandably. “I am aware of the public’s opinion on a bachelor like myself being given the title of Fuhrer. However, I have come here today to offer my reassurances.”

Some people in the crowd turn to one another, momentarily confused by what he’s saying. Roy smirked to himself, thinking of his own private joke before he opened his mouth to finally reveal to the world something he has wanted to for over two decades.

“As you can imagine, this will be a busy transition period for us, so I hope you will extend your respect, as well as privacy, to both myself and my new fiancé as we navigate this new chapter in our lives. I can assure you though, an official date for my upcoming wedding will be announced soon.”

It was like the crowd had frozen. A few jaws went slack, and mouths parted in shock as they processed the news faster than others.

“More news will come in due time. Thank you.”

With a simple bow of his head, Roy stepped back from the microphone and turned to look at the stunned officials up there with him. Breda and Havoc approached, nonplussed by the news, and started to escort him off the stage.

There was a split second where the world was completely still, as everyone was still processing what he’d just announced. Then, everything felt like it exploded. The crowd erupted into applause and cheers. Cameras flashed in desperation to capture the moment that Roy Mustang, the most eligible bachelor in Amestris and a well-known womaniser in his younger years, announced he was engaged, and his wedding would be announced soon.

Roy can hear some of the questions being yelled by the reporters.

“Who are you due to marry?”

“What’s her name?”

“General Mustang! When did this happen?”

He ignored them all, for all would be revealed in due time. It was enough for now that it had been announced. Roy never planned on revealing anything else other than that today anyway. He would have loved to. He can’t wait for the day he can finally give the order to give the announcement, but he must hold off. The mystery will drum up interest in their favour. It will draw eyes to them and get people talking. No other Fuhrer had caused quite as much a stir as he had, and Roy wasn’t even officially in office yet. He was popular and well liked among the masses. Not as much as the Fullmetal Alchemist, the alchemist of the people, but Roy’s work over the years had built up a perfectly crafted reputation for him. It played well into his plans.

A womaniser who announces he’s settling down with someone who is a complete mystery. It was interesting news. Especially for the imminent ruler of the country.

The public ate it up, desperate to know. Out the corner of his eye he could already see heads bowed together in excitement as they gossiped about the news while Roy walked off the stage.

He was led by his security team into a private room within the building behind them. Havoc gave him a quick nod in response to his order, reaching for the door handle and pulling it closed behind him. Breda was down the hall, already speaking into microphone after microphone in order to soothe public relations about the surprise announcement. Poor guy, but he did volunteer. Having Breda assure them, but give nothing away, would only cause more intrigue. If Roy went out there and spoke to them all, they’d never let him leave.

His shoulder slumped now he was away from prying eyes. Not with fatigue, but just to relax. The initial phase had finally started, and his plans were set in motion. While he did have a personal stake in this and was more than happy to go along with it, it could certainly be draining. But then again, nothing had ever been simple between them.

The door opened as he was pouring himself a glass of water. He reached for a second glass and smirked, not turning around because he knew who it was who’d entered. His order to Havoc was to permit only one person entrance to the room.

“Did you really have to do it so dramatically?”

There was a grin on his face as he turned on the spot, coming face to face with his fiancé. Well, according to the country, she was still his fiancé. Nobody, except from them and his team, was aware that they were already married, and had been so for a while. While touring Aerugo last month they’d taken a clandestine trip to one of the islands off the coast to the south. It was just the two of them, the team, and his mother in attendance. Gracia had made the trip, and so had Edward and Alphonse, along with their respective families. Everyone who mattered most to Roy was there to witness them come together as a couple.

Marriage was not the be all and end all for him and Riza. They already knew where they stood with each other and what their relationship was. They had done so for years, and the ring that nestled comfortably on the end of his dog tags proved that. The legal document was just a formality at this point and given his current position as leader of the country, it would be necessary. So, they’d compromised. A private, personal ceremony for them to do things their way, exchanging the rings they’d already given each other years ago. The grand wedding that was yet to come was for the masses, not for them. Once the official ceremony happened, he would move the ring onto his ring finger where it had always belonged and where he’d always wanted to wear it.

Riza’s lifted one eyebrow expectantly, awaiting his answer.

“They expect a show,” he shrugged, “so I’m going to give it to them.”

“So, our official wedding is just a show,” she deadpanned.

His expression softened at her light teasing. “Our official wedding has already happened,” he reminded her. “In case you had forgotten, we are already legally married.”

“I hadn’t,” she placated as she approached him, “but you need to stop talking about it so openly. You were the one who suggested keeping it a secret, and the walls have ears,” she replied cryptically. Once close enough, she brushed a piece of invisible lint off his immaculate uniform and his shoulder tingled where she’d ran her hand over it.

“Let them listen,” he shrugged again. Roy lifted a hand to rest upon her hip as he grasped one of hers, lifting them both to rest between their bodies. He bent his head forward and kissed the backs of her knuckles, a small, fond smile playing on his lips. “It doesn’t matter now that our news is out.”

“Part of the news is out,” she reminded him. “You were quite adamant about only revealing some of the truth so early on,” Riza smirked. “It will be a busy transition period for us, after all,” she quoted back to him with mock sympathy.

His eyes rolled fondly.

“So,” she continued, extracting her hand from his and taking a step backward to put some distance between them. Roy felt like a petulant child, pouting at her actions. “We must keep up pretences and give ourselves the time and space we need to adapt to our new circumstances and navigate through it.”

“You’re no fun,” he complained, his tone nearly a playful whine.

“I know, dear,” she replied, sounding like she didn’t particularly care he felt that way. Roy was only joking though, of course.

“How did it look from up there?”

Riza’s perch had been on the roof of the building behind him, on the lookout for anyone who may wish harm upon him, along with her own elite security team.

She snorted lightly. “I will admit, it was entertaining to see the looks on their faces.”

“They were very surprised,” he chuckled, pleased with himself.

“It’s never a dull moment with you.”

“I would hope not because you’re stuck with me now, fiancé,” he grinned.

“Unfortunately,” she deadpanned quietly. When he scowled at her, she laughed loudly, her smile reaching her eyes.

For a moment, Roy is enraptured by her beauty. Her grin lit up his whole world and the sound of her laughter pulled at the stings of his heart pleasantly.

He is married to this woman, he thought to himself, and still couldn’t quite believe it.

After so long… After so many years of ignoring feelings and holding back – or trying to – now he didn’t have to.

Although it was his plan to delay the information given, he really wished it wasn’t. He wanted to go back out there and tell everyone how much he loved and cherished this woman before him.

All in due time. And the pay off when that day finally comes will be so worth it.

They’ve both waited for so long. Roy could stick it out for a few more days. What was more important was holding this woman close and loving her so freely like he has always wanted, and Roy planned to do just that.

Riza smirked and didn’t shrug him off as Roy wrapped his arms tightly around her frame. He pulled her close and kissed her, trying to convey just how much he loved her with one kiss alone. She hummed against his lips pleasantly as her arms lifted to loop around his neck. One hand slowly, tantalisingly, trailed up the back of his neck, making him shudder. She noticed and grinned against him. When her nails scratched lightly against his scalp and Roy groaned, Riza’s smile widened. She knew exactly what she was doing to him. She could play him like a fiddle, but Roy didn’t mind at all. There’s no way he was going to stop her ministrations when they felt so good.

“I love you,” he breathed. His chest heaved with his breath and the words almost got stuck in his throat, both from the emotions overwhelming him and their passionate kiss.

“Love you too, Roy.” When she pulled away to look at him, Roy didn’t let her move far. Their noses were almost touching but he could see her expression soften. She looked so happy and content. So in love. Which was exactly how he felt too.

They both couldn’t wait to start this new chapter in their lives together.

[kyojuuros]

Would you consider eremika canon after this chapter, or do you think we have to wait until we get Eren’s POV in chapter 139 to confirm? Curious to know your perspective on it

Well first I must provide a disclaimer that I am a fervent eremika shipper, lol. But trying to look at things as objectively as I can, I feel that it is basically canon in the sense that yumihisu is also canon. Essentially in that there is a clear, mutual love between the two characters that remains left unsaid through the very end. You can see and feel that it is there (much like Royai from FMA) but canon does not give us the benefit of the two ending up as a couple in the end, or admitting out loud their feelings for one another. 

In terms of chapter 138, though, I think it’s very clear that Mikasa and Eren shared the same dream (as we can see in chapter 1). Whether it’s an actual AU, some kind of paths magic, Eren communicating to Mikasa somehow, or just a dream they both happen to see, etc... For me I think it represents what each of them wanted deep down in their hearts - to live a life of peace together.

This is the way that I see it, anyway. Eren’s feelings have always been more subtle than Mikasa’s, so unless we happen to get his POV in the final chapter somehow, the debate will probably continue forever. lol