Fic Rec - FullMetal Alchemist

[aquabean]

So, I've slowly been getting myself addicted to FullMetal Alchemist. I love Ed and I love Al and Hughes just makes my insides turn to nothing but fuzzy warmness. And then there's Roy. I've always liked him. He's cocky and a bastard to Ed, and protective as all get-out. He needs Hughes like meat needs salt, and he's got ambition the where most people have common sense, and then he's got enough common sense to make himself Fuhrer one day too. I've always liked him, but there wasn't every really anything in it. Until an episode I saw a while back. There was a war, and we saw Roy, before. He was an idealist. The light in his eyes was the same light that you see in Ed's eyes sometimes, and then...oh, and then there was the war.

The Roy that we see poking at Ed, plotting with Hughes, quietly planning to rule the country isn't the same Roy who left for the war in Ishvar, isn't the same Roy who came back from the war either. There is a remarkable, remarkable man hiding inside all that bravado and dry sarcasm.

And then there are the fic that make you fall in love with a character all over again. I've got two authors and three fic to rec for you tonight. Fic that made me look first at Roy and then at what he and Ed could be together, all over again.


Jelly Beans
By kay_cricketed

There is an absurdity to the horror of war that walks a fine line between dark humour and madness.

Roy didn't answer. He was slumped on his cot in the darkness, leaning back against one of the poles that supported the tent. In the corner, his boots were messily thrown against the wall, the top half of his uniform sprawled beside them in the dry earth that was the entirety of Ishvar.

The top few buttons of his shirt were undone, and he held a half-empty bottle of sour liquor in one hand and a tiny black bag in the other.

Maes quietly closed the flap behind him. It was going to be one of those days.


Deaf Shot
By kay_cricketed

Even those who return with out scars do not return whole.

He slips into a robe-- a new, fresh, laundry soap-scented robe of terry cloth-- and sits on the bed again. Stares at the closed windows, dark eyes considering, lost and somehow bewildered. The unfamiliar feel of bristling carpet under his feet seems strange after so much time in the sand, sinking down into the dunes with every step. The bed is incredibly soft under his hands, and feels wonderful to lay back upon. It is, quite literally, perfect.

And it is so quiet.

By morning, Roy is sleeping on the floor.


Situation Normal
By ciceqi (Sleeps With Coyotes)

It's hard being good looking. Roy could have told Ed that.

Ed scowled, though one of his brows arched helplessly at his brother's display. "What is with you people lately?" he demanded, not really expecting an answer. He hadn't gotten one yet, though he'd taken to asking more often recently. Loudly, and with twice as much arm-waving as the question had ever merited before.

"It's nothing!" Al squeaked, one huge hand lifting to rasp sheepishly over the back of his head. "Really!"

Ed sighed. That was what they all said....

Al would've bitten his tongue if he still had one, but he settled for trudging along silently in his brother's wake. He even took back all the unkind thoughts he'd had at the beginning of this mess. Ed wasn't being purposefully oblivious--he was just plain clueless. And Al wasn't about to explain the birds and the bees to his older brother.

Comments

[chaosd.livejournal.com]

Ahha. FMA needs more unperverted loving *nodnod*

[runefallstar.livejournal.com]

*grins* Unpervereted?

Gotta say though, at this point I'll read just about anything with Roy in it. I think I'm that hooked. Gah. And these are such good fic too.

[chaosd.livejournal.com]

Just what's with them all feeding him weird things... *sigh*
You reminded me I promised someone a fanart of him, but never made it. I might reconsider now X)

[runefallstar.livejournal.com]

...do people make him eat weird things very often? *vaguely perplexed* I mean, is there more fic based around "Roy eats weird stuff"?

Heh.

[chaosd.livejournal.com]

Yeah. But certainly can't what it was - I read it several month ago, after all.

[runefallstar.livejournal.com]

Heh. Well, if you stumble across it again, sent it my way. I'm all intrigued now.

[chinchilla82.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I can't really remember him eating weird things. I just finished the series in February (thanks to my anime dealer, he helps me get my fixes). But I can so imagine Roy just popping something into his mouth that's strange and chewing with a completely calm look on his face while everyone else gasps in horror and stares at him. Of course, I remember him mentioning wanting to cook Hawkeye's dog when she first gets him. (I don't think I've just given anything away here...)

[chinchilla82.livejournal.com]

I fell in love with FMA a long time ago. I only just recently finished watching it over spring break and the damn thing made me cry. Like a teething baby. You know it's a good show when it does that. Well...not always...Fushigi Yuugi made me cry, and believe it or not it wasn't from the sickening melodrama, but we won't go into that.

In any case, FMA is wonderful, but you will begin to hate the people who made it, as well as want to get down on your hands and knees and kiss their feet for making a series like this. But I'll stop rambling. If you haven't finished it yet, I really don't want to give anything away. Let me know when you do so we can rant back and forth about it. ^_^

ps- Major Lieutenant Hughes = warm deliciousness *yum* And your assessment of Roy Mustang is right on. But it's impossible not to fall for him. As well as the rest of his immediate subordinates. *squee*

[runefallstar.livejournal.com]

Oh, I can feel the hate coming. That sense of "why did you do this to my boys? Why?" But dude, those are the best stories. I WILL get both you and Gracie hooked on Saiyuki. Now there is a fandom that pulls you in and the rips your heart into little itty-bitty pieces. And you love every single minute of it.

And I've heard rumors...I'm trying not to let myself be spoiled, but...yeah. God, if what I think happens actually does? I've been able to hold off the plot bunnies so far, but the second real tragedy strikes, I know I'll end up a total sucker.

How many eps are there in the series anyway?

[hane.livejournal.com]

Fifty-some, I believe.

And yes, you will suffer when the last episode finishes.

Thank god the movie's coming out soon.

[runefallstar.livejournal.com]

Wait, what's this about a movie? The art book I got today seemed to mention something about it, but I can't get it all to add up....you know anything?

[hane.livejournal.com]

Movie supposedly set as a direct sequel to the series, which is good, because 'cliffhanger' doesn't even begin to describe it.

....and there are spoilers abounding that I'm not sure you want me to talk about.

SPOILERIFIC:

http://www.hagaren-movie.jp/top.html <--movie site

SPOILERIFIC AND RUMOR ABOUNDING:

http://www.livejournal.com/users/ledgem/135191.html#cutid1
(screencaps, uh, you might not be able to get into here anyway)

http://www.livejournal.com/users/ledgem/138228.html#cutid1
(more screencaps)

e.e If you reeeeally wanna know, ping me sometime and I'll tell you what I know. For a price.

...okay for free. Fine. Geez. Cheapskate.

[chinchilla82.livejournal.com]

Yes, you will suffer by the end of this series. And I feel as though the movie that comes out will be an evil one like Cowboy Bebop or Evangelion; you know, one that takes place during the series, or one that happens after the series but really answers no questions. And I am sure what you think is going to happen will happen. Like I said, crying like a baby...and at many different points. One time early on in the series, which was unexpected. And there are many situations of angst. Although there is one fun episode with Mustang and the rest of his contingent. It was really to give viewers a break during what was happening with Ed and Al (but I won't tell you, nyah nyah! ^_~)

But, with 51 rip-roaring eps to get through, I am sure the plot bunnies will be hopping all over the place. In fact, I think you could call it a plot bunny infestation. I hate when that happens.

As for Sayuki, when I have the money, I will be sure to pick up at least the first volume of the manga to see what all the fuss is about. Of course, I another series is exactly what I need at the moment. Heh...

Have fun in Bostonia! ^_^

[runefallstar.livejournal.com]

I'm soooooo gone on this show. It's like love. Wicked, angstly, war filled, slashy love. *happy sigh*

Oh, and about Saiyuki, if you want manga scans, I've got scans...*dangles the pretty* you know you want to...