Gen, PG, Roy (and Ed)-centric.
Appreciation
by Maaya
----
Birthdays are generally a pain, that is Roy's honest opinion. His own is one of the worst, of course, because he is growing older, all right, he wishes people could stop reminding him. Edward's and Alphonse's are bad because the boys are young and should enjoy their special days more than they seem to. Hawkeye's because she doesn't seem to like it either and is rather annoyed the whole day, Havoc's because the man always requests a day off.
Not to mention Alicia's. Everything pales in comparison to that.
Ten weeks away, Hughes will always remind him a first time with extra-obvious hints what will happen in "only a few days". Things go downhill from there and really, one has to wonder why Roy hasn't fried the man yet.
"Still looking, are you." It's not even a question.
Roy exhales and looks up from the china-horse toys, wanting to curse but knowing that the lady behind the counter would glare at him for doing it in a toy store.
Fullmetal's hands are pushed deep into his pockets and he's looking at Roy with a mix of amusement and thoughtfulness. Roy sights Alphonse outside, carrying several paper bags in one of his large metal hands. He's waving the other cheerfully.
"I have a gift," Roy half-lies and thinks about the silly card he had bought. "I just need to add to it."
Fullmetal snorts, and that is not at all suitable behaviour around one's superior. The older Edward grows, the more annoying he's becoming. Thinking about it, it's Edward's birthday today as well. Acting like this, he doesn't even deserve a 'happy birthday'.
"I think she'd like those," Edward says casually after a while, shrugging and probably meaning the horses.
"I know," Roy replies and dislikes the hint of sourness in his voice. Sounds much too childish.
Edward snorts again, rolls his eyes and steps out of the shop to join his little brother.
Roy pays for the horses and continues to hate birthdays.
----
end