Disclaimer: Do I really need to write one? If I owned Fullmetal Alchemist would I write fanfiction? Would I live in America? Would I be represented by a cat rather than a cow? "Yes", I said sarcastically, "I am definitely Hiromu Arkwana." -.-
Dedication: This is dedicated to the fabulous Miss Callie a.k.a. Violet Abilene or thatawkwardroyaiwriter. She is an amazing friend and person. She has helped me so much with my writing and is, in a way, my Senpai. I really love this girl and am grateful to everything she does and that we started talking.
Fear- Drabble/One-Shot Number One
Very few words were spoken between them. They lived in the same house yet they rarely conversed. 'Regular conversation' was not something that happened… well, regularly. Roy always seemed wrapped up in his studies. He always had to practice other uses and methods of alchemy. Riza was always off on her own, reading and doing other things. They rarely saw each other except for dinner and when Roy would help her with her chores. Aside from that they rarely had interaction and when they did it was generally simple things, like 'please' and 'thank you.' They never had a meaningful conversation.
"Hey, Riza, what do you fear most? Sensei has been talking about how letting go of fear makes you reckless. I became curious about how different fears can affect the way someone acts." He handed her a dish while saying this. She took it and began scrubbing it. She had to think about this. Most kids her age claim to be fearless. They say that nothing can stop them; they boast over their daringness. Her first reaction was to go with this trend, but she wasn't big on lying, so instead she answered the truth:
"I fear losing the ones I love. I fear hurting them. I don't want to live knowing I have left deep scars on the ones I care about." She sighed, "It may seem selfish, only want to protect those I love not everyone else, but if they don't know me I can't make them feel anything. Good or bad. Like, Mother already died. I need to stay for Father. I couldn't bear knowing I had left him alone." She looked up slightly, while he just stared at her in disbelief, she was very deep for a twelve year old. Maybe reading does that to your brain.
It did make sense though. She always seemed to act with caution. She never seemed to want to upset or displease her father even though he never seemed to really appreciate what she did anyways. She always acted as if she had a reason for living.
After a minutes pause Riza spoke, "What about you Mr. Mustang? What do you fear?" She broke their eye contact by reaching for another dish. Roy finally realized he forgot to keep handing Riza the dishes. But, in all honesty, would you expect him not to? His sensei's daughter and him rarely spoke and then she tells him her greatest fear and basically her reason for living. It was only natural he was shocked, absorbed in her words.
He hesitated. His fear was so different from Riza's. Some would go to call them opposites. There
were multiple things Roy was afraid of; the first was losing those he loved, same as her. But there other fears were extremely different. There were, after all, extremely different people. He sighed causing Riza to look at him. She had been completely honest with him, now he had to do the same in return. Equivalent exchange.
"To be honest, I fear something different. Same as you, I fear my loved ones dying or having them taken away from me. But in contrast to the similarities I fear oblivion." He paused; she had a slight look of confusion on her face. He figured she must be thinking 'Why was fearing oblivion so opposite of hurt those you care about?' "It may not sound like it yet, but I fear all my remains will one day vanish. That no one will remember me. It still doesn't contrast with yours, but keep listening. Having people know who I am, people who want to follow me and my dreams, people who want to carry out my legacy, means that when I die or get hurt they will hurt as well. They will grieve for me. They will miss me.
"It makes me sound foolish. Wanting to leave a mark on the world so badly I'm willing to hurt others. I just want to help them, but I, unfortunately, know the cost of it. Your way of living is," he drew in a quick breath, leaving the rest of his sentence hanging. "A lot less painful." He finished to see her looking up at him.
"There nothing foolish about having a dream." She kept her eyes on him very closely, as if her were to counter her words. He smiled at her softly.
"Nor is there anything selfish about loving others." He said this very softly. She may be deep smart and strong, but she was still a little girl. This was probably a lot for her. It was for him. No matter how strong or smart or brave or protecting of others they were, they were still children; every child has their fears.