One Big Military Family
Author's Note: This is my very first on going Royai fic! I had a lot of random ideas for how I wanted to do so I hope it actually turns out decent. I actually got the idea before seeing episode 25 and I liked how it turned out so much I decided to keep the first chapters the way they were and I'll figure things out from there. There are only a few spoilers I actually know of cuz I'm relying on the Adult Swim schedule, so go easy on me.
Disclaimer: I don't own FMA or the characters. I just like writing fics about 'em. :)
Chapter 12: Family Reunions
Riza smiled in slight entertainment as she watched Lee go running towards his father at full force and jump directly into his arms as if tackling him. For entertainment purposes, Roy allowed himself to fall to the ground, laughing as his son cheered his victory. Riza shook her head and leaned back in the hammock, continuing to read her book. Roy, Lee, and even Black Hayate were running around the backyard playing with a foam football, roy making an attempt to run all of Lee's energy out so they could lay him down for a nap.
"Gimme! Gimme!" called Lee, bouncing around, Hayate at his side, Roy pretending he didn't know who to toss it to.
"Go long, squirt!" he called. Lee ran around in anxiousness as his father tossed him the ball, which Hayate quickly intercepted.
"HEY!" Soon Lee was chasing the dog around the yard and Roy grinned, walking over to his wife, who seemed currently absorbed in her book.
"Why don't you come play with us." he suggested, grinning at her. Riza looked up from her book and raised an eyebrow at him, smiling a little.
"Football's not my sport. Besides, its nice seeing you and Lee bond." Roy grinned and leaned forward, kissing her.
"I'll accept that this time." he said. At once, Lee's excited cheer caught their attentionn and Roy turned quickly to see the boy jump into his great grandfather's arms. riza sat up quickly.
"Grandpa, what are you doing all the way here in Central?" she asked. The old man smiled cheerfully as Lee reached up and took the old man's round glasses and put them on his own face.
"Nothing wrong with an old man wanting to visit his family." he answered.
"Retirement?" The old man nodded as Roy and Riza looked at him in shock. He was very old, but they thought he would stay in the military all his life. Hearing him talk about retiring and returning home to Southern was the last thing they expected to hear from him. "What does grandma think about this?" she asked. The old man smiled at the couple as Lee reached up and took his glasses, a curious look on his face.
"She is very greatful actually. I'm an old man and the military is getting dangerous." he informed, casually taking his glasses back. "I'm thinking about leaving Eastern and moving back home again once its done." Riza looked at him with a slightly disappointed expression.
"You're gonna leave and move back down to Southern?" she asked and he nodded.
"You know why, dear." he said and Riza nodded. It was peaceful down there and thats where most of their family was. Not to mention there was not much military contact in their old neighborhood. If anyone from there were to join the military, it was because they were seeking adventure away from the quiet place. That was part of the reason she left home. Roy leaned forward in his seat, looking at the old man thoughtfully.
"So you're serious about this huh?" he asked and glanced over at Riza a moment. "It will be strange visiting Eastern Command and knowing someone else is in charge there." he said. The old man chuckled.
"I know... So many men have said that to me lately." he chuckled and patted Lee on the head. "Course, Southern would be a lovely place for you to bring the little one during vacation season." he said.
"That sounds... nice." said Roy, forcing a smile and Riza frowned a little. She knew he was lying, considering that Roy and her father didn't exactly get along well. Her grandfather, however, didn't notice the obvious lie and smiled cheerfully.
"Wonderful! You and the boy must have gotten over any differences you may have had-"
"Wha-" The old man stood and clapped Roy on the shoulder before he could finish what he was going to say.
"Good thing because there's a reunion coming up very soon and I was hoping to see you there. The rest of the family is very anxious to see the little one." As the old man continued on, Lee bouncing excitedly on the couch in the background, Roy felt his heart sink and Riza rolled her eyes. He smiled brightly at Roy. "You'll enjoy it."
"I'm sure." said Roy, his dread apparent in his slouched appearence. When the old General left, Roy let out a moan. "We can't seriously be considering this trip?" he asked, looking at his wife seriously. Riza's eyes narrowed.
"Your suggesting we don't go visit my family... The people that I haven't seen in years now?" she asked. Roy noticed that she was clearly not accepting the fact that he did not feel like facing her father, whom did not like her and would find any chance to make him look like an idiot. Lee looked between his parents, one whom had a deadly look on her face, and the other who looked on with a pleading expression. "We're going."
"Like hell we are! I'm not going anywhere. Go without me cuz there is NO way you're getting me on any kind of train to go to the place where your crazy old man is!"
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"It was nice of you to invite all of us along to meet your family, Colonel." Riza smiled at Fuery, one amoung the group that had been invited along for a lovely 'vacation' and chance to meet her family. The men were more than willing to come along and the fact that Ed and Al agreed to come along, as well as Winry, just made things even more interesting. Lee was sitting up on Roy's shoulders, looking starry-eyed at the train that they were to catch.
"PAPA! Is dat da twain to pop pop?" he asked curiously. Roy glanced up at the boy on his shoulders and smiled.
"That's right, kiddo. That's the train that's taking us to your old man's worst nightmare." he answered. Riza glared at her husband as a confused look crossed Lee's face. "What?"
"Nothing..." She muttered and Roy frowned. He had to admit, he was starting to feel bad for acting like a child, but then, the thought of all the hell her father was about to put her thru came to mind and his guilt vanished all too quickly.
"Quit being such an ass." Ed said under his breath, walking up to Roy and glancing up at him with a serious look. "Try thinking about someone other than yourself for a moment and let your wife enjoy the little time she's about to have with her family." he said, a serious look on his face. Roy stared at Ed for a moment and before he could open his mouth to say something smart, Lee threw himself directly off his father's shoulders and ito Ed's arms, knocking him to the ground.
"BIG BRUDER!" he cheered and hugged Ed happily around the neck. "You was gone a long long time." he said, looking at Ed with innocence shinning in his amber eyes. Ed tried regaining his composure, his head swimming as he smiled at the boy.
"Sorry squirt. Had some business to take care of." With all the assignments he and Al had been sent on, it was rare they got to see Lee lately, so it was only natural the boy would be excited to see the group he considered his older siblings. Ed sat up and ruffled the boy's hair. "You been behaving for Winry?" he asked. Lee nodded his head cheerfully.
"Yup!" he said and Riza came over, lifting her son off the blonde alchemist.
"Sorry, Edward. He's been very... energetic lately." she said. Ed laughed and waved a hand in a dismissive manner.
"Its ok. I don't mind." He said as Al came over and helped his brother off the ground, laughing a little to himself. "Y'know, the kid is lookin more and more like Mustang everyday." he whispered to Al as Riza took Lee's hand and led the bouncing child away as she instructed the men to put their bags away. Al glanced over at the little boy, who was tugging at his mother's hand and asking loudly why Hayate was being locked away.
"He does look a lot like the General... You think he'll be just like him when he's older?" Al asked, glancing at his brother. Ed frowned a little as he thought about all the hell Mustang had put him through when he was younger and what it would be like to see little Mustang just like his dad.
"Lets hope not." he muttered.
