A/N: Here's the next chapter I promised you guys. Enjoy.
Riza let out a frustrated sigh while she pinched the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes. They have thanked the principal and left the office. As soon as they exited, Riza started to scold Ryan, which wasn't new.
"Ryan, you did it again this time. I'm actually surprised they still tried to keep you in this school! You destroyed a lot of things for trying to impress a girl- what were you thinking?! You could have injured yourself or you could have died! How do you expect me to pay for all of this? It's bad enough that half of your dad and my salary is being paid for your father's chocolates." Riza huffed.
"Heey," Roy frowned.
Riza shot him a look, then sighed. "My point is, what if you get hurt and neither me nor your father is there to help you? I won't even forgive myself if that happens! You may escape from being hurt the first time, the second, the third or the fourth, but anything can happen on the fifth! Ryan, impressing a girl is alright with mommy. But you don't have to go do the extremes to do it. Impress a girl by your brains and your heart."
Riza then huffed her loudest and collapsed on the nearest bench she could find. She handed the sleeping Maes to Hailey, then she intwined her fingers and pressed them to her forehead. Raven got down from her daddy's arms and ran over to comfort her mother.
Roy reached up and took Ryan in his arms. He went into the next hall, away from their family.
"Ryan, did you understand what mommy was saying?" He started.
"Yeah..."
"She's just worried. I am too. Remember the Ishbal War you learned about during History class?"
"Uh-huh. Teacher Trixie explained to us how horrible it was."
Roy nodded. "It really was. I will never forget about it. Or rather, I can't."
Ryan's head shot up. "Dad, what do you mean by that?"
Roy sighed. "Ah, I promised your mother I wouldn't tell. But, I have to."
"Tell me what?"
"Your mother and I were part of the Ishbal War, Ryan." Roy finally said. Ryan's eyes immediately darkened in fear and shock. "Thousands and thousands of innocent people... We took their lives. No, we stole them."
"WHAT THE-"
"Your mother was the only girl during the war. She was the best sniper there was. In fact, until now. I used flame alchemy."
"Why did you kill people, dad?! That's bad!"
"We did not kill because we wanted to! We were forced to, Ryan! But other soldiers, they looked like they were having fun playing with their alchemy and weapons. Men, Women, Elderly, Parents, Children, Babies, everyone. Your mother and I have killed children of your age. The trauma is terrible on me, but it's worse for your mother. When I strike, the possibility of killing people is 90%. Some people get injured, some people get out safely, some don't. But when Riza strikes, the percentage of killing someone is 100%."
"But why did you kill when you didn't want to?"
"Orders. The former fuhrer's orders. When Riza and I started dating, we knew deep inside we didn't want any children. We can't. After everything we did in Ishbal? How can we create a life when we mercilessly took thousands of them?"
"But you chose to have us, dad."
"Yes, we did. Because we love you. We want you to experience everything a child should experience. Not the hell we've been through. If it's the only way to attain for our sins, then we'll do it. But we also knew we wanted to have a family at the back of all the killing. And so we discussed everything and decided to follow our hearts. So now, we have you kids. You can't blame mommy if she gets too sensitive about you and your siblings' safety."
"I understand, dad." Ryan sighed and hugged Roy. "I'm glad you made the right choice."
"Go to your mother, buddy."
Riza have already calmed herself down, and she stood up to get going.
"Right, where's your idiot father and Ryan?" She asked monotonously.
"Mommy!" The girls watched as they saw their brother run his way towards Riza. He had tears on his eyes and he looked like he was desperate to see and hug her.
"Ryan?" Riza muttered.
Ryan threw his body on her and circled his arms on her waist. As soon as he felt his mother's warmth, he broke into slight sobs. "Mommy, I'm- I'm-"
Riza smiled and kneeled down in front of him and returned his embrace. "It's alright, Ryan. Don't cry anymore. You're eight. Big boys don't cry anymore." She wiped away the tears on his cheeks. She inwardly laughed at the sight since it strongly reminded her of Roy during their younger days. Ryan sniffed and nodded as he wiped his new tears. Riza carried her son in her arms and Ryan nuzzled her neck and settled there.
"Roy, what did you do to him? Why is he crying?" Riza asked her husband.
Roy ran his fingers through his hair. "Hmm, let's say he learned a lesson of a lifetime. He'll never think of History class the same way ever again."
"What did you tell him, Roy?"
"The truth about Ishbal.. I'm sorry, love, I had to tell him." Roy frowned at his wife, whose eyes shot daggers at him.
Riza sighed and rubbed her son's back soothingly. "It's alright, Ryan. You don't have to cry anymore."
"I'm not crying because of Ishbal." Ryan sniffed and sobbed. "I'm crying because we're done buying books and uniforms and we have to go to the dentist." He wailed out loud.
A/N: Sorry I posted kinda later than planned, and shorter than planned... Though I have reasons. Sorry! Will make up for it on the next chapter!
