Hello there. I had to rewatch episode 50 of the first FMA anime in order to remember what that Selim actually acted like, so if he was a little out of character in the last chapter, sorry. I was just going by how Pride-Selim acts. Well, enough of boring old me, here's the next chapter.
Disclaimer- Don't own FMA.
Chapter 1
Selim was nearly bouncing with excitement. His father would be home any minute. Taking a deep breath the little boy tried to calm down. He should be calm and collected when talking to his father, he was the ruler of the entire country after all, he didn't have time for his silly behavior.
The door creaking open brought the nine year old out of his thoughts. Standing up quickly he kept his head bowed, until he felt a large hand on top of it that caused him to look up. His father was smiling at him. It was a strange smile to the young boy, happy, but almost like he was sharing a secret with just him.
"Now, now, Selim. No need for that. You are my son, and," his eyes twinkled as he began to bring forth the hand that Selim hadn't noticed was behind his back until just then, "it is your birthday, after all." The boy smiled brightly as he took the large, colorfully wrapped box out of his father's hands. He stood for a moment, not sure what to do and trying not to drop whatever was inside. "Well, are you going to open it?" King Bradley prompted, and Selim nodded excitedly before tearing into the paper wrapping.
"Oh! Thank you, father!" Selim said as he began to open the box of his new train set. It was so big, and complicated. He could hear his mother giggling as he tried to pry it out of the fully packed box. He stopped suddenly, and began to look around the room. "Where should I set it up?" He didn't want to build it in a place where it would be in the way, or where people would knock into it and break it. He looked at his father, who gave him another one of those knowing smiles.
"Why don't you set up in my office, after dinner?" Selim stared at his father, having not expected that suggestion, before nodding.
"Sure," He said, not sounding too certain. He loved his father, but he never got to spend much time with him. Maybe this was his father trying to change that?
"Well, speaking of dinner, it should be done right about now. Who's hungry?" His mother asked. Selim nodded, and the three made their way to the dinning room.
After dinner Selim made his way to his father's office. He knew he was already in there and wanted to ask if he could set up the train set now. He hoped he wasn't being too much of a bother, especially since, despite what his father said, he wasn't truly his son. He was adopted, but no one seemed to care about that. Selim was glad about that, because he did care about his father and mother very much, and would be devastated if they didn't feel the same way, all because he was adopted.
Peaking in as to not disturb his father if he was busy, Selim saw something he wasn't expecting. The bookcase that was usually agents the back wall was moved, with his father standing in front. He could just see his father place something into a safe on another bookcase behind the one that was usually there. The bookcase then began to move back in place, and Selim hurried away before his father could turn away and see him.
Oh, now he felt guilty. He knew something he shouldn't, and his father would probably be mad once he found out. He didn't know if he wanted to set up the train set in that office anymore. What if his father found out he knew about his secret treasure.
Seeing his mother come down the hallway he tried to act cheerful, not wanting to tell her about the treasure before he talked to father about it.
"Hello dear, did you ask your father about setting up your train set if his office yet?" the older woman asked happily. Selim shook his head.
"Not yet, I was going to, but he looked busy," He told her. Smiling, it was her turn to shake her head.
"I'm sure he's not too busy to not talk to you, go ask him," His mother insisted. Nodding, Selim tried his best to smile. Maybe it would be better to just get this over with, his father always said it's best to tackle a problem head on.
"Okay, I'll go ask him," He said happily, and turned to walk down the hall he just came from. Once at his door, he peaked in again, making sure that everything was back to normal. It was, so he went fully inside. Clearing his throat, he tried to catch his father's attention. "Excuse me, Father?" He asked timidly.
"Oh, Selim, I didn't see you. Here to set up your little train?" King Bradley asked, in his happy, rough voice. Selim always thought he sounded like an enthused teddy bear.
"Yes, you don't mind, do you?" He asked. His father shook his head.
"Of course not, if I minded, would I suggest you put it in here?" He asked playfully. Selim smiled and shook his head.
"I guess not," He said, before looking around the room, his eyes lingering just slightly on the bookcase. "I'll go get the train set now," He said, trying to sound more excited then worried. His father simply nodded and began writing on some papers in front of him.
Walking though the halls fast (Mother said never run in the house) he grabbed the large box and made his way back to the office. Soon he was sitting on the office floor, trying to piece the train track together. It wasn't that hard, and he had it done in half an hour. Pushing the train along the track, his mind began to wonder to the treasure safe behind the bookcase. He didn't like keeping secrets from his parents, and he wasn't very good at it either. He kept glancing over to his father, and looking away quickly whenever he looked back. It was only a matter of time before he asked what was wrong.
"What's wrong?" Bradley asked. Selim knew it, he was terrible at hiding things. "Don't worry, believe it or not, I'm actually very good at keeping secrets, I won't tell anyone, not even mother if you don't want me to," He continued, and Selim decided to just tell him, he'd find out anyway.
"I saw your secret treasure. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," He said, not looking his father in the eyes. Bradley sat up from his desk and walked over to the bookshelf. Selim stood up quickly and fallowed him, getting the feeling that he should. His father pushed the first bookcase out of the way, revealing the second case and the safe.
"Well, I wasn't planning to tell you until you were older," He said, and handed a key to the young boy.
"You mean your not mad?" Selim asked, gripping the key tightly. His father gave his that smile again, and Selim knew that this time he really was sharing a secret with him.
"I could never be mad at my son," Bradley said, and relief instantly filled Selim's small body. "But," he went on, "you know that by giving you this key, I'm trusting you with my life, keep it safe." Selim smiled brightly and gave his father a salute.
"Yes Sir!" He said happily, ecstatic that his father trusted him so much. Bradley let out a small chuckle and patted his head.
"Well, why don't you go put that key someplace safe then, and then you can come back here and play with your train some more," Bradley suggested, pushing the bookcase back in place. Selim nodded enthusiastically.
"Alright Father, I will," He said, and sped from that room to his own.
Once in his room he tried to find a place good enough to hide the key. He couldn't have anyone find it, father's life depended on it, apparently. Looking for a place he was still giddy from excitement. He'd somehow earned his father's pride. Despite being a timid little boy who didn't show much promise in military life, although he wanted to, he was just too kind, the military didn't need kindness. Somehow, though, he earned it, and he wanted to keep it that way.
Looking at his bookcase, he figured out where to hide the key. Grabbing an old book, one he hadn't read it a good year, he opened to the middle. Placing the key inside, he pushed it back into the bookcase and tried to imprint the book in his mind so he would know which one the key was in, if he ever needed to get it in a hurry.
Smiling to himself, he left the room. He was sure it was a good hiding place. That was where father hid his treasure, after all. Back in his father's office, he continued playing with his train. This was defiantly his best birthday to date. Even though he'd had his nightmare last night, and he was scared when he found out his father's secret, those only made the good things seem even better.
Line-Line-Line-Line-Line
Well, there you have it. Stuffs about to go down next chapter, but you could probably tell if you recognized one of the scenes in this. Oh, and who else thinks Selim is the cutest kid ever? So sweet and timid, I want a son like that when I grow up. Well, Please review, and thanks to everyone who has so far, it makes me very happy.