Fic: Wrong Turn, Chapter Three of Three

[bob_fish]

Last chapter of my fma_ihop kinkmeme fic for sara_rojo. First chapter is here, second chapter is here. I had a ludicrous amount of fun writing this, so thanks for the prompt, Sara! I've ended up having so much fun with these versions of the characters that I'm very tempted to get to work on a sequel - in which of course I'd be honour bound to resolve some of this

Comments

[sara_rojo]

Hawkeye was surrounded by idiots.

This is one way to summarize manga!Riza's characterizationXD
Still the best beginning of chapter everXD

Actually, this third chapter is still my favourite of the fic. Riza is so dry and caustic, and her POV is so...I don't know, so her. I love the way she is with the men, and her observations. No wonder thugs and bad guys always wanna marry herXD

I also loved Ed's totally over-the-top reaction to falling on top of Mustang. Maybe he wasn't as clueless to what was going on as I thought from his chapter.

“What?” howled Edward. “What are you implying? You traitor, that’s a complete lie! You don’t know what you’re talking about!” Whatever it was that Alphonse was planning to tease him about later, Edward had obviously already worked it out. Not for the first time, Hawkeye was a little glad to be an only child.

Only now noticed this. Interesting. Does Al know? Have the brothers discussed Mustang and Ed's possible interest in him before?
Also, little brother powers are scaryXD

Ed looked at the Colonel

[bob_fish]

Al's noticed something, all right ... But actually, leaving aside the UST, he's noticed canonically in the manga that there's more going on between Ed and Mustang than it appears - by which I mean, he and Fuery have a conversation while Mustang's in hospital about how spookily alike Roy and Ed are as people, and iirc Al suspects that this is what's going on under all the bickering, they recognise each other in themselves. I think it's partly the fact that there are all these layers to their interactions in canon, and that there's this great connection buried under all the hostility, that makes them so fun to play with in fic as a pairing

[sara_rojo]

I had forgot about that conversation, you're absolutely right. I mean, parallels between the two are drawn many times, but I didn't remember some of the cast adressed them. They respect, possibly admire, and definitely trust each other. Their relationship is pretty complicated, I think. All these layers you're talking about go from all kind of close family members (Roy being somewhat of a father figure at the beginning, brotherly because Roy teases him like older brothers do, a case could even be made for motherly RoyXD), and "friends" (in the sense that they regard each other as equals toward the end), and there's subtle canon UST too, not to mention superior/subordinate officer dynamic. Like you said, whatever the case, they connect

[bob_fish]

Roy and Ed: yeah, exactly. I'm interested in the canon UST you see - I more see the potential to creatively read it that way, because their dynamic is so awesome and complex and fun to write - but I'm intrigued about where you see the canon evidence as your readings of FMA are always so perceptive and thought-provoking. Tell me more

[ductapealchemst]

Just wanted to say I loved this; it very innocently plants the seeds of RoyEd in cannon timeline without getting into the creepy pedo arena! Very well done! 'Cause I so see (and <3 )RoyEd, but the timeline and ages usually so skirt the line :/

[bob_fish]

Thanks so much! Yes, I totally know what you're saying. If you look at my fic index (first entry on my lj) you'll see I quickly took the sequel to this post-manga, with Ed coming up for nineteen and just out of a serious relationship. Besides the potential ickiness of sixteen year old Ed with someone so much older, manga!Ed at sixteen has a big learning curve to go before he's ready for any adult relationship - look how his relationship with Winry evolves through the course of the manga, and how long it takes him to process the fact that he's into her.

[shanny_chan]

Oh love it, loved it! Loved the shifting POV's. And with all my fav characters, Roy, Ed, and Riza! Well written and in character, this is probably now definitely one of my favs.

[bob_fish]

Yay, thanks so much! Really glad you enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun to write!

[astridv]

I LOVE this. This was so much fun, with great voices and great characterization, and compelling action on top of it. I love it how you can write a Roy/Ed subtexty fic that I as a die-hard Roy/Riza shipper can so wholeheartedly enjoy. I just love reading your Hawkeye! And this:

Hawkeye sighed, half-consciously. She considered the afternoon it had been, and the many, many things she wanted to say to her commanding officer. Finally, she gave him a sidelong look and said, impassive and straight-faced, "Look, Ma, no hands."

Mustang lifted an eyebrow, presumably attempting to take the direct hit with some style. "Lieutenant?” he said. “Sometimes I'm not entirely sure that I like you."

this must be one of my favorite exchanges in fma fic. ^^

Heh, and Al and Hawkeye both "saving it up for later". *snicker*

[bob_fish]

I love Hawkeye - and I really appreciate it when committed canon shippers can enjoy my subtexty slash. I do try to keep them all as IC and canon-flavoured as possible even though I'm playing around with the relationships somewhat. I love how canonically Hawkeye knows exactly what a big goober Roy is and has no problem with teasing him about it. XD

[bob_fish]

Thanks! It's always fun when people go back and rediscover old stuff.

There is lots and lots more in this 'verse ... it expanded. A lot.