Disclaimer: Disclaimer: Fullmetal Alchemist belongs to Arakawa Hiromu-sensei, Square Enix and recently, Viz. I earn no profit in this.
Notes: In my psychology lecture we were analyzing an individual's journey to maturity, from finding an identity to finding love. There are many forms of love and most of us will experience at least one category in our lives. This story aims to explore every one of them from a Roy/Ed view. Rating will vary depending on each category of love.
For this chapter the rating is: K
An 'Objective' Case Study
Prologue: Empty Love
Q) What is 'Love'?
A) Love is composed of these three elements:
1) Stimulation and passion be it physical or emotional.
2) Commitment to love.
3) Intimacy of love.
Empty Love: There is commitment only.
Roy was used to living in his own spacey apartment. Despite rumours, most of the time this apartment was occupied only by himself. Of course, his lady friends sometimes popped by for dinner or of a … sleepover, but mostly it was just him, tea, and the musty smell of books.
He jolted down a last few notes onto a piece of paper:
I shall take Stephanie to Usher House restaurant next
Sunday for a few drinks and dinner.
Today wasn't a very progressive night. It was rather pitiful that his 4 hour research on 'what was maximum temperature of selected inflammable substances' could be summed up in a short sentence. Putting down his pen and reaching for his cup of black tea he did a quick mental calculation.
What day was it today?
Thursday.
Four days ago was… Sunday.
Yes, it's been four days since he last called home.
Leaving the tea aside, he walked to the telephone stand next to the hall. This was a luxury thanks to this Colonel rank income. More than once he wondered what others would think if they saw him in a public phone booth saying;
"Mum?
Yes, It's me.
Yes.
Yes.
I see.
How's Dad?
That's good.
Weather's been terrible hasn't it?
Yes, yes, I know.
Ok.
Bye."
Every one of their talks usually involved a process like this. There was the greeting. There was the acknowledgement of each other's existence. There were some vague comments about the weather and health. There was the conclusion.
Perfectly structured, mannered and delivered.
Just like their marriage.
He knew many men hated, envied and admired his lady skills. Really, it wasn't that bad. He would rather have this life than the one his parents have. Sure, they hardly argued or had any serious conflict, but they also hardly talked. 'I'd rather be stuck arguing Thomas Sandruff's theories with Fullmetal for a day than sit in a room with his parents listening to soothing classical music for an hour,' he thought.
His thoughts came to a screeching halt. Wait a sec; did he SERIOUSLY prefer to argue with Fullmetal than 'bond' with his parents?
It was a hard punch to the chest when he realised it was, yes. Yes, he would rather have Fullmetal screaming, swearing, and trying to transmute him into a goldfish (not to mention destroying his furniture with that automail arm of his), than sit with his parents in a sunroom listening to soothing classical music.
Something was definitely wrong.
Next up: Romantic Love
Give me feedback! Is this weird? I'm trying hard to avoid scientific jargon and detail… If you think this is over-the-top, let me know 'k?