This is seriously one of the best fics I have ever read in any fandom. But let me say this to all the readers. This fic should be rated M because of the tone. The tone was so heavy. When I first started it I thought the angst was gonna take center stage and give readers an agonizing experience. I was wrong. I felt empty while reading this and god the atmosphere. My heart felt dry. After reading few chapters I realized this Roy and Riza is not the one we all know and love. These are totally different characters. So instead I viewed them as your own character rather than comparing it to the manga and anime counterparts. Roy and Riza are so horrible at expressing themselves. This is one of the reasons I stopped comparing it to the original. Coz in the original they knew each other like the back of their hand. They didn't need word to understand each other. The hummingbird theme, slit throat I loved all of it. The usage of word is also very rare. Many people might like it or dislike it because of this. And even though the epilog was cute the ending wasn't as good as the rest of the story which is understandable considering the time gap

It’s 2020 and I just read this now! I’m also new to the fandom.

I really admire how this story made me feel so many emotions at once. If emotions were colors, then what this story made me feel was a spectrum. Chapter 2 Revelation crushed me! It is well-written, detailed, and symbolic. I feel like I’m reading poetry. What I most appreciate was the entire Ruby Throat idea, how it permeates throughout the entire story. The hummingbird, the dark mature theme of this fiction, the Red, the slit throat. The latter is even consistent with the manga and brotherhood, and as I recall, the manga wasn’t even finished at the time you wrote this. Very splendid. You ignited within me a love for literature, and I find myself searching for the authors you have mentioned (Maya Angelou, for example).

Much to my surprise, this is written with a large time gap (2006-2013!) I’m impressed since the story is overall consistent, except for the latter chapters. A little constructive criticism: I really wished there was justice for General Hakuro. I imagined that when Roy got the purse he would have told Maes to go on ahead without him, since it was getting late and Elysia’s babysitter would have become worried. If he stayed, Maes would have noticed Hakuro’s goons come in the apartment. Now, Hakuro would use his goons as witnesses against their charges (That was a genius turnabout you made there). They got worried. When Roy answered the phone, it would have been Grumman, instead of Maes. He called to check on Riza, since his spies told him Hakuro was not found with his wife after the ball. They explained what happened, and told him his timing was impeccable. Grumman then gives the news he knows how to take Hakuro down. That plan all boils to nothing a chapter later, when Riza lost the child. But with Grumman being higher than Hakuro, they still would have had a chance to press charges against him. I guess what would be a fitting counterargument was that they would discover that Riza was not his only victim, and they would push the charges. Or something like that. Hakuro having a family still doesn’t justify the wrongs he caused, and his wife and children deserve better than a cheating husband and father. In addition, Riza’s relationships with her grandfathers weren’t addressed in the end. I just wished these points could have been pushed further.

Furthermore, I admire how you took this topic very professionally. It makes me wonder if you are a psychology major. I’m a psychology major and I love how you followed realistic statistics (mothers with emotional trauma tend to hurt their child) and behavior (hypersexuality if a child had been molested; Roy not knowing how to approach). I love how you gave much thought on how the characters act the way they do, and it is consistent with the canon.

I’m not sure if you can still read my review (after 7 years wow!), but I really wish you well. This is one of the few fanfictions that I will never forget. May you never stop writing and may you always get fueled with passion. Love lots! Godspeed!

When I was reading this fic, I felt like I was reading a novel on its own. This is a favorite - carefully thought-of and well-written. :)

Really loved the epilogue. The story as a whole was intensely thought-provoking and raised a lot of uncomfortable issues but your writing is amazing and I couldn't stop reading. Theirs isn't a relationship that I would enjoy being part of but it was gripping. Thank you for sharing!

This was so freaking adorable. I loved every sentence. T_T everyone was very in character. I haven't seen a fic this cute in so long. Thank you for writing it. I'm glad I stumbled across this story. It really brightened my day.

i like thia fic. like its hots right on the FEEL. and still wish HE got burned to ash tho.

btw imho this fic shoul be rated M.

I first read this fanfic years ago, and returning to it again, it's just as fantastic as the first time I read it! Your prose is absolutely beautiful, and the way you write Roy and Riza is so spot-on that honestly I believe this could fit in with canon. Thank you so much for writing!

this is like...eons old and idk if you'll get this. but i loved and hated this chapter for different reasons. well written. so nicely done.

Reallyreallyreally loved this fic, thank you so much for sharing

I gotta say I had a hard time reading the earlier chapters, especially when you wrote the flashback of Riza's past with her cousin and how Hakuro pretty much exploited her loneliness. But overall this was written very well and I enjoyed it!

This story is beautifully set up. It captures the complexities of their relationship well. Thank you for such a wonderful read!

okay, I must say this chapter made my heart go damn crazy, all this general doing this to riza and roy finding out, it just hurt, feeling of anger, but also being glad she told him, not many fics make readers feel this way, it was awesome

Hacuro should've died...cmon,that bastard should've been in hell right now and I feel like so many things were left in the dust...ugh,but I didnt regret that I read the whole story that fucked up my emotions... the ending was worth it!

I swear,in my entire fucking life I've never hated a character so much...what the hell ...what the actual fuck?!

Ok so...I know im a little late but...THE ANGST IS SO FREAKING REAL ..FUCKIDG GODDAMMIT ...WTF IM SO DESPERATE TO KNOW THE TRUTH ,IT'S LIKE AIR FOR MY LUNGS UUUGGGGHHH (EXTERNALLY CRYING AND SCREAMING ) AAAGGGHHKSFFFHSHKFHSHSJHSKHFSKKD OOOHHHH GOOOD HELP MEEEE