I absolutely adore takes on Riza and Roy’s childhood. I like to imagine, even in that dilapidated house, that it was their own private world. That, during childhood, it there was something like peace and sanctuary, only occasionally punctuated by Berthold or Grumman. However, I do know better. Hawkeye had multiple students, of which Roy was only one. Perhaps the best of them, but still. It never was specified how many others there were or just how long Roy was apprenticed at the Hawkeye estate. I do have to wonder. I love fics that have young, young childhood Roy and Riza, but I also think it’s unlikely that he was there at the age Ed and Al started learning. Like them, Roy could well have been a child prodigy. However, most apprenticeships didn’t traditionally start until at least a bit older, if not into the teens.

Ooh I love this one!

I love how your stories are always related to each other, in a way you create your own cannon, but not apart from the official one. It's been amazing to read a kind of summary of Espionage through Riza's words this time. Speaking of which, I know by own experience how challenging it is to write in first person with her as the narrator, so I admire it even more. You have to know your characters really well to do it without making it feel "fake" or OOC. And she's such a complex character that getting into her mind is really difficult. Congratulations

Oh my god, my eyes are misting! This is such a beautiful fic! Your take on Berthold is very refreshing, considering he's often written as a shitty dad. I usually don't prefer 1st person POV, but your description, your storytelling, and your writing pulled me in; they are very, very lovely. Amazing.

That ending is perfect. This is amazing.

i know this is old, but this story is so well written, and so is every thing else you have written. thanks for the great stories!

i ended up favoriting your stories i hope u dont mind the notificationsthis is just utterly beautiful, like all your stories, and i dont have any words. just thank you so much for all these i love u. i wish you a very nice day dear author.

I loved this different interpretation on Berthold Hawkeye's character. It's poignant and beautiful and amazing 3 I also liked your characterization in general, but especially Riza's. Thank you for the great fic!

I really hope that more people would read this masterpiece.

I absolutely love this fic, and I am so happy that all the other related stories (Espionage, etc.) saw the light of day! They are some of my favourite Royai fan fictions, and so well written that they are now my headcanon, and nobody can convince me otherwise! I guess this is a review for all those stories as well! Keep up the great writing, I look forward to reading more of your awesome alphabet series too!

Oh maaannnn this was so lovely. Easily one of the best and sweetest Royai pieces I've ever read. I finished Espionage before I read this but I loved seeing all the things you had in mind for it before it was written. You're a wonderful writer and you're so good at writing them believably :)

I just...I finished reading Espionage a couple of days ago and since then I've read Infinite Arms, Pistols, and some others..I don't know why it took me so long to get here if I already knew of the existence of this fic... It's so perfect! I was telling a friend the other day that your stories are by far my favorite Royai fics because they feel so real, and so right! These are definitely the ones I'm keeping to fill the gaps I'm left with after reading the manga and watching the anime! Thank you so much for such wonderful writing! :D

This was incredible and the perfect thing to read right after "Espionage" (which melted my heart and was also amazing). Their relationship is so sincere and kind and innocent and you captured it wonderfully. In all of your stories. "The first boy she ever loved" line reminded me of the deleted scene in "Espionage" and made my heart hurt.

Oh I just loved everything about this! It is all very plausible and wonderfully written (for some reason I particularly enjoyed the bit about "that idiot carrying me five miles").

Now off to read the longer counterpart :)

Thanks for making me cry, Janie...
But seriously, beautifully written. Haven't seen anyone write this well for Royai in a long time. 3
(over troubled waters)