The first time I watched FMA was four years ago and Royai STILL continues to ruin my life EVERY.SINGLE.DAY.

Soooo.. yeah, I have  random thoughts after watching Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood again.

This guy is Berthold Hawkeye, crazy/pyromaniac/genius the father of Riza Hawkeye and Roy Mustangs’ teacher in alchemy. He thought Roy the basics in Alchemy but not his flame alchemy, partially I think that might have drove them to destitution because of his non-stop research… or not I dunno that part wasn’t really clear for me in the manga or the anime.

Roy revealed that he joined the army and asking his master to teach him flame alchemy. Before he died, he revealed that he already had finished his research a long time ago.

So this last two lines.. first was to take care of her daughter and then every detail is with her, now for me this is his way of saying that: I’m entrusting my only family, please look after her and also I left all my secrets to flame alchemy with her so yeah, you got no choice… or something to that effect.

Now here’s where my thoughts have been bothering me for the longest time. This particular moment(s)… yes, this tattoo on Riza’s back. This is basically the backbone (no pun intended XP) of everything about Flame alchemy.

She gave this information to Roy because she trusts him.

This is me now thinking, how long did it take Roy Mustang to learn flame alchemy? Even if he were a genius I mean you can’t just learn it all by one day. he should at least need to understand every inscription. Plus it’s on a naked woman’s back?

That’s a lot of will power on Roy Mustang’s side to learn everything about flame alchemy. I mean come on!! Who are we kidding, right? He’s a guy after all. (ugh oh no my mind is crossing in dangerous territory)

But I could imagine that Roy (after learning flame alchemy) left to take his alchemist state qualifications and never heard from Riza for a long time. That would explain how surprised he was to seeing Riza in Ishval.

Fast forward after the war, she request for the skin on her burned to free from the burden her father placed in her back (no pun intended). We all know that he didn’t like the idea one bit, judging by this…

So brings us to this, he had to burn the tattoo off her back, but judging by the scar, he might have only done it halfway because he couldn’t bring himself to hurt her. Roy only burnt one part of the tattoo so it wouldn’t be complete/useful anymore. How could he have the will power to again look at her back and inflict pain this time.

Oh god, I’m not trying to be meta here but, the emphasis on both Riza and Roy’s back is paramount in understanding the complexity of these couple characters.

Riza’s back being the source of his prowess in flame alchemy. Then Roy’s back being the reason for Riza to protect and be his aide. Royai is canon.

Do forgive my long post. I just need to get this out of my system.

Reblog if you agree. 

i'm not late for royai day if every day is royai day to me 🔥🪶 also for royai week day 1 - raison d'être