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Which Xerxes Fanfics Delve Into The Emotional Scars And Redemption Arcs Of Roy And Maes?

2026-03-02 11:09:57

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StarFox

Detail Seeker

Journalist

4 Answers

Ivy

Sharp Observer

Teacher

I’ve been obsessed with the way 'Fullmetal Alchemist' fanfics explore Roy and Maes’ trauma and healing, especially in works like 'Scars of Flame' and 'Ghosts of Ishval.' The former dives deep into Roy’s guilt post-Ishval, weaving his nightmares with Maes’ attempts to ground him. The latter focuses on Maes’ grief after losing his family, and Roy’s struggle to keep him from self-destructing. Both stories use flashbacks and quiet moments to show their bond fraying and mending.

What stands out is how these fics don’t shy away from messy emotions. Roy’s redemption isn’t linear—he backslides into self-loathing, and Maes isn’t just a cheerful sidekick but a man drowning in quiet rage. The best part is the subtlety: a shared cigarette, a half-finished whiskey bottle, or Maes humming Gracia’s lullaby to himself. These details make the pain feel real, not just dramatic plot points.

2026-03-03 06:43:53

Quentin

Twist Chaser

Pharmacist

'Ashes to Oaths' is my go-to Roy/Maes fic. It starts with Maes surviving the alley but losing his memory, and Roy’s desperation to reconnect while battling his own PTSD. The author nails Roy’s voice—his dry humor masking panic, the way he uses work to avoid feeling. Maes’ confusion as fragments return is heartbreaking, especially when he flinches from Roy’s flame alchemy. The slow rebuild of trust through small gestures (Roy learning to brew Maes’ awful coffee, Maes tracing his old doodles in files) is masterful. It’s not just about big dramatic confessions but the quiet space between words.

2026-03-05 02:47:36

Bryce

Sharp Observer

Teacher

I recently stumbled upon 'The Weight of Fire,' a lesser-known gem where Roy and Maes confront their shared trauma through letters Maes wrote 'just in case.' The fic alternates between present-day Roy reading them and flashbacks of their academy days. The contrast between young, idealistic Maes and hardened Roy hits hard. The redemption comes through Roy fulfilling Maes’ unfinished promises—visiting his daughter’s school play, adopting his terrible joke-telling habits. It’s raw but never melodramatic.

2026-03-05 07:16:25

Valeria

Helpful Reader

HR Specialist

'Blackout Poetry' takes a unique angle: Roy’s flame alchemy fails after Maes’ death, forcing him to grapple with his identity beyond being the Flame Alchemist. The redemption arc unfolds through Roy relearning basic alchemy with Riza’s help, symbolizing rebuilding from scratch. Maes appears in hallucinations, not as a ghost but as Roy’s subconscious—sometimes cruel, sometimes kind. The emotional scars are shown through Roy’s clenched fists when he hears laughter in crowded bars.

2026-03-07 05:10:34

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