Phase 4

Hohenheim had just set the basin of hot water and some towels on the wooden footstool when he heard light footsteps descending the stairs.

"Alphonse, can you hand me that basket of bandages from the table?"

Hohenheim looked up and realized too late that it was not his youngest son.

"Pinako..."

The two of them locked eyes before Pinako turned her gaze to the wounded person asleep in the bed behind him. She took the basket of gauze bandages and set them on the floor next to the footstool. Pinako gazed at the unconscious, bloody figure in the bed; then quickly turned to her friend.

"This boy needs medical attention right away. Well, don't just stand there. Come and help me." Decades of medical experience resurfaced. The elderly doctor rolled up the sleeves of her green dress.

"Yes, of course," Hohenheim said, snapping out of his momentary shock.

The two of them worked together in silence -- washing and bandaging the unconscious Envy's wounds as the latter laid propped up against Hohenheim. The alchemist ran his fingers through Envy's hair that was caked in blood in an effort to untangle the knots. Pinako did not ask about the nature of his wounds. Nor did she say anything about the Ouroboros tattoo that she saw on him.

From time to time, Hohenheim provided his friend with fresh hot water and towels. Although he had used Alkahestry to speed up Envy's self-regeneration process to stop him from bleeding anymore, the alchemist was at a loss as to why he had to do that in the first place. The depletion of red stone fluid should not affect a Homunculus's inborn ability to automatically and quickly recover from injuries that would otherwise be fatal to humans. Nonetheless, the bleeding had stopped, but evidence of the physical wounds he received was still all over his body. Therefore, taking precaution, Hohenheim felt it best to bandage his son's wounds in case they reopened.

When the process was done, Pinako washed her hands in a fresh bowl of water as Hohenheim covered Envy with a blanket. "Shall I tend to your injuries as well?" Pinako inquired.

Hohenehim touched the front of his shirt, which was now caked in dry blood. He had completely forgotten about his own medical needs. "Thank you, but I'm fine, Pinako. My wounds have already begun to heal."

Pinako tilted her head as she regarded her haggard and disheveled friend. "Hm...very well, if you insist. However, I believe you won't object to a fresh change of clothes." Glancing towards the sleeping figure on the bed she added, "And that young man can also use some."

Hohenheim did not object.

After drying off her hands, the elderly surgeon took the bowl and proceeded toward the stairway.

"Pinako."

The old woman turned around.

"Thank you."

She gave a light smile, then turned and climbed up the stairs.

***

Winry and Alphonse laid Edward gently down on his bed. Aside from his fever and a couple of minor cuts and bruises, Winry deduced that there was no immediate danger to his life. Still, she decided not to take any chances. "I'm going to get some medicine. Help him change into something more comfortable." With that she took off.

***

From the downstairs washroom, Pinako caught sight of her granddaughter for one fleeting moment before she disappeared from the house. After drying her hands on her apron, Pinako climbed the stairs to the second floor and proceeded to the master bedroom. She opened the armoire and picked out a casual attire for her friend -- similar to the one that he always wore. The old woman's eyes wandered for a moment before settling on a pair of pajamas for the mysterious person.

***

When Pinako re-entered the basement, she found Hohenheim sitting in a chair by the bedside. She placed the clothes on the table. Hohenheim thanked her, then added, "How did you know I was back? Did Alphonse tell you?"

Pinako closed her eyes and shook her head. "No, I deduced that myself. If only Alphonse and Edward had returned, then this house wouldn't be here. Only you could have and would have done this, my friend."

Hohenheim admired her understanding of him.

"Everything in this house is just like it was before you left."

"Yes, I recreated everything from memory. But...there are some things that can never be as they were..." He trails off, lost in thought.

"But you are home now, my friend. I am sure Trisha would be happy to know that her family is back. I trust you will be staying with the boys for a while."

Hohenheim turns to the sleeping figure on the bed. He reaches out and lightly places a hand on the latter's head. "Yes, I'll be staying with my sons."

Phase 3     Phase 5