Phase 7

Sunlight does not penetrate the basement, but Alphonse's internal body clock informs him that morning has arrived. The teenager opens his eyes and yawns. Turning to one side, he blinks several times in rapid succession at the sight of his parent and sibling. The two are fast asleep on the floor -- Hohenheim's arm draped across Envy's shoulder.

Alphonse smiles. He makes no sound to disturb them as he rises and tiptoes upstairs.

***

A delicious aroma fills the air, creeping its way into the basement. It causes Hohenheim to waken. The scent of breakfast comes to mind. A slight shift in his sitting position causes Envy's to moan. The latter's eyelids slowly flutter open.

"I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"

No response.

The Homunculus attempts to rise, but his strength fails him. His father takes him by the shoulders and helps to get him into a sitting position.

"How do you feel? Are you in any pain?" Without waiting for any type of response, Hohenheim begins to check up on Envy's wounds. He pushes the sleeve up and starts to unwind the bandage on his son's right arm. He did not completely remove the gauze -- just enough for him to see the thick spots of dried blood on the cotton fabric.

Hohenheim gives a slight frown, wondering why the wounds had still not fully healed. A moment later he readjusts the bandage. The man forces a light smile, trying not to alarm the latter of his condition.

"Ah...don't worry. You've already improved so much. I'm sure you'll be back to full health in no time." Hohenheim turns to face the makeshift bed. "It looks like Alphonse is cooking breakfast today. I'm getting hungry just from smelling it." He turns his eyes back on his son. "Why don't I go and get you a change of clothes? And then we can have breakfast."

Hohenheim starts to rise, but is grasped by a hand on his upper arm. He looks into the forlorn countenance of the one holding onto him.

"Do you want to come with me?"

Envy keeps his gaze downcast, but tilts his head slightly forward in response.

Hohenheim helps Envy to his feet and guides him slowly up the stairs to the first floor -- the Homunculus still clutching his father's blood-stained coat.

***

Getting to the second floor proved more difficult, as Envy's breathing became labored and he had to grip onto the railing to steady himself. Hohenheim posed the idea of going back to the first floor and letting his son rest, but the latter persisted and slowly made his way up the stairs.

Hohenheim led Envy into the master bedroom. He opened up the armoire and took out a black, turtleneck sweater and a pair of matching long pants. With a clap and a touch of his hands, the attire shrunk down in size. Hohenheim draped the clothes over his desk chair before turning his attention back on his son.

"I'm going to see if Alphonse needs any help. You can change into these clothes, and I'll be back with your breakfast." He turns to leave.

Before he could make it out the doorway, Hohenheim felt a pair of arms wrap themselves around his midsection.

"Don't go..." The words were muffled -- barely above a whisper, but the plea was unmistakable. In his haste, the Homunculus had dropped the coat from his hand when he dashed towards his father -- pressing his face into the man's back.

Neither of them moved.

No words are exchanged.

Eventually, Hohenheim reached up to unwrap the pair of arms that were fastened around him. He turned to look his son in the eyes, taking hold of him by the upper arms. The latter met his gaze.

"Now William, "Hohenheim said in a soothing tone, "I'm only going to the kitchen. I'm not going to disappear."

Envy's frightened look convinced Hohenheim that he needed another form of assurance. The man glanced around his bedroom and spotted the wind-up clock on his nightstand. An old memory resurfaced. He led Envy over to the bed and sat him down on it.

"Do you remember this game that we used to play?" Hohenheim placed the clock in Envy's hands. "Look here. I'll be back by the time this big hand lands on the six. If I come back anytime after that, well...I guess I'll be in trouble." He gave a light chuckle. Then, much to his surprise, his son nodded.

***

Hohenheim returned with a breakfast tray of oatmeal and a glass of orange juice. He found his son still in his pajamas, curled up in bed with his back to the door. The clothes on the chair were untouched. He assumed that the latter had fallen asleep while waiting for him. Hohenheim walked to the other side of the bed and found it not to be the case. Envy was awake; his eyes glued to the clock in one hand and clutching the dirty coat in his other hand. The alchemist placed the tray down on the nightstand.

"Looks like I made it back in time." Hohenheim smiled. He reached out a hand for the clock. Warm fingers brushed up against cold ones. The man took the clock from Envy's grip and placed it back on the nightstand. He left the coat in Envy's possession. Then the man pressed both hands against his son's.

"You're so cold," Hohenheim said, the fear evident in his voice. He peered closer at his son's face and pressed a hand to the latter's forehead. Envy looked up with eyes that were glassy and unfocused. Hohenheim prayed that it was only a trick of the light, but to him, Envy's skin looked unusually pale -- even for a Homunculus.

Hohenheim reached for the blanket that had been tossed aside last night. He wrapped his son in it and lifted him upright into a sitting position. Then he sat down on the side of the bed and pulled Envy back so the latter could lean against him. After making him as comfortable as possible, Hohenheim turned his attention to the breakfast tray on the nightstand.

"I know this isn't as nutritious as the Red Stones you're used to having." The oatmeal was stirred a few times before a spoonful was taken from the bowl. "But this will give you some energy." The spoon of oatmeal was brought into Envy's line of vision, but the Homunculus turned his gaze away. "Now William," the father cajoled, "you've got to eat something if you want to get your strength back."

At hearing his real name, the Homunculus turned to the speaker. A fair face, golden hair tied back in a ponytail with a few loose strands, a matching colored beard, round glasses, eyes that were the color of amber -- all of this quickly became a blur before fading to black.

Phase 6     Phase 8