Phase 9

At last, Hohenheim emerged from the basement. In his hand was a glass filled with red liquid.

Alphonse's teary eyes looked into those of his father's.

"Dad! He -- " The young man choked on his words. But there was no need for him to say more. His father rushed over and dropped to his knees beside them, hurriedly setting the glass with its contents down on the floor.

Hohenheim lifted Envy's arm out from underneath the blanket. The latter's sleeve was rolled up and the bandages unraveled. Hohenheim touched the glass of red liquid, turning it into a syringe. He took hold of his son's forearm and injected the contents into him. After the last drop had disappeared, the needle was pulled out. Hohenheim grasped his son's chilled hand and began rubbing it back and forth with his own two hands. He also rubbed the latter's wrist, hoping to stimulate the flow of the red fluid in his body.

"Alphonse, can you grab a pillow and set it on the sofa over there?"

The youngest Elric dried the last of his tears and went to comply.

Hohenheim picked Envy up and laid him down on the sofa; his head resting on top of the pillow that Alphonse had brought over. He felt the latter's forehead, then continued to massage his son's wrists and hands.

Alphonse looked on from nearby as his father continued to try and resuscitate Envy.

Some time later, Al returned to tending the fire. Every now and then he would look back at his father and older brother.

Hohenheim was kneeling by the side of the sofa. He had Envy's hand tightly clasped in his own. Low murmers could be heard from the man as he brought his clasped hands -- and his son's -- to touch his forehead.

To Alphonse, it appeared that Hohenheim was locked in prayer. He thought that if it were possible, his father could make his brother wake up just by the look of desperation in his eyes.

"Dad?"

The young boy hadn't expected his father to actually look up.

"Isn't there anything else we can do?" Alphonse's voice cracked.

Hohenheim swallowed the lump in his throat and returned his gaze on Envy. "I've already given him an injection of the Red Water -- the base that forms the Red Stones -- to help with his recovery process. The rest is up to him."

***

She had not intended to intrude -- least of all on Ed and Al's parent -- but the sight of their father looking so forlorn triggered a pain in her heart. Winry stood motionless by the entrance to the living room. One hand touched the wall. Her eyes were fixated on Hohenheim as the man knelt with his forehead pressed against hands that were clasped together.

As Winry debated over whether or not to approach Hohenheim, a hand on her shoulder caused the young woman to flinch. Her fear was assuaged after realizing it was her friend, Alphonse.

The young man led her into the kitchen, where she saw a pot of soup heating on the stove.

"I made us some soup for lunch. Have some, Winry."

"That smells delicious, Al. I'll bring some up for Ed as well. He'll be so famished when he wakes up."

"Thanks."

The blue-eyed girl contemplates her next words. "Is there...anything that I can do for your father and -- " she pauses slightly, "your older brother?"

A semi-forlorn expression appears on Al's face. "Thanks, Winry; but my Dad's been doing all that he can to heal Big Brother William. We have to hope for the best now."

"I see..."

***

As Winry brings a tray bearing two bowls of soup -- one for herself and the other for Edward -- up the stairs, likewise; Alphonse comes bearing a tray into the living room.

The young man finds Hohenheim still in a kneeling position. He sets the tray down on the coffee table and walks up to his father. A glance in Envy's direction makes Al take note that color had returned to his older sibling's face.

"Dad." The father feels a hand on his shoulder. "You didn't get a chance to eat breakfast this morning. I made some soup. You should have some."

Hohenheim tilts his head towards his youngest son. "You eat first. I'm not hungry."

"Dad, don't be like this. You don't want Big Brothers William and Edward to wake up and see you like this, do you?"

The elderly man contemplates the logic of those words. After realizing that Al was right -- that he wouldn't be of any use to his family if he starved himself -- Hohenheim gives in and accepts the bowl of soup.

"It's vegetable soup made with carrots, potatoes, and cabbage," said Al.

Hohenheim looks at the steaming bowl of soup on the coffee table. He takes the spoon and gives the contents a few stirs. Just as he is about to take in a mouthful, Alphonse suddenly gasps and cries out.

"Dad, look! He's waking up!"

Hohenheim hastily places his spoon into the bowl and whirls around to the sofa.

Envy struggles to open his eyes.

"William?" Hohenheim reaches for his son's hand. The Homunculus' fingers give a slight twitch. Soon, his eyelids flutter open. His father is the first person he sees after his vision comes into focus.

Tears of joy well up in the elderly man's eyes, and they soon flow down his cheeks. He flings his arms around Envy, burying his face in the latter's chest. Muffled sobs along with prayers of gratitude were heard coming from the relieved father.

Envy remains silent. He is visibly dazed. His eyes travel down to rest upon the top of his father's head. Then, after freeing his hands from the blanket that was covering him, he reaches up to press them against Hohenheim's back -- returning his father's embrace.

Phase 8     Phase 10