Hello dear readers!

This is a co-written story between me and MaybeTommorrow here on ffnet. Check out MaybeTommorrow's profile! She's a very talented writer and is the person behind everything Envy thinks, says and does in this story.

This story is transferred into its format from a roleplay we had about a year ago and will be several chapters long.

Warnings: Slash, yaoi, violence, character death and Nazis!

Enjoy!

Chapter 1

It was a cold October evening in Munich. The sun had already gone down and the depressed and inflated city was mostly quiet. The Great War was still in the atmosphere and German people suffered under the dire economic consequences it had brought upon them. The prizes were high and people had enough taking care of themselves. Why would anyone pay a single, young homeless man any mind?

He was ridiculously lightly clothed for the season. His body was covered in filth and the blond hair was greasy. Whenever someone saw him they'd simply rush past him and pretend they didn't see him. He'd resolved in pulling himself off the busy street and into a dark alley. There, he sat full of anger. How could he, Envy, the great Envy, find himself in such predicament? Envy was beyond pissed, he was enraged, incensed, furious. How dare- how dare that goddamned Gate do this to him?! He was in a place, dull, boring and empty, with nothing. Nothing at all!

He wanted to kill that bastard, but how could he in this body? This body was weak, useless and dying. Dying for shit's sake! A whole week weeks he'd been here slowly wasting away from the lack of fat he'd never had on his body in the first place, and the muscle that was gone, like it had never even been there. He barely had the strength to stand at this point.

At times he'd cast a glance out on the street, where no one even batted an eyelash at the nearly dead person as they walked by. Was this place really so awful that no one ever cared? Not that it mattered to him. If anyone did happen to look he still had energy enough to snap at them in a pretty threatening fashion. They would scurry along like the pathetic humans they were, and pretend it never happened.

"Disgusting…" he croaked. It was all so disgusting and worthless, it would have been better if the Gate had simply just let him die. He couldn't do a damn thing like this. He knew this world wasn't the same. And he knew Hohenheim was still here, that bastard, alive and well while he was wasting away, completely abandoned. Again. How he despised that man. He didn't even look up as someone stopped outside the alley, hesitant to move on.

Alfons Heiderich had stopped before the alleyway by mere instinct. The sight of a man sitting there looking so cold made him feel instantly sad for him. He was merely a less fortunate person and he didn't feel right by not doing anything. The fact that it was cold and he felt tired after a long day at the factory didn't make the matter better. His workplace was more like a home to him than the small apartment he rented. This unfortunate man didn't even look like he had anywhere to go.

Alfons looked at the paper bag of groceries in his hands. He had barely managed to make it to the local store five minutes before it closed. He didn't have that much money, but the guy looked pretty miserable. He's bought plenty of food though, he wouldn't be able to eat everything on his own anyway. He cast a glimpse around, but no one else seemed to care - or want - to help the homeless man. Everyone seemed to have enough with themselves.

The young blond took a few steps closer to the man sitting in the alley. Perhaps he was naive. But he couldn't help it. "Excuse me, sir," he said carefully, a friendly and warm smile on his face. "Are you hungry?"

Envy was stuck in his own grim thoughts and didn't realize at first that he was being addressed, but when he looked up he frowned at the guy. "What," he grunted. It wasn't a question. "I don't need your pity. Go away!" he snapped, glaring with hate filled eyes, despite the fact that his very human stomach was growling at the mere mention of nutrients. He needed it, he knew, he would eventually just die and waste away, but he would never go so far as to accept help from someone who looked like they were wasting away themselves and even as his stomach growled in protest. If Envy could, he would have killed his own digestive system. If he could, he would have killed every living being left in this pathetic world. Starting with this moron! He kept glaring up at him. Why didn't he run away yet?

Alfons was a bit shocked by the answer. It was obvious that he was hungry, so why didn't he accept help? "I won't pity you," Alfons said carefully, thinking it might help the man's pride. He understood that this predicament must be really degrading on someone. Whatever had happened, he hadn't asked for it. "You're not the only one with difficulties in this city with the economic crisis, and it seems like there's every man for himself, doesn't it?" He paused for a second. "But you know," he continued softly. "If you don't mind, I have some food to spare for you. It's no trouble."

He didn't wait for an answer and crouched down before the man with the bag of groceries before him. Most of it couldn't be eaten without cooking it first and that was a problem. However, he had a plastic bag of red and green apples. He found it and offered it to the man, still smiling. "Please, take it."

Envy stared at the stranger. Was he out of his mind? Did he not know what Envy could do to him? Well, of course he didn't but Envy hardly cared about that. Still. What the fuck was wrong with him?

"...Are you out of your useless, stupid mind?" he croaked, his voice rough and hoarse from lack of use. "Really, what kind of person walks up to another and just...?" He flicked his fingers in a frail impression of a hand flick. He barely noticed the bag of apples, well he did notice, his stomach did and his mouth, which was watering, dammit all, he wouldn't take it despite how much he wanted it. "Get lost. I said I don't want your pity," he repeated, looking away, the stupid human, really, how stupid.

Alfons frowned, his expression saddened a little. Perhaps he was stupid. But what could he do, really? He couldn't help feeling bad for him. "Just someone who wants to make a small difference somehow, though no one special," he said to answer the question. "I'll just... leave this here then. You can do what you want with them, they're yours now." He placed the little plastic bag of apples next to the man and then stood back up. It should last for a little while at least. He brushed off some dust and picked up the paper bag with the rest of the food again.

"Bye then." He turned and walked back out of the alley.

Envy narrowed his eyes at the boy as he left the alley. What a… What a stupid dick! He glared at the bag of apples and picked one up, lifting it to throw it at the back of the boy's head, but...he couldn't really work up the strength, and dammit, it did look good... Damn it all, that stupid worthless fucker! How dare a simple human like him humiliate him like this?!

He stared at the damn apple again and was eating it before he realized it, he hated himself for it, but, damn, food, his body was almost sighing in relief. And then he was growling and throwing the core at the opposite wall, and wobbling to his feet, he had to the wall as support and he grabbed the other damn apples, that damn boy! He'd tricked him! He stumbled, his legs didn't know how to work, but he went on. He could still see the blond head moving through the crowd. He was going to get it for doing this to him!

People were staring at him, he ignored them and kept on, his hand gripping the bag of apples, his fist shaking from exertion. "Damn you...brat," he hissed. He didn't know what he was going to do, he just knew that he wanted to hurt something!

Alfons was walking away fast and didn't turn back. What a sad place this city had become. If he didn't have his beloved job at the factory, he'd probably leave this Godforsaken place. He'd go visit his old teacher Oberth in Romania. He would though, when the rocket was finished. He had a lot of patience in his heart so he took his time to make every little formula perfect.

Suddenly he heard some concern voices behind him, which made him turn around to look.

People were pointing fingers and speaking in a degrading manner at the man he had just met in the alley. The man was hissing and looked really angry, and Alfons was even more bewildered when he realized the man was looking right at him.

"...You-" he began hesitantly, and then walked back towards the man. He didn't look so good. "Hey, are you okay?"

Envy stopped and gulped, continuing to glare at the boy. He was so stupid! "You're a stupid fucking fool," he hissed, his voice full of anger. "You just hand food out, like a fucking idiot!" he growled, he wasn't really sure what he was trying to say, he had an apple, which was the only whole thing he'd had to eat in weeks mostly he just had scraps when his body would no longer function. "What the hell is wrong with you? Do you want to-" he snarled, though the threat remained hanging in thin air. His body was already going out from exertion. People were pulling away from him like he was crazy. In contradiction Alfons slowly took some steps closer.

"I was just trying to help..." Alfons said helplessly. "I'm really sorry if I offended you-"

At that point the man was leaning, flopping against the wall and then slipping down like he was completely out of energy, but still glaring death. Alfons gasped a little and hurried forward the last bit and supported him by the arm while holding the bag of food with the other, right before the man was about to fall over on the cold ground. "You shouldn't stay out here..." he said carefully. "You're going to get sick."

"D-don't-!" Envy growled but, as if to extenuation the boy's point, he coughed. Okay, so maybe he was getting sick. He hadn't been sick in close to five centuries, he hadn't really realized it. He coughed again and tried to push away from the boy, but the kid was a lot stronger than he looked, and Envy was frail and out of energy and strength. "Damn... human..." he growled in hate, if he was a lesser being he would have probably lost it right then, but he would never do such a thing, not in front of humans.

"Please, help yourself," Alfons said a bit urgently. "You don't have to accept help from me, just think of it as surviving." He couldn't possibly leave him on the street. He was too weak. He might die if he spent another night outside. "Come," he said, more softly. "It's not far."

"I hate you..." Envy whispered, but as for who it was directed at, was anyone's guess. "I hate you so much."

Alfons didn't make any sign of being bothered of the words. He took the stranger home, and it didn't happen often but it probably wouldn't be the last time. He helped the man up the stairs to his small flat above Miss Gracia's flowershop. At that point he thought the man didn't really care what he did or where he was taking him. He also chose to ignore the occasional insults. They could be directed at him, or the world, it didn't matter. This man had probably a right to hate him, or the world. Alfons felt like his simple little lonely life couldn't even compare now. He had what he needed, while this man had nothing. That wasn't exactly fair.

Envy just didn't care anymore. He simply went along with the boy. Fine so this idiot of a human wanted to take care of him probably for his own selfish reasons to make himself feel like a better person. Whatever he didn't care, he would do whatever and then get lost at the first opportunity. Not that it wasn't nice to finally be inside, he hadn't realized just how cold it was outside, and the fact that he was still wearing the clothes he'd chosen for the other side of the Gate didn't help. They weren't exactly meant for cold weather.

They finally got inside where it was a bit warmer, although not much since the place had been empty all day. He needed to get the fireplace running as soon as possible.

The apartment was mostly clean and tidy, except some large rolled up blueprints and sketches floating about the place. Alfons let the man slip down on the wooden chair by the kitchen table and then pulled off his brown coat and scarf. It was amazing that this mystical man wasn't already frozen to death. He cleared away some sketches of rockets from the table and immediately started making some tea. "You should drink something warm, it'll help," he said.

Envy snorted noncommittally. His hair was matted dirty, one wouldn't really be able to tell what color it was until after a wash. His whole body was covered in grime, and he probably didn't smell all that pleasant. He stared at the boy's back as he began making the hot beverage. He really was an idiot. "You're an idiot," he told him again, he reminded him of someone though, he wasn't sure who, but just his presence seemed familiar. Or perhaps he was delusional, whatever, he was still an idiot. Maybe when he had gotten his strength back he'd put him out of his misery, then he wouldn't be so stupid all the time. He would make it short and only a little bit painful, just long enough for the boy to regret being so damn naïve. It would be damn beautiful. Maybe it would even cheer him up a little.

"Perhaps I am a bit stupid… but I accept it," Alfons said, turning around and offered the man a careful smile, of course unaware of Envy's unpleasant train of thought. After all, he was aware of that it wasn't wise to bring strangers home. Yet he'd done it anyway. "Perhaps you want to use the bathroom after you've had some tea? I'll lend you some clean clothes too so you won't be cold anymore."

The water started boiling and Alfons turned around again, pouring some into a mug together with a teabag, and then placing the mug on the table in front of the man along with sugar. "I'll be right back, alright?" he said, and then headed towards his bedroom to find some clothes. He had a lot of shirts, after all. Most of them looked alike. He didn't need all of them.

Envy glared at the cup like it had offended him in some way, and glared, and glared. Like he wanted the cup of tea to drop dead. But finally it won him over like the apple had, and he took a sip. For being such crappy tea it tasted wonderful and he drank it all before it was even lukewarm. He hadn't even touched the sugar, though he remembered sugar from when he was much, much younger, a child still. When life really hadn't been so bad. He poured a little out on the table and then stuck his finger in it and then brought it up so he could stare at the little white crystals, as intriguing as they were, he knew they tasted better. He stuck his finger in his mouth and the taste brought on a wave of memories from his childhood, before his entire life had gone to shit.

His mother, smiling at him, petting his cheek lovingly, his father rubbing his head in affection. He beamed up at both of them, they had been happy at one point, they really had. Why had it all gone wrong...?

He snarled and then knocked the rest of the sugar away knocking it to the floor where it spilt. Dammit! He was feeling terrible, he was sure he would start crying like a child! It wasn't fair! This life never should even have happened! It wasn't fair!

Alfons stepped into the bathroom with a shirt and a pair of pants for the strange guest, and made the tub ready with hot water for the man. He would probably feel much better after getting off all that dirt. It was then heard something fall on the floor. Alfons stepped quickly back into the kitchen in slight concern. At least the teacup on the table was empty, that was a start. However, the sugar was spread all over the kitchen floor. Envy had had his head buried in his arms, his eyes peeking out past his matted hair to glare at Alfons.

"Oh, don't worry about it," Alfons said, beaming softly. "You should go to the bathroom and wash up, I put some clothes there for you."

Envy would have felt sorry for knocking the sugar over, but he couldn't, not when his mind was racing with those damn memories. He stared at the boy, slowly straightening up. "You gave me food, brought me into your house, and you are letting me use more of your shit and you don't even know my name. Are you insane, or just stupid?" His voice was still rough and spiteful. He would have gone off without a word just to not be in the same room with the idiot, but the truth was he couldn't move without falling over. So much for wanting to kill this idiot. He couldn't because he wasn't even physically capable of walking!

Alfons didn't quite know if he should get offended or laugh. He did neither. He didn't want to upset the man further, and besides, he had a good point. Many people in Munich were desperate, which led to a high crime rate. For all he knew this man could beat him senseless and then steal everything he owned. But why did people always have to expect the worst from others? Especially people who were a bit different. How could the world function that way?

"Oh, how rude of me," he finally said and smiled a bit. He was pretty interested, after all. He just hadn't wanted to pry. "What's your name then?"

Envy waited for a moment longer and then rolled his eyes, "You still haven't told me yours, were you raised on a farm?" He shook his head. "I don't feel like telling you my name," he continued obstinately. "I haven't really decided if I'm just going to kill you yet or not," he said flippantly and then shrugged and slouched on the table again. He still couldn't work up the strength to get up. "You're so annoying."

Alfons raised his eyebrows. He couldn't exactly take these words lightly. But in another way the man looked quite too weak to kill him at the moment. Besides, since he was saying it straight out like that, it sort of took away the real threat. If this man really wanted to kill him, he wouldn't let him know about it, would he? He could barely stand on his feet yet, let alone kill anyone.

"My name is Alfons Heiderich," Alfons introduced himself in a kind tone. "If you don't want to tell me your name, that's fine. Here, let me help you to the bathroom." He stepped over and nudged him to stand up on his feet.

Envy growled at him, but due to his lack of strength, had to allow him to help him. He wasn't happy about it, but it happened. He glared at him once they got to the bathroom, "Fine, pushy bastard," he grumbled and then pushed him away weakly. "Don't look at my junk," was his way of saying 'get out'. He would take a bath, but he was not going to get help for it.

Alfons couldn't help but laugh a bit at that. "Let me know if you need anything." Then he stepped back out, leaving the door slightly ajar so he would hear him if he called. Envy snorted and glared at the door, before stretching and grabbing the knob and closing it properly with a slam. The little moron, seriously.

Alfons wanted his guest to feel comfortable, so he started a fire in the fireplace to get the apartment a bit warmer before heading back to the kitchen. He swept up the sugar and broken porcelain on the floor, and the started unpacking the groceries he'd brought home. Some proper dinner would probably do them both good!

Envy sat disgruntled on the bathroom floor for a few minutes before he finally attempted to disrobe, his clothes really were disgusting. He dropped them on the floor next to himself, and with a lot of swearing and slips, he finally managed to get into the bath. It wasn't hot, but it was warm, warmer than he'd been in a very long time. And he was loath to admit it, but it felt good. The only thing he was pleased about was that because of all the shit on him there would likely be a ring on the tub. Whatever might annoy the little, naïve idiot was making him feel a little better. He grinned to himself and then dipped his entire head under the surface of the water to clean his hair. It was too long like this, he couldn't care for it as a human. As a homunculus it wasn't an issue, but like this it was a real annoyance.

He came back up with a small gasp, his lungs were weak, how pathetic! He grabbed a lock of hair and squawked in outrage. What? It was blond! How the hell had he missed that?! This was disgusting! He hadn't looked in a mirror the whole time he was here so he wouldn't know. He couldn't possibly- no, not like this! He cried out in anger and punched the water, making it splash over the entire floor.

Alfons had decided to make some stew. It was easy and quick to make and would stifle their hunger. He didn't mind working in the kitchen, and he rummaged around while humming softly to himself; sweeping up the sugar on the floor, and put away the rest of the groceries while the stew cooked. He suddenly heard the outraged sound from the bathroom and frowned in alarm. He stepped over to the bathroom door and knocked gently. "Hey... Are you all right in there?" he asked in mild concern.

"No!" Envy snapped, he was too disgusted with himself to care. Gate, what if his eyes were gold too? That would just be the worst! If he looked like that bastard he would just drown himself right then and there. He struggled to get up. He had to get to the mirror, if he looked like him, like that fucking asshole... He didn't know. He just had to see. By sheer force of will he managed to get himself up and to the sink, he was using the basin as support, his arms shook even as he held himself up.

Gold eyes full of hate glared back at him in the mirror, and he snarled in disgust and anger, dammit. How could this happen? The Gate had the sickest sense of humor, and that was saying something coming from Envy. "Fucking hell..." he hissed, what the hell. Just fuck!

Alfons was starting to grow really worried, but he didn't dare step inside yet. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?" He could've slipped and hurt himself, but it didn't really sound like that was the issue. He sounded just... angry. Alfons wondered what he was so angry about all the time.

Envy only growled in response. What was he supposed to do? He couldn't look like this?! His arms gave out and he crumpled to the floor. He scowled at himself for being so weak. He snarled a few insults at whoever would listen and then grabbed the clean clothes and somehow managed to get them on. He wasn't bigger than Alfons, he may have been thinner, so the clothes fit. He sat on the ground for a lot longer his now clean blond hair hanging tauntingly in his face. He heard the boy's worried tone outside the door again and kicked the door in response. At least the idiot would know he was out of the bath.

"I'm coming in." Alfons made up his mind and opened the door slowly, only peeking through the small crack, before opening the door wide as he noticed the blond on the floor. "Oh dear."

He quickly knelt beside him and supported him so he could sit up. "Hey... what's wrong?"

"None of your damn business," Envy tried to growl quietly, but it came out choked. But still, like he would spill his heart to this idiot. Even if he felt the need to whine, or even to cry, he wouldn't. He wasn't human like that despite having a human body. He wouldn't give into his emotions so easily. Never! "Just get me out of here," he demanded instead. He didn't want to be near the mirror anymore, he would break it. He didn't want to see himself. He couldn't stand it.

Alfons brought the older blond's arm over his shoulders and helped him stand up. He supported him back into the kitchen where the stew was still cooking, fortunately on low heat so it wouldn't burn. "Here, let's eat some stew," he said softly. He helped him until he could sit back down by the table, and then he went to find a pair of bowls and spoons. He set the table and then sat down. "Please, help yourself."

Envy glared at the stew, but he was losing energy being so angry all the time. He gave himself a suitable amount of food and glared at it too, for smelling so good and then starting to eat. Shit this wasn't fair, he was human, he looked like that bastard and he was being helped by an idiot, how much worse could it get? He needed to get his strength back so he could become more like himself again.

Alfons smiled a little, feeling happy that the man accepted to eat without any insults. They were making some progress here. He served himself as well and ate, though he didn't feel very comfortable in the silence so he decided to take care of the talking and remain cheerful. He still didn't want to pry, so he decided to just talk about something trivial.

"I hope it's not too salty, my father used to salt the food too much," Alfons said. "Actually, he was a terrible cook, so mostly he wasn't allowed to make the food by my mother. He was a great rocket scientist though; he was one of the few who looked up to Professor Oberth's theories. Most people only laughed at Professor Oberth, but he was my mentor after I finished the University and I respect him very much. We still send each other letters and share experiences within the science. He's working in Romania, while I decided to move back here. Munich is where I grew up, and even if it might look bad here now, I think the situation will stabilize over time, you know."

Envy stared up at him with an unimpressed face. "You talk too much," he said, before stuffing more of the stew in his mouth. The idiot just had to start talking about his parents. Idiot.

It made him remember the times when he was younger, sitting at the table with his parents, when he'd been so young his feet would dangle off the ground. His father would give him second helpings claiming he was a growing boy. Then his mother would clear the table and slip him some sweets while giving him a smiling wink.

Alfons was about to continue talking, but stopped at the comment and regarded Envy's thoughtful face for a moment.

Envy kept mulling in silence. His mother had been so kind and sweet at first. But something had happened that had changed that. Still he found himself missing those moments, in the months before he'd died. He snorted into his stew, trying to clear his mind. Why were those memories so clear right now? It wasn't fair, he was still furious with that old bastard, these memories didn't help him think of him in a bad way. It was annoying.

Alfons smiled a little, curious of what was on the man's mind. "Say, where do you come from? If you don't mind me asking." He'd try to bring the conversation to a new level. He was interested in knowing more about this man, after all. But so far he hadn't been very interested in sharing anything with him. That was fine, but he couldn't help that he was a curious scientist by nature.

Envy smirked at the question. "Hell," he replied. It wasn't really a lie. He'd come from the Gate which was like hell, so that worked. "Why do you care?" he asked back.

Alfons cast a slightly anxious look at him. "Well, I suppose you can blame the scientist in me. I'm just curious. How did you wind up in that alley?" Even if the man didn't look that much older than himself, he seemed to be a strong person who wouldn't let anyone mess with him. Perhaps he had used to be the one who messed with people. A bully? Alfons wasn't sure what to think of this person, but he didn't want to judge or anything.

Envy frowned at the question. He wasn't really sure how he'd ended up in the alley. He was a little lost when it came to the early memories here. "Dunno, just did," he grunted and ate more, until his bowl was empty.

"Do you have any family or anyone close to you?" Alfons asked again. He was stubborn, it would take a lot for him to give up getting some answers out of the blond.

Envy scowled, what a thing to ask. "No," he said shortly. He would never have a family again, not after all the shit having one had put him through.

Alfons cooked his head. No family or friends...? This person really was as alone as he looked.

"What happened to your family?" he asked again, hoping he wasn't prying too much. He didn't want to make the blond angry again. He rather hoped the blond would find some relief in opening up to someone. Alfons had always been like an open book towards people he met, he wasn't afraid to talk about himself or his family. He had good memories from when his parents lived, that's what mattered to him.

Envy was getting a bit irritated, what business was it of his? Then he suddenly thought of something. He got an idea. "Actually, I'm looking for my father," he said slowly. "Maybe you can help me." He smiled in a way that obviously meant he was not trying to find him for a happy reunion.

"Really?" Alfons said in surprise, oblivious to what the smile really said. Hadn't he just said he didn't have anyone? Perhaps they weren't 'close' in that sort of sense? Oh well, if he got the chance to see his father again maybe everything would get better for him? "I would love to help," he smiled.

"Great!" Envy smirked. "His name is Van Hohenheim. He's blond... he looks like... like me," he growled quietly. "If you've seen him... it'd be a big help."

"Van... Hohenheim...?" Alfons gaped. "You're... his son?!" When he said it now, he could see the obvious family likeness. Blonde hair and golden eyes. This was really interesting!

Envy looked at him in complete surprise. He hadn't expected this reaction from the boy. "You know him?" he asked, flabbergasted. "You actually know where he is!?" He stared at Alfons, almost seeing him in a whole new light. Lucky boy. He would have to keep him alive then. For now. "Tell me!" he demanded. "Tell me where he is!"

"Well, I don't know him directly," Alfons said, not wanting to get his hopes up too much. "I mean, I met him once at the University. He held a guest lecture, it was really interesting! You see, he's quite famous. He's written quite a few extraordinary books on theories of time and space. I have most of them right here." He had his living room shelf stuffed with books. "Perhaps you want to see?" he offered. How odd... Professor Hohenheim's own son didn't know that his father was a famous scientist?

Envy frowned, ignoring the offer and simply chewed on the words regarding the old man. What was that bastard doing exactly? "This university… It's a school, right?" He thought he remembered this stuff, he'd never bothered to care before. "So he teaches?" he reasoned. "What does he teach?"

"He used to teach science and mathematics," Alfons answered. "But now I'm not sure what he's doing. He quit teaching some months ago. I think he lives here in Munich still, though."

Envy scowled at first. That would make him harder to find, but if he was still close by... "I need to find him, he owes me."

Alfons' frown saddened a little. "I'm sorry you didn't get the chance to know him sooner. He's a really nice man. I will help you to find him, all right?"

Envy smiled in a positively fiendish way, the effect was a bit lost on his more gentle face, but the point was probably put across. "I may have to repay you for it if you do," he said, smirking.

Alfons wasn't really sure how to read that smile. Perhaps that was merely his way of smiling, He wouldn't judge. A smile at all was better than anger and frustration.

"You don't have to repay me for anything," he said kindly. "I'm just happy to help. I'll look into it tomorrow and then we can go visit him. It shouldn't be very difficult to find out where he lives." As they had both finished eating, he stood and began clearing off the table.

"Excellent," he grinned, once he got his hands on that man, that bastard, he would strangle the life out of him. He was positively ecstatic at the thought of this, beaming. Once Hohenheim was dead, all would be well!

"Okay then," Alfons beamed. "I'll make ready the couch for you. I don't have an extra bed, but the couch is pretty comfortable too." He had fallen asleep on it himself lots of times.

He went into the bedroom and found an extra quilt and pillow, and sheets. Then he went back into the living room and made the couch ready so the older blond could sleep.

"It's ready," he announced as he returned to the kitchen. "Perhaps you could tell me your name now?"

Envy cocked his head to the side, thinking for a moment. "Envy, call me Envy," he finally said. "Since we'll be getting to know each other, won't we?" He stood up, a bit wobbly, but he had more strength thanks to the food. He followed Alfons into the living room and collapsed on the couch, it was still better than the ground.

Alfons thought that was a strange name, but for all he knew Envy could be foreign and perhaps it was a completely normal name somewhere else? He smiled. "Yes. Nice to meet you, Envy. Good night!" He went inside his room and closed the door, looking forward to lie down now. His body felt very tired.

Envy fell asleep after a short while, after happily imagining the death of that old bastard. It was so close he could almost taste it. All thanks to the boy in the next room, thinking he was doing him a kind favor! He laughed to himself, what a simpleton. Idiot.

Alfons changed into his pyjamas and laid down in bed, pulling the covers all the way up to his cheek. He hadn't even rested down for a whole minute before the coughing started. It had happened every night lately and it was stealing precious time of sleep from him. He hoped he wouldn't keep his guest awake like this. It took about an hour before there was a pause between the coughs long enough for him to finally fall asleep.

Envy heard. He woke up with a small annoyed grunt. He'd been pretty happy until the coughing started, and then he got really irritated. Couldn't the kid be quiet? Damn.

But then, he seemed to realize they were pretty deep coughs, there must have been something wrong with the idiot. He was sick... And he was taking in homeless people. Really he was an idiot. Gate, he hoped this didn't happen often, because Envy might go crazy. He may have to suffocate him with a pillow if this kept up.