cemetery_things | [ Fullmetal Alchemist ] Precious Moments

For FMA_7sins April Fools' Exchange

+ Title: Precious Moments

+ Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist

+ Characters: Envy, Edward

+ Rating: T

+Prompt: Shaving

    The first time Envy had used a razor for non-murderous purposes, he had been fifteen years old and had no idea what he was doing. There was an awkward conversation with his father when the first itch of hair began to irritate his small chin, the precocious hour spent standing before the mirror. Hohenheim’s large, warm hand had guided his son’s fingers, taking care to avoid cutting the boy’s soft skin as he showed him just how to hold the dangerous tool.

    He had been a child, then. Dante had smiled so proudly when Hohenheim had announced the success of the operation, and they’d forced him to stand and bear the humiliation for several torturous minutes. Finally escaping to his room, he had stood before the mirror, running a hand over his newly smooth face. Admiring himself was a secret indulgence, but Envy still remembered that swell of pride in his chest.

    The day he took that step toward manhood was another step toward the end.

    No matter how many centuries passed, he could always remember those moments that he wanted to be rid of most. The sin didn’t know why he was sitting on this ledge, eyes watching the scene with dispassionate eyes. It was some sort of self-satisfying experience.

    Envy had possessed that little time with their father. Something Edward could never gain.

    It was strange, to watch the golden child try to repeat the same actions for the first time with no assistance. He kept cutting himself, spots of red appearing on his fair skin every time he flinched. Edward Elric was obviously no expert with a blade, and his hands shook horribly every time he lifted the blade to his face. He didn’t even know how to avoid the injuries he was inflicting on himself.

    The prolonged display of self-mutilation couldn’t last too long, though. His temper flared, a shout that Envy could barely hear from his vantage point erupting as the razor was thrown across the room. Cussing, a fist- Perhaps he would break the mirror, make it all the more fun to watch- but it was slammed into the porcelain basin of the sink with enough force to make the sin smirk. That was going to hurt.

    Edward’s defeat was obvious, but Envy suddenly caught a scent he had neglected to pay attention to before. He didn’t need to glance aside to see who had joined his observations, the musk that was truly Lust giving it away before her voice could.

    “Strange choice of performance for an afternoon, Envy.”

    Envy bristled slightly, watching the blood stain his half-brother’s face with a strange look in his eyes. Her tone was disconcerting, and he didn’t like it. “ I always enjoy a tragic comedy.”

    Lust barely smiled at his answer, finally turning her attention to the object of the other sin’s focus. He was leaving their view, now, going into the other room and wiping his face with a towel gingerly.

    “It’s only a comedy if there’s something amusing in the show.”

    A slight shift in his expression, an emotionless tone that held every sensation in the world all at once, and the longest silence of all followed her remark. Envy finally breathed outward, seeming to search for his own reflection in the mirror so far away.

    “It’s amusing once you’re in the cast.”

    When Lust opened her mouth to ask her next question, there was a shift of the air and Envy was no longer beside her. She almost pursued, but checked herself.

    Even their kind needed solitude every so often. Envy just seemed to need it more than usual after his angry discussions with Dante.