A/N: This is the result of an outline that has been on my phone for a while, so I hope it's not as bad as some of my other fanfictions. Enjoy you guys.

Warnings: This chapter in particular has, um, lots of swearing. Lots. I really hate to use bad language on the internet but since this fic involves Envy, in order to keep him in character I had to add a few f-bombs here and there. But I did try to keep the swearing down to a minimum, and there's unlikely to be as much in future chapters. But still, just a heads up.

Also, this is an EnvyxOC fic. So if you're not a fan of those, please feel free to leave now.

As far as the whole Hugo-in-the-military thing goes (you'll understand what I mean in a second), I took some liberties regarding attitudes during 1920-1930 Germany (which is what most of this AU is based off of). Yes, I know it's not entirely accurate for the time period, but also keep in mind that this is Envy we're talking about. I highly doubt he would care all that much.

As for the science stuff, I combined my knowledge from high-school biology with Wikipedia's. If the whole thing is more complicated than how I portrayed it, I'm sorry.

I think that's it, so without further ado, I present to you: Lost and Found.

Disclaimer: FullMetal Alchemist and its characters do not belong to me but the wonderful Hiromu Arakawa.

_(…)_

Central trains were always crowded, and Hugo had known it. But he had missed the train from Eastern Headquarters, and he was already pretty close to Central anyway. Rather than waiting a week for the next, Hugo decided to make the six-hour drive to Central and take a train the next day. At the time, he had felt very clever for thinking of it, but now he was grumpy and sleep-deprived and the man leaning on him had very obviously eaten onions a short while before. He knew that this overnight ride might end up seeming very long indeed.

Suddenly, he heard grunting from the left side of him, followed by a peculiar sentence with rather vulgar word choice. He saw people being pushed out of the way, and a young man wrestled his way into the empty seat across from him.

Hugo had never seen anyone who looked quite like this man before. He had very pale skin and long, dark hair that was tied back behind his ears. Hugo would have thought he was Xingese were it not for his light-colored eyes-were they blue?-and the way his hair flashed green when the light hit it. Besides, he was dressed nothing like a Xingese immigrant: He was wearing simple black trousers paired with a rather tight-looking top that ended at his midriff and would have certainly caused a scandal were it not for the large trenchcoat he wore over it. To top off all the strangeness, his wild hair was pushed away from his eyes with a thick black headband.

Needless to say, Hugo's curiosity was piqued. There was no one else around who was conscious enough to carry a decent conversation, and as he knew that the ride was going to be long and boring otherwise, he decided to catch his strange companion while he was still awake.

"I must say, I don't think I've ever seen anyone with green hair before."

The young man turned his gaze to him, and Hugo was surprised to see that his eyes were not blue, as he had earlier anticipated, but in fact a very light purple shade. A purple shade that was now glaring at him with two parts irritation and one part pure befuddlement. "Huh?"

Hugo smiled, hoping to dissipate the hostile vibe he felt his companion give off. "Your hair. It's a very unique color. Is it naturally like that?"

The man stared at him, and Hugo realized that he hadn't blinked once since he had sat down in the care. Then the corners of his mouth turned upwards in a slight smirk, and he raised an eyebrow at Hugo. "Are you trying to make a pass at me?"

Hugo's eyebrow twitched as he realized that he was trying to make him uncomfortable. For Hugo, however, this particular tactic was futile. "Not this time, no."

Immediately the man's second eyebrow shot up to join the first, and his smirk widened into a grin. "Oh really? I didn't know they allowed people like you in the military." He gestured to Hugo's blue uniform peeking out from under his coat.

The words "people like you" did irritate Hugo a little, but he tried not to let it show. He knew this man was probably trying to get a rise out of him, but nevertheless he was certainly an interesting person. Against his best instincts, Hugo kept talking to him. "They allow anyone into the military, as long as you obey orders and keep your personal affairs personal."

The other man tilted his head back, that smug grin still plastered to his face. "Whatever you say."

Hugo's irritation flared again, but he kept his ground and changed the subject again. "I don't think I've ever gone so long in a conversation without knowing what to even call the other person. What's your name?"

"What's yours?"

"Hugo Semmler."

"Well, Mr. Semmler," The man-or was he still a boy? The constant immaturity now made Hugo unsure-leaned back in his chair and pushed against a sleeping woman who had started tilting against his shoulder. "What's a dog of the military doing on a train to Resembool?"

Again, Hugo felt his eyebrow twitch. "I could ask the same of you."

"Well, I'm not the dog here, am I? So obviously you have to answer the question."

Hugo sighed and looked out the window. "I'm visiting family for a while."

"Ooh, fun. Sounds stupendous."

"It is," Hugo insisted. He smiled. "I have a young niece. She'll be turning five this year."

"Really. What's her name?"

"Mitzi. The same as her mother." Rain drops had started sticking to the window, and Hugo watched one as it slid down the water-stained glass and was quickly sucked up by the cloth seal at the bottom. "She's a handful."

"Rambunctious?"

Hugo laughed. "Oh yes. She's got quite the attitude. Sometimes, when her father leaves her alone with me for a bit, she'll recite to me all the curses she knows."

"She sounds a like a complete brat. How many does she know?"

"So far, only 'ass','damn' and 'hell', but she's getting there. I'm sure her older cousin has taught her well."

"Sounds like a real blast."

Hugo turned back to the man and noticed that he too was looking out the window. However, his chesire grin was gone, replaced by a strangely stoic expression masking something that Hugo knew but couldn't name. Anger? Annoyance?
He tried to alleviate whatever unpleasant thing the other man was thinking about. "What about you? What brings such an interesting person as yourself to such a boring place as Resembool?"

The man glanced at Hugo for a second, his violet eyes flashing before turning his gaze back to the rain outside. "I'm visiting an old friend, that's all."

"Ah." Hugo wanted to know more, but for some reason, those last words seemed to hold a finality that kept the rest of the train ride silent. The sound of rain and gentle bumps finally set Hugo's sleep-deprived brain to rest, and when the gentle swaying of the car stopped his senses were reawakened with hot breath on his face.

"Tell Mitzi about the wonderful word of 'Fuck' for me," was whispered into his ear, and yet when Hugo finally opened his eyes he found that the seat across from him was empty.

He groped around for his suitcase and looked around the cabin. There was no one in sight, save for the conductors gliding along the aisles. There was one abandoned suitcase in a corner with a pink cardigan draped over it, a blue heart embroidered right above the hem. However, no matter how hard Hugo looked, he could find no trace of his green-haired companion.

"How funny," Hugo mumbled to himself as he pulled out of the train car. "I didn't even catch his name."

_(...)_

It was just a doorbell. It didn't have teeth or spikes and it wasn't electrified. There wasn't any reason to not just push the goddamn thing already.

Envy gritted his teeth and bounced from foot to foot, his legs brushing against the trousers that now entrapped them. He had hated the idea of giving up his usual attire for something that felt so restricting and common, but he had to come to terms with the fact that the very skimpy skirt and shorts combination attracted the kind of attention that he was definitely not interested in. At least not now, anyway.

Everything about him had felt so much more different than before. No longer was his hair flying around his head freely, but instead tied back with a long, black ribbon in order to keep it more manageable. The trench coat he didn't really mind, since he had worn similar things in the past and it was better than being cold all the time. Even the handle of his only suitcase felt strangely foreign in his palm. The cool leather slipped rather disgustingly against the slimy sweat from his hand.

Ah, yes. Sweat. Sweat and oil and other fluids that Envy had never encountered before in all two-hundred years of his life.

That was the reason he was here. Standing in front of his door, ready to push his doorbell.

He gritted his teeth and pushed the tiny button. He heard a loud ring resound within the house, and then…

...nothing.

His temper flared along with slight panic. Was the pipsqueak not even home? Weren't they supposed to just rush to the door like the military was coming to kill them all? What the hell-

-And then the door flew open, and Envy's eyes met with golden ones he hadn't seen for almost a decade.

There was an awkward, painful silence, and then-

"Envy? You're here already?"

He felt a long string of not-so-nice words boil in the bottom of his throat, but shoved it down and only a growl tainted his tone. "Glad to see you're excited to have me, Pipsqueak."

Ed's eyebrow twitched, and Envy smirked as he waited in expectant glee for the loud screams of insults and anger. Hoo, he still knew how to get under the little midget's skin.

But then Ed only stepped forward, and Envy felt his delight turn quickly into confusion.

And then comprehension.

As he looked up at Ed, his mouth slightly open in shock, he saw that stupid smirk graze across the blonde's face.

"How the hell are you-"

"I guess you can't call me Pipsqueak anymore, now can you?" The smirk was a grin now, and Envy fantasized briefly about raising his leg and kicking the alchemist where it counts. Ed, however, simply stepped back triumphantly and turned to walk back into the house. "Why don't you come in? It's kind of chilly outside right now." And with that, he disappeared beyond the threshold, leaving the door open for Envy.

Who, by the way, was still standing on the doorstep in complete confusion. Which was quickly replaced by anger as he grabbed his bag and stormed inside.

"Stupid asshole," he muttered.

_(...)_

Even though the Pipsqueak (he knew he couldn't call him that anymore, but he would anyway dammit) was still about as mature as a five-year-old, Envy had to admit that he had a nice place.

Sunlight streamed in through the curtained windows and fell upon literally everything, as if an overzealous toddler had come in and sprinkled yellowish-light with reckless abandon. There were toys strewn around the carpet and hardwood floors, and a single book was laying upon the beaten but inviting sofa in the corner. However, the kitchen was by far one of the prettier rooms. The linoleum tile felt good on Envy's bare feet, and there were still unwashed dishes in the sink. A tea kettle was on the stove, gently boiling, and there were embroidered towels flung over the oven handle. Everything was so homey and sweet and domestic.

It made Envy want to puke.

The table in the center of the room had two mugs on it, and Envy flopped down in front of the nearest one. He dropped his suitcase on the ground nearby, and he suddenly he felt fatigue hit him over his head like one of the Pipsqueak's punches. He shouldn't have forgone sleeping on the train.

Of course, he hadn't needed sleep before. So he hadn't even thought about dozing off during the ride here.

Suddenly, a loud shriek pierced the air, and Envy clapped his hands over his ears.

"What the fuck is that?"

The Pipsqueak quickly moved to the stove and moved the kettle off of it, turning off the burner as the shrill noise slowly left the air. "Geez, it's just the kettle. Can you control your language for once?"

Envy snorted. "Like you should be talking. You fit about five questionable words into every sentence, Pipsqueak."

He noticed Ed wince, although to Envy's dismay it wasn't at the outdated insult. "Seriously, cut it out. You never know who could be awake at this god-forsaken hour. And that was a long time ago."

"Was it?" Envy was about to make another jab at the Pipsqueak's height, but he was interrupted when his mug was placed in front of him again. Only this time, it was full of steaming hot liquid that smelled suspiciously heavenly. He looked inside it, and was confronted with a smooth brown liquid that he knew all too well.

Ed sat in front of him and took a sip from his own mug, his eyebrows raising at Envy's reaction to the offending substance. "What's wrong with you? Haven't you ever seen hot cocoa before?"

Envy glared at him, letting Ed know that, yes, he had definitely seen hot cocoa before. "Of course I have, Pipsqueak. I'm not as young as I look, you know."

"You sure act a lot younger than you look, believe me."

Envy ignored him and took the hot mug into his freezing hands, gently sipping it so that it wouldn't burn his tongue or lips. He couldn't help but sigh softly as warmth slipped down his throat and spread all over his body.

If Ed had noticed any of this, he didn't say anything about it. He merely sat his mug on the table with a soft thunk and looked directly at Envy, trying to catch his gaze. "So?"

Envy looked down at his mug, refusing to play the Elric's game. "So what?"

"Why are you here?"

"Didn't Pride tell you? This is part of my parole. I'm supposed to come and stay a month with you."

"That's complete and total bull and you know it. Pride doesn't control you. You just told him to call me up and tell me all that."

Envy finally flicked his eyes up to see Edward staring intently at him. Annoyed. It made Envy inexplicably happy to see Edward annoyed. "Maybe I did. What's it to you?"

"Don't play this game with me, Envy. You want something from me. What is it?"

Envy's fingers were clutching at the hot mug in his hands, holding in his lap. He knew he would have to say this eventually. He just didn't know it would be so soon.

He sighed and inhaled loudly. The Pipsqueak just sat there, blinking at him like the most confused bunny-rabbit in the entire goddamn world.

He glared at Ed and took another deep breath. And another. And another.

Still the Pipsqueak just sat there, completely bewildered by the greenette's actions.

"What are you doing?"

Envy growled and banged on the table with frustration, making Ed jump a little. The blonde's annoyance with the other man grew to a head and he hissed at him.

"Geez, what the heck is wrong with you?"

"How do you not get it, Pipsqueak? Are you just so fucking dense that you can't interpret what's before your very eyes?"

"Stop swearing so loudly! And what the heck are you talking about?"

Envy got right up close to the Pipsqueak and bared his teeth. His rage and frustration mixed and boiled to the point of near explosion. "Want me to do it again, Pipsqueak? You better watch this time to make sure you don't miss a thing. You ready?"

And then Envy inhaled again. Long and loud and full.

Edward stared. And finally Envy felt relief as he saw comprehension splayed itself across his stupid face.

"You're...you're breathing."

Envy sat back in his chair and glared at the alchemist, who was staring at him with a completely different kind of befuddlement. "Yes, Pipsqueak. I'm breathing. I'm also sweating, tiring, blushing, itching, and doing tons of other things that I'd rather not describe." He grit his teeth and looked down again into his mug. "I'm leaving fingerprints, Pipsqueak. Fingerprints. That means I'm oiling too."

Ed was still staring at him, and Envy could just picture his little mind trying to wrap itself around this new concept. "But...But you're a homunculus. You're not supposed to do any of those things. You're not even supposed to have a pulse."

"But I do, Pipsqueak. And here's what's really shocking," Envy leaned forward again so Ed could get a good look at his face.

Ed squinted and inspected Envy's skin, before giving him a quizzical look. "Okay, now I don't get what you're talking about at all."

"You don't see them?" Envy hissed and leaned back again, his temper like a spring ready to snap at any moment. "I have wrinkles Pipsqueak. That means I'm also aging."

A long pause filled the air with suffocating tension. After a while, Ed tried to ease it, but his voice only made the atmosphere more stifling.

"That's what you wanted to come see me about?"

One look from Envy was enough to sufficiently answer that question.

Ed sat back to think while Envy fidgeted in his chair. Finally, Ed broke the silence once more.

"The only way I can think to explain it is a symbiotic relationship."

This time Envy was the one to stare confusedly. "A what?"

"A symbiotic relationship. It's a biology term. When two species cooperate and form a relationship, it's known as symbiosis."

Envy wondered why he even bothered talking to Ed. "How about you speak actual Amestrian to me, Pipsqueak? Because I'm not understanding one goddamn word of your stupid science jargon."

Ed shot him a distasteful look in reaction to the curse, but Envy found he could really care less. "Fine. A symbiotic relationship is when one living thing from one species depends on another living thing of another species in order to survive. Sometimes it's mutual, sometimes it's one-sided. It all depends on how much each party benefits from the situation."

"Okay, that's all fine and dandy, but what does it have to do with me getting wrinkles?"

"I'm getting there." Ed picked up his mug and sipped from it again. "There are three types of symbiosis: parasitism, mutualism and commensalism. With parasitism, one party benefits while the other one suffers. In mutualism, both parties benefit equally, and with commensalism, one party benefits while the other doesn't suffer, but doesn't benefit either."

Envy flicked a piece of hair from his face as he tried desperately to keep a firm grasp onto what Ed was saying. "Uh huh."

"Therefore, I think that you-" Ed pointed to Envy with his free hand. "-and all the other homunculi might have had a symbiotic relationship with Father. Or at least your stones did."

Envy felt his muscles twitch at the mention of Father, and it was all he could do to keep from lunging across the table and ripping off the blonde's stupid little face. But the Pipsqueak was willingly giving him information he needed, so it might be best to save the face-ripping for later. "So? Does that mean when Father-"

"Yes. When Father died-" Twitch. "-his stone died as well, correct? If your stones drew power from Father's stone, when Father's stone was gone your stones would have limited power leftover because the power source would be gone."

Envy stared. "So...that means-"

"Yeah. As your stone's power slowly is being used up, your immortality is draining away. So you're gradually becoming more and more…"

Ed hesitated, and Envy felt irritation pique at the look on his face.

"More and more what?" Envy hissed, his fists slowly clenching.

"...Well, more...human, I guess."

Envy's hand struck out and flung the mug into the air, spraying what was left of the cocoa over the over and causing the mug itself to shatter onto the floor. Ed opened his mouth to yell at him, but Envy grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him up and across the table to come face to face with his snarling, disgusted rage.

"Are you telling me," Envy spat every word, decorating Ed's face with tiny drops of spittle. "That I'm becoming a disgusting, lowly, snivelling, pathetic mass of a human?"

Envy's shark-like teeth were less than an inch from his nose, but Ed still looked him dead in the eye and shoved him away. "That's exactly what I'm telling you. And anyway, isn't that what you wanted?"

Envy's raging fury quickly transformed into icy shock.

He remembered.

Ed's golden eyes glared into his with utmost defiance and, surprisingly, almost pity. And immediately Envy felt disgusted. With Ed, with this stupidly comforting house and with his own goddamn stone for screwing him over like this.

"Why, you imbecilic-" The blue streak was ready to jump off the tip of Envy's tongue when a soft lisp coming from the left of him forced him to stop.

"Daddy? Who'th thi'th?"

Envy turned around and was shocked to see an even smaller Pipsqueak standing in the doorway, rubbing his eyes. Ed quickly kneeled down in front of him and spoke to him in a calm, quiet voice.

"Jeremiah, this is Envy. He's one of my friends and he'll be staying for a little while with us."

Jeremiah-was his name actually that stupid? Sometimes Envy couldn't believe the Pipsqueak's taste-opened his eyes and inspected the homunculus. His little button nose scrunched up and he pointed at the top of Envy's head.

"Daddy, why i'th hi'th hair like thath? I'th all th'tupid looking. Like a palm tree."

Envy's mouth dropped open and he snarled at the little brat.

"Palm Tree? Oh you I'm going to put you through a meat-grinder you little pile of pig sausage-"

"Envy!" Ed's voice was cold, and Envy turned to look at him. He didn't think he had ever seen Fullmetal quite as angry as he was now. "Like heck you will."

The kid giggled but stopped once his father's menacing eyes turned to him. "And you! You should apologize."

Those words alone might have not seemed so intimidating, but Envy had a feeling that the kid had experienced his father's wrath before, because he almost looked as if he was going to wet his pants. He looked away and mumbled under his breath. "Th'orry."

"Good. Now why don't you go upstairs to your room? It is way too early for you to be up."

The kid nodded, but as soon as Ed had turned back to scold Envy about making a mess, he stuck his little pink tongue directly in Envy's face.

So that little brat was the reason Envy couldn't swear around here.

He never had much of an intuition, but something gave him feeling that this next month would be nothing but hell.