Envy went back to the cell after he calmed down. Hopefully Ed would have done so as well; if he could just make the alchemist listen to him, he was sure Edward would react in a much more positive manner. At the very least, not by screaming at him again.

Upon opening the door, the homunculus was (thankfully) not greeted by harsh words or even a fist. Not so luckily, he was met with rough, broken breathing and a small whimper.

Edward was curled up on his bed, staring unseeingly at his knees while tears trailed down his cheeks.

"Oh, shit…" Immediately, Envy crossed the room, instinctively pulling Edward close to him. There was no response from the blonde. "Ed, Ed, I'm sorry. Fucking hell, what happened?"

A faint murmur rose from the rigid form in his arms. "He was right…it's all true…"

Progress, though not encouraging. "Who was right? About what?"

"Pride…" and with that, Ed came out of his stupor, explosively. He began to sob, clinging to Envy's meager clothing.

Panic crossed the homunculus's mind. How was he supposed to deal with this? But it was shrouded by anger. Pride just couldn't stop fucking with Ed, could he? What had he said?

"Shh, shh, calm down, Edward." Envy rubbed circles on the alchemist's back, trying to get him to a point where he was at least not in danger of asphyxiation. "It's alright, he's gone, and whatever he said was a lie."

"No," Ed choked out. "No, he was right."

The homunculus doubted that. "I'd bet my stone he wasn't. What did he say?"

"Everyone hates me…my father, my mother, Al…and it was true. I've done so many horrible things. I destroyed Al…" Edward couldn't continue.

"Ed…" Envy was shocked. "That's fucking retarded. Your father, well, I'll admit he was a dick, but that's his problem. You mother…she loved you. She stayed with you and took care of you after your dad left, and I highly doubt she died on purpose. If she wanted to get away from you, there are less permanent ways to do so. As for Alphonse…how could you say he hated you? He worries about you, follows you everywhere and tries to watch out for you. If he hated you, he wouldn't urge you on and assist you. Besides, he's never hurt you. Maybe it's just me, but if I hated someone, I would hurt them in their sleep. Your brother loves you."

Throughout this little speech, Edward's cries ceased, deflating to tiny hiccups. "But…"

"No buts." Envy glared at the alchemist, daring him to argue. True, he was upset that Edward was so hurt, but the alchemist was just being stupid I he honestly believed what Pride had said.

Surprisingly, Ed merely hugged himself closer to Envy. "Thank you."

The homunculus smiled. "All I did was tell the truth. Everyone loves you…including me."

Edward frowned. "You're not kidding?"

"Why the hell would I do that?"

"To make fun of me…" the blonde whispered. He didn't want to have this conversation, but it seemed he couldn't avoid it. Besides that, his emotions were bursting in the aftermath of Pride's little mind-games.

Envy was confused. "How would that be making fun of you…?"

"Because…" Ed could hardly make himself say it. "Because I'm insane, that's why. Because I love you."

"Don't mess with me, Ed," Envy warned, unable to keep a smile off of his face. Of course, he was only teasing; the alchemist had too much heart to play a trick like that.

Edward hit him. "I'm not, dipshit. I love you, though I have no idea why. Prison does weird things to me, apparently."

The homunculus pressed his lips to Ed's hair. "The feeling is mutual, but it might not be for long if you keep hitting me."

In retaliation, Edward slapped Envy's arm. "You don't control me."

Even in the face of the small pain, Envy laughed, cuddling the blonde. "I wouldn't dream of it, Ed. You're much more fun when you're feisty." The homunculus could feel the heat of Edward's blush. "Fuck, I love you."