I actually had a completely different idea for this one. Then this happened. Despite it being an EdxEnvy collection, this one became Al-centric…
Also, the theme isn't actually ever mentioned by name. But it does center around the idea, without actually bringing in any conflict. So yeah.
26. Less than human
Al sometimes wondered if he really counted as human anymore. He didn't have a proper body, after all. He didn't have a heart, hands, flesh, a brain – all he was, was a soul.
He tried to keep off that path – it led to dark places. But his mind needed somewhere to go during the long, lonely nights, while Ed and the world slept.
But in this strange situation, holding the jar with the tiny, half-formed creature inside with a protectiveness fuelled by Envy's apparent helplessness, it came back.
"Where's your brother?" demanded the thing that had been a homunculus in its high, quavering voice.
"…Not here."
"What, he abandoned you? Haha. Thought he'd give up eventually."
"Sh-shut up!" Al considered dashing the jar against the wall and letting the homunculus freeze, but his better nature prevailed. "Ed doesn't give up. Ever. On anybody."
"I hardly think you count!" Envy rolled his large eyes, crossing all of his tiny arms. "You're a hunk of metal that can talk. Biiiig deal. Sooo special."
"I'm his brother!"
"Okay, okay. But he doesn't give up on anybody, hey?" Envy glared up at Al, his fuming almost visible. "What about people who never got a fucken' chance?"
Al shook his head, putting down the jar. "Don't try it on me, Envy. I know you'll say anything to get out of that jar."
"Heyy, that's not fair. I just want a chance to do the right thing, ya know?'
"I think you're far too inclined towards murder."
Envy sighed. "Jeez, whatever. Just let me know when your brother shows up, kay?"
Al made the motion to frown, forgetting a moment that it couldn't be articulated on his impassive face. "Why are you so fixated on Brother?"
"Wouldn't you like to know," he muttered, curling into a ball and saying nothing more.