Chapter thirty-four: Eternal sleep

*Edward's POV*

I was suspicious.

Winry had requested a private conversation with the Virtues and now they had been talking in the sickroom for more than an hour.

What was even more suspicious, she had asked the seven to bring a typing maschine. So the only sounds heard from the room was Winry's whispering voice, Charity's voice speaking too quietly for me to hear and the ticking of either Humility or Diligence typing on their maschine.

After three hours of standing anxiously in front of the door, the Virtues finally came out.

"What did you talk about?", I demanded, "What did Winry want from you?"

Humility's grave answer cut me to the core:

"To make her last will."

*Envy's POV*

Tonight something was different. Both of us were more silent than usual. Something was in the air, something that took away every reason to speak. For some reason none of us wanted to say anything. It wasn't like the usual comfortable silence and I didn't like it. But what was I supposed to say? How could I break that icy silence?

She finally solved the dilemma and spoke. "Hey, Envy."

"Hm?"

"Tonight, I have a question for you."

I didn't like the way she said that...I wouldn't like that question, I knew it.

"What is death like?"

I knew it.

I sighed: "Hard to say. I don't know how it will be for you. It sure wasn't pleasant for me. But I'm a homunculus, I don't have a soul that can go anywhere. So I was trapped in limbo. But you're human and you have a soul. Maybe for you it really will be like an eternal sleep, just like everyone says. And I think you'll have a sweet dream."

She smiled wistfully. "I probably won't live after tomorrow."

My expression mirrored hers. "I know", I said sadly and took her hand.

The next day was beautiful. The sun was shining and the sky was blue. It was warm, just like a late summer day was supposed to be.

Everyone was outside, only I sat at her bedside.

Knowing that this would be our last talk, we made every minute count.

Again we were at peace, but this time it was a different kind of peace.

Finally she looked to the window. "Carry me over there", she whispered, "Ed and the children are playing out there, aren't they? I want to see them one last time."

I lifted her in my arms, carried her over and placed her in the wicker chair by the window.

Nearby on the field, Edward was playing with their son and daughter and they were laughing.

She smiled fondly at the sight, but two lone tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I love them. I love them so much."

I said nothing as I wiped the tears away. I didn't admit that I wanted to feel the same way.

"Hey", she said softly.

"Yeah?", I asked.

"Tell my family that I love them."

"Mhm."

"Don't forget the promise."

"...I won't."

"Good. And Envy?"

I looked at her questioningly.

She smiled one final time.

"Thank you."

Those were her last words.

She passed away sitting in her wicker chair, smiling, with the sight of her husband and children playing before her eyes, before she closed them forever.

I bit my lip, willing myself not to cry.

"You're welcome. And thanks to you too. Goodbye...Winry Elric."

*Edward's POV*

I had just been jumped by my daughter and was getting up, when Envy came outside.

"What's the matter?", I asked, when he came up to me.

But then I saw his face.

There was no further explanation needed.

*Envy's POV*

I didn't like how calm the blond was.

I didn't like how silently he followed me inside.

And I especially didn't like how empty his gaze was.

Silently Edward entered the sickroom and walked up to his beloved wife.

Silently he crouched down before her and gently caressed those dead hands.

Silently, silently...why was he not saying anything, dammit?!

After a while, he finally spoke: "She looks beautiful. So blissful and serene. That's the way she looked when we got married, you know. And when our children were born and she fell asleep with them in her arms, she looked like this too."

How could he say that so...soullessly?!

I tried to ignore the thoughts in my head and joined Edward.

"She died the death she wanted", I said quietly, trying to cover up how shaky my voice was.

I would not cry. I would not cry.

"She was awake...it was a nice day...and the last thing she saw was you three having fun. That is...that is the death humans want, isn't it? To just fall asleep like that...with the people they care about before their eyes? Look at her! She looks like she's having a nice dream! But this dream is eternal...she will never wake up again..."

And she will never talk to me again.

…

Winry dies, Envy can't wrap his head around it and Ed is mentally paralysed. Here there be angst.