A/N: This was written for day five of the rarepair week, under the theme "Apocalypse AU." I think that I managed to incorporate the "Fun with Alchemy" bonus theme too, in a sick sort of way.
Warning: it's an apocalypse. I didn't describe anything all that graphically (I'm not brave enough for that in any case), but... people died. It's pretty abstract, though, so hopefully it doesn't offend anybody's sensibilities.
"Now, isn't this beautiful? My greatest work."
If I was anybody else, I would be horrified. The sky is dark with smoke, the moon is red, the air is heavy with the stench of dead things, sulfur, and iron.
The dead lie there on the leveled plain, hollow shells, in pools of crimson.
It's the end of all things. The Apocalypse.
It's beautiful.
"I always knew you were special," I say, breathless. In a move more bold than I can really justify, I grab his hand suddenly, holding on for dear life, just staring out over the land in awe. I feel so small compared to this destruction.
Of course, I'm so much better than him, still…
But I couldn't have done this.
Kimblee shrugs (oh, so modest). "Not special. Normal, now. We're the new normal."
That's right. We're the only ones left. We won.
"Father's going to be angry," I say, suddenly. "He… he's going to be furious."
But… I don't really care now.
It then occurs to me that he might not have survived this. Maybe Lust didn't survive either, or Gluttony, or anybody.
I feel distinctly unperturbed, but I may as well ask. "Hey. Did my- did the other homunculi make it?"
Kimblee shares my uninterested expression. "They may have. It depends on where they were at the time of detonation." He smiles wanly. "Are you upset?"
"Well…" I'm still holding his hand, but it would be strange to let go of it now. "It might be a little boring. A whole world, and only two people left in it."
"Yes," Kimblee sighs. "But I'm sure that we can find something to do. We could kill each other, for instance."
Well, it might be fun to kill him… however, I don't relish the idea of being blown to bits, myself- and it would be a one-time thrill, over and done with in an instant. "What's the point in that?" I ask, laughing. "Anyway, if I killed you, I'd be all alone, and worse off than before."
"The fun of it," begins Kimblee, sitting down and dragging me into the dirt with him, "of there only being the two of us, I mean, is that we can begin our own world order, if you want to. A world where my existence and your existence are the enviable existences, the ones that everyone wants." Then he shrugs. "Or we could die now. It's your choice; I'm indifferent, but I'd rather not linger here if we don't plan on doing anything interesting."
Kimblee was right in calling what he did a masterpiece. There's so much to look at: unstable cliffs crumbling, swirling clouds and smoke, delayed chemical reactions that explode without warning in the distance- all valid distractions from what he's suggesting.
Finally, I clear my throat, looking back at him. "I think we can work something out…"
Does he have to look so pleased? It's ridiculous, that grin, but there's never been another human with a smile so contagious… "My dear, I'm so glad," he says, placing his other hand on top of mine. He looks down at our clasped hands, and I do too, and we admire the way that they fit together so remarkably well…
It's desolation, everywhere, it's destruction, but we have all the time in the world.
A/N: This one was kind of weird... I decided to try experimenting with first person, and it... sort of worked? It's always easy for me to get into Envy's head (perhaps a little too easy). This didn't really turn out like I had hoped- I had a picture of them in my mind, just standing together at the End of the World, and tried to put it into words.
Thank you for reading!