A broken sob escaped his throat as his legs gave out on him, sending him crashing to the ground. His automail ports ached as the rain continued to pound down on him relentlessly, soaking him to the bone. His body trembled from the cold and his shoulders shook as he fought back tears, but it was to no avail. Tears streamed down his face in endless rivers and he bit back the scream trying to crawl up his throat. He wanted nothing more than to curl up in a ball and just cry out at the world. He wanted to scream and curse at the world that had taken him. What a cruel world it must have been, for it to take him away. His only family left, the one he had vowed to protect. But he failed.

Never before had he been so glad for the heavy rain around him. As the sky wept with him over the loss of his precious baby brother, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the mask it offered, hiding his tears from everyone. His hands fisted in the mud as he bot back another cry. He wouldn't cry. He didn't deserve it. He had failed…

"Chibi-san!..." His lip quivered and he squeezed his eyes closed, lowering his head so that his bangs covered his face. He didn't want to see anyone, least of all him. He didn't want him telling him it would be alright. He didn't want to be told that it wasn't his fault, that he couldn't have done anything to save him. He didn't deserve it, the reassurance. He didn't want the kind words, but that's just what he would give him.

"G-go… away," he mumbled. He was met with silence and sighed in relief. Suddenly, he heard someone shift beside him. He frowned.

"I told you to go away." Again there was only silence, but he could feel their presence beside him. He could feel their warm breath ghosting over his breath. He could feel those two arms wrapping around his torso as he leaned against him.

"When have I ever listened to you?" Ed chuckled, but the sound lacked any emotion.

"Envy… please?" Envy frowned as he buried his face into the smaller boy's shoulder blade, breathing in deeply.

"Why are you crying?" Ed took a shuddering breath.

"I'm not crying." Envy couldn't help the small smile that spread across his lips. No matter how broken he seemed, Ed was still the strongest person he knew… and also the most stubborn. Nothing could change that.

"I'm sorry about Al," he whispered quietly, fingering the red coat that hung loosely on the other's shoulders. Ed's body shook as he fought to get his breathing under control.

"But he wouldn't want you to be sad," he continued softly. He gasped, as he was jolted up, thrown away as Ed bolted to his feet.

"What the hell do you know?!" He looked up as Ed glared at him with dull eyes. His fists clenched at his sides, his automail one creaking from the pressure. Envy could faintly hear the metal parts grinding against each other. He sighed sadly.

"Not much. I only just recently learned what love was. What could I possibly know?" Envy shrugged as he spoke. He looked up at him with steady eyes.

"But what would Al think? How do you think he would feel, if he knew you were sad over him? How would he feel, Ed?" He got no response. He shook his head sadly.

"I remember, how you once told me not to be sad over those you've lost. Because then, that makes them sad in the next life too. You used to say that all the time." Images flashed through his mind. Lust, Sloth, Gluttony, Wrath, Greed, Pride, and Father. They weren't a family, barely even friends, but even now, Envy felt the sadness of their losses. He was alone now. But Ed's words echoed through his mind. He wouldn't be sad, because he had gained something even better. Ed had helped him through it, had shown him he wasn't really alone. Now, he would do everything in his power to help him through his pain too.

Ed didn't say a single word. His body relaxed, his hands falling limply at his sides as he stared at the ground, shuffling his feet in the mud.

"A-Al… he- h-h-he's-" Envy stood and walked over to the little blond. He hesitated, not sure whether he should hug the boy or not. He didn't have to choose, as Ed cried out, stumbling forward. He wrapped his arms around the homunculus, throwing them both off balance. Envy crashed to the ground, lying on his back with Ed curled on his chest. He reached up and rested his hand atop his head, listening silently as the boy sobbed into his chest. His felt his heart break. Finally, after a while, Ed's cries subsided into sniffles.

"Don't cry over him, or he'll be sad." Ed looked up at him with red-rimmed eyes.

"I k-know," he said, his voice cracking.

"Then why are you crying," Envy repeated the question softly. He could see the tears pricking at the corners of those two stunning golden eyes.

"I-I'm not." Envy smiled sadly as he leaned forward, brushing his lips against the other's cheeks, gently kissing away the salty tears.

"I can taste your sadness. But don't worry, I won't let you go through this alone." They lay like that for hours, Envy patiently letting Ed cry against him. Finally, once the boy's tears had dried up and he had cried himself into a fitful sleep, he stood up, being careful not to jostle the boy about to much as he lifted him up.

"I could taste your sadness. But I think you'll be alright. You're stronger than you know." He looked up as the sky began to lighten, revealing the sun.

"Besides, Al will help me watch over you too."

Somewhere up in the sky, a young boy with golden hair and grey eyes smiled down at the earth below. His brother would be ok. He wasn't alone in this. He looked up at the woman beside him who welcomed him with a warm smile.

"I think I'm finally ready, Mom." And with that, he walked towards her, allowing himself to cross over, a sense of peace wrapping around his as she embraced him in a gentle hug.