Yes, in this chapter, things are finally going to get a bit faster!

I have done my best to ensure the relationship doesn't develop too quickly (something unrealistic, that often bothers me about other fanfiction).

I love reading the comments so let me know what you think!

Enjoy! :)

Emilee etched another line into the wall, counting 35 hashmarks. Every day she began to feel more like a prisoner than a captive and she wondered if people in the town were looking for her.

She sat on the floor and leaned against the bed, gazing at the scratches that marred the wall. Her mother wasn't a killer. She couldn't be. Neither could her grandmother. She closed her eyes. People go missing all the time, it had to be a coincidence.

Despite her forceful dismissal of the circumstances, deep in her mind she was afraid that it wasn't something innocuous like an unlucky concurrence.

Envy sat on his bed and stared at the files in front of him. He made no movement to open them, considering his options of whether or not to use the information contained within the neat stacks of paper.

"Why are you still holding onto those?" Lust asked.

Envy leaned back and stared at her upside-down as she pressed her side into the frame of his door. "What would you do with them?"

Lust laughed. "I'd throw them away or stick them in the library. They're devoid of useful information, so I don't know why you continue to hoard them in your bedroom."

Envy smirked.

"You think there is something important in them or what? You want to share with the rest of the class?"

Envy shrugged.

"You aren't going to tell me?"

He winked at her and stood up before walking to the drawer across the room.

"Why do you insist on having that dresser anyways? You don't need clothes with your ability."

"I use them for storage," he said as he set them in the top drawer.

"Then just get a cabinet or bookshelf."

He shut the drawers.

"Your turn to watch her. She hasn't left her room and we can't let her spend the day in there without supervision."

Envy turned around. "No."

Lust sighed. "You can't keep doing this."

"I'm not interested in babysitting a human if I can't torture her."

"She's not entirely human, like us and Father."

He leaned against the dresser. That was true.

"Either help us or I'll tell Father."

"Oh, so you'll tattle on me?" He glared at her.

"I prefer to call it: giving Father updates."

"Fuck you."

Lust waved her finger back and forth like a pendulum. "Better get to watching."

Emilee's door burst open and the event almost startled her off the bed.

Envy stomped into the room, slammed the door behind him, and sat against the wall opposite of the bed. He didn't say anything, crossed his arms, and fixed his gaze on the right wall.

"Umm.. Hello?" Emilee looked around the room, not sure why he'd arrived, especially in such an apoplectic mood.

He provided no response and simply continued his staring contest with the drywall.

"Why are you here?"

His silence persisted.

Emilee sighed and picked up the book she'd taken from the library. She glanced up, occasionally, finding him in the exact same position. For some time, the only sound in the room was the occasional turn of a page.

"What are you reading?"

Emilee looked up, a bit surprised to hear his voice. His eyes were still aimed at the wall, however.

"It's on different types of alchemy."

"Why?"

"Just seemed interesting. I wondered if, since my eyes are supposedly so special, I could use them for some benefit. Or if maybe I could find something in here about people like me."

"There's nothing in there about anyone with your skill."

"How do you know?"

He sighed. "Lust has read all of those books. If it was in there, she would have brought it up already."

"I just don't know why she cares so much. It's not like I can improve them any further and I'm not sure if anyone will ever know what's behind them."

Envy opened his mouth and then shut it, leaning his head back against the wall.

"What?"

He didn't respond for a few moments.

Emilee began eyeing the book in front of her, debating whether to resume reading. She lifted her head when Envy stood up and walked towards her. He sat on the bed next to her and she quickly turned and scooted over.

She wasn't sure what to do or say and stared at the dresser across the room.

Envy finally spoke. "Your eyes are useful, but they are also a weakness."

"What do you mean?"

He quickly raised his hand, swiped her eyelids closed, and pressed her head down. He managed to grab both her hands in his other.

Her heart picked up speed and the scar on her arm burned. She winced, reluctant to relive that traumatic experience.

"See? Someone can easily shut your eyes or gouge them out. You've never had to use a transmutation circle so you'd be completely helpless." He pulled off of her and sat back on the bed.

Emilee sat up. "So, I'm screwed basically."

"Not exactly." Envy grinned. "I don't think your eyes are necessary."

"You just said I'd be helpless if I lost them."

"Helpless right now. But the alchemy you're doing is happening in your brain, not your eyes."

"How do you know?"

"Follow me."

Emilee followed him to what she assumed was his room. He grabbed some files from a drawer in a dresser and sat on the bed. She joined him.

"This is the document detailing your mother at her hospital stay." He handed it to her.

"How did you get this?" She asked as she accepted the files.

He didn't answer.

"It doesn't say anything I don't already know," Emilee said as she flipped through the pages.

"It does."

"It says she was found unconscious and that she didn't regain it. Then even with treatment, she died a few days later."

"You're doing the same thing as Lust. You're looking in the wrong place."

She looked up at Envy. "What?"

"You're looking at the treatment and symptoms. Look at the biographical."

Emilee quickly flipped to the page.

"Check eye color."

"Eye color: violet." She froze. "But my mom had blue eyes."

"Exactly. What was she doing that day?"

"She was working. It was just a typical day."

"Was it typical for her to use her alchemy for long hours over many days in succession?"

Emilee nodded. "You're saying there's a limit to its use?"

"Basically."

"But my grandmother used hers throughout her long life and she never had issues."

"It's not a limitation on a number of uses."

"It's a limitation on frequency," Emilee said softly.

"Exactly. But this implies something very important."

She set the papers down and looked at him.

"It means that the eyes are a red herring. Your alchemic ability is being performed, at least mostly, in the brain."

"Then why do my eyes change color?"

"It's complicated, but I think that the light is coming from behind your eyes and that's what changes the eye color."

"So, if it's not happening in my eyes, I don't need them? My mother and grandmother always had to use them."

"I think they underestimated the limits of this ability."

"How do I use alchemy without sight?"

"It'll take practice, but I believe you can do it as long as you have a good enough visual memory. It's possible you don't even have to have any visual input at all. I can help you if you want."

Emilee stared at the green haired man in awe. "I don't know what to say."

"A thank you seems appropriate."

"Thank you, Envy." She smiled and leaned in. Before she knew what she was doing, she pressed her lips against his.

Envy's eyes widened.

Emilee jerked back. "I am so sorry. I don't know what I was thinking." She stood up and ran from the room, wishing away the red flush on her cheeks.

"Wait, I'm supposed to watch you!" He shouted before groaning and falling back on the bed. "Whatever," he mumbled.

Emilee made it back to her room and hurried directly into the bathroom. She stared at her reflection and tried to understand what was happening to her. She shook her head and focused desperately on pushing those confusing thoughts from her mind.

Envy lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling. He couldn't understand what was going on with that strange girl. Blushing, kissing him, what the fuck was up with her?

He couldn't deny that she was attractive, but he couldn't ever develop feelings for a disgusting human. Even the thought of it revolted him. His thoughts paused.

"She's not a normal human." Lust said.

"She isn't a homunculus. But I agree with Father. I don't think she's human. Not entirely, at least."

"She's not entirely human, like us and Father."

He closed his eyes. Was it true that she wasn't human?

"Why aren't you watching her?" Lust opened the door with such angry force, the handle left a dent in the wall.

Envy's eyes opened and he stared at her. "I was!"

She crossed her arms and glowered.

"It's true! Ask her!"

"Why aren't you watching her now, Envy."

"She ran off."

Lust sighed. "You're hopeless."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You couldn't follow her?"

"Why would I?"

"Because you were supposed to be watching her."

"Whatever, kill me." He closed his eyes again.

His eyes flickered open as her nail punctured his abdomen. He stared down at the nail, going deep into his flesh. He could feel the point make its way through his stomach before breaking the skin on his back, scratching the sheets underneath him.

She retracted it abruptly, and he coughed up blood. Through the hole, he could see his organs. The wound spilled blood for a brief period and steadily shrunk to a tiny dot.

His eyes shot up and he wiped the blood off his mouth with his forearm. "Lust. The fuck?"

She shrugged. "You told me to kill you." Her body shook as she laughed on her way out, not bothering to shut the door.

"I want you to watch Emilee again today." Lust stood in his doorway, a hand on her hip.

"Fuck no, I did that yesterday."

Lust rolled her eyes. "I don't think I would label what you did as 'watching her'."

He stared at the ceiling. "I'd rather do anything but that."

"Okay." Lust nodded. "Your other option is to take care of Gluttony or Wrath."

Envy leapt to his feet and sped past Lust. "I'll watch Emilee."

"She's in her room," Lust called after him with a grin.

Emilee was reading her book in bed, almost finished. Envy was right, there wasn't anything about anyone similar to her contained within the pages.

Envy walked into the room, slammed the door, and sat back on the ground against the wall again.

Emilee pulled the book closer until it was brushing her nose. She couldn't read the pages when they were that close, but it was very effective at hiding her face from the man across from her.

"What the fuck are you doing?"

Emilee pulled the book closer to her face. "Reading." She wished he would leave and ease the uncomfortable atmosphere.

He sighed. "It was easier when you were afraid of me."

She let the book move a few inches away from her face. "Why?"

"You were predictable. Now you're just fucking weird."

She slammed the book down on the bed. "I am not weird. This situation is what is fucking weird." She glared at him. "You guys fucking kidnapped me. I want to go home." She was screaming as the words poured from her mouth.

"Good luck with that." He laughed.

She grabbed the book and threw it at him with all her strength.

He caught the book easily in one hand. "Thanks," he said. "How nice of you." He opened it, leaned back against the wall, and quietly read.

"I have friends in my town. My garden is probably dead."

"If your garden is dead, then why do you care? It's not like going home would fix that." He didn't look up from the book.

"I can plant new ones." She was flustered and tears were rolling down her cheeks.

"Mhmm."

Her breathing was ragged. She watched as he flipped a page. "Give that back."

"No."

She turned over and buried her face in the pillow. "Just go away."

"Can't. Lust is pissed off I didn't watch you the whole time yesterday."

"I'm 16, I don't need to be watched." She bit her lip. "I wouldn't, at least, if I wasn't a fucking prisoner here."

"Well, sucks to be you."

She flipped onto her back again. "I can't believe I actually liked you," she cried. But once the pitiful words left her lips she covered her mouth.

Envy closed the book and sighed. "I'm not someone you should like."

Emilee didn't move her hands or respond but tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I'm probably the worst thing to care about in this fucking place."

Her hands moved to cover her eyes. "I know," she whimpered.

"I mean, I know I look good." He smirked. "But if I wasn't the only guy here I doubt you'd have any interest in me."

She felt the book hit the side of her body. She looked over, wiping tears on her sleeve.

The book was lying next to her and Envy was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "There. Read your dumb book."

Emilee sat in silence for an hour, pretending to read. She wasn't sure whether she was dejected or just frustrated, but she was unable to concentrate on the words. Yet, she continued moving her eyes across the page, and turning to the next one within an appropriate time frame.

Envy had closed his eyes and appeared to be sleeping.

Was he right? Did she only like him because he was the only guy here? She was confident in her sexuality, she knew wasn't gay. Maybe bi, but not gay.

Emilee shook her head. She'd never liked anyone before, not like this. But, as he himself admitted, he wasn't a good person. Not at all. He cut her fucking arm open on her first day here. So why?

"Envy?"

"Hmm?"

Emilee sat up. "I—I don't think that you're right."

Envy opened his eyes. "About what?"

"It's that—It's not because—I don't—I mean."

"Jeez. Just fucking get it out already."

"I don't like you just because you're the only guy here. I'm not sure why. But I've never liked anyone before. I'm crazy… I'm fucking stupid. I don't know." She hugged her knees.

"That has got to be the absolutely worst fucking confession I've ever heard of." He began laughing hysterically.

"It's not fucking funny!"

She threw the book at him again and he, once more, caught it, easily, in one hand. He grinned at her and she laughed a bit.

"Okay, so here's a book." Envy set it on the ground in one of the many empty rooms in the place.

"Really? I would've guessed it was a tree."

He rolled his eyes. "Haha, very funny."

"Why does it have to be a book?" Emilee stood six feet from the object, eyeing it cautiously.

"Because that's the one fucking thing we have a billion of."

"So what do I do?"

"Look at the book and remember its location. Close your eyes and do whatever you do while looking at it, but instead picture it. Or something. I don't know, to be honest. I can't perform alchemy."

"You can't?" Emilee scoffed. "Then why am I trusting you with learning something like this?"

"Just shut-up and try it." He groaned. "In theory, there should be some way for you to do it."

"In theory…" Emilee rolled her eyes.

She stared at the book on the ground, memorizing its appearance and exactly where it was located. Envy leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, his signature pose, and watched. She closed her eyes, pictured the book and focused. She transmuting the image.

There was a long pause.

"Nothing's happening," Envy declared.

"I'm aware."

She focused harder. She tried to picture what would happen when it was transmuted. She tried looking at the book again. She tried just deconstructing it.

"Nothing's happening."

Emilee sighed and sat on the ground. "This might be possible in theory, but I don't think it works in reality."

"Babies." Envy made a disgusted face as he imagined a human child.

Emilee crossed her arms. "I hope you're not trying to say that I'm a baby."

"No." He shook his head. "Babies can't walk at first. They see their parents do it. They have the legs for it, but all they can do is crawl. It takes forever for them to figure it out, and even then, it takes time to get good at it. Just because all a toddler can do is crawl, doesn't mean it's impossible for them to walk."

"Well aren't you philosophical!"

"I don't know if I'd call that philosophical." He scratched his head. "I just don't think you should give up so easily."

Lust entered the main room with Sloth. Envy and Emilee weren't in sight. She checked Emilee's bedroom and then Envy's. She returned to the main room and stared at Sloth on the couch. "Where do you think they went?"

She shrugged. "At least this means that he's watching her."

"That's true." Lust laughed a bit maniacally before settling on the couch herself.

"I have an idea." Envy tapped his foot.

"What?"

"Why don't you try doing it immediately after you close your eyes, instead of thinking so much about it first."

"That's not a whole lot more useful if I can only do it shortly after I close my eyes."

"I'm just saying to try it."

Emilee shrugged. Stared at the book, closed her eyes, and immediately transmuted the image in her head.

There was a strange popping noise. Her eyes flipped open and she saw pages fluttering around the room.

She spun around and watched them fall, not ready to believe that it had worked.

Envy gave her a round of applause.

"I did it." She danced a bit before running to Envy and hugging him. He made a face and didn't hug her back, but didn't make any movement to push her away. She drew back a bit and glanced at the destroyed book. "I still don't think being able to do that, alone, is extremely useful."

"It's not." Envy nodded. "But I think we're just scratching the surface."