Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Desire ( Chapter 37 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Chapter 37: Desire

 

“Ugh…” Sighing, Briana woke up to find herself lying flat on her stomach. The table beneath her was metal and extremely cold against her skin. To her horror she realized that someone had removed her shirt and skirt, replacing them with a pair of shorts and tube top like the ones Winry wore. Trying to sit up, she realized that her arms were bound to the stretcher.

 

It wasn't dark, but the single bulb overhead didn't give off much light. Glancing around, she could tell that she was in an old dressing room. Cobwebs clung to the ceiling. Moth eaten clothes still hung on the rack, a testament to past plays. Furniture was silently waiting to be used once more.

 

The antique mirror was foggy with dust and age but she could make out a figure standing in the shadows. A grin was spread across a face she didn't recognize. His wild green hair was something she was sure she would not have forgotten, not even if she'd tried. “What do you want with me?”

 

Stepping from the darkness to stand before her, he ran a hand along her jaw, “You're the child of Robert Boyle, aren't you?” She continued to glare at him, but nodded. The smirk seemed to take on a new sinister meaning. “That's what I thought. You father was annoyingly reluctant to help me.”

 

Jerking her head away she sneered at the creature that stood before her. Fear was surpassed by her hatred of this thing that had murdered her child. Instead of trying to keep a cool head and figuring out a method of escape, she asked in a venomous voice. “What do you know of my father?”

 

“Plenty.” Envy murmured, moving to the vanity and opening a small hidden drawer. He drew out a medium sized red stone, knowing it was too unrefined to change him into a human. Because of that he refused to take the treasure to his master. Instead he turned back to his captive, holding it out for her to see. “He gave his life for this little gem. Your father wanted to create a stone without using human life.”

 

Stepping over to stand directly at her side he continued. “In the process he managed to make one that could be used by anyone, not just alchemists.” Laying it in the dip of her back allowed her to feel the heat it was giving off. “Even I can use it.” Having said that, he pressed the stone into her skin.

 

A white light emanated from the jewel. The temperature became intense as it spread across her vertebrae and nerves, eventually seeping into even those, causing tremendous pain. She started to scream out but a hand was over her mouth in an instant, blocking the sound.

 

Once the sensation had passed she sighed heavily. Breathing hard she closed her eyes, snapping them back open when she felt the wires Winry had installed, being forcefully yanked out. For some strange reason it was only a dull ache. Turning her head to watch she was shocked to find that, once the wires were out of the way, the skin healed over completely.

 

Unfastening the braces, Envy pulled them off, tossing them to the floor. The sound they made as they clattered against the concrete was the only noise made. When done, he unlocked the clasps that had fastened her to the table. “Get up.” He ordered with a sickening smile on his face.

 

Sitting up, Briana bent her legs without aid for the first time since the first attack. She stared at her flesh for a long moment. Looking up at the beast, she swallowed hard. `Why is he doing this?' It didn't make any sense. What possible motive could he have for helping her?

 

Hopping down off the stretcher she had to steady herself. Once she'd made sure she could, she dashed toward the door. Instantly the homunculus was between her and the exit. Putting his arms around her, he questioned, “Why do you have to be like that? Isn't it enough that I just gave you back the use of your legs?”

 

Pulling away roughly, she glared at him. “You're the one that took it away to begin with, when you killed my child!” Her fists were raised in the air, already coming down toward him. But he grabbed them, holding her in place. “Let me go!” She screamed, her arms still over her head, now in his control.

 

Envy stepped forward frowning. “What do you see in that little pipsqueak anyway? He didn't even want you.” Leaning forward, he pressed his lips against hers, although she tried to get away. Pulling her hands down to her sides, he refused to back off until she needed to breathe.

 

As soon as he did, she took a single breath before spitting directly in his face. “You murdered my baby and now you expect me to enjoy this? How arrogant are you?!” When he came at her again, he made the mistake of sticking his tongue in her mouth. Quickly she bit down hard, tasting his blood.

 

Throwing her against the wall he wiped his lips with the back of his hand. Noting the red substance he chuckled. “You're a feisty bitch aren't you?” As he rushed forward she dodged, shoving the rack of clothes at him. Swiftly she managed to get the door open, dashing out into the hallway.

 

He was behind her in a moment, allowing her to continue running. Envy knew she couldn't escape and decided to play with her emotions. Transforming he called out, “Darling wait up!” She glanced back momentarily but wasn't convinced. Scowling he caught her by the waist, pulling her to a stop. “Women should always listen to their husbands.”

 

Struggling did little to help. No matter what she did, his grip was simply too strong. “Let me go.” She growled at what looked like her spouse. It made her sick to think that she'd fallen for his trick once more. But how could she tell the difference? What clue was there?

 

He transformed again, becoming the human Alphonse, this time correcting the height difference. Leaning down he locked lips with her once more, careful not to slide his tongue in where her teeth could access it. She closed her eyes, groaning in complete disgust.

 

When he backed away she spit. `It's not Al, it's not Al, it's not Al!' No matter how many times she told herself this she still felt appalled by what had just happened. Struggling against him was useless and only served to add to his enjoyment. “Let me go!” She screamed.

 

Becoming himself again, Envy kissed her neck forcefully before telling her, “Don't worry, I'm not gonna kill you.” He had no intention of harming his precious treasure. Dragging her down the hallway, nothing she did even remotely deterred him. “You'll be just fine.”

 

As she fought against him, she felt his arms tighten around her. Making it back to the room he locked the door using a key. He'd had the forethought to install one that needed a key on both sides. Backing up against the wall she glowered at him. “What do you want with me?”

 

That sickening smile returned as he strode toward her. “What's wrong? Don't you like it here?” The homunculi ran his fingers across her jaw line as if to subdue her. She jerked her head away, glaring at him with all the hatred she possessed, but he only chuckled at the display.

 

“You said you're not going to kill me.” She murmured venomously. “Then what do you want?” She had a thought in mind but it was too disgusting to use its correct term. “My body, is that it? Well if so then you're going to have to take it because I won't give it freely.”

 

Envy frowned, as if to say that wasn't what he had in mind. Brie realized then just how much his name said about him. Putting on a smirk of her own she could have laughed. “But that's not it, is it? You want what Edward has. You want my heart, my love.” The flash in the homunculus' eyes showed she was right. She sneered back at him, “But that's not something you can take and so you'll never have it.”

 

Anger ran through him as he pressed her up against the wall. “Don't tell me what I will and will not have!” She didn't even quiver under him. Instead her rage emanated from her with more intensity than it had just moments prior. Transforming, he took on the form of her husband.

 

Pressing his lips against hers, he found that she refused to treat him in the same manor as she did the alchemist. `Fine if you won't love me then I'll make you hate him.' With that thought, he jabbed her in the stomach. It wasn't enough to make her pass out, but sufficient to hurt her.

 

Briana doubled over, groaning in pain. Unfortunately that would not be the end of her punishment. With the face of the one she cared for, the homunculus threw her to the floor, kicking her in the side. His grin while inflicting the pain was sickeningly familiar. She raised her head to be met by the golden eyes which were only different in the light that glowed behind them.

 

He didn't speak as he yanked her up into a sitting position, didn't have to. It was obvious that what he was doing was taking its toll on her already fragile emotions. If she'd been on the edge of a nervous breakdown before this would certainly push her over. While that wasn't what he'd originally wanted, it would at least take her love from Fullmetal. That was ample compensation.

 

As his fists hit her, her mind kept reeling, determined not to let him win. `This is not Edward, it's not. It can't be. He would never do this to me.' But the pain was real and the face in front of her denounced her every word. Logic and truth, she realized, did not always coincide.

 

The abuse continued until she lay unmoving on the floor. There was no blood because Envy had been careful not to do any major damage. But it was enough that she was in great pain. Unlocking the door, he let himself out, glancing back once more at the wounded girl. `You'll learn to hate that pipsqueak.'

 

Hearing the click, Briana opened her eyes and stared up at the room around her. She might have thought bones were broken, but somehow she was sure they weren't. Something inside her had changed, making the pain more bearable. Tears began to slowly form, streaking their way down her face.

 

She didn't move, didn't want to try. All she wanted was to wake up from the nightmare she was sure she was in. `He'll come get me. He'll find me soon, I'm sure of it.' But she shuttered as his face appeared in her mind. Against her will, Envy's plan was already beginning to work.

 

“Find me.” She murmured aloud, blocking out the images of her beating, replacing them with those of her real husband. Wrapping her arms tight around herself, she tried to remember the feel of his warmth from that morning in the hospital bed. His love was what had kept her going then, and it would have to sustain her now.

 

Without warning another memory surfaced, one that made her shiver again. The intensity of it was fierce and unforgiving. He'd been headed out the door, not even willing to stop and talk, “Then why are you wearing a wedding ring?” She had demanded, that day so long ago.

 

She'd watched as he looked down at the band on his finger. With a scowl he jerked it off. “Why don't you keep it, as a memento?” A memento? How could he have been so heartless? As the door slammed shut she'd sank down to her knees allowing herself to cry out in utter despair.

 

Shaking her head, she put her hands on either side of it. `No, he came back to me! He came…' Sitting up she began to sob. `But he didn't… he didn't come back. I followed him.' Briana glanced down at her own ring. `But he did, he found me, there in the apartment.'

 

Looking up at the light she quivered. Her captor was winning; she was questioning Edward's love for her. In her mind she could see the alchemist standing there, just as he had in the moonlight. The passion had been real, and was still real. `He will find me again.' Leaning back against the wall and drifting off into a fatigue induced sleep, she failed to realize that her wounds were completely healed.