Lights (Envy x Reader)

Lights

You hadn't seen them yet. But they had seen you. And they couldn't believe their eyes.

Out of the thousands of people who had come to the city for the annual Festival of Lights, they hadn't expected to find you here.

With him.

Edward and Winry stared at you, mouths agape. You were their adopted sister and older sister, respectively, but you had been estranged from them for two years, ever since the Battle of Central. As a state alchemist, you had fought alongside Edward and Colonel Mustang in order to defeat Father. However, you had left them before the battle was over, so that you could save the life of one of the enemy. Ever since then, you had kept your distance, afraid that they would never forgive you for this betrayal. They themselves didn't even know if they could.

Now, there you were, dancing with that man – that thing – whom you had sacrificed all else for.

Envy.

Edward growled, ready to knock Envy's lights out and drag you back home to Resembool. Whatever you had done, he still thought of you as his sister, and he couldn't bear to see you with that monster. He took a step forward, but Winry stopped him with a hand on his arm. He turned on her. "What are you doing?" he asked, but she acted as if she didn't hear him. Instead, she continued to stare at the pair of you, because she saw something that Edward did not.

The night sky glittered with silver stars and the last remnants of golden lanterns that the festivalgoers had lifted into the air a few hours ago. The town square had been turned into a dancefloor, lit by a multitude of flickering candles that were hanging around its edges and floating in the enormous fountain which occupied its center.

The crowd parted just enough for Winry to see the two of you clearly. In the background, the fountain glowed, casting a halo of light around you both as you slow-danced. Envy held one of your hands, gently guiding you through the dance, while his other arm was wrapped around your waist, pulling you close. You smiled as he twirled you around slowly, your shining eyes never leaving his. Winry had never seen you so happy.

As you steadied yourself with a hand on his shoulder, you realized that you were staring at each other. But even when you became embarrassed and looked away, Envy kept his eyes on you, giving you a look that most people spend their entire lives searching for and never find. Winry recognized that look. It was that look that Disney princes gave their princesses, that look of utter adoration and love, like nothing else in the world mattered to him but you.

All this time, Winry could not understand why you abandoned them for a homunculus. Envy was a liar and a murderer. He killed Mr. Hughes, making his sweet wife a widow and leaving his little girl to grow up without a father. How could you possibly forgive him for that, let alone fall in love with him? Before you had gone to the battle, you had pleaded with her to understand, telling her that Envy had changed. At the time, Winry couldn't see how that was possible. But standing here, watching the two of you, suddenly she knew.

He loved you. And you loved him. Somehow, that had been enough.

Keeping one arm around your waist, Envy brought a hand up to brush a lock of hair from your eyes. Then he cupped your cheek, tilting your face towards his. Your eyelids fluttered closed as he leaned in.

Edward snorted and turned away in disgust, but not Winry. She continued to watch the two of you, a slight smile making its way onto her face. Ever since your mother and father died, you had kept everyone at arm's length, choosing to bear your struggles alone rather than risk closeness with another person. But somehow, Envy had gotten past your wall. He made you happy, truly happy, and that was all she ever wanted for you. She didn't believe that she could forgive him for what he did to Mr. Hughes, but perhaps, for your sake, she could try.

Envy's lips met yours. His hand went from your face to your waist, gently pulling you closer. You wrapped your arms around his neck, leaning against his chest ever so slightly. After a moment, he pulled away and rested his forehead against yours. Both of you swayed from side to side, still holding onto each other, as the song drew to a close.

"Come on, Winry, let's go," Edward growled, pulling her away from the square. She lingered a moment more, then turned to follow him. You and Envy, still lost in the moment, would never know that they had been there at all.