Wrath was warm and comfortable in her arms. It was odd, to think of a Homunculus as warm, but he was. He sat cradled against her, his small arms wrapped around her waist and his head resting in the soft pillow of her breasts. His hair was coarse and thick between her fingers, and she was tempted to say that he was sleeping. He was unresponsive, at least.

“What a little pervert.”

“He’s a child, Envy.” Sloth glanced up, her violet eyes narrowing at the familiar form of the older Homunculus.

“He’s as much a child as me. Look at him, he’s practically drooling on you.”

“He’s resting.” What did Envy want now? He was standing with his arms folded and one hip jutting out, a challenging and insolent pose that Sloth knew all too well.

“Sure he is.”

Sloth slid her arms protectively about Wrath, some strange form of maternal instinct aroused whenever Envy took an interest in her young ward.

“What do you want?”

“Me? Nothing.” Envy shrugged and strutted about the room, cocksure and reeking of arrogance. “Just thought I’d see how the little tyke was doing, that’s all.”

“He’s fine.”

“I can see that.” Envy leered and Sloth bristled. Why did he always feel the need to bother her when he got into these moods? Because you can’t put him in his place.

“Was there anything else?”

“Nope.” Envy leaned against the wall, watching them both as Wrath shifted in Sloth’s arms. One hand twined in her long hair, fingers lazily playing with a soft hank of it.

“Where’s Lust?”

“Don’t know, don’t care.” Envy grinned, his thin lips curling back from his teeth like a lizard’s. “It’s too bad he’s not a little bit older, you know.”

“What are you talking about now?” What was Envy’s fascination with Wrath? Or was he simply using another tactic to get under Sloth’s skin?

“Him. Your little bundle of joy, there. It must be pretty awful for him. Clinging to you like that, touching you. It’s not like he can do anything about it.” Envy closed the distance between them with long, quick strides. He squatted, long legs bending to bring his face down close to Wrath. “Or can he?”

“You’re sick.” Sloth held Wrath tightly, his breath warm on her breasts. He shifted lazily in her arms but his eyes remained closed.

“I’m sick? You’re the one who gives him exactly what he wants. Look at you, fawning all over him and hugging him and petting him. You‘re feeding his little fantasies.”

“He’s…” Sloth bit back the words. My son, she finished in her mind. He was hers and she was his. There was nothing more to it. Envy was simply being his usual intolerable self. And yet Sloth tolerated him, for reasons she didn’t quite understand.

“He’s a child, yeah, you said that. But he’s not really. He’s older than you. He’s just got a kid’s body. I bet he’d be crawling into your bed for different reasons if he had a body like mine.”

If he had a body like yours, he wouldn’t be able to do anything you’re implying. But Sloth never said what she felt.

“Go away,” was all she responded with. Envy just grinned, cheeky and mischievous and innocent.

“Aw, you’re always so mean to me. Fine. I’ll be back tonight, though. And that little…thing better not be in your bed. He‘d probably like watching though, wouldn‘t he?”

“Just go.” Sloth sighed and buried her face in Wrath’s hair, smelling the musky scent of woods and animals and soot. Envy was only looking for trouble, nothing more. Lust must have upset him earlier.

“Momma?” Wrath stirred, blinking sleepily. Sloth smiled down at him and smoothed his hair. “Momma…” He cuddled against her happily, and Sloth continued to smooth his hair. At least he’d been unconscious for that bit of conversation.

She didn’t see the satisfied smile that crossed Wrath’ mouth as he nuzzled his face against her chest.