A/N: Heya, guys~ We're back with our next chapter~

Mati: And we also have a request! And a contest! :D

Piper: We, uh, really want a new cover for A Brighter Flame, Another Hope. Like, really really. If someone could make one and tell us, that'd be great. We'll give them our email and let them send it to us. Please and thank you.

Lilli: As for the contest~ As you all know, this will end soon and a sequel will begin. So, here's our contest! Contact (review, PM, etc.) us and give us title ideas! If you win, we'll let you include yourself in the sequel~

Mati: Um...I think that's all for now. Enjoy this next chapter!

Chapter Thirty-Three

"OH MY GOD!"

Winry nearly dropped her bag of equipment as she took in the sight of Ed. Armstrong had decided to pay him a visit. The result had not been the best.

I spaced out as everyone began to talk, mostly about Ed's condition.

Silence. I tuned in. Oh. Winry must have blamed herself. Ed's going to get flustered and freak out and try to make her feel better in 3, 2…

"No, it's my fault. I was too rough on it." Ed shook his head. "Anyways, it helped me in the end." He gave her a grin. "Don't worry about it, all right?"

That...wasn't what happened. A weird feeling came over me. That definitely didn't happen.

Winry's eyes lit up and she gave a slightly evil smile. "You're right! It's not my fault! Okay then, let's talk about my fee for coming out here to make repairs!"

I tried to not laugh at Ed's face.

I decided to take yet another walk while Winry made repairs on Ed's arm. I left them arguing about Ed drinking his milk.

I sat criss-cross on the grass outside of the hospital with my eyes closed, letting the sun shine on my face. It felt good and I felt calm.

"I'm a monster…"

So much for feeling calm. I gave a sigh and opened my eyes again. I couldn't get my mind off of what Nina had said. It made me feel immensely guilty. Was there a way to help her? I hoped so.

But how…? There was no alchemy that I knew of in this country that would help. Had I just made Nina an empty promise…?

A shadow covered the sun, derailing my line of thought. I looked up to see Hughes smiling down at me.

"Hey, there. Having a nice nap?"

I rolled my eyes. "Well, I was until a overbearing dad decided to cover the sun."

I regretted my choice of words immediately when he smirked. "Oh? A dad?"

"No."

"Dad, huh?"

"Hughes, no."

"So you finally admit it~"

"We are not having this conversation right now."

He laughed and sat down next to me. We sat in comfortable silence for a while.

"I don't mind, you know." I looked over to see him smiling gently. "You know Gracia and I would love to be your family." He quickly leaned over and gave me a one-armed hug.

I leaned into the hug a bit. "You know I'd love to be part of your family…"

"...But you need time, I understand." He gave a small sigh, then grinned again, beginning to stand up. "So? Let's go check up on Ed, hm?"

I gave a grin of my own and began to stand up as well.

"Hey, Ed! Heard you got your ass kicked again!"

Ed and Winry looked up from their fighting to stare at Hughes. "Oh." Ed sounded a bit disgruntled. "It's you."

Hughes gave a small pout. "Rude. And I was just looking out for you…" He pulled up a chair and sat down. I decided to just lean against a wall. "So, what was it this time? A serial killer? A maniac with a chainsaw? A cannibal? A gay stripper who you cheated? Oh, by the way," he turned to Winry and they shook hands, "Maes Hughes. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Hi, I'm Winry Rockbell."

Ed scowled. "That was one time, and I wasn't even the right person! He thought I was someone else!"

Winry raised an eyebrow. "What about gay strippers?"

I tried not to laugh at the thought. "It's...a long story."

"Do I…?"

"No."

Winry, thankfully, didn't push the issue.

"So? What happened?"

"Ah...just a minor fight. Nothing serious. Why are you even here, anyways? Isn't there some work you should be doing…?"

Hughes chuckled. "I got the afternoon off!"

Ed gave a skeptical look. "I thought you said that the Investigations Division has been so busy lately that you can't get time off?"

"Not to worry! I just made Sheska work overtime!"

Al voiced everyone's thoughts. "You are an evil, evil man."

"I have another reason to drop by, actually. I just got some news about the Scar Incident. Your bodyguards are going to be dismissed soon."

Ed immediately brightened up. "Really?! All right! I can finally get these annoying chaperones off my back!"

"Hey! That's harsh." Brosh protested.

"What do you think would've happened to you if we hadn't been around?" Ross asked.

"Huh?" Winry looked confused, then annoyed. Her glare turned to Al, Ed and me. "Bodyguards...? What kind of trouble have you guys been getting into?!"

I felt a bit pale. "U-uh, it's nothing big! Promise!"

"Don't worry, I've been trying to keep them as safe as possible." Al reassured her, earning himself a glare from the two of us.

Winry gave an annoyed sigh. "Of course. Why did I believe that you guys would tell me anything…?" She started to gather up her equipment. "Well...I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow. I have to go find a place to stay for the night."

"You can stay at the military hotel for the night for cheap if Ed tells them about you." Al suggested. Winry shook her head.

"You can stay with my family!" Hughes suggested. His gaze turned to me. "You too. Elysia really wants you to come."

Right, Elysia's birthday party. I mentally smacked myself. How could I forget this year? I haven't even gotten her anything!

"What's wrong?" Al asked me. Hughes turned to look at my panicked face and snorted, no doubt knowing the reason for my worry.

"Are you sure that's okay, Mr. Hughes?" Winry asked. "I don't want to intrude…"

"Ah, you'll be fine! Besides, you'll have Lina for company! Of course, we need to go to a few places first, but…"

Before either Winry or I could react, he grabbed our arms and began to drag us away, still happily chattering.

"Have fun!" Al called out to us.

Ed gave us a cheeky smile and a wave.

I gave a sigh and resigned myself to my fate.

Edit (2/23/16): *looks up at a part that repeated itself* Wait, wtf?

Piper: Sorry, we'll fix that...

Mati: How did that happen...?