A/N: Aaand we're back with a chapter! :)

Mati: Hm, maybe we should try to make monthly updates...

Piper: Anyways. We got no title suggestions, so...the sequel might come a while after A Brighter Flame, Another Hope ends. :/ Sorry. And covers. Please.

Lilli: Nothing really new to report, so...enjoy.

Mati: And since we haven't done this in a while...

DISCLAIMER: WE OWN NOTHING. AT ALL.

Chapter Thirty-Four

The party was loud and boisterous, much like the family itself. I recognised multiple family members in the crowd.

Elysia was in the middle of a group of her friends, laughing and playing. She looked so happy.

Hughes was in a corner, talking quietly to Winry. Winry looked thoughtful. I wondered what exactly they were talking about.

Someone sat down in a chair next to me, and I turned to see Gracia smiling gently at me. "Something on your mind? You seem distant."

I gave her a smile in return and shook my head. "No, no, I'm fine. Just...thinking."

"About?"

"Everything, honestly."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

I shook my head, still smiling. "No, it's all right."

"I'll give you your privacy, then." Gracia stood up and kissed the top of my head. "Will you be staying here tonight?"

"U-um…" I tried to ignore the weird feeling in my chest. "No, I think I have some things to do. I might come back here, but I'll be back really late."

"That's all right. Remember, you're always welcome. Here…" She rummaged in her pockets and produced a little bronze key. "Just use this if you decide to sleep here. We'll have the guest room ready."

"Oh, no, it's fine, I can-"

"Take it, love." Gracia gave me an amused smile.

I took the key, and she left. For a second I sat looking at it with a sense of...contentment? Happiness? I wasn't sure. I put it in my coat pocket, making sure that it wasn't going to fall out or anything. With a small sigh, I reached for my necklace and began rubbing it as I sat back in my chair and absentmindedly watched the partygoers.

They looked happy. I didn't know if I could say the same for myself.

I excused myself a few hours later slightly guiltily. Hughes and Gracia, bless them, were understanding and let me go with a smile and a wave. Winry didn't notice me leave, as she was distracted by a very enthusiastic Elysia talking about what she was learning in school. Elysia didn't stop me for the same reason.

I walked until I was far enough from their house then made my way to the nearest phone booth. Let's see...what's his number again? I think that's it… I gave a small curse under my breath when an operator answered. "Hello, I need to talk to Colonel Mustang. Do I need some clearance…? Oh? Okay, thank you."

Cue hold music. I began rubbing my necklace again.

Wise men say only fools rush in

But I can't help falling in love with you

Shall I stay, would it be a sin

If I can't help falling in love with you

God, I hated hold music. This one sounded...familiar, though.

Like a river flows surely to the sea

Darling, so it goes

Some things are meant to be

The singer continued crooning, oblivious to my exasperation. It wasn't that he wasn't a good singer; it was just that I had things to do, thank you very much.

Take my hand, take my whole life too

For I can't help falling in love with-"

The music cut short abruptly and I gave an internal sigh of relief. Hold music. Honestly.

"Colonel Mustang speaking."

"Hey, it's me." I tried to sound happy and tried to disguise it as subtly as possible. Luckily, he could probably figure out who I was, so I didn't have to risk saying my name. Call me paranoid, but it was getting too close to the Homunculus for comfort. I wasn't going to take any chances. "I think we were talking about doing something tonight?"

There was a pause. "Oh, Tori! I'm glad you finally got back to me, babe. Yeah, I think we arranged to meet. I was actually planning to head out right now. Where are you right now?"

Babe? Seriously...? I tried not to cringe and kept my voice light. "Oh, I decided to visit my parents. I'm just outside their house right now."

"All right, I'll be right there."

"See you, Roy."

Click.

I put the phone back and squeezed my eyes shut. Roy Mustang, I swear to god… Nevertheless, I made my way back to the Hughes house and sat down on a curb.

His car rolled up soon, and I got in with a small sigh of relief. "Took you long enough. And 'babe'? Seriously?"

"Well, I had to make it convincing, 'Tori'. And your parents, huh?"

I rolled my eyes with a smirk and mimicked him. "Well, I had to make it convincing."

"So? What did you want?"

"Yeah, I was thinking...d'you think we can go pick up supplies and try practising for that?"

"Hm…" There was a pause as he thought. "We can probably pick up the supplies with no problems, and I think I know a place where we can practise."

"Great. Then let's get to work, shall we?"

It was nearly pitch black when I finally made my way back to the Hughes household, my only guide being the occasional rays of light provided by the streetlamps. I fumbled for the key at the door for a few moments, then managed to let myself in.

Hughes was sitting at the dining table with his back to me. Why was he up so late? I mean, I had a reason, but him?

"Everything all-"

Wham! My back slammed against a nearby wall before I could blink and a letter opener materialised against my throat. Hughes glared at me, eyes devoid of emotion. He didn't seem to recognise me at all. I tried to struggle, but stopped when I felt the blade press harder against my throat.

"Hughes…" I managed to get out, gritting my teeth slightly. The pressure increased just a bit more, making it harder to breathe without fear of getting my throat slit. "Hughes, it's me. It's Lina. Jesus, Hughes, recognise me…"

Abruptly, recognition flashed through his eyes, and he let me go. I leaned against the wall, trying to catch my breath.

"Lina…? What are you doing here?"

"I…" I coughed. "I decided to come here for the night. Gracia let me."

He gave a small sigh and ran a hand through his hair. "Well, I'm glad you decided to stay. I'm sorry for attacking you."

I waved him off. "Don't worry, I'm used to it. I mean, I work with the Elrics. I just didn't want to attack back." There was a pause before I spoke again. "Was it Ishbal?"

He stiffened slightly, then gave a tired smile. "Unfortunately. It wasn't too bad, but it's best that I stay away from Gracia and Elysia when I wake up. You came at the wrong time."

"Sorry."

"Not your fault. It happened."

"Do you want some company?"

A shake of the head. "No, I think I'm okay now. Here, I'll walk upstairs with you."

We both made our way to our respective bedrooms with a slightly strained silence. I knew that he hadn't meant to attack me, but I still felt slightly wary. Getting attacked tended to put you on guard, no matter what the circumstances.

The words flew out of me as Hughes reached for the door to his bedroom. "How often do you think about Ishbal…?"

His hand stilled on the doorknob, and he froze a bit. A quiet response just barely managed to reach me. "All the time." He opened the door to his room without another word and closed it gently behind him.