I fidgeted nervously, my heart pounding hard with excitement. I peered into the room through a little crack in the door I had made, watching the room from the tiny broom closet I was crammed into.
Through the small hole, I watched as two more people entered the room, following an oddy cheerful Mustang. My throat tightened, and my lips curved up in a pained smile.
Elicia had grown so big while I was gone. She looked to be about ten, a sweet little ten year old girl with light brown hair and sparkling pale green eyes. Gracia looked just like I had remembered her, except for her eyes. Her eyes seemed so tired, yet still struggling to hold on, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt, knowing Hughes and maybe even my own supposed 'death' contributed to her fatigue.
Both of them still seemed a bit puzzled to why they were there, but since the Fuhrer asked to meet with them, there wasn't really much they could say.
But they were soon joined by more guests. The door opened to reveal Mustang's old squad of subordinates walk in, also seeming a bit confused. The hurt in my smile melted away, and it widened. Havoc walked in first, followed by Riza, Breda, Fuery, Falman, and Armstrong.
I wanted to just burst out and reveal myself to all of them, but I held back, knowing some of the most important people weren't there yet. I drummed my fingers on my knees impatiently.
Mustang entered the room, and began chatting with all the others, friendly despite all of their positions. It comforted me that everyone still got along so well, even when Mustang had finally become Fuhrer.
I shifted uncomfortably, cracking my neck. As if my eagerness to meet everyone again wasn't bad enough, the cramped closet made me want to get out even more.
At least Mustang had given me a change of clothes. He had gotten a soldier to go out and buy me some clothes. Since he knew, despite my cute bunny sweater, I wasn't very girly, so he got me some black shorts, a white short sleeve button up shirt, and some black flats. My hair had seemed to calm down a little, my wavy brown locks tumbling down past my shoulders.
A knock broke my daze, and the door creaked open. My head turned to the door, but by accident, my forehead hit the wood with a 'thump'. I held back a groan, pulling away and touching my bruised forehead gingerly. Shaking off the pain, I leaned in toward the door, peeking through the small crack in the door.
My breath caught in my throat, and I stared wide-eyed. Standing there was the most unexpected trio that had entered.
A mature Al held the door open for his brother. I had never seen Alphonse with his real body, but it was easy to recognize him once I saw him. He seemed older, and very handsome, most definitely someone I would fall for if I wasn't already in love.
Speaking of my love, he walked in right behind his brother. I choked, my hand gripping the fabric of my shorts tightly. He seemed even more gorgeous than the last time I saw him. He was taller, with his long blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, his signature bangs still the same. His golden eyes seemed bright and full of knowledge, and his smile made my heart speed up, even after all this time. Even after five years, I was hopelessly entranced by him.
But my attention hadn't been centered on him for long, since another person entered behind him, shocking everyone into silence.
"Hey!" A cheerful voice greeted them. "What's up, guys?" Mustang's squad looked like they were about to pass out, while Gracia and Elicia teared up.
"HUGHES?!"
"NO WAY!"
"MAES!" Gracia cried, running up and hugging him with all her might. Elicia came in soon after, sobbing and clutching her parents tightly. Hughes, welcoming them into his arms, smiled, tears glistening in his own eyes. When Gracia and Elicia had pulled back to smile at Hughes, he was tackled by none other than Mustang.
"Maes..." Mustang choked out, and Hughes patted his back comfortingly.
"Long time no see, Roy," Hughes said, smiling proudly. "I heard you became Fuhrer... You finally reached the top..." Roy pulled back, staring at Hughes in the eyes.
"I thought..." He trailed off, before starting again, "How are you alive? What about that..." Hughes caught what Roy was getting at, and chuckled.
"All the evidence was fabricated in order to save me," Hughes explained, "And it was also part of the agreement for me to go to Xing... But if Lynette hadn't made that deal, I would've been killed." Everyone gasped, not expecting his answer. The others' expressions turned despondent, and Hughes looked at them oddly. "Where... Is Lynette?" The misery on all of their faces worsened, and Mustang said nothing.
"She... Passed away." Edward said quietly, and Hughes looked at him with wide eyes.
"She... What...?" Hughes mumbled, shocked. But before anyone could speak up, it was my time to interject.
A loud clap echoed through the room, soon followed by another. All the attention had shifted to me, who leaned against the wall by the closet door, clapping in amusement. A wide smile overtook my lips, and I stopped clapping, holding a hand up in greeting.
Mustang grinned at Ed and Al, who were struck speechless. "Well, as you can see, I happened to come across a certain someone in my own travels." Mustang's smug voice made me roll my eyes.
"Is... That..." Ed said, by far the most shocked of everyone there. His voice, deeper yet still the voice I remember, made my eyes water. I straightened myself, shrugging.
"Looks like you aren't the only dead person coming back to life," Mustang said, nudging Hughes. Hughes laughed.
"You're right about that." He agreed.
Yells were heard from all around the room, and before I knew it, a mob descended on me, surrounding me and squishing me with hugs.
"LYNETTE?!"
"OH MY GOD!"
"YOU'RE ALIVE!"
I let out a breathy laugh, my cheeks reddening sheepishly. They all seemed overjoyed as the squeezed the life out of me, but I couldn't blame them. First Hughes, then me! It must've been quite a surprise.
Once they had all let me go, I stared through the group over to Ed, who was frozen, still stunned. The others seemed to notice what I was looking at, and the group parted, letting me walk toward Ed. I stopped halfway, opening my arms and looking at Ed pointedly, as if saying, What are you waiting for?
Ed took a hesitant step forward, and then another, going faster with each step. Before long, he stopped in front of me, staring into my brown eyes with his lovely golden ones. I smiled, a big, sincere one that took his breath away. That smile was the same he had seen five years ago, the smile that belonged to the girl he loved.
Before I could react, he took my head in his hands and pulled me forward, his lips capturing mine in a kiss.
In that kiss were all the sparks I had missed, and all of a sudden, I felt whole again, the empty space he left in my heart all filled up.
Wolf whistles were heard from our audience, and I blushed, starting to pull away but Ed's arms traveled down to snake around my waist, holding me firmly to him. The more I tried to resist, the more he got into the kiss, and the more the adults made teasing noises.
When he finally let me pull away, I looked down, my face painted a bright red.
"I can't believe it," He murmured, leaning his forehead against mine, "You're... Here..."
I wanted my voice back so bad I could cry.
I closed my eyes, wishing that I could reply. When I didn't, Ed pulled away and looked at me oddly.
"Lynette?" He questioned, and I shook my head, unable to answer.
"We also have some bad news," Mustang spoke up, and Ed let me go to look at him. "Lynette... Lost her voice."
That news wasn't taken very well.
Everyone gasped, taken aback, and my lips pressed into a tight line.
"Is... that true?" Ed asked me, disconcerted. I looked up at him, inhaling sharply before nodding, watching his reaction closely.
"Would you like me to explain?" Mustang asked, glancing at me for my approval. I sighed, nodding.
Ed's arm stayed around my waist as we turned to face Mustang. Mustang cleared his throat before beginning the explanation.
"Lynette never died," Mustang said, "Rather, faked her death in order to be able to leave. Before the explosion she had triggered caught up to her, she had used human transmutation to transport her back to her world." Mustang looked at the few people who were confused, "I'll explain the rest later. Anyway, her voice was the price of crossing through the Gate, and she had made it back to her world." All the people who did know what was going on where deeply disturbed.
Ed looked over at me, his eyes wide, and I looked away, ashamed. He probably thinks I did all that just so I could leave, I thought, guilt plaguing my heart.
"Then..." Ed started, looking back at Mustang, "How did she come back?" Mustang looked at me, and I shook my head ever so slightly, but he got the hint.
"I don't know." Mustang admitted, "Lynette said she wasn't aware of it either... She said she appeared here randomly in the first place the same way." I could feel Ed's gaze land on me, boring a hole through my head. I refused to look back at him, almost smug that he couldn't get a word out of me even if he tried. Even so, I knew he would bring it up again, when we were alone.
My face heated up suddenly. When we're alone... I tried to fight the thoughts, but they just kept bouncing around my head. My heart beat sped up, and I looked down at my feet. No, no, I mustn't think like that. But another part of mine argued, Don't fight it. Eventually you'll go farther with him than you have with any other guy... I gulped.
Holy shit, I remembered, I dated other guys... I wonder if he'll get jealous. I shook my head. Here all of them are worrying about me being mute, while I'm getting excited over being with Ed. Then again, I'm kinda used to it, so I guess I'm the only person who's somewhat okay...
So the rest of the party was pretty much spent reuniting with the others, catching up on stuff that happened, and making me write down every little detail of my life after I had left.
"Whoa," Mustang held an arm out in front of me. "Where do you think you're going?" I gave him a weird look. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"What?" Ed asked. Him, Al and I were on our way out, after everyone else had left in pursuit of other things to do.
"You're going with them?" Mustang asked, and I nodded, still puzzled. I cocked my head to the side, as if to say, What do you mean? Mustang sighed.
"You can stay with me tonight," He said, glancing at Ed and Al protectively. The pieces clicking together, I let out a sharp, airy laugh. I took a hand, my fingers stuck together, and touched my thumb to my collar bone.
"I don't trust them," Mustang said, narrowing his eyes at Ed in particular. Ed sighed, rolling his eyes.
"It's fine," He said, "She's coming to stay with us in the hotel." Mustang gave me a pointed look, and I let my shoulders sag exaggeratedly, pouting. He gave Ed one more glance before jerking his head slightly toward a corner. I nodded, sending a look at Ed and Al to wait as I went to talk privately with my superior.
"Do you really think you'll be okay?" He whispered, and I gave him a reassuring smile, my cheeks dusted with pink.
"Will you tell him about the philosopher stone?" Mustang asked, his voice even quieter.
I pursed my lips, and held my hand up flat, before tipping it side to side. Maybe, I told him, and he went silent. After a moment of what seemed like him debating with himself, he put his hand on my shoulder, giving me a grudging look as he gestured over to the Elric brothers.
"Tell me if they do anything and I'll get them locked up for a long time," He muttered, and I laughed. I turned and gave him a hug, grinning to myself.
"I'm glad you're back," He said, and I blushed, embarrassed. When I pulled away, I snatched out a tiny journal from my pocket and grabbed the pencil attached to it, taking a minute to scribble my sarcastic responses on a few pages of notebook paper.
You're more touchy-feely than I remember, As Mustang read the note, he let out small chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
"I can't help it," He said, "The little squirt I let into the military turned... into an adult." I hit him on the shoulder, and flipped the page of the little notebook.
You're still too old for me. He laughed.
"You really know me too well," He said, and I shrugged before flipping the page again.
I need a week to sort some stuff out, He read, But after that, I hope your schedule is open because I owe you lunch, Fuhrer Roy Mustang.
"Half pint, it's about time you remembered that," He said, messing with my hair. I swatted at his hand, fixing my hair before sending him a playful glare. I flipped the page and handed the notebook back to Mustang.
I'll be okay, I promise. It read, and Mustang nodded, letting a sigh escape his lips.
"Alright," He said, "Be safe." I grinned, but before turning to leave with the impatient Elrics, I tore a piece of paper and handed it to him before prancing off, walking a little faster than normal.
I ushered Ed and Al out, and the not long after the door shut behind us did I hear a yell come from behind us.
"SERIOUSLY?!" Mustang's voice traveled through the walls, and both Elrics looked at me in confusion. I smugly continued down the hallway, not bothering to look back.
What I had written on the note was my signature parting mockery.
If you finally passed your half-brained bill requiring miniskirts to be worn as part of a woman's military uniform, I'm officially resigning.
HI!
My situation right now is pretty bad, so I couldn't find time to update any sooner. I'm sorry if I don't update as often, since this really requires me to be in a really good mood, and again, a lot of horrid things have been happening and I can't seem to keep up. Sorry guys!
I only have around 30 followers? What happened to the other 170 of you guys?! Make sure to follow and favorite this story if you haven't already, because again, I don't know when I can get around to updating and I still have a pretty good amount of stuff to write for this story.
Well, the reunion! Ahh, this chapter drained all my enthusiasm for the day, like damn. OH YEAH, AND HUGHES IS BACK. I would never forget that darling, now would I? I'm not nearly sick enough to make him not have a happy ending after all the stuff I put him through.
And Ed! Whoa there, don't get ahead of yourself! *wink* Haha, what a reunion!
Mute Lynette really is such a bother! None of them know sign language, and she can't immediately follow up on something with a witty retort, or a touching speech or something, but *shrug* I dunno what to do about that. *laughs sheepishly* I dug myself in a hole I can't seem to get myself out of. What do you guys think? I'd really love it if you guys left some comments or PMed me your opinions and ideas. What should happen when she tells Ed she has a philosopher stone? Should he just tell her to use it, or should he be uncomfortable with it (and in the process, make things a whole lot harder on me and make me brainstorm alternative ideas to get her voice back) (Psst sacrificing her gate isn't an option here! Just sayin') But let me hear your thoughts!
My lovely readers, please review~!
Thanks!