"Call on us any time. We'll be waiting."

Rinoa's voice in his memory this time, and with it a stab of loneliness that slid in under Squall's breastbone like a sharp, cold blade. He'd given up on insisting on being alone, but reaching out, making that kind of connection with people... it wasn't something he knew how to do any more.

"It'd be nice," he said quietly. "But it can't be helped."