- Alphonse, hurry up! – she said, running up the hill, the thick bushes not being able to stop her.
- Mei, wait! – he couldn't possible catch up with her. Those hills on the back of the palace were her personal playground. But he had to be careful, avoiding the tree branches on his way, nothing but the moonlight and starts to guide him through the darkness.
- Come on! – she streached her hand to him and helped him up to the flat surface. Alphonse's mouth drop. From that spot they could see all the palace and capital, the colorful tents and bonfires, happy people dancing on the loud music of that New Year's Eve.
- Wow! It's amazing!
- It's my favorite spot on this time of the year.
- Isn't your mother going to miss you on the dinner party?
- I bet she didn't even notice I'm gone. All those relatives to deal with, pretending to like each other. Bunch of snakes.
- You shouldn't say that about your family, Princess. – he teased her, touching the long sleeve of her Imperial clothes for the festivity. She pulled the cloth aside from him, before they sat together on the soft grass.
- I don't really care for them. – she looked at him, with a smile. – I rather be with you.
The way her eyes were on him made the air on his lung temporally go away. She was lovely, her slim frame all elegant on that long red and white dress. Her dark hair arrange with silk laces intertwined in a braid. The way she ran so freely without running those clothes was a mystery for him.
-Ah, look! – she pointed the red flames on the sky, exploding high. – It's New Year already!
The colorful lights had his attention for some seconds, before he turned his gaze to Mei again. What was this feeling on his chest? It has been there for some time, building up on those last years of friendship. She gave him everything he needed to adapt well to Xing. She had never denied him any information, any hours of her day, any secrets from her people. Mei had never denied her sincere and beautiful smiles. The little Princess and fighter he met on those sad and desperate days, always so brave, now was the beautiful 16-year-old, whom he shared the peaceful times. Yes, he missed home. He would probably go back to Rizembool this year. But Mei gave him a feeling of belonging he had never sense before. There, by her side, he felt so lively, just like the marvelous fireworks that colored the nightsky.
When her soft and delicated fingers touched his hand, as a big firework, yellow and blue, exploded, Alphonse was out of his thoughts, looking at her:
- Happy New Year, Alphonse! Let's get along this year as well.
He didn't find the words to reply it on the spot. The younger Elric only squeezed her hand, gently but firm. Yes, he was finally aware of that feeling, as warm as the sensation of their fingers together. It was as intense as the colorful clouds upon them. He would have to take his time and do something about it. But that could wait. That moment with her was too precious. Alphonse smiled to Mei, as smiling to himself and to the truth in front of his golden eyes. He was totally in love with her.
- Please, take care of me this year too.
- Yes! – she said, smiling back at him and leaning on his shoulder, as the little pieces of rainbow continued to explode, breaking the dark sky apart.