A/N: Oh my gosh, it's been too long now! I wrote this… in 2004? Now it's 2008, so statistically speaking, you can be expecting the next part (if ever) by 2012. Even though I could've done this in a week if I was devoted enough, I feel really satisfied with this current chapter, even if it took me four years to write it.

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Fire is a phenomenal feature. It burns and scorns, and yet moths are so allured and attracted to it. Upon sight they near it, like the small civilization of Mineral Town do to the moon. Today was the day where families gathered, children stayed up late, and couples cuddled. The villagers sat with their loved ones as they all admired the glowing orb in the sky and mulled over the small things in life that they were grateful for. They were all content on this magnificent day.

That is, until you left the town and travelled over the mountains.

Maria tugged on her blue sweater as she relieved herself of a sigh that wisped away into the chilly night. The sound of her feet shuffling beneath her was the only thing that sounded on the cliff along with the occasional sob. Today was the day she anticipated for all year, and yet the only thing that she could think of was a certain blue-capped farmer.

"Jack…" Two droplets rolled out of her eyes at the sound of his name. Ironic—the one boy that gave her so much happiness was also the one that was causing her the most pain. What would she have to do to have him by her side, to have him hold her and protect her from the cold bites of the night, to trade her broken heart for perhaps a blue feather? Another sob echoed in the distance. "If only you were here…"

"Maria? What are you doing here all by yourself?" Maria turned and found Jeff behind her.

"Oh—oh, I had something to check up on." She shuffled to the left as an indication for Jeff to sit down. "The moon is prettiest up here."

"I see." If only Maria could translate Jeff's words into the real meaning: "Maria, you're the prettiest thing up here." Jeff accepted her offer and seated himself next to his crush."Maria?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you okay? You seem kind of gloomy lately."

Silence. Then words slipped past Maria's lips.

"Actually… I haven't been feeling well lately. There's this, umm, person that doesn't seem to know I exists nor does he know my feelings for him. Even if he does, he probably doesn't like me back. We have a connection with each other and we'd help each other out, like the time I fixed his blue cap—" Jeff touched the stitched scar on the left side of his hat. "—but he probably thinks of me as only a friend. It figures. He's always too busy with this work." Maria wiped a salty drop from her eye. "And even then, who would love me when there are so many pretty girls in the village?"

It was odd—Jeff was only a kind friend (with a stuttering problem might she add) but somehow, Maria felt as if she could confide in this mailman tonight. It couldn't be yesterday, it couldn't be tomorrow; it had to be just tonight for her to pour her bottled emotions out.

"Hedosndezefu."

"What?" Jeff seemed to have muttered something that was inaudible despite the tranquility.

"Maria," Recovering from his redden face, he looked up at her, "If this boy is… if he…" He couldn't say it. He couldn't tell her to forget the boy that probably wasn't him and forget her happiness. "… regardless of everything, I am very happy for the both of you."

Chuckling.

"That's a nice thought, Jeff, but it's never going to happen. If he really liked me," a sob interrupted her words, "then he would be up here with me tonight."

Silence.

Heart breaks.

Feet shuffle.

Realization hits.

"Jeff?" Maria whispered. "Thank you. Th-thank you for being with me."

"It was my pleasure. It was quite the moon tonight."

"No, not that." Maria's hand crept towards the mailman and found its way on top of his gloved hand. "Thank you… for being with me all the time."

It was as if the two read each other's feelings and followed the cues of a romanticist's story when they leaned in together and shared a sincere kiss that lasted the faithful night.

Yet that faithful night, over the mountains was blue-capped farmer who left the scene he witnessed, trading his blue feather for a broken heart.