He breathed in deeply, hands still wrapped around the waist of his now fiancé.

Varian and Hugo came to a slow stop, both of them now just hugging, not wanting to let go.

The young alchemist looked up into the green eyes of the blondes , his shining blue ones damp with joyful tears.

Hugo smiled and pulled him closer into another hug, his heart about to explode form the sheer love and happiness he was experiencing.

They heard the distant music change into a lively toon, sounds of people and laughter flooding out of the ballroom.

"Whats going on now?" Hugo looked at Varian," I thought the dance was ending."

Varian grabbed his hand and pulled him along.

"It did end, but now it's time for the newest surprise." He grinned.

Hugo gave him a questioning look, but Varian just smiled at him.
Holding his hand, he ran, leading Hugo through the gardens and around to the front of the castle.

He motioned to a high garden wall, cover in thick foliage.
Nodded at Hugo, Varian started to climb up, Hugo following him.

At the top, Varian helped pull Hugo up, and the two of them sat close.

"Now, why the hell did you make me climb up there f-"
He's words where cut short as Varian turned his head, hand under Hugo's jaw.

The sight before Hugo was unlike anything he had ever seen.

Lanters.

Hundreds of them, no, Thousands of them.

Heart shaped Lanters blazing like pink, red and white lights against the dark night sky.
He felt himself hold his breath, taking in the magical feeling of them moment.

Varian watched Hugo's face.
Taking in his features.
Observing the way he gazed awestruck at the spectacle before him.

Smiling softly Varian slowly reached out and interviewed his fingers with Hugo's, holding his hand tightly.

Hugo looked down at his hand, gazing at his and Varians hand intertwined.
He smiled softly and looked at him in the eyes, and brought their hands up, kissing the top of Varian's hand.

"I love you..." Hugo whispered.
Varian smiled at him, hid features faintly lit by the glow of the lanterns.

"I- I don't have any other words to explain how much I love you. "
He said softly. " Varian- you're my everything, all and more then everything. "

"I-"

"Remember the last day us and the gang where together?"

"Yeah, I do"

~♡~

I remember it like it was Yesterday Freckles.

We where all there, in the long bridge leading away from Corona.

I was watching from a ways away, as you and Yong said your tearful goodbyes.

I said my goodbyes to Yong and Nuru, you saying them with hugs and tears .

I was- I was afraid of everything I did, that- maybe because of me working for Donella, that you would somehow hate me now that the trials where done.

So I tried to sneak off without a goodbye.
But, that didn't quite work as I hoped it would.

"Hugo?"

I remember you saying my name softly, loud enough to make me stop walking away.

The tone in your voice told me of the emotion you carried,and I was scared of what you'd say.
But I still walked back.

I couldn't do much put offer a nervous smile, and a "Yeah Freckles?"

The look you gave me hurt my heart, and you stepped closer.
I made no move to get away, the expression on my face just as hurt, sad and confused as yours.

"You'd leave without saying goodbye?"

I remember I couldn't find my voice, your words hitting me.
Yeah I was going to, but-

"I- heh- I didn't think you'd want a goodbye from the guy who betrayed you"

"Well-" you said, brushing away a strand of loose hair " I'd gladly take a goodbye from the guys who saved me from my certain doom."

"I- Varian..."

"Hugo- "

We both stood there, a few feet apart, and then you held out your hand.
I looked at it and then slowly put mine in it.

"Stay"

"What?"

You looked at me in the eyes, and I knew I couldn't say no.
I didn't want to leave. But I didn't think you'd let me stay.

"Varian-"

"Stay please " you smiled " your welcome here. I know Coronas not much, but- you don't have anything left with Donella.
Hugo - your more then the boy she made you believe you are.

Look around us. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. I want you to stay, there's so much here for you.
You have me here. And-"

You looked down your words quite now.

" and I love you "

~♡~

Varian smiled at his fiancé as he listened to him.

"That's why I stayed Varian " Hugo said softly, pulling him into a hug " because I love you. "

Varian closed his eyes and hugged him back, tears in the corners of his eyes.

"I'd never leave you again." He whispered, burying his face into the ravenettes shoulder.

Varian hugged him.

Pulling back they both smiled, and Varian grabbed his hand again.

"I'd never leave you either. " he said, eyes sparkling.

Both of them made their way down from the wall, hand in hand as they walked through the faintly lit streets.

The smell of candles and flowers drifted through the night air, faint sounds of music and people drifting around.

Hugo looked over at Varian, and a sudden burst of happiness lept out from somewhere deep down.

He let out a loud laugh, getting Varians attention.
Grabbing Varians hand tightly he ran,
The alchemist giving a flustered laugh, trying to keep up with his fiancé's leaping strides.

In a whirlwind of laughter and smiles the next thing Varian knew was they where stumbling through the door of their house.

Hugo picked him up a wide grin spread across his face.
Varian smiled back, hands grabbing his flushed face and pulling him into a kiss.

Stumbling and carrying him back to their room, Hugo felt as if his heart would explode.

Lips hardly leaving Varians, he pushed them over, toppling then down on the bed.

Hands holding Hugo's face and playing in his blonde hair, Varian closed his eyes breathing him in.

Hugo smiled softly, lips leaving kisses along his lips and jaw.

Eyes meeting, they both stared, faces red and flustered. Hands roaming and softly holding, hearts beating in sink.

Pulling Varian close, Hugo buried his face into Varians neck.
Mumbling soft words and breathing in, he closed his eyes, Varians arms wrapping around him.

Varian smiled softly, resting his head on top of Hugo's, playing with his hair gently.
Closing his eyes he soaked in his touch, warmth and comfort.

Ruddiger jumped up on the end of their bed, smiling at the two boys he'd watched grow up over the few years.

Padding over to them, he climbed up onto the pillow next to Varians head, curling up next to him.

Glancing at the two boys he smiled softly, eyes looking over to the window.
Glimpsing the faint flying lights of the lanterns through the window, Ruddiger sighed and leaned his head against his boy, snuggling up against his soft black hair.