Gloria's cheeks burned a bright red as she felt his fingers entwine with hers. Once more, she expected him to make her skin uncomfortable as her ex boyfriend had, or anyone else for that matter. But just as before, it felt more relieving, refreshing. She kept a small, sweet smile at her lips, forcing herself to ignore the discomfort of her blushing. But his compliments ruffled something within her stomach -- butterflies.

"I used to sing. I was in my school's choir all the way from the fifth grade through the ninth. I had to quit when I turned out to not really be...my best so early in the morning. The choir teacher used to get so frustrated with me," she said with a light chuckle.

She thought about traveling with Alphonse. That would surely be one hell of a dream. She loved the idea of leaving this place. She felt as if she should be elsewhere but here. But she did have the odd feeling that she was supposed to be where she literally was at the moment, hand in hand, walking beside Alphonse, a kind and very handsome gentleman who wasn't exactly who he appeared to be, but then again that was why she liked him. She never thought immortals would be...so kind and gentle.

The butterflies fluttered in her stomach every time his thumb rubbed her hand. It felt good and it still made her blush. She tried her best to ignore the fact that she was indeed blushing, nodding her head as she looked away from him and to the crowd around them.

The park's entrance was in view and from what she saw, there wasn't that many people in it. After all, most people in the mornings went to the market and coffee shops, not the park. She sucked in a breath, humming happily at the smell of fresh morning air. Yes, she was definitely feeling more better. But she found that odd. He made her feel better. For that, she boldly hugged his arm with the hand that was holding her's.

Alphonse smiled slipped as he listened to her. He clearly didn't believe that Gloria could sound bad at all. How could that be possible? Every word she spoke made his heart flutter. But he was way to embarrassed to ever admit to that. So instead he gave her a reassuring smile as he walked by her side. But in his mind it wasn't that easy to let go. He didn't see how this lovely girl could have any flaws. But then again, they do and Alphonse knew it. One of which that he hated to see though, was death.

A sudden shudder hit Alphonse hard. He hadn't thought about it at all up till this point. Humans were so much weaker than a God like him, and he had totally let it go. But now it was back in his mind and he found himself trembling. He should of already known this, but he knew it was too late. Gloria was here now, but for how long? If he let this feeling expand, it could make him forget again. But he didn't want to hurt her at all. Instead he only wanted to be with her. The thought of her or nothing at all was an easy pick. He wanted to be with her.

Once Alphonse was at the park he slowly snapped out of his earlier thoughts. So what if he was immortal? Couldn't he enjoy this new found feeling too? Sure it wouldn't be forever, but he wanted it so badly he would risk it. And it was all for Gloria. He could accept the punishments later, but for now he was stubborn. He was going to enjoy this to the last.

"It's beautiful, but I think you are much more lovely. I wouldn't be surprised if you held more life within then this park does." Alphonse spoke gently again, his natural charm kicking in as he smiled at her.

Gloria couldn't believe how relaxing it was just to walk beside someone and talk to them about anything she chose to talk about. It was relaxing, freeing. She loved that feeling -- free. It made her smile softly, regardless of the fact that her cheeks somewhat felt uncomfortable from her smiling. She just ignored it, focusing on both smiling for him and allowing herself to smile.

But his comment had left her breathless and blushing again. Her cheeks heated up once more as her hand that held the jar went to her cheek, her fingers outstretching from the jar to feel her burning cheeks to find herself a little too hot. Then again, she had been running a fever every now and then. It felt nothing new to her.

She looked around her at the park. What beauty was she compared to the park, which had always been a favorite growing up here in the city? It felt strange to think about her being compared to this beauty surrounding her, but then again, she knew, deep down, she could trust Alphonse's words.

Eyeing the flowers scattered through the park's grass, she pulled him over to the side, reaching from the sidewalk to bend down and pluck up a tiny, light purple weed. She held the flower out to him.

"For your compliment, to prove that beauty can truly be found in anything," she murmured, smiling as her eyes averted from the tiny, beautiful weed and up to his eyes. It seemed that every time she looked up into his eyes, she found herself breathless. He was so handsome, she knew she could barely stand it. She currently felt like the most honored woman to be holding his hand at the moment, regardless of how little she knew about him.

As soon as Gloria turned away Alphonse found himself feeling cold. The warmth of her hand was wonderful, but it wouldn't last would it? He almost felt... Well he wasn't really sure. All he knew was that every moment she was there, he couldn't think straight. His mind was scattered and lost.

Trying once again to relax, he looked up at the trees. All were around the same size, but each had their own details. He remembered at one point reading about trees and how each ring showed their years of life. They could be up to thousands of years in age. This distraction helped him a lot for the time.

As soon as Gloria pulled away he found himself looking at her again. This time he studied her movements carefully. Curiosity held him in place until she stood back up. He soon smiled as she handed him a purple flower, gently taking it from her. He studied it for a moment before looking at her. Very slowly his right hand reached out, gently stroking her cheek. His thumb gently stopped at the very edge of her lips.

"Wild flowers are the best kinds. They aren't bound to one place, so instead they wonder freely. How could a person possibly hate that? Maybe they are jealous of that freedom, or perhaps they wish to be free themselves. You might say they are mere weeds, but I envy them too." He spoke much softer as he looked at the flower and then at her. After that he leaned in much closer than ever before and kisses her lips.

Her heart fluttered as she read his pleased expression with the wildflower she had given him. Her lips stretched into a bright smile, her eyes searching for any change. Envy. It was such a strange yet familiar word to Gloria. She envied the girls who were completely healthy, who had normal lives and had no discomfort with being touched or smiling, or even blushing simply. She envied them for having normal lives, guys who wanted to be with them...

But when she recognized something she had never seen before, her eyebrows furrowed. Was he really going to...? Her eyes closed when she felt their lips connect. No guy had ever kissed her like that before. She barely knew this...demon...this immortal, but...

The jar in her hand fell to the grass, landing safely so that it wouldn't shatter as her arms wrapped around his neck as a response. It wasn't something she forced herself to do, it was just natural. She liked the way his lips felt against hers. It felt natural, comfortable.

Soon, she pulled back lightly, just enough to put a centimeter between their lips as her eyes opened and she looked up at him, an arm leaving him but the other still wrapped around his neck. "You shouldn't envy anyone or anything, Alphonse," she said teasingly.

Alphonse gently ran his hands up her sides and slipped around her back gently. He held her close as they kissed for what felt like forever, or at least he wished it was so. He wanted so badly for her to remain with him. At this point he was ready to give up things for her.

Even after she pulled away, he kept his gentle hold on her. He didn't want to let her go yet. He probably would never let her go if he could. But he knew it wasn't possible right now. He still planned to take her away though. He wanted to show her the world, and give her everything.

His eyes looked into her own and smiled gently. He was sure of it now, when he looked at her. His heart was pounding, confirming the feeling. He knew now more than ever what he felt for her. Such a small word that had impacted on his soul. He was in love with her.

"I don't think that's much of a problem anymore. I don't think I will ever have to feel so again. You free me from that darkness Gloria. There is only one thing I feel when I'm with you." He smiled as he gently leaning in closer. His eyes looked into her own with love. Then he spoke to her in a gentle whisper. "I love you."

The kiss felt right. It was that in which Gloria couldn't really comprehend to be possible. She had kissed before and it never really ever felt as right as it did now. She could have whimpered from the loss of contact, but she had more self control than that. She looked into Alphonse's eyes and smiled widely, feeling her cheeks become uncomfortable from how big her smile was.

"You barely know me," she pointed out to him after the feeling of butterflies fluttering madly within her chest from his 'I love you'. She slid her hands down to rest against his chest, inhaling. He smelled sweet, intoxicating. Everything felt so right, exciting, romantic with him.

But suddenly, a familiar sick feeling crept up within her. She cringed a little as her head bent down to rest against his neck, willing the unease to pass as quickly as it came. She felt her chest tighten, her head spin, and her heart pick up in speed as if it were trying to catch up with whatever was wrong with her.

Alphonse gently brushed his fingers against her cheek, his brown eyes staring at the creamy white skin with passion. After but a moment he replied in his usual flirtatious ways. "I have all the time in the world, my dear. But never once have I felt the joy I feel when I am near you. Not even once have I known what love was, but now that it's there I am more than aware of it."

His eyes went from loving to panicking as he saw the pain return. But this time he didn't hesitate, having learned his lesson from the first time. He lifted her up and ran at a speed so fast the world was but a blur. He kept her tight to his chest as he ran as far as he could, to a location deep within a forest the world did not know of. He stopped running, approaching a pond hidden by trees but he got through the maze with ease. Then he set her down and cupped the water only to pour it over her.

The water was nothing like others. It was pure, and sparkled sky blue in the sun. It had a gentle chill and seized all thirst. The world could not know of this place though, for it was forbidden. The spring was clearly very magical. Alphonse had witnessed that one for himself years ago. It had healed the scars his father gave him, but it only took away the scars. The memories would still burn, as the sickness would come back.