The transition from a dream to reality is an odd one, one that isn't defined very well. But somehow, one always knows when they are in reality; this is not always true with a dream. I have woken up for some time now wondering if I've been living a dream, but finding that it does not feel like I am. Every day seems to be a new day of reality. Maybe it's how good a reality it is that makes me wonder, like a good reality shouldn't be possible. The same thing passes through my mind as I wake up on this day, dreams fading into consciousness. I prepare to open my eyes, expecting to be back in a life that seems so far away, back home.
I am home. But not my old home, the place I called home at some point. I am where I am truly home. I'm staring at a wall--no, ceiling of white. I gaze at the cloud for a while, observing its fluffy texture and peaceful appearance. The white is offset by a calm glow of light, yellow in color. I shift around a little, tilting my head up and lifting it off of what has to be the one of the most comfortable pillows in the world. My minor movement causes some feeling to return; I feel warm, inside and out. There is a presence pressed against my torso; I look to where I feel its familiar touch. Six colors enter my view; the colors of the rainbow, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, seem to flow over my matte black chest, which only just sticks out from under the purple blankets covering me. I see part of a light blue face as well, lying upon me. The eyes are closed, and a small smile is present on the face as it lightly snores. I feel the cool breath blowing over my fur every few seconds. The body of the head disappears below the covers, like the rest of my own body.
I smile to myself, watching Rainbow Dash as she lies asleep on my chest. Her forelegs are wrapped around me, as mine are hers, and we hug tightly in the late morning sunlight. I wouldn't want to wake up any other way.
I decide to look around the room, starting from the left. A few stacks of books are carefully balanced on the bedside table nearest me. There are quite a few Daring Do books in those stacks; I'm glad the series is so extensive, else Dash and I would have ran out of things to read a while ago. Some books on the history of Equestria are present as well; I read those every so often. History is something that has always interested me, and having a whole new history to read about made me pretty happy.
Continuing along, my eyes fall upon the closet, which hangs half-open as per usual. The inside is mainly filled with Wonderbolts memorabilia. We need to put up a shelf or something. For the past few years, I've always taken her to the spring Wonderbolts show in Canterlot; it gets better every year.
How many years has it been? What a good question. I think for a moment, trying to recall specific events. Let's see...okay, that was a year ago...so...two? Three years? Something like three years since I first awoke here. I attempt to remember how long it has been as much as I can; I don't really know why, though. I suppose it helps my memory, exercises it a little. It does, yet doesn't seem like it's been that long. It feels like the years go by lightning-quick, but if I begin to remember certain events, it feels like it's been forever.
My eyes move to the doorway; or more, the sides of the doorway. Where posters of the Wonderbolts once hung, there are now framed photographs. There are quite a few, filling up the walls between the closet, doorway, and bathroom. All of them are of two very familiar ponies, one I see when I look in a mirror, the other currently fast asleep on my chest. They are pictures of Rainbow Dash and I; one is a nice one, taken at the usual picnic spot, out by the single tree in the field outside of Ponyville. We stand together, grinning and leaning our heads on one another. Another picture is in the same area, but our faces, poised with ridiculous expressions, fill the picture. There is one of us flying together, not even aware of the camera; I'm still unsure as to how Twilight snapped this photo with her camera. It's a nice picture, though. The rest of the pictures are generally similar, all of them of us smiling happily or being silly. I smile again, then continue my scan of the room.
Light streams in through a window, reflecting off of the floor and filling the room. The other bedside table holds another Daring Do book, the one Rainbow Dash is currently reading, a picture of a group of six inseparable friends, and a new picture. This photo is of the faces of a black pony, a stallion, with blue eyes and a two-tone gray mane, a cyan blue pony, a mare, with magenta eyes and a mane of many colors, and a small green tortoise, whose head is wedged in between the two. Our family photo is a nice one, I think.
Done looking around, my gaze returns to the top of Rainbow's head. She snores softly, causing me to smile and exhale in short laughter. I look at her for a minute, mind starting to churn. I make a decision.
Today is the day I propose.
Something just tells me to do it, and that something has always been right in the past. There is no sense in arguing with it, so I don't. My mind is set. I watch her sleep a moment longer, then begin to extract myself from her grasp. It takes a few minutes of careful, slow movement, but I am able to free myself; I move a pillow where my chest was, then allow her head to settle down on top of it. She appears to remain asleep; I let out a quiet sigh of relief. I lean down, moving my head down to the area beneath the bed. Using my teeth, I pull out a book that I had stashed away underneath, storing it away on me. Upon a sudden realization, I turn to the bedside table I stand beside. I pull open a drawer; inside is some loose-leaf blank paper and a pencil. I pull out a sheet, then pick up the pencil in my mouth. It has a wooden taste. I begin steadily writing, trying to keep my words legible.
Running errands
Be back soon
Love you Dashie
Pinkie has a good pet name for her; Dash doesn't mind my use of it, and actually likes it, as she has told me on occasion. Whenever she mentions that, though, she always includes that if anyone other than Pinkie or I begins calling her that, she's going to have Princess Celestia send me to the moon. I don't doubt her, either. Satisfied with the note, I set it in front of her face on the bed. I replace the pencil and close the drawer quietly, then silently move towards the exit. The cyan pegasus continues to snore, so I begin trotting down the stairs.
***
I make my way past the various colorful ponies trotting about the streets of Ponyville, towards a somewhat-out-of-place treehouse near the edge of town. I approach the wooden door, and tap my right hoof against its surface a few times. I hear some voices inside; a few seconds pass, then the door opens. It appears nopony has opened the door; I glance down and see Spike holding the door open.
"Hey, Ferrum!" Spike says, eyes brightening upon seeing me.
"Hey, Spike, how've you been?"
"Great! So, do you need to talk to Twilight, or...?"
"Yeah, I do. I won't be staying too long, sorry." I smile at the purple and green dragon. He smiles back.
"That's okay. Come on in!" He opens the door wider, allowing me inside. I nod and smile to him, trotting into the treehouse.
"Spike, who is it?" a voice calls from upstairs.
"It's Ferrum!" Spike yells back.
"Oh! Just a minute!" I hear some rustling on the floor above, and give a questioning look to Spike. He shrugs; I chuckle and continue waiting patiently for the violet unicorn. Almost exactly a minute later, she comes rushing down the stairs, looking a little unkempt.
"Everything alright?" I ask.
"Oh, yes, just trying a new spell. What can I help you with?"
"I just wanted to return this book, to the library. I'm done using it now." I pull the book out, setting it on a nearby table that has some open space.
"That's right, Traditions of Marriage in Equestria." She uses her magic to lift the book off the table, then moves over to the rows of bookcases lining the room and replaces the book in its correct area. She turns back to me, an inquisitive look on her face. "If I may ask..."
"I'm going to propose to Rainbow Dash. Is that alright?" I ask, cutting her off.
Twilight grins widely. "Absolutely!" She quickly trots over and gives me a hug. "I'm one hundred percent sure she'll say 'yes'," she says over my shoulder. She pulls away and I smile at her.
"Thanks, I hope so. Thank you for letting me borrow the book, too."
"Of course! I hope it helped." I smile and nod to her, then turn to leave.
"Good luck, Ferrum!" Spike says to me. He reaches out a hand towards me, showing his palm; I tap his hand with my hoof.
"Thanks, Spike." I remember something, and turn back to Twilight again. "By the way, what is today?"
"Saturday, June the twentieth," the unicorn replies like a machine. June twentieth...I'll have to remember that. For some reason, the date seems familiar. I wonder if it is the same date I confessed my true feelings for Rainbow Dash.
"Thanks. See you later!" I say, directing it at both Spike and Twilight Sparkle. I receive a pair of goodbyes, then trot out the door. I begin heading towards my next destination; Carousel Boutique. After a few minutes of steady trotting through Ponyville, I arrive at the fancy building. I go up to the door and tap lightly a few times, then wait. After a moment, a white unicorn opens the door.
"Ferrum, darling! I haven't seen you in ages! What brings you?" Rarity asks.
"I'm here for that gem I requested a little while back. Do you happen to have it?"
"Why, yes, I do! Follow me, if you will, and please wipe your hooves." I glance down at the mat I am standing on, and drag my hooves across it before trotting inside. The door to the boutique swings shut behind me; I find myself in an open white room, filled with various dresses and accessories on display. Some stairs at the back of the room lead to the second floor. I spot Rarity trotting up these stairs, and upon a moment's thought, decide to follow her.
The second floor is the same white color as the first, but seems to be a mixture of a small apartment and an office. A grand-looking bed in the room is covered by pieces of fabric and unfinished clothing. Rolls of fabric, needles, and gems lie all over the room. I glance down, watching my step as I head a little further into the room. The white unicorn digs through a chest in the corner, which I see is filled with many colors of gems. Spike would go nuts...Rarity surfaces, closing the chest and frowning. She spots something on a nearby dresser/mirror combination, and an aha! look crosses her face. She picks up a small, black box using her magic, creating a blueish aura around it. The box levitates over to me; I reach out a hoof and take it, then open the small lid with my teeth. Inside are two small diamonds, cut very precisely. They refract the rays of light they catch, making them appear to shine with every color in the rainbow. I smile and close the box, carefully storing it away.
"Thank you," I tell Rarity.
"It's no trouble, darling." She pauses for a moment, then leans closer to me, as if somepony might hear us. "Are you going to do it soon?"
"Today," I reply, nodding and smiling. The white unicorn beams with excitement; maybe it wasn't such a wise choice telling the town gossip.
"I am simply overjoyed to hear that! You two are so good together!" She sounds giddy; I'm beginning to get a little scared.
"Thanks." I smile again.
"Well, go on! Go propose!" Rarity says, nearly commanding. I chuckle and nod, then make my way down the stairs and out of Carousel Boutique. I turn back towards the center of Ponyville, traversing the streets and passing by ponies going about their business until I reach it. I maneuver around the town hall, my sights set on a stone building; an iron symbol hangs above it, one replicating that on my flanks. Passing under the rusting hammer-and-anvil, I push into the structure.
The first thing I notice is the temperature change, as usual. The temperature in the smithy is always hotter than it is outside, even during the hottest of summer days; that doesn't make for very fun working conditions. Luckily, Equestria has been having a fairly mild summer so far. I look around the room; I am the only one present in the shop portion of the smithy. The walls are lined with metal creations, about half of which are mine. As I look at some of my work, I begin recalling how challenging each one was, how long it took, what all I did to make it. My eyes come to focus on a set of four katanas; they are my favorites. I had carved each one differently, a process that took many a day, in a couple of cases many a week. No two of the katanas are alike, save for in size and shape. I am particularly proud of them, even more so that Forge felt them worthy to display for the public. Speaking of Forge...I trot around the counter and push through the second door in the room.
To my minor dismay, this room is hotter than the last, due to the pit of fire burning brightly in the middle of the room. I glance about, and spot Forge over at his workbench, hammering away at what looks like the head of an axe. He doesn't seem to notice I've come into the room.
"Hey, Forge?" The gray pegasus jumps a little in surprise, turning and looking at me with bewilderment. He relaxes upon recognizing me, then sets the hammer in his mouth down before turning back to me.
"Ferrum, you're too quiet, you know that? What do you need, son? You didn't forget it was the weekend again, did you?"
"Never again," I reply, laughing. "If you've got the time, I could use your help with something."
"Alright, what's the occasion?"
I pull out the small, black box, opening it and holding it out for Forge to see. He whistles. "Rarity cut those for you?" I nod in affirmation. "I can tell, those are some excellent cuts. What are you using them for?" I jerk my head towards my workbench, indicating for him to follow. I trot over to the metal table, setting the box down on its surface. I sidestep to a collection of cardboard boxes that are piled to one side of my workbench, moving a few off the top of the stack. The boxes are a bit heavy, being filled with various knives and other tools I make in my spare time. I eventually find my oldest box, which has some of my older work. I begin to lift out the knives, most of which are combat blades, simple designs I began my blacksmithing career on. I set the last knife, an eight-inch combat style, on the table, and spot my goal at the bottom of the box. I carefully grab two small, metal objects in my teeth, laying them on the bench. I replace all of my metal works carefully before turning back to Forge, who is eyeing the objects. They are circular in shape, and hollow in the middle; they are rings. I recall a portion of the book I had earlier returned to Twilight Sparkle.
Traditions of Marriage in Equestria
Chapter Six: Rings
Subsection: Pegasi
Like earth ponies, pegasi lack a horn to place a ring on. However, they do possess wings; these have become a key factor when dealing with rings. Traditionally, when one pegasus proposes to another, a single ring is given. This ring is fitted on the dominant wing of the pegasus receiving it, over the tip of the main bone in the wing. At the wedding ceremony, a second ring is fitted onto the other wing. It is acceptable for both rings to be removed after the wedding, so as not to prohibit flying ability...
The excerpt dissipates in my mind. I shake my head, trying to refocus. "I'd like your help with setting the gems into these rings," I inform Forge. He looks at me, then smiles and nods in agreement. I return the smile, and we begin locking one of the rings into a vise. I use a pair of tweezers to grasp one of the gems, then carefully place it into its designated slot on the first ring, a blank ring made of pure gold. Forge begins the process of sealing the diamond into the gold, one which I trust his experience more than my own. I've made the rings and gotten this far with no mistakes, so I don't want to push my luck. We repeat the process with the second ring, one also made of pure gold, but carved with intricate designs. They were very hard to make, with the small size I was working with. I think it turned out nice, though, and I hope she'll think so as well. After about ten minutes in total, Forge releases the vise and sets the second completed ring on the table. I move the rings into the same black box Rarity was keeping my diamonds in, storing them away on me.
"Took you long enough," Forge says, hitting me with a hoof jokingly. I smile and chuckle. His face gets a little more serious, and he continues, "You're a good pony, Ferrum. You'll make her happy. Don't worry." I nod appreciatively. Despite the reassurance I'm getting, there is still doubt, which I suppose should be expected.
"Thanks, Forge." He nods and smiles at me. I return the smile, then turn and go over to the exit. I leave the shop a moment later, then stand blankly outside for a few seconds. Well, I suppose I've already gotten Twilight's and Rarity's approval...I should probably make sure the rest of them are okay with it. With that in mind, I angle myself towards the nearest of the Mane Six, who happens to be Pinkie Pie, also located in the town square.
I arrive at Sugarcube Corner half a minute later. I push in through the door to the colorful confectionery-creating shop, and my nose is instantly filled with the smell of desserts of all kinds. I look around, and spot the pink mare I am looking for standing behind the counter. Upon noticing me, she gasps excitedly.
"Ferrum!" She begins to bounce up and down in the most hyper manner possible. "I haven't seen you in forever! I mean, I saw you a week ago, at the picnic, but still! Where's Dashie? She's usually with you! And you're usually with her! And--"
"Pinkie!" I say, cutting her off. She grins widely at me.
"Yes?"
"I came by so I could ask you a question."
"Oh, I love questions! Can we play Twenty Questions? Ooh! Me first! Is it...blue?"
"Uh...no."
"Is it an animal?"
"No, Pinkie--"
"Is it something you can eat?"
"Pinkie Pie, no, we're not playing Twenty Questions."
The pink pony frowns. "Ponyfeathers."
"I came by to tell you that...well, I'm going to propose to Rainbow Dash today. I want to know if that's okay with you."
Pinkie Pie gasps dramatically. "You and Dashie are getting married?! No way! I didn't even see that coming!"
"Pinkie, we've been together for nearly three years."
"Oh, really? That makes sense, then. I can throw a Ferrum-and-Dashie party! With cake! And balloons! And streamers! And more balloons! No, less balloons. But more streamers! Well, maybe that's too many streamers...maybe more balloons...?"
"So you're okay with me proposing to Rainbow?" I ask before she can continue.
"Yeah!"
"Okay, thanks." As there doesn't seem to be much left to say, I turn and begin to trot towards the door.
"Ferrum, wait!"
I turn back to Pinkie. "Yes?"
"I made you this cupcake, and I just remembered to give it to you!" The pink earth pony pulls out a cupcake from behind the counter, setting it on its surface. I trot over to the counter, intrigued. The cupcake is covered in six colors of icing, layered in progressing order of color; red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, just like a rainbow. "It's a new flavor I made; I think you'll like it." Pinkie Pie winks at me. I glance at the cupcake, momentarily wondering about my health and how it might be affected upon tasting this new flavor. I decide to pick up the cupcake with a hoof, and peel off one part off the wrapping. I look at Pinkie, who watches me intently, then slowly take a bite of the mysterious cupcake, managing to get some of both the icing and the cake.
There is the sweet taste of icing, and then...a familiar taste. The cake itself is moist and perfectly baked. It creates a spicy flavor in my mouth, one I have tasted a lot in the past few years. My eyes widen a little in realization: this tastes like Rainbow Dash. My mind darts to Cupcakes, but I push the thought away. Pinkie is not a psychotic killer. I swallow the spicy cake, savoring the last of its flavor for a moment. I look up at Pinkie Pie, who grins as she watches me.
"How did you...?" I trail off.
"How did I what?" she asks innocently.
"Uh...never mind. Thanks, Pinkie. It's really tasty."
"I knew you'd like it! Tell Dashie I said hi!" I nod and smile to the pink pony, then exit Sugarcube Corner. I begin heading away from the center of town, munching on my cupcake as I walk along. Oh, Celestia, every bite is like kissing Rainbow Dash. Sort of. It just tastes like her. I'm starting to miss her already; I look into the sky. The sun hasn't moved much; I've probably been down in Ponyville for around thirty minutes. I finish off my cupcake and speed up a little, making my way to the outskirts of town.
I arrive at Fluttershy's cottage fairly quickly. She lives far enough away so that she gets peace, but is still close enough to the town so that the trip isn't too extensive. I make my way up the path and tap a few times on the wooden door. There are some hoofsteps, and then the door opens a few inches.
"Hello--oh, Ferrum! Please, come in," says Fluttershy, opening the door all the way. I nod graciously and trot into the cottage. "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, everything's fine. I came by to ask a question, sort of."
"Oh, okay. What is it?"
"Um...I'm going to propose to Rainbow Dash today. I wanted to see if that was okay with you."
"Oh, my," Fluttershy says, sounding mildly surprised. "Of course that's okay with me! How long have you two been together?"
"Three years," I reply, smiling happily.
"It seems like it hasn't been that long at all..." the timid yellow pegasus comments. I nod in agreement. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"I don't think so, sorry. Thank you, though." I smile to her.
"Here, why don't I send some flowers with you to give to her?"
"Fluttershy, you don't have to do that."
"No, but I want to. Stay here, please." She trots off into another room, disappearing for a moment. I oblige and stay put, waiting for her to return. After a few minutes, she comes back, holding a small bouquet of flowers in her mouth. I notice there are six flowers; all of them are a different type, and all are a different color of the rainbow. I recall giving the exact same types of flowers to Dash on our first Hearts and Hooves Day together; I've managed to find a different gift for her each year since then, but now, the flowers seem suitable. I decide to give them to her when I return home. Fluttershy gives me the bouquet, and I put them safely away, alongside the little, black box.
"Thank you," I tell Fluttershy, smiling to her. She smiles and nods back to me. I turn and push out the door, back into the summer afternoon. My last stop is a little ways away from here, but I'm far enough outside of town so that I may fly. I stretch out my wings, then take off into the sky. It feels too open without Rainbow flying next to me. I push myself to fly faster, and arrive at my destination within a few minutes. The hills of Sweet Apple Acres stretch before me; I fly towards the numerous rows of apple trees and begin searching. I spot the orange pony I am looking for, bucking a tree down below. I glide down, settling down a short distance away. I trot up, maintaining some distance so as not to get hit by a stray falling apple.
"Applejack?" The earth pony jumps in surprise, turning to face me. Her face brightens when she sees me.
"Howdy, Ferrum! Y'about scared the livin' daylights outta me," she says with a chuckle. I laugh as well.
"Sorry. I've been told I'm quiet. Got a little time? I have a question."
"Sure, Ah've been needin' a break. What's on yer' mind?"
"I'm going to propose to Rainbow Dash today. I want to know if that's alright with you. I've been asking the others as well." The orange mare's face gains some seriousness as she contemplates this. After a moment, she looks at me, smiling sincerely.
"Ah'm fully alright with that," she says. "Yah' might not know this, Ferrum, but yah've helped Rainbow out more than yah' know. Ah'm glad tah' see yer' doin' this."
"Thanks." I smile at Applejack, a grateful smile I've used a lot today. She gives me an odd look.
"Are yah' nervous?" I nod. "Don't be. She couldn't say no if she tried." I chuckle, nodding to her, thankful for the reassurance; I need all that I can get. I smile at Applejack a last time, then jump into the air.
***
I land outside of our home, folding my wings to my sides. I make sure the bouquet and the rings are still on me, which they are. As I approach the door, I can smell something delicious coming from within the house. I push inside, and find Rainbow Dash standing over the table, a pan in her teeth. She lays a few pancakes atop a plate across from one already filled with them. She deposits the last of them on the plate, then sets the pan down and turns to me, grinning. She rushes over and hugs me with both her forelegs; I reach up one of my own forelegs and pull her closer, embracing her filling warmth. She leans her head towards me, and I begin to do the same towards her. Our lips press against one another's, and I shut my eyes tight.
A wave of heat immediately begins to spread throughout my body, starting at my mouth and traveling to the tips of my wings and hooves. The smell of pancakes is replaced by the smell of her breath, a warm, spicy scent, like the smell of peppers. My mouth is filled with a taste that matches the smell, a delicious, spicy taste. I feel her tongue brush against mine, and respond by moving my own tongue along hers, intensifying the spiciness overwhelming my taste buds. I move my foreleg along the back of her neck, rubbing her silky mane and soft fur. The intense kiss breaks apart after a few incredibly long seconds. Rainbow looks at me with large, sparkling magenta eyes.
"I missed you this morning, Ferr."
"I missed you, too, Dashie," I reply, squeezing her tightly again before releasing my grasp on her. She sets back down on the cloud floor with a quiet wump.
"I made pancakes," she says after a moment, aiming a hoof at the pancakes on the table.
"Well, I have a little something we can put on them." I pull out the flowers from behind my back, holding them in my teeth. Her mouth opens a little in surprise, and she inhales deeply near the flowers, smiling happily. She nods to the table, then goes over and sits down in front of a plate of pancakes. I sit at the opposite plate, leaning across the table and setting the bouquet on her stack of pancakes. The pancakes look excellent, actually, browned to just the right point, none burnt, none under-cooked. I've taught her well.
Rainbow looks up from the flowers, gazing at me. "You're awesome."
I smile, then glance down. "These pancakes are awesome." I look back up to see her feigning hurt, and chuckle. "You're awesome, too." She smiles and laughs as well.
"Do they look okay?"
"I think you did really good on them, they look excellent."
"Thanks." After a moment of admiring the pancakes a little longer, we dig in to our brunch. The pancakes live up to their appearance, and are perfectly cooked. I hungrily devour them within a few minutes' time, as does she. Dash saves the flowers for dessert, and shares them with me, allowing me to finish off half-eaten flowers she creates. Tank hovers over and joins us at one point, taking a break from his apple breakfast to slowly snack on one of our flowers. After the flowers are finished off as well, we clean up our mess and stand idly for a minute, gazing at each other.
"Ready?" the cyan blue pegasus asks me. I nod and smile in reply, already knowing what she wants to do for the day. We say a goodbye to Tank, trot out the door, and take to the skies together.
***
"That was awesome," Rainbow Dash says between breaths. We lie on a cloud, her on my left, winded from something like eight straight hours of flying, one of the longest and most stunt-filled runs we've ever done. I turn my head, looking at her and grinning toothily. I reach out a hoof, holding it near her. She responds by tiredly knocking her own hoof against it, looking at me and grinning as well. Her hair is wind-blown, and looks kind of funny; mine likely looks the exact same way, though. I'm breathing too heavily to emit a laugh, so I just continue to smile open-mouthed. My wings ache and twitch a little behind me as I lay with my back against the cloud. Worth it.
I feel a velvety touch against my left hoof; tilting my head up, I see Rainbow sliding her hoof under mine, then curling her hoof to grasp on. I wrap my black hoof around her light blue hoof. I suppose it would be like holding hands, if we had hands. I'm already hot, so the additional warmth on my hoof isn't as comfortable as usual, but her presence is nice. We continue attempting to recover our breath for the next ten minutes or so. Glancing around the sky, I figure we're pretty high up; the only other clouds above us are wispy and transparent. The sky is starting to take on a yellow hue, and the sun will be setting soon. I get an odd feeling of deja vu for a moment.
I move to a sitting position, stretching my wings out behind me. Dash follows suit, sitting up and moving beside me. She lies her head on my shoulder. I move my left foreleg around behind her, placing my hoof on the middle of her back, between her wings that brush against mine ever so lightly. I begin to slowly rub up and down, stroking the soft fur between her wings. She shudders, then sighs happily. I continue to pet her for a while, careful not to do so too quickly, else I'll begin tickling her by mistake. After she emits another relaxed sigh, I remove my hoof, replacing next to my right hoof on the surface of the cloud. I move my head down towards her, and she lifts her own head, using her peripheral to watch me. I place my lips on the base of her neck, kissing it lightly. I move up a little ways, then kiss a higher area of her neck. Rainbow Dash giggles quietly, and I see her close her eyes and smile out of the corner of my vision. I continue up the side of her cyan neck, eventually reaching just behind her ear. I raise my head a little higher, and begin nibbling playfully on the tip of her ear. She lets out a combination sigh and hum.
"I love you so much," I whisper softly into her ear.
"I love you so much," she repeats, leaning towards me more. I rest my head on top of hers, looking outwards. We are facing the sun, watching it as it begins its descent below the horizon. I nuzzle her colorful mane as we sit together, basked in the orange glow of the sky.
As the distant ball of fire begins to turn a red color, halfway consumed by the edge of the world, I hear a familiar voice within my head. It is a voice that has never failed me whenever it guides me, the voice that tells me when to pull out of a dive, when to remove a heated piece of steel from a forge, when to show my affection for Rainbow Dash.
Now.
Using a wing, I check to make sure I still possess the small, precious black box. I internally sigh in relief upon feeling its presence. Skillfully manipulating the same wing, I manage to open the box. I run my feathers against two ring-shaped objects, one of has noticeably more grooves and ridges that I can feel in the main portion of it. Removing this ring and storing it away for later, I check to make sure I didn't accidentally grab the other ring as well, and close the box, satisfied. I feel some pride in the fact I managed to pull that off using only one wing, no sight, and without alerting Rainbow. I go to stand, feeling her pull her head off of me upon realizing I want to do so. She watches me as I move to my hooves. I move around to face her head-on as she sits on the fluffy white cloud. I move my hooves around a little, suddenly feeling quite nervous. I inhale and exhale deeply, then look directly into her bright magenta eyes. Dash wears a look of mixed feelings, overall happiness, curiosity, and a little worry all present. Alright, nice and easy. Make sure to breathe. I clear my throat.
"Rainbow Dash..." It seems like a good way to start, and gives me a short pause to begin deciding my words on the fly. Maybe I should have rehearsed or something...too late now. "...I first met you around three, three-and-a-half years ago. You brought happiness and meaning to my life, even before I truly met you." I pause, still choosing my words with the carefulness of one dealing with landmines, whether I need to or not. The rainbow-maned pegasus watches me with a look I can't quite place; maybe a look of love, or confusion, or anticipation, or all three? I don't know. I continue on.
"I came into this world feeling scared and alone. I had a body that wasn't my own, was in an unfamiliar, yet familiar place, and was wounded. I didn't know what to think when I saw you the first time, whether to be happy to see you, or to be scared of you. But...you took me into your care. You helped to fix my wing, gave me a roof over my head, and dedication I didn't deserve." I stop again, this time to take in another deep breath, trying to relax my steadily increasing heart rate and upsetting stomach.
"You taught me how to fly, when I never knew how in the first place, opening up a whole new world for me. You forgave me and accepted me, even after I lied to you and revealed who I truly am, who I truly was. You continued to support me, and help me, and treat me as a friend when I needed one the most. You stayed loyal, to me." She holds my gaze, unblinking. Some panic enters my mind, as I can't seem to read her eyes, or even her face. Keep going.
"I realized I loved you. And I was a little scared, at first. But then, I accepted it, embraced it, because I knew I really did love you. And when you told me you felt the same...I was overjoyed, excited, relieved, and happy. And I've never been happier than when I'm with you. The past few years have been the best of my life. It seems like I met you, standing in your bathroom, only yesterday, and yet we've shared so much." I fill my lungs once more, letting out the air slowly. I focus on not passing out or throwing up for a moment, then take a fraction of a second to look at the pony sitting in front of me. Her rainbow-colored mane falls down over one shoulder as she sits on the surface of the cloud, the colors in it appearing bright and cheerful. Her face appears soft and friendly. The red tint of the setting sun glistens in her large, beautiful eyes, intensifying the already-bright magenta color of her irises. I love her. Feeling a small boost of confidence, I take in a deep breath.
"I love you, Dashie. And I want to be with you forever. So..." I break my gaze with her, grasping the box from behind my back in my teeth. I bring a hoof to my mouth, fumbling with the lid for a second before opening it. I balance the box containing a sparkling ring on my right hoof, then look back into her eyes. They look at the ring momentarily, then move back to my eyes, holding my gaze. "...will you marry me, Rainbow Dash?" I smile as best I can, watching her. Her mouth hangs slightly open in a look of shock; anxiety fills my head rapidly. Oh, Celestia, please say--
"Yes..." She trails off, and her look of surprise begins to turn into a smile, which begins spreading across her entire face quickly. "...yes! Yes! Oh my gosh, yes!" Rainbow Dash darts forward, wrapping her forelegs around me and squeezing so hard I can barely breathe. I nearly lose my hold on the ring, but manage to keep it on my outstretched hoof. I find an uncontrollable grin spreading across my own face, and I let out a huge sigh of relief. That, and she's forcing the air out of my lungs with her hug. I don't care, though, and hug her back tightly; I would be fine with dying of oxygen deprivation right now. I find that I am somehow laughing, for no apparent reason. Maybe I'm crying. I think Dash is, as I can feel splotches of wetness forming on my back every so often. I don't know how long we hug each other, possibly crying, but I am starting to feel lightheaded, and tap her on the back rapidly.
She releases her grasp, and I take in a huge gasp of air, panting a little afterwards. She smiles, looking somewhat embarrassed. I continue grinning happily, looking at her for a moment. I then realize I'm still holding the box with the ring, and motion for her to stand still. She seems to take note of the ring just now as well, and holds her place, spreading her wings out fully. I take a step over to her right wing, pulling the gold ring out carefully with my teeth. I crane my head up, and gently slip the ring over the tip of her wing. It fits perfectly, relieving me even more. I store the box away on me, and return to her front. Rainbow angles her wing forwards so she can see the ring. She admires it for a moment; I think she knows I made it myself. She looks back to me, her eyes sparkling with happiness and excitement.
Quicker than I can react, she lunges forward and grabs me, pulling me sideways as I lose my balance. I land with my back against the cloud, wings flared in surprise. She lies atop me, still grinning wide. She moves her head down, pressing her snout into mine. I feel the hard press of her soft lips, and a soothing yet exciting warmth rushes through my body. I reach my forelegs up and pull her as close as I can, mixing her cyan blue fur with my matte black fur, breathing in the air she breathes out, tasting the taste of her mouth. A perfect spiciness overtakes my tongue and nose, and I plunge into a trance-like state as we kiss passionately.
She pulls away after a moment, and I open my eyes as she does hers, meeting her shining magenta eyes. She smiles lovingly at me.
"I love you, Ferr."
"I love you, Dashie." I smile up at her, and she lays her head down on my chest. I press her into me, moving my forelegs along her silky mane, taking in her seemingly endless warmth that comforts me like no other. She rubs her cheek against the fur of my chest, pulling tightly against my sides and back. I lay my head against the cloud we lie on, smiling and watching as the remaining red in the clear summer sky slowly disappears.