We headed out of Ponyville towards the spot I had planned for our little rendezvous. In my search to find the perfect spot, I had stumbled upon a hill that gave a glorious view of Equestria. Flowing rivers, forest tops, and majestic snowcapped mountains, this view had it all. What made it all the more special was when the sun was setting, the colors in the sky were so crystal clear they reflected off of the rivers making a shining spectacle too beautiful for words. This is perfect! I smiled as I imagined her reaction when we got there.
“What is it Cloud?” Fluttershy asked as we continued down the lane. I didn’t even notice she had seen the smile that had crept onto my face.
“It’s nothing.” We continued along the lane for a while as we began the slow climb to the top of a hill. At the top was the prize I sought, and where I hoped to tell Fluttershy my feelings for her. As we crested the top, I grinned as she reacted just as I thought she would. Her eyes lit up in amazement as she took in all of the wonder that was laid out in front of her. I had timed our trip so that we arrived just as the sun was beginning to touch the horizon. The sky was full of pinks, reds, and yellows that reflected off of the few scattered clouds that were present. The water was clear and reflected the sky in almost a perfect mirror. The sun glinted off of the snow making it shine like a jewel-encrusted crown. I slowly trotted over to her side as she continued to marvel at the scene. “Do you like it?”
She turned to me and looked into my eyes. “It’s perfect.”
……
We got the blanket flattened out and then I laid out the food I had prepared.
“I hope you like grass and bean sprout sandwiches.” Fluttershy picked up one the sandwiches and took a small bite.
“This is delicious! I have never had a sandwich quite like this before. Did you do something special to it?” A sly look came over my face as I leaned towards her.
“I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you!” I raised my hooves and made a spooky noise that sent her into a fit of laughter. I started to giggle as I picked up the other sandwich and took a bite. We sat there looking at the scenery as the sun continued its slow descent. Soon it would be dark, and that was when I had decided to tell her how I felt. Underneath the moon and stars, Fluttershy was going to hear what I had been longing to tell her. However, before that was going to happen, I had a burning question that I needed to have answered; one that had been on my mind since we started down this road. Before I could tell her what I longed for her to hear, she spoke once more.
“You know White Cloud, I see you around town all the time; working in the flowerbeds, tending to the bushes and trees. But I have been curious about your, um, cutie mark. I noticed it is a dark cloud that is raining.” I looked back at my cutie mark as a small lump began to form in my throat. The mark actually had two meanings, but I debated on whether I should tell her both of them. Clearing my throat, I softly began the tale.
“As a foal, I had always been fascinated with plants. I loved the colors and the smells that they produced. But as I grew older, I became fascinated with taking a small seed, planting it, and watching it grow into something beautiful. It wasn’t until later on, when I first arrived here at Ponyville, that it really hit me what my special talent was. All I knew was that I enjoyed taking care of plants and watching the faces on other ponies as they viewed my masterpieces. It wasn’t long after my arrival here that I got my cutie mark.” I stopped my story there, but I stared out over the valley, trying to not let a tear roll down my face. There was so much more to the story, so much pain that came with that story. But now was not the time to tell her. I quickly wiped at my eye, trying to make it look like I just had an itch. I looked at Fluttershy as she smiled at me.
“I like that story. And it makes sense, seeing as all living things need rain to grow.” You wouldn’t like it if you knew the whole story. I wish it would just go away. I sighed inwardly as I once again looked away. I can’t tell her, not right now. But I did feel the need to finally ask her a burning question that I had to have answered. Ever since our first run in, she had seemed…different when around me. Normally she was so shy and withdrawn; but around me, she seemed more comfortable.
“Fluttershy, can I ask you a question?” She looked at me with those beautiful eyes, and I almost stopped talking right there. But I had to get this answered. “You seem so…different around me. I was wondering why you feel so comfortable around me?” She appeared to be startled a little by this question, and she lowered her head as she began to blush.
“I didn’t think you would notice.” My heart started beating faster. I didn’t know why, but I always thought she looked cute when she was embarrassed. “Um, i-it’s hard to explain. I guess I just, feel like I know you already. I see you around town almost every day. Working in the flowerbeds, tending the bushes, watering the lawns, you are always there.” She paused for a moment as she looked out over the valley. “It’s hard for me to put into words. But…I guess I feel safe around you. That’s the best way I can put it. You make me feel safe.” I sat there in shock. I had no idea she felt that way. Come on Cloud. You can tell her! Tell her how you feel! My head was yelling at me to tell her right there what I felt in my heart. But something held me back. No matter how much I tried to get the words out, they would not leave. She started to speak once more.
“Cloud, this is so strange for me. When I’m around you, I’m not afraid of anything. You bring a peace to me that I don’t feel around anypony else.” She turned around and looked me in the eyes. “I…I feel something for you. I don’t know what it is, but there is something here; something that I can’t quite put my hoof on. I don’t know Cloud. Maybe I’m just talking crazy here.” Once again she looked out from the hill, staring at nothing in particular. I knew it was time. I scooted closer to her and stared out from the hill as well.
“Fluttershy, can I tell you something?” She looked over at me.
“What is it Cloud?” I cleared my throat and began to recite what I had been practicing to say all day.
“I understand what you are saying Fluttershy. I have been feeling the same things you were talking about. I agree, it is difficult to put into words what we are feeling, but I think I have figured out how to best put it.” I paused as I once again cleared my throat and then turned to look at her. “I like you Fluttershy. Ever since I first laid my eyes on you, you have brought feelings inside me to the surface I have never felt before. These things that we feel, I think I know what it is. I have never said this to anypony else...but…” I couldn’t take it anymore. I leaned over and kissed her. I could feel her tense up, but after a moment she began to softly kiss back. Our lips danced over each other, soft and gentle. We parted just long enough for me to speak.
“I love you Fluttershy. I have loved you from the day I first saw you, but I didn’t know how to tell you. The thought of you rejecting me scared me.” I could feel tears of joy begin to well up in my eyes. She stared at me, eyes wide in amazement. We just stared at each other for what felt like hours, when she finally spoke. It was a simple phrase, but it meant the world to me.
“I love you too Cloud.” Our lips once again met as we kissed passionately underneath the moon and twinkling stars. This was going to be a night neither of us was ever going to forget.