Ridley has been living with Fluttershy for well over a year now, he has gotten accustomed to his body, and has even learned to fly exceptionally well, rivaling even Rainbow Dash in skill. He also had to attend the wedding of Ditzy Doo, but he had no idea what a wedding was, so Fluttershy had to end up explaining it to him later in the night. Pinkie Pie had also thrown one of her world famous "Welcome to Ponyvile!" parties for him, which caused him to experience the wonders of sugar and alcohol, which did not go over well with the ever-protective Fluttershy. As of right now, Fluttershy and Ridley are on a picnic on a hill, and Fluttershy is explaining Hearts and Hooves day to him, which is today.
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"So Ridley, what else do you want to know about Hearts and Hooves day?"
"Nothing really, I just need you to go over the whole 'love' concept again, it still confuses me."
Ridley was stumped, he had never really been confused about such a small thing before, and furthermore, why did he care about this 'love' concept anways? He was a pony with super-developed strength, and could see almost a mile away, he had no need to worry about useless things like love...right?
"Well, love is something that you feel, almost like a warmth that you feel when you're around somepony, I guess you could compare it to having butterflies in your stomache." Like how I feel about you....
"Hmm, I must research further into this 'love' idea, now, shall we continue with our dinner?" Warmth in my body, that's how I feel when I'm around Fluttershy...wait, does that mean I 'love' her? No, it's proposterous. She's my landlord, I can't 'love' her, that would ruin my living situation, and there aren't any condos in Ponyville.
"Ridley look, the sun is setting over that hill, isn't it pretty?" She said as she rested her tired head on his shoulders, while he just remained silent, and as still as a statue. His mane was just swaying back and forth, which sent her heart aflutter.
"Yes, though, you should not stare at it for too long, I don't want you to burn your eyes out. You kinda need those. Wait, what are you-" Ridley was completely unprepared for what was about to happen, and every inch of his body was tensing up as it happened. Fluttershy leaned in and gave him a peck on the snout, and quickly inched back and hid behind her mane. giving a small giggle.
"I kinda like you Ridley," She said, but noticed that Ridley had completely stopped moving entirely, and was wide eyed."Ridley...? Is something the matter? Oh no, I didn't upset you did I? I'm so sorry..." She was really worried about him, and decided to carry him back to the cottage.
I think I broke him...
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Near Fluttershy's cottage, Samus's recon group had set up a small camp to live in while on their mission, but things were uneventful, and Samus decided to make this place her home, building her own home with the help of the Apple family.U-mos had even built Light crystals to replace the oil as an energy source,and had began work on building sentry's to help around the facility.
Samus was sunbathing, when she noticed Fluttershy struggling with Ridley on her back. She rushed over to them.
"Fluttershy, what happened to him?" She pulled out her scan visor, and locked on to Ridley.
Scanning...
Scan complete.
Life-signs are stable, with slight heart palpitations. Signs indicate pony saliva on left cheek, indicating another has been interacting with the creature recently. Subject appears to be dazed and/or confused. Further investigation needed to complete data log.
"Well...you see Samus, I kinda...kissed him, and he ended up like this...sorry." She let out very meekly, and with an obvious blush.
"You kissed him?" I didn't see that coming.
"Y-yeah, you see, I've grown to really like Ridley, and the setting was so romantic, and I-" She was cut off from her panic attack by Samus, who put her finger against Fluttershy's lips to silence her.
"It's ok, Shy, he's fine, just a little shaken up. Did you give any sort of warning before you did that? It could of ended badly if he thought you were assaulting him."
"Well, I kinda cuddled up to him, oh I'm so stupid..." She said with teary eyes.
"No, you're not. He just wasn't expecting it, you have to remember that he only recently began to study emotions with Twilight. He was not at love yet, if I remember correctly."
Just then, they both heard a loud thump, but when they turned to find out what it was, they found Ridley on a patch of pillow grass, snoozing away.
"I guess we should let him sleep,"Fluttershy said with a gloom expression."he needs the sleep, could you help me get him into bed?
"Sure thing, Shy."
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Ridley's mind was in complete disarray, not a single thing could be thought of other than what had happened that evening. A single question haunted him in his dream, "What does this mean?"
"It means that you two are in love, Ridley." A mysterious voice chimed in.
"Who's there?"
"Tis I, Luna. Did you forget that it is my job to check everypony's dream, and offer assistance when needed?"
"Oh, it's you. What do you mean we're in love? I thought that being love meant that you think only of one person, and constantly cuddle one another? We do none of that."
"Nay, you have it all wrong, young one. Pray tell, do you, or do you not get a tingling sensation when you are around Fluttershy?"
"I do..."
"And do you notice she always tries to get close to you when possible?"
"Yes, I have noticed that."
"Final question, did your body go numb when she kissed you?"
"How did you-"
"ANSWER THE QUESTION!" Luna demanded with the royal voice.
"O-OK! Y-yes, my mind went completely crazy, and my vision blurred as I faded out of consciousness."
"Don't you see? You have discovered true love, Ridley!"
Luna pulled him in as tight as possible, giggling like a giddy filly.
" *Hurk* B-but, what do I DO?"
"Why not ask her to marry you? Trust me, she won't say no, she has dreamed of this for many a months by now."
"Marriage? I'm not to sure about that...I'm not sure that I would be the best father."
"Nonsense, you will be a great father, I'm sure!" She smiled, and turned."Farewell Ridley, I shall plan for your future wedding. Oh, and don't be too rough with her." She ended with a wink.
Ridley blushed, and tried to catch Luna before the dream ended.
Dammit Lulu...
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Ridley awoke, not exactly sure where he was, but as he found out, he wished that the dream had never ended. He was in bed with Fluttershy, and she was crying silently into his chest, wispering something...
"I'm sorry..."
He thought for a moment about alerting her that he was now awake, but he soon figured out that she was talking in her sleep. He did not want to disturb her sleep, so he did what seemed right, and pulled her into a hug. As he did this, she made a soft moan of acceptance, pushing into his coat even further. Ridely pondered what to do next, "Should I wake her? I want to let her know that she did nothing wrong, but part of me thinks that it would be best to just stay like this."
He began to stroke her mane, feeling along the wispy curls of her pink mane. He had never really taken the time to examine her features, and he found himself checking her petite build. He didn't exactly know what "Pretty" is considered in Equestria, but if he had to describe it, it was Fluttershy.
Tomorrow, I'll tell her how I feel...
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That night had passed flawlessly, and the two had awoken at the same time the following morning. At first they simply lay down next to each other in bed, holding each other tight. After about an hour, Fluttershy got up and moved towards the door. She looked over her shoulder, and nodded toward Ridley, giving him the notion to follow.
The two sat on the couch, and Fluttershy was looking rather nervous. She was thinking of whether or not she should tell him what's on her mind, considering if he said no, the living situation would be extremely awkward for the both of them. She didn't have to worry, because Ridely beat her to the chase.
"Fluttershy...I need to say something" He said with a slow, but steady voice.
"Y-yes, Ridley?" This...this is it! She thought to herself, but her face clearly showed she was excited about this.
"I-I love you." Ridley did a mental facehoof at the sheer bluntness of what he did, but it didn't last long, as Fluttershy lunged at him, and their lips locked. She broke the kiss, and whispered with teary eyes...
"I love you too..."