The "L" Word

by Dandereshy

Knocking on the Heart's Door

And here it was. Hearts and Hooves Day morning.

Fluttershy awoke with a groggy yawn, rubbing her tired eyes tenderly and smacking her lips. "I slept better than I thought I would..." she mumbled quietly to herself, throwing the covers back and slipping into a robe. She stepped into her bunny slippers and made her way downstairs for breakfast and her normal morning chores.

Angel followed her around, begging for a specific food for his morning meal. And of course, Fluttershy gave in and supplied the eager bunny with exactly what he wished for.

"Oh, Angel... what am I going to do today?" she asked him while he ate, sitting beside him and pouting. "It feels like Hearts and Hooves Day glares disdainfully at me every year..."

Angel stopped and shrugged up at her before returning to his feast, not offering the distressed mare any support or advice. It was not like he was a relationship expert to begin with.

Fluttershy decided to move on from that, and onto the next task. It would keep her preoccupied for now, at least until later.

The critters of the woods needed fed next, and so she went to the front door and opened it, calling out to them in her sweet, soothing voice she always used when addressing the animals. However, something on the porch caught her attention.

"Oh, my..." She stepped outside and picked up a bouquet of lush, red roses. "Somepony must've left these here by mistake..." She quickly took them inside to set them in a vase with water to keep them fresh when she noticed a card attached to the stems. Curiosity overcoming her policy for nosiness, she slipped the small red string off to release the card and flipped it open. She read it aloud in a soft, hushed voice:

Fluttershy finished reading the card and realized she was sweating and shaking. But why?

She placed the roses in a vase with shaky hooves and set the card on a shelf, sitting open on display. She had a lot on her mind suddenly, but the most prominent of those was the fact that she for certain had a secret admirer - on Hearts and Hooves Day.

She took a deep breath and plopped on the couch in the living room. This was a lot to take in, especially at once and on such short notice. All she knew and could think about now is who this stallion might be. She had no knowledge of anypony in Ponyville crushing on her. Who could it possibly be?

Angel hopped up on the arm of the couch and gawked at her, trying to determine why his owner was looking so confused and turning pink in the cheeks. He squawked and squealed at her, demanding to know the answers.

"I-It's nothing, Angel. N-nothing at all. Don't you worry yourself sick over me." She pat him on the head and smiled gingerly before hopping up, getting busy with her morning chores once again.

As evening in Equestria approached, and the sky turned a blazing orange hue, Fluttershy stepped outside to make sure the chickens had ample food and water before locking herself up in her cottage for the rest of the night. She discovered that the chickens were indeed well-off, and went back inside, shutting the door behind her, locking it up tight. She wouldn't be getting any visitors anyways.

She headed into the kitchen and made up some tea, sipping it a few times before going back to the living room, taking a seat besides Angel on the couch. She slipped a book out from under her seat, between the cushion and the frame of the couch, and began reading.

It was just a little romance novel she enjoyed reading every year on this day. It kept her feelings at bay. The less she dwelt on the negatives about her situation, the better. It was like all her fantasies wrapped up into 250 pages. Her desire to overcome shyness, to experience romance firsthoof, to told she's beautiful by a handsome stallion, to be cuddled and smooched and held close - things she'd never felt, and probably never would.

Angel hopped into her lap for pets, which Fluttershy happily provided as she read away - until a knock on the door nearly sent her into the ceiling. She carefully hid the novel in its original place and wandered to the door hesitantly, confused as to whom was knocking and why.

She peeked through the peephole, but was unable to determine who it was that was standing idly at the foot of her front door.

She stepped back, took a deep breath, and glanced down at Angel as he hopped over to see what was going on. Fluttershy gave him a quick pet. "It's probably nothing important. I'll just open the door and find out what they need..."

She quietly and quickly unlocked the door, popping it open and peeking her head through the crack. "H-hello...?"

He stepped forward after a moment's hesitation, barely illuminated by the setting sun as it disappeared behind the treeline. All white, blue eyes, and dressed for success, Double Diamond stood there, smiling awkwardly at the confused mare before him. "Heya, Fluttershy. Sorry to just barge up onto your porch like this, completely unannounced, but... Well, I'm here because... You see, it's... Awww, I really thought I had this. I recited it 45 times," he said and continued his nervous grin, plodding his right hoof back and forth across the path beneath him.

Fluttershy opened the door the rest of the way. She had so many questions, so much on her mind. "Um...Double Diamond? Don't you live... a long ways away from here...? What are you doing here? It's Hearts and Hooves Day. You should be with your Special Somepony..." she murmured, looking away and down at the ground beside her.

Diamond cleared his throat. "Heh, yeah, um... That's why I'm here."

Fluttershy didn't understand. "What do you mean...?"

Diamond took a long, deep breath and let it out. Then he began quoting something Fluttershy was familiar with. "Hello, kind and pretty mare. If you're reading this, you've gotten the flowers I left on your porch. It's not a mistake - these flowers were meant for you. I picked out the most beautiful bouquet of roses they had. However, they still don't compare to you..." his voice trailed off as he gave yet another anxious smile.

Fluttershy's heart skipped a beat as it dawned on her that he was reciting the letter she found attached to the flowers this morning. And now she was speechless. "I... um... That's..."

"I understand it's a lot to take in so suddenly. I'm sorry I dumped it all on you at once. I had no choice. I didn't want to miss an opportunity to ask a beautiful, amazing mare out who I knew felt so lonely. I figured today was a better day than ever. I hope it isn't too much." He pulled out a large bouquet of assorted flowers, presenting them with a small box of chocolates. "Fluttershy... would you be my Special Somepony tonight...?"

Not a word could escape from her throat. She had no idea what to say anyways. She was being asked out. On Hearts and Hooves Day. By a very cute stallion she hardly knew. He must've come all this way just to ask her... It was a lot to take in for sure. But as she glanced up into the darkening sky, she knew it was now or never. A chance to finally be happy on the loneliest day of the year for her, or stay lonely.

"Diamond... did you come all the way from Starlight's Town just to ask me this?" she took the flowers and sniffed them. They were wonderful.

The stallion rubbed the back of his head and nodded. "Yeah, I kinda did. I figured it'd be worth it whether you say yes or no. At least I get to see you again."

He was being so sweet. It was exactly what she was looking for. He was humble and willing to go the extra mile. Exactly what she was looking for. And best of all, she didn't think he looked half bad. Diamond was definitely an attractive stallion. And so, with these things in mind, she made a choice.

"Diamond. I really don't know you all that well. In fact, I'm not sure we've even exchanged words until now. But... I think you're sweet. Why don't you come in...? she stepped aside and motioned for him to enter. He gave a nod and trotted in, taking off his coat. Fluttershy took it and hung it beside the door.

Diamond marveled at the inside of her home. "It's nice in here. I had no idea you lived in luxury. This is really nice," he commented, the compliment drawing a light blush from the mare.

Fluttershy showed him to the couch. "Please, have a seat. Get comfortable. Can I get you some tea or something?" She wasn't aware of proper dating etiquette, having never been on one. Right now, she was just treating him like normal company. Perhaps it was right. She hoped so.

"Um, yeah, actually. I'm parched from the long train ride. Unfortunately, I have no desire for food at the moment, which kinda defeats the purpose of the date, but, I'm sure we can find something else to do instead."

Something else to do instead. Whatever could that mean? What else was there to do on a date? Fluttershy tried to determine what other options might exist as she made her way into the kitchen to brew up the tea. As expected, she had no clue as to what other activities could be performed during a date. After all, this was her first one. She got the tea all made up, poured two cups to the brim, and carried them carefully into the living room on a decorative ceramic tray.

"Smells wonderful," Diamond commented jovially as he received a cup from his date. He sipped it gingerly as to not burn himself, and hummed in delight, savoring the flavor of berries and passion flower infused within the hot beverage.

Fluttershy hesitantly climbed on the couch beside him, keeping her space but not trying to be too obvious. She was a bit uncomfortable, but only for now, until she got to know him a little better. So, she started with a question. "Diamond, what made you want to live in Starlight's town?"

This was - surprisingly - a good question, as it seemed to have caught him off-guard. "Well, it's kind of a long story. I don't know if you'd want to hear it. Besides, it'd take some remembering."

Fluttershy gave a timid smile. "I'd love to hear it."

He took a deep breath and chuckled, Fluttershy joining in momentarily. He took a final sip of his tea before setting it in his lap, beginning his tale. "It all started when I was a colt in Manehattan..."

The evening hours passed, one by one, until it was later than Fluttershy ever usually stayed up. Close to midnight, it seemed that the end of the date would be near, as Hearts and Hooves Day would be ending as well.

However, Fluttershy had listened to a story that touched her. It was a story of a young colt who overcame the odds, found his place in life, and fell again, into the hooves of Starlight, who gave him a place until Fluttershy and her friends came along and helped everypony in the town he lived in. It was a tale not unlike her own. She had overcome very similar odds to get where she was today. The fact that she and Diamond could relate on such a level was profound.

Once Diamond had finished his story, he went on to asking Fluttershy to share hers. She did, and, his reactions were predictable, as everypony always felt the same about what she had gone through. However, the only difference was, he could relate to her personally. Nopony had ever been able to do so.

What's more, he made her feel so good about herself, dropping compliment after compliment throughout the course of the story, especially in the parts where she got a little choked up. At the part where she nearly cried, he'd placed a reassuring hoof on the back of hers, and it was like static surging through her body. The pain, the worry, the feeling of worthlessness... It all faded away with that one touch, from this one, handsome stallion sitting right by her. Who knew that the simple touch of somepony who cared could do so much?

The clock interrupted everything when it chimed, signalling midnight. Fluttershy and Diamond both glanced up at it suddenly, both disappointed that it all had to end so soon.

Or did it...?

Diamond cleared his throat. "Well, um, Hearts and Hooves Day is, well... over. And I gotta say - that was incredible. You really are an extraordinary mare. Thanks for letting me be a part of your night, if only for one. It was well worth it."

Fluttershy felt her face grow hot."Yeah, I'm really glad you showed up... My night has been so very wonderful thanks to you..." She twirled the tip of her mane around on one hoof as she looked away shyly.

Diamond slid a hoof under her chin and turned her head gentle to face him. He smiled brightly at her, the look in his eyes making her melt, nearly. No stallion had ever made her feel the way she was feeling at that moment. It was a marvelous feeling she wished would never fade. He spoke clearly, quietly, serenely, his voice soothing and kind. "And you made my night one to remember. You're beautiful, sweet, and one-of-a-kind. I can't imagine why any stallion would ever pass you up given the opportunity to ask you out. Why, it would be a crime. I had a great time. Thanks for making me the happiest stallion alive Fluttershy." Then he leaned forward and delicately kissed her soft, wet nose, inciting the reddest cheeks in history to appear on her cheeks. He smiled once more and hopped off the couch. "Looks like I should head off. I don't want to miss my train home."

Fluttershy quickly jumped up to join him. "Oh, I, um... Well, I was thinking... If you'd rather stay here tonight, you know, to get some rest, you can..." she sat and rubbed her forehooves together nervously. She was afraid to tell him she didn't want him to leave, but that was the real reason she made the offer. She wanted one last fantasy fulfilled.

Diamond stood there and scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Are you sure? I don't want to be a burden."

Fluttershy gave an amused chuckle. “Diamond, you could never be a burden. You’ve been just the opposite.”

“Well, if you insist... Although, I hardly expected to be here this long, much less being given an offer to stay the night. I guess this is what it’s like to be successful.” He smiled and winked at her.

Fluttershy smiled and blushed, backing up the stairs to her room. She had to make sure it was clean and neat. The better Diamond felt about this, the better she felt. And the nicer her place looked, the better Diamond would feel about sleeping in the same bed with a mare he hardly knows.

After she sprayed air freshener and fixed the sheets, she went back downstairs to fetch her date. He was still standing around, and still appearing a bit nervous. After all, it’s not often anypony gets to sleep in the same bed with the beautiful, graceful Fluttershy.

“Ready?” he asked, giving a faint smile. Fluttershy returned with a barely perceivable nod.

They slowly made their way upstairs, with Fluttershy leading. They both were incredibly nervous, and rightly so. Neither of them had ever expected things to get this far tonight. Now that they did, they simply grew more and more nervous. The night was ending on a positive note, and that was something to be happy about. However, with both of them new to this, it was hard for them to be as excited as they should be. Some emotions held superiority over others.

They entered the room and stood there, staring at each other. Neither could speak. Neither knew what to say. But finally, Fluttershy had the courage to speak up first.

“Well, this... this is my room. I hope you like it...” she said, rubbing the back of her foreleg.

“It’s wonderful, Fluttershy. You have no need to worry. But I must ask - why are you having me sleep in the same bed with you? I’m trying to determine why myself, but, I believe I could be wrong in all my assumptions. I’m not going to share them, either. Might not end well...”

Fluttershy struggled to find the words she needed. Her fantasy was to be snuggled, warm and toasty, all night in bed with her Special Somepony. But she was unable to think of a way to tell him. She was too afraid he’d judge her harshly. She also wondered what these “assumptions” were, but shied away when she realized that she didn’t want to know. All that was left was for her to confess. And that she would do.

With a deep breath, she spoke calmly, softly, and with utmost sincerity, capturing Diamond’s attention immediately. The look on Fluttershy’s face was near-angelic, and Diamond was awestruck. “Diamond... I have... a fantasy... to be...” she paused, making eye contact with him momentarily before looking away to finish. “I’ve always wanted... to be snuggled... I know it sounds silly and childish, but... I want it... I hope this doesn’t change anything...”

For a moment, it was completely silent. Fluttershy looked up to see why, and Diamond was simply smiling back at her. There weren’t very many words to be said. Fluttershy had a reasonable fantasy that Diamond wanted so badly to fulfill.

“There’s a change, alright... I like you even more. That’s so adorable. And if that’s what will make you happy, I’ll do it.” He hugged her suddenly, catching her off guard. But she quickly returned it, tears welling up in her eyes as she realized her dreams were coming true.

A few seconds later, they separated, staring each other in the eyes, as happy as anypony could be. Both of them woke on the morning of Hearts and Hooves expecting to end it the same way it began. But fate had changed for them, and now, they could be tear-free.

Diamond finally broke the trance. “Hey, let’s get to bed now, huh? It’s really late.” He slid a foreleg around her shoulders, blowing out the nearby candle and leading her to her bed. “Ladies first,” he said with a grin.

Fluttershy returned the grin and slipped under the covers, staying to one side and allowing room for Diamond. He awkwardly joined her seconds later, the two of them warmly protected by the butterfly-themed bedspread over them. Both of them were very nervous, as they should be. They were lying side-by-side in the same bed, their bodies touching.

"Well, this is... nice," Diamond commented quietly, staring up at the darkened ceiling. He didn't know what to say. He was afraid if he said the wrong thing, he'd scare her away. And that was the last thing he wanted.

Fluttershy reacted differently than he expected, and even herself had expected: she wasted no time on the snuggling part. Her arms wrapped around her partner, and she clung to him, resting her head on his chest. She heard his heart bet, it boy was it fast. But so was hers.

"Whoa... Hey there, cutie! That was fast." He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer and nuzzling the top of her head. Her mane was silky soft, and smelled of jasmine. Just when he thought she couldn't get any better, she goes and sweeps him off his feet. "You smell... so great. Sorry if that sounds a little creepy..."

Fluttershy chuckled. "It doesn't. Thank you for being so nice... I'm having so much fun, it's hard to keep up with it all. And now all my dreams are being fulfilled, one by one... It's wonderful. It's breathtaking..."

"Like you?"

Fluttershy blushed. "I suppose..."

Diamond gave her a gentle squeeze,kissing her head through her mane. "I'm glad you're enjoying this. Is there anything else you want? Any other dreams you need fulfilled?" he asked, hoping to do more for her, hoping to make her even happier. After all, she deserved it. And he was willing to do whatever it is she wanted.

Fluttershy was silent for a long moment, lost in the euphoric feelings she was experiencing. She felt so loved, so needed, that she didn't know how to even think right then and there. What else was there she wanted? Everything was here already. She finally answered him, certain that all was well. "I think this is it... You've done a lot for me tonight. More than you'll ever know." The warmth of their bodies was making things a bit uncomfortable for her, but she didn't care. The snuggling made up for it by a long-shot. But she did finally have something on her mind she needed an answer to. She just didn't know if she could ask.

"Are you sure? You seem to be contemplating something," Diamond said, somehow being able to see through her. He knew their was something on her mind, but whether she'd tell him or not was based on her comfortableness with whatever she was thinking about. He didn't know what he was thinking, but it probably wasn't what she was.

Fluttershy bit her lip and indeed contemplated her question. She wasn't used to this, and wasn't sure how to ask the question. However, she decided to wing it, something she never did before. "I wanted... to know if, um, this...what we're doing...what we're feeling... is this... the "l" word...?"

Diamond smiled to himself. "The "l" word? What do you...? Ooooh. You mean love." He scratched his chinj thoughtfully. "I couldn't speak for you, but I won't lie... I'm falling hard for you. But do you feel the same way about me?"

Fluttershy pulled away, just enough to stare him in the eyes, the darkness making their pupils as big as saucers, and the minimal light from the windows glittering off their eyes. "I... I do... I really, really like you Diamond..." She dove into his arms again and held him as close as physically possible. Yes, she was falling for him. And she loved it.

Diamond felt his eyes begin to water. He wasn't that into romance, but he was starting to like it. Nothing could compare to this. Nothing could ever make him feel better than this adorable, yellow mare clinging to him under the covers, her soft, hot breaths on his chest sending shivers up his back. Somepony could offer him all the riches in Equestria, and he would refuse adamantly; for he was already the wealthiest stallion in the world.

But now he himself had a fantasy he wanted fulfilled. He wondered if Fluttershy would be up to the task, or if it was too soon. Chances are, it would be, but it was a chance he was willing to take.

"Hey, Fluttershy, would it be weird if I had a fantasy I wanted fulfilled...?" he asked gently, his voice wavering slightly. Boy was he nervous about this.

Fluttershy looked up at him, her expression angelic. "It wouldn't... What is it...?"

Diamond swallowed hard. "I uh, was hoping to... maybe... kiss you..."

Even in the dark, those rosy cheeks could not be hidden. "I... kiss me? But you did... on the nose..."

"Not on the nose... On the... the lips..." He cleared his throat.

"Oh..." Fluttershy let her mane fall over her face, and retreated under the covers.

Diamond felt his heart sink, and somehow simultaneously, he felt a sense of relief. It would be hard to kiss her. He might even miss. But he wanted to so badly feel her soft, warm lips on his. It was his only wish for the night. However, it seemed that Fluttershy just wasn't ready for that. "Oh, alright... If you're not ready, that's okay... I'm just glad to be here, holding you. I honestly didn't think I'd get this far."

Fluttershy crept back out from the covers. "It's okay. I'm ready, I'm just... afraid... This is all so new to me..."

Diamond gave a nod. "I know what you feel. I feel it to. I'm afraid, just as much. But my feelings for you are far stronger than my fear." He gave her a half-lidded gaze and the most dazzling smile he could muster. If he made her feel more comfortable, he'd feel more comfortable.

Fluttershy took a deep breath. "If you want to kiss me, I don't mind..." Her cheeks remained red. They'd probably be that way for awhile.

Diamond had just been given permission by the most beautiful mare in Equestria, to kiss her. Suddenly, his confidence dropped. Could he actually do this? She was so intimidating. He looked down at her. Her big, turquoise eyes searched his, staring deep into his soul, taking his breath away. By Celestia, was she gorgeous...

Diamond felt his heart beating harder and faster as he leaned down. Fluttershy closed her eyes slowly, leaning towards him. When their lips finally met, Diamond nearly crumpled. It was like a surge of electricity from her lips. It was like he was Supercolt, and she was his kryptonite.

After a few endless seconds, they broke the kiss and looked away from each other, both too stunned to say anything. Love felt better than they'd ever imagined. As nervous as they were now, they'd slowly get used to it with practice.

Now that Diamond had gotten his kiss, he was more than content. He pulled her to him and cuddled her under the blankets, whispering to her that she was now his everything. Fluttershy cuddled him back, but didn't say anything. She was still likely blushing profusely and too scared to say anything. He didn't blame her. The night seemed to bring so many new things and feelings.

"I'm guessing it's time for sleep, huh? Diamond asked in a half-whisper. Fluttershy hummed a 'yes". Diamond kissed her head once more. "Alright. It's been a great night Shy. Sleep well."

"Goodnight Diamond..." She quickly kissed the crook of his neck, sending another shiver up his spine. He loved the feelings she gave him.

"Goodnight, Darling..."

They both fell silent, and soon asleep.