//------------------------------//
// Carry 
// Story: Proximity 
// by paperhearts 
//------------------------------//

They left Ponyville at dawn because Ocellus wanted to enjoy the forest coming alive around them.  Smolder had been indifferent about that, but she wanted to enjoy Ocellus coming alive around her and so had agreed to the idea without complaint.

And the forest had duly obliged; the air between the mossy trees ran with pink and lavender hues,  sparkling dew studding the leaves and flowers which shivered from the attention.  As Smolder and Ocellus walked, the snap-snapping of the undergrowth beneath them was joined by the songs of birds and crickets.  The forest bore the birth of every adventure, every journey, and though she wasn't a dragon prone to introspection, or admitting she was wrong, Smolder felt a yearning deep within her as she gazed around.

But Ocellus had been right about too many things already that week, and so Smolder refused to acknowledge the growing feeling, even to herself.  

Around her the forest continued to be beautiful, out of either ignorance or spite.

Ocellus was dropping further and further behind, and Smolder glanced over her shoulder as she climbed past a stricken tree.  The camping trip was supposed to last a couple of days, and they had packed accordingly.  Although Smolder had shouldered the burden of their tent, bedding and utensils, her girlfriend had still been left with all of their provisions and technical equipment, and it was clear she was struggling under the weight of her saddlebags.  Her gait had become laboured, her breath disturbing the calm of the forest in erratic bursts.

As she scaled the tree trunk, Ocellus' eyes met Smolder's.  For a moment, Smolder found herself wanting to give voice to the question that had been on her lips for the past hour.  She swallowed it back down though, and instead pulled free one of the canteens tied to the belt around her waist.  Tossing it to Ocellus, Smolder stretched her arms above her head as she watched her girlfriend drink her fill.

And then, without a word, they continued.

Smolder wasn't a dragon prone to introspection, but such moments still caused discomfort.  She wanted to help Ocellus for lots of reasons, but mainly because she cared about her.  Well, she cared about her and it felt good to show off how much she had started to own the recent changes in her values.  But mainly it was the caring thing.

She knew however that Ocellus didn't want help, at least not now.  It was for the same reason that she had waved off Silverstream's suggestion of turning into something big and strong to help manage the load.  Silverstream might not have seen the way Ocellus had flinched at the word, but Smolder was used to noticing when something was amiss with her hoard.  Her girlfriend had fought with herself for the best part of the year to feel comfortable wanting to be noticed; this latest battle was seemingly now about being worthy of that notice.

Smolder didn't know if she agreed with Ocellus' reasons, but it was enough for her that she had reasons.  Besides, Smolder was a dragon, and if there was any desire a dragon could respect others having it was that of wanting to become stronger.

And within a minute of walking her girlfriend was keeping pace at her side once again.  Her lip was still pressed tight between her teeth and her chest was still heaving, but her expression was now fierce, painted by the shadows from the morning sun.  She bumped her side into Smolder's, looking up at her with a grin that carried both gratitude and a challenge.

And though she wasn't a dragon prone to introspection, Smolder realised then that she had fallen completely in love.