The day before Hearts and Hooves Day. It's a day where everypony makes sure gifts are perfect to give to their loved ones the next day. A nice, peaceful, serene day.
Well, for all except Night Glider. The dark blue Pegasus was pacing in her room, trying to think of something. Anything. Anything to make this year different than the past years.
Ever since Night Glider had joined Starlight Glimmer's village, Hearts and Hooves Day had never truly been celebrated. Starlight did not want any love drama in her town, so restricted ponies to not show love to one another. Hearts and Hooves Day was dedicated to just acknowledging everypony in the town, but that wasn't much different from a normal day.
Though, even when just seeing her townsponies, she always felt her heart and mind go crazy when she set eyes upon one certain stallion.
Double Diamond.
She truly hoped that it wasn't love back then, since she didn't want Starlight to be upset with her for falling in love. Night Glider is a very passionate mare, and she was afraid that she would spill it to somepony like Sugar Belle, and knowing her luck, Starlight would have found out. So, she had to keep it all in. And keeping stuff in is normally hard for Night Glider.
And it was, indeed. She secretly loved and admired Double Diamond from day to day, but didn't know what to do about it. She didn't know why, considering Starlight made everypony act and look the same. She couldn't explain it. Something just drew her to him the first time she met his glance, which was shortly after she decided to become equal.
Now that everypony had their cutie marks and individuality again, Night Glider felt even more passionate for Double Diamond. She had tried to deny it, and even felt horribly embarrassed when she finally brought it up to Sugar Belle, who gave loads of advice.
Night Glider now flopped on her bed in frustration. She couldn't think of anything. She wanted tomorrow to be different for Double Diamond. Different from everything he's been experiencing in Starlight's town. But not just a little difference. She wanted to give him something that he would remember all his life.
She stood up from the bed in determination. She could do this. Without any help.
Yeah... that would be hard.
At this thought, she started to pace again. What did Sugar Belle mention? Something that he might appreciate?
Oh, yeah. Pick-up lines.
Night Glider knew that, according to Sugar Belle, they were a play on words to express feelings of love to the other individual. She got out a piece of paper and started brainstorming.
After a few minutes... still nothing.
She groaned as she picked up a piece of parchment and a quill. She decided to quickly write to Sugar Belle, asking if she could send any pick-up lines. And this would be all the help she would get.
When she was finished writing the letter, she put it in her mailbox and put the flag up. Some might argue that it would be just as easy to walk two minutes and talk to Sugar Belle about it, but she thought that it would take up much more time if she did. Time that she needs to think.
Night Glider started to ponder again. She knew that she should do something that involves skiing. Maybe... she can give him a ride? No, if he falls, that would be memorable, but not in the good way. Maybe they could just have a nice walk up the snowy path?
After a few minutes of thinking of possible scenarios for this idea, she heard a knock at the door. She opened it to reveal the mail-pony smiling at her.
"Oh, hey there, Night Glider! I have something from Sugar Belle here for ya."
Night Glider raised an eyebrow, confused. "Really? Already?" She took the letter and smiled to the mail-pony. "Thanks."
"No problem! Happy Hearts and Hooves day!" He replied as Night Glider waved and shut her door. Her mind raced to what could be written in the letter. Well, more specifically, what kinds of pick-up lines would be in there.
Once it was open, a piece of paper fell out. She looked at the letter itself, which looked like it was written pretty fast.
Hey, Night Glider! I can't believe you're actually using my suggestion of pick-up lines! And, giving him a memorable Hearts and Hooves day?! Oh, I sure hope it goes well! This is totally out of the ordinary for you!
But, anyway, I have attached a list of pick-up lines that was in a romance book that I read a little while ago. I hope you will find one to your liking!
Make sure to tell me how it goes tomorrow! I'll either get Party Favor to throw you a party, or we'll eat tubs of ice cream, trying to lift our spirits. I sure hope it's the first option!
Sincerely, Sugar Belle
Night Glider's ears flicked as she read over the letter. She then set it on her living room table and picked up the paper of pick-up lines, taking a deep breath. She read one out-loud, picturing herself reciting them to Double Diamond.
"On a scale of one to ten, you're a nine and I'm the one you need."
Night Glider shook her head. She was trying to give him the memo that he was a ten out of ten with this whole scheme of hers. Her ears then folded back as she thought of this.
What has happened to me? I used to be a tomcolt, but now, look at me. I'm seriously reciting mushy pick-up lines to myself, hoping to win his love tomorrow.
Night Glider shook her head, clearing these thoughts. She knew that taking Sugar Belle's advice is a good thing, and that's why she has gone with the approach of pick-up lines. Plus, it's an easier way to say "I love you" compared to just saying it. Putting that in comparison made Night Glider feel a little more confident about her idea.
She looked at the list and read the next one. "Do you have a name, or can I call you mine?"
She snorted at this. It just sounded stupid. Okay, next one: "I feel the sun coming up... or is that just you lightning up my world?"
Night Glider pondered this for a moment, but realized that would only work for watching the sunrise. Which is way too early for Night Glider standards.
"If I could rearrange the alphabet, I would put 'U' and 'I' together."
Night Glider laughed as this escaped her lips. Double Diamond would be too dense to figure out what she meant, and would ask what 'U' and 'I' had to do with anything. She continued to read down the list.
"You like sleeping? Hey, me too! We should do it toget-"
Night Glider let out a small squeal and put the paper down. No. She was not going to use that one.
After using a minute to put thoughts of her and Double Diamond in a bed together out of her head, she picked up the list again.
"Can I borrow a kiss? I promise I'll give it back."
Night Glider's cheeks turned red in an instant. She put the list back on the table again, her glance darting away. That was so cheesy, so mushy, so...
Perfect.
Night Glider couldn't believe she was thinking this, but it was true. For months now, she had been shamelessly fantasizing about kissing him, even though it went completely against her tomcolt demeanor. Asking him this would be a good way to confess love, and she might even get an instant kiss from it! Night Glider smiled as butterflies freely flew in her stomach.
Now, she had an idea. She immediately countered what she was thinking earlier. She could meet him, ask to have a walk on the slopes, and then carry him to the top of a hill. Night Glider deducted that she was a strong mare. She had flown with heavier things than a stallion on her back with little difficulty. Then, at the top of the hill, she would recite that pick-up line, hoping for the better. And, if he makes it obvious that he isn't attracted to her, Night Glider could just brush it off as a Hearts and Hooves day joke. It was perfect!
Night Glider flopped on the couch, feeling mighty pleased with herself. She was happy that Starlight had ended her tyranny on the town, and that she had her cutie mark back. Otherwise, none of this would be happening.
Night Glider's alarm went off, signaling morning. She groaned and hit it, feeling a bit frustrated.
She had sat in bed all night, unable to fall asleep. Thoughts of her plan and Double Diamond were whirling through her head, causing insomnia.
She stepped away from the bed, practically feeling the dark circles under her eyes. After brushing her mane, she decided to go for a morning flight. The breeze would hopefully wake her up.
As she took off into the chilly morning air, all she could think of was Double Diamond. His perfect white coat, beautiful blue eyes, and the cutest face ever. She also thought of his snow-colored mane, which looked a lot like her own. That is most likely another reason why she loves his mane so much.
Now, all Night Glider could think of was all that was swirling in her mind all night: Double Diamond kissing her, accepting her cheesy pick-up line and love.
Her pace picked up, the wind blowing on her face with more force. She was soon doing tricks in the air, becoming more awake. She soon landed on top of a cloud, taking a breath.
"Night Glider!" A voice called. Night Glider wiped some sweat off her brow before looking down to find a pink unicorn mare beaming up at her.
"Oh, hey, Sugar Belle!" Night Glider responded as she flew off the cloud and landed next to her friend. Sugar Belle smiled before erupting into a fit of giggles.
"Are you ready for today?" She asked, excitement clearly present in her voice.
Night Glider blushed before nodding. "Yeah. I'm-I'm ready."
Sugar Belle giggled a little bit before her glance drifted to the side. Night Glider noticed this, and raised an eyebrow. Sugar motioned for her to turn.
Night Glider did exactly that, and what was there caused her heart to pick up speed.
Double Diamond was standing there, looking at her. Night Glider felt trapped in his eyes, never wanting to look away. She broke the contact, though, not wanting to seem to weird.
"Hey, Night Glider and Sugar Belle! What's up?" He asked as Sugar Belle got a devious smile on her face.
"Oh, nothing important." She stopped for a moment before looking up into the sky. "Say... I have to get back to... work. I'm sure I'll have a lot of customers today. So... see you two later!" She finished before giving Night Glider a teasing look, and then walking away, a little spring in her step.
Night Glider watched her leave for a second before turning around to Double Diamond. Time stopped for a moment as she glanced into his eyes. She then looked away, and realized she had to get started with her plan.
"Erm... Diamond... do you want to... maybe... take a walk on the snowy mountain? I mean... it would be nice today, and Sugar Belle and Party Favor aren't available. And... I would like to go with someone."
Double Diamond nodded. "Of course. It does seem really nice today." He looked around, then back to the town. "Though, I volunteered to help with the Hearts and Hooves day party in a few hours. So, we can't stay up there for long."
Night Glider nodded as she remembered. The town was having a Hearts and Hooves day party, celebrating the first actual Hearts and Hooves day the village had seen. "Oh, right. Well, it won't take too long."
Double Diamond smiled. "Of course not. Now, let's go."
He started to walk, and Night Glider trotted up next to him. Get Double Diamond to come to the hill... check.
Night Glider went through the plan in her head, trying to find any flaws. She sure hoped there wouldn't be any. She had spent all night making sure it would be good. Well, unless he completely rejects her love. At this thought, her posture deflated for a second.
Double Diamond, midst all of his denseness, noticed this. "Night Glider? You look a bit sad. Is everything alright?"
Night Glider flushed and immediately perked up. "Yeah, everything's fine. I'm just... tired, that's all."
He smiled down at her, causing the butterflies to fly at full force in her stomach. "Well, being on the chilly hill will definitely help."
Night Glider nodded, feeling a smile inch its way up her face. "Yeah. I'm sure it will."
After a second, Night Glider broke from his glance. She could see the hill in plain sight. Her heart started to pick up as she thought of what she would do at the very top of the hill. She looked at it, picturing her flustered self standing there, desperately hoping to receive a kiss from the stallion of her dreams.
She now looked back to the path at the bottom of the mountains, which would lead her and Diamond up there. She stepped on it, now making her way upwards, Double Diamond by her side. His presence was so... warm. So... welcoming. She wanted to stay by his side forever.
Double Diamond took a deep breath of the chilly air. "It is really nice up here. I have always loved the cold."
Night Glider nodded. "I agree. Almost as much as I love the nighttime." She closed her eyes and embraced the breeze. "You know, I've always wanted to meet Princess Luna."
Double Diamond snorted. "I think we all have wanted to meet a princess before. But, it's pretty difficult." He smiled as he remembered. "Well, we met Princess Twilight Sparkle a little while ago. Remember?"
Night Glider nodded. "Yeah. How could I forget? She and her friends are the ones who helped us!" She paused for a moment before continuing. "And... I want to meet Princess Luna because... well... I want to compliment her on the night. Ever since she's returned from the moon, the nights have been prettier and more serene. No offence to Princess Celestia, but, she doesn't have Luna's same... skill set when it comes to the night."
Diamond smiled. "Yeah. I get what you mean. Even though Princess Celestia is a little more powerful than Princess Luna, she doesn't have the skills to make the night perfect like Princess Luna does."
"Yeah. I completely agree."
The two now found themselves nearing the bridge leading from one mountain to another, which Starlight had broke when trying to escape a little while ago. Diamond looked at the broken bridge and then back at Night Glider.
"So... are we heading back?" He looked across the bridge again. "Some maintenance ponies really need to fix this."
Night Glider took a breath before giving Double Diamond a smirk. "We're not going back yet. I have an idea."
Diamond raised an eyebrow before turning. "What do you have in mind?"
Night Glider gave her wings a flex. "Well... I was thinking that maybe I could carry you to the top of that hill. And then, we can... erm..." Night Glider fought back a blush threatening to overtake her face.
"Slide down like a penguin?" Diamond replied, chuckling. Night Glider laughed as well.
"Yeah! That's a... good idea!"
Double Diamond nodded. "Yeah!"
Night Glider motioned for him to get on her back, lifting her head up.
"Uh... you do realize that you can just grab onto me and take me up, like we did with the air drop to stop Starlight a little while ago? That way, it will be easier for you to hold onto me so I don't fall."
Night Glider blinked. How had she not thought of that? She had spent all night thinking, and of course, there was a flaw in her plan. She dismissed these thoughts and smiled.
"Alright. That sounds better. So, let's go!" She replied as she hovered into the air. She flew above Diamond and grabbed onto him, welcoming the warmth of his body. She then flew upwards, feeling the breeze in her face. The chilly breeze was fairly refreshing to her.
When they reached the top of the hill, Night Glider's ears folded back for a second as she realized she would have to break from the close contact that she was loving.
She gently lowered Diamond onto the hill, and let go. He smiled at her as she descended from the sky.
"Thanks, Night! Now... ready to go back down?"
Night Glider's pupils shrunk as she realized what she was about to do. It was time. A torrent of butterflies let themselves freely fly in her stomach, and she felt herself nearly choke on her nerves. She took a breath in hopes of clearing all of this.
"Uh... no, not yet. I have a question... an... um... sort of important question." Night Glider felt her face growing redder and redder by the second.
Double Diamond raised an eyebrow. "Okay. What's up?"
Night Glider nervously drew circles in the snow with her hoof. "Uh..." She frantically recalled the pick-up line she decided on the night before. Upon remembering it, confidence surged through her veins. She's Night Glider; the fastest flier in her town. She could do this. "Can I borrow..." Night Glider felt choked up on her words. It felt nearly impossible to say it.
Double Diamond grew a look of confusion in his eyes at this prolonged silence. "Do you need to borrow my skis or something?"
Night Glider shook her head, feeling numb. "No." She took another breath. "Can I borrow... a kiss? I promise I'll give it back." Her stomach fluttered uncontrollably as she realized what she had gotten out. She did it. She said it. Now, she scanned Double Diamond's face, hoping to see a readable expression.
Diamond looked dumbfounded. "Wha-?"
Night Glider rolled her eyes. "You heard me." She took a step closer. "Kiss me, you dummy."
A blush immediately crossed his face. If anyone would win an award for most oblivious pony, it would be him. "Uh... why would you want me to do that?"
Night Glider slapped her face with her hoof. Oh boy. Now, she has to explain it. She took a breath. "Isn't it obvious? Diamond, I'm in love with you!" She felt her face grow warmer as she said this.
Double Diamond gawked before his face grew a bit redder. Night Glider could swear that she saw a small smile, though. His eyes went wide as he processed this. "Y-you mean it? Really?"
Night Glider nodded. "Of course! I have loved you for a long time!"
After taking this in, a smirk formed on his lips. "Well... do you promise to give the kiss back?"
Night Glider nodded. "Of course! Otherwise, I wouldn't have said-"
She was cut off by Double Diamond pressing his lips up against hers. A furious blush took over Night Glider's face again. His lips felt so nice. So warm. So welcoming. Now, she had a promise to keep. She smiled and pushed back into him, putting her hooves around his neck. The two separated, now staring into each other's eyes.
Night Glider couldn't believe this was really happening. Her plan had worked! Diamond had kissed her! This, definitely, has been the best Hearts and Hooves day ever. Diamond smirked again and unwrapped the scarf on his neck that he always seems to wear. He then pulled it over Night Glider as well as himself and tied it, pulling her a bit closer. Night Glider blushed at this sudden action, but smiled at him anyways.
"Night Glider, I love you, too." The two shared a smile before he spoke up again. "Now, let's spend some more time together up here, shall we?"
Night Glider nodded. "Sounds great."