> You Make Me Happy > by IceQB > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Very, very happy... > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Here it is, Apple Bloom." The roof of the gazebo sheltered the two little ponies who stood at the end of a cliff. The nearly empty night sky allowed only the tiniest of audiences to gaze upon their privacy, but it was enough to set the mood. Behind them were many more eyes that stood perched on tree branches and lay on the ground. The chitter-chatter of the critters that enveloped their surroundings was only matched by the sound of flowing water from the waterfall nearby.     "Wow. It sure is... pretty tonight, Scootaloo," said Apple Bloom as she gazed at the waterfall. "Hey, listen." She closed her eyes, and the sound of nature filled her senses. Her ears perked up and her smile lit her face up. There was a slight breeze, and it swayed her mane gently.     Her friend's eyes followed the motion of her hair. She remembered there used to be a bow up there. She liked that bow, but she hadn't been wearing one tonight. ---     Hey Apple Bloom, where's your bow?"     "Umm, I took it for... a wash! Yeah...!     "Don't you have many more in your closet?"     "Uhh... all being... washed? Anyways, do you like my hair? I styled it all perfect tonight! Well, Sweetie Belle helped me a little..." ---     And it was perfect.     "This sure is wonderful. Too bad Sweetie Belle couldn't be here. She would have loved it." Apple Bloom said with a small sigh.     "Ah. It's no big deal. Rainbow Dash said that if I should ever bring somepony special, it should be here." Scootaloo watched as Apple Bloom shied away. Both their cheeks reddened, but it was even more obvious for Apple Bloom. "I mean... I.. uh..."     Scootaloo scratched her head and walked towards Apple Bloom's side. She looked out on the vast openness of the waterfall where Rainbow Dash used to train her at. She remembered how Rainbow Dash would always keep telling her, "Keep you head in the game!", and she just realised that she sure as hell wasn't right now.     Her crush was standing beside her with her eyes wide open, and she was giggling, the pinkness of her cheeks illuminating her smile.    Scootaloo didn’t know how Rainbow Dash would’ve told her to deal with something like this, but damn was she distracted right now.     "Hmm? Did you say something, Scootaloo?" Apple Bloom asked when she realized that Scootaloo had spent the past several moments mumbling to herself. Or, at least, that's what she thought she was doing. ---     "Should I go for it? I mean, I don't know. She's a nice girl and all.     "Squirt, you gotta know something. And trust me on this one. When something good comes by, grab it before others do."     "But I'm scared!     "Don't be. Look, I was once your age. I... had my fair share of crushes in your days."     "Like who?"     "That's not the point. But I've dealt with it before. Just go for it!" ---     Scootaloo took a deep breath. "Hey, uh, Apple Bloom. I uh... thanks. For uh... cheering me up the other day."     "Aw shucks." She blushed even more. "You don't need to thank me. That's what friends are for, right?."     "Heh, yeah. Friends..." mumbled Scootaloo as she looked away. Except that I kinda wanna be more than just that.     "Hmm? What'd you say?"     "Oh, uh, nothing." Scootaloo rested her hooves on the edge of the gazebo as she looked up towards the sky. A bright star caught her eye as it flickered slowly.     "Hey, that's your star!" Apple Bloom pointed to the same star as she mirrored Scootaloo's posture. "You told me about it. The one that shines, and then dims down? Yeah."     "Well, it could be yours too." Scootaloo spoke before her mouth could check with her brain, and a second later, another streak of red rode across both ponies' faces. Scootaloo turned to face Applebloom, and giggled. "Uhh, I mean... umm... forget it, never mind.”     The pegasus’ eyes wandered to her earth pony friend’s hooves. "You know, I always love it when you do that thing."     "Do what thing?" Apple Bloom cocked her head in confusion.     "This." Scootaloo placed her hooves on her own cheeks and pushed against it. "Like every time you see something cute and all, your hooves would go up and shield your cheeks. Makes you look like a hamster."     Immediately, Apple Bloom turned around and looked away. "Umm... thanks?"     "Hey, I've got a song for you. I know I can't sing as well as Sweetie Belle, but do you want to listen? That is if you decide to turn around and face me. I'm only singing if you watch me."     Apple Bloom nodded slightly before she turned around, "Okay." There was a smile on her face. "But if you start singing some Two Directions or Front Alley Ponies, I'm outt--"     "No, no. I'm not going to." Scootaloo walked towards a tree and stuck out her hoof towards it. From behind a tree, a pink hoof holding a guitar stuck out. Scootaloo grabbed the guitar and the pink hoof slid back behind the tree.     "I didn't know you played the guitar," said a puzzled Apple Bloom.     "Yeah, neither did I until I needed to do this." Scootaloo smiled nervously as she took in a deep breath. "All right, I'm going to sing 'Sunlight and City Shine'. I hope you like it."     Apple Bloom stared at Scootaloo as she sat down across her and placed the guitar on her lap. And of course I like it! I said that it's my favorite song! Wow... She remembers.     "It's taking us Downtown..." Scootaloo started singing, and Apple Bloom propped her hooves to her face. Her heartbeat raced even much more than before as she listened.     "You're watching me, watching me, watching me go..." A smile crawled up the side of her face.     "But I never listen. I never let you know." Her heart skipped a beat. She's asking me out... ---     Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy sat perched on a tree that gave a clear view of what was going on in the gazebo. The sound of a guitar strumming softly in the background created a warm atmosphere around them. Fluttershy leaned her head against Rainbow Dash's shoulder as they sat and listen.     "I like this song," whispered Fluttershy. "It's nice."     "I know. It's one of my favorites."     "Aren't those two adorable?" She adjusted her head on her shoulder. Both ponies wrapped wings around each other and stared into each other eyes.     "Yeah. Reminds me of us when I first asked you out." That made Fluttershy giggle and bury her face into her marefriend. "If I hadn’t met you, my life wouldn't be as interesting as it is today. I mean, sure, there's the Wonderbolts I'm training for, but it's different, ya know? You make me happy. You make me feel complete."     "And you bring the best out of me. I know I'm shy, but when I'm with you, I don't have to be. I think that's good right? And, I feel all warm and nice inside whenever I'm with you." The two ponies nuzzled each other and laid their heads on one another.     "I love you, Rainbow Dash."     "I love you too, Fluttershy. Happy one year anniversary."     "To us." ---     "You oughta know... I'll never let you go..." Scootaloo ended the song with a soft strum as she held the note. The tune lingered a little more in the air before the sound of the waterfall enveloped it.     For the first time in a few minutes, Scootaloo opened her eyes and stared at one grinning Apple Bloom. Their eyes met. Scootaloo walked towards Apple Bloom.     "See, you're doing that hoof-on-face thing again." Scootaloo giggled, and Apple Bloom dropped her hooves quickly. "So, did you like it?" She stuck a hoof out.     Apple Bloom could only nod and smile as she took her hoof and stood up. Her face was completely red, and her gaze fell upon her hoof, then onto Scootaloo's eyes once more.     "You know, I've been wanting to say this for a while now."     "Yes, Scootaloo?" Their eyes met, and they moved closer to each other.     "You're an awesome pony, you know that? You care for me, help me when I need it. You're kind, loyal, and honest. I like that. And even though I can be such a klutz sometimes, you always pick me up from the ground. You make me happy."     There was a slight pause as Scootaloo inched towards Apple Bloom. "Apple Bloom, will you be mine?"     Both ponies shook, Scootaloo more than the other. They could feel each other's breath; it smelled of the hay fries they had before they came to the gazebo. They could feel each other's heartbeat; slowly but surely, the two beats synchronised so one solid 'thump' was all they could hear. They could see their own reflection in each other's eyes, and both were smiles a newborn foal would produce.     With her hooves shaking, Apple Bloom reached for Scootaloo's hooves. "Yes."     Scootaloo's joy was paired with a small peck on her lips and a squeeze on her hoof. Her eyes widened, but she smiled at an equally-reddened Apple Bloom. "Oh, Apple Bloom..."     The two of them turned to face the sky with each other's hooves in their own. Scootaloo wrapped a wing around her. "I know I'm not the best pony, but with whatever I have, I'll make you happy. That star will be my witness."     "It's okay."     "Even though I can't fly, I'll make sure you soar!"     "I know, Scootaloo."     "Even though I'm forever grounded, you will be afloat all the time!"     "I get it." Apple Bloom giggled.     "Even though I..." A yellow hoof was stuck in between Scootaloo's lips.     "I get it, okay? Sheesh, you're so dramatic." Apple Bloom rolled her eyes at her.     "Pft." Scootaloo dropped her shoulders, grinning unapologetically. "I only want the best for you."     "I know you do." Apple Bloom wrapped her hooves around Scootaloo.     "So... now what?" asked Scootaloo as Apple Bloom broke out of the hug.     "Ya know..." She ran out towards the grass field outside and lay down. It granted a much clearer view of the sky. "I'd always wanted to stargaze. I might even see Ma and Pa sometimes. That's what big sis always tells me."     "Huh. I guess we can do that." Scootaloo, with her tiny wings, hovered towards Apple Bloom and lay down beside her. She grabbed her hoof and pulled herself closer to her. "So, which one are they?"     "I don't know. Applejack always said that if you look hard enough, you'll find it."     "Ha. That's what Rainbow Dash tells me, except its about love. Ugh. At first I didn't really recognise it, but after a while, I couldn't bear to not see you, ya know? If it means changing for a pony you love, then sure, why not?"     "I guess so. Hey look, two falling stars!" She pointed towards two falling comets. "Oh and another one here, and there! Oh, but now they're gone..."     "You wanna know something, Apple Bloom?" Scootaloo inched closer to her.     "What is it?"     "All the stars may burn and die out--" She pointed towards the glimmering star from before. "--But ours will never."