A Darkened Heart

Chapter 2: Taking It to Heart

Upon reaching the cloud in question, which was big enough for Cinder and Flitter to comfortably sit on, they positioned themselves so that they had a perfect point of view of all of Ponyville. It was up high enough that they were out of the way of the weather ponies but low enough that they could see everything that was going on. This is what Cinder loved the most.

“So Cinder..I have a couple questions for you…” said Flitter in an unusually flirty tone. She was still being very forward with the young colt, her intentions clear, even though Cloudchaser’s words still rang in her ears.

Don’t try to push him too far!! If he shows any sign of distrust or being uncomfortable, just stop talking.

She shook her head and turned her gaze to the ash colored colt.

“Well, don’t keep me in suspense. What are they?” he said with his cool and calm demeanor. Cinder stretched himself out on the cloud, laying down with his front hooves crossed and laid his head on them, his wings reaching over Flitter, but not touching her. He refrained from that until later on.

“Do…. You .. have a.. um…. Special somepony??” The question was choked out at best, due to Flitter’s endless giggling and embarrassing blushing. She wiggled closer to Cinder when a cold blast of air hit them. A long silence prevailed between the question and the answer.

“… Not for a while now, No.” Cinder had closed his eyes, feeling yet another gust go through his mane. He thought back to Ember, and how much his heart hurt that day. He hadn’t dated anypony since then. Flitter could definitely tell that there was something off with Cinder, as he was being quiet. She hoped she hadn’t blown it.

“Ummmm Cinder. Is something wrong?”

Another long pause.

“It’s something personal from a long time ago”, chortled the young colt. “I’d rather not idly chat about it”

“Oh my goodness, I had no idea! I’m so sorry if I hit a nerve…” her voice trailed off, as she saw Rainbow Dash busily scurrying clouds away for an upcoming storm.

“It’s fine Flitter. I just….. haven’t fully healed from it.” Cinder had opened his eyes and looking at the young mare. While he was doing so, Flitter cocked her head to one side.

“If you wanna talk about it, I’m here to help” replied Flitter. The mare had again shifted her body weight very close to Cinder, touching him now. Just like Rainbow had done earlier. She was trying to make it not look obvious, but it was more a comforting thing than a flirtatious move. A long pause went between them, as Cinder’s eyes followed a couple school age fillies walking home.

“If you really want to know, Flitter, than I have to give you my thanks first. It’s been a while since somepony has taken the time” a calm Cinder said, his head resting on his front hooves.

Flitter smiled, and as a gust of wind went through their manes, she moved even closer still to Cinder, this time their bodies touching. Cinder, unsure of how to react at first, stiffened when he felt the tender hoof of Flitter touch his own, but gradually started to relax as he prepared to tell her his story.

“Well, here goes. It goes like this Flitter. I used to have a special somepony, yes, we were very close. We dated for almost two years together, I could not have been happier at that time. She and I had met at Flight Camp and had fallen in love. It sounds cheesy I know but…” he was intercepted but an affectionate “Awwww” from Flitter.

“That’s so cute. What happened?” A long pause. A cool gust of wind went through Cinder’s mane as he closed his eyes and breathed a huge sigh. He tried to make it not obvious that she had hit a nerve, but it was too late.

“….I….I caught her with somepony else...” he managed to stifle out. A sharp gasp sounded next to him after a silence.

“Cinder… I had no idea… I’m so sorry” said Flitter, a little shake in her voice. It was clear that she was concerned for Cinder. The lavender colored mare nuzzled Cinder gently on the neck, showing her affection that much more. The colt remained silent for a long time after that, slowly thinking about what to say next.

“……..Thank you.. Flitter. You’re the first pony I’ve told about this. I really enjoy your company…” Cinder was trying hard to stifle back watery eyes and succeeded. Heartbreak is one of the most horrible things to ever watch somepony else go through, and even worse to experience for oneself. There was a long pause between the two, but it wasn’t awkward in a way, as both were trying to think of things to say. I never knew somepony who has only knew me for a few hours, could show so much affection, Cinder mused to himself. Maybe… just maybe. I should try again. But not for a while. She has to earn my trust.

“I really enjoy your company too Cinder… it’s comforting. Most of the colt’s and stallions around here are complete jerks. They only care about us for…. Ya know..” Flitter’s voice trailed off, clearly embarrassed. She was still very close to Cinder, their body heat being shared between the two.

“I completely understand, Flit. Where I’m from, it’s the exact same. I’d almost given up on love completely” cracked Cinder, old memories starting to resurface, as he struggled to keep them down. Flitter reached over to Cinder, trying to nuzzle him again, but was met by Cinder’s own muzzle. The two froze as their face’s touched; an almost electric shock went between them. Both their eyes were closed, but they knew exactly what had happened. They stayed there for a while, until Cinder pulled away and opened his deep crimson eyes.

“….Umm I don’t know what to say” he whispered, his head still close to hers. She smiled slightly, a somewhat misty look grew in her eyes.

“Neither to do I. But that was amazing Cinder… I never knew you were so affectionate” said Flitter with a little surprise in her voice.

“The loneliest ponies are often the kindest, Flitter.”

Flitter silently thought to herself as their silence continued.

My oh my. What. A. Colt. Cloudy told me that these kinds only come around once or twice in a mare’s lifetime… and I think I found one. I know he likes me, but we’ve only known each other for the better half of one day. I want to ask him, but I have a feeling that he’ll say no. On the other hoof…. Maybe I can earn his trust and work up to asking him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You think they know we’re here?,” an unusually feisty Rainbow Dash chirped. She and Cloudchaser had gotten off work early and found the two sitting on a cloud. They had been watching them for about 10 minutes, seeing the cute nuzzling.

“They are so cute together,” said Cloudchaser, a careful eye watching what the two did. Cloudchaser had been trying to help her sister out by setting her up with colts around town, but none had worked out. They all wanted one thing and one thing only. While she and Thunderlane were completely happy together, Flitter needed to find somepony and settle down. She was clearly interested in Cinder, but as Rainbow studied his movements, she could see he was slightly, ever so slightly uncomfortable. He had changed his body posture twice, both times after Flitter made moves.

“See Rainbow? That’s why I don’t like him,” Raindrops said as she dropped between Rainbow and Cloudchaser.

“He’s not sure of himself, and his body language signals insecurity,” she said. “Oh relax Raindrops. Cinder is new to town, and Flitter is being unusually flirty with him. I wouldn’t blame him,”  remarked Rainbow as she shrugged”

“Should we go over?” a cheerful Cloudchaser chimed in, her mane blowing gently in the breeze.

Rainbow paused for a moment, pondering the possible outcomes of Cloudchaser’s comment. On one hoof, they were heading to hit the town, but on the other she thought the two would want some time alone. “Nah,” a reluctant Rainbow Dash muttered. “Let’s let them be. I’m sure they’ll catch up. Flitter knows where to go right?”

“Yep.”

“Alright then. Should we head out?” Rainbow’s enthusiasm was perked, so she might as well follow through. Cloudchaser didn’t respond, simplying smiling and nodding. The three mares set out into the evening sky. And as they did, Cinder caught their movements with his eyes, wondering where they could be off to.

Weird. They must have gotten off work early or something. Should I follow them or stay here with Flitter more…

“Hey, wanna meet Rainbow and Cloudchaser for that thing tonight,” Cinder asked gently nuzzling Flitter awake. She stirred and stretched, her long mane falling in front of her face. “Huh? I thought they were working late tonight,” she said. “They’ve been watching us for 10 minutes, Flit. I think they got off early, heh,” replied Cinder. Flitter gasped, blushing slightly and turning to her right, seeing the two flying down to town. “How….how did you know they were there,” she asked.

Cinder shrugged, rolled on his back and stretched. He looked around, the sun starting to dip into the ground. He looked over at Flitter as she finished stretching. Their eyes met, and for a moment they were locked in trance. Flitter pulled away shortly after, blushing crazily. Cinder smiled slightly as he got on all hooves, stretching his wings.

“Hey Cinder…. Got a second,” said a cautious Flitter as she walked up next to him.

“What is it?” he replied, getting ready to jump off the cloud. He had an idea what it was she was going to say, and he already had an answer ready.

“I… um… I really enjoyed today. We should do it again sometime,” she said quietly, with a hint of honesty in her voice. “I’m sorry if I seemed a little too pushy… it’s just that…. Um.. you’re a really cool pony,” she added. Cinder smiled slightly as he chuckled, walking over to her until he was right in front of her, with their manes almost touching.

“So did I Flitter. I totally agree. You’re a really sweet mare,” he said calmly, watching as Flitter giggled and blushed, again. “Shall we head out?” he asked, turning to jump off. Flitter smiled goofily, like she had just been kissed on her cheek, but shook her head after a few seconds of bliss.

“You ready,” she asked.

“Yep, after you.”

With that, the mare jumped off the cloud and cruised into town. Cinder took a pause right before he jumped, turned around and looked towards the setting sun.

So this is what it feels like…

_______________________________________

Rainbow Dash and Cloudchaser flew into town slowly, much slower than before. The two had a shorter work day, but the load was much more intense than usual. It was quiet between the two mares. Rainbow glanced the Ponyville Square seeing that the stalls were closing up for the night. The clock read 5:32PM, which meant that most ponies would be getting home from work, and thus the town would be slightly crowded, as it is every autumn.

Ponyville saw an influx of ponies, mostly migrants and farmers during the autumn due to the harvest it was famous for. Rainbow and Cloudchaser reached their favorite spot in town, a local restaurant by the name of The Stable. As they went inside, a tiny bell ringing as Rainbow pushed the door open, she was greeted by her closest friends: Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. They were sitting at a booth, chatting idly as their food was being cooked. Twilight was the first to notice Rainbow and Cloudchaser walk into the joint.

“Hey Rainbow! Over here!” she said with her usual optimistic voice. Twilight was the town’s librarian, and Princess Celestia’s personal protégé. They had been friends for a little over 4 years, and had countless adventures together. She had a medium purple coat with a purple and pink mane with lavender eyes. Not a bad sight if she said so herself.

“Hiya Twilight!” Rainbow responded, trotting over to her friends with Cloudchaser in tow. “What’s up?”

Twilight smiled, and got up to hug her friend. “We just got here actually. The girls and I decided to have a night out on the town. Spike is holding down the library and basically forced me out the door “Go have fun for once!”. They giggled together as Cloudchaser slid in next to Fluttershy, and ordered something off the menu. Neither pony heard what it was.

“Hey Dash,” Cloudchaser said with a sly grin. “When ya gonna tell your friends about your new “friend””, she said with a wink. At the mention of the word new, the pink ball of sugar known as Pinkie Pie sprung out of limbo. Before Dash could respond she was in front of her, bouncing up and down, wide eyed as usual. “Dashie has a new friend!? Ooooohhhhh I get to throw a party for him!!” she said with an ecstatic squeal that could break the sound barrier. Everypony in town was used to Pinkie’s contagious enthusiasm. It was a Ponyville tradition to welcome a newcomer with his/her own party.

“When do we get to meet him Rainbow,” said Rarity, her heavily styled mane gently flowing.

“Ah’d like to meet this new friend o’ yours as well, Dash” piped up Applejack.

Rainbow Dash smiled and chuckled to herself. “He’s on his way here. He and Flitter should be getting here soon,” she replied, wiggling into the booth next to Twilight. She looked over the menu, but decided not to order anything, for she had food at her house. Just as she set the menu down, she heard the door to the restaurant open with a jingle of the bell. As she turned around, a smile slowly crept across her face.

There stood Cinder with Flitter at his side. Cloudy’s right, Rainbow thought. They DO look cute together.

“Hey Cinder over here!” Rainbow half shouted across the restaurant, as she got out of the booth to greet them. Applejack and Rarity went wide-eyed when they saw Rainbow’s new friend. As their eyes slid up and down his sleek, toned form, they exchanged an inaudible whisper and a giggle. Cloudchaser, who was sitting next to Fluttershy, noted that as she shot Rainbow Dash a cautious glance over the top of her menu.

“So.. Rainbow. This must be your new friend,” Applejack said as she and Rarity practically materialized on either side of her. Rainbow goofily grinned as she blushed slightly.

“Yup! Girls, meet Cinder. Cinder, these are my girls, Applejack and Rarity,” replied Rainbow Dash. Cinder smiled and failed to hold a slight chuckle back from his lips as his eyes met first Applejack’s then Rarity’s. “Hi girls. Nice to meet you,” he said calmly, swishing his tail.

“Good heavens darling! Your eyes are simply gorgeous!” a transfixed Rarity said as she gazed at Cinder. Rarity had always been the best at fashion in Ponyville. If there was a need, Rarity could almost always fill it. Applejack was just as mesmerized as her, gazing straight at him.

“Ah’ll say. Them there eyes are redder than cherry apples at sunset,” a seduced Applejack managed to choke out. However, the two mares did not notice Flitter, who was still standing at Cinder’s side. Her gaze met Rarity’s and Applejack’s, but Rarity was the first to acknowledge her presence.

“Oh dear, I’m terribly sorry, Flitter dear. I was just in a trance from your coltfriend’s beautiful eyes,” Rarity charmed. The response from Flitter was enough to entertain thousands. Her cheeks went a full blown cherry red as her eyes went wide.

“He is NOT my coltfriend,” Flitter retorted, playfully sticking her tongue out at the two gawking mares. Everypony else in their group starting laughing along, even Cloudchaser noticed her sister’s defensiveness. She closed her eyes and smiled to herself. Sis, you gotta do better than that.

“Well Cinder, it’s nice to meet you as well,” a tender voice said behind Applejack’s right flank. It was Twilight, and she had come over to ogle at Cinder. The strange thing about the meeting was….

Pinkie Pie was nowhere to be found. And everyone who had known Pinkie long enough knew exactly where she had gone.

“Shall we eat?” Twilight said, glancing at their table, taking note that their food had arrived. She sauntered back to the table, when Cinder caught a glance at him from her. She immediately snapped forward when Twilight noticed she was caught. Applejack and Rarity followed Twilight, the scent of her food beckoning her as well, but she almost ran into a stool as the consequence of keeping one of her eyes on Cinder.

The ash colored colt mused to himself, as he saw the mares chat amongst themselves and giggle, exchanging witting glances at the new colt in town. He felt a nuzzle on the right side of his neck, and looked to his right to see a starry eyed Flitter looking back at him. Returning her nuzzle, this time on her cheek, she whispered something in his ear. “Hey Cinder…. I need to talk to you about something tonight… ehe,” she said with a hearty giggle. She had clung to him all afternoon, and wasn’t showing any sign of her leaving. As he checked the clock, it read 7:30PM.

Damn it. It’s time for my evening flight. But this mare…… she’s complicating things. In a good way.

“Hey Rainbow, I’m gonna go on my evening flight, I’ll catch up with you later,” Cinder said as his cool voice carried through the restaurant. The cyan Pegasus looked up from her food, and waved her hoof at the pair, due to she had a full mouth of food.

Gulping she said “Have fun you two,” smiling wryly at Cinder.

She was amazed at how relaxed he was around her friends. It was probably because Pinkie wasn’t here. Although Rainbow loved her dearly, she could be a bit...overwhelming at times. The atmosphere of the restaurant was cozy and quiet, a music soundtrack playing in the distant background. Without further ado, he turned for the door, and stepped out into the cool evening glow, with Flitter closely behind him.

I guess I can skip my evening flight, just this once¸ he thought to himself. Smiling widely at the still starry eyed mare standing at his side, she beckoned him to follow her, without saying a word. This was unusual behavior at best for Flitter. Cloudchaser had said that she was the reserved type of mare, waiting for colt’s to initiate. Exhaling sharply, to blow a stray dandelion away from his snout, Cinder thought that Cloudchaser had given her tips on how to be more forward.

And it was working. Quite nicely.

__________________________________________________

Cinder had taken a gamble with returning Flitter’s flirtatious advances. He was normally very outgoing, but after Ember he became very reserved. The two walked in step with each other, Flitter endlessly giggling about something, what Cinder knew it to be he had no idea. As they walked through town, they passed a tea station, apple stall, and city hall. Flitter wanted to go somewhere, Cinder had no idea where. But he had a sneaking suspicion what it was about. They stopped under City Hall’s brilliant lights, and Flitter sat down on a bench outside the building, beckoning Cinder to sit next to her, which he did.

Closing his eyes and breathing out slowly, he felt Flitter’s body grow closer to his, and stopping when their wings were touching as well as their forelegs. Such an intimate moment was rare in public around Ponyville, but Flitter paid no mind to it, as she gently nuzzled Cinder on his neck. His heart skipped a beat when she did that, as he could feel the gentle rise and fall of her body against his. They sat there in silence for a couple minutes, and finally Cinder broke the silence this time

“So… Flitter,” he said cautiously, gritting his teeth. C’mon Cinder. At least give this one more chance. Memories of Ember had flashed all around him since he had been around Flitter. After that incident those months ago, he thought he was never going to find love again. However…

“Yes Cinder?” the starry eyed mare responded, her mane blowing gently in the now night’s breeze.

C’MON CINDER. Stop being such a mule and spit it out!! A mare like her might not come around again

Silently, he kicked himself back into focus and swallowed.

“I uh….. I… think you’re a really awesome mare Flitter,” he almost whispered. Flitter’s eyes went wide, a shiver going through her body. Searching every corner of her mind, Flitter had no response for what Cinder had just said. She would blurt out the one response that she wanted to, however….

Ohmy… He’s answering my signs. But… something is still off about him.

Stammering due to a full blush and fluttering heart Flitter could just respond with a tiny little squeek. Cinder noticed her lack of words and smiled. He’d left the poor mare speechless. Chuckling, he took a big risk. Extending his right wing, he let it fall gently over her body, pulling her closer. Cinder gave a small sigh, as Flitter gasped. The mare was wide eyed with a full blush.

“Ci..Cinder?”

“What? I thought you might be cold,” he replied.

He put on a goofy grin at the lavender mare’s gentle eyes gazing back at him. Her reaction was simple. She snuggled up closer to Cinder, their body heat exchanging as they felt each other’s chests rise and fall.

They looked up at Luna’s gorgeous night, gently falling over Ponyville. It was beautiful, the stars were twinkling, gentle hills rolling with the evening wind. Cinder finally knew what it meant to be happy. Now he was just going to ask Flitter.

But…..