Author's Note

This takes place after my last fic and now Smolder and Ocellus were dating for almost a year. I know, that’s a huge time skip. Before you tell me I have too much dip on my chip, I’m just gonna say that, hey, I might not write the best stories with the best timelines. No buts. That’s it. Anyway, enjoy the story.

Promise?

Today was a very special day. Hearts and Hooves day. It’s been almost a year and Ocellus and Smolder have been dating for a really long time. Today they decided to study together as a date. Ocellus was reading a book on dragon mating, and Smolder was reading a book about Gusty the Great.

Smolder wasn’t just thinking about Gusty the Great, though. She was planning on proposing to Ocellus, today. Not a real proposal, no. However, she was planning on giving her a promise ring after the school dance. Though, it wouldn’t be that simple.

Smolder was afraid of Ocellus. No, not “afraid-afraid”, just afraid of what Ocellus would think if she revealed her ‘vulnerability.’ Normally, Smolder wouldn’t let anycreature get under her skin like Ocellus could. Ocellus more or less knew all of Smolder’s weaknesses, strengths, and how she would often act. To put it simply, to Ocellus, Smolder was easily predictable.

Ocellus shut her book quietly, scooting closer to Smolder, who was absentmindedly turning pages in her book. She shifted her position so that she was laying over Smolder’s lap.

Smolder closed her book and started jotting things down on a notepad while Ocellus fixed her posture and gazed up at her. She let a tiny, love-filled smile come to her lips, before pecking Smolder on the cheek and resting on her shoulder.

“Did you know that when dragons find their mates, they promise to stay with them forever~?”
Smolder snapped out of her daydreaming to look down at Ocellus, almost jumping back at realizing how close she was. Ocellus stayed looking up at Smolder, the same smile plastered on her face.

“Oh. Uh...” Smolder altered her gaze, and then looked to focus on Ocellus. “Ironically, I haven’t ever really heard of that?” Smolder shifted uncomfortably.

“I just read about it. Wanna see?” Ocellus nuzzled Smolder’s neck, laying across her lap again and opening the book to the page she found the information. She snuggled into Smolder’s stomach, attempting to get cozier.

Smolder fell back a bit, Ocellus losing her balance and pinning her onto the wooden floor. The both of them blushed while Smolder avoided eye contact. Her nostrils flared some smoke, prompting Ocellus to smooch her partner on her nose.

Smolder squirmed a little before Ocellus’ smile returned to her face. She kissed Smolder’s neck before she nestled into her chest. The both lay there for about five minutes until Smolder lightly pushed Ocellus off her, sitting up.

This caused Ocellus to quirk a brow. “What’s wrong?” Smolder’s nostrils flared a bit more. Then she started sweating.

“Uh...” She stuttered as she inched away from Ocellus. “Nothing! Why?” Ocellus looked up at her again.

“It looks like I did something wrong.” She gasped. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?” She brushed Smolder’s shoulder with a hoof, causing her to spring up. Smolder was now hovering above Ocellus, looking startled as ever.

“I, Uh, gotta go!” Those were the last words she spoke before she zipped out of the room, leaving a puzzled Ocellus behind. There was only one thought running through her mind at that moment. What just happened?

Meanwhile, Smolder scrambled around the school looking for her dorm. In her rush, she ran straight into the door of Gallus’ room. He opened the door to a slightly disheveled dragon in front of him. He quirked an eyebrow at the sight.

“Yeah?” Gallus asked. Smolder looked up, attempting to straighten her stance, trying not to look too stressed. “Wow, you look stressed.” He deadpanned.

“No I’m not!” Smolder straightened her scales, catching her breath. Gallus furled his eyebrows and looked into Smolder’s eyes. “Okay, maybe I am a little stressed.”

“Alright, what do you want. I’m trying to get ready for the school dance.” urged Gallus.

“Get ready? The school dance doesn’t start three hours from now.” Smolder said, bluntly. Gallus shrugged.

“Anyway, I need to hide from Ocellus!”

“Hide from her? Why?” Gallus unfurled his brow as his look of sarcasm turned to concern.

“It’s... nothing important!” She urged, zooming into his dorm. He turned around to look at her, an alarmed expression on his face. “It’s just that it’s Hearts and Hooves day and Ocellus is being a little extra ‘clingy’.” Smolder depicted air quotations with her claws.

“Also, I kinda need some nose-plugs.” She scratched the back of her neck sheepishly.

“Nose plugs?” Gallus asked. “What for?” Smolder fiddled with her fingers before lightly sighing.

“My nose flares up when I get hot and bothered.”

Gallus raised both eyebrows and instantly pushed her out of the room. As he slammed the door, Smolder sighed in defeat. She darted her eyes, looking for her dorm. After finding it, she quickly sprung up and rushed to the door. She was mortified in finding it wasn’t the door to her room, but rather Yona’s. Yona opened her door, puzzled as to why a slightly messy dragon was trying to collect her breath in front of her.

“Let yak guess. Smolder running away from something.” Smolder nodded, recollecting herself with ease.

“Wait, how’d you know?”

“Yaks best at guessing.”

Smolder rolled her eyes, looking around for her dormitory, and then shook her head.

“What does dragon want? Yona in the middle of important studying.”

“I’m kinda trying to hide from Ocellus.” Yona’s eyes widened as she narrowed her eyes.

“Smolder didn’t break changeling’s heart, did she?” Yona snarled.

“N-no! By the name of Torch, why’d you think I’d do that?! It’s just Hearts and Hooves day and she’s being a little extra lovey-dovey.”

“What dragon getting at?”

“Y'know, like how you’d act with Sandbar or something.”

“H-how Smolder know about Yona and Sandbar?!”

“Maybe yaks aren’t the best at guessing after all.” Smolder smirked, getting a snarl in reply before Yona slammed the door. “Yona, wait! I need-” she was cut off by a distant voice calling her name. It was Ocellus. Before she could finally find the dorm room she was looking for, Ocellus called her name again. And she wasn’t far.

She turned around to Ocellus standing there, book in hoof. “Are you alright, Smolder? Usually you never leave on me like that.” Ocellus looked Smolder deep in her eyes before altering her gaze.

“Uh...” Ocellus opened the door to their room, gesturing with her tail for Smolder to come inside. With a sigh, she walked into the room with Ocellus, shutting the door behind her.

“I’m still waiting for an answer.” Said Ocellus.

“I’m... sorry, Ocellus.” Smolder sighed. “I guess I was just kinda uncomfortable.”

“So I was in your personal space? I get it.”

“No! It’s just-” Smolder paused, looking for a better explanation.

“It’s alright, Smolder. I get it.” Ocellus looked down at her hooves after sighing. Smolder fixed her gaze directly onto Ocellus, before lifting her head up with her claws. She brought her closer to her face before speaking again.

“Celly, I know you were in my personal space and I was fine with that. As long as it’s just you.” Ocellus blushed as Smolder pulled her into a kiss. After seconds of being in each other’s embrace, Ocellus decided to break the kiss and nestle into Smolder’s chest. She giggled, letting Smolder kiss her forehead.

“Hey, that tickles!” She said, embracing her lips for the final time.

Smolder smirked as she slapped Ocellus’ rear with a wing, eliciting a small squeak.

“Alright, hot stuff. I get what you mean.” Ocellus giggled, pulling Smolder under the covers.

A half hour passed as the two lay in the bed, peacefully dozing off to the sound of each other’s breathing. Ocellus held still in Smolder’s wing, gently wrapped around her. Smolder snored loudly, though Ocellus didn’t mind.

The day wasn’t over yet, though. So many things were going on. There was a school dance, an after party, everything. Most ponies were even proposing. Rainbow Dash proposed to Pinkie Pie the day before. AppleJack had given Rarity a promise ring. It was about time Smolder made her move after the school dance.

Smolder woke to Ocellus, grinning as she looked down on her. “Wake up, sleepyhead. We’re gonna miss the school dance.” Ocellus hopped off the bed, trotting into the bathroom to get ready. Smolder sat up, looking around for her outfit. It was sitting on her bedside table, flat, unwrinkled, and seemingly untouched. She reached for it and instantly pulled it together, straightening herself up. It was a navy blue tuxedo jacket with a violet suit vest underneath. It had a yellow collar with a purple bow tie.

Smolder marveled at herself in the mirror while Ocellus was in the bathroom changing. While she was checking out her tux, she instantly remembered her plans to get the promise ring. How could she forget? She scrambled around the room for the notepad and found it under her bed. How’d It get there? Smolder had just located a pen when Ocellus creaked open the bathroom door. Before she could hide the notepad, Ocellus had already made it out of the bathroom, and was sitting on Smolder’s bed.

Once she stood up, she tapped a stunned Smolder on the shoulder and asked, “How do I look?” Smolder turned to a dressed up Ocellus with a pearly-white gown. It was adorned with roses that sparkled and shone as bright as her eyes. She had an extra rose clip-on that she attached to her ear. Smolder sniffed the air a bit, and noticed that Ocellus used that perfume that Rarity had given her on her birthday.

Smolder stared at the beautiful sight before her, uttering only one word in the process. “Wow.” This playful exchange of stares caused Ocellus’ cheeks to flush a bright red.

“That pretty, huh?” Ocellus smiled shyly as she looked away.

Smolder puffed her chest out with pride before asking about her own outfit. “What about me?” Ocellus giggled, looking at the unusually dapper outfit Smolder was wearing.

“You’re looking dapper. I love it.” She said, pecking Smolder on the cheek. Smolder’s whole face turned red, her tail perking up a as well. She smirked, exaggerating a bow, and opened the door for Ocellus as she thanked her and trotted into there hallway.

Seconds after Ocellus had walked out the door, Smolder took some more notes on the promise ring she was going to give to Ocellus. She had scraped up all her gemstones in order to buy one.

Wait, Smolder thought. That’s it! After she finally exited the room with a patient Ocellus, they stopped at the ballroom where the party was being held. They met their friends at one of the tables. Silverstream was sitting next to Gallus, eating chips, and Sandbar sat opposite to Yona. Sandbar had a black tuxedo, along with Gallus, who had a baby blue suit. Silverstream was wearing a purple dress with pink stitchings, and Yona wore a simple green gown.

“Hey, Smolder. You’re lookin’ classy.” Gallus said, smirking. Smolder had a cocky grin as she straightened her collar.

“Thanks, Gal. You’re looking pretty dapper yourself.” She said, taking a seat next to Ocellus. Sandbar looked at Ocellus and smiled.

“That’s a nice dress, Ocellus!” He said.

“Thanks, Sandbar. Professor Rarity made it for me.” Silverstream stuffed her face with cupcakes, about to complement the two, when Spike- er... Scales and Tails spoke into the mic.

“Alright, everycreature! Who’s ready for The Hearts and Hooves day dance?” Everyone cheered, save for Smolder, who just sat there looking nervous despite her ongoing bravado. “Alright! Let’s get this party started!” Said Spike, before turning on a slow song.

Ocellus looked at Smolder with concern, wondering why she looked so nervous. “Smolder? Do you maybe wanna go dance?” Smolder quickly turned to Ocellus, who was looking at the ponies dancing before them. Before she could reply, Ocellus pulled her onto the dance floor and gripped her shoulders while standing on two hind legs.

“Just one dance.” Ocellus giggled, resting her head on Smolder’s shoulder. The two waltzed across the dance floor, along with the other ponies. “You’re not so light on your claws.” Ocellus said with a giggle, making Smolder blush.

“You’re not so bad either.” She replied. Deciding to return to the table and converse with their friends, Smolder and Ocellus came to see their friends snickering and joking.

“What’s so funny?” Asked Smolder.

“Oh nothing.” Said Gallus. Sandbar snickered.

“It’s just that, we didn’t know you were such a great dancer, Smolder!” Sandbar chuckled. Everycreature started laughing as Smolder’s cheeks turned bright red.

“H-Hey! I’m great at everything, remember!?” Smolder barked, looking to Ocellus, who was quietly chortling before silencing her almost shrill laughter. Smoke started to fume from Smolder’s nostrils, when Ocellus pecked her on the cheek and giggled.

“There’s no shame in being a great dancer, Smolder.” The conversation changed subjects and continued up until six o’clock, where the after party started. That’s when the school, along with the group of six, went outside, where the after party was held.

“Hey, Celly, could I talk to you real quick?” Smolder looked back to her friends, who were smiling back at her. “Alone?” She asked, as Ocellus obliged, an expression of concern on her face. She led her to a small hill, a glistening view of he sunset residing in front of it.

“Is everything alright, Smolder?” Ocellus’ eyes glittered as she looked up at her, making her heart melt.

“You always have a way of making me nervous,” she chuckled, pulling the jewelry box out of her jacket-pocket. “Um... Ocellus, this is kinda hard for me to say, considering I’m me.”

“W-What are you trying to say?” Ocellus stumbled, eyeing the jewelry box as she spoke. Smolder shushed Ocellus with a claw before continuing.

“What I’m trying to say is, I know you’ve been acting a little clingy lately, but that’s what I love about you.”

Smolder opened the box as Ocellus put her hooves to her mouth in surprise. In the box was a silver promise ring with a pink gemstone inside, matching the roses on Ocellus’ gown.

Ocellus’ eyes widened as tears welled up in her eyes. “Uh... ‘Celly?” Before she could get the chance to say another word, Ocellus tackled her in a hug, and smooching her on the cheek.

“Of course!” Ocellus squealed, kissing Smolder again. Smolder smiled, sliding the ring onto Ocellus’ horn. “I love it!” She giggled, nestling into Smolder. They looked up, staring at the beautiful sunset before them, cuddling until they heard their names being called. They looked down to see their friends walking up to them.

“Yona confused. Why Smolder and Ocellus sitting on this hill?” Gallus snickered before pointing at the promise ring on Ocellus’ horn.

“That’s why.” Gallus chuckled, nudging Smolder with an elbow. “Smolder, you rascal.” Smolder smiled back as Ocellus stood up, straightening her dress.

“Smolder, I didn’t know you were gonna propose!” Silverstream shouted, head in claws.
“You two are soooo cute!” She added.

Smolder stood up and brushed dust off her suit, and eying Ocellus. “Yeah, well, it doesn’t mean we’re married or anything.” Smolder said playfully, winking at her partner. Ocellus giggled a bit before linking arms with Smolder. They smiled at each other, following their friends to the party.

Later that evening, when the couple arrived at the dorm, Smolder nudged the door open with Ocellus in her arms, bridal style. “Y’know, you didn’t have to carry me like that,” Ocellus chuckled. “I’m kinda heavy.” She said after Smolder carried her to her bed. Laying on it, Ocellus watched Smolder spread across her own bed, yawning as she did so.

“You have no idea.” Smolder yawned, smoke pluming from her nostrils. Ocellus made her way to Smolder’s bed, kissing her on the forehead before saying,

“Thank you, Smolder.” as she spread across the bed herself, cuddling Smolder in the process. “Happy Hearts and Hooves day.” She continued, before falling asleep on top of her.