Drake spread his wings and flew up to the bridge to better behold his soon to be bride, when he got to the top he himself flushed with blush when he laid eyes on her, but soon regained his composure

“Ah, such beauty; like a delicate flower growing from a crack in concrete.” Drake said has he gently brushed Fluttershy’s hair with his hoof causing her to flush with blush. " In other words, you look splendid my dear." Drake informed Fluttershy.

She blushed and managed to sputter, "T-thanks. "

Rarity and Derpy stood at the sidelines almost out of earshot, but heard the poetic words spewing from their master’s mouth causing Rarity to swoon a bit, but knew it was meant for Fluttershy.

“How’d you get so well with words?” Fluttershy managed to ask still blushing furiously almost as red as a tomato or an apple.

“My dear Fluttershy, it is just who I am. I have a certain way with words.” Drake said as he took Fluttershy’s hoof and guided her to the willow tree at which he waited for her and guided her to sit with him as the gentle breeze swept over them causing the foliage to dance.

Meanwhile at the castle the royals, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rainbow Dash finished their breakfast and was preparing to make the announcement that all citizens of Equestria should stay indoors at night and hang cloves of garlic on their doors, window seals, and their necks until a creaking door started them and Luna readied her horn to attack only to see Spike in the doorway claws raised in surrender.

“SPIKE?!? What in Equestria were you thinking?” Twilight snapped at her dragon companion in a stern, but worried tone. “Luna could have blasted you to the moon.”

Spike still with a bit of sleep in his eyes just rubbed his eyes as he responded. “Sorry guys, I just woke up, Rarity asked me to bake my special cookies and I guess I fell asleep making them. I’m sorry I scared you guys.” Spike said as Luna dispelled her aura.

“Just be more careful, Spike.” Luna told Spike with a hoof on his shoulder. “We are on high alert as I’m sure you’re aware, but what you don’t know is that I had to imprison my sister in a bubble, she had been turned and if left uncontained could have brought the one Discordula seeks to make his bride.

“Oh, I’m sorry you had to do that Luna, I hope we can find a way to help her.” Spike said unsure on how to proceed. “Is there anything I can do to help?” He asked with eagerness, but fear could be detected in his voice.

Princess Luna thought about this inquiry from Spike and thought to herself until she finally spoke. “We could use you on night patrol, so you should get you rest. We’ll be in teams of two, but I’ll probably be on my own. If you would, would you please patrol with Applejack tonight, Spike?” Princess Luna asked to which Spike agreed, but unnoticed by anypony else Applejack was blushing with the thought of being alone with Spike.

Meanwhile underneath the willow by the bridge Drake and Fluttershy sat enjoying each other’s company, Drake had packed a picnic lunch for them to enjoy when they got hungry; the contents of the woven wicker basket consisted of red wine, artisan cheeses, crackers, and sandwiches, there were two plates, two forks, two wine glasses, and two knives for utilization. Drake using his wings pulled out the red wine.

“This is my favorite wine, it goes heavenly with cheese and crackers; each of their unique tastes complementing each other as if they were dancing on your taste buds.” Drake said as he poured the wine gingerly into the two wine glasses and held one out offering it to Fluttershy.

Fluttershy cautiously took the wine glass in her wing, she’d never tried wine before because she was too afraid, she brought the wine glass to her lips and took a sip; she winced a bit at the sudden bitter taste, but Drake told her to swish it in her mouth a bit; taking Drake’s advice and trusting him fully did as he instructed to find the taste got better, she swallowed the sip and turned her attention to Drake.

“It’s pretty good, though a bit bitter, but I think I can get used to it.” Fluttershy said with a sheepish smile.

“I’m glad you like it, a beautiful mare such as yourself should be able to enjoy the best of life and what it has to offer. Wouldn’t you agree?” Drake said as he stroked Fluttershy’s cheek causing her to blush.

“Y-yes.” Fluttershy responded as Drake turned his attention to the basket and brought out a knife and some cheese with crackers.

“I have many favorite cheeses, so it’s hard to pick just one, but I’d like you to try this one first; it’s Gouda.” Drake said as he cut two pieces of cheese off and placed one on a cracker offering them both to Fluttershy.

Fluttershy picked up the piece of cheese first and took a bite, she winced a bit, but a smile soon spread across her face as she ate the rest of the single piece of cheese and started to eat the one with the cracker underneath it.

After she had finished she turned to Drake and spoke. “They were really good, both by itself and with the cracker; the taste kinda reminds me of coby-jack, but not as potent and the cracker completed it so well.

There Drake and Fluttershy sat enjoying each other’s company and enjoying their picnic when Fluttershy noticed that the day was becoming dusk as the sky was painted with the colors of red, orange, purple, and yellow.

“Oh, I really must be going, it’s getting late and i really don’t want to be out late, but I did enjoy my time with you.” Fluttershy said as she got up from off the ground and going back to the bridge.

“I understand, I shall await to see you again, but parting is such sweet sorrow.” Drake said as he grabbed Fluttershy’s hoof and planted a kiss upon it causing her to blush.

Drake turned and walked away into the dusk as Fluttershy reunited with her friends on the bridge as they started for the castle.

At the castle Applejack and Spike stood In front of the door that housed Celestia, being there alone with Spike made Applejack blush, as her heart beat like a war drum; she’d harbored feelings for the dragon, but wasn’t sure if he’d return the feelings; he’s always pined for Rarity, he’d even asked her to dance with him at the event last night and was devastated when she had to go into the garden unexpected.

“Ah sure hope we’ll be able to reverse what that monster did to Princess Celestia.” Applejack said trying to strike up a conversation.

“Yeah same here, without her, the other princesss will have a lot on their plates; also it’ll really devastate Twilight if we can’t; and I can’t bare to see Twilight sad.’ Spike said with concern for his friend.

Applejack and Spike stood by the door watching for any threats. All the while, Applejack’s heart was still beating like a war drum trying to work up the courage to tell Spike how she felt until Spike broke the silence.

“Applejack?” The young dragon started to talk, sadness and self-doubt in his voice. “What’s wrong with me? Am I unlovable?”

“Why would ya think that sugar cube?” Applejack asked in shocked knowing this wasn’t like Spike.

“It’s just I’m thinking on giving up hope that Rarity will ever see me as more than just a friend, I know she loves me, but in a platonic way.” Spike said in a calm, but sad manner.

Applejack looked at Spike with heartfelt eyes because she knows how he feels, she puts a hoof on his shoulder and starts to speak. “Ah know how ya feel Spike, I also harbor feelings for someone, but I know the right one is out there for you.” She said offering reassurance.

“I wish she’d just show up already.” Spike said with frustration, while also getting a bit sad.

“She already has, and ya find her if ya looked. She might not be fancy like Rarity, but she has a good heart. Ya just need to look at your different options. Cause believe me Spike when Ah say that she literally is right under your nose.” Applejack said hoping her clues might sink in.

Spike just stood there in silence until he broke it saying “Really? Well, I hope to find her really soon. She sounds nice who ever she is. AJ, you’re right. I just need to look at my options.” He the turned to Applejack, picked her up, hugged her, and spun around. “Thanks so much! You’re a real pal AJ! Thanks for being such a terrific friend!”

AJ was stunned to see Spike reaction, and was really disappointed that her clues didn’t sink in. “Ya welcome Spike.” She said out loud. Then muttered to herself ”Yeah, a real pal” The realization that Spike would never see her as anything more than a friend began to sink into her.

In the mean while, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Derpy were sneaking in.

Rarity, Derpy, and Fluttershy managed to sneak back into Fluttershy’s room and shut the door. Rarity and Derpy took off their cloaks and hung them on the rack as Fluttershy came in acting like a giddy school girl who was just asked to the prom her thoughts filled with Drake and how he makes her feel. She felt so good. And was mentally so confidant, she was already making plans in her head when she was going to see Drake again.

Author's Note

Thanks so much to https://www.fimfiction.net/user/300866/Applefai for helping me write this chapter. I have been really busy, and it was a relief to get some help. He wrote this whole chapter, I only made a couple of changes. go follow him if you don't already.