Luxxe sighed as she looked at herself in the river. Her amber colored scales had a bright shimmer to them. Almost as if they had just been polished. Her hair was combed flat and had a little more orange tint to it. She had done everything to give herself a confidence boost for tonight. But, she still felt very nervous. She shook her head to clear the doubtful thoughts from her mind. Why did she feel this way? She was a dragon, a dragon for goodness sake. Dragons were the best at everything.
She sighed and asked herself. “So, why do I want to find a cave and hide?”
Her head dipped down a little and she shut her eyes. She heard the sound of flapping wings approaching her. It was followed by a soft thud; a voice called to her. “Luxxe.”
She turned and saw her friend Blaize walking up to her. Her friend smiled at her; causing her to sadly smile back. Blaize asked her. “You okay?”
She looked away and answered. “No.” She sighed and admitted. “I'm nervous.”
That earned her a chuckle from her friend. Blaize asked her. “What are you nervous about?” She walked up and gently nuzzled her before continuing. “If anything that pony who asked you out should be nervous.”
Luxxe sighed and reminded her. “His name is Hitch.” Blaize rolled her eyes as she added. “I'm nervous because he asked me out to the festival tonight.”
Her friend nodded and replied. “Yes, what was it called again.” She scratched her head and asked. “Heart's and Blue's day?”
Luxxe giggled a little and corrected her. “Hearts and Hooves day.” She wondered. “I guess it would be Hearts' and Claws' day for me.”
Her friend commented. “Maybe.” She asked her again. “Why are you nervous?”
She answered. “One, I've never danced with a male before.”
Blaize commented. “To be fair. You're dancing skills aren't that great.” That earned her a deadpanned look from her.
Luxxe added. “Two, I'm three times his size.”
Blaize reminded her. “You're the smallest here.” She got a glare from her that time.
Luxxe continued with a third excuse. “Three, I'm a dragon.”
Blaize finished for her. “And, he's a pony who's been raising a dragon.” She giggled a little as she commented. “Kinda like how our Dragon lord was raised.” She asked her. “If you knew all of this. Why did you bother saying yes to him?”
Luxxe turned away and a blush appeared on her face. A blush that didn't go unnoticed by Blaize. She got closer and teased her. “Aw....the smallest of us has a crush.”
Normally, whenever some creature would tease another about matters of the heart. The one being teased would lash out or at least try to make the other stop. Luxxe sighed again and confirmed it with a nod. Blaize smiled happily at her friend and walked closer to her. She sat down and wrapped a wing around her in support.
Blaize asked her. “What is he to you?”
She answered. “A very handsome and cute stallion.” Her voice had a dreamy tone to it as she continued. “He's really good with Sparky. He's hard working and loyal to his friends and family.” She smiled happily before she frowned and admitted. “And, I'm just some runt.”
Blaize gave her a hard nudge and said. “You're not just some runt, Luxxe.” Her friend looked at her and she continued. “You're one of the kindest dragonesses I know.” She smiled at her and finished. “You don't have to be nervous. Just go to the event and have fun. Besides, I bet Hitch is just as nervous as you.”
Luxxe smiled at her and nodded. After a little while; she stood up and spread her wings. She then crouched and jumped into the sky. With a few powerful flaps; she was airborne and riding the currents of the wind. Once she got her bearings she turned herself in the direction of Maretime bay. She soared through the sky with the wind in her hair. While her heart beat eagerly in her chest.
Maretime Bay's Heart's and Hooves Day Festival was in full swing. Although, the sun had set long ago; the party was now going strong. Stands had been set up all along main street. Gentle music played throughout the ocean side town. Countless couples walked through the streets. Luxxe had stayed off to the side; hidden in the shadows of some buildings. She didn't expect a crowd this size. It wasn't that she didn't like crowds. She was just used to small ones.
She scanned the ponies in the crowd looking for him. She wondered. “Hitch, where are you?” She was a little worried. Maybe she had come to late and he was already done with the festival.
Thankfully, she was wrong, she spotted him walking through the crowd. He was dressed in formal attire and his mane was combed back a little. She was surprised to see his son on his back. Sparky was smiling happily as he rode on his father. His eyes wandered from face to face. His cute smile stretched across his cute face. As he looked around he eventually saw her. The moment he saw her he gently patted his fathers back and pointed at her.
Hitch looked in the direction his son was pointing and saw Luxxe. He smiled happily as he said. “Nice job, Sparky.” He heard his son purr happily before nuzzling him.
He turned towards her and started walking to her. He smiled happily as he exited the crowd and waved at her. She nervously waved back at him as he came to a stop in front of her. He looked up at her and smiled happily; while she looked down and smiled back at him.
He greeted her. “Hey, Luxxe.”
She replied. “Hey, Hitch.” She complimented him. “You look good.”
He smiled sheepishly and replied. “You look good also.”
Luxxe looked at Sparky and spoke to him happily. “And, hello to you too, little hatchling.” She heard the baby giggle at her before she asked. “You couldn't find a sitter?”
Hitch shook his head. “I didn't try to find one to be honest.” He looked back at his son who smiled at him. “I figured Sparky would like to see you again. Last time you saw him; you seemed to really connect with him.”
He had made her blush; thankfully it was hidden in the darkness. It was true; last time they had visited the isle of scaly, she pretty much watched over the little guy. While his father and his friends had a meeting with the dragon lord. To be honest; she wanted to see if Hitch wanted a full time sitter. She wouldn't mind watching the little hatchling.
Hitch smiled up at her and held up his hoof. It was just a formality since he couldn't actually hold her claw in his hoof. Luxxe giggled and gently tapped a single claw to his hoof. He smiled and the three entered the crowd of ponies together. She had to keep an eye on the ground; just to make sure she didn't accidentally step on any pony. But, at the same time she just couldn't take her eyes off Hitch.
The two were having a good time at the festival. Hitch had bought her something delicious called chocolate hearts. He said it was something called strawberries; that had been dipped in melted chocolate and arranged to form a heart. She had never had something so sweet and delicious before. No gem could top that taste. After that he showed her to one of the many game booths that had been set up.
It was a booth that had a game called, Ring Toss. It was a game where couples had to throw two rings over the neck of a bottle. If both rings went over the bottle; the couples would win a prize. Unfortunately, they couldn't get both rings over the bottle. But, it was fun to at least try it. After the games a pony had stopped them and asked if they wanted a picture.
Hitch payed the pony and said pony took three photographs of them. The one they chose to keep; had Luxxe hold Sparky close to her. While Hitch stood beside them with a large smile on his face. Luxxe had lowered her head and nuzzled him lovingly before the photo was taken.
Yes, they were having fun. But, now they were having an awkward moment. The festival was starting to come to an end. But, there was one more event for all of the couples. The Heart's and Hooves Day Dance. The dance was being held in the center of town. Couples danced to the slow tune of gentle music. They were holding each other close as they danced slowly. But, the size difference for both Hitch and Luxxe made it a little difficult to dance.
Luxxe looked down at him. She felt a little bad not being able to dance with him. He felt the same; he really wanted her to experience the full festival. But, he could barley wrap his arms around one of her legs. So how could they possibly dance?
For a moment the two were silent. Until Hitch went ahead and offered her his hoof. She looked at him as he asked. “Would you like to dance, Luxxe?”
She giggled at the though of both of them trying to dance. Maybe, she could stand on her hind legs. While she held him in her front paws. The image in her mind made her giggle a little at the thought. Before she had a chance to reply; Sparky-who had been sitting at one of the nearby tables- suddenly sneezed. A fireball raced towards Hitch faster than he could react. When the fireball hit him; his body was completely engulfed in flames.
Luxxe all but screamed. “Hitch!”
The music came to a sudden stop as countless ponies yelled out in horror. All of them wondered if Sparky had just turned his father into some kind of food. The little drake did change his father. But, it wasn't into a food. The flames grew to a size a little bit bigger than Luxxe. When the flames finally died down she couldn't believe her eyes. Now, standing right in front of her, was a dragon with matching amber colored scales. He had a slightly bulkier body, he looked a little like Tumble, but he had four horns on his head. The moment Hitch opened his eyes. She became completely lost in them. Another blush found it's way onto her face and her heart had started to beat a little faster.
Hitch asked. “What in the?” He looked over his new body and commented. “Huh, it never was this big.”
Luxxe was torn from her stupor and a dumbfounded look came upon her. She asked him. “This happened before?”
He nodded and answered sheepishly. “Yeah.” He chuckled.
It was then the music resumed and the couples started dancing again. Hitch smiled and looked over to his son and winked at him. Sparky giggled happily to himself; while his father offered a claw to the dragoness in front of him.
He asked her again. “Would you like to dance now?” He tried to make his voice sound a little deeper.
She smiled happily and nodded before taking his claw in her own. Both of them carefully made their way out onto the dance floor. Pony couples cleared a space for the two as they walked out. At first the two did what everypony else was doing. They held each others claws and moved in a slow spinning circle. After awhile Luxxe found herself pressing her chest up against his. She rested her head in the crook of his neck; while they slowly moved from side to side. Hitch smiled happily as he closed his eyes and held her close. The music continued to play and the two continued moving to the sound. They were having a really good time.
Sparky grew a little envious and quickly rushed out to the floor. As he ran up to the two; they looked down at him. The little hatchling reached for Luxxe. His tiny claws waved in the air; wanting to be picked up by her. Both of the giggled before Hitch stepped back and allowed his son to dance with her. As she picked the little baby up; she swore he was never going to stop laughing as he did his best to hug her. She gently held him close as she lead them in the slow circle. It felt nice holding the baby close to her. She wondered if this was how her mother felt when she held her.
Some time later the festival ended and the three were walking back to Hitches home. Sparky was currently asleep on Luxxe's back. He purred happily as he snuggled into her warm scales. Oh, how she wished this moment could last a little longer. But, unfortunately not all good things are meant to last forever. As they came to a stop at Hitch's home; he moved to gently pick his son up off her back.
He smiled at her and said. “I had a good time tonight.” He thanked her. “Thanks for being my.”
She didn't give him a chance to finish the sentence. As he was thanking her; she had taken in a breath and exhaled a gentle flame on his face. This was an act called the fire kiss. She smiled lovingly at him; while he was blushing madly. For a moment he had no idea how to respond. It was then his son had another sneeze suddenly erupt from him. Only this time it wasn't one; it was a double sneeze. One of the fireballs had hit the window of his fathers home and had bounced back. His father was once again set ablaze. While the other fireball had struck Luxxe. Thankfully, the fireball that had struck Hitch had turned him back into a pony. He did have to catch his son thought.
He sighed and started to ask. “Luxxe, are you.” He stopped when he saw something unbelievable in front of him.
Luxxe was standing right in front of him. But, the fireball had turned her into a mare. She had a light amber coat, with a orange mane and tail. She was stunned at what had happened to her. Her body felt a little lighter and colder. Hitch was too stunned to say anything. Not only was he still blushing. But, now like she had felt earlier, he could feel his heart beating a little quicker.
She called to him. “Hitch?”
Before she could ask him what had happened. He had walked closer to her and gave her a kiss on her lips. Unlike the fire kiss, this was just a simple display of affection. For a moment she was shocked by the action. Until she felt herself relax and she gently kissed him back. When the two broke the kiss; they couldn't stop staring into the others eyes.
It was then a cold breeze blew across the town; it caused all three of them to shiver. Seeing that she no longer had the ability to fly; he offered. “Would you like to spend the night with me?” He saw her nod and he moved to open the door. Once he unlocked the door to his home; he held it open for her as she walked in. He closed the door behind them.
Luxxe smiled happily as she rested in his loving hold. She had her head resting in the crook of his neck; while his son was snuggled comfortably in between them. He purred happily as he nuzzled himself against her chest. She had never felt this kind of warmth and comfort before. It felt like she was a hatchling again. She felt safe and comfort at the same time. She felt loved.
Before she fell asleep she whispered. “Love you.”
He whispered back. “I love you, too.”
Sparky purred happily as he snuggled himself deeper between them.
Author's Note
Just a short one shot I typed.