Toxic couldn't help but smile. He had to admit, Sky Duster was quite a sight. A few close shaves with the wolves had given her a few light scratches on her neck, but otherwise she was no worse for wear. Part of her bangs hung lopsided on her face, and her eyes remained bright with an inner fire.
She's beautiful, even after having taken on a pack of timberwolves.

They made it to the shack without any other incidents, Sky even managing to levitate the forgotten bowl to their location.
A small area had been cleared out earlier, the junk and decayed wood shoved to a corner. The falling-down roof had been haphazardly patched, and served to block all the rain, but only for a few feet in either direction. However, it was enough. A simple pile of branches served as their bedding. Simple, but effective.

“H-old on S-ky.”
Toxic limped back out into the open, casting a brief spell to collect the water-
and promptly began to splash himself with it.
Sky couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at him, mostly out of curiosity and disbelief.
“Umm. Toxic? What are you doing?”
It was the stallion's turn to shrug as he continued to splash the spell-collected water over his fur.

“T-his is t-he clo-sest I'll g-et to a sh-ower. S-o why n-ot?”
Sky Duster's returning look said it all- ' Fair enough. She dashed outside as well, and despite being rather cold, it did feel good to get some of the dirt and grime out of her mane.

The drying spell didn't work as well as she'd hoped, because both she and Toxic were still a bit damp after settling down on the springy branches. Both of their magic reserves had been low to begin with, and the warming spell had exhausted what little remained.
Unfortunately for Sky Duster, as soon as she settled down on the 'bed,' her memories flared up. Without imminent death serving as a distraction, Sky's mind was painfully reminded of the past with each passing flash of lightning and roar of thunder.

“We-ll. Tha-t was f-un. Gla-d we at-e something ea-lier. It l-ooks nast-y out th-ere.”
Sky detected a slight shift in Toxic's tone towards the end, most likely because the stallin had noticed that she was trying to sink into the floor.

“S-ky?”
Her head jerked at the sound of Toxic's voice, and she looked over to him.
– -
Toxic was struck by how dull Sky's eyes were. Moments before, her gaze had been bright and full of energy. Now, it was all hidden behind....pain?

“Remember when I mentioned that I'd need some help?”
Toxic simply nodded, honestly not sure what she wanted him to do.

Sky gritted her teeth, the barrage of foul memories almost more distressing than physical pain.
Now the hard part.
“I just..I need to know someone is there.”
Her stubbornness finally gave, the need for comfort outweighing her independent nature. She leaned over, resting her head on Toxic's shoulder.

Please understand Toxic...
The fact he scooted a bit closer and nodded brought tears to her eyes. He had no idea....
It's about time I told him something...
A minute or so passed, the only sound was the pitter-patter of rain accompanying the rolling thunder. An occasional lightning strike lit up the scene.

“Can I tell you something Toxic?”

A silly question, Sky admitted, but it was his choice to listen or not.
As expected, the dark blue stallion nodded, his eyes seeming to glow slightly in the lightning-lit surroundings.
“Thunderstorms. I use to like them. You....I..” Her words caught in her throat. Why was she telling him this?

Such a question answered itself as she felt Toxic shift to try and meet her gaze, no doubt checking to see if she was alright.

Toxic has trusted me this far, it's about time I do the same. Maybe...is he still is afraid of what I'll think after seeing that forest incident? I would be...He has a right to know something about me.
Especially if I want a chance at this to mean something more...
“Is there anything you are scared of?”

She felt the stallion nod slowly.
“Did...you ever have to face it?”

There was a pause, and to her surprise Sky felt Toxic scoot ever so slightly towards her.
“S-ort of. I h-ope I nev-er hav-e to face t-his fe-ar.”

Sky could respect that. Some fears weren't meant to be faced multiple times.
“Toxic, the reason I hate these thunderstorms, is because they remind me of when my fear came true.”
She sighed, shaking her head slowly. Sky had waited too long to share this with someone.

“When I mentioned that my brother....had died, I wasn't lying. But that day, I lost much more than my brother. At least I know he is in a better place....”
- -

Toxic Shield had a very strange feeling enter his heart. He didn't know what Sky would say next, but something caused the fur to prickle on the back of his neck. Losing more than someone....he could relate to....
--- --- –

“They changed. I didn't see it at first, but after a while, how could I just ignore it? My father was the first one I noticed. Mother...she tried. Oh to her credit she tried, but eventually she too couldn't handle it.”

The makeshift roof must have sprung a leak, because moisture slid down Sky's face.
“I lost my parents, or at least the ones I grew up with. They couldn't deal with my brother passing so suddenly. First it was just a few missed events, an awards ceremony there, or a first day of school, but eventually.....”

Now she knew it was tears on her face. Hot and burning, the moisture rammed home how painful these memories were.
“Being scared...that word can't even touch on how I felt that night.”

Her sides shook, despite the mare's best attempts to reign in her emotions. Fat chance of that. A few sobs escaped her frame, the torment she had tried to hide for so long seeking a release.

Toxic did the only action he could think of. Careful with lifting his sprained hoof, he shifted slightly, putting a forelimb over Sky's back, so her head rested more against his chest and under his head.
He didn't know what was tormenting Sky, but Toxic wanted nothing more than to see her smile again.

The feeling of the stallion's forelimb over her back only increased the flow of tears. These though, were of relief. How long had she wanted to feel safe, even in this infinitesimal amount?

“It was a simple thing, a play I was participating in during the summer. I had put a lot of work into my role...one of the main parts as a matter of fact. I even expected a stallion to show up....he said he would, a third date, as it were....”

Sky's hooves sought something to hold on to- which happened to be one of Toxic's. If the stallion was surprised or uncomfortable, he didn't show it at all.

“I thought maybe I hadn't recognized them in the crowd. Maybe they were late, and didn't get to the seats reserved for them.”
– – –

The mare looked up at him, and Toxic's heart ached at the sight of her tearful gaze, her features drawn back in a despairing expression. The look of despair on Sky Duster's features shook the stallion to the core.

“I stood outside that theater for an hour, in the pouring rain. Everyone else got their congratulations, meeting up with their families....

I just waited. I waited for something which never came. I...had nobody. They forgot. ”

Toxic couldn't stand it anymore. The conversation with Luna and Celestia flashed through his mind, and he wrapped his hooves around Sky's neck, his own tears staining his face.

Oh Sky Duster...I had no idea you bore the same pain as I did....as I still do....
A warmth blossomed in the stallion's heart as things began to fit into place. She didn't have to feel like that, not now...
Or, should things play out, ever again.

“I'm r-right here S-ky.... I'm n-ot goi-ing anyw-here.” Toxic's words were soft, but infused with a strength that surprised even himself.
The beautiful unicorn mare responded by nuzzling his chest, something that would have made Toxic blush furiously, had Sky's hooves not been shaking with emotion.

“How does it happen Toxic? How can my family just change like that? I even cast a changeling detection spell a few times, just to be sure. They...just don't care.”
Toxic instantly shook his head, taking a deep breath and trying to contain his own turbulent emotions on the matter.

“T-hey care. I d-on't know abo-out your par-ents...b-ut they j-ust don't kno-w how to hand-le things. W-hen ba-d things ha-ppen, ponies c-change.”
She then looked up at him, a curiosity in her eyes bordering on indignation.
“How can you know?”

Toxic's features would have hardened into a scowl, but instead his throat constricted, the compassion of the princess's coming to mind.

“Th-e family I gre-w up with....is d-ead.” Toxic's jaw was clenched, and tears ran down his cheeks. However true it was, it still hurt.

“Th-ey still l-ive, and I l-ove them, but.....t-hey are n-ot the ponies I kn-ew for ove-r half m-y life. T-hose ponies are d-ead.”
Luna's face was forever engraved on his mind. The sorrow in her eyes....
“And I w-on't get them b-ack. N-ot until a-fter.....”
He couldn't continue. Toxic's voice cracked, tears streaming down his face.
“A-and the worst p-art is, I d-id'nt kno-w what I had...un-til I l-ost it!”
Toxic felt Sky's arms around him, and he fulled her close, feelings her tears as well on his chest.
“Then you know...the pain.....”
Toxic nodded once in response.
“Can you....I...are your feelings......” Toxic's eyes widened at the sound of Sky's words. He knew what she was asking, and his first answer was a strong no.

And yet....

Sky's own horn ignited with magic, as did Toxic's. The two different-colored magics merged briefly, the pony's eyes flashing once.

She focused on only one thing: the pain she had felt that night. Sky wanted to know, did Toxic truly understand? That was the reason for the emotion spell. It allowed the other caster to experience the other's emotions. It could be used for something as simple to bring friends closer together, or, if used unwisely, could tear lovers apart.

Her vision blurred, a faint mist seeming to obscure her view. The spell hard worked then. The strange fog was the magical medium, from where for a brief time, she could feel Toxic's feelings, and him hers.

She couldn't help but draw a startled breath as a physical pain ignited in her chest. It was just a flash, but it was enough. It was like a canvas, but for one's heart: Toxic's....

The loneliness was enough to cause a physical ache, a dash of red among the mist. Then there was the suffocating blackness of hopelessness. Through it all, a faint spark of yellow hope that everything would be alright in the end.

He understood, in a way Sky would never have guessed.

She closed her eyes, sending her emotional snapshot his way. A sharp intake of breath indicated that the spell had done its job.

--- --- –

Toxic barely managed to swallow the lump of emotion in his throat. Sky's emotions had been much more specific than his own. Most likely due to the family frustration. Hers were of actual neglect, while his were just circumstance. The loneliness stood out though, that all too familiar physical ache...

And then it was gone, their magic sputtering out as nerves and exhaustion took its toll. The two ponies didn't say anything for a time, mulling their own thoughts over in their head.

That loneliness...she felt it too. I know how I feel...but dare I ask how she-

That was when Sky Duster nuzzled his shoulder, causing the spark of affection in his heart to spread to an all-encompassing warmth.

She's the one.

Toxic had to resist for a moment to wrap her up in a hug: he needed to know first...

“Sky...I ne-ed to kn-ow something.”

He took a deep breath, the rain and thunder actually somewhat calming....ish.

“Be-ing th-is close, is...do y-ou want that b-eac-ause of t-he s-torm, or...b-ecau.se........bec-ause you l-like.....”

He couldn't finish the sentence. He had to know. Was this due to her feelings, or was he just a temporary comforting mechanism? The stallion dared not leave his feelings unguarded, not unless they would be returned.
“I ne-ed to kn-ow, so I d-on't ge-t the wron-g Id-ea....p-lease.”

– – -

Did he just ask...how I feel about him?

For a brief moment, Sky forgot the storm. She even forgot they weren't in Equestria. The stallion she had definite feelings for had just asked her if she cared about him...

Oh Toxic. Even after I shared some of my most guarded feelings, you still want to know how I feel about you? Then again...perhaps you truly don't think somepony could ever....

“I...Toxic? Are you asking....how I feel about you, thunderstorms aside?”

Her question was met with him closing his eyes and nodding, apparently unwilling to meet her gaze.

He was scared. The stallion that had sent a timberwolf cowering, was...afraid.
Of her, or rather, her answer. So he really did wonder of her affections?
Sky decided to answer his question in the simplest way she knew how. It was reckless, and a bit daring, but why not?
She leaned up and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek. Nothing fancy, but a very clear show of affection that couldn't be disputed, especially as she gently rested her head on his shoulder. Her own emotions then decided to lodge in her throat.

“Toxic, I care about you, thunderstorms or not. Why do you think I shared those feelings with you? Also, why was I jumping for joy when you asked me on a date?”

His entrancing green eyes then opened, and he looked down at her, clear astonishment on his features.
“Yo-u were t-hat happ-y?”
Sky nodded, now closing her eyes, a bit fearful at the unknown territory she was treading into. Despite it all, she managed a nervous chuckle.
“Yes. Ask Pepper. I recall hopping around the room a few times....you have no idea how happy that made me.”
Toxic was quiet for a moment, but Sky could feel him relaxing slightly.

“E-even afte-r the fo-rest.....I d-on't under-stand...” Even though his tone was soft and gentle, it harbored a fair amount of uncertainty.

Darnit Toxic. Do I have to say it again?
She reached over and prodded his chest with a hoof.
“Remember?”

Even if the stallion's expression showed confusion, Sky could see a glimmer of understanding in his eyes.

“Y-ou're....intere-sted in m-e?” His tone was incredulous, as though Sky had just informed him that she had sprouted wings. The mare couldn't help but roll her eyes with slight amusement, her own nerves and fears vaporizing into nothing.
“I have a feeling I'll be reminding you of that many more times....”
Toxic winced slightly, scuffing the worn floorboards with a hoof.
“S-orry. I j-ust...I nev-er thought an-nypony w-ould find me-” Sky stopped him with a hoof to his nose.
“Toxic.....” Her tone was soft, but carried with it a strength that sent tingles down Toxic's spine.

He looked down slightly, meeting her amethyst gaze. Her eyes shone with an emotion that leaked into his heart, filling up gaps that life had torn from him.

“I care about you Toxic Shield, a lot. I just...” Now it was Sky's turn to have her words caught once again in her throat.

“I don't know if you feel the same. I....” She stopped, surprised at her own insecurities.

The memory flashed through her mind, bringing with it a few burning tears. Rain sliding against her face as she looked up at the stormy sky and cried. Never had she felt so abandoned and alone. The failed dates that followed had driven the painful experience home. Toxic had felt her pain at that event, and now it was her turn to lay her heart at his hooves. He knew the pain she had been through, and feared.

“I care about you....but do you feel the same about me? I....if not...I.....” Words failed her, and the thunder wasn't the only reason her hooves trembled slightly. Was this what it was like when you really cared for someone? You hung on their every word, hoping and praying that their heart was as set for you, as yours was to them? Even though the answer seemed clear, her own doubts suffocated any of her own personal hopes, dark thoughts infiltrating her assurances.

– – –

Very few times in Toxic Shield's life had ever rendered him speechless, yet Sky Duster had managed to do just that.

She cared about him. Him.
The freak....
The oddball.
And now she wanted to know if he felt the same?

Emotions pent up for years finally broke through. Burning through the shield around his heart, they surged to the fore, bringing tears to the stallion's eyes.
Someone cared about him.

Sky must have noticed his silence, because she had looked up at him expectantly. A warmth spread through his entire body, from the tips of his hooves to the top of his horn. The last time he had felt this, it had been uncertain and fleeting.
He didn't even try to hide the tears that ran down his cheeks. He had feared for so long that he wouldn't be able to feel this again....

– – –

Sky could see a change come over Toxic, and it fascinated her to no end. She could almost see walls being broken down in his mind. When his eyes turned to look at her, they shone with tears, thanks....
and love.....

She couldn't help but let out a surprised squeak as he shifted, wrapping a foreleg around her shoulders and pulling her close.

“I care abou-t you Sky....a lot.n-ever thought an a-mazing mare woul-d ever pay me any m-ind...but you proved me w-rong.” His voice had only a slight stutter, and just the sound of his soft tone in her ear had her heart singing with joy.
“You do?"
Toxic's reply was to nuzzle her mane, pulling her a bit closer. “V-ery m-uch”

They lay their, side by side for a time, just reveling in the feeling of being close to one another.

“So....Toxic....are we....erm...you know....”

“A c-couple?”

Sky nodded briefly, prompting Toxic to shift so he could look her in the eye.
“E-ven though it has b-een a lou-sy fi-rst date?”
She couldn't help but laugh, the sound breaking through the thunder and rain.
“First date? Toxic, I think this is counts as a first, second, and maybe third date.” She then smiled.
“And yes. For a first date, it may have been not very smooth...but.....” She nudged his hoof with hers.
“We're still here. Will....you be my coltfriend? Scary griffin territory aside?”
A very goofy (but adorable) grin meandered onto Toxic's face at her question.
“O-only if yo-u'll b-e my m-are-friend.”
A nuzzle was Sky's response, with a very soft “Yes.....
And Toxic? Thank you...”

The stallion's response was to gently caress her head with his, finally resting his cheek against hers. Sky had longed for this feeling for so long: the physical senstation of knowing somepony was there, to comfort and just...be there for her.

She had a feeling that Toxic felt something similar, a soft chuckle breaking from his lips as she gently stroked his cheek with hers, holding his not-sprained hoof.

“And t-thank you too...”

If his simple gestures of affection were any indication, Sky didn't think this relationship would be getting old anytime soon.

After a few moments, Toxic spoke up again.
“Sky?”
“Hmm?”
“So...w-e're a c-ouple...r-right?”
“I..guess so.”
“R-unning fo-r out l-ives, fr-om craz-y griffins.”
“Yea....”
“An-d have n-o id-ea wh-ere we a-re.”
“That about sums it up Toxic....”

He was quiet for a brief moment, and even though Sky couldn't see his face, she had a feeling the stallion had a smug smile on his face.
“B-est fi-rst dates ev-er.”
Sky's laugh once again drowned out the rain and thunder, the joyful sound making the dark forest seem a little bit brighter.

Author's Note

I'm guessing there are two reactions to this chapter:
1. D'AWWWWWW!
2. About frickin time.....

or any combination thereof. Be prepared for fluffyness. You have been warned!
No, no smoochy-woochy-poodie-pie stuff....fear not.
Just adorableness XD
Interesting note- I finished this chapter the night of an awesome lightning storm in our area.....hehe.