"We're almost there, I promise."

Your coltfriend called over his shoulder, glancing back at you. His pace slows down to come shoulder to shoulder with you, walking by your side like a personal guard. A smile is met by his own consoling grin, yours a gentle face thanking him for slowing down. Even though he was a unicorn, your coltfriend possessed the strength of an earth stallion. Some thought it to be intimidating; sometimes he doesn't even know his own strength.

But not with you.

With you, it's always controlled. He never goes too far, walking you home, or even when he gives you the biggest of hugs. It was always in his embrace you felt secure. The fact that Shining chooses to be so gentle, when his strength could crush you at any moment, was heartwarming and sometimes exhilarating. It was not unlike the way a hen protects her eggs; placing itself in just the right position to keep her young warm, and never once cracking a shell. Having such a strong suit of armor made you feel sheltered at all times, like nothing could split you apart.

Shining was rushing you a bit at the moment, but he was excited. Whatever he's trying to show you obviously means a lot to him. But climbing so many slopes in one evening was taking it's toll, especially right after eating.

The two of you had chosen to go out for dinner this evening. Nothing super fancy or expensive, it was just a simple meal at a diner. It was clear that you didn't need fancy cuisine or formal dressing to have a good time. Although, Shining did look oh-so handsome in his tuxedo.

Both of you ordered veggie burgers and hay fries, eating together and laughing at stories. The best part was when you shared a vanilla milkshake. It was so cute the way he blushed like mad as you both held hooves across the table, drawing so many stares with two straws in one tall glass of the sweetest drink you've ever had.

Some of the onlookers "d'awww"ed in your direction, while some scowled. But neither of you cared. They could scowl at you as long as they like. Not only because very few were brave enough to challenge the captain of the royal guard, but you liked Shining, and just because you were both stallions didn't mean what you shared was any different from a normal relationship.

But it was more than a normal relationship to you. The two of you had grown so close. These outings became a common thing. You weren't afraid to hold hooves in public. It was almost as if nothing could stand in your way. He was your Shining Armor, and you; his loyal knight.

The proof of that shone through as you left the soreness in your ankles behind and trudged alongside your handsome stallion.

"Trust me, you're gonna love it," he rambled on, picking up his pace again. This time you put in as much energy as you could, keeping up. "C'mon, we're almost there! I'll race ya!"

His legs picked up, head bobbing slightly as Shining began a gallop up the hill. You had just enough in you to give a last sprint. You were right on his tail, his laugh the crispest thing you could hear, even over the dry leaves crunching under your hooves.

Of course he reached the spot first, but that wasn't what occupied your mind.

Upon reaching the peak of the hill, the view was astonishing. Celestia's sun dips into the horizon, casting a dim glow over the two of you. The number of trees in your path had diminished to a lone oak atop the hill, right off to the side. It had begun to change color, a fresh-squeezed orange with all of its leaves still intact. A layer of grass covering every speck of dirt was fresh and clean of any other foliage, softly swaying in the autumn wind as if you were underwater. Downtown Ponyville could be seen and it was obvious by the distance that you'd traveled quite a ways away. Further in the distance was the mountain range curling about the horizon, the alabaster spires of the princess's castle right where they've always been. The steep slope in front of you made it obvious why you'd gone around, but now, you're glad you did. The stroll through made for a wonderful build-up just to see what Shining wanted to show you. You're panting still from the run and you can't feel your legs very well, but that doesn't matter. Your legs control themselves, stepping to the edge of the hill to really get the best view.

"Ya like it?" your coltfriend asks, sidling up to you. His coat tickles as it brushes yours, his voice flows through you low and warm, like a nutty maple syrup. Your mane whips to the side in the wind, a white snout parting through it as Shining nuzzles your head.

"It's amazing..." you babble out, gawking at the beautiful hues of color displayed before you. "It's just-" you turn to him, catching him staring at you. He blushes a bit, his snowy coat making the scarlet flare obvious as he looks downward and away. A warm smile covers your face as you lean into him, comforting his nervous tension as you look into the distance. "It's breathtaking.... Just like the stallion who brought me here."

Shining chuckles nervously, taking a moment to nuzzle you back. "But it's not the best part..." he said. Taking a few steps back, he sits down on his rump, lowering himself to the ground as he lays on his belly. With a swish of his azure tail, Shining rolls over like a dog onto his back, wiggling into a comfortable position before looking to you, his head upside-down. A pat on the spot next to him silently invites you to join him.

Your legs practically collapse as you roll just as he did, perhaps crashing into him in the process but his strong hooves caught you as you both giggled. Soft lips are pursed as you blow a stray bang out of his face, looking to him in those indescribable eyes. His hoof comes down softly to arrange your hair back to its normal style.

It always felt so good when he played with your hair.

When you were both done looking each other up and down, Shining points his gaze upward, flicking his snout, telling you to look with him.

If you thought the view of the horizon was awe inspiring, this just put it to shame.

Directly above you was a clear view of the twilit sky. As the golden glow of the day faded to the dark purple of the night, the sky was littered with stars of all sizes. Not a cloud in the sky, nor any light pollution like in Manehattan. It was a magnificent view that left your lips parted in wonder. You blink a few times and look into the endless dome of the sky, a warmth making itself present on your side.

Finding it difficult to pull your gaze away, you look to your side to see the lovable dork that was your coltfriend breathing softly. Your view from below his chin made him look like a soldier from heaven; the sun was blocked by his head, streaks of light outlining his equine face like a halo, some rays trying to reach you but you were sheltered in the umbra of your companion. The edges of his head were glowing in the light, all of him looking radiant.

“I always did like coming up here…” Shining starts, never turning his eyes from the stars. He knew you were listening. “It always looked so cool seeing the stars late at night. Different constellations telling different stories.” His fore-hoof rises from the ground and reaches up to the stars, sweeping the sky like a paintbrush drawing in the patterns. “I love coming up here on my free time, just to see the beauty of the night.” A silence lingers in the air and you want to say something, but you’re afraid of ruining the moment.

But then his head turns to you, those eyes shimmering in the weak light. “And I’m so happy I get to share it with you now.”

Almost like a newborn instinct, you lift your body to reach his lips, a gentle kiss that speaks more than enough for you. Your legs still ache, but that doesn't matter. You can’t feel anything but bliss as his eyes shift closed and his foreleg slips around your body.

You pull away from the kiss with a dopey smile, your legs giving out so you collapse on him, half of your body on his warm chest. His coat is soft to lay on and his hoof tightens around you, the muscle in him keeping you close. Your head fits perfectly in the crook of his neck as you adjust yourself so you’re looking into the sky again. Words aren't needed; it’s clear how you both feel in the way his heartbeat slows to sync with yours.

Shining spits out some of your mane with a chuckle as you snuggle into his frame, both of you getting comfortable on the grass in the rising moonlight. You laugh along with him as his muzzle digs back into your hair, nuzzling you affectionately. Feeling his body-warmth countering the Autumn cold is a blessing from your guardian angel, a playful little squeeze of his leg presses you closer into the mingling heat.

The night is spent atop him, Shining pointing out constellations in the sky to you. It eventually gets dark and the view becomes so much more beautiful now that the sun’s light doesn't obscure some of the stars. You both stay close together, the night wind picking up. It’s a useless attempt though; no cold could ever pierce your skin so long as your prince was there to keep you warm.

You can’t remember much after the talking subsided. Both of you had just opted to lay together in peace and enjoy what Shining’s secret outlook had to offer. It wasn't long that you fell asleep in his hooves, not a worry on your mind. As you knew: with your Shining Armor, you’ll always be protected.