A distant, familiar voice shouted:

"Derpy! ... Derpy!"

Cloudfire opened his eyes. He'd fallen asleep... on a hard floor. He stretched his neck and shoulders, his back stiff. He knew where he was.

"Derpy!" The voice said again, much closer and a bit louder. It was Derpy's mom. "If you want to get that shopping done today before you have to watch Dinky, you'd best get up now..."

Derpy stirred, groaning:

"Wha...? She said.

Mom opened her door and came in.

"Come on Derpy- OH!" She noticed Cloudfire.

"Hi, Mrs. Hooves..." He said, getting up. "I'll get her out of bed, don't worry..."

"Oh, Cloudfire. Call me Mom," Mrs. Hooves replied.

The pony smiled and turned towards Derpy.

"Come on, you," he said, gently poking her with his hoof. "Time to get up!

"I dun wanna," replied the grey Pegasus. "... Cloudfire?" Derpy opened her eyes and turned to face her Special Somepony. "What're you doing here?" She giggled. "Your mane looks all squashed and silly!"

"Do you remember anything about last night?" He asked, running his hooves through his mane to unflatten it.

"Some..." replied the grey Pegasus, thinking. "I remember... we kissed!"

"Did you now?" Said Derpy's Mom, chuckling. "If that's all that happened, Cloudfire, you're a real Gentlepony!"

"I assure you, Mrs. Hooves- err, Mom that's all that happened," Cloudfire said with a sincere smile, getting up. "I can also assure you that the floor is not the most comfortable place to sleep, but I'd do it again if Derpy wanted company!"

All three ponies laughed.

"Come on, Derpy," said Cloudfire. "Let's get breakfest."

"I want muffins!" Replied the grey Pegasus, giggling.

"I think that can be arrainged..." he replied, looking over at Mrs. Hooves. "If not here, Mom, then perhaps we'll eat out? I'll happily make breakfest or take her out..."

"Oh, we've got plenty for both of you!" Replied the older Pegasus. "I'll have it whipped up in no time!"

"Wow," said Cloudfire, as Derpy's mom exited. "She cooks breakfest for you? That's fantastic!"

Derpy just smiled and got up.

After a quiet breakfest Cloudfire left, taking one of Mom's scrumptious muffins with them. Though it was their day off from the Litter Service, both had things to do and would meet up later on.

A few of Derpy's neighbors noticed Cloudfire leaving her house... so early in the morning... and smiled at each other in a way that gave the ivory Earth Pony the creeps. He'd just have to shake the feeling of being judged for nothing and go pay his bills like a good citizen.

Normally Derpy would be watering her Mom's flowers after breakfest... but when she noticed they'd been watered by nature the pervious night, Derpy left the house with a spring in her step. She had shopping to do.

She was halfway there when she a familiar voice bellow from the heavens:

"Hey there Derpy! You're in a good mood today."

It was Rainbow Dash, gliding down from the skies to say hello.

"Hi Rainbow Dash!" Said Derpy. "Good to see you! Is it your day off, too?"

"Oh, yeah," repied Rainbow, stretching. "I set up a mondo storm last night. Got it done faster than expected... still... Think I'm gunna spend the day relaxing!"

Rainbow smiled at Derpy while she leveled herself in the air... it was then that she noticed something had changed in the wall-eyed Pegasus. Something she couldn't put her hood on...

"Something's different..." said RD, flying around Derpy in slow circles. "Did you get a manecut or something?"

"Nope!" Replied the gray Pegasus.

"Perhaps... naw, you're not wearing new jewelry. Just that bow and locket Rarity gave, err, uh sold Cloudfire... Hey! How are things with that Cloudfire pony?"

"Really good!"

"You look really happy this morning... say, don't tell me..." the cyan Pegasus laughed, wiping away a tear. "You finally slept together last night, did you?"

Rainbow made a crude motion with her hooves, putting one straight hoof through a hole made by the crook of her other arm. Derpy did not see this, and simply answered:

"Yep!"

"Gah, I was only joking!" The rainbow maned Pegasus rolled through the air, plugging her ears with her hooves and laughing uncomfortably.

Derpy just smiled, completely misunderstanding Rainbow Dash.

"We kissed and he slept on my floor. He woke me up with his mane all pressed to the side! It was so cute!"

"Oh..." The imagry of grinding pony bodies faded from Rainbow's mind. "You know, Derpy, that does sound kinda cute... It's sounding like he really is a Special Somepony to you.."

"Yeah! I wanna be with him forever!"

Rainbow chuckled uncomfortably:

"About that... Now that I know you're really gunna be together..." Rainbow sighed. "I wanna get something off my chest: I didn't think it was gunna last."

"Why?"

"'cause... I just didn't get why you two would be into each other." Rainbow stopped flying, landing infront of the Pegasus. "I'm sorry, Derpy..."

Derpy snuzzled her.

"It's okay!" She said.

"Yeah, well, there's more... I feel kinda bad the first time I met him... AJ and everypony never let me hear the end of it."

"Why?"

"Well, you guys were trying to get some peace and there I was... kinda, barging in the middle of it."

Rainbow Dash looked at Derpy and proceeded to explain as she listened silently:

"Apple Jack lectured me for a good twenty minutes on the way to the Library about being 'ungraceful'." Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Then Twilight got an earful and told me it was 'bad form'. As if I didn't feel bad enough, Mrs. Cake told me she was disappointed in me the next day and Pinkie added with one of her crazy stone-faced faces 'not respecting other ponies feelings is one of the quickest ways to lose a friend FOREVER.' Mrs. Cake TOTALLY agreed. Even Rarity spoke to me about my... bleh, 'faux pas'. Anywho, Derps, now that I know it's going to last... I feel kinda bad about all this."

"It's okee," replied the gray Pegasus.

"You really are a cool Pegasus pony." Rainbow said, taking flight again. "Can I make it up to you in some way... show you guys something awesome and that I'm not just some busy body pony?"

"I dunno. I know you just wanted to meet him, Rainbow Dash. I still think you're cool!" Derpy started trotting off. "No worries!"

Rainbow Dash shouted:

"Wait! He likes flying, doesn't he?"

Derpy stopped and turned around.

"Yeah!"

Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes and said:

"I have an idea, then. I have an idea..."

"Tell me!" Replied the wall-eyed Pegasus.

"Not yet, Derpy... I have to clear it with a couple other ponies first. It'll be a surprise."

"That'd be really nice. I'm gunna go shopping now! Have a nice day, Rainbow Dash!"

"Oh, you too." Rainbow started in the direction of her cloud. "I'll let you know soon."

Derpy continued on her merry way to the stores around the corner, briefly wondering what Dash had in mind... putting it out of her head once she got there.

Derpy went about her daily business, as always not bothering anypony.

Everypony in town noticed the additional bounce in her step and whispered amongst themselves what may have caused it. News travels fast in Ponyville... some ponies had seen Cloudfire go into Derpy's home the previous night and leave that morning. Others whispered things that were never done or said... that they'd seen things. Looks, gropes, and kisses that had never happened. This was gossip that Derpy was blissfully unaware of, as she hummed to herself and shopped for her family and meal that night.

She picked up spaghetti and a certain sauce that Cloudfire loved. Mom had noticed that Cloudfire's likes were being considered when Derpy was out shopping, simply chuckling and thinking "ah, young love." Spaghetti, Greek Olives, romaine lettuce, chocolate ice cream, and Kiwi - all the things that Cloudfire loved... though they didn't taste the best together (Derpy had once made him a salad)... he knew it was the thought that counts.

Derpy then went home and proceeded to watch Dinky for a few hours. Both had PB&J sandwiches for lunch, the one thing Derpy could make without causing a total disaster. How she made 6-foot flames boiling oatmeal one time baffled both her entire family and Cloudfire.

Hours later it was early dusk and the stars just starting to peek through the deep purple skies. Dinky and Derpy were playing outside on the lawn when Uncle Cloudfire came trotting over the hill in the direction of Derpy's. Dinky saw him first, first waving and laughing happily, overjoyed to see her favorite Uncle coming. Since he'd been to Sugarcube corner before coming, on his saddlebag he had attached a red balloon for Dinky and had a few Daisies for Derpy hidden deep inside.

He hugged them both when he approached and went inside , the Daisies still hidden in his bag. Dinky joyously bounced inside beside Derpy with her new balloon.

Dinner was already being made by Mom. It smelled delicious to Cloudfire as he passed, catching a wiff of some of his favourite ingredients.

"Hi Cloudfire," said Mom, who was deeply engrossed in her cooking as they passed.

"Evening," said dad, who was in the corner with a newspaper in hoof.

After saying hello and sending Dinky to the living room, the two Special Someponies trotted up to Derpy's room.

Derpy immediately sat on the floor as Cloudfire stood in front of her and carefully opened his bag.

"Well," he said, sticking a hoof in his bag. "I know last night was pretty new to you, so I figured I'd surprise you with..."

He was too slow. Derpy giggled, taking two steps forward and giving him a kiss right on the lips. Both blushed, Cloudfire taken aback by Derpy's sudden forwardness.

"Well, looks like you don't need anything to help sort you out or cheer you up!" He pulled out the flowers all the same. "I got you these... I know you like yellow."

"My favorites!" She said, taking them and setting them up in a cup on her shelf. "Thank you!"

She turned back and gave him yet another, affectionate kiss on the lips.

"Thank YOU." He replied, again blushing. "You're a lot braver in just one night than when I first met you, Derpy."

She turned red, not knowing what to say.

He got close to her, kissing and nuzzling her:

I think that's wonderful."

After dinner and a quick stroll, Cloudfire had to leave. He'd been asked to help his Landlord put together a very large bookcase in his apartment above as a favor... and way of knocking a few bits off his rent. Derpy understood, though she was a bit sad he had to go so soon.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Derpy." Said Cloudfire, hugging her. "After work... we can get together and do something special. Maybe a movie?"

"I'd like that."

"I'd like it, too."

"Take care, Cloudfire..." The wall said, quietly.

"Yeah... you, too. I really like you, Derpy."

"I like you too!"

Derpy giggled, innocently as Cloudfire turned tail. He looked back and smiled, trotting off to his home. He wanted to say three words before he left so badly he could taste them, but he didn't know if Derpy was ready for them yet. His feelings were definitely evolving, and he'd have to tell her soon.

What he saw as he left made him glad he hadn't said those words for the first time yet... he passed the house across the street where a young mare around Derpy's age sat on its porch in a rocking chair... she gave him that same sly, creepy smile her neighbours were giving each other the morning before as he passed.

He looked the other way and shook his head.