MLP: The Heart of the Song (Capper x Oc)

Chapter Seven: Glowing Lanterns

It had been a couple of days since "the rooftop incident," and Capper hadn't been acting like himself since. He was stuttering a lot more than usual and he seemed to be in a state of constant anxiety. Shira had caught him pacing around the house a couple of times too. Something was bothering him and he refused to talk about it, again. 
It was the Summer Sunset Festival and literally everyone else seemed to be celebrating. Shira had hoped that Capper would have had something planned to welcome in the month, apparently not. Neither of them had been invited to any parties either, so they were both homebound. Shira was home at least, she had no idea where Capper had gone off to. Shira felt so restless, she knew she wouldn't be able to doze off. Around nightfall, she gave up trying to sleep. She sat up in bed and climbed gracefully onto the rooftop to stargaze for a bit. Moonlight turned the desert silver. The smells of the town and the desert wafted on the breeze.
She made it over to the west side of one of the rooftops, stopping just a few yards from the edge, but she wasn't concerned about that. She was too busy gazing out on the horizon far ahead, where the sun was beginning to set. All around it was the sky that's painted with beautiful warm colors, the clouds turning a bluish-purple in contrast. Not taking her eyes off the breathtaking sight, she lowered herself into a sitting position, getting comfortable. She sighed softly, letting a wave of calm wash over her, as well as the last warmth of the sun's rays before they would eventually plunge into night, getting herself lost in her thoughts while absentmindedly humming to herself.
She made it over to the west side on one of the rooftops that's close to her window, stopping just a few yards from the edge, but she wasn't concerned about that. She was too busy gazing out on the horizon far ahead, where the sun was beginning to set. All around, the sky was painted with beautiful warm colors, the clouds turning a bluish-purple in contrast. Not taking her eyes off the breathtaking sight, she lowered herself into a sitting position, getting comfortable. She sighed softly, letting a wave of calm wash over her, as well as the last warmth of the sun's rays before they would eventually plunge into night, getting herself lost in her thoughts while absentmindedly humming to herself. She had lost track of the amount of time she sat there alone in the peacefulness, but after a while, a noise from behind her took her out of her thoughts. She turned her head, peering over her shoulder at the shadows curiously. She smiled when she saw the familiar dark orange and red of Capper, she relaxed, turning her gaze back to the horizon as he walked towards her.
"Shira." She felt her ears perked up at the warm breath that tickled her ears. She turned to see Capper gazing at her.
"What are you doing there?" Shira whispered fiercely.
"Come on," whispered Capper.
He began to climb. Shira wasn't sure why she felt so nervous, but her hands were shaking. She followed him up. At the top, Capper pushed open a hidden trapdoor.
They emerged on the side of the wooden roof, on a flat ledge, facing north. The desert spread out to the horizon. They were so far up, and at such an angle, that nobody below could possibly see them. Moonlight turned the desert silver. The smells of the town and the desert wafted on the breeze.
"Look." Capper pointed at the stars, which made a splash of diamonds across the night sky.
"Beautiful." Shira snuggled up against Capper and he put his arm around her.
"Not as beautiful as you." Capper kissed her, which startled her. After a minute, Shira relaxed in his hold and start responding to the kiss. She put her hands on his arms and kiss back. His kiss surprised her. He's usually so confident, edgy, and daring; but his kiss is gentle, sweet, and actually shy. Shira can't help, but like it.
It isn't a passionate kiss; it doesn't need to be. This is what a true first kiss is like. There's no tongue, no excessive touching, and no roughness. It's just slow, sweet, and gentle.
Unfortunately, it has to end as they both pulled away from each other. Shira looked up at him and saw him looking at her with a look so tender and nervous Shira couldn't help, but smile. That was when Capper started fidgeting anxiously, maybe he wasn't acting normal after all. "H-Hey, Shira?"
She hummed thoughtfully and gazed at him curiously. "Yes Capper?"
"Can I tell you something?" Shira nodded, hoping whatever he had to say would clear up his odd behavior.
"I'm not good at a lot of things," Capper started. "But I am good at thinking. Not intelligent thinking per say, just thinking in general. I think about a lot of things, but..." Shira wondered where he was going with this. "Recently, it seems like I've been thinking about you the most. I think about you a lot Shira. I-I'm starting to think that the reason you're always on my m-mind is b-because..." He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. "I think its because... I s-sort of... I mean its just k-kind of... I'm n-not very good at this... I wanted to tell you that." He took another shaky breath and looked directly at Shira. "I think..." She could tell that he was desperately trying not to stutter. "It's because... I like you."
Shira's jaw dropped. She had suspected it a little after the kiss, but she hadn't been certain. She hadn't expected her hunch to be correct. Capper gave her an uncertain look before giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "I-I don't expect you t-to feel the same, but... if you would be w-willing to give me a chance..." He gave her a hopeful look. Whatever confusion she had felt towards him was gone now. She smiled and nodded slightly, trying to control the rush of excitement she felt in her heart. Capper looked surprised, relieved, and excited all at once.
At that moment, a lantern had been released. Soon enough, there were thousands of them. The duo on the rooftop couldn't help, but admire it. To them, it was absolutely beautiful, like the night sky became even brighter than ever before.
"Wow," whispered Shira.
Capper simply smiled at the sight of it since he had seen it happen before. Whenever Klugetown celebrates the Summer Sunset Festival, everyone release their glowing lanterns into the night sky, in hopes of guiding the Mare in the Moon into the light and hopes for a better future for them all. Capper and Shira couldn't help, but feel lucky that they got to experience something like this.
"I have to admit that this is amazing," Capper commented.
"Yeah, somehow it reminds me of home," said Shira softly. "But it's just as good as the ones back home."
Then the two lit their lanterns and let them join the others in the night sky. Soon enough, all of the lanterns went up in the night sky and were out of sight. She rested her head on Capper's shoulder, mesmerized by the bright lights. Capper chuckled softly and gently kissed her forehead before turning back to look at the lanterns. For once, he was certain that everything was going to work out.
But what the two happy Abyssinians didn't know was that they were both being watched by a pair of yellow eyes watching them from afar.
☀️🌙☀️🌙
Sorry about the sudden short chapter. I did say I'm still working on my romance stuff.