Fair warning: This chapter is going to be a continuation on the previous one. It is nothing to do with action, but the action is coming soon (like a couple of chapters from now).
I made my way out to Topps' nesting area, knowing it was barely five minutes away. He had insisted that we meet today to discuss something important, and considering the fact that it just so happened to coincide with the day Cera was going to be busy all day, I had a feeling I knew what it was.
I got there faster than I normally would, given that I knew Topps was a very punctual man (I mean, given that there are no clocks in this world, I could get away with being a few minutes late, but I don't want to). And when I did, I noticed that Littlefoot was standing there, sitting with his legs crossed, and looking to be waiting patiently for us to arrive.
Littlefoot himself was a very respectable 7'5 (still being shorter than most other longnecks his age), and had recently gained a scar on his side (he decided to help me in a Sharptooth fight, and that happened), but other than that, he was the same lovable longneck we all knew.
"Heya," I said, as he turned to face me, "So is Topps here yet?" All he did in response was shrug and tell me "I haven't seen him, but now I'm curious. What do you suppose he wanted to talk about?"
"I'm glad you asked."
We both turned around, seeing the man himself standing there. Topps had not changed a bit in the last three years, except for maybe getting a bit more muscular. But other than that, he was almost exactly the same.
"So," I said, "Are you going to tell us?"
"Of course. But first, I want to make this clear: This talk is for Littlefoot."
"Okay then," I told him, before a question popped into my head. "Wait… then why am I here?"
"You're here to make sure he doesn't dodge my questions."
Well, that made the situation abundantly clear. To be perfectly honest, I'm surprised this chat didn't come sooner, given how much Littlefoot's been around her.
"So," Topps started, "I notice you've been spending a lot of time around Cera lately. Even more so than usual."
"I swear nothing is going on between us," Littlefoot stuttered quickly, still afraid of Topp's wrath, even after all of these years. But of course, Topps simply told Littlefoot "Well, that's a bit disappointing. After all, Cera really seems to like you."
"S-she does?"
At this point, I was laughing my ass off internally. I've taught this Longneck how to kick ass, and he's used those skills to take on many Sharpteeth with me, and yet he's shy about his feelings toward the Threehorn he's known since he was a toddler. Now, the brotherly part of me wanted to help him get his stuff together…
But the evil part of me was enjoying watching him squirm.
Does that make me a horrible person?
Probably.
"Well," Topps continued, "I just figured I should let you know if you do decide to date her, you have my consent." And it was clear that Littlefoot was genuinely shocked by this. "You mean it?"
"I wouldn't say it if I didn't."
I could see the look of shock on his face, and it wasn't like I could hold it against him. As far as we both knew, we were talking to one of the most stubborn Threehorns in the Valley. In fact, for the first few weeks, I would have automatically assumed he wanted his daughter to be with a Threehorn.
Clearly that was not the case.
"So tell me," Topps said, "Let's say that you did like Cera. What exactly would be stopping you from attempting to court her?"
"Well… my main worry was that people in the Valley wouldn't approve of a Longneck and a Threehorn becoming a couple…"
And there was the answer. And it was an answer that was so stupid, it deserves a smack upside the head.
In fact…
"Hey Littlefoot," I looked over to him, "Do you think you could bring your head closer?" He complied almost immediately, lowering his neck, so his face would meet mine. And then…
*SMACK*
"OW," He exclaimed, rubbing his sore cheek, "What was that for?"
"I felt I needed to slap some sense into you," I told him, my tone serious and even, "Because that was the stupidest reason I've ever heard."
"Huh?"
"Littlefoot, your Grandparents, our friends, Topps, and virtually everyone else is completely okay with ME dating Ali, and I'm from a completely different world! I don't think they're going to have an issue with the Longneck who has saved their Valley on multiple occasions, along with helping members of the Valley multiple times over, dating a Threehorn with similar accolades. And plus, you've pretty much got her father's blessing, so what does it matter what the others think?"
…
"Wait a minute, Yuri…" said Littlefoot, "you're right!"
Damn right I'm right!
"Well," Topps said, "I'm glad to have helped you settle that. So what are you going to do now?" In response, he began to walk off, only saying "I'm gonna go do what I should have done a long time ago." And once he was finally out of range, me and Topps let out a sigh in unison.
"I never thought it would be to the point where we'd have to do that," I said, as Topps nodded in agreement.
"And I never thought I'd have to play 'Matchmaker', especially for someone who is obviously attracted to my daughter."
I couldn't help but agree with him there. The fact that we had to help Littlefoot realize something so blatantly obvious was a bit irritating (I mean come on, if it's enough to make me smack him upside the head, it's gotta be really dumb). But the end result was what was important…
And the end result was that Littlefoot was going to ask out Cera.
"Well," I said, "I'm glad that's finally done. So I guess I'll be heading out."
"Well thanks for helping," Topps said as I walked away, "I realize that probably wasn't the funnest way to start your morning…"
"Eh, I solved a problem. That's something."
We were both able to share a laugh at this.
"Well then, Yuri, I'll be seeing you later."
And with that, I headed out, deciding to do a bit of freerunning to get to where I wanted to go next. I began to run, jumping over rocks and front-flipping over the small rivers, and doing a bit of acrobatics when I came to anything else. And then, I came to the forest by the Thundering Falls. And there was Ali, patiently waiting for me.
"Heya," I said, bringing her focus to me, "I'm back." We quickly exchanged a hug, before she decided to ask what I had to meet Topps for. Not feeling like getting into the details, I just told her, "Just something involving Littlefoot and Cera. What'd you do?"
"Ruby told me Chomper asked her out."
Well then, we both had something that had to do with relationships. That's interesting, and we'd probably end up talking about it later. But for right now…
We had something we wanted to do.
We both sat down under our normal spot: A tree that I carved a heart into the bark of. And as soon as we were situated in its shade, I quickly snuggled up to her, as she embraced me as well. There was nothing more to it. There was no need to worry about anything, or waste any energy on other stuff.
We just sat down, and enjoyed being close to each other. We didn't need words, or anything else to express affection for each other. As we sat there, in each other's arms, there was nothing else to worry about…
Even as I let sleep take over.
So, I felt like putting up two chapters for this until the next time I begin writing for LBT, that way it wasn't just a single chapter for a full month. And this chapter just worked, because I had the idea in my head, and I feel it works greatly. I got to some good stuff, and got to add in parts of Yuri's personality that mirror my own.
Along with that, I got to write a small fluff part, so I'm feeling pretty good about this chapter. So yea...
Next time, something might be happening!