CHAPTER 9
A Date to Remember
Ducky and Petrie froze at the glorious sight of a beautiful pond filled with floating green pads, surrounded by moss-covered rocky walls and tree stars that formed a ceiling over them. Red shiny stones took up some spots in the rocks and sparkled beautifully. There was a perfectly-sized gap in the wall for the Bright Circle's orange light to shine directly into the area to complete the magnificence of this gorgeous place the two hatchlings found themselves in.
"Wow!" the kids sighed in astonishment.
"This place … so … unbelievably amazing!" shouted Petrie excitedly.
"I have never seen anything like this before!" agreed Ducky, "Nope, nope, nope!"
"Did you find it, kids?" asked Mama Swimmer, her voice echoing from the other side of the forest.
"We sure did, Mama!" Ducky answered as Petrie dismounted from her back.
"We knew you'd like it!" called Mama Flyer.
"Thanks, Mama!" Ducky and Petrie called in unison.
"You're welcome, children!" answered Mama Swimmer.
"We'll let you kids stay in there for a while and have a good time, and I'll come back to pick you up once the Night Circle comes out!" said Mama Flyer.
"Okay, Mama!" replied Petrie.
"Have fun!" the lovers heard their mothers call to them before they could hear their footsteps, indicating that they were leaving.
"Oh, boy!" giggled Petrie excitedly, "This perfect place for us to enjoy ourselves and smooch!"
"I agree!" chuckled Ducky, "We should really thank our mamas for this once we go back home!"
"So, my sweet swimmer," said Petrie seductively as he looked at the green pads floating in the pond, "Wanna hop on those pads?"
"Sounds like fun, my funny flyer," replied Ducky with an eccentric smile.
Without a moment's hesitation, the two hatchlings wrapped an arm around each other's backs and began hopping (each on one foot) on the green pads. The surface of the floating plants felt very soft for their feet. In fact, they were so soft that they decided immediately that they would hop onto the pad in the center of the pond and sit down on it. Ducky sat down and spread her legs out so that Petrie could sit in front of her and get a feeling of the pad's soft surface. Once the Flyer sat down, the Swimmer wrapped her arms around his chest and pinned his arms and wings down, and she delightfully kissed the right end of his mouth, earning a big smile from him.
"This so nice," sighed Petrie in relaxation as they began admiring the Bright Circle's setting from within their special cave.
"I feel as if I never want to leave this place," said Ducky, "It is perfect."
"And nobody see us in here," added Petrie, "We feed each other as much love as we want when we here."
"Yeah," chuckled Ducky, "Now that you have mentioned that, there is so much we can do in here to nourish our relationship."
Petrie smiled as he thought of the endless romantic possibilities they had in this forested cave.
"What you think we do next, Ducky?" the Flyer asked with an eager smile.
Ducky looked around their cave and noticed the large number of shiny stones sticking out of the rocky walls that were covered with moss.
"I wonder if we can do anything with these shiny stones?" she said thoughtfully.
Petrie eyed some of the shiny stones as he gained a sense of what his girlfriend was about to consider.
"Me thinking what you thinking, Ducky," the Flyer spoke cutely.
"Why don't we make something out of them?" the Swimmer suggested.
"Good idea," agreed Petrie, "Like something to express our love for each other?"
Ducky let out a bubbly laugh and replied, "That is exactly what I was thinking."
"Let's do it!" chortled Petrie.
Ducky opened her arms and allowed Petrie to stand up and flap his wings so he could fly over to one of the shiny stones. The Flyer landed next to one and tried to pull it out, but his hands seemed to be too weak for him to do it on his own.
"Ducky, little help here, please?" he called.
The Swimmer instantly hopped over the green pads and ran to the shiny stone Petrie was trying to pull. Then, together they pulled as hard as they could, and the shiny stone eventually popped out of the wall and came down softly on the ground. The hatchlings panted as they had gone through quite a workout to wrestle the shiny stone out of the wall.
"That … exhausting," panted Petrie.
"At least, we got it out," said Ducky, "And they are just the right size, too."
"We just need one more," said Petrie, and he found another red stone that was roughly the same size as the one they had pulled out, "Over there."
Ducky ran over to the stone Petrie had pointed to, and she once again pulled on it with all the strength her nimble body had.
Petrie was just about to soar over and help her, when the shiny stone came popping off the wall. Ducky nearly lost her balance as she struggled to keep the stone from falling out of her arms, but she just barely managed to keep herself from falling.
"Whew!" she sighed in relief, "That was a close one."
"You have me worried for a moment," said Petrie.
"No need to worry anymore," commented Ducky, making Petrie laugh, "Well, we have got our two shiny stones, … so let's see what we can do with them."
"Me no can wait!" said Petrie excitedly.
With that, the two lovers each took one shiny stone and walked over to a spot where they could do their little projects privately so that they could surprise each other once they were finished.
Ducky grabbed a couple of tree stars and used her mouth to cut some small pieces out of them. Once she had all the small pieces she needed, she scrunched up another tree star and turned it into juice. She splashed the juice all over the face of her shiny stone and started laying out the cut-out tree star pieces over it. She immediately knew what she would paste on the stone.
"Petrie is going to love this," she whispered, "Yep, yep, yep."
Meanwhile, Petrie had also cut some tree stars to pieces and scrunched another one to make sticky tree star juice. Once he splashed the juice on his shiny stone, he began sticking the tiny tree star pieces onto the stone in a very particular way, … one he knew Ducky would love …
"Ducky love this so much," he whispered to himself in anticipation.
The duo each waited for the tree star juice to dry, then they brushed off any empty spaces containing juice so that their shiny stones could retain their sparkling shines. With their stones completed, they each took stems filled with small green leaves and glued the ends together with tree star juice, then they took their decorated stones and stuck them to the stems.
They each took a glance at their own finished projects, which now looked like something they could wear around their necks. This was exactly what they had envisioned doing, and now they were ready to present their neckwear to each other.
"Me done with mine," said Petrie as he approached Ducky, hiding his stone behind his back.
"Mine is ready, too," replied Ducky, also hiding her stone behind her back.
"Ready to see yours, me sweet swimmer?" asked Petrie.
"Show me, my funny flyer," chuckled Ducky eagerly.
With a beaming smile, Petrie cutely revealed his shiny stone to Ducky, and the Swimmer gasped in astonishment.
Petrie had decorated his stone with the depiction of a Swimmer and Flyer playing with each other. Above them, the Bright Circle seemed to have taken in the shape of a heart.
Ducky's eyes welled with happy tears as she adored the cute picture Petrie had made with the tree star pieces.
"Petrie, you are so creative," she sniffled happily.
"For you, love," grinned Petrie proudly, and he ceremoniously placed the stone around Ducky's neck.
"Thank you so much, Petrie," quivered Ducky.
"You welcome, Ducky," replied Petrie.
The shiny stone sparkled brightly right over the Swimmer's chest, and she smiled as she took a moment to admire her new neckwear. Then, she remembered that she had one to show Petrie as well.
"Wanna see yours, my love?" she asked him.
"Me no can wait!" said Petrie excitedly.
Ducky revealed her shiny stone from behind her back, and Petrie could only gasp in amazement …
The Swimmer had decorated this stone with the image of a large heart. Within the heart, a Swimmer and a Flyer were kissing each other in such an adorable fashion.
"Ducky, … me no know what to say," gasped Petrie, "This … so … lovely."
"This is for you, Petrie," smiled Ducky, and she delicately placed the stone around the Flyer's neck.
Petrie smiled as he saw his new neckwear shining directly over his chest, then he looked back up at his girlfriend.
"Thank you, Ducky," he smiled cutely as tears leaked from his eyes.
"You are welcome, Petrie," replied Ducky.
The two took a few moments to adore each other's appearance, now that they were wearing their new neckwear with shiny stones dangling right underneath their chins.
"Let's make this more pleasurable," said Ducky seductively.
"Delighted," answered Petrie, and the two hugged each other's backs and once again hopped over the green pads floating in the pond.
Once more, the two lovers sat down on the pad in the center of the pond, and Petrie sat on Ducky's lap and allowed the Swimmer to cuddle him tightly while they admired the Bright Circle setting once again. They slowly brought their mouths together and began smooching each other cutely. Their mouths made a funny noise as they smooched, and they found it as music to their ears.
The hatchlings' hearts felt warm sensations as they cuddled and kissed each other. With their newly-created neckwear and the warm colors of the Bright Circle dimly lighting the forest cave, this moment felt the most pleasurable yet, even more so than their first kiss two days ago. It seemed that with every minute they spent with their love sessions, it felt more romantic than the last. No matter how many times they hugged or kissed, it always felt refreshing to their hearts. They knew right then and there that this would be one date to remember.
"Me love you, Ducky, … so, so much," whispered Petrie.
"I love you, too, Petrie, … so, so much. Yep, yep, yep," replied Ducky.
Petrie smiled and giggled from hearing Ducky's catchphrase, and the hatchlings gazed at each other's neckwear. Ducky seemed to notice something that felt special about having shiny stones over their chests.
"You know, Petrie, … these shiny stones have a special meaning for us now," the Swimmer said.
"What you mean, Ducky?" asked Petrie curiously.
"The red color of the shiny stones … and the decorations on them … can symbolize our hearts beating for each other," explained Ducky as Petrie listened with interest, "Red is the color of the blood that goes through our hearts that desire each other, and the decorations show the strength of the bond that we've builded on ever since we first meeted."
Petrie was amazed at what he heard. He was fascinated with the vision that these shiny stones were symbols of their love by showing how much their hearts beat for each other. It all made perfect sense to him. Ever since their first adventure, their hearts had been desiring each other, but they had waited for over a year to finally connect and bring the two hatchlings together in a way they couldn't have imagined. Now, here they were, in a relationship that they were only just starting to build on, although it would be a number of Cold Times before they would reach their Time of Great Growing. Only then, they would be able to become mates. This was only the first stage of a relationship that would take many years to develop.
"Even though we still hatchlings, me happy we together," grinned Petrie.
"Me, too, Petrie," agreed Ducky.
"Problem is … it still many Cold Times before Time of Great Growing," sighed Petrie, "If only we no have to wait that long."
"I understand, my love," sympathized Ducky, "For now, it is our time to be kids and love each other the way kids do."
"We still young … mean we still have lots of fun times ahead," chuckled Petrie.
"Right," answered Ducky, "You know what they say?"
"What?" asked a confused Petrie.
"Kids will be kids!" chuckled Ducky.
Petrie laughed after hearing that, and Ducky almost immediately joined him in laughter.
Once their laughter died down, the two snuggled close together and nuzzled each other's faces while they continued to watch the Bright Circle set.
An hour later, the Bright Circle had gone, and the Night Circle began to appear. Throughout that entire hour, Ducky and Petrie had cuddled closely and kissed from time to time, until the Flyer seemingly began to fall asleep in the Swimmer's lap. Ducky had tightly wrapped both arms around Petrie and kissed his head crest to pamper him with their love as the Flyer slowly fell asleep. Now, Petrie was fast asleep while Ducky continued to snuggle him comfortably so that he would never stop feeling her pleasurable warmth. His snoring sounded so adorable to her, and she wondered how much longer she would get to hear it.
Then …
"Ducky! Petrie!" came a voice.
Ducky knew who that voice belonged to, and he gently began to tickle Petrie to wake him up. The Flyer giggled in his sleep as he felt his girlfriend's fingers rubbing delicately on his wings.
"Heeheeheeheehehehehe!" he giggled bubbly, "Duhuhuhuckeeheeheeheehy!"
"Wake up, Petrie," whispered Ducky, "Your mama is calling us."
Petrie only continued to giggle cutely, and Ducky found this as music to her ears.
"Ducky! Petrie!" came Mama Flyer's voice again, "Time to come out! It's getting late!"
This managed to get Petrie to open his eyes, and Ducky stopped tickling him so he could catch his breath.
"Who … that?" the Flyer panted.
"It is your mama," answered Ducky.
Petrie looked around and saw that their cave was suddenly a lot darker than it was when he fell asleep.
"How long me sleep?" he asked.
"About half an hour," replied Ducky, "We had gotten so comfortable together that you falled asleep on my lap."
Petrie gasped as it dawned on him that he had slept right on his girlfriend. He had never slept this closely with anyone before, except his mother, and he wondered how she felt from having him sleep right in her cuddly hold.
"Me sorry me sleep on you," he blushed.
"It is okay, my love," replied Ducky kindly, "It feeled good, and your sleep rumbling was so cute. Yep, yep, yep."
Petrie blushed deeper and could only reply sheepishly, "Aww, Ducky!"
"Come on. Let's head back," said Ducky, and the two stood up and hopped over the floating pads before their feet touched land again.
Then, a thought struck Petrie …
"Me not sure we should take these shiny stones with us," he said nervously, "What if someone else see them?"
Ducky paused, and she remembered that they were still wearing their shiny stone neckwear. Petrie did have a point: if anybody else other than their mothers, or Littlefoot, saw their shiny stones, then there would be a much greater risk of everyone finding out about their secret relationship, and thus a much greater risk of them spending the rest of their lives in the Mysterious Beyond.
"You are right, Petrie," the Swimmer gasped in realization, "Maybe we should keep these here."
"You think they still be here next time we come here?" asked Petrie.
"I think so," answered Ducky, "Since no one ever comes here, these shiny stones should be safe. Yep, yep, yep."
The two lovers reluctantly removed their neckwear and gently placed them next to each other against one of the moss-covered rocky walls. It was there they would hope to find them the next time they entered this paradise-like forest cave.
"Ducky! Petrie!" called Mama Flyer once more, "Are you two even awake in there?"
"Coming, Mama!" Petrie called back, and he led his girlfriend through the prickly branches that covered the narrow pathway with tree stars.
Before long, the hatchlings wrestled their way out of the forest and into the open area near the nesting area where Littlefoot and his grandparents lived. Mama Flyer was waiting for them right next to the entrance.
"Hi, Mama," whispered Petrie.
"Hi, Petrie. Hi, Ducky," replied Mama Flyer.
"Hi, Ms. Flyer," greeted Ducky.
"Did you two have a good time in there?" asked Mama Flyer.
"We have so much fun in there," smiled Petrie, "Me no can wait to do it again."
Mama Flyer chuckled happily at her son and his girlfriend.
"Well, just you wait, little ones," she said, "Tomorrow night, when the Bright Circle starts to set, you can come right back here."
Ducky and Petrie smiled at each other. They couldn't wait for tomorrow night to come.
"Ducky," said Petrie, "Can me and Mama take you home?"
Ducky grinned at that idea, and she gave her boyfriend a quick kiss on the beak, making him blush.
"I would love that, Petrie," the Swimmer said happily.
"Okay then, Ducky," said Mama Flyer as she gently grasped Ducky's sides with her feet and carried her into the air, "Hold on tight."
The Swimmer almost couldn't contain her excitement as Petrie's mother soared over the Great Valley and provided her with an amazing view of the lush landscape. She looked to her left and saw that Petrie was flying right next to them.
It took no time at all to see just how much faster it took for them to fly to the Swimmer family's nest than it was to walk, as in just a matter of minutes, Ducky could see her family's nesting area. Her entire family had fallen asleep, except for her mother. She appeared to be waiting anxiously for her.
Mama Swimmer felt all her anxiety being replaced with relief when she saw Mama Flyer carrying Ducky towards her. She couldn't help but chuckle when she noticed Petrie flying right next to them.
Within seconds, the two Flyers came down towards the ground, and Mama Flyer gently placed Ducky on her feet.
"Thanks for the lift, Ms. Flyer," she whispered.
"Anytime, Ducky," replied Mama Flyer.
"And thank you for both for bringing me home," added Ducky.
"It our pleasure, Ducky," beamed Petrie.
Mama Swimmer approached them and instantly lifted Ducky into a hug.
"Mama," she chuckled quietly so that she wouldn't wake up her siblings.
"Did you and Petrie have a good time?" Mama Swimmer asked her daughter.
"It was wonderful," said Ducky.
"It so beautiful, we no wish it would stop," added Petrie.
"I'm so glad you two enjoyed your new cave," chuckled Mama Swimmer.
"We be so happy to go back there tomorrow," said Petrie.
"Yep, yep, yep," agreed Ducky.
Both of their mothers giggled quietly after hearing their kids' reactions on the beauty of their new paradise.
"Thanks for bringing Ducky home, Ms. Flyer," said Mama Swimmer.
"You're welcome, Mrs. Swimmer, although it was really Petrie's idea," replied Mama Flyer.
Mama Swimmer smiled down at Petrie, and the little Flyer smiled back.
"Thank you, Petrie, for offering to bring Ducky home," said Mama Swimmer.
"You welcome, Mrs. Swimmer," replied Petrie, "Just me way of being good …," he paused and peaked over to make sure Ducky's siblings were all asleep, "… boyfriend."
Both mothers giggled at the little Flyer, along with Ducky.
"It was very nice of you, Petrie," said Mama Swimmer.
"Anyway, I think we'd best be going now," said Mama Flyer as she flapped her wings and lifted herself off the ground again, "Come along, Petrie."
"Coming, Mama," the Flyer hatchling replied as he followed his mother into the air.
"See you tomorrow, Petrie," called Ducky quietly as she waved at her boyfriend.
"See you tomorrow, Ducky," Petrie called back, waving one of his wings at a faster speed to gesture a return hand wave.
"Bye, Petrie. Bye, Ms. Flyer," said Mama Swimmer.
"Bye, Ducky. Bye, Mrs. Swimmer," the Flyers replied before they disappeared into the night sky.
Mama Swimmer turned towards her nest just as Ducky began to yawn. She knew her daughter had quite a fun-filled date with Petrie.
"I think you came home just in time," the older Swimmer commented, "You look very tired."
"I am very tired," sighed Ducky weakly as she began to close her eyes.
Mama Swimmer gently placed her daughter into the nest, and the instant she felt the nest's sticks warming her body, Ducky closed her eyes and steadily fell asleep.
"Goodnight, Ducky," whispered Mama Swimmer.
Ducky was too tired to reply, and she kept a smile on her face as she fell into a deep sleep.
Petrie and his mother returned to their cave mere minutes after dropping Ducky off at her home, and Petrie was barely even able to flap his wings by the time they brought their feet onto the ledge in front of the cave, despite the fact that he inadvertently got half an hour of sleep on Ducky's lap while they were in the forest cave.
"Not bad for first date," the hatchling whispered as he panted for breath.
"I'm so glad you and Ducky had a great time," said Mama Flyer.
"Me, too," replied Petrie, "Me no wish it stop, though."
"Don't worry, Petrie," said Mama Flyer, "Tomorrow night, you'll get to do it again."
Petrie grinned at that idea. He couldn't wait to go back into that forest cave and enjoy cuddles and smooches with Ducky for as long as he wanted.
It was then that the little Flyer began to yawn, and he slowly followed his mother into the cave, where all his siblings were asleep. It was obvious that his mother had tucked all the other Flyer children into bed before picking up him and Ducky.
Mama Flyer stepped into the nest and lied down. Petrie followed her in and grabbed his snuggling stick, wrapping it in his wings, and he lied down right next to his mother and faced her. The hatchling couldn't help but smile at her as a way of saying "thank you" for the help and support she had given him so far. The older Flyer playfully winked at her son and wrapped her wings around him to provide some more warmth.
"Goodnight, Petrie," she whispered to him.
"Goodnight, Mama," Petrie replied weakly as he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
Mama Flyer watched her son fall asleep, and she soon fell asleep herself, feeling happy that Petrie was doing a great job at building his relationship with Ducky despite their incredibly young age.
I think that this might have broken my personal record for most romantic chapter I've ever written on FanFiction! I guess I can say I'm proud of that! LOL!
I'll be back for chapter ten, where the next day will not quite be as fun as the two lovers had hoped.