She blinks. "Aw, Vinny, you don't gotta thank me for that kinda stuff." She smiles slightly sheepishly.
Birdpony smiles back, looking at the fiery mare. “No, Spits, I really feel like I should. You’re one of the closest ponies to me, almost family. I know I can share anything with you, and you will understand - and that’s not something I do easily. I look up to you in many aspects, you magnificent mare,” he says with a smile, taking Fiora’s forehoof and holding it gently. “In fact, I…”
For a moment Vindicar freezes with his beak open as realization hits him. He was going to say that there is no word that would describe his feelings… but the truth was, there was such a word. He knew it at heart, where he couldn’t deny it or shrug it off as nothing. Closing his eyes and gulping slightly, hippogriff finally utters, just so Spitfire could hear him.
"I-I think I love you, Fiora…"