Of Thistles and Honey

by D4ftP0ny

Chapter 7

The world was slowly losing its color around Wild Wings as he plodded slowly down the road that would lead him out of Ponyville. His eyes stared ahead unblinkingly as he walked forward, his wings held loosely behind him, his head bowed in abject defeat.

He’d lost. He’d tried so hard to be there for her, to let her know how he felt… and he’d lost. He still couldn’t believe it… and yet here he was, walking down this road… alone.

Just like you’ve always been, he thought as he walked. Even with the others… I was alone. Morning said as much; we were a unit, but we weren’t friends… and now even with friends, I can’t have the one pony I want more than anything.

He felt his eyes begin to burn, and he blinked back the hot tears that began to fill his vision. She doesn’t want me… and I can’t push her any more… even for Honey’s sake. Just thinking of the little orange filly who had changed his life so much shot a sliver of pain through his chest, but he took a shaky breath and kept walking… because there was nothing left for him here.

His hooves had carried him almost to the edge of town when he heard the bushes off to his right rustle violently, but so distraught and lost in his own thoughts was he that he didn’t even look over at it. In fact, it wasn’t until the impact that he realized anything was going on at all, and then it was far too late; he heard a strange shout and then was tackled by a flying ball of blurred colors that flashed before his eyes as he rolled across the ground- first orange, then white, then orange again, white, purple, yellow, orange, white, pink, red, purple, white, until finally the world and the colors stopped spinning and Wild found himself lying on his back, his wings splayed out on the ground, staring up at the faces of four young fillies… one of whom was a very unhappy looking Honeysuckle.

“Are you sure this is the guy?” the little orange Pegasus asked, her magenta eyes dubious.

“I’m sure,” Honeysuckle said, her voice soft and tight. Wild winced under her gaze and turned to look at the other fillies; one he recognized immediately as Apple Bloom, Applejack’s little sister. Her yellow coat and bright red mane were impossible to forget.

“Well, Cutie Mark Crusaders,” she drawled adorably, “Ah’d say this was a successful mission!”

The last filly, a small white unicorn with a dual-tone pastel mane, frowned. “But… what was the mission?” she asked. “All Honeysuckle said was Get him, and we did.”

“That’s successful, Sweetie Belle!” the orange Pegasus said, pumping a hoof in the air. “You don’t need lots of planning for something to be a mission!”

Sweetie Belle wrinkled her nose, and the expression was so familiar that Wild Wings blinked, but couldn’t place where he’d seen it before. “Lots of planning? Scootaloo, we didn’t plan at ALL.”

“The best KIND of mission! Impulsive and random!” The tiny Pegasus’ wings buzzed behind her in excitement. “Exactly the kind of mission that Rainbow Dash would have!” Next to Honeysuckle, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle both groaned, and Wild got the distinct impression that Scootaloo’s interest in Rainbow Dash was something that came up often.

But Honeysuckle didn’t seem to notice her friend’s conversation; her green eyes were staring directly at Wild, and they were filled with anger.

“So that’s it, then?” she asked, her small voice packed with more emotion that Wild would have thought possible. “You’re just going to leave?? What the hay is going on?! I thought when I saw you that you were going to TALK to my Momma, not leave!”

Wild looked up at her, into those clear green eyes that had found the holes in his armor of anger three months ago, and realized that he couldn’t tell her anything but the truth. He sighed, and then lifted his left hoof from beneath Scootaloo to point at his cheek, where the imprint of Thistledown’s hoof still stung.

“This is what your mom did to me, Honey… when I tried to talk to her.”

The four fillies stared in surprise at his face; Honeysuckle looked like she was about to call him a liar, but as she looked at him she realized that he was, indeed, telling her the truth. She reached out a tiny hoof and touched his cheek, and even that gentle brush of contact was enough to make him wince.

Scootaloo whistled softly. “Girls… let’s not ever make Honey’s mom really mad, okay?”

“Okay,” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle agreed together.

“My Momma… did that?” Honey whispered in disbelief. “Why… why would she do that? She’s never hit another pony before… ever…”

Wild shifted uncomfortably beneath the weight of the fillies, and Sweetie Belle was the first to get the hint; she lifted herself off of him and stepped away, followed by Apple Bloom, then Scootaloo, until only Honeysuckle sat atop Wild’s chest, staring down at him with tear-filled eyes.

“So…” she sniffed. “So what happens now… Mr. Wings?”

The gray Pegasus sat up and wrapped his legs around Honeysuckle, pulling her into a tight hug as his own eyes began to burn. “I don’t know, Honeysuckle… I don’t know.”

He felt Honeysuckle sniffle a few more times, as if she was doing her very best to hold her emotions in- just like she had that night he’d first met her. The Pegasus chuckled slightly and couldn’t help but smile. You’re so strong, Honeysuckle… you’ll be fine without me.

Suddenly, Honeysuckle sat back and broke his embrace, leaping to her hooves and taking a few steps away before rounding on him, her green eyes moist and blazing.

“No! This isn’t how it’s going to happen!” she exclaimed, drawing blank stares from her friends. She marched back over to where Wild sat, his eyes wide, and she pushed her tiny snout right up against his. “Now you listen to me, Mr. Wings,” she said firmly. “And you listen GOOD.”

Wild swallowed audibly. This must have been what Big Macintosh felt like that day outside the barn… “I’m listening,” he said, a little more meekly than he would have liked.

“Good!” Honey pulled her face back from his slightly, but only slightly, still close enough that he could see every one of the eyelashes surrounding her big green eyes, and count the tears as they trickled down her cheeks. “What happened to my Momma? Is she still in town?”

Wild thought for a moment before shaking his head slightly. “I don’t think so, Honey; she took off to the east from the market, towards Sweet Apple Acres.”

“Then you need to go to Sweet Apple Acres and talk to her again!”

“Honeysuckle…” he began, but the filly wasn’t going to hear any of it. She poked him in the chest with a hoof firmly… but when she spoke her voice was sad and desperate.

“No, Mr. Wings, you’re going to go talk to her! Because… because you have to… because she DOES love you, Mr. Wings! I KNOW she does!!” Her lip quivered, and Wild felt his heart breaking even more, if that was possible.

“Honeysuckle,” he began, but the little filly wasn’t having it.

“NO! I won’t let you start talking to me like that!” she said, waving her hoof in front of her madly. “That’s the voice you grown-ups use when you’re going to tell me to stop being silly, or to think prac-tackly, and I ain’t gonna stop because I’m RIGHT!” The tears in her eyes began to pour down her cheeks, and her words became jerky as she plowed on through her sobs. “You never heard her, Mr. Wings; you never heard her late at night, when she thought nopony was around to hear her- never heard her talking to my daddy, asking him what the right thing to do was. You never HEARD her crying herself to sleep at night, but I DID!!” She sobbed raggedly, but she stood her ground and poked him with a hoof again. “I DID! And I heard her whisper YOUR NAME, Mr. Wings; every night, just before she went to sleep… she asked Princess Luna to take care of you…” Honeysuckle sobbed again, and this time she threw herself against Wild Wings, burying her face in his chest. “She never asked for you to come back, never asked for anything for herself… but she ALWAYS asked Princess Luna to keep you safe… because she LOVES YOU, Mr. Wings, and she wants you to be happy, even if you’re not with her!”

Wild Wings squeezed his eyes shut, and fought to keep the sobs from his own voice. “Honey…”

The orange filly tilted her head back and looked him in the eyes yet again. “But you aren’t happy without her… and SHE isn’t happy without YOU.” Honeysuckle sniffled again. “When we lost my daddy… it was hard for us… I didn’t think I’d ever see Momma smile again… but that morning, at Sweet Apple Acres, Mr. Wings… when you said you’d help us with dinner… Momma smiled again… and not just smiled, really actually smiled…”

“Honeysuckle…” Wild took a deep breath, and decided that she needed to hear what was on his heart, because she would probably find it anyway. “…I don’t know if your mom has any room in her heart for me. I… I said that she was hiding behind the… memory of your dad, and while that would keep her safe, she’d never be happy.” He winced as he said it. Wow… now I feel like maybe I earned that slap…

But Honey simply nodded seriously. “She is hiding, Mr. Wings… but it’s because she’s scared.”

“I know she’s scared… I am too.”

Honey tilted her head sideways, her eyes red-rimmed but her tears forgotten in curiosity. “But… really?”

Wild laughed. “Well, yes, of course I am. Loving somepony else is a scary thing, Honeysuckle… you’re putting yourself out there and you might get hurt. That’s scary.”

“Did you tell her that you were scared?”

The simple question caught him off-guard, and he blinked. “Um…” he said.

Honeysuckle sighed and shook her head before throwing a glance at her three friends that clearly said, Do I have to teach him everything? The three other fillies nodded seriously, and Wild suddenly found himself feeling slightly offended, but before he could say anything Honeysuckle spoke.

“Mr. Wings… My Momma loved my Daddy with her whole heart, and when he died… he took a big piece of it with him. I know… I still feel it, cuz he took some of mine, too.” She touched her chest, but her smile stayed in place as she looked up at him. “And my Momma… well, she doesn’t know if she can love another pony like she loved him… and even if she can…”

“…she could be hurt like that again,” he finished for her. He sighed. So this wasn’t about “betrayal”… that was just to keep me away. She’s afraid of giving her heart to anypony else… because she’s afraid to lose anypony else.

Honeysuckle nodded. “But you were right, Mr. Wings… she won’t be happy unless she can give her heart to you.” She touched his chest with a hoof, right over his heart. “She wants to, Mr. Wings… but you’re going to have to give her yours, first.”

“She already has it, Honey,” he said softly, putting his hoof on the little filly’s head and smiling. “I tried to tell her that, but she was… well, no. I was upset, and didn’t say things very well.”

“Well, you need to tell her again! And this time, do a better job,” Honeysuckle said matter-of-factly. Behind her, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom nodded emphatically, their eyes full of tears, while Scootaloo pretended to be bored and made a disgusted noise, even as she brushed a tear from her own eye.

Wild Wings looked at the filly again, and after a long moment, he sighed dramatically. “WELL… if you insist,” he said, doing his best to look bored.

Honeysuckle made a shocked noise and punched him solidly in the chest. “MR. WINGS,” she scolded, and he couldn’t help but laugh.

“Oh Honeysuckle… you crazy little filly.” He pulled her close for a hug again, and when he let her go he smiled at her, that familiar twinkle back in his red eyes. “Now… I am going to need some help… from somepony who knows Ponyville a bit better than me.” He glanced at the sky; the sun was halfway behind the horizon, and he felt his hopes drop into his stomach. “Oh… I don’t know if any store is going to be open at this time of night…”

Sweetie Belle leaped up beside Honeysuckle. “What KIND of store, Mr. Wings?” she asked excitedly. “Tell us! We know everypony in Ponyville, and I KNOW they’d love to help!”

“Yeah!” Apple Bloom agreed, leaping up to Honey’s other side. “Everypony’s real helpful here in Ponyville, an’ Ah just KNOW we’ll cain get what y’all need if’n ya tell us what it is!”

Scootaloo waved from her spot a few feet away, apparently bored with the whole endeavor. “Yeah… yay and stuff,” she said, but her wings were standing up, and her eyes kept bouncing back to Wild Wings eagerly.

The gray Pegasus smiled and arched an eyebrow at Scootaloo. “You do know that I’m training Rainbow Dash, don’t you?” he said casually.

Faster than he could have thought the little Pegasus was standing next to Apple Bloom, her eyes the size of dinner plates. “What do you need us to do?!” she asked emphatically.

Wild laughed loudly, and smiled at the fillies. “Thank you, girls… thank you for tackling me.” He chuckled. “I think that’s the first time I’ve ever said that.” He shook his head and leaned down, putting his snout level with the fillies. “Now… I need a store that…”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The sun had just dipped behind the horizon and the stars were coming out as Thistledown finally made her way into the farmhouse of Sweet Apple Acres, her eyes red and her cheeks still damp from her tears. She had hoped that the other occupants of the home would still be outside when she arrived, but apparently luck was not on her side; the entire Apple family, minus Apple Bloom, sat at the table in the dining room adjacent to the front door.

“Well howdy Thistledown,” Applejack greeted her, not looking up from shifting plates around on the table. “Yer just in time! Apple Bloom told me she an’ Honey’d be back ‘round sunset, so we waited t’ have dinner ‘til then. Granny Smith made some o’ her fresh potato soup, an’…” The orange pony raised her eyes, and when she saw Thistledown her words died in her mouth. “…sugarcube?” she said, stepping away from the table. “Is, uh… ev’rythin’ alright?”

Thistledown nodded for a moment… but as she did, fresh tears sprang to her eyes, and her nod turned into a firm shake of her head, accompanied by a sob that began to claw its way out of her throat. Applejack sighed and glanced back at her brother and grandmother. “Y’all jus’ wait fer Apple Bloom; if’n she shows up whilst I’m talkin’ t’ Thistle, start without me.” Then she turned to Thistledown and ushered her into the kitchen.

Once the two of them were out of sight, Applejack reared up and hugged Thistledown firmly around the neck, holding her close. Thistledown buried her eyes against the toned earth pony’s shoulder and felt her sorrow well up again.

“Tell me what happened, sugarcube,” Applejack said softly.

Thistle sighed raggedly, and Applejack let her go, dropping back to all four hooves but still staying close to her. “Applejack… Wild Wings came to town and… and found me in the market.”

Applejack nodded, as if that didn’t surprise her at all. “Well, t’ be expected, really. Y’all did say y’all were gonna talk today, an’ I expect t’wasn’t hard fer him t’ figure out where you’d be.”

The amethyst mare thought for a moment before nodding. “Well… that is true… but… but what he said, Applejack…” She sighed, feeling the fear and sorrow from earlier climb her throat again. “He said that I was… that I was scared… that I was letting Steady’s memory keep me from being happy…”

The orange mare watched her very closely for a moment, and when she spoke it took Thistledown a moment to comprehend what she’d said:

“Well… ain’t that the truth?”

Thistle blinked. “Wh-what?”

Applejack sighed in vexation. “Thistledown, I swear, y’all struck me as a very smart mare when I first metcha, but I think I might hafta change that opinion.” She took a few steps around Thistledown, as if searching for the right words; finally, she turned her green eyes back to Thistle, and in their depths she saw both sympathy and firmness. “Thistledown, I know what it’s like t’ lose somepony you care about.” She nodded to the picture of her parents that hung on the wall near the door. “I know that it cain be scary tryin’ t’ move on… but ya hafta. Ya cain’t let memories keep y’all from bein’ happy, especially in yer case.” AJ took a few steps towards Thistle, and her voice became soft. “Do you really think that Steady Plow is lookin’ down on ya right now, glad that yer not happy?” She smiled gently. “Don’cha think it’s more likely that he’s lookin’ down on ya, wanting y’all to be happy?” She hesitated. “Don’cha think he’d want his daughter t’ have a good pony as her father?” she said finally.

Thistledown felt anger rise in her throat again, spreading out across her body; what did Applejack know?! How DARE she…

And then she looked into her friend’s eyes, and she felt the anger recede. She took a deep breath, and after a few moments she found a voice that wasn’t yelling very angry things.

“I… I’m scared, Applejack,” she said finally, the truth in the words strengthening her quavering tone. “I don’t want to forget Steady… and I’m afraid that if I let myself love another stallion… he’ll just sort of…” The tears returned, and Thistle fought to maintain her composure. “…that he’ll sort of just fade away… and it’ll be like he never existed…”

“That’s a bunch of hogwash,” Applejack said firmly. “And y’all know it.” She reached out and poked Thistle firmly in the chest, right above her heart. “He’s in here, ain’t he?”

“Well… yes…”

“Then he ain’t never gone,” AJ said. “An’ he’ll always have a special place there, no matter WHAT. It don’ matter if’n you went off an’ fell in love with a dozen more stallions; Steady Plow will always be right there, in yer heart.”

Thistledown couldn’t help but chuckle. “…a dozen, AJ?”

The orange mare rolled her eyes and chuckled. “Well, ya get th’ point. And as far as bein’ scared? Shoot, y’all shoulda seen Wild Wings when he came in here yesterday mornin’, askin’ about you. He was more scared than one o’ my prize pies at the county fair pie eatin’ contest.”

Thistle’s eyes narrowed slightly at the other mare. “You… you talked to him about me?” she asked suspiciously. “Yesterday… before he came to see me?”

“Sure did. Asked about y’all directly, an’ since that was part-an’-parcel o’ the whole promise…”

“…I’m going to have to have a word with Twilight about her interference with our promise-making.”

“The point is, Thistledown, that Wild is jus’ as scared as you are. He’s tryin’ t’ give up EVERYTHIN’ he has t’ be with you an’ that filly o’ yours.” Applejack’s voice was gentle but firm. “An’ if’n y’all want HIM… yer gonna hafta let him into yer heart, Thistle. Ain’t no two-ways about it.”

Thistledown nodded, and tears slowly traced their way down her cheeks. “I… I know, Applejack…”

“An’ do y’all want him t’ be with ya?”

“…yes,” she whispered, her tears surging at the admission. “I want him to be with me… more than anything, AJ.”

Applejack’s hoof settled lightly on her shoulder, and Thistle turned to look into her friend’s eyes. “Then y’all’re gonna hafta make peace with yer heart first,” she said simply.

Thistledown watched Applejack closely for a moment before stepping forward and laying her neck across her friend, pony-hugging her closely.

“Thank you, Applejack,” she whispered. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Yeah… y’all are kinda helpless,” AJ said nonchalantly. Thistledown giggled in spite of herself, then stepped back and offered her friend a brave smile.

“I… I think I need some air,” she said. “Please, go ahead and eat without me.”

AJ nodded, and the two mares walked back towards the dining area, Thistle turning to the door as AJ continued on. As she shut the door behind her, Thistle swore she heard Applejack loudly complain that Apple Bloom wasn’t back yet.

The sun had fully set, and Luna’s brilliant stars were burning brightly in the clear night sky as Thistle made her way across the wide lawn, the cool autumn night chilling her flushed face. The mare stood still for a moment, her eyes closed as the light breeze caressed her, her mind and heart finally, blissfully at peace for the first time in two days. Applejack’s words had been true, as true as the day is long… and now...

Thistledown opened her eyes and began walking again, the land of Sweet Apple Acres cast into silver light and shadow as Luna’s moon rose over the land, the bright orb almost three-quarters full and casting just enough light for Thistle to see by. Slowly the mare drifted from fenced garden to fenced garden, passing the barn and shed until finally her hooves stopped her before one particular garden. It was nothing special, really; a smaller patch compared to the rest of Sweet Apple Acres, holding perhaps a dozen tomato plants and two dozen pepper plants, red and green… but it was a familiar spot to Thistledown, and without a second thought she entered the fenced area, shutting the gate behind her. The leaves of the plants brushed gently against her legs as she walked slowly among the plants, her eyes never leaving the stars above her. She came to a small open spot at the end of the row and sat down, the plants rustling around her as if greeting her to their world.

She took a deep breath, and smiled up at the stars. Steady, she thought. I know… that it’s been a long time since I talked to you… and I’m sorry. I want you to know that… no matter what happens… you’ll always be Honeysuckle’s father… and you’ll always be my first love. Thistle felt tears spring to her eyes, but she smiled anyway, the salty taste of tears touching the corners of her mouth as she continued. I’ve hidden behind you for too long, Steady… and what Applejack said is right. I know you wouldn’t want that. She chuckled silently. It would just figure… something that I thought was a bad thing turns out to be exactly the thing I needed to happen. I know you’re getting a kick out of that. Thistledown took a deep breath. I love you, Steady, and I always will… but I know you brought Wild to me… and…

Behind her, she heard the gate open and shut quietly. She glanced over her shoulder… and her heart leaped into her throat.

Wild Wings stood there near the gate, his gray coat appearing more silver in the moonlight, his red eyes on her.

Thistle froze, and fear began to bubble up in her chest… but after a moment he gave her a small smile before making his way slowly to her side, picking his path carefully through the plants until he was right next to her, where he sat down with a sigh and cast his own eyes to the stars above.

The mare couldn’t help but watch him, bathed in the light of the night; her heart began to beat almost painfully in her chest, hard enough that the gentle sounds of the night were beginning to fade in its wake. She took a deep, steadying breath, and turned her eyes to the stars as well.

They sat together for several minutes- exactly how long, Thistle could never remember- until finally he shifted. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “About… what I said earlier. It was wrong of me, and I hope that you can forgive me.”

Thistledown nodded, her eyes still on the sky. “I accept your apology… even though you were absolutely right.” She sighed. “And I apologize for… hitting you. I am so sorry… normally I don’t… well, hit others.”

She heard him chuckle. “Yeah… it’s probably a good thing. You pack quite a punch.”

Thistledown turned to him, her eyes shining in the starlight as she smiled mischievously. “That wasn’t even a hard punch,” she said lightly. “You should see what happens when I buck apples with Applejack.”

The Pegasus met her gaze and smiled slightly. “I don’t doubt that you’re a force to be reckoned with,” he said.

The two lapsed into silence again, each watching the other closely, staring into one another’s eyes as if they could never see enough. Finally, Thistle broke the silence.

“If… if this is going to work, Wild Wings, I need a few things.”

“Name them.”

“Well… first off… no taking Honey for ice cream after school. It ruins her appetite for dinner.”

“… how about on Fridays?”

“… fine. Fridays only.” She sighed. “Second, please, if you’re going to fly her around, make sure she takes a brush with her; flying ruins her mane, and it is so adorable when it’s brushed.”

Wild chuckled lightly. “I think I can handle that.”

Thistledown turned to him, and suddenly couldn’t keep the tears from her eyes. “And third… I… I need you to promise me that you’re not going to leave me… Because…” She stifled a sob, and he scooted close enough to her for her to bury her eyes into his shoulder. “Because I love you… and I couldn’t bear to lose you…” she said shakily. “I know that… it’s ridiculous to ask for that… but… I need to hear it…”

She felt him shift, and he sat back slightly. With his hoof, he gently touched her chin, lifting her eyes to meet his; those amazing, shocking red eyes that had captured her heart the moment she saw them.

“It’s not ridiculous,” he said gently… and he extended his right wing forward, depositing a small box into his hoof.

Thistledown’s eyes widened until she felt like they might pop out of her head, and it felt like Applejack had dropped a whole tree on her. Slowly, Wild brought the box in front of him, and with both hooves he opened it.

Inside was a single ring, obviously made to go on the lobe of the ear; it was simple, a band of silver with a small, sparkling diamond at the center that blazed with color in the light of the moon.

“It’s not your average stone,” she heard him say. “It’s actually what Princess Luna calls a Tear of the Moon, a diamond that shines all the brighter in moonlight. I was surprised to see that Ponyville had one, but the broker said that it’s been there for a while, and nopony was interested in it.”

Thistledown stared at the ring, then finally brought her eyes to his. “What… what are…” she said numbly.

Wild chuckled slightly. “Well… I thought that was obvious. I’m giving you my heart.” He pulled the ring from the box. “I was locked in a spell for almost a thousand years, Thistledown. I missed a lot of life… and I don’t intend to miss any more. But during these three months I’ve realized that anything I do with the life I’ve been given won’t mean anything if I can’t do it with you.” He reached up and placed the ring onto her left earlobe before sitting back, his red eyes intent on hers. “Thistledown… will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Tears welled up in Thistledown’s eyes, and she couldn’t restrain the sobs anymore. She felt like her heart was trying to leap out of her throat and hug him itself; she threw her hooves around him and pulled him close, sobbing quietly against him as he wrapped his wings around her gently.

After several minutes, she heard him chuckle. “So… is that a yes?”

She half-choked a laugh. “Y-yes, you big idiot… of course, yes.”

She felt his hooves on her shoulders as he pushed her back slightly; his eyes met hers again… and he kissed her.

Thistledown leaned into the kiss, wrapping her forelegs around his neck as every last ounce of fear and anger and hesitance evaporated from her; in their place rose one, incredible, unbelievable feeling, a feeling that she had long ago thought she would never feel again.

She was in love with this stupid Pegasus… and she would be with him forever.

After what seemed like an eternity and a split second Wild broke the kiss, leaving Thistledown decidedly short of breath. He smiled down at her, bumping his nose against hers. “Are you all right?” he asked softly. Thistle nodded absently, not trusting her mind to actually form coherent words at that moment. To her surprise, Wild Wings grinned and turned away from her. “Girls? She said yes!”

From the bushes outside the garden rose a loud cheer, and four fillies burst from the foliage, leaping and shouting together in a jumble of incoherent words. One of the small silhouettes broke away from the rest, slammed open the garden gate and came barreling towards the two ponies at the end of the path; Thistledown saw a pink and white mane bobbing among the plants, and within a few seconds Honeysuckle threw herself at Wild Wings, her eyes glittering with tears.

The gray stallion caught her deftly, pulling her close to him as she sobbed loudly, and just like that Thistledown’s own tears were flowing again; she sniffled and moved closer to the stallion she loved, resting her head on his shoulder as he wrapped one of his wings around her. Honeysuckle turned her head and looked at Thistle, her cheeks streaked with tears.

“Y-you really said yes, Momma..?” she asked haltingly. “A-are you really gonna marry Mr. Wings?”

Thistledown could only nod, and the happiness that blazed in Honeysuckle’s eyes was enough to render her completely speechless.

The little filly sniffled. “I love you, Momma,” she whispered. Then she wrapped her tiny hooves around Wild Wings’ neck. “And I love you too… Daddy.”

The moon rose higher over Sweet Apple Acres, shining its silvery light over the three ponies who had finally found one another, and in spite of all odds had come together to make the most incredible thing known to pony-kind:

A family.

Comments

[Applejack-fan]

Awesome as ever bro! They were meant all along to be together.

And FIRST post on a chapter, that's a premiere for me