Seconds Late

by FerociousCreation


Bench Talk

In his black vision, Alto could feel the grip from Harp Hearts’ hoof loosen. Already a bad sign. Opening his eyes, he looked over at the pink mare, her stare firmly stuck on him. A streak of blush brighter than her fur could ever be rested on her cute face. “M-me?” she mumbled.

Alto had to admit, getting the truth out made him feel less stressed about it. However, he worried about his friend’s thoughts. “Y-yeah…” he nodded.

Harp Hearts looked up at the sky, a hot huff of air escaped her lungs. “Me?” the mare repeated.

Blinking away, Alto muttered, “I'm sorry…”

“Alto, look at me.” He flinched at her words. Obeying, but still scared, Alto peered back at her. Harp Hearts’ smile almost touched her eyes as she bore her stare into Alto. “Was I that special mare?”

Alto didn't smile. His blush spoke on its own. “Yes.” He watched her eyes scan over him, inching little by little. Harp Hearts’ pink bow stood out in the orange light they sat in and he stared at it. “Now you know…”

A light touch beneath his chin lifted Alto’s head. Peering into a pair of glittering amethysts, the unicorn couldn't flee from them. “That was so sweet of you!” Harp Hearts squeaked, pulling her friend close.

The stallion’s jaw fell open, surprised with his friend’s reaction. “You aren't upset with me?”

Shaking her head, Harp Hearts answered, “Not even close.” Her ears fell back as the mare squirmed around. “Do you… like me?”

“More,” Alto croaked, his throat choking on emotions. Harp Hearts gasped and her blush brightened. “You mean so much to be. You are the fun, smart, and… the most beautiful mare I have always wanted in my life.” Unable to hide it, the earth pony smiled. She couldn't keep her eyes on him, too flustered than Harp Hearts wanted to admit. So she stared at the rose sticking out of his tuxedo. “And you are more than those things, Harp.” Alto rotated his body, fully facing the mare. “You helped me change. You saw through my sins and knew I was struggling. Despite my horrible character, you didn't give up on me. You are the gust that blew away my sorrow. You are the light I needed in my life. You gave me mercy.” A harsh pressure pressed against Alto’s brain. He finally let Harp Hearts know the truth. But a headache didn't make him worry any less.

“Hehe, the song you wrote for me is starting to make more sense,” Harp Hearts giggled.

“It doesn't matter, though…” Alto scratched the corner of his eye. “You aren't looking for a special somepony anyways.”

Harp Hearts’ smile faded like ice on a skillet. “I should be the one who is sorry, Alto. If I… if I didn't feel the way I do about having a relationship, I would definitely be your girlfriend. I just… need time.”

His rivers were now refilled. Alto’s brows twitched and his lips writhed. Anger and sorrow boiled in his breast, like a thunderstorm during a hot summer day. At the sight of the first tear, Harp Hearts gasped, “Alto!” She pulled him close and nuzzled against the upset stallion. “Hey, hey, it’s okay.”

“No, it's not,” Alto sobbed. It didn't bother him that he was crying in front of Harp Hearts; he’s done it before. What did bother him was the rejection. “I just had to rush in, thinking I had a chance with you now that High Brass was out of the picture! But you looked so scared and… you trust me that much! How could I not?” Alto shook his head, disapproving what he had just done. “It was a stupid idea. I am sorry.”

Harp Hearts pondered her friend’s statement. “Now that I think about it, I agree. You were too hasty. But that does not mean I hate you. And like I said, if I did want to have a boyfriend now I would love to be your special somepony. Doesn't that make you feel somewhat better?” The mare tickled at Alto’s ribs, forcing a smile out of him.

“It does,” he sniffed. Alto tried to wipe his tears, but Harp Hearts beat him to it. Both smiled at one another, flushed in the face. “Why would you want to be my special somepony?” Alto asked.

“Isn't it obvious?” Harp Hearts giggled. “I always talked about you to High Brass and the girls. You are an amazing friend to me. I may not be as colorful with words as you are, but what I can say is you are very handsome, very talented, and very fun to be around. I would not want to pass up an opportunity like this if I wasn’t so mopey right now. However, I honestly think I am underqualified to be your girlfriend. I am nowhere near perfect.”

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Harp Hearts,” Alto reassured.

Looking at the ground, the earth pony’s hold on Alto loosened. “Of course, right now is not the best time for me…” Like a snake slithering back into its home, Harp Hearts retracted her arms. “Thank you for at least telling me the truth, Alto.”

Truth. The word rang in Alto’s ears. High Brass’ mocking face blinked into his mind. Alto couldn't hide it any longer. “No, Harp. I have not told you the truth, or at least, not all of it.”

“What do you mean, Alto?” He looked away from Harp Hearts, not sure if what he said would be believed. Harp Hearts tapped his shoulder. “Alto, is there something you need to tell me?”

He took a deep breath, “How much do you trust me?”

“A lot, of course,” Harp said.

“Would you believe me if… if I told you High Brass had a bigger motive when he asked you out?” A cold breeze bit at Alto's neck, causing him to shiver with intense nervousness.

Harp Hearts shook her head, smiling, “Are you giving in to the rumor against him? Let me guess, you and High Brass do have something against each other.”

Thinking quickly, Alto said, “Th-think about it, Harp. I am not trying to make you feel worse but…” A frustrated sigh left the unicorn. “Yes, I do have more than just something against High Brass." Harp Hearts' brow creased, making it difficult to tell if she was angry or sad. "Again, think hard about that day he asked you to the dance. Please. Remember when I told you I was going to ask a mare to the Hearts and Hooves Formal by singing her a song?”

"Yes," Harp Hearts nodded. "And then High Brass came up and asked you who you wrote it for.”

Alto nodded, “Right! Of course, I was very nervous and didn't want him to interrupt the moment between you and me.”

“Which makes sense why you were so bothered by him that day.” The stress on Harp Heart's eyebrows lifted, a sign Alto wanted to see.

“And then he threw the sudden question if you were going to the dance.” Alto leaned forward, “Doesn't that make you somewhat suspicious? Why all of a sudden he would come up to you and I, ruining a perfect opportunity for me to ask you to the dance? He was up to his mare snatching game. That moment, I think he was testing me, seeing if I would ask you out on the spot to prevent me losing you.” Alto’s mouth lifted slightly, remembering a silly moment. “And when you pushed me out of the classroom, that was his chance.”

Harp Hearts looked across the road, staring into a darkened window of somepony’s home. “Are you saying that High Brass stole me away from you?”

“Because of his hatred against me, there was more of a motive to do so.” The air suddenly felt cold, leaving Alto to shiver beside a body of heat.

Taking in the sharp, freezing air, Harp Hearts sniffed through her nostrils. Coldness stung at her brain. “Do you think… do you think that High Brass lied about everything he said to me?”

Remember his talk with High Brass in the hall, Alto shook his head, “I genuinely believe he did love you. Of course, he then shouted at me, not understanding why you saw anything in me. He also didn't like how you talked about me all the time. This was spoken to me when High Brass and I were in the hallway.”

Bitten to hard by the cold and sadness, Harp Hearts began to quiver. And tear up. Without any hesitation, Alto pulled the pink pony close. Her arms tightened around his torso. “Why didn't you tell me the truth?” she cried, staring into Alto’s brown eyes.

“I was afraid, intimidated…” Alto admitted, “...and I didn't want to ruin your happiness.” Harp Hearts parted her lips, but the stallion brought his hoof to the mare’s snout. She flushed and her grip tightened.

“The day High Brass asked you out, he and Bastion confronted me at my locker. He mocked me for being weak and not having the courage to ask you to the dance. I also retaliated against High Brass by pushing him back after he shoved past me. But then Bastion stood up against me and kicked me in the side.”

Harp Hearts’ mouth dropped open, “I can’t believe that-”

Alto held up a hoof to stop any possible vulgarity that may start flying. “After all that harm was done to me, I didn’t know if you would believe me. Even just as I told you how the rumor about High Brass was true, for a moment, you doubted me.” He shook his head, wondering what would happen if he had told her sooner. “I know you didn't believe me until I had you convinced.”

Harp Hearts swallowed as she stared at Alto’s rose. “I'm sorry I did. I didn't want to believe it. But there is one thing you are wrong about.”

“And that is?”

“You don't have me convinced about High Brass,” Harp Hearts said. “I believe you. And I want to trust my friend more than anything. All I needed was evidence. And you provided enough of it.”

“Thanks,” Alto smiled, blushing at the compliment. It quickly faded like a paintbrush covering dry paint with a new coat. “I also didn't want to ruin your happiness. You were so happy. And I at least wanted to see the one I lo- care about filled with joy.”

Harp Hearts’ mane swayed as she shook her head in disapproval. “Not at the expense of my friend’s happiness does it make me feel happy. Besides, High Brass asked me to the dance in spite of you, yes?”

“I think his confrontation at my locker confirms that,” Alto answered.

“Then you should have told me the truth sooner!” Harp Hearts shook her friend a little. “You must have gone through so much hurt because of him.” A rare expression of anger flared. “That… jerk!” She blinked at Alto. “Is that why you cried onstage? Because of all the hurt you felt?”

The memory made his eyes ache. “Yes,” Alto nodded.

“Oh, Alto…” Her arms ran up the stallion’s back until they reached Alto’s neck. “You didn't have to go through all that for me. The truth is what is important to me. You know this.”

“I do,” Alto admitted, his throat suddenly hurting. He did like seeing Harp Hearts dangle by his neck. A streak of blush brightened on the earth pony. Both Alto and Harp Hearts enjoyed each other's company, no longer hurt by the same stallion.

“Hey Alto, I have an idea…” Harp Hearts whispered.

A surge of joy pumped through the stallion’s heart. “What is it?” Is she changing her mind about having a boyfriend!?

“If and when I get out of my fit of not wanting to have a boyfriend, I will let you know I am ready to be your special somepony.” Harp glanced at the bench, flustered with the suggestion.

As for Alto, it was not something he wanted to hear. “Are you suggesting I wait?”

“You can, but I don’t want to hinder your search for finding another mare.” Harp Hearts shrugged, “Who knows, maybe you will find somepony much more beautiful than me.”

Pondering the possibility, Alto imagined him dating Spearmint. She was the easiest to conjure up, considering he and she made out during the dance. However, something about the possibility bothered him. “What if I do find that special somepony, and at the same time, you get over your bad rap against relationships? What if you find yourself in love with me, but end up being… seconds late to tell me you're ready?”

“It wouldn't be your fault,” Harp Hearts replied.

“But I don't want you to get hurt.” Another scenario plagued Alto, “And what if I grow impatient and ask you to be my girlfriend next week?”

“I will be the one letting you know when I am ready,” Harp Hearts smirked.

A black cloud shrouded above the stallion, realizing the flaws in Harp Hearts’ plan. “Don't you get it? There is a chance things may get awkward between us, or worse! I know I love you. And I know I will grow impatient.” He shook his head. “The last thing I want to do is pester you.” Harp Hearts blinked, silently dangling onto Alto’s neck, like a swing being pushed by a light breeze. “And another thing, Harp: what if you find yourself liking some other stallion while I wait?”

“I wouldn't let that happen if you are still in love with me.”

“How would you know if I was still in love with you when I cannot ask you if you are ready?” Alto asked. Harp Hearts had no reply. I cannot believe I am arguing against her. “Your idea has a lot of holes; holes that either of us can fall into. Besides, I don't want to hold onto a hope that might allow me to be your boyfriend. You and I may be a case of it was never meant to be…”

Harp Hearts swallowed, “Then what should we do?”

Alto looked toward the black sky. “I would rather us stay friends.” I never thought I would say those words. His heart sank, shattering in his stomach.

“N-no!” Harp Hearts argued. “Let’s- let’s be a couple then!”

The words were like honey on the tongue, but Alto knew better than to swallow. “I thought you said you weren't into being in a relationship.”

Harp Hearts pressed her muzzle on her friend’s nose. “But I- feel bad… After all the emotions you spilled for me, I wouldn't want to have all that go to waste!”

“Do not do that to yourself just because I won't get what I want,” Alto countered. “Don't lie to yourself. You know you are not ready for another relationship. And you know you aren't ready for me.” Alto was certain he would at least shed a tear by now, but not a single drop had formed.

Retreating her head back, Harp Hearts’ ears retreated. “I wish I was ready…”

Alto shrugged, “Some things can't be helped.” It dawned onto Alto that he was still clinging onto Harp Hearts. Her warmth was welcoming and friendly. At least her embraces will not go away. “So I will say it again: let us be friends. I don't want to hold onto a possibility. I'd rather have a definite yes or no.”

“Okay,” was all Harp Hearts could muster up. Alto loosened his hold on the pink pony, not wanting to let go, but he knew it was time to do so. However, Harp Hearts pulled down on Alto’s neck. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips sagged. “If this is it between you and me, then… then let me at least give you something to compensate for everything you have done for me!”

Trusting her neck forward, Harp Hearts pressed her lips against Alto’s mouth. Her pull against his neck was almost painful, but the stallion didn't care. His body shivered with adrenaline, surprised by the sudden action. Alto watched Harp Hearts, observing her closed eyes. One last time, Alto fell in love with the beautiful mare. And he closed his eyes, to enjoy a temporary dream along with the earth pony he will never love the same again.