//------------------------------//
// ... And How To Use It. 
// Story: Catharsis 
// by L-N 
//------------------------------//

You sigh as you see the crack of dawn in the distance. Well, work was going to suck today.

Better to see if you can steal a nap at least.

On the couch.

“Don’t...”

You glance back at the alicorn on your back- clearly talking in her sleep.

Or, you assumed. You couldn’t really turn your neck- you could only really see her mane drifting softly next to you.

Considering the hooves curled around your neck, and them being as limp as ever, you could make a solid guess though.

It took... some time to get her there without waking her up.

And even if it was a pain at times, especially to your poor back as you leaned forwards to keep her from slipping off, it was worth it. You hadn’t seen her sleeping this peacefully, well, ever.

For Equestria’s ‘Demon of the Night’, she was pretty bad at fighting off her own terrors, it seemed.

... It was another reason why you made sure she got to sleep properly, and dealt with the couch for so long.

But not tonight, apparently. Tonight she gets some peace.

She’s earned it.

So while it was a pain to eventually get everything back in the basket, and gently nudge her into grasping onto your back, all without waking her up through it all...

Totally worth it.

...

Well. Starting tomorrow, things’d definitely be a bit different at home.

You were going to extend your daily-regimen of ‘be healthy’ on her, and just, work on things.

It was going to take a while, definitely, but it was probably going to be a lot easier than it was for you at first. Not relying on motivation or- god forbid- discipline, would help, for sure. And having a friend to help you through it would help.

Because seeing her smile tonight? Seeing her get happy like that? Seeing her get out of that damned fog, and finally get a good day?

It’s absolutely worth it.

...

“Mmmf...”

She shuffled on your back again, hooves curling a bit closer to your neck.

... You could straighten your back a bit. The god of carrying capacity was on your side this time.

She, of course, took that moment to react to the movement, prompting you to stop.

Only for her to rest her head on your shoulder, and tighten the grip further.

Which... meant you could stand properly now.

“Thank you,” you mumble under your breath, leaning back into the walk.

“No, I want...” she nuzzled into the side of your neck more, “... be happy... don’t...”

“I-”

‘I think you’ve got the roles reversed there, moonie. But the thought’s appreciated.’

You reach up your only free hand, and give her neck a few small scratches.

If her happy little sigh mid-dream told you anything, she appreciated it.

‘I hope the dream’s nice. And dream-me, if you do anything weird, you’re accountable.’

You crested the final hill on the way back to town, and as you saw your house on the edge of Ponyville, you couldn’t help but smile.

No matter what, everything was going to be okay.