//------------------------------//
// I Still Love You 
// Story: All the King's Horses 
// by Vanity 
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Featherfoot stepped off the Griffon caravan, the hippogriff holding up a claw in mock salute at the disgusted-looking Griffons at the head.

"Pleasure knowing you, ladies."

Featherfoot was, of course, not his real name. In truth, he had spent so long under his captors since he had been a hatchling, he did not remember the name he had once been given. Featherfoot had been the least derogatory of the slurs his tormentors had thrown at him, and it had become the only name he would respond to. To him, the past ten years of his life were as defining as his beak and wings, and he refused to allow anycreature to pretend otherwise.

Beside him, Emerald River leapt from the carriage and threw his arms around Featherfoot's shoulders, shooting the Griffons a smug, yet wary smirk. Leaning in, he whispered in Featherfoot's ear so that only he could hear.

"Let's go. I don't want to wait for them to change their mind."

The pair of them set off at a gallop with a burst of joyful laughter and cheers, and in seconds they had taken flight, soaring above the clouds and breathing in the sweet smell of fresh, free air for the first time in living memory. Slowing to a hovering stop, the pair of them stared at each other for a moment before Featherfoot threw himself at Emerald River, wrapping his claws tightly around him as he buried his head in his companion's chest.

"We... we did it." He let out a mixture between a laugh and sob into Emerald Stream's chest. "I never thought we'd get out. Not unless it was in a box."

Laughing, Emerald Stream pulled him back gently and ruffled his hair.

"Me neither. But I had you, and that's all I needed."

Their beaks met, and for a few golden moments, all was forgotten. There was only the whistling of the wind, the flutter of their wings, and the beating of their hearts in perfect unity. As they broke away, their claws remained locked together. It was Featherfoot who first broke that perfect silence.

"So... what now?"

"Whatever you want." Emerald Stream breathed, a big, stupid-looking grin on his face. "Wherever you want. Nothing's too good for my Featherfoot."

"Idiot." Featherfoot laughed. "Come on, we've no money, no food, nothing. Where else? We need to go back home."

"Home." Emerald Stream muttered the word as if it was something dirty. "Of course. I've just missed it so much."

"Emerald, don't. What have you got against home?"

"We... you... we can't..." He gestured pointedly. "Not back home. Not in public."

"Not in public." Featherfoot purred the last word, running a claw down Emerald Stream's chest that caused him to judder precariously, as if he might fall out of the air. "You know it's only for a little bit. Get our bearings, scrape some money together, then we hit the road."

"I guess." Emerald Stream sighed. "It's been so long. So long since I've had to deal with their... I just can't believe the Griffons made us look relatively civilized on that front."

"Did... do you not remember where we've been the last ten years?" Featherfoot cocked his head. "You remember all that hard labour? I don't know if you got the memo, but the check's not in the mail for that one." He gave Emerald Stream a playful shove. "We've only been free a month, and you're already getting nostalgic."

"You know what I mean. It just puts it all in perspective, right?"

"Right. As in, it's A O.K. to be a murderous slaver empire as long as you don't get in the way of true love." Featherfoot drawled the last two words with sarcasm. "Well, when we're living it up in Canterlot, we can have the best of both worlds."

"Canterlot. That's what you want?"

"Of course. It's all I've ever wanted, ever since... well, forever."

"What will we do there?"

"Whatever. Odd jobs, maybe start our own business." Featherfoot wrapped himself around Emerald Stream's leg once more. "I don't care where it is, as long as it's with you."

Emerald Stream hugged him back, then gently pried him off.

"Come on, let's get moving. I don't want to be out here when it gets dark."

They had been but a stone's throw from their home village, and it was but mere minutes before they found themselves amongst those familiar huts and paved stone pathways. As they landed, their demeanour quickly changed, and they strode stiffly side by side, occasionally stealing glances at each other that gave nothing away.