//------------------------------// // Chapter the Next // Story: Tugging at Her Heartstrings // by neutralmilk //------------------------------// “Don’t you just wish this moment could last forever?” You open your eyes, breathing in deep the crisp autumn air and smile in response. Around you the leaves have already begun to change, most of them bright red or orange, their colours matching the sunset off in the distance. “This?” you ask, casually draping your arm around Lyra Heartstrings, your caretaker, friend and now longtime girlfriend. “Hmmm, yeah. I think I could live with this.” It was the eve of the Running of the Leaves, and you and Lyra decided to spend the day together enjoying the scenery as much as possible before the competitors turned the forest barren. Tomorrow you’d be around to cheer her on to victory, or at least something better than the last time she ran. Rumor had it Rainbow Dash and Applejack were coming back to settle an old score… You quickly shake your thoughts back to the present, admiring the beautiful scenery. You and Lyra sit on a park bench, the unicorn leaning against you lovingly. Before you stretches a pond, calm and placid an ocean of brown, red and yellow leaved trees surround you both and climbing up into the equally colorful sky. You sigh. The same pond where you made a complete fool of yourself almost two years prior… Eh, I’m only human. You think to yourself. And she… Your eyes turn to look at Lyra resting on you. She’s a pony. But she’s mine. And I couldn’t be happier. A smile crawls on your face as you take in another deep breath. The wind picks up briefly, picking up and carrying several leaves past you and Lyra. You glance down at her, watching the wind ruffle her aquamarine and white mane. An overwhelming urge to kiss the mare comes over you, but you fight it back, instead choosing to tell her how you feel. “Lyra, I-” “Shhh.” She responds lovingly, delicately placing a hoof over your lips. “Let’s just enjoy this moment together.” You look into her golden eyes and see the dimming sunlight reflect from them into your own. Your soul soars. You think about all the good times the two of you have had in the past two years. You think about your first Hearth’s Warming Eve together. Your first Hearts and Hooves day. Hell, even your first fight. You smile. You think about how you wouldn’t give those memories up for anything. You don’t want to leave Equestria anymore. Your home is Ponyville. Your home is with Lyra. “Lyra, I lo-” “I know you do.” The mare answers, turning to face you. She smiles at you sweetly and squeezes you tightly. “Let’s just enjoy this sunset, alright? It’s absolutely beautiful out here.” You sigh and smile back, repositioning yourself on the park bench. You look at the way Lyra sits and fight back a chuckle, still finding it funny to see a pony sitting the way a human does. But yet, it seems to suit her. Lyra always was different from the other ponies you met. She seemed almost as human as you were. A small brightly coloured cardinal flies before you and the mare of your dreams, perching itself on the branch of a nearby tree. Its song is melodic and sweet and only seems to add to the perfection of the day. Your own personal soundtrack. You reach your hand out and touch the musical mare’s face, gently turning it towards yours. Her golden eyes stare into yours, a smile adorning both of your faces. “Lyra, I want to spend the rest of my life here with you.” You tell her, feeling your heart surging with each word. “I love you.” You close your eyes slowly and lean towards her, lips puckered slightly. You wait for the feeling of her lips pressing against yours, her breath warm and her aquamarine coat brushing against your skin. But it doesn’t come. “Hey, idiot, wake up!” Your eyes shoot open. “Wha-huh?” you ask sleepily, sitting up. You suddenly realize that you’re at home in yours and Lyra’s bed. “What happened?” You rub your hands against your eyes, breaking away bits of sleep sand that were forming. “You were snoring.” Lyra responds angrily, her hooves on her hips. “Now cut it out and go back to bed.” You groan and flop back down on the bed. Lyra lightly punches your arm, signaling you to shut up and tugs on the covers until you’re lying on the bed, completely exposed. You sigh. Your “perfect day” had turned out be nothing but a dream. I should have known. You tell yourself, annoyance washing over you. I mean, I know that Lyra would never be that romantic. What the hell was I thinking, trying to have a nice day with her? God knows even in my dreams that’s impossible. Angrily, you turn on your side, facing away from Lyra. Tiredness begins to set it instantly as you start drifting back to sleep. “Oh, and hot stuff?” You open your eyes and lay still, waiting for her to continue. “I love you too.” You smile and close your eyes. Yeah, I guess I can live with this.