It definitely felt weird to Twilight, being in town again. After spending so much time cooped in the library the unicorn was anxious about being outside again. It wasn't just because it had been so long but deep down she knew everypony was staring at her horn. It was as though with every step she took she could hear a new pony whisper about her fractured horn. It hurt her. Whenever she would start really panicking about it though one of Fluttershy's wings would extend around the lavender mare's body and bring her in close. Almost as though the pegasus knew when Twilight needed reassurance.
It wasn't easy for Fluttershy to freely show her affection in a public place. Since it seemed like it really helped Twilight she could push her shyness aside. Fluttershy was more than used to having ponies whispering about her, or saying nasty things about her. It made her angry that these ponies would even dare say a word against Twilight. After all the times Twilight had put her safety on the line to help the citizens of Ponyville. It was almost as though they'd forgotten all the good she'd done, or the fact that the element of magic had feelings. Ingrates... Fluttershy though to herself, surprised she was capable of such a mean thought.
Twilight sighed and tried to ignore the other ponies. At least it's a nice day out... was all she could think of to get her mind off the situation. Initially she'd been hungry when her and her marefriend had left. She'd hoped to maybe enjoy a picnic, hopefully with the rest of her friends too. Now she felt nauseous and only wanted to go back to the library. Fluttershy on the other hoof was growing concerned as well. The butter-yellow mare was growing worried that she wouldn't be able to cheer Twilight up at all. Just as Fluttershy went to open her mouth, the feeling of Twilight's body under her wing disappeared.
Twilight hit the ground with a large thud; she could feel something wrapping itself around her neck. Tiny arms, maybe? When the unicorn looked down she was welcomed to the sigh of her number-one-assistant. The baby dragon had tackled Twilight to the ground to get his arms around the unicorn. There were clearly tears in the young dragon's eyes and his grip around Twilight tightened.
"Ow!" Twilight yelped. "Spike, you're hurting me." His grip loosened a little bit, but he didn't speak yet. Twilight brought her hoofs around Spike as well. "I missed you too, Spike." Twilight whispered. Spike hadn't said anything, but Twilight knew he was thinking it.
Eventually Spike let go and Twilight was able to return to her hooves.
When Twilight stood up she was surprised to see Rarity standing beside Fluttershy. It quickly made sense though. Spike must have been with Rarity when he'd seen Twilight and tackled her.
"Twilight, where have you been?" Spike almost sounded angry. He wiped his eyes with his arm.
"I'm so sorry Spike. I just needed some time alone. I'm feeling much better though thanks to Fluttershy." The yellow pegasus blushed at the mention of her. "In fact you can come back home tonight if you want."
"I'm not crying!" A pause. "But I do want to come home." He gave a passing glance to Fluttershy, then back to Twilight. "You're feeling better? So you're going to be okay now, right?"
Spike was looking up at her with such a hopeful expression. Twilight felt her eyes growing moist. He'd taken the lavender unicorn's words out of context. Twilight wasn't sure how to break it to him. Telling him would just destroy him, but she couldn't exactly lie to him.
In the end she didn't have to. "What are you two doing out? Not that I'm not happy to see the two of you. Especially you Twilight, it's about time you came out of that library." When Rarity spoke Spike had turned towards her. This gave Twilight time to wipe her eyes.
"Twilight needed to go shopping. She's pretty much out of food at the library." Fluttershy cut in.
"How dreadful!" Rarity was making it more dramatic than it was. Anything to keep Spike from asking such difficult questions.
Twilight nodded, an idea having just sprung to mind. "Yes. We need groceries for the library." She turned towards Spike. "You're still my number one assistant right Spike?"
"You know I am." He replied, almost cockily.
"Then can you go pick up the food and bring it back to the library. We'll catch up with you later, okay?"
"But I want to stay with you." Spike complained. He didn't want to leave Twilight, he'd only just reunited with her.
"Please, Spike."
Spike wanted to argue some more but Twilight sounded so desperate he decided not to. He just nodded. Twilight gave him a pouch full of bits and sent him off. He knew what to buy; he always went with her when she did the shopping. The three ponies watched him walked away, bouncing the pouch up and down in his claw.
"He's been such a mess whilst you've been away, dear." Rarity said.
"I can imagine." Twilight sighed.
Just as they seemed to be getting onto darker subject they all turned towards the sound of their other friends. Two of them seemed to be squabbling.
"It's cheatin' ah tell 'ya!"
"It is not! My wings are part of who I am. You can't expect a peagsus to compete like an earth pony. Pinkie, tell her I didn't cheat!"
Pinkie bounced along beside Applejack and Rainbow Dash. "I think you two need to just try and- TWILIGHT!" Pinkie disappeared in a flash.
"Twilight? What in tarnation is that pony talkin' about?" Applejack dismissed it as another of Pinkie's weird quirks until she saw the purple unicorn a little ways ahead of her. At this point Rainbow Dash had seen her too and together her and Applejack caught up to Pinkie Pie, then to Twilight and their two other friends.
"Girls!" Twilight called out.
It didn't take long for it to evolve into a group hug. Everypony was please to see Twilight out of the library again.
"We should go somewhere a little more quiet. We have a lot of catching up to do." Twilight said, looking at each of her friends in turn.
With that the six of them headed to a quieter part of Ponyville, the spot they had their pet play-dates in fact.
**
It was good to catch up with her friends. Another time where her life felt normal. It gave Twilight time to forget everything. All the thoughts of what had happened that morning, or her horn or even the fact that she was going to die were pushed from her mind in the company of the most wonderful of friends. The friendly chatter and laughter were coming to an end though. Twilight had a few important things to share with her friends, although one of them could only be shared if her marefriend was okay with it.
When everypony seemed distracted Twilight leaned to the side and whispered into Fluttershy's ear "Is it okay if I tell them?"
Fluttershy froze for a moment. Every possibility ran through her mind and her initial instinct was to say no. Then she thought about it and realized there was nothing to worry about. Her feelings for Twilight were real and the pegasus felt that she was really falling for the unicorn. The fear of being made fun disappeared as well. These were Fluttershy's best friends. Nothing to concern herself with. So Fluttershy, mustering every ounce of courage she had, spoke up.
"Um, excuse me, everypony...I, um, have something I'd like to say."
Everypony stopped and turned towards their shy friend. Five pairs of eyes focused on a pony who had never been comfortable in the spotlight. One pair of eyes reassured her though, the eyes of the lavender unicorn who sat beside here weren't filled with curiosity. Only with shock.
Twilight was expecting to tell them herself, she would never put that kind of pressure on Fluttershy. The yellow pegasus impressed her though. Everything Fluttershy seemed to do lately was for her. I'll have to do something for her, as soon as I can think of something to do...
"I, um, have a sort of announcement to make. I, um, recently seem to have...Um....Fallen for a certain pony."
There were gasps all around, excluding the object of Fluttershy's affection of course and Rarity. The three friends who did not know what were going on began speaking all at once. Fluttershy squeaked and backed away a little. She knew this would be a big deal to her friends but she hadn't been expecting this. The yellow mare couldn't even get a word out to continue, she was being bombarded with questions from her friends.
Twilight whistled loudly. "Everypony relax. Give her a chance to breathe."
Everypony quieted. Still their eyes remained on Fluttershy.
"I, um, sort of kind of got a marefriend." Fluttershy exhaled.
Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Pinkie Pie each exchanged a look; obviously trying to figure out who would be allowed to say something. Pinkie Pie quickly raised a hoof and began bouncing on the spot.
"Pinkie Pie?" Fluttershy asked curiously.
"I'm raising my hoof to ask a question." The pink pony replied casually.
There were several amused chuckles shared.
"Oh, um, yes?" Was Fluttershy's response.
"Can we know who your marefriend is? Can we? Can we? I bet it's somepony nice, not as nice as you of course. You're like the nicest pony ever. I think I'm pretty nice too th-"
"Pinkie, I'd like to hear the answer." Rainbow Dash cut in.
Pinkie silenced and returned her stare to Fluttershy.
"Um, yes you can. It's, um...Twilight."
Another torrent of comments and questions assaulted Fluttershy's ears. She squeaked and withdrew again. This time Twilight stepped in, literally stepping in front of Fluttershy. Everypony quieted again.
"I care about Fluttershy a lot. With everything that's going on she's made everything feel better. She's been there for me the last few days like nopony has before. That's not to say none of you would have been there for me, you're all wonderful friends. I just have this...Connection with Fluttershy. She's..." Twilight couldn't find words wonderful enough to describe her marefriend.
Applejack gave the lavender unicorn a smirk. " 'Ya don't gotta explain, sugar cube. I think we all know what 'yer describin' here is love."
The two lovers blushed, sheepishly staring at the ground.
"Way to go 'Shy!" Rainbow Dash was by Fluttershy in a flash. Nudging her with her elbow and a large grin on her face. "I always knew you'd find yourself a nice colt or mare."
"I'm so, SO happy for you two! You two must be so happy as well. We need to throw a PARTY!" Pinkie was just being Pinkie.
Neither Fluttershy nor Twilight knew what to say. The two did, however, know they had the best friends in the world. Whilst everypony else was congratulating them the two lovers shared a look. The smiled at each other and Fluttershy unfurled her wing and wrapped it around Twilight's shoulders.
A series of "Awww's" echoed around causing the two to blush.
"Hey how come you're not congratulating them too Rarity." Dash asked, almost accusingly.
"Well, darling, I had a chance to congratulate them the other day." Rarity spoke sheepishly. "I kind of..Walking in on them."
"Bucking?" Rainbow asked casually.
"Rainbow Dash!" Applejack shouted. "That is none of 'yer business!"
"I was just wonderin'! C'mon it's all in good fun!" Rainbow raised her hooves in surrender.
Twilight decided it was time to take control of the situation. After all there was a reason she'd wanted all her friends together.
"As fun as asking questions about our personal lives is there's something I wanted to talk about too."
Fluttershy exhaled in relief. She was extremely relieved for the change of subject. That last comment almost made her want to run away.
Everypony gathered around Twilight. The time for jokes was over. They all knew this was going to be serious, after all they could only avoid the subject for so long until it came up. Each of Twilight's friends had an uneasy feeling in their stomachs, as though something bad were about to happen. None of them could think of a worse thing to happen than what already was.
"You were all there when Princess Celestia told me what was going to happen to me. In a few months I, unfortunately, won't be around anymore." Twilight swallowed back a sob. Talking about such things to her friends. A reassuring squeeze came from Fluttershy's wing. It gave Twilight the strength to continue. "It's not quite time to get all sappy. We'll have time for that later. That's a good thing girls because it means we still have time. Asking you all to come here like that wasn't just to break the news about Fluttershy and I. I also wanted to ask if one of you could watch Spike after I...I'm gone."
The weight of Twilight's words weighed down on everypony. Each seemed to be thinking of what she said. Rarity was the first to speak up though.
"I will do it. I know Spike is...Quite fond of me to say the least. I'm hoping that staying with me will perhaps make things easier on him. I'll do my best to help him through it of course, darling." In an attempt to lighten the mood Rarity made her next comment. "I promise not to overwork him, Twilight. He'll be well taken care of."
Twilight could only smile. "Thank you, Rarity."
Fluttershy spoke up. "If that doesn't work out I'd gladly look after him too."
"Thanks, Fluttershy." Another smile, this time directed towards Fluttershy.
"I also wanted to talk about my funeral."
"Not yet." Pinkie Pie cut in. Tears were overflowing from the corner of her eyes. "I know it's important to get this stuff out of the way Twilight but please not yet. I don't think any of us are ready to talk about funerals. I don't think you are either. Can we please just wait a little longer before talking about that?"
It was too much. Everypony was crying now. Some, like Rainbow Dash, hid it extremely well whereas other like Fluttershy could barely contain it and openly sobbed. Twilight tried to stay strong but in the end she broke down too. It seemed to Twilight that she'd been doing nothing but crying since the news had broken and she was hoping the cycle had been broken. At the very least it was different. This time she had the support of all her friends. They could all sense Twilight's sadness. As sad as they were they knew it was harder on Twilight. All five approached the unicorn and wrapped their front legs around her. Fluttershy snuck her head in a little closer to rest it on Twilight's shoulder.
Twilight wasn't sure how long they all stayed like that but she knew it felt good. The warmth of her friends would keep her okay. Until the end.
**
In time everypony departed their own way, excluding Fluttershy and Twilight who left together. They made their way back to the library in silence. Fluttershy kept her wing around her lover the entire way. Neither of them spoke but the did exchange loving glances. They crossed nopony on their way back, which Twilight was grateful for. It didn't take them long to reach the library and they entered it together. They shared a quick kiss only to hear a sharp gasp as they did. Both of them turned to see Spike standing there with his mouth open.
"Spike!" Twilight called out. She then turned back to her marefriend and whispered into her ear. "We really have to stop getting caught kissing."
Fluttershy nodded as a blush crept onto her cheeks.
"That explains why you haven't been around!" Was the first thing Spike said to them.
It was a whole lot more complicated than that, but Twilight didn't need to tell Spike that. "Yeah." Twilight caught a glimpse of the library. "Spike did you clean up around here?"
"I sure did. I put the groceries away too. I thought you'd be happy if you came home to a clean house."
"I'm very happy Spike." Twilight gave him a one armed hug.
Spike took the chance to whisper "Is Fluttershy going to be spending a lot of time here?"
"Yes. Is that okay?"
"Yeah. Just make sure I get to see you sometimes too."
Another smile. She'd been doing it an awful lot lately and it felt good. "I promise."
"Well. I'm awfully tired from all that cleaning. I think I'm going to go take a nap." He said it with a wink.
Subtle, Spike. Twilight shook her head from side to side with a roll of her eyes. "Oh, wait! Can you send a letter out to Shining Armor for me? It's on the table."
"Sure. The I'm gonna hit the hay." He seemed to think he was doing Twilight some big favor by getting out of the way so that Twilight could spend some time with her marefriend. Spike made his way to his bed, briefly passing by the table to grab the letter. Even though Spike was out of sight Twilight heard him send the letter out. It was only a matter of time now.
"That was embarrassing...Again."
Twilight giggled as she skipped to her marefriend and firmly pressed her muzzle against Fluttershy's. "Gosh, I love you."
Then everything froze.
Oh no.