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// I Never Make Promises Lightly 
// Story: Fields of Gold 
// by Flareice 
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     "I never make promises lightly," Pastel continued solemnly, "and there have been some that I've broken.  But I swear, that in the days still left, we'll walk in fields of gold."
Fluttershy's eyes misted as tears threatened to spill over, but she held it in.  She had to be strong for him.  If he...  If it was really going to happen, she shouldn't make him sorry for her.  If he was going to die, he shouldn't hate himself for leaving her.  She stifled a sniffle, trying hard not to let it all out in front of him.
"It's alright," Pastel whispered to her.  "Cry.  You don't have to be strong for me."
Fluttershy couldn't hold it in any longer.  In his arms she fell, as her hair came down, spilling down in front of her face as tears carved moist trails down her cheeks.  Together they collapsed, landing heavily beside each other among the golden fields, crushing stalks of barley as they hit.  Pastel caressed her gently, brushing her mane out of her face as they lie in the field of stardust.
Tears dripped from Fluttershy's cheeks as Pastel cooed softly to her, telling her it was all going to be alright.  The setting sun no longer seemed beautiful to her.  The only thing that mattered was that she was going to lose him, she was going to lose him soon, he was going to be gone.  He would be dead to her, she would never see him again, they would never hold each other, they would never roam these gently rolling, golden fields together again.  And it was all going to happen soon.
She shuddered uncontrollably, trembling in his arms as they lay together, seemingly inseparably.  Everything was so right...  yet so wrong at the same time.  She had him, her love, her heart, her special somepony, the one she loved most...  But he was going to die?  He was going to leave her?  But she loved him, she needed him...
"Hey, it's alright..." Pastel whispered to her, leaning in closer.  "I'm here now."
"I know," Fluttershy sobbed wretchedly. "I know.  And I need you now.  But when you're gone... when you're gone...  What am I going to do without you?  I need you now, by my side, I need you always.  You're the only one I can open up to, the only one that I love.  I love you..."  She was miserable.  Her voice was cracked and she shook uncontrollably, giving emphasis to her desperation.
"I know, I know," Pastel replied softly, brushing her soft, spring-pink mane out of her tear-streaked face.  "And I love you too, Flutter."
"But what about Dashie?  How can you leave her?  She's your sister!  She's probably home, crying, leaving salty pools on her floor..."
"Yes, I love Dashie too.  And that's why I want you to take care of her.  I want you to help her until her grief ends and she can stand on her own four hooves.  Because I know that you, out of everypony in Equestria, know how best to make her feel better, help her move on."
And then he kissed her, embraced her tenderly, as she sobbed brokenly into his shoulder.