Twilight Sparkle sighed softly as she snuggled deeper into the warmth of her lover’s chest, struggling to keep her eyes open as she started up into the clear, blue sky.
Memories danced to the forefront on her mind unbidden, and she let herself drift along with them. Letting her mind chase chase whatever fragment of thought it wanted was as natural to her as breathing, and a moment later she was flying – a streak of colour tore through the sky ahead of her, and shouts of delight and encouragement rang in her ears. She remembered flying so high up she could barely remember the world below and just… stopping. Coming to rest on a cloud next to the pegasus she loved so much, feeling a wing drape over her, and watching the sun rise over Ponyville, just the two of them in a world all their own.
The sunlight made her sneeze, and she found that she was on the ground again, soft grass beneath her hooves and flowers blooming through the clearing that was just for them, encircled by towering trees. Birdsong bursting forth from all around as her companion pressed closely against her, holding her like she’d never let go. She felt soft, hesitant kisses dance across her cheek, and when they reached her lips she felt her partner begin to sway. A moment later those lips pulled away, and then they were dancing – clumsily, awkwardly, terribly, and shamelessly, both of them forgetting for an instant to fear what the world thought of them.
A cannon fired and she fell, heart hammering in her chest. Laughter rang out from all around her, and for an instant she felt like crying. She lifted herself from the ground and turned to glare at her companion, only to be stopped short by a snort of her own laughter at the sight of the red and white mess rolling around on her back in the grass, coat covered with caramel and confetti as she her joy rang out for all to hear. And then she was laughing too, tears streaming down her face as she realised for the first time how ridiculous the two of them must look. She raised a hoof to wipe away a tear, only for a pair of sticky legs to reach down and pull her into tight hug as the sweet smell of her love washed over her.
The scent of her was intoxicating, and couldn’t help but grin as she watched her love rush about the boutique, snatching up bottles and bolts of fabric, her eyes sparkling like diamonds as idea after idea filled her mind. She thought aloud, and her voice was like ambrosia as she worked – piece after piece was applied and discarded, those excited whispers never ceasing for a moment. And then the mirror was in front of her, and she was shining, more beautiful than she ever thought she could be. But it wasn’t what she saw in the mirror that bought tears to her eyes – it was the apology that came a heartbeat later, the realisation that her companion had been unable to make her as beautiful to everypony else as she was to her, and the promise that followed.
The earth pony would keep her secret. She knew it even as she saw the pain flash through her friends eyes, and found herself wishing she had just been able to lie to her, like she had the others. But they both knew that, between them, it couldn’t be that way. And when she smiled that smile, with tears shining in her eyes and soft, whispered reassurances on her lips, she knew she was home and that she never, ever wanted to leave it. Her love wouldn’t forget her. None of them would. As the tears spilled down her face and she felt herself pulled into a warm embrace, Twilight whispered the words she had always wanted to say.
“I love you.”
The words cut through her memories, and she felt tears drop onto her face from above. The pony holding her whispered something she couldn’t quite hear, and pulled her closer, squeezing her gently. Twilight let out a soft giggle that sounded tired and broken, even to her. One year. It had seemed like such a good deal at the time. One more year to spend with her friends, to say the things she had never dared say. And yet at the end of it, she didn’t want to say goodbye.
But they would remember her, and she would never forget them. They were united, by the memories they had shared and the unbreakable bond between them. And as Twilight’s eyes flickered closed for the last time, she knew she was smiling.