//------------------------------// // 32 years down the road // Story: One Hearths Warming Eve // by TheEighthDayofNight //------------------------------// It had been thirty-two years since that day. He had made himself a life and many new friends. He had never married, never felt the need to. He always wanted to settle down like that but he couldn’t. So he waited. He waited for the pink mare to show up on his doorstep, but it never happened. Now he sat in a hospital with a failing heart. He had lived a long life, filled with the good and bad. He had only one wish this year for Hearths Warming. But the day was winding to a close and it looked like it would never come true. He sat and pondered what would have happened had he never left. Had he continued his first friendship. He heard a soft but familiar voice in the hallway. Then she was there, standing in the doorway. She had grown older, not as old as him, but older. Her face was streaked with tears. He smiled anyway. It was good to see her after all this time. She walked over to his bed and his grin grew even larger. She scowled at him for a second then she couldn’t help at smiling too. Eventually she asked; “So how have you been doing these past couple years?” He laughed, he couldn’t help himself. “Couple of years? You make me feel old! I mean look at you! You’re doing well!” “Yeah, saving the world a couple times will do that to you.” “I heard about that, fighting Nightmare Moon and Discord. A lunar god sounds like you had your work cut out for you.” “What about the changelings?” “Pshh, I did that. What you didn’t see me? I took down about six before the guards showed up.” They both shared a laugh. The nurse stuck her head in. “I’m sorry to have to cut your visit short but Mr. Silverlight needs his rest.” Pinkie looked at him. “I registered myself under the name. I dropped my other name the same time I dropped my past.” Pinkie sighed. A doctor walked into the room and spoke with the nurse silently occasionally looking at a clipboard. The nurse’s eyes flicked to the two on the other side of the room. The doctor cleared his throat. “We have the results from the tests and th..” “It’s okay Doc, I already know I’ve only got a few hours left in me. No need to be so secretive.” Pinkie gasped “What do you mean a few hours?” “Let’s not dwell on that, I’m just happy to have finally gotten my Hearths Warming wish; to see you one more time.” Pinkie started crying by Silverlight's bedside. The doctor left and the nurse followed with a quick; “You can stay as long as you want.” Silverlight reached over and hugged Pinkie. In her ear he whispered; “It’s okay, everypony dies someday. I only wish we could talk without the news hanging over our heads.” Pinkie looked up. “How can you be so content? You’re going to die and now I can’t see you anymore.” “It’s okay, because I can see you now.” He laid back in the bed. “Do you remember the day we met?” “Yes, it’s one of my best memories.” “It is my best and worst memory.” “Why?” “I always ponder what could have happened if I had stayed, if I hadn’t let you down. Do you still have the note?” He was crying now. She pulled it out of her bag. “It’s right here.” “Can you read it to me?” “Of course” She unfolded the small slip of paper. Dear Pinkie, I can’t let my past burden you. I didn’t want to leave without saying good bye, but I couldn’t face you in the morning. Not as I am. I just wanted to say thank you. For everything. You let me in off the street and showed me compassion. I have never had such a good friend. At least that’s what I hope we are, friends. If you ever want to find me I will be coming back in about, well, some time. Just know that without you I never would have had a life that… She trailed off to find that he had stopped breathing. A smile was still played out on his face and a single tear was formed at the corner of his eye. The hospital was silent save for the loud sobbing of Pinkie.