The sun began to rise over Canterlot once more, and everything was completely still within Canvas and Troy's room. Along with being invited to the gala, Canvas was also lucky enough to get a room for the night in Canterlot Castle. Canvas only felt pure bliss as he rested in the lusciously soft bed, his face brushing against Troy's warm chest. He wrapped his hooves around Troy's body tighter and listened to his sleeping heartbeat. His eyes slowly opened when he felt what was still on his left hoof.
Canvas moved his hoof back so he could see it, and smiled at the golden band resting there, shining brightly against the morning light. Then, his gaze slowly went back up to the gryphon sleeping beside him, his smile growing bigger. He should've known something was up, what with how odd Troy had been acting the past few weeks. But he didn’t care one bit anymore.
Canvas thought that everything that happened could've just been some amazing dream; that at any moment he would wake up back in that field, covered in the bruises his father gave him. Thankfully, Troy's breath gently brushing against his fur was proof enough that nothing could ever be as real as this.
He gently placed his lips against Troy's beak, and thought of everything he gained: a great life, amazing friends, a loving home, a talent that brought upon a legacy…
… And now, someone to call his husband.
Canvas smiled at that word, even amidst his kiss. He never would've expected Troy to propose this soon, but he did it at the very best moment. He still remembered how the aurora shined above them, and in Troy's golden eyes. How could he ever say no? It all felt so wonderful, and it still did even now.
Troy opened his tired eyes, and his heart melted as he looked into the eyes of his stallion. He remembered how hard his heart was beating when he finally found the courage to propose. Now he couldn't have felt happier with his new fiancé. Being with Canvas was the best decision he could've ever made.
They continued to hold onto each other atop the silk lavender sheets. They didn’t speak a word, their faint breathing and heartbeats the only sounds audible. The morning sun was now shining brightly, and neither of them could see any sign of doubt or regret in each other's eyes. Everything was just perfect between them.
The two bent in and kissed each other once more. After a long moment of silence, Troy finally spoke.
"Good morning, beautiful."
Canvas giggled. Troy nuzzled him.
"So… Can you now say that last night was the best night of your life?"
Canvas blushed, almost glowing against the morning light.
"Absolutely."
Canvas gave a quick smooch before resting his head against Troy's chest, nuzzling it. Before the two could fall asleep again, Troy sighed as he noticed how bright it was getting already; he knew they had to take the train back to Ponyville today. He groaned as he held Canvas closer, closing his eyes.
"So, Canvas… what time is our train supposed to be at the station?"
"Ummm…” Canvas kept his eyes closed as he thought it over. "I think it's supposed to be at ten."
"Okay.”
Troy opened his eyes ever so briefly to look at the clock on the wall.
"Wait,” said Canvas. "What time is it now?"
"A quarter past nine.”
"Oh.”
For exactly three seconds, the two rested together peacefully.
"...OH BUCK!"
The newly engaged couple frantically ran down the castle halls, hoping they could make their way out of the palace and to the station in time.
"Why didn't you set the alarm clock, Troy!?” shouted Canvas, his art bag flopping at his side as he galloped.
"It wasn't my fault!" shouted Troy. "The alarm clock broke!"
"What? When did it break?"
"This morning, I think.” Troy managed to give a sheepish smile amidst his high-speed run. "I might’ve broken it when it went off while still half-asleep. Sorry."
Canvas groaned. "I swear, if I wasn't still happy about marrying you, I’d be so much madder at you right now!"
"Good to know.”
The castle’s main entrance was in sight. They only had thirty minutes left to get to the station. Just then, however, the all-too familiar voice of Princess Celestia called out from behind them.
"Oh, good morning, Canvas!"
Both of them skidded to a halt. They instinctively turned around to make a quick bow. Canvas then tried to make himself look noble as he looked up at her, just in case their running was against some kind of protocol. Luckily, Celestia didn’t look upset at all.
"And good morning to you, Troy."
Troy nodded and stood back up, trying not to look too anxious. Celestia didn’t seem to notice their restlessness.
"Canvas, I heard from my sister that she received your gift. Luna wanted me to tell you that she greatly appreciates your painting."
Canvas smiled at the praise. Troy, having not considered Canvas’ side project to be for Luna despite being told of her aid, looked at him in surprise.
"A painting, huh? So that's what you've been so busy with!"
Canvas blushed and smiled meekly. "Ummm… yeah. I thought it would be a nice way to show my… appreciation."
"Well, I think it worked,” Celestia said cheerfully. "I heard that she had it placed in her bedroom."
Canvas almost buckled under his hooves before Troy held him upright.
"W-wow! I… I don’t know what to say!"
"I'll tell her that you're happy to hear about it. You did a wonderful job, Canvas. Congratulations."
As Canvas smiled, Celestia's gaze found the golden band on his hoof. She gave a warm smile in recognition.
"And congratulations to the both of you as well."
Canvas blushed at her approval. Troy looked away in slight embarrassment, hoping that Celestia didn’t know where he’d decided to make his proposal. At least she seemed happy for them.
"I'll see to it that Twilight helps with your arrangements."
Canvas and Troy looked at each other in slight disbelief.
"Wow,” said Troy, holding his fiancé closer. "Th-thank you! I…”
Before Troy could finish, he noticed a large grandfather clock nearby. They had little time left to spare.
"Oh, umm…" Troy quickly secured the satchel on his shoulder, and then looked down at Canvas to see he still had everything on him. "I-I'm really sorry, but we gotta catch our train."
Canvas’ panic returned. Celestia looked over at the clock, and gave a light grin.
"Allow me to help you two."
Celestia lit her horn. Canvas and Troy only saw a bright flash of light before they were engulfed in it. Troy felt the familiar weightlessness, and immediately realized what was happening. He held onto Canvas and closed his eyes before he felt his weight come back.
He remembered almost feeling like he was dropping the last time he was teleported, but Troy didn’t feel any drop this time around. In fact, he felt like he arrived at their destination rather gracefully. Troy smiled when he saw that Celestia had brought them to the Canterlot Train Station.
"Here you go,” Celestia said, kindly. "I better get back before the guards start to worry. Once again, congratulations, and have a great day."
Troy and Canvas nodded with a smile, and Celestia disappeared in a flash just as quickly as she arrived. The crowd around them stood speechless, trying to comprehend what they had just witnessed. They kept their distance while Canvas leaned in close to his gryphon, resting his head against his side.
"So… how long were you planning to propose to me?"
Troy chuckled. He looked away, slightly embarrassed.
"Actually, I decided to do it after you... went to talk with him, and you told me why you did it."
Canvas' eyebrows rose; he knew right away what Troy was talking about.
"You told me that it's better to live our lives for what we want, and not for what we could've had. And you know what?"
Troy peered in closer to look right into Canvas’ gorgeous blue eyes.
"When I was holding you later that day, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted to be with you, Canvas. I wanted to spend my life with you by my side...
“And I wanted to have you as my husband."
Canvas practically melted at that last statement. He lunged forward and hugged Troy tightly. As Troy hugged him back, he felt Canvas' left hoof raise up. He was taking yet another look at the white gold wrapped around it.
"So… you managed to get this in two weeks?"
"Well… yeah.”
Canvas slowly stepped back. "But… How could you afford this? I mean…"
Canvas looked down at the ring again, sounding even more astonished with each passing word. "I mean, this had to have cost a fortune! Where did you get the money for this!?"
Troy just chuckled again, and ruffled his fiancé's mane. "Aw, come on, Canvas! I had a little bit saved up. I told you about the inheritance I got, right?"
Canvas' eyes widened in shock.
"You… you spent your inheritance money on this?"
"Well, I didn’t spend all of it on that ring. I still have a lot left over, which I figured we could use for our wedding."
Canvas still looked taken aback. Hoping to calm his nerves, Troy bent down and nuzzled him.
"Besides, I wanted to seize the moment. And buying that ring was the best thing I could've done with that money."
Canvas didn't even take a moment to swoon. He wrapped his hooves around the back of Troy's neck, and kissed him. Ponies around them either stared or looked away in embarrassment, the two kept at it, even when the train for Ponyville pulled into the station. It wasn't until the train doors opened that the couple finally let go and stepped into the train car.
Canvas barely moved once the two took their seats, and he laid his head against Troy's shoulder. Troy nuzzled Canvas lovingly while the train moved along through Equestria's countryside.
Yet again, Canvas lifted his left hoof and looked at the hoofband. He sighed as he marveled at the white gold, at what this meant for him and Troy.
"I just can’t believe it,” Canvas said in a faint whisper, catching Troy's attention. "I mean… I really don't know what to say right now. I didn't expect anything like this to happen to me. I didn't think my life would change so much when… when I left Gallop Creek.”
Troy's smile slowly dropped. He felt morose as he was reminded of how horrible things were before. But as Canvas continued to speak, his tone became more positive, and his smile never wavered.
"But now… it all feels so amazing."
Closing his eyes, Canvas hugged the gryphon tightly.
"I made history… I got my life back… I fell in love…”
Troy smiled, and he nuzzled the pony again before Canvas raised his head.
"And now… I'm going to be Canvas Clawston."
Troy's eyes widened.
"Wait... You want to take my name?"
"Well, yeah. I don't really have much of a last name, so why not?"
Troy shrugged.
"Plus, you were the one who proposed. You managed to give me so much, Troy. You helped me out when I needed someone, and you stood by my side ever since…”
Canvas wrapped his hooves around Troy, keeping his face only a few inches from Troy as he looked at him with the deepest of affection and care.
"I love you, Troy. You saved my life… you saved my soul… and…
“Nothing would make me happier, than to spend the rest of my life with you."
Troy held Canvas against him as they shared a tender kiss, feeling all his worries and thoughts slowly vanish. Whenever he was with Canvas, he felt like the pony was truly an artist inside and out. Much like all the pieces of artwork he made, Canvas did the same kind of painting for his own soul. Whenever he felt any doubts, any displeasure, any form of unhappiness in his life, this pony always cleared his mind. Whenever he held Canvas close, or kissed his lips, or looked into his perfect blue eyes, nothing else ever mattered to him.
It was like Canvas painted his conscience clean, keeping his mind clear of doubt or distraction as his love swept in like the smoothest paint, leaving only happiness behind.
Feeling almost intoxicated by Canvas' love, Troy could barely keep his eyes open until he felt Canvas' lips pull back. When he finally did, Troy saw his fiancé looking right back at him.
"So, Troy… What do you think? Does Canvas Clawston sound alright?"
"Canvas Clawston, huh?” Troy nodded, making the pony look much happier. “That… actually sounds pretty nice."
Troy's beak then skewed.
"Oh man. My parents are going to freak out so much!"
Canvas giggled, causing Troy to start chuckling as well. He knew those problems could wait. The stallion beside him made him too happy to care.
"Oh well. As long as I have you."
Canvas rested his head on Troy's shoulder, and closed his eyes. Before he could doze off, Canvas said one last thing in a meek whisper.
"As long… as I have you…"
Following Canvas’ example, Troy closed his own eyes and rested his head against his fiancé’s. He let that last statement roll through his mind, knowing it was absolutely correct. It didn’t matter what others may have thought, or how odd their love may have looked, or whatever may come for the two of them in the future.
As long as I have you, Canvas, thought Troy.
As long as I have you.
The End