//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: By a Fireplace // by TheGentlemanCreeper //------------------------------// “Are... Are you sure about this?” Fluttershy asked timidly, her grip tightening around you. “I don’t know if I’m ready for this...” You lean forward and brace yourself. “Just relax... You can do this. On three, I’m going. Ready?” “Yes... I’m ready,” she squeaks out. “Just... Just be careful, okay?” “One... Two... Three!” With all your strength, you shove yourself forward and start your way down the snowy hill with Fluttershy clinging tight to your back, calling out the entire time. “Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!” You get to the bottom of the three foot tall hill and Fluttershy was shaking and looking like a bundle of nerves with hers shut tight. “We’re fine, you know,” you say in a deadpan voice. “We haven’t crashed or anything. You can stop crushing me now.” Slowly, Fluttershy opens her eyes and looks around. “...Oh. Well, umm... That wasn’t that bad,” she says with a nervous little chuckle. “Great! Ready for the six foot hill?” Her eyes shoot open wide. “I-I-I-I think I, umm, want to get some hot cocoa first. If t-that’s okay,” Fluttershy says nervously. Getting to your hooves, you dust the snow off your coat and laugh. “Alright. And I was kidding, ya know.” Leaning in, you give Fluttershy a kiss on the nose that makes her break out into giggles. “Shall we, love?” Extending a hoof, you help Fluttershy up who only responds with a wink that makes you blush. “So, umm...” you say bashfully, trying not to look that goofy. “Hear anything else from Trump Card? He still whining?” Fluttershy nods solemnly. “Unfortunately, yes... He keeps saying you broke a contract, but I already had Twilight review everything. He’s, umm... lying.” “Sounds like him alright,” you say with a heavy sigh. “Anything from your publisher yet? Can they work out a deal?” “Well, they said it might be a little complicated, but they are working on it.” You can’t help but let out another sigh. “In other words, they have no idea that Trump Card is lying when it comes to our former deal... I swear, dropping him has been more trouble than it’s been worth.” “Ohhh don’t you worry now,” Fluttershy says, nuzzling against you. “We’ll work something out, I just know it.” You stop at the entrance to the cottage and notice the red flag for the mailbox up. “Here’s hoping it’s good news,” you say with long, annoyed sigh. “Knowing my luck, it’ll be Trump card with a subpoena. Something about not making ‘By a Fireplace’ good enough for his stan-” “What? What is it?” Fluttershy asks, a bit of panic in her voice. “Is it... Is it that bad?” You shake your head slowly. “N...No,” you say, dumbstruck. “It’s... This...” Holding it up to her, you feel an uneasy smile creep across your face. “Familiar with the Ka-Tet Publication?” Fluttershy’s eyes go wide. “K-King? What’s he doing writing you?” You shrug. “It’s not King, it’s his publishers... And I got a small idea.” Opening up the letter, you start into it, half excited and half worried. “Okay here... Dearest whatever, whatever... We are pleased with your interest in becoming a member of our publication group and we would... Love to see you as a part of our family. Contact us ASAP and we can set up a meeting.” “Oh my gosh! You’ll be published under the same name as King!” Fluttershy cries out excitedly. “This is such a major opportunity, you’ll be able to get to so much exposure.” “Don’t you mean ‘We’?” you ask with a small smile. “Co-author?” Fluttershy’s jaw drops slightly. “C...C... Co-author?” she stammers out. You give her an excited nod. “Of course. You helped me with By a Fireplace. Only fair you should get to share in the success. So... Wanna work on Summer Heart in earnest?” you ask excitedly. “We can get a storyboard up and we can totally hammer out a prologue and first chapter today and-” “To be honest?” she half whispers, stopping you mid sentence. “At the moment? I’d rather just stay with you by the fire today. Is, uh... is that okay?” Your smile fades for only a moment before it’s replaced with a new one. “With you? By the fireplace? That sounds great.” Following her up the path to your new home, you can’t help but wear a big, goofy grin. Things are good. For the first time... Things are looking good. “Coming love?” Turning towards Fluttershy standing there with the door open, you trot quickly towards her, still grinning. “Coming love.”