Trey looked at Fluttershy as she slept. Even though she was injured, she was peaceful...
“Fluttershy, I love you.”
“I don’t see why...I’m just a bother now...”
Trey’s pessimism grabbed the worst of his attention. Voices battled back and forth in his mind about how he was going to lose Fluttershy. She was so fragile...once she felt broken, she’d consider herself as much.
“I just won’t bring you down...”
“Fluttershy, I want you. You’re not bringing me down.”
“I’m sorry...You deserve better...”
“Trey?”
Trey’s thought process halted as he looked at Nurse Redheart, who’d come into the room at some point.
“We need to talk.”
She led Trey outside the room, holding a medical chart.
“Is...is everything alright?”
“I’m afraid not. Fluttershy did take a pretty big hit.”
“But other than the scratch, she’s fine, right?”
“No...Trey, she ruptured an organ. She ruptured one of her kidneys.”
“She can still go without one, can’t she?”
“We ran some tests. Normally, ponies can. But she...she’s different. Her anatomy is a little strange, and she has half functionality in her other one. Turns out she’s going to need a replacement.” she said somberly.
“Give her mine.” he said without hesitation.
“We’ll see. However, you’re quite larger than she is. I don’t think yours will fit her. She’s going to need somepony similar to her size.”
“Well...run the test anyway.”
“Of course. I just wouldn’t get your hopes up.”
“How long does she have to find a replacement?”
“Three days, give or take.”
“Oh...”
“I’m sorry, Trey. This is never easy news to give.”
“When can we run the tests?”
“I think we can fit you in for later this afternoon, around 2. Will that be fine?”
“Can you do it any earlier?”
“I’m afraid not. I’m sorry.”
Trey looked at his watch. 8 AM. He sighed, muttering a soft “It’s alright.” under his breath before going back to Fluttershy’s side. This could possibly be it for her. Silent tears rolled down his cheeks as he watched Fluttershy. It couldn’t be like this. They were going to grow old together...could their time together really end like this?
***
“Twilight, it’s not your fault.” Spike began.
“You don’t understand.” she began. “This...it IS my fault.”
“How? Did you cause the manticore to attack her?”
“No, but...”
“It’s not your fault.”
“I feel like it is somehow. I don’t know how, but it just is.”
“How could it possibly be your fault? Why do you feel guilty?”
Secretly, she felt guilty because she’d been trying to sabotage Trey and Fluttershy, and now, after seeing how upset both of them were, she couldn’t live with herself. She felt like she’d caused the accident with her bad will...and it was killing her.
“I don’t know. But that’s not the important thing. She could die.”
“What?” said Spike, bewildered.
“She ruptured one of her kidneys. Due to her anatomy, she’ll need a replacement.”
“Oh...dude, that’s...not good.”
“No, it’s not good at all. Now excuse me, I have to tell the girls.”
“Why don’t I do it? You can go visit Fluttershy...”
“That...sounds like a good idea.” said Twilight, exasperated. “Tell them to visit her, too. She needs the support.”
***
A knock reverberated on the wooden door of Fluttershy’s room. Soon, Pinkie, Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash trotted in the door, surprising Trey.
“Oh...hey.” said Trey, sadly.
“Hey. We just came to see if Fluttershy’s alright.” said Rainbow Dash. “How ya feelin?” she said, turning her attention to Fluttershy.
“Um...I don’t know...”
“That bad, huh?”
“...yes...I’m sorry...” she said, still refusing to look at her. She hadn’t looked at anypony other than Trey since she got here, and even so, it was hard looking at him. She felt so unwanted. That huge scar was certainly having an effect on her mentality.
“Fluttershy, darling, you have nothing to apologize for!” said Rarity, trying to give her a smile. Fluttershy didn’t respond.
“Look, Sugarcube, we’re here for ya. Ain’t nothin’ gonna take that away.”
“...thank you.” she said, finally turning to face them. Upon seeing that side of her, their eyes opened wide, shrinking back in sudden horror. Fluttershy immediately turned away, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“I’m sorry, sugarcube...”
“I as well.”
“Girls, I think we should go...” said Rainbow Dash. “Maybe go to the waiting room.”
Trey wasn’t even paying attention. He was lost in his own world.
“Trey?” asked Pinkie. Trey snapped out of it seeing her as the only one in the room.
“Yeah?”
“Are you ok?”
“Yeah...no...” he said, shaking his head. “No I’m not. Fluttershy’s injured. She needs an organ replacement, and after running some tests, mine won’t fit her. that means somepony else is going to have to donate, and we only have three days to find that replacement.” he began, a tear falling down his cheek. “I just...don’t know what to do.” Trey covered his face with his hooves, hiding his shame.
“It’s going to be alright, Trey...” she said sadly, trotting out. Trey’d never seen her actually trot...she’d always bounced around...
Soon, the room was empty again. Trey looked at Fluttershy.
“Are you tired?”
She nodded.
“Get some sleep. Let me tell you a story.” he said, grabbing her hoof.
“Trey?” she asked.
“Yes, Flutterheart?”
“Why are you still here?”
“Because I love you.”
“But...”
“There are no buts in love, Fluttershy.”
She looked at him with eyes full of amazement and wonder. Could he still love her? Even with the way she looked? She simply gazed at him, seeing him look deep into her once again. She gripped his hoof tight in appreciation. She didn’t want him to leave...but she understood if he did.
“Now, this is the story...all about how my life got flipped...turned upside down. I’d like to take a minute, so lay right down, I’ll tell you all about how the most beautiful filly in the world became mine.” he started. She smiled at him, trying to keep awake.
“Once upon a time, there was a lonely bandmaster. One day, he moved into a new town, teaching younger kids about music. One day, he met the most beautiful filly in the world. She was a wonderful yellow, pink haired pony that didn’t talk much. Trey knew it would be a challenge, but he decided to go after her. He fell in love with her that very first day.”
Fluttershy yawned a small amount, still smiling at him, trying to stay awake.
“Trey spent a few days with her, where he heard her beautiful voice, helped her pick flowers, and even gave her something valuable.” he continued, bringing his other hoof to hers, a silent tear falling down his cheek. “She was the prettiest thing ever. I-er-He fell more and more in love with her each day. The thing he loved most about her, however, was her eyes. He could look into those eyes all days long. Those eyes told him how much she loved him too, even before she was ready to admit it. One day, Trey decided that he couldn’t hold it in any longer, and he finally admitted to Fluttershy that he loved her. He gave her something valuable...a kiss...”
Fluttershy was soon asleep. Trey smiled and pulled her blanket up closer to her, kissing her forehead away from her injury, continuing on in first pony.
“Fluttershy...I love you. Ever since I met you, I felt things could be different with you. I felt like I could feel special. I could be someone. I could actually feel loved. Honestly, I’ve never felt more loved and lucky in my life than when I’ve met you. I love you.” he started, tears strolling down his cheeks. “I guess...after three days, if we don’t find you a kidney, well...this is as old as we’re going to grow together. I wanted to grow old with you, Fluttershy...I know it’s early, but...I wanted to marry you...I can only say that in confidence because I know you’re asleep, but Fluttershy...thank you for everything. I’m going to be here for the next two days with you. I’m not leaving. I love you.”
Fluttershy smiled in her sleep, happy images of their life so far-and what she’d hoped for them later-playing in her head.