//------------------------------//
// Blind Love 
// Story: A Guarded Secret 
// by HauntingSpiritRisingMoon 
//------------------------------//

Almost everyday, it would go like this. I would guard with Triple Slash. We would hang around the office for a while, and then go home. He's helped me through a lot. When my father died, he offered a shoulder to cry on. When I got sick he brought me chicken soup.

I thought we had something special. I was so, so stupid. Blinded by his kindness and good looks. I'm a mare, of course I would do this!

I shouldn't have been blinded by my own stupidity. I should've just focused on guarding Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armour. But I just had to be so stupid. 

Every once in a while, guards can take days off and let others do their job for the day. It was pretty peaceful in the Crystal Empire. So I hear that Triple is going to take a day off on Friday. 

I think, 'That'd be a great way to spend more time with him!' So, I ask the captain, also Shining Armour, for that day off too. He gives me a knowing look and nods, accepting my request. 

So on my day off, I head out. I know where he normally hangs out, he's told me. So, since it's around breakfast time, I decide to head to his favorite place for breakfast, "Shining Hope's Pancake Palace." 

Really corny name. 

So, I arrive there, searching for him. I see him walking towards a set of tables with his plate of pancakes. His gold mane glows over his white body and unicorn horn, and his sword Cutie Mark seems to glint. 

I spot an empty table and assume that's where he's going, and rush over there. I don't even get breakfast.

But then, he walks to a different table. Another stallion, a pegasus. He has a dark blue coat with a black mane and tail. His Cutie Mark shows a pair of headphones, probably a DJ or something. 

I think, 'Oh, that's probably his brother or cousin or something coming to visit!' I stand up, ready to walk over to them, when I stop.

Triple Slash had just kissed this mysterious stallion.

I'm surprised no one can hear as my heart shatters into a million pieces. I just stand there, dumbfounded, as my ruby eyes stare. I've been told I look a lot like my sister, with my white coat and her's cream, my mane the light blue of her eyes while my eyes are the red of her mane. 

I'm in suspension of disbelief, before it hits me like a train. I'm a fool. I should've known. Things start coming back to me, things I waved off because I was blinded by stupidity. When Shining Armor came past our post one day, lacking his armor. I ignored the facts Triple's cheeks grew pink.

The way he shuffled uncomfortably outside of the stallion's changing room before going in. I've been such an ignorant fool.

He sits there, laughing and talking away and nuzzling this other stallion- His stallion. 

I've been such a damn fool! I want to run off crying. I really do, to show him how much he's hurt me. But I play it cool. I walk over to the counter. I get myself a plate of pancakes. 

I force my smile, trying to pretend I'm not desperate it's all a big joke. I then push myself towards their table. I pretend with all my might I'm cheery as I call out, "Hey Triple!"

Triple turns towards me and grins, his stupid adorable grin, and waves me over. "Hey Upper Cut!" When I sit down, he points to the stallion across from him. "This is Audio Tune!"

'Audio Tune' nods and waves. "Hello Upper Cut." I almost ask how he knows my name, but realize Triple just shouted it. 

I force another smile and nod back. And then, Triple says proudly, "He's my boyfriend."

My tears beg to come out, but I reign them in. "It's wonderful to meet you, Audio."

Audio nods, then looks at his plate. "Oh! Hey Triple, can you get me some more pancakes?"

Triple smiles. "Course Audio!" He trots off. 

I expect awkward silence to reign between us, but Audio Tune speaks. "You fell for him too, didn't you?"

I was caught off guard. I turn to him, agape. "H-How did you know!?"

He smirks. "Triple has that affect. He's so kind that you'll always fall in love with him. Bad thing is, he has no clue when he's breaking hearts."

I smile sadly. "So we're both blinded by stupidity."

Before Audio could respond, Triple Slash comes back with his plate. The rest of the breakfast passes, my heart still lying in shattered pieces around the cafe. 

I feel as if my Cutie Mark has a whole new meaning. It's a cracked shield.

Every pony thought it meant I could stand through the ages, always protecting those I care about. I was fooled too.

But now I know it meant something else. It shows just how weak my defenses really are.

My emotional shield has been cracked and an arrow hit has hit me in the mental knee. 

When I get home, the act drops. Tears flood down my face in pained waterfalls. I don't know how to adjust. 

I don't predict I will. I collapse on my couch, and succumb to the sadness. 

Days past by, a blur. I feel they notice. I am quiet, and I don't respond as quick as I used too. 

Then one day, I am met by Princess Cadance. She asks me to follow her. I do, in my said and unemotional state.

We stop by her chambers and she leads me in. She pours me some tea and gives it to me, telling me it'll calm me down.

After a long silence, she asks, "I can sense something has broken your heart into pieces. Who has done this to you?"

I'm not sure if I should speak. She says something else, "Whatever you say here does not go on your record, and there will be no consequences." 

I speak quietly. "Triple Slash."

She winces. "Ah..... Him. I've heard the stories."

I tilt my head. "Stories?"

She nods. "You're not the only mare to have their heart broken by him. And the worst thing is, I can't command him to stop, because he doesn't do it on purpose." 

I nod solemnly. "He has a boyfriend..."

At this, she does look surprised. "W-What? Oh my, I never heard that! The other were how they told them his feelings and he turned them down, saying he was taken. Well, now we know why!"

I crack a tiny smile. She smiles sadly at me. "Please, don't let your heart stay broken. Maybe one day you will find your special somepony, but for now... Try to keep that shield up." She nods to my Cutie Mark.

Maybe I was stupid for falling for him. But hey, at least there's hope.

And I'm not as blind to love as I thought. After all, that's how I earned myself a wife!

Aw, thanks!