Troy is a Gryphon who moved to Equestria to pursue a new life; however, his seclusion has left him feeling unsatisfied with how his life was going. All of that changes when he becomes involved in a storm prepping job outside of Ponyville for Princess Twilight Sparkle. Before the storm, Troy finds Canvas, a badly injured Earth pony, lying on the ground near death. As time goes on and wounds start to heal, how will the Gryphon's life change as he helps the stallion struggling to regain control of his life?
I want to give a big thanks to Bad_Seed_72 for her assistance in editing and proofreading. Also, major props to JackAnarchy for the cover art.
Chapters (54)
l figured it about time someone left you a comment, 14 chapters in. I've been enjoying your story so far and look forward to future chapters.
I like how you're taking your time with building the relationships within this story, as well as slowly but surely unveiling what happened to Canvas. Perhaps even more important is his realization that things are different in Ponyville. It's lovely to see him get more comfortable with himself and everyone around him.
I also appreciate how the introductions of more well known characters such as the mane six or background ponies and their interactions with Troy and Canvas feeling believable within your context instead of forcibly added.
Thank you for this lovely story
Canvas keeps explaning what happened to him after his graduation, which would no doubt be a reason for him to flee. But I cannot help but wonder who would chase him not just out of town, but that far, and what would motivate Canvas' assailant to such a thing.
Whatever the case it's been lovely seeing things go so much better for him and getting welcomed into the ponyville community so warmly. Greatly looking forward to more of that as well as to how this revelation will be handled by the princesses.
I hadn't realized so much time had passed since my last comment, reading your new chapters so regularly. These last few were quite the heavy ones, dealing with Canvas' past in it's complete form and his losing control due to thosr occurances and the lack of help for him at the time.
I've enjoyed how you've worked it out, showing the result first in the way Canvas lost control, moving onto Canvas' realization of what happened to the final reveal of the original event to some sweet moments between him and Troy and things turning back in a more positive direction. The 'WAIT' and hug at the end were a lovely touch. After all that happened a sole focus on inspiration and the painting would have felt too cold.
Looking forward to reading more. Opera singing griphons for the win.
2722478
I'm really happy to hear you're enjoying my work so far! I've had this story reeling in my head for so long, and to finally work on it was a pretty big step for me. While I wasn't sure whether my story would be that popular, reading your comments have been a great motivator to keep going forward. I have some big things coming for the next few chapters, and I'm really excited to start working on them! Thank you so much for your support!
Great story, I love it! I can't wait for the next chapter and see if their relationship will grow to something more then friends.
This story is awesome! It's not the cliched pony gets hurt, get found by one of the mane six, and forms an immediate relationship. U took your time and it paid off, muy bueno mi amigo!
Dude, u have no idea what a breath of fresh air this fic is for the site. This story is truly awesome! But one thing, how does,"y'all make a cute couple."'come out as being flirty?
[youtube=http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qzuM2XTnpSA]
That scene where Troy is singing reminded me of this
2745852
I meant it more in the way that he said it towards them.
3 updates on the same day? Awesome! I really can't wait for them to kiss.
You truly are posting updates faster than I can come up with suitable replies. Just as I've read the last chapter and am about to comment, I notice you having posted yet another chapter for your story. At the very least it's something to greatly look forward to tomorrow morning. It's awesome how dedicated you are to this project. Might I ask what your inspiration is for your characters in these settings?
It's wonderful to read a story like this where things can take a turn for the worse yet end up all the better, it's heartwarming and sweet. I'm liking how well things are going for Canvas and Troy as well. It's both encouraging and motivating to see Canvas make it as an artist, sharing similar ambitions myself. I'm also curious how Troy will be doing in his leading role with Derpy. Celestia's talk with Twilight was a little concerning foreshadowing something going to happen. Maybe Canvas is really intending to go back to Gallop Creek and confront his past, or perhaps his new found fame might cause his past to come haunt his new life. Whatever the case, things may not be going to all be easy from this point on at all.
I greatly liked your depiction of Canvas' and Troy's struggles to come to terms with the realization of their feelings for one another, yet neither willing to risk their friendship over acting upon them. it's great how you're taking your time to build up on it, and it works really well with having Lyra and BonBon point out to Troy and Canvas what the reader already suspects. It's also rather cute to see how shy and flustered the two can be when confronted with the concept of liking each other more than friends, or the at times naive ignorance either can display.
It was a nice touch to make the majority of the crowd as well as the other artists unicorns and having them focus mostly on Canvas' being an Earth pony than on his work, thus singling him out similarly to how Troy feels, giving them even more in common and more reasons to seek each other out.
I wouldn't have caught the statue idea, having not seen 'how I met your mother' before, even though NPH is rather cute, but I greatly liked how you used it in your chapters, both as an introductory joke, as much as I pitied the poor stallion, and later try and convince Troy of canvas' feelings towards him. I'll add 'An affliction of the heart' to my read later list, which keeps increasing as quickly if not faster than the stories I seem to finish on there. I remember having seen it before, but didn't really give it a chance then.
Once again a great read. Thanks for writing so diligently.
1980 called, it wants its Walkman back
I'm glad you actually described Troy's audition, I had missed not reading about it before, but it fit the ungoing events at the time. Cannot help but wonder what the director might have said or what look she had on her face after his performance.
I can only agree with ratdeathtrap. Knowing how they feel for eachother it's likely only a matter of time before one of them finally admits it. That buildup in knowing it will happen at some point, or desiring for it along with the characters, is probably one of the great strengths of your story, capturing a very relatable hesitation in admitting loving a friend as more.
Now what could that mimt green orb be? A microphone or spycam perhaps. It's presence not being noticed at least implies something ominous.
This is so cute, and o my god! U didn't rush the relationship? Amazing!
Finally! They kiss!
Amazing chapter as always.
That started out most hilarously and sweet. It was heartwarming and adorable how Troy and Canvas were interacting together. The strawberry had me laughing out loud.
You've been playing a lot with anticipation in this chapter foreshadowing what will or might happen and then making me wait in anticipation, both with the belch, the strawberry on the ceiling, and the last one cruelly not seen through to the end. Cheering for it to finally happen, I could only share Lyra's reaction, though now I still get to experience more, so I'm happy.
I greatly enjoyed how you depicted Lyra as matchmaker. I would very much like to read "Lyra's well intended matchmaking attempts that may not always have gone according to plan".
Wonderful read again. Thank you for your hard work.
2751042
"Lyra's well intended matchmaking attempts that may not always have gone according to plan"
To be honest, I don't know why this fic has so many dislikes. From all I've seen, this is quite a good M/M fic. Though I will admit cracking up slightly at this
bit.
The past few chapters have been really cute and sweet. I don't think the story would need anything too discriptive at this point. It's been wonderful watching their relationship slowly but surely grow ever closer. The two of them are simply adorable together.
I loved your characters and portrayal of the musical performance and practise sessions. It was great to get a good impression of Troy's feelings and him utilizing tgose to act. Plus Rainbow dash helping out in her own way and Derpy interacting very familiary and helpful towards Troy was awesome.
There's something very reassuring about this story. A lovely positive outlook on how one's life could be or could aspire to achieve. Thanks again for writing and sharing it so frequently.
Dude, I can't express in words how much I enjoy this fic. U took your time, and the story is wonderful, you let the relationship between troy and canvas develop and didn't rush by any stretch, the only thing that I can see that is a little off is the spelling but other then that it's awesome and deserves tremendous praise that I can't fully express in this comment, I would like to elaborate further on my joy of reading this fic but I'm dying to continue the story. U ARE AWESOME
Alrights, let's see here, two people (not people but u know what I mean, it's 3am I'm to tired to think) and they have mutual yet unrevealed, yet soon to be, love for one another. Sharing a room. And they where just brought several big bowls of strawberries and whipped cream.... I can't wait
Goddamnit! I resolved to not go to sleep until they kissed! I'm tired man!!!!
2809877
24.media.tumblr.com/1be59fd4393287e46b8c112a961756dd/tumblr_mknsn3qShJ1qzfajio1_500.gif
Yesyeysyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes!!!!!!!!
Me the whole time
fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2013/114/1/c/applejack__dawww_by_dbapplejack-d62ui2b.png
I like the fact that your not doing clop, few writers on this site (no matter how well written their story is) can get a love scene right (besides xenophilia and Sophistication and Betrayal, those dudes had that shit down to a t) I take solace in the fact that u expressed their love towards eachother in such an enjoyable and splendid way that I don't feel like your leaving anything out. (although im curious as to if it would have been as well written and thought out as your main storyline) But anyway, in short, I love this fic
I'm having trouble trying not to see if there are blue prints for a Tardis... Plz hurry
Damn, I thought I had daddy issues
I'm working through this jus give me a bit
My thoughts at first when everything went quite and stopped and he saw a tall figure
"Slendy?"
Holy shit! 178 THOUSAND WORDS!? And so little views, comments and likes/dislikes.
Wow
This is actually well written and I've only spotted a few errors in the 22 chapters I've read so far in the last day, keep up the good work.
I just noticed I'm only half way through whats been written so far...
crap
This.... was the most emotional and inspiring story I have ever. Read. Being gay myself i understand the problems Canvas faced, I also know how wonderful it is to have freinds who genuinely like for who you are.
I also know that feeling Troy felt when he was coming to terms with his sexuality its very confusing and it kinda sucks. Seeing canvas become so successful after seeing Copper take everything away was truly fabulous.
I would absolutely love to see a sequeal. This was truly an outstanding story.
Well, this chapter gave me many conflicting emotions. I will just leave it at that.
This is not wat I expected to happen. I expected something far worse to happen to Copper, but that wouldn't have been realistic. The emotional ties between father and son are very strong and even though wat Copper did was unforgiving, I didn't think the emotional ties were completely gone.
2857320
It's not over yet! There's still more to come.
how can such a good story get so few comments?
2859297 I can see that now haha, my mistake for not seeing the "incomplete" tag
well im glad to know there's more to come. hmmm any idea how much more haha I would love to know 
This story is beautiful
Well shit, it better be at the Gala
If u make it like their first kiss where they were interrupted at every turn I'll be pissed!
I'm not saying skimp on story just, pretty please with a chocolate covered cherry on top, make the proposal at the Gala
2900859
I'll do whatever I want!
iambrony.jsmart.web.id/mlp/gif/133408830328.gif
2900998troll.me/images/yao-ming/well-shit.jpg
A really great story,
just stating the obvious.First off, super cute story.
Second, that's a real acoustic anomaly. can't recall from where exactly, but its not technically from How I Met Your Mother.
Third, <3 NPH
aaaaaaaa that ending was perfect. Yea.. this is by far the best story i've read on this site. Thank you so much for writing it, I enjoyed it immensely. ^_^ Looking forward to reading more from you!
Had this in my read later list for awhile after having found on reddit, but I like the pacing and where this is heading. This was also a very sweet chapter.
Cassettes? In Equestria? This technology is too advanced for ponies!
Also that last scene! *squee*
What a chapter!
3021275
Well, it's a good thing Troy isn't a pony. Besides, they have film reels, so why not cassette tapes?