The Reason I Love You

by Blue Dragon

The Sacrifices We Make

Twilight stacked all the plates at the table and made her way over to the kitchen sink. Pinkie had only just set the basket on the counter. “That was a little weird, huh? I never question the Princesses’ decisions, but I don’t really understand why they requested an audience with us.” The unicorn smiled fondly. “I guess it doesn’t matter. Do you have work later today?”

Pinkie didn’t say anything. Her hooves rested on the countertop on either side of the basket.

“I hope not. Maybe we could do something fun inside. You know, where it’s warm. I’m not quite ready to go out in the cold just yet, but—“

“Twilight.”

She glanced at her marefriend. Her name had been said in the most un-Pinkie-like way possible. It was sharp enough to stop her ramblings, but calm enough to make Twilight nervous.

Pinkie avoided her gaze. “We… We need to talk.”

Time slowed down as Twilight leaned forward to try and meet Pinkie’s eyes. “I have been trying to talk to you. I mean, you haven’t said a word since before the Princesses came, and even then you were pretty quiet.”

The earth pony was breathing harder than usual, and her hooves were shaking. “No, I-I mean… we need to talk about us. Our relationship.”

Twilight swallowed thickly, and she squinted. Her heart started beating faster. “What do you mean? What’re you talking about?”

“I’ve been thinking about it, and I’ve realized that… that we can’t work.” She breathed in shakily. “I’m sorry, but I’m breaking up with you.”

Twilight’s heart stopped. The gears in her mind stopped turning momentarily, before spinning faster than ever. She couldn’t think straight, and millions of questions made themselves known. The unicorn was barely able to speak. “W-what?”

Pinkie pushed herself off of the counter so she was on four legs again. “I’m sorry.”

Then, she rushed out the door, leaving a confused unicorn in her wake. Twilight could only stare at the open door with tears stinging at her eyes.

Twilight let herself fall back on her haunches and took a deep, shuddering breath. Her mind was drawing a blank. Let’s think logically about this. Right. Don’t remind yourself about the fact that the love of your life just broke up with you and ran out the door with no explanation, because that would be like twisting the knife. Oh, who am I kidding… I couldn’t not think about something if my life depended on it… What did I do wrong?!

---

Pinkie didn’t know where she was going and she didn’t really care. All she knew was that she had to get away from Twilight and away from all her friends. I can’t believe I did that. She hates me now, I know it. I’m the worst pony in the history of all ponies. If you looked up “worst pony” in a dictionary you’d see my picture in it.

Pinkie found herself standing beside the frozen lake where she’d shared her first kiss with Twilight. Her bottom lip quivered as she plopped down beside the water and stared at her reflection.

It’s all my fault. Twilight’s probably crying right now… And I’m the reason. Her vision blurred as tears of her own ran down her face. Why did it have to end like this? Why did the princess have to tell her?

“I miss her already…” Pinkie buried her muzzle underneath her forelegs and began sobbing. The cold snow underneath of her didn’t bother Pinkie at all. Her mind wandered back to what Princess Celestia had said.

“Are you aware of Twilight’s nightmares?” Princess Celestia asked finally. Pinkie nodded. As far as she could tell, she’d solved those nightmares by getting Twilight her Smarty Pants doll back.

“Luna is aware of them as well. As you know, my sister is the Princess of the Night, and that means this falls under her jurisdiction.”

“What do you mean?” Pinkie tilted her head to the side.

“Twilight’s nightmares have not only hindered her studies, but they’re also affecting her health. Luna has expressed these concerns to me, and she believes there is but one true way to end them.”

“How? I’d do anything for Twilight. Tell me I need to find some herb in the Everfree Forest and I’ll do it. If there’s something on the other side of Equestria that can help her I’ll do it without a second thought! There isn’t a single thing I wouldn’t do for Twilight!”

And she knew it was true. There was determination in her eyes and fire in her words—she’d never felt more sure of anything in her entire life. Princess Celestia met her eyes, a deep sadness set within them.

“So long as the subject of her nightmares is close to her, Twilight will continue to have them.”

Pinkie’s brows furrowed and she frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“…The only way to get rid of Twilight’s nightmares is for you to stop seeing her.”

Pinkie’s heart broke at those words. Her gaze shot to Celestia’s, her eyes trying to voice the confusion her tongue could not. When the words finally sunk in and she knew them to be true, Pinkie lowered her eyes to the table. The implications of that statement were far too much for her to take in.

Pinkie loved Twilight with every fiber of her being, and she’d do anything for her. But staying away… Forever? That hadn’t even crossed her mind—she’d never thought of that as something she’d have to do. The answer was obvious to her, but it hurt too much to accept. Twilight’s well-being was more important than anything else, even if it meant sacrificing that much…

A wing draped over Pinkie’s shoulder and the next thing she knew Princess Celestia was comforting her. She couldn’t hold herself back any longer. Sobs clawed out of her throat and tears stained her fur, and yet all she could think about was Twilight’s sorrow.

“I’m sorry it’s come to this…” the alicorn said quietly, “but if you truly love my student, this should be nothing.”

Pinkie didn’t say anything, unable to speak over her crying. She cried for longer than she remembered ever doing in the past, before pulling away from the Princess. She hadn’t been listening to what the older mare had been saying, too wrapped up in her own thoughts.

And that was when Twilight walked in.

Pinkie didn’t slow her crying—she’d hurt the one mare she vowed she wouldn’t. But was it justified? No, Pinkie thought, I’m still the worst pony ever, even if I did it for a good reason…

A sudden nagging thought pushed its way into her mind—Is somepony watching me? The earth pony didn’t care enough to look. At least, until there literally was a shadow of a pony standing over her.

Pinkie finally looked back, unsure who could have followed her here.

It was Big Mac.

The stallion didn’t say anything. His expression was impassive, but his eyes were soft. And for the second time that day, another pony sat next to her and comforted her while she cried.

But just like before, it did little to help.

Author's Note:

Have faith in the author, guys. She knows what she's doing.

I apologize for the short chapter, but I'll try not to do so in the future. Anyway, part of the reason this came out late was because I was participating in the Twinkie Prompt Tag Group Collab, which could use some more authors contributing. It doesn't take long to do, as the maximum amount of words is 500. So, if you like to write or if you like this ship, won't you please contribute? :)

As a last note, thanks for reading this time around, and seriously--don't worry. Everything's going to work out.

Comments

[Blue Dragon]

3027407
That was kind of the point.

I can't say too much, but it'll make sense. I promise.

[Blue_Paladin42]

“but if you truly love my student, this should be nothing.”

Celestia, you should know perfectly well that something like this is not going to be "nothing".

If my suspicions are correct, Luna I am DISAPPOINT.

(If they are not, then disregard.)

[MrNumbers]

That was... Infinitesimally short.

[Discord Kantus]

Short chapters aren't bad, as long as it makes good sense within the story. But... oof. Now, I really want to read the rest, just so they can have their happy ending.

[randomsurprise]

well, at least i know why pinks was sad t last chappie it's still a dumb reason to break up with twi; i kinda want to slap whichever sister thought it was t right thing to do hope these two get back together sooner or later

[Blue Dragon]

3027577

Thanks for reading!
3028401
Yeah, I know. I was experimenting with some different things when writing this chapter and length ended up being shafted. It seemed like the right place to leave it.

I apologize, though. Thank you for reading all the same.
3028464
Thanks! I'll try to update as soon as possible, though some things tend to get in the way.
3028487
No worries. A little conflict will make the romance even sweeter later on.

Also, the character drives' haven't entirely been shown, so (and this goes for all my readers) don't be fooled.

[randomsurprise]

3028617
thx for t pick me up i was so sad when i read bout 's break-up and ok, if u say so on character drives thing can't wait for t next chappie

[Discord Kantus]

3028617 Just thought of something. It was the dreamsthat Twilight was having that led to Pinkie's breakup. Dreams are Luna's domain, and Luna wasn't there to comfort Pinkie- almost as though she didn't want to. Perhpas Luna created those dreams because she wanted Twilight for herself?

[MysteriousStranger]

OK, I will trust you... Don't let me down!

[Blue Dragon]

3037343
When have I ever?

...Don't answer that question.

[MysteriousStranger]

3037384 I won't because you know when

[Blue Dragon]

3346265

Actually, as weird as it is, I wrote this before I'd read Cupcakes. So no, it wasn't intentional and doesn't have anything to do with pony butchering.

[Procrastinating Sidewalk]

God dammit! You crushed my heart!