On Our Favorite Hill
They walked up the hill to their favorite tree, as they always did after spending the day together. It overlooked most of Ponyville, but was often ignored by the little fillies and colts playing in the playground at its base. Most grown ponies would also ignore it, as it was out of the way of most day to day activities. It was a hill you had to plan into your schedule. She didn’t understand why other ponies chose to ignore it. It was one of the more unique hills in the area. It wasn’t as exciting as Ghastly Gorge, but it carried so much appeal.
They were a bit early for the sunset today. Usually they were rushing slightly to make it up to their spot to catch it. She didn’t know how the habit of needing to see the sunset had formed in their relationship. But it was really nice to not be rushed. As the world grew, it felt as though other ponies simply lacked the ability to slow down and simply observe what was around them. She laid her head down on her hooves and relaxed into near slumber.
The mare by her side was no small part of her comfort. They hadn’t always been so at peace together, but that was one of the many wonderful things about relationships: they change. Just like the bedrock beneath their feet, relationships were in constant flux. When they met, it was hard for them to share the same space if Starlight wasn’t around. That changed over the years as Starlight got busier. This led to them spending more and more time together alone, and eventually, to their romance.
The hill was made of limestone, mostly, which helped explain why the grass grew just slightly better there. It had obviously been heated up at some point in history in order to create the fertile ground for the grass growing beneath her. She hadn’t done any surveys, but she suspected the areas surrounding Ponyville were as fertile as they were due to many limestone deposits breaking down. What made it really interesting to her was the requirement of interaction with the ocean in order to create limestone. It required millenia of biogenic precipitation from seawater. Sometimes it was by the ocean itself. Sometimes it was carried by various means to form clastic deposits. Given Ponyville’s proximity to the ocean, she suspected the latter.
Sometimes they would talk about this. Sometimes they would talk about her sister, as she would often sit and think about her older sister when she sat there. She would reminisce about her older sister and her annoyance at being responsible for all of her sisters growing up. She would remember the times her sister had trouble connecting, just like her. She would remember their many late night talks as fillies, trying to work out how their parents and the world wanted them to be. Eventually they had both landed on just being who they were. She was okay with that. She wasn’t fully sure that her sister was.
But today, they didn’t talk. They laid in the grass together and basked in the rays of the setting sun. It had been a warm summer day, and she could tell it would be a nice mild evening. She closed her eyes, enjoying the peace and quiet of their time together. They didn’t always have to talk to each other, which was one of the reasons they worked so well.
“It’s starting.”
She opened her eyes and turned to watch the final orange rays of the sun struggle to stay aloft. It was always cathartic for her. It reminded her that life just had ways that it worked. Even if you really wanted it, you couldn’t have everything. It eased her mind concerning some of her troubles as a filly. Basic laws of nature had always been a comfort to her.
Trixie flipped her tail atop hers as they watched the sunset. She enjoyed that. The subtle signs of affection were the best. Sure she enjoyed the kissing and…other things, but it was times like this that really warmed her heart. Currently, however, there was a weight stifling it. And it was heavier than any rock she had ever lifted.
“We should tell Starlight.”
Trixie stiffened at her side. Trixie didn’t like the idea. She had said as much every time the topic came up. “I don’t know. I don’t want to hurt her feelings.”
“But the more we put off telling her, the more we’ll hurt her feelings. I like you, Trixie, but I’m not sure I can stay with you without telling Starlight.”
Trixie relaxed a little and slowly started nodding. “Okay. You’re right. And it’s not like it’s just a fling. We’ve been together for months now, and I know I want to stay with you.” Trixie looked into her eyes. She loved those amethyst eyes. Trixie sniffed, then continued, “But we can’t push her away or avoid her just so we can have our time. We’re her only friends.”
She shook her head, “We aren’t her only friends, Trixie. Plus, she’s usually busy with Twilight and the school.”
“But, are they her friends? She doesn’t really fit in with them that well. She’d be the first to tell you that. Oh…what’s the phrase she uses…” Trixie tapped her head a moment. “She’s ‘friend adjacent’ with them. She can hang out and have fun, but she’ll never be part of the core group. She’s said that several times.”
Trixie sighed and continued. “And then, like you said, she’s usually busy with the school. And you’re busy exploring the caves under Ponyville. And I have my shows to travel to. I just…there’s not a lot of time when we’re all free here in Ponyville as it is. I just don’t know how we can work it out.”
She reached out and cupped Trixie’s cheek with her hoof. “We already have worked it out. Why would our scheduling change just because Starlight knows about us?”
Trixie’s eyes widened. “You’re right! Oh my GOSH! I feel so stupid.” She slapped her hoof to her forehead.
She patted Trixie’s shoulder. “You’re only stupid if you don’t learn.”
“Huh?”
She smiled. Trixie giggled and kissed her marefriend. She returned it.
It was nice.