>Anonymous's log, stardage snoogelsnogul 1101001.
>Day 1826 in Equestria.
>You lay on one of the sofas in Ponyville Library, snuggled under a blanket and staring up at the ceiling.
>'In turmoil' best describes your mind right now.
>You had stayed here overnight. More accurately, forced to stay here.
>Neither Spike or Twilight would let you leave, not in the state you were in.
>As your eyes had turned into miniature waterfalls, you doubt you could have found your way home anyway.
>The events of yesterday still twist your insides with shame and embarassment.
>How could you just dump all your emotional baggage on them like that?
>More importantly, where had it all come from?
>Being alone for so long must have caused some pretty deep fractures in your mind.
>You had considered often that yes, maybe you were a bit lonely.
>Not so lonely that you would blubber to your friends at the first opportunity, though.
>Fuck sake Anon, you catch up with them after all these months just to exhaust their tissue supply?
>Fuck off inner critic, seriously.
>Oh so now you want me to go? Where would you be without me? Probably still back on Earth making a bigger mess of things.
>What, that doesn't even make sense. I had no control over coming here.
>So? You're still to blame.
>Fuck you.
>Fuck you too.
>Fuck you even more-
>The sound of hoofsteps brings your inner argument to an end.
 
>Twilight Sparkle, master of all things friendship, is gently coming down the stairs to the reading area.
>Since when did she own a pink dressing gown?
>You reason that it is most likely a gift from Rarity. Twilight would never indulge in buying such extravagant bedroomwear.
>The unicorn spots you awake from the stairs, and silently points a hoof upwards.
>She's being quiet for the sake of Spike.
>You give her a thumbs up. Quiet Anonymous activated.
>Slipping out from under the blankets, you proceed to knock over a nearby pile of books with your foot.
>Who knew toppling a pile of dusty tomes would cause such a racket?
>You can almost feel Twilight's hard glare on your neck.
>Nothingtodohere.
>You swan over to the kitchen and dive inside. Maybe you can eat something other than bread around here.
>Twilight enters the kitchen to the sight of you raiding her fridge.
>You never knew what powered these things. Probably magic again.
>Whoa, is that meat? No, no it's just soy. Curses.
>"Anonymous?" Twilight's whisper reaches you, carrying a hint of worry.
>You turn to face her. Yep, the worry is all over her face.
>"How are you feeling?"
>You wonder how to answer this.
"I'm ok, I guess."
>"You guess?" She presses. Her eyes seem to drill into you.
"Look, if this is about yesterday-"
>"You don't need to feel ashamed."
>You blink. Why are you even surprised? Twilight knows you like the back of her hand. Hoof. Thing.
 
>"You've been through a lot. Coming to a different world, losing contact with your friends and family, having to cope with so many radical changes in your life..."
>You want to point out that life in Equestria is paradise compared to Earth, but you feel that she is right. Even if it doesn't really bother you, things have been rough.
>"Worst of all, through all of this, you have had to live on your own. From what I understand of basic psychology, the fact that you have remained sane is just bewildering."
>Okay, she's surely exaggerating. Secluding yourself for six months does not make you go insane.
>"When I asked you last night, if you would like to move back in to the Library...It is the best choice for you."
"Do you think I'm not cut out to live on my own?"
>You don't know why but you're getting angry.
"I'm not some poor spineless creature that needs nurturing."
>The mare blinks. "I never said-"
"You don't say, but you imply. You imply that I'm incapable of living by myself without going batshit crazy. All I did was have a mental breakdown, nothing more. I'm not crazy. I am a perfectly normal sentient lifeform, and I don't need no mare to tell me what's best for me."
>"Double negative." She mutters. You ignore her.
"I have my own house. I'm doing fine. If the way I live means I have to be lonely and unproductive, then that's just tough. At least I'm not causing anyone problems."
>Twilight shakes her head sadly.
>"You're not making sense. Do you want to be alone?"
"Of course not."
>"Then come back to me."
>What?
 
>The unicorn blinks at her slip, and hurries on. "I mean, come back to us. Me and Spike, we care about you very much. We're your friends. I promise you, you will never be a burden under our roof. I can help you look for a job. Spike could get you temporary work with the construction crew I can even give you an allowance for completing chores!"
>She gasps, realising she is yelling at you. She looks down at the floor, pawing a hoof nervously.
>"Please Anonymous. You don't have to be alone anymore."
>Damn, how can you say no to her when she's looking like that?
>A quick step and you're next to her, crouching down to give her a hug.
"Don't worry Twilight. You're right, both you and Spike are right. Maybe I do need to move back."
>You feel her hooves encircle your neck as she returns the hug.
>In your mind, you feel the turmoil end.
>She's right. You need company. You miss your friends. You can't go on living as a social recluse.
>You look over Twilight's shoulder.
>Spike is standing in the doorway to the kitchen, leaning his large frame against the doorway. He has a gentle smile on his face.
>"Did I miss the group hug this time?"
>Twilight jolts a little and breaks away from you.
>"Oh no, Spike! I'm sorry if I woke you-"
>"Twilight, Twilight! It's ok." He waves a claw at her, his slitted eyes still fixed on you. "I woke up when I heard Anonymous yelling."
 
"How much did you hear?"
>"Enough." His mouth breaks into a grin, incisors clearly showing. "So then, are you gonna stay with us, buddy? For real this time?"
"That depends. Are you going to eat all my food again?"
>"Hey, that was one time! And those were my pancakes!"
"Were not!"
>"Were too!"
>Both of you chuckle and you move forward. He does the same, and you both embrace in the middle of the kitchen.
>As you put your arms around the big guy, you feel his encircle you.
>Unlike yesterday, he doesn't try to break your spine. His claws rest lightly on your back.
>You pat his back in return. His scales sure do feel smooth, not unlike tough leather. The little green ridges on his back are contrastingly hard.
>You're surprised to feel his snout rest on your left shoulder. His fin almost tickles your cheek.
>Touched, you return the gesture. Looks like he wants a real bro hug.
>His shoulder scales feel even smoother. Weird.
>Did he just breathe on your shoulder?
>Hold on, how long has this hug lasted?
 
>You try and ease out of Spike's grip, swearing you could feel his claws tense when you broke contact.
>His face still smiles at you. It matches that of Twilight, who is stood next to him.
>You try to act nonchalant, stretching your arms over your head.
"So, what's for breakfast? Please say it's not bread."
>Twilight chuckles, trotting to the fridge. "I'm sure I could make you both pancakes again. Just for this special occassion."
>Spike's forked tongue practically falls out of his mouth.
>"Dude, you need to move back in with us more often. I never get pancakes these days!"
"Just keep your filthy claws off of my batch."
>You shake a fist mockingly at him. He just chortles at you, holding his offendingly 'dirty claws' up.
>"Boys, I'm going to need the kitchen." Twilight calls over her shoulder, levitating certain ingredients out of the fridge to form a conga line along the counter top.
>"Okay Twilight! Come on Anonymous, let's see if we can find that chess set!"
"Oh sh-yeah!"