Man & The Mare (Chapter 2: Forever)
 
>You wake up to a banging noise.
>Shooting up from your bed, you look around.
>"What is that?" you think to yourself.
>You throw your covers off your legs and rise to your feet.
>Your brain still groggy, you rub your eyes and head to open your bedroom door.
>bang bang bang bang.
>You turn the knob. As soon as the door opens, you're assaulted with a wave of freezing air.
>JESUS.
>You think to yourself, "What is going on? I turned my heater on full blast last night..."
>You promptly walk into your kitchen.
>There's one of your hatch windows, swinging open and closed from the wind.
>The one with the faulty lock.
>You walk into the kitchen to shut it, your feet being chilled by the cold tile.
>Freezing in contrast to the carpet.
>Shivering, you shut the window and lock it.
>You shudder from how cold it is. You can't help but notice that the sky is grey and completely overcast.
>Oh yeah.
>Today's the day the pegasi bring the first snow storm to Ponyville.
>You quickly remove yourself from further torture of being on the tile.
>The heater will eventually compensate for the cold, but you'll be sick long before that happens.
>You start your morning routine: Shower, Dress and Eat.
>Entering your bathroom, you flick on the lights and are greeted with an image of yourself in the mirror.
>Hey there, handsome.
>Suddenly your mind is brought back to that of Twilight.
>You remember the night you'd shared a week ago.
>Both of you have made significant progress on your research papers, but you haven't had any more 'experiences'
 
>You're happy to have slowed down, though.
>The sexual tension between the both of you had built up, so you guess it was only natural things went the way they did that night.
>You don't want this to be some flimsy "sex-only" relationship. You want a commitment as well as a relationship with Twilight.
>Dragging your fingertips across your face, you decide to shave.
>As you drag the razor, you stare back into the mirror at yourself.
>A bunch of questions hit you as look at your reflection.
>"Am I good enough for her?"
>"Does she feel the same as me?"
>"What if I find a way back home?"
>You rinse your razor off and turn on the shower.
>Condensation builds on the mirror, the warm steam is welcomed by your freezing feet.
>One long shower later, you dry off and put on warm, dry clothing. Heavier stuff for the winter as well.
>Appreciating all the specially tailored human clothes Rarity made for you, you head out to your kitchen again.
>Its still a bit  chilly, but you figure a few minutes and it will be back to normal. You still need to fix the latch on that window.
>The violent winter air still assaulted your house, causing a howling noise from outside.
>Entering the kitchen, your socks keep your feet from being frozen again.
>You pop open the fridge, shrug, and grab some  cheap pastry for breakfast.
>You love food, but studying with Twilight was first on your list today.
>You scarf it down as you head for the front door, where your boots, scarf, hat and jacket are.
 
>You grab your boots and kneel down to begin tying them. In the last week you had gotten all the information about your cultures  covered. Now in the writing process, you decided to write together just in case on of you have a question, and hey, you like being around each other.
>Fastening the knots on the first boot, you start the second.
>Your thoughts drift back to the night with Twilight. Nothing like that had happened since. You don't think she's being cold or distant, but you wonder why you haven't cuddled or anything since.
>You try to push out negative thoughts.
>"What if she's having second thoughts?" you think.
>You shake your head.
>Don't depress yourself, anon. She feels the same.
>You finish the second knot and stand up. Doing a small stretch, you put on your jacket, gloves and hat.
>Warm as fuck.
>"Oh wait. My backpack."
>You go over to the kitchen table, grab the backpack and sling it onto your shoulders.
>Hanging it over your shoulders, you look down at your hands.
>You feel a surge of determination. You want to continue proving to Twilight that you care about her, and that that night wasn't just some fluke.
>After all, you are going out together.
>Your mind is simply wandering to the negative. You're over-thinking things as usual.
>Just because nothing romantic has happened doesn't mean she doesn't care.
>You force a grin past your worry and head for the door.
>Taking one last look at the interior of your place, you turn the knob and walk outside.
 
>The wind smacks into you as you exit your house. Your armor consisting of warm clothes shields you from the blast.
>You stretch out your scarf and wrap it around your neck, then your mouth securely.
>Stuffing your hands into your coat pockets, you begin to make the walk to Twilight's place.
>Pony weather worked in such a peculiar way. Just not a week ago the weather was rather cool. Then, suddenly, freezing.
>All engineered by the Pegasi of Cloudsdale.
>Ponyville's streets however, were not at all vacant.
>The normal bustle of the Town continued, ponies walking about with smiles on their faces.
>You still got the occasional odd look from people here and there, but you were accepted in this community now.
>A smile forms of your own face. You're happy to be here.
>You trudge over the cold, dry ground as you pass buildings along Ponyville's streets.
>"Good morning, Anonymous!" A pony shouts out.
>You wave to him. Never seen him before, but oh well. Your reputation precedes you.
>The cold air still batters at your side, but you do your best to ignore it and keep your mind on the positive.
>Twilight.
>She's always on your mind. Its hard to ever get her out.
>When you first met her she intrigued you. You naturally gravitated towards her since you're a bit of a nerd yourself.
>Her other friends are great, but you just couldn't help but feel an attachment to her.
>Then you started having feelings for her.
>You never thought she'd reciprocate.
 
>You're both smart. Naturally you both became competitive at your academics. Then the teasing and bantering started.
>Sometimes people think you're arguing, but in reality you're both as happy as can be.
>You liked that about her. You don't like always having to be keen and delicate. Sometimes being able to jab back and forth is refreshing.
>She really is something. Sometimes you wonder i-
>"Anooon! Helloooo? Equestria to Anon~!"
"Eh?"
>You return to reality from your deep thoughts.
>A Pegasus is hovering right in front of you, clad in Winter clothing.
>Her cutie mark insignia is printed on the side of her cloth.
"Oh. Hi, Rainbow Dash."
>You pull your scarf off your mouth, revealing all of your face.
>"Sheesh. What kind of daydream were you having?"
>Luckily the cold was making your face red already, or she might have noticed you blushing.
"Oh, uhh...I just have a lot on my mind right now."
>She lands on the ground in front of you and sets her wings down.
>She's completely wrapped up in Winter gear. I guess its much colder up near the clouds.
>Even her face is covered.
>That being said, she pulls off her goggles and mask.
>"So, you ready for the big snow storm tonight?" She asks, a big grin on her face.
"Ready, yes. Excited, no."
>"Aww c'mon! Snow means no hard farm work for awhile."
>Time off from Sweet Apple Acres is a plus.
>Smiling you remark,
"You make a good point. Makes for a lot of shoveling though."
>You start walking again, her walking beside you.
 
>"This snow storm is going to be huge, anon!"
"Haha, you sound excited."
>"Mhm! All of Cloudsdale has been preparing for this for awhile now."
>She's obviously proud of her work.
"So whens the snow start?"
>"This evening. So you better in doors by then."
"Will do."
>You continue walking down the road, small talking about other topics.
"So then I'm halfway home and realize that I left all my work back at her place."
>"Pfft. So what'dya do?"
"Went back and got it! She can't know my secrets!"
>"You spend WAY too much time studying and writing, Anon."
"What? Its what I like doing."
>"About that..."
>You keep quiet, prompting her to continue.
>"So, since you've been doing a lot of bookwork lately, I figured it might do you some good to umm..."
"Yeah?"
>"Well, what I'm trying to say is..."
>You get a confused look on your face and look down at her.
>Her face is turned away from you, she's obviously having trouble spitting out whatever she's trying to say.
"Rainbow?"
>She stops walking.
>You notice and stop as well, turning around and looking at her.
>Her face is now down at the floor, her right fore hoof brushing the ground nervously.
"I was wondering if you umm...were free to..."
>Eh?
"To watch the fir-mumble mumble..."
"Uhh, sorry. Didn't catch that, RD."
>She takes a deep breath and tries again.
>"I was wondering if you wanted to watch the first snow storm...w-with me."
>You eyebrows raise in surprise.
"Oh."
>You peer down at her and think of a response.
 
>You're planning on spending the entire day with Twilight.
>You decide to pry a little information from her.
"Oh, so its like a 'first snow storm' party or something? Did Pinkie Pie throw it?"
>You kind of already knew the answer, but you figure you might get her intentions out in the open more gingerly this way.
>"Uhh, no...It would umm..."
>Just spit it out, already.
>Alright, here goes.
"Just be you and me?"
>She flinches back a little bit at your straight-forward reply.
>"U-Umm, yeah."
>Well this is...unexpected.
>You'd told Twilight you were going to study at her place today. You didn't necessarily promise anything, but your word is your bond.
>Your eyes drift to the floor.
"Well Rainbow, Twilight and I are-"
>Her eyes widen at the mention of Twilight.
>Before you can even continue, she interjects.
"Oh, yeah, right! Studying with Twilight...Heh, well you two have fun. I'll just be going, then."
"Rainbow, Wai-"
>She's already turned around and running.
>Rainbow Dash spreads her wings and flies off.
>Well, fuck. That didn't go well at all.
>Does she...?
>Great.
>That just complicates things further.
>You're a human, stuck to the ground. She'd be much better suited with another Pegasus.
>You felt flattered at her proposition, however.
>Still, it felt bittersweet. She was obviously hurt by you turning her down.
>With a sigh, you turn back around towards your destination.
>Twilight's library comes into sight.
 
>You couldn't help but feel sorry for her.
>She didn't pour her heart out to you or anything, but its obvious she's interested in you.
>There was zero conflict in your mind on who you cared for. Twilight's the one for you...but...
>You sigh.
>You've had enough of the cold wind buffeting you.
>Trying to push Rainbow Dash's sudden proposition out of your mind, you approach the door of the tree house.
>Knock knock knock.
>You wait a few moments, nothing.
>Knock knock knock knock knock.
>Another few moments, nothing.
"Twilight! I'm coming in!"
>You open the door the tree house and step inside. Its quiet.
"Spike?"
>You step into the center of the library, door closing behind you.
"Twilight?"
>You think, "Well, I guess no ones home."
>Something catches your eye.
>The door to her bedroom.
>.......
>You shrug, might as well check and see if she's out or not.
>Walking passed the walls of books, you make your way to the bedroom door.
>Pushing it open, you're greeted to a room with one floor at the bottom. It had a table, some books, a few other things.
>A small staircase leads up to another little floor above it, where Twilight's bed is.
>You quietly walk your way through the room.
>Making sure your breathing and footing is as quiet as can be, climb up the stairs.
>Your eyes fall to Twilight's bed...
>Theres a lump under the covers.
>You figure that she still needs her sleep, so you turn to leave.
>Suddenly, as you're about to turn around, something catches your eye.
 
>It's Twilight's sleeping face.
>You gape at her beauty as she lays on her bed, sleeping silently.
>Her breathing is slow and steady.
>At that moment, you believe its the most amazing thing you've ever seen.
>Her mane is a bit ruffled up, but it just makes her look more innocent.
>Your face is on fire.
>Staring at her, you come to the sudden realization that you're doing that; staring at her.
>You feel like a creep for watching her sleep.
>With that, you figure enoughs enough and turn to walk back down the steps.
>A sharp, drawn-out inhale.
>"Spike...?"
>You turn around to see the lump in the covers moving.
>Ah, shit. You woke her up.
>She sits up and looks at you.
>Twilight gasps.
>A scared look washes of her face.
>"WHA-"
>Suddenly a magic glow surrounds you.
>Oh fuck.
>She throws you off the platform and you fall to the bottom floor directly on your back.
"GAH!"
>A sharp pain surges through your upper back.
>Another gasp from above you.
>"A-A-Anon!?"
>Her head pokes out from above.
>"Anon! I'm so sorry! You startled me."
>Time for revenge.
>You lay limp and unresponsive on the floor, not saying anything back to her.
>"A-Anon?"
>"Anon!"
>No response.
>She rushes down the steps and up to you.
>"Oh no what have I-"
>You can't help it.
>You start laughing your ass off.
>"Anon?"
>You continue laughing.
>She grits her teeth angrily.
>"HOW COULD YOU DO THAT YOU SCARED ME, ANON!"
>Through laughing you struggle,
"Thats what you get for throwing me off the side!"
 
>You sit up, still getting a few chuckles.
>She looks angry.
"Haha, you should have seen the look on your face."
>Her expression softens, but then jerks to a look of surprise.
>She looks over herself and realizes she's a mess from sleeping.
>"Anon."
"Hehe, yeah?"
>"OUT!"
"Wha-"
>She pushes you out of the room with her head, avoiding poking you with her horn.
>Slamming the door you hear her muffled voice from the other side, "This is just great. I'll be out in a little bit!"
>Oh. She's embarrassed.
>You rise up for your ass and get back on your feet.
>Shouting through the door, you laugh a little bit,
"Heh, Twilight! Its not that big of a deal!"
>"It *IS* a big deal! I look horrible!"
>You roll your eyes, a smile still on your face.
"You know, one day I might be seeing that every morning."
>No response.
"Might as well get it used to it now!"
>Another pause with no response.
>Hmm?
>Suddenly you hear the door shift, she pushes it open slowly.
>She's grabbing onto a brush with her magic, her hair still a mess.
>"I...I don't look horrible, do I?"
>You kneel down to face level with her.
>Wiping the sleep from her eyes and patting down her hair for her, you reply,
"Nah. You look fine. Beautiful, even."
>She blushes.
"What are you doing sleeping this late?"
>She turns back and walks into her room again, not closing the door.
>You follow her back in.
>"Well, I found an interesting book the other day."
>You smile,
"Ah, okay. Up all night reading then, huh?"
 
"So did you find a new action/adventure series to get lost in? Mystery? Drama?"
>She trots over to her mirror and continues brush her hair.
>"Actually..."
>.......
>"There may be a way to get you back home."
>.......
>Wait, what?
"You found a way?" you ask, hopeful.
>Suddenly, you remember what you said that night a week ago.
>"If I had the chance to return home, I'd decline. Because I want to be with you forever."
>Your happy expression disappers.
>"Yeah. I think I found a way."
"Oh...how?"
>She jerks a little bit. I guess you asking bothered her.
>She finishes brushing her hair after a few strokes and sets the brush down on the night stand.
>Turning around she continues, "Theres a rare crystal that can be found in certain caves here in Equestria. They're a magical medium between the spellcaster and a..."
>She stiffens up.
>"A portal, or a gate. The crystal has enough magical power to open an inter dimensional portal. I just have to master the spell itself, and I think I may be able to send you back to your home."
"Twilight I-"
>"If you're about to tell me that you don't want it..."
"Thats *exactly* what I'm about to sa-"
>"Anon, when you first came here you were deeply saddened and said that your friends and family were back in your world."
>You open your mouth to retort, but she continues.
>"The feelings you may have developed for me...I don't want them to get in the way of the love that your family has for you. You have to do this."
>You stiffen up.
"No."
 
"No! I don't *have* to do anything! This is *my* choice!"
>Her ears fold down, her eyes falling to the floor.
>The truth is, part of you wanted to go back. You sorely missed certain members of your family. Others you were glad you may never see them again.
>But...Twilight.
"I was sad when I first got here, Twilight. But then I realized what an amazing world I'd arrived in. I made friends, worked for my new house and..."
>Theres a long pause, both of you are silent.
>Then you break the pause.
>"And...I met you."
>She shudders, her bottom lip quivering.
>Tears start to form at the corners of her eyes the same way they did before.
>Knowing your words had an effect, you continue.
"So no, Twilight. I don't have to do that. What I said before a week ago? When I said that I'd turn down an opportunity to go home? I MEANT THAT."
>Her tears were in full swing now, sliding down her face.
"Twilight I-"
>"NO!"
>You stop, shocked by her sudden interjection.
>"Youre the ONLY human in Equestria, anon. The. only. one. Even if you're surrounded by friends and...me...you're still not with your family. You're being selfish! Think about what *they* want!"
>Your determined posture falls.
>"And as I said before, you're the only human here. How lonely is that, anon? To wake up knowing you'll never see them again?"
>You grit your teeth, fighting back your own tears.
>Don't let them fall.
>There's another pause as you hang your head, looking at the ground. You continue fighting tears.
 
>"Thats why..."
>She pauses, taking in another breath.
>"Thats why you have to go back!" she yells.
>Silence.
>You look up at her, tears falling down her face.
>Putting your finger tips up to your face and touching it, you feel moisture.
>Dammit.
>Tears are sliding down your face now as well.
>You don't fight it. You just stand there, thinking deeply.
>She trots past you and over to the table thats on the other side of the room behind you.
>She stops, turns around to face your back and picks up a book with her magic.
>"This book has the spell in it. It will take me awhile to master...but I'm confident that if we find the tele-crystal in one of the caves, we won't have any problems."
>Do you really not have a choice? Has she really made her decision?
>She's sniffing and drying up her tears. Yours have dried up as well.
>You turn around to face Twilight, and approach her.
>Making eye contact with her as you come closer, you kneel down in front of her and reach face level again.
>Staring into her purple eyes, you state aggressively.
"I."
"Don't."
"Want this."
>Her expression becomes stern.
>"Anon. You're being sel-"
"So what?!" You yell.
>You bring your face closer to hers.
"They'll go on to live without me! They'll survive! All my life I've sat idly and let things happen to me; NOT this time!"
>You stand up, keeping eye contact.
>Tears are falling from her face again.
>You grit your teeth, keeping them from forming. You won't cry again.
 
>Twilight's grip on the book with her magic had dissipated. You pick it up.
"So you can take this book and return it from wherever you found it, Twilight."
>She's sniffling and looking down towards the ground.
>"W-Why?" she says, hiccuping.
>You stare at her for a second.
"Why what?" you say with a stern voice.
>"Why don't you want to go back?"
"You know why."
>You toss the book onto the table.
>Sighing, you put your palm over your face.
>This isn't what you were expecting coming here.
>"Because of your friends? Your job? You're hou-"
"Because of you, Twilight."
>She peers up at you and locks eyes with you.
"I don't want to go back because I'm in love with you. Nothing else matters to me."
>You state it with authority.
>She's in full-blown sobbing now.
>You stand, crossing your arms.
>Though you didn't want to be rough with her, you wanted to stomp out her notions of sending you back.
"So there you have it, Twily. I'm not going back."
>You figure she needs to be alone.
>Turning around, you head for the door.
>"Am I...?"
>You put on the brakes, stopping at the door.
>"Am I really that important to you?" she whimpers.
>You fight the urge to roll your eyes. You thought you'd made that abundantly clear.
"Yeah. You are. I'm going to stay with you foreve-"
>She rushes over to you and hops up against you with her forelegs?
>"Do you mean it?!"
>A shocked look takes over your face.
"Mean wha-"
>"Forever!"
>You pause, and soften your expression.
 
>You sit down on the floor so you can face her.
>Smiling at her you answer.
"Yep. Forever."
>Her bottom lip quivers again, tears streaming down her eyes
>She really is just a big cry baby.
>Slowly pushing up against you, she lays her face in your shoulder and begins crying her eyes out.
>You wrap your arms around her.
>"Really?" she sobs.
"Really." You answer.
>You rub her back for support, sighing.
>Her sobbing begins to lessen, her breathing becoming less accelerated.
"You're worrying me. You gonna be okay?"
>She moves her face from your shoulder and looks at you.
>Her eyes are puffy, her face soaked with tears.
>Even like that she still takes your breath away.
>You stare directly into her.
"I love you, Twily."
>For the first time today, she gives you a happy grin. Small tears forming.
>She's like a lawn sprinkler today.
>"I love you too, anon." she says.
>You press your nose into hers and look into her eyes, both of you smiling.
>"Do you want to kiss me?" she asks.
"I don't know why you need to ask me."
>She grins and locks her lips with yours, closing her eyes.
>So THATS why she's been so distant lately. I guess she had this whole problem on her mind.
>You kiss her back, what starts as small pecks becomes full blown kissing.
>Theres no way you could be happier right now.
>Breaking your kiss you stare at each other for what seems like hours.
"Hi."
>She grins, "Hi."
"So umm..."
>"Hmm?"
"Do you want to start working our papers?"
>She smiles and nods.