(Originally written Sept. 9 2014)
 
>You open one of your eyes and look at the ground beneath you
>The noose isn't very taut; there is something supporting your weight
"Who are you? Why won't you just let me end this?"
>The forelegs around your torso clench you tighter as you feel a tear drip onto your shoulder
>"What the fuck is wrong with you Anon? Huh? What makes you think this is the answer?"
>Realization strikes you as you hear her voice breaking
"Rainbow... Why are you saving me? What the fuck are you even doing here?"
>"Everybody else noticed that you were acting weird ever since you quit your job. I knew that was all you really had going for you here, so I got... worried."
"You? Worried? About me? Yeah, that's a l-"
>You feel her grasp on you tighten even more
>"Shut up. Now. Do you not care that your life is in my hooves right now?"
"If you couldn't guess, I really don-"
>"Well I do! Okay? Does that not matter to you either?!"
>You feel the shoulder of your shirt dampen even more
>"You've been good to everyone, Anon. Sure you've given some ponies the cold shoulder when they asked about your personal life, but we all keep to ourselves about lots of things. I feel like you just need..."
>She pauses mid-sentence, puzzling your
>You're hoping she is considering just letting you go, but the curiosity gets to you
"I need... what?"
>"I don't know... that's what scares me. It scares me to fucking pieces Anon. I don't know what the fuck you need."
"Well that's okay, because I know what I need. All I need right now is for you to-
>"But I know what I need. And I need you."
>Your silence as immediate as you take in the sudden sentiment
>She continues, with her tone of sadness becoming slightly tinged by her irritation with you
>"Just... please... get that thing off your goddamn neck."
"Rainbow, I don't -"
>"I wasn't asking."
>Her seething words feel like a punch in the gut
>You reach up to your neck and begin to loosen the noose surrounding it
>"Wait Anon..."
 
>You hesitate in removing it to hear what she has to say
>"Don't take it off unless you can promise me that you won't put it back on."
>You take a moment to feel the noose and contemplate why it's there in the first place
>Then you touch the forearms encompassing your torso, thinking about why they are there also
>You've thought for years about why you should die, yet it only took you a minute to decide why you should live
>The noose slips easily off of your neck and over your head
>Upon seeing this, Dash lowers you to the ground and sits on her haunches behind you
>Turning around, you notice she still looks rather cross
>The remorse is heavy, but you're ready to answer whatever the blue mare has to ask
>Before you can get a word in to break the silence, Dash precedes you
>"Promise me you won't tell anybody about this. Ever."
>Okay, now you're really confused
"You just saved my life. You're a hero, Dash. Isn't that good?"
>She looks and grits her teeth
>"Not to all. Some of the ponies around here don't really trust your... kind. They would think of your death as a good riddance. Especially the colts."
"Oh. I guess that would explain my distinctly low wages."
>"No no no. Joe has nothing against you. I talked to him one of the days Pinkie invited me out for a doughnut breakfast. But... it would explain the lack of customers for his place since you arrived."
"So... I'm still a problem."
>You put your hands in your pocket and begin to sulk again
>Noticing this, Dash interjects
>"No! You're not doing this again. You're not a problem just because they have a problem with you!"
>She flaps her wings enough to to bring her face to face with you, and uses her hoof to lift your chin
>You continue looking at the ground
>"Anon, look at me."
>You sigh, but obey
>Your eyes meet hers, and the world around you seems to stop
>She's talking, but you don't hear anything
>The compassion in her eyes is telling you all that you need to know
 
>She cares about you more than any other pony has even seemed to
>Many would tremble if you asked them for the time
>Many apparently even want you dead
>But this mare was here with you, after seeing you as low as you thought you could ever get
>And she hasn't turned away
>Her voice slowly fades back in as you once again pay some attention to what she's saying
>"So just trust me Anon, you can get through this. Killing yourself isn't the answer to all those troubles. And... I wouldn't be able to-"
"Cope?"
>She's taken aback, as you've clearly taken the words right out of her mouth
>"I..."
>You put your finger up to her muzzle to stop her
"I know suicide isn't the answer, Rainbow. I guess I just needed someone to... show me why not."
>She smiles at you as tears begin to soak the fur around her eyes
>"Anon... Ugh, dammit."
>She looks away as the tears roll down her face
>You gently use your hand to avert her gaze back to you
"Thank you. I could never repay you enough for what you did today. I don't feel any more... hopelessness. You've kept me from ruining the most important thing to me in my life here.
>She tilts her head curiously
>"What's that?"
"My chances of getting to look into your eyes and telling you that I love you."
>Overwrought with emotion, she tackles you to the ground and hugs you even tighter than what you've seen Pinkie to be capable of
>You gently wrap your arms around her and her delicate wings
>You softly kiss her cheek and rest your head atop hers
>"I love you too Anon."