A Gem, Indeed

Two Months Later

Reason and Lemony Gem sat on the stone wall that bordered the palace gardens. They were beautiful at night, with the lilacs and various night-blooming flowers aglow in the moonlight. It was here that Reason had brought Lemony to tell her her secret.

They had been together for two months, and they already loved each other so much that Reason could feel the love emanating from them, and her stomach ached from hunger whenever they hugged. They had met when Lemony was going to a changeling rights rally...she wouldn't judge her...

"Reason?" Lemony asked quietly, her voice sounding abnormally loud in the near-silent gardens. "You said you had something to tell me."

Reason took a deep breath. Quickly, before she had the chance to change her mind, she changed to her original form of a pony-sized, bug-like creature, with holes in her legs and pupil-less eyes. Lemony gasped.

"I'm a changeling." She stared at the ground.

"But...I didn't feel tired, or drained while I was around you..." Lemony gasped again, this time putting her hooves over her mouth. "Are you saying you haven't eaten for two months?!" She looked more surprised that Reason hadn't eaten for so long than that Reason was a changeling.

Reason morphed back into her pony form. "I didn't want to hurt you. I can survive on pony food." She lied.

Lemony's expression changed from surprised and worried to determined. She got off the stone bench and stood in front of the hungry Reason. "I don't care that you're a changeling. I don't care if you feeding might hurt. I love you, Reason, and I don't want to see you starve. Go ahead and feed."

"But-"

"No buts!"

Reason sighed. Despite how much she hated to admit it, it was getting harder for her to walk to and from the market and her secret meet-ups with Lemony Gem. Her stomach growled louder and more often with each passing day. Her horn was screaming at her to take Lemony up on her offer. She didn't want to, but she was just so hungry...

"Alright."

Reason closed her eyes and felt the green magic rush into her horn. She held it there for a moment. This was her chance to stop. She could survive a few more days...But the look in Lemony's eyes settled it.

She delved into Lemony's heart and head, fishing out memories and feelings from when they were together. She siphoned away more and more, the taste was so seductive and sweet. She could taste it in her mouth, somewhat salty. It felt so good to feed after so, so long...

"Reason."

Her eyes flew open. Lemony was half-laying on the ground, her eyes fighting to stay open. She looked tired, so tired. She wanted Reason to stop, but at the same time she loved her too much. Reason stopped the spell and rushed toward her.

"Lemon, Lemon, can you stand up? We'll get you some water, you'll be okay, I promise." Reason helped Lemony Gem up, guiding her over to the water fountain. All the while she scolded herself. She could keep herself alive with normal food and not taste love for the rest of her life. She shouldn't have given in to her cravings. Now she had gone and nearly killed Lemony.

Lemon supported herself with the water fountain, and using her telekinesis, downed some water. Her breaths were hollow and ragged. "Reason, I'm okay. I'll be okay." She stood up, a little wobbly, but alright, to prove her point. "See? You don't have to beat yourself up."

Reason walked slowly over to where they were sitting before, laying down on the cold stone. Now that the adrenaline had mostly faded away, she noticed she had taken too much, with two telltale symptoms of a love high. Stomachache, and feeling a bit swirly in the head. Changelings were taught the symptoms from an early age in order to tell if they were having too much. They could only afford to take little bits from each victim in order to avoid dozens ending up like Lemony just had.

Lemony made her way over to where Reason was, sitting down near her. "Hey, Reason. It's okay. I'd rather be a little tired than let you starve. When you were feeding, I saw your face. You were smiling. Happy." She scooted a little closer.

Reason continued laying down, letting the night breeze cool her warm face. "Are you sure you'll be okay? The whole reason I didn't feed for so long was because I didn't want to hurt anypony."

"I'm fine. Yeah, I have a tiny headache, but an asprin'll take care of that." Lemony Gem pulled Reason up and into a hug. Reason leaned against her, her stomach really starting to hurt.

"The funny thing is, I came away from that with more harm. I feel sick." Reason let out a soft moan.

Lemony laughed a little, holding Reason closer. "You know, I'd be happy to let you feed again if you do get hungry."

Reason's eyes began to close. "Thanks, Lemony."

The night grew darker as minutes passed, Lemony stroking Reason's mane. But the two lovers didn't care that the leaves rustled and the owls hooted and the things that went bump in the night came out around them.

Because as the two continued to embrace, and as they both began to fall asleep, they both realized that over the two months they were together, their relationship had taught them something.

When love and fear face off, love always wins.