All is Fair

Spring had turned to summer, summer to fall, and fall to winter, and winter back to spring. This cycle repeated time and time again, and the fillies and colts became young mares and stallions; Facade, Frost, and Flame being no exception.

Facade had grown into a beautiful mare, her passion for acting grown stronger, her skills superior to that of any other. She lived and breathed the art of theatre, able to apply a character to herself at any moment. Her love for Frost had grown over the years, and though she may have to kiss another pony on stage, she always saved the best for her love.

Frost had grown into a handsome and smart stallion, his intellect superior to many and his physical strength parallel to that of a soldier. He was living off his father’s bits still yet he had a passion and was waiting for his moment, for him and his brother to join Royal Guard. They were excited by the call to battle and had sent in their applications, praying that they would receive a return and be sent to basic.

Flame had grown stronger and smarter as well, a quicker learner than his brother yet socially awkward. He had his passion to join the guards as well, though his chances may have been better than Frost. They both prepared for the better or worse, knowing that one may be accepted and the other not, or they both get accepted and get to live their dreams, or even the thought that they’d both be denied, but no matter what they were prepared.

The three were still best of friends. Facade and Frost were still growing in their love, almost inseparable; they’d go nearly everywhere together. Flame would accompany them from time to time, making sure neither of them got themselves into trouble.

It was the start of a beautiful spring day, the garden just as beautiful as ever, and Facade sat under the shade of an oak tree awaiting her love once again. The two had been meeting here for weeks, it was a perfect place for the start of a good day.

Minutes passed and Frost had approached the tree from behind and slowly worked around it. Facade was within his vision and he sat behind her, waiting for her to turn. She didn’t seem to notice for some time, so he rubbed his side against hers, “You must be tired,” he said, “have such early meetings limited your sleep?”

She turned her head to face him, a smile on her face as she saw him. “Somewhat,” she said, “my sleep has been disturbed much recently.”

“What ails you, my dear?” He asked, concerned.

“Dark nightmares have been coming to me in my sleep...”

“What of, my love? Are they mere fabrications of dark thought?”

“They tell of unkind times…”

“My dear, know that they are false. We live in good times, our lives peaceful, our happiness assured. We should not focus on darker thought when we live in such joyous moments.” He pecked his lips upon her cheek, trying to raise her spirits, which they had done with the show of a smile upon her face. “See, my love, there is nothing to be afraid of, everything is fine.”

She had returned a soft kiss upon his cheek, adhering to his words and enjoying the moment. “My love, I must ask… We’ve known eachother for years and we’ve shared love for just as long. Would we ever progress even further?” She blushed as she had said such things, hoping the right message had been processed.

Frost had blushed as well, the thought of Facade walking down the aisle, exchanging of rings and vows, the bells of the church ringing as the two kissed each other as husband and wife; it was a beautiful thought. He had always wanted to propose, and they were of legal age, yet his nerves prevented him. He knew one day he might have to go, his two dreams conflicting. He had to think of which had greater importance; Facade or the country. But at the moment, he knew which one was greater, and he looked his love in the eyes. “My love, one day we might. I’d be happy for such a day to come.”

“Would it be soon?”

“Hopefully.”

“Would it be here?”

“If you wish it.”

She started tearing up in joy at the thought. “My love, you’ve made me glad over the years.” She wrapped her hooves around him, her heart filled with joy. She had never felt happier in her life.

“My dear, it is my duty, for your happiness brings mine. Your smile calls upon my own, your joy gives me strength, your sadness brings me pain, for that is what love does.” He had returned the embrace, time seeming to stand still. Both would agree that if the world were to end at that moment, the two would die happier than they had ever been.

They enjoyed their moment, the two embracing eachother, just enjoying eachothers company. They were silent, Frost wrapping his hoof around Facade and letting her lean into him. She nuzzled into him, looking up at him with a lovely smile, to which he gave one in return. But then she yawned once more.

“Do you wish to slumber?” Frost asked, “I could wait for you.”

“Maybe for a moment…” Facade replied, “Would you join me?”

“In bed?” He blushed slightly, unsure what to say.

She blushed as well, realizing how her question sounded and adding “J-Just to sleep, nothing adulterous.”

He thought for a moment, and he realized this would be his ultimate test as a gentlestallion. Was he ready to accept this test? Would he be able to control himself, laying under covers with his love who he had fantasized about before without doing something he could regret? But then he thought of her nightmares, and how they’ve plagued her. Could being with her stop a nightmare from rising? Could he protect her subconscious self? He knew he had to try, and answered with “If you wish, I shall.”

“My love, I do wish it.”

“Then, my dear, I shall.”

Frost helped his love up on her hooves and the two went for the manor. Not a servant questioned the two as they trotted together through the halls, and as they walked through the door to Facade’s bedchamber the two had not seen any sign of the help. They could’ve done as they pleased, but the two were composed and calm, they wouldn’t think of it at a time like this.

As Facade guided her love to the bed, she blushed very faintly. She had loved him for some time, but they hadn’t done anything like this before. She started to crawl onto the bed and lay down on her side, and Frost orbited around the bed about to hop onto the other side. The two were silent, both nervous, but silence was broken as Frost spoke “Are you sure about this? What if somepony walks in?”

She thought for a moment but then faced him and nodded. “I-it’s just sleep, there’s not much to walk in on.” She covered herself in the blanket, still facing him.

He hopped on and layed next to her, shyly doing as she wanted. He turned to face her, blushing bright red, but then as he sees a smile upon her face he calms, knowing this was safe, this was sweet.

The mare looked her love in the eyes and asked “Aren’t you going to cover yourself as well?”

Frost complied and started to pull the blanket above him, no longer embarrassed. Couples slept together without doing adult things all the time, didn’t they? He looked Facade in the eyes, her beautiful eyes, and she came closer to him, nuzzling into his chest.

Hours must have passed before Facade had awoken, Frost not sleeping. She looked up at Frost, feeling safe. She was safe with Frost. Frost was her protector, and he was still awake, his gray eyes gazing upon her.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Good morning,” She replied.

“Shall we return to our place outside?”

“Can we stay in here for the day?”

“If you wish it.”

“Then let’s stay.”

“We shall.”

The two had embraced each other, not a care in the world. They lost track of time, not caring for they had no plans today. They enjoyed each other in silence, the world seeming to stand still as it had felt often. It was true love, something most ponies strived for, and the two had it.

Frost had returned home from the long day, still thinking of his love and what they had done. He opened the doors and sighed, having enjoyed life at the moment. “Today was marvelous.” He went upstairs towards his room and saw his brother sitting at a small table, reading a small dark red book. “Brother, I’ve had a wonderful day. What of you?”

Flame smiled and pulled up two letters from a small table, the seal of the royal guard on the creases. “We’ve got mail, and I decided to wait until you got back to open it. You know what this could mean, right?”

Frost snapped into reality as he saw the letters, his tone now serious as he was prepared for the worst and hoping for the best. “Shall we?”

Flame’s eyes glew a faint light blue and the letter for Frost had blown precisely in front of Frost, whose eyes did the same as he took control of the letter. Flame then brought his up. “On three… One…”

“Two…” Frost was nervous now, first he was hoping to join the royal guard but now he feels he might not have made it.

“Three.” Flame broke the seal on his letter and slowly opened it, pulling the letter out as Frost slowly did the same. The two read through the letters carefully and then looked each other in the eye, almost jumping. “I got accepted!”

“I did too!” The brothers hugged excitedly, this be9ing the best day in their young stallion lives.

Upon the morning Frost had returned to the same spot as yesterday, meeting with his dearest Facade, who was once again sitting under the same tree as she always did. Today Frost approached from the front, and as Facade saw him she got up and started to walk towards him. “Good morning, my love,” she said with a voice as smooth as silk.

“Good morning, dear,” Frost replied with joy. “I have news.”

“What is it?”

“Remember when my brother and I sent our applications to the royal guard?”

“Do you mean… Were you accepted?”

He nods and hugs his love. “I was.”

Facade smiled, knowing it was always Frost’s dream to join the royal guard, and she was happy for him. But behind her smile was a sense of fright, she was scared her love might change, or worse. But she didn’t dwell on it long, she knew Frost was strong, he could make it back. “Congratulations.” She returns a hug after her moment of thought.