Life's Left Hook

The doors swing open, and the two of you step outside.

It's three or four o'clock, it seems.

The sun is bright, and the room is lit up.

Octavia moves forward, taking a hard right.

"Come. The Skydeck is over here."

You nod, following.

Even though you hate heights, you can't help but feel...

Anxious.

Giddy.

Joyful.

...Happy.

You smile, and follow Octavia to the overhang.

There are a couple of tourists here and there.

Some glance, some stare, and others don't care.

But, that doesn't matter.

What matters is that you spend time with the one you love.

After a short walk, you come to a pair of double doors.

Said doors lead to the skydeck.

Octavia grabs one of the handles, looking at you.

"Ready?" she asks, a genuine smile on her face.

There's that shiver again...

You nod.

"I'm ready."

With that, the doors swing open

The light hits your face, reflecting off of the white clouds and the amazing skyline.

There are gigantic, magnificent rainbows here and there, stemming from factories and skyscrapers as the city goes on for miles.

Below, you can see the hustle and bustle of the lively city, as well as the local airsports team doing tricks and maneuvers in the sky as they leave smoke trails.

The buildings shine with a yellow glow, reflecting Celestia's bright, glowing sun.

It's truly a sight to behold.

You close the door behind you, and look down.

It's at least a thousand foot drop, if not much more.

There's no way you'd live if you fell.

But, you don't mind.

You're caught in the beauty of the moment.

After one last glance at the skyline, you sit down and look to your right.

You're face level with Octavia now.

She looks at you with those purple eyes, and that sweet smile.

"Lovely view, isn't it?"

You look back ahead at the skyline.

"No kidding..."

After a pause, you take a deep breath.

So does Octavia, and she plops her head over to lean on your shoulder.

After a moment, you wrap your arm around her, and take a deep breath.

She looks at you with one of her eyes.

"Thank you for coming, Anonymous.”

“Eh, don’t mention it, sweetheart. It wasn’t too big of a deal; Cadance really wanted to go to the hotel room, and –“

"No, no. Not that. I mean, yes, I’m thankful for this, but… I mean you, coming on this trip with me.”

She pauses for a moment to let it sink in.

"It’s been great so far, even though it’s been a little bumpy in spots. I’m glad to have had some time with you, even if it was a bit of a crowd.”

You turn to her, smiling.

“Well, it’s just you and me now. Alone.”

“I kinda missed being able to do this. As much as I love having mares all over me, I can’t help but long for something like… This. The others would pry you off to take me for themselves.”

She nods.

"I’m well aware. That’s why I didn’t risk it.”

You look at her.

“Well… We have the chance now.”

She looks back at you again, her gaze soft and loving.

"I’m glad.”

“So am I." With that, she smiles softly, and her eyes begin to close.

Her head tilts, and you both lean in.

Your lips lock, and you pull her close.

Your hand finds its way to the back of her head, holding her tight as she slides her lips against yours.

You suckle gently, and reach down with your other hand.

She reaches up, and you gently grip her hoof.

After another fleeting moment, your lips part.

You gently press your forehead against hers, and rub noses.

Her eyes open, looking straight into yours with that same soft, caring gaze she's known for.

You do your best to return it, still holding her hoof in hand.

"Anonymous..."

"Octavia..."

After a beat, she gulps, blinks, and lets out a breath.

"I love you..."

Another beat passes, and you grip her hoof a little tighter in your hand.

"I love you too..."

After those words come out of your mouth, there's nothing.

Nothing but the sweet, sweet silence, and the moment being shared.

You both close your eyes, take a deep breath, and bask in the warmth of the sun, each other, and the emotions felt.

After hanging in that lovely limbo for what seemed like an eternity, you pull Octavia close.

You feel her take a deep breath as you wrap your arms around her, and soon after, take her into your arms.

You pick her up, make your way to your feet, and look down at the precious little thing cradled in your arms.

But you didn't want to go.

You didn't want to leave this.

But you had to.

"Going to carry me away, Anonymous?" she asks, looking up at you.

"Just tell me where to go, sweetheart. I'll take you there."

She giggles a bit, and nuzzles your shoulder with her snout. "You really are a loverboy..."

"Anyhow... As much as I hate to leave this, I... Think we should get headed back. I don't have long until recital..."

You both let out a sigh.

"Okay," you say, defeated.

"I'm still glad you did this," she says, trying to lighten the mood.

"So am I."

With that, you push open the doors, find your way to the elevator, and make your way out the building.

After an elevator ride down and another ear pop, you set the greypony down.

She gives you a smile, and flashes a flirty look before stepping outside.

You take a deep breath and follow her, smiling.

You're glad you went...

After you hit the streets and start walking, you look down.

"So. Where we headed now?"

She glances up at you, and then faces forward.

And, after a moment, she stops dead in her tracks.

"Where are we going?"

"I was following you."

"I was following you."

You look at her, a bit shocked.

"What? Why would you follow me?"

"You looked like you were going somewhere!"

"I was! I was following you! I don't know my way around this city!"

"I gave you a map!"

"No, you gave Cadance a map!"

Octavia lets out a sigh, chuckling.

"Well, how convenient."

"Now, if you don't mind telling me, where do we want to-"

"Oh wait, that's right."

"I have rehearsal."

You chuckle and shake your head.

"Sheesh, that kiss really got do your head, didn't it?"

She glances back up at you.

"I just mistook my time, actually. I'm fairly certain it didn't go to my head, Anonymous."

After a moment, you see her smile sweetly.

Then it dawns on you, and you have a chuckle.

"Oh, so it went to your crotch?"

*Smack*

That was the sound of her hoof hitting her face.

"I was going to say heart, dear, but I suppose that answer is no less sufficient..."

Smooth as fuck, Anon.

She lets out an exasperated sigh, shakes her head, and starts walking.

"Now, you might want to head back to the hotel. A thing or two tells me that my colleagues wouldn't take kindly to you."

"And why's that?"

"They're very... Selective. And, much like old grandparents, dislike change. You are quite a jarring transition, since the CSO is comprised of only ponies."

"Ah. I get it."

She nods. "I'm sorry, Anonymous. I can't risk having too many things happen. I'm getting enough flak from them as it is."

You raise an eyebrow.

"Why's that?"

She shrugs.

"I'm not entirely sure myself. I guess I just happened to be the runt of the litter, and now all of the mares belittle me, and all of the stallions shuffle away. It's an odd thing to explain, but it just is the way it is."

"And you just let that happen?"

She sighs.

"What else am I to do? Any resistance I give is met with hostility. There isn't much of a point, really. It's understandable; the mares need to boost their egos up after a night of getting rejected. I suppose I don't mind, since I don't see them anywhere outside of the orchestra."

Your chest is starting to ache a little.

"Ouch. You sure you're okay? I mean, if you tell them about-"

"I'd rather not. It would bring about more problems."

"Oh."

There's a short pause, and Octavia looks down.

"Regardless. I'd better get going. Do you remember your way back to town square?"

"Nope."

"Do you know where the hotel is?"

"Nope."

"How about the cafe?"

"Nope."

"The science museum?"

"Nope."

"The concert hall?!"

"Nope."

"Oh, for the love of- Romantix?"

"Yes..."

She covers her face with her hoof again.

"Sometimes, Anonymous. Anyhow, go there, walk down main street for... Three blocks, take a left, and look to the sky for a sign that reads 'Le Haut'. Prench-Canidan high rise hotel. Hard to miss."

"Got it?"

Running the directions through your head one last time, you nod.

"Sure."

"Good. Now, don't get lost. Or hurt. Or killed. I'm not quite sure what I'd do without you, Anonymous."

With that, she starts to trot off.

"I'll see you tonight."

"Y-Yeah, see ya..."

You start walking.

You're not quite sure where, but you start walking.

Hopefully it's in a general path to the sex shop you saw earlier.

You're a little distracted as you walk.

Those last few words Octavia said are ringing around in your head like a bell.

"I'm not quite sure what I'd do without you."

Did she really mean that?

Those are some pretty powerful words, if you think about it...

You mean so much to her, and you're such an important part of her life, you would absolutely derail it if you disappeared.

That's amazing.

And, upon further thought, you realize that the issue is mirrored.

What if something happened to Octavia?

What if she vanished?

Left?

Died?

What would you do?

Would you cry?

You've hardly ever cried; only when they buried your veteran grandfather, and when your dog died after thirteen long years.

Would you let go?

No, not again; there's too much here waiting for you.

Cadance is in need of a lover, Trixie and Scootaloo, among others, would still need a friend...

And, although there isn't much else, that's enough for you to stick with it.

But, the thought is still harrowing.

What would you do?

In reality, you would probably cling to Cadance like a sucking child does to a teddy bear after a nightmare and eat a box of cheeze doodles while you drank and sobbed.

That's a wonderful thought.

You let out a sigh, and look forward.

There it is; a glowing neon sign, a pair of red glowing lips labeled 'Romantix'.

Okay, now.

She said walk down main street for...

Two blocks?

Wait, no, three?

No, it was two.

And then take a...

Right?