To say Serene was in love was an understatement, a major one at that. Ever since he achieved his cutie mark, a bell with music notes, he wanted a specific mare. While he had a crush at one point, this particular mare was his goal: the luxurious Tremble. She was the eye of the school and he was the eye of her heart. Nothing would deter him from feeling this way towards the gray coated pegasus.

Tremble was everything sophisticated with the life of a Canterlot pony. She was what Rarity would deem of as a "princess of nobility". He has seen many a princess, being the brother of the Element of Generosity, but he couldn't compare her to any of the princesses he has met before. Not even the radiant Princess Cadance. She was more precious, more beautiful than any goddess. Her grace rivaled the greatest of models. If he thought deep enough, one could say she had all the elements of harmony. Any stallion would adore his position and glare at him in envy while any mare would grow upset over her perfection. She was the perfect mare, and no pony could rival it. He was content with his life.

Or, was he really?

He wiped tears from his cheek. He wasn't content now- far from the feeling. He whimpered as his white coat grew stained in his tears. Her cursed to himself. If other colts caught him crying...He shook his head. Reputation didn't matter anymore. He didn't have the strength to care about the nasty lines from anypony, really. All he cared for was the dull ache radiating from his chest. It stung with each wave.

"Serene? Are you okay?" The elegant tone of voice was Rarity, naturally. He knew her speaking mannerisms anywhere. He lifted his head from the spot perched, but it was a weak endeavor. "Please, give a response, darling!"

"I'm...fine, " He weakly answered. His melodic voice fell flat, exhausted. Rarity paused. Serene couldn't help but wonder if she left, but thought against it. She would have made noise if she left. Nothing was heard.

"Are you willing to talk to us about it?" Rarity spoke up, her voice firm. "You can't keep yourself locked in your room, Serene. Its a rarity for you to act like this. One of these days I might just have to grant you access to my fainting chair." She gave a weak laugh. He didn't bother to stop the forming glare even if it was towards a door.

"I thought you were busy with fashion week," He avoided the question. She said nothing for a long while, ignoring his words. "Rarity?" Rarity, however, had plans. Her blue magic formed, opening the door without his consent.

"Serene? I came to check on you. I got worried when you weren't at Sugarcube," Another voice spoke up. He perked up at the voice almost immediately after hearing it. Scootaloo smiled as she sat beside him on his bed, nuzzling him in greeting.

"When did you get here?" He inquired, a small smile threatening to escape. Scootaloo smirked.

"I've been here for a while, dude. Can't help it if you're too Rarity to hear me."

"You two are simply precious!" Rarity cooed out, ignoring the comment. Scootaloo's face flushed as she turned from her. "You two would make a fine couple; granted, if he hadn't chosen Tremble of course. In fact, precious might be an understatement!"

Curse Serene for having a white coat. He couldn't resist blushing from her compliment. He hadn't understood why; he wasn't her coltfriend. He didn't love her in such a manner as he loved Tremble, anyway.

Probably embarrassed. She seemed to be. He sighed out, a fresh wave of tears forming from the thought of his old beloved. Scootaloo wouldn't date him either, he supposed.

Wait. What?

"Rarity...?" Her voice picked up again. Like some unspoken rule, Rarity simply nodded with a frown.

"I'll...leave you two to your own devices," Rarity backed away, the door closing behind her with gentleness.

Scootaloo coughed, smiling a bit. "I got here after the...fiasco, too..." Her face fell after that. He pawed at the bed absent-minded.

"Not immediately," He reminds with a frown. Scootaloo smirked as she nuzzled his cheek to cheer the colt up. He sniffed, staring for a moment.

"You known me for years, what do you think I did?" Scootaloo eyed him for a moment. His green orbs widen, the pieces clicking together.

"You didn't," His eyes didn't leave her. She snickered as she nudged his side.

"You really think I'd let that whorse hurt you like that? If you think so, I swear you need evaluating." She smiled as she moved closer, holding his hoof in the process. She sent a mischievous smile his way, a spare hoof clearing his tears. "You're...special to me, you know? Both of you are. I don't want somepony like that to hurt you."

His heart pounded hard at the statement. Why was he having palpitations with her? All she said was she cared about him. It wasn’t special or new. "Thank..you.." She smiled, granting him a hug for the revelation. His cheeks flared, her touch igniting something lost in transition. His heart fell unexpectedly when the touch didn't linger when she pulled away. "That...helped a lot Scootaloo."

She gave her trademark grin once more, intertwining her tail with his for a moment. "Don't mention it. If you hear Tremble complain about her wings, say nothing. Just casually state they'll be better in a few."

"Days?" She shook her head. The glint coming back.

"Weeks." They glanced at eachother. Serene couldn't tell if she was serious, but something said she was. After a moment, they landed on eachother in a fit of laughter. "Relax, it ain't that bad!"

"Tell that to her!" Scootaloo waved him off as her wings fluttered in excitement.

"Tell you what, I'll meet ya down at Sugarcube for some shakes. Its on me." Serene Belle started moving to get up as Scootaloo jumped off the bed with a twirl added in the end. He almost forgot she had a cutie mark in dancing. She didn't act like she had, but Scootaloo was special in that regard. He almost stared at her flanks where the mark was, but he went against that. It was rude to stare at her flanks...even if they were divine after working so hard.

'Damn it, Serene!' He chided. 'Don't you stare. Your just deprived because of Tremble. Nothing more or less.'

"No- I don't-" She raised a hoof.

"Say no more! It's on me, I will not take 'no' for an answer," She sat on her haunches. "As the divine gods have said: LET THE MARE PAY FOR ONCE!" He blinked at her silly outburst before stifling some giggles.

"Fine, you pay." Serene laughed.

"Meet you there, I know just how long you colts take to get ready. I'll be waiting." With a swing of her tail, she bolted out, nearly colliding with Rarity on the way out. With a quick apology, she disappeared from sight.

With a smile and as sigh, he slowly bounded from the bed as he took in a single breath.

"She's a ball of energy, is she not?" Serene jumped back as Rarity popped her head from the doorway. Surprised, she pulled him back with her magic. "My sincerest apologies. Didn't mean to scare, truly."

Serene coughed as he regained composure. "Thanks, erm, Rarity. " He wiped himself clean.

"I'm sorry for what happened between..you and..her.." Her voice dropped an octave. "Sincerely didn't mean to harm you with bringing the name."

His head slowly lifted as he stared. Did she? "How..much did you hear?" Rarity kicked the floor aimlessly. Her eyes falling there on instinct. "Rarity?"

"I heard most of it, "She admits. He gasps, but before responding she waved him off. "But I don't retract my statement. Mostly. Surely you fell for another anyway. She's like a perfect match for you! It's just so adorable!" She squeezed him tight with a smile.

He shook her off. "She's my best friend, I don't like her like that! She’s just been helping me, like she's always done. "

Rarity paused, a small frown forming before it disappeared with a knowing smile in its place. "I'm afraid I know how you feel all too well. Think on it, darling. Then we'll talk about..specifics. Give it a day. Perhaps, by chance, your just strung on that Tremble ex marefriend of yours. You'll get your answer, then." Serene sniffled for a moment, pausing before answering. His heart stopped its frantic beat.

There, alleviated.

"Thank you for that," Serene genuinely smiled for the first time at his sister since the ordeal. "I really needed that gesture." Rarity laughed a bit, waving her hoof.

"Now, now, its fine, dear. Just go have a splendid afternoon with Scootaloo. A stallion can't simply stiff a mare." Rarity waved. "Off with you, now!" It hadn't taken long for Serene to get the hint before rushing off to the establishment at hand. Rarity snickered softly as she watched him leave.

"Poor soul can't see how deep he's in love with her." She sighed softly. "Tremble, what had you done?"

Author's Note

I didn't jump ahead, I kind of rehashed the prior event. This happened before Apple Buck's arrival at Sugarcube.