"You really shouldn't be leaving quite yet." Red Heart advised, doing her best to keep the human from leaving the hospital in his current condition. "You haven't fully healed yet. It will only be a few more short days, I assure you."

"Sorry, sweetheart." Ryan finished removing the IV from his arm, setting the blood-soaked needle down on the small metal table beside his bed before wrapping the small wound with some nearby gauze. "But six days is too damn long." He stood up from the bed, dressed only from the waist down in the burnt jeans he was wearing when he was brought in a few days ago. "I know that I'm legally required to fill out some papers by leaving against medical advice, so if we could get that taken care of now, that would be great." Nurse Red Heart let out a sigh as she left the room, making way for one of Ryan's friends to come in.

Twilight entered the room with an unsure look about her. She spotted her human friend inspecting the black device he usually carried on his side before snapping it back into its place on his hip. "Hi, Ryan."

"Howdy." He simply replied, shoving his hands in his pockets.

Twilight looked over his body, feeling a certain amount of sadness as she counted the burns on his body. The nurse informed her that they would fade in a few weeks when she first asked about them, the magic having been used on him being very powerful with her help. But still, it broke her heart to know that he had tried to take his own life and in such an agonizing way.

The nurse returned with the papers and Ryan made quick work of filling them out before leaving the hospital with his alicorn friend by his side.

Twilight looked over at him as they walked into Ponyville, not being able to shake the feelings she was having earlier. "The insurance company stopped by my place yesterday." She said, hoping to distract herself by starting a conversation with him. "They said your house is ready and they even followed your rules not to upgrade anything, which I'm pretty sure they didn't have a problem with."

"Good shit." Ryan pulled a hand out of his pocket and placed it Twilight's head, giving it a few pats for good measure. "Thanks for taking care of that for me." He replaced his hand back into his pocket, Twilight responding by reaching up and fixing her mane. "Thank god for that royal insurance policy. Otherwise, I wouldn't doubt Celestia would make me move into the castle."

Twilight finished fixing her hair before responding to him. "Yeah, she's still not happy with our whole story. If she finds out that we lied though, she'll be furious."

"She'd be even more furious if she knew that the house fire was a suicide attempt." He argued, being nowhere near ready for the meteor shower that the sun goddess bring upon them had she been told what really happened. "Just keep it quiet for now and I'll tell her about it later."

"I don't know..." She said with a worried expression. "She seems really persistent about coming down to see you too. She keeps hinting at it in the letters she's been sending me. Maybe we should just-"

"I swear to God, book-horse." He interrupted with an annoyed look. "If any of you tell her, I will start another fire. And this time, it won't the house that's burning."

This threat could be taken two ways in her eyes, both of which came with a rather unpleasant outcome. "Fine!" She said in submission. "I won't tell her, but you better do it soon."

"Do you really want to start this argument, right now?" Ryan asked with a hint of venom. "Cause I will tear your world a-fucking-sunder."

"Why do you insist on being so difficult all the time?" Twilight nearly growled at him.

"Why do you have to constantly be up my ass about everything?"

"I'm trying to make things easier on you." She explained, "Maybe, if you tried listening to me for once, things wouldn't end as badly as they usually do."

"You know what I find absolutely mind boggling?" Ryan began, "That your mouth still open, but my zipper is still up."

Twilight's face contorted in disgust at hearing. "Ryan, that's gross!"

"I'm sorry, is that not your genre of humor?" Ryan asked sarcastically, "How about triggering?"

"Triggering?"

"~Kill yourself!" Ryan sang aloud in a cheerful tone, earning a few odd looks from the passers by as they entered the town. "It'll only take a minute! And you'll be happy that you did it! Just go over to your oven and put your head in it!" Twilight's eyes widened at this, her finding it astounding how someone who had just tried to kill themselves could just start singing something like that. "Kill yourself! Start a fire! Light that desire! Then sit in the center, til you're uglier than Caitlyn Jenner!"

Twilight buried her face in her palms, being stuck between feeling bad for him and wanting to smack him upside the head. Luck happened to be on her side as they finally came upon the carousel boutique. She removed her hands from face, knocking on the door rapidly.

"Rarity!" She called out desperately, "Please open the door!" A few seconds pass and the door opens.

Rarity stood at the door with a worried look. "Twilight, what's wrong?"

Twilight wasted no time grabbing Ryan, doing her best to avoid his burns, and shoving him into her. "Here, he's all yours now."

Without further exchange Twilight spread her wings and was off, causing Rarity to give Ryan the stink-eye.

"What did you do?" She asked with an accusing look as she pushed him just enough to make him move a few steps back.

He wince from the shove, some of his body still pretty sensitive. "It's me; What more is there to expect?"

Rarity sigh, rubbing her temples with her fingers. "What are we going to do with you." After removing her hand she stood off to the side to allow the human entry. "Come on in, I just finished your wardrobe."

Ryan entered the boutique, walking straight to her work station. In there was a number of brand new jeans, T-shirts, a jacket, and a few dress clothes for the more formal occasions. "Alright, what do I owe you?"

"Absolutely nothing, dear" Rarity answered with a smile.

Ryan glared at her when she said this. "We've gone through this before; You spent your time making these, using materials you could be using for anything else. Therefore, I am paying you."

Rarity crossed her arms defiantly. "Well, I believe that, given the circumstances, you could have a freebie." She explained, holding firmly to her ground. "It's not everyday you lose everything in a house fire, your life included."

"Need I remind you that, all of that was intentional." He shot back, never being one to accept pity.

"Please don't talk like that, Ryan." She said, walking over to him and placing a caring hand on his face, going over his burns with her eyes. "We all care about you very much. And it breaks our hearts that things played out the way they did." She said, her voice being nothing but genuine as she spoke. "Should you ever need anything; Whether it be clothes, help around the house, or even just needing a friend. My door will always be open for you."

Ryan could tell that she meant well, and that she was doing her best to keep him at ease, but to him this just felt awkward. "You know what, fuck it." He said, grabbing a nearby bag and stuffing his new clothes into it. "Your loss, sweetheart."

Once he had his belongings in order, he made his way to the door, stopping only when he heard Rarity call his name. "Don't you want to get changed before going out?"

"Nope!" And on that note, he was gone.

As Ryan walked to his newly built home, he was stopped several times by ponies offering their best wishes on his recovery and some even offering him some free stuff. He turned them down however, and gave each of them an awkward thanks before continuing his short journey. Normally ponies would just ignore him when he was out and about. Whether it was out of fear, or that they had simply gotten used to him was a mystery.

He spotted something rather peculiar during his journey. For some reason, ponies seemed to be hanging up a banner with images he didn't bother to look over. In fact, it would seem that the whole town was prettying up the place. At the center of it all he spotted, what he referred to as, Twilight's lizard. The little dragon seemed nervous about something and was frantically looking over a list he was holding in his claw.

Not wanting anything to do with whatever was going on, Ryan continued passed them and made his way toward the outskirts. He finally reached the newly reconstructed house he would be calling his home, spotting a certain yellow pegasus on her knees in front of a line of dirt and flowers.

Ryan walked up to Fluttershy, shooting her a curious look. "Hey!"

Fluttershy nearly jumped out of her skin, spinning around and falling onto her back as she looked up at the human. She let out a relieved sigh and pulled herself back to her feet. "Goodness, you scared me half to death."

"Not exactly hard to do, considering your track record." He said, earning a small giggle from her.

"I didn't expect you home so soon." She added, "The doctor said you still needed a few more days to recover."

"Yep!" Ryan said with a nod. "And I told them that they could 'Fuck right the hell off.'"

Fluttershy hated swearing as much as the next pony, but with Ryan she really should have expected it. She would also prefer that he stay in the hospital to get the help he needs, but even she knew that arguing with him was hopeless.

"I planted some flowers around your house." She said, motioning to a row of small flowers. "I hope you don't mind. I thought maybe having some warm colors around your home would make it more welcoming."

Ryan looked over her work. He wasn't an agriculturalist, but they did offer a certain appeal. "I'll admit, I'm not much of a flower person, but they aren't half bad."

Fluttershy smiled at him warmly, "I'm glad." She went silent for a minute, making this interaction a bit uncomfortable. "I know we aren't the closest or anything..." She paused again, her coy nature getting the better of her. "But, I think I'd like to start seeing you more so I can get to know you better as a pony." Her eyes went wide for a second, "Sorry; As a person."

Ryan replied with a simple hum, feeling as though he was being singled out now. In reality, he was, and he knew why. He just wished that they'd stop, but telling them to do so would make them worry and probably start stalking him to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid.

Wanting to get away from this as soon as possible, he pointed a thumb at his door. "I'm gonna go ahead and...get settled in."

"Oh, okay." Fluttershy said, nervously reaching out to grab his hand. "I'm gonna head home too, but I just want you to know that you're always welcomed at my cottage."

Ryan gently pulled his hand from her and nodded. "Alright, cool." He slowly started walking to the door. "I'll make sure to take you up on that offer."

"I hope so." She said with a smile, offering a wave before spreading her wings and gracefully taking to the sky. "Goodbye!"

Once she was gone he quickly bolted into the house, slamming the door shut behind him. Tossing the bag aside, he reached up dragged his hands down his face. "These fucking ponies..."

You know, we could always try offing ourselves again...It's still an option.

"Yeah right." He replied to himself, looking around the place. It looked exactly how it did before the fire, only it was much cleaner. He walked over to his couch, carefully taking a seat as to not upset the burns on his body. "I wouldn't doubt that they have someone watching over this place as we speak." He leaned back, letting himself sink it the cushions with a reliving sigh escaping his throat. "Fuck 'em! At least now I can just sit back and-"

Ryan Doyle Curtis!

Ryan let out a less-than-manly shriek upon hearing the booming voice echo through his brain like a crack of thunder in the night sky. "What the fuck!?"

What is this I hear about you leaving the hospital early?

Ryan calmed down immensely, quickly realizing what was happening. "Motherfucking, bullshit ass, fuckin' magic..."

Hi, Celestia. It's nice to hear from you too. He thought back in a sarcastic tone.

Twilight has informed me that you have yet to finish healing. She began, You shouldn't be up and moving yet.

And you shouldn't be taking time off work to talk to me. He argued.

That's besides the point! She shot back, You shouldn't be walking on that leg if it still hasn't healed. You could make it worse!

My leg? There's nothing wrong with my- Ryan's eyes went wide as he paused mid-thought, having forgotten for a moment that they lied to her. There was a brief silence that almost made him shake with fear.

Ryan... She began with a small amount of venom in her words. Why were you really in the hospital?

Uh... Ryan sat there, thinking of how her could correct this mistake.

Quick, tell her you broke a few ribs! You technically wouldn't even be lying. If we play our cards right, you might be able to wait this one out. As long as she doesn't figure out that you started the fire, then we're golden.

You what!? Celestia's voice rang in his head, nearly making his eardrums explode. You started that fire!?

Wait, can she fucking hear me!?

You motherfucker! Ryan yelled internally, cursing his own brain for its loud mouth.

You better start talking right now, Ryan!

I'm gonna go ahead and 'fuck off' now. Good lucky, buddy!

I'm gonna get a fucking lobotomy and have you cut out of my head!

Ryan!

WHAT!?

Why would you start your own home on fire? She asked, her telepathic voice dripping with anger. Do you even know how badly you could have gotten hurt? What is wrong with you? Why would you do something like that? Ryan didn't respond, doing his best to keep his cool. Answer me... Again, he remained silent. Answer me!

"For fuck sake!" He yelled, I was trying to fucking kill myself, alright! Are you happy now!? Now he was the one met with silence. Hello? And again, more silence. Hello!

It took all of two seconds for him to piece together what was happening. "Nope! Fuck no!" He launched out of his couch, turning off any lights, locking his front door and checking every window in the house. "Nope, nope! Nah-uh! Not happening!" He quickly ran into his kitchen, looking for anything he could use. He grabbed a chair from the table, holding it above his head. "Not today, bitch!"

Ryan stood in his kitchen, his weapon firmly held with both hands as his eyes repeatedly scanned the room. Every sense he had was fully alert, waiting for something to come off as out-of-place. There was a small pop behind him and his body reacted instinctively, swinging the chair with all of his might. It smashed against the wall, shattering into pieces as the lights were suddenly turned on and he was hoisted into the air by his hair. He let out a series of ow's as he reached up and started pulling at the hand that was holding him.

Celestia, with Ryan firmly held in her hand, turned him around so he would be facing her. She let out a gasp, her angry expression quickly melting away at the sight of him. Dropping the human, she placed both of her hands over her mouth as her eyes started water.

Ryan dropped to his knees, freezing in place as he did so. There was no point in fighting it now, she was already here and she could easily catch him if he tried to run.

Looking up at her, he spread his arms out, giving her a better view of his form. "There, I hope it was worth the trip!"

The regal princess looked over his body over and over again, memorizing each and every burn he sustained, each patch of missing hair, and even counting a certain number of broken ribs.

"Ryan..." She all but whispered, slowly moving in on him.

Ryan climbed back to his feet, slapping one of Celestia's hands away as reached out to him. "Don't touch me! The shit still hurts!"

Celestia recoiled, her head being flooded with a large number questions and worries. "Why would you do something like this?" She asked, this being one of the many thoughts that were floating around in her head. "Why would you try to take your own life?"

"Do I really have to go through this shit again?" Ryan asked with a groan. "Look, it's obvious that I'm not perfect. In fact, I'm the furthest thing from it. No matter where I am, I'm always the bad guy, especially in this world." He couldn't help but look back, not only on the mistakes he's made here, but back on earth, his earth. Any and all anger he felt was gone as he recollected these memories, being replaced with something he couldn't quite recognize. "Even in my world, I was just another asshole who didn't care about anything." He said in a soft tone.

"I didn't have anything going for me there; Nobody cared about me, nobody loved me, I could have up and died and no one would have known for weeks. It's not like anyone would have bothered looking to begin with." Making this revelation made it feel as though there were a hole in his chest that continued to grow the more he pondered. "Then here; I have all of these wonderful friends and I treat them like shit no matter how nice they are to me. They'd probably give their lives if it meant I could live."

Ryan had to turn away from Celestia, feeling ashamed of himself in the presence of someone like her. "I don't deserve them, they're too good for me. And they don't deserve me, cause I'm too toxic for them." His hands balled up, tightening into fists as his eyes clenched shut. "Why am I like this? Why can't I be different? And why the fuck am I the only one here who's mad about it!?" He shouted the last part, a certain amount of rage building up in him.

"Why does everyone keep giving me chances!?" Ryan raised his hands, slamming them into the counter. "No matter what I do, no matter how bad I fuck up, they're still here!" His body started to convulse, despite his wishes. "Why am I the only one who hates me!?"

Ryan spins around, having to look up a bit to meet Celestia's tear filled eyes. "Tell me!" He shouts at her, reaching out and grabbing the neck of her dress, pulling her down to his level. "Tell me, God dammit!" She flinched at his sudden display of anger, but didn't fight him. "Why don't they hate me!? Why don't you hate me!?"

The floodgates finally open and Ryan starts to break down. His grip on her dress loosens as he drops to his knees. "Why..." He asked in a shaky tone, his face in her gut and his hands sliding down before holding tight to her sides. "Why am I the only one?"

Celestia could hardly react; For so long she had wanted him to see the error of his ways, to finally realize that the life he lives wasn't doing him any good. But, now that he has, this is what he's been reduced to. A self-hating shell of a man who calls out for hatred in order to feel better. However, the only hate he ever receives is from himself, which only makes him feel worse.

It hurt her deeply to see him like this, so weak and vulnerable. Not once has this side of him ever come out during his stay in Equestria. She almost wished that it never did.

Celestia knelt down to his level, grabbing his head and pulling it into her neck as her large wings extended and wrapped themselves around him. "It's okay, Ryan." She said, hoping that she could at least bring him some comfort. "I want you to come home with me. Just for tonight, okay?"

Ryan didn't respond, leaving her confused about what to do. Having little options to work with, she decided to take a page from his book; He may not have said 'yes', but he didn't say 'no' either. With a small amount of preparation and a bright flash, they were gone, leaving his house quiet and empty.

Author's Note

I changed the lyrics to the song cause I thought it would be funnier this way, deal with it...Here's the song:

Anyway, hope everyone is still enjoying the story despite the decrease in comedy. If you are, be sure to slap that LIKE button like a bitch, share this story with your friends, and leave a comment below. Comments make me feel special :P