-<>~--*--~<>-<

Forge stares off into space as he works, eyes slightly glazed over as his body goes on autopilot as he sands his next specially made pony sword. "Is it... even really okay to go after Luna? I mean, I know she eventually retires in the next nine years or so, or... how long is it exactly? It's obvious things are happening out of airing order."

He tosses that tangent aside for later. "Regardless... For now, she's one of the diarchs of this land. Not to mention, she comes from a distant past, without the time to adjust like Celestia. Aside from dreams, our interests rarely intersect, we barely know anything about who we really are... Maybe we're just, not compatible. Here I am, reaching for the stars. For something unattainable. As much as I crush on her... I don't think anything real could come of it. That's just the reality of the situation. I can't chase her forever. Plus, she's immortal. I wouldn't want to burden her with my passing when age claims me. Unless..."

Solid Weld approaches Forge as he's using the sanding belt on the next sword. "Forge, you got a minute?"

Forge slows the belt until it stops, levitating the sword back over to his workstation and setting it out of the way. "Sure, what's up?"

Solid guides Forge out to the hallway, clearing his throat before talking in a hushed tone. "I can tell something is bothering you. Do you need somepony to talk about it with?"

Forge sighs. "Was it that obvious?"

Solid nods. "I'm sure you can understand my concern. I wouldn't be a good boss if I didn't make sure my ponies were performing their best." He says, giving Forge a couple of pats on the back. Forge can feel Solid's inherent strength from those pats, that stallion really is built solidly.

"Understandable. It's... kind of a personal thing though. I'll sort through it on my own." Forge says nonchalantly, looking off to the side.

Solid squints at him, suspicion and concern wafting from him like an open bakery window immediately after the baked goods have been made. "You're unhappy, it's not hard to tell. Ponies whose cutie marks match their careers are usually happy with their jobs, so what's got you down?"

Forge clenches his teeth in frustration, trying his best to not let it show. "I said I can sort it out." He catches himself, and lets out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. Slowly, he looks to his boss. "Look, I get your concern. It's just, not something you can do anything about. Can I get back to work, please?"

After a moment of consideration, Solid nods. "Go ahead." He says curtly, his demeanor shifting to that of a stone wall.

Forge walks back over to his sword. Upon closer inspection, he's sanded too much of the blade away, and now it's off-balance. "Motherfucker."

-<>~--*--~<>-<

Forge meanders his way down the halls of the castle, heading for the gardens. "Strange how Hearts and Hooves day is in April, as opposed to the February I'm familiar with. Must be one of those little cross-dimensional discrepancies." Soon enough, he arrives at the gardens, making his way over to one of the small benches, and promptly relaxing on it.

"Today would have been the day to ask Luna." His thoughts pause for a moment as he reconsiders. "No, I can't keep doing this. I can't. Luna's out of my league. Wayyyyyyyyy out of my league. To quote a wise person; 'If you want love, lower your expectations.' Even then, Equestria still has some imminent threats I can't prevent. Changelings have been embedded in Canterlot for a long time. Sombra is due to return shortly after. And then, there's Tirek. I could try to track him down, kill him off before he poses a threat. But then what? He's the catalyst for Princess Twilight's Middle Finger Crystal Castle™. I can't form a loving relationship AND worry about these threats at the same time, that would put my potential significant other in danger. I'll have to hold off on love. Make Equestria safe first. Everyone's freedom and happiness are in jeopardy. Until those threats are stamped out, I can't risk it."

Forge is snapped out of his thoughts, as he faintly hears a couple of approaching ponies humming an all too familiar tune. He turns to see who they are, jaw dropping as soon as he sees none other than Princess Cadence and Shining Armor strolling through.

Forge begins to mentally panic. "Do I bow? Do I not bow? What do I do!? Fuck, I wasn't expecting to see them at all! A little odd that I hadn't seen them around the castle sooner... even though I'm rarely here... no, that checks out-"

"Hello? You in there bud?" Shining armor says, waving a foreleg in front of Forge's face, bringing him back to the present moment.

"O-oh, right. Sorry sir!" Forge blurts out, giving a hurried bow, rising after a brief moment. "I uh, I got lost in thought for a minute there... it happens."

Both Cadence and Shining look to each-other, before sharing a small laugh. The two look back to Forge, a smile on both of their muzzles. "We were just passing through, taking a romantic walk around the gardens. But... you look alone. Don't you have a special somepony for Hearts and Hooves day?" Cadence asks, looking behind Forge as if there'd be another pony behind him.

Forge shakes his head. "Nah, not this year. I'm just taking the time to clear my head today, figure some things out." He looks up to the sky. "Lovely day out, perfect weather for some R and R."

Cadence looks back over to Shining Armor, whispering something to him. Which, due to his proximity, Forge can hear thanks to his changeling hearing. "Why don't we help him find somepony today? Nopony should be alone on Hearts and Hooves day."

Shining looks down for a moment, tapping his chin with a hoof in consideration. He nods in agreement, Cadence leaning back on her haunches to clap giddily.

Forge raises a brow, deciding to play along. "Uh, what's going on?" He asks, tilting his head a bit.

"We're going to help you find a special somepony for today!" Cadence exclaims, doing a backflip, aided by her wings.

Forge raises a hoof. "Thank you, but I'll pass. I'm not really looking for love right now."

The couple is absolutely stunned, jaws slack and eyes wide.

"I... I..." Cadence barely squeaks out, in the throes of utter shock.

"How can you not want to celebrate Hearts and Hooves day with your special somepony? It's tradition!" Shining says, still in disbelief.

Forge shrugs. "A special somepony isn't really something I want to find just yet. I have to get my own problems straightened out before I worry about anyone else's." He says, looking back up to the sky. "Might be a while, but I'll get there someday."

Cadence, having collected herself enough, holds up a hoof of her own. "That's what a partner is for. You're supposed to help each-other, complete each-other. Two halves of a whole. You help your partner, and your partner helps you in kind. That's what makes love so wonderful! You'll be missing out on having a loving relationship of give and take if you only focus on yourself for so long."

Forge considers Cadence's words. She IS the princess of love after all, so she should know what she's talking about. "I... well, what if I don't feel ready for it yet? I'm not exactly comfortable with trying to find love right now. I appreciate the offer, really. I do. I just don't think I'm in the right kind of headspace for that yet. You two should spend your Hearts and Hooves day together."

Cadence opens her mouth for a moment, before shutting it. "I... suppose you have a point. Helping ponies find love is part of my calling as the Princess of Love, but I can't, and won't, force you to accept our help." She relents, stepping closer to Shining Armor's side, and giving him a little nudge with her snout to his own.

Shining returns the gesture, before looking to Forge again. "Well, if you change your mind, we'll be happy to help. See you around... Forge, right? Your equipment is... well, it's certainly interesting. Easier to use, even if it's different. Glad to have you on board with us."

Forge nods, a genuine smile on his face. "Thank you, sir. I'm glad it's working well!"

Cadence and Shining continue on their way, both happy to be in each-other's presence. Despite the friendship Forge is sustaining himself on, he can't help but drool a little at the smell of such pure, true love. He quickly shakes the thoughts from his mind, returning to his inner thoughts.

"I only have so long before the changeling invasion... I have to help prevent them from taking over, nothing in this universe is certain. But how do I stop an army?" Forge thinks, his unfocused vision drifting towards the hedge maze. "The best solution to a problem is often the simplest one... stop an army, with an army. But even with the new weapons, they'd still be hopelessly outnumbered..." He realizes where he's staring, and an idea begins to form. "Then we just have to outnumber them... I hope this works."

Author's Note

What could he possibly be planning, and what would a hedge maze have to do with outnumbering a changeling army? Who knows...

Back from yet another lapse. I know I don't update frequently, and I apologize for that. I have an actual job now, so uh... yeah. But hey, this fic came back into my brain, so might as well capitalize while I can. Here's hoping I can a good amount done before the next inevitable lapse.