Author's Note

Finally getting to the love story. Hope you guys enjoy it.

The Present Day

"How are you holding up?"

"Still kicking."

"That's about the best we can hope for."

"Your move."

"King me."

"You're good at this."

"Practice makes perfect."

"It's getting late. Do you want me to walk you home?"

"I'd like that."

Harmonic and Atmospheric cleaned up the checkers materials and put them away before heading out the door.

"Have you recorded anything new?"

"Just the usual stuff."

"Nothing wrong with that."

"Hey, can I tell you something?"

"Yeah."

"I really enjoy being around you."

"I feel the same way."

"I was wondering if maybe I could take you on a date sometime."

"How about a picnic outside town?"

"Sounds good. How about this weekend?"

"Sure."

"I'll bring some water and juice."

"I'll bring the food."

"Alright. Good night."

"Don't forget to call the doctor about you prescription."

"I won't."

Harmonic entered his Ponyville home. They'd moved into their own places here six years ago now. Harmonic rarely left his home unless Atmospheric was with him. They'd grown extremely close over that time. All of the previous events had changed them dramatically. They were more quiet and reserved towards the outside world than before, and their conversations were both beautiful and somber at the same time. Asking the other out was just a formality. It was bound to happen eventually. Harmonic's heart was still in pain every day, but it mixed with his feelings for his friend to create something unique. There was a balance now that he'd never experienced before. In some odd way, it was cathartic, maybe because he trusted his mind and heart equally. Atmospheric shared in his struggle, and it gave both of them a sense of strength and belief. All that mattered now was being together. A lot of their time together consisted of listening to music, playing games, and recording their own stuff, similar to how it was when they first met. Harmonic watched the sunset through his window.

"It's pretty out."

For most creatures, cold weather and bluish-gray clouds foreshadowing rain would be the opposite, but to them, it was comforting. Harmonic was focused on his friend with a weak but genuine smile. There were no butterflies, but it was still magical all the same. He could feel the chains constraining his spirit weaken for these brief moments.

"We should go ahead and eat before the rain starts."

"Mm," he responded in agreement.

They ate sandwiches and chips and talked for a while.

"How's the demo coming along?"

"It should be ready for release soon, but i think we can record one more song."

"What'd you have in mind?"

"I was thinking a cover of a Cast from Eden or All That Remains song."

"All That Remains sounds like a good option."

"Will you do the bass and vocals with me?"

"Yeah."

"I thought maybe dual vocals would make it different from the original."

"I think so too."

"I can't really sing very well. Do you mind if I do my screams and growls instead?"

"I don't mind. What song were you thinking of doing?"

"Probably two weeks."

"You should save your parts for the chorus. It'll sound more powerful."

"Good idea."

"Hey, can I ask you why it took so long to ask me out?"

"Fear. I was afraid of having my heart broken. It's one of the trust issues I had to face, but there was something else too."

"Something else?"

"Sometimes I see things that aren't there. They look like ghosts."

"You see things?"

"So far I've had about seven hallucinations in my life. Each of them lasted a few minutes."

"How does that relate to my question?"

"I didn't know if I would wake up one day and find out everything was a lie."

"You thought I wasn't real?"

"Yeah."

"Not sure if I should be flattered or insulted."

"Illusion or not, I prefer you over whatever would be waiting for me elsewhere."

"You have a good heart and head. I think you'd be fine without me."

"I don't want to be though. I care about you too much."

"You'd really rather be crazy with me than sane and alone?"

"Loneliness kills, and that's the truth of it."

"That's pretty heavy."

"Nobody said being alive was gonna' be easy, but the best things aren't easy to find. Meeting somebody who really, honestly cares about you and spreading that feeling to others is what makes life worth living."

"I never thought about it like that."

"Not everybody agrees with that philosophy, but there's truth to it. It might not kill you on a physical level, but it'll destroy your happiness if you let it. That's why I'm determined to start over and do it right this time."

"I can say that definitely broadened my perspective."

"Anyway, I don't wanna' talk about it anymore. Can we just spend some time together here for a while?"

"Okay."

"I think we should clear the air for good."

"Right."

"Sometimes, everything we've been through gets to me too. I feel like I'm losing it from time to time."

"I don't think anybody could go through it unaffected."

"What about you? What are the rest of your issues?"

"I have a fear of physical intimacy. I've never felt it, but it scares me for some reason. What really bothers me though is what would happen if I became a dad. I'm so messed up that I don't think it's worth the risk of doing them psychological harm too."

"It's okay to be worried."

"I'm tired of this analytical and philosophical stuff too. I just want to let the emotions out."

"Then do it."

"What do you mean?"

"Tell me what's on your mind."

"I've pretty much said all I can right now."

"For what it's worth, I think you'd be a great dad."

"Why?"

"You're always learning. I feel like you made one of your biggest breakthroughs today."

"I want to believe that."

"I do, because I believe in you."

"If I do become a dad...Will you be the mother?"

"Am I the one you see a future with?"

"The only one."

"Then we'll turn it into a reality, one day at a time."

They gave each other a long hug. No matter what it took, they would find a way to be happy once and for all.