Chapters The day was absolutely gorgeous. The sun was shining warmly down on the citizens of Ponyville, at least those who were out and about doing various errands or jobs, or visiting with friends. Some had been to the main street marketplace, where a few locals set up stands to sell things such as vegetables or fruits.
Such was the case with Raspberry. She had just sold out all her fruit and was happily humming to herself as she placed empty boxes in her cart and busily took down her stand. She smiled and nodded at passing ponies, even verbally greeting a few, but mostly was lost in the beauty of the world around her. She was listening to the birds, enjoying their harmonic melodies as they drifted across the gentle breeze. Flowers planted along walkways were touched by that breeze and waved slowly in a graceful dance that seemed to perfectly match the timed notes of nature's song. So enchanted was she by these things, she no longer noticed the ponies around her, as she started to sing along to the tune the birds were carrying.
A noticeably reformed changeling made his way to the market, in search of something delicious, smells of fruit and vegetables wafting into his nostrils. Liuv inhaled deeply. Yes, a changeling's sustenance technically consisted of love, but Liuv enjoyed normal foods just as any other creature would. He was very new to the little community of Ponyville, and had spent the past two days sequestered in his new house, preparing for the arrival of his belongings. He had ventured forth only when he realised he was hungry. He rarely fed on the ponies' love now, only catching small bits of it now and then from crowds of them.
He had decided on fruit, and his eyes lit on a sign still standing tall over a fruit stand on the edge of the main street. "Raspberry's Fruit Stand". Raspberry. The sound of it recalled many memories to his mind, and he gave a wistful and fond sigh. It was then the sweet musical notes of a gentle voice reached his ears, and he perked up, listening. That voice...it sounded so familiar. His eyes landed on the pony in front of the stand, who was apparently taking it down, and who was obviously the source of the singing he was hearing. Her back was slightly to him, so he could not see her face, but still..that voice… He couldn't help it, he had to know. He moved closer for a better view, looking at the cutie mark on her flank, and his heart nearly stopped.
Raspberry.
It was her. No other pony could have that cutie mark. He stood still, unable to move, his jaw slightly dropped in overwhelmed shock. Raspberry chose that moment to turn fully around, and caught the shocked stare of the changeling. She smiled slightly, politely, and would have turned away again, except for one thing. He spoke.
"R-Raspberry…?"
The name was hesitantly spoken, and not very loudly, but it reached her ears, and her smile faltered slightly as she looked at him. Really looked at him. His voice...but it couldn't be...could it really be…? Memories rushed into Raspberry's mind and she fought to process what she was seeing.
"L-Liuv…?
Time seemed to freeze as they stood there, staring at each other in shocked silence, unable to move or think or speak. It was Raspberry who broke first.
"LIUV!!"
Her happy cry rang clearly, and loosened him from his trance. He ran to her, catching her in his forelegs and hugging her extremely tightly. She reciprocated, wrapping her forelegs around his neck and hugging so tightly he was at risk of asphyxiation. But he didn't care.
"Liuv! It is you! It really is you! I can't believe it!"
"A-and it's really you, Raspberry!"
Liuv was beside himself with joy, hugging her as closely as possible, trying to talk and stumbling over his words in his excitement and happiness. Raspberry for her part gave a loud squeal of delight as she hugged him back fiercely.
"Liuv! I missed you!" She had tears of joy in her eyes as she hugged even tighter, not at all willing to ever let go again. "I can't believe it...I can't believe its really you!"
She'd dreamed about seeing him again someday. And here he was. She relished the sweetness of the moment, wrapped in his embrace, hugging him as hard as he was her, neither wanting to stop. She finally did pull back enough to look him in the eyes and smile the widest smile possible.
"I am so happy to see you. You don't know how happy...I can't believe this...you're real, and here, and..." she gave up as her tears choked her, hugging him again.
Liuv had a hard time realizing it at first, but he too was having difficulty seeing, and it took him a minute to realize it was in fact his own tears streaming down his cheeks with happiness. An odd sensation but a quite welcome one at that...though not as welcoming as Raspberry's voice and embrace, even if they were getting some odd glances from a few other ponies in the crowd.
"I-I-I never thought I would see you again...I-I thought I would be stuck in Griffonia o-or you'd be else where o-or maybe you had forgotten about me...most ponies do anyway... Words...s-simply cannot be overstated how much I have missed you! I-I still remembered you after all this time!"
"I could never forget about you, ever." Raspberry smiled at him. "You've been in my thoughts always. You've no idea how I've hoped and wished for you to come back. For the chance to see you again."
She noticed his tears and reached out to brush them off with a hoof for him. This whole thing seemed to her to be surreal. Like a dream. If it was, she hoped she never woke up. He had grown up with her. He had been there all through her young life. Her best friend, closest confidant. The one who'd grown up as a brother to her under her parents' roof. She'd missed him terribly.
Liuv admittedly was a bit over-excited, though at least he felt better knowing she was just as excited to see him as he was, and it warmed his heart knowing that she had not forgotten him just like he had not forgotten her. The changeling was so giddy with excitement and happiness he couldn't help but bounce a little bit while hugging her, his wings occasionally flapping a little bit. Who knew how long it was before he finally got it in him to try and clear his own eyes from tears so he could actually look at Raspberry's beauty and, while he was at it, wipe away some of her tears too.
"P-Please do not cry, it just makes me want to hug you more." he said, nuzzling her head, remembering their old foal hood days and when they would hug.
She didn't hesitate to nuzzle him back, it felt like old times. "I won't cry." She said softly. "I 'm just...really happy to see you. Its been a long time now." She smiled. "You have changed. You're taller now." This observation was given with a quiet giggle.
She hugged him further, then looked in his eyes. "I'm just really glad you're here..."
"Hehehe. Well s-so are you, you have also grown, even though i'm taller....actually yeah..i am taller than you now...sooooo does that make me the big brother now?" He asked, chuckling a little bit... a small attempt to lighten the mood between them. "In either case, I am also glad you are here. I missed just....hearing your voice and seeing you everyday...just letting me know that...I-I had somepony to strive for...to see again...m-my family.."
She chuckled. "I guess maybe you are taller...and yeah. We all missed you. Including and especially mom and Dad..." she hugged him tighter. "But now you're here, safe and sound, and I am really glad!"
"I bet I'm more glad than you are!" He said, his voice changing a little bit, a tone he hadn't had in years, never having found a proper challenge like his sister Raspberry always could. No matter what it was, it could have just been over what flavor of ice cream was better. Raspberry giggled and a mischievous look entered her eyes.
"Hey, Liuv? Do you like pineapple yet?"
She giggled again, remembering multiple foalhood arguments about it. She was curious if he disliked it still.
"Pfft! You know....after all the time I've spent out there, the places I've traveled, the ponies I've met, the lands I've crossed, the Griffons, Yaks, Ponies, and even dragons on few occasions, I can say- yes, I still think pineapples on pizza is disgusting, and you should feel bad for liking it!"
Like he would EVER consider that a good idea no matter who or in what nation he was in. She couldn't help but laugh. The longstanding feud between them over this hadn't changed a bit.
"Y'know, if you'd just try it..." she teased, knowing it was pointless. She grinned at him. "Fine. If we eat pizza anytime soon...no pineapple on yours."
"I...actually..that doesn't sound like such a bad idea, in fact, i-if you're not busy, I'd actually like for us to maybe catch up. I'll even buy us pizza! And yes, I will buy you that pineapple...blehk" He feigned vomiting on the spot.
She laughed at his antics. "You haven't changed a bit." She teased. "And word of warning: I will continue to try. I will drive you crazy with this." She had a spark of mischief in her eyes. "And yes...catching up sounds wonderful."
The Changeling could already feel himself wanting to start jumping up and down again with happiness that she was coming along with him, though rather than do that again he let out a small squee of excitement, then looked embarrassed about it for a few seconds.
"You....didn't hear that. A-Anyway, where would you like to go or where could we find pizza? I've only just moved into town about..two days ago? I still don't even have furniture. This is actually my first time actually walking around through the town proper."
She chuckled. "Well, actually, yes. There's a diner and they have really good pizza. And don't worry. I'll show you around. It's a really nice town and you'll soon meet everypony. Though actually...your presence here should already be well known. Hm. Pinkie Pie must not have said anything." She giggled. "I hope you like surprise parties."
"Surprise parties? I haven't had those in a long time. Plus I kinda doubt it'd really be THAT surprising. I can sense emotions too you know. Nope, can't nothing surprise me.....except well, you sometimes, but I have been training, and you aren't going to get the drop on me anymore,especially with those ninja hugs of yours."
Liuv spoke with a fully confident grin on his face as he walked next to the mare, remembering all those times as a young nymph he, despite all his preparations, would never ever see Raspberry's hugs coming. She was a Master at it, but he doubted she had gotten any better than back then.
She snickered. "Have you seriously been training to avoid being surprised by my hugs? Hate to tell you this, but I'm really good at the sneak hugging thing still."
She kept in step with him as they walked, and it felt like old times when they'd be inseparable, matching each other step for step or word for word. Like twins almost.
"So. I like Pineapple pizza still. And last time I recall you liked, anything without pineapple. I think they have cheese and pepperoni. Vegetables too."
She suddenly giggled, wondering how it would end if she sneaked pineapple onto his pizza...except he'd never fallen for it before, so chances are he still wouldn't.
"Oh YES please!" Liuv sprang on with a new joy to his step more then even after he found his sister again. "And also I said I'd eat anything that was not pineapple in any regard, though vegetables on pizza is still really disgusting. But it's not as bad as pineapple, I just love cheese.."
The changeling licked his lips just thinking about cheese if all types he had gotten to taste over his time away.
"You're missing out on the variety of cheese out there and before you say it, yes I am now a licensed nerd about cheese. Feel free to be jealous, little sis, I wouldn't judge you." He said snickering.
Raspberry giggled. "Who's jealous? I'm not jealous. You know your cheeses and that's great. I don't remember you being the nerd type though. And what's wrong with vegetables on pizza?? It's delicious!"
She shook her head, unable to believe what she'd heard. Who didn't like veggies on pizza?? She grinned. "Just another thing to torment you over then..."
"Ohohohoho! I don't think you'd want to do that anymore, little sis, for i have now a secret weapon of mine, one that could trifle all of which you throw at me and i know i will win."
The Changeling seemed pretty confident with those words, he had after all been upping his game, for if the day came they were to ever meet again, he would be well prepared to counter her with his own arsenal of attacks this time rather than remaining in defense.
She laughed. "You seem amazingly confident there, Liuv. But I can torment you, and will. And you can't stop me." She deliberately sidestepped a little so she ran into him as they walked. "Haha."
She was feeling really happy, and very playful. She'd always loved teasing him. Now was no different. And she knew, for all his outbursts and bluster, he actually enjoyed being picked on by her...all screaming and protests to the contrary aside.
"Oh really? Do I hear a bet on that one, sister?"
The changeling asked this teasingly, getting into her face slightly and then even retaliating against her by swaying his rump into her side, attempting just to add a little bit more to show he had gotten a bit stronger... unlike before where it took nearly all this strength to knock her over.
"Maybe you do, brother." Her grin was so mischievous as to be concerning. "Maybe you just do."
Author's Note
So my friend and I actually started this as a roleplay on Discord...
Then I thought,"Story form. Hm."
So I asked my friend and got his ok and cooperation. And here you have it!
As the two siblings walked, they dottled on about who or which one was in the right on at least several debates, all of which ended up with them knocking each other around the streets in a playful pushing match that caught the eyes of other ponies, who mostly shrugged it off. It was fun for the two of them, rekindling an old bond they had once thought long lost, and were now going out together to fulfill an almost sacred journey for them of going out and getting pizza.
And then arguing about said pizzas..
The two always had a rivalry unmatched by any pony else in the town of arguing, especially over food, but nothing like how they argued about pizza. They could never ever agree on what each other liked, yet nearly every week they always went out together and ate together and had fun doing it, (and this time was shaping out to be no different than it had always been), in old pizza restaurant, that even after so many years still stood up like either Sugarcube Corner or Sweet Apple Acres. With their shoving match it took absolutely no time at all for those two to not only make it, but re-introduce themselves to the owner, another friend from long ago who barely recognized them. The old stallion even giving them one big whole pizza, on the house, for old times sakes...which both did appreciate but had insisted on paying for at full price anyway.
Soon both found a nearby seat outside behind the restaurant, on a porch that had the plains and hills behind Ponyville, grassy fields, warm breezes and clear view of the Everfree, the far distant mountains, parts of Sweet Apple Acres, or at least the edges of it, and finally, the gleaming shining city of Canterlot that hung from said mountains in the distance. It was getting later in the evening by now and there were several more ponies there, likely getting off work after a long day and deciding to come here and eat, though most were at other more modern and/or fancy restaurants.
"Hey, at least you can't beat the classics."
"Classics are all well and good, but pineapple in my opinion is one of the best." Raspberry giggled. "How can you not like that sweet and juicy fruit on a pizza?? Yum!"
She grinned across the table at him, relishing tormenting him. He always protested being tortured like this, but she well knew he loved every minute of it.
"Because look at that!" He said, pointing to the slices of pineapple engrained inside the pizza. "What part of that is appealing!? I mean look at this, the pepperoni blends in well with the golden melted cheese and tomato sauce and just adds that little extra spice to it that completes it. Pizza isn't supposed to be sweet or anything like fruits or vegetables on them, i mean the appearance doesn't even match.. I mean....bleck!" Liuv feigned vomiting on the spot, and putting a hoof to his eyes to shield his sight from something so unholy.
Raspberry was trying to hold back her laughter. "Pepperoni goes great on pizza, sure. However, pineapple lends a slightly sweet taste that actually complements the salty, spicy taste. Annnnd on the right kind of pizza, it blends quite well."
She held up a slice of said pizza in her magic, inches from his face, grinning almost wickedly. She knew what his reaction would be. Her eyes twinkled. Liuv put both hooves to his mouth and turned his head away in disgust at the sight of the slice of melted cheese and....pineapples..
"That is just not right, I swear sometimes I question whether or not you're a pony. I mean, who else eats that stuff?"
She giggled. "Obviously you don't know good food when you see it. Besides, one day...I will make you try this. Watch me."
She grinned widely at him before calmly taking a large bite of her pizza. The changeling laughed aloud as he took a bite of his own slice.
"Sister, please. The day I for some reason decide to even allow one of those things anywhere near my mouth will be the day that pigs grow wings and fly alongside Pegasi!" He proclaimed in full confidence.
In the background behind him,however, came distant shouts. Turning around, his eyes widened as he saw Rainbow Dash, another old childhood friend, trying to catch a flying pig with wings,that was flying erratically through the skies over Ponyville.
"Get back here, you!" The Stunt Devil shouted, trying, and missing her mark again, to catch him as the pig squealed.
On the ground was Applejack chasing after them both twirling a rope around over her trying to get a clear shot.
"Juss keep on herr Dash!" She shouted up.
And lastly from behind her, also in the skies, was a rather slightly panicking Twilight Sparkle, who was also flying and using her magic to hold a book in front of her while also still trying to keep up with the two of them.
"I-I can fix this!" The purple alicorn said to both them and herself, trying to keep up as they all kept going and past buildings where they could no longer see them.
When the changeling turned around he felt a cold sweat come down his head, not so confident in his statement as before.
"S-So....a-about that weather huh?" he said, trying to change the subject.
Raspberry had literally stopped chewing to watch the scene, a smirk tugging at her mouth as she thought on Liuv's words plus the fact they'd literally just come true. Focusing on her now sweating sibling, she giggled.
"I could totally hold you to that right now, Liuv, you know that, right?"
"But hehe...y-you wouldn't do that to your little old brother r-right, sis? Hehe..."
The Changeling tried to keep up his poster of coolness, though it was clearly for show, with him twiddling his hooves on the table and him beginning to sweat more as he looked at his sister with fear. Playful still, yes, but still fear in having to actually go anywhere near that Pizza. Raspberry pondered. She could make him keep his word, but nah. She let him sweat a bit longer before giggling.
"Fine. Considering it was a freak magic accident, I'll let it go. This time."
Whew . Liuv wiped his head after feeling like he had just dodged a serious magic bullet there.
"Thank you...hehehe, just for the record. I think you planned that one, you."
Raspberry snorted. "No. I'm devious but not that devious." She grinned at him. "If I wanted you to really try it, I could just magically stuff it down your throat. But I'm not that mean."
"You do know I can use magic right? And I've gotten alot better at it too. What say i couldn't...i don't know, put up a bubble shield? Or counter it with my own magic, or better yet pizza of my own and fight you back on it? I've gotten alot better at defending myself, you know... at least enough so that you cannot surprise me anymore, sis." Liuv bragged, and laughed a little bit too.
She laughed. "Good for you. We'll have to test that though, won't we? See if I can't surprise you like old times." She chuckled.
The old days of sneaking up on him and attacking him with hugs. That had been a lot of fun. And for all his screams of protest, she knew he'd enjoyed it too.
Liuv remembered those times well. He would always somehow fall victim to her hugs without him realizing she was there. She was a legend when it came to surprise hugs... in fact he could have sworn she MUST have been getting lessons from Pinkie Pie. That was the only way that could explain some of the insane places she would hide, though they were nice. Actually...now thinking of the old times, he remembered a small promise they had made to each other then. It seemed simply just childish when they first did it. Though they never told any pony else, it was only between them, and the Changeling wasn't even sure if Raspberry even remembered that part...even if it was a cute little memory he thought of just now.
"Hehehe, H-hey...actually speaking of old times, I just.....sort of remembered something. Remember that time we were up late at night in mom and dad's back yard on Hearts and Hooves day? T-That day when about half the class was making fun of me for how I looked but you still defended me, and even spent the whole day with me that day, and even at night when we set up a tent to look at the stars? That promise we made to each other I.....well sorry, I just remembered it again....i-it just...well..i just had to ask if you remembered it too."
Raspberry gazed at him, silent for a moment, pondering. Then as realisation sank in, she smiled a little. Oh yes. That promise. She remembered it very well now. They'd been super young, and the moment was just cute and adorable. Though for them it had been sincerely meant...small or not. She nodded.
"Yes, I remember it." She spoke softly. "I remember sitting beside you. We looked up at the stars, and I remember being happy just to be there, even then, as a foal. Do you...remember what we said..?"
It wasn't that she failed to remember the words, it was just that she wanted to know if he remembered them exactly as she remembered them...in spite of how long ago it was.
"Well...uhm...."
The Changeling had to think back long on hard for this one. It wasn't that he didn't know what was said... if he didn't he never would have brought it up... but he at least had to think about it and second guess himself a few times just to make sure it was right, and so far he had been, and he remembered hearing her words clear as day...or well technically clear as night, in that tent.
"Well....from what I remember. We both made each other a promise when we were old enough that we would....well at the very least ask each other out on....well, to put it bluntly, a date..and I...agreed, or at least I remember agreeing."
She smiled slightly. He definitely remembered then. "Mhm. I believe you did agree..as did I."
She remembered it very clearly. And a small part of her wondered if perhaps he was intending to keep that promise. If so, she'd make it easy for him.
"I suppose...um...we could keep that agreement? I mean, because a promise is a promise..." she gazed at him intently.
"I mean...well I...don't see a reason not to exactly. I mean we both know each other well and we're both at least over 18. And yes I'm going to lawyer mode for a moment so bear with me. By legal Equestrian law we could do so without parental consent. And..just as a side note if I may add, you have grown into a rather.... beautiful mare since we last met. I-I mean I'm not saying you weren't before just....Y-You get what I mean and I don't use those words often because it just sounds weird when I do to others..though you seem to be my only exception be that from either family, or how close we are or..." He cleared his throat, a little bit embarrassed. "Other... reasons.."
In spite of herself, Raspberry blushed a little at that. "And...if you don't mind me saying do, you grew into a very handsome changeling..." she offered. "And I mean...i would be happy to keep our promise to each other. If for no other reason than to spend extra time with you."
Ok, why was her heart starting to beat so fast? Maybe something she ate? Maybe that pizza gave her heartburn. Yes, that had to be it. She looked down at the table with another blush.
The taller changeling also felt like he could burst with a sense of joy and pride in his heart that were beating faster. Looking into the unicorns eyes, he should probably look away or say something but it was getting harder for him to do it without making himself look foolish in front of her.
"Well I'd... certainly consider it a humbling honor to spend more time with you, I mean...I don't have anything else planned for the rest of the day, o-or night for that matter, and if I would spend that time with any pony I would certainly....hope it'd be you I'd be spending it with."
Raspberry grinned at him. "I'm happy to spend time with you too. We can actually just talk now...since we kinda caught up already. Is there anything in particular you'd like to do for this...date?"
And there went her heart at that word, alot faster now. She tried to ignore it but was unsuccessful. She rubbed her neck and coughed lightly, almost nervously.
"I'm uh...I'm good with anything, really..." she managed.
"Well...after this, I heard that it's going to be a Full Moon tonight. I've been getting into stars recently. I'm no astronomer by any means or anything but I've just been fascinated every time I looked up into the night sky, mainly because...well every time I did I always just...thought of you, and how we just sat under the stars together looking up at them...I-I know it sounds cheesy and probably even a little bit boring to you but would you want to do it again? For...old times sake? I mean after we finish eating obviously."
She smiled at that. "It doesn't sound cheesy or boring. It sounds wonderful. I like this idea. And I would love to do it."
Spending the evening sitting under the stars, talking, being together...this was beginning to feel romantic. And strangely, Raspberry didn't mind. In fact, she was looking forward to it.
"Y-You...you wouldn't?" Liuv asked, surprised that she'd actually practically readily accepted his offer to go out with him tonight for Stargazing...stargazing and..just being together. He chuckled to himself and blushed thinking about it, with just he and her out together like they were before as foals. In fact, what made it even better was that he had even gone through the lengths of saving their ORIGINAL tent, which to him just seemed to be the finishing touch to it. He put a hoof to his chest and thought about maybe pinching himself just make sure he was awake right now...ok, yeah he was.
"Well...T-Thats great! I'll take you back to my place after we finish our food, which we'd better finish before it gets cold.."
She giggled. "Probably should, yes." She grabbed another slice of the pineapple pizza in her magic and waved it under his nose. "Sure you don't want any?" She was laughing.
Liuv gulped, thinking back to that flying pig from earlier. "Y-yeah yeah I'm sure!" He said quickly going back to eating his food.
The two now...couple? Friends? Finished their food and had gone about town with Raspberry showing Liuv both places new and old around Ponyville: the things he's missed while he was gone, the new things, the stories... of which there were a great many the changeling simply had a hard time believing, and even challenged her a few times on those claims...one of them even legally just for the heck of it.
It was fun, really good fun and he was enjoying every second of it, so much so that when the sun began to dip over the horizon it was only then did he remember his plans for the night and quickly made his way back home with her. The Changeling's home was two story, made out of most of the other materials of houses of Ponyville. It could have easily fit an entire family. Though on the inside there was hardly anything aside a table, a couch and a bed upstairs, his furniture having not arrived just yet.
However the changeling did keep one thing, one thing important to him he wouldn't trade for the world. Pulling it into the back yard and out of a rather long box, the changeling pulled out their old, and rather slightly dust covered tent, with all the drawings and markings still on it.
"Ta da!" The changeling shouted with glee in his voice and a spring to his step, feeling like he could dance around it with happiness at the memories.
Raspberry's jaw dropped slightly. "Wow, you-you kept the tent? The tent? Like, where we played and where we had all those fun times and looked at the stars and...made that promise? You-you kept this..?"
She wasn't sure why she was stammering. It was a tent. But at the same time, it wasn't just a tent. It was a symbol of something special. It was a blast back to the past, as it were. Like they were transported back through time. She walked closer, and studied it, a mix of emotions whirling around in her. They had played in this tent so often as little ones. They had drawn all over it, they had shared many adorable moments in and around it. And he had saved it. All these years, he had kept it safely stored away. She looked up at him, eyes shining.
"What are we waiting for?" She asked. "Let's set this up and see if it still stands."
He looked sheepish, rubbing a hoof on his neck.
"Uhm...would you believe me if I told you that after all these years, and all my traveling, and all the places I stayed...I never did get the hang of putting up a tent?"
Raspberry's eyes sparked with amusement. "If you're serious, I feel really sorry for you. That's just sad."
Her light tone indicated she was teasing him, and she playfully booped his muzzle with a hoof, giggling.
"Come on, help me out. This time you're gonna learn the art of putting up a tent and it's going to stick with you for life."
"There's an 'art' to putting up a tent? Oh boy, now this I simply got to see. I just hope I don't end up poking my eye with one of these poles again. Don't laugh! These things are cursed I'm telling you!"
Liuv slowly and hesitantly pulled out the poles and started getting to work with setting up the tent like old times with his big, or little sister... they still had to argue about that now...but surprisingly, it was turning out a lot easier than before.
"How....being taller is a lot easier."
Raspberry giggled and looked over at him, proceeding to give him detailed instructions on putting up tents. It didn't take long to accomplish, with both of them working together.
"Then you tie this rope off here and there you go!" She completed the lesson with a flourish. "A standing and secure tent." She giggled. "And no eyes got put out in the process."
Liuv looked around the tent, admiring it, seeing it for the first time in a little over a decade unfurled and out in the open, just like they did before. Of course, mind, some of the bits of dust here and there, but it was still almost as good as he had remembered, though...a bit smaller.
"Wow....this looked a lot bigger when we were foals. I could have sworn we could have fit both of us including our parents before. But....wow does this bring back memories..."
Raspberry chuckled as she, too, looked around, the same memories being called to mind as he was having.
"It does seem smaller...I guess to a couple of foals it would be pretty big, but now that we're grown...well, its smaller." She smiled.
"Aww, at least some part of me wishes to still be smaller. I mean it was great to see all the places I could get into that a lot of other bigger foals couldn't. Anyway..."
Liuv stepped over to the big green and black tent and unzipped it, opening up the insid. It was obviously empty of any possessions or sleeping bags of any sort. Good thing he had brought some, though that wasn't really what he was staring at.
Inside about a decade ago, the two of them had both come in with crayons and paint, and during one night had painted as many stars as they could on the inside of the tent. As time went on, they some what got more detailed through the process of several nights, eventually making drawings of Ponyville, the mountains, the Everfree, Canterlot and the mountains it stood on, and the massive moon on one side with the best painting of Nightmare Moon they could muster. It was all in the art styles of little more than foals but at the time they were immensely proud of it, especially Liuv, for it had been his first time painting, and at the end of it he remembered both of them drawing each other on the ground looking up into the sky near the bottom. One a smaller crude drawing of a pony that looked a lot like Raspberry, just with longer hair and big glasses, and next to her a tinier black outline of a pony with holes in its hooves, and head about the size of his body, with big bubbly green eyes. Both looking up into the skies together with a little pink heart over them.
The sight was almost enough to make Liuv want to cry seeing it. It got a tear in his eye thinking about all that time ago, and he had to look at Raspberry again just to see once again that yes, this was real and yes, she was here with him.
"M-Mare's first?" He offered stuttered getting his groove back.
Raspberry entered first, ducking her head slightly to avoid the flap, and stood silently gazing at the foalish art on the canvas walls. She could remember doing that, with Liuv, both of them laughing and talking, enjoying each other's company. And though the drawings were not the best, they were the best the two could muster, and they had indeed been oh so proud of their work.
"Wow..." she breathed. "It was so long ago, but it feels just like yesterday."
She looked to Liuv, a serene smile on her face, eyes shining with joy. It might have taken a while, but here they were again, together, in this special little tent that was theirs and theirs alone. It seemed a sacred place, at least for her, a place that time could somehow not invade.
"Were the best times....." He said, coming into the tent next to her.
The tent was a little bit smaller for them, so the two were right up against each other in order to see and admire their work within. That little heart there...just stuck out alot to Liuv. They were siblings,or well at least at the time that's how they saw that heart back then. But now, having matured more since their days here, and looking back on it, he felt maybe even back then, at least to him, that heart had a different meaning...
He had known Raspberry...almost since he could remember. He was orphaned at a young age, never knowing his parents, and found Raspberry in the same building as he was, and they had kicked off....well not exactly with the best start, since the young changeling always had problems talking with mares. Even now he technically still did, all at least aside Raspberry. Though after that small hurtle, the two of them grew to be almost inseparable.
They always stuck to each other like glue, especially since the other foals there saw them, or at least Liuv especially, as the black sheep of the group, but Raspberry never left him and he never left her in turn. They were even lucky enough to get adopted together which only made their bond even stronger. Each time when they were together it felt like she was all he had and he couldn't think of any other pony to spend his time with. Which was why when he had to leave it crushed him so hard that he couldn't tell her all of that... of how he really felt about her, which hurt him for so many years afterwards and only made his feelings stronger.Now, seeing her face once again, all he wanted to do was just...let it out finally...the idea that he may never get another chance, even if they both were staying there together again, bothered him so much...
"H-Hey...Raspberry? Did I...ever really say....or ...well....oh how do i start this? it's...a bit difficult...."
Liuv looked upwards at the tent roof. Through it he could make out a great many bright, twinkling stars. Luna's night was starting to show, the light reflecting on his eyes. He wished someone or something could tell him how to put his feelings into words... though they had never been his fancy. That and his vocabulary was pretty limited. Though he was gaining sense to calm down and keep his heart from beating out of his chest against the sight of the beautiful pony next to him.
She sensed something was a bit off with him, he was uneasy, but not enough to be majorly noticeable. At the moment though, she was also starting to feel an unease, but in a good way. Their close proximity to each other was suddenly making her feel both incredibly nervous and very content all at once, and she had to swallow hard before she could even attempt steady speech.
"What is it? You can say anything to me, you know that...just like long ago. Remember? We shared everything. I'm still willing to listen, no matter what it is."
She offered what she hoped was a reassuring smile...heart rate increasing steadily with every word she spoke.
Liuv had to look away from her lest he outright crack on the spot, she was a master of the arts of weaponized cuteness even if she wasn't trying. He could feel himself beginning to sweat again... he didn't know when it got so hot in here either... and it made him want to jitter but he was doing his best to remain calm.
"Well....here it goes.... Raspberry....i've...known you for...oh who knows how long now, 18? 19? 20 years now? My whole life? In either case...you were always there for me...you were my first friend, first pony i talked to first pony to accept me for who I was rather than insult me for being just...me. I didn't have to hide myself away from other ponies as long as you were by my side. You even taught me to talk proper Equiish when there were no teacher to teach me. I grew up with you and i had fun every step of the way and I enjoyed every second, as long as you were with me and i was at your side. When we were even adopted together, I felt like I had been gifted the world and more, and my chance to the realms of the heavens."
He forced himself to take a breath before he continued on.
"I believed my time with you could not get any better, but as we grew up i just felt....more...l-like i wanted to be there for you more. When you were insulted, I wanted to attack them. When you were led astray I wanted to destroy them...a-at least...for a few minutes I did, until my attention was back to you. It hurt seeing you unhappy, it was unbearable and I simply did not know how to say it at the time... what i was feeling, even if we were family, even if surrogate. And it hurt so much that I didn't know how to say it and it was worse when I had to leave and that saddened you...i felt...just so low...."
He could feel the tears returning again. No he had to keep going. He promised he wouldn't stop, not this time.
"W-When i was gone my feelings never left, instead they just kept growing stronger every single day, I-I thought it was friendship calling me back, our family, our bond but...each time I said it, I never felt that it was in fact accurate enough to fully describe it...."
He had to pause yet again for breath, but then kept going.
"I-i just know when i saw you again today, the first thing I wanted to do was just...grab you and hug and and not let go, and yes, feel free to make fun of me for it but yes i do mean it, and I mean every word of it when i say i would have hugged you and...maybe...would have...liked to maybe have given you a-a small kiss on your head. B-But that was it!" He quickly defended thought even he knew for a fact that part was a lie.
Especially when looking at the absolutely gorgeous mare that Raspberry had grown into. No offense to Rarity or the others but…
Raspberry was completely speechless. She had no clue how to respond. All she could do was gaze at him in silence, blushing, trying to speak and yet failing epically. She couldn't even form one syllable, let alone an entire sentence. It took a long time before she managed to gather enough wits to speak...and even then it was slow and halting, as she struggled to make clear what was in her head. And heart.
"I-I mean...I-I..." Ok forget it. She was clearly incapable of much talking so here went nothing. "I feel the same way...I mean...I do..." She gazed at him, slightly teary, and smiled.
"W-Wait...you do? Y-You don't think that its ww-eird? O-or that im weird for...h-having these feelings about you?"
The Changeling's voice cracked out of the rush of emotions he felt after hearing that. For all the talk of changelings eating love or emotions, when it came to them feeling them themselves it was still completely a foreign concept to them outside of food. Liuv was no different but right now he didn't need to be a scientist to know that he was over the moon levels of happy, and felt his wings buzzing as the two sat so close to each other, their muzzles not so far apart from one another as well... kind of like their little picture from their foalhood.
He felt a lump in his throat and the heat in the tent increase by a degree, with his hooves now holding onto Raspberry's, both of them...at what point that happened he wasn't sure but he wasn't complaining about it. Smooth to the touch and warm...no, almost super heated to the touch, at least to him. His lips trembled on what to say next.
Raspberry drew a breath. "N-no, I don't think its weird..." she managed.
The fact they were now even closer was increasing her nervousness and causing massive somersaults in her stomach. She hardly dared to move or breathe...and was fairly sure her hammering heart could be heard very clearly about now. Time was standing still again, she just knew it. And she looked into his eyes and tried not to blush furiously but failed.
He felt a pull, a unique pull towards her. With every passing second the world beyond that tent seemed to dim more and more and go quiet, till all he could see or hear was just the sound of his own breathing and his heart, and even hers too. She sounded almost exactly like he was, and it even felt like she felt like he did. Scared, jumpy, happy, antsy, feeling they could jump at any noise other than what they were making right now.
He even detected a hint of something else. It was intoxicating at just the mere hint of it, and was something the Changeling rarely ever felt, and it made that moment all the more tender. A small, calming moment between them, as their muzzles inched closer now to the point their noses were booping together.
There were no words, what could they say? It was actions from now on, or at least that's what Liuv felt. He had talked the talk but could he really walk the walk? With the one he'd once seen as his sister? Raspberry, of all ponies, the true angel and guardian of his life? With a face like that....oh he couldn't deny it even if he wanted to...her face just looked too kissable for any sane pony or being to ignore.
Putting his money where his mouth was, or where his head was at that point, the changeling sealed the deal with a peck on her lips first, soft and slow, and surprisingly a lot easier now that the act was being done rather than simply thinking about it. It was a new feeling, foreign yet not unwanted, or really uncomfortable as he thought it would be.
Completely caught off guard, Raspberry gave a light squeak of shock. She recovered fairly quickly though, noticing that this was not awkward, or uncomfortable, but actually very nice. She let herself relax and returned his kiss, feeling her heart rate increase slightly, as well as her stomach do a tiny flip. This was, more than nice. It was amazing. And she was only too willing lean into him a little, enjoying every second.
Who knew how long they might have stayed that way...if it weren't for a loud squeal outside that made them jump, followed by a fluffy pink head poking through the flap and a merry voice all but screaming at them.
"SURPRISE PARTYYYYYYY!"
Pinkie plopped hats on each of their heads before vanishing outside. Raspberry and Liuv, after initial heart attack stages had passed, both laughed a little before they stood and walked outside the tent to see what Ponyville's precocious party pony had cooked up.
Author's Note
Ok, soooo this chapter was admittedly longer than the last ones. Next chapter won't be though!!!
I hope xD
