Author's Note
This story is dedicated to the people who nearly destroyed my belief in happy relationships when I was a kid. You failed. I'm not afraid of love anymore.
The Mending Path
Though Harmonic's eyes were closed, he could not sleep. He turned to one side, and then another, wondering why his subconscious was eluding him. Under the thick blanket, Atmospheric slept contently next to him. No matter the reason for his abundance of energy, every time Harmonic saw her, his thoughts became peaceful. They became focused on one thing - everlasting happiness. He wrapped his foreleg around her. Though it was not his intention, his action inadvertently woke her from her slumber.
"You okay...," she asked groggily.
"I am now."
"Was something bothering you?"
"I don't know. I couldn't sleep, but I wasn't really thinking about anything in particular."
"Are you sure you're okay? If something's wrong, you can talk to me."
"Can I see you?"
"Sure."
Atmospheric shifted until she was lying on the other half of her body. Her barely open eyes gazed upon Harmonic's face. He was smiling. It was a genuine smile - a smile she almost never saw him wear.
"How did I ever get so lucky to find you?"
"I ask myself the same question about you every day."
"Really?"
"I know in many regards, you see yourself as a broken, hollow man. That's not what I see."
"What do you see?"
"I see a man who cast off the chains of selfishness and anger a long time ago. I see a man who put his goals and ambitions on the back burner to care for his injured mother when his siblings were unable. I see a man who not only once preached morals and values, but practiced them to the ultimate degree and became a role model for his children. I see a man who survived a lifetime's worth of suppressed pain and isolation. I see a man who continues to walk the ever-extending path of righteousness, knowing there will always be more to improve on, but most importantly...I see a man who never gives up."
"Do you want to know what I see?"
"I do."
"I see a woman who embodies understanding, compassion, and forgiveness for those who may not deserve it. I see a mother who unconditionally loves her children. I see an omnipotent saint of kindness in the snow-white clothing of a sheep."
"You're wrong about one thing."
"What's that?"
"You deserve forgiveness - forgiveness for yourself. Everything you've seen and done was a stepping stone to where you are now. Unfortunately, parts of that stone were jagged, and they cut deep, but the damage healed when you came clean and told yourself the truth."
"It was just hard, ya' know?"
"That's how life can be sometimes, but your mind is your ultimate weapon. You learned and grew as a person because of it. There's a lot you can offer the world if you choose to."
"Don't inflate my ego too much."
"Don't worry. I'll keep you grounded."
"I know you will."
The two shared a tight hug.
"There's one thing in my life that I regret," Atmospheric spoke.
"What is it?"
"I wish I could have met you when we were little. Maybe I could have done something to help you."
"You didn't need to do anything. Seeing you and being with you would have been more than enough. You guys are the best thing that has ever and will ever happen to me."
"There's something I want to know."
"Anything."
"If things don't work out between us in the end, or if something happens to me, what will you do?"
"I'll write every love letter I never got the chance to read to you, and I'll live my life as though you were still here."
"That would only cause you more pain."
"Maybe I was brought into this world to remind people even the worst pain can be endured. It's true it did consume me for a while, but that's over now. I have no intention of ever letting it overtake me again, because I know that's not what you want for me."
"Guess you got me all figured out, don't ya'?"
"Not even close. There are still things about you I can't decipher, but those are things you'll either tell me when you're ready or take to your grave. I'm okay with either."
"You would fight to keep me alive if something happened, right?"
"Without question, with every cell in my body, but nothing bad will happen. I won't let it. I would do anything for you, and I would happily make a fool of myself in the process if that's what it took."
"You are a fool - my fool."
Harmonic and Atmospheric shared a gentle kiss.
"Harmonic...?"
"Hm?"
"There's something I've been thinking about for a while - something I want."
"Name it."
"Can we have another foal?"
Harmonic booped his wife's nose.
"I told you I'd do anything. I just need a little more time, okay?"
"Okay."
"Can you get back to sleep?"
"After all that, probably not for a while."
"Sorry I woke you."
"Don't apologize. I knew what I was getting into when you proposed, remember?"
"I thought my organs would burst when you said yes."
"Well, that's one way to put it."
"I know, right? They should put that on an anniversary card."
"It'd read something like this: 'Honey, I literally died when you said yes.'"
"Perfect!"
Harmonic laughed so hard he nearly started wheezing.
"Pipe down, you big goof! You'll wake the kids."
"I couldn't help it! That was a transcendent-level meme like the ones my friends used to make."
"You come up with some weird comparisons."
"That's what I've been told."
"I'm glad you're laughing again..."
Atmospheric felt her husband stroke her mane.
"Everything's going to be alright now. That's my vow to you."
"I know it will."
"Do you want me to get you anything?"
"It's cold. I could use some cocoa."
"I'll be back in a minute."
"I love you."
"And I you - more than words will ever show."
"There's the old school romantic who stole my heart."
"Shhh. Don't tell my brother. He might start asking me for advice."
"My lips are sealed."
