By The Fire

by Gaming_Knight

Rating: everyone
Tags: Twilight Sparkle, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Human, Romance, Original Character, Spike, Fluttershy
Length: 1021

A human trapped in Equestria reminisces on how he got to this point with the one he loves

James having been trapped for a while now decides to spend some free time with a special pony.

(This is NOT a prequel to SIE. This takes place during but I'm using it as a short before I start chapters of SIE. I needed some way to gauge my writing ability.)

Published 2022-11-16 18:20:00 UTC
Last updated 2022-11-16 18:20:00 UTC

Warming up

James stared out the window at the falling snow, he watched as it slowly made progress. Layers on Layers slowly building up. The faded body that was once a Ford Fairlane GT sat getting covered in the falling white powder. I really need to remember to take that to Sky He thought as he stared at it for a moment longer. Then for once he turned away from the window to face the only other pony in the room.

The Pegasus sat a table reading a book that he had gotten her a few days before and she was thoroughly enjoying it. He smiled and walked over to sit with her. The couch creaked as he sat down, and she looked up from her book.
"Done watching the snow?" she asked
"Yeah." he replied his neutral face returning. She frowned at him. "What?"
"You know I don't like it when you do that."
"Do what?"
"That face. It hides what you truly feel."
"It's just my training. It made me like this."
"Thats not true." she set he book down and set her hoof on his hand. "You've broken past the training before, I've seen it. "
"Your right, It's just..." He clenched his fists, his right hand moving with the clicking of small moters. "Nothing ever seems like it matters here. My Training, My Life before, Nothing!" He almost shouted the last word but stopped himself. He sighed and stood walking over to the fireplace. "I was a soldier once, still am in a way." he finished not turning to look at her.

James wasn't prepared for the Pegasus to wrap her hooves around him. He was startled for a moment and turned to her as she lay her head on his shoulder, her pink mane flowing over her shoulders.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"You always were so stubborn. I thought you would change with my help, but it seems I have to change tactics."
"What do you..." the sentence wasn't finished as soft lips met his and broke apart after a moment.
"I think we both know that you always saw something in me. I see that you James."
For once in his life James Monroe was speechless. James stood still for a second as the pegasus climbed off his back.
"I need to think." he said quietly. Then he stepped outside into the falling snow.

James ran his hand along the fading paint of the Fairlane and retrieved the key from his pocket he inserted it into the lock and tried the key and to his dismay the lock was frozen. He removed the glove from his right hand and revealed the silvery appendage underneath. He pressed it to the lock to begin heating it. Seconds later he tried the key again and the door opened. He wasted no time in pulling out the center console and pulling out the small black box that lay in the floor. Written on masking tape in black marker was for letters. O.W.E.N. James unplugged it and took it inside placing it on the table. He put the earpiece into his ear and flipped the small silver switch on the side and waited.
"Owen?" he asked.
Nothing...then.
"Good to hear your voice again sir." replied the AI with a British accent.
"Same to you. Give the status on the Fairlane."
"Not good sir. The wheels are melted, and the body is starting to rust. If you don't do anything to it, it will get worse.
"Figures." James muttered.
"Sir if I may."
"Go ahead."
"The other life form in the room. They seem to respect you in a way unseen before."
"Meaning?"
"They have feelings for you."
"I knew that."
"Do you return them."
"I'm not sure."
"Perhaps if you look into it more, maybe you will find your answer." James turned to Fluttershy and removed the earpiece.
"I thought about it."
"And?" she asked quietly.
"I think I feel the same."
Fluttershy's eyes went wide and her smile grew. That night they slept by the fire as it slowly faded long into the night.

Going out

James walked side by side with the pegasus as the two headed into town. Fluttershy went to a few market stalls and James walked around before spotting a lavender alicorn with a small green dragon on her back.
"Hey Twilight." he called.
"Oh, Hi James. How have you been?" she asked. James glanced back at Fluttershy.
"I've been doing just fine."
"You seem happier than usual."
"How so?"
"The whole soldier act is gone."
"Yeah, it is" the dragon put in.
"So."
"What changed?" Twilight asked. James smiled as Fluttershy walked up beside him wrapping a wing around him. Twilight and Spikes jaws fell open.
"Aw How Cute." said a low voice that seemed to come from nowhere. Twilight groaned.
"What do you want Discord?"
"I can't say hi to some friends?" the chaos lord asked as he appeared with a loud fanfare
"Your only here because you want something." Spike said with a scowl.
"Oh, you're no fun." Discord sighed. Then he turned to James. "You are getting to be a real thorn in my side." he said his tone dropping to threatening. "Move in with her fine, But THIS!" He said gesturing at the pair. "Is where I draw the line." James stared him down. The air crackled around him, and a gleaming golden axe appeared in his hand.
"You think you can stop me, Chaos Lord?" James asked.
"No. but I will warn you that if you get in my way," Discords eyes flashed dangerously. "I. Will. Make. You. Pay." then he was gone with a snap.

James let the axe vanish,
"Man is he annoying."
"He seemed very aggressive towards you." Twilight commented.
"It is no secret that Discord has also had feelings for me." Fluttershy replied.
"Makes sense why he hates me so much." James finished.
"I do admire him but I don't feel that way about him." Fluttershy put in.
"He may be reformed but I still don't trust the guy." James added.