Aftermath

I wonder if this feeling ever goes away, I thought to myself as I made to walk up to the Royal Cemetery. Ever time I walk up here, it still feels fresh even though it's been four months. Lemon Hearts practically kicking my door down to tell me about our childhood friend being killed off like she was nothing. Like all she did for Equestria meant nothing. After all the times she saved us, it couldn't save her.

Lemon Hearts was one of the first of my friends to find out, since she worked at the castle and all. Makes me mad honestly, knowing someone could hurt someone as beautiful as Twilight and not even feel bad. And yes, I said beautiful. Nobody except Lemon Hearts knew my true feelings. That I was in love with Twilight. But enough reminiscing, today's a busy day.

My day started as they all do now: wake up, look at the picture of Twilight and I Spike took after Twi came to visit, kiss said picture, go downstairs and eat breakfast. In the middle of breakfast, Twinkleshine came down from our shared house. And let me tell ya, she looked pretty damn awful. Not that I looked better.

"There's some more food on the stove ", I say nodding to it.

She doesn't say anything, she never does anymore. Just nods a quick thank you at me and gets her breakfast. Remember when I said today started off as any other day? Yeah, not for much longer.

I zoned out over my oatmeal with honey and caramel chips that I almost Twinkleshine speak. It was so quiet, I thought I imagined it.

"When do we have to leave?", she asked quietly.

I did a doubletake, staring at her.

"It's good to hear your voice, I missed it." I said. "We have to leave in forty minutes. Lyra and Bon Bon are coming from Ponyville to watch. Moondancer and Lemon Hearts will join us also".

"You think it's kinda gross how many ponies are willingly coming to watch a bunch of other ponies get executed?" Twinkleshine asked.

I shrugged, "I guess. I don't think many would if it happened on a daily basis, but these are extraordinary times".

My friend nodded, half heartedly stirring her oat meal. She suddenly looked up at me.

"You loved her, didn't you?"

I choked on my oatmeal but did a good job at hiding it. I had to do damage control.

"Of course I loved her, she was one of my best friends. We all loved her", I said trying hard to hide my nervousness in my voice.

"That's not what I meant. I saw how you looked at her. We are your friends, you could have trusted us with this. Hell, Lyra is marrying Bon Bon next month. Nopony would have judged you".

I sighed and finally made eye contact with her. "I wasn't afraid of that. I was afraid of how others would have reacted. That they would hurt her". I laughed bitterly. "So much for that, right?"

Twinkleshine remained quiet, watching me pour my heart out to her. While Lemon Hearts was my favorite friend out of our group, Twinkleshine had been a close second. Twilight didn't count of course, she was a love interest not a friend friend, if you get me.

I felt something wipe my tears away that I wasn't even aware I had cried. Twinkleshine set down a washcloth next to her and hugged me. "You can always tell her"

"Telling her grave won't be the same".

"But it might help", Twinkleshine pressured.

We sat there, hugging until it was time to go.

When we arrived at the arena, it was a mess. Royal Guards standing watch for rowdy ponies or ponies who were gonna show open support for the ones who killed Twilight. I glanced into the guard house nearby and saw a blue Pegasus with rainbow hair beating a earth pony inside. I guess the guards found a troublemaker and were punished him. I can't shake the feeling that blue Pegasus looked so familiar.

"You ready to go inside?"

I didn't even notice Lyra had appeared next to me. I gave her a hug which she returned, squeezing the hell out of me. She was always a strong hugger. I nodded.

All of us walked in. No amount of preparing could have got us ready for what we saw.

Princess Celestia was sitting on her throne, overlooking the arena. Sitting next to her was Luna, Cadence, a unfamiliar orange unicorn with fiery hair and a grey Pegasus with a bubble cutie mark. I didn't realize until Bon Bon pointed out days later, there was another one of her and Lyra over there too. Strange, but not the weirdest thing to happen I suppose.

I almost lost my breakfast multiple times, though I'll never admit it to the others. I never thought I'd see so many fellow ponies get killed in front of me, let alone hear ponies cheering as it happened. An earth pony died by a thousand cuts. A Pegasus had her wings taken off and bleed out. Horrific stuff. Probably the worst (and most shocking) was when a member of Celestia's own Royal Guards was marched out there. He looked pretty beat up, black eye cuts all over. The worst injury tho, was a broken horn. I fought the urge to touch my own horn. For unicorns, getting your horn broken is the most painful thing ever.

I didn't realize how quiet it was in the arena when the guard was escorted in. What i did notice, was how creepily his coat almost matched Twinkleshine. Glancing back, I noticed Bon Bon studying Twinkleshine hard, who was just sitting tense staring ahead. Why, I have no idea. After the executions were done, we went out ways. Lyra and Bon Bon had a hotel to get to downtown near me and Twinkleshines shared home. Lemon Hearts went to sleep and Moondancer went out drinking. For the tenth time this week.

Stepping into the home, I sighed.

"Pretty horrific stuff." I heard Twinkleshine comment. I nodded.

"Did you notice that Royal Guard? I don't think I'll ever look at them the same again." I said idly. I noticed Twinkleshine get slightly tense but I was too tired to ask why. I started to head upstairs.

"Wait".

I slowly came back down and stared at Twinkleshine. Unexpectedly, she kissed me and stared at me with half lidded eyes. I didn't know what to but my body took over and kissed back. After a eternity, she pulled back.

"What was that for?" I questioned.

"Something I wanted to do for a long time", she said. "Please don't hate me".

I thought about this and then kissed her. We slowly worked our way upstairs and fell onto a bed. Who's I don't remember, I think mine. I don't really remember much after, all I remember was my moans, her screams and us both panting in unison afterwards. Twinkleshine was cuddled up next to me, her head laying on my stomach as she slept quietly. I never really thought about her this way but tonight changed things.

Please don't hate me Twilight, I thought to myself.

I could never hate you, a voice suddenly appeared in my mind.

I shot open my eyes, thinking she was in my room.

Why didn't you tell me, I heard the voice again. Closing my eyes, I saw Twilight standing there in my mind.

I was afraid, I thought. Twilight sighed softly and walked up to me and rested her head on mine. I'm bi you know, I heard her say in my head. I loved you too. She pulled away and smiled.

Will you stay here with me, I asked in my thoughts. Twilight stood for a moment and nodded. For hour long, I asked.

For however long you want, she promised.

Please stay forever I begged in my mind. Please don't leave me.

Twilight smiled sadly, I won't leave you ever again I heard echo in my head.

I smiled happily and hummed.

I want you and Twinkleshine to be happy. For me, she said. I stared and after a moment nodded. If I have your permission, I will I said. And she nodded, kissing my forehead.

Tell Twinkleshine I don't blame her, I heard echoing in my head which confused me.

Blame her for what, I asked.

It's up to her to tell, not me was the response I got. Twilight sighed and said, now sleep Minnie. Remember I will always love you and watch over you.

I smiled and nodded, opened my eyes, rubbed Twinkleshines mane, pulled a blanket over us and fell asleep.

The next morning, in bed I told Twinkleshine, "Twilight doesn't blame you for what happened" and she burst into tears.

Everytime I fell asleep, Twilight was in my mind talking to me.

I finished the long walk up to Twilights grave. I touched it with a hoof, gave it a gentle kiss and said, "Twilight I love you".