The Greatest Day, No Matter What
"I can't believe it has already been a year. Time sure flies, doesn't it?" A meek laugh dances alone on the frozen winter air. Snowfall coating the world around the young stallion. The young pegasus draws in the frigid air and pushes it out in a shaky sigh, that signature goofy smile that always stuck around now sits shyly on the face of its abnormally silent owner. Sky Chaser sits in the silence, his haunches sat upon the cold of a metal bench, though he couldn't say he felt it more than the touch of the air against his blue coat. The gently tussles of the breeze rolled through occasionally, its flow pushing against the dead limbs of the tree that sat a few feet behind the pegasus. He lowers his head gently, looking into the snow-covered grass, a green that would usually be below his hooves now left as a powdery white cover.
The soft sparkles of the snow left by the shining of the sun gave him pause again and again. He would part his lips to speak time and time again, but only a huff of steam would leave before his mouth shut again. He reaches down, pushing a hoof gently into the snow and letting it sit. He shivers, the cold biting into his hoof for only a moment before he retracts his hoof, stuffing it into a warm jacket pocket. His eyes lay on the imprint of the hoof, his mind so silent as the seconds passing dig into him. A cold burn hits his eyelids, tears welling only to be pushed away by a warm touch. His hoof sits against his eyelid, letting the warmth bleed through for a second. Tucking his hoof away and raising his gaze, Sky struggles to find something prepare to say, a tenderness forming in his chest, nestled between his lungs.
"I miss you. I'm sure you know, but I do. More than I ever could have guessed. I-I, I'm sorry. Sorry you couldn't be here with us, the rest of the family and everyone from town this year." He pushes the breath out from his lungs steadily, his eyes locked onto the marble stone sat before him. Breathless, Sky mimics the words on his lips. "We all just," his voice fails suddenly, a sharp wind passing through him without a response, "miss you."
The silence is harsh. Tears form for every passing breath and shiver. The headstone sits as still as the dead of winter, a painful reality that eats at Sky. A reality that he'll never see that excited smile again. A reality where that laugh, that heartwarming laugh, will never grace the winter wind ever again. Sky's eyes traced over the engraving a thousand times in a heartbeat, his heart and soul just never accepting what he read.
Hot Chocolate. 'Cocoa'.
Sky falls before the headstone, his heart stopping in his throat with a sharp gasp and release. His head rests into the headstone, a shaky breath following in the icy wake. His body forces a single, solemn laugh as the greatest Hearths Warming plays again and again, a desperate need to relive it. The positives fall to their negative conclusions.
Hearths Warming morning, opening presents and playing with brand new toys. A blue pegasus and a brown earth pony, lost in the wake of merriment. Hearths Warming morning, the young stallions rushing into the room filled with lights and presents and the smell of freshly baked morning treats. The cheer falls away as Cocoa collapses before the tree. Panic and fear marring the anniversary of their greatest night.
Sharing a warm hug, watching the sky lighting explosions fill the dark night with color. The colts talk and laugh, the colors coating their smiling faces. Sharing a warm hug beneath the blankets, the stallions watch the fireworks from Cocoa's bedroom window. Soft and calm voices, one drenched in a poorly hidden worry while the other is weak and bedridden. They reminisce and laugh quietly, but it's all overshadowed by a silent thought. A sad, silent thought.
"I don't know how we're gonna do better next year." Sky's voice echos in his own head. His wings tucked in tightly as tears fell into the snow. A silent cry amongst the silent wind and the dampening snow.
"We will; I just know it." Cocoa's voice responded in an echo with a chuckle and a bright smile cross his face as he once tucked into Sky's side. Sky missed such a gesture so few years later. It was all still fresh, still burned into his mind, but he couldn't even entertain the thought of one day losing it.
"Oh, yeah? How so?"
"I don't know exactly, silly. I just do! No matter what."
"I like that: No matter what!"
Sky's voice found purchase in a meek sob; his eyes bound shut as the fur of his cheeks darkened. It was such a fresh wound, a promise he'd never get to keep. With every year Cocoa fell sicker, weakening until he could no longer stand. So many days lost to just keeping his best friend company, sharing tears and tales. Talk about new games they'd play together once Cocoa got better. Talk that would do nothing but soothe the young earth pony. Countless nights sleeping over, keeping Cocoa warm and comfortable.
Sky caught his breath, even with how shaky it had become. He hated every moment but cherished it with every ounce of his heart. Sky sat back onto his haunches, staring into the engraved name left in front of him. Sky only wanted to reach out and touch Cocoa once again, to hear his voice, and to breath him in one last time. But he knew. He knew with a torn heart and a reeling soul.
"It's been another year, another anniversary..." Sky spoke in a heartbroken voice, soft and wanting. "... I-I guess I'll need to make a list, huh? For Hearth Warming gifts, yeah?" He struggles to hold a smile, every muscle felt heavy and wrong, like they should be warped into a frown and nothing else. "I-I'll put you at the top of the list, Cocoa. Don't worry about that." He laughs, a sob breaking it and forcing him to compose himself, lest it all just take him again. Sky takes a shaky sigh and a sharp breath, blinking the tears out of his eyes quickly. "I hope to see you again, Cocoa. Next year... Or earlier, I-I don't mind." He awkwardly laughs, giving himself over to the ensuing silence. It felt like trying to stoke a fire in a pit of ash and dead coals. His smile had become fickle and weak, holding what was left with all of his strength.
The soft crunch of snow beneath hooves and a dry culling of murmurs surrounded the pegasus. Splotches of blue and brown standing at his back. A familiar hoof on his shoulder. The voices coming up muffled, sorrow laced into every word. Sorrow of a mother and father who had lost a son. Sorrow of friends so close that they had become blood by love. It all torn by a missing piece.
Sky's smile slowly fades, his muscles releasing their tension as he braces against the headstone. One last hug. One last act of love. Another year with Cocoa. Another anniversary passing by those two little colts. Another year hoping to make it better than the last. No matter what.
Author's Note
Merry Christmas everyone! I hope your holiday is happier than Anniversary! But don't you worry, because I'm not finished with Sky and Cocoa's story just yet ^3^
I've been sick, so the day after Christmas, I'll be triple checking and fixing anything me and my editor missed.