Youby Willow NightSong24ChaptersPrologueChapter 1: Sweet As SugarChapter 2: The Cracks And ShattersPrologueIt’s my first day at work. My first full-time job as an actual adult mare and I couldn’t be more excited. I can’t be any more exuberant than I am now. I will finally earn my own income, I have my own loft apartment in the big, glorious city of Manehattan, the city for opportunities. My parents, who are furious at me for not living the life they planned out for me, made it clear that I was a foal for buying an apartment before I had a stable job, but in all honesty, it was the last apartment of my dreams available for rent and this job could have the potential to have amazing pay. Potential. That’s all my life has been for as long as I can remember. Full of potential opportunities that I foalishly pass up. Well, foalish is the word my parents, two prestigious and powerful unicorns, use, but it wasn’t foalish. I didn’t want to go to the School for Gifted Unicorns and be the top student like they were, hopefully becoming a royal mage for the Princess'. To live their failed dreams. To eventually marry one of my own, a unicorn, and have unicorn foals that I raise to live my failed dreams. No, I don't want any of that. I want to be a writer. A creative one. I want to live my own life. But, even though I've wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember, that this is my destiny, I simply can’t shake the feeling that I’ve done something wrong. Something terrible. That I’ve made a catastrophic mistake. Mistakes. I’ve made a lifetime of mistakes. Not just in the eyes of my parents, but in the eyes of myself. I made mistakes and have a bundle load of regrets. I’ve misjudged the situations I’ve been put in and I’ve crashed and burned for it. I mean, I was a teenager once. I've made the mistakes all teenagers make when growing up with incredibly strict parents. But I can’t help but think that right now, at this very moment, my parents were right. This is a mistake. Perhaps this was ridiculous and foalish, thinking that I could make it here in this savage city and accomplish all my far-fetched dreams with a job I just acquired last week. Dreams. I have dreams. A lot of them. Maybe too many, at least that’s what my parents say. But really, I only have three dreams. Finding the love of my life. Being the best-selling author in Manehattan. And to make a difference in this sad and ugly world. But, as my parents would say, within every dream are a million little ones. A million little ones make up one big picture and every dream in the world, every wish, every lurking regret hanging in the shadows of our minds, just make one simple dream. A happy life. We all dream of a happy life, just in different ways. Just in a million different little ways. But as I trot into the office as a new publisher, that’s where I see you. You were just standing there levitating a stack of papers in your magic, talking with a coworker I barely even notice and for some reason, I can’t take my eyes off of you. Your lips. Your dirty blonde mane with light blue highlights. Your smile. Your light blue eyes. Everything about you makes me feel uneasy. Nervous. New. Awakened. But something more happens while I stare at you. Something different than just your looks catches my eye. The more I look at you, the more I know. It is the fact that now every single mistake I've ever made, every regret I have, every missed opportunity my parents claim, every doubt that I'm not meant to do this doesn’t even matter anymore, because as I look at you, it all dissipates into nothing like it never existed. And as I stare at you, I know I have just found my first dream, I just need it to come true. To do anything to accomplish the million little dreams it takes for this one dream to come true. To break down every wall, to eliminate any person or thing that threatens to keep us apart. Because the only thing I dream about now isn't to be a writer, `isn't t live in my ideal apartment, or live a life separate from my parents. It's to be with you. I take a deep breath as I slowly continue to trot into the office, never able to take my eyes off of you. And then you turn around, and my heart stops. You glance up at me, and just like that, not only have I forgotten every mistake, every regret, every missed opportunity, every doubt, I’ve now forgotten every dream, every wish, and every desire, except for you. You smile up at me, and time stops running. I stop moving. I just stare into your eyes, and I feel I can just stand here for eternity, just staring into them. I feel as if I’m just a flimsy piece of metal, and I can’t seem to resist the pull of the magnet. You. And then you trot up to me and I can’t seem to stop the urge to kiss you, to hold you, to feel every expanse, every hill and valley of your broad chest. The desire in me is unbearable. The only thing keeping me from slamming into your big, firm, body and feeling your massive hooves around me is the fact that I still need this job. I still need to pay rent and eat. But even that’s barely enough. You stop in front of me and when you speak to me, my entire mind goes silent. The chaotic storm of doubts and worries swirling through every part of me ceases to exist. It’s like you spoke and the waters, equestria, the Princesses themselves, stop to listen to your commands. To what you have to say. I know I do. You speak, but I can’t focus on what you’re saying. I just stare at your big massive lips, your honest blue eyes, and your big, broad, comforting hooves. Oh, how I long to feel them wrap around me, feel your warm heat engulf me like a blanket. “Oh, you must be the new hire…oh, don’t tell me….” At this point, I don’t care if you don’t remember my name right now. I just hope you’ll know soon. “Willow Dreams!” You exclaim, pointing a hoof at me. You seem so happy to remember my name, I almost don’t have the heart to correct you. But the longing to hear my name come through those amazing lips of yours eradicates any guilt for pointing out your mistakes. “I-it’s Winter B-Breeze, actually.” I stutter out nervously. “Ohh, Winter Breeze, right,” Oh dear sweet Celestia, say it again, say it again, oh please say it again! I can feel myself withering inside as seconds pass without you saying my name. “I’m Sand Streak, nice to meet you.” Author's Note This is my first fanfic. It's roughly based on the Netflix show "You". If it gets any views, I'll continue writing it. Chapter 1: Sweet As SugarSand Streak. Your name slips through my mind as if it’s meant to be there. Every wall I spent years putting up, your name bypasses them all. It slides right into place in my mess of a brain, and it’s the one sure thing in my life. Your name clicks, and I know it’s meant to be there, and never leave. It’s my lifeboat in the unrelenting storm that clouds my mind. “I’m part of the management department.” You say with the sweetest smile ever to exist. My heart beats in my chest so hard it vibrates throughout my whole body. That smile can light the world up and banish darkness like the Elements of Harmony. And it’s all the better because that smile, that beautiful, darkness-banishing, authentic smile is just for me and me alone. I don’t feel worthy, but I can’t let it slip from me either. Seeing your smile, it’s all I need to brighten up my morning You hold out your hoof and I hesitate, not sure if I grasp it, I’ll be able to let it go. But, you just stand there, waiting. I give a small smile and grab your extended hoof. It’s warm, and a little calloused, as though you don’t only work at this company, but you work with your hooves elsewhere. My breath catches, and I perhaps grip it a little tighter than necessary. “No need to be nervous,” You continue with a small chuckle and my racing heart suddenly stops. That laugh, it’s like a string of bells just happy to be ringing. My knees only weaken. “We’re all cool here.” At my confused look, you continue. “I can feel your hoof shaking.” I chuckle nervously, my face blushing like an idiot, trying to think of something, anything, to say, but just looking at you and knowing that you can feel my hand trembling, blanks my mind. I suddenly feel shy and my stomach twists with nerves, like if I say the wrong thing, you’ll leave me, and I cannot let that happen. “G-good to know,” I stutter out, grasping at anything to say, though my tongue feels heavy in my mouth. Well, anything but that. Seriously, couldn’t I think of anything better to say? “Right,” You feel a bit awkward, I can tell. You rub the back of your neck with your hoof. “Anyway, you’re our new editor, right?” I simply nod, at a loss of words. “Well, the chief editor is out sick today, again. Do your job well, and you might just replace him.” You wink, chuckling again, and I try to chuckle too, but it’s no match compared to yours. It’s awkward and weird, and feels so out of place, while yours is natural and beautiful. To be honest, everything of mine is so plain compared to you. My very boring white coat, and my multi-shaded blue and white mane. There is nothing too spectacular about me. You, on the other hoof, are something very special indeed. The way your blue eyes seem to have flecks of gold if I look closely enough. How, at just the right angle of the light, the blue specks in your mane seem to shimmer and sparkle like tinsel. Everything about you is absolutely…beautiful. “Oh?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. You just smile, shaking your head. “Not important. Anyway, normally, since we’re always ahead it seems, we just leave it alone until he comes back the next day. However, you’re here, and you have no idea what you’re doing, so somebody needs to sub in so you can shadow them.” I rub the back of my neck, at a loss for words. I’ll be shadowing you. I’ll be next to you all day, hearing the smooth, rich voice of yours. A small smile spreads across my lips. And here, as you’d be in a different department, I thought I’d barely get to see you. Don’t worry my love, I would’ve figured something out. And which gives me an idea. I just hope this works. “Hey, Winter,” You call from behind me. Of course, I knew you were behind me, but I pretend to be startled all the same. I couldn’t take my eyes off you all day, drinking in your sandy coat color, watching the way the blue specks in your main and tail sparkle, your light blue eyes. I struggled to learn anything you taught me because I was focused solely on you. Taking in every detail, no matter how small, how minute. The more I’m around you, the more my love for you grows into something special, unique, and unbreakable. However, despite looking and watching you all day, only looking away to act as if I was watching what you were demonstrating when you’d glance at me, I don’t have to fake the way my breath catches in my throat, the way my heart pounds and races so hard, I swear to both Celestia and Luna you can hear it. I put my hoof to my chest in fake surprise, as though that alone can dim the burning attraction I feel for you. Do you feel it too? The magnetic pull we seem to share, continuously drawing us closer and closer to each other until there is no longer a you or me, only an us? Because, you and me were incomplete before we met each other, but as soon as our gazes met, we clicked as one, making each other whole. “Winter?” You ask, concern filling your voice. “H-huh?” I only now realize I must’ve gotten lost thinking of you, forgetting to listen to you. “You didn’t hear me?” I shake my head in response, discreetly rubbing my lips together. “I was asking if you wanted to go to the new hire party. It’s a tradition for all new hires, but really, it’s just an excuse for all the employees to get drunk.” You add with a light chuckle. “Right, are you going?” I ask cautiously, hoping like Tartarus you do. Just as you're about to answer and I’ll hear that melodic voice coming through your, a unicorn mare bounces up to your side and pecks your cheek, before setting a hoof on your back. My once happy mood quickly diminishes into anger when I see her all over you, my colt. All over the love of my life. My anger takes no time to build, spiking like a heart attack until all I see is red. You’re mine, and nothing, especially some cotton candy bubble mare, is going to change that. I study her, taking in her every detail. You know the saying, keep your friends close, your enemies closer. She has her kinky curly purple mane in pigtails with light pink beads upon each one and there is a light blue streak that’s a little lighter than yours running down each one. She has blunt bangs that are longer on the sides to frame her face. Her coat is a light purple that almost looks pink and has white flecks on it. Her light blue eyes are the same shade as yours. Her cutie mark is a red balloon in the shape of a heart with a black smiley face. Probably earned it by stealing her best friend’s coltfriend or something. “Of course he’s going,” She says in a bubbly voice making my jaw clench. I try not to glower at her and try to keep my feelings towards her to myself until I can properly talk to her alone for your sake, but I don’t think I’m doing a good job of that. “Cause he knows he doesn’t get out enough.” You awkwardly untangle yourself out of her possessive hold. “Remember what I told you about work environment courtesy, sugar. Personal space. No one wants to see you all over me.” I nearly roll my eyes. Yeah, no kiddin’. Though, it’s kind of hard to take you seriously when you’re calling her ‘sugar’. But ‘sugar’ simply scoffs, waving away your concerns. “Oh please, chillax, Streaky.” Ugh, she calls you Streaky? “Everyone here knows you’re my bro. And that we are definitely not in a relationship, especially since I have my own colt friend.” I blink, my anger quickly dissipating into shock and embarrassment, and my face is suddenly feeling very warm. No, that can’t be right. Can it? “Excuse Streaky. He’s as straight as a ruler. Anyway, I’m Sugar Heart, Streaky’s twin sister. And you must be the new hire. Winter Breeze, right?” I just stare at her, sure that my cheeks are flushing a bright red. I just continue to blink, my stare switching between you and Sugar Heart. Twin sister? They’re twins? I stare at the two of you, finally seeing the similarities that should’ve hinted at some familial relationship. The same shade of eyes the two of you have. The light blue streak she has in her mane is just a shade lighter than yours. The same eye shape. Dear sweet Celestia, what in Tartarus is wrong with me? I just called your sister my enemy and pictured banging her head into the wall for thinking she can just come in and take you, my soulmate, away from me, when, in truth, she’s had you since birth, and has you even after she dies. Of course, they’re not in a relationship. At this point, I just want to curl in a ball on my bed and die. Sensing my uncomfortableness, you let out a small chuckle. “Yeah, you’re not the first to think we’re in a relationship before knowing we’re twins. I keep telling her it’s inappropriate, especially at work, but Sugar is about as stubborn as a mule sometimes.” I open my mouth to chuckle nervously too, but no sound comes out except for a small, low whimpering as my lips shake, another realization coming to me. That’s why you called her ‘sugar’. It’s her damn name. I give you a shaky smile, not sure what else to say or do. Sugar Heart just keeps staring at me with a huge smile I have a feeling is eternal while you awkwardly clear your throat. “Anyway, about the party, you don’t really–” “Of course she’s going! I mean, how else is she going to make new friends?” Sugar Heart interrupts as though it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “I mean, can you imagine how miserable it’d be to be in a work environment with no friends!” You chuckle and shake your head as if thinking how in the world you expected anything else from your sister. Your sister, not your marefriend. Sugar Heart grabs my hoof and pulls me to the door. “N-now?” I ask, completely caught off guard. I look at my watch and see it’s already four in the evening. “Of course now! We don’t want to miss happy hour. C’mon Streaky, get your tail over here. We are not going to be late because of you.” Author's Note Winter's jealousy reincarnated from my frustrations as an only child. Anyway, that's chapter 1. Yes, I know I changed the chapter title, but I felt as I went on with the story, the way it ended was good and the title didn't really fit. Chapter 2's going to take a little longer because I need to do a little research for it and I have finals coming up and a job to go to, unfortunately. But, I got the rough outline of what's going to be in that chapter. While the prologue and chapter 1 were more about setting the base, chapter 2 is where it's going to start to get...messy. Anyway, have a good weekend everyone, and I'll post sneak peeks here and there of chapter 2, so be on the lookout. P.S.: And yes, I did use some lyrics from the fan song 'Fluttershy's Music Box' by TheLostNarrator. If you didn't spot them, listen to her song and see if you can find them. Chapter 2: The Cracks And Shatters"Here we are!" Sugar Heart announces as soon as we walk in. Okay...not what I was expecting. I was sure this party would be at a pub or bar of some sort, I mean, this is a work party after all. Instead, I'm greeted with the blasting music that'll burst your eardrums the second you step in, the strong scent of alcohol and vomit, and the strobing flashing lights that can only be found in an underground nightclub. I glance around, but it's hard to see anything, the only source of light in this place being the flashing lights that seem deadset on blinding anypony unlucky enough to glance upwards. Bodies grind together on the dance floor, ponies reaching for their drinks on the bars for a sip without missing a beat. Deep bass floods my ears, my heart pounding to the beat. The smell of smoke assaults my nostrils, making me cough and clear my throat. I take a step closer to you, the crowd making me uncertain and uneasy. I've never been too good with crowds. Ironic, considering how I grew up. "Sugar Heart!" You scold, drawing my attention back to you. I can never keep my attention from you for very long. "What are we doing here?" Sugar Heart looks confused. "What do you mean? This is where the party's at." You hit you hoof against your forehead, groaning a bit with irritation. "Sugar Heart, this is against so many work protocols, it's not even funny. Do you have any idea what corporate would do if they found out we were holding a work event here?" "It's not a work event though," Sugar Heart responds with a sly smile, before shrugging casually. "I'm allowed to invite my friends who just happen to be my coworkers to an evening of fun in an underground nightclub. Corporate can't tell me what I can and can't do in my free time." She winks at us, before noticing somepony and gasping. "Oh, Winter, there's somepony I want you to meet." Sugar Heart grabs my hoof and drags me through the crowd, pulling me farther away from you. I stare at you for as long as I can before you're swallowed up by the crowd. Sugar Heart somehow travels through the crowd seamlessly, like a missile through water, while I'm bumping into anypony and everypony, feeling like I'm standing in the middle of a stampede and I'm barely able to stay on my hooves. She stops in front of a dark blue stallion pegasus with black eyes and a black mane, looking down at us with a glare mixed with a little bit of...is that pity? Why is he looking at us with pity? Sugar Heart, bless her heart, gives him a tight hug with all her strength. Once they separate, Sugar Heart starts introductions. "Rainy, this is Streaky and I's new coworker, Winter Breeze. Winter, this is my amazing coltfriend of two years, Rainy Night." My jaw drops, I can't help it. This is Sugar Heart's coltfriend. There are just so many differences, it's impossible to list them all. To start with, Rainy Night is just so...gothic while your sister is just so...not gothic. Actually, she's quite the opposite of gothic. She's every goth's nightmare. I mean, she's a lot like one of those element bearers my father likes so much. I think she's the element of laughter or something. The hyperactive one. That's your sister. And Rainy Night just looks like he'd prefer to stand out in the rain...at night...like his name. "I know," Sugar Heart says when she sees my expression, nuzzling Rainy Night affectionately. "We seem like complete opposites on the surface, but we have a lot in common." "We're both misjudged by our looks." Rainy Night states in a dreadfully dull tone, with no emotion whatsoever. "Oh...he's just so deep," Sugar Heart says in a seductive voice I don't want to hear from anypony else again but you. "Sugar has helped me become more expressive with my emotions." Again in the dreadfully dull tone. I hesitate, unsure of what to say at this point. "And you're feeling..." I trail off, motioning with my hoof for him to continue. "Esctatic that my marefriend has come to save me from the death complete boredom in this dreadful place tried to put me in. Can't you tell?" Rainy Night says in such a dull tone that almost seems to be bordering on irritation, that if I wasn't taking Sugar Heart's word for how 'deep' he is, I would've mistaken it for sarcasm. Oh well, to each their own I suppose. I mean, you and I just met this morning and I already know we're meant to be eternal partners. Who am I to judge? You then walk up to us, levitating four drinks in your magical grip, saving me from having to answer that question. Oh, you've only been gone for five minutes but dear sweet Celestia, I've missed you. You're like an oasis in the desert I've been trapped in for weeks, with only memories of you serving as drops of water to sustain me until we'd meet again. I can't imagine how hard it'll be when I'll have to go home and we must separate. You give me a smirk and my heart thumps heavily in my chest. You hand me a drink, which leaves your light blue magical aura and enters mine which is a couple of shades lighter than yours, bordering on white. Wow, even our magical auras are similar. If that doesn't scream soulmates, I don't know what will. "I see you met my sister's coltfriend." You say with a chuckle, making my heart swoon all over again. "I...uh...I...umm...y-ya..." I stutter, not quite sure how to answer without being rude, all the while my tongue is heavy and my mind is speechless, simply from the spell you put on me by just being in your presence. You chuckle again, rubbing the back of your neck with your hoof, levitating two drinks over to Sugar Heart and Rainy Night. "Yeah, I was confused too. Still am, but Sugar seems happy and Rainy says he's happy so...I guess I can't complain." A new song comes on and Sugar Heart gasps, grabbing both sides of Rainy Night's face with her hooves, looking into his face with the biggest smile in the world, setting her drink down on the bar with her magic. "Oooh ooh! Rainy, I know you don't like to dance and you're not a fan of crowds, but please please please dance with me just this once? I love this song! Please!" Rainy Night rolls his eyes and sets his drink on the bar too before taking Sugar Heart's hoof and leading her to the corner of the dance floor at the edge of the dancing crowd. I stare at them, shocked, but pleasantly understanding. On the surface, they look like a couple that'll barely last a week, let alone two years, but watching them now, it's clear how they've made it this long. Compromise. Lots of compromises. One pony doesn't take all or give all. They're the perfect example of a give-and-take relationship. You and I are left alone and I can't help but wonder: will we be that in love? I have no doubt we're meant to be together, that you're meant to be mine and I'm meant to be yours but what if you don't see it? What if you do all you can to deny it until it's too late? I shake my head. No. I can't have that doubt. I can't think like that. You're mine and I'm yours and I'll make you see that through in means possible. "Those two make an...interesting couple. I mean, he's so gloomy and your sister's so..." "Spastic?" You say with a light chuckle. "Yeah, I know, but even though I don't understand him, I'm glad she has him and I'm happy for her. In high school, the other foals used to call her Spaz and it'd get to her. The other foals used to make fun of her a lot, and she struggled with it. She'd often hide her personality, but seeing her be herself with someone so different just shows how far she's come. Of course, it helps that he accepts her the way she is and loves her for her." "Yeah. I'm sorry about what your sister went through though." "Eh," He waved a hoof dismissively. "She's over it. Kinda. What about you? Got any siblings?" "Oh, me?" I chuckle nervously. "No. I've always wanted a little sister, but...it never happened. It's just me, my dad, and my...mom." My hooves become sweaty, but this time it isn't because of you "Where's mommy?" I squeeze my eyes shut, squeezing them so tightly it blocks out the blinding flashing lights instead of blocking out the unwanted scene trying to play in my mind. No no no. Not here, not now. "It's been two years sweety. We need to move on..." "But...but...I want Mommy! Where's mommy?! She's going to come back. I know she will. I know she-" "Winter?" You cast the unbidden memory from my mind simply by the sound of your voice. I look up at you, coming back to reality, and notice the concerned look on your face. I take a deep breath, clearing my mind, and focusing solely on you. Your mane, your coat, your beautiful smile and laugh, until the thoughts of you consume me, until you consume me. "Are you okay? You look pale." You ask, putting a hoof to my forehead. I try to smile, but it's weak and frail, exactly how I feel. Like the smallest gust of wind made from the flap of a pegasus wing, is going to go blow me over. I levitate the drink you gave me early when my smile clearly doesn't convince you I'm fine, and I take a sip, before chugging the whole thing, desperate for that tingly buzz that comes from the soothing alcohol. The drink, a margarita, burns a bit going down my throat, but soon the tingly warmth flows throughout my body, relaxing it and a slightly lopsided smile appears on my face. I slowly levitate the glass to the bar while you just stare at me, your concern deepening. "Are you sure you're okay?" "Yeah yeah yeah. I'm fine. I just...zoned out a bit. Didn't sleep well, that's all." You hesitate, knowing you can't force me to say what I don't want to, you simply say, "Right," making it clear you don't believe me. But that's okay, because I know you're patient. You understand. I don't know how and I don't know why, but I will find out. Just like how one day, I'll share with you every detail of my past life, you'll with me yours. All you need is a little time to trust me, to feel comfortable with me, just like what I need to do with you. But that's okay because we have all eternity to figure it out. Well, that's what I think until your blabbering sister trots up to us with her coltfriend by her side, looking around as though looking for somepony, but when she finds none, she looks at you with a confused expression. "Where's Rose, is she coming? I thought you said she was coming?" You shake your head. "Nah, she said she was, but, she was feeling under the weather so she decided to stay home." Feeling out of the loop, and hating it, I look between you and Sugar Heart. "Rose? Is that another sister of yours?" You shake your head. "No, Ocean Rose is my wife." And just like that, my entire world shatters. Author's Note Okay, I know I said that Chapter Two would get messy, but I just kinda followed where the story wanted to take me & it felt like this was the best natural direction for it. & I thought this was the perfect way to end it. But I promise, chapter three will get messy. For real this time.
PrologueIt’s my first day at work. My first full-time job as an actual adult mare and I couldn’t be more excited. I can’t be any more exuberant than I am now. I will finally earn my own income, I have my own loft apartment in the big, glorious city of Manehattan, the city for opportunities. My parents, who are furious at me for not living the life they planned out for me, made it clear that I was a foal for buying an apartment before I had a stable job, but in all honesty, it was the last apartment of my dreams available for rent and this job could have the potential to have amazing pay. Potential. That’s all my life has been for as long as I can remember. Full of potential opportunities that I foalishly pass up. Well, foalish is the word my parents, two prestigious and powerful unicorns, use, but it wasn’t foalish. I didn’t want to go to the School for Gifted Unicorns and be the top student like they were, hopefully becoming a royal mage for the Princess'. To live their failed dreams. To eventually marry one of my own, a unicorn, and have unicorn foals that I raise to live my failed dreams. No, I don't want any of that. I want to be a writer. A creative one. I want to live my own life. But, even though I've wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember, that this is my destiny, I simply can’t shake the feeling that I’ve done something wrong. Something terrible. That I’ve made a catastrophic mistake. Mistakes. I’ve made a lifetime of mistakes. Not just in the eyes of my parents, but in the eyes of myself. I made mistakes and have a bundle load of regrets. I’ve misjudged the situations I’ve been put in and I’ve crashed and burned for it. I mean, I was a teenager once. I've made the mistakes all teenagers make when growing up with incredibly strict parents. But I can’t help but think that right now, at this very moment, my parents were right. This is a mistake. Perhaps this was ridiculous and foalish, thinking that I could make it here in this savage city and accomplish all my far-fetched dreams with a job I just acquired last week. Dreams. I have dreams. A lot of them. Maybe too many, at least that’s what my parents say. But really, I only have three dreams. Finding the love of my life. Being the best-selling author in Manehattan. And to make a difference in this sad and ugly world. But, as my parents would say, within every dream are a million little ones. A million little ones make up one big picture and every dream in the world, every wish, every lurking regret hanging in the shadows of our minds, just make one simple dream. A happy life. We all dream of a happy life, just in different ways. Just in a million different little ways. But as I trot into the office as a new publisher, that’s where I see you. You were just standing there levitating a stack of papers in your magic, talking with a coworker I barely even notice and for some reason, I can’t take my eyes off of you. Your lips. Your dirty blonde mane with light blue highlights. Your smile. Your light blue eyes. Everything about you makes me feel uneasy. Nervous. New. Awakened. But something more happens while I stare at you. Something different than just your looks catches my eye. The more I look at you, the more I know. It is the fact that now every single mistake I've ever made, every regret I have, every missed opportunity my parents claim, every doubt that I'm not meant to do this doesn’t even matter anymore, because as I look at you, it all dissipates into nothing like it never existed. And as I stare at you, I know I have just found my first dream, I just need it to come true. To do anything to accomplish the million little dreams it takes for this one dream to come true. To break down every wall, to eliminate any person or thing that threatens to keep us apart. Because the only thing I dream about now isn't to be a writer, `isn't t live in my ideal apartment, or live a life separate from my parents. It's to be with you. I take a deep breath as I slowly continue to trot into the office, never able to take my eyes off of you. And then you turn around, and my heart stops. You glance up at me, and just like that, not only have I forgotten every mistake, every regret, every missed opportunity, every doubt, I’ve now forgotten every dream, every wish, and every desire, except for you. You smile up at me, and time stops running. I stop moving. I just stare into your eyes, and I feel I can just stand here for eternity, just staring into them. I feel as if I’m just a flimsy piece of metal, and I can’t seem to resist the pull of the magnet. You. And then you trot up to me and I can’t seem to stop the urge to kiss you, to hold you, to feel every expanse, every hill and valley of your broad chest. The desire in me is unbearable. The only thing keeping me from slamming into your big, firm, body and feeling your massive hooves around me is the fact that I still need this job. I still need to pay rent and eat. But even that’s barely enough. You stop in front of me and when you speak to me, my entire mind goes silent. The chaotic storm of doubts and worries swirling through every part of me ceases to exist. It’s like you spoke and the waters, equestria, the Princesses themselves, stop to listen to your commands. To what you have to say. I know I do. You speak, but I can’t focus on what you’re saying. I just stare at your big massive lips, your honest blue eyes, and your big, broad, comforting hooves. Oh, how I long to feel them wrap around me, feel your warm heat engulf me like a blanket. “Oh, you must be the new hire…oh, don’t tell me….” At this point, I don’t care if you don’t remember my name right now. I just hope you’ll know soon. “Willow Dreams!” You exclaim, pointing a hoof at me. You seem so happy to remember my name, I almost don’t have the heart to correct you. But the longing to hear my name come through those amazing lips of yours eradicates any guilt for pointing out your mistakes. “I-it’s Winter B-Breeze, actually.” I stutter out nervously. “Ohh, Winter Breeze, right,” Oh dear sweet Celestia, say it again, say it again, oh please say it again! I can feel myself withering inside as seconds pass without you saying my name. “I’m Sand Streak, nice to meet you.” Author's Note This is my first fanfic. It's roughly based on the Netflix show "You". If it gets any views, I'll continue writing it.
Chapter 1: Sweet As SugarSand Streak. Your name slips through my mind as if it’s meant to be there. Every wall I spent years putting up, your name bypasses them all. It slides right into place in my mess of a brain, and it’s the one sure thing in my life. Your name clicks, and I know it’s meant to be there, and never leave. It’s my lifeboat in the unrelenting storm that clouds my mind. “I’m part of the management department.” You say with the sweetest smile ever to exist. My heart beats in my chest so hard it vibrates throughout my whole body. That smile can light the world up and banish darkness like the Elements of Harmony. And it’s all the better because that smile, that beautiful, darkness-banishing, authentic smile is just for me and me alone. I don’t feel worthy, but I can’t let it slip from me either. Seeing your smile, it’s all I need to brighten up my morning You hold out your hoof and I hesitate, not sure if I grasp it, I’ll be able to let it go. But, you just stand there, waiting. I give a small smile and grab your extended hoof. It’s warm, and a little calloused, as though you don’t only work at this company, but you work with your hooves elsewhere. My breath catches, and I perhaps grip it a little tighter than necessary. “No need to be nervous,” You continue with a small chuckle and my racing heart suddenly stops. That laugh, it’s like a string of bells just happy to be ringing. My knees only weaken. “We’re all cool here.” At my confused look, you continue. “I can feel your hoof shaking.” I chuckle nervously, my face blushing like an idiot, trying to think of something, anything, to say, but just looking at you and knowing that you can feel my hand trembling, blanks my mind. I suddenly feel shy and my stomach twists with nerves, like if I say the wrong thing, you’ll leave me, and I cannot let that happen. “G-good to know,” I stutter out, grasping at anything to say, though my tongue feels heavy in my mouth. Well, anything but that. Seriously, couldn’t I think of anything better to say? “Right,” You feel a bit awkward, I can tell. You rub the back of your neck with your hoof. “Anyway, you’re our new editor, right?” I simply nod, at a loss of words. “Well, the chief editor is out sick today, again. Do your job well, and you might just replace him.” You wink, chuckling again, and I try to chuckle too, but it’s no match compared to yours. It’s awkward and weird, and feels so out of place, while yours is natural and beautiful. To be honest, everything of mine is so plain compared to you. My very boring white coat, and my multi-shaded blue and white mane. There is nothing too spectacular about me. You, on the other hoof, are something very special indeed. The way your blue eyes seem to have flecks of gold if I look closely enough. How, at just the right angle of the light, the blue specks in your mane seem to shimmer and sparkle like tinsel. Everything about you is absolutely…beautiful. “Oh?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. You just smile, shaking your head. “Not important. Anyway, normally, since we’re always ahead it seems, we just leave it alone until he comes back the next day. However, you’re here, and you have no idea what you’re doing, so somebody needs to sub in so you can shadow them.” I rub the back of my neck, at a loss for words. I’ll be shadowing you. I’ll be next to you all day, hearing the smooth, rich voice of yours. A small smile spreads across my lips. And here, as you’d be in a different department, I thought I’d barely get to see you. Don’t worry my love, I would’ve figured something out. And which gives me an idea. I just hope this works. “Hey, Winter,” You call from behind me. Of course, I knew you were behind me, but I pretend to be startled all the same. I couldn’t take my eyes off you all day, drinking in your sandy coat color, watching the way the blue specks in your main and tail sparkle, your light blue eyes. I struggled to learn anything you taught me because I was focused solely on you. Taking in every detail, no matter how small, how minute. The more I’m around you, the more my love for you grows into something special, unique, and unbreakable. However, despite looking and watching you all day, only looking away to act as if I was watching what you were demonstrating when you’d glance at me, I don’t have to fake the way my breath catches in my throat, the way my heart pounds and races so hard, I swear to both Celestia and Luna you can hear it. I put my hoof to my chest in fake surprise, as though that alone can dim the burning attraction I feel for you. Do you feel it too? The magnetic pull we seem to share, continuously drawing us closer and closer to each other until there is no longer a you or me, only an us? Because, you and me were incomplete before we met each other, but as soon as our gazes met, we clicked as one, making each other whole. “Winter?” You ask, concern filling your voice. “H-huh?” I only now realize I must’ve gotten lost thinking of you, forgetting to listen to you. “You didn’t hear me?” I shake my head in response, discreetly rubbing my lips together. “I was asking if you wanted to go to the new hire party. It’s a tradition for all new hires, but really, it’s just an excuse for all the employees to get drunk.” You add with a light chuckle. “Right, are you going?” I ask cautiously, hoping like Tartarus you do. Just as you're about to answer and I’ll hear that melodic voice coming through your, a unicorn mare bounces up to your side and pecks your cheek, before setting a hoof on your back. My once happy mood quickly diminishes into anger when I see her all over you, my colt. All over the love of my life. My anger takes no time to build, spiking like a heart attack until all I see is red. You’re mine, and nothing, especially some cotton candy bubble mare, is going to change that. I study her, taking in her every detail. You know the saying, keep your friends close, your enemies closer. She has her kinky curly purple mane in pigtails with light pink beads upon each one and there is a light blue streak that’s a little lighter than yours running down each one. She has blunt bangs that are longer on the sides to frame her face. Her coat is a light purple that almost looks pink and has white flecks on it. Her light blue eyes are the same shade as yours. Her cutie mark is a red balloon in the shape of a heart with a black smiley face. Probably earned it by stealing her best friend’s coltfriend or something. “Of course he’s going,” She says in a bubbly voice making my jaw clench. I try not to glower at her and try to keep my feelings towards her to myself until I can properly talk to her alone for your sake, but I don’t think I’m doing a good job of that. “Cause he knows he doesn’t get out enough.” You awkwardly untangle yourself out of her possessive hold. “Remember what I told you about work environment courtesy, sugar. Personal space. No one wants to see you all over me.” I nearly roll my eyes. Yeah, no kiddin’. Though, it’s kind of hard to take you seriously when you’re calling her ‘sugar’. But ‘sugar’ simply scoffs, waving away your concerns. “Oh please, chillax, Streaky.” Ugh, she calls you Streaky? “Everyone here knows you’re my bro. And that we are definitely not in a relationship, especially since I have my own colt friend.” I blink, my anger quickly dissipating into shock and embarrassment, and my face is suddenly feeling very warm. No, that can’t be right. Can it? “Excuse Streaky. He’s as straight as a ruler. Anyway, I’m Sugar Heart, Streaky’s twin sister. And you must be the new hire. Winter Breeze, right?” I just stare at her, sure that my cheeks are flushing a bright red. I just continue to blink, my stare switching between you and Sugar Heart. Twin sister? They’re twins? I stare at the two of you, finally seeing the similarities that should’ve hinted at some familial relationship. The same shade of eyes the two of you have. The light blue streak she has in her mane is just a shade lighter than yours. The same eye shape. Dear sweet Celestia, what in Tartarus is wrong with me? I just called your sister my enemy and pictured banging her head into the wall for thinking she can just come in and take you, my soulmate, away from me, when, in truth, she’s had you since birth, and has you even after she dies. Of course, they’re not in a relationship. At this point, I just want to curl in a ball on my bed and die. Sensing my uncomfortableness, you let out a small chuckle. “Yeah, you’re not the first to think we’re in a relationship before knowing we’re twins. I keep telling her it’s inappropriate, especially at work, but Sugar is about as stubborn as a mule sometimes.” I open my mouth to chuckle nervously too, but no sound comes out except for a small, low whimpering as my lips shake, another realization coming to me. That’s why you called her ‘sugar’. It’s her damn name. I give you a shaky smile, not sure what else to say or do. Sugar Heart just keeps staring at me with a huge smile I have a feeling is eternal while you awkwardly clear your throat. “Anyway, about the party, you don’t really–” “Of course she’s going! I mean, how else is she going to make new friends?” Sugar Heart interrupts as though it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “I mean, can you imagine how miserable it’d be to be in a work environment with no friends!” You chuckle and shake your head as if thinking how in the world you expected anything else from your sister. Your sister, not your marefriend. Sugar Heart grabs my hoof and pulls me to the door. “N-now?” I ask, completely caught off guard. I look at my watch and see it’s already four in the evening. “Of course now! We don’t want to miss happy hour. C’mon Streaky, get your tail over here. We are not going to be late because of you.” Author's Note Winter's jealousy reincarnated from my frustrations as an only child. Anyway, that's chapter 1. Yes, I know I changed the chapter title, but I felt as I went on with the story, the way it ended was good and the title didn't really fit. Chapter 2's going to take a little longer because I need to do a little research for it and I have finals coming up and a job to go to, unfortunately. But, I got the rough outline of what's going to be in that chapter. While the prologue and chapter 1 were more about setting the base, chapter 2 is where it's going to start to get...messy. Anyway, have a good weekend everyone, and I'll post sneak peeks here and there of chapter 2, so be on the lookout. P.S.: And yes, I did use some lyrics from the fan song 'Fluttershy's Music Box' by TheLostNarrator. If you didn't spot them, listen to her song and see if you can find them.
Chapter 2: The Cracks And Shatters"Here we are!" Sugar Heart announces as soon as we walk in. Okay...not what I was expecting. I was sure this party would be at a pub or bar of some sort, I mean, this is a work party after all. Instead, I'm greeted with the blasting music that'll burst your eardrums the second you step in, the strong scent of alcohol and vomit, and the strobing flashing lights that can only be found in an underground nightclub. I glance around, but it's hard to see anything, the only source of light in this place being the flashing lights that seem deadset on blinding anypony unlucky enough to glance upwards. Bodies grind together on the dance floor, ponies reaching for their drinks on the bars for a sip without missing a beat. Deep bass floods my ears, my heart pounding to the beat. The smell of smoke assaults my nostrils, making me cough and clear my throat. I take a step closer to you, the crowd making me uncertain and uneasy. I've never been too good with crowds. Ironic, considering how I grew up. "Sugar Heart!" You scold, drawing my attention back to you. I can never keep my attention from you for very long. "What are we doing here?" Sugar Heart looks confused. "What do you mean? This is where the party's at." You hit you hoof against your forehead, groaning a bit with irritation. "Sugar Heart, this is against so many work protocols, it's not even funny. Do you have any idea what corporate would do if they found out we were holding a work event here?" "It's not a work event though," Sugar Heart responds with a sly smile, before shrugging casually. "I'm allowed to invite my friends who just happen to be my coworkers to an evening of fun in an underground nightclub. Corporate can't tell me what I can and can't do in my free time." She winks at us, before noticing somepony and gasping. "Oh, Winter, there's somepony I want you to meet." Sugar Heart grabs my hoof and drags me through the crowd, pulling me farther away from you. I stare at you for as long as I can before you're swallowed up by the crowd. Sugar Heart somehow travels through the crowd seamlessly, like a missile through water, while I'm bumping into anypony and everypony, feeling like I'm standing in the middle of a stampede and I'm barely able to stay on my hooves. She stops in front of a dark blue stallion pegasus with black eyes and a black mane, looking down at us with a glare mixed with a little bit of...is that pity? Why is he looking at us with pity? Sugar Heart, bless her heart, gives him a tight hug with all her strength. Once they separate, Sugar Heart starts introductions. "Rainy, this is Streaky and I's new coworker, Winter Breeze. Winter, this is my amazing coltfriend of two years, Rainy Night." My jaw drops, I can't help it. This is Sugar Heart's coltfriend. There are just so many differences, it's impossible to list them all. To start with, Rainy Night is just so...gothic while your sister is just so...not gothic. Actually, she's quite the opposite of gothic. She's every goth's nightmare. I mean, she's a lot like one of those element bearers my father likes so much. I think she's the element of laughter or something. The hyperactive one. That's your sister. And Rainy Night just looks like he'd prefer to stand out in the rain...at night...like his name. "I know," Sugar Heart says when she sees my expression, nuzzling Rainy Night affectionately. "We seem like complete opposites on the surface, but we have a lot in common." "We're both misjudged by our looks." Rainy Night states in a dreadfully dull tone, with no emotion whatsoever. "Oh...he's just so deep," Sugar Heart says in a seductive voice I don't want to hear from anypony else again but you. "Sugar has helped me become more expressive with my emotions." Again in the dreadfully dull tone. I hesitate, unsure of what to say at this point. "And you're feeling..." I trail off, motioning with my hoof for him to continue. "Esctatic that my marefriend has come to save me from the death complete boredom in this dreadful place tried to put me in. Can't you tell?" Rainy Night says in such a dull tone that almost seems to be bordering on irritation, that if I wasn't taking Sugar Heart's word for how 'deep' he is, I would've mistaken it for sarcasm. Oh well, to each their own I suppose. I mean, you and I just met this morning and I already know we're meant to be eternal partners. Who am I to judge? You then walk up to us, levitating four drinks in your magical grip, saving me from having to answer that question. Oh, you've only been gone for five minutes but dear sweet Celestia, I've missed you. You're like an oasis in the desert I've been trapped in for weeks, with only memories of you serving as drops of water to sustain me until we'd meet again. I can't imagine how hard it'll be when I'll have to go home and we must separate. You give me a smirk and my heart thumps heavily in my chest. You hand me a drink, which leaves your light blue magical aura and enters mine which is a couple of shades lighter than yours, bordering on white. Wow, even our magical auras are similar. If that doesn't scream soulmates, I don't know what will. "I see you met my sister's coltfriend." You say with a chuckle, making my heart swoon all over again. "I...uh...I...umm...y-ya..." I stutter, not quite sure how to answer without being rude, all the while my tongue is heavy and my mind is speechless, simply from the spell you put on me by just being in your presence. You chuckle again, rubbing the back of your neck with your hoof, levitating two drinks over to Sugar Heart and Rainy Night. "Yeah, I was confused too. Still am, but Sugar seems happy and Rainy says he's happy so...I guess I can't complain." A new song comes on and Sugar Heart gasps, grabbing both sides of Rainy Night's face with her hooves, looking into his face with the biggest smile in the world, setting her drink down on the bar with her magic. "Oooh ooh! Rainy, I know you don't like to dance and you're not a fan of crowds, but please please please dance with me just this once? I love this song! Please!" Rainy Night rolls his eyes and sets his drink on the bar too before taking Sugar Heart's hoof and leading her to the corner of the dance floor at the edge of the dancing crowd. I stare at them, shocked, but pleasantly understanding. On the surface, they look like a couple that'll barely last a week, let alone two years, but watching them now, it's clear how they've made it this long. Compromise. Lots of compromises. One pony doesn't take all or give all. They're the perfect example of a give-and-take relationship. You and I are left alone and I can't help but wonder: will we be that in love? I have no doubt we're meant to be together, that you're meant to be mine and I'm meant to be yours but what if you don't see it? What if you do all you can to deny it until it's too late? I shake my head. No. I can't have that doubt. I can't think like that. You're mine and I'm yours and I'll make you see that through in means possible. "Those two make an...interesting couple. I mean, he's so gloomy and your sister's so..." "Spastic?" You say with a light chuckle. "Yeah, I know, but even though I don't understand him, I'm glad she has him and I'm happy for her. In high school, the other foals used to call her Spaz and it'd get to her. The other foals used to make fun of her a lot, and she struggled with it. She'd often hide her personality, but seeing her be herself with someone so different just shows how far she's come. Of course, it helps that he accepts her the way she is and loves her for her." "Yeah. I'm sorry about what your sister went through though." "Eh," He waved a hoof dismissively. "She's over it. Kinda. What about you? Got any siblings?" "Oh, me?" I chuckle nervously. "No. I've always wanted a little sister, but...it never happened. It's just me, my dad, and my...mom." My hooves become sweaty, but this time it isn't because of you "Where's mommy?" I squeeze my eyes shut, squeezing them so tightly it blocks out the blinding flashing lights instead of blocking out the unwanted scene trying to play in my mind. No no no. Not here, not now. "It's been two years sweety. We need to move on..." "But...but...I want Mommy! Where's mommy?! She's going to come back. I know she will. I know she-" "Winter?" You cast the unbidden memory from my mind simply by the sound of your voice. I look up at you, coming back to reality, and notice the concerned look on your face. I take a deep breath, clearing my mind, and focusing solely on you. Your mane, your coat, your beautiful smile and laugh, until the thoughts of you consume me, until you consume me. "Are you okay? You look pale." You ask, putting a hoof to my forehead. I try to smile, but it's weak and frail, exactly how I feel. Like the smallest gust of wind made from the flap of a pegasus wing, is going to go blow me over. I levitate the drink you gave me early when my smile clearly doesn't convince you I'm fine, and I take a sip, before chugging the whole thing, desperate for that tingly buzz that comes from the soothing alcohol. The drink, a margarita, burns a bit going down my throat, but soon the tingly warmth flows throughout my body, relaxing it and a slightly lopsided smile appears on my face. I slowly levitate the glass to the bar while you just stare at me, your concern deepening. "Are you sure you're okay?" "Yeah yeah yeah. I'm fine. I just...zoned out a bit. Didn't sleep well, that's all." You hesitate, knowing you can't force me to say what I don't want to, you simply say, "Right," making it clear you don't believe me. But that's okay, because I know you're patient. You understand. I don't know how and I don't know why, but I will find out. Just like how one day, I'll share with you every detail of my past life, you'll with me yours. All you need is a little time to trust me, to feel comfortable with me, just like what I need to do with you. But that's okay because we have all eternity to figure it out. Well, that's what I think until your blabbering sister trots up to us with her coltfriend by her side, looking around as though looking for somepony, but when she finds none, she looks at you with a confused expression. "Where's Rose, is she coming? I thought you said she was coming?" You shake your head. "Nah, she said she was, but, she was feeling under the weather so she decided to stay home." Feeling out of the loop, and hating it, I look between you and Sugar Heart. "Rose? Is that another sister of yours?" You shake your head. "No, Ocean Rose is my wife." And just like that, my entire world shatters. Author's Note Okay, I know I said that Chapter Two would get messy, but I just kinda followed where the story wanted to take me & it felt like this was the best natural direction for it. & I thought this was the perfect way to end it. But I promise, chapter three will get messy. For real this time.
