Silver sits on a bench in a park in New Mobotropolis.
Lasting peace.
He always hoped but was never actually sure he’d see it.
He glanced at the memorial of the Freedom Fighters. His eyes linger on them.
Silver the Hedgehog, tugs at his scarf.
He feels the scar on his chest, hidden away by chest fur. He thinks to himself.
I don’t… I don’t need to be here anymore. The past is saved, this whole timeline is good to go. I can go back home and… fix my own timeline…
but I’ll be alone…
again.
Conflict rushes through his head as he rests his head in his hands and sighs deeply.
He talks to himself, “No one in town is freaking out. Nothing big is headed our way, that I know of. Should I go visit Equestria? No, Silver, the girls gave you this scarf to remember them, you can’t reminisce fondly if they’re right in front of you.”
The time traveler looks down at the scarf he was given, and his eyes linger on the patch of yellow, with three butterflies stitched into it. He rubs his thumb over it, but he snaps himself out of his internal thoughts and starts spewing them out loud instead.
Silver holds up his finger, “Okay, you should go to the future. You should Chronos Control today.”
Silver’s faux smile twitches, “Sure, using Chaos Energy instead of a Time Stone puts it on a cooldown then you have to spend a month in the future before you can come back but that’s a small price to pay for making the world you were born in a better place.”
Silver looks around and a few people are staring at him, he looks left and right, “Oh, uh, I forgot I was in a park.” He stands up awkwardly and starts to walk the streets in deep thought.
The time traveler talks to himself more, “Alright Silver, you clearly miss the vibes in Equestria, the humble surroundings, the overabundance of apples, and how nice your friends over there are. Sure, the friends you have here are the first ones to accept you and they’re nice too, but…”
He pushes his fingers together, “There’s something special about being over there.”
“Silver, buddy, you have got to stop talking to yourself. I’m starting to get worried.” Sonic’s voice rings out. The blue blur walks up to Silver, continuing his thought, “If you want to go to Equestria, go for it. Portal’s still at Tails’ place, it’s still nice and open. What has you so worked up?”
Silver starts talking really fast, “Well, they made me this scarf and they’re probably all thinking, ‘Oh, man, Silver’s in the future remembering us and stuff, gosh I feel so appreciated.’ Then I go over there, and they’ll start thinking, ‘Silver isn’t using the scarf to remember us, he’s just wearing it casually like it doesn’t mean anything’ And then- “
Sonic grabs Silver by the shoulders, “Silver, Silver, dude. Calm, down. Our pals over there want to see you as much as you want to see them. It’s been a while since the Gala, and you’ve just been moping around town. Just go over there.” Sonic smirks, “What? You think they stay there when they miss us?”
Silver’s face goes flat, “They’ve been over here?”
“Yeah? Have you not seen me and Dash? We literally race all the time.”
Silver puts a hand on the side of his face, “Maybe I do need to get out of my own head.”
Sonic smirks as he pats Silver on the back, “Yeah, you sure do pal. By the way while you’re over there, tell bookworm and broody I said ‘hey.’”
Silver squints, “You mean Shadow and Twilight.”
“I know what I said. Anyway, me and Dash are having on our 100th race. So, I gotta jet Silver, see ya.” Then Sonic does indeed jet away, leaving his trademark blue blur as he disappears onto the horizon.
Silver straightens himself, “Sonic’s right. I gotta just go over there. Make a day of it. You’re just spending time with your friends.”
It’s a quiet day in Ponyville, as Silver’s head peaks out of the Mirror Portal, now scarfless. He looks left and right with a nervous look on his face. Stuck between, ‘I really want to spend time with them’ and ‘I kind of don’t want to be seen.’
He braces himself and steps off the crystalline platform.
Silver exhales, “Before I go anywhere, I should say hi to Twilight and Shadow.”
He turns to look into the window of the Golden Oak Library, he sees Shadow and Twilight, quietly reading together, on the same pillow on the floor.
Silver crouches down out of sight and thinks, “Okay, I can’t interrupt that, Shadow would kill me.”
He turns and walks further into town, finding himself in the marketplace. He’s walking toward a bunch of fruit stands and vegetable stands. He looks at the little fillies and foals playing in the streets and he gives them a gentle wave and a smile.
“Well tan my hide, if that ain’t Silver the Hedgehog, comin’ on over to visit us!”
Silver stops to see Applejack behind her family’s apple stall, his face lights up, “Applejack!”
Applejack tips her hat and smiles, “Yer excitable today ain’tcha?”
Silver walks up to the stand, “Yeah, I’m here to visit for a bit. Missed you guys and wanted to spend some time here.”
AJ smiles, “Aw shucks, ain’t you just a ray of sunshine Silver. I’d love to spend some time with ya, but I’m only one who can sell you these here apples.”
Silver eyes scan down to a big red apple, gleaming in the sunlight, he quickly licks his lips, then his eyes glance up at Applejack, his voice becomes way too serious, “How much?”
AJ raises an eyebrow, “Silver, you can have an apple. Just one though, you go through apples like termites go through trees.”
Silver beams, instinctively floating in the air from joy, “Thank you so much! Are you sure I can just, have it?”
AJ nods and nudges the apple forward, “Absolutely, you ain’t putting me in debt or nothin’. Go on ahead and take it.”
AJ leans in, “Also you should visit Pinkie, I just saw Fluttershy walk on through here headin’ toward Sugar Cube Corner, you could meet ’em both there.”
Silver puts both his hands on his cheeks, with a gasp, “That’s a great idea! Thanks AJ!”
“No problem, Silver, you be good now, y’hear!”
Silver waves at AJ, while he levitates higher into the air. Then he flies off to Sugar Cube Corner, while munching on the apple. He softly lands in front of Sugar Cube Corner than walks through the doors. He sees Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, having a small conversation while Pinkie Pie is behind the counter. He eats the apple, core and all, because he is not normal.
Fluttershy, her voice ever gentle and soft, “Angel is going to love this, Pinkie, thank you, oh so much.”
Pinkie giggles, “Well, of course! If that little cute bunny wants a bunch of carrot cookies, who am I to say no?”
The party pony puts the box of cookies in a bag, ties it with a perfect bow and places it on the table.
Fluttershy smiles, “Well it is Angel’s birthday, and I always like to get him something special. I know cookies aren’t good for bunnies but, todays a special day.”
As Fluttershy picks up the bag with her mouth, it slips. Before the box can hit the ground, it becomes highlighted in a cyan glow and floats in the air.
Fluttershy turns to see Silver, who gives a big smile and a wave, “Heya Pinkie, hiya Flutters, good thing I stopped by when I did, huh?”
Fluttershy’s eyes light up seeing Silver, “Silver, it’s so good to see you and I think Angel is going to be your number one fan for saving his birthday treats.”
Silver spins the bag around in his psychic grip, “I thought I heard that it was the little guy’s birthday when I wandered in here.” Silver chuckles nervously, “I hope he likes me a little more, that bunny didn’t seem so happy with me being there.”
Fluttershy holds a hoof to her mouth, “Oh no. I’m so sorry Silver. Angel can act a tiny bit spoiled.”
Pinkie bounces up and down, “Oh! Silver! I’m so glad you're in town! I was just in New Mobotropolis spending time with a few of the friends I made there! I hung out with Amy, Big, Vector, Terrence, Charmy, Espio, King Elias, and- “
Silver holds up his free hand, “Wait, wait, wait… Did you say Terrence?”
Pinkie nods her head, “Mhmm! Ol’ Terrence the Minotaur.”
Silver stares blankly into the middle distance, “…He wasn’t lying…”
Pinkie squints at Silver, “Who wasn’t lying?”
Silver shakes his head, “No one. No one at all... Anyways, Fluttershy, I’m willing to carry this stuff for you back to your cottage.”
Fluttershy tilts her head and smiles, “Aw thank you Silver, but I wouldn’t want to impose, I’m sure you wanna say hi to everypony else in town.”
“It’s okay, I just wanna make sure these cookies are nice and safe. Then after I can go say hi to Rarity.”
Fluttershy looks away for a moment, “If you’re really okay with it, I wouldn’t mind the help.”
Silver floats the bag closer to himself and it plops in his hand, they both wave to Pinkie as Silver yells out, “I’ll be in town for a few Pinkie, we should hang out!”
Pinkie waves back, “We should throw a party! A ‘Silver’s Here to Visit Party!’, I’ll get the decorations together and everything!”
As Silver and Fluttershy leave Sugar Cube Corner, Silver scratches the back of his head, “I was wondering if it was okay if I slept at your place while I’m here, I’d ask around but uh, your place is familiar.”
She tilts her head, a small smile on her face, “Of course Silver, I wouldn’t mind at all.”
Silver floats up reflexively, “Awesome! I’m already thinking that this is gonna be a fun few days,” He lands on the ground and his smile slightly fades, “I really need it.”
Fluttershy looks at Silver with concern, “Did something happen?”
Silver shakes his head, “Oh nothing really too serious, I’ve just been stressing myself out.”
Before Fluttershy could ask ‘What about?’ She sees Twilight and Shadow walk down the road. Twilight waves to Fluttershy and Shadow gives her a nod, his face neutral.
Shadow sees Silver and his brow raises, “I didn’t know you were over here, Silver.”
Silver floats down, a beaming smile, “Well, when I got here, I saw you two reading together and I didn’t want to interrupt.”
Shadow crosses his arms, his words are stern yet somehow softer than Silver expected, “That’s considerate of you but, you don’t have to feel as if you can’t say hello to Twilight. I won’t be offended.”
Silver gives Shadow a confused look, but then smiles, “Well, I guess I’ll remember that next time.”
Twilight looks at Silver, “Shadow’s right, you’re always welcome to visit us. Oh, and are those the cookies for Angel’s birthday? They smell amazing.”
Shadow looks at Fluttershy, “Twilight and I may stop over to visit later for Angel’s party, he took a liking to me when I was there.”
Silver’s face is a little more confused, but Fluttershy smiles, “Oh, I’m sure he’d love to see you two for his big day.”
Shadow gives Silver a nod, then the dark hedgehog and Twilight continue walking.
Silver watches them walk away, baffled, “Shadow was… so calm. I guess it has been a minute, huh?”
Fluttershy watches them walk off with a fond look on her face, “Mhmm. Since they’ve been dating, Shadow seems so at peace.”
Silver can’t help but smile, “Honestly? Good for him. He deserves happiness, y’know?” then he looks up to the cookies he’s hovering in the air, “Now let’s get these to your place.”
The two of them casually walk through town, Fluttershy holds out her wing to Silver to stop him as a family of ducks waddle through the road, Fluttershy then says, “I know it’s a hassle but-“ She looks at Silver, expecting him to be annoyed by the interruption but his eyes are wide and full of wonder. “Woah, this is so unbelievable! I’ve never seen this many ducks!”
Fluttershy looks at the ducks then back to Silver, “Oh, I’m sorry Silver, I forgot that regular animals are pretty rare in the future and on Mobius.”
Silver’s eyes shimmer, “Don’t apologize, I didn’t want to ruin the duck family’s walk. I keep meaning to look around at all the plants and animals here.”
Fluttershy looks at him, elated that someone else is so excited about animals and nature, “When there’s time, I can show you the lake they swim at, that’s where they’re walking to now and I do know a few gardens we could go to.”
Silver smiles at her, “That would be amazing, I’d really like that.”
Fluttershy blushes a little and looks away, moving a loose strand of her mane out of her face. She glances back, and sees Silver, a carefree look on his face as his eyes refocus on the sky, almost as if he’s been hypnotized.
As Silver gazes up, his voice becomes wistful, “Wish the future looked like this, animals all around, green everywhere, and this big blue sky.”
“What does it look like normally?”
His smile fades slightly, “Well, it’s dim most of the time, sky’s usually pretty dark. No animals around since most of the plants shriveled up.”
“Oh goodness, that’s awful.”
“Yeah, it really is.” Silver looks down.
Fluttershy notices the change in Silver’s mood, but before she could mention it, Silver points forward with a smile on his face, “Look we’re already here.”
Over a small hill and down a path the two make it to Fluttershy’s little cottage, and Silver starts to feel a bit of nostalgia. They walk in and it looks almost the exact same as when the hedgehogs left the last time for the Gala. The only difference being a scattering of streamers and balloons.
Pinkie was clearly here already.
Fluttershy looks around and calls out, “Oh Angel! I’m home and I have something incredibly special for you.”
Angel stretches while on his favorite spot on the couch, as he stands up, he sees Silver, and frowns immediately. Silver’s ears go flat against his head seeing that reaction, but he waves at the Bunny, nonetheless. Fluttershy notices the look from Angel and sees Silver’s sad expression.
Fluttershy looks at Angel, her voice stern yet soft, “Listen here, Mister, Silver saved your cookies and came to visit you, be nice to him while he’s here.”
Angel crosses his arms, and grumbles quietly.
“Is there anything else you want to say?” Fluttershy raising an eyebrow.
Angel leans back, sighing audibly, then chitters quietly.
Fluttershy smiles and nuzzles the bunny, “Good.”
Silver looks between them a confused smile on his face, “I don’t know what just happened, but I’m glad that’s settled. How do you set up his carrot cookies? Do you arrange them in some kind of way on like a platter something?”
Angel looks at the bag and starts to salivate, but Fluttershy comes over, picks up the little bunny, and starts petting him clamoring for the bag, the kind pony then says, “Well, he usually doesn’t get them until the other guests arrive, I imagine that Pinkie will be here before anyone else.”
Silver floats the bag into the kitchen and sets it gently on the kitchen table.”
Then Fluttershy mentions, ”Oh, didn’t you say you were going to go visit Rarity?”
Silver snaps his finger, “That’s a good idea. She might need some help with something for the party.”
“You’re being awfully helpful Silver, and while I’m sure everypony appreciates it, you should… sit down for a little bit,” her eyes glance to the empty spot on the couch and her cheeks becomes faintly pink, “…I could make us some tea and we could chat for a bit until the others get here.”
Silver feels some butterflies start to breathe life in his stomach, he starts to sweat, and he turns toward the door, before Fluttershy could see how nervous he was, “Well, you know, I think I could use the fresh air anyway, uh, I’ll be back later.”
Fluttershy ears go down, feeling a bit of disappointment but she keeps her smile, “O-okay, I’ll have a cup for you when you get back.”
Silver floats out of the door then stops clutching his head, cringing at himself, then he alights with cyan energy, and he takes off into the air, talking to himself, “Argh! Silver that was so stupid!”
He slaps himself on the head “Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!”
Silver leaves his hand on the side of his face, still yelling at himself, “She wanted to spend time with you, man! Why did you bail out? Didn’t you want to spend time with her? She’s letting you sleep in her house! Urgh! That was so rude!”
He takes a breath as he sees the boutique getting closer, “Okay, maybe stop thinking about it, maybe she was gonna make tea anyway and wanted to be courteous, it might’ve had nothing to do with you and it was purely coincidental.”
He lands in front of Rarity’s door silently. He pushes the door and the little bell above the door rings.
“One moment dear, I am working on a very special project for a very special client.”
Silver looks over and she’s making a little black tux for Angel. Silver says, “Oh wow Fluttershy is going to love that!”
Rarity turns her head, instantly recognizing the voice, “Silver, darling!”
She gently places down her needle, magically placing it on a table with the black thread still attached. She trots over and gives Silver a hug, Silver hugs her back with a wide smile on his face. Rarity lets him go and she turns back to her work.
“What brings you over here to Equestria and to my boutique… are you going to let me take your measurements for a fresh style? Because I do not want to have to scold you again for your fashion choice like I did at the Gala.”
Silver crosses his arms and looks away, borderline pouting, “You threw away my favorite bowtie…”
She shakes her head and sows a button onto the small lapel, “Silver, you are a dear friend, but that bowtie was dreadful on you.”
Silver rolls his eyes, continuing a smile while he does so, “Fine, I concede to the fashionista in the room. I came by to see if you needed any help with, uh, anything.”
Rarity magically takes up her needle and continues her stitching, “I thank you so much dear for the offer, but I am almost done with this. Oh, isn’t that little bunny going to look precious?”
Silver’s smile turns to a half-smile, “Yeah, he sure will.”
Rarity turns back around, “Is everything okay darling?”
Silver plops down in a chair, his ears flat against his head, “Honestly not really, I feel like might of made Fluttershy upset.”
Rarity giggles, “Oh I very much doubt that, she’s the most understanding pony in Ponyville.”
Silver looks up, trying to convince her, “Okay but before I came over here, I helped Fluttershy carry some cookies home for Angel and when I was there, she asked me if I wanted to have some tea and chat, but then I was an Idiot, I turned her down to check and see if you needed any help. Which you do not. And while I’m glad to see you, I still feel like I upset her” Silver grips the sides of his head, “If I go back now it’ll seem like I was just trying to avoid her and then- “
Rarity turns to face him fully. She sees his worry painted on his face. His concern for how Fluttershy might feel, regardless of how silly it is. Then it clicks in the fashionista’s head.
She gives Silver a knowing look, “You should definitely go back to her cottage, help set up the party, set out the cookies, and have that tea with her.”
Silver looks up, “But if I don’t help you, I bailed for absolutely no reason.”
Rarity puts a hoof to her mouth, to hide a laugh, “Darling, trust me when I say, that you have most certainly helped me.” She diligently puts in a few more stitches, then stops. “You should definitely tell her, by the way.”
Silver tilts his head, confused, “Tell her what?”
Rarity continues, “I think we both know what you want to say to her, dear. Now shoo! Go tell her!”
Silver stands up, more confused, “You still haven’t told me what I need to say, I’m not good at riddles Rarity!”
Rarity scrunches her face, “You oblivious- That you like her! Now, go to that cottage and tell that sweet, kind, pony how you feel!”
Silver’s face becomes beet red, “Wha- huh- me? You don’t know that! I could just be, you know, feeling bad I disappointed my friend, huh? You think of that?”
Rarity shakes her head with a smirk on her face, “The only thing I’m thinking about is all the denial in your voice. You are absolutely infatuated with that mare, its written all over your face!”
Silver points, “Lies and slander! I only think about her all the time!”
Silver freezes as Rarity turns back with a look of ‘checkmate’, a grin on her face. Silver stammers his red face almost glowing, “Now- now hold on, that came out wrong… You’re taking it out of context!… You know I think of all of you gals all the time, because you’re all my friends!”
Every time Silver stammers Rarity trots closer, her smirk wide. Silver starts to sweat looking away from her, feeling her smug gaze burrow holes through his head.
Rarity quietly remarks, “You really like Fluttershy don’t you Silver?”
Silver starts to sweat profusely looking away from Rarity, then closes his eyes, he yells, “Fine! Yes! I like her! I do think about her all the time! She’s the whole reason I wanted to come over here! I’m sorry!” Silver puts his hands on his knees and starts breathing as if he’s out of breath.
Rarity’s smugness reached critical levels as she points at Silver, “I. Knew it.”
Silver scrunches his face and points, “Don’t you spread this around.”
Rarity flips her mane as she turns, “Darling, I’m not some gossip. Your secret is safe with me.”
Silver floats up, and floats towards the door backwards, he squints at her, “Okay… but you’d better be at the party, Rarity.” He smacks the back of his head on the top of the door, he yelps, “OW!”
Then he takes to the air and zooms back to Fluttershy’s.
--A few moments after Silver left Fluttershy’s Cottage--
Silver shuts the door behind him and Fluttershy hears him zoom off, she sighs. Angel squeezes out of Fluttershy’s grip, he jumps around a moment in victory but then he turns to look at Fluttershy and he notices how sad her eyes are.
Angel gestures at her as if to ask, ‘What’s wrong with you?’
Fluttershy snaps out of it, “Oh I’m okay Angel, don’t worry, I’m just gonna make some tea.”
Angel sees her get up and walk into the kitchen, and the pony starts making tea ever so quietly, as its brewing she looks at Angel with a smile, “I hope you’re having a good birthday today.”
The white bunny hops onto the kitchen table and stares at Fluttershy with suspicion, Fluttershy matches his gaze, “Is there something on my face, Angel?”
Angel’s eyes start to slowly grow wide, as he starts to put some pieces together in his little mind. He squints at Fluttershy then chitters something at her.
Fluttershy turns beet red, “Angel! That’s very inappropriate. Silver is my friend, and I care for him very much but anything like that would be… out of the question.”
Angel’s face goes flat, then he puts his hands on his hips then chitters something more interrogative.
She smiles, “No silly, I just wanted to have tea before everyone came over, and I asked Silver if he wanted a cup to show my hospitality.”
Angel arms crosses his arms and leans in, then chitters once more before raising an eyebrow.
Fluttershy pushes her hooves together, a bit of pink on her cheeks, “Well. I was a little disappointed when he left.”
Angel points, then gestures to the door.
At that instant they both hear knock at the door, Fluttershy perks up and flies to the door, zooming past Angel in a streak of pink and yellow.
She opens the door with a big smile and sees Shadow and Twilight with Shadow carrying a gift bag with purple, black and red accents. “Hello, Twilight, Shadow, nopony else had shown up yet but you’re welcome to come in.”
Shadow nods, “That’s fine, Twilight and I wanted to be punctual.”
Twilight looks at Shadow, “Well, I didn’t want to be so punctual that I made it before everypony else.”
The dark hedgehog leans into the cottage and looks at a cuckoo clock on the wall, “We’re thirty minutes early, I think its fine.”
The Princess of Friendship looks around the room, “Hey where’s Silver? Shouldn’t he- “
In a streak of cyan light, Silver touches down behind Shadow and Twilight, stumbling a little as his telekinetic aura fades, almost tripping completely but he stops himself, he looks to all three of them with a sheepish smile. “I’m uh, back.” He laughs nervously.
Silver gives a nervous wave to Shadow and Twilight as the couple look at each other and then walk inside, Fluttershy hovers near the door her hoof still holding it open.
For that moment as the light exits Fluttershy’s cottage, framing her gentle smile, joyful at seeing him return.
Silver feels his heartbeat quicken, and along with that, he feels a few butterflies come to life in his stomach. Silver takes a step forward, he looks down, he smiles at her as he crosses the threshold into her cottage.
Silver walks past Fluttershy. He gulps as he can’t even bring himself to look at her. She senses a change in his disposition, like he’s holding something back. Her expression droops a little while watching him approach Shadow and Twilight, Fluttershy thinks,
Oh no, did something happen?
Silver starts some idle chat with Twilight and Shadow as Fluttershy sets up Angel’s cookies on a plate in the kitchen. She places them in a neat spiral going around the borders of the plate and ending in the middle.
Angel is elated as he looks at the cookies and smells the air letting his tongue hang out, then his eyes pan up to see his caretaker.
She looks somewhat confused and a little down.
Angel’s face drops for a second, then he looks at the doorway to the living room, with a determined stare. He hops down off the table, and marches into the living room.
At the same time, Rarity opens the door, without knocking first. She places a small rectangular gift box next to Shadow and Twilight’s gift, and then announces herself, ”Fluttershy darling! I have arrived!”
Fluttershy looks into the living room, “Oh! Welcome Rarity.”
Silver glances at Rarity, a bead of sweat rolls down his face and Rarity gives him a wink.
He turns back to Shadow. Who notices the odd exchange, “The hell was that, Silver?”
Silver looks at Shadow, nervous now, “What was what?”
Shadow raises an eyebrow, suspicious, “Why did Rarity give you a wink? What are you planning?”
Silver stutters a bit as Rarity approaches and interrupts, “Never you mind that, Shadow dear,” she then whispers, “Silver and I were discussing a surprise he had planned for Fluttershy.”
Shadow looks Rarity in the eyes. The dark hedgehog then looks back to Silver, his expression unreadable, “I see. That makes sense.”
Twilight nudges Shadow enthusiastically, “Look, Shadow it’s the birthday boy himself.”
Silver hears a thump behind him as he sees the little rabbit, Angel puts his hands on his hips and points to the kitchen. Silver mimics this gesture, “Does- Does Fluttershy need help? Is that what you’re trying to say?”
Angel nods and thumps again.
Silver gives a thumbs up, “Okay pal, I’ll see what I can do.” He then turns and walks to the kitchen. He peers in, and sees Fluttershy, a smile on her face as she makes her cup of tea. Silver fully steps into the kitchen.
He does he does his best not to startle her, he knocks lightly on the wall, “Hey, there.”
Fluttershy looks at him, not startled at all, “Did you want some tea? I just started brewing it.”
“Yeah, I would love some, thanks, I was kind of worried I ruined my chance for tea earlier.”
Fluttershy gets out another teacup, “Why would you think that, Silver?”
Silver shakes his head, trying to lessen her concern, “I’m just a worrier, that’s all, I’m always thinking about everything.”
Silver sees Fluttershy pour him a cup of tea, she flies over, the teacup balanced on her hoof. Silver takes it and sips from the cup, “Ah. I don’t know what kind of tea this is but it’s really good.”
“It’s mint tea, one of my favorites.”
Silver laughs a little, “I get it Mint-y, that’s really funny.”
Fluttershy giggles a little also, “Oh oops, I didn’t mean to make that pun.”
They both giggle for a second then smile at each other, before they both look away, with their faces blushing slightly. Silver’s eyes the plate of cookies, “Wow, you arranged those cookies very nicely, when are you gonna let Angel eat ’em?”
“Well, hopefully when Applejack and Pinkie Pie get here, I know Rainbow Dash is on Mobius right now racing with Sonic, it’ll be a bit of a shame that she’s not here.” She frowns a little
“Aw I’m sorry, I’m sure she wants to be here and if she doesn't show up, she’ll make it up to you. Sonic and Dash have a super competitive rivalry, I’m sure they’re just really distracted by racing a billion times around Mobius until one of them wins.”
Fluttershy takes a sip of her tea, “Knowing Rainbow and Sonic, their race could last forever.”
At that moment, the front door swings open, “Pinkie Pie is here to par-tay!” Pinkie excitedly yells out.
Applejack yawns as she walks in, “I prolly won’t be stayin’ too long, y’all. Worked all mornin’ and I’m plum tired.”
Silver lifts the plate of cookies, carefully being sure not to drop anything, “I’ll present this to him, maybe he’ll like me a little more.”
Fluttershy flies up next to him, “That’s such a wonderful idea. He’ll have to like you if you give him his treats.”
They both walk into the living room, and the party commences.
As Silver sets the plate in front of Angel, before they could sing him a type of ‘happy birthday’ song, the little rabbit eats all of the cookies in seconds. Silver’s eyes widen as he stares at the plate. The cookies were eaten so thoroughly that not even a single crumb was left. Warm laughter filled the room, the moment that was done.
Applejack looks at Silver, “If you wanna stop by the farm tomorrow, you can come on down to chat and whatnot.”
“Oh, we can hang out tomorrow! Can I have another apple then?" Silver beams.
AJ rolls her eyes, smiling, “If you pick’ em without your powers, you can eat as many as you want.”
Silver chuckles, then his voice becomes plain, “You do notwant me to have that option. I will put you in debt.”
AJ yawns once more. “Whatever you say Silver, see you tomorrow.” and then walks out the door.
Rarity shakes her head, “That Applejack didn’t even bring a gift, how rude of her.”
Fluttershy then says, “I’m sure Angel just appreciated her being here, isn’t that right, Angel?”
Angel looks up and shrugs, simply happy to have eaten an entire plate of cookies. He hops up on the couch, crosses his arms and looks at the gifts. He opens Rarity’s first, and he looks impressed at the little suit.
Fluttershy covers her mouth and gasps, “Oh Gosh, that’s so cute! I can’t wait for him to wear it.”
Rarity smirks, “I haven’t had the opportunity to make clothes for somepony that… isn’t a pony, so I jumped at the opportunity. I wish I could make clothes for say, Mobians. If only I had a model.” Rarity looks between Shadow and Silver, “Hint. Hint.”
Angel lays the suit to the side and opens the gift from Shadow and Twilight, he rips out all of the gift paper from the gift bag and almost falls into it. He pulls out a metal ring with a speaker in the middle. Angel tilts his head and looks at Shadow in confusion, Shadow smirks, “That device will allow you to speak, I pulled a favor with Tails. I want to hear what you can actually say for myself.”
Twilight looks at Fluttershy, “I was curious too.”
Angel smirks and puts it around his neck, Shadow steps forward and pushes a button and a voice comes to life through the speaker, a male voice, sounding similar to a teenage boy.
“Hello? Is this weird thing working?” Angel smiles when he hears himself, then shoots Fluttershy a devious look, “Oh this is going to be fun.”
Fluttershy gives him a stern look, “Angel.”
The white rabbit rubs his paws together, and a laugh echoes out through the speaker. Then he yells, “Fu-“ Fluttershy rushes over and pushes the button Shadow pushed, turning off the device.
Angel pouts, and crosses his arms, the yellow pegasus exhales, then gives Angel a gentle scolding, “Please don’t use their gift just to swear, that isn’t very nice.”
Shadow lets out a small chuckle, “I have to respect his defiance.”
Twilight smirks and nudges the dark hedgehog, “Don’t encourage him, Shadow.”
Pinkie bounces up and down, “Now we have to play a few games, I invented ‘pin the tail on the bunny’ just for you Angel!”
Pinkie grabs Angel and his eyes go wide, he glances at Fluttershy almost as if he were asking for help. Fluttershy tilts her head with a smile then says, “You have fun Angel.” Angel grimaces.
For the rest of the party, Angel was subjected to playing every party game Pinkie could think of. As this happened Shadow and Twilight both sat on the couch, a look of amusement on Shadow’s face and Twilight giggled every so often at Angel being subjected to Pinkie’s games. Rarity sat in a chair and drank some of the punch glancing every so often at Fluttershy and Silver.
Silver and Fluttershy, cheered Angel on in whatever game he was in, all the while Angel wore a grimace. In the middle of one of the games, involving a bunch of colored spots on the ground and a wheel, Angel stops, stands up and, let’s out the cutest annoyed groan. Then bounds his way upstairs, halfway up the steps he pushes the button on his collar.
“I’m going to sleep in your bed, Fluttershy. More cookies next year, less Pinkie Pie. Shadow is allowed to come... and I guess Silver.” He pushes the button again and hops up the stairs.
They all stared at the staircase the rabbit was once on. Shadow blinks, in slight surprise, “I suppose that would be an end to the party.”
Pinkie unravels herself from her contorted pose and shakes her hoof in Angel’s general direction, “You quitter! I almost won!”
Twilight gives Pinkie a look, eyebrow raised, “Pinkie, this was a lot more high-energy than last time, Angel might have his social batteries running dry,” Twilight’s eyes look to Shadow, “Speaking of, I can think of somepony else who has his batteries running dry.”
Shadow tilts his head toward her, “I still have some social reserves, Twilight, but if the party has concluded, I do have some light reading to get back to.” Shadow turns to Fluttershy, “Thank you for having us over.”
Fluttershy smiles, “Of course, you’re all welcome to come over anytime.”
Shadow and Twilight filter out.
Rarity yawns, “Oh my, I’m afraid I’m starting to get a little drowsy myself. Long day at the boutique today, I hope to see both of you later this week.” She winks at Silver, reminding his face to turn red again.
He turns to start cleaning before Fluttershy or Pinkie could notice.
Pinkie lets out a dramatic sigh, “All parties come to an end… but tomorrow I still need to have Silver’s party!”
Silver, with his back still turned, “Oh you still remember that- Wait, how many parties are you going to throw this week?”
Pinkie answers far too quickly, “Sixty? Seventy? Maybe one hundred?!”
Silver starts to take down the decorations, and Pinkie helps clean up, while Fluttershy picks up the dishes and starts cleaning them in the sink.
After only a few minutes of the trio working together, the cottage looks like a party was never there at all, Pinkie is still full of energy, as she faces the door. “Bye-bye Silver, see you tomorrow!” As Pinkie leaves, Silver and Fluttershy are now alone.
They both sit down on the couch, neither of them able to work up any amount of courage to speak.
Fluttershy gulps, “Um… Silver would you like to sit outside with me for a moment? It feels really nice out tonight.”
Silver glances over, and he scratches his face, “Uh, sure, I wouldn’t mind.”
Silver and Fluttershy walk out the front door, and circle around to the backyard. Fluttershy grabs a nearby checkered picnic blanket and lays it out on the ground.
The two sit down on the blanket and look up at the night sky, dotted with vivid white stars. They hear the chirping of crickets and the faint whisps of golden light left behind by fireflies. A cool breeze runs through the grass and the trees. Fluttershy looks over at Silver, his golden eyes wide at the stars, each light reflecting off of them as if he’s been hypnotized by the sky.
Fluttershy feels the butterflies in her stomach start running wild, and she softly says,
“Hey, Silver.”
Silver turns, and Fluttershy’s cyan eyes are also shining in the light from the stars, her cheeks blush, and she struggles to maintain eye contact. The shy pony still has a smile on her face she can’t seem to put away. Silver’s eyes widen as his heart beats frantically in his chest, his face alights red as well. His anticipation skyrockets as the butterflies in his own stomach start to go wild.
“Y-Yeah Fluttershy?”
Fluttershy’s nerves start to get the better of her and she closes her eyes and looks away, she shakes her head, now feeling herself blush like crazy but trying to hide it with a turn of her head. Silver feels a little disheartened, but his voice is still soft.
“You can tell me, what were you going to say?”
Fluttershy then turns, slowly still looking down,
“I’ve… really missed having you here.”
Silver’s mouth opens a little and he freezes, but the shy pony continues.
“I like it when you’re around. You smile and stare at everything with that awestruck look. There isn’t a bug or a flower or a star in the sky that you don’t see as the prettiest thing in the world. You make me remember just how beautiful and special nature is.”
Her voice becomes saddened, “The future on Mobius sounds so awful and lonely but you’re so kind and sweet. I-I admire that about you, and…” she swallows hard, and she forces out the words,
“I really like you, Silver… a lot more than just a friend.”
Silver’s eyes start to tremble hearing those words, his chest starts to ache. Tears start to form in his eyes.
“I really like you too, F-Fluttershy.”
Fluttershy turns to see him, her own eyes wide. Silver looks down as she turns, his eyes start looking in every direction except at her.
“You were nice to me ever since the first day we met, and I know it was just you being yourself… but” Silver places a hand on his chest,
“I’ve never experienced that before. Someone just being nice to me and not even knowing me, giving me a robe when I was cold and you knowing I was without me saying anything, or making me tea when I never even asked but wanted some. It was all so… warm and I felt… safe. I’ve never felt safe. Not even on Mobius.”
Fluttershy’s heart aches hearing that, “Oh Silver…”
“I repressed it pretty hard that I liked you… Then I got hurt in Canterlot,”
He makes eye contact, and a steady stream of tears run down his cheeks.
“I woke up thinking I died, and- and you were the first face I saw. And you were crying over me and it really solidified that I had feelings for you,” Silver closes his eyes and looks down, tears dripping onto the blanket, “When you healed me. All I could think was ‘She saved my life’.”
He rests his head on his knees, talking a little faster, “When you asked me earlier if I wanted tea, the reason I said ‘no’ was because I was so nervous. I-I don’t know why I was trying so hard to get out of there, I invented a whole reason to bail on you, it was so d-dumb and rude of me.”
Fluttershy slowly inches closer to Silver, her own eyes full of tears at how open and vulnerable this kind hedgehog is.
He keeps talking and crying, “A-and now I feel guilty, I keep thinking that liking you is selfish. That m-me wanting to stay here and not wanting to go back to my time makes me a b-bad person. That admitting this isn’t fair to either of us because one day I’m gonna have to go back.”
Fluttershy scoots closer, and she leans on him, his trembling slows as she makes contact. She wraps a wing around him, her voice full of understanding, “Silver, you aren’t selfish or bad, I think you need to be a little nicer to yourself. I’m very happy that you shared your feelings with me tonight.”
She smiles feeling his trembling stop completely and his breathing calm, “I know that head of yours is so very anxious, so tell me, the future’s going to need a lot of work, right?”
“Y-Yeah, I did say that.”
“Well, if you rushed all that work at once, you would collapse from exhaustion. How would the future’s hero fix anything if he’s so tired he can’t move?”
Silver wipes his eyes, and leans into Fluttershy’s embrace, he shudders as he exhales, “Then what should I do Flutters?”
“It isn’t up to me, it’s up to you to decide… but if I was allowed to be selfish,”
She smiles down at him, “I’d want you to be happy here for a little bit longer, then you can go to the future whenever you’re ready to. I know you aren’t going to let your home down.”
Silver looks up at her, he exhales again as his heart thumps hard in his chest, “Are you sure I can stay here with you while I’m here, It’s not weird now?”
Fluttershy gently pulls him into a tight hug, and nuzzles into him, “Don’t be silly, of course you can Silvy, you’re not making anything weird.”
Silver hugs her back, full of warmth, as the fireflies blink around the both of them, they both let go, but Silver places a hand over Fluttershy’s hoof.
Silver sniffles once again, then wipes his still damp eye, “I-I’m sorry you had to see me be a crybaby.”
Fluttershy wipes a tear from her eye, “I was crying too. We’re both crybabies, aren’t we?”
Silver stands up and offers her his hand, Fluttershy places her hoof in his hand and lets him help her up. A brisk wind runs through both of them, and they both shiver a moment, Silver hugs himself, “Geez! That’s freezing!”
Fluttershy nods, “Y-yeah, let’s get inside before we catch a cold.”
They both hurry inside, as they enter the warmth of the cottage, Silver rubs the back of his head as he blushes, “It is pretty late yeah?”
“Yeah, I’m not that tired though.”
They both stand there for a moment as the awkward realization dawns on them. They both admitted to liking one another but never solidified what that made them.
Silver, however, asks, pushing his fingers together, “Are we- uh dating now?”
Fluttershy turns to looks at him, her face pink. Silver’s eyes widen, he stutters, “I-I’m sorry that was weird. I don’t know what I’m saying right now-“
The yellow pony trots up to him, “We trained together, we’ve fought side by side, at this point I’ve known you so long that I’d be very comfortable if we dated.”
Silver smiles, he puts his hands together, “I’m so happy that I might not be able to sleep tonight.” He instinctively floats in the air as he giggles, “I feel so light and fuzzy and stuff.”
Fluttershy flies up to meet him, stopping him from spinning while floating, she puts her hooves in his hands. Silver squeezes her hooved as they both hover in the middle of the room, Fluttershy gives him a slightly concerned look, “I feel light and fuzzy too Silvy but I don’t want you staying up all night by yourself.”
She floats both of them over to the couch and slowly lowers them both onto it until they’re both sitting. The yellow pony continues, “I’ll sit here with you until you can fall asleep.”
Silver laughs a little, holding her hoof still, “How is that gonna help? Me being excited about you is what’s keeping me awake.”
She scoots closer and gently wraps a wing around him, almost at a whisper she murmurs, “Just close your eyes.”
Silver follows her directions, and he closes his eyes and leans into Fluttershy, she then starts humming, a soft melodious lullaby. Silver slowly nods off as the lullaby soothed his very soul, that ever-familiar feeling of safety washing over him, he wraps an arm around Fluttershy and then exhales, his breath steadying and his chest slowly rising and falling.
After a few moments, Fluttershy folds her wing back, and slowly scoots, while gently lowering his head onto a pillow on the couch. She silently steps off the couch and she lays a blanket over him, her eyes saw his faint smile even while he was sleeping, hugging the pillow as if it were her, her heart swelled with adoration,
“Sweet dreams Silvy.”
Author's Note
This ship hit me while i was writing Sprawling Light, I also really like IDW Silver so i took some cues from that version of Silver
