As the sun began to rise over Canterlot once more, everything was completely still within Canvas and Troy's room. Along with being invited to the Grand Galloping Gala, Canvas was also lucky enough to get a room for the night in Canterlot Castle. Resting in the lusciously soft bed in the middle of the large guest room, Canvas only felt pure bliss as he kept his eyes closed, smiling as his face brushed against Troy's warm chest. Feeling the Gryphon's soft feathers, Canvas wrapped his hooves around Troy's body tighter and listened to his sleeping heartbeat. As Canvas readjusted his hooves to get more comfortable, his eyes slowly opened when he felt what was still on his left hoof.

Moving his hoof back so he could see, Canvas smiled as he saw the golden band resting on it, shining brightly against the morning light coming in through the window. As the stallion marveled at the beautiful engagement band against his aqua fur, Canvas's gaze slowly went back up to the Gryphon sleeping beside him, making his smile grow bigger as he saw Troy's face.

Even though he should've known something was up because of how odd Troy had been acting the past few weeks--especially with how much he was talking with Rarity regarding his tuxedo--Canvas didn’t care one bit anymore as he marveled at the Gryphon resting before him, feeling himself start to well up as he thought about how much his friend truly meant to him.

Canvas honestly thought that everything that happened could've just been some amazing dream; at any moment he would wake up back in that field, covered in the bruises his father gave him. However, as he felt Troy's breath gently exhale through his beak and brush against his fur, Canvas felt his heart grow warmer as he looked up at him, knowing that nothing could ever be as real as this.

Even though it felt almost surreal how much had happened in the past few months for the stallion, Canvas savored how lucky he truly felt as he pulled his head in towards Troy. As his lips gently met Troy's beak, Canvas closed his eyes and let everything sink in: having a great life, amazing friends, a loving home, a talent that now gave him a legacy…

… And now, having someone to call his husband.

Even with his lips against the Gryphon's beak, Canvas still smiled as he thought about that word, loving how amazing it sounded to him. While he never would've expected Troy to propose this soon, Canvas knew that he did it at the absolute best moment.

Still remembering how the Aurora Borealis shone stunningly above the two, and how the bright lights illuminated against Troy's shining golden eyes, there was no way Canvas could've ever said no. And now, with the immaculate, golden band resting on his hoof perfectly, Canvas felt absolutely wonderful as he kissed Troy, keeping his lips locked onto him as he felt his fiancé begin to stir awake.

When Troy opened his tired eyes, his heart immediately began to melt as he looked into the eyes of the stallion, making him feel as happy as he was last night. Remembering how hard his heart was beating when he finally got up the courage to propose to Canvas, the Gryphon couldn't have felt happier as he laid next to the pony now, still savoring the happiness he felt as he held onto his new fiancé.

Even though he never would've expected doing something like this several months ago (especially for someone like Canvas), Troy kept a smile on his beak as he hugged the pony on the bed, knowing that being with him was the best decision he could've ever made. Canvas may have not been a Gryphon--or even a female, for that matter--but none of that ever mattered to Troy as he held him close to his body. Thinking back to how much of a great friend Canvas had been to him over the past few months, Troy knew that no one, of any species or any gender, could ever match how he felt for the stallion before him.

Holding onto each other on the silk, lavender sheets, neither of them said a word as they rested in silence, only letting the sounds of their faint breathing and heartbeats carry around the room as they laid on the bed. Slowly, Canvas opened his eyes as he looked down to his hoofband once more, smiling as he marveled at the white gold shining against his fur.

Seeing how happy Canvas looked with his engagement band on, Troy kept a grateful smile on his face as his fiancé looked back up to him. As the morning sun shone brightly into the room and illuminated the two inside, neither of them could see any sign of doubt or regret as they looked into each other's eyes, smiling as they realized how utterly perfect everything felt for them.

Troy bent in and opened his beak, letting the stallion kiss him deeply once more as he savored the feel of his lips against him. After a long moment of silence, heightened by their kiss, Troy finally spoke as he opened his eyes, looking into Canvas's blissful eyes as he opened his beak.

"Good morning, beautiful."

Canvas giggled a little at hearing that, making Troy feel even happier before he nuzzled the pony. Still lying beside him on the bed, Troy slowly pulled his head back before he continued in a loving tone.

"So… can you say that last night is now the best night of your life?"

Canvas blushed as he looked up and smiled at Troy, almost glowing against the morning light before he replied:

"Absolutely."

Canvas gave one more quick smooch to the Gryphon's beak before he rested his head against Troy's chest, nuzzling it as he hugged him. Before the two could fall asleep against each other in the bed once more, Troy sighed as he noticed how bright the morning was getting already. Knowing that they would have to take the train back to Ponyville today, the Gryphon groaned slightly before he held Canvas closer, closing his eyes before he spoke in a tired and gentle tone.

"So, Canvas… what time is our train supposed to be at the station?"

"Ummm…” Canvas kept his eyes closed as he twitched his muzzle a bit, thinking it over before he responded, "I… I think it's supposed to be at ten."

"Okay…”

Keeping his fiancé cradled against his chest, Troy opened his eyes slightly as he looked over at the clock on the wall, checking the time before closing them again.

"Wait,” said Canvas as he rested his face in the Gryphon's feathers, "… what time is it now?"

"A quarter past nine…”

"Oh…”

For exactly three seconds, Canvas and Troy rested together peacefully, keeping their eyes closed before Troy's words really sunk in. Realizing what time it was, both their eyes shot wide open at the same time, realizing they only had 45 minutes to get to the train station before they shouted out in unison:

"OH BUCK!"

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Despite not wanting to look stressed or cause a scene in the halls of Canterlot Castle, the newly engaged couple didn't keep track of their worry as they frantically ran down among the marble floors, hoping they could make their way out of the castle and to the station in time.

"Why didn't you set the alarm clock, Troy?!” shouted Canvas as he galloped down the halls, his art bag flopping at his side with each rushed step.

"It wasn't my fault!" shouted Troy back as he ran beside him. "The alarm clock broke!"

"What?" Canvas asked ahe looked back to his fiancé while running, "When did it break?"

"This morning, I think,” said the Gryphon, giving a sheepish smile on his beak despite running at high speed through the Castle. "I think when the clock went off, I broke it while still half asleep. Sorry."

Canvas only groaned as he turned his attention back ahead of him, galloping as fast as he could as they reached the main hall. "I swear, dude! If I wasn't still happy about marrying you, I would be so much madder at you right now!"

"Good to know,” replied the Gryphon, grinning as the main door to the castle was in their sights.

Although they only had thirty minutes to get to the station, Troy was happy that they were able to get ready and packed in such little time. Before they could reach the front doors and make their way through Canterlot, the all-too familiar voice of Princess Celestia called out from behind them.

"Oh, good morning, Canvas!"

Even though they were under a little pressure due to the little amount of time they had, both of them still skidded to a halt as they heard the Goddess's voice. They instinctively turned back to her to make a quick bow. Hoping they weren't violating any big rules by running through the Castle like this, Canvas tried to make himself look noble through his rushed bow when he looked back up to the alicorn. Luckily, Celestia didn’t look upset or disappointed at all as the walked up to the two, looking over to the Gryphon as she spoke kindly to him.

"And good morning to you, Troy."

After his bow, Troy nodded to the Princess and stood back up, trying not to look too anxious as they stood still just a few feet from the door. Not seeming to notice their restlessness as they looked up at her, Celestia kept a warm smile as she turned her attention back to Canvas.

"Canvas, I heard from my sister that she received your gift to her. Luna wanted me to tell you that she greatly appreciates your painting."

Despite still feeling pressured by the ticking clock in his head, Canvas smiled as he heard Celestia's praise from Luna. While the stallion stood happily, Troy looked over at him with a surprised look on his face, not expecting his fiancé to have done something like that. Even though he knew Canvas was working on something for the Gala--and was also told the letter had been from Luna herself--Troy didn't think to put the pieces together like that.

Now knowing what Canvas had been doing the past few weeks after his encounter with Copper, Troy gave a light smirk as he looked at him, feeling rather impressed that the pony would use his talents to make a thank-you like that.

"A painting, huh?” said the Gryphon as he caught Canvas's attention. "So that's what you've been so busy with!"

Realizing he never really told Troy about his project, Canvas began to blush as he looked back to him, giving a meek smile on his muzzle as he tried to reply, "Ummm… yeah. I… I thought it would be a nice way to show my… appreciation."

"Well, I think it worked,” said Celestia in a cheerful tone. "I heard that she actually had it placed in her bedroom."

Canvas looked back at the Goddess wide-eyed as she said that, shocking him as he realized he now had two paintings in Canterlot Castle. Speechless by this new information, Canvas almost buckled under his hooves before Troy put up a claw, holding his fiancé upright as he tried to muster out a response to Celestia.

"W-wow!" uttered the pony as he looked up at the Goddess's smiling face. "I… I don’t know what to say!"

"I'll tell her that you're happy to hear about it,” said Celestia as she looked at the two. "You really did an amazing job, Canvas. I'm glad to see that your art has gone so well. Congratulations."

As Canvas smiled while looking back down, feeling absolutely ecstatic while Troy held him close to his side, Celestia's gaze went down to the golden band on the stallion's hoof. Immediately knowing what that was supposed to be, and who it was from, the Goddess gave a warm smile as she looked at the two before her, waiting until they noticed her gaze before she spoke in a sincere tone.

"And congratulations to the both of you."

Looking down to his hoofband, Canvas blushed and gave a smile to the Princess, feeling even happier that the alicorn was glad about their engagement. Even with how cheerful the stallion looked, Troy looked away from both of them in slight embarrassment, hoping that Celestia didn’t know where he’d decided to make his proposal to Canvas. Despite his worries, Troy was still glad as he saw how genuine Celestia looked in her approval, keeping her warm smile as she spoke once more.

"I'll see to it that Twilight helps with your arrangements."

Canvas and Troy looked back to each other as they smiled in slight disbelief, unsure of how to react for a moment before they turned back to her.

"Wow,” said Troy as he held his fiancé in closer, looking up to Celestia as he spoke in a surprised tone. "Th-thank you! I…”

Before Troy could finish his fumbled statement, he noticed the large grandfather clock on the wall near the Princess, making him widen his eyes in worry as he realized how little time they had.

"Ooh, ummm…" Troy quickly secured the satchel on his shoulder as he looked down to Canvas, seeing that he still had everything on him before turning back to Celestia. "I… I'm really sorry, but we gotta catch our train…"

Hearing that, Canvas quickly shot out of his euphoric feeling as his panic set back in, realizing they could very well miss their train as he looked up to Troy in worry. Looking over to the clock and seeing the time, Celestia gave a light grin as she looked back to the two before her as they tried to get everything together before leaving.

Despite having a tight schedule, the Goddess put out a hoof to make Canvas and Troy stop rushing for a moment, making them worry a little before she said, "Allow me to help you two…"

Celestia lit her horn, making Canvas and Troy only see a bright flash of light for a moment before they became engulfed in it. Feeling the familiar form of weightlessness in that space, Troy immediately realized what was going on as he held onto Canvas, closing his eyes before he felt his weight begin to come back to him.

While he almost felt like he was dropping the last time he was teleported somewhere--although, to be fair, he wasn't expecting it when Twilight Sparkle did it during that storm--Troy didn’t feel any major drop or change this time around, feeling like he arrived rather gracefully as Celestia's light went away.

Looking around this new area--and noticing how freaked-out Canvas looked from having experienced teleportation for the first time--Troy smiled as he saw where Celestia brought them. Despite the dozens of ponies around them looking shocked or surprised to see the Princess of the Sun immediately before them, neither Canvas or Troy noticed as they realized where they were as they stood before Celestia at the platform of the Canterlot Train Station.

"Here you go,” said Celestia kindly. "I better get back before I worry the guards or staff. But, once again, congratulations, and have a great day."

As Troy and Canvas nodded at the Princess with a smile, Celestia once again lit her horn, disappearing from the station in a flash of light just as quickly as when she arrived. While the couple stood side-by-side on the platform, all of the ponies around them just stood speechless, trying to comprehend what the buck just happened. As most of the other train-goers kept their distance (most out of fear that the Goddess was going to show up again for whatever reason), Canvas just smiled to himself and leaned in towards Troy, resting his head against the Gryphon's side and feeling his warm feathers against him.

When Troy looked down to his fiancé, he noticed that Canvas was staring at the band on his hoof, smiling before he looked up at the Gryphon with a curious look on his face.

"So,” said Canvas as he tried to think of what to say, "… how long were you planning to propose to me?"

Troy chuckled a little as he looked away, slightly embarrassed about how impulsive his answer was going to sound.

"Actually, I… decided to do it after you talked with me, about why… why you went to talk with him…"

Canvas's eyebrows rose a little at hearing that, immediately knowing what Troy was talking about. Before Canvas could question why his encounter with his father caused the Gryphon to be inspired like that, Troy looked back down to him before he spoke in a caring tone.

"You told me that it's better to live our lives for what we want, and not for what we could've had. And you know what?"

Troy peered his head in closer to the stallion, smiling as he held onto him and looked right into Canvas's gorgeous blue eyes.

"When I was holding you later that day, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted to be with you, Canvas. I wanted to spend my life with you by my side…

“… And I wanted to have you as my husband."

Canvas practically melted at that last statement, giving a warm smile before he lunged forward and hugged Troy tightly. As Troy hugged his fiancé back, he felt Canvas's left hoof raise up again as the stallion looked back at the white gold wrapped around it.

"So…” Canvas asked as he sounded more surprised, "You managed to get this in two weeks?"

"Well… yeah,” said Troy meekly before Canvas slowly stepped back, looking up at the Gryphon with a surprised look in his eyes before he responded.

"But… how could you afford this? I mean…"

Canvas looked down to the ring again before he spoke, sounding even more astonished with each passing word as he looked at the golden band. "I mean, this had to have cost a fortune! Where… where did you get the money for this?!"

Troy just chuckled again as he smiled, lifting a claw to ruffle his fiancé's mane before he replied, "Aw, come on, Canvas! I had a little bit saved up. I told you about the inheritance I got, right?"

Canvas's eyes widened as he looked back up at Troy, looking absolutely shocked by his fiancé's answer.

"You… you spent your inheritance money on this?"

"Well,” began the Gryphon as he bent his head in to Canvas, nuzzling him before he said cheerfully, "I didn’t spend all of it on that ring. I still have a lot left over, which I figured we could use for our wedding."

As Troy pulled his head back, he saw that Canvas still looked taken aback by the Gryphon's statement. Hoping to calm the pony's nerves, Troy smiled as he bent his head in and looked into Canvas's eyes once more.

"Besides,” said Troy in a caring tone with a smile on his beak, "I wanted to seize the moment. And buying that ring… was the best thing I could've ever done with that money."

Canvas didn't even take a moment to swoon at his fiancé's words before he lifted up his hooves, wrapping them around the back of the Gryphon's neck before he bent in and kissed his beak deeply. As all the ponies on the platform either stared or looked away with embarrassment, the two kept their kiss on each other as the train for Ponyville pulled into the station.

As the large cloud of steam enveloped the two as they stayed in embrace, it wasn't until the train doors opened that the engaged couple finally let go, looking into each other's eyes lovingly before they stepped into the train car.

Canvas barely moved as he laid his head against Troy's shoulder, savoring the warmth of his fiancé's feathers as the train moved along the tracks through Equestria's countryside. Feeling the stallion's head bob along the vibrations running through their cabin car, Troy smiled as he bent his head down, nuzzling Canvas lovingly as the shadows from outside shot past them.

As he felt the Gryphon hold him close, Canvas slowly opened his eyes and lifted his left hoof, keeping a warm smile on his muzzle as he looked at the golden band against his aqua fur. Looking at the shimmering ring on his hoof, Canvas sighed as he marveled at the white gold, smiling when he realized what this meant for him and Troy.

"I just can’t believe it,” said Canvas in a faint whisper, catching Troy's attention as he sat beside him. "I mean, I… really don't know what to say right now. I… I didn't expect anything like this to happen to me. I didn't think my life would change so much when… when I left Gallop Creek…”

Troy's smile slowly dropped as he looked down at his fiancé, feeling a little more morose as he was reminded of how horrible things were before. Just as the Gryphon was about to reply, Canvas continued to speak as his tone became more positive, smiling as he kept his eyes on his engagement band.

"But now… it all feels so amazing."

Closing his eyes, Canvas hugged the Gryphon tightly, keeping his face against his fiancé's feathers before he kept speaking in a faint tone.

"I made history… I got my life back… I fell in love…”

Troy smiled as he bent his head down again, nuzzling the pony before Canvas raised his head. As he looked into Troy's golden eyes, Canvas kept the warmest smile on his face as he finished his statement.

"And now… I'm going to be Canvas Clawston."

Troy's eyes widened a little at that last part, feeling surprised as he realized what Canvas was saying.

"Wait,” said Troy in a slightly flustered tone, "you… you want to take my name?"

"Well, yeah,” said Canvas in a more obvious tone of voice as he smiled at Troy. "I mean, I don't really have much of a last name, so why not?"

Troy shrugged a little as he smiled back, realizing the stallion had a fair point.

"Plus, you were the one who proposed,” said Canvas in a chipper tone as he leaned in closer, narrowing his eyes on the Gryphon as he spoke. "You managed to give me so much, Troy. You helped me out when I needed someone, and you stood by my side ever since…”

Wrapping his hooves around Troy, Canvas only kept his face a few inches from the Gryphon as he looked at him, showing the deepest look of affection and care as he finished.

"I love you, Troy. You saved my life… you saved my soul… and…

“Nothing would make me happier, than to spend the rest of my life with you."

While the train car chugged along towards Ponyville, Troy held the stallion against him as they shared a tender kiss, feeling all his worries and thoughts slowly vanish as he felt Canvas's warm lips. Holding him like this, Troy knew that nothing would ever feel as right as this moment.

Whenever he was with Canvas, he felt like the pony was truly an artist inside and out. Much like all the pieces of artwork that Canvas made, Troy always felt like the stallion did the same kind of painting for his own soul. Whenever he felt any doubts, any displeasure, or any form of unhappiness in his life, Troy always had this pony to clear his mind. Whenever he held Canvas close, or kissed his lips, or looked into his perfect blue eyes, nothing ever mattered to the Gryphon.

Troy always felt that Canvas really painted his conscience clean, keeping his mind clear of any doubt or distraction as his love swept in like the smoothest paint, leaving only happiness behind as everything else was brushed away.

Feeling almost intoxicated by Canvas's love, Troy could barely keep his eyes open as he felt the stallion's lips pull back. When he finally managed to open them and look forward, Troy saw his fiancé looking right back at him, smiling before he spoke in a caring tone.

"So, Troy… what do you think? Does… does Canvas Clawston sound alright?"

The Gryphon could only smile as he nodded, making the pony look a lot happier as he hugged him once more. As he gripped Canvas tightly with his claws, Troy chuckled a little before he spoke.

"Canvas Clawston, huh? That… that actually does sound pretty nice."

Despite liking the new last name for his fiancé, Troy's beak still skewed a bit as he looked out the window, realizing what this meant having to do.

"Oh man,” said Troy in almost a groan as he held Canvas, "my parents are going to freak out so much!"

Canvas began to giggle a little before pulling his head back, looking at Troy when he saw the Gryphon chuckling as well. Before Canvas could say anything to lighten the mood, Troy kept a smile on his beak as he looked into Canvas's eyes.

"Oh well,” said Troy as he pulled Canvas in. "As long as I have you."

Canvas rested his head on Troy's shoulder, closing his eyes as he began to rest against him. Before he could begin dozing off in the cabin car, Canvas said one last thing to his fiancé, smiling as his voice came out in a meek whisper against the vibrations of the train.

"As long… as I have you…"

While Troy knew he was definitely going to have some problems regarding his family with this, he couldn't have cared less as he felt the stallion resting against him. As he sat in the moving train car, holding onto the love of his life, Troy kept a smile on his beak and slowly closed his eyes.

Before he could rest alongside Canvas, Troy rested his head against his fiancé’s, loving his warmth as he let that last statement roll through his mind. Hearing it in his head, Troy knew it was absolutely right; it didn’t matter what others may have thought, or how odd their love may have looked, or whatever may come for the two of them in the future.

As long as I have you, Canvas, thought Troy as he clutched onto the stallion, letting their warmth share as they began to rest together on the train.

As long as I have you.

Holy crap, I'm finally finished!!! AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!

Alright, now that I got that out of my system, let me just say a few things to my readers.

To everyone who has been reading my story, and stayed with it through all this time, I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. As someone who never tried writing like this before, it's been a rather daunting and restless experience, making sure this story went along alright. I've actually had this love story in my head for a LONG time, so to finally write it, let alone complete it, has been a great experience for me. And to look back, see what I've made, and read all the positive feedback regarding it, I don't know what else I could say but thank you. You guys are awesome! Also, if you liked this story, spread it around! Link it to friends, or to places that might appreciate it! It's always nice to pull in new readers.

Oh, and I want to give a massive thanks to Bad_Seed 72, who went out of her way to proofread all 54 chapters of this for me. She's super awesome, and definitely deserves to be appreciated! Also, her stories are great, so check them out.