“Woohoo!” Pinkie Pie cartwheeled across the nature trail. She bounced up on her sneakers, batting away a few low branches as she skipped ahead of the rest of us. “You know what I love the best about saving Camp Everfree from Filthy Rich and crazy magical mishaps?!”

Applejack smirked, wagging an eyebrow as she walked beside me. “Givin' Gloriosa Daisy and Timber Spruce some well-deserved peace of mind?”

“Not to mention keeping this world's natural flow of magic in check?” Rarity eloquently added.

Applejack jabbed her thumb. “What she said.”

“No, silly!” Pinkie Pie spread her arms like a living airplane and motored ahead of us. “It's that we saved the day so early! We've still got three whole weeks of fun camping activities to do! Heeheehee! Vrooom! Outrace you, Dashie!”

“Oh!” Rainbow Dash rolled up her shirt sleeves and sprinted ahead. “It's on, girl!”

“But no using your new speedy medallion thingy! That's cheating!”

“Awwwwwwww! Pinkiiiie!”

“Heeheeeee!”

As Rainbow and Pinkie ran past us, I saw a familiar figure jumping to the side—giving the two a wide berth. I looked over in time to catch Sunset Shimmer wincing. She clutched her exposed elbow, flexing fingers that were held snugly in Applejack's spare work gloves.

I stared at her, glanced at my other friends, then adjusted the weight of my glasses. “Uhhhh...” I bore a tender smile. “...three whole weeks of camping! Aren't you excited?”

Sunset said nothing. She continued clutching opposite elbows, keeping a distance of several feet from me and the others.

I cleared my throat. “Uhm... Sunset?”

“Hmmm?” She looked over. Her eyes reflected my curious face, and the girl forced a crooked smile. “Oh! Definitely! Three whole weeks of camping! It's... g-going to be lots of fun!”

I squinted worriedly. My lips pursed to say something—

“Well, it doesn't all have to be nothing but camping.” Rarity bore a sly grin and gestured daintily. “I already spoke with both Gloriosa and Principal Celestia. We'll be allowed twice a week to visit town.” She leaned towards Applejack. “They have the most charming little spa there! Plus a collection of scented candles!”

“I know,” Applejack grunted, ducking beneath a jutting branch. “And I dun care.”

“But... b-but a country spa, darling—!”

“Can't we just enjoy the fact that we're out here in nature? Where it's peaceful and quiet? I mean...” Applejack rubbed the back of her head. “...relatively speakin'... now, of course.”

“Yeah, Rarity.” I nodded. “There'll be plenty of times to visit the spa between now and the start of the next school year.” I turned to smile at Sunset again. “I want to try out some kayaking this week. Shining Armor used to kayak a lot when I was real little. I've... always secretly wanted to see if I had the same skill as he did.”

Sunset Shimmer's eyes were locked on the dirt of the trail beneath us.

“Sunset...?”

“Huh?” Sunset jolted again, eyes darting up. “Right! Kayaking. Sounds f-fun.”

“Sunset?” Fluttershy walked up from behind. She bore an expression of concern as she reached a gentle hand towards Sunset's shoulder. “Is... everything okay?”

“Yes! Let it rest, already!” Sunset jerked away from Fluttershy's fingers, frowning. This startled most of us, and she evidently saw it. “Uhm...” She chewed on the bottom of her lip. “Sorry... uh... my nerves.” A dry gulp. “So much sun... eheh... my skin's not so used to it.”

“The sun?” Rarity leaned her head to the side. “You? Not used to it?”

“I... uh...” Sunset fidgeted in place, then suddenly brightened. “Whew! Smell that clean air! I feel just like gallop—er... running!” She flashed a grin, then sprinted forward at full-speed. “Hey! Rainbow! Pinkie Pie! Wait up!”

“But they're already a quarter-mile ahead of ya!” Applejack called out. She planted her hands on her hips. “Yeesh. I know that girl used to be a horse... but sure does throw me for a loop sometimes.”

“You're just worried the gloves you lent her are going to slip off from all the sweating, Applejack,” Rarity cooed. “It's okay.”

“Pffft. Whatever.”

“But... they're gorgeous gardening gloves!”

“Heh... whatever you say, Rarity.”

As the two of them walked ahead, Fluttershy and I lingered behind. She looked at me nervously and I gave her just as anxious a glance.

Two hours later, Fluttershy and I sat at a picnic table in the shade. We watched as a boat glided up to the freshly-rebuilt dock by Camp Everfree's lakeside. Multiple fellow classmates exchanged life vests, chatting amicably with one another as they climbed in and out of the tiny dinghy.

“You're right, Twilight,” Fluttershy spoke. “I have noticed Sunset acting strangely. Well... uhm...” She brushed aside a lock of pink hair. “Just today at least. But... you're sharing the Sapphire Tent with her. When did you first notice her acting so skittish?”

“Well...” I took my glasses off and polished them with the collar of my shirt. The world turned foggy around me as I searched my recent memories. “...just after the fund-raising ball that we had in the crystal cave.”

“That's strange,” Fluttershy's voice said. “That's the night we saved Camp Everfree from being bought out by Filthy Rich. If I were her, I'd be proud of what we accomplished.” She giggled breathily. “Why... I'm me and I'm still proud.”

“Well... p-perhaps the social event just took the wind from her sails?” I placed the glasses back on the bridge of my nose and blinked until the camp came back into focus. “I know first-hand what that's like. Before I came to Canterlot High, I couldn't stand to be in a crowded place for any longer than a minute.” I turned to smile at Fluttershy. “All things considered, I'd say I've come a long way!” My smile faded as I blinked blankly.

The girl blushed. Two pigeons and a squirrel were perched on her shoulders. “Uhm... sorry. I could have told them to go away...” She offered the birds a bread crumb and lovingly petted the rodent's bushy tail. “But I didn't want to be rude.”

“Hehe... it's okay, Fluttershy.” I smiled. “Glad to know you're getting so used to your new abilities.”

“Well, I guess you could say I'm rather fortunate.” She gently waved her hand to the sky, sending the pigeons off. The squirrel bounded away as Fluttershy pivoted to look at me with empathetic eyes. “Not all of us got abilities that were... well... a tad bit daunting, to put it lightly.”

“Oh... y-you don't have to worry about me! I'm past that!” I nevertheless hugged myself as I smiled and said, “After all... it's just being able to float things around. Eheh... I c-can't believe I was so tangled up over my fears of Midnight Sparkle—”

“Twilight...” Fluttershy breathily interrupted. “That is all wonderful... but I wasn't exactly talking about you.” That said, she gently pointed past me.

I turned to look.

I saw Sunset Shimmer in the distance. She was kneeling beside Snips and Snails, helping them make water balloons. After filling the bucket, the boys let loose a victorious cheer. Snips then raised his hand out to Sunset for a high-five. Sunset immediately flinched, losing all semblance of her previous enthusiasm. She attempted to make up for it with a smile and a salute... before awkwardly stumbling off while hugging her elbows with gloved hands. Snips and Snails exchanged confused glances, shrugging visibly.

“I... don't get it.” I blinked. “One moment... she's being as helpful as ever, and then the next—?”

“You know she really doesn't need those gloves, do you?”

I flashed Fluttershy a look. “What makes you say that?”

“Applejack told me,” Fluttershy said. “She's the one who gave the gloves to Sunset. She told me that Sunset was obviously lying about needing to protect her hands from the sun.”

“Aaaaaaand...” I brushed a strand of violet hair over my left ear. “How does Applejack know?”

“Uhm...” Fluttershy smiled, cheeks rosy. “She's Applejack.”

I sighed long and hard. “I just don't get it. Why is Sunset being so distant all of a sudden?”

“You sure it happened after the fundraising ball, Twilight?”

“Huh?”

Fluttershy gestured. “Because I recall seeing Sunset leaving the stage right after our musical performance. She stayed on the sidelines... drinking punch all by her lonesome... acting like a virtual wallflower along the edges of the crystal cave. And... uhm... I-I should know.” A sheepish smile. “I used to make an art out of 'being a wallflower.'”

“That's funny...” I gulped hard. “I didn't notice.”

“Hmmmmmm...” Fluttershy suppressed a giggle. “Maybe because you had your attention elsewhere that evening.”

I planted my hands on my hips. “What's that supposed to mean?”

“Erm... n-never mind.” Fluttershy cleared her throat. “Let... let m-me just say this, Twilight.” She gestured. “Sunset is one of the best things to have ever happened to any of us. And in realizing that and enjoying her presence... it's easy to forget that she was also once one of the worst things to have ever happened to us. But... of course... that was before you ever arrived on campus.”

I slowly shook my head. “But... I'm over that now. You're all over that now.”

“Oh, most definitely!” Fluttershy nodded. “That's true for all of us! But... is it true for Sunset...?”

I rubbed my chin, pondering on those words.

Hours later, sitting inside the camp cafeteria, I still rubbed my chin... contemplating.

My eyes traveled across a pair of macaroni effigies on the table beneath me. A figure with violet crayoned hair was missing her neck. As I blinked, a handsome wrist slid in, grasping a perfectly fitting macaroni noodle between two tan fingers.

“And so that's when I said...” Timber Spruce sat across the table from me, wagging his eyebrows. “'No... you have chicken-mouth!'”

I giggled. Hard.

Exhaling, I grasped the hard piece of macaroni and slid it into place, finishing the girl's “neck” with a dollop of glue.

Timber chuckled. A warm, burning sunset melted through the front windows facing the lake. We were alone in the cafeteria. I felt serene, toasty. It was perfect.

Almost.

“Heheh...” He leaned back, stretching his lithe arms behind his green head. “Those punks hated my guts. They stared daggers at me allll summer. I could have ratted them out on the bottles of booze that they snuck in their backpacks, but I wasn't about to stoop that low. Still...” He smirked at himself. “...this one night—when they got super sloshed—I walked up and told them that the port-a-potties had porcupines nestled in them. So they all decided to do their business in the lake. Little they know—until the morning sun rose—that it was actually the community fountain! Gifted to us by the camp group from three years ago!”

I giggled again. Even harder. It took me half a minute to recover from the tittering.

Timber exhaled breathily, reaching up to adjust the edge of his cap. “Wow... you're really laughing at my jokes.”

“Well.” I hummed. “You're really funny.”

“Yeah, but you're laughing waaaaaay harder than usual.” Timber Spruce waved a hand flippantly. “I mean, I know that my brilliant comedy routine is the central foundation of our blooming relationship, aside from my brave heroics and your pure unfiltered adorability.”

“But... I mean it.” I gulped, fidgeting slightly as I locked my eyes on our macaroni doppelgangers. “You make me laugh. I... uh... I-I like it. A lot.”

“Hmmmmm...” He hummed to himself, then leaned forward with a softer smile. “Twi, what's bothering you? I haven't seen you this distracted since the night we flew the lanterns.”

I bit my lip, toes squirming through my sandals. “Well...”

“Oh. I get it.” He rolled his eyes and folded his arms in frustration. “You found a better man, haven't you? Admit it. It's Sasquatch.”

“Wh-what?!”

“Sasquatch smells nicer than me. That's why you've already dumped me in your mind, isn't it?”

“N-nooo!” I clenched my fists. “For... f-for crying out loud, Timber!”

He chuckled deliciously, his skin blending with the melting sunlight. “You're sooooo easy to make blush!”

I huffed, although my smile still fluttered into existence. It ended just as swiftly as the next thought finally limped through: “It's... it's Sunset.”

“Oh?”

“Ever since we saved the Camp, she's been... erm... distant... skittish... and sometimes downright cranky.”

“Yeah.” Timber nodded, his round eyes locked on me. “Totally.”

I looked at him. “You mean you've noticed too?”

“Yes.” A beat. “Well...” He rubbed the back of his head. “Gloriosa has. She notices lots of things, my sis. From what she can tell, something's eating at Sunset super hard. She just hasn't talked to her about it because... because of... well...” He smiled nervously, air quoting with twin index fingers. “The whole 'mutating into a Poison Ivy Cosplay of Death' thingy.”

I nodded. “Right.” I fought a lump in my throat. “It's... it's her new abilities.”

“You think?”

“She can't quite control it like the rest of us,” I said. “When she makes skin contact... she instantly reads what's in our hearts and minds. I think that there's... something about this that bothers Sunset... to the point that she's resorted to wearing gloves and keeping all of us at a distance.”

“Wow.” Timber Spruce blinked. “That sucks.”

“And... what's even worse is that she's still Sunset. I mean... she still wants to help people! Her friends... her classmates... everyone at camp.” I hugged myself with a sigh. “But whenever she goes in to do what she's good at... she suddenly draws away... and she's distant again. I... think she doesn't want to invade anyone's thoughts. And that's sweet and all... but that doesn't mean that she has to be a total persona non grata.” Silence. My spectacled eyes darted up. “That's Latin for 'pariah.'”

“I know.” Timber Spruce nodded. “And—as her best friend—I think she would appreciate hearing these feelings coming straight from you.”

My heart jumped. I sat up straight. “Huh?”

“What I meant was that if you spoke to Sunset personally about—”

“You think I'm Sunset's best friend?”

Timber's eye twitched. He smiled dumbly. “Well, chtyyeahhh, girl!” He leaned casually against his end of the table. “Are you kidding me? Every time... every single time I've run into Sunset since she first arrived in this camp, she was either hanging out by your side, giving you a pep talk, or running to your rescue.”

I blinked. “Huh...”

“I mean... honestly! Heh... how many friggin' times up until Gloriosa went all freaky-deaky did Sunset literally run somewhere—be it day or night, rain or shine—just to find you and help you out?” He slapped his bangs back, smiling smugly. “That kind of loyalty is hard to come by, Twilight. It's obvious to me that the girl—like—super cares about you. I mean... how can somebody not? You're totally adorbs. I care really big about you, and I'm just some dork you've known for barely a week!”

“Heeheeheeeee...” I giggled felicitously, but it wasn't just because of his joke. I found that I was hugging myself harder. “We're best friends...”

“Do... you really find that so hard to believe, Twilight?” He reached out, gently touching my arm. “That you can be somebody's best friend? That you can be somebody's best anything?”

“I guess... I've just never thought of it before.” I sighed, gazing at his hand. “I've been so busy getting used to having friends... and b-being happy.”

He genuinely smiled at that. “Well, enjoy it. You deserve the absolute best.” He gestured. “And so does Sunset! Just hammer it out with her. Have a heart-to-heart talk, and I promise you that she'll come out of this new silly shell of hers.”

“You... r-really think so?” I murmured, legs kicking beneath the table.

“Totally!” He framed an invisible scene with his hands. “Just walk up to her and go, 'Hey! Sunnybun! You mean the world to me! Stop freaking out over mind-reading!'”

“Srnkkkk!” I clutched a hand to my face, doubling over with laughter. “'S-Sunnybun?!'”

“Yeah? What of it?” He shrugged, smirking. “Best friends have nicknames for each other! Like—think of my sister and I! I call Gloriosia 'Stinkyhair' and she calls me 'Rhino Chin.'”

“Yeah...” I giggled some more. “But you and your sister are always bickering with one another.”

“Pfft. Nobody's perfect. Erhm...” He blushed, scratching the back of his head. “Except y-you, of course.”

“Well played, Romeo.”

“Hey... I save the poison for the last act.” He leaned forward. “So... how about we finish this macaroni masterpiece and you can go hug it out with Sunnybun—”

“I have to talk to her now.” I waggled a finger in the air, summoning a magical purple haze that filled the room. A flock of macaroni noodles snaked out of the bag and fit perfectly into the rest of the missing places, finishing the two figures in less than five seconds. “Thanks, Timber! Gotta go! See ya tomorrow!” And I sprinted out of the room.

I faintly heard him yelp behind me: “Hey! You forgot the glue!” Followed by a shudder. “Wait... 'glue'... horses... ugh...” He face-palmed. “You friggin' foot-sucker.” And the doors to the cafeteria swung closed.

I pushed my way through the sapphire tent flap.

Sunset Shimmer's naked back was exposed to me. The girl was halfway through slipping her rosy pajama top on. Upon hearing another pair of feet scuffling across the floor, she shrieked and yanked down the article, nearly tearing its seams.

“It's me!” I flinched, desperately waving a hand. “It's me!”

“Guhhhhhh...” She exhaled through a prolonged grumble. A pair of turquoise eyes glared over her shoulder. “Well, could you knock next time?”

“Uhm...” I pointed awkwardly behind me. “On a tent flap?”

Sunset sighed. Her frown immediately faded under a melancholic shadow. “I'm sorry, Twilight. I... I overreacted.”

“Yeah. I noticed.” I strolled forward. “So... uhm... I-I haven't seen you much since our walk on the nature trail earlier, and... uhm...” I paused. I adjusted my glasses, squinting at her. “Wait. You're going to bed?”

“Yeah.”

“But...” I pointed outside. “It's not even night yet.”

She breathed, padding over to her bed. “Yeah...”

“Don't... you want to hang out with Applejack, Pinkie and the rest of us?” I shrugged. “We were going to hang out by the fire. Just the seven of us... y'know... and chat.” I smiled. “There are still so many stories about Canterlot High that I don't know about.”

“Twilight...”

“Or... y'know... just Canterlot. Heehee...”

“It's fine. You... uh...” Sunset slipped on the first of two gloves over her delicate yellow fingers. “You go ahead. Have fun with the girls.”

I stood in place, nervously eyeing Sunset's hands as she slid on the second glove. I gulped and murmured, “Sunset... what's wrong?”

“Nothing.” She yawned—or at least tried to. “I'm just tired.”

“You've been nervous and jumpy ever since the fundraiser,” I said. “You snapped at Fluttershy... avoided the rest of us... and now you're going to bed early.” I pointed. “With gardening gloves on.”

“You know why I'm wearing gloves, Twilight. My skin is—”

“Yeah. And it's a silly excuse. Applejack sees right through it.” I shrugged. “And—besides—you're inside... about to sleep under a tent. It doesn't take a genius from Crystal Prep to know that you're trying to hide something.”

“Twilight, please... would you just let it drop?” She sat in the bed with a slump, staring lethargically past me. “I'm okay. Honestly...” She put on a brave smile. “I just... need to rest, is all.”

“You're scared of touching any of us,” I said. “You don't want your powers to activate and read our thoughts.”

“What?” Sunset snickered. “Twilight... you of all girls should know that I'm the last pony—I mean person on earth to fret over using magic!”

I crossed my forelimbs and raised an eyebrow. After several turgid seconds, I took a single step forward.

“Guh!” She flinched into the center of the bed, curling up into a fetal position. “St-stay away!”

“Sunset...” I sighed, staring at her with sad eyes. “This simply isn't you.”

“Mmmm...” She hugged her knees to her chest with shaking gloves. “I know.”

“The Sunset that I know is loyal... courageous... and isn't afraid to start a shouting match over protecting the ones she cares for!”

“I know.” She hid her face, sighing. “I know.”

“Then why are you shutting us out?” I waved out the tent flap. “Why are you keeping us at a mile's length?!”

She murmured against her knees. “I can't control my magic, Twilight. It just... happens.”

“So?!” I stepped closer, looming at her bedside. “After days of telling me to 'embrace the magic' and to get over my irrational fears of Midnight Sparkle, you're just gonna curl up like a red-headed pill bug and throw that all out the window?”

She tossed her head with an angry scowl. “It's not about me, Twilight! I don't want to invade anyone else's thoughts!”

“Sunset, I promise you...” I smiled sincerely. “We'll understand—”

“You'll understand!” She sniffled, shivering in place. “But the rest of the girls? They know about the Sunset I used to be. Somewhere—nestled deep inside their precious heads—there's still some hate and distrust to be had! I-I just know it!”

“And lemme guess... you're scared of seeing it all again. Of feeling it all again.”

“It's not just that.” Sunset fumed. “Twilight, you weren't there when I went totally ballistic and tried to take everything that was precious to the people of this world and the ponies of Equestria. After all that I've done to make up for my mistakes, I just...” She winced, her eyes watering. “Mmmm... I d-don't want to encroach on their sacred thoughts and feelings once again. So just... just please... let it rest.”

I stood in silence, gazing at her.

“So... uhm... yeah...” She sighed, drawing a blanket over herself and turning towards the far side of the tent. “You go on, Twilight. Join the other girls. I'll... I'll be fine. I just... need time. I'll get over it. Just... need some time.”

More silence.

At last, my feet shuffled as I walked over to the opposite end of the tent and kicked my sandals off.

Sunset heard it. She glanced over her shoulder. “Twilight? What are you doing?”

“Going to bed too,” I muttered.

“Don't be ridiculous. You're not sleepy.” She waved a hand as she looked away. “Go and join the girls by the campfire. You deserve to be happy.”

“I can't be happy,” I said. “Not while you're stuck in here with a cloud over your head.”

I heard her sigh. “Twilight...”

“So if you're turning in early... then s-so am I.” I plopped down in my bed, wringing my fingers together. I spent a few seconds chewing on my lip before looking up across the tent. “You're my best friend, Sunset.”

I saw her flinch beneath the covers—just as if one of us was reaching out to her arm. But—just as quickly—her muscles relaxed with a melancholic exhale.

“I mean it. You are.” I smiled sweetly, even if she couldn't see it. Or imagine it. “I love the other girls' company and all, but... you single-handedly showed me a new life. A life of friendship... of happiness... of meaning.” I fought the urge to sniffle, clasping a hand over my heart. “You saved me, Sunset. You saved my life and... you mean so much to me... to all of us. And I promise you...” I shook my head, forming a fist. “If you read the thoughts of any of the girls—even accidentally—you will find nothing but gratitude and appreciation... and love, Sunset. Because... because you're you... and that's a good thing. You're such a good, good thing.”

Silence.

And then—limping from her lips: “Good night, Twilight.”

I bit my lip. Sliding into my own bed, I curled up without the covers and murmured to the tent walls: “Good night... Sunset.”

Nothing more was said.

The shadows coalesced... and we both drifted down disparate, dark streams.

My shrieks came to a sudden end.

And just like that, the outer veil of Midnight Sparkle tore away.

I levitated in a stupor... somewhere otherworldly... surrounded by curtains of billowing light.

That's when she appeared.

She drifted forward, hovering angelically through the haze. Her majesty was blinding, and the fury of her presence was like a furnace with no end.

But she spoke with such strange softness. It matched her turquoise eyes as they absorbed me... embracing me like nothing more than a friend.

“Take my hand, Twilight,” she said. “Let me show you there's another way.”

I flinched from her... retreating from her touch... as if scared that it would burn me.

“Just like someone once did for me,” she finished, and I couldn't tear myself away from her smile.

I fidgeted. I felt short of breath.

But something in her eyes was simple. Something I could trust.

The last inch of Midnight Sparkle melted away, and in her place came a river of tears. I reached out through the flood, and a strong hand pulled me to the surface, beyond all the burning lights of that confusing, frightening world.

And as she held me...

And as I breathed the first breath of a new life... I knew...

I knew...

...that I was safe.

I awoke a sniffling, crying mess.

And yet... there was a warmth in my heart that would not fade away.

I sat up in bed, momentarily forgetting where I was. Just one misty-eyed look was all it took to remind me of the tent... of the Camp... of my new life and friends and...

I smiled.

I smiled so hard and I hugged myself.

I let the tears flow.

There was another whimper—but it didn't come from me this time.

Curious, I looked towards the far end of the tent. All was fog and stirring. Concerned, I reached over to the bedside table, grabbed my glasses, and slipped them over my eyes.

Shivers and quakes issued from Sunset Shimmer's bed. I saw her blanketed shoulders—and they refused to keep still.

Lips pursed, I slipped out of bed and padded across the floor. I stood pensively at her bedside, gazing down at her.

Sunset was fast asleep—though one could hardly tell. Her face was locked in a perpetual grimace. Her hair was tossed all over the place. And her eyes streamed with tears.

Soft, fractured words escaped her lips in tiny little squeaks. “Mmmm... s-sorry... so... so sorry...” She winced again in her fitful slumber. “Please... f-forgive me...”

I fidgeted where I stood. I thought of waking her. I thought of fetching the rest of the girls. I thought...

“... … ...” I turned to look at my own bed across the tent. Suddenly, a tender smile crossed my lips. I faced Sunset again. Closing my eyes, I took several deep breaths. I held one hand over my chest—as if cradling the warmth that still lingered there. Then, opening my eyes, I reached out and cupped my other hand's naked palm to her cheek. My finger stroked a delicate path between her nose and her ear, drying the tears that had collected on that soft yellow skin.

Then—within seconds—a magical light emanated from beneath Sunset's fluttering eyelids. Just like that... every muscle in her body relaxed. The sniffling stopped, although the tears remained... only now they trickled down a warm, smiling face. Sunset's body curled up into a fetal position beneath the covers. There was a hiccup or two, but soon the shivers melted away completely, and she let loose a sigh of contentment as that same smile carried her deep into the depths of a brand new warmth. Soon, she was sleeping like the blissful angel that she was.

“Hmmm...” I smiled, giving her cheek one last gentle stroke. “Sweet Dreams, Sunnybun.”

A second later, I gently tugged the blanket over her. I limped back to my bed, curled up beneath the sheets, and lay their for a while... watching my best friend from a distance and smiling into the long, dark hour.

Best friend...

I wonder if magical unicorns dream of humans.

I would certainly hope so.

I thought of something else that made me giggle—but not nearly as much as this moment. And somewhere in between the resulting sighs...

...I fell asleep with a smile.

Author's Notes:

The picture shown above was briefly uploaded to derpibooru on the last week of September '16, and then almost immediately deleted... presumably by the mods.

Whoever made this, and whatever your motivation, I want to both thank you and blame you for the creation of this fanfic. Now, you may shimmy right along.