A/N:  Enjoy... I have chosen the longest route. Be prepared.

Today was one of the greatest days in Mary’s life as she surveyed the land fully decked out in a rain suit. Next to her was an oddly ecstatic filly who she had been giving info on since the waking hours of the morning. Twist never found out how Mary figured out about her love interest in her brother. Mary doubted she would believe her imaginary friend told her so she decided to just keep it a secret.

Although this was still an odd scene for the two of them, Mary had no experience with romance outside romance novels. “Mary… I wanted to athk, you don’t think I’m weird right?” Twist looked up at the alicorn, she was well over four times her size.

Mary looked down to the little filly, “What do you mean Twist?” she said with honestly confused.

Twist slightly blushed as she trotted closer, as if closing the distance would make this any less weirder. “Your brother and well me? I mean, I don’t know… Don’t you think it’s groth?”

Mary leaned down trying and nuzzled her mane, “Not getting cold hoofs now are you?”

Twist stood her ground. “No it’th jutht, why are you helping me? I know what hith talent ith, I know why he doethn’t want to move on. But yet you’re here helping me still.”

Mary leaned down, soaking her front legs in the mud, “Well I won’t lie, if this all goes through though without a hitch and he starts to see you in a new light. The age difference would be the biggest hurdle.  In the eyes of the law he would be a fillyfooler until you hit fourteen and can legally marry. Even then ponies would look at you funny until you grew into your full mare hood.”

Twist blushed; she had not even thought that far ahead, she would have been happy with him as a special somepony. “I jutht, I don’t know… I just want to know why me.  There are a lot prettier mareth, older, thmarter, cuter. I’m not pretty like Glath wath, and I’m the biggest nerd in my clath.  Even Thnailth turned me down…”

Mary wrapped a hoof around he and pulled her in close, “Twist, I really want you to stop with the pity party.  The reason why I’m helping you and not any other is because I know you do love my brother.  My brother has been mourning Glass for five years, knowing her she would have been mad at Gary for mourning her for five minutes. There is also something special Twist that only you and Glass shared.”

Twist’s ears shot up eager to know what put her on par with Glass, “What’s what?”

“You both are stupidly honest and both you and Glass asked me for help with Gary.” Mary chuckled.

Twist raised a brow, “I thought they fell in love because Gary beat her in a race?”

Mary shook her head, “Well no and yes, that got him in the door. While were dating however it wasn’t golden road and strawberry kisses. Although they did have those moments. They fought like rabid dogs some nights and others you couldn’t pull them apart. Every time they would fight, Glass would come crying to me and complaining about Gary and when she wasn’t around Gary would complain about her.”

“That doesn’t make any sense how am I going to get him to like me? Get him to fight with me?” Twist pounderd.

A sheepish grin grew on her face, “No, but if it does I hope you do. Gary just needs a small reminder on what is truly important.” She poked Twist in the chest. “When he does, I know he will return your feelings.”

“Really?” Twist beamed.

“Well maybe, remember you’re still thirteen. He might accept your feelings and not return them. You’re still jailbait.” She got close and her voice turned warm and motherly. ”I am sure however if you tug hard enough, he will find out your worth the wait.” Mary stood back up and again started to survey the river.

“What am I going to say when we have are study date? What am I going to say?”

Mary slightly ignored the question as she walked along the river, the Ponyville river was normally a gentle stream but during the a hard rain it built up pretty nasty rapids. What caught her eye the most was the waterfall that lead into Ponyville Lake. The fall wasn’t dangerous, but it was enough to leave a few bruises on the way into the lake if you fell wrong. “Just say whatever you’re feeling, if you fake the conversation Gary will know and you’re sunk. Twist… I think I may have just thought of a way that you two could be really close.”

Twist eagerly smiled, “Anything what ith it?”

“Well… how are you when it comes to heights?”

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Gary had many firsts today; oddly enough this was the third time he had been chased down by a group of angry mares.  There is something he learned the hard way from the first time, you can’t argue against an angry mare.

The second time he learned that no matter what the situation is a flash mob always grows. It had been thirty seven minutes since he started running for his life and the mob had grown three fold. You gain tons of energy when you’re running for your life and sanity.  Although some mares where chasing him for more contemptible means.

Fly and die by being struck by lightning, stop and get either pummeled to death or raped depending on who was lucky to nab me first. Today just really isn’t my day.  He leaped over three wooden fences to try to slow his pursuers.  To no luck, the pegasi simply glided over, then the earth mares jumped over, and the unicorns created a ramp over it.

Gary jumped over a fourth fence and almost crashed into a apple tree.  Narrowing missing the ripe fruit by mere inches, dodging branch after branch of the low hanging fruit. The rain had just started and he could no longer tell if it was his sweat or the mist pelting him from above. His coat now covered in a light thin film of dirt and muck.

Then he saw it, his salvation. The first building in Ponyville, the town hall wasn’t very big, it did however have a door and windows. No matter how many they have in numbers he could still work out the numbers. Gaining an untold amount of speed he burst through the door.

Gary took two steps and stopped. “No way…” Gary said in a low voice. It was quite an amazing feet he didn’t boil over right there.

Mares and fillies, around ninety in total. Each dressed up in bunny outfits. He could feel his mouth watering as his mind began to steep into its most perverse fantasies.  Everypony was gathered into small circles hopping over watering cans. Either I died, or someone is trying to troll me.

He couldn’t help but look, some of the finest mares he had ever seen where wearing full body bunny suits. What would I give to be a wolf right now…  He tried his best not to peek at the fillies, but he still did. I’m going to hell I know it. He safely documented several hundred mental images in the span of 1 second in a NSFW file in his mind.

However sick and depraved Gary’s mind had sunken into there still was the matter of the hoard of females ready to geld him. It took godlike amounts of willpower to pry his eyes off the bunny mares. Every town I have ever been too this is my favorite; I see Mary likes it here.  Gary ran up the second set of stair that lead to the top floor.

To his luck it was empty, nary a soul in sight. It was easy to tell when his pursuers followed him in from his vantage point at the top window. After the last mare had entered Gary took it upon himself to slip out the window and onto the edge of the building using his wings to keep balance.  After taking a few steps he leapt off the edge of the building and glided down to safety and then booked it.

Now his destination was in sight, his home, his temple, his personal place to get out of the cold rain. Thankfully he did not run here directly, the last thing the stallion wanted was a mob at his doorstep… again.  The lights were dim inside the library. Thankfully there was nopony around as he trotted forward. Leaving mud tracks in his wake; today lasted far too long for the stallion.

“I think I should take up drinking, some nice hard cider would be so good right now.” He made his way to the one thing he wanted to see. It wasn’t his warm bed that eagerly waited for him. It was the white tiled shower, a holy ground for the residential librarian. She did not take much pride in her look, but she sure knew how to pamper herself. With all sorts of bath salts to lotions and even some fancy mane care products.

Gary twisted the handle and at first the water was cold, but the shower soon warmed up and began to pool at the basin of the shower. He love taking solitary moments like this, where his body and mind could rest where only the sound of the water casting over him was heard. Gary locked his legs into place, letter the water wash over him and letting the lotions he ‘barrowed’ from Twilight’s collection soak into his fur.

He felt like a new stallion, nothing like a hot shower and a clean coat to pick up ones spirits. Steam started to roll of his masculine frame; he was, in every respect, the perfect specimen of masculinity. He was large for a stallion, but not freakishly huge. His muscles were impressively toned, but not bulky. His entire frame suggested that both strength and speed were in his possession.  A white towel now draped over his mane, slowly absorbing the water that was in it. Again it returned to the forefront of his mind, he was hungry.

He took the side entrance to the kitchen, small and rustic for his taste but it serve well enough to have a nice place to store food.  There were tons of pastries that Spike had made for Twilight, which was most likely the cause of her slightly pudgy frame. Gary didn’t mind it, it suited her well enough.  Over the next fifteen minutes, nine cupcakes and three sandwiches mysteriously disappeared from the fridge.

Gary already had the perfect scapegoat, a tiny growing bird that needed nutrition. Although if press he would confess, but hell, if that bird could be blamed then it shall.

The library now hit after hours, a time where it was closed to the public. The door was shut and the day was now his. A rare moment where the problems of the outside world didn’t matter, Gary was at peace.

Ding-Dong

“It always happens right when I sit down, never any—“

Ding-Dong

“Coming!” Gary shouted, his serenity destroyed. Grudgingly he made his way to the door. He opened it to find at lest to his small pleasure a colt. Around the age of fourteen to seventeen would be his guess. Old enough to breed, but not to drink, something Gary thought was ironic in his taste.

“Are you Gary Stu?” The young colt questioned.

“Yes I am.” Gary said perplexed. No pony knew of his location save for very close relations.

“Good,” the colt’s horn glowed and a black silk covered box appeared. “I just need your hoof print right here to sign that you received this package.” Gary pressed his hoof hard on the clipboard, the treated paper now taking form to mark where he pressed. Gingerly he bit down on the box and shut the door, leaving the colt deliver guy tipless.

Curiosity was one thing Gary hated about himself, but yet loved all the same. Many times has his curiosity gotten him into scrapes but at least most paid out in the end. This box however smelled funny, not ha-ha funny, eerily familiar. “Who wraps their gifts in black velvet cloth?” He mumbled to himself. However the cloth did not stay on for long as he tore off the fabric.

Underneath was just a plain cardboard box with no marks, non-interesting ones anyway. He opened the next container, Gary raised a brow. It was a black and red umbrella hat, as pulled out a second duplicate hat. Next was a pitch black bow tie that was as simple as they come.  The last item however stumped the stallion, it was a red dress. Not a normal dress, this was tailored expertly so. The fabric was soft and silky and there was even a lace frilly garter with a rabbit head stitched into the frill.

“Who would send me these?” Gary set the dress back in the box.

Ding-Dong

“Well at least I didn’t sit down yet,” he took little soleus in that fact. He set the box on the coffee table that was in middle of the study area or when it was after hours, the living room.

This time when he cracked open the door however it wasn’t a greasy face colt, although he kind of wished it was as he forgot about something very important.  He was supposed to tutor Twist; she however didn’t look like she wanted to be tutored.

She was completely soaked.

“Come in, come in.” Gary nearly pulled her inside. He draped her in the slightly wet tower that he was using to dry his mane. Twist had been preparing for this study session all day, she tempered her will as much as a filly could.  Most of it was wiped away however as his scent of books and fresh cut grass nearly keeled her over in a euphoric state she couldn’t explain.

“I’m thorry I’m late. Bon-bon wouldn’t let me leave until I finithed the ditheth.” Gary just nodded politely; he didn’t want her to know he had completely forgotten about her.  He rubbed her mane until it was dry, her mane was starting to reform back to its curly state from the straightening early this morning. Gary knew well the effects of cold rain, catch ones death of cold was more than a fear for the stallion.

“It’s alright, let’s just get you warmed up. How about some hot coco?” Gary played the chocolate card, never had a mare or filly passed up free chocolate.

“Thure!” Twist said with glee. She was no exception.

Gary wrapped the towel around her and left towards the kitchen, something though felt off about this situation. He quickly looked back to Twist who was doing nothing more than sitting there.  He couldn’t quite place it, but shrugged it away and proceeded to make the coco.

Twist sat quietly on the couch, her mind trying to work together what Mary had said. This situation was not natural, so it was hard to talk naturally. There was a huge elephant in the room, and she wanted desperately to talk about that elephant.  

She peeked behind the couch; normally Twilight would sit right next to her, and the two times Gary came in on their studies sessions he sat across the table. Twist need him to sit next to her, so as delicately as she could as  tried to nudge the opposing couch further away from the table. C’mon, just a few inches is all I need.

“What are you doing?” Gary said with two hot beverages on his back. Twist was pushing hard on couch but to no avail it did not move a inch.

Twist whipped around, like a filly who got caught with her hoof in the cookie jar. “Nothing jutht thought thith couch wath not very fung-they tho I want to move it over a bit.”

Gary just raised a brow, that is the biggest load of crap I have ever heard. Gary rolled his eyes, Selfie used to do the same thing when it was scary movie night. Her favorite Daring Do flush chair use to magically always find its way to Gary’s recliner. In the end though Gary was the chair and his chest became her pillow during any scary scenes. So she wants to sit next to me, I was planning on that from the start.

Gary promptly nodded to the filly, accepting her grievous lie as he took Twilight’s normal position. After about three more seconds of fake pushing Twist nodded when the couch reached its feng-shui position.  In reality the couch had not moved a inch. She promptly took her place on honor right by Gary’s side right where she wanted to be.

Twist took the coco from the table and to her delight it was jammed packed with marshmallows, “Thank you for making thith, I really love coco.”

Gary sipped down on his coffee hoping this would be over quickly enough for him to get a full nights rest.  “No problem Twist, so what subject did you need help with today.”

Twist scooted closer, trying to cover the gap. “Just reading, Twilight usually goeth over and explainth to me what I mithed in clath.”

Gary gave an affirmative nod, slightly relieved that this study session there would actually be studying. “Ok, so where is your homework?”

Then it hit them both, the missing piece that threw Gary off. There were no books, no pages to read from, and no material to cover. This filly came her with no saddle bag and most of all today was a Saturday.  There was no school today.  Twist was caught in her own trap that she set herself.

Her glasses began to steam up; she had forgotten the most important key to this evening. Twist looked down at her hooves slightly ashamed, “I forgot to bring them.”

Gary sighed, he knew something was up. “Twist we need to talk…” He didn’t want to hurt the poor filly, he had seen what Rarity did to Spike and that was the last thing he wanted.

Twist however did not want to talk about the elephant in the room with that start, it sounded like a brake up and they where not even going out, “Can I they thomthing firtht, pleathe?”

Gary nodded, “Go ahead, I’m listening.”

Mary told her the secret, to win over Gary. It wasn’t a huge one that would make him fall in love with her, but it would be enough to get him to look at her in a new light. To be honest. Twist took a huge breath as she tried to fortify her nerves. “When I firtht thaw you I thought you were a printhe and I kithed you on the lipth. I atho found out about Glath and it wath really thad tho when everypony went to theep latht night I tried to wake you tho I could tell you that I loved you and you don’t need to be thad anymore.”

Gary touched his lips, when did she?

“Whenever you turn around I look at your flank. The other day when you were out and Twilight wath in the bathroom I when into your room and thniffed your pillow.”

That’s kind of creepy.

“I altho tricked Twilight to leave tho I could be… alone… with… you.” She finished.

Gary took a moment to process the information, Twist however looked like that she was about to burst into tears and she was already sniffling.

“Tell me Twist, why do you love me?”

The question itself knocked her for a loop, she was preparing for the worst. “Becauthe… of my mom.”

Gary raised a brow, slightly interested. “Go on.”

“When my mom wath alive thhe uthed to tell me thtorieth growing up of a handthome prince that would take me away and live happily ever after. Mom alwayth said I was thpecial and that no matter what I would know it when I thaw him it will be love at firtht thight. When I woke up after you thaved me I knew right then you where the prince my mom was telling me about…”

Gary was slowly starting to understand, “I see, so I became the prince that you were waiting for. Twist let me ask you something, what if I was the prince you were waiting for what would you do?”

Twist was honestly not prepared for this line of questioning, “I would… love you?”

“I hope so, but let’s put that question aside for now. How do you know if what your feeling really is love? My special talent is making mares and fillies fall for me, how am I supposed to know that you’re not just affected by that?”

Twist pushed her hoof to Gary’s chest, “Because my heart won’t thtop beating faster when I look at you. I couldn’t thtop crying when I knew you were thad. I don’t know much about love but I know ith real…”

Gary was slightly taken back by this; this filly was mature beyond her years. Either that or she had read way too many romance novels. “So Twist let’s say I entertained your wish, I would become your special somepony. What then? You’re not really prepared to hold an adult relationship.”

Twist blushed; her train of thought went directly to the image of Gary the night before upside down against the wall for all to see. Gary already was on it, “Not sexual Twist, I see that you really are pouring your heart out on this so I am going to be forthwith with my answers.”

Twist sniffed, “Is it because I’m thirteen? I read the lawth when I am fourteen I can… you know…”

“Twist it is NOT about sex, if I wanted that I would walk outside and lay in the street.” Twist didn’t get what he meant, but she was not going to question it. “You said before that you were sad about Glass, it was a tragic thing that happened, I lost both my lover and my daughter. It’s not your problem to try to heal my wounds because I’m sad.”

Twist scooted closer, Gary just let her be if it would make her happy. “I want to make you happy, it what makes me feel special. I know I can’t replace Glass, but I still want a chance to love you like she did.”

Gary gulped, if he had not been looking at a filly he would have put his net worth that she was a mare. “Twist you’re a beautiful filly, I’ll give you that, but us, we, can never be like that.”

Twist knew it was coming but the pain in actually hearing it was not something she was not prepared for. To her this was her prince, her knight in shining armor who saved her life. Who was suffering on the inside but refuse any help at all. The little filly broke down, and Gary gave in and wrapped her in a warm embrace.

“It’s ok Twist,” Gary pressed her head close to his coat, he knew if he saw her crying. He would crack and give in, but the tears continued. In such a short time this one stallion meant the world to her and he brushed her off.

“But I love you,” she said, voice cracking as she tried to speak. “All I want is a chance, pleathe? One chance to pove that ith pothable.”

Don’t worry gar-bear. I don’t care what my mom says I still love you and that is all that really matters right? Anything is possible if you love each other.

It was a moment that is all it took for the stallion to let his guard down.  He released his grip the held her against his chest. It just a instant and that is all it took, her mane was not fire red but charcoal black and her eyes became scarlet. For but a single solitary moment of weakness, she became Glass.

She never saw it coming, she would replay this moment in her mind a thousand times over and still not fully understand it. She had felt them once before, this time however that where for her.  It was everything she wanted and more, this time she was on the receiving end.  Twist was now in a euphoric high that she would never forget.  Even if it wasn’t true in her mind with was her real first kiss.

Gary pulled away, as Glass vanished only to leave Twist in its wake. Five years it had been since he kissed somepony other than his sister, even then it was either good night or small injuries. This however was not a kiss that one should have given a filly. Twist looked on into his eyes, and Gary looked back.

She had succeeded a million times over, her best hope for the evening was to get him to be her date for the dance that evening.  The dance now was a mere after thought, lost in the ages as she looked on her beloved.

“Twist that was a mistake.” Gary quickly said, his body now reacting to its urges, it didn’t care that it was a filly it kissed, it want to do it again.

Twist didn’t care if he thought it was a mistake, she was still on the highest cloud in the sky, “Yes ok Gary, I know. Ponies do crazy things when they're in love.”

Oh my Celestia what have I done. “Twist, please I need you to think about this very, very carefully. That wasn’t anything just a mere slip. Don’t go reading into it ok.”

Twist was already picking out names for their foals. She knew however this would take time, she was planning to pursuing Gary however long it took. Now though, everything was different. The huge wall that she faced now had a small crack in it, and it was just enough for her to work with.

“Twist, please, I will quite literally give you anything if you never breathe a word of this to anypony. What I just did means jail time, serious jail time.” Gary was now willing to do anything she asked, it was a rare opportunity.

Twist knew that if he asked she would never speak of it, she would take it to her grave if she had too. Although, anything she wanted sounded like a pretty good deal for something she was going to do anyway. “Ok, I want you to take me out to dinner.”

“Fine, done, where do you want to go?” Gary soon would regret these words. “Mc. Ronolds? Sub-Hay? Burger Prince?”

- - -

The box that he had received was now the biggest blessing he had ever been given. Twist didn’t want dinner, she wanted a date.  The place she choice was the ritziest high end restaurant in town, One where the royalty of Canterlot would go too when they visit the lesser peons of the countryside. The name was completely in Prance and Gary could only pronouns one third of it.

In this high end restaurant however there was a dress code. Twist was now dressed up in the in the red silk gown. It oddly was a perfect fit, almost like it had been made just for her. Gary was wearing a small formal bow tie and the two rain hats were perfect in the storm.

Gary however wanted to do nothing more than sink into a hole and die. He normally was good when it came to ponies looking at him. Dragon wings are rare and unique, this time however the eyes were not judging his wings.  They were judging him and the dolled up filly next to him. Since they sat down the couples did nothing but stare at the duo.

Twist was not helping the situation either, when they entered the establishment she requested the ‘couples’ booth. It essence it was a love seat in the center wall with a great view of the fireplace.  Since then she hadn’t left his side. On the bright side though the fabric of her dress fell great against his fur.

That was the only bright side.

“Can I take your orders?” A stallion with a slick comb black hair and a hair pin mustache came to the table. His gaze was unnerving, it was hard to read.

“I would like Hay sur un blé entier recouvert de sause canard l'orange (Hay on a whole wheat covered in orange duck sauce.) And a large pint of hard cider.” Today is a great day to start drinking.

The stallion quickly jotted down the order, his mouth writing looked like chicken scratch. He set down the pencil before returning his gaze to the duo. “What will the little mare be having this evening.” He said putting way to much emphasis on the word mare.

“I want a burger and thome hay frieth with extra ketchup pleathe.” Gary just facehoofed, The snickering of mares and stallions at the other tables was almost unbearable. ”Can I have a hard cider ath well pleathe?” Twist said innocently. She had always wanted to try it.

“She will have an apple juice.” Gary corrected, Twist frumpted, it may be her dinner but it will be a cold day in hell if he was going to get her drunk on top of it.

“Very good, sir.”  He bowed and hurried back to the kitchen.

There was a moment of silence between the two, Twist wanted to say something that she had forgotten to say earlier, it wasn’t as important as her confession but it still had a varying degree enough to worry her.

Gary was just hoping that no pony recognized him, his career as a writer was now hanging by a thread. If he was spotted he would play it off as a play date for a friend’s daughter. Alas, even he couldn't believe that the way Twist was dressed up, no play date filly wears a garter.

It was coming, the one thing Gary forgot. It was easily discernable, the strong scent of female musk.  He had completely forgot Plottie amplified his mark. The mare in question that was giving off the strong scent was now gingerly walking over to the table. Just the way she walk it was a clear sign for her intent.  Her eyes were low half lidded and her smile was seductive and had the slightest curl in it.  

It was obvious she came from wealth; her dress was encrusted with opals and sapphires. Her white coat looked bleached but it set off her hazel eyes. The way was swaying her hips like she was dancing to her own music. She is either really drunk or really confident.

“Well aren’t you two a cute couple.” She was barely about to work out. The smell on her breathe was a dead giveaway.

She was completely hammered.

The waiter appeared by the table, as he set down the beverages “Will you be joining them today Miss Shores.”

“No she will not be joining us this evening.” Gary shook his hoof to dismiss the waiter. They try so hard to get a tip. Twist seemed oblivious to the mare’s interest as she casually sipped down her drink.

“Now, Now, don’t be like that. I’m Sapphire Shore the Pony of Pop and I am interested in your company.” She finished with her voice dripping with angst.

“Well Miss Shores I am so sorry but as you can see I do have a date this evening and we are in a two seated booth.” Gary gestured to the booth, there was indeed no room. The last thing Gary needed was a mare trying flirt with him.

Sapphire smirked, “You have a lap, dontcha?”

Twist slammed her empty cup on the table, the echo caught the attention of every pony in the entire area. “He ith my thtalltion, get your own you huthy.”

All eyes focused on him, he sunk lower into his seat. Please, somepony, just kill me now.  It will be merciful.

“That’s cute kid, don’t you think you’re a little young to have a boyfriend. While I’m at it don’t you think you’re a little ugly to have this boyfriend?” Even being drunk, something inside the stallion wanted to deck the mare like he would a stallion. Alas, he knew the perfect thing to say to stop this whole mess.

He just never got the chance.

Twist jumped on the table, her dress knocking over her empty glass as it skirted along the floor. “Well you want to know what, you're…” she didn’t mean too, or if she did she is the best actor ever. Sapphire Shore was just a little too slow as the projectile vomit billowed forth from the filly all over the Pony of Pop.

It was a crude but effective method, Sapphire screamed in disgust and galloped full speed to the bathroom. The room sat in silence as they watched the filly slump over on the table, her breathing had become heavy and her face was turning scarlet.

No way, Gary grabbed his glass and immediate took a swallow. It was apple juice. She drank an entire tankard in less than a minute!? …Impressive.

“Gary… can we go home. I’m not feeling so well right now.” Twist said to the dead space where shores stood.  Gary gently bit down on the rough of her neck, it was her date. If she wanted to leave it was her choice. Thank Celestia for alcohol. He set her on his back; she was secretly enjoying herself as she used his mane as a pillow.

“You thmell tho goooooooood.” She squeaked. It wasn’t a secret anymore.

Gary was already halfway out the door when a very disgruntled waiter stumbled out of the kitchen, “Sire, your bill.”

“It’s on the table under the puke.” He lied. He couldn’t be too mad at the waiter. It was his stupidity that got him out of there so fast.  At the door though it had started to rain harder, heavy rain was Gary’s favorite weather. Twist shivered as the wind blew against her coat.

“I’m cold,” She whined, her breathe carrying the smell of hard cider. Gary sighed; He liked to avoid it if he could. As he tapped into the flame within, his mane became that of fire that streaked down to his tail. Twist didn’t burn, on the contrary, she nuzzle the flames affectionately. Gary wondered if she even noticed the difference.

The rain fell; alas it did not reach its target.  Gary walked down the stone path with, the ground dried below his hoofs as the rain turned to steam above them. This state  was easy enough to hold, but still would wear the stallion out quickly for extended periods of time.

Twist didn’t care; she was having the time of her life. She willing got a kiss, her first real one. In her mind this was the prince charming she had been waiting for. Nothing else in the world mattered to her right then, but even so there was tiny thing that weighed on her mind.

“I love you tho much,” She said with a smile. “Can we do thith again tomorrow?”

“No.” Gary said affirmatively.

“Can I come thee you tomorrow?” she said almost pleading.

“You’re spending the night at my place I’m not bring you home drunk, that Bon-Bon girl would have me arrested for who knows how many crimes.”

“Hey,” she said with a half drunk slur, “Just because I confeth doesn’t mean I’m ready for that. I’m thaving mythelf for marriage. I want a ring firtht mither!” she said with a tone of seriousness.

Gary snickered, “Oh nooooo, my plans are now foiled. What am I ever to do?”

“Wait, you were trying to?” Twist face nearly burst into three shades of red, “Well, for you maybe…”

“Alas, I cannot. My heart is now torn,” Gary said dramatically. “What cruel fate is this that I not must continue my adventure for lust elsewhere for the Princess Twist dost hast rejected me.”  Gary was having fun with this. He couldn’t quite place it, but this felt almost natural. Comforting, like an ugly Hearth Warming Eve sweater that you only wear when nopony is looking.

Then a scary thought hit him, which he enjoyed the affection that he was receiving from Twist. Not even a day had passed since the start of his torment but now he was getting to like it. He immediately dismissed the idea.

Twist wrapped her hooves -or made her best attempt too- hug the back of his neck.  “You think i’m a princess?” Twist was now putting herself into every fantasy she had ever dreamt of.

“Oh Princess Twist you by far the greatest of them all, Celestia herself is jealous of your beauty.” It was oddly comforting and warm.

“You think I’m beautiful?” He never saw it coming.

“The most beautiful in all the land Princess Twist.” That slowly this little filly.

“So are you knight in thining armor?” Would do the imposable.

“For tonight, I’ll be your knight. Just don’t tell my sister, I don’t think she would like it too much. I’m her knight as well.” She was digging her way in.

The fantasy game ended, “Gary… there is thomthing I want to tell you. Can you take me to the bridge near the school pleathe?”

It was easy to pick up her; there was something she wanted to say. ”Sure Twist.”

The walk wasn’t far from their current position, although keep the rail at bay was starting to wear on his body. He didn’t care very much, he had been through a lot worse, this wasn’t a chore to the stallion, this was something else. He kind of enjoyed it.

“Gary you won’t be mad right?” This is not a good way to start a conversation.

“What did you do?” Gary said in a fatherly tone.

“Before I tell you… Can you tell me how you met Glath.” Gary raised a brow, but did not question why she would bring up something she wanted him to forget. Now though he had a slight hunch.

“When I turned fourteen, I went out to discover myself. It’s a guy thing I guess. I rather not repeat everything I did but I got my cutie mark. So one day I went to test it, I went to the local swimming hole where there where others were around my age. There I met Glass, “Gary chuckled. “At the time she was twelve, but she was the bravest one there.  She jumped from the highest cliff into the river, one time though she got caught in a undertow.”

Gary took a breath, “Well I jumped in after her and saved her, she was grateful and said she wanted to reward me.”

Twist was caught up in the sweetness of the story, “That ith tho thweet.”

Gary felt a tiny bit of shame, “Well you would think that, but I was a different stallion then. I may have been legal in the eyes of the law but I was still going through puberty. So for my reward I asked her to sleep with me.”

Twist gasped, her prince had a dark past. She liked that.

Gary could only chuckle at the memory, “Yah, I just asked her that too. I didn’t beat around the bush. I can’t tell you how hard she slapped me.“

Twist was still blushing; if her plan had gone through would he ask her for her body? She knew he wouldn’t, but her inner mare wanted to be asked at least. Then it hit her, something that did quite make sense.

“How old was Glath, when… you know?” she said still blushing furiously.

Gary suppressed a laugh, Twist was adorable when she was blushing. “She was still twelve when we first made love. She died when she was twelve as well. Just so you can connect the dots Twist, I didn’t care about age. I still don’t. Don’t get it twisted though; I am eight years older than you. She was two years younger than me.”

It was different hearing it, Gary talked about Glass with such ease.  She wondered if he would ever talk about her like that. Him talking if about 'what if we were a couple' put a small flame in her heart. He had thought about it.

“Gary… will you marry me?”

Gary coughed and almost fell over at how left field that question was. “Twist, I think you’re skipping a few… hundred steps here. What’s with the marriage proposal anyway, don’t tell me you’re that drunk?”

“I don’t want to lothe you.” She tightened her grip. The effects of the alcohol now starting to take full effect.

“Twist, you’re not going to lose me. I’m not going anywhere.” Thank Celestia she won’t remember this in the morning or these word would definitely come back to bite me in the flank.

“I don’t want to lose you to Glath…” Gary only sighed; this filly only wanted someone to love her.  Make her feel special. Growing up more than half your life without parents, you don’t get the amount of tender loving care you should get, Gary could relate.

“We’re here.” Gary said affectionately, hoping that this conversation would end soon.

Twist leapt off Gary’s back; thankfully she didn’t face plant from the height. She had the same face Selfie had when she stole forty bits from his wallet. He gave her a stern lesson about stealing, but it ended half-heartedly as he found out she used it to buy him a birthday present.

A really ugly tie that he still cherishes.

She leaned over the edge and for a moment watched the rapids, it was amazing how fast water built up in such a short amount of time. “I was going to trick you,” She started, as she pushed on a loosened board from the edge of the bridge, it fell easily into the cascading river.

Gary only listened as he watches her tell her tale. “This morning Mary and I came up with a plan to get you to fall for me.” Gary was slightly interested, it was rare that Mary took action but he wouldn’t put it past her to try something. “Thhe thaid we needed to jog your memory and all I would need to do ith bring you here and fall into the river. You would thave me like you did Glath and fall in love with me like you did her.”

Gary patiently waited, his face showing no discernible expression. Twist continued, “But, I don’t want you to fall in love with me the thame way you did Glath. I don’t want to trick you into it either…” It was most likely the alcohol talking, but the meaning was clear. She was regretting her actions.  Her head was hung low; her tail was firmly planted in between her legs. “Can you forgive me?”

Gary knew if he relived this action with Twist he would most likely thought it what Glass would have wanted. Those two are so much alike it almost creepy. He gave in a little; there was no pony around in this torrent of rain. This time around there was no moment of weakness; it was a small gift, hope if you would.

Hope that would land him in prison if it was seen.

He kissed her; again, she never saw it coming. This one was different than the ones before, it was just for her. It was neither solid nor soft. It was hard to describe. Both parties did not want the kiss to end this time around, and they didn’t. Standing there in the rain. He could feel her heartbeat, or it may have been his own he couldn’t tell at the moment.

Gary didn’t feel guilty; it didn’t eat away at him like it did the others. His loins did not ache or command his will. This moment was driven by something else. It may have been love, he didn’t know. Right now he didn’t care, this moment was perfect.

The parted lips, as small line of saliva still connected the two.  Twist just licked her lips, now she really wanted to debate of what one she wanted to count as her first real kiss. “What was that for?” she said nearly breathlessly.

Gary did know himself it was a spur of the moment action, “Well if I had to say anything, a reward for telling the truth.”

Twist’s brain went into overdrive as she tried to think of other truths to tell she could only think of one thing, “Mary ith next to the waterfall waiting for uth, thhe wanted to be there when you thaved me.”

This one earned her a peck on the cheek, “Anything else?”

“I went the bed until I was ten.” That didn’t earn anything.

“Ok that’s enough, how about we go home and I’ll make us some coco?” Gary said as he switched back to older brother mode.

Twist pouted, “Can I ask… what we are? I mean uth? I’m confuthed.”

Gary didn’t know anymore, this was exciting, dangerous, taboo, and he could talk openly with her even though she was one forth his size. Most of all and he would never say it to her after her speech, she reminded him a little of Glass.

Just a tiny bit.

Gary sighed, “How about you’re a special pony that I have high interest in?”

Twist frowned, “It’s that a thpecial thomepony?” It was but like hell he would admit it.

“Let’s talk it over some coco; my fire shield is wearing me out.”

“Is there a thmall chance if I tell you more thecretth I can get rewarded?” She would have pinned the stallion if she could have, her body wanted that taste again. In an innocent sort of way.

Gary rolled his eyes; he had done so much it mattered little anymore. His moral compass now slightly bent, “Maybe, but if Twilight’s back you get nothing.”

Twist didn’t care, today was more than a success, and she had a special somepony. ”I love you…” she said in a whisper, it felt different than the times she did it before this time she wanted something.

“I love you too,” he whispered back. Whether it was true love, or something else he didn’t know but he wanted to find out.

No more words were spoken, they shared one more kiss. This one felt a tiny bit dirtier than the others, the mirth inside the stallion tried to build against him and push its limits. It however was killed off by his willpower. Right now he was in a purely innocent fluff relationship.

He wasn’t going to ruin that for the world.

The duo started their walk home, where kisses and coco waited when they were alone.

One thing did happen, that was not in the plan. The rain did leave quite a mess, as she slipped and fell in.

Gary jumped in after, we all knew he would. To save the poor filly, only he could.

The torrents did take them for a wild ride, Gary glided along, batting wings at his side.

It was easy to catch up to the filly, to save her from the river felt kind of silly.

Something was amiss though, and he saw it coming and there was a clash.

With a loud snap and a tear, he crashed.

Mary waited eagerly for hours below, for Gary and a filly to fly away, oh what a show.

Alas when it did come, Twist fell alone down the river falls edge.

Mary came to her aide with a sonic boom blast; her body was cold if she didn’t get help soon, she would not last.

What had gone wrong, Mary did wonder, Gary wouldn’t leave a filly asunder.

She flew to the top, and what she did see, was the red velvet current shaded in Gary.

There Gary was, impaled on a stone, bleeding away, there all alone.

Mary scooped up her brother and away she did fly, if she wasn’t fast enough…

Gary would die. Next Chapter: Pandora's Box Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 4 Minutes