This is Fine (AIE) [The Cutie Re-Mark]

>A constant breeze keeps you cool as you're spread out on the luxury lounge chair under you.
>You take a sip of the tall glass of home-made lemonade to wash down the freshly baked cookies on a platter next to you.
>You even have a nice view of Ponyville and beyond up here on the balcony of Twilight's castle.
>All in all, it was pretty relaxing.
>So why did it feel so weird?
>You peek at your side at the alicorn currently manipulating the giant frond to send that cool wind at you.
>She smile a bit too hard when she notices that she has your attention again.
>Man that is creepy.
>Twilight had invited you over to her place to "hang out".
>Despite her fondness for odd book-related activities, you accepted her invitation simply because you had nothing better to do.
>You could always just get a laugh out of annoying her.
>But she didn't want to do normal book pone things.
>She just wanted to do...this.
>You had went along with so far to be nice but this is just too much weirdness for Saturday.
>Finally fed up, you turn to her.
"Soooo, Twilight?"
>"Yes Anon?" She asks, all smiles.
"Is there something going on?"
>A sudden thought sends a surge of panic through you.
"Oh god, am I dying?"
>The frond falters in the air.
>"W-what? No!"
>You sigh.
"That's a relief."
>"Why would you think that?"
>You shrug.
"I dunno. I just feel like you've been buttering me up for bad news or something. You don't usually wait on me hand and foot."
>She goes to correct you but you hold up a hand.
"No, I'm not saying it. Now, tell me what this is all about."
>"Can't I just do something nice for a friend?"
>You stare at her, deadpan.
"You and I both know I'm too big of an asshole for all this. Now spill it."
>Her face scrunches up at your vulgar language but she relents under your determined gaze.
>She looks down at her hooves, collecting her thoughts before speaking.
>"You remember when Starlight Glimmer used a time spell to prevent Dash from performing her first Sonic Rainboom?"
>You nod.
>That wasn't too long ago.
>The only thing you understood was that everyone were suddenly friends with Glimmer.
>You would have been in the obligatory song and dance number but you refused until they let you lead one.
>Fucking pleb pones.
>Twilight speaks up again.
>"Well every time she succeeded, Spike and I were sent to a different timeline."
>You twiddle your fingers in thought.
"Sounds interesting."
>"It was. Unfortunately, every alternate timeline left Equestria in some kind of peril and it just got worse and worse. I had to show Starlight one of them to help convince her to stop."
>She looks to the side, her staring at nothing at particular.
>"The thing is, I noticed something. Everything changed each time the past was except for one variable."
>Her eyes reconnect with yours, brimming with emotion.
>"You."
>You raise any eyebrow.
"Me?"
>"No matter how the present changed, I never saw or heard about you. It got me thinking..."
>"What if you being here was also connected to us becoming the Elements of Harmony? You did only show up after we found them."
"Twi-"
>"I don't regret fixing the timeline, but I couldn't help feeling..."
"Guilty?" You offer.
>Twilight let out a sigh.
"Yeah."
>You stare at the depressed princess before chuckling to yourself.
>She looks up at you confused.
>"What's so funny?" She asks, slightly annoyed.
"Come on, Twi. We've been over this."
>You reach over to scratch her behind her ears, earning you an inadvertent moan from her.
"I got over being stuck here a long time ago and I actually have come to like Equestria. I miss my friends and family but I don't regret being here either."
>You look to the sky as you absentmindedly pet her.
"Besides, just because you didn't see me doesn't mean I wasn't still brought here. For all you know, I could've died because you guys weren't here with me when I did. Being here is better than being dead."
>You move your hand down to her withers as you look closely at her.
"So don't beat yourself up about it, okay?"
>Twilight sniffles, wiping away an errant tear.
>"Okay..."
>You spread your arms outward.
"Now come here. We can't end this sappy moment without a hug."
>She giggles at your striking wit before rearing up to hook her hooves around your neck.
>You wrap your arms around the mare, giving her a comforting squeeze.
>"Thanks Anon. I'm sorry about what happened to you but I'm glad we're friends."
"Me too. Don't you ever forget that Twiggles."
>She giggles again.
>"I won't."
>The two of you disengage, sharing one more smile before Twilight moves to leave.
>Still hoisted in her magical grip, the fan floats along with her.
"Whoa, wait!"
>The fan halts as Twilight looks back at you questioningly.
>You flash a wide grin.
"I didn't say stop."
>She glares at you with that cute little pout of hers before rolling her eyes.
>The fan resumes its gentle movement as she returns to her spot beside you.
>You settle back onto the lounge chair, hands behind your head.
>Yeah.
>This is fine.