Create a new version of paste:

>Your head aches. It feels like you got hit by a train.
>Rarity hops out of the bed and walks to your side.
>”Are you feeling okay, Anon?”
>All you can do is groan in agony.
>That’s the last time you drink to forget.
>Rarity moves closer to you and places a gentle hoof on your side.
>”It’ll be okay, Anon. I’ll go and get you a healthy breakfast.”
>Without objection, you pull the blankets closer over your head.
>Rarity pecks your cheek before heading to the shower.
>She’s been acting nice lately; a lot nicer than usual. It’s definitely a change for the better.
>Things may start returning to the way they used to be.
>The thought of that puts a smile on your face as you roll over to suffer your hangover in peace.
>A few minutes later, there’s a knock at the door.
>You want to ignore it, but it’s hard. You know Rarity can’t answer it for you.
>Slowly, you crawl out of the plush bed and walk to the door to find Minuette standing to greet you.
>She stifles her laughter.
>”Have too much fun last night?”
>You rub your heavy eyelids.
Yeah…something like that…
>She giggles.
>”Sorry I missed it.”
>The reality of the moment kicks in. If Rarity wasn’t so keen on making good use of her shower time, her discovering your secret friendship with this mare would surely be something difficult to explain.
Yeah, next time though. So did you need something? I really can’t come out right now, sorry.
>She smiles and looks passed you into your room.
>”No I was just wondering if you…”
>Her smile quickly fades into a neutral expression.
>You look behind you to see the object that’s caught her gaze.
>Rarity’s luggage in the corner.
>You’ve been found out. You release a sigh to cover up your embarrassment.
>Minuette looks back at you.
>”Oh, sorry…I didn’t know.”
>An awkward pause rises between the two of you.
>”Well…I won’t bother the two of you. I’ll see you later or something.”
>Minuette walks away from you with hints of sorrow in her steps.
>You raise your hand to say something but she disappears into the elevator in silence.
>The bathroom opens as you shut the front door in grief.
>”Who was that, Anon?”
>You look at your wet girlfriend.
Nobody…
>You approach Rarity and look her in the eyes, trying to read her mind. Maybe Minuette is upset, but it’s not really her place to be; she isn’t your girlfriend after all…Rarity is.
>”Err…Anon, why don’t you lie down. I’m going to the store, I won’t be too long.”
>Her voice is sweet and caring. Rarity is taking genuine concern with your ailment. It’s a refreshing feeling, one you haven’t felt in a long time…
>The feeling of being loved.
>You climb into bed as Rarity covers you with her blanket. She kisses your cheek again before heading to the door.
Wait…come here.
>You want to tell her something.
>She lowers her head to your level. Her askew angle doesn’t take away from the sweet look on her face.
>”Yes, Anonymous?”
>Her azure eyes shine as they look at you.
I love you…thanks for taking care of me.
>Rarity smiles sweetly at you in a way that melts your heart.
>”Not a problem, dear.”
>With that, Rarity leaves you to rest.
>You breathe in her lingering scent from the blanket and close your heavy eyelids and drift off to sleep.
>The phone rings moments later though, and you wake up in a confused state and reach for the receiver.
>You groggily answer.
H-hello…?
>”Oh, er…hi. Sorry, is Rarity there?”
>You look around the room and lean over the bed towards the phone. Your head continues to pound.
Uh…not right now, can I take a message?
>”Just tell her that she needs to be at the television studio soon.”
>His voice is jittery, like he’s caught off guard by your presence on the other end of the line.
>It sounds very familiar, too.
Sure. Goodbye.
>You return the receiver to its stand and roll over to continue your slumber.
>A while later, Rarity returns to the room. She takes special care to close the door quietly and not throw her bag on the table in her usual fashion. Just the little things like this show she’s changing.
>Slowly, you rise and sit up in the bed.
>Rarity greets your sluggish alertness with a pleasant smile.
>”How are you feeling, dear?”
>You rub the sleep from your eyes.
Uh…better, still not a hundred percent yet. Where did you go?
>She places the paper bag of food on the nightstand next to you before slipping the contents out before you with her magic.
>”I found this adorable little café a few blocks away from here…it had the most odd name on the purple sign…”
“Orange”?
>Rarity looks a little surprised at your quick deduction. She giggles, signaling that she took your answer for a sarcastic quip.
>”Yes, believe it or not. Now here, I got you a healthy meal and some juice to get something into your stomach. “
>Without objection, you quickly unwrap the food Rarity brought to you. It’s a biscuit sandwich, with a fluffy egg folded under a few leaves of emerald spinach and some mayonnaise.
>”I know you’re not one to eat so healthy, but…”
>Before Rarity finishes her sentence you’ve already downed half the food.
>Rarity smiles at you as you look up from your half-eaten meal.
What?
>A napkin slowly levitates to your cheek to wipe some crumbs and mayo from the corner of your mouth.
>You match Rarity’s half-smile.
Thanks…for everything; it’s all really good. I’m starting to feel better now.
>Her smile widens at your words. 
>”Not a problem, Anon.”
Mmf!
>You swallow hard.
I almost forgot…you had a call while you were gone, about…15 minutes ago. You’re supposed to go to the TV studio soon. 
>”Oh? Who called?”
>You think for a moment…you know the voice was familiar but you find it difficult to place.
>Then suddenly it comes to you like a jolt of lightning.
>It was Pierre. No doubt in your mind now.
I don’t know some guy…
>”Oh. Well whoever it was must need me. I should get going. I’ll be back soon and then we’ll do something together.”
Sure, I’d like that…
>Rarity smiles at you and kisses your forehead. 
>As she opens the door you call out to her.
Hey…I…I love you…
>Rarity looks back at you.
>”I love you too, Anon.”
>You sense her laughter that doesn’t escape her.
>With an exchange of smiles Rarity exits the room. You roll over and go to sleep.
>At least you try to…
>You quickly throw the blankets off of you and stumble off the bed and nearly fall flat on your face.
>You keel over in agony, collapsing into a heap before rushing to the bathroom. You lift the lid on the bright, white toilet and stare at the water at the bottom of the bowl.
>For a moment you stand lurched over it, waiting for your breakfast to come back up.
>It’s a good thing Rarity isn’t here to see. What an insult this would be.
>Fortunately, the sickness fades to the back of your mind.
>That was too close a call. You wipe your sweaty brow with a towel.
>You look in the mirror at your bloodshot eyes.
Maybe a walk…
>You get dressed and take the elevator down into the city streets.
>Your coat is unbuttoned to allow the cool air to keep your mind of the sickness in your stomach. At least your queasy heart has gone away for the first time in months.
>A quick breath of city air enters your lungs. It cools the inside of your nostrils. A short walk will pass the time until Rarity returns. You don’t want to take advantage of her mood, but it’s nice to have her waiting on you for a change…even if it’s temporary.
>A few blocks later and you’ve come to a familiar location.
>The park. Where you saw the kites fly a few days ago. So much has changed since then. So much happens in a few hours.
>The breeze that chills your skin rustles some dead leaves in the trees above you as you stroll through the park. You decide to take a seat on a nearby bench.
>Someone is sitting there too.
>You take a seat next to the pony as the two of you stare at the flock of birds hopping nearby eating breadcrumbs.
>For a few moments you are silent. You feel you need to say something.
>The mare’s eyes glance around nervously, searching for something…possibly something to say to you as well.
So…I guess this is it then? The end of us?
>Minuette looks at you with a blank stare.
>It’s no surprise that she’s here in what is surely a strange time for her; it certainly is for you.
>”We didn’t really have anything to begin with.”
>The tone in her words makes it obvious that her comment wasn’t meant to be taken to heart. Both of you know it was something.
Well yeah, but…
>You have nothing else to add to your statement.
>Minutte looks at the birds as they start to fly away.
>After a thorough eye rub you speak to her.
I’m sorry you had to find out like that. I didn’t mean to upset you.
>”It’s okay, you don’t have to explain yourself.”
>The two of you meet in an awkward stare. Minuette forces a smile.
>”She had to come back eventually, right?”
>She looks away again. Yes, Rarity was going to eventually return…you of all people knew that. You feel silly for getting wrapped up in this other mare.
>The blame lies with both of you though.
>In the distance a dog barks and you hear filly laughter. You and Minuette sit motionless on the bench…stuck in a defunct friendship.
>You can only hope that things get better for her in time.
So when are you leaving?
>”Sunday. You?”
I don’t know yet.
>”Oh.”
>Minuette’s voice is more hollow than usual. Her feelings for you have dwindled since finding that Rarity has returned, that much is obvious.
>Even if she doesn’t want it to be like that.
>You stare at the spot where the birds were. You decide it’s time to head off too.
Well…I’ll see you around.
>You start to walk away, but Minuette calls out to you. You quickly return to the bench and sit next to her.
>The silence continues for a moment before she works up the strength to cut through the tension.
>”Are things…working…for you two?”
>You gently rub the scruff on your cheek.
For now. I think she’s really changing for the better.
>Minuette releases a happy smile.
>”Well that’s good, I’m glad. You really deserve it.”
>You watch as her smile tries to fade. She’s having a hard time saying goodbye, if that’s what you’re doing.
Thanks…
>Minuette looks away as her eyes turn watery; she sniffs her sadness back into her.
>Your cold hands rustle in your jacket pockets.
>You feel something flat and glossy. 
>It’s the photograph. You present it Minuette.
Here. You can have this…you’ll need it more than I will.
>She takes it into her hoof.
>Minuette laughs at the memory of that night and her expression in the picture.
>It’s not something you want to give up, but it would be a nice gesture.
>”Thanks…but I think you should hang on to it."
Really? Are you sure?
>She nods.
>The two of you exchange a genuine smile of joy. Neither one of you wants this to end like this, or even at all.
>It has to be like this.
>”Well, you should probably get back.”
 Yeah. Goodbye, Number Girl.
>You pat Minuette’s head before you walk out of the park, neither of you saying anything further.
>The bittersweet farewell follows you into the streets. You took the plunge and did what you had to.
>The streets bustle and the streetlights flicker with the people passing under them.
>The city’s stench is stronger now. You just want to go home.
>You return to the bed and sleep for a few hours.
>Later, Rarity wakes you with gentle nudges.
>You rub your eyes and adjust to the flickering light in the dark room.
>”Sorry Anon, I figured you could use some rest. My show is about to come on…would you like to watch it?”
>Her voice is soothing to your fading hangover; her smile is just something extra.
Sure, I’d like that.
>David Trotterman comes on screen and talks with Rarity. She looks even more beautiful on the shining TV.
Wow…they did your makeup really well; you look really amazing.
>Rarity blushes and turns her head away.
>You just remembered.
Hey…how about we celebrate?
>Rarity perks up.
>”Celebrate?”
>You get up from the bed and go to the table and unbag the bottle of strawberry wine you were saving for tonight. You snap the cap off and pour it into two of the provided styrofoam cups in the room.
>Not very romantic, but maybe the new Rarity will appreciate the gesture for what it is.
>You sit on the bed with Rarity as you watch her interview continues.
>She happily looks at you after her sip.
>”This is very nice, thank you.”
>Yours is forced down. You never want to drink again after this.
My pleasure.
>You watch TV. Rarity is speaking.
>”…Well yes, traveling can be difficult at times, but luckily my boyfriend is very understanding…even though I can sometimes boss him around...”
>She got that right.
>You look at Rarity who is rosy with blush and gently speak to her.
I know you’re busy sometimes and don’t always have time for me.
>Rarity finishes her wine and tosses the cup aside.
>She looks up at you with embarrassment.
>”Yes, well…I am sorry about the way I’ve been acting lately. It’s not what you deserve.”
>Rarity rarely apologizes like this.
>She looks at you. There’s a calmness in the room makes her words stand out even more.
>”Anon…I’m sorry…you deserve better than me…”
>Rarity’s lip quivers as she looks away.
>You touch her soft face and look into her eyes.
I could never love anyone the way I love you.
>Rarity smiles a little at your words. She’s relieved to hear that.
>The two of you lie on the mattress and look deeply into each others’ eyes.
>It isn’t long before you are moving in closer after a few long, passionate kisses.
>This time, it’s something you want.
>Your lips press against Rarity’s; her lip balm coating yours in a strawberry-flavored grease.
>Her perfume wafts from her mane as you nibble the lobe of her ear.
>You feel her hot breath on your neck as she quivers in ecstasy.
>You whisper into her ear as you massage her flank.
I love you, Rarity.
>”I love you too, Pie-“
>What?
>You stop and stare at her in a volatile mixture of rage and heartbreak.
>Rarity’s sexual desire quickly fades as she looks back at you with a mixture of embarrassment and guilt.
>”Anon, I’m sorry… I can expla-“
>You thrust her hoof off from your side and walk to the door after grabbing your jacket.
>The whole time Rarity pleads for you to stay.
No. I knew this was too good to be true. Goodbye.
>You slam the door behind you and walk to the elevator.
>You stand in the empty room for a moment. You slap your refection in the closed doors. You were a fool to trust her again.
>Minuette…
>Is it right to see her?
>You press the button anyways.
>Standing outside her door, you are swimming with emotions.
>When she opens the door they all seem to fade away.
Hey…
>She was brushing her teeth.
>”Hey…are you okay?”
>You suck in your sorrow and wipe your eyes and fumble in your pockets.
Not really.
>Minuette looks up at you in confusion.
>There’s a thick tension between you.
Are you…busy at the moment?
>She bites her bottom lip and searches your face for the correct response.
>”No…not…at the moment…”
>You throw off your jacket and rush to meet Minuette’s lips.
>They reek and taste of mint.
>Her quick breaths trail behind yours. The two of you passionately kiss and head to the bed.