Cadence Oneshot - Wedding Day


                                            [copied from https://pastebin.com/FPkji2Zv]


                                            Remember: This was not my idea.


                                            >It was the day of Cadence's wedding.

                                            >My Cadence's wedding.

                                            >I was incredibly happy and immensely sad all at once.

                                            >I don't know what to really call that emotion, so I'll just leave it as it is.

                                            >My love for Cadence will never die out, I told her that many times.

                                            >I respected her choice, and I would never go against it.

                                            >Whatever makes her happy...

                                            >I wish it could be me that could make her happy.

                                            >She wanted a simple wedding.

                                            >She had told me that from the beginning.

                                            >She wanted the wedding to take place in our meadow.

                                            >I was rather delighted that she thought so highly of it.

                                            >The place that always gave me peace could now make her the happiest mare alive.

                                            >She was getting married to someone she loved, and someone who loved her back.

                                            >So why wasn't I happy?

                                            >I put on my black suit and sighed at myself in the mirror.

                                            >I never spent so much time getting ready before.

                                            >Why was I so nervous?

                                            >I shouldn't be nervous.

                                            >This feeling that I'm feeling is insane.

                                            >I should be happy.

                                            >I should be happy.

                                            >Cadence would always have my heart, I realized.

                                            >It would always be hers, whether she knew it or not.

                                            >I heard Twilight call from downstairs; it was time to get to our meadow.

                                            >I picked up the rings and went downstairs.

                                            >I glanced at the clock, and realized that we were going to be early.

                                            >This wedding was going to take place at the hour of twilight, as per Cadence's request.

                                            >It's quite ironic, really.


                                            >I distinctly remember our time in the meadow.

                                            "Twilight, again," I murmured. "Another ending. No matter how perfect the day is, it always has to end."

                                            >"Some things don't have to end," Cadence replied.

                                            >I do wish that she had been correct, because everything has an ending.

                                            >Life... has an ending.

                                            >Love... has an ending.

                                            >And we... we had an ending.

                                            >I arrived fashionably early, as the old saying goes.

                                            >I glanced up at the sky.

                                            >It was not twilight yet.

                                            >It would be soon.

                                            >This would be the twilight of my life.


                                            >The scene was beautiful.

                                            >Many flowers

                                            >A magnificent stage for exchanging the vows and such

                                            >An aisle for my beautiful Cadence to walk down on.

                                            >And several rows for guests to sit at.

                                            >It was so small... so simple... just the way Cadence wanted it.

                                            >I glanced at the rows for the guests, and at my family members that were taking their seats.

                                            >I would not have the honor of sitting with them.

                                            >I had a different matter to attend to.

                                            >I was the best man.

                                            >I pulled out the rings that were to be exchanged from my jacket pocket.

                                            >I glanced at the ring that would soon be on Cadence's and smiled.

                                            >I just wished it was my ring instead.


                                            >Shining and all his friends arrived first.

                                            >They took their place on the left side of the rows.

                                            >I only glanced at them, and then I turned back to look at the whole set-up.

                                            >I did not want to face Shining.

                                            >I couldn't... but I knew I had to.

                                            >I had to be a gentleman.

                                            >"Hey Anon," I head Shining's voice from behind me, and I couldn't stop the pain that shot through me.

                                            "Shining," I said, not turning around.

                                            >I heard him take a couple of steps forward, and place a hoof on my shoulder.

                                            >"I'm not here to poke fun at you. I'm not here to call you names..." his voice was gentle, and I could almost feel the happiness radiating off of him. "I wanted to say thank you."

                                            >I closed my eyes.

                                            >Be strong, Anon...

                                            >You have to be strong for her.

                                            "Thank me?" I finally spoke up.

                                            >I realized that Shining was at my side, staring off into the distance with me.

                                            >He did not turn to look at me, and I did not turn to look at him.

                                            >"You gave me Cadence," Shining said carefully.

                                            >I finally decided to open my eyes, 'I did not give her to you' I yelled in my head. 'I gave her what was best for her.'

                                            >With Shining, she could have children.

                                            >With Shining, she could live out her life.

                                            >With Shining, she could love him fully without any obstacles.

                                            "Shining..." my voice was a pathetic excuse for a whisper.

                                            >His eyes looked to me.

                                            "Please... take care of her."

                                            >"Of course I'll take care of her. I would give my life for her as much as you would, and you know that."

                                            >Shining sighed and stood next to me for a little while longer, looking up at the darkening sky.

                                            >"It's almost time. She'll be here soon... might as well take our places."

                                            >I nodded as Shining took his place on the altar.

                                            >I turned around and saw how the rows had filled up quite nicely.

                                            >I took in a breath and my eyes shot open at her scent.

                                            >Cadence was here, and Celestia help me she smelled delicious.

                                            >I was excited to see her.

                                            >I just wish she was excited to see me.

                                            >I knew who she had come here for, however.

                                            >And it was not me.


                                            >I took my place to the right of Shining, where the best man should stand.

                                            >The rings I held for them burned in my pocket- nearly searing my skin.

                                            >I'm over-reacting as always, and there's no one that can stop me now.

                                            >Then, as I stood there, wrapped up in my own thoughts, music started.

                                            >Everyone in the rows stood up and Cadence's scent grew closer and closer.

                                            >Then... there she was.

                                            >She stood at the other end of the altar, preparing for her walk down to us.

                                            >She looked absolutely magnificent.

                                            >She was adorned in white; her dress fit over her curves and showed parts of her creamy skin.

                                            >She wore a veil that framed her face, but I could still see her perfectly.

                                            >She looked like a beautiful angel.

                                            >I knew she was too good to be mine.

                                            >I wanted to hold her in my arms one last time... and I would make sure that I did before the night was over.

                                            >I could not leave her without feeling her embrace me once more...

                                            >Then, Cadence began her procession down the aisle.

                                            >Her father was holding her close to him, tears in his eyes.

                                            >I could see Cadence's mother in the audience around us.

                                            >She had tears in her eyes too.

                                            >Cadence made her way to the altar, and Shining held his hoof out for her.

                                            >Shining gave her a smile, and Cadence smiled back.

                                            >I didn't miss that she smiled at me, either.

                                            >My heart is beating out of my chest.

                                            >A smile from an angel can do that to you.

                                            >I barely caught everything that happened... because my mind was lingering in its memories.

                                            >Memories when Cadence was mine.

                                            >I didn't realize how much I truly needed her until she was standing on the altar with another man.

                                            >"I do..." Shining said, gazing into Cadence's dark purple eyes.

                                            >The pastor then turned to Cadence, reciting the same vows to her.

                                            >I closed my eyes, trying to tune them out.

                                            >I didn't miss, however, the part where Cadence was to say 'I do'.

                                            >Her purple orbs turned to look straight into my eyes.

                                            >Her eyes showed longing.

                                            >She smiled then, and closed her eyes.

                                            >"I do..." she replied.

                                            >I could feel my world crumble.

                                            >Now was my time.

                                            >I took a step forward, rings in hand.

                                            >Shining was first to take a ring and slip it on Cadence's horn.

                                            >Shining's happiness was undeniable; I could feel it from where I stood.

                                            >And then, Cadence took the ring that was meant for Shining.

                                            >Her skin brushed against mine for a moment and electricity shot through me.

                                            >Could she feel what I felt?

                                            >"Ladies and gentleman," the pastor announced, "I am now proud to present to you... Mr. and Mrs..."

                                            >Everyone clapped while I cringed at the words.

                                            >And... that was pretty much it.

                                            >The wedding went by quickly, and Shining and Cadence had gone off together.

                                            >I would see her again at the reception afterwards.

                                            >I wanted her to smile for me once more.


                                            >"You did good," I heard Twilight say.

                                            >Strange, I hadn't even heard her come up to me. I didn't reply to her, my eyes fixed on the moon above my head. It was twilight.

                                            >"Let's head toward the hall," she said, coming behind me and willing my legs to walk forward, "We can't miss the reception!"

                                            >I sighed.

                                            >The reception hall was crowded before we even arrived.

                                            >It was late at night and early in the morning all at once.

                                            >It took about a half hour before Cadence and Shining walked in, hoof-in-hoof.

                                            >Everyone cheered for them, but I couldn't even will myself to make the effort.

                                            >Forgive me, Cadence.

                                            >Speeches began and congratulations were exchanged before the lights dimmed and the music took over.

                                            >I would not be here much longer, that I knew.

                                            >I took in a deep breath and made my way to Cadence.

                                            >She was speaking to her father before I arrived.

                                            >The moment she saw me, she turned around and threw her hooves around me.

                                            "Congratulations..." I whispered in her ear.

                                            >She stayed in my arms, "Anon..." I heard her whisper.

                                            "Yes?"

                                            >How is it that all my worries disappeared when I held her in my arms?

                                            >"Thank you..." she mumbled against my shirt.

                                            "You don't have to thank me for anything, love..." I replied.

                                            >I closed my eyes in shame. I hadn't meant to call her "love"... I was just so used to it-

                                            "...sorry," I quickly added.

                                            >"You don't have to apologize," Cadence said, her arms still around me. "Come, I want to speak with you outside for a moment."

                                            >Cadence took my hand and led me outside into the parking lot.

                                            >The moon still loomed overhead, and I took in a deep breath of the night air.

                                            >Too bad the only thing I smelled was Cadence.

                                            >I was intoxicated.

                                            >She was my drug and I would die if I didn't have her.

                                            >"I'm glad you came," Cadence finally spoke up, looking up into the sky.

                                            "What? You think I would miss the chance to be the best man?" I said with fake enthusiasm.

                                            >I hoped she wouldn't catch it.

                                            >She sighed, and I got the feeling that she did catch it.

                                            >She was always too perceptive for her own good.


                                            >"I love you, Anon..." she whispered.

                                            >The breath caught in my throat.

                                            >I looked to her, shocked.

                                            >Did she mean... she loved me as a best friend?

                                            >That would never be enough for me, and she knew it.

                                            >"Why did you let me go...?" she asked, she sounded like she was about to cry.

                                            >This isn't right. Angels don't cry.

                                            >I looked to her, and I was surprised more than anything.

                                            >Why had she asked me this question?

                                            >I would never let her go, she should know that already.

                                            >I told her that Shining was the best for her, and I wasn't lying.

                                            >She was a pony.

                                            >I was a human.

                                            "I was scared," I replied, refusing to look at her, so instead I looked up at the moon.

                                            >My hands were shaking, so I stuffed them into my pockets.

                                            >I will not show weakness.

                                            >Not now.

                                            >Not when I've come so far.

                                            >"You were... scared?" she questioned.

                                            >I nodded, closing my eyes.

                                            "I didn't want harm to come to you..." I wanted to touch her so badly, "The night when I told you I was no good for you, I was telling the truth."

                                            >"Anon..." she said. I could smell her tears.

                                            I finally looked over to her, "Cadence, don't cry."

                                            >She was in my arms so suddenly, that I couldn't control it.

                                            >It was something I was used to doing when she felt upset.

                                            >I gently rubbed her back with my hand.

                                            >"I still love you, you idiot..." Cadence whispered.

                                            >My eyes widened, her words repeating over in my head.

                                            >'I still love you, you idiot...'

                                            "You have Shining now..." I whispered in her ear. "You can start a family... and he will always keep you safe. I made him promise me."

                                            >"Of course he'll keep me safe..."

                                            >We hugged each other for a while until I broke it off.

                                            >I looked straight into her eyes.

                                            "I'm different. I put your life in shambles by being with you. The talks behind your back, the looks you get...I cause pain and suffering. And I will no longer."

                                            >She just looks at me, her faces matted with her tears.

                                            "Goodbye Cadence..."

                                            >I took a couple of steps away from her.

                                            "I love you."