[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."