What if this wasn't a fairy tale after all but reality, where happily ever after doesn't exist? What if love wasn't always enough and instead of bringing people together, life sometimes drove them apart? Maybe somewhere down the line something will make them remember the time they shared, and they'll pause. The people around will think they're odd, staring off at nothing in particular. When someone finally asks, "What is it?" the answer will be, "Nothing," and they'll smile because it's a secret they share, and the rest of the world doesn't have to know.

...o0o...

Change was in the air; it was fresh and crisp and smelled slightly of wildflowers. The ground squelched, belching up some of the moisture it retained from the past week of rain, as Luna made her way carefully to the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Firenze was already waiting at the treeline, standing immobilized between two large trunks like an alabaster gargoyle. He appeared to have all the patience in the world, but Luna knew better than that by the way his tail jerked against his hind legs.

She scarcely got out a, "Good morning," before Firenze grabbed her hand and pulled her into the forest.

"Where are we going?" she asked, struggling to keep up with the centaur. After all their time spent together, she had concluded that there would be times having four legs would be more convenient than two. This was one of them.

"I have something to show you."

The response told her nothing, and she had a suspicion that it wasn't meant to. So be it. She certainly wasn't opposed to surprises.

It always amazed her how Firenze seemed to have an intricate map of the forest splayed out in his mind, navigating it with ease, whereas she was lost after the first few times they zigzagged around obstacles.

A few minutes later, the trees gave way to a clearing that was budding with life. Firenze released her hand and motioned for her to follow quietly. The wet underbrush wasn't exactly ideal for sneaking, but Luna did her best just the same.

He stopped in front of a blooming bush and motioned toward it.

"I found it just this morning," he whispered.

"Is that why you asked me to come? It's quite lovely."

Luna got the impression that he would have rolled his eyes if not for his proper upbringing and the indignity of the act itself.

"Look closer." He parted the branches carefully, and one of the blooms moved ever so slightly. "This is what you have been looking for, is it not?"

"Oh, it's a Petalpuff!" Luna breathed, sticking her face closer to get a better look.

"Did you still intend to bring it back to the castle?"

"No, I suppose not. I don't think it'd be too happy there. No bushes for it to nest in, you see. I think just having it here is enough."

"Wise choice."

Luna bit her lip as her mind raced. The school year would be ending soon, and she could already feel the pressure of all the imminent changes weighing on her shoulders. She was glad for most of it, but some things, she hoped, would never change.

"We should make a wish," she said slowly as the idea blossomed in her mind. "The Petalpuff brings good luck, so we should ask it for some luck for the future."

"That sounds like a fine idea, but perhaps we should ask for each other? Otherwise, it might be misconstrued as greed."

"Yes, I agree." Luna turned to look into his piercing blue eyes. They had always seen through her façade. Did he already know that at the end of this school year she would be leaving? Yes, he must have figured as much already, even without her saying it. "For you, I wish all the luck in the world in leading your herd down the right path and finding a place where you can live side-by-side with humans instead of at odds with them."

"Thank you." Firenze bowed his head in acknowledgement. "And for you, I wish you to become the sort of magizoologist you always wanted to be and that you always find whatever it is you're searching for."

They hugged, not for the final time but with the unspoken realization that there would, one day soon, be a last.

...o0o...

And they lived happily for the rest of their years.

Author's Note: It's done! This was a fun little drabble collection. I'm not sure I'd write them again, but I find the pairing interesting and would probably read them from someone who knew how to write them well. xD