Summer Beauty sat atop a hill near sunrise, every fiber of her being hoping and praying that the sun would not come up. A sun meant another day, the next day.

It was the start of this month’s trip for Iolite and the start of Summer’s loneliness. She hadn't even gone to help her pack this time, or take her to the train. She couldn’t take the pain of confronting her leaving again.

She swore, this was no different from her parents always being too busy for her as a filly. It was an all too familiar feeling, nobody ever having enough time for her. Why did her lover have to be the same way? Just because she had two jobs didn’t mean she had to be away as much as she was. It wasn’t fair.

Her ears suddenly pricked up at the soft sound of hoofsteps from behind. She turned her head to find Iolite approaching her with worry.

“Summer? Where have you been? Did we not plan to spend the morning together before I depart?”

Summer’s heart fell as she heard the voice of her love. She couldn't lie, she did feel terrible about leaving her all alone. However she wasn't going to lie in another way.

"Why would it matter? You're just gonna be gone for a week anyways. We can spend time together when you get back, like we always do."

Iolite flinched slightly as if she had been slapped by Summer’s words.

“True, I will be away, but we still have a few hours to enjoy each other’s company. Why can’t we enjoy every moment we have together before I leave?"

The orange pegasus rolled her eyes and slumped further forward, causing Iolite to smirk slightly since this WAS the grump she had fallen in love with. However her smile fell again when Summer’s wings began to twitch nervously.

"It happens every month, I feel like a dog waiting for its owner to come home from work."

“Oh, dear.”

Iolite frowned, lying herself down next to Summer in an effort to comfort her. She tilted her head up to look her in the eye.

“I long for you just as deeply when I’m away, but you’re not my dog nor am I your owner. There is no need to let your life come to a halt in my absence, you know I will always return.”

“I guess so.”

Summer’s jaw clenched tightly. She couldn't argue with that. Not logically, anyway. She supposed they could go on like this…a little bit longer. After all, no matter how far away they were from each other, they would share the same sunrise and the same sunset.