At the end of the day, the charity event was a success.

When it first started out, it had seemed like a lost cause. It had taken a tons advertising and sponsoring just to get a few ponies to show up, and those who did acted as if the intended goal was completely lost to them.

But because of Royal Splendor, everything changed. Because he worked up the courage to speak out for a cause and advocate for others, the event turned into a booming success within minutes. It had all happened so fast that by the end of the night, Roy still hadn’t completely processed everything. But he couldn’t forget the proud smile on Paint Swirl’s face.

Now that the sun was almost set, the event was winding down. Most of the attendees had already left, aside from the few who stayed to help clean up. Roy himself, still clad in the eyepatch and magic muffler from earlier, was going through the proceeds, smiling with each bit he counted at how much everything had paid off. He turned around at the sound of hoofsteps.

”Paint!” He beamed. “Over 500 bits! This is more than we expected, surely enough to donate to-“

Paint was huffing and puffing as if she’d just run a marathon, but her face glowed with pride,

”R-Roy!” She fathered, catching her breath. “I had no idea you reached that level of brilliance! You were so amazing…!”

As she went on, Roy got lost in the sheer energy that radiated from her. She was so happy, so passionate. And all because of him.

“Roy?” She caught her breath and paused, looking up into his eye.

“Yes, Paint?”

“You’ve made this night perfect. You’re a truly special pony…”

They weren’t sure who moved first, but suddenly, they kissed. Years of underlying tension and desire flooded them in a fit of passion, yet tenderness. But it stopped far too quickly when a bright flash appeared out of the corner of Roy’s eye.

Paint pulled back, covering her mouth in surprise. “Roy, look!”

Roy tried, but his eyepatch blocked his vision. Paint promptly ripped it off of him, and there on his flank was his cutie mark…at long last.

Roy couldn’t help but start to cry softly out of happiness.

“Congratulations Roy,” Paint smiled. “You know what it means right? It stands for passion, care, kindness, and unity. Today, we all came together for a cause and we met that cause. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“No,” Roy croaked out, “It was your idea.”

“But when we came together, we were able to do more and give more. You showed us, showed me that it’s possible. We all must show love, kindness, and care to everypony around us, and we will go far.”

”Yes,” Roy took Paint’s hoof in his own and gripped it. “Yes Paint, we will go far. Together.”

As the sun set, they leaned in for another embrace.