Chapters Twilight sighed happily in to her pillow. No one could see, but she had the cheesiest smile. Spike walked in completely oblivious as to what was happening.
“I don’t know what’s going on with you Twilight, but Pinkie invited you to a Hearths Warming party.” Twilight’s head shot up.
“Pinkie!” She gasped. “PINKIE!” She scrambled out of her bed and nearly fell down the stairs. She slipped on her coat and scarf. She took a quick look at her picture, and gave a thankful sigh. Twilight ran straight for Sugarcube Corner, she had just now remembered that she promised herself to thank Pinkie for her Christmas miracle. The door flung open as she ran inside. The pink pony looked toward the entrance and a big smile spread across her face.
“Hi Twilight! Thanks for coming to the party!” She looked around. “But maybe you’re a little ear-” Pinkie was actually surprised to be getting a hug for doing nothing, especially from Twilight!
“Thanks Pinkie…” Silence.
“For what?” She squeaked. Twilight pulled back.
“You don’t know what I’m talking about?” *Squee* Twilight brought a hoof to her face. “For telling Derrick…” Silence. “About my filly crush…” Silence. “ON HIM!”
“OOOHHH. I didn’t do that.” The filly shrugged.
“Then who did?” Pinkie tapped her chin.
“The other girls.” Twilight blinked.
“WHAT!?” Pinkie rolled her eyes.
“The, other, gir-” A lavender hoof was shoved into Pinkie’s mouth.
“I know what you said.” A rainbow maned pegasus blasted through the doors making the two girls jump.
“TWILIGHT! IT’S DERRICK!” Twilight turned to see a terrified Rainbow Dash.
“RAINBOW? What’s wrong?” Twilight could see small tears in Rainbow’s eyes…this isn’t good.
“DERRICK’S HURT! BAD!” Twilight felt walls collapsing on her. She felt like she could just roll up into a ball and all her fears would go away. She started to hyperventilate. She took a deep breath. She walked to the hospital with Rainbow, a cloud of darkness surrounding her the whole time. They walked up to a mare at the counter. Twilight didn’t bother to listen to what they were saying. They followed the mare into a room all the way down the hallway.
“Twilight?” Twilight looked up, and her heart sank. Derrick’s right hind leg had a cast, he had an eyepatch, his left front leg was wrapped in bandages, his left ear was cut, and he had a band-aid on his nose. *gulp*
“De-Derrick?” He smiled. A caramel stallion walked in and smiled at Rainbow, receiving an eye-roll. Twilight saw his white jacket and assumed he was a doctor. He levitated a clipboard in front of him, reading. He had a sad frown.
“I’m terribly sorry Mr. Derrick, but…” Twilight’s ears folded down. Derrick realized this and his horn glowed a dark gold. Twilight heard a voice in her head. {it’s going to be fine.} She looked over to Derrick who was smiling. The doctor sighed.
“Derrick, you have an infection in your hind leg that we couldn’t get rid of.” He spoke quietly. “You’re going to be dead by Hearth’s Warming.”
***
Black. It was only black. Twilight shot up in her bed. She gave a relieved sigh. Then saw Rainbow on the floor.
“Rainbow?” The cyan mare groaned. “RAINBOW!”
“GAH!” She looked at Twilight, then at the floor, then at the clock. “Geez, you have a good dream?” Twilight’s eye ticked.
“WHAT HAPPENED!? WHERE’S DERRICK!?” Rainbow rolled her eyes.
“He’s in the hospital, REMEMBER?” Tears filled Twilight’s eyes.
“Yes.” Rainbow noticed Twilight’s reaction, and stood up before laying a hoof on her shoulder.
“Look Twi, I don’t know what it’s like to LIKE somebody…” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “My point is that if you like him, why not spend time with him?” Eyebrow still raised. “What time he has left.” Twilight smiled.
“Thank you, Rainbow.” Rainbow was caught by surprise with a hug.
“Heh…No problem Twi.
Twilight was in a gallop heading for the hospital. She had a few things on her mind, most importantly: HOW THE HECK THIS HAPPENED! Twilight shook her head. It couldn’t be happening! She could feel tears streaming down her face. She skidded to a stop in front of the hospital. She looked up to the high windows, and saw a faint gold glow.
“Hmm…” She teleported inside of Derrick’s room, and saw him staring at a photo. “Derrick?” He jumped, dropping the photo and revealing the picture inside. It was a picture from when they first met. She had asked him to take a picture of her and her friends.
“Six months…”
Twilight looked up at Derrick. “What?” Derrick smiled.
“Six months feels like such a long time, right?” Twilight nodded, not sure what he was talking about. He looked up. “Then why does it feel like just yesterday?” A strong blush reached her muzzle.
“I-You-Then-But-HMM?” She was caught as a blue muzzle pushed against hers. Twilight could hear giggling coming from the doorway. Her eyes quickly looked over to find her five friends trying (Not very well) to keep their laughter in. She blushed, making him retreat.
“Is something wrong Twilight?” Pinkie obviously couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst out in laughter. A cause effect happened and the rest of the girls burst as well. Derrick blushed when he realized what was going on. Twilight normally would have yelled at them or something, but this time she couldn’t get herself to talk. She just stood there, blushing from embarrassment and anger. Spike ran in carrying a bag of chips. He stopped when he saw the scene.
“…What’s going on?”
Twilight screeched inside. “Out!!!”
Rarity grabbed the baby dragon’s tail with her magic, and dragged the lovestruck reptile down the hall. Apple Jack and Rainbow trotted in being followed by a bouncing pink pony. Fluttershy still sat in the doorway. Apple Jack patted Twilight on the back-almost knocking the breath out of her.
“Congrats Twi!” She stood silent.
“…Why?”
Derrick raised his hoof. “Um…can I say something?”
Twilight laid on the couch while Spike was setting up decorations. He lowered a jumble of mistletoe onto a hook above the door.
“There! Now Rarity will have to kiss me!” Twilight looked up at the dragon now climbing down from the ladder.
“Um, aren’t you forgetting something?”
“Huh? Oh! Right,” The small dragon straightened his bowtie and sprayed breath freshener in his mouth. “There!” Twilight rolled her eyes. She’ll have to deal with it when it came. An orange mare trotted through the open door before being tackled by a cyan pegasus with said rainbow mane.
“Rainbow! How many times do ah have to tell ya? Don’t sneak up on me like that!” Rainbow strutted towards the kitchen, letting her mane flow behind her.
“You’ve already told me like, a hundred times. Besides, I totally got you anyway.” Spike giggled as Dash came back with an apple. Apple Jack’s head was in her hooves and Rainbow could tell she was embarrassed. She gave a nice laugh.
“Ha! What’d I miss?” AJ’s head bolted up.
“RAINBOW! Ah’m gonna kill you!” Rainbow pulled her head back in surprise.
“Okay, okay! I get it! I won’t do it again.” Apple Jack growled at Spike as she approached Rainbow. She gave her a quick kiss on her ear. Rainbow’s face grew red as an apple. Apple Jack was now against the wall dealing with her embarrassment. Rainbow’s mouth soon grew to a smile.
“What was that for?” She asked, still not seeing the mistletoe. Apple Jack stood up, taking a deep breath.
“Ya’ll tackled me UNDER THE MISTLETOE!” A snicker followed by another and a laughing fit. “Oh SHUT UP!” Dash was now rolling on the floor laughing uncontrollably. Spike closed her mouth with his claws.
“Ah, ah…” He said pointing to a book in front of him. “Rule number 253 of Hearths Warming traditions!” Rainbow stuck her nose in the book before falling back.
“No! No way!” She yelled crossing her arms.
“What?” Apple Jack grabbed the book, and her face turned red. Spike grabbed the book.
“Yep! You have to kiss each other! Which means…” Apple Jack smiled and pushed him to the side.
“Ahem.” Spike whipped his head toward Twilight who was now standing next to Pinkie and Fluttershy. Fluttershy looked weird, not ‘silly’ weird but ‘uncomfortable’ weird. It was perfect timing as Rarity walked in.
“Um…what’s going on?” Spike blasted for the door. He puckered his lips as Rarity looked up. She turned to Twilight. “Seriously?”
“Seriously.” Rarity looked down at Spike, giving him a small kiss on his nose. She trotted into the kitchen to be replaced by the faint sound of giggling. A loud ringing broke the moment for Spike as he stomped upstairs. A few moments passed…another few…THUD!
Twilight ran upstairs to see the phone on the floor and Spike huddled in his bed.
“Spike, what’s wrong?” Spike remained silent as a mare’s voice came from the phone.
“Hello? Spike?” It was Nurse Redheart, and whatever she had called for-Twilight didn’t want to hear it. Twilight picked up the phone with her magic as she sat on her bed.
“Nurse Redheart, is that you?” The mare sounded relieved and depressed at the same time.
“Ah, Twilight. I have some news for you…you’re not going to like it.”
***
Twilight sobbed into Rarity’s shoulder.
“He’s gone! He’s gone…” Rarity patted her on the back.
“It’s alright, Twilight. There was nothing you could do.” Apple Jack approached the unicorn, setting her Stetson on the mare’s head.
“S’alright Twi. How about I take ya down to the cider bar? They, uh… they got pool.” Twilight looked up at Apple Jack with tears in her eyes.
“No thanks, Apple Jack.” She sniffed. The five friends watched her go up the stairs and disappear into her room. Spike sat on the floor drinking tea with Fluttershy.
“Great.” He huffed. The five mares sat around the library, concerned for their friend.
“What do we do?” Fluttershy asked, pausing from her morning tea.
“Ah don’t care what she says, she’s going to the bar!” Apple Jack crossed her arms furiously.
“Apple Jack darling,” Rarity set a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “Twilight needs some time to herself! Give her a day or two.”
***
“Maybe Apple Jack was right…” Twilight stood outside the Ponyville Inn after deciding what to do with the rest of her afternoon. She slowly walked inside to see a large bushel of ponies around the first floor. There was Time Turner; the local clock fixer, Berry Punch; the local ciderholic, Lucky; one of the few colts Twilight saw around Ponyville, Derpy; as always, being a ditz near Time Turner, Caramel; a local farmhand, even Thunderlane was there. She took a deep breath and sat herself at the front counter. A teal stallion approached her with haste, his beret slightly tipping.
“Hello there, how may I help you?” Twilight smiled weakly at the stallion and waved a hoof in dismiss.
“I’ll just have water…” She frowned. “…Please.” The stallion chuckled.
“You sound a bit like Fluttershy!” Twilight’s ears perked up at the mention of a friend.
“You know her?” The stallion let out a scoff.
“Know her? She takes care of my dog like a charm!” He smiled, sliding the drink over to Twilight from the opposite end of the bar. “I consider us friends!” Twilight smiled at the stallion’s attempt at humor.
“She’s a good friend of mine…” The stallion raised an eyebrow and studied the mare through dim light.
“Oh yeah! You’re Twilight Sparkle, huh?” Twilight was surprised anypony knew who she was, but she was an element of harmony. “Main element of harmony, am I right?”
“I wouldn’t say that…” The stallion looked perplexed.
“But you’re Magic…” He paused. “…Right?” Twilight nodded causing the stallion to smile again. “Then you’re the lead mare!” Twilight scowled.
“Just because I have a more rare element does NOT mean my friends aren’t important!” The stallion shook his head fiercely.
“No, no! That’s not what I’m saying at ALL! What I mean is, where you go…” he motioned towards the door where the five ponies were standing. “…They follow.”
Twilight stood from her seat. Apple Jack smiled at the sight of her friend.
“What did I say? I knew you’d be here!” Twilight blushed before the teal stallion jumped out from behind the counter.
“It’s soooo nice to meet ya’ll!” he enthused while shaking even Apple Jack’s hoof to fracture.
“Um…thanks?” The orange mare blushed at the sudden attention.
“Oh my gosh!” The pink party pony jumped out from the bundle of mares with a mile wide grin. “Are you new here?” Pinkie studied the colt from head to hoof.
“Nope! Been here since I was a colt!” Pinkie stared the stallion in the eye, who maintained a smile.
“Hmm…You don’t SEEM new, but I definitely haven’t seen you around before!” The stallion rushed over to Rarity who stepped back in surprise of his speed.
“This must be the beautiful Rarity!” He lifted the mare’s hoof and gave it a gentle kiss. His speed was not forgotten as he nearly teleported next to Rainbow Dash. “You must be Rainbow Dash, real life equivalent of Daring Do!” Dash smiled confidently at this statement. He approached Fluttershy next, still with tremendous speed, making her jump back a little. “You have GOT to be Fluttershy! Who not even Discord himself could stray away from her friends!” Fluttershy tucked her head into her mane, shyly uttering an ‘it’s no big deal’. He traveled over to the last pony on the list, Twilight. He took a breath before Twilight shoved it back down his throat.
“Don’t even start…” The stallion forced a smile from underneath Twilight’s hoof as his eyes sparkled. Twilight removed the hoof when she assumed he had decided to shut up. Sadly it was mistaken for silence.
“And the brave Twilight Sparkle herself…” He said dreamily. Twilight took a step back in surprise of his tone. “It was she who noticed Chrysalis’ evil plans before anypony could utter a word…” He sighed. “…such a keen eye for detail.” Rarity scoffed. Twilight stepped back in fear of her creepy stalker. He cleared his throat. “Anyway, such a pleasure to meet you all!” There was an awkward silence that was broken by a gruff voice.
“Hey Caset! I need a pony with muscle over here! Hurry it up!” The stallion rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
“Well, I’ve gotta go…bye!” He turned and ran behind the counter and into the kitchen, his beret very nearly slipping off of his blue mane.
“He was…”
“So dreamy!” The five mares said, completing a sentence Twilight had no intent for.
Twilight stuffed her head into her tear stained pillow. Spike happened to walk by and glance her way.
“Twilight? Are you okay?” The lavender mare rolled over with sniff.
“I’m fine Spike, I just can’t get him out of my head.” Spike scratched his chin.
“That stallion at the inn Pinkie said you had a crush on?” Twilight blushed furiously.
“I do NOT have a crush on him!” She let out a snort of air.
“Okay, okay!” Spike paused. “…Then who?” Twilight brought a hoof to her face.
“Nevermind Spike, just leave me be.” Spike started to turn around before Pinkie jumped out of nowhere and scared him breathless.
“You need to get out Grumpy-Pants!” Pinkie appeared next to her bed in the blink of an eye, pushing her friend out of bed. “May I suggest the Ponyville Inn?” Pinkie leaned against Twilight with a huge grin.
“Actually Pinkie,” Twilight closed her eyes, ready to list off her planned activities. When she realized the temperature change she slightly opened them to find herself in the Inn already. She let out a groan and sat herself at the counter.
“Well hello again…” Twilight ignored the teal stallion hovering over her. “Remember me?”
“How could I forget?” She growled.
“So you DO like me?” Twilight’s eyes widened.
“What!? No! I mean…” The stallion held up a hoof to silence her.
“As some wise pony said,” He leaned in closer with a cheesy grin. “Great minds think alike.” He said with a waggle of his eyebrows. Twilight was not amused.
“How are you THIS smart, and yet THIS ignorant?” The stallion ignored her question, simply holding out his mint green hoof.
“My name’s Caset.” Twilight slowly accepted the hoof before quickly pulling away. ‘He’s so cold…’ “Sorry about that, I was washing the dishes.”
“But, you weren’t wet…” She looked up at him. “…You were cold.”
“I guess it is cold in here!” Twilight paused to feel the temperature, it was rather warm. “Anyway, you want to see something awesome?”
“Um…I guess?” Twilight was swept off her hooves as Caset dragged her by her hoof.
***
“Where are we? Can I look now?” Caset removed his hooves from Twilight’s eyes. She looked around and frowned in disappointment. They were in the canyon.
“This is where I used to work before some guy got hurt.” He didn’t notice Twilight crying. “I don’t know what his name was, Drake? Something like that.”
“Derrick…” Twilight muttered.
“Yeah, that was it! You know him?” Twilight nodded.
“I…I loved him.” Caset stepped back in slight surprise.
“Wow…uh, I’m sorry…?” Twilight was too busy in her emotion to realize Caset’s unease. “Look, I’ll make it up to you!” Twilight looked up at him confused.
“What for?”
“For bringing back bad memories, he was pretty bad when he left…I wouldn’t be surprised if he died.” Twilight sniffed. “He…he did, didn’t he?” Twilight fell into Caset’s grasp. He slowly rubbed her back. “It’s okay.”
“You’re not comforting me…” Caset pulled away from Twilight with a small blush.
“I-I’m sorry.” He looked away only to be surprised by a certain crying mare, forcing herself into his embrace. “I…I thought you didn’t like me.”
“Something about you just feels…right.” She smiled, seeming to forget all about the recent events of Hearths Warming.
***
Twilight took in a deep breath and opened the door. She smiled when she saw the teal face wrapped up in a scarf.
“Mi Twimight!” Twilight giggled and unwrapped the scarf from his face.
“What are you doing here, Caset?” The teal stallion hugged the mare tightly.
“I’m doing Winter Wrap Up!” Twilight stopped mid-tracks.
“But…You’ve been here since you were a colt, why haven’t you done it before?”
“I’m…kind of a klutz.” Twilight smiled and nuzzled him.
“You’re my klutz.”
***
Twilight had been ‘dating’ Caset for the past month or so…well, since Hearth’s Warming. Twilight wondered if she had already met him, it wasn’t because he looked familiar…he just so much in common with her. He liked books, he liked magic even though he couldn’t cast any, he couldn’t cook if his life depended on it, he was smart, had a terrible sense of humor, used to live in Canterlot, had an acute knowledge of Equestrian history, he was…perfect. There was only ONE thing Twilight DIDN’T like about him, he always got nervous at the strangest times. She had thought about it before but had simply moved it on; he was hiding something from her. Something important, something big, something he knew she wouldn’t like.
***
“Just pull the rope!” Twilight facehoofed as the bells all fell off the rope the second he pulled. “Nevermind, I’ll get it.” The stallion stepped out of her way with a look of shame.
“I’m sorry Twilight, I’m just no good.” Twilight finished ringing the bells and rubbed her head into his chest.
“You just haven’t found your special place yet,” She giggled. “I’ve only met one pony that was as much of a klutz as you…” Realization dawned on her. “…Now that I think about it…” The stallion cringed in fear. “…You’re a LOT like him!” Twilight turned to the shameful stallion. “Explain yourself, THIS INSTANT!” She stomped her hoof into the muddy ground.
“Can I tell you at the Inn?” Twilight narrowed her eyes.
“Fine.” Caset smiled and galloped off into the distance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
‘I’ve learned a thing or two from Apple Jack, Twi!’
“I can’t believe this!” Twilight slammed her head into the counter. “How did I not learn my lesson with Apple Jack?” Caset had completely vanished from Ponyville. Twilight couldn’t believe she had lost two stallions in only three months! She tapped the glass of water in front of her. She could’ve sworn she saw Derrick smiling at her, but such was the tricks of a lovesick mind. She sat up, still slumping a little. She got up and walked out the door, not even caring to reposition her scarf. She passed Sugarcube Corner where Pinkie set a gingerbread house in the windowsill. Twilight sighed.
***
When she reached the library she found a note on her doorstep. She read it aloud to make sure she was reading it right.
“Party at the Inn, hope you come…Pinkie Pie.” She flipped it over to see a date and time. It was a few days from then. Twilight sighed. “Whatever Pinkie,” The note flew out of her magical grip and into a nearby garbage bin. What Twilight didn’t see was Caset pop out and grab the note.
“Perfect!” He said, glancing through the library window.
***
“Twilight! Are you okay?” Spike ran down the stairs to see Twilight let herself fall to the floor. “Twilight?” The sounds of a sobbing unicorn filled the library.
***
“Where IS she?” Pinkie paced back and forth, waiting for the last element to show up.
“She just lost the stallion of her dreams, give her a break!” The ivory unicorn stated. Apple Jack sipped a jug of cider before slamming it down on the counter.
“CONSARN IT!” She slammed her head into the wooden surface as a rainbow maned pegasus burst out laughing.
“See? I told you she couldn’t bear more than five!” Apple Jack looked up with red eyes.
“Shut up.”
“Make me.” The daredevil taunted.
“Why you-”
“Guys!” All of the mares turned their heads towards Pinkie, who was standing next to Twilight.
“Twilight!” They all shouted simultaneously.
“Spike dragged me here, so don’t think I’m letting my mane down.” They all looked at each other, surprised by her sour tone. Rarity laid a hoof on her shoulder.
“Twilight, I as a friend completely agree with yo-” Her hoof was grabbed tightly by a magical grip.
“Don’t…” Twilight gritted her teeth. “…Touch me.” Rarity slowly backed away from the menacing mare.
“O-okay…” Twilight slunked into a far corner of the Inn.
“What’s wrong with HER?” Rainbow asked.
“I-I don’t know!”
***
Twilight sat in her chair, waiting for something that could explain everything. She looked over her shoulder and saw Spike and the girls having fun playing pin the tail on the pony. She sighed and got up. A dark gold light flickered in the corner of her eye. She immediately turned to find out it came from the window. She cautiously walked towards it, not knowing what she might find. She saw Caset standing outside on the lawn. He flickered and was replaced by Derrick for a half second. Twilight gasped and fell backwards, toppling into Pinkie and the other girls.
“Hey!” Pinkie yelled, annoyed.
“Watch it!” A more annoyed Rainbow Dash, complained. Twilight clumsily got to her hooves and rushed out the door. She was in full gallop and almost knocked Caset/Derrick over when she collided into him.
“Surprised?” He said with a loving smile. Twilight looked up at him and gasped, stepping back when she realized he now had sky blue eyes instead of lavender. Amazing sky blue eyes, perfected against a light blue coat, and dark blue mane hanging over them.
“Derrick?” He smiled, small tears forming in said eyes.
“Yeah, it’s me.” He said, his expression saddening. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, I just didn’t want you to get mad or-HMM?” He was silenced by the soft lips of the mare he had hidden from all those months. It wasn’t from anger, pity, or sadness…but from love. He looked down at closed eyes, and pulled away. They opened, much to his liking. Twilight looked at him, confused and sad.
“Why did yo-” She was cut off by a gentle hoof on her chin.
“Such pretty eyes shouldn’t be closed…don’t you agree?” Twilight blushed. Her eyes reacted as well, sparkling in the moonlight. “That’s why I had lavender eyes…” Twilight looked at Derrick confused.
“What?” He smiled.
“My magic wasn’t strong enough to conjure such a gorgeous shade.” He leaned forward, pressing his head against hers. The other girls were now at the window staring down at the two ponies.
“Who is she with?” Rainbow asked, not being able to see Twilight’s loving stallion.
“Whoever it is, I’m sure she has good reason.” Rarity said, smiling as her horn lit up in an azure blue. Her magic flickered and she saw Derrick, now kissing Twilight. Apple Jack flicked Rarity’s horn. “Ow!” The white mare responded.
“What are you not telling us Rarity?”
“Well-I-Nothing!” Rarity stammered.
“Don’t lie to me, Rarity! You know just as well as anypony that Ah can tell when someone’s lying!”
“It’s just…Well, you can’t…” She sighed. A lady was NEVER racist but, “…Well, it’s just that you don’t have horns…” She cringed back, expecting some kind of punishment.
“WHAT!?” They all said at once. She grinned nervously. She was luckily saved by the door opening.
“My little ponies...” Twilight giggled. “…I have a surprise!” She stretched it out to sound more dramatic. “Look!” She motioned behind her…where there was emptiness.
“…”
“It was TOO a good idea! Just look at their faces!”
***
Derrick rolled his eyes and stepped back, changing himself back into Caset. He stepped forward again to be greeted by the sounds of gasps.
“Why are you HIM again!? Change back THIS INSTANT!” Derrick(Caset) whispered into Twilight’s ear. “What?” Her expression saddened. “So yo- I mean, HE is actually dead?” Caset nodded slowly, catching the crying Twilight in his arms.
“But hey!” Caset pushed Twilight to where he could look her in the eye. “At least you still have THIS guy!” He said, motioning around his face. Twilight smiled. Caset looked up at Rarity, who was a lot sadder than the rest. He slowly lifted a hoof to his mouth.
“Shhh…”
Glittering white snowflakes fell down from light grey clouds being dragged by a cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane. Twilight pulled on her scarf and coat, opening the door with a joyful smile. Hearth’s Warming was coming up in a few days and she was determined to make sure it was the best. She gave a last look to a picture frame standing on the end table. The picture inside showed her and a light blue unicorn with a dark blue mane. It was a picture of her and Derrick on their trip to the crystal kingdom. She smiled at the memory. They had been friends for 5 months now and Twilight wanted to tell him how she really felt. Wet snow sprinkled itself on her nose as she walked through Ponyville. She saw Apple Jack wacking her cart with a wrench. She quickly trotted over to her friend.
“Hi, Apple Jack! What are you doing?” The orange mare looked up.
“Oh, heya Twi. The wheels on my apple cart froze up, Trixie said it’s because wheels are evil but…” Twilight smiled.
“...That’s ridiculous.” She said, finishing Apple Jack’s sentence. Apple Jack rolled her eyes.
“Can ya help me?” Twilight’s horn lit up a dark pink as the ice on the wheels began to melt. Apple Jack smiled as the last icicle dripped down to the ground. “Thanks Twi, I wish I could make it up to ya but I got to get these sweets to Sugarcube Corner before they freeze.”
“No problem! Anything that’ll make you happy!” She waved goodbye and headed for a small building at the very end of the street. She was so excited, she was running! She just couldn’t wait any longer to get Derrick his present. Twilight giggled. She had decided to give him a kiss if her plan went correctly. She stopped in front of a small house painted candy blue-She knew Derrick liked blue, so it didn’t bother her with how much there was. She gave the door a quick knock, impatiently dancing on her hooves. The door creaked open revealing a light blue stallion with a dark blue mane and a crane for a cutie mark. He smiled when he saw the lavender mare.
“Hey Twilight!” He looked around, then turned back to her confused. “What are you doing here?” Twilight took a deep breath and opened her eyes-BIG Mistake. She accidently looked into his eyes, and even though he was obviously very confused, his eyes sparkled in a brilliant shade of sky blue. “Well?” He asked breaking Twilight from her thoughts.
“I-I…Um…” Twilight stammered on like a complete idiot, making Derrick even more confused.
“Twilight…what’s the matter?” Twilight turned her head away hiding a blush. “Twilight, I think you should come inside.” Twilight realized that she was still outside, the snow wrapping around her hooves, she responded with a small shiver. “I thought you’d realize sooner or later.” Derrick said giving an amused laugh.
‘even his laugh…’ Twilight shook her head to get back on track. Derrick stepped to the side allowing the mare to walk in. She smiled as the warmth of the indoors filled her.
“Mmm… What’s that smell?” Her stomach grumbled as she savored the sugary cinnamon smell.
“That’s my gingerbread house, homemade!” Twilight drooled as her stomach raged on. “Do you…want some?” Twilight snapped back into reality, blushing slightly.
“I-I couldn’t, you made it yourself.” Derrick smiled.
“I can always make another. Besides, you look pretty hungry.” He didn’t see Twilight blushing as he headed for the kitchen. He came back levitating a beautiful gingerbread house in his magical grip. It had the classic gingerbread shingles, but it had red icing covering the walls to look like bricks, white icing on one of the outer corners to stand for a drainage pipe, little squares cut out as windows and doors, green icing on the base for grass, he had shaped some caramel into a rectangle for a chimney, and even had a little welcome mat that was most likely a piece of cardboard.
“Whoa…” Twilight felt entranced by how realistic it looked. Derrick looked from Twilight to the house.
“It is a little much isn’t it?” Twilight shook her head.
“Wait, THIS IS HOMEMADE?” His ears folded down.
“I did use a little bit of magic trying to get the chimney red, but I couldn’t find any food dyes that would work and-” He looked at her curiously, she was now staring at the house drooling. He set it down and broke off a piece of the roof, handing it to her. She accepted, she was too hungry to be worried about spoiling lunch. Derrick gently rested on a couch against the wall. He put his front hooves on the coffee table in front of him.
“Twilight…Pinkie Pie told me about your filly crush on me.” Twilight almost choked on her gingerbread. She swallowed before speaking.
“That little…” Derrick’s hoof was suddenly on Twilight’s shoulder. She turned to face him. He smiled as their noses bumped. A blush easily reached Twilight’s face. He stepped back a few steps, a more joyful blush on his face.
“As I was going to say, I like you as well.” A red blush now covered Twilight’s snout. Derrick suddenly pecked her on the cheek, then smiled mischievously. “You got what you came for, now it’s time for you to go home. I’ll be willing to walk you home…”