Dissertation of Affections

Chapters

Initial Reaction
Thesis Statement
Concept Development
Conflicting Sources
Hypothesis

Initial Reaction

Spike blinked the bleariness from his eyes, yawned, and stretched his arms out as far as they would go. Morning had come as always and sunlight had filtered through the slightly parted curtains to let rays dance upon his face. It was odd, he thought, to wake up this way instead of being awoken in some manner or another by Twilight. He peered over at the unicorn’s bed and noticed that it was empty; the comforter hadn’t even been disturbed since he had stumbled off to bed the night before.

Another yawn forced its way from his mouth and he climbed slowly out of his basket to stretch his legs. He would probably find Twilight downstairs, asleep with her nose in a book, passed out in the middle of an all-night study session. It would be his job to wake her up, but all he really wanted was more sleep.

Spike made his way to the door out into the outer portion of the library; when he opened it he heard Twilight’s voice drifting up from the floor below. She was awake? And talking to herself?

Spike inched towards the edge of the stairs to peer down into the main room.

“… but all that was revolutionized by Starswirl the Bearded. His work contains volumes upon volumes on all sorts of techniques and formulas that are invaluable to what we know about magic today. Without him we wouldn’t be able to use basic teleportation spells, or hair growing spells, or spells to conjure things, or many many other kinds of spells we use every day.”

Below, Twilight stood in the middle of the floor, levitating four different books in a circle around her and reading them at various intervals while taking notes. Pinkie Pie sat in front of her, apparently listening attentively to the lecture Twilight was giving about obscure unicorn history.

Spike blinked a few times to make sure he was seeing things correctly. Pinkie Pie? Why would that mare of all ponies be in the library so early in the morning? And why in the world would she be paying such rapt attention to Twilight’s prattling?

Pinkie’s gaze wandered upwards and she smiled when she saw the little dragon, “Good morning Spike!”

Twilight turned to face him as well, “Oh. Hello Spike. Did you sleep well?”

Spike made his way down the stairs, “I slept great! Um… Why is Pinkie here? No offense, Pinkie.”

“None taken!”

Twilight shot a nervous glance over to the pink pony who locked eyes with her and nodded.

Pinkie trotted towards the kitchen, cheerfully exclaiming, “I’m going to make breakfast! I hope everypony likes pancakes!”

Twilight called after her, “There are crushed gem pieces in the cupboard for Spike and blueberries in the fridge for us, Pinkie!”

“Ooh! I love blueberry pancakes!”

Twilight turned to Spike and gestured back towards the bedroom, “We need to talk.”

That couldn’t be good.

Spike followed Twilight up the stairs without saying anything, but he became even more nervous with each step. Had Twilight found out he had been sneaking extra emeralds after dinner? Or maybe she was replacing him as her assistant with Pinkie? Or maybe she had discovered a virus that was turning ponies into zombies and only she and Pinkie Pie knew the cure?

Twilight crossed the threshold into the upper room and Spike followed closely behind. She turned to face him and he was frightened to see that she was wearing a really anxious expression.

“Spike,” she began, tracing little circles on the floor with a hoof, “I need to tell you something really important.”

Spike could feel his heart thudding in his chest; the anticipation was killing him, “Okay Twilight. What is it?”

Twilight began pacing back and forth, “I just don’t really know how to say this. I mean, it’s not really such a big deal is it? I should probably just state it outright and not beat around the bush.”

Spike nodded slowly, “Yeah. Probably.”

Silence blanketed the room for a few long moments as Twilight stared at the wood grain of the wall and Spike waited impatiently for Twilight to spit it out.

Finally, he couldn’t contain his uneasiness a second longer, “What is it, Twilight?”

Twilight jolted to attention, “I’m in love with Pinkie Pie!”

Twilight’s eyes became round as saucers and she put a hoof to her mouth as if she couldn’t believe she had just said that.

Spike blinked a few times before laughing, “You’ve got to be kidding me! Is this some kind of joke? Pinkie Pie? Aw, that is hilarious!”

Twilight frowned, “No Spike, this is serious.”

Spike sobered up, “You mean… You and Pinkie Pie?”

Twilight nodded.

Spike’s eyebrows knitted together, “How?”

“I’m not entirely sure myself,” Twilight locked her gaze once more on the wooden flooring, “She’s been visiting me more and more often when I’m up late studying, and I guess I came to really appreciate her company.”

Spike rolled his eyes, “Sure. But “appreciating her company” is not the same as loving her! I appreciate Applejack’s company, but you don’t see me confessing my undying love.”

Twilight grinned, “What about that one time when we were about to jump into the Diamond Dog’s lair?”

Spike flushed, “Hey! That was an accident and you know it!”

“Suuuuure it was.”

Spike crossed his arms in a huff, “You’re avoiding the question.”

Twilight sighed, “I am not. We’ve spent a lot of time together lately, and she’s really fun to be around and I like it when she smiles at me because I get this really nice feeling in my chest and she’s a really amazing kisser…”

“Gross! Stop!” Spike stuck his tongue out with a scowl, “Too much information!”

Twilight smiled sheepishly, “Sorry.”

Spike paused in thought, tapping his chin with a scaly claw, before finally shrugging. “Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay.”

Twilight opened and shut her mouth once or twice before sound actually came out, “What do you mean “okay”?”

Spike rolled his eyes, “I mean that it’s none of my business who you’re with. If you somehow wound up with the oddest pony you could have possibly picked in all of Equestria then that’s your deal.”

Twilight seemed unconvinced.

“I mean, hey!” Spike continued with a grin, “If you’ve got a chance with Pinkie then I’ve definitely got a chance with Rarity!”

Twilight chuckled, “You’re probably right.”

Spike made a show of flexing his little biceps, “One day Rarity’s sure to notice these babies! Oh yeah, that’ll impress her.”

Relief flooded over Twilight, “You really don’t mind?”

“Why should I mind as long as you’re happy?” He grinned, “And as long as I get pancakes too!”

Twilight scooped the baby dragon up in a giant hug, “Oh Spike! You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that!”

Spike wrapped his arms around the unicorn’s neck in an embrace, “Yeah yeah. Enough mushy stuff. Can we eat breakfast now?”

Twilight nuzzled the baby dragon fondly, “I was so worried… I don’t really know what I thought would happen, but I had no idea how you would react and I didn’t want this to somehow hurt our relationship. Because you really mean a whole lot to me, Spike. And…”

“Woah! Easy! You’re crushing me!”

Twilight let him slide back down to the floor, “Sorry.”

Spike shook his head, “Honestly, why would something like this hurt our relationship?”

“Doesn’t this change things?”

“How? You’re still you and Pinkie’s still Pinkie, aren’t you?”

Twilight hadn’t thought of it that way, but Spike had a point. Maybe this whole thing was less of an ordeal than she was making it out to be.

“I suppose you’re right.”

Spike gazed longingly down the stairs as the scent of pancakes wafted up from below, “Can we please go have breakfast now?”

Twilight swung Spike onto her back and practically pranced back down into the kitchen where Pinkie had found a white apron trimmed with lace and all the materials needed to make breakfast.

She was flipping pancakes onto a plate as the pair walked in, “Perfect timing! I just finished!”

On the counter were three plates piled high with fluffy pancakes practically oozing with fresh blueberries and—in Spike’s case— shiny gems of various colors; Pinkie had also found syrup which she had warmed in a cup, butter, lemons which she had sliced into quarters, powdered sugar, and honey. Twilight wasn’t positive that those things had been in the kitchen earlier, but she wasn’t complaining.

Pinkie whirled around the kitchen, depositing a plate in front of Twilight and Spike, respectively, and pouring two mugs full of steaming hot liquid.

“I hope you like hot chocolate! Who am I kidding? Nopony doesn’t like hot chocolate! What’s not to like?” She set a mug in front of each of her two friends with a smile, “Now what does everypony like on their pancakes? Sugar and lemon, Twilight? Butter and syrup, Spike?”

Spike nodded enthusiastically, “Oh yeah! That sounds great!”

Twilight moved to join Pinkie behind the counter, “Let me help you…”

Pinkie shook her head and handed Spike his toppings, “Nu-uh! This is my breakfast! I get to be the waitress pony today!”

“Are you sure?” Twilight took a step closer, “I really don’t mind.”

Pinkie hopped over to Twilight and steered her back towards her chair, “Sit back. Relax! Let good old Pinkie Pie take care of you!”

Spike chimed in through a mouthful of pancake, “Yeah Twilight. Just sit down.” He swallowed and grinned at Pinkie, “This is amazing, Pinkie! We never have anything fancier than cereal for breakfast.”

Twilight accepted the lemon slice and powdered sugar from Pinkie, “That’s not true!”

Spike twirled his fork between his claws and raised an eyebrow, “I guess you’re right.” He speared another chunk of pancake, “Sometimes we don’t even have breakfast at all.”

Twilight lowered her head meekly and focused on dressing up her pancakes; there needed to be about a three to five ratio of lemon to sugar on each pancake, taking into account that the lemon that would soak into the pancake above it on the stack and that sugar melted quickly…

“What are you doing?”

Twilight jolted up to see Pinkie looking at her with a quizzical expression and an affectionate smile.

“I’m just…,” Twilight drew small patterns on the counter in front of her, “The lemon tends to overpower the sugar and I like them a little sweeter rather than tart…”

Pinkie giggled, “You’re sooo cute!”

Twilight’s ears flicked back and she felt heat rise into her cheeks, “I-”

Pinkie leaned forward and pecked Twilight on the cheek, effectively silencing whatever she had been about to say.

Spike made gagging noises, “I’m trying to eat over here!”

Pinkie spun around to grab her own plate, scooping up a container of chocolate sauce Twilight knew for a fact hadn’t been there earlier, “Whoopsie! Sorry Spike!” She swung around the counter, scootching into the chair right next to Twilight, “It’s so so hard to keep my hooves to myself this morning!”

Twilight flushed as Pinkie nuzzled her behind her ear, “Pinkie… Not with Spike here.”

Pinkie shrugged and poured copious amounts of chocolate sauce on her pancakes with wild abandon.

Spike scoffed, “No no. Don’t stop on my account.”

“Okay!” Pinkie wrapped Twilight in an enthusiastic hug, causing the unicorn to drop the fork she had been levitating with her magic. Pinkie paused to let Twilight make eye contact, “You want to taste the chocolate sauce? It's super yummy!”

Their kiss was brief but rather interesting with the flavors of lemon, sugar, blueberries, and chocolate mixed in. Twilight had to admit she was a shade disappointed when Pinkie turned back to her pancakes.

Spike muttered, “The things I put up with for breakfast.”

From there, their meal was smooth sailing. The pancakes were fantastic, as was expected from Pinkie Pie, and halfway through finishing, Pinkie and Spike got into an intense discussion about the pros and cons of different toppings as well as what was appropriate to cook inside the batter. Twilight didn’t feel the need to add anything to the discussion, but the back and forth between her oldest friend and her new marefriend filled her with a warm, satisfied feeling. Maybe, she thought, just maybe things will turn out alright.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Pinkie exclaimed, “Gummy worms are amazing in pancakes!”

Spike rolled his eyes, “No you’ve got to be kidding me! Who wants something that looks like a worm and is chewy like a worm in their pancakes? Gross!”

Pinkie slammed a hoof on the counter with a gasp, “Because you get to pretend you’re a thing that eats worms! Like a mole or an ostrich!”

“Do ostriches even eat worms?”

Pinkie blinked slowly, “I think so. And if they don’t: why not? They’re birds aren’t they?”

Spike laughed, “Stupid birds. They can’t even fly! How lame is that?”

“Hey!” Pinkie frowned, “That’s not very nice!”

“It’s nothing personal. It’s not their fault they’re bad at being birds.”

“But they’re sooo good at other things!”

Spike nodded, “They’re the best at sticking their heads in the ground.”

Pinkie smiled, “They are, aren’t they! How’s about a toast for the ostriches! Best at sticking their heads in the ground ever!”

The two clanked their mugs together, nearly busting a gut laughing at some joke Twilight didn’t quite understand.

Twilight smiled. She had been worried about nothing after all. How typical.

This mutual affection that she and Pinkie shared wasn’t something she should be afraid of or something she should try to hide away. Spike made it clear that nothing had to change; this was just another step on the road of friendship that Twilight was traversing, nothing more or less. The prospect of opening up to the rest of their friends seemed exciting now rather than daunting. She couldn’t wait to let everypony know that she had fallen in love with the most amazing pony in Equestria.

Pinkie’s mouth darted in and stole a chunk of pancake off Twilight’s fork, “You snooze you lose, Twilight!”

Twilight smiled, "I guess you're right."

--Author's Note--

I'm not planning on having author's notes for every chapter, but this chapter was a bit of a doozy to write due to personal life stressors and the fact that the part that I really wanted to write is the part immediately following this one. This was an exercise in discipline, and, while I believe it serves its purpose, there are portions that do not please me. As such I would be grateful for any critique you would be willing to offer.

Thank you again for reading, and I hope you'll be excited for the next portion because I am pretty excited to write it.

Thesis Statement

Twilight had insisted upon doing the cleanup herself, making a grand show of levitating plates and scrub brushes, and sending bubbles flying everywhere. This made Spike less than happy, but Pinkie reveled in the soapy discord. The pink pony whirled around like a ballerina on her hind hooves, leaving trails of soapy water in her wake. She gathered large clumps of bubbles together to make a beard, and then dumped a load of them on Twilight's head. She chased Spike around with a hoof full, but he was too wily to be caught.

As Twilight put the last plate back in the cupboard she smiled at Pinkie, “When can we tell them?”

Pinkie blinked, taking a moment to blow a large soap bubble off her nose, “Do what now?”

Twilight giggled and popped a cluster of suds that had sat on her shoulder, “Tell the girls!”

Pinkie Pie wasn’t one hundred percent sure what to make of Twilight’s newfound enthusiasm about telling their friends about what she was playfully referring to as their “sordid love affair” (much to Twilight’s chagrin). The pink pony wasn’t nervous in the slightest about them knowing, but the bounce from tearful dread to grinning gusto seemed cause for concern.

“Whenever you want to,” Pinkie stated slowly, “But are you sure you’re ready? Last night…”

Twilight cut Pinkie off with a wave of her hoof, “Last night I was just overemotional. I overanalyzed the situation when the solution is actually very simple.” She slid over to Pinkie to nuzzle her soapy cheek, “Our friends will love us regardless of our choices in partnership.”

Pinkie smiled hesitantly, still feeling a bit uneasy, “Of course they will. I just…” Pinkie craned her neck to look into the unicorn’s eyes, “I just don’t want you doing what you don’t want to do when you don’t want to do it.”

Twilight gave Pinkie’s nose a quick lick, “Your concern is duly noted and very much appreciated.” When Pinkie’s expression didn’t lighten, Twilight nudged her with her muzzle, “Come on, Pinkie! Don’t be such a petulant pony.”

Twilight beamed at Pinkie, seemingly waiting for Pinkie to laugh at some joke she just made, but Pinkie didn’t get it.

“Peta-what?”

“Petulant,” Twilight repeated, running off the next statement as if reading it straight from a dictionary, “Ill-tempered, irritable, grouchy. “Being a petulant pony doesn’t suit Pinkie Pie.””

Pinkie stuck her tongue out at the grinning unicorn, “Meanie.”

Twilight’s lower lip jutted out in a mock pout, “Aw. Come on. Give me a smile smile smile?”

Pinkie’s tail swished out behind her and she tossed her mane haughtily, “I don’t know…”

“Come oooon.” Twilight crooned, sidling back up to the earth pony once again, “You know you want to.”

A loud groan erupted from the doorway and the two ponies turned to see Spike rolling his eyes at the two of them, “This is worse than the kissing!”

Twilight teleported behind him and wrapped her hooves around his shoulders, “What’s the matter, Spike? Do snuggles make you uncomfortable?”

Spike squirmed in her grasp as she began nuzzling him, “Ew! Stop it! Cut it out, Twilight!”

Twilight rubbed her cheek against her captive’s and spoke in cooing tones, “You used to really like cuddle time. What happened, Spikey-Wikey?”

Spike elbowed his way free and danced back a few paces before responding, “You started acting all weird! Did you get hit on the head again or something?” He shot a pitiable glance over to Pinkie, “Did your twitchy tail predict this?”

Twilight’s ears perked and she turned back to Pinkie, “Your twitchy tail… Hey, do you think your twitchy tail can predict how our friends will react?”

Pinkie was thrown by the absolute sincerity on the little unicorn’s face. She had always felt that even though Twilight had admitted defeat in the war against her Pinkie Sense the unicorn had still harbored some serious doubts about its legitimacy, but the prospect that Twilight actually believed and even put stock into it made Pinkie’s heart soar. Not only that, but Pinkie was finally able to understand why her new marefriend was acting so giddy.

“No.” Pinkie shook her head, “My Pinkie Sense doesn’t work like that.” She trotted next to Twilight who was trying to hide her disappointment, “It’s okay to be nervous.”

Twilight stared at the floorboards, “I’m not nervous. Why would I be nervous?”

Out of the corner of her eye Pinkie saw Spike make a break for the stairs. She leaned against Twilight who leaned back against her, “Because you’re my brave little unicorn.”

A smile tugged on the edges of Twilight’s muzzle, “Why would being nervous make me brave?”

“Because you never don’t do things just because you’re nervous.”

Twilight chuckled, “What does that mean?”

Pinkie jumped to the side, landing solidly on all four hooves, “You’re the kind of pony that duels an ursa minor and charges a hydra!” Pinkie reared on her hind hooves flailing the front ones as if preparing to gallop, “You were nervous then, right?”

“If by "nervous" you mean "utterly petrified" then yes.” Twilight shuddered at the memories.

Pinkie hopped forward, “At Froggybottom Bog you had to take a leap of faith, remember?”

Twilight nodded, “The jump was too far and I didn’t think I’d make it.”

Pinkie prodded further, “But you did, right? You made it?”

“Of course I did. You were there, remember?”

Pinkie smiled, “That’s what this is: another leap of faith. You’re just going to have to trust that everything will turn out alright in the end.”

Twilight pawed at the ground thoughtfully before nodding, “You’re right. I guess I am just a little nervous…”

Pinkie bumped her head against Twilight’s chin, “Everything will be just fine, Twilight. And we can wait until your butterflies have flown away before telling everypony. It’s okay if you want to wait a little bit.”

“No.” Twilight shook her head, “I think it’d be better to do it sooner rather than later.”

Pinkie stepped back to make eye contact, “As long as you’re sure.”

Twilight looked into those unwavering baby blue eyes and drew strength from them. Pinkie was here with her, and as long as she had Pinkie there was nothing the pair couldn’t do. Actually, she thought to herself, I wonder if there is anything we couldn’t do? With my arcane knowledge and her ability to seemingly alter reality at whim we’re a force to be reckoned with. Her mind flooded with the possibilities their romantic alliance made plausible until she was brought back to the kitchen by a subtle cough. Pinkie looked at her with sincere affection, not annoyance, and Twilight wondered how she could have possibly been so lucky as to end up with this mare.

“Sorry,” she said with an apologetic grin, “I’m positive.”

Pinkie nodded, “Okey dokey loki.”

Twilight grabbed a hoof towel with her magic and quickly mopped up the mess she’d made with the soap, “We should probably do it now before I lose my nerve. Would you mind rounding up Rainbow Dash and Applejack? I’ll get Rarity and Fluttershy and meet you back here in the library?”

Pinkie gave Twilight a quick peck on the cheek before bouncing out the door, “Sure thing!”

Twilight sighed wistfully. Honestly, how had she been so lucky?

It had been no big feat to round up the other four ponies; the only difficulty had been keeping the reason for their rendezvous a secret. Rainbow Dash had tried to guess the whole way back to the library even after Applejack ordered her to stop. Pinkie Pie hadn’t minded the jabbering pegasus; she had giggled and shot down every attempt of her rainbow maned friend to subvert the surprise.

Fluttershy had followed Twilight in silence while Rarity tried more subtle tactics to pry the information out of Twilight. Twilight tried her best to keep her hooves from shaking as nerves clenched at her stomach and occasionally made her voice waver. Neither pony seemed to notice though, and Rarity continued to compliment her mane and her coat, attempting to butter her up, Twilight figured.

Pinkie had gotten back to the library first, so when Twilight finally arrived Pinkie and Rainbow Dash were engaged in a twenty questions battle that no longer had anything to do with the current situation.

Applejack looked up as the final three ponies walked in, “Finally! What’s the big deal of draggin’ us all down here from work?” She shot the blue pegasus a wry glance, “Or maybe I should say our naps?”

Rainbow Dash shrugged, “Whatever. I just want to know what the big secret is.”

Rarity nodded, draping a hoof over Twilight’s shoulder, “As do I. I am dying to know what all this sneaking about is for.”

Fluttershy spoke up from the doorway, “Nopony’s sneaking around Rarity.”

The white unicorn trotted into the center of the library and sat down, “It certainly feels like it.”

Fluttershy drifted over to sit next to Rarity and Pinkie trotted back over to Twilight who now stood in the curious gaze of all their friends. Twilight could feel her heart pounding and her breath coming shorter; her stomach churned viciously and she wondered if she was going to be sick. Why was it so intimidating to just say a few words to her closest friends? It wasn’t a big deal. Just a step on the road of friendship, remember?

Twilight felt Pinkie brush against her side gently and she turned to see that the pink pony was smiling encouragingly at her. The lump in Twilight’s throat lessened in size. The warmth of the pony beside her was a shield; with Pinkie by her side she could do anything.

Twilight turned her eyes back on the group before her and took a deep breath, “Pinkie and I have an announcement to make. We called you all here because you are our closest friends and the ones who deserve to know first and foremost.” She paused. Pinkie brushed against Twilight’s side again, and Twilight found the breath to continue, “Pinkie and I are in love.”

The words were out and Twilight felt both relief and terror at the notion. She realized blandly that she couldn’t take them back even if she wanted to, and the thought struck her as cruel.

Confusion seemed the general emotion of the audience. Rainbow Dash’s mouth had fallen open and her hooves worked in circular motions as if trying to physically process what she had just heard. Applejack had tilted her head to the side, eyebrows scrunched together, looking very much like she was trying to figure out the punchline. Rarity held a dainty hoof to her mouth while staring at the ceiling with wide eyes. Twilight couldn’t see Fluttershy’s expression since the mare had hidden behind the curtain of her long hair. Twilight shot a nervous glance in Pinkie’s direction, but the earth pony continued to look forward with a huge smile, head held high and chest puffed out.

The silence stretched on until Rainbow Dash’s mouth started working again, “You’re kidding.”

Twilight blinked, “No. I’m being quite serious.”

Rainbow Dash stood to her hooves, “There’s no way you’re being serious. Pinkie? And you? That’s just…”

Applejack jumped in to finish the pegasus’ sentence, “Ridiculous.”

Rainbow Dash pointed at Twilight, “You’re the egghead! She’s the party pony. How in Equestria could this be serious?”

Twilight’s ears drooped; she felt like she had been kicked in the gut. She fumbled for words to use but was at a complete loss of what to say. How could this be happening?

Pinkie was the one to step forward, her voice slightly lower than normal, “It’s not ridiculous.”

Applejack tugged on the edge of her hat, “I hafta agree with Rainbow here. The two of y’all just don’t make any sense together.”

From the corner of her eye Twilight could see Pinkie start to tremble; the pink pony wore an eerily neutral expression with the exception of the teeth she had sunk into her lower lip.

“You-”

Rarity cut Pinkie off, “Ponyfeathers!”

Every head turned to look at her and she stood to her hooves and tossed her mane, “I for one am happy for you two!” She shot a venomous glare at Applejack and Rainbow Dash, “Love doesn’t have to make sense! Besides,” she smiled at Twilight and Pinkie, “the two of you are absolutely adorable together! Don’t you agree, Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy emerged from behind her hair, a slight blush on her cheeks, “Well… I… Um… Yes.” She nodded meekly, “I’m happy for you too.”

Applejack stared at the ground and muttered, “Beg pardon.”

Rainbow Dash glanced around the room at the various ponies, tail lashing out behind her. Her eyes rested on Pinkie for a moment before she took to the air, “Whatever. Have fun driving each other crazy. I’m out of here.” With that she sped out the window.

Applejack took her cue from Rainbow Dash and excused herself to get back to the farm.

Rarity and Fluttershy approached Twilight and Pinkie and offered warm embraces.

Rarity patted Twilight on the head, “Don’t mind them, Twilight. They’ll come around, I’m sure of it.”

Fluttershy nodded, “They were probably just surprised.”

“As were we all.” Rarity gasped, “I’ve got a wonderful idea! Why don’t the two of you start joining us on our weekly trips to the spa? Doesn’t that sound lovely, Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy brightened, “Oh! Yes! That would be nice!”

Twilight forced a smile, “We’ll definitely consider it. Thank you girls.”

“Not a problem. Not a problem.” Rarity turned towards the door, “Well, we’ll just let you two be alone for a while. Congratulations again, darlings.”

The library door closed and once again it was just Twilight and Pinkie in the slowly darkening gloom of a hollow tree. Twilight glanced over at Pinkie who had been silent since Rarity had cut her off, but she couldn’t read the earth pony’s expression.

Twilight wanted to reach over and touch her, but suddenly it felt wrong. What if Applejack and Rainbow Dash were right? What if the two of them were fated for disaster? After all, they didn’t have much in common; they were practically polar opposites. Twilight was having a hard time remembering what had sparked that infatuation in the first place.

Pinkie reached out and wiped a tear off of Twilight’s cheek, jerking her from her thoughts again.

Pinkie looked at her with concern, “Are you okay?”

And there it was. That spark in her stomach that exploded into pure light and warmth that blanketed her from the tips of her ears down to her hooves. Pinkie cared about her. Pinkie was always doing things to make sure she was happy. Pinkie was beautiful and wonderful and delightfully random and energetic in the tedium of her scheduled and timid life. Pinkie was
everything Twilight wished she could be, and when they were together Twilight felt like she could accomplish anything.

Twilight grabbed Pinkie in a hug and allowed the tears to fall; she let out choking sobs, burying her face in the soft fur of Pinkie’s chest. Pinkie said nothing, just held on tight.

Finally Twilight managed to ask, “Why?”

Pinkie stroked Twilight’s mane, “Because we caught them off guard.”

Twilight shook her head and sniffed, “No. Why me? Why’d you pick me?”

Pinkie pushed Twilight back gently so she could see her eyes, “That’s a silly question.” She stroked Twilight’s cheek, “It had to be you.”

Twilight shook her head, “Pinkie, please. I can’t do this unless I know why.”

Pinkie sighed, “I know.” The corners of her mouth twitched upwards, “I know you need to know, Twilight, that’s who you are. You’re magic.” Pinkie’s eyes drifted down to look towards the ground, “You’re inspiring. You work so hard at everything you do; you’re passionate about your studies and your friends.” Pinkie looked back up into Twilight’s eyes, “I know you can’t see it, but you glow. You have something special that draws everypony to you. You’re always so sincere. You’re everything a frivolous pony like Pinkie Pie could never be.”

Twilight felt new tears falling, “You’re not frivolous.”

Pinkie’s smile took on a tilt of sadness, “I’m just the party pony. That’s all.”

Twilight grabbed Pinkie’s face in her hooves, “Don’t ever say things like that, Pinkie.” A wave of emotion crashed over the unicorn and she couldn’t stop the sniffling, “You’re the most amazing pony I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Don’t forget that.”

Pinkie wrapped Twilight back up in a hug so the purple pony couldn’t see the tears she was shedding as well.

Twilight nuzzled her face into Pinkie’s shoulder, “I love you Pinkie.”

Pinkie fought to keep her voice from hitching, “I love you too, Twilight.”

Twilight sobbed, “I love you so much.”

Concept Development

“Do you have to go?”

Pinkie felt her heart clench in her chest as the small purple unicorn stared at her with wide and forlorn eyes that were still wet from crying. Pinkie had been standing next to the wooden door of the library, hoof extended towards the knob, when the unicorn had spoken up. She lowered her hoof back to the ground.

Twilight slowly dragged a hoof across the floorboards of the library, directing her gaze down to the ground, and continuing quietly, “I mean… Can’t you stay here again? With me?”

Pinkie sighed, “I wish that I could, Twilight, but I have to help the Cakes with the orders tomorrow.”

“Oh.” Twilight’s ears drooped and she cast a glance over her shoulder up towards her bedroom. The prospect of spending the night alone, Spike notwithstanding, seemed daunting. The reactions of Applejack and Rainbow Dash at their new relationship still loomed over her like an oppressive storm front threatening to break at any moment; she felt like such a filly for being so clingy, but she couldn’t help but want to keep Pinkie as close as possible.

Pinkie bit her lip. “I have to get up super duper early so I go and sleep at Sugarcube Corner when I’m supposed to help out the next morning.”

Twilight nodded slowly, “I understand.” She stretched on a sad little smile, “Sorry, Pinkie. I just really don’t want to be alone tonight.”

Pinkie had never seen Twilight so fragile looking; the little unicorn stared at the floorboards as if they held some great secret in their knots, the smile she had donned was slowly melting back into a pout, and her ears rested against the back of her skull. Twilight had really taken their friends’ reactions to heart, hadn’t she? Luna, give me strength. Pinkie implored.

Pinkie leaned forward to rub her cheek against the unicorn’s, “It’ll be okay, Twilight. Really. They just need time to think about it.” She smiled, “Maybe we should throw a party! We could invite everypony and celebrate being marefriends!” The more she thought about it the better of an idea it seemed, “Yeah! We could have purple and pink balloons, and we could decorate with all kinds of pretty stars! Think of the party food!”

“Pinkie.”

“We could have a cake! Or cupcakes! Ooh!”

“Pinkie.”

“How about “twinkies”? Get it? Twilight. Pinkie. Twinkie!” She giggled and snorted.

Twilight raised her voice, “Pinkie!”

Pinkie blinked and brought herself back from the imaginary party she was planning, “Yeah?”

Twilight was frowning, “I don’t really think that’s such a good idea right now.”

Pinkie stared blankly at the unicorn; it seemed to her that it was always a good idea to throw a party. Where was Twilight coming from?

After a few long moments the gears clicked into place, “Oh. I didn’t...” Pinkie rubbed the back of her neck with a hoof, “I’m so, so sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

Twilight shook her head, “It’s fine. I just… I really don’t want to deal with this,” she gestured with her hoof at nothing in particular, “on such a large scale yet.”

Pinkie furrowed her brow, “You really think ponies will have a problem with us?”

Twilight frowned and shrugged, “Two of our closest friends have a problem with it. Why wouldn’t other ponies?”

Pinkie wrapped the little unicorn in a big hug, “There’s nothing wrong with this.”

Twilight snuggled in closer, “I know.”

Pinkie considered her options. She couldn’t very well leave Twilight alone when she was hurting like this, but she couldn’t just not show up to help the Cakes. She could try to sleep here in the library, but that would mean waking up even earlier so she could make it to the bakery on time. She finally settled on the perfect solution.

“Twilight?”

“Hmm?”

“Would you like to come to Sugarcube Corner with me tonight?”

Twilight instantly lit up with joy and Pinkie praised Celestia that she finally did something right.

Pinkie’s room in Sugarcube Corner was on the ground floor next to the kitchen; it was a converted storage space with a single entrance and a tiny window, but it was the perfect size for a single pony who was just staying for a night. There was a bed pressed up against the wall in the corner and an end table with a single lamp on top of it. The Cakes had changed the sheets since her last visit and small gingerbread ponies danced around candy canes on a soft pink background.

Twilight regarded the room in an analytical manner, running her eyes over every piece of furniture as if appraising them for some kind of auction. Her eyes lighted on the bed and paused for long moments.

Pinkie chuckled a bit nervously, “Like I said, it’s kinda cozy.”

Twilight nodded slowly, “Yes. Cozy.”

Pinkie shifted from hoof to hoof, “If you’re uncomfortable, I can sleep on the floor. It’s not a big deal.”

Twilight looked shocked, “Pinkie, that’s horrible!”

Pinkie shrugged, “I’ve done it before.”

Twilight shook her head briskly, “No. I’m fine. It’s not as if we’ve never shared a bed before. It’s just,” Twilight looked back at the bed dubiously, “I’m not sure how we’re going to manage this.”

Pinkie smiled, “Easy!” She bounced over to the bed and clambered onto it, “The bigger pony goes underneath the littler pony!” She plopped onto her stomach and gestured with a hoof, “Climb on!”

Twilight trotted up to the edge of the bed, “You’re sure I won’t hurt you? I’m not exactly the lightest pony in Ponyville…”

Pinkie scoffed, “You’re perfect. Just get up here.”

Twilight put her right hoof on the edge of the bed and rose to her hind legs to position her left. She glanced around to map out the spots of the bed that were unoccupied by pink earth pony, and she pulled herself up. For a few awkward moments she just stood on the bed, looming over Pinkie who smiled at her over her shoulder.

When Twilight didn’t make a move, Pinkie encouraged her, “Now lay down!”

Twilight raised her left hoof but lowered it with a frown, “Just… lay down?”

Pinkie nodded, “Cuddle up and get cozy!”

Twilight edged towards the wall, intending to squeeze herself in the gap between pony and plaster, but she stumbled over a snag in the sheets and fell on top of Pinkie.

Twilight tried to stand back up but she was having a hard time positioning her hooves, “I’m sorry, Pinkie!”

Pinkie twisted underneath Twilight to face her with a smile, “There you go. Now get cozy and go to sleep!”

Twilight asked, “You’re not uncomfortable?”

Pinkie shook her head and gave Twilight’s cheek a quick kiss, “I’m fine! Try to get some sleep.”

Twilight glanced around the bed; there wasn’t enough room anywhere for her to get much more comfortable than she was already, so she rested her head against Pinkie’s chest and wrapped her hooves around the pink pony’s waist. She was much more comfy than she thought she would be and she let out a sigh of contentment as the warm haze of sleep descended upon her. She twitched when Pinkie’s arms encircled her, but she relaxed again and breathed in the sweet scent of her marefriend until it carried her off to sleep.

Later that night Pinkie was jolted awake by the oddest sensation; her eyes flew open and darted around the darkened room in an attempt to remember where she was. There was a weight on top of her, and something was nibbling on her overly sensitive ears. Heat rose in her cheeks as small waves of pleasure undulated from the unmistakable feeling of teeth scraping against the flesh of her outer ear.

Slowly her bearings came back to her and she realized just who was playing with her ears.

“Twilight,” Pinkie whispered urgently, trying her best to not squeak, “Twilight what are you doing?”

No answer. Twilight paused in her nibbling, and Pinkie felt a wave of relief. She wasn’t quite sure what Twilight had been thinking, but this wasn’t a great time for that sort of thing. Her cheeks enflamed and the hair on the back of her neck shot up. This time she couldn’t contain the surprised yelp when Twilight’s lips wrapped around the cone of her ear and began to suck on it.

Pinkie felt her heart thudding rapidly and she hissed, “Twilight!” No response. Her voice dipped into a whine, “Twilight please. What are you doing?”

Finally Twilight’s lips left her ear and she heard the sleep-addled voice of Twilight murmur, “Don’t worry, Smarty Pants, you’re not tardy. You’re right on time.”

Pinkie took a deep breath, “Smarty Pants? What in Equestria are you talking about?”

But Twilight didn’t answer; she had rolled over again, and Pinkie could hear the unmistakable sound of heavy breathing that signaled Twilight was asleep. Pinkie stared at the ceiling completely and utterly confused. What in the world was that?

Twilight woke with a large yawn; she rubbed the dust from her eyes and looked around blankly in a drowsy attempt to pinpoint her location. It wasn’t the library. She looked down and noticed blandly that there were gingerbread ponies on the bedspread. Gingerbread. Gingerbread. Nope. This information didn’t help her at all. She stumbled off of the bed and pushed open the only door she could find; she clamped her eyes shut at the sudden intensity of the light.

“Good morning, Twilight!”

Twilight slowly worked her eyes open and saw an extremely smiley, two-toned pink pony in an apron, balancing a tray of muffins on her head. It dawned on her that she knew this pony; she also knew the two ponies behind her. A stout blue earth pony and another lanky yellow one stared at her from around the pink one. Both of their mouths hung open slightly and she thought she should probably be annoyed at the look they were giving her, but she was still a bit hazy about where she was.

The pink pony skipped over to her and planted a kiss right between the eyes, “Aw! Look who’s a little sleepyhead pony!”

Twilight blinked a few times before responding with sudden recognition, “Good mor’ing, Pinkie.”

The blue pony with the mane that looked like strawberry icing piped up, “What is she doing in your room, Pinkie?”

The blue pony, Mrs. Cake, Twilight realized, asked with what could only be understood as affectionate concern. Such a lovely pony, Twilight thought. All the sudden, as if someone flipped a switch, Twilight became acutely aware of her surroundings: Sugarcube Corner; she had just come out of the guest room that had one bed where Pinkie stayed occasionally, and the Cakes had had no idea she had even been here. She could feel her cheeks burning crimson.

Pinkie turned to the Cakes and announced, “We’re together now!”

The Cakes exchanged glances; Mr. Cake asked, “Together? Since when?”

Pinkie puffed out her chest proudly, “Since two days ago!”

Again, the Cakes turned to look at one another and Twilight briefly entertained the thought that they were communicating without speech. Maybe it was something ponies could do after spending years together in intimate capacities. The thought of intimacy brought the heat back to her ears as she wondered just what the Cakes thought they had been doing under their roof.

Mrs. Cake looked right at Twilight and smiled, “That’s wonderful, my little ponies!”

Mr. Cake nodded, bobbing the small hat that perched precariously on his head, “We’re really happy for you, Pinkie. Twilight.”

Pinkie seemed to exude happiness like an aura, even more than usual, and she turned to Twilight and gestured towards the guest bedroom, “Can I talk to you for a sec?” She whirled back to the Cakes, “Thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. Cake!”

As Pinkie gently shoved Twilight back towards the guest bedroom, Twilight overheard Mr. Cake mutter, “For what?” followed by a smack and a playful grunt of pain.

Pinkie shut the door behind them quietly before whirling around and scooping Twilight into an enthusiastic hug, “I knew it!”

"What?”

Pinkie planted a firm kiss on Twilight’s mouth and the surprised mare responded happily and eagerly until Pinkie broke it off with a grin.

Pinkie nuzzled Twilight’s cheek with her own, “I knew the Cakes would be happy! I knew it! I knew it!”

Twilight smiled, “So I guess you’re very happy as well?”

Pinkie nodded, “You have no idea how much this means to me!”

Twilight remembered how she felt when Spike had accepted their relationship and she snuggled up under Pinkie’s chin, “I think I might just have an idea.”

Pinkie broke away from the hug and pranced around the room humming tunelessly. Twilight couldn’t help but feel the waves of joy rolling off the pink pony; it never ceased to amaze her how much delight the pink pony could wring from life. Suddenly, Pinkie screeched to a halt, her tail stiff behind her and her ears twitching.

Twilight stood to her hooves, “What’s wrong? Is it your Pinkie Sense?”

Pinkie twirled around and Twilight could see the faintest hints of a blush on her cheeks, “Twilight?”

Twilight cocked her head to the side, “What is it?”

Pinkie glanced to the right and then the left, looking very flustered, “Um… how did,” she paused and bit her lip, “How did you know?”

Twilight raised an eyebrow, “How you feel? Well I imagine it feels similar to how I felt when Spike…”

Pinkie shook her head fervently, “No no no!” She looked imploringly at the purple unicorn, “I mean about my…” She glanced at the ceiling, her blush deepening and her tail twitching, “You know… my… ears.” The last word came as a whisper and Twilight had to struggle to hear it.

“Your ears?” Twilight blinked, “What about your ears?”

Pinkie whined, “You’re going to make me say it? Why do you want me to say it?”

Twilight responded, exasperated, “What in Equestria are you talking about?”

Pinkie responded a tad too loudly, “My ears are esoteric zones!”

Twilight took an involuntary step backwards, “What?” She found herself correcting the pony out of habit, “You mean erogenous zones?”

Pinkie nodded, “Yeah that. How did you know? I’ve never told anypony!”

Twilight could feel the heat in her ears again as her mind recalled the Cakes right outside, “I didn’t…! I don’t…! What?” She scrabbled for words to use but came up short, “What?”

Pinkie took a few steps closer, “Last night. Remember?”

Twilight couldn’t help but hear everything the pink pony was saying through the filter of the two ponies outside, “Nothing happened! We just went to sleep!”

Pinkie got even closer, her eyes narrowed in accusation, “Last night you wouldn’t stop playing with my ear. I asked you to stop, remember?”

Twilight couldn’t possibly get any more mortified, “I most certainly did not!”

Pinkie pressed her nose against Twilight’s, “You called me “Smarty Pants”!”

Twilight blinked, “What?”

“Smarty Pants!” Pinkie charged, “You called me “Smarty Pants”!”

Confusion took over the place of embarrassment, “Like my doll?”

Pinkie crossed her eyes in a goofy looking expression, “Your what?”

“My doll?” Twilight pressed, “The one I enchanted with the “Want it; Need it” spell? The one that’s been missing since that day I caused a riot in Ponyville?”

Pinkie backed up and tapped her chin in thought, “Why would you call me that? That’s just weird, Twilight.”

“I didn’t!” Twilight groaned, “I never messed with your ears, and I definitely didn’t call you Smarty Pants. How could I? I was fast asleep all night!”

Pinkie shook her head, “It definitely happened! I remember!”

The two mares sat staring at each other incredulously.

Finally Twilight spoke up, “Actually…”

Pinkie leapt to her hooves, “Aha! You admit it!”

Twilight frowned, “No I don’t!” She shook her head and sighed, “I mean, not really. But Spike once told me I talk a lot in my sleep.”

Pinkie tilted her head, “You do? About what?”

Twilight smiled sheepishly, “Mostly my studies.”

Pinkie giggled.

Twilight cleared her throat, “It’s very possible that in my sleep I thought you were my long lost doll…” She swallowed and licked her lips, “I never did kick that habit of chewing on her…”

Pinkie opened her mouth as if to shout once more, but closed it with a snap. She opened it again and shut it. She tried once more before she could speak, “So you didn’t know about my ears?” Twilight shook her head. Pinkie pawed at the ground, “And you weren’t trying to take advantage of me?”

Twilight exclaimed, “Of course not!”

“Oh.” Pinkie lowered her head, “I’m sorry, Twilight.”

Twilight trotted over to the pink pony and nuzzled her, “It’s okay, Pinkie. Why would you think I’d ever take advantage of you?”

Pinkie shrugged without saying anything, and Twilight stuck her nose in the party pony’s ear. Pinkie squealed and jerked away, an embarrassed grin stretched across her cheeks.

Twilight grinned, “Ears, huh? That’s pretty adorable.”

Pinkie swiveled them backwards and stuck her tongue out, “I’ll find your weakness soon, Twilight Sparkle!”

Twilight laughed, “My weakness is curly-maned bakers.”

Pinkie’s ears shot up, “Bakers! Oh horsefeathers! I forgot about the Cakes! I’m supposed to be helping them!”

Pinkie shot out of the room like a rocket, surprising the two earth ponies who had tried to scramble away from the door without success. The four ponies stared at each other for long moments: Twilight petrified in the doorway of the bedroom, Pinkie standing in the middle of the kitchen, and the Cakes on a heap on the floor. Twilight prayed for a stray lightning bolt or some kind of sudden malady to strike her dead right then and there.

Pinkie was the first to speak, “The muffins are burning!”

A thin trail of black smoke leaked from the oven and Twilight could smell the faint scent of cinders.

“I um…” Twilight stepped over the Cakes, “I think I’m late for breakfast. Poor Spike is all alone and I just…” Twilight hurried towards the door, “I think I’ll see you later, Pinkie! Bye!”

Pinkie waved as Twilight barreled out the exit, “Okay! See you later!” She carefully took out the tray of muffins marred with black and set it on the counter, “You should be more careful, Mr. and Mrs. Cake! If you’re not paying close attention you’ll burn things for sure!”

Mr. Cake laughed nervously, “We’ll keep that in mind, Pinkie.”

Conflicting Sources

White clouds drifted lazily across the bright blue sky, riding the gentle breeze, and casting shadows on the ground below as they crossed paths with the sun.

It was another beautiful day in Ponyville and Twilight Sparkle was spending it indoors. Again. Pinkie lay on the floor of the library, staring at the ceiling, and rolling around listlessly while humming along to some soundtrack in her head. Twilight was arranging vials and brightly colored mixtures on a desk, mumbling the occasional formula or compositional breakdown. The noise of humming and mumbling mixed together into a cacophony of notes and discordant sounds that seemed to either not bother or just weren’t registered by the two ponies. Moments later, as one, both the unicorn and the earth pony fell silent.

Pinkie stopped her tumbling, prone on her back with all four legs stuck in the air, “Twilight?”

Twilight didn’t turn, “Hmm?”

“I’m bored.”

Twilight made a few markings on a sheet of parchment, “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Pinkie swayed onto her side lazily, “Don’t you have something more exciting we could do? Like going exploring or building a city out of candy?”

Twilight sighed, “No, Pinkie. This is the research I’ve scheduled for this afternoon. If I don’t do it now it won’t ever get done.”

Pinkie swung herself onto her back again with a groan, “I can’t do anything to help?”

Twilight shook her head slowly, “This is all rather… delicate. I’m more comfortable handling this all with my magic; hooves seem to lend to more accidents.”

Pinkie pouted, “What am I supposed to do until you’re done?”

Twilight turned to look at her moping marefiend who was sprawled out on the library floor, “I don’t know. What do you normally do on your days off?”

Pinkie’s brow creased in thought, “Hmmm…” A grin stretched across her cheeks and she leapt to her hooves, “Oh! I remember! Wednesdays are for hanging out with Dashie!”

Twilight’s ears flicked back at the mention of their friend, “Oh. Is that right?”

Pinkie nodded enthusiastically, “Uh huh! And I almost forgot! Thanks for reminding me!”

Twilight bit her lip. “You’re going to go hang out with Rainbow Dash today?”

Pinkie scooted closer to Twilight, “Is something wrong?”

“Well… no.” Twilight licked her lips, “Not really. But have you talked to her since… you know?”

Pinkie cocked her head to the side, “What?” She blinked twice before her mouth formed a perfect “o”, comprehension sparked in her eyes, “You mean when she was all grumpy about us?”

Twilight rolled her eyes, “Grumpy is one way to put it.”

Pinkie nuzzled Twilight’s cheek, “Don’t worry, Twilight! It’s been four whole days since then! I’m sure she’s not all angry and scowly anymore.”

Twilight still looked skeptical, “If you’re sure…”

Pinkie giggled, “Don’t worry about me, Smarty Pants, Rainbow Dash is our friend! Remember?”

Twilight winced at the nickname. Ever since the ear incident, Pinkie had decided to use the name of her old doll as a kind of pet name. Twilight wasn’t sure if it was a joke or a legitimate term of endearment, but to be completely honest she didn’t like it.

“I know.” Twilight glanced towards the ceiling, mulling over the appropriate words, “It’s just that she’s been acting weird lately. I’ve seen her around town but it seems like she’s avoiding talking to me.”

Pinkie frowned, “Dashie wouldn't do that.”

“I suppose…” Twilight trailed off.

Pinkie’s tail swished behind her, “She’s probably been busy. She’s got to keep the sky clean you know.”

Twilight donned a plastic smile, “You’re probably right. I’m probably just reading too much into things.” Pinkie still seemed a bit upset, so she continued, “You know me! Always thinking too much; making mountains out of molehills.”

Pinkie perked up, “You can do that?”

Twilight chuckled, “Just an expression.” She bumped shoulders with the pink pony and gave her cheek an affectionate nuzzle, “Go on. Have fun with Rainbow Dash.”

Pinkie bounced on her hooves and gave Twilight a quick kiss on the nose, “You got it, boss!” She bounded to the door and winked over her shoulder, “And don’t worry your pretty little head about me, Twilight! Just remember that she’s our friend! She wants us to be happy.”

Twilight waved as Pinkie made her grand exit. Regardless of Pinkie’s reassurances, Twilight still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going on with Rainbow Dash.

She turned back to her notes and murmured to herself, “Don’t worry so much, Twilight. Pinkie knows her better than you do. Just get to work and let Pinkie do what she does.”

She picked up a thin vial filled with a bubbling, light blue liquid with her magic and slipped on her goggles.

Pinkie found Rainbow Dash napping on a cloud drifting above the path out of town. She snickered to herself as she considered what would be the best way to wake her sleepy friend. Trampoline? Trombone? Toucans?

Before she could reach a consensus, the pegasus jolted awake with a shout. Bleary eyed, Rainbow Dash let her gaze wander across her surroundings before it finally landed on Pinkie who waved with a grin.

“Hi Dashie! Have a nice nap?”

Rainbow Dash yawned and rubbed the sleep from her eyes, “Hey Pinkie. What’re you doing here?”

Pinkie rolled her eyes, “I’m here to hang out, silly! It’s Wednesday!”

Rainbow Dash took to the air and pushed her cloud closer to the ground so she could lay on it at Pinkie’s eyelevel. She draped herself on the fluffy cushion and crossed her forehooves in front of her with a snort, “Don’t you have a marefriend to play with?”

Pinkie blinked, taken aback, “Twilight’s studying.”

Rainbow Dash huffed, “What, were you causing too big a disturbance? Did she send you away to get you out from under her hooves?”

Pinkie frowned, “No. I-”

Rainbow Dash interrupted again, “I figured it wouldn’t be long until you two started driving each other crazy.”

Pinkie retorted in a slighter lower pitch, “We’re not driving each other crazy! I left because today’s our hang out day.” She cocked an eyebrow and jutted out her lower lip, “Every Wednesday we go out and have fun. Remember? Pranking? Exploring?”

Rainbow Dash tossed her mane, “You still like doing stuff like that? I can’t believe that you’re not all about egghead stuff like studying and poetry or some mamby pamby junk like that.”

Pinkie felt her knees start trembling as she fought down the angry feelings bubbling beneath her skin, “There’s nothing wrong with that kind of stuff, Rainbow Dash.”

The pegasus snorted, “Oh sure. Not if you’re some kind of super nerd.” She rolled her eyes, “Talk about the complete and total opposite of awesomeness.”

Pinkie stepped back as if physically struck by her friend’s words. Waves of fury cascaded through her body as she realized just what Rainbow Dash was saying, what she was insinuating about Twilight. The urge to defend her battled fiercely with her desire to keep from an argument; arguments weren’t fun, and they definitely didn’t make life better for anypony.

In the end she managed to respond in a low, monotone, “Why are you being so mean?”

Rainbow Dash rose off her stomach and stomped a hoof, sending a tuft of cloud dissipating into water vapor, “I’m not being mean! I’m just telling it like it is. Being all over that,” she shook her hoof in the air as she searched for the right word but found her vocabulary incredibly lacking, “egghead has made you so much less cool than before!”

Pinkie took a few deep breaths in an attempt to keep from losing her temper, “Stop calling her that.” She couldn’t help it, her voice rose in volume, “She’s your friend! She’s our friend! You don’t talk bad about your friends!”

Rainbow Dash shouted, “Maybe I don’t want to be friends with her anymore!”

Pinkie screamed, “What’s wrong with you?!” She felt tears beginning to fall from her cheeks. Her heart felt restricted in her chest. She couldn’t imagine any words that could possibly be worse than the ones she had just heard; not only was it the worst possible thing for ponies to stop being friends, but this was her best friend and her marefriend! What could be crueler than losing one or the other? Her speech came slightly slurred through sobs, “Why would you ever say something like that?”

Rainbow Dash hopped off her cloud, “Pinkie…” She reached out a hoof as if to hug her, but thought better of it and retracted it, “Don’t cry.” She shifted awkwardly on all four hooves, “Um. I just…” She coughed and cleared her throat, “You see I didn’t…” Rainbow Dash groaned, “I didn’t mean it, Pinkie.”

Pinkie scowled, “Why would you say it?”

Rainbow Dash stared down at the ground for long moments before responding, “I’m just upset.”

Pinkie felt her anger slowly ebb away. Rainbow Dash was hurting? Why? And why hadn’t she noticed? Guilt seeped in and colored her feelings, rendering her painfully sympathetic.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Rainbow Dash’s gaze slowly lifted until she was looking into the large blue eyes of the pink earth pony. A few moments of silence passed before she responded, “Nah.”

Pinkie got even closer, their noses almost touching as Pinkie once again ignored the concept of personal space, “You can tell me. Let me help.”

Rainbow Dash took an involuntary step backwards as a small but sincere smile blossomed on Pinkie’s face.

Rainbow Dash flittered back up to her cloud, “I’m fine!” She flicked her tail like a whip behind her and she stammered, “I definitely don’t need your help!” She glanced right and left in quick secession, “Just go hang out with your marefriend. That’s what she’s for isn’t it?”

Pinkie looked up with a heartbreakingly sad expression, “You don’t have to tell me what’s wrong, but can’t we still hang out?” She tried to rest a hoof on the cloud but it passed through and came out coated in droplets of water.

Rainbow Dash hesitated for just a few moments, but shook her head, “No. I’m sorry, Pinkie, but I don’t feel like hanging today.”

Pinkie’s ears drooped, “Oh. Are you sure?”

Rainbow Dash nodded curtly, “Yeah.” She paused before continuing in a lower tone, “Go have fun with your marefriend. Just try not to be too obnoxious and loud. She obviously hates that.”

Before Pinkie could say anything, Rainbow Dash raced off leaving a brightly colored contrail behind her.

Pinkie bit her lower lip as tears began welling in the corners of her eyes again. Am I really that obnoxious? She turned and slowly began her return to the library. What if Twilight had lied after all? What if she was pretending? The thought made her freeze, hoof in the air midstep. Pinkie felt like she just might be sick.

She shook her head. Don’t be ridiculous, Pinkie, she thought, You’re just making a molehill from a mountain again. A small, malicious voice whispered in the darker corners of her mind, Or are you?

Her stomach lurched and she staggered forward a step or two; it couldn’t be true. It just couldn’t be.

There was only one way to know for sure. She put one hoof in front of the other and made her way back through town.

Three and a quarter inches. Two ounces. Stir briskly counter-clockwise for no more or less than fifteen seconds. Now pour into the second vial from the left and the mixture should turn a vaguely orange color…

Twilight carefully tipped her mixture into the designated vial and watched intently as the new liquid settled and began to change color. She heard the library door open behind her, but she didn’t dare take her eyes off the vial just yet. It was brownish, but lightening up, so there was a good chance she had gotten it right this time…

“Twilight?”

That was odd. She hadn’t expected the visitor to be Pinkie; she was supposed to be out making mischief with Rainbow Dash, but what could the pair have possibly gotten up to in the space of an hour?

She still couldn’t afford to direct her gaze elsewhere so she didn’t turn to face her, “Just a second, Pinkie. I need to make sure that the mixture settles correctly and doesn’t cause any more complications.”

Hoofsteps marched right up behind her, “What are you doing?”

Twilight groaned inwardly but replied evenly, “I’m trying to get this to turn orange.”

“Why?”

The mixture was definitely looking like it was heading in an orangish direction, “Because if it does that means that I’ve mixed it correctly.”

Pinkie’s voice took on a tone of irritation, “I know that. What does it do?”

Twilight wished she could swivel around and see Pinkie’s expression so as to better gauge what the pony was driving at, but she had come so far already that she couldn’t bear to wrench her gaze from the vial just yet, “Well,” she tried to think of a good way to explain it, “if all goes according to plan then this will be an important ingredient for my next experiment.”

Yes! The color had stabilized into a beautiful, ruddy orange just like it was supposed to. Twilight twirled around in triumph only to be met with the unwelcome sight of an agitated Pinkie Pie.

“Is something wrong?” Twilight’s eyebrows knitted together in concern, “Did something happen with Rainbow Dash?”

Pinkie’s frown deepened, “Why don’t you want me around?”

Twilight blinked. She stammered, “What?”

Pinkie repeated, louder, “Why don’t you want me around?”

Twilight reached out to touch Pinkie, but the mare jerked away from her hoof. Twilight paused, a bit shocked by the reaction, “What in Equestria makes you think I don’t want you around? Of course I want you around; I love you!”

Pinkie stomped a hoof on the ground, “Then why did you send me away today? Why won’t you let me help with your experiments?”

Twilight felt both angry and hurt that Pinkie was slinging these accusations at her, seemingly out of nowhere. She responded a bit curtly, “I did not send you away today. You chose to go out and play with Rainbow Dash. Remember?”

Pinkie scowled, “You didn’t want me to stay! You wanted me out of your hooves while you played with your,” she gestured at the desk and all the vials, “sciencey stuff!”

“I never-”

Pinkie cut Twilight off, “You think I’m obnoxious!”

Twilight tried to get a word in edgewise, “Pinkie…”

“Annoying!”

Irritation prickled at the interrupted unicorn, “Just listen to me for a second…”

Pinkie shouted, “Nothing but a hooffull!”

Exasperated, Twilight yelled, “I think you’re being obnoxious right now!” Twilight regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth. Pinkie stared at her with wide, unblinking eyes; her demeanor was one of such despair and betrayal that Twilight felt like she had kicked herself in the gut. She tried desperately to take them back, “Pinkie, that’s not what I meant. I-”

Pinkie shook her head, tears forming in her eyes, “It’s true. It’s all true.”

Twilight tried to reach out to Pinkie, “No. No, Pinkie, I’m sorry. I didn’t-”

Pinkie turned and raced out of the library.

Twilight ran after her, “Pinkie! Pinkie, come back!”

But Pinkie disappeared. Just up and vanished before Twilight’s very eyes. The unicorn turned and slipped back into the library, closing the door behind her. She slipped down to the ground and covered her face with her hooves as tears of her own began to form.

“You and your big mouth.” She murmured, “Why would you say something like that?”

What had inspired Pinkie’s outburst in the first place? Twilight quickly latched on to the thought; finding the source of the problem was the perfect excuse to shove her feelings of guilt to the side. Something or somepony had said or done something to Pinkie. Something that had made Pinkie think that Twilight thought she was obnoxious. Twilight cringed at the term and quickly changed it. Bothersome. Yes. Bothersome worked much better. It wasn’t that she found Pinkie annoying most of the time, she thought, but on occasion the party pony could grate on her nerves. Just when she wouldn’t stop talking and Twilight wanted some peace and quiet.

Tangents. Twilight threw herself down any digression she could to relieve herself of the shameful nature of those particular thoughts. Rainbow Dash. This all had to have originated from that pegasus. Twilight stood to her hooves with a nod. The cause of this had to be Rainbow Dash. It just had to.

As Twilight exited the library in search of that rainbow-maned mare she suppressed the thought that she had to find somepony else to be at fault. She pretended not to hear the little voice in her head that demanded a scapegoat. All she wanted was to talk to her. Just an innocent little chat about their mutual friend Pinkie Pie.

Twilight kept her eyes trained on the sky, looking for any hint of vivid color against the bright blue background. She made one full circle around town before getting irritated. That pegasus couldn’t avoid her forever; whatever her problem was she’d have to talk to Twilight sometime. The corners of Twilight’s mouth twitched upward; it would be sooner rather than later.

Twilight clenched her eyes shut and focused on the magical core of her horn and carefully traced the path of the spell in her mind. Purple light overflowed from the tip, accumulating into a wave that shot out into the nearby vicinity, washing over the buildings and cobblestones. Faces of ponies flashed across Twilight’s consciousness before being sorted out and expunged; she kept her focus on rose colored eyes and light blue fur. There she was.

Twilight raced around the corner, barreling towards the spot that had pinged on her magic pony radar. She skidded around the side of a building and saw Rainbow Dash’s head shoot up; the pony had been lazing on a cloud as per usual.

The pegasus took the air and swiveled to dart away, but Twilight reached out with her magic to stop her, “Oh no! You’re not going anywhere! We’re going to talk right now.”

Twilight floated the sulking pegasus down to the ground next to her, and Rainbow Dash let out an exasperated sigh. “Fine. What, do you want me to apologize or something?”

Twilight ignored the small thrill of happiness at the admission of guilt, “What happened between you and Pinkie?”

Rainbow Dash perked her ears, “She didn’t say anything?” Twilight shook her head with a frown, and Rainbow Dash snorted, “What are you here for then?”

“When Pinkie came back from meeting you,” Twilight started, staring Rainbow Dash right in the eyes, “she was upset. I want to know why.”

Rainbow Dash tossed her mane, breaking eye contact, “Why don’t you ask her? Why bother me?” Twilight bit her lip. Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow, “Oh. Ohhhh! You had a fight!”

Twilight stammered, “Wha…? Th-that’s not the point!”

Rainbow Dash bared her teeth in a malicious grin, “It so totally is! What did she say? You’re too boring?”

Twilight sputtered, “What? I’m not boring!”

“So totally are.” Rainbow Dash snickered.

Twilight rubbed a hoof between her eyes, “Whatever. That’s still not the point. What happened this morning?”

Both ponies glared at the other, saying nothing, for long moments.

Finally, Twilight sighed, “Please, Rainbow, I’m worried about her and I need to know what happened.”

The scowl melted from Rainbow Dash’s face, “Why? Did something happen to her?”

Twilight scuffed her hoof on the ground and spoke in a low tone, “She came back and started going on and on about being annoying,” the pegasus flinched but Twilight didn’t notice, “and… I may have accidentally said something I didn’t mean-”

Rainbow Dash exclaimed, “What?!”

Twilight swallowed hard, “And she ran away. I tried to apologize but…”

Rainbow Dash had begun to hover, her eyes seemed unfocused as she stared off into the distance with a look of dread painted on her face.

“How could you be so stupid?” She said, seemingly to the air, before her eyes lighted back on the miserable-looking unicorn. Rainbow Dash’s eyebrows ground together, “How could you be so stupid?!”

Twilight recoiled, “I didn’t-”

Rainbow Dash interrupted, voice getting higher and beginning to crack, “She’s hurt and you came to find me? Don’t you get it? When she gets this way she won’t snap out of it herself!”

Twilight felt her eyes beginning to sting, “I didn’t know…”

Rainbow Dash shook her head, “No. You didn’t. But maybe if you paid any attention to her at all you’d notice she’s not some kind of science experiment! You’re supposed to be there for her not running around getting clues or whatever the heck you’re doing right now. What kind of marefriend…?” She trailed off, frowned, and continued, voice icy cold, “Whatever. Pinkie needs a friend right now not this.” She beat her wings a few times before muttering, “Good going.”

With that she took off, leaving Twilight all alone once again.

Twilight felt eerily numb. She’s right. Twilight tried to swallow, but her throat was suddenly very very dry. This is all my fault. I don’t deserve… She felt tears burning in her eyes again and felt a jolt of pain at the thought that Pinkie wasn’t there to stop them. Because of me.

What have I done?

--Author's Note--

And then apologizing gave me the will to buckle down and edit edit edit. As always, feedback is very much appreciated. Hope you enjoyed reading.

Hypothesis

Night had fallen fast and hard upon the small town of Ponyville; houses all around were dimming the lights and tucking in for a good night’s sleep as the moon crept along its nightly route across the horizon. The stars shone bright across the dark canvas of the sky, not even the streetlamps could dim them as they flickered awake and illuminated the ground beneath them with soft yellow light.

There wasn’t a soul outside; the streets were vacant and eerie like a ghost town as the only sounds to be heard were the occasional muted tones of a pony within the walls of their home. One by one the windows darkened and all sounds ceased except the chirping of the occasional cricket or the buzz of a cicada. But even as all of Ponyville slipped into a dead slumber still the light of the library blazed on in the night like a lighthouse at sea. Inside, the town’s librarian pony toiled away by the light of several lamps; a number of books lay open, sprawled across the floor, and the purple unicorn alternated between one and the next, jotting notes down furiously with her quill and parchment. Occasionally she would pause her frantic study and tap her chin with the feathered portion of her writing implement, gazing out the side window at the moon and stars.

Upstairs, her assistant-- the baby dragon Spike-- slept in his little basket, snug beneath his favorite blanky. Often Twilight found herself grateful for his ability to sleep soundly, especially lately when her studies had kept her burning the midnight oil far into the night and sometimes even into the wee hours of the morning. She was without assistant tonight as even her pet Owloysius had abandoned her hours ago for Celestia knows what reason.

She didn’t typically get lonely studying; after all, it was her passion to learn and it wasn’t difficult for her to find herself thoroughly immersed in a text for hours at a time. But more and more frequently she had begun to feel distracted; the pang for pony interaction snuck up on her like a wily predator, pouncing whenever she was most vulnerable and unsuspecting. She was pretty sure she had pinned down the reason for this with a valid hypothesis and she hoped that she could test it sooner rather than later.

A soft knock came from the front door of the library, and Twilight nearly tripped over her own hooves in a rush to answer it. Behind it stood Ponyville’s professional party planner, Pinkie Pie, wearing a slightly subdued smile and a basket that nestled neatly in the midst of her wildly curly magenta mane.

Twilight stepped aside and gestured for Pinkie to come in; Pinkie obliged, skipping rather than walking as she was wont to do. Twilight shut the door and turned to face the pink earth pony who was bouncing the basket up and down on her head.

Pinkie spoke first, “I was walking home from my last super duper fun wedding party and I saw that the lights were still on. So I thought to myself, “Pinkie, do you think that Twilight is still awake?” and I knew that you must be because you never leave the lights on when it’s time for bed! So I decided you must be up studying all by your lonesome again, and that made me sad. So I thought, “Hey! Maybe she’d like some of these leftover cupcakes!” and so here I am!”

Pinkie dropped the basket onto the floor and removed the cloth covering to reveal a full dozen pristine pastries. Twilight had to wonder just how Pinkie managed to deliver delicacies like these completely intact when she was so… bouncy. It also didn’t seem entirely plausible that ponies would ignore cupcakes like these; Pinkie was pretty well known in their circles to make the most tantalizing treats in the area, overlooking them seemed like a crime. But Twilight wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth, especially when that gift horse seemed to have brought her favorite lemon meringue cupcakes. Ooh and the frosting had been lightly toasted too.

Twilight was struck by the sudden image of Pinkie Pie in a frilly apron attempting to yield a blow torch in the kitchen and she covered her mouth in an attempt to stifle her giggles.

Pinkie continued to look at Twilight, saying nothing, and not letting her friendly smile waver in the slightest.

“Oh,” Twilight said, suddenly realizing she hadn’t said anything since Pinkie had walked through the door, “Thank you very much, Pinkie! These look absolutely amazing!”

Pinkie nodded enthusiastically, “They taste super yummy too!”

Twilight gestured towards the basket with her hoof, “I know it’s late, but I don’t suppose you’d be willing to help me eat these would you? To be honest I could use the company.”

Pinkie’s smile spread wider across her cheeks, “I'd love to!”

The two ponies settled down on the floor next to one another and dove into the basket.

Twilight took a big bite of a particularly good looking cupcake and squeaked in surprise.

“Pinkie!” She exclaimed around a mouthful of delicious pastry, “This is still warm!”

The pink pony smiled sheepishly, “It is?”

Twilight took another bite to verify.

“It is.” She raised an eyebrow, “Tell me how a cupcake can remain warm after a long wedding reception.”

“Magic?”

Twilight chuckled, “Honestly, Pinkie?”

Pinkie shrugged and sighed, “I should’ve known I’d get caught. Nothing gets by such a clever little librarian pony.” Pinkie shifted her hooves beneath her into a more comfortable position, gently brushing against Twilight’s side, “I saw your light on coming home from the party like I said, but there weren’t any cupcakes left. So I went home and baked some for you because I knew you were up all late and alone again.”

Twilight took another bite of her cupcake and chewed thoughtfully, “It seems like an awful lot of effort on your part.”

Pinkie coughed violently.

Twilight looked on in concern, but Pinkie waved her on, “Silly cupcakes. Going down all wrong.”

Twilight chose not to comment on the oddness of Pinkie choking on something, but continued with her original thought, “This isn’t the first time you’ve gone extremely far out of your way for me. This isn’t even the first time you’ve come to visit in the middle of the night bearing sweets.”

Pinkie wiped a smudge of frosting off the side of her mouth, “I’m Pinkie Pie! I always do whatever I can to make my friends happy.”

Twilight found herself focusing on the soft brown tones on the tips of the icing towers on the cupcakes, a testament of an expert baker using her skills to use just the right amount of heat to lightly toast the frosting to give it that extra special texture that made Twilight's mouth water.

“The cupcakes,” Twilight gestured at the basket, “you made lemon meringue.”

Pinkie nodded slowly, “Aren’t they your favorite?”

Twilight looked right into those baby blue eyes, “You hoofmade the frosting and then you toasted it.”

Pinkie didn’t seem to understand the flow of the conversation, “That’s the only way to have them. They’re so bland otherwise.”

“So you saw that my light was on, went home, and made complicated confectionary just because it’s my favorite?”

Pinkie blinked, “Didn’t we just say that?”

Twilight felt her heart pick up tempo; she was really going to do this. She was going to test her hypothesis. It was nerve wracking, to be sure, but there was that surge of excitement that she always felt when pursuing something, whether in study with a book or research in a lab. It was a little frightening, like jumping off a cliff without having checked the parachute for yourself, but at the same time exhilarating.

“I have a hypothesis, Pinkie.”

Pinkie cocked her head to the side and a strand of her hair dipped into her cupcake’s frosting, “A hypo-whatta?”

Twilight raised a hoof to gesture with, her typical lecture pose, “A hypothesis. It’s an idea that has yet to be tested. I have a hypothesis about why you continually go out of your way to visit me at all hours of the night. Why you do things like bake me my favorite cupcakes because you assume I’m up studying all alone.”

Pinkie looked like she was trying really hard not to get her hopes up, “What is it?”

It was the moment of truth, and Twilight found the words sticking on her tongue. Why was her mouth so dry all of the sudden? This was ridiculous.

She licked her lips and cleared her throat, “I hypothesize that you are experiencing… well… that you harbor… affections for me. Of the romantic category.”

Pinkie practically beamed at her, “You got me!”

Twilight blinked. She had been right? She hadn’t really expected this outcome. She didn’t know what exactly she had expected, but this just seemed so… anticlimactic.

She tapped the floor with a hoof, “So…?”

Pinkie’s gaze never wavered from Twilight’s face, “I’m in love with you, Twilight Sparkle. Now that everypony in the room knows that, it’s time for you to say how you feel about how I feel.”

How did she feel? That was a good question now wasn’t it? Twilight furrowed her brow in thought. It occurred to her that she probably should have seen this coming and prepared accordingly, but somehow her plans had never gone beyond testing her hypothesis about Pinkie. She glanced at the basket, still full of those amazing cupcakes, and imagined the pony beside her toiling away in the kitchen long after the sun had set just to see a smile on her face. She thought about how the nights had been growing lonely and how Pinkie Pie always seemed to appear when she needed her most. Her thoughts flickered to her bright coat and her luxurious mane and those gorgeous blue eyes that peered at her with such sincere affection…

Twilight shook her head in a physical attempt to dislodge those particular thoughts. Such carnal ideas didn’t belong in her analytical approach to her own emotions. Or did they? After all, was not the mere fact that she noticed things like the softness of Pinkie’s features and the fullness of her lips an indication of some kind of attraction? She was swept up in a sudden desire to kiss the pink pony that burned so fiercely that she flung herself backward in an attempt to escape it; she tumbled onto her back and felt one of her rear hooves kick over the basket of cupcakes. She righted herself, shamefaced, and watched as Pinkie carefully scooped up the spilled pastries and tried to clean them up.

The earth pony had her back to Twilight, “Don’t worry about it, Twilight. It’s okay if you don’t feel the same way. I’ll go now and let you study in peace.”

The pang of longing and loneliness struck hard in Twilight’s chest at the suggestion. She didn’t want Pinkie to go. Twilight let the thought sink in and take root. She did not want Pinkie to leave. Isn’t that answer enough, you foolish egghead of a pony?

Twilight stood up and trotted slowly over to Pinkie who was still focused intently on the spilled cupcakes. She could now see the tears the pink pony was desperately trying to keep at bay. It broke her heart.

Twilight draped a hoof on Pinkie’s shoulder, and Pinkie turned to face her.

“Pinkie…”

Pinkie rubbed at her eyes furiously and donned an unconvincing grin, “Don’t worry. I’m just being a silly little Pinkie, crying over spilled cupcakes.”

Twilight felt horrible, “Pinkie, you didn’t let me answer your question.”

“Don’t pretend, Twilight,” Pinkie’s fake smile melted into a sorrowful expression that Twilight hadn’t thought Pinkie even capable of making, “I’m sorry I cried, but don’t pretend, please.”

Twilight nuzzled Pinkie’s wet cheek, “I never want to hurt you Pinkie.”

Pinkie leaned into Twilight’s touch but said nothing.

“I don’t want you to leave either.”

Pinkie looked at the unicorn with a confused expression, “What?”

Twilight planted a soft kiss on Pinkie’s cheek, still slightly salty from tears, “My hypothesis is that I also harbor affections for you of the romantic category. Furthermore, it states that I would very much like to kiss you now if you will let me.”

Pinkie narrowed her eyes in suspicion, “Do you Pinkie Promise that you’re not pretending?”

Twilight pantomimed the vow, stopping just before jabbing herself in the eye, “Cross my heart and hope to fly.”

Pinkie sniffed, a small smile breaking through, “Stick a cupcake in your eye?”

Twilight glanced at the decimated cupcakes, “Don’t tempt me.”

Pinkie giggled, “It'd probably be a bad idea. The frosting would get everywhere.”

Twilight smirked, “It’s already gotten somewhere.” She pointed to the glob of frosting coating a strand of Pinkie's magenta bouffant.

Pinkie reached up and scraped the frosting off. With a mischievous smirk she stuck her hoof in her mouth and licked it clean.

Twilight frowned, “That can’t really be-”

Pinkie interrupted the fretting unicorn by covering her mouth with her own. Twilight felt heat surge into her ears as the earth pony slipped a tongue coated with fluffy vanilla frosting in and giving the purple pony a taste. It was delicious, but Twilight was too distracted by just how amazing it felt to kiss the party pony to really think about the frosting. Pinkie was passionate, and yet somehow still tender at this whole business; she stroked a gentle hoof along the side of Twilight’s face.

Twilight broke off to breathe, and Pinkie watched the unicorn with an anxious expression. She shifted from hoof to hoof, head tilted down so she was looking up through her eyelashes. Was she waiting for Twilight to respond? Was she worried that she did something wrong?

Twilight breathed out hard, “I… What I mean to say is… How should I put this…?”

Pinkie bit her lower lip.

A huge grin lighted up the unicorn’s face, “Wow. Just… wow. That was amazing!”

Pinkie Pie’s ears perked and a smug grin graced her muzzle, “Oh. You liked it, huh?”

Twilight moved towards the earth pony to nuzzle her cheek once more, “I more than liked it; I loved it! Pinkie, you are flabbergasting!”

“Is that a good thing?”

“It’s the best thing.”

“So it means “smartypants bookicorn”?”

Twilight laughed, “No, it means “enigmatic party pony”.”

Pinkie grabbed Twilight in a hug, “I think you mean, “beautiful Element of Magic”.”

Twilight snuggled up under Pinkie’s chin, “No. I definitely mean, “gorgeous Element of Laughter”.”

“Amazing student of the princess.”

“Mesmerizing baker of sweets.”

Pinkie opened her mouth to add another retort but Twilight covered it with a hoof, “Pinkie Pie?”

Pinkie responded when Twilight removed her hoof, “Yes, Twilight?”

Twilight wrapped her arms around the earth pony’s torso, rubbing her face into the familiar pink fur, “What happens now?”

Pinkie paused for a moment. “What happens now?”

Twilight nodded, “What comes after this part? Now that we both know and accept the other’s feelings what happens now?”

Pinkie answered in a very matter-of-factly tone, “Now we let everypony else know and accept our feelings.”

Fear ran icy cold through Twilight’s veins and she clenched tighter to Pinkie; what would their friends say? What would Spike? What if it changed things for their whole group? What if it strained the relationships she had with her other friends?

Pinkie gently stroked Twilight’s mane and began humming softly.

After a minute or two Twilight spoke, “I’m nervous. No, I’m scared.”

Pinkie softly rubbed Twilight’s shoulders, “The next step is up to you, Twilight. I'm ready whenever you are to tell our friends, but I can wait as long as you want. Pinkie Promise.”

“Can we just stay here a while? Like this?”

Pinkie nodded. They huddled together, enjoying the warmth of the other pony beside them; Twilight clutched Pinkie for dear life, consumed with the fear that she would lose something dear to her soon. Whether that was a friend or this new found romance she couldn’t be sure.

Light was just barely beginning to peek over the horizon; a new day was beginning, and soon the town would wake and the ponies would go about their busy schedules once again in the light of the brilliant sun.

--Author's Note--
This is something that I'll be working on alongside Equestria's Messiah. I'm not sure how often one or the other will update, but I'm pretty ADD about my projects and having a "serious" piece and a romance piece will help keep me writing despite what mood I'm in.
It was an idea that popped into my head last night that I pounded out on my poor keyboard and that I'm pretty interested in. It's going to focus a little more on the relationship after it begins and how it affects the group dynamic of the Mane Six. I'm thinking it will probably shift point of views, but I'm not dead set on my narrative direction as of writing this.
Just to reiterate: this is not dip into clopfic territory. I may write sloppy makeouts again, but I Pinkie Promise that I'm not going to go much farther than that.
Thank you for taking the time to read. I hope you enjoyed.