Princess Twilight Sparkle was laying in the middle of her library, on the cold, crystalline floor, surrounded by the numerous thick books she was studying. Science, biology, arts, history, chemistry, mathematics... As soon as she had taken her breakfast, some blueberry pancakes that her faithful dragon assistant, Spike, had prepared with tender, love and care, the young alicorn had immersed herself in various novels about such subjects, and had never stopped since. Except for dinner, of course.
Twilight was so captivated by her readings, she hadn't noticed how much time passed by. Soon, Princess Luna had raised the moon, and the day made room for the night. It wasn't until the entire library was plunged in darkness, and when the young alicorn couldn't read another word of "The History of Starswirl the Bearded" that she finally looked away from the words scribbling the page 179.
Twilight darted her eyes around the room, realizing how much time she had read. She got up, and stretched her legs, neck and wings, before walking out of the room. It was getting late, really late. But the Princess was not sleepy. She lightened her horn: the faint pink light would be enough to guide her in her Castle.
The alicorn walked and walked and walked. Toward what? She had not idea. Her instinct would bring her somewhere. And it did. Suddently, she found herself in the garden. An exterior guarden, precisely. Few ponies knew the existence of such a place. Her closest friends did. It was one of her favourite spots in all the castle. It was peaceful, quiet and more than anything, welcoming. This garden inspired the young mare a lot of thoughts, and also a bunch of her best ideas, such as the inspiration for her good friend Fluttershy's Surprise Tea Party. And it had been a great party. The same pegasus had entrust Twilight with some of her furry friends, such as a family of rabbits, one or two mice and a few squirrels, without forgetting the hummingbirds, an owl (none other than Owliscious's best friend) and a bunch of various birds. All of them were inhabiting this place.
The garden was full of beautiful exotic flowers of all varieties, but all of them were of a tone of blue, orange, purple, pink, red or magenta. These colours were not picked randomly. It was the colours of the elements of Harmony. It had been an idea from Rarity, who was also the one who created the place with the help of Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Each of her best friends added their own touch. Discord, the lord of Chaos, had even gave her a thinking tree of her size, which was of the same colour as his own. Near this tree was a wooden bench, one of which Twilight loved to sit. It was Applejack's creation, to be more precise. She sighed, and looked around her with loving eyes. Joy filled her heart, and memories started to come back to her mind.
But an unexpected sound got suddenly her attention. A sound which was generally not present here.
The sound of music.
***
Twilight followed the music, wondering where it could come from. She walked silently between the numerous flowers as curiousity filled her. She finally arrived near the balcony, and stopped dead in her tracks. A small 'gasp' of surprise escaped her mouth. She hid between a bush.
Twilight would have thought her captain would have been asleep by now. But Flash Sentry was sitting beside the banister, on the cold stone floor, beside a bush with flowers of the same colours as his mane. His back against a column, he had his eyes closed, with a guitar in his hooves, with which he was playing a country-like melody. He had took of his armor and helmet, revealing is thick blue mane. The moonlight illuminated his features, and the scars he had earned while battling a timberwolf to protect her. Especially the one on his right eye, which had miraculously left it intact. The younger alicorn felt her heart flutter at the sight in front of her.
And then he began to sing.
We were both young when I first saw you.
I close my eyes and the flashback starts:
I'm standing there on a balcony in summer air.
She couldn't breathe. This song... It was one of her favourite. And he knew it. But he had changed some of the lyrics, like it was adressed to someone. Could it be...?
When he started the chorus, she froze.
And I said...
Baby, I can take you somewhere we can be alone.
I'll be waiting; all that's left to do is run.
I'll be the prince since you are the princess.
It's a love story, baby, just say...
"Yes"
She saw him smirk, and open one of his eye. He contemplated her tenderly, before closing it again. She had guessed right. So she continued to sing, while walking toward the pegasus.
So I sneak out to the garden to see you.
We keep quiet 'cause we're dead if they knew
So close your eyes...
Escape this town for a little while.
Oh, oh.
She sat just beside him as they continued to sing. The young mare put her head on his shoulder, and felt him shiver. The young captain played the last note. The silence was felt by the two ponies. But it wasn't an awkward one. It felt... right. The stallion suddently took between his teeth a flower from the bush near him, and pulled. The blue flower detached itself from the branch, and he put it behind Twilight's ear. The young mare blushed, and he gave her the prettiest and dorkiest smile he could manage. She chuckled, and looked into his beautiful, sapphire eyes. Her cheeks got even pinker than before. He suddenly leaned carefully in, closed his eyes and locked lips with her tenderly.
Her eyes widened in surprise, but the alicorn soon gave in. Twilight turned herself so she could properly face him, and threw her forelegs around his neck, deepening the kiss. The colt she loved put one leg around her waist, and used the other to pet her mane. The Princess moaned. He tasted good. She finally felt the tips of his tongue poking on her lips. She opened without a single hesitation. Their tongue danced against one another. It felt magical.
After what felt like hours, he broke the kiss, and nuzzled her snout. "I can't believe I achieved to keep this to me so long..." He chuckled. She did too.
"Since how much time did you know I was there?"
"Well... A guard is always supposed to stay alert, Twila"
Twila... A nickname he had given her at the beginning of their friendship. This word had now a totally different meaning.
"How long?"
"What?"
"How long since you've got a... You know...?"
He smirked.
"I always had a bit of a crush on you, but I don't know when I started loving you. I guess the Grand Galloping Gala?"
"This long?"
He scratched the back of his head, blushing. The purple-coated mare got closer to him, and he pulled her even closer with his wing. She could feel the orange feather brushing against her coat. He kissed her neck multiples times, nuzzled her chin, and she let escape a gasp of pleasure.
"I love you"
"I love you too"
