An Autumn Romance

Author's Note: This Chapter has now been re-edited. Once again, no story changes, just fixes to format and punctuation. More changes may be coming soon Thanks for reading!

Chapter 2: Times Gone By

As the pair walked into Ponyville, Dash kept her wing extended around her marefriend. The brisk wind blew against the two, chilling them to the bone. Twilight led Rainbow towards the new restaurant in town, The Daisy Patch, where they quickly ordered their meals. Dash, still a bit awestruck, didn't know what to say once the waiter had left.

“So...” Twilight started. “What do you think of this? I really want to know if this is how you feel.” She sat there, staring at Dash. With no response, she reached across the table and gave her a tap on the head. “Hellooooo, anypony home?”

“Huh? Oh ya!” Dash snapped back to reality. “Sorry, it's just kind of hard to believe this is actually happening. I have always dreamed, but...” She said, falling back into her own world of bliss. A harder smack from Twilight was needed to bring her back this time.

“You know, If I agree to go out with you, you need to calm down and stop fantasizing so much.” Twilight said, jokingly. “I must admit, I've never been in a relationship with anyone, let alone a mare. Honestly, this is one subject you know more about than I do!”

Dash just smiled, leaning back in her chair. “Well, I do have some experience, but not much. I haven't found anyone who I thought could keep up with me!” She leaned forward, looking deep into Twilight's eyes. “But with you, it's different. I don't need to keep going. I feel like I can relax around you.” The two sat, staring at each other until Dash glanced over Twilight's shoulder, breaking the gaze. “Oh look, here comes our food!”

• ~ -

The two ate, spending the time switching from the serious discussion of the relationship, to random jokes in an attempt to make each other laugh. The feeling that they had between them was special. Something that doesn't come around often. They felt as though they could be themselves, instead of how they would act on any other first date. Their friendship seemed to only strengthen the relationship they were building. After a couple hours, they got up to leave.

“...and I said 'but that's not a diamond, that's QUARTZ!” Dash said, as she held the door for her partner. “No one could believe it!”

Twilight burst out laughing at the joke, something she would never have done before today. “That hilarious. Oh, what a lunch. I don't think I've ever had so much fun!” Twilight smiled , nuzzling the cyan pegasus next to her. Dash immediately blushed, feeling just as happy as Twilight did. “Hey, can we go get something for dessert? I feel like something sugary.” Twilight asked.

“Sure, I could go for a treat! Lets head over to Sugarcube corner.” Dash said, instantly regretting the thought. What would Pinkie think of them together? Would she be supportive? The mini-panic attack was only increased by Twilight's response.

“Hmm, I feel like going to Bon Bon's if that's alright. I meant to drop in to see her today, and this would be the perfect time!”, Twilight suggested, trying to do her best puppy dog eyes.

“Sure, that's fine.” Dash said. However, all was not quite fine. All she could think of now was college. She and Bon Bon had been young and a little intoxicated, and she didn't know how the candy pony would take this. It wouldn't be too bad, Dash figured. We both moved past that...I think. Wait, wasn't Bon Bon married to Lyra? Oh, Dash knew that she would rub this in. Hopefully she won't notice.

• ~ -

The door to the store swung open, ringing the small bell to announce the new customers. “Coooming”, a voice called out from the kitchen from behind the counter. The cream colored pony came from the back room, her dark blue and pink mane bobbing up and down. “Oh Rainbow, Twilight! How are you doing? Pretty well, obviously.” Bon Bon gave a slight giggle at the sight of Dash with her wing around her marefriend.

“Hay Bon Bon, sorry I didn't come by earlier. Something...”, she glanced towards Dash, who was blushing fiercely, “...came up.” “Do you have any peppermints?”

“Sure, take a few on the house!”, she replied eagerly while motioning in their direction. When Twilight went to get her candy, Bon Bon quickly walked over to have a small chat with the still-blushing pegasus. “Sooo...”, she said earnestly, “...I see you must have had fun that night in college. Couldn't stay away from fillies, eh Dashie?” She sighed. “I know I couldn't. Lyra is just so wonderful.”

Dash blushed even more, turning her normal complexion a deep crimson. “Well, I don't know if that is why I like her, but...” She stopped herself from saying more. “Wait, I thought we said we wouldn't talk about this anymore.” She stared at Bon Bon, who gave a small giggle.

“I think that, based on the circumstances, it couldn't harm either one of us.” She turned towards the purple unicorn who had wandered back over. “Find everything alright?”

“Yes, and thanks for the candy!” She glanced over at Dash, who was even more red than when she had gone to get the candy. “If you don't mind me asking, what were you two discussing.”

“NOTHING!”, Dash blurted out.

“Oh, we were just discussing our time back in school.” The glance Dash gave the candy maker could have wilted a plant. “We both went to Manehattan College. Go Seahorses!”

Twilight was surprised. If she had to guess any pony in Ponyville that went to college, these two in front of her would be near the bottom. “Wow, what did you two study?” She asked, suddenly very interested.

“Well, I studied chemistry personally. The candy making is hard, but the degree helped me learn what works best together. Dashie here studied physics, for her flight.” Bon Bon said, smiling brightly.

“Twi, I think we should go...” Dash started, but was quickly cut off.

“Lets stay a little 'Dashie'. I want to hear more of this!”, Twilight could tell there was something that Dash didn't want her to know, and that just made her more intrigued. She could read her just as clearly as she could that morning.

“Hay, I'm willing to talk.” Bon Bon said, before starting into the story. “It was late one night during the middle of winter. We had been out, and we had a little to much to drink.” She winks over at Rainbow before continuing. “We got back to my dorm, but Dashie's dorm was on the other side of campus. The snow was blowing so hard, and it was so cold that she decided to stay in my room.”

Twilight sat eating the peppermints, positively transfixed on the story. Dash seemed to be frozen, looking calm but panicking on the inside. What would Twilight think of her? She seemed alright with any previous relationships she had, so that should include mares. Right?

“I only had one bed and, being all intoxicated, I think you know what happened next.” Bon Bon sent another wink Dash's way. “We woke up a little tangled, but I think I speak for both of us when I say we remember that night perfectly.” The story finished, Bon Bon stood there looking as proud as can be.

Twilight slowly turned towards Dash, who was trying to slide away. However, she stopped quickly when she saw the look in her eyes. The look of love, of want, of lust.

“Gee Dashie, I never knew that you were really that into this..I've got an idea.” With that, she jumped towards the pegasus, pressing their lips together in a passionate kiss. Dash quickly got over her surprise and returned the kiss with just as much force, pushing back against the unicorn on top of her.

After what felt like hours, Twilight broke the kiss, looking down on her mare friend. The pegasus looked like she was completely filled with bliss, her rose colored eyes half closed as she waited to see what would happen next. Twilight stood up, pulling Dash up with her. “Come on Dashie, we need to get home.” They walked towards Twilight's library, leaning against each other in what embrace they could manage. Soon after the door was closed all lights were out in the tree.

Bon Bon squealed, overjoyed that she was able to help her friend's relationship grow. She quickly closed up shop. Those two reminded her of the first time she met Lyra. She needed to get home. After those watching those two in her shop, tonight was going to be a fun night.