When she had retired about four years ago, Octavia didn’t think she would find another love in her life other than performing at concert halls and fancy parties for the nobles. It wasn’t that she was tired of performing, she still loved it when she was asked to play her cello as a guest occasionally. No, what really bothered her was the traveling. Rising through the ranks, she found herself traveling all over Equestria - and soon the world - both solo, with many different orchestras, or those few years she mixed it up with her best friend Vinyl Scratch.
After traveling for so long, starting at the young age of fourteen, the thirty six year old Octavia was glad to have settled down in Canterlot. However, boredom eventually started to kick in. She was still a young mare, unmarried, and most of her friends had moved on to new parts of their lives. Even Vinyl got married and moved to Canterlot with her husband and two fillies.
Just as she was about to take up sewing of all things, her old college professor asked if she could assist him with some of his classes on classical music. It was then that Octavia found her new love, both figuratively and literally.
She calmly focused on the faces of her students as the class did their best to follow the music sheets in front of them. From the stringers to the clarinets, to the brass and drums. Each of them smoothly played the Radetzky March like they were pros themselves, much improved since the first time they came in and could only play simple folk songs together.
Teaching the next generation the ways of the classics was definitely something Octavia could live with doing for the rest of her life. Her students loved her, as did the teachers, and since she was a celebrity herself she was bringing good press to the school. Something the head of the institute was always happy to see. She closed her eyes as she stood still, listening to every bit of the music that sang to her.
In fact... there was singing...
Wait a minute, Octavia opened her eyes and concentrated her acute hearing for the soft whispers of what sounded like lyrics. Unsurprisingly, she found it coming from row 3, seat 14 where a white unicorn wearing a blue dress and curled mane style of a mixing both light purple and white was focusing on her cello.
Octavia raised her hoof and at once the music stopped. Although she shook her head, Octavia had a small smile form from her lips as she turned to the soft singer who was already blushing upon being stared upon by the teacher. “Sweetie Belle? As much as I like listening to your voice, your vocal lessons are not to be used in Classical Orchestra class.”
“S-sorry Ms. Melody,” muttered Sweetie Belle, trying to avoid her gaze.
“Sweetie Belle, look at me,” said Octavia, which her student proceeded to do so. “I’m not scolding you. I’m just asking that you keep your love of singing in a class that requires it. If I can hear you trying to sing at that small of a volume, there are other experts who also can hear you. Understood?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” said Sweetie Belle just as the bell rang.
“Alright, I want you all to continue to practice. And prepare that essay on the first usage and reasons behind the March’s creation for the Royal Army. Due Friday!” shouted Octavia as her students went for their cases to put away their instruments. “See you all tomorrow.”
Octavia made for her desk as she took out a few papers from another class and began to look over them. Before she could, she saw Sweetie Belle nervously waiting in her seat as the students began to leave one by one. None of them paid any attention to it, they were too focused on leaving the school to get back to their dorms or homes.
When the last student left, Sweetie Belle calmly put her cello away before making for the door. She quickly checked to see if anypony was outside before closing it, locking it, and rushed down towards the desk of her teacher.
Octavia smiled as she put away the papers. Looks like I’ll be grading these later, she thought before Sweetie Belle leaped over the desk and kissed her right on the lips. Octavia closed her eyes and pushed back, let her taste the young and fresh taste of her student and secret marefriend. Yes, teaching may have been Octavia’s love, but if there was anypony who she loved more it was Sweetie Belle.
The two proceeded to hold each other and continue their makeout session. It was risky to have it in her classroom, but Octavia remembered what it was like to be twenty-one as well and knew that patience didn’t come that quickly. It might have been wrong, a teacher being in love with her student, but they were of age and she cared for Sweetie Belle for who she was, not because she was nineteen years younger than her.
It had actually been Sweetie Belle who started it off. Asking for private lessons and help in her cello playing which Octavia was always happy to help with. Despite singing as her main talent, Sweetie Belle could play very good treble clefs. Overtime they grew close as friends, but then Octavia felt something she never felt before. It wasn’t until Sweetie Belle, who finally admitted she had a crush on her one night, kissed her that she realized it was love. And so she didn’t see just Sweetie Belle as her student, but also a fully grown and beautiful mare.
“Tell me,” asked Octavia as she broke the kiss and smirked. “Was that singing you did just an attempt for me to focus on you?”
“Well it worked, didn’t it?” asked Sweetie Belle with a giggle. She jumped off the desk and spun around with a sigh. “Sorry, I just can’t get over what happened last night. I never thought I’d feel so... adult!”
“Sweetie, we just prench kissed. Couples do it all the time,” chuckled Octavia, but found her love’s behavior so cute. “The only adult thing there is in a romance is sex.”
“Y-yeah, but I’m not ready for that until we’re married. I promised my big sister and all,” muttered Sweetie Belle, blushing like a tomato fresh from the field.
“Let’s wait at least until you graduate before we even think about advancing that far,” said Octavia as she got up from her eat and walked over. She booped Sweetie Belle on the nose before kissing her left cheek. “Baby steps, my dear. We’ve only been going out for six months.”
“Soon to be seven,” said Sweetie Bell with a wide smirk. “Soooo? Have you thought about my proposal?”
“O-oh, you mean going out for a real date?” asked Octavia, sighing as she rubbed the back of her neck. If there was one sad thing about their relationship, it was the fact that they had to keep it a secret. First there was her reputation, because of her age she would be seen as perverted or even question her taste in “lesser aged mares” due to the amount of years that separated her and Sweetie Belle. The news would have a field day in making her look out to be some pedophile while ignoring the fact that Sweetie Belle was twenty-one when they started dating and when they first met.
There would also be the backlash from parents who would feel like their child shouldn’t be taught by somepony who was okay with dating her students. Plus, it might show favoritism towards Sweetie Belle and have her made fun of by her fellow students. That was something Octavia would never allow to happen if she could help it. And so every date, moment, and kiss they shared was either in the safety of her locked classroom or her home in Upper Diamond District.
“I don’t know...” whispered Octavia, “what if somepony sees us?”
“Canterlot is full of ponies who always focus on their own business before anypony else's! And what are the odds of somepony from college or that we know personally seeing us? We’ll be fine.” Sweetie Belle then took Octavia’s hoof and held it with both her own as she smiled and looked deeply into her lover's eyes. “I want to spend one night with the mare I love on a real date. Damn the world for whatever they think. Just the two of us in the night and having a good time. It doesn’t even have to be fancy or long, just a single real date is all I’m asking. Please, Octy?”
“Damn you know how twist my knobs,” joked Octavia as she took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay, let’s go on a real date.”
“Yippie!” shouted Sweetie Belle as she rushed to her cello and started packing it and her music notes. “I’ll be at your house at five! Be sure to dress night! I’ll bring flowers! Wait, we’re going out to eat so skip the flowers. And the chocolates. Um, just be ready! Love you!”
With that said, she left the room leaving Octavia to chuckle. “She’s cute when she acts all excited.”
***
It took a few hours for Octavia to find a dress and she decided to go for the red silk one Vinyl got for on her twenty-fourth birthday. While applying lipstick to her lips, Octavia realized this was going to be her first date since, well, ever. She had always thrown her life into focusing on music and her career. If not for her best friend, Vinyl, she would never have learned to interact with others and gain friendship over the years from every corner of the world from Griffinstone to Ponyville.
Now, here she was about to go on her first ever real date. Not that the other dates with Sweetie Belle hadn’t been fun. Having the two of them snuggle under the covers at night, listening to the radio or watching TV. Kissing in the dark, cooing, saying how much they loved each other. Octavia would make them a candle light dinner, something new each time, and they would talk about their day and share gossip. Sweetie Belle once tried to make dinner but... well, good thing Octavia lived so close to the fire department.
Sweetie Belle. Octavia knew her as a filly when she lived momentary in Ponyville for a break in her career with Vinyl. She was the famous Rarity’s younger sister, who was not just one of the Ambassadors of Friendship and an Element of Harmony, but a very famous fashion designer with ties in Canterlot, Manehatten, and Las Pegasus. She had close connections to the Crown and was very protective of her younger sister.
Octavia often wondered how Rarity would react to the news that her sister was dating a much older mare, much less her teacher in college. How would the entire world react? How long would they or could they keep this a secret? It was clear that Sweetie Belle wanted this to go long term and Octavia would wish it so as well.
Yet the idea of them coming out into the world as a couple? No, Octavia shook her head to clear of such thoughts, this is not the time to think about such a thing. Sweetie Belle wants this to be a great date night and we are going to give it to her. Focus on that and feel happy, worry about the future when it arrives.
The doorbell rang and Octavia quickly rushed to her door where she opened it and found Sweetie Belle, dressed in a simple yet sparkling blue dress, waiting for her. “Hey, you’re wearing red and I’m wearing blue! Kinda funny, huh?”
“I think it’s cute,” said Octavia as she nuzzled a greeting to her marefriend. Closing the door behind her, she said, “Shall we get going?”
“Yup! It’s not to far of a walk, so we can enjoy the night sky while we head to the restaurant,” said Sweetie Belle.
“Well, lead the way,” said Octavia as she offered her elbow. Sweetie Belle took it with glee and guided her date down the street.
***
It didn’t take the two long to reach the restaurant known as “Simply Divine”. It was a place Octavia had visited a few times herself in private pleasures for their wine tasting. Sweetie Belle, being the polite marefriend that she was, opened the door for Octavia who strolled in with a thank you nod. After confirming their reservations, the two were seated near a window where they ordered a bottle of Grey Goose Vodka.
After a small cheers, they sipped their drinks and sighed in comfort. “I’m so glad I’m finally at the drinking age. I’ve been wanting to try out wine for years.”
“Oh, come on,” chuckled Octavia as she took another sip. “You never took any alcohol in secret when you were a teenager?” The red blush on Sweetie Belle’s cheeks only made the smile on Octavia’s face grow wider. “Come on, tell me.”
“W-well, there was that one time that Apple Bloom accidentally took her family’s hard cider instead of the regular one. I can’t tell you what happened due to a Pinkie Promise, but let’s just say we had to rebuild our clubhouse after that incident.” Sweetie Belle then pointed her hoof at her date. “Okay, your turn. Did you ever drink before you turned twenty-one?”
“When you a friend like Vinyl, you tend to get involved in a lot crazy things,” chuckled Octavia as the insane things she and her best friend did growing up ran through her like an old movie projection reel. “I remember this one time when Vinyl got us through this club for adults when we were eighteen. She made me get so drunk I was pole dancing as stallions were throwing bits at me for shaking my butt off.”
“I’d pay to see that,” whispered Sweetie Belle with a sly grin.
With an equally learning smirk, Octavia waved her hoof around. “Careful Ms. Belle, or else your teacher is going to punish you.”
“Oooh, will it be a spanking?” asked Sweetie Belle, leaning forward.
“Maybe,” teased Octavia who followed through with a short, yet electrifying kiss. She didn’t know if she was being extra flirty because of the mood or the drink, but she didn’t care.
“Excuse me,” greeted their waiter with a smirk as the two broke the kiss and blushed. “Sorry to interrupt your mood, but have you decided what you would like to eat?”
“Y-yes, um,” Sweetie Belle quickly looked over her menu. “Um, I’ll have the spaghetti and hayballs with a salad.”
“The fried bean casserole with tomato soup and crackers please,” answered Octavia as the two handed their menus. The waiter quickly wrote it down and left. Sighing, Octavia whispered, “That was a bit embarrassing. Let’s lay off the flirting until we’ve eaten.”
“Yeah, feels kinda weird doing it in public,” muttered Sweetie Belle, rubbing her hoof. There was a moment of awkward silence between the two. Occasionally, they glanced at the other patrons, yet they were ignored completely.
“Hey,” asked Octavia, reaching over and gently held her hoof. “I’m having a good time. Don’t worry about it.” She smiled at Sweetie Belle, showing her pearly white teeth. “Give me a smile from that cute face of yours. Okay?” With a simple wink, Octavia was able to get her date to smile. “There we go. That’s the smile of the cute student I fell in love with.”
The waiter returned with their dishes which smelled so good that it made their mouth water. “Wow, fast service,” said Sweetie Belle, licking her lips.
“We pride ourselves in fast, yet perfect dinners, Miss,” replied the waiter. “Bon appetite!”
The two mares grabbed their glasses and raised another toast. “To first official dates!” toasted Octavia.
“Cheers!” replied Sweetie Belle as they clanked their glasses.
***
“Oh man, I am stuffed,” moaned Sweetie Belle as she and her date exited the restaurant, the host thanking them for coming. “We have got to eat there again sometime.”
“I’d like that,” replied Octavia as she walked side by side with her date. Their tails were entwined with each other as the two nuzzled affectionately, Sweetie cooing like a pet being scratched.
“So now what do we do?” asked Sweetie Belle, inching closer to her love.
“How about just a night walk? We can enjoy the stars above,” suggested Octavia, looking above at the lovely clear sky over their heads.
“Sounds lovely,” replied Sweetie Belle.
The two of them walked along the paths, ignoring the occasional funny look given their way. So far it was from nobodies who they didn’t recognize much to their relief. The two of them soon stopped by a bench and sat down, holding hooves as they looked at the night sky. They didn’t say anything as they sat there, just watched the stars twinkling without a care of those watching them.
“... am I the first mare you ever fell in love with?” asked Sweetie Belle, leaning closer and resting her head on Octavia’s shoulders.
“Yes,” replied Octavia. “Am I for you?”
“To be honest, you were my second crush. My first crush was on Apple Bloom, but I got over that quickly when she started showing an interest in Spike,” whispered Sweetie Belle.
“What made you fall for me?” asked Octavia.
“You were... so regal,” whispered Sweetie Belle with a sigh of comfort. “Not like the princesses or like my sister. You had confidence when facing an entire array of ponies looking at you as you performed. I had to deal with stage fright for years until I saw how strong and brave you were in a solo performance. I admired you then not just for your skill and beauty, but also how you presented yourself. I only grew to love you as time went on and I...” Sweetie Belle looked up and then pressed her lips against Octavia’s.
Octavia only closed her eyes and kissed back with as much enthusiasm. Slowly, she felt Sweetie’s tongue enter her mouth and she let it in after a few licks from her own. She let Sweetie Belle have her way with the insides of her mouth, letting her explore every nook and cranny there was. She could taste the strawberry ice cream she had for dessert fresh in her mouth and it made her tingle inside.
She didn’t care if anypony was looking at this moment. All she cared about was-
“Ms. Octavia!”
She and Sweetie Belle instantly broke the kiss and turned pale upon seeing an elderly pony both knew quite well. It was Mrs. Keystroke. One of the piano teachers at school.
“W-what on earth are you doing?! Isn’t that one of your students?! Are you... are you dating her?!” demanded Mrs. Keystroke.
This... this isn’t good... thought Octavia.
***
Upon waking up the next morning, Sweetie Belle realized she was going to need a new pillow from all the crying she had done last night. What started as a perfect romantic evening was now feeling like the tip of the executioner’s blade upon both her neck and Octavia’s. I was so stupid! I should have never asked her to let us go out! I’ve ruined her! I’m so stupid!
Mrs. Keystroke had been shocked by this and demanded answers. Octavia told her to head to her dorm and just wait as she talked to Mrs. Keystroke. The last thing she told her was that no matter what happened, she loved her. Mrs. Keystroke turned quite green upon hearing this. Personally, Sweetie Belle never liked the uptight mare. She always pushed her students to hard and was a jerk. If she was to have a heart attack, Sweetie Belle wouldn’t cry at her funeral.
Sweetie Belle knew that the entire facility of the institute had to have heard about what happened. Soon the rest of the students would know, already her roommates had asked why she had been crying and just demanded they leave her alone. If they hadn’t heard now, they would soon.
I didn’t want this to happen.. thought Sweetie Belle as she dried her tears with her sheets. I just wanted us to have a normal date like a normal couple! This isn’t fair!
She heard her door knocking and shouted, “Come in...”
When it opened, she saw Lemon Tails, her yellow pig-tailed unicorn pony roommate, walk in with a muffin in her magical grasp. “Breakfast?”
A small gurgle in Sweetie Belle’s stomach alerted her to how hungry she was and she graciously accepted the muffin. After she bit into it a few times, Lemon Tails nervously asked, “So... you and Ms. Octavia, huh?”
Wincing, she put down the muffin. “You know?”
“I think the entire school knows. The press and police are everywhere, I’m pretty sure that your sister would be here too if she and her friends weren’t in Griffinstone attending a diplomatic meeting with the Princesses.”
“How bad?” asked Sweetie Belle, rubbing her temples.
“Well, you got your silly rumors like how you two got hitched in Las Pegasus or she’s been seducing you since you were ten,” listed Lemon Tails, rolling her eyes. “Then there are others saying Octavia might be arrested or fired for you two sleeping together.”
“We never slept together! And even if we were, I’m of age!” growled Sweetie Belle. “Just because she’s my senior by a lot of years doesn’t mean I cannot be in love with her!”
“Easy!” said Lemon Tails, raising her hooves. “I know that, and I’m pretty sure most of us at school know that. Actually, most students think you’re cool now for dating a teacher.”
“When I want to feel like I’m back in high school and fighting for popularity rights, I’ll ask for their opinions. I need to talk to Octavia, or even the head of the school before this gets out of hoof,” said Sweetie Belle, getting up.
“Actually, that’s another reason why I came here,” said Lemon Tails, rubbing the back of her neck. “The RA was here from a message from Head Principle Brass Blower. He wants you to come to his office to ask a few questions.”
“Great,” muttered Sweetie Belle as she shook her head. “I just hope that this doesn’t get worse then it has been...”
“Anything I can do to help?” asked Lemon Tails.
“Pray for me and Octavia, Lemon. Pray hard,” answered Sweetie Belle before she made her way to the bathroom to freshen up.
***
Despite the press being pretty much camped out on the lawn of the school, Sweetie Belle was able to get in through one of the side entrances that wasn’t used that often. Having never been to the Head’s office before, she had to ask directions while getting the occasional glance from a student or faculty member. She ignored it, but couldn’t help but wonder what was going to happen once word of this got home. She could only hope Rarity didn’t go ballistic on either, Octavia, or both of them.
When she reached the office, she nervously opened the door with her sweaty hoof and saw only the head of the institute there. No cops, guards, or any of the other teachers. Mr. Brass Blower was the uncle of Beauty Brass from one of Octavia’s old orchestra groups. She had been friends with the family for years and could only hope that he would show mercy to them. He looked just like his niece, only male and with a darker brown mane. Fixing his bow tie on his black suit, he motioned the chair across his desk. “Have a seat, Sweetie Belle.”
“Y-yes, sir,” said Sweetie Belle as she sat her rear on the chair.
“Now, I want you to know that you are not in trouble. I am just going to ask you a few questions, and I need you to be honest with me,” he asked as he took a pen and pressed it against some paper.
“Sir, is Octavia okay? Please, I need to know,” begged Sweetie Belle.
“Ms. Melody is currently back at her residence. I had questioned her earlier, but she is okay,” said Brass Blower as he cleared his throat. “Just answer these questions and we can discuss more afterwards. First, how long have you known Ms. Melody and how long were you in a relationship.”
“I’ve known her since she moved to Ponyville when I was eight and she stayed their for two years before leaving on another tour,” answered Sweetie Belle. “We didn’t really talk to each other or knew each other back then. I saw her perform later in my life. As for when we started, just a few months ago.”
“Now, did Ms. Melody force you into this relationship?”
“No, I started it!” yelled Sweetie Belle, standing up. “Look, I can already save you some time with these answers! No, she didn’t trick me, seduce me, or manipulate me. I had these feelings first and confessed to her! We’ve never made love, only kiss, but it doesn’t matter anyway. I am twenty-one years old. Just because she’s in her forties doesn’t mean I cannot be in love with her. I never used her for better grades, or any advance teachings! We are just a loving couple like everyone else!”
Brass Blower just sat there looking at her before he closed his pen and handed her a tissue. She didn’t realize she was crying at that point until she accepted it and dried her eyes. Sighing, the head of the school shook his head. “Ms. Belle, I believe you. I think you and Octavia were just two ponies who fell in love. I don’t think there is anything criminal or wrong going on here.” This made Sweetie Belle give a small smile. “However, the school board and the parents of these students are not going to take this well. The problem is not your age, it’s the fact that you are student and teacher.”
“You can’t fire her because of a bunch of paranoid parents!” shouted Sweetie Belle.
“I don’t have too, Ms. Melody resigned as of this morning of her own free will,” said Brass Blower, shaking his head.
“W-what? But she loves teaching!” shouted Sweetie Belle in disbelief.
“She felt it was best for everyone involved if she just resigned on the matter,” explained Brass Blower. “She wanted to let you know that you are not to blame.”
“I... I have to find her, please!” beg Sweetie Belle.
“She is at her home, as I said,” said Brass Blower as he got up and showed her the door. “I think its best if you take a week or two off school to discuss with Octavia and your family what to do next. I hope the best for both of you, I do.”
“T-thank you,” said Sweetie Belle before she rushed out of the room, her hooves galloping as fast as they could. Octavia...
***
Thankfully, there were no press at Octavia’s house but was surely to change in the coming days. Using the spare key that Octavia had given her, she rushed inside thinking she would find a broken and crying marefriend. Instead, she just saw Octavia reading a book and looking alarmed when she saw Sweetie Belle.
“Sweetie, I didn’t expect you until-” Octavia was interrupted as Sweetie Belle dived into her and hugged her.
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! It’s all my fault! I’ll admit it was all my idea! You don’t have to-”
Octavia silenced her by pressing her hoof against her lips. “Sweetie Belle, listen to me. Okay?” Sweetie Belle nodded. “Let me tell you what happened. I got together with the faulty, and a few detective who where there just in case. I told them the truth and everything with it. There were some questions asked, but they seemed to believe me when I said that I never had sex with you and that I never favored you. However, I told them I was resigning.”
“But why?! You love teaching!” asked Sweetie Belle.
“Yes, I love teaching, but I love you more. I realized, at that moment, I had to decide what future I wanted and I wanted to be with you. I don’t need the job to support myself and I can always go into private practice,” explained Octavia as she gently caressed Sweetie Belle’s cheek. “But last night was amazing. And I want to experience that from now on. I’m ready to go out into the open with the news of us being together. To our friends, family, and even the public.” She kissed Sweetie Belle’s cheek and smiled.
“I love you, Sweetie Belle. You are my first real love in this life next to music, and many times you are even above that.”
Sweetie Belle felt her heart melt from this as she leaned forward and kissed back. The two continued to lock lips for a while until they heard the sound of hooves outside of the house. Curious, Octavia walked over to her window and snorted. “And here they come.”
Walking over to take a look, Sweetie Belle saw photographers, reporters, and just the curious citizen grouping up outside the house. They looked like sharks smelling fresh blood from a wounded kill. Sweetie Belle sighed, “Didn’t take them long, huh?”
“What do you want to do? Wait them out or confront them?” asked Octavia, reaching out and holding her hoof.
Sweetie Belle thought about it for a minute before squeezing. “Only if you let me do this beside you.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” replied Octavia with a smile.
The couple made their way to the door, together, as they took in deep breaths. “Ready?” asked Octavia.
Sweetie Belle nodded before they opened the door and the world was theirs for the taking.
Author's Note
Commissioned by Biker_Dash
This one was actually pretty easy to do and I liked how it turned out. Been awhile since I done a pure romance story.
If you want to commission me, please check out this blog post
Or if you want to donate to my comics patreon that works too!
