Abracadabra, or something
"This is nice."
Those three words make everything seem... okay. Like, suddenly a huge anchor has been lifted off of my shoulders. It's odd. With those words, I come across an amazing epiphany: this is nice.
My life doesn't seem so unbearable now. I think, maybe I could have a future. A new start. Hopefully, with her.
As fate would have it, the lilac-coated Unicorn by my side was a sorcerer, much like myself. Like me, she also... wasted her potential. If not for the Princess Twilight Sparkle, the two of us would be rotting in a cell in the Canterlot Dungeons. Instead, here we are, relaxing on a hillside on a spring evening after a pleasant meal.
She's smiling at me, now.
I suppose that I'm not what you would call an affectionate pony. But this, right now. Her. I just feel so comfortable. So... free.
We're two ponies of the same kind, her and I. I feel no societal standards to live up to when I'm with her. Not like I do in this town. Mostly because she saved me from making a very dangerous mistake.
I respect her. I respect her in a way that I have for nopony else. I don't deserve her as a friend. And I certainly don't deserve her for... any other stuff.
But I don't know. I think, maybe neither of us deserve each other. That's why we fit together like pieces in a puzzle. I know for certain that I haven't been so happy in my life before she came along.
I think I should tell her. It's been on my mind for quite a long time now. But for some reason, I don't. The way she looks at me... she knows. And it could just be me, but I could swear by the look in her persian blue eyes, she feels the same.
Some ponies say that the eyes are the windows to the soul. I'm not sure I believe that. But right here, right now, a blind pony could see just how happy she is. Maybe she's like me. I've made it clear multiple times that I am not very skilled at social interactions.
But I know her. I've gotten to know her, ever since she became my assistant. And she always humors my fantasies of becoming a great magician.
Maybe this is her way of saying, "Will you?"
I'm trying as hard as I can to ask that. "Will you?" Not, "Would you be my marefriend?" or, "You wanna go out together sometime?"
Will you? Will you take my hoof when I want to go on an adventure? Will you put up with me when I'm being a stubborn mess? Will you help me when I can’t deal with the pressures of life on my own?
Will you stay with me when I'm lonely? Will you hold me when I'm broken, and scared? Will you love me, even if I prove that I'm a lowly, despicable pony? Will you?
Because I will.
I feel tired. Finally, my train of thought comes to a slow. I didn’t notice, but over the course of these minutes, the sun has almost entirely disappeared beyond the horizon. It's getting chilly out.
We don’t say anything. But I inch closer to her. She does the same. Our bodies are touching. I don't feel nervous.
I was when I first asked her to join me this evening. I feared rejection. Of course, I still haven't asked her. But even still, I've found relief.
For the longest time, I could comfortably say that I haven't been fond of the notion of "true love". Now, I'm not sure. What I do know is that it won't matter if I achieve greatness. It won't matter if I become a master of Unicorn magic, best foul beasts, bestow my wisdom unto aspiring sorcerers, and have my name etched in history.
It won't matter, if she isn't by my side when I do those things. I think, I really think that I'm in love with Starlight Glimmer. Without her, who is The Great and Powerful Trixie?
A million other things are racing through my mind when I feel a hoof over mine. I snap back to reality, glancing down quickly. Her lips are still pulled into that radiant smile.
The milliseconds passing by felt like hours, and I realize that it's my turn to talk. I swallow, peering once more into the distance. The last of the light glows from behind a sheet of clouds approaching from the side.
I pause, preparing to gather every ounce of courage. I almost laugh when I find that I don't need it. "It's getting late. Why don't we head to my cottage? It looks as though it might rain."
Starlight nods, standing up. "Yes, I think I'd like that."
I hope that means what I think it means.
We gather up the utensils and scraps from our picnic, and venture back down to the path. Thankfully, I live close to the outskirts. My cottage is a modest abode. I can’t be choosy, however; when you're as poor as I am, a single-room cottage is heaven. Anything with a restroom is an improvement over the back of a wooden wagon.
Safely inside, Starlight sets the basket of items off to the side with her telekinesis. I still feel like there's something I should be saying, but it's not coming to me. While I'm debating inside, Starlight is still looking at me, with that stupid adorable smile.
"Starlight?"
My eyes find hers. This is it. I banish all my failures, all my fears.
"We've known each other for almost a year, now. You've changed me, in a lot of ways. For the better, I think. When I'm with you, I feel... purpose. I feel like I can belong.
"That night, when I hurt you, but you still came back, I said we can be great and powerful together. Well, I meant it. We can be great and powerful.
"Or not. We'll be whatever we want to be. Just please. Starlight, I want us to-"
"Yes."
My ears perked.
"Uh... excuse me?"
She's closer to me, she's still smiling and sweet Celestia she's kissing me! She just kissed me! On-on the lips. I could feel it, I'm not crazy just yet!
My legs turn to jelly as I let my jaw drop. "Uh..."
Starlight is almost glowing with happiness, now.
"The answer is yes, Trixie Lulamoon. I will."
I process this. "You... will?"
"Yes. If this is what you want, yes." She murmurs as she nuzzles me gently.
"Oh. Well, good." I let out a sigh of relief. "I was already running out of things to say."
Giggling, Starlight closes in for another smooch. This time I have enough sense to kiss back. I'm still a little tense after being ambushed like that, but it feels...
My laughter interrupts our shared moment of passion. It infects Starlight, as she joins me in my snickering.
"W-what's so funny?"
"You were right," I chuckle. I close my eyes, leaning my forehead against hers. I lean to the side, and we ungraciously crash onto my couch. "This is very, very nice."