Shooting Star smiled to himself in the mirror. It had been a few days since he had last seen Twilight, she had some things to take care of in Canterlot. But today was the big day. He would have been lying if he had said that he wasn’t a bit nervous for the coming night. It wasn't just the fact that this was his first date, which already made him nervous, but it being a date with Twilight Sparkle the personal student of princess Celestia, and one of the Elements of Harmony, made him a lot more nervous. What if he made a mistake when pointing out a star, or heavens forbid misnamed a constellation? What if he insulted Twilight by doing something she didn’t like!? Or what if he didn’t meet her expectations, what then? He firmly shook his head from left to right ruining his recently combed mane into a tangled mess all over again. Those were very silly thoughts, it wasn’t like Twilight would be quizzing him about his knowledge… right?

He sighed heavily levitating over the mane brush to start running it through his mane for the second time that morning. “Get a grip… you’ll end up winding yourself up and being a nervous wreck before the night even starts.” He casually commented to himself, the fact that he was talking to himself wasn’t lost on him, neither was the implication. Simply pushing all thoughts away, he enjoyed the sensation of a brush running through his jet-black mane. It didn’t have to be too neat, yet. But the thought of running into Twilight while preparing, and not looking immaculate for her, was abhorrent to him. It would be the worst thing ever and he didn’t quite understand why he felt that way.

Star chuckled softly to himself. He couldn’t remember the last time he was being this fussy about his appearance over a mare. Well that wasn’t exactly true, he could remember this one mare a long time ago, back in Canterlot, the cutest pegasus filly in his class at Celestia’s school. He, and many others, had always been trying to win her favour. Not that any of them had ever succeeded but the chase had been enjoyable even if he had been rejected in the end. A smile crossed his lips at the memory. It hadn’t worked out but it is how he had met his best friends, or rather when he had met the mare who would introduce him to his best friends.

For a short moment, he allowed his mind to stray to Autumn, the rather eccentric unicorn mare. Satisfied that he looked the best he could Shooting Star trotted out of his bathroom snatching up a notepad on the way out. He might as well write Autumn a letter, he hadn’t heard from her in months. Passing his desk, he smiled at the picture of his friends, him at the centre along with the grinning cream coated unicorn with her long Saddle Arabian scarf. Her Caramel mane with the rather garish pink highlights. They were surrounded by the rest of the Resourceful Scholars Club in front of their old dorm.

He smiled at the picture and then fetching one of his enchanted quills, one of the enchantments he was personally very proud of, he started writing. The tip of the quill touched paper and burned the paper where it touched, yet never letting it catch fire (the hardest part really was not letting the paper catch fire). Not even looking at his own horn writing he stepped outside into the sunlight with a smile setting down the path towards Sugarcube Corner.

Dear Autumn,

How have you been the past few months? I know this might seem a little out of the blue but I have not heard from you for well over three months now. How go your travels? In your last letter, you mentioned something about having visited some interesting locations in Saddle Arabia. Unfortunately, you never answered my letter.

You should visit sometime, we’ve really missed you. I will attach a scroll to this letter with the teleportation coordinates, which for the moment is my living room. Honestly things have not much changed since we were in the dorm together, we still meet at my place… even though we could probably afford to rent out a room somewhere in Ponyville.

Anyway, I hope you’re doing well and I hope to hear from you soon,

With kind regards,
Shooting Star

******

He didn’t know when, but at some point, Shooting Star had stopped looking where he was going and started reading and rereading his letter while jotting down the memorised coordinates on the back of the page. He couldn’t teleport a pony but smaller items weren’t as hard as transporting a living breathing adult pony. Somewhere during his calculations, he had failed to notice that he had arrived at his destination and found himself muzzle to a wall. Hitting the wall hard enough to fall on his back.

Blinking slowly, he caught a glimpse of Sugarcube Corner, more specifically the solid looking wall right besides the door, before the letter he had been penning landed on his muzzle robbing him of his vision save for the bright daylight. He reached out with his magic to take the letter rolling it up. He didn’t get up, getting up felt like a bad idea. The ground was so much more comfortable than standing up. Why would ponies even want to stand up? He softly chuckled to himself, being silly could be fun especially when you stop over thinking things.

“Oh my gosh are you alright, Star?” a concerned but contrastingly happy voice asked, carefully. “That looked like it was a really strong disagreement with that wall. I mean it’s not something you see often but I can tell you that I have seen quite a few! Quite a few indeed, and that one was at least a six, maybe seven... It would have totally been an eight if you had apologised to it!” She grinned at him, offering her hoof.

“W-what?” Shooting Star said, turning his head to look at the practically bouncing ball of pink. It took him a moment to realise that the ball of pink was a pony bouncing up and down. A pony by the name of Pinkie Pie. “Oh… hey there Pinkie,” he said while trying to make sense of what the energetic pony was even talking about. Taking the hoof, he smiled as she helped him up “Thank you, erm… sorry I am a bit late, I had some difficulty in getting my mane under control.” He smiled at her somewhat sheepishly, it was quite hard to keep up with Pinkie, especially for a recluse like him.

Pinkie Pie giggled and responded in a gleefully reassuring tone, “Oh that’s okay, you’re here now. What‘s a few more minutes? I’ve been sooo excited thinking about all the fun stuff we’re going to do, I mean we are going to be baking cookies for the orphans and then we’re making treats for your super special date with Twilight that I shouldn’t know about but I do and… I shouldn’t have said that part… Oh well! The truth is I haven’t stopped bouncing since I woke up. I mean, I almost forgot to breathe I’ve been so happy.” A very long foreleg wrapped around Shooting Star’s neck and yanks him into the kitchen, "LET'S GET BAKING!” she blurted out.

******

An annoyed sigh escaped his muzzle as he stepped from the shower. This was the third shower he had to take today, and this time he wasn’t pleased with it like he had been before, showers were nice but this was ridiculous. He didn’t even have the time to dry off properly. He was forced to use a spell he had learnt from Starry to evaporate the water off his coat, which meant that his coat stood on end and puffed out a little. He had to spend a good two minutes brushing his mane and coat vigorously to get them into some semblance of order. Stepping into his living room his eyes fell on the clock on the wall.

He was late. Not very late, but late nonetheless.

A series of (non-offensive) curses slipped from the normally composed stallion’s lips. In the moment he grabbed the bottle of wine from the fridge, thankful that he’d had the foresight to enchant it with a chilling rune that morning rather than having to bother with that now. Scooping up the picnic basket and the two wine glasses he slipped them in, carefully, with the bottle. On his way out he pulled the flowers into his magic, almost managing to get them stuck between the door and its frame.

This was all Pinkie Pie’s fault he thought to himself. Shooting Star knew that she hadn’t meant for it to turn out like it had. But it had turned out that way regardless and he was risking making a bad impression on Twilight. He did feel bad for even considering being cross with her over it, but it had been her doing even if it was an accident, a very predictable accident….

Earlier that day he had gone home to clean off the flour and frosting with a nice shower while the treats they had prepared were still baking, He did not like being unable to goto the orphanage to bring the cookies in person. Being unable to see that orange little filly he had become friends with. He made a mental note to go see her tomorrow instead, to catch up. While at home he made sure that everything was as perfect as it could be. He had even found the time to get flowers for Twilight, violets her favourites.

Everything went wrong the moment he stepped into Sugarcube Corner. He regretted the decision to not have Pinkie Pie deliver the treats to his home as she had offered to do, but it had been the decision at the time so he could be sure they were warm when they went into the basket, so they’d be perfect when the date started. He hadn’t even set a hoof through the front door before Pinkie Pie, in her usual excitement and without warning, quite eagerly showed off her self-serving cupcakes. They were intended to leap right into a pony’s mouth… but instead they exploded, violently. He had found himself smeared with not one but five cupcakes.

Shooting Star’d had a half hour’s lead on the time Twilight and he had agreed on. He would have made it perfectly on time with five minutes to spare, if it hadn’t been for Pinkie Pie’s utter insanity and the insistence that it was for the betterment of… something. He wasn’t quite sure what anymore. All he knew was that he was running 5 minutes late to Twilight’s home, his mane a mess from running, the picnic basket and flowers floating in his magic beside him.

He could already see the library coming into view and smiled. How could he not smile seeing the lovely unicorn mare patiently waiting for him with what looked to be a folded blanket resting on her back. She didn’t look angry, actually as he closed in he could see her expression turn from neutral to a large smile. He smirked a little confidently in his approach. She was so beautiful when she smiled, it was the first thing he had liked about her, the way she smiled. Her smile was also what gave him the courage to avoid panicking.

“Twilight! S-sorry I’m late!” he announced with a very apologetic smile, coming to a halt a respectful distance away from her. “Please tell me you haven’t been waiting for too long? I would hate to have made you wait you like that.”

Twilight let out a soft giggle, “Please Star, don’t worry. Quite honestly I was running a little late myself... I might have fallen asleep while taking a bath,” she admitted, her cheeks lighting up just a touch, making them a cute shade of cherry red.

“That is a relief! I hate the thought of keeping a cute mare waiting,” Star said, not quite sure where he got the confidence from to be so… forwards. Not that he minded, it was nice being able to speak his mind like that. Watching her that adorable blush deepen was most definitely worth it. He wasn’t sure what he as actually doing so he simply went with the flow or rather with what felt right. For the moment it seemed that that was most seemed to be to Twilight’s liking.

She brushed it off playfully, “You’re just saying that.” Twilight started to walk the path out of town, towards the hills they wanted to go to.

“I’m not!” Star protested. He had picked up on her tone, but he thought it fun to play along. “You are very cute, Twilight. Honestly it’s the smile that captured me in the first place,” he said sincerely, walking at her side, closer than he had been standing, their coats almost brushing together. “And I do think you would prefer me being honest with you, even if that means telling you that you are…” he paused for dramatic effect, “the most beautiful made I have had the pleasure of going on a date with.”

She looked away and he panicked almost instantly. Had that been too far? Had it been too much? Had he pushed his luck already!? His fears quickly died away as she turned her head to face him. She was blushing so brightly that he for a moment pondered if her face could be used to fry an egg. He giggled, and she chimed in with the soft melody of her own giggles. “You’ve been practising that speech,” she chided.

“Maybe a little… I am… well that is to say…” he sighed softly, “This is my first date.”

Twilight smiled, “Well… we have that in common then, this is my first real date.” She smiled sheepishly at Star and lightly brushed her coat against his. “I’m happy it’s with you though. Rarity set me up with… well I don’t even remember his name. He was more Rarity’s type anyway.” Twilight smiled, “What I mean to say is that… I wouldn’t be on a date right now if I hadn’t gotten to know you before.

Star nodded with a gentle smile, “I know what you mean.” Looking away from her he noticed that they had already crossed the bridge and were walking up the path to the spot. “I don’t think I would enjoy being on a date without even knowing the pony. Then again… I don’t think there would be another pony as lovely as you out there.”

“Oh shush! Now you’re just quoting cliché romance on purpose!” Twilight smirked.

“Maybe… but it most definitely does not sound like you mind.” Star quipped back, watching Twilight shift shyly.

She looked up and smiled gently, “Yeah… I’m a bit of a sucker for those kinds of books.”

The night was perfect. It was still that nice summer warmth that made a night like this perfect for stargazing, the sky was clear and Luna had outdone herself with the heavens, it was like everything was more vibrant than it had been a few weeks ago. But Shooting Star had the sneaking suspicion that it was the presence of Twilight that made everything more vibrant.

In their moment of silence they could hear the chirping of crickets, and the soft fluttering and calls of nocturnal bird. It was peaceful out here, away from the small town. It wasn’t a heavily lit city like Canterlot or Manehatten, but being out of the town boundaries made observing the heavens so much easier. The forest itself, the Everfree Forest, looked almost gorgeous in the distance by moonlight… although the most gorgeous sight was probably Twilight Sparkle herself. He hadn’t noticed before but her mane was done up in a bun.

Star was pulled from his gawking by the snapping of a blanket right in front of his face.

“Done spacing out?” Twilight asked with a playful wink, sticking out her tongue a little.

Star wasn’t quite sure how to answer, he had been staring at her and she had noticed. Without a quip back at her he simply placed the basket on the blanket with a small smile motioning for her to get comfortable as he pulled out the bottle of wine and a plate with various hearty treats. It wasn’t a proper dinner but it also wasn’t a sugar overload like Pinkie had suggested.

Slowly Shooting Star slipped down besides Twilight, not pressed against her but sitting as close to her as he dared, offering her one of the snacks. “I… hope you like them. I made them… with some of Pinkie Pie’s help. Well… it was mostly Pinkie Pie, I ended up just stirring and passing over ingredients…”

Twilight giggled softly, “That sounds very much like Pinkie Pie,” Twilight said understandingly. “According to Applejack she is very controlling in the kitchen.” With a small smirk she accepted the pastry, taking it into her mouth straight out of his magic. An act that was considered quite a bit intimate among unicorns. Star blushed, he knew it was silly. It wasn’t as if their magic was mixing together which was tantamount to a marriage proposal.

“How is it?” he asked her nervously.

“Hmm well… do you want me to be honest?”

“O-of course” Star answered a little more nervous.

“It tastes great, Star. You shouldn’t worry so much.“ Twilight giggled softly, “Now lighten up and come sit closer!” She pulled him just a little closer to herself with a hoof around his back. Smiling, Star smiled back and squeezed her close before pulling out the bottle of wine with his magic.

“I’m not sure if you enjoy wine but… I brought some.” He said and then at the same time realising it was the only drink he had packed. He had not prepared for the possibility that she might not even like wine!

“Don’t tell anypony but… thanks to Rarity, it’s a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine.” Twilight admitted with a low giddy giggle. Much to the relief of Shooting Star who didn’t even hesitate to pour each of them a generous glass.

The night had progressed at a slow comfortable pace for both of them or so Shooting Star felt. The wine had gone slower than the evening, though both of them were now comfortably tipsy and they still had half a bottle to go. A lot of time had been spent talking about constellations and trying to spy new stars before turning into talking about their lives, ideas, hopes, plans for the future. Topics that he never had expected to discuss in such a casual manner, let alone with such a sweet mare. With the mare he was dating for that matter. The conversation eventually slipped to a topic that he had assumed would be inevitable.

Pulling Twilight ever so slightly closer to himself he whispered, “So… does this make us...” He could feel his cheeks heating up. It was such an awkward question to ask. But then it was one that needed to be asked, and answered. The long moment of silence made him dread the answer.

“Yes, I guess… this makes me your marefriend,” Twilight said with a shy smile. He noticed that she was much more confident in it than he had been, or so he assumed. The way she snuggled just a little closer to him after admitting that she was now his mare-friend told him enough. Twilight wasn’t new to this… or was hiding her nerves very well.

“That is… I don’t have any words to describe how it feels,” he admitted, smiling sheepishly at her. It was true, he couldn’t find a way to put his feelings to words. Joy, love, the desire to hold her close. But nothing could do the feeling justice. Sure he loved her but… he wasn’t sure what to say. Did words even matter?

“Words… don’t really matter right now, Star,” Twilight said, as if reading his mind. He was taken aback by it, but then quite eagerly snuggled closer.

They sat there for he didn’t know how long simply snuggled up with each other, wrapped in the duvet that Twilight had brought. It was getting late; the moon was far past its zenith. He was about to suggest that they maybe head back to Ponyville, even though he didn’t want to move away from Twilight. If he had to be honest about it he never wanted to pull away, it felt good to have a mare in his hooves. It was then that he noticed, not saying a word simply motioning to his namesake, a shooting star. For a moment, the two shared a look and smiled radiantly at one another.

Shooting Star smiled gently over to Twilight, locking eyes with her while whispering very softly. “I would make a wish, but that just seems greedy. My wish has already come true.” He winked. He knew it was cheesy, but it also felt right. More importantly it made her blush and giggle softly. Perhaps one of the most amazing sights he had seen that night. No, it was the most glorious and beautiful sight that he had seen in all his life. In his mind, there was nothing more beautiful than a smiling (and blushing) Twilight Sparkle. It was then that he knew this was true love.

Instead of words Twilight simply leaned in closer, closer than she’d had all evening. It was physically impossible to be even closer to her, their coats lightly rubbing against each other, her warmth seeping into him. He could almost taste the sweet strawberry frosting, that distantly cling to her breath, from the cupcakes they had shared before. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, quickening to the point where the beating of his own heart was almost deafening. Slowly he leaned forwards, unsure, nervous, and admittedly a little scared.

Their lips met in a gentle caress. There was a short moment of pause where Twilight wrapped her hooves around Shooting Star’s neck slowly pulling herself up to straddle his lap. He sat there, frozen in place for what seemed like an eternity. It was the gentle lick of her tongue against his lips that finally spurred him into some semblance of action. Wrapping his hooves around the small of her back holding her in a close, intimate hug. He opened his mouth to speak but was rudely interrupted by Twilight’s brazen tongue darting into his mouth. Invading without a moment of hesitation.

His eyes shot open, then closed again. Slowly Shooting Star relaxed into the kiss, allowing Twilight to take the lead in their wordless expression of affection, no, love. This was beyond simple affection, tonight had proved that to him and he assumed to her. Slowly allowing his eyes to close he started playfully wrestling with her tongue. It was a slow and gentle kiss. He could feel a gentle warmth blossoming in his chest, a deep-seated love for the mare that he held so tightly in his hooves. Slowly her cracked open one of his eyes, cheeks burning brightly with embarrassment, meeting her amethyst eyes made his heart leap.

As Twilight drew away he whispered softly, “I love you, Twilight Sparkle.”

Author's Note

This story was commissioned by Shooting Star1234.

I hope you all enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed writing it, quite honestly this is my first brush with a romance adventure (with some Slice of life) kind of story. If you have and feed back or even critisism then please feel free to leave a comment below.

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Big thanks to my editing team for giivng this a well needed pass: Javarod

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