To say that the streets of Canterlot were crowded was an understatement. As the late springtime sun beamed down on the cliffside city, everypony was out and about for the annual suitor ceremony. Or, as most ponies preferred to call it, "Watch the nobles get shot down day". A long line of ponies from all walks of life lined up in their best outfits, many carrying extravagant gifts, all for the hope of getting romantically involved with princess Celestia. It was kind of sad, in a way, but also a popular spectator sport for everypony to watch the the Alicorn brutally shut down their advances while still remaining as kind and loving as ever. Very few tried more than once.

Adam let out a sigh of exhaustion. Stuck between two snooty nobles, Equestria's only human had been standing in line for ten hours on what he considered to be a gamble, but a worthwhile one. He had managed to get all the way to the throne room this time, as this year he had arrived early. He'd been living in the castle as a guest for the past year and a half since his arrival via one of Twilight's experiments gone awry.

Adam watched as a stallion came walking out of the throne room trying to look brave, but obviously holding back tears. From the looks of his dress, he was a rich noblepony aiming for the crown using his wealth as leverage, and just got reminded that Celestia was FAR wealthier than him. "NEXT!" Cried the guards at the door, and ushered the stallion in front of Adam into the doors. They then glanced at the taller human, eyes widening.

"Sir Adam? You're in line, too?"

"Yup! I figured now would be a perfect time to drop in and surprise my best friend. I know I don't have a chance, but we can laugh about it later. Plus, I've seen enough of these last year to know the drill. The suitor comes in, gets five minutes to explain why Celestia should marry them, Celly lets them down gently while also reminding them how out of their league she is, next guy comes in, repeat until sundown. She usually picks ten or so to take on a test date, and they get shot down too."

"So… you're here… why?"

"I'm giving her a break. Just watch me when that other guy comes back." As if on cue, the other stallion came back out of the throne room, sulking. Probably reminded of some political blunder from his past to knock him down a peg. Celestia could certainly be brutal when she felt like it. Steeling his nerves and taking a deep breath, Adam strode into the throne room before the guards even had a chance to call for the next suitor.

"HI, CELLY! MISS ME?" Adam felt the hundred or so eyes on him from the various castle staff and guards present, and struggled to keep from fleeing. He wasn't wearing anything special, just his custom-made day-to-day clothes Rarity had made for him, and he didn't seem to be carrying a gift.

Celestia, sitting atop her throne, blushed and recoiled in surprise. "Adam? You're one of the suitors?"

"Yup! And I got a special present, just for you, Celestia! Behold!" Adam plopped down and sat cross-legged on the floor, grinning as he closed his eyes in a meditative state. "Five whole minutes of silence." Adam kept his eyes closed, and while he personally didn't enjoy sitting still for long, he knew Celestia needed a break after all the time today she had spent listening to nobles prattle on about their achievements, or bloodlines, or wealth, and even that one guy who showed off his Celestia body pillow collection. He just sat there, listening to nothing, looking at nothing, and feeling the warm rays of the evening sun on his back as it reflected through one of the many stained glass windows.

After a while, Adam sighed. "I feel like that was longer than five minutes. Oh well, I'll take my leave now. Have a nice day, Celes-MPH?!" Adam's eyes shot open as a pair of pony lips connected to his, kissing him with passion and love the likes of which he was not expecting. As his eyes refocused, he saw that it was Celestia who was giving him such a powerful smooch, and she seemed to be savoring every moment of it. After what felt like an eternity to Adam's addled brain, Celestia pulled back for air, her eyes fluttering open with an expression of pure love.

"Yes."

"Celly, what do you mean, yes?"

"Yes, I will marry you."

Adam scooted backwards, looking frightened. "But I… What I mean to say is… Um…"

Celestia's giggling brought his thoughts back to reality. "Let me guess, Adam. You were just trying to do something nice for me, right? Because you're smart enough to come to the conclusion based on everypony I turn down to think that you didn't have a chance. And you STILL did this to make me smile."

Adam's jaw dropped. She had figured out his plan faster than he expected! And judging by how fast she was on him after he opened his eyes, she had to have been standing in front of him in preparation. He managed to stammer out a question. "...Why?"

"Adam, look at me." That got the young man to flinch. He knew what she meant by that, and it wasn't usually good. "Please? For me?" She pleaded, and watched as Adam seemed to wrestle with his inner thoughts before slowly removing his glasses. Ever since he arrived in Equestria, the natural magic boosted his 'talent' of empathy. And with that came the 'Soul Gaze', a powerful magical ability that let him see into another's heart by making eye contact. His glasses normally acted as a barrier and allowed for normal eye contact until he learned to control his new power, but he kept the cosmetic lenses just in case. Adam folded his glasses and tucked them into his shirt collar, and looked Celestia in the eyes.

It seemed to take an unknown amount of time, but in truth it took less than a second. Images and emotions flashed across Adam's mind as he magically pierced Celestia's mind to find the cause of her emotions. Scenes of all the fun times they had together, from picnics to stargazing, played out in chronological order across his brain. And with each, he felt her emotions. Happiness. Joy. Relief from a long day. But with each new scene, he felt the emotion of love growing stronger and stronger, each memory raising the intensity until they all blended together like a collage of pictures into the magenta eyes he had first gazed at, overflowing with love.

Adam stepped back. "I… I see it. I see… you."

"You don't treat me like royalty, Adam. You treat me like a friend, and do so much to make me and my sister smile without asking for anything in return. How could I not fall in love with you?"

"But… me?"

"I would accept nothing less than the best and most compassionate being for a potential husband. But, I can tell you're anxious. So how about we start slow, with a date? Would you like that?"

Adam put his glasses back on and looked at his friend once more. "You know what, Celly? Sure. I'll try."

"That's all I ask of you."

Author's Note

Surprise! New story!

I felt like I needed a change from my current universe to keep myself invested in writing. My other stories will update, too. Although this place is in a different AU, I was half expecting Arca to barge in chasing The Duck... with dynamite... you know he would.