Of Friendship and Love

All things considered, Twilight thought as she took a bite of her cucumber sandwich, the afternoon had gone better than she had hoped it would. But the butterflies in her stomach would not leave her alone.

All of her friends had joined her in welcoming Cadance back to Ponyville. While they might not have her known her as well as Twilight, or not at all in Starlight's case, they still liked her.

With their customary Ladybug Dance out of the way, Twilight had been more than happy to show Cadance around the Friendship Castle, since the elder alicorn had never really had a chance to see it before now.

And Twilight would admit that she and Cadance had spent more time than she had planned going over the Cutie Map. A part of her had hoped that an outside opinion might help her understand it more.

But Cadance had been even more confused than she herself had been, so Twilight had put it aside. From there, they had gone to a surprisingly quiet lunch at Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie Pie had been nowhere to be found, and only the Cakes were there.

It had been at that point, that Twilight had received a mental ping from Starlight, saying that the unicorn had to literally drag Pinkie away and tie her up so that she and Cadance could have something approaching a quiet lunch.

Twilight made a mental note to make it up to her friend later.

From there, it had only gotten worse. Everyone but Applejack seemed had tried to spy on the two of them at some point during the day. Her farmer friend was even helping Starlight make sure no one got in the way of it.

That was going to be a conversation Twilight was not looking forward to having.

The rest of the day though had passed in relative peace and quiet. With no real plans in mind, Twilight and Cadance had just strolled around Ponyville, making conversation with anypony that wanted to. Several friendship problems had been solved as well, and Twilight tried not to pat herself on the back on how she'd handled those.

Now though, she and her friend sat and watched the sunset from a secluded corner of Sweet Apple Acres, recommended by Applejack as the best spot to watch the sun go down and the moon rise each evening. Twilight had brought along some sandwiches and the best Apple Cider the Apple Family had to try and loosen her tongue.

It wasn't working so far, and if Cadance noticed how quiet Twilight had become since they had come out here, she didn't say anything.

Cadance let out a contented sigh as she finished her sandwich. "We really need to do this more often Twilight. It's nice not to have to worry about something. Unlike last time."

Twilight nodded, her gaze darkening. "I still can't believe Discord did that to us. He got his comeuppance in the end. But I'm still not happy about it."

Cadance giggled as she wrapped a wing around the younger mare. "Fluttershy has more patience than most ponies I know if she has to deal with him all the time."

Twilight nodded, leaning into the embrace. "Thank you again for coming today Cadance. I just. Needed a day to relax."

Cadance nodded, smiling. "I did too Twilight. The Crystal Empire runs itself pretty much at this point. Some days, I'll be lucky if anypony comes to see me and asks for my help."

Twilight giggled. "That does sound boring. After the mess with Starlight, I've been on edge. More than I've ever been I think. I trust that she's changed, and she shows it too! But."

Cadance nodded. "But after going through all you and Spike did, a part of you still can't help but think the worst?"

Twilight sighed. "I know it's not fair to Starlight. But I can't help it."

Cadance nodded, as she held Twilight closer. For a time, neither said anything, just happy to be together, as the sun continued to sink toward the horizon.

A part of Twilight was kicking herself for not saying something. They were together now. It was the perfect chance, but her brain refused to make the connection.

Until, seemingly on its own, her mouth blurted out. "Cadance. Have you ever liked a stallion like... You know?"

Twilight clapped her hooves over her mouth, a horrified blush coming to her cheeks. Cadance giggled at the sigh, though she was surprised by the question.

"Have I ever liked a stallion like that?" She replied with a smirk. "No. I don't even like stallions in that sense at all. I've always been more attracted to mares. Even when I was a Pegasus, I was always attracted to mares."

Twilight looked at her in some surprise. "Really?"

Cadance nodded, gazing at Canterlot. "Aunt Celestia knows I always have. She never seemed to care. Aunt Luna took a little longer to come around to the idea, but even she doesn't mind."

That was a load off Twilight's shoulders to be sure. "What about the Crystal Empire?"

Cadance rolled her eyes a little. "Most of the crystal ponies know where I swing. Nopony seemed to care when it finally came out. Maybe a few stallions, but that was about it." She looked at Twilight with concern. "Why do you ask?"

Twilight hesitated, too afraid to take that next step. She was aglow that a part of her fears was unfounded, but another part remained. "I.I..."

Cadance pulled her closer, her expression softening. "You know you can tell me Twilight? I won't hate you."

Twilight looked into her eyes, and she saw that she meant every word of it. It was more than she could take. Without warning, she leaned up and pressed her lips to Cadance's.

The pink alicorn jolted in shock and surprise but didn't pull away. The two held the kiss for a time, before Twilight finally pulled away, a hopeful look in her eyes.

Cadance tried to get her racing thoughts under control. She could feel the same feeling as before, the one she had felt in Twilight's letter. "Do you mean it Twilight?" Everything from here on hinged on Twilight's response.

Twilight nodded, trying to look confident. "I love you Cadance. I've loved you for a long time. I want to be with you. Nopony else has ever made me feel this way before." She sniffed, as her confidence fell. "Please don't hate me. Please don't stop being my friend."

And there it was. There was what had stopped Twily from telling her sooner. What had stopped them from ever being more than friends for a long time? It broke Cadance's heart to hear it from Twilight.

She reached out and took Twilight's hooves on her own. Twilight looked at her, hope conflicting with despair that she had just destroyed a friendship that was so important to her. Cadance's smile put to rest any thought of that.

Cadance booped Twilight's snout. "You silly filly. I could never hate you, and I would never stop being your friend. I'm kind of insulted you think I would."

Twilight's ear flattened. That bit deeper than she had thought it might. But a part of her was hopeful now. "Then?"

Cadance nodded slightly, her smile growing. "I don't know what the future might hold. But I do know one thing. I want to give this. Us. A try."

That was all Twilight needed to hear as she squeed in delight, before kissing Cadance again. This time though, Cadance was more than happy to return it in full.

In the distance, a chorus of "Awwwww!" Could be heard, and a certain pink party pony rushing off to prepare the celebration.

Twilight didn't care as she and Cadance held each other. She didn't know what the future might hold for either of them and for the first time in her life.

Twilight Sparkle didn't care.