One look in her bedroom mirror in the Castle of Friendship and Twilight Sparkle was sure somepony had cursed it in her sleep. She didn't have split ends going in every direction, and her left eye totally wasn't twitching nervously. Oh no. She didn't look like a maniac at all.
That would be silly. The mirror was just lying to her. It wasn't like she was about to do something that could make or break her heart for the rest of her life. And seeing as she was an alicorn, she had a lot of life left in her.
Before she could lose track of her thoughts completely, Twilight breathed deeply, before letting it all out with a hoof gesture. One that Cadance had taught her many years before. In her first year as Princess Celestia's personal student in fact.
The thought of Cadance made Twilight's heart flutter and blush come to her cheeks. It was for Cadance that she was making herself as beautiful as she could. Or at least she hoped so. She wasn't Rarity or Fluttershy when it came to this sort of thing.
And she had made it a point of pride not to ask either of them for help with this part. Even though Rarity had almost had a heart attack at the thought of not helping one of her best friends with her first date.
Date. The word made Twilight gulp. It was a huge step for her and Cadance. Her old foalsitter had been her first real friend. And in a way, Cadance was the sibling and sister that Twilight had never had, but always wanted.
For a time after her Entrance Exam and becoming the personal student of the ruler of Equestria, the two of them had seen less and less of each other. Cadance had still foalsat her when her parents had gone out for the night or some such thing.
But that had grown less and less as time went on. Cadance had begun to grow into her role as the Princess of Love and sometime ambassador of Equestria to other nations, and Twilight had thrown herself into her studies at the School of Gifted Unicorns.
It had been the failed Changeling Invasion of Canterlot the year before had been the beginning of a change though. Her rescue of the real Cadance from the mines and their efforts to end Chrysalis' plot had changed something in the young unicorn.
Once the dust had settled, she and Cadance had agreed that they needed to reconnect. Having shown her how to get Dragonfire Mail, with help from Spike, of course, they had begun to exchange letters all the time.
But it had only been after the return of the Crystal Empire, the discovery of Cadance's long lost connection to the previous Crystal Princess, and the defeat of Tirek, had it finally clicked for Twilight what she had begun to feel for her fellow princess.
Whether it was her holding the Love Magic Cadance held or not, it finally made sense to Twilight. She was crushing on her old foalsitter. Hard. But that leads to another problem. Knowing what the problem was, and doing something about it, were two different things.
What if she confessed, and Cadance said no? Or worse yet, broke off their friendship and never wanted to see her again? What if all of this destroyed their friendship? Twilight didn't want that. She couldn't even think of what that would be like, and tried to push the thought away.
It had taken a rather frank talk with Princess Celestia, and a rather spirited one with Princess Luna, that convinced Twilight that this was worth pursuing. But it had taken an even more blunt talk with Sunset of all people, to get Twilight to propose this. The fiery-haired girl could be convincing when she wanted to be.
None of them could say how Cadance would react to Twilight's confession of course. But all had given their support. Luna had the ice cream in standby, and Sunset had arranged a sleepover for all of them, no matter what happened. From what she had been saying, Pinkie Pie had been preparing a celebratory batch of cupcakes to share with everyone, even though it hadn't even happened yet.
Twilight just chalked it up to Pinkie being Pinkie. No matter what world she was in it seemed, somethings never changed with her.
So now here she was. She had convinced Cadance to come to Ponyville for the day. Just for fun and relaxation, as Twilight had explained in the letter that she had sent a few days before.
As far as Cadance knew, that was all it was for. Or so Twilight hoped anyway. But she also hoped all of this would lead to something more. Rarity had made a special dress for her just for the occasion, Fluttershy had been kind enough to lend her bird choir, and Applejack was providing the food for the day out.
Her student, Starlight Glimmer, though, seemed to be enjoying her role the most though. She had the job of making sure no one, and Twilight meant no one, interfered with their date. Twilight loved all of her friends. She really did. But they had an annoying habit of sticking their snouts in other pony's businesses without permission or before they were ready.
Twilight swore that Starlight had squeed in delight, and had done a little happy dance on the spot when she had asked the unicorn for her help.
But that was all beside the point anyway. Today was about her and Cadance. Today was the day Princess Twilight Sparkle confessed her undying love to one Princess Cadance, and buck the consequences.
Either Twilight swept the mare of her dreams off her hooves. Or she would drown her sorrows in ice cream and a sleepover with friends.
Twilight really hoped it was the former. Time to find out.
***
As the Crystal Empire Express sped down the track, Empress Mi Amore Cadenza sighed as she watched the scenery speed past the window, her mind on her destination, and the mare waiting for her at the end.
Twily's letter a few days before had come as a welcome surprise and a well-needed break. Her idea for a girls' day out just for the two of them was exactly what Cadance needed at the moment.
It wasn't that she didn't like the Crystal Empire, or that the ponies didn't like her. Far from it in fact. The revelation of her connection to the old Royal Family had come as a shock to literally everypony. But it had only endeared her to the crystal ponies even more.
The empire ran itself so well now, that Cadance found herself with more and more free time. She had been more than happy to delegate most matters to her advisors, who knew more of how the empire than she ever would, but she had never thought it would be so boring.
With the Equestria Games behind them, the empire had returned to almost normal. So Cadance was more than happy for any kind of distraction from her boredom at the moment.
But something else was on her mind as well. It had been incredibly faint, but she had felt something else on Twilight's letter other than what was written. It came with being the Princess of Love, and it hadn't been the first time in her life she'd felt the same.
Twilight couldn't feel that way about her. Could she?
It gave Cadance plenty to think about though, as the train sped on.
Author's Note
Romance might not be my best thing, and I freely admit that. But this is my all-time favorite ship. Twilight and Cadance just work so well together. Friendship and Love. Need I say more?
This is also my first contest entry. I don't expect to win anything in it. But I honestly don't care if I don't.
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.
