There is always a Sparkle in the blackest hole

The Next Day
4:30 PM
Twilight P.O.V.

Twilight steps into the royal guest room of the Canterlot Castle. It was huge, with windows surrounding the room, letting in a bunch of light. The room was multiple stories up, and the bed was in the back. It was huge, the human equivalent being a king bed with silk bedsheets and many pillows. it had a canopy that hung lavender drapes from it. Besides Celestia and Luna's bedroom, it was the third most lavished bedroom in the castle. Derek soon follows Twilight into the room, setting down the luggage and getting a good look at the room.

"Wow, nice room!" Derek said aloud, placing his hands on his hips.

"It is, we'll be spending the next three days here, so get comfy." Twilight smiled at him as she stepped farther into the room. It had a fireplace that was already burning some logs, giving off a nice burning aroma.

"Oh, I definitely will!" Derek approached the bed, kicked his shoes off, and sat down on it. He then laid back and sighed with relief. "Now that is more like it! Sorry, but your brother's old bed was way too small, this is so much better!"

"Absolutely! Why did you think I had us wait till today to finally get this room? My Brother and Cadence had this while they were staying here. They left earlier this morning, leaving it open for you and me."

"Wait, so your Brother and Cadence had this room before us?" He sits up and looks back at the bed. He cringed a little, hoping the sheets were freshly clean.

"Yeah, that's why we spent the night at my parents yesterday, I wanted this room. The other rooms are nice, but this one is the most romantic." Twilight giggled as she picked up the fire stoker with her magic and began to poke at the logs.

"You just wanted the nicer bed for when we fuck later didn't ya?" Derek smirked, causing Twilight to tense up. Her cheeks began to burn bright red as she turned to look at Derek.

'N-No!... N-Not completely true!... I just... I just want this weekend to be perfect for us!" She defended, but her cheeks remained red. Derek began to laugh at her as he laid back down on the bed.

"Sure, I got ya Princess, Crystal." He continued to chuckle to himself. Twilight groans in frustration turning back towards the fireplace.

"he can be so immature sometimes." She thought to herself, before peeking back to look at him, causing him to glance back over at her. "But... It wouldn't be him if he wasn't." She gives him a small smirk, shaking her flank at him a little. He gives her a smirk back. She set the poker back down and then began to approach him. She climbed right up on top of the bed, and laid down, directly on top of him. Derek wraps his arms around her back as the two smile into each other's faces.

"You know, even though it was for just one night, I missed you being next to me," Derek admitted, leaning up and kissing her on the cheek.

"I did too. At first, I was restless, but at some point, during the night I felt comfortable and I was able to relax." She kisses him back on the tip of his nose. He smiles at her.

"Wonder what could have caused that." He joked, hinting at something he knew. Twilight only smiled as she laid her head on top of his chest. That was her favorite spot to be in. It was the closest she could be to him, it also made her feel the most comfortable, and the most protected. She loved the way he would hold her close, her head on his chest, and listening to his heartbeat. She moves her head upward, as it still lays on his chest to look up at his face. They both lean in and kiss each other on the lips. Their lips stayed locked for a long while before they finally broke the kiss. They look into each other's eyes for a moment. Twilight bites her lip, feeling herself get a little warm, but right at that very moment would be impossible for them to get intimate. In about 2 hours, was Derek's meeting with Princess Celestia, and the meeting was going to happen over dinner. Despite how much her body was relaxing, she forced herself to sit up. By the look Derek was giving her, he seemed to be a bit disappointed as well.

"Come on, we need to get cleaned up and dressed for dinner with the Princess," Twilight said as she headed for the bathroom.

"Yep, I'm on my way." Derek slowly sat up and scratched the back of his head. He stretches his back out before following Twilight into the bathroom and looking around for the soap and towels.

SharedPerspectives

"You take a shower first Dare, I'll take one afterwards. Just save me some hot water." She asked as she pulled out some towels with her magic.

"Sounds good to me." Derek took off his hat, setting it down next to the sink, and began to take off his shirt. Both of them had already been getting pretty comfortable with themselves. So much so that they were comfortable sharing the bathroom at the same time and undressing in front of each other. That didn't mean they both liked taking quick peeks at each other. As soon as Derek got his shirt off, Twilight was already giving his chest an angle. She bit her lip seeing the muscle definition in him. He had only been working for Applejack going on two weeks now, and he was already building more muscle with hard work. He finally got his pants and boxers off, grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around his waist. He finally got his socks off and approached the shower. His shoulders droop and a sigh is heard from him.
"Welp... gonna have to take a bath instead." He said. The shower was much too low, and had a standard bathtub. Not like the standing showers he was used to back at Twilight's castle.

"Will that be a problem for you?" Twilight asked turning to look at it herself.

"No, just gonna take longer for the tub to fill up." He said as he turned on the water and began to fill the tub. He sat down on the tub's edge as it began to fill up. As the water got higher, he drizzled some soap into the water, turning it into a bubble bath. Twilight couldn't help but snicker.
"What!?" He said in mock offense. "I want the royal treatment while I'm here! You're lucky I didn't light any candles." When the water was high enough, he stood back up. He took his towel off, draping it on a rack, and took one step into the tub. He sat down, slowly sinking into the water. He made a satisfying sound as he rested his arms on the sides of the tub.

"Everything to your liking Princess Derek?" Twilight teased him, causing him to shoot her a smirk.

"Just about, you could join me in here." He said, causing Twilight to start blushing again.

"J-Join you!?" She began to stutter.

"Yeah, think about it, we both can get clean at the same time, leaving us plenty of time to get dressed." His joke now turning into a serious idea. Twilight crossed her hind legs together as she gave the idea a thought. She looks at the tub, and then at Derek before answering.

"Well... I suppose you're right." She began to approach the tub, and Derek lifted his hand to her. She placed one of her hooves on his hand and he helped her keep balance as she stepped into the tub. She already could feel how warm it was, causing her to relax. She finally sat down in the water and let out a soft sigh, feeling the warm water embrace all around her. She leaned back on the opposite side of the tub and began to sink her body in.

"Feels good doesn't it?" Derek said as he leaned back down on the other side.

"Yeah, it does, so relaxing," Twilight admitted. She watched as Derek grabbed a bar of soap and began to clean his arms. He then scrubbed around his neck and then finally his chest. He looks up at her and holds up the soap.

"Want me to clean you?" He asked her, his face now beginning to turn red.

"Of course you can." Twilight began to lean forward, getting closer to him. Derek sat up as well, clutching the bar of soap. Twilight rested her hooves on his shoulders, as he began to rub the soap across her chest and then onto her back. Twilight let out a gentle moan as Derek softly massaged and cleaned her back. Derek smiled as he pulled her closer to him, rubbing the bar of soap lower on her back. Eventually Twilight leans her body against Derek, her hooves loosely wrapped around his neck. Derek's hands finally reached her haunches as he put in extra work to knead her flanks, getting them soapy.

"Was all of that an excuse for you to grab my flanks?" Twilight teased, her face inches from his.

"Perhaps." Derek gave her a wan smile. "But go ahead, tell me you don't like it." Twilight only smiled as she leaned in and kissed him. He kisses her back as he squeezes her flanks. In his current predicament, it was very difficult for Derek to hide his ever-growing excitement. The head was poking up out of the water, and his shaft slides right between her flanks. Twilight begins to blush as Derek smirks at her.

"You sure we don't have time for a quick one?" He gave her flanks a stern squeeze, causing Twilight to lightly squeal.

"Nya!" Twilight quickly covers her mouth with her hooves. "J-Just wait till after dinner you pervert!" Twilight teased.

"Pervert? Me? You're the one who joined in on MY bath, and you are the one laying on top of MY naked body while I clean you. Tell me, is it ME who is the pervert?" Derek had a shit-eating grin on his face, to which Twilight narrowed her eyes at him.

"You planned that didn't you." She accused, to which Derek's smirk only got wider.

"Perhaps." That was all he said. Twilight rolls her eyes at him before stepping out of the bath. She uses her magic to grab the towel from the rack and wrap it around herself.

"Just get yourself clean for the Princess! No fooling around till after dinner!" She said sternly before stepping out of the bathroom.

"Hey! That's my towel!" He said in protest, but she was long gone. He slumps back in the tub with a sigh and a slight chuckle.

hour and a half later

Derek was standing in front of the mirror as he trimmed his beard, making himself more presentable. He was fully dressed in his new suit from Rarity, all except his coat. He couldn't help but admire himself, he examined the suit a bit closer, smiling at the secondary color.

"Red, my favorite color. Wonder how Rarity knew that." He looks at his hat which is still sitting on the sink and smiles. "Wonder if Twilight had anything to do with that." He picked up a comb and slicked his hair to the side. After that, he found some cologne and sprites around his neck. Feeling satisfied with how he looks, he turns and steps out. His eyes widened and he held his breath when he saw her. Twilight was dressed up in the same dress she wore for her coronation, and she was gorgeous. Derek was left completely speechless, and his body was frozen. Twilight turns to look at him, her eyes lighting up upon seeing him as well.

"Wow Derek, you look so handsome." She Said with a smile, beginning to approach him.

"Thanks... you... you look... Incredible!" Derek said quite loudly, causing Twilight to blush.

"This is an old dress, I wore it for my coronation. But you haven't seen it before so I thought you would like it." Twilight said, getting right up to him. Derek slowly kneels to her, trying his best not to stress out his new suit.

"It's beautiful. You're stunning Twilight. I never thought you could get any more gorgeous." Derek then gently takes her hoof in his hand and kisses it. Twilight had to turn her head away because she was blushing so much.

"Oh Darek..."She finally turns her head back around and kisses him. He kisses her back, placing his other hand on her cheek. Eventually, he stands up straight and smiles at her.

"You ready?" He asked her, gesturing towards the door.

"Of course." She replied. Derek opens the door for her and she leads him throughout the castle. They go down a large flight of stairs, by passing a few guards who look up at Derek cautiously, yet curiously. They approach the dining room door where a single guard stands waiting for them. He bows before addressing them.

"Princess Twilight, we have been expecting you. Princess Celestia is not present yet, but you may go ahead and enter." He stands aside and opens the door, allowing them to enter.

"Thank you, sir." Twilight walks past him, Derek close behind her. They approach a rather large dining table, Derek smiles at how big it is. It looks big enough to get his legs under, Derek and Twilight sit down next to each other as they wait for the Princess. They remain silent, not talking in case the Princess comes in at any second. A few minutes tick by when they hear the door open once again. They both stand up, Derek sees Twilight already bowing, so he quickly does the same. Derek could hear two female voices chuckling at them.

"Twilight, how many times do I need to tell you, you no longer need to bow before me. You're a princess yourself now." Derek heard a soft and benevolent voice.

"Sorry princess, still just showing my respects." Twilight answers and stands back up. Derek slowly begins to rise and is completely taken aback. Before him were two giant ponies, a blue one was just a few inches shorter than him, but the white one looked him right in the eye.

"H-holy!...moly..." Derek said aloud, catching himself before he swore. The two princesses once again chuckle as the white one approaches him.

"You must be Derek Moore, Princess Twilight has told me so much about you! When I learned of a human in Equestria, I just simply had to meet you!" She spoke excitedly but still kept her regalness.

"You... Princess Celestia?" Derek asked her, he was still wide-eyed at her height.

"Indeed I am, and this is my sister and co-ruler, Princess Luna." Celestia introduced. Luna approaches Derek and smiles.

"Tis been a long time since we have seen a human in our land. Greetings." Luna said graciously.

"H-hi, Your Highnesses." Derek clears his throat and finally begins pulling himself together. "It is an honor to meet you two. I would like to thank you for giving me the time to get acquainted with your land before meeting me. My first week here was...hectic."

"We understand Mr. Moore. We hope our little ponies have been treating you with respect." Celestia said with a head bow of her own.

"Of course they have... Some have been more than respectful." Derek said while glancing down at Twilight. Twilight blushes and slightly looks away. Derek notices the smile grow wider on Celestia's face.

"But of course." Celestia winks at him. "May we continue our discussion once we begin with dinner? I am famished." Celestia approaches one end of the table, while Luna goes to the opposite side. Celestia claps her hooves together twice, and a bunch of server ponies enter the room. They began setting the table in front of them with their magic. They set down plates, silverware, and wine glasses. They light the candles in the middle and begin to fill the glasses with very expensive-looking wine. Once everything was set, three pony chefs and one griffon chef exited the kitchen holding dishes with food domes over the top of them. The three pony chefs place the trays in front of the princesses and take off the dome to reveal their dishes. Of course, their dishes were made for vegetarians which Derek understood completely. However, the griffon chef approaches him and sets his tray in front of him. Derek takes in a big sniff with his nose and his mouth instantly waters. He recognizes that smell.

"Wait... I... I know that smell." Derek was trying to guess what it was, when the griffon Chef removed the dome and Derek was met with a shocking sight, a fully cooked roasted chicken. His jaw drops, and some drool leaks from his mouth. Neither Celestia nor Luna was surprised, but Twilight was.

"Princess, you got him meat?" Twilight asked, her eyes as wide as Derek's

"Of course, didn't you tell me in your note he was omnivorous? I wanted to make sure he was fully pleased with dinner service tonight." Celestia said Nonchalantly. "When I have meetings with Griffons and Dragons, I prepare meat for them as well. So please Mr. Moore, enjoy yourself."

Derek looks to Celestia, and back to the roasted chicken on his plate. He immediately grabs a fork and knife, the smell is almost intoxicating to him, and he licks his lips. Besides fish, this was the first real meat Derek had had since coming to Equestria. He stabs his fork into the breast of the chicken and then uses his knife to begin cutting through the skin and tender meat. Juices leaked from the cut as he finally pulled off a decent chunk of the chicken. He looks at it first before placing the meat in his mouth. Tears fill Derek's eyes as he begins to chew, the flavor is incredible. It was so tender and so juicy. Not at all dry or bland.

"Oh my god... it's so good!" Derek said aloud, earning a smile from Princess Celestia.

"I'm so glad you love it Mr. Moore. I was hoping it was to your liking." Celestia replied as she took a sip of wine.

"It's more to my liking, I love it!" Derek began to cut off another piece. Even though he wanted to dive right in, he kept his manners. Dinner would go on silently as the four of them ate. Twilight would repeatedly glance over at Derek as he ate his meal. She notices how he eats most of it right down to the bone. She couldn't help but cringe a bit as Derek tore the leg off and began to bite down on it. However, though, she felt strangely a bit turned on by it. She continued to watch Derek as he reduced the chicken leg to nothing but bone and cartilage. Seeing a more predatory side of Derek made her feel a bit weird in a strange way.

Eventually, the four had their fill after dessert, Derek sat satisfied, eating most of his chicken to where it was almost nothing but bone. He and Twilight together had almost gone through two whole bottles of wine. And the Princesses were ready to continue their discussion with Derek.

"Well then Mr. Moore, we have been fully informed about the means of your... "appearance" in our land. There is no need to go over how you got here, so instead, I would like to know you personally, and know about how you have been integrating yourself into our home." Celestia smiled at how Derek was leaning back against his chair, his hand resting on his stomach. He sits up however when Celestia addresses him.

"Very well princess. My full name is Derek William Moore. My parents were named Sadie Moore and Leland Moore, and we lived in a town called Centerville. I'm 24 years old and I am currently living with Twilight in her castle, working for her friend Applejack as a farmhand. My first few days here were not good. Feeling so out of place, and the dread of being stuck in an unfamiliar place was almost unbearable." Derek spoke and turned his head to look at Twilight. He forms a smile on his face, as she smiles back. "But Twilight was always by my side. She went above and beyond to make a stranger like me feel welcome. Helping me through those days where the anxiety sits in... making me feel like this is where I truly belong now."

Twilight blushes a bit at his words, sheepishly smiling and turning her head away. Celestia and Luna both feel touched by his words and both smile warmly at him.

"I'm so happy at how well you're adapting Derek. Know that you are fully welcomed here from both of us if this is where you'd like to stay admis your nearly impossible predicament." Said Celestia.

"Thank you, princess." Derek continued to smile at Twilight, but soon his eyes widened at what Celestia just said. He looks back at the sun princess, both wide-eyed and confused. "Wait... nearly impossible?"

"Well yes." Celestia places her hooves together as Twilight looks at her. "Surely there is a way to send you back to your home. If a black hole is what brought you here, theoretically it can send you back. It's something that needs to be studied by both our best scientists, and our best mages."

Derek was completely stunned, there was a chance for him to return... home. Derek could feel some joy enter his heart, as well as... sadness. He looks back at Twilight who looks at him as well. She smiles at him, but her most distinctive feature, her eyes, told a different story. Her eyes were swelled, like she could cry at any second. She looked sad, despite the smile on her face.

"You hear that Derek? There is a chance that you might be able to g-... go home." Twilight choked on her words a bit, something that Derek noticed almost instantly, and knew exactly why. Going home means leaving... He shook his head at the thought, as he looked back at Celestia.

"I... that's great to hear princess!" Derek manages a weak smile. "I uh... I don't know what to say."

"I hear reluctance in your voice, Mr. Moore," Celestia said, her smile now vanishing. "Is there something on your mind?"

"Well... yeah actually. Despite being here a month, I've already made some certain... commitments. Commitments I don't think I want to break off yet." He eyes Twilight. Her smile was gone, now only leaving her sad eyes without a smile.

"I see." Celestia looks the two of them over. "Well then, Mr. Moore, we have no problem with you staying here. You are welcome to become a member of our kingdom if you wish to stay. But in case you want to go back to your home, we will continue to research this topic. If this world is just too overwhelming, I don't want you to feel trapped. Remember, it's your choice."

"I appreciate you giving me a choice princess." Derek bows his head to her giving her his respects.

"You are most welcome." She bows her head as well. "Well then, I feel like calling it a night. I need to sleep off that extra slice of cake."

The group stands up from the table as the castle maids and butlers enter to clean the mess. The princesses exited together, and so did Derek and Twilight. As soon as the heavy door closes behind them, they both in sync let out a large sigh. Twilight looks up at him, meeting his eyes halfway.

"What are you thinking about Derek?" She asked him, hoping to hear a specific answer.

"I don't know really." He replied. She felt her heart go into her throat, as that was not the answer she was hoping for. "Honestly, the idea is tempting. To return to normalcy... my kind of normalcy. But... the temptation is also painful... I don't want to leave. I don't want to leave you Twi."

Derek then knelt on one knee and kissed her. Twilight closes her eyes and kisses him back, a single tear rolling down her cheek. A small bit of relief hits her to know Derek doesn't want to leave her. But she knows she couldn't be selfish. If Derek wanted to leave and go back home, she'd support him... but she would never get over it. She felt his thumb wipe the tear off her cheek as they broke the kiss. She opens her eyes again to see Derek inches from her face.

"I love you Twilight." His voice was low, almost like a whisper.

"...I love you too," Twilight spoke softly back. Derek stood back up and stretched his back.

"I'm getting pretty tired, I think I'm going to turn in when we get back to our room Twi." Derek took off his suit jacket and slung it over his shoulder.

"I think I am too... will you... will you hold me tonight?" She looked up at him with puppy dog eyes. Nothing in his willpower would have ever stopped him from smiling at her."

"Of course Twi." They then began their way up the stairs to their room.