Tangled Wings

Chapters

The secret admirer (Twilight)
Dancing with Moonbeams (Twilight)
A short meeting (Twilight)
When will the Sun Rise? (Derpy)
A letter of Love (Derpy)
Wrestling with love (Twilight)
“I’m in what?!” (Twilight)
A Special Dinner (Derpy)
The after party (Twilight)

The secret admirer (Twilight)

“Oh Twiiiiliight!” Spike’s sing-song voice echoed through the crystal palace. I knew what it was about but didn’t want the teasing.

“Not right now Spike, I’m in the middle of a very important experiment.” I was trying to make a spell that could make my laundry do itself. I would have a lot more time for friendship missions and research if I didn’t have to worry about chores.

“You know I could just wash your clothes for you right?” Spike arrived in the hallway with his hands behind his back.

“I don’t want to burden you with them. Besides then you’d see my delicates… no. I’ll do it myself with magic.” I focused on the next portion of the spell.

“Twilight the last time you tried this you somehow filled all the cabinets in the kitchen with bubbles. Everytime I grabbed a dish I got a bath. Not something I want to relive, though I was really clean that week.” Spike stood still in some sort of daydream I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. At least he forgot about-

“Oh! You got another gift from your secret admirer.” He pulled the badly wrapped gift out from behind his back and shook it. Something inside buzzed and I cringed.

It was flattering to think some pony out there was attracted to me, Celestia knows no pony else was. But the strange presents delivered in the mail were somewhat disturbing and hazardous.

“I’m afraid to open it.” I looked at the layers of duct tape woven around it in a haphazard pattern. Of course that’s if I could open it.

“What’d they send you last time? Chocolates right?” Spike handed the box over to my magical aura to take.

“Chocolates with bits of glass in them. Luckily they were sticking out on the top and I didn’t try to eat them first. I’m not sure if this “admirer” likes me or is out to kill me.” I scanned the inside of the box first but nothing came back as explosive.

“The time before that it was a blanket right?”

I remembered staring at the strange warm thing that came in the first box. It was a squarish roundish fuzzy piece of cloth. I wasn’t sure what it was supposed to be. Somehow the seamstress managed to sew folds into it and it barely covered me. But it was so soft. I wanted to use it but I couldn’t figure out how.

“Ok, I’ll open it,” I said after the last scan showed no magical tampering had taken place. I placed the box gently on the table, one that was sure I wouldn’t miss if things went wrong. Slowly I peeled away strip after strip of tape. How it stuck to my magic I couldn’t figure out, but eventually the item lay innocently bare. Until a buzzing came from it again.

“What is that?” Spike asked hesitantly.

“We’re about to find out.” I prodded the glued end of the box and slowly drew back the flap. Instantly the buzzing increased as an irate flash bee escaped. Its mandibles clicked and it narrowed its eyes on us.

“They sent us bees!” Spike cried and dove behind the couch. “What is wrong with them?!”

The flash bee dive bombed me a few times before I was able to get out of its way. It was painful. My flank was burnt and swollen from its electric venom. I knew Fluttershy wouldn’t forgive me if I rainbow blasted it to bee heaven. She would remind me the creature was scared and confused. So I opened a portal next to it somewhere in the fields. The sudden change in air pressure guided it out and I closed it as the bee left.

“It’s gone, Spike,” I said, rubbing the sore spot.

“Are you sure? They didn’t send more of them?” A nearby pillow asked and shook as I inspected the rest of the package.

“Huh? There are flowers in here too.” I pulled out a couple of bright looking bulbs. They looked like tulips that were bright red and blue with roots still covered in dirt.

“Look, a note!” Spike was on the case again, his fear forgotten, pulling out a crumpled sheet of paper. “Roses are red, violets are blue, I like you, do you like me too?”

“So it is somepony that wants a romantic relationship.” The other presents just had cards that said secret admirer on them.

“Look they spelled secret right this time.. still working on admirer though.” Spike shook his head and placed the note down.

“That’s it!” I shouted as the flowers made sense. My admirer gathered those shades to match their poem. They had been hastily snatched from the garden in front of the castle.

“What’s it?” Spike looked closely at the flowers and came to the same conclusion I had. Or I think he did.

“What are you going to do, Twilight?”

“I’m going to write this ‘admirer’ back. Tell them if they want me to like them so much stop sending me glass and bees and tell me themselves.” My quill raced across the page. Enough was enough. I didn’t want my mail to be filled with trepidation. I wanted to enjoy my mail like everypony else. I wasn’t sure how much they enjoyed it but I was sure it was a lot more than me.

“But-but how are you going to find them?” Spike hopped up next to me watching me write my own letter for once. “There was no return address.”

“Derpy.”

“Derpy?”

“She’s the one that brings the mail. She would know who’s sending them.” It made sense. If anypony knew who this mysterious suitor was it would be the one who brings the packages.

“But she barely remembers who she is half the time? How is she going to know?” Spike followed me as I put the letter in an envelope and strode to the door.

“You don’t give her enough credit, Spike. She’s not that bad. She’s actually kind of sweet in her own way.”

“That doesn’t make her any smarter.” Spike sighed as we made our way to the main door. I was going to take this letter to the mailmare myself.

“You have to see the good in ponies, Spike. We all have our quirks. We all have our strengths. You just have to give her a chance.” I opened the door and jumped. The mail pony was still there.

“Hi!” She said with an exaggerated wave.

“Uh hi. Derpy! Good thing you’re here! I have a letter I want you to mail.” I put the letter in hooves.

“Yes Princess Twilight,” she said with a salute. She was about to take off when I put a hoof on her shoulder. “Hmm?”

“I didn’t tell you where yet.” She closed her wings and looked up at me, shaking her head back to focus her eyes. “I need you to deliver this letter to the pony that’s been mailing me these packages.”

“Th-the secret admirer?!” She gasped a little then reddened.

“Yes. That one, do you know them?”

“Yes...”

“Do you know where they live?”

“Yes…”

“Please deliver that letter to them.” I waited while she stared at me for a while as if unsure where to move. Her eyes went sideways and she didn’t correct them this time.

“I can’t,” she said with a sad look on her face. She looked like she was about to cry.

“It’s ok, calm down. I can do it if you tell me where they live.” I put on my most gentle smile.

“No, I can’t deliver this letter because you already did.” Derpy’s eyes filled with tears and I stared at her not comprehending. I haven't delivered anything yet. I just gave her the- oh!

“Derpy?” I placed a hoof on her shoulder. I wasn’t sure what to say.

“I-I am your secret admirer.” The mailmare broke down and began to cry. I wasn’t trying to upset her by finding out who she was, I just wanted to know.

“Why don’t you come inside? We’ll make you some tea and we can talk ok? Spike can deliver the rest of your mail.” I ushered her inside.

“Oh thanks…” Spike said flatly.

“You can help with the mail and probably see your friend Gabby.” I added. I knew how he felt about her. His tail shot straight back and his eyes bulged a little.

“Ok, sold! Where’s the rest of the mail?” He looked around eagerly as I helped the deflated admirer to the table.

“There isn’t any, it’s my day off. It didn’t feel right to take the time to bring the Princess presents and get paid for them.” She sat down and noticed the flowers I had just extracted. It was starting to make a lot more sense.

“It’s ok, just compose yourself for a moment while I talk to Spike, alright?” I wanted to help her but I had no idea what I should say. I needed advice.

Spike looked a little dejected he wasn’t able to escape. I quickly pulled him around the corner to talk. He glanced at the upset mare at the table then followed me.

“What should I do?!” I asked, shaking him slightly.

“What do you mean?” He asked looking up at me as if nothing mind blowingly earth shattering had happened.

“She’s my secret admirer Spike! What should I say? What should I do?!” This was no time to play dumb. It was an emergency!

“Ohhhh yeah, so what are you going to tell her?”

“That’s why I’m asking you!”

“Well, do you like her? I mean you said she’s sweet, right?” Spike asked, raising his claws in a nonchalant manner.

“Sweet is one thing but she likes me, Spike! Like likes me! Can she even date? Does she know what that really means?” It was not something I ever prepared for. Love is kind of a part of friendship so I should have but this was definitely more in Cadence’s court.

“You’re the one that said not to underestimate her. She might not fully know everything but she does have feelings for you and she’s trying to show them. Maybe you should give her a chance, like you said. At least one date.” My own points were being stabbed into me with some mirth. He found the whole thing funny. I could see it in his eyes.

“Oh No!” There was a shout and crash. I closed my eyes and braced myself for the possible destruction of the room I left her in.

“Derpy? Are you ok?” I asked coming around the corner only to be bowled over as she ran into me. There was a roll and a flop as we both ended up on the ground in a heap. Luckily we avoided the cliche compromising position but managed a tangled mess of hooves and wings instead.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, trying to avoid mentioning the collision that just took place. Obviously something upset her or scared her. I didn’t want to think about what crashed.

“I didn’t mean to send you bees! I didn’t! They were flowers when I put them in the box, I swear.” She placed her hooves over her eyes and sobbed.

She must have read the letter I wrote. I cursed my lack of foresight for not taking it back from her. I cleared my throat as I tried to get up but the upset pegasus writhing around didn’t make it easy.

“I found the flowers, and there was only one bee.” I was finally able to get on my hooves but Derpy remained deflated on the ground. “Did you pick them from the garden?”

She nodded, still trying to hide her face. It was really cute but also heartbreaking. I tried not to think about the former. “It’s likely the bee was in the flower you picked and placed them both in the box. But I’m not sure how you got glass in the chocolate.”

“I dropped it the tray I made them on. It was made of glass and when I took the chocolate out I didn’t know how hot it was. It burned my hooves and I dropped it. The glass broke and I couldn’t tell which parts were glass and which parts were the salt I put on top…” She looked at the ground. “Do you at least like the blanket?”

“Well it is the softest, warmest blanket I ever used.”

“I used my down in it. So it was warm and soft, and some part of me would be close to you.” She looked at me, her honey eyes wide and full. There was so much hope there, I knew she meant the gesture to be sweet, not as creepy as it sounded.

“Well it’s very soft…” it was the only thing I could think of.

“So what now?” Derpy said slowly standing up, still looking at me with those big eyes.

“Well the bee is gone, the chocolate I had to throw out, but the blanket is still in my bedroom. So it’s not like there was much harm done.” I looked over at Spike who smacked his forehead. I realized that’s not what she was asking and I was stalling.

“Oh that what now… uh.” What should I say? Should I give her a chance? Would I survive that? Or should I let her down as gently as possible? But wasn’t this the opportunity I was looking for? Some pony that liked me because of who I was not because I was a princess. Derpy was simple, but honest and loyal. Her displays of love may not be extravagant but I never needed that.

“Ok, we’ll at least go on one date and see how it goes.” I figured it was the least I could do for her. She really tried hard and that sweet innocence was rather refreshing and intoxicating.

The words barely left my mouth before I was knocked over again. This time it was definitely more compromising. I lay on my back with an excited, joyous pegasus on top of me. Her hugging wasn’t to Pinkie’s level but close. She didn’t want me to go anywhere.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you, Princess! I knew you were the best pony to tell my feelings to. Doc said it would never work but I knew you wouldn’t turn me away.” She buried her head in my chest and rubbed her face in my floof.

“Right, uhh, so when did you want to go on this date?” I wasn’t sure she understood I was just going to go out with her. It didn’t mean we were going out. Or did it?

“Ooo! Our first date! I can’t wait! I can’t wait! How about now?! Or maybe tonight? Doc told me exactly what to do! He said he would help me if this worked.” She hopped off me and half fluttered around half pronged. She bumped the chandelier which sent it swinging wildly back and forth.

“Watch out!” I grabbed her to make sure she didn’t send it crashing down on her head. She immediately curled up in my hooves.

“I didn’t know you were the cuddly type. I don’t mind but aren’t we supposed to wait until after the date?” The pegasus had shrunk into an easily cuddleable ball.

“I was just trying to save the- it’s fine. I look forward to tonight.” I needed to get her excitement out of the castle to keep things intact. I decided it would be best to walk her to the door so she couldn’t break anything else.

“Can we dress fancy?! I want to dress fancy for our date.” Derpy tried bouncing in my hooves but I was able to maneuver her outside.

“A fancy date. Do you have fancy clothes?”

“Yeah! Roseluck said she’d let me borrow them! See you tonight!” She tried to fly off again but I held her.

“What time? And where?” I didn’t want the poor mare running all over the place or showing up in the middle of my shower to go out.

“How about evening? And meet at Doc’s house? Is that good?” She returned to her sweet naïve innocence.

“That’s fine. See you tonight.” I slowly let her go.

She beamed like a beacon. “I know you’re excited. You held me the whole way out. I knew this was a good idea!”

She laughed then flew off into the air. I wasn’t sure where she was going. It certainly wasn’t in the direction to her house or the Doc’s but she soared through the clouds like a poem. I felt oddly lighter watching her, and missed that warm of her form on my body. Was I that needy or was it actually something more? I guessed I would find out that night.

“Spike? Do you think the ‘princess’ dress is too much for a first date?” I levitated the garment in front of me in front of the mirror. It looked as beautiful as when Rarity first designed it. I knew it fell out of fashion a while ago but I never cared about what was current. It seemed like a dress for a special occasion and I wanted Derpy to know she was special.

“Uhh aren’t you taking this a bit seriously? I mean Derpy would probably be happy if you showed up in a trash bag. Let’s hope she doesn’t.” Spike didn’t look away from his comic. He always did that when he was uncomfortable. I wondered why a date would bother him until I realized I never went on one before.

“She’s worked really hard. I should at least show her my best. She deserves that.” I placed a plain dress over the other then threw it on the bed with the rest. It was much too plain to be considered “fancy.” In the end I settled on the princess dress. I wasn’t sure where we were going but it was so well known for me that I’m sure it would do.

I found myself impatient and a little nervous. I walked around the castle and couldn’t focus enough to read. Was I really looking forward to this or just trying to check it off my lists of things to do? I couldn’t think like that, not for a date. She deserved my full attention and enthusiasm. The thought made me relax a little. I suddenly didn’t care if I was really looking forward to it or not. It was a date and I would be there mentally and physically.

I arrived at Doctor Whooves’ home a little early. It’s better to be early than late and I couldn’t focus on anything else. Sudoku could only distract me for so long and the books felt a little dry. I looked into all the things that could go wrong on a date but it seemed self fulfilling and I didn’t want a disaster.

I knocked on the door much harder and faster than I expected. It was hard to stand still and I glanced back and forth as the citizens of Ponyville passed by. Most of them were just curious.

The door opened and a mare timidly peaked out. It was strange seeing Roseluck away from the flower stand and her friends/coworkers. But she slowly came out with a look of shock on her face. I felt like I had interrupted something or somehow failed at this already.

“Princess Twilight? You actually came?” Roseluck looked like I was a ghost or a hologram. She even poked my shoulder then put her hoof down looking ashamed.

“Yes? What’s wrong?” I wasn’t sure what this was about.

“Are you actually taking Derpy on a date?” Roseluck asked, more shocked than anything.

“Well she asked me so I guess she’ll be taking me on one.” I was a little embarrassed that something like this was so hard to imagine. Was I that geeky that ponies didn’t think I would date? Was that why no pony ever asked me out before?

“Well, she’s ecstatic. The Doc is still trying to hold her still enough to get her ready. I’m kind of surprised you weren’t just humoring her.” Roseluck opened the door and waved me in. I followed finding a bunch of strange devices and instruments that I didn’t know what they were for. Maybe I should pay the doctor a visit and learn about them all.

“Well, I’m mostly flattered anypony wants to date me. She’s a sweet mare. It’s hard not to like her.” I found myself saying something I truly believed. It was hard not to like Derpy.

“I know, but are you really going to date her? I know it’s just a date but she gets so … fixed. I don’t want her hopes dashed. It's been a hard time getting her to acknowledge her feelings for you. I hope you understand what that all means, not that I want you to feel pressured or anything. Only date her if you like her in that way of course.” Roseluck looked around like a conpony caught in a lie.

“She means a great deal to you. I won’t hurt her. If it doesn’t work out I’ll find a way to break it to her gently.” Though I had no idea how.

“That’s all I ask.” The mare turned and called out to the back. “Princess Twilight is here!”

“Really? Great whistling stallions! I have to tighten this cor-“

“Princess Twilight! I’m almost ready!” Derpy’s excitement was like a wave or a sonic rainboom. The room felt a little brighter. Perhaps she hit a light.

“There!” The hard working Doctor cried with a satisfied huff. Then he and the excited mare appeared from the back.

Derpy was stunning. Her mane was combed and braided into two long strands that ran around her head and interwove in the back. She had a bright red corset on and a black and red striped full gown. She twirled and whirled around on her way to me.

“Isn’t it pretty?” She asked as she spun it around, watching the panels fan out. “Doc had it made for me!”

“Yes,” I said in a near breathless whisper.

“I’m glad you like it, “ Doctor Whooves said, placing a handkerchief to his forehead and dabbing. “Now Princess please be careful with her. Don’t give her more than one or two glasses of wine, bring her home by 11 at the latest, and try to avoid any place where the glasses are stacked.”

“I’ll write that down,” I said, pulling my notebook out and making some checkboxes.

“No! Don’t worry about that, Princess,” Roseluck interrupted. “Just show her a good time please.”

“Yes… of course,” the Doc said with an embarrassed cough.

“Are you ready, Princess Twilight?” The beautified pegasus bounced happily in front of me.

“Yes, where are we going?”

“The Hayburger!”

I paused for a moment and allowed what she declared to register. The Hayburger was a grease filled, fast food palace of deliciousness. But it wasn’t known for ponies dressing up to go.

“Are you sure you don’t want to take me to some place… fancier?” I asked with an uncertain smile.

“But it’s your favorite place, I see you there all the time. I don’t want to take you to a place you don’t like. I don’t want to get it wrong.” She looked away with fear and disappointment in her eyes.

“I think the Princess is saying ‘you’re dressed so fancy you should go to a restaurant that’s fancy’. Not that she doesn’t like the Hayburger.” Roseluck winked at me and patted the deflated mare on the back.

“Yes, that’s what I was thinking.” I assured her.

“A fancier place hmmm…” Derpy sat for a while in thought. Her eyes darted back and forth as if she was reading. Then they separated again. “What about … the Hay…burger?”

“How about ‘Fruit of the Vine’?,” Roseluck hastily suggested. “It’s our friend, Berry Punch’s place. She just opened and could use a Princess visiting. It’s pretty fancy, and you know her Derpy.”

“Yeah! Berry Punch is nice!” The mare immediately refilled with enthusiasm. She ran out the door and I quickly followed.

“Have a good time!” Roseluck called as we left. I couldn’t help but notice the unease on both of their faces.

Derpy paused for a second and waited for me, pronging in place, then took her take off stance. My mind became a blur of calculations and trajectories. At her strength and the amount of thrust she needed she would take off and hit the nearest building.

“Why don’t we take off together,” I quickly said. “From about here.”

“Kay!”

She and I took off at a much more logical spot and avoided any collisions. It made me think that she wasn’t as klutzy as she seemed. Perhaps her physical impairment made it hard for her to see what the best place to start from was.

We arrived at the Fruit of the Vine without incident. I just had to encourage her to fly a little higher or swerve at a tighter angle. She happily obeyed, not taking any of my suggestions as criticism. We landed together, safely amongst a throng of ponies gathered by the restaurant’s doors. It looked like the business’s opening night.

“It’s PrincessTwilight! Get a picture!”

The entrance flooded with light as flash bulbs fired around us. Berry was standing by the door welcoming guests and quickly intervened.

“Princess Twilight, what a lovely surprise! Have you come to sample some fine dining and wine?” She prompted with a confused glance at my date.

“Yes.. it looks like such a glamorous place.” I said admiring the heavy wooden structure. It looked like bars I had seen in pictures from Prance. I noticed a few ponies that had ties there inside.

“A perfect place to bring a date, right?” Berry pressed a little harder. “It has the essence of Prench romance.”

“Oooo… so that’s why we’re having our date here?!” Derpy said, dreamily looking at the front of the building.

“Did she say date?”

“Is the Princess on a date?”

“Princess, how long have you been seeing this mare?”

“Is Derpy your special somepony?!”

“Is this an effort of the government to improve the postal service?!”

“Is it true your friend has many wild animals as pets without a proper license?!”

“Uhhh..” I didn’t know how to answer all these questions at once. The flash bulbs flared as I hesitated, thinking of a diplomatic way to answer some of them. Derpy stood in front of me, looking like she just won a prize. She placed her wing over me, holding me close.

“The princess and I have a very special date tonight, so please don’t crowd us. Thank you.” My jaw dropped as she confidently turned after her speech. The flash bulbs continued their barrage, with one pushy photographer snapping a shot inches from our faces.

Derpy’s eyes were pinpointed and she staggered around towards the door, still trying to lead me. Then she walked face first into the door.

“Oh sorry,” she said, bowing slightly to the closed door as if it was a pony. She turned and walked smack into the other door. I caught her before she hit the ground.

Her eyes swam around in her head a little until they finally dilated again and fixed themselves on me. I looked around hoping some pony would bring her an ice pack, but was thrown by the strange expression and redness of her face.

“I-I thought this was supposed to happen at the end of our date,” she said looking around sheepishly.

“What wa-“ Before I could think of asking she lifted her head up and kissed me on the lips. It was the first kiss I ever got from another pony. Her lips were so soft and her face was so warm. I forgot the storm of popazzi in front of us and got lost in the pure affection my date radiated from her.

Then she slowly broke away and I froze, my lips still puckered out in a daze. I hadn’t expected her to be so forward. I guessed she was pulling out all the stops. The popazzi became a droning hum and I forgot what I was doing and why.

“Ppsssst! Twilight! Why don’t you go inside?” Berry whispered out of the corner of her mouth and the world rushed back into focus. I nodded and swayed a little as Derpy rolled back on to her hooves and followed.

I had to get us inside. The world was still off and titled somehow until- smack! I walked straight into the door as Derpy had done. Luckily a waiter noticed our plight and opened the door for us. We entered the suave Prance room with its sophisticated decor. Rarity would have a field day with this. I didn’t really understand much of it myself.

“Ahh Princess Twilight and… date.” The maitre d of the bar welcomed us. “We have the royal table available, which is perfect for a more intimate and reserved evening. Is that satisfactory?”

“Sure..” I said, wiggling the pain from my snout. I momentarily thought ‘how intimate’ and reddened. Derpy was definitely ready for much more than I thought and didn’t want to imply the wrong thing.

Luckily the table wasn’t too bad. It had cushions that were placed next to one another rather than having a barrier between us. What did they expect we Princesses did when going to dinner? Or worse, what do the other Princesses do when going out?

Derpy wasted no time, scrambling past me to pull my cushion out. She bowed as I sat down. Then she tripped over my tail and belly flopped on her own cushion.

“I’m ok, I’m ok!” She cried and popped back up in front of the table. “And don’t worry about anything Princess, I’ve been saving my money for weeks for this so get whatever you like.”

“Since we’re on a date you can just call me Twilight.” I opened the menu at the same time Derpy did and I saw her expression stiffen in a frozen smile. I glanced at the prices and understood her plight.

The waiter returned and she immediately blurted, “The house salad is free right?!”

“Uhh, yes.”

“I’ll have as much of that as possible!” The little pegasus shook as she put the menu down. I looked at the waiter.

“She and I can order whatever we want, my funds will cover it. Tell her it’s on the house because I’m a princess.” The telepathy spell I learned was handy for times like this.

“Madame,” the waiter began,” You are with the Princess so your meal is automatically comped.”

She stared at him unblinking.

“Free,” he clarified.

“Oh! That’s lucky. Then I’ll have some dressing with the house salad.” She sighed in relief.

“Very good and you ma Princesse?”

“I’ll try the hou-“ I noticed Derpy had a concerned expression and realized she probably wanted me to order something more extravagant. “The Tour De raisin.”

“Of course,” he said, bowing and taking our menus. “Can I interest you in any of our selection of wines?”

“It is a wine based restaurant…” I looked at my date who fidgeted a little. “I’m sure that’s free too Derpy.”

“Oh, uh I’ve never drank wine before…is it really ok?” She shrank a little like a foal that did something wrong.

“Doctor Whooves said you could have two drinks,” I reminded her. She brightened immediately. “I think it’s fine, it’s our first date after all.”

“Can you order for us? I don’t think I know these words…” She pushed the wine menu to me.

“Perhaps a flight to start you off?” The waiter suggested.

“We just flew here.” The confused mare pointed out.

“No, a wine flight.”

“I don’t think you’re supposed to drink and fly,” she said even more confused.

“It’s a bunch of different wines to try,” I explained, showing her the red flight picture. “We just have to choose red or white.”

“Can we get them striped? I always liked stripes, especially on socks.” The mail pony had no shame. Unless she had no idea what those were for, which was likely.

“We’ll just get a flight each.” I said, quickly shooing the waiter away.

“But of course.” The waiter left holding a hoof in front of his mouth.

“So…” I began, trying to move things away from riské conversation. “What sort of things do you do for fun?”

“Like hobbies?”

“Yes.”

The mare thought for a while then shook her head sadly. “I don’t have any. What do you do?”

“I enjoy reading, scientific and magical experiments and of course enjoying the company of my friends.” I dreaded what they would say when they heard about this.

“I’m not good at reading.” The pony that had to deliver the mail admitted. It explained her problems with her writing in her letters.

“Well, do you have difficulty because you have a hard time seeing or it's just not interesting.” I could help her see better with magic I was sure.

“Well.. the truth is.. I read about things and then find them to be so much better if you go do it. I can read about a young mare flying on an adventure or I can fly through the air on my own adventure.” Derpy looked at me with a strangely thoughtful look and I couldn’t think of anything to say.

“Plus the writer gets the best parts wrong.” She continued as the flights were served. “The best parts are the little things. Like watching the rays of sunlight shift through the sky. Or how warm the breeze is in summer. They never mention how great the apples taste in autumn. Or spend any time on the sparkles on the water. If you watch them they curl with the water it looks like.”

“That’s pretty deep.” I said with a thoughtful tone. It wasn’t the type of thoughts I expected her to talk about.

“Not really, the water was kind of shallow.” She drank another drink of wine from the flight. I sped up my pace so she didn’t drink too much.

“I meant the thought. Sounds nice though, just watching the water sparkle.” It sounded so free. I didn’t know if I could do something like that with no goal in mind. The checklists made me feel safe, accomplished, and important. Derpy just seemed to enjoy life and what it had.

“Pr- Twilight, can I ask you a question?” Derpy had finished the last shooter of wine as I finished the last one I had.

“Shoot.”

“I don’t have anything to shoot. And I would never hurt you, on purpose.” She looked offended and I couldn’t help but giggle.

“Sorry, it means you can ask your question.” I felt my body start to loosen up from the wine. I couldn’t tell if it was affecting her at all but it was certainly affecting me. I was never much of a drinker and it had been a long time since I indulged.

“Oh ok, have you ever run through a field because you liked the feel of your legs moving and the grass brushing your hooves? And if you go really fast your mane sails behind you like a flag. The wind hits your face and you feel the breeze tickling your nose.’

“Or roll around on the all the clouds in the morning just to see which is the fluffiest? Or dance in a moonbeam because you’re happy it found you?”

I couldn’t respond. The ideas she was talking about sounded so foreign, so wonderful, so magical I couldn’t express what I felt as I heard them. She sounded so free in ways I had never known. Despite her poor vision she had seen things in ways most didn’t dream of. She might be forgetful but she remembered one of the most basic truths that the majority of us forgot. Life is about living, not accomplishing goals we invent.

“Twilight? Her innocent voice disguised her true knowledge. I began to wonder, after all I’ve done did I really experience it? I was so focused on completing the task did I even notice how it felt or what was happening around me?

“Oh!” I said when I realized she was still waiting. “Sorry I was thinking. I don’t think I’ve ever done any of the things you said.”

“Most don’t but you can, anypony can. All they have to do is do it. That’s what I do. But I get in trouble for it a lot and crash into things.” Derpy rubbed her hooves together as the salad she wanted arrived. She happily placed the tiny dressing on it and began to munch happily.

My tour de raisins ended up being a giant heap of grapes. It made sense for somepony like Berry Punch. I was shocked to find the various flavors the grapes had, some were sour, some were super sweet.

Derpy looked up at the tower and stopped munching. “Ooo, there’s something I always wanted to try if you’ll let me.” She looked excited again.

“What’s that?” I asked, placing another sweet grape into my mouth. I swore it tasted like cotton candy. Did Pinkie do this somehow?

“Lay down.” She commanded, hastily standing up. Luckily I was ready and caught her salad before she fully spilled it.

“I don’t think that’s something we should do yet.” Then I shook my head. Yet? Did I plan on doing something like that with her? It was something to worry about later I decided.

“Oh! Uh… I mean just lay down on your side, nothing bad!” She quickly waved her hoof dismissively. She made her way to the table, grabbing the grape heap.

I layed down on my side, eyeing the pegasus suspiciously. I had no idea what she was thinking but she was glowing in excitement again.

She picked up my grapes with her hooves and slowly moved towards me. I used my magic to keep them from falling as she frantically moved into position. She would have dropped them at least five times if I hadn’t.

“Ok, comfy?” She asked as she sat by my head. I nodded looking around to make sure the paparazzi hadn’t snuck in. What was she up to?

She picked up a grape with her wing and slowly brought it to my mouth. I stared at the fruit waiting for something to happen. She pressed it to my lips, hard. I had to bite it to keep from smashing on my face. Her face lit up in pride as I chewed.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked once the grape was finished.

“The ponies from a long time ago used to feed their princesses grapes. I always wanted to try it. Does it make you feel powerful?” She nearly crushed a second grape into my face. I ate it.

“Well, it’s nice but I don’t need to be served like this. I would rather just eat together.” She nodded but drooped while she set the grapes back on the table. “Maybe another time…”

“Ok, just let me know when. I can get the fronds to fan you with too. And bathe you…” She clamped her hooves over her mouth and reddened. It seemed the wine was having an effect after all.

“Let’s talk about that another time,” I said, covering my smile with a hoof. Not something to discuss in public.

“Will there … be another time?” She asked, growing more serious. “Are you having fun with me?”

I smiled. That last sentence came out on its own, but now that I was thinking about it, I realized I was actually having fun. “Yes I am,” I replied simply, and felt my smile broaden. “Maybe next time, we could go test which clouds are the fluffiest.”

Dancing with Moonbeams (Twilight)

I was woken by a loud bang that echoed through the castle. Maybe it was more of a bamf than a bang. I didn’t care what it was, I was hoping it would go away and let me sleep. But the thought of danger close by isn’t something I can sleep through.

I pulled myself out of bed but Spike was surprisingly quicker. The slumbering dragon wasn’t normally so spry this early. The pitter patter of dragon feet sharply contrasted the loud bamf from the door.

I stretched and shuffled after him. It was too late. I was up now and Luna knew I couldn’t fall back asleep that quickly.

“Derpy?!” My assistant cried, after the large castle door swung open.

“Hi Spike! Is Twilight here?! It’s important!” Derpy sounded frantic. I couldn’t tell if it was excitement or distress in her voice.

I assumed it was excitement. Derpy was ecstatic after our date and I did my best not to let it bother me. Truth be told it was kind of flattering to see someone so thrilled to have gone on a date with me. I had agreed to a second date but she hadn’t set it up yet.

“It’s just past midnight, is everything ok?” The little dragon sighed.

“Yeah, well kind of,” she started to wilt a little bit. I stepped out from the corridor and a large smile erupted on her face. “Twilight! It’s time! Let’s go!”

“Go? Where and why?” I asked, a little thrown by the sudden happiness in her voice.

“It’s time for our second date. The moonbeams are dancing now. You said you wanted to dance with them right? I’ve been waiting and watching for them to dance. And now they are! Are you ready?!” The pony sounded dead serious and I was a little concerned for her mental health.

“Uh Derpy, I don’t think they actually dance, it’s late and I’m not ready for a date right now.” I glanced at my unkempt body with its oversized DJ Pon3 sleep shirt covering some of it. I was a mess, definitely not ready to follow Derpy into the night.

“They do Twilight. I want to show you that they do. You said you wanted me to show you what I was talking about for our second date. I remembered. I remember every part of our date. And it’s perfect right now.” She put her hoof out towards me.

I hesitated. Who knows what she was thinking or what sort of things were going on outside. Was I ready to follow her out in the middle of the night? Was this what it meant to date Derpy?

“If you don’t need me I’m going back to bed,” Spike said groggily. “You two have fun.”

He shuffled off down the hallway leaving me with the enthusiastic but potentially crazy pegasus at the door. She still held her hoof out.

“Derpy… I’m not dressed to go outside,” I muttered quietly.

“You look amazing,” she insisted.

“In my pajamas?”

“It makes me think of all sorts of happy but scary things.” She looked equally delighted but concerned. Obviously my pajamas were a look she enjoyed. She tried to stop looking at me. Her head turned but her eyes had locked on. An aroused Derpy was something I really didn’t think about but would probably have to, especially if I continued to date her.

“Please…” her small voice squeaked out and her hoof wiggled in the air in front of mine.

“Ok”

I placed my hoof on hers as her face brightened more than the moon. Then she turned then fell down the castle steps, dragging me along with her. On each polished step I crashed onto I remembered I was in my nice soft bed a few seconds ago. We landed in a pony pile at the bottom.

“Uhh, maybe we should save this part for another date?” A red faced pegasus asked as I slowly got off of her.

“You pulled me down the stairs,” I defended.

“Oh, sorry. You have to be softer.” She popped up with no hesitation. I checked my body out by moving each limb. Nothing injured but my sense of decorum.

“Softer?” I wasn’t sure if I could be much softer, unless she wanted me to be fat.

“The ground is hard. Don’t be hard like the ground, you have to be soft and squishy, then the ground holds you up when you fall on it.” She acted like she was giving sage-like advice. Of course she was an expert in crashing so it made sense she would try to share her knowledge.

“Ok...” I said, not really understanding what she meant.

She nodded and smiled. Then realized how close we were and reddened again. I felt my own cheeks burn when I remembered our kiss in front of the restaurant on our last date. She must have been thinking the same because her lips quivered slightly.

“So uh… the moon beams?” I said before her willpower broke or mine.

“Mmm?”

“Dancing moonbeams? You said it was time to watch them.” Her mind was far away, caught up in some fantasy I could only imagine.

“Yeah they are. Oh you wanted to see them. Ok, let’s go.” She grabbed my hoof again and took off into the air. I couldn’t help but follow.

The wind was cold in the night sky. As curious as I was, I missed the warmth of my bed. But I couldn’t deny the pegasus her request and soon the air was filled with puffy clouds.

“Do you hear the music now?” she asked, shouting a little over the wind. It ruffled our feathers and cut through my pajama shirt to the soft fur underneath. Did I mention it was cold?

“I don’t hear any music, Derpy.” I shouted through the roar. The wind was all I could hear and my teeth chattering.

“It’s all around us. We have to shout over it to talk,” she said a little exasperated.

“All I hear is the wind.”

“That’s it! That’s the music!” Derpy happily soared through the air as if I had discovered a present she had hidden.

“It kind of just sounds like wind to me.” I admitted. I could play along with her but I was tired and cold. It sounded like it was something important to her, so important she waited for a week for it, and I wanted to see it as she did. But I really couldn’t at that moment.

“That’s the tune, ok, let’s land for a bit.” She guided us to a small puffy cloud and sat on it. I sat next to her, a little surprised she wasn’t more disappointed in me.

“Ok, hear the wind. It’s not the same all the time. It changes. Sometimes it’s higher, sometimes lower. It goes cooooo weeeee coooo.” She made a wind-like sound with her mouth then pitched it higher then low again. I assumed she was showing how the wind got stronger then lessened.

“If you listen long enough, you can hear its beat as it sings. The world up here moves with that beat. The clouds, the rain, and even the sky. That’s how I learned the dance.” She pointed to the patches of light that scattered over the earth below. They moved with the clouds as they drifted through the sky.

“Can you see the dance, Twilight?” The little pegasus asked, hope dripping from her tone. I wished at that moment I could. But it still looked like moving clouds to me. I shook my head slowly.

“Maybe… if you watch me dance with it, you hear it and see.” She took off suddenly and flew towards the nearest patch of moonlight.

I watched, shivering slightly on the cloud. I marveled that the little pegasus wasn’t cold. Rainbow Dash told me that pegasi gain extra down that keeps them warm in the cold winds. I guessed I didn’t go flying at high enough altitudes to develop it. Derpy obviously had.

She was smaller in my vision but bobbed slightly as she found some unseen mark. Then she opened her wings vertically and plummeted. I opened my wings immediately. I was just about to kick off when she reappeared sailing upward.

Soon she reached the zenith and dropped again. I watched her full descent, and noted she was adjusting her wings ever so slightly. She rose and fell with the wind currents, bobbing up and down like a cork. It was like she was one with the sky itself. As she hit a moonbeam I could have sworn I saw sparkles around her. It was probably some sort of sediment the wind carried glinting in the moonlight but she looked magical in that moment. Like all the world flowed and danced with her. Her song was the wind, her dance partner was light itself.

After a few moments, she returned and frowned a little. “You’re cold,” she said, wrapping me in her wings. They were warmer than anything I could wear. It made me remember the blanket she made me.

“I don’t have my altitude feathers.” She nodded and placed her head on my shoulder looking at me with large eyes. It was adorable, like a dog trying to look cute for a meal. It made me wonder if she wanted something.

“Are you ok?” I asked after a moment or two of unblinking “puppy dog look.”

“Can I ask a question?” Her voice carried an almost flirty form of uncertainty to it.

“Of course.”

“How do you know… if if it’s ok to kiss some pony without asking? Roseluck and Doc do it all the time and I don’t know how they ask without speaking.” She looked away but kept her head on my shoulder, squeezing me tighter with her wings.

“I think it’s something that’s talked about earlier. If both ponies don’t mind kissing each other then you don’t have to ask.” I blushed, knowing where she was leading.

“What about us? Do I have to ask? Are you …happy with my kisses? I know there was only the one but I can give more. I’ll get better! I know I will!” She had a fire in her eyes like Rainbow Dash did when she talked of racing.

“You don’t have to rush it Derpy, I’m not going anywhere.” I found myself saying words I hadn’t even attached to feelings yet. Not going anywhere? Did I plan to keep dating her? Was that what I wanted or was I just trying to make her happy?

“You have to go somewhere. We can’t stay on this cloud all night and I want to dance with you. If -if you want to.” She tapped her forehooves together under the wing cocoon.

“I would like to try. It looked beautiful and elegant.” It looked like she was floating with the world instead of fighting it.

“Ok!” Her wings unfurled, pulling the warmth I craved from my body. Then decidedly stepped to the edge of the cloud, looking back at me. I followed suit, wishing we had more time to snuggle. Was it just because I was cold? Or was it because it was with her? I couldn’t sort that out yet this late at night.

The two of us jumped into the wind. For a moment it took my breath away, the sudden plunge of frigid air sucking the life giving warmth out of my body. I gasped for a few flaps but eventually got used to the temperature.

My partner was a little ways ahead, seeking something I couldn’t see. Then she stopped by a large cloud bank and waited for me.

“Ready?”

“As much as I’ll ever be.” I looked down at the far away ground. If I didn’t get this right I could easily plummet to my death. I looked to my companion for instruction.

“Ok!” She said, then plummeted from me. She caught an updraft and rode it over my head. Then fell again.

I should have known that was coming. I closely watched her wing movements but couldn’t decipher the pattern to them. I wasn’t sure this was something I could do. I hadn’t grown up with wings like she had.

After a while of watching she slowed and returned to my side. “You’re not doing a very good job,” she said, disappointed.

“You haven’t told me anything!”

“Why would I tell you anything?” She cocked her to the side. The idea of instruction was something foreign to her.

“Because I don’t know how you’re doing it.” I tried to calm down. She might not be used to others asking her for help.

“Really? But you’re super smart, everypony knows that. I’m … not that smart, everypony knows that too.” Derpy looked a little ashamed.

“That’s not true. Intelligence isn’t measured by books and tests alone. Everypony is smart in their own way. You might not do great with book knowledge, situational awareness, social skills and anything involving coordination but you can see things in ways other ponies can’t.” I felt a little guilty. It wasn’t the highest compliment in the world. Or really that great of one at all.

“Really?! You think I’m smart?!” She quickly hugged me and I fought to keep us both in the air. “If somepony as smart as you says it, it must be true!”

“I mean,” I strained a bit with my wings,” yeah, you can float in the air in a way I can’t so you’re smart in that way.”

“I can’t believe you think I’m smart! This is the best night ever! The pony I love thinks I’m smart!” She practically shouted the last line and I wondered how many others were awakened by it. Hopefully not many, we were really high up with a very strong wind.

She suddenly reddened and backed away from me. She clamped her mouth closed with her hooves and stared at me in shock.

“What’s wrong?” I flew towards her, luckily she didn’t fly away any further. My wings were sore from holding us up.

“I wasn’t supposed to tell you I love you yet. It’s too soon, Doc said. We don’t know each other enough. But I think it’s kind of silly. I know you. You’re the princess of friendship, super smart, really organ… organ.. that word, and love the Hayburger. You save Equestria a lot and you make everypony around you happy. How can I not love that?” She looked ashamed but saddened. “It’s how I feel. I think you’re supposed to tell ponies how you feel right?”

“Yes,” I said quietly. “You are. I’m not sure how I feel about you yet. You’re so lively and so different from other ponies, in a good way. You can cause some trouble but I know you don’t mean to. But I’m just still sorting things out.” It was as honest an answer as I could give.

“You’re great at sorting, I know you’ll do it! I’m still struggling with that in the mail room.” I opened my mouth to correct her but felt it was best not to.

“We’ll see,” was all I could think of to say. “So how do I do this floating in the wind thing?”

“Just like falling, think soft. Soft in your body, soft in your wings. You don’t have to think much, just let them do what they want to do. Ok?” I scrutched my nose in confusion.

“D’awww, making cute faces at me already.” Derpy basked in some dream I couldn’t see.

“Sorry I don’t understand.” I wasn’t sure what soft wings and body were.

“Sorry, I’m not a good teacher, uhh maybe I can try it while holding you and you can feel it?” I stared at the little pegasus uncertainly.

“Can you hold me at this high and still fly?” I was picturing how often she crashed by herself or carrying a mail bag. I was definitely heavier than a mail bag.

“You’re not fat, Twilight, you’re just floofy.” She grabbed my middle and dove before it could retort.

The wind sheer took any words I had from me. The air friction stung my eyes and the biting cold tore through my layers of “floof”. I tried to instinctively open my wings but they were pinned to my body.

Derpy wasn’t looking at the ground, calculating the exact time to pull up. She wasn’t looking at the clouds that passed by us at Mach two. She wasn’t looking at anything. Her eyes were closed.

The ground was sailing towards us at nauseating speed. There would be no survival if we hit as we were. I tried to shout to my date but it was swallowed by the wind.

I felt a rush of warmth as we passed into the up draft and my captor’s wings fanned out almost instinctively. The rush of warm air from the ground caught her and we began to rise on it. She didn’t need to see, just feel. It spun us as we rode our way to the top of the stream and then we fell again.

This time I wasn’t as afraid. I had to trust Derpy knew what she was doing. I realized that for somepony like Derpy the idea of hurting me would be worse than hurting herself. I wondered how much guilt she had by pulling me down the stairs earlier.

The plummet ended as another jet took us up again. She was just letting the wind control the flight. She trusted it more than I ever trusted anything outside myself. It was impressive to say the least, I wondered if it was something I could do. To have complete trust in a force I couldn’t see or calculate, to just let it take over and be a part of the “dance in the moonbeams.”

I unconsciously placed my head on her chest as we dropped again. Her hooves pulled me tighter, a small sniff of my mane, and I wondered how much I could enjoy these smaller things that she reveled in. Even if it sounded hard, was it something I should learn to appreciate? Could she be exactly what I needed? No agenda, no rushing things, allowing the winds of her feelings to dictate her movements. It sounded poetically beautiful.

“Are you ready to try?” She whispered in my ear. It was such a loaded question. I could hear the desire to share fighting the want to keep holding on. I felt oddly safe in Derpy’s hooves as we drifted up and down in the moonlight. But I did want to show my own desire to experience the feeling she had.

“I am,” I said, though my own determination was questionable.

“Ok!” She simply let go. I began to wonder about my hypothesis of her keeping me more safe than herself. Perhaps it wasn’t as harsh as it seemed. Perhaps she simply trusted me to know myself.

The ground beneath us started to spin as I waited for the warm rush to save me. As we dropped lower than we had prior I wondered if the jets had stopped. They weren’t a constant, what if this time they wouldn’t be there to catch us?

I looked at Derpy who was plummeting next to me, eyes still closed. If this was something she did often she would know when the stream was gone or she would have been dead long ago. I had to trust her. If I couldn’t fully trust the wind I could at least trust her.

I waited, and waited. We dropped together, the ground rushing towards us and still the stream didn’t appear. I couldn’t hold out anymore. I needed to save us both from death. The guilt hit me right before I opened my wings, but enough was enough.

The stream found us the second my wings flared out. Derpy opened right after. She started to rise with the column as it rolled me into the air. I caught it wrong and was flung end over end into the sky.

A few seconds later the jet disappeared and I fell. I was backwards trying to flap upside down. There was no way it could work. I reached out, a cloud, a hoof, Derpy? There was nothing to hold on to. My wings slowed me but were constantly bent the wrong way.

A shadow swooped underneath me. I knew who it was, before I could scream her form rose up to mine. She was under me, carrying me in her back. Our wings spread out along the others. We were a mirror. One facing down one facing up. Maybe in more ways than I thought.

Here was her world I was just as clumsy and foolish looking as she was in mine. She was the expert, I was the dunce in the air.

“You need to be soft now,” she whispered into my ear. She was so close it sounded seductive. Was that intentional? How was I supposed to be soft? I didn’t understand.

Her wings pressed along mine and I felt the gentle nudging on their length. She was trying to adjust my wings for me. I realized she had been talking about muscles. Soft muscles could absorb instruction and blows. I tried my best to relax my wings, allowing my reflection to adjust for us both.

She curled her wings and mine up at a steeper angle and began to tilt the left one down and right up. I matched her. It was a sudden barrel roll that flipped us both, then she continued to roll off my back.

I soared, finally right side up and waited. I didn’t see her. The sky was empty of everything but clouds. I didn’t see her on the ground. I listened for any sounds for help but all I heard was harsh winds.

“Derpy?!”

Nothing answered.

“Deeeeerrrpy?!”

I shouted through the empty air but only heard my own voice echo back. What happened?

I took a few calming breaths and tried to replay the incident in my mind palace. I looked at each step of her rescue. As I remembered the world righting itself I vaguely caught a glimpse of a white fluffy cloud on the side that Derpy rolled off of. Instantly I knew what happened.

I turned around and lowered my altitude until I was right below cloud level. I flew around each cloud I passed looking for any clues, until I came across one with gray legs sticking out of it.

“Derpy, are you alright?”

“Help! Twilight! I think I died! Everything went white and I heard you call my name but I couldn’t shout loud enough! Oh, you probably can’t hear me now. I’m sorry I left you all alone. I hope you find your happiness. Just know I’ll be by your side wherever you are. Even if you can’t see or hear me.” The small Pegasus went limp as she uttered what I could only guess was her final farewell to me.

I grabbed her hindquarters and began to pull her out of the cloud.

“Oh! Twilight! I’m sorry but death is tugging on me! I think it’s time I left! But- but I want to stay with you. I can’t leave yet! No!” She bucked at my face, trying to fight me off.

“Derpy! Calm down, it’s me, Twilight. You’re stuck in a cloud and I’m trying to get you out.” I shook her a little to get the point across.

“In a cloud? I got stuck in a cloud after I died?! I thought I would float through them.” She froze as I grabbed her again and started to pull.

“You’re not dead. You just got stuck. I’ll pull you out.” I gave her a mighty shove and the pegasus pulled free.

“Hi!” She said, like she didn’t know I was there.

“I’m glad you’re safe!” I wrapped my hooves around her and hugged her tight. She immediately curled up and snuggled.

“Thanks! You saved me from death! Best date ever!” She seemed to forget she saved me first. Or that death was really just a cloud.

“I think we should land for now and catch a breather.” I began my descent still carrying the non-dead date in my hooves.

“Sorry you didn’t have a great time on our second date. I tried real hard.” Derpy looked away, doubt and sadness pained her face.

“It was fun. Terrifying at times but fun too. I saw a side of you that most ponies would never see. Thank you for saving me,” I showed my gratitude with a gentle kiss to her lips as we landed.

The kiss was still powerful despite it being so light. I still felt shockwaves run through my body and my mind began to stagger around tripping over hormone laden thoughts.

Derpy didn’t help, as she grabbed my head and pulled me in further. I felt her tongue defy glide across mine in a seductive manner. Where did she learn to do that? I decided to reciprocate and gently played her tongue.

Things got fuzzy as the world spun and I felt the soft grass on my back. Derpy’s weight settled on top of me, her hooves tightened around my neck in a passionate embrace. Everything was rainbows and pink fluffy clouds, some of which were muffin shaped. Until my mind poked me by reminding me where we were.

“I I think we should stop…” I said in a breathless voice. Derpy’s eyes popped open and took a moment to cooperate.

“Oh! Sorry, Twilight. It just felt so good. I I didn’t mean to…”she scrambled off and tripped over my wing. The bushes caught her as she landed and held her so she couldn’t escape. Her lower legs kicked uselessly in the air.

Once more I grabbed her barrel and heaved her out of the situation. I was able to keep a hold on her as she frantically tried to escape once again.

“It’s ok, it’s ok, I’m not mad,” I tried to keep my voice steady and soothing. It’s not easy when holding on to a panicking Pegasus.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she cried but eventually stopped fighting. She went limp as I pulled her out.

“We’ll figure this out together, ok?” I said while petting her mane.

“We will?”

“Yes.”

“Does that mean … you’re my girlfriend now?” She looked back at me, her eyes pleaded for answers.

“…yes, I guess it does.” I couldn’t help but feel giddy as I agreed. I never had a girlfriend before, or any suitors for that matter. It made sense to take the next logical step.

“Does that mean I can kiss you without asking?” She brought her face closer to mine, her breath tickled my snout.

“Within reason. Not while I’m trying to talk to some pony or giving a speech, or in danger or reading ok?” I couldn’t help but picture being attacked by an excited pegasus all hours of the day no matter what the activity.

“How about now? You’re talking to me.” She licked her lips a little, her eyes darted between mine and my lips.

“Now is fine.”

The world melted away as we kissed once more. Well maybe a few times more than that.

A short meeting (Twilight)

I was in my study when the door was assaulted. It sounded like a thousand hooves were clambering to take it down. Cautiously, I glanced out the window, allowing me to catch a small glimpse of the entrance.

I could see a white flank with tell-tale diamonds that could only be Rarity. It was odd to see her prancing around the front door like a young filly meeting a colt she liked. Something must be up.

I trotted towards the door, waving off Spike before he could answer and opened it up on the whole gang outside. I froze. I rolled through my internal itinerary in my head. There were no game nights, mare talks, or slumber parties scheduled. Why were they all there, looking about to burst in glee?

“Ohhh Twilight! We just heard the news! Congratulations!” Rarity declared, her smile wider than it should have been.

“Uh thanks? What news is that?” Was I in the news again? Last time it was ‘Troubling times ahead: new princess adding extra poundage. Pregnancy or Hayburger?’ I gave them a few well deserved quotes to choose from in response.

“Oh a little bird told us, you’ve got a girlfriend!” Rarity nearly shouted. Quietly I backed away from the door. It wasn’t something I wanted broadcasted to the whole of Ponyville, just yet. The fact was I was dreading them finding out. I didn’t really want to think about why.

“Was this bird purple and green, perchance?” I turned my gaze to the little dragon spy behind me but all I saw was a Spike-shaped outline left in dust. It figured he couldn’t keep things like this to himself.

“No…” Rarity replied with her eyes darting all over.

“I don’t think I know a purple and green bird,” Fluttershy muttered. “I would love to meet one if you know them.”

“Enter please,” I sighed and made my way to the table of friendship.

“Sooooo…” Pinkie began, “We heard you were smooching Derpy!”

“Well I uh…” I really didn’t think that many ponies saw us yet.

“That’s an understatement. You have a picture of you two kissing in the paper, darling.” Rarity placed the Daily Flugelhorn in front of me and right on the front page was a picture of me and Derpy kissing in front of Berry Punch’s restaurant.

“Oh no…” I knew there was a photo but I had hoped the papers would have found something else to run with. I heard Celestial had made a great announcement about how the kingdom is going to proceed in the future. That was certainly much more important than who I was kissing.

“Caught ya redhoofed!” Applejack declared, slamming her hooves on the table. “No denying it now.”

“I wasn’t going to deny it,” I protested. I had just planned to play dumb and just never affirm it.

“And why would she?” Pinkie popped up next to me, staring at our friends with stern eyes. “Derpy is a nice pony, it’s great she found somepony so nice. We should throw a party for you two.”

“Yeah if by nice you mean dumb as a box of rocks then she’s the nicest pony I ever met,” Rainbow Dash guffawed herself out of her chair.

“What’s wrong with rocks? Maud said she’s met more rocks that have interesting things to say than ponies.” Pinkie crossed her forehooves.

“Dash is just saying that Derpy is a few apples short of a bushel if ya get my meaning.” Applejack was fighting to keep her smile in check but I knew she was laughing just as hard as Dash was on the inside.

“If this is why you came you can just leave!” I said in a much angrier voice than I meant to. I guess I’d become a lot more protective of Derpy then I thought.

“Us?” cried Rainbow Dash popping up from underneath the table. “We didn’t do anything wrong. We were just…”

“I didn’t mean any offense…” Applejack interjected.

“If you all just came to gloat and laugh because I found some special pony who isn’t known for her intelligence...” I turned from them, trying not to let the shame and anger show on my face. It was wrong to feel shame. I should be happy, like Pinkie said. But a part of me couldn’t look past her flaws either. I was no better than them.

“Twilight…” Fluttershy whispered. “I don’t think they were trying to make fun of you and Derpy.”

“I was…”

“I don’t think any pony besides Rainbow Dash, were trying to make you feel bad for finding a special pony.” Fluttershy placed a hoof on my shoulder and I slowly looked at the group. I could feel the liquid shame, and shame of that shame, pouring down my face.

“Aww, come here Twilight,” Fluttershy’s soft, warm body embraced me. The others, even Rainbow Dash, joined in the friendship hug. Or huddle as Rainbow liked to call it.

“Now I know no pony here wants to see you upset. I think most of us are just confused why you chose her over all the other options and why we had to find out about it from a paper and not you.” Fluttershy slowly let go and backed off, letting me have some space to think.

“What… options?” This was news to me. No pony had ever approached me before.

“Well, there was Flash Sentry in Canterlot.” Rarity started. “As I recall, you two seemed to have quite a connection.”

“He never said anything to me. The Flash I knew was in the other world, not much chance of that happening.” The pony version seemed to get flustered so easily, he could barely talk to me. It was cute until it was annoying. I think the uneasiness won over his interest.

“That doof,” Rainbow scoffed. “What about Thunderlane or Soarin? They were both talking about asking you out when you left Wonderbolt camp.”

I shook my head. “Man, even those two are all bluster,” sighed the Wonderbolt.

“I know Songbird Serenade seemed interested at the friendship gathering.” Pinkie pulled her mane over her face in a very accurate Songbird impression.

“She must have been thrown off by the celebration getting attacked and all the princesses being turned into stone.” I sighed. I felt dejected that they were talking about other dating options when I already had a girlfriend. I wondered if they would have if it were any pony else.

“Well if mares are your thing, I got two cousins, Fiddle Sticks and Apple Fritter, that would love ta show ya a good time ,” Applejack said with a wink. Was she… pimping her cousins to me?

“And I know every pony who’s single,” Pinkie said. “If that’s what you want…”

“Come on, Pinkie,” Dash scolded the well-connected mare. “Of course she would. She thought her only option was Derpy.”

“What’s wrong with Derpy?” the friendliest pony in the world asked.

“Come on! I already said she’s dumb and clumsy to boot! Twilight can do a lot better.”

I wanted to yell at Dash. It was unfair to knock Derpy down like that, no matter her issues. She wasn’t dumb, she wasn’t klutzy… all the time. There was a simple sweetness to her. A genuine innocence that kept me from questioning her true motives until late at night. She was safe and calming. I didn’t have to perform at my best at every moment. Everything I did was exciting, new, and precious to her. Somepony that truly loved me no matter what I did or said in that moment.

“Well, I’m sure Spitfire or Fleetfoot are looking. Can’t see why you wouldn’t be their type,” Rainbow Dash said, raised her haughty head as if she just told me she had been deified.

“Those mares are much too butch, darling,” Rarity scoffed. “Twilight is a sensitive passionate soul, not a Wonderbolt floosy. I think Coco Pommel would be perfect for her, don’t you?”

Rarity was just as bad. I could feel the blood boil on my face. Why couldn’t they just accept my choice? I was glad Derpy wasn’t here to see it, though she might not realize what they were doing.

“If you like soft ponies, Treehugger is very soft and almost always available… if you like that sort of thing,” the timid pony of kindness muttered, throwing her bit into the anti-Derpy pot.

My teeth clenched and I could feel my heartbeat in my ears. My shoulders started to hurt as they became rock hard. I felt a few of my mane strands curl.

“Alright that’s it!” Pinkie shouted, throwing off my rage. “This is super duper wrong. Twilight has a girlfriend already, she doesn’t need another. If Twilight likes Derpy then we should be happy for them. They both deserve to be happy and if they found that in each other we have to help keep that alive. It’s what friends do.”

The room went silent as all the girls suddenly forgot how to make eye contact. Pinkie was glaring at them but softened when she looked at me.

“Am I wrong? Do you love Derpy or just haven’t found anypony else?” The party mare’s face was full of worry and concern, yet determined to protect a friend.

The room turned to look at me, waiting for my answer. I wasn’t sure if I had one. I liked Derpy, she was so innocent, free, loving and enthusiastic. But did I love her like she loved me? Was it better to keep going to see if love developed further or end if it never arose?

“I uh like her…” I said, my voice raspy from swallowing my rage before.

“Just like?” Pinkie leaned uncomfortably close.

“I don’t know if I love her yet but… I’m open to it.” I hoped Pinkie would accept that answer, it was the only truthful one I could give.

“Well, you better get ready. I know, from having interviewed every pony around her, and herself, she loves you. She never loved another pony as much as you. So you can’t break her sweet heart. Think of what would happen if you did! The mail would get all bunchy and soggy from her tears, she would bonk into everything blinded by her sadness, she may never smile again! Gasp! How could a pony live like that? You have to make sure it never happens. We can’t live in a world with a mopey Derpy! No pony could!” She rushed around the table like a panicked pink blur. She shook Applejack at the very thought of a sad Derpy. I felt horrible.

“You’re right Pinkie, I-I can’t let her down.” Derpy had so much faith in me; I had to fall in love with her.

“You can’t! I’ll help make Derpy the one and only pony in your heart! You’ll be the happiest couple in Equestria. You’ll make love birds wonder if they even love birds!” Pinkie grabbed me and pointed to a ceiling randomly. I wasn’t sure what she saw but she seemed certain it was there.

“That is ludicrous,” Rarity said, after Pinkie finished her spiel.

“It is?” Pinkie asked, letting her grip slip a little.

“Yes, you can force love. It must be coaxed, earned, and won.” Rarity swished her mane back with a decisive flick. “It is up to Derpy to go on the offense once more and win Twilight’s heart! She’s taken the steps needed to court her but not earn her.”

“That sounds sort of stressful,” I said, picturing Derpy running around in galant armor trying to find a rare book.

“My dear Twilight, don’t you want to be whisked away to some romantic place and pampered by your sweet baboo?” Rarity sighed into her forehooves.

“Not really, what’s a baboo?” It sounded too chaotic for my tastes. I would need to make sure all my work was done, papers were signed, exams graded, and the place was prepared in case somepony needed my help while I was gone. I couldn’t tell Spike how to reach me if I didn’t know where I was going. Derpy attempting to pamper me would probably end with me constantly saving her from herself.

“That’s cause ya thinking of herself, sugarcube,” AJ pointed out with a chuckle. “Pinkie is right though, we best not interfere with yer business. That includes you, Pinkie.”

“Gasp! You’re right! I just said that too.” Pinkie deflated sheepishly.

“Thank you for all your input on this matter,” I said, my mind whirling with too much advice and suggestions. “But I think it might be best if Derpy and I figure this out ourselves.”

“Oh of course, darling, but if you need us we’ll be here to help you out,” Rarity said, patting my hoof and winking.

“Darn tootin’”

“Yupper doodle!”

“Yeah!”

“If-if you need us, that is…”

“Especially once you get to the interesting parts,” Rarity purred with a mischievous smile. She turned and swaggered off while the rest of the group followed. I was left pondering all the many different ways this could go. I was sure I could research the most likely scenarios and calculate the percentages or I could just float along with the wind.

Author's Note

Sorry this was more of a chapter than a complete story but I wanted to show the rest of the mane six’s reactions. Hopefully you’ll forgive me.

When will the Sun Rise? (Derpy)

I woke up in my bed to find out it was still dark. It happens sometimes. I set the alarm and then get so excited about waking up for work that I wake up really early.

I decided to go back to sleep. But I couldn’t for some reason. I was too fidgety. It felt like I slept so long. Sometimes that happens too. I fall asleep for what seems like a long time but it’s only a short time.

Instead I got up. Luna’s moon was shining brighter than ever, and it almost felt like it was a blue tinted day. I hoped the day would be nice and that I could see my new girlfriend Princess Twilight Sparkle.

I still couldn’t believe she made me her special somepony. Me, Derpy Hooves, dating the most beautiful pony in the world. It made me want to rush over there and see her just cause I could. She might even be excited to see me.

But it was dark and late, I had already woken her up late for our second date. She said she didn’t mind but she looked so stiff and cold. I should have warmed her more, or made her a sweater. I wasn’t good at making sweaters though, the yarn always wrapped around my hooves and tied them together. I don’t know how. Doc Whooves said he couldn’t figure out how I did it either and he’s super smart. Almost as smart as Twilight. Or was he smarter?

All the thoughts about Twilight made me want to see her more. I didn’t want to be a bother but aren’t girlfriends allowed to be around each other a lot? I never was one before so I wasn’t sure.

I checked the clock, maybe it wasn’t that late and Twilight would like a morning wake up call, or a hug. The clock said 8:30 in the morning. I bonked it a bit. If it was right it wouldn’t be dark and I would be late for work. The bonking didn’t make it say anything else.

Maybe I should go to see Twilight and ask her what time it really was. That’s a good reason to see her. Twilight loved helping her friends, maybe she would love to help her girlfriend too.

I walked outside and saw a bunch of ponies already up and walking around. Maybe their clocks were broken too. Some sort of clock villain that made the clocks tell the wrong time could be lurking around. Maybe it was the Time Bandit and she stole the time between late and really early. Twilight needed to know.

I flapped my wings and took off into a tree. Then jumped into the air from one of the branches, luckily I didn’t hurt myself much this time. I soared through the air until the castle was really big. It happened so fast I nearly smashed into it. Luckily I swung out of the way and looked for a place to land.

There was already a crowd gathered by the steps with Spike standing in front of them. Did they know about the Time Bandit too? Did Twilight already know? I decided to land in the back of the crowd but I missed.

“Twilight and the others are handling it. Right now it’s best if you all go- aaaa!” I heard Spike say as I sped past him. He jumped out of the way as I smashed into the steps. It happened when I got excited, my speed came back before I could remember I had it and threw me into things.

“Derpy! Are you ok?” Spike asked, holding his little claw out for me. He was so nice.

“I’m not hurt.” I told him as my back legs bent back in front of my face and pulled me on to my front ones again.

“Well that’s good. I guess you noticed the sun hasn’t risen yet either.” He looked at all the beautiful stars in the sky and I wondered if anypony else had ever tried flying to them like I did.

I looked around, shaking the blurriness from my eyes and focused on the little dragon. The crowd was leaving after I arrived, I wondered if they were happy about Spike’s speech or did I do something wrong again.

“It’s really dark, Spike,” I said looking around.

“The sun was supposed to be up by now. Luna’s trying to put the moon in a good position to reflect the most light, but it’s not the same.” Spike rubbed the back of his head.

“Oh! I forgot! We have to tell Twilight about this! It could be the Time Bandit!” Maybe she stole Princess Celestia’s time and that’s why she was still asleep. We could both go to Canterlot and wake her up. Like heroes do.

“She knows Derpy. She and the rest of the girls left for Canterlot a few hours ago. She sent a letter back telling me Celestia has some magical illness. The gang is trying to fight it.” Spike sat down on the steps, looking kind of sad.

“Are you ok?” I didn’t like seeing any pony sad. Especially one of Twilight’s friends.

“Yeah, just another adventure I’m not there for. I’m also worried about Twilight and the others. You must be worried too now that Twilight is your girlfriend.” He looked up at me, his eyes were filled with sad lonely thoughts. Well, they looked kind of like that.

“I… I guess I am…” I never thought of this part before. Twilight and her friends always go off to fight and leave their loved ones behind. I was Twilight’s special somepony and I couldn’t help her at all. “What do we do now Spike? I-I never thought of how scary it is knowing she’s fighting somewhere far away.”

“Well, normally I start cleaning the castle. That way it looks beautiful when they come back. They normally don’t notice but it helps me focus on something else. But.. now I have a friend to wait with. Did you want to wait together?” The idea of it made him spring back to his feet.

“Of course!” I couldn’t wait until Twilight came back. She would see me and Spike waiting for her. I would be part of the team. Not the big team that fights but Team Twilight, the team that supports the Princess in between her fights.

Spike nodded and we walked into the castle together. The assistant and the girlfriend, Twilight’s favorite ponies …er friends.

“What should we do, Spike?” I bounced a little in excitement at my first Twilight worry party.

“Uhh well, we could bake a… No, that's a bad idea. We could clean the… That won’t work, you could break it. Do you play games at all?” Spike changed directions on me a few times then started moving to a calm looking room.

“I love games. What game?! Maybe a game where we guess what game we’re playing?” It was my favorite game that Doc and I played a lot. He would pick a game and we would start to play it, then I had to guess what the game was. Sometimes I had to do that a few times.

“Have you ever played Og-“ Spike stopped speaking as a soft tapping echoed through the castle. I checked my hooves to make sure I didn’t do it. “Sounds like somepony knocking.”

“Is it Twilight?! Is she back?! I have to tell her about the Time Bandit!” I started excitedly towards the door, but tripped on the carpet and fell into a vase. It didn’t break but I noticed it had the first flowers I gave her. She displayed them!

“You have to watch where you’re going. If it was Twilight she wouldn’t knock. And be careful those are her favorite flowers.” He helped me out of the vase and we walked back to the door together.

“Probably another pony who just noticed the sun is missing.” He said, and opened the door. It wasn’t just another pony. It was Lily Valley, one of Roseluck’s friends.

“Lily!” I said as I wrapped her up in my hooves. She was always so squishy, not as soft as Twilight but rounder squishy. Doc told me not to tell her that though.

“Hi Lily,” Spike said with a wave, “I already told everypony what was going on. I haven’t heard anything new.”

“I know Spike, I just saw Derpy come in and .. thought maybe I should join you.” Her face got really red. Maybe she liked Spike and I could help her tell him!

“Oh! I didn’t know you were Derpy’s friend too.” Spike can be so dense sometimes.

“Well I am, but that’s not why I’m here.” She looked around like a ninja was going to jump on her. I made sure there weren’t ninjas around. They could be very sneaky.

“Oh? Uh, what brings you here then?” Spike dumbly asked. I was about to tell him when I remembered Doc said it was wrong to tell other ponies’ secrets.

“Well, you see…” She paused and I felt my heart beating at a million miles an hour. This was the moment, the-tell-somepony-they-like-them moment. “I’m dating... one of Twilight’s friends. I thought it would be nice to wait with Derpy and you.”

Oops, I was wrong. It’s a good thing I didn’t say anything. Poor Spike, having his heart crushed like that. Wait, Spike didn’t know what I was thinking. I guessed he’ll be ok.

“You’re dating one of the six?!” Spike cried like there was a fire. I looked around but there wasn’t. Somepony should tell him it’s not nice to scare other ponies like that.

“Y-yes. We started dating not too long after Twilight and Derpy got together. I don’t know if she wants everypony to know yet. But… can I join you anyway?” Lily looked really upset and worried. She was part of our team, girlfriends of the brave six team, and Spike.

“Sure, I guess. But won’t we find out who it is when they get back?” Spike waved her in and we started walking again towards that room.

“Probably, but I couldn’t just wait by myself. I’m sure she’ll understand when I tell her.” Lily still looked around like she was going to get in trouble, I patted her back. No pony that’s friends with Twilight would get mad at something like this.

“So either of you girls ever play Ogres and Oubliettes?”

I was nearly done filling out the special test to be a healing Pegasus when the door opened to the castle. I knew what that meant. I was off like a bolt of lightning, my speed taking me again down the hallway. I glomped the form there happily.

“Welcome home, Twilight!” I said, snuggling the pony. She was harder than before, and much bigger. It was like snuggling a fuzzy stone statue. She was also bright red. So much had changed.

“Eeeeer nope.” Twilight said in her new voice.

“Hi Big Mac,” Spike said behind me. “Derpy, Big Mac comes to play O&O with me when he’s worried about his sister. It’s not Twilight.”

“Oh…” I said and slid off the large stallion. I turned red too.

“Ready to play?” Spike asked, shaking the dice in his hand.

“Eeeeeyup!”

“Derpy that spell is for healing players not the wall! How do you keep crashing into things in a game?!” Spike was mad. I looked away feeling dumb, I don’t know why he kept telling me I hit the wall. All I did was roll dice and he said there was a wall.

“Oh sorry,” Spike said in a softer voice. “I know you’re new, please don’t-“

The wind rushed around the outside of the castle. It sounded like a train or a… fast wind. Maybe a lost tornado? But it found its way to the castle door. Then it knocked.

I quickly got up but felt a claw on my hoof. “It’s not her, Derpy. I’ll go see who it is.”

“I’ll help!” I said, determined to be useful.

We walked back towards the door and I heard some ponies arguing. Well maybe not arguing but somepony was shouting. It didn’t sound like she was mad, just loud.

Spike opened the door and I couldn’t believe it. It was my old friend and fellow racer Spitfire. She was all dressed up in the Wonderbolt uniform with her goggles and everything. I hugged her.

“Spitfire! I haven’t seen you since we were foals!” I said, squeezing the tough pony in front of me.

“Oh.. hi Derpy. Yeah, long time no see.” She sounded a lot more gruffer than she used to be. Like she shouted a lot. “I’m kind of here to see you.”

“You are?! Why?” I couldn’t think of any reason she would need to see me. I didn’t drop her packages or anything. Wasn’t I supposed to work today? Oh well, it was a crisis.

“Well I knew you were dating Twilight and uh I kind of am in a similar situation..,”

“You’re dating Twilight too?!” At first I was mad but I should have known that some pony like Twilight would need some pony smarter than me to talk to. I wish she’d told me. I decided to be calm and forgiving. I didn’t really want to be mad at either of them. “Welcome to the-“

“No! Not Twilight!” Spitfire shouted. I felt scared and relieved at the same time. “One of her friends.”

“Seems like a lot of the group started dating recently, can you say who?” Spike asked, a twinkle of something sneaky in his eye.

“I don’t think she’s told anypony about us yet. So I’d rather not… and what do you mean a lot of the group? I only knew about Derpy and Twilight. Is that why this other pony is hanging out by the door?” Spitfire pointed to a blue unicorn with a star covered hat and cape. She looked down at us like we were small measly ponies to her. Though she was a pony too so I didn’t understand why she did that.

“Well, well, Spike, we meet again,” the hat wearing pony said.

“Uhh I live here Trixie, so it’s not that big a surprise. Starlight isn’t here. I’m not sure where she is.” I hadn’t met Starlight yet, except that time I crashed into her when she opened the door to the castle as I was about to land. Now that I think about it the hat pony is the one that caught me.

“Trixie isn’t here to see Starlight. She’s off with Maud somewhere, I don’t want to think about that. Trixie’s here because uhh.. she uhh.. felt like it.” The magical mare turned pretty red.

“You’re dating one of six aren’t you?” I asked excitedly. I was getting good at this. More girlfriends of my girlfriend’s friends.

“Maybe, Trixie won’t kiss and tell. But her special somepony is probably our saving Equestria right now so Trixie needs a distraction.” Trixie said Trixie a lot. I wondered if she kept forgetting her name and had to remind herself. That would be awful to keep forgetting like that.

“Come in Trixie, but just so you know you’re not the only special somepony here.” Spike sighed, opening the door further.

“Just the greatest and most powerful,” she said, strutting past me and Spitfire.

“Our team is getting bigger!” I smiled at the thought of a little family built around the adventure group’s loved ones. Like belonging to a special club that only six of us can be a part of. And Spike.

Spike started looking around outside. It was still dark out and the stars shone like jewels or Hearth’s Warming lights. It had been a long time and no sun or the friend group. Should I be worried now? I didn’t know.

“Well let’s get ba-“ Spike started to say but something big landed on the steps next to us. It was a scary looking griffin. She looked like she hated us and all the castle stood for.

“Gilda? What are- never mind. Congrats on your relationship. Come join the others.” The dragon waved to the mean looking bird cat and I followed slowly behind.

So many ponies loved this group and these were the ponies the group loved back. I couldn’t really understand why I was here? I knew Twilight was my girlfriend but why me? There were so many other choices.

“Ogres and Oubliettes? You guys play that?! “ Gilda said as we walked back inside. “I could never find enough.. I mean what a lame game. But I guess I could try it.”

For a griffin that hated the game she knew a lot of the rules. Maybe she really hated it and read all of it so she could hate it more. She still made a griffin that could move things with her mind which Spike didn’t know was playable. Gilda showed him some rules in the back and he said it was ok.

“So is anyone going to address the elephant in the room?” Spitfire said to the room.

I looked around but I could see any elephants at all. I worried that my old friend got hurt somehow. Maybe she hit her head during a trick, that’s why she saw things that weren’t there. I couldn’t imagine getting hurt like that.

“You want to know who is here for who don’t you?” Spike said with a satisfied look.

“I’m here for Twilight.” I said, sometimes ponies forget.

“We know,” Lilly sighed, but looked at the others with nervousness. “I’m not sure my girlfriend .., er pony I’m seeing likes her business known.”

“Well, we’re going to find out when they get back.” Spitfire rolled the dice then sighed. “So much for my fury attack.”

“Well if you’re all going to be pansies I’ll go first,” Gilda said, looking at us like we were stupid or weak. “But I doubt you’d need me to tell you.”

“Ahh, I thought so.” Spike rolled his turn and knocked over one of the skeletons in front of our group.

“Who?!” I asked.

“Rainbow Dash.” Spike said, handing me the dice. “They’ve been friends for a long time. I wondered if they would finally get together.”

“Are you saying it was that obvious?” Gilda looked like she was going to punch my friend. I put my wings out between them. “Ha ha ha! Of course it was! We’ve had a thing going on since flight school. Everyone could see that, even dense Dash. I wasn’t going to hit him, Derpy. It was just a joke.”

“Ohh ha ha ha ha!” I laughed but I didn’t really get the joke. Maybe dense Dash was the joke. No pony else laughed with me so I stopped.

“I want to try and guess the others.” Spike said, with a strange look. “How about we ask one question each and see who can guess first? Though I think we’re missing one.”

“Huh there’s six of us here...” Spitfire put her sheet down. I was confused if we were playing a new game or was this part of the skeleton battle? Maybe a riddle in the middle of a battle of the dead?

“Big Mac is here for the game,” Spike said with a wave of his hand. Big Mac looked at his sheet even closer. I really thought glasses would be easy to get even for a farm pony.

“Well, I don’t mind too much.” My good flower friend said, putting down her sheet too. “Does anyone else have any objections?”

“Trixie fears nothing! So no objections here.” Trixie rolled her dice. “Yes! My wizard defeats the dead king and rescues Princess Schmabby. Now she runs off with her!”

“Princess Schmabby only has eyes for Garbunkle!” Spike was quick to shout.

“That’s before she met the great and powerful Shmixie!”

“You know you should really talk to Gabby.” Gilda poked Spike in the tummy and got a grumpy look. I know I don’t like being poked there either.

“Ok, I’ll ask first.” Spike looked like a judge or game show contestant. Maybe it was a game show now. “I can guess Lilly… and we know Gilda. But Spitfire is a bit of a mystery. I would have guessed Rainbow Dash but she’s already dating Gilda. Unless she’s…”

“No. It’s not Crash! I don’t date subordinates.” The Wonderbolt crossed her fore hooves.

“How did you meet her then?” the contestant asked.

“Through Crash. She brought her to one of the Wonderbolt functions and well, she was so cute I couldn’t leave her alone. Might have made an ass of myself but she didn’t seem to mind.” Spitfire got really red. It was kind of funny seeing somepony like her look embarrassed. “I asked her out then, but she didn’t think the timing was right. I was shocked when she said she would a few weeks ago.”

“Huh, that’s the same time my girlfriend asked me,” Lily said, placing a hoof on her chin. “Said she had her eye on me for a while and it just felt like the right time now.”

“The mare that loves Trixie also finally got the courage to ask then. It was so romantic that Trixie couldn’t say no.”

“Hmmm.. ” Spike said to his hand. “Ok first dates from all of you, go.”

“She invited me to a rock and roll concert! Then we bounced around like idiots! It was great.” Gilda had a different idea of great than I had. It sounded loud and weird. No pony wanted to be an idiot, or I didn’t think they did.

“I was taken to a field and we had a picnic. She made a lot of food and I couldn’t finish it all.” Spitfire puffed her chest out, like an excited pigeon. I wondered if she would strut like one later.

“Applejack,” Spike spat out as she finished. Spitfire nodded.

“My date was similar but we were served by animals. It was a little freaky at first but I got used to it.” Lily looked a little bashful about it.

“Awwwww,.” I couldn’t help myself. It sounded so cute.

“Has to be Fluttershy!” Spike snapped his fingers in excitement when Lily nodded. “I know my friends. Now you... it’s either Rarity or Pinkie Pie…” His finger pointed to the Trixie staring at the game board.

“Trixie was treated like the goddess she is. Massages, Rarity did my mane. Then we danced the rest of the party. After that we had a long talk. Seems she was enthralled by the sexy and seductive Trixie and I wasn’t even trying.”

“So you’re dating Rarity?” Spike’s eyes were huge. I think he froze, because I tapped him and he just fell over.

“No, Rarity just did my mane. The entire party was just to ask me out! Finally somepony that understands the greatness that is Trixie.” Trixie stood up like we were supposed to cheer and clap. I started to but no pony else did. I slowed down and looked around as if somepony else had.

“Oh thank goodness, you’re dating Pinkie. I’m sorry but you and Rarity together would just be too weird.” Spike stood up a little greener in his purple cheeks.

Then Spike’s face fell and he grew pale. He looked like he discovered his ice cream had run away when he wasn’t looking. I hated when that happened. “Rarity… no pony is dating her. She’s going to feel awful when she gets back to all these girlfriends and no one is there to make her feel special. “

The rest of us looked a little sad. Leaving a pony out is awful. Especially since there was so much love being found, how had Rarity been skipped over?

“Oh the sun’s rising!” Lily pointed at the slight glow of orange that lit the landscape. It was the prettiest thing I’d seen that wasn’t Twilight. The sky, clouds and trees glowed like they were on fire but a good fire. Then the large sun peeked out, painting the sky in blues, pinks and purples.

The seven of us watched and sighed in happiness. It meant our girlfriends were ok and saved us all again. I hoped they would be back soon. It was nice being a part of this team but I was starting to miss Twilight with all the date talk.

“There they are!” Lilly pointed to a balloon in the sky with the heroes all inside. I stood up to fly to them but felt a hoof on my shoulder. “I think it might be best to meet them all together.”

“It sounds like something they would appreciate.” Spitfire stood with the rest of us, and we walked towards the doors of the castle. Together, like a team. The girlfriend team.

I looked around as we walked to the entrance but I didn’t see Spike or Big Mac. Were they cleaning up from our game? Maybe I should help them but Twilight and the others would be there soon.

Luckily they reappeared from a different hallway with Spike in a better color. Big Mac looked a little pale though. I wondered if he was able to give more color to Spike somehow.

The door opened and light poured in from the new rising sun. We waited for our sweet hearts together. I couldn’t make out who it was that came in first so I fought the urge to rush to them.

“I never want to see magical snot again!” It was Rainbow Dash, good thing I held back.

“It’s unlikely the Princess will be infected again after all the protection spells I put up. I- oh!” Twilight came in next and froze as she saw us all, smiling in relief. “Spike? Why are they all here?”

“Twilight!” I could hold back anymore. I rushed to hug her and hung on as she tried not to fall down, but failed.

“Oh hi Derpy! I didn’t know you’d be waiting for me. I was reading that couples do that after a while but I didn’t think we got that far on the dating schedule.” Twilight looked up at me, red faced as I happily nuzzled her.

“Silly Twilight, I’ll always wait for you.” I hugged her with my wings and helped her off the ground. We stood there wrapped up together as the rest of the team welcomed their loved ones in their own ways.

I watched as Spitfire and Applejack broke off, both looking redder than Big Mac. “Guess the cow’s out of the barn now huh?” the farm pony said with a nod to my friends.

“If that means everypony knows we’re dating then yes.” Spitfire snickered and placed a wing in the farm pony’s back.

Pinkie and Trixe were much more lovey. I watched the party pony walk up to her great and powerful partner.

“You may hold Trixie’s h- oooof!” Pinkie ducked under the magician’s hoof, picked her up like a stuffed animal and spun her around.

Lily and Fluttershy just held hooves looking like they weren’t used to all this happiness, while Rainbow Dash and Gilda started wrestling. I think they were wrestling or some sort of mouth war. Wouldn’t the griffon’s beak hurt your lips doing that?

I saw Rarity looking around too, like the world betrayed her. “You -you all found girlfriends and didn’t tell me?! Well except Pinkie I helped with that. It’s a scandal! How could you do this to me? You know how much I love love stories!”

Rarity watched with a pale face and I couldn’t help but feel horrible. She was left all alone. I wanted to feel so happy with all my new friends but with a pony left out all I could think of was how I felt when that happened to me.

“Fluttershy I didn’t even know you were interested in Lilly. Rainbow and Gilda I saw from a mile away but Spitfire and AJ? How did that even happen? If-if I hadn’t done the same thing I would be most furious you know!” Rarity gave them all stern looks as she walked to Big Mac and wrapped her hooves around him.

“Oh don’t make that face, darling, I was going to tell them.” Rarity spoke so softly to the large pony, I felt a scary feeling in my body. “Well since everypony else has a relationship I suppose I should tell you that Big Mac and I have one too.”

She beamed like she won a prize and that prize looked down at the floor. I looked around but I couldn’t see Spike anywhere.

I whispered in Twilight’s ear. “I think we should check on Spike. He’s the only one without a girlfriend… or boyfriend.”

Twilight shook her head and looked at me. “Sorry, what did you say? I was worried about Spike. He’s the only one without a girlfriend.”

“Pppppfftt…” I snickered. “Let’s go see him.”

We walked together, our wings touching, and found the little dragon picking up the game. I silently started helping him then Twilight joined in. We all quietly picked up the little figures and dice.

Finally Twilight broke the silence. “You ok, Spike?”

“Yeah, I didn’t see Rarity and Big Mac coming, that's for sure. But they aren’t too bad a match… I guess. He told me before you came in. Honestly there’s someone else I like. I think it’s time I tell her.” Spike sighed. “I’ll do it soon. Oh Derpy?”

“Yeah?” I was drawn into the different figures. They were so cute, especially the little skeletons.

“When Twilight is this tired she needs sleep, but she tends to sleepwalk. Somepony should hug her while she sleeps to make sure she stays in bed.”

“Who did you have in mind?” I asked, though the thought of somepony else in bed with Twilight made me feel uncomfortable. I started to feel angry and hurt at the same time, like I wanted to hold on to Twilight more than anything.

“You! You’re her girlfriend and that’s definitely a girlfriend thing.” Spike sighed and pointed at Twilight with a head twitch. I think, or he had pain there.

“Y-you don’t have to do that,” Twilight said, her mane getting all frizzy. “I don’t need to be held down, just returned to bed a few times.”

“Will it help you?” I looked back and forth between the two friends. “I will do it if it helps!”

“It might… I guess it couldn’t hurt.” The princess put her hoof out to me and I happily took it. Spike gave me a thumbs up. I laughed a little. I didn’t need a thumbs up just for grabbing her hoof.

The bed was huge! Twilight could fit all her friends in it if she wanted. The princess climbed in looking more worn out then I’d seen her, even after I woke her up in the middle of the night. It must have been a hard battle. She closed her eyes and I wrapped my hooves and wings around her. There was no way she was getting up.

A letter of Love (Derpy)

A day off! I love helping ponies by delivering packages and letters but it’s hard sometimes. I can’t read hoof writing too well and I get it wrong a lot. Then I have to go back, find the package and bring it to where it was really supposed to go.

It can be exhausting. Sometimes I just come home and just fall right to sleep, sometimes right in the middle of the floor. Luckily my roommate understands and can normally get me into bed. Except for those times when she trips over me.

But I didn’t have to worry about that. I had the day off. I could do whatever I wanted and I wanted to see my girlfriend, Princess Twilight Sparkle. It had only been a month but it was the best month ever. I was sure if I could see her my day off would be even better.

“You leaving, Derpy?” My roommate, Cherry Berry called out.

“I was thinking of going to Twilight’s… do you think that’s ok?” I didn’t want to crowd my new girlfriend but I wanted to see her so bad. I was thinking about her more than ever. Especially at work, all I wanted to do want snuggle with her, and kiss and-

“I’m sure it’s fine. You two are going out now. She should be just as happy to see you.” Cherry patted my shoulder and I felt a little better.

“Derpy! I’m glad you’re here!”

“You are?!” I stood outside the castle, feeling the shock of Spike’s words run through me. Somepony was glad I was there! Even if it wasn’t Twilight at least it was close.

“Yeah, come in, I’d like to talk to you about something.” He waved a claw at me and I followed him into the library. I didn’t see Twilight anywhere. Was she on another mission? I felt my excitement pop. She probably was on one for my day off.

“Uhh you ok?” Spike sat down on a really comfy chair, but didn’t look as happy as he was before. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I didn’t? Good. Is Twilight away on a mission?” I scuffed my hooves on the floor hoping that it would cover the answer I didn’t want to hear.

“No, she’s still reading in her private study I think. She’s been hitting the books pretty hard again. She does that every so often.” Spike looked towards the door, a little concerned.

It was my cue to go cheer her up and help her live a little. I started towards the door he looked at. Twilight might be just as excited to see me as Spike was. I could give nice hug and smooch and-

“Derpy? Aren’t you going to help me?” Spike looked a little pale.

“Oh right.” I returned to the chair while he shook his head. “What do you need me to do?”

“Just listen. I like this other mailcreature that works in your office.”

“Another mailmare?” I couldn’t think of any other ones that work there except me.

“No she’s not a mare. I think they’re called a hen?”

“You fell in love with a chicken?”

“What! No!”

“I didn’t know you liked chickens like that!” I had no idea that dragons and chickens could be a couple.

“I don’t-“

“I guess you do both come from eggs so you have that in common.”

“Derpy-“

“I will help you find your chicken of love!” I wrapped my wings around him. It was a very special moment trusting me with a thing like this. I couldn’t think of any postal chickens but if Spike liked one there must be one.

“Derpy listen! She’s not a chicken.” His little claws pushed me off him and his face told me that I messed up again. “She’s a griffin. A griffin!”

“Oh… I know one of those.” I remembered meeting a mailgriffin recently, she talked a lot and very fast. “I think she works at the post office! Maybe she knows the griffin you like.”

“She is the griffin I like,” sighed the little dragon, holding his head. Maybe I hugged him too hard.

“Oh good! Then she definitely knows her. Do you want me to get her?” I could fly over to the office but I was told not to on my days off. They said I helped a lot by enjoying myself someplace not at work.

“No! No! I just… how do you tell someone you like them? I’ve never done that before.” He looked so small and scared. I had to help him.

“Mail her a letter.” Letters could tell somepony anything you wanted and you didn’t have to be there.

“Uhh I could maybe … she is a mail carrier. If I make it a cute thing it won’t seem so sad.” He looked excited and rushed out of the chair to the writing desk. “Do you think you could deliver it?”

“Uhh it’s my day off. I can’t go back there today.” I wanted to help but I didn’t want to upset the post office either.

“Maybe she’s on her rounds? I would really appreciate it if you could.” He held the little letter close to his chest and I felt the want it also held. It was a letter with a very special purpose. As much as I wanted to see Twilight, Spike needed me.

“Ok, do you know her route?” I tried to remember which one she had but the board got so confusing with numbers and lines on it.

“She should be between Carrot Top’s and Fluttershy’s cottage by now...” Spike looked away, very red.

“Wow! You’re devoted!” He seemed to know her schedule better than I know mine. That was true love.

“It doesn’t sound creepy?” Spike didn’t want to look at me for some reason. Maybe he was just thinking about the griffon.

“Of course not! It sounds like some dragon is in loooove. I’ll take this letter to her ok? Don’t worry! I’ll make sure it gets there.” I patted his head and turned to leave.

“Derpy?”

“Hmm?” I trotted down the hallway a bit.

“The uh letter?”

“Oh…” I returned and he carefully handed me the letter in a little envelope. I placed it in my saddle bag. This was the first friendship mission I had been entrusted with. I couldn’t screw it up.

I flew through most of Ponyville and I couldn’t find her. Was Spike wrong? Was she even working today? I checked halfway between Fluttershy’s Cottage and Applejack’s farm but no griffin. I checked halfway between the Mayor’s office and Sugarcube corner, no Gabby. I even checked halfway between Twilight’s Castle and the creepy Castle of Two Sisters and that turned out to be a swamp in the Everfree Woods!

I was nearly turned to stone by a manticore and bitten by a chicken snake. Then a squirrel jumped on my face while the chicken snake tried to answer a simple question. Or was it a chicken snake that turned ponies to stone? Maybe the squirrel was helping. Either way I made it back to Ponyville, wet, tired and my nerves hurt. This was not the day off I hoped for.

“Hey Derpy,” said a cheery voice, as I flopped on the road. Hopefully the chicken snake didn’t follow me. “You look… tired.”

I looked at the griffin behind me as she smiled an awkward smile. “That’s not a bad thing. Some ponies can pull off the tired look, I’m sure it looks ok. I could help pull the twigs from your mane if you like. Unless they’re supposed to be there. Oh! Is it like a pony rite of passage?! Like a quest! You have to run through the Everfree forest screaming and finish the quest with a squirrel on your face?”

The squirrel finally let go and was panting next to me. It looked like it was scared to death but glared at me like I had offended it. I gave it a few friendly pats on its head with my wing.

“No, I was in the forest looking for a mail griffin.” I slowly stood up and offered the squirrel a ride. It looked around as if trying to think of any other choice then begrudgingly climbed on my back.

“Oh a male griffin, those aren’t that hard to find in Griffin Stone. Did you check there? That’s not in the Everfree Forest though it’s miles and miles away. And most of them aren’t very friendly. Well most griffins aren’t very friendly but the males are really really unfriendly. Especially Grandpa Grif, he takes care of me and Gilda, oh! Did you know Gilda and Rainbow Dash are a couple now? I told Spike about it but he already knew.” The griffin talked a lot and I got a little dizzy. Finally she asked, “What did you need a male griffin for?”

“I have a letter for them.” I pulled the letter out of my bag. It was a little swampy but I could still read the words on it.

Gabby took it and peered at the address. “That’s not for a male griffin, silly. It’s for me! I’m a female. But you knew that. Oh did you mean a mail griffin because I am that. That’s good you didn’t go to Griffon Stone because I was in Ponyville today. Who’s it from?”

I was staring at the clouds to steady myself from all the information when she stopped talking. What had she said? She looked at me happily and I looked around for clues. Maybe she asked me a question. “That’s a tough question,” I guessed. “Maybe you could ask Twilight?”

“Was it from her? Oh wait it says from Spike on it. Sillyhead, trying to trick me. I should read it!” She announced it like everypony should gather around her to listen.

I hoped they didn’t. Spike wrote that for her, not to be read aloud. Oh! I remembered it was a love letter, maybe I should give her some space so she-

“It’s-it’s a love letter! It’s a love letter from Spike! He -he never told me he loved me!” Gabby’s neck feathers puffed up, making her look like she had a beautiful mane around her head. She looked around like she won a prize. “Derpy what do I say?! I never had someone tell me they loved me before! The most I could hope for was being tolerable. And I don’t get told that often either! What am I supposed to say?!”

“Well, do you like him?” I never expected so many ponies -er creatures to be asking me for love advice. Was it because I was dating a princess? I owed the two of them the best advice I could give.

“Of course I do! I want to see him every day! Sometimes every second of that day! I want to play that weird game he talks about, and read those comics he has and learn about his favorite foods and clothes and-“

“It sounds like you like him a lot.” My head was getting fuzzy again.

“Oh I do! But but but what do I say? I can’t tell him all that stuff! I’d sound like I live for him or something. I don’t even know how to date a dragon. What kind of compliments do they like? They might not like griffin compliments.” She started running around like a cat chasing her tail. It made me dizzier.

“What are griffin compliments?” I stopped trying to watch her before I fell over.

“You know, things like ‘Your voice is grating but at least you look pretty’ or ‘When we hold paws I want to vomit after a full quarter mile’” Gabby finally sat down after she noticed my eyes starting to move away from each other. Was she serious? Those sounded like horrible things to say.

“Maybe just stop at the good parts? Like ‘you look pretty’ or ‘you’re very… shiny?’” I didn’t know what Spike would like to hear either. Someponies like to be shiny.

“He is! He’s the shiniest dragon in Equestria! It’s so stunning to look at him! Do you think I should tell him that?! I could! Maybe… oh my gosh! I’m so nervous now! What if he hates how shiny he is? What if he’s embarrassed by it?! What if I suck at Ogres and Oubliettes?!” Her puffy feather mane started to look matted and some feathers fell off.

“It’s a fun game. I played that with him and the rest of the girlfriend team a few days ago!” It was a proud moment to remember. Sitting down around the girlfriends of the most important ponies in Equestria and I was one of them.

“You did?! Did you win? Was it hard?!” She grabbed me with her paws and shook me a little. The squirrel on my back nearly fell off. Maybe I should feed him some acorns for all the trouble he went through.

“N-no. Spike m-made easy so I could understand. We did defeat the evil Squidmonster and saved Princess Smabby.”

“Smabby?! Who’s that?”

“A girl in the game Garbunkle, Spike’s character, likes. He’s a wizard. She’s a griffin too.” I thought it was odd how much Smabby and Gabby seemed similar. Maybe it wasn’t a coincidence. Could Spike have done it on purpose?

“I see. Well, I-I guess I should talk to him about it. But-but I’m so nervous. Why am I so nervous when I know he likes me like I like him?! How do I get past it?! What if I can’t?! Will I ever be able to see him again?!” Gabby flopped on the ground in front of me. I petted her head with my wing, like ponies had done for me when I was upset.

“It’s going to be ok. Spike is a good dragon. You’re a good griffin. You’ll both get through this scary thing. You’ll be happy you did, even if it’s the most terrifying thing you’ve ever done.” I continued petting as her feathers started to lay back along her neck. She didn’t look as scared, the petting was helping.

“You’re right. It’s probably so scary because it’s really worth it. Spike and I have been friends for a long time and we both like each other. I think we have to take that next step, to see where it leads. If we want to be together, we will.” She wiped her eyes with her wing. “Thanks Derpy, you’re a great friend.”

She stood up, looking determined and tall. I wish I could look like that. Then she uncurled her wings and started to fly towards Twilight’s castle. She paused a few flaps away. “You coming? I need somepony to make sure I don’t chicken out.”

So Spike did like a chicken. I snickered as I followed the griffin, she didn’t chicken out but she did slow down a few times. I made sure she got there, like a real friend would.

Author's Note

I was bad and didn’t ask anyone to edit this. So if there’s flaws it’s my fault for missing them.

Wrestling with love (Twilight)

I watched from behind the door to my private study as Derpy entered. I figured she’d come over on her day off. I was actually looking forward to it. My plan was to give her the rest and relaxation she deserved.

Spike called her away for a minute, like we planned, and she happily trotted towards him. I had to bite my lip as she came towards my hiding spot but Spike called her back. Then she left, and came back and left again. I hesitated a little longer in case she returned once more but after a few solid minutes I broke my cover.

“She’s gone,” Spike said with a slight tremor in his voice.

“Thanks Spike. I wanted to put this relaxation room together for her a few days ago but I just got too busy. What errand did you send her on?” I started gathering the pillows and cushions I set aside. Luckily Derpy had missed them.

“Oh, just something I also should have done before now…” Spike sighed and looked around like the world was going to jump on him.

“Nothing bad or dangerous I hope.” The plan was just to distract her for a half an hour, not send her on an adventure.

“I told her exactly where to go to find her.”

“Find who?”

“It’s not important, so this room of relaxation?” He looked around quickly, grabbing more cushions out of my magic.

“It’s something I talked to Fluttershy about. She recommended a lot of pillows so Derpy can’t fall and hurt herself, and a pony that knew aroma therapy for deeper relaxation. Then she helped me learn massage. I hope Derpy likes it.” I didn’t really know how she felt about massages, they never came up. I was certain she didn’t mind me touching her but would she be able to relax from my touch? I had to try.

“Wow, Twilight, you really went all out.” Spike grabbed some of the incense sticks that Treehugger gave me.

“She does the same for me every date we have. So I think it’s right I do the same.” It was actually kind of exciting to help her like this. It felt like the most ‘girlfriend’ thing I had done for her yet.

“She is pretty dedicated. You know, I wasn’t sure you two would hit it off. But you have been pretty happy these last couple of weeks.” He began arranging the pillows on the floor of my study while I hung the pictures of relaxing scenes around the room.

“Well, I guess you’re right. It is exciting to finally have a pony that is romantically interested in me. There are so many things to learn and grow from. It kind of reminds me of the early days when we first came to Ponyville. I didn’t know a thing about friendship but I learned a lot so quickly it was hard not to get that buzz of excitement. Nowadays friends have changed a little and the lessons aren’t as large or obvious. It’s like finding a new avenue of friendship I hadn’t been allowed to look at before.” I twirled a bit from the elation of exploration.

“Ha!”

“Ha?” The doubtful ‘ha’ slowed my decorative zeal.

“It’s not just because it’s new Twilight. I think you’re falling in love.” He looked at me with a huge doofy grin.

“Love?” Was that possible? Could you fall in love without being aware of it? I knew I cared a lot for Derpy, maybe more than a friend but did I love her? Well I didn’t care more about her than my friends, just in a different way. Was that love?

“Yup. You’re excited to see her, a little down when she leaves. Sometimes I swear you’re pacing by the door, hoping she’ll show up soon.” The grin widened and with it the piercing eyes of truth.

“I was just waiting for an important package that day. I just happened to know she was delivering it.” I placed the incense sticks around the room, placing protective plates under them. I knew her, she would find a way to set the room on fire if I wasn’t careful.

“Oh those super important books you ordered in the corner that you haven’t taken out of the box yet?” He pointed to the package that lay innocently in the corner, betraying all my feelings. Curse you box!

“Fine, I wanted to see her. Happy?” I stuck my nose in the air at the smug looking dragon.

“Yeah. I am. You deserve to fall in love and so does she.” Spike fluffed the pillows, making the pillowed floor more puffy.

“So do you Spike.” I was about to light the incense but then I thought it might be a little too early.

“We’ll see…” He muttered and looked pretty shaken. It was strange, normally a comment like that was met with ‘I don’t know about that’ or ‘I’ll find it when I’m ready.’ It made me wonder, had he found somepony?

“Well, all we have to do is wait for Derpy to return from her errand and surprise her with this massage.” I opened the door and sat patiently waiting until she returned.

An hour or two later I looked at Spike with a disapproving stare.

“It was supposed to be a short run! I told Derpy exactly where she would be!” Spike waved his hands futilely in the air, trying to protect himself from my gaze.

“She? She who?” Just what sort of errand did Spike send her on? If he sent her to somepony like Pinkie Pie then it could be even longer, maybe the rest of the day before she returned. The massage wouldn’t work then. Unless she spent the night.

Spike on the other hoof cowered. A strange mixture of red and purple filled his face and his eyes bugged out impossibly large. What had he done?

“Spike?”

“Ok! I finally decided to tell Gabby how I feel alright?! And Derpy suggested a letter which sounded cute and I had her deliver it. But I don’t know why she’s not back yet. Unless something happened, maybe Gabby freaked out and Derpy is calming her down? Or Derpy… got… lost…” His eyes got wider and his pupils became small points of awakening. He had asked the pony with no sense of direction to find somepony.

“Spike! This is bad! She could be anywhere!” I climbed out of the chair and rushed to the door.

“I’m sorry I was just too excited and nervous to think clearly.” Spike pattered after me his head in his hands.

“I have to find her before she gets to Yakyakastan or somewhere. I hope she’s ok. You stay here in case she comes back.” I prepared myself to scan every inch of Equestria for my missing girlfriend. It was probably something I should get used to doing knowing her.

“Sorry…” Spike cried as I opened the castle door. I felt a little piece of my heart break. He was just trying to tell the person he loved how he felt. I couldn’t blame him for not thinking clearly. I would have to have a talk with him when I got ba-

There was an eruption of feathers, squawking, pain and hooves as I stepped out. I had no idea what happened, except something big hit me and another thing landed on that. I couldn’t see. I could barely hear. All I could feel was a crushing weight on me and pain.

“Twilight! Are you ok?! Gabby? Derpy?!” Spike’s high pitched voice cut through the confusion. I could make out a fallen form on me that was a light gray and another gray form on top of that.

“Wha?” was I could manage before the wind was pushed out of me.

“Twilight?!” squawked the form on me. It must be Gabby or a really big chicken. If so then Derpy was on top of both of us. I couldn’t help but feel relief knowing she was safe.

“Twilight! Hi! I’ve been wanting to see you all day!” Derpy cried as she saw me.

“Spike! I have to tell you I feel the same way!” Gabby confessed, reaching her foreclaws out to the startled dragon. The weight shifted to her back to her back paws which were planted on my barrel.

“Really?!” Spike gasped as he reached his claws out to grasp hers. It looked like they were going to kiss, which would have been a touching moment if she wasn’t crushing the life out of me.

“Uuurk!” I finally managed, stopping the slow motion first physical connection the budding couple was about to make.

“Twilight!” Derpy shouted, reaching her hoof out to me. She was still perched on Gabby’s back and on top of her was… a squirrel?

“Oh! I think I should get off her,” the embarrassed griffin said, shifting finally off my barrel. It was immediately replaced with Derpy’s much lighter weight as my girlfriend jumped off the griffins back onto me. She immediately snuggled into my chest.

“Hi…” I croaked, trying not to let the intense pain show. I could breath a lot better but it felt like my flanks could use a long hot bath. Slowly and gingerly I rose to my hooves with Derpy’s help.

“I think you two could do with some alone time,” I suggested to Spike and Gabby. “Maybe a nice walk?”

“I’m not doing anything right now.” Gabby stared into Spike’s face, I didn’t want to think about the thoughts either of them were having. Spike might have gotten old enough to start dating but there were plenty of things I didn’t want to see or know about. I could remind him of being safe but Spike looked so nervous just standing there I figured it would be a while before we had to have that talk.

They walked off claw in claw towards the Sugarcube Corner and I figured Pinkie would spot them and keep an eye on them. Meanwhile I had my own plans with my own girlfriend to worry about.

Derpy finally rolled off me and I slowly got up. An uncomfortable twinge in my hindquarters caused me to nearly jump into the air. Luckily I didn’t, but I started to limp a little as I tried to escort my mate back inside.

“Twilight! You’re hurt!” She cried as I hobbled towards her. She rushed to my side and wrapped me with her wings.

“I’m not that hurt. Just a bruise. I think it’s from the crash.” I stretched the offending leg, then winced as it protested. Derpy wasn’t buying it.

“Climb on my back,” she commanded, and laid down. The squirrel on her back jumped off and scurried away. “Nutzo!”

“Nutzo?” I echoed as I begrudgingly straddled her and lowered myself onto her back. It was horribly awkward and suggestive but Derpy didn’t think in those terms.

“He’s the squirrel that saved me from the chicken snake in the forest, I think. It looked really mean. Then he jumped on my face and wouldn’t let go.” She slowly stood up, her legs shook slightly as both of us rose. I was a little worried about this chicken snake she mentioned.

“Wait..” suddenly it dawned on me. “Do you mean a cockatrice?! Those things are extremely dangerous! They can turn you to stone!”

“Oh... maybe that’s why he jumped on my face.”

“Sounds like a good squirrel,” I ventured, wrapping my front hooves around Derpy’s neck. I felt stupid being carried around like an invalid. It was just a bruise, I hoped.

She opened the door and started looking around the castle. “We need a soft place to put you down,” she muttered, “ooh look! There’s a pillow room! I didn’t know you had one of those.”

I looked where she pointed and noticed I left the door open to her surprise. I facehoofed. Of course I did. “Derpy that’s uh...”

“It’s perfect. You can rest and I can give you a nice massage! I’ve always wanted to do that.” The excited pegasus nearly dropped me a few times as she happily trotted towards the pillow room.

“No, Derpy this was for you.” I cried as she gently set me down on a pre-fluffed cushion. These things were really soft.

“What was?”

“This room. I made it for you.”

“You made me a pillow room!”

“Yes, but I was going to give you a massage. It’s your day off, you deserve some rest and pampering.” I crawled towards her as she froze in place.

“M-me?! I-I just do what I’m supposed to. That’s not any different from any other pony. Why do I deserve a massage? Why not somepony else?” She looked almost offended. I thought she would be happy to get some relaxation.

“No pony else is my girlfriend.” That hit home as my mare fell back in shock. Luckily she landed on a pillow. It was a good idea to line the room with pillows after all.

“But…but you’re the one that’s hurt. I should give you a massage.” She stared at the ceiling, clearly dazed, muttering to herself. I took the opportunity to crawl to her. My flank would be fine as long as I was sitting.

“Roll over on your back,” I said as I got into position. The idea of massaging her front was too much for me at that point.

“But I… but I… no. Twilight, you’re hurt. You’re the one that works so hard for everypony in the kingdom. You do so much. It’s not right. I should massage you for all you do. It’s all I can do to help.” She sat up and looked into my eyes, almost pleading for me to lay back down.

“But Derpy even ponies that support other ponies need support too. You can be pampered just as much as any pony.” I lightly placed my hooves on her shoulders, beginning the massage. I hoped she would relax into a more receptive mood.

Instead she placed her hooves on my shoulders as well. “Twilight, I want to be the one that takes care of you. No pony else does. Everypony helps me and takes care of me. I want to do that for you.”

I felt her hooves gently prod at my shoulder muscles. She knew what she was doing. I fought the urge to give in. I didn’t need the relationship to be all about me and my needs. I wanted her to feel just as important as she made me.

“Please Derpy, you can rest on your day off. You don’t need to cater to me.” I tried to massage her muscles in such a way to guide her back to the ground. If I could just get her to relax-

“You’re the one that needs it more than me. I won’t let you down. I learned how to give the best massages from Roseluck. I’ll show you I can.” She was getting a little more forceful and fighting my gentle guidance.

I don’t know exactly how it escalated but it did. What started as two ponies trying to convince the other to relax and get a nice massage became both of us rolling all over the place trying to pin the other. I couldn’t stop her. I couldn’t make her see that she needed this more than I. I couldn’t show her how I felt like she did for me.

“Oh my goodness!”

A voice from outside the pillow room stopped us both. Though we kept holding each other’s shoulders, we froze laying next to each other, panting.

“What is going on here?” A confused and concerned Fluttershy asked as she fully entered the room.

“She needs a massage—”“

“She won’t let me massage her—”

“Stop it you two,” the normally timid pony said with a lot more force than I expected. “You two love each other and you’re wrestling on the ground. Even if it is covered in pillows you could get hurt.”

“She is hurt,” Derpy cried, pointing at me.

“That’s why I’m here. Some strange squirrel from the Everfree Forest came up to me and told me Twilight’s hurt, come quickly.” The squirrel I saw on Derpy’s shoulder before appeared on Fluttershy’s.

“Now, you both know better than to wrestle each other when one of you is hurt.”

Slowly the hooves on each other’s shoulders retreated and a feeling of guilt and stupidity filled us both. Derpy got off of me and I winced as I sat up, the scolding mare stared at us both.

“Now, please explain this to me… if-if you don’t mind…” Her stern voice and stance crumpled as we separated. The two of us told our points of view as both the pegasus and squirrel nodded. Then she sighed as she placed a bowl of nuts in front of her furry companion.

“Derpy, I think your heart’s in the right place but remember how good it feels to make Twilight relax and enjoy herself? You should let Twilight feel that joy too.” Fluttershy placed a wing on the confused pegasus’s head. She nodded her eyes moving away from each other as she wrestled with the concept.

“And Twilight, I’m surprised at you. You’re hurt and she can’t relax if you try force. You have to coax her, maybe by letting her massage you first. Is that ok?” Fluttershy gave me a look that told me I should be the bigger mare. It wouldn’t hurt Derpy to give me a massage and it might help her relax.

“I’m sorry Twilight!” Derpy cried and rushed into my hooves. “I-I just wanted to help. You’re more important than anything to me and I just want you to be happy with me.”

I pulled her off my chest and looked into her tearing eyes. I stared into the depth of that hopeful soul. It looked back at me with worry and desire. Mostly a desire to be loved rather than … the other one.

“Derpy,” I said, my eyes meeting hers, “I want you to know that you’re just as important to me as I am to you. There are times I want to show you that. I don’t want you to feel you’re the only one in the relationship and I’m just catering to you. Er, I mean letting you.”

She opened her mouth a few times but nothing came out. Did I just tell her I loved her? She already told me she loved me and if she told her she was equally important… I think I did. I wasn’t hundred percent sure but it was the closest to love I have ever been. I wasn’t going to retract it now. Derpy decided to keep silent and buried her face in my chest once more.

“I’m glad you two are doing so well,” Fluttershy gushed with a reddened face. “I think you’re in good hooves Twilight. The squirrel said he wouldn’t mind staying with Derpy and helping out, she seems like she needs it. He just needs a name.”

“How about Nutzo?” Derpy said, looking at Fluttershy for approval. The animal enthusiast’s face dropped a bit but the squirrel shrugged and continued to eat.

“Well, he doesn’t seem to mind. Will you treat him well, give him nuts and plenty of love?” the soft spoken pegasus asked the one in my hooves.

“Nutzo will be the best kept squirrel ever!” Derpy exclaimed with glee.

“Good, take care of that injury, Twilight, and take care of each other.” Fluttershy left with a smile as Nutzo continued to scarf down nuts, leaving us alone again.

I was about to lay on the pillows for the massage when Derpy beat me to it. She looked a little nervous spreading her wings out flat on the pillows but gave me a happy smile. I couldn’t help but smile back, with a flash the incense lit and the soothing sounds of water running down a magic waterfall filled the room.

“Derpy?” I whispered in the pegasus’s ear. She had become like putty in my hooves as all the tension released. For somepony so carefree she had a lot of muscle knots. Maybe it was from constantly crashing into things.

“Hmmm… Twilight…” She curled her hooves around a large pillow and pulled it close. She must be dreaming. I couldn’t help watching her sleep, so peaceful and happy. I gently stroked her mane which produced a soft coo sound. It was adorable.

Did I really love her? Could I be happy with her by my side? I was happier now than I had been in a long time. Most of my friends wouldn’t let me do anything for them like this. Honestly massaging one of them might get awkward as well. But Derpy seemed to appreciate more than any pony I knew would. Perhaps that was her way of showing her love for me.

Nutzo wandered in after the massage ended and curled up next to my mare. They looked quite the pair. Shrugging, I joined them on the pillowed floor. This time I wrapped Derpy in my wings. It was exciting and comforting how much more natural it felt to curl up next to her now. If only it could continue like this.

“I’m in what?!” (Twilight)

“Twilight, get a hold of yourself!” My number one assistant cried as I tried to fly out the window.

“But-but she’s lost! She’s out there and doesn’t know where she is! We have to find her! It’s almost nightfall!” I couldn’t believe he was being so callous. We had to gather as many ponies as we could and form a search party.

“Gabby is out there looking. She said this happens on a weekly basis.” He pulled me away from the window and looked into my eyes. “Calm down, she’s fine. I’m sure she’s just fine.”

“But-but she’s all alone…”

“Gabby will find her. Don’t worry. What’s gotten into you lately?!” Spike backed away and threw his little hands up.

“What do you mean? It’s normal to worry about a friend, especially my girlfriend.” He was the one acting weird. He kept pointing out all these ‘weird things’ he’d seen me do all week, as if they were some sort of proof of illness.

“Yeah but not fly-out-the-window worry. Come on Twilight, you’ve been off since you invited Derpy to our family day.” He gave me the hairy eyeball again. I raised my eyebrows.

“I told you, it’s normal to invite your girlfriend to family days. And she’s been extra careful and sweet lately. Except today, she’s done her job well, and helped me a lot.” I almost made it sound like she was getting rewarded. The truth was I really wanted my family to meet her, not just to prove I was really dating somepony. She was becoming a more important pony in my life lately and I wanted her to feel welcome around them.

“Ha!” He returned full of snark.

“She hasn’t? I think that squirrel has been helping her.” Derpy’s pet squirrel, Nutzo, was helping her find her deliveries and warning her of impending danger. He’d help keep her safe these past few weeks.

“Twilight, aside from finding houses easier and bumping her head less, she really hasn’t changed at all. She hasn’t gotten sweeter. I don’t think she’s helped much more either.” The dragon crossed his arms and glared at me, his eyes searching for some unseen thing.

“You sure? I mean she stopped and got me hayburgers when I was sick.. I couldn’t eat it because I was sick but it was very thoughtful.” I had actually felt better having her there rather than a grease-filled bag of food.

“That was it! That was when you started acting… different. Did something happen between you two when she was trying to take care of you?” Spike raised an eyebrow in thought.

“Nothing that I noticed. She just made me feel as comfortable as she could. Even wrapped me up in her wings to keep me warm.” That warmth made me stop shivering so much for the first time that day. It was the only thing that helped. Of course my fever broke seconds later but I swear I felt warmer from her wings first.

“Did your heart flutter strangely when she did that?”

“I was sick, Spike. I felt many weird symptoms.” I did feel a little woozy at the time but I didn’t remember cardiac issues.

“How about since? Have you been extra-excited to see her?”

“Well… I mean the normal amount.. I think.” It was odd that her appearance seemed to correspond to the strange giddy feeling I’d been experiencing lately.

“What about butterflies? Does it feel like you have them in your stomach when she’s gone?”

“She gets lost, Spike. Yes, I’m nervous when she leaves, but who knows if she’ll make it back fine. Like how she’s lost right now. We should go find her.” I moved toward the windows again, but a dragon claw grabbed my tail.

“I think I know what’s going on!”

“I think it’s just in your head and you’re trying to stall me from going out and looking.” I glowered at him and his distraction tactics.

“You’re in love!” He cried. At first I said nothing but then the truth of what he said hit me like a brick wall. Was I really in love? I mean we felt closer than we did when we started but we knew more about one another. She also visited more frequently which was nice because Spike had been out more since his relationship with Gabby started.

“I don't know about that, Spike. I think we’re just getting more comfortable with each other lately.” It made more logical sense that I had fallen in love with her and didn’t notice.

“Come on, you have all the signs—”

“Symptoms.”

“Symptoms?”

“Signs are visible and can be seen by others, symptoms are those that the pony feels. The intangibles.” I had noticed the distinction when reading up on first aid. It was best to have the knowledge for Derpy’s sake. Just in case.

“Fine. You have all the symptoms of a pony in love. Your heart flutters around her; you’re extra excited when she’s here; nervous and sad when she’s gone; I told you this a few weeks ago but you didn’t believe me then.” He placed his hands on his hips in a scolding manner. “And now I think it’s full blown love, not just the beginnings of it.”

“Oh Spike, that doesn’t make sense. How can I be in love and not know it?” I tried to sound as convincing as ever but a nagging doubt started to grow.

“I don’t know, because you’re you. And you’ve never been in love before. And no books don’t count, they can’t love you back.”

“Fine! But I have been keeping a journal to document the entire relationship. I wanted to make sure the experience was fresh in my mind and I could see the precise moment things changed. I’ve reread them every night for the past couple weeks and I don’t see any changes.” There was no way love happened and I missed it. I was extremely thorough.

“Uh huh. And the fact that you’ve been going over them nightly for the past weeks isn’t a change?” The little dragon wore a smirk of triumph and I was starting to feel betrayed by my diligence.

“I I I.. Sweet Celestia!” I finally said as his words clicked into place. “This is awful!”

“Being in love is awful?”

“Missing the moment I fell in love is awful, Spike. How can I study love if I didn’t even notice it in me when I was looking for it?! I was hoping to write something for ponies to help them move from friendships to relationships if they wanted to. Something that would make it easier for them to choose when they should take that step. But I can’t even see when I did. How am I supposed to tell others if they should?” It was part of the reason I agreed to date anypony, wasn’t it? Was I really just dating Derpy for research?

“Twilight?” Spike’s hands pressed on me until I moved by his guidance. “Why don’t you sit on this comfy chair hmm?”

“Yeah… I … yeah.” It was my comfiest chair, according to Derpy, and I really needed comfort at that point.

“Look, Twilight, I don’t think there’s an answer in a book on whether friends should date or not. It’s kind of a pony to pony thing. No pony knows if their relationships will work or not, not even love experts like me. Not every pony knows they’re in love when it happens but if it’s there then it’s there.” He grabbed me some tea and placed the cup in my magic.

“Maybe I should talk to Princess Cadence, she’s the princess of love and could tell me how I missed it. Or what to do now. How do I proceed in love? Maybe I should write a list…”

“I think you should talk to Derpy. Cadence might know about love but only you and Derpy will know what to do next. And that is the last advice I can give you on that before things get way too weird.” He patted my head like I was a foal and slowly backed away.

“I should talk to her. But she’s missing Spike! I shouldn’t be sitting here drinking tea in my comfy chair when she’s out there—”

The door to the castle opened up and an excited griffin burst in carrying a… shrubbery? It was a pile of branches and leaves in her claws that dragged on the floor. “Guess who’s baaaaack?!” she cried in triumph, holding the bush proudly.

“Derpy?! Is- is that you?!” I rushed to the limp lump of vegetation. It shifted slightly as I got close.

“Twilight?! What are you doing in this tree?” It was Derpy alright, but she seemed concussed. Or was that normal for her?

“It was a shrub, Derpy,” Gabby sighed as I pulled the fallen pony out of her claws with a little more force than I probably needed to. Love strength, I supposed.

Quickly I pulled the tattered branches covered knot apart, throwing the contents all over the foyer. It became a gray pony shape after a bit of work and the sad look of defeat graced its cute face. “I got stuck again…”

“It’s ok Derpy, you’re fine now. Well I have to do some scans to make sure but you’re here. You’re home.” I hugged the floating mare, releasing her from my magic into my forehooves as I did. “You’re safe now.”

“Thank you Twilight… and Gabby.” She buckled into my frame. “You’ve been so nice to me lately. Are you still sure this isn’t a dream?”

“Well I think that shrub hurt didn’t it?”

“Kind of…”

“Well dreams can’t hurt you so there’s your proof.” The logic seemed to make her happier, and huggier. I felt a claw poke my back and shivered. Spike always knew my ticklish spots.

“Maybe this would be a good time to tell her…” Spike whispered but with Derpy so close it may as well have been a shout.

“Tell me? Tell me what?” Derpy pulled back and looked up with pleading eyes. I felt it. The pang of love ran through my whole body even to the tops of my wings. Spike was right and it was deep.

“Uhhh... I uhhh.” I had never told a pony I loved them before. Only my family got that privilege and it was never this type of love. I could feel the words get lodged in my throat and my tongue glued itself to the roof of my mouth.

Derpy didn’t seem to notice my issues and waited patiently for me to speak. She looked so cute I wanted to tell her a million feelings that were going through me all at once but I couldn’t, because I didn’t know half of them myself.

“I think you should spend the night.” I said finally. Hopefully it would give me time to work up the nerve to tell her. I knew she would be delighted but still it felt awkward and weird. What would it mean for us? Would things change knowing we both love each other? Would she change? I wasn’t sure.

“Ok!” She shouted in delight. I rarely let her spend the night, not because it wasn’t nice having her close but I was afraid of encouraging her other interests. Should I reciprocate now? The thought of that made my head spin. It was too much, too fast.

“You ok?” Derpy pulled me out of my more embarrassing mental scenarios with a tender hoof touching my face.

“I should be asking you that!” I spat my face glowing red from the images I conjured myself. “Are you hurt?”

“No… just tired. Maybe I shouldn’t spend the night, I’ll just fall asleep too fast to be much fun.” She looked around like she said something to be ashamed of.

“It’s fine, I just want you close… I mean to uh make sure you’re safe.”

“Right. That’s ok. Bushes really wear you out though. I should probably go to bed now.” She gave me a kiss on the cheek and swayed down the hall. A quick magical scan said nothing was broken and no brain injuries. Well other than the one.

I quickly ran to her side and placed a helpful wing on her to steady her. She leaned her soft body into mine, her eyes straying from each other a little. It wasn’t long before I was tucking her into my bed.

“Sorry to worry you, Twilight, I wish I remembered to bring Nutzo with me… but I forgot. Is he ok?” She pulled the blanket up around her chin.

“I’m sure he’s fine, he’s primal at being left behind though.” I tucked the blanket neatly beneath her head. “You know… there was something important I wanted to talk to you about…”

I tried my best to look her in the eyes but I still felt awkward. Something didn’t feel right, like maybe the moment was wrong? I found myself staring at the wall instead and mustered up the courage to tell the truth. Truth can take a lot of courage.

“I love—” I couldn’t finish the sentence as I was interrupted by a loud snore. Derpy was asleep and the moment faded. I sighed and climbed into bed myself.

In that warm cocoon of safety, I found my mind wandering over all the scenarios that I could use to confess my feelings but all of them seemed trivial. Love confessions had to be romantic and a grand gesture. Just telling her flat out when she woke up or in the middle of getting ready for the day may seem like a nice easier way to do it but it would minimize the message. I needed to be bolder. For her.

Then a plan appeared in my mind. I would tell her during the family dinner I was having soon. Tell them all at the same time Derpy included. That way it would be both a grand gesture and a pragmatic one. The thought of Derpy’s happy face as I proudly declared my love for her in front of my family filled me with warmth. Falling asleep was much easier with a plan in mind. I snuggled into my love and drifted off.

A Special Dinner (Derpy)

“It is nice to meet you, your majesty,” I said, bowing to the small squirrel in front of me. It sighed and placed its little paws over its face. “Did-did I do it wrong again?”

“It’s ok Derpy,” I heard a voice say. I looked hard at the squirrel. Nutzo had never spoken before and I didn’t even see his lips move. Maybe he can talk with his mind.

“Derpy?” the voice said. The squirrel pointed behind me and I found Cherry Berry, my roommate, watching my practice.

“Hi Cherry! I’m just getting ready to meet Twilight’s parents and family.” I couldn’t believe she wanted me to meet them so soon. It was only 8 weeks since we started dating but she said since they were coming they should meet me.

“I know,” giggled the earth pony. “You’ve been practicing for the past two days. That poor squirrel has to be tired of being Twilight’s dad by now.”

“Are you tired Nutzo?” I asked the deflated looking critter. He nodded. “Sorry, I’ll get you some nuts and then you can take a nap.”

My new pet popped out of the tiny throne I made him and leapt onto my back. He was so graceful, nothing like when I jumped somewhere. He landed between my wings and we wandered into the kitchen. One fresh dish of nuts later and he was ready for his squirrel nap.

“You have to be careful, Derpy, you don’t want to over feed him.” Cherry came in as Nutzo curled into his sleep ball. “You’d have to change his name to Fatzo.”

“But he likes nuts.” I watched his little face and noticed how much happier he was with a big bowl of food.

“But if he gets too many he’ll get sick, or fat.” She took the bag of nuts from me and shook them. “Only feed him when you eat. That way it will be easier to remember.”

“Ok.” Having a pet was hard. I never knew how much work went into it. You had to feed them but only a certain amount, you had to clean them but not too much. Luckily squirrels know when to exercise and do it themselves. I didn’t have to take them on walks like other pets.

“Let’s give Nutzo a rest and you can practice on me. Ok?” Cherry placed the bag back on the shelf and sat down by the table. I practiced with her this morning, she was good at telling me what I was getting wrong but sometimes she felt too good at it. At least Nutzo was quieter.

“Ok, but I only have a half an hour until I meet them.”

“A half an hour?! That’s barely enough time to get you dressed and presentable!” She popped out of the chair and pushed me to my room.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t know!”

“It’s ok. We’ll just get you ready while you practice.” She started looking through my clothes in my closet. “So name all the members of Twilight’s family.”

“There’s Twilight, Spike, Shiny Armor and Princess Candance. Then her parents are King Nightlight and Queen Velvet Sparkle.” I had been practicing the names since Twilight told me them. I didn’t want her to feel embarrassed if I got them wrong.

“Closer than you’ve been all week. But remember, Twilight’s parents are not royalty. They aren’t a king or queen even though Twilight is a princess.” She threw a few choice clothes on my bed. I hoped I had the right outfit. “And their names are Nightlight and Velvet Twilight. Her brother is Shining Armor and he’s married to Princess Cadence. Don’t forget Flurryheart.”

“Oh right! Little starfish!” Twilight had shown me the cutest picture ever of her niece. All wrapped up in a starfish coat with just her head sticking out. I couldn’t wait to meet her, and all of them. Meeting her family made me feel like I was really important to Twilight.

“Flurryheart,” corrected pony trying to stuff a dress over my head. Nutzo never scolded me like that. “Also you don’t have to bow to Twilight’s parents or call them your majesty. Ok?”

“Ok… I keep forgetting that part.” It didn’t make sense to me. Twilight was a princess and princesses come from kings and queens, at least they used to.

There was a lot of shoving and pushing as I was rushed to the mirror. Cherry quickly powdered my face and I only sneezed once. I looked beautiful, so pretty I didn’t even know it was me in the mirror. It felt like a different Derpy. She was the one that looked pretty, she was the one going to meet Twilight’s parents, not me. Maybe other Derpy wouldn’t mess up or was smarter than me. But the mirror held that Derpy and I was pushed towards the door.

“Are you going to be ok walking to the castle yourself?” Cherry asked, looking around.

“It’s ok I’ve got Nut-“ I was going to say Nutzo but the squirrel was asleep in his little home. He was really helpful lately, making sure I got to the right place and keeping me from bumping into things. “I’ll be ok. I’ll just walk there.”

“Probably a good idea.” Cherry nodded.

The whole way I went through the conversation I had with Twilight in my mind. It was just a dinner. Just meeting new friends. She said her family was coming, not to meet me, just to gather together. I guess that’s what families do. Is that why she asked me to come? Does she see me as family? Or is it something else?

I talked to Doc about it. He said, “I think she’s just trying it out. From what you told me, it’s possible, though not definitive, that you could be her first girlfriend. If so, she’s never introduced one to her family before. It’s possible she could be gauging her family’s reaction or just trying to see how well you fit in. But of course that’s from a scientist’s perspective.”

Rose said he sounded too cold and calculating and thought Twilight was probably just really excited to be dating me. I wanted I believe that one more. As much as I love that idea it’s hard to imagine a super excited, bouncy Twilight. Especially one that’s super bouncy to see me. But she had been pretty excited when I came over lately. Does she really feel like that?

“Derpy!” I heard someone call out. I looked around and found my fellow mail mare, well griffin.

“Hi Derpy, are you going to Twilight’s too?!” Gabby ran up to me, all her feathers stuck out in excitement. She was dressed really pretty. I wondered if Cherry helped her too.

“Yeah, there’s a dinner she asked me to go to… with her family.” I should be more excited, but I felt so nervous. It was one of the scariest things I could think of.

“Spike asked me to come too! Isn’t that great?! Meeting his adoptive pony family! It’s like he wants us to be married already! Or is that too much to think about! Oh he’s so sweet and things are going so well. Thank you so much for helping him and me!” Gabby hugged me, it was nice to be thanked for once. Though they really got each other together, I just delivered a note.

“Aren’t you nervous?” I asked as we started walking again.

“I’m terrified! But it’s exciting too! Like I don’t want them to be disappointed by me, but then it’s really only Spike that cares about that. As long as he’s happy, I’m happy.” She started to push me a little and I looked at her in confusion. The castle was in the other direction, I had passed right by it apparently.

“I didn’t think of it that way. As long as I make Twilight happy it should be fine!” I started to feel a lot better. I wasn’t good at impressing ponies but Twilight still liked me. So I shouldn’t worry about her family liking me, maybe they were like Twilight.

“Yeah, and here we are!” Gabby pointed at the castle and I felt my body shudder. I guess I was still nervous.

“Hi Gabby!” Spike shouted as he opened the door. I was too frozen to move.

“Spike!” She lifted him up and kissed his cheek. Spike turned pretty red, like a disco ball… if it was red.

“Oh, hey Derpy, Twilight’s inside with Mom and Dad. Come on in.” He waved a claw in and grabbed Gabby’s claw.

I trailed them a little ways. It was weird, normally being in the Princess’s castle and seeing her made me want to spring through the roof. Twilight told me to stop jumping every time I was here, she was worried I might hurt myself. But this time, I felt more like hiding. I mess up so many things, I didn’t want this to be one of them.

The dining hall was filled with laughter and food. All the Sparkles were there. I saw the big white and blue one, was that her father?! He was so tall! If he was then the pink Pegasus must be her mother. I didn’t know she had a pegasus mom. Maybe that’s why she was a princess.

I walked over to him, my steps a bit stumbly. I was about to bow but remembered my training. “How do you do Mr. Sparkle? I’m Derpy Hooves, your daughter’s girlfriend. Don’t worry I’ll keep her safe.”

I put on my most determined look. Her father looked at me like I had three heads. It matched the amount of heads I saw on him. I shook out my eyes and they focused again. That’s when I noticed him laughing.

“Oh Twily, your girlfriend is too much. I can see why you like her. Very sincere.” He patted me on the head playfully. “I’m not my dad. I’m Twilight’s older brother, Shining Armor. Dad’s over there.”

“Oh…” I said feeling all my bravery leave me. I messed up again. I glanced nervously at Twilight, was she making that disappointed face? I hated that.

Luckily she was smiling when I saw her. She looked radiant. Like the world was made just for her and she was alive with an excitement she never showed me before. Her family was really important to her.

She walked over to me, placing a wing on my back and pulling me close. It was amazing to see how much more relaxed she was with her family around.

“It’s ok, Derpy, Shining is a big lunk. Come on, let’s meet my parents.” She helped guide me over to them and it felt like we were floating together. She looked more sparkly somehow. It fit her perfectly, she is Twilight Sparkle after all.

“Mom, Dad, this is Derpy.” She said to two very plain looking ponies. Neither of them looked like they were related to royalty at all. They looked like a lot of parents I met before.

“Nice to meet you,” they said, just as cheerfully as Twilight did. I couldn’t help but bow. It was part of my practice, even though it wasn’t supposed to be.

“Nice to meet you too, your majesties.” Oops! I did it again and said the wrong thing. They laughed with Twilight. I tried laughing too, but there was a feeling like they might be laughing at me. I tried to ignore it but it was really loud.

“Oh, Derpy…” sighed my princess with a lot lighter tone than she normally had.

“S-sorry.”

“It’s fine.” Her dad laughed. “I don’t know how many ponies a day bow when meeting me nowadays. But your majesty, that’s a new one.”

“How about we eat this delicious meal that Twilight and Spike worked so hard on?” her mother said, pointing to the large table full of food. It was filled with all sorts of food that made my tummy groan a little. It reminded me that I forgot to eat today. Sometimes my stomach doesn’t want food, it bounces all over instead. I didn’t like that.

This time, with Twilight’s wing over me, it didn’t hurt anymore. We walked wing in wing to the table and Twilight let me sit right next to her. It felt wonderful, like I was part of the family already.

I looked down the table and saw Gabby with Spike. She looked like I felt, glowing with excitement and pride. I didn’t know what griffin families were like but she sure seemed to like the princess’s.

“So Derpy,” I heard a deep voice ask. I looked around and found Twilight’s dad looking at me. “What do you see in our daughter?”

“Daaad, don’t ask her that. It’s embarrassing.” Twilight’s face turned red and she looked at me with a kind of shy look. “You don’t have to answer him.”

Her father laughed. It was a nice deep laugh. The kind of laugh I’d always imagined a father would have when teasing his daughter. I found myself standing up.

“Twilight is the best pony I know. She’s kind, loving and patient. Even before we started going out, she’d always help me when I got stuck or made sure I was ok when I got hurt. She’s also really cute…” I felt my cheeks flush and sat back down.

The table went silent, most of them stared at each other wide eyed. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. But to me it was all true. It was how I felt and I had no problem telling any pony that.

I felt a wet spot on my cheek and softness. I turned to find Twilight smiling with red cheeks. Did she just kiss my cheek?

“Wow…” Mama Twilight said finally. “It looks like you found a good mare, Twily.”

“So tell us,” Shiny Armor poked his sister with his hoof and lifted an eyebrow. “What do you like about Derpy?”

“Well, uhh”, Twilight looked a little nervous. Her mane started to curl and she looked around at everypony else but me. I waited until she finished so I could kiss her cheek. “She’s thoughtful and knows how to show her feelings well. And uh she tries real hard even if she doesn’t fully succeed. And I-I, uh, l-love having her around. Um.. she’s very special.”

My smile fell. I still gave her a kiss on the cheek but when I was done something didn’t feel right. The way that she said “special” made me feel uncomfortable. It felt like I knew what it was supposed to mean but it didn’t mean that.

“Well she’s definitely special to you Twily,” Shiny laughed.

There it was again. My gut twisted and I wanted to be sick. Why was that word so… wrong?

“Well let’s raise a toast to my caring daughter, and her special mare.” Nightlight lifted his glass with his magic and everypony did the same. I wanted to but I felt so sick and in pain. My stomach was doing flip flip flops and I wanted to cry. Why was I-

“Hi, I’m Derpy.” I told the colts and fillies at the park. They ran around me, bouncing a ball. I felt I had been there before but it was hard to piece together when.

“We know Derpy, you told us a bizillion times.” A colt sneered as he bounced an orange ball with his wing.

“She can’t help it. She probably doesn’t remember telling us before.” A filly told him in a scolding tone. “You know she has trouble with that.”

“It’s not my fault she’s too dumb to remember things. I wasn’t the one that broke her brain.”

“She’s not dumb. Mom said so. Mom said she’s special.” The filly smiled at me, but her expression looked sad. Not really happy.

“Oh she’s special alright. Especially dumb. Ha ha. You know special is just a nice way to say dumb so ponies don’t feel bad, right?” The colt laughed as I felt my legs shake slightly. I didn’t want to be dumb. I didn’t mean to forget. I just couldn’t remember things well after the accident.

“I think she can hear you, Hoops.” The blue pony tried to whisper but it was very loud.

“Come on, she’ll forget as soon as we leave. Cause she’s so special. He he.” The colt and filly trotted away and I was left alone.

There were more memories coming. Painful memories, ponies laughing saying how special I was. Others telling me it was ok I messed up because I was just special. Ponies all around, each telling me I was special. But I wasn’t. I was just dumb to them.

The memories ended and I wanted to hide in the bathroom. Did Twilight think I was really special or just nice … and dumb? Did her family see me as that kind of special? Was that really why they were smiling?

“Derpy, are you ok?” Twilight whispered into my ear.

“I …” I wanted to tell her. Tell her I was hurting inside. I wanted to say I wasn’t that dumb but some part of me knew I was. I was too dumb for my girlfriend. They all knew that. That’s why she saw me as special.

“I’m s-sorry Twilight,” I said, my face looking down. I didn’t want to see that look of sadness from such a nice family. “I I don’t feel well right now. I think I might be sick.”

“What’s wrong? Did you eat something that didn’t agree with you?” Twilight’s ears flopped and she looked a little nervous.

“No.. I I think I should just go home. I don’t want to get everypony else sick. You all have a good time. And you all seem really nice. Thank you for inviting me.” I turned as fast as I could. The tears were coming and I didn’t want to show them that. It wasn’t really their fault I was stupid.

“Oh.. ok, I’ll walk you home.” Twilight started to stand up while everypony else was silent.

“It’s ok. You have fun with your family. I I will see you later..” I didn’t want her to see me like this. I didn’t want her to know how much it all hurt. I told myself she and the others didn’t mean it like that, but I was afraid they did.

“Ok.. bye..” Twilight’s voice echoed through the empty castle as I walked painfully to the doors. I felt so small in the hallway, so alone. The large doors opened and I left the castle.

Outside things were different. I didn’t have the control I had inside. Tears began running down my face and I didn’t know how to stop them. I had to go home. I didn’t want any pony else to see. If they did, then the special won, at least that’s how it felt.

I could barely see where I was running. I wanted to go home. I just couldn’t think of where that was. Home home home. Maybe my legs knew, but they were busy running as fast they could from all those jeering faces.

Eventually I’d run into something and everypony would stand there thinking how special I was. Maybe even Twilight. My heart hurt so bad. I couldn’t take it if she thought that. It hurt too much.

“Derpy?!”

Somepony shouted at me as I ran by. I couldn’t see who any more. I just wanted to go home. I wanted to lay on my bed and hug Nutzo. I hoped he didn’t think that way either.

“Derpy! Slow down!”

The pony was chasing me. I didn’t want to talk right now. I just wanted to hide. I didn’t want to tell anypony what was wrong. I just wanted it to stop hurting.

“Derpy, it’s Cherry! Please slow down. “ It was Cherry. If any pony was going to see me like this it was going to be her, even if I made it home. “You’re going to break down our door if you keep running like that.”

I shook the tears from my eyes and saw the blurry shape of two doors in front of me. Both of them looked like the door to our apartment. Had I made it home? Did my legs actually know where they were going?

My eyes refocused and only the one door remained, but it was the one I needed. I opened it and it was true, I was home. Cherry followed a second later and I collapsed in my room.

“Derpy? What’s wrong?! Come on, pumpkin, you can tell me. Is everything alright with Twilight?” Cherry came in and immediately hugged me. She knew I liked hugs when I was upset. The awful sickness came back and I didn’t want to speak.

But I knew I didn’t have to. Cherry waited while I cried, she was good like that. After I felt all the pain and hurt go away I told her what happened. I didn’t want to but things don’t get better if you just hide from them.

Cherry fixed me some soup and sent me to bed. Nutzo curled up next to me, patting my head with his paw. Squirrel paws are very calming. I was asleep, away from the memories, away from the happy family in the castle, away from being special.

A voice cut through the cold night air. It followed a series of loud bangs that shook the mighty doors as they were struck. Lights came on inside the castle and a silhouette appeared in the window. One of a unicorn with wings, peering out into the darkness for answers.

“Princess Twilight Sparkle, come outside and talk to me right now!”

The after party (Twilight)

I woke up to loud banging at the castle doors. It sounded urgent but then it wasn’t unusual for Derpy to show up in the middle of the night. She had before. I rushed to the window, realizing as I did I wanted it to be her.

She left the castle so fast this evening it felt wrong. She didn’t look sick, she looked haunted or upset. I didn’t know what happened, everything seemed fine at dinner. As soon as I told her my reasons for dating her she looked shocked, almost pained. I wish I had told her what I planned but Shining’s question threw me off.

I should have told her I loved her before she left. Whatever was bothering her at least she’d know how I feel. But my grand gesture had failed, I was just too unnerved with my family staring at me. I hadn’t anticipated that. I hoped to tell her as soon as I could.

My thoughts of Derpy were shattered as the pony outside bellowed.

“Princess Twilight Sparkle, come outside and talk to me right now!”

I bit my lip. I didn’t know who the pony was or what I had done to upset her but she sounded angry. It wasn’t easy being a Princess, sometimes even going the right thing could look like the wrong thing. When ponies worry their Princess is doing the wrong thing they get scared. Some of them get angry.

“Twilight?” Spike called from the hallway. “What’s going on?”

“Looks like some pony is upset. I’m going to talk to her.” I walked past him into the hallway, heading towards the door. He quickly followed.

“Do you want to wake Shining? You know, just in case.” Spike placed his hands up to his mouth, trying to look smaller.

“This is my responsibility, Spike. My brother and Cadence have their own kingdom to worry about. I don’t need to involve him in mine.” I strode through the hallway only to nearly walk right into my brother.

“You want me to take care of this Twilight? She sounds mad and mad can be dangerous.” He looked stern and imposing.

“It’s fine, thank you for offering though.”

“Great, I'm heading back to bed then.” The imposing stance crumbled to an exhausted one and he fled down the hallway towards his room.

“Guess he trusts you?” Spike asked, staring at his disappearing form.

“I think he’s just tired,” I giggled. Flurryheart had been keeping both of them on their hooves as of late. Every time they sat down it looked like they were forcing themselves to keep from collapsing. I couldn’t blame him. She can be many hooffuls.

I reset myself and opened the door. The pony was still out there, waiting in the dark. She didn’t look armed but attacks could come from anypony. She definitely looked familiar though.

“Hello?” I said as I left my cozy home to join her in the cold.

“Twilight you have some explaining to do.” The pony hissed as she trotted closer. She sounded upset but not dangerously so. The lights from the windows filled in the details of her form. It was Cherry Berry, the town balloon operator.. or was it pilot?

“Cherry? What’s wrong?” I sighed in relief. She was always very level headed and never violent.

“My roommate came home in tears! She cried her eyes out thinking her girlfriend might think she’s stupid! You have to fix this.” Her tone was sharp, her eyes cold. She was defending a friend and I feared I knew who it was.

“And your roommate is…?” I braced myself for the blow.

“Derpy, your girlfriend.” She gave me a blank stare. I knew it would be. Even braced for it, my heart still ached and the pain ran throughout my body.

I upset Derpy, the pony I loved. It was nothing like upsetting a friend, you could just apologize the next day and most of them were reasonable enough to accept. This was world ending. The pony I wanted to see more and more lately was hurt and it was my fault. This couldn’t wait til morning. This had to be fixed now.

“Oh sweet Celestia, what did I do?!”

“What did you say about her at the dinner? Come on Twilight I expected more tact than this.” Cherry wasn’t letting me off the hook lightly. Or at all.

“I I told her she was good at loving and communicating and was very determined.” It had been nerve racking! All I had to say was that I loved her but it was much worse than the last time I tried.

“Aaaaaand?!” Cherry was practically inches from my snout. Her eyes bore into me. Did she know I messed up my moment? Had she seen the work I put into the grand speech I was planning?

“Uh well I …” I stammered. I didn’t want to tell her the truth, not without telling Derpy first. She had the right to know first.

“Twilight … don’t take this the wrong way but you are the dumbest smart pony I’ve ever met. You called her special.” She glared at me. I waited for some sort of other insult to come but nothing came.

“Yeah she is spec-“ Suddenly it clicked. “No, not that kind of special. Oh no!”

“Yup.”

“For Celestia’s sake, how could I have been so careless? And my family too…” I felt like the world was pulled out from under me. I finally figured out, with Spike’s help, the feeling I felt for her was love and was real and now I could have ended things between us with a simple mistake.

“She’s heard that word all her life. It wasn’t good. You have to make this right somehow.” Cherry placed a hoof on my shoulder. “You’re the only one that can.”

“Ok,” I said, taking off in the air. Her place wasn’t too far from the castle, I could be there in-

“Twilight?”

“Huh?”

“The door’s unlocked and I think I will see a friend tonight.” Cherry looked up at me with a pleading face. Did she think I was planning…? Was that what it would take to fix this?

“O-ok,” I said to her and to my own question. If my mare was hurting from something I did, I would make sure she understood my feelings for her. One way or another.

Even though I planned to wake Derpy up and Cherry was “out” I still opened the door as quietly as I could. It didn’t feel right to just barge right in, whether it felt warranted or not.

The door creaked open with a sound that set my tail on end. It was late enough that most ponies in Ponyville probably heard it. Still I had to make this right, I plunged into the darkened apartment hoping there wasn’t much to trip on.

There was. I was accosted by a chair that tangled my hooves, then the table hit my flanks as I stood backed up. The ottoman took me out and I fell into the wall, then struck my head on a low hanging picture. I felt like my girlfriend for a moment. Luckily all the noise didn’t wake her. Wait, I wanted her to wake.

“Derpy?” I whispered as I closed in on the room with the snoring mare. There was no response.

“Derpy?” I repeated a little louder, but only got a snort in return. I opened my mouth to call a third time when a brown ball sprung from the bed, smacking into my face. It clung there over my eyes and grabbed my ears. I think it was hissing, but I couldn’t hear it over my own shouting.

I wrestled around try to get it off me but it was firmly stuck. Whatever it was began tickling my nose with its tail in some sort of attack! I laughed and shouted while I wrestled with the unrelenting foe.

The lights turned on as I bonked into a bedpost. I fell next to the awakened mare, whom I couldn’t see due to the squirrel shaped silhouette over my eyes.

“Twilight? What are you doing with Nutzo?” I heard her voice above me.

“Uhh… playing?” I wasn’t sure what the squirrel was trying to do. It eventually let go, chittering at me and making all sorts of strange paw gestures.

“He said you tried to attack me in my sleep. That’s silly Nutzo, Princess Twilight doesn’t sneak into ponies rooms and bite their necks to suck the friendship out. It’s a myth.” She looked sternly at the squirrel who rolled his eyes and hopped onto a bookshelf.

I couldn’t think of any pony that thought I snuck in and stole friendship. Was I out of touch with my populace? Was sneaking in something I needed to address publicly to set ponies at ease?

“What are you doing here Twilight?” She crossed her forehooves and looked at me with disapproval. She looked kind of like a mother at that moment, which unnerved me to the core. Not that she wouldn’t be good at it but I was nowhere near ready for that.

“You left my castle really upset. I talked to Cherry and she told me what happened. I couldn’t go back to sleep knowing I offended you.” I sat next to her, feeling the closeness I’d had for just over a month. I didn’t want to lose that.

“Oh.. uh.. yeah I I started feeling like the world was laughing at me calling me dumb. Then I felt super sick and sad. But but it wasn’t true right? You don’t think I’m dumb right?” She looked at me with large hopeful eyes, I felt my heart breaking again. To think I ever let her believe anything like that was unbearable.

“You are the nicest, sweetest, most caring and beautiful pony I know. You aren’t the same sort of smart I am but you don’t need to be. I know books, lots of information, and theories. I know how magic works, how to organize things for everypony and how to coordinate to get things done. It makes ponies feel relieved, but not happy.” I took a breath hoping that would sink in. Then I looked back into those golden pools staring back at me and switched gears.

“You make ponies happy, Derpy. Everypony, well almost almost everypony, is happier when you’re around. You can bring everyone smiles like Pinkie only you don’t have to try so hard. You know what to say when ponies are feeling sad or angry. You tell ponies they need to hear in a way everypony understands. I can’t do that. And if that doesn’t make you super smart, I don’t know what smart is.” I never left that gaze, I held it and matched it by placing my hoof on hers.

She swallowed a couple times and looked around the dimly lit room. I didn’t know what else I could have said but, knowing her, I needed to give her time to process. Eventually she looked back at me, her eyes filling with tears.

“You think I’m smart?” It came out as a whisper through a harsh throat.

“I told you before on our second date and everything afterward led to the same conclusion. There is nothing dumb about you, just different and a needed different. I-“ I had to tell her but I felt like my mouth went completely dry. I didn’t know why I was so nervous, we shared so much lately but still the words were like pushing a boulder up a hill. Maybe it was just a bigger step for me than even I understood.

“You?” she whispered, cocking her head.

“I love.. that about you.” No that wasn’t it. Damn you deflection, I had to tell her properly so she wouldn’t misunderstand.

“Thank you, I hoped you didn’t think I was-“

“That’s not it! I mean that’s not all.” I felt like salespony, like Flim or Flam. “What I mean is ..,I love you.”

She blinked. Then blinked again, slightly shaking her head. They looked at me with a face filled with awe.

“Uhh did I hear you right?” She asked finally, barely audible.

“I said I love you.” This time I couldn’t hold back my own joy at the prospect. I giggled and held her close.

“Ok, I think this is a dream. You said I was super smart and told me you loved me. You have to tell me if it’s a dream right? Dreams have to.” She hugged me close despite her strange belief. I giggled again. It felt so good to be held by the pony you loved, I never experienced something so simple and pure.

“That’s a police sting, honey. And this isn’t a dream.” For some reason at that moment a thousand happy butterflies filled my body and I thought I was going to float out of the bed with her.

“Twilight you’re acting funny even for a dream Twilight.” The butterflies seemed to pass to her. She giggled and held me tighter.

“I’m not a dream!” I pulled her tail to prove it. Well not hard but a playful pull.

“You’re not a dream?” It seemed to work because she became very still again. “And you really do love me?”

“No and yes!” This time she sat very solid and closed her eyes for some reason. Maybe she was trying to make it a dream? I wasn’t sure.

“Uhh are you ok?” After a few seconds of her weird meditative stance I was beginning to get worried. This was her reaction to me admitting my feelings? Becoming a statue?!

“I’m waiting,” she said, still calmly sitting looking at peace with the world.

“For? You’re not asleep so you’re not going to wake up any more.” I was giggling again, I couldn’t help it. Something about knowing I was in love with a pony made me feel like a little filly that found everything Derpy did funny.

“When a pony tells you they love you, they’re supposed to kiss you afterwards. That’s what it said in the books Rose read to me.” She lifted one eye, glancing at my reaction. “You said you loved me … four times I think. So you have to give me four kisses.”

“You! I will shower you with kisses, how about that?” I didn’t give her time to respond. I glomped her as she had done many times to me. We rolled around the bed, as I gave her as many kisses as she could handle.

Some part of my brain wondered. Is this it? Is this where we start… being intimate? I didn’t know if I was ready for that or she was. At the time I didn’t care. I just enjoyed being near her.

Eventually things settled down and she rested her head on my chest. Things didn’t get as heated as I was uncertain about but the knowledge that they could made me wonder if we needed to talk about it soon.

“Twilight? Do you have to go?” She asked as she placed her face in my floof. I could see the redness of her face through patches in my fur.

“No… not really.” It felt like the perfect place to be, right next to her.

“Your family won’t be mad that you left the castle and stayed, would they?” Her voice shook slightly.

“No. No, they will be much happier knowing you’re ok. They were worried when you left so quickly. They don’t think you’re dumb either by the way. They know you’re the good kind of special. If anything bothers you like that again though please just tell me. I don’t want to hurt you.” It was an uneasy feeling, knowing that a simple word misunderstood could have taken all this joy away from me in an instant. I shivered at the thought of what could have happened had Cherry Berry not come to warn me.

“Are you cold? I I can use my wings to warm you.. like before.” She encased me in her wings and the warmth increased. I feared the intimacy would start while at the same time desperately wished it would.

“You uh know we could-“

“Zzzzzzzz.” My offer was cut off by her sweet snoring sounds. It was late and it was a trying day for us both. Whatever happened next we could face it together.