Free Parking

The weeks seemed to flow by as the two bathed in each other's company, growing comfortable and navigating the city. While Flurry attempted to get close, Dia always kept a fair distance. A simple meal ended too soon, hidden walkways at dusk, and Flurry's favorite; a night just out of the town. Watching the stars together had awoken her heart, not just to how life could be but to the vibrance just below the surface.

Game night finally swung back around, Flurry excitedly bouncing around her apartment. She had spent hours cleaning and organizing as Dia was planning to stay with her after the meet up. Tonight would be the night, Dia would know what she was hiding; she just had to wait. As Rarity had always said, 'you have to shine as yourself.' She was sure it was always followed with darling or another endearment. Snapped from her thoughts as a rapping of hooves sounded against her door, she breathed in calming breaths before opening the door.

Dia stood in the doorway, her presence radiating a sense of confidence. "Dia! You are a little early but come in, come in," Flurry stepped aside to allow the- "are you…are you wearing glitter??"

"Listen I know you are all dark and brooding Gale, but some of us need to SHINE."

"Oh my Celestia, I so shine! Just not as bright as you."

The pose that Dia struck melted smoothly into a strut, as she walked into the apartment. "Honestly I thought you would have a bigger place," she took in the full site. Almost sterile cleaned with only a few personal items carefully displayed. Standing in the center she pivoted around and looked at Flurry, “hey I think we should talk. Nothing bad just want to, I guess get some things out in the open.”

The freeze in the air as Flurry kicked the door closed, her heart racing despite the assurance, “s-sure! What, uh what is up?”

“I just- I think I would feel better getting some of my past out in the open. I want to be, well I want to be open with you. I want you to know that I can be vulnerable so you can be too.”

“Well you do not ha-”

“I want to! I WAS A BULLY! My name is actually Diamond, Diamond Tiara. I bullied the CMC, I belittled so many from my hometown. I was mean and cruel, but I changed. I think for the better, that is subjective though…I mean everything can be subjective really. I like me. I have friends who like me now, not just because I cause sick burns wherever I go but because I own me. I’m able to bring people together now. I made a whole club for games just to get new people in town talking to each other, I rotate it to new businesses every year to help out those smaller ponies needing a leg up. A-and I start friendships just because I like how that pony is, their vibe, the mood on them! You just make my head so foggy, it’s like I’m a filly again. My guard goes down, and everything feels brighter, I just want to make you laugh to make you smile again, so I can feel your joy radiating out!”

“Dia- I did,” Flurry paused looking at the now wild looking Dia. Her mane had fallen from its usual pristine placement, her body was low to the ground almost like she was ready for a fight. “I did not know you felt like this. I suppose that I should have seen the signs, but I have not one claimed observance…Can I- may I hug you?”

Dia looked like she had just had the wind kicked out of her, the blue in her eyes giving way to tears as a strained nod was given. The usual composed face falling into a thin veiled attempt to prevent crying out right. As soon as Flurry was close enough to raise her hooves, she swore Rainbow dash would have cried at the speed Dia had lodged herself into her arms.

The flood gates were officially broken as Dia buried her face into the pale fur of Flurry’s soft coat, deep breathing through the hiccuping whimpers. “P-please don’t hate me! I know a lot of people just don’t change but-”

“Shhhh- It is okay Dia,” white hooves gently ran their way down her pink back. Setting off shivers below her, Flurry never really had noticed just how much smaller Dia was than her. At least a solid heads worth of distance between the two, “you are okay. I know that must have taken a lot, but I am not going anywhere. Promise to you that I do not hate you, I truly find that honestly so endearing. It captures my attention with every word and pulls me deeper into you.”

“Y-you talk like such a royal,” Dia laughed against the fur fully coating her face as it stuck to the wet tracks on her cheeks.

“Well uh, since we are being open. . .”

The pull back was slow as Dia sniffed and sat down, her hoof wiping her face clean of the hot tears that had flowed like a river mere seconds ago. “Huh-! OH!”

Gradient feathers opened up from their constraints, Flurry’s face hot as she gave a deep bow. Her head level with Dia as she smiled shyly, “my name- It is not really Gale…”

“Well no fucking shit Sherlock Hooves!”

“Oh no, it actually is Flurry.”

Silence welled up to fill the space as Dia’s eyes searched her own looking for any hint of a lie. Any chance of a trick being played, “so… changeling or conspiracy?”

“Well, I mean both are true to a point. I caused a conspiracy that led to a changeling taking my spot…”

“Hot damn. . . OH CELESTIA! It's like a tv drama!! Wait, are you plotting the fall of you old kingdom?”

“No! Oh my gosh-” Flurry halted mid thought as she suddenly felt the soft lips of Dia connect with her own. The hardest part was- she didn’t want to pull back. Though at least, it seemed like she didn’t need to. Her legs buckled as she embraced the kiss, leaning fully into it as she melted into the feeling of Dia against her.

The breaking away felt like a betrayal, a harsh punishment as Dia softened in front of her. “I want to do that again.”

“Lucky you, so do I.”