Mi Amore

Chapters

Double Date
Mi Amore
As Long As You Love Me
Reflection
Hearts and Hooves
The Letter

Double Date

“Oh man, we bucked that up…” Shining Armor said as he swirled the cider around in his mug.

Fleethoof glanced over at his friend and chuckled. The two stallions had ended up running in circles around the castle for a while before eventually crashing into one another out in the gardens again. They’d run in tandem straight from the castle down to The Copper Cannon after that. All out of fear for the reaction of one pink pony princess.

“Eh, things could have been worse.”

“Oh yeah? How?”

“I could have screamed like you,” Fleethoof joked, earning a jab to his shoulder from his unicorn friend.

The two ponies took long swigs of their drinks. The tavern had been expectedly crowded on Hearts and Hooves Day. Soldiers and civilians alike without somepony to give their time to crowded together for the atmosphere and the interaction. Pictures of ex-marefriends and coltfriends were hung on the dartboard for everypony to decimate at will. The entire mood was light-hearted, but at the same time, it was of loneliness and longing.

“That was really stupid,” said Shining with a chuckle.

Fleethoof shrugged. “I had fun. And hey, you’ve still got me, Shiny.”

The Captain of the Guard laughed sharply and rolled his eyes. “Oh, happy day.”

“Aww, don’t be that way, baby! You know I love you,” he teased, draping a hoof across Shining Armor’s shoulders. “Look at it this way, at least you don’t have to worry about breaking into my bedroom to leave me flowers.”

Shining Armor nudged his elbow under Fleethoof’s ribs, making the pony recoil with a grunt and a laugh. “Can you imagine what Cadence would say if she’d seen us hanging around in her room with flowers and cards?”

“I’d say ‘Are you colts coming out of the closet?’”

At the sudden sound of Cadence’s voice behind them, Shining Armor yelped and fell off his bar stool, and Fleethoof shot into the air like a rocket as he jumped out of his seat, leaving a few feathers in his wake. He ended up gripping to the rafters for dear life, wings flared out and feathers ruffled again. The soldiers in the nearby vicinity laughed at the two.

“Don’t do that!” Fleethoof cried out to the princess, still trembling.

“C-Cadence! What are you doing here?” asked Shining Armor, getting back up again and smiling as casually as he could manage.

“Well, after you two leapt out my bedroom window and ran off, I knew I had to find out what you were up to,” she said calmly, then motioned to the two roses safely tucked in her mane. “And then I figured out why when I saw these and the cards you both so sweetly left me.”

Again, the ponies listening in all shouted ‘awwww’ in unison, followed by an eruption of laughter. Shining Armor’s white cheeks flushed pink. Fleethoof had rolled over to lie comfortably across the rafter.

“So we give you flowers, and you give us heart attacks? What kind of trade is that?!” asked Fleethoof humorously.

Cadence shot a look up at the airborne stallion. “Are you going to come down anytime soon?”

“I’m quite comfortable, thank you.”

“Can I join you?” Shining Armor asked, looking up at him.

“No.”

“He’s either going to come down, or I’m going to make him come down,” Cadence said in threat, smirking up at him.

Fleethoof grinned down at the mare, his eyes narrowing, issuing his challenge. “You can’t do anything. I’m trained against torture! What do you think will make me break?”

Cadence sighed and began humming a soft tune as she beat her wings and flew up beside the cat-like pegasus. Now that she was suddenly within reach, Fleethoof didn’t feel quite so invincible anymore. Without missing a beat, Cadence pressed her hooves to his sides and began rubbing vigorously through his coat.

“Wha— No! NO! Hahaha! No, p-please!” Fleethoof begged in between choking gasps of laughter as she tickled him mercilessly. “N-Not fair! No! AHAHA! Please! Stop! I-I can’t— AAAHH!”

He cried out as his body seized up, and his grip slipped from the beam. He went crashing down to the floor below, the ponies beneath him barely getting out of the way in time. Cadence gracefully floated back down to the ground as Shining Armor did his best to stifle his laughter.

“What happened to all that resistance training?”

Fleethoof brushed some dust off his coat. “Shut up…”

Cadence giggled softly, then returned to the matter at hoof. “Now, why did you two run away from me?”

“Because we broke into your room?” Shining gave a bashful smile.

“He broke in,” Fleethoof corrected, still lying sprawled out on the ground at her hooves. “I infiltrated your room. It’s still different.”

“Uh huh… is that all?”

At the princess’ question, the two stallions exchanged puzzled look.

“Um, that’s not enough?” asked Shining Armor. “I mean, we snuck into your room to leave you flowers and cards and you need more of a reason?”

“That’s not something to be embarrassed about.” Cadence laughed it off, still smiling warmly. “I think that’s sweet! Besides, it’s not like it’s the first time I’ve ever received gifts for Hearts and Hooves Day!”

“Heh, yeah, right,” Shining said, a look of envy flashing in his cerulean eyes. “How many gifts?”

“Jealously isn’t an attractive look on you, Shine,” Fleethoof muttered.

“Do you wanna, ya know, join us up here?”

He folded his hooves behind his head. “I came down from the ceiling. That’s my effort for the day.”

“You rappelled down a castle into my bedroom,” Cadence added.

Fleethoof just shrugged, looking away from her. He couldn’t look Cadence in the eye right now. He was too afraid of what his body language might give away to her. He was usually very good with his poker face, but Cadence had always had the uncanny ability to read him like a book.

Shining Armor, for his part, was still trying to play it cool. If he acted like she was—like it was no big deal—maybe she wouldn’t read too much into it, and maybe he wouldn’t be called out before he was ready.

“So that’s all you colts did?” Cadence asked once more, noting the nods from both stallions. “Then who left this?”

Both ponies looked up to what she was holding—and Fleethoof fought every muscle in his face from dropping his jaw open in horror. The Princess of Love had his letter in her grasp. He hadn’t even noticed he’d dropped it on their escape. He risked a quick glance to Shining Armor. The pony looked confused, and something else… Concerned? Jealous? Worried? He couldn’t quite get a read on it.

“Nopony? Nopony’s going to fess up?”

Again, silence came from both parties involves.

“Do I have to get Aunt Luna to look into your dreams again and get the answer for me?” Cadence asked, a teasing smile on her lips.

“No, don’t do— Wait, what?” Shining Armor spoke quickly, then paused. “Luna can do what?”

“What do you mean ‘again’?” asked Fleethoof, casting a suspicious glance at Cadence.

Cadence gave Fleethoof a knowing grin and ignored his question. “Anypony have something to say now?” She gently swayed the letter in the air. “I could just read it out loud and see who reacts the worst.”

Fleethoof’s stomach dropped into the pit of his stomach. An overwhelming sense of dread filled him. Several of the guards off duty roared in approval to Cadence’s idea.

“Nope? Okay then.”

The alicorn levitated the letter with her magic. Slowly—so agonizingly slowly—she opened the letter and cleared her throat. Some ponies actually began to lean closer to listen in. Shining Armor even looked intrigued. Fleethoof felt like he was about to be sick. This was it…

“On second thought”—Cadence paused, drawing a resounding groan from their gathered audience—“I have a more fun way to find out who wrote this.”

“Oh yeah?” Fleethoof asked, folding his hooves across his chest skeptically. “Does it involve any dream probing?”

“Nope!” The princess smiled sweetly at Shining Armor and batting her eyelashes. “Shining, would you like to get some dinner?”

Shining Armor was stunned speechless. “Uh… I… Um… Huh?”

“Wonderful!” said Cadence, pushing the stallion towards the door, glancing back at Fleethoof with that sweet, alluring smile. “Fleet, if you wouldn’t mind meeting me in our spot in about an hour, I’d love that.”

Now it was his turn to be stupefied. “Uh… I… O-Okay?”

And then she was gone, out the door, practically dragging Shining Armor by his tail. Fleethoof blinked a few times, still trying to register what had just happened. What was she up to? He slowly picked himself up from the floor, still staring into the space where she had occupied only moments before. A nudge to his shoulder only barely caught his attention.

“Hey, colt,” an older soldier called in a gruff voice, nudging him again. “It was you that wrote her that letter, wassn’it?”

Fleethoof only nodded slowly.

“HA! I knew it! So, tell me, lad, what did ya tell ‘er?”

The pony’s lips twitched slightly, a slight smile forming on the corners of his mouth. His heart was racing inside his chest, and his mind felt like it had been wiped blank.

Fleethoof’s smile slowly grew as he replied: “The truth…”

Mi Amore

Shining Armor fidgeted nervously as he took in the atmosphere of the restaurant. It was a small, unassuming little bistro across from one of Canterlot’s parks. The décor was simple, modern, with a touch of elegance. Black and white photographs hung on the wood-paneled walls. The lights had all been dimmed, and each table was illuminated by candlelight, creating an intimate setting. The subtle quip towards the holiday did not go unnoticed by the unicorn, nor by the lovely alicorn seated directly across from him.

Cadence had picked the restaurant out herself. Shining had never been here before, but she had known it well enough to guide him through the city streets from memory. Now he could see her intentions for choosing this location. The building seated only a hoofful of ponies at a time, keeping the chatter to a minimum. Somepony was playing the piano in the corner, creating the mood for the patrons.

He had been expecting this to be a date, but now that he was actually in the moment, the gravity of the situation felt like it was smothering him.

From across the table, Cadence stared at him, resting her cheek on a hoof. She looked like she was trying to read his mind. It put Shining a little on edge. The silence between them had gone on since they’d left the tavern. He didn’t know what to say, or what to do, but apparently she had something planned out. He didn’t like not being in the loop.

“Soooooo…” Shining Armor started, rapping his hooves gently against the tablecloth, desperate for conversation, or anything but the quiet. “This is nice.”

Cadence smiled softly at him. “It’s my favorite place to eat in the city. They haven’t been here long, but the food is delicious. And it’s quiet, and cozy. It feels more personal... intimate, even.”

“That’s for sure…” murmured Shining, mostly to himself as he looked around the dimly lit building. Thanks to the lack of light, his gaze was always brought back to Cadence’s face, illuminated by the warm, flickering candlelight. His mind worked swiftly to try and take everything in. The sounds, the scents, the way the candles lit her face... He swallowed hard. It was impossible to escape her now.

“Is something wrong?” she asked gently, her eyes never leaving his.

“No! No, I just kinda… wasn’t expecting this at all,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck timidly while giving a nervous smile. “I was just being friendly before. I didn’t really mean any offense or anything.”

Cadence giggled softly, her eyes brightening as she smiled. “So am I not allowed to be friendly back? And let’s be honest, Shine—you didn’t mean nothing by it.”

Shining Armor’s heart stopped beating. He felt a cold chill run down his spine, even though he was sweating bullets now. It suddenly felt like the Guard was interrogating him about a crime. But he had nothing to hide. Actually, scratch that, he did. But it sounded like Cadence already had his number.

“I… I don’t know what you mean by that,” he lied badly, still smiling awkwardly to try and save some face.

The expression the princess wore was the picture-perfect definition of deadpan. “Come on, Shining. Be honest with me. I know how you feel. It's written all over your face.”

He swallowed again. “It is?” His voice squeaked a little more than he would have liked as he reached for his drink.

“I read your card. I have your flower. All the history between us, I’d have to be blind to not see it,” she listed off.

Shining Armor nonchalantly sipped at his water, staring off sideways into space and keeping his head low.

“And I have your letter.”

That statement caused him to spit half a mouthful of water across his own lap, coughing and sputtering as he recovered.

“T-That’s not my letter!” he quickly objected, raising a hoof in defense.

Cadence laughed and grinned at him. “I know. I couldn’t resist riling you up though.”

Shining Armor was speechless. She knew he didn’t write whatever was on that letter? But… then why were they here? The princess held up a hoof to stop him as he began to voice his own mental pondering.

“I can’t just want to spend time with you? Like how we used to?”

Once again, her words stopped the pony dead in his tracks. He didn’t know what to say to that. He felt confused, like he was being spun around and played in a game. What was going on?

“You’re always so busy since you became the Captain of the Guard,” said Cadence with a sigh. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m very proud of you. But I miss the days when I would foalsit Twilight, and we’d all go out on a picnic, or to the carnivals in town, or wander around the gardens. I miss just being with you.”

Shining Armor’s heart leapt up into his throat. His smile went from awkward and nervous to genuinely happy as it widened across his visage.

“I missed just hanging out with you too!” he replied, almost too eagerly. “I’ve just been so busy, and nervous about this job, and I’ve got all these responsibilities with reorganizing the Guard, and signing these bills into action, and—”

Shining only stopped rambling when he felt a gentle pressure against his lips. He blinked in surprise. A pink hoof gently held his mouth shut. Cadence had leaned across the table to shut him up, and was now smiling while trying to hold back another laugh. Clearly his anxious behavior was amusing to her. At least she thought it was.

“I understand,” was all she said, and sat back down. “I’ve been busy too. But now I’m back home, and I’ll be here for a while. I’d like to catch up with you again after all this time.”

“I’d like that,” Shining Armor agreed with a nod. Their food arrived at that moment, and both ponies were quiet for a little while as they enjoyed their meal.

“I was worried about you.” It was Shining Armor who broke the silence first. Cadence looked up as he spoke. “When you were away, wherever you were. I never stopped worrying, wondering if you were okay, safe… happy. I kept waiting to hear that you were coming back home, and waiting to see when you’d get off that train.

“That day, at the station, I wasn’t worried about myself. I was scared for you. I knew you were coming home then, and I knew what you were walking into. I was scared you were going to get hurt, and I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t protect you. And I swore to myself I wouldn’t let that happen again.”

Cadence folded her hooves across the table and leaned closer towards Shining Armor, giving him an intrigued look, and a delicate smirk. “Are you going to protect me, my knight in Shining Armor?”

The stallion’s breath was stolen, but his words were adamant. “I will, my princess.”

Cadence batted her eyelashes at the dazed pony, and then laughed out loud at the way his eyes widened and he stopped breathing. Shining took a deep breath, feeling like his heart was about to burst out of his chest.

“Do you remember the first time you tried to give me flowers for Hearts and Hooves Day?” asked Cadence, grinning from ear to ear at her companion. “It was right before you left for basic training. And Twilight thought they were for her! You were so shocked, you just froze up and turned bright red… like that!”

Shining Armor was suddenly very aware of how hot his face felt. The rush of color to his cheeks didn’t cease, and all he could do was laugh and smile bashfully. “You still remember that? Aw jeez… as if today wasn’t embarrassing enough.”

“I thought it was cute.”

For a third time that night, Cadence’s words left Shining speechless. He just chuckled and rubbed his neck again. His body felt like it was on fire. Was this really happening? Was it a dream, and he was going to wake up at any moment?

“Well, I thought you were cute,” he remarked, deciding to play her game.

Cadence blinked in surprise. “’Were’? You mean I’m not cute anymore?”

He was very taken aback by how hurt Cadence suddenly looked, and instantly he felt the ground giving way beneath his hooves. Red alert! Back up! Redo!

“Wha— N-No! That’s not what I meant! You’re still cute! And pretty! Very pretty! You're beautiful! I just meant—” he tried to recover quickly, stuttering his words a bit when he noticed Cadence’s lips twitch, fighting a smirk. And then he caught on. “You tricked me.”

“Gotcha,” Cadence hummed, winking at the flustered stallion. “Not like I couldn’t tell already. It’s still nice hearing it from your lips, Shiny.”

Shining Armor groaned and buried his face in his hooves. Hearing his old foalhood nickname Cadence had given him once upon a time had embarrassed him back then, but it seemed the years hadn’t changed that effect at all. A soft, musical laugh rang in his ears again, making his heart skip a beat. Why did she have to have such power over his emotions like that?

It felt wonderful…

“You know Fleet wrote that letter,” he said after a moment, looking up at her again from over his hooves, trying to read the expression in her gaze. “So why didn’t you call him out on it? Why play this game with him and go out with me?”

Cadence finished the last bite of her dinner and took a sip of her water. “I already told you, Shine. It’s fun watching you two get riled up. Plus it gives him some time to prepare.”

Shining cocked his head to the side. “Prepare what?”

“Anything,” she said with a shrug. “A speech, a confession, a moment, an excuse… whatever he wants. I really want to see what he’ll do in this situation. And I just wanted to be with you again, like I said.”

“But we could have done this any night. Why tonight? Why right now?”

“Because you like me,” Cadence stated very matter-of-factly, taking another casual drink while the cheeks of the stallion across from her turned a very becoming shade of pink. “Oh, don’t blush! You knew I knew it. That’s why you made the first move. I thought it was very brave, actually. And sweet. I really appreciated it. So I’m giving you what you wanted tonight. As long as you just be honest with me.”

He nodded, slowly. Honest. He knew what she was looking for. It was the truth she knew, that he had tried hiding. Actually, he didn’t try to hide it. He wanted her to know. That had been the whole intention of today.

“Alright… I like you, Cadence,” he said in open admittance, no longer afraid of saying what had been on his mind and heart for years. “I really like you. Like, really really like you. But yeah, you knew that. I guess you wouldn’t be the Princess of Love if you didn’t!”

Cadence laughed along with Shining, beaming happily. “See? That wasn’t so bad! And I think that was very courageous of you. I find that attractive in a stallion.”

Behind his hooves, Shining Armor smiled. “Thank you, Cadence. I’m glad I got caught then! We should do this more often.”

“I think we will,” agreed the mare, resting a hoof over his and smiling alluringly at him. “But right now, I have to go ruffle a certain pegasus' feathers a little more.”

“Go,” he urged her, already amused just thinking what she had planned for poor Fleethoof. “I’ll take care of dinner.”

Cadence blinked a couple of times. “Are you sure? I did offer to take you out.”

“Not anymore. Like you said before, knight in shining armor.” The stallion smiled at her. “I’ve got this. You go and scare Fleet. The poor guy’s probably molting out of fear by now anyway!”

The mental image made Cadence laugh as she stood up.

“Thank you for dinner, Shining Armor,” she purred softly, running a hoof across his shoulder.

She dipped her head down and kissed him softly on the cheek. Shining felt a fire start under his skin again, and smiled this time instead of hiding. And then he felt her hoof under his chin, turning his face towards hers. He felt a soft pair of lips against his own, and Shining Armor melted. Intense sensations of longing burst through the stallion's mind, almost toppling him over on the spot. The tender kiss lasted for an all-too brief moment to him, and then she was gone again, leaving the stallion slightly turned and inclined toward her, blinking in confusion and shock.

“Happy Hearts and Hooves Day,” Cadence said with a smile. “Goodnight, Shiny.”

Shining Armor’s whole face felt hot, numb, and tingly. His heart was beating so fast he almost couldn’t feel it, like his mind wasn’t registering it. Actually, his brain wasn’t registering anything right now. All he could do was watch as Cadence walked out of the restaurant, counting every step she took out the door, watching the way she glided across the floor and the way she moved. His lips burned with the memory of the kiss, and all he could think of was how it came and went too fast for his liking. He tried desperately to commit every detail to memory, already looking forward to the future.

“Goodnight, Mi Amore…” he whispered after her, a slow, wide smile creeping across the happy stallion’s face.

This had been the best Hearts and Hooves Day ever.

As Long As You Love Me

The night was cooling down with each passing minute. It was still only February, after all. The lingering traces of the coming spring were left in hints of warmth on the breeze, but the overall weather was cold. But between pacing back and forth on the terrace outside Canterlot Castle, Fleethoof didn’t feel a thing.

He was too worked up to notice the chill in the air. His hooves clopped noisily against he stone beneath him, taking deep breaths to try and calm himself down. Music played from the ballroom the terrace was attached to, coming from some Hearts and Hooves Day party inside. It looked like a dance. Through the glass wall, Fleethoof could see couples dancing together as love songs and romantic music filled the hall.

The panicking pegasus sat down and leaned against the balustrade, staring up into the heavens of Luna’s majestic night. The princess had really gone all out for the occasion. Stars glimmered and twinkled by the hundreds. The moon hovered high in the sky, casting a silvery veil over the land. But what topped everything were the faint traces of celestial clouds and the aurora borealis rippling through the inky blue canvas of the nighttime sky. It took his breath away.

Despite gazing at the beauty above him, Fleethoof’s mind couldn’t stop worrying, thoughts buzzing like angry hornets inside his head. What did Cadance do with Shining Armor? Was she questioning him about the letter? Did she figure out he was the one who wrote it? Of course she had to know by now. Shining Armor would have honestly admitted to not knowing a thing about it, and that narrowed the suspect pool just slightly. He was so screwed.

What was he going to say when Princess Cadance arrived? Should he play it cool, just brush it off and act like nothing was going on? Should he pretend he didn’t care, or it was a joke? Should he just throw himself at her hooves and grovel for mercy and forgiveness? Maybe she’d make his death a quick and painless one… What if she didn't even show up at all?

Or maybe he should be honest with her. Cadance had always pushed him to be open with her, to stop hiding secrets in his life. Maybe this was a good time to practice what she preached. What was the worst thing that could happen if he admitted the truth?

She could stare at me in horror, or laugh, or think I’m making a joke, or hate me and never speak to me again and leave me behind while she moves on with her life, Fleethoof thought in a panicked frenzy. Oh yeah, there’s that.

But what was on the flip side? What was the best thing that could come from this? His heart flipped about in his chest as he envisioned a scene reminiscent from a cheesy romance novel sold at all the corner stores in Canterlot. On paper, it all looked so ridiculous, cliché, and overplayed. But in person…

Are you bucking insane? That stuff only happens in fiction! And this isn’t a story! This is reality! his brain screamed back at him, filling his soul with dark dread again. I’ve gotta get out of here. Bail. Just bail. Make up some excuse. Create some cataclysmic tragedy that you have to go stop with your team, and tell Cadance in a few days! She’ll never know the difference!

“Good evening, Fleethoof.”

Buck it all to the fiery infernos of Tartarus! Of course that sweet, sweet voice would have to call out now…

Fleethoof turned swiftly and smiled meekly at the approaching princess. “Cadance, hi.”

“Is something wrong?” she asked casually as she came up beside the now tense pony, sweat beading at his forehead.

“No—no! Nope! Nothing’s wrong. Everything’s fine,” he replied, biting down on his tongue before he started rambling like Shining Armor. “How was dinner?”

“It was very nice. I got to catch up with Shining a bit.”

“Was it like a date or something?”

Cadance cast a suspicious, sideways glance at the pony. “Why Fleethoof, is that jealousy I detect?”

The stallion snorted once as he choked back an uneasy chuckle. “No! I just thought it would make sense. I mean, he gives you flowers, a card, and a letter that’s obviously so embarrassing you use it as blackmail.”

“You have a keen eye for deduction, Fleet,” she said with a nod. “Actually, yes, I suppose in that case it was a date. I mean, he did confess to writing that letter.”

Fleethoof’s body straightened up and his eyes widened in disbelief. “He did?”

“Mmhmm, every last lovely word.”

All at once, Fleethoof felt his heart wrench in his chest. Shining Armor had taken credit for his letter? He didn’t know how to feel about that. Angry? Upset? Betrayed? Shining didn’t know what was on it. Maybe he was trying to protect him? But Cadance looked so happy about it. He was taking the reward for something he didn’t do! Wait—did she just say... lovely?

“Well, that’s very brave of him,” Fleethoof stated blandly, trying to hide the scowl in his voice. “What did the letter say that was so wonderful?”

“Oh, he wrote the most beautiful words,” cooed Cadance, smiling dreamily as she stared up at the stars. “It made my heart flutter when I read it.”

“Did it?” He was grinding his teeth together now, pressing his hooves hard against the ground.

“It did! Here, listen to some of it.” With a burst of magic, Cadance produced the letter. “To my most beautiful Princess Cadance. Words cannot begin to describe everything that you mean to me. You matter more to me than the entire world. Without you near me, Equestria feels—”

“Equestria feels like the dead of winter: cold, harsh, unforgiving…” Fleethoof said aloud, reciting the words burned into his memory with the princess, not noticing that she had stopped reading now as he stared into dark space. “You breathe life into my winter. You bring light into my dark world. Without you, I would have been lost to the fire and the shadow. You, my saving grace, make me feel like a true stallion—but more, you make me feel like a hero.”

Both ponies were silent for a long moment. Fleethoof continued to stare up at the stars, feeling a stray tear roll down his cheek as he released emotions he’d bottled up for so long. He swallowed back a knot in his throat. A soft smile touched Cadance’s lips as she let the words settle into her heart. She folded up the letter and stowed it away again.

“Shining Armor didn’t write the letter…” Another long pause. It was a statement, not a question. “Did he?”

“No,” Fleethoof finally admitted, shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter though. You believed it was him.”

A forgiving sigh came from Cadance. “You never learn, do you, Fleet? I knew it was you all along. I just had to hear you say it.”

Fleethoof’s brow furrowed as he tore his gaze away from the skies and back down to the mare seated beside him. She had known all along? Even after all the stress and worry she’d put him through? And she’d taken Shining Armor out? Why?

All these questions he wanted to ask her, but the stallion suddenly found himself tongue-tied as he stared into Cadance’s opulent violet eyes. Under the starlight, they seemed to sparkle, the way he had noticed long ago, in Saddle Arabia. That moment seemed so long ago now.

“You’ve always had trouble expressing yourself, Fleet,” said Cadance, speaking softly, her voice as gentle as silk. “But I’ve learned you after all this time. You just need a little push sometimes to get started. I knew you wouldn’t tell me on your own unless I left you no choice but to tell me.”

She was an evil genius. Fleethoof had quickly come to realize this. Perhaps all mares were evil geniuses. It would certainly explain a lot. But even after learning she had tricked him into admitting his authorship of the letter, he couldn’t bring himself to feel even the slightest negative emotion. She made him feel like nopony else.

Fleethoof could feel himself beginning to breathe faster, more shallowly. Nervousness and anxiety was taking a hold of his core again. She knew. She knew everything. There was nowhere left to hide. There was no more cover to take. It was just the two of them.

“But you did write this,” she continued, musing to herself. “So you have learned to express your emotions, at least in an indirect way. I’m surprised—and proud.”

His breathing quickened again. Fleethoof was right on the edge of hyperventilating. Cadance saw this, and giggled softly before gently touching his shoulder, catching his attention swiftly.

“Fleet, calm down. Just breathe,” Cadance said, bringing a hoof up to her chest as she inhaled, and sweeping it away on the exhale, miming it for him to follow.

Fleethoof took a deep breath with Cadance, repeating her actions while exhaling slowly, doing his best to keep from passing out. “I’m sorry, I just… I feel like I’m in the field, and my cover’s been blown.”

Cadance giggled and rolled her eyes. “Do you ever stop thinking about work?”

“Hey, that’s my life you’re talking about,” he remarked, smiling nervously.

“You can relax, Fleethoof. I’m not going to bite you, promise.”

Fleethoof chuckled weakly, and slowly began to relax his posture. He repeated the breathing technique she had just showed him.

Then, as quickly as he had eased up, Cadance gave him her best bedroom eyes and smirked. “Unless you like that, of course.”

And the stallion’s eyes went wide again, mimicking those breathing techniques as he took several more rapid deep breaths.

“Kidding! Kidding!” Cadance quickly interjected, laughing lightly.

“Don’t do that to me!”

“Sorry, you’re just too much fun!”

Fleethoof huffed and tried to get his breathing back under control. “So if you knew it was me all along, why didn’t you just call me out in the tavern?”

“Oh, that’s simple. Because then we wouldn’t have gotten this moment.” Cadance waved to the silvery gardens around them, and the starry sky up above. “Plus I thought saving you some face wouldn’t hurt.”

Fleethoof smirked a little bit, glad that she had given him that little generosity. He leaned up against the balustrade again, staring off into darkness. Cadance studied him from her position at his side. He was always so brooding. His thoughts were a dark enigma to the princess. Ever since she had met him, she knew there was always more to him to figure out. He was like an ever-changing puzzle that she couldn’t stop trying to put together.

“I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do now, now that you know… well, everything,” Fleethoof said. “What do I do with all this? I didn’t expect to get this far.”

Cadance was quiet for a moment, mulling it over. “Well, I’m here now. What do you want to do?”

Cadance had her hoof on his shoulder. The two ponies locked gazes again. Fleethoof could feel his face warm and his shoulder tingle where she touched him. He could think of a dozen different things he could do in this one instance. Several didn’t seem quite appropriate for the situation. Leaping off the terrace was definitely out of the question.

“I tried not to love you, but it only went so far... Maybe I wanted to get caught this time.”

“So this is love now?” She smirked teasingly at him.

“You’re the Princess of Love, expert on all things romantic,” he said in remark. “You tell me.”

“And why did you want to get caught?”

Her question certainly had merit. But even he didn’t know the reasoning behind that.

“Maybe I didn’t want to hide my feelings anymore?” he guessed, shrugging. Cadance laughed.

“Fleethoof, you know you don’t have to hide your feelings from me. You really can’t anyway. I could sense everything you were feeling.”

He was quiet for some time as he thought this over. “Saddle Arabia?”

She nodded. “I definitely felt it then.”

“The train station?”

“Yes.”

“Coming back from the Griffon Kingdom?”

A grin touched Cadance’s lips. “That was more like lust. Not as strong, but yes.”

“You can sense lust too?” asked Fleethoof, raising a brow in curiosity.

“It’s an emotion tied to love and the heart,” the princess pointed out, and said, “So yes, I can.”

Fleethoof chuckled nervously and rolled his eyes. “Oh boy, am I screwed…”

His comment made Cadance laugh, a proper, light-hearted laugh. It made him smile. As had become his habit, he studied the way the moonlight reflected off her multicolored mane. The way her eyes seemed to shine. The sweet, airy tone of her voice. And her smile that could melt ice and turn nightmares into dreams.

“You’re always prying into my emotions,” said Fleethoof suddenly, shifting his weight to face her properly. “Why don’t you tell me some of yours for a change?”

Cadance smirked back at him, tapping a hoof thoughtfully against her chin. “Alright, that sounds fair. If you do something for a change too.”

“And what’s that?”

“In due time,” she hummed. Fleethoof didn't know if he liked the way she had said that. “I like you, Fleethoof. You’re a sweet, caring, devoted pony who gives all of himself and asks for nothing in return. You’re powerful in body and spirit. It’s very admirable. But you do worry me…”

The pegasus cocked his head to the side curiously. “I worry you?”

Cadance pursed her lips and nodded, tracing a hoof across the thin scar running across his chest. Her touch left electricity running through his body. “I worry that I’m going to lose you too quickly.”

Fleethoof’s breathing stopped again. Flashbacks to Saddle Arabia flashed through his mind. Cadance really was worried about losing him. It made his heart skip a beat.

“I’ll stop risking my life then.” His smile was all too genuine and willing. “I’ll resign, walk away from Skyfall.”

“You’d give up your entire career and life for me?” asked Cadance, an incredulous look in her eyes.

“If you asked me to. I’d fight to the ends of Equestria or stop fighting for the rest of my life for you.”

The mare slowly let her hoof fall away from him. “I couldn’t ask you to do that… You love what you do too much.”

“You’d be the expert on that.”

Both ponies laughed softly. Silence settled between them for a moment. Fleethoof looked between the two roses still set in her mane. She really did care as much as he dared to dream.

“I was worried you’d run away from me when you found out,” Fleethoof sheepishly admitted. “That’d you’d… I dunno, abandon me, I guess?”

The mare sighed and shook her head. “As long as you love me, I’m never going to abandon you, Fleet.”

Their heart-to-heart had gone well so far. Fleethoof felt less and less anxious by the minute, and Cadance was getting everything she had hoped to from the young stallion.

"Anything else you want me to admit?"

Fleethoof cocked a half smile. "Well, I know you're an immortal Princess of Love, so it makes me wonder how many lovers you've had before."

The mare batted her eyelashes innocently, smirking at the pony. "Do you want to know that answer?"

The pony hesitated for a moment, and then shook his head. "No, I guess not... Not right now, at least."

“Alright. Now, it’s your turn,” Cadance said. “I opened up to you, now I want you to do the same.”

Fleethoof was confused. “I thought I did already?”

“I want you to act on your emotions,” she continued, noting the scared expression in his eyes. “You’ve always had a problem opening up, but you also don’t act emotionally unless forced to. I want to see something genuine from you, Fleethoof. That’s all. No bars, no holding back. Give me something earnest I can believe.”

Another tense silence filled the air around the two ponies. Fleethoof didn’t know what to do. He felt trapped between a rock and a hard place. Celestia knew there were so many things he could do—so many things he wanted to say and do. He wanted to whisk her off into the night and travel the world with her. He wanted to sweep her off her hooves and kiss her beneath the silvery moonlight. But he couldn’t bring himself to move. He could face an entire army without blinking an eye, but facing Cadance felt like the most difficult thing he could ever do.

Cadance’s purple eyes stared deeply, longingly into his, searching for something. She was pleading with him to do something—anything. Anything to prove her right, and that he could act on his own heart. It was his fatal flaw that always proved to be his undoing.

But after many long moments had passed, Cadance had begun to lose hope. Her eyes dropped, and she sighed softly. A strange sensation of disappointment settled over her.

“I don’t think I’ll ever understand you, Fleethoof,” she murmured softly, giving him a small, sad smile and a quick glance up before turning and slowly walking away.

Fleethoof could feel his heart racing and aching at the same time. He tried to call after her, but couldn’t bring himself to produce the words. This was his chance, his moment. And he was losing it. After all that work, he wasn’t about to let it go without fighting for it.

Inside the ballroom, distant applause was heard. The band was preparing for the next song. A singer took to the stage. This was his last chance.

“Dance with me!”

Cadance stopped dead in her tracks a few feet away. She turned to look curiously at him, not sure she had heard him correctly.

“What?”

“I said, dance with me,” Fleethoof repeated, smiling as he trotted up to her and offering his hoof. “Cadance, let me show you I can act impulsively.”

Feeling her hopes rise from the ashes, Cadance took Fleethoof’s hoof as the music began to start up in the hall. He bowed to her, smirking as she laughed at his ballroom etiquette. And then he pulled her close and took the lead as the music began.

“Did you really mean all those words you wrote?” asked Cadance, inclining her neck against his slightly to whisper into his ear.

Fleethoof smirked to himself. “Every single word. Especially the way you’ve made me a better stallion.”

Fleethoof leaned back enough to lock gazes with Cadance again. The stallion and mare smiled at one another. Cadance was happy, content to be dancing with a pony she held so close to her heart. Fleethoof was still in awe that he had ever met such an incredible pony in his lifetime.

“You look beautiful tonight,” he stated, winking jokingly to her.

Cadance laughed and shook her head. “So does that mean I don’t look beautiful every night?”

“Your words, not mine,” Fleethoof teased, spinning Cadance around in his hooves as the song picked up. “But not my opinion.”

Cadance sighed happily as Fleethoof pulled her back in close. She knew he had been hiding away these intentions and fantasies for a long time. Often she had wondered what he would be like if he actually acted on what he wanted. She wasn’t disappointed in the least anymore.

“Your dancing has improved,” she noted as they spun in place.

“I’ve been taking lessons, just in case I need to pretend to know what I’m doing again,” said Fleethoof, grinning a little as they dipped down. “I kinda wanted to try and secretly impress you too.”

Cadance laughed. “Well, you succeeded. Except for the secretly part.”

As the music reached a crescendo again, Fleethoof’s motions became faster, more energetic and passionate. All the while though, he never once let go of Cadance, keeping her held tight at all times.

The instruments took over from the vocalist again, slowing the song down. The two ponies returned to the slow, subtle comfort of gentle movements. Their bodies pressed close, feeling each other’s heartbeat against their own. It was intimate, and personal.

Cadance loved it.

Fleethoof still couldn’t believe he was actually living this.

With each of the last lines, Fleethoof would take a sharp turn or spin Cadance in his hooves. Right before the end, they dipped again, and the music held. So did the ponies. Cadance had her hooves wound around the stallion's neck as he supported her weight. They stared into each other’s eyes, deep sapphire meeting rich purple.

Their faces hovered mere inches apart, close enough to feel the other’s heated breath on their cheek. The moment seemed to freeze in time. Nothing moved. Everything hung, suspended in this one moment of reality. Fleethoof could have lived this moment forever.

They’d been in this position before. Flashbacks to the ball in the Arabian palace blinked before his eyes. He’d had the perfect opportunity before, but he’d let it slip away. Was he going to lose that chance again?

Fleethoof pulled back up, returning Cadance back to a more stable stance. They danced close again, swaying back and forth to the music. But something had changed. The princess was gripping much more tightly around his neck, not wanting to let go. Fleethoof felt like his heart might explode if it beat any faster or harder. His chest tightened. He could barely breathe right as it was.

The song was speeding up, quickly approaching its climactic finish. So too, did their dance mirror the music. Fleethoof’s moves and twirls became more flourished and elaborate. Cadance smiled widely, having the time of her life. Fleethoof had always had a wild, burning soul. Now she was beginning to see it firsthand.

“Thank you,” Fleethoof whispered softly, so much so Cadance almost didn’t hear him, even this close.

“For what?”

“Giving me the courage to do this...”

Fleethoof spun Cadance one final time in his hooves, then caught her by the waist again and dipped down with her once more.

The stallion and mare ended up in the same position as before. Close, so very, very close. Nothing left in between them. Cadance holding onto him. Fleethoof gripping tight to her.

Their eyes met. There was one last thing for him to do.

He wasn’t missing this chance again.

Making sure he had a secure hold on her body, Fleethoof leaned in closer. His eyes never left hers, and likewise she never once looked away. Her hoof gently came up behind his head, running through his tousled golden mane. Inches became centimeters in distance, virtually no space left to cross.

Electricity ran through the air. Fleethoof’s body felt like it was on fire, even in the cool weather. Years of maddening thoughts and desires all culminating to this one point in time.

He closed the distance.

Soft, warm lips met his in a gentle kiss. His eyes closed, and in the darkness of his mind, Fleethoof swam in the pleasure, the passion, and all the unknown sensations taking him over. Cadance grasped tighter to him. Fireworks went off behind his eyelids. He suddenly felt dizzy, drunk with victory and glee.

In that moment, Fleethoof never wanted the night to end.

Reflection

Two roses sat in a vase of water on the princess’ nightstand: one deep red, a symbol of passion and desire, and one pure white, an effigy of true love and reverence. A pair of cards sat on either side of the vase. And in the hooves of Princess Cadence lay a slightly crumpled, well-handled letter.

Cadence had lost track of how many times she’d read the letter. She couldn’t get it off her mind, nor could she ignore what was written on one of the two cards. Two very special ponies had shown her such care and devotion that day. It made her feel like the luckiest filly in Equestria.

She sighed softly and set the letter down on the nightstand. Hearts and Hooves Day always held a special meaning to her. Being the Princess of Love, seeing so much of it in abundance did her soul good. Even she received cards anonymously by the dozen. But seldom did anypony ever have the courage to prove themselves like two unique stallions did today.

It was a Hearts and Hooves Day for the ages.

But now it left Cadence feeling both giddy and troubled. She cared deeply for both stallions, and it was painstakingly clear that they both cared for her. Even still, their styles were starkly different.

With Shining Armor, everything felt friendly, warm, and magical. It felt like being with the Prince Charming from the fairytales. They had so much history together, Cadence could recall dozens of wonderful memories with him at the drop of a hat. He was sweet, and gentle, and loving, and protective. Cadence could easily see herself spending many peaceful hours at a time with him—probably because they had in the past. She always knew where he was when she needed him, and even though she worried about his wellbeing too, he wasn’t being thrown into immediate danger every other day. Shining Armor was stable.

Fleethoof was less so. When it came to that pegasus, everything was powerful, wild, and intense. Nothing was ever subdued or settled. He was fiery, and passionate, and enigmatic. He was a thrill. But she didn’t know half the things about him that she knew about Shining. Granted, they hadn’t grown up together, but still, Fleethoof was always so pensive, so quiet, and kept to himself. His job had him coming and going all the time, sometimes for weeks on end to distant parts of the world. And each time, Cadence never knew what he was doing or if he was coming back at all. He lived his life like he was dying, and she knew he could be gone forever in a single moment…

It was impossible to pick one stallion over the other. Shining Armor and Fleethoof were like two sides of the same coin—like light and darkness. It was impossible. But such weighty decisions did not need to be made on the spot, nor at one in the morning. Lying down in bed, Cadence cast one last loving look to her gifts set down beside her before rolling over and drifting into slumber.

Across Canterlot, three ponies had very good dreams that night.

Hearts and Hooves

Mi Amore

By: Dusk Quill

Okay, Shining Armor, you can do this… You can do this…

The Captain of the Guard stood as still as a statue, staring at the solid oak doors in front of his face. He shifted his weight back and forth from hoof to hoof as his nerves tried to work his body up into following his mind. It was so simple. Just take a step forward, knock on the door, and give her the card. Oh, and the flower too. Both lay safely tucked inside his armor, just against his chest. There was nothing awkward or scary about it. It was just a friendly gesture on the holiday.

But was it really…?

Ever since she had begun foalsitting his sister, Shining Armor had developed a major crush on Cadence. He was sure she had to know. She was the Princess of Love, after all. How could she not? But if she did know, she hadn’t shown any signs of it. She was always so busy with her missionary travels and diplomatic endeavors. But now she was home again, and it looked like she was home to stay. He had his chance.

Just go up and knock on the door, his mind repeated over and over to him as his heart raced in his chest. Just hand her the gifts, say “Happy Hearts and Hooves Day,” and walk away. So easy!

Shining swallowed back a frog in his throat and tentatively took that step forward—and hesitated in place. What if she wasn’t in? What if he had been standing outside her room for half an hour and she wasn’t even there? What if she came around the corner suddenly and surprised him?

Mental images of him screaming like a filly and tearing down the hallway flashed before his eyes. He shuddered. Yeah, that would be attractive… No, he had to take the initiative and make his move before he looked too foalish.

Shining took a deep breath and puffed his chest out. In his momentary swell of confidence, he reminded himself that he was the Captain of the Guard, a proud soldier of Equestria, and had faced much scarier things than the pink princess in his lifetime. That momentary swell of confidence was all he needed.

His hoof rapped against the door, barely audible, even to him. Nopony answered. Oh well, she wasn’t home! Shining quickly began to trot away, sighing with relief.

Really…? Bucking really, Shining? Some fearless captain you are.

He growled in frustration and turned a complete about-face on his heels and marched back to the door. This time, he knocked with more determination behind each strike. Three deep, insistent knocks echoed around the empty hallway. Most of the guards were off duty for the day, spending time with their special someponies all across Equestria. That had been Cadence’s idea.

But Hearts and Hooves Day was almost over. The clock had just recently struck five. He was running out of time to make his move. He waited, cringing in fear as he listened for the door latch to open. His heart pounded like a drum line against his ribs. What if he stuttered like an idiot? What if he couldn’t even say anything at all?!

These terrified thoughts buzzed around in Shining’s head like angry parasprites as he waited, and waited—and waited. He was suddenly very much aware that nothing was happening. A quick glance to the clock in the hallway. Five minutes had passed.

He knocked again. Another five minutes passed. Still no answer.

His brown knitted together in confusion. Was she really not home? Had he really spent all this time worrying and working himself up to be standing outside an empty room for… how long? Forty minutes now? Forty-five? He’d lost track of the time.

“Cadence?” he called out through the door, knocking again. “Cadence, it’s Shining Armor. Are you in there?”

Nopony answered. He pressed his ear to the door. Nothing even stirred. He looked up and down the hallway. Nopony was around at all. What was stopping him from just sneaking in and leaving the gifts somewhere she could find them? Oh yeah, his nerves. Or lack thereof.

“Okay… Okay, Shiny… Just gotta do this… Just gotta move fast. Get in, get out. Easy peasy.”

Shining Armor took in a deep breath and slowly released it, rubbing his hooves together as he mentally prepared himself. He stretched his legs, taking another deep breath.

And then he quickly pushed the door open with his magic and rushed in, shutting the door sharply behind him. He collapsed against the doorframe, breathing hard. Masterful execution. Cadence’s room was as he expected decidedly empty. Her large bed was made to pristine condition, and it looked completely undisturbed. The only light was the late afternoon sun coming through the large windows.

This was the first time Shining Armor had ever been in Cadence’s room. He snapped the door lock into place. He didn’t need an errant guard interrupting him and blowing his surprise. Now, where to leave the gifts? There was a desk pushed against the side of the room, and a vanity near her armoire. Her nightstand beside her bed was always an option. Hell, even her bed would do. But where would work best?

Shining slowly trotted across the hardwood floors, taking in the environment around him. He reached into his armor and pulled out the card and a single white rose. The color matched his coat almost perfectly. Deciding the edge of the bed was the most direct route to display his favors, he approached, smiling to himself for a job well done. He hadn’t even been caught.

That was when the window behind him suddenly burst inward, and Shining Armor screamed out in terror.

“Okay, final checklist… Card?”

“Check.”

“Letter?”

“Check.”

“Flower?”

The pony produced a single red rose from his saddlebags, staring at the vibrant, rich color in the warm sunlight. He’d chosen it for his color. It was the most beautiful one the florist had in stock, and it resembled his fur.

“Check.”

“Gun?”

The pony shot a sharp glare at his partner. “Are you kidding me, Val?”

Valiant grinned and laughed. “Yep! You’re all set.”

“Fantastic.” He slipped the flower back into his saddlebags. “Get me hooked up.”

The two ponies began the final rigging of the hooks and clasps on both himself and the railing of Canterlot Castle’s roof. How perfect it had been that this was right above his destination. Or close enough. He could work with this.

Valiant began to attach the rope to the railing and through the hooks before tethering it to the pony descending. Each one snapped tightly into place. He tossed the remaining rope down the side of the castle. He was all set to make his move.

“Okay, you’re good to go, Captain,” Valiant said. “But… why aren’t you just flying down there?”

“Because Quarter needed us to test out the rappelling gear.”

“But isn’t this more complicated?”

Fleethoof grinned. “Yeah, but it’s also more fun.”

Valiant couldn’t help but laugh again. “If you say so. Ready?”

“Ready when you are.”

“Go! Go! Go!”

And then Fleethoof jumped off the edge of the railing, clinging tight to the rope as he fell past the balcony and back towards the castle wall. His hooves made contact with the old stone, and he kicked off again, letting himself slide further down the rope as he went, gradually rappelling down the castle. He grinned widely. This was a thrill. It reminded him of flying, but much more rigid, and at a constant descent. This was going to come in handy one day.

Down, down, down he went. He passed a window, glancing inside. It was a hallway. He continued down, passing another window with some sort of office or something. He kept going down, passing another hallway, and then he landed next to a bedroom window.

Fleethoof peeked inside, looking for some sort of confirmation. The room was decorated lavishly, with fine furniture and velvet chairs. He couldn’t see much from this window, but he could see a desk with a few pictures on it. Each one had an assortment of ponies, but only one appeared consistently: Princess Cadence.

Gotcha.

Fleethoof sidled across the wall, placing his rear hooves on either side of the window. Then he kicked off the castle and swung back in, bringing his hooves against the window frame, kicking it open loudly and swinging inside.

Somepony screamed.

The two very surprised ponies stared off with one another. Neither moved, and neither spoke. Nopony knew exactly what to say. Fleethoof hadn’t been expecting anypony to be in the room, especially since it had been empty when he scouted it out ten minutes ago. Shining Armor hadn’t expected anypony to come barreling through a second story window like a juggernaut.

“Fleethoof?! What the hay?” Shining Armor finally asked, getting his breathing back under control. “What was that?”

"Making an entrance?” he said, grinning sheepishly.

Shining rolled his eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same!”

“Oh, uh… well, I was just… um, looking for Cadence!” Shining Armor lied, badly, smiling all too widely to be believable.

“So you broke into her room?”

“Hey, the door was unlocked. You did the breaking and entering.”

“Infiltrating. It’s different,” he corrected, and then spotted the rose and card on Cadence’s bed. “Gifts for Hearts and Hooves Day?”

“Oh, these? No, no! I mean, yes. I mean, not exactly. I mean…” Shining said, stammering and feeling his face go warm. He hadn’t expected to explain himself to anypony. “Because she’s my friend. They’re friendly gifts. For a friendly holiday. For a friend. Between friends. We’re friends.”

Fleethoof stared incredulously at his friend as he kept his smiling façade up.

“Uh huh, okay then,” he said, unsnapping the rope from his harness. “I did the same thing.”

Fleethoof pulled the card and rose out of his saddlebags and set them down on Cadence’s nightstand. He hesitated, leaving the letter in his bag for the moment. He didn’t want Shining Armor to question him on it and have to explain it.

“You up for drinks at The Cannon tonight? A few friends are gonna be there, a bunch of guards without dates, that sort of thing. We could just hang out.”

“Who says I don’t have a date?” asked Fleethoof, and then laughed at the look Shining Armor gave him. “Oh c’mon, I don’t have a special somepony. Sure, I’m game. I just gotta return this equipment to Quarter, and—”

A noise outside in the hallway caught both ponies’ attention. It was the sound of hooves on stone tile. The soft clopping was getting closer and closer by the second. Neither of them said a word, holding their breath as they waited and listened. The hooves got closer, and then stopped.

Silence hung in the air for a tense moment. And then the door handle turned and the locked door tried to open.

“Huh, I thought I left it open,” came the voice of Cadence from the other side, musing to herself.

Shining Armor practically jumped out of his skin, and Fleethoof’s wings flared out, feathers flying off him in terror.

“Oh buck oh buck oh buck,” Shining Armor whispered hastily, bouncing on his hooves anxiously. “What do we do?”

Fleethoof took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down, even though his feathers kept ruffling and he trembled gently in place. “Don’t worry. There are two of us, not one. It won’t look so suspicious if we both wish her a Happy Hearts and Hooves Day. It’ll just look like we’re being friendly and surprising her! I say we wait and do nothing.”

The sound of a key sliding into the lock resounded around the room.

“I changed my mind,” said Fleethoof quickly, rushing back to the window. “I’m outta here!”

“Wait for me!” Shining Armor called after him, leaping onto the pegasus’s back as he latched himself back onto the rope.

Fleethoof swiftly jumped off the ledge of the window with Shining holding onto him for dear life, leaping back down the castle wall, gradually making their way to the ground below. Above them, they heard the door open and close again. They were just above the first floor windows now.

They could just barely hear Cadence walking around in her room above them. The hoofsteps stopped, lingering. She had noticed something. Was it the Hearts and Hooves Day gifts? Or was it the suddenly open window? Both ponies froze, hanging in midair, waiting with bated breath as they stared up at the window.

And then Cadence’s head peeked out the window, her eyes running down the rope hanging there to the two stallions suspended in the air.

“Shining? Fleet?”

“Abort!” Fleethoof said to the pony on his back as he released the rappelling rope from his harness.

“Jump!” Shining called back as the two ponies dropped to the ground below. Fleethoof hadn’t noticed his saddlebags were now completely empty.

While slightly confused by her door suddenly locking, Cadence chalked it up to a slip of her memory, and reached for the key above the door. She unlocked the door and stepped inside, shutting the door quietly behind her. She didn’t even take three steps into the room before she stopped.

There, on her bed, lay a single white rose, and a sealed envelope. On her nightstand sat another envelope, accompanied by a solitary red rose. A bunch of red feathers lay across the carpet at the foot of her bed, gently tumbling about in the breeze. That was when she noticed the window was open.

What in Equestria? Cocking her head to the side in confusion, Cadence approached the windowsill, studying the rope inexplicably hanging there.

And then she looked down, meeting the wide-eyed blue gazes of the two stallions hanging on the rope.

“Shining?” she asked in confusion. “Fleet?”

“Abort!” the pegasus called out, reaching for something on his waist.

“Jump!” said the pony on his back, and the two fell to the ground.

Cadence gasped as she watched both ponies hit the ground and tumble about for a moment before scrambling to their hooves. They seemed unhurt for the most part, but left the princess in a densely confused state.

“Run! Run!” Shining shouted as they scattered in two different directions, fleeing like two little colts who had just been caught doing something they weren’t supposed to.

“Ooookay…?” she said to herself, following the rope up to the balcony it was tied to, and spotting Valiant as he ducked his head quickly out of sight.

Cadence giggled softly to herself and shut her window. She sighed and shook her head. Such silly colts… She glanced back at the two roses. It was obvious to tell whose was whose. But something else had caught her eye.

In amongst the scattered pegasus feathers, a folded piece of paper sat on the floor. Cadence picked it up, studying the unassuming parchment for a moment.

And then she opened it, and began to read the letter.

The Letter

To my most beautiful Princess Cadence,

Words cannot begin to describe everything that you mean to me. You matter more to me than the entire world. Without you near me, Equestria feels like the dead of winter: cold, harsh, unforgiving. You breathe life into my winter. You bring light into my dark world. Without you, I would have been lost to the fire and the shadow. You, my saving grace, make me feel like a true stallion—but more, you make me feel like a hero.

Before you came into my life, I was a lost soul, wandering through an impossible maze of despair I didn’t even know I was in. You came to me, like an angel, and rescued me from the depths of Tartarus. I am all that I am because of your guidance and your devotion. I am the stallion I am today, for better or for worse, because of what you give to me.

You give me strength when I need it most.

You give me courage when I must be brave.

You give me hope when I have nothing to believe in.

You give me love when I thought I was alone.

I pray that someday I will be able to return all the blessings and all the love you have given to me. But take comfort in knowing that although you may not realize it, I will always be with you.

You are my princess. And whatever I am, I am yours.

Happy Hearts and Hooves Day.

With love,
— Your Stallion xxx