So Twilight and Starlight made the journey to the Crystal Empire on their own, and when they arrived they headed straight for Sunburst's room in the castle. They didn't come across Shining Armor or Cadance, so they figured that they were either in the throne room or in Flurry Heart's room.
Once they got to Sunburst's room Starlight nervously knocked on the door. Sunburst opened it and automatically blushed. Starlight didn't make anything out of that, but Twilight couldn't help but smirk knowingly.
"Oh hello Starlight, Twilight...um, I'm...assuming you finished the book?" Sunburst said awkwardly.
"I did, thank you Sunburst it was a great story. I really enjoyed reading it." Starlight smiled sincerely before looking nervous. "However it also made me wonder something so...maybe Twilight and I...?"
"Oh yes, of course." Sunburst opened the door wider and let them in.
They headed for the dining room/kitchen area - even though Sunburst was allowed to eat with the court and the royal family Shining Armor and Cadance gave him his own kitchen due to knowing that he sometimes preferred eating by himself - and Starlight and Twilight sat down while Sunburst prepared some tea.
"So...did you know that the two best friends end up together later on in the story?" Starlight asked Sunburst awkwardly.
Sunburst blushed again.
"Actually...I did know...in fact that was why I chose that particular book." He admitted.
Twilight grinned with joy, but Starlight just blushed and tears started to form in her eyes.
"You mean...you mean you...?" She tried not to sob.
Despite his heart pounding, Sunburst worked up the courage to tell her the truth. He didn't want to lie to her anyway.
"Yes...I love you." He said.
Starlight couldn't hold back her tears anymore. Sunburst, concerned, went over to her and rubbed her back as she sobbed.
"Why?" She sobbed. "Why did you fall in love with me when there are better mares out there? Mares who aren't capable of becoming evil?"
Tears now formed in Sunburst's eyes.
"Starlight, you are not evil." He said sternly but also comfortingly. "You never were evil, if you were then Twilight and her friends wouldn't have wanted to befriend you. Plus you wouldn't have accepted their friendship."
"But...but my past mistakes..." Starlight continued sobbing.
"Starlight, you didn't make those mistakes because you were evil. You made them because you have a strong heart that got broken...by me unintentionally abandoning you." He hung his head shamefully. "I'm really sorry about that, our friendship should've meant more to me than my reputation at the school."
Starlight started to calm down and smile.
"It's okay...after having seen one of the bullies I can understand your unwillingness to tell me about them." She said. "Besides, I'm not the only one with a strong heart." She then put a hoof on his heart.
Sunburst smiled, feeling better.
"Does...does this mean I'm your very special somepony?" He asked.
"Only if I'm your very special somepony." Starlight chuckled.
"It's a deal." Sunburst chuckled back.
He then sat down.
"So...now what? I mean you live in Ponyville and I live...here." He pointed out.
"True, because of that dating will be a bit difficult." Starlight had to agree. "How about we just get together during special occasions, that is one of us stays at the other's home for long periods of time whenever a holiday and even our birthdays come up? Along with that we can keep in touch through letters and random short visits."
"That sounds good...I definitely agree to a long visit for Hearts and Hooves day." Sunburst nodded. "Nightmare Night...that's kind of a friendship holiday so I don't mind including our friends in that. I can even come to Ponyville every time since the Crystal Empire doesn't really celebrate it despite Shining Armor and Cadance introducing it during their first Nightmare Night here."
"That'd be cool, Luna comes to Ponyville every Nightmare Night anyway so you can get to know her more too. Like us she didn't have much luck with friends at first, so I think you two becoming friends would be good for both of you." Starlight smiled.
"To Ponyville? Nowhere else, not even Canterlot?" Sunburst was surprised.
"Canterlot isn't as much fun, and during her first Nightmare Night Luna bonded with a colt named Pipsqueak, her first ever fan." Starlight smiled.
"Ah. What about Hearth's Warming Eve? I know you'd kinda prefer celebrating it with all of your friends and your parents."
"Oh I don't mind coming here to celebrate it with just you instead." Starlight then hung her head slightly. "As for my parents...um..."
"You...haven't seen them since you...ran away to that town have you?" Sunburst realized.
"No. I guess I've been scared of how they might react when they find out what I did. I'm not even sure whether they're still home or moved away."
"Maybe Twilight can help you with that, she helped you find me."
"Yeah, without me asking her to." Starlight scoffed. "Though that was only because I was afraid of you finding out about my past."
"I can understand that."
"Well...I guess it is time I talked to my parents about my past. I've already apologized to the rest of the ponies I've hurt anyway, so I might as well finish the job." Starlight gave in. "Besides, they're really kind and forgiving like you so if you didn't hold my past against me I'm kinda sure they won't disown me or anything either."
"I'm really sure of that." Sunburst smiled reassuringly. "In fact I bet they just want to know that you're okay."
"Yeah...I'll talk to Twilight about it after we get home. Before we do you want to have one date today?"
"I'd love to."
"Great, Twilight how long-"
Starlight finally realized that Twilight was gone. Instead there was a letter in front of where she had been sitting. Starlight picked up the paper and read it:
Decided to give you two some time alone, so I left to hang out with Shining Armor, Cadance, and Flurry Heart. Starlight and I will leave for Ponyville in the morning so that you two can have a proper dinner date tonight. Congratulations to both of you, I know you'll both be happy together for a long time. Starlight, if you ever need to you're allowed to stay in the Crystal Empire. And Sunburst, you are more than welcome to stay in the Castle of Friendship if you ever decide to visit Starlight in Ponyville.
Twilight
Starlight and Sunburst smiled at each other, touched by Twilight's letter. And a bit amused too, who knew she could read minds?
"How about we leave on our date now?" Starlight smiled. "We can see a play or something before dinner."
"Okay, but let me tidy up a bit." Sunburst left the dining room.
Starlight followed him into his bedroom, where he started brushing his mane, beard, and tail.
"I normally groom myself before court, but today's my day off so I didn't bother." Sunburst added.
"Well grooming yourself now isn't necessary, I actually find your messy look kinda cute." Starlight smiled flirtingly.
Sunburst blushed as his heart skipped a beat.
"Heh...thank you but I want to look nice for our first date." He smiled shyly.
"Not gonna argue with that." Starlight chuckled.
They first went to see a play, which turned out to be about how Twilight and Spike saved the Crystal Empire (obviously a popular play there). Afterward they walked around a bit, talking and enjoying each other's company while waiting for evening to arrive. During the walk the Crystal Ponies started to grasp that Starlight and their Crystaller were dating, and they congratulated the couple. They already knew Starlight pretty well by this point, at least the fact that she's Sunburst's foalhood friend and helped saved the Empire from the blizzard, so they had a high respect for her. Not as high as their respect for Spike, but close to their respect for Sunburst.
After a delicious and lovely dinner they headed back to the castle. A guard stopped them.
"Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance wanted me to tell you that they have Starlight Glimmer's usual room all ready for her." He said.
"Thank you, I'll escort her there." Sunburst smiled.
"As you wish. Oh, and congratulations. Heard a few of the Crystal Ponies talking about you two." The guard smiled.
"Thank you." Starlight smiled.
The guard tipped his helmet.
Sunburst walked Starlight to her room, which actually wasn't too far away from his room.
"You know, I used to be confused as to why Cadance and Shining Armor gave me a room near yours instead of with the rest of the guest rooms." Starlight remarked. "At first I thought it was because they were being considerate enough to give me a short walk to your room, but now I'm wondering if it was because they had a feeling that we'd end up together."
"I don't know about Shining Armor, but I'm sure Cadance had a feeling." Sunburst chuckled.
"Yeah, I bet you're right." Starlight chuckled back.
Once they reached her room they hesitated. They blushed and their hearts started pounding as they realized something: normally after a date, the couple share a kiss.
"So...um...goodnight...I guess?" Starlight rubbed the back of her head.
"Well...it is night and we did have a great date so..." Sunburst tried to joke to get rid of the tension, but his nerves got in the way.
"Yeah..." Starlight then gave a groan of disgust. "You know what, I'm tired of being scared and nervous around you. I mean we're best friends and we're now dating, we shouldn't be scared or even nervous around each other."
"I know, but our nervousness is justified given our past." Sunburst pointed out.
"True, but if we're gonna make this long-distance relationship work I think we're gonna have to be a little bolder than usual."
Sunburst hesitated for a moment, then got a determined look.
"You know what, you're right." He agreed.
He then put a hoof around her shoulders and leaned in. Starlight leaned in as well, and they kissed. Overwhelmed from the amount of love they felt, they sat down and wrapped their hooves around each other before starting to kiss passionately. When they finally had to stop for air, they panted and gazed into each other's eyes as their hearts beat rapidly.
"Wow..." Starlight breathed out.
"I'll say..." Sunburst agreed. "I mean I knew I love you but...I didn't think any stallion could love a mare this much."
"My love for you is impossibly strong as well." Starlight smiled before snuggling up to him.
Sunburst hugged her back, then they reluctantly had to part. They both were really tired and needed to sleep.
"I'll see you in the morning." Starlight smiled flirtingly.
"Looking forward to it." Sunburst smiled back.
Starlight went inside, and Sunburst headed to his own room. After they fell asleep they ended up having the best dreams they ever had.