A/N:To all my readers, I'm very sorry for not updating in a long time. I got slammed by work and my chapters were deleted before I could upload them so I've been having to rewrite the next few chapters so if I mess up,I apologize in advance. Anyways I hope you enjoy.
Star P.O.V.
"I want...I want to be your marefriend."
I froze up at hearing those words. I had learned what a marefriend was from my books but never had one myself yet because I guess it never came to mind. Yet here I am with one of the most beautiful mares who's also my oldest friend actually wanting to date me. Then again, maybe I heard it wrong or something.
'Maybe she just blurted it out,' Star Shield thinks as he tries to reason what she said.
'Star Shield... It's quite clear that she wants to be with you', spoke Nova as he listened in on the two.
'...I know...I'm just not sure..'
"Tia...are you sure about what you're saying? I mean I'm not really sure if I would be ready to be in a relationship."
Celestia gave me a deadpan expression, like if I had just said something dumb. "Star...by what I've seen and heard, you are already in a relationship with Cadence. You've been dating her for a few months already, how can you not know that?"
I shrugged innocently. I didn't pay attention to love and relationships, I just thought it was just a special friendly bond I had with her...though apparently, I was wrong. But if I'm really with Cadence, why is she asking to be with me?
"But if what you say is true, how can I date you if I'm with Cadence already?"
"Because...You could start a herd like some stallions do. It's common for it to happen considering mares highly outnumber stallions in Equestria. As long as there is mutual agreement between everypony in the group, you can have a herd and there's no limit to just how many can be in it."
She's really persistent about being with me. I guess it couldn't hurt to try but I don't know if I feel that way towards her.
"Well in that case, won't we have to talk to Cadence about it first before i make my decision?"
"I already did while you were in your coma...and she agreed to it so long as you're willing to do it. Won't you at least give me a chance Star Shield?" She pleaded as she pouted and looked at me like a sad puppy would. It didn't take long for me to finally give in.
I sighed as I finally gave in, "Alright...since you're both okay with it...then I'm willing to give it a chance. We'll spend the day tomorrow and see how it goes."
"Okay Star...thanks." She smiled and gave me a quick kiss on the lips as she laid beside me.
"Now let's get some rest for our day tomorrow."
"Okay,goodnight Star I love you."
"Goodnight Celestia, I love you too." We cuddled together and soon fell asleep.
...(Seven days till departure)...
It was a bright,sunny day though for me, it brought both happiness as well as sadness. I awoke and stretched my muscles as I looked over at the empty space beside me. I guessed Celestia woke up first and already got back to her duties. I got up and went out to the balcony. I heard the sounds of the birds chirping as the sun gave the city a warm glow. However I couldn't get my mind at peace.
'Seven days...only seven days to spend time with them. I still have no idea on what to do about a herd, or Spike, or about telling them that I'll be gone...so much to deal with and only a week to do it in. I must remember that I'm doing this for them and to keep everypony safe...'
I thought to myself repeatedly because though I knew that I was doing this for good reason, my heart ached from having to leave my home and my loved ones after only waking up.
"If only I could stay here instead of having to go...but I know that I can't stay. Besides I'd probably attract more trouble here and I can't have that. I just need to think on how to spend this week and with whom so I don't leave out anypony..." He spoke to himself as he he wondered the plan for his last week in Canterlot. He hadn't noticed a small purple dragon coming in his bedroom to check up on him with the lavender unicorn. Usually, he'd sense anypony but with the recent events and his temporary stay in Canterlot, he couldn't think straight anymore.
The small drake slowly walked up to the stallion and tugged on his left hoof. "Star Shield? Hey... Are you okay?"
The stallion snapped out of his thoughts and looked down at the small dragon. "Oh Spike... Yeah I'm okay. Just thinking about things.. What is it?" I replied in a more depressed tone than I had wanted.
"Star...I know you're lying. What's going on?"
"I guess I'm worried Spike...", I replied. I certainly didn't want to tell them now, it was too soon.
"I guess you mean what happened to you, don't you?" Said Twilight as she stood to my right.
"Yeah...I may not have harmed anypony but...I'm afraid that I might not be able to stop myself next time." Spike laid his claw on my shoulder causing me to look at the dragon with slight sadness.
"It'll be okay Star, no matter what... You will always have me and your friends to help you."
It made me smile to see he cares and that he's trying to cheer me up.
"Thanks Spike. You may be a baby dragon but you amaze me with the wisdom you contain."
Spike shrugged and smiled brightly. "Yep, I am pretty amazing aren't I?"
I rolled my eyes and chuckled softly,"Yes Spike...speaking of which Mr. Amazing, would you like to hang out together tomorrow?"
The dragon jumped up excitedly, "Really?! Just the two of us?"
"I'll take that as a yes and I do mean just the two of us...I'll drop by Twilight's house tomorrow and pick you up in the afternoon."
"What about me Star? Don't you want to spend time with me anymore?", the unicorn said with such a disheartened tone.
I picked her up and nuzzled her gently on her forehead, " Of course I do Twi, you'll always be special to me. I'll spend time with you too alone, I promise."
She giggled in response and nodded. She nuzzled me back and I felt so happy, I felt like I wouldn't be able to smile any wider.
I was so focused on making Twilight happy, I didn't notice Spike trying to get my attention until I let Twilight down and looked at him slightly upset he ruined the moment.
"What is it Spike?"
"Star... I almost forgot, Princess Celestia wants to see you in the throne room."
Just like that, my happiness was replaced by panicked as I made my way to the door.
"Oh no...uh thanks Spike,i owe you one. See you tomorrow!"
I grabbed my armor then ran as fast as I could down the castle halls to the throne room, passing by guards as they look a bit bewildered from my panicked state. Honestly, I can't blame them. I skidded to a halt as the two pegasi guards at the two large gold double doors open them and I walked in,panting slightly as I tried to calm myself down while Celestia stands up from her throne and looks at me smiling.
"Hello Star, I hope you didn't tire yourself too much getting here."
"Not much...it'll pass..." I said like if it was no big deal and walked towards her. "Now then...are you ready for our little garden date?"
She nodded and came down beside me. "Of course, I rescheduled my day to have this special time with you."
"That's great, though what about my guard duties?" We walked next to each other as we headed down to the royal gardens.
"It's been taken care of...in fact, I thought i already told the prince of Equestria should retire and enjoy life a little."
"Celestia...I know you do but I don't really want to retire, I love doing what I do best. Besides, you know how I don't like how ponies will treat me if I'm royalty nor do I want everypony to know I'm the one...who hurt you. That's the reason I enjoy being a guard instead of a prince."
"I know Star but you can protect the citizens of Equestria by showing yourself as prince to everypony. Also... I was hoping you'd accept so we'd spend more time together like we used to do back when we were young...like you used to always do with me and Luna before you became so...protective and concerned about the safety of Equestria."
"I've always been concerned about the protection of equestria Celestia. That has never changed."
"But you have...you may have been protector of Equestria back then but you were also such a sweet, loving, kind friend to me. You'd always stay with me and Luna, you'd play games, sleep with us whenever we had bad dreams, and so much more. But ever since I had to banish Luna and your incident...you don't seem to act like you used to with me. You still comforted me but you never stayed with me as much as I wanted you to...you never came to see me unless it was business and you never seemed to be as happy as you used to."
I sighed as we arrived and walked through the beautiful flowers of the royal garden. Everything she said was true...I had changed but never gave it much thought. I especially didn't realize just how I had made her feel.
"I...I...I didn't know Tia. I guess even though I had come back and understood why you had to send Luna away, I still wasn't sure how to be with you so I just tried to be around only when you really needed me."
"...I know Star and I appreciated it but, there were times where I just wanted to talk to you and just be with you Star. Not to mention that though you have defeated threats to Equestria and kept the ponies safe, I was worried all the time that you wouldn't return. It especially worries me when you use powerful magic for extended amounts of time. More specifically, the dark magic spells and experiments you insist on doing."
"I know...I'm sorry, I really am. I'll wear the suppressors again if it'll help and I'll stop doing experiments."
"It would, but Star...just know that if you ever need somepony, you can always come to me." I nodded and we sat down under a oak tree. The birds chirped happily and the sight of the various colors from the different flowers and plants gave it a relaxing atmosphere.
"Tia...is the reason you're telling me this because you wanted me to be the same friend I was or..was it because if I had spent more time together with you in the past, we might be dating or married by now already?"
It did seem a bit odd she was just telling me this suddenly. Then again, maybe I didn't pay attention to her enough before.
She blushed, a faint pink on her cheeks as she looked at me. She looked very cute. "Both...but friend or lover Star Shield, it won't change my worry and concern for you."
I smiled and couldn't help but laugh a little. "You overreact Tia, I will be fine. I can handle myself and you don't need to baby me anymore."
I leaned against the tree sitting,Celestia moved closer to me and laid her head on my chest. She had her ear to my heart, probably listening to my heartbeat. She looked up at me as I looked down to look at her. Our eyes met and we couldn't help but stare at each other. It was as if we had lost ourselves in each other's eyes. "Just promise me that you'll be careful Star, I don't want to ever lose you." She moved up closer to my face.
"I promise I'll do my best Celestia...and you will never lose me because one way or another, I'll always come back." Their faces were inches apart as I touched Tia's cheek with my hoof. "I love you..."
"I love you too..." The distance between them dissipated as our lips connected and we lost ourselves in the embrace, focusing on nothing but the two of us. The kiss lasted for three minutes before we ended our kiss, staring at each other with a blush on our cheeks. I noticed from afar that some guards were looking and murmuring to one another. I decided to ignore it and the we remained close to each other throughout the day, holding and kissing each other lovingly while talking about old times in our childhood. By the time I returned to my room, I had just recently raised the moon and brought forth the night sky.
I laid down on his bed, a bit exhausted but happy. However, there was just so many things on my mind,my happiness just couldn't last long. I picked up an empty scroll and a quill from my desk with my magic then began making a list of what I wanted to do before I left.
"Let's see...have one more special day with Twilight, Cadence, Spike, and Celestia. Retire from the royal guard and check on the replacement if possible. Have one last look of Canterlot and the ponies...hmm..I feel like I'm forgetting something... Oh yeah, if time allows it,make sure to prank or kick snobby prince's flank.." I smiled to myself, a bit of an empty smile because even though it would be nice to prank blueblood, it still wasn't good to have to leave my friends and the place I've called home for centuries but, I suppose be worth it to be able to protect them in the future.
"...it'll all be worth it in the end when I return here better and stronger than I am."
I repeated the same words over and over before deciding to rest. I know I don't have to but I felt like my mind might need the rest for every night this week. However, I wanted Tia to rest so I'll stay up all week nonstop, I can rest after this week. I rolled up the scroll and placed it inside my bedside drawer, I put other papers to conceal it and set the quill on the drawer then stepped out to the balcony and felt the chilly night air hit my fur. I laid down and looked up at the mare in the moon. I remained vigilant while remaining focused on the moon as the night passed on to what would be another day...another day I have less before leaving them...