It was early afternoon and Twilight was staring at Fluttershy's door. She was reflecting on how much things can change. A month ago she had been outside this door expecting nothing more than to spend some time with a friend. Now they were about to go on their first date together. 'What are we right now? I think it's too soon to say marefriend.' She wondered. She was thinking about change, but when it came down to it she was just stalling. She kept reminding herself that it was just a party they had both planned to go to anyway, and besides, Fluttershy had asked her out, so what was there to be worried about? It was a perfectly rational outlook, and it didn't help. She wanted this night to be perfect. She needed it to be perfect. She needed Fluttershy to see how happy they could be together, or else she might decide not to go on another date. 'Well, sitting here isn't going to make anything perfect.' She reasoned.
With one last calming breath she knocked on the door. At first there was no answer, but just as she was about to knock louder the door opened, seemingly on it's own accord until she looked down to see Angel motioning for her to come inside. Stepping into the living room she looked around, but saw no sign of Fluttershy. Angel pointed to the couch then hopped up the stairs towards Fluttershy's room. Twilight sat down and waited as Fluttershy called out "Uhm… I'll be down in a moment."
"Oh, take your time. I'm sorry, I know I'm a little early." Twilight replied. She was still panicking, but at least now she was panicking from the comfort of Fluttershy's couch.
After a minute Angel came back down. He stared at Twilight. Not his usual glare of annoyance, more like he was looking for something. Twilight glanced around her and saw nothing of interest. He was definitely looking at her. He looked up to Fluttershy's room then back to her, his ears folded down as he nervously rubbed his paws together. Not for the first time she found herself wishing she could understand the rabbit.
Eventually her attention was drawn away by the sound of hoofsteps on the stairs. Twilight turned to see Fluttershy descend. She let out a gasp as Fluttershy reached the bottom and turned towards her. The yellow pegasus was wearing a purple halter sundress with a teal sash. Angel jumped up to fix a strand of her mane, which had been braided. She looked at the ground as she squeaked out a greeting.
"Fluttershy, you look beautiful." Twilight felt her cheeks grow hot as she openly spoke her mind about her crush for the first time, but it was nothing compared to Fluttershy who's face was completely red. She tried to hide in her mane, which proved impossible with it braided and only served to frustrate the little rabbit still hanging on her head. Twilight suspected that was Rarity's plan, to not let the shy pegasus hide away as she usually did.
"Oh, uhm… thank you." Fluttershy managed to say. She pried her eyes off the floor to look at Twilight, who was wearing a sunflower yellow sheath dress with blue trim. "Uhm, you too." she said, blushing even harder and looking away again.
Twilight smiled. Fluttershy called her beautiful! Well, sort of, but she knew better than to expect more than that right away. She walked over to the pegasus, who seemed determined to go from yellow to red. Twilight put a hoof around her and nuzzled her cheek. "Are you ready to go? I know we said we'd help set up but I sent Spike ahead already, so I'm sure they'll be fine if we take our time."
"No, I'm ready." Fluttershy said. "Let's go."
They departed and walked side by side towards Sweet Apple Acres. Twilight felt a rush being so close to Fluttershy. She always enjoyed her friend's company, but there had always been a measure of guilt, not to mention fear at being found out. For the first time she didn't have to worry about any of that. She walked with a spring in her step and a smile spreading from ear to ear. While her shy companion initially seemed to be more weighed down by her nerves eventually the positivity proved infectious and she lightened up as well.
Still, there was something that needed to be addressed. "So what do you want to do about telling other ponies?" Twilight asked as she nervously pulled at the hem of her dress . She tried to keep her tone casual, as if it was just a random question asked out of curiosity.
Fluttershy stopped in her tracks, a look of panic returning to her face. Twilight had expected this. She knew they had to decide before seeing everypony, but she still felt horrible for ruining the mood.
Twilight put a hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder. "We don't have to tell anypony anything if you don't want to. I won't push you into a situation you're uncomfortable with."
"I… I know I should just tell everypony and be done with it, but what will everypony think? I wish I was stronger…" Fluttershy moved around some dirt with her hoof.
"Fluttershy, you know it doesn't have to be everypony. We could just tell our friends for now and decide what to do about everypony else later."
"Well, it would be nice to not have to hide things from them anymore. And, well, I uhm, I told Rainbow already. I hope that's okay." Fluttershy folded her ears back.
Twilight smiled softly. "Of course it is. I'd never ask you to keep secrets from her. I know how close you two are." She rubbed the back of her neck. "Besides, I kind of already told Spike."
Fluttershy smiled a little and nodded. "And Rarity knows, so I suppose it's really just Applejack and Pinkie Pie. I guess maybe that won't be too bad."
Twilight hesitated while thinking of how much she should say about Applejack. All their friends had a soft spot for Fluttershy, so she doubted Applejack would do anything to make her feel unwelcome. Still, Fluttershy deserved the right to make an informed decision. "About Applejack. I told her about me and she, well, she didn't exactly take it well."
"Oh." Fluttershy stared at the ground.
"She didn't say anything against it exactly. I asked her for advice on what I should say to you. I didn't tell her it was you specifically, of course, I just told her it was a mare I like." Twilight frowned remembering the details but Fluttershy needed to know what she was getting into before she decided what she wanted to do. "She made it very clear that she was willing to ignore my love life so long as I kept it to myself."
Twilight took a moment of self pity, staring idly off to the side. She felt Fluttershy's foreleg wrap around her shoulders as the pegasus instinctively moved in to comfort her. Whether it was because she didn't know what to say or because she had the same thoughts weighing down her own mind Fluttershy didn't say anything. It didn't matter, having Fluttershy next to her, on their first date no less, made Applejack a distant concern.
"We don't have to tell her anything." Twilight said. "Pinkie was there too, and she was, well, Pinkie. I don't think she could ever look down on her friends, no matter what. I know she'd be really happy for us."
Fluttershy looked shocked at everything Twilight said. "Did you… already tell all our friends?"
"Yeah, about a week ago. I, uhm, wanted a few opinions on how to talk to you." Twilight hoped she didn't sound weird for talking about how nervous she had been. "Why do you ask?"
"I'm just surprised you did it all by yourself. I don't think I could ever be that brave."
"Well, it wasn't easy, and I didn't exactly do it alone. I let it slip to my friend from the human world, Sunset Shimmer, and she supported me when I was ready to tell other ponies. But you know, I probably would have kept hiding it except, well…" Twilight trailed off as she gave Fluttershy a sideways glance.
"Except what?" Fluttershy asked, tilting her head.
"I found somepony worth being brave for." Fluttershy blushed. Twilight felt a little guilty at how much she enjoyed it, but she couldn't help herself. She was simply too adorable when she blushed
"I… I think telling Pinkie wouldn't be so bad." Fluttershy said, turning her face away to try and hide the redness. "But maybe we could tell Applejack later, when we're not working on a birthday party."
Twilight's mind raced at the implication in what Fluttershy said. 'We can tell her later. That means we'll still be together later, it's not just one date! But did she mean that or was she just not thinking about what that sounded like…' She simply smiled and said "I think that sounds like a great idea."
"Okay." Fluttershy said as she leaned on Twilight. "But I really do want to tell our friends about me, and us. Even, uhm, Applejack. You'll help right?"
Twilight felt like she might explode. Was this how Pinkie felt all the time? Because she suddenly understood how the party pony was able to pull off so many impossible feats. Somehow she managed to remind herself that not only were the laws of physics still a thing, but she didn't want to make a scene in front of Fluttershy. "Of course I will." Twilight said as she wrapped Fluttershy in a hug.
Eventually they broke apart and resumed their walk. Twilight was relieved to find the positive spirit from before had returned as they walked the rest of the short trip to Sweet Apple Acres.
Fluttershy took a deep breath and stopped to compose herself. "Okay, I can do this."
"We can do this." Twilight reminded her with a gentle nudge. Fluttershy smiled as they made their way towards the barn.
"Well howdy y'all!" Applejack said as they approached. She was up on a ladder hanging 'happy birthday' streamers from tree to tree. "Glad to see ya. Rarity is helping Cheerilee get ready, and Rainbow failed to show up as expected. Thanks for sending Spike over, he's been a big help with the decoratin'. Him and Pinkie are in the barn, I reckon she can tell you what's left to be done better than I can."
On one hoof Twilight appreciated Applejack not causing a scene, but on the other she was frustrated with how casual the farm pony was, as if she hadn't recently undermined her friend's feelings. But bringing that up was definitely not going to do anypony any favors, so she kept the conversation amiable. "Alright, we'll go talk to her then." She looked at Fluttershy to make sure she didn't change her mind about telling Applejack, but the pegasus looked more nerve wracked than before so Twilight led the way into the barn
"Hey guys." Spike said as they entered. He was setting up a snack table.
"Hello, Spike. The decorations look great." Twilight said. They looked around and saw no sign of Pinkie Pie. "Where's Pinkie?"
"Hiya Twilight!" Pinkie said as popped out from inside a hay stack. Twilight yelled and fell to the floor. "Hi Fluttershy!" Fluttershy had only jumped slightly and was quicker to recover.
"Hello Pinkie." Fluttershy said.
"What in the hay were you doing in there!?" Twilight demanded. As Fluttershy helped her up.
Pinkie gasped. "Was that a pun because I was in the hay?" Twilight facehoofed. It absolutely was not. "I'm rubbing off on you!" She added in a sing song voice.
Twilight rolled her eyes. "I probably don't even want to know, do I?"
"I was testing hiding places for when Cheerilee gets here. A lot of ponies think all that matters is yelling 'surprise!', but if you really want to go the extra mile you really gotta think about things like hiding places."
"Oh, I didn't know it was a surprise party." Fluttershy said.
"It isn't." Twilight groaned. "Cheerilee already knows about the party! She sent out invitations herself!"
"That's why it'll be such a great surprise! Nopony will suspect a surprise party at a regular party!"
Twilight gave up. She would never understand Pinkie, that's all there was to it.
"Uhm." Fluttershy started to say something, but lost her nerve when everypony turned to look at her. Twilight moved beside to support her while Pinkie looked between them, her smile growing.
"So" Pinkie said, busying herself with fixing the hay stack she was in a moment ago. "Anything new going on?"
"Well, I uhm, I mean we…" Fluttershy looked to Twilight who smiled encouragingly. She knew it would do the shy mare good to say it herself. And if she was being totally honest she really wanted to hear Fluttershy say they were dating.
Pinkie stopped pretending to be busy and started bouncing excitedly. "I know!" she said as she propelled herself across the barn, grabbing both of them and pulling them into a group hug.
Twilight and Fluttershy exchanged confused looks. "You do?" Twilight asked. Her glance fell on Spike.
"Hey, don't look at me. I haven't told a soul!" he insisted.
"Of course! I always know what's going on with my friends, even when they don't know it themselves yet! Besides, Twilight's crush was pretty obvious."
"It was not!" Twilight said. "Nopony else knew!"
"That's just because nopony else was looking. They all fell for that Flash Sentry distraction just because he's a stallion, but I always knew you two were OTP."
"What does that even mean?" Twilight asked.
Pinkie gasped. "Does this mean I can throw a party to congratulate you two?"
"No!" Twilight said quickly. "We haven't told everypony else yet, so no parties."
"Aww… okay." Pinkie relented.
"Thank you." Twilight noticed Fluttershy had been quiet for most of the conversation and was surprised to find she was giving her a strange look. "Is everything okay?" Twilight asked her.
"Oh, yes." she said with a shy smile. "I was just thinking how cute you are when you're all flustered." Now Twilight was the one turning red. She wondered if this was Fluttershy's revenge for making her blush earlier.
"Isn't she? Sometimes I go out of my way to mess with her just to see her reaction!" Pinkie said.
"You do what!?" She asked and immediately regretted it as both Fluttershy and Pinkie giggled. Even Spike snickered, trying unsuccessfully to hide it behind his claws. Twilight would have probably been more upset if Fluttershy hadn't of just called her cute.
Once everypony was done picking on Twilight the four of them set about actually putting up the rest of the decorations. "Just so we're clear, we haven't told Applejack that we're together yet." Twilight said.
"Why not?" Spike asked. "Didn't you see her on the way in?"
"Yes, but…" Twilight didn't really want to go into it all over again, and figured it wouldn't exactly make Fluttershy feel any better about coming out herself.
"Aww, I don't think you have to worry too much about that." Pinkie said. "After you left Rainbow came over and we talked to her about it, and I even got to sing a song!"
Twilight snickered, remembering how Rainbow had wanted to avoid that. Spike looked around at everypony. "I don't get it." he said when no one offered an explanation. "What did you guys have to her talk about?"
Realizing she wasn't getting out it, Twilight walked over to Spike. It was probably for the best that they talk about this. "Remember how I told you some ponies wouldn't understand?"
"Yeah, but Applejack's your friend." Spike said, shrugging. "Why would she care."
Twilight shook her head. "I don't know, but she was pretty clear that she didn't want any part of it."
Spike tapped his chin. "I guess it makes sense. I mean, her family can be pretty backwards, especially the ones that don't live in Ponyville."
"How do you know that?" Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Applebloom told me. She said that a lot of the Apples at the family reunions talk about how bad it is to be gay like it's just something everypony thinks."
Twilight smiled, happy to hear that Spike had talked about this with his friends. "When did you two talk about that?"
"After that day Rainbow came over and yelled at you." Spike said. "I mean, I didn't tell them about you two or anything, we just talked about it. None of the crusaders think it's a big deal. I guess Applebloom thought it was kinda weird at first, but then we talked about it and she doesn't anymore."
It always surprised her to see Spike growing up. She had been worried about telling him and here he was convincing other ponies that there was nothing wrong with being probably would have pulled him into a death grip of a hug, but she didn't want to embarrass him in front of Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, so she just gave him a one hoof sideways hug before returning to work. It didn't take long, even at their leisurely pace, and soon everypony was making their way outside to help Applejack. Before leaving, however, Fluttershy stopped Twilight and they lingered until they were the only ones in the barn.
"Uhm… do you think Applejack will come around like Applebloom did?" she asked.
"I'm sure she will." Twilight said. "But Applebloom's younger and less set in her ways. She'll probably just need more time."
Fluttershy nodded. She seemed to be debating something. Twilight wondered if she should say something else, or hug her, or maybe do something else entirely. She had no idea how she was supposed to act on a date. "I think… I think we should tell her."
"Really? What made you change your mind?" Twilight asked.
"Well, if she keeps ignoring it then she won't ever change her mind. Maybe if she knows that, uhm, that we're dating… maybe that'll help her get used to it." Fluttershy said.
"That makes sense. As long as you're okay with waiting for her to figure everything out."
Fluttershy hesitated a moment, but eventually nodded. "I… I think I can handle that. Uhm, as long as, well…" Twilight cocked her head to the side, but Fluttershy just shook her head.
"As long as what?" Twilight asked. She smiled encouragingly and put her foreleg around Fluttershy's shoulders.
"Well… I, uhm… I don't think I could actually tell her…" Fluttershy said. She looked pleadingly at Twilight, who suddenly felt guilty for trying to make her tell Pinkie before.
"Don't worry, I'll tell her." Twilight said. Fluttershy smiled and hugged her, then the two finally left the barn.
"Was wonderin' where you two got to." Applejack said as they walked out. "Could one of you fly this end up there?" She gestured to a tree across from where she was.
"Sure." Twilight took the streamer from Applejack and tired it off on the other side before returning to Fluttershy. She looked to the pegasus who nodded, then back to the earth pony. Applejack, there's something we wanted to talk to you about."
"What's on your mind, sugarcube?" Applejack asked, stepping down from the ladder to talk properly.
Twilight took a deep breath then put her foreleg around Fluttershy. "Applejack, the pony I came to talk to you about the other day is, well, Fluttershy. Today is actually our first date."
Lacking the ability to hide away in her mane, Fluttershy nestled her head into Twilight's shoulder. Applejack stared at the two ponies in complete bewilderment. "Wait. You mean you're both… you two are…" She pulled her hat over her face for a moment before pulling it away, revealing a more composed expression. "Well I'll be. That's, well… I'm happy things are working out for ya."
"Thank you." Twilight said. Nopony quite seemed to know what to say, but before the silence could drag on too long a small explosion went off to the side.
Everypony turned to see a grumpy Spike covered in glitter while Pinkie stared at her party cannon. "Whoops, must have calibrated it wrong."
Applejack smiled and shook her head. "Well, this place don't look too bad. How 'bout I go get us some drinks? Come on Spike, you can get washed up."
Once Applejack was inside the house Twilight turned to Pinkie Pie. "Thank you Pinkie, but did you have to hit Spike?"
Pinkie shrugged. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
When Applejack and Spike returned he was considerably cleaner, but was still sparkling in the sunlight and probably would be for days. He was clearly a little upset about it but didn't seem to mind too much.
As they all sat around drinking the apple juice Applejack had brought for them Rarity showed up. "So sorry I'm late, but there was a last minute change of plans on Cheerilee's dress." She noticed Spike, who was trying to not be seen by his crush while he sparkled. "Oh, Spike, whatever did you do to your scales? They're simply dazzling today!"
"I, er…" Spike glanced at Pinkie who smiled innocently. "Oh you know me, just trying to look my best for Cheerilee's birthday!"
"So how's the birthday girl?" Pinkie asked her.
"She'll be along soon." Rarity said. "I ran ahead to make sure everything was ready, but it seems I needn't have worried."
"Yup. Got it covered while you were out gettin' pampered." Applejack teased.
"Hmph. I'll have you know we spent the whole morning putting the finishing touches on her dress, it was a complicated design even before the change. I took up so much of her time that afterwards I just had to treat her to a spa trip. Excuse me if I think a lady deserves some special treatment on her big day." Rarity said as she took a seat next to Fluttershy. Twilight wondered if she was just imagining the way Fluttershy's eyes seemed drawn to the unicorn. She inconspicuously placed her hoof on top of the Fluttershy's.
"I'm just messin' with ya Rare." Applejack said waving a hoof. "Like I said everything was fine here. Besides, as far as I'm concerned it's better you than me with all that prissy stuff."
"Oh come now darling, you really ought to come with us more often. You always enjoy yourself whenever I do manage to get you into the spa." Rarity said, pouting.
"Pass."
Shaking her head Rarity turned towards the other. She smiled at Twilight and Fluttershy and pointed with her eyes towards Applejack.
Fluttershy smiled. "It's okay Rarity. We already told them about us."
"Oh, I'm so glad to hear it! And I really can't hold it in any longer, you two do make such a lovely couple!" Rarity said clapping her hooves together and making both of them blush.
"I know! Just imagine how cute their foals will be!" Pinkie said. Everypony turned to her with variations of the surprise spectrum.
Twilight was not ready to go there. "Pinkie, that's not how that-" She realized Pinkie was grinning and facehoofed. "You're doing it again, aren't you."
"Doin' what now?" Applejack asked.
"Teasing Twilight 'cause she's just so cute when you do!" Pinkie answered.
Applejack eyed her suspiciously. "Oh, uhm, right…" she turned her attention to fixing a decoration that was fine to begin with.
"I dunno though." Spike said. "Twilight as a mom? I'd be afraid for the foal."
"Spike! Don't encourage her!" Twilight snapped.
Everypony laughed except Fluttershy, who gave Twilight a comforting smile. "Aww, don't listen to them." she said. "I'm sure you'll be a great mom."
Twilight felt her face go red as she tried to respond, the words getting lost somewhere between her brain and her mouth. Before she wondered if Fluttershy was getting revenge for Twilight making her blush, now she was sure.
Twilight was saved from her torment when Cheerilee and Cherry Blossom showed up. "Hello everypony!"
"Surprise!" Pinkie jumped out of the hay stack, which Twilight was positive she had left in the barn.
"Oh my!" Cheerilee jumped back. Cherry Blossom just looked confused. "I've got to hand it to you, Pinkie, I never would have suspected a surprise party at a regular party." Pinkie gave Twilight a victorious look.
As everypony greeted the sisters and wished Cheerilee a happy birthday Twilight had to admire Rarity's dress work and the amount of thought she clearly put into each one. Twilight's and Fluttershy's dresses were simple in comparison, but they accentuated one another perfectly. Rarity herself had also gotten dressed up, and while Twilight had no doubt her dress was at the peak of current fashion trends it made room for Cheerilee's to really shine. She had certainly gone all out on Cheerilee's gown, making her the star of the show.
Soon other ponies began to show up, including Cheerilee's whole class. Between current students, former students, and family of students it seemed the whole town showed up. There was no doubt the teacher was loved by all of Ponyville. By the time Rainbow Dash showed up the party was in full swing. When she saw Twilight and Fluttershy she grinned, declaring herself the 'best matchmaker ever'.
"What's that all about?" Cherry Blossom asked.
"Oh nothing." Twilight said. She cast Rainbow a dirty look, but the prismatic pegasus had already flown off somewhere else.
Cherry shrugged it off and glanced at the clock. "Well, it's about time."
"For what?" Twilight asked.
"For our little surprise." Cherry waved at Cheerilee, who was talking with one of her former students, and pointed at the clock. Cheerilee nodded. Twilight looked at Fluttershy, but she seemed equally confused. Cherry just grinned and disappeared behind the barn. After a few minutes the Mystery Mare made a surprise appearance. A large group of excited fillies and colts ran up to meet the professional wrestler and ask for autographs.
"Happy birthday, Ms. Cheerilee." Mystery Mare said, once she had met with all the foals.
"You know the Mystery Mare?" the young stallion Cheerilee had been talking to asked.
"Oh, yes, we go way back." Cheerilee said.
"So, since it's your birthday how about I show you a few moves?" Mystery Mare asked. Her entourage of young ponies all gasped.
"Oh I don't know, I don't think wrestling is really my thing. Besides, I don't want to mess up my dress." Most of her students looked relieved to hear their teacher was out of harms way.
"Aw come on, I'll go easy on you."
"Well, I suppose maybe just a small lesson." Cheerilee undid a hidden latch on her dress and most of the frills came off, leaving it much more form fitting. Rarity really had thought of everything.
Everypony made room for the two. Cheerilee's students watched with a mixture of worry and excitement. True to her word, Mystery Mare went easy on Cheerilee, at least at first. Cheerilee kept showing up the wrestler at every turn, at first making it look like blind luck, but eventually taunting her as time went on.
"I think that's enough for now." Cheerilee said after a while. "We wouldn't want to wear down the Mystery Mare too much." She hadn't even messed up her dress.
"Alright, but one of these days I'll get you in the ring for real." Mystery Mare promised. The group of foals that had been following Mystery Mare around ran over to Cheerilee and all began talking excitedly as one. Mystery Mare used this chance to make her escape. The foals didn't even notice, their attention entirely on the teacher. At least until Cherry returned with cake.
Eventually the party had to end, sooner than anypony wanted. But Cheerilee insisted since there was school the next day, birthday or not.
"Did you want any help cleaning up?" Twilight asked Applejack.
"Sure, I-"
"Absolutely not!" Rarity interrupted, giving Applejack a dirty look. "The night is still young, after all, and I'm sure we'll manage just fine."
Applejack waited a moment to make sure it was safe to talk before speaking up. "Well, y'all heard the lady. I reckon we'll do alright over here."
"Oh, but it wouldn't be fair." Fluttershy protested. "Besides, there's just so much to do we couldn't just-"
"Rainbow!" Pinkie called as the pegasus was attempting to make an escape. "Could you take care of those streamers over there?"
Rainbow gave a desperate grin. "Well, you know I would, but I've got this thing…" Rarity cleared her throat and flicked her tail in Fluttershy's direction. Rainbow sighed. "Yeah, alright, I'll stay."
"I knew we could count on you!" Pinkie said. Rainbow just grumbled.
"See, we're fine here." Spike said through an armful of streamers and balloons. Most of the little dragon was hidden behind the decorations.
"You're sure it's okay?" Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Of course, darling." Rarity insisted. "Now you two enjoy yourselves." She winked and gave a look that left them both blushing.
As they left they heard Rainbow call after them. "But don't enjoy yourselves too much!" They turned and looked at each other before both ponies broke into laughter.
Once they had recovered and began walking again Twilight asked "So what would you like to do? I mean, if you don't want to go home yet."
"Oh, uhm, I don't know. But I, uhm, wouldn't mind if you wanted to do something else together."
Twilight's spirits soared. She smiled enthusiastically. "I was thinking maybe we could go for a walk in the moonlight. The sky's clear tonight, perfect for stargazing."
"That sounds lovely."
They made a general path towards the park. "I hope today wasn't too much for you."
"No, I'm glad all our friends know now. It's nice not having to hide anything, and it wasn't as bad as I thought. Having you with me made it easier, I think." Fluttershy leaned against Twilight as they walked. "And when it's time to tell everypony else you'll still be there, right?"
"Of course I will." Twilight smiled. "We can cross that bridge together when we get to it."
Twilight felt excited being so close to Fluttershy, talking about a future where they were still together. At the same time she felt calm. The pegasus had a way of making her feel peaceful whenever they were together, and she treasured even the silence as they walked.
"Hmm." Fluttershy chuckled. "I can't believe I asked out a princess."
"I have to admit, I was pretty surprised too. I was planning on asking you out, but I kind of lost my nerve halfway through."
"Uhm, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, anything."
"Why me? You could probably be with anypony. Certainly somepony braver, or who understood magic, or just... somepony better than me."
Twilight shook her head. "Braver? What matters is being brave when it counts, and I've seen you rush headfirst into danger plenty of times. And maybe I could find somepony who could keep up with me in magic, but so what? I'd never find a pony as compassionate as you. I want to be with somepony who appreciates simple things, somepony I can enjoy being around whether we're with friends, or just walking through flowers and watching clouds roll by."
"That does sound nice."
"There's no pony I'd rather be with." Twilight said. Fluttershy smiled at her as they stopped walking. Twilight stared into her blue eyes and felt her heart race. 'Is this the right moment?' She wondered. Was she imagining it or was Fluttershy's face moving closer? She decided to go for it.
"Let's take a break over there." Fluttershy motioned towards a tree.
"Oh, uh, sure." As Twilight followed the pegasus she couldn't help but notice her tail was swaying seductively. 'Probably imagining it.' she reasoned. As the sat down she put her hoof on Fluttershy's.
They sat in silence for a moment enjoying the cool evening breeze. "I'm glad I asked you out." Fluttershy said, nuzzling Twilight.
Determined not to overthink things again Twilight bent down and kissed Fluttershy on the cheek. The pegasus's head popped up and Twilight smiled sheepishly. Blushing, Fluttershy leaned in and kissed Twilight before she even knew what was going on. They smiled at each other for a moment before turning away blushing. Twilight smirked. "And you said you weren't brave."
"I guess I found somepony worth being brave for too." Fluttershy rested her head against Twilight's neck as Twilight draped a wing over her, and they sat together watching the stars.
Author's Note: So ends act 1. Hope everyone's enjoying this so far! Are daily updates good or bad? I could see it being kinda annoying since I don't expect anyone to be hanging on the edge of their seat waiting to see what will happen, the constant new chapter notification might be obnoxious. But I suppose it might also be cool, even if your not dying to know what happens just having the story continue day by day. Let me know what you think, I can always slow it down if people don't like it ;p