Dear Princess Celestia,
Ordinarily, these letters are reserved for my Friendship Reports. But this week, I realized something important: Friendship and love can sometimes go hoof in hoof in regards to teaching valuable lessons.
I learned that, like friendships, love can be difficult to fully understand. All you really know at first is when a relationship has formed, and take it from there. As previous lessons have taught me, the real answers lie only in personal experience, not words in a book.
Love has taught me another lesson that can be applied to friendships: Forgiveness. Anyone can say 'i'm sorry', but it takes on meaning only if the speaker is sincere about it. Even then, forgiveness is not always easy to give. But when it can be given, it's capable of almost everything from mending strained relationships...to starting new ones.
Your Faithful Student,
Twilight Sparkle
P.S.: His name is Comet Tail.
The white alicorn princess could only smile as she finished the letter. Looking down, she now saw the reason why this week's report came in an envelope instead of a scroll. Her student had sent along with it photos of her and her coltfriend, doing everything from sitting in the park to eating together to...reading that book. At the angle it was in, she could easily see the page they were on. There she realized she saw that page (along with the other pages) several times before.
Princess Celestia felt her heart growing even more warmer. It was the book she had given to the astronomers that would later become one of Comet Tail's ancestors. She even recalled running into his parents years ago, back when she first heard of Twilight's magical abilities. She had never expected to see the book again, having long ago believed it aged to uselessness. Yet there it was. And Twilight and Comet were reading it together, both smiling. Both at their absolute happiest.
She had known of Twilight's relationship long before the report, of course. Not even a minute after Cadance and Shining Armor returned to Canterlot did her pink alicorn niece tell her all about what had happened during their stay in Ponyville (along with her involvement, though she divulged in this information reluctantly). Celestia simply wanted to wait until she had the report to show it to one more pony.
"Your Highness?"
Celestia turned to the doorway, where a pegasus guard stood. "Your sister has returned."
"Good." She called out. "Luna?"
The guard left, and into the room came a dark blue alicorn, her tail and mane endlessly billowing and giving off a glitter that resembled the night sky. "You wanted to show me something, Celestia?"
Celestia simply smiled and levitated the letter and photos to Luna. She skimmed the letter and looked at the photos before slowly smiling to herself.
Celestia spoke up again. "I'll admit, I fail to recall the correct antonym for 'conspiracy'. But whatever you may call it, it seems you and Cadance pulled one off rather well. And on such short notice."
Luna grew bashful. "You must understand, sister. Twilight Sparkle did so much to help me on Nightmare Night. I felt it was only necessary to help her in return."
"Cadance's defense was rather similar," Celestia simply pointed out. "But as long as nothing was forced, no harm has been done." She then pulled out the picture of them reading the book. She stared softly at the piece of literature. "And the more I think about it...the more it seems I've played a part in this matchmaking venture as well..."
ยงยงยง
Twilight was never quite used to other ponies in the library at this hour; Sunset had begun to almost fully give way to nighttime. But in Comet Tail's case, she made an exception.
Aside from eating out with each other and many other things most ponies associated with couples, they ended the day doing what was clearly Twilight's favorite activity: Sitting and reading the pre-Night Mare Moon astronomy book that was Comet Tail's family heirloom, with Comet reading next to her.
"You know," Comet began, making sure he got Twilight's attention. "It's been almost a week since we got together. You never opened up the possibility of lending you the book for your library again."
Twilight grew uncomfortable. "I don't know...I'm realizing just how old it is now. That coupled with the fact this has been in your family for centuries...I don't think I can bear the responsibility if anything happened to it."
Comet nodded. "But what if I told you not only do I trust you, but I have enough money and supplies to make sure it can be replicated?"
Twilight blushed slightly, but suddenly had an idea. "Wait! What if we made a copy and I can use that for the library? You can still keep your book!"
She grew concerned as Comet began to frown slightly. "I don't think you understand, Twilight. I WANT to give this to you. I know it's delicate, but I trust you." He then thought for a moment, then smiled. "How about this? You keep the book for a week or two, then we can get the book copied for you. I just want you to know how it feels having something like this sitting on one of your shelves."
Twilight couldn't help but smile. "If that's going to be the case, then...thank you, Comet. But to be honest, I still say I'll be glad when I have my own copy instead of someone else's family treasure."
Comet Tail nodded again. "I understand. But I know how good you are with books. I'm just saying, sometimes you underestimate yourself." He paused. "But that's modesty I can surely live with."
They both realized they were looking into each other's eyes. Slowly, they moved their faces toward each other, eyes closing. A second later, they felt their lips brushing against one another. It was a simple kiss - one that wasn't too intimate. But it was a kiss nonetheless. And it felt wonderful to both of them.
"Aw, really?!"
They both broke away, looking at the staircase. Spike stood on the stairs in a way that he could see through the gap in the railings. He had his hands over his eyes, groaning. "I go get a drink of water and THIS is what's waiting for me?!"
Twilight rolled her eyes. "Spike, it's been nearly a week. You're not used to us being together yet?"
Spike held up his hands in defense as he descended the stairs. "I'm completely used to you having a coltfriend! It's the mushy stuff you guys do in plain sight that's gonna possibly scar me!"
The two ponies laughed as Spike went to get his drink before going up the staircase again, leaving them alone once more.
"Well," Twilight sighed, "It's starting to get late. I'll see you and your book tomorrow."
Comet Tail used his magic to close the book, lifting it up with him as he stood up. Twilight got on her legs as well, and followed him to the door. But just before he was about to open it, he gently laid the book down and turned back to Twilight. She grew confused, but she quickly realized what he wanted.
They leaned in and kissed again, this time uninterrupted by a baby dragon. They broke away gently. Then, to Twilight's surprise, Comet began to nuzzle her neck. As soon as he was done, she decided to return the favor, rubbing her head on the spot just beneath his jaw.
"I don't know if it's too soon to say this, but....I love you, Twilight."
"I love you too, Comet. And after how many times we've gone out? No, it isn't."
They shared one last look to each other before Comet picked up his book and left for his house. Twilight looked on, smiling to herself, until she could no longer see him. With half of her wondering what Celestia thought of her report and the other half bursting with anticipation for tomorrow, she shut the door and made a beeline for her bedroom, wishing to get to sleep and greet the day as soon as possible.
As she contemplated how lucky she was to gain not only so many friends, but a coltfriend added to that, she gradually fell asleep, a smile on her face as she did so.
THE END