“It’s been a while since it’s just been us, I think,” Celestia said, smiling as she swirled a glass in her magic’s warm, golden glow. “Too long for my tastes.”
Twilight beamed and let her gaze wander around the table. Her brother and Cadence sat close together, as per usual, directly across from her, while Celestia took her rightful place at the head of the table. The seat on the opposite end stayed empty, reserved for Luna alone.
Just as it should be.
“I don’t think we’ve all been together like this since before Spike and I left for Ponyville,” she noted. A smile tugged at her lips. “We didn’t even have a dinner together when you two took the Crystal Throne.”
Shining coughed. “Let’s not even go there.” He rubbed at the back of his head, pointedly ignoring the way Cadence tittered behind a hoof. “We’ve only just got the crystal ponies all settled and comfortable, so I’m relieved we can leave without them worrying that we’ve legged it. They’re still worshipping Spike, for crying out loud!”
“Well, he did catch the Crystal Heart,” Cadence said as she leaned over to rub shoulders with him.
“Oh, I know. It’s just that if I have to hear about how lucky I am to be related to ‘Spike the Great’ one more time, I’m going to pull out his hatchling pictures and talk about some of his less-than-glorious moments.” His brows flatlined. “I changed enough of his diapers while Twily was in school, I have plenty of ammunition.”
Celestia hummed, the tiniest of smirks tugged at her lips. “I believe that still counts as Spike’s own ammunition, Shining.” She shrugged and brought her wine glass to her lips, adding, “Though far be it from me if you’d like to use it against him.”
Twilight had to clap a hoof over her mouth, her cheeks ached as she struggled to hold back her mirth. Across from her, Cadence and Shining Armor showed no such restraint, shamelessly sniggering and gasping out reminders of times they spent with him as a hatchling.
All in all, a nice start.
She levitated her own glass and took a sip. Wine wasn’t typically her thing, but for a quiet dinner, she could break from tradition.
Then again, Twilight rarely opted to partake, yet she let herself get talked into drinking with a trio of Wonderbolts. Though, admittedly, it was really just one of them she wanted to drink with.
Spitfire’s smirking face and lidded stare flashed through her mind. Twilight swished her tail, running her tongue along her lips as she let herself wander over the visage of that beautiful goldenrod coat, her fiery mane and tail, those wide hips, taught thighs, and a rump she could stare at for hours on end.
For scientific purposes, of course. A study in physics.
Mmm, hypothesis: A bit can bounce off Spitfire’s rump and knock out a Royal Guard twenty paces away. Purple feathers fluffed and fluttered. I just need a force gauge, a dummy, a pouch of bits, and a few hours alone in my lab with Spitfire.
The matter of payment could be negotiated—what sort of princess or scientist would she be if she didn’t compensate her own girlfriend for her time.
Twilight had to fight down a happy squeal, though she couldn’t help but let her tail whip back and forth. A bit of fun with her girlfriend was very much welcome.
And a chance to have Spitfire squirming while she tried to stay still would be a nice change of pace from the norm.
“You seem quite pleased with yourself, dear. Something you’d like to share?”
Celestia’s voice jolted her back to reality. Twilight sat bolt upright, her ears perked. A sheepish smile spread across her lips as she found herself the focus of their attention.
Her cheeks colored. “N-No! Nothing!” she squeaked, bringing the wine glass to her lips as though to hide behind it and taking a rather generous sip.
The taste of rose petals and fresh grapes greeted her. A bit sweeter than she preferred, but, then again, Celestia had always been a fan of such things.
It only made sense that it translated over to her wine choices as well.
Sweet or not, it was an easy way to stave off the interrogation, if only for a moment. Twilight licked the remaining droplets from her lips. “I don’t think I’ve had this vintage before,” she said. “Then again, I’m not much of a wine drinker.”
Celestia chuckled and shook her head. “Connoisseur, dear, the term is wine connoisseur.” She paused to take a sip from her own glass, smiling as she savored the taste. “And it’s a Prench vintage called Les Princesses du Ciel. I believe this particular bottle is … fifty years old?” Scrunching her nose, she levitated the bottle off the table and squinted at the table. Her eyes lit up. “Yes, fifty! My memory isn’t entirely gone after all!”
“Oh, come now, Auntie!” Cadence chided playfully, holding her own glass in hoof and leaning forward to fix Celestia with a half-lidded look. “You don’t look a day over thirty, and everypony who pays attention knows your memory hasn’t gone foggy in the slightest! Why, I bet you could tell me all the names of the wyvern lord’s ambassadors for the past three centuries—and he goes through them like you go through cakes!”
Celestia gave an amused snort. “I should hope that isn’t meant literally, otherwise I might have a few choice words for Lord Krasnoye Plamya the next time I visit him.”
“A fine idea,” Shining said with a nod. With an almost lazy, sideways look, he brought raised his glass. “Just make sure he’s already eaten first.”
“Well, I never! I’ll have you know that Krassy and I have built quite the rapport over the years!”
Twilight winced and glanced to Shining, who gave a rather pained smile as he edged away from Cadence. The siblings pinned their ears back and simultaneously took a long pull from their respective glasses.
They knew the gleam in Cadence’s eyes all too well.
“Krassy, hmm?” Three sets of ears flicked, then drooped. That low purr, the very way Cadence swirled her wine around and smiled like a cat who’d just caught a canary. “Auntie …”
“You know, speaking of rapport, why don’t we talk about Twilight?” Celestia pointedly avoided her niece’s annoyed huff and glare in favor of turning her attention back to the youngest princess at the table.
Twilight let out a squeak, her magic flickered, she quickly reached out to the glass just before it hit the table, fumbling it in her hooves.
A golden glow surrounded the glass. Celestia chuckled as she set it down on the table. “I’m just so curious about your relationship with Captain Spitfire,” she said, the smile tugging at her lips once again.
“Uh, um, it’s only been a couple days …” Twilight fidgeted in place. “And I’ve already told you most of the—”
The sound of squeaking wheels and hooves clopping against the tile made her turn toward the doorway. A trio of staff ponies, dressed in white collared shirts with purple and gold striped ties stood at the ready.
“Your Highnesses,” a stallion of pewter coat and blond mane greeted, bowing his head.
Celestia returned his bow with a nod. “Oh, thank you, Haut Savoir! I do believe we’re ready!”
Haut Savoir gave another bow, then directed his fellow staff ponies about. Each trotted forth with their head held high and a covered tray.
Twilight gave a nod of thanks to the mare who slid her tray into place and removed the cover, the scent of seasoned rice and sweet violet petals wafted to her nose. She swished her tail merrily, licking her lips as she levitated her silverware off the black linen, then set the linen in her lap.
A polite cough drew her attention back to Celestia. Her former mentor gave a smile, then said, “I was actually hoping to hear a bit more from your side since it’s a smaller group this time.” She swept a hoof around the table. “A bit more close-knit than the grilling this morning, I think.”
“Ooh, yes!” Cadence bounced in her seat. She beamed at Twilight, leaning forward to prop her head up on her hooves. “You so owe me details!”
Uh oh. Twilight looked to Shining in hope of support, but he just shook his head and sipped at his wine.
“Might as well give up whatever you’ve got,” he said with an almost lazy smile. “You know she’ll get it out of you eventually.”
Drat. He had a point.
Whenever it came to love, Cadence always got her way. Any hint of a crush, even a lingering gaze on a pretty face or the most discretely stolen glance at a passing mare’s tail never escaped her notice. And if it happened while she wasn’t around, she found out somehow.
Twilight had a distinct feeling there were two “somehows” in her case—their names were Shining Armor and Spike.
One of which so happened to be sitting so smugly as he chewed on a mouthful of rice and let his wife set to work cajoling information from her.
She licked her dried lips. “What sort of details were you hoping for?”
Cadence’s eyes danced. “I want to hear more about that little trip to Don Contorno’s!” She leaned forward, propping her hooves up on the table. “And I don’t mean that blasé little ‘oh, we ate dinner, it was nice’ summary you gave us! I want details!”
Oh dear. Twilight took a long pull from her wine. Was it bad form to get tipsy in front of two princesses now that she was a princess? Did it even matter if they were in private?
A small part of her was tempted to find out.
The wine ran out far too soon. Twilight slowly lowered her glass to the table. “Well, we started talking about magic and stuff …”
Laughter swept over the group, Shining shook his head. “I knew you were quick with teleporting, Twily, but that’s some pretty impressive stuff! And all to play a little joke on Captain Fireball, eh?”
Twilight tittered. “Yeah, I wanted to get her off balance for a chance.” Her ear flicked, she tilted her head. “Since when have you called Spitfire ‘Captain Fireball?’”
“Oh, that’s an old joke between us,” he replied, a wicked smirk playing upon his lips. “Ask her about the time I caught her screaming herself hoarse at a pair of Wonderbolt Reserves on the castle grounds back when we first met. I could’ve sworn her mane was fire with how mad she was.”
“I just might. Thanks.”
“I’m rather interested in how close you two have managed to come in such a short time,” Cadence put in. Her feathers fluffed up happily. “All those lessons on love you ignored over the years, but you still managed to catch a nice mare. Military too.” She waggled her ears, shooting a sidelong look at Shining as she stage whispered, “Between you and me, they’re the most fun. Mine squirms.”
Shining rolled his eyes. “I do not squirm,” he grumbled, taking a sip of his wine. “You just nip at my ears.”
“And you squirm as you try to escape!”
“Who wouldn’t?” he scoffed. Shining turned his attention to Twilight again. “So, your note said you went back to Spitfire’s room and finished the story there, then spent the night.” His lips curved into a small frown. “You had me a bit worried for a while. I was about ready to send out a search party.”
Twilight winced, a strained smile crossed her muzzle. “Sorry, Shiny. We just got talking and reading the story, and I lost track of time during the storm …”
An amused snort sounded from the head of the table. Celestia raised a brow at Twilight, a wry smile played upon her lips. “How did you miss the weather schedule, might I ask? We have them posted everywhere.”
“I wasn’t paying attention. At all.”
“I see.” Chuckling, Celestia shook her head and sipped her wine. “Silly filly,” she muttered, before continuing at normal volume, “Well, I’m quite glad you at least enjoyed your time with Captain Spitfire, regardless of that little oversight.”
Twilight smiled despite the burn tinging her cheeks. “Yeah, we both were kicking ourselves for that one. Fortunately, I just cast a small bubble shield spell and we weren’t out of walking distance from her hotel.” Pausing a moment, she nodded toward Shining. “Which is where the note comes in.”
“That makes sense.” Another sip of wine. Celestia’s smile faltered a note, she swirled the wine around in her glass, a look of contemplation flashed across her muzzle. She looked up at the moon, humming a low note. “The moon is quite bright tonight,” she noted. “Beautiful. And the stars dance, so.” Her gaze turned to Twilight again. “Luna must be having a good time with your new girlfriend.”
Twilight glanced up. Was there really a difference? No offense meant to Luna, but as far as Twilight could tell, there wasn’t really much of anything to show she was any happier than normal.
Maybe it was something in how the stars twinkled? Or how the full moon did seem a bit fuller tonight?
More importantly, though, was how Spitfire was doing with Luna herself. While Luna was a valued friend, and a newer mentor figure in the ways of princesshood, Twilight couldn’t help but worry a little. Spitfire and Luna both shared rather … forward personalities.
Spitfire in terms of what she wanted with love, Luna with how she voiced her displeasure.
Twilight bit her lip and let her gaze wander out across the lit buildings and blurry dots of pony forms milling about in the night, as though she hoped to see a flash of goldenrod coat and fiery mane so she could check up on Spitfire.
No such luck, though.
“Speaking of,” Celestia said, jolting Twilight out of her thoughts, “I must wonder where you slept that night, Twilight.”
Her heart skipped a beat. The memory of Spitfire’s hooves wandering over her body, her lips against Twilight’s neck, and a night spent entwined together flashed before her eyes.
Twilight did her best to fight back a blush, she kept her wings clamped firm against her sides. “In her suite, of course,” she replied. “I didn’t want to bother the hotel staff for a room on such short notice, and that’s if they even had one. Imagine, they might’ve tried to kick some poor family out for me or something!”
“Oh, my! That would’ve been a sight!” Cadence tittered into her hoof. “I can almost see the headlines!” She swept a hoof through the air as if pointing out a sign. “Family of four kicked out of Royal Canterlot Hotel so Princess Twilight Sparkle can rest after an afternoon stroll through the park with her girlfriend! Full spread on page seven!”
Shining snorted into his wine glass. “Geez, Cady, not while I’m drinking!” he scolded playfully.
“Your fault for drinking at the time, not mine!”
Celestia frowned at the pair, a hint of irritation at being interrupted flashed in her eyes before she schooled her expression. “Yes, very droll, you two. Now, if we could focus.” She glanced toward Twilight again. Her lips tugged into a tiny smirk, like a cat watching a mouse try to squirm its way out of being cornered.
Why did Twilight feel like she was sitting in her desk at school again all of the sudden?
And since when had Canterlot nights been so hot?
Those ancient purple eyes narrowed. “I appreciate your thoughtfulness for the hotel staff,” Celestia said, her tone that of a mother happily playing along with her foal’s game, “but that’s not what I was asking, Twilight.”
Twilight felt her muscles tense. Her smile strained. “Sorry. I figured you just meant it like did I get a room or something.”
“Not quite, but that does transition to a more specific line of questioning. Since you’ve made it clear you want to play the game.” Celestia raised a brow. “Where in the Spitfire’s suite did you sleep, my dear?”
Her wings rustled. Twilight quickly downed another sip of wine. How could she word it so Celestia didn’t assume the worst?
Or, rather, that she didn’t discern the truth.
Flicking her tail, Twilight glanced down and away. Her ears splayed back to lay against her scalp.
Celestia sighed. She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. “By your silence, I can hazard a guess. Would I be correct in assuming that you slept in her bed?”
Twilight flinched, giving a single nod in reply.
“I see.” Another sigh. The ancient princess finished off the last bit of her wine, then placed the glass down on the table. “I suppose there’s no easy way to say it—I know about the night you spent together at the Gala.”
A cold sensation dropped into the pit of her stomach. Twilight felt her heart skip a beat, her mouth ran dry. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stammered.
With a snort, Celestia opened her eyes and fixed Twilight with a look she’d seen only once before, the very same as the day she’d used the Want It, Need It spell. Disappointment. Like a mother looking down her nose at a naughty filly with her hoof caught in the cookie jar. But with more weight than any other.
She was disappointed in her student.
Shining coughed. “Um, Princess?” he spoke up, raising a hoof. “I don’t mean to interrupt or correct, but we already knew Spitfire slept in Twily’s suite. Like, on the couch downstairs. They might’ve been together, but—”
“No, she did not,” Celestia cut across him, her eyes never left Twilight. “They slept in the same bed, but that’s not the entirety of the story, is it, dear?”
“There’s more to it?” Shining turned his head so quick, Twilight could almost hear his joints pop. His deep blue eyes burrowed into hers as though she were one of his recruits. He furrowed his brows, his shoulders slumped a little. “Twily, please don’t tell me you went that far on the first night.”
Something about his tone, the way he looked at her sparked a fire within Twilight. The same defensiveness she felt when she sidled close to Spitfire at breakfast made her sit up a little straighter. “Does it really matter?” she asked, her jaw set.
“Yeah, it kinda does!”
“Then how far do you think I went?”
“I’m hoping it wasn’t too much beyond cuddling or kissing, but at this point, I’m getting a little worried!”
“Why?” Twilight huffed, her gaze flitted to each pony in turn. “We both were sober, I was fine with it and so was she, so what’s the issue?”
Cadence chose that moment to jump in. “I think it’s less a moral issue as it is worrying for how soon you went to that sort of thing. Admittedly, I think you should’ve waited a bit longer. At least three or four dates.”
“Dates?” Celestia raised a brow. “Cadence, please. This should have been quite some time down the line. The pair only just met—”
“Which you arranged,” Twilight reminded.
Celestia grimaced. “Yes. That much is true, and I won’t deny it. However, my point stands, dear.” She sighed and brought a hoof to massage the bridge of her snout. “I don’t mean to talk down to you, Twilight. I’m just concerned is all. You’re young, this is your first relationship. Don’t you think—”
“I think I’ve spoken with Spitfire on the matter,” she shot back. Her feathers bristled, she gritted her teeth. “What difference does it make if this is my first, second, or third girlfriend? I’m an adult, a princess no less! And Spitfire’s an adult, too!”
“Twily, we’re not saying you’re a foal or anything.” Shining reached across the table and took her hoof, offering a small smile and a gentle squeeze. “It’s just, well, this is something you haven’t really dealt with and we don’t want you to get your hopes up for something that, uh …” he trailed off, his eyes flitted away, he looked to Cadence for support.
A sad smile crossed Cadence’s muzzle. “What Shining means to say is that what bothers us is that you’re leaping headlong into things.” She rolled a hoof through the air, searching for the right words. “Dating is supposed to be more of an exploration process, two ponies coming to spend time together and see if what they feel for one another is real enough or strong enough to carry on to something more.”
Twilight’s nostrils flared. She gritted her teeth, her tail flicked angrily. They were doing it. Treating her like a little filly just because she wasn’t experienced in the area. With a scowl, she wrenched her hoof from Shining’s grasp. “You know, I probably did myself a disservice in not paying attention all your lessons growing up,” she said, fixing Cadence with a baleful look. “I could’ve probably quoted the exact things you said that supported exactly what Spitfire and I are doing right now.”
Cadence drew back as if she’d been slapped across the face. “I’m not trying to take a stand against you dating her, Twily. There’s no need to be so defensive.”
Something sparked within Twilight. That did it.
“No need to be defensive? Hardly.” She stood and placed her forehooves on the table, her chair scraped against the floor. “If you three are going to sit here and preach to me on how I’m supposed to go about dating my girlfriend, then, please excuse me if I take a bit of offense.”
To her right, Celestia stood slowly. The disappointed look in her eyes left in favor of something else, a glimmer of sadness and hurt. “Twilight, please,” she said. “We’re only trying to think of what’s best for—”
Twilight held up a hoof, cutting her teacher off. Her chest heaved, she looked down at the table and tried to keep her shoulders from shaking. Her first girlfriend and she couldn’t get a little support from the ponies she loved?
Her eyes clenched shut. She drew in a deep breath through her nose, then let it out slowly through her mouth. After a moment of quiet fury, she nodded to herself. “I’m done,” she muttered.
“What? Twily, please! Don’t do this,” Shining said. She heard his chair scrape against the floor as he stood, she felt his hoof brush against her shin just like he would to soothe her when she was younger. “Sit down and talk with us, don’t go away mad. We’ve still got dessert, and I really do want to—”
“No.” Twilight jerked her hoof away from his. “No. I don’t want dessert and I don’t feel like talking anymore. I’m done.” She took another breath. “You three can have it together. Or don’t. I don’t care. I need some time to myself.”
"Just give us a second here!" Pink light wreathed his horn. Yet another shield spell. The third since she'd come to Canterlot for the Gala.
Except this time, Cadence wasn't there to stop her from picking the lock.
Her magic leapt to life, in a burst of magenta, she teleported. For split second, she felt the slightest tug of his magic trying to anchor her to the balcony, but she jerked herself free as if pulling away from his embrace. He'd get a nice, sharp headache for his troubles, just like the one she got when he sprang his first up a couple mornings prior. The smooth touch of the balcony floor left her hooves, replaced instead by the cold paved road leading up to Canterlot Castle, just outside the Grand Entrance. Twilight let her ears splay back, her jaw ached as she grit her teeth and tried to fight back angry tears.
“Princess Twilight?” a Royal Guard called from somewhere behind her. Probably posted by the door. She heard him take a step forward. “Is something the matter? Do you need help?”
Twilight sniffed and shook her head. “No. I’m just dealing with something personal,” she said, turning to offer a plastic smile to ease the worry written plain upon his snow white face. “Don’t mind me.”
He hesitated, but nodded all the same and returned to his post. Just like a good guard should.
Leaving her to pick up the pieces herself. Twilight brushed the back of her hoof across her face to chase away the tears. She could get through this. Somehow. She always managed to pick herself back up, either by her own power or with her friends’ help.
Her wings rustled. She rubbed her hoof against her shoulder, longing for the soft touch of Spitfire’s downy feathers upon her back as she was pulled in and held against the mare’s chest. There was safety to be had in her embrace. And warmth.
And love.
The sound of carriage wheels rolling along the pavement made her ears perk up and twitch. Twilight opened her eyes, her heart leapt in her chest when she saw the familiar midnight blue and crescent moon cutie mark emblazoned upon the carriage doors, and the matching armor of Luna’s guards upon the stallions pulling it along. Luna was back.
So is Spitfire.
Twilight swished her tail. Despite her dour mood, a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she watched the carriage draw nearer. Coincidence or not, Spitfire was coming back to her exactly when she was needed.
The guards cantered to a halt, both snapped to attention and bowed their heads, greeting her in unison. The carriage door opened, another guard, a pegasus with white coat and blue mane and eyes as blue as the sea stepped out before taking post nearby.
Luna exited first. A warm smile played upon her lips as she descended the steps and noticed Twilight waiting. “Well met by moonlight, Twilight Sparkle,” she said. Her smile turned a bit mischievous, she glanced back into the carriage. “I believe I have something of yours to return.”
On cue, Spitfire poked her head out of the carriage, her lips curved into a playful smirk and brows furrowed as she hopped down to stand between them. “Hers?” she asked with a scoff. She sidled up to Twilight and unfurled her wing, casually trailing her feathers up Twilight’s side before laying it over her back. “I think you’ll find this one is mine, Princess. All do respect of course.”
Twilight didn’t bother correcting her. The soft touch and warmth provided served to wash away all the tension in her body, she pressed up against Spitfire’s side and rubbed her cheek against the smooth goldenrod coat covering her neck. This was exactly what she needed. If that meant she was Spitfire’s, so be it. Just so long as she could stay close and pretend her problems didn’t exist.
She felt Spitfire shift and move to hug her and nose against her cheek. Then, Spitfire stiffened. “Hon? You’re cheeks are a little wet.” To her dismay, Spitfire drew back. “Is something wrong?”
Yes. Very wrong, Twilight thought as she met those brilliant orange eyes. My family is treating me like a filly who doesn’t know how love is objectively supposed to work, and I just want to sit here, get lost in your eyes, and then be carried back to bed so we can cuddle and kiss each other to pieces.
Instead, she held her smile. “I’m just tired,” she said. “And I’d like to—” Twilight broke off to glance at Luna, whose teal eyes seemed to dance with mirth. Her cheeks burned, she ducked her head and looked up at Spitfire. “Um, I think I’d like to go to bed.”
Spitfire’s cheeks tinged a rosy hue, her eyes flitted to Luna as well. “Uh …”
Luna shook her head and laughed. “Young ponies these days! So open with their affection!” She cast a wink at the pair, then trotted toward the main entrance, fluffing her midnight blue wings. “Come along, Sleepless. I believe our young lovers wish to retire for the evening, let us not keep them any longer.”
The guard who’d been in the carriage with them nodded once, then bowed to Twilight before following after Luna.
Silence hung over the pair for a moment. Spitfire coughed, drawing Twilight’s attention once more. “So,” she began. “You mind telling me what happened, hon? And, uh, y’know—” she dropped her voice “—why you just said you wanted me to come to bed in front of freaking Princess Luna?”
Twilight winced. “Sorry,” she muttered, her ears drooped. “It’s just been a rough night and I really want to be with you and fall asleep wrapped up in your wings again.”
Spitfire’s eyes softened. “What happened, hon?”
Twilight shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about it right now. I just really would like to be held.” Pausing a moment, she nuzzled their noses together. “Please?”
Nodding, Spitfire pecked her lips. “Of course. Anytime you need me, all you’ve gotta do is ask.” She offered a small smile and rustled her wings. “Wanna fly over together?”
A matching smile spread across Twilight’s muzzle. She fluffed her feathers and leaned in to share a quick kiss with her girlfriend. “I’d like that a lot.”
There was a sort of odd calm that came as a result of a slow, quiet flight with Spitfire that let Twilight take a little time to cool her head. She could just put her frustrations into her wingbeats and sort of enter a state of half-awareness, half-reflection while they flew side by side and let the cool night air run through her mane.
It was like a sort of safety net. They didn’t speak, they didn’t hold each other and cry, they were just together. Spitfire simply flew alongside her, matching pace despite how easily she could have darted forward and try to change things up with a few dazzling stunts.
Was this what she’d been missing out on when she feigned interest in all those talks with Cadence and Rarity? Or when she made a point of looking anywhere but at the happy couples making eyes at each other in Sunlight Park and the benches outside Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns? Or when she stumbled upon weeping fillies and colts behind held by their partner in silence?
A feeling that somepony else was there, ready to help if needed, but staying quiet until the time came.
Sadly, it ended all too soon as they touched down on the front path toward the Royal Canterlot Hotel. Spitfire had thrown a wing over her shoulders and pulled her in tight, almost dutifully, and led her inside, sparing a silent nod toward the doorcolt before guiding her to the elevator and sent them on their way to the top floor.
When they made it to the suite itself, Fleetfoot and Soarin were sitting on the couch. The former turned an ear toward them, confusion had flashed across her muzzle. “Um, Spits?”
Spitfire had shaken her head. “Not right now, Fleet,” she said. “We’re just heading to bed. She’s had a rough night.”
Twilight watched, a bit of relief filled her chest as Fleetfoot nodded in understanding. Soarin, on the other hoof, looked as though he wanted to press a bit further, almost like Shining whenever Twilight came home from school upset because of some bullies.
Her ears drooped. Twilight grit her teeth, her jaw aching as her thoughts turned back to dinner. She flicked her tail. What right did they have to tell her how to live her life? If she wanted to date Spitfire, she would. If she wanted to have sex with Spitfire, she would damn well have sex with Spitfire whenever they were both good and ready for it!
Who gave them the right to tell me when I could move forward with a relationship? An idea came to her. They couldn’t. Nopony could tell her how fast or how slow to move with Spitfire other than the mare herself. And she had Spitfire right next to her, with a nice, warm bed right down the hall. The very same they’d shared a couple short nights ago. The tiniest of smiles spread across her muzzle. Perfect.
Twilight nosed her way under Spitfire’s chin, gently pushing her toward the bedroom. Orange eyes met purple, Spitfire furrowed her brows in concern.
That wasn’t how it was supposed to work. Spitfire was supposed to go with her, like before. Just down the hallway, they could slip into the bedroom and close the door, and Spitfire would be all hers for the night. A quick cone of silence would be more than enough to hide their activities from Fleetfoot and Soarin. She needed this, she needed Spitfire right now.
But if Spitfire wasn’t getting the message, Twilight knew how to help. Her eyes flitted down to the goldenrod coat covering her girlfriend’s neck. As sensitive as her ears might be, Spitfire loved it when she kissed and nipped at her neck. Twilight nuzzled her nose against the soft, velvet smooth coat and parted her lips. A little hint and she would have things her way. She’d have Spitfire all to herself, and she’d show all of them just how much of an adult she was. If she wanted something, she could have it.
Twilight stopped just short, her teeth just inches away from their destination. When had sex been about getting back at ponies? When Spitfire talked about it with her, she always spoke of it with such … respect. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.
It was supposed to be between herself and Spitfire, not herself, Spitfire, and the ponies who annoyed her.
This isn’t right. Slowly, Twilight relaxed and closed her lips, turning her move into another nuzzle. It’s not fair to her if I ask for this after not telling her anything.
They could talk tomorrow. After they slept together—preferably with a pair of beautiful goldenrod wings wrapped around her.
She met Spitfire’s gaze again and gave a small, sad smile. “Could you just hold me?” she whispered. “I just want to be alone with you.”
Spitfire returned her smile with a single nod. “Sure thing, hon.” She turned to lead Twilight down the hallway, pausing just long enough to rub their cheeks together then glance at her teammates. “We’re gonna call it an early night. Catch you guys in the morning.”
Twilight only half heard them bid goodnight before giving her own in reply. She closed her eyes and pressed her cheek against Spitfire’s, letting herself be led to the bedroom. The click of the latch made her ears twitch, so too did the thud as Spitfire closed it with a gentle kick.
She trotted over to the bed with Spitfire. Her heart skipped a beat as she felt a warm muzzle nose against her cheek, guiding her to roll onto the bed. Twilight opened her eyes in time to see Spitfire join her, crawling over to lay at her side.
“Are you okay?” Spitfire asked softly.
Twilight only gave a sad smile in return. “I’m better now.” She leaned forward to plant a kiss on her girlfriend’s lips, poking her tongue out to tease and savor the taste.
Spitfire fixed her with a warning look. “Hon, no. Not when you’re like this.”
“I know,” she said. “Red.”
“Yes. Very much red right now.” Spitfire’s stern glare fell, concern shone in her eyes. “You can tell me whatever it is.”
Warmth filled Twilight’s chest, her smile grew. “I know. And I appreciate that.” She ran her nose in a slow circle around Spitfire’s muzzle, whispering, “Right now, I just need you to hold and kiss me until we fall asleep together. Can I have that?”
Spitfire nodded, her smile returned. “Definitely.” She kissed Twilight’s nose. “But we’re talking about this in the morning, okay?”
Of course. With a half smile, Twilight bobbed her head. “Tomorrow sounds fine.”
“Good.” Spitfire kissed her nose, then pulled back the covers. Her feathers trailed up Twilight’s side, all the way up to trace along her primaries. A shiver ran down her spine as she leaned into the touch.
She felt Spitfire nose into the crook of her neck, guiding her to lay down on her side. Spitfire laid with her, tugging the covers up to their shoulders. A hoof wrapped around her midsection, pulling her in close until her back pressed against Spitfire’s chest.
Soft lips pressed into her neck, then again close to her jawline until Twilight could only close her eyes and let out a low, contented sigh. Spitfire’s feathers traced along her wing, slowly tickling and caressing her feathers until it wrapped around her barrel, trapping her in the softest, warmest embrace she’d ever felt.
There was safety and security in Spitfire’s embrace. When her wings were around Twilight, she felt at home.
Spitfire trailed kisses up to the corner of her mouth, lingering a moment, her lips brushed against Twilight’s.
Tease. Twilight turned and leaned forward to share a sweet kiss with her girlfriend. The perfect way to end such a trying night.
They parted all too soon. Spitfire fixed her with a half-lidded stare, those brilliant orange eyes of hers so full of affection and something else. The mare ran her nose around Twilight’s muzzle in a slow circle, then drew back just enough to give her nose a tiny, loving lick that set her cheeks aflame.
“Goodnight, hon,” Spitfire whispered. “Sweet dreams.”
It was all Twilight could do not to squirm in her grasp, but she couldn’t stop her feathers from fluffing or the wobbly smile from spreading across her muzzle.
Instead, she leaned in to return the gesture. She gave Spitfire’s nose a tiny lick, then laid her head upon the pillow. As Spitfire followed and nosed her way back into the crook of her neck, a thought came to Twilight’s mind. Something she hadn’t said over the past several days. “Spitfire?” she asked.
“Hmm?” Spitfire’s breath tickled her neck.
“I …” Twilight hesitated. Perhaps it was a bit too soon for that. And the mood, while better, was hardly suitable for such a thing. She swallowed a lump in her throat, her hooves slowly reached up to clasp the one Spitfire so lovingly wrapped around her barrel. “Thank you.”
She would tell her later.