Spitfire tried not to tremble at the sight of the large wooden door just a few steps ahead. Of all the places she’d been for those big meetings with Princess Celestia, her private study wasn’t one of them. If anything, Princess Celestia’s study was the sort of thing that held an almost mythical weight to its very name.
Everypony knew of it. After all, the Princess of the Day was renowned as the eternal teacher to all her subjects, but the study itself held special regard as the worst kept secret in all the land. The only ponies who entered were family, close friends, and those who had the misfortune of earning the princess’ attention because they were in Very Big Trouble. Capitals required.
There wasn’t a doubt in Spitfire’s mind which of those categories she lay.
When they reached the door, Shining Armor raised his hoof and knocked three times.
“Enter,” Princess Celestia’s voice sounded through the thick wood.
Shining lit his horn. The latch clicked, he pushed the door open and stood to the side. “After you,” he said, beckoning Spitfire in with a wave of his hoof.
She took a deep breath through her nose and held it a moment. Her mind raced. A hint of worry, like a little flicker of anxiety before a big show, shot through her chest and chilled her blood. Was she making the right choice? Spitfire’s hoof trembled in mid step, hesitating to move forward into the study. What was she to do to defend her actions? Let alone defend her relationship?
Honesty and sincerity, Luna’s voice whispered in her ear, just as clear as the night before.
Spitfire took another deep breath. That’s right, she told herself. Princess Celestia already knew she and Twilight had gone too far too fast, but she might not necessarily have the whole picture. If she spoke honestly and showed the sincerity of her feelings, there was a chance she could appeal to the princess’ good nature. Minute, given Twilight was involved, but still a chance.
She trotted into Princess Celestia’s study with her head held high. Idly, she glanced around the room to survey her surroundings. The walls were lined with bookshelves filled to the very brim with books of all shapes and sizes. The carpet was a deep royal red with gold trim around the edge, and a rather intricate pattern that looked like a phoenix’s wings set behind the rising sun—or perhaps like they were lifting it.
Princess Cadence sat in a plush purple cushion to the left of the large oaken desk. She gave a thin smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes and greeted Spitfire with an inclination of her head, which Spitfire returned with a slight bow of her own.
Naturally, Princess Celestia was at the very center of attention. The Princess of the Day was seated in a tall wooden chair with her back facing the door and her head bowed as though she were studying something on her desk. Her beautiful, prismatic mane twisted and flowed as if the wind were playing through it.
There was a flicker of movement in the lone darkened corner off to Princess Celestia’s left. Spitfire squinted and peered through the shadows until she found a starry mane and familiar pair of teal eyes staring back at her, with a hint of a smile gracing the mare’s midnight blue muzzle.
Princess Luna met her gaze and cast a wink at Spitfire. Then, she mimed covering her lips before turning to look pointedly at her sister, her silent message clear as the stars in her night sky:
”I am with you, friend. But you must speak to her.”
As if on cue, Princess Celestia turned to face her. Spitfire bowed low in greeting. Propriety, after all, must be observed in her presence.
“Captain Spitfire,” Princess Celestia said, her voice warm, but with a hint of the sun’s fire burning just beneath the surface. “Rise.”
Spitfire winced, but obeyed without question. She stood to her full height and met Princess Celestia’s gaze. Those ancient purple eyes bored deep into her soul, and flashed with something she hadn’t seen in years. A mother’s want to protect. Spitfire felt a shiver run down her spine. She remembered that look all too well.
Dawn’s mother had looked at her the exact same way when they first started dating.
Really hoping that’s not an omen. Wetting her lips, Spitfire waited for the princess to begin.
It didn’t take long. Princess Celestia lit her horn, a pair of goldenrod feathers floated off her desk to hover in the air for a moment. Then she floated them over to Spitfire, who caught them in hoof and glanced between the feathers and the princess with furrowed brow and confusion written across her face.
Then she looked closer at the feathers. Spitfire felt her blood run cold, she knew that shade of goldenrod. She knew them by feel, by sight, and by the way they smelled of wispy cloud and ozone—they were hers. But where had the princess gotten them?
“I trust I don’t need to waste time asking if you know whose feathers those are,” Princess Celestia said gravely.
Spitfire shook her head. “No, Princess. They’re mine.”
“Indeed. Care to take a guess at where I found them?”
Blinking, Spitfire tilted her head. She hadn’t preened on the castle grounds, and she certainly didn’t have feather flu. Short of flying face first into a wall or wrestling around with one of her teammates, there wasn’t a whole lot that could knock her feathers lose if they were healthy. Besides, her preen work before the Gala had been thorough.
Again, she shook her head. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t hazard a guess. Honestly, when I met Shining at the door, I figured I’d be talking to you about Twi—”
Princess Celestia held up a hoof for silence. “In my student’s bedroom,” she answered her own question. Her eyes narrowed. “My staff found your feathers in her bed, along with a rather—” her snout wrinkled as though she were swallowing something foul “—distinct scent lingering in the room.”
A groan to Spitfire’s right made her flick an ear toward Shining Armor, who brought a hoof to his head and clenched his eyes shut.
“Can we not?” he muttered.
“I hardly see how we can avoid it,” Princess Cadence put in. “That’s a part of why we were all here, anyway.”
“A part, but not the full reason.” Those ancient purple eyes never once left Spitfire’s. Princess Celestia stood, and began to walk toward her.
Idly, Spitfire wondered if she could make it out of the castle before any of the Royals present could catch her. Given the sheer depth of magical talent in Shining Armor, the lone unicorn present, she sincerely doubted she’d make it three steps.
Princess Celestia stopped a mere step away, looming over Spitfire by at least another head and shoulders—and she was firmly on the taller side of pegasi her age.
“Why don’t we take it from the top?” the princess asked. “Tell me everything that happened from the moment you walked away from us at the Gala, up to last night—sparing the details of your frivolity, if you please.”
Honesty and sincerity, Princess Luna’s words echoed in her mind once again.
Spitfire glanced at the Princess of the Night out of the corner of her eye, just for a split second. More than enough for Princess Luna to give her a single, solemn nod of support.
She closed her eyes and began her tale, sharing the strange whirlwind of a relationship she and Twilight shared over the past few days.
The silence that fell over the Royals while Spitfire told her tale was a mite unsettling. Sure, it made telling the story easy, and should such a luxury present itself when her teammates inevitably demanded she recount it all, Spitfire would count it as a blessing.
In front of three out of four Crown Princesses and the Prince-Captain of the Guard himself, however, it just didn’t sit right with her. If this was supposed to be some sort of special grilling, shouldn’t there be more questions? Shouldn’t Shining Armor be grinding his teeth loud enough she could hear the enamel scraping together, a step or two away from overly protective sibling rage?
Either Spitfire had missed out since Daybreak was an only foal, or that was just a thing in Misty Fly’s stupid books. Shining Armor stood stock still throughout, his expression unreadable even as Spitfire told him about how she unwittingly made Twilight think she’d done a flyby.
Unreadable, that was, save for a slight twitch in his left eye that stopped only after she got to the first chat with Twilight. After that, he simply gave a silent nod and flick of his tail.
Other than Shining’s little twitches, the Royals nodded along like they expected most, if not all, details she put forth. Princess Celestia merely nodded in approval at how she guided Twilight back to the castle after their late night at the club, and that was one she was half expecting fire and brimstone over!
Spitfire felt like a block of ice had been dropped into her stomach. If they already knew how things progressed, why in Equestria would Princess Celestia ask her to recount them?
It hit her like a bolt of lightning: inconsistencies. Princess Celestia wanted to see if there were any inconsistencies in her story and Twilight’s.
No wonder Princess Luna advised honesty the night before.
After Spitfire finished, Princess Celestia stood quietly, looking down on her through those ancient, deep purple eyes with a contemplative furrow of her brows. Her wings twitched as though ready to unfurl and fly, but remained closed.
She let out a long breath through her nose, then turned and walked over to her desk again. A shimmering gold glow enveloped the goldenrod feathers and jerked them out of Spitfire’s hoof to float beside the Princess of the Day.
“Twilight told us much the same,” Princess Celestia said, her voice low, “with some difference in perspective.” She glanced over her shoulder at Spitfire, eying her a moment. “You’ve caused my student quite a bit of emotional turmoil.”
Spitfire flinched, but gave a nod nonetheless. “Not intentionally. And I’ve made sure to talk with her so we can move on and solidify things.”
“Things?” A slender eyebrow arched.
“A more solid foundation,” Spitfire replied. For the first time in years, she felt a hint of unease as all eyes fell square upon her. “We’ve sort of been trying to work, uh, backwards so we can see about making this a lasting relationship.”
“Never a bad thing!” Princess Cadence chipped in. Her ears stood perked to their full height, her eyes held an almost eager, hungry gleam to them. “Even if things started off rather … rushed, shall we say?”
Princess Celestia snorted and turned to fix Cadence with a wry look. “You and I have very different definitions of the word, niece. Rushed is putting it lightly.”
From her darkened corner, Princess Luna threw in her own quip, “Only because your preferred pace is glacial, sister mine.”
The room seemed as hot as the surface of the sun itself. Spitfire sucked in her lips, glancing between the two sisters.
A frown spread across Princess Celestia’s muzzle. She glared at Princess Luna and asked, “Is there something you’d like to add to this conversation, Luna?”
“Oh, don’t mind me!” came the reply. Princess Luna aimed a bright smile at her elder sister, her teal eyes shone with naked mirth. “Just thinking aloud!”
Spitfire could almost hear the enamel grinding as Princess Celestia grit her teeth. Her ears pinned back, she thought to take a few steps away so she was out of the line of fire. But rather than sling spells or shout in ancient tongues, the sisters stared at one another for a moment like they were having some sort of silent confrontation.
Princess Celestia looked away first, muttering something under her breath. With a long-suffering sigh, she shook her head, then turned to face Spitfire once more. “Twilight does feel strongly for you,” she said slowly. “Enough so that she would speak up against me when I voiced my disapproval for how your relationship progressed so quickly.”
She began to circle around Spitfire like a shark who found an injured seal. Her gaze was one not of blinding fury or wrath, but appraisal. It was the same as those old Wonderbolt recruiters who watched her every move at tryouts an age ago.
“For a time, I’d wondered if she would ever question me on something close to heart,” Princess Celestia continued. “As wonderful a student as Twilight was, and as brilliant a mare she has become, I’m not blind to her tendency to cling to me as an authority figure.” Pausing a moment, she stopped circling and took a breath. “Truth be told, it was somewhat refreshing hearing her speak out in defense of your relationship last night.”
Warmth filled Spitfire’s chest like a campfire’s glow washing over her body on a cold night in the woods. If Twilight’s defense was sincere enough to make Princess Celestia herself stop and take note … Well, damned if this wasn’t something worth fighting for!
Then Princess Celestia leveled her with a stern gaze that made that comfortable warmth wash away. “You’ve managed to make your way into my favored student’s heart,” she began, “and I cannot demand you break things off because of my own opinion on how you disregarded my request—not without driving her away and causing her undue pain.” Her eyes narrowed. “Your blatant disrespect, however, is not unnoticed.”
A pang shot through Spitfire’s chest. She bowed her head to avoid Princess Celestia’s eyes and looked down at her hooves. “I wasn’t trying to show anypony disrespect, Princess,” she said softly. “Not you, and certainly not Twilight. Quite the opposite, in fact.”
“The opposite?” A note of incredulity crept into the princess’ voice. “Forgive me if I contradict you, but I fail to see how deflowering Twilight Sparkle in my own castle—“
“Our castle,” Princess Luna interrupted.
“Now is not the time to debate semantics, Luna!”
“On that, we must disagree,” came the reply, Princess Luna’s smug smile almost audible in her very tone. “Much like how agonizingly irritating I find your tendency to label things as objective right and wrong in all cases. To say nothing of this little matchmaking scheme you’ve made up.” With a derisive snort, she added, “But do go on.”
“Is this about—”
“No, it isn’t. And don’t go there.”
Princess Celestia groaned and brought a hoof to her forehead. “Oh, for the love of—I said I was sorry! That was fifteen hundred years ago!”
“I said don’t go there!”
Spitfire could only blink dumbly and look back and forth between the pair as they fell to—dare she think it?—bickering over a foalhood crush that hadn’t ended well. Blinking, she turned to Princess Cadence and tilted her head toward the pair, afraid to ask her question.
The Crystal Princess didn’t meet her eye. Instead, she wore a frown upon her pretty pink face, her brows knitted together. Her gaze flitted between the bickering sisters, then her own husband, before settling on Princess Celestia at last. “Excuse me?” she spoke up, a note of hurt evident in her voice. “Matchmaking scheme?”
The argument stopped in an instant. Both sisters stood stock still, neither dared to meet their younger counterpart’s eye. Silence reigned over the five ponies present, broken only by Princess Cadence huffing and saying, “Is there any particular reason why you didn’t consult me? This is sort of my area—no offense, Spitfire,” she added hastily. “It’s nothing against you. Just … well, imagine if somepony asked for input on an air show with you a few doors down and they didn’t bother knocking.”
“I wasn’t going to say anything,” Spitfire said, fighting back a scowl at the back-hoofed remark. Since when was somepony’s love life equivalent to a flight show? Still, she bit her tongue.
Princess Celestia sighed. “And I have known her longer than you, my dear,” she said tiredly. “My intent was to find somepony who might match Twilight’s ambition, achievement, and respect for authority while also providing somepony who would serve as a balance for her studious nature.”
“Still, though. When did you even have the time—”
“Before the Gala,” Shining spoke up for the first time since he greeted Spitfire. His eyes widened as comprehension dawned upon him, he fixed his gaze upon Spitfire and continued, “When you walked up to us at the main entrance, you said something about talking with Celestia before. That was it, wasn’t it?”
Spitfire glanced at each pony in turn, nodding slowly as though expecting a sudden burst of magic. None came. “Yes,” she replied. “Princess Celestia asked if I was seeing anypony, then explained her want to help Twilight find a special somepony of her own. Or just a new friend, if she didn’t seem receptive. I agreed to talk and see where the night took us, and then make the call on which way to take things.” She gave a rueful grin and rubbed at her mane. “Admittedly, I steered it toward dating from the get go once I saw her. She was … stunning.”
“Indeed.” Spitfire would bet good bits that a deaf pony could’ve heard the pride in Princess Celestia’s voice. “I hoped Twilight might take an interest in her first relationship, and hoped to pick a fitting candidate. If not, she’s been open to more friends joining her since her move to Ponyville. It was a win-win, in my opinion.” Pausing a moment, she turned her gaze upon Spitfire. “Though, perhaps I’ll have to amend the point on respect.”
Spitfire wasn’t entirely sure what sparked the righteous indignation that blazed in her chest. Perhaps she felt a bit emboldened by Princess Luna’s presence, or that Princess Cadence had sort of risen to chastise Princess Celestia for the whole thing. Or that Shining Armor hadn’t tried to rip her head off on sight.
Or maybe because the sight of Twilight’s tear-streaked face the night before was still fresh in her mind.
Either way, the fire raged. Spitfire stood up straight and set her jaw. Damn the thunderheads. “Permission to be speak freely, Princess?”
Princess Celestia stayed quiet for a moment. She nodded slowly, her gaze pierced into Spitfire’s very soul. “Granted.”
It was all Spitfire needed. “I’m the only one in this room who’s treated her with a modicum of respect over the past twenty-four hours,” she said, leaping into the verbal fray without restraint.
Three Royals flinched and gaped in silent awe while the fourth smiled and shook her head in her corner. “Excuse me?” Princess Celestia blinked. Her mouth opened and shut as though Spitfire had slapped her across the face with a wet dishrag. Words seemed to fail her—her! The vaunted orator of Equestria, lacking for words because of just one line.
Spitfire looked straight in her eyes like she would one of her superior officers. “No disrespect intended at all, Princess,” she began, “but the one thing everypony forgets about this entire story is that Twilight and I have communicated. We’ve come to terms with what we’ve done and set ground rules we both agreed upon, and worked for us.”
“Now just hang on a minute!” Shining cut in. He stepped forward until he was just a couple paces away, and said, “That’s all fine and good if it were anypony else, but the issue at hoof is that you’ve rushed into something with a mare who hasn’t had anything like this before!”
“Sorry, but not every relationship works the same,” Spitfire shot back. “I’ve been on classy romantic dates that didn’t amount to anything, and I’ve had relationships where our big hangout was a bar or a dance club that led to a few months of companionship. Longest one I’ve had was a mix of what both of us liked, just like what Twilight and I are trying for here.”
“How did that work out?”
Gritting her teeth, Spitfire leveled him with a glare. “Three years. Then broken off with a letter,” she hissed. “No warning, just a letter. Because I messed up and didn’t try to fix things the way I’ve been doing with your sister.”
Shining winced. “Oh.” He glanced away, his ears pinned back. “Sorry. I don’t want to press buttons. But, y’know, she’s—”
“Your sister, yes. I’m well aware.”
With an angry snort, Princess Celestia stepped between the pair, unfurling her wings as though to physically separate them. “That’s enough, both of you,” she said sternly. Her eyes never once left Spitfire. “Continue. But I would caution you to mind your tone. Whether or not you agree with us, you are still in my—our castle,” she amended before Princess Luna could pipe up again. “That much I will insist you respect.”
Calm down, she told herself. Make your point without being combative. Spitfire closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Sorry,” she whispered, bowing her head. “It’s still a sore spot.”
“I understand. More than you realize, in fact.” The ancient princess’ expression softened, her stern glare washed away as she folded her wings against her sides. She licked her lips, then spoke again, “I believe you were attempting to explain how we were the ones disrespecting her?”
Her tone almost made Spitfire take a step back, but she managed to stand fast. “In a sense, yes.” She nodded once. “I consider it rather condescending to act like she doesn’t know what she wants simply because she’s new to dating. Wanting romance or sex isn’t mutually exclusive.” Pausing to allow Princess Celestia a moment to draw in a sharp breath through her teeth, she pressed on, “And I may be about to cross a line in terms of being too … uh …” she trailed off as she wracked her brain for the word. “Crass, I think. Yes, that’s it. This may sound crass, but I asked her if she was comfortable with what we were doing, and told her specifically that if she wasn’t, we should hold off.”
For a moment, Princess Celestia stayed silent. She screwed up her face as though she were sucking on a lemon, then asked, “Did it not occur to you that you should take it upon yourself to make such a call?”
Spitfire looked down and let her ears droop. A shake of her head was the only answer she could give.
“I see.” Princess Celestia sighed. “I presume, then, that you would say your intent was not to defy my wishes. Rather, it was a lapse in judgement?”
Her goldenrod ears drooped lower. Spitfire nodded. “Yes. On both our parts.” She licked her lips, then added in a low tone, “That was part of the talks I mentioned. We wanted to set up a lasting relationship if we could, while still allowing us to, er, indulge if we should both consent. I, er, advised use of Wonderbolt signals.”
Another snort sounded from Princess Luna’s corner. Spitfire noticed those teal eyes dancing with unrestrained amusement.
Princess Celestia, on the other hoof, simply sighed again. Her shoulders sagged. “I suppose I was mistaken, then.” She turned away. With a shake of her head, she turned her attention to Princess Cadence. “What do you think, niece of mine?”
Princess Cadence pursed her lips and hummed, tapping a hoof against her cushion. “I’m of a couple minds,” she replied. “I definitely see their sincerity, and if they’re making an effort to build a foundation, I’m all for it. Although …” she trailed off, her eyes flitted to Spitfire and seemed to gleam with a strange light. A slow, catlike smile spread across her muzzle.
The hairs on the back of Spitfire’s neck stood on end. She glanced between the princesses, her hind hoof raised as if to step back.
“Cadence?” Princess Celestia called.
“Never mind me.” Princess Cadence shook her head. “Just … ruminating.”
Spitfire’s hoof trembled, the itch to step away ate at her, but the tiniest bit of curiosity nagged at the back of her mind and demanded she press Princess Cadence for more.
Instead, Princess Celestia took the initiative and looked to Shining Armor. “And you, Shining?” she asked.
He pulled a face like a foal being told to go do homework on a sunny afternoon. “I’d rather not think of my Twily having sex. Ever,” he grumbled.
“Within reason, Shiny!” Princess Cadence tittered.
His lips twitched into a small smile. “Fine.” Shining glanced at Spitfire and stood silent a moment, thinking it over. Then he shook his head. “Sorry. No. It’s just not something I’d look for so early on, because there’s a ton of stuff to build up before that.”
“Didn’t look for it,” Spitfire grumbled. A sharp look from Princess Celestia made her take a step back. She muttered a sick apology under her breath.
Shining took it in stride. “Not saying that you can’t, it’s just not something I would want. And, honestly? From the way you’ve talked about setting things right with those talks, it’s not what you wanted either.”
An image of Twilight sheepishly admitting how she thought the worst flashed through her mind. Spitfire made to speak, to make some quip that he was trying to put their relationship in a box, but her throat tightened and ached.
He was right. All that time spent talking came about because they felt they’d started off on the wrong hoof. They worked backwards to build the foundation.
And yet, it didn’t feel wrong looking back. Sure, they started out acting on a flight of passion like a pair of over eager teenagers, but damned if Spitfire didn’t think she and Twilight had come together and made something of it! A relationship that worked for them and allowed exploration, just like any other.
“I think,” Princess Celestia began, “a failure to communicate is to blame for this.”
Out of the corner of her eyes, Spitfire noticed Princess Luna muttering something under her breath. But the Princess of the Night didn’t speak up.
Princess Celestia turned back to Spitfire and spoke, “As I said before, I can’t force you to break things off given the bond you’ve created with my student for an admitted error. After all, every relationship undergoes its bumps in the road, each their own challenge to test those involved.” She tilted her head. “It has seemingly strengthened your young relationship.”
“Right,” Spitfire said, drawing out the vowel. Where was this even going?
“And you’ve been far more restrained since your second date.” Nodding to herself, Princess Celestia rustled her wings. “You’re sincere in your desire to have a lasting relationship with her?”
“I’m willing to try.”
“Excellent.” Princess Celestia gave a small, serene smile. “Then I suppose it hardly seems fit to dwell on past mistakes if you’ve both decided to move forward and put forth the effort. Which, of course, means that some changes will have to be made in order for it to last.” She turned away with a self-assured nod. “Though, I must say, this is where I believe you’ll find a more restricted, slower-paced courtship to be a bit more helpful in forming that lasting bond you so crave. One that will hold strong with a sense of mutual respect and dignity along with love”
Spitfire blinked a few times. Was she? “I’m sorry, Princess, perhaps I’m misunderstanding you.”
“In what regard? I’d be happy to clear up any questions you may have.”
Oh, I bet you are. Spitfire managed to keep the barb under wraps, instead saying in a more neutral tone, “It sounds like you’re implying that you’re going to tell us how our relationship works and—for lack of better term—monitor it.”
Princess Celestia turned toward her again, the smile gone from her muzzle. “I have no intent of looking over your shoulder on dates, but, to some degree, yes. You’ve both shown a lack of good judgement on the matter, by your own admission, no less.”
“I see.” Spitfire’s nostrils flared. Breathe in, breathe out. “So, you’re going to protect us from ourselves, then?”
“I … would not be so blunt with the wording. I simply wish to ensure that your relationship has the best chance to last, and end up as happy as Shining and Cadence.” She gestured to the pair, who perked up a bit. “As a matter of fact, you might consider consulting them. They do know Twilight quite well.”
Spitfire drew in a deep breath and forced her eyes shut. She counted backward from five. Then ten. Then twenty.
In a new personal record, her raging temper demanded that she worked her way up to thirty before she could think her reply through. Several choice words and rude phrases came to mind, each wrestling to be her pick and bringing with it a note of personal satisfaction of shutting up the ponies who sent her girlfriend to her side in tears the night before.
Then the more rational side of her spoke up, a booming voice over a crowd of noisy cadets who scrambled to obey the angry captain within.
Slowly, she opened her eyes and allowed herself a tiny smirk. A humorous laugh escaped her lips. For once, the angry captain lost out to the rabble rouser she kept hidden save for those she held dearest. Shaking her head, Spitfire glanced between each pony, and then gave her reply.
“She’s a grown mare,” Spitfire said, her voice soft, but full of gravel and bile, “and you’re not her mother. And right now, there’s only one princess acting like a mare just out of preteen years. I’ll leave you to figure out which.”
Then, without waiting for permission or retort, she turned and strode from the room.
Regardless of what happened once Princesses Celestia and Cadence, and Shining Armor regained their wits, Spitfire would always treasure the memory of the day she made Princess Luna fall over, kicking her hooves in the air as she cackled like a mad mare.
Career suicide, check. Now to go find the princess of my heart.
Mouthing off to the boss never felt so good.
Spitfire hadn’t meant to slam the door to Twilight’s suite as she shoved it open, but it did give her the tiniest hint of satisfaction. While it wasn’t quite as therapeutic as flying a few laps, it felt good to let a bit of her temper show forth. Goodness knows she’d bottled it up as she made her way through the castle.
A yelp and a thud made her ears perk up. Curious, she trotted into Twilight’s bedroom in search of her girlfriend, and promptly had to bite back a laugh.
“You’re one of the most magically gifted ponies in all the land, how in the name of Equestria did you manage to make your suitcase explode like that?”
A familiar pair of lovely, purple eyes glared back at her from beneath a pile of clothes, toiletries, and other assorted belongings. Twilight’s voice sounded, muffled by the hem of her dress.
Snorting, Spitfire stepped forward and gently brushed it aside to reveal a mulberry snout with lips that just begged to be kissed. She cut Twilight off with a light peck, reveling in the taste and warmth. It more than made up for the tete-a-tete with the Royal Family. “Say again?” she asked.
Twilight sucked in her lips to hide a smile, but the corners of her mouth tugged and betrayed her. The glare faltered. “I said that I wouldn’t have made my suitcase explode if somepony hadn’t burst in here like a herd of rampaging buffalo!”
Spitfire winced, dotting her with another kiss as apology. “Ah, sorry. Just needed a second to let a bit of temper out. Didn’t mean to scare you.”
“It’s fine. Packing isn’t really—” a flash of light burst from within the pile, every bit of clothing leapt off the entrapped unicorn and floated over to the suitcase resting upon her bed “—that much of an issue.” Twilight allowed herself a smile as she put everything neatly back in place, then returned her attention to Spitfire. Her smile faltered, she shifted about on her hooves and let her gaze fall to the floor. “How, um … how did it go?”
Spitfire let out a low growl from the back of her throat, flicking her tail. “Well, things were discussed. And I’ve been reacquainted with my temper in ways I’d rather avoided. But, hey, the castle didn’t burn down and we’re still a thing as far as I’m concerned.”
Twilight’s ears perked up. She heaved a sigh and let her shoulders slump, relieved at the news. “Good. I was … well, I was afraid Shining might try to pull some form of the protective brother routine I heard him joke about when I was younger.”
“He, ah, did.” Glancing away, Spitfire rustled her wings. “I’ve been told that if I hurt you, I’m going to eat a shield spell to the face.” She smirked. “Apparently, that’s the ‘I like you’ version.”
“Oh my—that—I am so sorry!”
Laughing, Spitfire looked back at her and waved her off. “It’s fine, hon. I expected worse given the conversation you mentioned last night.”
Twilight seemed to shrink before her eyes. Again, the mare let her gaze fall to the floor, her ears pinned back against her head. “Did Celestia—is she …” she trailed off. With a shake of her head, she asked, “Is she still upset?”
“With you? Nope.” A wicked grin nearly split her muzzle. “I, on the other hoof, am probably going to be getting a few sidelong looks the next time we have a joint military officers’ meeting with her.”
“What did you do?”
“You don’t wanna know.”
“Irritated or not, she’s still my teacher! And your princess!” After a beat, Twilight added, “One of your princesses! What did you do?”
“Let’s just say I’m not known for keeping quiet if the right button is pushed.” Spitfire raised her brows. “Princess Celestia pushed it.” A sharp look from Twilight made her roll her sigh. “I’ll tell you later, hon. Right now, I’d just like to put it all aside for a bit and hang out with you before you head home tomorrow.”
Twilight’s stern look softened. She bit her lip and tentatively stepped close enough to rub her cheek against Spitfire’s, her wings drooped. “I know we said we’d figure things out,” she whispered, “but how are we supposed to do that?”
Wrinkling her snout, Spitfire thought about it for a moment. “Well … the distance sucks, but it’s not like we can’t fly it or take a train ride. I think our best bet would be to compare schedules and work things out.”
Like she’d cast a spell, Twilight perked right up. Spitfire nearly stumbled back as she suddenly found those brilliant purple eyes boring into her own, shining with unhidden glee.
She let out a weak chuckle. “I take it you approve?”
“Immensely.” Twilight pecked her lips, then gestured toward the bed. “Let’s sit. We can discuss upcoming plans and see what time they leave for us to see one another.” Pausing a moment, she brought a hoof to her chin. “On second thought, I have a better idea.” Her horn wreathed with a magenta glow as she snaked a tendril of magic around Spitfire.
Spitfire let out a yelp as she was suddenly lifted into the air. Purely by instinct, she flapped her wings to right herself, but found her efforts in vain. Her heart skipped a couple beats when she caught the sly smirk on her girlfriend’s muzzle, and the way those purple eyes dazzled with mischief and unrestrained glee as she was turned over in midair and softly laid down on the bed.
Before she could move, Twilight pounced, horn flashing again as her magic swept over the room. The door clicked shut and all the drapes fell over the windows with a swish.
Blinking, Spitfire glanced about. “Uh, what did—”
“Cone of silence, one of Shining’s shield spells, and door and window seals so no pony could unlock them,” Twilight cut her off, her voice low and husky. “We’re not going to be this close until we can organize visits. I’m not waiting that long, and you have more than earned a little role reversal, hon!”
Spitfire felt a shiver run down her spine as the tingle of magic teased her legs and wings. Twilight had effectively pinned them to the bed and removed any chance of being flipped over.
Without warning, the mare lunged and set upon her neck with a flurry of kisses, licks, and nips that drew a deep throaty moan as Spitfire clenched her eyes shut. Soft lips pressed against her own, and Twilight’s warm, sweet tongue slipped into her mouth before she could even think to reciprocate.
A familiar burn spread beneath her skin, blooming from her neck and spreading through her body. She bit her lips as her very core seemed to ache with want, rolling her hips out of natural habit to try and rub against Twilight. Instead, Twilight simply arched her back so her hindquarters stuck up, denying her the release she so craved. With a mewling, pitiful whine, she tried again. No dice.
Twilight broke the kiss with a chuckle, then slowly licked Spitfire’s left cheek, trailing all the way up the side of her face. “By Celesia,” she breathed, “you’re gorgeous when you’re aroused.” Humming like she was appreciating a piece of art, she trailed tiny nips toward Spitfire’s ear. “I think I’m going to have to test this. Thoroughly.”
“Hon!” Spitfire whined as she tried to lunge forward and nip at her girlfriend’s mulberry coat, but came up just short. Another whine sounded in the back of her throat, she rolled her hips again, desperate for contact. “Green! Green! Just green already!”
Hot breath washed over her ear. A strangled gasp tore from the back of her throat. “No, no, no,” Twilight whispered, planting soft kisses along the outer edge that made Spitfire go cross-eyed. “We’re green for a show, but the flight team has to warm up before they’re cleared for takeoff, Captain. You know that.” Another nip made her squirm as Twilight began to trail kisses down toward her neck again. Then up the other side, pausing only to lick her left cheek. “I intend to make sure you’re ready to perform at your best.”
Twilight’s warm tongue touched Spitfire’s ear tip. Mewling, she buried her muzzle in the crook of her tormentor’s coat. “You’re gonna kill me, hon!”
“What a way to go,” Twilight purred in her ear. “Moaning, mewling, and begging for more, just like you had me the last couple times.” Slowly, torturously, she ran her tongue along Spitfire’s ear, and gave an approving hum at the shudder it drew. “Turnabout is fair play. Now, be a good mare and let me hear you sing!”
Eventually, they did discuss schedules and possible visits. At what point, though, Spitfire wasn’t exactly sure. Time just seemed meaningless, the sky was painted a beautiful mix of soft purple and fiery orange when they finally sat down and talked, but she sat in a daze and basked in the afterglow.
The memories of each lick, kiss, and nip made her feathers fluff and tingle. Every moan that tore from the back of her throat, and how the little, bookish princess drove her to the very brink until she begged for release and screamed out her name. Her goldenrod cheeks flushed, tinged orange by the blood rising in her face. How long had it been since she felt so complete? So fulfilled in mind, body, and heart?
Never.
By the time Twilight dropped her sealing spells and sent the dopey, glowing captain off into the coming night with a kiss and request to see her on the platform tomorrow, Spitfire figured it out. She flew drunkenly, smiling and humming to herself like a lovestruck filly.
Maybe Princess Celestia had resolved to be a right pain in the flank, but her little matchmaking scheme worked out quite nicely. It was on her to make it work.
Damned if I don’t let this slip through my hooves. Spitfire flipped over and looked back toward the castle, waggling her ears. Ma always said I’d find love where I least expected.