//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: Critical Mass 
// by SC_Orion 
//------------------------------//

	Rainbow stared up at the ceiling, smiling as her mind wandered over the past few days. She took a deep breath. Her smile grew larger as Twilight nuzzled her chest. She cast her gaze down at the alicorn halfway lying on her. She unfolded her forelegs from behind her head, then wrapped them around Twilight. Without disturbing the sleeping alicorn, she pulled her up onto her body and held her close, enjoying feeling the heat and softness of Twilight's body resting on top of her. She folded her forehooves over the alicorn's side and wrapped her legs around her, then she embraced the alicorn with her wings and rolled over onto her side.


Twilight moaned softly and shifted her weight, then pressed herself further into Rainbow's warm embrace. Twilight slowly slid her hooves up over Rainbow's chest, then snuck them around her withers and held onto her. She smiled and cracked open an eye, then pressed her muzzle into Rainbow's coat. She inhaled deeply, then sighed contently before nuzzling her friend. "Somepony's in a good mood."


"Yeah, I get to wake up holding you," Rainbow replied warmly.


Twilight closed her eyes and giggled happily. Rainbow leaned in and brushed her muzzle against Twilight's cheek, silencing her giggle. When she pulled back up, Twilight had a warm, content smile spread across her lips, and her eyes glistened with radiant warmth, joy, and above all, life. The mare was happy. She was calm and content, and she was safe. Rainbow squeezed Twilight a little, then slid her forelegs under Twilight's forelegs and pulled her up so that they were muzzle to muzzle.


Twilight's eyes darted around, studying Rainbow's beautiful eyes and familiar face. She felt giddy as she lost herself in her senses. She was lying on her side, facing Rainbow. With every breath either of them took, Twilight could feel Rainbow's soft coat brush against her own, tickling her and eliciting sparks of joy, happiness, and a deep-seated feeling of peace and pleasure. She could feel Rainbow's forelegs wrapped under her arms and intertwining around her withers, holding her upper body close to the pegasus. She could feel Rainbow's warm chest against her shoulder, and every beat of Rainbow's heart was like a dream come true. Rainbow's soft wings enveloped and embraced her body, covering her wings and slowly, gently brushing against her fur, sliding against her and parting her coat as the pegasus held her, while Rainbow's legs were wrapped around Twilight's flanks, keeping her abdomen pressed up against Rainbow's abdomen and from leaving the pegasus' embrace, not that she wanted to.


After a few seconds, Twilight shifted her weight slightly, then cautiously slid her legs out from between their bodies. Rainbow gave her the room to push her legs out, and then as soon as they were wrapped around Rainbow's body, Rainbow's powerful legs pulled her close again. Twilight closed her eyes, then slid her muzzle along Rainbow's muzzle and tucked her head into Rainbow's neck as Rainbow pulled them closer together.


Rainbow smiled, then chuckled as Twilight nuzzled her neck. She unwrapped her hooves, then lifted her right hoof up to the top of Twilight's head, she gently stuck the edge of her hoof into Twilight's mane, parting it, then she started slowly running her hoof back down through Twilight's mane in long, loving strokes.


Twilight smiled, then laid her head down on Rainbow's neck. She gazed off at the wall, just allowing Rainbow to run her hoof through her mane with no obstructions. She sighed contently and closed her eyes. "I can't believe we're going back to Ponyville today..."


Rainbow stopped stroking Twilight's mane, then wrapped her foreleg back around her alicorn's withers. She rolled herself back over onto her back, bringing Twilight back up onto her body. Twilight had to lift her head back up, and she made her displeasure known by sticking out her lower lip, folding her ears back, and pouting at Rainbow. Rainbow smiled apologetically and quickly resumed stroking Twilight's mane, immediately banishing Twilight's displeasure. "I told you the week would be over before you knew it," Rainbow replied.


Twilight giggled. "Yeah, you did." Rainbow slowly slid her wings over Twilight's sides and then let them fall to the bed. As her wings slid across her body, Twilight closed her eyes, but as they left, she frowned a little. "Thanks for making me come to Canterlot, and... thank you, Rainbow, for coming with me."


Rainbow took a deep breath and stretched her legs out, sliding them away from Twilight. She closed her eyes and sighed contently, then let her legs fall limply to the bed. "Do you still think coming was a bad idea?" she asked.


Twilight quickly shook her head. "I... guess the week didn't start that great, but... I..." she trailed off, her voice lowering to but a whisper, "but I did get to go out on a date with you..." She lowered her muzzle and stared down at Rainbow's chest, then glanced back up at the pegasus. Part of her was afraid of what she would see, but what she saw only reaffirmed what she knew.


Rainbow smiled, then unwrapped her forelegs from Twilight. She brought her right hoof back up to Twilight's head, then rustled her mane. Twilight shied away from Rainbow's hoof but made no real effort to get away from her. "I think the best part was when we slept together after... yeah."


Twilight nodded and smiled happily. "I would say that, but then Rarity had to show up after we woke up."


Rainbow snorted. "Good point," she relented.


Twilight giggled. After a few seconds, she finished giggling, but her warm, friendly smile remained. She shifted her weight, then tentatively slid her forehooves back up onto Rainbow's chest. She watched her hooves for a few seconds and circled them around on Rainbow. She loved feeling the mare's coat against her hooves, and she loved the way her friend's coat parted as her hooves circled around her. She lifted her gaze up, then hesitantly leaned in towards the mare. She went to the right, then quickly placed her lips on the mare's cheek. No sooner had she pecked the pegasus then she pulled back and looked back down at her hooves, her cheeks warming up.


"I guess I'm not the only pony in a good mood, huh?" Rainbow asked with a smirk.


Twilight smiled but said nothing. She planted her forehooves square on Rainbow's chest, then pulled her legs out from under Rainbow and slid them in between her body and Rainbow's body before pushing herself up into a sitting position on top of Rainbow. Rainbow leisurely stretched out again, then let her limbs go limp. The way Twilight looked down at her with the small, cute smile where her lips were lifted upward, but no teeth were visible, left her feeling content. "So, when are we heading back to Ponyville? Tonight, right?"


Twilight started to nod, then stopped and pursed her lips. "Well, my original plan was to leave this evening on an overnight train trip, but... I'm really looking forward to getting back home and seeing the girls..."


"You mean making sure Rarity didn't tell everypony," Rainbow replied dryly.


Twilight shifted her weight. "No! Not... just that... I... kind of want to make sure she didn't tell everypony, but... mostly because I miss my castle. And Spike. And Starlight." Twilight smiled sheepishly. "And my bed at the castle is more comfortable than this bed."


"And my bed is more comfortable than both," Rainbow idly added.


Twilight giggled a little. "And your body is the most comfortable bed of them all," she said warmly, smiling down at Rainbow. Rainbow brought her forelegs up and slid them over Twilight's body, bringing her hooves up and wrapping them around Twilight's withers, drawing a small, content sigh from the alicorn. Twilight closed her eyes and laid her head down on Rainbow's chest as Rainbow's hooves worked their way up to her mane, then glided down through her mane, parting it with the edges of her hooves. After a few strokes, she opened her eyes. "And... well, I probably shouldn't... keep you from the Wonderbolts..." she trailed off, her lips twisting downward into a small frown, while her brow creased.


Rainbow frowned as Twilight's expression fell further. She slid her forelegs back, then pushed herself up. Twilight slid down her body, drawing a bewildered look from the alicorn as Rainbow sat up, then scooted back into a sitting position. She wrapped her wings around Twilight and pulled her into her body so that she was laying against her. "Hey, it's okay. I don't have to go back so soon, Spitfire told me to take as much time off as I needed."


"It's your dream," Twilight replied evenly, smiling a small, gentle smile that wasn't quite right. "It's... going to be a while before I completely recover, and... I can't ask you to stay with me that whole time... It's... not fair for you, you've already... done so much for me."


"Twilight, it may be my dream, but that doesn't mean that I want to just leave you before you're ready," Rainbow said, carefully looking over Twilight's expression. She slowly brought her right hoof down and slid it under Twilight's muzzle, eliciting Twilight to lightly nuzzle her hoof. She smiled and placed her left hoof down on the bed beside her body, then set her right hoof down.


Twilight pulled back from Rainbow. She smiled as the pegasus's wings refused to release her, but after a few seconds, Rainbow hesitantly released her. Twilight sat up and smiled gently. "You need to. I'll be fine. It's not like I'll be alone, Starlight and Spike will be there to help me, and of course, I know you... want to be with me." she trailed off her smile growing a little warmer, though a few hints of pain lingered in her eyes.


"Psh, of course I want to be with you!" Rainbow replied energetically, chuckling a little. "You're my best friend and we get to do fun things together like cuddling!"


Twilight smiled warmly and giggled happily. She leaned in and laid her head on Rainbow's shoulder, then nuzzled the pegasus affectionately, inhaling and letting the scent of her mane fill her lungs. She calmly exhaled into Rainbow's mane. "Thank you, Rainbow. I love you," she whispered.


Rainbow smiled and squeezed Twilight, then she pulled back from the alicorn. "You don't have to thank me, Twilight. If... you really want me to go back to the Wonderbolts before you recover... I guess I can... But, if you ever need me, just say so!" she smiled brashly and lifted her hoof up to the top of Twilight's head, then rustled her mane.


Twilight shied back from her but smiled and giggled a little. "O-okay," she said.


Rainbow sat back, smiling. "So, when are we leaving?" she asked.


Twilight pursed her lips. "Well... I had planned on taking the train, but... I was thinking we could take a chariot back. Flying would be quicker and we could leave whenever. Preferably before it would be dark when we get home."


"You really want to get back to Ponyville, don't you?" Rainbow asked, chuckling a little.


Twilight smiled sheepishly. "I need a vacation from my vacation," she giggled. "I'm just... kind of tired of being out so much and being away from Ponyville. Going on vacation is nice and all, but... it can really drain you. And it's been a busy week."


Rainbow nodded, then stepped off of Twilight. "Yeah, it's been a week alright."


"It has been nice to be back in Canterlot, though..." Twilight sat up on the bed, then hopped back onto the floor. "I figured we could get cleaned up and then eat breakfast before leaving in the chariot. We should get back to Ponyville... sometime before dinner... if we get started right now." She swallowed and turned to face the bathroom door. She fluffed her wings, then turned back to Rainbow.


Rainbow casually walked over beside her. "Do... um... you want me to help you again?"


Twilight shifted her weight. "Um... n-no. T-thank you um... for the offer, but... I um... It... I... think I can do it... myself. I um... haven't had too many problems... since... then..."


"R-right," Rainbow replied, shaking her head quickly. "I just... I thought I'd offer to help you..." she trailed off, ruffling her wings.


Twilight glanced back at the pegasus. "Um... do you want to go first, or would you rather I go first?"


Rainbow shrugged. "You can go ahead and take a bath. I can fix breakfast for us and then when you're done I can help you with your mane and tail if you want."


Twilight turned back to Rainbow and smiled softly. "I'd like that," she said warmly.


Rainbow smiled back, then beat her wings. For a second, she hovered in the air, watching Twilight, then she flew off toward the stairs. She paused only to open the door, then she flew down to the kitchen.





"Pancakes?"


Rainbow turned away from the window to see Twilight standing in the doorway from the bathroom. Twilight's mane and tail were unbrushed and hung from her body, still dampened with water, but the alicorn smiled nonetheless. She smiled back at Twilight, though her eyes were drawn to the princess's mane.. "I figured you'd like something like that," Rainbow replied, looking over at the pancakes.


Twilight tentatively walked into the bedroom and nodded. "That does sound good," she said as she eyes the twin plates of pancakes. Much to her delight, both stacks of pancakes were sprinkled with blueberries and sliced strawberries.


Rainbow motioned Twilight to lay beside her. The princess eagerly accepted her invitation and hopped up on the bed beside her, then laid down and leaned against her ever so slightly. Rainbow pulled the tray closer to them, then pulled her plate around in front of her and pushed Twilight's plate closer to her. Twilight carefully unfurled her right wing, then slowly picked up a fork in between her feathers. The fork almost slipped from her grip, but she managed, then she cut into the pancake and forked a bite into her mouth.


"How is it?" Rainbow asked as she cut into her own stack of pancakes.


Twilight nodded while she chewed, then swallowed before answering, "It's delicious. Thank you for doing this."


Rainbow shrugged. "I'm not much of a cook, but I try."


For several minutes, they ate together mostly in silence. As time passed, Rainbow found Twilight leaning against her more and more, and she welcomed it. Rainbow finished her pancakes first, but Twilight wasn't far behind. As soon as Twilight finished, Rainbow rolled away from Twilight, causing the alicorn to roll over onto her side, then picked up the tray in her mouth and flew toward the stairs.


"Don't worry about cleaning up, just set it on the counter and I'll take care of it while you're showering," Twilight said as she rolled back over onto her stomach.


Rainbow glanced back at her and grunted, then carefully nodded and flew down the stairs. A few seconds later, the pegasus reappeared at the top of the stairs, then flew into the bathroom to retrieve the brush which was sitting on the sink. She picked it up and flew back over to Twilight and landed beside her. The alicorn tentatively sat up as Rainbow scooted around behind her and straddled her before planting the brush in her mane. She gently pulled the brush in short strokes to work out any kinks from the night and the bath. Twilight sighed calmly, then grunted. "Sowwy," Rainbow said before Twilight could voice anything.



"It's fine, I just wasn't expecting it," Twilight hastily replied.


As Rainbow worked the brush through Twilight's mane, the alicorn relaxed and slumped down a little. The calm sensation served to put the princess at ease, she knew Rainbow wouldn't purposefully hurt her, and she trusted the pegasus. She lowered her guard further as the pegasus' brushstrokes lengthened to encompass her neck but continued at a slow, gentle pace. Twilight sighed happily, letting Rainbow continue her work without interrupting her.


All too soon, Rainbow leaned away from Twilight, then scooted around beside her. Twilight watched Rainbow out of the corner of her eye. Rainbow flashed her a smile, despite still holding the brush and then leaned in towards Twilight's bangs. Twilight lowered her head and leaned toward Rainbow. She closed her eyes as the mare ran the brush through her bangs. Unlike with the rest of her mane, her short bangs offered limited resistance, and Rainbow finished her task far too quickly for Twilight's liking. She sighed a little in disappointment when Rainbow finished, and she opened her eyes. "Thanks."


Rainbow spat the brush out onto the bed. "No problem," she replied. She scooted back and glanced at Twilight's tail. She looked back up at Twilight and shifted her weight. "Well, I'm going to go take a shower unless you need me to do anything else."


Twilight turned back to her and nodded. "I guess I'll clean the tower up a little while you're showering, that way when you're done we can be on our way."


"Alright," Rainbow replied. She hopped off the bed, then beat her wings and slowly flew over to the bathroom. She ducked inside the doorway, then turned around and hovered there for a second, watching as Twilight pulled her tail up between her legs and started running the brush through it. She grimaced a little and landed. She shuffled back out into the bedroom and ruffled her wings. "Uh... do you... want me to help you with your tail?" she asked at length, shifting her weight and looking at Twilight uneasily.


Twilight glanced up at her and shook her head quickly, ruffling her wings. "No, it's fine, I can take care of my tail," she said quickly.


"R-right, I just... thought I'd offer..." Rainbow replied. Twilight watched her for a second, then went back to brushing her tail. Rainbow glanced around the room, then turned around and flew back inside the bathroom, shutting the door behind her and locking it.


Twilight paused and looked back up at the door as the lock clicked, then sighed. Her mind wandered for a few seconds while she watched the door, a part of her hoping the pegasus would come back out. A few seconds later, the sound of rushing water answered her question. She shook the thought aside and resumed brushing her tail.


She quickly finished brushing her tail, then hopped off the bed and scrutinized the disarrayed state the bed was left in. With Rainbow showering, she was alone to her thoughts. She grimaced, knowing that if she didn't occupy herself with something, her mind would turn against her. She licked her lips, then walked around to the side of the bed. She pulled on the covers and straightened them out before tucking it in. She unfurled her wings and hovered in the air, then made her way over the bed and went about tidying it up. Eventually, she landed on the opposite side and finished straightening the sheets out. She grimaced as she surveyed her work, the bed sheets were uneven and wrinkled, but it looked better than before.


She sighed and sat down on her haunches. She silently picked her hoof up and touched her forehead.





Rainbow shook herself off as she stepped out of the shower, then she leveled her gaze on the towel. She spread her wings out and glanced back at them, then she fluttered her wings and made her way over to the towel. She grabbed the towel in her mouth and threw it around onto her back, then clamped her wings down onto the towel and ran it over her body, drying herself off. As she finished with her back, she took the towel in her hooves and dried off her chest and body, then finally her head and mane before finishing by drying off her tail. She ruffled her wings and deposited the towel in a hamper as she walked over to the mirror.


She came to a stop and scrutinized her reflection. 'I left the brush with Twilight,' she realized with a grimace. Despite her best efforts, her mane was tangled especially bad in the back from sleeping and then showering. She could already picture how bad it would be to brush it, and knew that more than a few kinks would cause her pain. 'Still not as bad as Twilight's mane was this morning...' She smiled at the memory, no matter how hard Twilight tried, she would always wake up with a bad case of bed mane, although her mane seemed to be in better condition whenever she slept laying on top of Rainbow instead of beside her. 'Although that was kind of my fault for doing that to her mane...'


Rainbow shook her head, then pulled out her toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste, then set to work brushing her teeth. The repetitive motion left her mind unoccupied, and it wondered back to Twilight and their earlier conversation. 'I'm going to miss spending so much time with you, Twilight... It'll be great to get back to flying with the Wonderbolts and to be able to really stretch my wings and push myself, too... I wish you'd fly more, Twi, but I guess that you are still recovering so you shouldn't push yourself too hard... After you recover though, we're going to spend a lot more time flying.'


She shifted her weight and redoubled her effort to clean her teeth. 'When I go back, I won't be able to spend as much time with you, which sucks, but I'll be able to look forward to coming back to you every night...' her wing slowed down as the thought lingered. 'I... am looking forward to that... Wow, I never... thought I would think that...' She blinked, then removed the toothbrush from her mouth and then turned on the faucet. She dunked her muzzle under the stream of water and rinsed out her mouth, then pulled her head back and shut off the faucet. She wiped her mouth with her forehoof and sighed.


She watched her reflection. "I really enjoy cuddling with Twilight..." she said idly. After a couple of seconds, a smile grew on her lips, despite the feeling of apprehension building inside her. She took a deep breath and stomped out the feeling, 'No, I love her, and she loves me.' "Cuddling with Twilight is awesome..." she trailed off, half smiling. Part of her inwardly cringed at the admission, but another part was proud of it. It left her feeling torn and unsure. As the seconds passed, her unease grew. She huffed and threw her wings out.


She shot an accusatory glance at her reflection in the mirror. "Why is this so hard?" she demanded. The only answer she received was silence. She shifted her weight and held her wings a little tighter, the mare looking back at her in the mirror looked nothing like she remembered, enthusiasm and determination replaced by worry, concern, and guilt. "I want to go back to the Wonderbolts, but I don't want to leave Twilight like this..." she sighed. After a few seconds, she took a deep breath and reaffirmed her own strength. "Twilight's recovering, I shouldn't be so worried about her..." she trailed off, "but... I am because of how I feel about her, aren't I?" She grimaced as her unease intensified. She groaned in distress at her discomfort and flapped her wings once in annoyance. 'Why am I so torn, it shouldn't be this hard... She even said she wanted me to go back to the Wonderbolts.'


She took a second to recompose herself, then made her way over to the door. She eyed the handle warily and sucked a deep breath into her lungs, then slowly exhaled. She reached out with a forehoof, unlocked the door, then pulled it open and stepped out. She looked around the room as she left the bathroom. "Hey, Twilight?" she called out, not finding the alicorn in her immediate sight. She frowned as she looked over the room again. Her gaze settled on the balcony door. She paused, then turned toward the door and tentatively made her way over to it. She pulled the door open and stuck her head out onto the balcony. She smiled at the lavender mare gazing out into the sky. "Hey, Twilight."


Twilight's ears perked up at the sound of Rainbow's voice, and she quickly turned around to face Rainbow. She smiled and sat up. "Rainbow," she acknowledged cheerfully.


Rainbow sauntered over to Twilight and then brushed against her. Twilight leaned into her as she passed beside her. "I need to brush my mane and tail and then we can do whatever."


"Would you like me to brush your mane?" Twilight asked, smiling warmly.


Rainbow glanced at Twilight. "I uh, I appreciate the offer, but... I don't really like the idea of other ponies brushing my mane. It just seems... weird."


Twilight shrunk down a little and sighed. She turned away from Rainbow. "Even though it's me? And... you brush my mane?"


Rainbow groaned and sat down beside Twilight. She unfurled her wing and placed it around Twilight, then firmly pulled Twilight against her side. Twilight turned to face straight ahead and glanced sideways at her. Rainbow turned toward Twilight and smiled. "I don't have a problem with brushing your mane, and you enjoy it..." she trailed off, looking over Twilight's features. The alicorn smiled softly, but she could still see the distress in her eyes, despite her attempts to hide it. "Hey, it's okay, alright?"


Twilight slowly looked down at the floor. "I... want to return the favor, though." She swallowed and turned to face Rainbow. "Please?" she asked softly, smiling gently.


Rainbow opened her mouth to say no but found herself unable to. The way Twilight looked at her with soft, pleading eyes, and her small smile was too much for her. She slowly closed her mouth and sighed. "Fine, I'll let you brush my mane..." she relented. Twilight lit up and smiled brightly. "But don't tell anypony, okay? I don't want anypony finding out about that!" Rainbow swiftly added, looking at Twilight firmly.


The alicorn giggled and nodded. "Your secret's safe with me," she said lightly.


Rainbow eyed Twilight warily. "Yeah, safe, just like how Rarity didn't find out we were sleeping together," she mumbled.


"Hey, that wasn't my fault!" Twilight replied defensively.


"Yeah..." Rainbow replied hesitantly. "I can't... and, well, I don't blame you for that..." She leaned over and brushed her cheek against Twilight, then pulled away from her and stood up. "Anyway..." She took a deep breath and turned around as Twilight stood up, then she made her way back inside, Twilight followed closely behind her and shut the door.


Rainbow ruffled her wings as she hopped up onto the bed and then sat down. Twilight eagerly jumped up beside her, then straddled her and picked up the brush with her wing. "I've never done this before to another pony, so um... j-just tell if I do something wrong..." she said cautiously.


Rainbow nodded. "I'm sure you'll do fine..." she trailed off frowning. "But I better not end up missing any of my mane..." She cast a halfway serious glance back at Twilight. The alicorn shifted her weight and smiled nervously.


"Right, well... I'll be careful," Twilight replied. She gulped and took the brush in her mouth then leaned over and worked the brush into Rainbow's mane, then started tugging it through in short spurts. Every spurt drew a grunt from Rainbow, making Twilight recoil and wince. Eventually, she managed to bring the brush all the way down through Rainbow's mane.


The next stroke was short, slow, and gentler than the first thanks in part to fewer kinks in her mane, and the stroke after that met even less resistance. Twilight gradually lengthened the strokes and kept her pace even. Rainbow sighed and leaned forward a little, drawing a half-muted giggle from Twilight as she continued to work the brush through the pegasus' mane.


Rainbow glanced back at Twilight and scrutinized her mane. "Okay, that's enough," she said. Twilight pulled back and looked at her quizzically. "That's good enough. I don't want my mane to look like Rarity's or Fluttershy's..." she trailed off, suppressing a shudder.


Twilight pulled away, then scooted around in front of her. Rainbow lowered her head toward Twilight and grimaced as Twilight started working the brush through the rest of her mane. The brush pulled her forward with every stroke, and it left her blinking in bewilderment. Eventually, the brush slid through her bangs, though Twilight did not relent. A quick glance up at her indicated the princess was enjoying herself. A few seconds later, Twilight tentatively pulled back and set the brush down on the bed. "Is that good?" she asked.


Rainbow looked up at her mane. From what she could see, it looked like Twilight did a good job. 'Maybe too good...' she mused. It was plainly evident that her mane had been brushed. She squinted, not quite sure how she felt about that. "Yeah..." she said tentatively. "Thanks."


Twilight frowned. "Did I do something wrong? I didn't hurt you too much, did I?"


Rainbow shook her head. "No, it's fine. I just... I can tell my mane's been brushed. I don't really brush it as much as you did."


Twilight sighed. "Oh, sorry, I just... I thought you would enjoy it and-"


"It's fine, Twilight. It looks nice, and it felt nice," Rainbow replied. She offered Twilight a reassuring smile.


Twilight shifted her weight and swallowed. "Do... um... would... you be interested in... me doing that more often?"


Rainbow blinked and opened her mouth, then closed it. She squinted and mulled the idea over. "I... don't know," she answered after a few seconds. "I mean, it's nice, but... it's... not really me..."


Twilight pouted at her, slumping down slightly and puffing out her quivoring lower lip. "Please? You do so much for me and you never let me return the favors!"


Rainbow hung her head forward, groaning. After a couple seconds, she sighed, then lifted her head back up and smiled at Twilight. "You don't need to, Twilight... But... if you really want to, I guess..." Twilight smiled warmly. Rainbow shifted her weight and looked around the room again. "So uh, we're going to take one of those fancy chariots back to Ponyville, huh?" she asked as her eyes returned to Twilight's form.


Twilight nodded. "Yes, it will be quicker than the train, if a little less comfortable."


Rainbow nodded as she turned back to Twilight. "I've never been in one of those before."


Twilight bobbed her head. "They're useful and faster than the train, but it is quicker to fly under your own power... but... I can't fly that far." She glanced at Rainbow. "At least not yet."


Rainbow leaned over and hugged Twilight. "Hey, it's okay, alright? You'll be fine, just... give it time."


Twilight nodded and leaned into Rainbow's embrace. After a second, she returned it. They stayed like that for a few seconds, then parted. Twilight lingered on the bed after the hug ended, but eventually hopped off the bed and walked over to the nightstand. She picked up her regalia, then sat down and fastened it around her neck. She idly looked down at her regalia, then turned back to Rainbow. "I packed while you were showering, so I'm ready to leave whenever. I also packed up for you, aside from what you had in the bathroom."


"Thanks," Rainbow said. She hopped off the bed and caught herself with her wings before she touched the floor, then flew over to Twilight. "Since the girls will be expecting us back tomorrow and at the train station, I bet they'll be surprised. Maybe we should have Princess Celestia send a letter to Spike telling them that we'll be back early?"


Twilight nodded slowly. "That's probably a good idea," she agreed, smiling at Rainbow. "I guess we should finish packing then, that way we can go say goodbye to Celestia and Luna and then be on our way."





A quick knock on the door, followed closely behind by the sound of the door opening, then closing, broke Princess Celestia's focus. Without even checking, she knew without a doubt who had entered her chambers, and it brought a smile to her lips. "Any progress on capturing Chrysalis?" she asked as her younger sister strode into the room with a smile. Princess Luna slowed her pace and her smile faltered. Celestia frowned and looked away from a very uninteresting bureaucratic document to look at Luna. "Something wrong, Luna?"


Luna opened her mouth partially, then closed it and shook her head. "No, sister," she answered. She paused, then shook her head again and made her way over to the desk at which Celestia sat. "I'm afraid we have no good news about her capture. King Thorax's brood is hunting her down, and we have her cornered, but she has proven..." she squinted, "most elusive," she said, her frown growing. "The Royal Guard and the changelings are working together quite well. In all honesty, sister, I did not expect their efforts to be as coordinated as they are."


Celestia smiled. "Then it seems we have nothing to worry about. I have complete faith in you, King Thorax, and our guards..." she trailed off, grimacing. "Unfortunately, that doesn't change what already happened..."


Luna pursed her lips. "It is... not a complete loss. Twilight does seem to be improving. I will admit I have not been able to spend as much time with her as I would like to, even during her dreams, but from what I have seen, she is doing better. She is still struggling, but... that is to be expected."


Celestia sighed and levitated the document down to the desk in front of her. She closed her eyes, then stood up. She turned to Luna and opened her eyes, smiling softly. "I am... relieved that things are working out for her and Rainbow. I pray that things continue to work out for them... It is... not good for her, or anypony, to be alone."


Luna nodded in agreement, then opened her mouth, only for another knock on the door to cut her off. Celestia laughed a little. "It seems I am already in high demand today, and it's barely passed breakfast..."


Luna smiled sheepishly. "It would seem so, sister." She turned toward the door and walked over toward it. Celestia followed close behind. Luna paused and turned back to her sister. "I will see you for lunch?"


Celestia nodded and smiled. "Of course, Lulu."


Luna smiled and stood up straighter. "Then I shall leave you to it, sister," she said. She lit her horn and turned toward the door, then opened it.


"Luna?" Twilight stood in the middle of the doorway, with Rainbow Dash standing to her right. The young alicorn looked a little confused at her sight, and the pegasus shifted her weight a little, leaning away from Twilight. Twilight's eyes darted over to Rainbow, then back to Luna. A hint of pain mixed into Twilight's features then vanished.


Luna frowned for a split second, then forced it away and smiled happily. "Good morning, Twilight, Rainbow Dash. I was not expecting to see you until later," she greeted warmly.


Celestia walked over beside Luna and smiled warmly at the two smaller ponies. "Twilight, Rainbow, is there something I can do for you?" she asked in a warm, gentle voice.


"Oh, well, Rainbow and I were going to take a chariot back to Ponyville instead of the train. I..." Twilight trailed off, sheepishly looking at the floor. "I kind of miss Ponyville and the rest of the girls." She looked back up at Celestia. "I was wondering if you could send a letter to Spike, informing him that we'd be on our way and will arrive sometime later today instead of tomorrow. I don't want the girls to be waiting for us at the train station and then us not show up because we're already back..." she trailed off with a strained grimace, not quite meeting Celestia's gaze.


Celestia's smile wavered. "I see," she said, taking a deep breath. "Yes, I believe I can manage that."


"I had been hoping to see you before you departed, but I had also hoped to spend a little more time with you while you were in Canterlot, Twilight. I am sorry that I have been otherwise occupied," Luna said grimly. She turned to Rainbow, a little of her smile returning. "It has been good to see you both, and I do wish you well."


"We... could stay for a few minutes," Twilight said, ruffling her wings and shifting her weight a little closer to Rainbow, drawing a casual glance from the pegasus.


"That would be welcome, Twilight. Please, do come in," Celestia said in her warm, motherly voice. She and Luna stepped away from the doorway, granting the two access. Both of them walked into the room and Luna closed the door behind them. Rainbow scooted a little closer to Twilight and looked over the room, her expression uncertain. Celestia turned to Rainbow. "I do believe this is the first time you have been in my personal chambers, Rainbow Dash."


Rainbow's gaze shot to her and she quickly nodded her head. "Uh, y-yeah. I've never been in here before, Princess. It's um... nice?"


Celestia giggled a little at the pegasus's unease. "It's alright, Rainbow. We are friends here, you do not need to refer to me as Princess."


Rainbow smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of her mane with a hoof. She laughed awkwardly. "Sorry, um... Celestia..." she trailed off uncertainly about using the alicorn's name without her title. She looked at Twilight with uncertainty, and Twilight flashed her a small, reassuring smile.


Princess Celestia smiled, then turned to Twilight. "One of these days, you may very well be a princess yourself, Rainbow..." she said lightly. Twilight's smile disappeared and she glanced at Rainbow. Twilight swallowed a lump in her throat, then looked straight ahead and shifted her weight before stiffening up. "Tea?" Celestia asked without missing a beat.


"Yes, please," Twilight hastily said in quiet voice.


Rainbow grimaced and rubbed her wing over Twilight's back. The young alicorn's tensed muscles relaxed. She blinked and looked around, then smiled gratefully at Rainbow, though some of her prior unease lingered. "Hey, no problem," she replied quietly.


"Tea would be nice," Luna commented. "I shall postpone my other appointments, they can wait. We don't do things like this often enough," she said with a warm smile.


Celestia nodded in agreement. "And it has only gotten worse with time," she mused. She shook her head sadly, then teleported a teapot and four teacups into the air around her. She eyed the steaming teapot joyously and quickly poured out tea into the four cups, then distributed them among the ponies. Rainbow and Twilight took their cups and stood there awkwardly. "Make yourselves at home," she said warmly. "I know that I don't have a lot of comforts here, but I make do." The pair tentatively sat down on their haunches on the floor. After a few seconds, she and Luna also joined them, sitting down on their haunches.


Twilight slowly raised the teacup to her mouth, then took a small drink. She closed her eyes and smiled, moaning slightly. "Oh, I've missed this tea... nothing really compares to it."


Rainbow squinted, then eyed her own cup of tea. She hesitantly brought it to her lips and took a drink. She mulled over the taste as the warm liquid caressed her tongue, then swallowed. "Eh, it's not bad I guess."


"Not really a tea pony?" Luna asked.


Rainbow shook her head. "Not really. Never really appealed to me..." she trailed off.


Celestia shrugged. "I'm sure that there are teas you would enjoy, it is just a matter of finding them." She delicately lifted her cup to her lips and took a small, graceful sip. She turned to Twilight. "Is everything okay?"


Twilight nodded slowly, then smiled. "I'm... as well as I can be," she answered.


Celestia held back a sigh, the mare's distress was plain as day to her, but bringing it up would only ruin the mood. She still didn't like the idea of leaving it to fester. She glanced at Rainbow. The pegasus's lips were curled downward into a frown and she watched Twilight. After a second, she ran her wing over Twilight's wing and coaxed her into laying against her. Twilight swallowed and smiled softly, glancing at Rainbow as she tentatively leaned against her. 'Maybe I am worrying too much...' Celestia mused, smiling at the pair.


"You had mentioned that Rarity figured out that you two are together. Do you plan to tell the rest of your friends?" Luna inquired a few seconds later.


Twilight cringed and slowly turned to Rainbow. Rainbow tensed up and slowly turned to Twilight. "I'd... rather keep it... between us, for now... until... well, since... it still might not work out..." Twilight said at length, averting her gaze from Rainbow.


Rainbow squinted at her and tightened her wing around Twilight. Twilight perked up a little and glanced at her before swallowing. "Hey, I already told you a bazillion times, I'm not going to leave you!" Rainbow paused, eyes widening slightly. "N-not that I want to tell the rest of the girls yet..."


Twilight tentatively looked away from her and nodded slowly. "Yes," she agreed. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, then calmly exhaled. As she exhaled, she leaned further against Rainbow, letting the pegasus take her weight and keep her propped up, drawing a stray glance and small smile from her friend.


A rapid knocking on the door broke the serenity of the moment. Rainbow leaned away from Twilight and turned back toward the door while Twilight stood up and turned around in surprise. Celestia suppressed a groan and shot a look at Luna. Luna smiled apologetically. 'It would seem you were correct, Lulu... I am going to have a busy day today,' Celestia thought.


Celestia rose to her hooves, then strode across the room and opened the door. "Yes, what is-" she paused.


"Princess!" an out of breath, blue stallion with a darker blue mane all but shouted.


"Twilight, is she-" a petite, white mare with light lavender highlights in her otherwise white mane hastily panted out.


Twilight perked up, recognizing both voices in a heartbeat. Her heart skipped a few beats in shock. She opened her mouth and looked at Rainbow, then turned back to Celestia before scurrying over to the Princess. Celestia glanced back at her, smiling warmly, and stepped out of the way. "Mom!? Dad!?"


"Twilight!" both unicorns greeted in unison. They all but leaped onto Twilight and pulled her into a hug. Twilight wrapped her forelegs around them and buried her head between their heads. Twilight held onto them tightly and slowly collapsed onto her haunches.


"Oh, you're okay!" Twilight Velvet spoke in relief. She sat down on her haunches and ran her forehoof through Twilight's mane, then wrapped it around her withers.


"We were so worried about you!" Night Light pulled Twilight against his body and held her tightly. He nuzzled his daughter affectionately, not caring about the other ponies present and gently stroked her mane.


"Mom, Dad..." Twilight repeated in a softer tone. She pulled them closer to herself and closed her eyes.


"We came as fast as we could, but... Oh, Twilight we were so, so afr-afraid," Twilight Velvet broke down into sobs, pulling her daughter closer to her and squeezing her while warm tears started to spill out from the corners of her eyes.


"It-it's o-okay," Twilight said, trying to comfort them, despite her voice starting to crack too. "Y-you were... busy, an-and I'm fine." She swallowed.


"B-but, you..." Night Light trailed off, swallowing.


Twilight nodded from in between them, nuzzling both of them in the process, drawing an even tighter embrace from both of them. "Y-yeah..." she took a deep, shuddering breath and pressed her eyes closed tighter. "B-but I-I'll be fine, e-eventually," she added.


"B-but... no unicorn that has... h-has ever..." Night Light stuttered.


Twilight nodded again. Beads of heat trailed down her muzzle from her eyes. She tried to speak, only to find a knot in her throat preventing her from making any coherent sounds, all that came out were a series of soft, high-pitched squeaks. Her parents squeezed her and nuzzled her gently, pulling her closer.


Celestia looked at Luna and made her way back over to the younger alicorn. "I think this is something worth interrupting us," she said softly, not wanting to disrupt the reunion.


Luna nodded in agreement. "I have a suspicion that Twilight will be in Canterlot another night."


Celestia smiled involuntarily and nodded. The tight, loving family embrace Twilight shared with her parents elicited a feeling of calm happiness from deep within her. Through their tears, she could see their joy and relief, knowing that their daughter was safe. The feeling of rightness drew her attention back to her sister. She had some experience with what they were feeling. The joy, happiness, and peace they felt, despite the pain, fear, and worry they had endured, she remembered it clearly. She leaned over and lightly nuzzled Luna. Luna leaned into her and returned the nuzzle. After a few seconds, they parted.


A few seconds later, Twilight pulled her head back from in between her parents. Her parents hesitantly let go of her, and the three of them sat there, looking at each other through teary eyes in the doorway. Twilight swallowed and sniffled. She tilted her head to the side, then closed her eyes and brought her hoof up to dry her eyes with the back of her forehoof. She swallowed and took a deep breath, then opened her eyes. She weakly smiled at her parents, who smiled back reassuringly.


Twilight hesitantly stood back up, her parents following her a moment later. She glanced around and blushed a little, ruffling her wings. She coughed and stepped inside. "U-um... Celestia, you remember my parents..." she trailed off, stepping aside and turning around to face them. "Mom, Dad..." she said tentatively.


"S-sorry for the intrusion, Princess Celestia, but..." Night Light trailed off, bowing.


Celestia smiled. "It's quite alright, please, come in."


Night Light and Twilight Velvet exchanged a nervous glance, then forced smiles and stepped into the room, walking over beside Twilight.


Celestia's smile wavered. "I do hope that your trip to Saddle Arabia was not ruined by... news of..." she trailed off, not wanting to mention the subject of so much pain as of late.


Twilight nodded her head and looked at them. "Y-yeah, how... was your trip?" she asked hesitantly.


Both unicorns grimaced. "If we had known that..." Night Light trailed off, closing his eyes and shaking his head. He swallowed. "Your mother was right, we should never have left..."


"We were so worried, Twilight. We... we were afraid that... that... we wouldn't make it back in time..." Twilight Velvet added, clenching her eyes. Her body shuddered. "W-when... we got the news... s-saying that you only h-had..." her mouth continued, but her words were silent. Night Light reached around her with his foreleg and held her reassuringly.


Twilight bit her lip and hung her head low, staring at the floor absently. "You... couldn't have known..." she said emptily. "I... couldn't have known that... was going to happen..." She lifted her head back up. "I'm... s-sorry that I wo-orried you..." she trailed off, closing her eyes and hanging her head again.


"Twilight, dear..." Twilight Velvet walked around to her and wrapped her forelegs around her withers, then pulled Twilight against her chest. She held her there and laid her head down on her daughter's hornless head. "Shh, it's okay..." she said softly. Twilight hastily nodded but said nothing.


Celestia stood up straighter. "Perhaps you would be more comfortable in private?" she offered. Night Light looked at her and opened his mouth, but she spoke first, "You are welcome to stay here, or if you would like, I can teleport you back to your home so you won't have to walk back."


"Thank you, Princess, but, we wouldn't want to impose," Night Light finally said.


Celestia shook her head and smiled warmly. "I insist, it's the least I can do for you," she said encouragingly. "Please," she added.


Night Light opened his mouth and turned to his wife. Velvet glanced at him but said nothing before returning her gaze down to Twilight. Twilight lifted her head up and nodded slowly. "I... would be more comfortable home," she said at length. She took a deep breath, then stepped away from her mom. She opened her mouth, then bit her lip as her gaze fell on Rainbow. The pegasus stood in about the middle of the room, looking out of place, uncomfortable, and unsure about what was going on. She bobbed her head and grimaced, then turned to her mom, then dad. "You... remember Rainbow Dash, right? You met her when we were all over in the Crystal Empire after Flurry's birth..." Her parents smiled and nodded. "She's... been... helping me, since... well..." she bobbed her head unhappily. She sighed. "Since I can't really do anything myself, now..."


Rainbow smiled, if a little awkwardly, at Twilight's parents, then walked over. "I guess we should thank you for helping her," Night Light said. "Although," he paused, looking over at his daughter, "where's Spike? Shouldn't he be around here somewhere to help you out?"


Twilight grimaced. "I didn't want to burden him with that, he's still... young, by dragon standards at least."


"I'm kind of surprised he's not with you here in Canterlot, though..." Night Light mused before shaking his head.


Twilight grimaced. "It's... a little weird," she admitted. She took a deep breath and shifted her weight. "Um... can... Rainbow... come with us, too?" she asked hesitantly, smiling hopefully.


Twilight Velvet giggled warmly. "Well, it only took a decade, but you're finally asking to have a friend over!" She smiled and shook her head. "Of course, dear, just ask your father."


Twilight blushed and looked down at the floor. She shifted her weight and fluffed her wings a little. "I lived in the castle..." she muttered under her breath, "so no, I was hardly ever over to have friends over..."


"I don't have a problem with that," Night Light said, ignoring his daughter's mumbling.





Twilight smiled as she pushed the door open into her old bedroom. The wooden door hardly made a sound and the brown-painted walls had a texture to them reminiscent of wood. The plush, carpeted floor greeted her hooves in a fluffy embrace as she stepped inside. She let her eyes wonder over every wall and every surface. Memories of her foalhood brought gentle smiles or slight giggles to her. Her eyes trailed over the room, then settled on a desk looking out the lone, circular window. Her smile widened as she set her gaze on the bookshelf beside it. Unlike the tower she lived in while under Celestia's tutelage, her bedroom felt warm and inviting, it felt homely. She welcomed the feelings and trotted inside.


Rainbow lingered in the doorway, ruffling her wings in self-consciousness. She wasn't sure what she had expected of Twilight's bedroom, but she half expected it to be lined with bookshelves. Much to her pleasure, she was wrong, there was only a single bookshelf, and it didn't even dominate the room. She could already guess that the books were books on magic, just judging from a few dry titles she could make out. Another thing that hit her was the lack of anything that seemed like it belonged to a foal. She turned her gaze back to Twilight, the alicorn smiled as she looked straight out the window, gazing out into the afternoon day. Twilight took a deep breath, then sighed.


Rainbow turned her attention away from Twilight to further study the room. The light lavender carpet somehow made sense, even if she didn't think it went well with the brownish walls. There were two neat stacks of paper on the lone desk, along with an inkwell and a white feather quill. The chair was large enough for Twilight to sit in even now, leaving her wondering what she would have looked like sitting at that desk as a filly. Unsurprisingly, she found the bed to be rather small. She tilted her head, thinking about it. 'We could probably both fit on there, couldn't we?' She shook the thought aside. The room was sparsely decorated, aside from the bookshelf, desk, and bed, the only other objects inside the room of interest was a small chest against the far wall and Twilight herself.


"You can come in if you'd like," Twilight said.


Rainbow looked over at Twilight, who had turned around to face her. She smiled gently. Rainbow smiled sheepishly and chuckled nervously, then tentatively made her way into the bedroom. "So... this was your room when you were a filly?" she asked, casting her glance around again.


Twilight nodded. "Yeah... it brings back memories..." she mused, a pleasant smile remaining dominant on her features. "Not what you expected?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.


Rainbow turned back to Twilight and shrugged. "I hadn't really given it much thought before."


Twilight took a deep breath and nodded, then looked over her room. "They kept it like I had it before I moved out. It... was always nice to come back to it like this when I was home, even if I was rarely here..." she trailed off.


Rainbow sauntered over to Twilight, then stood beside her. Twilight immediately leaned against her, pressing their coats together. Rainbow smiled at the contact. Twilight's soft coat and her warmth were comforting. She leaned away and quickly unfolded her wing, then laid it around Twilight and leaned back against her. Twilight closed her eyes, smiling and sighing softly before gently rubbing her neck against Rainbow's neck. Rainbow's smile grew from the gentle contact, feeling Twilight's neck rub up against her left her feeling almost giddy. She leaned over and returned the nuzzle. After a few seconds, they stopped nuzzling.


Twilight leaned her head away from Rainbow and then turned to face her, still smiling from their shared nuzzle. "Hey, Rainbow?"


Rainbow looked at Twilight warmly. "Yeah?"


Twilight leaned over to her, then pecked her cheek. "I love you," she whispered as she pulled back, almost glowing.


Rainbow smirked, then leaned over and gently brushed her nose against Twilight's cheek, in short, slow strokes. "I love you too," she whispered back, then pulled back from the mare. Twilight giggled a little, but her smile faded, and after a few seconds, she sighed and turned away from Rainbow. Rainbow's smile vanished at Twilight's sigh. "What's wrong?"


Twilight slowly shook her head. "Just... thinking..." She swallowed and licked her lips. Rainbow tilted her head and reaffirmed her grip on Twilight with her wing, pulling her a little closer to her for a couple seconds, then letting up, though keeping her wing firmly planted around her friend. Twilight glanced at Rainbow and flashed her a small, half-smile, half-grimace. "I..." she trailed off, turning away from Rainbow and fidgeting on her hooves. After a few seconds, her fidgeting ceased, and she stood completely still, then started to shiver. "We used to be so close, but... we drifted, just..." she trailed off, closing her eyes. "Just... like... what's happening to... all of us..." she pressed her eyes closed and leaned her head over against Rainbow, pressing into her body in an attempt to alleviate her pain. While it helped some, her thoughts refused to be denied. "We... had... drifted, and... I-I wasn't... I... thought that... I was going... to die..." she said at length, trailing off. "I... knew." She took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled a shuddering breath. Rainbow stood silently beside Twilight, tightening her embrace ever so little, reassuring her distressed friend. "An-and... I-I wasn't... going to see m-my parents... again... w-we drifted! It's... just like what's happening with the girls!" Twilight fell onto her haunches, closed her eyes and clenched her jaw as her body started shuddering.


Rainbow quickly sat down on her haunches and coaxed Twilight into her embrace, then wrapped the alicorn in her wings. She grimaced as Twilight continued shuddering. "It's okay," she said, looking straight ahead, forcing down the foreign feeling plaguing her heart and mind. She fought past her distress and brought her left foreleg around and wrapped it around Twilight's neck. Twilight buried her head into Rainbow's chest. Rainbow slid her right foreleg out from between them and wrapped it around Twilight's withers. Twilight nuzzled Rainbow and pressed her forehead flat against her.


"I-I.... I almost... d-didn't... get t-to s-see them again..." Twilight croaked out in a quiet voice. "W-we drifted, a-and..."


Rainbow took a deep breath and looked at the wall facing her. She swallowed and lifted a forehoof up to the top of Twilight's head, then parted her mane with the edge of her hoof and gently slid her hoof down through her mane, repeating the motion which seemed to help Twilight calm down.


Twilight's shudders weakened, then eventually came to a stop. She sat there in silence, holding her forehead against Rainbow's chest and making no attempt to leave her warm, enveloping embrace. Twilight opened her eyes and looked over Rainbow's body for a few seconds before her gaze drifted down to the floor. "R-Rainbow, wh-what if..." she swallowed and closed her eyes again, then took a deep breath. "What if... we drift? O-or... a-all of us... and the girls... w-we already have drifted! I-I don't want to lose them..."


"We're not going to drift, Twilight!" Rainbow affirmed, smiling boldly. Even if her friend couldn't see her smile, she knew she would be assured by her confidence. "And... we'll just have to make time with the girls... Yeah, everypony's really busy anymore," she admitted, grimacing. 'I'm... probably guilty of that more than anypony else since I've joined the Wonderbolts...' she frowned at the thought and found her forehoof had slowed. She took a deep breath and quickened her pace, though kept it gentle, and continued, "And... well, that's life, I guess, but... it's not like they're always going to be too busy for you! I made time for you, and I know the rest of the girls will too if you just ask."


Twilight's expression fell further, her lips contorting into a frown, and her brow creasing. "They're s-so busy, though... a-and I can't just... ask them to put what they're doing on hold to spend time with me... it's not fair to them, a-and th-they have their own lives to l-live... I-I'm just... b-being selfish..." She clenched her eyes shut and pulled herself further into Rainbow's chest.


"Twilight..." Rainbow trailed off hesitantly. "If... it really bothers you that much, then... you need to talk to them and tell them. They will understand." She squeezed the mare in a gentle, reassuring manner.


Twilight's lips twitched upward into a smile, then fell back down into a pained frown. "W-we used to be s-so close..." she whispered.


Rainbow shifted her weight and slowly exhaled. She squinted at the wall for a second, then grimaced and looked back down at Twilight. "Is... this... bothering you... so much, because... you might outlive all of us?" she asked at length. Twilight remained silent, not answering her, but while she said nothing, her muscles tensed. Rainbow sighed and laid her head down atop Twilight's head, then slid her hooves over Twilight's withers, calming Twilight's body slightly with each stroke. "You... need to stop worrying about that..." she said tentatively.


Twilight hesitantly nodded, rubbing her forehead against Rainbow in the process. "I-I know," she admitted, stuttering. "I just... I-I can't... you girls... you made me w-who I am..." She swallowed, then opened her eyes. She took a deep, shuddering breath, then slowly exhaled. She stayed still, holding onto Rainbow for several seconds in silence while calming down. She hesitantly pulled her forelegs away from Rainbow and set them on the carpet, then she brought her head back up away from Rainbow. She glanced at Rainbow, then bit her lip, hung her head, and turned away from her.


"You going to be okay?" Rainbow asked softly.


Twilight swallowed and nodded. She turned back to face Rainbow. "I... yeah..." she said in a weak voice. "Eventually..."


"If you want, I can talk to the girls for you," Rainbow offered, frowning at Twilight's crestfallen expression. Twilight chewed on her lip for a couple of seconds, then quickly nodded. Rainbow smiled, then pulled Twilight back against her for a few seconds before leaning back and releasing her from her wings.


Twilight timidly stood back up. "I... was supposed to show you around while they were getting groceries, but instead, I just... took you to my room and had a breakdown..." she trailed off, snorting at herself and shaking her head. She sighed and glanced back at Rainbow.


"Hey, you needed to let it out," Rainbow replied with a gentle smile. "You'd do the same for me," she added as she walked over beside Twilight. Twilight smiled a little, then turned and shuffled toward the doorway. "How much longer do you think they're going to be gone?" she asked, following Twilight out of the room.


"Probably an hour... they were away from home for a while, so they really need to restock everything..." Twilight answered, turning right down the hallway. She came to a stop and smiled, looking into the room almost directly across from her room. She turned, then walked into it, Rainbow following close behind, looking around the room as she entered. Twilight cast a glance back at her. "My brother's former room, now the guest room."


Rainbow glanced at Twilight and nodded casually, then returned to looking around the room. It was almost identical to Twilight's room, except the bed was sticking out from against the wall on the left as she walked into the room. The room was even more spartan than Twilight's, and she turned back to Twilight. "Not much here?"


Twilight bobbed her head. "He took his things when he left... what did you expect?" she asked, turning around to face Rainbow.


Rainbow shifted her weight. "Well... I mean, your room has some of your stuff in it still."


Twilight smiled a little. "To be honest... I'm surprised that they've kept it, but... I'm glad they have..." she trailed off, sauntering back over to Rainbow, then brushing against her as she walked on passed her and out of the room.


Rainbow followed her with her eyes, turning her head to keep her in sight. After a couple of seconds, she turned around and walked out of the room. "If you keep this up your parents might... you know..."


Twilight paused midstride and winced. She sighed and looked back at Rainbow with a grimace, then looked ahead again. "I... probably should tell them anyway..." she said slowly in a low voice. Rainbow frowned and walked up beside her. Twilight bit her lip and looked at her. "It... would make them feel better... they wouldn't... be so worried about me, if... they knew that... we're together..." Rainbow shifted her weight and smiled awkwardly. Twilight's brow creased and she frowned. "You... don't want to, do you?" she asked guardedly.


Rainbow smiled apologetically. "I uh... I'd rather not, just..." she trailed off, groaning. "I really don't want other ponies to know that... we're together, but... and... well, especially your parents..." she trailed off, smiling sheepishly and rubbing the back of her mane with a forehoof.


Twilight sighed and hung her head, her gaze falling to the floor. "It's fine..." she relented.


Rainbow frowned and slowly brought her forehoof away from her mane. She tentatively laid it around Twilight's withers. "Look, Twilight... I... I'm not comfortable with that... I'm still... me!" Twilight grimaced, lifted her head up and looked over at Rainbow. Rainbow groaned. "I just... Twilight, you know I care about you, I just... I'm not ready for other ponies to know that..." She trailed off, sighing. "I... guess I can make an exception with your parents..." she trailed off, ruffling her wings. "They're... not going to dislike me for this, right?" she asked cautiously, slightly pulling her head back from Twilight.


Twilight snorted and smiled, then giggled a little, though it wasn't as happy as before. "They like you and the rest of the girls, you don't need to worry about them not liking you or anything like that... They'll be happy."


Rainbow squeezed Twilight, then brought her forehoof back down to the floor. "Well... you can tell your parents... just don't expect me to go shouting to the world that we're together. I'm not ready for something like that..."


Twilight tentatively nodded, then hesitantly resumed walking once more down the hallway. She paused and pushed open a door. "Bathroom," she said idly, then pulled the door closed and turned to around and pushed open another door. "Study," she commented.


Rainbow peeked inside the study and squinted, seeing the bookshelves dominating every side of the room, except for the wall with a window, which had a large desk. She cautiously turned back to Twilight. "You sure this isn't your room?" she asked, cracking a smile.


Twilight giggled and rolled her eyes. "Yes, Rainbow," she answered. "Although, I was in here quite a bit after I saw Celestia raise the sun, finding books on magic to study... But, well, after Celestia took me on as her student and I moved to the castle, I wasn't home much." She took a deep breath, then calmly exhaled. "It brings back memories..." she said, then turned around. "Last door is my parents' room, and there's a master bathroom connected to that," she said, turning and starting back the way they came from.


Rainbow idly nodded and followed Twilight back down the hallway, then down the stairs. "So, what now?"


Twilight bobbed her head and glanced at the clock. "Well, my parents will probably bring home dinner, since they'll probably be gone for at least another hour." She idly blew air out of her mouth. "In the meantime, it's just us."


"They're probably going to want you to stay in Canterlot longer, aren't they?" Rainbow asked slowly.


Twilight nodded hesitantly. "I'll... I... we can spend the night, I guess... And take a chariot back tomorrow. I'll probably come back up to Canterlot to spend some more time with them in a few weeks or months..." she trailed off, looking over at Rainbow. "You're welcome to join me if you want."


"I probably should come with you," Rainbow answered, offering her friend a smile.


Twilight smiled happily. "I would like that." She looked away from Rainbow and sauntered into the living room, then sat down on the lone couch.


Rainbow lazily walked over and joined Twilight on the couch. "This looks like something Rarity would have," she commented as her eyes trailed over the couch.


Twilight squinted and slowly nodded. "I... can kind of see that, yes. At the very least, it has the red color she likes, and the fabric is silk."


"Sounds expensive," Rainbow commented.


Twilight shrugged, then leaned against Rainbow. Rainbow smiled over at her, then looked at the wall opposite the couch, looking over the pictures adorning the wall. Twilight smirked and put more of her weight on Rainbow, causing her friend to tip over and look at her. Rainbow braced herself, then landed gently on the couch. A second later, she grunted slightly from Twilight falling on top of her. Twilight smiled down at Rainbow and broke out into a fit of giggles.


Rainbow smirked and rolled her eyes. She rolled over onto her back, then coaxed Twilight up onto her body. "If... we're spending the night, are your parents going to have a problem with us sleeping together?" she asked.


Twilight pursed her lips. "I... don't know," she answered cautiously. She looked up from Rainbow, frowning. "I... can ask them, just to be sure, but... I don't think they will since it helps me sleep better." She looked back down at Rainbow, her frown fading to a neutral line. "My old bed is a little small, but we can make it work. I don't have a problem laying on top of you, or... if you want, you could lay on me."


Rainbow smirked. "Just like that first night, huh? Sleeping on top of me."


Twilight smiled gently, then laid her head down on Rainbow's chest.





"Twilight, dear, Rainbow, dinner's ready," Twilight's mother said, smiling softly at her daughter and Rainbow, her head peeked around the corner of the wall.


Twilight and Rainbow both perked up, the former sitting up straighter, and the latter fluttering her wings as she hopped off the couch. Twilight stretched a bit, then jumped off and stood beside Rainbow. She smiled and walked on passed Rainbow toward the dining room. Rainbow hesitated for a second, then followed Twilight on into the dining room. Twilight paused, then closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Her mouth watered as the delicious scent of cooked vegetables wafted through the air and filled her nostrils. She smiled, then opened her eyes. "It smells great, mom."


Velvet smiled at her daughter as she walked around the table, then pulled out a chair beside Night Light with her magic and sat down. "I hope you like it, it's a new recipe I've wanted to try for a while."


Twilight tentatively walked around to the left side of the table, then sat down. Rainbow idly walked over and sat down at Twilight's right. "I really figured you'd just bring something home since you were out getting groceries," Twilight said, then smiled apologetically. "Sorry that... I couldn't help you..."


Velvet immediately frowned. "Now, don't worry about that, dear... it's no problem at all, really..." she trailed off, levitating plates around the table to everypony.


Rainbow took her plate in her hooves, then sat it down in front of her. The transparent, crystalline plate was simple, having painted roses running around the edge inside of the crystal, while the crystal itself was tinted a subtle blue hue. Rainbow pushed the thought aside as Velvet levitated a large pan around to her. She sat back in her chair and let the unicorn scoop out a large helping of cooked, seasoned vegetables. "Thanks," she said as Velvet levitated the pan back to the center of the table. She glanced sideways at Twilight, who held a fork in between two of her feathers, idly stabbing one of the vegetables before bringing it up to her mouth. Rainbow grimaced slightly, then turned her attention to her own plate of vegetables.


"How are Spike and the rest of the girls doing?" Night Light asked inquisitively. He glanced down and leisurely forked another bite of food into his mouth, then started chewing it at a relaxed pace.


Twilight swallowed, then nodded. "Spike's doing okay... And well, the girls are... as busy as ever, anymore..." she trailed off, a faint grimace spreading across her lips.


"I'm glad to hear Spike is doing well. I guess we'll have to go down to Ponyville sometime to pay him a visit," Velvet commented, smiling.


"I... can come back up here in a few weeks, or a month or two..." Twilight offered. "I can bring Spike back with me... and Rainbow said she would come too."


"Oh, that would be nice," Velvet replied.


Night Light nodded in agreement. "Yes, and perhaps the rest of your friends could tag along as well. They seemed so nice the last time we saw them, and they mean to much to you."


"Dear, I think it would be easier for us to go down to Ponyville than for all of them to come up here," Velvet said with a slight smirk, glancing at her husband.


Twilight took a quick drink of water, then sat up straighter. "Well, they're all... really busy anymore, so I'm not sure if we could all find the time to come up to Canterlot," her expression turned dry, "unless it was some kind of world ending emergency," she said in a dry, annoyed voice, then took a deep breath and forced a smile. "But I'm sure if you came down to Ponyville for a week they'd be able to find some time to visit."


"It sounds like we'll have to make plans for that," Night Light said with a warm smile. "Maybe we could convince Shining and Cadance to come down for a week too. We don't get to see them or Flurry enough!"


Velvet shot Night Light a stern look. "Dear, you know how busy they are. Ruling an empire isn't an easy task!"


Night Light sighed and half smiled. "I just wish we could see our grandfoal more often." He smiled wider and turned to Twilight. Twilight's lips fell into a straight line and she shifted her weight. "So, when are you going to give us some grandfoals? We're not getting any younger, you know!"


Twilight blushed, then buried her head in her hooves, stuttering out something incoherent, her brain tripping over her mouth. "Dad!" she finally managed to shout through her embarrassment.


Rainbow shifted her weight and ruffled her wings slightly, then hastily looked away from both ponies and surveyed the rather barren marble walls searching for anything interesting she hadn't noticed before.


"You already have a grandfoal!" Twilight said in a defensive tone, ruffling her wings and shifting her weight, still refusing to remove her hooves from her face. "You don't... need me for that," she quipped.


"But we don't see her often enough, dear," Velvet replied with a smile. "And you're much closer, which means we'd be able to see your foals more often!" she said encouragingly.


Twilight slumped forward a little and swallowed. She pressed her eyes closed and took a deep breath. "Can... we not talk about this, please?"


"Dear," Velvet started softly, "We don't mean to embarrass you in front of your friend..." she trailed off, smiling apologetically.


"I... I know, but..." Twilight trailed off, sighing. "It's... it's... too soon... It... it doesn't matter..." she trailed off, growing despondent. She hesitantly sat up again and removed her hooves from her face, though still stared down at her empty plate with an equally empty gaze. She glanced at Rainbow out of the corner of her eye, and her gaze lingered for a few seconds. Rainbow looked at her with a soft, apologetic, yet reassuring smile. Twilight sighed and slumped down further, then looked back at her plate. She closed her eyes, then took a deep breath and swallowed, then slowly exhaled. She pulled herself back up into a sitting position and parted her mouth. "I... um..." she grimaced and turned to face Rainbow, then slowly pulled her gaze back over to her parents. "I'm... dating Rainbow..." she trailed off cautiously.


Velvet and Night Light smiled warmly, their gazes looking over both mares. "You finally found somepony! Oh, this is wonderful! I was afraid that I wouldn't live to see the day!" Velvet shouted out happily, then pushed her chair out and ran around the table and pulled Twilight into a hug.


Twilight grunted from the force behind the hug. "M-mom!"


Velvet let up on the hug and pulled back a little. "Oh, I'm sorry dear," she apologized, tilting her head to the side. She brought a forehoof around and wiped at her eye. "I'm just... so happy for you!" She pulled Twilight back into another hug.


Night Light calmly stood from his chair. "I'm happy for you too, Twilight..." he trailed off as he walked around to Rainbow. Rainbow chuckled nervously as Night Light approached her. He leaned in closer to her ear, though Rainbow pulled back slightly. "I could tell, by the way," he whispered, then pulled back, still smiling warmly. "She seems happy, and... well, whenever she talked about her friends and the conversation shifted to you..." he trailed off, chuckling lightly.


"Uh... r-right..." Rainbow shifted her weight in her chair and looked over at Twilight.


Velvet finally pulled back from Twilight, still smiling, then her expression hardened. "While Shining Armor and Cadance have a foal, that doesn't mean we don't want you to have foals too, Twilight!"


Twilight clenched her eyes closed and turned away from her. "M-mom! It's... t-too soon for that! We've..." she trailed off, opening her eyes and turning around to face her friend. "We've not... been together that long..." She grimaced and ruffled her wings, then turned back to her mom. "Can we... please... not talk about this?" she implored.


Velvet sighed and relented. "Okay..." She flashed another warm smile. "Oh, my filly finally found somepony!" she squeed, then hugged Twilight again. Twilight hesitantly returned the hug. After a few seconds, they parted, both of them smiling.


Night Light smiled at both of his mares, then looked back at Rainbow.


"Well, you three get comfortable, I'm going to clean up the table, then we can spend the rest of the evening talking," Velvet said, turning away from Twilight and picking up the dirty plates on the table with her magic.





Twilight leaned against Rainbow on the couch, nearly all of her weight was shifted onto Rainbow, drawing the occasional glance from the pegasus. Twilight idly watched the clock as the second hand ticked away the time while she laid there, leaning against Rainbow. Velvet and Night Light watched them with half-smiles from across the room, both of them sitting in separate chairs.


"So... they... think that your horn will grow back, but... it just might take a while?" Night Light tentatively asked, his smile falling into a frown.


Twilight swallowed and averted her gaze from the clock. She hesitantly nodded. "Yes... Celestia says that... it might grow back, but... if it does, she said it might take... a long, long time..." she trailed off, turning away from her father's crestfallen expression.


Rainbow leaned forward, then unfurled her wing and slid it back behind Twilight's back, then wrapped it around her side and pulled Twilight against her side. Twilight's gaze drifted over to Rainbow and she smiled gently.


Night Light tilted his head and absently looked over the two mares on the couch. "You know, even back before the three tribes united, a pegasus wrapping a wing around another pegasus was symbolic, offering and promising protection to the pony under their wing..." he said in an absent, lecturing voice. He blinked a couple times, then shook his head and took a deep breath. He smiled. "So, I do hope you plan on keeping that promise, Rainbow Dash."


Rainbow flashed him a half-forced, half-awkward and apprehensive smile. "I'm... here for her if she needs me," she said.


Twilight smiled and looked up at Rainbow, then scooted herself up and snuggled up against her. Rainbow glanced down at Twilight and brought her wing up to envelop Twilight's wing and shoulder. "She's... helped me out a lot..." Twilight said. "I... would not be in Canterlot right now if she wasn't here with me..." she trailed off, grimacing a little.


"It sounds like she has," Velvet said.


Twilight nodded, then closed her eyes and yawned. She smiled sheepishly at the look her parents gave her. "It's... been a long week."


"Will both of you be spending the night?" Night Light asked, his gaze drifting over to Rainbow.


Twilight took a deep breath, then hesitantly pushed herself away from Rainbow and sat up into a sitting position. Rainbow folded her wing back to her side, then sat up once more now that Twilight wasn't trying to push her over again. Twilight pursed her lips. "I... would like to," she paused, glancing at the clock again and grimacing. "I don't want to fly back to my tower right now, and I'm pretty tired..."


"Rainbow, you're welcome to use the guest room," Velvet said. "The room across from Twilight's old room, if she didn't tell you."


Rainbow nodded. "Yeah, she showed me. Shining Armor's old room, right?"


Velvet nodded once. "The one and only," she said warmly.


"Um..." Twilight cut in, her muzzle tilted down toward the floor, but her gaze directed at her parents. "I... was... wondering... well... I mean... I... haven't been sleeping well, since... my accident..." she trailed off, her parents looking at her with distress... "And... Rainbow's been sleeping with me..." she said cautiously, carefully scrutinizing her parents' expression, which remained as distressed as before, though maybe lightening ever so slightly. "And... it helps me sleep better..."


"You want to know if you two can share your old room?" Velvet asked. "If it helps you sleep better, I don't have a problem with that. Besides, it's less work for me," she said with a slight giggle.


Twilight smiled softly. "Thanks..."


"Of course, dear," Velvet replied. "And... you probably should be heading to bed if you're planning on getting back to Ponyville after lunch tomorrow and want to wake up early enough so you can stay to have breakfast with us."


Twilight hastily nodded. "My sleep schedule really took a hit from being stuck in the hospital for so long, too... That's part of the reason why I've been having trouble sleeping. I don't want to mess it up again..." she trailed off, turning to the right and glancing back at Rainbow. "You ready for bed?" she asked.


Rainbow bobbed her head and jumped down from the couch. "Sure, I guess."


Twilight smiled, then looked back over at her parents. "Well... see you in the morning, then... Goodnight Mom, Dad."


"Goodnight, Twilight, goodnight Rainbow," both of Twilight's parents said in unison.


"Night," Rainbow said.


Twilight lingered a second, then hastily made her way out of the living room, heading toward the stairway. Rainbow followed close behind her, but at a more leisurely pace. Twilight ascended the stairs, then paused at the top to wait for Rainbow to join her. As soon as Rainbow stepped off the stairs, Twilight slid up against her. "You didn't say much," she said.


Rainbow bobbed her head as they made their way down the hallway, "Sorry, I just... didn't really know what to say. I'm... not really comfortable around them. I mean, don't get me wrong, they're nice but..."


"They're my parents?" Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow.


Rainbow smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, and... we're together, so..." she trailed off, then paused at the door to Twilight's room. She fell into a little bow, smirking, and motioned Twilight inside.


Twilight stood still for a second, then leaned away from Rainbow. She fluttered her wings, then casually strode inside the room. Rainbow rose from her bow, then slid into the room and silently slid the door around and shut it. On instinct, she went to lock the door, only to frown when she found none. She looked over at Twilight. "No lock on the door?"


"It's probably better that way," Twilight hastily answered, turning away from Rainbow and looking out the window.


Rainbow squinted at her, then pulled away from the door. She flew over to Twilight, then landed. Twilight sighed and hung her head, then sat down on her haunches. Rainbow frowned. "You doing okay?"


Twilight groaned. "No... my parents... I... I can't believe them..."


Rainbow's frown deepened. She stepped closer to Twilight and sat down beside her, then lifted her forehoof up and brought it through Twilight's mane. "What?" she asked gently. Twilight calmly, yet heavily exhaled and shied away from Rainbow. Rainbow looked at her in disbelief, then slowly lowered her forehoof back to the floor. She unfurled her wing, then draped it around Twilight's back and pulled her against her body. "Come on, Twi, what's wrong?"


Twilight opened her mouth then closed it. She tensed up a little and pursed her lips, then swallowed. "My parents... want me to have foals," she answered, then clenched her eyes shut and swallowed.


Rainbow shifted her weight and bit her lip. 'What... am I supposed to say? How am I supposed to handle this? This is... ugh...' She suppressed a groan and ruffled her wings. "You uh... Should... we talk... about that?" she asked hesitantly, her lips twisting into a grimace while her brow creased.


Twilight's muscles tensed up further. "I'd rather not," she hastily replied. "It's too soon, we've not been together that long and," her voice grew heavy, "and it doesn't matter."


Rainbow swallowed and looked away from her friend. "Do uh... did you... want to have foals?" she asked at length, avoiding eye contact with Twilight and leaning away from her slightly.


Twilight stared blankly at the wall for several seconds, her lips pulling downward. She blinked, then shook her head. "It... doesn't matter. It's not important. It's too soon," she said with a hint of finality.


Rainbow laughed nervously and pulled a forehoof back to her mane, then slowly rustled it. "W-well, yeah, but I just... if... I just think it's... something that... we should talk about if it's bothering you..."


Twilight tilted her head away from Rainbow. "Can we please not do this? It's... I'm not comfortable with this," she said quietly.


Rainbow scrutinized Twilight, then brought her forehoof back and brushed it along Twilight's mane. Twilight swallowed, then looked back at her, almost pleadingly. Rainbow frowned, then slowly nodded. "Yeah, I um... I'm not that comfortable talking about... that either, but I just... nevermind. Let's just forget about this, okay? We can talk about it eventually," she paused and swallowed, "if... you want to," she added under her breath. She hesitantly pulled back from Twilight, then stood up.


Twilight looked away from her and quickly shook her head and stood up. She shifted her weight on her hooves. "Thank you," she said softly, then looked down at the floor. "It's..." she trailed off and bit her lip, then closed her eyes. "It's just bothering me because they brought that up in front of you," she hastily lied.


Rainbow grimaced, then stepped over to Twilight and draped a wing over her back. "Let's just go to bed, okay? You'll feel better after a good night's rest and cuddling." She offered her friend a warm half-smile, half-smirk.


Twilight's lips twitched upward into a smile, and she stifled a giggle. She shook her head and walked over to the bed. She put her forehooves down on it, then pulled herself up and laid down on her back in the middle of the bed, leaving about enough room for half a pony to lay on either side of her. She grimaced, then scooted over and pulled the covers back. She motioned Rainbow over with her wing.


Rainbow flapped her wings to hover in the air. She flew over to Twilight, then gently set down on the bed, then slowly laid back. "Yeah, this is really small..." she said, grimacing at how she could easily see herself rolling over and falling out of bed during the night.


Twilight sat up, then pulled Rainbow closer to the center of the bed. She smiled, then climbed up onto Rainbow and laid down on her side on her friend's body. She smiled happily as Rainbow's warm, soft coat caressed her side. "We should have enough room... so long as you don't roll over..." Twilight said, casting a cautious glance up at Rainbow.


Rainbow wrapped her wings around Twilight's barrel, then wrapped her forelegs under Twilight's forelegs and pulled her up a little more, Twilight's legs and lower body still laying between her legs. "I dunno, Twilight... I'm not gonna roll over, but you're pretty big," she said, smiling. Without missing a beat, she wrapped her hind legs around Twilight's body, pinning the alicorn in place against her. Twilight smiled, then shifted her weight and nestled up against Rainbow's welcoming body. "Comfortable?" 


Twilight nodded, then laid her head down on Rainbow's chest. "Yes," she answered, rubbing her cheek against Rainbow's body. After she finished, she laid there, smiling as she listened to her friend's steady, rhythmic heartbeat.


Rainbow squeezed her, then folded her forelegs over Twilight's shoulder. She took a deep breath, then unwrapped her wings from Twilight and pulled the blankets over them, then she slid her wings back around Twilight and embraced her once more, causing a warm, calm feeling to grow inside of her chest. "Goodnight, Twilight."


"Goodnight, Rainbow," Twilight sighed happily, nuzzling her friend and smiling from feeling Rainbow's soft coat rubbing against her cheek. She nestled into Rainbow's embrace and closed her eyes, letting Rainbow's warmth, softness, and heartbeat lull her to sleep.