"So then, I cast a 'want it, need it' spell on Smarty Pants and gave him to the Cutie Mark Crusaders and they go crazy for it! I swear they were fighting over that doll like it was made of gold!"
Twilight lightly chuckled at the memory, wondering how it she'd ever thought that plan was a good idea. Sombra, on the other hoof, was emitting a full-on cackle, slapping a forehoof against one of his hocks. Instead of her usual place on the other side of the bars, Twilight was situated right across from Sombra on his cot, a plate of peanut butter crackers between them. Hearing the stallion's laughter was not only a pleasant sound given its rarity but was also reassuring for her. He'd been rather moody from what she'd heard and when she had entered the room, he went from gloomy to ecstatic in a millisecond.
She'd tried to ask about Sombra's recent melancholy demeanor, but the answers she received from her multiple sources was either vague or nonexistent. Princess Celestia merely stated that it was an "awkward situation" and that "things were said and done that couldn't be taken back". Something was wrong with the way the older alicorn said that to her but Twilight couldn't figure out why. Flash Sentry, meanwhile, could hardly meet her gaze, his cheeks the color of ripe tomatoes as he suggested that she ask Sombra. And that, ladies and gentlecolts, was easier said than done. Instead of a blunt question, she decided to ease him into it, hence the snacks and funny anecdotes.
Sombra wiped his eyes, his raucous laughter subsiding. "I swear, if I pulled off such a stunt when I was your age, they'd never let me out in the sunlight again. Quite the impressive feat, Twilight."
"Yeah, well, it was stupid at the time. Anyway, after some, he he, mishaps, Princess Celestia arrived and ended the spell. She told me to only send her a friendship report if I had something to share. To think that I'd been worrying about nothing!"
"You know, you could've just written to her explaining that you didn't have anything to report and request time to compose something." Sombra flashed her a smug, fang-exposing grin.
Twilight stared nonplussed at him. "Yes, that's a good idea," she said through gritted teeth, although she wasn't really angry with him and instead more miffed at herself for not thinking of that in the first place. Her slight annoyance dissipated once she reminded herself that she was on a private mission of sorts.
"Hey, um, Sombra?"
"Yes?"
"You've been very moody lately. Is everything alright?"
The room became deathly quiet. Sombra's eyes darted away and then stared back at Twilight.
"As it turns out, Celestia decided to reform Discord and now he's free to roam around and spread his chaos all willy-nilly," he spat, those crimson orbs aflame with anger. "'Equestria is a place of peace and understanding.' Lies, I tell you. Celestia can preach love and harmony all she wants but at the end of the dead, she's just a two-faced, hypocritical beldame."
Twilight was about to answer when Sombra continued. "And you knew. You aided in Discord's reformation."
She shrank beneath his gaze, ears folding back. "I...I did. Princess Celestia charged my friends and I with reforming Discord. I'm so sorry that I didn't tell you. I figured that you'd been through enough and I didn't want to upset you."
Unexpectantly, one of Sombra's forelegs brushed Twilight's cheek. It amazed her how gentle the large hoof as it stroked her flesh. Red eyes that were just burning were now tenderly fixed upon her.
"I understand, Twilight. I'm a little hurt that you didn't tell me but I know why you did it."
"So...you're not mad?"
"At you? No. Even if I was, I could never stay mad at you. You're only one of two individuals in this world that I care about."
Hearing that caused Twilight's cheeks to burn hot enough to toast marshmallows. She gazed thoughtfully at the stallion across from her. Since discussing their feelings for one another, nothing really changed, aside from Twilight spending more time inside the cell rather than outside of it. Sombra accepted hugs and the occasional nuzzle but about from this moment, he never initiated physical contact. He didn't even try to kiss her.
Taking the deepest breath that she'd ever mustered, Twilight murmured, "Um, Sombra? I was just wondering...why is it you're so distant with me?" Deciding her question was too vague, she added: "I noticed that we're effectively 'together' and yet, you've never tried to touch me, other than a hug or a cuddle. Did I do something wrong?"
Sombra blinked. "No, you did nothing wrong. It is just that this relationship is new and I didn't want to run the risk of making you feel uncomfortable by overstepping my boundaries."
Twilight cooed lightly as Sombra's other hoof took her own. He just wanted to assure her that despite their budding relationship, he would never do anything to her without her explicit consent. Whether it was from the sudden contact or his words, Twilight felt her heart stop, restart and thunder away in her chest all at the same time.
"Sombra?"
"Yes Twilight?"
"Will you...kiss me?"
The corners of the stallion's mouth tugged upward. "Of course."
Slowly, while keeping a hoof to Twilight's cheek, Sombra lowered his face to her own, their lips lightly brushing up against one another. Twilight released the breath she hadn't been realizing that she's been holding and pushed forward, deepening the kiss, her tongue flicking against a fang. This elicited a moan from the mare, her chest hitching with desire, both physical and emotional. Despite their numerous conversations, she wanted to know this stallion who she was locking lips with. Every pain, every joy, every moment both good and bad.
They finally pulled away and rested their foreheads against one another, their shared smiles bright and full of affection as they stared long and hard into each other's eyes. No words were needed. The message was clear: I'm yours.
~*~
The crystal ball shattered beneath a gold-slippered hoof. A small crackle of magical energy erupted from the broken scrying device and dissipated like smoke in the wind. Princess Celestia's chest heaved with pain, choking sobs welling deep within her as tears trickled down her cheeks. Wobbling on her legs, she collapsed to her belly and watched as the scene of the two lovers in a tender embrace before the image flickered away, leaving the crystal ball as a useless fragmented bauble. Bitter wails of heartbreak echoed through the Sun Princess' bedchambers but she was too lost in her agony to care. Curling into a ball, Celestia wept painful tears she'd not shed in centuries.
"It's over, Celestia. Our time is done. Accept it."
"Celestia, the thing is, Sombra doesn't...he doesn't love you."
"What, did you think that'd I would just run back to you?"
"No, he's...in love with somepony else. I'm so sorry."
"I was gone for a millennium and I know you've had several husbands and many children during that time."
Celestia pounded her temples in a vain attempt to dislodge the memories but it was no use. How could she be in any way be culpable for her actions? It wasn't her fault that she was lonely during Sombra's banishment. She was a mare, just like her subjects and as such, she had needs too, like love and companionship. So why does everypony forget that?
Her thoughts turned once more to her former paramour. How could Sombra be so cruel? Yes, she loved her husbands and children dearly and their deaths continued to weigh heavily on her soul. But in all that time, Celestia never expelled Sombra from her thoughts or her heart. He was her first love and the father of her eldest and still-living child. Did that mean nothing to him?!
"No, he's...in love with somepony else. I'm so sorry."
Celestia lifted her head off of the floor as a thought sprang forth.
Yes, that IS an issue but one that could be remedied...
She leapt to her hooves, backing away quickly as though recoiling from a nonexistent attacker.
She shook her head. No, I could never do that to Twilight! She's my pupil and like a daughter to me! It would break her heart.
Celestia stared down at the shards of the crystal ball.
Then again, wouldn't Sombra do that himself? If not now, then later. He will never change. Discord was like a cloud: formless, easily malleable and always on the move, never stopping. Sombra, on the other hoof, was a river: curving and bending but ultimately stuck to one path.
I could spare Twilight that pain.
Yes, she could protect her student from the inevitable heartbreak as well as ensure that she stayed on the course that was so meticulously laid out for her. If Twilight was one day going to take Celestia's place, then she would be far better off without somepony like Sombra as a consort. Besides, Sombra himself admitted to still loving Celestia. All it would take is something to remind him why.
"I'm not going to give up on you, my love. You will be mine again."