//------------------------------// // Confrontation // Story: Hidden Love // by Starlight Fan //------------------------------// Twilight was seen reading one of her many books back at the map table, she wanted to try and clear her head about her ordeal with Starlight, so she figured reading a book might help. And it sort of was, she still needed to find a way for her and Starlight to go public at one point without much backlash but right now, she felt it was best to take her mind off that issue. She then heard a knock on the wall, she turned to see Spike and Rarity were together at the entrance to the map room. “Sorry for knocking on the walls. I wanted to get your attention. I know how you are with books.” Spike explained with a good natured chuckle. “Oh welcome back Spike. You’ve been gone a while, I checked the windows earlier, the sun’s about to set.” Twilight said happily. “It took a while to get the dress perfect but I think it went well.” Rarity smirked in pride. Twilight chuckled, it was nice to see Rarity so proud of her work, “Nice to see you Rarity. How come you decided to drop by? Not that I’m complaining.” Rarity and Spike gave each other some nervous looks which Twilight found odd before Spike spoke up, “Actually Twilight, we came to talk about you.” “Me?” Twilight asked in shock, “What do you mean?” “To put it bluntly dear, we know about you and Starlight being an item.” Rarity admitted truthfully, she felt it was best to cut to the chase, it would help them in the long run. “What?! H-How did you figure us out?!” Twilight asked, clearly nervous about what they were saying, she did not plan for them to know about her and Starlight yet. “I overheard you two talking about your secret relationship at the table this morning.” Spike explained, “I don’t understand why you wouldn’t tell us though. We are your friends after all, we would have supported you.” “Of course, I know you all would have, but eventually we would have went public and I don’t think some ponies in Equestria would be happy I’m dating Starlight, like upper class ponies who would see Starlight as some common pony or some jealous admirers who would probably be annoyed I’m dating somepony who used to be a threat to Equestria.” Twilight said as she began pacing around the room. “And why do you care about that? Starlight’s a good pony, I don’t get why such a thing matters.” Spike asked with an annoyed tone, he normally would support Twilight, but he really didn’t get why she’d care about some other ponies’ opinions about Starlight. “It’s not that I actually care about what they have to say about me dating Starlight. I just don’t want Starlight to get hurt by some jerks who think they’re better than every creature.” Twilight said as she dropped her head a bit low before Rarity walked up to Twilight and picked her chin up so they could be at eye level. “Twilight darling, I’m sure these worries you have are not as bad as you think.” Rarity said reassuringly, “I’m sure things will be fine if you two go public.” “I don’t know Rarity. I just don’t know if it’s such a good idea to let some ponies know that I’m dating a former criminal.” Twilight said nervously. Twilight soon heard Spike gasp and looked over to him in confusion. “What are you gasping about?” Twilight asked the small dragon. Rarity turned to look where Spike was looking and then pointed her hoof at the entrance to the map room, “Uh I think I know why.” Twilight turned around to see Starlight, wide eyed in shock, there was no doubt about it, Starlight had heard what Twilight just said. “St…Starlight. Look, I know it seems bad but it’s not what you think it is.” Twilight flew up to her girlfriend in fear. “I-I think I heard enough Twilight.” Starlight said solemnly as tears began to pour from her eyes, she wiped them quickly but Twilight saw them regardless. Starlight’s voice shook as she spoke, “So that’s why you wanted to keep our relationship a secret, so you wouldn’t have to worry about it being known you’re dating somepony like me.” “Starlight please, I didn’t mean it like that.” Twilight said frantically. “Really, because that’s what I just heard, you just said that it wouldn’t be a good idea for everypony to know about us since I’m a former criminal.” Starlight said, starting to cry. “I mean technically I said that, but…” Twilight said, clearly sweating. “It’s fine Twilight, I’m not mad at you. I can understand why it might not go well for you, you being a princess and all.” Starlight waved it off, before continuing, “Look, if this relationship is gonna hurt you in the long run, then we should probably break up. I just hope we can just stay friends.” Starlight tried her best to smile, but it was clearly shaky and her eyes were brimming with tears. Twilight’s eyes widened, that was the last thing she wanted to hear in her life. “Wait Starlight, please, I don’t want this to happen to us! I want you in my life, please don’t do this!” Twilight began begging. “You’ll still have me Twilight, but as a friend. Besides, you’ll probably get over me eventually.” Starlight tried to sound reassuring but her voice came off as broken, “I’m gonna go fly a kite or something. I need some time alone.” Starlight soon lit up her horn and she teleported away. That’s when Twilight let the tears flow out, “What have I done?!” Rarity and Spike just stood there with sympathetic glances, they both felt bad for what both Twilight and Starlight were going through. It was clear that Starlight was just as heartbroken as Twilight was about this mess. “I’m gonna go find Starlight. It’ll be easier for me to find her since I can fly. You stay with Twilight, they both need a friend more than ever.” Spike told Rarity. “Understandable. We can still fix this mess.” Rarity nodded. Spike soon took off to fly, while Twilight wiped her eyes, “I appreciate your guys’ help Rarity but it’s clear I screwed things up with me and Starlight. I’m just hoping we can stay friends after this.” “If I’m being honest Twilight, you aren’t wrong but surely you can explain the true reason about why you wanted to keep your relationship a secret to Starlight, she’ll understand. After all, she did seem to be understanding about what she thought she heard.” Rarity said comfortingly. “Well it still won’t change anything. Even if I tell her the true reasoning, she still might not want to get back with me because I’m too afraid to go public.” Twilight argued sadly, before sighing, “It’s probably for the best, Starlight needs a pony who she can date publicly with no problem.” Before Rarity could say anything else, another voice was heard, “Okay, I’ve heard enough.” Suddenly the book Twilight had, opened, and out of the book came Discord with a stern frown. “What do you want Discord? I already feel awful about what happened, you don’t need to rub it in my face.” Twilight said bitterly. “For your information, I’m here to help you.” Discord rolled his eyes, “I know about your relationship with Starlight.” “Who doesn’t know at this point?” Twilight rolled her eyes. “Besides Rarity and Spike, no one else knows, but if I’m being honest Twilight. Me and Fluttershy have sort of been in this position before.” Discord spoke up. “You and Fluttershy never dated Discord, me and Starlight were.” Twilight said sadly. “That’s true but me and her have always been close, Fluttershy did get some weird looks from some ponies due to being friends with me however. She was a bit concerned about hanging out with me in public for a while, but we talked it out and figured it would be best to not let anypony else ruin what we have.” Discord explained. Twilight looked at Discord in shock, she never knew this about him and Fluttershy, but with this new information, she began to rethink her thought process on going public with Starlight. “So, basically what you’re saying is, that me and Starlight should not let other ponies’ views on us affect our relationship no matter what.” Twilight summarized. “Bingo.” Discord smiled as he stamped five squares on a bingo board in a horizontal order. Twilight sighed sadly, “I wish I had that mindset sooner, maybe things wouldn’t have turned so messy.” Rarity took this as her chance to speak and put a hoof around Twilight’s back, “Twilight, you may be the Princess Of Friendship, but when it comes to love, you are still learning about how it works. It’s only natural that you’ll make mistakes. Besides you still want Starlight as your girlfriend right?” “I wouldn’t have been sobbing on the floor if I didn’t.” Twilight answered. “Then let her know that, as soon as Spike is able to find her, explain why you did what you did, and work things out with her. I know it won’t be easy but it’s for the best you two let your relationship be known.” Rarity told her with an encouraging smile. Twilight smiled, she began to feel some hope again, maybe the road ahead would be bumpy but in the end, it would be worth it. “You’re right Rarity. Me and Starlight have been through so much for me to give up on what we have. Thank you, I needed this.” Twilight gave Rarity a hug before turning to Discord, “And thank you Discord, your advice was also very helpful.” “No problem Twilight. As chaotic as I am, I do care about you and Starlight.” Discord smiled before snickering, “You know, maybe since Cadence is already the Princess of the Crystal Empire, maybe I should take the title as the Princess Of Love, I mean my relationship advice is astounding…” “Didn’t Spike say you only started believing in love last Hearts and Hooves Day?” Rarity asked with a raised eyebrow. “Eh. Worth a shot.” Discord rolled his eyes with a cheeky grin.