//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: So Hard to Say 
// by Blueninetails 
//------------------------------//

"We thank thee again, Twilight Sparkle, for thy hoof in helping us gain the love of thy fellow villagers." Luna thanked Twilight once more as she made her way to her chariot to head home. Behind her, stood Twilight dressed up as Star Swirl the Bearded and a certain pink earth pony dressed up as a rooster.


"It was no problem at all Princess. Just glad I could help." Twilight said.

"Bubble Berry, if we recall, we were not able to make peace with thou. Doth thou accept?" Luna asked looking at the earth pony with a hopeful look as she put a hoof up.

Bubble Berry just gave a smile and shook hooves with the Princess, "Of course Princess, I was just trying my best to have as much fun as I can on Nightmare Night."

"And thou has done exceptionally well at it." Luna simply stated with a small grin, mildly recalling the multiple times Berry manage to get the children to go along with him in fright, "For now, we bid thee adieu. We must return to Canterlot, there's much to be done before the return of day." and with that she took her seat on her chariot and was off.

After a quick silence, Bubble Berry looked at Twilight and asked, "Hey! I have an idea, why don't we throw an After Nightmare Night party? We can invite everypony and keep having fun and eat candy all night long!" as he put hoof up in the air.

"No thanks, Bubble Berry. I think I've had all the 'fun' I can take for the night." Twilight said with a sigh, "Besides we have to help clean up the festival."

Berry just gave a quick laugh before saying in usual cheerful tone "Oh, yeah, I forgot." as the two turned back toward the town square.

For the most part the town square had been mostly cleaned up, there were still a few streamers, paper, what was left of a decoration, and countless number of wrappers. Twilight mostly helped the other unicorns in town gather up the wrappers before properly placing them into a trash can, while most of the others contended with the decorations and streamers on the ground.

"Okay..and a-one, and a-two, and three!" Bubble shouted out as he jumped up and pushed up against the tub used for bobbing-for-apples with all his might into a cart pulled by Big Macintosh. He was helping Applejack gather the several tubs leftover from Nightmare Night.

"Thank ya kindly fer the help Berry. Celestia knows this would've been tougher work without the extra hoof."

"Of course, Applejack! What are friends for?"

"Alright, big brother! Tha'll be all of 'em!"

Big Mac just gave a nod in response and started pulling the cart back to Sweet Apple Acres.

"That's done with." Applejack stated before turning her head to look how far the clean up was progressing, "Well, bettah get started on cleanin'. Can't exactly leave Twi and the other unicorns to be cleanin' it all on their own." she stated as she straightened her hat, before noticing that Bubble Berry staring off into space, "Eh..., Berry? Ya'll okay there sugercube?"

With the lack of a response, Applejack looked to where Bubble was looking and noticed the colt's gaze seemed to be on Twilight as she tried giving the other unicorns in town instructions how to clean up in an attempt to organize their actions. Applejack gave a rather surprised look as she looked at Bubble Berry, but the expression was soon replaced with a curious look, then one of amusement as she looked at Twilight before turning her attention back to Bubble.

"Rise n' shine Bubble Berry, this is yer friend Applejack talkin' to ya." she simply stated as she pressed a hoof right at his side.

Unfortunately, AJ ended up almost jabbing him right in his ribcage, instantly pulling the pony back to reality. Bubble Berry slightly cringed from the suddenness of the friendly poke.

"Ow, that hurt Applejack."

"Oh, sorry about that Berry, but ah had to brin' ya back somehow."

"Did I go somewhere?" he simply asked, his tone indicating he was genuinely curious, as he brought a hoof to his chin to try remembering where he went.

"No, ah mean, ya'll were just starin' off into the distance. Why, ah even dare say, ya'll were even starin' at Twilight."

This caught Berry's attention almost instantly as he gave a nervous laugh, "Don't be a silly filly Applejack! 'Staring at Twilight', why would I be staring at Twilight?"

Applejack just gave him a stern, serious look as Berry tried forcing a few laughs, but he fell silent by her look, "Now don't ya'll lie to me Bubble Berry. Ah'm yer friend, ah know when ya'll are being normal and when ya ain't; and, this time, ya certainly ain't."

Berry said nothing, but continued to nervously look at the ground.

"Come on now, ah ain't gonna hurt ya, just tell me. Are ya tryin' ta court Twi?"

"Yes, I'm...I mean, no...maybe. I haven't said anything to her yet." he admitted.

"But ya'll do feel for Twilight, right?"

"Mm-hm." he replied with a nod, "I just feel so so happy around Twilight. She's smart, fun, and she's always makes me feel nice and warm inside -though it was weird at first. I just feel very happy. Happy enough to sing!"

"And how's that any different from any other form of happy ya'll have been ta come up with a song?" Applejack asked with some amusement.

"But I know she doesn't like me though, cause I'm just a silly random pony." he added, pushing the question aside, "And she did get really mad at me today."

"She did? Well, that's just probably cause ya'll were runnin' around like a headless chicken and about as noisy as an angry manticore fer most of the night."

"But, I am a chicken." Berry simply stated.

"That's aside the point Berry. Ya'll just need ta try talkin' ta Twilight." she stated as she patted Berry's shoulder, "Worse comes worse, ah'm sure ya'll could still be friends."

Berry just gave a smile and nodded, "Yeah, we can, can't we? Thanks Applejack."

Applejack just gave a nod, "Now ya'll just stay here for a moment, ah got me an idea." She took her hoof off of Bubble Berry's shoulder and walked over to Twilight.

"Howdy, Twilight."

"Hey Applejack," she greeted, "can I help you?"

"That ya can Twi. Ah was thinkin' about askin' Berry ta help me with the remaining pumpkins, but ah need to get the cart from Big Macintosh first. Would ya'll mind helpin' me roundin' 'em up in one spot so ah can finish sooner?"

"Of course, no problem at all Applejack."

Twilight followed Applejack over to where Bubble Berry was, and after a quick explanation of what needed to be done, Applejack left Berry and Twilight to gather up the pumpkins. Berry spent a moment or two just watching Twilight arrange a few scattered pumpkins into a neat pile, just admiring the unicorn's efficiency, before shaking his head to remember he still needed to help Applejack. As time passed, and fewer ponies were around, Berry started keeping himself entertained as he worked by humming a rather up-beat tune and occasionally showing off some of his dance steps without really giving it a thought. It only served to further make the earth pony colt look even more ridiculous in his costume as he danced, but he didn't mind; he was having fun.

"Berry...?" Twilight tried getting his attention. She wanted to tell him, it was probably best they start on another pile, otherwise the one they had been stacking pumpkins on might collapse.

He didn't hear her though as he continued dancing and humming a tune to himself. At the same time he was interested in messing around with a rather small pumpkin as if it was a ball and rolled up and down his forelegs. He occasionally threw it gently into the air so he could catch it on his head to balance for a short time.

"Berry." she repeated a little louder.

Still no response.

"Berry!" she repeated again, walking closer to him

"It means no worries, for the rest of your days." he continued singing, muttering parts of the lyrics of the tune he was seemingly more focused on at the moment.

"Berry!!!"

"Ah!" he shouted as Twilight actually caught him of guard.

"Berry. I think we need to start a new pile for the pumpkins." she stated as she caught the pumpkin he was playing with before it hit the ground and broke.

"Oh, you could've just said that. You didn't have to scream."

"Well, you weren't exactly paying much attention, Berry. What exactly are you singing anyway? I don't believe I've ever heard it before."

"Oh...just a song I heard some years back. Nothing for you to worry you're pretty head about Twilight." and gave a smile, and slight blush.

Twilight gave a curious look, but decided not to implore, at least for now, "If you say so, Berry. I wonder what's taking Applejack so long, it shouldn't long just to fetch a cart."

"Maybe something's keeping her busy." Berry suggested, then gave a gasp as his eyes widened, "What happens if Nightmare Moon gobbled her up?!" he asked, a slight hint of panic apparent in his voice.

"Berry, I thought we had already settled it that Nightmare Moon doesn't wanna gobble anypony up, and that she's not bad anymore."

"Oh, I know." he simply stated, "But it's still Nightmare Night, and it's always in good fun."

Twilight groaned in response.

The two continued to work, though the workload was rather small by now and most of the ponies had already returned home.

"So, yep, as soon as I can get Mr. and Mrs. Cake's okay, I can try getting some taste testers." Berry explained as he placed the last of the pumpkins that needed to be gathered up.

"And you want me to be a taste tester?" Twilight simply asked as she sat down

"Sure! Why not? And I can always ask our friends too." he asked as he sat down next to her, "After all sharing is caring."

Twilight chuckled before saying, "I'm always willing to help out a friend. I just hope this 'Blueberry Surprise' muffin is actually a surprise I'm gonna like."

"Oh, I'm sure you will silly filly Twilight." he simply stated cheerfully, "I've never messed up a bakery order before, so just adding one teensy ingredient won't make it bad."

"I have no reason to doubt that at all Berry, I have full confidence in your baking skills. It's just that...I'm just a little cautious about anything you add the word 'surprise' to."

"Aw..., you don't like surprises?" he asked, sounding a little hurt.

"N-no, it's not that. I like surprises, I do. I just..., do you remember those special order cookies you asked Spike, Applejack, and myself to try before you had them delivered?"

"Oh, you mean those creme-filled ones? The 'Cinnamon and Cherry Surprise cookies'?"

"Yes, those are the ones I'm talking about. We noticed a rather distinctive cinnamon taste, and I mean VERY distinctive."

"Well, of course I made it 'VERY distinctive'. It had to be to give it a kick, just like they ordered. I mean it was either that or had to figure out a way to send it off in a spectacular way, and that would've been hard unless I managed to find some duct-tape, a hammer, and a trumpet."

Twilight was gonna ask what he would need those for, but simply smiled and gave a sigh. He's just being Bubble Berry. "Well, when your ready for us to try those muffins Berry, just let us know. I'm sure we'll all be quite happy to try them."

Berry just gave a smile in response.

"Sorry fer the wait fellas." they both heard Applejack's voice shout out to them.

"Applejack."

"Apologies on bein' late. Didn't mean to keep ya'll waitin' like this, it just took a little more time ta get Applebloom into bed than usual: ah wasn't 'bout to leave her with Granny Smith while she was runnin' about from a sugar rush."

"What happened to Big Macintosh? He didn't get hurt did he?" Berry asked.

"Oh Big Mac is all fine n' dandy. He's just a little worn out is all from all that's happened tonight."

"Agreed, having Princess Luna pay us a surprise visit took a lot out of us." Twilight stated

Applejack simply nodded, "Ah don't mean ta keep ya here any longer if ya'll wish to get on home; but, if ya'll are willin' ta help a little longer, ah'd certainly appreciate it." she stated a little nervously. She actually didn't want to ask for help a second time, but since she's gonna have to cart all the pumpkins back on her own, she needed what bit of energy she still had left.

The three didn't say much as they quickly loaded the pumpkins into the cart. Berry did take a few chances to be next to Twilight and help her as needed, and taking time to look away from her when she decided to look at him in curiosity, otherwise he was just working and making a few observations of each pumpkin he picked up lest he needed to get some later to use as an ingredient.

Afterwards both Berry and Twilight bade Applejack a good night and both headed for the library. Berry, with a little extra convincing from Applejack, had offered to walk Twilight back home. Originally she had tried refusing his help, but he insisted and she decided to simply accept the help.

Both remained quiet as they walked, which made Twilight curious, because knowing Berry, he would've been much more vocal. Twilight would occasionally take glances at Berry, in which he would look like he was looking off in a direction, blushing, or both.

Twilight tried thinking about how her friend was acting, and tried putting the pieces together, before her eyes went wide at a certain thought. While she needed some extra references from the books at the library, she was wondering if Berry might actually like her. She had read certain stories on the subject, a little reluctant to do so since it wasn't exactly scholarly, but as a librarian she was expected to know where to look if somepony requested for a story under that genre.

Twilight decided to check. "Is something bothering you Berry? It's not often that you're this quiet."

"I'm alright. Just pondering-wondering something." he replied almost instantly. "I...sometimes like being quiet, because if I talk while I'm thinking, I might say it out loud, or I'd forget what I was saying. And I don't want to forget! What I'm thinking about is important!"

Twilight just gave a nod, "I'm sure it is, so I'll let you continue thinking; but, before you do though, mind answering a simple question for me?"

Berry looked at her. "Erm, sure."

"Why did you insist on escorting back home? I mean, I appreciate the offer and all, but Ponyville is rather peaceful, and I do know how to take care of myself."

"I just wanted to make sure. Plus, it's fun hanging out with friends."

"Especially during major events like Nightmare Night, right?"

"Yeah!" he simply replied with a smile, "Especially on Nightmare Night. When there's lots of candy, lots of fun, and lots of time to just get scared."

"Because of Nightmare Moon wandering about?"

"Mmm hmm." and nodded, "And it's still Nightmare Night, so I want to be able to protect you Twilight."

"Protect me?" she asked with a raised brow and with a slight hint of amusement.

"Well, duh. Why not?"

"Wow..., you're like my own stallion in shining armor." Twilight stated with a chuckle.

Berry just gave a laugh, and nodded, "Yeah." before he stopped walking froze when he realized what he just said.

"Hm..." Twilight stopped as well and looked at Berry, who was blushing, before doing the same slightly as she recalled the signs of liking somepony from those numerous books shelved in the library. "Is that why you chose to escort me?"

"..."

"Why you've been acting differently around me tonight?"

Berry just nodded as he stuck his head low to the ground.

"If I'm right, that means you actually care about me. Well, more differently than our other friends."

Berry nodded, "I actually wanted to tell you Twilight, but I couldn't get it to come out. It's...so super hard to just say it to you."

Twilight just gave small smile before saying, "How about you go back home Berry and get some sleep? I'm sure Mr. and Mrs. Cake would probably want you ready for work tomorrow. I'll drop by later and see if I can help out a little. Maybe we can talk about this then, okay?"

"Okie-dokie." he simply said

Twilight gave him a quick hug, "Again, thank you so much for the escort Berry. Don't worry about me. I think can manage walking the extra 20 yards to the library. Have a good night Berry." then turned to continue her way back home.

Bubble Berry felt himself dreamily grin. "Thanks Twilight."

Twilight looked over her shoulder as she continued walking. "For what?"

"For making it easier to say." he replied before gleefully skipping off in the direction of Sugarcube Corner.
-------------------------

Close to two months later, just a couple of days before both and their friends were suppose to go to Canterlot to perform in a play.

"And done." Twilight stated from her kitchen before picking up two mugs of hot chocolate with her magic, "And according to the recipe exactly. Here you go Berry." and gave him one of the mugs.

Berry was just sitting on a pillow in front of the fireplace. "Mmm. Yum, hot chocolate." and accepted the mug.

"Careful with that hot chocolate Berry, it's still-"

Berry brought it to his lips and started drinking.

"-hot."

"Wow, it's really hot." Berry stated cheerfully as usual and started laughing.

"I did try to tell you." Twilight stated with a sigh, "Anyway, Berry, I know it's been some time now, but I've wanted to ask. Why do you like me? I'm sure there are others like Applejack or-"

"But I like you the best, Twilight. I like Applejack too, and all our friends, but you're the one that I know I like more." Berry interrupted.

"So why do you say that? And what makes you so sure?" she asked as she sat down on a pillow just across from Berry, then started trying to cool her drink by blowing on it.

"Because, you make me happy." he simply replied, "I mean not happy like I always am, which is actually a lot since I like being happy and finding reasons to be happy, but I mean happy like being relaxed. Happy like I can never find a reason to frown and be sad even when I end up feeling like you guys don't like me anymore, like that time you guys threw me a surprise party -which was really cool of you guys to do, I was so surprised- but I thought..." he started trailing off before Twilight gently put her hoof to his mouth.

"I know Berry, I was there." then took a quick sip of her drink before putting it aside for now

Berry nodded, "And you're also smart. I mean sure, you're always inside reading your books, which sounds kinda sad since that means you can't be having fun with the rest of us; but, it's because you're such a smarty-smart-pants that we find ourselves on these fun adventures, and I know you've helped us many times, like the spell that let us walk on clouds so we could watch Rainbow at the Best Young Fliers Competition. And that makes me happy too."

"You really think that highly of me?" Twilight asked with a raised brow, blushing as she did.

Berry smiled and nodded, "Mm-hm. I really, Applejack honest, do. It took me many times to be sure too, whether I was just happy or very happy when you're around. I also know that I really truly care about you Twilight." then brought his head forward to gently nuzzle the side of Twilight's face.

Twilight just continued blushing, perhaps even a bit more fiercely, as she tried returning the affection by doing the same.

They remained silent for a moment as they just nuzzled each other.

"What now?" Twilight asked as she slowly withdrew from Berry, "I haven't found a reference to what we should do now, unless it-" Twilight was saying before stopping when Berry started stifling a laugh.

He started laughing, though it was short before Berry began saying, "See Twilight? That's what I mean. You're such a smarty-smart-pants, and it always has to be based on a book."

"But the books I've read have never failed me before in giving me an answer to very specific concerns I've had in the past."

"You're such a silly-filly Twilight!" he stated, his face still wielding that genuine smile of his, "There's no clear reference for something like this, unless maybe you find a book that tells exactly this situation and says your name on it, though that would be kinda scary to find a book that tells you what's going on in your life down to this moment. It'll be like some scary stalker pony is following you around or something."

Twilight chuckled, "Yes, that would be rather scary to find."

"Aaanyway...I mean you just go on what you feel you should do. A story talks about the characters in the book, and that "Emotions" book I found when I walked in probably just tells you how to figure it out at the start."

"Oh...you saw that?" she asked, slightly embarrassed.

"Yep! Can I borrow it later? I wanna read it too."

"Of course, just remember to tell me before you leave. Also...I guess this is the next thing to do, right?" then leaned in to give Berry a quick kiss on the nose.

Berry was taken back slightly, but quickly smiled again, "Well then, I-I suppose this is what comes after." and kissed Twilight on her lips.

It took a moment, but Twilight eventually began to return the affection. They parted as soon as both of them needed to take a breather. Twilight just gave a smile as she looked in his eyes as he did the same.

"Thank you so so much Twilight. I was actually kinda scared you wouldn't feel the same and you'd hate me."

"I could never hate you Berry, sure I don't understand you half the time, but you're my friend. Though I suppose the better term now would 'colt-friend'."

Berry just smiled and nuzzled her once more, "Love you Twilight."

"I love you too Berry."