Frederick walked down the stairs into the living room. He looked over and saw Twilight laying on the sofa, asleep. Walking over, he pecked her on the cheek and gently rocked her back and forth to wake her up.
Opening her eyes and leaning up, she rubbed them with a hoof. "Frederick, what time is it? Is the Princess here!?" Twilight asked, starting to panic. Her hair started to stand on end and she looked about, trying to spot Luna.
Frederick grabbed her shoulders, "Whoa, calm down. Nobody's here yet." Twilight nodded and he took his hands away, slowly. "I just woke you up so you could set the table, I'm going to start cooking now."
"I-I guess so..." she replied, looking away as she blushed. Twilight watched as Frederick rose from his crouched position and walked off into the kitchen, whistling an unfamiliar tune. She looked down, ashamed she let him see her like that. She hated herself when she got so... herself, especially when she had to be calmed down.
Reluctantly, she jumped off the sofa and trotted over to the kitchen to fetch a stack of plates, glancing at her coltfriend every so often.
Twilight set the table and stood there thinking. 'I don't deserve him,' she thought, shaking her head, 'he cooks, he looks after me and for what... to get shouted at?' She blew her hair out out of her eyes and sighed.
Twilight's determination grew: she knew she needed to do something, but what?
"Oh, I don't know..." she said to herself, her frustration growing as she laid out the cutlery around the plates. As she set the last knife, some pony knocked at the door.
"I'll get it!" Twilight shouted and walked over. She pulled it open and smiled, "Hi!"
"Hi!" Smart Glass greeted and held out a bottle of wine. "I hope you like red, I didn't know what to buy and the pony in the shop said to get wine as it's the most common and now I'm rambling, please stop me-"
"Alright, let's get you inside..." Twilight said, pulling her by the hoof and closing the door. "Frederick is in the kitchen if you want to say hello."
"Oh... Ok, I guess I'll go and say hi then..." Smart mumbled and turned before being stopped by Twilight.
"Smart Glass, are you alright?"
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine... Just a bit nervous. I've never been to one of these," She replied, looking dejected.
"To a dinner party?" Twilight asked.
"To a friend's house..." Smart said, looking away embarrassed. "I didn't have a lot of friends growing up and the ones I did have... didn't like me that much."
Twilight gave Smart a sympathetic smile and rubbed her shoulder, "Oh, I'm sorry; I shouldn't have brought it up." looking at the time, she gasped, "Go on through and talk to Frederick, I have to get ready..." Not waiting for an answer, Twilight rushed past Smart Glass and up the stairs. She burst into her room and pulled out a few dresses.
"Keep it down..." Spike groaned as he turned over in his bed.
"Oops, sorry Spike," Twilight whispered. She turned back around and shook her head at the dresses. 'Smart didn't wear anything and she looks good, maybe I should wear a necklace instead of a dress?' She thought to herself as she reached out and opened her jewelry drawer.
She looked over the collection of jewelry that many suitors had brought her, hoping to get closer to the Princess. She had turned them down, but kept the gifts; she wasn't one to turn down a diamond necklace, especially if the stallion was a jerk.
Twilight pulled out a semi-transparent glass necklace. It sparkled in the light from the candles, casting rainbow hues around the room, making it look magical. She smiled and hung it around her neck, making sure it sat just right and looked in the mirror.
"You look beautiful," Frederick spoke as he leaned on the doorframe. He smiled and looked her over, "good choice with the dresses, you look better without them."
Twilight looked away, her smile widening. "Shouldn't you be cooking?" She asked, unsure.
"Nah, it's just simmering at the moment. Everything is done, just got to wait," he replied, walking into the room, "I wanted to see my girlfriend before dinner..."
Frederick walked over to the bed and sat down. He patted the area next to him and watched as Twilight jumped up and sat there, looking up at him.
"I know we've been through some rough times. What with the hospital and your parents, but it'll get better, trust me."
"How can you be so positive? You weren't like this when you arrived." Twilight asked.
"I don't know really, maybe your friends have rubbed off on me... Or maybe I don't care what the future brings anymore."
Twilight placed a hoof on Fredericks leg and closed her eyes as his hand made its way through her mane,"What do you mean?"
Frederick held a content smile on his face as his hand trailed down Twilight's back, he looked down, "I nearly died, twice. Of course, both of those times were my fault, but still."
Twilight looked away, her grip on his leg tightening. She could feel her heart beat faster in her chest, a lump in her throat and her tongue become heavy.
Frederick placed a hand on her hoof and she jumped, "Easy, I'm only holding your hoof, what's up?" He squeezed her hoof and waited.
After a few moments, she rose, turned to face him and placed her lips on his, kissing him.
She pushed into him, feeling her heartrate increase, she wasn't sure what this new feeling was, but she didn't want it to stop.
Frederick was surprised, but instantly pushed back and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. He stood up, keeping the kiss going. She pulled herself onto her back legs, so she was at the same height as him while he was standing.
Twilight moved her hooves through his hair, which had only grown longer and more unruly while he was in Equestria. She didn't mind, though; to her, it was as much a part of him as his suit or the crystal in his hand, even if it was a nuisance sometimes.
She moaned as his hand trailed down and groped her buttocks, his hands digging deep into her flesh. She blushed deeply, but didn't feel the need to stop him.
Twilight pulled back breathing heavily, a string of saliva connecting them. She caught her breath, "Wow... You're something else."
"You're not too bad yourself, Miss Sparkle." Frederick replied, kissing her on the nose, "we should go downstairs, our guest might get bored." he squeezed her butt one more time before placing Twilight down on the bed.
She jumped down and followed Frederick out of the room, wrapping her tail around his leg once they were downstairs.
Smart Glass sat on the sofa, sipping a glass of red wine and looked over. She saw the couple and grinned, "Nice to see you again. Have fun?"
Twilight stuttered, "I don't know what you mean?"
Smart leaned forward and picked up the bottle of wine then poured some into her glass, "Alright..."
Frederick walked over and picked up the bottle, "I think you've had enough..." then walked over to the kitchen and placed it on the counter.
"But..."
"No buts, I don't want you to be drunk when the Princess turns up," he stated, sitting down at the table, watching the door for the Princess' arrival.
"So, Smart," Twilight asked, walking over to the opposite seat, "What have you been doing recently?"
"Oh not much, the closest thing this town has to a lab is the hospital and it's severely under-stocked. I don't know how ponies can live like this..." she replied, unaware of the glare Twilight was giving her. As she placed her glass down, Frederick silently levitated it away, hoping she wouldn't drink anymore.
Flicking her hair back, she continued, "Nevertheless, I endured it and got some research finished, my finest work yet: how to maximise crystal growth through electrical stimulation." she smiled and looked to Frederick, "What was your best work?" She asked, raising her eyebrow.
He gave a silent chuckle and shook his head, "I don't have any, I was never one for proper research. To be honest, what we are going to do might not even work, I wasn't exactly an expert," he replied humbly.
At that moment, a gentle knock emanated from the door. Everyone in the room turned as Frederick went to open it.
He smiled, seeing Luna standing there; her hair sparkled as the clouds parted, illuminating her. "Hi, Luna," he spoke, holding out a hand.
She placed a hoof in it and smiled when he kissed it gently, "My my, such a gentlecolt..."
Standing back to full height, Frederick moved to the side, "Please, come inside. The food's nearly done." he could see Luna glance to his and away, almost as if she had something to say, but couldn't.
"Alright." Luna walked into the library, brushing her tail against Frederick's leg.
Shaking his head, he closed the door and followed her inside. She took her silver horseshoes off and levitated them over to the side. "Ooh, it feels soo good to take them off..."
"I can see that. Do you want me to take your tiara?" Frederick asked.
Luna looked up and levitated it off her head, "Sure..."
Frederick levitated it onto a small hook next to the coats. He turned to Luna, got on his knees and held his arms out.
She rushed forwards and embraced him, holding him tightly. "I'm so sorry!" She said, nuzzling his neck, "I shouldn't have teleported you!"
"It's not your fault Luna, really. It was my decision and I'm happy with it."
"But you nearly died..." she whispered, almost afraid that saying it would bring bad luck.
"But I didn't," Frederick pushed her away gently and looked her on the eyes, "and it was worth it, for her."
Luna smiled and nodded, "You love her, don't you?"
"I don't know, it's too early to tell. But I don't want to lose her," he replied, "Anyway, why haven't you come to see me while I was out?"
Luna looked away, "Uh... We had some trouble in the castle. Tia says I'm not allowed to talk about it."
"What kind of trouble?" Frederick asked, knowing full well she would tell him if he asked enough times.
"I don't know..." she mumbled. "There was a break in, in the Elements vault."
"A break in... You live in a castle, how can someone just break in?" Frederick frowned, if they stole the elements, they could be after Twilight or the girls next... 'Note to self, learn more spells...'
"I don't know, but Celestia said they were using some magic she hadn't seen in a long time."
Frederick sighed, "Alright, let's go inside. We can talk about this later."
Luna nodded and pecked him on the cheek. "Thank you," she whispered and walked into the living room feeling a little better.
Twilight stood up and bowed, "Princess, it's lovely to see you!"
Luna walked further in and pulled Twilight up using her magic, "No need to bow, Twilight. This is an informal dinner."
"Sorry... force of habit, I suppose," Twilight replied as she blushed.
Luna chuckled, "Don't worry so much."
She looked over Twilight's shoulder and saw Smart Glass standing there awkwardly and walked over, giving Twilight a friendly nuzzle.
"Princess... It's an honor," Smart Glass said, bowing. She lowered herself down, but was stopped by Luna.
"What did I just say? No bowing, Please."
Smart looked up and nodded, "As you wish, your highness."
Luna shook her head and smiled, "Just call me Luna, we are going to be working together for... hopefully a long time."
"Okay... Luna."
"Good."
Frederick walked out of the kitchen holding two plates of steaming food. "Please dig in straight away, I'll get the rest." He placed them down and went to fetch the other two plates.
Luna let Twilight and Smart Glass still down first, they chose to sit next to each other with Luna sitting opposite.
Frederick walked back in and placed the two remaining plates in front of Luna and himself. He sat down, taking the apron off and folding it over the back of his chair.
"I hope everyone enjoys. It's from a recipe book I had at my parents."
"It looks amazing," Twilight commented, looking down at her plate. She clumsily picked up her fork and sampled some pasta, smiling as she chewed, "Ohmygosh, this tastes soo good!"
"I have to agree, this is as good if not better than the castle's chefs," Luna agreed, nodding.
Smart stayed quiet and simply ate her food, not wanting to say anything awkward. She wasn't used to these situations and didn't know how to act. Especially with Princess Luna in the room.
"I'm glad you all think so," Frederick grinned, before digging in himself.
"So, What have you got planned for us. I hear it's super secret..." Luna asked, before she stuffed some of the delicious food into her mouth and blushing as she wiped some stray sauce off her chin.
"Well," Frederick replied, swallowing. "Not really, I'm just going over some ground rules whenever one of us uses the lab. Plus, I have something else to show you, in regards to my magic." Frederick placed his utensils down, "I also want to get the crystals sorted into separate piles tonight, it's been bugging me for a while now... and maybe sort out some plans for what we need to research or build."
Twilight swallowed and wiped her mouth with a napkin, "That seems reasonable. any particular reason we have to do everything tonight? I'm sure we'd be better off doing half now and the other half tomorrow?"
Frederick paused and thought about it, "Well, okay. I'm sure you guys won't want to be working after this anyway."
Luna and Smart Glass slowly shake their heads, not really knowing if that was rhetorical.
The rest of the meal is uneventful and mostly silent, as the plentiful main course and dessert has a way of filling everyone's mouths more often than not.
After retreating to the couch with some wine, they found themselves slowly falling into a food coma and fighting to keep their eyes open. Fearing that his guests and Twilight would fall asleep, he got up out of his chair, "Come on, it's time!"
Luna groaned as she turned her head, "Really? Can't you let us sleep?"
"I, uh, fine..." He replied, feeling disappointed. "I guess I can." Frederick sat down and leaned back, letting sleep take him. He felt someone jump up and lay on him, nuzzling his neck.
Opening his eyes, he saw Twilight smile up at him. She kissed him, "Thank you for this, you are the best," she whispered, not wanting to wake anyone else up.
"Anything for you..." Frederick replied while drifting off, the nuzzling helping him along.