A MILE IN THEIR SHOES
By GeodesicDragon
Looking out over Canterlot, I could see ponies decorating the city with a variety of pink streamers and heart-shaped balloons. Stands selling a variety of teddy bears, chocolates, flowers, wine and other miscellaneous gifts also dotted the main thoroughfare and the sky was free of clouds, thus allowing the sun to shine bright and free.
I soon became aware of a pair of hooves being placed on my shoulders, followed by the tickling sensation of somepony nuzzling my cheek. I turned round and put my arms around Twilight's waist, steadying her while I gave her the first kiss of the morning.
"Happy Hearts and Hooves Day, Geo," she cooed as we both separated. "This will be your first one, won't it?"
"Happy Hearts and Hooves day, Twi," I replied. "And yes, this is indeed the first one I'll have celebrated. Though... I need to be honest with you about something."
Twilight smiled at me. "I don't have a gift for you, either," she said. "After all, what do you get somepony who already has your heart?" She paused for a moment and cocked her head at me. "That is what you were going to say, wasn't it?"
I nodded. "Exactly what I was going to say," I murmured. "I love you so much, Twilight, but the whole point of this day is to prove that in the most romantic way possible... but I've got nothing."
Twilight tapped her chin with a forehoof and got back on all fours. "Well..." she mused. "I did have an idea about how we could both do that, but it would involve the use of magic." I motioned for her to continue. "As you know, there is a saying: 'You can never truly know somepony until you have walked a mile in their shoes' — I was thinking that we could do this."
"So..." I said, scratching the back of my head. "You're suggesting that we wear each others shoes?" I chuckled. "I've always wondered what you'd look like wearing my dress shoes, though there is no way in hell I'm letting you put horseshoes on me."
Twilight giggled and shook her head. "That's not what I meant at all, and fine you know it," she chided, sticking her tongue out at me. "I found a spell the other day that will... that will let the two of us swap bodies for a day."
My eyes widened at this statement. "Swap bodies?" I parroted, to which Twilight nodded. "Wow... I never thought of that. What better way to prove how much I love you, than by seeing the world from your perspective? I say let's do it... then we can go and find this spell you just mentioned and cast it."
Twilight facehoofed. "Perhaps later," she said with a wink. "I'm so glad you're on board with this, Geo. Now come on, let us go to the Starswirl the Bearded wing and get to know each other a little bit better." I opened my mouth to reply, but she cut me off. "No, it is not 'later' yet — now let's go."
I grinned and followed her out the room.
***
I stood twiddling my thumbs amongst the books crowding the Starswirl the Bearded wing, watching Twilight peruse the many shelves for the spell she needed. I was just about to start biting my nails out of boredom when she let out a triumphant "A-ha!" and walked back over to me, making me leap in shock and bring my hands back down to my sides.
"I'm guessing you found it then," I offered, to which she nodded and grinned. "All right then, Twi, I'm ready when you are." Wordlessly she did as she was asked, lighting her horn with magic and blinding us both with a flash of purple. Once it cleared, and I was able to see again, I brought my hand up to my face.
It was at this moment that I realised that I was instead looking at a lavender-coloured forehoof. Letting out a shocked gasp, I looked around for a mirror — and saw Twilight looking back at me. I made a few faces, and the image in the mirror copied them all. "Whoa," I said, thankful that my voice had been transferred along with my subconscious. "This is unreal."
"Isn't it just?" Twilight replied, looking down at the floor. "I thought for sure we'd both be sprawled all over the floor as a result of not being able to walk on two or four legs."
"I think the biggest thing we should be worried about is what we're going to say to everypony," I said. "I know for a fact that John will enjoy every minute of this — I can almost imagine the kind of jokes he is going to come up with."
"Let him joke as much as he wants," Twilight grumbled. "All that matters is that we see this through to the end. Now the spell will auto-cancel at midnight, so you don't have to worry about doing anything magic-related."
I walked over to her and shakily got onto her... my... hind legs. I steadied myself on my... her... shoulders and nuzzled her cheek. "I'm glad to have this opportunity to learn about the world from your point of view," I said. "And if doing this is the best way to show you just how much you mean to me, then so be it. I love you, Twilight." I then moved in for a kiss, which Twilight returned eagerly — though it has be said that kissing myself felt really weird.
Breaking away, I got back on all fours as Twilight laid her hand on my head and petted me. "This is amazing," she murmured. "I never new my mane felt this soft." She giggled. "Then again, my hooves are also soft on account of the fur, so it's no wonder I could never feel anything when I brushed it."
"Good to know that we're already seeing the benefits of this little swap," I said with a grin. "Now, let us see what else we can accomplish today."
As I trotted out of the Starswirl wing, the guard at the door saluted stoically. "Your Highnesses," she said. "Will that be all for today?"
"Yes, Star Storm, it will be," I replied. Star Storm looked at me blankly for a moment before her jaw dropped. "Do you like my new look?" I asked her. "Because I sure as hell do."
I trotted away with a laugh as Twilight followed close behind. She grinned and waved at the flabbergasted pegasus, who remained frozen to the spot even after we left her line of sight.
***
The dining hall was our next stop, as my stomach began to remind me – rather loudly – that I hadn't eaten since the night before. Twilight held the door open for me and I walked in — to see John and the girls sitting round the table.
"Oh, this is perfect," I said gleefully. "Okay, Twi, play along."
She nodded and I trotted up behind John, before rearing up and putting my forehooves over his eyes.
"Hey, what the—?" he said. "AJ, what the heck are you doing?"
"That ain't me, sugarcube," Applejack replied. "It's Twilight. What in the hey are y'all doin', girl? Ah've never seen ya act like this before. Are you feelin' all right?"
"I've never been better, AJ," I replied, sliding in next to John. "In fact, you could say that I'm a whole new pony!"
"And I'm a whole new person!" Twilight added, sitting at the table next to me. "Isn't it great?"
Applejack looked to Twilight and then to me a few times, then shook her head in confusion. "What in tarnation? Why have ya both switched bodies? Is this some kind of joke?"
"Yeah," Rainbow Dash interjected. "As far as pranks go, this one isn't really very good."
"It's not a prank," Twilight said, wrapping an arm around me. "Geo and I have swapped bodies in order to get a better understanding of each other. It's our Hearts and Hooves Day present."
"That's, er, some present," Dash muttered. "You'd think a Prince and Princess would be able to afford the very best."
"Twilight and I have already agreed that we don't need to get each other any fancy gifts," I snapped. "As we said during our anniversary party last year, we don't need to do that because we have each other — and after all we went through just to be together, I think we've earned the right to do whatever the hell we want for Hearts and Hooves Day."
"All right, Twilight... Geo... whatever," Dash said defensively. "Calm down already. I was only saying."
I sighed. "Sorry, Dash," I mumbled. "I didn't mean to snap. But in all seriousness, this is a good thing for us to do. What better way is there to show how much you care about somepony, than by living the way they do and seeing the world through their eyes?"
Dash tapped her chin. "That's a good point," she said. "I never really thought of it like that. Too deep for me, I guess."
"Of course it is," I said. "Now let's eat!"
I flagged down a waiter and placed an order for Twilight and I, whereupon we spent the rest of the afternoon talking and having fun with our friends.
***
Later that evening, Twilight and I returned to our room and lay on the bed together. We cuddled, much like we always do, and she ran her hands through my mane as I nuzzled her.
"So," she said eventually. "Have you gotten an idea of what it's like to live life the way I do?"
"I have," I nodded. "And I have to say that it's not as easy as it looks. There are so many things you need to concentrate on: your studies, controlling your magic surges – yes, I know all about those now – keeping peace and order in Equestria... the list goes on."
"And I am now aware of the many things that you need to worry about," Twilight replied. "The trade agreement Equestria has with the gryphons, making sure that your old government doesn't try to interfere here – seriously, of all the nerve – and basically just being a loving father, husband and friend."
"I could even feel your connection to your Element," I said. "It was truly awe-inspiring. For one brief moment, I felt as though the burdens that responsibility brings were on my shoulders. You do a very good job of keeping everything under control."
Twilight blushed. "Thanks," she murmured. "You do a good job of keeping your responsibilities in check. But seriously — your old government has been trying to interfere in Equestria?"
"They have," I sighed. "They say they want to 'establish friendly communications with an alien species' — but I know that what they really mean is 'we want to ruin your home like we ruined ours'. Needless to say, I told the Prime Minister where he could go."
Twilight giggled, just as the clock struck midnight. "I guess that's it, then," she said. "Just hold still and we'll be returned to normal."
Another burst of purple light filled the room and, once it had subsided, I brought my hand up to my face. "Yep, that's my hand all right," I said. "Oh well, I enjoyed my time in your body."
"Likewise," Twilight grinned. "I have learned so much more about you, Geo, and once again I am reminded how much I love you."
"And I am reminded of how much I love you, Twi," I said, bringing her in for a hug. "Y'know, we should do this again sometime. But not for learning more about each other."
"Oh?" Twilight cocked her head at me. "I'm not quite sure I follow. What else could we possible use—" She stopped talking as she noticed the wicked grin on my face. "Ahh, I see what you mean." She bopped me on the nose with a forehoof. "Naughty man."
"I know, and you love me for it," I chuckled. "But seriously though, I am proud to have gained an insight into how you see the world." I gave her a long and passionate kiss. "Happy Hearts and Hooves Day plus one, Princess Twilight Sparkle."
"And a Happy Hearts and Hooves Day plus one to you too, Prince Geo," she cooed. "Here's to many more like it."
I nodded in agreement, and no further words were spoken as we both drifted off to sleep in each others embrace.