Takes place between Darts and Strongbox. Recommended theme for reading.
by The Princess Rarity
~~~
Cadence breathed heavily, and her smile was lopsided in loving ecstasy. The exhilaration of all this, it was indescribable. Finally, she was loved, she was cherished, somepony cared about her again. However, she could tell that the feeling was not one hundred percent mutual.
“You have to tell him,” was the simple statement that made Cadence’s heartstrings shake.
The voice was oh-so-sweet and calming, but the words made Cadence worry.
She stammered, brushing blonde highlights out of her face. “He cheated on me first,” she mumbled.
“But keeping secrets? Being with somepony else before the divorce papers are even signed? You don’t think that-”
“-Twilight, why can’t you just accept the fact I’m in love with you now?”
An awkward silence formed. The two mares stared at one another, only before Twilight broke the silence.
She placed a soft kiss on her lover’s cheek. “I’m glad you’re healing yourself,” she murmured. “We know it can’t be this way forever. At least, not at this point.” Twilight swallowed hard. “I know that what my brother did to you was wrong and that it hurt you. I’m still having trouble forgiving him, but this doesn’t feel right. Not now. I’m pretty sure that I’m falling in love with you too, but not until you make the right decision and come to terms with what’s right.”
Cadence frowned. “So what are you saying?” she muttered.
Twilight sighed. “I can’t help but feel like I’m a replacement,” she admitted. “An outlet for your anger, a plea for a second chance. And I want to help… but not like this.”
Everything fell apart, just by looking at Cadence’s expression. Her heart fell into her hooves, she felt tears brim her eyes and a strangled cry slipped past her lips. Twilight was unfortunately right; she had promised to do anything to help, but this wasn’t necessarily what she meant.
“I’ll stay for tonight,” Twilight whispered. “But no more of this, alright?”
A single tear fell, and Cadence managed a nod.
Who was she kidding? A secret relationship rarely got their happy ending in the books and movies, why would it work in real life?