Under the Moonlight
The day started as any other this past week. Tempest Shadow woke up, had breakfast, then got to work trying to help out around Canterlot. Some ponies welcomed her help, some demanded it, but most just wanted her to keep her distance. She understood it, but that didn't make it hurt any less. All she wanted was a chance to change.
Today, she'd gotten another chance when the owners of a well known foreign restaurant accepted her help. She cleaned the floors, helped move in the new furniture, and even went out and bought new utensils and dishes. The sun was already setting by the time everything was finished. Before she left, the owners offered her a free meal for her work, but she didn't take it, wanting instead to go get some rest.
Once back at the castle, she went up to her room and laid down for some rest. Her dreams were the same as they had been all week. She had sat down beside Twilight after sending some more fireworks into the night sky. During the show, She and Twilight got ever closer until they were touching, at which point Twilight wrapped her wing around Tempest for the rest of the show. Once the fireworks ended and ponies started dispersing, Tempest leaned in and kissed Twilight on the cheek. Twilight then turned and gave a kiss back. That's where the dream ended. Tempest woke up and sighed after seeing the bed empty beside her.
"Okay, this is getting ridiculous. I have got to put an end to these dreams... but how?" She said to herself.
She thought and thought, and only came up with one solution, one scary solution: Tell Twilight how she feels. What's the worst that could happen? Twilight could reject her, thinking her a freak for liking another mare, possibly not even want to be her friend anymo-
SLAP
"Oh, but she'd never do that... would she? No... she wouldn't dare. She's the Princess of Friendship for a reason," She told herself, "But she also has a public image to keep intact, a reputation to uphold. She can't do that if she's with me."
SLAP
"Oh, get it together. She gave you a second chance after everything you did," She told herself.
Sighing, she sat down on the cold floor. She could do this, she had to do it! If she didn't, it would only get harder. She pushed herself up, did the breathing exercise Twilight taught her, then headed off toward Twilight's room. While on route, she met up with Princess Luna, who she had greeted with a bow in passing.
"It is a surprise to see you up at this late hour, Tempest," Luna said, "Anything I might be able to help with?"
"Not unless you can give me all the courage in the world for what I'm about to do, Your Highness," Tempest said.
"And what is it you plan to do? Nothing bad, I hope," Luna asked, "Your redemption is coming along well, I would hope you would not ruin it."
"Nothing of that caliber, no. Much bigger, so much bigger," Tempest said before performing the breathing exercise again, "You know Twilight a lot better than I do. Does she uh... does she have a preference for mares?"
"I'm afraid I don't have an answer for that," Luna said, "But, I can say this: Twilight considers you a friend. Even if she has no interest in mares, that does not mean she will think any less of you. In fact, and you didn't hear this from me, her brother swings both ways. Rumor has it, he even took a couple to bed. And who has been there to support him the most? Twilight."
"That... actually helps a little bit... somehow," Tempest said, trying to not picture Shining Armor in bed with a stallion.
"Always glad to help out wherever I can," Luna said, "That said, if you've no more need of me, than I must head off to the dreamscape."
The two then bowed to each other and went their own ways. Tempest couldn't keep the mental image of Shining out her head for long, causing her to gag for a bit at one point. It didn't take much longer afterward for her to reach Twilight's room. She did the breathing exercise a couple more times, trying to calm her nerves. It did nothing. Still, she knew this was something she had to do. She raised up her right leg and knocked three times. After about a minute, the door opened, Twilight appearing in the doorway.
"Hey, Tempest, what's up? Everything alright, today?" Twilight asked.
"Just about. Mind if I come in to talk for a bit?" Tempest asked.
"Not at all, come on in," Twilight said, opening the door.
Once Tempest was inside the room, Twilight closed the door and walked with her to the center of the room.
"So, what happened today?" Twilight asked.
"Have you ever wanted to say something so badly, but can't figure out how to say it?" Tempest asked.
"I think everypony has that happen at least once," Twilight said, "I know I've had a couple secrets that I've wanted to bring to light, but have never figured out how to do so in a way that wouldn't make me look like a freak."
"You're not a freak, Twilight," Tempest said.
"I know, I know, but my brain doesn't always think rationally," Twilight admitted.
"Isn't that the truth," Tempest said, earning her a soft shove from Twilight, "Anyway, back on topic. So, there's this thing I need to tell you, but I just don't know how to say it. When I tell you what it is, please promise you won't stop being my friend."
"Now, that's just crazy talk. No matter what it is, we can work through it," Twilight said, placing her right hoof on Tempest's shoulder, "You're my friend, Tempest. If something is eating at you, just tell me and I'll help you out however I can."
After doing the breathing exercise yet again, Tempest finally felt ready. There was absolutely no way to back out now, she'd gone too far and said too much, anyway.
"Twilight, you're the first pony who has treated me as a pony ever since I lost my horn. You're the nicest pony I've ever met, and I'm proud to call you a friend," Tempest said, breathing in and out, "I came here for one thing, tonight. That is admit to you, Twilight Sparkle, that I... I um... I love you."
Twilight sat there, stunned and lost for words. The longer she stayed quiet, the worse Tempest felt. When she finally spoke up, Tempest was more than ready to leave, rejected for this admission.
"I've... never actually had somepony tell me that before," Twilight said, "I was always the nerdy outcast that nopony wanted to date."
"You? A nerdy outcast? Why do I not believe that?" Tempest asked, her fears suddenly done away with.
"It's true, whether you believe it or not," Twilight said, "But, I've also never really explored that part of life before. It may be really sudden, but I wouldn't mind giving it a shot. Perhaps Friday night, if you want."
"I'd like that, actually," Tempest said, "Thanks for not just turning me away and calling me a freak, by the way."
"I don't have anything against that kind of affection. Heck, my own brother has slept with other stallions before, believe it or not," Twilight stated, "Would you believe Cadance is the only mare he's ever been with?"
"That's... seriously? The first mare he decides to go out with is a Princess? And not just any Princess, but the Princess of LOVE. Talk about scoring big on your first time," Tempest said, "Well, first time with a mare, that is."
The two sat there awkwardly for a couple of minutes before Twilight finally broke the silence.
"So, um... I uh... I've never been part of the dating scene before, but I guess I could give it a shot," She said, looking away.
"I'd like that. It'd help us both out, I think, regardless of the outcome," Tempest said, "Even if it doesn't work out, I'm a big girl, I can handle it. But yea, I'd like to at least give it a shot."
"Then it's settled, we'll go out this Friday night," Twilight said.
"So... tomorrow? Little quick, don't you think?" Tempest asked, tilting her head.
"Oh, um... I mean next Friday!" Twilight said, chuckling and rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly, "Boy, how time flies... away."
The two continued to talk for a few more minutes, trying to be as not awkward as possible, before saying good night. Tempest went back to her room and fell asleep again. Still had the same dream, though.