I love you, Spike.
Tempest blinked a few times, processing what she had just heard.
"So you want me to shoot fireworks out of my horn in the middle of Ponyville at 10PM?" She queried, "Why?"
Up until now, Twilight had refused to answer this question, putting it off as something trivial. She stared down at the ground, suddenly more interested at the castle's cobbled interior than the conversation at hoof. There was a few minutes of silence, before Tempest sighed.
"Alright, then. I won't ask. I just hope it's not for some crazy magical experiment you're planning."
"No, it's fine. I-I'll tell you." Twilight said, her voice almost a whisper "It's... for Spike."
Tempest tilted her head to the side in confusion. Why Spike? Maybe she just wanted to do something nice for him? But if so, why the stammering? She didn't ask any of those questions, however, as she didn't want Twilight to feel pressured. Instead, she settled for nodding understandingly.
"Alright, then."
There was a silence which seemed to last forever, both ponies looking around them, looking down, looking up - anywhere but at the other pony beside them. Tempest tapped her hoof repeatedly on the ground and cleared her throat.
"Right, so... when do you want it done?"
"Tomorrow." Twilight responded, almost too quickly for comfort
The two stood there for a while, shifting their gazes.
Tempest nodded, looking behind her and then back at Twilight, non-verbally asking if she could leave. Twilight nodded, smiling awkwardly. When she heard the door click behind her, she trotted onto her bed, letting her body go limp and let out an elongated sigh before closing her eyes.
That was so awkward.
Twilight opened her eyes slowly, rubbing them groggily. The night had been long, she was unable to get to sleep and had woken up several times.
She sighed, closing her eyes and wishing she could go back to sleep. Fighting off the urge, she propped herself up on the bed. Almost as if on queue, Twilight heard a knock on the door. She sighed, averting her gaze downwards as she spoke.
"Come in!" She tried her best to raise her voice, but the sound only came out in a small squeak.
She coughed, clearing her throat and licking her lips.
"Come in!" She repeated again, this time more loudly and clear.
The door creaked open, revealing the purple pony - Tempest.
"Hey, Fizz."
Tempest nodded, smiling at Twilight.
"I wasn't too sure if you were still asleep. It's 12PM, Twi!" She giggled.
"Wha-?! T-Twelve in afternoon?!" She stammered
Tempest giggled at her stammering. She simply nodded in response, smiling at her.
"Well, I better get up! I need to-"
Tempest held up her hoof, silencing Twilight.
"I've already dealt with Spike," She stated simply "I said it's a surprise."
Twilight smiled, thanking her profusely.
Twilight tapped her hoof on the ground repeatedly, glancing nervously at the clock hung on the wall.
"Only a few more minutes" She thought to herself.
The clock read 9:40. Tempest had, much to Twilight's dismay, wanted both Spike and her to "chat" for a bit beforehand. Not only was Twilight eternally grateful for her friend doing her this, admittedly massive, favour, she was also appreciative that Tempest was supportive of how she felt towards Spike. She had also promised that she didn't tell Spike anything, apart from the fact that it was a "surprise".
Seemingly out of nowhere, feelings of fear began to creep into her mind. What if Spike hated her? Or, even worse, was disgusted by her?
She shook her head. Spike wouldn't say that. Right?
Or perhaps-
"Alright, Twi, I'm ready. Can you tell me what it is now?" He whined playfully, poking her.
Twilight giggled.
"Not yet, Spike. You'll see in a few minutes."
Twilight swept Spike up in her hooves, lifting herself and Spike off the ground and headed North at steady pace. Just a few minutes later, Twilight landed atop a large hill, giving them both a beautiful view of Ponyville. A few stray ponies trotted around, street lights shone like fireflies in the darkness.
Everything was perfect.
Twilight wrapped her wing around Spike, wrapping her front hooves around him. Spike looked up to his best friend, his mentor - his mother. He felt the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed, the beating of her heart and began to wonder - does his connection with her run far more... deeper than he had cared to imagine? It was right now in this moment, that Twilight was glowing. Her beautiful, purple eyes shone like a beacon of light. Her coat, despite being quite uneven, still looked perfect. Her mane, unkempt and frayed, but still utterly radiant.
She was, simply put, drop-dead gorgeous. Without even realising, he found himself nuzzling into her chest. Not for warmth, like other cold, unforgiving winters, but simply because he wanted to. He felt her tighten her grip around him ever so slightly, and rested her head on top of his.
"Twi, why did you bring me up here?" He queried "It's beautiful. But, why?"
She hushed him softly, pointing a hoof to the Sky.
"Watch." She said simply, and Spike obeyed.
Almost without warning, a loud whistling sound was heard, followed by several explosions. Spike had realised that they had been fireworks.
His jaw dropped in utter amazement, he found himself speechless and unable to form any coherent sentence. How had she done this? Why had she done this?
Twilight giggled. spike looked up to Twilight as they stared into each other's eyes.
Minutes Passed.
Hours.
Days.
Months.
Years.
Decades.
Slowly, Spike began to lean in, now acting purely off of instinct rather than rational thinking. Twilight, too, leaned in, their lips becoming magnets.
They felt their lips connect. More fireworks exploded in the distance. They stayed there for what seemed like millennia, each wanting to stay like that forever. Eventually, however, they had to part for air, and when they did, Twilight said four words that would bring them closer than ever.
"I love you, Spike."