> Always By Your Side
>  by Spinner of Tales
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> 1) A Summer Day
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


~~~ CHAPTER ONE ~~~

~~~ A SUMMER DAY ~~~


 


It was a warm and peaceful summer day, and you couldn't have been more content. The warm breeze kept you cool as you sat in the shade of an old oak tree, and you sighed happily as you sipped on a glass of lemonade while the birds sang and the world passed you by. 

This isn’t too bad, you thought. Today you had managed to get the day off work and were spending time with some of your closest friends, relaxing in the great outdoors. It was fairly similar to your summer breaks back when you were in school, actually Only, you supposed, perhaps this was a little different thanks to the fact that - 

“Cannonball!” Came a raspy shout from somewhere in the air, and you didn’t have much more than a second to react before a sky-blue blur splashed down into the lake, sending a giant sploosh everywhere. This was followed by a loud ‘yee-haw’ and a second impact, and then just a moment of calm before two two ponies - Rainbow Dash and Applejack -  surfaced and began a massive splash war, laughing all the while as two other ponies - a snow-colored unicorn and a yellowish pegasus - yelped in alarm and swam quickly away from the ensuing naval combat. 

Okay, maybe it was a little more different than you had originally thought. Your old job, your old house, your old friends, your old life... They were all on your old planet, and for the longest time, you had had no idea where it had gone, only that you had been flung far from home into a world full of magic and talking horses that you were utterly unaccustomed to.

It had all happened in the blink of an eye. One moment you had gotten up from your couch to grab a drink, and the second, you had landed on your ass in the middle of a field overlooking a small, quaint, medieval-looking village. Convinced you were having some kind of sudden-onset psychedelic episode – maybe even an aneurysm - you had wandered into town only to be met by several colored horses who all seemed shocked and terrified at your sudden presence. In under an hour, you had been tossed in a small jail cell by one of the armor-wearing horses, and that evening you had been  summoned to a giant palace on the edge of town where you had been presented to – 

“Girls!” The pony next to you shrieked as a fairly large splash landed merely inches away from the book she had been engrossed in. Growling, Twilight Sparkle sent a small wave of magic through her horn and wiped the pages clean. “Could you please splash in the other direction? This is a first edition History of the Griffon Unification Wars that you’re getting wet!” For emphasis, she waved the book in the air at the two offending ponies. 

“Sorry Twi’,” Rainbow called back, chuckling and grinning sheepishly before resuming her splash battle (if a little less intensely).  

A small grin played at the corners of your mouth you looked over at your neighbor, who had already seemingly forgotten the incident and had refocused all her attention on her book. Twilight Sparkle had been the first pony who had properly introduced herself to you. Heck, she had probably saved your sorry hide. It had been her you had been presented to, and it had been her who had ordered your release once she realized you could speak.

Twilight had become your very first friend in this land of magic and ponies, and you were beyond thankful for that. For the first few days and weeks, she had been almost obsessive in her search for answers regarding your arrival and clues that could help get you back home. 

It was during this time that you began to make more friends. The ponies were a kind… people, you supposed, and had quickly warmed to you as soon as you had proven you weren’t – as Rainbow Dash had said - ‘a giant monkey monster from the Everfree here to eat us all’. 

You had spent a few weeks living off of Twilight’s fairly generous budget, however after a while you had decided you wanted to earn your own money. Thankfully, you didn’t have to look far. As it turned out, opposable thumbs were a luxury in this world, and you eventually decided on a job working at the local post office under a pleasant, happy-go-lucky mare named Derpy Hooves.

It had been on a dull, rainy workday while you were getting a shipment of mail ready for the next train that Twilight had come to see you. Her ears were drooping and her expression was solemn. You figured that she must have had bad news for you regarding your homeward journey. Mentally you had been preparing for it ever since she began her research. However, what she told you then – that the  anomaly that had brought you here had been a one in a trillion occurrence and that she didn’t think she could trigger it again even if she tried – had still hit you hard, and had sent you into a weeks-long depressive spiral only made worse by overindulgence in Applejack’s hard cider and Pinkie Pie’s rum cake.  It had been so bad, actually, that you doubted you would ever come out of it. 

That was when Twilight, proving herself worthy of her title as Princess of Friendship, really came through for you. She had knocked on your bedroom door and, as soon as you had opened it, trotted in and sat down on your bed, telling you that she was there to keep you company and that you were going to talk about your loss and grief because she couldn’t bear to see it eat you up anymore. You had cried, and she had cried, and you both apologized and cried some more, and you had realized just how much she blamed herself for her not being able to get you home. You had given her a long hug and promised her that you would make the best of hand you had been dealt.

She had seemed to like that. 

That had been almost a year ago, and in that time you had recovered. The days had become easier, and your smiles had long since started to reach your eyes again. A lot of that had been thanks to your new friends. Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, all of them had helped make Equestria feel just a little more like home for you. However, there was one friend who towered above the rest. That nerdy, adorkable bookworm named Twilight. You loved all your new friends, of course, not to diminish their role in your life, but it was Twilight you looked forward to talking to more than anyone else, and when you got to spend time working on experiments with her or just reading in her library together, you knew for a fact your day was going to end far better than it began. 

“Hey,” Twilight asked, using the edge of her hoof to nudge your knee, breaking you from your reminiscing. “Are you okay? You seem a little out of it.” 

“Yeah,” came your quick response. “Just thinking about stuff, I guess. You guys, really.” 

Twilight gave you a quick, happy ‘hmm’ and a warm smile before turning her focus back to her book. You smiled back, and couldn’t help but sigh happily as she scooted in just a little closer to you as she resumed reading. Time seemed to pass by in a daze as you sat there, and all thoughts of your old home seemed to fade away as you enjoyed the midsummer breeze and the laughter of your friends as they played in the lake. Clouds came and went, and as the clear blue sky gave way to the brilliant golds and pinks of sunset, Twilight and the rest decided to call it a day. 

Slowly you rose to your feet, yawning and groaning as pins and needles rushed in to fill your legs as they woke up from their sleep. Still, you weren’t about to let a little pain keep you from helping out, and the cleanup was done fairly quickly. 

The road back to Ponyville wasn’t terribly long, and the time it did take to get back home was made far more amusing by Rainbow’s enthused explaining to Applejack of all the tricks she had thought up while swimming, and by Twilight trotting by your side, as she eagerly summarized what she had learned from her book. You didn’t know a thing about the Griffon Unification Wars, but you found it didn’t matter so much to you as the fact that she enjoyed telling you about it. The display of passion she so openly gave every time she learned something never failed to make you smile. 

Eventually your group dwindled as you passed Fluttershy’s cottage and Pinkie’s bakery, and Rarity’s boutique where the alabaster unicorn hoped beyond hope that her younger sister and her friends had behaved themselves during the day.  The group became smaller and smaller, and eventually you and Twilight came to the Friendship Castle, the place you now called home. 

Following a quick shower and a small evening snack, you found Twilight sitting in one of the many small libraries she liked to haunt, curled up on a couch that was too big for her and holding a mug of hot cocoa and two large books suspended in the pink glow of her magic.

“Hey,” you offered, and she audibly gasped, setting her cocoa and books down. 

“Hey! I didn’t hear you come in!” Twilight answered, looked your pajama-clad body up and down. “Off to bed?” She asked. 

“Yeah, I’m beat. Today was real fun!” You said and glanced over at the two books she had seemingly been trying to read at the same time. “What are you up to?”

Twilight’s ears perked, and she picked the books back up. “Oh, not much,” she said, “I was just rereading my book from today and comparing it to the most recent version on the same subject! I’ve been working on a paper trying to see how the progression of time and changes of social views in academia can cause changes in how history is told!”

You offer a quick mhm and a warm smile as you sit in a nearby chair and Twilight goes on. “For example, during the reign of King Grover’s grandsons and the Cold War between Griffonia and Equestria, Grover was seen by ponies as a warlord and despot seeking to gain power over all the Griffon tribes by any means necessary. However, modern scholars argue that the kingdoms were plagued by war and economic turmoil and that Grover’s conquests were supposed to solve those issues by bringing a common union to all their kingdoms, giving the griffons a figurehead to rally around and a common goal to work towards!”

“And which version is true?” You ask. To be honest, you didn’t care much, you just enjoyed hearing the enthusiasm in Twilight’s voice. 

“Who knows?” Twilight offered, once again setting the books down upon a nearby table. “Only Grover really knew his reasons, and I’ve never heard of anypony ever coming across a diary of his. It’s up to us to analyze what accounts we have and figure out the hows and whys as best we can.”

You nodded slowly, tiredly, and you realized you’ve lost track of time as the clock in the library began to chime. Quickly, you rose from your chair and cleared your throat. “Hey Twilight,” you begin, but you trailed off, unable to figure out  what exactly you wanted to say in that moment. “Thanks,” is what you settled on. “For today. For letting me tag along.”

“Aw, you’re welcome!” A kind smile came across Twilight’s face and she walked forward before rising up on her back legs and wrapping her forelegs around you in a warm hug. Ponies weren't as heavy as you thought, you realize, and as you wrapped your own arms around Twilight, you leaned your head in and closed your eyes, relishing in the embrace and in the warmness of Twilight’s coat. In that moment, you realized, you felt truly happy. More than happy, actually. Safe. Secure. Content. In fact, you’d wager you haven’t felt this nice since… 

Your heart seems to stop, and your eyes go wide as you begin recognize just what you’re feeling. ‘Oh, no.” You gulp, and your throat seems much tighter than it had been a moment ago.

“Are you okay?” Twilight asked, dropping down to all fours again and giving you a concerned look. “You just went all tense.”

“Y-Yeah, I’m okay,” you replied, looking down at the bookish pony. “Just… tired. I think I’m going to bed now, if that’s okay?”

“Of course it is,” Twilight said, and her lips pursed in a semi-frown as she looked you over. “You sure you’re okay?” Her eyes seemed to lock on yours, and you tried your best not to get lost in them. 

“Yeah,” you nodded, hopefully not as jerkily as you feared, and you made your way to the door. “Good night! I’ll – I’ll see you in the morning!” 

“Okay! Sleep well!” The alicorn’s voice echoed through the hall as you sped toward your room, your heart racing. 

Only once you had reached your bedroom and had locked your door did you exhale. Your mind raced a million miles a second as you tried to come to terms with what you knew you were feeling. 

You were falling for Twilight Sparkle. Your best friend, and the only friend you knew you couldn’t bear to lose. 

“God damn it…” You muttered.
> 2) A Journey Planned
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


 ~~ CHAPTER TWO ~~ 



 ~~ A JOURNEY PLANNED ~~ 


No matter how many times you tossed and turned  or flipped your pillow  or fluffed your blankets, sleep wouldn’t come. Your mind refused to slow down, conjuring up memories of your newfound crush and all the things she’d done these last several weeks that had made you fall for her. All of the small smiles, the friendly hugs, the color of her cheeks when she blushed... hell, the sheer passion she displayed whenever she found a new subject to learn about. You always had a thing for nerdy girls, you supposed, and Twilight was perhaps the nerdiest girl you’d ever met. 

Girl. You frowned and sighed deeply as you got out of bed, gingerly stepping across the cool wooden floor and out upon your room’s grand balcony. Twilight wasn’t a girl, was she? She wasn't even close. She was a mare. A pony! A horse! The thought put a bitter taste upon your tongue, and you lowered your head in shame at the idea that you could fall for such a being. Back home, such a thing would have been beyond taboo. Here, for all you know, it was too. You knew the various pony races got along just fine, but you had never seen a griffon and a pony couple, or any pairing of different species. 

You paused as a random thought crossed your mind. Were you ashamed because she was a pony? Or were you more ashamed because you were ashamed that she was a pony? Twilight was Twilight. There was far more to her than just her species. Did human taboos even have any place in a world like this? Being so far away from home, you realized that the only time you’d ever see a human again would be in the mirror. 

Were you even physically attracted to her? You closed your eyes for a moment and imagined what it would be like to… take Twilight to bed. Would it be like making love to a human? Or would it be like rutting a horse? You scowled; the thought of Twilight mating like a simple beast brought you some degree of discomfort. You knew she was far more than a beast. She was a person, same as you, but different in all the ways your morals told you mattered. 

You didn’t know what to think, and that panicked you. 

A sudden, chill breeze brought you back, and you shivered in the night as a pack of timberwolves howled from somewhere beyond the borders of Ponyville. Quickly, you stepped back inside and shut the glass doors of your balcony and moved to warm your hands by the crackling, magical fire.

You weren’t used to not knowing things. It stressed you out, and when you were stressed, you tended to panic. You weren’t so different from Twilight in that regard, you thought. When you were panicked, you would seek knowledge. Your fear came from the unknown, that great nebulous cloud of hows and what ifs that ignorance could never quell, that would build in your mind and allow your fears to run wild. Knowledge was like the sun that burned away that fog, that allowed you to see your problems for what they really were: manageable and far more easy to solve than your panicked mind had originally thought. 

No, you chuckled. Not so different from Twilight at all. 

Perhaps you could read up on the subject? No doubt Twilight had many books on romance. She had whole shelves for every subject under the sun, you knew. Just because you had never heard of ponies loving different species doesn’t mean it couldn’t occur, and if you could learn about these things then perhaps you could come to terms with your own feelings for your own best friend. 

There were so many things you didn’t know. But now that you had a plan, it all seemed easier somehow, and as you climbed back in to bed and pulled the covers over your body, you said a silent prayer to Princess Celestia – or whatever god ruled over this land – that you could find answers and finally be at peace. 

Slowly, ever so slowly, you fell sleep.

~~

You woke early in the morning. Just as the sun was rising and the birds were beginning to chirp, much to your displeasure. You had never been much of a morning person, and thanks to your insomnia last night, you reckon you had only slept for four hours or so.  You hoped there was fresh coffee. 

Groaning, you rolled out of bed and made your way to your bathroom. A quick shower and a shave, and you dared to feel just a tad more alive than you had previously.

Surprisingly, Twilight was nowhere to be found. As you walked by her bedroom, you saw that her bed had already been made and the magical fire had been snuffed. However you soon smelled the faint aroma of pancakes (and coffee!) and followed your nose down to the main hall, where you discovered the bookish alicorn already wide awake, poring over several different books at once and occasionally muttering as she gazed over to what appeared to be an old parchment map, all laid atop the table she claimed to be a “Cutie Map” of some kind. 

In silence, you took a mug and poured a cup of coffee and took a seat at the far end of the table. You smirked; Twilight didn’t seem to realize you were there. 

“Good morning!” You said, louder than you probably should have, and you had to suppress a laugh as Twilight jumped in her chair, yelping in surprise. 

“Don’t sneak up on me like that!” Twilight growled. 

“I’ve been here for almost a minute now, Twi’.” You answer. 

Twilight opened her mouth to respond but found that she had no winning argument for that, and so she just splayed her ears and gave you a small blush as she looked away. “Guess I was just a little busy,” she muttered. 

You gave a small ‘hmm’ in acknowledgement and leaned in. “What are you working on?”

That seemed to light a spark in the alicorn. She looked up at you, eyes wide and full of energy. “I think I found it!” She exclaimed. However, she must have sensed your confusion, because she decided to go on.

“Do you remember how I said last night that King Grover never kept a diary?” You nodded. “Well, I spent most of the evening wondering about that. As it turns out, he might have!” Twilight turned the map she was looking at around and pushed it toward you. “I woke up a few hours before dawn this morning and looked through some old books of mine, and I think I found references to his personal, hidden library!”

You sipped your coffee. “Okay,” you said. 

“It’s a griffon legend!” Twilight exclaimed. “Almost all records of it have been lost to time, but I think – at least I suspect – that some of the references made in these books…” she gestured at the thick tomes scattered across the table. “These books might be able to help us find it!” 

“That’s… amazing!” You offered, and smiled widely at Twilight’s own grin. How she managed to decode several different references from several different books you’d never know, but if anyone could do it, you knew she could. 

That’s when it hit you. “Us?” 

The alicorn leaned in. “You want to come?” She asked. “I could ask Rainbow, she usually loves this kind of thing. I don’t think you and I have ever gone anywhere though, just the two of us.” 

You weren’t sure how to respond. Go out in search of a lost library? Like a classic Dungeons and Dragons-type quest? You had to work at the post office in a couple of hours! What’s more, you had never even been camping for more than a day or two back home. Why would Twilight want you to tag along on her journey?

“It’ll be fun!” Twilight encouraged you and hopped to her hooves, a big smile on her face. “There’s so much I could show you! There’s so much of Equestria you haven’t seen! We can travel through the Whitetail Woods, and we’d pass over Neighagra Falls! Oh, it’ll be so amazing!” 

“Is it… dangerous?” You asked. “And how long would it take?”

Twilight chuckled. “Dangerous? I sure hope not! And maybe a week or so each way.” She must have seen you getting ready to speak, because she quickly added: “I can get the time off for you. I know Derpy wouldn’t mind. She owes me a favor, anyhow.” She paused. “And besides, if there is any danger, you don’t have to worry. I can protect you!” 

You couldn’t help but blush. 

Sighing, you lean back in your chair and closed your eyes. This was a bad idea. You knew it was. You were no Indiana Jones, no Daring Do. You belonged in Ponyville. Well, technically you belonged on a far-off planet you’d never see again, but all things considered Ponyville was a decent second choice. 

Then again, you thought, maybe this was a chance for you think on your feelings. Some time alone on the road, just you and Twilight, would give you time to think about her, to get to know her, just her, in a way you hadn’t been able to here in town. If you were ever going to make a move – if -  you'd need to be sure she would feel the same way about you. 

This was a bad idea. You knew it was, and yet you also knew that your heart had already made its choice. 

“Yeah,” you said. “I’ll come along.” 

“Yes!” Twilight cheered. “I promise we’ll have fun!”

You hoped so, you really did. But, in your soul, fear began to gnaw at you. 


~~


A few hours passed and morning turned to midday as Twilight galloped through the palace making sure all of her provisions were packed and ready to go. You knew she wouldn’t leave unless her saddlebags were at least triple-checked, and so you decided to quickly call on Ponyville’s resident tailor to see if she had anything a little more outdoorsy to wear than the simple garb she had sewn for you to wear around town. 

The bell on top of the door gave a musical chime as you walked in.. Equine mannequins of all shapes and sizes stood throughout the main room, some in elegant glittering dresses, and some in dashing tuxedos. Hundreds of fabric samples of every color were scattered about every table you could see, and from a back room somewhere, you heard a sewing machine hard at work. Obviously, somepony must have placed a big order. 

“Hello?” You called. 

The sewing machine fell silent, and you heard the telltale sound of hooves on marble as the unicorn you were looking for trotted out. The moment she saw you, she smiled brilliantly. “Darling!” 

“Morning, Rares!” You opened your arms for a hug, and she gladly complied. “How are things?” 

“Oh, busy as usual, of course. The Grand Galloping Gala is coming up, and of course everypony simply must have the latest fashion!” She shook her head and ran a hoof through her mane, then quickly used her magic to set it back in its elegant swirl. “Please don’t tell me you need a tuxedo, dear.” 

You chuckle. “I haven’t worn a tux since high school prom. No, I was just wondering if you had anything made for me that I could use for a trip through some less than civilized areas. Something a little thicker than linen, maybe.” 

Rarity’s eyes widened. “Through the wilderness? Good heavens dear, I didn’t think you were capable of going more than a mile or two out of Ponyville!” She furrowed her brow for a moment before she gasped. “I was working on some fall fashion for you. It’s a tad warmer and hardier than what you’re wearing now. Just give me a moment to find it for you!” 

Nodding, you let the unicorn trot off to one of her many walk-in closets, and you smiled as she began to hum a whimsical tune as she rummaged through what you assumed to be drawers and drawers of unfinished projects. 

“Wherever it is, I can tell you now that it still isn’t fully done. I’m afraid it’s a little… sparse.” Rarity called out from the closet. 

“Sparse?” You asked, raising an eyebrow. 

“I had hoped to add a few sapphires to complement the color of your eyes, darling.” The mare replied. “Sadly, I had to commandeer them for a dress for a client.” 

“That’s more than okay!” You said. Shuddering, you remember the pajamas Rarity had made for you last spring, and how pokey the gems had made them in, well, all the wrong places. You were more than okay if your jacket was sparse. 

“If I may ask, where do you plan on going?” Rarity asked. You heard a drawer slam shut and a second slide open. “Pardon my saying so, but you’ve never come across as a Rainbow Dash kind of stallion. Or an Applejack. You’ve always been more of a, well, a me. Far more accustomed to observing the great outdoors, and less so being immersed in it.”

You laugh at that. “I suppose so. But Twilight’s offered to take me along on a trip of hers to find some great lost library, and you know how hard it is to say no to Twilight when she asks so nicely. Though I suppose I do feel a little anxious about the whole thing.” 

The rummaging paused, and the alabaster unicorn’s head poked out from around the corner. “Twilight asked you?” She inquired, though it sounded more like a statement than a question. 

“Uh, yeah,” you answered. You felt as though the whole world’s attention was  suddenly upon you the way Rarity regarded you. “Why?” 

The mare paused for a moment and she gave a curious expression, one you couldn’t place but suggested deep thought. “Well, if Twilight asked you accompany her, then there is nothing at all to worry about!” She gave you a warm smile. “I have never known Twilight to make any decision unless she had good reasons!” Then, her head disappeared back behind the doorway and the sounds of rummaging resumed. 

You sighed as you turned to look out the window. Several ponies made their way down the main avenue. Some stopped and looked in the windows to peruse the various dresses the Boutique had on display, and more than one waved happily as they saw you. It made you think. Of all the ponies in Ponyville, surely Twilight could have asked one more accustomed to long treks and wilderness camping. 

“Why do you think Twilight chose me?” You asked, calling out for the unicorn still looking through drawers. 

“Oh, well I couldn’t possibly tell you, darling!” Rarity called back. “Aha, there we are!”

Once more, a drawer slid shut, and soon the mare trotted out from the closet, towing a fairly impressive assembly of garments in her magic. “Here we are, dear!” She exclaimed, and pushed the goods toward you.

The coat was a dark brown woolen gambeson, fastened by silver buttons down the middle. You could see along the cuffs small sewn patterns, likely where the fashionista had originally planned to place her sapphires. The trousers were the same color, and the boots were just a shade darker and tall enough to come up to your calves. And to top it all off, a dark green cloak and hood made of fine silk, fastened at the gambeson’s neck by a gleaming silver clasp. 

“Wow,” you exhaled. You had thought Rarity would have given you some thick trousers and a heavy coat, but this… this was amazing. 

“Shall I assume from the sparkle in your eyes that it’s to your liking?” The mare asked, giggling. “I’m glad, darling. Just make sure to tell anypony who asks who made it for you!” 

“It’s gorgeous,” you said, and then added, chuckling, “I’ll try not to get it too muddy.” 

“I do hope you have an excellent trip, dear.” The unicorn offered you a warm smile and a caring nuzzle against your chest. “You will have to tell me all about it when you get back, perhaps over a cup of tea.” 

“Sounds good,” you said, giving her a little rub behind the ears. “Well, I should be going. Twilight’s probably finished her checklists, and I’d like to have a little lunch before we head out.” 

Smiling, you took the garments and bundled them up in your arms and made your way out of the Boutique. Rarity was kind enough to hold the door open for you, and as you made your way through Ponyville back to the Friendship Palace, the doubts in your heart began to wane, replaced by a growing confidence. If Twilight wanted you alongside her, you knew you trusted her to make the right call. Maybe she saw something in you that you couldn’t, and that… that was encouraging to you. And besides, a week or two alone on the road, just you and her… the thought made your heart beat just a little quicker. 

Perhaps this would be a journey you’d remember for the rest of your life.

By the time you had gotten back to Twilight, she had only just finished packing her bags and reminding her dragon Spike about all of the very many things he had to do while she was gone. You were glad to have missed it if the young dragon’s thousand-yard stare was at all telling. Then came all the goodbyes. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had just happened to drop by, as had the unicorn tailor whose shop you had just come from. It was nice to see her taking a break, short as it may have been. 

Finally, Twilight came up to you, saddlebags stuffed full and a big smile on her face. “Are you ready?” She asked. You nodded. “Okay!” she chirped. “Be good, Spike! See you soon, girls!” The two mares present waved goodbye, and Spike rolled his eyes, muttering something about “not being a little kid anymore”. And then, just like that, you were off on the longest road trip you’d ever taken.
> 3) Fireside Feelings
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


~~~ CHAPTER THREE ~~~



~~~ FIRESIDE FEELINGS  ~~~


It took a while for you to get out of Ponyville proper, and cobbled roads  soon gave way to treaded grass. Houses gave way to farms, though you were surprised to still see several ponies you knew from the town square; farmponies and farmhands, er, well, farmhooves you supposed, many of whom you regularly bought produce from. Of course, Twilight had to stop to talk to every one of them, and you quickly got used to hanging back in the shade of a tree or leaning up against an errant rock while she happily chatted away. Occasionally, she would beckon you over, and you were always happy to make new friends. 

Things went on like this for most of the day, and you were actually surprised when you passed the last farmhouse and came at last to the wide, open world. Back home, you had spent your childhood in the suburbs and your old job had kept you there. Your world had been crowded by houses and businesses. You had always hoped to move West someday, somewhere freer and more open where you could feel closer to the sky. You had gotten your wish, you realized, if not in the way you had originally thought you would. 

As you reached the top of a nearby hill, you gasped in awe. A wide open expanse flooded your vision. It was green grass and colored flowers as far as you could see, and far beyond on the horizon you saw great mountains veiled in thick fog and capped in brilliant snow. The largest of them reached far upwards, so far that the peak only occasionally appeared whenever the distant wind blew the clouds away. Sunspire Peak, Twilight explained to you, the very place where the princesses themselves originally appeared in Equestria many thousands of years ago. 

You spent some time, at least a few hours, traveling along a shallow river towards these mountains before turning East and headed across a wide field of flowers. At your back the sun slowly fell, sending a brilliant cascade of golds and oranges across the sky. It remained like this for a while, as you remembered Twilight explaining to you some time ago that the sun couldn’t just set on her own; she needed the guiding magic of Princess Celestia to finish her journey, just as the moon required the touch of Princess Luna to rise and fall. Sometimes you wondered how any of that even worked; knowing how the sun worked back home, you were a little suspicious of the princesses. However, in the end, you didn’t really mind. Golden hour was always the part of the day you liked the most, and if you got to spend a little more time basking in it you weren’t about to complain. 

Eventually though, the sun finally dipped under the horizon, and a brilliant crescent moon popped up in its’ place. The golds and reds of the sky were replaced by cool blues, and Twilight soon suggested that you make camp for the evening. While you didn’t necessarily mind the chill in the air as your brand new cloak kept you fairly warm, the thought of a nice fire and some supper really did appeal to you, and so Twilight sparked her horn, and in no time at all two bedrolls unspooled themselves and a small magical fire was kindled between them and you settled down at the edge of a small wooded area for the night.

“I don’t know how you do that,” you said, sitting down next to the fire. Twilight sat down next do you and began unpacking dinner from her saddlebags. “I wish I had magic like you.”

You couldn’t tell if it was the heat fire or the praise, but you enjoyed the small blush that crept across Twilight’s face. It made your heart flutter just a little. “Fire magic is harder than it looks.” Twilight answered, and then laughed sheepishly, rubbing a hoof at the back of her neck. “There are more than a few scorch marks on my textbooks!” 

You pressed on, if only just to see her blush a little more. “Well, I think you’ve got it down just fine. You’re really good at it.” 

“Thanks,” she said simply. You thought you saw a quick ear flick from her, and she quickly looked away, though you still caught the small smile playing at the corners of her muzzle. 

Supper was a simple affair, a few pieces of banana bread that Twilight had packed away, magically enchanted to fill you as though you had eaten twice the amount, and the two of you happily munched away in peace. Finally, as you finished, Twilight broke the silence.

“So?” She asked, looking up at you, eyes wide and glimmering in the flickering light of the fire. “Are you having fun so far?” 

“Yeah!” You replied, happily smiling over at her. “It’s been a heck of a day. And the views were just…” You exhale. “Amazing.” 

Twilight hmm’d in response and used her magic to pull a small bottle from her saddlebags. She popped it open and took a swig before offering it to you. As soon as it passed your lips, you recognized it as Apple Family Apple Cider, and you quickly took a second gulp of the sweet, chilled ambrosia. The alicorn laughed. “Yeah, sometimes I like to come out this way when I’m not too busy. It’s very calm.” She paused for a moment, and her brow furled in thought. “Do you miss your old home? I don’t think I’ve ever heard you talk about it.” 

You shrugged. “Yeah, of course.” 

“What was it like?” 

Now that you had no good answer for. How were you supposed to describe a planet to somepony who’d never been there?  “It was… nice?” You offered her back the bottle. “I mean it had its downsides, sure, but for the most part it was okay. I think I like it better here, though.

Twilight took a gulp. “I’m really glad you were able to find a new home here,” she said, smiling up at you. “You’re a really brave person. I don’t know if I could handle what you went through.”

“Thanks.” You weren’t sure if it was the cider or her compliment that made you feel so flushed. 

Silence reigned for a few more moments as the two of you shared the bottle of cider, and then you kept talking. She asked about your old job, your old home, your old friends, and you told her all about them. In turn, she spent some time talking about growing up under Princess Celestia’s guidance and how she met all of her friends in Ponyville. You weren’t sure what prompted it, but eventually you had to ask: 

“Is there anyone… special to you, Twilight?” You hated how awkward you sounded asking, and you hoped you didn’t come across as creepy. 

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Special? Like a… oh, like a special somepony?” You assumed that special somepony was pony-talk for boyfriend, so you nodded. The alicorn laughed sheepishly, blushing just a little. “Aha, no, nonono, can’t say I have! I’ve always been far too busy to pursue… well, things like that.” 

You let out a small sigh of relief you hadn’t realized you’d been holding in. In the year you’d been living in Twilight’s palace you’d never seen her go out on a date. Of course there had been many times she’d gone off on quests like this, and you had occasionally wondered if she’d ever met anyone on any of her journeys. 

“What about you?” She asked. “You talked about your human friends and some of your co-workers, but you never brought up a special somep – er, someone.” 

“Oh, there were a few girls I liked over the years,” you admitted. “They were friends I’d had for a long time. Good friends, but eventually I wanted something more than that. I wanted something deeper, but..” you sighed and looked away from Twilight, down at the ground. “I guess I could never take the risk, y’know? Of ruining what I had by making it awkward. I always thought I’d end up driving them away, and so I never took the chance.”

Twilight didn’t respond. When you finally glanced up at her, she was smiling sadly at you. One of her ears flicked, and she scooted just a little closer to you. “I’m sorry, I know how that feels.” she offered. "I – I’m the same way, I think. There have been times when I’ve met a stallion, and he’s really nice, and sometimes I think about – well, what it would be like to have a special somepony like him. But, I mean, I’m the Princess of Friendship. I’m really good at making new friends! I suppose I just love my friend so much that I’m terrified I might do something to lose them.” She sighed deeply and sniffled as she wiped a tear off of her cheek. “I end up telling myself that I just don’t have the time for romance, but…”

“But that doesn’t make you feel any less lonely.” You mumbled, earning a shaky nod from the alicorn as she scooted a few inches more toward you. Looking down at her, your heart fluttered in your chest. You had never really seen her like this before. Her eyes looked up at you, and you could see fresh tears threatening to spill downward. A faint pink blush tinged her cheeks, and each of her ears flicked seemingly at random.  

Damn it, you didn’t care that she wasn’t human. You didn’t give a damn that she had hooves instead of feet or a mane instead of human hair. You couldn’t possibly care less about the fact that she was practically an alien species to you. All you saw at that moment in the dim firelight was a mare, an adorable, intelligent, amazing mare, enough of a person  to you in all the ways that mattered. Still a pony, yes, but a pony you had grown to care for beyond all reason. And… and she was sad, and you knew deep down in your soul that you would do anything in the world to see her happy again. 

“Twilight,” you swallowed thickly, and she blinked the growing tears away and gave you a small ‘hm?’ in response. Slowly, you brought up a hand to rub at the five o’clock shadow growing on your chin. There were so many things you wanted to tell her at that moment. How much she meant to you, how much you loved her companionship, and how much you… how much you loved her. How much you needed her. She was a mare who had become your best friend, who had helped you adjust to such a new and alien world, who had been there for you at your worst and had helped you find your best. 

“I just… I want you to know that…” 

There was a quick snap of a twig just beyond the treeline behind you, followed by a low and terrible snarl. In an instant, Twilight’s gaze had hardened and she had jumped to her hooves and you to your feet, the two of you spinning to face the unknown thing lurking in the dark. Your throat still thickened by the confession of love you had been working toward, you coughed once, twice, before you asked: “What the hell is that?” 

Your query was followed by a howl you had heard many times before from your balcony in Ponyville. “Timberwolves,” Twilight said, narrowing her gaze. There was no fear in her voice, and you were very glad for that as you allowed Twilight’s courage to boost your own. A set of eyes appeared in the trees, and they glowed a deep, menacing yellow. A second set soon followed, and then a third. 

“Get behind me,” the alicorn commanded, and you obeyed. Your eyes widened in fear as three hulking beasts stepped out of the darkness, each easily as tall as Twilight and armored by what looked like thick plates of tree bark. The alpha - the largest of the three - looked you over and unleashed a vicious snarl. baring stained yellow fangs dripping in some kind of gross yellow slime. Then it roared, and all three beasts jumped at once. 

You couldn’t move. Fear paralyzed you and made your legs little better than logs. Time seemed to slow as you saw the beast inch closer and closer, and then… 

There was a brilliant purple flash from your side as Twilight launched a magic bolt at the beast. It hit the Timberwolf’s side just between his armor plates and he gave out a loud yelp as he landed, jumping away on his paws to take up a spot at the back of the pack. Still, two more pressed their attack, and Twilight’s horn lit again. This time her magic formed a glimmering, gleaming shield and the two Timberwolves were repulsed mid-jump, bouncing off of the alicorn’s shield as though it were a solid wall. Twilight followed with two more quick beams of magic, not aimed at the Timberwolves themselves but at the ground near their paws, causing them to jump back and snarl viciously at the two of you. Fearlessly, Twilight stood in front of you, lowering her horn and flaring her wings in an impressive display of power.

Though they snarled a few more times, and let out several ferocious barks, it soon became clear that every time Twilight stepped forward the Timberwolves stepped back, and soon the alpha gave a quick yelp and all three turned tail and ran back to the cover of the woods. Gradually, the sound of their howling and barking faded, and Twilight at last allowed the magic from her horn to fade. Shaking on her hooves, she turned to you. “Are… are you okay?” She asked, and you nodded, tears forming in the corners of your eyes as the adrenaline in your body began to wear off. 

Slowly, the alicorn approached you, and you found Twilight’s lavender wings wrapped tightly around you. You couldn’t hold back the heaving sob that tore its way free from your throat and you hugged the mare as hard as you could. “I – I thought I was going to die,” you gasped. 

In response, Twilight’s hooves wrapped around you and she squeezed you, giving you a quiet ‘shhh’. “It’s okay,” she whispered in your ear. “You were a brave pony just then. Timberwolves are really scary. You did a good job.” 

Sniffling, you just kept holding her tight, hiding in the floof of Twilight’s chest as if to conceal your growing crimson blush. It took a long time for your heart to stop pounding so hard, and the alicorn refused to let you go, gently running a hoof through your hair as you gradually relaxed. Slowly, the mare helped you curl up next to her, and you didn’t protest as her wings hugged you close. “Get some sleep,” she murmured. “I’ll keep an eye out in case they come back, but I think we're safe for now.” 

Sleep. Sleep sounded good. Your muscles were sore, and the adrenaline from the battle had sapped your energy. Your eyes, heavy, fluttered shut, and you were more than happy to use Twilight’s chest as a pillow. Her fluff was warm and cozy, and you were slowly, ever so slowly, lulled to sleep by Twilight’s hoof petting your hair. 

Being so close to sleep, you couldn’t be sure, but you swore the last thing you experienced before you lost consciousness was the faint feeling of pressure on the top of your head as Twilight lowered her muzzle and gave you the faintest kiss goodnight.
> 4) On The Road
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


~~~ CHAPTER FOUR ~~~


~~~ ON THE ROAD ~~~


The three Timberwolves snarled viciously as they backed you and Twilight up, closer and closer, toward the cliff’s edge. Twilight, wincing in pain, leveled her horn at the Alpha and fired a beam of energy.  You could feel the heat of her magic as it arced across the space and impacted the beast in a brilliant flash of purple, and for a moment you hoped that the alicorn had vaporized it. The snarls of the beasts faded, and all you could hear were Twilight’s pants and the crackle of magic.  However your hopes were dashed as the Alpha emerged unharmed from the miasma of magic, and as it regarded you, sneering and baring his fangs, fear took  your heart. It let out a growl that sounded eerily like a laugh, and you found that your feet would not obey you. You could not move. 

Twilight, in all her bravery, stepped in front of you on shaky legs. Tired as she was, still she stood tall and heroic, and she once again illuminated her horn. “You cannot pass,” she said, and a brilliant ball of shining light began to form around the two of you. “Go back to the shadows!” the alicorn commanded. “You will not touch me, and you will not touch my friend.” 

The Alpha smirked, and reached a massive paw out to swipe at the Princess of Friendship. His claws smashed against Twilight’s magical shield, sending a flurry of sparks and magical energy everywhere. Thankfully, it held. For the moment, you were safe. 

Only for the moment, however. 

A second attack followed, and then a third, and Twilight’s shield began to crumble. You wanted to call out, you needed to tell her. She could do this! You believed in her! But the words caught in your throat,  and all you could let out was a hollow croak. 

Twilight stopped then and looked over at you at the same moment her shield wall came crashing down. “I…” she began, but she never had the chance to finish as the Alpha suddenly charged and the alicorn was caught in his jaws. 

“No!” You screamed at last, helpless, as the mare you loved was thrown from the cliff to her doom, and the three towering, snarling Timberwolves turned their full attention toward you. 

“No!” 

~~

“No!” You roared as you jumped to your feet, your heart pounding in your chest. For a moment, just for a second, you could hear the growling of the Timberwolves as thought they were right next to you, however, as you spun around, you quickly came to realize you were not on the top of a cliff, nor were you in the middle of a battle. You were still at the edge of the woods, and it had all been a horrible, horrible dream. 

“Just a dream,” you murmured shakily and ran a hand through your hair. “It was just a dream.” 

Still, you could hear Twilight’s scream echoing in your mind , and as you looked around your small clearing, you realized the mare was nowhere to be found. “Twilight?” You called. Your only answer was the chirping of birds and the early morning breeze. “Twilight!” You cried out again, more urgent this time, more panic in your tone.

A twig snapped and you quickly spun around, only to find the Princess of Friendship emerging from the woods. In her magic, she carried some more twigs for the fire, as well as a few flowers  which she was happily munching on and two small bottles.. “Good morning,” she chirped, and you gave a quiet nod in response, hoping she wouldn’t pick up on how panicked you had just been. “Are you okay?” She asked, care coloring her voice. “You don’t look well. Did you sleep okay?”

So much for hiding it. “Bad dream,” you answered her, sighing. “Real bad dream.”

Twilight frowned, and her ears flicked back. “I remember Princess Luna once told me that she usually has a hard time finding you in the Dreamscape due to the fact that you aren’t, well, from here.  I know she would help you more if she could though.” She paused. Was it the Timberwolves?”

Images flashed in your mind. The Alpha’s dripping fangs. The claws. Twilight’s panicked eyes. Her screams as she fell. “For the most part.” You sighed. 

“Want to talk about it?” The mare asked, and a purple hoof reached out to touch your hand. Mindlessly, you took it and gave it a small squeeze. “Not really,” you said. “Not right now, I mean. Just… I’m glad to be awake, and I’m glad… I’m glad you’re okay.” 

Twilight paused for a moment, and then nodded slowly. “I’m okay, I promise.” She smiled up at you.  Her purple eyes glimmered in the early morning sun, and you smiled back as you committed the sight to memory. From her bright and wide eyes to the fuzz on her cheeks, from her flicking ears  to the way her snoot scrunched as she smiled,, you took it all in. You never wanted to see Twilight like you had seen her in your dream. 

You would happily drown in the presence of this pony. She was so pretty, so adorable, so beautiful. You wanted to tell her. God, how you just wanted to confess. If you could fall asleep every night like the last, cuddled up against Twilight’s chest floof and wrapped in her wings, you would be able to die a happy man. 

“Do you want something to drink?” Twilight asked, and she illuminated her horn and brought over one of the two bottles you had seen her carrying back to camp. “Fresh from the creek, nice and cool!”
You thanked her and grabbed the bottle, drinking deeply. You were always parched in the mornings, even more so following a nightmare;  tossing and turning was hard work. Twilight also offered you breakfast in the form of the rest of the magical banana bread from last night, which you happily accepted. 

While you were munching away, Twilight began to pack up the camp, explaining the upcoming  journey to you as she did so. You were to travel up past the forest and toward the border of the Crystal Empire,  then East across the River Harmony and over Neighagra Falls, and then finally downhill to a small seaside village called Maretime Bay where you could book a ship that would  take you to the Kingdom of Griffonstone. You had no idea where any of these things were, of course, and you told Twilight as much. Thankfully, you were more than happy to just follow the egghead wherever she decided to lead you; no doubt she’d memorized Equestrian geography down to the name of every last settlement. 

As it turned out, you weren’t wrong. 

As you and Twilight traveled along the road, the alicorn would perk up any time a small town or wayside inn would appear, and she would tell you some fun fact or piece of trivia about it. This inn was run by a descendant of Clover the Clever, that town was known for a famous battle a thousand years ago, that ruin used to be a temple where ponies worshiped the Mare in the Moon. In many of these places, Twilight insisted that you take a small detour to explore. So long as you got to spend more time listening to her talk, you sure didn’t mind. 

It was in one of the older ruins that something caught your eye. Twilight had been leading you through the long-abandoned halls, happily scrawling notes on a scroll she had brought along and explaining some ancient lore to you that you had seen it: a small flower growing in a crack in the wall, bright pink against the dreary gray. How it was growing you had no idea, there was very little sunlight in the ruin. Still, there it was. An idea crossed your mind. It was a little corny, sure, but hell, you wanted to do it.  You plucked the flower from the wall and called out. “Hey Twilight! Come here a second!” 

The alicorn gave you a quick and curious ‘hmm?’  as she turned back and came around the corner. Smiling, you extended your hand, offering her the flower. “Here, I found this. Thought you might like it.” 

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “I’m not really hungry, and we still have a few hours ‘till lunch.. I guess I could go for a snack though.” 

You paused. Ah, of course. Ponies liked to eat flowers. Maybe the symbolism was a little different for them than it was for you. “Actually, I was hoping to just, y’know, give it to you?” You offered. “I saw it and it was pretty and it reminded me of you, and..” Ugh. Way too corny. “It’s just a present. I thought you’d like it.” 

Twilight’s eyes widened a little, and you swore you saw a quick blush splash across her muzzle and tinge the tips of her ears. Adorable. “Oh. A - a present? For me?” She asked. You nodded, and she took the flower in her magic, turning it over and examining it closely. “Thank you,” she said, so demurely it was as if she had been possessed by Fluttershy. 

“I just thought it’d look good, maybe in your mane,” you said, rubbing awkwardly at the back of your neck. “Here,” you reached out and took the flower back and then fumbled for a moment as you tried to get the damn thing in place. It took some work, but eventually you got it, and as you stepped back Twilight conjured up a mirror and eagerly examined your handiwork.

“It’s nice!” She exclaimed, using a hoof to fluff her mane. “I love it! Thank you so much!  I… I wish I had one to give to you, but…”

It was your turn to blush. “Ah, no, no, you’re okay.” You laughed sheepishly. “Just seeing you smile is good enough for me. 

Twilight gave you a look you couldn’t place, just for a moment, before she stepped in close to you and leaned in, nuzzling against your side. “It’s… hard not to smile when I’m with such a… a good friend.” She murmured. You sighed and pulled the mare closer to you, and she happily accepted your hug. A good friend. A small tug at your soul; you wished the two of you could be more than that. You stood there for a few seconds more, content to enjoy her embrace, but eventually Twilight spoke up again. “We should probably keep going, I think. We’re a little behind schedule!”

You nodded, and the two of you gradually made your way out of the old  ruin and back to the trail, Twilight happily humming a song you didn’t know the words to while you remained a few paces behind, examining the small pink flower in her mane. She looked nice, you thought, gorgeous, and you were beyond happy that  you had been able to make her smile. At some point in your  journey, you knew you would have to tell her about your feelings, but for the moment these small tests would have to be enough to gauge if the mare would be open to the idea of something deeper than friendship. 

The trail went on and on, and as evening approached and the sun began to dip once again below the horizon, Twilight decided to make camp. You weren’t near a forest tonight, and thankfully you didn’t need any firewood since you had Twilight’s fire magic. By the time the golden sunset had faded and the moon rose, the memories from your bad dream had all but disappeared, and Twilight seemed as happy as ever. The warm summer air had cooled during the day, and a cold breeze was slowly kicking up, sending the occasional chill throughout your body. You were getting close to the Equestrian border, the alicorn explained. The closer you drew to the Crystal Empire and the Frozen North, the less Princess Celestia’s magic and the Magic of Harmony would affect the land, and the more wild and untamed it would become.

“Hey, thanks again for the flower.” Twilight plopped down next to the fire, a flask of cider in her magic.. “It’s really pretty!” 

“No problem,” you answered and took a seat next to her. “Almost as pretty as you,” you thought. 

She smiled at you, almost as if she had read your mind. Her purple eyes seemed to glow  in the dim, flickering light of the golden flame, and your heart thumped in your chest as Twilight scooted in to be a little closer to you. She gave you a small hmm while wrapping  a wing around you, and she tenderly placed her head on your shoulder. “It’s a little cold,” she offered. You gave a shaky nod in response, and  the two of you relaxed,  basking in the warm glow of the fire. Her mane smelled of lavender and carried the faint tinge of sweat, and you had to try not to drown in the bliss that came from simply being this close to her. 

More and more you were realizing just how deep the feelings you held for Twilight ran. Two days on the road had more or less erased the worries you had held about her being, well, a pony. In fact, you were beginning to realize just how much the equine aspects of her appearance appealed to you; The hooves, the tail, the gossamer coat that was so easy to rest your head against. The snoot that was so easily boopable, and her lips, different from a human’s but still so… kissable. She wasn’t like a horse back home, she was so much more than that.   You knew it was probably best not to dwell on those thoughts. Besides, behind the adorable horsey appearance there was a kind soul, and wasn’t that what mattered the most?

You weren’t free of your worries, though. You weren’t ashamed to have the feelings you did for Twilight, but you still weren’t sure that she harbored the same feelings for you. Sure, she had been more touchy-feely than you had known her to be ever since the two of you had battled the Timberwolves, as evidenced by the fact that she was now pressed happily against your side, but ponies were like that. It had taken time to get used to the hugs and nuzzles back home in Ponyville. Ponies weren’t like humans, they were far more physical, and mere touching didn’t necessarily mean a pony was looking for romance. 

“Damn, Twilight. I wish you would just tell me how you feel.” 

As if she sensed the tension in your muscles, the alicorn rubbed her cheek against your arm. A sign of trust and friendship. Maybe more (you hoped), but unless she was willing to tell you, that wasn’t a risk you were willing to take. Not yet, anyway. 

You almost didn’t feel pressure as Twilight placed her hoof on top of your hand. 

“Do you think we could snuggle?” The mare asked, and you almost choked on your tongue. 

“What?” You sputtered, pulling away just enough to look at her. “Snuggle?” 

“J-Just because it’s so chilly!’ Twilight exclaimed, ears flattened against her head. “I don’t think a sleeping bag would be enough to keep me warm, and… and ponies snuggle all the time!”

“This isn’t helping matters,” you thought. If God was sending you a sign, it wasn’t a very good one. 

Slowly, you nodded. Even if there wasn’t the prospect of romance, would it really be so bad to snuggle? Twilight was warm and fuzzy, and it had been a long time since you’d had anyone next to you as you fell asleep. In response, Twilight’s smile widened, and she let out an adorable, almost inaudible squee as you rolled up your cloak and put it under your head and patted the ground next to you, allowing the mare to snuggle in close.  

She lay there for a moment regarding you, a serene smile on her face. “This is much better. Much warmer,” she whispered, and you swore she was blushing as her wings enveloped you.  Not that you’d ever bring it up. If you were to bring it up, she might look away, and you didn’t want that. If you could keep her close like this for the rest of your days, you could die happy. “Thank you,” she offered.

Realizing she been doing most of the holding, you decided to risk making a small move. “Can I hold you too, Twi?” You asked, and when she nodded, you gingerly reached your arm out and placed it over her side. She did the same, and you could feel her hoof pulling you closer. Soon, your chest was against hers, and she lowered her head, laying against your neck while your forehead came to rest  just under her horn. 

“Sleep well, Twilie,” you murmured as sleep began to take you. Thinking back to the previous night, you remembered what she had done for you as you had fallen asleep. Tenderly, as your consciousness rapidly faded away, you lowered your head, and allowed the sweet scent of the pony’s mane to envelop you as you placed a small, sweet kiss at the base of her ear.

To your surprise, the hoof around your back pulled you  a little closer.
> 5) Longing
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


~~~ CHAPTER FIVE ~~~



~~~ LONGING ~~~


Though you had been worried, your dreams that night were sweet. Gone were the Timberwolves;  memories of sharp fangs and gnarled, tattered fur were replaced by visions, visions of lidded purple eyes and the feeling of warm wings lovingly wrapped around you. Different dreams came and went. In one, you and Twilight sat beside a crackling fire sharing a book and sipping on hot cocoa. In a second, You were on your back in a massive bed as Twilight stood on all fours above you, leaning down to nuzzle your cheek and kiss you, and the two of you became one as she claimed you as hers, now and forever. In a third dream, the two of you cuddled on the porch of a small cottage and you simply basked in the aura of kindness that poured so freely from her soul, and as she nuzzled against your cheek, she whispered that she loved you, and you cried tears of happiness as you embraced her and allowed her to caress you.

Time didn’t pass in dreams like it did in the waking world, and you weren’t sure how long you spent wrapped in Twilight’s wings and hooves. Hours, perhaps. Days, maybe. Years? You wouldn’t have complained. Sadly, though, you began to feel your dream slipping away, and you knew you’d wake soon. However, even as the dreamscape faded from you, the sense of Twilight’s presence did not. In fact, it became more real than it had seemed to be in your dream, and as your eyes fluttered open, and as you regarded the world in the early morning sun, you were able to see why.

Twilight had hardly moved an inch from where she had fallen asleep. She was still cuddled up against you, her head was tucked in under your chin, and her two forehooves were pulled up against her chest, and she snored in a way that was almost too adorable for you to comprehend. Her ears were still, and her hindleg occasionally spasmed against your own leg, followed by a barely audible sigh and a happy, contented nuzzle against your chest. Rarely, she would let out some small horsey noise that you couldn’t place, but which caused a fluttering in your chest all the same.

Back home, on Earth, you had gotten used to early rising. For years, you had been forced to get up at the crack of dawn so that you could get ready for work, and it hadn’t been at all uncommon for you to wake up from a dream only to find you had pulled your blankets into a plush form to snuggle. Warm, yes, and cozy too, but… still lonely. Many days, knowing you had little more than the shrill tones of your cell phone and a blanket you had to pretend was a person to wake up to had been more than enough to bring on your depression and leave you in a foul mood. But this… no blanket could ever compare to this, you thought, this amazing and warm and adorable pony who had her wings wrapped around you.

It would be so easy, you thought. It would be so easy to take her hoof in your hand and hold it and rub the top of it just enough to pull her away from her dreams, and as her sleepy eyes opened you could lean in and kiss her and tell her that you loved her and she would kiss you back and tell you she loved you too and that you would never have to be lonely again, and…

and…

You sighed. For years, you had been alone. Nobody to love, and… and nobody to be loved by. Every time you had fallen for someone, you had let your worries and your fears consume you. What if she said no? What if she thought less of you? What if… what if she thought your friendship had just been a lie, a ruse to seduce her? The thought had scared you before when you had developed feelings for your old friends, but now, in Twilight’s case? The idea utterly terrified you. She was the Princess of Friendship. She had told you more than once that she valued friendship more than anything she owned, that she would give up her home, all of her money, anything, all in an instant for the sake of any of her friends. Being rejected by Twilight would break your heart, but Twilight thinking that you had never cared for her friendship? You weren’t sure you could ever come back from that.

You weren’t sure when you had begun crying, but eventually the small quakes in your chest roused the mare in your arms from her slumber, and she gave you an adorable little yawn as she sleepily looked up at you. “Good morn…” she began, but as soon as she saw the tears on your cheeks, her tiredness seemed to disappear, and she quickly put her hoof on your shoulder. “Hey, are you okay? What’s wrong?”

You tried your best to hide your pain, though it was a thin enough veneer. “H-Hey,” you murmured, bringing your hand up to wipe away an errant tear from your face. “Sorry if I woke you.”

The wings enveloping you jerked a little, as though Twilight had begun to pull them back, but had then decided against it, though she did pull back a few inches from the way she had been previously snuggling you in her sleep. No doubt she just wanted to look at you a little better, but you would have given anything in that moment for her to have cuddled back in.

“It’s okay,” Twilight said, looking up for a moment. “It’s almost morning anyway. But… what’s wrong? You look like you had a bad dream.”

Images flashed through your mind, memories from the Dreamscape. Snuggles. Kisses. A purple hoof in your hand. A happy man and a happy pony. You managed to smile through the melancholy even as new tears formed in the corners of your eyes. “No,” you offered. “No bad dreams, just… just me being me, I guess. Sorry if that doesn’t make much sense.”

The mare didn’t respond. Instead, she leaned in and gave you the warmest, most caring hug you’d probably ever gotten from her. You couldn’t help but wrap your arms around her and embrace her back, and as tears fell freely down your cheeks, a hoof rubbed caringly at the back of your head.

“I…” you choked back a sob. “Twilight, do you…” You inhaled. Exhaled. The alicorn’s mane smelled of lilac and lavender, and you let the scent calm you down just enough that you could talk and not break down. “Twilight, you are the best friend I’ve ever had.” You force the words past your tongue. As you pull back, caring eyes regard you curiously and a kind smile plays at the corners of Twilight’s muzzle.

“Friendship is magic,” she giggled, and you shared a small chuckle. “You… you’ve been a really good friend too,” she said, placing a hoof on your hand. Her smile faded. “But why are you so sad? You’re not… did I say something to hurt your feelings?”

A chorus of ‘tell her how you feel’ and ‘just kiss her already’ exploded in your mind, and you shook your head frantically. “No, no, it’s not you, it’s… you’re amazing, Twilight, and… and…” You squeezed your eyes shut.

“And I just… I don’t want you to ever think I don’t value your friendship, or care about you. Because I do. I value you more than anything in the world, and…” You sigh deeply. “And I dunno. I just… want you to know that.”

Coward.

When you brought your gaze back up to meet hers, you found tears in her own eyes. She had pinned her ears back, and her wings seemed to be bound tight against her sides.

“I’d never think you don’t value our friendship,” she said in a murmur. “No matter what.”

“Even if I were to say something dumb that could make it seem that way?”

Twilight sat in silence for a moment. Then, she tenderly reached out a hoof and placed it on your hand. “Never,” she said. Though there were still tears in her eyes, you knew there was no doubt.

“Thank you,” you whispered. The sun peeked over the horizon, and the two of you looked up. Wordlessly, you backed away and wiped the tears from your eyes. She did the same, and you shared a nod. 

Camp was packed quickly, and more than a few times during the process, you found Twilight glancing at you, a small smile on her face. Any tension you had been feeling about Twilight faded rapidly. Even if you never confessed your feelings for her, you knew that she’d always be your friend, and there was great comfort in that. 

The day was sunny and cool, and a faint breeze kept the sweat from becoming unbearable as you traveled over hill and under dale. You were surprised at just how big Equestria was. You had thought Ponyville to be a decent sized village, but  in the wide open world, the plains and hills seemed to go on forever, dotted here and there by old ruins and farms. You passed through a couple of small towns, and by midday you had reached the small town of Zephyr Heights that Twilight had told you about.  It was one of the newer settlements, founded by the pegasi of Cloudsdale as a ground colony about ten years previously. Like everywhere else you had been, it was friendly and welcoming, and as you had your lunch there, you had even been personally welcomed by the mayor of the town.

The day became rougher as you kept heading toward Harmony's Pass. The warm breeze became cooler, and the grassland slowly gave way to rockier terrain. You were getting close to the border of the Crystal Empire and the Frozen North, as well as the far reaches of the Princess’ magic. Beyond Harmony’s Pass, Twilight said, you would have to be on your guard. Changelings and bugbears made that wilderness their home. Sometimes, even Timberwolves made their nests there, far from the Everfree Forest they called home. You weren’t so sure you liked the idea of running into more of them. 

You could feel it, the moment you crossed the border. It was as if a warm blanket that had been covering you on a cold night had been suddenly pulled away. Your companion seemed to pick up on your sudden unease, as she trotted up to you and nuzzled against your side. 

“It was scary for me, too,” she said knowingly. “We grow up surrounded by the Magic of Harmony. Losing it is like losing one of your senses. It takes a while to get used to, but you will in time.”

You nod as the two of you make your way down a small hill. It seemed colder, lonelier, but it was not a foreign feeling to you. “It feels like…. I don’t know, it’s hard to describe. Almost like…” You searched your memory, and then suddenly, you knew. “This is what it was like back on Earth.”

The alicorn stopped and turned to you. “All the time?” She asked. You nodded slowly. “H-How do you humans handle that? Not having any harmony at all?”

You sighed. “It’s not easy, but…” you paused for a moment to think. “No, it’s not like there isn’t any harmony at all. It’s just, well, we have to carry it inside of us, I guess. It isn’t imposed on the world by magic. We have to be the good we want to see in the world. Harmony and friendship, they’re more of a force in our souls that we have to bring to the world. Not like here, where it seems more like a physical force. Our harmony comes from what we decide to do, how we decide to pursue our lives,  not from the horn of a princess.” You chuckled. “Sorry if that doesn’t make much sense. I guess I’d never really thought about it before.”

Twilight’s eyes were wide. “Wow,” she said. The two of you went on in silence for a while, though you could tell the gears in that adorkable brain of Twilight’s were running, trying to decipher the concept of non-magical harmony, or perhaps she was trying to comprehend a world that had no magic at all. A hard thing to do, you thought, it wasn’t unlike trying to describe color to a blind person. No doubt Twilight would have more questions later. A lot of them, if you knew the pony’s study habits. You hoped you hadn’t just lost your last chance to sleep for several days.

However, it seemed that for now at least Twilight was content to keep her theories locked away, and the two of you simply kept to the road. Every now and then you’d come across a pony or two on their own journeys. They tended to be a little more suspicious of you, given the absence of the Magic of Harmony, but smiles and friendliness usually worked wonders, and you almost always got a smile back. Even when they weren’t guided by magic, ponies were still accepting beings. Perhaps when Twilight said “Friendship is Magic”, she was talking about more than physical, arcane force. 

A few more hours passed. The sun reached its height and began its long journey downward toward the horizon. The air gradually became colder, and you soon became very glad that your cloak kept the crisp breeze away. Twilight didn’t seem to mind too much, possibly due to her own coat being a little fluffier than that of most ponies. Still, over time, she drew closer to you, perhaps subconsciously trying to share your body heat. You didn’t mind at all, really. Any excuse to be closer to her was a good one to your mind.

The terrain became rockier and rougher, more like the fjords of Scandinavia you remembered reading about as a kid. There didn’t seem to be anypony around for miles, and you wondered for a moment how far away the nearest village was. The world had seemed large a day or two ago when you had been wandering the fields, but now… now it seemed massive. Massive, but also somehow smaller, as sharp rocks and high cliffs came to obscure your view, leaving you wondering what was behind the next boulder or around the next passage.

The feeling of unease became more and more prominent as you went on. You began to hear the faint but obvious sound of voices and the clopping of hooves on rock, as did Twilight. The alicorn’s eyes narrowed, and she fluffed her wings a little, a defensive sign that you had seen before when you were battling the Timberwolves. The footfalls grew louder and closer, and suddenly, two figures appeared around one of the larger boulders, then two more. Then a few more appeared, and there were at least six of them. They were a mix of stallions and mares, and all wore heavy armor. You didn’t recognize the sigil emblazoned on their chests.  They stopped as they saw you, and the valley fell silent as you and Twilight slowly approached the group. 

They didn’t seem to be brigands. Their armor was far too polished and alike in appearance from piece to piece. No, these were soldiers. You just hoped that they were friendly. Eventually, you and Twilight grew close enough that you could make out faces under their helms. 

“Wow, I can hardly believe it,” the leader said, stepping forward. “Princess Twilight Sparkle, out here in the wilderness. Small world, huh?”

Unsure, you glanced over at Twilight. Did she know this pony? The uneasiness you had seen in her demeanor was gone, replaced by a relaxed pose and a wide, beaming smile. 

“Shining!” She exclaimed. “I can’t believe it’s you!” 
> 6) An Evening In Camp
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


~~~ CHAPTER SIX ~~~


~~~ AN EVENING IN CAMP ~~~



As you and Twilight made your way down a ragged, muddy, and rocky road, you were beginning to realize just how quiet your travels thus far had been. Not silent, of course - Twilight had been more than a chatterbox, but at least she hadn’t been loud about it. Your present company had so far been… more animated, to say the least. Such as it was in a company of soldiers, human or equine, you supposed. 

The leader of this company, the unicorn Shining Armor, didn’t seem to mind the rowdiness. According to him, the ponies in his group were on their way back to camp from four days of patrolling the cliffs and crags of the region. All of them were looking forward to having time off, and the group’s commander was more than happy to allow them to ‘kick off their horseshoes a little early’ as he had put it. 

Thus, so it was that you and Twilight found yourselves marching at the head of a column of rowdy ponies, traveling through a narrow pass toward the distant sound of an army encampment. Twilight and Shining, who was her older sibling if your memory served, were happily chatting while you kept a few paces behind them. Occasionally, the stallion would turn his head and peek at you, and you had a sneaking suspicion that Twilight was talking about you. Hopefully, she wasn’t telling him anything too embarrassing. 

Shining Armor. Twilight had told you about him in passing some time ago. The stallion was a legend among his troops, a hero to the common ponies, and a near demigod in the eyes of the royal guards he commanded. At least, that’s how Twilight told it. You wondered if all of the Sparkle clan were nearly as accomplished as Twilight and her ‘BBBFF’. Was Twilight’s mom a hero too? Or her dad? For a moment, you wondered if they would approve of you if you asked them for their permission to court Twilight, assuming ponies even did that kind of thing. Somehow, you had a feeling in the lowest chasm of your stomach that they wouldn’t, especially if they were as noble and and as famous as the bookish little alicorn. Who were you in comparison to her? Some alien nobody come to their world by an accident. You only hoped Twilight’s sense of openness and tolerance were manners taught to her by her parents, not ones that were forged in against their wishes.

Shaking the melancholic thoughts of inadequacy from your head, you pressed on. It didn’t take long for the company to reach a large clearing where several tents had been set up. Shining’s encampment, surely. Dozens of ponies milled about, some wore armor, many more did not. Staffers, cooks, cleaners, all of the many roles needed to keep an army supplied and on the march. Many of them cheered Shining as he trotted past, and more than a few bowed, surprised, in the presence of Twilight, causing her to smile and blush in that way that sent your heart fluttering. As if she could sense you, the mare glanced back, and you quickly turned away, rubbing the back of your neck in embarrassment.

Several of the ponies in camp seemed taken aback by your presence. No doubt they weren’t used to seeing large, hairless bipeds in the company of their commander and a princess. You heard whispers among them: one wondered if you were a prisoner. A second said that perhaps you were a member of some new tribe the company had come across, previously hidden away in a cave somewhere. No matter their opinion, most of them snapped their muzzles shut the moment you looked at them. Their smiles disappeared, and though they put on a brave face, you could see the shimmer of fear in their eyes. You were new, unique, and they were scared of you. Out here, in the wilderness, beyond the calming magic of the princesses, they were steeled against anything that could endanger their mission or their prince. You wouldn’t hold that against them, and you also hoped you’d be able to convince them of your friendliness soon enough. Even if you couldn’t, surely Twilight could. 

Shining led you through the maze of canvas to a tent a little larger than the rest. “I think I can put you in here, human,” he said. “I know it’s a little small, sorry I don’t have anything closer to your size.” 

You shrugged. “It’s okay. I mean, I’m a little spoiled from having lived in Twilight’s palace for so long, but I can make do. I don’t have any problems getting cozy!” 

The stallion chuckled. “You’d sure be at home in the royal army. At least you won’t have to bunk like a soldier!” Using his magic, he pulled open the flap and led you and Twilight inside. Small as it was, it still had a modest bed and desk, a bookcase, and a trunk for your possessions. “You should have enough space to put your hooves - er, your feet up, if you want,” Shining offered. “Twily, I’ll have you set up in a royal tent nearer the command post.”

“Thanks, it’ll be nice to be out of the elements for an evening,” you said, inclining your head in respect. Shining nodded, and then, in the silence, you heard a dread rumble in the deepest reaches of your tummy. Twilight giggled as you blushed, and Shining gave you a warm chuckle.

“Hungry?” He asked. You nodded sheepishly. “There’s always some porridge or soup in the mess, but…” he looked over at Twilight, and then back to you. “The officer’s dinner is in a few. I was going to show Twily to her tent and then to supper. As  her companion, you’d be more than welcome to join us!”

Of course, you didn’t want to impose, but thoughts of fine royal food quickly beat out any desire you might have had for porridge or soup, and you smiled warmly. “That’d be amazing, thank you!” 

Shining clapped his hooves. “Huzzah! I’ll have them set a spare place for you. In the meantime, though, Twilie, do you want to see your tent?”

The alicorn agreed, and as the two of them made their way out of your small dwelling, she stopped a moment and looked back at you. The two of you shared a quick, warm smile, and then she was gone. You very quickly became aware of the sudden loneliness about the place. Even when she had been silent, you had always been aware of Twilight’s presence, like a warm blanket around your shoulders. Now, however, it was cold, and lonely,  and you had to beat back the desire to go and find her at once. You were a grown man, god damn it, you were more than capable of spending an hour or so on your own! 

A whole hour alone before supper. Well, at least you had something to do, you thought as you leaned down and examined the books that had been provided for you. No doubt Twilight had read (and memorized) them all. Your eyes settled on one, a hardcover copy of Abraxius the Bold’s Wars and Conquests and you pulled it, flopping down on the bed and snuggling up to read. 

As it turned out, Abraxius the Bold had been a fairly boring pony. His so-called Wars and Conquests had been little more than minor skirmishes and unimpressive proxy wars against barbarian tribes over the smallest and most trivial of matters. As you trudged through the events of Paso Fino’s rebellion, you could feel your eyelids becoming heavier, and eventually they seemed to weigh almost as much as the tome in your hands. 

Sighing, you leaned back and rolled over to your side, grabbing one of the pillows on your bed and hugging it to your chest. Your thoughts slowed, and sleep tugged at the recesses of your mind. Seconds became longer, slower, and as you leaned your head in, and in your mind, the pillow slowly took the shape of a pretty purple pony. You smiled, and it was almost as if you could feel the love you held for Twilight coursing through your veins. You could almost see her lidded eyes gazing back at you, could almost hear her whispering how much she loved you, could almost feel, no, you could feel as she leaned in and pressed her warm, adorable lips to yours, and…

A shock of adrenaline coursed through your body, and your eyes shot open as a sudden burst of wind seemed to rush through the tent, tearing the flap open and sending the dozen or so tomes on the bookcase flying to the floor, their pages flapping in the sudden explosion of air that had already disappeared as soon as it had arrived, leaving the tent as calm as it had been just seconds ago.

What the hell was that? You thought, jumping to your feet. For a moment, you had been inclined to believe it was some kind of dream, maybe a waking dream as you hadn’t been fully asleep, but the books scattered among the floor had quickly dispelled that illusion. You reached down to pick one up, only to find your hand uncontrollably shaking, covered in sweat. It must be the adrenaline, you reasoned. You grasped your hand, forcing it to be still, though you were aware of a unique tingle that took some time to dissipate. 

Maybe you could ask Twilight? If anyone could figure it out, she could. Or, failing that, surely there was a medic in camp who could help.

Gingerly, you got out of bed and stepped through the flap of your tent, and were met by the crisp evening breeze. Several ponies were milling about. You could see unicorns carrying large barrels in their magic, and pegasi flying through the air, no doubt looking for any signs of trouble. All of the various pony races working in harmony, even out here beyond the magic of the princesses… it brought a smile to your face. 

Gradually, you made your way through the maze of dwellings to the large tent in the middle of the camp. Two ponies stood guard at the large awning leading inside. Thankfully, they seemed to recognize you, and stepped aside as you approached, allowing you in. The air was warmer, and you were surprised to see a full dinner table being set by serving ponies. There were breads and salads, some form of mashed potatoes, and several chalices full of wine. Also, several bowls full of what looked to be flowers and grasses. You were very glad you wouldn’t be forced to eat daffodils. Bright banners hung along the walls, and there were even a couple of chairs in the corner, upon which sat Shining Armor and a second pony you didn’t recognize, a pink-colored mare. She was an alicorn like Twilight, but a little taller and leaner, and dressed in fine regalia. A princess? That explained the luxury, then.Suddenly, you remembered. This must be Princess Cadance, Shining’s spouse! 

“Hey, there you are!” The stallion called, rising from his chair. “The human who saved my Twilie’s flank from a Timberwolf attack!” You tried to correct him, but it seemed he didn’t want to let you get a word in edgewise. “She told me all about your battle. Pretty brave, holding your own against such a beast, and unarmed too! I see why she speaks so highly of you!”

You could feel the color rushing to your cheeks. Twilight… had told Shining that you had been the one to save her? Why? Unless… was she trying to make you look good for her family? “Ahhah, yeah…” you chuckled, rubbing the back of your neck. “It was a heck of a fight, I guess.” 

Shining grinned back at you. “No doubt. Timberwolves aren’t an easy foe to beat. They’ve got thick armor, sharp fangs, and…” He paused for a moment as the pink princess next to him cleared her throat. “Oh, I’m sorry! This is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. She’s been hoping to meet you ever since Twilight originally told her about you!”

You bowed your head in reverence. “Princess Cadenza,” you offered your hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise,” she said, smiling. “Though please, just call me Cadance. Any friend of Twilight is a friend of mine!” 

In that moment, a third voice joined in. “Cadance!” Twilight called out, and a purple blur seemed to rush in from behind you, pushing you aside as the younger alicorn made her way toward the elder.  The two shared a goofy little dance, singing about ladybugs and clopping hooves, and you blushed fiercely as she and Cadance spun around and shook their rumps. Hopefully Twilight didn’t see you peeking. 

“So!” Shining exclaimed, leading you, Twilight, and Princess Cadance over to the large wooden table, where a large feast had been laid out for the four of you. “Twilight told me earlier; you’re looking for King Grover’s lost library?” He chuckled. Magenta magic surrounded a large chalice, and Shining took a gulp of the contents therein. “Should have known my Twilie would risk life and limb if lost books were involved!” 

The purple mare tried and failed to hide her blush behind her own cup, causing unicorn to chuckle.

As you and Shining and Twilight and Cadance chatted through supper, about your quest, about living in Ponyville, and about the distant world that had once been your home, the odd occurrence from your tent earlier began to fade from your memory. You’d ask Twilight tonight, sure, but for now, you were content to hear Shining sharing tales from when he and Twilie were foals; about all the mischief they’d gotten up to, and all of the times Twilight had gotten lost in the Royal Libraries searching for new and more challenging books to read. 

Every time Shining would reveal an embarrassing memory, Twilight would blush and sink lower and lower in her seat, ears flicking back in the most Fluttershy-esque way, and you couldn’t help but be mesmerized by how adorable she looked. 

For her part, Cadance seemed to be enjoying the trip down memory lane as well, chiming in from time to time about the great times she had foalsitting the young Twilight when she had been a mere unicorn. Still, there were times when she’d pause - just for a moment, usually following an adorable tale from Twilight’s foalhood - to glance over at you, almost as if she were reading you, only to look away just as quickly. Not that you minded; Cadance wasn’t really creeping you out, but you couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking about, or perhaps you wondered what she thought you were thinking about. It was an odd thought to have, and it didn’t make much sense to you. For a while, you swore you could see through her eyes, almost as if she were reading you like a book, observing every little move you made. 

Nevemind, you thought. It was creepy.

For an hour or more, the four of you kept at it. Shining told you about his years as a foal growing up around Twilight. Cadance told you more about sitting for the young mare. You shared some distant memories of your own of growing up in middle class suburbia, what the human world was like and how different Equestria was to the old world you knew, but how glad you were to have found your way to it, and to Twilight. She had blushed at that, and had waved a hoof off at you and had told you how happy she was to have such a good friend. Cadance had glanced at Twilight then in the same way she had previously observed you, and you wondered what was going on in that pretty pink head of hers. 

Eventually though, the food was finished and the table was cleared, and Cadance went off to do… some princessy thing, you couldn’t really recall what. Shining had wandered off as well, and you had decided to walk Twilight back to her own tent, an offer she had happily accepted. Now, walking down a small alleyway between tents, was as good a time as any to ask about what had happened earlier.

“Hey, ‘Twi?” You inquired. “When I was in my tent earlier, I had a… well, a weird experience.”

“Oh?” The alicorn’s ears perked.

“Yeah. I was reading a book. Something boring, I can’t really remember what, and I was kind of falling asleep.” You chuckled a little as Twilight looked up at you, a playful sense of shock on her face. “Hey, they can’t all be page turners!” You nudged her, and your heart fluttered at the small giggle she gave you. “Anyway, I was just about to fall asleep, and… and I dunno, there was this big gust of wind, only it was from inside my tent, and it woke me right back up! And I was shaking, too, I… I can’t explain it.” 

“Hm,” Twilight furled her brow. “It could’ve been just a dream.”

You shook your head. “There were books thrown all over. Whatever happened, it was as real as real gets.” 

“Well, if you were a unicorn, I’d say it could have been an uncontrolled magical discharge. That happens when a unicorn is originally learning how to channel his or her magic. I’d say that, but, y’know…” she looked up and down your body. “Unless you’re hiding a horn under your mane, I don’t think that’s what happened.”

You sighed. “Maybe it was just… well, maybe it was just the wind. Some sudden low pressure front localized in my tent. In a land of magic and talking horsies, I’m sure weirder things have happened.” 

Twilight giggled again, and the two of you went on strolling through the camp. It was far more quiet now that the sun had set, and aside from the occasional guardpony or servant flying overhead, you were alone as you made your way to the royal guest’s tent. Finally, at the top of a small hill overlooking a few smaller dwellings, you came to Twilight’s own. 

“Hey,” Twilight said, a hoof pawing at the ground. Her ears were splayed back against her head, and you could see a fierce blush on her cheeks. She looked up at you, eyes radiant in the moonlight. “I - um - I was thinking. I-If you had an unexplained e-experience in your tent, it’s possible that it could happen again. I-it could be magical, maybe a leyline or an arcane fissure underground that caused it, and, well, it wouldn’t really be safe for you, I don’t think, to sleep there. So, do you think you might want to…” her voice trailed off, and you could tell she was anxious. “Do you want to spend the night in my tent?” 

Your eyes widened. Was she seriously asking you to… “Oh, no!” Twilight gasped. “Nonono, not like that! I merely meant that we could snuggle, and my magic would keep you safe, just because we might be dealing with an unexplained magical phenomena that could pose a danger to you, and you’d be better off in my tent because I can cast a ward spell that would make sure nothing bad happens to you!” 

Quickly, you put a hand up to shush Twilight. “Ah,” you chuckled nervously, your own blush mirroring the alicorn’s. “You… you want to snuggle? How’s that supposed to keep me safe?”

“Ohhh…” she groaned. “Well, maybe… we wouldn’t have to snuggle, but I just… I mean… the last few days when we’ve camped for the night, I’ve kind of liked it, and I guess I’ve just… gotten used to it, and…”

The thumping of your heart drowned out the rest of Twilight’s panicking speech. She… enjoyed snuggling you? Memories of warm downy wings wrapped around you and alicorn floof against your cheek flooded your mind; the scent of Twilight’s fur as you fell asleep and the calming beat of her heart serving as a lullaby, and… and she had liked it as much as you had? “I think…” you began, though you suddenly coughed as a lump had formed in your throat. “I think I’d like to snuggle you, Twilight.” You couldn’t help but grin as the alicorn’s ears flattened against her head, and a fierce blush tinged her  cheeks. “To be honest, I’ve gotten used to it too.” 

Enormous purple eyes looked up at you. Then, a smile. Wordlessly, Twilight used her magic to pull aside the flap of the tent, and an arcane pressure against your back commanded you to follow. 

The tent was far more spacious than yours. A large, circular bed sat in the middle, covered in plush pillows and what looked to be sheets of silk. Around it, candles of various sizes sat on tables, giving off a shimmering glow that suggested a form of enchantment. Books littered the space; no doubt your adorable little companion had spent the hour before supper reading anything she could get her hands (well, her hooves) on. 

Twilight’s wings flapped as she jumped on top of the bed, pulling the covers aside just long enough to slip inside, before she turned to you. “You coming?” She asked. You nodded, slipping out of your boots and gloves and shrugging off the cloak you had gotten used to. You were beginning to feel exposed, though Twilight’s wide gaze and happy grin warmed you to your core, even as a sudden breeze swept through the tent and sent a chill and a shiver through your body. Wordlessly, you sat down and wrapped the covers around you, and you tensed for a moment as a purple hoof wrapped around your chest and pulled you closer. 

“Thank you,” Twilight whispered. “For agreeing to this. I don’t know if you know this, but… ponies are naturally a social species.” You rolled over, and saw the alicorn smiling at you. “We… we like to snuggle and be close to our friends, and… well, aside from the girls, I haven’t really been able to snuggle anypony else for a long time, so…” she trailed off, her eyes looking off unfocused somewhere in the corner of the tent. “You’re… you’re really comfy,” she finally said. “I mean you don’t have fluff like a pegasus, or the muscle of an earth pony, but you’re still… just so pleasant to hold!” 

You chuckled. “If you call me plump, we’re going to have a problem. But… thanks. You’re, uh, nice to hold too. Very fluffy and warm, and I really, well, I really just enjoy falling asleep next to you.”

“Maybe we can have a sleepover or two once we get back to Ponyville,” Twilight said, and your heart fluttered at the idea of making this a regular occurrence. Even if you never told her your true feelings, that would easily suffice. 

Twilight gave off a small, adorable yawn, and her eyes fluttered closed. “Good night,” she whispered. “I’ll see you in the morning.” 

Gingerly, you brought your hand up to your chest, finding her hoof and taking it in your grasp. Thankfully, she didn’t pull away, and as your consciousness faded away, you gave it a small squeeze, relishing in the feeling of having the pony you adored close at hand. 

In response, she pulled you just a little closer, and set her muzzle against the back of your neck, and you swore you could feel the faint pressure of a kiss against your skin as you fell asleep, just as you had on the trail. 

Tomorrow, you decided. 

You would tell her tomorrow.