Pinkie bounced alongside Twilight, across the darkened path that led them up to the glimmering lake... it would always remain in Pinkie's memory. After spending a few minutes on the hilltop, Pinkie had lost all traces of nervousness, and was ecstatic beyond anything she'd ever felt before. "So, are we, like, a couple?"

"Yeah, I mean, I guess-"

"Does this mean we're, like, dating for real?"

"I think that... well, what do you mean by 'dating for real'?"

"I mean - well - like, does everything have to be all set up, or can it just be a what-does-life-bring kinda go-with-the-flow kinda thing?"

"Well, you know, things do require planning, Pinkie; I mean, we should still take it slow," Twilight replied quietly, thinking before she spoke so as to avoid saying something that could endanger their tentative relationship.

"I know. I know. But... you know, I'm just..." She paused, and slowed to a walk. She laughed. "You know, I'm just so happy!"

Twilight smiled in the darkness, remembering back to that one evening in the library again. More and more often, that memory came to her, and made her feel that little tingle in her chest. It didn't seem uncomfortable to her anymore; it seemed sweet.

Now, though, she had a new bookmarked memory; the first real kiss she'd ever had was with Pinkie, and it wasn't the type of thing she'd forget about. But the tingle she usually felt in her chest wasn't there when she felt Pinkie's warm lips pressed against hers; it was replaced by a warmth that spread throughout her entire body. It was fantastic.

All these thoughts at the same time forced a blush to her cheeks; she was glad it was dark. She looked over at Pinkie, who she could see was grinning. She was glad that Pinkie was so happy, but she couldn't help but wonder if she made the right choice. Well, either way, she was the kind of pony who would see a decision through to the end.

Pinkie turned to look back at Twilight, who smiled. Maybe it was a good decision after all..

The fifteen minutes spent walking back to the library were relatively quiet; not much laughing or joking, just the odd question or two and maybe a comment here and there. Nevertheless, by the time they reached the library, Twilight felt refreshed and began liking the choice she made more and more.

Pinkie stopped a good twenty yards from the library, to the slight confusion of Twilight. Seeing the look on Twilight's face, Pinkie quickly explained, "Well, I mean, this is what we've been doing. Like, for all the other dates. So..."

Twilight giggled. "Not anymore. I wanted someone to talk to, so I told Spike a few days ago. He - well, he seemed okay with it..." She trailed off, a few new questions popping into her mind. Spike was pretty neutral about it, which wasn't bad; it just wasn't the reaction she expected. What was going on in his mind?

Pinkie's soft voice brought the lavender unicorn out of her thoughts. "So... does this mean I can tell other ponies?"

Twilight immediately saw the relative injustice in this, but was still reluctant to give such an outright answer. "I mean... well, I suppose that if I did, you should be able to, but... I just don't want the world to hear about it, you know?"

"No, I'll only tell a few - I mean, I already have a few in mind. That's all. I just wanna-" she stopped, unsure of how to continue.

"It's okay, Pinkie," Twilight replied. "I trust you. You're not gonna let this get out of hoof... right?"

"No! No, of course not! I just wasn't sure how you were gonna react. I was kinda nervous."

"Seriously, it's okay. Come on," she said, motioning her over and beginning to walk up towards the library. Pinkie happily obliged and sidled up alongside her - was it okay to say marefriend now? Yeah. Marefriend. Just the thought made her feel like giggling.

Twilight walked up to the steps alongside Pinkie, turning to her and smiling. Pinkie smiled back, her features illuminated softly by the candle hanging on the door. Pinkie blushed lightly as an impulse came to mind. "Can - can I..."

It took Twilight a second to realize what she was struggling to say. She blushed, too, but replied, "Yeah. Go ahead."

Then, to her mild horror, Pinkie realized that she had no idea what she was doing. She remembered what she'd been telling herself for the past few days, though: Just be yourself. Follow your gut. She likes you. She closed her eyes and leaned in, catching Twilight's lips just right, and pulled away slowly after about three seconds.

Twilight smiled and blushed deeper, before almost whispering "good night" and slipping quietly into the library.

The night was still, like the lake; no quiet breeze, no movement around her. The only thing Pinkie could hear was the sound of crickets chirping faintly around her. This set a calmness into her heart, a feeling of total peace and contentment. After this, this one evening, her life as she knew it was half-complete. She laid her head gently against the heavy, painted wooden door and whispered to the night.

"I love you."

Every Thursday, Pinkie knew, was Fluttershy's spa day with Rarity, and there was no way Pinkie could wait any longer than she already had to tell Fluttershy the great news. As with every morning, of course, she'd woken up early, but today she hoped the Cakes would forgive her just this once to miss the first hour of work. This was some serious stuff.

She trotted down the path to Fluttershy's humming to herself and looking around joyfully at the birds and trees and things that surrounded her. Out of nowhere, a thought hit her, slowing her pace to a walk before she finally stopped, in repose in the middle of the forest. You know, it'd be kinda mean if I went all braggy and stuff to Fluttershy, 'cause she's not with Rainbow Dash. It'd be all uncomfortable and not fun.

She paused, considering turning around and walking back home, before she thought, No. I can't. I have to tell somepony, and I want Fluttershy to know really bad. I hope she won't be too mad. I don't wanna be a meanie. With this thought, and a final, short sigh of guilt, she continued walking down the path.

By the time she arrived at Fluttershy's, though, all of her pep had returned, and she was grinning from ear-to-ear, her mind replaying the events from the night before over and over in her head. She knocked twice on the door, bouncing a little in place.

She waited for a few minutes before looking around the side of the house, frowning. Where was Fluttershy? She didn't leave for her spa appointment for quite a while. But the cottage looked dark, and nopony appeared to be home.

She turned when she heard a flutter of wings behind her, and saw Fluttershy touching down about ten feet from her. "Fluttershy!" she shouted, and galloped off the porch and into a hug with her friend.

"Um, good morning, Pinkie," Fluttershy said, her voice wavering slightly. "What... what's up?"

"Nothing much. Except something totally amazingly awesome. Sh-" She was cut off by the guilty thought returning.

Fluttershy remained quiet, waiting for her friend to complete her sentence. "...Does it have something to do with baking?" she guessed, trying to help Pinkie around her thought.

"No, I know what it is, but..." She stopped again, imagining all the outcomes all at once. But, as she'd been telling herself so often, she followed her instinct. "You promise you won't get mad?" she asked quietly.

"Why would I get mad?" Fluttershy smiled, and began to walk past Pinkie to the cottage door. Her head bobbed as she walked, and she was humming softly to herself. Pinkie turned her head, looked rather surprisedly at Fluttershy, and quickly trotting up alongside her.

"Well, I mean..." She sighed. "Remember way back to when I came back to Ponyville with my cousin Tulip? You were there, and you came up and said hi, and then you left. Well, guess what happened after you left?"

Fluttershy shook her head. "What?"

"So, I turn around to walk into the apartment after you leave, but then I hear Twilight - yeah, I know, right? - Twilight calls my name, and so I turn around, and I'm all nervous, right? But then - oh, this is so super-duper - she asks me if we could go on a date sometime! She asks me!! I mean -" She stopped again, blushing something terrible.

Fluttershy looked over at Pinkie, who immediately looked like she was about to burst into tears. "I'm sorry, Fluttershy, I didn't mean to be rude or anything, I mean, I didn't t-"

"Wait, Pinkie," Fluttershy interrupted. "It's okay. I'm really happy for you. 'Cause I've been wanting to tell you something for the longest time, too, and I think it fits in really well here." She paused for dramatic effect, trying badly to suppress a grin. "I've been... steady with Rainbow Dash for a while."

Before she even finished the sentence, there was a huge gasp from Pinkie. "Oh my gosh, seriously?! W- th- I- i- m-" she stuttered. "I am shocked and amazed," she said finally, making Fluttershy giggle and flush a light pink. "No, seriously, that's awesome! When? How? Why?" she babbled, beginning to skip again.

Fluttershy finally smiled broadly. "Well, I was really surprised when you talked about Tulip, 'cause Dashie asked me during that party you threw for her. Sh-"

"I'm sorry, Fluttershy, I have to interrupt here. You call her my pet name?"

"Um, well, she asked me to. I didn't mean to -"

"Woah, wait," Pinkie said, her voice rising. "That makes it even funnier!" she snorted, and brought a hoof up to her muzzle to stifle her laughter.

Fluttershy blushed. "Well, I - I don't want to - I mean, I'm sure she had a reason - well, I mean... I think it's cute..." she trailed off, her voice hidden under the sound of Pinkie's furious giggling.

"Anyway," she continued after Pinkie settled down, "Dash asked whether we could meet at eight where the party was. Well, I got there a little early, and when Dash came, we talked about all kinds of different stuff, and... well, I'll explain later. But it went really, really well."

"What happened?"

"I, um... I got a kiss," she said, her cheeks tinted red once more. It's like she never stops blushing, Pinkie thought. To herself.

"Well, right off the bat, huh? I had to work for it."

"You mean..."

"Yeah! Last night! Twice!!" Pinkie grinned, about ready to burst into joyful laughter.

"Well, good for you, Pinkie!" Fluttershy seemed truly happy for her. "How was it? I - I mean... if you don't mind..." she added, embarrassed at her bluntness.

"It was probably the best thing I've ever felt." She stopped. "I know it sounds cheesy, but it really was the best experience I'd ever had before."

Pinkie noticed quickly that they were talking on the steps of Fluttershy's cottage, and said, "Well, I should probably get to work," before turning away and beginning her walk back to Ponyville. However, she turned back just before her friend was about to shut the door, and shouted back, "One last question!"

Fluttershy opened the door a bit again. "Yes?"

"Where were you coming from this morning?"

All Pinkie received in reply was a deep blush and a little smile, and she pretty much understood. "Ha! Oh my gosh! I knew it! You dirty mare, you!"

Fluttershy's smile grew a little wider before she disappeared behind the door.

Pinkie walked off laughing and talking to herself occasionally. "Oh, what luck!" "Seriously, what a koinkydoink." "Ha! I can't believe this."

Before she knew it, she was back at work, back on track, and ready to tackle a new day.

"Spike?" Twilight called, pacing around the library and cleaning up a bit. Early-morning wasn't her favourite time of day, especially for drama or confrontations, but she had to get this over with before the thought left her mind again.

"In here, Twi!" Spike called, emerging from the basement. "It's really, really dusty in there. I'm not even - I mean, there's, like, a layer - a visible layer - of dust covering everything down there. Hurts my lungs."

"Hold up, Spike, I have to ask you a serious question." She paused as he quieted down and began paying attention. "Are you... are you sure you're okay with me and Pinkie? I mean, I would've asked last night, but you were asleep, so I just remembered it and I... have to... ask," she slowed down, noticing the confused expression on her assistant's face.

It took him a few seconds to start talking. "Well, I dunno, Twilight. I mean, it's nice and all, but - well, I just think it's a little weird, 'cause, you know, now I'll never be able to look at Pinkie the same way. Or - or you, for that matter." He looked at the ground, embarrassed by his short monologue.

"Well, yeah, I had the same problem. But it'll all seem normal in a few days, hopefully. It does to me." She smiled, and Spike smiled back.

"It's not like I have anything against it, it's just... different. I'm cool with it."

"Oh. Good," Twilight finished lamely. Note to self - no more dramatic anything in the morning. Can't think straight.