Twilight Sparkle stirs in an unfamiliar bed. Arms are wrapped around her. Her arms are wrapped around something. It's big and warm and soft, like the world's loveliest pillow. She nudges her face against it, whimpering a little.

The arms tighten around her body, cradling her.

Oh... oh that's nice.

Twilight sighs and smiles, digging her face into someone else's coat. Her mind isn't really processing this – it simply sits in a sleepy haze, letting instincts take over. She lies there, floating on the surface of sleep. Everything is warm and soft and safe.

A pair of lips press against her forehead. She wakes up a little.

"Morning, sleepy," Cheerilee whispers against her ear.

Twilight murmurs some nonsense, her smile turning deeper.

"Don't go anywhere. I'll get breakfast."

Movement. Twilight's forelegs are being tugged, dragged, and then they're empty. She doesn't get up or even open her eyes. She curls her arms and legs against herself, trying to make up for the sudden emptiness there.

She dozes. Twilight is stuck in limbo, eyelids fluttering against themselves. She's barely cognizant of hearing herself snore. It would be strange if she was thinking more clearly. Her hooves twitch here and there.

Time passes.

Her eyes snap open, forced awake by her body.

Stupid biological needs!

She stumbles down the hallway, to the bathroom. Once that's taken care of, she resists the rude urge to look through Cheerilee's medicine cabinet. When she creeps back into the bedroom it's still empty. She flops back onto the bed.

She closes her eyes. They open again on their own. Her mouth is dry, her tongue scratching against her own lips.

Stupid, stupid biological needs.

Remember when Spike learned what hibernation was? He fell in love with the idea immediately.

I could do with some of that.

She sighs again and sinks into the bed. Her eyes wander. Cheerilee's bedroom is small but cozy, like the rest of the house. A few old posters hang on the walls, concert listings for bands that Twilight's never heard of. A desk is next to the bed, covered in textbooks, stacks of paper, and a disorganized mess of school supplies.

Gosh, she leaves more books lying around than me.

She doesn't have a baby dragon to pick up after her, Twilight thinks with a smirk. A picture frame on the desk catches her eyes, a gaudy pink thing with the words "BEST FRIENDS 4 LIFE!!!" across the bottom in garish, glittering letters. The picture shows Cheerilee, younger than Twilight is now. Maybe high school age? She looks ridiculous, her hair a large, frizzy mess, her clothes bright and strange.

Are those leg warmers?

She's standing with her forelegs around what could only be a young Bon-Bon and another mare Twilight thinks she might know. There, yes, her cutie mark is a strawberry and a bunch of grapes. Twilight knows she's seen that pony around town, but the version of her in this picture is younger than she ever would have recognized. All three of them are grinning at the camera, happiness shining in their eyes.

Twilight thinks of her own friends. A weird pang of sappy sentiment wells up in her.

We should get a group picture done sometime. How have we not done that?

She makes a mental note to look into it later.

Hooves clop up the stairs outside. Twilight breathes deep and feels a momentary urge to pretend to be asleep.

That's silly. What's wrong with me now?

Before she can begin to puzzle out an answer, Cheerilee enters the room. She has a tray balanced on her back, and she walks over and sets it on her desk with the utilitarian grace of your typical earth pony. Twilight's eyes go wide.

No way! No way, this is amazing!

The tray is weighed down with coffee, orange juice, and plump bagels. The smell of the coffee alone is overwhelming. Twilight sits up, mouth watering and stomach growling.

"Wow, I heard that. I guess you're hungry, then?" Cheerilee says.

"Uh huh." Twilight nods dumbly, not taking her eyes off the food. Cheerilee climbs into bed with her and sets the tray between them. Twilight goes right for the coffee. She cradles it in her hooves, sniffing at the steam welling up from the glorious brown liquid. It's not too hot, so she guzzles a fair bit down, feeling more awake instantly.

Oh, caffeine. My one true love.

Cheerilee giggles at her. It's a beautiful sound, but it triggers a pang of self-consciousness in Twilight.

"...What?" Twilight says.

"Your face. I've never seen someone so excited about coffee," Cheerilee says between bites of a bagel.

"Oh." Twilight looks down at her drink. "I thought you were laughing at my bed head. Spike always cracks jokes about it."

Cheerilee snorts and pokes a hoof into Twilight's mane.

"Are you kidding? It's adorable," she says. "I won't laugh at yours if you don't laugh at mine."

Twilight smirks and looks at Cheerilee. The fuchsia mare doesn't look that different – her bouncy, loose curls are maybe just a little unruly now. And flatter on one side. Twilight holds a hoof up solemnly all the same.

"Deal," she says. Cheerilee nods seriously, sipping at a glass of juice.

They sit quietly, slowly enjoying breakfast. Twilight grabs a bagel and is shocked to feel how warm it is. It feels fresh from the oven.

"Did you make these?" Twilight asks.

"Oh, no. I just warmed them up," Cheerilee says.

"Mmmm," Twilight says through a full mouth. She recognizes the taste now. Sometimes she buys bread from the same store. Seconds pass. The only sound between them is chewing and sipping. An odd feeling creeps over Twilight, and it takes her a few bites of bagel and another gulp of coffee to put her hoof on it.

I'm... happy. Completely happy. This is like when I started making friends for the first time.

That's it. That's what this is.

You haven't even thanked her yet, you idiot.

"Hey." She turns to Cheerilee. "This is really great. I don't think anypony's ever brought me breakfast in bed."

"What, not even Spike?" Cheerilee says.

Twilight rolls her eyes. "He brings me coffee sometimes. After I yell at him for a while."

"Ha! Must be nice. I hope you don't work the little guy too hard."

Twilight winces a little, still smiling.

Well, maybe I do. Sometimes. No, he's fine. It's good for him. I think.

They pass a few more moments just chipping away at their food, chewing contentedly. Twilight's mind is gearing up to full speed, looking for something to occupy itself. It turns, as it so often does, to over-analyzing.

What now?

She ponders how to handle the morning after. She wants to make a good impression, but the means to do so are a mystery.

Are we just supposed to... I don't know, say goodbye? Go about our days?

Twilight wrinkles her nose up as she finishes her coffee. That doesn't feel right. It feels too early. She starts to wonder what Cheerilee is doing today, if she's busy or not.

Is that weird? Can this date just keep going? Please?

"So..." Cheerilee sets her glass down. "What are you up to today?"

Twilight silently squeals with glee.

Calm down. Play it cool.

"Not much. Probably just hanging around the library," she says.

Cheerilee raises her eyebrows with a bemused smile. "Really? No epic adventures? You're not going to vanquish a dragon or anything?"

"Well, it's not on the schedule. As far as I know." Twilight fakes a serious tone. "That's the thing about dragons actually – they hardly ever take the time to schedule things properly."

"How rude! Pesky dragons," Cheerilee says with a playful shake of her head.

"What about you?" Twilight says.

Cheerilee sighs. "I'm afraid it's work on the schedule for me. As usual," she says.

"What? On Saturday?"

"I have plans with my friends tomorrow. Which is when I usually do my lesson plans for the week. So I have to take care of it today."

"Oh." Twilight teases the rim of her coffee mug. "That's too bad. I was kind of hoping... we could... I don't know. Never mind."

"You too?" Cheerilee puts her hoof on Twilight's. "I didn't want to say anything. Three day rule, right?"

"Three what now?" Twilight says.

"Oh, you know. Don't call or anything for three days. So you don't seem... I don't know. Desperate, I guess."

Twilight scrunches her nose up again. "Ponies really do that? That's so arbitrary," she says.

"Really?" Cheerilee says, her eyes wide and excited. She catches herself quickly. "I mean... you think so?" she says again, much more normal this time.

"Sure," Twilight says, gawking a little at her own bluntness. It's just tumbling out, speeding right past her usual safeguards. "I want to see you more. Why would I wait for three days?"

Cheerilee breathes a deep sigh, staring dreamily at Twilight. Again, she catches herself before speaking.

"I guess it is kind of arbitrary," she says. "But I really do have to get my work done. Sorry. Maybe later tonight?"

That sounds good. More than good.

But part of her is screaming that it's not good enough – there's a small part of her brain demanding more time with this mare, somehow, any way it needs to happen. She hedges on dropping it at that. She's scared, scared of pushing things too far too fast.

Maybe stupid rules about three days aren't that stupid after all.

Whatever. Faint heart never won fair lady.

I think you already "won" her.

Whatever, whatever. Just do it!

"...Why don't you come over to my place? To do your work, I mean," Twilight says.

"Huh?"

"It's a library, right?" Twilight says. "You could bring your stuff over and maybe I could help you. Or something."

Cheerilee just stares at her, looking like she's holding back a smile.

"You want me to come over and... you don't mind me working?" she says.

"No, it'll be fun. I'll get out some of my books and you can do your thing... we'll be like study buddies!" Twilight gasps.

Cheerilee looks like she's turning it over in her head. She smiles, determined, like she's steeling herself up.

"...Okay. Okay!" she says. She kisses Twilight quickly on the cheek. "That sounds great, actually. It'll be a nice change. I need to get out more."

Yes! Study date! Excelsior!

"Just give me a little time to clean up around here and gather my things. I'll come over in a little while," Cheerilee says.

"Sounds good," Twilight says.

It was good. So, so good.

Twilight watches as Cheerilee packs up her saddlebags. They're sitting in the main room of the library. Twilight had come home that morning and badgered Spike into cleaning up the place with a frantic intensity normally reserved for crisis situations. Dragons, for example. Of the not-Spike variety. She can't figure out if it paid off or not. Cheerilee seems incapable of being anything but impressed and pleased.

Almost like the way she talks about her students.

They had spent hours talking. Twilight asked every question she could think of, following along as Cheerilee crafted her lessons, learning nuances she never would have prepared for. Cheerilee crafted every word and assignment with care, putting in something for every one of her students. It was beautiful to watch, a master at work at their own special calling. Twilight likes to think that she helped, even if she mostly just ordered Spike to find various reference books. It had been a most educational afternoon.

And then there was the silence! The glorious, wonderful silence. Long stretches of quiet, Cheerilee writing in one of her notebooks, Twilight deep in one of her own books. Just the two of them, sitting near each other, alone but not alone. Twilight had been afraid it would turn awkward, nervous that she would bother Cheerilee too much or not enough. Things had never even come close to such a turn. Everything was just... comfortable, somehow.

Not a single customer had interrupted them. It was a sunny, perfect spring day, now quickly turning into a warm, perfect spring night. Twilight gathers the last of Cheerilee's books up in a telekinetic grip and lowers them into the teacher's saddlebags, nestling them next to...

What's this now?

There's a small pink notebook in the bag, decorated with smiling flowers and hearts. It stands out next to everything else there – all textbooks and somber, single-color notebooks. Twilight floats it out of the bag, holding it up in the air.

"What's this one? Did one of your students forget it or something?" she asks.

Cheerilee turns to see what Twilight is asking about and panic flashes in her eyes. She snatches the book out of the air, pinning it to the floor beneath her hooves.

"That one! That's... uh... nothing. Ha! Just more lesson plans. Boring ones," she says, her cheeks turning a faint shade of pink.

Twilight raises an eyebrow. "You write lesson plans in... that?" Small, cartoonish flowers grin up at her from the notebook's cover. They look like Cheerilee's cutie mark.

Cheerilee looks down at the notebook. "Oh... oh this one. This is, uh... the other thing. The thing you said. One of my students gave it to me." She flashes an awkward smile at Twilight, then picks the notebook up in her mouth and crams it in the nearest saddlebag.

"I didn't mean to pry," Twilight says.

Cheerilee just looks at her. She opens her mouth, then closes it again, looking very worried. She waffles back and forth for a few seconds. Twilight silently snickers inside.

She's so cute. What could possibly be in there?

"Sorry," Cheerilee says, guarding the bag with her hooves. "I shouldn't fib. It's just kind of embarrassing."

"What, is it a list of crushes or something?" Twilight giggles.

"No... I... like to write. Sometimes. A little." Cheerilee casts her eyes down at the floor, creasing the bag between her hooves. Twilight gasps, smiling wider than Pinkie Pie.

"Oh my gosh you like to write?! What kinds of things? Can I see?" Twilight reaches for the notebook without thinking. Cheerilee jumps back, coiling her forelegs around the bag.

"NO! No, they're... they're not finished. Sorry," she says. Her face is almost as red as Big Macintosh. She closes the flap on the bag. Twilight steps back, trying to give her some space.

"So... what do you write? Stories, or..."

Isn't it obvious?

Twilight gasps again.

"Do you write poems?" she gushes.

Cheerilee grins carefully and nods.

"That's not embarrassing, it's neat!" Twilight says.

"...I write other things, too. Short stories. Mostly," Cheerilee says, shifting her eyes around.

"Can I read some? Please?" Twilight tries to smile the way she's seen Apple Bloom smile.

"Oh no, no I couldn't... they're not very good. In fact, they're all pretty bad."

"Please?"

"No. Sorry. It's private."

Twilight readies another assault, but pauses. Cheerilee looks completely mortified. Just... cringing. She's glaring down at her own hooves.

I didn't mean to upset her...

How strange.

We had sex last night, for pony's sake.

She wants to see, badly. But again, the desire to not upset this mare overrides her curiosity. Twilight creases her brow.

"Okay. I respect your privacy," she says very formally, her nose up in the air. Then she flashes Cheerilee a new variant of the seductive smile, persuasive edition. "But I'd still love to read your stuff sometime."

"Thanks. Maybe. Sometime." Cheerilee smiles uneasily, looking more calm.

"Anyway." Twilight looks around, trying to find a new direction. "Are you hungry?"

"Yes, actually. It is about dinner time, isn't it?" Cheerilee says.

"Mmm." Twilight glances through the doorway into the kitchen. Spike is still hard at work cleaning up from lunch and the various snacks Twilight made him prepare as the afternoon wore on.

"I guess I could have Spike make us something again," she says.

"Oh, give the poor little guy a break. Do you know that sandwich stand over by the park? Let's go there."

Twilight flashes back to a gold-coated stallion slinging her bag over his shoulders, smiling at her. She can almost smell the leather of his hat. She shakes her head before the memory goes any further.

"Good idea. Spike?" Twilight yells. She leaves Cheerilee in the main room and practically bounces into the kitchen.

The little dragon grumbles something over the sound of scrubbing.

"We're going out for dinner. Do you want me to bring anything back?" she says.

"You two have been hanging out all day and now you're getting dinner?" Spike stops scrubbing and glares up at her.

"I know!" Twilight balances on hoof edge, beaming.

"But that means I have to stay here and..." Spike looks down at the sink full of dishes.

"I know, I know, I'm sorry," Twilight says. "Please? This is going really well."

Spike heaves a weary sigh.

"Fine. Just get me some..."

"Hay fries. Extra crispy," Twilight says.

Spike nods and grumbles something that sounds vaguely like a thank you.

"Best assistant ever!" Twilight rubs her hoof on Spike's spines. "Don't worry, we'll be right back."

She trots back into the main room, the sounds of Spike's grumbles fading on her ears.

"You know what he wants?" Cheerilee asks.

"Same thing every time." Twilight rolls her eyes.

"He seems like such a good kid. You're really lucky," Cheerilee says as they step outside.

"Yeah... yeah, he is," Twilight says.

"How did you end up with him, anyway?" Cheerilee asks.

"That's a funny story, actually," Twilight begins. "When I was a little filly in Canterlot..."

They walk. Twilight talks. The sun is just starting to set. The streets of Ponyville are bustling, full of ponies enjoying a lazy Saturday. Cheerilee listens with fascination, nodding along as Twilight tells a tale of magic and tests and goddess monarchs. The story runs on longer than she meant it to. She always forgets just how much is tied together in this one story.

They reach the stand and spend a long time waiting in line, of course. Twilight asks Cheerilee how she got her cutie mark. Cheerilee's story is over before they've even ordered their food. Twilight is about to ask her more about teaching when they reach the front of the line.

Two sandwiches and an order of hay fries, please. Extra crispy.

They wait, idly pony-watching.

I've been here over a year and I still don't know so many faces.

It's not a big town. Cheerilee is nodding or waving at almost every other pony that walks by. All of them wave at Twilight as well, smiling in recognition. She waves back sheepishly. She's never felt so in the spotlight, under the public's eye.

"Order up!"

They split the bill and perch their brown paper bags on their backs.

"So... back to the library?" Twilight says.

"Let's take a walk," Cheerilee answers. She trots off into the park across the street, with Twilight in tow. Twilight follows mindlessly, taking in the scene. The park is gorgeous, bathed in fading orange light. Small groups and pairs of ponies are scattered around, enjoying the fresh air.

It IS quite the view, isn't it?

Twilight suppresses a snicker. She's walking just behind and to the side of Cheerilee. Her eyes keep wandering over the smooth curves of the fuchsia mare's rump. She tries to hide it at first, but then wonders why she should bother. Her eyes move up, and her hooves freeze.

Cheerilee is staring back at her over her shoulder. Her lips are pursed out in a kind of scolding grimace, but her eyes are shining with amusement.

Twilight clears her throat loudly. Cheerilee bumps her side lightly with her flank.

"Get a hold of yourself there, sweetie."

"I'm not sure if I can," Twilight says, lowering her eyebrows. Cheerilee gives her a smile that makes her ears heat up.

Wow, that... did not sound as nervous as it did in my head. That actually sounded kind of suave! How did that happen?

Cheerilee nods towards an empty picnic table just off the path. They sit down and unwrap their food. Twilight nibbles on her sandwich, paying more attention to the pony sitting next to her. Cheerilee eats quietly, leaving her sandwich on the table, grazing at it.

No wonder Applejack eats grass, earth ponies eat like that all the time.

Don't be rude.

It's bad enough that you're staring at her, you don't have to start stereotyping.

Cheerilee picks up on her stare and stares back, wiping her mouth with a hoof.

"What?" she says as soon as her mouth is empty.

"Uh... nothing, I guess."

"Nothing, huh?" Cheerilee smiles mischievously. "So you're just watching me eat?"

"Yup." Twilight grins.

"Okay then. I guess I'll just have to watch you eat."

Cheerilee leans forward, bugging her eyes out wide. She stares intensely at Twilight's sandwich, creasing her brow. Twilight keeps staring at her but Cheerilee doesn't move. Twilight shrugs and lifts her food into the air with magic. She floats it up to her mouth slowly, casting sideways glances at Cheerilee.

Her date is following the floating sandwich with her eyes, frowning in concentration. Twilight opens her mouth, but can't bring herself to actually take a bite. She falters and drops the sandwich, raising her eyebrows at Cheerilee. Her green eyes pierce into Twilight, unmoving. Twilight screws her face up in confusion before noticing the slightest hint of a smile forming on Cheerilee's lips. Then the stare cracks completely and Cheerilee is laughing quietly. Twilight can't help but laugh with her.

"Heh... you had me going for a second there," Twilight says.

"I know."

Twilight's eyes are torn away from Cheerilee by the sight of two very familiar ponies coming up the path near them.

"Oh my!" Rarity perks up the moment she catches sight of them. "Twilight! And Cheerilee! How nice to see you... together!"

"Hey girls." Twilight waves at the pair. Fluttershy nods back.

"Fluttershy and myself were just taking a lovely walk. Would you mind terribly if we joined you for a moment? I was just thinking of finding a place to sit," Rarity says, pausing on the path.

Twilight opens her mouth to say yes, but instead looks to Cheerilee, her eyebrows raised.

"Oh!" Rarity gasps. "Oh, where are my manners? How could we even think of interrupting?"

"No, it's fine. We're just having sandwiches." Cheerilee motions them over. "Please, sit! I feel like I haven't talked to you in ages."

"How gracious of you. Indeed, it's been months." Rarity settles in at the table with them, and Fluttershy silently follows suit.

"You two know each other?" Twilight says.

"Well, from afar, I suppose," Rarity says.

"Your friend was a few years behind me in school," Cheerilee says. "She made me a lovely costume for the school play that one year."

"Oh, those old things?" Rarity laughs. "Those were nothing. You should come by my boutique sometime. I'd love to fit you for something."

"Right, you have your own store now! We all knew you would," Cheerilee says.

"Oh, my own store... you make it sound so official! It's nothing major, just a venue for my creative side." Rarity grins smugly.

Twilight rolls her eyes. She's seen Rarity's ego being stroked plenty of times before, and it's always the same.

"This is my friend Fluttershy," she chimes in.

"Don't be silly, Twilight, of course I know her name," Cheerilee says.

"You do?" Twilight says.

"You do?" Fluttershy says, eyes wide.

"One of the famous Elements of Harmony and a supermodel? Honey, I think everypony knows your name," Cheerilee says.

"Oh?" Fluttershy says, then tries to hide further under her bangs. "Oh... that."

"Don't worry, I won't ask for an autograph or anything," Cheerilee says. "Besides, you helped me with that field trip last year."

"You remember that?" Fluttershy says.

"Field trip?" Twilight says.

"I brought my students on a hike through Whitetail Woods. Fluttershy was an excellent guide. She's much more knowledgeable than me when it comes to the local flora and fauna," Cheerilee says. "And she's pretty good with kids, too."

"Um... thanks. I try. I'm really more of an animal pony, though." Fluttershy reluctantly makes eye contact with the unfamiliar mare.

Good girl, Fluttershy! Responding to other ponies. Just like we talked about.

Twilight nods with pride. She's not sure if she should praise Fluttershy for this display right here, in front of others. Rarity talks again before she can make up her mind.

"Forgive me if this is a bit nosy. But I just have to ask... you two look smashing together, by the way," Rarity says.

Twilight looks away, happily embarrassed. She's surprised to see Cheerilee doing the same thing.

Rarity continues, "But I thought your big date was last night?"

Darn it Rarity, you and your hunger for gossip...

"It was. You told your friends about us already, huh?" Cheerilee taps Twilight's side with a hoof.

"Heh, well... uh..." Twilight feels her face heating up and her hooves fumbling around on their own. "The restaurant was Rarity's idea," she says. Rarity grins at them, waving a hoof. "And the flowers were Fluttershy's idea," Twilight says. Fluttershy nods, smiling from under her shield of hair.

"I guess I should thank you both, then." Cheerilee smiles warmly at them.

"Don't mention it. Twilight came to us for advice and we just had to help. She wanted so much to impress you, but she had no idea what to do. The poor dear." Rarity smiles wickedly.

"Ha ha!" Twilight barks out a loud, hollow laugh. "Thank you for that information, Rarity." Twilight puts on her biggest, fakest grin. She starts to wonder if she can kick Rarity with her magic without being noticed.

"That's cute," Cheerilee says. She puts her hoof over Twilight's, calming her. "Don't worry about it. I might have let a few things slip to some of my friends, too."

"Really? What did they say?" Twilight blurts out.

"'Twilight Sparkle?! The Twilight Sparkle?'" Cheerilee says in mock amazement. Twilight laughs nervously.

"Oh, she's so modest. Look how nervous you're making her," Rarity titters. "It's so lovely that you're dating one of my friends. To think, when I was a filly you and Macintosh were such an item," Rarity says, casting a subtle look at Fluttershy. Fluttershy perks up at the mention of the big red workhorse, but doesn't say anything.

"Oh my god, you remember that?" Cheerilee says.

"Of course I do! You two were the talk of the town back then," Rarity says. Fluttershy's eyes get wider and wider.

"Gosh, I didn't think so," Cheerilee says.

"Come now. Surely you're joking?" Rarity says. "I've always wanted to ask you about... well, about him."

Cheerilee cocks one eyebrow at Rarity in response.

"Oh no, no, not like that. Don't get me wrong, he's a lovely male specimen," Rarity says. A ghost of a blush plays across Fluttershy's cheeks. "But he's a bit rough around the edges for my tastes. And, well... I've heard some things. There are so many rumors, I thought you might be able to shed light on the situation."

Cheerilee casts her eyes down, frowning. "That was all after I left. I don't really know what happened," she says.

Twilight feels frozen in place, like she's watching a carriage accident unfold in slow motion.

Rarity will you please just shut up already?

"Surely you must know something about it?" Rarity asks.

"AHEM." Twilight glares at Rarity. "Certainly some lovely weather we're having, isn't it?"

"AHEM." Fluttershy glares at Twilight.

Twilight drops her jaw in shock.

"I mean... um... sorry," Fluttershy says.

"It's okay, Twilight," Cheerilee says, then turns to Rarity. "I don't know what to say, really. Like I said, I don't know what happened. I just heard things when I moved back here."

Twilight's own curiosity is hidden behind raging panic. Rarity opens her mouth to say more, but her words die on her lips. A shadow passes over them, trailing behind a multicolored blur, and all eyes shoot up to follow it. Twilight sighs in relief.

Rainbow Dash to the rescue...

"Hey, Rainbow Dash!" Twilight says very loudly. "We should get her down here and talk to her. About other things." She glares at Rarity. Rarity pouts back at her.

Pinkie Pie comes bouncing up the path, her eyes on the flying pegasus. Her eyes dart down and a smile explodes onto her face when she sees the four of them sitting.

"Hey guys! Rainbow Dash is doing a super duper brand new move from her tricktionary! You wanna watch with me?"

Before anyone can answer, Rainbow Dash is hovering over their picnic table.

"Yeah, you guys should come check it out! It's gonna be... oh! Hey Cheerilee." Rainbow Dash waves down at her.

"Hi, Rainbow Dash." Cheerilee smiles up at her.

"So I guess that date went well, huh? Figures. Twilight's such a nerd and all, of course she'd fall for a schoolteacher," Rainbow Dash says.

"Ha ha. That's hilarious," Twilight growls out. "Why don't you just show us that trick Pinkie's talking about?"

"You guys gonna watch? Awesome! You gotta come over to the creek, though. I need the open area."

Dash darts off through the air. Pinkie Pie bounces off in the direction of a stream nearby, a calm trickle of water that runs right through the middle of Ponyville. Rarity and Fluttershy follow together, trailed by Cheerilee and Twilight.

"All we need now is Applejack. Complete Harmony set," Cheerilee says.

"She's always working. Kind of like you," Twilight says.

"Mmm. So, which part of last night was Rainbow Dash's idea?" Cheerilee waggles her eyebrows.

"Oh! Heh... well we didn't do her idea. Yet." Twilight blushes a little, proud at letting that one slip out.

"Oh my! Now you've gone and gotten my hopes up," Cheerilee says.

Twilight knows she should counter with some kind of innuendo, but nothing comes. Something else is tickling her mind.

"Do you... do you think I'm a nerd?" she asks.

"Well, you are kind of a nerd," Cheerilee says.

"Oh."

"Sweetie, I love that about you. I'm one too, after all."

"Really?"

Cheerilee stops and raises a solemn hoof.

"Hello, everypony. My name is Cheerilee and I am a closet nerd."

"You do a much better job of hiding it than me."

"Years of practice. Besides, I'm of the opinion that you kind of have to be a nerd if you're going to be a good teacher."

Twilight's face goes blank as she swallows that one. It seems so obvious, and makes perfect sense. She never in a thousand years would have thought of it herself.

"Anyway," Cheerilee says. They've reached the edge of the water, a tamed set of terraces decorated with walkways and flowers. "I can't believe I get a private showing of a new trick from the famous Rainbow Dash!"

"Oh, it's not so special," Rarity says. "She'll most likely just crash or explode or something." The five of them are lined up on the stream bank now. Pinkie Pie is bouncing and shaking, looking up at the sky.

"That's not fair. Rainbow Dash is an excellent flier," Twilight says.

"Yes, but..." Fluttershy butts in. "She probably is going to crash or explode or something."

"Explode with awesome!" Pinkie Pie yells.

Five pairs of eyes crane up, following a rainbow contrail high above. Rainbow Dash paints a streak of color across an already colorful sky, shining in the glow of dusk. Other ponies around the park are looking up as well, oohing and aahing.

"You know, Twilight..." Cheerilee leans in close to her, speaking quietly. Just for her ears. "You really know how to show a girl a good time."

"Oh?"

Rainbow Dash is looping down, skimming above the treetops. She disappears somewhere upstream.

"Fancy dinner. Flowers. Studying. And now an air show. Not bad for a first date!" Cheerilee says.

"Second. Does this count as third now?" Twilight says.

"Maybe. Who cares?"

They can see Rainbow Dash again, streaking right above the stream. She's near top speed, blasting her way just above the surface of the water. She's kicking up huge waves of water in her wake, almost emptying the stream onto its banks.

"Wait a minute..." Twilight furrows her brow, piecing together her observations. Pinkie Pie is laughing so hard she falls over.

"Oh my..." Rarity says, backing away.

"...goodness!" Fluttershy shields herself with a wing.

The words You've gotta be kidding never have a chance to leave Twilight's mouth. Dash rockets past them, and for just a moment all Twilight can see is a wall of water, glowing with the rainbow colors of the blue pegasus pony's wake.

That really is quite pretty, actually.

And then gallons upon gallons of cold, muddy water crash down on them. Twilight realizes just too late that she probably could've shielded them with magic. But she didn't. She opens her eyes as soon as she can breathe again, shivering as the breeze cools her wet coat.

Rarity is squirming in place, stomping her hooves in the puddles all around them and making annoyed little gasps. Fluttershy's face is totally hidden behind her soaked tresses of mane. Pinkie Pie is rolling around in the mud, laughing so hard that she's gasping for breath.

"Hee hee... did you... did you girls like the trick? Ha ha! I helped Dashie think it up. I call it the Filly Splasher!" Pinkie Pie chokes out.

Twilight groans and gives Pinkie a stare of death, which goes completely ignored. She turns to see Cheerilee shaking water and mud out of her hair.

"I'm so, so sorry about this. My friends are... um..." Twilight searches for words, forgetting the mud caking onto her own coat.

"Two meanings. I get it," Cheerilee says, not looking at all perturbed.

"Huh?"

"Trick. They tricked us by saying they would show us a trick. Kind of clever, actually," Cheerilee says.

"You... you're not...?" Twilight says.

"We'll just have to get them back sometime." Cheerilee grins devilishly. Twilight just stares at her.

"Oh man!" Rainbow Dash comes to a hover above them, snorting into her hoof. "So, uh... what did you guys think of my new trick?"

"I thought it was great!" Pinkie Pie tries to bounce but slips in the mud, landing right on her face. She's up again in an instant, laughing her flanks off.

"Rainbow Dash!" Rarity barks. She's trying to walk without touching any mud, unsuccessfully. "That was most..." She slides around, barely keeping her balance. "Inappropriate!"

Dash watches Rarity slip in the mud with undisguised glee. Then she sees Fluttershy wringing water out of her mane and she can't contain herself anymore. Rainbow Dash explodes into laughter, barely keeping herself afloat.

"You really aren't upset?" Twilight says to Cheerilee.

"Oh, please. I deal with teenagers all day. Thick skin is a job requirement."

"Huh." Twilight starts to sit down, then looks at all the grass around them, now soaked and muddy. "Still, sorry. I swear my friends are actually... well no, this is pretty much what they're like."

"They certainly aren't boring." Cheerilee reaches over and wipes a particularly thick chunk of mud off Twilight's cheek. "I was worried about meeting your friends, actually. I was scared they might not like me or something."

"Scared? Of course they'll love you. I lo–" Twilight freezes.

And what exactly was I about to say next?

Cheerilee's eyes go wide, then she smiles and taps her hoof lightly against Twilight's chest.

"Whoa there, sweetie. One step at a time."

Twilight smiles bashfully, not feeling the patches of mud hardening into her coat.

"I like you," she says quietly. Cheerilee laughs once, loudly.

"I like you, too." They lock eyes for a long moment. "Come on. Let's go get cleaned up."

Twilight nods and does a quick check on her friends. Rainbow Dash is carrying Rarity to drier turf, rolling her eyes at the stream of indignant chatter coming from the unicorn. Pinkie Pie is wringing out Fluttershy's tail, apologizing even through the last of her giggles. Twilight bids them all a quick goodnight, then turns to walk away.

"Applejack?" She pauses mid-step. Applejack is standing on the path nearby, looking confused.

"What in the hay did I miss this time?" she says.

"Oh, you know," Twilight says. "The usual nonsense."

Twilight shuts the faucet off with a glow of her horn. Her bathtub is full almost to the brim with hot, steaming water. It looks tempting, but she turns away.

"Okay. That looks good," she says.

Cheerilee is standing in her bathroom behind her. "Thanks again. I'm such a mess right now." She stares at the tub, obviously aching to sink into the hot water.

"Don't mention it. Here, I'll get some more towels. Be right back!" Twilight trots back out into the library, humming tunelessly. She rummages around in a closet and starts yanking out plush towels, floating them together into a neat pile with her magic. She's so focused on her chore that Spike's voice startles her.

"Is she taking a bath here?" he says from a chair nearby, not looking up from his comic book.

"Huh?" Twilight barely looks over from the closet.

"Cheerilee. Doesn't she live right down the street?" Spike says, still not looking up.

"Huh. Yeah, I guess so. I don't know, I didn't really think about it. I offered and she said yes."

"Okay." Spike shrugs.

"Problem?" Twilight cocks an eyebrow at him. He still doesn't look over.

"Naw. Just asking."

Well, all right then.

Twilight tries to think back to the last time she bathed Spike.

Shoot, that was back when I moved here.

Right before he started acting all grown up and insisting he could do it himself. She eyes him as she walks by with her towels, trying to gauge his feelings. But the little dragon seems genuinely absorbed in his comic book. He doesn't look up at all.

All right then, indeed.

She walks back into the bathroom, floating the towels along with her.

"Here we go! Plenty of – oh." Twilight pauses. Cheerilee is already in the tub, up to her withers in the steamy water. Her mane is deflated, hanging loosely around her face in damp curls. She looks over as Twilight enters. Twilight feels her ears flatten out and her knees go a little wobbly. A hind leg shoots out on its own and pushes the door closed behind her.

"Thanks. You can leave them right there." Cheerilee nods at the floor next to the tub. Twilight sets the towels down, trying not to stare too intensely. She feels rude for some reason, like she's intruding.

"There you go. I'll just... uh... leave you to it. I guess." She starts to back towards the door.

"Actually, could you get my back?" Cheerilee leans forward against the edge of the tub, displaying her shoulder blades. "It's hard for us earth ponies."

Twilight freezes. It feels like her tail is stuck in a light socket. Cheerilee is staring at her over her shoulder, her eyes sending all kinds of chills through Twilight's spine. Twilight traces the pink form of Cheerilee's body with her stare, sliding her eyes over the curve where rump meets midsection. It's distorted in the water, blurry and shifting.

"Well?" Cheerilee raises her eyebrows and wiggles her backside, sending small waves through the water.

Oh sweet Celestia... thine grace is great on this day.

Twilight swallows hard and steps up to the tub. Cheerilee folds her forelegs on the far edge of the tub and rests her chin on them, waiting. A bar of soap sits in a small dish on the other edge. Twilight picks it up with a glow of her horn and rubs it up and down Cheerilee's back. She can feel the muscles tense up against her horn, and then relax as the touch of the hard bar becomes familiar. Twilight rubs until a good lather is worked up, then puts the soap down.

"Can I... should I use my hooves?" Twilight asks.

"Please do."

Ohhhhhh yeah... definitely gotta use the hooves for this one.

Twilight reaches out slowly, carefully. It's a tiny bathtub, really. She has no problem reaching Cheerilee. But she always uses magic for everything – actually using her hooves feels almost... unnatural.

Hey, she said it was fine.

Indeed, she did. Twilight presses her hooves into Cheerilee's back on either side of her spine. Cheerilee matches her touch with a sharp intake of breath – Twilight can feel her chest expand, feel her back raise against her hooves. Twilight rubs up, pressing her hooves into a soft coat, slick with water and soap. Her hooves sink into the supple muscle as she rubs down, tracing two ovals across Cheerilee's back. She rubs up and down, slowly, relishing every shift of flesh against her hooves.

"Ahhhhh... that's perfect," Cheerilee sighs.

Twilight licks her lips as she rubs more. A few drops of water crawl down her forehead. She's not sure if it's sweat or condensation from the steam. She tries to concentrate on the task at hand, staring at the ripples of dark skin that form in front of her hooves as she pushes. Her hooves move easily over Cheerilee's body, caressing out the small bits of mud left sticking in her coat.

"Don't forget my lower back." Cheerilee raises up on her haunches, making a splash of water as she exposes more of herself. Her dark pink back stretches out in front of Twilight, from the nape of her neck to just the top of her rump. Twilight feels her cheeks flush with color and becomes aware that her tail is flicking around wildly. She greedily moves her hooves lower, pressing down hard along the sides of the spine.

Cheerilee's tail bobs around, dragging the heavy wet hair instead of flicking. Her tail slides over the curves of her cheeks, leaving trails of water behind. Twilight is scrubbing hard with her hooves, but her eyes are fixed lower, staring at the glimpses she's getting of the teacher's exposed privates, tantalizing peeks blurred by hot water and wisps of steam.

Twilight's mind is racing almost as face as her pulse. She pictures just pushing Cheerilee forward, bending her over the rim of the tub, and then diving into those moist folds with her tongue. She bites her tongue instead. Her hooves falter a little, sliding down Cheerilee's sides and lower, onto the tops of her flanks.

"Oooooh, Twilight. That's not really my back, is it?" Cheerilee purrs.

"Heh. Uh... there's some mud here, too," Twilight lies.

"Are you saying I'm a dirty girl?" Cheerilee casts a smoking look over her shoulder.

"...What?" Twilight pauses, her head almost spinning with confused lust.

"Just say yes, sweetie."

"Uhhh... yes?"

"Well, do what you must. I won't stop you." Cheerilee turns her head away and wiggles her rump right at Twilight. Twilight shudders, losing control of her arms for a moment. They slide down into the water, brushing right past...

"Eeek!" Cheerilee's whole body shakes and she shrinks into the water, curling her tail around herself.

"What? What did I do?" Twilight's senses come back just a little.

"Heh... ahem. Sorry. My cutie mark. Kind of... uh... sensitive." Cheerilee turns to her and grins, her chest heaving a little.

"Oh." Twilight puts a hoof to her chin. "Sorry if I startled you. I didn't mean to touch you like... like that."

"No apology necessary." Cheerilee slides closer to Twilight, their faces close together. Twilight feels weirdly lost, nervous, like she used to back when this all began. She thinks back to Rarity's books for the first time in a while.

"But I read that... I've always read that the cutie mark is kind of... I don't know. Intimate? Special? You know... serious."

"That's adorable," Cheerilee says. "So you've never...?"

"No." Twilight fidgets uncomfortably.

I thought I was done being all nervous about this. Oh well...

"I mean... it's just getting rubbed on your flank, right? Does it feel different?"

Cheerilee gives her a quick kiss on the cheek and then leans back into the tub, drifting away from Twilight.

"Why don't you come on in and find out?"

Nervousness melts away. Twilight's eyes go wide for a second, then she grins like she's cornered her prey.

It's really the other way around. She's so...

Twilight's mind races for words as she climbs over the edge of the tub. Knowledgeable? Experienced? More than that... it's like she's...

Twilight gasps as the hot water wraps around her limbs. She dips in slowly, crawling on top of Cheerilee. There isn't enough room in the tub to go anywhere else. Cheerilee lies back against the end of the tub, rubbing her forelegs against Twilight's as she settles in. The water rises up to the edge of the bathtub, almost flooding over the sides.

There's still so much I don't know. She can teach me. That's it.

They lock eyes as Twilight muddles through her thoughts. She feels like she's floating above Cheerilee, suspended in hot, soothing comfort. The initial stinging of heat against her coat fades, replaced by warmth enveloping her belly and haunches. She stands in place, wallowing in it.

Cheerilee lifts her neck up and they share a long kiss, snapping Twilight out of her reverie. Twilight lowers herself fully into the water, wrapping her arms around Cheerilee's shoulders. When she opens her eyes, Cheerilee is looking up at her, a sultry look that sends her heart racing. She can feel Cheerilee's forelegs pinned against her chest, rubbing into her wet coat.

"I can't really show you like this. Turn around," she whispers.

Oh, teach me, you dirty mare!

Twilight just nods, murmuring something affirmative. She shifts onto her rump and spins around. Cheerilee drapes a foreleg over her shoulder and pulls her back immediately, cradling Twilight in her lap. Twilight closes her eyes, leaning back into a soft, firm embrace.

Cheerilee holds her for a second, then two. Twilight feels a nose sniffing around in her mane, feels hot breath against the back of her neck. Cheerilee's arms don't move.

"So... you just rub my cutie mark?" Twilight almost whispers.

"Not yet."

That warm breath, right against her ear. Twilight feels her insides wind up tight, a spring about to break. She sighs and coos as Cheerilee drags her arms down around her midsection, resting her hooves right above Twilight's thighs. Twilight sinks lower into the water, relaxing completely, when something tugs at her mane.

"Huh?" She tries to turn her head and feels her mane pinched, stuck.

"Mmmm?" Cheerilee's voice floats from behind her.

"And you looked at me funny when I bit your hair." Twilight giggles. Cheerilee spits out a lock of purple mane.

"You were just sucking on mine. I'm grooming. You've never groomed like this?"

"No... I always use a brush. That's more an earth pony thing, I guess."

"Mmm," Cheerilee says. Twilight feels pulling at the back of her head again, feels teeth chewing down the length of her wet mane. It hurts a little, sometimes, but the tugging strain in her scalp is more than a little pleasurable. She lies still, resting her hooves on Cheerilee's, letting her work.

Twilight's eyelids relax, hanging closed. Warm light filters through. Her chest rises and falls, and her mind empties out, feeling nothing but wet heat and soft body and tugging, lovely tugging in her mane. She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, sinking further into Cheerilee's firm body.

Cheerilee's hooves slide lower as she chews, rubbing at the edges of Twilight's flanks. Twilight takes another breath and holds it, tensing up a little. Cheerilee tugs again at her mane, harder, pulling her head back a little, and then slides both hooves down across Twilight's twin stars.

Twilight's flanks jerk, more from anticipation than anything. She lets her breath out. It tickles, certainly feels good, but it's not the mind-blowing pleasure she was expecting. She feels Cheerilee smile against the back of her head.

"That's it? Maybe I'm losing my touch," Cheerilee says.

"No, it feels great." Twilight squirms against her, grazing her flanks against Cheerilee's hooves. "Maybe I'm just not as sensitive as you. There."

Twilight drops her own hooves, past Cheerilee's, grasping at the big, round rump she knows is back there somewhere. She slides up Cheerilee's flanks, feeling her way up to that cheery trio of flowers.

"Oh!" Cheerilee squeezes her tight and gasps into her mane.

"Right there?" Twilight presses her hooves into a wet coat, rubbing them in, feeling firm muscle under soft, pliant fat.

"Ah!" Cheerilee grips Twilight's flanks tightly, pulling hard on her mane.

Well, I do owe her one. Or several...

Twilight smiles deviously and starts rubbing hard with her hooves. She can't really see the results, but she feels Cheerilee groan, the vibrations shaking into her back.

"Maybe... you were right... sensitive..." Cheerilee whispers.

Twilight rubs harder and flexes her back side to side, sliding their wet bodies together. She hears Cheerilee's breath pick up, puffs of hot air wafting against her neck faster now. She grins, feeling less like a lost little foal and more like a sexy, full-grown mare.

Ha! That's right, moan some more... Twilight Sparkle's got a few moves after all.

"Still think I'm adorable?" Twilight grins harder.

She feels Cheerilee smile and choke out a kind of gasping giggle.

"I guess I found a way to pay you back for last night." Twilight presses harder. Cheerilee squeezes her forelegs over Twilight's, pinning her still.

"You know what I think?" Cheerilee groans.

"What?"

"I think we need to finish washing up. And then I think we need to go up to your bedroom."

Twilight's eyes go wide, somehow not having considered that possibility.

Why do I always go completely brain dead when it comes to sex?

She turns to look over her shoulder and meets Cheerilee's lips, waiting to pounce. They kiss quickly, Cheerilee surprising Twilight with an aggressive tongue.

"I think that's a good idea," Twilight says as soon as her mouth is free.

Cheerilee lets her go and climbs out of the tub, dragging her wet tail up Twilight's chest. Twilight rinses off in record time, barely pausing to check if she actually is clean. She pulls the stopper out of the tub and hops out, finding Cheerilee waiting with a towel in her mouth. They towel each other off wordlessly, the only sound the occasional giggle. Twilight is fascinated by the other mare's body, hanging on every moment that she's running her hooves all over that dark pink coat.

They leave the bathroom and skirt through the main room. Twilight whistles tunelessly, pointedly not looking at the chair where Spike is still reading. Cheerilee follows, clearly amused at Twilight's facade.

They go upstairs. Twilight holds the door for Cheerilee, letting her eyes linger on that glorious rump as it goes by. She follows it in and carefully closes the door as quietly as she can, cursing the lack of lock.

She turns around to find Cheerilee paused, looking up at the bookshelves all around them.

"Nice collection," she muses.

"I'll give you the full tour later. Come on." Twilight bumps Cheerilee's flank with her head, pushing her towards the stairs.

"Oh, no need to be pushy." Cheerilee sticks her tongue out at Twilight and canters up the stairs to Twilight's bedroom proper. She holds at the top, looking around.

"Wow! It's so big," Cheerilee says.

"The room, or the bed?" Twilight passes her, headed right for that large, flat soft surface.

"Both."

They flop down on the bed without further delay, sliding close together on their sides. Twilight barely has time to smile before Cheerilee attacks with her lips. They make out loudly, wrapping their limbs around each other. Twilight shifts her head around, kissing all over Cheerilee's face, running her snout into her damp, soft curls of mane.

It still smells like something... darn it, I'm never going to figure this out...

She feels Cheerilee laughing softly against her neck.

"Getting all lost in my mane again?" she says.

Twilight pulls her head back, stammering nonsense.

"Yours is beautiful." Cheerilee leans her head against a pillow, running a hoof down the trail of Twilight's hair. "I love your highlights. You don't dye it or anything?"

"Nope. All natural."

Despite Rarity's best efforts...

"I never finished grooming you." Cheerilee smirks at her. "Would you like me to keep doing that?"

Yes ma'am!

Twilight just grins and nods.

"Mmm." Cheerilee starts to lean forward but pauses, looking thoughtful. She gets up and crawls over Twilight, putting her head down by Twilight's rump. "On second thought, your tail looks pretty tangled."

"Oh? Reallyyyyyyohhhhhhh wow..." Twilight starts to crane her neck up, but loses her strength as she feels teeth tugging on her tail. She bites her lip and feels her hooves twitch with each delightful tug. Her legs move, almost walking in place, sliding against the sheets.

Cheerilee starts right at her tail base and works down, chewing through the hair, pulling at Twilight's rump. Twilight feels her sphincter tighten and clench even as her nether lips swell, her own folds relaxing and blooming. She looks over at Cheerilee's body, leaning across the bed, her tail swishing in the air so far away. Twilight tries to scoot over a little, to return this lovely favor, but she's pinned under Cheerilee's chest.

Cheerilee moves back up to the base, chewing contentedly, pulling with short, insistent tugs. Twilight knickers softly as she feels hot breath over her privates and Cheerilee's muzzle rubbing against her rear.

Wait a minute... how did this happen? I'm supposed to be doing her.

"Hey." She runs a hoof up Cheerilee's back, to her neck.

"Mmm?" Cheerilee looks up, still holding a tail in her mouth.

"Get up. I owe you one."

"Oh?" Cheerilee drops her tail.

"Not that this isn't great." Twilight shifts under her, pushing Cheerilee to the side.

"You don't really owe me one. It doesn't work like that, you know," Cheerilee says.

"Maybe I just want to owe you one," Twilight says.

"Ooooh!" Cheerilee's eyes flash with desire as she rolls onto her side.

"If that's okay," Twilight says.

"More than okay." Cheerilee lies back, exposing herself for the taking. "I'm all yours."

Twilight coils up, lost in a wealth of choice.

Where to even begin?

Her eyes wander all over the lovely mare on the bed beside her, she's practically drooling. Cheerilee squirms in anticipation.

"Maybe you could use that horn of yours. I'm dying to see what else it can do," Cheerilee says, spreading her legs a little. Twilight balks.

"Are you... you really want me to...?"

"Ahem." Cheerilee closes her legs, looking a little bashful. "Right. I've heard that's a little naughty, even among unicorns."

Twilight remembers the waves of energy she'd felt blasting out of her horn the previous night and frowns. "That sounds dangerous."

"You don't think you can manage? Ponies say you're quite talented with that thing." Cheerilee runs a hoof over the blankets and up Twilight's foreleg.

Talent... horn... of course!

Twilight's lips curl up in a triumphant smile.

"Sorry, I don't know if we should do that. But..." She scoots closer to Cheerilee. "You're right. My special talent is magic."

"Oh?"

"Mmhmm." Twilight leans in, looming over her. Her horn begins to glow.

"What... uh... what do you have in mind?" A bead of sweat runs down Cheerilee's temple. She cracks an eager smile, fidgeting with just a hint of nervousness. Seeing her shaking slightly, waiting like that, sends a swelling thrill through Twilight's chest. She grins again...

The wild Twilight Sparkle closes in for the kill...

Twilight answers the question with a kiss, forcing Cheerilee's eyes closed as she brings out her secret weapon. Her horn glows brighter, and she concentrates on the image of those beautiful curves in her mind. She feels Cheerilee gasp into her mouth as the magic begins to work.

"Oh!" Cheerilee breaks their kiss, her eyes wide. "Are you doing this?" She looks down, her eyes going even wider at the sight of magical auras surrounding her flanks and sides.

"Mmhmm!" Twilight smugly appraises her handiwork. She presses into Cheerilee's cutie mark on both sides with her magic, dragging a throaty moan from the mare, then sends a third magical hoof up her spine. Cheerilee writhes in pleasure, throwing her head back.

"Oh goddess!" Cheerilee cries out. Twilight is sending feelers of magic up and down her sides, caressing her smooth coat. "This is... this is amazing!"

"Mmmmm." Twilight licks her lips, knowing she can't hold back much longer. She focuses a little harder, effortlessly lifting Cheerilee's whole body into the air, hovering her just above the bed.

"Ha! Twilight, I'm floating! Oh my gosh, I'm floating! This is amazi– OH! Ohhhhh..."

Cheerilee squirms in the air, kicking her back legs around as Twilight pushes and presses against her with magic. She has tendrils of magic massaging her flanks, her thighs, her sides and back, and it's not even difficult. She turns Cheerilee's backside towards her, pulling her tail aside with another simple magical grasp.

Oh... oh yes... oh dear all that is hot in Canterlot YES...

That beautiful, beautiful thick rump is hovering right in front of her snout. Twilight finally gets a clear look at the bounty between her lover's legs, pert, thick lips drenched with arousal. She nuzzles against Cheerilee's thighs, shuddering at the smell, the waves of heat crashing against her nose. She nibbles tenderly up Cheerilee's legs, working her way closer and closer.

Cheerilee whimpers and spreads her legs as wide as she can, begging with her body. Twilight obliges happily. She shoves her snout right into that drenched slit, inhaling a deep breath of pure, heady sex. Cheerilee squeals loudly, but Twilight barely hears it. Her head is spinning, fighting to keep control of her horn as she loses herself in Cheerilee's plump folds. She drags her tongue right up the middle, lapping softly, savoring the almost sweet taste.

"Ohhhhhhhhhh!" Cheerilee grunts loudly, flailing her limbs about to no effect. She's helpless in Twilight's grasp. Twilight falters a little at the intoxicating sound, almost dropping the mare, but she recovers. She runs her tongue all over Cheerilee's lips, sloppy and eager. She pulls back for just a second, trying to remember to breathe, to keep control of her horn.

This next part... delicate touch...

It's easy, even while keeping her grasp on the rest of Cheerilee's body. Twilight grins as her horn glows brighter. Light shines between Cheerilee's legs, and her lips spread, exposing her twitching clit and a moist, pink expanse of flesh surrounding her entrance.

"Ahhh!" Cheerilee gasps, crushing her chin against her chest. She's looking down at Twilight, eyes wild, almost frantic. Twilight locks eyes with her as she dives in, flicking her tongue against that shining little nub. She hears choking, a ragged absence of air coming from Cheerilee's mouth as her whole body tenses up.

And now... for my next trick...!

She reaches just below her chin with magic, slipping a tendril of telekinesis into Cheerilee.

"AH! You! Oh! OH!" Cheerilee reaches down with her hooves, sliding them through Twilight's mane. Twilight meets them with her own, and they grasp hooves together tightly, wrapping them together on top of Cheerilee's belly. Twilight snakes a feeler of magic into her lover, exploring her soft, smooth inner walls. She can feel the hot, wet flesh clenching and shaking around her horn as if it was really there. She searches around that tight passage, massaging with her magic, even as she runs her tongue in circles all over Cheerilee's quivering clitoris.

Twilight hears a suppressed whine coming from the pink mare, slowly getting louder and louder, straining at her closed mouth. Something in her demands that she draw it out. She splits her magical finger, feeling around in several directions at once, stretching Cheerilee's insides.

"OH GOD! OH!" Cheerilee screams out. It startles Twilight, sending shivers of pleasure through her haunches. She drops Cheerilee roughly onto the bed, losing all her magic touches for a moment.

"Sorry!" Twilight starts to wrap her up in magic again.

"NO! No no, put it all here!" Cheerilee drags Twilight's hooves onto her mound, panting, out of control. "Forget everywhere else, just in me! Put it all in me!"

"What?"

"Please!" Cheerilee squeezes her hooves together almost painfully. Twilight feels sweat running down her temples as she hurries to comply, concentrating her glow, pushing deep inside. Cheerilee squeals and arches her back, her face twisting up in pleasure, her mouth hanging open in a crooked smile.

"Like this?" Twilight bends her magic, pushing around, straining at the inside of Cheerilee's crotch.

"Mmmmmmm!" Cheerilee nods, biting her lip.

With her focus all in one spot, her magic is stronger, more controlled. Twilight is shaking inside, aching to pleasure her partner completely. She starts rubbing in and out in a slow rhythm, watching Cheerilee's pink flesh expand and contract as she pushes. She can almost see into her, blurred in the glow of her magic. She loses all thought, staring at that dark, quivering hole, leaking clear fluid onto the bed.

"Twilight?" Cheerilee gasps out.

"Huh?" Twilight's magic hoof slows down.

"Could you... can you... if you can..." Cheerilee trails off, her cheeks tinting slightly red.

"What?"

"Could you shape it like... you know?"

"...Huh?" Twilight doesn't know, doesn't have the slightest idea. She can't take her eyes off the lovely petals of her partner's vulva.

"Like a stallion, stupid."

"Oh," Twilight says absently, not really listening. Then it hits her. "Oh!"

"If that's... if you want..." Cheerilee says, a little out of breath. Twilight just stares at her for a second.

Actually, that would be pretty simple to do.

She reforms her magic, pulling her invisible fingers together into a solid lump. Then she shifts it, lengthening the extension of her mind into a crude phallus. She feels it in her horn, tight flesh grasping as it parts before her.

"How's that?" Twilight says.

"Um... a little bigger?" Cheerilee whimpers, her eyes shining.

Twilight surges the energy in her horn. Cheerilee gasps, her smile broadening.

"Oh, oh yes! Now just a little thicker!"

Again, a mere thought and it's done.

"Ooooooooohhhhhh..." Cheerilee kicks her hind legs, her tail lashing around wildly. She beckons with her forelegs. "Come here!"

Twilight climbs onto her, pressing their stomachs together. She holds herself above Cheerilee, locking eyes as she grinds her hips down. Their engorged clits rub together, sending an electric tickle of pleasure jolting through Twilight's hips. She thinks of Dash, for just a moment.

Ha! Now I get to be on top! I'm really doing her. I'm making love to her!

Cheerilee writhes against her, panting.

"I want you close to me," Cheerilee says.

"Like a stallion?" Twilight can't stop a goofy smile creeping onto her lips.

"Better than any stallion!" Cheerilee moans out. "Your magic, it's... it's so hot..."

They kiss, bodies pressed tightly together. Twilight holds her magic in place, filling the other mare. She breaks the kiss and just holds her, wallowing in the sound of heavy breathing and the feel of their sweaty coats rubbing together.

"Well?" Cheerilee says into her ear.

"Hmm?"

Cheerilee takes Twilight's head in her hooves and holds her, staring deep into her eyes. She looks more than a little impatient.

"Sweetie," she says, her eyes deadly serious. "Fuck me."

"Bu wha huh?" Twilight blushes like crazy.

"Do me. Rut me! Give it to me!" Cheerilee begs.

"Like... like a stallion? Really?" Twilight stammers.

"Yes!" Cheerilee almost screams, her eyes crazy.

Twilight closes her eyes, commanding the glow of magic to slide in and out.

"Oh!" Cheerilee breathes into Twilight's ear. "Move your hips!"

"...excuse me?"

"Move your hips!"

"Uh," Twilight pauses to think for a second. She braces her hind legs awkwardly against the bed and pulls her hips back, drawing her magic out of Cheerilee at the same time. They both take a sharp breath, hovering on this one moment. Cheerilee's whole body trembles under her, yearning. Then Twilight bucks her hips forward, forcing her magic back into Cheerilee's tight, wet passage.

Cheerilee howls out loud, convulsing under her. Her eyes roll back in her head, and her tongue lolls out of her mouth. Twilight can feel her vaginal muscles clenching against her horn.

"Did you just...?" Twilight asks.

"More!" Cheerilee digs her hooves into Twilight's back. Twilight bucks into her again, sliding her magical phallus in and out in one long, slow stroke. Cheerilee just about goes crazy, thrusting her own hips up at Twilight, shutting her eyes tight. Twilight strokes again, then again, picking up a slow, halting rhythm.

"Ohhhhhhhhh YES!" Cheerilee hooks her hind legs around Twilight's ankles, pulling her into each thrust. Twilight slowly adjusts to the unfamiliar motion. She tries to focus on the feel of Cheerilee around her horn, the sight and sound of the mare losing herself only adding to her lust.

This... this is neat. Weird, but neat. I could get into this.

Her rhythm smooths out with each stroke. Their hips connect with a dull slap, over and over again, punctuating the cries of pleasure ringing out from Cheerilee's mouth.

"AaaaaaaaAAAAAHHH!" she screams louder.

Twilight winces, her ears twitching. "Cheerilee!" Her thrusting slows down.

"Mmmm?!"

"Spike is right downstairs!"

"Oh! Sorry! Sorry." Cheerilee's eyes shift around, nervous and hungry. "Please don't stop."

Twilight thrusts with renewed vigor, really giving it to her.

"Oh! OH! Ugh! Unnnnnnnmmmmmm!" Cheerilee grunts with each stroke, then presses her lips together, struggling against her own voice. Twilight was taken out of the moment, worrying that Spike would hear them, but it's quickly becoming difficult to care. Seeing Cheerilee moaning in pleasure under her, because of her, is driving her wild. She glares and pumps her hips harder, swelling her magical member, flaring the tip like a real stallion's head.

Is this what it feels like for a guy?

She can feel tight, wet walls quaking against her horn. It's so good.

I could REALLY get used to this.

"AaaaaHHHH!" Cheerilee's lips break open, her face twisted up in pained ecstasy.

"Cheerilee!" Twilight grins despite her scolding.

"I'm sorry! I can't... AH! Help it!" she whines.

Twilight leans down and silences her with a kiss, holding it as they rut like animals. Cheerilee screams into her, barely moving her tongue.

"Mmm! Mmm! Mmmmmmm!" Cheerilee's muffled screams grow more urgent. Twilight can feel twitching, clenching muscles around her horn, squeezing tighter and tighter. She picks up the pace, slamming her hips over and over and over again.

"MmmmmmMMM!" Cheerilee bites down on Twilight's lip, hard, and they both freeze as Twilight makes one last thrust. Cheerilee comes so hard she lifts her rump up off the sheets, shooting waves of pleasure into Twilight's horn.

They both gasp as Twilight collapses on top of her, panting.

WOW... that was ridiculous!

Twilight barely has time to finish that thought before Cheerilee is shifting under her, pushing her up. She slides Twilight off her body and turns around, sticking her flanks in the air.

"Like this!" she pleads.

"Excuse me?" Twilight has barely caught her breath.

"Mount me! Oh god, I need it!" Cheerilee wiggles her rump, lashing her tail against Twilight's snout. Twilight's eyes fall on her gaping, swollen mound, winking and running down the inside of her thighs. Twilight starts to think but finds she can't. Something animal invades her mind, and she snorts loudly as she climbs up Cheerilee's backside.

Her partner moans as Twilight lowers her weight onto her back, hooking her forelegs over Cheerilee's soft pink shoulders. Twilight feels a tail brushing against her belly, and it just strengthens the drunken swirl of lust in her head. Her horn shines bright, and a mad blankness enters her eyes as she penetrates with her magic.

"AAAA–!" Cheerilee starts to howl in ecstasy but buries her head in the pillows, muffling her screams again.

YES! Take it! Scream! Oh my good Princess this is AMAZING!

Twilight fucks her frantically, her head a jumbled mess of tangled-up sex. She pushes down with her forelegs, thrilling herself with how powerful it feels. Cheerilee is hers, all hers! That glorious ass flattens against her thighs with every thrust, jiggling with the impact. Spasms bleed down from her horn into her brain, crowding out anything like coherent thought. Her whole being is focused on one urgent need, an overwhelming desire to take this mare.

"Twilight?"

Twilight just grunts in reply, her eyes almost rolling back in her head.

"You can... you can pull on my mane. A little. If you want."

Twilight pauses, her eyes going wide. Cheerilee is glancing over her shoulder, looking almost ashamed. Her beautiful face is completely flushed, shining with sweat.

"If you want." Cheerilee wiggles her hips and clenches her cheeks, urging Twilight to resume thrusting. Twilight starts again slowly, lowering her head. She examines the back of Cheerilee's head, bobbing up and down in her vision, seeing those delicious, rich curls as if for the first time. She carefully takes a hunk in her mouth and tugs softly.

"Aaaahhh!" Cheerilee's cry of pleasure rings out through the room. Twilight can't even come close to caring. She tugs harder, yanking Cheerilee's head up.

"AAAAHHH!" Cheerilee screams. Twilight is rutting her hard again, pulling her into each thrust by the hair. The pressure against her hips with each stroke is incredible, sending tickling ripples up through her haunches.

"Yes! YES! Like that! Like that!" Cheerilee babbles. Their hips ram together in short, hard intervals, slapping loudly. Twilight bites hard on her hair, shaking her head back and forth, breathing in that smell again, that mystical, mysterious smell!

Twilight pounds Cheerilee furiously for what feels like just seconds. Her horn throbs, starting to ache. Even with all her skill and practice, she's been using it for quite a while without pause. She yanks Cheerilee's mane harder, feeling static crackling out from her horn. She thrusts desperately, her thigh muscles quaking with the effort.

"Oh oh oh ohhhhhhhhh Twilight aaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAHHHH!" Cheerilee is almost shrieking, pounding the bed with her front hooves. Twilight feels her come again, feels that ample rump bucking up into her, and it pushes her over the edge.

"Augh!" Cheerilee's mane falls from her mouth as Twilight collapses on top of her. Sparks shoot from her glowing horn, tracing constellations on the wall before fading out. The brushes and clock on her nightstand shake and clatter, dancing around in the shock waves flowing out from her horn.

They sink in a sweaty pile onto the bed. Twilight slides to the side and rolls onto her back, splayed out, completely spent. She lies there just looking at the ceiling, gasping for breath.

What... what just happened?!

Well, I just had sex with Cheerilee. That is what just happened.

You... you gave it to her!

I GAVE it to her?!

You did owe her one, after all.

Somewhere in her brain she giggles, but her body is frozen.

What... WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! I was on top?!

I rutted her, like a... like a...

Oh, relax. Sure, it was a little weird. But it felt sooooo good!

Her thoughts are interrupted by a kiss, by a pair of frantic hooves caressing her chest and arms. She opens her eyes to see Cheerilee crawling on top of her, nuzzling against her neck.

Ah, yes... cuddle time...

Cheerilee straddles her hips, rocking against her.

Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa...

"Got enough left in you for another round?" she purrs, her eyes ravenous.

"Heh! Um..." Twilight's horn aches, almost as much as her twitching hind legs. "Maybe?"

"Aww," Cheerilee pouts, her eyes glinting with smug amusement. "Did I wear you out again?"

No!

Twilight ignores the defiant, foolish voice in her head. Instead she just chuckles weakly, blushing. "I'm sorry?" she says.

"Oh, don't be." Cheerilee relaxes, resting her head on the pillow next to Twilight. "That was amazing. I haven't done it like that since... ever, I think."

"Me neither." Twilight summons strength enough from somewhere to wrap an arm around Cheerilee's shoulders.

"You know I was so nervous about this? The sex, I mean," Cheerilee says.

"Oh?"

"I really love getting fucked like that." Cheerilee looks her right in the eye.

"Oh!" Twilight looks away, embarrassed at the language. "Uh..."

"I didn't know if a mare could do it. Like that, I mean. Boy, was I ever wrong! You're the best stallion I've ever been with, Twilight."

"Um...?" Twilight frowns, feeling more confused by the second. Cheerilee sighs and cuddles up next to her. Twilight tries to relax but knows her body is stiff and tense, still quivering with exhaustion. Cheerilee raises her head, nervously tapping her hoof on Twilight's chest.

"I mean... I know you're not a stallion, of course. I was joking. I'm not freaking you out or anything, am I?" she says.

Maybe a little?

"No! No, no, I... it's not you. You were great."

Cheerilee raises her eyebrows, looking a little worried. Twilight races to try and put her feelings into words.

What's going on here?

"I don't know, I... I've never thought of myself as the, uh... dominant party. I guess," Twilight says.

What are you talking about? You went down on Rarity, you practically molested Braeburn, you wanted to top Dash... you're completely...

Male?

Who am I, again?

"Twilight?" Cheerilee looks very worried now. Hurt is just beginning to ebb into her eyes. "You okay?"

The sight of her snaps Twilight out of her thoughts.

"Sorry." She wraps Cheerilee in her arms. "I think I freaked myself out a little. You know, magic penis and all."

Cheerilee snorts and laughs.

"Is that what you call that spell?"

Twilight rolls her eyes. "I'm sure it's technical name is something closer to 'instant gender identity confusion issues.'"

Cheerilee giggles. "It should be called the 'give Cheerilee the best sex ever' spell."

Twilight just snorts like a schoolfilly, unable to conjure any words.

"If it makes you feel any better, you're still all mare to me." Cheerilee teases a hoof over Twilight's ribs, tickling her just a bit. "A lovely, lovely mare."

Twilight smiles at her. It does feel a little better. A shadow of worry creeps back into Cheerilee's eyes.

"You would tell me, though, if I freaked you out. Right? I don't want to come on too strong."

Twilight scrunches her nose up as the pieces of a new mystery come into view. This fragile side of Cheerilee confuses her.

"I really like you, Twilight. I... I want to be with you." Cheerilee curls her legs together, hiding against the bed.

"I really like you, too. What are you so afraid of?" Twilight says.

Cheerilee gives her a caught-in-headlights stare. "Maybe I am afraid." She sighs. "I swear I used to make a habit of getting used. I've done some really dumb things. In the past. It was like the harder I fell for someone, the faster it would push them away."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know! I'm not even sure why I'm telling you this. No, I want you to know. No secrets, right?" Cheerilee looks up at her hopefully.

No secrets... I like that.

"I feel like this is moving so fast. But I want you to take me seriously. This isn't just sex," Cheerilee says.

"No." Twilight's heart melts, and she tightens her hooves around Cheerilee's shoulders. "No, it isn't."

Cheerilee smiles at her, warming out of her misgivings.

"Sorry. I'm sorry, I'm having one of those girly emotional things, aren't I?"

"If being honest is girly and emotional, then yes. But I like it," Twilight says. Cheerilee crushes her in a hug, rubbing her face into Twilight's neck.

"Thank you," she whispers. "Thank you, thank you, thank you..."

Twilight just holds her for a few moments, gathering her words. Cheerilee is melding against her, sighing. Twilight takes a deep breath and readies for the plunge.

"As long as we're being honest," she says. "I was in love with Princess Luna."

"Huh?!" Cheerilee's mouth hangs open.

Twilight just nods.

"Like... Moon Goddess Luna? Celestia's sister, Luna?"

Twilight nods again.

"...What?"

"All those times you ran into me when I was upset. That scale my friends and I were talking about. All because of her."

"So you two...?"

"Not really. She told me we would be together. But she said I had to date some other ponies first."

Cheerilee gives her a long, hard look. "And?" she says.

"I did. But it wasn't good enough for her. She wanted me to... I don't even understand, really. I don't know if I could understand. She made it impossible. Then she left me."

Cheerilee stares, blinking. Twilight can almost see her head trying to swallow this new development.

"I was heartbroken," Twilight says.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Twilight says. "Like you said, I wouldn't be here with you otherwise."

"You're sweet. But still... wow! Princess Luna. A goddess. That's kind of a lot to live up to." Cheerilee stares off into space.

"Heh... I didn't mean it like that. Besides, at this point she would have to live up to you." Twilight nudges her shoulder.

Cheerilee turns and glares. "Well I don't intend to give her the chance," she says.

"Oh? So you would defend my honor against the goddess of the night?" Twilight says.

"I don't care if she is the moon princess, she better not even think about laying a hoof on you." Cheerilee narrows her eyes, smiling with resolve.

"What are you, laying a claim down?"

"After what we just did? You bet your cute little tush, I am."

Twilight giggles, feeling feminine all over again. She wonders why the very things that make her hate cheesy romance novels always seem to make her swoon in real life.

"As long as we're laying claims down... I'd like you to be mine," Twilight says.

Cheerilee scoffs. "I don't know about that. I have so many lovers, you know."

Twilight jolts with panic. "...really?"

"Ha!" Cheerilee playfully taps her foreleg. "You know, for someone who deploys sarcasm so readily, you sure are bad at detecting it."

Twilight lets a breath out and they share a smile, staring dreamily at each other.

"You were right," Twilight says. "This has been pretty amazing for a first date."

"Aha, you admit it! This is our first date." Cheerilee grins at her.

"Yeah, I guess it is."

"The first of many. I hope," Cheerilee says. "If you don't mind me saying."

"Not at all."

Twilight gets lost in Cheerilee's eyes for a moment, lying still in her arms. Then they're kissing, a long, slow, tender connection, just barely whisking their tongues together. Twilight's heart swells – this kiss is glorious somehow, a beautiful, soaring thing. They break away, both sighing.

"You... um... you sure you couldn't go again, lover?" Cheerilee says, her breath husky.

"Oh! Uh... heh... I'd love to. My horn's still a little tender, though." Twilight grins, embarrassed.

"That's okay." Cheerilee leans forward and plants a line of kisses down Twilight's neck, moving down onto her chest. "I think it's my turn to owe you one."

"Oh. Oh! Ohhh..." Twilight trails off into a naughty giggle, running her hooves up Cheerilee's back. Cheerilee snakes her lips down further, sliding across Twilight's stomach.

"Full disclosure. I've never done this to a mare before. But I'll give it my best shot," Cheerilee says.

"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll be..."

Twilight was about to say great, but her words catch in her throat as Cheerilee's tongue explores the inside of her thighs. She moans out loud and bites her lip in anticipation, grasping at Cheerilee's mane. Cheerilee pauses just above her target, making eyes at Twilight.

"Here goes nothing." Cheerilee winks at her.

Twilight relaxes into the bed, shaking with pleasure.

It was great.

Twilight Sparkle stretches and feels her eyelids strain at themselves, yearning to open. It would only take the most miniscule effort to open them. She resists. Pale morning light is filtering through into her eyes. She doesn't want to wake up just yet.

She stretches again, yawning. She arches her back and then curls forward, sighing at the sensation in her muscles and bones. Her body feels so, so rested – the usual grogginess and disorientation with waking up are nowhere to be found. Even the aching of sore muscles in her thighs is fine, just fine.

Gosh, I feel great... did I just sleep for days?

She grins, sweeping a foreleg across the other side of the bed, caressing...

Nothing. There's nothing there.

Her eyes snap open and she sits up. She's alone. She rubs her hooves over where Cheerilee's body was when she fell asleep. The mattress is still warm there.

Huh. Well... huh.

She rolls out of bed and makes her way downstairs. The library's main room is quiet and empty. Spike's door opens as she clops her way down the stairs, and he walks out, wiping at his eyes with a claw.

"Hey... have you seen Cheerilee?" Twilight asks.

"I just woke up," Spike grumbles.

Twilight glances into the kitchen. It's empty.

She's gone.

What? Why? How?

She did say she had plans today...

But... but...

"What's wrong?" Spike says.

"I... nothing." Twilight's head droops, and she drags her hooves into the kitchen. Spike follows and starts digging around in the cupboards as Twilight flops onto a floor cushion.

How could she just... I thought...

Calm down. You just started dating. It's no big deal.

Yes it is!

Twilight rests her head on her hooves, frowning.

So much for taking this seriously.

I don't understand.

What, you want her to be around ALL the time? You just spent almost two days together!

"Man, Twilight. We really need to go grocery shopping," Spike says, oblivious to her mood.

"Not now, Spike," Twilight mumbles.

"You aren't hungry? It's Sunday breakfast! We should be making something big!" Spike raises his arms, flabbergasted at Twilight's apathy.

Twilight is about to snap at him when her ears twitch. The library's main door opens. She gets up and peers out into the main room.

"Cheerilee!" she almost yells in glee.

"Huh?" Cheerilee pauses just inside the door, her saddlebags bulging with something. Twilight runs up and halts right in front of her, standing on hoof-edge.

"I thought you were gone!" she says.

"You thought I just left?" Cheerilee raises an eyebrow.

"Um... yes?"

"Well that's silly." Cheerilee pecks her on the cheek and walks past, into the kitchen. "I told you I'd be right back."

"You did?"

"Maybe if you weren't such a sleepy lazy butt you would've actually listened." Cheerilee smiles and blows a kiss over her shoulder.

"Wait... where did you go?" she asks as she follows the pink earth pony.

"Hey Cheerilee." Spike waves at her from the cupboard, eyes following her saddlebags.

"Good morning, Spike." Cheerilee nods at him. She dumps her saddlebags onto a small table. "You know your ice box is empty? Like, completely empty."

"That's what I was just saying!" Spike clambers up to the table, staring at the saddlebags. Cheerilee opens them and empties a dazzling variety of food onto the table.

"How does pancakes for breakfast sound?" she says. Spike just about jumps out of his scales.

"Awesome! I'll get the pans!" He rushes around the kitchen.

Twilight sits on a floor cushion, reeling a little at how amazing her life has become.

"Didn't you have plans today?" she asks.

"Not until later," Cheerilee says. "Plenty of time. Even if we did sleep in." She waggles her eyebrows while opening a bag of flour.

"Oh yeah... are you guys okay? You were screaming a lot last night." Spike gives them both a sidelong glare. Cheerilee cracks the fakest smile ever, laughing unevenly.

"Haha, Spike... I think there's a little dragon here who's getting special pancakes today," she says.

"Special?" Spike's eyes light up.

"With quartzes. Do you like quartzes?"

"Oh man! Really?"

"Of course." Cheerilee nods.

"As long as a certain little dragon can keep his mouth shut," Twilight says. Cheerilee shoots her a gentle glare.

"I mean, uh... yes. Pancakes!" Twilight backpedals. "Pancakes sound good."

Spike makes coffee. In minutes, the smell of pancakes hot on a skillet is wafting through the library. Twilight cradles a steaming mug of caffeine in her hooves, watching Cheerilee cook. Spike helps her, and they joke that Twilight is renting out her assistant for the day.

It's different, somehow. This is different.

This is what I wanted.

Twilight tries to imagine a morning like this with Luna at her side, and nothing comes. It's preposterous, ridiculous.

What was I ever thinking?

She smiles and drinks her coffee, just watching. Cheerilee and Spike are laughing about something, Twilight wasn't listening. Cheerilee flips a pancake, holding the spatula in her mouth, and Spike applauds with a slow clap, nodding.

This is perfect.

It is. It really, really is.