>There's one shooting star.
>And there's another.
>Twilight is missing out on this right now.
>It was her idea to get refreshments anyway. Not like this warm summer night needs to get more chill though.
>Waiting for her on the castle's balcony in a comfy chair, taking in Ponyville's silent night you were pretty relaxed as is.
>You both were already done with stargazing and astronomy but you always talk through the night when you're out like this.
>And so Twilight wanted to get you both some more juice and you already hear her voice as she walks out from the castle:
>"Did I miss anything?"
"Nah, just some falling stars."
>"Made a wish for both of us?"
"No, I don't believe in that."
>"That's a shame."
>You grab your glass from her magic hold and take a big nice sip, noticing she's doing the same while getting into her chair.
>The telescope between you two doesn't really get in the way of a glance you shoot at her but you still wish she'd be closer to you right now.
>No matter, there's still time for that, even though it's pretty late.
>"So, what was that about humans and the stars and life?"
"Huh?"
>"You promised you'd tell me after I came back."
"Oh, that. It's nothing, really. Do ponies think they're alone in the Universe?"
>"What do you mean?"
>She takes another sip, looking at you expectantly.
"Well, do you think those stars have planets and those planets have life just like this one?"
>"Well... Yeah?"
"Humans do the same."
>And you go silent.
>Twilight raises her eyebrow.
>"Wait, that's it?"
"I told you, it's nothing. How do you imagine aliens look like? Slightly different ponies?"
>"I guess. It's not a very popular topic here."
"It is back on Earth."
>"Figures, you guys went to space and all that, must be nice to look forward to something like this."
>You can't help but chuckle.
"You're saying it like every single human has been there or that it's something we all want."

>"I'd like to go to space, you know."
"Really?"
>Twilight's horn lights up and suddenly the balcony is gone.
>You're sitting on your chair in the vacuum of space, surrounded by stars.
>"Imagine actually seeing all of this around you. Must be beautiful."
"Yeah, I'm sure I'll still be in my chair by then."
>"Oh shush, you."
>With another spell you feel yourself lifted off the ground. Twilight does the same for herself.
>Your juice remains in your cup at first but as soon as Twilight sees you looking at it she makes it float out.
>You just hope it won't end on your clothes. Still, it's pretty authentic now.
>The chairs and telescope are gone now. You're in space with Twilight, with a cup in your hand and some juice floating at your face.
>What a time to be alive.
>"Isn't it great?"
"Do you spend a lot of time doing this?"
>The mare blushes and averts her eyes for a second but then nods.
"It is pretty cool. But space travel is pretty dangerous in our world. It's nice to fantasize about it but in the end it's just that, a nice fantasy."
>You almost expect her to take it personally but she smiles at you.
>"I know."
>Flapping her wings a bit she floats towards you and you take her hoof as she narrowly avoids suspended liquid.
>"But don't you want to explore space together?"
"Sounds nice, but... I'd rather just be with you than flying through space."
>What a time to remember that one song. Twilight rolls her eyes.
>"Maybe there's a world out there..."
>Her hoof reaches out into her fantasy space.
>"That's actually the world you came from. Wouldn't that be interesting? Like you're an actual alien, not a cross-dimensional traveler? It would confirm so much about..."
"You actually think that's cooler?" you scoff at the pony.
>"I think it's equally great."
"That's... very unscientific of you, Twily."
>She scrunches her muzzle for a second but then starts laughing. You can't help but join her.

>The spell gets a bit distorted because of how unfocused she is, so Twilight carefully sets you both down on the ground.
>As the imaginary space dissolves your feet touch the balcony again.
>Twilight was floating near you but when she starts getting down on the ground she does so really close to you.
>So close that one swift grab pushes her to your chest and she has no choice but to hold onto you as you hug her.
>You can hear a hushed "humph" from the pony but pay it no mind.
>Surprisingly, most of the juice is back in your cup. Twilight takes it from your hand with magic and puts it down so you can hug her properly.
>With your little pony in your arms you sit in your chair again.
>Looks like you were right about getting closer tonight.
>Twilight closes her eyes and sighs, sitting relaxed and comfortable on top of you, head resting on your shoulder.
>Her hooves touch your arms and you tighten the hug.
>She softly speaks in your ear:
>"I'd still like to visit your world, you know. No matter if it's out there in space or anywhere else."
"It's not in space, you just need a magic mirror to get there."
>"Those don't exist."
"Uh-uh, how do you know? I've seen it on TV."
>"That's the only place where they exist. And TV doesn't even exist here."
"You don't even know what you're talking about, do you."
>"I remember you talking about that. No worries, mister human, in fifty years we'll have those fancy TVs so you can waste your time watching it all day."
>She lifts her head to look you in the eyes mockingly and she returns the cheeky smile you give her.
"Fifty years is a long time, I'll be old by then."
>"Oh yeah, then you'll watch it when you come home after sitting on a bench in the park acting all grumpy and scaring fillies with your grumpy no-fun attitude."
>This is worth a giggle and Twilight shares it with you.

"Is this how you imagine humans being old?"
>"Well, I've never seen an old human before."
"Yeah, stick around and you'll get to see one every single day."
>Suddenly her smile softens and she replies in a gentle and profound tone:
>"I intend to."
>This takes you by surprise but the mare wastes no time and hugs you full force.
>Regaining composure you hug her back, repeating her response in your head.
>It tickles your brain with implications and you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
>The night is dead silent and only a slight breeze disturbs your peace.
>It's going to be morning soon and you're still out here.
>Though you really can't complain right now.
>The pony on your lap is so warm and soft this alone makes you a bit sleepy.
>Your yawn tears through the silence and you feel Twilight smiling.
>"Aw, you want to go already?"
"What about you, it's you who should be up early in the morning."
>"No, I'm good. I'm not about to--"
>A loud, mighty yawn interrupts Twilight's boasting, though in turn it gets interrupted by her laughing at her own timing.
>At least it wakes her up a little.
"We should really go soon though."
>Twilight sighs contently, obviously not willing to move.
>"I think I'm fine like this. You wouldn't drop your pony on the floor and just go, right?"
"No, but that doesn't mean I can't go at all."
>Not giving Twilight any room to form a witty reply you grab her haunches and lean forward.
>In fear of actually falling Twilight holds on to your shoulders and that gives you room to stand up, still holding the mare.
>A little surprised yelp is all you get from her though, as she quickly realizes she has nothing to worry about, safe and secure in your arms.
>She flaps her wings a bit though, just to be sure.
>Moving one hand onto her back you go inside the castle. Twilight doesn't fight it, she seems fine with being taken wherever you wish to take her.

>Which is her bedroom. The princess needs her sleep and she's getting it even if you have to read her a bedtime story or something.
>It's not like you're regretting the last time she made you do this, giving you the most cheesy pony fairy tale to read to her.
>She just wanted to see you embarrassed to read it out loud. You're pretty sure she's the one who's actually written it in the first place just to waste your time with some fluffy bullshit.
>Joke's on her, you actually liked it in the end.
>Though this time you don't see any books around as you enter her dark room.
>You lean down at her bed but she's not willing to let go, so you have to pry her off you.
>But it doesn't end there, putting her on the bed you find your hands held tight against her body by her forelegs and wings.
>She gives you a pleading look.
"Twilight..."
>"Come on, you don't have to go."
"It's not even cold at night anymore, what excuse will you make now?"
>"How about just wanting to be close to you?"
>Such a genuine answer coupled with her tender gaze almost makes your heart stop for a moment.
>Twilight grins, taking your reaction as a "yes" and moves aside for a bit.
"W-well if you put it that way..." you stammer a bit.
>"Yes, I do put it that way."
>You feel her magic tugging at your arm, not really demanding, but encouraging you to join her.
>It's no use to fight it. The princess wants you here and that's not debatable.
>So you get on the bed and put your hands on the little purple pony.
>With another confident stroke of magic she covers you both with a blanket, leaving only your head exposed to the silence of the room.
>She finds her way up from under the cover while inching towards you in the process.
>Helping her, you grab her chest while your other arm goes under her head, and you hold her back close to you.
>Burying your face in her mane you smile involuntarily.
>Curling up a bit you feel her soft thighs upon your legs.

>This magical sensation is only beaten by Twilight holding onto your arm with her hooves and sliding it down on her belly.
>You're getting comfier by the second and you can't even imagine now how you could've had any doubts about doing this at all.
>You lean in a bit, touching her ear with your nose, and wish her a good night.
>But there's only light snoring to answer you. Seems like Twilight was a bit more sleepier than she looked.
>You can't hold it against her. You spent some quality time together and this is the perfect way to end the day.
>It's a lazy summer you spend together and you couldn't be happier about it.
>Listening to Twilight's breath and feeling her heartbeat you're quick to follow your mare into the dreamland.