//------------------------------// // Bulk Biceps // Story: Sunset's Setups // by n3k1dsk1llz //------------------------------// Bulk Biceps had been sitting across from her just smiling nervously for the past 5 minutes. Sunset couldn't really pin down why he was nervous. It didn't look like fear (she had plenty of experience with that). But it also didn't really look like he was into her either. She decided to just ask a question she was genuinely curious about. “So, Bulk, I've been wondering for a while now...how much can you bench?” Almost instantly, his face shifted. From nervous grin, to slight shock, to deep thought. Sunset chuckled to herself a bit. It was a bit cute. “Oh man,” Bulk started, “Well on my daily work out, I do at least 500 pounds with my regular reps. My personal record, so far, is 725. I did 800 once, but don't really count it since I blacked out after I had it in the air. It was crazy. My spotter saved me though. He said I had done the full lift, so he was able to get it in the cradle before it fell on me. Hehehe I like that story.” He was loud. Too loud for this restaurant. Almost too loud for conversation in general. He noticed her face and grew a little sheepish smile. “Sorry,” he said a little quieter, “I’ve always been loud and can’t seem to do anything about it. I try but my larynx is optimally placed to maximise my sound. Weird but true. It’s one of the reasons why I don’t talk much. Especially at school.” “Huh. Okay. That’s something I never would’ve thought of. But it makes complete sense once it’s explained.” Sunset started thinking about the voice qualities of all her friends. Could be a fun thing to try and analyze about all of them. “So, Sunset, did Fluttershy set this up on your end too? It was really random. And a little confusing. At first I thought SHE wanted to go out with me. Rainbow Dash jumped in to clear it up though. I’ll admit, I was really nervous about meeting you here tonight. The food here is really good, though. It’s quality fuel AND it’s delicious. Isn’t it?” “Huh?” “Well, you haven’t even glanced at the menu since we sat down. I just assumed you were a regular here.” “Oh! No. I’ve never eaten here before. But I’m a vegetarian. I always just get a salad when I go out to eat. It just makes it easier for everyone.” “OH! Vegetarian?! I know EXACTLY what you should get. I’ll order it for you. I’ve been a regular here since I was little, and once, when I was really craving veggies, they let me make my own dish. I always get it when I’m craving a good veggie fix. I’m a bit of a health nut.” His smile was huge. And no longer nervous. Sunset liked seeing Bulk relax. It put her at ease as well. She could do this. She could open herself and find out about others genuinely, all while finding out about herself. The waiter walked up as Sunset finished her thought. “So are you ready to order?” “Yes! I’ll have the salmon with rice and asparagus. The lady will have…” Bulk stopped and looked over to Sunset. “Do you eat eggs?” “Oh. I don’t often, but I have before.” “Do you want the egg?” Sunset couldn’t help but smile. He was genuinely unsure and asking. And not hiding any of it. “Sure.” “Okay. The lady will have the Veggies in Bulk.” He gave the waiter a wink. The waiter jotted their order down and smiled as he took the menus. “Alright. I’ll get the order put in for you.” Sunset couldn’t help but chuckle. “‘Veggies in Bulk’?” Bulk blushed a deep red. “Well, I thought it was a good name for it…” “Oh, Bulk, I’m not laughing at you. I promise. It’s a cute name. And I’m actually excited to try it. Like I said, I usually just get salads when I go out. And that can get really boring. There used to be a falafel truck that would stop on my street every Friday. I would always get really excited for it. But it hasn’t been by in a few weeks. Maybe it found a better spot. Good for them if they did. It was so good though…” Bulk’s confused face caused Sunset to pause. “Um. Is there something on my face?” “Sorry! No. I just…..What’s falafel?” “Oh. Um…..Let’s see….they soak beans, grind them up, and mix it with onions, garlic, and spices. Then they roll it up into little balls and fry it. It’s so good. You gotta try it sometime. I’ll let you know the name of the truck as soon as I remember it.” “Oooh. Sounds tasty.” ------------------------------------- “Salmon with rice and asparagus for the gentleman, and the Veggies in Bulk for the lady. Is there anything else I can get for you?” “Oh wow! This looks amazing!” Sunset couldn’t respond. She was totally fixated on her dish. She couldn’t stop staring at the carrots. They were glazed. She had no clue that was a thing here. She hadn’t had glazed carrots since her last meal with Celestia. She wondered how the Princess was doing. Sunset picked up her fork and took one of the carrots off her plate. It smelled so good. She took a bite and literally saw stars. The carrots were cooked all the way through, but not at all mushy. The glaze was just a barely there hint of sweet. Sunset would call it perfection. Sunset was pulled out of her reverie by Bulk. “Those carrots are good, right? The head chef here came up with those. I don’t usually like carrots, but those ones are amazing.” Sunset nodded her agreement, as her mouth was full of the deliciousness. She looked at her plate, wondering what she should try next. There was squash, cabbage, broccoli, snap peas, all on a bed of brown rice. It all looked so good. She grabbed one of the snap peas. ------------------------------------ “Oh wow. Bulk that was AMAZING! I’m stuffed. I haven’t had food that good...since I moved here. It really reminded me of home.” “Was your mom a good cook? Mine was. I can still remember the house being filled with the smells of her spaghetti. She always made it from scratch.” “That sounds great. My mom…” Sunset trailed off. Thinking about her mom was not something she had been expecting to do. She remembered her mom being so proud of her for being chosen as Princess Celestia’s personal student. She had been looking for somepony for over a year before she chose Sunset. Sunset had worked so hard, her mom, of course, pushing her the whole way. Sunset didn’t actually remember ever eating with her mother. She was only ever allowed to eat once she was too exhausted to continue practicing. Usually her mother was off preparing the next round of tests for her while she sat alone, barely able to lift her hay to her mouth. Always hay. Sometimes with a couple flowers. Sunset suddenly noticed Bulk staring at her. His face was worried. She could swear she saw some tears in his eyes. “What’s wrong?” “You went away. I’ve seen friends do that before. Usually to bad places. Did you go to a bad place?” “You mean me staring off into space? Yeah, sorry. I do that sometimes. I have a rather long complicated history. Especially from before I moved here. Looking at things in hindsight, my history actually explains a lot about why I became….what I became. Not that it’s an excuse, but still it was a logical conclusion.” “Okay. But you’re okay now, right?” She smiled and reached over to pat his hand on the table. “Yeah, Bulk. I’m okay.” His smile grew across his face. Sunset couldn’t help but snicker a little at the goofiness of it. He was such a genuine guy. He would never be able to hide his emotions like she did for so long. ------------------ They stopped outside of her apartment building. Bulk was starting to look nervous again. He was totally not sure about what he should do. Sunset, again, couldn’t help but smile at him. She touched his arm and looked him straight in the eye. “I had a good time, Bulk. And I’m so glad you took me to that restaurant. I’ll definitely be going back there again. It was delicious.” He smiled and his chest puffed out a bit. “I had a nice time,” she continued, “but I think this is gonna be our only date. Sorry. You’re a great guy and I really hope you meet someone that is perfect for you.” Bulk deflated. His smile got even bigger. Then he started laughing. A laugh so loud and boisterous, that it actually hurt Sunset’s ears. He calmed down a bit and wiped a tear from his eye. “He he. I was gonna say the same thing to you. I was just too nervous to find the words. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings. Actually,” he leaned in closer to Sunset, “I really like Fluttershy. I figured it was a good idea to help her out.” He gave Sunset a wink. Sunset stared at him for a moment. She pinched the bridge of her nose for a moment before speaking. “So, in order to impress a girl you like, you went on a date with another girl?” He nodded. Very impressed with himself. “Um, hate to break it to you, Bulk, but this was probably the stupidest thing you could have done.” Her words cut him down quickly. He slumped over and looked ready to cry. “Really?” “Yeah. Look, if you like a girl, you should just ask her out and see what happens. And you also have to be okay with what she says.” His tears were starting to drop from his eyes. Sunset felt really bad for the guy. “Look, Bulk, I know Fluttershy. She is one of my friends, after all. Just be honest with her. She’ll really appreciate it. But also be prepared for her to run away from you a few times before she actually answers you. She might also just sort of freeze in place. Just be mentally prepared for that, okay?” Bulk Biceps nodded. He was standing a little straighter now. Still a little sad, but with a look of determination as well. “Thanks, Sunset. I’ll do that. Good night. I’ll see you at school.” “G’night, Bulk.”