//------------------------------//
// Just "Hanging Out" 
// Story: TimberTwi Tales: First Impressions 
// by CapNTilfy 
//------------------------------//

Twilight walked over to the Sapphire Tent. She had just finished planning the Crystal Ball with her friends. Sunset was in charge of logistics, Pinkie Pie was in charge of refreshments, Applejack would do heavy lifting, Fluttershy and Rarity would be decorating, Rainbow would be out delivering invitations using her newly-found super speed, and Twilight? Twilight was going to be making invitations with Timber, much to the amusement of her friends.

Twilight didn't understand what was so funny about it. She was just helping out a guy she liked while spending time with him. It was just hanging out! Still... she wouldn't mind it if Timber asked her out. The very thought sent heat to her face as she went inside the Sapphire Tent and grabbed a book and pillow to sit on.

Twilight walked out of the tent with a smile, grateful that all the magical chaos was done and over with. She was especially grateful that Midnight Sparkle was no more. No more magical nightmares. No more magical worries. She sighed happily, feeling free for the first time in recent memory.

Twilight found Timber sitting next to a tree with countless envelopes and invitations on the ground.

Timber caught sight of Twilight and waved her over. "So how'd it go with Gloriosa?"

"She didn't say much, she just... got up and walked away," Twilight said as she approached Timber.

Timber hissed through his teeth. "Yikes."

"Is she going to be okay?"

"Gloriosa doesn't usually do that unless something's really bothering her. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that that happened." Timber sighed. "She'll be fine, she just needs some time and space to think."

Twilight frowned. She wanted to help Gloriosa, but Timber knew her far better, so she decided to take his word for it. "If you say so..."

Timber gave Twilight a reassuring smile as he put a hand on her shoulder. "I wouldn't be sitting here if I knew she needed help."

Twilight visibly relaxed, then propped the pillow up against the tree.

"Whatcha reading," Timber asked, gesturing to the book.

"Oh, this?" Twilight showed Timber the book.

"'Quantum Physics for Beginners'?" Timber blinked in surprise.

Twilight nodded. "I haven't read this in ages, and I wanted to brush up on the basics."

"T-the basics?" Timber's heart skipped a beat. He had always found intelligence to be an attractive trait, and Twilight seemed to have it in abundance! "That's hot," he whispered.

"I'm sorry, could you speak up? I didn't hear you."

Timber shook his head rapidly, then started working on the invitations. He didn't want to come on too strongly. "I-I said it's hot out here." He laughed nervously.

Twilight couldn't help but giggle. It felt so refreshing to see someone else act so awkward for a change!

"Twilight," Timber said as he regained his composure. "What was it like? When you transformed?"

Twilight smiled warmly. "It was like a feeling of calmness washed over me. Like an assurance that everything was going to be okay, as long as I was with my friends. It was... borderline intoxicating."

Timber raised an eyebrow.

"That's the best way I can describe it, really."

Timber shrugged. "Hey... now that all the craziness has settled down.... can you show me your powers?"

"I don't see why not." Twilight pointed to the invitations. "Put the invitations you've finished and empty envelopes in separate piles."

Timber did so, then gestured for Twilight to begin.

Twilight channeled her geode, and a purple light enveloped both piles. The envelopes and invitations rose from the ground and floated around for a moment, then stopped. The envelopes opened by themselves, and the invitations went in and were sealed inside, then gently descended into a neat stack in front of Timber as the purple light disappeared.

"Wow..."

Twilight giggled. "I'm still kind of getting used to it myself."

Timber grinned. "If you used your magic, we'd be finished with these invitations in no time!"

"Yeah, but then I wouldn't have as much time with you!" Twilight gasped and put her hands to her mouth, surprised at what she had said. Heat rose to her face and she laughed even more awkwardly than Timber had!

She's just being nice to you. She doesn't really mean it.

Timber watched Twilight with amusement. Seeing her flustered was endearing, to say the least. It was a sight he could easily get used to.

Twilight took a deep breath, then exhaled as she fanned herself with her hand. "I guess it really is a little hot out here..."

"Yeah..." Timber trailed off, then sighed as he smiled warmly at Twilight.

There was a slight rustling in a nearby bush, nearly startling the two.

"Probably just an animal," Timber said.

Twilight shrugged, then went back to reading her book.

"So... how many books have you read?"

Twilight cupped her chin in thought. "I couldn't tell you off the top of my head, but if I had to guess, somewhere in the millions."

You'll never be as smart as she is.

Timber's eyes widened momentarily. "I-I've read about a million books myself!"

"Oh, really," Twilight asked teasingly as she raised an eyebrow. "How many of them can you name?"

"I... um..."

Twilight giggled. "I'm just kidding, Timber."

"Right," Timber said as he put a hand behind his head.

There was another rustle in the bushes, but Twilight and Timber ignored it.

"So, what do you do in your spare time? It must be boring just staying in one place."

Timber sighed. "Not much, really. I go outside and walk around just to get some exercise, but that's about it."

"I think you'd feel better if you did more than just go out to exercise."

Heat rose to Timber's face. "I wouldn't mind that... If I wasn't so alone..."

"Timber..."

"Oh, for goodness sake, just kiss already," a familiar voice shouted from the bushes that had rustled.

Twilight raised an eyebrow and walked over to the bushes. She channeled her geode, parting the branches to reveal Rarity, blushing furiously.

Rarity laughed nervously. "...Chirp?"

"Timber, can you give us a minute," Twilight asked, shaking slightly.

Timber nodded. "Come back when you're finished. I'll be here!"

"Thank you." Twilight turned her attention to Rarity as her expression changed to anger. "You. Me. Woods. Now."

Rarity swallowed nervously, then followed Twilight to what she suspected to be her untimely demise.