//------------------------------// // Happy Monday, The Worst Oxymoron // Story: Sunburst's Weekend Off // by milesprower06 //------------------------------// Sunburst stirred as the rising morning sun began to shine onto Starlight's bed. He gazed over at the sleeping mare next to him, and she too started to reluctantly greet the day. "Morning, Starlight." He said, kissing her on the cheek. "Morning, handsome." She replied, opening her eyes and taking in Sunburst's considerable bed head. "You might want to use my brush before you step outside of the room. Not sure Princess Cadance would want to see her Crystaller so... Unpresentable." The clock on Starlight's nightstand began to ring, and that was their cue to get moving. Cadance's train was scheduled to depart at 7, so they could get back to the Crystal Empire in time for the daily processions to begin and palace life could once again resume. Sunburst knew it was going to be just a bit more dull now, compared to what this weekend had brought into his life. "So you really think you're gonna be able to teleport up to the Crystal Empire to see me whenever you want?" Sunburst asked, standing in front of the mirror, running a brush through his hair. "Easy peazy cider squeezy. You and I could probably set up a rune to make it easier for each of us." Starlight replied. "So the second date really is going to be on you. Don't go running off to Cadance for restaurant advice." Starlight said, chuckling. "No worries there, I'm a lot more familiar with the Crystal Empire and all it has to offer than I am with Ponyville. Speaking of which, that's your domain. Our first date was special, but now I want to see all the flavors and experiences both our towns have to offer." "Deal." Starlight agreed. His mane now decent, Sunburst threw on his cloak and the two of them exited the room and made their way down the corridor to the foyer, where Twilight and Spike were helping Shining and Cadance with their luggage. "There you are. We were just about to come and get you." Twilight greeted Sunburst as he came down the steps, Starlight behind him. "Yeah, we had a late night, didn't get in until nearly one. I can catch another hour or so on the train ride home." Sunburst replied with a yawn. "So you two had a good time?" Cadance asked as the group exited the castle's front doors. "An incredible time. It's gonna be pretty hard to top, but we're up to the task." Starlight answered. "How about you guys? Enjoy your, um, 'Guy's Night'?" Sunburst asked. "It was... Interesting. Definitely room for improvement next time." Twilight told him, earning a disapproving look from Spike. Sadly, it was only a five minute walk to the train station from the castle, and the train was already steaming and ready to go." "Thanks for an incredible weekend, Twilight." Cadance said, coming in and hugging her sister-in-law, followed by Shining Armor. "The change of scenery was great. We should have these getaways more often. I mean, what's stopping us? We are royalty, after all." "By knowing that as royalty, we serve others, not ourselves." Cadance properly reminded him, though she knew her husband was only poking fun at her. "You two can come down whenever you want; just be sure to bring this bundle of joy with you." Twilight said, giving Flurry Heart a raspberry on the stomach, getting a squealing giggle out of her. With that, the trio boarded the train, leaving Starlight and Sunburst on the platform, with Twilight and Spike giving them some privacy. "Really wish this weekend didn't end so soon." Starlight confessed. "Same here, but we did a lot. And now there's so much more to look forward to. I mean, I'm going back to work knowing I have a marefriend. How can you beat that?" Starlight blushed, and gave him a smile before throwing her arms around him. "This is gonna be the longest week ever, but you're right. It gives us something to look forward to." The train whistle blew two short bursts, letting them know that staying on scheule meant departing within the next couple minutes. The duo broke the embrace and gave each other a kiss. "Make that last until next Saturday." Starlight told him. "Will do." With a wave, Sunburst turned and boarded. A few seconds later, the doors hissed closed, and the train pulled away from the platform a few moments later, the whistle signalling the departure. Starlight saw him take the closest seat and wave to her from the window. As she lost sight of Sunburst and the train chugged off towards the horizon, Starlight didn't feel like she thought she would. She thought she'd feel empty and alone, longing for the next weekend, but that wasn't the case at all. She felt a warmth in her chest, a sense of belonging that felt very close to what it was like being welcomed to Ponyville for the first time. Cadance was right; distance wasn't a factor in this long-distance relationship because if they really wanted to see each other, that was only one rune spell away. So this was love...