//------------------------------// // Library Time // Story: Fairytale Bliss // by fallen starr //------------------------------// Flash Sentry stood on the other side, and for a moment, she was angry at him again. Then she blinked away the dream, and became angrier. “What are you doing here?” She managed to keep her words even, despite the emotions rising inside. He stood, rooted to the spot, his mouth moving but no sound coming out. “Flash, please, just say something.” “I’M SORRY.” They both winced at the volume, Flash biting his bottom lip as his face turned red. “I’m sorry, Twilight. I messed up. I’ve.. I’ve done a lot of soul searching.” His eyes moved from her to the floor. “Like I said, it wasn’t you, it was me. I’m an idiot, though, because if anyone can help me get over myself, it’s you.” Twilight frowned. “What are you talking about?” Flash flattened his ears. “Can we…can we find somewhere a little more suitable to talk?” Twilight nodded, walking out and shutting the door behind her. “How about the library?” “Okay, that’s perfect!” He trotted along beside her in silence. When Twilight would look at him, he would quickly look away. The trip to the library was short and before much time had passed, they were sitting across from each other at a table. Flash tapped his hoof on the hard wood while Twilight looked at him. Once again, her thoughts were drawn to any comparison between the relationship of Luna and Sombra and that of Flash Sentry and herself. Finally, he stopped tapping on the table and took a deep breath. “I broke up with you and said it was because you’re so perfect.” “I’m not perfect, Flash,” Twilight said, her voice pained. He nodded. “I know that. I do. But when I stood next to you, when I looked at me and then I looked at you, it was too much. I couldn’t understand what you saw in me. I didn’t like what people thought when they saw us together. I felt like a blip.” He took another deep breath. “I started to resent all of the wonderful accomplishments you’d had. What kind of boyfriend does that, Twilight? What kind of pony resents the success of someone they love.” He swallowed, meeting her eyes. “Well, not a colt fit for a princess, that’s for sure. That was what I was thinking. I wasn’t thinking of you at all. I was selfish, thinking of only myself.” His hoof twitched, then he leaned forward, holding her hoof. “That was so wrong of me. I could have talked to you. I should have talked to you. Because if you can’t talk to the person you’re with about your inner demons, then you’re probably with the wrong person. I thought about what you said. How you just wanted something like what we had. And Twilight, I want it back.” Twilight sat, looking at their hooves. He wanted to be with her again, and her heart swelled to hear that. Yet her brain yelled at her, asking what would happen the next time she has a great accomplishment. She thought of all the failed dates she had been on. Of the times she spent alone, wishing he were back beside her. Then Luna. And Sombra. The point was that sometimes your partner sees and knows parts of you that you do not know. Did Flash know her? Did she know him? She licked her lips, unchecked tears slowly rolling down her face, and shook her head. “I’m sorry, Flash. I don’t know. I need time to think. Process everything.” She cleared her throat and looked directly at him. “You hurt me. A lot. I’m just getting better and I don’t know if I can handle this again. Just give me time.” His hopeful expression fell. “Oh. I—“ Then he nodded. “Okay, princess, if it’s time you need, it’s time you’ll have. I’ll be waiting to hear from you.” Then he stood and walked out, slowly, looking back several times at Twilight, sitting quietly and staring at the table. Evening sunlight was streaming through the windows of the library, dust softly floating through the air. Twilight watched with unseeing eyes. Already she had cried over not saying yes twice, and then vindicated herself by believing no was the right choice. She was lost in a sweet moment of thoughtlessness when soft hoof steps broke through to her ears. Her ears perked up as she saw the comforting white wing spread in offer. She all but ran to Celestia’s side, nuzzling into her as she was enveloped in the wing. “I hear Flash Sentry came to see you today.” Twilight nodded. “He did.” “And what came of that meeting?” She looked down at Twilight with a soft, comforting smile on her face. Twilight shook her head. “I don’t know. I don’t even know what to say to him. It’s all so confusing now.” With a feather, Celestia brushed away an escaped tear. “Oh, my little pony, I am sorry. First love is so hard.” Twilight nodded. “All the advice in the world isn’t going to help you, I’m afraid, if you don’t know what you want for yourself. What is it that you miss? Flash Sentry, or having a special somepony?” After letting the question sink in for a moment, Celesita sighed. “Unfortunatly, only you know the answer to that. And I must speak to my sister before she runs off to speak with you more. She has been very worried about you.” “Why?” Celestia stood for a moment as still as a statue. “She still misses him. Not what he represented, not the having of a pony there, but everything they shared. She does not wish you the same fate. Nor do I.” After another silent moment, Celestia turned and left. Twilight stood, stretching herself. It had been a long few hours since she had last stood. Finally noticing the rumbling in her stomach, she made her way toward the kitchens. There she could find her first meal of the day and maybe even a certain broken-hearted princess.