//------------------------------//
// 2: Walking Time 
// Story: Contagious 
// by Bookish Delight 
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"Walking Time" was a term Sunset and Flash knew well, but one that neither of them had used in quite some time.

This was because it was a term that Flash had coined back when they were dating, whenever he sensed Sunset to be in a bad place emotionally—which was often—and Sunset didn't want to just blurt everything out without being able to sort things in her mind first. 

This had been the first time Sunset had asked to walk without Flash suggesting it. This was also the longest that Walking Time had gone on so far, without either of them saying anything. 

It was also one of the more mundane venues for this to happen. Sunset thought back to quiet walks under the stars with Flash—through bright cities, through forests and meadows, through suburban neighborhoods far past most peoples' bedtimes, even walks where Flash strummed his guitar as he strolled beside her, singing makeshift serenades to her, with far worse guitar and voice skills than today... but no less earnestness.

Earnestness that, in the end, was wasted, because their relationship had been a lie the entire time. Because when all was said and done, the old Sunset had only pretended to be interested in him, to use his popularity as a power play for control of Canterlot High's student body. 

And the Sunset of today still had yet to live that down. 

She gritted her teeth. Why had she even asked to do this, again? As she racked her brain trying to find a reason, Flash—finally, mercifully—gave them a reason to have a conversation. "If you're wondering if I'll bite," he said, hands still in his pockets, "answer's no."

Sunset went for the first thing that came to mind. "Are... you okay? From the battle, I mean. Micro builds pretty tough stuff. Efficient, too."

Flash shrugged. "Meh. Nothing a first aid kit couldn't handle. Way I see it, running interference for you was the easy part. You're the one who selflessly throws yourself in front of danger for our sakes."

Sunset stopped walking.

There it was again. That feeling of wanting the earth to open up and swallow her whole. It'd be more dignified than facing everything she'd done up to this point. She rubbed her forehead and groaned, and decided, for the first time in a while, to just say everything, no filters or diplomacy in effect.

"A lot gets made of Twilight not being great with the concept of having friends, but the truth is, she's got nothing on me. I'm not used to owing people. I'm not used to having to say 'thank you'." She looked at Flash. "But even if I did... that wouldn't begin to cover what I owe you, would it?"

Flash walked the short remaining distance to Canterlot High's back entrance, and sat on its steps. Sunset followed. 

And Flash looked up at her. 

"You know, I still remember the night I found out magic was real," he said. "That you were magic. And that you had plans, for all of us." He paused before adding, "I also remember everything before that night. And learning maybe all of that... wasn't so real."

"Flash," Sunset immediately began, "I'm so sorry—"

Flash cut her off by holding up his hand. "No apologies, Sunset. I've been hearing you apologize for years." He extended that same hand towards Sunset, inviting her to sit beside him. She took his hand, and the invitation in turn.

"I've been hearing myself apologize for years, too," he said. "Lot of beating myself up after all was said and done."

"I bet," Sunset said. "I can't begin to imagine what went on, after..." she trailed off, not wanting to say exactly what happened, trying and failing not to remember in vivid detail the shouting match which had ensued after Flash had—somehow—deduced her real purpose for dating him in the first place.

There'd been threats from Sunset, there'd been screams of vengeance from Sunset, lots of anger and stomping, lots of Sunset asking if Flash knew who she was... and he'd just sat there and took it all in the face of his dumping her. She wondered if she'd conditioned him to be able to take it. If so, maybe that had been the one good thing that had come of all of this.

"Long story short, lots of wondering if I'd done the right thing, lots of wondering if I was meant to have significant others at all, lots of being awkward around another magical visitor from another world, which then circled back around to that earlier wondering." He chuckled. "Contrary to popular belief, guys can burn out on the subject."

Sunset cringed, looked at the sky and shook her head. "I get it now. This is your revenge. Refuse to let me apologize while showing me the consequences of playing with someone's heart. Well, it's not like you don't deserve this."

"You know," Flash said, "it doesn't always have to be about you. Other people have things on their mind sometimes too."

This time, the ground did open up and swallow up Sunset—but only her soul. Her conscious mind and heart were still forced to stay in the present. She groaned forlornly, burying her head in folded arms, willing herself not to cry.

Before long, she felt a hand on her knee. "If it helps, though? I got better. It took a long time, but I decided to just take lessons learned, and keep going. And I wasn't the only one."

Slowly, Sunset raised her head and wiped her eyes. It took everything she had to look over to Flash again. When she did, she was half-surprised to see a comforting, non-accusatory smile on his face.

"Every time I saw you apologize to other people over the next year or so... it was less and less warranted. At least, I thought so. Every time I saw you in action, or just talking to other people, you were just a little bit… better towards them. Myself included. Once I got the courage to put myself back in your field of view, anyway."

Rapid-fire memories flashed through Sunset's mind. Their conversation at Camp Everfree, which had almost been of substance until Sunset cut it short. Scattered greetings and small talk at school, the mall, between classes... 

Even now, I've been ignoring how you felt, haven't I? Though back when we were dating, I wouldn't have even asked myself that question.

It was Flash's turn to look towards the horizon. "People can change, Sunset. I don't think they can be forced to change, even with magic or whatever involved. But when people make an actual effort, like you... well, you inspire me to be my best self, too. Just by being around. 

"So, yeah. I'm a fan. I've been seeing what you've had to do, and go through. I support that, I want to support you... and I'm not the only one who feels that way."

A long silence passed between the two again, garnished only with the sounds of singing birds, and the faraway chatter of students.

"I don't... I don't deserve fans, Flash," Sunset finally replied. "You of all people know I don't. I definitely don't deserve you being this nice to me, much less being a fan of me."

Flash shrugged. "Well, you've got the whole school behind you whether you like it or not, after saving our lives a bunch of times by this point. Speaking for myself, I'm just some guy with a guitar. I always feel guilty that I can't do more, but I'm glad there are ladies here who can." He winked. "Especially one whose fierceness I can already vouch for."

And then, before Sunset could react, Flash did something Sunset hadn't seen or felt him doing in years. He took her hands, clasped them in hers, and gave her his full, wide-eyed, ear-to-ear, "everything's going to be all right" smile.

Back during the old times, that smile, that stare, was the only thing that could let Sunset forget, if only for precious moments, that she had a mission of conquest and revenge to fulfill, and that she was angry at everyone and everything. 

Being on the receiving end of it now... nearly shattered her heart, in simultaneously the best and worst way possible.

"No one deserves to suffer in guilt forever," Flash said. "So please, don't make yourself. You've deserved better for a long time now." He let go of Sunset's hands, stood up, and stepped down, parking himself back on to the ground proper. 

They were the only steps Flash was able to take before Sunset, having stood up behind him, jumped down the stairs herself, turned him around, and pulled him close into the tightest embrace they'd ever shared. 

To be fair, she hadn't been much of a hugger back then. As proof, Flash tensed in surprise for several moments, before finally hugging back, the two resting their heads on each others' shoulders. He was strong and firm in his warmth, much physically different from Twilight's embraces in those respects, but no less... caring.

"The answer's yes," Sunset murmured.

Flash undid his end of their hug. "Huh?" 

"Back at Camp Everfree, when you said you wanted to start over as friends?" Sunset wiped her eyes again, smiling at him. "I'd like that. Something a little more equal than you being a 'fan' of me."

"Whoa. You remembered that?" Flash said, a sheepish hand behind his head. "I thought you were, uh, kind of preoccupied." 

"I mean, I was at the time? Magical danger and all. But I didn't forget. I just wasn't sure how to bring it up again after that, and then the longer I held off, the guiltier I felt, and—"

"And biggest mood, ever," Flash said, holding out his hand. "I'd like to be friends too."

Sunset shook his hand—and as they parted, Flash formed his into a fist. Sunset bumped it from the front... then from the top, and the bottom, the two beaming towards each other the entire time.

"Just one apology," Sunset said. "I'm sorry. I wish I'd done things differently with you."

"I do, too. But hey, better late than never—way better, in this case. Apology accepted." He took a few steps towards his parked car before looking back. "See you in class?"

Sunset nodded, looking away with a blush. "And outside of it."

Flash returned both gestures. "Can't wait."

Even after Flash drove away, the weight of Sunset's feelings, along with the warmth in her heart, kept her rooted to the spot.