//------------------------------// // Well...I'd say it's official // Story: Romantic...Other Worlds? // by TheHardie-Boy //------------------------------// The three of us stood inside the club, dead silent. I don’t know why I wanted to run into this guy for advice. It’s relationship 101: don’t go messing with your date’s ex. Sunset had a look on her face that just screamed 'help!' I couldn’t imagine what was going through her head. She told me about her past relationship with this guy, so I’m gonna go out on a limb and say she didn’t want to run into him.  And, oh God, he saw me dancing with her. This was gonna get really bad, really fast. Flash Sentry had a similar look on his face that Sunset had: terrified. I’m not entirely sure what he’s scared about, but I didn’t want to stick around to find out. I grabbed Sunset’s hand and quickly tried to walked past Flash. “Nice meeting you, but we should really be-” “Flash! I got you a root-beer float. I’m not sure if you like those...Sunset Shimmer?!” said a new, familiar voice. Sunset and I both turned our heads to see a girl with light blue skin, silver hair, a blue jacket, and a blue skirt. She had a shocked look on her face, as if she were caught doing something she shouldn’t have. Judging from her appearance and her voice, there was only one person this could possibly be. “Trixie?!” Sunset and I asked in unison. “H-Hey,” Trixie responded sheepishly. “Th-This is awkward,” said Flash, rubbing the back of his head. “We really should be-” I started to say. “You and Trixie?!” Sunset cut off in a stern tone. I flinched a little from how serious she sounded. “What? I’m aloud to have a life outside of ‘generic boyfriend-guy’,” Flash responded with his own stern voice. ‘Well, this conversation has taken a turn for the unsalvageable’ I could tell Trixie was thinking the same thing because she was...I’m not really sure what to call it, but she was turning her head really fast and kinda walking in place. She grabbed onto Flash’s arm and gave a tug. “I really think we should be going, Flash.” Flash ignored her. “So, you gonna introduce me to your date?” Sunset’s expression changed from stern to embarrassed, and she blushed a deep red. She said, “Th-This isn’t really what I’d call a d-date.” I looked at Sunset with a look of confusion. ‘Wait, w-what?’ “Please, I saw you two dancing,” Flash countered. “Can we please sit down!?” Trixie yelled, grabbing our attention. “Sorry, I just feel like I’m gonna explode if I stand here any longer.” “I think that’s a good idea,” I agreed, hiding my distress from Sunset. “Sure. Look, there’s an empty table right there,” Flash said. Flash and Trixie walked toward the table, but I grabbed Sunset’s arm before she could join them. “What you mean ‘you wouldn’t call this a date’?” I asked in a tone just loud enough to hear over the music. “Well, I didn’t mean to upset you-” Sunset started. “I thought we were trying for a relationship here. Do you have doubts?” I cut off. Sunset gave a sigh. “Of course not. Can we just talk about this later please?” “Fine,” I gave in. We both joined Flash and Trixie, the latter looking very anxious. “Guess my first question is...w-why?” Sunset asked. “Long story short is, the Crusaders set us up on a blind date, and we didn’t want them on our cases,” Trixie admitted. “At first, we were just gonna leave and take whatever the Crusaders had to dish out, but we decided to give it a try,” Flash added. ‘Everyone seems to be on a first date tonight’ Sunset actually chuckled a little, much to my surprise. “Well, those are the Crusaders for you.” “What about you two? How’d you guys start?” Trixie asked. “This is Jake. He comes from where I come from,” Sunset said. “You mean that other world? I thought ponies danced like...you know, how Princess Twilight did back at the...you know,” Flash replied. Sunset’s face paled, but all I could think of was Twilight dancing like a pony in human form. I couldn’t have held back a laugh if I had wanted to. “I-I didn’t know you knew about that...other world,” Sunset said sheepishly. “It’s not that big a deal. It’s not like I’m gonna go through that portal thing or whatever and hook up with Princess Twilight again,” Flash said nonchalantly. ‘Damn right you’re not gonna...wait ‘again’?’ “I’m honestly a little surprised you haven’t done that already,” Sunset said. Flash shook his head. “Nah, after what you said at Camp Everfree, I realized you were right. She lives there, I live here; it just wouldn't work.” “You alright there? You look a little pale,” Trixie asked me, getting my attention. I shook my head, clearing it of thought. “Yeah, just a little-” “Flash and Princess Twilight kinda had...thing the first few times she came here,” Sunset explained. I tilted my head in thought. Now that I think of it, Sunset did tell me about how Twilight got mad at her for ‘stealing’ him away. “You know Princess Twilight?” Flash asked. I nodded. “Well, I kinda...live with her.” Flash and Trixie both became shocked at my response.  “She also has a castle, so…” I added. Flash and Trixie nodded. “Well, it was nice meeting you, Jake, but it’s getting a little late. Sorry for the whole awkward moment,” Flash said, getting up with Trixie. “No problem. It was nice catching up, and let me know if it works out,” Sunset responded, standing up as well. Flash shrugged, and Trixie gave a ‘more-or-less’ sign with her hand. I stood up as well, and Sunset and I made our way out of the club.  “Flash and Trixie; never thought of that,” Sunset said to herself. “She seemed...way different than I expected,” I mumbled to myself. Once we arrived back at Sunet’s place, Sunset took off her jacket and tried to rush into the bathroom. “Nice try. Where do you think you’re going?” I called. Sunset slowly walked back out. She had a sad look on her face that made me want to forget about what she said, but I knew that we would have to talk about it if there was any hope for us. “Well? Why wouldn’t you have called that a date?” I asked, folding my arms across my chest. Sunset kept her eyes on the floor as she let out a sigh. “Look, I’m really sorry I said that. Flash just caught me off guard, and I panicked, and I have no idea why that came out.” I closed my eyes and let out a breath. The breath wasn’t fast enough to be identified as a *huff*, but fast enough to keep Sunset’s attention. “Look, Sunset,” I said, sitting down on the couch. “Stuff like…that doesn’t just ‘come out’. There is obviously a reason you said that. You can tell me; I promise I’ll listen.” Sunset sat down as well, and buried her head in her hands. I scooted a little closer to her and put my hands on her shoulders. “I do like you, Sunset, and I want this to work out, but if you’re having problems, I need to know.” Sunset slowly looked up at me, as if she were having trouble facing me. I did my best to give a reassuring smile. “I guess...I-I didn’t want to get my hopes up,” Sunset said after a minute of silence. I wanted to ask what she meant, but stayed silent. Suddenly, Sunset shot up from the couch and started pacing. “It’s just, look at how slow we’re moving. I know for a fact you and your herd have done more than us. You even admitted that it only took you two days to fall in love with Starlight. We’ve known each other for two or three weeks now, and it still seems like a ‘will-they-won’t-they’ situation.” It was at this point that Sunset’s eyes started tearing up. “I really want this to work out, I really do. But…it’s just all so uncertain. We haven’t even had our first kiss yet.” I took a moment to process everything she had said. It all made sense, but I still couldn’t think of why she would be having these worries. I don’t...but then, I’m not her, am I?  I stood up and looked into her teary, turquoise eyes. “Our first kiss?” I said, holding her by the arms. “If that’s what you’re worried about, problem solved.” I pulled her close and pressed my lips up against hers. She was shocked at first, but she quickly leaned into me. Her arms wrapped themselves around my torso, and my arms wrapped around her shoulders.  Any anger or frustration I had for her were gone. The kiss was...different than any other I had before. Sure, part of it was because Sunset was human, but something felt...different. It honestly felt like...fireworks. I remember my first kiss with Starlight felt a little similar, but it felt much more tame. My first kiss with Twilight felt amazing, but not nearly as intense as this. It felt more like a long burning candle growing into a roaring fire. This...this just felt as if something that was begging to be released was finally let out of its cage. The intense kiss held for a few moments longer until Sunset quite literally melted into me. I’m not kidding. Her knees buckled, and her body fell limp. I held onto her as much as I could. Sunset had a goofy grin on her face, flimsy smile and eyes half lidded. “W-Wow,” she managed to mutter. “Am I really that good a kisser?” I jokingly asked. Sunset subtly nodded her head. “Uh-huh.” I did my best to hold her up. I wasn’t sure if she was just messing around, or if she actually fell limp from the kiss, but either way, I found it hilarious.  I picked her legs up and carried her to the bedroom.  “Can you even think clearly right now?” I asked as I lay her down. “U-Uh-uh,” she mumbled. I chuckled as I got under the covers with her. I gave her another peck on the cheek, doing my best to keep from laughing.  “Think you’ll remember any of this?” I joked. “I-I dunno,” she responded. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she was high. I hugged the limp teenager who lie next to me. “Either way, I know this is gonna work out. Don’t you worry ‘bout a thing.” “O-Okay,” Sunset replied. I gently stroked her cheek until she succumbed to her burst of euphoria. Her eyes slowly closed, and her smile settled down, but still remained. I stopped stroking her cheek and looked at her. For some reason, watching her sleep filled me with joy, like the girl I had come to...love...was at complete and utter peace.  “I love you, Sunset,” I whispered right before I fell asleep.