Twilight’s POV
Meeting Flash’s parents. There’s so much to do. I made a quick list when we walked into my room at the castle. I grabbed my toiletries, writing utensils and any blank flash cards I brought with me. Hmmm. “We should still grab a new pack just in case.” I showed Flash the cards in my magic.
“Sure, no problem.”
I left a note for my friends, telling them where I would be. Hopefully they don’t ambush me in the morning about this but no time for that now. I’ll deal with it in the morning.
When we made it to Flash’s home, I quickly set up the cork board. Flash went back out to grab us dinner from the new Hayburger. I needed to focus. I used photos in Flash’s photo albums and stuck them on the board. Okay.
I’ve already met Ruby but I decided to include her to add to the dynamic of the family. Their mother is particularly fond of Ruby’s stories because of the creativity she expresses. Since she’s an art teacher, it’s only natural. Already a topic of common interest between me and two members of Flash’s family.
I continued thinking, creating links between me and Flash’s family. They need to get to know me as much as I do them. I wrote the connections down and placed them underneath the applicable family members. I was nearly done by the time Flash came back.
“Just me.” He said.
“Mmm-hmm.” I said acknowledging him.
“How’s it looking?”
I heard him set down the food on the coffee table.
“I just need to write down one more thing.”
“Good. What would you like to drink?”
“Just some water would be good.” I said as I wrote down one last thing and placed it under Cardinal’s picture.
“You got it.” He poured some water into a few glasses and brought them over to the coffee table. “So, you’re seriously going to be up all night?”
“Well now that I’m looking at the board, maybe only half the night.” I tried to smile at him. He unpacked the food and handed me my share. “I’d like to minimize any uhs or any other lulls on my part.” When I saw the pile of food in front of him, I asked, “Are you really going to finish all that?” He’s normally got an appetite, but this was a small mountain.
“Yeah, sometimes I eat when I’m stressed. I might break into the pie I bought yesterday. Would you like a slice?”
“Let me see how I feel after this.” I took a few bites. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I actually started eating.
“Sure.” He took a bite out of his sandwich.
“Well you won’t be stressed for long, not after we go through the scenarios. Can you think of anymore links I might’ve missed?”
We ate as he stared at the board. “Mmmm…” Sometimes it’s fascinating to just watch somepony think. Before we knew it, he was nearly done with this third hayburger. “I don’t think so. You’re really thorough.”
“It helps that you tell me just about everything about your family. You even kept me up to date about Ruby.”
“Who by the way, is going to insist on being your penpal now that my folks know about us.”
I giggled. “I can’t wait.”
“I’m sure she can’t either. She absolutely adores you.”
My heart felt warm hearing that. She’s such a wonderful filly. I haven’t known her for very long but she has a special place in my heart.
“I adore her too.” I looked over at her photo as I took my last bites.
“Which means it’ll be too easy for her to tag along on some of our visits.”
“Aw, it’ll be fun. I can’t wait.”
For a moment he looked at me. He smiled gently.
“What?” I looked back at him. I was starting to blush from him staring at me. Is something on my face?
“Nothing.” He shook his head from side to side slightly. “Just admiring you.”
I let out a sound. I think I was trying to speak but nothing came out. Granted, I didn’t know what to say. He just, he just told me I’m pretty, right? Is that what that was? I covered my face. I was embarrassed and I didn’t know what else to do. But I was also happy that he said that about me. I’m told that I’m smart, capable, responsible… but pretty… And from a stallion… it’s not… the norm.
“Twilight, please don’t hide from me.” He pressed his hoof against mine. I moved my hoof slightly so I can look at him through my bangs. He looked worried, puzzled… maybe intrigued. Am I the first to react this way?
I moved my hoof away from my face. He held my hoof.
“There she is.” He said gently.
I tried to smile at him. “Sorry. Sorry. I’ve never… had this happen before.” I scrunched up my face slightly feeling embarrassed all over again. This felt weird. I didn’t feel negatively, I was surprised. It was a nice kind of surprise; to hear this kind of thing from my boyfriend, but this still feels kind of weird.
He shrugged. “You’re not used to it. I get it. Takes time. Takes practice.”
Wait. “You’re going to do this more often?”
“Iiii’d say it’s pretty normal to admire my girlfriend whether she’s dolled up or reading a book, yeah.”
Wow. He thinks I’m pretty just as a I am? I was just eating a hayburger for Celestia’s sake. He’s… he’s amazing.
“Is that actually going to be a problem?”
“Wha-no, of course not.” I snapped out of my trance. I don’t blame him for asking considering I reacted by hiding.
He smushed his lips together for a moment. “Positive?”
I nodded. “Like you said, it takes some getting used to. And it’s a good thing. Right, you’re staring at me because you think I’m pretty?”
He looked at me, puzzled.
“Flash?” I felt like this should’ve been a simple question. I grew nervous. What was going on in his head? I thought I understood what was going on but having him sit there like this made me think I was wrong. He said he would admire me. What else could that possibly mean?
“It’s more than that Twilight.”
“Huh?”
He took both my hooves and he looked into my eyes. “Sometimes, when I look at you, you’re more than pretty.” He paused. I’m more than pretty? “You’re like this embodiment of everything that I appreciate in this world and I… can’t get enough of it. I can’t seem to get enough of you.”
Whoa.
He bobbed his head “Sorry, I got kind of more real than you probably expected for us now, huh?”
“Something like that. I… need a second.” Wow, okay. He was right, there was a lot to unpack there. At first, I couldn’t think. I was dumbfounded even more than when I thought he meant that I was pretty. This… this was something deeper than I thought it could be. I didn’t realize Flash could feel this deeply this soon. Then again, he has more experience, he has more of a way to tell where he is about his feelings. And me, well… I read up on this subject and I’ve asked Princess Cadence and my friends for advice. This is a lot like friendship. It grows and changes as you do. This will be a little slower for me because well, we’re separated for the most part and I have no idea what I’m feeling, or what I’m supposed to be feeling or what these feelings mean sometimes. Okay Flash. “I appreciate your honesty Flash and yeah, this threw me off beyond anything I thought was possible right now. But when I look at you, I feel happy, giddy, excited, and a little nervous sometimes… You’re…” I took a deep breath, “special to me, Flash, in a way I never thought of.” He looked at me intently. I kept going. “I don’t know if that’s anything you wanted to hear but this is where I’m at and I’m happy to be with you.”
“I don’t expect anything from you Twilight, I mean other than the truth. This whole thing, you and me, won’t work if we’re not honest with each other. And I’m glad you can tell me how you feel when you don’t have the exact same feelings as I do.”
I smiled appreciating his words. “I’m glad that you listen and you don’t judge me about how I feel.”
For a moment, we were silent.
“How did we get here?” Flash had on a face like he wanted to laugh but he was amazed by something.
“I don’t know, you were staring at me.” I was amazed by this turn of events too. I wanted to laugh too but I couldn’t. What is this?
“I was admiring, there’s a difference.”
“How will I know if you’re admiring me or just looking at me?”
“Iiiiii have no idea. It kind of just happens.” He shrugged slightly. He let out a breath and gently let go of my hooves. He motioned with his hooves towards me. “So, just so we’re clear you have my full attention for about 2 hours. That last hour before bed I need to shut my mind down so I can sleep.”
“What? Oh, right, the scenarios.” I had completely forgotten about the scenarios. Right. Meeting Flash’s parents. “Let’s get to work.
The next morning, Flash woke me up with the smell of pancakes. I was on the pullout bed. Since I wanted to stay up longer going over scenarios, I stayed in the living room.
I sat up and stretched.
“Morning Twilight.” He said over his shoulder.
“Morning Flash.” I got up and made my way towards the restroom.
“How’d you sleep?” Flash asked. I took a pause at the door.
I yawned. “Not bad. Thanks for the extra foam pad by the way.”
“I try. I know it’s not the comfiest of beds.”
“Uh huh.” I walked into the restroom to freshen up for the day. I brushed my mane with a few more strokes than usual… just a few. After last night, you’d think I wouldn’t worry about this at all. I could probably leave my mane a mess and he wouldn’t mind but I couldn’t help myself. It’s small, totally harmless. It’s not like I packed makeup to wear to breakfast. Nope, just keeping my mane in order. Besides, I couldn’t eat with my mane in my face.
“Breakfast is on the island!” I heard him from the kitchen.
My stomach growled. Good thing the food’s ready.
When I stepped out, there was one plate of pancakes on the island. “Aren’t you going to eat?” I walked up to Flash.
“I will.” He looked at me and smiled. “First stack is yours. You’re my guest and my girlfriend after all.”
He leaned down towards me. Eeee. I blushed ever so slightly and my heart raced for a few seconds. Sure, he’s only pecked my cheek but it’s still so exciting. For whatever reason, I moved my head and…
“Twilight, did I…” I took a deep breath. Gee… I… wasn’t expecting that. “Did I just kiss your lips Twilight?”
“I-I uh. Uh…” I turned away from him. What just happened? I brought my hoof to my lips. I was trying to think. I felt sweaty, my chest was heavy and my head felt warm.
“Twilight?” He sounded so worried and I couldn’t face him. I was too stunned and confused. I walked away and I began to pace. Did I mean to move? Was he actually trying to kiss my lips this time… Do I want to kiss him? “Do I need to leave?”
“What?” I finally looked at him. “No of course not. I…”
“What do you need Twilight?” He asked.
“I don’t know I… I’m not even sure if you kissed me.” I pointed towards the corner of my mouth. “It was about here.”
“Oh. Well…”
“I’m sorry to worry you Flash.” I wasn’t sure what else to say. He’s been nothing but a gentlecolt and this… a kiss… I’ve thought about it… our first kiss… Of course, I thought it would be a bit more… clear that it was our first kiss. Something so normal was causing me to feel so stressed. Sure, love isn’t easy but it shouldn’t feel this stressful. It’s give and take, compromise, listening and understanding…
“Twilight, you didn’t do anything wrong. You’re perfectly fine Twilight. I was worried that I…” he looked away from me, “well that I messed up.” He looked at me again.
“You didn’t mess up Flash. This is all just an accident.” I let out a breath. I walked up to him. All an accident. No pony is at fault here.
He sighed. “Yeah. It’s just, I want to make sure you’re comfortable.”
“I appreciate it Flash. You know, I’ve actually thought about it. Our first kiss.”
“You have?” He looked at me with his eyes wide.
I nodded. “Mm-mm. Up until now, I thought I might be ready for that step.”
“I’m sorry Twilight.” We looked at each other for a few moments. We tried to smile at each other wanting this incident to be resolved and trying to get us to the other side. He offered his hoof. I took it. We both know this whole thing was an accident, we’re processing and finding our way.
“Am I allowed to hug you now?” He asked. He seemed small and timid. I found it endearing and cute.
“Yes, it actually sounds nice about now.” We hugged. I dug my head into his neck and nuzzled him. I took a deep breath and smiled. He nuzzled me back. A hug is so simple but it can make you feel so safe and calm. I love this. I love being in his forelegs.
I looked up at him and he looked at me. We smiled at each other wholeheartedly. Hmm… I felt warm… in the most wonderful way. Amazing. I was totally freaking out not that long ago and here we were. Hugging, in maybe a loving way…? Wow. Is that what this is?
“Yaaaa gonna want me to heat up your pancakes?” Oh right, breakfast.
“Mmmmaybe.”
“You got it.”
We stopped hugging and I took a step towards the island when I heard him gasp.
“What? What’s wrong?” I asked, looking at him.
“I’m going to be late.”
“Huh?” I asked as I looked towards the window. Oh wow. It is getting late.
“Listen,” He started to piece his armor together. “The spare key is in my bedside drawer. Lock up when you’re done.”
“Of course.”
“Sorry to eat and run.”
I lifted a pancake up to him as he adjusted his plating. He stuffed it into his mouth. He tried to talk with his mouth full. I’m assuming he tried to say thank you.
“Welcome.”
I levitated the next one to him and he snatched it up out from the air. I giggled. It was pretty entertaining. The oddest thing I’ve been entertained by but still entertaining.
“Aaaand the last one.” I walked him to the door with the pancake in my magic.
“Thanks for the help.” He grabbed the last one in his hoof.
“I’ll see you tonight, all right?” He stuffed his mouth with the pancake.
I nodded. “I’ll see you tonight.”