//------------------------------// // Chapter 32 // Story: A Little Visit // by Annabelle RTH //------------------------------// Twilight’s POV “Mmmm…” I groaned as I nodded myself awake. The ringing from the alarm clock was dinging and something under my head was moving. “Sorry to wake you Twilight.” Flash. Lifting myself up to sit, I started to rub my eyes. My neck and foreleg felt sore. I looked around as soon as my eyes adjusted to the morning sun shining through the window. “You, okay?” Flash asked me. He next to me on the couch with me. “Mm, I’m a little sore, but fine otherwise.” I moved my head around slowly, trying to stretch out the soreness. Wait, we’re on his couch, did we- “Yeah, me too. Looks like we totally crashed.” He chuckled as he got up from the couch. I saw him starting to stretch when… well seeing him stretch out his muscles so close… for whatever reason, I couldn’t stop staring. I wasn’t nervous, I wasn’t embarrassed… actually… For a moment, I don’t think I was aware of anything else… Oh dear… I shook my head to shake this off. Cadence told me about this… I just thought we would’ve kissed before it would happen. But we didn’t. Suddenly, I felt as disappointed and hurt as I did last night. “Maybe I should get some oversized cushions like the ones you have.” I saw him spread his wings and flap them a few times. “Maybe.” I said with as much nonchalantness as possible. I didn’t want to sound sad to him but I wasn’t sure if I could sound happy this morning. Not at that moment anyway. I couldn’t talk to him, not about this, not yet. “Hm.” He turned around to look at me. I faked a yawn, closed my eyes and covered my mouth. Maybe acting tired would be easier. “You wanna go to my room and sleep in?” I was grateful for the question because it gave me something to think about other than not kissing Flash last night. The good news is, I already made up my mind to go the castle with him to see Shining and Cadence. “No, no. I want to go with you to the castle. I’m hoping I can get ideas for the foal shower from Cadence.” He nodded in understanding. “Well, you might be sitting in on a lot of royal business, but at least it’ll be more entertaining that hanging out with me on duty all day.” “Oh, come now Flash, it can’t be that boring here.” He looked away with a pained look on his face. “Iiiit’s not exactly glamorous.” “Neither is being a princess.” I told him with a slight humph. He looked back at me. He chuckled uncomfortably, “Yeah, you’ve got me there.” At the palace, we managed to catch Shining and Cadence as they were about to have breakfast in their dining room. “Twily!” Shining shot up from his seat. “Twilight!” Cadence tried to wiggle out of her seat. Flash quickly got closer to Cadence and said, “Uh, easy Cadence.” Flash brought up a hoof as Cadence got out of her seat. Meanwhile, Shining quickly walked over to Cadence and steadied her. “I’m fine, I don’t need any help just yet.” Cadence took a step from Shining. “Just a precaution, Dear. You are carrying precious cargo.” He nuzzled Cadence’s face. Cadence kissed my brother’s cheek, “I know, it’s sweet really. But could you tone it down just a bit for at least another month.” She said with a smile. “I can only try.” Shining smiled at her. “I’ll take it.” They nuzzled each other and I smiled at this display of affection. It warmed my heart to see my brother and sister-in-law so much in love. I hope to feel that amount of love one day. They turned back towards me and Flash and walked up to us. I hugged Cadence first, watching for her baby bump. “To what do we owe this visit?” She asked. “Actually,” I started as I hugged Shining Armor, “it’s a long story.” “Then it’s a good thing it’s time for breakfast.” Shining replied. “Oh, I don’t know if I could eat much more. Flash and I ate before we came here.” I said as I motioned towards Flash. “Did you now?” He turned his attention to Flash and I didn’t like that slight look in his eyes. “Uh-huuh.” I said, giving Shining a look of my own. “He’s a great cook.” “Oooh, have you tried his peach cobbler?” Cadence asked excitedly. I shook my head a little surprised by Cadence’s sudden mood shift. “No, not yet. Have you?” “There’s still some in the fridge if you’d like a slice. Actually, Flash can you bake another?” She looked at Flash expectantly while slightly bouncing on her hooves. He chuckled “No problem.” “Actually, make it three.” She paused, bringing her hoof to her baby bump and seemingly thinking. It reminded me of Flash’s mom. “Maybe more.” He brought his hoof up and nodded, understanding Cadence was prepping for some cravings and midnight snacks. “Sure thing, just take it easy, all right?” Cadence sighed with a smile. “You drive a hard bargain Flash Sentry. Deal.” He smiled before turning to me. He took his helmet off and asked me, “I’ll see you later for my break?” “In the gardens, it’s still warm enough we can have a picnic.” “I’ll be there.” He kissed my cheek. Aww. I still felt a feeling of excitement before bashfulness at the gesture. Though not as much anymore… still, it was sweet. I smiled at him. We heard Shining cough. “Whaat?” Flash asked in mock innocence. “I’m technically not on duty for another ten minutes.” “Uh-huh.” Shining cocked on eyebrow. Cadence and I giggled at the display. While Shining and Flash have become better friends, I knew that Shining would still have his protective brother tendencies. The good news is, Flash can more or less be himself around my family knowing that there wouldn’t be any actual consequences. “I’m going, I’m going. Don’t worry.” He turned back to me and took my hoof in his. “See ya Twi.” He quickly kissed my hoof and placed his helmet back on his head before telling Cadence and Shining Armor, “See you guys later.” Then, he sped his way through the door and left before anypony could react. “He-hey ugh.” Shining responded. Cadence and I giggled at my brother’s expense. After breakfast, I stayed with Cadence and sat in on her day. It was very informative seeing the ins and outs of a day to day in the Crystal Empire. Before, I had only been in the Crystal Empire on royal business pertaining to setting up big events rather than everyday projects and meetings. It was a nice change of pace and it did take my mind off not kissing Flash last night. Well, mostly. Every time it popped into my head, I’d remind myself that I could talk to Cadence later. In truth, I knew what I had to do: I had to talk to Flash, but I also wanted to talk to Cadence because she’s been so helpful and supportive throughout this entire endeavor. I wanted to hear her advice again. Before I met up with Flash, Cadence took a walk with me through the gardens. While she should be getting used to resting, it’s also not good for anypony to constantly be sitting throughout the day. “It’s getting nippy, are you sure you two will be okay out here?” “So long as we stay in the sun, I think we’ll be fine.” “Well, all right Twilight. How are things going with you and Flash?” She smiled giddily at me. “Weeeellll,” Here we go. “There’s actually something I want to talk to you about.” “Oooh, she clapped her hooves together. “Did you finally kiss?” I sighed as my heart sank, feeling the disappointment, embarrassment and on some level, I felt ashamed as well. “No… that’s actually what I want to talk to you about.” “Oh.” She said in a worried tone. “I’m sorry Cadence,” I faced her and continued. She looked at me with sad and worried eyes. “I know you said I can’t really prepare for this kind of thing and that each kiss is special in its own way. It’s just that…” I sighed and looked down for a moment before bringing my head back up. “I guess I’m a little disappointed that it didn’t happen last night.” “Last night?” She cocked her head to the side, now with more curious eyes. “Mm-hm. It was perfect.” I started to pace. “We were alone, cuddling on the couch. I had that… feeling that you told me about. The one where I look at him and… it would just click. I don’t know how long or deep it would have been, like in those books you’ve given me but… it would’ve been my first kiss with a stallion I really care about. Who’s made me feel things I’ve never felt before. But… it didn’t happen.” “Uh-huh” she responded in a way that told me she was somewhat far away in thought before snapping back and asking, “So what stopped you?” “He asked me a question and the moment passed.” I said still pacing and going through the entire scene in my head. “When he looked at me, I wasn’t sure if my heart stopped or if it was beating so fast, I couldn’t tell if it was still beating. I thought he was having a similar moment, that he wanted to kiss me too. I was about to lean in before he asked his question. Suddenly, I was so… heartbroken…? Confused? Dissapointed? I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do.” “Oh.” She responded in understanding. “I see.” I sighed and stopped pacing while facing a random direction. “It’s nopony’s fault and I know that. He didn’t have to kiss me. He might not even be ready himself. I don’t know. Even if he did, he might not have realized I wanted to kiss him too. I haven’t exactly given him any hints or even really talked about kissing after what happened with the whole missed first kiss situation.” I sighed. “Not that I would know how to drop hints about these kinds of things, anyway. My inexperience has made this part of the relationship so… weird.” “I’m sorry to hear that Twilight.” Cadence said as she walked up to me and wrapped a wing around me. She brought me in for a slight hug. “I didn’t think something that’s supposed to be so natural would be so difficult.” I heard Cadence chuckle. “What’s so funny?” I asked her, failing to see how anything I just said to be funny. I didn’t need her laughing at me. I wanted her to listen to me and help me. “What’s funny, is that your brother thought the exact same thing.” She said with a slight smile. “He did?” I asked, completely surprised. “Oh yes, we had our share of missed opportunities for our first kiss too.” “You did?” I knew that the story of them getting together was rather needlessly complex but I thought they were so in sync after that. They at least, seemed to be but then again, I was just filly. And then when I grew up, I didn’t see much of them anymore. She nodded, “Mm-hm.” “So, what happened?” “Well, your brother was such a dear. You should’ve seen how nervous he was.” She smiled as she remembered her first kiss. “We were at my door of the castle and just when I was about to say good night, he actually asked me if he could kiss me.” “Really, just like that?” I guess Shining learned his lesson from when he and Cadence first got together. She nodded. “Yes, I thought it was sweet… and I wouldn’t trade our first kiss for any could-have-beens or what ifs.” Wouldn’t trade it for any what ifs… Last night would have been perfect though. I sighed again and looked away. It didn’t happen last night and nothing was going to change that. It would be okay because we’re adults, we can talk it through. “Do you think I’ll feel that way when it finally happens for me and Flash?” “I should think so. Just remember Twilight, no first kiss is perfect, but any first kiss can come pretty close.” She smiled at me. I hugged my old foal sitter. “Thanks Cadence. I really needed to hear that.” I shouldn’t keep myself wondering about this what if. Flash and I still have a chance for our first kiss. My first kiss. It might not be perfect, but it would be ours. It would be special because it would be between us. My first kiss with the stallion that makes me squeal on the inside, who listens to me whenever I have a problem, who accepts me as I am and finds my quirks endearing. He’s the stallion who writes notes in the books he reads, who loves taking walking tours, who learned to dance so his sisters could practice with him, who would rather do a jigsaw puzzle than go bar hopping… That’s Flash Sentry, my boyfriend. When I let go, she asked, “So, what are you going to do about Flash?” In truth, I knew I needed to talk to Flash about this. He appreciates me voicing my thoughts and feelings. It would a bit awkward but he wouldn’t judge me. He would listen to me intently and take a minute to mull the information over. He might ask me a few questions to better understand the situation. When it ends, I’ll feel better and I’ll know what he thinks. Reading each other can only take us so far. “I think… I should let him know I’m ready for my first kiss and see what he thinks.” She smiled at me. “Is that what’s best for you?” I looked at her with confidence. “Yes, I think we both will feel just a bit more at ease if we just talk about it. After all, this takes two. We both need to be comfortable enough to take this next step and the many other steps that’ll come our way.” “Good.” She pulled me into another hug. “I’m glad.”