//------------------------------// // Chapter 35 // Story: A Little Visit // by Annabelle RTH //------------------------------// Twilight’s POV “So, what do you think of the Gardner? Who does she remind you of?” Flash asked. We were in my room discussing this week’s chapters after we tucked Ruby into bed. We were on our bellies looking over the manuscript. “Fluttershy.” “I know, right.” He nodded. I giggled. “Yes, I’m amazed Ruby was able to use flashbacks as effectively as she does to explore her relationship with the prince.” “He really is a decent guy. Too bad he’s too oblivious to realize she’s in love with him.” He shook his head and tsked. “And she’s too shy and scared to tell him.” “Her little critter friends are trying so-o-o hard, so very hard, it’s getting frustrating.” He looked at me with a slight wince. “Yes, we’ve hardly seen Princess Violet and Sir Shrike at all these past few chapters.” “Yeah…” He shrank in his seat and brought his hoof behind his neck. “Something wrong?” I asked him, knowing that something was on his mind. “Not exactly. I…” He looked at me sheepishly and tried to smile at me. I looked at him, intently. “I… may have read ahead.” “You what?!” In an instant, I didn’t see Flash Sentry my boyfriend. I saw a traitor. He betrayed our pact, he betrayed me. He… He flinched and then looked at me with apologetic eyes. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. It just… happened. I was so frustrated with these two that when I turned the page, I was so relieved to see Princess Violet and Sir Shrike I…” He sighed and covered his face with his hooves. “I didn’t even realize it until I finished the chapter.” As he spoke, I took a few deep breaths to help myself. A part of me was still angry and betrayed. I made a schedule, we had an agreement, and we’re supposed to follow our terms. And he… Another deep breath. It occurred to me that he only read one chapter. I could read that chapter in a manner of minutes right now if I chose to. “Twilight?” He asked with a worried expression. I sighed, seeing his sincerity. How could I be mad at him for long? He’s Flash. He really is wonderful and this… while I felt betrayed for a little while, I know he never meant to hurt me. And the likelihood of all this happening again, is… well actually so long as Ruby writes, it is pretty high. Even I might accidently read ahead. “It’s all right Flash.” I took his hoof and smiled gently at him. “Now, you can wait here while I finish the chapter, okay?” He looked at me curiously with his head cocked to the side. I continued to smile at him. He pressed his lips together before responding. “Okay.” He nodded. “I can work with that.” He still looked at me curiously, but he accepted that I had to do this. “Good.” I pecked his cheek before I settled into my desk with Ruby’s manuscript. As I read, I jotted down some more notes for Ruby. “Huh, the Great Fairy reminds of Cadence.” “Sweet Celestia, I knew it was on the tip of my tongue.” I heard him groan as I turned my head to see that he held his head in his hooves. “How did I not get that?” I giggled. “I don’t know.” One more page… and done. “Okay, now I’m all caught up.” I rejoined him on the bed, and we chatted a little more about Ruby’s story, getting lost in the world, debating on alternate ways scenes could have played out. We semi-acted out some of the scenes. We started to add more notes and even inserted a new empty page here and there full of notes for Ruby. “Oh, before I forget, are we set for the holidays?” Flash asked. I yawned. “Yes, my parents can’t wait to meet you.” He smiled uncomfortably. “I’m… anxiously waiting for the holidays.” “They’re going to love you Flash.” I assured him and placed my hoof on his. My parents were thrilled when they got my letter and sent possible dates for them to meet Flash. They also sent a lot of questions about us. It took the whole day to answer every question… some of which were more personal and embarrassing than others. They seemed to be impressed with Flash on paper and I have no doubt he will continue to impress them when they meet him. Still, I know what it was like for me. While I’ve gained more confidence in interacting with other ponies, meeting his parents and his sisters was a big deal. I needed to prepare and practice for that dinner and Flash supported me then. Now, it’s my turn to return the favor. “Yeah… maybe… hopefully.” He sighed and walked up to the window. “Flash?” I asked as I walked up to the window. “Fine… just… nerves.” He said as I took my place at his side. “Oh?” I asked. “Yeah, it’s nothing new though.” He shook his head slightly. “Just a fact of this whole deal.” I rested my head on his shoulder and looked out the window at the night sky. “We can prep a little tomorrow, if you’d like.” I looked at him, but he didn’t look back at me. He took a breath. “You know, it couldn’t hurt.” He looked down at me with a crooked smile. “Yay!” I clapped my hooves. “We’ll get started first thing in the morning.” My excitement came to an abrupt stop when I let out another yawn. Flash yawned immediately afterward. “Guess it’s bedtime.” “Mm-hm.” I responded. We stared at each other for a few moments, stalling the inevitable goodbye. He’d go to the guest room next door, and I’d get ready for bed here. Recently, it’s drawn out longer than it used to. Last time I went to see Flash, I was close to at least trying to discuss the possibility of sharing a bed together. We’ve accidently crashed on his couch or in my living room. It would be nice to be close like that on purpose and not on a couch or oversized cushions. “Say Twilight?” “Yes Flash?” He brought his hoof to the back of his neck. “I was wondering, if you’re okay with it, if I could…” He glanced at the ground for a moment. “Um, stay here with you?” I gasped quietly. My mouth wanted to hang open from shock but also smile from excitement. “You mean… you want to… share my bed, with me?” He pressed his lips together before answering. “Only if you’re comfortable.” He offered his hoof to me. Without hesitation, I took his hoof with a smile, feeling giddy, giggly, nervous… There was a funny, heavy, warm feeling in my chest. It was as if I held a new book close to my heart. “I am and in all honestly, I was going to bring this up myself, but I wasn’t sure if it was still too soon to even ask.” “Yeah, kind of debated on that myself.” He chuckled slightly. We stood there smiling nervously at each other for a few seconds. “So…” “So…” “We should get ready for bed.” “Yeah… guess so.” It took a moment before we actually left the window. I went through my bedtime routine all the while internally freaking out… in a good way. I wasn’t clear on proper protocol but thanks to my friends, Cadence, and a few romance novels, I had a general idea of what to expect. I’ll turn off the light, we will cuddle, we will talk, we will say goodnight and then we will fall asleep. When I wake up in the morning, I’ll see his face. His wonderful, cute face that makes me feel happy and safe and nervous and so many other emotions. When I was finished, it was Flash’s turn. We passed by each other with the same nervous smiles. I sat on my bed, leaning on a pillow against the headboard. Okay. This is it. The next step, our next step. When he stepped back into my bedroom, our eyes locked as he shut the bathroom door. We smiled nervously at each other as he walked up to my bed. I lifted the covers so we could properly share the blanket. I used my magic to shut off the lights. He sat up with me and wrapped his foreleg around me. He gave me a gentle squeeze and my nervous smiled turned into a happy one. Despite being aware that we were alone, here in my bed, I felt safe and warm with him here. I still had that funny feeling in my chest, but it was warmer, less jumpy. It was as if the book I held was a first edition but one I’ve held a million times, one that I know and can breeze through but still exciting to hold nonetheless. “Let me know, if it’s too much, okay?” “Mmm.” I responded, knowing that it wouldn’t be too much. Not with Flash. I squeezed him back. Eventually, we settled in. He was on his back, and I was on my side. I rested my head on his shoulder and draped my foreleg over his chest. He wrapped his forelegs around me along with one of his wings. This wasn’t so different from cuddling on the couch but honestly, this was definitely better. I never thought this form of intimacy could be as addictive as it was. I might actually have trouble leaving my bed with him here. We were silent for a few minutes. I could feel his chest fall up and down. “So… how ya feeling?” Flash asked. “Warm, actually…” “Good warm or bad warm?” I giggled. “Good warm.” I nuzzled his chest. He kissed my horn. Aww. I couldn’t help but smile. I lifted my head up to look at him. I could only see his silhouette so lifted my hoof to what I hoped was his cheek. Good. I had a reference point. I went in for a kiss. I pecked his lips softly, still unsure where his lips actually were. Once I knew, I tried again, and he met my lips softly. Then… I couldn’t help myself. We shared a few more kisses and pecks, the sensation in my chest starting back up again, the first edition bringing me to the edge of my seat. I couldn’t stop smiling, even when we settled in again. We chatted for a few more minutes before we fell silent. A very calm silence. At some point, I closed my eyes and listened for his heartbeat. It was all I could hear, a steady rhythm, strong and true, just like Flash. Soon after, I drifted off to sleep.