//------------------------------// // So Many Books, So Little Time // Story: The Colours of Dusk // by Gallifrey //------------------------------// The Colours of Dusk by Gallifrey Chapter Nine So Many Books, So Little Time It was a typical entry to Dusk's house for Rainbow Blitz. He'd been flying, as is to be expected, when he tried to pull off a new trick, as is to be expected. Unfortunately, he overextended himself and starts crashing, as is to be expected. And naturally, this collision course always has to be directed squarely through one of Dusk's open windows and into a (preferably large and heavy) bookshelf, as is to be expected. Bubble Berry claimed it was a common fanfiction cliché, whatever that meant. "Hey Blitz," said Dusk genially, not turning around from his writing desk. "Hey," grunted Blitz, rubbing his temples. "Dodgy landing today." "You don't say?" Blitz trotted over to him, feeling cool and collected. "What'cha doin'?" he asked, peering over Dusk's shoulder. "I've spent the last half hour just trying to refill this jar," said Dusk. Blitz looked at the sparkly jar with its purple contents. "What is it?" he asked, trying to take an interest in the random crap that Dusk filled his days with. "At least you asked what it is first. It's liquid magic." "So, uh, do you like rub your horn and it comes out or something?" "No!" said Dusk indignantly, while Blitz laughed. "Sorry dude, but I dunno how you unicorns work!" he said, still chuckling. Dusk sighed, and Blitz looked around, noticing that someone was missing. "Hey, where's that Dawn chick?" "She's in bed, she tried to open this jar and... let's just say the magic wasn't too fond of her." "Oh. She alright?" "Nothing to worry about; it's just lethargy really." Blitz nodded, and then asked, as casually as possible: "And how are you two getting along?" He appeared to be extremely interested with a seashell that rested on one of Dusk's bookshelves, his eyes fixed on it. "Just fine," replied Dusk honestly. "She really likes this town and you guys. I think she's really enjoying staying here." "Good good," said Blitz distractedly, noting the intricate pattens striped onto the shell. "It's just... I know what it can be like when two super clever ponies like you two spend lots of time together," he said, trying to keep any suspicion out of his voice. "What can it be like?" asked Dusk innocently, genuinely curious at what the answer was. "Well, they either start fucking or hate each other," said Blitz simply. Dusk's cheeks suddenly decided they loved the colour pink. "I can safely say neither of those has occurred," he stated. "Oh good," said Blitz with relief before his brain had caught up with his mouth. "What?" "Oh good gracious, can we read some books?" said Blitz, trying to save himself and failing spectacularly. But still, it seemed good enough for Dusk. "What d'ya wanna read? I have a feeling you may like this," he said, getting up and bouncing across his bed, picking up an oblong object wrapped neatly in brown paper. "I picked it up the other day, here, my treat." "So, this is for me?" asked Blitz, taking the package and tearing through it. "Yes, I hope you li–" "Ohmygosh! No way!" Blitz had ripped through to reveal a smart hardback book entitled Captains of the Sky. Blitz read the back. "Spitfire's autobiography... this doesn't come out for another week!" "One of the benefits of being head librarian I guess," he said, shrugging. He started to lean over his bed to pick up his own copy, but had barely moved an inch before a prismatically coloured blur collided with him, sending Dusk reeling onto his back. "Thank youuu so much!" Blitz exclaimed, hugging Dusk tightly. "If's no profblem!" said the breathless unicorn from under a pile of Rainbow Blitz. Blitz let up and suddenly realised he was in Dusk's bed, bearing over the young unicorn, his mane splayed out on the bed like that, wow, that looked good. His face mere inches away... his lips, so tantalisingly close... "I... uh..." said Blitz vaguely, his heart thumping madly. Do it! Do it! Do it! chanted the voices in Blitz's head. His face contorted into one of supreme inner conflict, a contortion that Dusk hadn't failed to notice. "You okay Blitz?" he asked. "Yeah..." They met each other's eyes for a long moment, each of them teetering on the edge of a knife. Dusk blinked, and the spell was broken. "I uh, shall we read this book?" said Dusk shyly. "Yeah," said Blitz with a barely concealed sigh. Dusk picked up his copy and leaned back on the headboard. He looked up to see Blitz sitting nervously on the end of the bed. "C'mon, get up here," said Dusk encouragingly, patting the space next to him. Blitz shimmied his way up and settled down beside him. It was nice and cosy, Blitz thought as he cracked open his book and relaxed into a more comfortable position. Reading time with Dusk; these were the highlights of his week, and never before had it been in Dusk's bed. "I brought some jammie dodgers too for snacks," commented Dusk as he opened a packet and let them spill onto a plate. Blitz's eyes twinkled. This just gets better and better! he thought. "Oh Dusk, you spoil me," said Blitz. "I try," said Dusk simply. Blitz raid an eyebrow, wondering whether there was a hidden meaning to the stallion's words, but was immediately distracted by a hovering jammie dodger hovering in front of him. A few hours and chapters later, both stallions were growing drowsy. The fault didn't lie with the book, in fact, it had been a very entertaining read about the young life of the Wonderbolt Captain. No, the blame rested with the hot summer air that was rolling in through the open window, compounded with the serene atmosphere of contentment that had wrapped around them both like a fluffy blanket. The plate of jammie dodgers was almost empty (thanks mostly to Blitz) and their eyes were now drooping down as they became heavier and heavier as time plodded inexorably ahead. "Dusk?" whispered Blitz eventually. "Dusk?" He was met by a soft snunt of a sound, for Dusk had fallen asleep, his head resting on Blitz's shoulder. Blitz wriggled a bit, trying to shake him off, lest he wake up, but Blitz's movements only caused Dusk to mumble and snuggle his head into his shoulder even more, the unicorn's sleepy breathing gently caressing his neck. Blitz's mind was split in two, half of it wanted it to stop, feeling as if he was almost taking advantage of the purple stallion beside him, and yet... half of him never wanted this to end. "Blitzzz," mumbled Dusk, shifting in his sleep, turning over so that his back was facing Blitz, almost as if they were spooning... Blitz never did like being indecisive, and so the mental sparring quickly intensified and one side emerged victorious. Heart racing like a leopard on energy drinks, Blitz shifted his weight and lay on his side. The floral, lavender scent of the stallion tinted the air before him. Leaning forward, he could feel Dusk's floppy mane tickle his nose. Gritting his teeth, Blitz lifted a trembling hoof and with agonising slowness began to move it over his best friend. He was so close, their bodies were but inches apart. Time to finally close the gap. The doorknob rattled. Blitz froze up in sheer terror as it swung slowly open to reveal the worst possible intruder. "Uh, good afternoon, Blitz," said Dawn hesitantly as she surveyed the unexpected scene before her. "I was just stretching!" said Blitz, his face hidden behind Dusk, his voice coloured with fright. Dawn's eyes narrowed as she saw the opportunity for a bit of fun. "Cosy, are we?" "Yes. I mean, no! No, that's why I was stretching, see? Because of the uncomfortableness." "Discomfort," she corrected before she could stop herself. Blitz couldn't help but feel affronted by that. "Miss know-it-all," he muttered under his breath. The fright had subsided now, to be replaced with anger. Why now? He was so close! It was like she planned her entry, and now she was making fun of him. Just when he was thinking she was alright, too. Dawn, blissfully unaware of Blitz's chagrin, walked over to the bed. Two stallions sharing a bed together, it was all very sweet, but Blitz was definitely going about it the wrong way. There was little doubt in her mind anymore, Blitz liked Dusk. Her consciousness tried to flag her down and remind her it wasn't her business. She met his eyes and saw the frustration smouldering in them. She sighed. "Look," she said, turning her eyes down to the slumbering stallion, "you won't get him like this." "What?" "I'm just saying, it's pretty obvious you like him, you might want to let him know that," she said cautiously. Blitz sat up and glared venomously at her. "Do you want me to make a fool of myself? I can't tell him because I– You just barge in here like this and now I'm being lectured on what to do? Well no-one tells me what to do, alright?" he snapped. "O-Okay," said Dawn timidly, backing away slightly at the fury being directed at her, feeling it flare up in herself at this unwarranted assault. "I was trying to help. I'm sorry if I somehow hurt you." "Hurt me?" he snarled, raising his voice. "If you weren't so–" "So what, pray tell?" she said dangerously, her teeth bared. Dusk's eyes fluttered open and he groaned. "Wus goin' on?" he said sleepily. "Dawn! Are you alright? You should be in bed." "I-I'm feeling rather better now, thank you," she stammered, but keeping her composure. "I came in to see how you were getting on... but I'll be going now." "Oh, don't leave on my account," said Dusk amiably, quite unaware that Blitz was shooting daggers at her from behind his back. "No, it's fine. I-I'll see if I can help Spike with dinner." The door closed behind her. "Whew," said Dusk, picking his copy of the book off the floor and putting on the bedside cabinet. "That was a good nap." He bent over the edge of the bed to do some stretches of his lax muscles. "What about you, Blitz? Did you nod off too? Blitz?" Dusk turned to face an empty bed. The curtains rustled in the breeze by the open window.