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// Crystal Sunrise [Romance][Twilight x Flash] 
// Story: Short Stories Collection, vol. I 
// by fallen starr 
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Twilight’s heart beat quickly. She was a princess, and as such, she had the right to be anywhere in the palace she wished. Even so, she was certain her brother would not be happy if he discovered her following Flash Sentry through his palace just before dawn.

It was all she could do to keep from giggling as Flash stopped at a set of stairs and looked around. “I swear you’ll love this, Princess,“ he said. “Still, we’ve got about ten minutes before we can go up.”

“What is it you’re wanting to show me, anyway?” She had been trying to figure it out, but she wasn’t as familiar with this palace as she was with the one in Canterlot.

Flash smiled, and she felt her stomach turn to butterflies. The few times she had returned to the Crystal Empire since the trip to the other world, he had been her guard. He had quickly became her friend, and as much as she tried, she couldn’t help but feel what she had felt in that other world, for the other Flash. Only now that she had gotten to know him, the feeling had intensified.

“I told you, Princess, it’s a surprise. Don’t worry.” Without the armor and helmet on, he looked much more relaxed. Still, that didn’t stop him from glancing out of a nearby window every few seconds.

“Twilight, Flash. It’s just Twilight. I told you before.”

“Protocol.” When she frowned, he bumped her side. “Okay, how about I call you Twilight only off duty?“

She smiled. “That sounds great.”

He held her gaze for a moment before glancing out the window again. “Okay, time to go up. Come on.“ He started up the stairs, making sure Twilight was behind him. “You need to be careful when we get up here, Prin— Twilight. I know you have wings, but I’ve also seen you use them.” With that, he threw open a door.

A soft breeze blew in, and Twilight looked around. They were on the roof of one of the towers. Even in the dark of pre-dawn, she could tell most, if not all, of the city was visible from the hight.

“So…” She said as she joined him on the edge. “This is…interesting.“

He chuckled. “Wait for it,” he said softly.

The wind, that had seemed so gentle before, made Twilight shiver. She wrapped her wings around her, but it didn’t do much good.

She jumped at Flash Sentry’s touch. He draped a wing over her, softly pulling her closer. Her breath caught as their sides touched. She looked over at him, thankful for the dark fur hiding her blush. “Wouldn’t do for the Princess to get a cold,“ he mumbled, looking straight ahead.

The smile she didn’t realize she had fell at those words. She looked back at the horizon. The sun was just starting to peak over the city. Slowly, it rose, making the glittering city shine. Flash Sentry tightened his hold on Twilight was she watched, open mouthed.

"This is beautiful." Her eyes glittered as the crystals around them. "With a heart of pure crystal, what better place to find love,“ she whispered as the sunlight touched the Crystal Heart, coloring it a brilliant pink.

"I knew you would like it.” His voice was closer than she anticipated. Turning to her head, she saw his face was mere centimeters from hers. Her heart beat as if she had galloped for hours, even as she was transfixed by their closeness. “I don’t mean to seem…out of line, T-Twilight, but I like you. A lot. And—"

Flash Sentry was cut off by a pair of lips pressing to his. Twilight wrapped a hoof around his neck, pulling him closer to her. The sun had made considerable progress in rising when she pulled away. “I like you too, Flash.“ She smiled a demure smile as she laid her head in his shoulder.

She felt him Pull her as close as he could with his wing and lay his head on hers.