[AiE/REQUEST] Beneath the spin

Continued from http://pastebin.com/3PuUHZrH

 

>>Looks like you were right after all.

>>Today, you'd met a nice guy.

>>Who knows what tomorrow would bring?

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

>Well, apparently it brought a stiff neck.

>Rolling your head sideways over the pillow brought forth a numb, stinging sensation, pulling at your shoulders.

>Jerking your head side to side in brief swings, you groan in satisfaction from the resulting pops.

>A brief smile flashes on your face at the sensation of relief and you decide to take it one step further.

>Throwing the blankets off you, you perk out of the bed.

>Vigorously, you lift your arms above your head and arch your back backwards as you stand on the tip of your toes.

>Let's see how flexible you are at whatever in the morning.

>With a wide swing, your descend begins.

"AAH F—"

>Just past the halfway-mark, a sharp bolt of pain strikes in your back, shooting through every nerve and setting them ablaze, halting you curtly mid-motion.

>Oh, who were you kidding? You don't do morning gymnastics. Nobody does. Only people in the commercials do that.

"Ah... Aw... N-never again..."

>Tentatively, you straighten your spine again, gripping your nightstand to aid you back up upright.

>With slow and deliberate strokes, you rub over the sore spot on your back, wincing slightly less every time you do so.

>Luckily enough, the pain ebbed away quickly, leaving only shame as a reminder of your enthusiastic adventure.

>Thankfully, you note that you probably didn't pull a muscle.

>But still, that was reason enough for you to go to the spa.

>Aloe and Lotus could massage that knot in your back out for you.

>Any excuse to get pampered by the artful hooves of those two is a good one.

 

>Your first encounter with Twilight's brother yesterday had made you forget about your initial plan to go meet up with Rarity and see if she had the time to go get a spa treatment with you sometime this week.

>As you make your way towards the bathroom, you let your mind stray on what to do today.

>You could go to Rarity and ask when her agenda allowed her to go to the twin caretakers...

>...or you could go check up on Shining Armor. Maybe take him out to breakfast or something.

>The latter seems to appeal to you just that little bit more.

>And a good meal was an excellent remedy against a hangover.

>With the amount of gin and tonic he'd been drinking last night, it wasn't entirely unreasonable to assume he'd have quite the pounding headache.

>Yeah, you were just looking out for your new friend.

>Besides, you could still go to Rarity afterwards.

>Giving a determinate nod to no one in particular, you step underneath the cascading water of the shower.

 

>About twenty minutes later, you leave the bathroom; this time accompanied by a slight fragrance of apricot surrounding you.

>Variety is the spice of life after all. Or the scent of life, in this case.

>Standing in front of your armoire, you let the sunlight falling in through the open window dry you off.

>Celestia had really been putting in her best effort these last couple of days.

>With that in mind, you once more opt for a casual look that would keep you cool in the current heatwave.

>You don a pair of light cotton shorts in a dark maroon and a simple grey tee in a loose sheer knit.

>For a short moment, you stand in front of the full-length mirror attached to the door of the armoire to let today's ensemble be the victim of your critical eyes.

>The deep-cut crewneck really brought out your collarbones, something Rarity had been absolutely fawning over ever since she started making clothes for you.

>And vanity be damned, she was right.

>Once more content with the choice you'd made, you make your way downstairs. Though your stomach already grumbled lightly, you set out towards the door.

>Breakfast would have to wait until you'd found a partner for it.

>After having pocketed a small bag of bits, you commence the walk towards Golden Oaks Public Library.

 

>The warmth of the rising morning sun wrapped itself around you like a comforting blanket as you made your way towards town's center.

>Few ponies were up already, setting up shop or simply making their way towards work.

>You wave as you pass by Roseluck's flower-shop, only to receive an equally enthusiastic greeting back as she was arranging her produce for the day.

>Perhaps later, you could make a small stop and have a little chat.

>But for now, you were awaited elsewhere.

>Well... you weren't really awaited, but still, you like to think Shining would appreciate the offer nonetheless.

>If anything else, you could at least go to Rarity's afterwards...

>The ending of Mane Street came ever closer, and so did the library as well. Just a few hundred yards a—

>"HEY ANON!"

>With the sudden invasion of that raspy voice also came a loss of sight.

>Waving away the trail of dust her landing had wafted up only causes you to cough as some of it works its way inside your mouth.

"Ughch... T-that's one way of saying good morning, I guess."

>A slight tinge burns on her cheeks as she idly scratches the back of her head.

>"Heh... Uhm, good morning?"

"Yeah, I think I like that one better, Rainbow," you say as you dust yourself off.

>Your brow quickly raises now realizing who you were talking to in the first place.

"What's gotten you out of bed so early?"

>And then, as the dirt settled down, you saw how her prismatic mane clung to her face and neck. Apparently, that slight tinge had nothing to do with covering your clothes in filth.

>Of course not. What were you expecting from Rainbow Dash in the first place?

>"It's soooo hot," she groans. "I can't nap in weather like this... And flying's a no go too. My wings get all sticky and stuff, I have to land every five minutes."

>She drives her point home by flopping her wings around, sending droplets of sweat adrift everywhere.

>Your face unfortunately being no exception to that.

"Oooo- kay then?" you say, trying to keep your growing agitation in check as you wipe Rainbow's sweat off your face.

>"Yeah, but I've got it all covered," she says as she flings her mane out of her face. "We're gonna go swimming!"

"And by 'we' you mean..."

>A cyan hoof pokes in your side as its owner starts trotting around. "All of us! You know, the girls, you,... Heck, with weather like this the lake's probably gonna be more crowded than a Wonderbolt's show!"

"Oh..."

>A day out at the lake with weather like this.

"...that sounds like it'd be fun, actually."

>"Of course it's gonna be fun!" Rainbow exclaims as she beats her wings, hovering a small distance above your head.

>"With me and Pinkie there, how could it NOT be fun? Anyway,"—She starts to take to the skies again—"I've got to go ask the others if they wanna come. I'll see you around at the lake, okay?"

>Before she makes it out of her range of hearing, you call out after her, "Rainbow, hold up!"

>The pegasus grinds to a halt, turning around to face you with a questioning look.

"I'm heading to Twilight's right now and I'm going to eat something at Sugarcube Corner after. I could ask Twi and Pinkie, if you want," you propose. "Saves you the trouble and I'm going there anyways so..."

>A smile spreads on the prismatic pony's face. "Yeah. Yeah, that's great! That just leaves AJ and Rarity. I'll do those and you take care of Pinkie and Twilight then, alright?"

"What about Fluttershy?"

>"Where do you think I'm coming from?" she says with a grin.

"Oh... Well, that's settled then, I guess."

>"Okay, I'm off to AJ's then," she says as she begins to gain altitude again.

>With a wave, the two of you part ways.

"See you around, Rainbow."

>"See ya!"

>And with that, the pegasus took to the skies, leaving a rainbow trail behind her as she set out towards the orchard just outside of town.

 

>A trip to the lake...

>That ought to be a nice way to spend a summer day.

>Excited at the prospect of lazying around an entire day with your closest friends, you continue your march towards the library.

>The massive oak looming over you soon cast forth a shadow you were very grateful for.

>In the cool embrace of the town's library, you lightly rapped the door twice. They were answered swiftly by a unicorn who'd clearly just woken up.

>Strands of purple and pink filled your vision, curling in every direction at once. Underneath, a unicorn slowly blinked as she vacantly stared in front of her.

"Love the new mane style, Twilight. Mind sharing your muse with me?"

>Sluggishly, she lifted her gaze upwards until she reached yours. "Ha. Ha. Ab-so-lu-tely hilarious. You can tell how funny that was by how I'm laughing very sincerely."

>The bitterness of her reply made you cringe, though the unicorn's squinted, puffy eyes and unkempt mane left little to the imagination.

"Haven't had your coffee yet?"

>The unicorn's gaze lowers again, settling at your feet, before bashfully muttering out a barely audible, "...n-no."

"Ah. My bad then."

>You stroke a hand through the luscious purple locks, earning you a bright blush from the embarrassed librarian. "Want me to make you some?"

>Looking up at you, she speaks, "Aren't I supposed to be the one who offers you coffee?"

>Shaking your head, you step inside.

"Not with hair like that, you're not."

 

 

>About fifteen minutes later, a far more recognizable unicorn steps into the kitchen as you're tending to a cup of coffee.

>Her horn shimmers a maroon hue to which the coffeepot responds by emptying itself partly into another porcelain cup.

>"So," the unicorn starts before taking a sip. She blinks a few times, apparently having lost her train of thought.

>Licking her lips, her brow raises in curiosity. "...Hmmmmm. This is really good, Anon. Did you do anything with my coffee?"

>You swallow your own sip and give a slight nod.

"Added a little vanilla to it to make it less bitter. I'm more of a tea-guy myself."

>The unicorn smiles as she takes another sip of her cup. "Gotta do that more often," she mutters.

>"Anyways, not that I don't like you coming around but what's the occasion? Especially at a time like this..."

"Heh, sorry about that," you say, absentmindedly dragging your finger over the rim of your cup. "Just came to see if Shining Armor survived our little outing last night. Maybe go for some breakfast or something."

>"Oh. Well, Shiny's still in bed. He might've had one too many last night," Twilight answers, furrowing her brow at you at her not-so-subtle accusation.

>A quick shrug of your shoulders follows before you reply, "...Seemed like he could use it."

>With a sigh, Twilight nodded as she let her gaze come to rest somewhere on an empty spot of the table.

>"I can't imagine what he's going through. And when the press finds out about this..."

>Shaking her head, she magically lifts her cup again before taking a small sip.

>"I doubt this'll just blow over. The Princess of love divorcing... It just sounds wrong. Not to mention what's going to happen to the Crystal Empire now."

"If she's anything like he told me she was, he was right from getting out of there as soon as he could."

>"Maybe you're right. He shouldn't stay with her if she makes him unhappy," the unicorn spoke. "I just hope he's not making any decisions he'll regret later on."

"He told me how it's been dragging on for months, Twi. I doubt he rushed making his choice."

>A hollow tinkle sounded as Twilight placed her empty cup back on the table.

>"I know."

 

>Silence floated in the kitchen of the library as you both let the potential consequences of these events play through your mind.

>This wasn't just a simple break-up. This was a case of politics and diplomacy.

>Though, you'd prefer not to worry about them until they actually arose.

"I ran into Rainbow on my way here."

>There were more immediate, and luckily far more lighthearted matters to attend to.

>Your sudden vocal disruptions broke through Twilight's reveries.

>With confusion clearly readable on her expression, she turned towards you. "Hmmm? What was that?"

"I said I ran into Rainbow."

>You slightly tilt your head as you correct yourself, "Well, she kinda crashed into me. Whatever, she said she wanted us all to go swimming today."

>"Oh... Uhm, I don't know about that," the unicorn said hesitantly. "I'd rather not leave Shining here alone all day."

>A quick shrug accompanies your response. "So ask him if he wants to come with us. I don't see why he'd want to spend all day inside with weather like this. Besides, wasn't it you who told me to—"

>"Don't coop yourself in. Go out with your friends," she interjected. "I know. I just don't know if he's comfortable spending all day with the girls. They've only met once and—"

>"Yeah, swimming sounds pretty good right now."

>A white hoof swept his cerulean bangs out of his vision. "I think I like the weather in the Crystal Empire better. Is it always this hot down south?"

 

>"H-How long have you been standing there, Shiny?"

>The stallion trotted up to the table, taking a seat opposite the window as he levitated the coffeepot and another cup over to him.

>"Long enough to hear something about going swimming."

>The stallion turned to face you, a smile wide on his face as the steady stream of a cup being filled could be heard.

>"Morning."

>You can't help but smile back at the stallion, his bedmane somehow being even messier than Twilight's.

"Hey."

>He, too, took a sip from your coffee, raising a brow in delight.

>"Wow, Twi, I never thought you'd finally learn how to cook."

>Her cheeks turned a crimson hue, pawing at the ground as her gaze drifted to the ceiling.

"She, kind of, still can't..."

>Shining turned towards you, confused at first, though a wide grin spread on his face just moments after.

>"AH! I see how it is now!" he exclaims, jumping up straight.

>Bumping flanks with his already-embarrassed sister, he nods at you.

>"Spike's out of town so just found yourself a new cook, didn't you?"

>He winks at you. "And I suppose you're not doing this for free, am I right?"

>Slowly, like honey dripping off a spoon, Shining's jab dawns on both Twilight's sleep-addled brain and your own.

>"SHINY!"

"What?! No, no, it's not li—"

>The stallion's laughter rumbled through the room, loud and uncaring. "Relax, okay? It was just a joke, jeez."

>He sat back down at the table, granting his sister a cheeky grin. "With how you guys are reacting you'd think you two were sl—"

 

>You've heard of them before: Twilight's anger attacks.

>Supposedly, she quite literally explodes.

>You'd always laughed it off, deeming it nothing more than just an expression.

>Until you actually saw it happen.

>She...

>Well, she exploded. Just like her friends had said she would.

>Her eyes glowed an eerie white as her mane and tail somehow burst into flames, right then and there.

>"SHINING ARMOR!"

>The entire room trembled, moments away from collapsing in on itself.

>The stallion, muscular and brave as he might be, cowered in fear, trying to lower himself underneath the table.

>He held his hooves up as if he were being held under shot.

>Though, being held in front of an enraged Twilight's horn might be even worse than that.

>Sheepishly, he nodded. "No more joking. Got it."

>Twilight's mane and tail poofed back to their regular color scheme and the mare bore a wide smile.

>"Good, that's no way to behave around a guest."

>You craned your head to the left.

>He craned his head to the right.

>And you both nodded in silent agreement.

>Don't upset Twilight when she's got a morning temper.

 

>"So, uh... Swimming?" Shining asks, trying to dispel the awkward tension in the room.

>You turned to look at Twilight, silently pleading with the saddest eyes you could muster forth.

>Eventually, she sighed. "But the library..."

>You felt your brow raise skywards, an incredulous look adorning your face as you stared at the dejected mare.

"Twilight, it's like... Look, I don't really know how pony degrees work but it's way too hot to read, okay? No one is going to want to read a book today."

>"You don't know that!"

>"Twily," Shining's voice — masculine, deep and foremost, calming — sounded through the room, "Let's just go swimming with your friends today, okay? Don't you think you deserve a break every once in a while?"

>The mare's head swung side to side as she stood staring at the ground.

>"...I suppose I could close the library for today."

>Something tells you you're going to like having this stallion around.

 

>You found yourself victim to Shining's attention once more as he turned towards you.

>"So, mister morning cook," he started, "what's for breakfast?"

>Your eyes widened and you felt your face growing hotter, all of a sudden.

"I thought that maybe, if you want to, we could grab a bite to eat at Sugarcube Corner? I mean, you don't have to if you'd ra—"

>"Hey, that's where your friend works right, Twi?"

>"Who? Pinkie?"

>He nodded. "Yeah, her. I remember her. Good foodstuff." Shining stood up, turning towards the door. "Yeah, sounds good, Anon. Lead the way."

"Y-You're gonna go out like that?"

>The stallion looked at his hooves, then as far up to his barrel as he could.

>He exhaled on his hoof, giving it a tentative sniff.

>"Yeah, sure. Why?"

>Though you were raised very well and were fully aware of how impolite it was, you couldn't help but point at his mane.

"It's kinda..."

>Shining looked at his reflection in the kitchen's window before giving a shrug. "Eh, runs in the family."

>He shook his head wildly, then glanced back in the make-due mirror. Nodding to himself, he turned back towards the door. "Not like I'm some kind of prince or something. Come on, let's go. I'm starving."

>And with that, Shining was out the door, into the library's main room.

>Twilight simply tilted her head, a worried look on her face, motioning for you to follow him.

"See you later, I guess."

>You strode out the door, only to be halted right as you passed through.

>"Anon?"

>Turning back, Twilight's concern only seemed to grow larger.

>"C-can you look out after him? I don't think he's taking it very well..."

"He didn't seem—"

>Twilight shook her head. "Something's off about him, Anon. I'm worried."

>You smile at her, offering her what little reassurance you could.

"Don't worry, Twi. I'll keep an eye open."

>

 

>Shining already stood outside, waiting for you apparently, staring up into the sunlight with a smile on his face.

"So, uh..."

>He looked at you, deciding to keep the smile for now.

"Hope you don't have too much of a hangover?"

>The two of you began walking and the burly stallion laughed a chuckle.

>"Do I look like a pegasus or what?"

>Your brow dropped as you turned to look at him.

>He tapped the horn on his head and his features turned into a grin. "No hangovers with this beauty here."

"There are spells for that?" you asked, turning back into Mane street.

>"Of course there are. Haven't had a hangover since college."

>Your brow furrowed even deeper as you kicked at the ground.

>All those times you swore you'd never touch a drop again. Entire nights spend heaving above your toilet.

"Remind me to have some words with your sister, will you?"

>

 

>

>The walk to Sugarcube Corner is a quiet one, but it's not unpleasant.

>In fact, it's quite nice to just be out and about on the streets, watching all the ponies run to and fro on a summery day like this.

>If the smile on Shining's face is anything to go by, he seemed to share that opinion with you.

>Though, you haven't forgotten about Twilight's words either.

"Hey, look, I know I already said it, but if you... if you just want to talk, about her or anything, whatever..."

>Shining slowed down for a moment, his gaze blindly kept in front of him.

"Just come find me, alright? I know we don't really know each other that well yet, but maybe that's a good thing."

>Slowly, his head lifted to meet your eyes, his smile barely lingering on his face.

"Maybe there's some stuff you'd rather not talk about with Twi, or if you just want a guy's pers—"

>"Hey, I get it, okay? I'd rather not think about it now, that's all."

"Oh..." You nod your head. "Sure, yeah. Sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up."

>"Nah, man. You care. I appreciate that." Though the sun still shone brightly overhead, his eyes seemed duller somehow. "Now's just not the time. Got a lot on my mind as is."

>In this moment, you felt you could only offer him little help.

>It's always rough at first. At least he didn't lock himself inside the house like you'd done.

>Nudging him in the side, you picked up the pace towards Pinkie sugary treats.

"Come on, I'm buying."

>It wasn't much, but some form of lopsided grin seemed to appear on his features for a moment.

>It'd have to do. For now.

>

 

>"Welcome to Sugarcube Corner! Where every treat is sweet, wheat and— Wait, no, that's not right. Let me just..."

>The pink pony scraped her throat and straightened her back.

>"Welcome to Sugarcube Corner! Where ever pie you'll buy tastes dr— No! No, that's no good either. Ugh, this is hard..."

>The realization that two customers had just entered the premises suddenly struck Pinkie, causing her to snap her head towards you and Shining.

>"Hi Nonny!" She leaped over the counter and bounced her way towards you. "You're just the one I needed!"

>The baker glanced at your side. "Hi Prince Twilight's brother!"

>Then she turned back to you, her smile spreading at an exponential rate. "You need to help me come up with a fancy opening for Sugarcube Corner! One like Rarity has!"

"Let's... Let's just forget about why you need one in the first place because I'm probably not going to understand it anyway. But you think I'm good at this why precisely?"

>"I don't!" she cheered. "But I've got a good feeling in my tummy about it. Come on, just try! I'll give you some of those chocolate-blueberry donuts you like for free!"

>On one hand, you could chose to embarrass yourself in front of Shining Armor by going along in Pinkie's ridiculous antics.

>On the other, free donuts.

>What kind of choice is that even?

"Welcome to Sugarcube Corner, where... every pastry is tasty?"

>Pinkie squinted her eyes as she hummed a low growl, coming deep from withing the cosmos located within that peculiar pony.

>Her head tilted left. "Every pastry..."

>Her head tilted right. "...is tasty."

>An inferno burned in Pinkie's eyes as the decision of a lifetime resided within her.

>"Hmmmm, short... Too short?"

>The voices within Pinkie's head screamed at each other, all trying to convince the pink entity of their right.

>"It is kinda catchy..."

>And then she leaped towards the ceiling. "I love it! See, I told you you'd be good at this! I totally told you! You came into the store and then I told you and I was right!"

>As the pink ball of raw energy bounced back towards the counter Shining nudged your side.

>"Is she, you know, always that... uh..."

"I call it 'Pinkie-esque'. There's really no other term that does it justice. And it kinda depends on the weather."

>You glance back towards the counter, where the pink, bubbly mare stood, humming a song in which you clearly heard the words 'tasty pastries' being repeated far more than you were comfortable with.

"You might want to try to get used to it."

>Shining raised a brow at you.

"...As far as that's possible."

>Nodding your head at one of the booths you start walking, Shining following you close-by, in all likeliness frightened of the prospect of having to sing along with Pinkie.

>...

>From experience, you could tell his fears weren't ungrounded.

 

 

>Pinkie hopped her way towards the booth you and Shining had chosen to occupy; a platter filled to the brim with donuts bouncing up and down on her frizzy mane, oddly enough without so much as a single movement from the pastries themselves.

>But you, just like Twilight, had long since given up on trying to figure out anything that happened in the near proximity of Pinkie Pie.

>It's just not worth the effort.

>"Here you go, Nonny!" the bubbly mare spoke with a smile, sliding the platter onto the table.

>Then, she turned to Shining, her expression suddenly falling into a far more serene one.

>She gave him a hug, though not quite the kind of hug you'd expect Pinkie to give.

>Rather than trying to force every single molecule of oxygen out of his lungs, like the usual Pinkie Pie hug would entail, she simply held him close for a moment.

>"I'm really sorry about what happened with the princess. You can come to Sugarcube Corner whenever you want if you need anything, Prince Twilight's Brother. Your auntie Pinkie's here for you."

>And with that, she broke the hug and gave the bewildered Shining a comforting smile.

>"Enjoy your donuts, Nonny! If you need me, just yell. I've got to get back to the kitchen."

>After watching Pinkie carelessly bouncing back towards the counter, you were left at the table with a platter of delicious donuts and one very confused stallion.

>You'd have to divert your attention to one of them, eventually.

>Luckily enough, you didn't have to make the decision anymore as Shining slowly came to again.

>"H-how did... I mean, Twilight didn't, she wouldn't an—"

>His eyes sought yours. "You didn't tell anypony, did you?"

>Taking a bite from the circle of chocolaty goodness, you shook your head.

"No. Pinkie just kind of... knows things. Like when her friends are down or when's a good time to harvest carrots. She knows stuff like that."

>Shaking his head as well, Shining brought one of the donuts to his maw with his magic, biting the thing in half as he stared at that kitchen door with an expression you couldn't file away.

>Either that was a paralyzing sense of fear, or an equally strong sense of wonder.

>With Pinkie Pie, that's more or less a fifty-fifty situation anyways.

"Hey, she might not act like it most of the time, but you have to trust me on this one. If you need a listening ear and someone who can give you some sound advice, Pinkie's really someone who's there for you."

>Though his expression was one that fell nothing short of outright mocking you, Shining nodded regardless.

>"I'll keep that in mind then, I guess."

>He licked his lips, the last remainder of the blueberry-filling being dragged into his mouth.

>"And if I can get some more of these whenever I feel like it, I won't be saying no either."

>Hearing the stallion chuckle at his own joke brought a smile on your face too.

 

>Much sooner than you'd anticipated, you found the plate on the table to be entirely empty and also devoid of any delicious donuts.

>Still, you couldn't fit in another donut, even if you wanted to.

>And if the way Shining lied in the booth: his eyes closed and a lazy, content smile on his face were anything to judge by, you'd say he'd deem breakfast a success as well.

>Though you'd rather not disturb such a pretty sight, you couldn't really stay here all day either.

>The usual customers would start coming in pretty soon and you doubt the Cakes would appreciate their booths being used as park benches.

>Deciding to give the exhausted stallion a few more minutes of rest, you made your way to the kitchen to tell Pinkie of Rainbow's plan to go swimming later today.

>

>She'd have to work until noon at least, but she'd ask the Cakes for some time off after that.

>With business taken care of, you nudged the stallion edging on sleep in his side.

>The most adorable combination of a snort and a hiccup you've ever heard left the stallion as he perked up straight.

>"Oh, did I doze off? Sorry." He shook his head, trying to escape sleep's clutches. "It's been a while since I've had a good night's sleep."

"Don't worry about it. Plenty of time to nap this afternoon."

>Hopping out of the bench, he retook his position at your side as you both left Sugarcube Corner.

>"Right, yeah." He bumped your side, causing you to look down on him. "Hey, what time is it now?"

"Around nine or so, I think."

>He nodded, halting in place as he looked back at the library in the distance.

>"I'm just gonna go back to Twi's for now. I'll see you later at the lake, alright?"

>Not seeing the point to keep him away from his family against his wishes, you just shook your head. "Yeah, that's fine. I'll see you when you get there."

>For a moment, he flashed a grin.

>It was odd how familiar he looked when he did, as if it were the way he'd always looked in memories.

>The moment lasted for barely a second before he turned around, beginning to walk back towards his sister's house.

>"Thanks for breakfast, Anon! I owe you one!" he yelled over his back, loud and brazen, uncaring for the heads that turned his way at his outburst.

>For a while, you just stood there in the streets, watching the stallion depart.

>You don't quite know how long you stood there, enjoying the sun beating down on your skin until you realized that you were still staring off into the distance, even though he'd already been out of your sight for who knows how long.

 

>You were left with about three or four hours to fill before any of the others would go to the lake.

>Of course, you could go there already and just enjoy the scenery and mingle with some of the other townsfolks.

>Just as you were about to head home and prepare, a terrifying thought flashed across your eyes.

>One, that would cause a certain pony to lose entire nights of sleep if it weren't fixed right away.

>You didn't have any swimwear yet!

>Swiftly pivoting around on your feet, you began to make way to Ponyville's center of fashion and style with a perk in your step and a smile on your face, much like the night before.

>Filling those three hours wouldn't be much of an issue, discussing the do's and don'ts of male swimwear for humans with Rarity.

 

 

 

>The clock has passed by two a good while ago.

>It's probably even closer to three in the afternoon as you step outside your house, carrying a cooler with snacks and drinks.

>Adorning your lean frame are a simple pair of navy shorts, cropped a few inches above knee-length: a tried and tested classic.

>You couldn't help but feel slightly awkward at walking around in your bare chest, though with the heat rising as it did, you couldn't even bother with wearing a tanktop.

>Besides, everyone else in this town was naked all the time.

>Despite the fact that you had logic on your side, supporting your claims that you were in fact not weird, it still felt odd to see all the ponies at the lake turning their heads at you as you walked along the waterline.

>They didn't stare or anything, they simply wanted to take a look at the first sight of what the human had been hiding underneath those clothes ever since he moved into town.

>But it didn't make you feel any more comfortable: the way their eyes slid over your body and their silent judgement.

>Why did Rainbow and the others have to pick a spot way at the end of the lake's beach?

>Trying to keep your eyes straight ahead, avoiding the curious looks from the ponies you passed by, you picked up the pace as you walked over towards your friends.

 

>The cooler drops in the sand with a dull thud as you put yourself in between a sunbathing Rarity and a certain stallion who seems to be sleeping in the sun's vindictive heat.

>The mare at your right lazily opens here eyes for all of a second. "Ah, there you are," Rarity hums, stretching her neck. "I was beginning to worry you would not come to our little outing."

"I needed to do some things first." Opening the cooler, you hold out a bottle of ice-cold, freshly squeezed mango-grape juice. "Do you want a drink?"

>Idly tossing her mane back, still slightly damp and entirely straightened out, her horn glows a royal blue, taking the bottle out of your grip.

>"Thank you, Anonymous. I'm absolutely parched."

"You're w—"

>"Hey, Anon." There's a little crack in the voice, an imperfection that just slipped through the mazes of a composure that'd otherwise never was allowed to falter.

"Look who decided to wake up."

>His eyes were hidden behind a pair of large sunglasses, but the way his muzzle scrunched up made you fairly sure that he could barely hold them open for now.

>"You think you've got one extra?" he asks, nodding at the cooler.

"Yeah, of course. Do you like mango or pear?"

>The stallion brought a hoof to his head, idly brushing through his unkempt mane. "I, uh..."

"I've got some regular orange juice too, if you'd like..."

>Bearing a smile, he nods at hearing something he can effectively classify as food.

>Grasping the bottle with this telekinesis, the grin you were beginning to grow familiar with returned to his features again, this time choosing to hang around for a while.

>"Guess I owe you double now."

>He tipped the bottle back, downing over half of it in a single go.

>With a content sigh, you let yourself fall back in the pleasantly warm sand.

"I hope you know I'm keeping you to that..."

 

>"Anonymous, Shining, would either of you care to join me for a quick dip?"

>Rarity cast a passing glance at the lake, more specific to a certain spot a bit to the left where a familiar group of ponies were swimming.

>What you couldn't get your eyes off was the giant floating alligator you'd somehow missed, atop of which a much, much smaller, toothless alligator stood.

>The thing was large enough for several, fully grown ponies to stand on.

>Just like a pink earth pony with a mane that remained as bouncy and fluffy as ever despite its soaked condition was doing right now, right before cannon-balling of its head.

>You had no intention whatsoever to find out how Pinkie'd gotten her hooves on that, much less how she'd brought it here.

>"The water does awful things to your mane, mind you," Rarity continued, "but I for one would welcome a little refreshment."

"I'll pass, Rarity. I'll keep an eye on your things for you."

>The tan mare pressed her lips in a thin smile. "You're a true gentlecolt, dear."

>Turning her gaze to your left, she tried again. "Shining Armor? Care for some splish and splash?"

>"I'll just keep Anon company if you don't mind."

>"Why, of course not. See you both in a moment then."

>Rarity made her way towards the lake, a certain bounce in her step you didn't quite expect to see from her.

>With her away for a while, you could finally ask the thing that'd been on your mind since you'd first dropped the cooler.

"So, uh..."

>Shining turned his head sideways, staring at your through his sunglasses.

"Do they know why you're here or..."

>A forlorn sigh causes the sand in front of his muzzle to shift slightly.

>"...They just think I'm visiting Twily for a bit. She made Pinkie promise to keep it to herself for now."

"Oh."

>You both turned to look at the sky overhead, a canvas of pale cyan tainted by the odd cloud here and there.

"That's probably for the best."

>"Hmm?"

"Ponyville's a small town. Word gets around quick here, let me tell you that."

>"Hmmm."

"Yeah."

 

>Silence settled swiftly as you soaked up the sun's stimulating streaks.

>And just like you'd told Shining, sleep began to creep up on you.

>Lazy summerdays at the lake and napping.

>What could possibly be better than this?

>"I'm bucked anyway."

>And with that, sleep unleashed you from its tantalizing embrace.

"What's the matter?"

>He didn't answer until you lifted yourself up half, rolling on your side to look at him.

>"I can't stay with Twilight forever. She doesn't have the room for it and I really get on her nerves after a while."

>The stallion sat up straight and took off his sunglasses, placing them in the sand at his side and showing his tired, bloodshot eyes.

>"I'm..."

>Shaking his head, he took the bottle in his magical grasp again, downing the other half.

>He stared off into the distance, watching his sister and her friends play with each other in the water.

>Shining remembered the vacations his family'd gone on when he was younger.

>He always loved to swim. But today, he just couldn't bring himself to it.

>The distance to the lake seemed like it'd suck the last life out of him if he were to even try to cross it.

>"...I'm going to have to move back in with my parents."

>The burly stallion's forelegs fell at his sides and his chest fell with a deep breath.

>"The paparazzi already were a disaster but now..." Shining let himself fall back into the sand with a muffled thud and a groan. "Man, I'm so bucked."

>Coated in the faint blue of his magic, his sunglasses slid back onto his muzzle.

>"From Captain to Prince to loser who's back to living with his parents. Congrats Shining Armor, you really hit the grand prize with that one."

>Letting the stallion spiral down even further in his current train of thoughts seems like about the worst thing you could do at the moment.

>So, instead, you offer him one of the bottles of mango-juice.

>Wearily, he looks at you with a raised brow before taking the bottle, sitting up straight again and uncapping it.

"Look, I'm not going to lie. You'll have to tell your parents eventually and the longer you wait, the worse it'll be."

>Licking his lips, Shining stares at the bottle, floating at eye-height. "You know, this is pretty good."

"But you don't have to deal with anything else of what you said."

>With a speed you didn't take he'd have in him at the moment, Shining turned towards you.

"You... I mean, you don't necessarily have to, you know, move back in with your parents, per se."

>The corner of his lips tugs upwards for a moment as he levitates the bottle back over towards you.

>"Look, I already told you, I'm not exactly swarmed with friends. And the castle's out of the picture too, so... It's back to living at home for the time being."

"I've got plenty of room."

 

 

>You'd blame it on the heat, but it really took him quite some time before he got the gist of what you were saying.

>"Me? You'd take in me in. Just like that?"

>Taking a sip of the bottle, you shrug your shoulders.

"Why not? I've got plenty of space, it's close to your sister's and as long as word doesn't reach Ponyville that you're, you know..."

>"Divorcing her."

"Yeah, well. That." You scratch the back of your head. "No one's going to bat an eye if you spend a few weeks here. Maybe the entire thing'll have blown over by then?"

>You had to hold back from smiling at the way Shining just stared at you bearing an utterly dumbfounded look on his face.

"It's worth the try, no? I mean, if you want to, of course. It's your call, you gotta do whatever you're comfortable with."

>He let his eyes trail off, looking at the group of mares who'd drifted away even further in the water than they already were moments ago.

>"You'd do that for me, just... just because?"

"I like to think we're friends, don't you?" You joined him in looking at the group of your closest friends, choosing to focus on one unicorn in particular.

"And I owe your sister something I'll never be able to repay her, Shining. This is nothing compared to what she did for me."

>His eyes sought yours again, a questioning look in his eyes.

>You shook your head. "That's for another time. But the offer's open. Just let me know when you've made up your mind."

>Shining dipped his head, staring at the sand in front of him as he nodded.

>"I will. Thanks. Nopony's ever done a thing like that f—"

>Patting his back, you lied back down in the sand.

"Don't sweat it, alright? That's just what friends do."

>He lied himself back down in the pleasantly warm sand as well and just like that, it seemed as if it were just any other ordinary summer day again.

 

 

>Quite some time later, Rarity and the others had decided to have had their fill of aquatic relaxation for the day and came to join you and Shining.

>You shared your snacks and your drinks with them and they shared their stories and laughter with you in return.

>Sometimes, you still couldn't shake the feeling of how... how much you just 'clicked' into their little group.

>They'd been friends for so long and you just sort of stumbled in out of the blue.

>But now, as you sat here at the edge of Ponyville's lake, the last rays of sunlight kissing your skin, you couldn't wish for any other place to be, watching Pinkie lick up a scoop of whipped cream that had worked its way onto Rainbow's nuzzle.

>The pink pony's heartfelt laughter, paired with the speedster's embarrassed behavior, swatting her wings to get the giggling Pinkie off her back, made you feel happy.

>Happy that despite this wasn't home, it was the next best thing.

>With friends like them, how couldn't it be?

>And as you looked over your shoulder, a quiet onlooker hiding behind your thin frame, you could only smile at him.

>Yesterday, you'd met a nice guy.

>Today, you'd made a wonderful new friend.

>Tomorrow could only hold beautiful things in store for you.