Distant Memories and Aching Hearts

It was beautiful morning in the town of Ponyville and Twilight had arrived at the Quills and Sofas shop to pick up a few more quills since Spike accidentally lost some. As she was walking out of the shop with her quills, she notices the stallion with light yellow fur, orange mane, and magenta eyes, Heat Wave, Celestia's youngest son, who was sitting on a bench near the fountain. She sees him reading a book about Ponyville's history. From what Twilight could tell...Heat Wave was liking what he was learning about. Twilight couldn't help but walk over to him and sat next to him without him noticing him until she spoke.

"Catching up on some history, I see." Twilight says, making Heat Wave jump.

"YIPE!" Heat Wave shouted.

"Oh, sorry about that. I didn't mean to scare you."

"No, it's alright. I know you didn't mean it."

"So Heat Wave, do you like reading books?"

"Uh...yeah I do."

"Really? I thought you were more of a fighter like your brothers."

"Well, actually, I'm against fighting. It just doesn't seem necessary to cause harm to others. Have you ever felt that way?"

"Well, of course, lots of times. But there always came a time when even words alone couldn't reach the villains even me and my friends once fought before, but it was for a good cause, especially when it meant saving all of Equestria." Twilight says with a smile. But her smile soon vanishes after she realizes one thing. "Wait...don't you have a job shift?"

"No, I haven't been able to find a decent job around Ponyville since I moved here. Do you know where I can find a job? I don't care what it is, I just need one badly." Heat Wave asks, putting down the book.

"Well...I could let you work at my castle, but I'd have to show you around a few times so you won't get lost." Twilight explains.

"Really?!" Heat Wave asks in excitement.

"Sure, anything to help a frie-" Twilight is then cut off by a surprise hug by Heat Wave. This makes her blush a bit, but then she happily hugs Heat Wave back.

"Thank you, Twilight. I promise to be a great big help to you." Heat Wave says, loosening his grip on his lavender friend.

"Anytime, Heat Wave. So when do you want to start working?"

"Well, as soon as possible."

"Alright, follow me. We've got lots of stuff to do and the sooner we get it all done, the better." Twilight says.

Heat Wave followed Twilight over to her castle shortly afterwards. When they arrived Twilight had ordered Heat Wave to organize some of the books in the library. Without even a seconds thought, he grabbed a ladder and started going through every bookshelf, checking if all the right books were shelved in their proper place. The work was difficult, but Heat Wave knew he'd try his very hardest for the pony who stole his heart, Twilight Sparkle. Ever since he and his friends moved into Ponyville, he took a liking to the Princess of Friendship, mostly because of her love for books and reading. There was something about bookworms like Twilight that Heat Wave thought was cute about her.

Heat Wave was already halfway done with his assignment as he was organizing the bookshelves. Twilight checked on Heat Wave to see if he was doing alright. Twilight checked the bookshelves one by one and noticed that they were all organized perfectly. Twilight was surprised at how well Heat Wave was doing on the first day. Heat Wave noticed Twilight as he was climbing down the ladder.

"Hiya, Twilight. Looking for a book?" he asks.

"No, I just came to see how you're doing, and from the looks of things, I'd say you're doing pretty good. But how did you know which shelves some of the books belonged in anyways?" she asks.

"Well, at first it was just instincts, but when I looked at the titles and the authors of each book, I started to figure it all out. I'm almost done with organizing the books."

"Well I'm glad to hear that." Twilight says with a smile, making Heat Wave blush. If there was anything that could make him go out of focus, it was the beautifully cute smile on Twilight. Twlight noticed him blushing and got a bit closer wondering why. "Wait, why are you blushing all of a sudden, Heat Wave?" she asks.

"I...uh..." Heat Wave says, trying to find the words to speak. But he was blushing more and more as he stared into Twilight's beautiful sparkling lavender eyes. It wasn't long until Twilight finally caught up to why Heat Wave was blushing.

"Wait...do you like me?" Twilight asks. This makes Heat Wave's entire face turn crimson. Apparently, Heat Wave's secret had been exposed and there was no way to hide it anymore.

" *sigh* yes...I kind of had a thing for you ever since I moved here with the guys. The way you care about your friends and the ponies around you, coupled with the fact that you're a...cute bookworm...there was just no way to NOT like you...I know I'm probably not your type but please try to understand that I do like you." Heat Wave explains, looking down waiting for the rejection. His face is then lifted up by Twilight's hoof as he sees her with a tear in her eye and a smile across her face.

"I've never known anypony who had these feelings towards me. I'm glad you told me, Heat Wave...because to tell you the truth...I actually sort of like you a little bit as well." Twilight says, blushing slightly. She then pulls in Heat Wave for a great big hug. This made Heat Wave happy as he gave her a hug back. After about a minute of their hugfest, they brake apart, and Twilight let Heat Wave resumed his  work organizing the books on the shelves.

The job lasted a whole hour and a half until Twilight led Heat Wave to the room where the Map of Equestria was. Twilight asked Heat Wave to wash up the windows, which Heat Wave agreed to do. He then sprinted towards the windows at blazing speed and jumped at the exact height of the windows. Twilight then headed back to the library only to return with a few books (Which was either 15 or 20.) Heat Wave was working at a breakneck pace scrubbing every nook and cranny on each window making them all sparkly clean. The job lasted a good hour and 20 minutes to complete.

Seeing as how it was the first day, Twilight decided let Heat Wave go home early. She lead him outside until she stopped him near the front door and turned him around.

"What is it, Twilight? Did I forget something?" Heat Wave asks.

"Yeah...there's still one thing left I need you to do before you leave." Twilight says

"Okay then, what did you nee-" Heat Wave is then cut off by Twilight who presses her lips against his. It lasts for a good whole minute until she finally pulls back from the kiss.

"That's what you forgot. Well, I'll see you tomorrow, and thanks again." Twilight says, before she turns around and closes the door.

Heat Wave was still standing motionless after he felt Twilight's lips against his own. Finally, he snaps out of it and decides to head back home knowing that his brother is probably worried about him.

He finally reached the house and opened the door to see his brother, Eternal Flames and Tidal Wave playing a game of chess, Hurricane Blitz was in the kitchen cooking up a full coarse meal for the guys, Shadow Force and Ground Dasher were sleeping on the couch, and finally Spark Wave was busy counting his own life savings before putting it in the safe and sealing it up.

"Heat Wave, where have you been?" Eternal asks before turning back to the chess board. "Checkmate."

"Oh blast it all. Looks like you win this time." Tidal Wave says, shaking Eternal's hoof.

"I was over at Twilight's house, she gave me a job helping her out around the castle." Heat Wave says,

"Ah, I see. Good for you, bro." Eternal says. "Keep up the good work and maybe you might end up living on your own...or maybe live with a special somepony in the future."

"Well...I dunno about that..." Heat Wave says, looking down all shy.

"Hey, no need to be so modest or embarrassed. You're shaping up to be a fine young full grown stallion." Eternal says, patting his brother on the back gently.

"I guess...but I should tell you tha-"

"Alright guys, the food's done. Come and get it" Hurricane shouts from the kitchen, cutting off Heat Wave's words. Pretty soon, Ground Dasher's ears fly upwards to the sound of the word "food" and leaps off the couch.

"ALRIGHT!!!" Ground Dasher shouts.

"Easy there, big guy." Spark Wave says.

"What were you saying, Heat Wave?" Eternal asks.

"Um...how about I just tell you AFTER we get done eating." Heat Wave asks.

"Alright then." Eternal responds.

As usual, Ground Dasher had wolfed down most of the food, but luckily, the others were able to eat their fill. Shortly after the guys had finished eating and Hurricane washed the dishes, there was a knock on the front door.

"Who could that be?" Shadow Force asked.

"I don't know, I'll go check." Eternal said walking towards the door. He opens the door and sees the one and only lavender alicorn known as Princess Twilight Sparkle. "Well, it's nice to see you again, Twilight. Come on in."

"Thanks, Eternal. But I only came here to see if I could talk to Heat Wave. Is he around?" Twilight asks.

"Yeah, he's over there, at the table. We just finished dinner." Eternal says. He then turns to Heat Wave. "Hey bro, come over here, Twilight wants to talk to you." This made Heat Wave confused. But he decided to go and see what she wanted. Twilight then asked if she and Heat Wave could talk for a minute alone. Eternal then realizes what's up and walks upstairs towards his room. Heat Wave then walked outside and closed the door so that the other guys wouldn't eavesdrop on them.

"Did you need something Twilight?" Heat Wave asked.

"Actually...I was wondering...if you wouldn't mind coming with me to the bridge. There's something I need to tell you that's been bothering me for quite a while now." Twilight replies.

Heat Wave agrees and follows Twilight to the bridge. Upon arriving, the walked towards the middle of the bridge where they're standing directly above the river.

"So what exactly was it you wanted to tell me?" Heat Wave asks. Twilight proceeds to lean against the rails of the bridge.

"Remember how you said you had a thing for me?" Twilight asks.

"Yeah, I remember. Why do you ask?" Heat Wave asks.

"Well you see...you're one of the kindest stallions I've ever met...well next to your brother...but the way you showed your sincere feelings towards me got me thinking." Twilight explains. "Maybe I should consider being in a...relationship. I was too nervous to start at first in the past and too busy with learning the values of friendship. But mostly I was too nervous to start because I wasn't sure if any stallions out there would like me "that way." But with you...I think I'm ready to take my next big step and come out and say this." Twilight then turns to Heat Wave, who also leaned against the rails of the bridge, looking directly at her. "Heat Wave?"

"Yes, Twilight?"

"Will you be my very special somepony?" Twilight asks, blushing.

Without saying a word, Heat Wave leaned in and pressed his lips against Twilight, holding her close. Hey eyes flew wide open, but slowly close as she lost herself to her brand new coltfriend. The kiss went on for 30 seconds until Heat Wave pulled away. The two lovestruck ponies looked into each others eyes, smiling at each other.

"I would be honored, Twilight Sparkle." Heat Wave says. Twilight's eyes begin to tear up and she pulls him in for another kiss. It lasts for a good 2 minutes this time until finally they slowly broke free again.

"Thank you so much, Heat Wave. For making me feel like so loved and appreciated." Twilight says.

"Anything for you, Twilight, my love" Heat Wave replies. 'From now on...I'll hold you dear to me. I know we've only just gotten together, but I'm already looking forward to the day when we might actually get married. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you happy...that's a promise, my dear Twilight Sparkle.' Heat Wave says in his thoughts as he kept her close to him in a warm and everlasting hug.