“Oh come on, it wasn’t that bad,” Time Turner said as he exited the crowded movie theater.
“Yes it was!” Derpy said as she followed him. “The effects may have been alright, but the plot just has too much going on! I couldn’t follow what was going on at all.”
“Alright then, I give.” Time Turner said with a laugh. “It was that bad. I was just trying to at least make it seem like it wasn’t a waste of bits.”
Derpy stuck her tongue out in a playful manner at him.
“Anyway,” the timekeeper of Ponyville continued, “are you feeling hungry at all? It’s late and I know I am. I was thinking of going to the Sugarcube Corner. If we hurry we can get there before they close.”
Derpy shook her head. “No, I wouldn’t want to bother them so close to closing.”
“Nonsense!” Time Turner yelled as he nudged Derpy in the direction of the confectionary kitchen. “You know that they have to sell all of their fresh baked stuff by closing time or they throw it out.”
“I’m pretty sure Pinkie eats it actually,” Derpy said as Time Turner continued pushing her.
“Another reason to go,” he said as Derpy finally started walking under her own power. “The last thing that mare needs is more sugar. Besides, she usually runs the last shift before closing anyway because the Cakes have to put the twins to bed. You know she won’t mind.”
“Fine,” Derpy gave in, “I am a little hungry, and I know it won’t do me any good arguing with you anyway. You always win when it comes to food.”
This time Time Turner stuck his tongue out at Derpy.
“So what are you in the mood for?” Time Turner asked as they walked in. “Get whatever you want, my treat.”
“But you paid for my movie ticket,” Derpy protested. “I can afford to buy my own-”
“Nonsense! The movies and coming here were my ideas.”
Derpy playfully elbowed him. “And I agreed both times thinking I’d be paying for my stuff. But if you’re going to insist, I guess I’ll just have a small milkshake.”
“Alrighty then,” he said as he rubbed the spot where Derpy elbowed him. “Pinkie, we’ll have two small milkshakes.”
“Okey Dokey!” the pink mare said as she hopped into the kitchen. “It’ll be out in a second!”
Time Turner and Derpy took a seat in a booth near the corner while they waited for Pinkie to return.
“… So, are you feeling any better?” Time Turner finally asked after an uncomfortable silence.
“Y- yea.” A slight blush started to come over Derpy’s face. “Thank you for being available on such short notice.”
“Not a problem,” Time Turner said as he waived his hoof dismissively. “What else would I do on a Friday night anyway?”
“A lot of things,” Derpy said with a chuckle.
Pinkie returned carrying a single large milkshake.
“Here you are!” She said as she put the milkshake on the counter. “I know that you ordered two smalls, but I made you a large instead because it has the same amount of stuff in it as two smalls but it cost less so I figured that you two could share this since you ordered the same thing!”
“You’re the best Pinkie,” Time Turner said before putting a straw in the drink and taking a sip.
“So what are both of you doing here so late? Not many ponies come in this late, much less you two! There must have been some super special occasion!”
“Actually,” Derpy started before Pinkie could continue, “it isn’t a special occasion. We just saw a movie and decided to come here and get something before you closed.”
“Derpy and Stormy Sky broke up this morning. So I figured I’d be a good friend and take her to a movie to help get her mind off of it,” Time Turner finished as Derpy took a sip of the drink.
Pinkie giggled to herself. “Sorry, but ponies are going to think you two are dating if you aren’t careful. Movies, sharing milkshakes, that sounds like a date to me!”
“Sharing the milkshake was your idea…” Time Turner mumbled.
“Me and Time Turner are just spending a night having fun,” Derpy told Pinkie. “We’re… friends. Just friends.”
“Hold on a second!” Pinkie suddenly yelled. “JUST FRIENDS!? You two are not “just friends,” you are two of the closest friends I’ve ever seen! I’ve seen ponies on dates that aren’t as close as you two are! You guys are extra special super duper close friends! That’s like, the best kind of friend!”
Time Turner chuckled. Pinkie was always good for a laugh, even when she was being serious. “I guess you’re right Pinkie. Derpy and I are extra special, super duper close friends. And since we’re such close friends, I’m going to escort her to her house now since I’m sure you want to close for the night.”
Time Turner left a few bits on the counter to cover the milkshake and both him and Derpy waved goodbye to Pinkie as they left the Sugarcube Corner.
“Thank you for doing this,” Derpy said as they came around the final turn before her house. “I always enjoy spending time with you. You know how to cheer me up more than anypony.”
Time Turner smiled at her. “You know I can always make time to help a friend. Well, here we are,” he said at they arrived at Derpy’s front door. “I guess I’ll see you tomo-”
“Actually…” Derpy interrupted, “I uh… know it’s late, but since you’re here, could you help me move my…” She paused for a second. “Ummm… bookcase.” She looked away from Time Turner’s face in embarrassment. “I… can’t move it myself.”
He gave her a reassuring smile. “I don’t see why not.”
As Derpy lead him into her house, Time Turner realized just how little time they actually spent at each other’s houses. They would usually meet at wherever they were going to hang out, or just run into each other on the street. In fact, Time Turner could only remember being inside of Derpy’s house once or twice before.
“Alright, here’s the bookcase.” Derpy motioned to the bookcase right in the living room. “I’d like it moved, uh… over there,” she said as she pointed to the corner of the room.
Before she could say anything else, Time Turner was pushing on the side of the wooden structure and started to slowly slide it to the corner.
When he was done he stood back and said, “There, right where you wanted it. Is there anything else you need help with while I’m here?”
Derpy shook her head. “No, I’m good now. Thank you for doing that. I know it’s late and you probably want to get home. I don’t want to be a bother.”
Time Turner chucked a little. “You’re not a bother. I still remember the first time we met.” Derpy sat on her couch and Time Turner sat next to her as he continued. “I was walking out of the Sugarcube Corner and you flew straight into me because you were in a rush to get in before they sold out of muffins for the day.”
Derpy was now blushing furiously at the mention of the incident. “I- I was so worried that you were hurt I ended up forgetting to eat that morning. You felt so bad when you realized that you took me out to lunch that afternoon. It wasn’t even your fault and you still apologised to me.” She started playing with her hooves. “You were so nice to me that day, and you still are. You’re the best friend that I’ve ever had. You’ve always been there for me if I needed something. I- I can’t thank you enough.”
“Derpy, is there something wrong? I’ve never heard you talk like this bef-”
It was this moment that Derpy leaned forward and locked lips with Time Turner in a kiss.
They both stayed like that, Derpy leaning forward in a kiss and Time Turner too surprised to accept or reject the gesture.
After what seems like an eternity for Time Turner, Derpy finally realized what she was doing and pulled away. “Oh! I- I- I’m so sorry! I don’t know what came over me!” Her entire face was now more red than it had ever been. “It’s just that we went to the movie and then we got a milkshake and you’ve been so supportive and you always have been and then-”
“Derpy.”
“-we were talking and I realized just how happy I’ve been this entire night and it was all because of you and-”
“Derpy.”
“- I didn’t mean to. I know we’re just friends and you probably don’t think of me like that and-”
Time Turner finally silenced her by putting a hoof to her mouth. “...Derpy, you didn’t really need that bookcase moved, did you?”
“N- No,” she admitted. “I just… I wanted you to stay for a little bit.”
“So why didn’t you just ask me to stay?”
Derpy’s head lowered in shame. “I don’t know. I didn’t want to lie to you, but I was just… just…”
Time Turner gently raised her head back up. He could see fear in her eyes, fear that she had just scared away her best friend, a friend that she obviously loved, in only a single moment of her own weakness.
“Derpy, you don’t have to worry. I don’t think any less of you for what just happened. What I do think is that you’re someone who is in love with their best friend, and you’re worried that friend won’t return those feelings. Am I right?”
She nodded her head. “We’ve been friends for a long time, and I don’t remember when I realized I liked you more than just a friend. But whenever I thought about telling you, I was afraid I might freak you out. So I never did.”
Time Turner pulled her into a hug. “I’ve always suspected you may like me a little more than just a friend, but I didn’t realize just how strongly you actually felt.” He let go of her. “However, right now I can’t say I’m willing to return those feelings. Even if you have felt this way about me, you did just break up with Stormy Sky after being together 6 months. I know you had to have at least felt something for him, and I’m afraid that may be clouding your judgment.”
“So what then? We pretend that I didn’t just… just-” Derpy couldn’t finish. She didn’t need to.
“No. We don’t need to pretend that didn’t happen. I just want you to wait a little before you decide we should be more than ‘just friends.’ I want to be sure you aren’t just looking for comfort right now. A relationship is a whole other level, and if we commit ourselves to that, our friendship could be ruined if isn’t something either of us truly wanted. I don’t think either of us wants that.”
“So, we just keep it at a friend level? That’s it for now? Won’t that be weird after what I just did?”
Time Turner thought for a second before answering. “Well, I guess it wouldn’t hurt if I stayed overnight. Just in case you wake up and need a hug before morning.”
Derpy smiled. “Maybe you could stay tomorrow too? I think I may still be a little upset over my break-up then. I mean, that’s what friends do, right?”
“No,” Time Turner said as he pulled her into one last hug. “That’s not something friends do, it’s something best friends do.”