Living a lie without lies.

BraveWing woke up, it was about three days since he watched the movie with SunsetHeart. He Had thought of inviting her to a dinner, nothing to fancy, just more as a thank you for being his friend, just having her around made him, happier. And she couldn’t be busy on a sunday, right? He thought to himself. He would need some time to prepare the dinner, and go shopping. He got out of bed, still drowsy he walked into the kitchen and started to prepare some breakfast. A cheese sandwich and a big cup of coffee, just what I need. He thought to himself. And a few minutes later, he enjoyed a big cup of coffee and a cheese sandwich. When he was finished he glanced over at the phone, thought of just skipping the dinner for a split second. He pushed the thought away, taking the phone and called SunsetHeart.

“Hello?’’ A tired voice called.

“Um... hello, it’s Wingy.’’ He said, regretting that he called so early.

“Oh hi Wingy, how are you?’’ SunsetHeart said with a cheerful tone.

“Oh I’m just fine.’’ He replied. ’‘You?’’

“Tired, but other than that good.’’ She replied.

“Heh, maybe I shouldn’t have called so early.’’ He said.

“It’s fine, so, what’s on your mind?’’ She asked.

“Um... I was just wondering if... maybe you wanted to have dinner at my house tomorrow?’’ He asked. “Just as a thank you for being my friend.’’ He added shortly after.

“Um... I guess so, do you mind if I bring my guitar so I can play on it?’’ She asked.

“Not at all.’’ He replied.

“Great, I’ll meet you outside where we saw that movie at 6 PM, does that work?’’ She said.

“Yeah, that works, see you there I guess, bye.’’ He said.

“Bye!’’ She said and hung up.

Well, that went better than expected, but why did she wanna meet... I never told her where I live. He thought to himself and facehoofed. He let out a soft sigh and went back to the kitchen, wishing that he had made more than one cup of coffee. He sat down in the chair and tried to come up with something that he could make for the dinner, he wasn’t a bad chef, he just didn’t have much creativity when it came to cooking. He went to the living room and took the cooking book from the bookshelf, he sat down in the couch and started looking for something that he could make. It didn’t take long until he found something. Fried carrots and potatoes, with some salad to have with it, maybe he could make a few mini pizzas to. He want back to the kitchen and opened the fridge, he had most of the stuff he needed, but he still needed to go and buy some groceries today.

****

SunsetHeart crashed on her bed. ’‘Did he really have to call that early?’’ She murmured to herself and buried her head into the pillow, trying to fall asleep, without any success. Slowly, she gets out of bed once again, sure, she could just play on her guitar, but she just didn’t feel like doing that for now. She sighed softly and went to the kitchen, maybe she could just make a sandwich or something, just for the taste, or just have a cup of tea, that would be nice, or both. Well, a cup of tea and a cheddar-cheese sandwich would be nice. She thought to herself. She started to cook up some water for the tea and started to prepare the sandwich, when she was done she put the sandwich on a plate and went to the living room, she placed the plate on the table and went back to the kitchen to get the tea, went back to the living room, placed the cup of tea on the table and sat down in the couch. Maybe I could go for a walk in the park. She thought as she took a bite of her sandwich and looked outside. Maybe I could just bring the guitar to the park and play, some audience would be nice. She thought as she took a second bite of the sandwich.

****

BraveWing unlocked the door and walked inside with two big bags, it had took quite some time but now he finally had what he needed for the dinner with SunsetHeart, and food for the next two weeks. It was afternoon, he had spent most of the day trying to find everything he needed, which could be hard sometimes since the market could be flooded sometimes, unfortunately that was just what happened today. He Had gone shopping right after lunch and came back home, just in time to eat dinner, by himself. With a sigh he started making a salad with carrots, grapes, apples and of course, salad. He sliced the apples and carrots and put them in a bowl with some grapes with some salad, happy with the result he placed the bowl on the table and started eating slowly, he wasn’t that hungry, so he just ate half of the salad and out the rest if it in the fridge for later. He went back to the living room and sat down in the couch, trying to come up with something to do. Well, maybe I could just listen to some music, better than nothing I guess. He thought ti himself, got out of the couch and turned on the radio, switching between different channels until he found something that he liked, went back to the couch and lay down on it, closed his eyes and concentrated on the music.

****

SunsetHeart closed sighed softly, feeling the warm sun shining down on her face. She sat on a bench in one of the parks in Canterlot, enjoying the sunny day, strumming a few cords on her guitar every now and then. It had really been a good idea to spend the day in the park, this was simply lovely. She opened her eyes and looked around, it was a nice park, not to fancy, just a calm place where you could go after a stressful day. She didn’t have to much time to practise on her song tho, she would just be at the cafe as a fill in in a band, she didn’t take any bits for it tho, and if she needed more bits she could just put more time into her work at the clothing shop, or ask for a raise.

“Do you mind if I sit here?’’ A feminine voice asked.

“Huh? Um... no.’’ SunsetHear replied, looking at a middle aged unicorn mare with a bright brown coat and a orange mane who now sat down next to her, probably just resting her legs from a long walk or something.

“Nice weather we have today, don’t you think?’’ The bright brown mare asked with a small smile.

“Yeah, very nice.’’ She replied and smiled back, taking her concentration of the guitar for the moment.

“So... how’s life?’’ The mare asked, leaning back a little bit, still smiling.

“Um... pretty good, got the bits I need, meet this really nice colt a few days ago...’’ She said, later realizing what it all sounded like. “Um... you?’’ She added a few seconds later.

“Better than in a long time, my son contacted me for the first time in years a few weeks ago, turns out that he had finally found a nice mare, he was always so shy, could barley bring himself to talk to anypony, it’s nice to hear from him again.’’ The mare said, closed her eyes and sighed softly. “Sorry if I’m just rambling on here, maybe I should just leave you alone.’’ The mare said as she opened her eyes once again.

“It’s fine, I don’t mind some small talk.’’ She said with a small smile.

“So, are you a musician or something? Or did you just come here to relax?’’ The mare asked.

“No, or well, I’m just gonna be a fill in in a band that’ll play at a cafe, their guitarist couldn’t make it due personal... stuff. But it will be the first time I play with audience tho, just trying something new.’’ She replied.

“Well, I hope it goes well.’’ The mare said, keeping her small smile.

“Heh, thanks.’’ She said and smiled back.

“So, you said you met a nice colt a few days ago? Right?’’  The mare said.

“Um... yeah, I did, didn’t I?’’ She said, smiling sheepishly.

“So, have he asked you out yet?’’ The mare asked.

“Um... he asked if I wanted to eat dinner with him tomorrow, he told me it was just as a thank you for being his friend...’’ She replied.

“Sounds more like a date to me.’’ The mare said. “When did you even become his friend?’’ The mare asked shortly after.

“Um... this week.’’ she replied.

“Yep, I am pretty sure that is a date.’’ The mare said. “Where did you even meet this colt?’’ She asked shortly after.

“Um... I met him at a bar, and he was a terrible dancer, but he ended up spending the night at my place, but that was pretty much it.’’ She replied.

“Well, if he is nice and all, I think that you two will become great `friends´, but I need to get going now, have to make dinner for my husband, bye!’’ The mare said and started walking towards her home.

Is it that obvious that he likes me? SunsetHeart thought to herself. Well, can’t really blame him, he was pretty lonely when I met him, and why did PrizedHue think I love him? I mean, he is kind, kind of cute, and it was funny to see him `dance´. She thought to herself as a small smile creeped up on her face. She took her guitar and started walking back home, looking forward to the following day.

****

BraveWing glanced over at the clock. 4:40 PM. Well, I should probably start making the dinner now. He thought to himself, got out of the couch and walked to the kitchen. He took some fresh potatoes he bought the day before and started cutting them into smaller cubes, when he was done with the potatoes he put them in a frying pan and started making the salad, just some grapes, sliced tomatoes, olives and salad. He put it on a bowl and moved on to the carrots, he sliced them up in small wheels and put them in the frying pan with the potato cubes. He glanced over at the clock, he still had plenty of time left, if he hurried he would have time to make the mini pizzas. Well, if I’m gonna make the pizzas I’ll need a shower.

****

SunsetHeart stood outside the cinema with her guitar on her back and waited for BraveWing, she had been there a little bit early, but she still didn’t enjoy waiting, sometimes she was just impatient. He wasn’t late, yet. “Why didn’t I just tell him to be here earlier?’’ She murmured to herself. After a few more minutes of waiting, she finally spotted BraveWing.

“There you are.’’ SunsetHeart said, slightly annoyed.

“Sorry if I was a bit late, I didn’t think it would take that long to prepare the food.’’ BraveWing said and looked down in the ground and lowered his ears slightly.

“Well, you are here now at least, let’s just get going.’’ She said.

’‘Okay then, follow me.’’ He said and started walking, followed by SunsetHeart.

BraveWing and SunsetHeart trotted down the streets of Canterlot. They didn’t really say much to each other, just enjoying what was left of the sunny day. It took them about twenty minutes to reach BraveWing’s house.

“Ok, we’re here.’’ BraveWing said, unlocked the door to one of the houses, opened it and walked inside, followed by SunsetHeart.

SunsetHeart entered the house, it wasn’t big, a kitchen to the left, living room to the right, and a third room right ahead. She went to the kitchen and sat down in one of the chairs. “So... what’s for dinner?’’ She asked.

“Fried carrots and potatoes with some salad and mini pizzas.’’ BraveWing replied with a smile on his face. “By the way, what do you want on your pizzas?’’ He asked shortly after.

“Do you have pineapple and bananas?’’ She asked.

“Um, I think so, let me check.’’ He replied, opened the fridge and looked around. “Yep, anything else?’’ He asked.

“Um... I don’t think so...’’ She replied.

“Not even cheese and tomato sauce?’’ He asked jokingly.

“Um... I do prefer my pizzas with that so I guess I’ll just have that to.’’ She replied.

“Alright, I’ll just prepare the pizzas, give me a minute.’’ He said and started slicing the pineapple in small cubes.

SunsetHeart took some of the fried potatoes and carrots and put them on her plate and put some salad over it. She leaned back in the chair and sighed softly, wishing that BraveWing could hurry up with the pizzas. “Couldn’t you make the pizzas earlier?’’ She asked slightly annoyed.

“Well, I didn’t know what you wanted to have on your pizza and I didn’t wanna risk burning down the house.’’ He replied with a small smile.

“You could’ve asked when you called?’’ She said.

“I uh... heh, sorry, the pizza is done now anyways, just have to put it in the oven.’’ He said, put the pizza in the oven and turned it on. “The pizza will be done in about twenty minutes, just so you know.’’ He said as he sat down at the table.

“So, anything new?’’ She asked as she took a bite of a fried carrot.

“Nope, nothing new.’’ He replied. “You?’’ He asked shortly after.

“Nah.’’ She replied.

“So, didn’t you say you lived in Ponyville before you moved here?’’ He asked.

“Um... yeah.’’ She replied.

“What made you leave?’’ He asked. “I don’t ask to personal stuff now, right?’’ He added shortly after.

“Um... no, mostly moved here to try my luck I guess’’ She replied with a shrug.

“And you where lucky?’’ He asked.

“Yep.’’ She replied with a grin. I got a wonderful friend. She added mentally.

“Well, that is good at least.’’ He said with a small smile.

“When I think about it, you never told me why you moved here.’’ She said.

“Um... that is something I’d rather not talk about.’’ He said, looking down, folding down his ears slightly.

“If you say so.’’ She said. “So, how’s work?’’ She asked, trying to change subject.

“Um... not to bad I guess, still haven’t found my `special talent´ yet, might look for another job soon.’’ He replied with a small smile.

“Thinking of any job in particular?’’ She asked.

“Well, maybe I’ll farm flowers or fruits, join a weatherteam group, maybe deliver packages, royal guard, I dunno, any of those are fine to me.’’ He replied with a shrug.

“Lots of choices at least.’’ She said with a small smile.

“Yep, lots and lots of choices.’’ He said.

“Well, if you ask me, take the job as a royal guard, your name is BraveWing after all.’’ She said.

“Yeah, I guess there is some sense in that.’’ He said with a shrug. At least she didn’t call me Wingy. He thought to himself. “So, did you enjoy the food?’’ He asked.

“Yeah, it’s good, but I’ll probably save some space for the pizza.’’ She replied. ’‘Hey Wingy, why don’t you go and see if the pizza is ready?’’ She asked.

“Um... it should be ready in... minus two minutes...’’ He replied as he looked at the clock. Please don’t tell me I burnt the pizzas again. He thought to himself, got out of the chair and grabbed a heat glove between his teeth and looked at the pizza. Well, it isn’t burn at least. He thought to himself, opened the oven and grabbed the metal sheet with pizzas and put it on the kitchen-range.

“Did you burn it?’’ She asked.

“Nope, luckily I didn’t.’’ He replied with a small grin.

“Alright, just give me one of those pizzas then.’’ She said.

“Didn’t you forget something there?’’ He asked with a small grin.

“Please?’’ She said with a sheepish smile.

“Here you go.’’ He said and sent her one of the pizzas.

She took a bite of the pizza, closed her eyes and sighed. “Next time you’re having pizza, make sure to let me know.’’ She murmured between the bites.

“I will.’’ He said with a small smile and took a bite of the pizza.

They ate the rest of the pizza in silence, simply enjoying the taste of flour, water, yeast, tomato, sugar, half a year old cheese, pineapple and bananas. Also knows as a pizza.

“So, what now?’’ BraveWing asked, he had just finished his pizza, and sitting still in awkward silence, wasn’t something that he liked, at all.

“Um... maybe we can tell each other stories? SunsetHeart said with a hopeful grin.

“Alright then, you want me to start? He asked.

“Go ahead.’’ She replied and leaned back in the chair.

“Okay, a few years ago...’’

****

“So, it wasn’t that easy, but I managed to pull through.’’ BraveWing said with a shrug.

“I can understand that.’’ SunsetHeart said. “Good thing it’s over, right?’’ She asked shortly after.

“Yeah, I guess so.’’ He replied.

SunsetHeart glanced over at the clock. “Um... is it okay if I spend the night here?’’ She asked with a hopeful smile.

“Um... I guess so.’’ He replied with a shrug.

“Just get me a pillow and a blanket and I’ll take the couch.’’ She said.

“Shouldn’t I take the couch? You are the guest after all...’’ He said.

“I don’t care, just get me my pillow and blanket.’’ She stated.

“Alright alright, just give me a minute and I’ll go get.’’ He said got out of the chair and went to the closet to get a blanket, after that he went to his bedroom and grabbed one of the pillows that he used, he didn’t really need three pillows anyways. Once he had the blanket and a pillow he went to the living room and simply threw the pillow on the couch with the blanket and went back to the kitchen. “So, you have your pillow and blanket on the couch, happy now?’’ He asked, trying not to smile, but failed.

“Yep, why don’t you just go to bed, I’ll just stay up for a few more minutes.’’ She said.

“Alright then.’’ He said and left the kitchen. “Night!’’

“Night Wingy.’’

SunsetHeart leaned back in the chair. Why does it feel like I’ve forgotten someth... I never got to play guitar. She thought to herself, slightly annoyed. Well, I have plenty of time tomorrow at least. She thought to herself and sighed. She left the kitchen and went to the living room and looked at the couch, it looked comfy and all, but still. She left the living room and peeked inside BraveWing’s room, where he was sleeping, heavily. Wow, he must have been really tired. She thought to herself, walked inside the room and curled up next to him, took his right wing and used it as a blanket. In response he seemed to draw her a little bit closer, still sleeping. Enjoying the increased amount of love, she leaned a little bit closer to him, and slowly started to fall asleep.

****

SunsetHeart sat in the couch playing on her guitar, BraveWing was still asleep, or just cuddling with the pillow she had given him, probably both. She had been up for about half an hour or so, now considering waking him up by herself, but he would probably not like that to much. She stopped playing for a moment and leaned back and sighed. If he doesn’t get his fat flank out of that bed within ten minutes, I’ll wake him up. She thought to herself.

Ten minutes later:

“Wingy, wake up.’’ SunsetHeart said as she shook him.

“Just five more minutes...’’ BraveWing grumbled in his pillow.

“Either you get up now, or face the consequences.’’ She said with a evil grin.

“Alright alright.’’ He said, sat up and yawned, he threw the pillow he had just been hugging to the side and got out of bed. A bit drowsy, he went to the kitchen and started making some oatmeal.

“So, did you sleep well?’’ SunsetHeart asked cheerfully.

“Okay I guess.’’ He replied, still drowsy. “You?’’

“Good, still a little bit tired tho.’’ She replied with a smile.

“So, you like oatmeal?’’ He asked.

“Um, yeah, I guess.’’ She replied.

“Good, I may or may not have made oatmeal for four...’’ He said with a light blush.