“Pencils? Check. Paper? Check. Popcorn?”

Pinkie bounced up from behind the kitchen and slammed a box of popcorn down in front of Twilight. “Check!”

Twilight smiled as she shook her head and reached into her hiking bag (even though she swears it is simply for school) and pulled out a large bag of popped popcorn. “Sorry Pinkie, but I don’t wanna wait for the microwave this time.”

“What ever might you be doing at this dreadful hour darling?” Rarity looked into the bag and started to pull out items that Twilight was now furiously trying to stuff back into her bag.

“Water, re-check.” Twilight pulled the bag out of Rarity’s reach with a glare. Rarity shrugged, a can in her hands. “If you must know I am going to see a movie at the college.”

“What is it? Die Hard? First Blood?”

Twilight rolled her eyes at Rainbow as she pushed her backpack behind a chair out of anyone’s grasp. “No Rainbow, and you know how Celestia feels about movies like that.”

“But they’re so awesome!” Rainbow looked off into the distance.

Rarity shook her head and put the can down on the counter. “I still don’t understand who would make such crude movies, instead of creating masterpieces like Casablanca.” Rarity ignored Rainbow’s gagging motion as she contemplated what her and Mark might be doing tomorrow.

Twilight giggled at the two, but then shook her head. “Even better.”

“Snakes on a plane?”

Twilight stared at Pinkie for a few moments before simply shaking her head. “No. Simply... no.” Turning back to Rainbow Dash and Rarity, “You two should come with me though. It’s free for students of the university.”

Rarity stopped Rainbow from rushing out the door and asked, “What is it?”

“A biography of Sir Isaac Newton!”

They all stared at her before Rainbow broke the silence by saying, “I just remembered about some studying I have to do.”

Twilight turned back to Rarity who chuckled nervously. “I would love to, you know that. However, I do have a date tomorrow and would you look at the time. I should really be getting to bed.”

“Hmph, fine. More knowledge for me and Nathaniel.”

The three turned to her. “What?”

Twilight folded her arms. “Rarity, it is just as friends with a common interest to learn, Rainbow, I still believe he is good and continues to prove it regardless of his one mistake, and Pinkie, I hope you can approve.”

Pinkie shrugged. “Why would I disaprove? I just hope your tolerance can rub off on him since you both a such smarty pants.” The two smiled at each other, but Twilight knew better. Pinkie’s face dropped slightly after a few moments of watching. “Just be careful, alright?”

“Pinkie, you’re starting to sound like Rainbow Dash.”

All four girl’s jumped as they heard a quiet voice. “Apparently you do believe it though.”

Twilight turned to Fluttershy who was holding the can Rarity had earlier. However, now the name was showing and pointed to Twilight. Twilight took the can while she closed her eyes. “Yes, I suppose I do, even if it is just by a shred. Mace, check.”

All of the girls were quiet as Twilight strapped on her backpack and moved to leave. Rainbow put a hand on the door, but Twilight stopped from lecturing her as she saw possible nervousness on her friend’s face. She could hear Rainbow swallow before she said, “Cut him a little slack. He isn’t as bad as I ever made him out to be.”

Twilight was a little shocked as Rainbow opened the door for her. “Thanks.” Twilight shook her head clear of the thoughts. Nathaniel was going to be good company to discuss with, but first she had to absorb the movie, and she was going to need a clear mind to take in every morsel within it.

======+++++======

“Twilight!”

She turned to see Nathaniel sitting on a blanket in the surprisingly empty media room. “Where is everyone? I hope we didn’t get the location wrong.”

Nathaniel turned and glanced at the other people in the room, a few of them gawking at Twilight’s beauty, even if she was in a t-shirt and sweat pants. “Unfortunately that would not be the case. Seems documentaries aren’t a popular thing since... ever.”

Twilight narrowed her eyes at Nathaniel and then covered her chest. “I hope that conversing wasn’t the only reason you came. I want to learn something.”

Nathaniel held his hands up. “I swear, I am not one of those people who hate documentaries. In fact, I’ve had to talk to five writers and two screenwriters about one people want to make of my grandfather.”

Twilight gently sat next to him, pulling out the popcorn and drinks she had stuffed into her bag. Nathaniel mumbled thanks as he took a sip. “What type of soda is this?”

“I experimented at a restaurant once and this happened. “It is a mixture of sixteen percent Coke, twenty four percent Pepsi, and an even thirty thirty split of Powerade and root beer.”

Nathaniel glanced down at his cup and nodded as he took another sip. “If you tell me you laced the popcorn with something, I might just have to leave.”

Twilight lied down on the blanket and used one of the large pillows Nathaniel had brought to prop her head to an optimal degree for watching the screen. “Please don’t. I’ll be honest that I am actually happy to have company during this. Otherwise I wouldn’t have anyone to converse with afterwards or during.”

Nathaniel nodded as he scooted away from Twilight. “More then happy to Twi. If I’m honest, you’re probably the one I’m most comfortable spending time with out of you and your friends.”

Twilight cocked an eyebrow and then a large grin broke out on her face. “Oooh. I wanna know why!”

Nathaniel scratched his head and looked away. “You’re sounding a bit like Rarity right now.”

Twilight put her hands on her hips. “You do not tease me with information like that and do not expect me to investigate. That would be quite unreasonable.”

Nathaniel sighed, but then shot her a sly look. “It wouldn’t be much of an investigation if I didn’t hear your deduction first.”

She put a hand on her mouth as she thought and nodded when she was done. “I do believe I’ve cracked the case Holmes.”

“Watson.”

Twilight glared at him. “Rainbow is obvious seeing as she wanted to go Vlad the Impaler on you after the Pinkie incident.”

“Where would she have gotten the wooden stake?”

Twilight grit her teeth as her glare intensified. “Pinkie is obvious as well, even if you two just had a good outing recently. As for Rarity, I would imagine that your normally good manners make it easy for you two to get along. However, I chose these baggy sweats of AJ’s instead of Rarity’s yoga pants because I know you don’t take sexuality well.”

Nathaniel turned away from Twilight as he blushed hard at the thought of Twilight in yoga pants. “As for Fluttershy, well I don’t know. You two talk more then any of us, or at least you have more of a chance to get close to her. Would you care to elaborate?”

He took a deep breath before responding. “Think about it. Take a guy who can’t even entirely take your sexuality and pair him with a girl with...” Only by Twilight’s prompting did he finish, “her kind of assets.”

She bit into her finger. “Well, if it helps, my mentor and woman who takes care of all of us has the same chest size.”

Nathaniel turned his head to her, one of his eyes twitching. “How can you... You know what, I think I’ll go use the bathroom before the movie to clear my head. When I get back can we get to more intellectual topics and less, erm, gossip?”

Twilight giggled before raising an eyebrow. “You accuse me of simple gossip?”

“Yes.”

Twilight lied back down on the blanket and wrapped herself while she watched Nathaniel walk away. However, her piece was quickly broken by a female classmate coming over and whispering, “So how long have you and Nathaniel been together?”

Twilight narrowed her brow before answering. “We started studying with one another only a couple of days into school, so I would say almost a month and a half.”

The classmate giggled but then shook her head. “I meant how long have you two been dating?”

Twilight turned a deep red and attempted to use the blanket to cover her face. “What makes you assume we’re dating?”

“Well let’s see, you two are almost always spending time together, you are one of the few girls in the school Nathaniel gives the time of day to-”

“That’s only because of how busy he is.”

The classmate raised an eyebrow. “Then tell me why he’s here when there is a friend of mine who is in Applied Physics 204 with him and they practically live and breath Newton?”

Twilight was silent, but the classmate scurried away as Nathaniel came back. “What was that all about, and why is your face red. Did you catch a fever?”

Twilight flinched slightly at Nathaniel’s touch before breathing deeply. “I’m fine. She was just asking me a somewhat embarrassing question.”

Nathaniel sighed in return. “I know that feeling. Happens a lot to me after the legacy my brother left on the college. However, I bet everyone will have much more important questions after the movie. Or at least we can hope.”

Twilight burrowed further into her blanket as Nathaniel beamed at her. Why is he here? And why am I so bothered by the simple thought of me dating him. I mean sure he’s smart, kind, gentle, at least most of the time, and cares about me and my friends, and that is without mentioning how attractive he is. Twilight’s eyes widened as it suddenly dawned on her. “Fuck.”

“Twilight?”

“Nothing! Just thought the projector was having problems.” However, it was Twilight with the problem. She knew Nathaniel would very possibly never ask her unless she brought it up, but she had to figure out the right way to ask, and then pray he said yes. Maybe if I ask Rarity she’ll be able to figure it out. For now, I should just stop worrying and enjoy... this. Whatever this is.

Nathaniel glanced down as Twilight nestled into his side. He briefly thought about tickling her or something like that, but this was Twilight, not Rainbow Dash or Pinkie. If she wanted to snuggle him, she probably had a good reason for it. Now, back to the movie.

However, midway through the movie Nathaniel stood up. Twilight looked up at him, but quickly got her rising question answered as Nathaniel shouted, “Alright everyone, let’s get out of here. Frats are coming and I doubt they’ll be nice to a bunch of scholars like us.”

A man’s voice amongst the views shouted, “What makes you think we’ll listen to a Cypher jackass?”

Nathaniel held his hand up. Slowly people started reacting as hooting and hollering started come into ear shot. A crash resounded from the parking lot and most people stood up as a car alarm went off. “Goodnight everyone. Let’s go Twilight.”

Twilight thought she felt her heart skip a beat as Nathaniel extended his hand down to her. Rainbow had told them about how the two had met, but she had never experienced this side of Nathaniel as he rushed them out of the back of the building. Complete control, complete focus, and confidence that could stop someone dead in their tracks. Maybe if I was a guy I would see this more often.

“Sorry about that. I don’t think we’ll be able to get back to my car though, or yours now that I think about it. Do you mind if we just,” Nathaniel paused as he stared at her bathed in moonlight for a moment, “walk?”

Twilight smiled back at him while swiping away a loose strand of hair. “Where did that whole soldier mode come from?”

Nathaniel stood tall and attempted to pump his chest out. “I am the second son. I am to be able to advise my brother in all matters and back up any duties within the house that must be done because of incompetence. That includes security, and I guess I’m especially protective over my friends, especially when they’re as wonderful as you... girls.”

Twilight felt her heart sink just before she felt her shoulder get grabbed. She didn’t hesitate as she pulled out her can of mace and sprayed the attacker. Nathaniel brought him to the ground with a swift kick into his shin. Twilight was quickly whisked away while the man groaned on the ground.

“Damnit. I thought they would have all come from one way. Where did he touch you? Breasts, ass, wh-” Nathaniel froze as he realized he’d almost just patted those exact spots.

Twilight meekly answered with, “Shoulder.”

Nathaniel sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Great, I probably just kicked some random guy then.” He lowered his hand as he let out a sigh of relief. “I’m happy that you were careful, but why would you bring mace to a school event?” Nathaniel felt his heart sink as Twilight glanced at him and then quickly looked away.

Twilight turned back to him as he patted her shoulder. “Come on Twilight. Tonight was... interesting. However, we need to get you home before someone else screws up and causes you to use that again.”

Twilight’s heart hit her shoes as she could feel the confidence and ease drain from Nathaniel. For someone so smart, I sure am an idiot.

======+++++======

“Sleep, come to me.” After the long night, Twilight was more then ready for sometime away from reality. With the multiple mood swings the evening took, she was happy that AJ wasn’t there to talk to. She didn’t want to have to think about it anymore.

Creak

“Damnit.”

Twilight sat up and stared at her annoyingly noisy roommate. She was still in her work clothes and her hair was a mess. “Where is your hat?”

“Don’t wo-worry Twilight. Ju- just go back to bed.”

“Okay.” Twilight sat in bed for a few moments before leaping into Applejack’s bed and tackling the farm girl down. “You don’t stutter and you definitely don’t let your voice crack. What is it?”

Twilight felt the shuddering underneath her as Applejack kept her eyes to the wall. She could smell something was off. It reminded her of bathrooms, but then an image of an embarrassed Rainbow Dash with Soarin flashed into her mind. She bent in closer and took a deep smell. “Who?”

“I don’t know names. Just three guys I work with. Don’t worry.”

Now Twilight could hear the choked sobs as Applejack continued to hide her tears. Twilight bent low and started to wrap her arms around her friend as she asked, “What can I do to help?”

Twilight was thrown violently against the wall and for a few moments sat dazed before she could make out Applejack chanting, “Don’t touch. Don’t any of you dare touch me.”

Twilight walked over and extended her hand before simply dropping it. “Please tell me Applejack? Should I get Celestia? The cops?”

“No!” Applejack slammed her mouth shut and spent some time simply listening. “I don’t want anyone else to know. I already got fired, so it can’t happen again. I just... just want to try to forget it. Like so much of this year, I just want to forget.”

Twilight nodded slowly, her heart tearing apart.

“There is one more thing Twilight.”

“Anything Applejack.”

“Get us home already. Please.”

‘Many historians believe that some credit for many of Newton’s early success came from the fact that he ignored the opposite sex and focused on studying instead of social interactions.’

Twilight’s heart shattered as her mind took in the quote from earlier that night. “I promise AJ. I will do all in my power to get us home as fast as I possibly can. Just like I always have.” Twilight stood on legs of jello and slowly made it to her desk. Much more thought was about to be needed that night, but Twilight was in too much pain to care.

======+++++======

Nathaniel glanced down at the picnic basket stuffed with baked goods as he walked through the commons. After the flop that ended his night out with Twilight yesterday, he wanted to make sure she didn’t think he hated her or anything. However, instead of Twilight sitting at their study table for lunch, Rainbow Dash was.

Nathaniel gave her a weak smile while he scratched his head. “What brings about this hopefully pleasant surprise?”

Rainbow slid her feet off the table and stood up. She couldn’t meet his eyes as she said, “Look, Twilight wanted me to tell you that she was going to be taking a break from studying to work on a more important project. Therefore, she isn’t gonna be here for a while.”

“Oh.”

Rainbow Dash felt a stab in her chest as she watched Nathaniel turn on his heel and start walking away. She growled at herself as she questioned what she was doing. “Hey stupid.”

Nathaniel paused for a moment, but then decided to walk into the joke by turning around and sighed as he asked, “Yes?”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Don’t have to sound so damn disappointed. I was gonna offer to let you run and workout with me during lunch, but if it’s such a chore...”

Nathaniel bit into his cheek. “Sorry. I just didn’t know if we were even friends again yet. Kind of makes it hard to know what to take seriously or not.” He held his hand out. “Friends?”

Rainbow pushed away the fluttering in her stomach as she hesitantly took his hand and said, “I don’t know. At least, not yet.”

Author's Note

I couldn't figure out a title for the chapter. Then I listened to this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atJSwarMMXw
Also, I will not be writing the scene hinted at with Applejack. I'm sorry.