Compassion

"So are you guys ready to go?" Twilight asked.

Myself and the rest of Twilight's friends nodded.

"Is Sunset going?" I asked, hopefully.

"No, she caught a cold last night, Flash. She's upstairs in bed." She replied.

I couldn't believe that. I've never known to miss out on hanging out with her friends always. Unless...

"You guys go on ahead without me. I...changed my mind. I don't want to go." I said.

Everyone immediately turned and looked at me, wondering why I wouldn't want to go with them. Fluttershy whispered something to Twilight but I couldn't hear what she said. They left right after that. I figured Sunset would still be asleep so I hurried into the kitchen and worked on making her some soup and a warm glass of milk. Once I had everything prepared and placed on a tray I headed upstairs to where Sunset was sleeping. I peeped through the slightly cracked door and saw her lying there looking up at the ceiling. She was looking at some books.

"Knock knock." I said, tapped on the door lightly.

Her eyes immediately zoned in on me as I approached.

"Hey Flash, what are you doing here? I thought you were going with the others today?" She asked, sitting up.

"I couldn't go out and leave no one here to take of you. I made you some soup and a warm glad of milk. I hope it makes you feel a little better." I said, grinned as I put the tray in her lap.

"Oh, thanks! I really, *sniff sniff* appreciate it. Ugh, I hate having a cold." She said, wiping her nose.

"Oh, it was nothing." I said, smiling.

I sat down on the corner of the bed as she graciously sipped on the warm soup and milk.

"Well, I guess you'll be going to write to Twilight today?" I asked, somewhat jokingly.

"Nah, not today. I don't really feel like it." She replied.

"Well, I'll let you get some rest." I said, smiled at her sadly.

"No Flash, wait! I was about to play a game. Wanna join me?"

"Sure!" I said, chirped.

We played some cards. We played go fish for about an twenty minutes and she beat me four times out of five, but I think she let me win the last one.

"Well I think your the fish out of the pond today." She said as I placed my cards down.

"Yeah, that was fun. Are you feeling any better?" I asked.

"Yeah, I think so." She replied.

"Are you tired?" I asked.

"Nahh, not really. Just bored." She replied.

I smiled at her. I wished we could do something even this simple every day.

"Flash?" She asked me suddenly.

I looked at her quickly.

"Why did you fix me that soup and stay with today?" She asked.

"What do you mean, why? Somebody had to stay here and take care of you." I replied with a slight chuckle.

"Yeah, but then why did you fix me something for lunch yesterday? And why do you always try to talk to me when I say I never want to talk at that moment?" She asked.

I wasn't sure why she was asking me this, but I decided to tell her what I really thought.

"Because I wanted to make something for you and you

deserve it. You're really wonderful after all. I mean, when you saw Fluttershy needing help with homework, you help her even when you were busy yourself. You care about other people first and I really admire that about you, Sunset." As for trying to talk to you," I continued.  "I just want you to like me. It's.. not the only reason I do those things though. I like you Sunset... Ever since that trip,  I've always tried to talk to you but I would get flustered at times.  I know you don't feel the same way, but I—"

"Who says I don't?" She asked, stopped me in mid sentence.

She flipped back the covers and stood up beside me next to the bed.

"Flash, I probably owe you a lot for all the times

you've done things for me. Just like when gave me a second chance even after how I acted. I do care about you. I'm just not very good at showing it in this case. I've never had a real relationship before. Especially with someone that cares about me as much as you do. I'm just afraid I couldn't live up to your expectations of me being so perfect all the time." She said, flustered.

I was speechless. I couldn't think of anything to say.

"I just want you to know, and I think today kind of gave me a chance to let you know, that I love you. You're the only guy for me. You've always been my friend and I can never thank you enough for that, but here's a start..." She said, moving closer.

She wrapped her arms around my waist and pulled me in.

"Nah ahh ahh! I can't kiss someone who might give me the flu!" I said, pulled back from her attempt to kiss me.

She looked shocked for a moment and then smirked.  I grinning slyly and knew that what I said was a lie but I didn't want to rush into this. She coughed twice in my face.

"Ah, I'm so sorry! Now you're gonna be sick too!" She said, sadly.

I laughed as I wrapped my arms around her.

"It's fine. Don't worry about it." I said, reinsuring her.

I pulled back for a moment and smiled as I looked into her eyes. I returned to our hug as I felt her right hand petting my back. It felt so wonderful, because it was. After about a few minutes, I let go. I went back downstairs and within a few minutes, her friends where back.

"So, how is she doing?" Twilight asked.

"She's fine. She just needs some rest." I replied.

I looked at my phone and saw that it was pretty late. I got up and looked back at her.

"Are you sure she'll be fine by herself for tonight?" I asked, concerned.

She nodded.

"I'm sure she will be fine. If it makes you feel better, I'll stay behind and watch over her." She replied.

"Well, If she needs anything, just call and I'll be right over." I said.

I left the room and closed the door behind myself. I walked downstairs and head to my car. I got in and started to drive home. After about fifteen minutes, I arrived home and got into my pajamas and jumped into bed. I placed my phone near me in case she called and drifted off to sleep.

* * *

I woke up and heard something next to me. At first I thought it was just my imagination but as I opened my eyes, I noticed it was my phone. I looked at it and after realizing who it was, I answered it.

"Hello?"

It was Pinkie Pie on the other end.

"Hey." I replied, yawning.

Before I could say anything else, I heard someone else on the other end.

"There has to be another way."

It was Fluttershy but she sounded more concerned then usual.

"There's no time! We have to do this now!" Pinkie yelled.

"But Pinkie... We can't make the frosting with rotten milk. It'll make everyone sick. It'll make everyone sick." Fluttershy said, objecting.

"It's just one day past the expiration date. Nobody will be able to taste the difference." Pinkie said.

"It'll just take ten minutes for me to run out to the store and –"

"That's just it Fluttershy! We don't have time. We've got to finish icing these cupcakes and get them across town in half an hour!" She said, cutting her off.

They continued to talk for some time and I knew this would go nowhere. After about three minutes of them going back and fourth, I hung up. If it's important, she'll call back. I got up and stretched and looked at the clock. It was ten in the morning and today was Saturday. I had nothing better to do any Sunset hadn't called back so I guess she was alright. They invited me to a party but after hanging out with Sunset yesterday, I wasn't in the mood for anything else. I looked around the room and spotted my guitar. Maybe I can play a few notes to pass the time.

I grabbed it and started to tweak the sound and after setting it just right, I started to play. After about a few hours, I stopped and looked at my phone once more. It was four in the afternoon and still no call. I wonder if she's alright... Well, I guess I could go over to check up on here. No... I don't want to come off as needy. I guess I'll just wait for now

*4 am the next morning*

"Hmmm?"

I wince as I wake up, hearing my cell phone vibrating against the lamp on the top of my nightstand.

"Sunset?"

I wake up quickly as adrenaline rushes through me after looking at the screen.

I hurriedly flip open and answer my phone.

"Hello?"

"Flash…I don't feel so good..." She said weakly. "I think my stomach is…dying."

I sighed in relief, already knowing the cause of the problem.

"I'll be right there." I said.

I hoped out of bed and throw on a pair of blue jeans and a white top before sprinting downstairs to my car. The streets are almost empty at this time of the night. My little compact car hums along, the engine hardly making a sound. As I arrived to Sunset's house, I knocked on the door.

"Sunset, you okay?" I said quietly, not wanting wake up everyone around the street.

"No, I'm not gonna make it!" She whines as she unlocks the door, letting me inside.

I drape one of her arms over my shoulder and help her into the back seat of my car. She groaned every once in a while as I speed down the streets. I screech to a spot in my usual parking place and hurry around to open the door and help her out.

"Flash, why are we at you're a-apartment? W-what are you doing? I've g-got to go to the e-emergency room!" She said, stumbles through her words.

"No, you don't." I tell her plainly. "You were at that party this afternoon, weren't you?"

"How'd you know?" She asked, holding her stomach.

"You ate one of the cupcakes, didn't you?" I asked.

"Uh…I might've eaten several. Why?" She asked.

"As I thought...Food poisoning." I tell her.

"What? How do you get food poisoning from cupcakes?" She asked surprised.

"Well, I overheard Pinkie and Fluttershy arguing about the milk and using it in the icing… Come to think of it, I'm not sure how fresh those eggs were either…"I replied.

"Well then, I need to go to the emergency room, don't you think?" She said concerned.

"Calm down. I'll take care of you." I tell her as I unlock the door and lead him inside.

I try to lean her back onto my long, coffee colored couch. She lays her head on one of the soft arm rests and stretches out her legs. I step into my bedroom and grab my thick, white comforter. I drape it over him and step into the kitchen to assess the situation.

"Thanks Flash…"

I hear her mumble as she wiggles around on the couch.

"What are you looking for? I proba—"

"Don't worry about it. Just try to relax." I say, trying to reassure her.

I pull out a small pot and a can of chicken broth, some cooked chicken cubes, and seasoning. I slice up a carrot and add a little bit of celery before putting the glass top in place and turning the stove on. I grab a bottle of medicine from the cabinet before getting a rag from the drawer by the sink, wetting it, and ringing it out before returning to check on her.

"Do you feel hot?" I asked.

I gingerly feel her forehead with the back of my hand. There's a few tiny beads of sweat I can see forming.

"Not really…" She said wincing.

I carefully fold the rag and place it on her forehead.

"Here, take this. It'll coat your stomach. You'll feel better in no time." I said.

I instruct her as I pour some of the thick, white medicine in a small measuring cup. She gratefully takes the cup and gulps down the gooey liquid.

"Gack! It tastes awful!" She said coughs a little after swallowing it.

"Most medicine does…" I smile at her sweetly.

I step back into the kitchen and pull out a small wooden to stir the soup with. I add some noodles to the mix and a little salt, pepper, and parsley, before carefully swirling the mixture around and putting the lid back in place. I have to hold back a giggle as I sit down in the recliner across from her as I see her swishing some saliva around in her mouth, trying to get rid of the taste of the medicine.

"Was it really that bad?" I ask him while grinning.

She nodded and sits up, still keeping the covers wrapped around her. We both laugh a little.

"Do you want to watch some TV?" I asked.

I wasn't entirely sure of what she would want to do, being up at four in the morning.

"Nahh…that's okay." She said, waving off the idea. "But why did they use rotten milk?"

"Well, from what I can gather, they were kind of running late and didn't have time to go to the store. It'd only been expired for a day, so I assume Pinkie thought it would be okay… Of course, I'm only guessing since I wasn't there." I said, trying to put two and two together.

She laughs out loud a little as I said that. I hear steam seeping out from the pot on the stove and quickly get up to check on it. As I carefully lift up the top, the salty smell of the broth and chicken hits my nose. I grab a black bowl from the cabinet and pour a half bowl full. I set it on a small tray and carry it into the living room.

"This might help get that bad taste out of your mouth…" I  said sheepishly offer her as I set the tray across his lap. "I hope you like my recipe. It's the kind with the thick noodles."

She closes her eyes as she inhales a deep breath of the aroma of the soup.

"This smells great!" She said, happily.

Her eyes stay focused on the chicken and vegetables swirling in the broth.

"Here…"

I nervously scoop up a spoonful with a noodle, a small piece of chicken, and some broth.

She opens her mouth and wraps it around the spoon. I don't know why I'm so nervous as I wait for her review of my cooking.

"Mmm…"

She seems to be pondering the soup as I extract the spoon from her mouth. I can feel the nervous, hopeful look on my face.

"Delicious!" She said, smiling.

"It's just soup." I said off-handedly.

"Well, it's certainly the best soup I've ever had."

She looks at me directly as she replies. She takes the spoon from my hand and places it on the tray before lifting it out of the way and sitting it on the floor. She wordlessly takes my hand and pulls me onto the couch to sit beside her. Nervousness quickly spreads throughout my body. I look at my hands that I can barely keep from shaking.

"Did it at least get rid of that bad taste from the medicine?" I hurriedly ask.

She shook her head.

"No."

She says matter-of-factly as she turns to face me, placing a hand on each of my shoulders.

"But this might…"

She gently leans in and kisses me on the lips. I deepen the kiss and wrap my arms around her. I wasn't so concerned with her stomach anymore, as my heart is racing, beating almost painfully in my chest. She eventually breaks the kiss and leans back on the couch, pulling the thick white blanket and me on top of her. I nuzzle into the warmth of the blanket.

"Thanks… I feel much better now." She whispers as he looks up at me.

I smile at her before slowly drifting off to sleep with her hand gently running through my hair.