Flash Sissy

"Are your footsies feeling any better?"

Flash was rubbing one of the toes in question as he rode in the passenger seat of Sunset's car. Upon hearing her words, the petite femboi rolled his pretty blue eyes. "Will you please not call them that?"

Sunset smirked, her hands on the wheel. "Would you prefer twinkle-toes?"

"If you must know, yes, they're feeling much better," Flash relented. "It was really nice of you to carry me."

"It was really nice of you to smell good."

Flash blinked. He squinted over at the amazon in the driver's seat. "But... I'm not wearing any cologne or perfume or—"

"I stand by what I said."

"I smell good to you?"

"What, are you kidding?" Sunset scoffed.

The boi could only scrunch his nose in abject cutefusion.

Sunset sighed. She indicated before taking a turn. "I guess it only translates to my nostrils."

"What translates?"

"Basically... because of the whole... y'know... Harmonic Fountain and Harmonic Well situation..." Sunset turned down a road leading into the darkening streets of Canterlot City. Lights flickered to life on either side of them in the shadow of the coming evening. "...any and all of my senses can and will be enthralled by what your body has to offer."

Flash blinked. "Sounds like cheating."

Sunset giggled. "Don't give yourself too much credit, 'Casanova.' If you were an asshole of a person, I'd kick you into next year and have nothing to do with you."

"... ... ...can you say that for all the times?"

"Yes." She threw him a brief glare. "I can."

"So... basically I just make you high..."

"Yes. But... given the right circumstances..." Her bracelet rattled for emphasis. "...it's a high that I can manage."

"It doesn't effect your driving."

She chuckled. "Maybe I shouldn't have said anything."

"No, I'm curious!" He leaned cutely against his armrest, smiling at her. "What do I smell like?"

"What... do you smell like..."

"Yessss...?" His eyelashes fluttered.

Sunset Shimmer opened her mouth... hesitated... and ultimately shook her head. “Nope.”

“No...?”

“Can't say it,” Sunset exhaled. “It's too goofy and embarrassing.”

“What... is it sexual?”

“Pffft! No.”

“Is it... … ...horse sexual?”

“Pffffffffft!”

“Whaaaaaaat?” Flash put on the puppy dog eyes. “Tell meeeeee!”

“Flash, sweetie, d-don't do that!” Sunset released one hand from the wheel to awkwardly block the image of him. “I'm tr-trying to drive!”

“Do I smell like flowers?” Flash grinned wide. “Please tell me I have a floral scent to you!”

“Errrrr...” Sunset winced.

“Hah! I do! What flower?”

“Flash, you don't get it...” Sunset's turquoise darted down at him occasionally as she navigated evening traffic. “Back where I come from... flowers are for eating.”

He blinked. “Oh...”

“Which is totally fine.” It was the amazon's turn to blush as she chuckled and glanced innocently out her driver's side window. “Cuz... I-I would really really like to eat you all up.”

He scrunched nervously in his seat. “Figuratively, or...?”

“But if you must know, you smell like lavenders to me.”

Flash gasped so sharply that it nearly frightened the amazon. But when Sunset looked over to see if he was alright, she saw the boi cupping his fists to his chin and grinning a crescent moon.

“... … ...what?” Sunset eventually belched.

“I. Love. Lavender!” Flash squealed.

“OoooOooOoo...” Sunset smirked. “You do, don't you?”

“Eeeeeeeeee I do I do I do!”

“Now where would you have acquired an adoration for the scent of lavenders, I wonder? Hmmmm?”

Flash was happy to respond... but his brain did a quick pop quiz. He went back in time... back before he started spritzing his bed nightly with far too much lavender-scented pillow mist. Back before he bought lavender-scented candles. Back before he dabbled with lavender bathwash and lavender body soap. Back... back... back to his awkward high school days when the young teenage boi was starting to explore himself and he needed lube and all that he could find in the bathroom was a bottle of lavender-scented baby oil that has since gone out of production. The smell was pungent, artificial, and fake as Hell in its bold attempt to emulate the natural floral scent... … ...and yet the boi always attached that odor to the act of “pleasing oneself.” Sexual awakening had a flavor to it, and Flash sought out the depths of that sacred scent ever since, forever attributing it to his undying quest to be perpetually pink.

“It just smells... uhhhhh...” Flash gulped. “...cute?”

“Well, it'd better.” Sunset waggled an eyebrow. “Lavenders made for fine dessert where I came from.”

“So... uh...” Flash sat prim and proper with his hands in his lap. “...you get a whiff of a sweet treat whenever you're around me?”

“Eeyup!”

“Even after I shower?”

“Especially after you shower,” Sunset said. “Somehow... the more squeaky clean and rinsed you are, the more the smell entices.”

“Wow. I didn't know that you... got that much of a whiff of me.”

“From across the house, sweetie. The Harmonic Well doesn't joke around.”

“Well... uh... I'm glad I could at least be pleasant without even trying.” Flash brushed his bangs back with a shy smile.

“Makes me wonder just how aromatic you'll be once proper perfume is applied.”

“Uhm...”

“And right now I think you smell sweet?” Sunset Shimmer chuckled boldly, her cheeks flushing with a noticeable tint. “I'm still dreaming of the first lick I take.”

Flash's pupils shrank. “Uhhmmmmmm—“

“Speaking of... we gotta get some food in you!”

“Oh. Right. Food.” Flash nodded shakily. “But... what about you?”

“Eh... I'm good.”

“Good? You haven't eaten since those carrots I... erm... slapped onto a plate for you hours ago!”

“I know. And I'm good.” Sunset nodded at the boi in the passenger seat. “Honest. I am.”

Flash squinted at her. “... … ...this magic metabolism thing of yours really is weird.”

“Pffft. You're one to talk! You barely eat at all, Flash!”

“Still... though...” He looked at the valkyrie with concern. “How long can you go without a bite?”

“Honestly...?” She freed a hand to brush her bangs back before re-gripping the wheel. “...usually seventy-two hours on average.”

“Wowers.” Flash's feet kicked at the air below his seat. “Do you even need to eat?”

“Yes? And no...?” Sunset shrugged in mid-drive. “True to the name—the Harmonic Fountain maintains our bodies and our health. When we do eat, the flux of magic inside of us somehow... translates the material into renewable energy.”

“I'm not sure if that makes sense.”

“I'm not sure if it matters.” Sunset chuckled. “Oh, sweetie, if you're worried about the girls and I... don't be. We don't hunger so much as we occasionally dabble. From what Twilight and Cadenza scientists can tell, certain foods still have a positive effect on us... but it's not our ultimate source of sustenance.”

“Then what is?”

Sunset whistled innocently.

He bit his lip. “Don't say it's me.”

“Aaaaaand each other,” Sunset said. “I swear. If the Elements of Harmony never met... we'd probably all have 'starved' by now.”

“Isn't that... kinda scary?”

“Not when you're too busy having fun!” Sunset winked aside. “Among other things.”

“Right.” Flash nodded. He toyed with a blue strand of hair, gazing nervously aside. “So... if... uhm... I came to the dinner table...”

“...well, maybe the whole 'lavender' angle is starting to make sense. Hmmm?”

“Mmmm...” Flash trilled inwardly, blushing.

Sunset chuckled. “But enough about me. Let's fix you up with some stuff for the next few days. I don't usually have company, so my fridge and pantry are emptying.”

“Oh, Sunny, I don't want to be a bother...”

“Pffft! I thought we were astronomical units beyond that by now!”

“I've... sorta lost track of time...” Flash fidgeted guiltily. “How much do I owe you by now? Three... four days' worth of room and board? And now meals...?”

“Flash, I don't want my career as an Element of Harmony to end just 'cuz I was caught by the cops tossing a five foot man off a bridge.”

“O-oh...”

“Just relax and tell me what you're in the mood for—tummy growling, wise.” She smiled at him. “Hmmm? What can we get you to help you pass the next few days?”

“Honestly...?”

“Honestly...!”

“Nothing too extravagant... and definitely nothing expensive.” Flash smiled delicately. “For real. Food... isn't exactly my biggest thing. I can be easily satiated.”

“Hmmmm...” Sunset looked back on the road. “'Not extravagant.' And 'not expensive.'” Her eyes lit up at she saw a bright sign by the roadside, and she switched on the turn signal. “I think I know where we can knock that out in one fell swoop!”

“Sunset?”

“Yes, Flash, sweetie?”

“... … ...confession time?”

“Go ahead.”

The boi walked in the shadow of his amazonian companion. Bright lights hummed over a veritable ocean of shopping aisles, punctuated occasionally by rowdy families and squealing children. Shopping carts rattled and distant registers beeped as a chorus of decades' old muzak attempted in futility to warble through the capitalistic malaise.

Flash bird-stepped nervously in his sandals, feeling tiny and vulnerable in the otherwise-comfy hoodie and cargo pants. He kept close to the towering female specimen beside him. “It's... probably been over ten years since I last stepped into a Wal-Mart.”

Sunset smirked. “That out of the loop, eh?”

“I-I didn't even know they served groceries here!” he wheezed.

Sunset—massive and strong as she was—had three whole shopping baskets hanging under one arm, and a few edibles had already been stuffed within—mostly vegetables and fruits. “It's the land of the plenty, Flash. Applejack doesn't particularly like this place, and I've heard Rarity dramatize about how she'd rather be dead than step a foot inside. But... if you ask me? It's too much of a good thing to pass up!”

“Seriously... I think Concepcion used to take me here way back when... during days that she had to shop for household supplies.” Flash gulped. “But... I-I've forgotten just how big this sort of a place can be.”

“I think everything in this world makes you look small, Flash.” Sunset reached down and pinched his cheek. “And it's adorablllllllle...”

“Guh!” The boi in Scootaloo's hand-me-downs lightly swatted her hand away. “Sunnnnnyyy!” he protested.

“What?” She chuckled, leisurely browsing an aisle full of fruit drinks. “Ashamed to have others see me lovin' on you?”

“It's not that...!” The boi huffed and puffed... but clung to her nevertheless. “For all they can tell, I'm your little teenage brother!”

“And what's wrong with that?”

He blinked hard, gaping up at her. “Huh?”

“Okay. You're right. That would be a tad bit off-color.” Sunset whistled to herself, then winked down at the boi. “I'd much rather they assume you're my baby sister.”

“Oh gosh...”

“Heeheehee...”

“Oh gosh oh gosh...”

“Why are you getting so flusterrrrred?” Sunset reached down to ruffle his hair. “I didn't know you could be so adorable in public! Otherwise, I'd have taken you out of the house more.”

“I've never...” Flash cleared his throat. “...w-worn girl clothes like this in public.” He glanced at her. “Apple Bloom's duds at Cadenza Corp yesterday doesn't count.”

“Flash, what you're wearing is practically unisex. I don't see what you're yammering at.” Sunset picked up a bottle of juice, examining it closely. “Butttttttt... if you really wanna fix that, a cute floral ensemble is just a changing room away!”

“Sunny...!” Flash hissed.

She snorted. “Oh sweetie... relax. The day I finally get you to dress like yourself, it won't be in a Goddess-forsaken Super Wal-Mart.”

The boi breathed with some relief. “That's reassuring, at least.”

“Seriously, though... are you really uncomfortable being here?” Sunset asked in a sweet tone.

“Mmmmm... yes... no... yes?” Flash brushed his bangs back and sighed. “Confession time again.”

“Listening time again!”

“I've... n-not been very comfortable in public ever since... s-since I became a shut-in and ghosted from everyone right after graduation. Too much time spent in the shadows of my room. And when I did come out... I was this frumpy waif of a creature hiding in oversized clothes so as not to be noticed...”

“Flash, if you're feeling too anxious—”

“N-no... I'm fine. Sorry if I keep fussing, but... I-I'm fine...” He smiled up at her. “It... I... uh... I-I feel safe around you.” He gulped. “So long as you're here, it's not so bad.”

She smiled warmly at him. “Well... now that I've got your confidence... how about your undivided attention as well?” She held up the bottle. “Pineapple juice?”

“Huh?”

“You think you would enjoy this?”

“Erm... no. Thanks, but... it's too sweet.”

“Too sweet?!?” Sunset shelved the bottle back. “For you??”

“Not everyone's Pinkie Pie.”

Sunset nodded, walking down the aisle. “Fair enough.”

Flash walked along with her. “Pineapple juice sorta... stings the roof of my mouth after a while.”

“Well, what kind of juice do you like?”

“There... was this mixture once. Back in my second year of college, I'd buy them from the local grocery store.”

“Yeah? What mixture is that?”

“Erm...” Flash touched his fingers together. “Strawberry kiwi.”

“Heeheeheee...”

He blushed slightly. “It tasted it my mouth how a nursery rhyme sounds to my ears.”

“Awwwwwwww... shoulda known you were a strawberry kind of a princess.”

He blushed again, practically burying his face in her side to hide it. “Sunnnnnyyyy...”

“Oh gosh. This is too great.” Sunset grinned. “I'm gonna make us 'shop' for another two hours just to get you to squirm like this.”

“Pleeeeeeeeease...”

“Heeheehee...”

Just then, Flash heard a shuffle of shoes—followed by a squeaking cart and a series of feminine gasps.

Instinctively, he stood closer to his amazonian protector. Glancing over, the boi saw that a few high school aged girls were frozen in place, gawking at the sight of them. He bit his lip nervously. Sunset, meanwhile, continued casually studying the contents of the shelves as if nothing had changed.

“Let's see...” The valkyrie tapped her chin, thinking out loud: “Would they have strawberry kiwi mixes in the health line? Or... OooOooOooh!” She grinned happily, eyes brightening. “I could just go back to the produce aisle and buy the real thing! We could make some of our own back at the house! Wouldn't that be a fun activity, Flash?” She nudged the boi with a wink. “Sisterly bondiiiiiing!”

“I... uh... I'm...” Flash was tongue-tied, watching pensively as the girls walked over with amused expressions. He flinched at the last second—

“Hey... uh... excuse me?” One girl tapped on Sunset's shoulder. When the woman looked over, she spoke up towards her through a dumb grin. “Do you play basketball or something...?”

On a dime, Sunset Shimmer quickly returned: “No. Do you play miniature golf?”

The girls giggled in the same annoying cadence.

Flash winced visibly.

“It's just that we don't see women as tall as you around!” the same girl repeated.

Sunset's tone was insultingly similar to hers, but the teenager didn't catch on: “Well, grab some binoculars and sit on your friend's shoulder sometime! It'll make things easier!” Her eyes narrowed above a sly grin. “I can't use binoculars without breaking them—seeing as how I'm always bumping my head against the moon.”

Yet again, the high schoolers giggled. One in the back of the gaggle had her phone out—

“Oh! A photo-op!” Sunset beamed. She placed her baskets down and rubbed her hands together. “Let's make the best out of it, shall we?” She reached in towards the girl who had asked her. “Heave—“

“Guh!” the girl yelped and then laughed nervously as she was lifted up high.

“—ho!” Sunset held her up with impressive strength, balancing the girl with one arm and her shoulder. “Smile for the camera, sweetheart! You're an astronaut now!” She pumped the muscles of her opposite arm and struck a pose while the frazzled teenager in her grip attempted to blend in. “Hashtag: air heads!”

The rest of the teenager's friends laughed and chuckled as they all took photos with phones.

“Thank you thank you—I'm here all week.” Sunset placed the girl down to her feet and picked her baskets up again. “Unless you hear someone shout 'Timberrrrrrr'... in which case you'd better run or else I might come smashing down through your house.”

“Hahahaha—you're so funny, lady!”

“Yeah, it's something in the water. Assuming I can ever reach it.” Sunset waved them off, still bearing the heroic grin. “Tootaloo, dum-dums!”

The blonde creatures ventured off with their cart in tow, chatting giddily with one another about the “event” they just experienced.

Sunset hummed to herself, continuing to peruse the aisle as if nothing had happened.

Flash—in the meantime—was too busy clenching his teeth as he felt his heartbeat normalizing. “That... that was horrible,” he stammered.

“Eh... quite silly and pleasant, actually.” Sunset examined a pack of Kool-Aid. “We're in a Wal-Mart. We're lucky an old lady with drooping tits didn't try calling the police because a Scandinavian alien had invaded the country.”

“Oh gosh... h-has something like th-that happened to you?!”

“I've seen 'em all.” Sunset tossed him a calm grin and reached over to ruffle his head. “Don't you worry, sweetie. It takes a fuckton of nonsense to ruffle these feathers.”

Flash straightened his bangs, glancing towards the far ends of the store. He took notice of multiple heads pausing to gaze their way... lingering... and eventually moving on. “I... never really thought of it.” He gulped. “But you and the girls... m-must get stared at a lot.”

“Sometimes it's charming,” Sunset said. “Rainbow always finds a way to get a laugh out of it.”

“Like you did just now?”

“Nah. She's way better with improvisation on the fly. In moments like that... I just remember that I'm a superhero!”

“So that's how you manage...”

“It works most of the time!”

“Guess I understand why you wear masks now,” Flash said. “You already receive enough attention as it is.”

“Y'know... I'm a little surprised that most people haven't put two and two together,” Sunset remarked. “Seven girls... same age... almost same body type... hanging out in the same place?” She shrugged. “We're the Elements of Harmony through and through. Seems pretty obvious. And goddess forbid anyone from high school should run into us again...”

“I'm... guessing that most of them are keeping silent,” Flash said. “Considering how many witnessed the crazy stuff that went down back at CHS.”

“It's a wild, wicked world out there... but—all things considered—we've been pretty dayum lucky!” Sunset brushed her bangs back. “Just like the employees at Cadenza Corp. A lot of people are really happy to keep things hush-hush.”

“Hmmmm...” Flash smiled pleasantly. “...maybe it's something infectious about the spirit of friendship and harmony.”

“Or maybe our pendulous dicks simply hypnotize everyone.”

“Hskkkt!” Flash winced and nearly spun around with paranoid fear. “Sunnnnnyyyy!”

Sunset giggled. “Relax! Nobody can hear us!”

“H-how do you know that?”

“Situational awareness,” Sunset explained. “Something the girls and I learned out in the field.”

“Oh yeah?”

“For instance...” Sunset nodded her head towards one end of the aisle. “That man's a war veteran. Prosthetic left leg.”

Flash squinted stealthily at a middle-aged man in a polo shirt and jeans. “How can you tell...?”

“Distribution of his weight and the uneven shuffling of his lower half,” Sunset explained. “Also the word 'Semper' is poking out from beneath his collar.”

“Wow... I had no idea you were... this observant.”

“I can't help it.” Sunset shrugged. “Normally I can read everyone's thoughts too. But... well...” She shook the bracelet on her arm.

Flash bit his lip guiltily. “You must feel 'deaf' because of me.”

“What?”

“I... said you must feel deaf because of me.”

“What?”

“I said you—“ Flash went cross-eyed, then playfully slapped her side. “Sunnnnny!”

She giggled. Then winked at him. “But seriously, though. I've long learned how to fill in the blanks. I kinda have to. In the field, I'm objectively the weakest of the Elements of Harmony. So I make up for my lack of strengths with observational skills.”

“Don't forget the Vulcan Mind Meld.”

“Only in extreme circumstances.” Sunset walked into the next aisle and Flash followed. “But we didn't come here to talk superhero fluff. Do you have a preferred brand of soap?”

“Uhhhhh... I can't eat soap.”

Sunset stuck her tongue out. “It's for the shower, silly.”

“I can do with yours.”

“I know you can—but I want you feeling comfortable! I'm sure they've got some lavender soap around here somewhere.”

“Er... they do...”

“Oh?” Sunset looked down at the boi. “You saw some earlier?”

“Yeah. In the hygiene aisle. We passed it when we first entered.”

“Well...” Sunset readjusted the things in her baskets—emptying one of the containers and handing it down to the petite young man. “How about you go and grab a few bars, hmmm? Maybe get some toothpaste and other necessities while you're at it.”

“Uhhhh...” Flash took the basket and hung it nervously at the full length of his dangling arms. He stood pensive and bird-toed.

“Flash, sweetie, we've been through this.” She reached over to caress his face. “You're no bother! It's my treat! And when I say 'my treat,' I mean Cadance's treat.” She chuckled lightly. “So long as you're not going to pick out a few dozen Lamborghini's, it'll be more than fine.”

He gnawed on his lip, avoiding her gaze.

“What?” She pursed her lips, stroking his ear. “Don't want to leave my side? Hmmm?”

“... … ...not r-really,” the boi mewled.

“Awwwwww... it's okay, hun.” She leaned over and kissed his forehead. “It'll only be for a short while. I'm not going anywhere.”

“I'm sorry... just...” Flash exhaled through a shudder. “The last time I was alone... like really alone...”

“Flash.” She leaned over far, eyes firm. “Look at me.”

He did so.

She stroked the back of his head. “You're never... ever gonna be alone. Never again. No matter what happens... no matter the stakes... I'll always be there for you. Do you understand?” She let her hand fall to his shoulder, loving and squeezing. “You're no longer just an afterthought in your family's cold minds. I promise. 'Kay?”

He sniffled... then nodded with a tiny smile. “Okay.”

She pinched his cheek, then stood up all the way. “Ahhhhh... whew... we gotta get you some stilts, girl.”

Flash giggled.

“Soap Fetch Quest—go!”

Flash made to leave—but he jolted in place. “Wait... I left my phone in the car. How will you find me?”

“Uhhhh... Flash...?” She fondled the bracelet on her arm, pretending as if she was about to slip it off. Instead, she arched her eyebrows for emphasis. “I promise you. I can always find you.”

“Oh... uh... r-right...” He blushed. “I suppose you can.” A half-curtsy, and the boi bounded off.

Flash Sentry got his soap like a good boi. He also procured some deodorant, lip balm, shampoo, and—after more than a little bit of inner struggle—a pack of clean socks. He felt adorably guilty about the last selection, and was already formulating a formal apology to Sunset...

...when his peripheral vision was accosted by a vomitous deluge of pastel pink.

It was only natural that the boi looked towards the color's source.

He was passing by the toy aisles of Walmart. More specifically: the girl toy aisle. And—in what could only be an early Christmas miracle—the section was currently devoid of scampering, shrieking, wailing children. Or anybody, for that matter.

The young man felt a pit form in his stomach. His heart pounded. He looked ahead of him... he looked behind him... then—with swift little sliding motions—he side-stepped until he was standing in the toy aisle. Surrounded by pastel pinks and lavenders and reds, he felt the pit in his stomach turn to butterflies. Flash exhaled through a tiny-yet-crooked smile. His eyes wandered up to a cardboard cut-out of familiar princesses who acted as castle battlements above the assortment of dolls, tea sets, horses, and roller skates. Before him, a fabulous assortment of regal divas posed in their transparent cubicle casings of plastic. So many shiny dresses. So many adorable little pink plastic brushes and combs. Vinyl rosebuds and perching songbirds.

A melodic sigh escaped his lips. He walked down the aisle, his eyes observing all of the sellable cuteness. For a brief moment, he closed his eyes—and he dreamt that he was a four year old once again twirling in the center of so many giggling girls. His eyes reopened, and he blinked at a series of laughably small dresses hanging from the “costume” section of the princess aisle. He spotted a Belle dress, a Rapunzel dress, a Cinderella ballgown, and a very very very lonely Moana frock.

Nervously, he glanced down both ends of the aisle. He was still alone.

Holding his breath, Flash reached out and... trailed his fingers along the translucent gossamer edges of the Belle gown. The thing was dinky—sized for a preschooler, of course. But the boi pretended for a brief moment that he was touching the shiny fabric of something that was adult-sized... even too big for him. He didn't care if the material was gaudy or wrinkled or caked in dust—it was girliness manifested... and what he wouldn't give to have something like it (only Flash-Sentry-sized) to twirl in someday.

His legs carried him onward, and he stumbled upon an endcap where tangentially related décor had been situated. There, he saw something that made his jaw drop.

It was a soft Tinkerbell throw blanket. Polyester with a soft, fuzzy touch to it. The item was bundled into a cylinder, and it was difficult to make out the pattern from just looking at the fabric. However, the branding showed the full illustration: an adorable and glamorous Tinkerbell standing on an open flower with a royal purple background dotted with florals and pixie dust. The edge of the blanket was hemmed in pastel green with pink stitching.

“Mmm... mm... m....” The sissy whimpered, his limbs going limp. He felt weak in the knees, weak in the thighs, weak in the crotch. If Flash was sitting at home and looking at this product on a web browser, he might have had to change his underwear. But here, in public, he barely managed to keep control of his body... unless one counted the limp lean of his body towards the blanket... fingers grazing, touching, feeling. A giggle escaped his lips... and he imagined himself curled up snugly under pastel comforters in a pink bed and snuffling the super super soft blanket to his cheek and inhaling the heavenly scent of lavender as he was carried away on an invisible purple cloud—

“You wanna take that home too, sweetie?” Sunset's voice vibrated into his ear.

“Aaackies!” He jumped back from the endcap—his head inadvertently bumping into her lower bosom.

“Whoah there!” Sunset leaned back, balancing baskets off her strong arms. “Easy there, sailor!” She smirked, patting his head. “Although I give it a ten for the landing.”

Flash spun around, blushing and breathless. “Sunset...!” He nearly dropped his basket of necessities. “What are you d-doing here?!”

“Finding you!” She held a finger up, grinning. “I found the absolute perfect meal! It just screams 'you!'” She reached her hand into the basket and pulled it back out—holding a tell-tale rectangular tv dinner. “Kid Cuisine! Eh? Ehhhhh?”

Flash squirmed in place. He felt a life-threatening aura suddenly radiating from the toy aisle and tried to inch away—but Sunset was blocking his way.

“Look it!” She pointed at the microwave dinner's cover. “Chicken nuggets! Macaroni! And—the penguin! Just like Pinkie Pie told me used to be on the cover! I guess they brought him back! And here I thought it was always Spongebob!”

“Sunny... can we not—?”

“Oh! Sorry! Go on! Put the blanket in the basket, sweetie—“

Flash clenched his teeth. “No.”

“No?” Sunset arched an eyebrow. “Why not?”

“Just—please...”

“Can it not fit?”

“No. I... guh...” Flash facepalmed, blushing redder than lava at this point.

Sunset giggled, walking past him. “Flash... honey... I took the bracelet off for a half-second so I could get my bearings on you—...”

“Guh!” He scampered after her. “Wait—!”

She casually strolled down the pink aisle, admiring all of the dolls and princesses and dress sets. “...and I sensed pure happiness... absolute joy. I sorta figured you were either here or in the makeup aisle. Oh! Hey!” She picked up a box containing a beauty but a funny girl. “This one's your favorite, isn't she?”

Flash rocked on the heels of his sandals, staring intently into the ground with clenched fists.

“Orrrrr...” Sunset put Belle back and picked up a dazzling Cinderella doll. “Was it her? The two of you can relate, hmmmm?”

“Sunny... I...” Flash squirmed, visibly uncomfortable. “Can... c-can you stop...?”

“But why, sweetie? Neither of us are hurting anyone.” She chuckled, walking down the aisle some more. “We both know how happy this stuff makes you. So why pretend?” She reached out and touched the same dress Flash had been admiring earlier. “Heh... too bad this isn't estranged boifriend sized...”

“Sunnnnnny...” he was whispering squeakily at this point.

He blinked at him. Then—with a motherly smile—she took him by the hand and gently led him a few aisles down... … … until they were surrounded by military camouflage and bright orange water guns.

“Is this better?” she droned, eyebrow arched.

He huffed. “It's not funny...”

“Flassssssh...” She giggled, strolling down past tanks and sci-fi aircraft. “Why can't you relax! Unless... this is all part of the game—”

“It's not a game,” Flash grumbled.

“Then what is it?” She gazed down at him with a patient expression. “Why do you not just... let yourself indulge? We both know the need is strong.”

“It's... it's complicated,” he murmured, walking along with her.

“I'm all ears.”

“... … …”

“Well?”

“... … ...the Kid Cuisine might melt.”

She laughed, then reached down to pat his shoulder. “And if that happens, I'll just fetch another one in its place.”

He sighed, his blush slowly fading as he crossed his arms with the basket dangling from his grip. “... … ...I've never really been... destitute, Sunset. Even though Magnolia and my folks strangled my finances in the last few years, I could always afford... to get myself stuff. If... if I wanted.” His back hunched over slightly. “And believe me, I wanted.”

“Then why didn't you?”

His eyes hung towards the floor sadly.

The amazon was already nodding. “You always felt too guilty to indulge. So you just... settled for dull colors and textures.”

“Good ol' limbo.”

“Maybe it's time to kiss self-punishment 'good-bye,'” Sunset suggested as the two slowly walked through the store. “Would that be so bad?”

“I can go without punishing myself, yes.” Flash nodded. “But that doesn't mean I gotta... y'know... spoil myself.”

“And why not?”

“Let me be more specific.” He glanced back at the pink aisle, now a distant speck. “It doesn't mean I gotta spoil myself that way.”

“And why not?”

He groaned. “Sunset—“

“It's the perfect reunion waiting to happen, Flash.”

“I... just...” He looked around for people nearby, saw no one, and nevertheless hissed in a hushed tone: “...we both know what t-turns me on.”

“Uh huh...”

“And we both know what... uhm... the Harmonic Well is all about.”

“Uh huhhhhhh...”

“So... like...” Flash shrugged. “...it's super inappropriate and gross.”

“What is?”

He blinked at her.

She blinked back, waiting.

“It... That...” Flash gulped. “It's just... it's just not right to indulge in a whole lot of girly... princessy stuff and do really naughty things at the same time.”

“Who says?”

He nearly collapsed. “Uhm... duh???” He looked close to barfing. “Sunset, I know you've only been in this world for maybe seven years, but you don't go around mixing that sort of stuff.”

“Since when?”

“Since—?!” He slapped his forehead, sighed, and shook his head. “Forget I said anything—“

“Flash, answer me something.”

He kicked at the floor, sighing. “Sure.”

“Do you want to be sexually involved with children?”

The boi nearly collapsed into a row of fishing lines and bicycle tires. “Wh-what?!” he stammered, his face pale as a sheet. “No!!! Of—!” He winced, looking over his shoulder, then leaning towards the valkyrie. “Of course not! What kind of a question is that?!”

She cocked her head to the side. “You don't want to physically exploit minors in any way?”

“No! No no no—a thousand times no! Sunny...” His teeth chattered. “Could you please not say such things so loudly—”

“Are you actively planning to take advantage of someone without their consent?”

His mouth agape—the boi could only shake his head.

Sunset smiled, shrugging. “Then what's the problem?”

“... … ...”

“Flash... honey...” She pivoted to face him, squeezing his shoulder lovingly. “Let's be real. Why do you really like the 'princess' and 'pink' aesthetic?”

“I... well...” He fidgeted. “... … ...happy memories?”

“Well, of course. But I mean when it comes to the naughtier angle.” Her eyes narrowed somewhat. “I've been inside that cute head of yours. We both know the streams cross... often.”

“I... I've heard of some people say that they wanna be around... erm... j-juvenile things because they went through a lot of crud when they were young and they feel like they missed out on childhood. But... but I-I never really experienced that.” He gulped. “Sure, my parents were never really all that loving... but they did support me... even if from a distance. And... and I never felt that I was born the wrong gender or something. But... whenever I look and see and feel really-really-really girly things... I just feel... sweet... and pretty...” His nostrils flared, and he blew out the side of his mouth. “... … ...submissive.”

Sunset smiled sweetly. “Would you believe me if I told you that consenting adults oftentimes enjoy stuff that's seen as both 'juvenile' and 'sexy'?”

“... … ...” Flash blinked hard. “...you can do that?”

“Yes. It's usually referred to as 'age play.'”

“Age... play...”

“Yes. When adults assume the role of a child or a caregiver or both. It boils down to the relationship structure. It's a form of role play, sometimes acted out... sometimes just a subtlety that's practiced regularly.”

Flash's face scrunched. “... … ...and it's sexual?”

Sunset leaned back, breathing. “Not always. But it can be. It's not about being an actual child, but rather being childlike... as in personality-wise or in presentation. What you wear... what you surround yourself with... your habits.” She smirked. “You know how 'schoolgirl' and 'cheerleader' outfits are a big thing for couples well past high school?”

“Oh... uh... sure... I guess...” Flash cleared his throat. “Is that what explains abdul?”

Sunset looked confused. “Abdul?”

“Y'know...” Flash fingers pointed ceilingward as he spelled out: “A... B... D... L...”

“Hahahahaha—“ Sunset nearly keeled over, but she quickly composed herself. “Ahem. Sure. Y'know. Different strokes for different folks.” She snorted. “Sorry, sweetie... I just never heard it spelled out like that.”

Flash gulped. “... … ...and it's completely normal?”

“It's completely okay. So long as everyone's adult and consenting—what's stopping them from dressing up as plush narwhals and fencing with their horns before rolling in the hay?” Sunset shrugged and walked ahead. “As a very wise mentor once told me...” She hummed. “'There's no wrong way to fantasize.'”

“I guess...” Flash sighed, rubbing one arm with the other as he followed her. “...I always thought I had to keep the spheres separate.”

“Says the boi who fantasizes about Prince Charming claiming his princess.”

He blushed, clearing his throat. “You know what I mean...”

“And there's nothing that says that you can't keep things separate if you feel more comfortable that way, Flash.” She looked down at him. “But if you wanna double-dip—between being an adorable little princess and being a sexy minx—it's okay too! I assure you whole heatedly! With every fiber of my being!”

Flash breathed easily. “That... that's a happy thought...”

“Makes you feel like flying, huh?” Sunset winked down at him. “All you need is pixie dust.”

He bit his lip.

She sighed helplessly. “I won't make you take a pretty faerie blanket home. Relax.”

He sighed as well. “Maybe later.” A gulp. “I'm sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry for.”

“I know I'm very difficult...”

“You're feeling out. Discovering yourself. Or—at least—you have a chance to.”

“You... the girls...” Flash fidgeted between every sandal'd step through the store. “...you... y-you would let me... uhm...”

“Dress and smile and twirl like a pretty pretty princess?” Sunset smirked. “Flash, honey, we would give you your own princessy room...”

He held a hand over his chest, short of breath.

“With pink everything—walls, carpet, curtains, ceiling. Your favorite character on every blanket and pillow...”

“Oh gosh oh gosh...” He pulled at his hair, nearly dropping his basket. “Sunset... stop... y-you're gonna make me b-burst!”

“Heeheehee—we can even give you a tea set and a rocking horse and a little baton to twirl around—“

“Guhhhhhh... Sunny!”

The amazon giggled wickedly. “Flash...” She patted his shoulder as they walked along. “...anything and everything is yours. So long as you're our happy little pet, who cares what you're wearing?”

Flash managed a brief but dreamy sigh. “Everyone's happy little pet...”

“Tartarus, I know for a fact that Fluttershy would absolutely love it if—!” She froze in mid-speech, her pupils shrinking.

“...?” Flash looked up at her. “What?”

“Uhhh...”

“What about Fluttershy...?”

“I... meant... to say...” Sunset's eyes wandered, rolled, and fell to his basket. “Oh hai! You got the soap! You ready to check out?”

“... … ...yeah?”

“Whelp, what are we waiting for! Shopping Quest—Accomplished!” Sunset skipped ahead. “Zoop!”

Flash shrugged it off and scampered to catch up with the woman.

Minutes later...

Flash sat alone in the car. Dangling his feet from the passenger's seat. Humming.

He glanced comfortably through the window, scanning the parking lot. Several plastic bags full of items sat in the back.

At long last, he saw Sunset's towering figure under the haze of a lamp. The valkyrie walked briskly towards the vehicle, dangling a bag from her arm.

Flash stretched his tiny body... reached... reached... and finally unlocked the driver's side in time for Sunset's arrival.

She opened the door and slinked in, exhaling. “Sorry. I didn't mean to take so long.”

“It's okay.” Flash bounced back into the passenger seat. “What'd you have to go back for?”

“Just a thing or two I forgot about. Thanks for being patient.” She tossed the bag in question into the back, then frowned at the dashboard of the vehicle. “Flash! Sweetie! You could have turned the a/c on!”

“But... it's cool outside—“

“I don't want you burning up, you silly thing!” She felt his forehead effortlessly. “Yeesh. Good thing you bought deodorant!”

“Sunnnnnyyyy...” Flash stifled a giggle and gently pushed her hand away. “I'm fine. I'm not hot. I promise.”

“Let me be the judge of that,” Sunset purred.

Flash rolled her eyes.

“Alright! Ready to roll out!” Sunset turned the ignition on and buckled up. “Safety fiiiiirst!”

Flash obediently slipped his safety belt into place. “Awfully quiet tonight.”

“Well, let's fix that.” Sunset nodded. “Glove compartment. The red velvet case.”

“???” Flash had to stretch a little to reach the latch.

“Heehee... here. Allow me.” Sunset opened the compartment and handed the case to him. “There. Unzip it.”

“Tunes?”

“Tunes!” Sunset cautiously backed them out of the parking space, glancing at the rear view mirror. “Remember that question you asked me earlier?”

“About the first CD you listened to?” Flash flipped through the tell-tale discs in their flappable sleeves. “I'm not seeing any Korean text...”

“You asked me about the first music CD I listened to,” Sunset clarified. “Turns out, I've got in in there.”

“Oh yeah? Where?”

“Flip to the very front,” Sunset said. “Look for the blank white disc.”

“Uhhhhh...” He pulled the CD in question out. “A burned CD?”

“Mmmmmhmmm! That's the one!” She nodded towards the dashboard. “Snips and Snails gave it to me when I first enrolled at CHS. Why not give it a spin?”

Licking his lips, Flash stretched... stretched... and finally fit it into the player's slot.

“Thattagirl.”

“Which track...?”

“Surprise me.”

Flash slapped the “shuffle” button and allowed the disc to play. He listened with bated breath... and his pupils shrank as he heard...

...a very very familiar voice singing Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.

Flash's lips parted. He held a dainty hand over his mouth.

Sunset whistled casually along with the tune. After turning onto the main road, she threw Flash a patient look.

“... … ...” Flash sniffled. Tears formed in his eyes as he looked back at her. There was a delicate, bittersweet smile. “After all these years... you k-kept it...?”

“Mmmmmmmmaaaaaaaaaaybbeeeeeeee,” the woman responded with stars in her eyes.

“How... h-how often do you—“

“At least twice a week. Makes me happy. Makes me remember.” She smiled, gripping the wheel with grace and majesty. A toss of her scarlet hair. “But... y'know... preaching to the choir...”

“Mmmm...” Flash whimpered, dabbing his eyes with a dumb smile.

The insanely girly song carried on, its vocalist hitting each note perfectly.

“Yeesh, Flash. Stop your crying, girl! Save it for when Thunderbass does his awful cover of 'Stacy's Mom'

And Flash rolled over in his seat, kicking his feet and giggling. Sunset chuckled, hitting the gas as she cruised the happy wagon all the way home under starlight.