Diving Deep

Shoeshine inhaled nervously as she stared at her reflection. She hated admitting it, but she was terrified. Put her in a situation where she had to defend a friend or punch someone, she was in control. Toss into a scenario where she had a date? Terrifying. So many variables, anything could go wrong and she couldn't calculate answers. She preferred being in control and having everything planned out to the letter. Her phone made a buzzing sound and she glanced at it.

Her heart caught in her throat when she saw who was calling. She felt excited too, for some reason she didn't know why. Swiping left, she answered the call.

"H-hey, Sea." she stammered out.

"Hey Shoeshine." the other girl cheerfully replied. "I'm ready to be picked up whenever you are here. Just calling to make sure we are still one for tonight." Shoeshine glanced at the clock on her dresser and groaned.

"I completely forgot what time it was. I'll be there right away." Shoeshine reassured her. She grabbed the keys off her nightstand and gave one last look in the mirror and gave a sigh.

"I hope it goes well." she mumbled softly. Sitting in the car she had rented for the night, she rested her head against the steering wheel before turning the car on and pulling out onto the street.

"In and out, Shoeshine. In and out. Breath. Relax." she told herself. She reached out and turned the radio on. Her eyes lit up when she recognized the song and started humming the tune to herself. Contrary to popular belief, she really listened to all types of music. Rock was her favorite though. Some types of rap, some country. Her good mood slightly diminished when she saw Sea Swirl's house. To her surprise, it wasn't as big as she was anticipating.

Sure, it was bigger than hers but it wasn't huge. She changed the radio to opera which she figured would be more up Sea Swirl's alley than hard rock. The noise of the opera grated her ears. Worst thing she ever heard. She'd take Rush over this and she despised Rush. She parked on the street and turned the car off. Taking a final breath, she opened the door and stepped out. She slowly walked up the steps and hesitated before knocking on the door.

The door swung open and Shoeshine prepared herself. She raised an eyebrow at what she saw. It certainly wasn't what she was expecting. Sea Swirl stood in the doorway wearing a simple purple skirt and white top with some white pearls on a necklace. Sea Swirl gawked at Shoeshine in front of her.

"W-wow." Sea Swirl stammered out. "You look good. Beyond good." She turned as red as the dress. Shoeshine nodded.

"You look good as well." Shoeshine commented. "Shall we? I have a reservation ready." She held her hand out and Sea Swirl eagerly took it. Shoeshine led her down the stairs and Sea Swirl stared at the Camaro.

"That's your car?" Sea Swirl stared in surprise. Shoeshine nervously nodded. She really didn't want her to know the truth about it being a rental car. Her thoughts flashed to her Ford Explorer sitting at home.

"Yeah. She's a beauty. Not as beautiful as you of course." Sea Swirl's cheeks burned at the compliment and gave a smile. Shoeshine carefully opened the door and gestured for Sea Swirl to sit. Sea Swirl gave a giggle as she sat in the car. Shoeshine went to the other side and sat in the driver seat.

"You got a reservation here?" Sea Swirl stared up at the sign in surprise. Shoeshine smugly nodded.

"Yes. I figured you would like it." she held open for Sea Swirl. Shoeshine followed her inside and slowly let the door shut behind her. Unknown the pair, two people in trench coats were following them inside and were seated a few tables away. One took the glasses off and set them on the table.

"Ah can't believe Ah'm doing this." Applejack mumbled.

Rarity set her own glasses down on the table.

"We have to make sure their date goes well darling. Even if it means wearing these adorable fifties style mafia trench coats." Rarity reassured the farmer.

"Ya know the definition of inconspicuous?" Applejack asked. "When people Google search antonyms of inconspicuous, pictures of us are gonna appear next to the word."

"That's a big word for you, darling." Rarity teased with a smirk. Applejack shot her a dangerous look.

"Shush it, Rares."

Shoeshine stabbed her pasta with a fork. She admired Sea Swirl sitting across from her and gave a sigh.

"Having a good time so far?" Shoeshine inquired nervously. Sea Swirl set her glass of water down and nodded.

"It's pretty nice here. Never been here. Not exactly where I'd expect us to go. I expected the movies." She admitted.

Shoeshine shrugged.

"I figured you would like it here." She replied simply. Sea Swirl gestured at the dress Shoeshine was wearing.

"I've never seen you wear a dress before. You didn't get it just for me, did you? I'd feel bad." Sea Swirl questioned and Shoeshine shrugged.

"I needed something nice." She mumbled. "Nice enough for you at least."

Sea Swirl raised an eyebrow.

"Interesting." She mumbled. "Can I spend the night at your house? Your mom and dad have the night shift again I believe don't they?"

Shoeshine gave a nod.

"We can watch some movies if you wish." Shoeshine commented. Sea Swirl gave a grin.

"Let's go." She said eagerly. Shoeshine waited till a waiter came by and was handed the check along with some boxes. She stood up with Sea Swirl and slapped a twenty dollar bill on the table. Applejack and Rarity waited a few seconds before following them out, putting their sunglasses back on.

Sea Swirl held out a hand and Shoeshine hesitantly took it.

"You know Applejack and Rarity are following us, right?" Shoeshine asked. Sea Swirl smirked, rolled her eyes and nodded.

"Sunset and Berry are also sitting across the street in Cherrys car watching us." Sea Swirl pointed to a small car with two girls using binoculars in the front seat. They tossed the binoculars under the seats and dove in the back seat at the same time.

"This is fun to watch." Shoeshine commented idly. "Think they'll fuck in the back seat?"

"Shoeshine! That's inappropriate!" Sea Swirl snickered.

"I caught them once. In the locker room." Shoeshine chuckled.

"Strange place to have intercourse." Sea Swirl commented. Shoeshine shrugged.

"Take what ya can get wherever ya can I suppose."

Sea Swirl laughed. "I guess so."

"What the hell? She let him go!" Sea Swirl snapped in frustration. The two girls were hugging each other watching the Titanic in Shoeshine's bed. The two fell into comfortable silence until the movie ended.

"Can I ask a question?" Sea Swirl broke the silence. Shoeshine waved a hand in a go on gesture.

"Fancy restaurants aren't really your thing. And I know that blue Ford in the driveway is yours. I've seen you park it at school. And you don't really wear dresses often. So what's going on here really?" Sea Swirl asked with a raised eyebrow.

Shoeshine gave a sigh and stared at Sea Swirl.

"I needed to impress you. I'm not as fancy or extravagant as I know you would probably prefer. So I may have rented a Camaro, got a reservation at a super fancy restaurant and uh got this dress." Shoeshine admitted. To her surprise, Sea Swirl glared at her.

"Seriously?" She frowned. "I don't care about any of that. I don't really want to go out in nice cars or expensive restaurants in expensive clothes. Doing it with you is most important. You rarely even tell me your emotions or thoughts or what's bothering you or your interests. I'm gonna go home I think." She stood up and reached for the doorhandle.

"Star Wars." Shoeshine mumbled.

Sea Swirl froze with her hand half stretched to the door. She turned around and lowered her hand.

"I'm sorry?" Shoeshine stood up and stared at her.

"I like Star Wars. I have all the movies. Revenge of the Sith is my favorite." Shoeshine continued. "The clones are the true victims of show and movies. The Bad Batch is amazing." She gestured to a grey bin next to Sea Swirl's left leg. "Open it."

Sea Swirl stared at her in confusion and Shoeshine sighed.

"Please. Just open the bin." She mumbled. Nodding, Sea Swirl knelt down and opened the bin. Inside was a bunch of Star Wars figures.

"Star Wars Black Series figures." Shoeshine clarified at Sea Swirl's confused expression. "Me and Berry go to a club in a town ten minutes over and show off our collections. It's a Star Wars and Transformers club. We also go on toy hunts together." She sat down on the bed with her head in her hands.

"Why did neither of you two tell me about this? Or your toy hunts? I could have gone along." Sea Swirl questioned. "I think it's cool."

Shoeshine lifted her head and stared up at her.

"Because I assumed you wouldn't approve and probably break up with me." Shoeshine admitted.

Sea Swirl stepped to her and slapped her gently. Shocked, Shoeshine rubbed her cheek and stared at her.

"What was that for?" She demanded.

"For being stupid." Sea Swirl said simply as she sat on the bed next to Shoeshine. "I wouldn't break up with you because of that. It's kinda cute really." She grew serious. "I don't approve of you thinking you needed to act fancy because of me. You shouldn't have to act like something you're not for a partner. I adore you for you, not for what you think I would adore. Money doesn't bring happiness."

"It does make life easier." Shoeshine pointed out. "My parents lives could never have been as difficult if they had more money." She rested her head on Sea Swirl's shoulder and sighed.

Sea Swirl wrapped an arm around her and kissed her cheek.

"I know. Money can make lives easier but I'd rather have my parents home than being out making more money. You already know they are barely home. I practically live alone in a sense. I take care of myself." She squeezed Shoeshine gently. "At the same time, all those struggles have made you who you are. A fiercely loyal, kind person."

"I guess that means I can sneak in whenever I want then." Shoeshine smirked. Sea Swirl rolled her eyes.

"And whatever would you do after getting in?" She teased. Shoeshine kept smirking at her.

"I could always show you." Shoeshine purred in a sultry voice. She snaked a hand down Sea Swirl's skirt and Sea Swirl yelped.

"Maybe another time." Sea Swirl smirked as she pushed Shoeshine onto her back and gave her a kiss. Shoeshine kissed back and pushed her tongue into Sea Swirl's mouth.

"So no more random fancy get ups, right?" Sea Swirl asked after pulling away.

"Yes. I suck at communication, but I will try. Berry and I have a toy hunt next week, if you wish to come." Shoeshine mumbled shyly. Sea Swirl raised an eyebrow. Being shy really wasn't Shoeshine's thing she knew. She quickly kissed her again and smiled.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."