Unlimited Books, But No Book

Barnon sits on the shower stool. Twilight is propped up, leaning on him; her hooves around his waist, her back hooves still on the shower floor.

Warm water pours over the both of them, squeezed into this tiny shower.

This was not the plan.

It just kind of... ended up this way.

"I don't have any, uh... Pony Products, or whatever you guys use. Obviously. You alright if I just use my 15 In 1 Male Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Shaving Cream, Aftershave, Liquid Deoderant, Motor Oil--" Barnon starts lifting off, but a muffled Twilight, head sat... very close to his crotch, cuts in.

"It's fine, Barnon. Just wash my Mane, and my Fur, and my Tail. That should help me until my magic returns properly." Twilight politely informs.
"...If you don't mind. Thank you."

They didn't really have a good reason for why they were positioned like this. Barnon could have helped from outside the shower. Or she could have sat on the floor, between his legs. Or he could have put something on he didn't mind getting wet. This was kind of just the first position they managed to figure out what wouldn't leave either long-term uncomfortable.

He had a feeling they were both kind of just... moving forward. Trying to figure out some complex things. And Twilight had a lot on her mind. But, now that they had worked through some things... Barnon feels the grip around his waist tighten, her fuzzy head nuzzling his stomach. One of his arms comes down to wrap around her, the other slowly, and clumsily, working the cap to the bottle open. He resorts to using his teeth -- not the worst taste. This was, probably, the best pose for this kind of thing actually. Without it feeling like he was washing a big dog in a bathtub, which would kind of ruin the mood they were building up.

Barnon thinks Twilight was looking for comfort, too. Physical contact. The adrenaline and excitement may have worn off, and Twilight might be realizing that she just leapfrogged from her world to his -- and might not have a confirmed way home, throwing all of her troubles on someone she's known for two weeks.

He can hear her sniffle, muffled against him. Shit, man. He wasn't built for complex feelings. He called people Gay on the intergalactic web and paid his Derogatory Sexuality Remarks Fine.

But, she was the closest thing he had to a friend. He knew people, obviously, but they were all work acquaintances... And she put a whole lot of trust in him. So he'd put that same trust in her.

"You're alright. Do whatever you need, take as long as you need." Barnon comforts, the bottle farting as he starts to lather up her fur. It helps ease the tension of the moment, Barnon snickering.

His own worries ease slightly as Twilight makes a short, weak giggle, and Barnon can feel Twilight nod against himself. This... this was open. Honest. He'd never opened to someone like this before... and he wanted to make sure she was alright. He cared for her. He liked her. And Barnon was pretty sure she liked him, too.

She wouldn't be clung to him in the shower, inches from his dick if she didn't, right? Ogling pictures of him on his Holopad.

He slowly rakes his fingers through the fur along her back; his turn to appreciate the contours of her body. She's surprisingly shapely for a miniature horse, widening out at the flank and shoulders. Working up a good lather, he leans down slightly.

"Close your eyes; I'm going to start on your Mane." Barnon warns.

He can feel her nod against him, horn softly poking his midsection.

"Do I need to watch for the horn?" Barnon asks, giving it a glance. He's actually never stared at it for very long. It peeks up out of her bangs, and looks... he can't tell if its actually hard like a horn, or covered in a thin fur, since it's the same color. Not until he can actually touch it with his hands.

She mumbles something, but its hard to hear over the water.

"Sorry?"

"...Gentle, please." Twilight says louder. The way she speaks, the way the words catch in her throat; she's definitely letting a few tears flow, hidden in the water. Still thinking about the full impact of what she's done.

"Sure, Twi. If you wanna talk, I'm here, too; but maybe wait a second so you aren't eating soap." Barnon teases, rubbing his hands together. He slowly pushes through her bangs, sweeping down the rest of her hair. He carefully avoids the horn, intending that to be last.

"...I shouldn't have ran. I'm supposed to be more responsible then that." Barnon hears Twilight mumble against himself.

"Why did you, then?" Barnon asks, tracing along the base of her horn.

"...I wanted to say goodbye. I think. I didn't want to, but I had to." She continues, sniffling again. "She wasn't going to let me, and... I wanted you to know."

"Very sweet of you, Twi; but what makes the guy you've known for two weeks worth potentially stranding yourself in another world for?" Barnon teases, gently.

He can feel her start to look up -- but he stops her with a hand.
"You'll get soap in the eyes. Hold on."

She nods, and he lifts off the stool slightly, reaching for the extendable nozzle. Bringing it close, he rinses the soap out of her fur, her mane; he'd still have to get the back and tail, but...

Barnon freezes, looking down. Between soaked bangs, those big, Violet eyes blink a few times, clearing themselves of water, staring up at him. They stare at each-other for a surprisingly long moment.

"...I don't know. When I look at you, I feel... strange. I missed you, when you were gone, working. Part of me feels so terrible, so bad for leaving..." She sighs heavily, but presses against him again, face buried in his stomach, hooves holding him tight.
"But it feels like I did the right thing? Does that make me a bad Mare, Barnon?"

One hell of a confession. Barnon takes a second, trying to process... trying to offer more than just hollow affirmations. It was clearly a heavy choice that weighed on her, and that's what made it more meaningful that she still came here.
"...I'll be honest, Twi. I spent most of the last week thinking about you while I worked. Even started a little list of things I wanted to get for you. What I thought you'd like to try, places you might like to see along my routes -- stuff you'd want if you ever stayed with me." Barnon admits. Floating around mining Borutine, he almost slipped up several times, a certain Purple Pony living rent-free in his brain. "I don't do that for people; which makes you pretty special."

"Really?" She asks; its a quiet, simple question. A soft plead for the truth. For affirmation that she had done something, anything right.

"I'm glad you're here with me, Twi." Barnon whispers, barely audible above the steaming shower; but they're leant close enough that it hardly matters. "Whatever happens, I'll see it through with you, together. Wanting something doesn't make you a bad person, or a bad pony. Whether you stay with me, go home, or whatever we have to do; it'll be alright."

"...I can't reach you from here, Barnon." She mutters, the water trickling down her face.

"What do you mean?" Barnon asks softly.

"I need you to lean down, so I can kiss you." She states, firmly. Her eyes are still red -- but no tears flow, now. "If that's alright."

Barnon feels a pit drop in his stomach. Oh. Shit. A lot of feelings to process real quick. She was a Pony, he was a Human, and --

Barnon remembers the kind of stuff he's got bookmarked. Actually, this was a lot less of a problem than he thought it was. He was just nervous.

Swallowing down fear, Barnon leans down, as Twilight adjusts to use the stool for leverage, leaning against it and tilting her head up.

Their noses touch, neither of them making the first move. The water slowly sprinkles against the timid pair, Twilights sudden confidence already faltering.

Barnon smiles at her.

Her heart flutters. That's all she needs.

Twilight tilts forward, purple, plush lips meeting his human ones; Barnon's arms slowly wrapping around the little horse, sharing their tender moment, tucked away in a tiny shower, in a tiny bathroom, in a tiny ship, that softly coasts through the infinite void of space.