Complications

Twilight Sparkle the Unicorn, was sitting by the fireplace reading a considerably thick book. She was only a very small portion of the way through it, before she felt sleep begin to creep up on her. Twilight yawned and closed the heavy book after making a mental note of the page number. 204. She thought. This is going to take up far too much of my time reading this. I may just have to skim over the words.

Twilight had a set reading schedule, and followed it as best she could. But this particular book: 'The Intricacies of Esoteric Magic', was wearing her out much more than she had expected. According to her schedule, she was supposed to read for another 25 minutes, but she simply didn't have it in her.

Twilight yawned as she was about to ascend the stairs to the floor above. Before even a foot was placed on the first step, she heard a knock at the door. Hmm, who would be coming here at this hour? She thought. Emergency book? She trotted drowsily over to the door. It was 1am in the moring, so she was within her rights to be confused. She opened the door only for her heart to lurch.

"R..rainbow?" Twilight asked to the figure in surprise.

"Um, hey Twi," The pegasus stood in the doorway looking rather uncomfortable. "Maybe I should come back tomorrow, you look pretty tired."

"Oh no, it's fine Dash, what is it?" Twilight was excited. Why else would Dashie come here so late at night?

"Well," Rainbow began, "I was just wondering, if you wanted to... maybe have lunch with me tomorrow? It's my day off from training and I just thought 'why not', you know?" Rainbow was avoiding eye contact at this point. But Twilight on the other hoof was reaching a boiling point of excitement. Now just play it cool Twilight, for god's sake. You don't need to do anything stupid now.

"I'd love to Dash." Twilight smiled at the pegasus. "Like you said, I should really go outside more, and I can't think of a better excuse to do so." Rainbow returned the smile, blushing slightly. Her confidence seemed to have returned.

"Awesome, how does half- past 12 at Sunflower Cafè sound?"

Twilight nodded. "Sounds good to me." And with that, Rainbow jumped up and flew away. As Twilight shut the door behind her, she could not hold back any longer. The threw herself onto her back and gave a quiet little squeal. This is technically a date! She thought before her ears began to droop. I'd doubt that's what Rainbow meant though. It's probably just as friends. Well, it's OBVIOUSLY just as friends. She didn't ask me out on a date, just asked me out for lunch. But just saying those words gave Twilight a warm, fuzzy feeling in her stomach.

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Rainbow Dash flew across the night sky, closing her eyes as the cool night air hugged her face. I can't believe it. She thought. I'm finally having lunch with Twilight! Rainbow felt very content after the meeting with the pony she most loved. This was mostly due to the fact that she took it so well. She really seemed to want to. Rainbow thought. Maybe she actually...likes me. This filled the Pegasus with confidence. She was almost sure that Twilight at least liked her back.  Twilight is such a nice pony, though. She probably just didn't want to say no. At this thought, Rainbow became filled with uncertainty, but she decided that all of these emotions could wait until the next day. For now, she needed sleep.

Little did both of the lovers know, that both of them lay in their beds thinking about one another that night, unaware of their shared feelings.

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Twilight awoke from the most comforting sleep she had ever had. She quickly grew excited, and she gave a silent cheer. She hopped out of bed and trotted downstairs where she smelt breakfast cooking. Spike was handling the breakfast well, as was expected. He was actually quite the cook, although he hated doing it. In fact, he took to cooking without having to be begged to by Twilight as of late. He decided to do so to avoid the inconvenience of Twilight's whining. Twilight happily trotted into the kitchen and sat down at the table.

"Happy now, are we?' Spike grunted. "Here you go, your Spike-o-licious breakfast." Spike placed a plate of scrambled eggs in front of Twilight, without the slightest hint of delicacy. Twilight looked at spike with concern.

"Why are you so upset? I know you don't like cooking, but we both know that I can't cook to save my life." Twilight smiled thoughtfully at Spike. He rolled his eyes as a smile of his own came into view. He placed his own plate of eggs on the table. He paused as he was about to begin eating. He raised his head and looked at Twilight with confusion.

"Twilight, you are being a lot nicer this morning that usual. You're almost always grouchy when you wake up." Spike was scrutinizing Twilight, searching her eyes for any mistruth in her immanent response.

"I'm having lunch with Dashie today." Twilight's smile grew even wider at these words. Spike snorted.

"That IS enough to make you happy in the morning." Spike began shoveling scrambled eggs into his mouth.

After the two ate, Twilight excused herself and made her way back into her bedroom. She brushed her hair, wondering to herself about what the day may hold. The main thing that Twilight was trying to determine was whether or not this was a date.

"Dashie seemed to be a little embarrassed about the whole situation," Twilight spoke aloud. "I really hope it is a date, but I suppose I'll have to find out myself." Twilight brushed her teeth and trotted back downstairs. According to the clock, she still had just over an hour before she was supposed to meet Rainbow for lunch. Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. At least she could loosen up with a book first. She picked a book from the shelf to read, disregarding 'The Intricacies of Esoteric Magic' as she lay on the couch.

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Rainbow was tearing around her house. She had only just woken up to see the time. She hadn't even had breakfast yet, and it was nearly 11:30am! Plus, there was lunch with Twilight to worry about. It was a howling storm of chaos in her mind as Rainbow Dash tried to center herself.

"Ok, just keep calm and get everything done." She said to herself. The very last thing she wanted out of the day was to be late to her date with TWILIGHT. Should I brush my hair? Damnit, I don't know. Maybe Twilight likes my hair how it is. Maybe she would like it better brushed. I have no idea. Rainbow banged her hoof against her head. Who cares, what really matters is that I get there on time.

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It would take Twilight around 5 minutes to walk to Sunflower Cafè, so she left at 12:20. Best to be 5 minutes early, if her walk to the Cafè was uninterrupted. Twilight left the library, fired up with excitement. She was ready to face her greatest fear. She was prepared to ask Rainbow Dash to be her marefriend. Well, maybe not as prepared as she wanted to be. She had been fighting a mental battle over the subject all morning. What if this isn't even a date? She had thought. It would be so embarrassing. She eventually made the decision to ask Rainbow only if it seemed like it would be appropriate. Just a hint, that it in fact was a date. A date always has a romantic air about it, surely she would be able to pick it up.

She spotted Sunflower Cafè, and Rainbow Dash (the latter of which gave her a severe case of the butterflies). To Twilight's pleasant surprise, Rainbow had actually brushed her hair. Now THAT is a turn on. Twilight smiled. Rainbow caught sight of Twilight, and waved happily. Twilight returned the wave, and made her way over to Rainbow.

"Hey, Twi, you're early!" Rainbow chuckled.

"Says you, you were here before me after all." Twilight giggled back.

"Well, I DO treat everything like a race." Rainbow shrugged. "Can't help it."

Twilight and Rainbow entered the cafè together. It seemed quite nice inside. In fact, it was even nicer than Twilight remembered. Her eyes shifted to the occupied tables, only for her stomach to lurch when she saw a couple kissing in the corner.

"Table for two?" A waiter interrupted Twilight's thoughts. He had noticed her staring at the couple in the corner.

"Uh... yes. Thank you." Twilight responded, going red in the face. Fortunately, Rainbow didn't notice this as she was searching for a suitable table.

"You may sit wherever you wish, mares." He was waiting for a decision. Twilight looked at Rainbow. She seemed to know which table she wanted to sit at.

"Hey Twi," Rainbow nudged Twilight softly. "Is that table good?" Rainbow indicated a table at the very back of the cafè. In fact, Twilight was surprised at how large the cafè was. They must have extended it.She thought. Twilight nodded her head in response to Rainbow's question.

"Just the second table on the left at the very end there." Rainbow indicated to the waiter. The waiter bowed.

"Very well. I shall bring your menus right over."

Twilight noticed how close Rainbow was next to her as they both moved towards the table. This must mean something. Twilight was becoming hopeful, which was definitely necessary at this point. They sat down at the table as their menus were placed before them. The waiter trotted off to do whatever it is waiters do when they have nothing to do. Twilight didn't care, to be honest with herself. All she cared about was the beautiful cyan mare sitting opposite her, who was looking at Twilight. Come on Twilight, start a conversation.

"So, what've you been doing these days?" Twilight asked, her smile never fading for a second. Rainbow was utterly intoxicated by Twilight. She is so cute. Thought the Pegasus. Oh yeah, the question.

"Eh, not much really." She waved a hoof. "Cloud- related stuff, nothing too interesting."

"Well, I've been..."

"Reading books?" Rainbow Intejected.

"Well, yeah." Both ponies giggled quietly. They were infatuated with each other to say the least, but Twilight was still very nervous about asking Rainbow Dash to be her marefriend. Maybe I'll just ask after lunch. Twilight thought. Well, that's if Dashie doesn't ask me first. Twilight was now really hoping that Rainbow would suddenly receive the courage to ask her. Maybe I should flirt with her a little, to let her know that I'm interested. I just really hope she isn't just being really nice today.

"Well Dash, I can tell you now I'd MUCH rather spend time with you than read books." Twilight admitted.

Oh yes, she so wants me. Rainbow laughed in her mind. Rainbow was already having a great time. She was quite sure now that Twilight was interested, but she still didn't have the courage to ask her to be her marefriend. Maybe after we've eaten. She thought.

"May I take your orders?" The waiter had appeared once again. Oh dear, Twilight hadn't even opened her menu yet! Apparently realizing the same, Rainbow quickly grabbed her menu and opened it. Twilight opened hers, and scanned the list.

"Would we be able to order drinks first?" Twilight looked up at the waiter.

"Of course."

Twilight looked at the list of drinks and one immediately caught her eye.

"Could I please have the Mango Daiquiri?" Twilight asked.

Rainbow's ears pricked up. No way, Twilight's getting a cocktail? Jeeze, better not be getting drunk on me, girl. Rainbow laughed quietly at her little joke. Rainbow could never picture someone like Twilight getting drunk. Rainbow wasn't much of a drinker herself either, however. She had one experience, and that was enough for her. Of course, Rainbow treats everything like a contest, so at a party with Pinkie Pie, she wanted to have the most refills of her white wine. This eventually turned into a glass every 2 minutes, finally resulting in a very unpleasant rest of the night. That was enough trauma for Rainbow quite frankly.

"I might get the same as her." Rainbow said.

"I think I might need some more time for the food, if that's alright" Twilight said to the waiter. He nodded and moved away to get the drinks. Twilight looked at Rainbow playfully. "Didn't think you were much of an alcohol- drinking pony." Twilight chuckled.

"I'm not really, but I thought I might as well get what you got. I'm not very good with decisions." Rainbow turned the page on the menu. "Speaking of which, I can't decide what to eat." Rainbow looked puzzled.

'Well, what do you usually get?" Twilight said looking up from her menu.

"I rarely eat out." Rainbow admitted.

"What do you get when you eat in?" Twilight asked, enjoying her little joke. Rainbow laughed.

"Just fruit usually. It's all I really eat, boring I know. I'm just a fruit pony I guess." Rainbow answered. Twilight face hoofed.

"Then get something with fruit in it, silly!"

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The two ponies finished their food. During their time waiting for their orders to come, they had exchanged many romantic looks without really meaning too. It was embarrassing for both ponies, because neither of them had been in love like this before. Rainbow paid for the food, with protest from Twilight who insisted that she pay. They both walked out of the cafè together.

"Hey, Twi." Rainbow asked. Twilight turned to her. Twilight's butterflies had returned. It felt as if the butterflies were especially distressed now.

"Yes Dash?" Twilight asked with a smile.

"Well, um," Rainbow was incredibly nervous. "Twilight, well I was thinking... well, I think it could be cool if we... I don't know, um," Rainbow looked away for a second. "W...will you be my marefriend?" These last words practically tumbled out of the pegasus as she cringed, expecting to receive the consequences for this ridiculous question. Twilight was still registering this question in her mind. She was expecting it, but she couldn't believe that Rainbow actually asked. This was what she always dreamed about, what she always wanted. Her heart was beating in her chest like never before. She knew what her answer would be.

"Oh my god, Dashie. I love you!" Twilight moved forward and kissed Rainbow on the lips. Rainbow knew this was a yes, and returned the kiss. They stood there for what seemed like ages, kissing each other. They couldn't break away. They didn't want to break away. Their tongues locked and parted as they shared their passionate moment.

An object hit the dirt behind them. They quickly broke the kiss and looked towards the sound. It was AppleJack. She had dropped a bag of red and green apples which were now rolling away from her helplessly. Twilight's heart seemed to stop in it's tracks, everything was in slow motion. Applejack retreated slowly, her eyes wide. Without warning, she turned and ran. She ran as fast as she could, refusing to look back. Her heart was shattered. Rainbow Dash, the Pegasus she loved so much, was now beyond her reach. She wanted to run and never stop. She wanted to run from this nightmare, and never return to it again.

Never again.