"Dear Celestia that was great..." Twilight murmured wistfully as she laid on my chest. I ran a hand through her already messed-up mane comfortingly as I leaned further into the bed.

"It was nice..." I agreed. The past few minutes, maybe even hours, had been spent kissing passionately. We had only bothered to stop long enough to send Spike to Rarity's house that way we could use the beds. They were much more comfortable than the wooden floor.

"Why'd you have to stop?" She whined, sounding more teasing than actually upset. I had eventually pulled away from Twilight. She was way more passionate about it than me, and as a result I needed breaks more often than her. After all, she had been basically in the same room with somepony she was in love with for months without being able to do a thing. This was still new for me though.

"Well, I need to breathe!" I retorted back equally playfully. Twilight wiggled herself in even closer to me.

"You could always use your nose..." Twilight leaned in more and hung her lips just over mine. I gave her a quick, teasing kiss and sat up. Twilight rolled back suddenly and ended up laying on her back on my legs. "Whoa!"

"Let's go out." I said suddenly.

"Out? Where?" Twilight asked as she rolled to her hooves.

"I dunno, on a date or something. The only time we've ever been out for a dinner or something like that was with your brother."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"Well, I don't know if you've noticed, but there's an army of press ponies outside the house. If we go out, everypony will know we're dating..." Twilight looked away shamefully suddenly.

"... Aaaaaaaand?"

"You don't mind that?"

"Why the hell would I?"

"Well..." Twilight looked back to me. "You just always get mad when you see articles about us girls with you, or when somepony says Rarity was your marefriend. I-I assumed you didn't want to be seen wit--" I kissed her suddenly before she could finish. After only a few seconds, I broke away again.

"Twilight, I didn't want you girls to be... I dunno, stuck with me. Back then I thought you weren't interested. I didn't want you all to be stuck in something because of the press. I would be honored to have you known as my marefriend. Hell, let them make a giant sign and a movie about it for all I care."

"But... You're only dating me for a week..."

"Well, after that they can tear down that giant sign and make a new one for 'Shy, but until then it's all about us."

"R-really?" Twilight blushed.

"Well, really more about you. My job this week is to determine if you're a better marefriend than the others would be."

"... Then shouldn't I be doing things for you?"

"When the hell have you known me to be happy receiving things?"

"Good point."

"Now then, let's go to a nice place to eat, huh?"

"Sure, let me just get ready."

"Why? You look fine."

"My mane and coat are more tangled than Steven's emotions!"

"Hey! Nice one! I don't care."

"But the other ponies will th--"

"Why should you care?"

"Because you'll look like you're dating a--"

"Do I look like I care what they think?" I asked, giving her my most blank stare.

"N-no..."

"Well then, forget how you look and what they think. Let's just go out and enjoy ourselves."

"What if I enjoy looking pretty? Or at least not looking like a wreck..."

"Twilight, you're already beautiful!" I protested. Twilight stroked her tangled mane doubtfully.

"Y-you're just saying that." She mumbled. I sighed, typical femenine self-doubt. I could keep arguing, or just give up and get to go to dinner sooner.

--2 hours later--

Twilight trotted around happily, her mane was straightened and she had put on mascara, a tiny bit of dark pink blush, a little pale green eyeliner, and some darkish purple eyeshadow. It had only taken about 10 minutes for her to apply, and 1 hour and 50 minutes for me to finally lose the argument.

"Are you sure we shouldn't stop by Rarity's place to ask for a dress or something?" Twilight asked skeptically. I threw up my hands.

"We are not starting this again!" I walked over to her position in front of the bathroom mirror, picked her up, and started walking towards the stairs. Then I turned back around, went to my bed, pulled a handful of coins out from the giant bag under it, and continued walking out.

"H-hey! Be careful, you're going to mess it up! Oooooh, I haven't even styled my mane yet!"

"You. Look. Fine. STFU, your whining is gonna piss me off again."

"But Sharkyyyyyyyyy!"

"Oh look, the front door." I remarked casually as I reached out to open it. Twilight went stiff in my grasp.

"No no no no no no no! I'm not ready!" I tossed the door open and welcomed the onslaught of flashes.

"Too late!" I shouted over the rapid-fire questions. Most of them still revolved around the Arena, but that soon changed when they noticed the dolled-up mare in my arms. "Hey! Anypony know a good place for a dinner date?!" I screamed over the voices. The reporters only got more excited.

"Oh, the little 'Dina's Diner' in town is really photogeni-- Errr, has great food!" One reporter managed to shout over the others. Since it was the only suggestion I could hear and understand, I decided to go there. Twilight was still completely rigid in my grasp all the way into the main part of town. I located the diner easy enough with the pointing of the reporters, who had seemed to grasp that I was on a date and that they could get great pictures if I got where I was going. It was a relatively tall building, for a pony-made structure anyway. The sign was a giant plate of salad with the words 'Dina's Diner' scrawled elegantly along the bottom curve of the plate in red letters.

"This place look good to you Twi?"

"..."

"Silence is a form of consent!" I stepped forward and pulled the door open... too bad it was a 'push' door. Not that it didn't open for me, but rather I ripped the door off. "... Oops."

"H-hey! My door!" A voice shouted from inside the building. The reporters had stopped making any noise suddenly. A little magenta mare with a orange and white mane appeared at the door. Her cutie mark was a waiter's tray. "Who the heck do y'think you are?!" She asked indignantly as she looked up to me. Her eyes softened once she saw me.

"Uhhh.... S-sorry. I'll pay for it!"

"Darn right you are." She agreed, surprising me. "Later though, first I need to thank you."

"Huh?"

"You helped out my great-granddaughter."

"Pardon?"

"Strawberry. Strawberry Tart. You saved her life." I frowned, until suddenly the adorable little filly with the red mane and strawberry hairclip sprung into my memory.

"Oh! You're related to the Tarts?"

"Why yes, I am. Come in, come in. I'd like to get to speak with you." The mare stepped back and waved me in. I put the door back in its place as I walked into the building. The reporters seemed too stunned to react for a bit. "No entry without intent to eat." The mare announced to the reporters sweetly. They immediately began searching themselves for bits as the mare walked us to a clear table in the corner of the restauraunt. It was a small circle with just enough room for three ponies. In my case, one human and a pony.

"Ok Twi, here we are. I'm fairly sure the reporters can't see you." I placed Twilight carefully in a seat and sat across from her. She slowly untensed and the older mare chuckled at her.

"She a bit nervous?" The mare asked. I laughed at her sarcasm and nodded.

"What's your name miss?"

"Mrs. Tart. Dina, for the less formal."

"Oh, I figured you owned this place. That pretty much confirmed it."

"So... would you like to de-thaw that poor girl before you order drinks?" Dina asked, tapping Twilight carefully. "Not that it's any of my business, but are you two dating?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Pity. Blueberry was quite taken by your actions."

"... Not another one..." I mumbled.

"What was that dear?"

"Nothing. Twilight? It's ok to move now. Seriously, you're concerning me." Twilight slowly began to untense and sat down properly.

"Good, can't have such a pretty mare wasting the night all frozen up like that." Dina said comfortingly.

"Told you!" I shouted. Twilight's eyes were still wide with panic, but Dina turned to me in confusion.

"What?"

"She's was all frozen up like that because she's insanely nervous about how she looks. I spent the better part of a few hours trying to tell her she looked fine."

"Well, you can't really blame her for being nervous. I mean, she's out with you. That'd petrify any mare with worries about how they looked." She pointed out. I tilted my head and thought.

"Hmmm... I still think she didn't need to worry about how she looked."

"I agree, won't help her now though. Anyway, drinks?"

"Water is fine for me."

"A-apple j-juice..." Twilight managed to squeak.

"Hey! She returns to the world of the animate! Twilight, meet Dina. She owns this place."

"N-nice to meet you." Twilight extended a shaky hoof to Dina. Dina shook it gently, almost as if afraid Twilight would shatter with too much force.

"Got it, I'll be right back, then we can talk." Dina turns neatly and trots off. Then I noticed that every customer in the place is looking at Twilight and I. I ignored them and the line of reporters steadily flowing in.

"So, nice night huh?" I said to Twilight.

"What the heck is wrong with you?!" Twilight hissed.

"Well, I'm dead, I have two people in my head, I'm infused with magic from three different places, my son is--"

"I meant why did you drag me here before I was ready?!"

"Twilight, you look fine."

"No! No, I'm not wearing anything, my mane is boring--"

"Just stop talking and enjoy yourself."

"No!"

"Fine, then have a boring time at dinner where all you do is try and maintain your looks and be unhappy that you didn't make yourself prettier."

"..."

"Or you could just stop it, accept the fact that I think you're beautiful as you are, and have some fun."

"I suppose that makes sense." Twilight mulled.

"Here are your drinks." Dina announced. She placed a clear glass in front of me and another filled with amber liquid in front of Twilight. She pulled a chair up to the table and sat down. "A waiter will be by soon to take your orders. In the meantime, do you mind if I sit?"

"No, it's all good." I said.

"Y-- Fine." Twilight said at the same time.

"Good. Now, first things first. Thank you for saving my granddaughter."

"Who?" Twilight asked.

"A little filly I saved from some foalnappers in Canterlot. No big deal."

"Oh but it was a big deal. In their confessions, they said they were going to kill her! I still have a granddaughter thanks to you." Dina countered.

"It wasn't that big... Seriously, easy to handle."

"Well, it meant a lot. Thanks. Your meals are on me as a small token of my gratitude. Also, I've had all the cameras taken away from the reporters for your privacy. Not only that, but I've ordered all the tables within earshot of you two lovebirds remain clear. Enjoy your date!" Dina hopped out of her chair and moved it back.

"Wow Sharky, you really do a lot..." Twilight muttered.

"Oh, and I'll be sending you a bill for the door later!"

"Yes, yes I do." I grinned sheepishly.

"Well, now that we're alone, let's talk." Twilight stated quickly, obviously trying to ignore the door.

"Anything in particular you'd like to talk about?"

"Do I really look fine?"

"Twilight, you look great. Quit worrying. We're finally on a dinner date, and all you're doing is worrying about your look!"

"Well, I wanna look good for you!"

"Then do me a favor."

"What?"

"Next time, don't paint yourself. I can't stand make-up."

"Are... are you kidding me?!" She seethed quietly. "You couldn't have told me that before?!"

"I didn't think you'd listen. Plus it seemed really important to you."

"Give me your water!" She ordered. I handed it to her and she dipped her cloth napkin into it. A few moments later, she had wiped her face clean of the make-up. "There, how's that?"

"Beautiful." I said with a smile. Twilight returned my grin sheepishly.

"O-ok..." She muttered. I turned my head to the menu that had been laid out on the table.

"Now, what are you going to get?" I asked with a sort of strength in my voice, I was trying to get Twilight to do the same.

"I like the looks of the carrot fries and grilled cucumber."

"Sweet, I think I'm going to get some steamed broccoli. Maybe some carrot fries too."

"Noted, I'll have your order out soon." A new voice interrupted. I lifted my head just in time to see a cream-colored stallion leaving with a pad of paper.

"Well... he surprised me." Twilight admitted.

"Yeah, good timing. Anyway, how were things while I was gone?"

"To be honest, really lonely. Spike spent every second he could with Rarity and Fluttershy kept Unity most of the time."

"Aww, that's sad. What did you do?"

"I thought mostly. Read a little."

"What about?"

"Well, I found myself reading a lot of romance novels actually. Of course, I read the article about you in the Arena."

"Romance novels? Eh, not really my thing. I was more asking about what you were thinking about though." I clarified. Twilight gave me a curious look.

"You of course! I was worried sick! I was worried you'd get hurt, sick, lonely..."

"Not dead?" I asked. Twilight burst out laughing.

"Hahahahahaha! No, I was never worried about you dying!"

"Huh. Well."

"To be honest, mostly I was worried about you being lonely." She began rubbing her forehooves together nervously.

"Why?" I leaned forward a bit.

"Well... I was kind of hoping you were."

"... That's... Why?"

"I-I was hoping you w-were thinking of me too... wanting me to be there..."

"Heh heh, in the Arena? Fighting?"

"No! Just... there. You... you did think about me too, right?" She looked into my eyes and seemed to be begging for a 'yes'. I reached out and grabbed one of her hooves tenderly.

"All the time. I spent every moment wanting to get back to you guys faster. Other than in the fights of course, there I was mostly concerned about living." I answered honestly. Twilight smiled lightly.

"I love you." She told me. The words, even though I already knew and understood their presence, had a huge impact on me out loud. I smiled widely and leaned forward to kiss her. She met me halfway and we exchanged just a small kiss.

"Whooo!" Somepony shouted in the back. Twilight and I broke apart quickly with a few giggles.

"Heh heh, maybe we should reserve kissing for the house." I giggled.

"Why would we do that?" Twilight asked, her voice hinting of a desire for another kiss.

"Well, it's usually expected to restrain some affections in public, right?"

"Why should we care?" She asked teasingly, leaning forward again.

"Enjoy your meal!" The waiter stallion suddenly interrupted. He levitated two trays to us, and placed a tall, thin, white candle in the middle of the table. With a flash of his horn, the candle was lit. He left before I could even thank him.

"Oh good, I'm starving!" I exclaimed. I grabbed a fork and started chowing down on the broccoli. It was slightly buttery and perfectly soft. Really well cooked. Twilight frowned at me. "What?"

"Nothing."

"Ok." I went back to eating and I heard Twilight sigh. I swallowed and looked back up. "Seriously, what's up?"

"I wanted to kiss again!" She admitted angrily.

"Twilight, we've already kissed a lot. Plus we're in public, plus there's food. Why do you wanna kiss so much anyway?"

"Because I've got months to make up for! In a week!"

"Twilight, can I at least eat? I mean, I like it as much as you, but can we move a bit slower? I mean, this is all so new to me."

"O-ok. I g-guess." Twilight mumbled sadly. Then I went back to eating. A few minutes later, I remembered where I was, who I was talking to, and how lucky I was.

"W-what the hell am I saying?!" I dropped my fork, went over to Twilight, and dragged her chair so that it was right next to mine. I placed her food back in front of her and took my seat next to her.

"Sharky?"

"Shush, we've got months to make up for." I leaned down to her and kissed her again. We remained more reserved than in the house, but it was still nice. A few cat-calls and hoots went up around the building, but we ignored them entirely. Suddenly, Twilight's hoof found its way to my thigh. I stopped my efforts in the kiss, but didn't pull away. Twilight kept kissing me sweetly as her hoof began to move inward. I grabbed her hoof nervously and pulled away.

"W-what's wrong?" She asked sadly.

"N-nothing, but your hoof was wandering a bit." Twilight looked extremely embarrassed for a moment, but then she smiled a bit.

"Oh... is that bad?" She asked with a smile, leaning against me a bit.

"Uhhh..."

"It doesn't look like you minded..." Twilight whispered.

"T-Twilight, we've o-only been together a d-day!" I reminded her. She frowned at me.

"Time, time is so important to you! I've loved you for months, and I've got a week to show you that. As far as I'm concerned, nothing is too fast. I love you and that's all that matters to me."

"I-I'm not comfortable with that!"

"Why?"

"It's too fast, ok?"

"According to who? In what book does it say this is wrong?"

"Twilight, it just feels..." I realized I couldn't say 'wrong' without being a liar. In fact, I was startled to realize that I wanted her hoof to return. "Right. It is right. We love each other. However... can we love each other in the house, not at a public place like this?" Twilight's small grin intensified.

"Sure, sure. No direct love then."

"Could we also wait a little bit for anything serious? I'm still not totally ok after... you know..." Twilight frowned a bit, but not out of annoyance. She seemed concerned.

"Oh my gosh... that must be why you've been so reluctant! I'm sorry!" She wrapped me in a hug.

"I-it's not your fault. It's fine." Now that she had said it out loud, I realized that was why I was resisting her so much. Inside, I wanted what she wanted nearly as bad as she did. The horrible memory of the dragoness was keeping me back. I couldn't even say it was my moral code of abstinence keeping me back. That was already lost. I was letting some dragoness bitch keep me from Twilight, and even distance myself from RD! However hard I tried though, I couldn't force myself to get over it. Maybe some of what Twilight was thinking of would help. "Hey, hurry and eat please. I'd like to get home soon." Twilight grinned at me approvingly.

"Ok Sharky." Twilight immediately started daintily eating her fries and I ate my broccoli. I moved on to my carrot fries and nearly choked when I looked back to Twilight. She had started on her grilled cucumber, and the way she had decided to eat it was... entirely arousing.

"T-Twilight, what are you doing?" Twilight lowered her food.

"What do you mean?"

"Why aren't you biting the cucumber?"

"Oh, I don't like the actual cucumber, but they season it really well here." Twilight resumed stuffing as much of the cucumber in her mouth as she could while licking off the seasonings. I nearly fell over. She didn't look back at me, or over-exaggerate the action, so I guessed that was just really how she enjoyed her cucumber. I coughed a little and tried not to double over in pain as my genitals suddenly got into a rather... cramped disagreement with my metal pants.

"Well, ow." I mumbled to myself. Twilight finally finished and placed her cucumber back on the plate. "Ok, lets get out of here." I said quickly, standing up from my seat. Which forced me into an even more cramped situation. I dropped the bits I had brought to pay for the meal onto the table as a tip and began pulling Twilight to the exit. The rest of the walk was a blur, mostly because I sprinted back to the library.

"Wow, in a bit of a hurry huh?" Twilight asked teasingly.

"Nope. Not at all." I said sarcastically. I ran into the house.

"Follow me!~" Twilight commanded in a sing-song voice. She bounced up the stairs. I followed her closely and got to the bedroom as she leaped into my bed. I started making my way towards her, when another voice stopped me cold.

"Hey guys, where were ya?" Spike asked. I groaned and Twilight flinched.

"We went to dinner, Spike." I informed him.

"Cool. How was it?"

"Great..." Twilight muttered.

"Good. What're you doin' now?"

"Just going to bed." I sighed.

"Why's Twilight in your bed?" Twilight pretended to look around in surprise.

"Oh, oops. I'll go to mine now." She stated in an almost monotone voice. I sighed once more and went to my bed.

"Night guys!" Spike shouted cheerily. Twilight and I grumbled replies, then I settled in for a reluctant sleep... after lowering my armor a little to keep my junk from crushing itself.