Sunset Shimmer sat in a big plush armchair, sipping at a cup of coffee, and she wasn’t happy. Well, she wasn’t unhappy exactly—just confused. Flash had said he’d be there at noon, and it was already 12:15, and sure the guy could be just a little bit fashionably late at times but this was out of the ordinary even for him. She’d felt awkward just standing or sitting there without ordering anything, so once she looped the block a few times she came in and ordered a latte from Mrs. Cake, as always greeted her quite cordially, as she was a friend of Pinkie Pie’s.

She assumed Flash would show soon and order his drink, so she didn’t think it was a big deal that she’d gotten hers. But as the minutes ticked on, her cup went from half-full to half-empty, and now it was looking like she might even be finished by the time he showed. It wasn’t like she had anything else to do that waiting was keeping her from; Sunset just hated waiting.

Just as she’d pulled out her phone, about to send off a text of inquiry, she heard the chime that rang with the café door. Sunset looked up, and of course—it was that darn boy, standing just inside the entrance, wheezing. She shot him a curious look, and he noticed, grimacing for a second before flashing a forced smile and a pair of finger guns. He hobbled over, stopping beside the small alcove with the plush chairs.

“What’s up?” Sunset asked. It came out a little snarkier than she intended, but she just let it hang there in the air.

“Hey, I’m really sorry,” Flash Sentry managed, taking a deep breath afterwards. “I overslept just a bit and then I couldn’t find anywhere to park so I had to go a few blocks down.”

Sunset sighed, and then let out a giggle. “Alright, alright. I was just getting worried, yanno. Not like you to show this late.”

“Yeah, well...” Flash trailed off, noticing the cup in Sunset’s hand. “Aw, crud, let me get my drink so I can sit down.”

“Alrighty.” Sunset watched as he walked over to the counter. Then: “Could you grab me a scone?” she called after him.

“What kind?” asked not Flash, but Mrs. Cake.

Sunset laughed. “Pumpkin, please.” She watched with her head over her shoulder as Flash proceeded to order his drink and wait there as Pinkie Pie—oh, she hadn’t been there before—made it for him. Oddly, she noticed, Flash seemed to be... trembling? Or maybe he was just still trying to catch his breath.

Whatever the case, in a moment it was forgotten as he received his drink and sauntered back over with it and the scone, taking a seat in the blue chair opposite Sunset. He leaned forward to hand her the plate with the scone, and then leaned back and let out a sigh of relief before taking the first sip of something topped with what could only be described as a glorious mound of whipped cream.

“Huh, you never used to like your coffee so... sugary,” Sunset commented.

Flash shrugged, moving the straw around. “People change, I guess. Or, sometimes you can realise that really you liked something all along, even if... even if you won’t admit it.”

Sunset quirked an eyebrow. “You seem... wistful.” She took a bite of her scone. “Oh, that’s good.”

Flash took a sip, and then set the plastic cup on the end table beside him. “Wistful’s a good word for it.”

Sunset smirked. “Someone missing old times?” she said, batting her eyelids.

“N-no, not like that at all,” Flash stammered hurriedly. “No, I... uh...” His cheeks were red, and he definitely was trembling, for real this time, not a trick of the light.

“Flash...” Sunset’s features softened. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”

So, Flash did. And when he broke down, Sunset pulled him over to the couch and she sat there, arm around her sobbing friend’s shoulders as they shook, and she said quietly that it was all going to be alright.