takes place during S9 E9, (Sweet and Smoky.)

Soarin,

Come to Canterlot whenever you have time. My shop is a few blocks away from Canterlot Carousel. Rainbow Dash talked to me, so let’s give this another try.

- Midnight Star

Upon receiving her short note, Soarin had luckily been in Canterlot for a show and was now flying off to Starry Jewels, Midnight’s store.

Locating Rarity’s boutique from above, Soarin flew west, eyes flitting over ponies walking the streets with a walk only ponies if Canterlot seemed to have, sitting at tables enjoying drinks, and of course, shopping.

He stopped and gazed at a small sized white building with Starry Jewels being written out in cursive black handwriting and accented with a couple royal purple gems.

Swooping down, he cautiously opened the door and poked his head inside. There was a couple mares and colts looking around at all the splendour. Shiny necklaces, bracelets, rings and gems were all showcased by a shiny, clean glass barrier, and there was a modern clock on the wall while velvet curtains hung from the window. It was so... Midnight. But it also reminded him of Rarity, which in turn reminded him of Dash.

Walking in, Soarin looked at the displays of bracelets and paused when he came across a thin gold one that was encrusted with tiny jewels ranging from rubies, sapphires, emeralds, aquamarines, amethysts, honey calcites, and moonstones. It was beautiful and colourful, standing out amongst the others and shimmering when the light hit it just right. It reminded himinstantly of Rainbow Dash, and though work friends did not buy each other expensive jewelry, he wanted to anyways. Not that Dash ever wore jewelry, but he had an instinct that she may like this...

“Hi.”

Lifting his head, he turned around and faced Midnight, an awkward smile on her face. “Hey,” he replied.

“Can we... go in the back for second?” she asked, glancing around.

An older stallion walked up to them. “Excuse me, miss, I was hoping you could help me with ring sizing. It’s for my wife,” he said.

Midnight nodded and gave her best professional smile. “Of course, sir. Would you mind giving me and my...” She glanced at Soarin, biting her lip. “My friend here a moment? We’ll be quick, I promise.” She was a natural when it came to this.

The stallion nodded. “Of course.”

Friend? Soarin thought. Incorrect. They were still officially together.

She lead him to the back room and shut the door behind him.

“Friend?” he inquired, unamused.

She shrugged. “Well, are we? Still together?” she questioned hesitantly.

Soarin softened a little. Midnight knew her place, knew she was a success and that her accomplishments were something to be proud of. But she was still insecure. More so than the average, it seemed.

“I thought so,” he said.

“Oh.” She looked around the room. “Sorry.”

Sighing through his nose, Soarin moved on. “So in your note, you... Rainbow Dash came and talked to you?”

She nodded. “Yes, she did.”

“What did she say?” he asked.

Midnight moved a little closer. “What you told me. That you used to like each other and had a fling. That there was nothing going on between you two. No feelings. Just... work friends.”

Thank you, Dash, he thought. But it wouldn’t have been the end of Equestria if you had messed this up. “And...?”

She shrugged again. “I don’t know. But I’d like to trust you.” She smiled at him. “So I was wondering if maybe you’d want to grab dinner later?”

Maybe this’ll work out. Soarin smirked and touched her shoulder, bringing her even closer. “Does that mean we’re going to be okay, then?”

She giggled and nudged his nose with hers. “I think we are.”

“Good,” he murmured and allowed her to pull away. “Also... You know, if you teach me the rules, I’d like to help out here for today,” he offered.

She tilted her head, looking very, very pretty in her stance. “Really? I know it isn’t really your thing...”

He shrugged. He knew he needed to make an effort, so that’s what he was doing. “Maybe not. But it’s your thing.”

“That’s very sweet,” she admitted. “And I’d like that.” She levitated a sheet of paper over to him. “Here’s the rules, I hope you can follow them Mr. Skies,” she sing-songed.

He looked it over, holding it with his wing. “I’ll manage just fine, Ms. Star,” he laughed. “I’ll be out in a couple minutes.”

Midnight nodded and after one last smile, walked out.

The list was simple. Politeness, don’t give advice if you didn’t know something, and don’t be too forward.

“You’re welcome!” Soarin called to a young filly who had come in to buy her mother a necklace.

He, Midnight, and a couple employees had been helping customers for a couple hours, and Soarin thought everything was running smoothly. He had mostly tried to help out and find the right piece for each customer, and most of them had walked away happy.
Most of them.

But now they were closing, and he tugged the ropes of the velvet curtains as his marefriend bid her employees a goodbye.

“Thanks for today,” she called as they left.

Once the shop was officially closed, the two walked out and began strolling the streets. They had already had a small dinner of soup and sandwiches, but Soarin still felt a little hungry, and his stomach was not shy about hiding it.

“Hungry?” she asked.

He flushed a little as his tummy made another embarrassing growl.

Midnight just laughed and let out a delicate snort. Hers and Dash’s laughs were very different. “Come on, I know a place.”

He raised an eyebrow. “A place? Is it super fancy?”

“Exact opposite of that.” She smirked.

“Mmm, best idea in the world,” Soarin exclaimed.

“Figured you might say that.” Midnight took another bite out of her apple fritter.

She had taken him to an evening food cart that consisted of apple treats, almost as good as the ones Sweet Apple Acres made. They had spent quite a bit collecting a couple pies, a box of donuts and four candy apples, along with a box of apple fries. They didn’t plan to finish it all— but maybe they would. Better to do it now when he wasn’t completely old.
“You know, Dash and I used to do this a lot,” he said out loud without thinking. “But it was never pie, she hated it. But we’d get everything else. One time we brought it back to HQ and started to eat it all. Spitfire walked in and yelled at us, it was hilarious,” he chuckled.

When he opened his eyes, Midnight had stopped eating and was staring blankly at him, a very unimpressed look on her face. “Umm... funny,” she commented awkwardly.

Soarin looked down. “I’m sorry.”

She sighed as an awkward silence overtook them. “It’s alright...”

I’m in love with somepony else. “Not really.” He placed a hoof on hers.

“I shouldn’t get jealous every time you mention Rainbow Dash,” she laughed darkly. “But I do.”

With good reason.
“I don’t need to talk about her,” he insisted. “Seriously, I’m sorry Star. I don’t wanna hurt you.” He bit into a candy apple, licking the sugar off with a smack of his lips.

“I know.” A smile touched her lips and she leaned in. “We seem to be apologizing a lot, huh?”

He chuckled, touching his forehead to hers. I like you, I like you, I like you.

An image of Dash popped into his head. One of her giggling at something Spitfire said, something that made those magnificent magenta eyes glitter. But I love her, he thought somewhat bitterly.
“It was necessary on my part,” he whispered.

Midnight licked her lips and Soarin’s breath quickened. “Maybe a little,” she whispered back.

He smiled and brushed his lips against hers. “I’m sorry.” He kissed her cheek. “I’m sorry.” Her jaw. “I’m sorry.”

She took his face in her hooves. “Soarin,” she mumbled hoarsely. “Make it up to me.”

Do it, do it, get over her, get over her. He kissed her deeply, lips parting and allowing the grape flavour of her to be tasted in detail.

Dash’s vanilla scent made it’s way through his nostrils as their faces came close. “You’re awesome,” she told him quietly and kissed him. “Almost as awesome as me.”

Surely an awesome pony could get over a girl. Surely. Soarin couldn’t give up. Not yet at least.
As their kiss broke, he shoved the food out of the way and attacked her neck. “With pleasure.”