AN: I was bored... Enjoy!
"You had to do that, didn't you? You just had to open your giant fat mouth like that."
"Oi! Don't just put all the blame on me; you're also at fault for not stopping me! Twilight, tell him!"
"Both of you, please, calm down. Bickering childishly won't get us anywhere."
"She's right, we're all under a lot of stress right now. But he's also right, Stardust, maybe if you were a little less critical over the performances..."
Observing the heated exchanges between both Stardust's and both Twilight's, Jack leaned to the side and muttered in quiet bemusement to his girlfriend. "You'd think the two were finally starting to get along."
Sunset couldn't repress a small amused smile. "No kidding." Watching both golden teenagers fight like that, with both versions of Twilight Sparkle stepping in as damage control, wasn't entirely anything new. Sometimes it was amusing to watch. Other times, exasperating. This, currently, was sticking to the latter.
The argument in question? Auditions. CHS was hosting an annual Christmas play, December having begun yesterday. And somehow, Canterlot High's Stardust Balance, arguably the most brash and hot-headed of the trio, was chosen as a judge alongside Twilight and Sunset. While he can be blunt at times, Stardust did possess a rational and ideal mind for these type of occasions. The Canterlot High Twilight, stepping beside her tall rash boyfriend like the Equestrian Twilight was, expressed hope that, since Christmas was coming around, the holiday spirit would make Stardust less critical over the auditions in question.
How terribly wrong she was, as demonstrated by the handful of volunteers running back in either fright or tears by Stardust's 'unbiased' opinion. The pony Stardust and Twilight, having visited the school for the day, arrived in the nick of time to see the former's human counterpart hurl blatant criticism at the last teenage girl to audition with the tact of a charging swordfish, resulting in the girl to storm out tearfully despite Sunset and Twilight's own assurances she did just fine.
Because she did, in Sunset's opinion. All the performances weren't half bad; she suspected Stardust was just entertaining himself by challenging his own girlfriend's judgement. Twilight probably thought so too. It really didn't help that the play would commence in two and a half weeks.
As pony Stardust kept criticizing his human self for lack of tact, the third Stardust - whom goes by his real name as Jack - was smirking in self-amusement, having also witnessed the events just a few minutes ago. The two sat upon the edge of the school hall's stage, the short, dark-brown haired young man in glasses leaned forward. "If it helps, I thought that last one's performance was fine."
Sunset smiled sincerely at her own boyfriend's reassurance. You'd think that dating an older man whose alternate counterparts were also dating two of your best friends would be bizarre to the extreme... And you'd be right. "They should've made you a judge instead."
Jack laughed at the teasing response. "I probably would've appraised all the auditions just to impress you love."
Sunset grinned wryly at that, gesturing to the two tall golden teens exchanging insults. "It'd honestly be more preferable than... That."
"Over-critical prune!"
"Softened coward!"
"Stubborn bitter mong!"
"Pony [BEEP]er!"
"Language!" Both Twilight said simultaneously, purple features heating up in sync. In reply, both annoyed versions of Stardust, or Jack whichever you'd prefer, resorted instead to glaring at one another. Which was somewhat better, but things weren't going to improve if the two kept arguing like that.
Sunset was admittedly gratified, once again, to have the version of them who preferred against arguing and acted more patient than annoyed. Despite appearing the least attractive by many girls' standards, what with Jack's front bucked upper teeth, spots all over his face and sometimes greasy hair, not to mention being as short as, say, a regular twelve-year-old, Sunset was never too picky. On the contrary, the pony-teenager was charmed by Jack's loyalty and kindness, his willingness to help others regardless of what happens to himself. He wasn't hideous by all means, but Sunset found that personality and looks can go equally hand in hand. Of the three versions in the room, Jack was the most reserved.
Speaking of which, the short boy, barely reaching Sunset's height, leaned to the side again and inquired with faint humour, "Do you think I should step in?"
A small grin. "I'd be grateful if you would."
"Anything for you, Sun Goddess." Jack said playfully, using his favourite definition of her, prompting both amusement and sense of fluttering in Sunset's chest. Hopping off the stage, the second oldest of the three Stardust's approached the two glaring boys with a gesture of peace. "Maybe we should stop for the day and try again tomorrow."
The Twilight with glasses smiled whereas the other nodded. "That sounds splendid, thank you Jack."
"No prob... Anything to stop my cranky selves from arguing."
The CHS Stardust snorted in annoyance. "Says the man who gets to sleep in whenever he wants."
"Why are you complaining?" The pony Stardust pointed in response, defending his shorter self. "You often sleep in the library at lunch time."
"Who told you that bull[BEEP]?"
"Twilight."
"How would your Twilight know-?"
"No your Twilight."
"Oh... Wait, Twilight what the Hell?"
"Guys guys!" Steeping in between the two as a mediator, Jack insisted playfully, "Come on, don't act like children in front of your girlfriends."
"Says you!" The tall golden men in long blue coat retorted hotly. Meanwhile, Sunset, Twilight and other Twilight all shared the exact same look to one another. No matter how hard they try, they can never stop their boyfriends from somehow getting into heated debates against each other.
But, secretly, the girls wouldn't have it any other way.