Tommy was nervously pacing back and forth in her room. She had spend about 52 seconds getting into her pajamas, and it would be sensible to spend up to, but no longer than, 7 minutes changing, so she had 6.08 minutes to collect herself, and revise her battle-plan. She took a deep breath and tried to think about things calmly, but who could be calm in a situation like this!? She was down to 4.52 minutes! .51! .50! Ok that really wasn't helping… Tommy went over the events leading up to this catastrophe.

She and Annika had started out so well. The fiery haired goddess had asked her out three months ago and things had been practically sailing since then! But things were different now… Today was their first date as an official couple! And it was the first day Annika was over to her house like this while they were dating! AND things were already going wrong!

Tommy had said Annika should be over so they could eat strawberries with whipped cream, eat chips and watch the new season of Black Mirror! It was a great idea! Until Tommy had realized that the two of them would be sitting close on a couch, wearing very little, and literally chilling with Netflix! What if Annika misunderstood! Tommy wasn't ready for that, but she couldn't just say no! What if Annika thought she was a prude!? Or that she was leading her on!? Oh no… what if she realized that she was a prude!?

Not only that, but her strawberries had gone missing somehow! She suspected they had disappeared together with the curiously absent Spike. They would have words later. Angry, screaming words. Her Netflix account also wouldn't work for some reason! Oh by the sweet dance of the eternal cosmos, how had she messed this up so quickly!?

Tommy covered her eyes with her hands, peeking through a small slit in them to look at the clock on the wall. She had passed the 7-minute mark by half a minute! Annika might think something was wrong! Or that Tommy was doing something embarrassing! No time. She had to face Annika. She had to face her doom!

Tommy gulped as she descended the staircase, expecting the worst. She felt her throat tighten as Annika came into view. She was sitting comfortably on the couch in a simple purple and gold pajamas, the colors of royalty Tommy noted. Even in the most casual wear, Annika looked like an ephemeral goddess, an alien beauty. Well… she IS an alien beauty when you think about it… Tommy swallowed harder. She almost never thought about Annika in that manner, as an actual literal alien.

Annika was so integrated into human society that she often forgot, or she let herself forget, because the idea of dating an alien goddess of love was a little too close to some stories Tommy had written, back before she had friends. "Oh, hey!" Annika smiled at her, her eyes calm and strong, and her rugged voice soothing to Tommys frantic state. "I know you wanted strawberries, but I found some popcorn in the cupboards instead. Haven't tried them with whipped cream before, but…" Annika dipped the white snack in the cream and threw it into her mouth "it's pretty good actually." Tommy felt her heart flutter. She wasn't worthy. "Um, but… I still couldn't get Netflix to work…"

Tommy stared at the floor, she felt like a complete fool, she could create a machine that detected and detained magic, but she couldn't fix a damn streaming service that wasn't working. "I thought we could watch one of your home movies instead. I found a few that look interesting" Annika said enthusiastically, referring to a pretty big pile of movies beside her on the sofa.

Tommy sat next to Annika and looked at the sizeable pile of DVD cases. She scoffed "Right, looks interesting you say, like you haven't seen these." Tommy said as she picked up The Lord of the Rings, lying next to Star Wars episode II and Harry Potter 6.

"No, I haven't." Annika replied matter-of-factly. Tommy gasped audibly, dropping the case onto the pile with a clattering sound.

"You haven't watched ANY of these!?" she shrieked, refusing to believe it. She held one classic after the other up before Annika:

"Aladdin!?"

"No"

"Lord of the Rings!?"

"No"

"Toy Story!?"

"No… Tommy, listen." she began, placing a calm hand on the frantic, panting brown haired boy "I've been in this world for about three years. And in that time, I haven't pursued movies as anything other than a place to take dates. I've watched about 10 times more movies and shows with you than I have for my entire life combined." Annika explained calmly to Tommy, grabbing a popcorn from the bowl. "Oh! But I actually really like movies! I love watching them with you, I just haven't taken the time to watch any before." She assured her.

Tommy stared at the calm girl, her mouth agape with utter disbelief. She'd never even considered the possibility that Annika wouldn't have experienced even the most rudimentary of earth culture. Annika seemed so wise about everything, and the idea that she had huge holes in her knowledge about this world was baffling. Tommy realized it was because she intentionally hid it. She remembered laughing about references to many movies Annika had just admitted to never having seen! Tommy felt a little betrayed but realized that was how Annika had been forced to become to adapt to this new world. It must have been really hard for her to get used to, heck, it must still be hard.

Tommy looked into Annika's eyes. "Do you miss it? Your old world, being your old self?"

Annika gave Tommy a coy smile. "Should I be worried that you're only interested in me because of my horn?" she joked, looking down at Tommys chest. Following her gaze, Tommy froze at the sudden realization that her pajamas were emblazoned with a huge image of a unicorn. Tommy began frantically denying everything, causing Annika to giggle. "The Lady doth protest too much" she teased.

Tommy sighed deeply, sinking into the sofa in surrender. "I've always loved unicorns. What little girl doesn't!?"

"As a unicorn, I'm not sure how to respond to that." The two of them locked eyes and began to giggle.

"Should I change?" Tommy asked, gesturing to her PJs.

Annika shook her head. "It's alright. It was weird seeing that stuff in the beginning, but things like that don't weird me out anymore." She sat back, clearly thinking back on when she first entered this world.

"Is there anything that does still weird you out?"

Annika thought for a moment. "These things" she said, holding out her hand and wiggling her digits.

"Fingers?" Tommy asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Exactly! They freaked me out completely for the longest time! Back in Equestria, I had a pretty serious fear of worms and now… I feel like there's 20 of them growing on my body! I still wake up in the morning, go to wipe the sleep out of my eyes and freak out because my tired brain thinks worms are crawling at my face…" Annika gave Tommy an embarrassed smile. It was rare to see her vulnerable like this, but it was Tommys favorite moments when Annika shared something real with her. There was such an amazing person hiding under all those masks she'd created over the years. She wanted to know the real Annika so badly, but she wasn't sure she'd ever really break down the walls around her heart.

Tommy collected the DVD cases and placed them on the ground, so she could cuddle up against Annika. "What about a movie?" Annika asked with a grin.

Tommy shook her head. "Teaching you the basics of earth culture will be a daunting task, but it can wait a bit. Right now, I want to just lie here and be amazed that you like me…" Tommy felt Annika pause, a hand coming down to gently stroke Tommys cheek.

Annika gave Tommy a concerned look, "Why wouldn't I?"

Tommy looked away, knowing she might start crying if she looked into her eyes while saying this "I'm no one special… You are so amazing, you could be with anyone. You have been with a bunch of people. Why would you want to be with me?" Tommy felt like she couldn't breathe. Like if she said this next thing she would tear apart everything Annika and she had, but she had to. She had to know. "Do you only like me, because I'm the next best thing to the other Tommy Sparkle…?"

Tommy felt tears welling up in her eyes. She sat up, turning to face away from Annika, hoping she wouldn't see her cry. It was a moot point though, since she felt Annika's body wrapping around her, her warmth pressing against her back, her arms wrapping around her shoulders, and her head nudging against Tommy's own. It made Tommys dam break, and she started shaking as tears began properly streaming down. The worry she had kept with her these past months finally having been said out in the open. She had blown it. She knew she had. She couldn't take only having it halfway, so now she wouldn't have it at all. She was the dumbest genius in the universe.

Annika's comforting voice sang into Tommy's ear. "You're being paranoid, Twi. I'm here with you, and I wouldn't have it any other way." She nudged against Tommys neck lovingly.

Tommy turned to lock eyes with Annika, holding her gaze in spite of her teary eyes. "Do you love me…?" she asked.

Annika let go of her, drawing suddenly. Tommy could see pain on the otherwise so collected beauty's face. Tommy felt her heartbreak. "So, you don't…" she concluded, her fists clenched against her knees. Deep down she had known, but why had she needed to ruin what they had!?

"That's not fair, Tommy." Annika gave her a stern look, making Tommy shrink. She knew she shouldn't have asked that, that she could have had a nice relationship with Annika. Instead, she had allowed her doubts to ruin what they had, because she couldn't accept having it halfway. She looked away from Annika's gaze, wiping tears in her sleeve. She glanced at Annika, who was glaring sternly at her. She was angry. She was looking for Tommy to say something, giving her a chance to make it right, but Tommy didn't know how. Annika let out a pained sigh. "This was a mistake…"

"No…!" Tommy felt herself panic as she felt Annika rise from the couch.

"I'm sorry, Twi… These things happen. I'll see you at school tomor- Let go of me!" She tried to pull herself free from Tommy, who had frantically grabbed her sleeve. Tommy didn't know what to do, but she felt that if she let Annika go now, she would never get a chance to make this right.

Tommy grabbed on tighter to Annika's clothes, as Annika tried to wrest the purple haired girl away from her. Tommy accidentally pushed against Annika. She felt the weight of her grip suddenly pulling her forward and downwards. Popcorn fell like snowflakes over the two girls, who had landed harshly after Annika tripped over the low table. Thankfully she didn't seem to be hurt, and aside from her heart, Tommy wasn't hurt either. "Annika, I…" Tommy began, looking into the downturned eyes of the girl underneath her. She struggled for words, but then every attempt she could have made disappeared from her mind. Annika, lying on her side, was trying to bury her face against the carpet, but couldn't get away from Tommy's grip. If she could, Tommy might not have noticed the small trickle of tears running down the otherwise so calm and collected girl's cheeks. Tommy's heart broke with every droplet that fell from the aliens eyes.

Annika heaved, trying to control her breathing, trying to fight back the dam that had already been broken. "You don't understand…" Tommy felt a twinge of betrayal. Of all the things to say, how could she not at least have tried to make her understand, if something was wrong!?

"Make me understand!" Tommy had meant for it to sound kind, but her betrayal shone through. She sounded demanding and hurt. Seeing the pained response, Tommy realized that her directness might be good here, that as much as it hurt, she had to break through the small crack in Annika's normally impenetrable wall. "You could tell me anything! I've always, always been here to listen to you! You said that's what you liked about me…!" Tommy wiped her tears again, feeling anger and frustration making their way into her skull. She wasn't holding Annika down with her hands anymore, but the fiery haired girl didn't seem like she was trying to escape anymore.

"If something's wrong… If you can't talk to me…" Tommy trailed off. She felt like she had so much yet to say, but couldn't. Her words failed her as her body made her choke up. "If you can't talk to me… Then why did you… Why did you ask me out…?" Tommy whispered, feeling her head sink down onto Annika's shoulders. She felt her hands clasping onto the side of Annika's arms. She felt herself holding the girl she loved so tightly, clinging onto her, for fear that she would fly away, and never return. "I love you…" She felt the words exit her, as though they had a will of their own. Three simple words she'd never said before. So simple, yet so important that she felt they brought with them every ounce of air from her lungs and every thought from her mind.

Annika's arms raised slowly, wrapping themselves around Tommy's slender body, pulling it down crushingly. The two girls lay there, kludging one another close, their crying the only sound that filled the small living room. Tommy felt the unsteady breathing from beneath her, mixed with her own. She felt the soft warmth from the woman underneath her. Part of her wanted to stay in Annika's embrace forever, knowing that she would likely never find herself this close to Annika ever again, knowing that as soon as Annika was done crying, she would leave. Because of this, Tommy allowed herself to lie with her love for what seemed like an eternity, long after the two of them had stopped crying, long after Tommy's feet started feeling cold and her arms tired and hurting from being kludged by Annika. Tommy would rather have allowed her arms to whither and fall off, than willingly let go of Annika, but she felt Annika's hands slowly let go of her back. It had felt like an eternity, but it was still too soon.

"Twi…" Annika said softly.

"Yea…?" Tommy swallowed dryly. "I think my everything is asleep…"

Tommy scoffed. "Yea… mine too…" The two girls both chuckled as they split apart, sitting up to look at one another. Annika smiled softly to Tommy, but she looked miserable. "Please, Annika… Tell me…" She softly placed her hand over Annika's. "What do you have to lose…?" she pleaded.

Annika curled her knees up to her chin. Tommy could see the thoughts rummaging through her head. "Alright… I'll try… It's just… It's kind of hard to explain…" She sighed. "If I try, promise you won't try to deny what I say! Or argue with me!" She gave Tommy a determined look. Tommy wracked her brain. Why would she possibly try to argue against her! She shook the thoughts from her head, looking back to Annika encouragingly.

"I promise… But no matter what it is… I'm sure it's not as bad as you think…"

Annika shook her head. "I shouldn't be allowed to love anyone." she stated flatly, then shot a glare at Tommy who had already opened her mouth to break her promise. Tommy closed her mouth slowly. She scanned Annika's eyes desperately.

"But why?" she asked.

Annika's eyes grew distant and she hugged her legs tighter. "I don't think I'm capable of loving anyone… What I call love is… something different, something vile." Her words were determined and cold. They frightened Tommy. She couldn't imagine what she meant. Annika sighed. "Back in Equestria, I was almost always alone. I secluded myself from others, obsessed with my studies, obsessed with power." Tommy felt an eerie sense of dread Sounds like someone I know… she thought to herself. "That was, until I met Steelwing, a guard at the castle. She was a new recruit and she was tasked with watching me. In retrospect, I realize that Celestia had send her because she was worried I was going down a dark path." Annika's hand clenched tightly, remembering a version of herself she oft tried to burry away. "Steelwing spoke to me as I worked. I found her really annoying at first. She was brash and didn't have much respect for personal space, but I slowly began warming up to her. I wouldn't have admitted it back then, but somewhere along the line, I developed a bit of a crush on her… So, I was stuck with a bunch of emotions I wasn't ready to accept, and I felt isolated from everyone in the world except for her. So, when I saw her talking to some other guard… flirting with some colt… I felt heartbreak before I even had my first taste of love…" Annika's hand sank to the floor and let out a deep sigh.

"That was when I realized I had to have her; I realized I loved her, and I thought I deserved her more than some dumb colt. I became obsessed, and I poured my obsession into my studies. There had to be a spell for what I wanted, for what I desperately needed to have. My studies came up empty. There was no spell in the royal library that could force somepony to love you… So, I started designing one." The last of Annika's words had a sinister tone that send a chill down Tommy's spine. She felt she could almost guess what happened next.

"In my life, I've only gotten to design one powerful spell, but it's a real doozey. The 'want it, need it' spell takes every ounce of the obsession I felt, the need deep down in my soul and applies it to someone else. It's not until recently I realized it's not a love spell, but rather it's a spell of possession, a desperate need to have the object of your desire, and that's not love." Annika buried her face into her knees, hiding away from the world. "Steelwing was mine for a month or so. The spell changed her completely, but at the time I didn't care, as long as she was mine. I didn't stop there though. I used my newfound spell to charm the other students, the other guards. By the end, everypony was kissing my hooves. I was the only thing they could think of, I was their world… and I loved it." Annika hugged her legs tighter. Tommy could feel the shame of whom the girl had used to be, emanating off of her.

"In the end, I got so big headed I tried to use my new spell on Celestia herself. It did not go well… Celestia countered my spell and found out what I had done. I'd never seen her look disgusted before… So betrayed that her own student had done something like that behind her back, even had tried to pull such a weapon against her. Celestia told me that as long as I possessed a spell like that, she couldn't allow me to live freely amongst Equestrians, but she couldn't bear to see someone she had once cared for rot away in some prison. She said she'd seen something good inside me, so she was going to give me a second chance. And, well… that's how I wound up here, in this body, in this world…" Annika clenched and unclenched her hands. There was a profound sense of regret in every one of Annika's words.

"When I came to Canterlot High, the only thing I could think of was how to regain my power, and when that seemed impossible I began spending all my time ruining everything. The school became a stage for my unbridled ego. I needed to be the princess of the Fall Formal. I didn't have a reason to I just… needed to be loved, admired… obsessed over." Annika sighed deeply as she stretched one of her legs, sitting back and finally seeing into Tommys eyes again. She wasn't crying, instead, her face was that of a puppy who had been kicked. "When we got close, I… I felt something unlike anything I ever have before." She clenched a fist over her heart, as if trying to hold onto that feeling.

"I thought maybe I could have another chance at the love I'd messed up so profoundly the first time, but… After we started going on dates, I felt it welling up inside me again… The feeling I have for you might be… love. But in my case, love always comes with obsession. When Pinkie asked you to go on a picnic with her I felt that need build up in me… I wanted to hurt her… I know now she was inviting all of us, but… Since then I've been thinking we shouldn't be together. My love is too selfish. What happened today was good. It's for the best. You understand that, right?" Annika began sniffling slightly again, giving Tommy a begging look. She probably wanted Tommy to agree with her, to admit she was right, and that they shouldn't be together. Instead Tommy felt defiance flooding over her. Annika had been through so much, and she had grown so much.

"On our first date…" Tommy placed a hand over Annika's, "you took me to that sweet little café. I felt so special. It was the first time anyone had acknowledged me like that. I kept thinking someone would jump out and reveal it was all a joke…" Annika looked up at Tommy surprised. "Twi, I would never…" Tommy shook her head and placed a finger over Annika's lips. "You played your tiny violin for like 15 minutes. Let me play the reprise." she joked, in spite of the seriousness of their conversation. "I don't think I've ever felt as bubbly and happy than after that date. Prior to it, I was way too nervous to enjoy it." she giggled awkwardly.

"I was talking to Rainbow Dash about it the next day and… it turned out you'd taken her to that same café two years ago…" Tommy shot Annika an accusatory glare. The redhaired girl gave her a nervous half smile back. "I'd felt really special, but… you'd gone on that same date before… I wasn't mad at you. I just realized that I wasn't the first girl you'd dated. You hadn't secluded yourself in your studies for your entire life like me. There were a lot of people who knew what it was like when you looked at them with that small blush and yet confident stare… Felt how they melted when you told them to meet you." Tommy felt her breath leave her lungs anew just remembering how impossibly happy she'd felt for the few moments after Annika had asked her out. The two of them sat in silence for an awkward moment. Tommy trying to figure out what to say next, how to make her point sink in. "I haven't dated a lot of people" Annika cleared the air with, clearly a little embarrassed by the turn their conversation had taken.

"Oh really? Because I asked around and apparently…" Tommy began, amused at Annika's sudden shyness.

Annika brushed a strain of hair behind her ear nervously "It wasn't that many…" she said, half smile frozen on her face. Tommy loved seeing this side of her. It made her almost forget the previous conversation, almost.

"I asked Bonbon about it, and…" Tommy gave her a knowing look, making Annika swallow hard. She leaned forward and pushed Tommy onto the ground panicked. "Let's talk about something else…!" she insisted, apparently distracted by her own befuddlement. Tommy snorted seeing the normally calm Annika acting childishly like this. She reached up to stroke the side of her face, deepening Annika's blush.

"Anyway…" she said "I looked up everyone of those girls, and guys, comparing myself to them… thinking about what you liked about them. I made a list about features you seemed to like and dislike, interviewed them about how things had worked out."

Annika smiled amazed. "You didn't!"

Tommy smiled back, "Make a list? You don't know me if you think I didn't." They both chuckled. "The truth is that… I couldn't imagine why you in a million years would chose to be with me. Out of everyone, you'd want to be with someone plain and boring? It just didn't make sense. Then I realized it wasn't me you liked. It was the other Tommy, and things suddenly made sense again."

Annika's smile froze. "Twi, that's not…"

Tommy shook her head. "Of course it is! Why else would you even have given me a second thought!? You write to her all the time… I know you'd probably rather be with her. If you loved me the way I love you… you'd never be able to just… let me go…" Tommy felt her tears forming once again.

"Twi…" Annika surprised her by giving her a caring smile. "I don't like the other Tommy. She has a lot in common with you, but it's where you're different I like about you." She sighed. "I thought that… If anyone could be with me after what I did… it would be the one person who had been there… who understood what it felt like to be corrupted by power and ambition…" Annika looked away.

"Wait a minute… you like me because I turned evil?" Tommy made Annika snort.

"Well that's a weird way of putting it, but… I guess it's a part of it." she laughed sheepishly "But it's not the only thing of course! You're amazing in all your own way! Every time I'm with you, you surprise me with how strong you are. I can see how frantic you get, how flustered the entire world makes you, and yet every time, you always manage to force yourself forward, even in spite of fears and doubts. Heck, you tackled me to the ground today. I never thought in a million years you had that in you!" She smiled down at the purple haired nerd, who smiled back warmly.

Tommy's smile made Annika sigh, drawing away from her and standing up. "Breaking up with you isn't easy for me, Twi… It might be the hardest thing I ever did, but… I have learned that giving up the things I love is what I need to do to protect the people around me, and especially the people I love. It was selfish of me to think I could be with anyone again… and it wasn't fair to you, but… I'm just going to end up hurting you, so I have to be mature and let you go…!" Annika breathed, feeling the weight of her decision, another burden to shoulder.

She was about to leave when she felt Tommy's arms around her waist and her head on her shoulder. "That's not mature, that's just running away… You taught me that I didn't have to go through it alone, that things didn't have to be the same forever. You told me that if I opened up to my friends and to the possibilities that I could learn to grow and fill the void in my heart. Going through it alone is how both of us ended up almost tearing this and the next universe asunder! We both desperately want to go through it together. How could that be wrong!?" Annika paused. Tommy could feel her heart sinking. This was it. Whatever Annika said after this silence would determine her future. She felt that if Annika left now, she might never be whole again.

Annika turned to face her, the two of them so close their noses almost touched. "I really taught you something that wise?" Annika smiled.

"Well, I might have embelished a little." Tommy said. The two girls smiled at one another.

"Things could go horribly wrong between us…" Annika said as she slowly inched forward. Tommy felt Annika's body slowly pressing against her own, closing every inch between the two girls.

"There's risks involved in everything worth doing. That's why we make lists! To make sure we know what to be prepared for." Tommy smiled at her, making Annika laugh, pressing her forehead against Tommy's.

"You're such a dork!" she laughed.

"The adorkablest!" Tommy responded, making Annika laugh harder. Tommy felt Annika's warm lips pressing against hers, and she felt electricity rush through her body. She felt like she was becoming pudding in Annika's hot embrace.

It didn't last long though, as Annika giggled mid kiss. The two drew apart and began laughing "You ruined our first kiss!" Tommy laughed, making Annika blush deeply.

"Uh… sorry…!" She bit her lip, realizing what she'd done.

Tommy lifted her chin to look into her eyes. "Now who's the dork?" she smiled lovingly, making Annika smile back.

"Still you!"

"What!? How dare you!"

Tommy and Annika soon found themselves wrestling on the ground, giggling and snorting, kissing and cuddling. It was everything Tommy could have hoped for and more. The two of them stayed up all night, working on lists and discussing magic and technology. They had so much to learn from one another. They planned for every possible thing that could go wrong, from invading earth, to them both going evil and trying to take over the world as the greatest evil power couple ever, to Pinkie falling in love with one of them. They sat on the floor, eating floor popcorn and laughing the night away coming up with increasingly silly things for the list. They agreed, owever, that no matter what came their way, their love would prevail, and they would be stronger with every problem they had to face, together.