Sunset Serenade

by SoulFyre

Rating: teen
Tags: Romance, Equestria Girls, Sunset Shimmer, Main 7 (EqG), Slice of Life, Rarity (EqG)
Length: 7314

Sunset and Rarity's romantic relationship during the events of Rainbow Rocks.

Many things happened the night of the Fall Formal that surprised Sunset Shimmer. Becoming a demon, gaining friends, and becoming hated by everyone else (well, most things surprised her). The one thing she absolutely couldn't have seen coming was finding a girlfriend.

Rarity has been the best thing to happen to her in a long time. Rarity is always there when Sunset needs her. So when their friends start a band, sirens enact their sinister plans, a princess returns, with all of it culminating in a massive magical battle for the fate of the world, it's good that Sunset has Rarity.

After all, with all the stress and insanity it helps to have someone you love.

Featured on 6/7/15 for a few hours :pinkiehappy:

Cover art by Deadiifoozgo

Published 2014-11-16 05:40:06 UTC
Last updated 2015-06-07 09:27:44 UTC

Chapter 1

The doors to the gym exploded open, making way for Rarity’s piano and muscle based transport system.

The boys carrying the piano set it down in the center of the gym before falling down in exhaustion.

Rarity slipped the keytar strap over her shoulder and hopped down from the piano. “Well I would have preferred to have it on the stage, but I guess this shall have to do. Thank you boys.”

The two gray-vested boys groaned while the red-vested one, their leader of sorts said, “...welcome...Miss Rarity…” His face promptly met the floor.

“You actually brought the piano?”

Rarity looked to the stage and saw Sunset sitting on the edge.

Rarity smiled. “Well, I did say that I would, did I not?”

“I thought you were joking.”

“A lady never jokes about such important matters,” said Rarity.

Sunset looked down at the half-conscious boys; she couldn’t help but smile and shake her head. It was just like Rarity to do something like that. And yet...

Sunset slipped down from the stage and walked up to her. Sunset put a hand on Rarity’s shoulder. “You could’ve asked for my help.”

Rarity rested her own hand on Sunset’s. “I would have if you weren’t busy scrubbing the locker rooms.”

Sunset winced. “Don’t remind me. I thought us girls would keep it cleaner than that. But who cares, I would’ve dropped everything to help you.”

Rarity smiled. “I appreciate it, but it would be best that you finish you punishments, not add to them. The principal wouldn’t take kindly to you skipping out on them.”

Sunset spared quick look at the passed out boys to ensure they were unable to see her and Rarity. Satisfied, Sunset allowed her hands to find their way to the small of Rarity’s back and pulled her close. Rarity slipped her arms around Sunset’s neck in response. They shared a smile and Sunset brought her lips to Rarity’s. Sunset’s heart was beating fast and she was filled with a sense of euphoria. She tightened her hold on Rarity, trying to bring her as close as possible.

As they parted, their eyes met and the happiness they showed matched the smiles now gracing their lips.

“It’d be worth it for you.”

“Aww, you’re so sweet,” said Rarity.

Sunset smirked, “I know.”

They leaned in for another kiss when they heard the gym doors opening. They moved apart quickly and put on their best ‘innocent’ faces as their friends entered the room.

“I’m just saying that a tambourine isn’t the best instrument for a rock band.”

“And Ah’m saying that Fluttershy should play whatever she feels comfortable with, not what you want.”

Rainbow Dash and Applejack were glaring daggers at each other as they walked. Fluttershy kept her head down and walked a little behind Pinkie Pie who seemed oblivious to the argument. Or was just ignoring it, hard to tell what went on with that girl sometimes. It was even harder to tell this time as she skipped along with her drumset strapped to her back.

Rarity and Sunset exchanged looks and rolled their eyes before loudly clearing their throats. The other girls stopped and looked at them.

Sunset spoke up first, “Personally, I think Fluttershy’s tambourine is perfect. It adds a nice contrast and other... things to the band.”

“I must agree with Sunset,” said Rarity. “And if that’s not enough then think practically. Fluttershy is quite skilled at playing the tambourine, so forcing her to choose another instrument would just be a waste.”

“Fine, whatever,” Rainbow said in a huff.

Applejack cleared her throat and nodded toward Fluttershy.

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry Shy. I didn’t mean that it was a bad thing, just different.” She moved to Fluttershy’s side and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, bending over to look her in the eye. “Different’s better. Can’t think of another band with the guts to have a tambourine player.”

Fluttershy looked up. “Really?”

Pinkie popped up on the other side of Fluttershy and slapped her on the back. “Well duh. Listen to Good Dashie not Mean-old Dashie. We couldn’t have the band without you Flutters.”

Rainbow extracted her arm from Fluttershy and mumbled, “Didn’t say that really.”

Applejack heard Rainbow and elbowed her in the side. Rainbow recoiled with a grunt and met Applejack’s glare, but luckily Fluttershy remained oblivious to the incident.

Rarity clasped her hands together and, in order to diffuse the situation, said, “Why don’t we just start practicing,” she spun her keytar around until it was in a playing position, “I am absolutely dying to show Sunset what I can do with my new instrument.”

Applejack broke the glaring contest she had with Dash, who did a little victory lap in her head. “Sounds good to me, sugarcube.”

Sunset flinched at the affectation. Sure, she knew that Applejack used it for all of them at some time or another, but she couldn’t quite stop the twinge of jealousy she felt when it was directed at her girlfriend.

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s just hope my awesome shredding skills don’t distract her. As if they couldn’t,” Rainbow said as she climbed up on the stage.

Rarity’s eye twitched at Rainbow’s arrogance. A trait that unfortunately seemed to be growing the longer their band was together. She would not allow Rainbow Dash’s arrogance prevent her from impressing her girlfriend.

With a determined look in her eye Rarity joined Rainbow up on stage. Using the stairs of course, a lady does not demean herself by just climbing up the front of a stage like some ruffian.

“We shall see about that Rainbow Dash.”

Sunset brought a hand to her face and sighed. Apparently this was going to escalate into a thing. Scrubbing the floors during her free period and during the Rainbooms’ after school practice had already tainted her mood; this would not help.

The others, sans Sunset, made their way on stage and after discussing which song to play they moved into position and music starting filling the gym.

Sunset sat on Rarity’s piano and tapped her foot to the beat. The words however were lost. She rarely listened to the words in any music really; preferring the beats and melodies to any lyric. Of course, she was too distracted to hear the lyrics anyway.

Her attention was focused on Rarity. Her movements, the sound of her voice, the obvious pride she exuded in so masterfully playing her instrument, and especially the eye contact they shared from time to time. Rarity’s music was for Sunset and no one else. The band might as well have been miles away for both of them.

The time seemed to go by quickly. The time they were allowed had passed and they had begun gathering their things together.

“So?” Rarity asked as she approached Sunset, “How was I? And be honest.”

“You were amazing,” said Sunset.

Rarity beamed. “Why thank you. A lady must always give her all when performing; whether she has an audience or not.”

“Yeah, yeah,” said Rainbow from her place leaning against the stage, “it was OK, but it needs to be awesome. Little practice and you’ll all be up to snuff.”

Rarity’s eyes narrowed, but she brushed of Rainbow’s comment.

Applejack finished putting her bass in its case and threw it over her shoulder. “Anyway, how ‘bout we head down ta Sugarcube Corner and grab us some grub.”

“Ooh Ooh,” Pinkie jumped about, waving her arms, “with my employee discount.”

Applejack rolled her eyes and smiled, “yes, with your discount.”

Pinkie cheered over the small acknowledgement and gathered her drumset in a pink cyclone, somehow coming out of it with the drums strapped neatly on her back.

Rarity and Sunset exchanged looks and came to a silent agreement.

“While that does sound divine, I’m afraid that Sunset and I must take a rain check.”

Rainbow raised a brow. “Again? You guys do this all the time.” Rainbow moved forward and looked them over, invading their personal space while doing so. “Are you two hiding something? You always leave together, you come to school together, you agree all the time, it’s like you’re dating.”

Sunset opened her mouth to respond, but Rarity beat her to it. “Nonsense Rainbow. Sunset just agreed to model for me while I experiment with new dress designs. I like to think we’re besties as it were.”

Sunset got down from the piano and wrapped her arm around Rarity’s shoulder. “Yep, besties. She helped me the night of the formal and we’ve been really tight ever since.”

Rainbow slowly backed up while keeping her eyes narrowed. “Uh huh, whatever you say.” Though not fully convinced, she turned toward the doors and waved back at them. “We’ll catch you tomorrow then, see ya.”

The others bid their farewells and followed Rainbow out of the gym.

“Sometimes I think that it would be easier if they knew,” said Rarity.

Sunset shook her head. “Not yet, I…” she looked down, “I just don’t think it’s been long enough.”

“You don’t believe that they fully trust you, right?”

Sunset sighed. “A little. I was a monster, literally at the end, and I don’t think they’d be forgiving enough to accept that there’s an ‘us’ right now.”

Rarity pulled Sunset into a comforting embrace. “I trust you.”

Sunset smiled and returned the hug. “I know.”

A groaning sound caused them to pull apart.

The three boys slowly stood up. Popping sounds filled the gym as the stretched their tired joints and muscles.

“Oh good!” Rarity clasped her hands together, “My friend and I will need a lift home.” She put on her cutesiest look and said, “And we could use such strong men to carry my piano home with us.”

The boys stood at attention and saluted before picking up the piano. Rarity smiled and moved past them.

“Come along boys,” Rarity moved her hips in an enticing manner.

The boys fell in line after her; their eyes on the ‘prize.’

Sunset couldn’t help the pang of jealousy that shot through her. She also felt a surge of anger directed at Rarity for doing such a thing to manipulate them. She should be swaying those hips for her. That was her ass to ogle.

Her eye twitched. There would be words.

With a wink and a flirtatious wave, Rarity closed the door on the practically drooling, and thoroughly exhausted, boys and turned around and saw Sunset with her arms cross sporting a look of annoyance.

“Using your feminine wiles, eh?”

Rarity shrugged. “Why not? It is so much easier to get some help when you bat your eyelashes. Men just can’t resist.” Rarity giggled.

Sunset’s eyes narrowed. “And you think that it’s all right to do that when we’re dating?”

Rarity looked at her girlfriend with confusion. “You have a problem with me doing so?”

“Yes!” Sunset practically shouted.

“Why? It means nothing.”

“It means something to me,” said Sunset. “I’m the only one you should be flirty with.”

Rarity was frankly stunned. She never thought that harmless flirting would be, well, harmful. She looked at Sunset and while at first it looked as if she was just angry, when Rarity looked past the surface she could tell that the anger was mostly just a cover.

Sunset was hurt.

Rarity’s eyes widened at this realization and she couldn’t help but avert her gaze for a moment. She met Sunset’s eyes once more and gestured behind her girlfriend.

“We should sit down.”

Sunset nodded and turned in a huff and made her way to the living room. Sunset plopped down on the couch, arms still crossed and still in a huff. Rarity joined her soon after.

Rarity placed her hands in her lap and looked down at them. She couldn’t look at Sunset right now. Quite honestly, she was a little ashamed. It seemed like no big deal to her. She had been using her wiles to get what she wanted for most of her life. The benefit of being as gorgeous as she was. Boys and the occasional girl were putty in her hands. In a way, she liked the idea that she had such control over them.

Rarity turned her head to look at Sunset. Her girlfriend was glaring at the blank screen of the television. Rarity was still a little surprised at Sunset’s reaction, it just seemed just a tad unreasonable.

“How would you like it if I started flirting with guys?” Sunset asked. “I’ve done it before so I don’t exactly have much of a leg to stand on. But I haven’t done it at all since we’ve been together.”

Rarity thought about it and she honestly wasn’t sure.

“Sunset,” she said, “I don’t know.”

Sunset looked at Rarity with a raised brow.

“I mean that, well… I wouldn’t know unless it happened. Maybe I would be jealous and upset. Maybe I would look past it and not really care.”

Rarity reached over and placed a hand on Sunset’s shoulder. Sunset looked at the hand and then met Rarity’s eyes.

“But it doesn’t matter,” said Rarity, “what does matter is that it matters to you. It’s almost second nature to me after all this time, but I’m willing to try not resorting to it.”

Sunset turned back and closed her eyes. With a sigh she uncrossed her arms and once more opened her eyes. A smile graced her lips. She reached up and brought Rarity’s hand down to be clasped between her own. Sunset brought Rarity’s hand to her lips and lightly kissed it.

Their eyes met and Sunset looked away once more before speaking. “I’m probably being unreasonable with all this, but I guess that I sometimes think you’ll realize that you’re too good for me. I’m poison at that school. I doubt that you would want to deal with that.”

Rarity shook her head and smiled. She removed her hand from Sunset’s grasp and scooted up next to her. She kissed Sunset on the cheek and placed a hand on her girlfriend’s other cheek, slowly coaxing her to face her.

Sunset enjoyed Rarity’s velvety touch and slowly turned her head to face her. Rarity brought their lips together. The kiss was tender and loving and Sunset’s heart fluttered. The kiss was fleeting and Sunset couldn’t help but let out a disappointed whimper. Rarity slipped onto Sunset’s lap and held her close while she felt her girlfriend encircle her waist with her arms. Their lips met once more. The kiss was deeper and lingering; neither one wishing to be the one to end it.

Rarity was the first to pull away; slowly as to make it last as long as possible. She looked her girlfriend in the eyes and spoke. “Listen to me, Sunset Shimmer. I’m not too good for you and I most certainly don’t care about your reputation. I care about you and that is all that matters, darling.”

“I so don’t deserve you.”

Rarity smiled. “Maybe not, but I don’t think I deserve you either. So we’re even.”

They shared a small laugh.

Sunset’s yawned.

“I guess you have had a long day.”

“Yeah,” she moved Rarity from her lap, “I should probably go home and take a nap.”

Rarity stopped her before she could stand up.

“Nonsense,” she said, “you can take your nap here.” Rarity leaned over and kissed Sunset on the cheek. “Besides, this way we can cuddle.”

Sunset smiled. “Can’t argue with that I guess.

They moved to get more comfortable. Sunset slipped her coat off and set it on the nearest end table. They kicked off their boots and stretched out on the couch. Sunset had her arms around Rarity while said girl snuggled closer to her.

Sunset rested her head on Rarity’s and felt her eyelids start to close; the day’s work finally catching up to her. She managed one last kiss on her girlfriend’s head before falling into a blissful slumber.

Rarity focused on Sunset’s slow breathing, her steady heartbeat, and the feel of the body against her. She nestled closer to Sunset and closed her eyes; content to just be there in the warm embrace of the girl that had won her heart.

It wasn’t long though before sleep claimed her as well.

The Next Day…

The three piano carriers from before were digging holes in front of the school as they always did when Sunset Shimmer approached them.

“Hey boys,” she said.

They looked up at her and scowled. Sunset winced at the reaction.

“What you want?” said the lead boy.

A person who knows how to speak properly, she thought.

“Well, you see,” she smiled, “I need some help and I could use a few strong men to help me.”

She puffed out her chest and batted her eyelashes. “And after yesterday I couldn’t help but think of you three. So will you help me? Pretty please.”

The boys were wide-eyed and red-faced. She had them.

Before they could respond, Sunset felt someone tightly grip her arm and pull her away; dragging her after them.

Rarity pulled her along and Sunset snickered.

“Not funny, Sunset Shimmer!”

Author's Note

And now over one year later I have made the sequel:yay:

This is what happens when life and writer's block gets in the way of things. You have all this good stuff planned you just don't know how to start it all while life keeps interrupting you and then when the next movie comes out you see that they compress some of your epic story ideas into a seventy minute movie:ajbemused:

Moving on. I hope it wasn't too rough. After around a month trying to find someone else to go over it both online and in real life and failing, I've decided to just post it. Any helpful comments would be awesome.

Chapter 2

“And that should do it.”

Sunset closed a panel at the back of a yellow helmet. She pressed a button just above the panel and the helmet came to life. She flipped the helmet and admired her handiwork. The black surface of the helmet’s front displayed a pattern of three diamonds while the sides of the helmet lit up with squares of rainbow-pattern light.

She smirked at the success. She turned on her stool, away from her workspace, and presented the working helmet to the room’s other occupant.

“One work of technological genius done.”

Rarity looked up from the yellow jumpsuit she was working on and her eyes widened at the piece of ‘technological genius’.

“Oh my, Sunset that’s amazing,” she practically skipped toward Sunset and delicately took the helmet in her hands.

Sunset smiled and rubbed her knuckles on her shirt. “Well I don’t like to brag.”

Rarity gave a knowing smirk. “Sure you don’t.”

Rarity turned the helmet around in her hands. “So how-”

“There’s a button on the back,” said Sunset, “above the panel.”

Rarity switched it off and gingerly set it down on the worktable behind Sunset.

“I must say I was quite surprised when I learned you could do something like this,” Rarity smiled, “I never took you for a techy. And such a amazing one at that.”

Sunset blushed.

“So how did you become so versed in technology?”

“Because I was the single greatest and most powerful mage in Equestria.” She punctuated her statement with an exaggerated bow.

“Humble.”

Sunset righted herself and took to leaning against her work table with her arms crossed. “Well, it’s true. I was the personal student of Princess Celestia. I had magical reserves that made even the most learned and powerful mages look pitiful. I was a prodigy and I worked hard to make sure I was using my gift to its fullest. And that’s why I worked so hard at studying this world’s technology.”

“Because you were a powerful mage? I’m not sure I understand.”

“When I first came to this world I thought that technology was magic. We have similar things in Equestria that is powered by magic so it made sense. Of course I learned quickly that magic didn’t exist in this world like in Equestria, so I did everything I could to master this worlds own brand of magic.”

“That makes sense.”

“And I just so happen to be as incredible with tech as I am with magic.”

Rarity rolled her eyes “You really should show more of this confidence around the others, although maybe with a little less arrogance. We already have one Rainbow Dash and we certainly don’t need another.”

Sunset slouched and looked away. “I… I don’t think they’d like this side of me. Too much like my old self.”

Rarity stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on Sunset’s shoulder. When Sunset met her eyes, Rarity pecked her on the cheek.

“Nonsense. You’re their friend. You don’t need to worry about them not liking the real you. You’re an amazing person, you just stumble sometimes. We all do.”

“Ugh. This is getting too emotional,” said Sunset, “so this costume you have here is kinda cool, but...:”

Rarity raised a brow. “But what?”

Sunset rubbed the back of her head. “I’m good and everything, but even I can’t make five more of those helmets before the Battle of the Bands.”

“Hmm, true.” Rarity walked over to the jumpsuit. “Still, I think I should at least put the finishing touches on the outfit. I’m sure I can think of an ensemble that would compliment it.”

Rarity felt a pair of arms encircle her. Sunset rested her chin on Rarity’s shoulder. “Well if anyone can do that in time, it would be you.”

Sunset mimicked the kiss from earlier and the two of them stood there enjoying the embrace.

An errant look at the clock caused Rarity to speak. “The sleepover will be starting soon so we should really think about getting ready.”

Sunset nuzzled her. “Or we could blow it off and have our own little sleepover. Your bed always did look especially comfy.”

Rarity giggled. “As tempting as that is, and it really is quite tempting, it would look suspicious don’t you think.”

Sunset sighed. “Yeah.”

“Of course, I have no problem with them knowing about us.”

“Please don’t start this Rare.”

“Very well,” Rarity reluctantly left Sunset’s embrace, “you should get your hormones in check while I put the finishing touches on the outfit.”

“Yeah yeah.”

“Besides, I really can’t wait to learn about the other’s potential paramours,” Rarity giggled, “I swear I saw Fluttershy of all people checking someone out. And of course Twilight obviously has a thing for Flash… oh.”

Rarity looked back at Sunset. “Sorry darling.”

Sunset crossed her arms and shrugged. “About what?”

“You know, denying any residual feelings for him will just make it harder to move on.”

“Rarity, seriously I don’t have anything for Flash. Never did.”

Rarity turned fully toward Sunset. “You can’t really expect me to believe that. You two dated for quite a while. Surely you felt something.”

Sunset looked away. “Maybe.”

Rarity smiled victoriously.

Sunset rolled her eyes. “Wipe that smirk off your face, it wasn’t like that. I felt something, just nothing romantic.”

Rarity gave her a quizzical look. “Come again?”

Sunset sighed. “Flash is a great guy. He really is. It was the first time anyone was really nice to me. At least that I paid any real attention to.” Sunset looked up at the ceiling. “Well there was the Princess, but I was still bitter. Anyway, Flash was really the first quasi friend I had. I had to at least feign interest. Of course when I learned that fear worked better than arm candy I stopped trying. Guess that's why he broke it off.”

She looked down and away from Rarity, “Still it felt, it feels, kind of bad breaking his heart like that.” She met Rarity’s eyes, “so no I don’t have residual romantic feelings for him. I really didn’t have them in the first place.”

“Well honestly that’s a relief,” said Rarity, “I still think you’re mistaken about your feelings, but as long as you really don’t have anything still left for him then I have nothing to worry about.”

“You were jealous?” Sunset smirked.

“A little bit, yes.”

Sunset laughed. “So I’m not the only jealous one in this relationship. Feels better knowing that.”

Rarity pouted. “It was merely a mild concern. I’m not nearly as jealous a girl as you are.”

Sunset still sported a smirk. “Whatever you say Rare, whatever you say.”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible sometimes.”

As Rarity returned to her work Sunset had to get the last word in. “Pot kettle black, sexy.”

Sunset barely avoided a flung spool of thread as she ducked out of the room; laughing all the way.

Author's Note

After several months there are two chapters in one day. My god I'm insane.
At any rate, I'm a little iffy about this chapter. I have a tendency to over-think and over-correct things to the point where they're a mess. I'm posting this now mostly so I stop doing that and get any possible feedback.
I should also note that it is a lot easier to write a chapter around a short than ones taking place during a movie.
The next two chapters will likely be ready within a couple of weeks, maybe even less. I'm on a roll.

Chapter 3

Author's Note

Okay here it is after like two months now. Sorry about that. Some of you may also notice that I've done a bit of renumbering of the chapters. Unfortunately, the original chapter three is lost. I sat down to write it out, to get something tangible and as my luck dictates, I got pulled away from the computer and wasn't able to get back to it until the end of the day. By that point it had completely disappeared from my mind.

I've tried, in between other things, to remember or at least get close to my original vision, but I just couldn't. So now I'm posting the original chapter four as three and changing five to four. Sorry about that guys.

I do hope you enjoy what's here though. Also this chapter is largely unedited so point out any mistakes and don't forget to leave a review. Criticize me, praise me, suggest I go to hell, whatever floats you boat.

Enjoy.

Chapter 3

Sunset was behind the stage with her back pressed up against the wall. Well, her back against a guitar, against the wall. It was sort of uncomfortable, really. But that didn’t matter to her at the moment.

Rarity had her hands at Sunset’s waist and was kissing her all over.

Her neck, her cheeks, her lips, Rarity was relentless. She eventually cupped Sunset’s cheek and brought her into a deep kiss. Her lips were soft and minty, like always. Sunset felt Rarity’s tongue attempting to enter and she was more than happy to oblige and reciprocate.

They kissed passionately for what felt like forever. A perfect, amazing forever.

They broke apart so that Rarity could speak. “You were amazing, darling.”

Sunset blushed, “I didn’t do that much. I couldn’t have done it without you all.”

“No no. We couldn’t have done it without you,” said Rarity, “we lost. It was you that saved us all. Not just during our song, but before when we were locked up. You stopped our foolish bickering and brought us together again.” Rarity gave her a quick kiss on the nose. “You truly were amazing.”

Sunset tightened her hold on Rarity. “Yeah, I guess I was. But so were you. I mean I saw you blast that siren with your keytar. That was awesome.”

“Why thank you, darling. I did my best.”

Sunset kissed her. “Well your best is incredible, Rare.”

Rarity smiled and leaned in again.

Their lips met once more in a deep passionate kiss. Sunset’s hands lowered until she was cupping Rarity’s butt. She gave it a quick squeeze and Rarity separated their lips immediately.

Rarity smirked. “Someone’s being naughty tonight.”

Sunset chuckled. “Well can you blame me? Tonight’s been exhilarating,” Sunset’s eyelids lowered, “and you look very sexy in that outfit.”

Rarity growled and kissed her again. “You’re lucky I love you, so I guess I can let you have a little fun tonight for being so amazing.”

Sunset’s eyes widened as did Rarity’s.

Did she just…?

Did I just…?

And that’s when they heard a cough.

The two girls’ faces went red. They turned their heads swiftly to stage right and saw their friends standing near the edge of the stage’s back.

Twilight and Applejack were wide eyed. Rainbow Dash was smirking with her arms crossed. Fluttershy was blushing and hiding behind her hair. And finally, Pinkie was sporting a huge grin and was shaking in place.

Sunset let out a nervous laugh. “Uh… hey girls. What’s up?”

“OH MY GOSH!” Pinkie shouted. She zipped around to the other side of the girls and pulled them both into a bone-crushing hug. “This is so exciting! You look sooooo cute together!” She stopped hugging them and adopted a serious expression. “We need to throw a party.”

Rarity looked between Pinkie and Sunset. “Well, Pinkie, I don’t know if-”

“I freaking knew it.”

The trio looked at the approaching Rainbow Dash; a smug look plastered on her face.

“I knew you two were up to something. You two blew us off so much I just knew you were hiding something,” she said, “I mean, I didn’t know you were hooking up, but I should’ve.”

Sunset looked between her friends and steeled her gaze. She grasped Rarity’s hand and looked at the others.

“I know Pinkie’s on board with us, but,” she took a breath, “if you have a problem with us being together then too bad. Deal with it.”

“Now where’d that come from?” Applejack said as she and the other two girls caught up to Rainbow. “Why would we have a problem with you two?”

Sunset looked down sheepishly and rubbed the back of her head with her free hand. “I’ve kind of gone over this in my head a couple times.” She looked back up at them. “The whole defending us thing, I kinda felt like I needed to after all the thought I put into it.”

Sunset rolled her eyes. “And I completely spaced on what I planned to say.”

“So how long have you been together, if you don’t mind me asking that is,” said Fluttershy.

“Since the Formal,” said Rarity.

“Whoa whoa, the Formal, really?” said Dash. “Like that night?” The two girls nodded. Rainbow smirked. “You move fast Sunset, dang.”

Rarity placed her free hand at her waist. “And what’s that supposed to mean Rainbow Dash.”

“Well, duh. Sunset goes all demon on us, tries to kill us, and then lands one of the school’s biggest hotties. Seriously, props.”

Rarity raised a brow. “Biggest hotties?”

“You’re gorgeous Rarity,” said Dash, “don’t pretend you don’t know.”

Sunset moved a little in front of Rarity and smiled. “My girlfriend. Back off.”

Rainbow Dash threw up her hands and laughed. “Yeah yeah, she’s all yours. Not my type anyway.”

The other girls shared a chuckle.

“Well, I can’t say I’m not shocked,” said Twilight, “but you’re my friends so of course I’m fine with you. And Pinkie’s right, you two are pretty cute together.”

“I can’t say I’m fine with you two hiding this from us,” said Applejack, “you two didn’t need to sneak around. We’re your friends.”

Rarity looked away in embarrassment. “Well it was kind of exciting. An illicit affair, two forbidden lovers. Oh it was fun.”

Sunset just nodded.

“Well I’m happy for you two,” said Fluttershy.

“Thank you girls, really,” said Sunset, “I guess I was worried for nothing. Rarity wanted to tell you all from the beginning. I was just scared.”

“I told you, darling.”

Sunset smiled and elbowed a giggling Rarity.

“Anyway,” said Sunset, “now that that’s out of the way, I was wondering if I could talk to Twilight. In private.”

Twilight smiled. “Of course.”

Rainbow’s eyes narrowed. “What about?”

“Pony stuff. In private.”

Sunset gave Rarity a quick kiss on the cheek before she led Twilight to the right end of the stage.

“Well, girls as much as I do love ‘hanging out’ as it were, I would like to speak with Fluttershy privately.”

“Me?” said Fluttershy.

“You too? And what are you gonna talk about?” said Rainbow.

“Oh just girl stuff.”

Rainbow raised a brow. “Uh hello,”-she motioned to herself- “girl right here.”

“Sensitive girl stuff. For sensitive and non-excitable girls.”

“Well no big deal,” said Applejack, “we’ll just wait here. Night’s young so we’ll have plenty of time to spend together.”

“Well duh,” said Pinkie, “party at Sugarcube Corner. With my-”

“Employee discount,” the others finished for her.

“Yeppers. How’d you know?”

The others shared a look.

“Well then,” said Rarity, “come along Fluttershy, if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Of course not. What are friends for.”

“So what ‘pony stuff’ did you want to talk about?”

Twilight stood across from Sunset, who’d taken to leaning against the stage’s back sans the guitar now propped next to her.

“Oh that,” said Sunset, “I lied. There’s just something I needed to talk to someone about and you won’t be staying here so you’re the best to keep a secret.”

“Fair point. So what’s this about then.”

Sunset sighed. “Promise that this doesn’t reach anyone else before you go through the portal.”

“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

Sunset facepalmed. “Oh Stars above, your Pinkie does that too?”

Twilight nodded.

“Good. I’ve seen what happens with a broken Pinkie Promise. It’s not pretty.”

“So…” Twilight said.

“Oh right,” said Sunset, “the thing is, I kind of want advice. Relationship advice.”

Twilight raised a brow. “I’m pretty sure you know more about relationships than I do. More than nothing, like me.”

“Well it’s more like bouncing thoughts off you and maybe getting some help if you can.”

“Well I’ll try my best.”

Sunset smiled. “Thanks.”

“So what’s the problem.”

Sunset sighed. “It’s just… well right before you girls caught us, Rarity said something and I don’t know how to react.”

“What did she say.”

Sunset bit her lower lip as she tried to decide if she should or shouldn’t tell Twilight.

She sighed once more. “She said that she loved me.”

Twilight tilted her head to the side. “That’s it?”

“Twilight, that’s a pretty big deal.”

“Well, my family says it all the time and my friends have said it before too, so I don’t see the problem.”

“Wow,” said Sunset, “you really don’t know anything about relationships. No offense.”

“None taken, but I still don’t get it.”

“It’s just that ‘I love you’ is the next big step,” said Sunset, “it means that things are really serious. It’s a commitment. When you love someone it means you don’t want to be with anyone else. It means that you’re in it for the long haul. Maybe even that you’ve found ‘the One’.”

“Really?”

Sunset blushed. “Well okay, maybe not everyone thinks that, but I do. I guess Rarity might not. She is a bit of a romantic so ‘I love you’ might be easier for her, but…”

She trailed off and looked over at Rarity speaking to Fluttershy. “Look Twilight,” she returned her attention to the girl in question, “I’m older than Rarity. I was an adult when I left Equestria and I’ve been here for years now. I guess that ‘I love you’ carries more weight with me.

“I’m not some lovestruck teenager who flippantly says ‘I love you’ because they’re young and naive. I’m an adult and I’m around the age where some people think about true love and settling down.” Sunset looked up for a moment, “well, okay, I’m not that old yet, but I still think that ‘I love you’ shouldn’t be said lightly.”

“That really sounds like the romances Equestria Rarity reads,” said Twilight, “the same ones she tries to push on me all the time.”

“Guess some things are the same between worlds.”

They shared a quick laugh.

After their little break, Twilight was the first to speak. “So, do you love her?”

“I-I just… I’m just not sure,” she looked over at Rarity, “I care about her. Probably more than I’ve cared about anyone else. Family and maybe Celestia come close. But it’s just been such a short time that I just don’t know.”

“Well what do you think about her. Maybe I can tell if you’re in love if I hear you talk about her.”

Sunset smiled. “Rarity is amazing. She isn’t some shallow, fashion-obsessed diva that so many people think she is. She’s intelligent, funny, passionate, and just fun to be around in general. When I’m around her I’m happy. When I’m not around her I often think of her. She’s my best friend and so much more.”

Sunset smirked. “Not to mention she’s incredibly beautiful and sexy. And she sure knows it too. She really flaunts it around me especially. And then there’re her eyes…”

Sunset trailed off, lost in her own little world.

“Uh, Equestria to Sunset, hello,” said Twilight.

Sunset snapped out of it with a start. “Oh right,” she rubbed the back of her head, “sorry about that.”

“It’s fine,” said Twilight, “and I think I have an idea about your feelings.”

“Yes?”

“Honestly, I think you’re in love.”

Sunset closed her eyes and smiled. “Yeah, I guess I am.”

“So now you just need to tell her.”

Sunset shook her head. “I don’t think I’m ready for that Twilight.”

“Why not? If you know you love her why can’t you say it?”

Sunset opened her eyes. “It’s one thing to know it. It’s an entirely different thing to say it. I just don’t think I’m ready yet.”

“Well if you ask me,” said Twilight, “you should at least tell her that you’re not ready. You can’t just ignore what she said.”

Sunset sighed and looked over to Rarity, who’d rejoined their other friends. “Yeah I owe her that much.”

Sunset picked up her guitar as she pushed herself off the wall. She slung it over her back and turned to Twilight. “Do you think you could tell her to meet me here. I think this should be private. Definitely private. And keep the others from snooping.”

“Will do,” Twilight said before she walked toward the group.

Rarity led Fluttershy to the side of the stage opposite Sunset and Twilight.

Fluttershy was the first to speak. “So, uh, what did you want to talk about?”

Rarity started pacing. “Oh Fluttershy, this is horrible. I’ve made the most horrible of blunders.

“Oh, well, I’m sure it’s not that bad.”

Rarity’s eyes narrowed. “Not that bad? Not that bad? This is without a doubt,” she paused, “The. Worst. Possible. Thing.”

She brought the back of her hand to her forehead and slumped against the wall.

“Oh Sunset must hate me now. Or she thinks me a fool or a freak.”

“It can’t be that bad,” said Fluttershy, “just tell me what’s wrong if you don’t mind that is.”

Rarity composed herself. “I told her I loved her.”

Fluttershy tilted her head to the side. “Okay?”

“It’s not okay. It’s horrible.”

“Why? If you don’t mind.”

Rarity let out an exasperated sigh. “We’ve been dating for only a short time now and I went and said that I loved her. What sane individual would say ‘I love you’ in such a short time?”

“Some people don’t need too long to fall in love,” said Fluttershy.

“In a romance novel maybe, but in real life? Fluttershy, it makes me sound like a lovestruck child, not a reasonable adult.”

“Um, technically you’re not an adult.”

Rarity narrowed her eyes at Fluttershy, who proceeded to shrink away.

“I’m mature enough to know that I messed up.” Rarity’s eyes began to water. “What if she breaks up with me. And all because I let something like that just slip out.”

“Well do you love her?”

“Of course I do,” Rarity said immediately.

“Then I don’t see the problem.”

“But what if Sunset breaks up with me over this. It’s not normal to say it so soon.”

“I know that you think that Rarity” -Fluttershy placed a hand on Rarity’s shoulder- “But if Sunset cares about you then something like that won’t cause her to break up with you.”

Rarity sniffed. “I’m being silly aren’t I?”

“A little bit, yes.”

Rarity blinked away her forming tears and Fluttershy removed her hand from Rarity’s shoulder.

“Thank you Fluttershy. I just needed to sort that out,” she sighed, “I need to talk to Sunset about this, don’t I?”

Fluttershy nodded. “I think that would be best.”

Rarity smiled and headed toward the others with Fluttershy close behind.

“You wanted to see me?” said Rarity.

Shortly after she had returned with Fluttershy to the other three girls, Twilight told her to meet with Sunset.

She knew what this was about and really did wish they could have postponed the talk. But, she thought, the sooner the better.

“Yeah,” said Sunset.

“So…”
“So…”

They blinked and shared a quick laugh.

“I guess we both know what this is about,” said Sunset.

“I do believe it was my, ahem, faux pas earlier.”

Sunset nodded.

“Look, Sunset, I didn’t…”

Sunset raised a hand to silence her. She then took both of Rarity’s hands in her own and looked her straight in the eye.

“You meant it and I’m not mad. I’m surprised, but it’s not like that’s a bad thing. I mean, I’m flattered that you feel that way.”

“You are?”

“Who wouldn’t be?” Sunset smiled, “the most beautiful girl in school being in love with me? Rainbow would say that’s awesome.”

Rarity giggled.

“I care about you Rarity,” said Sunset. She punctuated that with a quick kiss.

Rarity blushed and her heart swelled. She felt hope that maybe Sunset loved her too. “So does that mean you feel the same?”

Sunset averted her gaze and Rarity’s heart sank.

“Oh, I see,” said Rarity. She slipped her hands from Sunset’s and took a step back. “It’s alright” -her eyes began to water- “I understand.”

Before she could move any further, Sunset pulled her into a hug. One that Rarity returned with gusto. The last thing she wanted was for Sunset to leave her.

“I’m not breaking up with you Rarity,” she said. “I’m just…”

Sunset pulled back a bit and looked Rarity in the eyes. Those beautiful, beautiful eyes. “I care about you Rarity. A whole lot. I just don’t know if I can say… you know.”

“Oh.”

Sunset pulled her close again and nuzzled her neck. “I’m not saying that I’ll never say it. I just saying that I’m not ready right now. Can you wait for me?”

Rarity relished their embrace for a moment longer before pulling away and giving Sunset a quick kiss. “Of course, darling. I’ll wait as long as it takes.”

Sunset smiled and kissed her once more.

“Now come on, darling,” said Rarity, “I’m sure the others are dying to know what’s going on.”

“Well then,” said Sunset, “let’s torture them a bit then. I think this should stay between us… and Twilight.”

“And Fluttershy.”

“Yeah, just them,” said Sunset, “definitely not the other three. They can’t keep anything to themselves. The whole school will know we’re together… probably now because I can see them texting from here.”

Sunset moved past Rarity. “Hey! What do you think you’re doing, you blabbering jerks!”

Rarity giggled at Sunset’s reaction and followed after her. Sure she was disappointed that her feelings weren’t quite returned, but…

She smiled.

She could wait.

Chapter 4

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