The Dark Aroma of Coffee

Why do we loathe the morning? The vast majority of us all detest the idea of waking up to find the mysteries of the sunlight. Why is it that way? Is it because we wish to not move from our humble abode we call a bed? Or is it we fear what the day may bring into our lives? Such a grand mystery, one that we'll never solve until we're purged from this little blue ball forever.

Sunset Shimmer did not ask herself this, nor did she care for the answer. All she knew is that, for her, it was 5:44 AM on a quiet Wednesday morning. She was tired, like every morning, and yet she couldn't go back to sleep. Forces unknown pulled her out of her dreams and into the world, blocking door behind her. It's always this time range she awakes; 5:30-5:45 AM, and she knew not why, but she was there now, on the endless road of her today.

She wiped the sleep from her eyes, and it was dead silent. The dust particles whispered each other, and they dared not talk, for the time had not yet come. The silent night was still silent, the sun not yet out. Sunset sat up and looked around. The light from the waking giant granted her the vision of a grand time: six asleep friends all over the room, soda cans everywhere, and a pink doofus sleeping face down on the wood planks of the floor. She had just got done having a sleepover with her friends. Boy was it a good night.

She struggled to remember at first why last night was so lovely, that is, until she looked to her right. On the other half of her rather large bed lay one Twilight Sparkle, who had forgotten her sleeping bag at home. She slept snug tight in her little world of dreams, wearing her white and black zebra pajamas. Sunset couldn't help but smile, for she liked Twilight a little bit more than just a friend. It was nothing big, and she thought nothing of it but a little phase, to be ended on the road of infinite points and reasons.

Sunset sat upright for several minutes, pondering random things, like a song she had been thinking of recently. Eventually, however, she grew tired of sitting idle, and decided it was that time of morning. What time may that be, you ask? Why, only the best time. Time to make some coffee and go watch the sunrise.

The rising sun always meant a lot to Sunset, despite her name. It resembled awakening, and it always gave her the motivation to see the day complete and the sun down. The thing that kept her alive every day rising above her in protection was always a sight she held so dear to her. She doesn't miss a single one.

But no sunrise is complete without her warm, cozy robes, slippers, and a hot cup of coffee. She subtly sneaked out of the bed in order not to wake Twilight. She could not blink, because her eyes would glue shut if she did. She would be as blind as a bat. But she managed to make her way to the bathroom where she grabbed her robe and slippers. How lovely the felt, the soft fur of the robe snugging against her. She smiled and hugged herself before heading downstairs to the kitchen. As expected, it was barren. However, the coffee machine was plugged in with filters, coffee, and water out already. Sunset huffed.

"Past me, you know me too well." she muttered to herself. As she prepared her beverage, she grabbed a nearby newspaper and started reading. She sat quietly on the chair, waiting ever so patiently for her black magic to finish. The slurping and dripping of the coffee machine filled the air, giving a relaxing massage to Sunset's ears. Eventually, the coffee maker dinged. It was a rather loud ding, but nothing disrupting. Sunset put her paper down and got out her coffee cup. She first took out some packets of energizing delight and sprinkled them into the cup before pouring the coffee in. She stirred the two together, took a strong sniff of the smell, and sighed heavenly.

Sunset took the back door of her house to the back yard, where a rather tall hill was. As she walked past her room to get to the back door, the fragrance of coffee pierced the nose of Twilight Sparkle, who awoke to one of the best smells in the world. Soon after she awoke, she heard a door creak close. She then noticed the person that was beside her hours ago had vanished. This had peaked her interest.

Twilight sat up and scratched her head. Her hair was a mess, and she was very tired. She, as well as the rest of the gang, got to sleep very late last night. To wake up a few hours later was not her ideal morning. But now she was curious, and she wanted to know where her friend had went. She slowly emerged from the bed, stepping over a sleeping Rainbow Dash and seeing the door unlocked in front of her. The girl quietly opened the door, and, in the back yard, she saw a sight that, for some reason, made her feel warm.

Sunset Shimmer sat there on a hill in the back yard, watching over the fence, still, back faced toward Twilight. The sunlight of a new day struck her red hair and gleamed like a ruby. She was in black robes with steam coming from the side of her. From a cup. A tiny, glass cup. She began to ask herself if she should go up there to see what she was doing or not. She was so beautiful in the fresh sun, Sunset Shimmer, and her concentration on the light in front of her only made it more graceful. Twilight's heart began to pump faster, and Sunset just sat there, taking a sip of her coffee.

Twilight was nervous for some reason, but she couldn't stay away. Her hands shook as she opened and closed the door over and over again, biting her lip. Finally, she took a long, deep breath and opened the door and began to walk toward Sunset, making enough noise to alert her. She didn't move.

"I imagine you caught its scent?" Sunset said, unfazed at her arrival. Twilight flinched, followed by a sigh. She had been caught. Twilight said nothing, but in fact just sat down upon the lush green grass of the hill and looked out with her.

"Isn't it great?" Sunset asked, staring straight ahead into the bright dome of the sky.

"Isn't what great?" Twilight asked, unsure what to say in the situation, although she knew what she meant.

"The sun. Its elegance as it rises is nearly unmatched." Sunset said as she took a deep breath. She then took a sip of the coffee that she held.

"It is rather pretty. I'm, er, sorry for interrupting you, but, I was just curious to what you were doing up so early." Twilight said nervously, twiddling her thumbs. Sunset lightly huffed.

"I've been told time and time again that 'curiosity killed the cat'. I don't believe them. I think something else killed the cat. Our curiosity is how we got this far. Yes, some fall down on their way, but we, as a people, can always get up. I appreciate your bravery to accept your curiosity. To answer you, though, I'm always up this early. I try not to miss a sunrise." she says with a smile, sniffing the dancing steam of her cup.

"O-oh, I see." Twilight nervously stuttered.

"Something wrong?" Sunset said, finally turning to Twilight. Twilight was surprised to see such a happy expression on her, as if all stress had faded from her, and she was free to do whatever with carefree act and with a smile.

"Oh, no, it's just that... uh.... well... you're quite, erm, off your character. I've never seen you this relaxed. To be frank, Sunset, you're usually rather talkative and simple. No offense, but it's not like you to be all... philosophical, if that's the right word to use."  Twilight admitted. She prepared for an argument.

"Then you'd be correct." Sunset said, nodding. Twilight's heart settled.

"I... I am?" Twilight cluelessly questioned. Sunset took another sip of her coffee.

"Of course you are. You're so smart, you're pretty much right most of the time. Maybe that's why you have such a charming quality to you." Sunset said with a cute smile. Twilight flinched back and covered her mouth. She began to blush and looked slightly away.

"...I'm charming?" Twilight asked, grabbing her shoulder. The question was followed by a rather extended silence. The only sounds were the rushing of morning wind shifting through the trees. After the moment had ended, Sunset took a breath.

"Twilight." She said as she looked toward with a sarcastic smile. "Come on. You honestly think you aren't charming? You have all the right qualities to be someone's dream girl."

At this point, Twilight was essentially red. She was blushing so hard that the grass around her may have been pink. Her heart was pumping faster than an engine. She was so nervous, and was still unsure of what was the best track to go down. Out of desperation, she spoke.

"Well, s-same could be said for you even more easily." Twilight said. Sunset finally broke from her sun filled trance and looked at her friend with a rather surprised face.

"You... really think so?" Sunset questioned. Twilight had backed herself into a corner.

"I... uhh.... well... maybe? No, yes! Yes is the answer. Heheh!" Twilight struggled to spit out. She was pushing her index fingers together.

"Hah! You're silly." Sunset said, staring back into the sky. A cool breeze flew through the air, and more importantly, through Twilight's rather thin wool pajamas. She suddenly shivered in cold, catching Sunset's attention.

"Brrrr..." Twilight shook as she wrapped her hands around her body.

"That was a pretty cold gust. Here, take my robe." Sunset said as she put her coffee down, starting to undo her robe from herself.

"No, no, I'm fine. You need it. It's yours after all." Twilight said, putting her palm up.

"You sure?"

"Positive."

Another cold morning wind went through Twilight, making her shiver even more. She was starting to get goosebumps on her arms. Hey eyes were fixated on Sunset's robe, clearly sacrificing her joy for Sunset's warmth. But, she was waiting for something, and Sunset knew it. She was waiting for a chance to warm up. Sunset shook her head and took a swig.

"Twilight, come here." Sunset beckoned, opening her arms. "I'll keep you warm. Least I can do for you."

Twilight quickly hugged Sunset, and in that moment, the wind stopped. Twilight was suddenly warm and cozy, her shivers becoming less and less as Sunset embraced her. The sun shined brightly on Sunset, and as Twilight looked up, she thought she had seen an angel. A loving being looked down upon her with hair glistening in the warm sun, Twilight's heartbeat was pounding much faster due to how the calm girl was acting. She was smiling at her gracefully and peacefully. Twilight couldn't help but smile back.

Twilight really never thought about these types of feelings before. She's had them, sure, but she never truly acted upon them until now. The radiance of Sunset Shimmer before her eyes was too much for her heart to avoid. The cozy embrace of her arms nearly made Twilight fall back asleep. In fact, within a few moments of peaceful silence, she did, right there, hugging Sunset. Sunset's face was enchanted with happiness, and with that happiness, she took the final swig of her coffee.