“NO PINKIE, I DON’T WANT CAKE FOR BREAKFAST!” Twilight yelled to her pink housemate, who was carrying a large plate of cakes varying in flavor and size.

“BUT TWILIGHT! I GOTTA MAKE SURE THEY TASTE GOOD FOR SPIKE!” Pinkie cried in return, attempting to get Sunset and Starlight. “YOU TWO GOTTA TRY THIS AT LEAST!”

“Look Pinkie. I’m glad that you’ve found something that you enjoy doing here on Earth, but I’m just gonna stick with coffee for breakfast, alright?” Sunset said, her hand wrapped around the warm cup.

“You guys are crazy! I’ll try some cake, Pinkie!” Starlight said excitedly, grabbing a fork and giving the first cake a gleeful taste. Her eyes shot open, and a smile crossed her face. “Pinkie, this tastes great! Spike will love this one!”

Pinkie smiled and giggled happily, preparing the cake and putting the rest aside. A few minutes later, a very exhausted looking Spike made his way downstairs. Sunset raised her eyebrows at the bags under his eyes. “You ok their, Spike? You’re not looking to good.” she asked, earning a glare from the human.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence. I appreciate it.” Spike said as he rubbed his eyes tiredly. Sunset looked like she wanted to say something, but was quickly interrupted by Twilight.

“Spike! I need your help with a few projects today, do you mind helping me out?” she asked, a wide smile on her face. Before Spike could answer, Pinkie quickly pushed Twilight aside, looking annoyed.

“But Twilight! I wanted to hang out with Spike today! You’ve hung out with him twice this week, learn to share!” Pinkie shouted, pulling Spike into her chest. Typically, this would cause Spike to blush and protest, but now he just groaned.

“Pinkie, I just said…” Spike started, but was pulled away from Pinkie by Starlight, with a slight glare on her face.

“Pinkie! Spike can decide who he wants to hang out with on his own. Besides...he hasn't really spent much time with me.” she said, a small blush shading her face. The three Equestrians began to argue, while Sunset watched from the sidelines. As the yelling grew louder, Spike suddenly snapped.

“CAN YOU ALL PLEASE SHUT THE FUCK UP?!?!” he shouted, his face drawn up in anger. However, a moment later, he saw his friend’s expressions of fear, and the anger melted away. “W-wait, no, I d-didn’t…” he started, bowing his head in shame. “I...I’m sorry.” As he apologized, he ran out of the house, despite the multiple protests from his friends.

“Oh no, this is all my fault! I shouldn’t have---” Twilight started, but was stopped when a hand landed on her shoulder. She turned to see Sunset, who looked damn near disappointed with her.

“You’ll all share the blame for this, but for now, just stay here, and watch each other. I’m gonna go find you’re...our friend before he does something foolish...or worse.”

……

Sunset was getting worried. Sunset had checked the movies theater, the beach, Uncle Joe’s, all places Spike would frequent. She still hadn’t found him. She was actually starting to worry he may have left town when Rainbow Dash called her.

“Uh, Sunset. I found Spike…” Rainbow started, only to be interrupted by Sunset.

“That’s great! Thank you for the help, Rainbow! I appreciate---” Sunset began, but was interrupted by Rainbow’s annoyed voice.

“I wasn’t done, Bacon.” Rainbow said, irking Sunset. Did Spike have to tell them about that stupid nickname? “He’s been quiet for a while. He up on Blue’s Bluff. Just...go easy on him, alright?” The worry in Rainbow’s voice scared Sunset, but she made her way to Blue’s Bluff. It was a cliff near the edge of the city, a small picnic area at the top. When she got there, she saw Rainbow waiting expectantly. Sunset had learned about Rainbow from Starlight, and once the two had made contact, they actually became fast friends.

“How’s he doing?” Sunset asked, only to be met with a glare from Rainbow Dash.

“Ask him yourself, Sunset. Remember...be gentle.” she said, flying of a moment later. Sunset walked over to Spike, who was sitting at one of the tables at the campsite. She sighed, and sat next to him.

“Hey Spike...you alright, pal?” she asked gingerly. Despite her low tone, Spike still jumped, apparently unaware she had sat next to him.

“Oh, hey Sunset. I’m...I’m doing okay.” he said, his face falling for a moment. “I’m sorry for what I said back there, I’m just so...so!”. He looks like he wants say something, but just can’t. His face twists with frustration, but stopped when he realised Sunset’s hand was on his shoulder, her eyes calm and reassuring, like she was saying “Take your time.”. He sighed, and continued.

“I never realised how much work went into this. I mean, I love hanging out with you guys, and having friends for once, but...you all want to hang out constantly! I get it, you're on a new world, it’s weird and new, but that doesn’t mean I’m the only one you guys can come to for everything!” Spike ranted, letting all of his pent up annoyance out. “It’s so exhausting, even if I have fun. I just…(sigh). I just want to rest for a while. Just hang out, and not have you all fight over me! Hell, it’s been affecting my sleep I’ve been doing things with you guys so much!” Spike continued to rant for another 30 minutes, unleashing all of his stress and anger over the events of the last few months. Sunset listened as he unloaded his baggage, and by the time he was done, he looked like his normal self.

“Wow. That. Felt awesome.” Spike said, sighing and smiling at Sunset. “Thanks for listening, Sunset. I needed that.” Sunset tried her best to suppress the blush on her face, but she smiled at Spike.

“No problem, Spike. If you ever need to talk again,you know where to find me.” she said, offering him her hand as the two stood up. Sunset started to say something else, but was interrupted by her phone ringing. She answered it, only to hear Twilight’s distressed voice on the other end.

“SUNSET! DID YOU FIND SPIKE? IS HE OK?” Twilight screeched into the phone, causing Sunset and Spike to jump.

“Yes, he’s ok, Twilight. We’re on our way back now.” Sunset said, shooting Spike a smile. “In fact, I think he just got a lot better.”

Author's Note

Next chapter is gonna be Fluttershy.