Best Left Forgotten

Sunset made her way up the stairs, collapsing into the bed. While the day had been nothing out of the ordinary—wake up, go to work, come home—the looming prospect of discussing the events of last night with Wallflower made every moment drag on twice as long. It hadn’t helped that neither of them had spoken much in the hour since Sunset had gotten home.

A wayward glance at her phone revealed a blinking blue LED, no doubt indicating several unread texts from her friends. She frowned and turned the phone over. She had more important things to deal with right now. Besides, whatever social gathering they were planning would no doubt be just as enjoyable without her.

The only sounds in the apartment were Sunset’s own anxious breaths and the bathroom sink downstairs, where Wallflower was brushing her teeth before bed. Sunset fidgeted beneath the sheets, still unsure of how to mentally prepare herself for the conversation they were about to have. She knew what question Wallflower was about to ask her, and she also knew that she still didn’t have an answer.

The sounds of the sink faded away, and Sunset bit her lip. Moments later, Wallflower ascended the stairs, and Sunset scooted over to make room for her. Aside from what had yet to be said, it was almost the same routine as every other night.

Then Wallflower climbed into bed and their gazes met. Neither spoke, and Sunset wracked her brain, hoping against hope that she could find the answer that had evaded her for the entire day. When the silence had stretched on for long enough, though, it was Wallflower who at last broke it.

“Y’know...” Wallflower looked away, the tiniest of smiles on her face. “I’d never kissed anyone before last night.”

Sunset shifted as Wallflower’s gaze returned to her, anxiety and eagerness filling the pit in her stomach.

“It was really nice,” Wallflower said. She brushed aside a stray lock of her bangs, and Sunset could see the redness spreading on her cheeks. “At least I think so.”

Sunset's mind brought her back to the exact moment their lips had touched, reminding her of every tender detail in the brief seconds of softness that followed. "It was," she said. A second later, when she finally processed her own words, a shiver danced through her, and she scolded herself for such an impulsive response.

“Mmmm... I’m glad you liked it.” Wallflower leaned forward, her smiling face only inches from Sunset’s own. “It makes me really happy that my first kiss was with you,” she said. Her voice softened as she lightly touched Sunset's burning cheek. "I bet the second one will be even better..."

“I, uh...” Sunset tried and failed to think of something to say. All she could do was watch, frozen by anticipation and excitement as Wallflower drew closer and closer, her eyes closing, their lips about to—

“Wait, n-no, we shouldn’t...” Sunset pulled away. She threw off the comforter and sat on the edge of the bed, burying her face in her hands. “We shouldn’t be doing this,” she said, more to herself than to Wallflower.

“I don’t understand,” Wallflower said. She sounded so confused, so hurt... When she spoke, her voice was quiet and distraught, and it nearly broke Sunset’s heart. “I... I thought you wanted this.”

“That’s not—Nnnghh...” Sunset groaned, gripping her hair as she turned away. She stood up, flares of anxiety and concern clashing with her renewed wish for intimacy and connection. Sunset had no idea which side would win out—or which one she wanted to win out. “That’s not the problem, Wallflower,” she said. “It's barely been a month since you remembered. I know you’ve been doing a lot better recently, but... But I’m really worried that this will end badly.”

Wallflower got up from the bed, her arms slipping around Sunset's waist from behind. “I’m not that fragile, Sunset,” she said. “I know you’re worried. You’re worried because you care about me, and I appreciate it so, so much.” After a pause, she held Sunset a little tighter. “It’ll be okay, I promise. I really do want this. I want to show you how much I care about you.”

Sunset stood motionless, unable—or unwilling—to leave Wallflower’s embrace. Electricity shot through her as she felt Wallflower's feather-soft touch just above the waistband of her pajamas, and for a fleeting moment, a primal thing in the back of her head wished for Wallflower's hand to drift further down. Suddenly, Sunset's mind was buzzing with daydreams of all the intimate activities the two of them might share together if she gave in to her urges—only for it to snap back to confusion and worry.

This was all happening too fast, wasn't it? She and Wallflower had only been living together for a month, and earlier in that month, Wallflower had tried to kill herself right here in their apartment. While she seemingly hadn't been suffering from nightmares since the two of them started sharing a bed, her dream that Sunset had seen a few weeks ago had been so terrifying that Wallflower woke up to a panic attack. Even Sunset herself was still bothered by what she had witnessed.

Things were okay right now, but she and Wallflower were balancing on a knife's edge. Rushing into a romantic relationship—or even having one at all—would only make their difficult situation even more complex, maybe even dangerous.

Still, as much as Sunset didn’t want to admit it to herself, Wallflower was right. She did want this. She wanted it more than anything, and she was just as incapable of silencing that impulsive excitement as she was at silencing her fears that this was a really, really bad idea.

Sunset's thoughts were interrupted when Wallflower let go of her waist. Wallflower stepped back, and Sunset heard the rustling of clothes behind her, followed by the soft sound of a shirt falling to the floor. She shifted in place, her heart beating a little faster.

“Sunset.” Wallflower placed a hand on her shoulder. With a trembling sigh, Sunset shut her eyes as tight as she could. Slowly, she turned around, until she felt Wallflower’s other hand on her other shoulder.

“Sunset, look at me,” Wallflower spoke softly. “Please.”

Sunset held her breath as she opened her eyes. Wallflower stood before her, staring longingly at her with those deep brown eyes. Her lips were curved into a gentle smile, and her head tilted slightly as she moved just a little bit closer. Her hair fell over her bare shoulders and down her back, framing her body and drawing Sunset's gaze lower. As much as Sunset tried to keep her eyes locked with Wallflower’s, she inevitably looked down, and her breathing immediately faltered.

Wallflower was completely uncovered from the waist up. Her exposed chest was only inches away from touching Sunset, and Sunset could have sworn Wallflower was swaying back and forth. In her periphery, she saw Wallflower’s smile growing as Sunset stared at her breasts, unable to look away.

Despite her popularity and often-thriving social life, Sunset had never been with another girl. She had never been with anyone. She honestly never really wanted to, even wondering for a time if she might be some degree of asexual. If anything was ever going to change that, she expected she would know it when she saw it—if she ever saw it at all.

In Wallflower's tender smile, Sunset at last discovered that impossible adoration she hadn't believed existed. Every past opportunity for romance in her life always felt wrong for some reason, but now the boundless well of affection Sunset had given up on finding was standing right in front of her, patiently waiting for her touch. Even still, warnings and wariness lingered on the fringes of her mind, tainting her burning desire to share herself that she still fought to suppress and ignore.

Wallflower stepped closer, her arms sliding around Sunset once more. Sunset found herself holding Wallflower as well, and her fingers moved on their own, tracing slowly along the small of the shorter girl’s back.

Sweat tickled Sunset’s forehead, and her breaths grew slower and heavier. Wallflower was so close—all Sunset had to do was lean forward, and Wallflower would have her second kiss. Even as Sunset stayed motionless, her hands continued their autonomous movements up and down Wallflower's back, and a sigh escaped her as Wallflower held her close.

All the while, Wallflower kept staring at her, remaining completely silent. Her eyes were alive with affection. Her fingers were just barely dipping beneath the hem of Sunset's shirt. Her breasts were pressing against Sunset’s own. Her skin was smooth and soft to the touch, and her lips looked even softer.

After last night, Sunset already knew that they were. They were so, so soft... Soft and warm. She blinked, her own lips parting a bit as she let out a shaky exhale.

“Can you tell me that you don’t want me?” Wallflower asked.

“I-I don’t like lying,” Sunset whispered.

“Good.” Wallflower grinned. “Because I want you.”

“I... Wallflower...” A frenzy of conflicting feelings fought for control of Sunset’s mind. It was way too soon for Wallflower to be doing anything like this, right? Well... If that was the case, wouldn’t Wallflower know it better than Sunset? She said she wanted this, and even without her geode, Sunset could tell she meant it. How was it fair for Sunset to essentially call her a liar? But if Wallflower really wanted it, and Sunset really wanted it, then why was Sunset still so apprehensive?

“I know you’re worried, but I promise it's okay.” Wallflower pressed herself forward a little more, still holding Sunset’s gaze. “This is my choice.”

Sunset averted her eyes. “I don’t want to hurt you...”

“Oh, Sunset...” Wallflower sighed, resting her head against Sunset’s chest as if the two of them were slow dancing. “You could never hurt me.”

Sunset shivered as Wallflower rubbed her back, and again when she realized she was returning the favor. Her hands continued to caress Wallflower's bare skin, drifting up and around, almost to her breasts. Even as Sunset reveled in the softness beneath her touch, shame and fear swelled within her. “I’ve hurt people before,” she said. “I’ve hurt you before.”

“But things are different now.” Wallflower looked up at Sunset with those bright, beautiful eyes of hers. “I know I’m safe with you.”

“I mean...” Sunset stared at her, hope edging into her words. “We’d have to take it slow.”

Wallflower nodded. “If you say so.”

Sunset squirmed, unsure as to why she was still clinging to her last shreds of anxiety. “And you’re not scared?” she asked. “After, y’know...”

Wallflower blinked, almost as if she was surprised. “Of course not. How could I ever be scared with you, Sunset?” She smiled sweetly. “I love you.”

The second Sunset heard those words, the entire world froze. Her thoughts were overrun as she swam through thousands of memories, recalling every interaction between herself and her friends, herself and Celestia, herself and anyone she’d ever known, all the while searching for something she knew she wouldn't find. In an instant, Wallflower’s words broke through a lifetime of isolation and depression, and when Sunset’s focus at last returned to the present, her eyes were brimming with tears.

“Sunset...?” Wallflower spoke softly, her voice unmistakably nervous. “Are you okay? I-I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have—”

“N-no, I’m okay,” Sunset said, interrupting her. She wiped the tears from her eyes, and with them went the last of her doubts. “Sorry, it's just... No one’s ever told me that before.”

Wallflower’s beaming expression was the most beautiful thing in the world. A smile at last broke free on Sunset’s face, and when Wallflower stood on her toes to match her height, Sunset gladly leaned forward to meet her. They shared a long, loving kiss, and Sunset’s heart erupted with pure joy.