"Hey, Sunset? Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, Twilight, what's up?"
Twilight held her head low, her purple bangs casting a slight shadow over her spectacled eyes. "How do you deal with your demon so well?"
Sunset Shimmer tilted her head to the side, capturing Twilight's eyes with her own for a long moment, letting her feet swing from the edge of Canterlot High's roof. Twilight was always busy studying at least two things at a time, she was the only of Sunset's friends that she didn't get to see much outside of school. And in the afternoon, the top of the building gave them pretty good view of the sun's descent towards the horizon. It was a nice place for them to relax on days like today, when they had to stay late to continue their training as demon hunters.
They were both the same kind of special, individuals touched by magic. Magic that manifested as what they called an 'Inner Demon'. It was as emotional as it was physical, as their magic would transform them into darker versions of themselves should they not keep their mental health in check. This was why they trained, not just to use their demon powers to fight evil, but also so they could learn to maintain balance within themselves. And under the watchful guidance of their principal, a retired demon hunter that gracefully served as their teacher in these matters, the two walked a path of bettering themselves and each other.
Sunset pushed a strand of her long, red hair out of her face, looking down at the statue in the school's courtyard as she thought of an answer to her question. It wasn't just a question of curiosity, Twilight's tone told her she was clearly worried about something. She always was, internal conflict was something neither of them were strangers to.
"I dunno," Sunset shrugged. "I remind myself of how I felt when she took over me. How I never want that to happen again, because I'd never want to hurt any of you."
"I..." Twilight's gaze went off to nowhere in particular. "I don't think I could do that. I'm... starting to have nightmares."
Sunset nodded. It had only been a few months since Twilight's Inner Demon took over her body.
"I had them too, at first." Sunset recalled having many flashbacks in her sleep, and subsequent bouts of anger that woke her in the night the weeks following her own demon's possession of her. "All I can say is that they won't last forever."
Twilight sighed, a frown curling in her face in a way that troubled Sunset deeply. "But I'm still going to be afraid, afraid of what might happen if I lose control again. I think I always will be."
"But you're in control now, aren't you?"
"Heh." Twilight gave a short, cold laugh, then shot Sunset a concerned look. "How could I be? I live in constant fear of slipping back into being a power-hungry demon, because I know that I'm only a couple of bad thoughts away from that."
"Hey," Sunset reached out, putting a hand on Twilight's shoulder and looking deeply into her eyes to ensure she had her attention. "You don't have to worry about that," she said, giving her a smile. "You've got me."
The gesture was enough to make Twilight smile too, if only slightly. "I guess you'll be around to catch me if I slip up, huh?"
"Not just me, Twilight, all of our friends have your back. We'll all be here for you."
"I know. That's what keeps me motivated..." Twilight said, relaxing and laughing a little more genuinely. "I never really had friends before I met all of you. Now that I'm learning how to use these demon powers for good... I'd do anything to keep you safe."
Sunset grinned, her understanding shoulder touch turning into an around-the-back side hug. "There you go. That's exactly how I feel, too."
Twilight leaned into the hug, her fear not completely disappearing, but she felt like she could focus on her happiness right now. After all, she was becoming stronger every day, and even if she did have her fears, every mistake was a point to learn from. And learning was something of her strong suit. After a few moments, she pulled away from the hug, and reached into the pocket of her short purple jacket.
"Lollipop?" Twilight pulled two wrapped lollipops of different flavors out from her pocket, one red and one blue, offering both to her friend.
Sunset hadn't eaten many lollipops before, more out of disinterest than distaste, but she shrugged, seeing no reason to turn down the tiny gesture of friendship. She picked the red one, unwrapping it and putting it in her mouth, finding it to have a strong cherry flavor. Twilight did the same, and they just shared the moment of companionship in silence against the backdrop of a slowly setting sun.
As the lollipop slowly dissolved in her mouth, Sunset felt a feeling of stillness wash over her, and her expression became even more relaxed than it was before. It wasn't the candy though, it was just getting to sit and be with a friend. Friends were important, it's why she took the time to hang out with Twilight on days like these. They understood each other so well, and the feeling that gave her was the antithesis of her demon related emotional trauma. No anger, just blissful calmness. It was really, really nice.
"Thanks," Sunset said, the sucker making her words less pronounced. Something about Sunset's face suddenly put a wide smile on Twilight's, complete with assorted levels of giggling.
"Wow, I didn't know you liked them that much." She teased, to Sunset's confusion. Not that she minded seeing her happy and smiling, but apparently there was something about herself she didn't notice.
"What?" Sunset froze, blushing softly from embarrassment, still trying to find the source of Twilight's laughter.
A few moments passed, and she explained herself. "I'm sorry, you just had the goofiest look on your face when you put that lollipop in your mouth, like you really liked it. I just wasn't expecting it, is all."
"Oh." Sunset's blush deepened. It wasn't the lollipop. She went to pull it from her mouth to reply, but strand of her saliva still stuck to the candy, and more ran down from her bottom lip, eliciting further amused giggles from Twilight.
"You're even drooling over it..." Her smile was contagious, as Sunset wiped her face clear she couldn't help but smile back, partaking in the playful laughter at herself. After said laughter died down, Twilight removed her own lollipop so she could better speak. "If you like them that much, I can bring more next time. If we're gonna be up here regularly, of course."
Sunset stared at her lollipop for a moment, then gave Twilight another smile.
"Yeah, that'd be cool."
Author's Note
I wanted to write something short in the down period between the next set of chapters of The Sun Never Sets, and this is what came out.
Short and sweet, much like a lollipop.
