The key lay on the hardwood floor, the special, starry lanyard crumpled around it like the wings of a wounded bird. Sunset couldn't stop staring at it, her limbs like lead and every nerve numb. She didn't even feel when her legs buckled, or the sharp pain of hitting the floor as they crumpled underneath her, unable to hold her anymore. The only thing that registered was that the key was that much closer…and that she could hear a door slam upstairs.

What had just happened? Why had it gone so wrong?

Her ears could hear the rest of the family, but she couldn't take her eyes off the key, and what Twilight had meant by tossing it to the ground like so much trash. Abandoning it there…

“…need to go tell her that it wasn't Sunset, Lighty…she needs to know that…you need to fix this…”

“…I know…I didn't intend to, but it slipped out. I’ll go try upstairs…let Sunset know I’m sorry?”

A flash of purple, and her hopes rose, only to fall again when Spike padded over and crawled into the former unicorn’s lap, pressing his head to her stomach and licking her hand. Sunset shifted, petting his head gently, feeling the soft fur under her fingers break through the icy cold she was drowning in.

Pressure settled around her, and the scent of a blanket touched by flowery laundry soap and fresh air reached her nose. The redhead realized that she had started to shake when hands on the blanket over her shoulders pressed down slightly. “Breathe, Sunset,” Cadence encouraged. “Deep breaths, in and out. That’s it,” she coaxed. “Let’s get you to the couch, okay?”

Why? she wondered, never moving. What was the point?

When she didn't get up, even at the woman’s urging, she found Shining there, picking her up, blanket, dog, and all…but all that mattered was the key she was still staring at. Part of her cried out to reach for the key, to hold it close, to collect it and the bleeding, cracked mess of her heart it represented; yet she could not move, only stare, limbs leaden and numb still. She slumped, completely limp and unresisting, as she was carried back into the living room and set on the couch, not caring anymore what happened. Everything was ruined, so why did it matter if she was on the floor or not?

People moved around her in vague blurs, unimportant. At one point, someone—Cadence, she thought dimly—pressed a piece of metal into her palm and curled her fingers around it. Sparky’s key, retrieved from the floor. The unicorn in human form stared at her closed fist and the star touched strip of fabric dangling free, feeling that familiar ache of loss and abandonment deep inside, new, ragged, wounded edges to the scar that had only just begun to finally heal.

And it was all her fault. She’d…put it off, hadn’t been ready. She knew Twilight was researching magic, but had still put off telling her the whole truth…and Twilight…Twilight was right…it wasn't any better than lying. She should have come clean weeks ago, after having to bring Twilight out of that school. Maybe if she had…this wouldn't have happened. Maybe she wouldn't have somehow given away their relationship—it had to have been that day, when she carried Twilight herself and wouldn't let anyone else touch her.

The couch shifted, Velvet taking a seat next to her. Sunset turned her head, meeting her eyes for only a split second because it was too hard. In response, Velvet put arms around her in a hug, running fingertips through her mane. “Sunset…you didn’t give your relationship away or break your word. You are not at fault for what Twilight has accused you of.”

But…how…?

Whether she’d said it aloud or something in the way she grew still had tipped the older woman off, she didn't know, but Velvet answered her question. “We knew a long time before Twilight ever met you that she preferred girls to boys—Night and I figured that out when she was nine years old and had the biggest crush on Cady for almost six months.” Her voice was gentle and she chuckled. “She couldn't talk to her without turning red to the tips of her ears. It was adorable.”

Oh…she supposed that would give it away…not that she had been much better all the times she’d spoken of Twilight and her own feelings had leaked out. “…but how did you know…” Her voice cracked, and she cleared her throat, barely able to rasp out around the boulder lodged there. “…about us?”

Velvet hugged her tighter. “A thousand little ways, Sunset, because we know what love looks like. We have been nothing but happy for you, Night and I…seeing Twilight find someone who she could not only call friend, but also fall in love with…it was something beautiful to see, and we have just been waiting for the day she was able to tell us.”

“…you…have?” Each word tore at her throat, and it was all she could do to force them out.

The woman nodded, a motion more felt than seen, and continued carding her fingers through fiery red and gold strands. “More than you know, sweetheart. I couldn't wait for the day when I was able to call you my daughter openly, and not just refer to you as Twilight’s friend.”

Sunset wasn't sure if that made her feel better or worse. Both at the same time, perhaps, with how good it felt to hear that she was wanted, but also with the numbing despair that threatened to pull her back down. Twilight had been so angry…whatever she had learned, it must have been bad. Maybe it had been a video of the formal? That…had not been Sunset’s best moment, and Twilight had referenced her demon form.

Numbness edged at her mind again, and she fell silent. What could she say now that that dreamlike ideal had been shattered for all of them?

Her eyes burned, her throat constricted, and she let out a low sound. “…I need to go…” She couldn't stay here; this wasn't her home, and no matter how much she wanted it…she didn't belong here. This was Twilight’s house, Twilight’s family…and right now, Twilight didn't want her here. Maybe that would change…maybe Twilight would still be her friend after Sunset could explain everything—she still owed her that much—but that was an uncertain future she couldn't count on.

Velvet’s arms tightened further, a wounded sound of protest escaping the older woman. “Sunset, sweetheart, no…you don't have to leave. You haven't done anything that merits that, no matter what Twilight accused you of. Nothing has changed—Night and I still want you to have a home here, no matter what happens with you and Twilight. We care about you for yourself, not because you're dating my daughter.”

The redhead struggled to breathe and not cry—if she started crying, she wouldn't stop, and she couldn't do that here, not right now. Not for this feeling. As much as she had changed, some vulnerabilities she couldn't express around anyone…except the girl who had just gutted her emotionally. Sunset shook her head, unable to put into words how she felt, what she needed, how much the offer meant in the end.

She wanted to say yes, more than anything in two worlds…and that was exactly why she had to leave.

Shining cleared his throat. “…I’m not sure it's safe for her to drive,” he added. “Not when she’s this upset.” He reminded her of Flash when he said in a gentle voice, “If you don't want to stay here, Cady and I have a spare room we could put you up in for a night or two, until my sister decides to get her head out of her ass and apologize.” The hand that squeezed her shoulder was equally gentle. “Especially because if anything gave it away, it wasn't you—it was Twilight constantly staring whenever you walked away from her.”

Making a squeaky sound of distress like an injured foal, Sunset shook her head. “…can’t,” she whimpered. “I…need to go…” She couldn't make herself call the loft ‘home’ not when it was just the place she lived. “…to my place…” Unable to meet anyone’s eyes and see the disappointment there, she squeezed her own shut and let her head fall forward until her hair hid her face from view.

It was quiet—the kind of tense, uncomfortable quiet that left her instincts screaming in negative anticipation. Shining had backed off, and Velvet refused to relinquish the hug just yet, leaving Sunset feeling hollow and guilt ridden for causing so much strife in this family.

Then the couch sank on her other side, and slim, delicate fingers wrapped around her clenched fist. Cadence. “You feel like you have no control, don't you?” the normally bubbly woman asked. At her flinch, Cadence squeezed her hand. “It’s okay, Sunset, to feel that way, and if going to your house is what you need to feel in control again, then no one here will be angry for that.”

“But…”

“No buts,” she said, and her other hand turned Sunset’s face up and towards her. “We won't be angry or hurt. We are giving you the option to stay because we are worried about you. That's it. No other conditions or caveats, no cost or hidden strings. I promise you.”

Sunset searched her face, and saw the honesty in the expression. “…I…okay…” she whispered.

Cadence gave her a sad and sympathetic smile. “Shining is right that you aren't in a state to drive. Will you let me take you home and get you settled in safely, while he follows us on your bike? That way, we know you're safe at your place, and you can have the peace and quiet you need to get things back under control inside your own head.”

Her head jerked in a rough nod, agreeing to the option. Anything to get back to her place, so she could have her breakdown in the privacy of her shower where no one could see or hear.

“Go collect your things,” Cadence told her. “I’ll go get my purse and shoes. Mom? Could you maybe pack up Sunset’s dinner so she can eat it later or tomorrow?”

The arms still hugging the former unicorn finally released her. “…that sounds like a good idea, Cady.” Before her hands left Sunset’s shoulders, Twilight Velvet leaned close and told her, “We are not losing you, Sunset. As far as I am concerned, you are one of my children, and I refuse to lose another child. We will fight for you, and we will fix this, as a family…and if you still want to tell us about this…Equestria…you come from, we will listen, even if I have to have Cady and Shining hogtie Twilight between them on the sofa. Never doubt that you are loved, and you are worthy in my eyes, in Night’s eyes.”

And then she was up and bustling towards the kitchen before Sunset could react fully to her words. Inhaling a ragged breath, the unicorn in human form made herself get up and collect her backpack with its important cargo of the magical book, pull her coat back on—taking solace in the leather as a type of armor—and shoving her feet back into her boots. By the time she was done, heavy steps on the stairs alerted her to Night Light’s return.

Her girlfriend’s father faced her in the foyer, expression tight. “I owe you an apology, Sunset,” he said. “It was my attempt to stop Twilight from verbally attacking you that inadvertently set off a bigger explosion…and I am sorry for that. It was never my intention, but unfortunately, that was the result.”

Sunset blinked, and shook her head. “It was an accident, Mr. Night, and Twilight was…already angry at me.” She looked away. “…and she had a right to be. I should have told you all months ago…but I wasn't ready. I…let fear drive me…and this is the result.”

“No,” he asserted, and rested both hands on her shoulders. Internally, she shied away from it, but outwardly she held herself still, fighting the urge to come up swinging. “She had no right to demand anything of you. You are allowed to keep personal secrets, Sunset…any secret, so long as keeping the secret doesn't allow someone to come to harm. It is within your right to decide how and when you want to share those secrets with others, if you ever do. It doesn't matter how badly Twilight wanted to know, or what she’s convinced herself the secrets really are, she had no cause to talk to you the way she did, and even less cause to accuse you of responsibility for my slip of the tongue.”

“…I…except some of my secrets…have affected her, and your family,” she whispered.

Night pulled her into a hug—there was a lot of that going around, and Sunset submitted to it when it became apparent that this was much like one of Mrs. Velvet’s hugs…if a bit less squishy, since he was lean and somewhat gangly compared to his wife’s rounded figure. It was, she regarded with some detached portion of her mind, the first such embrace from the only paternal figure she had ever had in her life. She could understand now why foals ran to their fathers when they were afraid, because the hug felt like safety, like she could be vulnerable there and it would be okay.

For a moment, she almost allowed herself to break down. Had Shining not come into the front hall, she might have…but he did, and she gave a weak, shaky squeeze back around Night’s torso before stepping away and offering out her bike key to Shining.

“I won’t get a scratch on her,” he promised. “I’ll drive like a granny on Sunday afternoon.”

Velvet came out of the kitchen with tupperware in hand, one wrapped in a large kitchen towel. “I suspect Sunset will want her bike back before next Friday, Shining, so you might consider driving like a normal person instead of your great grandmother.” The container was pressed into Sunset’s hands. “I know you won't feel like eating tonight, sweetheart, but please eat tomorrow? I’ve only just started feeling like you're a healthy weight that won't blow away in a stiff breeze, and you don't really have any to lose.”

“…I’ll try…” She couldn't promise anything, but she couldn't miss too many meals if she was going to be ready for the Games and whatever the magic at CPA tried next week. Magic still took energy, and energy had to come from somewhere.

She found herself in another hug from Velvet. “Keep your phone on you, Sunset. I will be checking in on you regularly until we fix this—and we will fix this.”

The woman did not seem to want to release her, but relinquished her hold and allowed Cadence to guide Sunset out to the cheerful little car in the driveway. Her backpack ended up in the backseat—the car did not have the kind of legroom found in Rarity’s oversized sedan or Flash’s muscle-car, and Sunset wasn't exactly short. Even with the seat all the way back, her knees felt awful close to her chest.

“Shining hates it too, and Lu always makes me ride with her when we go out,” Cady apologized, seeing her shift to try and gain a little more space. “I bought the car for college, and I don't want to trade it in just yet—its a hybrid, and the gas mileage is amazing.”

“…it's fine,” Sunset replied.

Cadence bit her lip, waiting until they’d pulled out of the neighborhood to start talking. “….please don't give up on your relationship with Twilight, not yet.”

Sunset blinked. “…I…”

“Here me out. Fights…they happen. Sometimes you hurt each other, sometimes the arguing can be ugly and angry and loud. Being with Twily is not always going to be sunshine and roses, and tonight was bad…but let sit for a few days, and let us deal with her.” She breathed out. “She was wrong in what she did, but…I think there were other factors at work that made it turn ugly, and I want to get to the bottom of it.”

Brows furrowed, Sunset went back over the evening in her mind. She hadn't sensed any of the foul magic on Twilight during the whole exchange, but that didn't mean anything. It had been hidden from her before…

It also didn't make it hurt less to feel the key now hanging around her own neck as it sat against her skin inside her shirt. Twilight had still—

“…I don't want to,” she said abruptly, not wanting to finish the thought. “…but it hurts. She…she said she wouldn't…she promised.” Her voice cracked on the last word.

“And she owes you a huge apology for today. Probably with flowers, chocolate, and lots of groveling, if I have anything to say about it…” Cadence shook her head. “She loves you, Sunset…I know she does. Give it a week, and let us see if we can figure out what wound her up so badly that she lost it—she never has a blow up like that without a cause, even if we don't see what it is at first. You deserve those answers, if nothing else, that and her apology. What you choose to do with both is up to you. I just believe love is worth fighting for, always, and I don't want you to just…give up on it. Not when I think there’s still hope.”

Sunset rubbed her face, wishing her hands were not shaking quite so noticeably. “I don't want to lose her,” she managed. “…I…I’ve…made my choice, made it weeks ago. I chose her,” she confessed. “Her, and your family…over Equestria. I even told the princess yesterday. My home is here…” My home is her, she didn't say. It hurt to even think.

Cadence glanced her way as they idled at a red light. “Princess?” she asked curiously.

“One of Equestria’s princesses,” she answered, noticing the way the woman’s eyes went wider. “We have four. One of them…she’s a friend now, even if we didn't start out that way. I…had to get permission, to tell Twilight everything. To tell you all everything. My past is all tied up in…what are essentially sensitive state secrets—unavoidable when growing up the ward of a royal, you know?”

A soft, startled laugh escaped the pink skinned woman. “I don’t personally, no. My parents are best described as ‘New Money.’ They made millions in business ventures during the nineties, and their companies still turn tidy profits…but they were comfortably middle class when I was born.”

She couldn't help but snort. “It's not all it's made out to be. Aristocrats are jerks. Nobles are worse. I could tell you about this prince I had to deal with at plenty of parties. He was about as pleasant as a wild boar suffering from a serious case of flatulence. Six years my junior, and he expected me to bow and scrape to him.” She couldn't help but smile at the memory. “I might have dumped an expensive dessert on his head and told him where he could take his expectations and stuff them.”

Giggles filled the car. “Oh…now you and Twily have to work out. I’m just picturing you as her date for the next New Years Party. Alabaster will spit-take her dentures across the ballroom.”

Confusion made her brows furrow. “That’s…one of Twilight’s aunts, right? Or cousin or something? One of the stuffy ones?”

“The worst of them, and she has been on Twilight for years about how she needs to act like a ‘proper lady’ in order to ‘marry well.’ Can you picture her face if you came in with old world palace manners?”

Okay, that…was a funny image she was familiar with, offending the upper class by being better at formal manners than any of them…it had always been a curl of dark satisfaction, showing them up at galas and dinners. Especially when she got along better with the various ambassadors than they usually did. “…yeah…okay…I see your point.”

Then she realized something important, and pulled out her phone to text Flash. “…I need to message the princess, and tell her something came up. She cleared her weekend for this, and…”

“Cleared her weekend?” Cadence sounded concerned.

Sunset sighed as she typed out a quick apology to Flash for wasting his Friday night and thanking him for his willingness to help, but that some things had come up and telling Twilight had been postponed until things were dealt with. She didn't feel like elaborating. “…since it's a complicated mess, she offered to come by to put things in perspective and explain any of the fuzzier details that are…not my place to answer? Provide proof that I’m not full of it? Then it's all officially sanctioned and above board, and no one can get in trouble.”

The car pulled to a stop outside Sunset’s loft, and Cady put it in park. She was quiet and contemplative, seeming lost in thought as Sunset slid out and went to the back to retrieve her things. As Sunset was collecting them, she cleared her throat. “Sunset?”

Freezing in place, the redhead looked towards the driver’s seat. “Yeah?”

“…you don't have to answer if you don't want to, or if you can't…and maybe I’m going to sound ridiculous and silly for even suggesting something that sounds like it's from a bad spy novel…but the way you are talking, it…sounds an awful lot like we were going to get…read into…some serious, top secret stuff. Like high level diplomatic secrets or something and not just the embarrassing stories of someone who saw royalty when they weren't dressed for public appearances. A princess being willing to drop everything to come talk to us is…not something of a lark.”

In for a bit, in for a diamond. “That's…exactly what I’m saying,” Sunset said quietly. “…I understand if your family changes your mind about me being around.”

Cadence’s voice was shaken but still strong. “Nothing has changed, Sunset. Mom was right—we’re going to find out what is going on with Twily, and we’re going to fix it.”

The former unicorn gave her a weak nod, straightening to direct Shining where to pull her motorcycle into—there was a clean space in the alley that faced Mr. Asiago’s windows, and the old man was as good a deterrent for thieves and vandals as an alarm system. She took her key from him, and whispered one last quiet thanks before fleeing inside the safety of the loft.

She made it as far as the couch before she collapsed into tears, pulling the shirt she had bought Twilight on their date off the back of the couch and curling up around it. There she lay, sobbing and broken hearted, until the oblivion of sleep claimed her…

And for once, even her demon was silent.

Author's Note

I want to point out that this chapter actually hurt to write, so I can only imagine how it feels to read it.

Sunset still does not know how to handle people actually caring about her....It can be overwhelming when you arent used to it.

Sounds like Twilight's family is very unhappy with Twilight though... >.> I'm sure that will go over well with the nerd in question.

*ducks into a bomb shelter for safety*