“Alright," You sigh into your phone, "I’ll take a look at the images in the morning.”

”Thanks, Anon." Your boss curtly replies. "The downtime today left people really upset."

'Not my problem.' You muse to yourself. “See you tomorrow.”

The gruff voice on the other end acknowledges and the line goes dead. You turn your phone on vibrate and slip it back into your pocket.

“Not my fault they can’t figure out how to do proper fucking patches.” You gripe out loud to no one in particular. With you being the only occupant of your two bedroom condo, you are free to complain about anything and anyone you see fit. The downside, however, is that no one can sympathize with your plights and minor inconveniences of the week. All you can do is bitch and moan to your own inner monologue. You let out a long guttural groan and turn your attention back to your stove top, where placed inside a skillet are two beautiful cuts of beef.

It's not too often that you get evenings like this to yourself without too much work, so you're taking full advantage by cooking yourself a nice dinner. The meat sizzles and pops nicely in a mixture of garlic butter and it’s own fat.

You take care not to cause any splattering as you flip the meat over, pausing to admire the sweet smell that emanates from the skillet. Once you're satisfied with the seared crust, you take the skillet off the flame and slide it right into the oven. After setting a timer on your phone for 15 minutes, you set about cleaning off the kitchen.

As you’re cleaning up, you feel your phone vibrate once more. The vibrations send waves of frustration through you, and you curse not so much under your breath. It’s very rare that you have an evening to yourself without playing IT to some dumbass who can’t google their problem.

The buzzing continues as you decide to let it ring. If anyone asks where you were you can say you just dropped your phone in the toilet or something. Finally, the vibrating stops and you breathe a sigh of relief.

Your solace is short lived however, as your phone resumes its maddening whine. After the cycle repeats twice more, a heavy sigh escapes your lips as you decide to answer it and get it over with. You mentally steel yourself to answer whatever inane tech questions will come spewing out, only to stop and read the name displayed on the screen.

Sunset Shimmer. That’s a name you haven’t seen in awhile. You’d briefly forgotten she was in your contacts, but seeing her name flash across your screen invokes a bittersweet feeling. You were first introduced to Sunset when she became your RA in college, and enjoyed each other's company even after you moved out of the dorms. Alas, the drudgery of adult life and responsibilities fizzled out your camaraderie to exchanging text messages once in a blue moon. If she’s calling you now, it could be important. You tap the accept button and hesitantly speak.

“Hello?”

”It’s been awhile, Anon.” you hear the familiar voice coo.

You roll your eyes and lean onto the counter. “Three years isn’t THAT long, Sunset.”

”Sometimes feels like it is. How are you doing?”

“Pretty good, pretty good." You wedge your phone between your shoulder and ear as you give a pot of rice a cursory stir and kill the burner underneath. "In the process of making some dinner.”

”Nice, Nice. Hey, listen, this may sound weird but....I need a favor.”

Well she's very quick to the point. “Awww, Didn’t call for a quick chat?” you playfully retort. “You said yourself it’s been awhile. ” The line is quiet before a quick sigh is heard.

“Anon as much as I’d love to just talk, this is something pretty serious.” Sunset insisted. “I need your help.”

“Serious enough to call someone you haven’t seen since college?”

”It’s...a really big favor.” Her tone has grown more pleading with each passing second, making you more and more uncomfortable thinking about what exactly Sunset needed from you. “Like, a really really REALLY huge favor.”

You roll your eyes. “Sunset," You sigh, "the last time I heard something like this I had to bail someone out, so if it’s that, the answer is no.”

“What? No no no no, it’s-well-kinda-It’s..."Sunset's stammering trails off for a second. You take a quick glance at your phone to confirm the call wasn’t dropped.

“You still there, Sunset?” You ask.

“Yea, I’m here. Look, can I come talk to you? It’s better if I explained it in person.”

“Uhhhhhh…” You hadn't really anticipated setting dinner for another person. You were hoping to meet her at a bar or something. But if it’s important enough for her to call like this, you suppose she should come over. “Sure.” You reply.

“Great!" Sunset chirps. “Are you still living in your apartment?”

“Same place, yep.”

”Awesome! We’ll see you there. Bye!”

“Bye.”

You place your phone on the counter and take the plastic plate you got out for yourself, exchanging it for three of 'the good plates'. You figure you might as well pull out the nicer dishes if you're having company. After all, It’s been a while since you’ve had guests over. The thought of having people over suddenly turns the cogs in your head as you realize what Sunset had said before she hung up.

“Wait…we?”

“No.”

”Look, Anon. I know that the two of you have some...history, but-”

“No.” You echo.

”I told you he wouldn’t agree to it.”

”Hush. Anon, please just listen to m-”

“I did. And I said no.”

”No," Sunset huffs, "you just saw her and immediately went sour. Please hear me out.” You cross your arms but say nothing, your gaze fixated on Sunset.

The second you opened the door and saw Aria standing behind Sunset, you almost shut the door back on their faces, had Sunset not intervened by jamming half her body in the doorway. The three of you exchange glances with each other, and Sunset takes your silence as her opportunity to speak her mind. ”I understand how you feel Anon, I really do-” Sunset shifts uncomfortably under your stare.

“No you don’t.”, you bluntly interrupt, your focus entirely set on your friend. You would rather not look at the girl sitting on your couch. With her shoes on it.

“-But believe me, we wouldn’t have come here if there wasn’t another option.”

“I can think of some pretty cozy underpasses by the highway.”

“I’m not sleeping in a tent outside, you jerk.” Aria spits.

You match Aria’s glare. “Who said anything about giving you shelter?”

Sunset turns and points at Aria. ”Stop it, you’re not helping!” Aria growls and jerks her head away. “Anon, please, it won’t be for that long.” Sunset moves in between you and Aria, taking her out of your view.

You rub your temples in an effort to dispel the headache you have, but Aria is still sitting in the room, cross-legged and staring at the wall. “Can’t she stay with you? Please?” you plead. Sunset's lips twist into a frown as she shakes her head.

”My studio is barely big enough for me. Adagio stayed at their apartment, and Sonata is with Pinkie Pie, but-” Aria decides to cut in again, her tone dispassionate and rude.

”But none of the other Lamebooms want to take me in. Apparently that prissy one said I’m too-” Aria takes on a high and regal sounding voice, one you assume is meant to mock one of Sunsets friends. ”-Abrasive and uncouth!”

You fold your arms over your chest and stare at the girl. “Sounds like she’s a good judge of character.” you reply with no hint of sarcasm. Aria glares at you from behind before kicking a leg up onto the couch arm and turning her attention back to the riveting wall that had captured her attention previously. Sunset mutters something under her breath before looking back at you.

”Anon can we step outside for a moment? Just you and me?” Sunsets eyes dart back and forth between you and the door.

You chew your lip as you consider just throwing the two of them out and enjoying your food on your own. But against better judgement, you nod toward the door and the two of you head outside onto the walkway.

You inhale the crisp, cool air and immediately feel yourself relax as the door closes behind you. Being in the same room as Aria feels like having your entire body pricked by little needles. Her absence, although brief, is already a great boon.

”So, Anon.” Sunset begins as she clasps her hands together. “I really need you to hear me out on this. Please”

“I’m listening.” You lean back against the wall and cross your arms. “For now.”

“I know this is a lot to put on someone, all things considering.”

You snort. ”That’s putting it lightly.”

“But.” Sunset interrupts. “We would not be here if she had any other choice. I’m not forcing you to take her in. This is only a favor I’m asking of you.”

You inhale sharply. Under normal circumstances, you’d be more than happy to do a favor for Sunset. Nothing about this was normal, however. Is there anything you even wanted from Sunset that could come close to what she was asking of you? Is the fact that you’re weighing your options mean you’re thinking about saying yes?

“You HAD to have known I was gonna say no.”

”I-Yes.” Sunset mutters towards the ground.

You throw your hands up. “And yet you still brought her! If it was anyone-LITERALLY ANYONE-else, I would have said yes.”

”But..here we are.” Sunset mutters dejectedly.

“Yeah, here you are.” You clasp the bridge of your nose between your hands and let out a long sigh. “God damnit, Sunset.” You feel a twinge of shame as you vent out your frustration on Sunset. While she wasn’t the one you had this history with, she brought Aria here.

You feel an involuntary scowl contort your face as you think of the woman sitting in your apartment. That witch is probably getting a kick out of seeing you squirm like this. She probably wanted to come here to make you uncomfortable.

“Why couldn’t one of the others have stayed with me? I would take Sonata over...HER in a heartbeat!”

”She wanted to stay with Pinkie.” Sunset replies matter-of-factly. “By the time I knew about this she had already moved in.”

“For asking a favor, you’re making it sound like that there’s no other choice in the matter.”

Sunset stares into your eyes briefly before speaking. ”Like I said, I came here to ask you if you could take her in. Not make you take her in.”

You narrow your eyes at the girl. ”And you brought her along thinking it would help you and your argument?” you retort.

Another pause as the girl seems to sweat over the right answer, and scowls. “Ok, Anon this hasn’t really been easy for me either, y’know.”

“Preaching to the choir, Sunset.”

“I didn’t want to be put in this position, Anon” She gestures towards herself. “And I know that you don’t as well. Neither of us wanted to be here, but…” Sunset casts a glance towards your doorway. “As horrible as she has been, she still needs help. And I said I would help her, so here we are.”

Sunset runs her hand through her hair before turning away. ”Look, you can...say no, Anon. Again, No one is forcing you. Either way, I really appreciate you hearing me out.”

You chew your lip as you turn to look over the railings of the landing that your apartment is on. Being on one of the higher levels of the complex offers a more scenic view. The town is warmly lit by streetlights and open businesses, beckoning the nightlife in to enjoy an evening of food and drink. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Sunset lean onto the railing and look out.

“Was there REALLY no other option at all?” You plead. “No roommate ads? No tiny homes? No openings at a strip joint?”

Sunset groans “If she had found anything like that, she wouldn’t still be holed up in some seedy hotel. You weren’t her first option either, Anon.”

“I shouldn’t have even been an option.” You sense Sunset shift uncomfortably at your remark, but she doesn’t raise a protest. Instead the two of you gaze out at the horizon, not a single word uttered between the two of you.

”You’ve got a nice view up here.”

“It’s nice to look at, I guess. Clears my head.” You mumble. It was certainly true. Watching the flickering lights drift around the night sky had a serene feel to it. You feel Sunset hesitantly rest a hand on your back.

”I know it hurt.” She says, almost remorsefully.

At her words, a wave of painful memories come flooding back to you. You shut your eyes tight as if to cut out the images in your head. “...You have no idea.” You let your other senses absorb the surroundings, hoping that you can either distract yourself from this or the answer would somehow appear from the dark.

You want to say no. Even though you kind of already did. You really want to laugh straight in Aria’s smug face and kick her to the curb again. Her resting bitch face wakes something primal in you, making every fiber of your being want to say no and physically drag her out.

“How long.” You mutter.

Sunset almost slides off the rail, but catches herself as she turns to face you. “Anon, are you sure?”

”How. Long.”

Sunset blankly stares at you for a moment before coming back to reality. ”Probably a couple of months I suppose, Anon are you s-”

You cast a sidelong glare at the girl. “Sunset, ask me again and I’m going to change my mind.”

Realizing her position, Sunset stammers out an apology before wrapping you in a tight embrace. “Thank you so much, Anon. I appreciate this so so so so much.”

“No problem, I guess. But you owe me BIG for this.” You respond, jabbing a finger towards her.

Let’s just go get her bags.” As you turn to make your way back inside, you hear a muffled groan. You look back at Sunset, who just stands there with a sheepish look on her face as she rubs the back of her head. ”S-sorry. Haven’t eaten in awhile.”

You can’t help but smirk. “It’s alright. Steak probably finished resting so let’s-” Suddenly, you’re interrupted by shrill beeping piercing through the quiet night. The sound appears to be coming from behind your door. Your heart drops as you realize what the cause is.

“MY FOOD!”

”You’re. Welcome.” Aria says, crossing her arms.

“Do you really expect me to say thanks?” You snap back. “The food was perfectly fine.”

Aria shrugs. “I thought you left the food out too long and it would get cold.”

You don’t REHEAT steaks, damnit! This-” You point at two blackened slabs sitting on a cutting board, “-is exactly why! I’ve made steaks for you before, you should know this!” You grumble.

“Well, I forgot.” Aria slides down from the countertop. “I don’t make steaks, I just eat them.”

As Aria makes her exit, you mentally kick yourself for not being more aware of who it was you left in your apartment. Not even back here for more than an hour and she’s already fucking things up somehow.

Now here you are, left with well done beef and scrubbing the rest of it off the skillet. You’re disappointed with her and yourself, but you’re too hungry to start anything. So instead, you’ll resign yourself to your quiet brooding and venting your frustration on blackened chunks.

Your front door swings open slightly, and opens more as Sunset pushes her way in, overburdened with several bags. Sunset grunts in effort as she drops one of them onto the floor, and flings a smaller one onto the couch.

”Whew-Well there’s just a couple of bags left, Aria.” Sunset jabs her thumb towards the door. “They’re in the trunk. The car is unlocked.” Aria just stands there slowly nodding, and the two just stare at each other for several seconds before Sunset coughs and speaks up. “The trunk’s already unlocked, Aria.” Sunset repeats. The purple girl stares at her for another moment, seemingly confused at the situation.

“Oh. You’re...ugh. Fine.” Aria slowly trudges out the door, leaving you and Sunset to watch her leave.

”Are you sure you’ll be ok?” Sunset asks curiously.

“I’ll be fine. I guess. You gonna stay for dinner?” You point towards the food Aria almost ruined. “Got a mighty bountiful feast tonight.”

Sunset lets a bag slide off her shoulder as she shakes her head. ”I’ve got to get back home. Work in the morning. Also...Twilight made dinner for me.”

“Awwwww, I knew it.”

”What?”

“Nothing. I’d always just figured that you and here would be a thing.” You respond coyly. “Took you two long enough.”

”Sh-shut up…” Sunset shoves your shoulder, a blush streaking across her cheeks. You pat Sunset on her bacon head, earning you a small pout from the girl.

“Ah, you know I’m just messing with you.” You wrap your arm around the girl and pull her close. “Despite the reason for your being here, it’s good to see you again Sunset.”

Sunset sighs happily and returns the embrace, then pulls away and hums contentedly before turning her eyes to your work.

”Is it burnt in pretty good?”

“Yep.” You emphasize by scraping off a burnt char with your chainmail.

“...At least she got them out.” Sunset says with a forced smile.

“You’d think she’d know what burnt food smells like given her track record.” You wipe your brow of the sweat from your exertion. “For fucks sake, I taught her this shit myself! Did none of it stick in that thick head of hers?”

”Well…” Sunset just glances at the floor and shrugs. You grunt with defeat as you scrape off the last remnants of any taste your food might have had and decide to throw some warm water into the skillet. Seasoning it again won’t be that hard, anyway. You have more pressing matters at hand.

You have some stuffed bell peppers leftover from the other night. Those should do. Your rice and beans will fit well with that. And all things considered, the steak is still somewhat edible, but not in the way you had hoped. Tossing out food that has potential to be salvaged doesn’t sit right with you, so you start racking your brain. You take another glance at the meat, cursing yourself for leaving Aria alone.

Could put it into a stir fry, you suppose. Yeah, that sounds good. While the beef is probably as dry as sandpaper, it could be coaxed back into having flavor with another quick marinade. You give yourself a mental stamp of approval as you pull out some saran wrap to save what’s left.

“You wouldn’t mind if I checked up on you every now and again?” Sunset asks, her tone hinting at a degree of uncertainty. “If only just to catch up with you~”

“Not at all-” You turn to face her, leaning your arm on the counter, “-because I’m sure you don’t want to see anything about a murder on the news?”

Sunset rolls her eyes. ”I know you wouldn’t do anything like that, Anon. Plus, I’m sure it won’t be that bad.”

The two of you are interrupted by several loud thuds at the doorway. You turn to see the sound has come from Aria who is propped up against the doorway, her ample chest heaving with each breath she takes. Several bags and cases are strewn in front of her, spilling their contents onto your floor.

“GODDAMNIT, A LITTLE HELP HERE?” Aria shouts as she kneels down to scoop up whatever contents had spilled out.

You roll your eyes and start by picking up loose articles of clothes and accessories, taking care to skip over underwear and other revealing items. As you pick up a pair of pants, you find a brown shoebox sealed tightly with a swathe of duct tape. Figuring something in it might be fragile, you grab it and start peeling away at the tape to check on whatever is inside.

”NO, GIMME THAT!” Before you can react, a purple hand quickly wrenches the box from your grasp, leaving you bewildered. Aria clutches the box closely to her, her eyes darting between you and Sunset. ”It’s my...uh...personal things.” Aria sputters.

Aria quickly darts in between you two and vanishes down the hallway, leaving the two of you at the doorway. After a slam echoes from the corridor, you and Sunset stare at each other for a moment before exchanging a shrug and picking up the remaining items and leaving them outside the bedroom Aria had just shuttered herself into.

Sunset stretches her back, grunting ”I guess I should actually head out now.”

“Gonna leave me with all of this?” you ask, desperate to keep a friendly face here as long as possible.

“I’ve kept dinner waiting too long. ” Sunset responds, glancing at her phone.

“You mean you’ve kept Twilight waiting too long?”

Sunset scoffs and lightly slaps your chest. ”You’ve always been such a charmer with your humor, huh?”

You bend down to pick up a box, cradling it underneath your arm. “I’d say it’s one of my better qualities”

Sunset chuckles before she heaves a heavy sigh. ”Anon?”

“Hmm?”

A short silence follows your response, before she wraps her arms around you. ”Thanks again.” Her head falls onto your shoulder. “I understand it must have been hard to agree.”

“Yea well-” You return the gesture by resting your head on top of hers, “-I’m nice like that sometimes.”

”I know. It’s always something I’ve admired about you.”

“...She knows she’s not staying here for free, yea?” you bluntly state.

She nods. ”I told her she would be paying some rent, yes.”

“Well at least she won’t be total dead weight.” you say, absentmindedly scratching your head.

Sunset looks at you inquisitively, but before she is able to press further, a small chime sounds from her pocket. She pulls her phone out from her coat, and scans the screen.

“Gotta get going?” You wiggle your eyebrows.

Sunset sighs. “She’s wondering why I’ve been gone so long.”

“Guess I-well-we won’t keep you any longer.”

Sunset nods, and she picks up her bag and jacket before she turns to look at you. ”If you need anything Anon, I’m only a phone call away.”

”I know." You respond, rubbing the back of your neck. "I’ll… let you know when anything comes up.”

Sunset smiles and hugs you one more time “Take care, Anon. I’ll check up in a couple of days.”

“Drinks?”

”Only if they’re on you.”

You rest your hand on your hip and raise your eyebrow. “That’s how you thank me?”

Sunset grins sheepishly. “I was just joking. My treat.”

“That’s more like it.” You say smugly.

”Where’s the egg salad?”

You look up from your food to see Aria foraging your fridge, rummaging through everything at her leisure. “What?” you ask through half chewed food. Aria continues to root through the contents of your fridge, not even turning to acknowledge you.

”Egg salad! Or a side dish!” Aria turns with her arms outstretched. “You can’t JUST have whatever that is!”

“I’ve got rice, and I’ve got beans.” You point your fork towards the two bowls before returning your attention to your plate. “Help yourself.”

You swallow your bite and take a deep breath. “If you don’t like what I’m having, you’re free to go out and get your own fucking food. There’s a Burger King on the corner.”

Aria stares at you blankly, seeming to be lost in thought. Before she can speak, a quiet rumbling coming from the girl seems to affirm her decision.

“Put everything back in and come sit down.” You snap. “You’re gonna spoil it all.”

”Fine.” The fridge is shut with a slam and you see her down across from you. You lift your head to see Aria already in the process of scooping generous portions onto her plate, eliminating the possibility of saving any worthwhile amount of leftovers.

The two of you eat in relative silence for a while, the only sound being the soft clink of silverware. After finishing, you take your plate and whatever is left of the food back to the kitchen, storing the leftovers and proceeding to clean the plates.

Aria is the first to break the silence, with her mumbling heard over your shoulder. "That was good." You only nod in approval. "Where'd you learn to cook again?"

"I've told you before. My grandmother." You say, shaking your head. Aria grunts in response, but doesn't say anything. After a minute, Aria mumbles something about changing before standing up and disappearing into the guest room.

Several minutes pass and she reappears, her hair completely let down, wearing only an oversized dark green shirt and a dark purple thong. You cock an eyebrow at her choice of attire.

Aria sees you staring at her and shrugs. "I get hot at night. You know that."

“You couldn’t wait to change?”

"It’s nothing you haven't seen before." Aria dismisses as she dives onto the couch, grabbing the TV remote and flipping the power on. She’s only greeted with a blank screen, and after several attempts at brute forcing the buttons on the remote she turns to look at you with a dumbfounded expression.

"I don't have cable anymore.” You confess.

Aria throws her hands up, almost sending the remote flying across the room. "Why not??"

"Aria, It’s current year.” You reply in an exasperated tone. “No one under the age of forty has cable."

Aria seems to take a moment to digest this information before turning back towards the TV and kicking her feet up onto the arm. "Whatever. You still have Netflix?"

You stack the last of your dishes onto the drying rack and lean on the counter. “Do you not have your own damn account?” you bark.

“Adagio changed the password.” Aria says solemnly.

You groan inwardly and drag your hands down your face. “It’s on the console." You watch as Aria lifts herself off the couch, fumbles with black box, and sits back down on the couch.

You stretch your back and yawn. The time to heed the clarion call of your bed is nigh, so you shuffle off down towards your bedroom so you can sleep away the stress of the last few hours.

Author's Note

ARTIST: Kazabomb
LINKS:
https://luchadan.tumblr.com/
https://derpibooru.org/tags/artist-colon-kazabomb