And I've been in this place before, fine as we are but we want more
"And the titles of Prom Queens go to... Sunset Shimmer and Rarity!"
The students applauded as the fabulously-dressed pair ascended the steps of the makeshift dais that had been constructed for this event. In honour of the very unique natures of certain members of the graduating class, the theme for this year's Prom had been Equestria, with the venue decorated in a playful facsimile of Canterlot Castle.
Sunset felt a little odd sitting on a replica of the throne she had once coveted so much, but a quick glance at her partner set her mind at ease. Rarity was positively basking in the adoration of the crowd, and seeing her friend happy made Sunset happy too.
There were some speeches and playful ribbing from their friends as the plastic crowns were placed upon their heads. Sunset knew how to put on a show, firing back good-naturedly and giving a speech thanking the whole school for helping her become a better person.
As for Rarity, of course she had everyone eating out of the palm of her hand. She was positively radiant with her elegant ballgown, imitating court manners as she played her role so naturally that Sunset had flashbacks to her time as Celestia's student. For a moment, Sunset could imagine her as an actual princess ruling over her beloved subjects.
And then the music started playing again, and it was time for the Prom Princesses to take the first dance. Knowing Rarity's preference to be wooed, Sunset extended a hand towards her. "Shall we, Your Majesty?"
"Of course, my Princess." Rarity took the proffered hand and together they walked towards the dance floor, settling into a slow waltz that brought their bodies close together.
It was a bad idea, but Sunset allowed herself to be lost in the feel of Rarity's body against her own, the scent of floral perfume filling her senses as she let her hands roam respectfully across Rarity's back. "You know, when I first came here, I never expected I'd ever share the crown with someone else," she said, her voice just loud enough to be heard over the music.
"And I never thought I'd be wielding magic and moonlighting as a superhero in my spare time," Rarity replied with a wry smile. "Two years ago, I could never have imagined that I’d be willingly spending time in the same room as you and enjoying myself."
Sunset chuckled. "Heh, I guess it must have been a pretty crazy high school experience for you, huh?"
"Quite." They broke apart for a moment before pulling back in again. "And I wouldn't trade it for the world. A woman couldn't ask for a better band of friends to end the school year with."
"Friends, yeah." This time, Sunset's chuckle was much more forced.
Ever the astute one, Rarity's eyes narrowed, though her tone remained pleasantly conversational. "I must thank you again for asking me to accompany you to this soirée. It would have been a shame if someone as fabulous as moi had to fly solo to Prom."
That got a snort from Sunset as they continued to sway back and forth. "As if you couldn't have literally anyone in the school as your date just by crooking your finger at them."
"Ah, but a lady wants to be asked," Rarity countered, "and no one else had the courage to approach me."
Sunset shrugged. "I've always believed that if you want something, you gotta make the first move. It's bitten me in the ass a couple times, but I still think it's a good way to live life."
"I quite agree." A pause as Rarity hesitated. "I've always admired you, you know, even when I hated you. You had the courage to take what you wanted, and to hell with what the world thought. Some days, I wonder if I wouldn't have been Queen Bitch of the school if you hadn't seized that particular title with such gusto."
There was no need to even think about her answer. "Nah, you're too good of a person to have ended up like me."
"I'm glad you have so much faith in me." Rarity let herself be twirled by Sunset as the music played on.
"I think I hated you the most back then," Sunset said as they came together again. "I hated how you were everything I wanted to be, but with a soul too. I'd convinced myself that following my ambitions meant giving up on being a good person, and you taunted me every day with how wrong I was for believing that."
They were so close now. Sunset could feel Rarity's warmth seeping right into her soul, a comforting aura that she never wanted to go away. Rarity was so beautiful, and funny, and smart, and wonderful, and without thinking, Sunset leaned in at the same time as her, bringing their lips closer and closer until—
They both pulled back at the same time, realizing what was about to happen.
"We can't," Rarity said breathlessly, and oh, how lovely she sounded when her voice was filled with desire.
Sunset could only nod in agreement, even as her heart ached to deny it. "It would be a terrible idea."
"You're not even going to be in this universe after we graduate," Rarity explained, and Sunset didn't know if that explanation was directed at her or Rarity herself. "Long-distance relationships are fraught at best, and we're both going to be so very busy soon."
"Yeah," Sunset said hollowly. "You're going to be getting two degrees at Canterlot U, and it's not like business or the arts are easy programs. And I'm gonna have to catch up on so much stuff when I get back to Equestria to study. We just wouldn't have any time for us."
"A relationship would be a distraction neither of us could afford." Even as they made their excuses, they never stopped moving in perfect harmony to the music, their bodies flowing sensually into one another, the admission of their feelings breaking through any hesitance as they now freely embraced one another. "It's just not a good time, no?"
"It's not." They broke apart, the magical bond that had held them together shattering into a thousand shards of reality. "It's definitely a bad time for us to try and be something more."
Rarity smiled sadly. "Perhaps one day it will be the right time."
"Maybe. At least we can still be friends, right?" For a moment, Sunset felt a surge of panic that Rarity might reject her, might say it was safer to stay apart.
But then Rarity nodded, and all was right in the world again. "Darling, I would be devastated if we weren't."
The music ended, and they released each other, their fingers touching for one final moment before Sunset regretfully broke the connection and they returned to the real world. "Well, at least we still have tonight." Even if it wouldn't be the same. Even if they'd have to play at being friends when they both knew they wanted something more. Still, it was better than nothing.
"Of course, my princess." Rarity gave a perfect curtsy, her earlier melancholy replaced by a dazzling smile. "Shall we attend to our subjects?"
"Certainly, Your Majesty." They shared a laugh before walking over to where their friends had gathered, ready to make the most of the time they had together before their lives would be pulled apart in different directions.
"A toast, to the first day of the rest of our lives!"
Rarity slammed down the shot glass a moment later, savouring the burn of hard liquor draining down her throat and into her stomach. All around her, she saw her friends doing the same, maintaining their composures with varying degrees of success.
Applejack grimaced as she swallowed but otherwise maintained a smug expression, displaying the wages of a youth spent drinking moonshine. Fluttershy gasped and choked and wheezed and generally looked miserable, and Rarity had to resist the urge to tell her once again that she didn't have to partake in this childish ritual if she didn't wish to.
Twilight followed in Fluttershy's footsteps with slightly less theatrics, and Rainbow Dash kept her smile the whole time even as Rarity could see her struggling not to throw up. Pinkie, of course, simply grinned and took a second shot without a care in the world.
And as for Sunset, Rarity watched as she took a sip from her glass of water and observed them all with her usual casually analytical air.
The workings of the mirror that joined their two worlds were still a mystery to Rarity, but she was grateful that time seemed to flow at around the same pace between both worlds at the moment. She also appreciated that the mirror had mapped Sunset's human body appropriately as she had grown.
The past four years had only made her beauty shine brighter. Rarity could clearly see how the quiet confidence Sunset now exuded as her friends made fools of themselves was but the natural evolution of the inner strength that had first drawn Rarity to the rebellious teenager.
Their eyes met, and the loud music and raucous carousing seemed to dim as they shared a moment of quiet understanding and appreciation for their friends and for each other.
"Definitely something worth drinking to," Applejack said once the others had mostly recovered. "I'm proud of y'all for getting yer degrees." Her smile turned wry. "And to Twilight for getting her second one."
Everyone laughed again as Twilight turned an adorable shade of red and sunk deeper into her seat.
Sunset, sensing her discomfort, walked over and patted her on the back. "We really shouldn't have expected anything else from her," she said warmly. "Congrats on the Masters, Sparkle, and I'm sure you'll crush your doctorate in record time too. You know what you're gonna be working on yet?"
Twilight perked up at that. "Oh, I'm going to be part of the research team at Canterlot U that's studying magic. I, uhh, have the most expertise in the topic so it was a natural fit."
"Well, at least you won't have to worry about funding," Sunset commented dryly. "Ever since the Princesses decided to make first contact it feels like every government is throwing half their budgets at trying to figure out magic."
"The world's changing," Applejack added, taking a swig from her mug of cider. "I can't wait to see what y'all are gonna do next."
"Don't forget the rest of us when you're all big-shot fashion designers, or vets, or sports stars, or scientists, or..." Pinkie's eyes narrowed at Sunset. "What're you doing again?"
Sunset smiled that knowing smile of hers that Rarity so loved. "Well, now that I'm done with my studies, Princess Twilight's offering me a job on the diplomatic team that's in charge of relations with this universe."
Pinkie's eyes widened. "Does that mean you're going to be around a lot more?"
Sunset nodded. "Yup."
"That's wonderful." Of course, Rarity had already known about Sunset's career choice, but it still made her heart warm that she would be visiting more often.
The others all shared their congratulations and excitement at her returning to this world, and the conversation flowed naturally towards discussions on the future. Rainbow Dash bragged about her contract with the Bolts. Pinkie revealed that the Cakes were planning on opening a second Sugarcube Corner and that she would be managing it, which everyone agreed would be a marvellous experience to observe at a safe distance.
As for Rarity, everyone once again praised her for opening up a boutique at the same time as finishing her final year of schooling, and she accepted the compliments with grace and elegance. False modesty was most unbecoming, after all.
They paused for a moment when the TV in the corner began playing a news story about Princess Twilight's latest diplomatic initiative. As everyone moved closer to the device, Rarity saw Sunset slip back into the corner, a guarded expression on her face, and followed suit.
"Penny for your thoughts?" she asked when they were close enough that she could speak without being overheard.
Sunset shrugged. "Just thinking about how much I've missed out on these last four years. Should've come over more often."
"You’ve been busy," Rarity said simply. "As were the rest of us, truth be told. We didn't get to spend as much time together as we would've liked. One of the disadvantages of having numerous overachievers as friends, I suppose."
"Pot calling the kettle black, huh?" Sunset smirked. "How's Carousel Boutique going?"
"We're doing well enough," Rarity said. "The first years are always the most difficult, from what I've gathered, but we're already turning a profit in under nine months. Having the Princesses reveal Equestria's existence provided quite the boost in sales."
"Mmm, I noticed that you and Dash were the only ones who didn't try to pretend that you were just random bystanders back in high school." There was no judgement in Sunset's tone.
"It was a calculated risk." Rarity wasn't ashamed to admit it either. Networking was a vital part of success in business, and she wasn't going to shy away from the fact that she'd made an incredibly powerful contact which helped propel her store to success.
A moment of understanding passed between them before Rarity cleared her throat. "So, a diplomat," she said. "Does that mean you'll be residing in the embassy here in Canterlot?"
"Yeah." Sunset stared off into the distance, her eyes clouding over with memory. "I've missed this world a lot. Equestria's great, but this is the place that made me who I am." She reached over to the table and picked up another slice of pizza. "Also, you humans do junk food way better than Equestria."
As Sunset wolfed down her meal with brazen ardour, Rarity took the opportunity to admire just how much of the woman she had fallen for years ago still remained in this blazing star who would no doubt change the world, just as Rarity would. A pang settled in her heart, one that was sadly familiar, and which came up whenever she spent too much time in quiet contemplation near Sunset.
Rarity counted herself lucky beyond description to be friends with Sunset, but sometimes...
She wasn't sure when she'd placed her hand on Sunset's, but she definitely noticed it when Sunset pulled away, staring at her with turbulent eyes and tomato-stained cheeks. "Heh, some things never change, huh?"
There wasn't any purpose in feigning ignorance. "I'd hoped that spending some time apart would snuff out the flame I held for you," Rarity admitted, rubbing her hands idly. "But alas, it seems that absence only makes the heart grow fonder. You feel it too, I take it?" Part of her hoped that Sunset would say no, would reject her and give her the freedom to move on, but another part of her knew that she never wanted to leave this sun-gilded cage.
"Yeah." And with that word, Sunset damned her once again. "But it's still a bad time for us to be starting a relationship. I might be around more often, but I'll still be back-and-forth a lot, and we're both going to be very busy with our jobs."
"I can hardly afford such a distraction when my boutique still needs to be nurtured," Rarity murmured, hating herself for agreeing with Sunset.
"And I'm literally going to be affecting the fate of two worlds." Sunset shot her a lopsided smile that harkened back to their youth, when they'd last had this conversation as infatuated teenagers. "We're both pretty intense people, and I can see us throwing ourselves completely into a romance, which we'd probably regret in the end. Maybe in a few years, when things settle down, we can talk about it again?"
If only Rarity had been attracted to a less assertive woman. Of course, what would have been the fun in that? "Perhaps in a few years the time will be right for us to focus our passions elsewhere," she acquiesced instead. "For now, I suppose I shall just have to content myself with the knowledge that we are still friends, and that we will be able to spend more time together."
Sunset raised her glass of water. "To good friends," she said as the others erupted into cheering at something the Princess said on TV.
Rarity quickly filled a shot glass and mirrored Sunset. "To a bright future for all us." For now, this would have to do. Rarity had good friends to keep her company and share in her triumphs, and that would have to be enough until she had achieved enough of her dreams to reach for more.
The tequila burned much stronger the second time around.
"I now pronounce you wife and wife!"
Those words were all the prompting that Applejack and Rainbow Dash needed before they embraced and shared a kiss that had everyone cheering their hearts out.
"Oh my, they really are lovely." Rarity had already begun crying when Applejack had walked down the aisle, and now the tears were flowing freely as their friends were finally bound in matrimony.
"Yeah, they are," Sunset said from her spot standing next to her. "Never thought I'd get to see Applejack in a dress that fancy."
"F-Fortunately, her mother had excellent taste in fashion, and A-Applejack is a woman who greatly values tradition." The words were choked out between sniffles.
"Rainbow Dash looks great in that tux, too," Sunset commented. "You did an amazing job with it."
"I do have my moments." The crowd was quieting down, and Rarity seemed to have regained some of her composure. "Admittedly, Rainbow Dash was one of the more difficult clients I've had in quite a while. Getting her to stay still long enough to make adjustments was a trial, I must say."
"I believe you." They both stopped talking after that as the ceremony continued.
More words were said by the officiant, Applejack and Rainbow kissed again to more applause, and then it was time for them to move on to the reception.
All around the venue, Sunset could see security guards stationed at every possible entrance and exit, checking to make sure all the guests had invitations. With Princess Twilight attending, to say nothing of Dash's own fame and that of a few other guests, there was unfortunately no way to stop the media from wanting to turn this into a spectacle. Sunset hadn't been privy to all of the planning, but she'd known that it'd put stress on the couple, and was glad they'd come to a compromise.
She and Rarity put on their Press Smiles as they all gathered together with the brides and other bridesmaids to take some photos that would be released publicly. They were all staged and calculated and Sunset could tell that Applejack hated it, but she gritted her teeth and went through with it anyways.
Afterwards, it was time for them to take off the masks. Applejack breathed an obvious sigh of relief and she hugged Rainbow close to her before they took another set of pictures, this time with whomever they felt like, in whatever poses they wanted.
Sunset was going to have to make sure to get a copy of the one with Applejack riding Rainbow like a cowgirl on a bull, if only to have something to tease them with in the future.
"Alright, let's get to the grub," Applejack said as they finished up with the last of the pictures, "I'm about ready to eat a whole cow right now."
Once again, Sunset was seated next to Rarity during the dinner. She wasn't sure whose fault it was, but she was grateful for the opportunity to spend more time with her best friend. "So, who do you think is gonna get drunk enough to try singing first?"
Rarity took a moment to think about her answer. "I do hope it's Fluttershy again. She was lovely at the hen night last week, and I would so love to hear her sing again."
"It sucks that she still has stage fright about it normally," Sunset agreed. She took a bite from her salad. "Wow, this is great. Can't wait for dessert though."
"Mhm." Rarity poked at her own dish. "Are these Equestrian apples in the salad?"
"Yeah," Sunset said. "The other AJ wanted to send her love since she couldn't make it. She also told me to tell them that it was about time, and the other Dash wanted me to tell them that second place was cool too."
"Mature as always, I see." Rarity rolled her eyes before continuing the conversation, "By the way, has Princess Twilight mentioned that my Equestrian counterpart contacted me a few weeks ago?"
Sunset nodded. "She wants to do some sort of joint business venture, right?"
"A fashion line designed by both of us, for humans and ponies. Beyond the potential publicity for our respective brands, it would signal a new era of cooperation between our two worlds." A bright shine glimmered in Rarity's eyes as she spoke, and Sunset loved the passion in her words.
Still, there were other considerations. "We don't have precedence for cross-universe business dealings, or any laws or agreements on either side about how to go about something like this. It's going to be a PR nightmare to manage, too."
"Fortunately, we'll have the best people in the Equestrian government ensuring that everything goes smoothly, no?" The look Rarity gave her would have felled a lesser woman, but Sunset was no stranger to her charms.
"Twilight's already assigned me to this project," Sunset admitted. "We're going to do this all properly and make sure we pave the way for fair cooperation in the future." She kept her voice firm and unwavering. Even if Sunset didn't think that Rarity would actually try to manipulate her, she knew that Rarity would fight for every advantage she could get. It was something she greatly admired about her, and part of her was gleefully looking forward to matching wits with her at the negotiation table.
"I would expect nothing less from one of Equestria's finest statesmares." There was nothing but respect in Rarity's voice, and Sunset appreciated that too.
From the corner of her eye, Sunset saw Pinkie signalling at them from behind the stage. "Oh, I think the speeches are about to begin," she said, nudging Rarity.
The two of them quickly finished their meals and made their way over to their friends. Once there, Pinkie corralled them all into a line, and Sunset and Rarity were forced to keep quiet as the speeches were made, with the usual congratulations and groan-worthy jokes from everyone.
Afterwards, Sunset and Rarity retreated off to one side as the happy couple began their first dance. They positioned themselves by a table laden with cookies, cupcakes, and other sweet treats as they watched. "Looks like Pinkie pulled out all the stops, huh?" Sunset commented as she let herself sway back and forth in time with the music.
Rarity shrugged. "She was quite adamant about not being outshone after Applejack provided the catering for her wedding to Cheese."
Sunset grabbed one of the cupcakes and took a bite. And then another. And then another. "No idea who did a better job," she said after she'd finished the whole thing in a few seconds, "but either way, I think we're the real winners here."
"Quite." Ever the lady, Rarity picked up a cookie and daintily nibbled at it. It was cute to watch. "Perhaps we'll be fortunate enough to have them both cater at the next wedding."
"That'd be nice," Sunset said. "Wonder which of the girls is gonna get married next. It's kinda fun being a bridesmaid."
"Always the bridesmaids, never the brides," Rarity quipped, and they both flinched at that. Before Sunset could reply, however, the music shifted and everyone began making their way to the dance floor.
On impulse, Sunset reached out a hand to Rarity. "May I have this dance?"
Rarity hesitated for a moment, but eventually smiled and took her hand, and together they made their way onto the dance floor as the next song started up in earnest.
"Well, this is rather familiar," Rarity said as they leaned into one another.
"Yup," Sunset replied. "I'm not gonna complain, though." Not when she had an excuse to hold Rarity tight as she had all those years ago at prom. She smelled different, and her curves felt fuller now, but she was still the same woman who had dazzled Sunset with her beauty and wits.
After a minute of silent dancing, Rarity asked, "Do you ever wonder what might’ve been if we'd said yes that night?"
"Every day." As the music swelled, Sunset spun Rarity around and dipped her low, their faces inches apart.
"Do you think we would have been happier?" The question was almost whispered by Rarity, as if she was scared of what the answer might be.
Sunset shrugged, careful not to drop her dance partner as she raised her back up. "I don't know." Another few steps in time with the music. "We would've been different. I can't see us not being successful together, but I don't think you would’ve had as many stores right now, and I probably wouldn't be a diplomat. Hay, the Princesses might not even have made contact with this world. Imagine that. Maybe we'd just be a normal power couple taking over our respective industries, without any interdimensional complications."
"How positively mundane," Rarity said dryly. "I suppose there's little point in speculating, not when so much of our lives have been defined by that decision. Perhaps we would’ve made time for one another, and perhaps we wouldn't."
"We have time for each other now." The words left Sunset's lips before she could think them through, and they both froze for a moment.
"That would be a monumentally terrible idea," Rarity eventually said, regret dancing in her eyes. "We already have enough of a conflict of interest with our friendship. If we were to date while trying to iron out a roadmap for interdimensional business partnerships at the same time..."
"The press would have a field day with the accusations." They both knew how things worked and understood how that would go. "It could mess up everything the diplomatic corps have been working towards for almost a decade."
"I'm sorry, but I can't be that selfish, not even for you," Rarity said as the song ended and they broke apart.
"I know," Sunset replied. How ironic that the trait she so admired Rarity for would be the one keeping them apart. This was probably some kind of karmic punishment for her past ambitions. "It'd be a really bad time for us to start dating."
"The right time will come eventually, I'm sure." The promise sounded hollow to both of them, but Sunset clung to it as best she could.
"Yeah."
When Applejack went to toss the bouquet, Sunset and Rarity excused themselves to share another dance as friends, forcing themselves to be content with that for the moment.
"A toast, to interdimensional cooperation."
Rarity and Sunset clinked their wine glasses together. They were in one of Rarity's apartments, a penthouse suite overlooking the bright lights of the city below. On the table between them was a very long document that Rarity's lawyers had gone through with a fine-toothed comb.
"To making the friendship between our worlds even stronger," Sunset said as she downed her glass. "Not that you made it easy for us, Miss Ten-Percent-Or-I-Walk."
"How dare you mock the generous offer that my counterpart and I presented." Rarity scoffed playfully before letting out a yawn. "Goodness, but it's been quite the trial to get here. Fortunately, I had good company for this particular leg of my journey."
Sunset nodded. "You're way more fun than the politicians. Prettier, too."
"Why, thank you!" Rarity beamed. "I do try."
They stared into each others' eyes, the same thoughts dancing in their heads. The same question on the tips of their tongues that they'd wanted to ask since they were teenagers.
And the same answers already presenting themselves.
"It's just not a good time, yet," Rarity said.
"It's not," Sunset agreed, already falling into the ritual they both despised. "This agreement is just the first step. I'm going to have my work cut out for me making it stick as policy."
"And the other me would expect nothing less than my total dedication to this joint venture, just as I expect it from her."
"It's better if we're just friends."
An hour later, Sunset left the apartment, and then both went to bed alone.
"Wow, your 'Two Worlds, One Heart' line is still doing really well," Sunset commented as they sipped their coffees. It was a bright, sunny morning in Canterlot, and she'd been lucky enough to have a free hour at the same time as Rarity today.
Rarity took a delicate bite from her morning muffin before replying. "It's no surprise, really, not with all the publicity this venture has gotten since we first announced it. The fashion world is already looking for new and exotic and avant-garde sources of design, and Equestria holds so much potential for us, and vice-versa. How are the other collaborations fairing?"
"Eh, there's ups and downs," Sunset replied. "Only one lawsuit so far between counterparts, so I'm taking that as a win. Besides, I'm not completely sure that Flim and Flam v. Flim and Flam isn't some complicated scheme to exploit a loophole in our tax laws, anyways. I should probably have Princess Twilight look into that when I go back to help with the training program."
"Oh, I don't believe I've wished you good luck in that endeavour yet," Rarity noted. "Not that you need it. You're a natural at teaching."
"I hope so. We need more ponies with the right skillset with how fast relationships between our two worlds are developing." A dark chuckle from Sunset. "The curse of being so good at friendship, I guess."
"A good curse to have, I daresay." There was a moment of hesitation before Rarity asked, "So, I suppose this will be the last of these little dates for a while?"
"Yeah." Sunset sighed. "I'll still be visiting often, but for the next little bit I'll be staying in Equestria to teach until I can trust them to handle things without me."
"Understandable." Rarity smiled sadly. "A shame we never got a real date, but it's for the best, I suppose, with you taking your temporary leave of absence."
"Yeah, it would've been a really bad time to start a relationship."
"As it always seems to be. Ah well, perhaps one day it shall be the right time."
"One day." The promise made, both of them lapsed back into pleasant conversation.
"It's so wonderful to have you back, dear."
"Thanks, Rarity. It's good to be back. So, what's new in the fashion world?"
"Oh, I'm almost ready to launch my 'Single and Ready To Mingle' line!"
"That's wonderful. Guess you'll have to stay single to sell the brand, though, right?"
"It would be difficult to modify our marketing strategy this late, yes. Now is not a good time for me to be caught in a tryst with anyone."
"Oh well, maybe afterwards it'll be the right time."
"Perhaps."
"Wow, okay, so that got messy."
"Oh my." Rarity put down the newspaper Sunset had given her.
"Yeah, I know divorces can get complicated, but I guess interdimensional ones are even worse. It's so bad that the consulate's temporarily banning cross-dimensional fraternization for its staff until they sort this out."
"Oh, dear. You're not truly under their authority, however. Not anymore."
"No, but it would still set a bad example if I started dating a human right now. Now's not really the right time for me to be going out with anyone from this world."
"Understandable." Rarity glanced at the article again. "He did what with a weather vane?"
"Leave me alone, Sunset! I am persona non grata among polite company right now!"
"Rarity, every celebrity ends up embroiled in a scandal eventually. These accusations about you secretly running a smear campaign against Suri Polomare aren't even true. We both know that."
"Regardless, my social position is far too precarious for me to inflict potential disaster upon you. We can discuss the possibility of a relationship at a more opportune time."
"Fine, but I'm here for you, okay?"
"Thank you, Sunset. Now if you'll excuse me, there's a tub of ice cream in my fridge with my name on it."
"Well, I'm glad that worked out without too much trouble."
Rarity shrugged at Sunset's statement as they walked out of the restaurant. "It turns out that threatening legal action is a wonderfully effective tactic when used correctly. Suri should be licking her wounds for a good while."
"Nice job." Sunset shot her a set of congratulatory finger-guns before they continued making their way towards their cars. The other girls had all parked on the other side of the building, leaving Sunset and Rarity to make this journey by themselves. "Man, that was a fun anniversary party. I can't believe AJ and Dash have already been married for ten years."
"Time truly does fly sometimes," Rarity replied. "So much has changed, and yet, so much has remained constant. We were always told that high school friendships never lasted, that the bonds we forged in our teenage years would weaken in time until we drifted away, and yet, here we are, celebrating the strength of the union between two of our best friends."
"Yeah, it's been a pretty crazy couple of decades, even by our standards." They'd reached their cars by now, but had decided to linger, leaning against the cold steel of their frames.
"Was it everything you hoped it would be?"The innocence in Rarity's question was betrayed by the faint longing in her tone.
Sunset considered her answer. "It was more than I could have dreamed of," she finally said, "but still not as much as I want. That's just how it goes with ambition, I guess. People like us can't ever be happy with what we have, you know?"
"I know all too well." Rarity reached out and took Sunset's hand, and Sunset allowed her to. It was little moments like this they stole when they could, hiding behind the knowledge that what they truly wanted could never be. "Will you really be gone for an entire year this time?"
Her fingers rubbed slow circles along the back of Sunset's hand, and Sunset shivered at the sensation. "Yeah. They're pulling some staff from here to deal with the situation in the Zebra lands. I won't be able to access the mirror while I'm there." She bowed her head. "I'm sorry. I don't want to go, but they really need more ponies there."
"I understand." Rarity released Sunset's hand and gave her a brave smile. "You're a good person, and you will always do the right thing, no matter the cost to yourself. That's one of the many things I lo— that I appreciate about you." They both winced at the word Rarity had almost spoken, and by unspoken agreement, ignored that it had ever been nearly said.
Sunset smiled back. "I guess this is the part where we say it's a really bad time to be starting a relationship?"
A dark chuckle from Rarity. "One day it will be the right time. And we can finally be rid of this accursed ritual."
"One day." Sunset's grin faded as she opened the door to her car. "Drive safe, Rarity."
"Likewise."
And with that, they walked away from one another yet again, holding on to a promise for the future that felt more and more false with every passing day.
Sunset burst into the hospital room, Princess Twilight struggling to follow behind.
"Where is she?" she snarled at the receptionist. "Where's Rarity?" Panic drove her heartbeat into a frenzy, blood pounding in her ears until she could barely hear anything else.
A car crash, they had told her.
Sunset had been preparing to board the zeppelin that would take her to the Zebra lands when she'd gotten the news. It had taken nearly a day to make it to where Rarity had been taken to.
Rarity had been rushed to the ER, had been lying on an operating table somewhere while Sunset journeyed across worlds to get to her, trying her best to ignore the voice in her head telling her that she'd be too late, filling her mind with regrets at everything that they hadn't done together.
When she'd arrived in Manehattan, she'd received an update. Rarity was out of surgery and resting. She was going to live.
That wasn't good enough for Sunset. She needed to see her with her own two eyes, see that she was healthy and getting better and hadn't been lost to her while she'd been stuck in another universe.
And now, the receptionists, ever the professional, was blocking her way, giving her a deadpan glare as she asked, "Are you family?"
Sunset shook her head. "I don't have time for this." She turned to Twilight. "Do something!"
Princess Twilight pulled out a document from her bag. "I'm sorry," she said. "My authority as a Princess of Equestria doesn't extend to this on Earth."
Before Sunset could take her fear out on her too, a door opened to reveal a doctor. "Is Sunset Shimmer here?"
Twilight and the receptionist forgotten, Sunset rushed up to the newcomer. "That's me."
"Rarity wants to see you. If you'll just follow me..."
The walk down the hallway was the longest Sunset had ever experienced. Even longer than the one she'd taken after Celestia had kicked her out of the castle. At least she'd had someone else to be angry with at that time.
This time, she had no one else to blame but herself for not being there.
Rarity was sitting up on the bed, a tired frown on her lips. She looked, well, terrible, if Sunset had to be honest. Her hair was a mess, she still had cuts and bruises on her face, some of which looked like they might scar, and her body was wrapped up in a combination of bandages and an unflattering gown. One of her legs was encased in a cast and propped up as well.
Still, when she saw Sunset and her frown turned to a smile, it still lit up the room and lifted a weight off Sunset's chest. "I'm sorry, dear, but I'm afraid I'm not in a position to properly greet you."
"Rarity!" Sunset rushed forward, barely holding herself back in time from giving the other woman a hug. She reached out a hand, desperate to touch her and reassure herself that Rarity really was going to be okay. "What happened?"
"Carelessness," Rarity said. "I'm afraid I allowed my mind to wander while I was driving, and suffered the price for it. And aren't you supposed to be on a zeppelin right now heading for the Zebra lands?"
Sunset's eyes narrowed. "Do you really think I wouldn't come rushing to you the moment I heard you got hurt?"
Rarity's smile grew wider. "Well, I do apologize for the inconvenience," she said wryly. "I know this is a bad time for me to be injured."
That got a dark chuckle from Sunset. "Yeah, well, it's not like there's ever a good time for us, huh?"
An answering chuckle from Rarity, followed by a coughing fit. "Oh dear," Rarity said, waving off Sunset's panicked attempts to help her. "It seems I'm still rather sore from the surgery. But yes, I suppose we never did find the right time."
"I don't think we ever will," Sunset admitted. "We're both way too ambitious to ever slow down willingly. And it's... easier, to be friends."
"When it comes to matters of the heart, we're both quite the cowards, aren't we?" Rarity's eyes held that same resignation that Sunset had learned to loathe over the years. "Allowing ourselves to give in to the excuses was easier than admitting that we were scared of what might happen if we made time for one another. We were always so good at taking what we wanted, until we found something we were scared to possess."
"Well, I think our careers actually would have suffered if we'd been a couple. At first, at least." It was a weak excuse, but then again, that's all Sunset had these days, wasn't it?
"Perhaps," Rarity allowed. "But now?"
Sunset didn't need to think about her answer. "It's still a really bad time for us to be a couple," she said, and Rarity's smile fell. "I've got that super-important diplomatic mission with the zebras, and you have more and more to manage every day with how Carousel is booming."
She leaned in, careful not to actually jostle Rarity, but staying close enough to lock eyes with her and let her see the fiery passion in them. "But it turns out the only thing scarier than the thought of being with you is the thought of losing you. I don't ever want to feel the same regret I felt when I thought you might not make it."
Tears brimmed in Rarity's eyes. "But you have your mission to the Zebra lands," she said.
Sunset shrugged. "Eh, they probably already left without me." That was a joke, of course — they both knew she was too important for the team to leave her behind. "And besides, I'm not the only diplomat in Equestria. I should let someone else save the world for a change. You know, be generous with the fame and glory that comes with it."
Smiling through the tears, Rarity playfully teased, "Ah, but as you said, I'm still quite the sought-after woman. Do you really think I have time for a romantic dalliance?"
"I think that if you really want this, you'll make time," Sunset replied. "Just like how I'm going to tell Princess Twilight to reassign me back to this world, and start actually using my vacation days."
"I suppose I could stand to let some of my people handle more of the day-to-day affairs," Rarity said with faux magnanimity.
Childish glee bubbled up in Sunset, nearly two decades of emotions flooding her mind as she grinned at Rarity. "So, Miss Rarity, will you go out with me? On, like, a date date?"
Rarity giggled again, then coughed again, and then smiled, the love shining in her eyes making her looking more beautiful than ever. "Of course, darling. Why didn't you ask sooner?"
Author's Note
Inspired by Lauren Aquilina's "Fools".
