Sunset did her best to ignore the fluttering in her chest as she knocked on the door to Rarity's house.
To her disappointment, it was a younger teenager who opened the door. "Oh hey, Sweetie Belle," Sunset said, smiling despite her heart falling.
"Rarity isn't here," Sweetie Belle said as she glared at her suspiciously.
"Oh." Sunset shuffled awkwardly in place. "We were supposed to be working on our project for Art class."
"Yeah, she said that." There was an almost open hostility from Sweetie that was very confusing to Sunset. She'd thought they were cool by now, between the whole thing with the Sirens and then the Friendship Games. "She told me to tell you that Coco called and said something was up with the Fashion Club's designs for their big show next week so she had to go deal with that. She should be back in like half an hour." There was a soft sigh as she continued, "And I'm supposed to let you in if you wanna wait for her here."
Part of Sunset recognized that Sweetie really didn't want her to be here, that she should probably just leave and come back in half an hour. The louder part of her brain was both annoyed at this treatment from Sweetie and also curious as to what had caused it. "Thanks," she said, keeping the smile plastered on her face. "It's really hot out there, so it'll be nice to wait inside for a bit."
Without saying another word, Sweetie opened the door fully, gesturing for her to come in. Sunset did so, taking a moment to take off her shoes and hang up her jacket before stepping onto the carpet.
They made their way in continued tense silence until they reached the sitting room. "You can wait here," Sweetie said shortly.
"Sure." Sunset took a seat on the nearest chair, expecting Sweetie to leave her alone to sulk or whatever. Instead, the girl stood at the entrance, slouching against the door and trying to look like she was casually checking her phone while glancing up at Sunset occasionally. Sunset was being monitored, and it was absolutely bizarre.
Deciding to test the waters a little, she cleared her throat politely. "Man, I'm thirsty," she said loudly. "Would love a drink right now."
Sweetie grunted. "There's pop in the fridge." She gestured vaguely towards the kitchen.
"Thanks." Sunset kept an eye on Sweetie as she made her way there. Once again, Sweetie was keeping an eye on her, a wariness in her posture that was incredibly unsettling. Sunset quickly grabbed a can of something before making her way back to the living room.
Uncomfortable silence reigned once again until Sunset couldn't take it anymore. "So, how're your classes going?" she asked casually.
"Fine." Sweetie didn't even look up from her phone.
"You're in ninth grade, right? So that means you've got Mr. Cranky for science?" The chuckle from Sunset sounded forced even to herself. "Is he still using those old projector slides with the coffee stains on them?"
Finally, Sweetie looked up at her. "You know, we don't have to talk. Rarity'll be back soon and you can chat with her instead."
Sunset sighed. This wasn't going anywhere. "Alright, Sweetie, what's up with the cold shoulder? I thought we were cool."
Sweetie glared. "We were."
"Did I do something to you?" Sunset asked, racking her brain to see if she'd wronged her at some point. "Or one of the Crusaders?"
"It's not them," Sweetie said. "It's my sister."
"Rarity?" Now Sunset was really confused. "What did I do to Rarity?" Everything between them had been fine. Great, even. This project was giving them a lot more chances to spend time together, just the two of them, and it was really amazing watching Rarity's mind work as she spun out designs that Sunset could add to in order to create something beautiful.
It had also given them the chance to talk more about the future, and find out just how much they shared in common when it came to wanting something more out of life. Rarity's passion and ambition was something truly beautiful to behold, and the way her generosity tempered her worst instincts was inspirational, to say the least...
"You have a crush on her!" Sweetie exclaimed, pointing an accusing finger at her.
"I... what?" Sunset stared blankly back. It was true, but she'd never said anything, and Sweetie's reaction was... odd, to say the least.
"Don't try to deny it!" Sweetie stalked over towards her. "I've seen how you look at her, and how excited you are every time you have to meet up alone together for a project."
Sunset took an instinctive step back, which was ridiculous when her new nemesis barely reached up to her chin, but there was such raw hostility emanating from her small frame that she didn't even think about it. "I mean, yeah, I guess I have feelings about Rarity. Is that bad?"
Sweetie rolled her eyes. "You don't get it. Rarity likes you back. She can't stop talking about how great you are."
Admittedly, it was very nice to know that, and normally Sunset's heart was soaring at the realization that Rarity liked her back, but also... "Okay? That's... good?"
"It means you're probably gonna end up dating." Sweetie said the words like it was the worst possible outcome.
"Again, not seeing the problem here." Her initial fear was fading away, and Sunset was just annoyed now.
Sweetie continued to glare at her. "You're the only person who's ever hurt my sister," she said, and there was so much pain and anger in her words that Sunset felt the familiar guilt begin to gnaw at her again. "Rarity is so strong and brave and nothing really gets to her. Not really."
She took another step closer. "The only times I've ever seen her cry for real and not just because she's being dramatic is when you were still Queen Bitch of the school and making everyone hate each other."
Sunset considered reprimanding Sweetie for her language, but this probably wasn't the best time for it. "I'm sorry about that," she said carefully. "About everything I did back then. But I'm not that person anymore."
"But you could be," Sweetie replied, and now Sunset could hear the fear beneath her anger. "I love Rarity, but she can be a bit... much. There's no way she won't get into fights with whoever she's dating, and you know how to fight dirty." Tears formed in her eyes. "I can't lose my sister again, and you're the only person who can make that happen."
At that, she finally broke down, backing away and sitting down on the couch, her hands covering her face as she sobbed quietly.
Sunset, for her part, felt her own annoyance fade away, replaced by an utter sense of helplessness as she struggled to find the words to reassure her crush's sister. Even worse, Sweetie's words had revealed to her a new fear that she hadn't considered before. It was true that she had once been a master of manipulation, and that those skills still remained with her even though she would never use them for evil anymore. And yet...
Rarity and Sunset were both very passionate, and Rarity certainly had a flair for drama. Could Sunset promise that she would never hurt Rarity?
Her instinctual hesitation spoke far too loudly, and Sunset didn't like the message it was shouting.
"Whatever," Sweetie mumbled, sniffling. "It's not like I can stop you anyway. Go ahead and confess to Rarity and be all romantic. She'll eat that stuff up."
"I..." Sunset bowed her head. "I don't know what to say to make you feel better," she admitted. "You're right; I've got a bit of a temper, and Rarity is amazing, but she also doesn't back down from a fight. We're probably gonna be a couple with a lot of fireworks. But... that's kind of how Rarity is, you know?"
A smile played at her lips as she thought about the woman she had fallen for. "She doesn't want a boring, quiet relationship. She likes things big, and bold, and exciting, and she's the type who'll take big risks to get that."
"I know that." Sweetie groaned. "She's my sister, and she's always been like that."
"I can't promise that we won't hurt each other," Sunset said. "I can only say that I have so many friends now, and all these people that care about both of us, and if I ever decide to go over to the dark side one of them will probably knock some sense into me. Not to mention, I don't want to lose all those friends either." She gave Sweetie a wry grin. "You finally have leverage on me, like I used to have on everyone else."
Sweetie snorted. "I guess."
"Besides, there was always one friendship I could never break, no matter how hard I tried." Sunset smirked. "Yours."
Sweetie's eyes widened. "Mine?"
"You, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo were always the ones who stuck together, no matter what," Sunset said. "To be honest, I was actually kinda scared of you three. Between your complete devotion to each other and your, uhh, unique approaches to problem solving, it was always hard to figure out what you Crusaders would do next and whether or not it'd mess up all my plans."
"Wow." The tears were gone now, replaced by a look of wonder on Sweetie's face. "Really?"
"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Sunset did the motions, which elicited a giggle from the younger teenager. "If I ever go Queen Bitch again, you'll probably be the ones to take me down, barring another visit from Princess Twilight."
"Yeah." Sweetie Belle leapt to her feet, fire in her eyes. "You mess with Rarity, and we'll make you regret it!"
"I know you will," Sunset said sincerely. "Rarity's lucky to have a sister who cares about her so much."
Sweetie nodded sagely. "Yeah, she is. And I'm lucky to have a sister that's as amazing as her too." She glanced back at Sunset. "I guess you've changed a lot too since you do all that bad stuff. And maybe being with Rarity will make sure you don't become evil again."
"I wouldn't ever want to hurt her," Sunset promised.
"Alright, I guess I can give you my blessing," Sweetie said magnanimously. She then perked up, smiling. "So, how're you gonna confess?"
"What?" Sunset asked blankly.
Sweetie rolled her eyes. "This is Rarity we're talking about. She's gonna want to be treated like a lady." Her voice cracked as she tried to mimic Rarity's speech, and Sunset's heart melted. "You gotta be romantic and stuff. Oh, oh, oh! I know!" A worrying gleam sparkled in her eyes as she ran off, leaving Sunset alone in the sitting room.
Bemused, she sat back down, waiting to see what would happen next. Today had certainly been full of surprises, and it had also opened up Sunset's eyes to some things she would have to watch out for.
But for now, it seemed she had made a new friend, and that had been the best surprise so far.
Certainly a better one than when Sweetie rushed back into the room, holding up a bouquet of wilted roses. "So Apple Bloom gave me these to take care of for some reason and I know they're not supposed to be so droopy but I'm pretty sure they're still alive and roses are supposed to be romantic, right?"
Sunset made a mental note to help Sweetie Belle realize her own feelings after this. "Thanks, Sweetie," she said, taking the bouquet. "Rarity will really appreciate the thought behind this." And she would, too, Sunset knew. Sweetie's support would probably matter for more than having a few lit candles and a box of fancy chocolates.
"At least I'm gonna have a really cool sister-in-law," Sweetie said smugly. "A unicorn from another world who can do magic and fight evil sounds like something right out of one of Scoots' comics. Err, the ones she used to read, not the ones with all the girls kissing that she's been reading lately. And that she wants me to read for some reason? Which is kinda weird, but anyway, I can't believe Rarity's actually gonna get her fairytale princess."
"Well, she has to say yes, first." And suddenly, her earlier nervousness was back, those familiar butterflies flapping away in her chest.
"She will," Sweetie said firmly. "She's crazy about you."
At that, the door opened, and a beautiful voice called out. "Sweetie Belle! I'm back! Oh, you would not believe what Inky Rose tried to do with the accents on the flower dress! I swear, that girl needs to learn some basic colour theory."
Sunset gulped and glanced over at Sweetie, who gave her a thumbs up. Her heart lifted, and she made her way out to the foyer to confess to her crush, knowing that her new friend would be behind her every step of the way.
