Diamond in the Flames

Being famous was a miserable experience.

Sure, there were plenty of perks that sometimes made it seem worth it. VIP access to events, most of the luxuries that money could buy, the adoration of the crowd, and so on. But all of that paled in comparison to having one's own life on display all the time, and being unable to go outside without having to worry about being accosted by fans or paparazzi.

Case in point, if Sweetie and Rarity had been a normal pair of sisters in love, then they could have embraced freely and shared a passionate kiss the moment Rarity stepped off the train. But because all eyes were on them, Sweetie had to stand her ground and wave to Rarity, a wide grin on her face.

Their eyes met, and they shared a knowing look of longing as Rarity stepped forward, prim and proper and as beautiful as ever in her traveling dress.

Only when Rarity stepped off completely could Sweetie slowly begin moving towards her. At least she had ridden here in a private car, so they didn't have to worry about being crowded, especially with their security keeping onlookers at a safe distance.

"Rarity!" When they were a scant few meters from one another, Sweetie couldn't take it anymore. She rushed forward with all the exuberance of a younger sister excited to see her older sister after a long absence. "It's so nice to see you again!" she exclaimed, careful to keep language with the realm of the familial. There'd be time enough for more once they had some privacy.

"It's lovely to see you as well, darling." The hug that Rarity returned was carefully calculated to feel a little bit tighter and more intimate than one that would be shared between sisters, but not look suspicious to prying eyes. She really was a master at playing these games, and Sweetie appreciated that so much in times like this.

"I know it's been a long ride from Canterlot to Manehattan," Sweetie said once they had reluctantly released one another. "Do you wanna go back to my apartment and we can order take-out like we used to?"

"That sounds wonderful." They trotted out of the station together, and Sweetie hated that she couldn't entwine her tail with that of her sister's.

Sweetie's private carriage was already waiting for them, and they made casual small talk on the way back, sharing the latest gossip from their relative social circles. It was almost like before their confession a year ago, except for the thin but persistent thread of tension that ran between them, an almost electric energy in the air as every casual touch and brush of coat against coat sent shivers down Sweetie's spine.

Eventually, finally, they made it to Sweetie's apartment. They left their security detail behind as they stepped into the elevator, and Sweetie keyed in the code to take them to her penthouse suite.

The moment the door closed, they dropped all pretenses of chastity and leapt at one another, consuming each other in a passionate kiss that felt like it would set the whole building aflame. Sweetie's world was nothing but Rarity's tongue in her mouth and Rarity's hooves roaming across her body and Rarity's scent in her nose.

"Oh stars," Rarity said, her face flushed as they pulled away for air. "I've missed you so much, Sweetie."

Sweetie smiled, taking a moment to catch her breath. "I've missed you too, Rarity. I think about you all the time, you know. Every single day, I wish you were here with me, so that I can tell you all about my day and we can do all the other things couples do."

"All the other things, hmm?" A playful light danced in Rarity's eyes. Her voice dropped low and sultry, caressing Sweetie's ears. "And what might some of those things be, my love?"

Sweetie blushed. "Well, you know, uhh..." Thankfully, a chime went off, indicating that they had arrived at the top floor.

"Saved by the bell," Rarity commented dryly. "For now, at least."

After fumbling with her keychain for a few seconds, Sweetie managed to unlock the door to her apartment, and the two of them stepped inside.

Despite being a penthouse suite, Sweetie's apartment wasn't particularly lavishly decorated. She preferred a more minimalistic touch, with mostly open space outside of her packed music studio. The design also made it possible to look outside at the city skyline from anywhere in her apartment, through the one completely glass wall of the suite.

"I'm always stunned by the beauty of this city whenever I come to visit," Rarity commented as she walked up to the floor-to-ceiling window. "Canterlot is lovely as well, of course, but it lacks a certain grandiosity. Manehattan is majestic in a way that our quaint capital could never be."

"It's okay, I guess. Honestly, there's something way more beautiful for me to be looking at right now." It was true. Sweetie couldn't keep her eyes off of her sister. The moonlight made her alabaster coat glow with an ethereal beauty, and the light of the skyline served as a metropolitan halo for this socialite beauty. Not for the first time, Sweetie was struck by just how natural Rarity looked in this setting, like she was born to be one of the elite. She certainly deserved it more than those pricks she had to deal with on a daily basis.

Rarity turned to face her, and Sweetie's heart melted as she beheld her lover's face under the pale moonlight. "You flatterer," she said warmly. "Making an old mare feel pretty again."

Sweetie rolled her eyes. "You're not that old, Rarity."

"Some days, I feel the years very keenly in my bones." Rarity stepped forward to cup Sweetie's chin with a hoof. "Never with you, though. I can feel my youth returning to me when we are together."

"And you make me feel mature for my age," Sweetie replied. "Like maybe I'm actually meant to be here."

"You are." The absolute conviction in Rarity's voice was worth a thousand platitudes from Sweetie's colleagues. "Nopony deserves to be here more than us." She turned Sweetie's head until she was facing out towards the glittering lights of Manehattan. "This city is yours, Sweetie. You've earned it."

Sweetie snorted. "It's mine until it collapses under the weight of its own corruption." She shook her head and turned back to face Rarity. "Someone else can have this city. All I want is you." She pushed Rarity's hoof away from her chin so that she could lean in for another kiss. This one was gentle, tender, a chance to savour one another rather than an animalistic need for togetherness as the previous kiss had been.

The horribleness of the past few weeks faded away as Sweetie lost herself in the kiss. Rarity was here now, and it was all worth it to see her be so proud of Sweetie, to hear her praise and feel her love. For the first time since they'd last said goodbye, Sweetie was happy again.

Rarity pulled away and stared at Sweetie with such desire that it made the younger unicorn's heart sped up. "I know you said you wished to order takeout, but I do believe there's another meal I would rather have first." The heat in her tone made it very clear what she meant.

Sweetie nodded eagerly and allowed Rarity to lead her to the bedroom.

They wasted no time once they were inside. Rarity immediately doffed her dress with a speed that belied years of practice, and then neatly folded it and placed it on a table in the corner. "There," she said, trapping Sweetie's gaze with her own. "Now we can begin."

Sweetie gulped at the sudden intensity from her older sister, the anticipation roiling within her chest shooting up a notch. She could hear the roar of blood in her ears as her heart pounded away, just from Rarity's gentle caress.

"I've imagined this moment so many times in the past weeks," Rarity whispered, biting gently on Sweetie's ear and drawing out a pleasured moan from her. "Everything I wanted to do with you, to do to you, sketched out in my mind as clearly as any dress." She trailed kisses down Sweetie's neck.

"Me too," Sweetie admitted as Rarity pushed her onto the bed. "Every night in bed, I'd touch myself and imagine that it was your hoof instead of mine."

"Oh?" Rarity smirked. "Like this?"

Sweetie gasped as she felt her sister's familiar touch on her nethers. "Y-Yeah," she said. "Just like that."

"Mmm, I imagined doing the same thing to you," Rarity said, her voice becoming a throaty growl. "I want to take care of you, Sweetie Belle. Will you allow me to do so?"

Sweetie nodded mutely, and then moaned again as Rarity's head dipped lower. She was so gentle, so infinitely tender that Sweetie wanted to cry, the tears welling in her eyes as she felt her heart bursting with Rarity's love for her. Her older sister would always take care of her, always see to her needs, and this was the greatest expression of that promise.

Every lick, every nip, every touch was carefully placed, designed to drive Sweetie's pleasure to ever greater heights. Rarity had learned her little sister's body so well, knew exactly when to press forward and when to hold back, keeping Sweetie on the edge of release as the singer sang out her pleas for the ultimate gift from her older sister.

Eventually, her prayers were answered as Rarity dove in one final time, stimulating all of her most sensitive places at the same time with her tongue, her hooves, and her magic. Sweetie screamed out in ecstasy, her pleasure paling in comparison to the love she felt in this moment.

And then, Sweetie returned to reality, and it was still wonderful, because Rarity still loved her. "Okay," she said, panting. "It's my turn. Let me show you how much I love you."

"I would love nothing more, darling." With that, Rarity pulled Sweetie towards her, guided her mouth along her body as Sweetie licked and kissed and nibbled and worshipped her sister's perfect body, inhaling her scent like a drug as she did so.

When she finally reached that delicate flower that Sweetie had fantasized about so many times, Sweetie showed her devotion to her sister by giving it all of her attention and love, drawing on every memory she had to give her sister as much pleasure as she could. Every gasp, moan, and word of encouragement was music to Sweetie's ears, driving her forward with the knowledge that she was making Rarity happy.

And when Rarity's release hit, and Sweetie lapped away at the shower of nectar upon her face, she was rewarded with a contentment she hadn't felt in far too long. In this moment, she was complete, her purpose served dutifully, and Sweetie wanted for nothing more.

As they gasped for breath afterwards, Sweetie cuddled with Rarity in her bed. She was far from sated, but even more than sex, she wanted to feel close to her sister again, and to talk and share her day and just generally engage in sisterly chatter, an attempt at normalcy under the most unusual of circumstances.

"Wow," Sweetie said, eloquently beginning the pillow talk. "We've both been pretty pent up, huh?"

Rarity stretched a foreleg around Sweetie, pulling her closer so she could nuzzle her. "Quite," she replied, already returning to that prim and proper lady that Sweetie admired so much. "I truly needed that," she added, letting out a sigh. "The past week has been... trying, for me, between the clients with terrible tastes and dealing with matters of business that have been very dull."

"Oof." Sweetie pressed a sympathetic kiss against Rarity's forehead. "My week's been pretty crappy too. Fire Tone showed up again, and the two of us had a fight."

"I heard about that," Rarity murmured. "Did you really tell him that you had a lover who satisfied you now?" Her lips quirked up as she asked the question.

"He was being such an ass." The memories returned, and along with it came the anger. Sweetie growled. "He thought he could just walk back into my life and I'd let him fuck me again for the PR and the amazing sex that he thinks he's capable of." Sweetie rolled her eyes. "He never even knew that I faked most of my orgasms."

Rarity giggled. "Typical stallions. They're not all bad, but so many of them have no idea how to treat a mare right."

"He definitely had nothing on you." Sweetie sighed. "I know I screwed up by telling him I was sleeping with somepony else. Now all the tabloids are gonna wanna find out who, and we'll have to be extra careful." She bowed her head in shame. If this got out, it wouldn't just be her career that went down in flames. Sweetie would never forgive herself if Rarity suffered because of their love.

"Don't fret, my love." Rarity stroked her mane in slow, soothing motions. "This too shall pass, and an accusation of such degeneracy won't be believed unless we do something truly outrageous in public. The tabloids can say what they want in the meantime."

"You're right." This wasn't Sweetie's first rodeo, as it were. She understood how this game was played. Still, hearing Rarity say those words reassured her more than her own confidence ever could. "Might be best if I laid low for a bit, though."

"You know, it's been far too long since I've visited Ponyville," Rarity mused, still absently running her hooves through Sweetie's mane. "Perhaps a short holiday might be in order."

"Ooh, that's a good idea. It'll be nice to see everypony again." Ponyville was the one place Sweetie felt like she could be herself, felt like she could let her guard down and not have to worry about taking a knife to the back. Sure, they'd still have to hide their relationship, but being among true friends would be a balm to Sweetie's soul.

"I've already made arrangements so I could be away from Canterlot for two weeks," Rarity said. "If you wish, we could leave tomorrow."

Sweetie shrugged. "I'll miss out on some networking events, but I'm between tours right now and expected to be working on my next album, so I can be anywhere, really." She grinned. "Let's go. I can't wait to leave all this behind."

"I'll miss the luxuries of the big city," Rarity mused, "but really, you might be all the luxury I need."

"Aww, you say the sweetest things." Sweetie could feel more than just her cheeks warming at Rarity's incessant, intimate touch. "So, I know we still haven't eaten, but I'm ready for round two if you are."

The stroking grew more forceful as Rarity nuzzled her. "In truth, I had already eaten on the train. Part of me hoped we would end up here sooner rather than later."

"In that case, how about we make up for lost time?" Sweetie let Rarity pull her into a kiss, and for the next few hours, she was the happiest mare in the world.