“Hey Twilight!”
The group of friends normally left together, but it seemed today Twilight had gone on ahead. She had already walked a fair distance, which could have explained why she didn't hear Sunset's call.
Sunset sighed at the lack of response from Twilight. "I'll catch up later girls," Sunset shrugged back at the others. "She might not hear me through her ear muffs."
"Sure thing," Rainbow Dash said with a smile. "Don't forget to ask what her plans are over Christmas, we need to figure something out when we can all catch up over the school holidays."
Sunset broke away from her friends with a wave and hurried after Twilight. School was finally out for the year, and with all the chaos that magic had brought Canterlot High, she was looking forward to spending time with everyone in what she hoped would be a calm holiday.
Winter had certainly arrived with all it's chilly glory, revealed each time Sunset breathed out a puff of mist into the brisk air as she jogged after Twilight. The sidewalk had been cleared of the obvious snow, pushed to either side where a layer of snow caked the ground, but she still knew the ice leftover would sweep her feet out if she wasn't careful.
"Twi, wait uuUUUP!" Unfortunately she didn't seem to take quite enough care and felt herself slipping as she caught up to Twilight.
Before she fell however, Twilight managed to twist around with a look of surprise, and catch Sunset by the hand to steady her.
"Are you okay?" Twilight giggled as Sunset righted herself.
"I'm perfectly fine. That was deliberate," Sunset said with mock bravado, though she didn't let go of Twilight before she was absolutely sure her feet were planted firmly. The feeling of her hand through their gloves was oddly comforting. "All to make sure you noticed me this time," she joked.
Twilight chuckled again. "I'm sure," she said, clearly not buying Sunset's excuse.
Finally letting go, Sunset brushed herself off. "So, where are you off to in such a hurry? I thought we might catch up with the others and make plans for the holidays?"
Twilight's smile faded. "Oh. I was actually heading home. I got a message from my Mom today reminding me to be home early to pack." Twilight started walking again, apparently toward her house.
"Pack?" Sunset frowned in confusion, following beside her.
Twilight gave a sound that was something of a cross between a sigh and a groan. "I guess it wasn't much of a reminder, seeing as she forgot to tell me in the first place."
"Forgot to tell you what?"
Twilight didn't answer right away, instead she looked away and wrung her hands on one of the straps to her backpack as they walked. "My family's going away for the Christmas holidays to meet some of our extended family. Even Shining Armor and Cadence are coming. Apparently in all the planning Mom somehow thought she'd already told me."
"What?!" Sunset exclaimed. "When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow! How..." Sunset was at a loss for words as she felt her own plans for spending time over the school holidays come crashing down. "How could she forget something like that?"
Twilight gave a sigh. "Mom can be a little scatterbrained from time to time."
"Do you at least know when you'll be getting back?"
Again, she looked away embarrassed. "Not till after the new year, unfortunately."
"But that... that's not fair! You didn't even know this was happening. What if you already had plans?" Sunset reasoned, getting angry on Twilight's behalf. She stepped ahead and stopped in front of Twilight who paused in turn. "Couldn't you just stay here?"
"I don't think my parents would let me stay at home alone for that long."
Sunset shook her head defiantly, trying to figure out an answer. "I'm sure we could figure something out between us and the others. You could stay at my place for as long as you wanted!"
Twilight smiled softly. "That's sweet Sunset, but like I said, Mom thought she already told me, so all my parents' plans involve me being there. Hotel rooms, food preparation, it would all be wasted if I didn't go. And it's not like I don't want to go meet my extended family. I just would've preferred a little more warning."
"But that's not your fault," Sunset growled.
"Hey," Twilight said, taking Sunset's hand in her own to calm her down. "I can still call and text you girls whenever. I won't be there physically, but I'll still be able to celebrate Christmas with you all," she smiled reassuringly.
"It won't be the same though," Sunset grumbled.
Twilight's smile faded as she nodded. "I know. But it's the best we've got."
"So you were just going to leave and not tell us?" Sunset asked, though she quickly felt guilty at how accusing she probably sounded.
Twilight’s head sunk a little into her shoulders. "Well, I'm not going too early in the morning tomorrow. I was hoping to spend some time with you all tomorrow if I still had the chance." Twilight pulled Sunset closer into a hug, which she reluctantly accepted. "I'm sorry I didn't tell anyone," Twilight apologized. "I only just found out myself, so I had a lot on my mind. I really should've said something."
"This sucks. I was really looking forward to spending time with you," Sunset said into Twilight's shoulder. It was a little difficult to really feel the hug, given the number of layers they were wearing to keep out the cold, but that just made her hug her friend tighter.
"Me too," Twilight admitted softly, before separating. "I'll see you tomorrow... maybe."
"Yeah," Sunset mumbled, not really feeling it.
They stood there a moment longer, Sunset silently brooding, before Twilight decided they were finished and stepped past her. "Have a happy Christmas Sunset," she said over her shoulder.
"Yeah, you too Twi."
Sunset flopped onto her mattress with a long sigh. In the end, she hadn't even caught up with the others to let them know what was going on with Twilight. She didn't feel like doing much off anything. She just felt defeated and frustrated. If this was Equestria, she and the other girls would be considered adults already and completely independent, proven by the existence of their pony counterparts with their own jobs and freedom to spend their time where, or with who they wanted. But here, the other girls still had to listen to their parents and still had to go to school. It didn't matter how many times they'd saved everyone from Equestrian magic, they were still just teenagers.
She turned over and growled into her pillow in frustration. She just felt powerless and stupid. She knew she should do something before Twilight left until next year, but she had no idea what. She didn't want to talk about it to the others. For some reason she didn't want them to know just how much Twilight's absence was affecting her. She felt embarrassed for a reason she couldn't pin down.
Who else could she talk to about this?
A thought drew her eyes to her bedside table, where the magical book to her old teacher lay. Though Princess Celestia no longer held the other half, the new owner seemed to have a good deal of wisdom to share as well.
Sunset picked up the book and clicked the pen she kept beside the book, and began to write.
Dear Princess Twilight,
I hope things are going well back in Equestria. Do you have time to chat? Something's come up and I could really use somepony to talk to.
Sunset leaned back against the wall and set her pen aside. All she could do now was wait.
There was often a good chance Princess Twilight wouldn’t be able to respond immediately, so Sunset was surprised when the book glowed barely a moment later and the fancy script began to appear.
Dear Sunset Shimmer,
It’s wonderful to hear from you! I hope everything is okay. And don’t worry, technically I am busy with a small issue at the school, but nothing I can’t multitask, and I can always have time for you. What’s on your mind?
Sunset smiled, but furrowed her brow at the same time. Knowing Equestria, a “small issue” could mean anything between a class running low on pencils, all the way to a windigo invasion.
Hi Twilight, are you sure? I wouldn’t want to interrupt anything important.
Nothing to worry about. One of the students made a mess of the Hearth's Warming tree and isn’t owning up. We’re fairly sure who it was, and I have an idea why, but I’m now looking to turn this into a friendship lesson about honesty. We’re interviewing the students one by one right now. I believe they simply think I’m taking notes.
Sunset frowned at yet another reminder of the differences between the two worlds. Princess of Friendship, Element of Magic, Hero of Equestria, and now even principal of her own school! Somehow, all the similarities between the two worlds made the differences all the more glaring. She swallowed her frustration however, and continued to write.
If you’re sure. I was just looking forward to the holidays, but apparently Twilight’s mom forgot to tell her they’re all visiting extended family this year.
That’s my Twilight by the way.
I just feel so powerless to stop it, and I think she does too. But she still has to listen to her parents and won't be coming back until after New Years celebrations.
I guess I just feel silly now that I say it out loud, but I really wanted to spend that time with her.
Oh no, that’s so unfortunate. But don’t put yourself down, it hurts when you can’t spend the time you thought you could with those close to you. There’s nothing wrong with what you’re feeling.
I don’t even know if I’m looking for advice, or just someone to talk to.
Would you like some advice?
Sunset's pen hovered over the page for a moment. She supposed she wanted some advice. But part of her felt weird asking for a multiversal copy of her best friend for advice on how to deal with said best friend.
Sure, if you've got some to give. she ended up writing, hoping she was making the right choice.
Well, my first two questions would be, how long do you have before she leaves? Do you have enough time to spend together before she does?
She’ll be leaving tomorrow. She's packing right now so we really don't have that much time for anything.
You could probably help her to pack, and spend some time talking about how to keep in touch while she's away.
Sunset frowned at the page. She was really hoping for something a little more substantial from the Princess of Friendship.
That just feels like I'm contributing to her going away. And we already know we can call and message each other, but it's not the same.
So, rather than spend what little time you have left with your friend, instead you're going to sit there moping long enough until you're asking for advice on what you should have done?
Sunset froze, caught off guard by the bluntness of Princess Twilight. She was about to put pen to paper, telling Twilight it wasn't that simple, but the pony princess's words continued to appear on the page.
I'm going to guess you want to say "It's not that simple," and if I'm right, that just goes to show that I've heard that excuse more often than I'd like. But I'm going to tell you that more often than not, it really is that simple. Ponies, and other beings, just tend to overthink these things. Trust me, it's better to take the chance than regret wondering what things could have been. Spend what time you can with your Twilight.
Sunset stared at the page. The other Twilight had a point, what reason was there to brood on her own while Twilight was still here? She exhaled with a smile, as she began to write again, conceding the point.
Thanks for that, Princess. You're completely right, but I still don't even know where to start?
Could you at least spend some time for Hearth's Warming Eve tonight?
Oh, it’s not Hearth's Warming over here, it’s called Christmas and that’s actually in another week.
Christmas?
Sunset thought about how to explain this difference.
It’s actually really similar in execution, spending time with family and loved ones, carols, presents, and decorating a big tree, but I don’t actually know the story behind this holiday.
Ooh, that sounds fascinating, however I’ll have to ask you about it another time. I’m afraid things are wrapping up here, and I’ll need to focus my attention. I hope I was able to help you Sunset, and that things work out between you and your Twilight.
Thanks, and you were very helpful. I'm sure I can come up with something now. I just needed that kick in the rear to get me out of my funk.
Happy to help Sunset. Good luck, and Happy Hearth's Warming!
Sunset put the book in its place and leapt off her bed, feeling freshly invigorated. Thanks to the princess, she had the start of a plan for what to do now. She checked the time on her phone and saw it was late afternoon. Probably still a little time before the shops started closing.
"Sunset, I'm here!" Twilight called as she knocked on the door. "Is something wrong? Your message said it was important."
Sunset smiled from the kitchen and finished pouring the rest of the hot chocolate into the thermos. "Perfect timing," she mumbled to herself. "Be right there!" she called back, and hurried to the door.
She shivered slightly as she opened the door for Twilight, as the cold air did it's best to infiltrate the warmth of her home. Twilight was standing there with a worried look on her face, and visibly relaxed a fraction when she saw Sunset.
"Is everything okay? You didn't respond after your first message, and I didn't know what was... going... on?" The worried look turned into confusion as she looked past Sunset into the main room of her house. The lights had been turned off, but there was still an intimate orange glow from a series of candles laid in a path to the sofa and placed elsewhere in the room. Tinsel and stockings had been hung over the shelf above the TV, as if it were a mantlepiece, and a thick heavy blanket sat upon the couch, open and waiting for it's occupant.
"Sunset," Twilight frowned. "What exactly is this?"
"Weeeellll," Sunset began, drawing out the syllable as she smiled cheekily. "Back in Equestria, everypony is getting ready to celebrate their own winter celebration that comes around a little earlier in the winter, called Hearth's Warming. I haven't actually done anything for it since I first came to this world, cause I didn't have anyone to celebrate with, but seeing as you won't be here for Christmas, I thought I'd put a little something together for Hearth's Warming Eve instead." She offered her hand to Twilight. "Want to come in and warm yourself by the fire?"
Twilight looked around, suddenly a little concerned. "But... you don't have a fireplace?"
“True," Sunset conceded. "I don’t exactly have a fireplace to sit in front of, buuuut I was able to improvise,” Sunset said with a sly grin. She picked up the remote for her TV, and turned it on, revealing a video of a flickering fireplace, complete with the snaps and pops of the real thing. She had even set up a small space heater in front of the couch.
A quiet snort escaped Twilight's lips as she struggled to stop herself from smiling. She took a breath and set her eyes on Sunset. "Sunset..." Twilight began with a warning glare. "I still need to finish packing. I really shouldn't stay long. I probably shouldn't even be here."
"Not even for Pinkie Pie's famous hot chocolate?" Sunset asked knowingly, dexterously twisting open the thermos a crack, and letting out a heavenly aroma of the creamy goodness. She could tell the instant it reached Twilight, as she visibly softened and breathed deeply through her nose.
Twilight clenched her eyes shut as she struggled internally between responsibility and the presented ambrosia. Sunset's smile widened as she made a mental note to thank Pinkie Pie again for the recipe. Twilight glanced back out the door where it was starting to get dark, and snow had begun to all again.
"Fine," Twilight conceded and stepped in, closing the door behind her. "One cup. But then I'm going home."
"I can work with that," Sunset said, smiling wider. Twilight kicked off her boots at the door, and Sunset took her jacket, before they both walked over to the couch. The blanket was more than large enough for both of them, so Twilight sat to one side and pulled her half around her, cuddling her legs up to herself.
Sunset sat on the other side, next to the table where two large mugs were waiting, and poured some of the hot chocolate into one of them, then reached for a plastic package from the table. “Marshmallows?” she offered, showing Twilight the packet.
Twilight giggled, finally relaxing and giving in to the scenario before her. “You really thought this through, didn’t you?”
Sunset smiled in response, and taking her answer as consent, opened the packet and popped a couple of small marshmallows into her mug before passing it to her. “Honestly, I’m just glad I managed to put this all together so quick,” she said, as she poured herself a mug as well.
Having finished her chore, she wrapped the blanket around herself and sipped at her hot chocolate while Twilight did the same.
Twilight smiled and gave an appreciative sound as the warmth of the cocoa spread. “So, tell me about Hearth's Warming. Is it just like Christmas? or is it a completely different celebration?"
Sunset pondered that for a moment, and how best to answer. “Well, it’s about a few things really. It’s a lot like Christmas in how it’s celebrated, trading gifts with one another, songs and decorations, but it’s kind of a mix of a winter celebration, a reminder of keeping unity in our hearts, as well as a celebration of the founding of Equestria as a nation.”
"Your founding story?" Twilight asked, intrigued. "Do you mean something like mythology or actual historical fact?"
"There's enough historical evidence to show that events likely happened," Sunset mused. "Though it's possible aspects had been exaggerated over the centuries. Why? Is that similar to Christmas? I've never actually heard a solid story for what it's about."
Twilight made a face. "Uh... that's a little hard to put to a single source. Christmas has a long history over the years and has been influenced by many cultures across the world, so I don't know how similar it could possibly be. Why don't you tell me your story first?" she asked, quickly filling her mouth with her drink to prevent any further need to talk.
Sunset leaned back and thought. “It’s been a while since I thought about this one, so I’ll have to see how easily I remember. Well over a thousand years ago, the three pony tribes were separate civilizations, and despite how they needed each other to survive, there was a lot of distrust. The Earth Ponies tended the land to produce food, the Pegasi controlled the weather to help bring about the seasons, and the Unicorns with their magic raised and lowered the sun and moon for the cycle off day and night.
“Hold on, the unicorns moved the sun and moon?” Twilight interrupted.
Sunset blinked. “Oh, haven’t I mentioned that before?”
“No!” Twilight insisted. She shifted slightly, uncomfortable, and looked to the side. “I don't mean to be rude, but... are you sure that's accurate? I understand that magic dictates a lot of how Equestria works, but... I don't want you to think... I mean," Sunset patiently gave Twilight the time she needed as she struggled to find the right words for a moment. "Here in our world, the idea that the sun revolves around the earth is met with ridicule and doesn't match what we understand about the solar system for decades, if not centuries. I just don't want you to believe something so inaccurate."
Sunset nodded with a grin. “You can imagine my confusion when I first heard that the sun and moon move on their own here, or at least how everything moves around the sun," She amended. "But yeah, that’s definitely how it works in Equestria. I remember one time when Princess Celestia slept in and the sunrise didn’t happen on time."
"You mean the sun itself wasn't even in the sky when everyone expected it to be?" Twilight asked, rapt with attention.
"Yep," Sunset nodded. "There was a bit of panic while ponies tried to figure out if something terrible had happened, and when she realized how long she'd slept in and got her act together, the sun shot up into the sky like a baseball. She had to make a public apology and everything to put everpony at ease again. She doesn't really sleep in much anymore," Sunset chuckled.
It was clear Twilight wasn’t complaining. Leaning forward with a look of wonder on her face. “That’s just… incredible! I know about magic and everything from Equestria, but the fact you’re able to move the very celestial bodies for night and day with your magic is…” She struggled as words failed her. “The very foundations of our universes must be entirely different!”
"Nowadays it's Princess Celestia who moves the sun, and Princess Luna who controls the moon, but back in the old days, it took at least five unicorns to move just one of them, and would often leave the unicorns terribly drained afterwards. Some never recovered their magic after the feat."
"That makes it sound dangerous."
"Right, so like I was saying, the three tribes needed each other to survive, but they all felt they were taken advantage of by the other two. And so, when a terrible blizzard swept across Equestria, spoiling the food stores of all three nations, and preventing the growth of any new food, all the distrust and animosity came to a head."
Twilight held up a hand to interrupt again. "But didn't you say the Pegasi controlled the weather? Couldn't they just do something about the blizzard themselves?"
Sunset shook her head. "Ordinarily, but this was no natural weather. None of the ponies knew at the time, but this blizzard had been brought on by creatures of malice that fed on hatred." Sunset paused for dramatic effect. She was getting into the storytelling mood, and leaned forward dramatically. "Windigos."
"Is that a pony version of Wendigos?"
Sunset paused. "Huh?"
"Wendigos," Twilight repeated. "They're a mythological creature from folklore that supposedly possess people and cause cabalistic tendencies. Though I'm probably butchering the story, because that's a very simplistic view of them."
Sunset blinked awkwardly. "Uhhhhh, no I don't think they're the same thing." Trying to get back into the mood, she continued. "Windigos are Equestrian spirits of biting cold and snow, they're attracted to negative feelings of distrust and hatred that they feed on, and they bring with them the frost and wind of a heavy winter storm by their presence alone. And the way the early ponies were feeling towards each other, it served as a feeding ground for the snowy spirits that began to converge on the old lands, serving to cause even more distrust and anger between the three pony tribes, which further summoned more Windegos in a cruel cycle.
"Unbeknownst of the cause, the three tribes blamed each other for greed or selfishness, and seeing no way of surviving the blizzard, each tribe independently left their homelands to find new fertile soil to set new roots. And as luck would have it, they found fresh new land, but just as luck had brought them there, it had brought them all to the fresh new land. At once the arguments began anew, and just as the distrust settled in their hearts, so to did the Windigos follow, and settle around them.
"As the Windegos had grown fat and content on the hatred of the worst of the ponies, the snow and ice that followed quickly turned the land into a frozen wasteland. Some ponies with their mistrust of others were frozen solid in place, words of vitriol on their voices, and faces full of anger, locked in place for what could easily be all time. It was only when the meekest of the tribes came together, and finally recognized the danger for what it was. Only when they realized they had brought this fate upon themselves with anger and hatred, did they begin to apologize, and stand together against the cold. For if they were all to die, they preferred to do so with the warmth of friendship in their hearts.
"In that moment however, a new fire was born, one the Windegos could not stand to be near. For just as they were attracted to the darker parts of ponies' hearts, unity and friendship repelled them. Finding the unity between their races kept the fire burning bright, they withstood the night together, sharing their lives, telling stories, and singing carols that still are repeated to this day. Eventually, the rest of the ponies began to thaw, and seeing how friendship had saved their new homes, it began to thaw even the coldest of hearts that day.
"A valuable lesson had been learned, and the three tribes realized that together they could weather any storm, as they had for many years, even as they had distrusted each other for so long. Now they stood together, and vowed to live as one in harmony and friendship, giving the new land a name that would be welcoming to all ponykind, Equestria."
"Wow," Twilight said, still rapt with attention. "It certainly does sound like a story out of myth. But I've been around Equestrian magic enough to not dismiss it so easily."
Sunset chuckled. "I'm sure we've got a few Hearth's Warming stories that are more likely fiction than fact. There's one where a social recluse who hates the holiday tries to make a spell to get rid of it, but she gets visited by three spirits that show her the errors of her ways."
Twilight thought for a moment. "That one actually does sound a bit familiar to a classic story here. A Christmas Carol, where an elderly miser named Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three spirits of past, present, and future to learn a valuable lesson."
"Really?" Sunset asked, leaning forward with the thermos, and refilling Twilight's mug. "Well, I think it's your turn to tell a story then. Telling stories is important on Hearth's Warming Eve after all," She said with a wink.
Twilight looked down at her refilled mug with a knowing smile. "I did say just one cup Sunset."
Sunset gave a shrug. "Maybe, but you didn't actually finish the mug did you?"
"All right you cheater," Twilight laughed, but didn't complain. "Let's see if I remember this properly."
Sunset refilled her own mug and pulled her legs up onto the couch and under the blanket to settle in for the new story.
"The story begins on a cold winter evening, and Scrooge is counting his money..."
Sunset and Twilight spent the next few hours telling and comparing holiday stories with each other. Sunset refilled their hot chocolates a few more times, and funnily enough, Twilight always had just a small drizzle left in her mug each time. They'd taken a break from talking, finding comfort in simply sharing each other's warmth and watching to the crackling of the pho-fire on the TV. Sunset found herself feeling wonderfully content in this quiet moment, enjoying the simple pleasure of just being there with Twilight.
“Sunset,” Twilight started, breaking the silence. “Why aren't the others weren’t here tonight?”
Sunset flinched inwardly, and tried her best not to show it on her face. “What do you mean?”
Twilight sighed and reached past Sunset to put her mug on the corner table beside the couch, before leaning back to look her in the face. “The others would’ve made time to celebrate something that was important to you. Heck, Pinkie Pie would have been ecstatic to find a new party she could plan for. And they would've been just as eager to spend the last few hours we have together here before I leave. Do they even know about any of this yet?"
Sunset hesitated before answering, pulling the blanket a little tighter around her shoulders. “I… I guess I didn’t really think about the others,” she answered with no small amount of shame. “When I heard you wouldn’t be here I just thought about… you.” Twilight’s eyes widened in response. “Do you think that makes me a bad friend?”
Immediately Twilight leaned over and placed her hand on Sunset’s “No! no of course not Sunset. It’s really sweet that you wanted to do this. I… well…” Now it was Twilight’s turn to look away, although she had a shy smile plastered on her face as she continued. “I’m really happy you wanted to share this with me. In fact..." Twilight's words trailed off, and light blush made it's way onto her face.
She fidgeted and failed to look Sunset in the eye, and Sunset suddenly wondered if she had done something wrong, but Twilight's next words dismissed that notion. "In fact, maybe it's actually nicer this way. Just... just the two of us," she finished, barely a whisper.
Sunset blinked, a feeling of heat rising to her cheeks. "Oh," she said meekly. "That's... cool." Despite her words, she felt the need to shift the blanket back a little from her shoulders. It seemed the tiny heater was doing it's job and then some.
"Sunset?" Twilight began.
"Yeah?"
"You said earlier that you give gifts on Hearths Warming, right?"
"Huh? Oh yeah! I did say that, didn't I?" she replied, latching on to what she hoped was a change of subject. She really was starting to feel warm.
Twilight leaned closer, and placed a hand on Sunset's shoulder. There was that rising heat again.
"I don't really have much prepared, probably for obvious reasons, but I still want to give you something."
"Oh, you don't need to worry about that," Sunset said quickly. "I kind of sprung this on you suddenly, I couldn't expect you to..." but she was interrupted when Twilight placed a finger on her lips, and Sunset stopped talking instantly.
She was so close. And Twilight looked just as red as Sunset felt. Sunset found her throat very dry, and swallowed involuntarily. She wasn't an ignorant child, she could read the signs, and right now they couldn't be more obvious if they were written in flashing neon text. But this was Twilight, her best friend! She never thought Twilight would... she never thought to hope...
"Sunset, please stop talking before I lose my nerve," Twilight said, leaning in closer, closing the distance in a moment. Sunset felt Twilight against her lips, and her mind at once both shut down entirely, and exploded into activity. Her mind and senses were filled with Twilight, a presence that threatened to overwhelm her. The way she looked, the way she sounded, felt, and smelled. Memories danced in her mind of moments with them together, or even times that hadn't happened yet, that her brain conjured as desires and wishes that hadn't fully formed.
A hand came up, Sunset thought it was hers, but everything had an otherworldly feel right now she couldn't be sure, and brushed through Twilight's hair, gently pulling her closer still, and she returned the kiss. It wasn't that they had separated, or even stopped, but some immaterial switch had been flicked, and now it was Sunset kissing Twilight.
They eventually separated, though not far enough they couldn't feel each other's breath. Close enough to still stare into each other's eyes, and drink deeply in each other's proximity. The way they were breathing deeply told her it had been some time before they came up for air.
Sunset felt different, though she found it difficult to put it to words. "Love" was one of the many words that swam around in her head. She knew she loved her friends, but was this something else? She may not have had the answer herself, but if someone came along, scanned her brain and said "yep, you love her," she could believe that.
"So," Twilight ventured cautiously. "Do you like it?"
Sunset's brain took some time to come back to normalcy, and even then, her reply was slow and deliberate, but infinitely satisfied. "Best. Hearth's Warming gift. Ever."
Twilight softly laughed and leaned back on Sunset's shoulder once again, putting her arms around her. Sunset returned the gesture and leaned on Twilight's head in return.
"I'm glad," Twilight whispered. "But as much as I'd love to stay, I really do need to get back home," She said, her smile fading slightly. "I've probably stayed plenty more than I should've. Not that I regret it," Twilight amended.
"I know," Sunset said, pulling Twilight tighter a moment.
They stayed there a moment longer, before Twilight spoke again. "That means you need to let me go Sunset."
"No," she replied playfully. "Don't want to."
Twilight began laughing softly again. "You'll get me in trouble with my parents Sunset."
"Then just say it was my fault. I can take the blame for you."
"Sunset," Twilight warned with a soft glare.
"Fine," she relented, releasing her from the embrace.
Twilight got up from the couch, and Sunset immediately felt the chill of her absence. Twilight stretched her back as she stood and Sunset couldn't help but admire her as she did so. The thought of Twilight leaving still stung, but it had been tempered by their evening together.
"I'm gonna miss you," Sunset said from where she lay on the couch.
"Me too," Twilight replied as she went to retrieve her boots and jacket. She turned back for a moment before she opened the door. "I'll call. Every day, okay?"
"All of us? or..." Sunset let the rest of the question hang, and Twilight's cheeks reddened again, as she shrank with a nervous smile.
By Celestia, she was so cute like that.
"We'll see," she replied, then opened the door and made to leave.
"Merry Christmas Twilight."
Twilight paused on the other side of the doorway and looked back with a more confident smile.
"Happy Hearth's Warming Sunset."
Author's Note
*PHEW!* I really don't know why I seem to keep doing to this to myself, I really don't know anything about romance! 
Literally had to look up a guide for how to write a kissing scene, because I stared blankly at the page for a couple of days, wondering if I should just cut that part out entirely.
In all seriousness, it was great to challenge myself this year, and I'm glad I made the effort. And as mentioned in the description this was written for Jinglemas 2021, and I do hope Mist enjoys the gift.
Also, big thanks to Scribbler for giving it a proof read before release.
Happy Hearth's Warming everyone, and Happy Holidays 
