There were many things that had mystified Sunset when she had first came to Earth, especially during the winter months.
The weather wasn’t controlled by anypony on Earth, which made her first snow days off from school quite a surprise. Humans didn’t have Hearth’s Warming either – they had Christmas, and Hanukah, and all sorts of other holidays she’d never heard of. But Christmas reminded her most of Hearth’s Warming, so she stuck to that.
It both comforted her with familiarity, and gave her a brief pang of homesickness. She remembered hanging garland and lights in Canterlot with her mentor, helping to decorate the castle’s Hearth’s Warming tree and prepare all the festive goodies of the season. It was hardly any different here on Earth – but only recently had friends returned to her life to help celebrate the occasion.
And someone more.
Now, the thing that perplexed Sunset was the state her girlfriend was in, seated next to her on the couch in her apartment.
It wasn’t the grand ballroom of Canterlot Castle, but Sunset’s home was decked out for the festive season. Garland ran across the walls, and her own fake Christmas tree sat in the corner, fully decorated – it came recommended by her friends for its reusability. Sunset lacked a proper hearth for a fire, but the television in front of them played a faux fire, complete with its own crackling. Everything seemed to be in order.
Except for Twilight Sparkle, the one from Earth. Though dressed in a couple’s sweater Sunset had gotten her earlier that month—Twilight’s read “I’m Nice” while Sunset’s read “I’m Naughty”—she seemed anything but in order – a quiet tremor racked her body, and her normal well-brushed hair was disheveled.
“Are… you alright, Twi?” Sunset asked, eyeing her up and down.
“I’m fine!” Twilight chirped. “Just… a little holiday stress, that’s all.”
Sunset flashed her a warm smile. “Well, I know what’ll cheer you up,” she said, reaching beside the arm of the couch and pulling out a wrapped present. “Merry Christmas.”
As she handed the present over to Twilight, Sunset’s smile slipped into a concerned frown. Rather than brighten at the received gift, Twilight’s condition seemed to worsen. She deflated with a groan into the couch, sliding down until her butt was off the seat.
“What?” Sunset asked, raising an eyebrow. “You know you can open it now, right? You don’t have to wait.”
Twilight sighed and slid back up in her seat. She tore off the gift wrap with a less-than-enthused motion and opened the box underneath. “’Professor Maud Pie’s Comprehensive Book of Rocks, Stones, and Gems’,” she read from the cover of the book within.
“You said you wanted to move onto studying geology,” Sunset explained. “Pinkie told me her sister was the best at geology, so I thought you’d like it.” She frowned, studying Twilight’s expression. “You… don’t like it?”
“No, it’s an amazing gift,” Twilight sighed. “Thank you, Sunset. It’s just…” She huffed and set her box on the coffee table. She reached beside the arm of the couch on her side and pulling out a small, hastily-wrapped gift, handing it to Sunset.
Sunset took the gift, but her focus remained on Twilight. She scooted over and set an arm on her shoulder – almost wishing she had her geode to read her girlfriend’s mind. But they had all promised to use their geodes for emergencies only, and she wouldn’t use hers without someone’s consent.
“Before you open it, I should explain,” Twilight said, setting a hand on Sunset’s. “I wanted to get you the best gift I possibly could.”
Sunset smiled softly “Aww, you didn’t have to, I—”
“No, no. I wanted to. I had to.” Twilight stared at the roaring fireplace on the television screen, her eyes distant in remembrance. “I thought about asking our friends about what you might like, but that felt like cheating on a test. If I was going to get my girlfriend something, it’d be because I thought of it.”
“Twilight, that’s sweet, but—”
“So I went to the mall, because statistically, that’s where a lot of Christmas shopping is done. And there was a plethora of stores to choose from.” Twilight’s shoulders sagged. “Unfortunately, I may have overestimated the sheer amount of stores there were.”
Sunset blinked. “You went to all of the stores at the mall just for me?”
“Well, I made a checklist, because lists are an essential part of doing a task. I checked off each store based on the goods they sold and the likelihood they’d have something that catered to your interests. It took me a considerable amount of time… but yes, I inevitably ended up going to each store.”
Sunset winced. “And… what happened then?”
Twilight let out a nervous chuckle. “Well, by the time I was done with my list… it was yesterday,” she said. “So I… may have panicked a little and gotten you something I thought you needed.” With a groan, Twilight turned her gaze to the small present. “You may as well open it now.”
Sunset turned her attention to the small gift. She found it rather easy to unpeel the wrapping paper off of it, rather than tear it off, due to the hasty nature of the wrapping. She blinked in confusion at the present that awaited her underneath.
“A… toothbrush?” she asked, holding it up.
Twilight let out a groan and buried her face in her hands. “I’m so sorry, Sunset! I should’ve planned better! I should’ve known what you liked already! I’m sorry I’m such a terrible girlfriend!”
Sunset smile turned amused and she set the toothbrush down on her lap before reaching behind the couch for something. “Hey, Twilight. Look at me.”
Twilight looked up, then at the little decorated sprig Sunset held over the space between them. Sunset shook it a little, causing the small bell attached to it to jingle.
“Know what this?” Sunset asked with a smirk.
“Ah, I believe that’s mistletoe. Viscum album if I’m not mistaken,” Twilight remarked, adjusting her glasses. “Of the family Santa—”
She was abruptly cut off when Sunset pulled her into a kiss with her free hand, causing the purple-haired nerd to blush brightly. After a few moments in the kiss, they pulled away.
“A-Also used, tr-traditionally, for couples to k-kiss under,” Twilight stammered.
“Twilight, it’s not about what you got me, silly,” Sunset explained. “I care more about it coming from you. When we started going out earlier this year, that was the best thing that’s happened to me since I met all of you – and I’d have been happy to have gotten nothing for Christmas as long as you were here with me to celebrate it.”
Twilight’s blushed deepened. “Oh… wow. I…” At a loss for words, and realizing the sprig of mistletoe still hung over them, Twilight decided to pull Sunset into another kiss, one that lasted a little longer than the first.
Sunset giggled when they pulled apart again. “Merry Christmas, Twilight,” she said softly.
“Merry Christmas, Sunset,” Twilight replied, pulling her into a hug.
“Ya know… I actually did need a new toothbrush,” Sunset remarked, holding up her gift.
That got Twilight to laugh, and Sunset soon joined her, happy to see her girlfriend in better spirits for the holiday.
Author's Note
Date of Creation (D.o.C.): 12/19/21
Merry Jinglemas all!
I'm very glad I binged Equestria Girls for Scampy's Sunflower Contest earlier this year - I didn't have to watch anything to be caught up! Figured I'd go with a bit of a romcom, just less com and more rom.
And to rpglover: I hope you enjoy. Merry Jinglemas. 
-yours truly,
The Legendary Bill Cipher, Equestria Enthusiast
