Chapters The Day Sunset Caught Feelings
It had been a pretty nasty day so far. Sunset had gotten out of bed too late, got drenched on the way to school, lost her coffee and breakfast in a stumble, nearly fell on her face, and while she was looking forward to the Starswirl Music Festival, preparing for it and trying to get everything together was stress that just added to the final exams looming in the distance.
And of course as soon as classes started, the sun came out, like it was mocking her. She forced herself to focus and sit through the first three periods until lunch, but the stress still sat in her bones when she set her tray down, joining her friends at a table.
"Rough day, huh?" Dash asked right away. She didn't seem in a much better mood herself, poking at her food with her fork.
The rest of the group was in similar condition, some having recovered from their mornings better than others. Rarity had outwardly rallied, but her hair was still a mess and her makeup imperfect and the fact that she didn't have the energy to fix it spoke volumes. AJ and Fluttershy hadn't seemed as much a mess before class, but something had dragged both of them down. Twilight, who had come in similarly drenched as Sunset, had dried off and recovered, but since sunk deeper into the stress of looming exams than anyone else.
"Yeah, you can say that again. Where's Pinkie Pie?"
"Right here, silly!" The last group member sat on the edge of the table right next to Sunset, setting a box onto the table between her friends. Taking off the cover, she revealed a set of brightly-decorated cupcakes. "Everyone was in a really bummer mood so surprise! Anti-Monday-Mood Cupcakes!"
The atmosphere at the table shifted immediately as everyone gratefully reached for the colour-coded goods. Sunset got hers, indicated with a sun pattern on the frosting, and took a big bite, moaning at the soft texture and heavenly taste, along with everyone else.
Pinkie snickered with a soft snort. "You got it all over your nose, Sunny!" Before Sunset could do something about it herself, Pinkie leaned down and scooped the frosting off of the tip of her nose with her tongue.
Sunset froze mid-bite and stared up at her friend, who obliviously returned to eating her own cupcake. She had her usual bright smile, was slowly swinging her legs and leaning back on one hand. But her hair wasn't as puffy as it usually was. This morning, after she had come in from the rain, it had been completely straight, and had only regained some of its volume by now. It still framed her face and cascaded over her shoulder in a way that looked for more mature than her usual style.
That wasn't all, though. There was just something different about her all of a sudden. It took Sunset a few long seconds before she continued eating and her attention shifted back to the now lively conversation at the table.
The Day of the (Kinda) First Kiss
Pinkie's handling of parties was masterful, there was no other word for it. Not only had she organised it and done a lot of the decoration and catering herself, she was now rushing between groups to ensure that everyone was having a good time. As always, her energy was unmatched and she showed no sign of slowing down.
Sunset watched her rushing through the room, sometimes back into the kitchen, sometimes out onto the porch. She was barely paying attention to the group she was standing with, until someone finally nudged her shoulder, pulling her out of her staring.
"You finally gonna do something about it?" Rainbow challenged with a smirk, "This will stop being funny eventually."
"I don't know. I'm not sure what to say," she admitted quietly, scratching the back of her neck.
"You have got to be kidding," Trixie chimed in while rolling her eyes. Sunset wasn't sure why she was here or how she even knew about her and Pinkie. "This is where Sunset Shimmer's infamous confidence finds its limit? A girl?"
"She's not just some girl," Sunset protested, already feeling the heat rushing into her cheeks, "She's... special, okay?"
"There. That." Twilight pointed at her, a little closer to her face than was comfortable. "Say that. It's as good a start as any."
"Easy for you to say. Timber practically fell into your arms. He's perfect for you. You don't even realise how lucky you are." She quickly took a sip from her cup before she started sounding honestly resentful.
"Besides, Pinkie is either super observant or denser than lead," Rainbow added, "And I think we all know what she's like in this case. You're gonna have to break out the L-word."
Sunset stared at her for a second. "Lesbian?"
"No, dumbass, the other L-word!"
"Lesbians...?" Trixie suggested. Twilight and Rainbow's hands met their foreheads.
"Love!" Twilight shouted, a little louder than intended.
"Honestly, you two would deserve each other," Rainbow said bitterly.
Sunset and Trixie looked at each other before answering in unison. "No thanks."
Two arms wrapped around their shoulders and a puffy mass of pink hair appeared between them, decorated with candy-shaped hairpins. "Hey, guys! Having a good time!?"
"Uh, yeah." Sunset's cheeks lit up and she could immediately feel everyone else's looks even while just staring at Pinkie's wide grin. "All doing great. Thanks."
"Awesome! See ya again in a bit!" Pinkie was about to dart off again, when Rainbow quickly grabbed her arm.
"Hey, Pinkie wait! There was something, um..."
"Sunset needs to talk to you!" Trixie jumped in, roughly shoving Sunset towards Pinkie. They almost bumped into each other and Sunset found herself face to face with her crush, barely inches apart.
"Oh, okay!" Pinkie crossed her hands behind her back, looking up at her. "What's up, Sunny?"
"I, well..." The music died. From the corner of her eyes, she could see Vinyl quickly switching one record for another on her mixing pult. The moment dragged on. Her heart hammered in her chest. "I was wondering... no, I mean..." The words stayed stuck in her throat, but she had to say something soon. "I just wanted to... Pinkie, I..." She was tilting her head at her now, like a little puppy hearing an unfamiliar noise. Her heart was going to stop, she would die here, of cuteness and shame. "I think I... love you..." she pushed out finally, but the next song drowned out the critical two words.
"Uh, I don't think I got tha--whoops!" Someone bumped into Pinkie and she stumbled forward, against Sunset's chest. Instinctively, Sunset put her arm around her waist. Her heart lurched into her throat. Now! her mind screamed at her Now or never!
Sunset leaned down, but her lips missed and only caught the corner of Pinkie's mouth. A bright snort and giggle caught in her ear and wouldn't leave her mind for the rest of the night. Pinkie's hands rested on her shoulders and her lips pressed against her cheek.
Sunset's arm slipped from Pinkie's waist and she stared down at her bright smile. "...love you..." she managed to say again.
"Love you too, bestie!" Pinkie beamed and tussled Sunset's hair, before bouncing off to check on other guests again.
Slowly, Sunset stepped back against the wall and sunk down. She wrapped her arms around her knees and rested her head on them. Twilight comfortingly rubbed her shoulder while Trixie doubled over laughing, not even trying to hide it the way Rainbow was.
"Just kill me."
The Day Sunset Got it Together
The door jingled as they entered the diner and Pinkie's bright voice immediately carried over to them. "Be right with ya!" She moved around the corner, just as the group was sitting down and her roller-skates took her over to the booth in one quick slide, ending in a practiced stop. "Hey guys, thanks for coming!"
Sunset couldn't do anything but smile awkwardly, her eyes fixed to... everything about her. Rarity and Fluttershy greeted their friend far more normally. Pinkie put menus down for them, then skated off to take someone else's order.
"You didn't tell me she'd be wearing a uniform!" Sunset hissed, halfway hiding behind her menu.
"Darling, what did you think I meant when I said '50s diner'?"
"I don't know, we didn't have the 50s in Equestria!" She peaked over at Pinkie again, just as she bumped her hips in time with the music from the jukebox, while rounding the corner to the kitchen window.
"Come now, Darling, I know you have a bit of a crush, but you can't be that struck. You seem just fine when we all get together."
"She's not wearing a cute uniform then!" She sighed and rested her chin on her palm.
Fluttershy caught Rarity's look and rolled her eyes a little with a soft smile.
"Darling, this is turning into a real problem. Why in the world is this so difficult for you?" The tone was gentle, but the question stung nonetheless. "I mean, you were already in a relationship before."
"Flash was different. He was just there and I was a different person. It was more about myself than him. It's not at all like that with her. It's just... whenever I think the time is right, or there's a good opportunity, I trip all over myself. I don't get the words out, or I can't be clear enough. I just get all stuck in my--" She quickly cut herself off as Pinkie came rolling back.
"So, what can I get you guys?" she asked brightly.
Fluttershy and Rarity ordered something, but when Pinkie's eyes fell on her, Sunset realised she hadn't even looked at the menu yet. "Um... you know what, bring me whatever you think I'd like."
"Ooh, no problem! Sunset's Favourite coming right up!" Pinkie wrote something on her notepad and rolled off again.
"Go on?" Rarity said, gesturing to Sunset, making her sigh heavily.
"I keep overthinking it. I know what I want to say, I know how to say it when I'm by myself, but... when I actually have her in front of me, I can't get it out right." She felt her shoulders slump. No! She squared her shoulders instead and straightened her back. "I need to stop feeling sorry for myself. I need a plan."
Rarity leaned forward and laced her fingers, resting her chin on them. "Oh, you know you can count on me, Darling."
"And me too. You know, if you think I can help," Fluttershy added softly.
"Okay. Thank you, girls. I'll... let you know if I think of anything."
Her friends groaned and sunk back again.
The Day it Finally Happened
The Fall Formal brought some painful memories, mainly about who Sunset used to be and what lengths it took for her to finally realise how wrong she'd been to ever go down that route. But things were different now. She had her friends and the other students had warmed up to her. She was in a much better place than a year ago. And it would be even better after tonight.
Weeks and months of pining would finally end tonight, one way or another. Sunset locked eyes with Twilight and then with Applejack as her and Rarity arrived in front of the school. Her dress, hair, and makeup were already beyond what she could have done on her own thanks to her. Applejack headed for them while Applebloom ran to Sweetie Belle, the two of them making off on their own.
"You look great, Sugar. Uh, both of ya do."
"Uh-huh, thank you," Rarity said firmly, with a flip of her hair. "You're lucky it's her night."
Twilight caught up with them as well, after temporarily parting with Timber. "Rainbow and Fluttershy are already with Pinkie. I'm just waiting for their progress report."
"It will take a while for Pinkie to get over her first Party Rush," Sunset said matter-of-factly. "Until then, we should just enjoy ourselves. I mean, I don't want to make tonight all about me. Again."
The heavy implications quickly became obvious for everyone and they nodded.
"Alright, Sugar, let's just go an' dance for a while."
"Right. Twilight, this is your first Formal at CHS. Don't let me keep you from Timber."
Twilight met her smile and squeezed her hand for a moment before hurrying back to her date.
Over the next hour, Sunset slipped from one group to another, trying to clear her head and just have fun. She caught sight of Pinkie a few times and once they locked eyes, the energetic girl had stormed over to give her a heart-fluttering hug, but they had parted again soon after that. It took another ten to twenty minutes before Twilight found her again, wordlessly taking her wrist and leading her out of the gym.
The music carried into the hallways, but once they were at the library, it was only a distant noise. Timber and - to Sunset's surprise - Flash stood by the doors, quickly waving them in. Inside, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Applejack had gathered.
"Okay, Timber and Flash are watching the doors," Twilight said quietly, pulling Sunset along to everyone else. "Where's Pinkie?"
"Up there." Rainbow pointed her thumb over her shoulder, up to the glass dome spanning the wide room. Through the panes, Sunset could spot Pinkie, standing on the roof with her back to them, with Fluttershy standing next to her. "Flutters is making sure she doesn't come back in too quickly. She finally has a rare energy gap."
"Alright, go." Applejack pushed her towards the steps that led to the glass door in the dome. Sunset looked around at her friends, seeing nothing but encouraging smiles. She gave herself another push and headed up the steps and pushed through the door.
Fluttershy heard the door open and raised her voice into a sudden squeak as she interrupted Pinkie. "I'm cold, I'll see you later!" She quickly shot Sunset a smile of her own and hurried inside, the door not quite falling closed.
It was cold. This high on the roof, with the open, starry sky above them, the breeze just blew straight through Sunset. And yet her chest and her cheeks felt hot as she stepped up next to Pinkie.
"Hey... are you enjoying yourself?" she asked quietly.
"Oh, totally!" Pinkie answered, not at all quiet. "This is the biggest party of the year!" She smirked and nudged Sunset's side. "Think you'll make Princess again?"
"Ha! Even if they offered, that's a trend I don't want to continue." Here was her chance. She took Pinkie's hand. "I think you would make a great princess, though."
"Me? Nah." Pinkie's giggle was quieter than usual, a little unsure. She twirled a lock of her curly hair, looking out over the lights of the town. "You think so?"
"Well, I know..." Why did she let Rarity write lines for her? "I know y-you're my princess."
"Huh?" Their eyes met, Sunset's nervous gaze and Pinkie's confusion.
"I mean, what I'm trying to say..." She sighed and turned fully towards her, squeezing her hand. "What I've been trying to say for so long..."
She hesitated again. Pinkie looked up at her, fully focused. Her hair was curled but still falling over her shoulders. The ribbons and frills of her dress danced in the breeze. And she could get lost in those blue eyes, but she knew she needed to keep herself together.
"You're my best friend, Pinkie. But that's not all. I love you." She took her other hand as well as she felt her confidence start to falter again. "Really love you. I... I want you to be my girlfriend!"
A strong breeze blew past them, tussling both their hair. Pinkie's hands squeezed hers back and her eyes started welling up. Sunset held her breath, her heart standing still for a beat as it was ready to either leap or shatter.
"Is this really happening?" Pinkie asked softly, the first tear running down her cheek, but a wide smile spreading over her face.
"Y-yes. Yes it is," Sunset answered weakly, feeling herself tearing up as well.
"YES! " Pinkie slipped out of Sunset's hands and leapt at her, throwing her arms around her neck and wrapping her legs around her waist. Sunset stumbled in her heels but found her balance, wrapping an arm around Pinkie's waist and one under her thighs. She could feel her heartbeat against her chest, her warmth against her body, and the smell of bubblegum and caramel entered her nose as it buried in her hair.
Pinkie howled loudly, a mix between a laugh and an excited scream. After squeezing Sunset as hard as she could, she pulled back and pressed her hands to her cheeks, leaning in for a firm, superficial smooch on her lips.
Sunset scoffed out a short laugh through her tears, accompanied by the loud cheers and whistles from the open door.
The Day She Finally Noticed
Sunset stared out the window of the RV. Only half their group was awake, the rest of them fast asleep behind them, drained from having partied through the last night of the festival. The rest of them sat in relative silence aside from the radio, all sharing the mix of feelings that could only come after a long, exciting time. Lingering elation, tinged with exhaustion and the knowledge that it was right back to the old routine once they got home.
"Guys, I... I think I might have a crush on Pinkie." It just slipped out, with no energy to try and think through the consequences.
To her surprise and annoyance, she wasn't met with shock, but groaning.
"Yeah, duh," Rainbow Dash said out loud, talking over Fluttershy's soft giggle from the driver's seat.
"About time," Twilight muttered from her cocoon of sleeping bag and blankets.
"About ti-- what is that supposed to mean!?"
"Dude." Rainbow undid her seatbelt - ignoring Fluttershy's quiet protest - so she could turn around to look at Sunset. "You've been in love with her for, like, months."
"What are you talking about? I think I would have noticed that!"
"Um..." Fluttershy seemed unsure on whether she should speak up, but now that she had made a sound, the attention was on her. "You do try to spend a lot of time with her."
"Yeah, because she's my friend! I spend time with all of you!"
"Uh-huh," Dash smirked, "You didn't ask anyone else if we wanted to see PostCrush with you. And I'm sure there's no special reason she's the first one you hug every time we meet up."
"And that she's the one who makes you blush the most," Twilight added.
"And the only one you wrote a song about," Fluttershy finished, before adding "Also, Dashie, please put on your seatbelt..."
Rainbow Dash turned back around and secured her belt again. "Face it, dude, you're the last to find out."
Sunset sunk back in her seat and stared out the window again for a long moment before turning back to Twilight specifically. "Really? Everyone already knew?"
Twilight took a deep breath through her nose, giving up on finishing her nap. "Well, maybe everyone except for Pinkie."
Sunset quickly got up out of the nook halfway and pulled the curtain back just a little bit. She could see Pinkie on the floor, hugging her sleeping bag instead of lying in it, but clearly fast asleep. With a relieved sigh, she sat back again.
"Okay, since you guys know so much... do you think she likes me?"
All three of her friends groaned again, with Fluttershy being the only one trying to hide it.
