//-------------------------------------------------------// So, Say Those Words -by Spyder27- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Happy Birthday, Mon! //-------------------------------------------------------// Happy Birthday, Mon! These past few months have been the happiest of my life. Granted, my life is several times larger than any other person’s, so that is saying something. Usually, people will highlight a specific day that was their best moment throughout their life. For me? It was a few consecutive days that really changed me. Ironically enough, it was part of a trip that I did not even want to attend in the first place. That trip made things a lot better in the end. After all… I got to be with the love of my life once more. The only sour part of these months is the fact that we have been online dating for now. Something that is intrinsically rotten to me… That is all going to change tomorrow though. I get to go back to Canterlot City to see her. My friends are not so eager… “So, let me get this straight,” Aria says in an annoyed tone, holding her head while she stands in my doorway. “You’ve been dating Sunset again? For months now? Didn’t she break your heart? And why didn’t you tell us?” I gently pack another shirt into my luggage, trying my best to ignore her accusatory tone. Most of our conversations are fights with her being an annoying bitch, but this time? She sounds legitimately concerned. I don’t blame her since I only told them earlier today. “And you’re going at this time of year? Christmas is in just a couple weeks. You’ll at least need a coat. When will you be back?” Sonata asks me a barrage of questions as well, holding up a calendar to make sure I know what I’m doing. “This is precisely why I waited to tell you two. I didn’t want all of these questions.” As I expected, my explanation doesn’t exactly sit well with them. However, I don’t let their stares get to me. I have a lot of packing left to do. Including some stupid sleep medication. I hate how long these kinds of flights last. Almost as annoying as Sunset’s friends. But I’m sure if we’re truly going to make this work, I will have to at least tolerate them… “Dagi, are you sure this is a good idea?” Sonata asks me with a worried expression. Aria, on the other hand, seems royally pissed off. “You could have told us the day you got back from your last trip. This is… Ugh. Springing it on us that you’re dating your ex AND going to see her tomorrow is kind of a scummy move.” Aria throws her hands into the air, exhaling loudly. Rolling my eyes, I can’t help but sigh a little as well. I could have told them earlier. Considering how much they tried to help me heal from the pain of the last breakup, I knew they wouldn’t exactly approve of this new… start. “Listen. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have waited until now. But I do think this is the right thing for me. She means a lot to me.” Turning my gaze away from them, I can’t help but flush a little at the thought. In truth, she means more than any amount of power I gained through the years… “I will be back before Christmas and I promise to talk to you all about this more when I get back. But… will you please just let me do this without so much criticism? At least for now?” Aria still has an angry expression, but Sonata sighs to herself, walking over to my bed. Even though she doesn’t seem happy about it, she picks out one of my shirts and holds it up for me. “Fine, but you need to stay safe and comfortable. What about this shirt?” she asks me. After nodding to her question, she folds it and places it in my luggage. Both of us look over to Aria, making her dodge our gaze. “I still don’t think this is a good idea… If something happens, don’t complain to me.” With a defeated expression, Aria walks over to the bed as well. “Still. Fuck you for telling me so late.” Hesitantly, Aria hands me a pair of socks from my dresser. “Fuck you too, Aria,” I state with a small smile. Sonata laughs a little at my jest. The merriment doesn’t last long as Aria rolls her eyes. “I just hope the bitch doesn’t break your heart again. We all know what happened last time,” Aria mentions with a tone of caution. Handing me another article of clothing, Aria’s eyes meet mine, trying to warn me of the risks here. It is a valid concern. However, something tells me that this isn’t going to end anytime soon. The smell of an airport is almost always nauseating yet not at the same time. I can clearly pick out the cleaning supplies from the scent of carpet, other people, and even airport snacks. Mostly everybody here is not prioritizing their appearances. Either they’ve come from other flights and are waiting for another one or they are planning on going straight to a hotel to sleep off their jet lag. I, on the other hand, am not like that. It’s not like I see myself as better than everyone else. Okay, maybe I do… However, the main reason I am trying to look my best is because I have plans as soon as I get out of here. I am meeting the one mortal who captured my heart after all… Damn it… Why does my heart rate always have to increase thinking about seeing her again? The last time I saw her, we were at a work convention. Planning a whole week of time with her is exciting by itself. Actually arriving here in Canterlot City? It makes my heart feel so bare. Still. Wearing heels while walking around an airport? Wasn’t my best idea. I just hope Sunset’s heart beats as hard as mine when she sees me. Walking out of the terminal, I can’t help but grimace at the sight of all the luggage treadmills… Sighing to myself, I walk over to the treadmill, trying to not get too close to the other passengers. A part of me wishes that I didn’t plan something right after this since I didn’t eat anything on the flight. Plane food is some of the worst stuff I have tasted. Especially when I could drink something like Four Roses whiskey. The idea of tasting that is making me salivate like a damn dog already. Grabbing my bags, I try to retreat from the group of people as quickly as possible. There’s only a short walk left until I get out of the flight zone and back into the publicly accessible region of the airport. From there, all I have to do is go to a hotel, drop off my bags, and go to lunch with Sunset. Not to mention what comes after lunch~ Walking out of the doors, I hear even more people talking than before. A lot of it is from passengers meeting their loved ones or friends after a long flight. Some people are finally calling others to say they had a safe flight. It’s still enough to give you a headache if you aren’t careful to avoid listening. Pulling out my phone, I type a quick message to the group chat between Aria, Sonata and me. I don’t stay in the app for long enough to see if they send a response. Instead, I tap the phone app, wanting to give her a more personal message with a call. “Can I help you with your luggage, Dazzle?” a voice asks me in an imitating voice, making me feel confused in a second. The urge to ignore it presents itself, but I can’t help from looking towards the voice. Eyes that reflect the beauty of the ocean stare back at me. Skin beaming like the sun and a smile just as warm as it. Is it really any wonder I can’t hold back from loving that smile? “Sunset~ I didn’t expect you to be here,” I tell her with a smirk before setting one of my bags down and pulling her into a hug. Pressing my lips against hers, I can feel my heart beat faster. For the first time in months, I get to feel these lips once more… They’re just as heavenly as I remember of course. “Am I not allowed to pick up my girlfriend from her grueling flight?” she asks me with a smile as soon as the kiss ends. Before I have a chance, Sunset picks up the bag I put down. She gives me a cheeky wink and holds my hand without hesitation. Honestly, I was expecting that I would have to ride a bus on the way to a hotel. I was literally about to call to tell her I got here safe and sound. “How was your flight by the way?” Taking a deep breath, I honestly don’t want to remember my flight. Especially since I have so much to look forward to in the next few days. “Bearable. I had your pretty face to look forward to after all,” I state with a smirk, making her blush considerably. Sunset’s attire is considerably less fancy than my own. She’s wearing casual jeans and a jacket. I don’t blame her honestly. We both had different expectations. She came here to pick me up. I was expecting to meet her at the restaurant where we have a reservation. That doesn’t mean I’m disappointed in the slightest though. “Well, I missed you too, you cheeky siren,” Sunset replies before kissing my cheek. By some cruel twist of fate, I guess it is my turn to be a blushing mess. Sunset doesn’t fight fair. Neither do I~ “I know. You told me about thirty times when we texted and called.” I nudge her playfully as we finally make it outside. Sunset rolls her eyes with a small laugh, leading me past the airport transport. Ignoring all the people around us is harder than I would usually admit. “Oh, and am I supposed to forget all the times you texted me that you wish you had me close to you? Or when you said-” I quickly kiss Sunset as passionately as I can in an attempt to shut her up, gently biting down on her lower lip. Even though this is an intimate act itself, I would rather kiss her here than have her talk about all my embarrassing texts in front of a crowd of people. Thankfully, it seems my distraction is working. As soon as I let go of her lips, Sunset looks at me with a shocked yet pleased expression. “I… Wow, you really have missed me.” Sunset quietly brings her hand up to her lips as if she is trying to feel for any evidence of the kiss. She can’t see my lipstick staining her lips. Honestly, it’s hard not to smile at the sight. She’ll probably wipe it off when we get to the car anyway. “I hope you don’t waste all your energy on loving me in the next few days~ We’ve planned for a week, Adagio.” As we walk away from the crowd, I drag my finger down her shoulder, chuckling to myself. Her statement is a lot funnier than I could ever explain. The truth is that I don’t think a week will be long enough for either of us. “Sunset,” I whisper with another chuckle, pressing my shoulder against hers. “My love for you has no limit.” Sunset gingerly sips her wine from a straw. It is obviously a weird sight considering this is a pretty fancy restaurant and no one else is using a straw with their drinks. However, Sunset bought a whole new dress for this week and she really doesn’t want to stain it. It’s actually pretty sweet considering I didn’t expect her to make a whole new attire for our little week together. It’s just as beautiful as she is. Well, it isn’t as beautiful as her obviously, but her fashion sense is still impressive. The dress matches the color of her eyes with nails painted like her hair. Her heels match the dress perfectly, making her look as warm as the summer itself. Despite the fact that it is the first week of December. “So, I assume your friends didn’t take this well?” Sunset asks with an awkward smile, her finger alternating between the two of us. Other than my little business trip a few months ago, this is the first actual date Sunset and I have been on since we… Well, we’re together again. That’s all that matters. “Astute assumption,” I say with a slight shrug, taking a bite of my dessert. Cherry cheesecake. The food of gods. “They thought it was a bad idea for us to get back together after all this time. Can’t say I blame them after the rough period I went through. Have you told your friends yet?” I ask her quietly, raising my eyebrow ever so slightly. Sunset gives me a sheepish smile, opting to eat more of her cake before she answers me. “Not yet… I didn’t even say I met you at that convention. But I will tell them soon. Just after this week since… I don’t want any interruptions.” Her hand reaches over the table to hold mine. Her usual optimistic expression colors her face again, chuckling to herself. “It’s been too long since we’ve had time together. I want you all to myself.” The idea of Sunset’s friends trying to contact her all week about this is definitely annoying to think about. A nice quiet week alone sounds great for us. My mind could use a break. “You already know that is a given,” I whisper with a wink. Sunset rolls her eyes at my statement, clearly finding it humorous. Raising my hand, Sunset kisses it while keeping eye contact with me. Butterflies roam around in my heart at the simple, innocuous act. She’s the only person who can make me happy like this… “I’m really glad you’re here,” Sunset whispers, kissing my hand again while closing her eyes. Even while she lets go of me, her eyes stay closed. “I mean… Here. With me. A few months ago, I never really thought we’d see each other again until that convention. Now? I’m happy that we have each other.” Looking back into my eyes, Sunset gives me the most genuine smile I have ever seen from her. “I love you, Adagio.” “I…” The words get caught in my throat. After saying those three words dozens of times on call or through text, it should be easy by now. But… Such a confession of love never gets easier for a siren like me. It makes my heart beat so fast that I might have a heart attack. My body freezes up and no matter how much I want to say it back, I can’t seem to believe the reality of those words. Especially after the last time we separated, it’s really… nice. “I love you too, Sunset. I wouldn’t have flown here if that was a lie.” “I know that. It’s just sometimes hard to believe we’re even here together with everything that has happened between us. I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Sunset whispers with a sweet tone, raising her glass up. Chuckling to myself, I tap my glass against hers. She deserves all of my attention. Now and forevermore. “Neither would I~” Walking into Sunset’s apartment, I can’t help but smile at the place. I’ve never been here before, but Sunset insisted that I stay with her this week rather than some hotel. I didn’t have any reason to say no, after all. It’s cheaper and it gives me more time with her. I just don’t know where I will put my luggage. However, the place seems really cozy with a big couch, gray carpet that kind of matches the white walls. There is an adjoining kitchen right next to a hall to where I presume the bedroom is. The only time I got to see this place was through some pictures Sunset sent me, but those were usually selfies. Pictures where I was far more interested in the foreground… Carrying one of my bags in for me, Sunset closes the door behind us, giving me another kiss on the cheek. Setting the bag down near the wall, she stretches her arm with a content sigh. Even though it’s still only the middle of the day, Sunset’s curtains make it seem like it is much later. In a way, it makes the place seem even cozier. “That was probably the best date we had,” Sunset mentions with a giggle, taking her heels off. “Even better than the visit to the aquarium?” I ask her, wrapping my arms around her waist. My captive giggles at my joke. “That date was years ago~ And yes, this was better. Because I have you back to myself,” she whispers in glee, turning to face me. Her hands pull my hips closer to her, kissing me just as passionately as my embrace at the airport. She attacks my lips in the softest way possible, playing my soul like a violin. My body feels weightless and my mind is soaring through the clouds in the best way imaginable. Finally, one of her hands lets go of me, breaking her lips from mine. She simply smiles at me as her hand reaches over to a bluetooth speaker near her TV. As soon as she presses play, the room comes to life with the sound of a soft guitar. The sound is unforgettable at this point. The melody gently leads into a lively tune just as two singers start to harmonize. It’s a song I can hear in my dreams at this point. Something Stupid. Of course she would pick this song. “This was our song at one point,” I whisper, listening to the music with a smile. Turning my gaze back to her, she holds her hand out to me, offering a dance in the middle of her dimly lit living room. “It can be again,” she responds, pulling me close. From the way she places her hand on my hip, I can tell she wants to lead this little dance of ours. As the music plays, Sunset starts to move slowly. In a moment like this, the only person that matters is her. She makes me the center of attention and I do the same for her. No one else is around. It’s just us here. Sunset gradually picks up her pace, moving us around with a smile. The music moves us as if we’re in the sky. All I can focus on is the happiness in her eyes. As the music hits a crescendo, Sunset dips me, taking the opportunity to kiss me. My whole body feels weak. It’s hard to concentrate on anything when she takes me like this. Her lips leave mine just in time for me to keep my legs from giving out under me. She knows what she’s doing. She’s not playing this little game in a fair manner… “I love you,” Sunset whispers as she finally pulls me up, continuing our dance. Her movements stop in a second as I unzip the back of her dress. Her eyes connect with mine, a sense of curiosity in them. A smirk comes to my face, bringing my lips close to her ear. Sliding my hand down to her thigh, I bite her neck gently, making her gasp in surprise. It’s fake though. I know she was expecting this ever since my flight landed. “What if we save the rest of this dance for later? And I can show you just how much I love you now,” I whisper right in her ear. I can feel her body tense up in my arms. A shock goes up my back, her teeth biting into my neck with a small laugh. Reaching over to the speaker, Sunset pauses our song, holding me even tighter than before… It’s a soothing feeling to have your hair played with… The whole essence of an embrace like this exudes so much trust between us. For me to let someone run their fingers through my hair, I’d have to trust them a lot. The way she pets my hair has a way of coaxing my thoughts back to a positive mindset. To think it has been years since she and I have been together like this. We hold onto each other just enough to reaffirm that we aren’t going anywhere. Not a single piece of fabric is held between us. Just a big warm blanket. I can tell it’s night outside, even with the heavy curtains. Everything is so quiet. The only sounds I focus on are Sunset’s breathing and her hand playing with my hair. Sunset takes a deep breath. I never want to let her go. To think that one day of our little vacation together is already gone… Once this trip is done, I will have to go back home and get used to long distance again. At least I have her to myself, but texts and calls don’t nearly match this feeling. Holding her in my arms and getting to keep her safe is… heavenly. Sunset slowly starts to scratch the back of my head, making my neck feel weird. A pleased sigh escapes my lips, despite how much I tried to hide it. A small giggle makes her body move slightly. Looking up at her, I try my best to see her thoughts directly, but I’m not sure what is in her head at this moment. “What are you thinking about?” I ask her quietly. Sunset shrugs to herself, still expertly scratching that one spot on my head. I’m surprised she remembers things like this years later… “I was just thinking how happy I am to have a week with you~” Sunset leans her head down, kissing my forehead. “Yeah… But one day is already done,” I mention with a sigh, pushing myself off of her. Stretching my arms, I point towards the curtains. “It barely felt like three hours with you, but the night is already enveloping us.” Sunset sits up in bed, hugging me from the side with another laugh. “What’s so funny?” I fail to see how the end of this day is humorous to her. If anything, I see it as depressing. “We still have six days left together. Filled with fun things to do. Best of all? We won’t be interrupted by anyone,” she whispers in my ear, pressing her forehead against me. Kissing my shoulder, Sunset nuzzles against me with a deep breath, pressing her lips against me a few more times. “It is sad that you’ll have to leave though. I wish that…” Sunset trails off, choosing to leave her statement in the air. Resting my head on hers, I can’t help but laugh to myself. “Wish what?” I ask her in a teasing tone, knowing all too well what she means. When I look down at her, I can’t help but notice a bright blush on her face. Now she’s being the shy one… It makes her so… adorable. “You know what I wish,” Sunset tells me while hiding her lips against my shoulder. Her eyes are closed, seemingly trying to avoid my stare. “I do.” Chuckling to myself, I kiss her forehead as gently as possible. Her arms are still wrapped around me as tight as possible. “But I want to hear you say it.” Bringing my hand to her face, I gently hold her cheek, trying to coax her from hiding her face. She doesn’t budge though… “It’s just us. So, say those words. Tell me you want me,” I whisper as gently as I can, a smile pulling at my lips. “I don’t want you to leave,” she finally responds, hugging me even harder. “So, I wish that… we could live closer together. After all of this is done with. I wish…” Sunset opens her eyes, reconnecting our eye contact. Her hands hold my cheeks as she bares her soul through her eyes alone. I can almost feel my heartbeat in my face alone. “I wish that I could make you mine and keep you with me.” As soon as the words escape her lips, she closes the distance between us, kissing me as passionately as ever. She tells me all of her desires in this simple yet powerful embrace. She’s not wrong at all. I definitely want to live closer as well so that a kiss like this won’t be so… rare. Breaking the kiss, I can see Sunset looks confused that I pulled away. Standing up from the bed, I hold up my hand to tell her to wait. I have something that will make this even better~ Reaching into my bag, I pull out a folded piece of paper. I was going to wait to give her this towards the end of our little trip, but… I think this is a good time. “Funny thing is that I was thinking the same thing recently,” I tell her while giving her the paper. Sunset gently unfolds the paper, looking at what is going to be my letter of resignation. In a moment, Sunset’s eyes grow wider, looking at me with surprise and confusion. “Wait… You’re going to quit? To move here? When? Do you have a job lined up? What is-” Before she can ask another question, I press my finger to her mouth, laughing a little to myself. While I don’t have a job opportunity yet, I plan on looking soon. “Don’t worry,” I tell her with a smirk, running my fingers through her hair. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Together.” For now, we should enjoy this trip and keep in mind that this will not be the last time we get to see each other like this~ Author's Note So, I just want to say that I was going to include lyrics to Somethin’ Stupid in this fic, but the rules of FiMFiction dictate that I can’t use copyrighted lyrics. Nor can I make alternate versions where the AO3 version may actually have the lyrics. So, I am going to include this link to the song I thought of while writing this story and its prequel. https://youtu.be/9u8nofyn7Eo I hope you enjoyed this short story! This is a birthday fic for my friend, Mon! I had multiple readers comment on It’s Just Us that said they wished there was more to show what happened right after that story. Well, I hope this story scratched that itch! This is meant to show how Adagio and Sunset’s relationship progressed mere months after It’s Just Us. I had a lot of fun writing this and I am tempted to write a sequel, but I’m not sure if I actually will. If you can, wish Mon a happy birthday in the comments. As always, happy birthday, Mon! I hope this day is full of love from friends and family and that you share many smiles throughout the day!