Luna swooped down onto one of the highest towers of Canterlot castle, smiling at a job well done.

“How was the night?” Celestia greeted her with a smile and a yawn.

“Uneventful.” It was a proclamation of victory, as the Queen of the Night grinned with satisfaction. “Equestrian dreams remain safe, thanks to my efforts. Your turn, sister.”

And with that, she smiled even further, spreading her wings– This routine, this new routine, had been truly wonderful ever Since Luna had returned. She had missed change– Long, kind, positive change.

She raised the sun, as her sister lowered the moon.

They both let out thankful sighs, and shared nods– And now Luna was the one yawning. “I’m going to get some rest myself– See you in a few hours, sister–”

But she stopped, as Celestia’s eyes widened, her attention caught by a certain gleam below. Sunset Shimmer’s armor reflecting the light of the newly raised sun. “Hm! Sunset seems to be entering the castle in a hurry?”

Luna raised a single, judgemental eyebrow.

“I-I won’t meddle, sister! I’ll just go say hi! It’s polite!” She huffed, embarrassed.

“We’ll see about that. I’m coming with you.” The Queen of the Night grinned, sticking to her sister like glue to ensure that she would stick to her promise.

And just like that, the two Alicorns took flight, and teleported to boot.

Sunset had made her way past the courtyard in a full gallop, and they saw her across the hall they were on at full speed.

“Good morning, Sunset!” Celestia waved with a wing as Sunset nearly flew past the two alicorns. “What’s the hurry?”

The Paladin nearly left sparks in her wake as she hit the brakes on her gallop, in a clumsy turn, with a clumsy smile. “H-hi! Oh Shit–” She tumbled, rolled on the floor, and recovered, her helmet went skidding on the floor. “I’m okay! Good morning!” She waved.

“Is something the matter?” Luna questioned, approaching her with concern. “You are always punctual, yes– But rarely in a hurry.”

“Twilight’s in her room, right?” She asked, breathing quickly and sharply, taking a glance backwards. “Nowhere else?”

“Of course! Why the worry?” The Queen of the Sun tilted her head, sharing her concern.

“Well, um…” Sunset fidgeted, considering making a simple excuse, and then shook her head, with an exhale. “...She offered to make me the Captain of the royal guard, and I’m going to say yes. Is that okay?” Her smile was almost with a plea, matched only by her heavy breaths due to running.

First, Celestia was shocked– But in only a second, she smiled widely. “Of course it is okay. It is Twilight’s decision, after all… And I look forward to directing you through your duties, Sunset. Would you like me to show you the barracks–” She was silenced by a quick wing slap from Luna.

“No need! Twilight still needs to agree, right?” Sunset shrugged, with a true smile. “T-thanks though. I’m happy to be here, really.” And she was.

With a nod, Celestia approached her, speaking incredibly gentle. “Sunset Shimmer… Have you found your Equilibrium?”

They were incredibly close, and Sunset had to look up, but it did not stop her from smiling. “M-maybe? I don’t know yet. Um… Ask me tomorrow?”

With a light, heavenly chuckle, Celestia nodded again. She leaned forward, kissing Sunset’s forehead, and with that proximity, whispered kindly. “Remember: Better late than never, little one.”

“Y-yeah…!” She snickered, and quickly scooped up her helmet. “Gotta go! I’ll let you both know how it goes! Bye Queen Celestia, bye Queen Luna!”

And just like that, she galloped out of there, and the two Alicorns watched the whole way.

And as soon they were alone, Luna smirked, nudging her sister. “...Go on, then.”

Celestia squealed, and began prancing with joy.

Twilight adhered to a strict routine– Strict enough that ‘stay in bed for five more minutes’ was a part of her schedule. And she did so with just as much efficiency as everything else.

Despite her wings, she had learned to burrito herself perfectly within the sheets of her king-sized bed; As comfortable as any Princess could possibly be, her eyes shielded from the rising sun beneath her curtains with a sleeping mask.

She let out a cute yawn, and shuffled a bit, warming herself up– her room did have a heating problem, it was on her schedule that she would get it fixed eventually– But for now, a simple bundle of sheets to be wrapped around was more than enough.

Her entire body awoke nearly immediately when she heard the knock on her door, and the familiar voice of her Paladin coming from behind it. “Hey, Twilight! You awake?”

She flinched, and with her magic, quickly lifted her sleeping mask off her eyes– Sunset was always punctual, but never early– And she always waited outside her room.

She quickly took a glance around her, thinking twice. Had she slept in? Impossible! Was there some sort of crisis? Unlikely!

“Hey, can we talk? It’s important.”

She froze– This meant coming inside her room, which was a mess. Dozens of papers laid about, her entire set of blankets was in a burrito of which she currently inhabited, two dresses she had worn the night before laid on the floor absentmindedly; One in desperate need for washing, the other equally crumpled, making her keenly aware that it was past laundry day, and there was a stack of books that went all the way to the ceiling.

“U-um, in a minute!” Her voice was a bit shrill– First words of the day, after all. Clumsily, she teleported out of the burrito blanket, and immediately made her bed– In that same haste, she began organizing and tidying up her surroundings.

“Twi, I can hear you tidying up in there, that’s not necessary, just open the door, heh!”

She could hear the Paladin chuckling outside, reading her like a book– The entire room had become enveloped in her magic on her frail attempts to tidy up before her Paladin came in. Awkwardly, she just stopped on her tracks… And let everything collapse, clumsily.

By the time she opened the door, papers were still gliding to the floor.

She greeted her paladin with a weary, but happy smile. “S-Sunset! Hi! You’re not usually this punctual! Um, what’s this about?”

“We need to talk. Can I come in?” She breathed a bit uneasy, and seemed like she had run here.

Twilight stepped back, motioning for her to come inside, with an awkward smile. “Sorry for the mess, I uh, don’t usually get visitors. It isn’t like this everyday. This is, um, a one-time-thing.” She lied clumsily.

Sunset removed her helmet, letting it idle on a desk, and adjusted her mane nervously, steadying her breathing. “Look, Twilight, it's–” She inhaled, then exhaled. “This is important. This is everything.”

Twilight looked at her intently– It did seem serious. She quickly removed her sleeping mask off her forehead, tossing it to her bed, and gave her Paladin an awkward smile. “Go ahead! Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it!”

“You see, the thing is…” She couldn’t make eye contact at first, as she psyched herself to speak.

There was a moment of quiet, where she arranged the words in her head, thinking over exactly what she needed to share.

“Sunset? Is everything okay?” She approached, with genuine concern.

“When we first met.” Sunset began, making eye contact, straightening her back. “When we first met, I was a demon, trapped in a dark place I couldn’t escape. I tried to kill you– And you beat me, and spared me.”

The Princess nodded, paying attention.

“The thing is– You could have killed me. Hell– You probably should have. I would have...” She exhaled, tilting her head. “But you didn’t. You could have killed me, but you didn’t. Then you saved me…!”

“Of course I did! Why wouldn’t I–” Twilight began speaking, but Sunset silenced her with a gentle hoof to the lips, and a smile.

“And after that, when you dragged me, bleeding and wounded, out of that place, I pledged myself to you. I promised I’d do anything for you.” She exhaled, reminiscing. “...You could have refused. But you didn’t.”

Twilight, remaining quiet, simply smiled, incredibly happy to see Sunset smile.

“And then I found out that you were Celestia’s current pupil, my replacement… And I offered you an out. I told you that if you wanted me to leave, I’d gladly leave, as long as you let me. Because… I didn’t want to face my old, failed, ruined life. Well… The life that I ruined. I hoped you would let me go...” Eye contact, full of affection and pride. “...But you didn’t.”

They were closer now.

“You could have replaced me with any guard… But you didn’t. You could have let me die fighting Nightmare Moon… But you didn’t. You could have even let me go after that– Say my pledge is fulfilled! …But you didn’t.” She chuckled, letting out a weary, happy exhale. “And I’m so fucking happy you didn’t, every step of the way.”

Twilight shared that chuckle, uncertain on where this conversation was headed, but happy to see Sunset happy.

“Look– I talked with Moondancer, and she opened my eyes. She… She made me ask myself about what I wanted– And not just ask, but actually think about taking it– Something I never considered before.” She affirmed, with a determined nod. “Because why would I ever try to get what I want? I don’t deserve it– Hell, I’d be satisfied just doing what I'm doing until my body gives out– I've been complacent! I’ve been just– Hopping from bender to bender, without purpose!”

“Aw, Sunset, look–” But she was silenced again, with that same affectionate hoof, pressing on her lips.

“I want to tell you what I want– And you’re probably the only one that’s going to hear this, so listen up, because if I don’t say this now, I’m never saying it.” She muttered, with a tired smile.

With great anticipation, Twilight sat, eyes widened, waiting, looking at every movement Sunset made.

“I want…!” She exhaled, with an almost teary smile, a wide, gentle grin. “I want to be as close to you as I could possibly be. I want to make sure you’re safe, even if I’m asleep–” She shook her head, suppressing laughter. “I want to move out of my shitty apartment! I want to live in this castle again– I want to be close to Celestia again–”

Twilight smiled even more, but remained quiet, even as Sunset approached her. “I want to be your Captain.” She affirmed, with a determined whisper. “I want to whip all of those lazy guards into shape so bad– I want them all to be as devoted to protecting Equestria, to protecting YOU as I am. I want to make sure this castle is a bastion of safety, so that when you’re here, I know that nothing could ever hurt you. I want to know you’ll be okay– No matter how far I am.”

She grinned widely, and couldn’t contain a tiny squeal of excitement. “Yes! Yes yes yes!!” she hopped up and down with glee.

“There’s one more thing I want.” She spoke, not sternly, but just enough to call attention, so Twilight would settle down.

“The thing is…” Sunset sighed nervously, looking at the ground, then just shook her head.

“Fuck it.” She muttered, and just like that, she leaned forward, pulling Twilight into a kiss.

It wasn’t long, just enough for the Princess to go from surprise and shock to acceptance and enjoyment of it– No matter how much she was stupefied.

Sunset pulled away, not smiling, but determined, as she spoke the most important words she would ever speak.

“I want to be whatever you want me to be.” She affirmed with a nod. “I’m fully committed to you– Whatever you want me to be, I’m yours. I want to be by your side until I die, Twilight Sparkle.”

The Princess was dumbfounded, still reeling on the dizziness of her first kiss, lips still awkwardly puckered out, face as red as ever.

Sunset saw that pause, and smiled nervously. “S-sorry if that’s too much. I didn’t want anything unsaid– But if you think it’s out of order, I’ll go gladly take it back–”

She was silenced with a quick, affectionate hoof to her lips.

It was Twilight’s turn to talk.

“Okay, um…!” Her face was incredibly red. “I think everything you said is… Really really good.” She tilted her head, looking away, giggling to herself. “But there is one thing that’s wrong.”

Sunset’s ears twitched in confusion, as she watched the Princess intently.

They were muzzle to muzzle, eye to eye, as Twilight Sparkle smiled with incredible affection. “You said you want to be by my side until you die. And I think that’s beautiful. I want that– But guess what, Sunset? I don’t want you to die. Ever.”

Sunset’s eyes widened.

“So my first decree as your Princess, to you as my Captain– Sunset Shimmer, you will keep yourself alive, so you can be with me.” She spoke almost rehearsed, with a hoof to her Captain’s cheek. “Is that clear?”

Sunset nodded confidently, grinning, they could feel each other’s breaths. “By your decree, I will never lose a fight as long as I serve you, Princess Twilight Sparkle. I promise.”

“Good.” She affirmed, with a devious smile, then leaned forward to kiss her captain.

It was a clumsy kiss– She was inexperienced, after all, but she was desperate to demonstrate her affection, and Sunset didn’t mind it in any way.

“And now, for my second decree…!” Twilight blushed fiercely, leaning a hoof on her Captain’s chestplate. “Whatever you were doing with mares these past months– I want you to do to me. Right now.”

“U-um. Yes! Your wish is my command!” Sunset gave a nervous, enthusiastic, flustered salute.

“...How do we get this armor off?” Twilight began fidgeting with her Captain’s chestplate, a bit desperate, even.

“It’s, um, a bit tricky!” Sunset chuckled, seeing her Princesses efforts.

“Teach me.”

A lazy day could be described as one where you spend mostly in bed, and don’t demonstrate much effort, hardly exert yourself.

Twilight and Sunset spent a lazy day together, but only in the former sense of its description, rarely venturing out of the Princess’s room, and spending every hour of it together.

The moon had risen, and they were closer than they could have possibly been, embracing each other incredibly comfortably, on that massive, now not-so-empty bed.

“I had a heating problem in this room that I needed to fix, it’s on my schedule…!” Twilight spoke absentmindedly, while nuzzling Sunset’s chest with a smile. “Problem solved. You’re so warm…!” And she was, incredibly so, the body heat made her impeccably comfortable to embrace.

“Glad I could be of service.” Sunset smiled, bringing her even closer gently, and with extreme affection.

They would often spend moments of incredibly comfortable silence together, where Twilight would listen to Sunset’s heartbeat, and feel the rise and lower of her chest.

“So, um…” Sunset flustered a little bit, fidgeting, thinking of events hours prior. “...Do you want to talk about what you, um, muttered when we were doing what we were doing…?”

“Oh my gosh, can we not…!” Twilight hid her fluster by nuzzling Sunset’s chest, hiding her entire face with it. “It's dumb, okay. It was my first time. I’m dumb.”

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of!” Sunset snickered with affection. “It’s just, um, surprising. The mares I go down on don’t usually, well, they don’t usually moan the words ‘I love you’ so freely. And um, I was just wondering–”

“As your Princess, I command you to pretend that didn’t happen.” Twilight said sternly, but her fluster betrayed her.

Sunset, chuckling, nodded. “As your captain, I have no choice but to oblige.”

More comfortable silence, as Twilight simply let out delighted sighs. “You know… I dream of you often.” She muttered, blushing.

“Really?”

“It's silly, but, usually when I’m having nightmares, you come in and save me…! When it first started happening, I wondered if… I wondered if you found some way to actually come into my dreams to keep me safe in them– Just like you do here…” She let out a little giggle, nuzzling Sunset’s side. “It’s silly. I know it’s just dreams, but… You keep me safe, even in them… Thank you.”

“I can verify that I’m not doing it consciously!” Sunset smiled, kissing her forehead. “But I am incredibly thankful that dream me isn’t slacking.”

More giggles, as Twilight warmed her muzzle on Sunset’s chest. “I feel so dumb…!” She exhaled, pouting. “Promise you won’t be mad?”

“Why would I ever be mad at you?” Sunset almost laughed.

There was a bit of shame in her voice, like she was caught stealing cookies. “...I have to admit, that in these past few months... I didn’t like seeing you with other mares. I didn’t even know why, but… I didn’t like it. Well, in retrospect, it’s obvious why.”

“Maybe, yeah, heh.” Sunset grinned– Even that envy was the truest form of affection.

Hiding her face, Twilight mumbled shamefully. “If I had asked you to stop, you would have stopped, wouldn’t you?”

“Absolutely.” She spoke earnestly.

With a groan, the Princess revealed her flustered face. “Ugh, see!? I’m such a dummy... Sometimes it’s so hard to just say what you want…!”

“Don’t I know it!” She laughed ironically.

The sheets were comfortable, and the embrace even more so. If they stopped talking, they’d both likely doze off, so Twilight continued muttering lovingly, after enough silence had passed. “I want you to meet my parents. And my brother.”

“Haven’t I done that already?” With a light chuckle and a nuzzle, Sunset grinned closer. “Remember that time in the Crystal Empire? Me and your brother had to fend off a changeling armada.”

“No. Properly.” Twilight assured sternly. “I want you to meet them properly. I wanna show you off. ‘Hey mom! Hey dad! Here’s my new Captain that kisses me whenever I tell her to!’” She stated proudly.

“Go ahead, tell me to.”

“Kiss me.”

Her wish was a command, obeyed with diligence and love.

More comfortable silence passed, interrupted only when Sunset’s eyes widened with a stark, stupid realization. “Twilight… I just realized something really stupid.”

“What is it?”

She exhaled, with a dumb grin on her face. “My job has been to keep you safe, all this time– I just realised how much fucking easier it would have been, if we always shared the same bed.”

“Oh, for the love of Celestia, you’re right. We’re so dumb.” She hid her face on the crook of Sunset’s chest, huffing, which only led to them laughing.

Silence, accentuated only by them giggling.

Raising her head, Twilight pouted, afraid she was stepping on eggshells. “I will say, though… I want to keep this a secret, for the foreseeable future, if you don’t mind?” She fidgeted on Sunset’s fur thoughtfully. “You know… Us. I just… There’s so many tabloids and newsletters writing gossip about me, it’s infuriating– Can you imagine what they’d say? And I don’t want it to make it seem like you won your position through nepotism…! Is that okay?”

“Twilight, it’s more than okay.” She smiled proudly, kissing her forehead. “The Captain’s quarters are only a hop and a skip away– I want to be exactly who you want me to be, remember? Besides, I don’t want to have to explain this to Celestia anytime soon... ‘Hey, Queen of the Sun! Want to know what your old pupil did to your new pupil?’ That will be a– A strange conversation. I’m pretty sure she’d be against this.”

“Hihi, yes, I’m pretty nervous about telling her…!” She exhaled, with a small smile. “But I don’t regret any of it.”

“Me either.” She grinned, leaning down for another kiss. “I don’t mind being your little secret. As long as you’re happy; We can take this as slow as you want to, okay? I’m in no rush at all.”

“Well I definitely don’t want to take it slow.” She had a mischievous smile on her lips, as she leaned to kiss some more.

More kisses, more giggles, more comfortable silence.

With a delighted sigh, Sunset continued. “I’ll be glad to move out of my apartment– I was never a fan of it anyways. We’ll have to do some cleaning on the vacant captain quarters, though… Your brother left it kind of messy.

With a little chuckle, Twilight nodded. “Yeeeep, he was always a bit of a slob, I hear Cadance fixed that up, though…!”

“You’ll also be happy to know that I’ve already been making a list of improvements I want to make to the royal guard.” Sunset stated proudly. “Patrol patterns need to be adjusted, clock in schedules need a major overhaul, and I’m making a whole new training regimen–” She was interrupted by a fierce kiss.

“You’re so dang hot. Did I ever tell you that? But no business today. Today’s a lazy day.” She cuddled closer, letting out a pleased sigh.

“As you wish.” Sunset grinned, then spoke gently, kindly. “...And don’t worry. Secret or not, whenever you want me here, day or night, you can just call and I’ll be here, okay? Always.”

“I hope I can stop myself from calling you here every night.” She huffed, with an embarrassed sigh. “For the sake of the secret…!”

“How shameful!” Sunset put on a mocking, joking voice. “The great, mighty and beautiful Princess of Friendship can’t resist simple temptation!”

“Shuddup. There’s nothing simple about this temptation.” She spoke, immensely flustered, pouting more, then she cleared her throat. “Ahem. On that same note. As your princess, I demand you to indulge me once more.”

“As you wish.” Sunset got on top, grinning. “You’re loving being able to do that, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Me too.”

Sunset’s alarm rang, her horn flashed dimly, rousing her, announcing that Twilight’s routine would start soon.

Her instincts commanded her to get out of bed, but she stopped. Twilight Sparkle was intertwined with her, snoring quietly, bundled up right alongside her, as comfortable as she could possibly be, as safe as she could possibly be.

Her job was to keep Twilight Sparkle safe. And she was fulfilling it in her sleep, she was fulfilling it the moment she woke up. And with it, there was no need to get out of bed.

She chuckled ironically, and lovingly. This alarm was outdated, and it would have to be changed.

But for now… She just enjoyed holding her Princess.

She spent her time wisely, gently, simply enjoying the moment.

Her eyes went wide with a sudden realization– Had she actually just acquired this position through nepotism? Had she begun gold digging like Rarity, even if accidentally?

Had she just deflowered an alicorn Princess? That was scandalous, for sure. For Twilight’s sake, this indeed would have to be kept a secret, even if it was just due to embarrassment.

And Sunset minded none of it.

Everything would change, starting now. She found herself happier than she had ever been– More fulfilled than she had ever been.

She was right where she wanted to be, and she was wanted.

Perfect little Princess of Friendship, cozying up on her embrace, safer than she could possibly be. What could be better than that?

Twilight was happy. So she was happy too. Nothing else mattered.

She chuckled quietly, smiling to herself, leaned forward, and kissed the Princess’s forehead.

“I love you too.” She whispered gently, lovingly.

She closed her eyes, and allowed herself to sleep for as long as Twilight wanted.

And just like that, the bender was over.

Author's Note

Ah, it feels good. Can you blame me for making Sunlight endgame? If you've read my writing before, you shouldn't be surprised.

Funniest thing. Because the Queens decided not to meddle, they have no idea that Sunset and Twilight are involved. It's a secret! >:)

to those that are keen, you might notice some multiversal similarities, heh. Who would have thought that out of all fics id reference next on my silly desire to make multiversal references diogetic, I'd reference my ONE sex fic of all things xD

Twilight finally got Sunset to be entirely and completely committed to her. Girliepop has her very own personal battering ram. (In more ways than one!) Sunset Shimmer says "I'll kill for you," And Twilight retorts with "Live for me."

Anyways, onto more important matters-- Because this isn't the end of this Twilight and this Sunset. if you want to catch a glimpse of how they're doing months later, I strongly recommend reading the Princess and the Peasant, specially because that story has changes to the world that will matter for the sequel I'm planning to write about this one!

I will say, Sunset and Twilight won't appear much on that fic, but their appearances are key factors to the plot, and they're CRITICAL to the finale. If you liked them even a little bit here, or any interpretations of my characters really, like Pinkie or Cadance, I recommend you checking that story out. Its my pride and joy, and the sequel to this fic here will take place mere months after it.

It was deeply indulgent to write this fic-- I've been wanting to make another devoted Sunset for a while, I've been wanting to write orphan Sunset content AND mom Celestia content, and of course, I wanted to consider just how many characters Sunset would have chemistry with, heh. Like c'mon, it makes sense for this gal to get around.

But it also makes sense for her to settle down with a certain nerd >:)

Btw, if you want to see my take on an alicorn Sunset Shimmer, (And romance of her and Alicorn Twilight!!) my current longest and most epic work, 'Across the Shimmerverse' Has SO much alicorn Sunset, and it's my most intense fic to date, I put SO much work into it, and I hope more people grow to love it. (Also! There is more Captain Shimmer content in it! Just saying ;3)

Anyways! Onto better things.

Here's some Sunlight cuddles I drew a while back. They fit this lovely finale. (idk why I gave Twilight glass I think I thought it was cute to have them messy)