Sunset faceplanted into her pillow as Shoeshine and Trixie followed quickly after on either side of her. Shoeshine curled under the sheets and yawned.

“Nice bed,” Trixie commented and fluffed a pillow. “Trixie is more used to sleeping in a hammock than an actual bed. Very soft.”

“I like my sleep so I spent way too much bits on my bed. I sleep most of the morning unless I have to visit any of you or I have government business I gotta do. I have a meeting with the mayor tomorrow for some budget thing,” Sunset rolled her eyes and rolled onto her back, stretching out her hindlegs.

“Sounds fun,” Shoeshine commented dryly and Sunset gave a snort. Trixie gave a yawn and nuzzled Sunset’s cheek as the amber unicorn blushed pink.

“She’s flirty as fuck drunk. I’m used to it,” Shoeshine waved a hoof in the air and Sunset nodded. Sunset yanked the curtains closed and jumped as she listened to the thunder. “What’s with you tonight? You’ve been acting off all night.”

“What are you talking about?” Sunset forced a nervous laugh and Shoeshine gave her a look. “I’ve been my normal self.”

“Not really. You’re more skittish than normal. Trixie commented on it too.”

“Fine. I’m well, afraid of weather like this. I’m okay with a light rain and all, but this is insane. I like having ponies here with me when it’s a crazy downpour. I only told Silverspeed to leave because she has a sister alone at home. I was happy to catch you and Trixie because it means I wouldn’t have to sleep alone tonight. I didn’t imagine it’d be in bed with me but hey, extra warmth and all. So thanks for that,” Sunset answered and Shoeshine kissed her on the nose and Sunset went cross eyed.

“That was for being my friend,” Shoeshine gave a drunken smile and Sunset blushed a brighter pink as Shoeshine kissed her nose again. “So thanks. I’d always be down to come spend the night. As a friend, obviously.”

“Obviously,” Sunset agreed and rested a hoof on Shoeshine’s foreleg. “We will never publically talk about that other night again.”

“Thank Celestia. If word gets out about what we did last time I slept in a bed with you. It was well, fun to say the least,” Shoeshine admitted and Sunset nodded her agreement. Plus, Shoeshine had Silverspeed was apparently in love with Sunset or something. Shoeshine didn’t necessarily feel right crushing Silverspeeds dreams even if Shoeshine did find Sunset a bit attractive.

“Yeah, it was. Even so, I hope you find somepony worthy of you. Love doesn’t really seem to be in the cards for me. I never really dated to be honest except that one time with that Royal Guard in Canterlot. Forgot his name,” Sunset hugged Shoeshine and yawned.

“You’re warm,” Shoeshine whispered and Sunset chuckled as Trixie moved closer and hugged Sunset from behind. “Can we stay like this for a bit? Or the rest of the night? Drunk cuddles are my favorite, especially with my friends.”

“Yeah sure,” Sunset kissed her forehead before turning her head to do the same to Trixie. “I like them too. Silverspeed gives great hugs. Her feathers are nice around me. You should try it some time.”

“Heh, maybe. I’ve gotten a few from Derpy. Anytime you want, we can hang out. Carrot Top likes guests occasionally.”

Only occasionally. Carrot Top liked her peace and quiet, especially before Noi got home.

“I’m down. Celestia used to hug me when I was a filly. That changed once I became a teen and she wanted to be a bit more professional with me. She’s lucky I have patience otherwise I’d have done something bad.”

“Like what?” Shoeshine asked and Trixie gave a loud snore.

“Don’t know. Might have run away or something. Maybe if my ego had been much worse than it currently is and was, I’d probably have hurt her way more. She’s always been patient with me. Thank the gods for that. I always knew I was meant for things, just never knew what. I think there’s more going on here than we know and probably ever will know. Celestia is tight lipped with national secrets and shit like that. It’s frustrating at times.”

“She probably has her reasons. I’m not even sure I want to know half of Equestrias national secrets. Like, what if she doesn’t raise the sun and it’s just a bullshit thing for us to worship her? That’s obviously not true, but shit,” Shoeshine shook her head. “I like my somewhat simple life. Knowing everything secret under the sun is something I’m not interested in. I’m perfectly happy with being a simple element of harmony.”

“Wish my life was that simple,” Sunset grumbled and curled up closer to Shoeshine. “I really do. I wouldn’t give it up for anything though, to be honest. I got to met you all, make a difference in Equestria, you know? If I hadn’t been abandoned at the castle, I couldn’t have just been another case of a filly dumped in an orphanage till she was adopted or got kicked out once she turned eighteen. Thank fuck those cases are few.”

Shoeshine agreed with that as Sunset nuzzled her neck and yawned.

“Goodnight Sunny. We’re glad to know you too, especially me,” Shoeshine whispered into Sunset’s ear and smiled as the unicorn breathed evenly, significantly she was peacefully asleep. “Especially me.”

Shoeshine closed her eyes and pulled the other two mares closer as she fell asleep.

Silverspeed trotted up the small steps to Sunset’s house and pushed the door open to enter. Normally she would never enter another pony’s house like this, but Sunset’s house also doubled as Celestia’s Solar Residency for Ponyville and Silverspeeds post. The downstairs was only open to public at certain times of day and the upstairs was closed off to the public at all times.

The storm had ended sometime when Silverspeed had fallen asleep. The stupid weather had made the entire town muddy and Silverspeed made sure to wipe her hooves off before entering the Residency. She, Roseluck and Derpy had coffee this morning. All three had curiously noted Sunset, Trixie and Shoeshine weren’t there. Two out of the three were always on time. I’ll let you decide on who was always late.

“Sunset?” Silverspeeds soft voice echoed throughout the house as she trotted up the carpeted stairs, reaching a door with Sunset’s cutie mark engraved into it. She never would normally enter her room without permission but it technically was her job to keep Sunset safe. She could always spin it and say she heard the mare fall. “Woah.”

Silverspeed stared with a small amount of jealousy as she raised an eyebrow. Sunset was curled up in Shoeshine’s hooves as Trixie hugged her from behind and the three snored softly. The three shared the same happy smiles and Silverspeed sniffed the air for any signs that the three she gotten up to any crazier than just drunken sleeping. The amount of alcohol bottles she had found downstairs painted a pretty clear picture of what to expect. Don’t even get her started on the smell of alcohol and vomit in the air.

Internally, Silverspeed wished she was in Shoeshine and Trixie’s places instead. She quietly placed down a large bottle of advil and silently trotted out.

She didn’t think Sunset would be up for writing Celestia a letter but she still planned on leaving Sunset some quills and paper with an envelope down at her desk in her office.

Just in case, of course.

Author's Note

This is one of the shorter stories. Not much crazy happened because I wanted it to be more about them learning about each other, especially Trixie and Shoeshine learning to respect each other more for their past. Next one will be out in a few days.