Diamond Tiara
“We have to hurry up and pick a gift. Today’s Ruby’s birthday so pick something and let’s go,” Sunset said impatiently as Sunburst stared in stunned silence at the toy aisle. “Yes there’s a lot, now come on.”
“Why in Equestria is there so much options?” Sunburst demanded as I picked up a plushie and idly examined the pink unicorn.
“Because there’s like half a million people or something in the US alright? Now can we please hurry up, I don’t wanna be late.”
“What’s this?” Sunburst asked as his hand rested on a pink Lego kit.
“Legos,” I answered as I set the plushie back. “You can build anything you want with them. Scootaloo loves them.”
“Is there anything science related?” Sunburst asked curiously as Sunset nodded.
“Two aisles down,” Sunset directed as we followed her. I wasn’t really that big into toys anymore but I did enjoy Legos. “You and your constant science projects.”
“Didn’t you do a bunch of mad women experiments back at the friendship games to figure out how magic worked here?”
“Touche Diamond touche.”
Sunburst examined the science projects and I rolled my eyes. I hadn’t really done any of things kids normally do. Like these. That didn’t happen for either of us till Cheerilee happened. Primarily us building a volcano in the back yard. That had been fun.
“This one,” Sunburst tapped on a crystal growing kit and Sunset nodded approvingly.
“Ruby would like that a lot. She’s been begging Aunt Berry for one for a good while now.”
“Okay. Where do I get the bits?”
“I’ll cover it,” Sunset chuckled as I stretched a bit. “And it’s coins or dollars here little brother. Not bits.”
“Oh right.”
“Sunburst is the absolute worst person to go shopping with,” Sunset grumbled as she slammed her head down on the table and rolled her head to look at Ruby and Mom. “Today reminded me why I quit going to the market back in Equestria with him.”
“I wasn’t that bad,” Sunburst mumbled as he examined a picture on the table. “I get easily overwhelmed by new areas. You know that.”
“True.”
“Who was the light purple haired girl at your party the other day?” Sunburst asked curiously as we all looked at him.
“Fuchsia Blush. Why?” Sunset asked as Sunburst turned red and Sunset grinned wickedly. “Ooh Sunburst has a crush.”
“I do not!”
“Do too.”
“Do not.”
“Do too.”
I watched the two go back and forth with a growing smirk.
“What happened to Sweet Leaves?” I asked and leaned forward as the two froze and looked at me.
“Yeah what happened to her?” Sunset asked curiously as Sunburst turned brighter red. “Ruby, can you give us a moment?”
“Sure,” Ruby shrugged and wandered off to go find Scootaloo presumably. Derpy came in from the kitchen and sat next to me.
“I really don’t think you should date anyone here Sunburst. I mean, you tried to date Starlight last year,” Sunset said casually and maintained eye contact with him. “I mean, you live in Equestria. Those two live here.”
“I wasn’t planning on it,” Sunburst grumbled as we all gave him unconvinced looks. “Okay, fine I debated it. It’s not either really like me either.”
“Well Sweet Leaves was definitely flirting with you so,” I commented and Sunburst rolled his eyes.
“No she wasn’t.”
“Oh she definitely was,” Sunset confirmed. “She touched your hand for a solid thirty seconds. I know you haven’t had any marefriend ever but she was definitely flirting. And then there’s Fluttershy. Who would you pick?”
“I don’t know. All three?”
“Are you insane?” I demanded. “We kinda don’t really do that here. Women get kinda mad if you’re with more than one partner.”
“And herds are going out of style I hear in Equestria so. I mean, if you could make that work then good job but you live in Equestria as I said earlier. And I respect you taking your job there seriously but you shouldn’t date here unless you plan to make trips back and forth.”
“I really don’t think you have any say in my dating life after you left for four years,” Sunburst commented as Sunset flinched before glaring at him. We all stared with wide eyes as Sunset narrowed her eyes. Mom opened her mouth but Sunset beat her to it.
“Watch yourself little brother,” Sunset warned quietly. “Ruby is in house and I can easily tell you to leave. I appreciate you coming but don’t make me mad. Especially not front of our cousin.”
“That was mean I’m sorry,” Sunburst muttered as he nodded. “So I’d have to pick one? And can’t I just leave a book behind that we use to communicate?”
“I guess but do you seriously think the others would be cool with that? Fluttershy might but Sweet Leaves and Fuchsia?”
“I would hope but you make good points as usual. You’re dating somepony here though?” Sunburst pointed as Sunset made a frustrated sound.
“Sunburst, I live here,” Sunset reminded him as she squeezed Derpy’s thigh. “That’s different.”
“You’re right,” Sunburst sighed and I patted his shoulder.
“Maybe they would be okay with it but it’d not mention you liking all three. If you do of course. Women here hate that. If Apple Bloom told me she liked two other girls and wanted us to all date, I’d kill her so fast.”
“And I’d probably kill them myself,” Sunset grumbled as she folded her arms. “If they don’t pass the sister test, they don’t deserve you. Though Fuchsia is a world class girl and a good friend so she may be allowed.”
“And girls don’t usually date theirs friends siblings here,” Mom pointed out as Derpy nodded. “It’s a weird thing we do here. It’s a respect thing. Just like I’d never date my sisters exs.”
“I didn’t mean to offend you Sunset. I’m sorry,” Sunburst said as Sunset burst out laughing.
“You didn’t. I’m just looking out for you all. You and them. Because it might suck for them if you aren’t here just as much as it would suck for you if they weren’t there in Equestria. Besides, do you even know if Fuchsia likes you?”
“I don’t know.”
Sunset gave a triumphant nod as Aunt Berry walked in.
“You guys done having your grown up talk yet? Ruby is getting impatient.”
We all nodded and stood up.