//------------------------------//
// A Song for Two 
// Story: Wintry Sunbelle 
// by Rixec 
//------------------------------//

Sweetie Belle cried out as she sank three feet through the snow, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo giggling at her expense. Sweetie Belle puffed out her scarlet cheeks as she cried, “This isn’t funny, girls! Help me out!”

Sweetie Belle flopped her arms uselessly to pull herself out, up to just below her shoulders in soft, crispy snow. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo reached reach out to an arm and took a firm hold, grunting as they tugged on Sweetie Belle.

“Okay, I think we almost got ‘er!” Apple Bloom heaved as Sweetie Belle started to rise up, chunks of snow plunking from her body.

Scootaloo grinned, her eyes shining as she began to get a little too into pulling Sweetie Belle out. She gave a fierce pull as she cried, “Here - we - go!”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle cried out as the force from Scootaloo’s pull tripped them all down into the snow with a splat, the impact causing snowflakes to rise back up into the air and start to slowly descend once again onto the Crusaders.

Apple Bloom uncrossed her legs from Sweetie Belle’s head as the latter gasped as she lifted her face from the snow. She spat out snow and tiny twigs as she glared coldly at Scootaloo, who was grinning weakly. “You’re out?” Scootaloo stated feebly.

Sweetie Belle scooped up some snow and slapped it against Scootaloo, knocking her back down to the ground. Apple Bloom grinned as she scooped up a large amount of snow and dropped it down Sweetie Belle’s back. Sweetie Belle yelped out a high pitch squeal as Scootaloo cried out, “Snowball fight!”

Sweetie Belle dove for cover behind a small hill of snow while her fellow Crusaders started scooping up snow and throwing the frosty balls at one another. When all was said and done did Sweetie Belle come out from her haven and sighed irritably, “I hate snow.”

“Come on, Sweetie Belle,” Apple Bloom laughed as she wrapped an arm around her mulberry and rose colored hair friend. “How can you not like it? There’s nothing not to love!”

“It’s cold, sluggish, and I keep falling in,” Sweetie Belle countered blandly, who started to shake herself to get the snow that had gotten caught within her clothes. She pulled off a boot and shook snow out, her sock feeling damped. She couldn't believe there was a big snowfall just a few days before the end of winter. Even with spring starting up tomorrow there would still probably be snow on the ground and thus still cold out.

“I think you mean cool, offers a sporty terrain, and fun to play in!” Scootaloo beamed, wrapping an arm around Sweetie Belle from her other side. “And no school when timed right!”

“Yeah, yeah,” Sweetie Belle nodded, then looked at Apple Bloom. “How come you like it? You’re an apple farmer!”

“It’s not like winter is our harvest season. Besides, the snow helps the earth rest for next season and offers a soft blanket of protection. It’s more helpful than you think,” Apple Bloom explained.

“Whatever you say,” Sweetie Belle said as the Crusaders continued to walk until they reached the crossroads where they would part for home. As they each took their own path, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo called out to Sweetie Belle.

“Later, Sweetie!”

“Have fun with Rarity!”

Sweetie Belle waved to them and then started making her way home. She and Rarity were set to have a Sister Night together and Rarity’s Holiday Orders had finally slowed so she finally had the time. Sweetie sighed merrily as she thought of the fun - and trouble - they would have. After all, Rarity had only said it wouldn’t work if some important event happened she had been waiting on, but what were the odds of that?


***


“Sweetie Belle, have you seen my favorite nail polish?!” Rarity fussed as she gazed frantically at the mirror, making sure her hair was just right. A stray hair flung up and she glared at it for its betrayal. She grabbed a brush and proceeded to attack it as she called out again, “Sweetie Belle!”

Sweetie Belle sat upon her bed, holding the brush up to her toes as she painted her nails a lovely shade of mauve. She giggled privately to herself as Rarity called out again. “Sorry, Rarity - I haven’t!”

Sweetie Belle knew she wasn’t going to be able to stop Rarity from going out on her last minute date with Trenderhoof - whom she had been asking out ever since the Friendship Games - but she could make sure her big sister was punished a little for breaking her promise.

After finishing her nails, Sweetie Belle flexed out her ties, admiring her reflection in the sheen. She winked to herself and then set the nail polish aside and laid back as the polish started to dry. She picked up the new Daring Do book and began to flip through to her favorite chapter as Rarity called out, “Oh, and Sweetie, please behave tonight.”

Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes; Rarity continued to treat her like a baby and thus had invited a babysitter to watch her. She was a sophomore - she could take care of herself. So what if she nearly burned down the house by breakfast three times in the past?

“I know, I know,” Sweetie Belle retorted dully. “So, who’s coming? Mrs. Cake? Pinkie?”

“Everyone was busy - I was almost afraid I would have to cancel-”

“That would have been a shame,” Sweetie whispered disgruntledly.

“Luckily, Sunset came through for me.”

Sweetie Belle dropped her book, bouncing off of the bed and hitting the floor with a soft thud. She pushed herself off of her bed - remembering her nails as she did and in the attempt to stop herself she fumbled and rolled over, coming to a stop sitting down. After the stars had cleared she stood up shakily and wobbled her way over to the door and opened it. She peered out and uttered, “S-Sunset’s coming?”

“Of course, dear,” Rarity replied glamorously as she came out of the bathroom, wearing a magenta and black dress that sparkled like diamonds, hugging her curves perfectly. She had forgone the nail polish and instead had applied the right amount of blush to her cheeks, her false eyelashes fluttering seductively in preparation for Trenderhoof. “I thought you would be happy; didn’t you and your friends come to accept that Sunset had changed?”

“I - I did,” Sweetie Belle nodded, praying she wasn’t blushing. The image of Sunset singing in her anthro form at the Battle of the Bands earlier that year still rung clearly in her mind and she gulped. She had been wanting to talk with her one on one for some time, but she always chickened out. And now Sunset was coming tonight. She wasn’t prepared!

The doorbell rang.

“Ah, that must be her now,” Rarity sighed in relief as she grabbed a pair of heels and hurried downstairs. She ran past the open window, a soft, cool air flowing in. Sweetie Belle peeked down the stairs as Rarity opened the door. “I’m so sorry for the last minute call, darling.”

“It was no trouble, Rarity; I was actually looking forward to spending some time with Sweetie Belle,” Sunset smiled as she crossed the perimeter. Her fiery red hair blew in the wintry wind, her teal eyes lighting up in the dark night sky behind her. She glanced at the wall of pictures, many of Rarity and Sweetie Belle doing various activities together throughout their lives, the latest one showing them eating a large sundae. She set her guitar down as she ran a finger across Sweetie Belle’s ice cream covered lips in the photo; afterward, she began to remove her winter garb. “Sorry if I’m a bit sweaty; just came from a session with Dash.”

“Oh, pff. Kch. Fff. Ts!” Rarity beamed. “You look fine, darling, I’ve seen worse.”

Sunset smirked as she saw Rarity absentmindedly reaching into her bag and pulling out a hairbrush. Sunset gently took hold of her hand and pushed the brush back in. As she did, another knock came at the door. Rarity’s eyes turned to pinpricks.

“Oh my stars - he’s early!” she said in a hush whisper and popped up her left foot to start putting her heel on. “Please make sure Sweetie’s in bed by ten thirty, all right?”

“I got it, Rarity; you can count on me,” Sunset laughed as Rarity finished getting her other heel on.

“Sweetie, I’m going now - have a good night with Sunset!” she called out before opening the door and sighed lovingly at the sight of Trenderhoof.

Once the door closed and locked behind them, Sunset tilted her head up to see Sweetie Belle at the top of the stairs. “Hi, Sweetie! Have you eaten yet? I can make you a nice salad and spaghetti or order pizza if you haven’t. Your choice.”

Sweetie Belle gulped as she gazed at Sunset at the bottom of the stairs. She wore a dark tank top and pants that loosely hung about her, sweat dripping off of her even with how cold it had been that day.

“Pizza sounds good,” Sweetie Belle said as she made her way down the steps carefully.

Sunset gazed up, noting how odd Sweetie was walking. She started to make her way up and once she met with her did she notice the still drying polish on Sweetie’s petite feet. “Hold on, Sweetie Belle, I got this.”

Before Sweetie Belle could protest Sunset scooped her up into her arms and smiled at her as she descended down with her. Sweetie Belle could feel her heart thumping against her chest, her cheeks reddening for sure now.

“Are you feeling well, Sweetie?” Sunset asked as they reached the bottom.

“I love riding horses!” she squeaked, followed her face scrunching up into horror at what she had just said and buried her face in her hands as she lit up scarlet. “I mean, yes. You can set me down now, I can handle it from here.”

Sunset, doing her best to contain her laughter, obliged and set Sweetie Belle down on the bottom step. She grabbed the phone and started to dial the number. “You like pineapple, right, Sweetie Belle?”

Sweetie Belle blinked in surprise. Only her sister and her friends knew that, as she didn’t like it when people made fun of others for liking it. She wondered if Rarity had told her? “Uh, right.”

Sunset smiled and ordered the pizza, then after she set the phone down she turned to Sweetie Belle and said, “I’m sorry Rarity had to cancel on you tonight; she knows you had been looking forward to this.”

Sweetie Belle huffed and turned her head. “It’s just to be expected once the spotlight shines on Rarity.”

“I know you don’t mean that,” Sunset said softly as she walked up to her and rubbed her head.

Sweetie Belle felt her annoyance fade away and she sighed, gently nuzzling her head into Sunset’s hand. Just feeling those slender, warm finger rub into her scalp was soothing.

Sunset removed her hand and said, “Come on, we can rest on the couch while we wait for the pizza and your nails to dry.”

Sweetie Belle nodded and stood up, starting to wobble her way over to the couch as Sunset walked closely by her. They both plopped down onto the couch and Sweetie Belle sat straight up while Sunset slouched back. Sunset turned her head to the window and said, “Beautiful weather today; the snow just came down perfectly.”

“Yeah, and it made me come straight down as well earlier,” Sweetie Belle replied without missing a beat.

“Oh?” Sunset set as she turned toward her, an intrigued smirk plastered across her face.

“I fell down into a deep mound because of the snow and Apple Bloom and Scootaloo had to pull me out.”

Sunset laughed. “Sounds like another day for the Crusaders.”

Sweetie blushed; the ventures she and her friends got into were well known across the school. Particularly their failures.

Deciding to change the subject, Sweetie Belle asked, “So, what makes you like the cold? I thought you loved the heat.”

“Oh, don’t get me wrong, I do prefer heat over cold, but there’s always a kind of magic to be found in winter,” Sunset explained. “Some things I realized only after I made friends with your sister and the others, but there were some things I found back when I still lived in Equestria.”

“Like what?” Sweetie Belle asked as she tilted her head.

“Well, whenever I was experiencing a slump during winter, just gazing out at the snow and imagining what could come about of that pure, white canvas always led to some inspiration down the line, and when it was cold Princess Celestia would always snuggle with me warmly, and…”

Sunset trailed off, closing her eyes as she smiled.

“What?” Sweetie Belle asked as she leaned forward.

“Oh, just a little bit of magic the Princess would do every year,” Sunset said. “She would always cast a spell over Canterlot and white bell shaped flowers with wavy red linings would grow about over the rooftops and walls and each winter evening, when she rose the moon, the light reflected off of the moon would hit the flowers just right and they would start to glow bright yellow like the sun and play music in perfect tandem, ringing throughout all of Canterlot. She liked to call them sunbells.”

“Wow,” Sweetie breathed. “I would love to hear them.”

“Unfortunately, with how specific and wild the magic is here, I don’t think I’d be able to make any,” Sunset said apologetically. Her face lit up a moment later as she added, “But I do still remember all of the notes.”

Sunset stood up and walked over to her guitar, then sat back down next to Sweetie Belle. She tested a few strings and said, “It won’t sound the same, but the tone should be right.”

Sweetie Belle sat in attention as Sunset started to play. It started off slow, soft, and each note played flowed over her, a melancholic feel to it. As Sunset went on it increased in tempo, feeling the the melancholy turn to bittersweet joy that flourished, each note dancing across one another into a sky of color. As Sunset played, Sweetie started to sing; she wasn’t sure where the lyrics came from, but they just felt right.

“Each day that comes, I feel so cold without you, a whisper of your company in my shadow. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry we could not mend who we were. If I had one more wintry day, I would tell you that I loved you!

“I would go out and play with you in the starry snow and snuggle with you by the fire! Please forgive me for what I’ve done! If I could have one more wintry day with you I would tell you I love you!

“I await the day our sisterhood blooms once more next year, I will hold you dearly and reignite the summer of our youth. Please return to me so that I may tell you I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry we could not not who we were! If I could have one more wintry day with you I would tell you I love you!

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry we could not mend who we were. If I had one more wintry day, I would tell you that I loved you!” Sweetie’s beautiful voiced boomed, matching the beat of Sunset’s song on point, the unicorn-turned-human smiling at her dazzlingly.

As Sunset’s song started to slow once more, the melancholic tone returned, but more subdued and settling down, a red aura overcoming her as her pony ears and tail grew. Sweetie continued to sing.

“Please remember that I miss you, I miss you flying in your night sky, snowflakes dancing with you in the moonlight of our youth, the stars twinkling just for you. Come back to me next summer so that we may hold one another again and fly together with one more wintry day for us to play and hold one another once more.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry we could not mend who we were. If I had one more wintry day, I would tell you that I loved you!

“Sleep now my dear and remember that I love you now and evermore throughout our warm and cold days. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry that I could not mend my ways. Hear my bells and know I miss you too.

“If I could have one more wintry day with you I would tell you I love you.”

Sweetie Belle gulped, raising her hand to her cheeks, feeling the tears streaming down her face.

“Are you okay?” Sunset asked as she set her hand on Sweetie Belle’s shoulder, her magic fading.

“Y-yeah,” Sweetie Belle said. “I just got too caught up in the song.”

Sunset smiled and pulled Sweetie Belle into a hug. Sweetie Belle’s eyebrows ose up and she looked up at Sunset. Sunset explained, “Guess some magic of the sunbells still works here. I used to think those same lyrics when I was a filly - albeit with slight changes for Equestria’s vocabulary.”

Sweetie Belle nodded, feeling lighter and more at ease with Sunset. It was as if the song was assuring her of her worries, to tell her to become better before it was too late. She started to speak up, but then the doorbell rang. “That must be the pizza,” Sunset said as she stood up and stretched. She made her way over to the door while Sweetie sat where she was, lightly kicking her feet back and forth.

Sunset returned and sat the pizza down on the coffee table before them. She and Sweetie Belle took a slice each and ate them in silence over the next few minutes. As she nibbled on a slice of pineapple, Sweetie Belle asked, “Has anyone - er, anypony - ever felt a resonation with the sunbells back in Equestria?”

Sunset smiled sadly and said, “Yeah, actually. Princess Celestia would always tell me of how ponies who had been fighting or were uncertain about their feelings would always feel the magic of the sunbells and make up with ponies they loved - whether it was as friends, lovers, or family - and come to learn something more about themselves as well.”

“Did you?” Sweetie Belle asked softly.

Sunset went quiet as the smile was wiped from her face. “I had the opportunity. I had been becoming so obsessed with my destiny I saw in the mirror and growing so distant from the Princess when she wouldn’t give me my answers. It was during the final day of winter when I crossed over into this world. I could hear the last ringing notes of the sunbells as I ran for the portal, feelings of stopping and going back to the Princess filling my mind.

“But I ignored them in favor of power. If I had taken what the sunbells symbolized for Princess Celestia, I might have understood myself better then. Changed all of this.”

“But then we never would have met,” Sweetie Belle uttered softly, her eyes widening in realization that she had said that aloud.

Sunset smiled and rubbed her head gently. “No, I suppose not. I’m certainly glad we did.”

Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow at how happy Sunset was over that and wanted to ask what she meant, but instead she asked, “Why did you agree to babysit me tonight? I’m sure you must have had other plans.”

“Oh, for sure,” Sunset replied. “But I can catch up quickly enough and Rarity needed me. Besides, I was hoping to hear you sing.”

Sweetie Belle nearly choked on a bit of pizza, Sunset giving her a good slap to the back and Sweetie Belle coughed the piece out and Sunset poured some water for her. As she calmed down, Sweetie Belle looked up and asked, “You like my singing that much?”

“Of course!” Sunset beamed. “Ever since your first song.”

As Sweetie Belle tried to remember the first time she sang in front of Sunset, she stopped herself and realized that Sunset had said her first song.

Sunset pulled out her phone and brought up the video. The one of Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom singing - the Show Stoppers video.

Sweetie Belle’s eyes turned to pinpricks as she sucked in her breath; she felt herself die a bit inside, remembering all of the comments making fun of them in that video. She had hoped that Sunset never saw that video and hear was her worst nightmare in front of her.

“This really helped me, you know,” Sunset smiled as the video played.

“What?” Sweetie Belle asked incredibly.

“I was… not in a good place after the Fall Formal last year,” Sunset said softly, rubbing her bare feet together. “I didn’t know how I was going to try to be better with what the whole school knew about me. But then I saw this video, how cruel everyone was being in the comments. Sure, it wasn’t the best performance in the world, but it wasn’t that bad. I thought it showed great promise with practice - especially you. You shone above all.

“But even with how everyone acted, you continued to sing. You and your friends kept trying no matter what others thought. Your voice rang true and I wanted to keep hearing you sing. I kept track of when you and the Crusaders would sing so I could hear you - to be reminded of how you inspired me to keep trying.”

Sweetie Belle couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Sunset not only liked that terrible song they made, but was inspired by it. The song that everybody always used against them for their own petty reasons kept Sunset going during the worst moments of her life. She remembered how Sunset would often try to help them with things, such as the banner…

Sweetie Belle gasped as she felt Sunset’s hand wrap around hers. She looked up to see Sunset inching closer to her, her amber colored cheeks a soft shade of red. Sweetie Belle could feel her breath, her own heart thumping loudly. She inched closer as well, gazing into Sunset’s eyes.

A crunchy splat hit Sunset in the side of the head and the fiery haired teen stumbled over the other side of the couch as Sweetie Belle turned her head sharply to the window to see friends outside, each holding a snowball and looking quite apologetic as Sunset lifted her head over the couch to glare at them.

“Uh, sorry, Sunset,” Scootaloo grimaced as she and Apple Bloom slowly back away. “I called Apple Bloom and told her how I saw Rarity out with some guy from Crystal Prep and decided we should come give Sweetie Belle a snowy visit. I didn’t mean to hit you.”

Sweetie Belle, meanwhile, had been scooping up the snow that had hit Sunset and threw it at Scootaloo, hitting her in the face. As Scootaloo fell back, Sunset turned toward Sweetie Belle and smirked, Sweetie Belle returning it. “Snowball fight!” they both cried out and ran toward the open window and jumped out at the two Crusaders.

They both shivered as their bare feet touched the snow, but they quickly scooped up some snow and started throwing them at Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. The two started to retreat behind a snow mound for cover as Sunset and Sweetie Belle laughed.

Sweetie Belle ran over to a tree with heavy snow on the branches while Sunset kept Apple Bloom and Scootaloo busy with an onslaught of snowballs. She pressed her bare hands and feet to the hard wood and began to climb up. Unlike Rarity, she knew how to get dirty. A lot.

Once she made it up, she crawled over to a branch hanging over her friends and - seeing their attention was on Sunset - began to shake it and watched as the snow fell down and piled on top of them.

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo gasped as they rose out of the snow pile and looked at each other, laughing. As Sweetie Belle climbed down from the tree, shivering even as she was smiling widely, Sunset came on over and plucked her off. Holding Sweetie Belle in her arms, she said, “All right, girls. Let's go in before Sweetie and I catch cold.”

Sunset carried Sweetie Belle over to the window and set her down so Sweetie could crawl back in, followed by Sunset, who pressed her feet together as she sat at the windowsill to kick the snow off her feet. Once she was fully back in, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo came in as well, shutting the window behind them. Sunset went through Rarity's pantry and started making some tea to warm them all up while Sweetie Belle went to light up the fireplace.

As the sparks crackled and blazed, the three Crusaders sat down happily by the flames while the soothing scent of earl gray settled throughout the house. Sweetie Belle sat with her legs stretched out toward the fireplace, warming them up after running in the snow. Apple Bloom turned toward her friend and asked, “Sooo, what were you and Sunset up to?”

“Nothing!” Sweetie Belle squeaked quietly, her friends giving her Cheshire grins.

“Heh, sorry; if I knew you two were having a moment, I wouldn't have thrown that snowball,” Scootaloo nodded.

“Shh!” Sweetie Belle hushed, glancing back to see Sunset was still in the kitchen. “It wasn't – I mean... how much did you see?”

“How long have you liked Sunset?” Apple Bloom whispered, leaning in as she grinned eagerly.

“Since the Battle of the Bands,” Sweetie Belle confessed. When the Dazzlings' spell was lifted the first clear image I saw was Sunset singing... followed by her beautiful transformation. It was like seeing an angel ascend...”

Scootaloo pretended to gag, but after a punch on the shoulder from Apple Bloom she grinned. “Hey, no judging here. Everyone knows Sunset is hot – and single. Lucky for you, Sweetie Belle.”

“There's no way she would be interested in me,” Sweetie Belle countered, shifting her gaze toward her feet.

“I don't know, Sunset seemed pretty into you as well in the moment before the snowball hit,” Apple Bloom said.

“Do you think so?”

“Hey, spring's coming up,” Apple Bloom smiled. “Why not plant that seed now and see if it blooms?”

Sweetie breathed solemnly as considered her friend's words; was she right? Was there hope in pursuing Sunset? Sweetie Belle had always been afraid to try; why bother when Sunset had so many other options?

Before Sweetie Belle could give a reply, Sunset walked back in. She was carrying a tray with four cups of tea and handed one to each of the Crusaders, before sitting down next to Sweetie Belle with her own. She sipped it slowly as she sat by the fire, humming as the fire crackled and popped, warmth flowing over her.

Sweetie Belle glanced at Sunset, seeing how the light of the light lit up her amber skin; it just made her smile seem all the more brighter. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom looked at one another and nodded, quickly finishing their tea – and wincing as they stuck their tongues out right afterward and waving their hands to cool them – then stood up and stretched.

“Well, I reckon it's time we head on home,” Apple Bloom said, giving Sweetie Belle an encouraging wink.

“Just stay safe walking home, girls,” Sunset told them as they gathered their stuff. “Spring may start tomorrow, but it's still icy out on the roads.”

“We know, we know,” Scootaloo retorted with a roll of her eyes.

Sunset walked the two to the door while Sweetie Belle sat by the fire, collecting herself. She chewed on her lower lip as she thought of herself with Sunset. Holding hands in the park, hugging each other, their lips pressed against one another softly, but growing more tender with each passing moment...

Sweetie Belle shook her head, blushing. She really needed to ease up on the romance novels and fairy tales she read.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

Sweetie Belle jumped off the ground, turning her head to see Sunset crouching down right next to her, looking at Sweetie Belle with a soft smile. “Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you.”

“No, no, I wasn't paying attention,” Sweetie Belle said, sipping up the last of her tea.

The clocked chimed deeply. Sunset and Sweetie Belle looked up to see it was now nine o'clock just as the second chime rang out.

“Wow, this late already?” Sunset whistled. “We better start getting you ready for bed.”

Sweetie Belle huffed, “I'm not a baby.”

Sunset smiled and replied, “I know you're not, but I think we both don't want Rarity drama queening it up when she gets home.”

Sweetie Belle laughed and nodded, standing up. As she did, she looked out the window to see a few snowflakes falling. Sunset turned to watch as well. The white, frosty petals descended like stardust, the full moon shining in the night sky, glittered with stars.

Sweetie Belle breathed softly as she watched. It was strange, she thought. Just that afternoon she had said she hated snow. But now, everything about it seemed... lighter, warmer... pure. She unconsciously found herself reaching for Sunset and wrapped her fingers around Sunset's gently. She hadn't even noticed until Sunset squeezed her hand back.

Sweetie Belle turned her head as the last snowfall of winter came to a stop and was now staring into Sunset's teal eyes. They were breathing softly as they held hands; Sweetie Belle gulped as she briefly thought about letting go – just letting this end while it was still nice.

But as she thought about the song she had sang to Sunset's music earlier, she summoned up her courage and said, “I like you, Sunset. I really, really do.”

She had done it. She half expected what Sunset would say, but this was fine. She didn't want to live a life with any regrets about what was not said now. As her fingers started to let go of Sunset's, she found herself being held onto.

Sunset was not letting go, her eyes watery, but her face was smiling widely. She looked right into Sweetie Belle's eyes and said, “I like you too, Sweetie. I am in love with you.”

Sweetie Belle found herself not breathing for a moment, her heart thundering. She found her other hand being taken in by Sunset's free hand and they stood before one another. Sweetie Belle's face soon morphed from a shocked o shape to a trembling smile, holding onto Sunset as if she would blow away at any moment.

Sunset raised a hand and gently stroked Sweetie Belle's hair while Sweetie Belle began to stand on her tiptoes. Sunset leaned down as she shut her eyes.

It was warm, it was soft, and it was quick.

Sweetie Belle hummed for a moment in the kiss, opening her eyes as she met Sunset's.

“More,” she whispered.

Sunset smiled and leaned down again to kiss her, a little longer this time before breaking.

“More.”

Sweetie Belle moaned softly as she allowed Sunset in, their tongues touching. It was different than how she had read in books. The kissing was making her blush, her heart beating harder, but the warmth that spread from there came from what she felt about Sunset and Sunset in turn about her.

They both wrapped their arms around one another slowly as their kissed deepened. Sunset lifted Sweetie Belle off her feet, holding onto her as they kissed. Sweetie Belle felt she was ascending into the snowy sky, her feet dangling. She pressed herself against Sunset as best she could, wanting to enjoy every moment of this.

Neither one heard the door opening or slamming with fury, Rarity walking on right by them, her face streaked with wet, black blotches of makeup and tears. She went to the fridge and grabbed a carton of ice cream as she went over to her fainting couch and fell onto it as she held the container to her chest.

“Oh! Woe is me!” she cried as she opened the ice cream up and began to scoop some out, taking brief joy in each bite. “How could tonight go so wrong when it had been planned with Twilight's help? Just why did Fluttershy and her friend Tree Hugger run into us? Trenderhoof was enjoying me just fine until he got a whiff of whatever it was she was smoking!”

As she ate another scoop of ice cream, she noticed something was off. No groans, no chortles, not even the feeling one gets when one is watched with disinterested eyes. Rarity opened her eyes and turned toward Sunset and Sweetie Belle, dropping the ice cream as she saw them kissing passionately.

“OH MY GOODNESS!”



***


Warm sunlight danced across Sweetie Belle's face as she awoke. She yawned softly as she sat up, rubbing her eyes. Last night had been wonderful – right up until she and Sunset noticed Rarity had finally come home. Sweetie Belle had been worried about Rarity forbidding them.

On the contrary, Rarity demanded all of the juicy details as to how the two had gotten up to that point eagerly, her troubles with Trenderhoof briefly forgotten. Rarity was quite taken with the tale and was happy for them – though, she had docked Sunset's pay a bit since she wasn't supposed to be romancing her baby sister while babysitting her.

“I'm not a baby,” Sweetie Belle had huffed as she crossed her arms to the laughter of Sunset and Rarity.

Sweetie Belle walked over to the window and saw Sunset out on the front porch, sipping some hot cocoa. Rarity had insisted Sunset stay the night so she could have someone to vent to about Trenderhoof and ask more details about how long she had liked Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle was sure her big sister would come for more of her side soon enough.

Sweetie Belle made her way down to the porch outside and shivered lightly as the warm sunlight hit her. She came up next to Sunset, who wrapped an arm around her and held her close. Sweetie Belle looked out into the partially melted snow and saw a sunflower already making it's way up through it to welcome spring.

Sweetie Belle breathed deeply as she asked, “Sunset, would you mind playing that song again?”

Sunset obliged and picked up her guitar and began to play the first few notes. It was still beautiful and rang clearly, but Sweetie Belle felt something was off. It was just as perfect as yesterday, but a special key was missing.

When she had asked about it, Sunset answered, “It's probably because winter's over. Princess Celestia only ever had the sunbells grow during winter. Countless musicians have tried to capture the sound in other times of the year, but the peak was always winter.”

Sweetie Belle nodded sadly and kissed Sunset softly. “I want to play it with you again next winter.”

Sunset smiled and kissed her right back. “I would love to.”

Sunset continued to play while Sweetie Belle sang the lyrics she had heard in her head softly. It wasn't the same, but still just as beautiful. Sweetie Belle hoped to see the sunbells herself one winter day when it was cold out and she was holding onto Sunset warmly.

As the song ended, Sunset grinned wickedly at Sweetie Belle and said, “You know, Sweetie, I've been thinking about something you said last night.”

“Hm?”

“I wouldn't mind it if you ever felt like riding horses other than me.”

Sweetie Belle's face morphed into horror as her eyes went wide, her cheeks flushing. She started to lightly beat her hands against Sunset's side while the latter boomed with laughter.

A bit of melted snow fell from on high and hit both girls; they looked at one another and laughed.


The End