A bright red Honda sports bike rocketed through the nearly empty streets of Canterlot, heading towards the downtown. This early on Hearths Warming Day it was practically alone, allowing Sunset Shimmer a rare degree of freedom on the road.
It was a crisp winter morning with the chilled air cutting into Sunset’s unprotected face. It may have been only a dozen degrees below freezing but on the back of her bike the wind was enough to chill her exposed skin to an uncomfortable degree.
Sometime during her trip to Equestria it had snowed. Not much, just enough to add a light dusting to colour the gray streets and barren trees a beautiful white. Festive storefronts and decorated lampposts whizzed by on either side, adding to the holiday spirit.
As she stopped at a red light, near city hall, she could see its massive tree standing proud, decorated with all manner of lights and ornaments. A top the city hall’s modernist roof stood old Saint Gift Giver, smiling down at her. There was a motor within the cut out’s arm, allowing it to wave back and forth.
She couldn’t help but wave back. Though she quickly looked around to make sure no one saw that.
When the light turned green Sunset accelerated to a decent clip, driving home at the fastest legal speed.
Eventually, the proudly decorated and well maintained urban core gave way to a less desirable part of town. While this was nowhere near the worst area in the city it still failed to capture the same level of festive cheer. There were no decorations present and few storefronts promoted the holidays.
Her bike came to a stop outside of a brick apartment building named ‘Oak Park’. A bizarre name considering the nearest park was six blocks east and didn’t even have trees.
She pulled into an adjacent alleyway, wheeling her bike into a little spot near the building’s dumpster. It wasn’t quite a parking space but it wasn’t like her bike took up much room. Plus, her landlady was cool with it.
As she was putting her bike away a fresh layer of snow began to fall. It would seem like she had some impeccable timing.
The snow was a mixed blessing. Sure, it’d make it difficult for her to get to Twilight’s later. However, on the other hand she had always loved a white Hearths Warming. Back in Equestria having snow today was a given but here it was just luck of the dice. It was the price to pay when weather pattern were determined by complex natural systems rather than government employees.
Once her bike was secure she walked around the building, entering through the front door. Her flat was on the fifth floor, at the very top. As the building lacked an elevator she began to jog up the steps.
It sucked having to do this every day. Though on the bright side, it saved her the cost of a gym membership
Once she reached the final landing she entered a hallway with six doors in it. Only a single one had a Hearths Warming wreath.
This was hers.
She approached and pulled out her key. However, before she could unlock the door, the sound of footsteps came from the other side.
Was she getting robbed?!
The footsteps moved back and forth through her apartment, moving first to her door and then away from it.
It was a very real possibility. What kind of asshole robs people on Hearths Warming?
Sunset reached out and touched the doorknob, gingerly testing it. It moved as if it were unlocked. Someone else must have done this it because she could distinctly remember locking it. Now only three people had a key to her place. One was herself, one was her landlady, who was probably away for the holidays, and finally there was…ohhhh.
She pushed open the door and walked inside, flashing a big smile.
“Hey beautiful,” she said.
On the other side was Twilight Sparkle. This world’s version of her anyways. She was dressed for the holidays, wearing a bright red wool sweeter with a very happy looking snowman on it.
Twilight turned in surprise. “Sunset?”
“What are you doing here?” Sunset asked. “I thought we were meeting at your place?”
She took off her winter coat, hanging it upon a battered coat rack in what passed for her entryway.
“I decided to come over and surprise you. Though it seems like you were out.”
Sunset walked over, wrapping her arms around Twilight.
Twilight smiled and squeezed her back. Her precious warmth radiated off of her and into Sunset who gladly took as much as she could.
Gods it was so cold outside.
“Oh really? Well now I’m pretty sad that I missed out. I’m always excited for surprises involving you,” Sunset said.
Twilight lightly blushed, her lavender cheeks darkened by the red.
Sunset loved it when Twilight blushed. It’s probably why she took such great pride in her ability to get her to do it.
As the embrace went on Sunset leaned forward and pecked Twilight tenderly on the forehead.
It was nice being the tall one again.
The embrace finally came to an end as Twilight took a step back. Though she reached forward and gently squeezed Sunset’s hand.
“I brought some eggnog,” Twilight said.
Sunset grinned. “The good stuff?”
Twilight nodded and Sunset immediately headed towards her kitchen nook.
Once there, she opened the fridge and scanned it for the eggnog. At first she was unable to find it but after moving her bananas and bag of milk to the side she found the carton.
She grabbed it, bringing it over to the counter and pouring its contents into her two largest mugs. It was nearly as thick as pancake batter.
This was definitely the good stuff.
When the mugs were full she put the carton away and headed back to Twilight.
Twilight had taken a seat next to Sunset’s dinky little artificial Hearths Warming tree. It was pretty bare with only a few strands of red and white lights draped around it and her plastic crown acting as a star.
Sunset took a seat next to Twilight, handing her the mug.
Twilight grabbed it and took a small sip. She then leaned against Sunset, resting her head upon her shoulder.
“I love your sweater,” Sunset said.
Twilight looked at it. “Oh this? My mom got it for me.”
“It fits you.”
“I mean of course it does, it’s a medium.”
“I meant more that it’s dorky but cute. You know, like you.”
“O-oh.”
Twilight hid behind her mug, taking another sip to obscure her tinted cheeks. This only made Sunset grin harder.
“So, where were you?” Twilight asked.
“After work I went to go visit the Princess. You know, to give her our Hearths Warming gift?”
“Oh, so you slept at her place?”
“Well there wasn’t much sleeping.”
Twilight grinned mischievously. “Oh?”
Now it was Sunset’s turn to blush. “I didn’t mean it like that! We were just up late talking. We haven’t seen each other in ages.”
“Yes, I’m sure that’s exactly what you two were doing.”
Sunset huffed loudly. “You’re so lucky you’re cute.”
“So, since you were up late ‘talking’…”
“Honestly, we were just talking, I swear.”
“Look I’m not denying the fact that one party might have been vocal.”
Sunset’s blush deepened. “I hate you so much.”
Twilight stuck out her tongue.
“Anyways,” she continued. “Does this mean you pulled an all-nighter?”
Sunset nodded.
“Are you going to be conscious enough to go to my parent’s?”
“Yeah, I powered through a Rockstar on the way here. I’m good to go.”
Twilight frowned. “Those aren’t good for you.”
“Look…”
“Loooook?”
“Give me a sec, I’m trying to think of a good excuse.”
“Want to take a nap?”
“No, I’m good, I swear.”
Twilight looked concerned. “Alright…”
A silence settled between them as Sunset began to survey the room.
Maybe this wasn’t exactly the life she had envisioned for herself but all things considered, this was still pretty great. A couple fantastic girlfriends, a place to call home, a present under the tree…
Wait, a present under the tree?!
She looked to Twilight who looked back with a coy grin.
“You didn’t,” Sunset said.
“I did.”
“Twilight,” she whined. “We promised that we weren’t going to spend money on each other.”
“Look Sunset, it isn’t much.”
Sunset got up and knelt beside the tree. The box was far bigger than, ‘not much’.
She voiced this opinion. “This is a lot more than not much, babe.”
“Just open it.”
The box shared a length and width with her torso though it was far shallower. It was wrapped in a white and gold paper with a silver ribbon and bright red bow. Attached to the ribbon was a little tag which stated who the gift was from and who was receiving it.
Sunset tore the wrapping to shreds. Clearly, she has never received the lesson about conserving and recycling wrapping paper while growing up. Underneath was a solid black clothing box with an fancily penned golden cursive in the upper left corner. While she had never heard of the brand before, it seemed expensive. This only fed into Sunset’s anxiety.
The box felt unnaturally heavy. This wasn’t a shirt, blouse, or even a pair of jeans. No this was something with far more heft.
There was no point in drawing it out any longer. She popped the lid off the box and pulled out its contents.
It was a leather jacket, much like the one she had previously owned. Really the only difference was age. Her previous had been old and beaten while this one was brand new with a rich black leather that still held its distinctive smell.
Sunset was stunned.
“Twilight…you didn’t have to,” she said.
Twilight smiled and kissed her on the cheek. “I know, but I wanted to.”
“There’s no way I could ever give you a gift that’s even remotely as good.”
“You already have.”
Sunset looked at her. “What?”
“Before I met you, I was a social recluse who barely left her house and whose only real friend was a dog. You saved me from myself Sunset and…” She took a deep breath. “… and I love you for that.”
Sunset grinned. “I love you too babe.”
“Plus, I saw this on sale and I knew how much you missed your jacket.”
“I mean we turned it into a vest but…but this is so much better.”
“I thought you might like it.”
Sunset took a silent sip from her eggnog. “I love it.”
She reached over and placed her hand upon Twilight’s cheek, brushing her hair aside. A moment later she leaned in, kissing Twilight passionately upon the lips.
In theory it should have been a very romantic gesture.
In practice?
Twilight flinched and pulled back.
“Sunset,” Twilight said.
“Yes?”
“Your breath tastes like eggnog.”
Smooth moves, Shimmer.
Smooth moves.