//------------------------------//
// Date Night 
// Story: A Ray of Sunlight 
// by BChunter426 
//------------------------------//

"Good morning beautiful. I love you."
    Twilight smiled broadly at the message that greeted her as she woke up.
    "Good morning! I love you too! :)"
    This was the perfect way to start the day. She and Sunset had made plans to spend the last day before the break ended together. Twilight hurriedly got ready and waited for Sunset in the living room. She was fidgeting with the sleeve of her jacket when a knock sounded at the door.
    "I'll get it!" She leapt from her seat and yanked the door open.
    "Hey babe, you ready to go?" Sunset asked. 
    "Mhmm! Bye mom, I'll see you later tonight!" Twilight called back before taking Sunset's hand and heading toward the car.
    "Be safe you two!" Velvet called from the doorway. She shook her head in amusement as the old SUV pulled away. "Oh to be young and in love."
    The young couple drove to the mall to see a movie and partake in the food court cuisine. Twilight ordered some Chinese food while Sunset got a burger. They wandered the stores, hand in hand, walking out of several with new purchases. Sunset eyed one store in particular as they passed by.
    "You want to go to Hot Topic don't you?" Twilight smirked.
    "I can't help it, it has merch for some of my favorite stuff!" She defended herself. "Besides it's where all the edgy kids go."
    "Sunset, you're about as edgy as a pillow." She laughed, pulling her in the direction of the store.
    "I can be edgy." She sulked.
    Twilight laughed and kissed her cheek. "I'm sure you can."
    After scouring the store both girls left with new items. Sunset had a few shirts with bands she enjoyed and a couple blind box figures of Disney characters. While Twilight had bought all four vinyl figures from the upcoming Daring Do movie.
    "See? I told you it was a good store!" Sunset smiled. 
    "I never said it wasn't. I've never been in one before today actually. I can see myself making a return trip though."
    It was almost time for their movie, so they ran out to Sunset's car to drop off their purchases. In the line for concessions Sunset couldn't take her eyes off Twilight. She loved the way she rested a finger on her chin and scrunched her eyebrows as she studied the menu. She wrapped her arms round the girl's waist and kissed her cheek.
    "What are you craving?" Sunset asked. "Get what you want, it's my treat."
    "No, you've paid for the last few dates. I'm getting this one."
    "You can try." Sunset said playfully.
    "-ext." said the bored looking young man at the register.
    "What was that?" Twilight asked.
    "I said I can help who's next." He said in that same bored tone.
    Twilight realized he meant them. "Whoops, sorry. We'll take a number two and and an order of nachos please." 
    "Could we get an extra side of cheese too?"
    "What's the extra cheese for?" Twilight asked.
    "For dipping popcorn!"
    Twilight gave her an odd look.
    "Trust me you'll like it." Sunset smiled.
    "Your total is eighteen fifty. Would you like to upgrade to our refillable mugs?"
    "We're good." Twilight said as she reached for her wallet. 
    It was then that Sunset struck. She gave a quick tickle to the back of Twilight's knee which distracted her just long enough for Sunset to hand her card over.
    "Hey, you cheated!" Twilight laughed. 
    "All's fair in love and war." She smirked.
    "Fine, but I'm getting dinner!" 
    The boy behind the counter rolled his eyes and slid their concessions toward them. They collected their treats and made their way to their theater. They were able to get seats in the middle of the auditorium, which Sunset assured were the best seats in the house. The armrest between their seats went up immediately and the two got comfortable. Sunset took the lid off the extra nacho cheese and dipped a kernel of popcorn. Twilight eventually tried the combination herself and wound up eating more than Sunset.
    After the movie was over the two walked hand in hand toward the parking lot.
    "See, I told you it was a great movie!" Sunset said. 
    "It really was! I enjoyed it way more than I thought." She smiled. "Though I did miss a little bit in the middle. The making out distracted me a little bit."
    Sunset turned bright red. "Sorry, I don't know what came over me." She rubbed her neck nervously.
    Twilight laughed and reveled in the moment, she didn't get Sunset to blush that badly very often. So when she did she made sure to savor it. She hugged Sunset's arm and planted a kiss on her cheek.
    "It's alright, I didn't mind." 
    "Twilight?" Said a voice from behind them.
    "Yes?" She said as she turned to face the inquisitive speaker. "Sour Sweet! Oh my gosh, how are you?" Twilight greeted her old friend from Crystal Prep.
    "I'm doing well. How about yourself?" She eyed Sunset curiously.
    "I'm doing great. Sunset and I just saw a movie and are on our way out." Twilight realized she hadn't made introductions yet. "Sorry. Sunset, this is my friend from my old school, Sour Sweet. Sour Sweet this is my girlfriend Sunset Shimmer."
    The girls shook hands. "Girlfriend huh? Can't say I saw it coming." Sour Sweet chuckled.
    "Yeah I didn't either until I met her." She entwined her fingers with Sunset's.
    "Well as long as you're happy that's all that matters."
    "How are the others?" Twilight asked.
    "They're around here somewhere, we're supposed to meet here for a movie of our own."
    The three of them heard loud slightly off key singing coming their way. Lemon Zest leapt on top of a bench to play a riff on an air guitar before jumping down to meet the others.
    "God I love this song!" She said loudly.
    Sour Sweet pulled one of the headphones away from the girl's ear. "You're talking too loud, turn it down!" She said over the music. "Geez, you're going to blow your eardrums one of these days
    "Oops, sorry. Hey Twilight, long time no see." She placed the headphones around her neck, the music still audible.
    "How have you been Lemon?" She asked.
    "Can't complain. I see you're doing pretty well for yourself." She winked and pointed finger guns at Sunset.
    Twilight's grip on Sunset's hand tightened a bit.
    "So how long has this been happening?" She asked. 
    "Since mid November." Twilight told her.
    Lemon Zest snapped her finger. "Darn looks like I've missed my chance."
    "What?" Twilight said, feeling confused.
      "Yeah, I had the biggest crush on you when you were at CP. I'm surprised you didn't pick up on it."
    This time it was Sunset's turn to hold Twilight's hand tighter. 
    "I'm glad she didn't." She said a little too harshly. "Hi, I'm Sunset Shimmer."
    "Lemon Zest, nice to meet you." She said un-phased. "You don't need to worry, I've moved on." 
    "Oh, are you dating someone?" Twilight asked.
    "I'm working on it." She said, her gaze falling over Twilight's shoulder.
    Twilight glanced over her shoulder to see Sugarcoat rounding the corner followed closely by Sunny Flare and Indigo Zap. A sultry smile spread over Lemon Zest's face.
    "Sugarcoat? Really?" Twilight said.
    "What can I say, I like a girl in glasses. Intellectuals are sexy." She gave a wink and a little salute before heading off to meet the others.
    Sour Sweet shook her head. "What am I gonna do with her?"
    Twilight chuckled. "She hasn't changed one bit has she?"
    "Oh she's much more flirty these days, any pretense of subtlety is gone." She said.
    The other girls from Twilight's old school approached and made their greetings. Indigo reminded Sunset of Rainbow Dash with her energetic attitude. Sunny Flare was a bit standoffish, but Sunset brushed it off easily enough. Then there was Sugarcoat, she didn't say much but when she did it was very blunt and to the point.
    "Hi Twilight, haven't talked to you since you moved to Canterlot High. It's like you wanted to cut out your past when you moved." Sugarcoat said.
    "Im so sorry about that." She said with sincerity. "I feel really bad about not talking to you all. I swear I wasn't trying to cut you out of my life. I just got busy and-"
    "Twilight it's fine." Sour Sweet interrupted. "We aren't exactly free of blame either. We could have just as easily reached out."
    "How about we do better going forward about staying in touch?" Indigo suggested.
    They all agreed and made sure they had each other's number before the Crystal Prep girls headed toward the movie theater.
    "It was great to meet you." Sour Sweet said to Sunset.
    "Likewise, enjoy your movie." She said.
    "Dibs sitting by Sugarcoat!" Lemon Zest shouted before linking arms with the surprised girl.
    "See what I mean?" Sour Sweet chuckled before joining the rest of her group.
    Twilight and Sunset made their way to the next destination. They pulled into the parking lot of the Canterlot Ice Rink. Sunset's confidence in her skating abilities began to falter as she laced up her skates. It had been a few years since she had last been on the ice. 
    Shakily, she got to her feet. The feeling of perilously balancing on the blades was odd. 
    "Could you help me up?" Twilight asked from the bench.
    The two wobbled their way to the entrance to the ice sheet. Sunset watched the people out on the ice as some spun with Olympic skill and grace, mothers and fathers helped their children with smiles on their faces. The majority skated the perimeter, the pair waited for an opening and made their way on. Once Sunset was moving it came back to her and she was able to stay upright almost the entire time.
    Twilight and Sunset circled the rink for the next little while, hand in hand. A young boy zipped by them and fell forward, sliding on his hands. Twilight skated over to him and tried to soothe him. She said something to make him laugh right before his mother arrived to collect him.
    "I told you to wait for us!" She said sternly while holding a younger girl.
      "Sorry mom." He said.
    "Are you alright?" She asked a little softer.
    "Yeah, just a scratch." He showed his mom his palm.
    "That's why we wear gloves." She said, handing him a pair. "Thank you for checking on him. He can get a little too excited sometimes."
    "It was no problem." Twilight smiled.
    "He's a tough little kid." Sunset said. "Didn't cry or anything."
    The boy smiled broadly. "Nope, I'm too strong!" He flexed.
    His mom ruffled his hair. "Alright, stop flirting with the poor girls." 
    "Mom!" He protested.
    She laughed and thanked them again before skating off with her kids. The two made a few more laps around the rink before returning  their skates. Sunset rubbed her ankles.
    "Ow, I forgot how rough this was on these."
    Twilight kissed her fingertips and gently pressed them to Sunset's ankle. "Better?"
    She smiled broadly and kissed her. "Much."
    Sunset couldn't help smiling at Twilight as they made their way to the car. She loved how kind she was to everyone. The conversation never lacked as they drove to the restaurant. They placed their orders shortly after being seated and tried to remain composed since it was a nicer establishment.
    Their food arrived piping hot, the aromatic scents wafting up to them from their plates. Their waiter took the empty soup bowls, and bid them a pleasant meal.
    "Oh and be careful of those plates, they are very hot."
    "Thank you." Sunset said. 
    The food was amazing. Sunset had ordered a shrimp and pasta dish while Twilight went for a lasagna with a side of baked zucchini. Sunset was dealing with a particularly long noodle when Twilight scooped the other end up with her fork and met Sunset in the middle. Sunset laughed as she wiped her mouth with her napkin. 
    "You're such a dork." She smiled.
    "Oh come on, you know you've always wanted to do that since the day you saw that movie." Twilight defended herself.
    "Just because you're right doesn't make you any less of a lovable dork." She teased.
    "I have no comeback for that." She took a bite of her food.
    Sufficiently full from their meal, the two gathered their things and headed out into the chilly night air to their next destination. Twilight closed her eyes as she listened to Sunset sing along to the song on the stereo. She loved when Sunset sang, her voice was so beautiful and caused her heart to flutter.
    "Hey, don't go falling asleep on me." Sunset said as she playfully pinched Twilight's side.
    Twilight laughed. "I'm not, I'm just enjoying your voice." 
    Sunset blushed. "You're sweet."
    They pulled up to the entrance of the Everfree Forest and retrieved the extra jackets they had brought with them. Their feet crunched on the thin layer of powder from the night before as they made their way down the trail, Twilight hugging Sunset's arm. 
    "When did you first realize you liked me?" She asked as they neared their spot.
    "Hmm, let me think about that." Sunset raised a finger  to her chin. "I think it was after the first week of classes. After our first couple lunches together where we just talked. I was finally convinced that Adagio didn't send you, and l felt comfortable enough to let my guard down a bit. You didn't try to tear down the walls I put up, you were really patient with me and let me bring them down on my own. The same can’t be said for Pinkie." 
    Twilight laughed. "Yeah, she can be a little intense."
    "It's part of her charm though." She chuckled. "That was just the beginning though, what really cinched it for me was that first time you came to my place and we watched 'Silence of the Lambs'. The way you reacted to everything made me smile the whole time. I thought you were so cute, and that was the first time I thought about what it would be like to date you. It was really hard not to put an arm around you when you got scared."
    "You watched me watch the movie?" Twilight playfully bumped Sunset with her hip and said with a wink. "Creep."
    Sunset bumped her back. "What does that say about your taste in girls if I'm a creep and you still date me?" She laughed. "What about you?"
    "It actually started for me at your house." She said. "I don't know if you remember that moment while we were listening to music on your computer. When our song came on I got this overwhelming urge to kiss you."
    "Are you kidding! I think about that all the time. I had the same urge." 
    Twilight smiled. "I couldn't deny having at least a crush on you after that."
    "Just a crush?" She asked.
    "Hey, I was still in denial about myself. Anyway, what made me realize I wanted to be with you was after we hung out at my house the first time. After seeing how well you got along with my parents and then later that night I listened to that CD you made and our song played there too. I thought back to your place and all the times my heart fluttered when I was around you and I knew I wanted to be with you."
    Sunset looked at her girlfriend with a dreamy smile. "You're such a romantic." She gave her a warm kiss.
    They walked farther into the forest. It was silent except for their footfalls. Twilight couldn't imagine being anywhere else with anyone else. She was taking in the serenity of their surroundings when she felt Sunset suddenly stop. Twilight looked around, wondering what caused this sudden halt. She looked at Sunset who was looking out into the woods.
    "Do you see that?" She asked, pointing out into the trees.
    "See what?" She squinted.
    "Right there, between those trees. I thought I saw a deer or something."
    Twilight focused her gaze on where Sunset was pointing. "I don't see anyth-aaaah!"
    Her words transformed into a surprised scream as the cold chill of snow falling over her and down the back of her shirt washed over her. She ran forward a few paces and began clearing the powder from her hair and neck. She laughed and ran at Sunset who was also laughing and still standing under the now snowless branch.
    "You brat!" She laughed and tried to grab at her.
    Sunset dodged the attack. "I'm sorry, I couldn't resist."
    "I'm going to get you back!" 
    She grabbed a handful of Sunset's coat and pulled herself close enough to wrap her arms around her waist. The two stumbled and fell to the snowy floor. Twilight rolled on top of Sunset and looked into her smiling eyes. Twilight pulled the scarf that covered Sunset's mouth down and kissed her. Their lips were cold from the winter air, but felt warm together. Sunset wrapped her arms around Twilight, pulling her closer as the kiss deepened. After a few minutes had passed Twilight pulled back and placed a hand on Sunset's cheek.   
    "Brat." She repeated
    "Yeah, but you know you love me still." She winked.
    "I do. Do you know what else I love?" 
    "Hmm, what's that?" 
    "How easy you are to distract!"
    In one fluid motion the hand on Sunset's cheek was lifting the layers Sunset was wearing while the other stuffed a small handful of snow down her shirt. Twilight stood and ran up the path a few paces to escape retaliation.
    "Aaaaaah, that's cold! You sneaky devil! I can't believe you used your kisses to bait me into a trap!" She said as she shoveled the invading ice crystals out of her shirt.
    "All's fair in love and war." She teased.
    Sunset continued pulling snow out. "Alright, I deserved that. But babe, what of I lose my boobs to frostbite! I demand you warm them up!" She said with mock ferocity.
    "Alright, come here." She laughed.
    Sunset played up her stomping and fell into Twilight's arms. The two stood there for several minutes. Twilight was unable to hold back her chuckles which caused Sunset to retaliate by pinching Twilight's sides.
    "Much better. Thank you my dear." Sunset said when she was sufficiently warmed.
    "You're welcome." She she smiled. "Shall we continue?" 
    "We shall." 
    Sunset grabbed Twilight's hand and they walked the rest of the way to the rocky overlook Sunset had brought Twilight to in the spring. Twilight gasped when she saw the lake. It had completely frozen over, the fresh snow sparkled and shimmered with the light from the moon and stars above.
    "It's beautiful." Twilight said in awe.
    "It really is. I've never been out here in the winter."
    "Aren't you glad I suggested this?" Twilight smiled. "I love the way everything looks in the winter. It all looks so serene." 
    Sunset hugged her from behind and planted a kiss on her cheek as Twilight stared out at the lake.
    "Sunset look!" Twilight whispered sharply.
    She looked where Twilight was pointing. Sunset froze in place as she saw the family of deer walking gracefully across the frozen lake. The two of them lowered themselves slowly to a squat and inched closer to the edge. The buck walked confidently toward the other side of the lake. A few steps behind him was a small fawn who struggled to stay upright on the slick surface. The baby deer fell suddenly, it's legs splayed out beneath. The mother deer used her muzzle to raise its child back onto its hooves, staying close by as they continued their trek.
    Twilight let out an involuntary sound when she saw the display of motherly affection. The buck stopped suddenly its ear twitching as he tried to place the sound's origin. His head turned in their direction. Twilight and Sunset froze, not wanting to startle them. After a few tense moments the buck called back to his family and mounted the shore on the other side, disappearing into the forest.
    The couple sprang their feet and clasped hands.
    "Oh my gosh Twi, that was so cool!" Sunset said.
    "I know! They were so beautiful and graceful!" She responded just as excited.
    "I'm so glad we did this!" Sunset scooped Twilight in a hug.
    They made their way back to the car shortly afterward, talking animatedly the whole time. The experience brought up memories of other run-ins with animals. They shared stories back and forth right up until they pulled up outside Twilight's house.
    "And that's why birds are the worst." Sunset finished her story.
    "I think that's an unfair judgement call for an entire species, because one chicken got uppity when you were five." She laughed.
    "You weren't there! It was traumatizing!"
    Twilight sat back in her seat and looked at Sunset. "This was a perfect way to wrap up the break."
    "I one-hundred percent agree." She said, meeting Twilight's loving gaze.
    "So are you ready for school tomorrow?"
    Sunset shrugged. "I guess so."
    "Still nervous?"
    "A little. I'm worried that I'll reap what I sowed and I'll get bullied. Not like I wouldn't deserve it." She said under her breath.
    "Hey, don't start thinking like that again. If anyone starts bullying you I want you to tell someone."
    "Alright." She said unconvincingly.
    "I'm serious Sunset. Promise me."
    She mumbled a promise.
    "What was that? I didn't quite hear you." Twilight tickled her side.
    She grumbled a little louder. "... promise"
    "I still couldn't hear that." She moved so that she could get both sides at once. 
    Despite her best efforts Sunset couldn't hold back the laugh. "Alright, alright!"
    She grabbed both of Twilight's hands to stop the assault. She smiled and closed the distance between them with a kiss.
    "I promise."
    "Thank you." She smiled and kissed her. "I love you."
    "I love you too." 
    After a pause, Twilight sighed. "I should probably head in." She moved to open the door.
    "Mmm, It's still early." Sunset said before pulling her into another kiss.