Twilight fidgeted in bed, the hum of a radiator assaulting her mind between the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock. Soft, whispered breathing tickling her ear, and pale moonlight played across the wall, demanding attention from sleepless eyes. Shifting, her brain slowly processed the smooth texture of cool sheets brushing over bare flesh, the warmth of a body pressed up against her side, the weight of a limp arm draped across her naked belly.
Twilight sighed. Sleep continued to elude her, fleeting as the morning mist. Tearing her attention away from the far wall, her tired eyes fell, finding the face of the girl with whom she shared her bed.
Sunset Shimmer. The girl who saved her from herself, who taught her about magic, and the power of friendship. The girl who saw her for who she was, with all her fears and failures, and accepted her anyway. Her best friend, and more.
Twilight smiled as she studied the face of her lover, tangled up in a worn blanket, her wild hair splayed around her in a fiery halo. A trickle of drool ran down her cheek, wetting the pillow case. Twilight reached over and brushed a crimson lock away from her closed eyes. She was perfect.
The night had been perfect too. They had met up after classes, rented a movie, and retreated to Sunset’s apartment to spend the weekend. Curled up on the sofa with a cheesy romance and a bucket of cheap takeout, they had talked and laughed and cuddled, done all the things that couples were supposed to. They had hugged, and kissed, and played footsie.
But…
That was all they did.
That was all they ever did.
Even now, wrapped up together in Sunset’s bed, stark naked and tangled in bedsheets, they had never consummated.
Twilight had tried. God, had she tried. She’d dropped hints, let her hands wander when they kissed, even invited Sunset into the shower with her. But Sunset seemed completely immune to her charms.
Twilight had had such high hopes for this night. The two of them had been as close as ever, and whispered sweet nothings to each other even as the credits rolled and an old love song played in the background. Sunset had brought Twilight into the bedroom, and taken off her clothes, and invited Twilight to bed.
And then… they cuddled. Nothing more. Though they were in perhaps the most intimate setting two people could find themselves, stripped of clothing and shame, Sunset made no move, not even an indication that she wanted to go farther.
“So, now that we’re in bed, was there anything else you wanted to do?”
“Sorry Twi. I just don’t think I’m ready for that yet.”
“Oh… Okay…”
“Thanks for understanding. You’re the best. I love you.”
“Yeah… love you too.”
Twilight sighed. She hated feeling this way. The last thing she wanted was to force her girlfriend into doing something she was uncomfortable with. But at the same time, she just wanted to know! In all the time they’d been together, Sunset had never even brought up the subject of sex.
Not that they never talked about it. Twilight had brought it up herself a couple of times, but Sunset had always seemed eager to change the subject. After a while, Twilight had stopped asking. Until that evening.
Maybe she was still adjusting. Twilight knew Sunset hadn’t always been human. Maybe it was just taking her a while to get used to the idea of the human form. But even so, such self assurances felt flimsy and hollow. The fact remained, Sunset didn’t want to sleep with her.
Twilight slumped, lying limply on the mattress as if her strings had been cut. She loved Sunset, she did, and she knew Sunset loved her too. She just wished Sunset could love her that way. She loved the kissing, the closeness, the cute nicknames but…
No matter how she thought about it, it felt like she was missing something.
She clenched her eyes, desperate to banish the negative thoughts, but they persisted. Sighing in defeat, she gently pushed Sunset’s arm off of her, slipping carefully from under the covers while blindly feeling the top of the nightstand for her glasses. Her fingers found the protective case, and she popped it open and slipped the black frames onto her face.
It was going to be one of those nights. She stood up, carefully avoiding the squeaky floorboard as she shuffled around to the bathroom door. She twisted the handle, closing it quietly behind her before using the soft glow of the nightlight to find the lightswitch. She flinched, blinking as harsh light filled the space.
Once her eyes had adjusted, Twilight looked into the mirror and frowned. She hated her appearance at the best of times, and this was not one of those times. It wasn’t that she was ugly, per se, just… plain. Her arms were skinny, her legs gangly and awkward, and the harsh lighting accentuated the bags under her eyes. At nineteen, she was still catching the tail end of puberty, and her body still had yet to fill out as well as most of her friends.
Especially Sunset. Compared to Twilight, she might as well have been a goddess! Perfect golden skin, nice, toned muscles, and curves to die for! So unfair. Why was she even interested in an ugly, hairless monkey like Twilight?
She scowled, pushing up her thick, dorky glasses. What was it the boys at her old school used to call them? Coke bottles, that was it. She should have looked into contacts ages ago.
She shook her head, trying to dispel the self loathing thoughts. Her eyes met her reflection, falling to the geode hanging from her neck. Her one saving grace. She glanced back toward the door, listening for any signs of stirring from the bedroom. Nothing.
Turning back to the mirror, Twilight took one last look at herself before removing her glasses and setting them on the counter. Closing her eyes, she reached for her pendant and clutched it in her right hand. Focusing her mind, she channeled her will into the little stone, until she felt a wave of energy wash over her. Her skin tingled as if electrified, and she felt a faint prickling behind her eyes. A weight settled across her back and she stumbled as her center of gravity shifted subtly. Breathing heavily, she opened her eyes.
They adjusted with perfect focus, despite her glasses still sitting on the counter. She looked back to the mirror, and the face that met hers was not her own. Or rather it was, but from another time. From her dreams.
“Midnight Sparkle,” She breathed, and her reflection’s lips copied her movements exactly. She raised a hand and wiggled her fingers. The reflection followed suit. Reassured, she breathed easily.
Once upon a time, Midnight had been a recurring nightmare for Twilight. Her darker half plagued her dreams, even after being burned away by the healing power of Sunset’s magic of harmony. But, thanks to Sunset, she had learned to embrace her own magic, in addition to the darker aspects of her personality. It was just another thing she owed her lover.
Of course… Sunset was not exactly privy to this. As far as she knew, Twilight’s amulet only allowed her the use of telekinesis and a few minor cantrips. Twilight wasn’t lying to her, per se, but the thought of worrying her with this was… unnecessary. Better if it was just her little secret.
She’d discovered her power quite by accident, but in the months since it had been a godsend. Whenever life became too much, whenever anxiety struck, or she was panicking over a looming deadline or missed date, she could just take a few hours to put away Twilight Sparkle and become Midnight. And what a change it was.
She took a moment to admire herself in the mirror. Besides her improved eyesight, her body had a healthy glow to it, her skin darker, less pale. Her physique was fuller, too. Less awkward teen and more the woman she hoped to become. Wider hips, fuller lips, a bigger chest… almost as pretty as Sunset.
But the biggest change was the massive pair of black wings sprouting from her back. Flexing muscles that only seconds ago had not existed, she managed to flutter her wings, barely brushing the walls with the tips of her feathers. Her span had to be more than twice the width of the tiny bathroom. A spring of confidence bubbled in her chest, and she stood a little straighter, admiring her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was wild and carefree, her wings framing her new, sexy body like a dark angel. And had she gotten a little taller? Smirking, she folded down her wings and grabbed her glasses, heading for the door.
With the bathroom light out again, the bedroom was pitched in near perfect darkness. The only light of any consequence came from the silvery moonlight streaming in from the room’s lone window, slipping in between the cheap curtains. The light cast the bed in gentle relief, and Twilight paused to admire her lover. Sunset had shifted in her absence, turning onto her back, the covers slipping off her bare breasts. Twilight froze, mesmerized by the gentle rise and fall of her chest.
It would be perfect. She could crawl onto the bed, wake her with a kiss. Her eyes would flutter open, and she would see the vision of beauty Twilight had become. She couldn’t possibly say no to that.
But what if she did? What if she saw this, the best Twilight had to offer, and still rejected her? Could Twilight handle that kind of rejection? Could she ever recover from that?
Even worse, she could panic! Waking up in the middle of the night, to see her girlfriend’s evil persona looming over her? She would think she was being attacked! No, that would be a bad, bad idea.
Twilight sighed. Maybe it would be best if she just stuck to the original plan. Placing her glasses on the nightstand, she stepped toward the window, pushing the curtain aside just enough to give her a view of the narrow alley outside. She reached out, pressing her palm to the glass, and in a blink she was on the other side, wincing as her bare feet pressed into the coarse grating of the fire escape.
Twilight shivered, the chill night air raising goosebumps across her naked skin. Of course, how could she forget? Raising her arm, she once again called on her magic, bending the shadows around her body to clothe her in a sheer, black dress. The insubstantial garment hugged her body, somehow keeping the cold at bay despite its intangibility. Twilight Sparkle would never wear something so salaciously racy, but Midnight? Grinning, she spread her wings and took off into the night.
An easy breeze tickled her feathers as she sailed over the streets and roofs below. She was not so far into the city as to worry about high rises and skyscrapers, and it was late enough that hardly a soul was out and about. No one was around to see the winged girl soar across the night sky, and who would have believed them anyway?
She sighed. Most nights, the sky would have been filled with her giggles and cries of delight. Even as a child she had often snuck out of the house to walk her neighborhood in the wee hours. The night always held a nigh mystical wonder. The first time she tested her wings under her own power, she had been nothing less than thrilled.
But tonight, she had more important thoughts weighing her down. A simple flight was not going to cut it this time. She tilted her wings, banking easily toward her target, the Meadowbrook Memorial Park. She fell into a dive, snapping them out at the last second to alight near a small pathway just inside one of the park’s locked gates.
With the grounds closed, no one would bother her, and she knew from experience that she was unlikely to run into any staff this late. It wasn’t the first time she’d had to go out and clear her head. She fluttered her wings, shaking out the stiffness from her short flight, and relished in the feeling of the manicured lawn against her bare feet. Taking one last look around, she turned and began following the path. She had no particular destination in mind, just enjoyed the peace and quiet, the way the crickets drowned out the seemingly distant sounds of the city.
As she walked, she contemplated her relationship with Sunset. It was not a bad one. An outsider might even think it was perfect. Sunset was never short on her praise or terms of endearment. But her compliments tended more toward “cute,” or “adorkable.” The nicknames never failed to earn a blush, a flutter in her stomach. And yet, it wasn’t enough. She didn’t want to be cute! She wanted to be beautiful! Enticing! Sexy! Why couldn’t Sunset understand that?!
Twilight clenched her fist, placing her palm against her chest and taking a deep breath before pushing it out. She didn’t need to be getting herself all worked up. She needed peace and quiet, something to distract her myriad thoughts.
Past the hedge garden, the sound of water gently lapping against its banks drew her attention. She had followed the path to the crest of a small hill. On the other side was the modest lake that was the park’s crowning jewel. Tiny waves danced across its otherwise placid surface, reflecting the moon’s light in beautifully shifting patterns. A long, gentle slope separated the path from the water, the perfect place for families and friends to gather to set up a picnic, or toss a frisbee. A stone plinth stood to one side, displaying a lifesize statue of the park’s namesake.
Twilight fell back into the grass with a sigh. Why did things have to be so complicated? She loved Sunset, and Sunset loved her back. So what was so hard about adding a little intimacy to that? Twilight was so looking forward to it, nearly desperately. She wanted her first time to be special. She wanted to share it with Sunset. But for all she could tell, Sunset just wasn’t interested.
“Why?!” Twilight jumped to her feet, screaming at the empty sky. “Why won’t she love me?! Why, why, why?!” She felt the warm tickle of a tear rolling down her face, and scowled. With violent motions, she stabbed her arm in the direction of the Meadowbrook statue and clenched her fist, both her hand and the statue lighting up with a soft green aura. She yanked her hand back, relishing in the crunch of stone as the statue flew free of its base and fell toward her.
She laughed. Twilight Sparkle, ace student and all-around goody-two-shoes would never violate public property! Midnight, on the other hand…
Grinning maniacally, she cut her hand through the air like a claw, her magic shearing through the statue in several places, slicing it up like a salami. She grabbed one of the pieces in her aura and launched it toward the water, cackling madly as it skipped across the surface a full three times before plinking beneath the waves. She could do better! She grabbed another chunk, this time taking careful aim before releasing it. Her record without magic was five skips, but she was sure she could break it, even with those oversized statue chunks.
“Well well,” An unfamiliar, husky voice spoke, startling Twilight out of her game. She whirled, looking for the intruder.
“My horoscope said I was destined to meet a tall, dark stranger,” The voice continued, and Twilight finally found the source. A woman she had never met before, sitting casually atop the destroyed plinth as if it was the most natural thing in the world. A cloud had drifted in front of the moon, obscuring her features, but Twilight could see her face just well enough to make out a smirk. “I never thought she would be so pretty though.”
Twilight took a step back, unnerved by the newcomer. It was hard to identify her features from that distance, especially in the dark, but she could make out piercing ruby eyes and a head of amber curls. “W-who are you?”
The woman practically oozed off the plinth, strutting forward with all the grace and confidence of a prowling jungle cat, and Twilight was her prey. The clouds finally shifted, allowing the bank to once again bathe in pale moonlight. The newcomer walked as if it was a spotlight meant just for her, and Twilight took a sharp breath. The woman was beautiful. Her lithe movements displayed the body of a greek goddess, the airy grecian dress she wore supporting the illusion that Aphrodite herself had descended.
“My name is Adagio Dazzle,” The woman purred, slipping past Twilight with ease, delicate fingers brushing against bare arms. Twilight had to spin on her heel to keep her in sight. Adagio paused a few steps away, looking over her shoulder with a hand perched on her hip. “Perhaps you’ve heard of me?”
Twilight swallowed thickly, her tongue feeling swollen in her mouth. Dazzle? It sounded familiar, but… “Sorry, I’m afraid not.”
A dark look crossed the woman’s face, only for a moment, gone so quickly it may well have been a trick of the light. Instead, Twilight was graced with a wide, cheery grin. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised,” She said. “My bid for world domination never really took off.”
“World domination?!” Twilight squeaked, stumbling back, her hand clutching defensively at her necklace.
Adagio laughed. “A figure of speech, my dear.” She turned toward Twilight, striking a pose with her hand high in the air, like a performer commanding the crowd’s attention. “I was a singer! A good one too. I planned to take the world by storm, but… my global debut was a bit of a disaster.” Her face fell in a scowl.
“Oh,” Twilight said, shoulders slumping. “I’m sorry.”
Adagio waved her off with a chuckle. “Don’t be. It’s in the past. I hold no grudges.”
“That’s, um, that’s good?” Twilight bit her lip, her eyes refusing to meet Adagio’s. Why was she being so awkward?! It was just a normal conversation. A normal conversation, in the middle of the night. In an off limits area. With one of the most beautiful women she’d ever met. Right. “So-” She coughed, her throat suddenly feeling very dry. “So, what brings you out here so late?”
The mystery woman smirked, and she gestured to the empty park. “I could ask you the same thing. You are aware the grounds are closed?”
“Y-yeah,” Twilight admitted, her face prickling with a blush. “O-oh! Oh man, you work here, don’t you? I am so, so sorry, I’ll leave right away!” She turned and spread her wings, ready to take flight, but was stopped cold by the sound of amused laughter.
“M-me?” Adagio spluttered, “Work here?! No no, of course not. Don’t be absurd.”
Twilight settled her wings, turning back to Adagio with an even more severe blush than before. “S-sorry.” Her face scrunched up in confusion. “I just thought-”
“Sweetie,” Adagio interrupted, raising a critical eyebrow, “Have you seen this dress?”
Twilight rubbed her arm in embarrassment. It did seem like a silly assumption, now that she thought about it. Why couldn’t she think clearly around this woman? One question managed to stick in her mind, however. “How did you get in here then?”
“I have my ways,” Adagio smirked, giving Twilight a wink that made her stomach flutter.
“Y-you are a very strange person, Adagio Dazzle.”
“Am I?” Adagio asked, a teasing tone to her voice. “Tell me, are wings a normal thing now?”
Twilight squeaked in shock. How, how had she forgotten about her wings?! She tried to fold them in her panic, but her agitation just made them flutter anxiously. She groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. This was so bad.
But instead of freaking out like she expected, Adagio only chuckled. “Oh, don’t worry about that. I’ve seen much stranger. My sisters and I used to play fantasy all the time. Liked to make believe we were sirens, ancient beings of legend who could use our voices to bend men to our wills!” She said it with an almost nostalgic enthusiasm, but Twilight could have sworn she heard a pinch of bitterness buried beneath. Adagio smirked at her, chasing away the thought as their eyes met. “You could say it was that little fantasy that launched our ill fated music career.”
“I- I’m sorry,” Twilight bowed her head in sympathy. But then she refocused on Adagio. “But still, fantasy is one thing, but to actually see someone like me. Aren’t you scared? I look like a monster. I destroyed a statue for crying out loud!”
“A victimless crime,” Adagio waved her off with a smirk. “Honestly, I find that kind of power rather exhilarating.”
Twilight froze, Adagio’s words robbing the wind from her sails. “You- you do?”
Adagio smiled. “Quite.” She reached out a hand and brushed a hair away from Twilight’s face. When had she gotten so close? “I don’t think I ever got your name, sweetie.”
Twilight’s heart fluttered in her chest, and it was more than nervousness this time. The way Adagio was looking at her, it lit a spark inside her. Hungry, and lustful, yet caring all the same. How long had she wished for Sunset to look at her like that? “Twi- uh, Midnight. Midnight Sparkle.”
Adagio grinned. “Midnight Sparkle. Alluring. Mysterious. It suits you.”
“T-thank you,” Twilight stuttered. What was she doing? Why was she having so much trouble speaking like a human being?
“So, Midnight,” Adagio said, the name rolling off her tongue like a savory dessert, “What brings you to this little park?”
Twilight sighed, dropping to a seat on the soft grass facing the water. “Just some relationship trouble. Nothing I’d want to bother a stranger about.”
Adagio followed her example, smoothing her dress as she carefully took a seat next to Twilight. She leaned in, her elbow just barely brushing against Twilight’s arm, making her shiver. “Sometimes strangers can be the best listeners. They have to context to judge you, and no former biases regarding your lovers.”
“J-just the one lover,” Twilight said with a blush.
“Of course,” Adagio smiled.
Twilight sighed. Maybe it would be better to get it out. “Her name is Sunset Shimmer, and she’s the most amazing girl I’ve ever met. She, she helped me out of a really dark time, and helped me embrace my, well, my inner magic.” She fluttered her wings. “She helped with these, too, though she probably doesn’t know it. We’ve been dating for a couple months now, and I really want to take it to the next step, but I just don’t think she’s interested.”
“How do you mean?” Adagio asked, leaning in. Twilight’s breath hitched at the contact as their arms once again brushed against each other.
“I, I really want to, you know, s-sleep with her…” Twilight trailed off, her cheeks turning crimson, and she bit her lip in a bid to keep from embarrassing herself further.
Adagio clicked her tongue, shaking her head sadly. “That is a crime, little Midnight. Why, I would think people should be lining up to take you to bed!”
“I- I don’t want that!” Twilight squeaked, shaking her head violently. “I, I just want somebody to look at me like that. Someone who appreciates me, all of me. Someone who finds me attractive, on a physical level, you know?” She pulled in her legs, hugging her knees and resting her chin on top. “I just want to know I’m not ugly.”
“Ugly, you are not,” Adagio scoffed. She brushed her finger through Twilight’s hair, her hand continuing on to trace down her neck and across her shoulder.
Twilight shuddered at the contact. It felt so nice, to have someone dote on her this way. Her wings shifted against her back, and she turned to meet Adagio’s eyes. “You really think that, don’t you?”
“Hmm?” Adagio asked, tilting her head.
“You really think I’m pretty. You said it when we first met.”
Adagio chuckled. “Yes, I did, didn’t I? Well, it’s true. I am rarely wrong.”
“No one ever calls me pretty,” Twilight said sadly. “I mean, sometimes, but they don’t really mean it.”
“Not even your lover?”
“W-well, it’s not like she never compliments me!” Twilight protested, though if it was against Adagio or herself she couldn’t say. “She calls me smart, and cute, and has all these pet names for me. But she doesn’t call me pretty very much, a-and never… s-sexy.”
“Well,” Adagio scoffed, leaning in to whisper in her ear, “I happen to think you are gorgeous.”
Twilight blushed. “Y-you really do?”
Adagio nodded.
“What about, about sexy?” She asked.
Adagio leaned in again, her breath teasing Twilight’s earlobe as her voice grew husky with desire. “I would not hesitate to take you here and now, on this very hill.”
“A-Adagio!” Twilight squealed, the heat in her face going critical, “Don’t joke about that!”
“Who’s joking?” Adagio smirked. She shrugged. “If you don’t want to, I’m sure I could find someone else to indulge me. But I doubt I’d find anyone as exceptional as you.”
“I couldn’t…”
“Why not?” Adagio purred, “No one is around to disturb us. Why deny yourself what is there for the taking?”
“But Sunset…”
“Need never know,” Adagio said, voice low and enticing. Then she pulled away with a shrug. “It was only an offer, nothing more. I certainly wouldn’t want to push you into something you were uncomfortable with. I’m just as comfortable merely enjoying your company a while longer.” She smirked, seeing the hesitancy on Twilight’s face. “But the offer still stands.”
“I- I don’t know,” Twilight said softly. She chewed on her lip, Adagio’s fingers roaming across her wing, making it hard to think. She had never realized how sensitive they could be. Her brain was not yet used to processing the sensations from them. It felt good, intoxicating even, and the last thing she wanted was for it to stop.
“Could you give me some space, please?” Twilight asked, pulling her wing out of Adagio’s reach. “I want to be alone for a while.”
“Of course,” Adagio said, taking one last opportunity to brush her fingers down Twilight’s arm. “Take as long as you need.”
Twilight couldn’t help but watch her go, the confident sway of her hips sending her loose skirt dancing around her ankles. Not a single blade of grass had stuck to the back, despite her sitting with Twilight for what seemed like an eternity. She could feel her heartbeat accelerate in her chest at the sight of the goddess who she was letting get away.
Adagio stopped just before reaching the hedgeline, tossing her head back and smirking as she caught Twilight’s eye. She winked, and shrugged her shoulders, the loose straps of her dress falling down her arms. Twilight’s head snapped back to the water with a squeak.
What was she doing?! She couldn’t do that to Sunset! It would be wrong, cruel even! It would break her heart.
“But, what about my heart,” Twilight whispered. How many times had her own heart been broken? How long had she been denying herself for Sunset’s sake? She deserved some happiness too, didn’t she?
Besides… it wasn’t like Sunset would ever know. And what she didn’t know couldn’t hurt her. The flame that had sparked in her belly when Adagio spoke to her continued to burn, making her shift in place. Maybe, maybe it would be worth the risk. She could feel good, and Sunset would never have to leave her comfort zone. She could stop harassing her about sleeping together, she just needed to get it out of her system…
Yeah.
Twilight stood, hardly even aware of her movements. Adagio’s offer was enticing, too enticing, like a siren’s song, offering her everything she wanted. Her bare feet whispered over the grass, carrying her toward Adagio. Toward release. Finally, after weeks of need, she could have the thing she wanted most. Even if it came from someone else.
She rounded the hedge and froze, eyes widening and heart freezing in her chest as she took in Adagio’s naked form. She was every bit the Venus Twilight had imagined her to be. A body like carved marble, her skin all but glowing in the moonlight. Her ruby eyes locked on Twilight’s, and she raised her arm, crooking her finger in an invitation for Twilight to approach.
She obeyed, stepping forward as if in a trance. In moments she was within reach, close enough to touch. She froze, allowing the goddess before her to take her by the hand and pull her forward. “Come along, little blackbird,” Adagio sang, her eyes never leaving Twilight’s, never allowing her to break her gaze. She needn’t have bothered. Looking away was the last thing Twilight wanted.
She led her deep into the maze, never letting her falter, even for a moment. Finally, they reached the center, a small clearing of lush young grass, so far from the rest of the world. Hidden away, a place where secrets would last forever.
They stopped, Adagio pulling her into a commanding embrace, pressing her lips against Twilight’s with lustful hunger. Twilight reciprocated, surrendering herself to the kiss with feverish abandon, shuddering at the taste of Adagio’s breath on her tongue. She closed her eyes, relishing in the feeling of Adagio’s body pressed against her own. With a thought, she dispelled her dress, allowing her bare flesh to contact with her lover’s. Her wings fluttered of their own accord, twitching against her back as she fought to maintain control.
Adagio broke the kiss, pulling away from Twilight, who was panting in the throes of arousal. “Is it all you were hoping for, little blackbird?” She asked, her voice teasing.
Twilight nodded, not trusting herself to answer.
Adagio smirked, brushing Twilight’s cheek with her thumb. “Then I’m going to make you sing.” She fell back, gently pulling Twilight to the ground on top of her. Their breaths misted in the midnight air as they pulled themselves into another kiss. This time, Twilight did not restrain herself, losing herself fully to the passion Adagio stirred in her. And everything else was forgotten.
==O==
“Twiii-liiight…”
Twilight groaned, turning over in her bed. She heard a giggle, and clutched her pillow, trying to make the noise go away.
“Twilight, wake up!” Sunset’s cheery voice cut through the fog, cruelly pulling Twilight out of her pillowy dreamland.
“L’mme sleep in…” Twilight mumbled groggily, “I d’serve it.”
“Come ooon,” Sunset whined, and Twilight could just hear the pout. “I made your favorite!”
Twilight groaned, rolling onto her back and fixing her girlfriend with a bleary look. “What time is it?”
Chuckling, Sunset pointed to the window, where sunlight was pouring into the room. “It’s almost noon, sleepyhead. You’re gonna sleep the day away!”
“Fine,” Twilight griped, pushing herself up so she could sit properly against the headboard. The scent of chocolate and pancake batter roused her senses and she smiled. “Chocolate chip pancakes?”
“You know it,” Sunset winked. “I’ll be right back, how does breakfast in bed sound?”
Twilight grinned. “Awesome.”
Sunset smiled before stepping out, giving Twilight a few moments to wake up. She glanced around, taking in her surroundings. It was hard to make out details without her glasses, but it was definitely her bedroom.
“Wow,” She muttered, “What a dream.” A flutter of excitement raced through her at the memory. It had to be the most intense dream she’d ever had. It was so intense, so freeing. She hadn’t felt so alive in, well, ever really. Honestly she was surprised to wake up to clean sheets. What an amazing fantasy…
Her stomach churned as a wave of guilt washed over her. It was such an amazing dream, almost perfect. Only one tiny, niggling detail spoiled it. Why couldn’t it have been about Sunset? That was all she really wanted. And yet her subconscious had created this other woman, this… Adagio Dazzle.
“Hey sweetie,” Twilight’s head snapped to the door, finding Sunset standing there with a plate of pancakes and a small cup of maple syrup. “Delivery!”
“T-thanks,” Twilight said, taking the plate and drizzling a healthy amount of syrup over the top. “Mmm, it smells delicious.”
“Duh,” Sunset laughed, “I made them.”
Twilight giggled, making a show of savoring her first bite. But as soon as Sunset’s back was turned, her face fell. Last night had been something alright. What, she hadn’t decided yet. But it had been a pretty intense dream. It must have, to leave her feeling so sore.
“Hey Sunset?” Twilight asked, setting her plate aside on the nightstand. “Would you mind grabbing me some orange juice?”
“Sure! One OJ coming up!” Sunset said. Twilight smiled. Sunset spoiled her so much. Another wave of guilt crashed into her and she frowned. It was just a dream, right? Twilight would never betray her like that. Her hand drifted toward her throat, searching for the geode she always wore, seeking some small comfort from its familiar weight.
She froze. It was-
“Here you are, one glass of morning sunshine!” Sunset sang as she reentered the room. Her face fell as she noticed Twilight’s sudden pallor. “Woah, Twi, you alright? You don’t look so good.”
“Y-yeah, I’m fine!” She laughed a little too loudly, “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Sunset shook her head in disapproval. “Twilight, you gotta take better care of yourself. How late were you out last night?”
“Me? Out? I- I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
Sunset rolled her eyes, plopping down on the edge of the bed to rest her hand on Twilight’s knee. “It’s adorable how bad of a liar you are Twilight. Come on, I’m not dumb. I know all about your little nighttime walks.”
“O-oh, right,” Twilight chuckled, “Guess I’m not all that stealthy after all. Sorry if I woke you.” Thank goodness, she didn’t know about Midnight Sparkle. Her secret was safe, for now.
But wait, if she really did go out last night, that meant-
Her blood ran cold
Sunset smiled in understanding. “Don’t worry, I get it. Insomnia is a monster to deal with, especially with a busy mind like yours. Just be careful, alright? Oh, and try and remember to lock the front door.”
Twilight nodded numbly, and Sunset pat her knee. “Hey, I’m gonna grab a quick shower, then we can do something, okay? It’s supposed to be nice out, we could hit Meadowbrook park?”
“S-sure,” Twilight rasped, afraid to meet her eyes.
Sunset shot her a look of concern. “If you’re not feeling well, maybe we should go to the ER instead…”
“N-no,” Twilight coughed, clearing her throat. “No, I’m fine, the park sounds great.”
“Okay, if you say so.” Sunset gave her a doubtful look, pulling herself up and heading for the bathroom. “Just let me know if you change your mind. I’d hate for you to get yourself sick for my sake.”
“I’m okay,” Twilight said with a weak smile. “Love you.”
“Love you too, Twi,” Sunset said, returning the smile.
As soon as she was gone, Twilight started hyperventilating. It wasn’t a dream! She really went out last night! She really… she really… oh god, she really did it. Her stomach rebelled against her, twisting itself into knots as guilt battled with fear of discovery. She had really done it now, she had ruined everything. Sunset would be heartbroken. She would-
A cold spike of fear pierced her chest. How… how had she gotten home? Her memories of that night were increasingly clear. She never dropped her facade, never told Adagio her real name. Certainly never told her where she lived. The last thing she remembered was the park, cuddling with the other woman under the open sky, wrapped in each others’ arms. And yet here she was.
A single, terrifying thought crossed her mind. Something Sunset had said, a single, niggling thought. Lock the front door.
Twilight never used the front door. Midnight could teleport, there was no need. And, most damning of all, her missing necklace.
She frantically felt up the bed, turning the sheets in a desperate search for the violet stone. Nothing. Breathing heavily, she realized she had broken into a cold sweat. There would be no convincing Sunset that she was alright, not at that point.
She reached for the nightstand, blindly feeling for her glasses. Her fingers found the stiff leather case and she pried it open, her glasses dropping onto her lap. Something else fluttered down too, a slip of paper. She fumbled with her glasses, finally getting them situated before opening the note with shaking hands. Her brain struggled for a moment with the elegant calligraphy, but after reading it a second time she froze, eyes locked to the message with a look of pure terror.
Thanks for last night.
It truly was magical.
Twilight crumpled the message in her hand, heart pounding in her chest as she began to hyperventilate. Air! She needed air!
She pulled herself out of the bed, all but crawling to the window. She pried it open, shoving her head into the cool morning air and taking deep, greedy gulps. She sat there for a moment, panting, feeling a cold sweat trickling down her back.
A scraping sound caught her attention, and she turned her head to follow it. There, at the mouth of the alley, stood Adagio Dazzle. Ruby eyes locked onto hers, a mocking smirk resting on her lips. She lifted her finger to her mouth, and then tapped the familiar purple gem that was hanging from her neck. And just like that, she was gone.
“Twilight?” Sunset asked, her concerned voice finally breaking through Twilight’s paralysis. “Are you alright? You look pale as a ghost. Do we need to go to the hospital?”
Twilight slowly pulled her head back inside, fixing Sunset with a shaky, fake smile. “I- I’m fine, Sunset. Just a little nauseous.”
Sunset frowned. “Aw, now that’s no good. That settles it, we’re staying in today. No way am I letting you go out feeling like this.”
“Yeah, I,” Twilight swallowed nervously, “I think that would be best.” She smiled weakly. “Sorry.”
Sunset took Twilight’s hand, gently guiding her back to the bed. “It’s okay, we’ll go next time.” She leaned in, kissing Twilight on the forehead before tucking the sheets in around her. “I love you.”
“Yeah…” Twilight said, guilt once again playing havoc with her insides. “Love you too.”