Sunset pulled herself out of bed, looking at the clock to see that she only slept in a few more hours than she would have for school. With no plans for the day however, she slipped on a pair of track pants and a heavy black slip-on hoodie then headed down stairs.
Unlike most morning’s she heard Luna’s voice from the kitchen and for once, sounded wide awake.
Celestia began to walk out of the living room when she spotted Sunset, “Good morning, Sunset. How did you sleep?”
“Good, thanks.” She looked over to the kitchen where Luna was still talking with someone. “Who is she walking to?”
Celestia giggled, “Chrysalis got here an hour ago. It didn’t take long to get Luna out of bed after that.”
Sunset laughed. Thought she’s only seen Chrysalis once, Sunset thought she was cool. Besides, Chrys seemed to come up in almost every conversation she’d had with the youngest sister. Sunset felt that Chrysalis was going to be an…interesting person the more she got to know her.
Celestia lead the way into the kitchen where Luna was talking very animatedly to Chrys about a video game that she’s been wanting. The darker woman chuckled at her friend’s antics and just continued to listen until, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sunset and Celestia enter the room.
Chrys turned to look at Sunset and smiled, “Hey, it’s nice to see you again.”
Sunset gave a shy smile as she leaned on the counter next to Celestia, “Yeah, nice to see you too.”
Chrys understood Sunset’s shyness considering the first and only time they saw each other, Sunset was in the hospital and had just discovered Chrysalis was her social worker.
“Relax, kid.” Chrysalis smiled, “I’m off duty until after the holidays. It’s good to see you without the cast.”
Sunset grinned, “I’m glad to have it off. It’s good to lift stuff normally.”
“That’s great to hear.” the woman told her, “I’m looking forward to getting to know you more.”
The younger girl gave a kind but nervous smile as she glanced at Celestia who was focused on making tea.
Chrys observed Sunset’s stance and smiled a bit. The flame haired girl stuck close to the kettle and her eyes subtly followed Celestia around the kitchen when she left it, to make sure she was still close by.
It seems someone’s gotten rather attached. Chrysalis mused, shooting a look at Luna who understood and smiled, indicating that she too had noticed.
Celestia finished brewing the tea and offered Chrysalis some who politely declined. She handed Sunset a cup who smiled and gave a quick ‘thanks’ before resting against the counter again. In complete, unplanned synchronization, Sunset and Celestia both took a long sip from their mugs and exhaled deeply with the same pleased smile on their faces. The only thing difference between them at that moment, other than physical appearance, was that Celestia had better posture. It was almost like Sunset was Celestia’s biological child.
After watching the two, again, move in sync, Chrysalis snorted and begin to giggle. Luna, who had been valiantly keeping her composure, started to laugh as well.
Celestia and Sunset gave each other confused looks and, when the laughter didn’t stop, Celestia whispered something in Sunset’s ear. The younger girl nodded and discreetly slipped out of the kitchen with Celestia and headed to the study and away from the apparent lunatics.
Once they were gone, Chrysalis heard the door to the study close and finally spoke between laughs, “Did you see that? She’s like a little Celestia!”
Luna struggled to calm herself, “I know. She is also quite the intelligent girl. Incredibly artistic as well.”
“I also remember that she’s quite the rebellious one.” Replied Chrysalis.
“At least now she’s being rebellious legally.” Luna said.
Chrysalis nodded then went into deep thought.
This didn’t go unnoticed by Luna who gave her friend a concerned expression, “Everything alright?”
Chrysalis sighed, “Yes, it’s just, her hair reminds me of something.”
Luna gave her a confused look, “Of what? A campfire? Phoenix?” she thought hard for a moment and snapped her fingers in realization, “I know! Bacon!”
Chrys couldn’t contain her laughter, “Ironic considering she’s a vegetarian.”
“She eats chicken!” Luna protested.
“But even turkey bacon doesn’t look like bacon.”
Luna hummed, “I suppose I see your point.”
***
In the study, Sunset and Celestia sat at the two chairs by the window reading with only a coffee table between them.
Though she was trying her best, Sunset couldn’t concentrate on her book for very long. Though their conversation from the previous night had helped ease Sunset’s mind, something still ate at her.
She said I was a part of her family. Sunset thought, I’ve never really felt like I was part of one before. What if I mess it up? Sunset looked to Celestia, What if I disappoint her like I did the princess? I can’t see anyone wanting to be my family after that. The memory alone of how she left Princess Celestia’s tutelage made her skin crawl.
“Celestia.” Sunset spoke without thinking.
Her voice was small and almost pleading. Celestia looked into Sunset’s eyes which were now downcast at her feet.
“What is it?” Celestia asked.
“Last night, I didn’t really give you a response.” Sunset said.
“I know.” Celestia said, “I saw that you were a little overwhelmed so I didn’t want to push you. Besides, I did not require a response.”
“I know but…” Sunset put her book at the table, “My childhood fears are getting the best of me. All that’s happened to me, for me in the last few months, it’s almost too good to be true. For me, having a family that actually accepts me, it’s hard for me to believe and accept. I’m always afraid that as soon as I mess up, you, Luna, my friends, you all will just kick me to the curb.” A tear escaped Sunset’s eye, “I’ll be alone again and…I don’t want to be alone. I didn’t like it the first time and that was because I felt alone most of my life. Now, I’m not alone, I feel cared for and I couldn’t live with myself if I messed that up.”
By this point, Sunset was hugging her knees close to her chest and Celestia was shocked that she had come out with this on her own. Usually, to get her to talk about something, she had to be prompted to do so. Celestia believed that, what she was seeing, is Sunset’s complete, raw, trust.
Celestia moved out of her chair to crouch in front of Sunset, “Sunset, we’ve been through this before. None of us are going to leave you alone.”
She wasn’t sure what had triggered it but Sunset looked up at Celestia in anger but it was not directed at her, “My parents did! So, did my adoptive ones! After a few months at the castle, we almost completely stopped talking other than a stupid birthday card every year, not even on Heartwarming. The Princess and I barely spent any time together outside of classes and after I turned into a little terror, she left me alone too!”
This situation was a first for Celestia and she was unsure of how to respond. Sunset had only talked about her Adoptive parents once before and other than that, didn’t bring them up at all. Now, though, her birth parents and the Princess were brought into the mix.
Sunset took a deep breath to calm herself but fresh tears poured from her eyes. The only thing Celestia could do was wrap her arms around the young girl and hold her.
“Sunset,” Celestia said to the quivering girl, “I know it may not mean much but I have no intention of leaving you alone ever again.”
Sunset locked her arms around Celestia and refused to let go, “I-I’m, so happy here, I just don’t want to lose you guys. No one has ever cared about me like you guys do. I don’t feel alone anymore.”
“It’s because you’re not, Sunset.” Celestia said, “I just want you to be happy. I will never leave you Sunset.”
The teen squeezed harder but didn’t speak.
“I’m glad you’ve accepted that people care about you.” Celestia said after Sunset’s crying had stopped.
Sunset turned her head so her voice wasn’t muffled, “It took a while and I still don’t think I deserve any of it but, I’ve come to accept that you care about me whether I like it or not and… I do like it.”
It wasn’t lost on Celestia that Sunset had only specified her in her comment. However, she didn’t want to press as she acknowledged that knew she cared for her and for now, it was perfect. Besides, just holding Sunset, comforting her as her mother used to, it just felt right to Celestia. Little did she know, Sunset felt the same way.