//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Beach Sunsets // by BoredAuthor817 //------------------------------// Sunset was awoken by Adagio's coughing and the sound of liquid splashing into the plastic bucket. She quickly sat up and turned on a light. Adagio was leaned over the side of the bed, coughing furiously. Sunset ran to the bathroom to prepare a washcloth she had set aside and at the ready. “It's okay,” she said, wiping Adagio's face, “I've got you.” She took the bucket from the floor and held it closer to Adagio. She gently stroked the siren's hair. Adagio continued to cough and spit. She reached out and grabbed Sunset's shoulder for support. Sunset held Adagio's hand tightly. Her skin felt clammy. Finally, Adagio fell back onto the bed in exhaustion. Sunset wiped her face then took the bucket to the bathroom to clean it out. Yet, while she was rinsing, she heard a shaking of the bed. Turning, she saw that Adagio was convulsing. Nearly dropping her bucket, Sunset ran back to bed. She pushed Adagio further toward the middle and made sure she was comfortable. “It's okay, Daj, I'm here.” She grabbed a hand and stroked Adagio's head. Though, a stone formed in the pit of her stomach. It was too early. They didn't come till the last stages of the disease. Even from she'd been told of Aria, convulsions only started near the end. She thought Adagio had, at least, a month. Now, it appeared she could be gone within the week. Was Adagio, somehow, on an accelerated track? If so, how? But, even then, it didn't make sense. Sonata was coughing up blood several times a day before she started convulsing. There was one thing Sunset did know, however. She knew she wasn't ready. “Adagio,” she bit back her tears, “I know you told me not to worry. But, I do. I can't lose you. Not to this. Not like this.” --- Adagio sat by the bed. She cursed herself. Sunset had worn herself out—again. Adagio watched the gentle rise and fall of her girlfriend's chest. She may have looked peaceful, but Adagio knew of the turmoil she held within. Adagio snarled. She may have been in extreme pain, but it was nothing compared to the pain she felt for Sunset. It hurt her to think that her girlfriend was suffering on her behalf. If she could, she would just stop it all now. To Tartarus with this damned illness and see her way out on her own terms. But, that would only hurt Sunset more. What would it to to Sunset if she found her body? Adagio had heard stories of people who'd found the bodies of their loved ones. Though she'd never admit it, they'd always made her feel sad. That wasn't something she wanted for Sunset. She had to see this out all the way. For Sunset's sake. Besides, she was a fighter. She'd always been a fighter. To give up would only admit defeat. She was determined to give this thing a battle. If she was to go down, she would go down under protest. --- Sunset was a little confused when the doorbell rang. Opening it, she was met with a delivery man carrying bags of groceries in his hands. “Grocery delivery!” he smiled. Sunset slightly frowned, “I didn't order any groceries.” “I did.” Sunset turned to see Adagio wheeling toward the door. That was enough for Sunset and she ushered the delivery man to the kitchen. “When were you going to tell me about this?” she asked. “What?” Adagio teased, “And ruin the surprise?” “What surprise?” The siren winked, “You'll see.” --- Sunset had thought of Adagio as many things. Ocean goddess, temptress, sea serpent. What she hadn't figured on was grill master. “You seem really good at that,” she said, taking a sip of her drink. Adagio turned away from the barbecue with a smiled, “Oh, I'm just getting warmed up.” “I can see that.” “Now, you're just being cheeky.” “Come here and I'll show you cheeks. Maybe even grab some.” “How much wine have you drunk?” “Not enough.” Adagio laughed as she tended to the food. “So,” Sunset asked, “it all smells good, but what am I eating?” “You'll see.” “Can't I get a hint?” “Can't you see?” “I can. And I see fish.” “Well, there you go.” “You know I'm a vegetarian.” “Can't you try anything new?” Adagio rolled her eyes, “We're by the ocean and all you want to eat is salad?” “Do you have salad?” “It's on the table.” Sunset leaned over to see what was in the bowl at the middle of the table. “It's a seafood salad.” “Yep.” “I'm not getting away from this, am I?” “Nope.” “Can't I just have some greens? You know a bit of seaweed? Maybe, some sea cucumbers?” “Sea cucumbers are animals.” Sunset frowned, “They are?” A quick web search on her phone proved Adagio right. “Well,” Sunset said, falling back into her chair, “That explains why I've never eaten them...” Adagio laughed as she moved the food from the grill to the serving platter. “I'm going to need you to carry this. That is,” she added with a twinkle, “if you're not too drunk to stand up.” “Please,” Sunset blew her off, “you take me too lightly.” She took the platter from Adagio and the two walked to the table. “Okay,” she said, sitting down, “so, what have you cooked up?” “Well, being that this is your first time, I decided to go easy on you.” “Oh?” Adagio piled on Sunset's plate with the various goodies, “Gonna start you off with a tuna steak, we've got some shrimp and scallops, lobster tail, and, lastly, mussels.” “You got a little bit of everything, didn't you?” “Consider this a starter pack.” Sunset cut into her steak. “Is it supposed to be this color?” “Yep.” She smiled as Sunset took a big bite of fish, “Well?” Sunset didn't answer right away. She had taken on a bit of a bigger piece than she had thought. “It's really good,” she said at last, “Texture is a bit weird.” “Well, that's meat for you. All you've ever eaten are plants.” “Mmm,” Sunset was quick to correct, “I would say eggplant and certain mushrooms are similar.” “Similar, not the same,” she gestured for Sunset to continue eating, “Also, for your information, pork is very much the same way.” “Really?” Sunset said through a mouthful. “Yep. You cook it all the way through and it can be confused for a pork chop in both taste and texture.” “I take it you've done that.” “Comes with learning how to cook.” Sunset looked confused for a moment. “Oh, that's right. All of this you would have eaten raw.” “Imagine my surprise upon learning that this species ruined perfectly good food by heating it.” “I may have an idea,” Sunset took a sip of wine, “You gonna eat anything?” “I've told you. I have absolutely no appetite. But, I may grab a nibble. For old time's sake.” “Well, take some of the wine. I don't want to be responsible for drinking the whole bottle.” Adagio shook her head, snagging a scallop, “One of us needs to stay sober.” She sat silently as Sunset continued to eat. “Sunset,” “Hm?” “I've been thinking about what you offered. And, I would like to go back to Equestria.” Sunset slowly swallowed her morsel. “I'll let the princess know.” “I'm sure you can find me a nice, secluded spot on the beach.” “I can take you back to your beach, if you wish.” Adagio shook her head, “It's too far away. It's not even in Equestria. And, I'd like for you to come to visit me.” “What about Aria and Sonata?” “Let them be. They never cared much for the beach, anyway.” “Well, I'll continue to look after them over here.” Adagio smiled, “I'd appreciate that.” --- “That was amazing!” Sunset wiped her mouth with a napkin, “I think you may just have a convert.” Adagio laughed, wrapping her arms around Sunset's neck. Their lips met in a kiss. “You taste like a seafood meal.” “Well,” Sunset kissed back, “whose fault is that?” “You're welcome.” “You wanna watch the sunset from here?” “Sure. But, that's not for a while yet. In the meantime,” she straddled Sunset's lap, “I want to watch this Sunset.” Sunset chuckle, running her hands along Adagio's back end, “Oh, really? What do you want to see?” Adagio leaned in for a kiss, “What will you show me?” “Nothing that should be shown outside.” “Oohh,” Adagio moaned, “Now, that's the wine talking.” “Maybe,” Sunset smirked, “Or, it could just be me.” “Need I remind you that we're on a private beach? And we're hidden from the view of the neighbors? There's no one else to see.” “Now who's talking dirty?” She pulled off her blouse and set it aside. “Now, what do I get to see?” With a knowing smile Adagio slowly unzipped her hoodie. Her smile grew wider as she watched Sunset's face. “What?” she teased, “Didn't you notice?” “Not really,” Sunset breathed, “You had your back to me most the time. And I like to look at your eyes when you look at me.” Adagio chuckled, bringing their lips together, “It's your own fault, then.” “Then, maybe, you should punish me,” Sunset kissed back. She moaned as Adagio pushed deeper. “Don't give me ideas.” Sunset only laughed. “Like you've ever denied them!” She snaked her arms tightly around Adagio, bringing her in closer. She closed her eyes as she drank in her lover. But, when a metallic taste hit her mouth, she suddenly stopped. “Adagio,” she said, gently pushing back the other woman. Seeing her face, her eyes grew wide. “Adagio, your nose is bleeding!” Adagio looked confused for a moment before wiping with the back of her hand. Looking at it, she could only muster a meek “Oh-no...” That's when the coughing started. Sunset held Adagio tight and let her cough over her shoulder. She eyed the hose to make for a quick cleanup later. She held onto her girlfriend as her body began to shake. Slowly, Sunset maneuvered her chair further from the table. With enough distance, she managed to slide off it and onto the wood decking. She laid down and gently rolled Adagio off of her. She grabbed the seat cushion to use as a pillow. Seeing that Adagio was in a good position, Sunset leaned back against the house's outer wall. “Well,” she sighed, “so much for that.”