Cruising

by Rose Quill

Chapter Twelve - Homebound

I twisted my hair around my fingers, eyes shut tightly as the boat rolled with the storm. My sea legs had fled with the sunny weather, leaving me laying in bed trying to keep some sort of equilibrium. Twilight returned from the bathroom with a wet hand towel and laid it on my head.

“Any better?” she asked, a kind look in her eye.

I shook my head, holding the towel in place. “Not really,” I said. “I don’t feel like puking now, but the boat still swims whenever I try to stand or sit up.”

Applejack came into the room, a look of caring concern on her face.

“So Dash ain’t the only one not likin’ the weather, Ah see,” she said, a weak smile on her face. “How ya holdin’ up, sugarcube?”

I smiled, sure my face was as green as her eyes. “I think I’ll survive,” I said. “Though I’m not happy this is how I spend our last day on this trip.”

Twilight picked a few errant strands of hair from my face and cupped my cheek. “Not much to do with the rain anyway, hon,” she said. “Most of the outdoor activities are closed and there aren’t any shows until later.”

“Maybe we can have a lil’ get together here in yer cabin, Sunny,” AJ said. “Talk ‘bout some o’ the things that happened on this trip.” She tapped a quick message out on her phone.

“Like you and Dashie?” Twilight asked.

The farm girl colored a bit, running her hand through her hair, the blonde tresses worked into a braid today. I frowned as a detail worked into my awareness.

“Where’s your hat, AJ?” I said. “Weather like this you’d almost be sure to wear it.”

The blush deepened, and she glanced away. “Dash has it,” she said. “She weren’t feelin’ good, and Ah was about t’ go out while she slept it off.” She smiled a little. “Said it smelled like me and Ah thought it might help her sleep.”

Twilight resettled herself on the bed, her presence comforting. “I can understand that,” she said, glancing at me.

“She steals a shirt of mine every time she comes over,” I clarified, glancing at my fiancé. “Sometimes she gives them back.”

“They’re comfortable,” the bookworm said, tapping her forefingers together.

“What’s comfortable?” asked Rarity as she walked in, Fluttershy behind her brushing some wet hair out from her face.

“Twilight steals my shirts sometimes,” I said as the two sat down.

“Completely understandable,” the prim girl said as she sat on one of the chairs. “You do have some lovely choices in your wardrobe.”

“Who wants nachos?” cried a giddy voice as the door opened to admit Pinkie, bearing said snack in her hands.

I slowly sat up, wiggling back against the headboard of the bed. The night was passed with laughter, especially after Rainbow managed to make her way down, feeling better following a nap. Her girlfriend's hat stayed on her head, however, causing a snicker from Twilight that brought a glare from me that was softened with a mental I love you.

---

We were watching as the ship eased up to the dock, large mooring lines being thrown over the sides to secure it to the dock.

I slung my duffel bag over my shoulder, glancing at my better half as she scoured the room for items we might have missed, somehow producing a checklist in a matter of minutes.

“That everything, Twi?” I asked.

She made a mark on her notepad. “Seems like,” she said, picking up her bag as well, tucking the notepad inside. I caught a flash of a tartan skirt. She followed my gaze and blushed a little.

Eyes front, missy, she sent with a wry smile.

I tittered as we left the room and met the rest of the girls on the deck. I looked at each of them and smiled. Applejack had her arm around Dash’s shoulders, Fluttershy and Rarity were holding hands. I felt Twilight’s hand slip into my back pocket and rest her head against my shoulder, sighing happily. I waved at Lemon Zest as I caught a glimpse of her through the crowd.

“I think this was just what we needed, AJ,” she said. “A nice vacation with nothing odd to happen to us.”

“Speak for yourself,” Rainbow said. “I didn’t expect to hook up with AJ the way we did.”

“Ya didn’t make it easy, ya know,” the tall girl said, resting her forehead against the athlete’s, smiles blossoming on both faces.

“Nor us, to tell the truth,” Rarity said.

“Though it was like a dream,” Fluttershy whispered.

“Awwwww,” Pinkie said. “I’m going to have to throw everyone a party when we get back to town for finding love!” She was grinning bigger than any of us.

“Are you saying you have someone, Pinkie?” Dash asked.

“Yep!” she returned, grabbing us all in a hug. “I got all of you as friends and you’re all happy!”

We couldn’t argue with that.

---

We waved as Shining Armor dropped us off at my apartment, Twilight letting him know she’d be home later that evening.

“It’s going to feel good to sleep in my own bed,” I said, dropping my bag next to my bed.

“I agree,” Twilight said, a teasing tone to her voice.

I glanced back at her and smiled.

“Perv,” I tossed back.

“Whatever,” she returned. “I’m starving, you want to grab a bite before running me home?”

“Sure,” I said, pulling my wallet from my bag. “Tudors?”

“Sounds great!” she replied.

The pub we parked at was the only one in town that offered vegetarian and vegan alternatives for their fare. I deposited a few quarters into a meter and was about to head inside when I felt a surge of surprise and shock through the bond.

“Everything ok, Twi?” I asked turning to see her staring across the street. She just pointed, directing my attention.

And there she was, red and yellow hair shorn in a chin-length bob, a sharp business suit, and expensive looking pumps. She was chatting into a cell phone, holding up a hand to flag a cab, slinging a leather attache case into the backseat of the hack that pulled up. The distance and the general din of the neighborhood made it impossible to hear anything.

We both stared as the cab pulled away, my counterpart inside.

“Huh,” I said.

Comments

[MorningRose]

awesome job on the counterpart of sunsets extremely good. i loved it.

[livinthelife]

Well it looks like Earth!Sunset is doing well for herself.

[Fangren]

Another sweet chapter Ooh, and Business!Sunset? Can't say I expected that take on her, but I'm interested.

[The Yaoi Mistress]

Nice way to end this one!!
We will see more of her?

[Rose Quill]

7966624

Yes, but not for a bit. I will mention her in this one shot I'm doing for Glory and Dew, as sort of an aside.

[Rose Quill]

7967914

It was either a generic Maker or go with Faust and have to explain that to SciTwi.

[AJtheRaven]

Great end to a great story. :)

[BlackWater]

for a generally pleasant vacation for the girls! And human Sunset.

This is wonderful!
derpicdn.net/img/2017/2/25/1372744/medium.png
View on Derpibooru - Original source

[MySisterBroughtMeHere]

A nice sweet ending to an emotionally captivating story.

[Rose Quill]

7984645

P.S.
Any artists out there? We need art of this. Like, yesterday!

This. Totally this.

And don't forget stealing each other's shirts....

[Rose Quill]

7986859

The gown or the tartan?

[ClosetBrony]

7986866
The gown of course! Our beloved Modiste would never choose something less than fabulous for her friends.

I'd like to see both but if I had to pick only one then it would be the gown. I have no doubt the tartan would be cute but it wouldn't compete with a well designed gown/dress that complements the female form.

[ClosetBrony]

Finally finished. Well, done. This what the fic that launched many ships.

But, sniff, whaddabout Pinike?

[Rose Quill]

7991868

What about Pinkie? I'll tell you what: her special someone wasn't on the boat.

And it also isn't Sonata.

Or is it?

[Rose Quill]

7991866

But Rarity wouldn't be content with it as is, off the peg. Cue the sewing Montage!

[ClosetBrony]

7993565
7991938
Indeed she wouldn't. I'm sure she had ideas as soon as she saw it on the rack.

As to Pinkie x ?? I know who I'd like it to be. Well, there's a couple I can think of. I haven't started reading the next story so I'd don't know if it's been answered yet. Guess I'll just have to wait and see.

[Rose Quill]

8020379

It's something I picked up from my Great Depression born and raised grandfather.

Back when, before pens had ink cartridges inside them, you had to dip them into a pot called an inkwell, and schools would have them set into a little recessed slot in a students' desk.

It just happened to be situated for some of the more mischievous young boys to grab the long hair of the girl in front of them and dip the tip into the inkwell, causing some trouble. And just like I say, it was often the kids who didnt know how to express their feelings that did it.

Unless they was just ornery, as my pappy would say.

[FanOfMostEverything]

Wonderful fluff and one hell of a stinger. Thank you for it.

[dlazerous]

8539606
Well, she was always one to stick out from a crowd, I bet if they were all straight, she'd be the only one that was gay. Not there's anything wrong with that but judging from the down votes to my earlier post, people mistook an observation for condemnation.

[JWolfSilver]

8626399
Hehe I love the way you put that.

[Eroraf86]

"Huh" indeed. I wonder where this is going? Great story, love the fluff. SunLight/SciSet is best ship.

[Snowdrifter]

8970635
Never! I really don't know Jack about cheese, and am stringing this along. Wheel see if I can cut it, although no matter how you slice it, it looks like I can't make a good case(adilla). It's grating to me but I don't have to go through it alone. After all, I fondue.

[Vic Fontaine]

Ohhh, a second Sunny appears! O_O

[MixMassBasher]

Fitting that a cruise trip would have lots of shipping. Nicely done. Enjoyed the little tidbits of romance

[LoveandEdify]

Uh, just to be clear; this was what inspired Spring Breakdown, right?

[ScisetShimmerEvan]

We both stared as the cab pulled away, my counterpart inside.

https://m.

Plot twist I didn't see coming but good one

[DeadbeatFred]

We both stared as the cab pulled away, my counterpart inside. “Huh,” I said.

I LOVE that that's her reaction