Midnight Oil
The soft sound of Sunset typing on her computer was the only noise that emanated from the small office.
She was trying really hard to focus on the email she was sending. It should have been simple, after all, like a hundred other emails she'd sent, routine, ordinary. Should have been the work of two minutes, if only she could just focus and keep her eyes open.
Sunset sighed heavily, setting her reading glasses on the desk before she leaned back in the chair, stretching her arms as she yawned. She had been at work for hours hoping to get through this paperwork. It wasn't all necessarily urgent, but a great chunk of it was in need of attention. No need for her own superiors to be breathing down her neck if she could get it done before they even notice the slight change in margins. She brushed her hands through her hair as she looked over to the left, admiring the view from the window, Sunset was exceptional at her job, and she took much pride in it, but one of her faults was she did have the tendency to try and do everything herself, rather than let the other employees do their jobs. It wasn't that she didn't trust them to do their jobs, it was a bad habit. (Which she was attempting to break.)
Sunset rolled her shoulders back, satisfied when she heard a soft pop. The office itself had a strange echo to it when it was empty. Without the constant hum of people talking, along with the sound of footsteps, typing, papers being shuffled, printers beeping, phones ringing, pens scratching, and the occasional sound of her own office door being opened and shut.
Now tonight there was the unfortunate fact that her assistant had called in sick the other day so her usual caffeine fix had been long forgotten. This did slow things a bit, but she was still fully determined to keep working until she had finally tackled every single form and read every email she had.
She glanced down at her desk to be greeted by a towering stack of about 20 papers that needed to be looked over and signed, as well as three folders, containing information on projects waiting for approval, and lastly 32 unread emails on the computer.
“Augh!” Sunset groaned as she smacked her head against the desk, rather loudly. “Celestia save my soul.”
She raised her head from the pile of papers then rose from her chair, making her way towards a small espresso machine she had sitting in the corner of her office. May as well give herself the caffeine fix she needed. She grabbed a mug then pressed a few buttons, waiting patiently as the machine began to brew.
A soft beeping outside the door suddenly grabbed her attention. She curiously leaned her head back a little, hoping to catch a glimpse of what it may be from just her open door.
Hmm, weird.
She scratched the back of her neck as she took the mug back to her desk.
The buzz of her monitor and the glow of her desk lamp centered her back in her work state of mind.
Hardly a few more hours. An hour is 60 minutes. 60 minutes divided is 30. 30 to 15. So you only have to endure for about 8 more 15 minute intervals.
“Sunset?”
The sudden sound of a voice startled Sunset as she practically leaped out of her chair, whipping her head around to see who was in the room.
She was surprised to see Fluttershy standing in the doorway.
Fluttershy looked just as surprised and squeaked softly.
“Sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you.” Fluttershy apologized profusely.
Sunset sighed in relief, running her hand over the back of her neck. “No worries. I was concentrating that's all.” She straightened her shirt's collar, regaining her composure.
“What are you doing here so late in the night?” she asked, curiosity ringing in her soft voice.
Sunset gestured to the stacks of paperwork. “Just burning the midnight oil.”
Fluttershy’s light blue eyes wavered to Sunset’s desk, a bit surprised at the amount.
“Seems like quite a lot.”
She nodded. “It is. But it's okay. I'm sure I’ll get everything done.” She turned back at the slightly daunting pile then huffed. “Hopefully.”
Fluttershy stepped away from the doorway, brushing a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
Sunset glanced over the curious secretary. This wasn’t Fluttershy’s dream job by any means, but her job at the animal shelter was not getting her through school. So, of course, when Sunset heard that she needed the help she offered her a job. Fluttershy wasn't eager at first, but after a bit of coaxing she soon decided to take her up on her offer. Now here she was two years later rocking her job and honestly had become one of the best secretaries Sunset had ever had.
This is weird though. Why is she here this late?
“Anyway, what are you doing here? Everyone left hours ago.”
Fluttershy shifted her gaze at the ground, rubbing her arm in a nervous manner.
“Well, I was clearing through some last minute stuff. Lost track of time.”
“Oh.”
Fluttershy turned back at piles on her bosses desk and noticed another email popped up on the screen. “Well, maybe I could be of some help?”
Sunset shook her head almost instantly at the suggestion. “No. No. I couldn't ask you to do that for me.”
“Oh. It's no trouble really.”
I don't like the idea of keeping her here. This is my responsibility. I shouldn't bring others into- wait. Sunset, you're doing it again. Remember what Twilight told you. But still it's not fair to her.
Sunset looked back at her lovely pile of work, sighing in defeat as a yet another email popped up on her screen.
“Alright alright fine.” Sunset plopped back in her chair as she put her reading glasses back on, grabbing a couple of folders then handing them to Fluttershy. “Just inspect these files please. Make sure they're in order after that I'll sign them.”
Fluttershy took in the information as she sat on one of the chair in front of Sunset’s desk, taking the files from her.
“Considering the fact, they're not major projects, couldn't I stamp them with your seal?” Fluttershy asked.
Sunset shook her head. “I wish we could. It would definitely save me time, but I can't. These need my personal approval.”
Fluttershy nodded absently, then opened one of the files, beginning her scan over them.
Sunset took a sip from her coffee as she focused back on her computer screen.
Okay, Mr Blueblood is asking if we can invest in his club. Obvious no. Decline. Recommendation. Blah blah blah. Next; Mrs Harshwhinny. Wants to have a meeting to discuss further business details, why didn’t she go through my assistant? Oh well. Accept. Love to discuss business. Have the meeting at the Diamond Gourmet. Done. Next; Applegate.
Sunset soon got into the flow of typing on her computer again. One email after another she checked through, answered like clockwork.
Soon the time seemed to drone on by. Piles of paper started growing smaller and smaller by the minute. The soft hum of the monitor along with the sound of Sunset typing and the rustling of papers being moved back and forth soon became the only sounds once again in her office.
*Tick tock tick tock tick tock*
She stole a glance at Fluttershy, who was working silently by her side. Her cyan eyes scanning the papers, concentration knit on her brow as she wrote a couple things on the forms then pushed them to the side. She glanced over her, curious to see what she was wearing. She wore a white blouse with tiny ruffles at the bottom along with a black pencil skirt and a pair of black heels. Her pink hair was loose and rather stunning, but it looked to be a bit mussed from the stress of the day work.
Sunset couldn't help but hold her gaze on her. She couldn't deny it, Fluttershy was quite attractive.
I hope she hasn't been pushing herself too hard.
As if she could feel her eyes on her, Fluttershy’s eyes drew away from the papers and met Sunset’s. It was barely a second, but it was all it took to make the air in the office shift. She quickly averted her gaze and turned back to her screen, rubbing her thumb over her clenched hand.
“Remember that one time during our Junior year when you and I stayed late at Pinkie’s?” Sunset asked.
Fluttershy nodded, still keeping her eyes on what she was doing.
“We had stayed up so late that night, trying to finish our homework while attempting to finish binge watching Jessica Jones, and, heh, I remember, we were so tired and it was like what? 1 a.m.?” Sunset asked, daring to look at her from the corner of her eye.
She could see Fluttershy nod again, closing a folder then beginning to write something on a spare notepad.
“Yeah, so we decided absolutely nothing would stop us, not even sleep. Then Pinkie went to the nearest grocery store that was still open and bought 3 boxes of 4 pack energy drinks, coffee shots, and freaking doughnuts. Ha.” Sunset chuckled, pawing at her mouse a bit longer than necessary. “Celestia what a mistake.”
Fluttershy cracked a little smile, gazing over at her boss, softness in her gaze.
“That was really funny.”
“I swear I thought we were going to have to send her to the ward or something to wait until it all got out of her system.” Sunset laughed.
“Well, at least you were strong enough to hold her down.”
“Ha! Barely. Silly little cotton fluff nearly broke my arms when she started bouncing around like a madwoman.”
Fluttershy giggled, brushing a few stray strands of hair away from her face. “I miss those days. They were so simple back then.”
Sunset chuckled, wryly and shook her head. “Simple? More like the most complicated ever.”
Fluttershy tilted her head to the side, curiously. “Why?’
“You know, everyone was so judgmental back then. You breathe the wrong direction and suddenly you're on everyone's bad side.”
“Well. High school is like that you know,” Fluttershy said.
“Yeah but I doubt it's because you blew up half of the school, brainwashed all the students, and turned into a power hungry she-demon.” Sunset spoke with a sharp edge of sarcasm in her voice.
Fluttershy seemed to be taken aback with the hardness in her voice. Sunset noticed her shocked expression and spoke quickly. “Sorry sorry. I didn't mean it.”
Fluttershy didn't say anything in response. She simply sat there, in silence.
Awkward tension filled the air as Sunset cleared her throat, turning her attention back to the monitor. Fluttershy kept her eyes on her for a bit longer, but in time she also turned her attention back to the notepad.
After a few more hours Sunset leaned back in her chair, sighing happily. She was finally freed of her cluttered mailbox and all the other paperwork was done. She scratched her brow and turned back at Fluttershy, who seemed to be done with all the folders she had given her.
Fluttershy looked tired, but she also smiled as she handed her boss the stack of files.
“Just need you to sign those three and we are finally done.”
Sunset smirked at the girl, taking the papers she was being handed. Everything looks pretty good. “Impressive.”
Fluttershy turned her head away, her eyes drawn to ground. “It's no big deal.”
“Of course it is. Not even my assistant would have been able to breeze through them as quickly as you.”
“Simply a matter of practice.” Fluttershy smiled shyly.
Sunset opened them and signed the forms quickly then handed them back one by one to Fluttershy. The young woman rocked on her heels nervously as she cleared her throat to speak.
“Hey, you know the animal shelter is going to throw a Thanksgiving party later this week.”
Sunset’s eyes met hers for a split second, her pen still moving across the paper.
“Oh?”
“Mhm. And I was wondering, well, hoping maybe you could come?”
“Come and what?” Sunset asked.
“Well you know. We could spend some time together.”
Sunset barely shifted her attention away from her paperwork as she shook her head.
“Sorry Fluttershy. A party is pretty out of the question, I'm really booked this week.”
Silence followed her response. She turned to see what was wrong and saw the woman seemed practically crushed by what she said. She suddenly felt guilty for so quickly turning down her offer.
‘But, you know, if you want to spend time together Fluttershy, we could grab a coffee or something sometime.”
Fluttershy smiled weakly, rubbing her hand over her forearm, as her eyes downcast to the edge of Sunset’s desk.
“O-okay.”
Sunset practically froze in place, not knowing whether she should stay silent or break the sudden silence. Just that look of slight disappointment in her eyes tugged at Sunset’s heart. She felt as if she had told a little kid unicorns don't exist. It was heartbreaking.
I keep her here late and this is how I treat her? No no. I gotta make this better.
“Fine fine. How bout now? Hmm?” Sunset asked.
Fluttershy eyebrows creased as she played with her hair, a few strands of it falling in front of her face. “Now what?”
Sunset grabbed her jacket from her seat as well as her spare set of comfortable shoes she had hidden underneath her desk. “Right now. Come on. Let's go for coffee.”
Fluttershy fidgeted nervously as she glanced over to a clock which hung on the wall. “But it's 1am,” she said, still fiddling with her hair.
“Then we’ll go to a diner or something. Get some pancakes,” Sunset said with a smile as she grabbed her car keys then walked to the door, looking over her shoulder, waiting for a response.
Fluttershy stood there, eyes locked on her. She didn't move, she just stared at Sunset. Sunset herself felt awkward as she simply stood idly by the door, waiting for a response. Then as if snapped out of a trance, she moved the hair away from her face before she nodded.
“Um… sure, yeah, okay.”
Sunset smiled as Fluttershy shuffled out of her office, walking to her own desk, grabbing her coat and a little handbag.
“Alright. Let's go,” Sunset said as she lead them to the elevator.
The sound of dishes clattering, bacon sizzling, and coffee being poured were the dominant sounds in the place. Sunset Shimmer and Fluttershy had managed to find a cramped diner verging on the edge of town. It wasn't much of a place, but it had a nice charm to it. The walls were bland, and it had white and red booths setting from all around the walls. The bar had red stools setting from it, and the lingering stench of chicken noodle soup and coffee was close to overpowering. The one thing slightly annoying her was the fact the huge refrigerator sitting behind the counter kept buzzing and the lights behind the glass kept flickering on and off.
They were sitting in one of the booths at the far left corner of the diner. Sunset, who found herself not really in the mood for pancakes, decided to simply get some french toast and eggs along with a huge chocolate shake to down it with. Fluttershy on the other hand did get a lovely little stack of fresh strawberry pancakes along with a side of eggs and a pot of earl grey tea to go along with her meal. When Sunset tried to buy her a milkshake she declined quickly, stating the fact milk and eggs mixed together upset her stomach. Sunset thought it amusing, but when Fluttershy made a point of her eating meat and milk together she quickly shut up.
Now they were making idle chatter between themselves as they sat in this dimly lite diner, eating together. No one was there other than the waitress and the cook, so they weren't disturbed by any other people. Which was pleasant, considering they were surrounded by a great many people constantly during regular work hours.
“Seriously I have no idea how we even made it through traffic.”
Fluttershy nodded. “I know. It was pretty awful at the intersection. Weird considering what time it is.”
“Well we do live in the city that never sleeps,” Sunset said, quirking a brow.
Fluttershy giggled. “Are you sure you're not mistaking this for New York?”
“No.” Sunset smiled, glad to see her friend showed signs to be in a better mood than earlier.
She rested her elbows against the table, taking the straw in her mouth and started sipping the milkshake.
“Soo. How's everything else with you going?” Sunset asked between sips.
Fluttershy had her mouth full with pancake so it took her a minute to respond. She chewed slowly then swallowed, wiping a bit of syrup away from her face
“It's going alright I suppose.”
She raised a brow. “You suppose?”
Fluttershy nodded.
“But?”
Fluttershy shrugged. “It's nothing.”
Sunset toyed with the straw in her milkshake. She felt that Fluttershy wanted to tell her, but she didn't want to be much of a bother. It was a habit of hers she’d seen a few times over the years. She had always tried to keep her problems to herself ever since she was younger, which sadly was the main reason why Sunset didn't get into much trouble when she used to harass her. But ever since they had become closer Fluttershy became more open towards them. Especially Sunset.
She smiled as she kept her eyes on the young woman. She didn't have an idea to why out of all of her friends she was the one Fluttershy ended up trusting the most, but she was grateful nevertheless.
“You can tell me, Fluttershy.” She flicked the straw out of the cup then stirred it around again.
Fluttershy blushed, turned her gaze to the window, staring out into the streets. Sunset followed her gaze and took a glance as well. Cars, buses, and taxis drove past, their headlights illuminating the streets with a dull glow. Despite the glass separating them from the outside you could still hear the sounds of city life. Sirens, tires, music, and even people yelling.
Fluttershy turned back to her friend and shrugged. “I guess I'm… lonely.”
“Oh.” Sunset smirked as she drummed her fingers across the table. “So, you wanna date?”
Fluttershy blushed hard as her shy eyes met Sunset’s. “Well, um…”
Sunset chuckled. “Nothing to be ashamed about, Fluttershy. I mean everyone gets to a point in life they where want to be with someone.”
“Yes. I suppose.”
Sunset scraped her fork against her plate, picking up the last pieces of egg on it. “So. You have your eyes set on someone in particular?” she asked.
Fluttershy’s shifted away from Sunset, wandering to the window again. “Maybe.”
She raised a brow, a smirk on her face. “Do I know them?”
Fluttershy seemed to be hiding a laugh as she responded. “Maybe.”
Sunset chuckled. “Well I hope it works out for you.”
“Me too.”
Fluttershy took a sip of tea then dabbed her mouth with a napkin.
“How about you? Have you had your eye on anyone recently?”
Sunset leaned her arm back against the booth and grabbed her spoon, starting to fiddle with it idly. “Nah not really. Work is my main priority. I don't have time for that,” she said.
“No? Why not?”
Sunset shrugged. “I'm not much of a lovable person.”
Fluttershy’s hand twitched, as if she was holding back something, her eyes downcast. “I think you could be.”
Cyan eyes glanced back at the girl, as she smirked. “Ha. Friendship wise maybe. But anything else? No.”
Fluttershy tilted her head to the side. “Why do you think that?”
“I don't know.” Sunset shrugged as she stared out into the city lights. “Ever since I was a kid I didn’t experience real platonic relationships. They were all to my benefit. Nothing more.”
“What about your parents?’ Fluttershy asked.
“Eh. My parents died early, I don't have much memory of them,” she said. “I guess the closest thing I got to a loving kind of relationship was with my mentor, Princess Celestia.”
Surprise covered Fluttershy’s face for a brief second before Sunset quickly recovered herself.
“Not in a romantic way. Geez. I mean in a mother daughter way,” Sunset scoffed. “I guess you see where I ended that relationship.
“I was a pretty awful teenager. Such a power hungry crazed kid. Wanted nothing but the world at her feet. I guess I thought if I had everything in the world it wouldn't matter no one liked me. As long as I had everything then I wouldn’t need anyone.” She smirked. “Princess Celestia told me multiple times I should be thankful for what I had. That I shouldn't try to find material things to fill the hole in my heart. But I didn't want to listen to her advice. I thought I knew it all.
“But it simply fueled into my anger. So once I found the mirror I jumped on the opportunity and ran. I saw this place in such a different way back then. I thought myself superior to it. That it was another place to divide and conquer. Just like Equestria would be one day, when I had enough power.” She scoffed under her breathe bending the end of the spoon with her thumb. “How arrogant.”
She smiled as she turned to look at Fluttershy. “But you guys came into my life and completely spun it around for the better. I learned I didn't need power to get what I wanted, all I needed the whole time was to accept friendship in my life.”
Fluttershy’s eyes seemed to light up with happiness, her cheeks turning a pinkish color.
“But still. If you can accept friendship, why don't you think someone could love you more than that?” Fluttershy asked.
Sunset pursed her lips, her eyes locked on the now empty glass in front of her.
Fluttershy came across as a bit hesitant at first, but she reached her hand forward and gently rested it on Sunset’s. She didn't acknowledge the contact, but you could see her body tense.
“You can tell me.”
Sunset bit her lower lip, as she shook her head.
She felt Fluttershy’s hand tightened around her own, her thumb brushing across her knuckles.
“I'm your friend. I won't judge you.”
Sunset wanted to tell her, she did. But there was a dreading feeling building in her stomach, preventing her from speaking. It felt like iron weights were dragging her, forcing her to not reveal the thing she believed to be weakness.
Even now she refused to be weak. It wasn't an option. Back then it was simply a matter of pride. Now she had to be a leading force for the office. She had to be the example. The leader. She couldn't let simple private matters get in the way. If she did that would mean chaos. And it couldn’t be allowed.
Fluttershy obviously didn’t want to pry too hard on her friend, but the look in her face spoke a thousand words. Sunset couldn’t look at her. It was prying at her, attempting to break through Sunset’s shield, desiring to see what she was desperately trying to hide. Sunset knew. She could feel it.
That look could break her.
She tore her eyes away from Fluttershy, looking back at the empty milkshake and grumbled angrily under her breathe.
“Sunset.”
“What?” She tried to not sound angry, but the words came out with a hard edge to it.
Fluttershy didn't flinch this time though, she simply tightened her hand around Sunset’s, resting her arms on the table then leaned forward.
“You can trust me.” Her voice was soft, encouraging. It made Sunset want to cry.
Her hands clenched until her knuckles turned white, forcing herself to swallow the words now. They sat there on the tip of her tongue, threatening to come out.
Anger burned in her eyes as she finally looked up and stared directly into Fluttershy’s light blue eyes.
“What do you want me to say? Huh?” she asked. “You want a full blown confession? You want me to admit it's stupid that I can't accept love even though I can accept friendship?”
Sunset yanked her hand away from Fluttershy's, turning her body away from her, her hands resting on her knees, sitting practically at the edge of the booth now, as if she was ready to bolt.
“I know it sounds ridiculous and stupid. But I can't help it. I don't know why I feel this way, I just do.”
Sunset’s arms started shaking as she let her head sag, hair falling forward covering her face. It felt like a massive wave of black rushed over her as she held her breath, trying to force herself to calm down.
“Who could ever love someone like me?” Her voice was shaky, but her words clear, sharp as knives.
Silence rang in her ears. The darkness was now covering her body, pushing her into a pit of nothingness. She breathed through her nose, pushing every breathe out with a lot of force. She waited for Fluttershy to say something, but she didn't speak. The silence endured.
Why isn't she saying anything? Why is she just sitting there not saying a word to me? Can't she see me? Does she not care? Why? Why don't you see me?
Suddenly she felt a warm pressure on her shoulders, squeezing them gently, massaging the built up tension in them. Sunset looked up and saw Fluttershy standing in front of her, hands on her shoulders. Her beautiful blue eyes had tears in them.
Sunset sat there, mouth slightly open as Fluttershy leaned closer to her, her face inching closer to hers. Soon she was looking directly in her eyes, her lips hardly centimeters away from Fluttershy's. Her breath grew shakier as Fluttershy smiled, slowly leaning in closer.
Sunset gasped.
Her lips barely touched her ear as she brought her closer and whispered softly, her voice as soft as angel feathers.
“I could.”
Sunset’s eyes widened in complete shock as Fluttershy pulled back, a light smile on her face.
She didn't know what to say. She couldn't move, she couldn't breathe. It was as if time itself had frozen. All she could do was stare at the girl standing in front of her.
Did she …could she possible mean that…I-I-I…
Even Sunset’s thoughts couldn't properly be filed as she tried to crumple them all together.
Suddenly everything that had happened previously, even back when they were in school, completely made sense. From the absolute trust, to the random sleepovers, the way she looked at her, hayfeathers to even her working in the same company as her!
She had rarely thought twice about it back then, but now, it was clear. There was always an underlying feeling that came with it.
Heck I don't even know how I feel right now. Hurt? Overwhelmed? Overjoyed? What? What is this feeling? I want to run away but I also want to throw my arms around her and never let go. I… don't understand.
“Sunset. Talk to me.”
Sunset groaned, her emotion wanting to crush her lungs, as did the air around her. It hung heavy threatening to crush her completely. What could she even say? She had no idea. The only thing she could muster was the only thing she could understand. “I'm confused.”
Fluttershy ran her hand through Sunset’s hair, gently brushing the loose locks behind her ear. “Why?”
“I-I don't know,” she muttered angrily. “I don't know I don't know! I don't know what I'm feeling right now.”
Fluttershy’s hand brushed past Sunset’s hair the back to her shoulder again in a mimicry of a massage.
“The way I see it, there are only two real emotions in this world: love and fear.” She spoke as softly as before, but with more assurance and volume. “All positive emotions branch from love, all the negative ones from fear. Love brings happiness, contentment, and peace. Fear brings anger, hate, anxiety, and guilt. People may say that they aren’t primary ones, but if you think about it, they are polar opposites. You cannot have one coexist with the other. When you are afraid you are not in a place of love and when you are in love we cannot have fear.”
Sunset brought her hands away from her knees, burying her face in them.
“You throw yourself in your work to ease your guilt. When you're a tool for the masses you don't need to feel. It helps, but the body tires and your defenses drop eventually.”
Fluttershy rested her hand on top of Sunset’s head.
“It's okay if you're afraid right now. I don't expect you to suddenly be accepting of any kind of love right off the bat. But I want you to know, you're not alone Sunset. And that you are worthy of more than friendship.”
“But I've done so many terrible things, Fluttershy. Especially to you.” Sunset spat the words out. “Sure it was years ago, but how could you love me after everything I've done? How can you look past my sins as if they were nothing?”
Her warm hand touched Sunset’s chin, bringing her face up to face her own. Her cyan eyes met light blue ones, filled with a kindness that broke through her like a thousand beams of magic.
“Because we all have complicated lives and everyone is going to hurt you at one point or another. I chose to look past everything and accept you for who you were. A kind, smart, beautiful girl who wanted everyone to know that she was willing to change for the better.”
Tears were on the verge of spilling over as Sunset pushed Fluttershy's hand away from her face, turning away from the girl.
No. No. No.
“Please. Let me in. You've helped me and so many others. Please, let me help this time.” Fluttershy pulled Sunset closer to her and pressed her forehead against Sunset’s.
No…no… don't… She clamped her eyes shut, mouth in a tense line as she fought with every ounce of fight she had left in her.
“Sunset.”
Fluttershy.
“I love you.”
A pin drop could be heard in the desolate diner. Sunset’s heart stuttered in her chest as Fluttershy’s words sunk in.
Celestia save my soul.
Tears poured down Sunset’s face as she finally let go. She rested her head on Fluttershy’s shoulder as her friend wrapped her arms around her, holding her close.
Gentle fingers brushed against her back, in a soothing manner. Fluttershy's soft voice shushed in her ear as she bawled. She clung to her like a child, gripping at the fabric of her shirt, wanting to feel her. To know this was real. That someone was this close to her.
She breathed in, her nose filled with the smell of daisies and wood chips. Such a natural smell, yet light and wonderful, so much like her.
Sunset was shaking as she hung her head, resting her forehead against Fluttershy’s shoulder. Then she pulled away, wiping her face of the tears.
Her eyes downcast, and her hands resting in Fluttershy's, she didn't know what to say. The only thing she could do was remain in her seat and stare at her shoes.
No words needed to be spoken though. Fluttershy stood and grabbed Sunset’s jacket as well as her own. Then she took some money out of her wallet and left it on the table. Once she had everything gathered she took Sunset’s hand and tugged it gently.
“Come on Sunny. Let's go.”
Sunset stayed silent as she rose from the booth, letting Fluttershy tug her along. They walked out of the diner and into the street, out into the city life. She watched as Fluttershy walked to the edge of the sidewalk and hailed a cab.
Once the cab pulled over she dragged Sunset into the backseat with her. The cabbie was a polite old fellow and asked Fluttershy where they were headed.
Fluttershy quickly told him he address and he was off.
5 minutes times 3 is 15. 15 minutes times 2 is 30. 30 times 2 is an hour. Sunset’s mind rang wild with multiple figures as the drive endured. Other than that she was completely silent. Trying to control the emotions raging inside of her.
Traffic was scarce, thank Celestia, but the drive couldn't be more on thin ice than it was.
Once they finally stopped Sunset stepped out of the cab and took a moment to realize where they were.
Oh. It's my apartment complex, she noticed.
Sunset and Fluttershy walked to the edge of the entrance, not a word spoken. Once by the door Fluttershy turned to her and spoke.
“Well, I don't live far off from here. So I'll walk home.”
Sunset still didn't speak. She simply kept her eyes on the door.
Fluttershy’s face turned pink as she turned on heel. “Well, see you tomorrow, Sunny.”
She was suddenly stopped short as Sunset grabbed the edge of her shirt, holding her back.
Fluttershy looked over her shoulder at her, unsure of what to do.
“Huh?”
“Fluttershy…” Sunset’s voice was soft, her gaze focused on the ground, avoiding direct eye contact. “Could you… stay with me tonight?”
Her eyes met Fluttershy’s shyly, her cheeks a bright red. “Please?”
Fluttershy didn't respond at first, but then a gentle smile tugged at her mouth as she stared back at those beautiful cyan eyes.
“Sure.”
Sunset smiled, as she took Fluttershy’s warm hand in her own. There was something more there than had been earlier that night when she took her hand. It felt like an anchor holding her, a calming force that could shift the world if need be. She couldn't help but smile even wider as she led her into the building.