>You are Wallflower Blush
>Since the destruction of the Memory Stone and being forgiven by Sunset and her friends, your life has finally started to turn around
>Sure, you aren't suddenly the star of CHS, but people remember your name!
>You can stroll through the halls, and a few of your new friends will even wave to you, or call you by name
>Even after two months, each little friendly greeting is enough to make your heart physically ache with happiness
>Most of all, though, what you really love is that--
>"Hey, Waffi!"
"Huh?"
>You stop, your internal monologue fading into the background, and find Pinkie Pie skipping through the crowded hallways towards you
"What did you just call me?"
>"Well, I was trying really really hard to come up with a nickname for you, and I thought, 'Maybe I can call her Wally?' But no, that sounds too much like your name is Waldo. Then I thought, why not Flowie? But, uh, for personal reasons I don't really think I can use that one."
"Oh, uh... okay."
>You give her a nervous, sweaty smile
"Really anything you want is fine. It's just good to see you. Really."
>"Glad you like it! It's good to see you too, Waffi~" Pinkie says, nudging your ribs through your corduroy sweater. "Sooo, now that you're one of the cool girls and all, you doing anything this weekend?"
"Wait, cool?"
>"There's gonna be this crazy-huge festival this weekend. *The* DJ PON3 is headlining! And all CHS seniors can get in free."
>You're still in a daze from having been called 'cool'
>"Normally I ask Sunset to go to this kinda stuff, but she's a big Twitch-influencer-streamer girl now, or something, and she's way too cool for us. But we're on the same cool wavelength now, you and me."
>Pinkie taps your shoulder
>"So I think we should go together!"
>You're currently floating somewhere near Jupiter, or at least it feels like it
"Cool..."

"I'm... cool?"
>The day of the festival has come, and you still haven't really returned to earth yet
>You're standing in one of the changing tents; at your feet are piled your jeans and your go-to sweater
>At Pinkie's insistence, you've changed into a pair of high-cut jean shorts and a red top with a plunging neckline, blatantly revealing the edges of the white bra hidden underneath it
>It's more skin than you've shown publicly in your entire life
>And now, for once, you'll actually have people's eyes on you
>It's beyond terrifying, to the point where you feel something like battery acid rising up into your chest
>Pinkie slaps the fabric of the tent
>"You still alive in there?"
"Y-yeah, I'm fine! Just, uh... are you sure this is the right outfit?"
>"Yep! Picked it out myself! Now come on, you're gonna miss Oliver Tree!"
[idk, the dude's name just sounds like an mlp character, so it's kinda funny]
"Wait, who?"
>Pinkie doesn't answer
>Somewhere in the distance, bassy and distorted guitar chords begin to boom
"Wait, Pinkie! Don't leave me here all--"
>You poke your head out, hoping to find your friend
>But all you see are crowds of sweaty people dressed in pastels and beads
"--alone."
>You duck back into the tent, your chest starting to heave
"Whoa, whoa whoa. I can't do this. Not alone."
>All those eyes, all on you
>When you're showing all of your legs and practically half your chest
>You can't, you absolutely can't
>"Hey!" comes an unfamiliar voice from outside. "You doing your eyebrows in there or something? Hurry up! Other people gotta use this thing!"
>Gulping, you grab up your discarded sweater and jeans and slink outside

>The summer sun is in full force, wrapping everyone in hazy, mosquito-filled blankets of heat
>You dart between openings in the crowd, trying to look like you're heading somewhere while actually having no idea where you're going
>Under your left arm, you're holding your usual clothes in a bundle, feeling like an absolute dork wandering around amidst all these genuinely cool people
>Occasionally, said cool people cast glances at you
>Most of the time, they actually smile
>But you're sure they're actually laughing at you in some subtle way you can't actually understand
>Agh, why is this so much harder than school...
>Pinkie is nowhere to be seen, of course
>You cast your eyes in every possible direction, hoping to find her
>Obviously you don't, that would be too easy
>But then, like a goddess descending from between storm clouds, you suddenly see Sunset Shimmer herself emerge from a throng of followers
>The sun catches her hair from behind, lighting it up in shades of vibrant orange, red, and gold
>She's dressed in a pair of shorts cut so severely that they're more like denim panties, with pockets resting against her full, golden-tanned thighs
>Her top is a leather bikini, with stylized sun symbols placed over each breast
>Your mouth falls open when you see her
>Sunset moves as if in slow-motion, radiating everything you believe is good in this world
>And somehow, through the throngs of pristinely-tanned fans, her eyes fall on you
>(She's wearing sunglasses, so it's hard to tell if they actually do or not; but she's currently heading your way so you're pretty sure she is actually looking at you wait holy shit Sunset Shimmer is heading your way oh my god what are you supposed to do she's actually walking up to you dressed like this oh my god she's so hot don't make this weird Wallflower don't make this weird don't make this weird--)
>"Hey!"
>Sunset gives you a casual wave, and steps up so close to you that you can smell her conditioner
>And her sweat
>"Wallflower! I didn't expect to see you here!"
>She sounds so genuinely happy to see you that you could melt
"Guh," you reply
>Sunset leans in until her face is almost pressed against yours, trying to hear you better
>"Sorry, what was that?"
"Y-you too."
>You feel almost like you could fall into the ruby-gold ocean of her hair; it's mesmerizing
>"Yeah! Isn't this place crazy? I'm just here for the promotion, and nobody will leave me alone!"
>Sunset shoves away a girl wearing thick spectacles and carrying a camera, who suspiciously keeps taking pictures of Sunset's sandals
"Yeah, I guess. I came here with Pinkie, but I think I lost her."
>"That's Pinkie alright. She's probably going on a spirit quest with some girl with dreadlocks or something. Don't worry, she'll turn up in a week or two."
"Oh. Okay."
>"You know, she's probably having way more fun than we are. Agh, I just want to dance!"
>Sunset growls in frustration, grabs glasses-girl's camera, and hurls it off into the distance
>Glasses-girl pulls out another camera from the dark recesses of her hoodie
"M-maybe we could dance together!" you blurt out like an idiot
>Sunset looks over, surprised
>You're just about ready to apologize profusely for even daring to suggest such a thing, but then a genuine smile spreads across her face
>"You know, you've got the right idea. I knew you were alright, Wallflower."
"Oh, whoa. Um, uh, thanks. You, uh... ah..."
"After you," you manage to squeak out
>Sunset reaches down and takes ahold of your hand, leading you towards the main stage, where that guy with the weird name and a bowlcut is still frantically rapping about scooters

>And that is how you ended up holding hands with Sunset Shimmer
>Actually *holding hands* with the same Sunset who rescued you from a life of anonymity and misery
>The Sunset who forgave everything you did to her, who helped you get you back on your feet again
>The Sunset who, after everything, still smiles when she sees you
>Your palm is, of course, horribly sweaty
>But so is hers!
>She's human
>An angel still, but a human one!
>"You doing okay?" Sunset asks
"Me? Oh, yeah. I'm fine!"
>"Just sounded like you were talking under your breath a little."
>The two of you have reached the main mob in front of the stage
>At the edge of the mob, Sunset gently wraps her hands around your wrists, and starts to move the two of you in a slow, bobbing circle
>"You seem kinda stressed. Everything alright?"
"So good. So, so good..." you say, caught up by the throbbing music and the calm, simple dance Sunset is leading you through
>As the two of you gently spin each other, a dreamy grin begins to spread across your face
>You can't stop looking at her; she's pushed her sunglasses up onto her brow now, and her eyes take hold of you and seem to cradle you
>Sunset lets out a brief giggle
>"Oh man, you're really bad at hiding it."
"H-hiding what? I'm not hiding anything!"
>"Relax! It's totally cool. I mean, it's a festival. It happens to everyone."
"I guess. It's just so embarrassing."
>"Hey, anything goes here. If you're feeling comfortable with it, I'm not gonna complain."
"R-really? You're not weirded out?"
>"Not at all. I'm just happy you're able to be yourself. You've really turned yourself around, Wallflower. It's really great to see you like this, even if you needed drugs to do it."
"Oh god, I love you t-- wait, drugs?"
>"Uh, yeah? Isn't that why you're all touchy-feely any stuff?"
"Um..."
>You realize you dropped your sweater a while ago
"Not really."
>"Oh. Oh!"
>Sunset clenches her jaw
>"I'm super sorry. It just seemed like you were... I just kinda assumed... I mean, it's a festival, so..."
>Both of you look away from each other, even as you continue to dance
>Her hands stay fastened around your wrists, and your feet impact the grass in perfect unison, guided by a pulsating beat
>"Sorry about that."
"No! It's r-really okay. Honestly I feel like I'm on something, kinda."
>"But you're not?"
"Right."
>"Man, I'm really so sorry."
"No, it's fine! It's just, ah..."
>You let Sunset spin you in a half circle, and when she pulls you closer, you're almost brave enough to let your head rest against her bicep
>Almost
>Instead you just continue the circle, then fall into the slow bobbing motion, your legs shaky as you try to keep up with Sunset's energy
"This all doesn't feel real. Is that an okay thing to say?"
>"You're *sure* you're not on drugs?"
"I'm not! It's just, you're here. I'm here. It's kinda incredible."
>"Hey, it's better than my day has been so far."
>Sunset spins you around in a full ballroom twirl, easily
>It occurs to you that she might have had cotillion lessons as some point in her life
>For some reason that makes her hotter; you're pretty sure that everything about Sunset makes her hotter, now that you think of it
"You're a really good dancer," you blurt out
>Sunset laughs
>"You really think so?"
"You're better than me at least, heh."
>"Hey, it's not like we're doing anything complicated."
>She slips her hands into yours, and before you can even realize it, she's pulled you against her body
>"Is this okay?"
"Oh my God, yes..." you whisper
>"What's that? It's really loud, I can't hear you."
"It's okay."
>"Good. Just let chance of weirdos creeping on us if we're together."
"Together, right..."
>You take a steadying breath
>Sunset spins you so that your back is resting against her chest, and your head ends up on her shoulder without you even trying to
>The rapper onstage is finishing his set, and a DJ has taken over, sending throbbing bass music out through the crowd
>Maybe it's just your imagination-- being this close to Sunset is more potent than any drug you can imagine --but you really feel like the drum's kick is synchronized with your own heartbeat
>Your eyes close of your own volition, and you let Sunset guide you through a few more basic steps
>"Man, I think we lost them. This is perfect."
>You look around, and you don't see a single camera-wielding socialite anywhere
"Oh wow, yeah."
>"You must be a good-luck charm," Sunset says jokingly
"They p-probably just don't want a picture with me in it."
>"Their loss. You're killing it tonight."
>Sunset spins you, and the two of you are face-to-face again
"Do you really mean that?"
>"Huh? Of course I do!"
>The music is starting to build, and throngs of sweaty, jumping festival-goers press around the two of you, forcing you and Sunset closer and closer together, until your chests are brushing against each other and you can feel her breath against the bridge of your nose
"But really, though? I mean, why do you say stuff like that, about someone like me."
>"Because I mean it."
"But how can you mean it? I'm not... I'm not like you."
>"Of course you're not. You're you. You're a girl who took a really awful past, with plenty of terrible mistakes, and learned to move past it. To become someone that brings happiness to everyone else."
"To everyone else? Like who?"
>"Well, I mean..."
>A tiny smile touches Sunset's mouth
>"...me?"
"You?" you blurt you, incredulous. "How does--"
>You calm yourself a bit
>Even though the music is blaring in your ears, every word Sunset says reaches you as if it were whispered in your ear
"How does someone like me make someone like you happy?"
>"Hey, you think I don't see the way you look at me?"
"Oh God, you do?"
>"Yep! And I love it, it seriously makes my day."
>Internally, you're screaming
>"You really value me, and I appreciate that."
"Right. Value. That's one way to put it..."
>She's such a great person, she doesn't even realize how deep your obsession goes
>Maybe that's for the best?
>"...I said something wrong, didn't I?"
"Huh? N-no!"
>You break contact with Sunset's hands just long enough to wave your own defensively in front of your face
"Not at all! This is great, you're great!"
>The crowd is so thick that the two of you are practically nose-to-nose now
>The contact is almost overwhelming, but you're so overwhelmed that you've almost hit a zen, calming level of terror where you hardly feel anything at all
>Concern spreads across Sunset's face
>"Hey, if something's wrong, you can tell me. You want to get outta here?"
"No!"
>You shout, but your voice is drowned out by the music
"I mean, no. I want to stay here. I want to dance with you. As long as we can."
>Sunset gives you an uneasy smile
>"Okay, but... something's up. I kinda want you to tell me, if that's alright."
"If I tell you, I'm worried this'll all end."
>"What are you talking about? What's so terrible that-- oh."
>Sunset closes her eyes, and let a tiny smile show on her face
>"Are you okay if I guess what's up? And this time, I'll think I'll guess it right."
"If you're right, are you going to be mad."
>"I don't think so, no."
"T-then guess."
>You feel as if the crowd is floating steadily away from you
>It's like you and Sunset are immersed together in dark, thrumming water, and the wait for her to respond takes seemingly forever
>"I think..."
>Sunset's arms are circled protectively around your neck now
>"...I'm really sorry if I'm wrong. But do you want me to...?"
>Her face is really close to yours now
>Enough that all you can see now is her eyes, and you feel her nose brushing yours
>Is she really offering what you think she is?
"Yes."
>You shut your eyes, begging the universe to just let this happen
>It does
>Sunset leans in and lets her mouth meet yours in a slow, delicate kiss
>Your heart simply stops beating for a moment, and you let yourself meld into her embrace
>This is your first kiss
>And it's with her!
>The two of you break apart, and you're gasping for breath, not entirely believing that that just happened
>Sunset looks surprisingly bashful
>"Honestly, I've wanted to do that for a long time."
"You *wanted* that? With me?"
>"Hey, what can I say. You've got something I'm really into. Wish I could have noticed it before."
>Sunset chuckles
>"But hey, Equestrian magic will do that to you. Do you want to, uh, get out of here?"
"And go where?"
>"Wherever we want," Sunset says
>There's a coy look in her eye, the kind of look that promises things you'd never even dreamed you were worthy of receiving
"P-please," is all you can stammer out

>Sunset slips her arms down your shoulders and takes your hand again
>This time, she leads you through the crowds, expertly weaving between the throngs of dancers
>Most of them back off immediately, stunned by her
>They notice you second, and many seem almost fiendishly jealous to see her pulling you along
>For the first time in... maybe your entire life, really, you feel *pride* welling up in your chest
>She kissed you!
>Sunset Shimmer kissed you!
>You can still feel the ghost of her lips on yours, and your eyes linger on the back of her body as she pulls you towards the edges of the festival
>Out here, the tents and stages give way to bare grassy hills, illuminated only by the faint haze from the stars above
>Several couples dot the hills out here, most of them making out or more
>It occurs to you very slowly that this is what Sunset has in mind
>'Whoa,' is all you can think to yourself
>Sunset kicks off her shoes, burying her bare feet in the grass
>You try to do the same, but end up awkwardly hopping on one foot as you try to pry your newly-bought Vans off
>Sunset waits patiently for you, and when both of you are barefoot, she flops onto the grass and pulls you down next to her
>"Pretty great, huh?"
"You look amazing, yeah..."
>"No, not me. This!"
>She points upwards, then sweeps her hand downwards, indicating the festival and the sprawl of Equestria's countryside around it
>"I got way to swept up in, well, the usual stuff for me today. I kinda became the old Sunset. Popularity hungry, ignoring my friends."
"No, I'm sure you were just--"
>Sunset laughs
>"You don't have to defend me, Wallflower."
"S-sorry."
>"Especially because, hey, you kinda snapped me outta all this."
>She squeezes your hand
>"It's pretty awesome having you around. You see some kinda perfect, wonderful side of me that I sometimes forget exists. Honestly, I hope we get to see each other more."
"M-me too! I mean, you don't have to say all that nice stuff about me. I'm just, you know, just Wallflower. You're amazing. You make everyone better just by being around them. Including me."
>Sunset smiles
>"Then maybe this is better for both of us."
"A-ah, yeah... maybe..."
>"Okay, you're honestly really cute."
"Cute? Me?"
>Sunset's hand finds its way to the back of your head, and she guides you into a second kiss
>Cute?

>The two of you make out long enough for what, to you, feels like dozens of still, perfect nights
>You trade kisses back and forth, uninterrupted by fans or crowds, alternating between short, dainty pecks and long, open-mouthed kisses where Sunset teaches you how to explore her mouth with your tongue
>By the end of your makeout session, her test is heavy on your tongue and her saliva lingers on your lips
>Eventually, of course, Sunset has to lead you back to the grounds, where a clearly-not-sober Pinkie comes to collect you, nuzzling you intensely as she leads you back towards the parking lot where she swears an Uber is waiting
>Before she can pull you away, though, Sunset wraps you in one last hug
>"I'll see you at school on Monday, okay? But in the mean-time, text me. Please. Tonight, if you can. I wanna know that you got home safe."
"Of course! As soon as I get home. I'll text you all night, if you want."
>Sunset giggles
>"Well, getting a *little* sleep might be good. But I'll see you soon, okay?"
>She leans in and kisses your forehead
>Pinkie Pie, of course, won't be delayed for long
>She physically starts to drag you away, talking about how "your chariot awaits!"
"Sunset!" you call out just before you're dragged away
>"Yeah?"
"Do you really think I'm cute?" you call out
>Sunset doubles over laughing
>Wiping tears from her eyes, she flashes you one final thumbs up
>Her eyes meet yours, and you share a hopeful smile
>And then you're pulled out into the night, with the taste of her and the feeling of her embrace still lingering warmly in your mind

The End