A Ray of Sunlight

Double Date

The young couple drove the short distance to the park and saw their friends in the covered eating area. They took a moment to catch up before Rainbow asked what they were doing.
     Applejack chuckled. "Well for starters we're gonna play some snow soccer. Would ya mind helpin' me unpack the trunk?"
     The four girls retrieved the collapsible soccer goals and soccer ball from the trunk. The park was a flat blanket of white. At one end of the park some young children were building a snowman. Another group of slightly older boys and girls were using the small hill for sledding. They walked to the middle of the park and set up their goal a good distance apart. After stamping out a rough outline for the "field" the two couples faced one another. They decided who started with the ball with a best two of three "rock, paper, scissors" tournament.
     "Our ball!" Twilight cheered after crushing Rainbow's scissors with her rock.
     The game started to a lot of laughter as they all struggled to run and kick properly. Rainbow stumbled and fell several times trying to sprint through the snow. As the game pressed on it became easier to maneuver with more snow getting compressed. Their movements were still hindered by their winter clothing. Soon they started removing layers as it became stuffy in their coats.
     "Who'd've thought we'd work up a sweat in the snow." Twilight chuckled after adding her coat to the pile on the table.
     The snow of their playing area was mostly stomped flat, making maneuvering easier. The scores had been pretty close throughout the game. Rainbow saw a chance to make a goal and brought up her leg behind her to deliver a powerful kick. Unfortunately the momentum caused her grounded foot to shift in the snow. So when she brought her leg down the ball went wild and rocketed toward a group of teens their age that had been having a snowball fight.
     "I'll get it!" Sunset yelled, already making her way over.
     As she approached the group she recognized a few of them from school. One boy stood out because he had been seated in the cluster of desks on her first day of psychology. Sunset bent over to retrieve the ball when a snowball hit her side. She stood straight and saw the boy, Quick Wit, she recalled, laughing with his friends. He looked at her with a sneer.
     "Oops, sorry." He said unconvincingly.
     "Don't worry about it." She responded flatly.
     She was turning to leave when Quick Wit said something that stopped her dead.
     "You know she only sticks around because she's scared right?" seeing he had caught her attention, he continued. "Sure she seems fine being with you but, just by watching her in class I can tell she wants out."
     "Shut up." Sunset hissed through clenched teeth and fists.
     "You may not remember me, but I remember you. You and your crew were tough shit to select groups. Which was smart, you kept yourselves under the radar. But you made the mistake of picking on my friend." He cocked a thumb over his shoulder at a scowling boy. "Which can't be forgiven so easily."
     "I'm sorry for what I did to you and for who I was." She said as sincerely as she could muster through the rising anger. "If I could go back and change I would. But I've changed now."
     "That video said otherwise. No one is going to stick around for long. You know that right?" He approached Sunset. "First your girlfriend will bail. Your friends will follow her lead. Then you'll be all by yourself."
     "Shut up!" Sunset whipped around and gave Quick Wit a rough shove that caused him to stumble backward.
     "What the hell?" Quick Wit growled. He clenched his fist ready to take a swing but stopped when he saw the shriveling glare coming from the girl in front of him.
     "Go ahead, hit me. It will only work against you. You're wrong by the way, I do remember you." Before Sunset realized it, she was using her old techniques. She hated it, but this had been the last straw. "You had a bit of a temper that showed itself through hitting your fellow classmates. So, who do you think the people who matter will side with? Me, a girl with no official record, or you a boy with a violent streak?"
     Quick Wit swallowed hard keeping his eyes locked with the girl in front of him. He saw only a fierce determination burning behind the eyes staring through him. He was first to break the stare down. Sunset's friends were making their way over to the scene.
     Quick Wit scoffed. "Whatever, lets go guys."
     The group of boys were nearly out of the park when the other three arrived.
     "What was that about? Are you okay?" Twilight asked.
     "Yeah, I'm fine. He was being a jerk and said some things that set me off."
     "So, you shoved him?" Applejack asked.
     "I don't blame her. Sometimes a good shove is what's needed with some people." Rainbow said. "Especially, people like him."
     "I don't know..." Twilight trailed off.
     Sunset thought she saw a look of worry cross her face. Quick Wit's words repeated in her mind. "Let's get back to the game. They're gone now, we don't have to worry about them."
     Starting back up was a little slow since the energy was uncomfortable since Sunset's outburst. When the game didn't build any momentum Applejack suggested building a snowman. They gathered their coats, smiles spreading over the girls faces as they got to work.
     "It's been forever since I've done this." Sunset commented as she and Twilight rolled the base.
      "I built one last year. Not to brag or anything, but it was pretty impressive."
     "Did you build it with your Crystal Prep friends?"
     "Yep! It was taller than all of us. I actually had to get on Lemon Zest's shoulders to put the head on."
     "I bet she enjoyed that." Sunset half teased.
     Twilight bumped her with her hip. "Oh stop it you."
     After they got the pieces rolled up, they set about trying to get the middle portion off the ground.
     "Why did you make it so big?" Sunset said while straining to lift the massive ball of snow.
     "We were just followin' your lead. If y'all hadn't gotten distracted by your flirtin' we'd have it built already."
     Rainbow was crouched and pushing with her back against the torso. "Less talking, more heaving. I won't be beaten by frozen water!"
     "It's actually crystallized water droplets. So, while it's technically frozen, it's not as heavy as it could be." Twilight chimed in.
     "Twilight, babe, you know I love it when you talk science. I'm going to have to side with Rainbow on this though."
     With a final push they rolled the midsection into place. With cheers and whoops of triumph they slumped to the ground, leaning against their nearly finished creation. Rainbow had her head in Applejack's lap, while Twilight and Sunset leaned against each other.
     "We did it. I was worried we'd have to give up; but we did it." Twilight mused.
     "I knew we'd get it done. Wanna know why? Because we're awesome." Rainbow said matter of factly.
     "Sure... awesome." Sunset huffed, still catching her breath.
     Twilight was silent. Sunset peered down to see her girlfriend's eyes fixed on the rise and fall of her chest.
     "Enjoying the view?" Sunset teased.
     "Mmhmm." She sat up straight. "I mean, I wasn't staring at anything!"
     The other three girls laughed at her flustered state. Sunset pulled Twilight back to her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. The four of them sat in the snow as more snow flakes, or according to Twilight 'crystalized water' fluttered down to meet its grounded companions.
     Applejack patted Rainbows side. "A'right ah gotta get up now. Mah butt's nearly frozen."
     The others followed the southern girl's lead. Applejack was walking toward the tables when Rainbow shoved her hands into the rear pockets of Applejack's jeans.
     "Here, let me help warm them up!"
     Applejack turned around with an un-amused look, which Rainbow met by raising and lowering her eyebrows in quick succession. They stared at each other to see who would break first. That title went to Twilight who couldn't hold back when Rainbow added a big cheesy grin. The others followed shortly after.
     After topping off the snowman with the head, they moved to the tables to get out of the falling snow.
     "Do we have anything to give him a face?" Twilight asked.
     "Nah, we'll let someone else finish him off." Applejack sighed.
     "What's all this he talk?" Rainbow said.
     "Well it is called a snowman." Sunset offered.
     "Well I'm gonna change that!" Rainbow stood and trudged toward their faceless snow homunculus. She scooped some snow and went around to where they couldn't see her. Realizing what she was doing the three shared a look and made their way to the rainbow haired girl. Just before they got there Rainbow placed her hands on her hips and gave a satisfied nod.
     The three girls laughed at their now very busty snow-woman.
     "I think you two might be related." Rainbow winked at her girlfriend.
     She took off running as a very red-faced Applejack gave chase. Twilight and Sunset held hands and watched as Applejack finally pinned Rainbow and planted a forceful kiss on her lips.
     "Ah don't know why ah put up with you."
     "It's because you love me."
     "Oh yeah. Remind me why again." She laughed.
     Rainbow rolled on top and kissed Applejack deeply. "Oh yeah." Applejack smirked and returned the kiss.
     Sunset and Twilight walked to where they were laying in the snow.
     "Get a room you two!" Sunset chided them.
     They broke the kiss. Rainbow helped a very flushed Applejack to her feet.
     "So, what's next?" Rainbow asked.
     "We're headin' over to my house." Applejack announced
    Applejack lead the way back to the vehicles and the two couples drove to Sweet Apple Acres. Inside the house, the smell of pasta and marinara hit their cold noses as a welcome surprise. They inhaled the delicious scent as they deposited their wet coats and shoes on the landing.
     "We're back Granny Smith!" Applejack called in the direction of the kitchen.
     "Come on back! Food's just about done!"
     "It smells delicious!" Twilight said as they entered the kitchen. "Thanks Granny Smith."
     "Oh, weren't nothin' dearie. Ah'll get outta yer hair." She turned to Applejack. "Don't make too much of a mess of my kitchen."
     Applejack hugged her grandma, "Thanks Granny. Ah promise we'll clean up."
     "See that ya do." She waved kindly to the other three. "Y'all have fun. If ya need me ah'll be in my room watchin' my stories."
     They all wished her a good night and Rainbow eyed the food hungrily. "Alright, let's eat!"
     Applejack grabbed her arm before she could get to the food. "Not so fast there darlin'. There's a twist to dinner tonight."
     Twilight stepped forward. "That's right, we're going to feed you. Catch number two, we'll be blindfolded as well as acting as your arms." Twilight continued.
     Sunset and Rainbow looked at each other confused. "You'll see." Applejack chuckled.
      Two plates with a small serving were dished up for Sunset and Rainbow and set across from one another. Their girlfriends brought out two bandanas and folded them into blindfolds, which they helped to tie in place.
     "You know AJ, when I said I was thinking about including blindfolds into our relationship this isn't what I had in mind." Rainbow teased, as she secured the cloth. A deep blush invaded Applejack's cheeks once more.
     "Is it too tight?" Sunset asked after carefully setting Twilight's glasses aside.
     The girl shook her head with a grin.
     "And you can't see anything?" Another shake in the negative.
     "Good." Sunset planted a surprise kiss on Twilight before taking her seat across from Rainbow Dash.
     Twilight and Applejack slid their arms under their girlfriend's armpits. Sunset and Rainbow used their voices to guide the hands to the napkins and silverware. It was made especially hard because everyone was laughing. Either at how ridiculous it looked or the difficulty of finding anything on the table.
     Once the plates were cleared of food and marinara coated kisses given, the two couples switched roles. Twilight giggled at Rainbow trying to get a rise out of Applejack. The Rainbow haired girl was trying to pick Applejack's nose and ears, waving her arms around animatedly as Applejack talked. She couldn't help but blush when Rainbow's hands made their way to Applejack's chest.
     Twilight briefly wondered what Sunset's hands would feel like but shook her head. She knew she wasn't quite ready for that level of intimacy yet, but was happy to see her friends comfortably in that spot.
     With the second round of assisted eating finished the couple's dished up second helpings to fill up on.
     "I'm impressed that we didn't make a bigger mess." Sunset mused.
     "Especially with this one goofin around the whole time." AJ hooked a thumb in Rainbow's direction.
     "Hey I was careful!" She protested.
     "I got really nervous when Sunset asked for a drink. I was sure I'd knock it over." Twilight chuckled. "Sorry about spilling on you by the way."
     She smiled. "I'm just glad we used water instead of something that could stain." She took Twilight's hand. "So, what's the plan now date masters?"
     "Now we wind down with a nice peaceful movie." Applejack grabbed two movies from next to the television. "What sounds better, 'The Conjuring' or 'It Follows'?"
     They decided on the former since three of the four hadn't seen it and Sunset gave it a glowing review. Popcorn was popped and blankets were retrieved. They all got comfortable on the couch and started the movie.
     The tense atmosphere on the screen was interrupted by Rainbow Dash early on, "Are you kidding me? There's a doll in this movie!"
     "You're afraid of dolls?" Twilight asked.
     "Who isn't? With their glassy dead eyes and emotionless faces." Rainbow shuddered slightly. "They're so creepy!"
     Applejack chuckled and pulled Rainbow closer. Twilight smiled at Sunset who was doing her best to hide the uneasiness she felt. Although she had already seen the movie, the look of the Annabelle doll still made her skin crawl. As the movie progressed, the blankets were raised nearly to their chins so they could easily hide from the frightening images.
     As the credits started rolling Applejack and Rainbow were holding each other under the blanket with wide eyes. Twilight had her head pressed into Sunset's neck, side-eyeing the screen.
     "Welp, looks like I'm staying here tonight." Rainbow said to break the silence.
     This garnered some laughs from the others which lightened the tension. They discussed the movie and school as the tendrils of sleep crept over them.
     Sunset yawned. "We'd better hit the road. Thank you for having us over. This was a ton of fun." She hugged her two friends.
     "Ah'm glad you enjoyed yourselves. We'll have to do it again soon."
     "That was so much fun!" Sunset said when they were in the car.
     "You mean it?" Twilight smiled. "I was worried it would be too childish."
     "Luckily we're still young so we can get away with it." She winked. "How did you think of the dinner part?"
     "I was watching TV with my dad and this improv show came on. That was one of the games they played and it just looked so fun."
     "Well you and AJ did an excellent job. You've really set the bar for me and Rainbow."
     "I'm sure you'll think of something." She grabbed Sunset's hand and gave it a squeeze.
     Twilight and Sunset drove in tired silence for the next leg of the trip home. Sunset was making sure to stay alert since there was a layer of slush covering the roads from the snowfall. She glanced over at Twilight who had her brow furrowed in thought.
     Before Sunset could ask, Twilight spoke. "So... about what happened today."
     Sunset's grip tightened around the wheel.
     She continued. "Is everything o-"
     "Can we not talk about it right now?" Sunset interrupted.
    Surprised, Twilight mumbled, "Oh, um sure." Twilight placed her hands in her lap and looked down at the floor.
     With a sigh, Sunset placed a gentle hand over her girlfriend's. "I'm sorry. It's just we had such a good day I don't want to end it on an unpleasant note."
     Twilight nodded. "Okay, but Sunset, if something or someone is bothering you I want you to talk to me."
     "I know." She squeezed Twilight's hand and fell silent.
     They started talking again shortly after and continued until Sunset parked in front of Twilight's house. They took a few minutes to say goodnight before Sunset made her way home.