The day was beginning in Equestria. The sun had just peaked over the hills surrounding Ponyville, bathing the sleeping town in its radiant light. The morning light streamed through the unglazed windows of a large cloud-house above Ponyville. Here the light settled on the face of a certain blue pegasus, still deep in the void of sleep and dreams. The unrelenting light broke through into the pegasus' dream world, forcing the prismatic mare to surface into the world of wakefulness.
Rainbow Dash awoke, disgruntled and annoyed. At this point she was far from fully awake, but at least she wasn't asleep anymore. She silently cursed Celestia for raising the sun and forcing her out of her slumber. She had been having such a nice dream as well, involving a cloudless, moonlit night. She was looking out over a sparkling, clear lake, sitting contently with her wing wrapped around Twil--
Yeah i'm not going into that topic. Its probably unimportant. Rainbow thought, climbing sleepily out of bed to begin her morning ritual.
Walking into her bathroom, she had a quick shower, letting the cool, invigorating water wash over her, banishing the remaining tendrils of sleep that still clouded her mind.
She emerged from the shower, mane and trail dripping, not bothering to even dry her hair and coat with a towel before heading into the kitchen.
"Breakfast is always more important than looks" She announced to no one in particular. Who would I talk to here anyway? Seeing as I live alone. Rainbow thought to herself. To her surprise, she felt a pang of sadness accompany the words.
THUMP
Something large, heavy and airborne impacted with the side of her head, causing stars to spring up in her eyes.
Maybe not entirely alone She thought, looking up to see Tank hovering over her. She smiled despite the pain. She knew the look in his wrinkled face. Tank was hungry.
"You and me both Tank. Let's go get something to eat" Rainbow eagerly said.
*****
It was rather late into the morning by the time Rainbow had finally finished and left her house. It was a beautiful spring day, not a cloud in the sky. She had made sure to clear the sky the day before so that she could enjoy today, her day off. The warm sun beat down upon her back as she flew, the same sun that had rudely awoken her earlier. Rainbow wasn't sure she had forgiven it yet, but the feeling of the sun's warm rays meant she couldn't stay mad for long.
Rainbow flew without a care in the world, looping, diving and executing magnificent tricks at her leisure. She had had no intended destination but decided she might go and visit Applejack. It had been a while since they had met up.
Angling her wings, Rainbow sped off in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. As she flew over Ponyville she passed by Twilight's library. Her eyes glued themselves to the large tree for a longer period of time than normal. As she looked, Rainbow began to wonder if Twilight was in there, perhaps still sleeping, curled up in that cute way as alwa--
Wait what! Why did I think that? Isn't that weird. No, no it isn't. Twilight's my friend. Its not weird...
Rainbow was so preoccupied with her thoughts that it was a while before she realised she had arrived at Applejack's farm.
Applejack, predictably, was working in the orchard, tending to her trees. She looked up as Rainbow approached overhead and called out.
"Howdy Rainbow! What brings y'all up to my little orchard? We haven't got any cider yet if y'all are wondering" She added with a wink.
Rainbow shook her head to clear her thoughts before answering.
"Hey AJ! Just out for a fly, thought I'd come over and say hi" Rainbow replied happily, albeit slightly distracted, still pondering those thoughts about Twilight.
Unfortunately Applejack noticed.
"Are you alright sugarcube? You seem a tad bit distracted."
"Pfft! Have you forgotten who your talking to? I'm always alright! Always amazing!" Rainbow answered enthusiastically. Applejack could tell she was lying but decided not to press the matter. Instead she simply said "Well if you say so then". She then added as an afterthought, smiling as she spoke "you know Rainbow I thought you'd be napping. Isn't that normally what you do whenever you have a spare minute?"
"You're hilarious AJ, truly. You may not believe it but I haven't better things to do than sleep." Rainbow replied, voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Oh? And what might those be?"
"Uuuh... Well I haven't thought of any yet. But I will and then... Yeah."
And with that she took off with a gust of wind from her wings, leaving Applejack to laugh to herself and return to work.
Well done Rainbow, now Applejack is going to have sooo much material to get you on. I won't hear the end of this for a while she thought in frustration.
Now that she was back in the air, Rainbow's thoughts once again returned to the library, and the lavender mare that was no doubt inside. Succumbing to her thoughts, Rainbow set a course for the library this time, intent on talking to Twilight and hopefully getting rid of these annoying thoughts. Plus she had nothing better to do, and for some reason, the prospect of seeing Twilight made her slightly excited. Because she's a good friend Rainbow thought, trying to justify the strange thoughts.
She arrived at the library after an oddly short amount of time. She landed outside the main door to the library and knocked. Strange how we all seem to knock. It is a library after all, aren't they meant to be public. Then again it is a house too.
Rainbow heard the muffled shout of "Coming!", from within as Twilight came down to open the door. After a brief pause the door opened to reveal the form of Twilight.
Twilight was surprised to see Rainbow at the door, but nevertheless was happy to see her. "Hey Rainbow! Come on in." Twilight said happily. "If you're here for the new Daring Do book, I told you it isn't even completed yet. I'll tell you when I get a copy."
Rainbow chuckled quietly to herself. She had asked Twilight about the new book perhaps a few too many times.
"Actually Twilight, I just came to talk to you. I've got some free time, thought you might want to hang out."
Twilight smiled. For some reason this had a profound effect on Rainbow, causing butterflies to creep their way into her stomach.
"I'd love to Rainbow. Just give me a second to tell Spike and we can go. I'm sick of being inside and its such a nice day!"
"Sure thing Twi. I'll just wait outside for you."
With that Twilight smiled again before turning around to find Spike. Rainbow herself left the library to the beautiful day outside. A bird flew past Rainbow as she waited, chirping happily as it went about its business. Twilight didn't leave Rainbow waiting long, and soon stepped outside.
Taking a deep breath of the air she said "I love spring! Such a great season. You did a pretty good job clearing the skies Rainbow"
"Thanks" Rainbow replied modestly, accepting the compliment. Wait, modest? Ok somethings weird. Twilight, however, didn't seem to notice. Instead she simply asked "So what do you want to do Rainbow?"
Rainbow thought for a moment before replying.
"How about a walk?"
"Really? Rainbow Dash wants to walk? Why not fly?"
"Well, I wouldn't want to put you to shame would I? Seeing as you're a princess now I wouldn't want to show you up" Rainbow replied with a cocky grin. Aah. There's the Rainbow I know and love.
Twilight simply accepted this as Rainbow's nature and ignored it.
"Well I'd love to have a walk Rainbow. Lead the way."
With that they set off, in the general direction of the Ponyville park. Along the way they chatted about the generally unimportant topics that usually occur in small talk between friends. Twilight asked Rainbow how she was doing with her weather job and Wonderbolts training, while Rainbow commented on Twilight's newfound skill at flying and asked about her reading.
A cool breeze blew through the trees, causing the leaves to wave and flutter. Twilight shivered at the unexpected chill, and Rainbow had to fight the spontaneous, and very strong, urge to wrap her wing around Twilight and hold her close. Simply being a good friend. I don't want Twilight to be cold. I'm just being loyal. Yep, loyalty.
Their walk ended where it began, right back at Twilight's library. Strangely, it seemed to be going dark already. Perhaps that was a longer walk than I thought. Where did the time go? After saying goodnight to Twilight, who had thanked Rainbow for the lovely time, Rainbow flew off to her cloud house. Deciding resolutely to go to sleep early after the strange day. In fact, when she got to her bed, she would have had to fight to stay awake.
*****
The next day dawned in much the same way as the previous. Celestia raised the sun and irradiated Ponyville with luminescence. Rainbow was again sleeping peacefully in her cloud bed, totally oblivious to the birth of the new day. In fact she had learned from the previous day and had temporarily closed up the window in her bedroom so she would not be roused by the sun. An ingenious idea if she didn't say so herself.
Rainbow therefore woke up much later than the previous day, waking more refreshed than she had in a while. Aah! What a great dream! Rainbow thought, stretching out her various limbs and yawning. What happened in it? I was soaring through the sky with Twilight. She looked over at me and smiled. Then we were both back at that lake from the other night. We were just looking at eachother, then... Rainbow froze in the process of walking out of her room as she remembered. Then Twi leaned in and kissed me! Rainbow thought, shocked at her dream. Actually it wasn't Twilight, definitely not her! It was... Um... a stallion! Yes! Um... Soarin! Yep definitely Soarin and not Twi!
Rainbow hung her head in defeat.
"Oh who am I kidding? Of course it was Twilight! I guess there's no denying it. I love Twilight!" Rainbow declared loudly to her empty house.
At least she thought it was empty.
"I prefer dawn myself"
The quiet voice of Fluttershy came from the main door of Rainbow's home. Rainbow literally jumped through the ceiling of her house with a scream at the sound of her friend's voice, quiet though it may have been. Calming herself, Rainbow flew back down into her house to be met by a startled looking Fluttershy.
"Oh i'm so so so sorry Rainbow Dash! I didn't mean to scare you" Fluttershy said, an apologetic tone in her voice.
"Me? Scared? As if! I was just, um, exercising." Rainbow replied despite the fact that her heart was beating so fast she was sure it would preform a sonic blood-boom in a minute. Had Fluttershy heard her confession of her feelings for Twilight? It seemed that she hadn't, or at least had interpreted what Rainbow had said in the wrong way. Breathing a silent sigh of relief, Rainbow decided to address Fluttershy, now curious as to the purpose of her visit.
"So. What brings you here Fluttershy?"
"Well, um, I've been told to give you a message about your work for today."
Rainbow's heart, beating so fast before, seemed to stop so suddenly she thought it would get whiplash. Her pupils contracted in fear as she realised how late she was for work. With a dash (the pun intended) she took off, creating a nice new window/hole in the side of her house.
She barely heard Fluttershy's "Wait!", but it was enough for Rainbow to slow down and remember that Fluttershy had a message. Backtracking, Rainbow flew back into her house to find Fluttershy waiting in the same position as before, though now her mane was slightly windswept thanks to Rainbow's take off.
"Sorry Fluttershy. What did you want to say?"
"That's ok Dashie. I know what you're like. Your boss told me to tell you that the weather schedule calls for more or less clear skies, with only a few clouds. Since you've been so productive lately he decided you can take the day off again." Fluttershy said with a smile.
Rainbow found herself smiling as well at the prospect. "Sweet! Thanks Fluttershy!"
"No problem Rainbow. If I were you I'd go and talk to Twilight about those feelings of yours." Fluttershy replied with a wink and giggle, leaving a stunned Rainbow Dash as she returned home.
All Rainbow could think was Oh Celestia i'm screwed! Now Fluttershy knows there's no denying it! Should I talk to Twilight about it? Should I ask her out? What would she say? Would she say yes? Is she even into mares? Would she be into me? What if she says no? That's goodbye friendship.
Rainbow's mind was in turmoil, constantly questioning and analysing everything, much the same way as Twilight herself. It took another bash in the head from Tank to snap her out of it.
"Ow! Tank! Not cool!" She exclaimed, looking at the hovering tortoise.
Tank simply gave her a look. She knew that look. It said you're being stupid Rainbow. And Rainbow knew he was right. Twilight wouldn't stop being her friend if she said no. Sure it might be weird for a bit but she'd get over it. Rainbow flew off yet again, resolutely determined to confess her feelings to Twilight and weather her response. As she flew, one thought entered her mind, I really need to buy a helmet.
*****
Rainbow arrived at Twilight's library a short time later. She wasn't out of breath but she was sweating. Somehow she didn't think that had anything to do with physical exertion.
Knocking on the library door, the nervous, but still totally awesome, pegasus waited for the dazzlingly beautiful, and (it didn't even require effort to admit this) equally awesome alicorn, to appear.
Rainbow's heart skipped a beat as the door opened, revealing her newly admitted love.
"H-hey Twi!" Rainbow began shakily. "How's it going?"
"Rainbow? Back again?" Twilight responded rhetorically, and rather unnecessarily.
Rainbow could feel her pulse increase again as she considered her next words. "Yeah Twi. Um, I was wondering if I could talk to you?" She posed it as a question despite that fact that it was a statement.
"Of course, come inside" Twilight said, stepping aside and gesturing Rainbow inside. Nervously Rainbow entered the library and sat down on a chair by the fireplace. Twilight joined her a moment later after closing the door.
"So," she asked, "what did you want to talk to me about?"
"Well," Rainbow hesitated, unsure of what to say. "You see... I kinda... You know... Um..." Smooth Dash. Alright confidence! Just say it!
Rainbow took a deep breath to calm herself before blurting out "TwilightIreallylikeyoualotyouareamazingwillyougooutwithme?"
Twilight simply looked stunned at the sudden cascade of unintelligible words, but having first hand experience at this she simply said "Ok Rainbow, repeat that slowly this time. And hopefully in a language I can understand." She smiled to show that she was joking.
The smile bolstered Rainbow's confidence enough that she was able to gain control of her tongue.
She repeated, at a much slower pace "Twilight, I really like you, a lot. I think you're amazing. I was wondering if maybe would you consider going out with me sometime?"
Twilight again looked stunned by Rainbow's words, but at least this time she was able to understand them. All she could think to say at the moment was "You like me?"
"Yes, a lot. It surprised me too just how much I had grown to care for you, as more than a friend in recent times I've realised."
"Wow Rainbow, that's really sweet. If i'm going to be honest, I've never felt that way for you"
Rainbow's heart and face fell to the deepest pit of Tartarus at the words. "Oh ok, forget about-"
Twilight held up a hoof to silence Rainbow. "But," she continued "I would love to give you a chance. So yes, I will go out with you." She finished, smiling happily.
Rainbow's heart stopped. "W-wait, y-y-you want to g-go out with m-me?" She stammered, unable to comprehend what Twilight had said.
"Yes Rainbow I do. I think I owe it to our friendship to give it a shot" Twilight replied, giggling at Rainbow's reaction.
The information suddenly clicked in Rainbow's mind. She said yes. She'll give me a chance! The room suddenly erupted with a loud "YES!" as Rainbow leapt up and grabbed Twilight in a tight embrace.
"I'm glad your happy Dash" Twilight said, her words muffled against Rainbow, "but do you really want to suffocate me before our date?"
Rainbow quickly released Twilight, the cheeks of both ponies burning. "Hehe, sorry Twi, got a bit carried away there."
"Its fine Rainbow I understand. So what have you got planned for our date?" Twilight queried the still blushing pegasus, struggling to breath after the affectionate bear hug.
"Um, nothing actually. I really didn't think this far ahead. In truth I thought you'd say no. Ok, I'll think of something and pick you up here at seven."
"I'll see you then!"
And with that, Rainbow retreated back to her house, leaving Twilight to prepare herself for the date.
*****
Rainbow spent the remainder of the day until seven o'clock planning the prefect date that would win Twilight's heart. When the time came to leave, she was sure she would succeed. She had showered and even combed her mane and tail in honour of the occasion. She also had the perfect date planned, the dream date.
At ten to seven, Rainbow set out for Twilight's library, flying slowly to ensure she didn't arrive at her destination as a scruffy mess.
Her caution paid off and she arrived at the library in the same condition as when she left her house.
Rainbow knocked on the library door, her heart lodged somewhere in her throat as the moment she didn't realise she had been waiting months for neared.
Twilight opened the door after only minimal delay. Rainbow's mouth nearly hit the floor, the rest of her body almost following suit as her mouth dropped open and her legs weakened at the sight of the divine beauty that stood before her.
Twilight had combed and styled her mane in a way that put her crystal form to shame, and in Rainbow's eyes she shone even more brightly.
Twilight giggled slightly at the sight of her utterly astonished date.
"W-wow Twi. You look beautiful." Rainbow stammered, still blown away by the vision before her, and unconvinced that merely 'beautiful' was anywhere near enough to describe it.
Twilight blushed lightly at the compliment before replying with a smile.
"Thank you Rainbow. But I can't look anywhere near as good as you."
Rainbow finally managed to close her maw, changing it from a gaping 'O' to a small smile, blushing so heavily her face could have been mistaken for a female Big Mac.
"Thanks Twi, but compared to you I look awful." Rainbow responded sincerely.
Twilight was taken aback by this comment from Rainbow, a mare who was normally quick to compliment herself and almost never rebuked a compliment from others.
Wow, she must seriously like me if she's putting me above her. But she does look really cute. Maybe this could work after all. Twilight thought, careful to hide any looks of surprise that almost showed on her face.
Keen to move things on and enjoy the real date, Twilight spoke up.
"So Rainbow. Where are you taking me out?"
Rainbow seemed to snap out of the reverie that she had entered upon first catching sight of Twilight. She seemed to become more like herself again, her signature grin spreading across her face.
"You'll find out Twi. In good time. You're going to love it though!" Rainbow replied enigmatically, the excitement building in her as the time of the date was now at hand.
"This way Twi." Rainbow said signalling Twilight to follow before moving down the road away from Ponyville, towards the park. Twilight quickly caught up and walked beside Rainbow.
They walked on in a content companionable silence. Rainbow, casting occasional glances at the majestic alicorn beside, was overcome with an irrepressible and uncontrollable urge.
As smoothly as she could, she moved her tail over Twilight's so that they were walking with linked tails. Twilight jumped slightly at the contact, causing Rainbow to quickly remove her tail and blush profusely.
Rainbow hurriedly began to apologise."Sorry Twi, I wasn't thinking. Sorry I won't do it again."
She would have continued her rapid apology if it weren't for the purple tail now draped over and linked with her own rainbow tail.
Twilight turned her head to look at Rainbow, smiling as she did so. Her smile was infectious and Rainbow immediately smiled broadly back, words unneeded and unspoken. Rainbow was now walking with her tail linked with that of the most most beautiful being in creation, in her opinion. Rainbow doubted she could be happier, and Twilight was enjoying herself rather a lot more than she expected.
Unbeknownst to the pair, Twilight was developing an infatuation with Rainbow to rival Rainbow's for her.
*****
As they broke through a copse of trees they paused in order take in the view of their destination. They unlinked their tails, needless to say unwillingly, at the sight. A vast, black lake, simmering in the reflected light of the rising moon. The shores of the lake were fringed with many tall trees of all varieties. The area was completely silent, all ponies and animals having gone to sleep prior to their arrival.
A blanket lay on the shore close to where they stood, a picnic basket not far from that.
"There we go, we're here!" Rainbow said ecstatically.
Twilight was speechless. "Wow Rainbow that's beautiful."
"I've been dreaming about having a date with you here for so long, Twi. I'm so glad that my dream is now coming true." Rainbow explained.
"That is really cheesy Rainbow. I didn't think you were like that." Twilight said with a laugh.
"Yeah well don't go telling the others. I reserve this side of me for you only." Rainbow said with a wink. "Shall we?" Rainbow gestured towards the blanket.
She and Twilight settled down on the blanket at the shore of the lake, sitting much closer together than they would normally.
Twilight was still amazed at the amount of care and work Rainbow had put into this.
"Rainbow, this is... really impressive. I had no idea you cared about me so much."
"I really do Twi. I lov- really like you." Rainbow managed to stop herself just short of admitting her full feelings, afraid that it may scare Twilight off. Luckily she seemed not to have noticed, so Rainbow simply hid the slip up with a blush.
Rainbow then decided to open the picnic basket beside them. Inside was a large bottle and two expensive-looking wine glasses. Rainbow took out the glasses and handed one to Twilight before pulling out the bottle. As she pulled it out the bright moonlight shone upon it.
"Applejack's cider? I thought cider season was over, why do you have this?" Twilight queried.
"I saved this one bottle since the last season. I wanted to use it on an important occasion, and this is definitely the most important one I can think of." Rainbow answered.
Rainbow pulled the cork from the bottle with a satisfying pop before pouring the golden liquid first into Twilight's glass then her own. Twilight accepted the drink with a gracious smile.
Twilight raised her glass to make a toast, signalling Rainbow to do the same.
"To our future relationship!" Twilight said with a happy smile at Rainbow.
"Relationship? Wait... Does that mean?" Rainbow asked, slightly confused, realisation of what Twilight had said still not dawning upon her.
"Yes. Rainbow Dash. Will you be my marefriend?"
Rainbow was ecstatic. In fact, complete and utter euphoria falls short of what she was feeling.
"Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh! YES!" Rainbow shouted leaping at Twilight and wrapping her in an embrace, this time leaving room for Twilight to breath.
The glasses of carefully preserved cider were simply thrown to the side and forgotten as the new couple embraced in their newfound love for eachother.
They broke apart reluctantly, both smiling to the greatest extent their mouths allowed.
Rainbow still couldn't believe what was happening. Part of her was convinced this was another dream and she hoped to Celestia that it wasn't.
Twilight moved herself over, sitting as close to Rainbow as she possibly could. Rainbow complied by wrapping her wing around the alicorn.
"Maybe we could have that cider now." Twilight said, levitating the discarded glasses and bottle before refilling the glasses.
After both ponies had taken their glasses they raised them in sync and chimed together "To us!" before finally taking a drink.
Their new relationship now sanctified by the unbreakable bond of a hug, both ponies sat contentedly in pure joy. They stared out over the lake, seen now in a new light after the recent development.
Neither mare broke the silence now as they stared out over the glistening still water of the lake. To Rainbow the whole world was alive and vibrant, despite the lateness and their isolation from pretty much everything. In her opinion there was nothing that could make this moment better.
Well perhaps one thing Rainbow thought with a mischievous grin.
Rainbow turned to face her new marefriend, the movement of her prismatic head catching the attention of Twilight, who turned her head in turn. Acting completely on an instinctive impulse, Rainbow moved her head quickly forward and pressed her lips against Twilight's.
The world exploded in a massive eruption of emotions and feelings as the sensations of the kiss flowed between the mares. The world then shrank down until it contained nothing but the pegasus and alicorn, locked together in an open demonstration of their new love.
The last thought in Rainbow's head before in shut down from joy was,
This is so awesome! Oh my gosh this is great! This is by far the best day ever!
Author's Note
If you are reading this it means you have made it to the end of my story. Well done! You survived. If you have any improvements or constructive criticism I would appreciate it greatly and will act on it as I can.
Thank You!