The sheets of Rarity's bed rustles softly as Rainbow Dash rolled onto her side, her face fell directly into the path of a sunbeam, the weather team must have opened up the sky for the morning, she mused. The blue mare ever so slightly cracked an eye open, she was welcomed with the sight of a white unicorn snoring softly. For a split second confusion flooded her mind.

Oh yeah.

That's right.

Alcohol was a funny thing. The vile voice within Rainbow Dash's mind never seemed to bother her when she was drinking, or at the very least, bothered her less. But with the clarity of sobriety, Rainbow could hear it loud and clear.

You fucking idiot.

Dash sighed and blew some mane out of the face, doing her best to ignore the voice; analyzing the situation. Last night's events were hazy at best, but were slowly coming back to her.

We definitely didn't have sex. I'm sure of it.

Did we kiss? I think we might've kissed?

Dash looked over the form of the sleeping white mare, allowing herself a small smile as she took in her beauty. Her mind wasn't going to let her have the moment.

You're a dumbass.

The pegasus held back a frustrated groan as she tried to mentally justify the situation.

We're not dating. We're just...

...having fun.

Idiot.

Dash did her best to ignore her mind.

Rainbow rolled her tongue around in her mouth, her mouth felt furry and tasted like stale cider. It became all too obvious that she hadn't had the insight to brush her teeth before passing out last night. At least she wasn't hung over, she mused.
With one last glance at Rarity, Dash blew out a sigh as she rolled off the bed.

* * * * * *

"Morning, Rare."

Rarity smiled as she rubbed her face into Rainbows chest, nuzzling against the mares breast. She could feel her heartbeat. "Mmm," The unicorn smiled . "Good morning."

The white mare felt a gentle hoof on the back of her head, the hoof moved tenderly down her mane until in reached the middle of her back, she couldn't help but to smile at the contact. Just to be held.

"You're so soft, Dashie." The unicorns voice was a crackling whisper. Rainbow Dash didn't say anything, instead she pulled the blanket over Rarity, tucking it in just underneath the mares chin.

Its a pillow.

Rarity's smile faltered. She tightened her grip and didn't dare open her eyes, if she did, she knew only the same white, feather down pillow would greet her as it did every other day.

Its just a pillo-

Rarity's heartbeat shot up as she events of last night came back to her. She had gone to bed with Rainbow Dash.

Hang on.

That means that this is the real Rainbow Dash...

The snow mare shifted her hoof around the pegasus, she could feel her wings and the muscular joints that held them to Rainbow's barrel. Rarity very gently lifted he feathery appendage and slid her hoof between it and Rainbows body. She could feel every feather, every muscle, she could even feel the pegasus' heartbeat in through her wings.

Its so warm.

Its real.

Rarity's mouth curled into a smile as she pushed herself further into Rainbows soft chest.

"Are you okay there, Rares?" Dash asked playfully.

This is real.

Rarity tilted her head, facing up at the mare from her spot perched on her chest.

This is actually-

Rarity opened her eyes.

And there is was. The same white, down pillow she woke up to every morning.

A flurry of emotions welled up within the mare. She wanted to cry, but at the same time she wanted to scream. Frustration and longing swirled with confusion created a fiery concoction within her that she wanted so badly to get out.

But Rarity didn't cry, she didn't bury her face into the pillow and scream.

Within seconds, all the emotions inside the mare had disappeared into nothingness. Rarity felt empty and instead, she just stared.

* * * * * *

After a quick shower, a brush of her teeth and a quick clean of the kitchen, Rainbow Dash sat at the table, sipping a regular sized mug of coffee, flipping through the morning paper. The activity made her feel as though she were getting old. Her thoughts still idly trying to figure if she had done the right thing.

At least Im not dating her...

As much as I wish I could...

Stupid.

A familiar image flew through Rainbows mind, of her and Rarity sitting side by side on the couch, a duvet draped over them and hot coco in their hooves. With it came the reminder of why that couldn't happen.

Fucking elements.

...

Then again.

Would it even last between us?

Would I get sick of her? Would she get sick of me?

How long would we stay compatible?

Are we even really compatible now?

Maybe I was too drunk.

Dash bit her lip as an internal battle formed, the paper in her hooves no longer even being read, just looked at while the blue mare sat, deep in thought.

Of course you were too drunk! You can still fix this. Just stop this thing before it stars and pretend nothing happened!

Dash blew out a wistful sigh as she tried to sort out the angry beehive that was her brain. She lifted her mug to her face and took a long, slow sip of her coffee.

"Morning."

Rainbow jumped at the sound, she swallowed out of panic, causing a lot of the coffee to go down the wrong pipe; sending the mare into a coughing fit. Rainbow was red eyed and on the verge of tears when she finally nodded a weak hello to Rarity, who had walked down the stairs and into the kitchen without Rainbow hearing.

"Are you alright?"

Dash gave one last cough. "Swell." She said as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

The white mare walked over to the counter and started making herself a cup of coffee. Before long she sat down on the opposite side of the table to Dash.

Neither said a word.

Rainbow was pretending to read the newspaper, trying to think of something to say, and Rarity stared into her mug, hoping that maybe her coffee held the answer. Eventually, the white mare spoke up.

"Dash." The blue mare peered over the newspaper. "We should really talk... About last night."

Rainbow swallowed. "What is there to talk about?"

"Well." Rarity paused as she collected her thoughts. "It's not too late to back out. We were both drunk and I'd understand if..." The unicorn trailed off.

Dash sighed.

She's right.

Back out now, don't be an idiot.

Dash huffed as she struggled to figure the situation out, to lay out the pros and cons clearly and understandably, but her foggy brain was making thinking clearly difficult.

I wouldn't have to tell the others, because we aren't dating.

If things aren't going well we can just stop at any time.

No harm done to the elements.

No loss of friendships.

...

Idiot.

Dash took a swig of her coffee, the winter air was cooling it at an unpleasantly fast pace.

What if I let my feelings for her get the better of me?

What if I really fall in love, more than this silly infatuation I have?

You won't.

...

What if she falls in love with me?

The blue mare sighed again.

I just won't let that happen...

Dash spoke before she thought about it anymore, to commit before her brain could come up with a reason not to.

Just do what makes me happy.

Will this make me happy?

"No," Dash looked up, meeting eyes with Rarity. "I don't want to back out."

Moron!

Rarity couldn't help the slight smile that crept onto her features, she tried her best to hide it by sipping her mug. It didn't work very well. The two mares fell silent for a moment, Dash mused, still not taking in a word from the newspaper. Her brain was still a beehive, but commiting made it seem like it hadn't been a kicked beehive.

Maybe there isn't anything to worry about?

For a small moment, Dash felt relieved, satisfied and undoubting of the situation she was in. She flicked the page in the paper read for a quiet moment, eventually, Rarity broke the silence.

Maybe.

"We have to go looking for friendship problems today." Rarity stated as she continued to stare into her coffee.

Rainbow blew out a breath. "Or we could not, and say we did." The blue mare joked.

How is this not more awkward.

We just agreed to casually fuck and here we are talking, the same as ever.

"I wish. I can think of a few things I'd rather do today.." Rarity sighed and looked up, meeting eyes with Rainbow Dash. The blue mare couldn't help the sly smile that found its way to her face. "No! I didn't mean it like that!"

Dash raised an eyebrow as her smile deepened. "Uh huh."

Maybe its not awkward because I'm just that good.

You're an idiot is what you are.

Rarity waved her off, getting back on topic, a dusting of pink on her muzzle. "Do you have any idea where to start looking?"

"Nope." Rainbow took a swig of coffee.

"Twilight said she had to save a building." The unicorn thought out loud. "I guess we could ask the mayor if she needed any problems solved. Who knows, maybe town hall needs saving."

"Ugh." Rainbow groaned. "I hate the mayor."

Rarity raised an eyebrow before she remembered the other night. She recalled how rude the brown mayor had been to Rainbow. "Yes well it seems the mayor hates you too." She smirked.

Dash shook her head in mild disgust as she thought about the silver maned earth pony. "You wanna know why she doesn't like me?"

Rarity's tone grew concerned. "I thought you said you didn't know?"

"Yeah well." Rainbow blew out a sigh. "Its 'cause I'm gay."

"What?" Rarity looked confused. "How would the mayor know you're gay?"

Dash looking down at the newspaper, she regretted saying anything, but felt she should at least offer a warning to Rarity. "She caught me and my girlfriend of the time kissing in the Ponyville park." Rarity looked surprised. "The word 'degenerate' was thrown around." Rainbow downed the last of her coffee, it was cold already.

"Hold up a minute." Rarity looked confused and surprised. "So that's why the mayor doesn't like you?"

Dash nodded. "Who knew the mayor was a homophobic, psycho cunt." It wasn't a question.

Rarity felt a pang in her chest at the word, she'd never heard Rainbow say anything with anymore venom. "What happened to you being in the closet?"

"We thought we were alone, I was seventeen and stupid." The pegasus rolled her eye's. "At least she didn't tell anyone. I think."

"Oh." Rarity looked at the table, drawing a small circle with her hoof on the rosewood surface. Silence hung over the room like a storm cloud. "Who was she?"

"You wouldn't know her." Rainbow continued reading her paper before deciding that wasn't really an acceptable response. "Blue October."

Dash was right, Rarity didn't know her. The alabaster mare bit her lip before asking the next question. "Did it end badly?"

The unicorn expected a 'none of your business' type of response, but Rainbow answered simply. "Yeah." The blue mare licked a hoof and turned the page. "Pretty bad."

Rarity suspected from her tone that was most likely an understatement; she nodded solemnly. "Sorry."

"Nah." Rainbow gave a smile, as if to say 'everything is fine' but the expression was hollow, thinly veiled and held no warmth. "It's cool."

The white unicorns thoughts wandered where she didn't mean for them to be, she knew it wasn't 'cool'.

Maybe the relationship she had with Blue October is why she won't date.

...

Could the break up have messed her up that bad?

Rarity closed her eyes, trying to dispel the thoughts. That was a horrible thought, and Rarity felt bad about it.

Rainbow Dash isn't messed up...

She looked to the mare and studied her features, Dash seemed to be reading the newspaper, but the white mare could tell not a word on the page was registering; the blue mare was deep in thought. She was thinking about Blue October.

Rarity frowned at the next thought that entered her mind.

Maybe she's a little messed up.

* * * * * *

"It's too cold for this crap!" Rainbow whined she pulled on the sweater Rarity had made her. "When I get to Cloudsdale tonite I'm gonna get my beanie from storage."

"You can't wear a beanie with that sweater! Not some random one anyway. I'll have to make a slouch beanie to go with it." Rarity smiled at the thought of another project. She'd never made a beanie before.

"Slouch beanie? Rarity I don't want to look like a hipster." Dash sassed.

Rarity smiled as she pulled on her own sweater. "Well I think hoop earrings would suit you, Rainbow Dash."

"Really?" Dash's features were quizzical to the point of non belief.

"No, hoop ear rings are revolting." Rarity laughed like a glass harp at her own comment. Rainbow couldn't help but smile at the mare's zealous nature toward certain fashions.

It didn't take long to get to the spa, the unicorn knew the route like the back of her hoof. Her legs were on autopilot as she looked about the town, seeing the foals enjoying their time off school.

Its seemed almost as soon as the Two got to the spa they were leaving, as much as Rarity would have like a hooficure she wanted to finish pestering ponies and go home more. Questions like "Having any friendship problems?" and "Anything happening in Ponyville I should know about?" Were asked for moot. The white mare figured if neither of the two were having any problems with their relationships, then at least they might be able to provide some gossip; after all, gossip was a sure fire way to find a friendship related problem.

Aloe and Lotus not only weren't having any troubles with their friends, but hadn't heard of anyone who had. Not in the last week anyway.

"How do Aloe and Lotus not know any gossip? They always talk about some bad breakup or a petty revenge, or something going on!" The unicorn huffed.

"Always?" Dash asked, an eyebrow cocked.

"Dash, they work in a spa." Rarity said flatly.

"But they don't seem like the type to bitch about people." Dash was starting to feel self conscious. Just what had the Spa ponies said about her in the past?

"They're very good at what they do." A smile graced the white mares lips.

Very self conscious.

There were three more groups of people Rarity could think of off the top of her head who had the potential to be in need of two elements. The cutie mark crusaders, Lyra and Bon Bon and Mayor Mare. Rainbow hadn't suggested any ponies to ask, much to the chagrin of Rarity.
The cutie mark crusaders could be anywhere, seeing as it was currently winter break from school, but they were most likely in their clubhouse, on the other side of Sweet Apple Acres, on the other side of town.

Uhh, I don't wanna walk across town.

The thought was cruel, and Rarity didn't feel good about it. Particularly because she hadn't seen her sister in almost two weeks. But she could deal with that when the time came, they were closer to Bon Bon's home at the moment. She turned down mane street, causing Dash to speed up to a trot to catch her.

"Hey, where you goin'?" Dash called after the white mare.

"Well we're close, so why not." Rarity gestured toward a small house next to the currently closed flower shop. Dash didn't know who Rarity was talking about, or who's house it was, she shrugged and followed the mare.

* * * * * *

"Nope, sorry Rarity. No problems to report here." The mayor put a hoof to her chin in thought. "Aside from some minor graffiti offenses, but nothing 'friendship' related."

The white unicorn let out a weary sigh, none too pleased with the news. "Well that's okay. Hopefully it stays that way." Rarity gave a weak smile as she turned for the door.

"I hope the search goes well!" The mayor called after her, her inflection showing no real concern or mirth.

The snow mare pushed open the door of town hall, her mane whipped in the icy wind as tore herself from the warm building.

"Any luck?" Rainbow asked, she was sitting on the steps of the building shivering. She had chosen to stay outside, preferring to keep away from the Mayor. The cold meant nothing as long as she didn't have to look at the silver maned mare.

Rarity solemnly shook her head, their search was ongoing. Dash let out a sigh. "Okay, who do we ask next?"

"I don't know," The white mare sighed. "Aloe and Lotus are fine, Lyra and BonBon are better than ever and the mayor seems perfectly happy." She pouted. She never thought she would pout to the thought of people being happy.

Rainbow's eyes narrowed in thought as the two began to move. She had been doing a lot of thinking, having been sitting on the stairs of town hall with not too much to do. "So I was wondering-?" Rainbow started, not really sure how to ask the question as the two mares began their trot in the direction of sweet apple acres, their next stop.

"Yes?" Rarity pressed.

"Are Lyra and Bon Bon, like, a thing?" Rainbow asked, the interaction with the two mares was a strange one, the two obviously lived very comfortably together, but showed no concrete signs of being a couple, let alone that they were that way inclined.

Rarity chuckled slightly at the question. "Oh Rainbow, of course not." Dash raised an eyebrow. "At least nobody knows for sure." Rarity reiterated.

"I'm sure if anyone knew you would." Said Rainbow, matter of factly.

"And why is that?" Rarity asked perplexed.

"Because you're a gossipy bitch." Rainbow smirked.

Rarity chuckled slightly before smirking back, "Be careful what you say about gossipy bitches, Rainbow Dash. They know you're secrets." The white mare smiled dangerously.

"Touché." The chromatic mare nodded in concurrence before smiling like an idiot. She mused, about how two weeks ago she wouldn't have dared say such a thing to Rarity. But now the banter between them was as if she were talking to Applejack or Gilda.

Rarity's cool.

Rainbow reflected on how she had thought that same thing many times in the past week. 'Rarity's cool'.

She couldn't help it, the more time she spent with the mare, the more she realized how much time she had wasted by not spending it with her in the past.

Rainbow felt guilty.

Guilty that she hadn't spent any real time with Rarity before. Guilty that it had taken two years to get passed her perception of her, built only on a first impression.

I guess I've been a pretty shitty friend...

She thought back over the time she had known the unicorn, in that time she had spent plenty of time with Applejack, Twilight, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, but no real time with Rarity, the only time she had spent with Rarity was when the others were around too.

A really shitty friend.

The two walked in relative silence for a time, but before they got halfway through town Rainbow piped up again. "Do we really wanna walk all the way to the Acres? We can always go tomorrow." Dash reasoned. "We'll have to go problem hunting again tomorrow anyway."

Rarity couldn't deny; Rainbow was right. Sweet Apple Acres was a long walk. If they turned left they could just go home, if they went straight ahead it was a long walk there and long walk back again. And it was cold, and way past any reasonable time to have lunch.

The alabaster mare let out a sigh.

There is always tomorrow.

"Yeah, okay. But we have to ask more people tomorrow than we did today." The white mare bargained for a clear conscious.

"I dont even know anybody else in Ponyville." Rainbow scratched the back of her head. "Didn't we already come to the conclusion that me getting my house back is what the map is trying to get us to do?"

"I said it was possible. But as long as we're not sure we still have to ask around, according to Twilight." Element of harmony obligations somehow seemed less thrilling than they had two years ago. Two years ago they were fighting monsters and saving lives.

Now they were saving buildings. The unicorn let out another sigh.

It was a short walk to the boutique, before they knew it the two were in the door and Rarity was re-lighting the fire.

"Imma' go make some coco. You want one?" Dash said as she practically pranced into the kitchen.

"No thank you." Rarity replied with a polite smile as she focused her magic into a super hot spark, sending the half burned logs in the fireplace alight instantaneously. Rainbow disappeared into the kitchen and returned soon after lowering herself to lay beside Rarity in front of the fireplace; a hot mug of dark coco in her hooves.

The two sat just watching the fire for a time, content to just listening to the crackling and popping.

Content for a time, anyway.

"How old are you. Rainbow Dash?" Rarity threw completely out of left field.

"Huh?" Dash blinked.

"How old are you?" The unicorn re-iterated.

"Twenty. Why?" The pegasus raised an eyebrow.

"Huh." Rarity looked back to the fire.

Dash looked on for a moment, silently asking where the question had come from. She didn't get an answer. "Why is that?" She pressed.

"Oh it's just you said this morning you were seventeen when the mayor caught you kissing your girlfriend." Rarity telekinetically lifted another log onto the fire. "It made me realize I didn't know how old you are."

"Okay." Dash nodded slowly. "How old are you?"

"Twenty."

"Really? When's your birthday?" A smile graced Rainbows features as she adjusted her position to lay on her side.

"Twenty first of January." Rarity looked away.

"Really?" Rainbows eyebrow shot up. "The big Twenty one, huh."

"No, well, I mean I turn twenty on the twenty first of January." Rarity explained.

"Wait, you're nineteen? Why'd you say you were twenty?" Rainbow pointed a hoof in accusation. "And also, you're nineteen!?"

Rarity Rolled her eyes. "Rainbow, my birthday is less than a month away, I'm practically twenty; and what do you mean by 'you're nineteen?'."

"Well I mean, its like," Rainbow stumbled over her words. "You don't seem nineteen, you're the most mature pony I know, pretty much." Rainbow squinted. "And you drink wine! What Nineteen year old do you know that drinks wine? What are you thirty-five and divorced?"

"Well how old did you think I was?" Rarity shot back with an eyebrow raised. "And I like wine!"

Dash's thoughts sparked up at that.

Its a trap, don't say anything stupid.

"I don't know, like Twenty-one? Twenty-two maybe?" Rainbow said carefully. "You're just way too mature to be nineteen."

The white mare ruminated on that for a moment. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"It is a compliment." Rainbow finished, noticing the vague mirth on Rarity's features.

Phew.

"How do you own a house at nineteen." Rainbow asked, genuinely intrigued.

"I pay rent, Rainbow Dash." Rarity poked at the fire with her magic. That didn't really answer Rainbows question.

How did she get a rental bond at nineteen?

Dash remembered Rarity had lived in the boutique the entire time she had known the mare.

Fucking seventeen? That cant be right.

She decided not to ask how.

For a time, the two mares sat in front if the fire, staring into the crackling maw, neither saying or doing anything. Rainbow was still having a hard time believing Rarity's age, and it made her wonder how old the other elements were.

How do I not know how old my friends are?

...

I guess I am a bad friend...

The two once more fell into silence as Rainbow got lost in thought. Rarity was trying to think of something to entertain her as she grew more and more restless.

A sinister voice entered her mind.

I know something I can do.

...

Is now really the time?

Rarity thought about that for a moment. It's not like the two were doing anything, Rarity didn't have any commissions and Rainbow wasn't at work for another day. The only other thing they could do was to go back out looking for friendship problems, but the idea made Rarity cold shudder. They would continue that tomorrow.

No time like the present, I suppose.

Just as the quiet was settling, the hum of Rarity's horn resonated in the room. Rainbow watched with a slack jaw as her mug of coco was floated the small distance to Rarity's lips. The white mare took a gentle sip before levitating it back to the blue mare's hooves.

"Excuse me?" Rainbow asked. Of course, she didn't really mind.

"Hmm?" Rarity turned her head, her expression read 'whatever is the matter?'. There was a small chocolaty mark on the unicorns upper lip. Dash smirked when she noticed.

"You've got some.." Rainbow gestured to her lips. Rarity chuckled a little, this sort of thing happened often, what with Rarity's snow white coat. Of course this time it was on purpose.

"Could you get that for me, darling." Rarity's eyes softened in a sultry gaze.

Rarity's attempt at flirting went right over Rainbows head. The chromatic mare blinked and reached a hoof up to Rarity's lips. Rarity swatted the hoof out of the way. "Not like that, you goose."

"Who you callin' a goos- OH!" Rainbows eyes widened before a blush spread across her face. "Sorry."

Rarity leaned over. "C'mere." She pushed forward, connecting the two mares lips, Rainbows eyes went wide again, not expecting the contact. Only one thought went through Rarity's mind at that point.

Finally.

It was a slow kiss, Rarity wasn't bold enough to let her tongue wander and Rainbow was too shocked. Before long the kiss broke and Rainbow stared wide eyed into Rarity's blue orbs.

Rainbow knew that would happen at some point, what with their new... arrangement. She hardly expected so soon.

She glanced down at the mares lips, the chocolaty mark was still partially there; the kiss had done almost nothing to remove it. Suddenly the weight of what had just happened bore down on the Rainbow manes mare.

I just kissed Rarity.

Dash had known this mare for two years, but only started getting to know her in the last week. A month ago, the thought of kissing Rarity was nothing more than a vague fantasy, and only a very occasional and fleeting one at that.

But here she sat.

"Rainbow, are you alright?" Rarity's asked, a concerned expression now on her features.

Dash shook her head wildly, dislocating the train of thought that had crashed and burned. "Yeah I mean," Rainbow eyes fell once again to the dark brown mark. "Hang on."

Dash licked the back of her hoof, making sure her fetlock was just wet enough, putting one hoof under Rarity's chin she reached across and gently wiped away the coco.

The unicorn let out a giggle. "Who are you, my mother?"

Dash smiled as she looked down, embarrassed as she realized how dorky that was. "Sorry."

Neither said anything for a moment, both had a light dusting of pink on their muzzles as they looked in other directions.

"Soo~." Rainbow said, trying to crack the tension.

"Mmhm." Rarity concluded.

...

You could hear a pin drop in the boutique.

"I mean-" Rainbow tried.

"We could-" The two cut each other off.

"You first."

"Go on."

Again, the two spoke at the same time. They both let out sighs.

Rarity eventually broke the awkward atmosphere. "What do you think?"

Dash looked back to Rarity. "Think about what?" She blinked.

"Well," Rarity made a motion with a hoof as she moved in again. "Do you wanna do it again?"

Dash's thoughts roamed.

Well yeah, that was fun.

Course it was, kissing is fun.

Dash's mind couldn't stay savory forever, in an instant, her horrid thoughts were back.

You're a fucking idiot.

Dash knew she was going to have to deal with her doubts at some stage, her anxious mind pushing her to stop and reconsider. Somewhere inside her brain Rainbow knew, it was already too late. The best she could do was ignore her brain and try to enjoy herself.

I just want to enjoy this.

Rainbow very slowly and very subtly licked the inside of her lips. She tasted lip balm but she couldn't figure out what flavor. Cherry? Raspberry?

Fuck yeah I wanna do that again.

Idiot.

Dash looked Rarity in the eye as a smile crept upon her features. "Yeah. Okay." Rainbow slowly moved forward, Rarity mimicked the motion.
The kiss was slower, more calculated, more in tune to their comforts. Rarity wanted to test the waters, experiment with the kiss. Her tongue very slowly pushed passed her own lips and gently flicked against Rainbows.

Rainbows eyes widened when she felt the gentle pressure of the muscle on her lips.

Stop it you fucking moron!

A soft voice in her mind responded with two words.

Ignore it.

Dash slowly opened her mouth, allowing the offending tongue passage. She couldn't help but let out a very subtle involuntary moan as Rarity's wandering tongue licked behind her teeth, she could feel Rarity's mouth curl into a smile at the sound.

The white mare gently drew a breath through her nose as the kiss lingered, she could feel every fibre of her coat at the long awaited contact. She didn't want this to end, she refused to.

Very slowly and cautiously, the white mare moved in, pushing Rainbow further onto her side, practically on her back as she slid her hooves underneath Rainbows wings. Dash's eyes went wide.

Woah! Okay! Wasnt expectin-

Dash let out another involuntary squeak as Rarity's hooves gently caressed the underside of her wing joint.

I think Rarity night be a bit-

She couldn't finish the thought. Rarity marveled at the feeling of Dash's hidden coat, all of a sudden she totally understood why it was an intimate area for pegasai. It was amazingly soft. Like a foals coat but much thicker, it reminded Rarity of her pink dress robe, except warm and breathing.

Another thought zipped through Rainbows mind.

You're an idiot.

Ignore it.

Dash could hardly hear the voice, she was too engulfed by this feeling, engulfed by Rarity. Part of her brain was still trying to catch up.

When the fuck did this happen?

I mean, I'm not protesting but some warning wouldn't go astray.

The kiss grew deeper, but finally Rarity broke it. She needed to breathe. Rarity felt something well up inside her, like her stomach was sinking, and her head was getting lighter. She could feel a familiar warmth spread throughout her.

Dash looked up at the mare, panting from the prolonged oxygen deprivation.

Hopeless.

It was too distant for Rainbow to care, too quiet and irrelevant.

Ignore it.

Rarity was well and truly atop her now, her hind legs straddling Rainbows lower torso as she looked down into her eyes as she too panted for breath.

Rarity's mind was reeling.

I have waited far too long to do that.

She could recall the other day, Tuesday, when Rainbow Dash had walked in on her when she thought she was alone. She remembered what she was deprived of, reminded of what she wanted. Dash looked up at Rarity with her eyes wide, a soft pant escaping her lips, she wanted this too. A final thought broke through Rarity's clouded mind before she did what she so craved.

Oh, fuck it.

Rarity pushed forward again, connecting the two mare's lips in a messy, heavy kiss. She continued her soft, gentle stroking of Rainbows underwings as Rainbow was once again caught off guard by the action, but in no way resisting it. The thoughts that were pestering Dash were no longer audible within the blue mare's mind; her brain had other things to focus on.

The kiss deepened as Rainbow felt herself much in the same mindset as Rarity. A warmth spreading throughout her. But Rainbow was having enough of being pinned like this.

If we're gonna do this, I'm not being pinned down.

Rarity felt a strong feathery appendage on her side as a hoof pushed against her shoulder, with amazing strength and grace, Rainbow flipped Rarity and rolled on top of her, pinning the unicorn on her back. Rarity let out a playful squeal and giggled as she marveled at just how strong Dash really was. She knew the display was nothing of the chromatic mares potential, the fact just made it even more exiting.

Then, with amazing dexterity, Rainbow stretched a wing up to Rarity's horn and ticked its base with a single primary feather, resuming her lip lock with the white mare. Rainbow could feel the vibrations on her tongue from the throaty moan that Rarity let out.

She finally pulled away from Rarity's lips as her wingtip continued to caress the unicorns horn, Rarity's mouth now free to make all kinds of adorable squeaks. Her mouth moved down, gently kissing the unicorns neck, giving the occasional nibble.

The horn was a distraction, a red herring to distract and build Rarity's excitement, Rainbow had bigger plans. A blue hoof very gently and slowly glided down Rarity's chest.

Dash was sure, somewhere her mind was screaming at her, but she couldn't care less at this point, she wanted this, this would make her happy. She wanted it so badly.

A strange thought wormed its way into her mind, but the pegasus quickly dismissed it, she was too preoccupied to humor the frivolous brainwave.

How long has it been since I've done this?

Dash quickly dismissed it.

Her hoof continued down as her kissing and horn rubbing continued, Rarity continuing her soft gasps and moans as if the pleasure came to her in waves. Finally Rainbows hoof came to rest on the inside of Rarity's thigh. Her kissing stopped, as did the horn tickling. She looked down into Rarity's eyes, the white mare seemed confused as to why Rainbow had stopped.

Rainbow silently asked a question, not moving a muscle in her face she waited. Waited for a reply she knew Rarity would give her one way or another.

After a tiny moment that seemed drag out forever, Rarity groaned out of frustration, her eyes pleaded with the blue mare. She bucked her hips upward with another groan.

Dash smiled as her question was answered.

Giving in she slowly pressed her hoof to Rarity, moving back in to kiss and nick at her neck once more, she could feel her hoof getting more and more slick every second. Rarity bucked her hips again, grinding herself against Rainbow's hoof. Dash grinned as she slowly rubbed circles over Rarity's cunt, slowly making the motion more intense and the circles tighter.

Rarity's abdominal muscles flexed hard as all the air was taken from her lungs. Her hidden clit had winked against Dash's slick hoof, forcing a lung emptying jolt to flow through her. As soon as the shock had passed Rarity giggled like a bell, her body overstimulated. The only thing that felt wrong at that moment was letting Rainbow do all the work; she needed to give back.

Rarity slowly glided a hoof down Rainbow Dash's belly while the other focused on stroking under Rainbow's wing. Rainbow had gone back to kissing Rarity, delighting the mare with another tongue wrestle. Rarity's hoof wandered until she felt the hard steel of Rainbow's piercings, her tiny nipples were almost as hard as the horizontal steel bars that penetrated them; she didn't even notice that her horn was no longer getting any attention, she was too caught up with other things to care about that. Rarity, moved to push her hoof lower, slowly teasing Rainbow, the same as Rainbow had tested her. Finally she pushed her hoof a little farther.

Then the door opened.

The familiar bell chimed as Rarity felt Rainbow roll off her as fast as bolt of lightning. Panic welled up inside her as she too rolled back onto her stomach at amazing speed.

For a time, everything seemed so slow, like someone had turned the timing of the world way down and for a split second, no sounds could be heard. Rarity tucked her tail beneath her as she looked to Rainbow Dash. The pegasus looked perfectly normal, lying on her stomach with a fore hoof tucked underneath her. Rarity could guess which one.

Her expression was neutral as she gazed into the fire that crackled in front of them. The unicorn noted a hint of annoyance but aside from that, Rainbow almost looked bored.

Then in what must have been a second but seemed like a day, Rarity could hear again.

"So anyways I says to Twist, I says" The familiar drawl of Applebloom filled their ears, the filly was facing the others, trotting backwards to talk to the other crusaders' faces. "I don't even like peppermint. I don't think I've ever seen her so offended." Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom turned and spotted Rarity and Rainbow Dash, sitting in front of the fire. "Oh hey Rarity, Hi Rainbow Dash."

The unicorns mind strained.

Shit, what do I say?

Did they see us?

One of them must have seen us.

We're fucked!

Her eyes quickly swept the room, thankfully, all the curtains were shut. The only way anyone could have seen them was if they were to walk through the door.

The fucking door! Urgh!

Rarity could feel her thundering heart beat.

I still have to say something.

Maybe they didn't notice.

"Huh?" Rarity's mouth wasn't working properly.

"Oh hi guys!" Rainbow said. Rarity looked at the pegasus, the blue mare was cool and collected, or at least she gave off that vibe.
What went on internally was a different story, Rainbows mind was a mess.

For fucks sakes.

Not only couldn't you help yourself from fucking Rarity, you couldn't even lock the door.

Stupid!

You're stupid!

Stupid! Stupid!

Rainbow winced at the thoughts. She tried to slow her heartbeat and focus on making sure everything was cool, she just need to stay calm.

Okay, okay, no sweat, just gotta pretend everything is normal and hope none of them saw anything.

Just pretend?

Just pretend you weren't fucking in front of children?

Fucking fantastic plan!

Dash was sweating bullets as she tried her best to ignore her brain. The soft voice from earlier returned.

Ignore it.

Keep calm.

"So what have you guys been up to?" Asked Scootaloo, as Sweetie Belle trotted over to give her sister a quick nuzzle. Rarity's body was on auto pilot as she returned it, she didn't even look at her little sister, just stared off into space. The question answered something for Rainbow Dash and Rarity, the two shared a look as realisation bloomed in Rarity's mind.

Maybe they didn't see anything.

Maybe we got away with it.

"Oh you know, not much." Rarity lied through her teeth, finally regaining some semblance of self control. "I've been toying with designs of a slouch beanie for Rainbow Dash." The unicorn was grasping at anything she could to open a irrelevant topic, there was a waver in her voice, slight but there..

"A slouch beanie?" Applebloom asked.

"Like what Twists mom wears." Sweetie Belle filled her in. Applebloom's mouth made a little 'o'.

Rainbow needed to get up, get moving, there was too much adrenaline going through her brain mixing with her toxic thoughts. She needed to take some action.

Rainbow Dash sprang to her hooves. "Who wants Coco?!"

The three oblivious fillies all answered at the same time, the answer was obvious. The three girls followed Rainbow Dash into the kitchen. Rainbow washed her hooves thoroughly before she touched a saucepan.

Rarity sat in front of the fireplace watching the four disappear into the kitchen, it dawned on her soon after what an opportunity she was provided. What Rainbow had done for her.

Slowly, the alabaster mare stood up, ran a hoof over her mane and with a huff, composed herself.

Then she bolted to the bathroom.

* * * * * *

Things had cooled down at Carousel boutique, Rarity trotted down the stairs with a towel on her head, hoping that she and Rainbow were in the clear. From the sounds of the chit chat, it seemed they had taken quick enough action to avoid being seen.

A sigh escaped the unicorns lips as she rounded into the kitchen.

"I dunno Rainbow Dash, a slouch beanie might make you look like a hipster." Scootaloo said before sipping her coco with a sly grin on her face.

"Pfft. Will not, I can make anything cool." Dash waved off the young pegasus with a hoof, a hoof that practically sparkled with how well she washed it.

Applebloom's head turned toward the door as Rarity entered, a confused look on her face. "Why did you take a shower juss now?"

"Uhh." Rarity's mind was drawing a blank. "I just had to-"

"Rarity takes showers all the time," Sweetie Belle perked up. "Like three or four a day."

The white mare internally thanked her little sister for unknowingly saving her hide. 'Four a day' was a tad of an exaggeration, but Rarity wasn't going to argue against it. Not now.

Saved by the Belle.

Ha!

"Clean freak." Rainbow agreed, chocolate on her lips. The three fillies chuckled in response.

Rarity ignored the banter and looked to Rainbow, the alabaster mare raised an eyebrow, silently asking Dash a question. Rainbow just nodded with.

They hadn't been seen. They had gotten away with it. A huge sense of Joy replaced the dread within the mare. She felt as if a great weight had been lifted from her back

Way too close.

Rarity studied Rainbows face as the three fillies chatted to each other. There was something in Rainbows smile, its wasn't as if the smile wasn't genuine, but it held something Rarity couldn't quite put her hoof on. Rainbow looked stressed to say the least, she was obviously deep in thought.

"So anyway, have you guys been having any problems? Friendship problems maybe?" Rainbow piped up, eager to once again change the subject; there was a lot of that going around.

The three fillies looked deep in thought for a moment, before Applebloom answered. "Hmm, nope. Why's that?"

Rarity and Rainbow sighed. "The map has tasked us with searching Ponyville for friendship problems." Rarity answered.

A chorus of "Ahh" came back at them. "All our friends are pretty happy, what with winter break, I don't know anybody who could be having any friendship problems." Sweetie Belle offered her two cents.

"And what about Big Mac? Or granny Smith?" Rainbow asked Applebloom.

"Or Mum and Dad?" Rarity asked Sweetie Belle.

"Or your parents, Scoots?" Rainbow asked, continuing the volley of questions.

Three fillies looked to each other then shook their heads, nobody they knew had any friendship problems, at least none that they knew of.

Rarity and Rainbow sighed in response. "Oh well, that's good then." The white mare nodded. It was good that nobody had any friendship problems, but a darker, more sour part of her brain was a little disappointed. They would have to continue their search.

The five ponies talked for a while, spoke of current affairs in Ponyville, not a one having any semblance of a 'friendship problem' however.
By the time the three fillies left the boutique the sun had set, the clock in the kitchen showed six thirty. Rarity scrunched up her muzzle at the clock.

What time did we get home?

What time did we-

did the crusaders get here?

The white mare shook her head, the day had passed so quickly.

Rainbow once more lay down in front of the fire, Rarity wandering to join her. They sat in silence for a time before Rainbow spoke up. "What good timing that was." The Rainbow maned pegasus said, addressing exactly what was on both of their minds.

"Ugh, I know." Rarity was turning red just thinking about it. "At least none of them saw us."

Rainbow smirked. "Or heard us."

"Oh c'mon. We weren't that loud." Rarity looked sure of herself.

"We weren't," Rainbow pointed a hoof at Rarity. "You were." The pegasus was trying to hold back giggles.

"What do you mean?" The white mare looked a touch offended.

"You moan like a virgin, Rarity." Dash giggled.

"I'll have you know that was my first time with a girl... or at least would have been." Rarity said, trying not to smile.

"Really?" Dash asked, suddenly, she didn't know why, but she felt a little bad. "Shoulda told me."

"Oh Rainbow its not that big of a deal." Rarity said as she leaned over and gave Rainbow a nuzzle, trying to re-light the fire that burned within the two before they were interrupted.

"Hmm." Rainbow said, it seemed as if she didn't even notice the contact. Rarity let out a small huff, just small enough that Rainbow didn't notice that either. Dash glanced at the clock above Rarity's sewing desk, it was nearing the time she would have to leave if she wanted to get to The Twelve String on time. She hadn't forgotten.

"Oh snap, Rarity. I gotta go." Dash said as she stood and trotted toward the stairs.

"Gotta go where?" Rarity asked, a hint of hurt in her voice. She was looking forward to spending some time with Rainbow. Not necessarily anything sexual, but still, time with the mare.

"I'm meeting my co-workers at The Twelve String tonite." Dash replied as she trotted up the stairs. Rarity rose to follow her, a little confused.

"The Twelve String? What is that?" The unicorn asked ash she followed Rainbow into the bathroom.

"Its a bar in Cloudsdale." Dash said she applied toothpaste to her toothbrush. "Didn't I tell you? I thought I did."

Rarity thought back. She honestly wouldn't remember anything about Dash going to the bar. "No, I dont think so." Rarity spoke with an air of confusion.

"Oh, well sorry." Dash said as she started to brush her teeth, the words that followed her muffled, what with her mouth being full of toothpaste. "I'll be ack oon, I'm too oor to hang around and uy rinks."

Rarity sort of understood the garbled nonsence. "Oh," Rarity slumped to the floor. "Well that sucks."

Dash spat a gob of foam into the sink. "Why?" Confusion drawing on her features.

"Oh," Was all Rarity could get out, she tried to think of something to say, but she really didn't know why she wanted Dash to stay. It wasn't about sex, she just, didn't want to be alone. "I dont know."

"I wont be gone long rarity," Dash spoke as she very carefully applied the lightest touches of makeup. Mascara was about as far as she went. "Like I said, I'm too poor to do any real drinking, so I'll be back soon."

Rarity nodded before standing. "Well," The unicorn ran a hoof over her mane. "If im in bed by the time you get back, dont be afraid to join me." The unicorn coughed into her hoof. "It'll be cold, is all."

Uh oh.

The thought echoed through Rainbows mind.

Heading toward relationship territory. Back out slowly, Dash.

"Oh- okay." Dash stumbled over her words, not quite sure what how to respond, her mouth worked before her brain.

Fucking moron.

Dash internally winced.

Ignore it.

"Alright," Dash ran a hoof over her mane one last time as she trotted toward the bathroom door. "I better be off."

"Okay, well, you have a good night, Rainbow." The unicorn said as she followed Dash, she wasn't smiling.

"I'll try." Dash said as she opened the front door. A blast of cold air hit her, forcing her to slam the door shut. She floated over to where her jumper was draped over the couch. "I might take this." Dash said sheepishly as she slipped into the sweater, bracing herself for the cold.

The pegasus once more opened the door, and just like that, Rarity was alone.

The sound of the crackling fire was only occasionally interrupted by the whistling winter wind outside, when there was no other noise, it almost seemed loud. But in a stark contrast to the last week, to Rarity, the boutique was almost silent.

She trotted over to the fireplace, looking to the carpet in front of it the hearth. She could see the outlines of two ponies depressed into the shaggy surface.

This was what the boutique was always like, she mused.

It was always this quiet, it was the same boutique she had lived in two weeks ago.

But was it always this lonely?

* * * * * *

Author's Note

Whoa? No Flashbacks? The fuck man?

Yeah, I know right. Its mostly fluff too, all the story stuff happens in part 2.

Hey, fuck you pal!

You would too. ;)

Yeah so sorry this chapter took literally over five months to come to fruition. If you hadn't already figured it out, im sure you could piece together the reasons behind my latency if you looked to my blog. Worry not, the next chapter shouldn't take this long, not unless somebody shoots my hard-drive.

Oh yeah, I keep updates on this story in my blog if you didn't already know that, so go check out my blog, start a conversation, hit me up anytime, yo. :)

I'm sorry if that sex scene caught you a little off guard, its supposed to surprise you as much as it surprises Dash.

BOOM! We fuckin' now!

Did I mention this story was gonna be cloppy? Yeah, its gonna be cloppy...

soznotsoz

Have a lovely day, you deserve it. :D -Voyna.