Rainbow Dash sat, pencil in mouth, staring out the window of the Cloudsdale and Ponyville weather headquarters; watching as the weather ponies carried snow clouds from the weather factory down below the cloud layer. Her mind was not on her work, far from it.

Rarity is into mare's...

I've got to tell her I am too.

No you don't. You only want to tell her because you want to see where it goes. You can't think of her like that.

But what if-

"Dash, you doing okay?" Stormwalkers voice cut through Rainbow's reverie like a hot knife through butter.

"Huh?" Rainbow snapped out of it. "Yeah fine, why?"

"Well, you've been staring out the window for the past five minutes'. You're not supposed to stop working until snowfall leaves." Stormwalker joked.

"Oh, yeah sorry. I have a lot on my mind, I guess." Rainbow looked back out the window for a moment before looking at the unfinished weather report in front of her.

"Alright, just have that report done by ten and everyone's happy, kay?" Stormwalker sensed the possible importance of Rainbow's thoughts - she had been there many times before - and rather than push the mare to work faster, just let her know she could be working faster. A tactful way of saying 'get back to work or you'll piss off the boss'.

Rainbow smiled, that was plenty of time. "No problem."

Rainbow once again looked to her page, pretending to at least look like she was thinking about her job, in actuality she was thinking about a familiar mare.

No I have to tell her, not because I want her to know, because she deserves to know. I'll tell her tonight.

As soon as the thought flew through Rainbow's mind, a familiar sinking feeling filled Rainbows chest. She hadn't come out to anybody for a long time, not since...

Poor Blue...

Rainbow still occasionally thought about the mare. Wondered whatever happened to her, where she was and what she was doing now. But with thoughts of Blue October came other thoughts, memories the mare would rather not have. As it was, Rainbow tried not to think about her.

The mare shook her head, throwing the horrid memories out.

Nah, screw that, telling Rarity will be just like telling mom.

The prismatic mare smiled as she thought back almost three years, to the day she came out to her mother.
Her eighteenth birthday.

~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~

"Happy birthday, honey." Firefly beamed as she stepped aside to let her daughter and Blue October inside.

"Thanks, mom." Rainbow smiled as she gave her mother a quick nuzzle.

"Blue October! How are you?" Firefly smiled to the mail mare, completely oblivious to who exactly she was to Rainbow Dash.

"I'm great! And you?" Blue October replied, polite as always.

"I'm good! Come in, come in." Firefly said, ushering the two young ponies into the living room.

Blue October looked around the house, the sheer size always blew her away when looking at it from outside. But on the inside it felt less like the mansion she had imagined and more like a home, display cases showing Rainbow Dash's achievements, a large fireplace with family photo's decorating the mantle. The whole shemozzle.

Rainbow and Toby sat on the couch in the living room as Firefly flitted about in the kitchen one room over, no doubt preparing tea or coffee. With all formal introductions out of the way Firefly returned to her usual, overly motherly tone.

"So how have you been honey?" Rainbow Dash and Blue October exchanged looks at the mention of the pet name. "I haven't seen in you in ages!" Firefly called from the kitchen.

"Mom, it's been like two weeks, we had coffee at that new cafe on fifth." Rainbow called back.

"But that's two weeks! This house is so big and lonely, you need to visit more often."

Rainbow felt a pang of guilt in her chest, she did need to visit more often.

"Okay, mah."

Blue October looked to her girlfriend, she could tell Dash was stressed. That was to be expected with what she was about to do. Toby reached over with a hoof and gave Dash's own a tender squeeze, smiling warmly to her girlfriend. Rainbow returned the smile, silently thanking her girlfriend for the support.

As soon as the girls let go of each others hoof's Firefly's head poked into the room form the kitchen.

"Would you like a tea, Blue October?" Firefly asked, her voice dripping with motherly love.

"Oh, uh yes please. White and one, thanks." Toby smiled.

"Just call her Toby, mah" Rainbow smiled at her girlfriend.

Within moments, Firefly floated into the room, setting a mug of tea down in front of Toby and one in front of Rainbow. She quickly darted back to the kitchen and returned with her own mug and a small plate of varying biscuits.

"I didn't know you two were friends?" Firefly said as she placed the plate of biscuits on the table, snagging a ginger nut for herself.

Rainbow and Toby shared another look. "Yeah we've been hanging out for a while now." Rainbow said, there was no expression behind her voice.

"Rainbow honey, What's wrong? You're as white as a ghost."

Rainbow took a deep breath in. Of course Rainbow wasn't actually any paler than usual, but her rigid posture and un-moving expression were a dead giveaway that something was amiss. Particularly to someone as perceptive as her mother.

"Uhh yeah, about that." Rainbow swallowed, her throat was mysteriously dry. "Mom I need to uh, tell you something."

Firefly's eyes widened.

"What is it? Are you in trouble with the police? Do you need somewhere to lay lo-"

"Nah mom, nothing' like that." Rainbow interrupted her mother, for a split second a smile graced Rainbows face at her mother's attempted humor, it faded quickly. "It's more.. personal."

Firefly's expression morphed to one of concern as she gently placed her mug on the table to give her daughter her undivided attention.

"Honey," Firefly's tone was as sweet. "You know you can tell me anything."

Here goes!

Rainbow let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding onto.

"Mom," The word came out shakily. Blue October gave a sidelong look to Rainbow, silently supporting her girlfriend. "I'm gay."

Firefly looked at her daughter, unblinking, trying to process what she had just been told. Her expression was blank, not angry or sad, but not happy either.

Dashie's gay?

Rainbow Dash looked back at her mother, fear building in her chest at the prolonged silence, Blue's supportive smile wavered at the sight. The full five seconds it took for Firefly to respond felt like years.

Toby internally winced as Firefly's head swung her way. At that moment Firefly realized exactly who Blue October was.

Ohhh!

"Well." Firefly looked back at her daughter, she scratched the back of her head, offering a weak smile. "I think Toby is a beautiful mare."
Rainbow let out a shaky breath as a smile broke across her face, a tear could be seen forming at the corner of her eye. The young mare stood up from her seat and rushed around to wrap her mother in an almighty hug.

Blue October could feel her own tears forming at the sight.

Rainbow didn't say anything as she buried her face into her mother's mane. Wrapping her forelimbs around the mares withers.
Firefly smiled as she wrapped her legs around her daughter, the emotional admission had brought a tear to Firefly's eye as well, but she wouldn't let it fall.

Rainbow pulled back from the embrace and looked her mom in the eye. "Mom, I-.. Thank you."

"For what, honey?" Firefly couldn't stop the tear from rolling down her cheek as she looked into her daughters own damp eyes. Rainbow smiled up at her mother.

There was a pause as Rainbow thought about that.

"For being my mom." Rainbow finished. Something within Firefly ached at the statement, with newfound vigor she pulled her daughter back into her bone crushing embrace.

From the other side of the room, Toby let out a sniffle as she wiped a tear from her eye. The display had given the blue mare hope, hope that her parents would react in the same way Firefly did.

The pink mare wiped another tear from her eye before it could fall. "How long have you two been dating?" Her voice wavered as she tried to control her voice box.

Rainbow Dash looked to her girlfriend with a questioning expression. "Two months now?"

Toby wiped the last tears out of her eyes and gave a nod. "Yeah about there." Toby's voice was raspy from crying.

"Two moths! You must have only just moved here." The statement was directed at Toby. "Damn, Dash let her unpack first."
Rainbow and Toby both gave a chuckle at that, Toby blushed.

Firefly slumped back on her couch, her eyes wide. She was still shocked at the news.

"Mom?" Rainbow looked almost sad. "Whats wrong?"

"Nothing, honey." Firefly gave a weak smile to her daughter, who now was sitting next to her on the couch. "Its just," Firefly gave pause as she thought about it, she didn't want to say something she would regret, Rainbow was internally biting her nails for the mare to finish her statement.

"I just wasn't expecting it is all." Firefly finished.

Rainbow looked down at her hooves, her head lingered before a pink wingtip lifted her gaze back to meet her mothers. "I'm so happy, Dash."

Rainbow looked to her mother in the eye, it was the first time in a long time Rainbow had seen the mare cry. Rainbow smiled at her mother, Firefly offered a weak smile back.

"Now, Toby. Tell me about yourself, honey." The pink mare smiled at the blue mare across the room.

Toby sat, stunned at the beautiful display. Tears left dark rivers down her face. She couldn't stop herself from smiling.

* * * * * *

Rainbow and Toby stood outside Firefly's home, saying their goodbye's to the pink mare. Firefly wrapped her daughter in one last hug before she left.

"Mmm, I love you, honey. You're always welcome home." Firefly kissed Dash on the cheek, Rainbow's face reddened out of embarrassment, what with Blue standing right there.

Toby however thought the display was adorable.

"And Toby, so nice to actually talk to you, honey." Firefly then proceeded to wrap the blue mare in a hug, Blue returned it. "Never be afraid to come in for a chat, okay?" Firefly left a polite kiss on Blue Octobers cheek as well.

"Thanks Firefly." Toby smiled warmly. Firefly broke the contact.

"Bye, mom." Rainbow spread her wings, as did Toby.

"See ya, Firefly. Lovely meeting you!" Toby said as the two young mares leapt from the cloud.

"Don't fly too close to the police station! I didn't have any paper bags!" Yelled Firefly, referencing the bottle of whiskey in Rainbows hooves. The bottle was a gift from Rainbows mother, it was a custom to buy somebody alcohol when they become legal drinking age. Of course most ponies just got one another a bottle of wine or a six pack of crappy beer, but Firefly didn't do half measures.

Rainbow and Blue both laughed as they flew off. "They can try and catch me!" Dash yelled back over the whipping wind.

"Damn, Dash your mom is a badass." Blue yelled over the rushing wind as the two mares flew back to Rainbow Dash's house. "She took it so well!"

"Yeah, she's pretty cool!" Rainbow yelled back. A smile graced Rainbows face as she thought of her mother. The young mare really did appreciate her. The two pegasi leveled out their flight, the wind not nearly as loud at their current pace.

"So uh, what're your plans for the rest of your birthday?" Toby spoke at a more nominal volume now.

"You've done your route already haven't you?" Rainbow asked.

Blue nodded. She did it early today so she could spend time with Dash.

"Well," Rainbow paused. "I've got this bottle of whiskey; we could get wasted and hang out.

"Just hang out, Dashie?" Blue October raised an eyebrow in doubt.

Rainbows expression morphed into a sly smile; she didn't need to say a word for Blue October to know what she was implying.

Toby angled her wings to draw her close to the mare, coming up right beside her. "Sounds like a great opportunity to give you my present." Toby's voice was heavy and sultry, it matched the look she was giving Dash.

Rainbow Dash's face bloomed with color.

~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~

Yeah, that was a good day. Mom is cool.

Rainbow wore a familiar goofy grin.

The pegasus reasoned it was probably time to get back to work, she looked at the clock.

9:45.

Shit! I gotta get moving!

Rainbow picked up her pencil in her teeth and started writing.

* * * * * *

Rarity dragged the needle suspended in her telekinesis through two sheets of icy-blue material and tied the final thread down. She sang along with the tune that flowed from her gramophone.

"You're so vain.~ You probably think this song is about you, you're so vain, hmm mm m." Rarity trailed off into humming as she glanced at the clock.

Good heavens!

Rarity had been working nonstop on her commissioned dress for almost two straight hours, and the work was showing. Normally it would take Rarity a whole week to make a dress like this, but seeing as the mare had no other commissions or engagements, it was looking as though she would have it finished by this afternoon. The alabaster mare put down her sewing needle and stopped working, resolving that she deserved a break.

Maybe I should go out. I haven't left the boutique in a while.

The mare stood and trotted to the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator she noticed she was running low on food. The pantry mirrored the situation. Rarity sighed, she didn't like grocery shopping, it took too long; But alas, she needed to eat.

With a telekinetic flick the mare switched off her gramophone and levitated over a small mirror. Rarity eyed herself in the mirror, checking her teeth, mane and eyelashes.

Stunning as always, Rarity.

She smiled at her reflection before grabbing a small bit purse and scarf before trotting out the door.

* * * * * *

Stormwalker stood and started to walk toward the door, she was making extra effort to swing her flanks as she walked. Unfortunately for Rainbow, she found herself gazing upon the mares round, taught hindquarters.

Unfortunate because Stormwalker swung her head around to face the mare with the speed of a bullet. For an instant Stormwalker noticed where Rainbows eye's were before they darted back to her work.

The grey mare could barely stop herself from smirking.

I'm on to you, Rainbow Dash.

Stormwalkers mind took a turn for the gutter.

And if I'm lucky you'll be on me soon.

"Lunch time, Dash. I'm gonna head to the cafe if you want to tag along." Stormwalker suggested.

Rainbow glanced at the clock, Stormwalker was right.

"Yeah sure." Rainbow replied as she stood up. Rainbow mentally noted to start packing a lunch and keeping it in the office fridge. She was spending too much money on food.

The mares trotted to the front door of the office, Stormwalker threw it open. Immediately a wall of ice cold wind blasted the two mares.

"Sweet Luna! I'll be right back." Stormy said as she trotted back into the office, retrieving the jacket that was draped over her chair.
Rainbow jumped outside and started hovering, trying to get some heat into her body, ever thankful for the cable knit sweater she was wearing.

Stormwalker returned with a worn bomber jacket, and the two mares began their journey through the stinging wind to the other side of town.

"What you thinkin' for lunch?" The purple mare asked.

"Something warm." Rainbow shivered in the whipping wind.

As the two mares flew away from the office, the heads of two ponies poked out the door and watched them go.
"She's really trying isn't she?" Asked Great Scott.

"Yup." Dust Devil gave a light-hearted chuckle. "Isn't she adorbs."

It was Scott's turn to chuckle. Not only at the statement but also at the word 'adorbs'. "Yup."

* * * * * *

A bell chimed as Rarity walked in the door of a small shop in Ponyville, she had finished the majority of her grocery shopping, and had to make one last stop.

"Miss Rarity, to what do I owe the pleasure?" The odd looking unicorn stallion behind the counter welcomed the mare.

"Oh you know, " Rarity browsed the shelves of the store, responding automatically to the stallion as he made idle chit-chat. The store she had walked into was Ponyville's very own "Good Habits" store, a tobacco and liquor merchant and one of the oldest stores in the town.

Located right next to quills and sofa's which was also - for whatever reason - one of Ponyville's oldest stores.

The shop was so old the name probably wasn't supposed to be ironic, Rarity mused.

The white mare placed a bottle of wine on the counter, this one was going to be much nicer than the last bottle she had endured. It would want to be at the price she was paying. The mare caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of her eye, sitting on the far right of the counter was a six pack of cider. It was no Sweet apple acres, but it looked like nice cider regardless.

I should get that for Rainbow, she needs a drink what with all that's happening in her life. Poor girl.

It can be a 'I'm sorry you saw me fucking myself' gift.

Rarity slid the six pack across the counter, signalling to the stallion she wanted to purchase it also.

"I never thought you a cider girl, miss Rarity." Dipso said as he punched some numbers into his till. "That all today?"

"Yes, darling." Rarity responded politely as she levitated out her bit purse.

"That comes to thirty-five bits." Dipso concluded.

The stallions horn flared up and he levitated a six pack of cider into a brown gift bag that bared the logo of the store, along with the bottle of wine Rarity had bought for herself. Rarity paid the stallion and finished the transaction.

In that instant, a less than savory thought wormed its way into Rarity's mind.

Trying to get Rainbow Dash drunk, are we?

Rarity's mood immediately fell as the voice of doubt wormed its way into her mind.

Of course not!

...

I think.

"See you next time, miss Rarity. Enjoy the rest of your day." Said Dipso, snapping Rarity out of her reverie.

"Y-yes, thank you, Dipso." Rarity grabbed the bag in her telekinesis and trotted out the door. Opening the door she noticed it was colder now then when she had gone inside the store.

The unicorn looked up, the winter cloud cover over Ponyville was almost complete. Snow was already falling in sporadic patches around town. The unicorn also noticed that everyone else was wearing full winter clothes, whereas she was only wearing a scarf.

Goodness.

Rarity shuddered, biting her scarf to tighten it.

I'm not catching a cold.

With all her shopping done, the white mare began at a brisk pace back to the boutique. Brown paper bags floating behind her.

* * * * * *

Rainbow chose to sit inside the office that day, and she likely would for many more working days to come, at least until winter was over, it was far too cold to sit outside. Rainbow picked at her small salad lunch with a plastic fork as Stormwalker talked from across the walkway that divided their desks.

"How come you guys don't have to wear ties?" Rainbow Dash asked before shoveling another huge fork load of salad into her mouth.

"Huh?," Stormwalker replied, her eye drawn to Rainbows neck. "You're wearing a tie?"

Rainbow pulled her sweater down to show her chest, displaying the necktie she had been told she needed to wear. "All week." Dash confirmed.

"Seriously?" Stormwalkers face was contorting into a smile. Rainbow nodded. "I bet Snowfall thinks he's funny."

"What?" Dash didn't understand.

"Snowfall told you to wear that." Stormy stated, Rainbow nodded again. "He was messing with you, Dash."

Rainbow was utterly confused. "Snowfall 'messes' with ponies? Like, for fun?"

Stormwalker was giggling now, for one reason or another she found it funny that Rainbow believed him. "Yeah, but his idea of messing with someone is to tell them they need to wear a tie and see if they show up with one on Monday."

Rainbow's eyebrow was cocked in confusion.

"You've seriously been wearing that thing all week?" Stormy teased.

"Yeah! I was told I had to!" Rainbow wasn't confused about the joke so much as she was about the stallion, out of the few times Rainbow had met Snowfall, she never once pegged him as a 'kidder'. The joke itself was weak at best.

Stormy was straight up laughing now. "That's so stupid!"

Rainbow watched the laughing mare, her confusion still not abated.

"Take that thing off, you're gonna make him think he's funny." Stormy's laughter died down into chuckles. The chromatic mare grumbled as she loosened the necktie and threw it in the drawer of her desk, mumbling swears as she did so.

"Oh c'mon it was kinda funny." Stormwalker smiled.

Rainbow shot the mare a look. "No. Its just dumb." Rainbow chuckled despite the statement.

"Why are you laughing then." Stormy quirked an eyebrow at Dash.

"I'm not!" Rainbow was in fact giggling. She had been pretty gullible. She thought back to the past two days, she realized that throughout that entire time nobody aside from Tight Ship had worn a tie. Now that she thought about it, she was pretty sure when Snowfall had told her to wear a tie, he hadn't been wearing one himself. Snowfall obviously wanted to see how long it took her to figure it out.

Stormwalker smiled at Rainbows behavior.

Silly girl.

"Hey, I'm gonna go put on a coffee, you want one?" Stormy asked as Rainbow returned to her salad.

Rainbow looked at the clock, the day was more than half over, but a cup of coffee was more than welcome.

"Um, sure". The desk with coffee fixings was right to the front of the room, next to the door that lead to the foyer of the small building. Rainbow readjusted her jumper with her teeth, and stole a glance at the mare, milling about at the table.

She must work out.

Rainbow mentally noted as she - once again - found her eyes resting on the mares butt.

Meanwhile Stormwalker was having a mental war within herself at the coffee table.

I'll just have to tell her. I'm not gonna find out if she's into mares any other way.

How am I supposed to tell her though?

Easy, say "I'm a lesbian." Duh.

Stormwalker weighed that option, what were the chances of Rainbow not being okay with it? The mare reasoned zero to none.

Yeah! Screw it, I'm just gonna tell her. I'm done trying to figure her out!

Stormwalker finished making their coffee's and floated back to their desks, placing one mug down in front of Rainbow and flitting to sit at her own desk. Dash mouthed a thanks to the mare.

The faded purple mare took a small sip of the coffee, relishing the smooth flavour and the familiar, intoxicating aroma. When Stormwalker was drinking coffee, everything was cool.

"Hey Rainbow." Stormwalker called over the small isle separating their desks.

"Hmm?" Rainbow looked up from her salad, a piece of lettuce hanging out of the corner of her mouth.

"Did you know I'm a lesbian?" Stormwalker said coolly, a soft smile on her face. She studied the chromatic mare. Rainbow just kept chewing, her eyes planted on the mare.

Rainbow was blown away. She wasn't so much surprised at the fact - she already had an inkling - she was dumbfounded at the revelation itself. What was worse, she didn't know how to respond, she had never been on the receiving end of this sort of interaction.

She didn't even flinch! She just came right out and said it! Nerves of steel!

After a few seconds Rainbow swallowed her mouthful of salad prematurely, causing her to gulp and inhale sharply.

"No." Rainbow responded, she couldn't help the small smile that had taken up residence on her face. "No I didn't."

Stormy just nodded coolly and went back to her coffee. The mare briefly reflected on the interaction.

She smiled! That's a good sign. Now all I have to do is wait, and eventually the truth will come out.

Rainbow sipped the coffee Stormwalker had prepared for her. Her thoughts not on her work.

I'm gonna tell Rarity today... Maybe I should tell Stormwalker too.

After all, it's only fair.

...

Not today though.

* * * * * *

Annnd Done.

Rarity smiled as the icy blue flower made from polyester netting adhered itself perfectly to the hat. The small ornamental hat was to go with the dress she had been commissioned, she had finished that almost an hour ago. Rarity smiled at her work that so well displayed itself on the equinequin.

The day had been quite the busy one for Rarity, that is in comparison to how dull her days had been lately. Finishing a commission and doing her grocery shopping seemed like a lot when compared to doing absolutely nothing.

Now, all that's left to do is send it...

The unicorn glanced at the half finished cable knit sweater that sat draped over the back of another equinequin. Another thing that could wait until tomorrow, she mused. Rarity looked out her window, it was snowing at a steady pace now and the post office was closer to the other side of town.

I can send it tomorrow.

All the unicorn wanted to do now was to sit down with a good book, a glass of wine and her fluffy pink robe.

She remembered it was Wednesday, it hadn't even been a full week since she last had 'a' glass of wine. The white mare sighed, but it was for the best. That still left Rarity with the conundrum of finding something to read.

These lazy days will make you soft, Rarity dear.

Rarity chuckled at the thought.

I'm already as soft as they get.

Rarity ran a hoof along her coat.

~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~

It had been about a week since Rainbow had come out to her mother. Rainbow currently was sitting on her couch in her cloud home, head resting on her girlfriends belly as the Blue mare read a book.

"Hey blue?" Rainbow asked.

"Hmm?"

"When are we gonna tell your parents. I want to meet them." Rainbow smiled.

Blue October sighed. "No. No you don't Rainbow."

"And why is that?" Rainbow cocked an eyebrow. "You haven't told me anything about them."

"Dash my parents.. they're not-" Blue paused to think. "They're no good ponies."

Rainbow frowned. "Are you worried they won't take the news well?"

"Dash, I know I asked you to come with me to tell them, but I don't think you should." Blue said as she set aside her book to give her girlfriend her full attention. "I know they won't take the news well. Mom doesn't get along with anyone who's gay or non- equestrian. Dads a little better but not by much."

"Yikes" Rainbow frowned. "Well I'm coming with you regardless, If they don't like it. Tough." Rainbow reasoned.

"Rainbow I really don't think you should. It could get.." Toby searched for the word. "hairy. I still don't know if I want to tell them at all."

"But if you don't tell them you'll just be living a lie."

"I've been doing that for the last three years, two of witch I lived in the same house as them. Plus I only have to pretend around them. That's not so bad." Toby smiled sadly.

"Yes it is! Look, I can't make you tell them but if you do I'm coming with you! Okay?" Rainbow didn't want to go with her but she needed to. She needed to be there for Toby.

Toby sighed heavily once more. "Okay Dash."

Rainbow smiled at her girlfriend. "I love you, Blue." Rainbow snuggled into the mares chest.

"I love you too, Dashie." Toby smiled down at her girlfriend before craning her neck and planting a soft kiss on the mare's nose. "Thank you."

~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~

Rainbow Dash spread her wings to jump from the cloud layer, her work day was over - in fact, her work week was over - and now all she wanted to do was get some rest by the fire and ignore the world for a while.

"Hey Rainbow Dash!" Stormwalker called as she stepped out of weather HQ.

Rainbows ears swiveled and she turned, folding her wings by her side. "What's up stormy." Rainbow smiled.

"Hey so, you know that big bar at the top of Cloudsdale?"

"Yeah the Twelve String?" Rainbow had heard about the bar before, she had never been inside herself but from what she had heard the massive building was more of a club that it was a bar. Sort of a hybrid between the two.

"Yeah that's the one, Dusty, Scott and I are going there this Saturday night. You down?" Stormy smiled at Rainbow, who was having a miniature internal conflict.

Is she asking me on a date? No she cant be. Not at the Twelve String. She just wants to hang out.

What if she does mean it like a date?

...

I guess I'll see when I get there.

Rainbow smiled. "Yeah, sure. What time you guys getting there?"

"Seven apparently." Stormwalker popped a cigarette into her mouth, free from the no smoking zone that was her workplace. "Its gonna be rad, see you there, Dash."

Rainbow watched as the mare floated away before spreading her wings and dropping vertically until she was just above Ponyville. She dove through the fresh cloud layer and prepared herself for the assault on her senses.

Ponyville was Immeasurably cold, so was Cloudsdale but when your city doesn't really have a floor for the cold to settle on, the temperature doesn't compare. Rainbow pulled herself closer into her sweater as she silently thanked Rarity once more for the gift.

Rainbow flew as fast as her wings could take her to the Boutique, her excitement to get indoors was the only part of her that burned.

Rarity will have the fire going! And we can drink cocoa! And sit by the fire! And talk abo-

Rainbow stopped her train of thought.

Since when did sitting by the fire, sipping cocoa with Rarity become such an attractive Idea?

For a split second Rainbow thought about how romantic that could be.

Just her and me, her head resting on my shoulder... Hot cocoa...

Don't.

Rarity is into mares... Yeah, Rarity is cool.

No.

For the first time in a long, long time. Rainbow ignored the voice.

That would be nice.

* * * * * *

Rarity sat in front of the fire, her book sitting open in front of her when she heard a noise come from the front door. The distinct double clack of two pairs of hooves touching down on her patio. The mare looked at the clock.

That must be Rainbow.

"Hey Rarity." Rainbow called as she pushed the door open.

"Hello Rainbow, How was work?" Rarity asked from her position in front of the fire, she already knew the answer but she wanted to make conversation.

"Meh, alright. Yours?" Rainbow responded as she pulled her sweater over her head and draped it over the back of the couch. The pegasus trotted to sit down next to Rarity. The unicorn turned to face her.

"Oh yes, pretty good. A little slow going but I got my commission done so.." Rarity trailed off. Rainbow wipped her head around to look about the room, she spotted the masterpiece Rarity had created.

"Damn Rarity, you only started that, what, yesterday?" Rainbow whistled in appreciation. "That's crazy."

Rarity smiled at the compliment. "Thank you Rainbow."

Such a sweetheart.

"Hey you want a cup of cocoa?" Rainbow asked as she stood once more. "I've really got a hankering."

Rarity looked up at the mare a smile on her lips, She involuntarily shivered as she realised just how cold she was. "That would be wonderful Rainbow, Thank you."

And she makes me cocoa too.

Rainbow smile back and shuffled into the kitchen, finding a saucepan and lighting the stove. It was at that point Rainbow realized that today was the first day in five days she had put a pot of anything on the stove.

I should cook dinner, I bet Rarity would like a night off cooking.

Yeah! Poor Rarity, I'm living in her house, eating her food, using her shower. Imma cook her dinner!

It didn't take long for the cocoa to be done. Rainbow didn't normally like sugary things but cocoa was different. Cocoa was...magical. The mare quickly washed up the saucepan and dug around in Rarity's pantry, searching for anything that resembled marshmallows.

"Gotcha." Rainbow reached back to the pantry and fished out the bag. She dropped one marshmallow in each mug. She grabbed the mugs and floated back into the living room. The pegasus gently placed one mug down in front of the prone unicorn and sat down next to her. She blew on the treat gently before taking a sip.

Rarity took a gentle sip of her cocoa and let out a blissful sigh. "Oh Rainbow," The mare paused, the beverage had turned Rarity's brain to mush and the unicorn was trying to scrape it off the ground. "You spoil me, darling."

"Hehe, thanks." Rainbow took another sip and looked into the crackling fire. "Hey Rare's?" Rainbow queried.

"Hmm?"

"How do you wash wool?"

Rarity smiled at Rainbow Dash. The unicorn was always keen to share her vast knowledge of Fabric care and outfit upkeep. The mare started talking, and Dash listened with a keen ear. The conversation evolved, before long the mares had forgotten about cleaning techniques and were talking about their friends, rumors and just things that were going on in their lives.

Rainbow talked some more about her house, her pay, and how much longer it would take for the mare to get her house back. Rarity talked about the clients, how she no doubt would get that dress back as soon as she sent it, due to something trivial to be sure.

For a long while the two mares sat by the fire, sipping cocoa and just talked.

* * * * * *

The knife clacked against the cutting board as Rainbow chopped thin strips off a zucchini. She mimicked the action with eggplant and squash as a pot of couscous cooked on the stove.

"A-are you sure you don't need a hand, Rainbow?" Asked Rarity from the kitchen doorway. "I really don't mind." Rarity's tone told of her doubts in Rainbow, and while Rainbow resented that, she understood perfectly, none of her friends knew she could cook aside from Fluttershy.

"Nah, Its cool." Rainbow answered as she threw the chopped veggies into a pre-heated pan, making sure to throw in some cumin, fennel and coriander along with some lemon juice. The veggies cracked and steamed in the olive oil that coated the pan.

Rainbow let that set and simmer for a moment as she once again rifled through Rarity's panty. The mare spotted a small bag of dried currants, she figured the sour fruits would add a 'zing' to her dish.

"Well okay, you let me know if you can't find something." Rarity finished before trotting back to the showroom. It wasn't long before everything had come together perfectly. The couscous was soft, the veggies were expertly grilled, all that was left to do was throw everything together and make it look presentable.

The pegasus spooned the couscous into the frying pan along with the vegetables, with a wooden spoon folded the meal together. She threw in a hoof-full of the currants and turned the stove off with a flick of her hoof. She looked down at the meal she created with a critical eye, deciding to squeeze a little more lemon juice over it.

Perfect.

She quickly washed the pot and cutting board along with all the cooking utensils she had used, disposing of any food waste in the process. She even made sure to wipe the bench down, making it look as though Rarity's kitchen hadn't even been used aside from the frying pan steaming on the stove.

Before long, Rainbow Dash floated into the showroom, a bowl of the veggie couscous in each forehoof.

"There you go." Rainbow said as she set one bowl down in front of Rarity and flopped down on the floor beside her. Rarity looked down at the steaming bowl and was surprised at just how good it smelled. And looked for that matter. Dash being able to cook was not something the unicorn had expected from the mare.

"Thank you, Rainbow." The unicorn smiled, suddenly eager to try Rainbow's cooking. Telekinetically she lifted her fork and speared a slice of zucchini, getting a fair amount of couscous with it. She bit down, and when her tastebuds connected with the meal, Rarity's eyes widened.

Sweet Luna!

Rarity looked down at the meal and then to Rainbow. When Rainbow Dash offered to make dinner, the most Rarity had expected was spaghetti or something of the like. But this meal was not only fantastic but adept in its theory. None of the flavors were particularly 'stand out' on their own -zucchini and eggplant weren't exactly the most flavor full of veggies - but along with the fennel, pine nuts and everything else Rainbow had thrown in made the meal explode with refined flavor.

"Rainbow!" Dash looked turned toward the mare, her own bowl was already a quarter way done. "Who taught you to cook so well?" The surprise in the unicorns voice filled Rainbow with pride, but also stung a little.

"Tob- uh Mom did." Rainbow corrected the close call. "Mom's always been a great cook." The statement wasn't true, Rainbows mother had always been an alright cook, but admittedly not as good as her daughter. "But I've lived on my own for a few years, Rare's. I can't live off takeaway."

Rarity looked down at her bowl of food with wide eyes before taking another dainty bite.

Crap. I think she might be a better cook than me.

The thought raced through Rarity's mind as she savored the subtle flavors of each bite.

Jealous are we?

She ignored the thought and continued eating. It didn't take long for the meal to be a thing of the past, in both Rarity and Rainbow's cases. The two mares sat by the fire, their bellies full and their dopamine levels satisfying.

"Oh my," Rarity groaned as she rolled onto her side. "You have to cook more often, Rainbow."

Rainbow chuckled at that. "I'm only gonna be here one more day Rare's. Twilight and the others get back tomorrow. Then I'll be someone else's problem." Rainbow joked.

Rarity's satisfied smiled fell into a frown. "Rainbow, what I said the other night, about, how I like having you around. I meant it." Rarity paused. Rainbow looked on. "I really wouldn't mind having you here longer, it does get awful lonely when Sweetie Belle's not around." Rarity looked Rainbow in the eye. There was something in the unicorns eyes Rainbow couldn't quite put her hoof on. A certain sadness, perhaps?

The pegasus smiled at the mare, it meant a lot to Rainbow to hear her say that. What was bizarre to Rainbow, was while she had been staying here the pegasus hadn't been showing off or trying to impress Rarity - aside from her cooking - instead, Rainbow had just been acting the same way she would act in her own house. Rainbow Dash had been herself. Dash didn't have to show off to impress Rarity, and that meant so much to her.

Still.

"I don't want to outstay my welcome, Rare's." Rainbow smiled sadly, she had enjoyed staying here. She had learned a lot about Rarity during her stay; the two mares were not only friends now, Rainbow would go as far as to say they were close.

"Oh pshh." Rarity waved a hoof at the pegasus. "You're always welcome here, darling." The unicorn flashed a smile.

Rainbow returned the look. "Thanks Rarity." Rainbow paused. "I've liked staying here.. It's been fun."

The two mares looked into the fire, their dirty bowls were still sitting beside them. The unicorn was just about to get up to go wash them when Rainbow broke through the quiet.

"Hey Rare's." Rainbows voice was quiet. Her gut had worked itself into the familiar, uncomfortable feeling of trying to tie itself in knots. The sound of the fire crackling was now completely gone within her mind.

"Yes, Rainbow?" Rarity sensed the seriousness of the mares tone. A worried look overtook her face.

"You know how yesterday you told me you're bi?" It wasn't really a question, but Rarity's stomach joined Rainbows in dropping at the mention of it.

"Uh, well, yes Rainbow. I do." The unicorn coughed into her hoof nervously.

Where is this going?

"So, I've been thinking. It's hardly fair that I know a secret of yours without you knowing one of mine. and..uh." Rainbow was having trouble figuring out how she was going to say it. Like she always did.

"Rainbow, that's not how secrets work." Rarity tried. "You don't need to give me collateral-"

Rainbow cut her off. "I want to tell you this, Rare. It's... Important."

Rarity creased her eyebrows, an idea sparked within her head but she couldn't be sure. Rainbow decided it was time to take a page out of Stormwalkers book and just come out with it. She thought it would make it a less daunting task, this was, after all the first time Rainbow had come out to anyone in over two years.

Why is this never easy?

"I'm gay, Rares." Rainbow rubbed the back of her hoof nervously. Rarity's eyes widened in surprise.

"Peg pardon?" Rarity needed to know if she heard that right.

"Im a lesbian." Rainbow looked into the fire, showing no expression. Rarity's mind was a warzone.

Rainbow likes girls.

...

Rarity, you're staring.

I should probably say something..

"Well... I wouldn't have-, I didn't-.. You've hid it well, Rainbow." Rarity finally settled on her statement after stumbling over her words.

"Yeah." Was the only response she got from Rainbow. The mare was still looking into the fire, expressionless.

"Rainbow I." Rarity trailed off, she didn't know what else to say, she just wanted to say something.

"Fluttershy knows." Dash stated, sensing the mares uncertainty about asking questions. "A few others too, you wouldn't know them." She looked to Rarity this time, her face still neutral.

"Rainbow... How long have you known?" Rarity actually wanted to ask how long had the pegasus been hiding it, but the answer would be the same.

Rainbow creased her eyebrow in thought. "It must be at least three years now."

"Why haven't you told the girls yet?" It was a stupid question, Rarity immediately regretted it. There was a multitude of possible reasons that Rainbow could choose not to tell the girls. "I'm sorry Rainbow, you don't have to answer that." Rarity looked at the ground.

Quiet fell between them as Rainbow watched the fire, Rarity was still trying to enjoy her view of the floor. About a minute passed before Rainbow cut though the stillness.

"I'm scared, Rarity." Rarity accepted that answer, she too had her fears about telling her friends. Only she didn't know how severe Rainbow fears were in comparison.

She's been hiding it for three years...

The whole time I've known her and then some...

That's insane.

"How long have you known?" Rainbow asked.

"Huh?" Rarity cocked her head to the side. "I didn't know until just now Rainbow, I swear."

Rainbow actually chuckled at that."No. About you." Rainbow had made eye contact while saying it, Rarity was finding it hard to look away.
"A-about a year or so." Rarity stumbled over her words as the question caught up with her.

"Anyone else know?" Rainbow wanted their conversion to return to the regular upbeat interactions the two mares were used to. She hated the whole 'Awkward silence after someone comes out' thing. Rainbows expression had now softened, from her neutral - jarringly unsettling - face, to a soft smile.

"Uh, no. You're the only one." Rarity confirmed the pegasus' suspicions. Momentarily nobody spoke, the two mares contentedly turned to look at the fire once more, seeming to draw the conversation to a close. Rarity need to say more. "Thank you, Rainbow Dash."

"Hmm?" Rainbow Dash quirked an eyebrow.

"Thank you for telling me." Rarity thought about that.

Rainbow must really trust me if she can tell me something she's kept hidden for three years.

When did we get so close? A week ago I wouldn't have spoken to her for more than thirty seconds should we meet in the street. Now she's telling me her best kept secrets.

Rainbow sighed happily, thankful the conversation had gone as smoothly as it had. "It's only fair, Rare's."

Does Rainbow think I don't trust her?

The feeling of slight panic welled up within Rarity, she wanted for Rainbow Dash to trust her, and she wanted Rainbow to know she trusted her.

"I trust you Rainbow, I know you wouldn't tell anybody. You didn't have to tell me a secret as collateral." Rarity once more met eyes with the chromatic pegasus.

"Yeah, I know," Rarity was relieved to hear it. "I just thought I should tell you anyway."

And or a final time the mares sat in silence for a moment, Rainbow had a comfortable smile on her face. Rarity was lost in thought, staring at the fire.

Rainbow legs cracked as she brought herself to standing position. "I'm gonna go put on some music, Its too quiet in here." Rarity couldn't agree more. The unicorn stood herself, levitating the two dirty bowls with her, reasoning she should wash up.

The alabaster mare walked into her kitchen half expecting her sink to be filled with dirty pots and pans, when she walked through the portal however, the only dirty object in sight was the pan, which still had leftovers under the glass lid. Rarity looked about the room, even the bench had been wiped. The unicorn could swear the kitchen was cleaner now than before Rainbow had started cooking.

Wow, wife material.

Rarity's eyes widened at the thought.

Relationship material.

Rarity stood there stunned for a moment.

No, it's- it's just a fantasy, a... dream.

Stranger things have happened.

Rarity couldn't help the small smile that crept onto her face.

Meanwhile Rainbow flicked through the records underneath the old gramophone. She was having a war within herself.

Well, you told her. Are you happy now? Are you hoping she's gonna start hitting on you?

Its only fair she knows.

What happens if she does take an interest? Are you gonna go along with it, only to break her heart?

She won't. I don't think I'm Rarity's type.

Rainbow herself didn't really have a type. As long as the girl in question wasn't on drugs, annoying or rude to Rainbows mother, the mare didn't see reason to categorize people.

What would Dating Rarity even be like?

She's not nearly as prissy as I thought. Still prissy, but not like I thought.

I bet she's a cuddler... yeah for sure.

Mmm, She's so soft too.

Stop it.

Rainbow heard the angry voice. Telling her to stop, telling her to stop thinking the way she was. The voice in the back of Rainbows head had told her, since the day she had become an element of harmony, not to come out to any of her friends. Told her that they can't know she's gay. But she just did, and nothing bad had happened.

The voice had been wrong.

Yeah fuck you. I'll think however I want to think!

Thoughts lead to actions and actions lead to broken hearts. You know you can't be with her, you would have to come out to all your friends. And that would fuck everything up.

Rainbows face fell at the thought, she decided to focus on finding something to listen to.

Electric Flight Orchestra! That'll do!

Rainbow flipped the dust cover, reading the song list as she gently slid the record onto the turntable. Eyeing the record as it spun, she singled out the grooves that held the fourth song and gently placed the needle.

The pegasus eyed the old magical gramophone, the only aspect of it that was magic was the fact it didn't need to be wound. It was still old and probably affecting the quality of sound, not to mention it wasn't nearly as loud as the newer models of record players available.

A song called Nightstrider started playing as the needle reached the track. Rainbow smiled at the tune as she went back to sit on front of the fireplace. Before long Rarity trotted from the kitchen and sat beside the mare.

"What are your plans for tomorrow?" Rainbow asked.

Just like that, the two mares were back to just talking. Rarity talked about how she needed to check up on Fluttershy's animals again, make sure all the ones that need to hibernate were doing so. Rainbow assured her they were fine. The two girls sat and talked and laughed and smiled. Neither of them brought up the topic of sexuality or masturbation or anything related for that matter. The two mares just sat and talked as they had for the past four days.

But there was one difference, one that Rainbow Dash didn't notice at the time.

Rarity was closer than usual.

~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~

Rainbow Dash and Blue October milled about in the kitchen of Rainbows cloud home. It had been about a week since Rainbow had come out to her mother, and since then her relationship with Toby had done nothing but grow.

"Okay so now put in the rosemary." Toby instructed. Rainbow nodded and picked up the small herb bowl, emptying it into the Frying pan.
Rainbow didn't quite know what they were cooking just yet, but she knew it involved a lot of pasta garlic and onion.

"Alright stir that in, I'll be right back." Rainbow once again did as she was instructed. Stirring the herbs throughout the sauce as Toby rifled through Rainbows fridge. Before long Toby returned from the fridge, a bottle of cheap red wine in her hooves.

"Alright, now put half a cup of this in." The mare hoofed the bottle over to her girlfriend. Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

"Wine?" She queried. "You're such an alco." Rainbow teased.

Toby rolled her eyes playfully. "All the alcohol gets cooked off, hurry up now, we don't want to burn it."

Rainbow uncorked the bottle and poured a small amount of wine into the frying pan. She gave a questioning look to Toby, silently asking if it were enough.

"Little more." Toby instructed, a gentle smile on her face. Rainbow tilted the bottle once more.

The frying pan erupted into flames.

"Holy shit!" Rainbow cursed as the flames threatened to lick her face, narrowly avoiding shortening her coat to bristles. Blue's eye widened, thinking quickly the mare pushed Dash aside and grabbed the pan, holding it away from the stove. She flicked off the burner with another hoof as she waited for the flames in the pan to die.

The pan fire was short lived and soon enough the blue mare placed the pan back on the stove and inspected the sauce. It still looked fine.
"What the hell!?" Rainbow exclaimed, her heart was racing. "What happened?"

"I have no clue." Toby eyed the hotplate and pan with a quizzical gaze. "Wine isn't even flammable." Blue October gently scooped a small amount of the sauce onto a spoon and tasted it.

"Ughh." Rainbow slumped down on the floor of her kitchen. "I set fire to something that isn't even flammable! I'm never gonna get the hang of this!"

Toby mulled over the flavor. "I dunno." She scooped another small amount onto the spoon and blew on it before offering it to Rainbow. "I'd say you did pretty good."

Rainbow sighed and allowed her girlfriend to put the spoon to her lips. Her expression half amazed, half quizzical at the flavor. "I did that?"

"Sure did! Now come help me with this pasta." Blue October said as she sucked a noodle of angel hair pasta into her mouth. "Al dente!"

Rainbow smiled up at her beautiful girlfriend as the mare dug through the cupboards for a colander.

Blue October could never fail to make Rainbow Dash smile.

~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~

When a painter creates a masterpiece, they often have to take a step back from their work to get a view - a feel for the piece in its entirety. If the painter focuses too much on a minor detail, they might forget to make the rest worthwhile.

Sometimes people need to step back and look at the big picture, and think hard about who they are, what they are. If they don't, they might forget to make life count, to take risks and to be happy.

When they do, they often find that their thoughts, Ideas, friends and lovers have been overlooked.

The journey to happiness starts with a step back.

Rarity lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

The frigid winter air had chilled the mare to the bone, forcing her to find another duvet. With two of the heavy blankets wrapped around herself, the unicorn thought she may just be able to get some rest.

But she still felt cold.

And so she stared at the roof, unable to sleep, the shadows cast from trees outside danced and swayed at the ceiling in the whipping winter wind. The mare rolled onto her side, wrapping her forelegs around the pillow that lay next to her.

A real pony wouldn't be cold.

Rarity squeezed her eyes shut angrily, trying to shut out the thoughts.

Rainbow Dash wouldn't be cold.

Rarity rolled back onto her back and looked to the ceiling once more, the pillow temporarily forgotten.

Why Rainbow Dash?

There was that question again, the question Rarity didn't know the answer to.

Since when did I feel like this about her?

...How do I even feel about her?

Rarity closed her eyes. Images of the chromatic pegasus flooded her mind.

Her mane...

Her smile..

She's so beautiful and she doesn't even know it.

And who knew she could be such a darling.

Rarity sighed wistfully as she returned her gaze to the ceiling. For a time she just watched the dancing shadows, thinking about Rainbow Dash. Trying to figure the mare out. Trying to figure herself out. Rarity mentally took a step back, giving a critical eye to the relationship that had formed between herself and Rainbow Dash.

And then her eyes widened.

Oh dear.

In that moment, the unicorn realized what the question meant.

The unicorn swallowed a lump in her throat as she realized just how bad she had it for the pegasus.

Sleep didn't come easy that night.

Author's Note

Maaan, how cute are Rainbow and Toby, almost give myself a damn near heart attack every time I write them.

Fun fact! Many of the characters in this story, Great Scott, Dust Devil, Stormwalker (Although everyone calls her Cloudchaser) are all canon characters, hence the lack of an OC tag.
The only OC's thus far are Dipso and Snowfall but they're not enough of a character to get a tag. (and if I think back to July, I'm pretty sure I based Snowfall off some unnamed background pony anyway.) Anyone who gets the joke about Dipso's name gets a cookie*.

*Not really, you get nothing. lmao.

In other news: I really liked the way this chapter came out, I seriously think it's my best work so far.

I re-read the last chapter to make sure everything makes sense and quite frankly, looking back on chapter 6, I am disappointed. The story is all there, everything that needs to be said is said, but I feel like I need to re-write it to iron out all the over used tropes and other bullshit like that. Technical, repetition writing critique mostly...

I also feel as though the conversations flow a whole lot better in this chapter. I don't know. You be the judge.

And you can be! If you liked the chapter, go ahead and leave a 'thumb up' (actually helps) or leave a comment (Helps me even more). On that note, if you spot any errors, either with grammar or consistency, please leave a comment, I will fix that shit up as fast as I see the comment.

If however you didn't like the chapter or the story thus far, well... too bad.

I love you all, thank you for all your support and to everybody who has left a comment or a thumb up (You know who you are ) I really, really appreciate it and want to give you a cuddle. (Don't worry, I shower regularly.)

[YOU] ★~(◡﹏◕✿)

-Voyna.