The breaks hissed and the wheels squealed as the train slowed to a stop.

"Ponyville station!" Called a voice from somewhere ahead. Twilight's ears twitched and swiveled at the sound. She could feel a small, scaly hand tap her on the back.

"C'mon Twilight, we're here." Spike said, stirring the alicorn from her sleep. Twilight groggily opened one eye and watched her friends as they slowly gathered their things.

Home at last.

Home. Once, It was still a bizarre concept to think of Ponyville as home for the mare. Two years ago the only thing she knew about Ponyville was that they made good pies. Now she lived here, in her own castle surrounded by her friends. It was her home now, and being away from it for an entire week only made her appreciate it that much more.

"Of course, spike." Twilight smiled at the Dragon as she began to telekinetically gather her things.

Before long, the group of friends were gathered on the platform, trying to ignore the sound of an angry engine and wincing wheels as the train pulled away behind them.

"Welp, I'm going home to sleep for a few years, bye." Applejack said dryly as she slung her duffle bag over her back, beginning to walk away.

"Hold on AJ." Much to the chagrin of Applejack, Twilight called her back. "I need to speak with you all quickly."

Applejack hid her groan as she turned toward the Purple mare once more.

"I would like for you three to come to the map room tonight, I want to see how Rarity and Rainbow Dash are doing with their problem."

The three mares nodded in response, Applejack responded with a 'Can do'.

Twilight continued. "Six PM, and if you see Rarity or Rainbow Dash please let them know."

The other mares nodded their confirmations and before long they were all headed in the directions of their respective homes, Twilight watched them go.

"C'mon Twilight. I'm with Applejack, I need a nap." Said spike with a tired slur from somewhere beside her.

Twilight tiredly smiled at the boy. "Alright, Spike."

* * * * * *

Pinkie Pie walked lazily through town, she didn't have her normal, over the top vigor about her, not because she was sad or upset but purely out of tiredness. A week away from home was sure to make anybody tired, even Pinkie Pie.

"Hey Pinkie Pie." Came the voice of the Buck who owned the furniture store.

"Howdy." Pinkie responded automatically.

Good old Ponyville. I wonder how my bed has been these last few, pretty lonely Im sure.

Don't worry, bed, Im coming.

Pinkie smiled at the thought of her silk sheets enveloping her. She was drawn from her reverie by something that loomed on the peripheral of her vision, something on the edge of town.

The pink mare turned toward Rainbow Dash's house, It hung in the air, peaceful as always.

I should let Dashie know about the meeting at Twilight's.

Pinkie re-adjusted the scarf that lay around her neck before walking the short distance to the edge of town.

"Rainbow dash~!" Pinkie sang.

There was no reply.

Silly Dashie, probably still asleep.

"Rainbow!" Pinkie tried again. "You home!?"

The only sound that came to the pink mare was the whistling wind, whipping around the stoic structure.

She must be out.

....

Sadface.

Pinkie thought for a moment.

Where could she be? Weather patrol? AJ's?

No she wouldn't be at AJ's, AJ isn't even at AJ's....

Pinkie turned and began her walk back to town.

I may as well tell Rarity, I can ask if she's seen Rainbow while Im at it.

~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~

Rainbow Dash lounged on the edge of a cloud, the day had been boring thus far but at least she had something to do. That of course being lay around until she saw it fit to do her job.

It had been months since Rainbow Dash had seen Blue October. Since their break up, it had been a while before Rainbow had been able to go a full day without thinking about the mare, but now Blue October couldn't be father away from Rainbows thoughts.

Her thoughts had gone back to what they were before meeting the blue mare - almost a year ago.

Girls.

Cutie alert, look cool Dash.

Rainbow readjusted herself, taking up a relaxed pose, she kicked back on the cloud pretending to doze. All the while she had one eye ever so slightly open, looking at the purple unicorn in the town below.

Shit, she's not looking this way.

Rainbow sprang up, kicking the cloud into vapor as she did.

This'll get her attention.

With a single flap of her powerful wings, Rainbow pelted across the skies of Ponyville. After a few simple maneuvers Dash cast a sideways glance toward the stranger. As the purple unicorn's eyes were aimed directly at her. Even her pet iguana seemed to be enthralled, Dash smiled.

May as well go say hi.

Rainbow banked hard, twisting toward the unicorn and her pet lizard. However, she didn't plan of having a sharp pain lance up her left wing at that exact moment.

Oh shit.

Rainbow grunted in pain as she desperately tried to aim for a soft looking patch of ground, but her left wing wasn't responding. She was headed straight for the cute Purple unicorn.

With a wince and a crash she landed right on top of the purple mare. On the bright side the stranger had broken her fall.

"Umm." Rainbow tried to think of something to say. "Excuse me." She finished sheepishly.

~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~

Rarity plodded down the boutique stairs, her mane and tail a mess and her makeup not yet applied. Rainbow looked up from the magazine she was reading, she gave a smile. "Morning Rarity."

She doesn't even need makeup.

Lucky.

"Sleep well?" Dash queried

"Fairly well." It was a lie, the white mare had been having the dreams again, and as a result felt too drained to do her hair or makeup before coming downstairs. All inspiration was pulled from her at the realization that it wasn't a real pony next to her. Rarity still managed a smile despite herself.

Rainbow had to admit that even when completely natural, Rarity had classical good looks. The tired air that hung around the mare combined with her un-styled, wavy hair and freshly brushed smile gave her a natural beauty that Rainbow couldn't pull off without at least some eye shadow.

Dash momentarily imagined what waking up next to her would be like, a smile crept over her features before her thoughts shot her down.

Stop.

"Rainbow Dash, Is that a soup mug?" Rarity asked, confusion clear in her voice.

Dash shook her head, briefly looking to the kitchen table, indeed, an enormous mug sat at her side, filled with what Rarity assumed was coffee. Dash gave a glance between the cup and the white unicorn standing in the doorway. "Yes."

Rarity raised an eyebrow. "And you've filled it with-"

"Coffee." Rainbow Dash licked her hoof before turning the page of her magazine.

The unicorn stared at the huge cup of coffee for a moment. "I see."

Rainbow Dash continued her reading, saying nothing.

"Rainbow." Rarity stared, still trying to comprehend how Rainbow planned on drinking that much coffee. "Why don't you use a normal mug?"

Dash looked up at the unicorn once more. "Whaddaya wanna fight about it?"

Clack Clack Clack!

Both sets of ears swiveled toward the front door of the boutique. Rarity rolled her eyes.

"Who could that be? Its not even nine in the morning. Honestly you put a sign on the door that says 'Sorry we're closed' and people flat out ignore it." Rarity trotted into the main room of the boutique. "Coming~."

Rainbow continued reading the article in the magazine, content to ignore Rarity's business and stay right where she was. The chromatic mare came across a particularly bizarre headline.

Is Misty Fly Bulimic?

The outrageous headline was accompanied by a photo of a rather tired looking Misty Fly.

The hell kinda stupid article is this? Of course she's not bulimic! She has bigger muscles than Soare-

"Oh hey Rarity." Rainbows ears swiveled at the sound of Pinkie's voice, a smile spread across her face.

They're back this early? What time did they get on the train?

"Oh hello Pinkie." Rarity replied. "Good to see you darling, come in, come in, how was your trip?"

"Oh you know, silly adventures, colder than sin." Pinkie smiled wearily at the alabaster mare. "I'm sure Twilight will tell you all about it, she wants to have a meeting tonight at her place."

Rainbow finished reading the idiotic tabloid article and swigged a mouthful of coffee before standing to greet her friend.

"Oh." Rarity was a little disappointed, apparently their adventure hadn't been too enthralling. "Well, I'll be there."

"Oh yeah, have you seen Rainbow Dash around? She wasn't at her house." Pinkie queried.

"Hey Pinks." The pegasus' voice came from the doorway to the kitchen.

"Rainbow Dash? What are you doing here?" Pinkie asked, confusion clear on her features. "Ooh I know, you and Rarity had a sleep over!"

"Rainbow has been staying with me this past week darling. Her house go-" Rarity tried to explain but was cut off by the pink mare once more.

"Oh, like map related stuff?"

The unicorn shrugged with an unsure expression. "We don't really know."

The pink mares eyes widened "Wait, so you guys haven't found your problem yet?"

Rainbow winced as Rarity tried to explain. "Not exactly." The unicorn coughed. "We'll tell you all about it tonight."

Pinkie looked pensive at the response.

"How was Vanhoover?" Dash cut in, keen get off the subject of their map related short comings.

"Meh." Pinkie waved a hoof. "It was okay, I guess."

Rainbow and Rarity shared a look. "Oookay." Rainbow was confused, It wasn't like Pinkie to not want to talk about something, hell it wasn't like the mare to not want to talk about anything. Could Vanhoover have been that boring?

"Would you like to join us for breakfast, Pinkie?" Asked the white unicorn. "I can't imagine you've eaten, having been on a train all morning."

"No, that's okay. I think I'm just gonna head home and have a nap." Yawned Pinkie as she turned toward the exit. "I'll see you at Twilight's tonight. Six O'clock."

Rarity watched the mare go. "O-okay, see you then, darling. Sleep well."

"Will do!" The reply came with the chime of a bell as Pinkie left the boutique.

A quiet overcame the space.

"The hell?" Rainbow thought out loud, turning to Rarity for reassurance. "Vanhoover can't have been that boring, could it?"

The unicorn thought about that for a moment. "She's just tired I suppose."

"Pinkie? Tired?"

Rarity just shrugged.

The two mares stood there on the main floor for a moment. Only the vague, distant sounds of ponies milling about in town and the whistling of the winter wind could be heard.

Rarity turned toward the kitchen, Rainbow followed suit. "You look good this morning Rainbow Dash."

The pegasus smiled. "Thanks."

"Your haircut seems to have settled in nicely." The white mare concluded as she trotted to the counter and began making herself a coffee.

Dash felt as though she needed to offer a compliment to Rarity, but her mind wasn't settling well with the idea.

I should tell her how good she looks.

Don't lead her on Dash, she's already crushing on you.

Rainbow shook her head.

I'm not listening anymore.

"Your hair looks nice too." Rainbow sipped her coffee.

The white mare turned around an eyebrow raised. "Really? Dash I haven't done anything with it."

"Yeah," Dash flipped the page. "and it looks nice."

Rarity stared at the mare with a questioning look for a moment, her expression changed to a small smile a she turned back to her coffee. "Thank you Rainbow Dash."

Dash's thoughts caught up with her.

Idiot.

Rainbow returned to her magazine, a smile on her face as she tried to ignore the voice.

~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~

"Twilight." Rainbow Dash asked.

"Hmm?" Came the acknowledgment from Twilight, her nose stuck in a book.

Okay... crap I probably should have thought about this.

Rainbow put a hoof to her chin. She was having significant trouble putting into words a question that had been bothering her.

"Hmm?" Twilight reasserted that she had heard Rainbow, obviously growing impatient with the mare's stalling.

Got it.

"How come none of the elements are dudes?" Rainbow cocked an eyebrow.

Twilight looked up from her book, now it was her turn to put a hoof to her chin. Rainbow had come into the golden oaks library supposedly to get out of the late summer sun, the library was magically cooled after all. In reality, the chromatic mare just wanted to spend time with Twilight, even if that time was spent mostly in silence.

"Don't know." Twilight answered simply before turning back to her book.

"I mean, you'd think there would be. There are plenty of dudes around town." Rainbow pushed it, trying to steer the conversation where she wanted.

"I suppose." Twilight continued. "I guess the six ponies who represented the elements just all happened to be mares. Coincidence."

"But like." Rainbow mused a moment. "That sucks."

Twilight lifted her head and faced Rainbow Dash, a deadpan expression painting her features. "And why, pray tell, does that suck, Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbows eye widened in faux surprise. "I mean like, what if, instead of..." Rainbow couldn't think of how to put this without sounding either dissatisfied with her best friends or outright slutty.

"You think the elements would have been a great opportunity to meet someone?" Twilight finished the thought for her.

"Yeah!" Rainbow smiled.

Twilight sighed wearily. "I don't blame you for thinking that Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

"I've thought the same thing before." Twilight admitted solemnly, turning back to her book. "Of all the ponies we all had to be mares."

Rainbows smile dropped. She just wanted to ask what affects dating an element could have, she didn't want to discover Twilight was straight. Ever since Rainbow had met the mare a month ago she thought she was cute and endearing in a sort of nerdy, cuddly way. All the way up until now, that is.

Fuck! Twilight likes dudes. That's weak.

"What do you think?-" Rainbow shook her head, trying to align her train of thought. "I mean If there was a guy, and he was an element, would dating him even be a good idea?"

A troubled expression took over Twilight's features. "I hadn't thought about that."

A silence filled the library. Both mares thinking, neither talking.

"In reality, probably not. I mean, let's say that Pinkie Pie was a stallion." Twilight started. "If I were to date Pinkie Pie and things ended badly, badly to the point where weren't friends anymore, that could prevent the elements from working all together." Twilight paused. "I don't think elements have to be best friends, but I think they at least have to be able to speak to one another."

If it ended like me and Toby...

"Furthermore; Let's say another element is childish enough to get jealous or angry about mine and Pinkie's relationship; that could cause another element breaking rift." Twilight looked at the ground as she realized how bad an idea dating an element was. "I really dont think dating an element would be... beneficial."

Rainbow was no longer smiling, truth be told she had looked at a few of her friends in a less than savory manner, but Twilight had been the one to stand out. She had been infatuated with Twilight for the entire month they had known each other, but now that Rainbow knew that elements shouldn't date, it seemed like a silly thought. Not to mention Twilight off-cuffed mentioning her heterosexuality.

Rainbow stood from her bean bag. "Well that's crap. I guess it's a good thing none of the elements are guys." Rainbow stretched her wings. "Thanks for letting me chill here Twilight. I'm gonna go do some flying." Dash fibbed an excuse as an opportunity to be alone.

The purple unicorn watched as the chromatic pegasus left. "See you later, Rainbow Dash."

The closing of the library's front door made a gentle click, and Twilight was alone with a single thought.

Poor girl...

~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~

"Raaaarityy!" Rainbow whined. She was laid on her back on Rarity's couch, a magazine was draped over her face in a childish display. "I'm huuuungry."

The unicorn licked her hoof and turned a page of her book. "Well, you should probably do something about that." Rarity didn't even take her eyes of the novel in front of her.

"Will you make me some food?" Rainbow continued her whining, she knew full well Rarity wasn't going to make her diddly, but that didn't stop it from being amusing.

"Hmmmm," Rarity hummed in thought. "Nah."

"Biiiiitch." Rainbow mumbled as she rolled over and landed on the floor with a thud and a grunt.

Rarity lifted her gaze, with a deadpanned expression she looked to the pegasus who was currently pouting at her. "What was that?"

"Nothing." Rainbow spoke to the floor.

"Bitch, was it?" Rarity's voice took on a motherly tone, she couldn't help but smile a little.

Rainbow jumped to her hooves. "I'm going to Sugarcube corner. Wanna come?"

Rarity sighed. "As much as I would love to I have to keep the boutique open."

"Pfft, you own the place don't ya? Just put up the old 'Gone Fishin' sign and you'll be fine." Rainbow offered. "I shout you an éclair."

The unicorn Raised an eyebrow. "Rainbow you're supposed to be saving money."

"Because an éclair is really gonna have my house demolished, c'mon get your jumper." Rainbow trotted toward the door, donning her freshly cleaned sweater.

Rarity rolled her eyes and rose to her hooves.

* * * * * *

"I love winter, don't you?" Rarity chatted as she looked around the town, the snow had had more than enough time to settle now and the ponies around town were warming up to it. The squeals and laughter of playing children along with the smell of freshly baked pastry's on the wind made Rarity feel very at peace. It was times like this she wondered if she could ever move away from the little town.

"Yeah, I guess its alright." Replied Rainbow.

"What do you mean 'alright'."

"I dunno, makes practice kinda crappy." Rainbow shivered and tucked her nose into the neck of her jumper.

The unicorn shrugged. "I wouldn't know."

The two mares were coming up on sugar cube corer, the smell of fresh doughnuts and pies got stronger the closer they got.

"Oh hey Rainbow Dash." Came a familiar raspy voice. Familiar to Rainbow, at least.

Dash turned. "Oh hey Stormy." Dash gave a smile. "What brings you to Ponyville?"

"The pies." Stormy said simply. She seemed to look the two mares up and down, the two of them were dressed in matching sweaters. It took a moment for Stormwalker to remember the face of the white unicorn. "Rarity, right? Element of Generosity?"

Rarity smiled, showing a row of her perfect teeth. It wasn't everyday that someone recognized you on the street, regardless of the elements 'minor celebrity' status. "Thats me."

"Rarity, this is Stormwalker. I work with her at weather HQ."

"Nice to meet you Stormwalker." Rarity's natural extroverted personality shone simply at the thought of meeting somebody new.

"So what are you two doing today?" Stormwalker looked at Dash, there was something unsettling in her expression.

"Oh you know," Rarity started, directing Stormy's attention back to her. "Little bit of shopping, just enjoying the day."

"Searching for food." Rainbow threw in her two cents.

Storm walker Raised an eyebrow. "O-okay, well you two have fun, Ive got some... letters to send." The grey mare flashed one last smile at the two. Dash stopped herself from raising an eyebrow at the mare's odd behavior "Nice to meet you Rarity."

"You too Stormwalker." Rarity watched with a genuine looking smile as the mare trotted away. 'Looking' being the operative word. "What her problem?" Asked Rarity out of the corner of her mouth, she had caught the same vibe that Rainbow Dash had. "Is she always like that?"

"No, she's not, but I have a vague idea." Rainbow answered.

"And what's that?"

Rainbow turned, content to continue their walk to Sugarcube Corner. "Nothing important."

Rarity didn't want to accept that. "What did she mean by see you tomorrow? You aren't working tomorrow are you?"

Rainbow sighed. "No, I agreed to go to a bar with her tomorrow night, The Twelve String.

"The Twelve String, darling?"

"A sort of bar, club thing in Cloudsdale." Rainbow answered.

"Oh." Rarity looked slightly down trodden.

For a minute the two mares walked in relative silence, the atmosphere had changed between them. Rarity needed to address her concern.
"Rainbow."

"Hmm?"

"Is there-?" Rarity thought for a moment. "Is there something between you and Stormwalker?" Rarity said it with a smile, a smile that said 'I know your secrets', but it wasn't how the mare felt. She couldn't want that scenario any less.

"Huh? No, no." Rainbow thought for a moment, confusion rising up within her. "Hang on, how do you even know she's gay?"

"Two things; One, you just told me," Rainbow groaned. "Two, I've been in the fashion industry long enough to tell what team somebody plays for."

"You couldn't with-" Rainbow caught herself. She quickly looked around to make sure they were in relative privacy before lowering her voice to a whisper. "You couldn't with me."

"Yes well, I'm willing to bet she's well and truly out isn't she." Rarity said it with total confidence.

Rainbow looked away, trying to figure out how Rarity could be so perceptive. She thought back to how blatantly Stormwalker came out to her. "Yeah."

"She wants there to be something between you two doesn't she." Rarity was whispering now, carefully making sure her friends best kept secret stayed just that.

"I think so." Rarity felt a pang of pain in her chest. "She doesn't know I'm gay though, not for sure anyway." Rainbow's voice dropped to barely audible levels as a stranger walked past.

"She seems pretty sure to me." Rarity said bluntly as the two mares came up on the steps of Sugarcube Corner.

Rainbow groaned as she thought back to the other day in the office. "She caught me looking at her." Rainbow's voice was barely a whisper anymore.

Rarity's laugh chimed like a silver bell, breaking her from the whisper. Dash deadpanned, shutting the unicorn down. "Oh come now Rainbow Dash, we both know you're not the pinnacle of subtlety. I just thought it was funny. Now what would you like to eat?" Rarity asked as she walked into the patisserie.

Dash was taken aback by that.

The fuck does she mean by that?..

Oh no, she hasn't caught me looking at her has she?

Fuck. Fuckity. Fu-

"Rainbow Da~sh." Sang Rarity from inside the shop. "Tell me what you want or you're getting a pavlova~."

Dash shook her head, trying to dislodge the worry within her mind as she walked into the gingerbread bakery.

"Hey I thought I was buying?" Rainbow pointed out.

"Not anymore you're not." Rarity gave a wink and a wiggle of her flanks as she trotted up to the counter. "Good morning missus Cake."
Rainbow looked at the white mare's behind.

She totally caught me looking at her.

...

Fuck...

~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~

"And how is Twilight? I haven't spoken to her in a week." The soft voice of Fluttershy draped over Rainbows ears like silk.

"Eh. She's alright." Answered Rainbow, she hadn't seen the Purple unicorn since their last encounter at the library.

"What's wrong?" asked Fluttershy, concern written on her features.

"Hmm? No, nothing's wrong." Rainbow looked back into her cup of tea, she could feel Fluttershy's prying gaze on her still. After a moment, she finished her thought. "She's straight."

Fluttershy frowned. Truth be told, Fluttershy had suspected as much, she hadn't even thought about it until Rainbow let it slip that she thought the unicorn was 'pretty cool'. "Don't worry, Dashie. You'll find a nice girl soon enough." Fluttershy gave a reassuring smile, one that Dash felt no comfort from.

"I dunno Flutters." Rainbow scratched the back of her head. "I was talking to Twilight and she says that if something were to come between the elements, it could stop them from working all together." Rainbow sighed. "Even If I do manage to find a girl I would have to come out to the others. What if they don't accept it? It could destroy the elements."

"Don't think like that Dashie, what happened between you and Toby is different. Her mother is a..." Fluttershy thought for a moment. "She's not the same. The girls wouldn't have a problem."

Rainbow was still sceptical. "How can you be sure though? What about Applejack, the thought about coming out to her scares the shit out of me."

"Why?" Fluttershy asked. "I can't imagine Applejack caring either way, it's none of her business."

"Yeah but what if she does." Rainbow blew out a long sigh. "And Pinkie, Luna knows what goes through that mares head."

Fluttershy thought about that, she wanted to help but she couldn't find the words. For a moment the two mares sat in silence.

"If I do find somebody, I'll just have to keep it hidden." Dash took a swig of her tea. "Whoever they are will just have to deal with it."

Fluttershy could only think of one thing to say. "You should just do what makes you happy, Dashie."

Rainbow nodded with a pensive frown before lowering her voice to a mumble. "Maybe I should just get conversion therapy."

Dash jumped at the sound of a mug being slammed on the table, she looked up to see the anger in Fluttershy's eyes. "Don't you dare say things like that." Fluttershy managed to sound concerned and angry all at once, a display that Dash found to be terrifying. "Don't even think like that."

"Fluttershy I-"

"No." Fluttershy shut her down. Dash wilted under her gaze.

"Sorry." Dash's voice was small and weak.

"Please, Dashie." Fluttershy pleaded. "You can't let those thoughts into your head."

The small cottage went quiet, the air thick with tension.

Rainbow was looking at the floor. "I'm sorry Fluttershy."

"It's okay." Fluttershy lied, it wasn't okay for Rainbow to be having those thoughts, those doubts. "Now are you hungry?" The yellow mare stood up and turned toward the kitchen.

Dash smiled, the thought of Fluttershy's cooking lifting her from her gloom. "Yeah."

~0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~

Dash hummed along with the gramophone that was playing in the next room over, today had been a good day for the mare. She had been feeling a lot better than she had the last week, like she had finally gotten a good night's sleep. Her behavior and disposition that day had been outwardly better too. Perhaps it was the fact her friends were back in town, she mused.

The pegasus was riffling through Rarity's pantry trying to find the teabags, they had been moved. Opening the cupboard above the stove Rainbow's eyes fell upon something, and her face bloomed into a smile.

Rarity in question was sitting in front of the fire, reminiscing as she flicked through a fashion magazine from years ago. She turned the page to see a mare, dressed head to hoof in a ghastly patterned dress, of course at the time the unicorn thought the dress was amazing, now it was laughable to the mare.

"Rarity~." The unicorns ears flicked and her eyebrows rose at the rare sound of Rainbows singing voice. Her head swivelled toward the doorway of the kitchen. "Have you been holding out on me?"

Dash's head poked around the corner, a six pack of apple cider in her mouth. Rarity smiled and chuckled a little.

"Sorry about that, Rainbow, I totally forgot. I bought that for you." The unicorns smile widened at Rainbows widening eyes.

"No!" The exclamation was muffled as Rainbows mouth was full. Rarity nodded, Rainbow laughed like a mad mare out of excitement as her head disappeared back into the kitchen.

"Are you going to have one now?" Rarity glance at the clock. It wasn't yet four O'clock.

Rainbow walked back out of the kitchen, her disposition brighter. "No not right now. But tonight is as good a night as any if you don't mind."

"If I don't mind, darling? Why would I mind?" Rarity cocked an eyebrow.

"Well, I mean, Your gonna join me aren't you? There is a whole bottle of wine in there too."

Rarity thought about that.

Well It has been a while. And a glass of wine with Rainbow sounds like fun.

"Yes." The unicorn smiled. "I think I will join you."

* * * * * *

"Now Rainbow when I said I would have a glass of wine with you I meant it. A glass of wine."

"And now you're on your fourth." Rainbow said as she poured Rarity another glass of wine. Rarity rolled her eyes and took it in her levitation.

"How many have you had?" Rarity asked, her eyelids were heavy and her head was filled with a warm buzz, the mare was certainly getting drunker.

"Ugh." Rainbow smacked her lips together as she looked to the six-pack on the bench across the room, the pack held one lone bottle. Rainbow wagged her current beverage at the Unicorn. "Five."

"Heavens Rainbow Dash, are you doing okay? Maybe you should slow down." Rarity asked as Rainbow tried to butter a loaf of bread she had hacked apart in an attempt to make garlic bread.

Rainbow didn't even look away from the bread, focusing all her energy into the task. "Yeah dude, I'm pretty wasted. But you know me Rarity, slow aint my style." Rainbow bobbed her head in time with the music that was floating from the other room.

Rarity laughed, she was right, having a drink with Rainbow was fun. Seldom did she get to see the mare drunk, only at parties, and even then not all of Pinkie's parties were the kind were ponies drink.

The white mare turned away from the mare and walked over to the fridge to inspected some of the things she had stuck to it; there was a bill, a note from a client and a drawing Sweetie Belle had created when she was four years old. The white mare smiled at the drawing, its edges now curling and turning yellow.

Rainbow turned to face Rarity, only to discover she was facing away, leaving her behind on full view. Thoughts of their earlier encounter at Sugarcube Corner resurfaced in rainbows mind.

I can't believe she would do that.

...

I can't believe you would let her catch you looking at her butt.

Not my fault her ass is perfect.

Dash stared at the white mares behind, her muscles on auto pilot as she buttered the bread in front of her.

Stop looking at her ass!

Rainbow could feel a deep itch in her gut as her thoughts turned unsavory.

For the love of Luna, please sit on my face.

Stop!

Rainbow shook her head, getting back to the task at hoof. Even in her intoxicated state she shouldn't be thinking about Rarity like that, she mused.

"You gonna get down on this garlic bread?" Rainbow asked, Rarity was lost, humming to the music."I'm keen."

"It smells fantastic already Rainbow Dash." Said Rarity, even though it hadn't even started baking yet. The mare inspected the messy counter, evidently the alcohol was already affecting her level of care for the situation.

Worry about that tomorrow.

The unicorn shrugged and continued her humming, singing the lyrics occasionally. "Oh, Thunder only happens when it's raining."

Rainbow looked over to the white unicorn with a smile and joined in. "Players, only love you when they're playin'." Together the two mares managed a beautiful harmony, or at least it sounded that way to their drunk ears.

The two mares began to sing along, Rarity bobbing about the kitchen whilst Dash continued her attempt at buttering bread. "Say.. fillies.. they will come and they will go~."

When the rain washes you clean, you'll know..... you know~" The two sang simultaneously.

"You know Fleetfoot?" Rainbow asked, seemingly completely off topic.

"The Wonderbolt?" Rarity confirmed. "I know, of her, yes."

"She was named after this band." Rainbow had a habit of reciting bizarre Wonderbolt trivia at times.

"Really?" For whatever reason, Rarity found that interesting.

"Yeah," Rainbow buttered the last hock of bread before turning toward Rarity. "Apparently her mom is a huge fan of them."

Rarity nodded so as to say 'no kidding', before taking another sip of wine. Although she had stopped sipping her wine sometime during her third glass, now the mare was taking mouthfuls.

"Shit. Rare?" Rainbow asked.

"Yes, darling?" Rarity queried.

"Did Pinkie say something about going to Twilight's tonight?" Dash blinked slowly.

Rarity met eyes with the blue mare, neither of which said a word. Rarity slowly turned her head to the clock.

6:09

"Shit." Rarity was too intoxicated to bother censoring herself. "Get your coat Rainbow Dash, we've got a meeting to attend!" Rarity downed the last of her glass of wine.

Rainbow laughed as she flew toward the door, donning her sweater. With a brisk, wobbly gait Rarity soon followed out of the kitchen. She too was laughing. "Twilight's going to be annoyed."

"Pfft." Rainbow shrugged it off. "She'll get over it."

And just like that, two drunk mares started a quick trot to Twilight castle.

* * * * * *

"Did anyone actually tell them to come here?" Twilight asked, the four mares sat around the map table, Fluttershy and pinkie would occasionally say something to one another, stringing along a conversation as Twilight and Applejack were both bored out of their skulls.

"I did." Pinkie said eagerly. Now that she had gotten some sleep the mare was back to her usual energetic self. "They were both at Rarity's house this morning."

"Rainbow was at Rarity's?" Applejack piped up from her reverie. "What was she doing there? Don't tell me Rarity suckered her into trying on dresses." AJ snickered a little.

"Oh I wouldn't worry about that, Applejack. Probably just something map related." Twilight butted in, chuckling slightly at the orange mare's remark.

Pinkie wanted to say what Rarity had told her, that they still hadn't found their map problem, but she reasoned it wasn't her place. The only reason Twilight hadn't already discovered that Rarity and Rainbow Dash hadn't solved their problem was because the map hadn't been activated yet, and couldn't be until the two missing mares arrived.

"RD had been staying there the last week." Pinkie looked around, curiosity written on her friends faces. "Dashie will tell you when she gets here, I don't know all the details." Pinkie smiled, the others nodded.

"Where is spike?" Asked the yellow pegasus.

"I think he's in his room, reading comics most likely." Twilight answered. "Where are those girls?"

"Yo." Rainbow Dash's voice caused four heads to spin toward the doorway. "How was the vacation?"

Rainbow said as she walked in, Rarity behind her. "Hello girls." Rarity said, her expression almost lazy. That was to be expected however, she was drunk, not that any of the other girls knew it.

Twilight checked the time, it read 6:20. Twilight Raised an eyebrow. "Pinkie did tell you six O'clock didn't she?"

Pinkie was a little sad that Twilight would even ask such a question, but she knew it wasn't a jab at her. "Let's call it fashionably late." Rainbow suggested as she hopped onto her ornate throne next to Rarity's.

Twilight deadpanned. "And you know full well that what happened in Vanhoover was not a vacation."

Rainbow couldn't stop herself from rolling her eyes. "Maybe I would know that if somebody were to tell me what happened in Vanhoover. Nobody has told me or Rarity jack squat."

"It was boring, Dash. Probably the most boring, cold and pointless thing I've ever done." Applejack reclined on her chair and draped her hat over her face, apparently the mare wasn't too fond of the trip.

"Now surely Applejack, dear." Rarity was trying her hardest not to sound drunk, it wasn't working very well, her occasional slur and heavy eyelids were a dead give away to anybody who had ever been drunk in their life. "I can't have been that bad."

As much as Twilight was trying to keep a positive attitude about the trip, in hindsight, did more than half of Equestria's greatest hero's really need to be sent to save a building? "I was a little odd." Twilight spoke up. "We prevented an old hotel from getting demolished. Granted, it had housed princesses and whatnot, but it wasn't really a 'friendship problem'."

Rarity wore her best impression of a intrigued expression. Rainbow just nodded. "Yep, sounds like crap." Rarity couldn't stop herself from snorting back laughter.

Twilight narrowed her eyes at the two mares. "Have you two been drinking?"

"Oh snap!" Said Pinkie under her breath. Even Applejack looked out from under her hat.

Rarity spoke up. "I may have had a small glass of wine." Now it was Rainbows turn to laugh.

"Small glass she says." Mumbled Rainbow Dash. The white unicorn shot her a look.

"You shut your mouth." Rarity said with a smile.

"Why don't you make me." Rainbow sassed back.

The unicorn looked back to Twilight, the unicorn's face held confusion. "I assure you darling, I'm perfectly sober enough to take in whatever need be said in this meeting."

She wasn't.

"No, its fine I just." Twilight gripped her chin in thought, trying to put her thoughts into words.

Applejack beat her to the punch. "Since when did you two drink together?"

Rarity feigned offense. "Friends can drink together on a Friday night cant they, Applejack?"

"Dash." Twilight woke the pegasus from the riveting activity of picking at her hoof nails. "Pinkie said something about you staying with Rarity this past week?"

Rainbow sighed, she didn't want to be reminded of how crappy her situation was, but she supposed she would have come out with it. "My house got condemned."

Fluttershy gasped as AJ and Twilight's eyes went wide.

"Got kicked out, have to pay to get it fixed. Rarity has been letting me sleep in Sweetie's room." Rainbow frowned as she picked at her hoof nail. "That's the long and short of it, I guess."

"And she's been a lovely guest. Really It'll be sad to see you move back out, Rainbow."

"Nawws." Pinkie Pie was leaning on her hooves. "And you two are best buddies now, huh?"

"Not that we weren't before, Pinkie. I just think we've gotten to know each other a little better." Rarity gave a wink to Rainbow, the pegasus' eye's would've gone wide had she been sober; but in her drunken state, Rainbow winked back.

Twilight smiled. "It's good to see that you two are bonding." With a spark of her horn and a glow of six thrones the map ignited into a projected pool of light. Twilight squinted, The cutie marks of Rarity and Rainbow Dash were still visible above Ponyville. "You guys haven't found your problem yet?"

Rainbow hid an eye roll.

Here we go.

Dash opened her mouth to explain herself but was cut off by Rarity. "Well, I think Rainbow staying at my house is the problem, my theory is that Rainbow just needs to get her house back."

"But you haven't been out looking?" Twilight pried.

"Well, not exactly, you see Rainbow has been at work a lot lately, and I-"

"Rainbow at work a lot? Pfft." Applejack said as she re-covered her face with her hat.

The unicorn leveled her gaze at the orange mare. "Rainbow has a new job, Applejack." Her words carried a certain sting.

"And Rarity has been swamped with commissions." Rainbow lied through her teeth, truthfully the mare had been bored out of her skull for the majority of the week. The unicorn shot a look at Rainbow, silently thanking her.

"You have a new job, Rainbow?" That seemed to pique Fluttershy's interest.

Dash Raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, didn't Pinkie tell you?"

Four sets of eyes turned to the pink mare. She just shrugged. "I forgot." Smiled Pinkie.

"Whatever s'not important." Rainbow tried in vain to stop herself from slurring her words. "What matters is, I think we're on the right track." Rainbow had no idea if they were or not, she seemed to be doing a lot of white lying that night. But she didn't care, she was too drunk to care.

Twilight scribbled some things down on a piece of paper. "So it looks like you two had a pretty busy week."

"No kiddin'." Mumbled Rainbow Dash.

"Well tomorrow I want you two to look around town and look for something, just in case." Twilight finished.

Rainbow groaned, Rarity inspected a hoof unexitedly.

"Anybody have anything else they would like to say?" Twilight asked. "No? Well I guess that wraps it about up."

It didn't take long for most of the ponies to leave Twilight's castle excepting Rarity who quickly caught up with Fluttershy and told her that Winter wrap up went smoothly for all her animals. But before long, five mares wandered the streets of Ponyville, finding their ways home.

* * * * * *

Alcohol is a bizarre substance. It can be best ice breaker, but simultaneously the worst. It can tear down social taboo's as if the were rice paper walls and it could make the most sophisticated of ponies become ill mannered and even violent.

"I hate Element meetings." Rainbow sulked as the Two mares stumbled across the town toward Carousel Boutique.

"What?" Rarity answered a little slowly. "Why? You get to see all your friends."

"Yeah but it's always too..." Rainbows inebriated mind struggled to find the right word, so it made one up. "Worky."

"Worky?" Rarity raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, like we're at work, we don't talk about doing stuff together, all we talk about is the map and the elements of harmony."

Rarity thought about that. "I think you're looking at it wrong." The unicorn started. "Yeah it can get a little stale at times but it's a necessity of holding the elements together."

"Pfft. Elements." Rainbow rolled her eyes as she mumbled the words.

"Come again?" Rarity may have heard the words had she been focusing on listening and not focusing on walking straight.

"Nothin'." Dash kicked a stone. "So what are you doing tomorrow?"

"I don't know. By the looks of it I'll be looking for friendship problems while I nurse a hangover." Rarity's laugh was like a stainless steel bell, chiming in the breeze. When she wasn't drunk, that is. Her laugh came out in an obnoxious spurt. "What're you doing?"

"I might go for a fly. I can feel my joints seizing up." Dash stretched her wings. "I've been feeling a bit better lately."

"That's good to hear!" The white mare shot a smile at Rainbow.

The two mares fell quiet for a moment, for some time the only sound to be heard was the crunch of snow under hooves. That is, before Rainbow spoke the first thing that came into her mind. "Do you have any piercings?"

Rarity looked over to the mare, there was a smile plastered across her lips and a dopey look in her eye. The white mare's eyes widened in surprise. "Huh? Oh, no not anymore darling. I used to have a lot of ear piercings when I was eighteen."

"Like the ones in the top as well?" With a hoof Rainbow grabbed the tip of her ear to emphasize what she was talking about.

"Oh yes," Rarity nodded. "and a nose ring too."

"Really?" Dash's eyebrow rose in exited questioning. The white mare nodded once more. "I'm sorry, I just can't picture that."

"It was a different time, I suppose." The unicorn mused. "Why? Do you?"

Rainbow let out a throaty laugh. "You can't tell no-one, kay?"

Rarity nodded.

The pegasus smiled. "I really shouldn't tell you."

Rarity's eyes went wide. "Rainbow you don't have a-" The mare looked around, only to discover they were alone. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "You don't have a clit piercing do you?"

Rainbow's eyes went wide. "What? No. Nipples dammit."

Rarity once again burst into laughter, this time at her mistake. "Goodness. Nipple piercings." Rarity mused to herself. "Didn't that hurt?"

Rarity was smiling in interest. Rainbow thought the reaction was funny, the alcohol was making her more comfortable around Rarity. Comfortable to the point where she felt like talking about her nipples.

"Only for about six months." Rainbow laughed.

"Celestia." Rarity tried to imagine six months of pain for fashion. She found it surprisingly easy to do.

* * * * * *

"Yeah and then he heats it up with a lighter, holds his ear still and just pushes it through. He didn't even flinch." Rainbow continued her story as the two entered the warm boutique. Rarity had accidentally left the fire going, but the door of the fireplace was shut and the boutique was still standing. Neither mare batted en eye.

"Oww." Rarity sympathized, but her face still held wonder at the recollection. "In class?"

"Yeah, in Equestrian class." Rainbow shook her head. "Public flight schools, man."

"What did the teacher do?" The unicorn, was enthralled with the outrageous story.

"Dumbass didn't even notice." Rainbow laughed. "Needless to say I never needed any more convincing to get my piercings done professionally."

"That's horrifying." Rarity dropped down onto the carpet in front of the fireplace, only to realize something. "There was a colt at my school who used to spray deodorant up his nose because somebody told him he could get high that way."

Rainbow burst into laughter as she plopped down next to Rarity. She had a bottle of cider in one hoof and a glass of wine in the other, she hoofed the glass over to Rarity. "What an idiot."

"Don't you think we've had enough?" Rarity asked, concern plastered on her face.

"Pfft." Rainbow waved a hoof. "If I'm gonna drink im gonna do it right."

Rarity shrugged. One more couldn't hurt, besides this was most likely the last of the wine; no point letting one glass sit around. The mare took the wine in her levitation field and took a sip. "Ever had any other piercings?"

"Ears." Rainbow answered. "When I was young, like sixteen or something. I've thought about getting my tongue done but never got around to it."

Rarity nodded and took on a pensive expression.

"Imma' go put on some music." Dash stood and waltzed over to the gramaphone. Rarity watched as the mares flank swayed as she walked away, a smile forming on her features and a tingle forming in her gut. Rarity downed her glass of wine in two massive gulps.

The pegasus queued up the first song on the record that already sat on the turntable, just as something to listen to as she searched for an album that was more suiting. She flicked through Rarity's record collection and bobbed her head to the sound.

Rainbow Dash jumped as Rarity flopped down next to her and lay her head on the floor. Dash raised an eyebrow and cast a glance back to the fireplace, an empty wineglass stood alone on the carpet. "You doing okay Rare?"

"Mmm." Rarity hummed, her eyes closed and a smile on her lips.

Dash looked down to the mare.

You're so beautiful Rarity.

Even when your trashed.

Rainbow smiled as she wondered how comfortable the mare must be. She looked comfortable. Dash took another swig of her cider and continued her search for music.

For a good while Rainbow sat, flicking through records and taking the occasional sip, at last she found a record that suited her mood; The Hawks Greatest hits. Rainbow queued up the record and watched as the enchanted antique began playing itself, without winding or even pressing play.

The pegasus stood up, but was overcome with amazing dizziness and fell back onto her rump. The thud startled Rarity. "Huh?" The mare blinked and smacked her lips together.

Rainbow made sure to keep her voice quiet. "Were you asleep?"

The unicorn mumbled something incomprehensible as a response, no doubt slipping back out of consciousness. Rainbow didn't feel to much better, she figured that as soon as she got to her bed she would be out like a light.

"You stay here." Rainbow said as if the mare was going anywhere, she stood once more, pushing through the wave of drunken haze as she turned down the volume on the gramophone in an attempt to be courteous to the half consious mare laying on the carpet. She stumbled to the kitchen, her body seemed heavy and her eyes trailed slowly in their sockets.

Shit man, that last cider got me.

Rainbow giggled to herself. She was well and truly drunk now. Rainbows eyes landed on the uncooked garlic bread that sat on the kitchen counter, she had completely forgotten about it. Dash very careful, so as to not fall over placed the baking tray in the fridge.

Hangover breakfast done.

Rainbow grabbed a glass and filled it with water, drinking from it deeply. She skolled the glass in moments before going filling it again and carrying it with her into the boutiques main room.

Dash leaned down next to Rarity. "Rares." There was no response, Dash nudged the mare, eliciting a grumble. "Rarity, drink this."

Slowly one of Rarity's eyes opened and fell upon the glass of water in front of her. The mare slowly moved herself into a sitting position and drank from the glass, before flopping back down onto the ground. "Mmm fank oo."

"You doing okay?"

Rarity nodded and gave a small moan. "Jus' sleepy."

Dash nodded. "Me too, let's get you to bed."

Rarity grumbled again.

"C'mon Rares, you don't wanna wake up here."

"Carry me?" Rarity looked up at Rainbow.

Dash let out a laugh before meeting eyes with the unicorn. "Oh you're serious. You know I'm drunk too right?"

"Don't care. I'll die if I try and walk." The mares voice didn't carry its usual lady-like tone.

Rainbow Dash chuckled before scooping the mare over one of her shoulders. Dash knew her wings could do it, they had done it before with two other ponies hanging onto her hooves, carrying Rarity alone was a synch.

Rarity flopped over the mares shoulders and got a face full of mane, she hummed and nuzzled her cheek against it. Dash didn't even notice until they were halfway up the stairs that Rarity was nuzzling her; she smiled at the affection, her thoughts not bothering her.

"Mm fo udely" Rarity mumbled, Dash didn't understand it. Before long Rainbow was in Rarity's bedroom, softly placing the mare on her bed, the unicorns eyes were closed.

Dash stood to fetch the mare another glass of water. Walking toward the door Rarity called out to her.

"Come back." Rainbow turned.

"I will, don't worry." Rainbow gave the mare a reassuring smile before she left the room, Rarity smiled softly to herself.

Rainbow is so pretty.

She reminisced on the feeling of her coat when Dash carried her up the stairs.

And soft.

The white unicorn sighed.

Before long Rainbow returned, another glass of water in hoof. "Here, drink this."

Rarity grabbed it. "But I already drank one." Rarity complained, all this water drinking wasn't helping her urge to pee.

"Look," Rainbow wobbled a little. "If you don't drink that, you're gonna regret it in the morning."

Even in her drunk state, Rarity reasoned that to be true, she didn't want to wake up to a hangover. The mare pushed herself into a sitting position and took a sip. Dash stood up to leave.

"Goodni-" The white mare cut her off.

"C'mere. Talk to me." Rarity patted the bed beside her.

"I thought you were sleepy." Rainbow slurred.

"I am, but I wanna talk to you." Rarity took another sip.

Rainbow laughed. "Oh, so after I carry you up the stairs, then you're awake."

The unicorn shrugged and smiled. Rainbow gave a comical roll of her eyes and sat down next to the mare. "Whats up?"

"Rainbow-" Rarity started, she knew what she wanted to say, but even in her drunk state she knew that she shouldn't say it. Her eyes fell.

"Yeah?" Rainbow asked. "What's wrong?"

No.

You can work this out, Rarity. You can tell her, you just have to be...

"Do you think I'm pretty?" Rarity asked, it was a silly, childish thing to say. She knew she was pretty, beautiful even, but the doubts of Rainbow's 'hard to get' play had weighed heavy on her mind.

"What?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow. "Of course I do, Rarity. You're gorgeous." Rainbows eyes went wide as her thoughts caught up with her.

You should not have said that.

Her inebriated sense of inhibition seemed not to care too much, however.

Whatever. Its only the truth.

"Oh." Rarity visibly relaxed. "Good." The white mares head flopped down onto her pillow.

Dash was about to attempt leaving again, seeing as the mare now looked to be asleep but Rarity spoke up once more.

"I don't think you know how beautiful you are, Rainbow Dash." Rarity stated, her eyes still closed.

"Huh?" Dash was taken aback, but blushed nonetheless. "Thanks, I guess."

Look what you've done. Now she's not even being subtle about hitting on you.

Pfft, she was hitting on me before. Besides, she's drunk.

"No really," Rarity sat back up and looked Rainbow in the eye. "You're beautiful."

Rainbow smiled at the compliment, avoiding Rarity's gaze. Rarity looked the mare up and down, her mind pushing her to come out with it.

Oh fuck it, I'll just tell her.

What if she says no?

I'll burn that bridge when I get to it.

"Dash." Rarity looked at the bed as Rainbow swung her head back toward the white mare. "Can I tell you something?"

Uh oh.

The thought that wormed its way into Rainbow's mind sounded distant. Or at least quieter than it usually was. Rainbow ignored it, but she still knew what was coming. "Yeah, what's up."

The unicorn coughed and looked away, she felt lightheaded and nervous, butterflies filled her stomach as she realized how weighty the subject was. "Rainbow I," Rarity paused a moment to collect her thoughts. "I think I like you." Her voice was quiet.

Oh shit.

Again, the sound barely registered in Rainbows mind. The Pegasus looked at Rarity, the white mare was avoiding eye contact. Rainbow nodded, she knew.

"Oh." The mare's voice was a murmur, Rainbow just nodded again.

The room fell silent, but not awkward.

"How long have you known?" Rarity asked.

"Since yesterday." Rainbow responded. Now it was the unicorns turn to nod.

Another silence, this one was much longer, Rarity needed to say something. There was no sounds of birds or crickets, just the wind against the windows.

"I was wondering if maybe you wanted to-?" Rarity's drunk mind knew what she wanted to say, just not how to say it. "Its okay if you dont, I just..." Rarity trailed off. Rainbow wasn't exactly surprised at the admission or the question, she knew it was coming ever since she figured Rarity liked her. Looking back, the Idea of ignoring the white mare's affections until they went away - as was her previous plan - just seemed stupid. This was bound to happen sooner or later.

Tell her no.

The thought sounded so distant and irrelevant, Rainbow ignored it.

Look at her.

Look at how beautiful she is.

And smart.

And

A small smile graced Rainbows face.

Cuddly.

Rainbow looked to the mare, the white mare wore a concerned expression.

I do want to, Rarity.

The voice of doubt wormed its way back into Rainbow's mind, but now, it wasn't yelling, it wasn't the same.

But what about the others?

What about your friends?

Dash dwelled on that for a second.

But is it worth passing up this opportunity? To be with Rarity?

Dash looked the mare in they eye. Her diamond blue orbs boreing back into her own magenta iris'.

"Rainbow?" Rarity asked, breaking Rainbow from her reverie. The mare had been silent for a whole minute, and the butterflies in her stomach were going mad. "Are you okay?"

Rainbow continued just looking at the mare for a moment before answering. "No." Rainbows voice was solid and strong, cutting through the quiet room. "I dont think I am."

"Oh." The white mare looked away, dejected. "I'm sorry, Rainbo-"

"No." Rainbow cut her off. "Don't be sorry."

"I've obviously made you uncomfortable so-"

"No." Dash cut her off again. "I'm just thinking."

"Oh." Rarity looked at the bed beneath her, taking another sip from her glass of water. Rainbows answer was out of her hooves, the only thing she could do was wait.

Do I want to be with Rarity?

Dash awoke in a bed, the covers were a warm shield from the frigid air, in front of her was a sea of purple. Rainbow pushed her face forward, inhaling deeply the scent of the mare in front of her, tightening her grip around the pony's midsection. Rarity squeaked as Rainbow pulled her closer.

Rainbow was sitting on a couch next to the mare, a duvet draped over the top of them and a mug of hot coco in Rainbow's hooves. She cast her gaze sideways and swiftly moved forward. Rarity turned just in time to watch as Rainbow planted a peck on her cheek, the beautiful mare smiled and returned the affection with a light nuzzle.

Rainbow and Rarity were face to face, getting ready to leave the boutique, the white mare smiled and moved toward Rainbow. The pegasus puckered her lips, expecting a kiss but instead, Rarity went high, gripping Rainbows beanie with her teeth and giving a tug to adjust it. Dash smiled at the mare, Rarity flashed her perfect teeth back before the two left together, staying close to fend off the cold.

Yeah.

Yeah I do.

Then tell her the truth.

"Rainbow." Rarity started. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have put that kind of pressure on you," The white mare paused. "that was wrong. If you want some time to think, or even If you just want to forget this ever happened..." Rarity offered all she could, all cards were on the table. Well, almost all of them.

"Rarity, can I tell you something?" Rainbow started.

"Anything." Rarity offered a supportive smile, albeit a weak one.

"I think I like you too." A glimmer of hope shone in Rarity's eyes as the words left Rainbows mouth. "But I just dont know."

The white mare's expression changed into a more troubled one. "What do you mean?"

"I just dont know if... we're a good idea." Rainbow spoke solemnly as she looked to the floor.

The unicorn nodded slowly, trying to understand. "Why not?"

Rainbow tried to think of a way to summarize what she was thinking, but her inebriated mind wasn't going to allow that. Rainbow swallowed the lump in her throat. "Okay, so." Rainbow paused, still not ready. "So If we start...seeing each other," Dash avoided the word 'dating', she figured it was much too early to even say the word. "we would have to tell the others, right?"

Rarity's eyebrows furrowed, she didn't know where Rainbow was going with this. "Not necessarily."

"How long do you think you could keep a secret like that, Rares?" Rainbow pushed. "We would have to tell them eventually." Dash slurred her words.

The unicorn nodded slowly. Dash had a point. "Okay. So we would have to tell our friends, so?"

"Well, what if-?" Dash began."What if they dont like it? I dont want to lose any of my friends."

Rainbow Dash really expected Rarity to understand, she expected the mare to nod and say, I understand. Rainbow didn't account for the fact Rarity could be quite tactless if she wanted to, or when she was inebriated.

"Thats the dumbest thing Ive ever heard." The unicorn said dryly.

Dash's head shot up, a quizzical expression on her features. "Beg pardon?"

"That's the reason you dont think we would work?"

"Well there are other reasons but that kind of-"

"Rainbow Dash," Rarity slid her hoof up Rainbows side, letting it rest on the blue mare's shoulder. "If our friends cant accept you- accept us, for what we are, are they really our friends?"

Dash huffed "Well its not like I get a choice in the matter." She mumbled.

The white mare's face took on an even more quizzical look. "What does that mean?"

"We're elements of harmony, Rarity." Dash tried to explain. "We have to get along."

Rarity shook her head. She wanted to say that the elements didn't work anymore, that Rainbow was being silly, but even her drunk mind knew it was the friendship of the six that held Equestria's balance. Elements or no elements; defeating Tirek had proved that much.

The two fell silent for a time as Rarity tried to think of something to say, something to help convince the blue mare that she had created these problems herself and that her friends wouldn't care if she came out to them. But Rarity supposed she had a point, it was the same reason Rarity hadn't come out as bisexual to them.

Rainbow Dash was afraid.

"But if you weren't an element of harmony?"

"If I wasn't an element, Rarity, I would have started Dating you a year ago!" Rainbow exclaimed. The admission brought a small, sad smile to Rarity's face. "I wish I-." Rainbow didn't finish the thought. "And if we start seeing each other Rares."

"Mmm." The white mare entertained the idea.

"What if it ends badly? I dont want to lose your friendship either." Dash admitted, her eyes still focused on the bed.

Rarity sighed, as much as she hated to admit it, Rainbow Dash had a point. The unicorn look the blue mare up and down. "You worry a lot, dont you." It was a sad observation that Rarity had made, it hadn't meant to be an insult but it still came across as one.

For a moment, neither mare spoke. Rainbows eyes focused on the bed beneath her, she watched as the patterns of the sheets seemed to sway beneath her. Rainbow Dash was still very drunk. "Yeah." Dash put simply.

Rarity drank the rest of her water, her eyes settled once more on the beautiful blue mare beside her.

What happened to you, Rainbow Dash?

The white mare blew out a sigh as her thoughts turned dark.

It probably wouldn't work.

She's right about one thing.

She really isn't okay.

Without thinking about it in the slightest, Rarity leaned forward and wrapped her forelegs around the mare in a comforting embrace. Rainbow ears sprung up at the contact. She watched as the unicorn nuzzled into her chest, before long she wrapped her own forelegs around the mare. "I'm sorry, Rares."

The white mare didn't say anything. Rainbow continued. "I want to. I really do but-"

"Its okay." Rarity lied.

For a long moment the two just held each other, neither mare speaking. Rarity nuzzled deeper into rainbows chest as a less than savory thought entered her mind.

If I cant date her...

We could always just have sex.

It would be at least something.

Rarity frowned in dissatisfaction.

It wouldn't be as good as dating, not even close.

The unicorn blew out a sigh.

What have I got to lose?

The unicorns brow furrowed at the crude thought, it hadn't entered her mind before that moment. "What about-?" Rarity needed to think about her choice of words.

"Hm?" Rainbow pulled back out of the embrace to look Rarity in the eye.

"Nobody said we had to date," Rarity suggested. "But we could..." The mare made a motion with her hooves as she tailed off.

If only rainbow wasn't drunk she might have caught in to what Rarity was getting at. "I dont understand."

"You think I'm attractive, yes?" Rarity already knew the answer, she had already asked the question.

Dash nodded sheepishly. "Like I said, If I wasn't an element I-"

"So why dont we just...?" Rarity looked away, trying to hide the heat on her face. "You know."

Dash blinked.

Did Rarity just ask if I want to be friends with benefits?

I am speaking to Rarity, yes?

Dash shook her head, trying to clear the alcohol induced cobwebs from her brain.

Is this real life?

"Like friends with benefits?" Rainbow searched for confirmation.

"I suppose." The unicorn paused. "If you dont want to date, we could still have sex..."

"Rarity." Dash shook her head. "I dont want to just have sex with you. I want to be with you."

"So do I, but If that's not an option," Rarity looked back at Dash. "we may as well have some fun." Her tone made it obvious that it was the less preferable option, but still with no lack of want.

The two fell quiet for a moment, Dash was trying to process the situation, the alcohol in her system was making that hard to do.

"You're not joking, huh."

Rarity shook her head. Dash looked down, she needed to think. "Feel free to say no Dash, I'm not trying to pressure you. Just... Think about it. It is an option, after all."

Dash's thoughts ran wild as she weighed the cons.

Casual sex with Rarity...

I guess I wouldn't have to tell my friends.

And If things were getting too weird we could just stop. No emotional ties, no bad breakup.

Its like a compromise.

Dash looked back up at the white mare, taking in her beauty. An itch was forming in Rainbows gut, a tickle. Somewhere within her mind a voice spoke up, not the voice of her doubt, nor her conscience, but the voice of Fluttershy.

Just do what makes you happy, Dashie.

Will this make me happy though?

Dash didn't think any further. She was done with thinking, she'd had enough.

Just do it.

"Yeah."

Rarity's head swung round to face Dash. "Peg pardon?"

"Yeah... Alright." Dash let out a shaky breath, she was nervous for an unknown reason. "If dating is a bad Idea, we may as well have some fun, right?"

A thought flew through the white mares mind as a sad smile formed on her face.

Its something.

The two mares sat, neither knowing what to say or do next, one last silence stretched out between them, both mare's caught onto the theme. Dash coughed into her hoof.

"I think I'm gonna go to bed, Rares." She slid off the bed and began walking toward the door, still unsure if she had made the right choice but unable to think straight enough to figure it out. At least her thoughts weren't screaming at her. Rarity's voice cut through the frigid air.

"Are you going to sleep here tonight?" The mare's voice was small, like she didn't know if she should be asking the question. Dash thought about the proposition for a moment.

That'd be cool.

Dash waited for the horrid voice to tell her that she shouldn't, she expected it to speak up. But the voice of Rainbow Dash's never spoke. Dash smiled softly.

"Yeah, okay." Dash felt warm at the sight of the white mare smiling. "I'm just gonna go lock up."

If it weren't for Rainbows wings, she surely would have gotten a face full of floor when her drunken hooves slipped on the stairs. Dash quickly doused the fire, locked the doors and windows, turned off the lights and double checked everything to make sure her slowly sobering mind didn't miss anything.

After a superficial brushing of her teeth the mare waltzed back up the hallway. As she passed Sweetie Belles room she nudged open the door with a hoof and peered inside. She could see her black duffle bag of belongings on the floor next to the bed and took in the smell of the room. It was hard to believe that Rainbow had only been staying here for a week, and the room already smelled like Rainbow's conditioner and deodorant. She shut the door and walked continued to Rarity's room.

Dash flicked the light switch and closed the door as she stumbled into the room. Rarity had balled herself up under the covers, trying her best to shield herself from the cold. The pegasus pulled back the sheets of Rarity's queen sized bed and gently slid in.

And then she stared at the ceiling.

Rainbow Dash waited for her thoughts to overwhelm her, to try their hardest at keeping her awake as they had done many nights before. But her thoughts were silent. The alcohol could have been the cause, or maybe her conversation with Rarity had quelled some of her fears. Rainbow couldn't quite put her hoof on it but something was stopping her fears, her doubts from bubbling to the surface of her mind. She certainly had doubts about her current situation, but at this time, they weren't plaguing her.

Rainbow looked down at her chest as a white hoof slowly slid across her coat. Rarity rolled onto her side and pushed her muzzle into the nape of Rainbows neck. Dash smiled and lifted her hoof over Rarity's head to return the embrace.

They didn't have sex that night. They didn't even kiss.

But things were only just getting started.

Before long, Rainbow Dash fell asleep.

Author's Note

OH SHIT!

Get ready for an awkward morning conversation!

Have a happy chapter, the tone of this chapter is similar to that of the first half of the first chapter. I.E. It has some semblance of humor and its not all about being sad and lonely. That is, all the way up until the last scene where stuff gets pretty shitty for a while, and some of the flashbacks were kind shitty too.

Rainbow considering conversion therapy? Who saw that coming? I sure didn't. Good on Fluttershy for telling her off. You go girl. ;D

I had to rewrite the last scene of this chapter 5 times before I was even close to being happy with it. What you just read is the sixth re-write and I'm kind of still a little iffy, but sometimes I think you need to realize that you're just not gonna get it as perfect as you want it. And that's okay... I guess. At the very least I can say that it went well with the vague plan of the story I have outlined.

Now its time for: Pseudo blog!

Rarity and RD are listening to a song in this chapter, and its the same song they were listening to in another chapter, I know that might come across as lazy and that's because it is. Its just the song that came on at Pandora at the time of me writing it.

I like to think I got this chapter out relatively fast (relative to fucking abortion that was the lat chapter anyway.) and that's because I really havnt had anything else to do. Aside from play halo, torchlight, look for a a job, and watch Arby n the Chief, my life has been kind of empty as of late. :/

In other news:

I was thinking about writing a quick little slice of life story, probably only 10,000 words all up with 6 chapters, But it details the flaws and bad habits that the mane six have. I think it'll be cool, you might see it on my user page in the next month or so... Who knows.

Any who that's enough from me; as always feel free to leave a comment, tell me what you liked, what you didn't like, what you thought I could have done better and all that jazz.

Kisses! ♥~(◕ω◕✿)