Love, Trust and Friendship

Rarity woke early the next morning, groaning at the alarm clock. She rolled onto her side, pulling off her sleeping mask. Six AM indeed, she thought blearily, tapping the alarm clock to silence it's call to wakefulness.

Out of sheer force of habit, Rarity flopped out of bed onto her hoofs, stretching and letting out a yawn. Eyes still half closed, she lit her horn and made quick work of smoothing her pillows and tucking sheets and blanket like she did every morning. First thing already accomplished for the day, she thought with a small, sleepy smile.

Last night had been absolute chaos. Between appointments, Rarity had managed to get in dinner with Sweetie Belle more or less on time, which had the little filly in a good mood and just bubbling over with chitchat. Rarity barely said a word as Sweetie Belle chattered on about her latest adventure with her fellow crusaders. The rest of the night was a blur of bodies and fabric that ended with Rarity practically falling into bed around midnight.

Now for the second thing; coffee and breakfast, Rarity thought as she trotted to the kitchen.

Rarity put the coffee on and decided on having a leftover chocolate croissant while she waited. So busy talking yesterday, we didn't even finish lunch. Poor Twilight and her over-analysis, at least it wasn't hard to pull her out of it. She must be as taken with me as I am with her.

The small kitchen had filled with the smell of fresh coffee while Rarity was daydreaming. Thank goodness, she thought, using her magic to pour herself a cup. I'm going to need a few of these today.

While she drank her coffee, she made some pancakes for Sweetie Belle. Her little sister wouldn't be up for another hour, so she put the stack of pancakes on a plate in the oven and stuck a note to the handle.

Rarity checked the time. Her first appointment would be in at seven and it was already half past six. Best get going, she thought.

Rarity headed to her bathroom humming a happy tune to herself, taking off her pajamas and throwing them into a white wicker hamper. She turned on the water to the shower and let it heat up while she brushed her teeth.

Once inside the shower, she leaned her tired head against the wall tiles, eyes closed, letting the hot water do its job of loosening her sore body. Thoughts of Twilight started to trickle through her mind; kissing, tongues intertwined, running hooves through her mane, nibbling her ears, pinning Twilight down and sliding down her body, kissing her way down her stomach-No time for that this morning! she thought, eyes snapping open.

Rarity made quick work of washing up and got herself out of the shower, hoping she hadn't spent too much time with her shower fantasies.

Twilight woke much later that morning. She eyed the rays of sunlight peeking through the cracks in the curtains. I could get used to this 'sound sleeping' thing, she thought idly. Best get up and get the day started.

Twilight slid slowly out of her bed, stretching her sleep-heavy legs and opening her wings as wide as they would go. she lit her horn and pulled her blanket more or less straight, giving it a little flap and letting it fall gently back onto her mattress. Good enough, she thought. She threw open the curtains, squinting into the full glare of the sun now streaming into her room. Fastest way to wake up in the morning, she thought, feeling the sun heat her coat.

Twilight turned away from the window. She could smell breakfast being made. Mmm, waffles! But shower first. She had spent quite a while fantasizing about Rarity last night, tossing and turning, mind filled with thoughts of caressing hooves, smooth white flanks and bodies pressed together. She felt a bit of a mess. No sense having Spike see me with my mane all tangled.

Twilight headed into her bathroom to get ready for the day.

Later that morning Twilight trotted into the throne room. She'd had a quick breakfast with Spike before he had taken off on his errands. He had assured her that she and Rarity would have some privacy tonight.

Twilight slowed her pace as she passed through the doorway, looking at the Cutie Map that dominated the center of the room. You've been quiet lately. Not that I'm complaining. I like having my friends home. Constantly sending her friends on missions across Equestria with very limited information was always stressful for her. I'd rather go myself, then at least my friends won't be in danger without me there to help.

Twilight looked up from the Cutie Map to the roots of her old library suspended from the ceiling, a familiar pang of loss prodding her heart. It really was beautiful though, the jewels her friends had hung glittered in the morning sunlight. Jewels filled with the memories they had shared before her library was destroyed. She sighed. At least I have been busy filling this new castle with memories, she thought with a small smile, like my first kiss.

Twilight hoped Rarity would be up for making a few more memories like that tonight. She remembered the feel of Rarity's lips on hers, her mind then wandering back to last night's fantasizing.

Well, I can think about things like that while I get the dressing room set up for Lotus and Aloe. Twilight turned around and headed back out the door. She smiled to herself as she walked through the halls, one of her favorite fantasies surfacing. She'd had fantasies about Rarity before she knew Rarity actually had feelings for her, she was gorgeous after all. This new knowledge had just caused the fantasies take on a more sensual quality.

Rarity did a lot more kissing in this fantasy as she lay on top of Twilight, pinning her to the bed. Too soon for that to actually happen yet, she reminded herself. But hopefully not that long either...

Not long before Rarity was due to arrive, Lotus Blossom and Aloe arrived carrying portable massage tables slung over their backs. "Evening Lotus, Aloe," Twilight said with a polite nod.

"Good evening Princess," Lotus Blossom said formally.

"I'll show you to the dressing room so you can get set up," Twilight said turning and heading into the castle, Lotus Blossom and Aloe following behind.

Twilight turned to look back at Lotus Blossom saying, "Thank you again for coming at such short notice. I really appreciate you taking the time."

"It's no trouble at all Princess," Lotus Blossomed assured her. "We don't mind doing special orders for our best clients. And you and I both know Miss Rarity is one of our best," she said with a wink.

Twilight chuckled. It was true, Rarity spent a lot of time at the Ponyville Day Spa.

Twilight pushed open the door to the dressing room with her magic, leading the spa ponies in. "I cleared the middle of the floor and found some comfy chairs. Matches are on the side table with the rest of the supplies," she said giving a glance around the room.

"Sounds good," Lotus Blossom said with a nod. "We'll just get everything ready and call you in," she added.

Twilight left the spa ponies to their work and headed back to the throne room, sitting in her place at the Cutie Map. Twilight was feeling a mix of nervous excitement at the thought of Rarity being here soon. She started pacing back and forth behind her chair, then, catching herself pacing, sat back down. I hope she gets here soon. This waiting is killing m-

Twilight looked up from the map when she heard the sound of hooves on the floor. "Rarity!" she called happily as she spotted her marefriend in the doorway, getting up to trot across the floor to meet her.

"Evening, Twilight," Rarity said, a smile touching her lips.

Twilight stopped in front of Rarity and leaned in, giving her a slow, but chaste kiss before pulling away.

"It's so good to see you," Twilight said, nuzzling Rarity's cheek, breathing in the scent of her mane, linen and berries again, why do you have to smell so good?.

"It's been absolute torture being away from you," Rarity said, leaning into Twilight, her voice shaking just a bit. "But I'm so happy to finally be all yours for tonight."

"You sound exhausted," Twilight said pulling away. "Come on and sit down," she offered, trotting towards her place at the Cutie Map.

"Thank you, darling," Rarity said. She followed Twilight, sitting down heavily in one of the chairs, leaning against the back. "I have a bit of a confession to make," she said not meeting Twilight's gaze.

Twilight's started, not sure what to expect. "Oh?" she said, trying to keep her voice from cracking.

"I spoke to Applejack when I dropped Sweetie Belle off for the weekend. I kind of told her about... us." She winced, looking down at the floor. "I know you didn't want to advertise our relationship right away, but it was really an accident... it just kind of slipped out, and I couldn't think of any way to explain-"

"It's OK, Rarity." Twilight says, cutting her off, feeling more than just a bit relieved.

"Are you sure, darling?" Rarity asked looked up, hope in her eyes.

"Yeah... Like you said, they're going to find out anyway," she said with a shrug. "Besides, I ran into Rainbow Dash yesterday and told her about us."

Rarity looked genuinely surprised. "You did? And here I was working myself into a fit thinking you'd be upset with me," she said with a laugh, smile returning. "So you told Rainbow Dash?"

"Yeah, but she was really weird about it. She took off before I could find out what was going on with her," Twilight said, brow wrinkling at the memory. "I figured she'd be happy about it."

"Well dearest, maybe she's just upset shes not not the only one who likes mares. She always did like the all the attention it garnered her," Rarity said flippantly.

"She does have quite the ego," Twilight said dubiously.

"Regardless," Rarity said, "Applejack was actually quite happy for us. She said she can't wait to actually see us together. When you're ready of course."

"Well that's going to be awkward," Twilight said with a snort.

"Well darling..." Rarity said getting up and crossing the short distance to Twilight's chair. "Given recent developments, can we say you're feeling better about 'us'?" she asked, her voice low.

"It does," Twilight breathed. She suddenly found it very hard to think with Rarity so close, not touching, but almost.

"I'm glad," Rarity said, giving Twilight another kiss. Twilight made a small noise, leaning into the kiss. Their lips parted, tongues brushing lightly against each other.

Rarity pulled away a few seconds later, lowering her chin and looking at Twilight with sultry, half-lidded eyes. She smiled and bit her lower lip. Twilight could feel heat flooding her face, her heart beating fast. So gorgeous... how did I get so lucky?

A small, polite noise came from the back of the room. Twilight and Rarity turned to look for the source, finding Lotus Blossom standing in the doorway. "We're ready for you now, ladies," she said in a low, soothing voice.

Twilight hopped out of her chair as she and Rarity broke into giggles, following the spa pony out of the throne room. Lotus Blossom led them down the hall to Twilight's dressing room which had been re-purposed for their evening.

"Oh Twilight, this is wonderful," Rarity gasped as she entered.

The lamps along the walls had been turned down, candles scattered around the room offered a soft orange glow, casting flickering shadows as the spa ponies moved quietly around the room. Soothing music played on the gramophone in the corner. Lotus Blossom closed the door behind them, shutting out the world beyond.

The two massage tables had been set up in the center of the room. Lotus guided Rarity to her table, while Aloe motioned Twilight to hers.

Once Twilight was comfortable on her table Aloe quietly asked, "Anywhere in particular Princess?"

Twilight gave an experimental shift. "Wings and shoulders, please," she replied settling her face into the hole in the table. Aloe stretched out Twilight's wings beside her on the table.

She faintly heard Rarity request neck and shoulders before Aloe's skilled hooves went to work and drowned out everything else.

When Aloe was finished working all the knots out of her body, Twilight flopped gracelessly off of the table. Her entire body felt loose and slightly sore. Aloe helped her into a fluffy white bathrobe.

"Princess," Aloe said quietly, "you need to fly more often. Your wings will stiffen and get sore if you don't use them."

"Thank you, Aloe," Twilight whispered back, "I'll try to get a flight or two in a day."

"Just try flying for your errands," Aloe suggested. "When you're not with Miss Rarity of course," she added.

Twilight blushed and glanced at Rarity who was wearing a sleepy looking smile and a bathrobe.

Lotus Blossom and Aloe led their charges over to a pair of overstuffed chairs and had them lie back. The spa ponies went to work applying facial masks to Rarity and Twilight. Twilight's world went dark as cucumber slices were applied to her eyes.

Aloe brushed Twilight's hoof with her own to let her know she was going to start her hooficure.

As the spa ponies went to work, Twilight and Rarity sat in comfortable silence enjoying the soft music and smell of scented candles. Twilight broke the silence first, "So did you get all of your fittings sorted out?"

"Oh yes," Rarity said smiling to herself. "It was fabulous! All the cast were so happy with their costumes. Some were even practicing their dances while I was finishing up others. It was quite the scene in the boutique for a while," she reminisced. "The director was also very pleased with the results," Rarity said with just a hint of smugness, "but I dare say I'll be hiring an assistant before doing another commission like that again."

Twilight chuckled. "You should have just let me help you, I would have loved to play assistant."

"Yes, but then you'd have had no time to test your spell. How did that go by the way?" Rarity inquired.

"Complete success!" Twilight said triumphantly."In that, the simulated flames did not turn into real flames again... and catch the library curtains on fire... Like last time..." she admitted a bit sheepishly.

"Excellent news," Rarity said.

"I'll say," Twilight agreed, "It took forever to get the smell of smoke out of the library last time..."

"Mmmhmm," Rarity responded.

They sat in silence for a while, enjoying the soothing music and the soft hush of the files on their hooves. Twilight wasn't sure, but she thought Rarity might have dozed off for a while.

After a while Lotus Blossom announced quietly, "All finished ladies, let's get you cleaned up."

Aloe pulled the cucumber slices from Twilight's eyes and began to clean the mask off her face with a warm cloth. Twilight enjoyed this part the most. She loved the feeling of the warm cloth against her face and the cool, fresh feeling after the mask was wiped away.

Twilight got up from her chair and stretched, enjoying the feel of her freshly filed hooves on the floor. She trotted over to Lotus Blossom. "Thank you for coming tonight," she said. Lighting her horn, Twilight magicked a small purse of bits from a side table drawer, dropping them on the nearest massage table. "For your trouble," she said with a smile.

"No trouble at all Princess," Lotus said with a small smile. "We'll show ourselves out after we tidy up. You ladies have a nice evening," she said with a nod of her head.

Twilight took off her bathrobe and draped it over the arm of the chair she had been sitting in and started towards the door. Rarity followed suit and met Twilight at the door.

"Come on," Twilight said, giving Rarity a mischievous smile and heading down the hall.

"What are up to Twilight?" Rarity asked following close behind.

"You'll see..." Twilight said opening the door to the library.

Trotting into the library, Rarity chuckled, saying, "You really have been busy haven't you?"

Candles glowed around the library. The couch had been moved in front of the fireplace, the over-sized pillows from the other night were nowhere to be found.

Twilight lit her horn and, using her magic, set the old notes and firewood in the fireplace alight. "I did have some help," she said pushing the door closed.

"It's perfect," Rarity said, turning her head to give Twilight a kiss. Twilight's heart fluttered. Why did I go so long without this, she thought.

Twilight opened her mouth against the kiss, again feeling Rarity's tongue slide just past her lips. Tentatively, she probed with her own tongue, sliding it over Rarity's.

A low moan escaped from Rarity's throat as she leaned into the kiss.

Twilight let out a little squeak as she pulled out of the kiss, breathing hard as she tried to catch her breath. Her legs feeling a bit wobbly.

"Why don't we sit," Rarity suggested, sounding as shaky as Twilight felt.

"Mhm," was all Twilight could manage.

They trotted around the couch, Twilight sat down by the arm while Rarity climbed up beside her. Twilight turned her head towards Rarity to come in for another kiss. Her lips found their mark and she was rewarded when she felt Rarity's tongue slide into her mouth again. Twilight closed her eyes, giving in to the glorious feel of Rarity's kisses and the soft noises her marefriend was making.

Rarity pulled back from the kiss leaving Twilight breathless, tearing her back to reality with a jolt. Twilight tried to go back in for another kiss but was stopped by a delicate white hoof. Rarity giggled. "Ah ah," she chided, putting her hoof under Twilight's chin and gently turning Twilight's head forward.

Twilight wasn't sure what was happening until she felt Rarity lean in and start to trail kisses down her jawline. Twilight closed her eyes, mouth opening slightly at the wonderful feeling. Rarity stopped just below Twilight's ear, sucking and nibbling the sensitive skin. Twilight bit her lip. She loved the feeling of Rarity kissing her like this, it was so different from a regular kiss.

Rarity stopped her nibbling, trailing her tongue up to Twilight's ear. Rarity ran her tongue along the edge of her ear, breathing gently as she did so. Twilight gasped in pleasure, shivers running down her body. A small moan escaped her lips when Rarity gently bit the tip of her ear, sucking gently. "Rarity," she breathed.

"Do you like this?" Rarity whispered into her ear. She began tracing a line with her lips down to Twilight's jaw again

"Mhm," Twilight managed, eyes still closed.

Rarity began to kiss and nibble her way down Twilight neck. Shivers wracked Twilight's body again, she couldn't wait anymore. Twilight turned her head, pulling away, searching for Rarity's mouth. She kissed Rarity, tongues probing each other's mouths. Twilight's head was spinning with pleasure, she'd never felt anything so amazing, so beautiful as what she'd shared with Rarity tonight.

Twilight didn't want the kiss to end. She opened her eyes as Rarity broke away, breathing hard. They looked into each eyes, violet reflecting in sapphire, faces flushed. Rarity leaned in and kissed Twilight again. Twilight's world turned into dark bliss as she closed her eyes, feeling Rarity's mouth on hers. She felt Rarity's hooves running over her shoulders, one hoof hooking behind her head, pulling her into the kiss.

Twilight mirrored the gesture, running her other hoof through Rarity's curling indigo mane. With her hoof still behind Rarity's head, Twilight broke the kiss and kissed her way down Rarity's jawline. She was rewarded with a sigh from Rarity lips. Twilight brushed her lips against Rarity's neck and back up towards her ear.

"Mmmm, nibble right there," Rarity all but moaned.

Twilight nibbled the edge as Rarity's ear as instructed, and was rewarded as her entire body shook and she let out a little squeal. Twilight wrapped her hooves around Rarity, pressing their bodies together while she nibbled her ear. Twilight's heart hammering as she felt Rarity's body continue to quiver. Twilight stopped nibbling, loosening her grip on her marefriend, and began to kiss her way down Rarity's neck. Rarity leaned into the kisses, sighing.

Twilight brought herself back up and their eyes met again. Rarity leaned in for another long, deep kiss, tongues swirling. They broke the kiss, lips still touching, ragged breaths mixing together. Twilight pressed her lips to Rarity's in a long, slow kiss.

Rarity pulled away a few seconds later and nuzzled Twilight's cheek. "Hold me?" she whispered.

Twilight leaned against the arm of the couch, pulling Rarity to lean against her neck. She wrapped her forelegs around Rarity, tilting her head to snuggle her marefriend. They sat like that, warmed by the heat of the fire and their own desire for a while. Twilight enjoyed the feel of their bodies pressed together, the smell of Rarity's mane, the heat from the fireplace. Twilight found her mind quiet for the first time in ages. Replacing the near constant chatter of her own thoughts was a calm, quiet hum of happiness and contentment.

"Thank you for tonight Twilight," Rarity said sleepily "It was absolutely perfect."

"It was", Twilight agreed looking into the fire. The flames reflected in the glass of the candle holders scattered around the library. When she blurred her eyes they almost looked like twinkling stars.

"I wish we could just stay right here," Rarity whispered dreamily.

Twilight squeezed her in response.

A short time later, or maybe it was a long time, Twilight wasn't sure (she was having difficulty gauging time with Rarity), she heard Rarity's breathing deepen and become more regular. Twilight's heart fluttered again. She fell asleep, she thought happily. Well, I'm certainly not going to wake her.

Twilight lit her horn and used her magic to grab a blanket from the back of an overstuffed chair. She gently spread it over herself and Rarity, feeling the familiar soft tingle of her magic as it brushed against them. She then used her magic to flick the candles out, one by one, until just the fire was left burning.

"Goodnight love," she whispered to Rarity, brushing a gentle kiss against her mane. Twilight settled herself into a comfortable position, careful not to disturb Rarity. Relaxing against the couch and her marefriend, Twilight closed her eyes and let her thoughts sail through a sea of nibbles and kisses as she slowly drifted off to sleep.