Rainbow Dash had just barely managed to keep it together during the ceremony. The only thing that prevented her from doing something stupid was the number of people around. Rainbow Dash was perversely happy that it was a big wedding. If it had just been their friends she couldn't guarantee she wouldn't have done something extremely stupid. However, when she walked towards the middle, meeting Fluttershy, one of Rarity’s bridesmaids she walked a bit too fast down the main aisle and almost ran over Sunset and Pinkie as they made their way out.
By the time Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy made it out into the foyer, Fluttershy was almost running to keep up. ”Rainbow Dash, what...?” The question died half-formed as Rainbow Dash abandoned Fluttershy and sprinted into the changing rooms the groomsmen had used, locking the door after her.
A few minutes later the entire wedding party was gathered in the bridesmaid dressing room. They'd been discussing what to do for a while. Rarity wanted to use the key and talk to Rainbow Dash. For a reason beyond Rarity’s comprehension, Applejack was advocating just letting her be. Fluttershy, Twilight, and Pinkie Pie were backing Rarity’s plan. Sunset Shimmer, Applebloom, Big Mac, Twilight were backing Applejack. Rarity looked expectantly towards Sweetie Belle expecting support but getting a head shake. ”I think it's best if you let Rainbow Dash be. ”
Rarity opened her mouth to continue arguing but then sighed. ”Fine darlings. If you all think we should let her be. But I'll miss her, hopefully, she’ll come out to dance. I want to dance with all my friends!... Even Big Mac.”
That got a round of somewhat back to normal chuckles as the group filed out. All except one. Sweetie Belle smiled to herself fingering the master key in her pocket. ”I said you should let her be.”
Rainbow Dash hadn't really thought about keys so she wasn't near the door to stop it from opening when it was unlocked, Rainbow Dash looked up in horror her cheeks streaked with silent tears when... Sweetie Belle walked in...? And locked the door behind her? ”Hey there Rainbow Dash.” Rainbow Dash was too nonplussed to react as Sweetie Belle sat next to her on the bench, pulling out a small hanky and started to gently wipe the tears off Rainbow Dash’s face.
”Wh-... Hey, stop that!” Sweetie Belle didn't pay that any mind and as Rainbow Dash brought her hands to push the younger lady away she just sighed and dropped them, letting Sweetie Belle do what she wanted. ”What are you doing Sweetie Belle?”
”I'm making you presentable. Rarity wants to dance with you.”
”I'm not going out there Sweetie Belle.”
”Yes, you are.”
Rainbow Dash growled and reached up violently grabbing the girl’s wrist, eliciting a small squeal of pain from Sweetie Belle and Rainbow Dash’s eyes went instantly wide letting go of the girl's wrist. Sweetie Belle didn't cry out a second time as she tenderly examined and probed her wrist. ”Oh God Sweetie Belle, I'm sorry! Did... Did I hurt you...?”
Sweetie Belle grimaced slightly as she rotated her wrist and shook her head. ”No... It’ll be fine.” Rainbow Dash could tell that was only partly true the way Sweetie Belle hissed the answer through her teeth. Sweetie Belle had never been the most robust girl but ever since her sickness she got hurt very easily. But to Rainbow Dash’s amazement, Sweetie Belle just switched hands with her hanky and went back to cleaning off Rainbow Dash’s tear-streaked face.
”Sweetie Belle I'm sorry but I'm still not going out there.”
”Why not?”
”It’s complicated Sweetie Belle.”
”So I'm too young to get it?”
”Well, ye...”
”I'm nineteen Rainbow Dash.”
Rainbow Dash flinched. Yeah, she knew that but still. ”Yeah sorry Sweetie Belle. It's just not something most people can relate to. Nothing you can do anyway.”
Sweetie Belle flinched slightly as she pushed herself off the bench with her bad wrist, causing a small rush of guilt hit Rainbow Dash. But Sweetie Belle simply walked over to the windows looking out over the outdoor reception. Pulling the blinds apart she nodded. ”Come here Rainbow Dash.”
Rainbow Dash was tempted to refuse but she shrugged and walked over to the window. She could use Aj and Rarity being loving with each other as a point against Sweetie Belle. Luckily for Rainbow Dash Rarity was dancing with Sunset Shimmer and Applejack was dancing with Fluttershy. Rarity had wanted a lot of dancing so they were dancing before and after dinner. ”So what Sweetie Belle? They're dancing.” Sweetie Belle just raised a finger pointing at a pair Rainbow Dash had overlooked. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo dancing very close together. ”Yeah so? Scoots told me she and Apple Bloom wer... Oh...”
”Yeah, you’re not the only one who's had something sniped by the Apple family Rainbow Dash.” Sweetie Belle smiled faintly, though Rainbow Dash could see the strain behind it, like so many of her own smiles recently. ”Though they do look cute together.”
Rainbow Dash stared, not only had Sweetie Belle figured out what had been bothering Rainbow Dash when only Applejack and Windy Whistle knew. But Sweetie Belle was also dealing with the same thing. ”Yeah well... It's not like they're married...”
Sweetie Belle smirked at Rainbow Dash. ”They got engaged last week.” Rainbow Dash gaped, she wasn't nearly as close to Scootaloo as they used to be, but she was still stunned she hadn't heard yet. Sweetie Belle gently tugged Rainbow Dash away from the window and went back to finish up cleaning off Rainbow Dash’s face. ”They're arguing about who's maid of honor I’ll be.”
Rainbow Dash’s eyes widened slightly. ”What are you going to tell them?”
”That I'll be happy to.”
”What!? But if you're in love with Scoots...”
”I want her to be happy. I want both of my friends happy.” Sweetie Belle grinned a but sardonically and raised her slightly bruised wrist. ”I'm used to it.”
Rainbow Dash flinched slightly as she was reminded that she'd done that, though by accident. But Rainbow Dash understood that Sweetie Belle was using it metaphorically not to admonish Rainbow Dash. ”Yeah... That's what I said in my letter but it's a lot harder to put into practice. I'm not going to dance with Rarity.”
”Yes you are, you will because it'll make her happy, because you love her.”
Rainbow Dash scoffed. ”I think that when I broke down crying and she found out, when everyone found out why that would ruin at least her honeymoon.”
Sweetie Belle nodded. ”Too true. But you won't do that.”
Rainbow Dash couldn't stop her sardonic bark of laughter. ”Oh yeah? How do you figure?”
Sweetie Belle grinned up at Rainbow Dash, though with a familiar pain hidden behind those green eyes. ”Because I'll be dancing with Scootaloo. And you're not about to be outdone by a frail sickly teenager.”
Rainbow Dash just gaped at Sweetie Belle for the second time. ”Wh... Yo... Wow... You really love Rarity.”
Sweetie Belle smiled and nodded. ”I do. And so do you. That's why I'm in here making you act like it.”
Rainbow Dash went back and peeked out the window, now Rarity was dancing with Big Mac and Applejack was dancing with Pinkie Pie. Which was closer to Pinkie Pie dancing and Applejack trying not to laugh at her silly maneuvers. Rainbow Dash really shouldn't be dumping this on a girl six years her junior but... ”What do I do now Sweetie Belle?”
Sweetie Belle gave a half-hearted shrug. ”You try to move on. Try to find someone else you can love and be happy. Look for qualities you admire and love them.”
”What? Sweetie Belle you can't just make emotions.”
”Oh I know, but love is a verb as well Rainbow Dash. Love someone and you will love them.”
Rainbow Dash opened and closed her mouth a few times, what did she want...? Well pretty was a plus, beautiful like Rarity or... Rainbow Dash blinked and shook her head. Well, successful was a plus too, or at least determined... Rainbow Dash scowled at herself. Fine then how about very caring... If Sweetie Belle wasn't in the room Rainbow Dash would have flipped a table over. Ok, what about smarts!?... Rainbow Dash felt like she was setting herself up for failure here...
Sweetie Belle took the silence as consent and got up turning towards the door. ”You ready Rainbow Da-SH!?” Sweetie Belle almost had a heart attack when she felt strong arms slide down her front, pulling her back gently into the stronger, larger woman. ”Rainbow Dash!?” Sweetie Belle wasn't sure what was going on. Thank you hugs were normal but this ambush from behind seemed... Off, it was more intimate than a normal hug...
The rational part of Rainbow Dash brain yelled at her to stop but she was emotionally wrung out and no longer cared about the logic of it. ”I could love you Sweetie Belle.”
Sweetie Belle froze where she stood for a moment but then scowled harshly. She’d been dealing with this her entire life. ”I am not some knock-off Rarity Rainbow Dash!” Despite Sweetie Belle’s harsh tone Rainbow Dash remained calm and gentle.
”No, you're not. She's beautiful, you're adorable. She got noticed immediately for her designs. You're fighting tooth and nail to get noticed on an overcrowded music scene... You noticed how upset I was when all my close friends didn't catch it. And you cared about your sister, and me, enough to come and talk to me.” Rainbow Dash squeezed Sweetie Belle slight, coaxing a small squeaking giggle out of her. ”And from what I hear you're smart as a whip. I can't say that this is a particularly good idea... But... I want to say it's the right one.”
It was Sweetie Belle’s turn to open and close her mouth like a fish out of water, blushing faintly, she hadn't often had her positive qualities spelled out so blatantly. After a few moments, she paused, taking a deep breath. ”This is probably a really bad idea Rainbow Dash...”
”I know.”
Sweetie Belle hesitated but then sighed, looking up at Rainbow Dash. ”We can try... And holy crap you're tall Rainbow Dash.”
She grinned and leaned down, giving Sweetie Belle a gentle kiss on the lips. ”I guess I might start believing in happy endings again.”
Sweetie Belle snickered and shook her head. Pulling gently away from Rainbow Dash, who reluctantly released her. ”Don't get ahead of yourself there Rainbow Dash... We have two terrible dances to go endure.”
Rainbow Dash groaned but walked after Sweetie Belle to the door. ”Remind me again why I let you talk me into this.”
”Because we love them Rainbow Dash.”
Rainbow Dash sighed and nodded, but smiled faintly as she watched Sweetie Belle unlock the door. Maybe she could learn to love someone else... And maybe the girl who dragged her kicking and screaming out of her own self-pity to remind her that love wasn't about being selfish might just be the one... Sweetie Belle was a lot stronger than anyone gave her credit for. It would be a long time before Rainbow Dash could honestly ’I love you’ to Sweetie Belle, but Rainbow Dash could certainly see it happening. Sweetie Belle deserved to be loved by someone. Maybe someone who knew how she had suffered for those she loved would be the best.
