The backstage of the Canterlot High Auditorium resembled the inside of Twilight Sparkle’s mind. Which is to say it was chaotic and full of noise.

“Okay, so we’re on after Trixie finishes her act. There’s about 3 minutes of vamping from Veep Lunes to let us get all our stuff set up, but we need to do a huddle before then to get into ‘te zones’, as one says.” Pinkie Pie slid her right hand in front of her like a turtle’s back through water, the other hand gripping the schedule sheet she was staring at. Twilight took the sheet to double-check, finding it covered in doodles of her classmates in admittedly impressive caricature form.

“One) No one has said that in like 4 years, Two) God I hope this works.” Twilight shook both of her hands, trying to stim the nerves back down, “I’m confident I can sing and dance and all that, but I haven’t gotten a single bit of evidence that Rarity gets that any of the emotions in this song are directed at her. I don’t mean to doubt you, but are you really still sure this is going to work?” She looked over to Rarity across the backstage, who was helping Fluttershy with her hair and fussing over her costume accessories.

Pinkie popped to the side of Twilight, putting her arm around her comfortingly. “Twi, I’m going to be completely honest with you. I have no freaking clue at this point. The only guaranteed way to make her know you love her is to tell her, straight up. But this probably still has a decent chance in terms of ‘plans where you don’t have to actually express your emotions directly and clearly’, so you’ll have to take what you can get. If you don’t think it will work as is, you can always improvise something on top. And regardless, I enjoy performing with you two cuties, so at least there’s that!!” She emphasized her point with a squeeze of the hug and a hip bump.

“Once she’s done with Fluttershy’s hair we can do our little huddle, then rock the stage. Well, synth pop it.” Pinkie said with a wink, then waved wildly at Rarity, pointing at her wrist once she got her attention. Rarity held up her index finger in the universal “One minute, darling.” gesture, though the “darling” part was implied more just by it being her doing the gesturing.

Rarity turned back to Fluttershy, tucking one more strand of hair into her braid for her. “Well, my dear, it seems the time is almost upon me. I do hope she finally sees me and knows why I put all this effort in for her.” Fluttershy leaned her head back, meeting her friend’s eyes with a quizzical look in her own.

“Rarity, I know love can make folks nervous, but I’ve never seen you nervous about anything like this. Why? You know that you’re beautiful, successful, smart, and the most generous person around. Twilight knows it too. So why can’t you just tell her, straight up?” Her gaze never wavered, and Rarity found herself almost unable to look away from the intense stare. After about 30 seconds, she managed to close her eyes and turn her head to the side.

“Darling, Fluttershy, I am not nervous because of who I am. I am nervous because of who I need to be. She deserves utter perfection in any potential beau. I am many things, but perfect is not one. Not unless I put everything I can into it. A simple confession won’t do, I won’t be satisfied just stating my feelings. I need to make her feel them, and know them, and believe them. I need to give her what I myself would want, and not a drop less. Do you understand?” Rarity finally looked back at her friend, determination in her eyes.

“Oh Rarity, I do. But know this, you don’t need to be anything or anyone but who you already are. You’re already her friend. I get the feeling she’s already accepted you, no matter the context of your relationship.” Fluttershy reached her hand out, head still upside down. Rarity grabbed hold of it, and felt the reassuring squeeze, before turning it into a hug.

“Thank you darling, truly. I will do my best to believe you on this front. But I really must get going. Based on the oohs and ahs, Trixie is likely almost done.” She picked up her instrument cases and walked to her bandmates, looking back at Fluttershy’s wave and strengthening smile.

The three of them were gathered in a circle, arms over each other’s shoulders. Each member looked each other in the eye, unsure what to say, but doing their best to project confidence. Finally, Pinkie spoke up.

“After we crush this I’m baking a slew of treats based on each and every Paula Abmule song and making you two taste test them while listening to the songs. Also I love you both you’re the best and this is going to go so well they’ll give us medals.” Twilight and Rarity both nodded seriously at this. Then they all broke into a wild giggling fit, only slowing down as the wave of cheers accompanied Trixie walking in from the curtain, carrying a box with the top half of Muffins, a box with her legs following after. They seemed in high spirits, though Trixie’s smile wavered as her assistant asked when she could be put back together.

As Vice Principal Luna started her introduction for their group, Twilight helped Pinkie push her drums into the back, while Rarity plugged up her keytaurs to the speakers and set up her stool. The curtain started to raise up, and they all looked at each other one last time, nodding in sync. Twilight looked dramatically down at the ground, both hands clasping the microphone, tapping her foot to the beat. Rarity’s keytaur came in loud and clear, and Twilight shot her head up with the opening line, followed by Pinkie’s drum work kicking in.

The audience was on their feet as the song was played out. The girls had naturally ponied up, but thankfully their outfits remained unchanged, it just gave them their bigger hair and pony ears. But that wasn’t as impressive to the audience as the sheer emotion embedded in the music itself. Twilight and Rarity were both clearly putting their all into making this the best performance possible. Pinkie was too, though in a different sort of way than the others.

Even so, as she danced and stomped around the stage, Twilight stole a glance at Rarity, and disappointment flashed across her face. Rarity hadn’t looked up from her instruments once since the start of the song, and it didn’t seem from the look on her face like her thoughts had left her performance at all either. Twilight knew on some level this was a good thing for the show, but she would have given anything to be able to break through with her message.

As Rarity broke into the solo following the second chorus, Twilight danced her way over closer, setting up the part of the choreography where she’d have to dance around Rarity and lay her hand on her shoulder. She caught Pinkie’s eye on the path, and the wink she sent set Twilight’s brain into overdrive. The phrase “you can always improvise something on top” circled around her head. She knew what she had to do.

The spoken word part with the kiss noise at the end of the line. I can use that. It’ll throw her off and the song will probably end, but I don’t care if I lose so bad they ban me from the stage forever. I have to show her how I feel.

The solo ended and Twilight came back in, the same part where she had put her hand on Rarity’s shoulder the day before, but no startle this time. She steeled her nerves as the song shifted into a few lines of spoken word, and where in rehearsal she had kissed her hand and blown it at her friend, she this time kissed Rarity directly on the cheek. She quickly turned back to the audience as joy overwhelmed her, and they had broken into a frenzy. Bulk Biceps and Flash Sentry put their arms around one another tightly and cheered wildly (They had recently gotten together and were known for enjoying double dates.) Applejack, Sunset Shimmer, and Rainbow Dash all high-fived each other (Rainbow noticeably wincing) and whistled while Fluttershy smiled brightly and clapped. Principal Celestia had covered her mouth with her hands folded together, joyful tears in her eyes. Twilight continued her part, so it would be even more obvious when Rarity dropped out in revelation and shock and joy and....

Rarity didn’t drop out. Twilight couldn’t believe it. No reaction to the kiss at all. If anything, Rarity seemed more honed in. Twilight’s part ended, and Rarity’s second solo kicked in. Rarity jumped up, kicking her stool back and dug in to her keys with a level of commitment usually reserved for her most complex dress designs. Twilight was impressed at how well she had gotten the melodies down, but keeping the disappointment away from her expression and dancing at the same time kept her from focusing on it that too much.

Thankfully, the rest of the song was written to be sung/spoken in such a way that her slightly somber tone didn’t seem off at anyone in the audience. Instead of the actual songs fade off, Rarity and Pinkie Pie played one last repeat of the song’s recurring riff followed by a note/beat to resolve the chord. They all took a bow as the curtain lowered, the cheers and whistles from the audience the loudest they’d been all night, then rushed to move their equipment backstage for the next act.

Pinkie swept Rarity and Twilight up into a spinning hug, which they gladly returned. Setting them down, they both did their best to give her the most authentic smiles they could. She said something about a prize that was too quick to parse then ran off with her usual aplomb and speed.

Neither of the two remaining bandmates looked at the other. Twilight had her arms across her chest and was looking slightly towards the floor, meanwhile Rarity fussed with her keytaur cases. Twilight finally looked back up towards her friend, “I’m gonna go grab some water. It was a pretty intense performance. Thank you for being part of it.” She then walked to the cooler that she knew to be around the corner.

There is absolutely no way she missed that kiss. Even if she has something that keeps her from feeling sensation on her face, the crowd cheering like that or just how close I was in general would have tipped her off. I just have to accept that this wasn’t meant to be. I should let Pinkie know that she can nullify her promise, however that works.

She had poured herself some water and slumped against the wall by the cooler, not as careful with her outfit as she would usually be. As she sipped through five of the frustratingly tiny cones, hugging her knees, she tried to theorize on the ritual Pinkie would have planned to undo the promise. I hope I don’t actually have to stick a cupcake in her eye, that could lead to some serious infection. Then, Rarity walked around the corner, causing her to shoot back up to stand.

“Well darling, that was quite the performance. I dare say we were a crowd favorite!! Though, I cannot say I remember that kiss in the rehearsal. A last minute addition?” Rarity quirked her eyebrow up and there was something in the flatness of her tone and the look of her eye that left Twilight almost trembling.

“Rarity I am so, so, sorry, I didn’t meant to make you uncomfortable or cross any boundaries or-” The index finger cut her off once again.

“Oh it’s no trouble. I understand entirely,” Twilight’s pupils widened at that, “The audience, on the other hand... I dare say that kiss had them thinking we were together somehow. A silly thought, of course. You were simply having fun with me. A joke gone too far. I suppose that’s worth the applause and the trophy.”

Twilight tilted her head, though her curiosity this time was of a different flavor, “What do you mean by that?”

“Never you mind, Ms. Sparkle.”

The ice in those words could have frozen Twilight to the spot, but the anger in her kept it at bay. As Rarity turned to leave, Twilight rushed forward and grabbed onto her sleeve. “Tell me what you mean, Now, Ms. Belle.” she growled.

Rarity twisted her arm to free her sleeve as she turned back to face Twilight, who flinched back at the overwhelming sight of running mascara and fury on her friend’s face.

“What I mean Twilight, is that I devoted my entire self to this silly little endeavor. I delayed commissions, forwent study periods and hangouts, learned how to play two pianos at once, and within a WEEK mastered a song I had never heard before. All to impress upon you the level of effort I was and am willing to devote to you. To show you who I am, who I could be to you. And you never even acknowledged it, not even once. I tried to show you that I love you, Twilight Sparkle, only for you to attempt to throw me off on-stage with a kiss that I knew could never be real. And even after that, I tried even harder to make you see, but all I get is a ‘thanks for being a part of it’ from you. How could I see it as anything but a joke to be played on me. Is that what you and Ms Pie had planned all along? I know she loves her pranks, but this joke is beyond the pa-”

“IT WAS NEVER A JOKE YOU IDIOT!!”

Now it was Rarity’s turn to be taken aback at the furious tears on her friend’s face.

“I have been trying for AGES to show you how I feel. I could never tell you because the words never came to me, so I tried to show you in so many ways, but you never understood. So Pinkie helped me to pick out a song that told you for me, one that had already put my thoughts into words. But you never noticed that either, did you? All because you were to focused on your own plan to tell me.... that... tell me that you...” Her hands shot up to her face as she looked into Rarity’s eyes. Both of them stared at the other for a moment before, at the same time from each,

“Oh.”

They both moved to talk, but Twilight got there first, bolstered by the inertia and adrenaline from having just been ranting.

“Oh god, Rarity. I am so, so sorry. I, I never meant to make you do all that stuff for me. You’ve always been so impressive I just took it as you being the wonderful you that you’ve always been. I could have saved you so much heartache if I’d just been...”

“Now, now, none of that darling. I am equally guilty in this whole ridiculous mess. I could have told you of my own feelings and admiration so many times, could have listened to the words even once after you brought it up. I was just so swept up in making it the perfect moment, when it could have been perfect if I had simply told you-”

“Straight up.” They finished together. They looked surprised at each other, tears still in their eyes, then giggled, then embraced.

“God, for a teen genius I’m so stupid. I owe Pinkie Pie a party of her own.”

“Oh dear, it’s both of us in that position. Though, I fear I also owe Fluttershy the deluxe package the next spa trip. I’m sure dealing with me has been stressful on this matter.”

Twilight giggled once more, saying “Well if this means I get to ‘deal with’ you much more, like I hope, I’m sure she’ll appreciate the relief. They stared into each other's eyes, and went in for the kiss.

As they broke apart, cheers rang from their side. They quickly turned and saw the rest of their friend group there, Rainbow Dash and Applejack each carrying a stack of wooden boards.

“Um, how much of that did you all see?” Twilight asked, hoping to buy Rarity some time to wipe off some of her eyeliner.

Sunset smirked, “Well when we got in you two were linked at the face, so unless there was any preamble, I’d say we saw the whole thing. When did this all start?”

Twilight lifted her index finger nervously, about to spill the beans, but Rarity jumped in. “Now Sunset, darling, you must allow a girl some secrets. We shall tell you the story in due time, but for now let us cheer on our sisters in show here.”

Rainbow jumped in, almost losing balance on her stack of boards, “Yeah Sunset, I’m as glad as anyone that these two dorks figured it out finally, but I need you guys cheering for me to whoop farm girl’s butt.”

Applejack casually used a finger to rebalance Rainbow’s stack, “Now don’t go writing checks you can’t cash Rainbutt.” She glanced over to the couple and winked, “But congratulations y’all. I know you two’re made for each other.”

They walked onto the stage as Sunset walked back off to her seat, with Fluttershy following after giving a quick hug to the both of them. Twilight looked over to Rarity and smiled.

“Thanks for not telling them about any of. That.”

“It will come up eventually darling, but I’m hoping we can delay until it becomes a funny story. Tragedy plus time and all that.”

“You think it was tragic?” Twilight asked, a little fearfully.

Rarity smirked, laughing subtly, “Only in and that we couldn’t have started this endeavor any sooner,” She kissed her new beau on the cheek. “Now, let us go watch Rainbow get creamed onstage.”

Twilight laughed, “At least AJ left her geode off. It would be twice the massacre otherwise.”

They made their way to their seats, settling in a cuddle. And they continued to cuddle when Pinkie Pie brought them cookie in the shape of a heart with Paula Abmule on them. And still were cuddling when the sickening crack came from the stage. And through the last few performances of the night they cuddled. And they were hugging (which is a vertical cuddle) as they accepted the award for first place, a 35 dollar gift card to Applebee’s. And even in the ambulance ride with Rainbow to the hospital, they cuddled. Eventually, they did have to stop to go home, but they made sure to give each other a goodnight kiss each.

“I shall see you tomorrow, darling. But until we meet again, I shall be in such a state.”

“Goodnight Rarity!! I can hardly wait.”

Author's Note

AND IT'S FINISHED!! This story has been so fun to write, even if I have struggled to focus on the actual writing part of it. I really hope you all enjoyed these two falling into each other, and that it felt like a natural way for this to happen.

As I think I said before, this is my first time writing romance, and I think my first time writing Rarity now that I think about it. I tried to capture her perfectionism and make it clear that she's not without confidence, but instead held herself to an impossible standard. FYI, I write her as a trans girl, if that helps solidify my characterization of her in your head at all. And if it doesn't, it's still fun trivia.

Also, I never missed a deadline!! I said it'd be out in the weekend, and it sure is!! Even if it's almost 8pm on Saturday as I type this note lol. So I'm gonna pat myself on the back for that and then walk off into the wilderness. Join me for my next story whenever the fic bug manages to get its massive venomous pincers around me again. And thank you to any readers who have left comments, I would not have been able to finish this story without you!! Bye!!