"A few sips couldn't hurt."

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5

Chapter 1

"Spiiiike, there you are you little rascal! I've been looking all over for you!"

"Twilight stop! Don't you dare! For the last time, just because it’s green doesn’t mean it’s Spike!" Rarity yelled out, pulling on Twilight with all her might, but to no avail as Twilight Sparkle, one of the leading heads of the country, managed to break free from Rarity and dive headfirst into a nearby bush for the fourth time that evening while laughing like a maniac.

“Oh my, I hope no one saw that.” said a white unicorn, who sounded like she was on her last nerve. Twilight on the other hoof, was massaging the bush, the sticks poking her body not bothering her apparently.

"I love you so much little guy, *sniff* sooo much." she said, beginning to cry uncontrollably. Meanwhile, Rarity was growing more frustrated by the second, and began to voice just how much she wasn't fond of the current situation before attempting to free the alicorn.

"No Rarity, that's your 9th glass of wine. No Rainbow Dash, you've had enough hard ciders for ten ponies. Pinkie, stop with the shots before you hurt yourself, or the buildings." Rarity mocked aloud. "All of those night's spent lecturing us on the dangers of drinking, then you go out and do something like this." she added, straining herself trying to get a grip on Twilight, who was not helping with how much she was thrashing around.

Every now and then she would use her magic to help hold Twilight still, but she was far too exhausted to actually pick her up and carry her with it. Carrying her on her back was out of the question, unless she wanted a misaligned spine or something from Twilight’s constant wriggling.

After managing to pull her head out of the bush, as well as some twigs and leaves out of her hair, she leaned Twilights body on hers as they continued through a hopefully mostly sleeping town towards the castle. Twilight seemed to immediately stop the waterworks once she was freed from the bush's headlock.

"Oh hey Rarity, you beautiful, handsome thing you." Twilight giggled, as Rarity rolled her eyes in annoyance.

Rarity thanked Celestia that it was so late actually. She wasn’t too keen on reading a newspaper article dedicated to Twilight’s drunken waltz through the town, not to mention her “Rainbow Dash encouraged” shenanigans at the party.

“Honestly Twilight, you of all ponies giving into peer pressure like that, and letting Rainbow Dash of all ponies be the reason!” Rarity said, looking over to give her a disapproving stare. "I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes."

Meanwhile, Twilight was humming a song that Rarity didn’t really care to listen to, as she was more interested in getting whatever brain cells were left in Twilight’s head to focus and pay attention to her.

“Not to mention just how much you drank. Pinkie’s drinks are not to be taken lightly, and I was positively sure you knew that, especially after the... runaway railcar incident.” she said, followed by a slight shudder. “I’ll never understand what Ms. Pie was thinking that day.” she finished, as Twilight, who’s head was somewhat held low, suddenly threw her cranium upwards, almost hitting Rarity square in the chin, causing her yelp slightly.

“But, but Rarity, she said I was a stick in the mud, and that I didn’t know how to have fun. I sure showed her, that I did Rari-Rati-Ratity. I showed her a two or thing. Take that Rainbow Dash!” she yelled, pointing at nothing in front of her. “And you’re not a bigger Durring Doe fan than me! I’m the biggest Do….Dooo…..”

Twilight kept trying to somewhat repeat the words that she had just spoke less than 3 seconds ago, as Rarity rolled her eyes in annoyance and decided to help the poor thing.

“Daring Do darling.”

“That’s right! I’m the biggest Do Do Daring fan, to ever live!” she exclaimed to the heavens.

Rarity was going to forgive Twilight for calling her “Ratity” earlier, since she was so drunk that she couldn’t trot more than three steps on her own without falling over. She let that thought fade away as she let out a groan.

“Yeah, you sure showed her how to pour a whole bottle on the ground while thinking it was going in your mouth. I swear on my reputation as a fashion designer, Rainbow is no longer allowed within 30 feet of you when she’s drunk herself.”

“But, Rarity, it was sho good.” Twilight slurred. “Like, really good, and you had some too, and you liked it, you liiiiiked it. I know you did, and you know you did do it did you.” Twilight drunkenly said while putting her hoof on Rarity’s chest, which Rarity quickly pushed back towards the ground. Twilight needed all her limbs just to keep from falling face first.

“Twilight, please keep your words short darling. My head hurts too much to try and decipher that enigma of a sentence you just spoke. As for the drinking, I just had one glass Twilight, because that’s how much of that stuff a normal pony can handle, and you drank seven bottles of it. Seven! That would have been enough alcohol to turn Discord into the lord of order or something. What were you thinking?" she questioned, but Twilight was nowhere to be find. Mentally of course.

"First, I have a question for you Rwaruty." Twilight slurred. Twilight had one more time to butcher her beautiful name before Rarity hit her.

"What?" she sighed annoyingly.

“What’s a Discord?” Twilight asked. Rarity deadpanned for a second while continuing to walk.

“I’m surprised you’re not dead, alicorn or not.”

“Huh....but Rarity...” Twilight put her hoof out in front of her face before using it to repeatedly touch her cheek and chest. “I’m not dead. Could a dead pony do this?" Twilight asked before poking Rarity in the eye.

"Ow! Twilight, what is the matter with you?" Rarity would normally not be so irritated to help a friend home, but goodness gracious her if Twilight wasn't making this journey as difficult as possible. She's never seen someone so wasted, nor has she ever been this wasted her herself. Twilight already had low alcohol tolerance, so this shouldn't have been too much of a surprise.

"Hey! Don't you yell at me! You said I was dead, and I had to prove you right! I-I mean wrong!"

“No, I said you’re-ugh, forget it.” she started, but realized it was fruitless arguing with Twilight in her current state. “You’re going to wish you were dead in the morning with how much you’ve had to drink.” she said to herself, once again putting Twilights hoof down.

“I was drinking?” Twilight asked, causing Rarity to roll her eyes. "Ooooooooh wait, I remember now. What kind of drink was it? Whatever it was, it was really really good Rarity, and I want more, I neeedeed moooore I need iiiiiiit pleeease.”

“More of that biohazard is the last thing you need.” said Rarity.

“Do you have some more on you?” Twilight asked in a slightly high-pitched voice, as she began touching Rarity all over, and then eventually touching her-

“T-Twilight, stop that!” the flustered unicorn yelled, a blush on her face spreading as she slapped Twilights hoof away, nearly tumbling to the ground while doing so. “Friends don't touch each other like that, my word!” she yelled, making Twilight laugh.

“Whoops, I guess you caught me!” Twilight admitted while laughing loudly once more. Rarity groaned once again while her blush remained as she thought back on what led to their current situation.

Twilight tends to settle for a single glass of wine, or something else minor, even on special and grand occasions given her low tolerance to alcohol, so hearing that Twilight was on her seventh bottle of something that could knock out a hundred yaks? First off, alicorn tolerance was on a whole other level. Secondly, what in the world would make her do such a thing? Her actions tonight were beyond out of character, drunk or not. As Rarity was talking to herself, Twilight was fruitlessly trying to blow her bangs away from her forehead, only to have the thin strands of her mane fall back in front of her, making her pout in dissatisfaction. Then she gasped suddenly.

"RARITY!" Twilight yelled, making Rarity jump in terror.

"W-WHAT?!" she asked, as if in fear for her life.

"......What was I drinking?" she almost whispered, threatening a vein to pop up on Rarity's forehead.

"Twilight, don't you dare scream like that again, I almost had a heart attack!" she scolded Twilight as her heartrate slowed back down. " As for what you were drinking, I don't know if it had a name. All I know is that she presents it to you while asking, "Wanna have a real good time?"

“Did I have a good time?” she asked.

"You tell me Twilight! You ripped the chandelier off the ceiling and slammed it into the ground!"

“Woah, I never drink thaaat much. I really messed up huh, hahahaha!”

“Then you teleported all of the alcohol from behind the counter for the other patrons to take, just because the bartender refused to serve you another drink, which he every right to do by the way, so saying you "messed up" might be a little bit of an understatement. Luckily for you, I tempered his rage by taking responsibility and agreeing to compensate him for all the damage you caused."

“What?! He was upset over that?”

“Yes Twilight, I’m afraid he was.” she said with an exasperated sigh. “You cleaned out his entire bar in seconds without paying.”

“Well let's go back then! I’ll pay him back alright. He'll never forget what I have in store for him.” said Twilight, with a slight chuckle, causing Rarity to raise a suspicious eyebrow.

“And what pray tell, do you mean by that Twilight?” she asked, but would soon regret asking that question.

“Well, I was just gonna take him around back and-” Rarity had a good idea of what was about to come out of Twilight’s mouth and hastily cut her off.

“You most certainly will not, Twilight Sparkle!" Rarity yelled.

"What? You didn't let me finish! I was just gonna repay him with s-"

"I know what you were going to say Twilight! Have you lost your mi-” Rarity yelled, but was cut off by Twilights laughter.

“Oh...right." she sighed defeatedly. "I’m starting to think pushing you to read more romance novels was a bad idea.” she said.

She groaned again and would have rubbed her temples as well if she wasn’t busy keeping Twilight from falling face first into the ground. Again. Alicorn or not, doing that over and over was likely to cause some sort of bruising.

“You're a mare of great talents dear. Don’t you know a spell that can get you sober, or something?” Rarity asked. Twilight put a hoof to her chin in deep thought, then raised it again, seemingly with a solution in mind.

“Oh yeah, I’m pretty sure I do. Let me just...” Twilight trailed off as she started charging her horn to a sizable glow that began to alarm Rarity.

“Um, Twilight, I don't think that much magic is needed for a -” Before she could finish her sentence, Twilight had fired a magic blast so wide and powerful that Rarity was almost positive that the citizens in Saddle Arabia could see it. Rarity was knocked to the ground and trembling while she watched the beam, that was thankfully aimed for the sky, dissipate. Once she got her bearings back, she scrambled over to cover Twilights horn while the town that was temporarily bathed in a ray of purple, returned to its earlier dark state.

“Okay, no more magic tonight for you.” Rarity said, shaking her hoof in slight pain at Twilights still hot horn.

“Wow, that was, gnarly Rarity." Twilight uttered. Dear Celestia, she was even starting to sound like Rainbow Dash. "Did you see that?” she said with a chuckle.

“Did I see you almost blow half the town away?! Yes Twilight, I was your number one supporter!" she sarcastically remarked. "Now get up, I'm getting you home.” said Rarity, leaning into a sitting Twilight and standing up as the alicorn thankfully followed her lead and stood up as well, using Rarity’s body for support. Maybe they could get away before someone saw where the blast came from.

“Home? Why home? Home is boring. Boring boring boring boring boring-” Twilight continued to repeat that word until an irritated Rarity cut her off.

“Because Twilight, I refuse to let you become the laughingstock of the entire world, and I believe you’ve had enough fun for one night. I’m tired, and you’re not exactly the lightest pony in town you know.” said Rarity, earning a shocked gasp from Twilight.

“How dare you Rarity, are you calling me fat?!” Twilight asked, drawing out the millionth groan from the unicorn that night.

“No Twilight, I’m not calling you fat, but you are too heavy to be moving around like you are while I’m trying to get you home.”

“Well then! If that’s how you feel, then maybe I’ll just “try” to move myself somewhere else! Matter of fact, I’ve got two wings, and I’m gonna use these two bad girls!” Twilight said, flaring her wings.

“Twilight, please don-” Rarity began to plead, but it was too late. The alicorn quickly pushed herself off Rarity, despite the unicorn's best efforts to hold her still, and was soon airborne.

For about three seconds.

As much effort as she gave it, the poor mare just couldn’t get her wings to flap in tandem, and Rarity watched in horror as Twilight quickly went spiraling towards the ground. She would have fallen on her face for the seventh time that night had Rarity not caught her in her magic right before she hit the ground.

“Yeeaaah!! Hahahahaha! That was fun! You’re such a good catch Rarity! A really good catch actually. Come around here often hot stuff?” Twilight said, once again falling into a fit of giggles after attempting to wink, but it came out as her just blinking both eyes really hard. Meanwhile, Rarity was struggling to lower her without dropping her.

Her constant wriggling was too much for Rarity’s magic in her exhausted state, so she steadily...*thud*. Whoops, not so steadily set her down. Rarity gasped as she ran over to check on her.

“Oh my goodness, Twilight I’m so sorry dear! Are you okay?” she asked worriedly. She sort of knew that dropping Twilight from two feet wouldn’t really hurt her, but she still didn’t mean to do it, her magic just gave out from exhaustion. She became more worried when Twilight didn’t answer her. She fell with her body facing away from Rarity, so it was hard to tell if she was truly alright.

“Twilight?” Rarity called. She listened... and for a second, she could’ve sworn she heard Twilight snoring. She put her ear to Twilight’s face to confirm her suspicions when...

“Gotcha!”

With no time to react, Rarity was soon wrapped up in a giggling bundle of purple that refused to let go, no matter how much the unicorn tried to pry her off. Not that Twilight wasn’t a comfortable pony to cuddle with, Rarity just really didn’t think now was an appropriate time or place.

“Twilight, let go of me this instant!” Rarity yelled, trying to get Twilight off without hurting herself or her friend. Or rolling around on the ground too much. Growing up as a white haired unicorn who cared greatly for their appearance seemingly at all times, it felt like second nature to try and keep herself clean.

“Neveeer! Ahahahaha! You are now a prisoner within Twilights winged fortress of doom, from which there is no escape you fool!” she yelled as the two struggled in the middle of a quiet Ponyville.

“Twilight...that's.....enough!” she said during the struggle. “I said get off!” She had finally managed to squeeze her forelegs between her and Twilight and push her to the ground. Twilight fell on her back and continued to laugh without a care in the world. Meanwhile, Rarity was getting up and brushing herself free of some dirt, while staring at the drunken mess of purple before her.

The sight would have been somewhat adorable had Rarity not been so exhausted and annoyed. She was as ready to get home and sleep as much as she was to get Twilight behind closed doors before anyone else saw their princess acting like, well, someone who was as far away from sober as possible.

She gave a quick glance left and right to see if anyone could see them. When she determined the coast was clear, she turned her attention back to Twilight while sighing for the billionth time that night. Honestly, with all of the things that the townsfolk have seen them do over the years, being seen drunk didn't seem like too much of a big deal, but the night was still young, so Rarity wasn't going to wait around for Twilight to perform an even bigger spectacle.

“Twilight, I know you're having the time of your life right now, and you've probably never felt like this before, so I'm trying to be patient and understanding...somewhat, but we've spent far too long playing in the street. The ground is no place for a princess, or someone with white fur, so can you please help me help you get home?” Rarity pleaded, but Twilight was in a state of pure joy that would make Pinkie Pie jealous.

“As far as I’m concerned, this is my new home.” she said, sitting up and drawing her cutie mark into the dirt. Or what Rarity thought was her cutie mark based off what Twilight said next. It looked more like a circle with spikes protruding from it.

“I claim this land in the name of the one and only, Twilight Starkle!” she declared, throwing both hooves in the air and falling backwards onto the ground with a foreleg over her eyes and one on her stomach. She wished that death juice that Pinkie considered an acceptable beverage would have knocked out Twilight just long enough to drag her back home. Anything was better than this.

“Twilight Sparkle is your name, and you will stop rolling around on the ground, getting your coat filthy, and join me up here immediately!” she demanded, but Twilight ignored her, deciding that the ground was more enjoyable than her greatly peeved friend.

“Twilight Sparkle, get up this instant! she said, raising her voice slightly.

“You’re gonna have to make me!” Twilight said, sitting up and blowing a raspberry at Rarity.

In response to this, Rarity used her magic to pick Twilight up, turn her upright, then set her down quite forcefully on the ground, but knew it wasn’t hard enough to actually hurt her. She was quite upset enough to the point where she almost didn’t mind slamming her down harder. If anything, it would probably knock some of the drunkenness out of her. Twilight had lifted her hoof up and was holding it to her chest with a fake pout.

“Ow Rarity, that hurt. You’re so aggressive. I don’t mind being your toy, but you don’t have to be so rough with me.” she asked with a smirk.

“My t-?” Rarity couldn't even bring herself to repeat what Twilight had just said. “Twilight, stop talking like that and get a move on!”

“Fine.....but only if you kiss it?” Twilight asked, while moving her hoof toward Rarity.

“What? What?!"

“Kiss my hoof to make it feel better. You did hurt me after all.”

"Twilight, I didn't even hit your hoof! What are you-?" Rarity started but sighed in defeat once more, as she took a step towards Twilight and sat down. She just wanted this to be over with.

“Twilight, if I do this, will you please, please just let me get you home without any more tomfoolery?” she asked in an exasperated manner.

“Yes mom, no more “tomfoolery.” Twilight mocked while gesturing her hooves to signal quotation marks. "Geez, you talk like an old lady.” Twilight mocked, earning a stern gaze from the unicorn.

“This "old" lady is about to hit you if you don't...forget it, forget it.” Rarity responded, deciding to ignore that comment if it meant getting home faster.

Rarity began leaning in slowly towards Twilight’s hoof... until Twilight decided to pull Rarity into another forceful hug.

“Haha, I gotchu again!” Twilight yelled. "Two points for the house of Sparkle!"

While Rarity managed to get out of this one quite easily, it didn’t keep her from tumbling towards the ground once free.

Alright, trying to be a good friend and not yell at the top her lungs was becoming harder and harder with each passing second, and the situation was only getting worse. She was the element of generosity, not patience, although she had been pretty generous with her patience so far, considering how she hasn’t slapped Twilight for all of her suggestive remarks, or other actions.

“Twilight, get up this instant! I’m tired of asking!” she said standing back up, but the laughing Twilight seemed to ignore her, which made her even more angry.

“Will you... STOP acting like a child for ONE SECOND?!” she finally yelled, almost loud enough for the whole town to hear. Twilight had driven her to the point where she almost didn't care who saw them at this point. Twilight was no longer laughing and was now upright, staring at Rarity.

“You are starting to make me regret this entire night! I am trying to get you home before you cause more of an incident, and you are making that extremely difficult! I am tired, I am dehydrated, and dealing with you on top of all of that is too much for me right now! For the next few minutes, can you please, just-!”

Rarity had temporarily closed her eyes at some point during her rant, only opening them when she heard what sounded like sniffling.

When she looked back up, she was met with tears steadily cascading down the pitiful looking mare's face, staining her fur and the ground below her as she sat on her haunches while her wings were drooped, and her ears pressed themselves against her skull. Seeing this made Rarity almost immediately regret yelling at her. She was a sucker for a sad face, she couldn't help it. Everything she had felt before, almost immediately vanishing.

“Twilight?” she called out softly, wondering if she had raised her voice too much. The last thing she wanted to resort to was yelling at her friend, but Twilight wasn’t exactly leaving her a lot of options. It’s not like she knew any spells that could help the situation. "Are you okay?" she asked, as if she didn't already know the answer to that.

“Are you....mad at me, Rarity?” Twilight asked, her voice shaking as she tried to somewhat contain herself long enough to hear Rarity’s answer.

Few things in life were more heartbreaking than a sad Twilight, especially when she cried, which she wasn't trying to make her do by the way. As relatively nice and peaceful Ponyville was to live in, reporters who didn't care about Twilight as much as they did a juicy story lived in almost every crevice of Equestrian society. There's no telling what kinds of headlines they would make from seeing Twilight in this state, regardless of what hour of the night it was. As if her actions at the party weren’t bad enough. Rarity sighed deeply before speaking again.

“Twilight...darling, listen to me, okay?" she asked in the politest tone she could manage. Twilight looked up and nodded softly, not wanting to upset the unicorn further. Seeing Rarity’s expression go from angry to sympathetic had helped Twilight compose herself a little, but her eyes remained wet as she continued to sniffle.

"I just want to get you home, without anymore incident, okay?" she asked, Twilight nodding softly again. "You're not exactly, eh, well right now, so we need you in a safe environment, and the middle of the street at night just isn't that place. You understand, don't you sweetheart?" she asked, Twilight nodding a third time before taking her turn to speak.

“I’m sorry Rarity, I didn’t mean make you so angry. I was having fun, s-so I thought you were too, but it's clur...clear that you weren't. I should’ve taken you seriously. I’m so sorry, please don’t hate me. Please, I’ll be a better friend.” she finished, the tears coming back in full force as she covered her face and began to weep.

“Twilight...” Rarity sighed tiredly. This was going be a long night, she thought to herself as she trotted over to Twilight and put a hoof to her cheek, while using the other hoof to wipe her tears away. Twilight looked up in response to the sudden contact.

Rarity knew better than to lose her cool like that. She knew that Twilight was just drunk, and she tried her best to remember that. Heck, she's been like this more than enough times to know what it’s like to be in her position, so she shouldn’t be too hard on her. She can barely handle her alcohol as it is, so she’s probably far more emotionally unstable than Rarity had ever been. Considering how many times the girls have put up with her drunken antics, it’s only fair that she get to deal with theirs in return honestly. Just because she’s a little, okay, maybe more than a little under the influence, didn't mean she should have screamed at her, even if it was the one thing that finally got her to take Rarity seriously.

“Please don’t cry Twilight.” she said in the most soothing voice she could muster. “I’m sorry I yelled at you. I’m just tired, and you’re not thinking clearly. I only wish to get us both in the safety of your abode so you can sleep this off.” Twilight’s tears began to cease falling as she stared back at Rarity while trying to contain her sniffles.

“Are you sure you don’t hate me? Are we still friends?” Twilight asked.

Hearing that question from Twilight, drunk or not, still hurt a part of her, while another part of her was slightly annoyed that she couldn’t help but feel bad for Twilight, but an intoxicated mess or not, Rarity didn’t want to just blatantly ignore Twilight’s feelings just because some alcohol had caused her to act out of character.

“No Twilight, I don't hate you, and you know that.” Rarity told her while caressing her cheek. "Look. I'm exhausted, and you're...far, far from sober. Once I get you home, you can do anything, but that can only happen once I get you home?” Rarity finished with a heartwarming and genuine smile that felt like it could melt the coldest of hearts. "Do you understand?"

For a few seconds, all Twilight could do was stare back at Rarity as she stroked the back of Twilight’s mane while still holding a hoof to her cheek. For Twilight in her current state, it was very pleasing, and borderline mesmerizing, to watch someone as beautiful as Rarity caress her slowly and softly, while saying sweet things in such a motherly way. Rarity was blessed in a sense when it came to her looks. Regardless of her unkempt appearance due to wrestling with Twilight earlier, she still managed to look better than most ponies out there.

She could still smell the faint traces of perfume that lingered from Rarity's slightly disheveled coat. It’s intoxicating scent danced around Twilight’s nostrils as a slight blush started to creep up her face. Her tears having completely stopped, she grabbed Rarity’s hoof in her own.

“O-okay. I understand Rarity. I can do that.” she said with one last sniffle.

“Wonderful dear.” Rarity said, giving her a genuine smile. She was glad that Twilight was finally listening to reason, but mostly glad that she had stopped crying. Her heart couldn’t have taken much more of it honestly. Using the hoof that Twilight was still holding, she started to pull her up.

“Easy dear, just ease onto me.” Rarity said, slowly letting Twilight lean her body on hers and beginning to walk again.

“But Rarity, you said I was heavy.” said Twilight, a bit of solemness lingering in her tone. She wasn't too surprised that Twilight remembered that bit of dialogue. Rartiy knew she would be mortified to hear such a thing, but her anger kept her from taking into consideration how much that may have hurt Twilight's feelings.

“Oh, you’re not that heavy darling. I was just, a little distressed when I said that. I didn't mean it, honest." she tried to assure her, but Twilight was not buying it.

“Liar. You did mean it. I heard you clear as day, er, night I think.” Twilight said with a pout and glancing at the sky, making Rarity chuckle a bit.

“Well, it is indeed nighttime, and heavy or not, I’m a strong girl Twilight, and a strong girl like me is more than capable of helping one beautiful princess back to her castle.” Rarity said in an attempt to make her smile.

Twilight had planned to pout some more, but Rarity’s attempt was successful, as Twilight couldn’t hold in her giggle at Rarity’s remark for long.

“You called me beautiful.” she said, more giggles threatening to come rushing forth. Rarity continued, seeing how giggly that made Twilight.

“That’s right Twilight, I sure did. You’re my beautiful little princess, yes you are.” she said with a smirk. That being the last straw, Twilight erupted into another fit of giggles as a blush started to lightly coat her cheeks, and Rarity couldn’t help but smile at this. Rarity surprised herself a little by how much she was enjoying the new situation. Now that she wasn’t fighting Rarity every step of the way, she was quite adorable to watch.

She had seen Twilight drunk in the past, but not to the point where she couldn’t even walk straight without help. She still behaved like normal old Twilight, with the only difference being that she slurred a word or two. Rarity usually had the role of the drunk friend covered.

Seeing the familiar glow of the castle after walking a bit more caused her thoughts to cease, as she stopped to rest for a moment while exhaling heavily.

“Finally. We're close to putting this whole night behind us Twilight." Rarity stated while looking down to Twilight, but was met with the sight of Twilight steadily chewing on Rarity's mane. Normally, Rarity would be mortified to see someone doing such a thing to something she took such good care of, but she just didn’t have the energy to care at the moment, so her only response was a soft sigh.

“Twilight, please stop chewing on my mane.” she said while calmly pulling Twilights head up, causing her to drop her mane from her mouth and look up at her.

“Rarity, you smell like apples though. That means you gotta taste like apples. And I like apples. Don’t you like apples too?” she asked, looking up to Rarity with the curious look of a child.

“So you were just going to eat me, is that it?” she asked. She did indeed smell like apples, courtesy of a special perfume that Apple Jack and Apple Bloom got her for her last birthday. With Applebloom being interested in potions, she dabbled in perfume making from time to time, and a great job she did, if Rarity had to give her honest opinion.

“Well, if you wanted me to.” Twilight casually replied, and Rarity wasn't exactly sure what Twilight meant by that.

"Oookay Twilight, let's go." she said, almost wanting to laugh at Twilight's odd response. “Come on, we’re almost there.”

Rarity exhaled before continuing to help the drunken mare down the path that led to her front door. There was a long silence between the two before Twilight broke it.

“Rarity?”

“Yes Twilight?”

“Are you related to Apple Jack?”

“Are you asking me that because I smell like apples?”

“What?! N-no!”

“Are you suuure?” Rarity asked with a grin.

“...Noo...” Twilight admitted, looking back downwards. Rarity snorted a bit as she tried to contain her laugh.

Rarity snorted after hearing that response, finding it somewhat adorable.

“Hey, what's so funny?” Twilight asked with a slight pout.

“Oh, oh nothing dear.” she responded as they approached the first step of the castle.

Author's Note

Any feedback, negative or positive, is greatly appreciated. I have to improve somehow.

Chapter 2

“Oh, we’re here, wherever this is! Don’t worry Rarity, I’ll get the door!” Twilight announced upon reaching the giant crystal entrance, once again charging her horn to maximum power. At least that’s what it looked like to Rarity, given the bright violet glow it was giving off, along with the sparks shooting from it.

“Nonononono that’s okay dear! I’ll get it, it’s no problem at all, really!” said Rarity while rushing a hoof to her horn as if that would stop the magical powerhouse that is Twilight Sparkle. Thankfully the all-powerful alicorn listened and ceased action. Rarity was beginning to think that she was all that stood between Twilight and the utter destruction of the town.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Rarity used her own magic to slowly pull open the heavy front doors of the castle. Once she had gotten both her and Twilight inside, she shut the door and steadily knelt down with Twilight still leaning on her.

Once Twilight was safely on the ground, she took the time to close her eyes and lie down herself, taking in a deep breath, and an even longer exhale.

“Thank goodness we’re here. Alright Twilight darling, give me just a sec and I’ll help you...to...bed?”

When she opened her eyes to look at Twilight, who she could’ve sworn was just lying down as well, she was slowly spinning in circles while staring up in the air all the while, drawing a curious head tilt from Rarity.

“Um, Twilight, what are you doing?” she asked, expecting a ridiculous answer. What she got was pretty close to that.

“Wow Rarity. Your house is as beautiful as you are! Why would you ever want leave?!” Twilight asked, beginning to stumble from how dizzy she was making herself. No matter the circumstance, it was weird hearing that from her given how Twilight used to try and get away from this place.

Rarity giggled, nonetheless. “Well thanks dear," she responded, going over to stop Twilight from spinning to prevent her from further disorienting herself, "that compliment will not go unacknowledged, but one, this is a castle, and two, this is your humble abode.” she finished.

“Whaat?! No way!” she said before gasping. “That’s why you called me a princess earlier! I live in a castle, just like a princess would!” she yelled, beginning to spin again, but Rarity stopped her, not wanting to clean up a mess if Twilight became too disoriented.

“That’s right dear.”

“A beautiful princess, right Rarity?” Twilight asked, nudging Rarity a bit, as the unicorn just rolled her eyes playfully.

Now surrounded on all sides by walls, and no longer encumbered by one drunk Twilight Sparkle, she was a little more relaxed now. She might have just left her in the care of Spike, but he didn’t seem to be around. Twilight had mentioned before the party that Spike was out with Big Mac and others, so he was probably going to be gone for a while longer, if not the whole night, which he did from time to time.

Sweetie Belle was with her friends at Sweet Apple Acres with Granny Smith while they all went out, and Opal had enough food and water for the night, so she didn’t mind staying here with Twilight for a minute to make sure she didn’t hurt herself. Or break anything. Or shoot more planet destroying beams. At least long enough for her to get tired and fall asleep. Speaking of that, it still amazed her that Twilight was still standing. Something to do with her alicorn biology maybe? That had to be the case, as a normal pony would've been dead ten times over. The thought of Twilight drinking herself to death scared the absolute mess out of her. She put those thoughts aside for now to respond to Twilight.

“Oh, you remember me calling you beautiful, but forget where you lay your head every night?”

“What? I lay my head here? This sure doesn’t feel like a comfortable place to lay down. It’s cold, just like that bartender for not giving me what I asked for.” she pouted, putting her cheek down on the floor, then shivering from how cool it was.

“Well, he just didn't want to help you kill yourself Twilight, and I'm glad he made that decision. If he ever makes a commission, I will gladly do it for free." she said, before looking off to the side and grumbling,"...and I'm charging Rainbow Dash double for her next one."

"Wait...if this is my home....and I'm a princess....then that means...." she spoke in what she thought was a whisper before trotting, er, stumbling over to Rarity and putting both hooves on the unicorn's chest. Twilight almost slipped and fell off Rarity, but the unicorn made sure to catch her, Twilight holding onto Rarity's forearms tightly and using them for support.

“Then that means you’re my prince. Every princess with a castle needs a prince, and I choose you.” Twilight said, drawing another small laugh from Rarity, in turn, drawing a small pout from Twilight.

“Hey, I’m serious. Only the most beautiful of creatures can by my prince, so I nominate you.” she said proudly.

She decided not to ruin Twilights fun by saying that she would technically be a princess in a sense. Rarity, for reasons she couldn't truly understand, begin to play along with the alicorn. She was less tired all of a sudden, and maybe she wanted to make up for making her cry earlier. She behaved so innocently, almost like a child. Well, aside from some inappropriate comments she had made prior to their arrival at the castle. While she still condemned her actions that led to this, so far it didn’t seem too much trouble arose from the whole ordeal. At least no one was blasted to smithereens. Besides, she’s never seen Twilight like this before, so she was interested to see where this would go. Call it, an experiment for research purposes. Rarity laughed to herself, thinking that a report on what happened tonight would be the one report in the world that Twilight would hate to read.

“Oh my, I am truly honored my princess, who has become so open with me about my looks all of a sudden.” she said, followed by Twilight proudly putting a hoof on her own chest.

“Hey, I gotta tell it like it is, and what it is...like... it is, is that you’re the most beautiful thing within Equestria, and anyone who thinks otherwise will immediately be sent to the dungeon.” she sputtered, tapping Rarity’s chest every few words. Rarity giggled at Twilights attempt at a coherent sentence. She also found the thought of a prince, or someone of the sort, incarcerating someone else just for her quite flattering. She wouldn’t agree to let it happen, she just found it flattering was all.

“What? Just Equestria? Not the world darling?” she asked playfully.

“Uh, wait! That’s what I meant! Can I take it back?!” Twilight pleaded.

Rarity looked off to the side as she tapped her hoof on her chin, feeling slightly guilty for delighting in Twilight’s panicked look.

“Hmmm alright, I guess I can allow that. Equestria is still a vast place after all.” she finished, while Twilight hoof pumped with a quiet “Yes!” to which Rarity laughed in response. She felt slightly bad for teasing a drunk Twilight, but she just couldn’t help herself.

Once Twilight was done with her post-compliment celebration, she trotted down the main hallway, squinting her eyes while looking left and right at the walls. Twilight sure was lively and full of energy now, but Rarity still didn’t think it was safe to leave her alone, so she trotted after her. Most ponies would be out cold by now, but here was Twilight, prancing around like a kid in a toy store, though continuing to stumble here and there. Was she sobering up, Rarity wondered, before watching Twilight trip on nothing, then stare around to stare at the spot she tripped on like its whole purpose in life was to impede her progression.

“Where to now, my princess?” she asked while keeping a brisk pace right behind Twilight, prepared to catch her should she fall or something.

Twilight, not seeming to have heard her, continued to scan the walls. “They were around here somewhere...aha!” she yelled as she laid her eyes on a bouquet of purple flowers that were hung on the wall right above one of the stained-glass windows. Upon hearing that, Rarity assumed that Twilight finally remembered that this was her castle and where things were located for the most part.

Twilight used her magic to...unfortunately pull out a chunk of the wall right next to where the flowers were. Rarity winced at the damage done to the beautiful castle, but at least she didn’t shoot off another huge blast. Seriously, she did not want that to happen again.

“Whoops, let’s try that again.” she said while dropping the piece of crystal she had excavated from the wall on the ground beside Rarity, causing the unicorn to jump and yelp in surprise. Rarity didn’t much care to have the words “Death by crystal wall”, written in any mortuary report, or uttered by anyone when referring to how she died. She preferred to pass peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by loved ones thank you.

“Um Twilight, maybe I should-”

“No no, it’s okay, I got this.” she said, squinting her eyes and licking her lips in concentration.

Twilight's second attempt at getting the flowers was successful. It was just a shame that she broke off the piece of the wall that the flowers were affixed to as well.

“Ah, there we go!” she said while levitating the flowers down to her, as well as the chunk of crystal that the flowers were still attached to, to present in front of Rarity. In hindsight, Rarity should have tried harder to stop her the second time, but Twilight told her about the fruit incident with her parents during her magical exam, so she was in no rush to be in between her friend and unfocused magic, especially now that she was more powerful. She'd probably just blow Rarity up at this point.

“Oh my, um, for me, Twilight?” she asked with a hoof to her chest, just glad that Twilight stopped doing damage to her own home.

“Of course. Beautiful flowers, for a beautiful prince.” she said, while levitating the slightly roughed up flowers towards Rarity. Rarity pitied the poor, half destroyed flowers, but took them out of their holder, nonetheless.

“Well, thanks dear. These flowers are absolutely divine, I-“ Rarity said, before being cut off by the sound of the chunk of crystal Twilight was still holding being dropped on the ground. What immediately followed was the wailing of a mare, once again in distress.

“Twilight, what’s wrong now?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

When she looked up from the flowers, Twilight was crying like a child who had dropped their ice cream on the ground, which was a suitable choice of words, given her behavior this evening.

“I was trying to get the flowers off the wall, but now there’s a giant hole in the wall, so the castle isn’t beautiful anymore, so that means I’m not beautiful, and now you’re gonna hate meee, because who could love an ugly princeeeess” she finished, falling into despair once more and crying waterfalls.

Seemed Twilight had finally realized what she had done to the wall. Rarity could only describe Twilights rambling as that of a foal trying to explain how they hurt themselves to their parent, so she guessed she would respond as such.

“Nooo sweetheart, that’s not true, you’re still the most beautiful princess in the world. Your castle doesn’t determine your outer beauty.” she told Twilight while grabbing her shoulders.

“But Rarity, what kind of beautiful princess lives in an ugly castle?” she asked, waving a hoof around their heads. “No one, that’s who! I’m condemning this place, effective immediately!” Twilight yelled, turning her horn to the wall and seemingly getting ready to fire another earth-shattering blast until a panicked Rarity grabbed Twilights face and brought it back to her, sighing in relief as Twilight powered down her horn.

It was official. Rarity was now the sole guardian of Ponyville, as long as Twilight kept preparing to destroy it every five minutes.

“Dear, it’s going to take far more than one little imperfection to ruin a structure as amazing as this.” she said while holding a hoof in the air. “Besides, fixing something this minor is mere…..foals play, for mares of our talent and stature. Observe.” she finished with a nervous chuckle.

Looking at it again, she had no idea if the crystal chunks were going to go back in so easily. They had so many edges, and were oddly shaped. They weren’t exactly puzzle pieces that you could just slide back in or somethi-

“Oh, well would you look at that?” she said, slightly shocked by what she was able to accomplish. She had managed to lift up the pieces, as heavy as they were, and slide with them back in with surprisingly minimal effort. Thank goodness for Twilight pulling them out so cleanly. Now that she thought about it, she wondered if the castle could have grown back the pieces on its own or something. She wouldn’t be surprised, given the circumstances of its creation and all.

“See darling? Nothing a little magic can’t fix.” she said, drawing a small smile from Twilight. Just when they thought everything was okay, the crystals she had put back in, along with an even larger piece, somehow proceeded to fall from the wall and shatter once they hit the ground.

“Uh oh...” said Rarity, as she looked to Twilight, who was already making a whining noise in preparation to start crying again.

“Don’t cry darling, don’t cry! It’s alright!” pleaded Rarity. At the same time, she held her shoulder while stroking her back, attempting to stop Twilight before she fell into another fit of wailing.

“We’ll find some way to fix it, we just need time figure something out!” said Rarity, trying to give Twilight the most reassuring smile she could muster. “Please don’t be sad. You are just as beautiful as the day I first saw you, long before you had this castle, and you have only become more of a marvel to look at over the years.” she finished.

“Have I really? You’re just saying that to make me feel better.” Twilight said, looking down at the floor, before Rarity pulled her head up with her hoof. “I’m still ugly.” Twilight added.

“My precious Twilight, I mean that with my whole heart. I would never lie about that.” Rarity said, but Twilight continued to pout with moisture filled eyes, occasionally glancing at the floor.

Although Rarity had mostly said to make her feel better, it didn't mean that she was lying, most certainly not. Twilight had always been a sight for the eyes, and Rarity secretly appreciated her naturally well sculpted body, often finding herself staring at her a bit too long at times, but she swore she only did that because she was just appreciating her looks, and nothing more. It might be why when they go out for lunch, Rarity would occasionally attempt to persuade Twilight not to get the most calorie filled item on the menu, out of fear of the alicorn ruining her perfect figure.

Rarity wasn’t sure what would work for a Twilight who had basically reverted back to being a child, but she knew what worked for Sweetie Belle.

“Twiliiight, do you still not believe me? Is my cutie princess going to pout all night?” Rarity said while grabbing both Twilight’s cheeks. Twilight responded by calmly pulling her head away, but Rarity could tell Twilight was trying to hold in a smile after she said that.

“I’m not cute, I’m beautiful.” she said, pouting even harder while crossing her forearms. Rarity smiled, while putting the side of her head on Twilights.

“Well, how about this? This prince would be happy to see her cute “and” beautiful princess with a big smile on her face, and we know she would be happier herself if she did so.” Rarity said, poking Twilight slightly in the stomach with every third word or so, causing the giggles that she had been trying so hard to keep contained to come bursting forth.

“There she is, my giggling little princess! I was wondering where she went.” Rarity said, almost falling into a genuine fit of giggles herself from watching Twilight. She took a moment to just look at Twilight, as she donned a genuine smile from watching Twilight act so bubbly.

“Oh, isn’t she just just something else?”Rarity said to herself as her smile grew.

Rarity went from being annoyed, to somewhat intrigued by Twilight as the night went on. She had seen her other friends drunk before, but never Twilight. Even Fluttershy had gone off the deep end a time or two before.

“Rarity? Rarity, you okay?”

Rarity had snapped out of a trance that she didn’t realize she was in and noticed that Twilight was now staring at her.

“I...didn’t realize I was staring at her for so long.” she told herself.

“Oh, *ahem* yes darling, I’m okay. Sorry, what were you saying?”

“Oh nothing, just that you’re such an amazing friend. You always know what to say to make me happy, and...you have amazing eyes, you know that?” Rarity blushed at that comment, but before she could say anything, Twilight had pulled her into a hug.

This wasn’t like the forceful hug that she was subjected to earlier while outside, but a soft, meaningful one. Twilight buried her head into Rarity's neck and moaned contently causing Rarity to blush even more, but not moving an inch. She questioned why she became so flustered over something they do all the time, but then eventually returned the hug.

The compliment about her eyes caught her off guard a bit, but she didn’t know why, since Twilight had been saying stuff like that all night.

“Oh, of course darling, someone as beautiful as you should be happy all the time...and you have amazing eyes too.” she said, glad to return the compliment, but then began hearing sniffles, which she responded to be rolling her eyes again, out of view of Twilight thankfully.

“Twilight, whatever you’re upset about, I’m sure it’s fine dear. Everything’s okay.” she assured Twilight while rubbing her back up and down, assuming Twilight was crying over something that wasn’t a huge deal.

“N-no, I’m not sad anymore, it’s just, you really are an amazing friend. I don’t deserve you, and I never will.” she said, beginning to sob on Rarity’s shoulder, making Rarity sigh with slight exasperation, but then smile genuinely.

“Twilight, how could you say that? I love being your friend, more than anything dear.” she said, causing Twilight to pull back from the hug to look at her.

“More than your dresses?” she asked.

“Twilight you’re more than a dress, you’re a pony, and one of my favorite ones at that.” she said, turning to wink at Twilight, causing her to blush a bit.

“Really, do you mean that?”

“I do darling.”

“I still wanna hear you say it. Say it say it say it say it-“Twilight repeated, hopping up and down. Rarity rolled her eyes for the millionth time that night, before laying them back on Twilight and cutting her off.

“Okay, okay Twilight. My goodness you’re so rambunctious.” she giggled. “I love being your friend, mooore than I love my dresses. Happy dear?” she said.

“Very.” Twilight said, erupting into giggles once more. The rate at which ponies cycled through emotions while drunk was always so fascinating. She should know, given what she could remember from her own personal benders, as well as witnessing many other’s successful attempts at getting plastered.

For a few seconds, Twilight stared at Rarity with all the love and affection a child would show to their mother, then pulling her into another hug and speaking into her shoulder.

“Rarity?”

“Yes Twilight?”

“I’m thirsty.”

Rarity, as if her exhaustion had caught up to her once again, inhaled and exhaled while giving Twilight a tired looking smile.

“Of course you are darling, but you know what, me too.” Rarity said, remembering how parched she had been herself, and slightly pushing Twilight away as she prepared to get up.

“Should we make our way to the kitchen? I think the cure for our dehydration has evaded us long enough.” she asked Twilight. Rarity stood up, followed by Twilight quickly getting up as well and basically throwing herself onto Rarity while nuzzling her neck heavily, drawing a blush from the unicorn who was now laughing at Twilights antics.

“Ohohohahaha I’ll take that as a yes darling! C-care to give your prince a little space though?” asked Rarity, not exactly sure what to make of slightly aggressive contact. Not like it’s something new or anything, so why should it really bother her?

“Nuh uh! You’re too warm Rarity, and you smell really good.” said Twilight, pushing her head and nose further into Rarity’s neck, causing her to jump a little in surprise and blush even harder. “And a prince needs to as close to her princess as possible.”

“Hm, guess...I can’t argue with that.” Rarity said, wondering why she was secretly glad that Twilight chose to stay attached to her. Like she told herself earlier, Twilight was a comfortable pony to hug, so maybe that’s all it was. Pushing those thoughts to the side, Rarity hummed with a smile while Twilight placed her head on hers as they made their way down the corridor and towards the kitchen.

Chapter 3

Rarity couldn't help but think about how affectionate Twilight was under the influence, not to mention a generosity that rivaled hers when it came to compliments. She couldn't remember ever being called pretty so many times by one pony in such a small amount of time, drunk or not, but she just guessed that everyone had their own split personality that came out when they went too far, and this was just hers.

Rainbow Dash became even more of a mischievous prankster if you put enough hard ciders in her. Fluttershy turned into someone who...surprisingly had a lot to say about things she didn't like, and she did not hold her tongue on some of those topics, if many of the curses she threw around were any indication. She was almost positive that one of the words Fluttershy spoke was a slur of some kind. Apple Jack turned into a brawler and tried to fight everyone near her, and Pinkie, well, they tried not to talk about Pinkie being drunk. She shuttered, thinking about the railcar incident.

They continued walking down the corridors of Twilights castle, with Rarity occasionally glancing up at the towering walls they walked between. She could absolutely see why Twilight was doing everything she could to stay away from this place that one time, given how big this place was. They did what they could in the end though, and everyone seemed satisfied with the result. Especially Twilight, and that's what really mattered.

As Rarity said that last thing to herself, she noticed Twilight had begun to nuzzle once more. The poor girl has had to deal with so much these past few years. Maybe it all became too much, leading to her looking for a temporary escape. While she didn’t recommend Twilight do this often, or at all honestly, maybe she really needed this.

Rarity had a busy life herself, and while she played an integral role when it came to Equestria and it’s safety, the fate of the country rested more on Twilight’s decisions and actions for the most part when it came to the six of them. That’s got to be a somewhat different type of stress than what she deals with. Depending on how you looked at it, if she failed, she just became homeless or something. If Twilight failed, there wouldn't be a world to be homeless in. She wasn't sure if that last part was entirely true or not, given how it usually took all of six of them to save the world at times. She knew that Twilight was more than capable of handling things, but that didn’t mean that it didn’t come with its own set of hardships.

As these thoughts swirled around her head, she took a moment to shift her eyes toward the mare who had pretty much been attached to her for most of the evening. Twilight seemed so content, so at peace, as opposed to how she had seen Twilight in recent weeks. She’s had all of this thrust onto her at such a young age, and was handling it all surprisingly well.

The more she interacted with Twilight, the more she felt terrible for yelling at her, as well as treating her the way she did. Maybe she should have taken a moment to think about what she had been going through. She should’ve seen the signs, from being cooped up her your office, to constantly turning down invitations to go out with her and the other girls. Spike had mentioned that she hadn’t been talking as much when at home, as well as forgetting to eat. When she had finally agreed to come out with her, she...er, they were ecstatic. Now that she thought back on some of the night's events, she chuckled a little. Whatever was going on with Twilight, she definitely let it out at the party. Her thoughts were interrupted by another aggressive push into her neck from the absolutely delirious mare beside her.

“My Twilight, you sure are rather, eh, close to me this evening.” she said. Her blush had not left her ever since Twilight had attached herself to Rarity’s hip. She was no stranger to being this touchy with her friends before, so she decided the heat in her cheeks was just from how warm it was with Twilight on her. And she assumed the blush in Twilights face was from the alcohol still in her system.

“I just like being close to you Rarity...” she replied with a smile, followed by a small frown....“but, I’ve already upset you enough tonight, so if you want me to get off of you, I will.”

“No no, you’re fine darling, I don’t mind. Besides, y-you’re still a little tipsy, so I’m willing to help you stand on your hooves a little while longer.”

She had no idea why she was so quick to say that. Whatever the reason, Twilight responded by giggling and turning her head to bury her face into Rarity’s neck once more, causing the designer to stiffen a bit as her blush widened across her face once again.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way, Rarity.” Twilight said as they continued to the kitchen. She felt a strange relief when Twilight chose to stay close, then questioned why she did so. She went with the fact that it was pretty cool inside the castle, and just appreciated being close to someone warm.

The two walked slowly in silence for a bit, with Twilight humming contently as Rarity wore a smile that she wasn’t currently aware of. "Now, where is this darn kitchen? I should know where it's at, but it feels like we've been walking in circles."

“Rarity, have I ever told you just how wonderful you are?” Twilight asked out of nowhere.

“Well, you have been calling me pretty all night.” she giggled.

“Yeah, because you are of course, but all it does is compliment your inside beauty. From your looks, all the way to your personality and generosity, you’re everything that anyone could ever want and more. Out of everyone that could’ve been with me tonight, I’m glad it was you, Rarity.”

“Oh, Twilight, I don’t know what to say.” said Rarity. Sober or not, that genuinely felt nice to hear, even though she had been hearing things like that all night. It’s like she was slowly being worn down by Twilight’s seemingly endless stream of compliments.

“It’s okay. We don’t have to talk anymore if you don’t want to. I just wanted to get that out because, after everything, you’ve taken such good care of me. You could have just dropped me off at the door and left, but you stayed.”

“And what in the world makes you think I’d do that, Ms. Sparkle?”

“I don’t know, I made you pretty mad earlier so I thought you wouldn’t wanna see me again.” she finished, making Rarity gasp softly.

“Twilight, drunk or not, I can’t believe what you just said! I stayed because I wanted to make sure you were alright.” she said. “Because we’re friends.”

“Best friends!” Twilight added, once again smiling happily and nuzzling her softly.

“Yes Twilight, best friends.” she said with a short laugh.

“Y’know Rarity, I wouldn’t mind if you stayed forever.”

“Oh, is that so?” Rarity asked, not taking Twilights little comment too seriously.

“It is so. Waking up to such a beautiful face every morning? Not to mention she does everything to make sure you’re ok. She’s such an amazing pony, and I think the world is an amazing place just by her existing.”

Once again, Twilight managed to hit that tried-and-true soft spot Rarity had for being complimented, and she couldn’t help but feel great joy from her friend's choice of words.

“Aaaaw Twilight, that was incredibly sweet of you! Where did that come from?” she asked, nuzzling Twilight slightly in return.

“I don’t know, but I mean it.” she said with a content sigh. “I mean, they are the reasons I fell in love with you and all.”

Rarity stopped dead in her tracks as her mind froze almost as fast as she did. What did Twilight just say?

“T-Twilight, what did you say? Just now?” Rarity asked with slightly wide eyes.

“Huh? What do you mean? I just said that I love you Rarity. You’re the bestest friend I could have ever asked for.” said Twilight, stopping shortly after Rarity did and turning to face her with a smile.

Rarity wasn’t exactly sure what Twilight meant by that. Was Rarity overthinking it and Twilight was just saying that she loved her as a friend? It was how she said it that caught Rarity off guard. Of course, she loved Twilight in return, but not like that, right? That shouldn’t have bothered her as much as it did, but here she was, blushing, nonetheless.

“Oh, well I, love you too darling.” she replied nervously, still a little shaken by Twilight’s words.

“How much?” Twilight asked. Rarity had no problem telling Twilight just how much she loved her, but Twilight was giving her a stare that Rarity used to give to ponies when she wanted a discount on something at a shop, so now she wasn’t sure how to respond.

“W-well, as much as you love me, I guess.” she responded nervously, still slightly shaken up from Twilights earlier statement.

“Really?” Twilight asked, as she got closer to Rarity.

“U-um, of course, darling. You’re very close to me.” she said, as Twilight gave her one more aggressive nuzzle, causing Rarity to let out a very quiet yelp in surprise. “Yes, v-very close indeed.” Now that Twilight said that, the close contact felt a little different.

As different as it felt though, it seemed that every time that Twilight nuzzled her, the longer Rarity didn’t mind letting it go on for. She wasn’t sure how to feel about getting this comfortable with her antics, so she figured she should put a little space in between them, even though that thought made her a little upset for some reason.

“Twilight, as nice as this is, we should really get to the kitchen.” she said, pulling away slightly, causing Twilight to pout a little before attaching herself to Rarity once again.

“Why, what’s the rush?” Twilight replied, as she began circling a now-sitting Rarity while still nuzzling her, like an affectionate cat does to their owner, another fitting choice of words considering how Twilight had been on Rarity ever since arriving at the castle. If only Opaline was this affectionate, she thought.

Rarity began to wonder just how far she was willing to let actions like this go on for before deciding it was too much. That was the thing though, she was mysteriously getting used to this new Twilight, and that’s what was starting to worry her a bit, and she couldn’t figure out why exactly. Probably had something to do with how her drunk friend had been getting more and more intimate with her as the night went on, and not only was the unicorn not stopping it, but she was sort of becoming more welcoming towards it.

Very rarely has she been on the receiving end of such an affectionate, albeit drunk pony, especially one who has been as intense as Twilight has. Maybe because their friendship was already so strong, she didn’t mind this much contact. As long as it didn’t go too far in “that” direction, she decided to let Twilight do as she liked. Is it really such a bad thing that Twilight is so close? As long as nothing crazy happens, right?

“Well, aren’t you still thirsty dear?”

“Oh, I’m thirsty alright.” replied Twilight, giving Rarity a sultry stare.

Upon hearing that, she was immediately reminded that Twilight was just saying anything she fancied because of the drunken state she was in. She also decided that she was just thinking too hard about things, and would just let Twilight be her drunk self until she got it out of her system. Rarity knew that she had been this way enough times to know how ponies get when drunk, even though Twilight was being a little more emotionally aggressive than most ponies she's seen act this way. She was going to give herself a headache with all of this overthinking, well, more of a headache. She needed to relax she told herself, as she sighed quietly.

“Aaaand you have officially used up your last raunchy joke for the evening Ms. Sparkle.” she said, pulling away from Twilight and walking a bit further ahead, as Twilight quickly caught up to walk beside her.

“Raunchy? Oh no, I can show you raunchy Rarity, if you give me that chance.”

“I think not, Twilight Sparkle. I think you’ve had enough fun for tonight, and I don’t get that close with just anyone you know?” she said, causing Twilight to don her signature pout.

“Hey, I’m not just anyone Rarity. I’m your princess, and you’re my prince, aaand my best friend. I think I should get special privileges.”

“Twilight, I’ve probably let you touch me more tonight than I have any other pony in my entire life, other than my parents and dear sister. You are well within your “special privileges”.”

“So, what you’re saying is that you wouldn’t let any other pony touch you like I have before?” said Twilight with a smirk. “Besides, a prince and her princess can do much more than just hug each other y’know?”

“No Twilight, that’s not what I *pfft* that’s not what I meant you naughty little girl, and you know that.” said Rarity, as she tried to stifle a laugh, then fanning her face. She forgot that a drunk Twilight had her funny moments, however crude and inappropriate her words were.

“Well, what do you mean, “darling”?” Twilight mocked as Rarity rolled her eyes and waved a hoof at her.

“Twilight, did I not become your prince no more than a little while ago? I think it’s a little too soon to get that close, don’t you agree?”

“No, I don’t agree. I wanna touch you how I like, whenever I like.” Twilight said with her nose in the air. Rarity wasn’t sure if that was a little aggressive sounding or not, but laughed it off anyways.

“My word Twilight, there’s a name for ponies like you, y’know that?” she giggled.

“What? I’m just trying to show you how much I looove you.” Twilight sung, making Rarity laugh nervously for some reason. Rarity had to remind herself again that Twilight was just drunk.

“There are plenty of other ways to show your love other than having your way with me my dear.”

“Hmmm, okay, how about this then?” Twilight said, stopping in her tracks, as Rarity did the same. “I wanna show you how much I love you, but you don’t want me going too far. I think I have an idea.”

“Twilight, I swear if you ask me something else ridiculous...”

“Nonono, I think you’ll like this one.” she said, as Rarity sighed.

“Okay, I’m listening.” she said, sitting down in front of Twilight to listen to her proposition.

“Alright, so, get this. I wanna see just how comfortable I can get with you before you get uncomfortable.”

“Okaaay?” she said, raising aneyebrow.

“So, I get closer and touchier with you, and you tell me when to stop.”

“Twilight, you’ve been all over me all night. How much closer do you plan on getting?”

“Well, that’s for you to decide.” Twilight said with a chuckle.

Rarity knew Twilight was up to no good with this game, but she oddly thought it to be a fun little idea, so she decided to play along. After all, the rules were clear. She got to tell Twilight when to stop.

“Okay Twilight, I’m game.”

“Yes! Okay, so I’ll start slow.” Twilight said, while sidling up to Rarity until their coats were touching. They sat there for a few seconds as they both shifted slightly as if trying to get comfortable.

“So Rarity, how ya feeling?” Twilight asked, as Rarity looked at the both of them, looking around, then laying her eyes back on Twilight.

“Hmm, well...I feel quite okay. I can't exactly complain. How about you darling?” Rarity said, Twilight donning a grin in response. Seeing that, Rarity knew the princess was about to say something heinous.

“Oh, I feel amazing Rarity. And by amazing, I mean I'm-”

“Twilight, I know what naughty thing you were about to say, and I swear, I will end this game and you will go to bed thirsty.” she said while trying to sound serious, but started to giggle near the end of her sentence.

“Oooooh I think I like this game better Rarity. You can be my mom any day.” Twilight said, playfully pushing Rarity, causing the unicorn to fan her face for a second. Twilight was being so shamelessly flirtatious that Rarity couldn’t hold her laugh in anymore. She must've been taking pages out of Rarity's book.

“Twilight, you are unbelievable. Have you no shame? I can’t believe what I’m hearing from you!” she laughed, as Twilight wrapped both hooves around Rarity’s waist and put her cheek on hers.

“Oh I’m not that bad Rarity. By the way, how’s this?” she asked, referring to how she was now holding Rarity.

“This is nothing compared to what you’ve already been doing darling.

“Oooh so you think I don’t have any more surprises for you?” Twilight said in a high pitched tone.

“Twilight, don’t get any funny ideas. I don’t believe your surprises are of the innocent variety, so I’m afraid to answer that.”

“Hmm, so, would...tickling, be considered a funny idea?” Twilight asked with a mischievous grin, as Rarity frowned and immediately tried to get out of Twilight’s grasp, which had suddenly become a death grip after saying that. Curse her newfound alicorn strength.

“Twilight Sparkle...”

“I mean, it seems pretty innocent to me.”

“I swear to Celestia, don’t you dare.”

“Hey, you said I was well within my special privileges.”

“That’s not what I meant Twilight, and you know th-” Rarity said, before she was cut off by Twilight’s hoofs digging into her sides.

Rarity would have originally been furious if Twilight just started tickling her out of nowhere, but now that they were off the streets and safely between the walls of the castle, she was calmer and more relaxed. Besides, she had slowly been warming up to this newer version of Twilight, so it's not like she was having a terrible time or anything.

“Twilight! Twilight you evil little girl, get off me this instant!! Ahahaha!!” she screamed, as she flailed around.

“If I remember correctly, a certain someone said I could do whatever I wanted once we arrived safely here.” said Twilight, momentarily pausing her tickling of the white mare.

“I can’t believe you remember that! If, If I knew you were going to take advantage of me saying that, then maybe I would’ve left you at the front door!” yelled a laughing Rarity, causing Twilight to back off her and don a frown.

“Do, do you really mean that?” Twilight asked, her sad expression causing Rarity to feel her heart drop a little.

“Oh, Twilight, you know I didn’t mean it like that darling.” she said, still trying to catch her breath. Almost immediately after those words left Rarity's mouth, Twilight looked down for a second, then looked back up at Rarity with another mischievous smile.

“Now you’re really gonna get it!” she exclaimed as she prepared to leap.

“Twilight! Twilight no- AHAHAHA!!” Rarity pleaded, but Twilight was on top of Rarity once more, tickling her sides twice as vigorously, while blowing into her neck, causing Rarity to screech at the top of her lungs.

“Twilight! You are absolutely foul, tricking me like that!” she yelled, her laughing seeming to echo all across the castle. “I’m so gonna get you back for this!!” she yelled as Twilight pulled back to look her in the eyes.

“You’ll have to escape from me first, Rarity!” she said, before going back to blow more raspberries into her neck.

“Oh, I will! You will rue this day Twilight Sparkle, I swear!” she yelled between laughs and gasps for air.

Earlier, she was wondering what the others may think of the two mares acting like this, but now, that was one of the furthest things from her mind. She was enjoying herself far too much right now to worry about such things. These were one of the moments she always imagined having with her partner, when or if she found them. She hadn’t laughed this hard in a while, or had this much fun for that matter. Maybe this was the stress relief she needed as well. She was having so much fun in fact, that she almost didn’t notice Twilight had stopped blowing into her neck and tickling her.

As her breathing steadied and her laughter died down, her eyes remained closed as she felt Twilight slowly going up and down the side of her neck with her nose, then eventually feeling soft pecks on her neck, cheek, and bottom of her chin. Whatever Twilight was doing now, it no longer felt ticklish, but instead quite pleasant. It felt...so...

Rarity suddenly stood up and stumbled backwards a few steps before falling on her hindquarters, slightly startling Twilight. She sat there for a second with a flushed face while breathing heavily.

“Twilight, you were kissing me!” Just now!” Rarity exclaimed, making Twilight chuckle.

“I sure was, and by the way you moaned, you seemed to be enjoying it.” she said with a sultry grin, causing Rarity to blush so hard that her whole body threatened to turn red.

“I was what?!” Moaning?! Huh?” she blurted out.

“I’d be more than happy to give my gorgeous prince some more if she’d like?” Twilight suggested. Rarity was still trying to process what had just happened, but at the same time, she was curious about something.

“Twilight, when did you start doing that?”

“Well, almost as soon as I stopped tickling you. You didn’t stop me immediately, so I....thought you were ok with it.” she said, slowly noticing the expression on the flustered unicorn's face, as a frown started to show on her own. Rarity honestly had no idea Twilight had gotten that intimate with her without her noticing. Was she still drunk herself or something?

“I was...enjoying it...she said? How did I not notice anything until the last minute? She was very comfortable to be near, sure. Her head leaning into my neck, her wonderfully soft kisses going up and down my face like-”

Rarity blinked multiple times, in disbelief at what she was saying to herself, what she was feeling. She had to take a moment to think, with that moment turning into a whole twenty seconds of her just staring at Twilight.

“Rarity?”

Rarity’s thoughts were interrupted by Twilight, who she had almost completely forgotten was there while she was stuck in her own head. She looked up and, for the hundredth time that night, Twilight was on the verge of tears.

“It’s...clear that you didn’t like me doing that to you. I hope I didn’t cross a line or anything. I...I’ve been wanting to do that for a while and, we had gotten so close and...I couldn’t help myself I guess.” she said, starting to sniffle a little.

There it was again. The look that made Rarity’s heart sink, but at the same time, there was something oddly captivating about a teary-eyed Twilight, and she couldn’t put a hoof on it. Not that she reveled in the mare’s misery or anything, and she wanted to do everything she could to help her be happy again, but for some reason, she just...found her to be somewhat beautiful when she cried.

Her mane ruffled like she just got out of bed, glistening tears streaming down her cheeks, her lowered ears, the red that had never left her face the entire night she was with her. Rarity had watched Twilight cry almost all night, so why was she just now thinking about how she looked when sad?

They were spending a lot of time together, and Twilight had been so open with her feelings, even though they probably weren’t real, and just the by-product of her inhibitions being lowered from her heavy consumption of alcohol. If Rarity was being honest, she was enjoying Twilight’s company, and the way Twilight was basically battering her with compliments. Yeah, she remained in a drunken haze, but the things most ponies said when drunk were based off real feelings a lot of the time, at least in her experience. Was this still the case for Twilight right now? No, couldn't be. Where did that thought even come from?

“This isn’t Twilight. It’s just the alcohol talking. Twilight’s a shy bookworm, who is easily flustered by the smallest of compliments. A pony who tells lame jokes, then laughs at them like there’s no tomorrow. Her adorable snort when you manage to make her laugh at something silly, the way her...her half-lidded eyes scan each page as she reads them. The way she comforts me, even over the silliest things, and deals with my antics. And her hugs, gods, Twilight gave the best hugs, and how she nuzzles you with each one when she notices you’ve had a long day, and assures you everything will be okay. Her naturally well sculpted curves, her deep purple eyes you could get lost in, and-”

Rarity paused her thoughts to blink rapidly again and don a subtle look of shock and disbelief. As much as Rarity tried to gain control of her own mind, these intrusive thoughts continued to bubble forth.

“Rarity, what is wrong with you? Get ahold of yourself. You’re not thinking clearly. You’re just... still not sober apparently, that’s it, and you need to get a grip! Get your mind out of the gutter! Twilight is just an amazing friend, and that’s all! Sure you find her amazing and everything but, you don’t like her like that.”

“Rarity, you’re scaring me...you’ve been quiet for a long time. Did...did I mess up that bad?” she asked.

As Rarity continued to stare at her still tipsy friend, the mare seemed to change right before her very eyes. Nothing had really changed with her physically, but she still managed to radiate somehow. Her watery eyes were closed halfway as she had a hoof up to her chest as if it hurt. Her wings were draped halfway over the front of her body, her tail lay in front of her, as her ears laid flat against her head while a strand of her hair fell across her face. She just looked so...

That’s when Rarity felt it. Her heart skipping a beat. It skipped, it jogged, then ran so hard it felt like she was going to lose it.

“Oh, oh my...” she said, putting her hoof over her chest, as if to keep the organ that kept her alive from bursting out of her.

“Rarity, please say something.” Twilight pleaded.

As Twilight’s words finally brought her back to the real world, with her face redder than ever, she managed to get some words out, even if they didn’t come out like she wanted them to.

“No no, darling! You’re fine, I...might’ve overreacted, or maybe not, I don’t know...I just. You can’t just...I mean...” Rarity was a blubbering, flustered mess. She seemingly couldn’t put more than a few words together without fumbling the whole sentence, all the while looking everywhere but at the mare who was making her act like a smitten school filly. There were ponies out there who would pay good money to see the usually lady-like and composed Rarity reduced to this.

“Rarity.”

When Rarity finally mustered up the willpower to lay eyes on the alicorn, she saw that the princess was just about face to face with her.

“Rarity, if you’re upset with me, then I understand. I apologize for my actions tonight. My mind is just, so jumbled right now. I can’t think straight, and for some reason, it gets harder to control myself when I’m near you. My mind goes blank, and my body just does what it wants. I don’t know what’s wrong with me...my head hurts, everything feels foggy...and I just...Oh, I ruined everything, didn’t I? I’m sorry...” Twilight trailed off as she started to let the tears flow once again. Twilight has probably never been this wasted before, so her mind is probably in more of a whirlpool of emotions than Rarity could imagine.

Rarity wasn’t sure how to react, other than bringing Twilight into another deep hug that Twilight quickly melted into. As if a mother consoling her child, Rarity rubbed her back and nuzzled the top of her head, with Twilight resting hers under Rarity’s. She’d worry about her new feelings later. Right now, she wanted to tend to Twilight.

“Nooo, no Twilight. I’m sorry darling, I might’ve overreacted a bit. I hope you’re not upset with me.” she said as sweetly as she could, quickly getting out of her flustered state from earlier.

“I could never be mad at you Rarity.” she said, relaxing even more into Rarity’s warm embrace.

“That’s good dear, and you’re alright, I promise. You’ve just had a lot to drink, and a glass of water and a good night’s rest will have you feeling better.” she said as she rubbed Twilight’s back slowly.

“I’m so sorry for being a mess like this Rarity.”

“Oh Twilight darling, I’m not worried about anything like that. All I care about is you feeling better.” she said back.

“But I’m still sorry. I never meant to cause you trouble. I just….well…..things have been so stressful lately Rarity. In my life I mean. I saw my chance to have a little fun, and I let it get out of control. If I had just been more careful, we wouldn’t be here.” she spoke between sniffles, as Rarity’s expression softened even more upon hearing this.

As she suspected before, Twilight really was just trying to blow off some steam. Seemed like the stress really had caught up to her. Rarity sort of knew how Twilight felt, given her own profession and all with tailoring and trying to keep her fashion businesses up and running, but Twilight wasn’t a dress maker. She was one of the leaders of an entire nation, head mare of a school, as well as many other things. There was no telling how much pressure she was truly under and not telling anyone.

“That might be so Twilight, but you act as if this was the worst night of our lives, when that couldn’t be any further from the truth. I’ve enjoyed myself just as much as you have, quite frankly.”

“You’re lying Rarity, you’re just trying to make me feel better, like earlier.” said Twilight. “If I messed up, just tell me. I can take it.” she said. Something told Rarity that Twilight would not be able to handle being told that she had been a nuisance all night. It didn’t matter though, because Rarity didn’t feel that Twilight was a nuisance anyways. Well, not since arriving to the castle at least. She was going to deal with Twilight and her shenanigans all night no matter what, so that's all that mattered.

“Oh Twilight, I’m not lying, I just...” Rarity looked up and around as she tried to think of something that she could tell Twilight to deliver her from her emotional state. Then she suddenly thought of something. She leaned down and gave a long and loving kiss on the side of Twilights head. In response to this, Twilights ears perked up as she turned to look at Rarity, who smiled at how Twilight seemed to switch moods because that small gesture.

“I don’t know how to convince you Twilight, but I’ll say this. I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be right now.” she said, causing the mare to smile at Rarity with eyes that the unicorn couldn’t look away from, even if she wanted to.

“I know things are hard Twilight, but you’re doing an amazing job. No one could have done what you have so far, and you’re only going to do greater things from here on out. You have friends Twilight, don’t forget that. We’re here for you, remember?” she said before pausing for a second to look away, before looking back at Twilight. “I'm here for you.” she finished.

She didn’t blink, nor did she look away for even a second as she said those words. Twilight blushed heavily in response. The two just stared at each other, until Twilight finally got off of Rarity, then proceeding to sit there in front of her for a second as Rarity stared back at her in return, waiting to see what would happen next.

“Rarity, am I actually as amazing as you say I am?”

“What? What do you mean, of course you are darling.” Rarity said. Her rapidly beating heart would absolutely agree as well.

There was another pause before Twilight spoke again.

“Well Rarity, *sniff* I think you’re pretty amazing too.” she said with a smile as Rarity smiled back, happy to have her sudden new crush happy again.

“Actually, I think you’ve always been amazing.” said Twilight suddenly leaning in towards Rarity, who slightly surprised herself by not moving away, but welcoming the close proximity.

“I know I’ve been saying things like that all night but, you can’t comprehend how much I really appreciate your company Rarity, how much I’ve always appreciated you being around. From listening to you happily hum when making dresses, to how you always think of others first, your insatiable drive to be the best, all the while remaining as generous as can be.”

“Twilight’s still drunk...right?” Rarity asked herself while feeling her heart beat faster and her face grow redder. Compliments felt twice as amazing when they came from someone whom you’ve just discovered a new type of fondness for. Her thoughts came to a halt as Twilight was so close that she could feel her breath on her lips.

“I’m sorry for doing what I did earlier, and being so close to you all this time. I just haven’t been able to control myself around you lately.” she spoke with half-lidded eyes. She looked down before looking back up at Rarity, who was still wearing a slightly shocked expression on her face. “You’re so caring, and loving, and thoughtful. Whatever flaws you have, they are heavily outweighed by all of the good things about you. You’re amazing overall, Rarity. Always have been.”

A lot of thoughts came to Rarity’s mind. There are a lot of things you shouldn’t do with someone who seemed to not have complete control of themselves. Rarity would never take advantage of a pony in a way such as this, or that’s what she told herself anyway. But here she was, letting Twilight kiss her, while she did nothing but sit there with wide eyes, that soon fluttered halfway, then fully closed as Twilight kissed her with a passion so fiery that it felt like it could heat a thousand homes, with Rarity somewhat uncontrollably returning the kiss with the same amount of intensity.

Rarity was thinking how she should really be pushing Twilight off of her, telling her that she doesn’t know what she’s doing. What would Twilight think of this in the morning? Would she even remember? Twilight was drunk, but what would Rarity’s excuse be? Could she get away with saying that she was drunk too? She should stop this but, her stars, was this nice. The slight taste of liquor that remained on Twilight’s lips did nothing to dissuade Rarity to stop, but it had to stop soon. It wasn’t right, and she felt she was taking advantage of her, even though Twilight kissed her first, so she figured she would end this.

As Rarity pulled away, Twilight quickly closed the distance between their lips again, to which Rarity responded to by pushing Twilight away slightly.

“Twilight, I can’t darling, I...” she tried to finish, but was cut off by another aggressive kiss from Twilight. With each kiss, Rarity found it harder and harder to push Twilight away. There was so much emotion in this kiss, how could she possibly pull back this time? Time seemed to stop and the space around her seemed to disappear.

All there was in that moment was Twilight. Her wonderfully soft lips, her wings that were now wrapped around Rarity’s back, and her forearms that found their way around her waist, as Rarity’s own forearms found their way around Twilight’s waist in return. Rarity felt so safe and loved in this moment. The castle could crumble around them and Rarity might honestly pay it no mind. Rarity knew this was wrong, she really did, but she couldn’t stop. She didn’t want to. She’d deal with the repercussions of her actions later, but right now, she’s never been kissed like this before. She wondered when Twilight had become such a good kisser? Knowing her, she might’ve researched it.

The kiss that seemed to last a lifetime, finally ended when both mares pulled back, seemingly out of breath. Rarity panted heavily as a blush remained on her face.

Rarity was, simply put, looking at her “friend” in a very different light now, and she wasn’t entirely sure what to make of this new situation. She was also thinking of everything that led up to these events. It started with Twilight drinking herself into oblivion, a drunken journey back to the castle, and the drunken antics that followed once they were within the castle walls. It wasn’t soon after that that Twilight became more affectionate than a rescued kitten as the night went on.

As if the realization of what she had done had finally hit her, Twilight’s eyes went slightly wide as her ears drooped down.

“I, I definitely went too far that time, and I didn’t stop when you pushed me away. I...I broke the rules of my own game. I’m sorry...”

Rarity was still somewhere between utter shock and pure bliss. A subtle red still tinged her muzzle as her eyes remained half lidded. She took a few seconds before responding to Twilight.

“No dear, It’s okay, and...I did say you could do anything once we arrived at the castle, and what kind of mare would I be if I went back on my word?” Rarity said. Twilight stared at Rarity for a second, looked around while sighing nervously, then back to Rarity.

“Uum, in that case, could I...could we... do that again? I really enjoyed it.” Twilight asked shyly as her own blush spread.

“Don’t you dare Rarity Belle! You need to make the mature decision and say no! Say! No!” Rarity yelled to herself mentally as she continued to stare at Twilight with a calm expression.

“Of course, darling.” Rarity replied. “A deal’s a deal after all.” she said, having not broken eye contact with Twilight since the last kiss had ended.

“Rarity Lucille Belle, you are a lost cause, and a disappointment! You should be ashamed of yourself! You..! You...”

Rarity’s inner voice trailed off as Twilight once more pushed herself onto Rarity, as the unicorn let herself fall victim to Twilight lips once more.

This kiss lasted for a good ten seconds before Rarity felt Twilight’s lips leave hers, to her slight disappointment. She assumed that Twilight had had enough and decided to pull back...

...and pull back she did.

When Rarity opened her eyes, she saw an unconscious Twilight lying on the ground and snoring softly. Rarity just stared at the soundly sleeping alicorn for a few seconds before letting out a tired sigh.

“Guess her exhaustion finally caught up to her.” She said, not entirely there mentally. Once she had a moment to think to herself, her entire face immediately turned red, as her eyes widened a bit.

“Oh my goodness, what was I thinking?! How could I do that with an intoxicated pony, and my best friend at that!? There’s a name for ponies like me, and it’s not a good one! I usually have more self-control than that, I’m usually thinking more clearly but, but all of that vanished, went right out the window when it came to...” she trailed off, as she once again looked at the sleeping Twilight. Her chest slightly heaved in and out, as she donned a very small grin on her face.

Her heart began to race again. She put a hoof up to her chest as she continued to stare at the princess sleeping before her, who looked just as mesmerizing in her peaceful slumber. All the events of the night had played again in her head. All the compliments, all the touching, the hugging, the laughing. Watching the ridiculously adorable bookworm that was Twilight Sparkle, enjoy herself, and seemingly enjoy Rarity’s company so much.

“I....I think....oh dear...” she said quietly.

Chapter 4

Rarity was once again encumbered by one princess of Equestria, but things were not as difficult as they had been on the way to the castle. She had managed to pick up Twilight with her magic and place her snugly on her back. As if on instinct, she immediately grabbed Rarity’s neck and nuzzled deeply into the back of it. It was safe to say that they could skip the kitchen and head straight to the bedroom. Rarity laughed to herself, knowing Twilight would have taken that sentence out of context were she not unconscious.

Rarity felt as if the future was looking a little uncertain for her. Obviously being sober, unlike Twilight, she knew what she was doing earlier, and felt a small amount of guilt for it, but she couldn’t help herself. The two already harbored such a strong affection for each other, and Twilight's actions that night only intensified this affection, causing it to transform into something more profound. Rarity couldn't determine if this new feeling was genuine or merely a fleeting emotion that would dissipate by morning. Twilight would wake up and probably forget about all of this, then continue with her daily life.

These thoughts and many more continued to flood the unicorn's mind until she happened upon the door she recognized as the entrance to Twilight’s bedroom. After using her magic to open it, she approached Twilight’s bed, once more using her magic to pull back the comforters, and slowly lowering Twilight onto the mattress before pulling the sheets over her.

Twilight provided slight resistance when Rarity removed her, given how tightly she was holding onto the unicorn's neck. As if noticing that she was no longer touching Rarity, Twilight began to grunt and slowly inched her forearms outward as if trying to grab hold of something but quickly ceased movement, hastily going back to snoring soundly. Once all of that was over with, Rarity sat down in front of the bed and breathed in and out deeply as she stared at the peaceful Twilight.

“Twilight was drunk when she said all of that, right? Some of the things she said sounded so sincere, so genuine, it didn’t sound like she was rambling. Could she have been...? No, certainly not...” she said, shaking her head. “Of course she was still drunk, otherwise she wouldn’t have been so forward. This is Twilight we're talking about. Sure, she’s said a lot of things...” she said before a slight pink tinged her muzzle... “about me in particular, but a sober Twilight would never be that bold with something like a confession. It was clearly the drinking that did this to her, and only the drinking.” she said to convince herself before sighing heavily. “If only I could say that the alcohol was the reason as to why I feel the way I do now.” she finished.

A few choice words from Twilight echoed in her head, particularly the ones about “loving” her, before she groaned groaned in exhaustion.

“I so despise the idea of walking all the way home right now. Surely Twilight wouldn’t mind if I used a guest room.” she said as she began to walk away, but not before giving Twilight one last glance. Once she figured Twilight would be okay, she turned back around and began to walk out the door until...

“...Rarity?”

Rarity felt a small tug, causing her to turn around and notice Twilight’s magic aura gently pulling the edge of her tail, as well as the small pout on her face that caused Rarity to smile sweetly.

“Relax darling, you're in bed now, so you should take this time to get some rest.” Rarity assured her, that response causing Twilight to pout even harder.

“Mmmm after you tell me where you're going."

"I was....just going to stay in your guest room, if that was alright." she chuckled.

"Absolutely not okay." she grumbled, making Rarity lift a hoof to her chest in slight offense.

“Oh, well that’s a bit out of character for you. Then again, you're not exactly thinking strai- oookay I’m floating now I guess.”

With almost no warning, Twilight used her magic to lift Rarity into the bed and under the covers with her, followed by Twilight wrapping her wings around Rarity as she buried her head into Rarity’s neck, which Rarity was no stranger to at this point, but that fact didn’t stop her heart from thumping against her ribcage.

“You're not going anywhere Rarity. *yawn* Not while you're this comfy.” said Twilight as Rarity finally relaxed.

Rarity opened her mouth to object, but soon closed it and gave in to Twilight's demands, exhaling gently. Feeling Rarity relaxed, Twilight hummed contently while caressing Rarity's cheek with hers.

“Well...if this is what you want Twilight, then I’ll oblige. You are my friend after all.” she conceded, rubbing the back of Twilight’s head, causing Twilight to bite down a smile like a smitten school filly. She wasn’t going to even bother using the “deals a deal” excuse anymore. She was keenly aware of the true meaning behind her own actions.

“That’s good Rarity. It's feel's nice to hold someone so soft and squishy. Like a pillow, a very comfortable pillow.” she said, giving Rarity a few good squeezes, causing Rarity to laugh softly.

“Twilight, that tickles darling, also, are you saying I’m overweight?” she asked, while poking Twilight’s stomach softly, making her giggle as well.

“You know what I mean Rarity, I don't like it when you twist my words like that.” she said, going from a giggle to a smile.

“I know, I know sweetheart, I'm just teasing you a bit.” she said, listening to Twilight's content moan in response to Rarity stroking her mane again. There were a few seconds of silence before one of them spoke again.

“Y’know, I meant the part about you staying forever.” Twilight said quietly.

“Yes, I do remember you saying that dear.” she said, followed by Twilight planting a kiss on her neck, which made Rarity stiffen slightly, but did nothing about it. “Then you rambled about how you wouldn’t mind waking up to me every day and so on.” she finished. She wasn’t expecting to have pillow talk with Twilight at Celestia knows whatever time it was, but here they were.

“That’s because I wouldn’t Rarity. You’re just that wonderful and...you'd stay forever if I asked, right?"

Rarity wasn’t ready for a question like that. Well, that was her initial thought anyway.

“Of...of course I would Twilight.” she said with slight uncertainty in her voice. She would date Twilight, right? She wasn't merely living in the moment, and would feel the same way in the morning, correct? Twilight smiled at her response, planting another long kiss into Rarity’s neck, which Rarity was welcoming to at this point.

"I've, wanted to hear that for a long time Rarity. You have no...idea..." Twilight trailed off.

"P-pardon?" Rarity questioned, waiting for a follow up statement to that, but was instead with the soft snoring of a Twilight who was most likely down for the count this time.

How was Rarity supposed to sleep now after hearing something like that? She proceeded to stay awake for the next thirty minutes or so and think about many things she never thought she'd have to think about.

It wasn’t until now that Rarity realized just how false all her previous attractions for others had been, all those other times where she had truly believed that she had found the perfect one. She wasn’t sure if she could truly speak for Twilight, but she knew this about herself without a doubt.

She was hopelessly in love with Twilight.

********

Twilight let out a groan as she squeezed her already shut eyelids the second the sunlight hit them. After a few more seconds, her eyelids finally fluttered halfway open as she blinked a few times, then raised her forearm to rub her eyes as she waited for her vision to clear up. Once it did, she turned her head towards the ceiling as her eyes scanned her surroundings to try and get a sense of where she was. Once she decided that she wasn’t upside down in a trashcan or some other strange location, she let out a sigh of relief.

“Okay, so I made it back to my home at least. I swear, that is the first and last time I let Rainbow Dash of all ponies talk me into drinking something I’ve never had before.” she thought to herself before groaning painfully. “That might be the last time I drink anything honestly. Seriously, what was I thinking? I'm a princess now for crying out loud. I think this headache is a proper punishment for my actions. I mean really, I-” Twilight’s thoughts were interrupted by the feeling of something holding her as she tried to sit up.

“Huh, what the...?” she started. Her vision was still a little blurry, so she couldn’t see that clearly just yet. She slowly made her way up the unknown white and slender object until she laid eyes on-

“Rarity?” she quietly said. Not quite sure what Rarity was doing holding onto her. Although she didn’t wake up, she did stir a bit in her sleep while gripping Twilight a little tighter while mumbling, “No Twilight, I have to…go home you silly girl.” Rarity moaned in her sleep, as the corners of her mouth curved upwards, drawing a slightly puzzled look from Twilight.

“Rarity’s here, holding me, not that I mind I guess but…” Twilight thought to herself, before her face struggled to decide if it wanted to go pale from disbelief, or red from embarrassment from the next thought that entered her head.

“Oh no, if we both were drunk last night, then anything could have happened. I certainly can’t recall a thing.” Twilight said as a blush decorated her cheeks. “We couldn’t have...done *that*, right?”

As Twilight struggled not to go into her signature panic mode, Rarity began to stir even more, causing Twilight to quietly yelp and stiffen her body. To her slight horror, Rarity began to open her eyes as they quickly made their way up to Twilight’s, face, which looked like it had just seen an apparition.

“Oh, morning darling.” she yawned, closing her eyes again. No more than two seconds went by before the unicorn’s eyes shot back open as she quickly sat up and locked eyes with Twilight, who looked just as shocked honestly. She stared at the messy haired alicorn for a few seconds, then a few seconds more, and then a few seconds more, until she felt her heart restart the vigorous dance it performed last night as her cheeks turned a light pink.

“Rarity? You ok?” Twilight asked with a curious head tilt. Rarity was brought back to reality when she heard Twilight speak again, but her heart continued to beat so fast, she thought she was going to have a heart attack. That was when she began to talk as if she werehaving one.

“T-Twilight! You’re awake. M-morning darling, h-how are you this fine day?” she asked, followed by a nervous chuckle. She was so disappointed in herself, for not being able to control her emotions right now, or back when Twilight had kissed her.

“H-hey Rarity, you’re here, in my bed, with me...h-holding me.” she said with a slight blush as Rarity looked down, noticing that she was still latching onto Twilight and quickly removed herself from the perplexed alicorns waist. After slightly confusing Twilight with that action, she distanced herself by scooching away a few inches as another nervous chuckle escaped from her.

“Indeed I am, er, was, ha-ha, would you look at that.” she said, preparing herself for whatever Twilight might say or do to her next. Along with Twilight's messy hair, disheveled coat, and slightly ruffled wings, the morning sun was doing for no favors for Rarity’s increasingly beating heart as it covered Twilight in a ray a sunlight, giving her an almost heavenly appearance.

Rarity wanted nothing more than to once again meet the Twilight she was introduced to last night, but this was the old Twilight, who most likely had no memory of the previous evening’s events, well, if her current expression was anything to go by. With how confused Twilight looked, apparently, she wasn’t looking at Rarity the same way.

Neither knowing what to say, they proceeded to stare at each other until the awkward silence was too much to bear, causing Twilight to break it first.

“Well Rarity, not that I mind being in the same bed as you or anything but, I just have to ask...” Twilight said before her face started to flush slightly, as she looked away. “...did we...y’know...uh...do anything, last night?” she hesitantly asked.

Rarity wasn't sure how to feel about that question exactly. Now that she thought about it, if Twilight did remember everything right now, that would have been an extremely awkward exchange of words. Judging by that question though, Twilight seemed to not have an inkling of what happened. Should she be relieved, or sad?

While Rarity was fighting to solve that enigma, Twilight took the ensuing silence as a sign that that was not a simple question to answer, causing her to believe that they may have done something irreversible.

“Oh no, something bad happened didn't it? Rarity, whatever we did last night, I'm sure it's something we can fix.” she rambled.

“Twilight?” Rarity called out.

“Wait! Let me think!” she said in a panic.

“Twilight, easy dear, it’s okay-“ Rarity got out before Twilight cut her off.

“So we did do something, okay um, well I-I'm sure there’s a reasonable explanation for all of this Rarity. I was sooo not myself last night, and you probably weren’t either, and we might’ve done something that we shouldn’t have. I-It’s not like I wouldn’t want to do something with someone as pretty as you, but, we moved a little fast, and, I’m, not as versed in that level of intimacy as most others might be, so I’m sorry if I was a bad partner and, oh Rarity, I know things might be awkward for a while because of this, but things can return to normal, i-if we give it time of course. Please, I hope this doesn’t ruin our friendship Rarity. I really just want things to go back to normal and....”

Rarity might have wanted to see the lovey dovey side of Twilight again, but seeing her in her normal state, nervously rambling in an attempt to explain something reminded Rarity of the reasons she had always been subconsciously fond of this anxious mess. Now that she was thinking about it, loving Twilight was never exactly out of the realm of possibility, now was it?

“Twilight?” Rarity called out once more, while putting a hoof to Twilight’s shoulder and interrupting her rambling.

“Y-yes Rarity?” Twilight responded, right before Rarity began to giggle. “Rarity, what’s so funny?” she asked nervously as Rarity quieted down until a smile remained.

“Nothing dear, you’re just...so you, you know that?” Rarity said as Twilight responded with an incredulous stare.

“What’s that supposed to mean? And, aren’t you upset, or anything? Didn’t we...” she trailed off before Rarity gave her a small playful push.

“Don’t worry, we didn’t spend the night exploring each other.” she said, putting a hoof to Twilight’s cheek. “You just drank too much of Pinkie’s dastardly concoction, and then I helped you home. I swear, that stuff needs a warning label on it. I wanted to stay with you to ensure you’d be alright. You did drink a lot after all.”

Rarity figured it was best not to say anything. If Twilight had anything to confess, she would let her do it on her own terms and not force it out of her by mentioning last night's strange turn of events. If there was even anything to confess. For all she knew, Twilight was only acting like that because Rarity was the only one there. She may have behaved the same way with anyone else, and that thought made her feel even more embarrassed of her own actions for some reason. Maybe it was for the best that she didn't remember.

“Oh, ok, ok. That’s good, that’s a relief.” Twilight responded.

Okay, that hurt Rarity a little bit. She knows Twilight didn’t mean it in a negative way, like thinking she wasn’t dateable or something, everyone has a type after all, but she couldn’t help but take some sort of offense to it. Deep down though, she knew that Twilight valued their friendships too much to risk ruining it over one-night stands. Wasn't going to stop Rarity from teasing her about it though.

“Twilight, forgive me darling, but I’m sure I heard you say that you wouldn’t mind doing something with someone as pretty as me not too long ago. Are you too good for me now, is that it?” she said with a hoof raised to her chest, then smiled at the flustered reaction it brought forth from her adorable princess.

“N-no Rarity, you know what I mean, Geez, you always manage to twist my words in a way that embarrasses me.” Twilight said as she gave Rarity a stare that seemed to switch from nervous to stern.

“There's no twisting of the words here I'm afraid, you literally just said that you wouldn’t mind being with someone like me, and when you find out nothing happened, you get more relieved than when you find out the store still has ink in stock, and quite frankly, I’m offended.” she said, as she turned the other way with her nose in the air.

“Rarity...” Twilight whined, prompting Rarity to slightly turn her head towards her while opening one eye, then laughing and hugging Twilight.

“Oh lighten up darling, you know I absolutely adore teasing you.” Rarity grinned.

“You’re cruel Rarity, you know that?”

“I know dear, I’m just such a troublemaker, I could give Rainbow a run for her money I bet.”

“Yeah, you could.” Twilight flatly said, earning a scoff from the offended mare.

“Oh don’t be like that Twilight, they call me a stick in the mud, but you can be just as uptight sometimes.” said Rarity.

“I am not-....well, that uptight.” Twilight responded while turning away sheepishly as Rarity laughed while holding her cheek with one hoof.

“Oh Twilight, your adorableness never ceases to amaze me. You'll be ninety years old and still be the cutest thing on the planet." Rarity said, rubbing Twilight's cheek, then rubbing it some more, then rubbing it a little longer, and then-

“Um...Rarity?”

Rarity realized the action was going on for too long and pulled back her hoof with a nervous chuckle.

*Ahem* “Well, you seem to be okay from what I can see, but how are you feeling dear? You alright?” questioned Rarity, but Twilight responded with a groan first.

“Well, my head feels like it was run over by a herd of buffalo, but things could be much worse all things considered, so I guess I’m alright. At least *chuckle* nothing was destroyed. Magic users have a history of getting a little carefree with their magic when intoxicated.” she chuckled, then slowly stopped when she saw an uneasy look on Rarity’s face as the unicorn looked to the side.

“Rarity...what did I do last night?” Twilight asked with a slight look of fear.

“Oh, well...don’t freak out buuuut...” she started, but Twilight’s pupils were already the size of pinpricks.

“Oh nooo...” she said while putting her head in her hoofs, “...I knew I was going to regret asking that. Who did I hurt?” she asked as Rarity grabbed her shoulders.

“No no dear, no one got hurt, and you didn’t cause mass destruction or anything. You just.... might’ve pulled a giant piece of crystal out of your castle wall...” she said with a slight wince. No point in lying to her about it, she’d see it anyway, soon enough.

“I what?! Uuuuuugh, I’m never getting drunk again.” she said, slamming her back down on the pillow. That was a tamer reaction than what Rarity was expecting. Maybe the headache kept her freaking out as much as she wanted to.

“Don’t worry Twilight darling, it’s not that bad. You know little problems like that are nothing for us to fix, it's not that big a deal.

"That's not the point Rarity. I could've really hurt someone."

"Yes, I suppose that's correct...but no one was hurt, darling. For the most part, your castle is fine, your giant energy beams didn't hit anyone-

"My what?!" Twilight yelled while sitting up.

“N-nothing dear, we’ll talk about that later.” Rarity hurriedly told her, not realizing what she said until she witnessed Twilight freak out for a second. Twilight winced from the throbbing in her head from that sudden bout of yelling as Rarity put a hoof to her chest to ease her back down.

“Easy Twilight, just lay down for a second. I’ll fetch you some painkillers and some water. Left cabinet in your bathroom, right?” she asked, getting a nod “yes” from Twilight, and swiftly getting out of bed and trotting towards Twilight’s bathroom.

“Actually, wait a second. I can just use a spell and...” Twilight said as her horn began to glow, but the sudden sharp pain in her head from trying to cast the spell quickly made her rethink her course of action, as the glow quickly faded while she groaned in pain. In all honesty if she desperately needed or wanted to, she could force herself through the pain to do whatever spell was necessary, but it just didn’t feel worth the trouble and misery right now. She knew what day it was, so it’s not like she had anywhere to be at the moment.

“Now it's time for me to teach you something Twilight." Rarity said while rummaging through Twilight's medicine cabinet Attempting to you use magic with a massive headache from a hangover is generally considered a bad idea. Actually, I thought you would've known that fact already.”

"I mean, I do, but I normally power through anything to cast a spell. Guess I've never had a headache this painful before."

"Well, it wasn't unexpected darling. If I drank 7 bottles of that stuff that Pinkie claims won't damage your internal organs from just one glass, then I'd be in just as much pain. Actually, I think I'd be dead." she added with a small laugh.

“Seven?!” Twilight yelled while sitting up, immediately gripping the sides of her head in pain again as Rarity sighed to herself. “That’s stuff’s akin to chemical waste.”

“Twilight, for your own well-being, I suggest you stop yelling like that, lest you make your headache worse.” said Rarity, finally finding the bottle she was looking for. She was thankful that Twilight actually had many different types of medicine in her cabinet, as well as having it so organized. She made a mental note to organize her own medicine cabinet when she got home.

She exited the bathroom after securing the painkillers and glass of water to Twilight groaning and looking at Rarity in disbelief.

“There's no way, surely you're exaggerating?” she managed to get out despite her head not ceasing it's current bout of throbbing.

“I’m afraid I’m not dear, but let’s see to that headache before you stress over anything else.” said Rarity, before giving Twilight the glass and two pills.

Picking up a glass and two pills wasn’t that difficult task even while hungover, so Twilight popped the pills, then slowly taking a sip or two of water and swallowed, then set the glass down on her nightstand as Rarity got back on the bed to sit beside Twilight.

“Thank you, Rarity.” she said, as Rarity smiled in response. “I only remember taking a few sips of that stuff. Guess I really went off the deep end.” she said, bashfully rubbing the back of her head.

"Well, that's what happens when you drink the alcohol equivalent of bathroom cleaning chemicals.” said Rarity.

“Yeah, that stuff needs a warning label.” replied Twilight.

“I know right? That’s what I said.” said Rarity as they both shared a small laugh, before quieting down and staring at Twilight for a second.

“You constantly lecture us on the dangers of drinking, then you throw all of that out the window and get wasted on a level that I could only dream of. It’s not just the sudden drinking either. It’s also your behavior before last night’s events.”

Twilight’s ears perked up at the sudden topic change. “What do you mean?” asked Twilight. Rarity had somewhat gotten an answer last night but wanted to see what a sober and rationally thinking Twilight would say.

“Don’t play innocent Twilight, you know. The sudden reclusiveness, the way you’d blow off our invitations for get togethers, how you've been skipping meals and coming home late."

"Wait, how did you know about that last part?" she asked, determined to get an answer before letting Rarity continue with her little list.

"Dear, when you do all of that with little to no explanation to someone who lives with you, why wouldn't Spike come to us for help."

"Oh...It was that bad huh?" she mumbled, blushing in embarrassment, darting her eyes downward.

"Then you suddenly go on this, this bender from Tartarus, darling why would you think we wouldn't notice the sudden change in behavior?” said Rarity, giving her a worried look.

There was nothing Twilight could say to prove her wrong, and she dared not try to lie. Rarity would see through it in a heartbeat. Oh, the struggles of having such a good friend like Rarity. Said unicorn took Twilight’s chin in her hoof and brought it back to meet her gaze.

“Is everything alright dear? I’m worried about you, we all are. As much as Rainbow Dash encouraged your rampage, even she began to question some of your actions near the end.”

“My…rampage?” Twilight asked fearfully.

“Let's not get off topic darling." she said, quick to divert to something else. Twilight clearly had enough things to worry about already. "Now tell me. What’s been going on with you, sweetheart?”

Twilight looked away for a second before looking back at her and sighing deeply.

“Rarity...I don’t take for granted anything that I have right now. My friends, my life, all the good things that I have going for me, and I hope you know that, but...” Twilight trailed off.

“But what darling?” Rarity asked.

"You know what's it's like to be easily stressed out, given how perfect everything you design has to be, otherwise your customers may get upset."

“Of course. Did it get to be too much for you?” Rarity replied.

"Well, it's a bit more complicated than that."

"Okay, I'm listening."

“I...don’t know when it happened exactly, but one day, I just began to think about everything that had to do with me, everything that was going on around me, and...I...it just- ugh! Sorry, I know that doesn’t make much sense, but I'm not sure how to put it into words.” she said, pausing for a second as Rarity took this to rub her back to hopefully ease her mind, if even just a little.

“It’s okay dear, I’m listening. Just explain the best you can.” she said, as Twilight looked at her and nodded slowly.

“Like, um, how do I put it...” she said, mulling it over a bit, before looking back at Rarity.

“There’s just so much going on, you know? The school, my princess duties, as well as everything else. I’m in charge of so much, and so many things are riding on me, on us. Lately, so many thoughts have just been flooding my mind, like, what would happen if we, you know, messed up, among other things. Out of nowhere, I just felt this immense pressure. It felt like, I don't know, something akin to a sudden existential crisis, and, and then...” Twilight seemed to get lost for a second until Rarity spoke.

“Yes Twilight?” she said, bringing Twilight back to reality, as the alicorn gave her a soft smile in return before frowning again.

“I...couldn't stop thinking about past events. I started to think of all the times the world almost ended, the decisions that decided if everyone was going to live, or die, or live in misery. Then another thought followed.” she said, pausing again.

“Yes darling? Talk to me.” Rarity asked, while scooting a bit closer to Twilight. Twilight seemed to break from her trance and continued speaking.

“It’s not going to be last time things like that happen Rarity, and that thought alone began to keep me up at night. I just kept thinking, what if it doesn’t work out next time? I knew I was worrying Spike and everyone, but I didn’t, really know how to talk about it to anyone. I’ve had these thoughts before, but they’ve never been this intense, let alone for this long. I don’t know what’s coming next, the next danger or threat, and i-it terrifies me.” Twilight finished, her eyes suddenly panic stricken as her breathing increased in speed.

Rarity picked up on this and grabbed both of Twilight’s hooves to soothe her. In response to this, Twilight's breathing resumed its usual cadence before she took a small inhale, and a deep exhale.

“Some of our decisions can have lasting consequences. There's so many little things that may not seem that big a deal, but they are. I mean, a war between nations was most likely on the horizon not too long ago, all because a few students went missing. I don’t know why I started thinking negatively like this all of a sudden, but once it started, I couldn’t stop.” she said, seemingly finished.

Twilight did in fact have a lot going on in her life, so Rarity was not too surprised Twilight was in this predicament, but she didn’t think it would be this bad. She may have ascended, but deep down, she was still Twilight Sparkle. If there was anyone prone to overthinking anything, it was Twilight, and the last thing most overthinkers needed was more stuff to think about. She knows Twilight loves what she does, but she was prone to trapping herself in these cycles of worrying, and she guessed that Twilight thought the only way out of it this time was through getting so wasted that she'd forget the last five years of her life.

She grabbed Twilight’s face to look at her, almost getting lost in her eyes. Tired and bloodshot or not, they were still that spectacular purple.

“Twilight, darling, you’ve been through so much. There were so many terrifying moments where you weren’t sure what was going to happen, heck, we weren’t even sure sometimes. You’ve been through things that would have broken many others mentally. Even I have had the occasional nightmare or two due to events from some of our previous endeavors, so it’s hard to imagine you not feeling some sort of lasting effect as well.”

“Oh...Rarity, I’m so sorry. I should've done more than just asking if you were okay. I’m so selfish.”

“Stop that Twilight, I’m not worried about me, I’ll be fine. If it were that bad, I would have gotten help with it. My spirit isn't weak enough to let a few miscreants throw me off my game." she finished, that remark getting a small smile out of Twilight. "Besides, my focus is on you at the moment.” Rarity replied, as Twilight’s ears drooped down before speaking again.

“I’m sorry for what I did last night, whatever I did. I just wanted to not think for a little while, y’know? Not worry about this and that. I just wanted to be, Twilight the unicorn again, and not Princess Twilight Sparkle, “leader of a nation” and “defender of all that is good”. I initially thought getting away from work and home was the answer, but when the lights and music weren’t enough, well, I went with option number two, with a little push from...you know who.” Twilight solemnly uttered. Rarity donned the same look for a second or two, before smiling as a few choice words made their way out of her mouth.

“Weeell...you were a little more than Twilight the unicorn last night my dear. You were Twilight the drunk, Twilight the brute, Twilight the flirt, Twilight the brawler-”

“Brawler? You said I didn’t hurt anyone!” said Twilight.

“Well, not for lack of trying darling, but...at least Rainbow found your actions quite humorous.”

“Rarity, you’re not helping me feel better.” Twilight said as Rarity chuckled a little.

“I know dear, I’m sorry.” she said before letting one more small laugh escape, then pulling Twilight into a deep hug, then pulling back, but not taking her hooves off of her.

“Now Twilight, listen to me. I know at times, your duties may feel like a burden, and on some level, they may very well be, but know this sweetheart, you are never carrying this burden alone. We all knew what we were getting into when we chose to travel this road alongside you, and you do too. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have agreed to do the things you’ve done. You have your friends, so this isn’t a solo journey but...” Rarity asked.

Rarity used her hoof to rub Twilight’s cheek before continuing.

"...you know that already dear, so why would you not come to somebody about this? The other princesses have been in your position before I’m sure, so why not at least go to one of them?”

“I...don’t know. It’s kind of like I said before, I just didn’t know how to really bring it up to anyone. I’ve asked for advice from the princesses before, but...I just didn’t this time. Maybe part of me feels like this is a lesson in itself. Learning to deal with the stress and work through things so that I may be a better leader. I mean, Celestia had been the ruler of Equestria for so long without Luna. Over a thousand years Rarity. There's no telling what hardships she's had to go through that we don't know about. Yeah sure, she had ponies that could handle things should she need to go away for a while or something, but she’s told me stories about how bad things had sometimes gotten while she was away, whether it be with other nations, or with Equestria itself, so she could never truly just stop what she was doing. I should be able to power through anything just like she did, regardless of how I feel...well, for the others at least.”

As Twilight finished, Rarity took her hoof back and put it to her chin as she looked off to the side in thought, before looking back at the somewhat distraught Twilight.

“Well...what makes you think she was all on her own, Twilight? Sure, her sister was absent and she had to lead the country by herself somewhat, but I’m sure she had a close friend or two to confide in back in her day.”

“That’s somewhat true I guess, but... Celestia isn’t exactly...y’know, like normal ponies Rarity. They...they’ve all had to leave her at some point, if you know what I mean. I can’t imagine how that must’ve been for her, but she persevered for so long regardless. If she believes in me so much, and really thinks I can be a great ruler, then that means I can just-”

“What? Push through while bottling up all of your emotions, no matter how much you hurt inside?” Rarity cut her off.

“I...well, yes, in a way, I guess?” Twilight answered unsurely, causing Rarity to sigh.

“I know that sounds ridiculous, but don’t you think I need to be able to get through anything without letting my emotions get the best of me? I need to be able to keep a leadership attitude, no matter what I may be going through.” Twilight asked.

“I “think” you should stop stressing yourself out to the point where you think you can drink yourself out of every situation. Believe me darling, that doesn't work. Also, I'm going to pretend you didn't just say that on account of how ridiculous it sounded." she finished flatly.

“Well...ugh, I don’t know any more I guess, and this pain medication isn't working fast enough.” she said, rubbing her temple in response to a sudden throb. Rarity stared at Twilight while her next words formed in her head. How would she go about easing her friend’s troubles she wondered. She thought about what Twilight said and found some truth in it, but she still had a point to make against it.

“I understand what you mean Twilight, I do darling, but...” she said, looking over at Twilight, and when she noticed the expression on her face, used a hoof to bring her face to hers again.

“We’re here right now, that’s all that matters. Focus on the now, and how great things are in this moment. Don’t trap yourself in the future, because life is going to find some way to surprise you, no matter how well you plan and prep. There's nothing wrong with thinking about the future every now and then, and it's great to have backup plans and such, but don’t torture yourself by constantly wondering "what if", especially if you don't even know what that "what if" is going to be."

Twilight stared intensely at Rarity as if this was a lecture, and her final grade depended on her remembering every word Rarity said.

“It’s a good thing to be able to power through any problem, I can’t really argue against that, but there’s been plenty of instances already where your will to keep going, no matter the circumstances, has been laid bare for all to see. You have nothing to prove to yourself, or anyone else for that matter. We’ll always be here when you need us darling, so put aside this silly notion that your feelings don’t matter, okay?” Rarity finished. Twilight put her hoof on top of Rarity’s while continuing to look at her, making the unicorn blush slightly.

As Rarity finished, Twilight paused for a second as her eyes widened slightly as a question popped into her head. All the things they’ve been through, and now she genuinely wondered how her friends dealt with things.

“What keeps you going Rarity?”

Rarity was caught a little off guard by that question. “What keeps me going?” she asked. “What do you mean?”

“We’re... always facing these world ending threats, and once we’re past those, you still have so much going on. Your businesses, your personal life, your school duties, even though I pushed that onto you too, geez... another selfish decision of mine.” She said before shaking her head.

“Twilight, we’ve talked about the school thing already, it’s fine. I love it, and you know that.”

“Yeah, you’re right, sorry. I’m just in a state right now, I guess.”

“It’s okay darling.” Rarity told her as Twilight continued.

“Anyways, those things must take up almost any free time you have. You even mentioned how you yourself have had nightmares, so they must have had some sort of lasting effect on your psyche, but you push through, so fearlessly. So, what keeps you going?”

Was it strange for Twilight to ask her this? This was something she often thought about asking Twilight, but here she was being asked instead. Rarity paused for a few seconds as she tried to think of a response. Even Rarity hadn’t really given a ton of thought as to why she continued to persevere as Twilight put it, she just did it, so she couldn’t exactly respond immediately. She was sort of put on the spot just now, but she was good with surprise questions. At least good enough to not take an eternity to answer back in most cases.

“Well, I’d like to think it’s similar to the reason you keep going. Honestly, I should be asking you that question.”

“Similar?”

“Of course, dear. Now, I’m not trying to disregard my previous statements about your feelings or anything, honest, but you realize that there’s more than just you to worry about. You’re a light that shines bright enough to keep the darkness at bay for the sake of others, and you know of it. You care deeply for others and their well-being, and for your home, and you’ll do anything to defend it all. You won’t let the horrific terrors of this world shake you from your destined path, and that my dear, takes determination and willpower that continues to inspire others every time you put it out on display. That’s what keeps you going. The need “and” want to do what’s right. Not just for yourself, but for others as well.”

Twilight began to smile at this statement as Rarity continued.

“As for my businesses, well, of course things get hard. Dealing with difficult clients, meeting deadlines, making sure I have the next line of clothing ready and staying ahead of the competition, but never in a million years will I lose my passion for dress-making and putting it all out there for everyone to see darling, so I’m going to pursue that for the rest of my life, even if I lose all my limbs and my magic. I’ll stitch with my mouth if I must." she said as Twilight chuckled, causing Rarity to bite down a smile.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t doubt that I guess.” Twilight said, but Rarity continued, adding her signature dramatic flair to her words.

“Should I slowly go insane and lose my mind, at least give me a sowing machine when you throw me in the padded cell. I’ll call that line of clothing, “Please get me out of this cell, I promise I won’t attack Blue Blood a third time!” Rarity added, making Twilight laugh heartily.

“Okay, okay I get it Rarity.” she said as her laugh died down. “Geez, that guys always going to live rent free in your head isn’t he?” she said, as Rarity gave her a playful and dismissive wave.

“I’m afraid so. You spend so long looking up to someone and they end up being somewhat of a fraud, it can’t be helped for some ponies.” She finished, as Twilight gave her a reassuring smile before listening to Rarity continue on.

“I don’t mean to make light of your situation dear, not in the slightest, but it’s okay to feel like this occasionally. We all have moments where it all gets to be a bit too much, as you’ve said yourself, but darling, it’s important to not let your problems and concerns sit in your head and fester for too long. That’s not good for anyone, and you know that, right?”

“I do. I, guess I just needed a reminder. Thank you, Rarity.” Twilight said, as Rarity nodded in response, before donning a smirk. Twilight continued smiling as well, before turning away almost ashamedly.

“I’m such a sad sack, aren’t I? I'm feeling a little embarrassed now honestly.” she said while rubbing the back of her head as Rarity laughed softly.

“Don’t be Twilight, it’s alright dear, I promise. I’ve always loved it when you were vulnerable enough around me to tell me anything. I’ve always have, and I always will.” she finished, giving Twilight a stare that an infatuated schoolgirl gives their crush. Twilight didn’t so much mind being stared at this time, if her growing blush was anything to go by, but Rarity was the one to break it up this time. She blinked a few times to break herself out her trance before looking at her again and smirking.

“Now, notice how I said my reasons for carrying on in life are similar to yours, but not exactly the same. I do it for some of those reasons, yes, but also because I want the whole world to witness me in all my glory!” she said, waving her forearm around as if to show off for an adoring crowd as Twilight playfully rolled her eyes.

“I want to show them that one can save the world, and look fabulous while doing it. How many ponies can wear mascara and lipstick, all while taking down a villain of the week and not smearing any of it? I am a lady after all, and I can remain one in almost any circumstance.” Rarity finished.

Twilight stifled a laugh upon hearing this.

“Oh, is that humorous to you in some way Twilight? Care to share what's so funny with the rest of the class?”

“Well, I remember a time when a certain “prince” drove the lady right out of you.” she said while smirking, causing Rarity to scoff while smirking back at her in return.

“Oh please, that pony could drive the lady out of anyone. Even I have a limit darling, which he quickly drove me past. He almost makes Chrysalis seem like a preferable companion. Also, that was a long time ago, how dare you pull that card out.” she said, giving Twilight a playful push.

“Hey, I’ve heard he’s gotten a little less, eh, insufferable.” said Twilight, earning another scoff from her.

“That may be so, but he’s got a long way to go to change my perspective of him.”

“Wow, remind me to never make you mad on the level that he did.”

“Oh Twilight, as snobby as you claimed you used to be, I could hardly imagine you being as rude as he was, at any point in your life. Besides, you’re nearly impossible to stay mad at for long. That’s just how forgivable and “adorable” you are.” said Rarity as she grabbed Twilights cheeks and gave a slight squeeze, causing the alicorn to laugh while putting Rarity’s hooves down.

“Well thanks for that...and, you’re right, I have you girls to talk to. I should have just come to one of you, or the princesses, or someone, instead of just bottling it all up. I let the pressure and stress build up and, it led to me making a bad decision.” Twilight finished, looking back at Rarity with a soft smile, which made Rarity give one back.

“Twilight dear, it’s okay to have a little fun, just, eh, I don’t know, let’s save that kind of drinking for smaller parties, like when it’s just us and the other girls.” Rarity finished with a wink.

“Yeah,” said Twilight as she winced once more from her headache. “Actually, that might be the last time I ever do something like that honestly.” she said while rubbing her temples as Rarity giggled softly.

“Yes, well, that would be good too. I mean, heh, I’m just glad you kissed me and not a million other ponies. Celestia knows that most ponies would run around telling the whole wide world that they kissed a princess, and the last thing we need is for the world thinking that you’re some kind of harlot.” she said that last part with a laugh.....but Twilight was not laughing, or smiling anymore for that matter.

"Twilight, what's the matter darling?” she asked with a quizzical brow, taking into account Twilight's puzzled stare.

“We...kissed?” she asked.

Chapter 5

Twilight stared at Rarity, and Rarity stared at Twilight, and Twilight stared at Rarity, and Rarity stared at Twilight. Twilight didn’t exactly react immediately, but if Rarity knew Twilight like she thought she did, she knew that some sort of overreaction was closing in fast, so she was determined to stop whatever freakout was incoming. Well, her future self could give her credit for trying at least.

“We kissed, that’s what you said, wasn’t it?” Twilight asked, her face looking more analytical than fearful, with the latter being Rarity’s emotional state at the moment.

“I…uh, yeah! Just a harmless little kiss darling, certainly nothing to get out of sorts about, but to laugh about later, you know.” she finished with a small nervous grin while flipping her mane with a flick of her hoof. “Really, it’s not the end of the world or anything.” she finished.

“Yeah…yeah! Just a little harmless little kiss, nothing wrong with that, friends do it all the time! Right?” Twilight asked, Rarity quickly agreeing with her. From the slight manic look on Twilight’s face, Rarity could tell that her efforts to calm her were most likely in vain.

“Yes, harmless! Completely harmless!” she said.

“Yeah, just…just…” she slowly trailed off before her eyes went wide as she attempted to get out of the bed, but instead getting tangled in the comforters and falling off the side with all the grace of a drowning bird.

“Rarity, you said we didn’t do anything last night, but I would definitely categorize “kissing” as something!” Twilight couldn’t bring herself to calm down enough to at least get the sheets off before speaking, thus causing her to just roll around on the floor, fighting with her covers like they were the next villain of the week.

“Oh p-please just calm down, you were drunk, you didn’t know what you were doing, it’s just one of those things that drunk ponies do, especially with close friends, it’s not that big a deal.” Rarity said as Twilight finally managed to get free enough to stand up, although she was standing the wrong way.

“Then why would you lie about it?!” she yelled, as Rarity pulled the covers off Twilight’s face, causing Twilight to turn towards Rarity with flushed cheeks.

“I don’t know, maybe so this wouldn’t happen! If I know you like I think I do Twilight, then you freaking out was all but certain.”

“Yeah? Well this is happening because you lied!”

“You’re saying if I told you the truth, you wouldn’t have had a nervous breakdown? Like you did earlier this morning when I barely said anything?”

“Well yes...no, I don’t know!”

“Well I had your best interests at heart…sort of.”

“Well I-…wait, I might be overreacting...what kind of kiss was it?”

“Clearly, and what kind of kiss it was hardly matters dar-”

“What kind of kiss was it, Rarity?” she asked in a slightly serious tone as Rarity sighed in defeat.

“It...it was...” she trailed off as she motioned her hoof towards her lips, while looking away like she was ashamed of something.

Twilight’s face went beet red. "Nope, I’m overreacting the proper amount.” Twilight said as she began to pace around the room.

“Look, you’re blowing this way out of proportion. Trust me, I've dealt with this type of thing before, i-it's not that uncommon.”

“I am not blowing anything out of proportion Rarity! I was drunk, then I pushed myself onto you, and there is nothing okay about that. That’s sexual assault! How do you not see that?!”

The scene might have been somewhat comedic to an outside viewer, but to Twilight, it was life or death it seemed.

“All I see is you making a bigger deal than it really is. Even a drunk version of you would have stopped if I really wanted you to.”

“Wait, so you let me kiss you?”

Whoops.

“Well, I-I, I believe that is very much beside the point Ms. Sparkle.” she quickly tried to divert. “It was s-so sudden, I didn’t exactly have time to think to get away, and I wasn’t exactly sure what you were trying to do until you were already doing it.”

"Oh no, I threatened you or something didn’t I? I threatened to hurt you if you didn’t kiss me or something, I just know I did.”

Okay, that was an insane thought, even for Twilight.

“Twilight, I know you can be “Ms. Worst-Case-Scenario" sometimes, but that is absolutely ridiculous! It just happened out of nowhere, okay? You leaned in towards me, and I just didn’t think that was what you were going for. It all happened so suddenly, like I said.” finished Rarity, slightly exasperated.

That was partly a lie on Rarity’s part, but she’d keep that to herself for now. Actually, she started to wonder why she didn’t just lie and say she was drunk herself. It probably wouldn’t work at this point, as she had already waited far too long to mention that, so now it would most likely seem like a lie told by her in order to bypass Twilight’s questioning.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so embarrassed right now. Of course you’d lie to me about it. You were right to hide it from me, you wouldn’t want me to freak out like this, and find out that I’m a...I’m a....”

The word Twilight was looking for started with an R, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud.

“Twilight, it’s not that serious darling, you’re over thinking this. I’m okay, see? Not a scratch on me, mentally or physically.” she said, waving an arm over her own body.

“You might be okay with it, but I’m not!” Twilight said.

“Well how do you think I feel? I was the one who kissed you back, harder even. You think I don’t feel like someone who takes advantage of-”

Rarity quickly threw her hooves over her own mouth.

Whoops...again.

There was a bit of silence, with Rarity wondering what Twilight would say in response, and also wondering if she should break the silence with some sort of explanation, all while Twilight remained in a shock at this revelation.

“You...kissed me back?” Twilight asked.

“I....yes, I did, but I-I can explain, really.” she said. It felt weird. Didn’t part of her want Twilight to remember, or at least know everything? Why was she suddenly so embarrassed about telling her what happened?

“I-I...well Twilight, I don’t know if you know how you got when you, y’know, partook in alcohol last evening.

“I…I-I got a little rowdy, so what? What do you mean?”

“Twilight...” Rarity said, followed by a sigh. “Once we got back home, well, you starting saying and doing things that threw me off a bit, and at first I pushed all of that to the side and chalked it up to you just not being your usual self, but you were so intense with some of your words and actions that after a while, I couldn’t tell who was really talking anymore, drunk you, o-or real you.” Rarity said.

Twilight began to grow red herself, as her mouth opened and closed several times as if she wanted to say something, but the words never came out.

“Drunk or not Twilight, you were so sweet, and kind, and adorable, and then you kissed me, and it felt so cruel to deny you of something you wanted so bad, guess that was just my generous nature at play once again. You had pretty much spent the night buttering me up so to speak, and you know me Twilight, I’m a sucker for compliments, so against my better judgement, I just let it happen. Heck, I half-initiated the second one.”

“A s-second one?” Twilight responded, walking towards and sitting back on the bed now that she had calmed down a bit. Standing while hungover was pretty taxing on her legs. Rarity blushed in embarrassment from saying that. She was really chatty today for some reason. Her mind was fighting with itself to withhold the truth, and tell it at the same time. Now that she had developed romantic feelings for her longtime friend slash newfound crush, she’s been wanting nothing more than to hold her while showering her in compliments, and ki-

“Rarity?” Twilight said, interrupting her thoughts.

Rarity realized she was just sitting there in her thinking to herself, then proceeded to stumble over her words trying to finish explaining why she kissed an intoxicated pony while she was not drunk herself.

“Y-yeah. I was u-uh, um, I just feel like I messed it up the first time, sooo I-I, wanted to give you my best and try again. You know how much of a perfectionist I am d-darling.” she said with a nervous laugh while moving a lock of hair away from her face, hoping Twilight wouldn’t look to deep into it.

“So see? I’m partly to blame as well. You’re not a bad pony Twilight, and if you don’t believe me, well, then I’m just as guilty of being a bad pony as you are.” she finished. While Rarity waited for a response, Twilight was really thinking about the second kiss.

“She kissed me back…she said that, right? Then was she…?”

“Rarity?”

“Y-yes?”

“Were you drunk too, when all of that happened?” Twilight asked softly.

“She’s asking if I was drunk too? Now’s my chance. She might believe me if I tell her I wasn’t myself as well. I can tell her yes, and hopefully get out of this unscathed. I’m saved!” she thought to herself.

“No, no I was completely sober….” she said, immediately betraying her own thoughts, as Twilight seemed to perk up a bit at this “…b-but that doesn’t mean things have to be different between us. It was just some silly little kiss, we should just put it behind us, yes? It was just an “In the moment” type of situation. I quickly came back to my senses once I realized what I was doing.” Rarity finished.

Another half lie half-truth in the hole for the famed fashion designer. She continued to remain as smitten as she did when their lips first touched from that point on. Funny how she was repeating exactly what Twilight was saying earlier about things going back to normal. How the tables had turned, even though she had turned them herself mostly.

Twilight didn’t respond immediately, instead choosing to stare at Rarity, which made the unicorn slightly nervous. Twilight’s stare could have meant anything. Was she in deep thought about how to respond? Was she angry? Was she confused? Rarity just admitted to, how she would put it, taking advantage of her while she was vulnerable.

“Twilight?” Rarity called out almost fearfully. Once again, Twilight didn’t immediately respond, which worried Rarity even more. After a few seconds though, she finally managed to snap out of her small trance, blinking a few times before finally getting some words out.

“Yeah, you’re right Rarity, it was just a little thing, but I turned it into a huge thing like I always do. Maybe, I was overreacting a little. I shouldn’t get so flustered over such things like a little schoolgirl.”

Rarity breathed a sigh of relief that Twilight didn’t seem to be upset, but she couldn’t help but wonder what the alicorn was thinking in that whole minute or so of silence. It seemed that she just switched personalities all together.

“It’s fine dear. I’m just glad you’re okay. Honestly, I was expecting a bit of an overreaction. I mean, you wouldn’t be you if you didn’t react the way you did. Besides, it’s kind of…cute when you get flustered like that sometimes. Always has been darling. Why do you think I like messing with you so much?” Rarity replied with a small blush.

Other times she would have said that just to tease poor Twilight in her own special attempt to fluster her, for it was in Rarity’s nature to make others uncomfortable, but it came from a more genuine place this time. It was different for Twilight this time as well, for instead of telling Rarity to stop messing with her, her face flushed slightly while smiling goofily without realizing it at first. Still, Twilight made a small attempt to deflect anyways, as was in her nature when it came to Rarity messing with her like that.

“Yeah, you do, will you ever get tired of doing that?”

“Not in your wildest dreams darling.” she said with a playful wink. “You’re my most enjoyable toy yet dear.” Rarity was a little relieved that Twilight didn’t seem to be in hysterics anymore, and seemingly wasn’t too upset about everything.

“Oh, that’s why you still hang out with me.” Twilight joked while rolling her eyes.

“Absolutely darling, it has nothing to do with our countless trips into near death together, or the fact that we know almost everything about each other, or would do anything for each other.” She said as Twilight laughed.

“No, absolutely not.” Twilight said, letting a short pause follow before continuing.

“Rarity, are you sure you’re not mad at me?” Twilight asked timidly, bewildering Rarity.

“Mad? What in the world for?”

“Well, I’m sure I was anything but a royal last night. A royal pain maybe. I mean, if I was blasting beams into the sky and damaging my home, I can’t imagine I was somewhat calm for the rest of the night.” Twilight finished.

“Believe it or not Twilight, you were somewhat tame for the remainder of the evening.”

“But before that, I was insufferable. A total pain to be around, a nuisance, a bother, a-“

“Twilight…” Rarity said disapprovingly.

“Sorry…” Twilight apologized before rubbing the back of her head, as Rarity giggled. Poor Twilight, Rarity thought. She’ll be self-deprecating to the very end, but Rarity would always be there to reassure her of her self-worth. While she does have plenty of it, given the situation, she’ll find a way to pack it up and throw it off a cliff on a whim.

“No Twilight, I’m not mad at you sweetheart.” Rarity said, hesitating to continue speaking for a second. “I should be asking if you’re mad at me?”

“At you? You’re the one who had to deal with my drunken antics.”

“I’m referring to me kissing you. I mean, you weren’t thinking normally and, well, I was. I should have been more responsible and pushed you away, but I kissed you back, and I really liked it, so I kissed you again, and…”

As Rarity was known to do time and time again, when something had truly entranced her, she would replay the entire memory in her head, then speak her thoughts aloud whether she was alone or not.

“…and then I tucked you into bed last night to make you comfortable, and you pulled me in under the sheets and cuddled me like you couldn’t bear to be without me for even a second, and you buried your head into my neck while caressing me so lovingly and then you ki-“

She managed to catch herself mid-sentence and pull herself out of her little dreamland, but had said enough to make herself flush red again while screaming at herself internally for not being able to shut up. She was truly not herself in front of Twilight. Even now she couldn’t look at Twilight without her heart racing slightly. Rarity wasn’t trying to confess this early, especially when Twilight didn’t seem to feel the same way, so she prayed for Twilight’s obliviousness to go into full effect, though she felt like she was giving off signs so obvious that even a child could see them.

“I see, I-I was quite the handful like you said.” Twilight said, blushing once again. As much as they were blushing, they might as well had been wearing makeup. Somewhere deep in her memory, Twilight swore she could almost remember things as Rarity mentioned them.

The whole time they were talking, Twilight had been trying to remember the events from the previous evening. As Rarity revealed things, Twilight had begun to remember snippets of last night. She remembered the feeling of having her mane slowly stroked as a soothing and gentle voice spoke into her ear while being held in an embrace that felt like the clouds themselves. There were a few more, but that was the memory that stuck out the most. The memories were blurry, but she could faintly remember moments of a few encounters of the intimate kind. Her conclusion, more than just a kiss happened last night.

Another awkward pause followed before Rarity decided that there was nothing more to be said. Well, there was a lot more she wanted to say, but decided against it. She guessed she would just have to woo Twilight another way. Besides, she figured she had embarrassed herself enough already. Rarity, under normal circumstances, would absolutely tease Twilight about how cuddly she had been while wasted and how Twilight had been trying to touch her all night, for it would fluster the poor alicorn to no end, and she thought about trying to play it off as such, but couldn’t bring herself to do it for some reason.

“Well, maybe I should get out of here. Wouldn’t want to overstay my welcome, and what would Spike think if he saw us both with messy hair in the bed with each other like this…” she said with a soft laugh as she moved to get out of the bed.

“Wait Rarity.” Twilight called, stopping Rarity before she could climb all the way out of the bed.

“Y-yes?”

“How did…how did I do?”

“I’m sorry?”

“Me..and you…when we kissed. How did I do? You said you went in for a second time and everything. It wasn’t an unpleasant experience I hope.” Twilight said, rubbing her foreleg slightly.

Well, that was unexpected Rarity thought. Twilight, who was so panicky about the whole situation, is suddenly curious about it?

“Oh, um, you were fine dear.” Rarity said while scooching back closer to Twilight. “What, makes you ask?” she asked with a curious head tilt, very intrigued by this new dialogue tree that was just planted.

“Oh nothing, nothing, I was just curious. I don’t, heh, exactly have a lot of experience in that field so, I guess it just piqued my curiosity a bit.” she said while rubbing the back of head.

“Well, it was fine dear, you did okay.”

To the both of them, it felt like their whole dynamic had changed. It was almost like they were meeting for the first time and were trying not to offend each other, each taking a short pause before they spoke to come up with their next words carefully. Rarity would find out soon that there was an elephant in the room, although it was unknown to the both of them.

“O-oh, I see. Good, that’s good, I’m glad I didn’t mess it up. I’m not gonna lie, I was worried it was a horrible experience for you. So horrible that things would get weird between us. Thats kind of why I freaked out a little I guess.”

“No, not at all sweetheart, you couldn’t ruin this friendship even if you tried, don’t worry about it.” she assured Twilight.

“Oh, ok…..but you’re absolutely sure? You could just be pretending it was fine so you don’t hurt my feelings, but I promise I can handle the truth.”

“Twilight, if you keep asking, I’m going to lie and say it was the worst kiss I’ve ever had and ever will have.”

“Okay okay, sorry.” Twilight said with a small nervous giggle, followed by Rarity giving one of her own.

“…….if I have to put the whole truth out there, it was a little…more than fine.” added Rarity as she looked off to the side.

“It, it was?” replied Twilight. Rarity, realizing what she just said, stammered slightly trying to get her first few words out, and Twilight staring at her like a curious child wasn’t helping.

“W-well, yeah. Seriously Twilight, have you done that a lot?” asked Rarity.

“…no, not really. You know me Rarity, I’m not one for romance.”

“Well, I certainly wouldn’t have been able to tell. You researched it or something knowing you, didn’t you?” she joked with a laugh, then slowly stopped when she noticed Twilight looking away with red in her face.

“Oh Twilight, darling-“ she started to apologize before getting cut off by Twilight.

“I was just, I had some free time one night, and thought I’d just research the topic. I don’t do a lot of kissing or anything, and I couldn’t help but wonder if my first kiss was horrible and-“ Twilight’s eyes went wide as saucers as she looked at Rarity, who eyes were a little wide as well. After a few seconds, Twilight put her hooves over her face and sighed.

“You weren’t supposed to know that. Someone end me now.” Twilight groaned as Rarity rubbed her back.

“Oh Twilight, don’t be embarrassed by something like that. A lot of ponies don’t have their first kiss until they’re older. I mean, it kind of means you just don’t throw yourself out there for anybody.” Rarity tried to assure her friend, who continued to groan anyways.

“Or that I was a no life shut it for most of my early life. It’s still embarrassing, no matter what else I’ve got going for me.” Twilight said, finally removing her hooves from her face to look at Rarity.

“I want nothing more than to have those I care for feel comfortable enough to tell me secrets like that. Like I said earlier, at least it was me and not some stranger, with whom you came close to doing something with.” Rarity said, as Twilight grew slightly red again.

“It was horrible, wasn't it? I can handle the truth.”

“Twilight, I’ve told you before that it was fine. I thought you believed me earlier when I told you that.”

“You could be lying though, because you know how embarrassed I’ll be if I made a fool of myself.”

“Twilight….if you don’t believe me, then we can do it again.” Rarity said quietly.

“Excuse me?”

“Well….” she started, wondering if she should stop talking, but continued on instead.

…Twilight, I know how embarrassing it can feel to think you’re a bad kisser. I can, we can kiss again, and I'll give you my honest opinion of how it is.” she said. “Just to ease your worries of course.” she finished, awaiting Twilight’s response, but Twilight continued to sit there like a lost puppy as a blush grew on her face.

“Twilight?”

“Hm? O-oh, yeah. Sure, if you don’t mind of course.”

“Of course not dear.” Rarity replied.

“Yeah, to ease my worries.” Twilight said slowly, as she thought of something else to add.

“Actually, now that I think about it, i-it would be an interesting, experiment.” Twilight said, causing Rarity to tilt her head a bit.

“Experiment darling?”

“Yeah. I mean, am I better while drunk? I don’t know that, and we’ve never kissed before under normal circumstances, so you’ll know if I’m better now than I was before.”

Rarity raised a hoof to argue that she was a great kisser, but the other voice told her to shut up and let Twilight kiss her again, so she put her hoof back down and cleared her throat.

“I…guess that makes sense darling. So, to be clear, we’re going to kiss again so I can prove that you’re an excellent kisser, and to see if ponies kiss better while they’re drunk.”

“W-well, if you were okay with it.”

“Yes! I-I mean, yes, if you are darling.”

“Of course I am, but it’s for research purposes.”

“Right, research purposes, and to prove you are an exceptional kisser, and then we’ll continue life as normal.”

“Agreed.”

“Could she be…no, not Twilight. It’s Twilight of ponies. If there was anyone who would do something like this in the name of research, or to give her peace of mind, it was her.” Rarity thought to herself. Still, she wasn’t going to turn down the chance to kiss the newly discovered object of her desires once more.

“Are you ready?” Rarity asked, adjusting herself in Twilight’s bed.

“Oh, r-right now?” Twilight asked, a bit panic stricken for a second.

“Well, of course now Twilight, when did you plan on doing it?”

“Yeah, yeah, I knew that. Forget I said anything.” Twilight said beginning to lean in, as Rarity did the same, but pulled away, much to Rarity’s dissatisfaction.

“Twilight, what’s the matter?” Rarity asked, acting as if she wasn’t just as nervous. As much as she wanted this, she was incredibly nervous for some reason. This was going to be “kiss” kiss, between sober ponies.

“I’m fine, I’m just nervous, and my breath probably smells, and I probably need to take a shower…”

Classic Twilight, Rarity thought as she smiled while Twilight continued to ramble. This might have been one of the things that Rarity loved most about her. She grabbed Twilight’s face, and like magic, Twilight ceased talking.

“It’s okay dear, I promise.” she said, leaning in as Twilight didn’t move.

“It’s…okay…yeah.” said Twilight, her eyes slowly closing the closer Rarity got, until her lips slowly planted themselves on Twilight. After a second or two, they parted, while just staring at each other, not knowing what to say exactly. Rarity would have pressed, but she didn’t want to freak Twilight out by enjoying it too much.

“That one wasn’t bad darling, but it-”

“Well, I didn’t exactly put my all into it I must admit. I’m just a little nervous still and, oh I’m sorry I didn’t mean to cut you off-

“No no, it’s okay, I wasn’t sure if- oh sorry, now I cut you off-“

“Well I did it first, so it’s my fault and-“

They both decided to stop talking for a second, as they realized trying to continue would result in them continuing to interrupt each other. Then after a few moments, they both laughed as blushes adorned their faces.

“Should we…try again?” Rarity asked, even though she fought with herself for second to ask that question.

“You sure you don’t mind?” responded Twilight.

“Of course not, I just want to help you best I can.”

“Oh, well alright then. I’d like that.” Twilight said with a smile, as Rarity returned a smile in response, before they both leaned in towards each other for the do-over.

Their lips met again for a few seconds, just like last time. They both pulled back for a moment to look at each other as if to gauge the other’s reaction, before Twilight rushed back in to plant her lips onto Rarity’s once more, with Rarity’s eyes widening slightly at the sudden gesture, but then fluttering closed as she allowed herself to be fully taken over by Twilight.

As Rarity did last night, she once again allowed herself to be fully enthralled in the current moment, until after a few more seconds, Twilight pushed herself more unto Rarity, now utterly engaged, physically and mentally. It was supposed to be a casual and quick kiss they both thought, but as if something possessed her, Twilight grabbed Rarity by her hips to pull her in closer, her wings spreading slightly threatening to wrap themselves around the unicorn.

In response, Rarity pushed even harder as her forearms also found their way around Twilight’s midsection, causing the alicorns wings to fully envelop Rarity of their own accord seemingly, the two so lost in each other that the outside world might as well have not even existed. Eventually, the kiss had to end, as both mares risked passing out due to lack of air. As they both let go of each other, they proceeded to stare at each other as they panted heavily, and a blush adorned both their muzzles.

“Twilight….I think it’s safe to say that you’re better while you’re sober.” Rarity said, still in a slight state of bliss from the whole interaction, as Twilight stared at her in a similar state.

“Was that still part of the experiment darling?” Rarity asked, her expression still somewhat neutral.

“I…don’t know.” Twilight answered.

Rarity leaned towards Twilight’s face again to see if she would move away, but instead, Twilight didn’t budge. It seemed like she almost closed her eyes in anticipation of the contact. Rarity saw that as the green light to plant her lips onto hers once again. This one wasn’t as aggressive as the previous ones, but soft. Twilight returned the kiss with the same gentleness as Rarity, moaning softly and contently.

Rarity let go, with Twilight almost letting herself get pulled with her. Twilight looked around somewhat nervously before speaking in a hushed tone.

“Would now be a bad time to mention that….that I’ve always kind of liked you Rarity, and part of the reason I drank last night was so that I could work up the courage to ask you out?”

“What?”

“I mean, you were the one who coaxed me from my home when everyone else failed to, and why I wanted you to take me home.” she said, feeling slightly embarrassed for saying that. She wasn’t sure why though. She had just confessed to her friend, what’s the worst that could be said after that?

“Wait, I thought I chose to take you home.” said Rarity

“Wait, you did?” asked Twilight.

“I can’t remember. Maybe, we were both still drunk.” Rarity said as both mares laughed, before Twilight quieted down to speak.

“Don’t get me wrong, I did want to forget about my worries for a while, but I was sort of….going to confess to you while I was at it. Then whenever I lost my nerve, I would drink a little more until, well, you saw what happened.” Twilight finished before Rarity used a hoof to push Twilight’s bangs out of the way. “But I did everything else instead.” Twilight finished.

“Oh, darling…” Rarity said softly, stroking her cheek once her bangs were pushed back, then laughed a little. "That probably would have been one heck of a confession to watch." she said, making Twilight a little as well.

“Rarity, things aren’t…y’know, weird between us now, right?” Twilight asked, with Rarity answering by planting a kiss on her forehead beside her horn, causing the alicorn’s heart rate to increase as her wings slightly rustled themselves.

“I think we’re far past that now, don’t you think?” she said with a smile.

“In a…good way or bad way?” she asked, Rarity bringing her in for a hug that Twilight nestled into.

“What do you think darling?” asked Rarity.

“…I think things will be okay.” Twilight responded, finally releasing a breath that she didn’t know she had been holding in.

“Then so do I, my sweet Twilight.” Rarity said, nuzzling the side of her new partner’s head.

A lot of thoughts ran through Rarity’s head. Like how she was right all along about Twilight harboring some sort of affection for her and that she wasn’t overthinking, but she put those thoughts away.

“Would now also be a bad time to ask what all happened last night?” Twilight questioned, bringing a big smile to Rarity’s face.

“Do I have a story for you, darling.”

Author's Note

Story didn't do too good, but that's okay, I didn't really expect it to. I'm kind of cringing at some of my own writing myself if I'm being honest. I thought about cancelling it at first but decided to post the last chapter for those who were reading it. Gonna do some more research or something before I try to write something else, given this is only the second story I've ever written. Thanks for everyone who did seem to enjoy it, as well as for the feedback.