You're no stranger to fancy parties. The place you worked before coming here hosted more than you'd care to recall, but that doesn't make this one feel any less like it's dragging on. You had initially turned down the Gala invite from Princess Celestia, not out of rudeness, but you knew full well that you would get bored. For Celestia you were an honored guest, the traveler from another dimension, but to the rest of the Canterlot elite you were just an alien sideshow to gawk at for an hour then pretend isn't there. Your "novelty" had worn off around 2 hours ago so now you were just hanging out, drinking just enough that you don't seem more out of place.
No the reason you agreed in the end is because Twilight asked, but more accurately Rarity was so excited to make you a suit for the event that you couldn't say no. Since your "arrival" in Equestria three years ago they and the rest of the girls had been there to help you acclimatize to your new surroundings. You'd grown particularly close to, and rather fond of, Rarity, largely due to her enjoying the "challenge of making clothes for your alien anatomy" and while not as fashion-savvy, you do enjoy a nice suit, and were able to make some rather well-received suggestions.
You let out a deep sigh as you recall the mare, taking your largest drink yet.
"That was an awfully large sigh there mister" You damn near jump out of your fancy new suit as you notice Pinkie hanging on your shoulder.
"For Luna's sake Pinky, don't sneak up on me like that! Where did you even come from?"
"Oh I was trying to convince the conductor to play some more up-beat songs, like the pony-polka! Then I heard your sigh and just knew I had to come and check up on my bestest buddy Anon!"
You'd heard tales of the infamous "pony-polka" incident. You look at your empty glass, glad you had drained it before the jump scare, before responding.
"I'm good Pinkie, I was just thinking the cake looks delicious, but I'm still a bit too full to eat any just yet"
You hope the smile plastered on your face is enough to convince her you're having fun.
"THAT is something to sigh over" she muses. "Oh I know, maybe that stuffy-wuffy conductor would lighten up for some cake!"
"That sounds like a good idea Pinkie, give it a shot. I'm going to get another drink."
You almost miss her "Okey dokey smokey" as she bolts off, hopefully not to crash the gala entirely. As you approach the bar you notice a very distinct purple poof of a mane heading in the same direction. Due to your considerably longer legs you arrive first and are taking a sip as the mare that is all too frequently on your mind arrives.
She looks at you, an annoyed gleam in her eye and the start of her signature pout . "I'll have one of what he's drinking"
"One manehattan coming up" the bartender replies, turning to his bottles
"You usually order lighter, fruitier, drinks Rarity. What's up?" You ask, hoping your tone is neutral.
"Ugh, the stallions here are all such crass and vulgar IDIOTS!"
"I take it good suitors are far and few between?" You ask, trying to keep the tone light so as to not further upset her.
"Oh just the worst 'Hey beautiful, want to go and have a private party elsewhere' or how about 'That's a beautiful dress, I bet it'll look even better on the floor of my room' horny idiots." She takes sip before continuing " The rudest one simply told me that I talk way too much. Seriously, what in Tartarus is wrong with these idiots."
"Unfortunately, some things don't change no matter where you go. A lot of guys with privilege- or who don't get told 'no' enough- think of women, or in this case mares as things to-"
She cuts you off with a sharp cough, "I'm aware of what you mean. No need to finish that thought out loud." She contemplates her glass for a few moments without drinking "Do all stallions just think with their little head?"
You let out a short, humorless laugh, drawing an almost annoyed side eye. By Celestia, she's beautiful even when angry. You let out a short cough before explaining, mostly to clear the intrusive thought.
"Not all guys are, for lack of a better word, trash, just like I know not all mares are disloyal" That last part you hadn't intended to be out loud, but if she noticed then she doesn't react.
"I know that darling, I'm sorry, I'm just venting."
"You're fine Rarity, trust me I get it, relationships are, difficult. But at least there are interested ponies."
"I wasn't even looking to get a stallion." You just barely hear her mutter before taking a sip of her drink.
You linger on her words for a moment, but before you can say anything she calls out to Twilight and Fluttershy. You chastise yourself for hesitating before putting on a half-assed smile and turning to greet to your two other friends.
"Hey, girls, how's the party treating you?" You hope your mirth doesn't sound too forced.
"Oh we're having a blast, but be careful not to drink too much. You don't want to doze off or do something embarrassing, do you?"
"Twilight, darling, don't worry about us, this is only my first hard drink tonight and only his second all evening."
You pause mid drink at Rarity's words, not recalling mentioning what drink you were on. You finish the sip, looking at her as she laughs at something Twilight said, you were too distracted to hear what it was. You can't help but ponder how she guessed right. Or perhaps she knew.....
"Anyway, Anon, Rarity, you should come dance with us, I know the height difference makes slower dances hard but they are starting to play some livelier songs now, so come dance with everypony!"
You smile and knockback the remainder of your drink as Rarity does the same. You turn to her, "Shall we then?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The air on the balcony is cool as you step outside for a breather, far cooler than you expected, but dancing really is a good way to work up a sweat. You walk over and lean against the rail beside a large planter and bench then take a sip of the water you grabbed before heading out here. From your perch you can see your friends still dancing, though your eyes follow one particular white mare. As you watch a voice from below the balcony breaks you from her hypnotic movements "I can't believe she turned me down."
"That Rarity mare? Yeah she's pretty but she just would not stop talking about that alien, so you've made a few outfits for him, so what?"
This gets you're attention as you turn to listen closer. The two stallions talking are just below you, clearly quite drunk but definitely nobles.
"Right? And how she went on about this or that about him. He's not even a pony, why is she so obsessed with him?" This stirs up hope, maybe more than it should, you're afraid of the pain that may follow.
"You want to know what she told me? That she already has someone in mind. If she's got a stallion already, where is he?" There it is, the other shoe. Always a catch.
"And if she's after somepony then why the ranting about the alien?"
Before you can think further on his words a gentle, yet sophisticated voice interrupts your eavesdropping.
"Danced out already darling? Your stamina is usually better."
"Nah, Just catching a breather, and enjoying the view."
"Then why do you look annoyed?" Her voice is soft, like a whisper draped in silk.
You let out the same humorless laugh as before, " Just a couple of birds squawking down below is all."
You turn to her, hoping the smile on your lips reaches your eyes, "Why'd you break away from the others?"
" Came to collect you, the girls and I think we should do a couple more dances then go have our own little 'shindig' elsewhere. Probably Twilight's room, it's quite large, perk of being a princess."
"Oh? Making sure the resident alien doesn't get lost?" You chuckle, looking back out over garden "I'll be along shortly, just want to enjoy the view a bit longer."
You startle slightly as you feel her weight against your side. "Since when do you use that word for yourself?" Her voice is quiet but concerned "You hate that description."
You can't look at her, not right now. So keeping your gaze to the garden and maintaining your fake smile, you speak "Guess the term just stuck tonight from all the royal idiots squawking around me."
"That’s not all, is it darling?"
"Nothing I want to burden you with. Just a little stuck in my head tonight."
"Is that why your smile isn't reaching your eyes?"
At this you flinch but finally look into those beautiful blue eyes as you drop the act. "I had hoped you wouldn't notice."
She sighs and leans into you more, for the first time you notice that the main body of her dress is the same material as your suit.
"Will you talk with me, please Anon? I can't bear to see you like this."
You notice the pattern of the lace matches the pattern on your suit's trim "I, I just..." You trail off, trying to focus on anything but that hope that's tearing your heart apart, trying to force its way into reality. You want to know the answers, to know if your suspicions are correct, but if you're wrong then you know the pain would consume you. You force a new smile, knowing that she can see through it. "I'd rather not ruin the evening with my problems."
"How would you ruin anything darling?" Her tone is gentle as she pulls away to sit on the bench, never looking away from you. The pattern of her dress...
"Rarity, you're amazing you know. I'm afraid of telling you, because once I do, things will change. I would love for the good outcome but, I'm terrified of the negative one."
"And what's the negative outcome? What could the man who tackled a manticore to save his friends be so afraid of?"
You hesitate before speaking "I need you to answer something first. How did you know I was only on my second drink?"
"Now darling.."
"Rarity" You cut her off for the first time since you met her, as you sit next to her you continue "I need to know the answer, it's stupid, small, but in my head, my heart, if I'm right I know I'll have the courage to tell you, but if I'm wrong then I can force it back down, force myself to keep up a brave face, I just..."
You stop as she places a hoof on your lips," Darling, calm down, I will answer. I was embarrassed, but I didn't realize how badly you were hurting. I knew, just like I know you spent a good bit of the evening watching me, because I was watching you. All evening. I know it's not very ladylike but I couldn't help myself."
A small sigh of relief escapes your lips, though it's short lived as your mind looks for ways this isn't what you hope. As she waits with a gentle look you gather your courage and speak.
"I'm afraid to lose you Rarity, afraid to drive you away, afraid that..." You peter out, your tongue feels like its sticking to the roof of your mouth. You look away, although you know you need to say it but the fear grips your heart, stops you in your actions and thought, it's almost...
"Darling" she turns your head to look her in the eyes "Breathe. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere" She smiles and you realize that you had stopped breathing.
"Rarity, I know I'm not a pony, and I'm not wealthy, but I..."
You're interrupted as she leans in and kisses you, and it is the most wonderful thing you've ever experienced. Her kiss is sweet with the barest hint of cinnamon and her lips are softer than silk or velvet. The moment both lasts forever and not long enough, as she pulls away the blush on her face is practically glowing.
"Sorry for interrupting, but I've just been waiting so long for you to ask that I kind of, jumped the gun, like you say."
You gently cup her face, the storm in your chest finally subsiding "I love you so much Rarity."
"And I love you, My Darling." She replies as you lean in for a second kiss, just as blissful as before. It isn't long till you're interrupted by a recognizable high pitch "squee" from the door to the balcony. As you separate, you look at the rest of your friends, who had wandered over.
"It's quite un-ladylike to stare you know girls" Rarity is the first to break the silence and though her tone seems firm, her blush and the smile on her lips give away her embarrassment.
"Aw don't mind us sugarcube, you just get yourself some more sugar" The wink Applejack gives at the end was wholly unnecessary, as was the brohoof she shared with Rainbow. The blush on Fluttershy's face could rival Rarity's while the gleam in Twilight's eyes feels dangerously inquisitive, and you swear that the book Pinkie is making notes in says "wedding party" on the front.
You laugh, a quiet but heartfelt laugh, before you rise to your feet and help Rarity to hers. You're quickly joined by the others, each congratulating you both in their own way. Pinkie suggests throwing a party to celebrate, to which you and Rarity suggest a smaller affair. As you all talk and decide to go to Twilight's room, a thought crosses your mind as you look for your forgotten cup of water. Upon spying it on the rail you walk over, confirm your targets, and proceed to empty the contents. Turning around with a shit-eating grin on your face Twilight asks "Why did you do that Anon?"
"Oh my darling was just splashing some squawking 'birds' who were ruining his evening" Your new marefriend replies slyly before you can. "And judging from that grin his aim is spot on, so we should probably leave before too many questions are asked."
As you head off to have celebrate your new relationship you proudly walk next to Rarity, after all, she did make you matching outfits.
Author's Note
Thanks for taking the time to read! It's been years since I've done any writing besides campaigns for DnD/Pathfinder so it felt good to let my creativity out. This the first story I've ever released publicly as well so I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts.