Chapter 1
Rainbow Dash made her way to the library; she hadn't been this excited since the last Wonderbolts show. Twilight had invited her over saying she wanted to interview Rainbow Dash for a book about her and the other elements. She told her she wanted to capture her coolness so she needed to interview her personally. Rainbow flew in through an open window, shouting “Twi, I’m here!” as she entered so as to not scare Twilight.
“Oh good, would you like something to drink?” Twilight's voice came from the kitchen.
“Sure, have any of Applejack’s cider?” Rainbow asked, sitting on one of the chairs dotted around the library to wait.
“I just got some more yesterday.” Twilight answered, walking out of the kitchen with two mugs held in her magic. She reached the table where Rainbow was sat, levitating one mug over to Rainbow while a notebook and quill also made their way to the lavender unicorn. “So Rainbow, I wanted to start the interview in your early years. Do you mind if we start with the family that raised you, or would you prefer starting later?”
“I would rather skip over my parents; I really don't like talking about them too much. It's not like they were bad though, they just weren't very supportive...” Rainbow looked out the window and smiled coldly, her voice bitter, “of my lifestyle. So let's start with Cloudsdale.”
“Sure thing Dash, but before I continue, what kind of lifestyle did your parents not support?” Twilight said with a smile Rainbow hadn't ever seen Twilight wear before. It was almost coy but also a little sneaky, like she had another agenda in mind. “From what I’ve seen of you in Ponyville, your lifestyle is centered around speed and the Wonderbolts. I don’t see what a family could find wrong with that. It probably made you a little competitive, yes, but it would mean you were always trying to better yourself, how could any family not support that?”
“Yea well, umm, I kinda broke a lot of things when I was little, flying around too fast and doing tricks in the house. My parents punished me a lot for it and I ran away to Cloudsdale cause I couldn't take them punishing me all the time.” Rainbow said casually and Twilight noticed that it felt like a rehearsed answer, “I know it’s kinda dumb, but I was young and you know how I hate taking orders.”
“Dash, if you don’t want to answer a question, just say pass. I won’t think any less of you because of it. Anyway, what was your first time in Cloudsdale like? I understand that you and Fluttershy got bullied a lot. Did it have anything to do with your unique appearance? I know it was Fluttershy's introverted nature that caused her to be the targeting of bullying but what about you?” Twilight asked, smiling warmly at Rainbow Dash as she gently stirred her cider.
“A little bit I guess, I mean I have mane and tail colors that are often associated with behaviors often frowned upon by other ponies.” Rainbow paused for a moment before continuing on a different tangent. ”More often than that though, were my crashes. I crashed all the time at home, and it was no better in Cloudsdale. Oh man I remember that one time I crashed through the principal’s window, he was livid. You’ve heard my old nickname, Rainbow Crash,” Rainbow winced as she said it, “it's a product of the old bullies. They also liked to make fun of me because I was overprotective of Fluttershy, though I think those rumors hurt her more than me.” Rainbow smiled a bit as she busied herself with her cider.
“What rumors would those be Dash? I've asked Fluttershy and a few others who I know you attended flight school with about it before, but Fluttershy usually clams up about Cloudsdale and flight school and the others got rather defensive. Care to tell me anything about the rumors? Were they hurtful, did they escalate things? What was the nature of the rumors that everyone seems so afraid of?” Twilight looked Rainbow in the eyes as she asked.
She looked almost hopeful, or maybe that was just a spark of curiosity. It was hard to tell. Rainbow thought to herself.
“Did you do something to the people who spread the rumors, is that why no one wants to talk about them? Were some of the rumors true and you made people promise to keep them a secret. You know I won't judge you Rainbow, I will be there for you no matter what.”
“Well most of the rumors were about me- umm -being of a certain persuasion and preferring the company of mares over stallions, they even said that I was only protecting Fluttershy because of that. The rumors terrified Flutters the first time she heard them and she had trouble talking to me for a while, I could never figure out whether it was because she was scared of the bullies, or if she didn’t like same-sex relationships. It hurt me too; most of the rumors were hard to defend against since all my friends were female.” Rainbow fidgeted slightly as she explained the rumors, it wasn’t a nice time, for her or for Fluttershy.
Twilight winced in sympathy before moving on with the interview, the next question already coming from her mouth. “Is that the only reason it was hard to defend against them, or was there more?”
“Well, um, I mean, so yea my friends in flight school were mostly mares, I didn't hang out- What?” She interrupted herself when she saw Twilight giving her a sly look.
“Rainbow Dash, are you avoiding my question? I won't judge you, I may not have had friends, but I did experiment a little bit back in Canterlot. I am fine with mares liking mares. I have found that though I can enjoy the company of stallion, I prefer the company of a mare and often enjoy it more. Strictly speaking from a scientific viewpoint, it is more common for mares to be bisexual in orientation due to the disparity of the gender spread within Equestria.” Twilight paused to take a drink, enjoying the sight of Rainbow's shocked and slightly befuddled expression. “Also factoring in the magical properties of love allowing for same sex couplings to foal, it has been found that ponies are far more accepting of same sex couples in modern times compared to the old days. There is still discrimination against it, but after the Princess came out of the stable, so to speak, society has made many strides in acceptance.”
Rainbow sputtered a bit, “Twilight you have- with both genders- more than once- with different ponies?” Twilight sighed,
“Yes Rainbow Dash, I have indeed, it's not that uncommon. I’m fairly sure AJ and Rarity might have something going on too. Either that or Rarity and Fluttershy, but I think Fluttershy is trying to catch Big Mac’s eye.” Rainbow sat back, her mouth slightly agape.
“Seriously?”
Twilight didn’t miss a beat, “Yes I have. So, back to my question from before, the rumors of your persuasions. Were they hard to defend because of reasons beyond what you stated?” Rainbow snapped back from her surprise and sighed.
“Yes, it's hard to defend against the truth sometimes. I’d be lying if I told them that I was straight. It's also the real reason I ran away.” Rainbow paused, taking a deep breath before continuing, “Most of my life, I haven't been accepted because of it. Ponyville was the first place I found that didn't care. It's why I settled here, that and Fluttershy, my closest friend, lives here.”
“I see so you are a lesbian.” Twilight's smile unnerved Rainbow Dash a little so her answer came out hesitantly,
“Y-y-yes.”
Rainbow flinched back, expecting Twilight to do… well anything but that! Twilight launched herself over the table and into Rainbow. Rainbow had not been expecting Twilight’s lips to meet her own. She had not been expecting the hooves to wrap around her neck, and she had most certainly not been expecting Twilight to be that good at kissing.
Rainbow fainted almost immediately, whether from surprise or sheer elation, Twilight was unsure, but she took it in her stride. She wrote a short note telling Rainbow that she’d be visiting the Carousel Boutique if she would want to find her. As soon as she stepped out of the library into the afternoon sun, her pupils became pinpricks and her breathing accelerated as she began hyperventilating.
What had she done? She’d just kissed Rainbow Dash without her permission; she’d potentially thrown their entire friendship into jeopardy just to fulfill some stupid crush. She just knew that when Rainbow woke up, she’d completely disown Twilight as her friend, writing to the Princess to get me thrown out of her favour, out of Ponyville, out of Equestria, and- and- and…
“Twilight, are you alright my dear? you look positively...” Rarity, having decided to come and meet Twilight, was interrupted by a thud as Twilight promptly fainted on the spot. Twilight was completely rigid and even rocked a little as her stiff form settled on the ground. “Well I guess you went through with your plan, didn't you dear.” Rarity sighed to herself, gently levitating Twilight into the air and taking her back to the Boutique to rest. Rarity's ears were twitching slightly from a nearly imperceptible squealing sound coming from the motionless Twilight she was levitating.
~~
Rainbow woke up some time later to the empty library. “What? Why am I...?” The moments before passing out filtered into her mind. “Oh Celestia! Twilight’s a… and she…!” Rainbow launched herself into the air, a high-pitched squeal echoing up her throat. She spotted a note on the mantelpiece, addressed to ‘Rainbow’. She quickly grabbed it.
Rainbow Dash,
I’ll probably be at Rarity's boutique when you wake up. If you want to give me an answer, I’ll be there.
Hopefully your special somepony,
Twilight Sparkle
The note didn't even have chance to hit the floor before Rainbow had flown out the window towards Rarity's boutique.
~~
“Oh my Twilight, you make such a great mannequin. I wonder if I could get you to freeze up like this more often. I really hate it when you fidget while I’m trying to fit a dress, though I could do without that squealing sound which I can only assume is coming from you. I do hope Opalesence comes out of hiding before Fluttershy has to intervene again.” Rarity spoke towards Twilight, shuddering slightly at the memory of the last time Opal had hidden. It had taken Fluttershy half a day to get the poor kitty up from the basement and settled down again. Rarity chatted to the frozen Twilight normally as she used her as a living mannequin to adjust her newest dress for her.
As she added the finishing touches, she heard a monstrous thud and her door fell inward of its hinges. Rainbow Dash was planted firmly on the other side, practically buzzing with excitement. “Where is she? I have an answer for her!” Rainbow shouted as she scanned the room. When she saw Twilight she froze, “Rarity, umm, what's wrong with Twilight? And what is that sound?” Rainbow asked, shaking her head slightly to try and clear her head from the irritating noise.
“That, Rainbow Dash, would be Twilight; I assume her plan went well, and judging from your reaction, you’re quite happy with it as well. I do wish you could have just knocked though.” Rarity glanced at the broken door with regret, “Give me a second, I’ll wake her up.” Rarity leant over and whispered something to Twilight before standing back.
Twilight's eyes dilated and the squealing became inaudible for a second before Twilight completely unfroze and toppled over in a mess of hooves. Twilight immediately scrambled to her hooves, noticing the dress that she was wearing and she gave Rarity a sharp look, not that the fashionista paid it any heed, then Twilight’s eyes found Rainbow and she turned deep red, looking away again. “Um, hey Rainbow, sorry about earlier... please don't hate me. I got lost in the moment and I just...did they dumbest thing ever that is gonna cost me you..." Twilight failed to notice that Rainbow was almost vibrating in place with excitement. "About the dress I totally didn't I didn't get this dress commissioned in the hope of dating you in it at all. I didn't get one that I would coerce you into wearing...” Twilight’s rambling was interrupted by a kiss from Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow turned to Rarity, “Get me that dress, I want to make this night memorable for Twilight” Rainbow turned and looked at Rarity as their friend squealed and stammered. “R-r-r-Rainbow Dash asking to be put into a dress of her own accord? This is too WONDERFUL!” She grabbed Rainbow and dragged her into the back room to begin the final touches with the dress on Rainbow Dash.
Twilight watched Rarity drag Rainbow Dash into the back room with a small chuckle as she smoothed out her dress and laid down on the couch. “I can't believe this is really happening. Oh by Celestia I can't believe I did that, I kissed Dashie. I didn't plan that part but...” Twilight paused as she brushed her lips with her hoof. “It felt so right. I was acting in the heat of the moment but it felt so good and right.” Twilight giggled a bit and sighed.
“Ever since we fought Nightmare Moon together I have wanted to do that to her. At first I didn't know what I was feeling and I thought it might be lust but something told me it wasn't” She paused and thought over when it occurred to her what she had been feeling and how it had changed. “I never just realized it did I? I always knew it was love, it was unlike anything I felt back in Canterlot. It felt more powerful and it had only become stronger.” Twilight settled into the couch and began reminiscing about Rainbow Dash.
~~
“So Rainbow Dash, how do you feel about our wonderful friend Twilight.” Rarity began her standard interview while fitting routine with Rainbow now that they were alone.
“I think I like her, she's a gorgeous mare, she has a wonderful personality, she can sing, she is super intelligent. She has that humble attitude even though she's probably the strongest unicorn ever. Of all the mares I have dated she is the one with longest list of reasons why.” Rainbow paused and nibbled her lower lip.
“What's with the worry lip dear, you seemed so happy a second ago.” Rarity looked at Rainbow a little concerned without breaking stride as she fitted the dress.
“I'm worried, Rarity. I have never really had anyone approve of my lifestyle and love of mares. I have dated a couple of mares and it never ended well. I don't want that to happen with Twi. I'm scared that if it doesn't work then I'll loose her for good. I'm scared that I won't be able to continue being loyal to her if it goes sour. My biggest worry is protecting her from the judgement we're going to receive for something we can't help. I know in my heart she's worth it and that even if it goes bad she won't leave, but I can't help but worry she will.” Rainbow Dash paused taking a deep breath and sighing heavily.
“I have to make this work, not for me or her, but for us.” Rainbow paused and seemed to chew on the last word. “Us. Yes us, not me and Twilight or Twilight and Rainbow or Twilight and me but us.” Rainbow seemed to stand straighter with a smile. She looked like she had just dropped a weight from her shoulders as she realized something. “Yes it's now going to be us. We will fight, we will find a place for ourselves. Together we will face the future and together we will work on what I fear. Even if it stops being us, she will make it a different us so that we can work on together to stay friends. It's no longer just me fighting, now I have her beside me, and we'll protect each other.”
Rarity smiled warmly, “Wow dear, it sounds like that's something new for you. Have you never felt that way before?” Rainbow nodded sheepishly. “Well you and Twilight compliment each other so I know it will work, now stay still, you're making this harder than it needs to be.” Rarity stuck a pin into Rainbows back and froze instantly. “Thank you for that little trick Aloe, I must remember to tip you better the next time I see you.”
~~
Twilight had drifted off but awoke to the sound of the backroom opening. When she looked over, her breath caught in her throat at the sight of the gorgeous mare walking through the door. Rarity had outdone herself again, making Rainbow look as pretty as she could be. Twilight smiled as Rainbow walked up. “Twilight, how do I look?" Rainbow asked, making a show of turning around before she faced Twilight again. "I have something for you by the way.” Rainbow said, pulling out a necklace that had a multi-colored lightning bolt cutie mark engraven into what looked like a diamond, and lowered it over Twilight's neck. “It matches the one you gave me.” Rainbow replied, pulling out a similar necklace with Twilight's cutie mark as the centrepiece this time.
“Rainbow you look amazing and thank you.” Twilight blushed a little. “So shall we go?” Twilight asked, before walking out of the store together, leaving Rarity standing in the background, wiping a happy tear from her eye.
They turned away from the Boutique, it was a warm evening and the sun was just above the horizon. Rainbow broke the silence, “So shall we Twilight? I figure dinner and then a walk through the meadow sounds pretty romantic.” Rainbow looked at Twilight who was beaming.
“I think I want to add a flight with you and we can watch the moon rise and the stars on a cloud together.” Rainbow smiled and gave Twilight a quick peck.
“I think I like the idea of snuggling with you on a cloud, but nothing more ‘till the third date, you got that?” Rainbow asked in mock seriousness as Twilight froze instantaneously and began her squeal again, Rainbow nipping her ear.
