//------------------------------// // Under Your Nose // Story: Equestria Wing-Girls // by BasedRainbowz //------------------------------// Dejected, you spot an empty booth along one of the sides of the club. You walk over and sink yourself into the leather backing. Even with six of the best known girls in school helping you, you couldn't find a date. The last one wasn't even your fault. All you wanted was a fun night in the club, why'd you let the girls talk you into this? You cup your head in your hands and stare across the club. You await a hand on your shoulder, or a voice in your ear. That's what has happened throughout the night, but nothing happens. The club continues to move around you as it has all throughout the night. You look around for a familiar face, but see no-one. You put your head further into your hands, reflecting on the night's events. This was meant to be fun, and maybe you'd actually have a date by the end of it. Win or lose, you'd have a good evening with your friends. But you only feel empty, as if the wind has been sucked from you. You sigh, before looking back up across the dancefloor. Unexpectedly, you feel the leather sag next to you, catching you off guard. You turn to see Rainbow Dash, initially returning your gaze, before turning towards the dancefloor, similarly to you previously. "Hey, Anon," she begins, still gazing out towards the floor. "No luck finding anyone?" You contemplate lying to her, but you're certain the other girls will tell her. It's best she gets the truth. You shake your head, gaining her full attention, as well as a look of sympathy. You turn your head away from her, staring off into the distance as you were doing before. "What about you? I thought you'd be fighting off guys by now." you respond, your sentence laced with sarcasm which thankfully goes over Rainbow's head. From the corner of your eye, you see her fidget nervously. "Me? Oh, totally, I had like...fifteen guys wanting my number. There were so many...I had to..." Rainbow trails off as you turn back towards her. She lets out a long sigh and collapses into the sofa. "What's the use? Tonight was a bust. I couldn't get a guy in here if my life depended on it." Rainbow slumps back even more and stares across the dancefloor, watching the crowd of happy patrons enjoy themselves. An awkward silence falls between you and Rainbow. You both cast your eyes across the floor, filled with happy partners dancing the night away. Rarity, Pinkie and even Fluttershy are dancing with partners, while Applejack is chatting to a guy at the bar. At least some people are having a good night. "So this is our night, huh?" she quips, her voice expressionless. You're surprised Rainbow had trouble finding someone tonight. She's outgoing, brave and athletic. This is the type of place you'd expect someone like her to thrive. "Just because I don't wear makeup and fancy dresses like every other girl..." Rainbow mumbles. Suddenly, glancing across the dancefloor, and back to Rainbow, you piece her situation together. It's true, Rainbow doesn't deal with the whole 'beauty' thing, whereas the other girls take at least half an hour to be ready for anything. Well, maybe aside from Applejack. But you admire that. She could easily be the same as other girls, spend hours slathering herself with product, slaving over achieving perfection. But she doesn't. She's happy with herself. And who could blame her? She's beautiful without all of that stuff. You distance yourself from your daydream, gathering your thoughts. You glance over to your friend, staring emotionless across the densely packed nightclub. A strobing light highlights her face for a second, allowing you a moment to reflect. You weren't exactly wrong. Rainbow has always had an effortless beauty to her. Something you feel makeup would only detract from. You turn back away in contemplation. What're you thinking!? Are you falling for Rainbow? She's your best friend! Not just that, but she wretches when couples kiss in movies, zones out when the girls talk about dates and boys and is more interested in sports days than prom nights. You can't say anything mushy to her, she'd just laugh it off. Maybe she'd get offended, she might think you're insulting her. Maybe she'd never speak to you again You look over to Rainbow, who has slumped back into the sofa, resigned to her current dull night. No, you can't just end the night like this. The two of you, sat emotionless for the remainder of the night, waiting on the girls to finish. You don't believe in destiny, but you feel ending up here tonight with Rainbow wasn't coincidence. Consequences be damned, you've got to take this chance. Your mind is made up. You need to say something that she needs to hear, something, deep down, you want to tell her. "You look beautiful the way you are, Rainbow." you respond, before immediately freezing, the ramifications of your actions racing through your mind. "Exactly! I mean-" Rainbow stops dead, deciphering your sentence. You remain silent, attempting to regain your composure. Rainbow turns to face you, her face dropped in shock. You can barely look at her in fear of what might come next. A slap, a laugh, a- "W-what did you say?" Rainbow sheepishly asks. That wasn't the reply you expected. A laugh and a playful punch to the arm was probably your best case scenario. Instead, as you turn back to face Rainbow, you're met with an unexpected gaze. One of confusion, but also curiosity. The bad thoughts immediately plague your mind as you try to decode Rainbow's puzzled expression. You could have just stayed quiet, you could have avoided this awkwardness. Yet here you are, you just called your best friend beautiful, and she doesn't seem to be complaining. In fact, within the silence between you both, Rainbow seems to almost examine you, looking for any discrepancies in your expression. Nervousness continues to haunt you. You expect her to start laughing at any moment, or her expression to turn to anger. You feel your heart beat ever faster, you don't know if you can face this any longer. However, in the silence, Rainbow's expression hasn't changed, aside from looking a little more concerned at your lack of response. She continues to stare at you, magenta eyes piercing through your own. No. You can't back down from this. No matter what, this needs to be done. Rainbow needs to know. "I said you look beautiful the way you are." you calmly reply, not taking your eyes off Rainbow. Her eyes widen, a slight gasp of shock leaving her mouth. A strobing light passes by her face, revealing a light blush, only for a second. Again, you brace yourself for the worst. As Rainbow processes your sentence, you await the consequences. The sound of laughter or an angry riposte. You can hardly look, glancing from the corner of your eye. "Y-you mean it?" Rainbow uncomfortably stutters, breaking her usually cool persona for a moment. Her response catches you by surprise. You look back to Rainbow, a small smile across her face, lights showcasing her rose-red cheeks. Adorable isn't a word you'd ever think to use to describe Rainbow Dash, but she fits the description perfectly right now. "Of course I do, I wouldn't lie to you, Rainbow." you answer, giving Rainbow a comfortable smile. After taking a second to compose herself, Rainbow sits up and wraps her arms around you tightly, as if she was trying to squeeze all of the air out of you. "Thank you." she whispers in your ear before shuffling out of the booth and standing up, stretching an inviting arm to you. You give her a confused look, as she rolls her eyes. "Well? Are we gonna dance or not?" Rainbow impatiently asks, playfully taping her foot and letting yet another smile creep onto her face. "Or are you gonna keep this beautiful girl waiting?" You struggle to stop a smile of your own breaking its way onto your face as you take Rainbow's hand. With immense force, she pulls you up and leads you towards the crowded mass of people jumping about on the dancefloor. You take a look at Rainbow, who gazes back with giddy eyes and a huge smile. Maybe you'll enjoy this night after all.