It had taken maybe two hours to get everything in place. A record, if I do say so myself.
My mane was positively shining, my hooves were freshly done, and I had spent more time than normal with a curry comb to make sure my coat was as inviting as possible. My makeup was impeccable, every last touch in place. Everything was perfect as I could make it.
Now I just had to make it out the door.
That was always the hard part. I've been trying for months to work up the nerve to go and talk to her, but I always had something to distract me. A new contract, opening a boutique, or simply trying to spend time with Sweetie Belle. If it wasn't an excuse, it was a friendship mission or simply cowardice.
You are better than this, Rarity,, I tell myself, standing tall and stepping out from the door of my home, making my way confidently down the streets of Ponyville. Faking confidence was easy because I was the only pony that knew I was nervous. Anypony that saw me would simply assume I was out for a constitutional or on my way to see a friend. Possibly an errand or two.
Nopony would know that I was about to admit my deepest secret to my dearest friend. To lay my long-standing admiration out in plain view.
My steps slowed as I thought about what I was about to do. We all wear masks, after a fashion, and I was about to remove mine. I should have done it long ago. But masks serve a singular purpose - to hide and disguise - and I had done a fabulous job constructing mine.
Always talking about my prince, about how the perfect stallion would sweep me from my hooves and carry me off into the high society. I still chuckle at myself sometimes at such dreams. My place in society would never replace the simple comfort I found in a picnic with my friends and I had three boutiques that were performing smashingly. I had been thinking about seeing about opening one in Baltimare recently, even.
The perfect stallion never arrived, because a mare exceeded all my expectations. She embodied so many qualities that made me simply weak-kneed sometimes. She could match me in generosity and inspiration, wasn't afraid of a little hard work, and had built herself up to where she was by simple hard work.
The fact that we shared tastes in many things made everything a bonus when planning get-togethers easier.
I came up to the turn to her home, and I stopped. My last chance to turn away and push the reason for my trip back inside the deep recesses of my heart and mind again. My fear started to spew out reasons not to go through it once again, and I lost my confident stance for a moment, glancing back the way I came.
I shook my head fiercely. No, today I was going through with it. I made my way the rest of the way down to the door and raised my hoof to knock.
And immediately put it back down. My heart was beating so fast I felt like I might pass out. I took several deep breaths to steady my nerves.
"Steady on, Rarity," I whispered to myself. "She's your friend, and even if she doesn't return your feelings, you'll be a far sight better for admitting them."
But I still didn't raise my hoof.
What would the others think? What about Spike? How would he feel, the little darling?
I half turned as doubts and the hushed whispers of fear began to overwhelm my determination. Then her face rose up in my thoughts and I felt calm again. I could trace every line of her face, every last hair of her mane, and the deep purple of her eyes.
"No more," I whispered. "Today is the day I confess it all."
I faced the door and squared my shoulders. I gave my mane a light toss and raised my hoof to knock...
And that's when the door opened to show Spike holding a rolled up list of some sort.
"Oh, hi Rarity!" he said with a little surprise. "What'cha doing here today?"
"Hello, Spike," I said, giving him a smile. He lit up a little when he saw it, and I felt a little flash of joy at that. We may both may never speak about his little crush, but it's only because we both know it will never go anywhere.
I could never bear to see the look on his face as I age and pass on while he appears to never age.
"I'm just looking for Twilight," I continued. "Is she terribly busy today?"
"Not overly," he said. "She's in the library. She’s been on there all day. Wanted me to go get you when I went for groceries, actually.”
“Did she?” I asked. Did she know? "Id best not keep you, that list looks important."
"Just a small shopping list," he said as he hopped down the stairs. "See you later?"
"Of course,"
I walked down to the library and found a small bit of ribbon draped over the handles. I frowned curiously as I lifted the material and opened the door.
And froze.
I stared as Twilight Sparkle smiled at me, a vision of beauty on gilded hooves.
“Come in, Rarity,” she said as she reclined on the couch. “I’ve been waiting for you.” All the windows were closely drawn, candles flickering across the room. Flower petals were scattered around, the purple, white, lavender, and blue blossoms adding a serene feel to the room.
I stammered, the sight in front of me was enough to set my heart galloping. She was wearing the very first dress that I had ever made for her, the one I’d helped her into her first day in Ponyville. The saddle fit across her trim middle and her mane was draped over her shoulder, some of the strands intermixing with her feathers. Her coat shimmered and shone and I detected a little touch of makeup on her, barely noticeable but it’s affect striking in making her eyes stand out.
Oh, goddess, those eyes! They twinkled with amusement and a touch of nervousness behind her partially lowered lids. They drew me in and made me want to waste away the days in their lustrous gleam.
Her confident smile faltered for a moment. Doubt crept in. “Rarity?” she whispered, suddenly self-concious.
I swiftly shook off my awe and smiled. “Goodness, darling,” I said, my voice a little lower than I had expected. “Is all this for me?”
Her doubt vanished, replaced by a sultry smile.
“No,” she whispered huskily. “It’s for us. I noticed how you looked at me sometimes. And, to be honest, I liked it. I wondered sometimes if you ever noticed me looking at you.”
I smiled as I leaned in, a tear of joy slipping free. “Sometimes, But I always thought it was my imagination.”
She reached out and traced a hoof across my cheek, brushing way the tear before leaning forward and kissing me. I returned the kiss fervently. I felt my heart hammering in my chest and leaned forward, easing Twilight to her back, only separating for a moment to gasp for air. She shifted slightly, her wings spreading out behind her and coming around to caress my face and horn, sending tingles down my spine and teasing a light moan from my mouth. I followed suit by leaning forward and nuzzling against her horn, breathing lightly against it. As I felt her shiver beneath me, I sat up and looked down at her.
“So, you like it?” she asked, the nervous bookworm reappearing for a moment.
“It’s delightful, Twilight,” I said softly, tracing a hoof down her neck and back to knead at the junction of her wing, causing the wing to snap out straight and a shuddering gasp slip from her mouth. “Just like you are.”
“Oh, Celestia,” she whispered, using her wings to pull me back to her lips, forelimbs wrapping around my barrel.
I was enjoying the kiss when I felt the tingle of magic wrap around me and I was lifted into the air. I looked at my princess as she gave a flap of her powerful wings and she rolled us around, with me now on the bottom. Looking up at her, I smiled.
“I thought Princesses were supposed to be served,” I said coyly.
“They are,” she whispered, kissing the tip of my horn and pulling another gasp from me. “And right now, you’re my princess.”
I smiled. flicking my tail up against her flanks.
“Oh,” I said. “This is perfect.”
She kissed me again, her horn still glowing, and between the feathery brushes from her wings and the sensation of her lips and mantic touch, I was swept away by blinding joy.
When the world returned, I was still breathing quickly. I looked to my side and grinned at Twilight, her grin as silly looking as mine likely was.
“That was amazing, Twilight,” I breathed, scooting over and nuzzling in under her still extended wing, enjoying the warmth and contact. “However did a bookish pony like you know how to do things like that?”
She blushed hard, wings twitching with nervousness. “Well, I ah…”
I hid my smile as I turned to look her full in the eye. “Twilight, don’t tell me you did research?”
“Yes," she squeaked. “And did...independent verification.”
I blinked for a second as what she said registered. And I couldn’t help but giggle at my love. I leaned forward and kissed her on the end of her nose before snuggling in again.
“Well, I’m going to have to do something about that,” I said coyly before laying my head on my crossed hooves and closing my eyes. “Later.”
“Y-you mean…”
I elbowed her gently. “Hush, Twilight, darling,” I whispered. “Lesson one, bask in the afterglow.”
She settled down, wing tightening against me.
“I understand,” she whispered, kissing me on the crown of my head before laying down and dozing off as well.