"Another one."
The bartender eyed her suspiciously, but Rainbow didn't care. Five shots was not enough to get her remotely tipsy.
When the glass came, she downed it all too quickly. Here on the outskirts of Canterlot, she didn't have to worry about her friends knowing.
Twilight would offer her articles and studies on alcohol. Rarity would watch her like a hawk and keep her distracted. Pinkie would throw a quitting party. Fluttershy would actually get angry. Applejack would shake her head and tell her many things she didn't want to hear.
Besides, it wasn't like she got drunk all the time. This happened about once or twice a year.
She just felt down. There was no reasonable explanation, just that she didn't feel well. It helped to forget things. It helped for no reason.
Another shot down.
Six.
Seven.
Eight.
Nine.
Ten.
Her head felt dizzy. She felt the room spinning. There was no voice to come out of her mouth.
Vaguely, she felt something drop. She really couldn't care less.
The next moment, she was overwhelmed with the urge to close her eyes.
She did.
The next thing she felt was a ringing pain to the head.
"Are you feeling alright?" An all too familiar face emerged.
"Yeah..." She combed down her mane praying that it was decent.
"You don't sound very sure." He said gently. "Here, tea."
It took only an instant for it to be all gone.
"What, happened?" She formed those words carefully, trying not to expose the sorry state of her voice.
"You were raving about your friends, you love life, your career, Scootaroo's...? Wings?" Soarin searched for words.
Oh god.
O dieu.
What had she done exactly?
Silently, she vowed to never drink more than five of those anymore.
"Now answer my question. Why, of all things, did you get drunk?"
"I don't remember." It was a lie, and they both knew it. Still, no one said a word.
"Next time, tell me. I'll coach you in flying if I have to. Just avoid getting drunk or doing stupid things. Rainbow, that was frightening. For everyone's sake, please don't. It's bad for you."
"I heard enough from Twilight, don't worry. This doesn't happen often." She flashed a wide smile. It didn't fool him.
"Of all ponies, Rainbow, why do you act in front of me? You know, that if you want to, you can tell me anything. I won't judge. I'll sit here and listen and give you a shoulder to cry on." He took her into his embrace, "Besides, you told me enough yesterday. I guess I should be happy, but I'm worried that at this rate you'll never tell me anything unless you had ten shots in."
"Ouch. What did I say, exactly?" Rainbow pulled away a little and faced him.
"Don't get embarrassed, but you did say you liked me."
"Ouch."
"What, don't you want me to know?"
"You told me late enough." Rainbow giggled. "Now one less thing to worry about."
"Then do you want to know anything?" Soarin offered.
"Why, yes. Your response?"
"I'm sure you don't feel even half as much as I do." He deadpanned.
"How sure?"
"More than sure." Soarin wrapped his wings around her too. "At least, at this rate, Spitfire's going to have to stop trying to set me up with other mares. I don't know if you want to hear it or not, but I don't like anypony else. Just you. From the gala, it was just you."
"I don't know. I'm not big on relationships. I've never liked that many ponies." Rainbow shrugged. "But this is comfortable, damn."
"Glad you're happy. Anything for my favorite mare." He winked.
"Pft." Rainbow made a face. "Cheesy. I'll kill you if you tell anyone else, but I'm perfectly content."
"Of course. I'm amazing."
"I'm the awesomest."
"Is that a word, even?"
"It is now."
"I'd like to say something, but what do I say to something like that?"
"Agree with me."
"Fine, you're awesome. You're also mine."
"Right. You're mine too."