Twilight answered the door to find Rarity standing in the dusky glow of the sun’s last few rays. Rarity broke into a wide grin and stepped inside, Twilight’s pulse quickening as she watched.
Beautiful mane, flawless coat. Those ocean-hued eyes that hint at similar untold depths.
Twilight led her guest into the sphere of dancing candlelight around the table and sat across from her. Grinning demurely, Rarity averted her eyes and hunched her shoulders up. A brief, silent giggle made her head bob as she nudged her glass toward Twilight, twin flickers illuminating her features.
As she poured cider for each of them, Twilight sought out those eyes again where they lay shrouded beneath Rarity’s mane. She reached out a hoof and turned Rarity’s chin forward, but couldn’t make herself meet that gaze.
Those eyes. Always those eyes, reducing Twilight to a stuttering foal.
Twilight smiled and beckoned toward Rarity’s plate, levitating her own fork up to enjoy that afternoon’s effort of spaghetti pomodoro. Sampling for herself, Rarity savored a bite before bouncing her shoulders in tacit laughter, a napkin floating up to dab some sauce from her lip.
Rarity leaned forward, half-lidded eyes at once questioning and insisting. Those eyes. A chill running down her spine, Twilight mirrored the gesture, their muzzles inches apart. Those deep pools, gazing back with... a faint purple glow. Twilight hesitated, then drew back. Slamming a hoof down on the tabletop, she sniffled against a sudden rush of tears. Rarity’s mouth hung agape.
Why not her? Everypony else finds that special connection, but never her. “Just go home, Rarity. You won’t remember anyway.”
Twilight answered the door to find Rarity standing in the rosy glow of the sun’s first few rays. “Twilight, I—”
“Just go home and sleep it off. Must be some aftereffect. I’ll cast the counterspell again.” She trudged over to where her book of love charms still lay open. No counterspell is necessary; there are no lasting effects beyond the initial four hours.
Twilight blinked and read the passage again. ...no lasting effects...
She gaped and looked back to the doorway, where Rarity held out a hoof. “I’m afraid I’ve been rather a coward about... my feelings, and... it’s time to rectify that,” Rarity said.
Taking the proffered hoof in her own, Twilight felt her heart dance as she gazed into those eyes and invited Rarity inside.