Twilight stood at the door to her library and welcomed in the four ponies who had come to have a party with her and Spike.
“Twilight!” Pinkie Pie shouted, jumping up and down to make herself as seen as possible. “Are you ready for party time?!”
“I am, actually!” Twilight replied with a proud smile.
“I should certainly hope so,” Rarity added, and Twilight noted that Rarity looked as beautiful as the last time Twilight had laid eyes on her. “Because we have an absolute armada of delicious treats that Pinkie prepared for this, and it would be a shame to waste it all.”
“So let’s get to the eating already!” Rainbow chimed in, throwing her hands in the air. “I’m starving!”
“We just had lunch like three hours ago,” Applejack chuckled, and Rainbow just scoffed and bat her hand in return.
Twilight, for her part, was delighted to see everyone, and stood to the side so all four ponies could enter the library, where Pinkie, Applejack, and Rarity set out all the various assorted treats and desserts and meals and such and such, the intoxicating smell wafting through the library and bringing a contented hum out of Twilight.
Twilight then shrieked in shock when she turned around to close the door, only to see Rainbow standing behind her like two inches from her face.
“Can I help you?” Twilight asked in confusion.
“I just wanted to point out how awesome I am,” Rainbow said with a smug grin, “for bringing all these happy ponies to the library, just for you. You’re welcome, Twilight.”
“Please,” Twilight scoffed and crossed her arms, arching an equally smug eyebrow at Rainbow, “you and I both know you couldn’t stay away from this place. I’m the reason everyone’s so drawn to the library, I guess I’m just irresistible.”
Twilight closed her eyes and smirked, feeling oh-so-devilish for getting to act so confident and smug for once.
“Yeah, you’re right.”
Though Rainbow’s reaction caught Twilight off-guard, and she quickly opened her eyes to take stock of Rainbow’s expression, looking at the pegasus to see her wearing an earnest smile.
“Everypony’s here to see you, and I’m really glad that they are,” Rainbow said softly. “You totally deserve it.”
“Thank you, Rainbow,” Twilight reached out her hand to grab Rainbow’s, but hesitated when she remembered that Rainbow didn’t care for physical affection, hence it surprised her when Rainbow grabbed her hand instead. “I’m really glad I met you.”
“Same here, Twi,” Rainbow said, her cheeks turning pink as she rubbed the side of her neck.
“I hope you won’t forget about li’l ol’ Applejack,” Applejack approached Twilight from behind and made the poor girl yelp in surprise, “after your passionate tryst with the librarian.”
Applejack laughed at the flustered expressions from both Twilight and Rainbow, but Twilight couldn’t help but laugh alongside her.
“OOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” Pinkie hollered from the lobby, cupping her mouth with her hands. “I know somepony who’s gonna be super jealous if Twilight has a super passionate tryst with Rainbow Dash!”
Rarity spit out her drink as Pinkie winked at her. “I certainly hope you’re not referring to me!”
“Don’t worry, Rarity,” Rainbow spread her wings and flew over to perch on the reception desk behind Rarity, putting her hands on the unicorn’s shoulders, “even if I did have a super passionate thing with Twilight, I wouldn’t forget about you either, there’s no need to be jealous!”
“Sorry, Rainbow Dash,” Spike chimed in with a huge grin, “Rarity’s only got eyes for Twilight, y’know.”
“WHAT?!” Rarity nearly toppled over her chair with the speed she stood up. “I don’t—I do not have—”
“C’mon, sugarcube,” Applejack headed over to Rarity and needled her in the ribs, “it’s obvious you like Twi, no need to be coy about it.”
“I do not ‘like’ Twilight!” Rarity insisted, loudly.
“You don’t like me, Rarity?” Twilight walked into the lobby and let her hands hang down in front of her, affecting the widest, most innocent puppy-dog eyes she could muster.
“Wh—now that’s simply unfair!” Rarity harrumphed, crossing her arms and turning her head away. “Honestly, busting out the puppy-dog eyes like that, have you no shame, Twilight?”
“So you do like me?” Twilight said with a smirk, sidling up beside Rarity.
“OOOOOOOOOOOO!” Pinkie chimed in, Rainbow and Applejack snickering in chorus.
Rarity sighed melodramatically and rolled her eyes practically out of her head, making a big show of frowning at Twilight.
“Yes, Twilight,” Rarity said in mock protest, “I guess I like you.”
“Yaaaay!” Pinkie Pie clamored, jumping into the air and clapping, the other three present ponies all applauding Rarity’s declaration as well, and it took every ounce of willpower Twilight possessed to not erupt into a giggling fit.
“I call dibs on being Rarity’s maid of honor!” Rainbow said.
“WHAT?!” Rarity shrieked, practically busting Twilight’s ear as she was standing in between the two.
“C’mon, Rainbow,” Applejack chided, “I think yer movin’ a bit fast there. Rarity still needs to get Twilight a ring first.”
“Oh for the love of—” Rarity sighed and buried her bright red face in her hands, and Twilight tried to be supportive and not laugh… too much.
With everyone satisfied by their game of ‘make Rarity blush as much as possible’, Rainbow, Applejack, Spike, and Pinkie sat down on the floor of the lobby and distributed plates and bowls and desserts and snacks and drinks and everything else for each other, though Rarity lingered beside the reception desk for a moment and Twilight stood beside her.
“I hope the teasing didn’t get out of hand,” Twilight said, twirling a strand of her ponytail around her finger. “I’m sorry if you thought I was making fun of you, I just—”
“No, darling,” Rarity gently took Twilight’s hand and brushed her other hand through Twilight’s bangs. “I know it was all in good fun, and I would’ve done the same thing to Rainbow had I been faster.”
“Okay, good,” Twilight sighed in relief, “because it really was funny.”
“I’m so glad you enjoyed yourself at my expense, my dear,” Rarity playfully rolled her eyes and tapped Twilight on the nose.
“You’re normally so unflappable,” Twilight said softly, “it was really cute to see you get all blushy and stuff.”
Rarity blinked, and her cheeks turned red again; Twilight tried not to notice and bit down a smile.
“That’s nice of you to say—”
“It’s the truth,” Twilight insisted, smiling gently at Rarity. “Thank you for coming today, by the way.”
“Oh, darling,” Rarity put her hand on Twilight’s cheek, Twilight leaning comfortably into Rarity's hand with a soft purr. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”