Twilight was still. To move was to risk one of the countless pins Rarity had strewn through her dress sticking her. Said dress was taking shape and even Twilight’s inexperienced eye could tell that it was exquisitely beautiful. She liked it very much. She could only hope Rainbow would too. Of course, Rainbow would say that whatever she wore was beautiful, no matter what it was. She was sweet that way.
Rarity was saying something. Twilight hadn’t been listening. “I’m sorry, what was that? I was a little distracted.”
“Nothing much. I was just wondering what Rainbow did for you for Hearts and Hooves day?” Rarity said.
“Ah,” Twilight said. She had to think for a moment of how to put it. “Well, she gave me some flowers. And chocolate. It was nice.”
“Is that all, darling?” Rarity said, looking over the top of her glasses.
Now that was just unfair. “Hey. Cut that out. Rainbow might not be the most… romantic pony, but she cares in her own way. You know I’m not great at romance myself.”
Rarity sighed and carried on with the dress. “As long as you’re happy, I suppose.”
“I am. Very much so.” Twilight couldn’t keep a smile from breaking out as she thought of her girlfriend. If only Rarity knew.
Twilight had enough self esteem to think that she looked pretty good without any fancy clothes but Rarity always gave that something extra. She didn’t usually bother much with looking pretty so it was a treat. More importantly, Rainbow Dash deserved a beautiful girlfriend.
She always had something to say about their relationship. But one did not date Rainbow without getting used to snarky comments and Rarity didn’t mean anything by it anyway. The artist was just as much a critic. “All I’m saying is, you deserve something better than a date at the Hay Burger.” Quietly, with a carefully measured amount of sarcasm.
“Hey, I like the Hay Burger. And even Rainbow Dash knows better than to do Hearts and Hooves there.” Even if I don’t, Twilight thought.
“Mmhmm. Just be sure not to get any ketchup on this dress, dear,” Rarity said, finishing the last stitches.
Twilight nodded. “Of course. I wouldn’t dream of it.” Which was true. Twilight had to suppress a laugh. Rarity didn’t have the slightest idea of what Rainbow was really like. At first, she had just promised her marefriend she would be discreet out of respect for her wishes but, as time went on, Twilight found that she enjoyed being the only one who knew the truth.
“I don’t suppose you know what Rainbow does have planned?” Rarity said.
“We’re going to Cloudsdale. I’m not sure where exactly, but I’m sure—”
“No, no, no. That’s not what I mean. You two have clearly got that taken care of.”
“What do you mean then?”
“I’m talking about plans, Twilight. You two have been at this for how long now? Surely you’ve at least thought about—”
“Oh,” Twilight said. She had indeed thought about that. Quite a bit. But it hadn’t occurred to her that that would be the day Rainbow asked the question. She felt dizzy and her knees a bit weak. “No. She h-hasn’t told me anything.”
They chatted for a good while more as Rarity worked. She took her time but the results were always, always worth it. Twilight loved the dress. She looked so pretty in it and she hoped Rainbow would be impressed. “Thank you,” she said, as firmly as she said anything. Rarity would never accept money from her and while she was correct that the royal endorsement was worth plenty of bits itself, it was still an incredible display of generosity.
Twilight liked Cloudsdale. It was such a fascinating city. More than that, Rainbow was more comfortable being her true self here. For the longest time Twilight had been unable to imagine Rainbow putting on so much as lipstick, and yet now walking alongside her was a mare whose beauty even Rarity could not hope to match. Yes, she was biased, but who cared? As far as Twilight was concerned, the prettiest mare in Equestria was walking by her side, and for some unknowable reason deigned to return her affections.
But Twilight could not help but wonder if there was anything hidden in the folds of her dress. She watched Rainbow for signs of nervousness, excitement. She was practiced at hiding those things though.
The clouds were soft beneath her hooves as they walked toward the restaurant. “I just wanna warn you Twi, I’ve never actually been here, I’ve only heard how good it is. I don’t know how much you’ll like it.”
“Well, I know you wouldn’t take me somewhere you didn’t think I’d like,” Twilight said, putting a wing over Rainbow’s shoulder. Wings were such useful limbs, it was such a short time since she had become an alicorn and already she couldn’t think of how she would express herself without her wings. When she thought of what she would have been like had she been born a pegasus—Rainbow would have had competition for the Wonderbolts, she was sure.
And who but Rainbow had taught her to use those wings? It was meant to be, pure destiny. Rainbow had given her her cutie mark, Rainbow had helped her become an alicorn, Rainbow had taught her what love felt like, the giving and the getting of it. And in a magical twist, she had taught those same things, despite utter inexperience. But love was a kind of friendship after all, and for all her expertise on that there was a large part of it that could only be lived, not studied. That came from nothing more and nothing less than hours spent with creatures one cared for.
Another pony might say it was only a twist of fate that had joined her with Rainbow rather than another one of her friends. Twilight disagreed: it was nothing less than fate, destiny itself, that they loved each other.
What other reason could possess a pony—especially Rainbow Dash—to listen for hours upon hours to reports about the books she was reading. Not always intently, and that was okay, Twilight didn’t expect that of anypony. Even Spike tuned her out after a few minutes at most.
“We’re here,” Rainbow said. It was sudden, regardless of how long they had actually been approaching the restaurant. Rainbow must have been feeling indulgent to let her stay in her head that long. She was a sweetheart like that. Twilight had gotten better about it thanks to her friends, no doubt, but Rainbow in particular kept her grounded.
Rarity would have approved of the restaurant, Twilight could tell just standing outside. Certainly better than what she herself would have taken Rainbow to. The Fanciness only increased once they stepped inside, Rainbow hardly getting her name out before a waiter took them to their table.
The place was packed. “Wow, how long ago did you have to make the reservation?” Twilight said.
Her Dashie shrugged. “Eh, just a little after Hearth’s Warming.” She paused for a moment in the face of Twilight’s skepticism. “Last year,” she added.
Twilight jolted at that, assured the waiter that it wasn’t his fault, ordered some good wine for them (she had grown up in Canterlot), and turned her attention back to Rainbow. “That long ago?”
Rainbow blushed. “Yeah, that’s kinda just how this place is. The waiting list is loooong. Plus I thought it would be sexy. You know how you are with planning.”
Twilight’s heart fluttered. She was grateful for her friends, and her bonds with them had opened her to the idea that she might actually find love one day, and Rainbow had made more headway into that space than she had thought possible, but forget the restaurant, forget the gorgeous, elegant dress Rainbow wore, all the flowers and chocolates—a very long list was updated in Twilight’s head, for scheduling a date a year in advance took first place as the loveliest gesture Rainbow had made. It wasn’t just surprise, the incongruity of how Rainbow presented herself to the world and how she actually was as a partner; Twilight was adult enough to recognize that it was unreasonable to expect anypony to accommodate many of her… quirks, but her girlfriend had done just that, unprompted and usasked. It took effort not to swoon, or worse. Rainbow and passion were intimate partners.
The menu was extensive, and Twilight was surprised to see many traditional unicorn dishes on it. The restaurant was in the heart of Cloudsdale after all, a city which was homogenous by nature. Which presented her with a dilemma. Should she see the chefs’ interpretations of the foods she had grown up eating, or explore pegasus cuisine? For her part, Rainbow was quick to choose a simple salad. Fancy dates were one thing, but fancy food was another. She ordered the same thing. They both had enough complicated things in their lives that food didn’t need to be added to the mix.
There were far more important things she had to think about, like treaties, and budgets, and how absolutely beautiful Rainbow was. Her makeup was expertly applied, enhancing her features to an almost painful degree. Her dress was gorgeous as well.
The wine came. And as Twilight was appreciating the novelty of the dark purple cloud it was served as, she noticed a pair of ponies coming into the room out of the corner of her eye. She stiffened. In through the doors walked Fluttershy, with a stallion who was clearly Discord. “What are they doing here?” she muttered.
“Hmm?” Rainbow turned around to look. That only lasted a moment before Twilight pulled her back.
“Careful! They might see us. Your reputation—” But it was too late. Fluttershy was already trotting toward them.
“Relax, I got this,” Rainbow said. She composed herself and pretended to be surprised when Fluttershy arrived.
“Hello girls.”
“Fluttershy! What are you doing here?” Rainbow said in a less than convincing tone.
“Oh, I just convinced Discord to make himself… presentable for the night. I took him to meet my parents earlier. We’re having a lovely time. But what about you? I’m surprised to see you in a place like this.And looking so pretty—not that you’re not usually pretty, just… dressed up.”
Rainbow shrugged. “You know Twilight. Leave it to her to research the best restaurants in Cloudsdale. She wanted me to get dolled up like this too, and it’s like, hey, I’ve done worse things for her, why not?” All of this with a very conscious nonchalance.
“Mmmhmm,” Fluttershy said. She sounded skeptical, but nopony pushed it. “Well, I hope you two have a wonderful time as well.”
“It sure won’t be boring with Rainbow around, that’s for sure,” Twilight said.
“Geeze, Twilight,” Rainbow said once their friend had left, “I know I told you to keep all this on the down low, but that was freakin’ Fluttershy. We grew up together. I think you’re starting to get more concerned with my reputation than I am.” Rainbow laughed.
Well of course! Rainbow was her girlfriend. It was her duty to keep her happy, and more importantly, it made her happy. “Maybe I am. Is that so wrong? I just enjoy being the only one to see this side of you. It makes me feel special.”
“More special than saving the world fifty times and becoming an alicorn princess?”
“Yes,” Twilight said. “Anypony can do all that. But I’m not only dating a Wonderbolt, but the awesomest, most well read Wonderbolt there is.”
Rainbow blushed—yet another mode in which her cuteness could appear! “Yeah, I guess when you put it like that it makes sense.”
They talked of many things as they drank and ate. Was it a little silly to go on a nice date in a fancy restaurant and talk about fanfiction? By the standards of conventional society, perhaps. But when that was something you had in common with the most wonderful mare in the world, it was an opportunity you did not waste. Rainbow had learned so much about writing and was really coming into her own. Twilight listened to her talking enthusiastically about ideas she had and felt honored, humbled, to have played a part in getting her to be able to express them. The way Rainbow grinned describing her next project was enthralling. It was a smile Twilight wanted to see forever.
Twilight felt a surge of anticipation when the dessert came. This was when ponies did it, wasn’t it? But there was nothing on the waiter’s tray but cheesecake. Twilight suppressed a sigh. Rarity had just had to go and get her hopes up. She didn’t mope though. Sharing cheesecake with Rainbow Dash was anything but a disappointment.
The night deepened outside; the crowd in the restaurant thinned. How long they had been there Twilight could not say. All durations were indeterminate when Rainbow Dash was around. Seconds, minutes, and hours all seemed to blend together into an all-too-short span of bliss. Her face hurt from smiling and laughing, and it was a good pain.
Rainbow led Twilight through the streets of that strange city. Even though it was dark, the bright white clouds that everything was composed of shone like snow.
They passed out of the city, seamlessly switching from walking to flying. Twilight hung behind as the dark expanse of open night sky swallowed them. Rainbow led her directly to her house. They alit on the front steps.
Down below the lights of Ponyville glittered, shining all the other couples on their dates. Twilight stood, watching. Rainbow was very much a resident of Ponyville, but the town proper seemed so far away. The meadows and fields beneath them were covered up by the dark, replaced by a black void. Was this how Rainbow had lived before they started dating? Her own castle had not been too cozy back when she was single.
“Pretty boring, ain’t it?” Rainbow said. “C’mon, let’s go inside.”
But of course. For all her hidden softness, Rainbow at her core simply was not the sort of pony to think like that. She only saw a bunch of pretty lights in the dark. She didn’t get stuck in her head so much, like Twilight was doing at that very moment. It was a problem self-awareness did not solve, sadly. What did help was Rainbow Dash. Long before their friendship had blossomed into love, Rainbow had done an amazing job of keeping her grounded. Ironic as it was, Twilight treasured that. She wouldn’t be half the pony she was without Rainbow Dash.
Plus, Twilight thought as she followed her girlfriend inside, Rainbow had a nice butt. She was still just a pony after all.
As soon as the door was shut Rainbow spun around and kissed her. Her lips were strong, her breath intoxicating. She was in Rainbow’s territory now, so she let her take the lead, forceful, passionate, hot.
The most beautiful mare in Equestria kissed her for a long time, deigned to embrace her. Twilight was glad she was a princess, for Rainbow deserved no less. Rainbow took the kiss and broke the kiss. But the Windigo-chill that tried to assail her as she breathed again was dispelled by Rainbow’s grin.
Rainbow wrapped her hooves around Twilight’s, and they danced. The skills of a Wonderbolt translated surprisingly well into those of a dancer Rainbow had explained at length—and demonstrated.
They danced without music. Rainbow did not need it, her mind and body expertly trained. Twilight needed only Rainbow. Step, step, step.
“You’ve gotten a lot better at this, Twi.”
Twilight blushed. She was okay at best. “You’re a good teacher.” Which was true; the bottleneck was her own abilities.
“Heh, you got that right. Getting things right is your thing though, so that’s not a surprise.” The statement was punctuated with a kiss.
Celestia, how was Rainbow so good at this? How had she kept this side of herself hidden so well? Why had she decided to share it with Twilight?
The reasons Rainbow had given were indeed sound. Twilight did work hard—but what choice did she have? Celestia, and now all Equestria depended on that. She could not deny an ambitious streak either, it was hardly her fault delving into the deepest mysteries of magic was so satisfying. And she was, as a product of those latter traits, a highly talented pony, yes. That all certainly sufficed to earn Rainbow’s respect. But as valuable as that was, she still didn’t quite know what possessed Rainbow to bare her heart and deepest secrets to her, only that she was grateful for it. It seemed like it would take a lifetime to work out completely. She hoped it did.
Rainbow had her own thoughts flickering behind her eyes. They danced in silence for a long time. It was a comfortable silence.
“Thank you,” Twilight said, finally breaking it. “This is wonderful.”
“Pfft. Well I am the greatest girlfriend ever.”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “You are, aren’t you? I don’t know why I asked. I do know I’ve got my work cut out for me for next year.”
“You sure do.”
“And of course I also have to take into account what you might do the year after that too.”
“Heh, yeah.”
A few more lovely minutes passed, during which Rainbow looked like she constantly on the verge of saying something. Her mouth opened and closed again and again. She did not make any sound, but her attention never left Twilight. It was a rare spectacle to see her lost in thought like that.
“Hey, so next year…” Rainbow tried to put on her usual cockiness as she spoke again, but it just didn’t fit. “It’s gonna be hard to beat me. You’re probably going to have to propose or something.”
And there it was. She hadn’t just been getting ahead of herself. The statement was meant to be a boast, joking, but there was something vulnerable in Rainbow’s voice. Twilight couldn’t blame her. It was not a topic they had discussed explicitly before, and she felt a thousand different things at the thought of it.
“Cause I… I want to marry you. I just don’t know if I’m ready yet. But, like, I can’t see myself with anypony else. It’s gotta be you.”
They stopped.
“I’ve been thinking about it too,” Twilight whispered. “I was actually wondering if you’d ask me all evening. And I don’t know if I’m ready either, it’s such a big step even for us. But I don’t think I’d be able to keep myself from saying yes.” Rainbow’s words resonated. As she imagined how the years might go, she could not picture a life without that mare by her side—not without a lurch of fear.
Rainbow watched her as she spoke, nervousness, hopefulness on her face. A whole mural of emotions that, Twilight knew well, few ponies were ever allowed to see.
“So I guess I have some planning to do,” Twilight said. And she kissed Rainbow. And they danced once more.
Round and round the room they went, not once taking their eyes off each other. Without warning, Rainbow spread her wings and pulled Twilight into the air. They had practiced this enough that she wasn’t caught entirely off guard, but she only made it a few wing-beats before she lost her balance and took them both crashing down. Sky dancing was a tricky thing—doubly so with a dress on—even with Rainbow’s tutelage, she could not get the hang of it.
Not that either of them were going to complain about being tangled up like they were. Neither could stop giggling as they got back to their hooves.
One more time, Rainbow took Twilight’s hoof in hers and began to dance. This time, she simply guided them up the stairs to her bedroom. “Love ya, Twi,” she said before taking her inside.