Lost in Love
By Mazzyrazzy
Well…This is awkward.
Here I was, trying to enjoy a quiet, normal day with one of my best friends in Canterlot. Of course friendship, being the ever-changing, mysterious entity that it is, cannot be satisfied until I've apparently learnt something. I think I'm beginning to understand the point of it all… It's hard though. Right now, my own racing thoughts are keeping me from approaching the situation logically, and without logic, how can I be sure of anything?
Oh, right – the awkwardness. It's very difficult to maintain a single train of thought, let alone manage the torrent of mixed emotions I'm feeling. Most ponies wouldn't think that 'Twilight – personal student to Princess Celestia and banisher of Nightmare Moon's eternal darkness' would get herself into a position like this, and I do literally mean position. Right now I'm on my back, staring up at my best friend Rarity, and we're blushing more intensely than the red spectrum of light would usually allow. She's situated awkwardly on top of me, no more than a breath away. We're staring into each other's eyes, and time itself has appeared to stop.
Have I used the word 'awkward' enough yet? Here, let me get it all out of my system. Awkward awkward awkward awkward AWKWARD!
This situation is getting worse by the second. What if Rarity doesn't want to be friends after this? Or worse! What if she still wants to be friends, but it slowly starts becoming more uncomfortable to be around me until she doesn't want anything to do with me! Then I'll feel like it was my fault, and my sadness will turn me into a shell of the mare I once was. The rest of our friends would inevitably have to choose between spending time with Rarity or me, thus weakening the bond between all of our friendships. Eventually, we might stop being friends all together! Do you know what that means!? It means the Elements of Harmony would be no more! What if another disaster strikes? What if Discord comes back with a vengeance and we're not united to face him? What if some giant, red-eyed tarantula monster starts rampaging throughout Equestria, and everypony was powerless to stop him!?
Truly the fate of all ponydom rests in Rarity and I preserving our friendship.
Calm down Twilight, breathe. Think back; what got you into this predicament? How can I fix this without ending the world?
~*~*~
Don't take anything I said out of context. All and all, today has been great! 'Cept this last part, but I'll get to that. Rarity was in town for a fashion show that was supposedly showing off one of her own designs. As her friend, I wanted to be here for her. It's strange how our other friends were all too busy to come: Fluttershy had to take care of Angel, who had fallen ill all of a sudden; Applejack remembered that she needed to buck a bunch of trees that I guess she missed; Rainbow Dash was on emergency cloud control duty (odd because I've never heard her have to do that before), and finally Pinkie was off visiting her parents. It seems like I was the only available, so I needed to cheer five times as loud for Rarity!
She of course was more than happy to have the company. It had been a while since Rarity and I have gotten the chance to have a little girl time. We've both been so busy lately, her with her designing and me with my studies, that we've hardly seen much of each other in weeks.
"We should go a day early." I suggested over tea. I was in Rarity's boutique as the sun was beginning to set. The evening light draped across my friend in an appealing way; there's no question that she certainly was dazzling, but I thought nothing of it.
Rarity used her magic to bring the small tea cup to her lips and took a quick, polite sip. "Mm, sounds interesting darling, but why?"
I shrugged. "I don't know… It might be fun to have some time to catch up. I feel like I haven't seen you in ages."
"Oh I know, dreadful isn't it? Work keeps me so incredibly busy." She sighed, letting the cup rest down on her miniature plate. "It might do us both some good to take a small vacation. I've never been one for exploration, but it would be simply delightful if you could show me around Canterlot!"
"My thoughts exactly!" Seriously, it was like she was reading my mind. "It would be my pleasure to show you around. I know how much you admire the city."
Rarity giggled giddily, like soft xylophone notes. "Oh, how fun! Twilight and Rarity – friends living it up, as it t'were. Of course, I'll need to make all the necessary arrangements. I'll have to make sure Applejack knows that Sweetie Belle will be arriving a day early. Bless her heart; I hope the little ones don't cause too much trouble. Now, about sleeping arrangements…"
I waved my hoof at her. "Oh, you don't need to worry about that Rarity, I've got that covered. Well actually, Princess Celestia has that covered. She got us a decent room in the Inépuisable de Confort. Have you heard of it?" She lit up like the sun.
"The Inépuisable de Confort!? Of course I've heard of it! I hope it lives up to its reputation as one of the finest hotels in Canterlot!" Rarity was brimming with excitement. Unexpectedly, she bounded over and gave me a hug. "Thank you, Twilight. This is exactly what we both need."
I smiled unconvincingly, even though I knew she couldn't see my reaction. After a few moments of hesitation, I hugged her back. I wasn't nervous or anything, I was just caught a bit off guard by the sudden physical contact. We held the embrace for a few moments before she finally parted.
I've always been able to connect a bit more with Rarity than the other ponies. Unlike with most of our friends, I was used to the class that my friend displayed; I grew up around it my whole life. I mean sure, Fluttershy did have her moments with Rarity at their weekly spa visits, but Rarity and I have something physically bonding us: Canterlot, and it was wonderful to think about spending time with her again.
Over the next thirty minutes of so, I sat patiently in Rarity's workroom, every now and again taking another slight sip of my tea. Quite frankly, the place was a mess but with good reason, and Rarity was busy trying to tidy up before out departure in the morning. Torn cloth, adjustment pins, and different sewing supplies crowded every surface including the floor. I was there mostly to provide company for Rarity; I couldn't really do much to help. She was the type of pony that liked to do things herself, which I respected.
By the time she was done, it was already getting late and I needed to get home. Spike would be expecting me soon; he always gets a bit worried when I stay out too late.
"Thanks for the tea, Rarity. I guess I'll be seeing you tomorrow!" I smiled brightly, excited for the next day to come.
"Yes dear, I look forward to it!" She returned.
~*~*~
It was hard to believe that so many hours could go by so fast. After arriving in the Canterlot the next day, time melted away as I showed my friend around. I was even allowed to show her parts of the royal palace! She got a huge kick out of that. Stuff that used to seem mundane to me were almost exciting through Rarity's eyes. Celestia knows how many times I walked up the tower to get to my old library, but we stood on its patio for ages admiring the wonderful view of Canterlot below.
I must say, I wish I had somepony like Rarity living here when I did. She seemed right at home in the shining city! Looking over to her now, I can't help but feel a warm bloom in my chest feeling how lucky I am to be friends with her in the first place.
It was already getting later in the day when Rarity and I were at a small restaurant for dinner in an outside gated section. Against my protests, Rarity insisted that she buy a small amount of cherry wine. I had never tasted wine before; it was an interesting experience to say the least. A bitter cherry flavor bubbled across my tongue and slid smoothly down my throat. It made my stomach warm and my spine tingle…Overall a pleasant experience! She and I sipped from our cups sparingly throughout the meal.
"Oh Twilight, this is something we should have done far sooner!" She beamed, taking another bite of her wheatgrass salad. After swallowing, she let her excitement fill every muscle in her body. "I can't imagine being here with anypony else."
The compliment made me blush, though I think I managed to hide it from her. "I'm just glad I could show you a good time. I thought you'd get bored of me after a while, especially from all the dull places I used to go to."
"Dull places!?" She quoted overdramatically, aghast contorting her face. "My dear, I've enjoyed every second of every minute of it. You were a flawless tour guide, and don't think for a moment that I don't mean it!"
Go away, blush! You are not welcomed!
I felt my facial features soften. Her compliments were really making me feel warm inside. "Aw, thanks Rarity. You were a good tour…guided…pony…thing." I threw on a cheesy smile, though not purposefully. It was more out of embarrassment for my lame attempt at a compliment.
She giggled harmoniously. "Thank you, I suppose." She finished eating and gently put her napkin on her plate. She let out a content sigh, fluttering her eyelashes gracefully. "That meal was simply perfect after a day on the town."
"Mhmm!" I agreed with my mouth still full of my last bite of food. After I swallowed, I mirrored Rarity and put my napkin on my plate. "You know, it doesn't have to be over just yet."
Rarity gave me a curious glace. "What do you mean, darling?"
I gestured towards the sky. "It's still light outside, and it won't be getting dark for at least a few more hours. I think it's too early to call it a night just yet." I saw her mull it over thoughtfully.
"Do you have something in mind, Twilight?" She asked, giving me a gentle smile.
Actually, I did. During today, I've been showing Rarity places that I frequented while I lived here, which isn't much to say the least. If I was showing my friend the city, I want to show her the best it had to offer. Still, I didn't want her to know that I already had been thinking about it, so I pretended to ponder it over for a few moments.
I gave a nonchalant shrug. "The palace gardens are beautiful around this time. Is that something you'd be interested in?"
She gasped, nearly knocking the table over. "How marvelous! Oh, of course I would!" We both giggled as we downed the last of our wine glasses. It took some encouragement from Rarity, but I finally managed to finish it. I put my hoofs down on the table and cast my gaze around my environment. Straight lines, no wooziness, thoughts clear… It looks like I wasn't too much of a lightweight, which I was thankful for. I don't know how embarrassed I would've been if I got tipsy after only one measly glass of wine!
Out of the restaurant, side-by-side we made our way back towards the palace. We weren't in any big rush, and on the way we stopped at any shop that tickled our fancy. Rarity spent a good amount of time in this jewelry shop, gasping dramatically at the different pieces they had to offer. Every now and again, she'd grab me and point out the 'largest emerald she'd ever seen', only to have another beat it a few seconds later. This is a situation I know Applejack or Rainbow Dash wouldn't enjoy; they'd probably be bored stiff. I thought it was cute how Rarity let her inhibitions flow free. She was like a little filly, and this was her candy store.
When we finally reached the palace, about two hours until sunset, we were both in high spirits. She was in full-fanshionista mode, going in to great detail on how she'd utilize the emeralds, rubies, and other assorted gems we saw in the store. She lost me on the technical terms, but that still didn't stop me from listening with interest.
I think her brain started moving at too fast a pace for her mouth to keep up, because she started talking so fast that she was no longer forming coherent sentences. I finally decided to step in, giggling softly. "Rarity, if you keep talking so fast, I think you're going to faint."
"Oh," She finally caught herself, blushing slightly, "I'm sorry dear; I tend to get rather excited when it comes to the fineries of life."
"Well, I just wanted to bring something to your attention." I smirked.
She cocked her head curiously. "And what is that, darling?"
I gestured forward. "We're here!"
Rarity snapped her head forward and took a sharp, inward gasp. Nearly a mile of cobblestone pathway extended before us, and on either side were wonderful displays of flowers. Trimmed trees, vibrant flowers, rushing water fountains, and beautiful bushes spread as far as the eye could see in either direction, all placed with a master's grace and coordination.
It seemed like Rarity's mind had all she could handle, and she couldn't do much more then look around numbly with her mouth wide open. I chuckled silently to myself realizing how charmingly silly she looked. I didn't want to spoil her fun though, so I remained quiet while we slowly strode down the pathway.
"Wouldn't you simply die if this fragrance came in a perfume?" She asked me, leaning over a red flower with yellow gilded edges. She took another deep whiff of it, closing her eyes to enhance to scent. "Mmm!" She moaned happily.
My eyelids contently shut halfway as I watched my friend. This was nice. No complexity to it, no stress, no worldly inhibitions. Just nice. I walked over to Rarity where I inhaled the flower's aroma. It was sweet with a bit of spice to it, like a rose with a hint of cinnamon. I too felt my whole body relax as I let out a sigh of pleasure. "Mmm. You're right on that one. I wish I had some candles that smelled like this! The scent would fit well in a library."
Mental note: find spell to harness different fragrances.
Nearby, a mother duck lead her ducklings across the pathway towards a tiny pond. It managed to take our attention off the flower as we both squealed, having miniature cute attacks. "Aw Twilight! Do you see that one on the end? He twipped over that wittle cwack in the path." Rarity gushed, letting her voice slip into a motherly tone.
I couldn't help but snicker, and then we both cheered on the little duck as he got back onto his webbed feet and ran to catch up with his family. An inspiring tale of a duck who just wouldn't quit! It would make a good letter to Celestia: When life gets you down, you have to get back up! Heh, get it? Pun? 'Cause of the…duck…falling… ahem, never mind.
We both waved to the family of ducks before continuing on the path, giggling to ourselves. It went on like this for a little while, and I enjoyed every minute of it. We'd both stop every now and again to study something that caught our interest. The air itself was alive with an orchestra of aroma; it was enough for any mare's legs to go weak. I couldn't help but feel that this would be the perfect place for a romantic get-away.
Sub-note: At the time I first thought about it, I gave it almost no heed. Thinking back now, WHY DID I HAVE TO CONSIDER THAT!? It only makes the situation I'm in now so much more awkward. Anyway, where was I?
Rarity and I finally decided to take a short rest at a sparkling fountain. The sound of rushing water was relaxing as we took a seat on a nearby bench. We talked a little, but mostly we just remained silent as we enjoyed the world around us. The bench itself was small, so there was barely any room between us. I could hear her breathing in and out slowly, each lungful taken like a gift from the wondrous garden. Honestly, I could sit here forever. Well, okay obviously I couldn't sit here forever; I'd eventually starve. Okay, let me set a more realistic time limit – I could sit here all night. There, much better.
Rarity unexpectedly broke the silence. "Thank you, Twilight… For being here, I mean. Even though my big day is tomorrow, I wish cherish this one forever." She smiled kindly, her cobalt-blue eyes soft and expressive. For the second time today, I couldn't help myself as blush spread across my face.
Ok, blush, you are slightly more welcomed this time, but I'm watching you!
"It's been my pleasure Rarity, really. Today has definitely been a day to remember. I'm glad I could be here for you; I don't think it would have been this fun with anypony else." I risked a slight scoot closer to Rarity. "I haven't done much study on the subject, but I think this is what it feels like to have… a best friend."
It was Rarity's turn to blush. "I suppose it is" she seemed to purr. We leaned against each other as the setting sun dowsed the land in hues of orange.
~*~*~
I either spaced out, or fell into a light sleep, because next thing I remembered was Rarity nudging me gently. I opened my eyes leisurely, first noticing that the sun had gone down. Candlelit lanterns hung like streetlamps, spaced evenly along the pathway. It had gotten a bit colder outside, but I wasn't uncomfortable. I don't think Rarity was cold either, she wasn't shivering or anything. Eventually as I slowly rejoined consciousness, I looked towards Rarity. "Well aren't you just the cutest light-sleeper ever!" She quipped. "I didn't want to disturb you, but when the sun set I thought you'd want to know."
I was too embarrassed to meet her stare, so instead I looked past her. Oh how I wish I had the courage to look at her right then; It might have saved me all this drama! In the distance I spotted walls of vibrant, green hedges. I remembered it before as the Canterlot Hedge Maze; the very one we had to look through when we were challenged by Discord. Although going back there would bring back some hard memories, I couldn't help but recollect the stories of how beautiful it was at night. Tales of rare lunar flowers that supposedly grew in the center, only blossoming under the guidance of Luna's moon. I had never witnessed them myself, and I found myself having a curious itch; a desire to experience them.
"Hey Rarity, look at that." I stated, pointing at the hedges. I saw her glance over thoughtfully.
"Isn't that the maze where…"
"Yes," I responded quickly, "but there's a story that says there's something really beautiful at the heart of the maze." Rarity's eyes flashed.
"Is that so? Well what are you suggesting?" She was being cautious; I could tell by the tone in her voice that she was somewhat frightened of the network of hedges.
I cleared my throat. "Well, I say we try to make this memorable night a little more memorable." There was a pause, then Rarity unsurely glanced towards the ground.
"I-I don't know Twilight. I mean, it's getting awfully late…"
"Oh – no problem. Yah what was I thinking? You must be getting tired…" I gave a weak laugh as I held back a sigh. Truthfully, I really wanted to explore it. If anything, just to see the mysteries within. Besides, I didn't really want today to end; I had this hard pit in my stomach that said when tomorrow comes, this would all end and we'd go back to barely speaking to each other.
"…On second thought," Rarity began, resting a hoof on my shoulder, "I'm sure the maze would be lovely right now, lit with those peculiar lamps." My heart fluttered in excitement; she was actually saying she wanted to go in the maze with me! I must have been wearing a disappointed face or something. It made me feel bad that I might have unknowingly guilt-tripped Rarity.
I gave a polite smile. "Thank, Rarity, but I don't want to if you don't want to."
She waved her hoof at me. "Nonsense, I don't want to hear another peep about it. You've piqued my curiosity and it must be sated. I must know this mystery prize at the center that my best friend calls beautiful." I think Rarity got the same idea that I did. She figured out that today, however memorable, might be the last time we get to spend a full day with each other, at least for a while.
I gave an adventurous smile. "Well then," I hopped off the bench, stretching my legs, "last one there's a rotten egg!" I started to run, but hesitated unsurely. I turned to Rarity. "Umm, best friends do that, right? Race sometimes?"
I could see Rarity try to hold in her laughter, but she ultimately failed started giggling. "You are just too cute sometimes, Twilight. Race, you say? Why no; I don't believe best friends do – BYE!"
Before she even finished her sentence, she sprinted off. I stood there, mouth opened like a dummy, watching her gain distance. Oh, it's on, I thought competitively. In a flash, I took off at a gallop as fast as I could. Was this why Applejack and Rainbow Dash were always competing? It was so much fun! The wind rushing through my mane; my hooves clacking off the path; my heart racing! I poured on the speed trying to catch up to Rarity, which sounds a lot cooler than it actually was… I'm not a very fast pony. Suddenly ahead, I noticed Rarity starting to slow down. Soon I had caught up to her and we were running side-by-side. She glanced over to me and gave a friendly wink. We had slowed down to a trot when we eventually reached the entrance to the maze. We took positive measures to walk around the stone statue garden to avoid a 'certain somebody' that we might have frozen in stone. Without even a second glance, we walked through the hedge arch into the labyrinth of hedges.
First thing I noticed was how peaceful it was. Seriously; take out the fact that my friends and I were in peril last time we were here, and it's actually quite a lovely place. The hedges themselves were vibrant and well-trimmed, as if they had just been watered. Vines spread evenly across the hedge-wall, providing an extra layer of foliage. It's really what made the maze so beautiful; every now and again, flowers bloomed out of the vines in wonderful arrays of reds and sky blues. The lamps that hung outside the maze now dangled overhead casting the warren into everlasting brilliance. The light itself was unwavering, casting a natural feel over the area. It was bright enough to make out every lively color our surroundings had to offer, but dull enough as to not hurt our eyes.
At first I was paying attention to our route, but it soon became a blur in light of Rarity's stories. We started talking about our good times in Ponyville, some fond memories that we've shared along with our friends, and she even told me stuff about her past. I was always a bit curious why Sweetie-Belle was living with her and not with… Well her parents. "Oh, it's nothing too serious," She began in a light tone, "Our parents travel around a lot, and they and I agreed that it wasn't the best life for Sweetie-Belle. I had plenty of room here in Ponyville, and I love my little sister. She's been under my care for so long that it would seem weird without her." I was surprised how open so was about it. I would've figured something like that would be a touchy subject, but she told me as if she was talking about the weather tomorrow.
We paced ourselves, taking lefts and rights as they came before us. We took turns deciding which way to go. We'd giggle every time we hit a dead end (happened A LOT), then turn around undeterred to find another path. As minutes flew by like seconds, I found myself telling Rarity stuff that I never told anypony. I could never talk about my studies with others; the subjects flew right over Applejack's and Rainbow's heads, and Fluttershy, however innocent, never took an interest in magical studies. Can't blame her though… I wouldn't be able to listen about animals for an extended period. But with Rarity, I could actually be myself, talk about what I've learned, and know without a doubt that she understood what I was saying. Rarity may have a diva side, but she was incredibly smart when it came to magic. Granted, it wasn't her forte, but the intelligence behind her vibrant blue eyes was undeniable.
Once in a while, we'd turn a corner and she'd brush up against me, and I'd notice how close we were walking with each other, despite the fact that the path through the maze gave us enough room to be at a comfortable distance apart. I wouldn't even notice it until those turns, and then I'd snap out of a trance-like state and scoot a few inches away from her, only to have the same process repeat 5 minutes later. What was causing us to gravitate closer? Perhaps as I was getting closer to Rarity emotionally, my mind was subconsciously pushing me to get closer physically? It's an interesting idea…Unconscious processes motivating behavior. I made another mental note to study up on the subject.
We'd been in the maze a while now, I'd say at least an hour. We still hadn't found the center yet, but our demeanor hadn't changed. Why would it? If we were having a good time, why call it quits? Besides, at this point, we're as likely to end up back at the beginning as we are in the center. Honestly I could just teleport us to the middle and to our prize… but something kept me quiet. After pondering, I figured out what it was: I was having fun!
Our conversation soon died down as we simply walked side-by-side, enjoying each other's company. Well, I was at least; I can only hope she felt the same. A few moments later, I heard her sigh in contentment. I glanced over to her to see that she was already staring at me. "Something up, Rarity?" I asked kindly.
She scrambled to refocus her attention. "Oh, what? Oh…no my dear, I'm just having a wonderful time, is all." She threw her gaze elsewhere, gesturing towards the path before us. "I wonder how close we are to getting this surprise that you told me about. The anticipation is killing me!" She shivered with delight.
"It can't be too far now…" I started, slowly drifting off into deep thought. A devious smile spread across my face as I came up with an idea. It was something the little filly in me always wanted to try, but I never really had many friends when I was younger. Looking back now, it was pretty foalish of me, but made perfect sense at the time. Rarity finally noticed my stare and raised an eyebrow.
"Ehh, Twilight? What are you, um, staring at?"
Without a word, I slightly picked up my pace, but not enough to cause any suspicion, until I was slightly in front of Rarity. I lightly whipped my tail, brushing it off her nose softly. The next three words would live in infamy – words of chaos, irrationality, and quite possibly the rhetoric that will bring the end to all Equestria.
"Tag. You're it."
I bolted. I let the little filly in me take over as I giggled in delight. I didn't even look back to see Rarity's reaction. I'm sure it was a mixture of disbelief and shock. I was nearing another turn when suddenly I heard a shout behind me. "It. Is. ON."
Quickly I dashed through the labyrinth of flora. I wasn't inconsiderate… I didn't want to lose Rarity. I kept my pace down so that she'd be able to see what turns I took, even if it was just my tail slipping around a corner. I giggled to myself as I glanced back to see quick flashes of Rarity. Although I wasn't a fast runner, I was slowly gaining distance somehow. I started to feel fire in my lungs with every breath, but that didn't slow me down. The adrenaline coursing through my veins gave me the drive to continue forward, in a childish attempt to evade Rarity's touch. My mane whipped back, blowing in the breeze my sprint was creating. I didn't run for very long; I'm not known for my athletic endurance. Before I tired out, I raced around a sharp corner and was immediately plunged into darkness. I halted, confused at first, wondering where the lights above had gone. It took me a few moments to cast my gaze forward.
All I could do was open my mouth in awe… I had found the center of the maze. Encircling the half-acre of beautiful mosaic pathways and fountains was the true prize: deep blue flowers, the color the edge of the night sky gave when dawn was approaching, dotted with luminous specks of white. Each flower sparkled and glowed as if the flowers were fabricated from the night sky itself. The full moon shone down upon the lunar garden, showering it with soft mood-lighting; just enough to see yet dark enough to require some exploration. In the center, on a slightly-raised platform, was a unspoiled, white-painted wooden gazebo with a double-layered shingle roof. This garden just might be the most amazing, inspiring sight that I'd ever seen. My brain was slow to process, but after a few moments I remembered that Rarity would soon be here, so I turned so shout for her…at the exact wrong moment.
Just as I turned to face behind me, I saw a flash of white as Rarity spun around the corner, full-speed and not expecting a certain unicorn to be standing right there.
CRASH!
Darkness. My mind swirled in confusion, trying desperately to figure out what happened. Still nothing; darkness overtook my every sense as the collision knocked me out.
The next thing I remember was a taste. It was my first sense to return to me, and the only one I could process. I was thrown back to earlier today when Rarity and I were eating dinner. It was if I was tasting a memory; the remnants of the red cherry wine I drank bubbled across my lips and warmed my mouth. Being completely out of it, I welcomed the sensation fully as a relief from pain. I could almost feel the smooth wine flowing down my throat and into my stomach. The next thing to return to me was my sense of smell, which engorged, almost complimented the taste. It was a butter-lilac perfume with a hint of vanilla; without question, I knew it to be Rarity's scent. That left my scatterbrained mind even more confused. Why were these two sensation-memories mixing together? Like it or not, I was about to find out as my sight finally returned to me.
My eyes fluttered open hazily, the world spinning. I felt a pressure over my entire body which instantly made me remember what had occurred. It was dark, but I could distinctly make out that when my friend and I collided, she had fallen on top of me. Wait…Why could I still taste the wine?
My eyes shot down as my vision cleared. My eyes shots open as I realized Rarity's lips were pressed against mine. We. Were. Kissing.
Rarity's eyes shot open at about the same time, and came to the same realization only a moment after I did. She quickly pulled away from the contact, looking completely mortified. She sprang off me with surprising agility while a hard blush formed across her face. I felt my own cheeks sting as I slowly got up. We stood awkwardly for what seemed like an eternity; I didn't dare look at Rarity and I know she was probably thinking the same.
"Twilight, I-"
"It's okay-"
"No really, I'm sorry, it was-"
"An accident. I-I understand-"
"yes, completely. This shouldn't-"
"Spoil our night-"
"Yes, exactly-"
"Umm, a-are you-"
"Yes I'm fine, how about-"
"Me? Never better."
I froze after our short intermittent conversation, realizing how bad my last statement sounded.
"I-I-I-I mean, you know, um… I'm not hurt."
"Oh – yes! That's what you meant."
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"So…"
"Yeah um," I desperately tried to think of something to say, but my humiliation flushed out any rational thoughts. I just kissed my best friend! How was I supposed to feel about this? I hope the answer is sporadic chaos, because that's what my jumbled mind was right then. Then I remembered why we had collided in the first place, "oh! We uh, made it. To the center I mean." I half-heartedly gestured to the moonlit treasure trove. Rarity cautiously looked up, and then gave the same reaction I did when I first saw it. I risked a glance at her to note her reaction. Her mouth was slightly open in wonder as her eyes sparkled angelically.
"Oh my…" She muttered, blush lightening on her face. My spirits boosted when the distraction worked; maybe we'd be able to just pretend this never happened.
Red cherry wine…
I caught myself halfway through licking my lips, and I worriedly retracted my tongue, hoping to Celestia that Rarity hadn't seen. Luckily, she had walked a bit forward to gain a better look at the garden. I badgered myself, almost screaming internally asking why I had done that. I mean, just because I happened to notice my friend's lips tasted slightly of the red wine we had earlier, it didn't mean I enjoyed this kiss itself.
Even if it was intoxicating…
Stop it, brain! You are so not helping right now! The blush on my face remained, dismissing any logical attempts at subduing it. Finally I decided that it would just go away with time, so I took a deep breath and decided to try my best to enjoy the garden. While Rarity was off near the center, admiring one of the mosaic fountains, I was far more interested in the flowers. I hesitated at first, unable to move from my spot, but eventually I pushed myself over. I leaned in towards a section of the bed of flowers. There wasn't any doubt about it; they were glowing from the sparkles that specked the petals. I leaned down to inhale their aroma. I was slightly disappointed to find that they were completely odorless. It made sense; the night sky in flower form wouldn't give off any other sensation other than its pure beauty. I sat back on my haunches and allowed myself to get lost in the hypnotic infinity that was the lunar flower.
"So beautiful." A soft voice from my right startled me. I quickly composed myself, and cast a glance at Rarity, who at some point during my meditation must have come up and sat next to me. She was looking down at the flowers, but gave me a sideward glance when she noticed she surprised me. "Oops" She giggled lightly.
Just as I did before she arrived, Rarity craned her neck down to take in the aroma of the florets. While she was busy analyzing, I couldn't help but notice certain features of Rarity that I hadn't noticed before. Automatically my gaze fell over her completely. I know Rainbow Dash has a certain word for this umm… 'Sizing her up'? Sounds kinda creepy when I say it, but like I said before, I did it automatically and without much thought. Her pristine white coat layered perfectly in the moonlight, casting shadows over her many curves and features. Her beautiful hair rolled partway down her upper-back, which lead me to follow down her supple curves…I bit my lip as my eyes fell towards the arch of her back; curvy and perfect…Surely there wasn't an equal. Slowly my eyes fell on her flank which was slightly raised in the air from her bending over…
"Uh…Twilight? Is something wrong?"
I nearly fell over backwards as I regained control of my eyes and snapped them towards Rarity, meeting her eyes. What was I doing!? This is my friend Rarity I'm thinking about! Why can't I control my own senses around her?
My heart raced as I fumbled to come up with a response. "Uhhhhh, I just…noticed that, uh… th-that you…have a dirty flank."
WHAT!?
"I-I-I-I mean, you have some dirt on your flank" I faltered; my best attempt at damage control, and it was still really lame. Another light blush formed over Rarity's cheeks. "Oh," she quipped, staring at her backside, "Goodness… I guess it's to be expected after tumbling to the ground."
I threw on a nervous smile and nodded in agreement. I didn't dare open my mouth for fear that I'd make my situation worse if I said anything. After dusting herself off, Rarity went back to studying the flower. "A bit odd…What do you think?" She inquired.
Oh no, she wants me to talk. Keep it simple, keep it simple, keep it simple!
"Gorgeous" I breathed out. I caught that breath as I realized I had said it while looking at Rarity, not the flowers. She shot a glance over to me while I lowered my stare to the ground, blushing madly. Another awkward few seconds ensued.
Why am I acting so funny? It was just one accidental kiss… but the taste is driving me crazy, and why can't I stop thinking about it? Darn it Rarity, why did your lips have to be so perfect? I don't know if what I'm feeling is just pure embarrassment that will pass, or I'm in shock over it, or I might even be starting to form deeper feelings for her. Gah, I can't think clearly… What I wouldn't give to know. Breath, Twilight. Think logically; it's all you can do. Rarity is your friend, but she probably doesn't think of you any more than that. The only reason she's acting so weird is because kissing your friend is bound to cause some nervous tension. It'll go away in time if you do absolutely nothing to screw it up!
I felt a hoof on my shoulder. I looked up to see Rarity's soft eyes staring into mine. She was smiling supportively, as if she decided she wouldn't let the discomfort get to her.
"Yes, gorgeous." She whispered back. We stared into each other's eyes for a blissful minute, all the time I was slightly shaking. It was out of nervousness… I hope it was undetectable enough that Rarity didn't catch it. I couldn't turn away; I was lost in her flawless blue eyes. I could write a whole book describing just the color itself. Behind those lashes was pure serenity, happiness, thoughtfulness, beauty… Everything Rarity embodied could be seen through her magnificent eyes if you studied them closely enough, and trust me, I was. Likewise I felt her stare burrowing into my mind, hoping to divulge any secrets that my eyes might give away. It wasn't normal to hold the stare as long as we did, but if she didn't mind, I certainly didn't. The perfect silence suspended my mind into a bubble of protection, safe from the awkwardness I was feeling before. For once, I could think clearly. These were real feelings for Rarity, very real. I haven't done much study on the subject of love, but maybe…
"Would you join me on the gazebo? I think we'd have a lovely view of the garden from up there." Rarity spoke, her eyes still locked with my own. I didn't even attempt to speak at this point. I'd probably just randomly blurt out something that I don't want to be said out loud. Instead, I gave a passive nod, willingly let her lead me to the gazebo. Five steps lead upwards to the platform. I barely took any notice of them; my attention was on the graceful mare who was guiding me. Finally inside the structure, I let my gaze wonder momentarily around the garden. It really was a magnificent place. I'm sure I would have enjoyed it so much more if I didn't haven't something far more beautiful filling my thoughts.
I wonder what her lips would taste like a second time…
I didn't shy away from the thoughts any longer; I embraced them. Warm delight flowed through my mind, spreading slowly to my limbs. I stood in place, absorbing the warmth of the good thoughts. I didn't want to think about the fact that the images in my head would probably never happen. Right now, I was happy. The happiest I've been in a long time, no less. After building up the courage, I walked up next to Rarity while she was looking out over the garden.
We enjoyed the view for about a minute with perfect silence. Finally, Rarity spoke. "Thank you, Twilight. Today has been more wonderful then I could have dreamed. This place especially. It all seems so…" She paused to try and come up with an adequate adjective.
"Magical." I offered, turning my head to her. She smiled brightly and nodded in agreement.
"I'm happy I could be here with my best friend." She purred kindly.
She reached around my neck and gave me a hug. Without hesitation, I returned it, wrapping my forelegs around her back. We were both reared back onto our hind legs as I was slightly leaning on the railing for support. I closed my eyes, and as subtly as I could I inhaled the scent of Rarity's mane. I got the same lilac with a hint of vanilla. I suppressed a shiver. I knew a light blush was over my face, but I was beyond caring right now. However, there was a sound that I would soon care a lot about.
Creak
My mind raced as I heard the wooden railing behind me slightly give. Before I could even make another move, it splintered into two parts leaving me dangling over the edge. I tried my best to steady myself, but my momentum was too great. With gravity as my cruel teacher, I plummeted about 3 feet to the hard ground below, accidentally pulling Rarity down with me.
The wind was knocked out of my lungs on contact and my vision blurred. I desperately took ragged gasps as I tried to refill me screaming lungs. That's when I was able to notice that once again, Rarity was on top of me, though conscious this time. Her front hooves were on either side of my head, and she was casting a panicked glance down to me. Luckily, she didn't appear to be hurt… I broke her fall. "Oh my! Twilight are you okay? Goodness I'm so sorry…" She was frantic…Rarity was really worried about me. She actually cared this much for me.
"I-I didn't mean to fall on you, heavens I probably made it hurt so much worse. I'm sorry, let me just–" she said as she attempted to get off me, lifting her forelegs up.
Don't ask me why I did what I did. Lets blame it on impulse.
I wrapped my forelegs around her's, keeping them pinned to the ground. It made it impossible for her to get up. I saw her cheeks light up bright red; mine returned the gesture.
~*~*~
Well, we're all caught up to the present. Right now I'm on my back, staring up at my best friend Rarity, and we're blushing more intensely than the red spectrum of light would usually allow. She's situated awkwardly on top of me, no more than a breath away. We're staring into each other's eyes, and time itself has appeared to stop.
My mind raced with the implications as the entire flashback gave me the answers that I needed to know. I just made the boldest move that I ever had in my entire life. If Rarity didn't get the hint, then I'd know that something like love just wasn't meant to work. I saw conflict behind those wary eyes of hers, while my own now gave away my desperation. Desperation to taste her lips once more, to feel her body pressing down and warming me, to feel her racing heartbeat beating in sync with my own… I bit my lip in a pleading gesture.
That's what set her over the edge. Without any hesitation, she rushed down to meet my lips. All the built-up awkwardness melted away and was replaced with utter passion. Her soft lips tangled around mine as I reached around her back to pull her in closer. Every synapse in my brain flooded with joy and pleasure as I let my body take full control. With eyes closed, we hungrily kissed over and over and over again. It was the most wonderful sensation I've ever experienced… Even better than the first time. Eventually her mouth opened slightly, and I deduced what she wanted. Slowly I allowed my tongue to slide in her mouth, exploring it with desire. Our tongues swirled around in a graceful dance as Rarity let out a soft moan of pleasure. Our breathing was sporadic to say the least, flaring out of our noses because we would forget to do it. Before it got more heated, Rarity pulled away. I took my first full breath in several minutes, panting pretty hard. She was doing the same, letting her tongue lay slightly out of her mouth. I noticed I was doing it too, but I didn't have the energy to pull my tongue back into my mouth. We laid there, staring at each other for some time, winded like we had just run the Falling of the Leaves. I finally allowed myself a small laugh as I cherished the memory.
Rarity looked oddly down at me, but soon joined me with a laugh of her own. Soon we were both giggling loudly until she finally couldn't support herself anymore and collapsed to the ground beside me.
Why was I laughing? Honestly I didn't have a good reason… I just wanted to laugh. I guess I was just that happy.
Eventually we died down as we once again ran out of breath. About a minute of silence ensued afterwards. I could still feel Rarity right next to me; her warm side nestled close to mine. We were both gazing up at the stars wondering on what words we should say. I was a little worried that Rarity would suddenly regret it. Luckily, she started off on a pleasantly-light note.
"That was nice" she said simply. We both turned our heads to look at each other. Her bright smile made me break out in a grin.
"More than nice" I giggled in response.
"But what sparked it?" She asked curiously, yet with growing seriousness.
"I…I think I've always sorta liked you, Rarity. It took that accidental kiss for me to realize it."
She nodded slowly in quiet understanding, blushing lightly. "I think… I think I was the same way. Funny how a simple gesture could unravel so much." She leaned over and ran her hoof over my chest and held me, nuzzling my mane. I closed my eyes in enjoyment until a curious itch made them snap open.
"Hey Rarity?"
"Mmm?"
"You know we're lying in dirt, right?"
She blinked. "Hmm, I guess we are. It didn't occur to me."
"Wow, you must really like me." I chuckled teasingly, kissing her lightly on the cheek. Eventually we did get up, and I patted the dirt off Rarity while she did the same for me. With satisfaction bursting from every cell, I smiled hopefully at her. I knew that no matter what tomorrow would bring, I would still have her by my side. The fate of Equestria was safe, the bond between two of the elements of harmony were now closer than ever. This'll make an interesting letter to the Princess… I learned that friendship and love are not so different. Instead, love is an extension of friendship, much like rivers are extensions of oceans. You might not know where it will lead you, but chances are if you follow the river, it'll lead to someplace new and beautiful, and that's how I feel right now. For now, I'll live in the moment. I breathe easy knowing that I will have a partner to travel this path with. Speaking of paths…
"Uh, we should probably start heading back now. It'll take a while to re-navigate the maze."
Rarity giggled as we walked towards the entrance of the garden, our tails entwined in a charming assortment of purple. She leaned in and nuzzled me lovingly; I could feel the blush burning on my face. Finally she left a soft kiss right below my ear…
"Who cares?"