//------------------------------// // The Confession // Story: Sleepless // by Random Order //------------------------------// The next morning, Vinyl wakes up feeling more refreshed than she has in weeks. After completeing her morning routine (translation: shower, glasses, breakfast), she sets up her DJ equipment in preparation for a trance mix she's been messing around with for the past few months. At least, that was her intention. Instead, she ends up collapsing against her turntable in despair. “Ugh, so that's why I started staying up all night. I'm thinking too much,” she mumbles to herself. In an attempt to slow her mind down, she trots into the kitchen, opens the freezer, and pulls out a bottle of cider from last month. Twilight skids to a halt, panting lightly. “So, how'd I do?” “Pretty good, actually. You might want to work on your landing, though. It was rather sloppy.” Twilight inwardly cringes. “Yeah, I thought so too.” Rainbow flashes a look at her, then grins wildly. “See? Am I a good teacher, or what?” Twilight rolls her eyes, now smiling slightly herself. She opens her mouth to launch a sassy retort, but freezes when she sees a figure approaching the two of them. “Hay, Rainbow, isn't that Vinyl?” Rainbow turns her head and squints. “Looks like it. C'mon, let's see what she wants.” It quickly becomes apparent that something's a little… off about the DJ. Her glasses are sitting crookedly on her face, and her gait is somewhat unsteady. “Hay, V! What's going on?” Rainbow shouts to her. Vinyl winces. “Uh, hay, guys, not much, just drinking away my thoughts. What's happening with you?” Rainbow and Twilight exchange worried glances, then Rainbow whispers something to Twilight that Vinyl doesn't quite catch. Without a word, Twilight spreads her wings, and takes off in the direction of her castle. As soon as she's out of earshot, Rainbow looks straight into Vinyl's eyes. “Alright, Vinyl, you need to tell me what's gotten into you. I know you well enough to know you never touch alcohol unless something bothers you for more than a few days straight.” Rainbow hesitates for an almost imperceptible moment before continuing, “Look, I'm worried about you. You just… haven't been yourself lately. I know most ponies think I'm too distant, or maybe too self-centred, to pay much attention even to my friends' problems, but deep down, it hurts – I just don't normally know what to do, what to say. Right now, though, I need to get to the bottom of your – well, not being yourself.” Vinyl stares at Rainbow, dumbfounded. Rainbow had said that all not just with a straight face, but with the most stern expression she'd ever seen. To think that she would bare her soul like that, and become so vulnerable, gives her hope. More than that, it gives her courage. “Okay, you deserve the truth. We've been friends for years now, and whatever happens, I just want us to stay friends. Actually, I want us to be so much more, but if not, I don't want it coming between us.” Rainbow flashes a look at her, obviously confused. “What the hay are you talking about?” Vinyl's eyes stare into Rainbow's, and, with a pounding heart and a stone-set face, she takes the plunge. “I'm… in love with you.” Vinyl's eyes squeeze shut against a possible heartbreak. “That's it?” Vinyl's eyes pop open in surprise to find a smirking Rainbow Dash. “What do you mean, ‘that's it?’ It doesn't bother you that I'm seriously hot for you?” “Why should it? I'm so awesome, I wouldn't be surprised if Celestia herself wants a piece of me.” Vinyl shakes her head in puzzled amusement. “You're shameless.” “Only because it's true.” Vinyl rolls her eyes. “Right. So, you wanna go out?” Rainbow suddenly sighs, all pretence of nonchalance now abandoned. “I dunno. My heart has been broken too many times… I don't want it to happen again.” Vinyl puts a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder. “It won't happen again, I Pinkie promise. I love you too much.” Rainbow smiles wanly. “Thanks for the offer, but… I don't think I'm quite ready for anypony yet. I'm… sorry. You… understand, right?” Vinyl's face falls. “Yeah, I understand.” Mercurian tears stream down her face. “Well, I guess I'll see ya later, th – " Rainbow surprises her with a tender peck on the lips. “I'll always be here.”