//------------------------------//
// My Darling (Fluff / Drabble) 
// Story: The Seamstress and The Librarian 
// by Monochromatic 
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“My darling.”

Ugh. 

Twilight rolled around on her bed, wishing she could erase the memory from her system. She didn't even understand why it was bothering her so much! Rarity having said that to one of their friends wasn't unusual at all! Rarity practically said 'darling' every other word! But... she had only ever used the possessive pronoun for Twilight.

She felt selfish, actually. Rarity had said it to Fluttershy during a special moment between the two of them, and Twilight had no reason to feel... like less because of it, but she did! She did and she hated it!

Why did she even care? It was just a word. In fact, wasn't it a bit demeaning? It was! Acting as if Twilight was something to possess, and to love, and something that was solely Rarity's, and in return Twilight was solely...

A sound.

The door opening.

Twilight was still doing her best attempt at looking asleep despite it being, what, like five in the afternoon? Well, she had been studying a lot, and she was a nightowl, and naps were scientifically proven to help with mental endurance! She’d read it in several books, and given a minute, she’d have an entire dissertation about it. 

The intruder didn't announce their presence, but instead Twilight felt the weight on the mattress shift, the figure moving closer and closer, the scent of familiar perfume revealing her identity.

Go away, Twilight wanted to say, but she couldn't.

Rarity, as if she'd done nothing wrong, because she hadn’t, cuddled up against the bundled figure, letting out a long content sigh and wrapping an arm around her.

"Are we done sulking now?"

"I am not sulking," Twilight replied, inwardly cursing herself for revealing she wasn't sleeping. She heard Rarity giggle and nuzzle against her, and she had to bite down a smile. 

"Yes, you are," Rarity said at length. "Spike told me all  about it, you silly filly."

That traitor.

And now did Twilight feel her cheeks heat up, because that meant Rarity knew why she was upset, and she probably found it silly and dumb and childish.

"I had no idea it bothered you, Twilight," Rarity continued. "It's just an expression of affection."

Twilight's blush became more prominent. "I know that," she grumbled before reluctantly turning around to face her marefriend. Her ears pressed themselves against her skull and she whispered, "I just... It was..." she petered out. "Nevermind."

"Twilight, those two words aren't reserved solely for you," Rarity said, and Twilight felt her heart sink. But, before she could turn around again, Rarity leaned forwards so their lips would brush. "But the way I say it is something completely yours."

And it was true, wasn't it? Fluttershy had simply received an affectionate expression, whereas Rarity's eternal throwaway sign of endearment always took on a different meaning when Twilight was there. It wasn't even the words that mattered, but how softly Rarity always said it, how she'd stroke Twilight's cheeks, brush her lips against hers, and with expressions but not words show that it wasn't Twilight that belonged to her, but that she belonged to Twilight.

Rarity closed the distance between their lips, and moments later, when they broke apart and Twilight finally allowed herself a smile, Rarity asked again.

"Are we done sulking now, my darling?"

"Yes..."

Rarity giggled, lifting her hoof and brushing away Twilight’s bangs. “I love you,” she said, and her smile was soft and loving and Twilight felt like she could melt in it.

“I love you, too,” she replied softly, relishing the moment when Rarity leaned down to kiss her again.


Fin