"Luna?"

Twilight ascended the last few steps leading up to the balcony, whereon the Princess of the Night was perched. The navy alicorn was seemingly unfazed by the lavender alicorn's as she continued to stare out to the east, where her moon was peeking over the horizon.

The turquoise glow of Luna's magic dissipated. She held her gaze on the celestial body for a few more seconds before turning her head and smiling at Twilight. "Yes?"

Twilight walked up to the balcony's railings and looked out over the now dark city of Canterlot. "Fluttershy and Discord are doing well. Discord's nearly fully in love with her."

Luna laughed. "Come on, don't tell me you're still not used to the fact that love is their only path to freedom."

"Oh, no!" Twilight assured. "Really, they're getting along great...it's quite beautiful, the friendship they've formed. No, I'm fine with the fact he's falling in love with her. I encourage it, even."

The navy alicorn arched an eyebrow. "But...?"

Twilight but her lip. "Fluttershy, she...she...SHE'S FALLING FOR HIM TOO!" she blurted.

Surprisingly, Luna didn't react in the way Twilight had expected - grimacing, frowning, looks of disapproval. Instead, she looked mildly confused. "That's a good thing, isn't it? That way, they'll be able to form a strong romantic relationship, rather than have Discord wallow in the unrequitedness of his love."

"Stop it!" Twilight screeched. "Stop acting like you know him! He hasn't affected you in the personal way he's affected me, and Fluttershy, and all of my other friends!"

Luna shook her head. "No, he hasn't. But surely love does not count as a negative effect?"

"It does when it concerns The Lord of Chaos!" Twilight insisted, her voice lower but not completely calm. "Fluttershy is so, so fragile when it comes to emotions. I fear that if they do expand on their relationship, he'll only break her heart."

Luna nodded solemnly. "True, true. But everypony - slash draconequus - deserves a chance. And the effect he had on your friends is not all bad."

"Oh, yeah?" Twilight sniffed. "Like what, exactly?"

Luna grinned. "I will not specify more than this, but it is not only Fluttershy who has found someone to love."

Twilight narrowed her eyes jokingly at the princess in a small attempt to get her to spill more details, but Luna stuck her muzzle in the air and turned away. She began to walk down the steps, beckoning for Twilight to follow.

They remained silent until they reached the room that Twilight had been staying int for the past week, so she could easily journey back and forth to the statue when needed. The door opened, making a squeak that sounded unbelievably loud in the quiet.

Twilight moved to her bed and Luna sat down beside her on the quilts. "Why do you know so much about love?" the lavender alicorn demanded.

Luna smirked. "I would pin it to spending way too much time with my niece, but I have to say...it's from experience."

"Who was he?" Twilight asked softly.

"He? What is this uncanny and offensively judgemental assumption you have made of me, Miss Twilight Sparkle?!"

"You said you weren't attracted to mares," Twilight deadpanned.

Luna opened her mouth to retort, but closed it again in defeat. "That's very observant of you, Miss Sparkle. Well done."

Twilight rolled her eyes. "I'm not being observant. You said you weren't while telling me the thing that's been bothering me for the past week."

"What, that I would go out with you if I was interested in mares?" Twilight shot her a glare, as if to say 'Well, obviously.' "That was a compliment, Twilight. Please treat it as such." The younger princess rolled her eyes. "Anyway. 'He' was a...a colt I met when I was...oh, about your age, I think? He was having troubles with his marefriend, so I entered his dreams to help him.

"I gave him advice, time and time again, but it never seemed to work. I kept on coming back to him, as there was nothing else I could do in the way of helping the citizens of Equestria. As time went on, we got to know each other on a more personal level. He was my best friend after a small amount of time, and...then I realised that it was more than that.

"For me, anyway. Eventually, he gave up on his marefriend, so that was when I decided to meet with him in...in real life. I'll spare you the details, as even now I remember it all so clearly, but..." She scratched he head awkwardly, blushing. "He...I b-became his new marefriend.

"For a while. Then, his ex came back to him, and he found a renewed love for her. He dumped me, in possibly the most horrid way there is."

Twilight bit he lip. "What..." She gulped cautiously. "What...'way' is that?"

"Telling me that it was never real, pointing out how evidently desperate I was, offending me in ways only he could because I share myself with him, and...well, carelessly breaking my heart." She smiled unhappily. Twilight hugged her, unable to believe that she was the one of the two alicorn's who was crying. "Looking back on it now, I can't say it was true love. But that's what it felt like, and the pain I went through...I swore to myself that I'd never allow anypony else to go through it, not if I could help it."

"But who will help you," Twilight croaked, "if you 'go through it' again?

Luna smiled into the mare's mane. "The thing about having the job to watch over and aid the lives and dreams of all of your subjects is that it comes at your own expense. I just have to pull myself through the best I can. And I don't intend on falling in love any time soon."

Twilight gave a sob in response. "You c-can't control who or what you love, or even when you love."

Luna laughed. It wasn't a joyous laugh. "Would you like that responsibility, then?" She felt her nod.

"Nopony should face their problems alone..." Twilight whispered, then she started going limp. Luna gently laid her tired head down on her pillow, then rested her chin onto he hooves and closed her eyes. She lifted a wing over Twilight, just in case the warmth from outside wasn't enough.

Twilight had only slept for half an hour when she was jerked awake by the sound of voices and objects colliding. She yawned unceremoniously and focused her eyes on the only light within her visual reach. There were two, one bigger than the other. The smaller one outlined a familiar navy-blue horn, and the other outlined the tail of a pony.

An...upside-down pony.

The pony was a mare, a unicorn with something in her mouth. Twilight soon recognised that something as her crown.

"Gveh off ve!" the mare yelled, struggling under Luna's hold.

"Sorry, what was that?" Luna asked mockingly. "I couldn't hear you through the crown you were trying to steal."

Twilight gasped, letting the two mares know that she was awake. The unnamed one rolled her bright aqua eyes and spat out the crown along with a spurt of saliva. "Oh, great," she snapped. "This is juuuuust great."

"Sunset," Luna said faux-sweetly, "why don't you say hello to Princess Twilight Sparkle." She levitated the still upside-down unicorn over to Twilight.

"Princess Twilight my hoof," Sunset muttered. "What's up, book-butt?" Twilight continued to look dazed as she stared at the unicorn. He hoof idly pointed towards the ceiling. "Oh, ha-ha."

"Sunset Shimmer here used to be a student in Celestia's School For Gifted Unicorns," Luna jiggled Sunset's tail, "before she abandoned her studies from impatience and fled to an alternate dimension."

"And you're, what, Nightmare Moon turned good?" Sunset glared at Luna, then tried to attack her with her hooves. "Lemme go!"

"What's that? You want a private meeting with Celestia to explain yourself to her? Okay!" Luna trotted over to the door and off down the corridor. She returned ten minutes later with a cheeky grin on her face. "Boy, is that mare in trouble." She shook her head.

Twilight remained speechless.

"Oooo, is that a blush I see on your cheeks?" Luna teased, flicking her wing-tip under Twilight's jawline.

Finally, she spoke, "No! No!"

"If you say so." Luna shrugged. "It is rather hot in here, isn't it? That would explain the sheer redness of your cheeks at this moment. You aren't going to spontaneously combust, are you?" Twilight shook her head. "Alright. Now sleep." She poked the alicorn in the forehead, causing her to fall back down to her pillow and lose consciousness.

Luna chuckled. "Looks like Fluttershy isn't the only one who is going to have to reform someone."

Discord had his wings wrapped around Fluttershy, his paw resting on her mane-cushioned head. He felt a constant urge to wake her up, but since his current position was so nice he found it easy to disobey that compulsion.

He wanted her to wake up, so he could talk to her, maybe make her laugh and blush about the string of dribble crawling out of her parted lips and making its way down to his fur. She was absolutely adorable when embarrassed, so long as the cause wasn't so big it got her angry.

And if the cause was small, then she would be able to laugh about it too. Discord loved to hear her laugh. He had grown bored of his own maniacal laughter being the only genuinely positive response to his actions. Screaming was the sound that usually met his ears and though he didn't necessarily find it off-putting, he had grown tired of the sound of that, too.

But Fluttershy's laughter was a gorgeous new sound that Discord wished he heard more often. Even a soft giggle could make him want to beam his teeth out.

The pegasus let out a soft moan and snuggled into the draconequus' neck, and he felt his cheeks warm.

He didn't want her to be cold, but his admittedly small wings couldn't stretch over her back any more, and he couldn't be bothered to use his magic to move them. And besides: he had a better solution.

As he crossed his arms over her back and hugged her tighter to his chest, he felt his heart beat faster. Her wings unfurled and curved around his shoulders, making his heart rate increase even more. He still felt a blush in his cheeks, and he smiled.

Fluttershy yawned into his neck, casting humid breath over his fur. She opened heavy eyelids, then focused on the accidental pool of dribble she had made. The pegasus' eyes darted to Discord's in alarm, but his face was totally calm. He waited silently.

"D-Discord...I-I am s-so, so sorry for that...I...I..." He arched an eyebrow at her. "You're fine with it?" Discord grinned. "Right. Umm...o-okay, then."

He sat up. "So what do you feel like doing? This place is really bland and boring. Do you wanna decorate?" The draconequus didn't wait for an answer. He stood behind her and picked her forehooves up, making her stand on her back legs. She smiled at the memory of where she did this before. He pushed her hooves out, sending a visible jet of magic out against the wall, seemingly coming from her hoof. The wall turned turquoise instantly.

"Let me show you something." He grinned, walking her over to the wall. His claw guided her hoof to the aqua surface. "What can you feel?"

Fluttershy furrowed her brow as she concentrated on the nerve endings in her left hoof. It felt as though the wall was...buzzing, like an imaginary mouth was constantly making a 'v' sound. It was like an unnatural current of electricity was coursing through her, making her hoof have pins and needles. Usually, she hated that feeling, but now it was a nice, warm, fuzzy sensation.

This, she guessed, was the feeling of chaos magic.

She leaned forward to press her ear against it, wondering if it produced any sound. As she did so, she turned her head and saw Discord looking at her quizzically. To her surprise, the moment before her ear and the wall made contact, his eyes widened and he warned, "Don't do that!"

But it was too late. Her ear was next to the wall, and she felt...exactly the same thing as before. Except this time, there was a soft hum like bees buzzing that accompanied the feeling.

Confused, she looked at Discord, frowning for an explanation. He was grinning. "What is it?" she asked.

His smile lessened a bit, but his expression remained happy. "Wow...you didn't get an electric shock, did you?" She shook her head and sat away from the wall. "Peculiar..." He saw that she wanted an explanation, so he cleared his throat. "Your Element of Harmony...it touched the wall, and...well, lets just say that harmony doesn't really mix well with chaos." He beamed again. "The fact you didn't get hurt when they touched means..." He touched the wall with his palm. "Means..." He shook his head. "Anyway. It's a good thing that you weren't hurt by it." He ruffled her mane, strode past her and began decorating the cell. Fluttershy's 'side' had floral patterns, foliage and natural colours, whereas Discord's 'side' was upside-down and disproportionate and seemingly impossible.

Fluttershy stepped over the line between their 'sides' of the room an suddenly flopped up to the ceiling. Discord moved his bed to catch her. She sat up, disorientated and opened her mouth to ask what it had meant, but opted against it as she didn't think he would answer. Instead, she asked something else that had been on her mind for quite some time, "Does chaos magic have limits?"

Discord paused in his decorating to assess the question. "Yes, it does," he replied as he resumed.

"D-does this place limit your magic? I mean, it would explain why you haven't exactly been very...chaotic, lately."

The draconequus froze and floated over the the bed. He hung his head. "Yes. But...it's not really this place. More...you."

Her ears drooped. "M-me?!"

"It's not your fault! It's just...your element puts a damper on my powers' capacity, and my powers put a damper on your element's magical capacity. Not that it'd work anyway, seeing as you need all six elements for them to work."

She looked down at her hooves. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine."

"No really," she took his paw, "I'm sorry. You're...you're trying so hard to be good, all for me, and...I don't feel like I'm returning the favour."

He scoffed. "Oh, puh-lease. Do you think I would be your friend if you weren't 'returning the favour'? Do you think I would grit my teeth and stop using my magic just to make you happy if you weren't?"

She frowned. "I-I thought you said it was my element that made you do that."

"Partially! I meant partially! I was chaotic before you became my friend, wasn't I?!" She nodded. "These things don't just stop, you know! Constantly, half of my mind is telling me to be chaotic, whereas the other half is saying that I'm in..." He blinked and blushed slightly. "Well, never mind the other half.

"Look, the point is...I consider myself so lucky to have you, and the fact you even vaguely like me is a miracle. You know before, when your element touched the wall? Well...the reason it didn't hurt you is because...because of the bond between us. And...judging by how happy you looked, i-it's a strong bond." He smiled sheepishly. "If that isn't proof enough that you're returning the favour, then I don't know what is." The draconequus blinked. "Hold on, why am I telling you how much you care about me?" She blushed. "Isn't it generally the other way round?"

Fluttershy nodded slowly. "Yes...and I do care about you, Discord, just...not enough, I think."

He laughed. "Shush. You have many-a-reason not to like me. And, Mrs. 'I'm-So-Experienced-In-Kindness-And-Friendship-And-Rainbows-And-Sparkles-That-I-Can-Reform-And-Befriend-The-Lord-Of-Chaos'," he paused to breathe and listen to her laugh, "it would seem that I love you more than you love me."

"But...that doesn't really make sense."

"Exactly."

She giggled again before smirking and saying, "No, actually, it does make sense. I'm far too amazing to love someone like you." She held her breath, ready to spill out an apology if he took offence from her sudden spur of assertiveness.

He snapped his fingers. "Aww, man! That's right! I made..." He shivered dramatically. "Sense...what are you doing to me?!"

"Oh, nothing," she pursed her lips in a firm smile to stop herself from laughing. "Just infecting you with the harmonious ways of Equestrian kind."

"When did this happen?!"

She tapped her chin, as if she was racking her brain desperately. "A couple of days ago, when I turned into a friendship-crazy-bat-pony."

He shook his head. "No, I meant when did you become so...confident?"

She blushed.

"Nah!" He wagged a finger at her. "Nope! Nuh-uh, missy! You ain't slipping back into coy-land, however adorable the transition may be!"

Fluttershy burst out laughing and fell off the bed with an audible plonk. A pillow slid under her before she hit the ceiling, just in case. "Oh, Discord you're so funny!"

Discord twirled a moustache that had appeared on his upper lip as he replied grandly, "Hmmm...yes, I suppose I am."

The pegasus clutched her sides and sat up, still in a relentless fit of hysterics. Between gasps of giggle-filled air, she said, "I'm so...so glad you're my...my friend, Discord." His ears and heart dropped suddenly, and his smile ceased to exist. "And...t-to answer your question...I feel more confident around you. You're always telling me how amazing I am and - though I don't fully agree with you - I can't deny that there is some truth in what you say about me.

"Arrogant and selfish as it sounds...you are right, in some ways, when you tell me that I'm...I'm incredible or p-pretty..."

"Beautiful," he corrected.

She nodded. "Beautiful. It feels nice, however overwhelming it seems at first. It makes me feel good about myself, and...I'm less...afraid."

Discord picked her up and threw her in the air. Once he caught her, he hugged her tight. "That's good to hear. I'm surprised, though, that you don't hear the same from your friends. I feew sow speciuw now."

Fluttershy smiled into his chest. "Well, I also feel special because you're so wonderful to me."

"I feel specialler than you do."

"Nope. I'm more special than you are."

He laughed. "You're special because, unlike me, you have instinctually perfect grammar. However, I'm more special in the se - nonsense that you actually like me." He kissed her forehead. "I'll keep on making you feel confident though, so you'll be fooled into thinking that you're somehow special to have me."

"You speak too lowly of yourself."

He coughed.

"Point taken."

Discord chuckled. "I love you, you know that? You are so awesome in so many ways."

"That's because I'm Rainbow Dash, right?"

"Yes. No. Sort of? I dunno. I love Fluttershy. Not Rainbow Dash."

"You haven't really met Rainbow Dash."

"Yes, I have. She's right," he pushed her head back to look her in the eye, "here."

Fluttershy rolled her eyes, grinning. She knew what he meant; he was just saying it cryptically to make it seem like it was nonsensical. He did that a lot.

The real message made her blush. Rarely did Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow or even Pinkie say that they loved her, so this was somewhat uncharted territory to the pegasus. Discord said he loved her so sincerely that she was unsure of whether it was implied as platonic or romantic, and -surprisingly - either way seemed fine to the mare.

As she continued to ponder over it, she even found that she was slightly partial to the latter, and there was no questioning as to why.

Fluttershy beamed at him and kissed his cheek. "You are so weird sometimes, you know that?"

"Yup, I know."

Spike couldn't wait to go to Spitfire's birthday party. He was thrilled that Rainbow had decided to invite both him and Rarity to the event, and even more thrilled when he found out that it was on the more romantic side of discos.

He was no fool: he knew a little and seemingly childish dragon like him would never have a chance with a such an enchanting and inspiring unicorn. But the party would be his excuse to dance with her, even if it was the first and last time he would do it. Spike had even bought a rose for the occasion, which he had tucked out of sight for the moment.

He paced the floor, anxiously waiting for Rarity to come out from behind her dressing screen. She had insisted upon wearing something nice, even for such a casual event, and for that Spike was grateful. Though she was perfectly beautiful without curlers or make-up, the fashionista never ceased to amaze him when it came to enhancing one's appearance.

Rarity herself was nervous. Did this technically count as a date? Rainbow had promised her that she would keep out of their way as much as she could, seeing as there would be Wonderbolts and fellow fans for her to occupy herself with.

It would be just to two of them - so to speak.

She didn't want to overdo her accessories, as it would make her embarrassingly out of place among a crowd of partying pegasi, yet she wanted to look amazing at the same time. She still found it frustrating when she had to be simplistic and effective simultaneously, even though Rarity had had many years worth of needing to do just that.

Rainbow Dash could tell they were both nervous; neither were good at hiding emotions, even their supposedly mutual romantic ones. While she was happy for her friends, and she had every confidence that they would get together - she still didn't fully get why Rarity was so hesitant -, the pegasus couldn't help but feel a tiny bit jealous.

As her own feelings towards Applejack were unrequited, the jealousy of how un-unrequited their relationship had appeared, as expected.

But there was also the difference in gender that bothered her. Rarity was perfectly allowed to be 'the mare' in their relationship, because she was literally the mare.

However, both Rainbow and Applejack were mares, the latter being the slightly girlier of them. Dash didn't mind acting like a stallion, but Applejack was the one pony who made her want to be a mare: to receive flowers, to look nice, to be...not a tomboy.

Rainbow didn't have a clue on how to be a colt when it came to her, let alone a gentlecolt - if she ever racked up the courage to take it that far.

Which is why she had asked Rarity to teach her. Such a romantic pony would know those sorts of things, and then...maybe Rainbow would finally have a chance.

"You ready yet, Rare?" she called, the unicorn in question appearing moments afterwards.

Both Spike and Rainbow's jaws dropped.

Rarity wasn't wearing a dazzling frock, with sparkling gems in her hair or extravagant make-up on her face. She didn't have an intricate manestyle or polished hooves.

She was just...normal.

In a sense. Her loose, wavy mane was cleared from her face with a black bandana. Her eyes were topped with long, fake lashes and from her ears hung diamond earrings.

Spike spoke up first, "Y-you...you look..."

"Beautiful," Rainbow breathed. Usually, she didn't like Rarity's appearance - not to much extent, anyway. Her formal gowns were too up-tight for Dash's liking. But the unicorn now looked nothing short of breathtaking.

"Why thank you, darlings." Rarity beamed, and for a moment neither of them could move. Then, Spike cleared his throat and said, "Are we ready to go?"

"Hold on," Rainbow piped, then turned to Rarity. "You sure you don't want to get a foalsitter? I know one on the Ponyville weather team who owes me a favour."

"Darling, they're old enough to be on their own for a night. And besides," she lowered her voice, "I want to get going."

"Alright, alright."

The moment they were outside, Rarity realised something, "How are we going to get there? It is in Cloudsdale, right?"

Rainbow smirked. "Yup. And I'm gonna fly ya there."

"Huh?" Rarity and Spike responded in unison.

"You," Dash jabbed a hoof at Spike, "get on her." She pointed at Rarity. Once he had done this, she pointed at her again and continued, "You, get on me." She gestured to herself.

Rarity laughed. "Rainbow, I'm too heavy for you."

"Are you saying I'm weak?!" she retorted.

"Umm..."

"Didn't think so. Now get on." Rainbow jerked her head to the left, indicating her back. Rarity gingerly but firmly wrapped her hooves around the pegasus' neck, and then they took off. Rainbow showed almost no signs of strain from the two extra creatures she had to carry.

For that, Rarity was grateful, because if she was worrying over her friend she wouldn't have been able to enjoy the view, which was truly exhilarating. Rainbow wasn't a shaky ride, as Rarity hade feared, and she allowed herself to relax a bit.

A bit.

"Word of advice, Rainbow," Rarity yelled over the wind. "Take Applejack flying."

"Why?"

"It's amazing."

"You like it?"

"Like it? I absolutely love it! Goodness, you'd win me over if you were a stallion, and if I wasn't..." She trailed off as her eyes wandered to her back, where Spike was clinging on for dear life. "You alright back there, darling?" she asked softly.

"Fear...of heights," Spike squeaked and he clung tighter. Rarity smiled and ignited her magic, forming an aura around the little dragon that secured him firmly to her back. "Thanks," she heard him whisper, and she blushed a little.

No problem, My Little Spikey-Wikey. No problem at all.

The remainder of the trip took no less than five minutes. Because of Rarity's protective aura, Spike had racked up the courage to open his eyes. The moment Cloudsdale was in sight, he yelled, "Clouds, ahoy!"

"Alright down there, Captain?" Rarity asked, referring to Rainbow, who was starting to pant discretely. She had forced her breathing to be steady and slow, and it was clear that her lungs protested otherwise.

"I'm fine," she growled. "My wings just aren't used to carrying more than one pony, and a dragon, albeit a baby one."

"I'm not a baby!" Spike protested.

"Physically, you are, darling," Rarity reminded him sweetly. "But that's a good thing, as otherwise you wouldn't be such a selfless, kind dragon."

She felt him smile, so she smiled too. Rainbow rolled her eyes as the contagious grin infected her lips as well. She hissed under her breath, "When arguing with your underaged dragon crush, just add flattery; he's completely head over heels for you, so you'll win."

"He's not underaged!" Rarity insisted. "And we weren't arguing! How would you feel if you were considered a child as a result of your appearance?!"

"Okay, okay! You don't need to get so defensive! And besides: we're here."

Rarity scowled as they landed. She dismounted herself, following Rainbow Dash inside.

It wasn't anything out of the ordinary; just a normal disco hall, with a disco ball reflecting multicoloured lights across everypony in the room. There was a band set up against the wall farthest away, and they were playing average disco music.

"I expected it to be more..." Rarity thought for a moment. "Stunning."

"Oh, you." Rainbow jostled her with her elbow. "You're never satisfied when it comes to looks, are you? Now come on!"

The unicorn grumbling under her breath, they wandered over to the drinks table. The humidity of the room was a large contrast to the cool, night air outside, so Rainbow immediately poured herself a glass of water. She drank it in three gargantuan gulps then poured herself another.

Rarity rolled her eyes and turned towards the dance floor. She spotted Spitfire and Soarin' jiving next to one another - a normal, casual, insignificant dance. But what got her attention was Spitfire.

Gone was the leader, and in her place was a gorgeous pony. Her mane wasn't slicked back to a point, it was hanging loose around her shoulders. She wore no dress, but her ears were adorned with hoops so fitting even a pony as formal as Rarity couldn't hate them.

She smiled and glanced back at Spike, who was gawking at Rainbow Dash. The pegasus had stopped drinking, but there was one less jug full of water on the table now.

The lead singer of the band announced they were going to play a special song for the birthday girl, and immediately the mood of the room changed at everypony took a dance partner.

Dash cleared her throat, "Right, I might just conveniently need to go to the bathroom at the moment of this ever so romantic dance. Bye!" She sped out of sight without another word.

"Umm..." Spike began, and Rarity turned round, knowing he wanted her attention. Her heart was racing, and it increased in pace when she saw his outstretched, scaly arm holding a rose. "M-may I have this dance?"

Rarity beamed, tucking the rose behind her ear. Then, she took his hand and replied, "You certainly may."

They spun onto the dance floor, stepping in time to the music. Despite his height, Spike managed to lead the dance as well as he could, looking so adorably nervous that Rarity couldn't bear to correct him when he took an incorrect step.

The song was relatively short, and it ended far too soon for their liking. However, by the end the crowd parted for the birthday mare and her coltfriend. Rarity could just about see what was happening, and her mouth flopped open in surprise:

"He's proposing," she whispered as everyone burst into applause. The unicorn was still in the dragon's arms, so she couldn't clap as well. She only stared into Spike's wonderful, emerald green eyes, feeling the blush in her cheeks grow hotter and hotter with each second that passed.

"Spike, I..."

"Hey, you lovebirds!" Rainbow called, causing them to break apart awkwardly. "What's up?"

"Nothing, nothing, just..." Spike's eyes locked onto something on the snack table. "Is that a...jewel cake?!" He immediately rushed over.

Rainbow stared nonchalantly at the crowd. She wished AJ was there, because that would make her vaguely interested in participating in the post-proposal dance, which was even more romantic than the previous one.

Then, all of a sudden, Rarity grabbed Rainbow's forehooves and dragged her back onto the dance floor.

"What're you doing?" she hissed as she started to involuntarily dance.

"If you want to know how to be a gentlemare, you'll need to know her to lead a dance," Rarity explained. "Now, put your left hoof on my shoulder..." Rainbow hesitated before gingerly following her instructions. "...and your other hoof round my waist."

"Alright." Dash slid her forehoof around her waist as told, then stood there, waiting for further instructions.

"Dance, you numbskull!" Rarity exclaimed. "Lead me around in time to the music!"

As Rainbow did she she was told, she began to get the hang of it. Rarity, being experienced in this area, was a great dance partner, albeit a bossy one. She worked smoothly with Dash's movements, as she was clearly used to being lead around by a stallion.

It wasn't that different with a mare, as it turned out. Rainbow couldn't bear to imagine what it would feel like to not lead a dance, and how Rarity seemed to cope with it so well. Rainbow would feel as though she was trapped, had she been in the unicorn's position.

She smiled, imagining what it would be like when she danced with Applejack.

As the song drew to a close, Rarity suddenly demanded, "Dip me."

Rainbow was surprised at her request, but the mare was completely serious so she obliged. She was shaky, but her hooves supported Rarity efficiently, and she was locked in her friend's cerulean and slightly dazed eyes.

Dash was aware that, in this particular part of a dance, the leading partner was supposed to kiss the other. In her peripheral vision, she saw many ponies watching, waiting for her to do it.

And, for a moment, Rainbow thought she was going to. She leaned forward without a second thought, not breaking eye contact. What did it matter, anyway? Rarity wasn't protesting, and Dash figured she might as well practice this as well as the dancing.

And Rarity really did look great tonight.

Grinning, she inched forwards, and -

Crash.

Both mare's heads jerked towards the source of the sound: a broken plate, cracked amid smashed pieces of...jewel cake.

Rarity froze as she realised who that cake had belonged to. She shoved Dash off her with all her strength and galloped after the little dragon. His short legs didn't get him very far in that short amount of time, so Rarity caught up with him easily. He slowed down, knowing that continuing to run from her would be pointless.

Spike had his back to the unicorn, but as his claw flicked out from above his cheek Rarity knew he was crying. This very thought made her want to weep as well, but she forced herself to remain strong.

She placed a hoof on his shoulder, which he promptly slapped away. Her ears flattened. "Spikey, I -"

"Don't say it," he growled, spinning round. "Don't you dare say your sorry, Rarity!"

Her bottom lip began to wobble. "B-but darling, I..."

"You what? You pity me? Because you know you've hurt my feelings, right?" She nodded slowly. "Well, yeah, you did!" he shouted harshly. "You know I like you though, don't you? I know you know. I'm not exactly discreet about it. I'm fine with you knowing, it's just..." He grit his teeth to fight back more tears. "For one second there, I thought that maybe, just maybe, you were dancing with me to make me feel like I actually meant something to you," he spat the words out like poison, "and not to play around with my feelings and then ditch me at the first opportunity so you could go dance with your girlfriend!" He pointed accusingly at Rainbow Dash, who had been cautiously approaching the two.

The pegasus shook her head vigorously. "We aren't dating!"

"You aren't dating, hmm? Okay, then what in Celestia's name was that?!" He turned to Rarity again. "Are you trying to make my heart break?" he whimpered, fat tears rolling down his cheeks. "Are you trying to drive me away? Because, if you are, you could've just said it to my face. I'm not a baby. I know I have no chance with you, I'm just...why rub it in my face? I thought we were friends!"

Rarity's eyes copied Spike's. "I am your friend."

"Then why? Why do you lead me on like this, then make me jealous using somepony completely random?"

Rarity stayed silent for a long, long time, just staring at the dragon with wide, glassy eyes. She wished that Rainbow would butt into their conversation and save her, but the pegasus stayed silent. Then, Rarity whispered in a barely audible voice, "I was teaching Rainbow how to -"

"How to kiss mares?!" he snapped, unable to believe that that was her excuse. "Oh, I'm sorry for interrupting on that oh-so-compulsory life lesson." The dragon stomped away, muttering that he'd find his own way home, thanks.

Rainbow bit her lip and inched over to the unicorn. "Rarity, I -"

"Don't talk to me!" she whimpered, pushing at the empty space beside Dash. "I don't...I don't wanna speak to you...right now," she decided with a sniff and a curt nod. Her certainty lessened a little, due to her tears.

"Alright, then," Rainbow stated calmy, "don't talk to me. I'm taking you back to my place though, so you'll have to learn sign language if you don't wanna sleep on the floor." She said this in a joking demeanour, attempting to lighten the mood. It brought a temporary smile to Rarity's lips, but that was washed away when the wind caught her face. The feeling of flying wasn't delightful any longer.

It was cold, unrelenting and harsh. Her hooves went numb around Rainbow's neck, so Rarity had to cast a quick spell in fear that she would let go and fall.

The intermittent beating of Dash's wings wasn't comforting or warm; it was confining. It seemed horribly ironic that something as free as defying gravity would be so imprisoning.

But, worst of all, it was a reminder. Of the empty space on her back, and in her heart. Of what she had potentially lost as a result of an initially fun and romantic event.

Rarity couldn't pay attention to the wonders of flight. She was far too focused on the sick feeling in her stomach, the tears in her eyes, and the wrenching of something that she hadn't felt in years:

A breaking heart.

Author's Notes:

Okay, okay! Hang me! I ship Sunlight!