Rainbow Dash’s eyes opened slowly, hesitant against the bright sunlight shining through the adjacent window. She lifted her head and the room spun, her stomach lurching violently. She immediately regretted the movement, slamming her head back down on the couch where she laid. Consciousness drifted slowly into her mind as the gears in her brain began turning again. She lay perfectly still for minutes, allowing her body to wake.

How much had she drank last night? As she pondered the question, she suddenly realised she was not alone on the couch on which she was lying. Looking around, she noticed the bright pink pony lying beside her, Rainbow’s hooves wrapped around her waist. She had her back to Rainbow. Peering over her shoulder she noticed she was still asleep, a content smile painted across her mouth.

They’d done it again. Rainbow wasn’t surprised. Every time the gang had decided to go drinking recently it happened without fail. Rainbow and Pinkie would end up making out, falling asleep wrapped in each others hooves, waking up the next morning and then pretending it never happened. It must have been going on for about a month now.

Rainbow was getting tired of it.

They denied it out of mutual fear that it would affect their friendship, but more and more lately Rainbow just wanted to bring it up. She was never a pony to beat around the bush about anything, but the first couple of times it happened she let it slide, figuring it was just a temporary thing, but it had happened often enough now that she couldn’t ignore it any longer. She liked the pink party pony and was sick of denying it. Her friends had also decided to ignore it. Since it only happened when they drank, they figured it was just the alcohol acting, but Rainbow knew better by now. She had feelings for the fluffy pink pony.

She knew exactly how the scene would play out once Pinkie awakened, having gone through the routine multiple times now. She’d wake up, realise where she was and catch Rainbow's eye. They’d give each other an embarrassed smile and avoid talking to each other, seeking out one of their friends to break the tension. They’d then mention nothing about it until the next time they drank.

Rainbow slowly took in her surroundings. The sun cast a yellowish glare into the main lobby of Carousel Boutique. Rarity offered the place to stay as it was just down the road from the bar they had visited. Pinkie and Rainbow were curled up on a surprisingly comfortable sofa tucked in the corner of the room. Typical of Rarity, the sofa was a luxurious article. A soft, plush piece of furniture, the cushions a brilliant red being supported by a deep brown wooden frame polished to a shine. Nothing can beat the comfort of a cloud, but the seat came close.  A soft cotton blanket was draped over the pair. They were the only two in the room, which either meant the others had gotten up and left already, or that they were elsewhere in the store, but Rainbow heard no movement or talking.

She lay her head back beside Pinkie’s with a sigh. She felt her pink mane brush off her face. It was impossibly soft, holding a glorious sweet sugary fragrance. Rainbow inhaled the scent, and her heart skipped a beat. Her friend was so beautiful! She wanted to tell her that right now, but dared not wake her up for fear that the situation would play out exactly like all the previous times. She gently pulled the pony tighter to herself, half hoping that she wouldn’t ever have to move from this position.

Rainbow’s mind wandered as she lay with her gorgeous friend. She thought about her other friends, and how her drunken mind had picked out Pinkie to try it on with. Rainbow hadn’t been with many other ponies romantically, and she hadn’t been in anything near a proper relationship. She’d kissed both mares and stallions, and still wasn’t sure which she preferred. She thought back to flight school, about the first time she realised she might like to try it with a mare. It had been her oldest friend, Fluttershy, who had sparked the interest. The yellow Pegasus was stunningly beautiful back then, and Rainbow thought her looks had only improved as she grew older. She thought back to when she had told Fluttershy how she felt.

Of course she was drunk at the time. Rainbow was daring, athletic and loved facing a challenge. She viewed fear as just another hurdle to be jumped. She loved nothing more than facing down a challenge and coming out on top, but when it came to relationships she just couldn’t deal with it. It was so out of her element. She couldn’t just charge at them and tackle them in her own time. It involved working with another pony and that’s where she faltered. But with a bit of alcohol in her she forgot this, deciding to brazenly attack the issue anyway. Poor Fluttershy never saw it coming.

It had been at one of the end of year dances in flight camp. Rainbow had one drink too many, and caught Fluttershy standing timidly in the corner of the room. She approached the yellow Pegasus who was hiding behind her stunning pink mane.

"Hey Fluttersshhy,’’ she slurred.

"Oh, um ... hi Rainbow,’’ Fluttershy responeded meekly.

"Having ... <hic> ... a good time?’’ Rainbow enquired, swaying dangerously as she spoke.

"Oh yes tonight is ... nice’’.

"You're nice!’’ Rainbow yelled back, slightly startling the yellow Pegasus and making her blush.

"Oh thank you, your nice too Rainbow.’’

"Your more than nice Fluttershy your ... <hic!>’’ Rainbow announced, the last word drowned out by hiccups.

"Sorry? I didn’t hear that.’’

"I said your ... <hic!>.''

"Come again?’’

"Your <hic>.’’

"Sorry I....''

''YOU’RE HOT FLUTTERSHY!’’ Rainbow finally yelled, loud enough that a few other ponies turned around despite the music blasting throughout the hall. ‘‘We should like ... totally make out! It’d be soooo awesome!’’

She was quite intoxicated at the time, but Rainbow was sure Fluttershy’s entire brilliant yellow coat turned a deep red at this announcement. Somehow Fluttershy could blush everywhere in her body.

"Oh dear I- I-’’ Fluttershy stammered.

Rainbow pounced her, almost knocking the startled pegasus over, locking her mouth around hers. Poor Fluttershy froze solid, eyes wide in terror. When rainbow eventually realised Fluttershy wasn’t reciprocating, she pulled back.

"That’s no way to make out silly!’’ Rainbow informed as she staggered backwards.

"Rainbow I- Oh dear....’’ the terrified Pegasus responded.

"What’s wrong?’’ Rainbow grinned.

"I- I-’’ Fluttershy stammered. She eventually managed to calm herself, taking a deep breath. Composing her thoughts, she gave rainbow a sympathetic look.

"I’m sorry Rainbow, I like stallions,’’ she finally worked up the courage to admit.

"S’okay Fluttershy!’’ Rainbow responded. ‘‘But maybe you’d like mares if you gave one a try!’’ she suggested. ''How about just a teensy bit of making out?’’

"Oh no Rainbow please I-’’

"Just a little?’’

"I don’t feel-’’

"How about just a kiss?’’

"Um ... how about a hug?’’ the pegasus smiled.

"Oh fine,’’ Rainbow replied, admitting defeat.

They embraced, Rainbow nearly barrelling the both of them over as she practically leapt onto the Pegasus. She was hugging Fluttershy far tighter than the yellow pony was hugging back. The hug lingered a few awkward moments too long, until Fluttershy felt Rainbow nuzzling her neck.

"Rainbow....’’ Fluttershy groaned in an annoyed tone.

"Sorry!’’ Rainbow released, giggling to herself.

Fluttershy had been very understanding about the incident and didn’t treat Rainbow any differently after. Looking down at Pinkie again, she felt a heat rise up from her stomach. She gently nuzzled the pink pony, praying she didn’t wake her up. Her coat was so soft! She just wanted to squeeze Pinkie as tight as she could. Her wings starting to unfold subconsciously. Rainbow, realising how excited she was getting, took a breath to calm herself, lest she awaken the slumbering pony. She curled her wings back into her sides.

Her mind drifted to the first time she made out with Pinkie while drinking. They had gone to a bar in ponyville, and once again Rainbow had exceeded her tolerance.  Rainbow liked to blame Applejack for that time though. The farm pony had claimed that she could handle far more drink than the boastful pegasus. Never declining a challenge, Rainbow tried to keep up with Applejack who was knocking back the ciders like water. Unfortunately for Rainbow Applejack, as always, wasn’t lying, and Rainbow soon forgot all about the competition as her drunkenness took over.

Pinkie wasn’t nearly as drunk as Dash that night, but she certainly wasn’t sober. Not that you could tell from how she acted. Her randomness didn’t get much affected by the alcohol, but the many empty bottles on the table where she had been sitting were evidence of her intoxication. Rainbow found her at the bar, and the beer goggles had been on full power. She stared at Pinkie as if she was meeting her for the first time, admiring her brilliant pink coat, getting lost in her deep blue eyes.

"Hey <hic> Dashie!’’ Pinkie yelled, snapping Rainbow out of her reverie. She giggled at herself hiccupping.

"H- hi Pinkie,’’ Rainbow mumbled, swaying slightly.

"You feeling ok Dashie?’’ Pinkie asked, her words slurring slightly.

"Yeah I'm fine!’’ Rainbow yelled, staggering slightly as she spoke. ‘‘Nothing can knock down Equestria’s fastest flier, not even alcohol!’’

Pinkie let out the most adorable little giggle Rainbow had ever heard. Her heart skipped a beat. The next words came out of her mouth completely subconsciously.

"Wow Pinkie, I’ve never really noticed before but, you are <hic>’’

"What was that Dashie?’’

"Your <hic>’’

"I didn’t hear-‘’

"YOU’RE ONE HOT MARE PINKIE!’’ Dash yelled, startling one of the patrons at the bar into spilling his drink.

Pinkie’s eyes opened wide, a look of confusion on her face as she processed what Rainbow had just said, the alcohol slowing her train of thought somewhat.

"Wow Dashie, thanks!’’ Was all she could think to say.

"Wanna make out?’’

Again it took the pink pony a few seconds to process the question, but then a large grin covered her face.

"Sure!" She accepted through grinning teeth, jumping over to face Rainbow, who wrapped her hooves round her neck and pulled her in for the kiss.

Rainbow’s other friends observed the scene with shock. Twilight's mouth hung agape, Fluttershy was blushing furiously and Rarity was sitting in stunned silence. Applejack spat her cider out in alarm mid sip, spraying Rarity who snapped out of her daze, only to start yelling furiously at Applejack who could only sit and grin sheepishly.

"Calm down Rarity,’’ Twilight spoke up. "I think its best that we don’t ask them questions. Maybe its just a drunk thing....’’

Since then the gang had become used to the occurrence, never bringing it up since neither Rainbow nor Pinkie seemed to want to talk about it.

Rainbow decided that should change.

Their friendship would handle it. They were too close to be split apart by something like this if it didn't work out. The way Rainbow saw it the situation at the moment was more straining than if they just admitted how they felt to each other. All the hidden feelings were there, waiting to bubble out.

She thought about how she should approach the problem. She could gently wake her and just tell her. Or she could wait until she wakes herself or ...

A devious grin spread across Rainbows face.

She started nibbling gently on the back of the pink pony’s neck. After a short bit of this Pinkie began to stir. Rainbow pulled her in tightly as she began to wake, continuing her gentle biting. Her eyes still closed, Pinkie turned to face Rainbow, who pressed her lips up against hers. Still semi-comatose, the pink pony reciprocated slowly, eventually wrapping her hooves around the pegasus.

Rainbow’s mind raced. They’d never continued on after waking up. Usually one would wake first and leave immediately. Though suffering a hangover, this was the first time she had kissed Pinkie sober. She felt a nervous flutter in her stomach at what the pony’s reaction would be once the daze of sleep left her.

Rainbow pulled away from Pinkie, whose eyes fluttered slowly open.

A look of panic entered Pinkie’s eyes when her mind processed the situation. She opened her mouth as if to speak but Rainbow raised her hoof to it before she got the chance.

‘’Hold on Pinkie,’’ Rainbow requested quietly. "Before you say anything, I just want you to know that ....’’ Rainbows stomach was lurching, a volatile mixture of the hangover and nerves. Why is this so darned hard? "I really like you Pinkie,’’ she finally managed to squeeze the sentence out.

The panic left Pinkie’s eyes, followed by a wide smile. She then grabbed Rainbows neck with her hooves and planted a kiss on her lips.

"That’s great Dashie!’’ She grinned. ''I really like me too!"

They laughed together as they shared another kiss.

"But I like you more,’’ Pinkie added

Rainbow buried her head back into the pink pony’s luxurious mane and cuddled up to her as close as she could.