Archive of Our Own ^beta

Dancing was never quite Rainbow’s thing.

Sure it was fun, but not when it was super formal and the fancy kind of dancing.

And with Rarity there, it was near impossible to get out of dressing up.

Thankfully Rainbow managed to get out of wearing a dress or anything too frilly, though Rarity insisted she at least wear something formal and not wrinkled.

So here she was, in a light blue button down collared shirt, with a black vest over, and black dress pants to match.

To finish off the look, there was a rainbow striped tie around her neck, and her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail.

It was actually kinda comfortable, but the environment was still an issue.

All the people in fancy dresses and suits, the slow music, the pleasant conversations, it was all too much.

Rainbow sighed, as she searched the room for her friends. 

Alas, they were still engaged in talking with some other folks, or too far away for Rainbow to care to make her way over.

Resigning to her boredom, she strode over to the drinks table, and poured a cup of cider for herself.

“RAINBOW DASH!!”

“Uwaahh-OW!” Rainbow exclaimed trying to steady herself and her cup, and she was tackled by a pair of arms wrapped around her.

“Pinkie! What was that for?!”

“Hehe sorry, just felt like surprising you. And to ask why you’re over here standing around all alone with the drinks rather than out on the dance floor partying?”

“Oh yeah, I’m not really good at this kind of dancing, and not really a big fan of the slow stuff, Pinkie.”

“What?! That’s ridiculous, you don’t have to be good at it to do it, and slow doesn’t have to equal boring. It’s actually really fun! Especially if you’re dancing with your friieeeennndddssss.”

Pinkie winked, trying to coax Rainbow out onto the dance floor.

“Sorry Pinkie, but the answer is still no.”

“Awe okay,” Pinkie pouted in defeat, before perking back up to her chipper nature, “just Pinkie Promise me you won’t spend the entire night here by yourself.”

“I Pinkie Promise I won’t spend the night here by myself.”

“Perfect! Alright, see ya later then! I’m gonna go back to dancing!” Pinkie waved and bounced off into the crowd.

Rainbow waved after her and took a sip of her cider, smiling to herself. 

As the minutes passed, Rainbow stood there, taking a few steps from side to side every now and then.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to talk to her friends. She just didn’t want it to be some conversation she’d feel trapped to stay in because of how these fancy parties usually went.

“Well yer surprisingly dressed up tonight, Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow turned to the familiar voice, and saw Applejack standing about a foot away from her.

“Uhh yeah, you too it looks like,” Rainbow’s eyes glanced over Applejack’s attire, noting the lack of her signature hat, but still keeping up with her own style by wearing cowboy boots.

“Not sure how ya talked Rarity out of getting you to wear a dress, but I’m impressed,” Applejack commented, grabbing a cup of cider for herself.

“It was a bit tricky, but I told her I wouldn’t wear anything casual, and let her choose the hairstyle and tie, then she gave in.”

Upon further inspection, Applejack’s dress was most definitely one of Rarity’s designs, because of the swirling golden details around the waistline that certainly would not have been a part of AJ’s wardrobe in any other case.

The dress itself went just below knee length, and was a dark red color. The skirt of it swayed when she moved, and the top was pulled up by a string creating a halter top.

AJ’s hair rested over her shoulder in a braid, with her bangs messily on her forehead as normal.

“Looks like she definitely got you though,” Dash snickered.

Applejack rolled her eyes, “at least it’s comfortable, so I guess I can’t complain too much.”

Rainbow shrugged.

“So what’re ya doing over here by yerself? I’d have thought Pinkie woulda dragged you to dance by now.”

“She tried. I just don’t really like this formal dancing stuff.”

“I understand that. I’m not too big a fan of it myself.”

Rainbow smiled, “well I guess we’ll be bored over here together then.”

“I guess so...unless-“ Applejack paused.

“Unless what?”

“How’s about a little challenge?”

“Oh?”

This was the second thing that had caught Rainbow’s attention that night.

“What kind of challenge are we talking?”

Applejack grinned, “a competitive one.”

“Alright! Now we’re talking! what is it?”

“We both go out there and dance-“

“Oh no”

“-but with all of our friends.”

“How is that a competition?” Rainbow started having second thoughts, and was content to just spend the night here talking with AJ.

“Simple. Whoever dances with each one of our friends wins, and there has to be a bit of that formal dancing stuff neither of us like.”

Rainbow gave it some thought, weighing her options; either go out there and do exactly the thing she was trying to avoid, or turn down a challenge.

“Alright, challenge accepted. To be clear we mean everyone as in Rarity, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Pinkie, right?”

“Yup. So ready to start then, sugarcube?”

“Born ready.”

“Alright, then let’s go!”

And with that they both took off in different directions through the crowd.

Rainbow had her eyes wide open, looking out for any signs of her friends.

She soon spotted Fluttershy sitting on a chair in the back of the room.

Making her way over to her, Rainbow noticed she looked a bit tired.

“Hey Fluttershy, you doing okay?”

“Oh hi Rainbow,” Fluttershy picked her head up, “just resting a bit, my feet hurt from these heels, and I think I maybe spent a little too much time talking to people.”

“Ahh I see, well mind if I join you?”

“Not at all.” 

Fluttershy smiled softly and patted the seat next to her. 

Rainbow took the seat, and leaned back.

“Have you at least had fun tonight, Flutters?”

“Oh, umm.. yes. I guess so.”

“You guess so?”

“I mean I have, it’s just a bit overwhelming with all the people, the music is rather nice though.”

“Right, that makes sense. Did you dance at all?” Rainbow asked.

It would be difficult to dance with Fluttershy if she was unwilling, and Rainbow wasn’t about to force her just for a competition.

“No, I haven’t. I would’ve liked to, but it’s hard in these heels. Plus I don’t really feel comfortable dancing where people could stare at me on the dance floor. It’s okay though, I don’t mind,” Fluttershy answered with a hint of disappointment that Rainbow had grown to recognize over the years, slipping into her voice.

Rainbow stood up suddenly, and moved to stand about two feet in front of her friend.

“Rainbow?”

“Mind taking those shoes off?”

“What?”

“Just do it, please.”

Fluttershy shrugged a bit confused but complied, slipping her heels off, and placing them to the side.

“Perfect. Now,” Rainbow extended her hand out to her, “may I have this dance?”

“Here? But Rainbow, what if people watch? I can’t-“

“You can. We’re all the way in the back here, no one’s gonna be paying attention to us. So what do ya say?” 

After a moment, Rainbow grinned as Fluttershy placed her hand in hers and stood up.

As gentle as she could, Rainbow pulled her friend, holding her upright as she stumbled a bit.

Fluttershy smiled, and placed her other hand on Rainbow’s shoulder. 

Rainbow placed her opposite hand as well, on Fluttershy’s waist.

“This okay?”

“Mhmm.”

“We can stop anytime you’d like.”

“Alright, thank you.”

“No problem... we’ll actually wait, one problem.”

“Yes Rainbow?”

“is this correct? I don’t think I actually know how to waltz properly.”

Fluttershy giggled.

“That’s okay. In this case you’re leading, and you’ve already got the hand placement perfect.”

“Oh, really? Awesome.”

The music faded out and switched to another song, though to Rainbow it didn’t sound any different, she took a step back anyway, Fluttershy following in her footsteps.

They took a few more steps, and so fell into a synchronized pattern, taking it slow, but calming.

Both of them were smiling happily. With Fluttershy giggling every now and then, and squealing when Rainbow twirled her around in surprise.

The song came to an end as the two pulled apart, and Fluttershy sat back down.

“How’re you doing there, Flutters?”

“Tired, but great. That was fun, thank you Rainbow,”

Fluttershy smiled at her in appreciation.

“No problem, just wanted to make sure you had a good time tonight. I’m gonna head back into the crowds now though. Catch ya later!”

Fluttershy nodded “see you.”

And with that Rainbow made her way back to the sea of people, spotting a head of familiar purple and pink hair right away.

Making her way past everyone else, Rainbow approached her next unsuspecting dance partner.

“Heya Twilight!”

“Ah- hey Rainbow Dash, you startled me.”

“That was the point”

“Oh.” Twilight did not sound amused.

“But anyways, I had a question for you.”

“Okay..? Should I be worried?”

“Depends, how good are you at dancing?” Rainbow smirked as she watched the confusion grow on Twilight's face.

“Huh?”

“I’m asking you to dance.”

“Ohhh! Gotcha- wait a minute, why?”

“Am I not allowed to wanna dance with my friend?”

“No no, you are. Pinkie mentioned you didn’t really want to dance, so I’m just a bit surprised.”

“Let’s just say, someone changed my mind,” Rainbow shrugged though she had a grin on her face.

“So you up for it?”

“Sure,” Twilight said with a smile, “I don’t see why not.”

“Great!”

Rainbow grabbed her hand and pulled her closer, twirling her as she did so.

“Woah!” Twilight exclaimed, as Rainbow caught her waist and pulled her close.

Twilight laughed and placed a hand on Dash’s shoulder. 

They danced at a faster pace than Rainbow had with Fluttershy, and they had to be careful not to knock into any nearby tables.

They danced for a bit, though Rainbow started to grow bored and wanted to move on already. The sooner she danced with everyone, the sooner she could win and rub it in Applejack’s face when she saw her again. Dash could already picture the look on her face.

With one last spin, Rainbow let go.

“That was nice, thanks Rainbow. I enjoyed that.”

“You’re welcome. By the way have you seen Pinkie anywhere?”

“I believe she’s still on the dance floor somewhere.”

“Perfect, thanks Twi. See ya later!”

Twilight waved as Rainbow dashed off to the dance floor to find the pink bundle of energy.

Approaching the edge of the crowd, it was nearly impossible to miss Pinkie’s bright pink hair bouncing around the dance floor amongst some other people dancing as well.

As Rainbow began to walk forward, a couple danced in front of her, blocking her path, and line of sight.

Next thing she knew, Pinkie had disappeared.

Just as Rainbow was about to push forward to continue her search, her hand was suddenly tugged back and up, as her body spun around in a full circle.

“What the-!”

Rainbow found herself face to face with a giggling Pinkie, who had her lowered in a dip.

“Happily surprised to see you out on the dance floor, Rainbow.”

“Uh huh.”

With barely a second to respond, Rainbow was pulled back up, and the two were spinning around the floor.

“I’m glad you changed your mind about dancing, now isn’t this way more fun then just standing alone all night?”

“Yeah, uh Pinkie-“

“Well I did see Applejack show up, so I guess the two of you could stand alone together”

“Pinkie Pie-“

“But it’s definitely more fun to be out dancing. After all, what's the point of a fancy party without dancing. Though a lot of these have been more kinda romancey slow dancey songs.”

“Pinkie-“

“Oooh! Maybe you should go ask Applejack to dance! It would be a great way for you two to have some fun not standing awkwardly on the side-“

“PINKIE!!”

“Yeah?”

Rainbow sighed, “I’m not asking Applejack to dance, and please stop with all the spinning.”

“Oops, sorry, my bad.”

Pinkie abruptly stopped the spins, but kept the dance going.

“Thanks.”

“So does this mean you’re more open to dancing at events Dashie? Cause if you are I know this party that’s happening next month-“

“Excuse me darlings,” a familiar voice chimed in cutting Pinkie off.

“Ooo, hi Rarity!” 

“Hello Pinkie, sorry to interrupt your conversation, but do you mind if I cut in now? I’d like to dance with Rainbow Dash for a bit.”

Rainbow was both relieved and confused. Glad she’d have a chance to pause from all the spinning, but curious about why Rarity wanted to dance with her.

Well at least she'd be able to complete the challenge this way.

“Of course! Go right ahead! I saw a chocolate table over there anyway,” Pinkie let go of Rainbow, and began bouncing away and waved back, “have fun you two!”

Rarity stepped closer and rested a hand on Rainbow’s shoulder, lifting Rainbow’s hand with her other one, and turning them to the correct positioning.

Rainbow placed her other hand on Rarity’s waist, and the two started to dance.

The silence between them was buried by the music, as they fell into a rhythm and glided across the dance floor.

Rainbow was ready to call it quits soon, quite certain she had won the challenge by now.

“Never thought I’d see you dancing in a place like this, Rainbow Dash. I must say, this was a pleasant surprise.”

Rainbow looked down at Rarity as she spoke, and was a bit unsure about how to respond to that.

“Oh well you know, not much else to do I guess,” Rainbow shrugged.

“Oh come now, Darling. You and I both know that would not be enough to get you to be waltzing right now.”

Of course.

Rainbow sighed in defeat.

“Alright fine, you’re right. I’m not doing this out of boredom.”

“Thought so. Why then?”

“Applejack challenged me.”

“To dancing?”

“Whoever could dance with all of our friends first wins.”

“Ahh I see now. So am I one of the first?”

“Nope, already got Flutters, Pinkie, and Twi.”

“Hmm, well you know what they say, save the best for last. So you’re going to go dance with Applejack in a minute I presume?” 

Rainbow looked at her in confusion.

“Why would I do that?”

“Because you said you’re supposed to dance with all of our friends,” Rarity explained, “so you’ve danced with me now and that leaves Applejack, yes?”

“No!”

“No? Why not darling? She’s a friend, isn’t she?”

“Well, yes, but I’m not- I’m not dancing with Applejack.”

“Are you afraid to?”

“What- No! Of course not!”

“Then why don’t you want to, Rainbow?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just.. Applejack is so- so ya know, just her! I don’t think she’d want to dance if it wasn’t part of the challenge.”

Rarity had a knowing smile on her face as she spoke, “and aren’t you the same? You said so yourself that you’re out here dancing with everyone because of the challenge. Yet it sounds like you might want to just spend time with Applejack.”

Stunned, Rainbow repeated that over in her head a few times.

Was that it?

She wanted to hang out with AJ? Of course she did, she just didn’t stop to consider it.

“How would you even know what I want?” Rainbow asked, grasping at whatever defense she could.

“Oh please darling, the moment I suggested that, it was written all over your face.”

“Alright, fine! You got me,” Rainbow sighed, “maybe I do wanna go hang out with Applejack.”

“I knew it.”

“Okay, so what? I can’t just go over and ask her to dance.”

“Why not? You already danced with everyone else, so I’d say you probably won the challenge.”

“Yeah but she’s different! I can’t just- what would I even say?”

“‘’May I have this dance’ perhaps?”

“You make it sound so easy. Neither of us are the fancy dancey types.” 

“And yet here you are.”

Rainbow starred for a moment. Rarity was right. She’d already gotten to this point hadn’t she? It shouldn’t be so hard to go and sweep AJ off her feet.

“Do you really believe I can do it?”

“Of course darling, and I think I may have found you an opportunity to do so.”

“What-“

Before Rainbow could ask what that meant, Rarity had switched their positions so she was now leading. Their hands raised as she twirled Rainbow in a circle, and then extended her arm so Rainbow spun at arm’s length.

Rarity dropped her hand, as Rainbow turned away to stabilize, only to find herself colliding into someone, and the two holding on to each other for support.

Looking down, Rainbow realized who the familiar blonde head of hair in front of her belonged to, and pulled back briefly.

“Applejack?”

“Hey Rainbow.”

“What- what just happened?”

“I wish I knew. One moment I was dancing with Pinkie, the next she’s practically flinging me across the dance floor!”

“Same here, but with Rarity!”

“Huh.”

“Huh...”

Then the laughter began. Whether they were both just laughing out of nervousness, or at their friends’ antics, they were now here together on the dance floor neither wanted to be on.

But they were having fun.

Once their laughter died down, they rightened themselves up, still holding onto each other.

That terribly slow music was still playing. The fancy outfits were not any less annoying than before. There were still so many people around them. 

It was now or never.

“Well Applejack,” Rainbow broke the silence, “may I have this dance?”

Applejack laughed, “I was just about to ask the same thing.”

Arranging themselves the ‘proper’ way, with Rainbow taking the lead, the two of them began to dance around the floor. Though both of them would snicker now and again at how ridiculous they both felt doing so.

Dancing may not be either of their thing, but spending time together definitely was.