Two days passed before I saw my dear Rainbow Dash again. The hospital contacted Alice, seeing as she was my emergency contact. She didn’t take the news well… The nurse handed me the phone for me to speak to her. The conversation mostly consisted of me assuring her that I was alright, her sobbing and offering to send me the money to get a surgery that would give me a replacement hand. Not a metal prosthetic, but a working, living hand. Not only that, she even offered Rainbow her cutie marks and wing back. I accepted happily and invited her out to see Equestria. She accepted as well. We set the date for my upcoming birthday, which was only a month away. Dash and I met of the first time again in the recovery room after our surgeries. We were both lucid and able to walk, so we milled about, talking about the last two days in the hospital. After half an hour, we found our way out into a courtyard-like place. The trees were well-trimmed and the birds sang their carefree songs. We walked the paths in silence for a time, exchanging content glances. However, Rainbow’s eyes spoke of a sort of longing I hadn’t seen before… She suddenly took my new hand in hers, turning to me.

“I never got to thank you.” She said.

“It’s alright, Rainbow. You don’t owe me anything.” I replied, examining her eyes carefully. In truth, I wanted to be closer to her…
My wish was quickly granted as she leaned in a measure closer. This new proximity brought on a furious blush that heated my cheeks beneath my fur. I’d never been more thankful to have such dark fur before in my life, for I did not wish her to see that I was nervous. To keep my charade of confidence up, I leaned in as well.

“Thank you, Sebastian…” she mumbled lowly, bringing her free hoof up to take a light grip on my cheek.
Wait… Was she about to-
Our lips met tenderly at first, causing my eye to widen in surprise, but after a moment the taste took me. I planted my free hand firmly over her newly-recovered cutie mark and tilted my head to take more.
The kiss lasted many endless seconds, but she eventually broke off, blushing like a school-filly.
I stood in silence for several moments, reveling in the ghost feeling of her lips against mine, which she took to peck my cheek one more time and take her leave.

“I’ll see ya ‘round, Bunny Boy.” She called over her shoulder.

“Yeah… See ya ‘round.” I replied with a wide grin.