The cheering crowds cries could be heard in the locker room. Even above all that noise the cheer-teams chant for the Wondercolts squad was loud and clear. “Won-der-Colts! We are the best!”

Twilight knew that those were the last words, that the cheerleaders would be running from the field to swap places with the soccer team. Most of the soccer team anyway. The captain, the star player and the top scorer was actually stood right in front of her.

Rainbow Dash.

Infuriating, embarrassing, beautiful Rainbow Dash.

Outside, the crowds on the bleachers were shouting out her name. Chanting for the captain who had taken them this far. “Hear that?” Rainbow asked, in her confident voice. It was surprisingly soft and tender, not a voice those who said they knew Rainbow would associate with her. “They're calling for me, but they're cheering for you.”

Twilight knew Rainbow. She knew Rainbow better than any one of the girl's team-mates, probably better than her coach. She had heard that voice a few times before, as they spoke in a private corner of the library during a study session, or late at night when Rainbow called her cell phone for a conversation. One that started with a voice that had been crying, denying it but still with the tell-tale wobble, but finished with a soft goodnight that left Twilight feeling warm and happy.

“They're calling for their star. Their hero, Rainbow. Not for the little bookworm.” Twilight said, self consciously clutching the volumes she held closer to her chest. Rainbow was so close to her and she could feel her heart speeding up.

Rainbow smiled and managed to be even closer. “You might love books but you are never a worm.” She reached out and caught Twilight's free hand in her own. “You got me here Twi'. I was flunking three classes and you got me to five steps below you. Miss Top of the Class.” She leaned in. “They would have pulled me from the team. I wouldn't have led them here to the final, I wouldn't have scored the winning penalty in the semis. I wouldn't be here today to try and get us the cup.”

“Rainbow...” Twilight could see a strange look in her friend's eyes. She didn't dislike it but she didn't know what it was.

“You helped me with more than classes and you know it.” Rainbow put a gentle hand under Twilight chin and lifted her head so they were looking eye to eye.

Outside the chant was fever pitch. It was kick-off soon.

“Rainbow, you need to go out.” Twilight knew she was blushing and she really didn't want this to end, but the team needed their captain. Coach would come looking soon.

“I know.” Rainbow blinked once, slowly, took a breath. “How about a kiss for good luck?” Before Twilight could object, the girl dipped in and pressed her lips to her friend's.

Twilight squeaked in shock but didn't pull away. These lips were soft, lightly chapped in places but very warm. A warmth that spread inside her, it was wonderful and for a moment Twilight felt ready for anything.

“Thanks Twi'.” Rainbow said when they parted. She released Twilight's hand and made her way to the locker room door. “Cheer for me?” Rainbow asked and with that was through the door.

The crowds shouted and yelled for their captain.

The roar from the fans roused Twilight from her stupor, she had been frozen in place. “I will.” She whispered, touching her free hand to her lips.

-*-

It had taken Twilight a few more moments to compose herself. Not every day does your best friend suddenly kiss you. Yes, despite their differences, she and Rainbow really were best friends. As she slipped out onto the bleachers and found somewhere to sit, she was beginning to wonder if they were something more than best friends.

At the start of the school year they certainly had nothing to do with each other. Not Twilight Sparkle the nerd who lived in the library and Rainbow Dash the Canterlot High sporting hero. But Rainbow Dash wasn't the best student, she was unfocused in lessons and tardy with her homework. She was flunking History, American Literature and English.

Principal Celestia had been worried about her students. Twilight Sparkle had become increasingly introverted and withdrawn from school social life. The experienced educator could see the girl slipping into depressive tendencies and isolation. Rainbow Dash was much better than she gave herself credit for, but the rules stated that athletes had to keep good grades or be pulled from sport. Soccer was Rainbow's life, to take it from her would have serious consequences.

So she had devised a solution to both problems. Twilight Sparkle would tutor Rainbow Dash. The clever but introverted girl would help the capable but failing athlete. Outgoing Rainbow would draw Twilight from her shell and the quiet scholar would direct the athlete to good grades and study habits.

It had worked. Rainbow rose on the grade lists. Twilight would be seen outside the library in school hours.

Now, as the Wondercolts stormed the field with the ball in their possession at Rainbow's feet, Twilight cheered and shouted for her friend.

There were things the Principal probably had an inkling were a problem, but it was only to Twilight that Rainbow had opened up. The girl lived with her father, Rainbow's mother was deployed overseas, he too had been military but was discharged on medical grounds. Their relationship was testy and fraught, emotionally distant and anxious for their active duty mother/wife.

Twilight had discovered it by accident. Dropping by Rainbow's on a weekend to help with some project work, she had witnessed the distance between father and daughter. The hurt in Rainbow's eyes. Over time she had coaxed the emotions free from the reticent girl, not an expert but a simple listening ear, she had helped a little. Her great victory was getting Rainbow to speak with the school counsellor. That had helped immensely, Rainbow was no longer full of false bravado hiding insecurity. She was as confident and happy as she presented herself.

A mass of cheers and shouts interrupted Twilight's thoughts. The team had scored, not Rainbow but one of her team-mates. She could see the multi-coloured hair of the captain celebrating with the goal scorer. Rainbow had become a much better team player as she had gotten her hurt off her chest. There was no need for her to show off to feel good, to keep possession to prove herself.

Twilight looked over the supporting fans. There were a number of familiar faces from her classes, class mates she had gotten to know a little as Rainbow had pulled her out to parties or the mall. She couldn't quite yet see them as friends, but there was a whole summer to fix that. Something Twilight was actually looking forward to.

It was nice to see Rainbow's father sat on a bench, just as eagerly shouting and cheering, even waving a flag. Twilight grinned and looked back to the game. She had promised to cheer for Rainbow.

Hopefully there would be an explanation for the kiss. Twilight had developed more than a small attraction to her friend, over the time they spent together. Seeing both the side no one else saw, the side Rainbow trusted to Twilight, and the public face Rainbow showed the world. Twilight could easily say she loved Rainbow.

-*-

Cloud Kicker had scored a great goal. Rainbow had made sure to tell her friend so. Her whole team was tight and they were going to bring home the cup. Though she had her head in the game, Rainbow just knew Twilight was watching.

If someone had told Rainbow back in the first week that she'd be friends with Bookworm Sparkle by the summer, she would have laughed in their face. Probably done something a little nasty to the indigo haired girl too. But to keep playing she needed to improve her grades, to improve her grades she needed tutoring. Tutoring from the student that Principal Celestia assigned.

She protested, she argued, but Rainbow Dash met a nervy egghead in the library. Twilight had persevered with her reluctant student and broken through with carefully chosen fiction books that Rainbow actually enjoyed. That had led to slowly improving grades and assured continued membership on the team.

Then Twilight had not nagged, she'd not pushed or pressed, but Twilight had slowly drawn from Rainbow her deep secret worries. She had listened quietly but intently, handed over tissues without judgement and given her a gentle hug. Twilight was always ready to listen, even late at night when Rainbow needed to talk.

Somewhere along the line Rainbow had fallen in love.

Twilight had shown her that she could be more than she thought herself. That she was capable of turning around her school work as easily as she could turn a match around. Rainbow Dash had found her potential was limitless. She was finally happy, finally not alone.

The ball was crossed to her, Raindrops was a snappy player and a great mid-field, Rainbow received it and with a deft flick was attacking goal. She booted it and watched with good cheer as the opposing goalie managed an amazing save.

“Too bad. That was awesome.” Cloud Kicker gave her a high-five. “Let's take this all the way.”

“To the top!” Rainbow shouted. Both getting back into play.

-*-

Twilight watched with bated breath. There were mere minutes left on the clock, it was one goal apiece after the Minotaurs had managed to get through the Wondercolt defence. Rainbow had the ball, she was a blur on the field as she ran. “The Rainboom.” Twilight whispered. It was a strategy the forwards had thought up, the pair running at goal with quick and confusing passes to keep the goalie and defence on their toes. Feints and fake-outs until the last possible moment where Rainbow would put all her power into a shot at goal.

Unable to look, Twilight glanced down to see how Rainbow's father was doing. She was surprised to see the man sat beside another figure. A woman with air force dress blues. Twilight smiled wide. “Come on Rainbow,!” She shouted as loud as she could. “Rainbow! Raindrops! Wondercolts!”

The other students were surprised that their bookish classmate was getting so excited but quickly jumped in to take up the cheer.

On the pitch Rainbow was free and clear, one last confusing switch between her and Raindrops had the goalie instinctively going for the wrong corner. She kicked her hardest, the Minotaurs had faced the rain, now it was time for the boom.

The ball hit the back of the net. The sports field erupted, the crowd exploded. The Wondercolts had won the cup. “Yes! We Did IT! AWESOME!” Rainbow jumped and shouted and waved and was tackled into a hug by Raindrops and the rest of the team. Coach ran onto the field as soon as the whistle blew.

From under the pile of team Rainbow could see the indigo hair and purple sweater of her best friend as the studious girl jumped and cheered. She grinned.

Everyone got off her then and coach helped her up. “Good job captain.” He said, pleased with the win and the team work.

“Yeah. That was a good job, captain.” A voice that was all smiles said from behind Coach. Smiling fit to burst he moved aside. Major Firefly Dash stood behind him, her dress blues crisp and pride radiating from her face.

“Mom!” Heedless of the crowd, Rainbow grabbed her mother into a hug as tears streaked down her face. “You're back. You saw. You're home. We won!”

“That you did, yes I did, yes I am.” Firefly smiled and helped guide Rainbow from the pitch so things could be set up for medals and trophies.

-*-

Twilight slowly got down off the bleachers. Most everyone was going home, planning for the party in the evening, taking worn out players for a rest or figuring how to kill time between the game and the celebration. Rainbow had gone into the locker room to change after the photos and medals and trophy ceremony was over. With her mother back she'd probably be more invested in that than anything else.

“I'm so happy for her.” Twilight told herself, trying not to feel sad that there had been no follow-up on the kiss. “She'll get to that when the important things are over.” Gathering her books into a satchel, the indigo haired girl walked down the steps and onto the running track. It was a shortcut back to the campus and a ride home.

She'd barely passed the locker-room door when the sound of running feet caught Twilight's attention. Just in time for someone to grab her in a tight embrace, swiftly spin her around and plant a kiss to her lips.

A searing, searching kiss that delved deeper than the last. Strands of rainbow hair interrupted Twilight's view as an insistent tongue pressed her lips for entry. 'Rainbow...' Twilight smiled internally and let the athlete guide her where she wanted to go.

Breathing was becoming important and they parted naturally. “Thanks for the good luck Twi'.” Rainbow grinned, taking Twilight's hand in hers in a clearly possessive action. “I think I want that kind of luck all the time.”

“Do you now?” Twilight was singing inside, her heart was racing and her ears were burning but she felt amazing.

“Would you be my girlfriend?” Rainbow took Twilight's other hand, looking down so rose eyes met amethyst. A blush tinged the athlete's features.

“Yes.” Twilight smiled so wide she though her face would break. “Yes I will.”

Author's Notes:

Boom, One-Shot.

Written in 2.5 hours after trawling my old favourite MLP fanarts. I am trying to get around a little block on Days so thought I would write some fluffy Twidash to keep my hand in.

Hope you liked it folks.