takes place after S7 E23, (Secrets and Pies.)

sorry if the chapter seems a bit rushed... and also, sex scenes in the next chapter.

“Hey Spitfire, Lightning, Wave,” Soarin greeted, walking into the locker room.

“Hey, man,” Lightning replied casually, intently staring at something else.

Soarin turned his head, walking over to Lightning. “Whatcha looking at, Lightning?”

“Ah, nothing.” He spared a guilty glance in Soarin’s direction.

Soarin raised an eyebrow and playfully grinned, shoving the other stallion gently out of the way and grabbed the photo. It retained of a light turquoise mare with blown-back white hair, and light purple eyes. “Flatfoot?” Soarin questioned.

“Lemme see,” Spitfire interjected, hovering above them and chuckled. “Ah, what’s with this, Lightning?”

Lightning rolled his eyes and flushed. “It doesn’t mean anything...”

“Right,” Soarin mocked. “We totally believe you.”

“Ha ha,” Lightning retorted and snatched the photo back. “Give me that and stay out of my locker.”

Soarin shrugged and went back to his, grabbing a couple of bags and promptly shut it, when he was faced with the polychromatic cyan pegasus. He eyed her over, her uniform clinging to her tight, toned, sleek body. Stop it, Soar, she’s mad at you. You don’t ogle mares that are mad at you.

He heard Lightning snicker. “Let’s leave these two alone,” he whispered and the three quietly left.

However, Soarin had nothing to say to Dash, and vice versa, so, without sparing her another glance, he flew out the door.

He was going home today. Well, honestly, Headquarters was more like home than his house, but Soarin still enjoyed the time away from all the Wonderbolt stuff. Just him and quiet, free from his duties as second-in-command. Unfortunately, he was thinking about the one pony he didn’t want to be thinking about. Earlier, he had been interrogated by Rainbow’s friend Pinkie Pie, trying to figure out if Dash had ever eaten one that the party pony sent to her friend at HQ.

Earlier:

“Hello Ms. Captain Spitfire of The Wonderbolts,” Pinkie greeted, appearing out of Spit’s locker.

“Ahh!” Spitfire shouted, quickly regaining composure. “Umm...” Spit knew from Dash’s explanations of the pink mare to not question her crazy antics.

She was wearing a detective hat over her curly hair and had a cigar blowing bubbles in her mouth. However, she looked serious, when usually there was a smile there. “I need to talk to you three in private. It’s about Rainbow Dash. And as her closest friends on the team, you’ll have what I’m looking for.”

“Uh, yeah, okay... follow me,” Spitfire answered, walking into the hallway right before the mess hall. “Is Dash alright?”

“You tell me...” she glared at Spitfire, Fleetfoot, and then Soarin. He gulped. “I’ve sent Rainbow Dash a pie every month she’s been a Wonderbolt,” she continued. “And you’re telling me you’ve never seen her eat one?”

Soarin was confused, Spitfire hadn’t said anything about Dash not eating the pies. Spitfire, Fleetfoot, and Soarin frowned, trying to remember. “Uhhh...”

“Uh, affirmative,” Spitfire answered. Pinkie leaned forward, staring suspiciously. “Or, uh, negative.”

Pinkie’s light blue eye popped out, still eyeing the captain.

“Um...I-I-I mean, she wasn’t seen eating one,” she stuttered. Fleet and Soarin nodded in unison.
What is she up to... I mean, Dash told me she was crazy, guess I shouldn’t question it.

“Hmm... Interesting. Very interesting,” Pinkie Pie noted.

Spitfire stared. “Are we under investigation?”

“As chief detective on the pie case, I’ve labeled you all ponies-of-interest. So it’s best you tell me everything you know.”

Soarin looked away, not wanting to speak for Rainbow. Didn’t need her more upset. Spitfire spoke up, “Well, we have been getting mysterious monthly pie donations.”

Pinkie gasped and hooked her arm over Spitfire’s neck. “Would you be able to pick these pies out of a line up?” she inquired.

At her seriousness, Soarin smiled as he nodded yes. Anything to do with Rainbow Dash was very interesting to him.

Now:

Pathetic, he thought. He wasn’t over her. Not even close. No mare had made him feel this strongly before. It had already been almost a month, and to no avail, she was still on his mind most of the time. He had tried reading a Daring Do book, but that had reminded him of Dash. He thought about wandering Cloudsdale, but was too tired, he thought about baking a pie, but that just brought him back to the gala and the last time he and Dash had argued. Finally, he settled on reading the newspaper for a bit and taking a nap. Boring, boring. Las Pegasus break in, an update on the cute Princess Flurry Heart, and some new delicacy and shops to try in Manehattan. Sighing, he rested his head on his pillow and drifted off into a well-deserved rest.

Two hours later and he was still sleeping. He was having a weird dream about being an alicorn prince and was ruling alongside Princess Celestia when a banging wrestled him out of sleep. “Hmm?” He rubbed his eyes tiredly and walked down the stairs, lazily opening the door, coming face to face with the last pony he would expect to see. He felt his body burn when her pretty eyes met his gaze and gulped slightly.

“Rainbow Dash?” She didn’t reply, so he asked another question, “What are you doing here?”

An undeniable blush lit her cheeks and she sighed, slowly walking in and quietly closing the door behind her. “I know I shouldn’t be here, but—”

“It’s fine, just say what you need to say,” he interrupted tiredly. He could play this ‘too cool to talk to you’ facade just as well. Or at least, he could pretend like he could.

She nodded, looking at the floor. “I asked Rapid and Spit for your address, I knew you were going home but I didn’t know where you lived,” she clarified.

He raised his eyebrows. “Okay?... What’s up, Rainbow Dash?” He saw visibly flinch at the sound of her full name.

“I’m...sorry,” she mumbled.

Soarin leaned forward, although he heard perfectly fine. “Say again?”

“Uhh... I-I-I’m sorry,” she repeated, refusing to look at him.

He frowned and beckoned for her to come in. “What for?” he wondered. “Coffee?” he pointed towards the kitchen.

She shook her head. “I have enough energy as it is.”

He managed a faint smile. “That much is true.” They both laughed a little, quickly followed by an awkward silence.

“I’m sorry for yelling at you and kicking you out of my house.”

Soarin fell silent, not sure what to say.

Luckily, she raised a hoof. “Not that you were gonna, but you don’t have to apologize either. Your questions took me by surprise, is all. Not a lot of ponies ask that, and my friends figured it out on their own,” she said.

He tilted his head. “Figured what out?”

She looked away, biting her lip. “That I’m not unbreakable,” Dash responded, voice cracking slightly.

He tried to forget the painful sound in her otherwise lovely voice, but it was impossible. He never wanted to hear that coming from her mouth. “Rainbow Dash...” he sighed, “I understand. I shouldn’t have pushed you to answer.”

“Maybe not,” she admitted. “But I didn’t have to be a jerk about it. You were right to call me those things...”

He remembered. “All this ‘reputation’ stuff... why’s it so important to you? It’s a little... shallow,” he responded meekly.

Had Soarin really said that to her? Called the most loyal pony he knew shallow? No wonder she kicked him out of her awesome home. “No, I wasn’t,” he whispered. “Rainbow Dash, you’re the...” he trailed off and looked at her. She was staring right back, ready to listen. He took a deep breath and did not back down. He would be brave, just like she was. “You’re the most amazing pony I know.”

A look of pure shock registered on her cyan face. “Huh?”

He chuckled a little. “You’re cool and smart and funny and easy to get along with. You care about ponies, your friends, you’re a hero, and you’re the most loyal pony I’ve ever met. I guess I just wanted to see you when you weren’t all... I don’t know. You’re brave, you’re talented, you’re strong. There’s nothing you can’t do, and everypony looks up to you. You have a fan club for pony’s sake! I guess I wondered if you ever doubted yourself. I wanted you to know that you didn’t have to act tough for me, that you’re still amazing when you aren’t at your best,” he murmured, looking away. He was crimson, and there was no way she could not see that.

“Soarin...”

“I know, probably too intense for ya, but it’s true, Rainbow Dash, it—“

“Stop calling me that,” she said fiercely.

He blinked. Once. Twice. “But that’s your name.”

“And it’s a great name for a great pony, but to you... I’m not. ‘Rainbow Dash’... sounds too formal.” She shook her head, bangs falling into her eyes. “We aren’t formal, Soar, and I don’t want to be with you. You’re my closest friend on the team, you know?”

Soarin grinned. “So I can call you ‘Dashie’?”

“Don’t push it, Soarie,” she shot back, a playful smirk on her muzzle.

He found a little loophole. “Alright, Crashie,” he replied, snickering, thinking he found a loophole.

Her mouth formed an ‘O’ before she pounced on him, tackling him to the carpet whilst laughing. “You jerk, you’re gonna get it for that, Clip,” she mocked, punching him lightly all over.

He laughed along with her, trying not focus on the fact that the mare of his dreams was straddling him, running her hooves all over his body. He couldn’t ignore it, however, when she brushed the base of his wings and he gasped at the tingle of pleasure he felt. Dash paused and turned her head curiously, and ran through her motions.

Once she figured out why, she softly placed her hoof back on the spot, gently massaging it a little. Soarin clamped his mouth shut to avoid her hearing him moan, while he writhed to get out. If she kept this up... well, he didn’t know what he’d do.

“Is this the Soarin Skies’ weakness?” she taunted, giggling.

Finally, he slipped out and hastily stood. “Dash...”

“What’s the big deal? I promise I won’t tell anypony,” she said, holding in a laugh. “Pie and the base of your wings, hmm?”

Soarin chuckled and covered his face with his wing. “Yeah, yeah... you got me. Anyways, why did you come here? Not that I don’t want you here, you know, but~”

“I came here to apologize. And... to tell you a story,” she stated, a rather nervous look taking over.

He sat down on the couch and beckoned for her to do the same. “Make it entertaining.”

“It’s about me so obviously,” she said, smiling. He really loved that smile. After making herself
comfortable and leaning back, she began to talk. “As you know, my parents were always, always cheering me on, even when I lost, they were there,” she began. “I’m pretty sure you and a couple other ‘Bolts actually competed too.”

Soarin thought back to when he was a colt, and could faintly remember a loud set of screaming parents. “Those were your parents?!”

She gave an embarrassed look. “Yes. Anyways, they encouraged me. Made me believe I could do anything. So you know when I told you... when I first got the name ‘Crash’?”

He nodded, hanging on every word.

“Well, it’s not like I was really that emotional or not confident before, but that really hurt. I think whenever I showed how upset I was by crying or throwing a tantrum I would get laughed at, made fun of, besides the fact that I was the best in the class,” she told him. “So I promised to myself to never show any weakness again. I wanted to be a hero. A role model. And I am, I love it, it’s my dream. I am awesome, I am all those things I proclaim to be,” she insisted. “That’s why I can’t let nearly anypony, especially you guys, my heroes, that I...” She bit her lip as a single tear rolled down her cheek. Her ears flattened against her head while more tears rolled down her cheeks. Soarin felt a sharp pain in his chest and felt himself tearing up a bit too. She cried softly, sniffling and gasping. “I’ve only let my friends in,” she whispered. “And that took a long time. And then it was Scootaloo. Maybe Spitfire a bit, I couldn’t do that with the rest of the team... you guys are all so cool. So level-headed. Wonderbolts are supposed to be.”

I’m sorry, Dash. I’m so sorry. Hesitantly, Soarin draped his wing around her back and placed his head on hers. It could be taken as a friendly gesture, right? He hoped so.

“Maybe out in public we shouldn’t let our emotions get the best of us, maybe during training, but we’re more than just a team, Rainbow,” he whispered. “We’re friends. We’re a family. Fuck, you’re one of the greatest Wonderbolts we’ve ever had. We all waited for you to join. And we, no matter what idiotic things we say, will never think less of you for being a pony,” Soarin declared.

To his surprise, she leaned into him and he smelled the delicious scent of the rainbow spiced mane mixed with vanilla. Heavenly. Aromatic. Intoxicating.
“Thank you,” she murmured, lips moving against his chest.

He inhaled sharply, determined not crumble. She really had no idea what she did to him. “Of course, Dash. I am the best motivational speaker on the team,” he bragged, stroking her mane.

She laughed into him and pulled away. Why, why? You feel so good.
“Give it a couple weeks and that’ll change,” she challenged. “Seriously though, thanks. You’re a really great... friend.”

Still just a friend, huh?
“Just doing my job,” he replied and stared out the window. He peered closer and noticed snow harshly floating down, already up to his window sill. “It’s snowing,” he said aloud.

“No shit,” Rainbow answered in an amused tone. “Oh, crap, I can’t get home.”

“It’s alright,” Soarin replied smoothly. “You can sleep here, if that’s okay.” Was that too forward?

She perked up. “Really? Thanks.”

“No problem,” he answered and then noticed the sag in her shoulders. “What’s wrong?”

She ran a hand over her mane. “Tank’s all alone, again, I can’t ask Twi or Fluttershy to check in on him.”

“Oh... he’ll be okay, Dash. Promise. He seems... wise?” He wasn’t sure if that was the correct choice of words.

To his relief, she only chuckled. “Yeah, he’s probably sleeping.” She sighed. “Guess it means he’ll be hibernating soon again.”

“You’re not gonna stop winter again, are you?” he joked, nudging her with his wings

“Can’t, I’m trapped,” she retorted.

He grinned. “Next year, then?”

“Of course.”

Twenty minutes later and they were in Soarin’s room, hanging out on the bed. She was so easy to talk to. So, so, so, easy. He could be himself. Talk and laugh. She just got him, in a way nopony else had been able to. “Would you rather see... Sapphire Shores or Countess Coloratura?” he asked. Currently they were in a game of ‘Would You Rather’.

“Hmm.” Dash tapped her hoof on her chin. “I like both. Probably Coloratura again,” she decided, nodding.

“You’ve seen her before?”

She blew her bangs out of her eyes and stretched her wings. “Yeah, she and Applejack were foalhood friends and they reconnected awhile ago. And Rarity, she designs Sapphire’s outfits,” Dash explained.

“That’s... really cool. You’re a Wonderbolt, your friend’s a princess, a famous designer, one owns the best apple farm in Equestria, reformed the lord of chaos...”

“One’s a super duper popular party pony and planned the reception of Princess Cadence and Shining Armour,” she listed.

A thought from earlier popped into his head. “Oh, yeah, Pinkie Pie, she came to HQ earlier today. Questioned me, Spitfire, and Fleet about if we ever saw you eat a pie?”

Rainbow Dash scoffed and laughed lightly. “She actually did that? She said she did but I wasn’t sure if it was true.”

“She labeled me a pony-of-interest! I could’ve lost my job, Crash. How could you do that to the second-in-command of the top elite flying squad?” he fake whined, trying to hide his goofy smile.

She smirked, narrowing her eyes. “You’re right, Commander Soarin,” she said, pretending to be apologetic. “It was shameful of me, really.” She placed a hoof to her chest, bottom lip sticking out. “Would you ever be able to forgive me?”

He furrowed his brow, considering. “I don’t know, Miss Dash, it was quite a shock to my system,” he replied sadly, closing his eyes.
He heard a muffled noise and peeked one eye open, seeing her trying to stifle her laugh, miserably failing. She fell down on her back and laughed and he soon joined in, laughing with her. After they had settled down, he felt something hard yet soft and glanced around seeing her shoulder right against his face. She showed no sign of annoyance in their position and didn’t move as Soarin adjusted to climb over, until he saw her look away and he realized he was on top of her.
They didn’t say anything as Rainbow tore her gaze away and focused on him, a blush forming on her muzzle. She’s blushing. Gently, Soarin brushed back a strand of hair from he eyes and placed it behind her ear, stroking it a little in the process.

“Oh!” she gasped quietly, her blue ear twitching.

Soarin smirked as he figured out the sound of her gasp meant. Feeling cocky, he leaned down and pressed his mouth to her left ear. “Is this the Rainbow Dash’s weakness?” he mocked, repeating her words from earlier. Their chests brushed each other and he accidentally let a soft groan escape his lips.

Rainbow giggled and drew her hooves towards the base of his wings, stroking them. “Dash,” Soarin said, biting his lip. It felt so damn good.

“Yes, Commander?” she whispered, still teasing him.

Soarin paused at what she called him, he could feel himself hardening. He was slipping, slowly but surely. He nuzzled her ear and relished at her moan. “Shit,” she murmured, arching her back and their bodies touched, sending jolts of electricity through his strong body. “Please, Soarin,” she moaned. He hadn’t expected that, for her to feel the eradicating way he felt so easily. That moan made him dizzy. “Don’t stop,” she whispered, looking at him, eyes filled with wanting.

Soarin gave her a look of passion, kissed her forehead, and said, “Don’t plan to, Dashie.”