takes place after the events of S6 E7 (Newbie Dash.)

Soarin flew ahead of the performance grounds, watching the newest member of the Wonderbolts clean up the mess she had made with her so called ‘stunt’. Spitfire had said no helping her, but what was a little company going to do? She hadn’t said anything about that, or had she? Sometime Soarin merely chose to ignore her, not something he should be proud of. He still felt pretty bad for Rainbow, even clipping his wing on his first day wasn’t as humiliating as landing in a trash can.

Earlier:

“Are you okay, Rainbow Dash?” Soarin had asked.

Fleetfoot huffed. “More like Rainbow Crash!” she shouted, smiling.

Soarin and the other ‘Bolts all laughed at her expense. She became very defensive. “Hey! You guys buzzed me on purpose!”

Spitfire shook her head. “Not quite. You forgot rule number one, newbie.”

At that, Soarin, Fleetfoot, Misty Fly, High Winds, and Surprise all spoke in unison, “Always check both ways before crossing the runway.”

Soarin watched her roll her eyes in humiliation. “Yeah, well, I was just... testing you guys!”

He couldn’t help it, he laughed. He remembered ponies laughing at him on his first day and suddenly realized that it really was no big deal. Dash had a nickname. Everypony had a humiliating story.

“Alright, nopony got hurt and we got a lot to do, so let’s forget about this and get flying!” Spitfire called.

One by one they all flew away, but Soarin heard Misty Fly talk. “Classic rookie move, Rainbow Crash. That was amazing.”

Now:

Soarin touched down, a few feet away from the newbie. “Hey.”

At the sound of his voice, she turned around and a smile creeped on to her muzzle. “Hey, Soarin!” She snickered. “Or should I say Clipper?”

He grinned, relieved at the use of the nickname. “Doesn’t matter, Crash.”

“You can’t help me, you know,” she stated, holding the broom steady.

Soarin sat down on a bench. “I know, but, I can keep you company. No rules against that.” He smiled.

She looked away and blushed lightly. “Thanks.” She started sweeping again.

He felt oddly satisfied with making the colour appear on this pair of lovely cheeks, but he wanted to do more. Rainbow Dash was a pony who never showed emotion, afraid it would harm how ponies saw her. “Can I ask you something?” he asked, hesitantly. He didn’t want to make her upset.

“Sure.”

He decided to be brave and looked her in the eye. “Why were you so bent out of shape when we gave you the nickname?”

Dash sighed and laid the broom down. “I...” she shut her eyes and Soarin sore he saw a tear roll down.

He flinched. “You don’t have to tell me,” he said gently. “I was just curious.” Soarin felt like the world would come crashing down if another tear slipped from her, which was ridiculous, he noted.

“No, no it’s okay. So basically, back in flight school...”

Years ago...

Rainbow Dash soared into the sky. “Okay, flight school! Get ready for Rainbow Dash! Hah—whooooa!”
She landed with a thud. and grunted in pain while trash can stopped rolling.

Hoops snickered. “More like Rainbow Crash!”

All her classmates laughed and together they all chanted in taunting voices, “Rainbow Crash! Rainbow Crash! Rainbow Crash! Rainbow Crash!”

Now:

“I was pretty embarrassed and it got to me. I guess when you guys all laughed... it brought back all that humiliation... is all,” she confided.

Soarin frowned. So it had a deeper meaning, like he suspected. And Celestia knew a proud mare like Dash herself, a nickname like that would crush her confidence completely. “I’m sorry. We didn’t know. The names are supposed to be for fun, but yours isn’t. Not really.”

A loud sigh escaped her lips. “I guess not. Well, it didn’t use to be. But I get it now, you guys are just enjoying yourselves. It’s what you do together. And... I wanna be a part of it. I know you don’t mean it in a mean way, so... there’s no issue in calling me that.” She finished sweeping and tossed the broom down, picking up some leftover trash. “But while we’re on the subject, did you like it when you first got called ‘Clipper’?”

Soarin chuckled, not exactly fond of the memory but not bitter about it. “Honestly, it was no surprise. I used to clip my wing at least once or twice a year since I can remember. When they first gave it to me... I might’ve been a little offended. I asked Fleetfoot about it later and apparently everypony had a nickname. I was fine with it until some guy named West Wind bullied me about it, in a mean way. We got into a bit of a fight.”

“You knew West Wind?” she asked.

“Uh, yeah. Why?”

She looked at the sky. “Huh, I used to idolize him when I was younger. Too bad he turned out to be such a jerk.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean,” Soarin sighed. “I thought he was pretty cool too. He left a year later and things turned back to normal and the name was just an affectionate term again.”

Rainbow wrinkled her nose. “Affectionate?”

“U-uh... yeah! Just, like, friendly. That’s what I mean. Totally not in a romantic way or anything, heh.” He scratched his hoof.

“Okay,” she said simply, putting the lid on the trash can. “Did you really mean what you said before? I’m sure I’m not the most talented flyer you guys ever had.”

He shook his head. “Where’s the proud Rainbow Dash I know?”

“Right here. Be real with me right now.” She walked closer, magenta eyes examining him.

To be truthful, you’re one of my favourite ponies in all of Equestria. “I’m not lying, Crash. You are.”

“Oh,” she looked stunned before smirking. “Can’t believe I doubted myself there. ‘Course I am.”

Soarin chuckled and poked her gently. “Me either. Don’t know what I’d do without your inflated pride.”

She growled playfully and poked him back. “Ha. You said it, don’t know what’d you do without me!”
I really don’t.

Soarin moved his green eyes elsewhere and pointed behind Dash. “Looks like you finished cleaning.”

She followed his hoof and smiled. “Looks like I did. I’m even great at cleaning.”

He smiled at her cockiness. He had never been able to talk to somepony quite so easily, even it had taken him and Spitfire a while before they gotten a regular rhythm in conversation. “Hey, I’m sorry we hurt your feelings, we didn’t mean it.”

She smiled at him and started walking away, motioning for him to follow. “I know, Clipper. It’s okay.”

He followed and quickly caught up, walking side by side. “Where’re we going?”

“Oh, right,” she flashed a half smile. “Are ya thirsty? Cause AJ made me some cider cause she felt bad. Normally I don’t take charity, but,” she stretched her wings and rolled her neck. “It’s cider. So I’m takin’ it. You want some?”

She was asking him to hang out! To go get a drink with her! “Obviously,” he responded coolly and grinned a little.

“Cool! This way to Sweet Apple Acres!” Dash took off, flying through the starry night, and Soarin followed, easily able to keep up with her casual pace.

It wasn’t long before a big farmland came into view, rolling with bright green grass, big, strong apple trees, and a royal red farm. “Oh, wow,” Soarin breathed. “It’s something. Are you sure they won’t be sleeping?”

Rainbow paused for a minute and then shook her head. “Nah, her younger sister, Applebloom, is having a sleepover with her friends Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Rarity will be there too, she’s Sweetie Belle’s sister.”

They landed and began walking the short distance. “Does Scootaloo have a sister too?” Soarin asked.

“Well, not a blood relative, but the kid’s looked up to me since I can remember. I guess I kinda took her under my wing, she’s kinda like my little sister.” She smiled fondly at the thought. “She’s having trouble with her flying, and I think her wings might be stunted just a little. I’m trying to help her with that.” Dash sighed.

He frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, really. I just don’t wanna let the squirt down. She means a lot to me, ya know? She’s the president of the Rainbow Dash fan club,” she confessed, smiling a little.

At that moment, Soarin grew more awed by the mare, which he didn’t think was possible. She really was kind and inspiring. “That’s cool, Crash. I wish I had somepony I knew personally to look up to when I was her age. Besides my dad.”

“I guess it does sound nice. But you’re a lot of fillies’ heroes all around Equestria, Soarin. I know it isn’t the same, but...”

He smiled and managed to keep away his flush at her compliment. “Yeah, but it’s a great feeling, being an inspiration to young ponies. I wanna be what I never had.”

She stopped walking and stared at him for a moment, bewildered. Her eyes glowed.

Soarin could get lost in those eyes, and he wouldn’t mind if he never found a way out. “Do I have something on my face?” he asked slowly, suddenly self conscious.

She chuckled. “No, no. It’s just... it’s nice to hear. Lots of ponies aren’t always into... helping,” Dash murmured.
The softness of her voice had Soarin turning red, which lucky for him, Rainbow hadn’t seemed to notice. They continued quietly until she stopped in front of the barn house and knocked. “Applejack? Rarity?” she called.

A big crash and a couple of yelps later, the door swung open, revealing the orange earth pony. “Rainbow Dash, what’re you doin’ here at this hour?” she asked, eyebrows knitted together.

Rainbow shrugged. “I finished cleaning up and I remember you said you had some cider?”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Aight, c’mon in.” Her green eyes shifted to Soarin. “Well if it ain’t my best customer at the gala,” she greeted with a smile. “Come in, partner.” Soarin obliged, smiling gratefully at her.

“Applejack! Who is it?” a higher pitch voice called. Soarin recognized Rarity’s voice.

“It’s just Dash and one of her Wonderbolt friends, Rarity!” She turned to face him. “Uh, Soarin, right?”
He nodded. “Soarin!” she added.

“Yes, yes, coming!” Rarity yelled.

A couple seconds later, the designer and three fillies made their way down the stairs and into the kitchen. Soarin noticed the orange pegasus with purple eyes was staring at him.

“Hi Rainbow Dash!” Applebloom and Sweetie Belle chirped.

“Hey, girls. Hey Scoots.” Dash tilted her head when she noticed Scootaloo staring, mouth open. “Uh, hello? Scootaloo?” she waved a blue hoof in front of the young pegasus’s eyes.

“Y-you’re... a... Wonderbolt!” she shrieked, pointing at Soarin.

Soarin chuckled and nodded. “Yes I am. And you’re Scootaloo. Crash here told me about you.”

“She did!?” she exclaimed before drawing her mouth into a thin line. “Hey, don’t call Rainbow Dash that, she doesn’t like~”

Rainbow placed a hoof on Scootaloo’s mouth. “It’s alright, Scoots. I’m over it.”

“Oh,” she said before brightening. “Alright then.”

“So, AJ, where’s the cider?” Dash asked.

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Hold your horses there, Rainbow. I’ll go get it.”

“Rarity, can we have some too?” Sweetie Belle asked politely.

“I don’t know, Sweetie, it’s getting kind of late.”

“Please Rarity!” the young filly whined and looked at her big sister with large, pleading eyes.

“Oh, fine,” Rarity gave in, trying to hide a smile of her own.

“Yay! Applebloom, Scootaloo, can you stay up as well?”

Soarin chuckled at the energetic sight, amused.

The other two had scurried off to ask Applejack, who came in a second later with a tray with seven mugs on it, placing it down on the table. “Alright, alright, sugarcubes. You can stay up.”

The three fillies cheered as they hopped on the table, Scootaloo settling in between Rainbow Dash and Applebloom. Soarin noticed Rainbow wrap her wing around Scootaloo affectionately as she took a sip of her cider.

“So darlings, what are you two doing out here together?” Rarity propped her chin on her hooves and grinned, a mischievous look in her eyes.

Soarin took a sip of his cider, avoiding her question, getting what she was hinting at.

Dash either didn’t notice or chose to ignore her friend. “Clipper here came by while I was cleaning to keep me company.”

“Well that was mighty kind of ya,” Applejack commented, nodding her head in approval.

“Absolutely.” Rarity agreed, the teasing smile not yet wiped off her face.

Dash put her almost finished drink down and cocked an eyebrow at the unicorn. “Uh, Rarity? What’s with your...” she waved her hoof, “smile?”

It vanished as Rarity took a gulp of her drink. “Nothing, dear.”

“Right,” Rainbow said, side glancing at Soarin.

“So, Crash, wanna tell me about another one of your... exploits?”

She brightened at that, nodding her head. “Of course! AJ, Rare, you can help me out.”

“What... exploits are you talking about?” Rarity questioned.

Applejack elbowed her. “He means the times we’ve saved all of Equestria, am Ah right?”
Soarin nodded.

Dash perked up. “How about... oh! When we found the elements? Or when we defeated Discord, or Starlight, or Tirek, or~”

“Elements sound fine, darling. Shall we?”

Applejack nodded and they began the riveting tale of how the six had ventured into the Everfree Forest in hopes of finding the elements. They told the story with great detail, and didn’t miss anything about Applejack’s honesty, Fluttershy’s kindness for the manticore, Pinkie defeating their fears of the trees, Rarity’s generosity for the sea serpent, or how Rainbow Dash had proved their loyalty by turning down an incredibly tempting offer. And of course the battle with NightmareMoon and her transformation back into Princess Luna.

They finished an hour later, and the three fillies were nodding off while Soarin stared with wide eyes. “Wow,” he muttered. “So... you’re Honesty,” he pointed to Applejack, “Generosity,” he nodded his chin in Rarity’s direction. They both nodded. “Pinkie Pie is Laughter, Fluttershy is Kindness, Twilight is Magic.”

“Darn right,” Applejack confirmed. “And RD here is~”

“Loyalty.” Soarin looked at Rainbow and saw her looking at him as well, a softness that wasn’t there before. “Dash is Loyalty,” he repeated.

Time stood still as they stared at each other, a light and tender gaze that shared so much... hope. It lasted a few seconds as Rarity cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, but these three are tired and I think it’s their bedtime.” She picked Sweetie Belle up with her magic. “Goodnight Soarin, goodnight Dashie!”

“Ah agree, Ah’m plum-tuckered out. See you later Rainbow Dash. Nice seeing ya Soarin.” She lifted Applebloom onto her back and disappeared.

Dashie? Cute.
Soarin stood up. “Thanks for having me, Applejack,” he called.

Rainbow looked at Scootaloo and lifted her up, turning to Soarin. “I’m just gonna put her in bed. I’ll be back in a second.”

The pale blue stallion stood there, not sure how to feel. He felt nice and warm and good being here with Rainbow and her friends and suddenly wished he could spend everyday like this, around her, always. He couldn’t ignore that his feelings for Dash went beyond just a friendship anymore, remembering Rarity’s accusation from before and shook his head violently. His thoughts these days were either training, pie, or Rainbow Dash. Mostly the last one. Alright, he thought about Dash a lot. How could anypony not think about her? She was cool and loyal and funny and sassy and confident and... impossibly sweet and caring under her rough and tough exterior. And believe it or not, he didn’t mind her cockiness or brashness or the occasional self-centredness and the bragging. Because it made her Rainbow Dash. And he wanted all of her. Not just bits and pieces. Upon this realization, Soarin turned beat red and closed his eyes. I like her. I like Crash.

“Ready to go?” Rainbow asked, raspy voice interrupting his thoughts. A lot, I like her a lot.

“Yeah, let’s go,” he agreed, walking out of the house and into the while she joined him.

“Sorry about Rarity,” she told him, laughing a little.

“You knew what she was talking about? Like...”

“You and me?” she finished, looking away. “Well, yeah, I know Rarity and her... intentions. It’s just easier to pretend I don’t.”

“Oh,” he said numbly. “That makes sense...”

“Besides,” she added. “It’s not like what she said was true, right?”

Of course, she’s too good for me. “Right, yeah,” he replied, forcing himself to laugh.

“Exactly, no sweat. Now, normally I would stay at my house but since I’m on probation for a month I guess I’ll stay at HQ.”

“That’s good, yeah. And you know, it might be easier when we’re training for the weeks to just sleep there as well. Beats having to get up early in the morning to fly.”

She was silent for a moment, in thought. “Yeah, it’s just I don’t like being far away to be my friends. I tend to wanna be near them, in case they need my help.”

“Cause you’re just so amazing?” Soarin joked. He saw the headquarters coming into view.

Rainbow swerved heading to the ground. “Obviously.” She smirked at him as they landed and walked into the building together. “Well, I should probably take a quick shower.”

“Yeah, okay, I’ll see you in the morning Crash.” He sent her a warm smile.

“Soarin, wait,” she said.

He turned around and forced a smile on his face, despite the disappointment he was feeling. “Yeah Rainbow?”

She suddenly looked a little shy, although she tucked the look away and walked closer so they face to face, mere inches apart. A second later and she had wrapped her slim yet toned arm around his neck, her head leaning against his cheek. He could smell the soft scent of... vanilla and... rainbows? A spice only a rainbow could have. It didn’t matter, she smelled ravishing. And what the hell, he was hugging Rainbow Dash. Soarin suspected the mare didn’t do this with a lot of ponies.

“Thank you,” she whispered in his ear and pulled away. He kept in his sigh of frustration and tilted his head. She was so close, her body pressed against his. Making him imagine being much, much closer.

“What for?”

She shrugged simply. “For being you.” She stretched. “I’m gonna hit the shower now. ‘Night, Clipper.”

“Goodnight, Crash,” he murmured as she walked away, mind still on the hug. He tried to focus on that, on training, anything really, besides the fact that she seemed to have no romantic interest in him. He couldn’t help it, he thought about her anyways. He slipped into bed, careful not to wake anypony up.

She’s staying here for a whole month! Yeah! Okay,you have to be settled down and asleep before she gets out of the shower. So that means she’s wet and relaxed and- No, Soarin. Don’t think about that, no matter how hot she is. He groaned hopelessly. It was going to be a long night.