takes place after S7 E4, (Rock Solid Friendship.)

im pretty sure the bear’s name is Harry...

Dash flipped and turned through the air, smiling to herself as she let her wings and body do whatever came to mind. She would never get enough of flying. As she neared her house, she slowed down and stopped on the front porch, dusting herself off with her hooves before throwing open the door and happily trotting in. “Tank! I’m home!”

Dropping her saddlebags, she zipped up to her room and sighed happily when she saw her best friend sleeping on her bed, wearing the Rainbow Dash slippers Rarity had made for him. Deciding not to wake him, Dash silently moved him to the left side of the bed and placed a blanket over him, before untucking the right side of the bed and climbing in. As she reached over to turn out the light, a note stopped her and she snatched it up.

Rainbow,

I restocked Tank’s food and water and put the dishes away. I hope you don’t mind, I just know how busy you are. I hope you had a good practice today.

Fluttershy

Dash smiled gratefully. Thank Celestia for Fluttershy and her caring ways. She would have to remember to thank her to tomorrow, and was happy she made the decision to fly home late. As much as she loved spending time with the Wonderbolts, who were like her second family, she couldn’t deny that she loved staying in her bed with Tank way more. After all, this was home.

Dash groaned quietly, hastily rubbing her eyes and sitting up. Tank was busy tapping her bedside table repeatedly, trying to get her attention. And why wouldn’t he? Dash had woken up late. It was nine thirty, and she was supposed to be up at eight to do one of her casual weather shifts. She tried to help out as much as she could, her loyalty to her town still there as much as ever. However, being a ‘Bolt, she technically wasn’t required to clear the sky anymore, and wouldn’t be in any huge trouble.

“Sorry, sorry,” she mumbled, climbing out of bed and grabbing a bag of food and a pitcher of water, pouring the contents into his bowl. As soon as she put them back, she quickly checked out the window to make sure nopony was watching her before giving Tank a kiss on the head and an affectionate nuzzle, which he happily returned, giving her a small lick on her cheek, making Dash flush slightly in embarrassment. “I love you, bud,” she said and patted him one last time. “I’ll be back. Your toy’s under my bed.”

Zig-zagging through the cloudless periwinkle sky, Dash made her over to Fluttershy’s cottage on the edge of Ponyville. Even though it wasn’t her thing, she had to admit there was something peaceful and tranquil about Fluttershy’s home, with the green grass and pretty trees, and the mostly sweet animals. Fluttershy’s own personal pet was an exception, as the cute, innocent looking Angel was anything but sweet and innocent, instead playful, demanding, and sneaky. Needless to say, him and Dash weren’t exactly on the best of terms, but had agreed by Dash’s command to put aside their annoyances for Fluttershy.

Glancing down around the property, Dash couldn’t spot her friend from above, and flew down to knock on her door. A muffled voice and a crash later, the wooden door opened, revealing Fluttershy looking slightly frazzled, blue-green eyes wide and some hair out of place. Her face relaxed upon seeing who it was. “Hello Rainbow Dash.”

Dash smiled warmly. “Hey Flutters,” she greeted. “I just stopped in to say—” She stopped her sentence when another crash echoed through the cottage. “What’s that noise?”

A pale pink blush dusted Fluttershy’s cheeks. “Angel’s upset because I sided with Constance over a little issue this morning,” she said softly. “I’m trying to be... more stern with him.”

Dash’s lips quirked up in pride and amusement, relieved Fluttershy wasn’t letting Angel get away with being disrespectful. “Ah well, he won’t stay mad at you for long… Anyways, I’m sure you’re busy. I actually just came to say thanks for what you did yesterday, you didn’t need to do that.”

Fluttershy gave her a soft, sweet smile. “I’m happy to anytime, we all adore Tank, he’s such a sweetheart.”

Dash chuckled, kicking a rock near her hoof. “Yeah, I guess he is.”

Instead of the soft smile that had occupied her face mere seconds ago, Fluttershy’s muzzle now held a frown and a confused lift of her eyebrow. “Um, did you hear that?”

Dash tilted her head, letting her ears perk up more to try and pick up on the sound. It sounded like a roaring sound, muffled, but clear enough. “The only thing that would be roaring is…”

Fluttershy opened her wings. “Did somepony provoke Harry?”

Dash copied her actions, already in the air. “C’mon, let’s go see.”

Fluttershy nodded and shot off at a rather fast pace that she hardly ever did, Dash right on her hooves. However, the yellow mare stopped short upon reaching her backyard, causing Dash to almost crash right into her. “Fluttershy, why’d you… Oh my gosh…”

She followed Fluttershy’s gaze upwards, and saw none other than Soarin standing on a cloud, staring down at the huge brown bear with a confused, baffled, terrified expression on his face. “Clipper!”

Fluttershy jumped a little, before shoving some hair out of her face and flying straight for the bear. “Stop it! There’s no need to be upset!” she uncharacteristically shouted.

Harry stopped and turned to her, grunting a little.

Seeing that he wasn’t about to go on a rampage anymore, Dash tore her eyes away and made her way up to the cloud. “Hey…”

Soarin glanced at her. “Hey, Dash,” he greeted, slightly absentmindedly.

“What’s on your mind?” she asked, trying to figure him out.

Finally, he pointed towards the ground. “A bear was mad at me and now he’s hugging Fluttershy...”

“Yeah, and? That’s kind of her thing!” Dash exclaimed, looking at the bear happily nuzzling Fluttershy like she was a baby.

He nodded and she felt his wingtip brush her side. “You didn’t tell me she was friends with bears!”

Dash chuckled. “This is the pony who softened a manticore, tamed a dragon, stopped some evil chicken, became a vampire bat, and holds a very close friendship with the lord of chaos. Don’t seem so surprised.”

Almost if noticing their looks, Fluttershy tore away gently from the bear’s side and flew up to meet them, a shy smile on her face. “Hello, Soarin.”

He gave a slight tip of his head. “Hi Fluttershy, how are you?”

“I’m well, sorry about before…” Her voice trailed off. “He can get a little protective when it comes to newcomers.”

He waved her away and gave her a little smile. “It’s no problem. I guess I shouldn’t have been practicing near here, it’s just a lot more quiet and calm.”

Fluttershy nodded. “That’s one of the reasons I like it here so much.” She smiled down at the animals running around. “But it’s mainly for them,” she added.

Dash felt slightly awkward being there while the two talked, so gathering up her will power, she prepared to take her leave. “Well, maybe I should—”

A sudden loud bang erupted from inside, followed by a crash and more bangs. Fluttershy winced. “Oh no,” she muttered.

“What is it?” Soarin asked, looking between the two.

“Angel’s upset,” Dash explained. “He can be…” She had the words, but was not going to use them in front of his owner, for as much grief as he caused Fluttershy, they both loved each other dearly.

“Difficult,” ‘Shy mumbled. “I better go deal with this.” She began to fly away, but Dash stopped her.

“Wait, Flutters, I can help,” she offered. “It’s no problem.”

Fluttershy glanced at the ground, considering it, before giving her head a firm shake. “I don’t know if that’s the best, Rainbow…”

Dash deflated a little. “Why not? With me there, surely it’ll be easier,” she protested.

Still, Fluttershy shook her head. “It’s probably better if you don’t help… Angel and you don’t exactly get along…”

Soarin stared amusedly at Dash while she chuckled awkwardly. “Right… well, good luck.”

“Thank you. Goodbye, Dashie. It was um… nice to see you again, Soarin.”

Soarin nodded. “You too.”

“Bye,” Dash called, watching her friend take off before letting a loud sigh escape her lips.

“So… you don’t get along with a bunny?” he said, half stating, half questioning.

Dash rolled her eyes and started to fly away, giving a quick wave of he hoof, telling him to follow. “You haven’t met Angel. He’s demanding and picky.”

“A bunny?”

Dash laughed a little at his disbelief. “Yes, a bunny. Fucking mischevious,” she muttered.

Her stomach lurched when he nudged her with his hoof. “Sounds like somepony I know.”

She gave a shove and smirked, satisfied that he toppled somewhat. “What are you doing here anyways?”

“Practicing some stuff Spit and I have been working on,” he answered.

“Care to show?” she asked hopefully, flying closer and peering at him, clearly eager.

Soarin smiled. “Sorry, Crash. Confidential stuff for the top guys,” he joked, flexing his arm and showing his rather exquisitely toned arm muscle.

“Hey, who was on the top of ‘most popular Wonderbolts within a month’ list?”

He had the perfect comeback for that. “Who made it to second-in-command after being on the team for two weeks?” he shot back, just playing around and not actually bragging about his accomplishments.

She smiled to herself. Once again, Soarin seemed to match her in ability (except speed) and top her in rank. And while he was less vocal about it, he was proud just the same. He was probably one of the most impressive stallions she had met, no, ponies.

All the ‘Bolts were successful, but to be as popular and as well regarded as Soarin and still have a heart of gold? He was the whole package. And as soon as she thought that, she cursed in her head and blushed.

“Yeah, yeah,” she murmured, looking at him. “So do you usually come here to practice?”

“Only recently. I used to do it when the cloudaseum was empty, but honestly? I like it here more,” he explained.

“Even if you end up with a bear screaming bloody murder at you?” She smirked.

He shrugged. “I’ve faced death a couple times, I can handle a bear,” he said confidently.

“I think you would have died if Fluttershy hadn’t calmed him down.”

“You were there too. You’re always there when my life is in peril,” he noted thoughtfully.

She shrugged, a pleased smile taking place. “Except for the time when you were blasted out of a canon.”

His eyes widened at that, left ear twitching. “Right. You think Twilight could cast a spell to make me forget that ever happened?”

Dash giggled. “If she did that I would remind you every day for the rest of your life. It would be the last thing that you’d remember before you died.”

“Next time I have a near death experience, don’t show up please,” he muttered so seriously that if she hadn’t known him better, she would think that he actually wanted to die.

“I’ll show up and save you every time you almost die, Soarin,” she laughed.

He glanced at her, eyebrows raised, a serene look in his eyes. “Yeah?”

She nodded simply, trying to ignore the fact that she had said something kinda sappy. “Duh.”

“Good to know,” he whispered to himself.

“But,” she added, “You will be left to die if you happen to have one of those experiences during my naps.”

“So basically you’ll never save me again,” he quipped with a coy smile.

Dash turned. He really could be a cocky little thing when he wanted. “Shut up,” she told him, giving him a shove.

He did as he was told.

What she had said about saving him was true. If he needed her to save him, she’d be there as quick as she could, but what wasn’t true about her earlier statement was that she would be there even if she was napping. She would do practically anything for her friends.

“So whatcha doing today?” Soarin asked her.

Dash paused midair. She really didn’t have anything to do, no schedules or plans to hang out with her friends except stop by and see Pinkie Pie. The thought to stay at HQ and hang out with the team had interested her, but she found herself missing Ponyville and Tank, so she had flown back home. But now Soarin was here, and that gave her another reason to chill at all her favourite places. “What are you doing today?”

In this case, asking if he had any plans was the better way to not embarrass herself. Dash wasn’t known for taking the safe way, but she found it the best way to keep her dignity high.

“Nothing,” was his reply. “Why?”

Feeling excited and confident again, Dash flashed him an eager grin. “Then you’re coming with me! I’ll show you around.”

Her excitement increased when he matched her smile. “Sure! I mean, I’ve been here before, but you know all the best spots, the ins and outs, the ups and downs, the—” He stopped when he noticed Dash looking at him with a blank expression.

“Right,” she agreed quietly and smirked. How could someone be so hardcore and a total goofball at the same time? Only Soarin.

“Never mind. Where to next, Miss Tour Guide?”

Dash scoffed. “Call me that again and you’ll lose your tour guide.”

She heard him chuckle as they flew side by side. “Okay, Dash.” He said it calmly with a small hint of amusement and care in his voice. The way he said it soothed her soul and brought a warm, pleasant feeling.

Glancing down from below, Dash decided to start with Sugarcube Corner, since Pinkie had asked her to come by and she was getting a little hungry anyways. “Down there.” She pointed to the bakery that had ponies coming in and out of it.

Soarin followed her eyes and nodded, following her down.

Upon landing, wide, excited eyes glanced in their direction. She was a member of Ponyville, so Dash knew she wasn’t the reason for their stares. It was Soarin that had their attention. He kept a cool face and just smiled and waved, keeping close to Dash’s side. However, when he wasn’t looking, Dash inched away from him just a tiny bit, afterall, Rarity’s accusation still bugged her.

Just when they were about to get in, Dash felt a tap on her shoulder and craned her neck. “Oh, uh, hey Daisy,” she greeted. She didn’t know the flower girl very well, but she seemed nice and fairly normal, besides the fact that she usually fainted over plants. “What’s up?”

Daisy smiled excitedly, eyes flitting between Soarin and Dash. “Are you two,” she leaned in closer as if they were friends sharing juicy gossip. “Like, a thing?”

Every sense in Dash’s body instantly became alert, her neck and cheeks feeling hot. “What?!” she asked, not even able to process properly.

Soarin too turned red, but kept his composure much better than Dash did. “No, we aren’t a couple.”

Dash flushed even more, from anger and embarrassment and from the fact that another pony had just made the assumption they liked each other. Was it impossible for a girl and a guy to just be friends? “Please don’t ask that again,” Dash said shortly. She turned to Soarin. “I’ll, uh, meet you inside when you’re done with all your adoring fans.” She resisted the urge to wink as she moved past him into Sugarcube Corner, relieved to see Pinkie and the Cakes there.

“Hey Pinkie Pie!”

At the sound of her name, Pinkie turned around, an instant smile lighting up her whole face. “Hi Rainbow Dash! You came! How are you? How was practice? How was—” She stopped talking and peered out the window, tilting her head curiously at the crowd. Instead of leaving it alone, she bounced up to the door and poked her head outside. “Ooh! A Wonderbolt customer!” With her hooves and a piece of her curls, she tugged Soarin inside and placed him next to Dash. “Hiya! How you doing today, Mr. Soarin? Can I get anything for you?” she asked enthusiastically, brimming with normal Pinkie energy.

Dash chuckled at her friend’s inquiry and turned to Soarin, who had nothing but a relieved look on his face. “Um… thanks for doing whatever you did,” he told Pinkie sheepishly. Dash just figured he was confused, after all, Pinkie took some time to get used to.

“No problem,” Pinkie Pie chirped, eyes flitting around. “Ooh! It’s my lunch break! Wanna go have something upstairs before I get back to work?” she asked, checking her watch.

Dash felt a roll of relief pass through her, and for once was thankful to not have to be the centre of attention. “That sounds great,” she replied. “You up for that Soar?”

“Upstairs?” he repeated.

“It’s where Pinkie lives,” Dash explained. “Guess it’s easier, especially now that she babysits for Pound and Pumpkin.”

“Whatcha waiting for Dashie? Come on!” Pinkie exclaimed, grabbing her hoof and tugging her along.

Dash chuckled and complied, trotting up the stairs with a bounce in her step, feeling the light breeze Soarin’s wings created as he flew behind them. Soarin stared around the brightly decorated room as Pinkie pulled up a table and three chairs. “What can I get for ya?”

Dash shrugged. “Sandwich I guess.”

Pinkie leaned forward. “What kind?” Taking a deep breath, she started a list. “PB and J, egg salad, chicken salad, BLT, veggie, my very own fruit goodness, a chimmy cherry sandwich, ooh! A peanut butter chocolate one, a birthday cake, a—”

Dash raised a hoof. “Chicken salad’s fine,” she chuckled.

“Sure! And for you, Soarin?” Pinkie asked, wide eyed. Then she blinked. “Uh, Soarin?”

Dash also looked around, but instead of not seeing him, he was right by the window looking uncomfortable.

“Clipper,” Dash said. “Are you okay?”

Soarin glanced around nervously and scuffed the ground with his hoof, then mumbled something incoherent.

Well, to Dash it was incoherent.

Pinkie Pie giggled. “Oh, Gummy’s harmless!” She bounced over and opened his mouth slightly. “See? No teeth.”

Dash saw him try to relax, but she could tell it did little to ease his mind. A part of her got it, Gummy’s… silent, calm and stoic ways and the fact that he just stared straight ahead most of the time while occasionally biting you was a little unsettling, and even Dash had been wary of him at first. But she grew to accept and like him, seeing how much Pinkie clearly loved him. “So that’s why he’s called Gummy?” Soarin asked, a calmer smile finally starting to take place.

Pinkie tilted her head. “What?”

“Isn’t he called Gummy cause he has no teeth?” Soarin asked.

Pinkie went blank for a moment before shrugging. “Huh, never thought of it that way. I just liked the sound of it.”

Instead of forming a weirded out face, Soarin grinned. “Cool. And I’ll have the same as Dash, by the way, thanks.”

“No problem! I’ll be back in a jiffy!” And with that, she happily bounced out, tucking her notebook in her hair.

As soon as she was gone, Dash waited until Soarin was seated before asking questions.

“Before you ask, I don’t like… alligators,” he admitted half heartedly, then turned to glance at Gummy. “No offence.”

Gummy blinked.

“Aww, you’re scared!” Dash exclaimed, a sly smile in her face.

He flushed in embarrassment, his pupils dilated as he looked at her. Cute. “No, I-I- just don’t like them,” he defended.

Dash only laughed, furthering his blush. “It’s all good, Soarin. You gotta be scared of something.”

He rose his brows and leaned closer. “So what’s your secret fear then?”

Failure, rejection, being made fun of Dash shrugged. “Nothing, really. Although one time I had this really awful nightmare when the Tantabus came around.” She recalled it with a shudder.

“The what?”

“Tantabus,” she repeated. “Princess Luna created it to punish herself for when she was Nightmare Moon, it infected all of our dreams starting with my friends and then all of Ponyville.”

“Cool, kinda, not really,” Soarin muttered. “All of Ponyville, huh? So what, like a connected dream or something?”

Dash nodded. “Exactly, but before that happened, it was just us and—”

“And we all had these really, really scary nightmares that involved an octopus looking thing and turned into our worst fears!” Pinkie finished, setting the sandwiches down and joining them. “I was just hopping from one city to the next when boom! A giant ice cream cone appeared and I ate it with all of Ponyville. Actually, that’s how Luna ended up having to create a super big dream in the first place. My bad,” she giggled and took a large bite of her fruit sandwich.

Dash cleared her throat. “Anyways, yeah. In my scary-ass dream there was singing, smiley flowers playing the flute.”

“That’s not that…” Soarin paused and thought about it some more. “Actually, yeah, no. I’d be weirded out too.” His eyes flitted between the two mares, but Dash caught the extra seconds his eyes stayed on her. “Interesting things happen to you guys.” Soarin took a bite of his sandwich and a smile that Dash rather liked appeared. “This is really good.” He took a few more bites. “Like, really good. You should’ve told me sooner, Dash, I totally would’ve made the trip down here more often.”

Something about Soarin coming to Ponyville more really entranced Dash. “You say that about everything that isn’t from the mess hall,” she joked. “I don’t know if you have that much of a standard when it comes to food, Clip.”

He shot her an evil smile, a playful glint glimmering in his eyes as well.

Dash matched it.

It was a silent staring contest for about twenty seconds before Pinkie let out an excited breath. “Sooo, whatcha guys doing down here?” Pinkie leaned forward on her hooves, eyes wide as if she was a journalist.

“I went to Fluttershy’s house and her bear almost attacked Soarin.”

Soarin rolled his eyes. “I was just practicing,” he defended. “But yeah, thank god I have wings cause if it wasn’t for them I’d probably be… dead.”

Dash nodded with a grin. “Then since him and I had nothing else to do, I thought I’d give him the grand tour of Ponyville,” she finished.

“Wish I’d made time to come here sooner, it’s a really nice place,” Soarin commented. “And the sandwich is really good.”

“Ohhh.” Pinkie nodded understandingly. “So this wasn’t a date or anything.”

Dash’s eyes widened and she was relieved to see that Soarin too had a blush on his face. “No, it wasn’t a date,” she mumbled.

Pinkie’s blue eyes shifted in between them before she finally just shrugged. “Okay.”

“Sorry about Pinkie Pie.”

Soarin frowned. “Why?”

Dash shrugged. “She’s a good pony, really, she’s just very hyper and a little nosy,” she admitted. “But not as nosy as Rarity and she means well—“

She quieted as Soarin raised his hoof, a sheepish smile on his face. “It’s okay, Crash,” he chuckled. “I like your friends, honestly. And come on, we have a pretty close replica of her back at Headquarters.”

Her heartbeat calmed. For some reason, she really wanted Soarin to like her friends and for them to get along. There was no ill-will, but she knew Pinkie could be a lot to handle. “Yeah, but no one’s quite like Pinkie Pie,” she said fondly. Pinkie was her best friend, her pranking buddy, another thrill seeker. Maybe not on the same level as Dash, but they could be similar at moments.

“True, Surprise doesn’t have a toothless alligator.”

“Gummy’s a rare breed.” She smiled. “Come on, let’s go to the lake.”

“So, what made you move to Ponyville?” Soarin asked as they floated leisurely on the water.

Dash thought about it. She loved living in Cloudsdale, so what made her leave as soon as she possibly could? “Honestly, I’m not exactly sure,” she replied. “I love Cloudsdale. Maybe I was just bored. Wanted to be on my own. Live in a place without my family.”

“Do you not get along or something?” he asked, using his wings to propel him further.

Nope, just too supportive. “Nothing like that, we’re close.” She bit her lip. “I don’t know. I guess I just wanted something new.”

“And then more ponies could see your awesomeness,” he mused playfully.

Dash giggled. “There you go. You know me so well.” The way she said it sounded a little sarcastic, but she turned to him and softened her smile gently, letting him know she meant it.

Soarin shrugged. “I don’t know you as well as your friends do.”

“Maybe not,” she admitted, “but you seem to…” She looked away as she said it, “get me, or something. Like you get why I love flying so much. They support me of course, they’re proud, but they don’t get it.” She put emphasis on the word to get her point across.

“It was the same with some of my family,” he confessed. “But I didn’t care.”

Dash turned, watching the way his mane blew in the slight breeze. It didn’t matter how many times she looked at him— Dash found him devilishly handsome every time. “Too far gone, huh?”

He sent her a sheepish grin. “What can I say? Flying is…”

Dash scanned the sky. “Freedom,” she finished softly.

He couldn’t have said it better. “Yeah,” he agreed.

They looked at each other and beamed happily.

“So… Wanna play more conversation from the other night?” she asked, eager to get rid of the fuzzy warm feeling rising up in her chest.

He crossed his arm and gave a couple clicks of his tongue. “Don’t know what you’re talking about, Crash.”

Dash frowned. Did he really not remember the laughs and games they had shared? She remembered it so clearly. Why couldn’t he? She wasn’t an unforgettable pony at all. “Don’t you remember the Battlecloud and the two truths and a lie and the Q and A and then our drunk teammates filing in?” she rambled.

One of the sides of his mouth quirked up.

“What? Do I have something on my face?” she asked, licking her lips self consciously, only to grow more self conscious when the rings of green around Soarin’s beautiful eyes grew smaller and was overtaken by the black of his pupils.

“Nothing. Just… what did you call all the games we played?” he asked, smiling innocently enough so she wouldn’t get annoyed.

She rolled her eyes to avoid seeming like she actually fell for the look. “Battlecloud, two truths and a lie, Q and A…”

Dash ran over the instructions in her head, only to turn to him a second later, trying to stifle a short, loud laugh. “Soarin,” she said slowly, all smiles. “Do you mean... a conversation?”

Her commander’s ears perked up, a pink tint colouring his nose. “No! I mean Q and A,” he said defensively, avoiding eye contact.

“Soarin, Soarin, Soarin,” she muttered in fake exasperation, shaking her head while tilting it down to hide the smile that was in the making. Finally, she managed a small, more controlled one that didn’t show how much she found him charming. “Would you like to play Q and A?”

He chuckled. “Sure, let’s—”

“Rainbow Dash, darling!”

Dash turned her head at the higher pitched, trans-Atlantic accent, seeing Rarity, Twilight and Spike head over to them.

She waved. “Hey guys!”

“Hey Rainbow Dash!” Spike hurried over while Rarity and Twilight took their time. “They keep talking about Rarity’s schedule and it’s so—” He paused and turned to Soarin. “Oh, uh, hey Soarin,” he greeted, smiling almost shyly. “Good show on Thursday.”

Soarin grinned. “Thanks Spike. It was really all Crash here though.”

“What was all Crash?” Twilight asked, her and Rarity reaching them.

Soarin smirked. “The success of our Ponyville show.”

Dash’s cheeks tinted pink with pride as they all looked at her with smiling faces.

“Well we wouldn’t expect anything less from our favourite flyer,” Rarity complimented. “I wish I could have been there, I would have loved to see the sonic rainboom again. It’s absolutely dazzling every time you do it, Dashie!” she finished with a wide grin.

“I agree,” Twilight said. “Guess you really are the best flyer in Equestria, huh?”

In the presence of her second-in-command and as a close friend of the captain and third-in-command of the Wonderbolts, Dash attempted to downplay her success and talent in order to not sound stuck up. Well, she only downplayed a little.

“Aw, guess so, heh. You were good too, Soar.” She smirked, feeling a little more daring. “Not as good as me, but still,” she finished with a quick wink, hopping out of the water.

Rarity and Twilight looked at each other and giggled, and remembering the accusations from Rarity last year, Dash tucked her playful side towards Soarin away, sensing him near her as they both quickly dried off on the ground. “So how was Canterlot, Rare?” Dash asked her.

Rarity waved a hoof, giggling to herself. “Oh, fine fine. Fancypants and Fleur showed me the absolutely most divine little buildings. I get so many ideas for a new line,” she exclaimed excitedly. She started to rant about her plans for her designs, Twilight listening while Dash… tried.

She was immensely grateful and horrified when Soarin tapped her side and leaned in closer, whispering, “Should I leave so you guys can hang out?”

She suppressed the slight shiver that rippled through her when his breath lightly fanned her cheek. “No, of course not.” She smiled. “I’m not gonna just leave ya.”

“I don’t mind, Crash,” he insisted.

She paused. “Do you want to leave?”

The intensity of her stare caused him to look away. “No…”

Twilight stepped forward, just as welcoming and friendly as always. “Well, then you shouldn’t have to,” she said. “We were going to pick up something to eat and have a picnic near the castle, if you wanted to join us?” she offered.

The idea of Soarin and her friends getting to know each other and become more familiar instantly excited her and made her nervous. As Pinkie would say, nervicited.

Soarin glanced over all of them, before dipping his head. “Thanks, Princess Twilight, I would love to.”

The three mares all immediately giggled at his sudden formality, and once they settled down, Twilight scoffed in a way that Rarity would surely approve of. “You really don’t need to call me that.”

“I’m not one of your friends, though,” he pointed out.

The princess shrugged. “You’re Rainbow’s friend, which is good enough for me.”

Dash felt her happiness rise as Soarin was so easily accepted in. Not that he wouldn’t be, but knowing he would get along with all of them had her feeling good all the same, and the extra bit of high she felt when Soarin’ smile lit his entire face up was there as well.

“Great, so, where we going?” Dash asked. “Hayfields?”

“Sugarcube Corner,” Spike answered
.
“Pinkie Pie’s joining us?” Soarin asked, trotting in between Dash and Twilight.

“Actually, she had something else to do, but insisted on making us dinner and dessert before she left,” Twilight explained.

Dash peeked over Soarin. “Where’s she going?” If Pinkie wasn’t at Sugarcube Corner, she was usually with her friends.

“Visiting Maud or Cheese Sandwich. Probably both…”

“The guy who planned your birthday party despite Pinkie Pie wanting to do it and then they had a contest and solved their problems and threw you one together?” Soarin rushed out.

Dash opened her mouth to reply, but Rarity beat her as a small smirk appeared on her face. “My, you and Rainbow Dash talk a lot, don’t you?”

Dash retained herself from hoofpalming and looked away. She still knew what Rarity was insinuating, and did not appreciate it all. It also didn’t help that Soarin looked a little flushed as well. “We’re friends Rarity, so yeah, we talk,” Dash drawled out. “It’s a normal thing friends do.”

Twilight and Spike giggled a little, while Soarin just plastered on an uncomfortable smile and chuckled awkwardly. Rarity bit back a grimace at the fact that Dash had succeeded in making her sound ridiculous, but being the lady she was, simply smiled and nodded her head curtly. “Let’s get going now, shall we?”

Spike nodded his head excessively. “Absolutely, I’m starving!”

“You just ate,” Twilight pointed out.

The dragon simply shrugged. “I’m a growing dragon, Twilight.”

“True enough.”

Dash rolled her eyes and flew into the air above her friends. “Come on! Last one there has to pay!” she yelled, shooting forward.

She heard Soarin’s gleeful laugh and the sound of Spike telling Twilight to start flying.

“Right behind you, Crash!”

“That was really good,” Soarin yawned, turning and smiling lazily at Dash.

She nodded in agreement. “Especially the lasagna…”

“Don’t tell Spitfire… we were supposed to be training extra for the upcoming shows,” he warned.

Dash chuckled at their “rebellious” stunt. Spitfire wasn’t one to train on restriction, but nonetheless, athletes required lots of good nutrition for strength training and practices, and was especially important during times when they were going harder than usual. “You leave pie crumbs all over your office, Soarin,” she deadpanned. “I don’t think Spitfire is fooled.”

He stuck his tongue out at her. “For your information, I haven’t eaten a pie in four days.”

Dash snorted and clapped her hooves together sarcastically. “Real impressive, Clipper. That a new record or something?”

She waited a few moments for an answer, scanning the skies as she did so, but when he didn’t reply, she finally turned to face him and saw him with an evil smirk on his face. “Better start flying, Crash,” he said, giving her a headstart.

She grinned wickedly, up for the challenge, and zipped away.

The breeze rippled through her mane as she glided freely through the sun setting sky. A smile was brought to her face as she could hear Soarin yelling teasing words at her, but was not close enough to actually decipher them. She pushed her wings harder, tears starting to form near her eyes from the exhilaration of their chase, heart beating and heavy breathing accompanying her.

There was no harm in stopping, she supposed, another plan was already forming in her head anyways. She slowed the fast rhythm of her wings and spun around, watching Soarin get closer to her. He was slightly slower, but he stayed the same pace, never getting tired. “I’m gonna get you, Crash!”

She laughed. “Not likely.” After sticking her tongue out one more time, Dash skyrocketed straight up, the thrill of the sudden speed surrounding her.

She heard Soarin’s cute laugh as he easily followed up, shooting straight towards her.

Managing to peek her eyes open, Dash made a sharp turn left and started barrel rolling towards a cloud, letting her body straighten out as she touched down on the fluffy white gas. She heard the whooshing sounds of Soarin’s wings seconds later, and jumped out of the way as he landed beside her.

“Okay, I didn’t get you,” he admitted, offering a crooked smile. He reached out and bumped his hoof on her shoulder. “But I tagged you.”

Dash returned his smile, a simple lightheartedness rose up in bubbles inside her chest. Just his smile made her feel like she was euphorically high. “Not the same thing.”

He shrugged and plopped down on the cloud, motioning for her to join him. “So, what were we doing right before we met up with Rarity and Twilight?”

Dash grinned. “Q and A? You really enjoy this game, huh, Clipper?”

“Obviously, it’s fun.”

Feeling an urge to tease that she couldn’t deny, Dash went with it. “Ya know, if you just wanna talk to me, say so.”

He eyed her with amusement. “I was just trying to ask what you wanted to do in the first place. You’re the one who asked me to play.”

“Because we never finished it from the other night!” she exclaimed, trying not to blush. Truth was, she enjoyed the “game” just as much as he did. “It was you who wanted to play it first.”

“Stubborn, stubborn, stubborn,” he mused quietly.

Dash watched him and promptly gave him a shove. “Let’s get this started. Were my friends annoying you?”

His eyes creased in confusion. “No, why would they?”

“Well… you seemed a little…” She bit her lip, trying to find a word.

“Awkward? Shy? Uncomfortable?” he listed.

She confirmed it with a nod.

He chuckled a little, looking down. “I guess I don’t know them too well, but they’re definitely interesting. And cool.” He turned to her with a sudden smirk and poked her arm. “Maybe not as cool as you, though.”

Dash’s heart fluttered a bit, and she grinned uncontrollably. “Glad you’re not going crazy.”

“You’d kick my ass if I did,” he shot back. “And I don’t want to know what an ass kicking is like from the great Rainbow Dash.”

She scoffed. “Now you’re just teasing me.” She sort of liked it.

He unconsciously moved closer to her. “Yeah, ‘cause it’s fun.”

Since they were alone, Dash welcomed him into her space bubble. “You know, I’m sure if you become a lunatic, Spitfire and Fleetfoot would kick your ass too,” she told him thoughtfully. The three’s friendship was a popular and special one, weaved together since childhood.

Instead of agreeing, Soarin kind of just shrugged. “I guess so.”

She frowned. “What do you mean ‘you guess so’? They’re your best friends!” She couldn’t imagine her friends not kicking her ass in a nice way.

“They would, just… not right away. I dunno, I guess our relationship’s a little different.”

Dash made herself a little more comfortable. “Okay, if you don’t mind… do you wanna play an honest Q and A? With me asking the questions?” Some nerves in her made this a little more difficult question to ask, but she wanted to listen and see if she could help him. After all, that was what friends did.

He smiled that sweet smile that she had grown quite fond of. “I want to play.”

She knew what his eyes were saying. I want to open up to you. Dash liked that.

“First of all, what do you mean your relationship’s a little different?”

Soarin rolled his neck a couple times, and Dash’s eyes floated towards the tendons in his shoulders that were being flexed. Celestia did he look good. “I don’t know how to explain it. It’s not that we have problems talking or that we aren’t close,” he said. “It just takes more time for them to be... I don’t know…” He stopped talking to try and find the right word.

It seemed apparent after a minute that he was having trouble, so Dash decided to help him out a bit. “Uh, understanding? Getting it? Be sympathetic? Empathetic? Listen?” she asked.

He bit his lip and nodded. “Kind of yeah, it’s like that. They don’t always get it or think it’s not a big deal. Not all the time, but it still happens.”

“Huh,” she muttered. “I’m not trying to defend them, but I guess they are kinda busy.”

“Nah, I know. And Spitfire and I come from different… households. I had a good family. She… didn’t.”

It was obviously private, and something that should come from Spitfire, so Dash didn’t question it. “Yeah, I had a good family too, so I guess I don’t know how it feels.”

He nodded. “Yeah, I mean, we were there for her, but it’s not the same as actually experiencing it.”

“Exactly. I watched Fluttershy get bullied lots but I never knew how it really felt… I mean, I’ve been made fun of, I guess, but not like that.” She glanced up at him.“Sorry, I know that’s not the same thing as Spit’s situation.”

He shook his head. “No, but I guess we were the ones who had to watch it happen again and again… I… kind of wish I had done more,” he said wistfully.

Dash’s heart softened. His struggle was real, seeing somepony he cared about getting hurt again and again, not able to do anything. It made her sure that Spitfire and Soarin’s friendship was something he didn’t want to ruin, something that had her admiring him even more, something that made her wonder… despite all their protests, was their relationship completely just platonic?

She knew Wave liked Spitfire, and she liked him, but what if Soarin liked Spit? It made sense, they’d known each other since forever, knew the other inside and out. Spitfire was great, she deserved someone like Soarin. But Dash didn’t want her to have him. So she prayed he didn’t like her, and when she went to question it, she didn’t have the heart to ask. It was personal, and she didn’t want the unwanted disappointment that could possibly come with finding out if it was true. “Hey, you were her friend. You listened, you and your parents took care of her when she needed it. You were a kid, Soar, it’s okay. You did what you could,” she said, even surprising herself with the gentleness of her voice.

His lids lowered for a minute, brows knitted together as he let out a slow, deep breath. “I guess.”

Pessimistic, hard on himself, caring. Empathy wasn’t one of Rainbow Dash’s main traits, but right now, she felt it strongly. “Soarin,” she murmured, placing a hoof on his side. “Look at me.”

He obeyed, and both their eyes widened considerably at how close their faces were to each other’s. Dash swallowed awkwardly, but was unable to look away from those luminous emeralds that pierced her soul every damn time.

Not able to take his gaze any longer, she made the mistake of looking at his mouth instead, those soft lips calling out to her. How long had it been since she had kissed somepony? She couldn’t remember. Dash peeled her eyes away from his mouth, deciding it was better just to look at his own eyes. Her heart sped faster at the look, the achingly gentle look, he was giving her. “Dash,” he murmured.

Something like tears stung her eyes as the wild emotions enwrapping her in a perfectly-warm-yet-too-warm blanket threatened to tumble out. She knew this feeling, but had never felt it with such a passion before. And after what? Their friendship whee they hung out? Nothing absolutely life-changing had happened between them, well, except for the times she saved him and the one time he saved her and how he always checked up on her and welcomed her to part of the team like it was the easiest thing in the world, how he just talked and laughed with her and made her feel so wonderfully special and looked up to, but was still not afraid to be himself in front of her.

“Dash,” he repeated, voice a little louder this time.

She backed away slightly, blushing to no avail. “Sorry,” she chuckled, grateful she was able to keep her voice cool. “You could probably hypnotize ponies with your eyes,” she joked, eager to get them back to normal.

He grinned. “That should have been my career, huh? A professional hypnotist?”

“Yeah! Screw being a Wonderbolt,” she giggled.

He shook his head in mock exasperation. “I know, why do that when I could have been a supposed hippie who everypony thought was crazy or wanted advice from.”

“We all make mistakes, it’s a shame you didn’t realize your true calling,” she sighed, biting her lip to keep from bursting into laughter.

“Yes, a great tragedy,” he added sarcastically.

They both chuckled, and once they settled down, she decided to ask. “So, do you have a word yet? For Spitfire and you and Fleetfoot?”

He sucked in, thinking, but even then, he couldn’t seem to come up with anything. “Not really,” he admitted. He let his eyes wonder back over to her face, “Usually I have to explain things to them. You, Dash, you usually just get it right away.”

That small hint of softness was in his voice was there again.

And despite her heart telling her to go with it, something got in her way. “Yeah, guess we’re pretty... easy.”

He went along with it, something she was disappointed by and grateful for at the same time. “Yeah.”

He looked out and touched her arm. “The sun’s setting.”

Dash looked out, smiling when she saw the beautiful blend of orange and pinks and golds. Her eyes shifted downwards. “And the moon’s rising.” She pointed to the other side, a series of blues slowly making their way out.

“Huh, it’s really beautiful…” his voice trailed off, and Dash could feel his eyes on her, but she was too awed by the beauty of the sky to look back.

“I don’t want to move,” she mumbled. “It’s so cool out here.” She closed her eyes as a small breeze came in, making little hairs flutter around her.

“So? Sleep out here,” he suggested nonchalantly.

Dash turned to stare at him, but found that he was completely serious. “Seriously?”

He merely shrugged, smiling a little in the process. “What’s wrong with it? You take naps out here all the time anyways.”

Dash rolled her eyes and shook her head. He had a perfect way of teasing her. “Don’t think I haven’t caught you napping with your face down in a pie.”

It wasn’t true, but the horrified expression on Soarin’s face was priceless, so she held in the truth. “Night or day?” he asked all of a sudden.

Dash bit her lip. “I don’t know, honestly. I like the day cause I can see my friends and perform with you guys,” she mused, sending him a smile. “But… I like the night, especially when I’m tired or just feel like being alone.” She chuckled to herself. “That doesn’t happen very often, though. I like the noise and excitement.”

“I kinda like both, but I’ve always preferred the quiet, it’s peaceful,” he replied tiredly.

She nodded. “Yeah, but the noise makes me… feel less alone.” If Dash hadn’t become tired, she probably wouldn’t have admitted that. “Obviously I like it sometimes, but…”

“No, I get it. Sometimes the quiet isn’t needed, especially if it happened when you were in a bad frame of mind.”

Dash rested her head down, and peered up at him through her lashes. “You get it,” she murmured. “I guess you get me.”

He smiled down at her. “Ditto.” His eyes peeled away and looked down. “You’re going to sleep here? Right now?”

She nodded sleepily. “I have a kind of weird sleep schedule,” she yawned. “You can stay if you want, just not too close. I feel like stretching out.”

He nodded. “So it’s okay if I don’t feel like talking then?”

Dash nodded as well. “Duh, are our silences awkward or something?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know, I never thought so.” His eyes flittered back and forth nervously. “Did you?”

Dash chuckled, rolling onto her side. “No. Now shut up, I’m trying to sleep.” Her rose eyes shut.

Soarin chuckled, making himself more comfortable. “Night.” She felt his eyes on her as he whispered faintly, probably wasn’t supposed to hear, “Sweet dreams, Dashie.”