takes place after the events of the comic: Friends Forever: Issue 36, and the chapter: Friends Forever: Heart of The Wonderbolts

Dash lay on her bed at HQ, listening to the rhythmic breathing of her teammates who were already sound asleep. Except that it was more like teammate. All her focus was on her friend who slept soundly in the bed next to her. Soarin, her friend, her teammate, her second-in-command.

Soarin.

Soarin, who was sweet and funny and kind and respected and goofy and able to be a downer while still making everypony smile.

“C’mon Soarin! Let’s get out of here before you get yourself seriously injured!” Dash yelled the second he burst through the door.

“No way! I’m going to master this mountain!” He turned to Jett and lifted his chin. “Jett! Gimme a cider.” He flapped his wings in an effort to get the snow off before walking over and sitting next to the prismatic mare.

Soarin stepped forward. “I’ll do it.”

“You sure, kid?”

Soarin nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure.”

He was about to receive a couple instructions when a voice rang out. “He’s not sure!” Rainbow interjected, stepping to him, features hardened.

“Stay out of this, Crash,” Soarin told her.

Shaking her bangs out of her eyes, she looked at Soarin, a believing smile on her face. “C’mon! You’re a Wonderbolt! We’re the best flyers in Equestria. You’ve already proven yourself.” She leaned her head on a hoof.

Soarin looked away, unable to meet her gaze. “Not lately I haven’t.” Her face turned to a frown and he continued. “Proving I’m good enough to be a Wonderbolt is one thing,” he said. “Staying that good is something else. Did you see me at that last show?” he muttered.

“I don’t know... I guess I’ve never completely gotten over Spitfire wanting to replace me during the Equestria Games.”

Soarin, who was stubborn and reckless, bold and daring, relentless and doubtful, hurt and angry. Stupid and determined and persistent. Dangerous and insecure.

Dash had seen Soarin be tough before. He gave orders, and was upset when something really mattered to him. But she had never seen him like this before. So… uncaring for his safety. Today on Mount Everhoot, he showed her a different side of him. One she wouldn’t have believed existed if she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, because if she hadn’t, there was no way she could have believed Soarin would be as careless as he was today. Would’ve refused to believe that the guy who tried to be there for everypony could be reckless when it came to himself.

Would’ve refused to believe that he could make her worry like he did today.

After flying back, Dash had been a little lost in thought, barely adding to Soarin and Spitfire’s chitter chatter about upcoming routines. She felt like she could see and understand him better, paint a clearer picture. Sweet and kind, goofy and brave, funny and smart, loyal and respected. All with a heart of pure gold. Stubborn and careless, insecure and negative, stupid and unfaltering, hurt and unsure.

Her second in command had flaws.

Spitfire and Fleetfoot? Sure. The rest of the ‘Bolts? Of course.

But Soarin Skies? Dash wouldn’t have thought it possible. That if he ever showed that side to her, all the ugly, she would have been vastly disappointed.

But she wasn’t.

Because somepony she had admired forever was reminding her a bit of herself, and knowing that they had more in common than just liking the same things made their friendship a little different from hers and Spitfire’s. She felt their connection growing, and she was pretty sure he felt it too. She hoped he felt it too, for seeing him off his game had made him seen even more real. Made him even more awesome.

Today, her admiration for him grew even more.

Okay, maybe he wasn’t as fast as she was. Maybe he didn’t have as much natural talent. Maybe he wasn’t like her in every which way. But he had saved her life today in a quick efficient manner that was so impressive and Prince Charming like, had shown concern for her through his heart-stopping features that had taken her breath away. And though she wouldn’t admit it out loud, Dash thought it made him pretty much just as awesome as she was.

She smiled fondly at his resting state, breathing quiet and steady, chest rising and falling with each breath, dark blue mane covering a little of those striking green eyes that, unfortunately, were closed. Dash wasn’t going to deny it, he was really fucking handsome. Really fucking hot.

Her rosy eyes ran over him, heart warming and doing a secret ‘d’aww’ as he smiled a little in dreams.

“You goof,” she whispered quietly, “thank you. Thank you so much.”