> Dash Tries to Win Your Heart
>  by Flutterpriest
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Oblivious
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Eggs... Fruit... Vegetables... Plenty of rice. Alright. Looks like I'm good!' you think to yourself over the hustle and bustle of the crowd.

Grabbing your massive bag of rice and hefting it over your shoulder, you grab the rest of your bags and make your way back to your home. You swear these ponies at the marketplace are just getting stingier and stingier these days. The only pony who even cut you a little bit of a break was Applejack. And of all the ponies that you wouldn't mind paying more to, was her. 

There was just something about the way she smiled. That gorgeous blonde mane. Those emerald green eyes. She was… beauty incarnate, wrapped in a package of southern hospitality. One of these days, you need to get over your own private fears and finally ask her out on a date.

Putting one foot in front of the other, you send your mind racing for an idea.

This world was way different from Earth, and not just due to colorful equines. If there was one thing you learned through learning the culture of Equestria, it was that usually the mare chooses the stallion, not the other way around. It would be really atypical of you to ask Applejack on a date. Especially for how tomboyish she is.

Your mind continues to trail off as a goofy grin curls on your face.

However, Applejack wasn't your typical mare either. She could use a man like you helping her out at the farm. Yeah. Someone who would help her lift the heavy hay bales with her.

"Hey, Anon!" an unfamiliar voice calls.

You were certainly tall enough to help pick apples. You could reach towards the middle branches without even jumping. And you were definitely strong enough to take care of some of the weak trees here with a simple roundhouse kick. Plus, you'd be more than happy to to listen to her when she has a rough day at the market. All of that schooling back on Earth equipped you to help with the farm's budget. Especially after she asks you if you want to raise a little colt.

"Anon?" asks a voice, whose words don't reach your ears.

She would look absolutely stunning in her wedding dress. One that was likely passed down throughout her whole family for generations. You would wipe her tears when she cuddles into your chest that night, just hoping her Ma and Pa were still around to see her special day. Of course, you'd tell her that they were watching from above. And they were so proud of her.

"Anon!" 

A blow upside the head breaks you from your daydream. You stumble on your feet, your balance compromised. Carefully, you try to catch yourself without losing any of your fresh groceries.

"W-what?” you ask, turning around.

A cyan blue pegasus hovers in the air, looking you eye to eye.

"What's up, Anon?" she asks, a smile now forming on her face. “I didn't get ya too bad, did I?”

"Oh! Nothing. Just thinking. What's new with you, Dash?"

"Oh, nothin. Just was wondering if you wanted to see something awesome!" she asks excitedly, her voice cracking.

What? She stopped you in the middle of the road for this? 

Well, Dash is your bro. If she found something that she thinks is cool, it has to be pretty darn  awesome. What the hell. Why not?

"Yeah! Sure. I got time. All I was going to do was cook when I get home,” you say.

Her ears perk and tail wags as she makes a small girlish noise of excitement.

“Alright, now hold your applause until the big finish,” she says.

And no more than a second she finishes her sentence, she zooms up into the sky. A long rainbow trail follows behind her as she speeds along.

How does she even do that? No, seriously. How? Doesn't that break some sort of laws of physics or-

Right. Ponyland. Got it.

Once she reaches the level of the clouds, Rainbow stops to wave at you. You hesitantly wave back, confused. Was this it?

Then, from afar you see that she holds up something red in her hoof.

Wait just a moment…

You look down into your cart, and sure enough, one of the bright, shiny red apples that you just purchased had gone missing.

"Hey! Wait!"

She throws the apple directly towards you, a part of your soul drops as it  hurls towards the ground.

Catch?  All she wanted to do was play catch? What the actual fuck, Rainbow?

You hold out your hands to catch it, not wanting to lose a part of your lunches for the week. Just as it's about to enter your outstretched hands, a flash of rainbow snatches the apple from midair.	With a smug grin, she hovers next to you, shining the apple on her fur.

"Hold your applause... Hold your applause. I know. I'm awesome,” she says, dripping with pride.

"Uh. Nice," you answer tersely, turning away from her.

"Of course I'm not doing anything Frid- wait what?"

"Yeah. Uh, good job."

An expression of shock spreads across her face and her jaw hangs open.

"You mean... you weren't impressed?"

"Well... I knew you were fast. So... not really. Cool trick though."

"But wait, most of the guys would- After that would- Wait here."

Rainbow flies up into the air at an incredible speed. Your eyes follow her, but your line of sight goes directly into the sun, forcing you to shield your eyes. She rises above the clouds until she is no more a than a mere speck. Then, she gets bigger. And bigger. And Bigger.

Oh shit. She's heading straight for you. She's a good flier, but is she a good stopper?

You definitely weren't good at broken bones. Normally they just end up... well, broken.

You try to decide where to do, but she's just too fast. A massive boom sends a rainbow of color throughout the sky, circling from where her body broke mach speed.

Oh shit. This is it. Brace for impact!

You close your eyes and wince. The rice falls on the ground and you drop your bags, hearing the crunch of your week's worth of food as you shield yourself.

Then, nothing.

Just quiet.

You open your eyes and-

“Boop!” Rainbow says, tapping your nose with a hoof.

She hovered just inches away from your face, clearly much more satisfied with her latest aerial maneuver.

"Gotcha!” she said with a smile. “So! How about now? Wanna go back to my place and chill?"

"Uh. Not really. Tonight's kinda busy. I probably better get home," you answer, looking at your crushed groceries. “Gym tomorrow though?”

Picking your things back up and turn to her, as she wears an expression of defeat.

“Yeah, gym tomorrow,” she says, her ears drooped and wings lowered.

“Sweet. Can't wait, bro. Later!”

Turning away from her, you smile. Rainbow's such an awesome friend. It's awesome that you have such a great bro to chill out with in Equestria. Especially since you don't seem to gel with them very much.

You know, Rainbow is Applejack's friend. Maybe she could help set you up with her.

Hmmm… Well, only time will tell. You just wonder why she was acting so weird today.

Oh well, it was probably nothing.
> "Do you want to go to the Dance?"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Sweat drips down your face. Dash hovers over you, her eyes locked and focused on you.

"You better not disappoint me," she commands.

You groan under the strain. The muscles in your body tighten as you focus your breathing and push harder. Closing your eyes, you can feel yourself getting close. Almost there, just a little more.

"Jeez Anon, I didn't know they sent humans to wimp school," Rainbow teases.

You let out a mighty roar and thrust upward.

"YEAAAHH!" you scream, re-racking your barbell. "HELL yeah."

"That's more like it. I knew you could do it," Rainbow says, offering out her hoof for a congratulatory hoof-bump.

Sitting up from your bench, you bump her hoof and try to catch your breath. The gym in Ponyville was a bit cramped since it offered extremely cheap memberships, had almost no equipment, and was filled with mostly cardio machines, but at the early hours of the morning it was dead quiet. Lucky for you, when you went asking around for a gym buddy, Rainbow said yes immediately.

Like, unnervingly quickly. She didn't even know it was going to the gym when she agreed, but after you explained it just made her more excited. So, since your first week in Equestria, here you've been, every morning. And it's starting to show.

Grabbing your water bottle, you stand, letting the endorphins of your workout run through your veins and create a high to add to your sense of accomplishment. Sweat drips from your forehead as you walk up to one of the large, wall-length mirrors that the facility has to offer and examine your arms. Your muscles pulsate with blood, giving the illusion that they are larger than they really are.

"Wow, Anon. Your pump is looking awesome," she calls to you as you flex in the mirror.

"Oh? Think so?" you ask. "I've been really trying to look good."

"Y-yeah."

Silence fills the room as you get a little better look at yourself in the mirror. The gym shorts are a little small and cling to your body and the only thing you could find to workout in was the sleeveless shirt, but it really showed off your figure. You turn back to her with a smile.

"That's awesome. I sure hope all my hard work wouldn't go unnoticed," you reply.

Dash smiles and looks away a little as she sits on the bench, preparing for her set.

"Actually, uhm. I've been really proud of you, and stuff. You're beginning to look a lot more built since you first arrived," she says.

A smile curls on your face as a little piece inside of you feels validated. You stand behind the bar-bell, ready to spot for Rainbow.

"Really? That's sweet of you. What turned on all the mushy stuff?" 

Her head snaps upwards and she shakes her head.

"What? I can't pay you a compliment once in a while? Jeez. It's not like I'm getting all sappy on you."

Her eyes dart away from you as she lays back and grabs the barbell with her wings.

"Alright, fine. Was just joking around. How many we going for?"

"Six."

"Alright, come on, show me what you're made of."

Rainbow gulps and eases the bar into the air. Slowly, she brings it down towards her body, and you hover your hands under the bar, ready to catch it if she fails. As if it were a full glass of water, she carefully raises it up.

"Alright, one," you say.

She brings it down one more time and pushes up.

"Two, watch your breathing."

Easing it down, she breathes in. Pushing it up, she breathes out.

"Three, half way there."

The bar comes down slow, and as it goes up, you notice her wings begin to quiver.

"Four, come on. You aren't out of energy yet. You got way more in you."

Her brow furrows as she brings it down again.

"This one's to be the fastest flier in Equestria! Come on!"

The bar goes up hard, but shakes once it reaches the air.

"Come on! ONE more. You got this. Don't wimp out on me now."

She eases it down and her body begins to tremble.

"Do it for me. Come on! Do it for me!"

Her gaze becomes determined and focused at your words and her muscles tense. The weight slowly moves up into the air as she breathes harder and harder.

"That's it, just like that."

It reaches half-way when she slows down.

"Just a little more, come on, I believe in you."

A smile curls on her face and she pushes the bar all the way to the top in one push.

"OH SHIT! Just like in the movies. That was BEAUTIFUL! I could KISS you."

"W-what?" she stutters.

The bar falls quickly, but your grab it in time to help her ease it onto it's holder.

"It was just a good push is all. With that sort of drive, you could break through any plateau."

"OH! Oh. Right. Yeah," she chuckles nervously.

The blood rushes to her face as she pants. 

"Want me to grab your water bottle?" you ask, stripping the weight off the bar.

Rainbow sighs, sitting up and shaking her head.

"Nah, I left mine at home," she says, a sense of disappointment in her tone.

Confused, you attempt to reassure her.

"Hey, don't worry, it's just a water bottle. Use mine. I got plenty."

"W-what? But, haven't you been drinking out of it?" she asks.

"Uh, yeah?"

"Oh. W-well, okay," she says, her voice cracking.

She picks up your water bottle and takes a deep, slow drink, as you take a look at her. Her sweat gives her coat a light shine and her mane is all messed up from all of the cardio from earlier, and as she drinks the water, you can't help but notice that her body is also quite toned.

"You know, you aren't looking so bad yourself."

And now your water is all over the gym floor.

"What? What did I say?"

"UH. Nothing! The water just went down the wrong pipe!" she says, averting her eyes.

"Ooooh! Yeah, that sucks," you reply. "Hey, I'm not doing anything today, since it's Saturday. Wanna grab breakfast?"

The blue pegasus's ears perk and she nods quickly.

"I'd love to!"

"Cool, any idea whe-"

"Anywhere's fine!"

"Oh. Well, alright then. ITROT is as good as anywhere I suppose."

After a simple wipe down of the gym equipment, the two of you step out of the Ponyville gym as the sun begins to rise in the sky. By your guess, it must be around 8am. All of the quaint homes and shops are lit by a gentle gray light, and many of the ponies are either way too bright and chipper or still groggy from waking up.

"So, bro. I got a question for ya," you ask, watching the florist nearby wheeling her cart towards the market.

"Yeah, Anon?" she asks, looking up at you and slightly tilting her head.

"Has anything been on your mind? You've been acting a little funny lately."

She looks straight ahead, her ears perked straight and wings tense."

"N-no. Not really. W-why do you ask?"

"I dunno. I mean, a few days ago there was that little aerial show you did right after I got done at the market."

"I just wanted to show you a few new tricks I was working on. T-that's all."

"Then, you brought me random food the next day. Which tasted great by the way, thank you. I'll have to figure out how to make it up to you."

"H-hey! I just had too many cookies. And I totally had no idea they were your favorite. S-so it just worked out," she said.

"Well, yeah, but then the next day you wrote me a poem."

Dash goes quiet as her ears droop. A silence falls between the two of you.

"It was a good poem. I really like how you described the clouds."

"Really?" she asks, ears raising and ears extending.

"Yeah. It must be all that reading you're doing now. You're really formed a way with words. Have you shown Twilight anything?"

The ears return to their original position.

"W-well. No. You were the first, actually."

"OH!"

She looks up at you, expecting some sort of response. You look back down at her, unsure how to proceed. Is she expecting you to critique her poem? Uhhh. How did it go again? 

-The raincloud of my life used to feel full of rain-
-But then I found something that would numb the pain-
-Now I don't know what I would do if he were gone-
-With all my- something something something.

You wish you hadn't spilled cereal all over it now.

"Uhhh. Well. I thought it well composed. The rhyming was good."

She looks at you, expecting more. What? Is that not good enough? Shoot. You really should read more.

"Um. Maybe it could have been longer?"

"Longer?" she whispers.

Oh shit. She is not taking this well. You kneel down to get on her eye level.

"Hey, I'm just trying to be helpful. I loved it, but I don't read much poetry. When I read it... I was speechless."

Her eyes grow wide and a dorky smile forms on her face.

"Really? Y-you mean it?"

"Yeah! I'm just terrible with words."

And using a spoon. But, she doesn't have to know that. You're sure it was fine. Besides, you just want to be supportive. Maybe she's just scared to show anypony else, and the two of you are so close that she felt comfortable showing you. Yeah, that must be it. It has to be.

Rising to your feet, you close the distance to the restaurant.

"Now then, I'm famished. What are you gunna get?"

You grab the door and hold it open as she follows you. Her eyes seem glossed over and doesn't seem to be focused on anything, but her dorky smile hasn't faded. You also aren't quite sure how she managed to get through the door with her wings extended so wide.

"Uhhh, Earth to Dash?"

She shakes her head.

"Pancakes!" she says forcefully, retracting her wings.

"You know, I was thinking the same thing," you reply as the wafting aroma of fried eggs and coffee hits your senses.

Just like everything else in Ponyville, the diner is very homey, with perhaps only 10 tables in the whole restaurant.  The restaurant must have just opened its doors for the morning, since the two of you are the first to arrive, but a group of elderly mares follow close behind with newspapers. The two of you walk in, and a waitress seats the two of you to a table quickly with two menus and some silverware. Dash sits directly across from you as you look down into your menu.

Now then... what to get, what to get. Pancakes did sound good. You look up to see if there are any specials, and lock in direct eye contact with your Rainbro. She instantly looks down into her menu and begins reading intensely. In fact, so intensely... maybe she should just get reading glasses. The menu can't be more than a few inches from her face. Huh.

Anyway, there's no special on the chalkboard behind the counter, where the mares take, what look like, worn and regular places for them.

"Well, if it isn't my fastest customer, Rainbow Dash!" says an unfamiliar voice.

A tan mare with a long brown mane comes to your table wearing a white apron and hairnet.

"And it looks like you brought along a friend. Is this that human you always-"

"AHEM. Anon, this is my friend Fonda, Fonda this is Anon," Rainbow interrupts with a quick introduction.

The mare gives a light nod.

"Fonda Fondue, nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, too."

"So, what'll we be havin mister big strong human?"

You blush lightly and look back down to your menu, suddenly forgetful of your simple order.

"Coffee and three pancakes, with an egg," you reply.

"Sure thing. And the usual Chocolate Milk and Funny Face for you-"

"Milk and three pancakes will be fine."

She glares at Fonda awkwardly, and the waitress raises an eyebrow, but soon smiles.

"No problem! It'll be just a minute, you two get comfy."

You look from her to Dash as the waitress heads into the kitchen.

"Well that was weird."

"Heh, yeah," Dash says. "So, uhm. Anon. Did you hear about the big party tonight at Twilight's place?"

"Party? Not really."

"Oh! W-well, she's having a big get together tonight at the castle. You know, punch, dancing, fancy stuff. If that's your sorta thing."

"Oh! Like a dance?"

Dash's eyes dilate and she looks away.

"Well, I guess so, when you put it that way," she says.

"That sounds nice. I think Rarity made me a suit a long time ago. I dunno though, I'd have to check. Who's all going?" you ask.

"Oh. Well Twilight, Spike, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie of course. Minuette said she'd go. I think AJ said she'd show up when she got done at the farm."

A part of you sits straighter. Applejack will be there. You have to go. There's no option. All the working out has built up to this very moment. Okay. Keep it cool, Anon. Relax.

"Oh really?" you ask.

"Yeah, I dunno. I was never really into dances, but I figured I'd see if you're going. I mean, I thought, uhm. Well. If you were going, maybe it might not be all bad."

"Yeah, I suppose I can go."

Dash's ears perk and she sits up straight.

"Wait, really?" she asks, her voice cracking in excitement.

"Sure! Why not. It's not like I planned anything else to do. You're right. It could end up being fun."

"Awesome! S-so do you wanna meet up at my place before we go?" she asks.

You stare at her. Her expression slowly goes from a wide smile, to one of extreme concern.

"I-I mean, we'd just walk there together. You know. It's dark out and stuff. I'm strong and all, but-"

"Uhh, Dash. You live in the sky."

An awkward silence sits between the two of you as the waitress brings out your food and drinks.

"Right. I knew that. I-I was just testing you."

"Sure, if you wanna walk there together, it's cool. Just meet up at my place around seven and we'll head there."

"Oh! Okay!"

Her tail wags as you take a deep sip of your coffee. Tonight's the night. Maybe you can start by asking Applejack to dance with you. But one thing's for sure. You gotta try on that suit.





Seven came much quicker than you expected, but you're already dressed in your best suit and tie. Well, your only suit and tie. But, it's going to have to do. You've already brushed your teeth and washed your mouth out three times. The words are going to be the easy part. Applejack, would you like to dance? And then, it's just the box waltz that you've been practicing. 

All day.

And, you think you have it down. Maybe.

Once Dash gets here, the two of you can-

The doorbell interrupts you mid-thought and you mentally fist pump. Showtime.

You get the door, and your jaw drops. Rainbow stands at the door, blushing, looking at ground, where she traces a circle into the ground with a hoof. She wears a long, flowing rainbow dress, that almost looks like a cape, with cloud-like fabric sewn in at the very edges. The entire dress is pristine and her hair is done up in to a twisted, woven, tiara like braid that you wouldn't have the vaguest idea how to describe. But, it makes her look like a Princess, and her own hair forms a sort of multicolored crown on her head.

"S-so, what do you think," she asks?

"Wow, it looks awesome! Lookin to impress someone tonight?" you ask, standing straight.

"W-well, maybe. I just- I... Wow, Anon," she mumbles as she begins to look you up and down.

"Well then, shall we head out?" you ask.

"S-sure, yeah," she stutters.

You close and lock the door behind you as the two of you make your way towards the crystal castle, which looms large, bright and multicolored over the small, bland town. The walk is almost entirely in silence, only broken by the occasional glance down at Rainbow, who seemed to keep looking away instantly. She really did look good tonight.

Was a Wonderbolt gonna be here? Which Wonderbolt would Dash be interested in. Spitfire was cool, but you didn't think Dash swung that way. Soarin seemed cool. Plus she hung out with him at a Gala once, she mentioned. Yeah, that could be it.

If you see Soarin there, then you'll have to try and set her up. Yeah!

Then she'll help you with Applejack. This plan is flawless.

You hold the door open for her as the two of you enter Twilight's heavily decorated castle. Following the red, velvet carpet led the two of you to the ballroom, which happened to be the source of gentle string music. The minute you enter the room, any thought of overdressing went WAY out of your head. Dash really underplayed this party.

This was almost a mini-gala.

Carefully decorated tables, each with their own centerpieces, sat at the edges of the room, where ponies all chatted and had refreshments. A large open dance floor sat in the middle, where two couples were already waltzing in the center. One couple being an older mare with her son that you recognized around town and the other being a stallion with a short mane and a mare with a long, blue dress that effortlessly flowed across the dance floor.

Come on, Anon. If they can do it, you can too. Now then. Scan the room.

Twilight, Pinkie and the rest of Dash's friends all stand towards the edge of a stage where the band was playing. But, no Applejack. 

Alright, Anon. No pressure. She probably just hasn't gotten here yet. Maybe you can still help Dash out.

Your eyes dart from mare to stallion to mare to stallion, before you rest in a far corner of the room. Immediately recognizable in their uniforms, are the Wonderbolts, who laugh and drink punch on their own. That's where Dash will want to go. All you need to do is find the right opportunity.

"Hey Dash, wanna go talk to the Wonderbolts?" you ask.

Nailed it.

"Oh, well, I was thinking of saying 'Hi' to Twilight, but-"

"But nothing! I know how much you admire them. Let's stop by them."

With a strong lead, you make your way across the room to the Wonderbolts, with Dash following behind quietly. Now then, setting up two people is a very careful and delicate process. It's going to take a lot of subtle wordings and social grace to pull it off effectively. As the two of you approach the table, Spitfire waves a hoof to the two of you.

"Hey Rainbow Dash! How's it goin?" she calls out to the two of you.

Closing the distance, the leader of the Wonderbolts casts a glance between the two of you and smiles.

"It's goin alright, Spitfire," Rainbow replies. "We just got here. Thought it would be nice to stop over and say Hi."

Spitfire raises a hoof to you.

"You must be the human I hear so much about," Spitfire addresses you. "I'm Spitfire, these two goons are Soarin and Fleetfoot."

"Hey," Soarin says with a wave.

"Sup," Fleetfoot nods.

"Hey everyone. Oh! Hey, Dash. Want some punch?" you ask.

"Well, I... uh. Not really-"

"Don't move. I'll be right back," you say quickly and bound away.

Your footsteps carry you quickly towards the punchbowl, but you get out of view behind a small herd of giggling mares. 

Perfect.

Dash is going to be thanking you so much later.

Now then. Back to the plan.

You get to the punchbowl and begin a re-scan of the room. Your eyes move back to Twilight when you notice she's waving towards the entrance to the hall. Looking to the source of Twilight's attention, you see... her. And she doesn't need a dress to look absolutely stunning. Applejack wore just her signature stetson, and her eyes were half-lidded.

Clearly, looking for love. Well, tonight, she found it.

Take a deep breath, Anon. Go in for it.

Putting one foot in front of the other, you make your way towards the farm pony. The distance closes quickly as you feel your heart thumping through your chest. You grit your teeth and feel your palms get sweaty. It's just a few feet now. Say something!

Applejack looks up to you and her emerald green eyes lock with yours.

"Howdy, Anon," she says.

"BATHROOM."

You push past her, bile sitting at the bottom of your throat. Bathroom? Really? Wow, Anon. Great job.

You step outside the dance and round a corner where there wasn't anypony else. 

"Great," you sigh to yourself.

Alright. It's fine. This is fine. The way events are unfolding currently is completely okay. Just relax.

Now. All you have to do is ask Applejack to dance. It's easy. You've planned this out. You've practiced all day. You can do this.

Standing up straight, you fix your tie and take a deep breath.

"I can do this," you whisper to yourself.

You make your way back into the ballroom, where a new song just started. The perfect waltz. This is it. The fates have aligned. Putting one foot in front of another, you move to Applejack, who's having a conversation with her friends. It's fine though. Surely she must be up for one dance. Right?

Right.

You cross the whole room and head to the small group of friends. Each step feels like it only brings you inches closer to your destination. You practice the words in your head over and over. 

'Applejack, could I have this dance?'

Just relax. Focusing on your breathing, you finally reach the group.

"Uh, Applejack?"

The orange, freckled face turns to you with curiosity.

"What's up, Sugarcube?" she asks.

"Uhm..."

And then it's gone. What were you going to say? Dance. Words. Think. Oh god, she's staring at you. 

Captain, prepare the word missiles.

"Do you wanna maybe do a dance?" you sputter out.

And then, the world's longest silence began. What did you just do?

You await her reply, suddenly aware of exactly how you're standing and how you're staring at her. Stop staring. You blink, and now you wonder if you've been blinking to much. Oh god, just let the silence stop!

"Oh, uh," Applejack says, looking away and placing a hoof on her stetson. "It's kinda been a long day. I'm all tired. I didn't even put on a dress cause I wasn't going to stay long. I would kinda like to just spend some time with some friends. Know what I mean?" she asks.

Your posture falls like a house of cards at her question.

"Oh, right. Yeah, I get it," you mumble.

"Sorry, Sugarcube. Uhm, I'll talk to you later?"

"Yeah, later."

You turn away from her and move across the room to an empty table. Pulling out a seat, you look down at your hands. Of course. This was stupid. All of this was stupid. And you spent your whole day learning dance moves. You shoulda known.

"Hey!"

You look up, to see the frustrated face of Rainbow Dash.

"Were you going to come back? Or..."

"Oh, yeah. Sorry," you answer, your voice downtrodden.

She takes a step forward, ready to round on you, but she stops.

"Hey, is everything okay?" she asks.

"Yeah, yeah. Just," you sigh. "A few rough things happened."

"Oh... I see. Was that why you didn't come back right away?"

"Yeah," you mumble.

Dash sits in a chair beside you as you sigh and look straight ahead.

"It's whatever though. No big deal."

You listen to the music and imagine in your head what each step would be. It flows through your mind with ease and really makes you want to try out your moves. Your eyes move to Dash, who looks at you concern.

"Hey, wanna dance?" you ask.

Her eyes grow wide.

"W-what?" she replies. "I-I don't really know how."

"And I've never danced with a pony before. Wanna try?"

A smile curls on her face as you stand and extend a hand to help her up.

"Sure. I'd like that."
> "Happy Hearth's Warming, Anon"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"B-but, Anon. We shouldn't."

"Come on. You know you want to."

"What would the others think?"

"They'll never know. Come on, Dash."

"W-well. Okay, but we'll have to be quick."

"That's the spirit. Now then, on the count of three."

Dash takes a deep breath and steadies her nerves.

"One..."

A bead of sweat forms on your brow.

"Two..."

Dash takes a deep breath and closes her eyes.

"Three!"

The two of you leap up from behind a snow barrier and begin tossing snow as hard as you can at the unsuspecting dragon. Spike turns with wide eyes, holding his delicately made hot cocoa with trembling hands. The ball collides with his forehead, catching him off balance and tossing the drink into the air. The baby dragon falls to the ground slowly, screaming for the loss of his cherished treat. The two of you dip back down behind the snow barricade, trying desperately to contain fits of laughter.

"Oh COME ON! Three times?! This is getting old guys. I'm running out of chocolate," he calls out to his assailants.

"Oh god. That's priceless."

"You nailed him in the forehead!"

You dust some snow off your shoulders and act casual.

"Oh, well, you know. I'm just good at some things."

Rainbow laughs and rises to her hooves.

"Well, I think we've probably tortured Spike enough for one day."

You simply stare at her blankly.

"What?"

"Do we haaave to stop?"

Dash glares at you angrily. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.

"Fine, fine. Then what should we do next? I've got the day off since it's the day before Hearth's Warming Eve."

"You too?" Rainbow asks.

"Yeah, I mean. Apples are kinda hard to grow in the snow, so I've just been doing maintenance around the Apple's farm during the winter."

"Oh! I see, so-"

"Wait a minute," you say interrupting her. "If you work the weather, and it's snowing right now..."

You hold out your hand to look at the gently falling flakes that were collecting on your coat and scarf. The whole town of Ponyville had a few inches of white flakes that turned the whole landscape into a winter wonderland.

"Then who's controlling the weather?" you ask.

"Oh! That's easy. We have special clouds at this time of year that last for a few days. They always produce just enough snow to ensure that we have a white Hearth's Warming Eve and then they disappear. Until then, we're kinda just on call in case one gets out of hand."

"Oh. I see. Huh," you say, staring at the clouds. "That's interesting, we never had anything like that on Earth."

"Really?" she asks. "Sounds like Earth was a pretty boring place. N-no offense."

"Nah. None taken. It honestly was a really boring place."

"Is that why you never talk about it?" she asks.

With a sigh, you shake your head.

"Anyway. What are you doing today?" you ask.

"Nothin really. I was going to see if you wanted to... well. Hang out?" she asks.

"Oh! Yeah! Sure. That'd be awesome. I just got one errand to make if you don't mind. I gotta swing by the Apples and give AJ her gift. I got everyone else but her and you done."

Rainbow's eyes widen and a smile curls on her face.

"You got me a gift?" she asks sheepishly.

"Well, yeah. Of course I did. Why wouldn't I?"

She lets out a nervous chuckle and shakes her head.

"I-I dunno. It just took me off guard is all. I got you something too."

"Really?" you ask.

Awww yeah. Free stuff. Your favorite kind of stuff.

However, your mind wandered to the two gifts that sat under your tree at home. It wasn't really a Christmas tree per se, because Christmas didn't exist in Equestria. Even decorating trees wasn't a very common practice, while there was still some holiday over-lap from Earth. So, your tree is actually more of a potted plant with party streamers on it. 

Nailed it.

One was wrapped in a bright, vivid orange, and the other in a light-cyan wrapping paper. You could make some sort of comment about trying to sync it up with the color of their fur, as a kind gesture, but it was honestly the only way you could tell apart who was getting which gift. And the paper was on sale at the store. Because all of the holiday paper sold out.

BUT! It's still special.

You kinda hoped that Dash would like her gift, but you were more nervous about Applejack's.  It wasn't particularly cheap, but it seemed like her style. More than you spent on anypony else this year, at least. Rising to your feet, you stretch and take a deep breath of the cool winter air.

"Hey, do you want some hot chocolate or something? My place isn't far from here."

Dash's lights up and her wings pop out.

"That sounds nice. Do ya wanna exchange gifts at the same time?" she asks.

You eye her curiously.

"Uhh, wouldn't you have to run home to grab your gift?"

"Oh! Right! Start counting."

"Wha-"

And in a burst of rainbow light, Rainbow is gone.

"Oh. Right."

Well, okay. At least Dash is pretty-

And before you could finish your thought, she stops dead in front of you, nearly leaving skid marks in the snow.

"Time! What was that?" she asks excitedly, setting a present on the ground.

"Uhhh."

You look down at an empty wrist.

"Four seconds?"

She grunts, wearing an expression of frustration.

"I could have done way better than that. I need to stop taking so many naps."

Turning towards your house, you chuckle.

"You should probably not do that in general. You'll just be awake all night. Then what? The only fun things you can do at night are going on walks and snooping on other ponies sleeping?"

Rainbow remains silent as you look straight ahead on the path.

"Uh... R-right! And that would be bad! To do! That is. Because night is for sleeping."

You wear a devilish smile and look back at her.

"Heh, well, not ALWAYS, but, that's a different topic."

Redness fills Dash's cheeks as she nervously chuckles.

"Y-yeah! Good one."

Still got it, Anon. You better pick up the pace though. If Rainbow's cheeks are getting red, it's probably because it's too cold outside. Naturally, you pickup the pace, wanting to get home. Plus, the hot cocoa sounds really good.

Glancing over your shoulder at the pegasus who has to slow herself down to keep with your pace, you notice that she looks pretty excited. For your cocoa, she should be. The secret is just a little bit of cinnamon sugar, but of course, nopony will ever know that.

Wait. She isn't excited about your gift is she?

Cause, it's really nothing too special.

Plus, it's kinda cheap.

You just thought it might be something she'd like. Heck. It might even be too girly for her.

It's hard to tell sometimes.

One moment, she can be all "Look at me, I'm awesome." And the next, she'll be sitting down next to you, listening to you talk when you're down or having friendly advice. She's such an amazing friend.

Once you hit the front door, you open it for her and follow her inside. Taking off your snow covered coat and scarf, Rainbow heads over to scrutinize your Christmas tree. You head over to it and pick up the blue package.

"Uhm, Anon?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm kinda scared to ask... but did the plant do something wrong? Or something?" she asks.

"Uh, no."

"Then, why are you punishing it?" she asks.

"Well, back on Earth... there was this holiday called Christmas, and I mean... it was basically Hearth's Warming Eve, but slightly different. We'd take pine trees and put ornaments and lights on them to make it all dressed up."

Rainbow looks from the plant, then to you, then back to the plant.

"You... You know that's not a pine tree, right?"

"Yeah."

"Then why-"

"This may shock you Dash, but I'm not strong enough to carry a whole tree by myself."

Rainbow looks out into your front lawn.

"What about the tree out there?"

Moving to her, you look out your front window to the various trees that dot the more remote part of Ponyville that you live in.

"Well, I mean, the whole 'land' thing is confusing, and I don't want to make Fluttershy or some animal near the Everfree mad. So, I figured it was too much work."

"Oh," she says.

"Anyway! Did you want to open your gift?"

Dash turned back to you, nodding with a wide smile as you grabbed the small blue container.

"Well, it's not really much, but I hope you like it," you said, handing the package to Dash as she set hers down. "Happy Hearth's Warming."

A dorky grin crept on her face as she carefully looked for the side of the wrapping and tried to begin by undoing it carefully. Then, in excitement, she tore the wrappings off. Inside was a tiny box with a light lid. She lets out a tiny, almost inaudible gasp and just stares at the box.

"A-anon. You shouldn't..."

"Open it," you say with a smile.

She looks up at you with a look you couldn't recognize and opens the tiny lid with apprehension. Then, confusion washes over her face.

She pulls out a small bracelet that you created in your free time. The bracelet was kinda thick, but carefully braided using a strand of yarn from each color of the rainbow. 

"Anon..."

"It's a bracelet. I, uh. Made it myself," you say with a smile.

She looks down at it and back to you.

"It stretches a little. So it should be able to go on your hoof."

She takes it and places it on her front right hoof. Dash examines it carefully with a wide smile.

"Anon... This is..."

"And look!" you add, pulling up your pant leg. "We match."

Sure enough, wrapped around your ankle is a bracelet of all the same colors, but smaller to fit your ankle. Truth be told, it was a botched attempt at making hers, but she didn't have to know that.

"Oh my gosh... Anon," she says. "Why did you do this?"

She looks up at you with a faint glimmer of hope in her eyes. You smile and shrug.

"Well, you know, you're a cool pony. You deserve nice things. I know how to make these silly bracelets and just thought. Well, why not? I kinda considered it risky cause you don't wear jewelery, but still-"

"N-No!" she quickly interjected. "I love it. It's... really nice, and heartfelt."

She looks down at your gift and then to you.

"Oh, uhm. You know. Uh. Maybe you shouldn't open your gift yet," she sputters, grabbing her gift.

"Wait, what?"

"Uh, yeah. I mean, you got me something so nice that... well, I feel really out done."

"Psh. Are you kidding me? I didn't even really work that hard on it."

"But still, look at all the time and effort," she says, looking at all the weaves.

"Oh, come on. This is nothin. I'm sure you probably outdid me."

Dash looks hesitantly down at her shoddily wrapped gift in Rainbow paper.

"Will you promise not to laugh?" she asks.

"Of course," you add.

She sighs, grabbing the gift and handing it to you.

"Just... uhm. Remember, you promised."

Tearing off the paper, you look down at a simple, brown cardboard box. Opening the flaps on top, you pull out a piece of Rainbow cloth that keeps going. And going. And going.

"Oh my god, it's a new scarf!" you exclaim.

It looks like it was knit carefully with some high quality wool. Which is surprising, because this doesn't look like Rarity's work, but you'd imagine she'd be the only person to get wool like this.

"Do you like it?" she asks, looking away.

You toss it around your neck, and sure enough, it's already warm, heavy, but not too scratchy.

"I love it."

Rainbow smiles, her ears perk and wings relax a little bit.

"Really?" she asks.

"Yeah! Who made it?" you ask. "Was it Rarity? Because it's really well done."

"Well, I mean. She may have taught me a few things, but..."

You turn to her in shock.

"You made this?" you ask.

"U-uhm. Yeah," she said.

You smile and kneel down beside her. 

"This is a really awesome, thoughtful gift, Dash."

You wrap your arms around her and she lets out a tiny 'eep'. But, after a moment, she leans her head into your shoulder and wraps her wings around you. Letting go, she has a dazed look on her face and you stand up and stretch.

"Hey, did you still want to hang out today?" you ask. "I'm sure we can get a movie or something goin. I just gotta run that errand."

"Y-yeah. I'd like that," she says.

"Sure thing. Don't go too far," you say, stopping at your tree to grab AJ's present.

Heading to the door, you grab your coat and head out the door wearing your new scarf and package in hand. You set off at a jog, heart leaping through your chest.

Oh god. Oh god. This is happening. You are going to give AJ your gift.

Maybe she'll finally see how you feel about her. A dorky grin forms on your face as you turn towards the farm. They're probably doing family stuff, but you'll only be a moment.

Once she opens it, heck you might even be able to ask her on a date. Your stomach turns over at the thought. Okay, Anon. One step at a time, no need to get too hasty.

You run through the gates of the farm and butterflies form in your stomach. What if she doesn't like it? 

Relax, Anon. Of course she'll like it. It'll be fine. Deep breaths.

The farmhouse approaches in the distance, so you slow down to prepare yourself.

"Hey, AJ. I got you a gift for Hearth's Warming. Here. I hope you like it," you say under your breath.

You hold the gift in front of you mechanically, like a forklift. Just relax, Anon. You can do this. Raising your hand to the door of their home, you can hear the hustle and bustle of the family.

"How's dinner going, Granny?"

"Aaaalmost ready!"

"Applebloom, are you done with those decorations yet?"

"Ah was supposed to decorate?"

"What in tarna- Big Mac! Can you help Applebloom when you're done getting boxes from the attic?"

"Eeyup!"

Okay. Okay. You can do this.

Closing your eyes, you whack the door three times. There's no going back now. You take a deep breath and wait for it all to end.

"Ah'll get it!"

The door opens, to her. Her signature brown stetson. Her glorious freckled face. Her luscious mane. Suddenly, the words are lost in your throat.

"Heya, Anon. Uh, right now is kinda a bad time. Did you need something?" Applejack asks politely.

You look down at the box and hold it out.

"I got you a thing. For Christmas. Erm- Hearth's Warming," you stutter.

"Oh! Uh. Thanks... I guess. I'm afraid I really didn't get you anything though. I dunno how comfortable I am accepting this."

"Here," you say, thrusting it in her hooves. "It's yours. Open it."

She looks down at the box as Applebloom walks around a corner, tangled in lights. Applejack tears off the orange wrapping to find a similar white box. She looks down at the box for a moment and looks up at you. You open your mouth to speak, but opt to nod instead. Applejack uncomfortably opens the lid and closes her eyes.

"Anon."

"What?" you ask.

"I really don't think I can accept this."

"Why not?"

"Well, for one, this is way too expensive."

"No it wasn't! It was on sale."

It wasn't on sale.

"And, I mean, while the Apple pendant is nice and all," she says, critiquing it. "I don't really wear jewelery. I mean. I'll probably never wear it."

You find yourself short of words as you look away from her. She looks at you with concern, then looks back to her sister.

"Well, I mean. If you want me to have it, I'll take it. But, it just doesn't really seem right."

"Yeah. I, uh. Should have realized. Sorry. Just have it. I'll. Uh. I'll talk to you later."

You turn on the spot and power walk away into the cold. The sun quickly begins to set on the horizon as AJ called out to you, but you dug yourself into your scarf and the words were lost on you.

Stupid Anon. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Of course. Of fucking course. You knew this was a bad idea. You just knew it.

Maybe you can just watch a movie with Dash and get your mind off things. You'll have to think of some other way to win AJ's heart. Who knows, maybe you should just give up. What's the point?

You don't really deserve a mare like that.

Somepony who's caring, smart, competitive, athletic, honest and loyal.

You close your eyes, following the path that you have memorized back home. But, as you get closer to home, light assaults your eyes. 

That's weird. Why is there light? You open your eyes, and sure enough, you're close to home, however, there's a new light source you didn't expect.

The tree in your yard.

From a long extension cord that went from your house all the way to the tree, a blue pegasus was hovering in the air, covering the tree with white holiday lights. You walk up to the old pine tree, covered in white snow and gentle lights, your jaw slightly open.

"Wow..." you mutter.

Rainbow jumps, and drops the rest of her lights.

"Oh! You're back. I didn't expect you so soon," she replied with a chuckle.

"It looks... just like home."

"Really?" she asked. "That's what I was hoping. You know. Have a way to be a little more like Earth and Christmas."

You smile, walking up to the tree and holding a light between your fingers.

"Well, you nailed it."

You look up to her and she hovers down to stand beside you. A moment of silence fell between the two of you as the snow gently fell. All you did was look up at the Christmas tree and beam.

"Merry Christmas, Anon," Rainbow said.

"Merry Christmas, Dash."

You put a hand on the top of her head and ruffle her mane a bit. She remains quiet, not seeming to mind.

"Hey, how does cocoa and a movie sound?" you ask.

She smiles, turning towards your home.

"Sounds cool to me."





Rainbow Dash lies in her bed, staring at the ceiling of her room, watching the clock turn from 12:59 to 1:00 AM. The snow still gently falls outside as she stares at the bracelet on her hoof. The room is completely silent, as she lies still and alone, remembering the awesome time that she spent today with Anon. She closes her eyes, grabbing one of her extra pillows and pulling it in close to her. The pegasus sighs, clutching the pillow tightly and resting her head on top of it.

"Just pretend..." she mutters.

She keeps her eyes closed, trying to clear her mind of the nagging thoughts that keep her awake. The imaginary scenarios. The what-ifs. The things that could have been said differently. But it's fruitless.

The thoughts might as well be minor kicks to the butterflies in her stomach.

It hurt to think.

She rolls onto her back and stares at the ceiling again, trying to find the answers etched in the ceiling's molding. She groans under her breath, slowly building up into a roar.

"WHY IS HE SO DUMB?!"
> Courage
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Taking a deep breath, you look into the mirror at yourself. A million thoughts cross your mind as you look yourself up and down. 

'I'm not that bad of a guy... At least, I don't think. I keep myself clean. I've got my life under control. Well, as under control as I can be in a foreign land.' you think to yourself.

You turn from the mirror to look around your bathroom. Stepping into the hallway, you look through the rest of your home. Things surround you. So many things. Books, furniture, electronics, decorations, sports equipment. But it's all just things.

And things can't love you. Things can't make you feel special. They just give you the mild feeling of accomplishment, for a while. 

You shake your head, trying to get a grip on yourself. You can't afford to think like that. Someone, or somepony, will surely love you in this world. You know it. It's just going to take time, effort, and patience.

Laying down on your couch, you stare at the molding on the ceiling, counting the impossibly large number of cracks and bumps.

'Except, that fact doesn't stop me from feeling lonely.'

You growl under your breath, rising to your feet. That's it. This is it. You can't take it anymore. It's time to do something about this horrible feeling in your gut. It's time to confess your feelings to Applejack.

It's now or never. You can't take the constant torture of this unresolved war in your chest. Every day it's the same battle, morning until night, wondering if she'll ever return your feelings, wondering if you'll ever have the chance to hold her in your arms. 

You push open the door to your home and set down the path, forming the right words in your head. You feel your muscles ache. Your brain screams that this is the wrong move. But your heart is tired. Your body is tired. Everything about you is tired. So what if she says no? It's better than spending the rest of your life wondering.

"Applejack, I like you, and I wanted to know if you wanted to go on a date with me sometime?" you say to yourself. 

See? Just like that. Perfect.

"Hey! Anon!" calls a familiar voice.

With a flash of light, a familiar blue pegasus swoops down and flies beside you as you move towards Sweet Apple Acres.

"Hey Dash," you say flatly.

"What's up?" she asks. "Where's the fire?"

"I've got something important to do. I've waited far too long to do something and I'm just going to do it."

Rainbow Dash flutters down and trots beside you as you keep up your pace.

"That's the spirit, Anon!" she says to you. 

You look down to her with a smile.

"Yeah? Even if what I'm doing is a bit impulsive?"

Rainbow scoffs and rolls her eyes.

"Anon, impulsive is my middle name! Rainbow Impulsive Dash. If there's something you need to do and you can feel deep within your heart that it's the right thing to do, screw the consequences. Just do what feels right."

You snicker to yourself and nod to her.

"Right," you say. "You're totally right."

She lifts her head up high and struts beside you, her eyes closed and full of smug pride.

"Of course, I am! Aren't I always?"

You focus straight ahead, keeping pace as Sweet Apple Acres looms in the distance.

"Well, Champ. Do you need any moral support? Or do you think you got this by the tail?" she asks.

You pause, staring forward towards the orchard. Just now a sinking feeling begins to boil in your stomach. Maybe this isn't the right thing to do. Maybe you should just head home and wait for the right time. Timing is usually what this game is all about, right?

"I, uh. I dunno."

"You dunno?" she asks, looking up at you. "Hey now. Where is that determined Anon that I know and-"

She pauses, her gaze blank.

"Appreciate," she concludes.

"I just. Ugh. I dunno. I'm getting second thoughts."

"Ohhh! I see how it is. Well, no way I'm going to let that happen. You knew exactly what you wanted a second ago. Keep on pushing. You gotta work and fight for the things you want in life, Anon," she says. "So are you going to lead the way, or what?"

You look down to Rainbow Dash as she shoots you another smug look. She holds out a hoof to you. And with that, you feel calmer. You feel more confident. A surge of power runs through your veins as you stand up straight. You ball your hand into a fist and bump her hoof.

"Hell yeah, let's do this."

You set off at a jog and Rainbow trots behind you as you pass the gates of Sweet Apple Acres. Then you see her, bucking trees in the orchard.

The sun is shining on her just right. Her body glistens in a hard day's sweat. Her muscles flex. Her joints pivot. She moves with an aura of grace and power as her hind legs collide with a tree and it's fruit fall to the ground. She smiles as she watches the fruit fall into her cart in a nice, even pattern. 

'You shouldn't hit on a girl at work,' your mind screams.

'Her life is her work,' your heart replies. 'There's no time like the present.'

"I'll be right back," you say to Rainbow.

"I'll be right here," the pegasus says with a smile.

You walk toward Applejack, a slick coating of sweat running down the back of your palms. You take a deep breath and hold it. Her expression moves to meet you. Her proud smile falters. You exhale, feeling some of your confidence drain.

"Hey, Applejack," you say, your voice cracking.

Damn it, Anon. Get your shit together.

"Howdy, Anon," Applejack says, turning back to work. "What can I do ya fer?"

You glance back at Rainbow Dash, and she stares at you with a confused expression. You'd think she would have found out by now about your feelings. No. She had to have known. Or else she wouldn't have been supportive of you on the way over here. You take a deep breath, then turn back to the earth pony.

"Listen, can we... talk?" you ask.

"I reckon so," she replies. "We're talking right now, ain't we?"

"Yeah. Just," you groan under your breath. "I just wanted to ask you something?"

Applejack stops and a quiet moment hangs in the air. She stares at her cart of apples for a moment before turning and walking to you.

"Yeah, Anon?" she asks.

"I just. Uhm," you say, your tongue failing you. "I just. Listen. I like you. Okay? And I wanted to know if you'd like to go out on a date with me?"

The words came out way too fast. The words echo throughout the orchard. Then, silence. A gentle breeze rustles the leaves in the trees.

"Wow, Anon. Uhm," Applejack says, her eyes moving to the ground. "I, uh. I don't know what to say."

"That's fine!" you say, instantly out of reflex. Your head turns to your friend Rainbow, and she stares on, stock still.

"Listen, Anon. I think yer really nice and all. Really. But, uhm. I don't really-"

She looks up to you, a sort of pleading look in her eye. Your legs feel rooted to the spot. A pane of glass rises up into your chest. 

"I only really see you as a friend, Anon. I'm sorry," Applejack says.

The glass spins wildly, it's edges tearing and cutting you deep inside. You exhale, looking away from her.

"I really hope that doesn't change anything... I mean. I hope we can still be friends."

"Yeah, sure," you say weakly.

"It just... It wouldn't be fair to ya if I said yes and-"

"No, I get it. Really," you say. 

You feel as if your skin is coated in dirt. You feel the ground beneath you crumble. You take one step away from her.

"Listen, I'll see you around, alright? See ya later," you say without waiting for a response.

"Uh, sure. See ya, Anon," Applejack says, her voice filled with concern.

You take step after unsure step away from Applejack and head towards your best friend. She remains rooted to the spot as you approach her. You hear the squeaky wheels of the cart turn as Applejack leaves, and once you reach your friend, you stop.

"Well. I did it, I guess," you say.

She stares up at you, her mouth agape, wings folded. Her tail sags and limply sways with the wind.

"Yeah, you did," she says. "Uhm. Listen, I think I have someplace to be, Anon. I'll see you later."

Before you can respond, she flaps her wings and takes into the air. You open your mouth, but nothing comes out. Instead you find yourself alone in a sea of apple trees.

You raise your hand to the back of your head, and rub the back of your neck, when you feel a raindrop on the back of your palm. You retract your hand to examine it, then look to the sky, where there isn't a single cloud in the sky.
> Alcohol
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	One bubble. Two bubbles. Three. The cider gently carbonates in front of you as mild chatter fills the Ponyville bar. A stallion stands behind the counter, getting waved down by mares with their money out. You place a hand on your mug, then let go, instead choosing to stare at the Golden-amber liquid for awhile longer.

You sigh to yourself, wishing there were some way to pull all of your thoughts together. Applejack turned you down. That's it. That's what's important. It's time to move on. That's all there is to it.

Except when you close your eyes, you see the uncomfortable look she gave you. And you feel sick to your stomach. You can't help but mentally kick yourself.

Like seriously. You gave her an expensive necklace for Christmas. Or at least. Tried. What were you even thinking? You hardly knew her. You've only heard passing thoughts about her, let alone held a lengthy conversation. You should have known.

But none of that makes it any easier. Instead, you end up looking inward to yourself and find more ways to rub salt in the wound.

If all of that was true, and you still went after her anyway... What does that say about you? That you only look skin deep for romance? Was it even love at all? Maybe you just wanted her for her body.

Now you place your hand on the drink.

'Go ahead, drink,' you tell yourself. 'It's just the kind of thing someone as disgusting as you would do.'

You pause, releasing the mug once again.

'Clearly I'm not right in the head. I shouldn't be drinking.'

You rest your head on the bar, and cover your face with your arms.

"Drunk already?" asks a familiar voice.

"Haven't touched a drop."

You raise your head, mildly ashamed at yourself as your best friend pulls up a seat beside you. She looks away from you, down into the bar.

"So what brings you out to drink on a Tuesday night? Don't you have work tomorrow?" you ask, looking to your drink.

"Nah," she ways flatly, throwing two bits on the bar. "I called out sick tomorrow. I think I'm coming down with something. What's your excuse?"

You look to her as she casts you an idle glance.

"I guess I could say the same thing. Just not feeling right. A mental health day, I guess."

"Makes sense to me," she says as the bartender places a frothing cider in front of her. "Working out tomorrow?"

"I dunno," you say. "We'll see."

A silence falls between the two of you as Rainbow stares into her own drink.

"So, what's got you down?" you ask. "I know you aren't getting sick. You're the type of mare to go and work even when they are sick, and make themselves even more miserable."

Rainbow gives you a glance, revealing a weak smile. She sighs to herself before taking a drink of her cider.

"Heh, yeah. I suppose you're right. I never quite know when to give up, huh?" she says.

"To a fault," you say. "So, what's on your mind."

She stares into her drink, watching the bubbles rise to the surface.

"It's not really important. When I compare it to what happened to you today, anyway."

You feel the breath taken from your lungs as the bitter reality settles back in. For awhile, you were able to forget about... Well. That.

"Right."

"So, what's on your mind?" she says. "It's better if you let it out."

"I dunno. I- I guess I just feel stupid. I mean I should have seen the signs a bit clearer. Now I just feel like an asshole."

Rainbow raises her head and turns to you. Then she turns back in her stool.

"That AJ didn't like you?"

"Yeah."

"Right," she says, taking another gulp of her drink.

"I feel like I should have just... I dunno."

Now you raise your drink to your mouth and drink heartily. The cool refreshing cider trickles down your throat as you lower the glass.

"Done what?" Rainbow asks. "You can't force somepony to like you, Anon."

"I know. I know. Just."

You look back down to your drink.

"Listen. I get it. I know what you're going through," she says. "But you know it's not the end, right?"

"Yeah. Yeah. Other fish in the sea, and all that jazz, right?"

"I'm serious, Anon," Rainbow says, slamming her hoof to the bar. "There are mares out there that would kill to have a stallion like you."

You turn to her and stare deep into her rose-colored eyes. She glares at you, forcing you to shrink in your seat a little bit.

"So don't you dare second guess yourself or beat yourself up. Cause the Anon I know is pretty darn awesome."

She turns away from you and places a hoof back on her mug. She sighs, shaking her head.

"My bad. That... That wasn't what you needed. I'm-"

"No, it's fine. Really," you say. "I think I kinda needed to hear that."

You down the rest of your drink and push the glass in front of you. 

"You're pretty awesome, Dash. You know that?"

She downs the rest of her drink and pushes the glass in front of her as well.

"I try to be," she says.

"Well, you succeed."

Her ears twitch and she looks away from you towards the bartender. He trots over to the two of you, placing his hooves on the bar.

"Well, what can I get the cute couple?" he asks.

Both of you reflexively raise a hoof.

"No, we're-"

"We're totally not-"

The bartender laughs to himself before waving a hoof.

"I know, I know. I do it to everypony. Now then, how about another round of cider?"

You look to Rainbow, who looks to you.

"Sure, why not?" you reply. "The night is young."
> Cinnamon Apples
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Two ciders slosh in front of you and Dash, and you hand the bartender a handful of bits to compensate him. 

"Thanks, man."

"No problem," he curtly replies before heading off to other patrons.

"So, what are you going to do now?" Dash asks before taking a sip of her drink.

"Well, first, I'm going to take a drink of this cider," you say before taking a long drink. However, the humor seems lost on her.

"That's not what I mean. What are you going to do now that, well."

You sigh to yourself and look upward to the ceiling. Honestly, you hadn't thought this far just yet. You were so concerned with feeling sorry for yourself that you hadn't thought about what productive next steps would be.

"Well, I'll probably focus on me now, I guess. Workout more. Try new foods. Read more books."

You smile and nudge Rainbow in the wing.

"And of course, be a thorn in my friend’s sides." 

Rainbow smiles and raises her drink towards you at that, before taking another large drink. 

"I think that's smart," she says. "Sounds like you got this under control. Just be sure to stay away from ice cream. That's always my downfall after things like this."

You turn to look at Rainbow for a second as she sips her drink. 

Wait a second. Wait just one second. Rainbow's never talked about a romantic interest before. You always thought she was 'too cool' for relationships or something like that. Or she was always so busy doing Element of Harmony things or wonderbolting... or whatever the act of being in the wonderbolts is, that she wouldn't have time for a special somepony. And now she's saying that she eats ice cream when she's let down? Which... implies it's happened multiple times?

She looks towards you, studying your expression.

"What?"

"You've just never talked about romance before," you say. "I'm a little surprised."

"Yeah. I have," she says to you. "I had to."

"Not really. Come on, spill it."

She shakes her head and looks to her drink.

"Heh, I'm sure you don't want to hear the gory details of all that. Besides, it was never anything serious. Idle things here and there. I haven't dated anypony in a long time," she says.

You playfully move your head down to her eye level. She looks over at you, confused.

"Come ooon."

"What?" she says.

You move your head a bit closer.

"Come ooonnnn."

"What? No. It's dumb."

You move in closer.

"Comeooooonnnnnnnn."

Rainbow Dash blushes and moves her head away from you.

"Fine. Fine, sheesh!"

She smiles to herself as she takes another sip.

"There was this one guy, back in flight school," she says. "He was smart. Funny. Heh, kind of a dork. But it just seemed like he never noticed me. I tried everything I could think of to show him I was interested. I did cool tricks. Beat training records. But he just... didn't see it."

She frowns to herself before taking a drink.

"That always seems to be my problem. I can't just... tell somepony how I feel. I guess I just feel weak whenever I open up about my feelings," she goes on. "Not like you. You set your mind to what you wanted and... just did it."

Rainbow looks down into her drink, frowning to herself.

"You seem to open up to me just fine," you say to her with a smile.

Dash stares into her drink, watching the bubbles rise to the surface.

"I suppose."

"It's all about timing, Dash," you say to her. "It really is. I'm sure you'll find somepony. And I'll find somepony too."

She smiles and looks over to you with a crude smile.

"Is this where we do one of those 'if we can't find someone in ten years, we'll meet back here at this same spot and start dating'?" she asks.

You laugh to yourself, covering your face with your hand.

"Oh god. That's a new level of cheesy, Dash. Have you been reading Twilight's Daring Doo fanfiction again?"

Rainbow blushes and waves her hooves.

"Twilight's writing ability has nothing to do with this current conversation. So leave Daring Doo and the Unusual Quest out of this."

"Sure, Dash. Sure," you say to her.

You take a drink of your cider and find your mug empty. Dash pushes hers aside too and raises her hoof to the bartender for another round.

"So, what are you doing with your mental health day tomorrow?" you ask.

"Heh, hopefully not nursing a hangover," she says.

"No, really. If we're both playing hooky, we might as well not do it alone."

She looks up at you and there's something in her eyes that you can't place. It almost looks like... pain? That doesn't make sense. Why would she be hurting at the idea of hanging out tomorrow?

"I dunno. I just..." she says.

"Come on! It'll be a great time! It'll just be us. We can hit up a movie or something. It'll be great!"

The bartender brings over two more ciders and drops them in front of the two of you. Rainbow puts some bits on the counter and looks at the drinks carefully.

"You know what, why not?" she says. "It sounds like a good time. I think I'd like that."

"Awesome. Consider it-"

Rainbow turns to you with a wary eye.

"Done," you finish.

She looks back to her drink, silent.

"You know, Anon..." she says.

"Yeah?" you ask, taking a drink of your cider.

"I... uh," she says, but she trails off and takes another drink of her cider. "I just. Uh."

"What's up, Dash?" you ask. "Everything alright?"

She looks at you, then back to her drink.

"I, uh. I think. I think I know what this cider needs!" She waves a hoof again to the bartender. "Have you ever had a cinnamon apple before?"

You shake your head.

"I've never heard of it."

The bartender trots over to the two of you, looking to Rainbow Dash.

"Can we make these cinnamon apples?" she asks.

"Smart choice," the bartender says before pulling out a bottle of whiskey from under the counter.

With a quick motion of hooves, four shot-glasses appear on the bar and he deftly pours four shots of whiskey.

"Can you guys clear some of your glasses for me?" he asks.

You and Rainbow both comply, draining your current drinks to about two-thirds full. Then, he dumps in a shot in each, and then drops the final shot glass in each cup.

"There ya are," he says happily.

Rainbow tosses him some bits as you inspect the glass. The cider got a lot darker in color, but you can't say that it looks bad.

"Well, try it. It tastes just like apple pie. I swear," Rainbow says.

"Alright," you say, raising your glass to the air. "To playing hooky."

She raises her glass and taps it against yours. You bring the cider to your lips and taste the burning cinnamon mixed with the whiskey take effect. It mixes and compliments with the biting apple and gives it a hint of sweetness. It reminds you of the crackle of a campfire, the hint of chill in the air, and of course, the aroma and flavor of apple pie.

"This is amazing."

"Right?" Rainbow says before taking a large gulp of hers. "It's my favorite drink."

"I'm going to have to get these more often," you say to yourself.

"Hey, now that I'm thinking about it. Did I ever lend you that book?"

You turn to her curiously.

"Book? What book?"

Rainbow turns in her seat in shock.

"No way! I SWORE I leant you that book. It's great!"

"What is it?" you ask.

"Oh, it's amazing," she says, taking a deep drink. "So. There's this warrior pegasus, right? And she goes into the forest with her trusty traveling companion..."

And so, the two of you drank, talked about books, made plans for tomorrow's day off. Or, 'epic' day off as the two of you nicknamed it. That is, until last call.
> Goodnight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Alright. Last call you two. We're closing up in an hour," the bartender calls, already putting chairs upside down on their tables.

"I'll call you... something!" you slur aggressively at him.

"Nice one," Rainbow giggles.

You raise your hand up high in the air for a high five. Rainbow looks up at your hand and reaches up with all of her might to respond, but her hooves are just too short.

"Stop being taaalll!" Rainbow whines.

"Oooh shit. Hold on, hold on," you say, bringing your arm down to a more respectable chest height.

Rainbow bumps her hoof against your hand to complete the high-five.

"Yeeaahh! We did it," she says happily.

"We da bess."

"No, you da bess," she says, pointing a hoof at you and then spinning in her barstool.

You turn back to your now empty glass and look over to Rainbow's empty glass.

"Shit. Rainbow?"

"Yeh," she says, still spinning happily.

"I think... I think we had too much."

"Psh. Probably. But whooo carees?"

You stare at your glass sadly then turn to her with a scared look.

"Rainbow, this is bad," you reiterate.

She stops and places a hoof on the bar to steady herself. She clears her throat and blinks a few times.

"Why? Is everything okay?" she says, her voice serious.

"I don't think I'm safe to drive."

A silence hangs in the air as you stare at her intently. However, the alcohol betrays you. A smile creeps at the edges of your lips. Then, you snicker. Then you break into a full-fledged laugh. Rainbow shakes her head and snickers along with you.

"You really had me going, Anon."

"You should have seen the looook on your faaace," you try to say through bouts of laughter.

The bartender comes over to the two of you and glances around to the empty bar.

"Listen guys. Y'all were a joy to have tonight. Plus, you tipped great. But, you guys are waaayyy too far gone, and I have a wife at home. So, mind callin’ it a night?" he asks.

"Suuuuuurree!" you slur, swaying towards him. "I'll let you get the freak on with your gurl."

"Anoon. That's groooss," Rainbow says. "But true."

Stepping out of your seat, you manage to pull yourself together enough to get your balance. Which is more than you can say for your friend, who eases herself with a hoof then flops into a pile into the floor.

"I'mmm a puddle," Rainbow announces to the room.

"Is... she okay?" The bartender asks.

"She'll be finee," you assure the bartender. "I'll take her home. It's all good."

You bend down and take the Rainbow puddle into your arms. It might be the alcohol speaking, but she's a lot less heavy than you expected. You pull her up into your arms, like a massive, yet lightweight dog. 

"Puuut me dowwnn. Puddles aren't for carrying..." Rainbow Dash protests, flailing against your grasp. However, her drunken pushes only amount to light bops against your chest.

"No. Rainbow. You are drunk. You cannot do the walking. Thanks again, barkeep. We'll get out of your hair."

"Thanks guys. Get home safe."

"But I am the best at walking," she mutters to herself.

You make your way out of the bar and out into the cool night air. The moon sheds it's natural light over the town of Ponyville, illuminating the empty street. Most of the lights in the nearby houses have already turned out, ready for tomorrow's day of hard work.

"Alright Dash, I'mma get you home."

"Nooo, I don't wannnaaa."

"No, Dash," you say, taking a fatherly tone. "You're drunk. I gotta get you home."

Rainbow groans, but rests her head against your chest.

"Fine. Wake me up when we get there."

Without a further need for instruction, you set off towards Dash's home. Your motions are automatic and your feet set themselves on autopilot as you trek towards Rainbow's home. Your eyes glance around at the rare scene of Ponyville at night, and you can't help but smile. The town is tranquil and quiet. It's one of the nice things about living in a smaller town as opposed to a big city. Your gaze moves upward and you're able to feast your eyes on the multitude of stars in the night's sky. 

"Hey Dash, look at the stars."

She groans lightly, but doesn't move in your arms.

"Hey, butthead. I said-" but as you look down at your friend, you notice her eyes are closed, and her breathing is quiet and measured. Her right ear twitches, and she rests quietly in your arms. "Heh. I'll tell you about it tomorrow."

Her ear wiggles and you can't help but notice how peaceful and tranquil she looks. Her hooves grip tightly around your arm. For stability, of course. In addition, she keeps herself close to your chest in the night air, to sap your body of its precious warmth. Silly pony. Get your own warmth.

Clearly it can't be helped. You look up to the meadow in front of you where Dash usually takes off to her home.

Wait. Takes off. Like flying.

You look up to the sky, where Rainbow Dash's house is.

"Fuck, she lives in a goddamn cloud."

Looking back down to the pony in your arms, you wonder how in the world you're going to get her home.

"Hey. Heeey. Dash. Dashie. Dursh. Wake up."

You gently bob her up and down in your arms to try to shake her.

"Sleepyhead. Wake up."

She groans, but turns her head and nuzzles back into your arm.

"No. Don't go to sleep! That's the opposite of waking up."

Looking around at the world around you, you look for anyone who could be looking on at the awkward display. Lucky for you, it's 12:30 at night and everyone's asleep.

"Dash. I can't fly. Go home," you say to the sleeping pony in your arms, but she doesn't budge. "What am I going to do? Take you to my place? Do you know how weird that would look?"

Dash still remains quiet. You take one more glance around, hoping nopony has suddenly appeared and is going to laugh at your ineptitude. 

"Fine. You know what? I'm too tired for this. I'm taking you home, and you'll never live this down."

Your feet set off once again. Now, your eyelids feel heavy under the pressure of a long day and a little too much alcohol for your liking. Dash gently snores in your arms as you struggle to get your keys out of your pocket and enter your home.

Once you get inside, you close the door behind you and lock it.

"Alright, Dash. I'm gonna give you the couch. Gimme a sec."

You head to the couch and ease her down onto the sofa. She sprawls out on the couch and rests her head against one of the arms of the couch. It'll probably be cold out here on the couch. You probably should get a blanket or something. You move upstairs to the closet in your bedroom and try to dig through the massive mess of clutter to find an extra blanket. You push away button down clothes, failed experiments of suits from Rarity, and various sports equipment, when you hear the squeak of your bed behind you. You turn around reflexively, and see Rainbow tucked under the covers of your bed.

"Hey! Hey. That's mine. No. That's where I sleep," you say to her.

But, the snoring continues, as you run a hand over your face.

"Fine, you want me to make this weird? Because I'll make it weird. I'm the king of weird."

You head over to the bed and pull away some of the covers.

"I'm getting in. Scoot over."

To your surprise, she does. You pause, realizing you had lost this game of chicken before you even began to play. Rainbow is drunk. Her faculties aren't right. She'd probably do whatever someone told her to do. You sigh to yourself and pull the covers back.

"Fine, alright. Whatever. But I'm not sleeping on the couch."

You lay on the bed over the covers allowing her to lie underneath. You roll yourself onto your side, facing the wall and away from her. 

"Night, Dash," you say to her.

She mutters something in her sleep. You pause, but she remains silent.

"What was that?" you ask her.

"Movie... I'll wait,” she mutters.

You shake your head, looking back to the wall. The poor thing's so out of it she's thinking of the movie tomorrow already. Oh well. You might as well let her sleep. Tomorrow should be fun day, barring whatever sort of hangover you'll get. Closing your eyes, sleep takes you almost instantly.
> Good Morning
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	When you open your eyes, the light stabs you in the eye sockets. You groan, feeling the dryness in your mouth. The alarm on your bedside screams at a decibel that makes your ears feel as if they're bleeding. Your stomach churns as you try to take in your surroundings.

Let's see... it's almost noon. You're home. Plus, you’re in bed. Good. You move an arm and you find yourself clothed. That’s also a good start.

Hold on. Wait a minute, what's this? This is a hoof. Why is there a hoof? You don’t have hooves. Why is it holding onto you?

Your eyes shoot open and you look down at you. A light blue hoof clings to your torso.

You look down at your clothes, then over to Rainbow Dash. Wait a second. Clothes on. Plus, pony in bed. One plus one equals...

"Oh, thank god. We didn't do it," you mutter to yourself.

You gently lift her hoof off you and head to the window, pulling the blinds, cursing Celestia's sunlight for everything it stands for. Your head screams in anger as you shuffle to the bathroom. 

God, you and Rainbow must have really drunk too much. What even happened last night? Hopefully you didn’t do anything too rough or illegal. Again. All you remember is delivering some sweet burn to the bartender last night, and you were going to hang out with Rainbow all day today. 

However, there's no sense in doing it on a empty stomach or with a massive hangover. You grab the glass that you keep by the sink in your bathroom, pour some water, and take two pony strength aspirin. Then, grabbing two more and filling the glass with water again, you take them and place them at the bedside table beside Rainbow Dash.

Then, you take a moment to look down at her. There she is, lying in your bed, snoring lightly. Her right ear twitches occasionally as she sleeps, and she might be drooling on your favorite pillow.

You know what would be great? Dumping a pail of water on her. Oh man! You'd get her so good! Oh man, it would be classic! You even have a pail downstairs that you could fill in the sink. It would mess up the mattress, but it would be totally worth it.

However, as someone currently suffering from a hangover, you'd be out for blood if that happened to you. Therefore, you'll catalogue that idea for a different day. When she’d least expect it.

Stepping away, you head downstairs and turn on your oven. You grab some eggs from the fridge and some bread from your pantry. After lightly oiling a pan and popping down some toast, you whip the eggs and dump them into the pan with some milk and cheese. The smell of breakfast fills the whole kitchen as you push the eggs around in the pan, and the toast pops up. You take the eggs off heat, pour them onto two plates, and lightly butter the toast before adding them as well.

Grabbing the two plates and a couple forks, you walk upstairs and head into your bedroom. Rainbow gently stirs from her slumber, and you move to sit on the non-pony occupied side of the bed.

Rainbow's eyes open, and a flicker of pain runs across her face as she places a hoof to her head.

"Uuugh," she says. "Stupid dream."

"Morning, Sleepyhead," you say.

Her eyes shoot open and stare directly at you. Then, she looks down to herself. Then the covers. Then to the clock. 

"I'm still not dreaming?" she asks, horrified.

"Nope," you say, holding out a plate. "Breakfast?"

She sits up in bed, holding her head with a hoof.

"Uhm, thanks. Got any aspirin?" she asks, taking the plate.

"On the table by you."

She looks to her side and takes the two aspirin before downing them with some water.

"So, uh," she says, taking a fork and dishing some food.

"Yeah?" you ask, taking a bite of your food.

"Did we... uh," she asks.

"Nah," you say. 

She lets out a sigh of relief. 

"Thank Celestia," she says to herself.

"What? Are you saying I wouldn't be good in bed?" you ask.

She looks back up at you, horrified.

"What!? I never... I- That wasn't what I-"

You laugh before waving at her.

"I'm just messing with you, Dash. Lighten up," you say.

She smiles lightly and chuckles, looking back down to her food. She digs in along with you, and soon you're taking the two empty plates away.

"How's the hangover?" you ask.

"Not the worst I've ever had. But half of it was probably the way I woke up."

You snicker to her.

"Psh, I had no idea waking up next to me was such a bad thing."

Rainbow opens her mouth to reply, but opts to not respond. Instead, she gets out of bed and follows you downstairs to help with the dishes.

"So, what do you wanna do today?" you ask, scrubbing the dishes while she rinses. "I'm up for anything."

Rainbow shrugs, stretching each of her limbs.

"Well, I wouldn't mind going on a walk. There's this movie I've kinda wanted to see, but I hate going to the theater alone. Oh! And, I need to stop at the Library to pick up a book from Twilight. She just got the most recent Daring Doo book in and she promised she'd let me read it first!"

"Hey, I like all of those ideas. We might as well do them all. It’s way better than the ideas I had for my day off."

She turns to you, giving you a smug grin.

"What? Napping and eating ice cream?"

"No, no. That's my life plan. I'm talking about my plan for today. That involved way more 'Anon Time'."

She laughs to herself, shaking her head. 

"'Anon Time' eh?" she remarks. "That's gross, Anon. Don't be gross."

"I am who I am. You cannot change someone as great as I. Give me freedom, or..." you point to a plate on Rainbow's side of the counter. "Give me that plate over there. I think I forgot to clean it a few days ago."

She hands the plate to you and you wash off the last of the dishes as she dries them.

"There! That's done. So then! How about that walk?" you ask.

"Sure, why not? Wanna go around the lake?"

"Yeah, why not? That sounds nice."

You head to the door and hold it open wide.

"After you, Mi'lady."

"I will end you," Rainbow responds, standing in place.

"Just go," you smile.

"Fine, jeez," she groans, exiting your home. You follow behind her, locking up on your way out.
> Lake
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	With a stretch of your arms, you look up to the bright blue sky above you. The sun is high and the clouds move slowly overhead. A gentle breeze rustles the leaves and cuts the hot summer air. The grass is green and Rainbow stretches her legs out one by one on the path just outside your house. 

"Well, how about a race to the lake?" you ask, focusing on your friend.

Dash scoffs, rolling her eyes at your challenge.

"Lemme guess. On the ground, so you can stand a chance, huh?” she says, shifting into her competitive spirit.

"Hey, I've come to terms that my running can't break the sound barrier, but I commend that your flying can. Instead, I’ll settle for beating you in an event I can actually participate in."

"Yeah, yeah. Excuses, excuses," she says. "If you're ready to lose, then I'm ready to run."

Dash trots out to the walking path outside your home and turns toward the lake. You follow behind her, hopping lightly to promote the blood flow to your legs. You know for sure that you're going to lose. However, Dash loves to gloat that she's better than you at cardio. Which is fine. You destroy her at weights. Nevertheless, last night she seemed really down about something. She helped you feel better, and now... it's her turn to feel better. And you’re going to do that. Whatever it takes.

"Alright. On the count of three?" you say, once you reach the path.

"You know it!"

You take a running stance similar to the ones you've seen Olympic runners take. You don't actually know if it helps, but it at very least makes you feel more legit. Then you begin the countdown.

"Three, Two, One, Go!" 

The two of you take off right at the word go and Dash takes an instant lead. You take a moment to get your momentum wound up for your two long legs to match her four short hooves. She looks straight forward, her gaze focused, and eyes on the prize. As she steadily pulls ahead, you can't help but watch her rainbow mane flow in the breeze. You pant and puff, wondering if indulging in that third slice of pizza last week was affecting your performance. She glances back at you, smiling to herself.

"Oh, what? Can't keep up, slow poke?" she teases back at you. "I didn't know I had to keep up with a foal."

"Hey! You have, like, double the legs that I do!" you call back, trying to pick up the pace. “That’s kinda cheating.”

"Which means I have to work harder! And I haven't even broken a sweat!"

She does have a point, the longer you run, the closer you have to watch your breathing. You feel the muscles in your leg begin to burn and your gasps grow louder as Rainbow begins to hum a song to herself.

"Isn't this a nice stroll, Anon?"

"Salt..." you call out to her between desperate pants for air.  "In wound." 

As the two of you sprint up a hill, the lake comes within view. Its waves glistening in the sun's rays. Then, right at the end of the road where the path ends and lake begins, stands a tall oak tree. The finish line approaches. It’s now or never, Anon. Time to give her a challenge.

You push everything you have into your strides, and you begin to surge past Rainbow.

"Now THIS is a race!" Rainbow calls out before picking up the pace herself.

You lean forward, pushing your stride as far as possible with each thrust, but Rainbow quickly pulls ahead again. As the tree draws near, you lean even farther forward in an attempt to get aerodynamic. Then, a surprise rock appears! You step on it and lose your balance. The ground quickly greets your face as you roll forward onto the grass and wind up flat on your back. 

Staring up at the leaves and the blue sky behind it, Rainbow leans over you.

"Hey, you alright?" she asks.

"Yeah. Just, trying to find my pride."

"Oh! I think you dropped that somewhere on the way here. It might a been when you-"

"Tripped. Yeah. Ha-ha. I was there," you say sarcastically.

You sit up, placing your hands on either side, and Rainbow sits down beside you, staring out across the lake. She curls her tail around her hooves and remains silent, as if deep in thought. This is the same look you saw her have last night.

"The water looks nice, huh?" you say.

"Yeah," she replies. "It's really soothing."

"Hey," you say, before putting a hand on her back. "Is everything alright?"

She looks down to the grass before saying anything. Her gaze moves back to the lake as a breeze rustles the leaves in the tree.

"No. Everything isn't all right," she says.

You sit completely up, looking over to her. Her lips flatten, as if a whole world of words lies within, and are fighting to escape, but she can't bring herself to turn the key.

"You know you can talk to me, Dash," you say. "I'm here for you."

She looks over to you, and the breeze flows through her mane. Her expression softens, then looks pained once more. Just like last night. What could be on her mind? What in the world is hurting her so much? She never seemed to let this on before.

"I know," she says. "And I will. I just... I need to find the right time. I don't know... how to say it. I don't just want to blurt out something and have it, you know. Ruin everything."

You laugh to yourself, shaking your head.

"Dash, you're worrying too much. Nothing you could say would ruin what we've got," you say with a smile. "And if you don't want to tell me, that's cool.” 

Silence fills the air as she stares at the water, unmoving.

“At least tell me one thing,” you say. “Is there anything I can do to make you feel better? Anything to take the edge off the pain?" 

She looks back to you, then smiles.

"Nah. I don't think it quite works that way, Anon. But... thanks."

You smile and rustle her mane.

"Anytime, bro."

She looks back towards you before you look out to the lake, watching as the water creates little white caps with the breeze. Silence fills the air as she looks back out over the lake and rests her tail against your leg.

> Theater
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	You should say something. Anything.

While the silence was calming at first, now you're beginning to become legitimately concerned. You and Dash have just been sitting here. Alone. Under the shade of the old oak tree.

Sure, it's nice. Sure, it's peaceful. But, she won't... Say anything. Normally she has some sort of joke to crack. Some story to tell. Some book to talk about. Instead, she's silent, simply staring out at the water.

This isn't right. Something's definitely broken in Rainbow.

"Hey, didn't you say you wanted to go to a movie?" you ask.

Except, she remains silent, lost in thought. You take a moment to look over her form. Her strong, sleek wings. Her rainbow colored mane and tail. Moreover, those rose-eyes of hers, usually bouncy and full of excitement, are now dull and distant. This isn’t like her.

"Dash?" you ask.

Her ears perk, and her body shudders.

"Huh? I'm sorry. Yeah. I totally agree."

You cast her an odd look as she sheepishly stares back at you.

"How's that other planet you were on? Did you get lost?" you say, trying to keep the tone light and happy.

"Yeah. My map was made by a human who couldn't draw. Thanks for that," she says.

"Dammit Rainbow, I'm a human, not a cartographer."

Her head tilts and her ears twitch in confusion.

"Oh, uh. Human reference," you say. "Never mind. I wanted to see if you wanted to check out that movie."

Dash's eyes grow wide as she looks to the sun to get a bearing on the time.

"Anon, how long did we just sit here?"  she asks. "Please don't tell me we were here for an hour."

You shrug your shoulders.

"I dunno. Something like that."

She rises to her hooves and shoots you a look of frustration.

"Why didn't you say something then? Ugh.  You were probably bored out of your mind."

"Not really. It's kinda nice to watch you think."

She opens her mouth to speak, but her face grows flush. Her gaze looks away as she moves toward the tree, inspecting its bark with what seems to be a scientist's dedication.

"You don't mean that," she says.

"Kinda," you add. "It's easy to lose track of time around you. It's nice."

She remains quiet, focused on the tree. As if waiting for you to fill the silence.

"Uh, it's why I like hanging out with you. You're my best friend. You know?"

She raises her head, before turning back to you.

"Yeah. I know," she says with a sigh. "Can we go see that movie?"

"Yeah, of course. Consider it on me."

You rise to your feet and Rainbow moves beside you. Taking the path into town isn't a terribly long walk, but it feels extra long today, for some reason.

Something still seems wrong with Rainbow, and you can't quite put your finger on it. The best thing to do is probably distract her to loosen her up. Then, if she wants, you'll listen.

"So, what are we seeing?" you ask, trying to make conversation. "Something full of action? Is it another Daring Doo movie? You already know that the book will be better."

Rainbow smiles to herself and shakes her head.

"Heh, actually no. What we're going to see is a bit of a... well. Guilty pleasure of mine," she says.

"Really? what's that?" 





"A rom-com. We're going to see a rom-com, Dash?" you ask. "Are you feeling okay?"

"What's wrong with romantic comedy?" Dash asks you. "I think they're funny. And it's nice to see everything turn out alright in the end."

"Yeah, I guess so. But, doesn't that seem... unrealistic to you? I mean. That's not how life works. You can't just 'hope' that everything will turn out alright and then have someone magically love-"

Rainbow Dash shoots you a dirty glare.

"Er, uh. Except that’s what I totally… uh. Right. Yeah. I-I'll shut up and get the tickets."

The two of you walk up to the ticket counter where the teen mare greets the two of you happily.

"Two for 'A Spell of Passion' please," you ask.

The mare behind the counter lights up, giddily reeling off the two tickets.

"Oh! That one will be perfect for your date. It's so romantic! The dialogue just melted my heart-"

"Er. It's not a date," you say to the mare behind the counter, looking to Rainbow, her face a shade of pure crimson. 

All you can do is sigh at how often this mistake has been made lately. Do the two of you really seem that close? That compatible? Psh. Imagine. You and Dash being romantic. Now that would be good for a laugh. 

Poor thing. She must be embarrassed half to death with all the ponies thinking the two of you are 'together'. You can totally see why she wouldn't want to go to see the movie alone. Could you imagine going to see a sappy romance film all alone? How sad would that look? Thank goodness she’s got someone like you that’s close enough to her to go to a sappy romance movie and not make it weird.

Tickets and currency exchange hands, then the two of you head inside. After the obligatory purchase of popcorn and drinks, the two of you find yourselves dead center in the quiet movie theater.

"Packed house," you remark.

"Well, it is a work day."

"Oh, right. Yeah. Still though. This should be nice."

"Yeah," Dash says, tossing a kernel of popped corn into the air, before it lands on her nose and bounces to the floor. "Shoot."

You take a kernel and hold it up to aim.

"Open your mouth," you say with a smile. "You must redeem your honor."

She looks to you and opens her mouth widely. You toss the kernel and she catches it in her mouth with ease.

"Nailed it," you say happily.

She makes a quiet gleeful squeal, pumping her hoof in the process. Then, she seems to become all too aware of how little the accomplishment actually was.

"You're spreading the dork to me. What have you done?" she says, sinking back into her chair.

You snicker to yourself.

"Call it what you want, dork. But I think others would just think it's cute," you say, before popping a few kernels of your own into her mouth.

She remains silent, but as you look to her, she simply smiles to herself and stares at her hooves. Then, she sits back in her chair, leaning against the armrest, her head resting against your arm.

"Uh, do you need me to move?" you ask.

"No. You're my pillow now. Don't move," she says, flatly.

"But-"

"No, you can't fight it. It's done."

The lights ease down in the theater as you hear the movie projector wind up.

"O-okay."
> Book
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The stallion on screen approaches the mare carefully. She remains silent, staring into the distance, a single tear running down her cheek. You remain transfixed on the movie screen, as you feel Rainbow lean her weight against you.

"I just. I can't keep lying to myself anymore," he says. "I need you. I need you like the plants need sunlight. I need you like the fish need water. I need you like the birds need the open sky to feel free and alive."

You reach down into your popcorn bucket and scramble a few kernels out of the bottom.

"Without you in my life, Fall, I feel dead inside."

"My god this is cheesy," you mutter.

Rainbow harshly shushes you as you watch the screen, shaking your head.

"Fall, what I'm trying to say is... I love you. And I can't take the idea of going on without you. But if you don't feel the same way... I'll go," he says.

Silence fills the theater as the music drops. The mare turns her head to him, and looks him deep into the eyes. Her expression is troubled as her eyes move to the ground. The stallion's face grows pale as he moves to the side.

"I see. I get it. I won't bother you anymore," he says, before turning away.

He walks away, each step dragging the other forward unwillingly, pain steeped into every muscle of his broken frame.

"Lance, no," she says aloud. "I love you too! And if you leave... I'll spend every evening wondering what it would have been like if I spent it with you."

The stallion pauses and turns his head to her, his body silhouetted by the setting sun.

"You... really mean it?" he asks.

"Duh," you whisper. "Everyone loves a happy ending."

Rainbow shushes you harder and bumps your elbow. Taking the hint, you shut your trap.

"Of course," she says. "I've known even longer than you have. I've loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you."

You bite your lip at the cheesy line, but look down to Rainbow, who has a single tear running down her face. Oh man, she must be really, really into this. You had no idea she was into romance movies. You always took her to be action and violence all the time. Or suspense filled thrillers, or something.

The stallion leans in, and the mare moves in closer. Their lips connect, and the music swells back in again as the two lovers passionately kiss. the movie fades to black as the credits began to roll on screen. Rainbow sniffs her nose and leans up.

"I take it you liked it?" you ask her.

"It was a stupid movie," she says. "Why couldn't they just figure it out sooner?"

You snicker and shake your head.

"That's what makes it entertaining, Dash. The chase. The thrill. Will they? Won't they? The writers do everything in their power to make it look as bleak as possible, then boom! Magic happy ending out of nowhere."

"Well, yeah," she says. "But it doesn't make it any easier."

With a smile, you bump her leg with yours.

"Well Rainbow Dash. Look at you. Who would have thought you'd be such a hopeless romantic?" you say. "Be careful. That's a one-way trip to tubs of ice-cream and candles."

"Hey, what's wrong with ice cream?" she says, somewhat hurt. "It's, like, my favorite food."

"Well, wanna get some then?" you ask, "It is almost dinner time."

"Nah," she says to herself, looking away. "I'd rather, er. Get that book from Twilight. Then, maybe grab dinner? After that... we'll see what happens."

You shrug your shoulders.

"Sounds fine to me. Honestly? I'm kinda doin' whatever you wanna do."

"Then let's get a move on," she says, rising from her seat. "We're losing daylight."

And once you exit the movie theater, you realize how right she is. The day is going by way quicker than you realized. Such is life when you wake up late. Nevertheless, that said, you haven't slept that well in quite a while. You hope that it wasn't the booze. If booze is what it'll take to help you sleep easier at night, you better take a serious look at the direction your life is heading.

"So, we're grabbing that new Daring Doo book, right?" you ask. "What number is this? Like, nine?"

"It depends on who you ask. Some ponies don't believe that some of the books are part of the series, or are just one-offs from the main story arc. Heh. Little do they know they're... well. That's a story for another day," she says with a smile.

You nod, not understanding, but trying your best impression at understanding.

"I'm going to have to borrow that book off you one of these days. You give it such a high recommendation, it's like you're personally invested in the story or something."

She smiles as the two of you walk along in Ponyville towards Twilight's Castle. Once the two of you reach it's gates, you give three hard knocks on the door. Soon, the door opens wide and a tiny dragon wearing a pink apron stands on the other side, staring up at you.

"Heya, Anon. Heya, Rainbow. What's up?" Spike asks.

"I'm here to get the Daring Doo book from Twilight. Mind if we come in?"

"No, not at all!" he says, motioning the two of you inside. "Twilight's just in the Library if you wanna-"

"This'll take just a sec," Dash says to you, before flying off in a blur of rainbow colors.

"Uh, alright."

You look down to the purple dragon, who looks back up at you, surprised. You give him a shrug of your shoulders, and he responds.

"Ponies, am I right?" you say to him.

"You can say that again," he says, turning back to the kitchen. "That's why I'm reading up on them. It's so hard to tell what they're thinking."

"Oh?" you ask. "What book?"

"Oh," he says, putting on a cool and suave voice. "Just a little something I snuck out of Twilight's private collection. 'Learning to Read Love: How to pick up clues that somepony likes you.' I just recently finished it and I've learned so much already! I can't wait to see if I can use some of the things I read about on R-"

Spike pauses mid-sentence, then freezes in place.

"Uh. I mean. Teaching... other ponies... the tricks?" 

You do your best to let Spike think that his crush on Rarity isn't completely obvious.

"Really? Like what?" you ask. 

"Oh, you know, little things. I could let you borrow it if you want. But, don't keep it too long. Twilight doesn't usually read it often, but she tends to keep pretty close inventory of the books she leaves under her bed, for some weird reason."

You place your hand on your mouth, trying to hold in a laugh.

"Sure thing, Spike. I'll come back and hit you up some time. Sound cool?" you say.

"Not a problem! It's the least I can do after what happened with Appleja-"

He pauses again. You feel as if the ground gave away under your feet.

"Anon, I'm so sorry," he says.

"You know?" you ask.

"Uhm," he says. "The word spread... fast?"

You nod to yourself. Of course. That makes sense. Elements of Harmony and all of that jazz. Of course they'd all talk to each other. This is their base of operations, so...

"It's alright, don't worry about it," you tell him.

With a poof, Dash is back beside you, catching her breath.

"Don't worry about what?" Rainbow asks, now with a saddlebag around her.

"Oh, nothing!" you and Spike say in unison.

She looks from you, to Spike, then back to you.

"Got the book?" you ask.

"Yep! So, how about dinner?" she asks.

"Sounds good to me," you say. "Thanks for the tip, Spike. I'll talk to you later."

Spike's face scrunches up as the two of you turn from him and head to the door.

Honestly, the book might not be a bad idea. If you knew something like that existed, you might have known not to waste your time fawning over Applejack for so long. However, what's done is done, and that's for another day.

As your stomach rumbles, you turn to your friend as you step outside and ask the most important question of the day.

"So, whatcha hungry for?"
> Dinner
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Rainbow Dash shrugs as the two of you walk through the streets of Ponyville.

"I dunno. I feel... kinda like treating myself. So, I mean. Not fancy, but not... you know. Hayburger."

"That sounds fine to me," you say, bringing your hand to your chin in an overly dramatic thinking gesture. "So then... Somewhere that's sit down... How about pasta?"

Rainbow smiles and waves a hoof.

"You're pushing my buttons, Anon. Pasta goes viciously against my Wonderbolt diet."

You raise your hands as if you've offended her.

"Alright, alright," you say defensively. "Somewhere that you can also get healthy food. I get it."

Rainbow shakes her head.

"No, I think pasta is going to be perfect. Lead the way," she says.

You watch the sky grows an orange-yellow hue as the sun making its way toward the horizon. Your feet lead the way to a small restaurant near the town square: 'Osteria da Giovanni'. You had no idea what it actually meant, but it sounded cool and authentic. Although, you wouldn't really know the difference between 'authentic' pony pasta cuisine and 'unauthentic' pony pasta cuisine. The point is that the place makes a great Alfredo, which is exactly what you want.

"How's this?" you ask as the two of you approach the front.

"Oh cool! I like this place. I haven't been here in awhile. Sounds perfect to me," she says.

"Alright, it's settled then," you say, reaching for the door handle.

Opening the door, you hold it open as Dash trots inside and you follow in after her. A server mare stands at a wooden podium, making notes on a small diagram of the restaurant. She raises her gaze to meet you two and smiles.

"Table for two?" she asks happily.

You raise your finger to say something, but Rainbow cuts you off.

"Yep, that's right," she says.

"Right this way," the waitress says happily. 

She takes two menus and leads the two of you toward your table. Your eyes glance around at the other patrons and tables. They seem to eye you and Dash and faintly smile. Gosh. They're probably thinking you and Dash are a couple. Moreover, it would make sense. Table for two. A nice little restaurant. You seemed to forget that they like to light candles at each table, and this is suddenly beginning to feel like a way more romantic spot than you‘d anticipated. It's probably fine though. Rainbow and you are at a level of friendship where you can go to places like this and not make it weird. This is fine.

The waitress brings you to a remote, two seat table in back of the restaurant. The table sits close to a window where the setting sun has a clear view and provides some natural light to the table. She sets down the two menus and says she'll return with some water. You and Dash take your seats and you continue to look around.

"Man, this place is a lot nicer than I remembered."

Rainbow smiled to herself, also examining the place.

"Yeah, but I like it. It's peaceful. It seems like a nice place to relax."

Silence falls between the two of you as you dip into the menus. You find what you want within seconds. Good ol' fettuccini Alfredo. You can't beat the classics, and if a restaurant can't make the classics, well, that says something.

"What are you thinking about getting?" you ask Dash.

"Hrm," she says. "I'm not sure yet. Maybe spaghetti. But, I'm thinking... uh, maybe starting with some wine?"

You raise your eyes to Dash's as focuses back down to her menu.

"Wine? Really?" you ask. "I always took you for more beer and cider."

"What's wrong with wine?" she asks. "When you're somewhere nicer, you get wine. And, I've had wine all the time at fancy Wonderbolt get togethers. Sure, it's some of that cheap box stuff, but-"

"And you have a taste in wine?" you ask, putting down your menu. "The many layers of Rainbow Dash continue to fall away. Whatever will we learn next?"

She casts you a dirty look as the server returns with two glasses of water.

"Is there anything else I can get you two?" she asks. "Soda, tea, wine?"

"I think we'll take a bottle of red wine, please," Dash says.

The server nods with a smile.

"Of course. What would you like? Cab Sauve? Merlot? Chianti?"

Rainbow stutters, then looks to you.

"Uh, the one that's red," she says.

"Whatever goes best with pasta," you smile at the waitress.

She smiles and nods to you.

"Cab Sauve it is. I'll be right back."

And, with that, the waitress trots away, leaving the two of you alone again.

Rainbow looks out the window, her expression scrunched.

"Hey, I never said I was a wine expert," Rainbow says.

"You're more of an expert than I am. You seemed to know what she was talking about. I couldn't even pronounce half of those."

"Well, we'll have to see what we get from the lottery, huh?"

The waitress soon comes back with two glasses and places them in front of you. She presents both of you the bottle's label and waits. You look to Rainbow, who seems equally unsure of how to respond.

"Yes, this is a bottle of wine," you say.

The waitress shakes her head and uncorks the bottle. She pours a small amount into the glass in front of you.

"How will this do?" she asks.

You take a sip of the wine, and suddenly realize you have no idea how to taste wine. Out of panic, you swish the wine through your teeth.

"Mmm," you say towards the waitress after you swallow. "This wine tastes a lot like grapes. Grapes with alcohol. I think it'll be fine."

She shakes her head, and then pours both of your glasses about a third full before she trots away.

"Well, that was weird," you say to Rainbow.

She smiles and shakes her head.

"Don't ever try to become high class, Anon. You'll cause riots in the streets."

"The fabric of society as we know it would become unhinged," you add, furthering the self-depreciating joke.

Rainbow downs her glass of wine and pours herself more.

"So, uhm. Anon?" she says.

"Yeah, Rainbow?"

"We've had a pretty awesome day today, right?"

"I think so. I always love to hang out with you," you say, picking back up your menu. "Hrm. I was thinking of getting the Alfredo, but now this Lasagna looks good too."

"I just," Rainbow continues. "I wanted to make sure that we had an awesome day today, because a lot's happened lately. And, usually bad things come in threes, so that means something else rough is on the way. So-"

"Oh Dash, you know that's just superstition, right?" you say. "You worry too much. Oh! Maybe I should get the ravioli..."

"Anon, you aren't listening to me," she says, her temper rising in her tone.

"Alright," you say, setting down your menu. "What's up? I'm all ears."

Rainbow sighs to herself and looks down to her plate.

"We need to talk."
> Talk
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	You stare into Rainbow's eyes. She's serious. You haven't seen her this serious before. And that pain, that hurt is welling within her eyes, her expression, the creases of her lips. This is important to her. She's finally going to talk about what's been on her mind.

"Alright. What do you wanna talk about?" you ask.

Dash sighs and takes another drink of her wine.

"I don't... I don't think I can be what you want me to be, Anon," she says.

You pause, as she she goes silent.

She cant be what you want her to be? What does she mean? You don't expect anything out of her. You don't force her to do anything. She isn't indebted to you. She's your best friend. None of this is adding up.

"I... don't think I understand," you say.

She shakes her head and drinks another gulp of wine.

"Look at me, I can't even just say it. I have to resort to alcohol," she says. "What does that say about me?"

Rainbow sighs and looks down into the white table cloth. The waitress comes by, but trots away after a quick assessment of the situation.

"I'm really not good about... talking about how I feel," she says. "I know that. And it sucks. I feel like whenever I talk about how I feel it... weakens me. So I bottle it up. Ask Twilight about how it was like for when I found out Tank hibernates. I was a mess."

She opens her mouth to speak, but the only sound that comes out of her mouth is indecision.

"It's alright," you say reassuringly. "Take your time."

She looks up to you, then back down to the table. You wish there was something you could say or do to help her through this. If you could lead her in the direction of what's hurting her... or use context clues to figure it out, maybe you can help.

"I just. I don't know... I don't know if I can be a good friend to you anymore, Anon," she says.

Something in your body phases out of you. Ice flows through your veins as you sit up straight. The room became much emptier to you. Much quieter. There was only you, Rainbow, and the gently setting sun streaming through the windows.

"I... what?" you say, totally dumbfounded. "What do you mean?"

"I just," she says. "I feel like... I want too much out of you. Things that're totally selfish of me and isn't fair to you. And every day that goes by and I don't say anything about it, or you don't do what I want you to do... it hurts me. And it shouldn't. It shouldn't hurt me. As a loyal friend, I shouldn't expect something out of you that you'd expect out of me... and that's not."

She places a hoof on her forehead. Then, she sniffles. She takes a deep breath as her body shivers. You reach your hand out to put it on her hoof. You feel the warmth of her fur as he leans backward, edging out of your reach. She looks back into your eyes, and you find her rose irises surrounded by tiny blood-shot veins, and tears.

"Sorry," she says. "I didn't want you to see me do this."

You shake your head, trying to make sense out of any of this.

"No, it's... it's fine. I'm just- I'm sorry. I don't understand. Why? I don't know where any of this is coming from."

She sighs once again.

"I'll. I'll try to spell it out. This... this is just hard for me. I've never really... done this before."

You open your mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. You want to say something. Anything that would make Rainbow feel better. Seeing her cry like this... wounds you. It hurts you in a way you didn't know you could feel pain. Seeing her like this feels like something's wrong with the natural order of things. 

"When I saw you yesterday at the bar... I didn't know what to think," she says. "I know everything that happened with AJ was rough, but I didn't think that you'd actually turn to booze over it. I wanted to walk away and let you handle your grief in your own way. Because honestly, I wasn't handling it well myself. I just..." she sighs and places a hoof over her eyes, taking away a wetness that resided there. "I didn't want you to do something you'd regret later. And it hurt to see you like that. It hurt so much. And... I thought maybe helping you with your pain would... out weigh how much it would hurt me."

"Does... Does hanging out with me hurt you?" you ask, beginning to see what she's saying.

"No!" she says reflexively. "Well, yes. No. It's hard to explain."

She sighs, shaking her head.

"That's not what I mean. I just. I wanted you to feel better. And I think I did that. I wanted to make your world a nicer, better place. I wanted you to have good things. Great things. And I just. I'm not..."

She begins to quiver in her chair as she covers her face in her hooves. You rise from your seat and move around the table beside her. You feel the eyes of the restaurant locked on you, but you don't care. You kneel beside Rainbow Dash and wrap your arms around her. You feel your shirt become damp. You feel her shake into your grasp.

"I can't. I can't do this. I can't hurt like this anymore. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

You sigh to yourself, feeling there's only one thing you can say.

"Rainbow, if it's what will make you happier. Do what you need to do."

Then, she breaks away.

She shakes her head as you let your arms hang limply at her side.

"I can't do this to myself," she says under her breath.

She looks back to you, less than two feet away from your face. You look into her eyes, and see all of her hurt that she keeps bottled within herself.

"Can you just... do one last thing for me?" she asks. "Then I'll go. I'll make it a clean break. You won't see me again. I'll make it easier for you."

You bite your lip and nod.

"Whatever you want, Dash. Whatever will make you feel better."

She looks down, and bites her lip.

"Close your eyes," she says. "Don't move. And don't follow me."

You take a deep breath and nod.

"Sure."

You close your eyes. The dark envelops you. You feel Rainbow in front of you and your ears are on full attention. You're hyper aware of the quiet conversation. The trotting hooves. The clink of silverware on plate. Then, you feel a hoof on your shoulder, likely the one of Rainbow Dash, by the way it's angled and pressing against you. You feel a warm zephyr against your cheek.

Then, something presses against your lips. You feel their warm, soft touch, press against yours. You fight to keep your eyes closed. You feel yourself tense up, utterly locked in surprised. Your voice floats away from the restaurant and out of Ponyville. She presses into you, holding the kiss for what felt like hours. And you feel yourself become warm. You lift a hand up but stop, not touching her frame. Your heart dances, but your mind screams. A war rages inside your soul as the two forces fight to the bloody death.

Then, she lets go.

And gently, you hear a whisper from an unmistakable voice.

"I love you, Anon."

Silence. Nothing.

Say something, Anon.

But you can't, the world crashes down on you. A million questions rise in your head, then fall one by one. The lake. The Christmas tree. The dance. The countless movie nights.

As long as that moment felt, as hard as you try to make sense of the conflicting war in your head, you couldn't pull yourself together.

Then, noises. Noises that imprint themselves in your mind as a horrible memory. The scooting of a chair. A whimper of her voice. The bumping of tables and chairs. The closing of the restaurant door.

Then, you open your eyes to see the setting sun in the distance. You feel the breath knocked out of you. You feel as if a dagger cleaved clean through your chest and left the remains in a landfill somewhere. Broken and dying.




Why couldn't you just... say something? Anything?





Rainbow Dash steps inside of her cloud home, tosses her bag at the door. Her hoof wipes away a dampness from her cheeks. She notices her home is dark, but opts to leave them off. She trots to the kitchen, like a wounded filly heading home to Mom and Dad. She stops in front of the refrigerator. Opens the freezer, and pulls out a tub of ice cream, unopened.
> Sleep
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	You close the door behind you when you step inside your home. It was kind of the restaurant not to charge for the wine, but it's the last thing that's on your mind.

Dash... loves you. The words weigh on you like a cross on your back. You take a deep breath, and try to breathe out your anxiety, but you aren't that lucky. You drag your feet across the floor of your home and walk upstairs. 

How could you not have seen the signs, you idiot. You could say some witty line about hindsight, but what's the point? Now she doesn't even want to be around you. Because it hurts her too much.

It makes sense, that feeling that you had towards Applejack must have been doubled inside of Dash. And then, you let her watch as you asked a different pony out. The thing she probably dreamed about was happening directly in front of her eyes like some horrific nightmare that she couldn't stop. And she still took the time to be your best friend after that.

She... did everything she could for you to be happy. But it hurt her. It hurt her that she couldn't have you.

And, you aren't sure how that makes you feel.

You have all of this knowledge and you aren't sure what to do with it. Rainbow Dash is in love with you. The words swirl through your head, but the very phrase seems... like some terrible joke. You enter your bedroom and stare directly at the bed.

A memory of Rainbow peacefully lying in bed enters your mind like an unwanted house guest. You feel as if a stab of pain rings through your chest and through your whole frame. Then, the picture exits your mind, and instead leaves unmade covers of an empty bed. And, you feel warm. Your fingers trace the side of the bed where she laid, and you feel a dull prickle run up your arm, as if your fingertips were numb and blood flow were returning to your limbs. You bite your bottom lip and turn away.

No. She loves you, and it hurts her for you to be around.

You turn away and move to the bedroom window. Outside you see the tree that's not far off from your front door. The tree Dash decorated for your Christmas. She knit you that scarf by hoof. She probably had to -learn- how to knit. How could you not see this? It's so obvious. What the fuck is wrong with you, you pathetic-

You place a hand to your forehead and shake your head.

"Being mean to myself isn't going to solve anything."

You move to your bed and lie down.

"And it won't bring her back."

You ponder over the words you just said. They came naturally. You didn't even think, you just did. Did you really want her back?

Well, of course. She's your best friend. Losing a best friend is hard on anyone. Why wouldn't it be? All you have now is the good times.

When she tried to impress you one day after walking home. Dancing with her. Letting her sleep on you at the movie theater. Laying beside each other out at the lake.

An ache forms in your chest as you roll to your side of the bed, where you woke up to see Rainbow sleeping beside you.

Suddenly, your bed feels as if it stretches for miles. Empty. Quiet. You're alone. The world is a cold, quiet, small place. And you are trapped. And you pushed away the one pony who you understood. The one pony that understood you. Who with the time flew and the two of you could accomplish anything, no matter what the difficulty. Who you could lean on through thick and thin.

You made each other happy. And you broke it apart like a child squishing a helpless ant. And the ant still tried to help the child tie his shoes.

Reaching out your hand to the empty bedside, you're greeted by nothing but cold sheets. How are you going to handle spending the rest of your days in Equestria? There's no known way back to Earth. There's not much else really here in Ponyville.

Why DID you stay in Ponyville at all?

You scoot over to the side where Rainbow laid, not wanting to see where she was anymore. Not wanting to get that peaceful, happy image of her laying beside you out of your head.

You bury your face into the pillow, and you smell something. The faint scent of blueberries. The smell of Rainbow Dash's mane conditioner. And then, you close your eyes. But not to sleep. You close your eyes, because you feel like a part of you is leaking. You're slowly breaking, oozing out the essence of who you are and who you were, steadily morphing yourself into an empty husk.

Maybe it's what you deserve.

"I wish I knew," you murmur.

Then what? What would you do with that knowledge? Are you feeling guilty because you broke her? Are you feeling bad that you hurt her feelings? Because what would be worse would be to date her just because she wants to. If your heart isn't really in it... then what sort of relationship is that? Are you really that scummy of a person? That would be an all new low for you, Anon.

Taking a deep breath, you roll over and stare at the ceiling.

Except, maybe you need to just... not think. You open your mouth and say the facts out loud.

"Rainbow is gone. And I feel broken," you pause, letting a silence hang in the air.

"I don't know what I'm going to do now... I feel like there's a hole in my chest." You pause for a moment. "My heart."

You look to the alarm clock on the bedside table. It reads 12:00 AM. 

"She's smart. Funny. Takes care of herself... and I can tell her absolutely anything."

You sit up in bed, clutching the bed sheets. You think of that kiss. You think of the way it made you feel whole. Just thinking about it makes your lips tingle. You bring a finger to your lips and furrow your brow.

"And I need her. I need her in my life."

You leap to your feet. You don't care how late it is. You don't care how much it might hurt you. You run down the stairs so fast that you almost fall down. You run to your closet and immediately find the scarf she made you, out in the open. The first thing you grab whenever it's chilly out. As if your subconscious has known all along that you were too stupid to realize.

The door slams loudly on the way out of your home. Your eyes focus on the path to Rainbow Dash's cloud home. Your legs take off as fast as they can carry you.

The fact is, this may be your one shot. And you aren't going to waste it. Even if she says no, after all the horrible things you put her through, you have to try.

Because if you don't, you know you'll regret it the rest of your life.
> Obvious
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	You see it. Her cloud home. What was the bright white and rainbow colored home of Rainbow Dash had a darker grey hue in the late moonlight. It was almost as if it were a storm cloud, ready to rain at any moment, but for now, bottling up its contents. You slow your pace and try to catch your breath. It's late. You know that. The lights are off and she's asleep. You know that.

But you have to try. You have to try something. Anything. You walk up to her home and stare at it up in the sky, wishing you would be able to sprout wings and fly up to her home and beg for her to let you in. Plead for her to let you say something... anything.

You have to do something. And, well, you haven't had a plan up till now. Why start?

You just do what feels right.

"RAINBOW!" you yell out into the night sky.

But there is no response. The house only continues to hover in air. The crickets continue to chirp. An empty feeling surges to the bottom of your stomach. What if she's asleep? What if she's not home? What if she just hates your guts for reappearing on her doorstep after everything you've done to her.

"DASH!" you call again.

Maybe you should stop. Maybe this is just making matters worse. You should handle this like a smart, rational individual, and not like some over dramatic movie. 

"Rainbow Dash!" you scream out to the cloud in the sky. "I'm an absolute idiot!"

The world is silent. The crickets stop chirping. A light breeze rustles the grass under your feet. You begin to feel as if this isn't going to work.

"I'm a big dumb idiot that... Couldn't figure out the signs!" you continue to scream out. "When I'm with you, I feel strong. I feel powerful! Like I could take on the whole of Equestria if you asked! And we would do it together and be this world's newest heroes! When I'm with you, everything just feels right!"

You feel your voice strain and you clear your throat. You listen for a moment. The house remains still, the only sound in the air being the one that the ground makes around you. You look up to the moon, grasping for something to say.

"For some reason, I just got into my mind that you didn't think of me that way! And I gave up! But, if you really want me to go, I don't know what I'm going to do without you! And not as a friend!"

You pause, staring up into the sky.

"I love you, Rainbow 'Impulsive' Dash! And I feel terrible it took me so long to realize it!"

You sniff, trying to hold back tears. The feelings surge through your chest and you feel that familiar pain from home. Heartache. You shiver in the night air, clutching to the scarf she made for you. 

The world feels as if it closes in around you. You fall to your knees, staring at the sky, tears running down your face and dropping onto the scarf that you hold. You taste a faint copper on the back of your tongue and your voice feels raw as you breathe the chilly night air. You try to muster your voice to say something to her home, but nothing seems right. All of your thoughts and feelings are caught in your throat, wadded like a knot. Suffocating you.

Say something, god dammit.

"I LOVE YOU!" you scream out, feeling your throat tear.

Then your hands fall limply to your sides. The home does not answer you. A light does not turn on. A breeze rustles the grass under you. You sniff back another set of tears.

You lost her.

She's gone.

You try to build up hope that... maybe she's just asleep. Maybe she's just not here. But, a worse feeling is clinging to you.

She's given up on you. And she doesn't want to put herself on that emotional roller coaster again. It makes sense. She's a strong pony. She knows better than to settle for someone like you. She's protecting herself from getting hurt.

No. This is right. This is what should happen. This is what you deserve. This isn't some sappy rom-com where everything gets to magically turn out right. This is real. This is what really happens when you hurt someone else. Or, somepony else.

You bring your hands to your eyes and wipe away the moisture that's there.

"So that's it?" you whisper to yourself. "This is how it ends?"

The gaping hole in your chest burns around the edges. You place a hand on the ground and push yourself to your feet. You feel unsteady, as if the very foundation you stood upon were ripped from under your feet. There's nothing left to say.

You look up to the cloud and stare for a long, hard moment.

"So, I guess this is it. Damn it," you murmur to yourself. "I just... I just hope. I hope she finds somepony that makes her happy."

Taking one step away, you keep your eyes locked on the cloud for a moment longer. Then nod towards it, as if you were saying goodbye to your best friend.

Then you turn, and walk away from-.

No. You don't walk away. You remain frozen in place. Because, when you turn, you find a sight that you did not expect. A sight that not only warms you to the core, but breaks you even further than you were before.

Rainbow Dash stands on the path, a bag from a 24-hour convenience store draped over her wing, with her eyes focused on you. Her frame is illuminated in the moonlight. Around her hoof is a rainbow bracelet. The one you gave her for Christmas together. She has a red matching scarf around her neck, just like the one she gave you for Christmas. And her eyes are overflowing with tears as she remains rooted in place. A wave of sudden questions and realizations overtakes you in a very short amount of time.

The scarf must have been a set she made for the two of you. For if, well. The two of you got together. She must wear that bracelet all the time, or at least cherish it. And... how long had she been standing there?

You take a step forward.

"How much did you-"

"Everything," she says, her voice cracking. "Every word."

Rainbow fights back sniffles as she moves forward towards you. You start with a few steps too. Then she breaks into a trot, tossing away the two new tubs of fresh ice cream in her bag. You break into a jog. Then she sprints, her wings expand and she leaps into the air. Her hooves wrap themselves around you and she tackles you to the ground, clutching tightly to you. You wrap your arms around her and hold her tightly as she shakes against your body.

She pushes herself up and looks you in the eye, the moon behind her face as she looks down at you, wearing the widest smile in the world, tears dripping down her face and onto yours.

"Rainbow, I love-" 

"Shut up," she says, and pushes her lips to yours.

You close your eyes and tangle your fingers in her mane, using your other arm to pull her in closely. She expands her wings and wraps them around your body, if only to hold you even tighter. You feel her tongue push into your mouth, and you don't fight it. Your tongue dances with hers as you begin to feel warm. That hole in your chest seems to be filled now. Or rather, it's as if the hole were never there at all. With this pony, pressing herself to you, and clutching to you tightly, you feel as if everything is as it should be.

She breaks away from the kiss and rests her forehead against yours, looking into your eyes, but refuses to let go. 

"I love you too, stupid," she says gently.

"I deserve that," you softly reply.

"Yeah, you do."

You pull her close to your face once more and plant another kiss on her lips.

"Does that do anything to make up for it?" you ask.

Rainbow giggles lightly before rubbing her nose against yours.

"Heh, maybe after a few hundred more, I'll consider it," she whispers.

"Then I better get started."

You bring your lips to hers and press your tongue into her mouth. While the cold night air freezes your skin, but you don't seem to mind. As the natural order seems to have fallen back into place. And everything seems to be right.

Dash abruptly breaks away.

"If you ever call me bro again, I will end you," she says flatly.

You stare up at her blankly.

"Got it. The word is banned. Never again."

"Good," she says. "Now then. Where were we?"

She pushes herself back into the kiss, as the crickets begin to chirp again. The world begins to feel like a wonderful place once more. And as the sun rose, the two of you simply lied in each others embrace, knowing that when the two of you would wake up, it wouldn't be due to alcohol that you were together. And, that it wouldn't have been some sort of amazing dream. No, this was real, and the two of you would be able to wake up next to each other, truly at home.
> Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, then I was like, 'If you seriously try to make the wedding rainbow colored, then I'm not letting you choose the cake.'"

"Yeeah. So, now I'm just letting Dash take a chunk of the decisions," you say, sipping a cup of tea.

You and Rainbow sit side-by-side, your arm around her on  Twilight's couch. The purple princess listens intently, twisting and turning in her seat from excitement. Spike stares off into the distance, clearly tuned out.

"It's hard to believe that it's all coming together, you know?" Dash continues. "I mean, sure, we've only dated-dated for three months or so... but everything just feels right."

"And the two of you were friends for years before you even started going out," Twilight said. "In fact, didn't I introduce you two?"

"Yeah, as I recall it," you say. "You had quite the interest in studying my anatomy."

You snicker to yourself as Dash shoots Twilight a dirty look. Twilight raises her hooves in defense.

"For SCIENCE! PURELY FOR SCIENCE. Plus, the situation changed once I realized Anon could, you know. Talk."

"Lucky I'm not a mute then. Everything woulda been completely different."

"And, well, speaking of introducing us, Twilight," Dash says. "I did... want to ask you something."

Twilight sets down her tea, her curiosity peaked.

"Of course! Anything."

You look down to Rainbow and smile brightly, she looks back up at you with a wide grin before looking back to Twilight. 

"We wanted to know if you'd like to be the best mare," Dash asks.

Twilight's eyes light up and her wings expand at full speed, knocking Spike off the couch and onto the floor.

"Oh I'd love to!" she exclaims. "Oh! Dash, we have so many things to plan. And a bachelorette party!"

You smile to yourself and shake your head.

"Hey Spike, wanna leave these mares alone so we can plan?" you ask the dragon, who's rubbing his head.

"Pleeease!" he says a bit too loudly, and earns a look of scorn from Twilight. "I-I mean. Sure! We have a bachelor party to plan anyway! I do have experience in such things."

You plant a gentle kiss on Dash's forehead and rise to your feet.

"Don't get too crazy, girls," you say on your way out the door as the baby dragon follows you into a hallway of Twilight's castle.

Once the door closes, Spike exhales loudly.

"Thank you SO much for getting me out of there. I HATE wedding planning so much. You should have seen what it was like with Cadance and Shining Armor. An utter disaster!"

"It's a little different when your wedding is the one on the line," you say to him with a chuckle. "You'll figure it out eventually."

"Speaking of figuring it out," he says, turning down a hallway toward the kitchen. "How did you figure out Dash was into you anyway? I had no idea."

You laugh to yourself, and Spike doesn't seem to appreciate your reaction.

"Why does it matter?" you ask. 

"Well, you know," he says, fiddling with his tail. "I dunno. I guess it's easy to get wrapped up thinking stupid stuff sometimes."

"Stupid stuff?" you ask, "Like what?"

Spike sighs to himself and drops his tail.

"You know. Like, if you can't figure out if somepony likes you... then you might have nopony to spend the rest of your life with, and be alone."

You reach a hand out and rustle the dragon's scales on his head.

"Honestly, buddy? I was in the same boat at one point. But I can say from experience, you don't need to worry about it."

He looks up to you, concerned.

"Not worry about it?" Spike asks. "But how will I ever find somepony special?"

You scratch the back of your head, thinking of the best way to form your thoughts into words.

"Honestly, man. Just be yourself. Do the stuff you love. Do things that make you happy. And when the time is right, someone will stumble into your life that's attracted by that happiness and who you are. Books can't tell you how to find the love of your life. But they can help teach you who you are, and how to love yourself. Life has a funny way of making romance work. It'll make a story for you that so wonderful, you'd think it was it's own movie. But you have to be patient. Trying to rush it will just make you hurt in the end."

The dragon scratches his chin, pondering your words. A silence hangs in the air as the two of you step into the kitchen.

"Honestly? I was stupid and had no idea. Dash kinda just leapt all over me."

"Gross," Spike says.

"Right?" you add as a joke. "Ponies, right?"

"Oh well, I suppose I just gotta be patient, right?" Spike says.

"Yep!" you say. "That's the moral here."

"In that case, I have one last question," Spike says, leaning against a wall. "Do you prefer a video game bachelor party, or a night of Ogres & Oubliettes?"

With a nervous chuckle, you kneel beside the dragon and give him a sinister glance.

"I got something better,"you say. "You get the guys, I'll bring the cinnamon apples."