//------------------------------//
// Silent Reflection 
// Story: Crossing Lines 
// by TheTalentlessPony 
//------------------------------//

"How's this?" Rainbow Dash asked, amused as she laid across Soarin's back while he was resting on the couch.

Soarin smirked, the positions reminiscent of how he remembered his parents would lay whenever they sat on the couch together. "Feels great... honey."

Rainbow Dash gagged, lightly ''punching'' his cheek. Soarin laughed.

"That's it. We're through," she joked, trying to sound as monotone as possible.

"Oh no," he said with mock hurt.

"Seriously, why'd I ever have to fall for a dork like you?" she asked, Soarin feeling her hooves idly prodding at his back.

"Just got lucky, I guess."

"That's lame."

"I know."

He couldn't see it, but he knew she was smiling. He relaxed, allowing her to do as she pleased, even letting out a content sound as she hit a soft spot.

"You're good at that," he sighed.

"Once you've gotten as many massages as I have, you pick up a few things," Rainbow Dash stated proudly.

Soarin snickered, but his heart was warmed by how open she was being with him, talking about things he knew she'd be embarrassed about had it been anyone else, but said so boldly with him. His favorite thing about the whole experience - aside from actually getting to date her - was probably that he kept learning more about how she ticked. Every time he thought he knew her completely, she'd come out with something new that he didn't expect. Even if it was an insecurity, he cherished every piece.

"Let me try it on you next," he offered, referring to her massage.

"You'll fail," she said smugly.

"Teach me then."

The two shared a chuckle, taking great joy in how any tension in the atmosphere just melted away from their conversation. Not that it was completely gone - Soarin knew that it would be a long while before Rainbow Dash completely let the experience go - but it was still nice to not worry as much.

Still, he felt like he was more tense about it than she was. Why was that? Was it just because he cared about her so much?

He laid his head down on his foreleg, thinking further on it. Rainbow Dash must've noticed, because her massage slowed. "What's up?"

Though he didn't want to cut through the nice vibes, he spoke up anyway, "I just think it's messed up."

"Huh?" she asked. "The prank? I guess, but it's... it's over now."

Soarin shook his head. "Nah. The Element thing."

Rainbow Dash needed a moment to understand. "My friends?"

"Yeah? No? ...Sort of?"

She shrugged it off. "They don't get me all the time, but they're still my friends."

"That's kind of what I mean." He tried his best to put it into words. "I was just thinking about that ''Element of Harmony'' stuff."

"What about it?" she questioned, curious.

"I guess it kinda makes sense, now that I think about it; how you don't get much attention for it? You were picked because it's your destiny or something, right? So maybe everypony just figures that you do it because you gotta."

"...Yeah," she answered numbly. "Huh."

She still shook her head, not fully understanding. "But what's so messed up about it?"

"Everything?" Soarin replied with a shrug. "Like, what if you didn't want to go back to them?"

"I do?" Rainbow Dash retorted, confused. "I told you, I'm going back in a few days."

Soarin met her gaze. "But what if you didn't?"

The massage stopped.

Soarin continued, "I know you're great friends, but what if you weren't? Do you just pass your element onto somepony else? 'Cause if you don't, doesn't that put Equestria in danger? You six are like, the ultimate line of defense, right?"

Rainbow Dash said nothing as Soarin tried to lay his head back down.

"I don't know. I'm glad you forgave them - I don't think I could - but it's scary, you know? Thinkin' that you're almost forced to be together..."

"...Didn't know you thought about that kind of stuff," she muttered.

"Just looking out for you as your coltfriend," he reminded her with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.

Rainbow Dash nodded, eventually tiring on massaging him and opting to lay completely against him. Soarin shifted for comfort, but otherwise didn't move.

She smiled, but in the silence of the room, she took time to reflect.