On the outskirts of Cloudsdale airspace, on one of the rogue clouds sat two young mares. The blue one with a multicoloured mane was seventeen while her yellow companion had recently turned eighteen. With that latter age and the finishing of flight school came the expectation of moving out and finding employment.
With a swish of her pink mane, the yellow filly carefully paged through a book. “Ah, there it is. Pegasus promise vows.”
The prismatic filly glanced over and scanned the page. “You think we need to do this?”
“Yes, I would like to,” Fluttershy nodded. “Um... if you want to too, of course.”
“It’s not that,” Dash gave her friend a quick kiss to the muzzle. “Don’t you think this is a bit formal?”
“Being married is a serious commitment and I thought you said you wanted to marry me when we were all grown up?”
“I still do,” affirmed Rainbow Dash. “I want ponies to know that you are mine and you wearing my feather sounds like a super cool way to let other ponies know that.”
Fluttershy smiled with delight and nudged the book closer to her companion. “Don’t worry, you can add a few words here and there to make it more... Rainbow Dash.”
“Cool.” The young speedster took a moment read carefully then turned and locked eyes with her fillyfriend. “I Rainbow Dash take you Fluttershy to be my super cool wingmate. I swear to keep my awesome self for you and you alone so that some day soon we can be married. Take this feather as a sign of my everlasting love and fidel- what?” Dash peered at the book beside the couple.
“Fidelity.” Fluttershy smiled brightly at her fillyfriend.
“Fidelity to you.” Dash reached for one of her primary feathers to give it a yank.
“No, don’t pick that one!”
“Why not?” Dash asked.
“That’s one of your primaries. The book says, only do that when you actually marry me or ponies will get the wrong idea.”
“But I want them to know you’re mine,” Dash hesitated over the primary feather.
“Yes, this will still do that. But I do also want to get married to you one day when we are all grown up.”
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. Too slow. Ah well. It would be worth it for her Fluttershy. She plucked one of her smaller feathers then reached out and carefully placed it in Fluttershy’s mane, tucked in behind her ear. Said filly flushed and went to hide behind her mane.
“No, don’t do that.” Dash blocked her companion’s retreat with a hoof. “It looks awesome on you."
“Oh.” Yellow cheeks flushed and the young mare sat up straighter.
Fluttershy shifted a bit closer till she was almost about to bump snoot to snoot with her fillyfriend. “I Fluttershy take you Rainbow Dash to be my wingmate. I promise that I will keep myself for you and you alone. Take this feather as a sign of my everlasting love and fidelity to you.” The young pegasus reached for one of her smaller feathers, plucked it clean out then reached and placed it carefully in Dash’s mane.
Dash grinned like a lovestruck idiot, “Cool! I’ll give you a hoof band as soon as I can afford one. Okay?”
“Alright.” Fluttershy smiled. She knew Dash’s parents refused to give her their family one as was tradition, so the pair had to make do with a feather as their promise for now.
A promise for the future.
An uncertain future, but one thing was certain in the two young mare’s minds.
Regardless of what comes, they would be there to face it together.
Two young mares touched down at the edge of a giant forest. In front of them was a cottage built into a massive old tree. The dwelling looked rather bare and simple.
“Don’t you think it’s a bit far from town?” Dash asked with concern, “that forest feels... I dunno. Not friendly or something.”
“I’m sure it will be fine. Being out here is quieter and I’m closer to the wild animals.”
“Right. I just don’t know how happy I am with you living so far away from anypony that can help.”
“Dashie, I just turned eighteen. I’m a mare now. My parents expect me to take care of myself. Even if it is near a big scary forest like this...” Fluttershy trailed off as she slunk into her fillyfriend’s side and under a comforting blue wing.
“Maybe I should move down here with you too. You know, keep you company,” Dash grinned as easygoing as she could and comfortingly squeezed her wingmate with her wing.
“But you don’t turn eighteen till after the holidays. So you still have to finish the school year. It’s only me till then.”
Dash sighed, “dumb school, why can’t I be eighteen too?”
“It will help you get into the Wonderbolts remember?”
“Yea,” Dash gave her wingmate a quick peck. “Hey, how about I show you some tricks I’ve been working on then we can go inside and check out the house once I see a smile on that face of yours?”
“Okay,” the shy pegasus brightened up.
With a confident swish, Dash took off and promptly looped around several times faster and faster till she landed on a cloud. She grinned down at her companion from above.
“Yay!” Fluttershy quietly cheered.
“What?” Dash playfully called out
“Yay!” The timid filly cheered even so louder.
“Fluttershy, if you’re gonna be supporting me while I perform with the Wonderbolts, you gotta learn to cheer louder.”
“Oh. You mean I’m still not loud enough?” Fluttershy asked. She was sure that had been a much louder cheer than the first one.
Dash rolled her eyes, “duh.” A light smile took over the blue filly’s muzzle and she bucked the cloud she was on. The violent action caused the puff to dissipate and a few raindrops fell, well aimed in front of Fluttershy. The ground-bound pegasus giggled at the display.
The eager showoff continued with her display, barrel rolls mixed with loops and dives. Dash even dived so close that her tail touched a yellow upturned nose.
The proud young mare landed on the only remaining cloud in the vicinity and carefully checked the yellow feather that was embedded at an odd angle into her rainbow mane. She fixed it up behind her ear once more and turned to her lover. “How was that?”
“Hot!”
The young couple both jumped in surprise as a pale blue young mare zipped in and alighted next to Dash on the lone cloud.
“Who are you?” Rainbow Dash asked as she took a step back.
“Hey, I could totally dig some of that action there, hot stuff. I like how you bucked that cloud, I bet you’re pretty lethal in action.” The young pegasus grinned suggestively at Rainbow Dash.
“Yea, so?”
“So you wanna come get something to eat with me? I can show you around town, we can have a good time together.” The strange pegasus offered as she got in close and wrapped a hoof around Dash’s shoulders.
Spotting the contact, Fluttershy’s wings spluttered into action and she flew up and landed ungainly in front of the duo. “Hi. I’m- I’m Fluttershy, this is my wingmate-”
“Rainbow Dash,” said pegasus took over, more confidently than her lover. Dash pushed the offending pale blue hoof off her shoulders. “And you are?”
“Cloud Kicker. You’re one hot looker Dash. Do you work out? You look like you work out. My offer for grabbing something together is still open you know.”
“See the feather?” Dash pointed indignantly at the yellow feather that poked out from its place behind her ear. “Don’t touch. I already belong to somepony so no being all weird. Okay?”
“Yea, I saw. You look cute with each other's promise feathers. I bet that doesn’t have to stop you from having a little fun, you know.” Cloud Kicker grinned once again as she playfully nudged the rainbow speedster.
“Oh, well I was hoping that uh...” Fluttershy trailed nervously off.
Dash sighed, what was with this pony? “Look, I’m just here in Ponyville to help my girl get set up okay?”
“Alright.” Cloud Kicker shrugged, “but if you ever consider moving down here, I could always put in a good word with the head of the weather crew. We could always use a hotty like you who knows her stuff.”
“Really?”
“Oh yea. We’re actually a little short on good fit pegasi who know how to handle a cloud at the moment,” Cloud Kicker admitted. “I just saw the way you bucked that cloud and thought you know... you might be interested or something.”
“Alright. Thanks. Well, not right now but I’ll think about it.”
“Okay.” With that, the young mare flew off.
Fluttershy scrunched up her muzzle. Dash turned to her fillyfriend and giggled at the adorable sight.
“What’s that for?” asked the young speedster.
“What is what?” Fluttershy asked.
“That look, the way you scrunched up your face. It was adorable. In a cool way of course!”
“Well, maybe I didn’t like the way she was looking at you. Or spoke to you. Or touched you. You’re supposed to be mine. I hope.”
Blue hooves reached out and pulled the warm yellow pegasus in, “of course I’m yours. Don’t get all jealous, snuggly.”
“You do realize she was sort of making a pass at you, you know?”
Dash scoffed, “Some of the stallions at school are much worse than that. She was kinda cool, in an odd way. I might have to ask my mum if she can get me a spot on the weather team down here though. If there is a spot open for a cool pony like me, then that sounds like a great idea while I work on getting into the Wonderbolts.”
“You’re not thinking of skipping out of school early to live with me down here are you?” Fluttershy asked tentatively.
“Pfft. Maybe..?”
Fluttershy sighed and nestled into her companions embrace, “Rainbow Dash. I thought you said these advanced flight classes would help get you closer to the Wonderbolts.”
“Or I just show them how awesome I am,” boasted Dash.
“Silly,” the buttery-yellow filly reemerged from her lover’s hold to place a hoof on the strong blue chest. “What if I asked you to finish school, for me?”
“But- but you’re leaving early.”
“Because I’m eighteen and my future is down here, with animals. Not up there in the skies, Dash.”
“But I thought we could live together, already.”
A dainty yellow hoof gently pressed against the blue chest and guided the speedster onto her back. Fluttershy cuddled up on top and gazed into the bright cerise eyes before her. “Patience. We already promised each other. Or can’t you remember what you told me a few hours ago?”
“Of course I can,” defended the young athlete.
“Well...” Fluttershy paused, “I think it's best if you finish advanced flight classes. Show them how amazing I know you are. I can save for a hoof band for you instead while you finish school. U-unless you would rather be the one to give me one...”
“That’s fine Fluttershy,” Dash shifted a lock of pink mane out of the way to better admire the pretty yellow face of her lover. “I’ll miss seeing this every day though.”
“Then you should use that speed and come visit me... if you want to.”
“Cloudsdale isn’t exactly right next door,” complained Dash with a wave of her hoof to illustrate her point. “But I think I can manage a few times a week, for you.”
Fluttershy lent down and gently kissed her wingmare. “Thank you, Dashie.”
“You’re gonna miss me.”
“I know.”
“Like, a whole lot.”
“Rainbow Dash.”
“Yes cuddly?” A cheeky grin spread across the cyan pegasus’s muzzle.
“I’m already going to miss you. Don’t make this any harder.”
Dash grinned coyly up at her snuggly lover, “or what?”
Fluttershy flopped down onto her companion and nuzzled in close as she could. “I don’t know.”
A few moments passed in silence. Birdsong and the wild wind in the trees filled the gap left by the two young mare’s conversation and pretty soon Fluttershy’s eyes were closed. She had a warm blue pillow and was happy to use it.
“Love you too Fluttershy.” Murmured Rainbow Dash as she placed a kiss upon her wingmare’s head then closed her own eyes to enjoy a good nap.
A month had passed since their hopeful promises had been exchanged and while Dash didn’t exactly like being stuck at school, she had stuck at it for Fluttershy.
The speedster was currently on her way to Ponyville to visit her wingmare for their weekly cuddle session. Her parents knew she was out spending time with her special somepony and had told her to be back before dinner. That left her with most of the day to relax and enjoy herself before returning home. Then tomorrow would mark the start of the last month at advanced flight school.
As Rainbow Dash sped over the town her eyes caught an occupied cloud above the town square and she looped back around to drop by.
“Hey Cloud Kicker, I hope I’m not interrupting anything?” Dash grinned at the young pale blue pegasus and her dark grey companion.
“Of course not. There’s room for one more on this cloud though,” the cheeky young mare patted the spot to left. “Come on, join us, hot stuff.”
The colt on Cloud Kicker’s right shot her a look, “hey, what if she is interrupting something?”
“Aww, come on Thunder,” Cloud Kicker gave her companion a pouty face.
“I would rather she keeps flying, no offence.”
Cloud Kicker turned to the prismatic pegasus, “sorry, looks like my date isn’t all that keen on you.”
“Fine, whatever. I wanted to ask you something.”
“I’m currently taken,” Cloud Kicker smirked. “But you can ask anyway.”
“Not when you’re being weird. Bye Cloud Kicker, I’ll see you at work tomorrow.” Thunderlane soared off and left the two mares alone.
“Second new date this month?” Dash asked as her attention returned to the young mare on the cloud.
“Sure. Didn’t get far with him though.”
“A workmate?”
“So? There’s an opening now if you want some of this action?”
Dash shook her head, this pegasus was crazy. “Look, I wanted to ask you if there is still a position open for another weather pony?”
“Sure is, wanna come with me and we can get you all applied for the job?”
“Another time, but thank you. I have a date today with Fluttershy today.”
“Oooh,” the grinning mare perked up.
Dash continued onwards, “I finish advanced flight school in a month and it would be great if I can start work like, immediately after that.”
“Sure thing Dash, I’ll put in the good word for you. When do you think you could come in for a job interview?”
“Well... maybe next Saturday when I fly out here again?”
“Okay, I’ll ask Sunny Skies but I don’t see a problem.”
“Alright. Thanks, see ya.” Dash waved goodbye then sped off at top speed to her mare’s house.
Rainbow Dash touched down with a flourish in front of her wingmate’s cottage and rapped on the door a few times.
“Coming!” The soft voice of Fluttershy was barely audible from inside.
Dash grinned as the pretty yellow muzzle of the one she so loved entered view. “Hi, Fluttershy.”
“Oh, hi- no!” the shy pegasus dropped something that was hidden tucked under a yellow wing. The shiny metal object bounced twice then rolled to a stop, resting in front of Dash’s left forehoof. It was an engagement hoofband. It was made of steel that had been specially heated and enchanted to carry all the colours of the rainbow. It bore both young pegasi’s cutie marks, side by side on what looked to be the front.
“Is that what I think it is?” the speedster asked, barely able to believe her eyes.
“Um... maybe, yes.” The light yellow pegasus was quick to scoop the rainbow engagement band up. “I’m sorry, I just thought it was so pretty- and I was in the middle of moving a few things around and was about to put it away when you knocked. This was supposed to be for later today. I’m sorry!”
The young blue mare smiled with delight and without thinking she nabbed the hoofband and slipped it onto her left hoof as she continued to admire it. “How did you manage to save up for such a pretty hoofband already?”
“Um... I just did... uh-”
“Thank you Fluttershy, this looks cool on me!”
“Um... uh- I was supposed to put that on you... if it’s okay?”
“Duh- stupid me!” The speedster slipped the spectacular band off and placed it on her fillyfriend’s outstretched forehooves. “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking.”
Fluttershy snuck her companion a quick kiss, “it’s okay. You’ll just have to forget you ever saw it when I give it to you later today.”
“Alright. I’m sure I can pretend to be happy again for you.”
The animal caretaker shot her lover a cautious look.
“I’m joking Fluttershy! I know that whatever you have planned will be amazing.”
Two young mares lay on a picnic blanket in a field a few minutes flight from Fluttershy’s cottage. They were seated under a lovely big tree that provided a great deal of shade from the late day sun. They both wore each other’s feather, traded a month ago as part of their promises to each other.
“Are you ready Dashie?”
“Sure,” the speedster grinned. “Gimmie, gimmie!”
“Patience Dash,” the buttery yellow pegasus playfully scolded her companion.
Instead of handing over the hoofband, Fluttershy signalled and a variety of birds flocked to the tree. They landed with a flurry of wingbeats on the lower branches and with a hoof motion from the yellow pegasus below they began to sing.
Fluttershy slowly rose into the air as she conducted her small twittering orchestra. Rainbow Dash smiled and relaxed back to enjoy the music and admire her lover. As the music grew in energy, Dash realized that a few other creatures had found their way over and joined in. When the bass singing of the local friendly bear joined in from halfway across the field the speedy pegasus took a step back then released all the animals were singing for them. With a dramatic rise and fall of her forehooves, Fluttershy finished conducting and plopped onto the blanket beside her mare.
A beaver rushed forward and handed a small box to the yellow pegasus who opened it to reveal the rainbow coloured hoofband that bore the two young mare’s cutie marks. “Thank you Mr beaver.”
The woodland creature made a delighted noise then hurried back a few steps to give the couple space.
“Rainbow Dash,” began the shy pegasus as she pulled out the hoofband, “will you marry me?”
“Yes!” The excited speedster cried out as she grabbed her mare, lifted her and did several excited loops.
As they settled down to earth, Fluttershy slid the hoofband onto the waiting left blue forehoof and smiled with delight at how the blue hues at the edges of the band blended well with her lover’s coat. The woodland creatures all called out excitedly, delighted to see their caretaker obviously happy with whatever she had just done.
The birds continued to sing with delight as Dash took Fluttershy’s forehoof then after a tender slow moment, pulled her in for a tight hug.
As she wrapped her forehooves around her lover, Dash couldn’t help but poke her head around a bit to admire the band that was on her forehoof. “Thank you Fluttershy, the way you asked me was just so... you. It’s perfect!”
The young animal caretaker squeed with delight and hugged her companion back tightly. After a few wonderful moments, enjoying each other’s embrace, Dash withdrew and settled back on the picnic blanket. Fluttershy snuggled right up and they enjoyed cuddles as the animals broke off and left them alone.
Whatever the future brought, Dash was sure that she would be coming to live in Ponyville with her filly. School was almost over, then they could slowly save up for a cool wedding whenever they liked. Ponyville’s most awesome pegasus was taken! The more she thought about it, the better it sounded and felt. Dash knew they had just taken another important step on the road of life together and couldn’t be happier. They had promises to keep and lives to share, together.