"Tell him again." Rarity shrugged.
"What do you mean?" Rainbow asked, flopping down, "I can't!"
"This." Rarity glared at her. "Will be your last chance. If you don't, you will not see him for another two years. He would be sensible to forget you."
"I know, Rarity, I just don't want ponies to think that I'm purposefully using him to get into the Wonderbolts."
"What do I say to that? Tell him and see what happens. I'd rather you know than not know."
"What if it was all an mistake? What if I imagined everything?"
"Rainbow!"
"That's it! I'm done with this. I'm done with romance!"
Without warning, she flew off, knocking over several bottles of glitter and rolls of ribbon.
Rarity sighed.
"Soarin, now you know what I mean."
Soarin stepped out and nodded.
"You see what she is doing. I can't do anything more but hope. But you heard her, didn't you?" Rarity asked. "You heard what she said. She loves you, and she doesn't want to admit it either. I don't blame her for part, but we know her. Once she makes up her mind, nothing's gonna stop her."
"Maybe. I''ll do my best. Tell her, would you, that I love her too."
"I shouldn't. She'll be mad first before she sees reason."
"Then I will."
"I wish you luck, Soarin. Treat her well." Rarity said. "Now get out."
~~~
"Can I have a word, Rainbow Dash?" Soarin didn't hold much faith in Rarity, "I'd rather if it isn't in front of the world."
"Sure. No prob."
"I know I should not say this, but I like you. I always meant that. It wasn't to just make you feel better. I was just too chicken to correct you." Soarin starts.
"I wish I had the courage to say the same." Rainbow smiles sadly. "But you're leaving. I don't want to stay here and miss you the entire way."
"You are right." Soarin says. "But I'll be back every once in a while. I can't forget you, you know. Rarity told me some things."
"She WHAT?" Rainbow exclaimed. "THAT MARE! That mouth of hers!"
"Calm down, calm down. She was helping me." Soarin smiled. "Otherwise I wouldn't be here today."
"Oh...okay I guess?"
"A walk?" He asked, looping a hoof around her.
She nodded.
There was silence, too much silence for her bear.
"Why, of all things, do you tell me this?" She asks. "Of all things. Well, how was your day?"
"Because I want to." He flashed a quick smile and winked. “I do, you know.”
"How in the hell would I know?"
"If you had an ounce of romantic sense like your dear friend Rarity, it would've been obvious. I'm sad you don't." Soarin shrugged. "But it's you. I wouldn't change it for the world."
"Thanks..." Rainbow drawled out. "You know, it does help."
"Wouldn't change you, Rainbow. Thank me later." Another wink, and she wonders if it is just her, or does the roguishness of his nature make him a whole new level of handsome.
She lets herself enjoy the wink and smile that comes with it.
It's a sneaky way of getting closer to him, leaning slightly against the base of his wing. Rainbow was never tall to begin with, and Soarin was.
Was it safety she felt?
"Anyways, I do like you. A lot more than you would think I'm capable of." He smiles sadly. "I didn't get the heart breaker reputation from nothing."
"It's fine." She reaches up to silence him. "Shhh."
He catches the hoof and holds it tight. "Rainbow, you know I'm fine with it."
"Just. Shush. I'm enjoying the moment."Besides, anything with you is good."
"Anything with you is good, Rainbow Dash."