Chapter 7: Realization
The little town of Ponyville was bustling and teeming with ponies going about their daily lives, whether it be shopping at the market, enjoying a nice morning breakfast, or doing some other thing to start the day off. But nonetheless, it was like any other day. Everypony went about their casual routine as they did their daily jobs, and for Rainbow Dash, that's exactly how it went for her.
Rainbow Dash would wake up and prepare to go to work as the weather teams leader, but that didn't mean that she would just bark out commands to the others, she too had to do her portion of work. So that's exactly what she did. Rainbow was cloud busting with one part of the team while the other did the same. The team would divide itself based on gender, so that girls can be girls, and boys could be boys.
She hit a cloud with her hoof, causing it to poof away in a white like vapor. She looked to her sides to find the ponies who accompanied her. To her right were Blossomforth, and Cloud Kicker, and on her left were Cloud Chaser, and Flitter. For most of the week, they would try to get Rainbow to confess her feelings to Aden. But, This effort would usually end with Rainbow Dash refusing before they even got the chance to persuade her. And even though their end result never faltered, they tried again anyway.
Blossomforth gave a nod of approval for someone to make the first move, and as if on cue, Cloud Kicker glided to the cloud next to Rainbow. She effortlessly smacked the cloud before she spoke up in her usual cherry tone, "So, how are you doing today?"
hook...
Rainbow Dash looked over to her with an irritated look, guessing that this was another one of their daily attepmts. But she couldn't refuse to answer a simple question. "I'm doing fine Kicker," she replied, not trying to sound annoyed. She flew to another cloud, only to be intercepted by Cloud Chaser.
"Did you get any cool gifts for your birthday?" Rainbow Dash could've sworn that she sounded like a filly who had just woken up on Hearth's Warimng Eve.
line...
"Um... yeah, I guess they were pretty cool. All except for one special gift that I got," Rainbow said plainly as she remembered what had happened at her birthday. The dance that she had with Aden, the colorful sky that appeared before them, and the moment when she kissed him on his cheek. It was like a little piece of heaven.
Shaking of the thought, she tried again to fly towards the cloud to continue her job. She tried to withhold her temper, cause if somepony bought up a certain name, she knew that things were only to get more stressful. And as if the world wanted to mess with her, as soon as she set hoof onto the cloud, Flitter approached her.
"Let me guess, was that special gift from Aden?"
and sinker...
And at that moment, Flitter could've sworn she saw Rainbow flinch as her eye twitched slightly. Rainbow let out a sigh, rolling her eyes shortly afterwards. "Yes, it was from Aden," Rainbow said, her tone unchanging.
While on the other hand, Flitter squee'd in delight. "It must have been really romantic. I'm so jealous of you right now, Rainbow!"
Rainbow thought about Aden once again, the thought of almost stealing a kiss from him made her cheeks flame from within. "It wasn't that romantic, I mean, all I did was just give him a kiss on the cheek," she quickly retorted, trying not to sound embarrassed. She realized what she just said,and silently scolded herself.
With her eyes wide open and mouth agape, Blossomforth zoomed next to her side. "Wait, so you kissed him on the cheek, but you didn't tell him how you felt about him!" She asked frantically, invading Rainbow's personal space just a tad bit.
Rainbow backed away a bit to collect her thoughts. "Well, no, I haven't yet. And besides I was kinda scared to tell him. I don't even know if he likes me back," Rainbow replied, scratching the back of her head sheepishly.
With a soft smile, Blossomforth went to her side and patted gently on her back. "Rainbow, do you remember the time when you injured yourself when doing one of your stunts?"
Rainbow looked over to her in confusion by her sudden question. "Yeah, why?"
Blossomforth gave a small smirk before speaking again, "Who carried you for miles just to get you to the hospital?"
Rainbow stood absolutely still, looking to the soft cloud below her. "That was Aden..."
Just then, Cloud Kicker came in with another question. "During last cider season, they ran out before you even got to the front of the line. But who willingly gave up their first and only cup of cider ever, just to see you smile?"
"Aden..."
Cloud Chaser took a step towards Rainbow, standing in front of her as she too gave a comforting smile. "Who spent months trying to raise enough money to take you to see the Wonderbolt's for your birthday last year?" she said, raising her brow.
"That was also Aden..." Rainbow Dash said as she rubbed the back of her head.
Blossomforth gently nudged her, making her flinch. "And from what I heard from Thunderlane, Aden thinks that pet name of yours is really cute. Hmm... What was it again? Dashie, wasn't it?" At that moment, Rainbow's blush became uncontrollable, she tried her best to suppress it, but her efforts were futile.
"H-He knows about that?" Rainbow said, looking away in complete, and utter embarrassment. Her heart was racing as it beat at a rapid rate.
In an attempt to comfort her, Blossomforth slung a hoof around her shoulder, making her heart slow down to a steady rhythm. "That's not the point. Why do you think Aden did all those things for you?"
The only thing Rainbow could do was think to herself deeply, and now that she thought of it, she realized just how many things he's done for her. She tried to respond, but she couldn't move, it was as if her body went into a temporary lockdown.
Blossomforth rolled her eyes as she took her hoof off of Rainbow. "Don't you see? He obviously cares about you, otherwise he wouldn't have done those things for you."
And that's when it hit her...
"You're right," Rainbow paused as she shifted her gaze to Ponyville. "It's about time that I did something about this. So this week, I'm gonna tell him."
Rainbow continued to stare towards Ponyville before a familiar voice came form behind. "Um, shouldn't we get back to work? We have a lot of clouds to bust."
She looked back to the massive number of clouds that drifted idly. And from that moment, she knew that she had a long day ahead of her.
***
After a long day, Aden leisurely trotted through Ponyville, observing his nearby surroundings. A pair of blue jays whisked by him, flying together in synchronization. The wondrous display had caught his attention completely. And somehow, It made him think back to the night when he first fell in love with Rainbow Dash.
I remember that day, Aden thought.
Aden was so distracted by his own thoughts that he didn't even realize that he arrived at his own house. So with one, effortless pulse of his wings he flew skyward. He landed softly on the clouds as he folded his wings. He approached the door, and with a and with a yawn he pushed it.
Inside was the same home he saw everyday, starting with the couch, fridge, kitchen, bathroom, the letter on the table, and-
Wait, why is there a letter on my table? he said to himself, picking the letter with his hooves. Aden found a piece of paper inside, so he took it out and began to read.
Dear Aden,
Hey, how's it going? I've been doing pretty well lately, although I have to do extra shifts due to my co-workers being sick. Sorry that we haven't talked in a while, it's just that I'm too busy with work. But, I'm getting a day off this saturday, so I was wondering if you wanted to come spend the day with me. Plus, I have something important to tell you. And if you're wondering why I'm not there to tell you myself, it's because I'm too tired from work. So if you want to know what I have to say, please meet me at the hill near Sugarcube Corner. See you there!
From, Rainbow Dash
Aden set the letter down onto the table, analyzing what he just read. Did she invite him to go on a date? The thought made Aden's heart skip a beat. He looked to the calendar hanging on the wall nearby. It was currently Thursday, so If this was going to be a date, Aden had a lot of preparing to do. So he scurried off to his room, prepping for the new challenges ahead.
***
Rarity stood in her work room, humming a soft tune as she continued to work on a dress from a client. And by looking to the window, she knew that it was already sunset. The sun casting a warm radiant glow, making Rarity feel at peace. But out of nowhere, she heard somepony knocking at the front door. So she hurried over to the door, and turned the knob with her magic. Behind the door she found Rainbow Dash waiting patiently for her to answer the door.
"Oh, hey Rainbow Dash, what brings you here at this hour?" Rarity asked out of curiosity.
"I-um, I have something to say to you," Rainbow said shakily as she drew circles on the ground below.
Rarity simply rose her eye brow in suspicion. "All right then, come on in."
They both trotted over to the two couches in the living room and took a seat across from each other. There was a brief moment of silence as the two sat, waiting for the other to say something. Rainbow was about to speak, but was quickly intercepted by Rarity. "So, what is it that you wanted to say?"
Rainbow Dash took a deep breathe and hoped that Rarity wouldn't freak out to what she had to say.
"I'd like to commission a dress."