The Thirty Minute Dash

by Esle Ynopemos


26: Hot and Cold [Romance]

((Prompt: How do you measure a year in the life?))

They were warm.

Rainbow Dash extended her wing, and Rarity just seemed to fit right there beneath it. Like she belonged there. She felt the unicorn's body heat as she leaned against her, and despite not really being all that cold, the heat felt good.

Some day, Rainbow was going to ask Rarity how she had gotten up to her cloud-home in the first place, but the truth was it didn't matter to her. She was here, and they were cuddled together on a squishy tuft of cloud watching the sun cast Rainbow's home in pink and orange and gold.

An easy smile slid across her face. This was right. It was good. It was totally awesome.

They were cold.

Rainbow beat her wings as hard as she could. Even though it was summer, she was high enough for bits of ice to form on her wingtips. Her breath turned into a mist of crystals as soon as it left her mouth.

Rarity couldn't reach her up here. She could get Twilight to conjure up however many wings she wanted, that fussy chunk of hairspray would never catch Rainbow Dash.

She couldn't believe she had ever fallen for the illusion that the unicorn had wanted her for anything other than to use her. How could it have taken her so long to see it?

They were warm.

Hooves ran gently across Dash's back. She closed her eyes and let the feeling sink into her as Rarity tugged the cloak into place.

It was beautiful, and more importantly, it made Rainbow look wicked-cool. Dark blue with white trim cut in curves to look like clouds. Slots in the sides allowed her to poke her wings out easily when needed, and keep them warm and safe from the autumn chill when they weren't.

Dash grinned and nuzzled Rarity in gratitude.

They were cold.

The cloak was in a heap in the mud. Rainbow couldn't stand to have the thing touching her any longer. Nevermind the chilly air that swirled around her shoulders. Nevermind the icy rain that soaked her wings and mane. Angry words poured out of Rainbow Dash's mouth like the torrents of rain from the sky.

Tears ran from the corners of Rarity's eyes, and she winced as though struck when Rainbow reared back and stomped on the cloak. She matched Rainbow Dash's every word with another cutting jibe or cruel accusation.

They were warm.

Rainbow sat on a cushion inside Carousel Boutique, exhausted from the day's work. Weather work was worst in the winter. Maybe the clouds were heavier in the spring, but there was so much more of them to move in the winter.

A mug of hot cocoa hovered in front of her, bathed in a blue aura. Rainbow took it between her hooves and smiled. Winter work was the worst, but hot cocoa was the best. She sipped from her mug and stared at the drifting snowflakes outside as Rarity sank into a cushion beside her, stirring a spoon in her own mug.

They were cold.

Rainbow flinched as the door of Carousel Boutique slammed shut behind her. She shivered as her hooves sank into the damp snowdrifts.

She probably deserved it, this time. Rainbow had been out of line, even she could tell. But when Rarity was involved, Rainbow Dash had a hard time stopping herself.

She raised her head to glance inside. Rarity stomped through the place full of righteous fury. When she noticed Rainbow looking, Rarity glared daggers at her, igniting her horn and pulling shut every shutter in the place.

Rainbow sighed, and sank to her haunches in the snow. She was cold. She wondered how long it would be this time before she was warm again.