//------------------------------// // Tease - Steadfast Hoof // Story: SpikeDash Group Collab // by Vexy //------------------------------// "Spike, please! Come on, dude. I’m sorry!" Said drake just turned his head and huffed atop her back. He steadied himself as she beat her wings keeping a modest distance from the ground as they soared through the sky. "That wasn't funny, Dash," Spike huffed, glaring at her. She wilted under his gaze. "It was an accident.” Spike scoffed at her. "So you accidentally just bucked me off five stories in the air after you scare me half to death by pretending to be knocked out by some clouds!” He threw his arms out. “I caught you!” she tried. “The first time!” he shot back rubbing his sore chin. She couldn't help it. Rainbow Dash started guffawing, her whole frame shook. Spike tried to adjust himself through her giggles. “Hey! Hey! Be careful! I’d rather walk home if you're going to keep messing with me!” he cried as he hugged her. She shot him a glance at the sudden contact. Rainbow turned her head, looking down to hide her smile and faint blush as she laughed. She slowed down, breaking into a glide. “Sorry it’s just…” Her face contorted as she bit her lip, trying to contain herself. Spike’s eye twitched as he dared ask, “It’s just what?” each word dripping with venom. Rainbow broke down again laughing uncontrollably. “Even I've never eaten that much dirt before!” she managed to get out through her chortles. “I mean it was perfect, just,” she made a downward spiral with her hooves “*fzeoooo* Splat!” Spike fumed as she was overcome with another fit of giggles. His face was red as he recalled screaming like a girl before he growled and turned away from her again. As her laughter died down, Rainbow glanced back at him. “Spike,” she called. He ignored her and crossed his arms a little tighter. “Hey, look I’m sorry… It actually was an accident.” Spike didn't react. Rainbow lifted up a hoof and moved her mane out of her eyes before sighing again. She let her gaze drift to the trees they were passing over. It was silent for a while as the wind whipped past them. She was startled when Spike said something. “—Why'd you buck me off?” She looked back. “Huh?” Spike grumbled before looking back at her. “I said if it was an accident then why'd you buck me off?” She winced before rubbing the back of her head laughing nervously. Spike watched in confusion as a range of emotions danced across her face before she whirled her head around and sighed. He could only see the back of her head as her mane whipped in the wind and he was about to ask again when she spoke at last. “Tail,” Rainbow stated simply as if that was all that was needed to be said. “Uh, what?” She sighed again before motioning with her hooves. “Ya know, your tail! I-it was… squirming around when I was laughing and it… um, it brushed against… you know?” her flapping became more animated as she spoke and they started to pick up speed. “Whoa! Slow down, Rainbow!” he cried out, cutting her off before hugging her again. Rainbow Dash realized what she was doing and beat her wings forward, slowing them to a hover. She rubbed the back of her neck, looking forward to keep Spike from seeing her burning cheeks. “Heh, sorry.” Spike cracked an eye open before sitting up to glare at her again. “What was that about? And what did you mean? You didn't finish—” She stopped him with a raised hoof, her eyes darted back and forth. “Look I’ll tell you another time. We’re here.” Spike grumbled as they drifted down. He hopped off but stopped in his tracks when he took in the surroundings. He threw a quizzical look back at Rainbow Dash. “Um… why are we at Rambling Rock Ridge?” Taking another look around he noticed markings on the ground: little 'X's very similar to the ones Rarity used when they went gem hunting together. “And who put these here?” “I did.” Spike turned again to see Rainbow pull out a sack from its hiding place between some rocks. He walked over, eyeing her as she downed a fizzy potion from the bag. He jumped back as steam shot from her ears. She shook her head, whining slightly. “Eurgh. That stuff always tastes like tortoise food.” “Um, what was that? And why are we here?” Rainbow took an extra moment to scrub her tongue before striking a pose. “Well since our daring escapade in Foal Mountain, I thought we’d get a little gem hunting done.” She deflated and kicked some rocks around. “And uh, to apologize for making you do an epic face plant,” she mumbled, smiling meekly. Spikes jaw fell as he blinked at Rainbow in utter bewilderment. "R-really?” he squeaked as drool dripped down the corner of his mouth. Rainbow Dash chuckled at his enthusiasm before slinging a shovel over her shoulder. “Yep. Hop aboard! All you have to do is make your order and I'll whip 'em right up!” she bragged as she flipped Spike onto her back with her tail. His mouth watered and he jittered with excitement. “Ooh-ooh! can we get some sun stones! Or tanzanite! How about some ametrine!?” Rainbow laughed and smiled awkwardly at her partner. “Uh, sure. As long as you tell me what they look like.” “Look like?” Spike's face fell and he smacked a claw to his face. “Aw man!” “What?” “I just realized neither of us are unicorns and it’s going to take forever to check all of the markings for what I want!” Spike huffed before crossing his arms again. “Heh. Hey Spike, check it out.” Spike was surprised when he turned to see Rainbow inches away from him, her rosy eyes had little arcs dancing in the irises. “Woah-ho-ho! Is that from the potion?” She lifted her nose up and smiled smugly. “Eyup.” “Well, what does it do?” “Eh nothing much,” she buffed a hoof on her chest before looking at one of the 'X’s, “Except that there’s some shiny, purple pearls under that one.” “What?!” Spike gasped before running over to the 'X' and started digging. “No way! It’s a star garnet and some opals!” He turned to Rainbow in awe. ”Did the potion do that? You can see gemstones!? That’s so cool!” “Yup! Now—” Once again she grabbed him and tossed him on her back. ”—let’s go find some buried treasure!” she reared up playfully before taking off at a trot. Spike whooped in enthusiasm, causing Rainbow to giggle. She almost tripped up when Spike hugged her neck, nuzzling her cheek. ”Thanks, Dash!” Even though she was burning up to her ears, she couldn't help but nuzzle back. “Heh, n-no problem!”