Sugar Cube corner was bustling with hungry customers avoiding the sweltering mid summer heat: taking refuge in the bakery while they enjoy their sugary treats. Among them, two mares occupied a table, more interested in each others company than the confections on their plates. They were Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash, and this was their first date.
“Wow, sounds like you had a crazy morning!” Twilight said as Dash regaled her with her misadventure earlier that day.
“You bet I did! I still have a headache from getting tossed into that bush! But your morning sounds pretty crazy too. I mean, you had a rabbit and a squirrel fighting in your mane!?” Rainbow said barely holding back her chuckle as she pictured the ridiculous scenario.
“Hey, you wouldn't be laughing if it were you! I didn't know bunnies had such sharp claws. I'm really going to need a shower when we're done.” Twilight straightened her mane with her hoof self-consciously.
“Relax Twi, It doesn't really matter to me... I think you look fine, I mean good! You look good!” Rainbow Dash blurted out as she blushed. I'm no good at this. I have no idea what to say or how. I sound lame! I bet she thinks I sound lame! Dash began shifting in her seat and looking down at her barely touched plate. Twilight watched as her date fidget anxiously, her demeanor becoming more calm knowing she wasn't alone in her nervousness. Resting her elbows on the table she folded her hooves and leaned slightly forward with a relaxed smile.
“Thanks.” She said cheerfully. She's so nervous. Is it really because she's trying to impress me? I should say something to help ease the mood. Twilight glanced around the bakery as she searched for a casual topic but her search was interrupted as Rainbow spoke up.
“I really mean it! Like, I don't know, It's just I've kind of felt that way for a while.” Dash said, the sincerity in her voice made it apparent to Twilight that she truly meant it. She couldn't help but feel a comfortable warmth spread through her chest. In an instant Dash's expression changed looking to Twilight how she would look while thinking through a difficult equation. “don't you think it's kind of weird though?”
“What's weird?” Twilight said, bemused by Dash's sudden and unexpected tangent.
“You know, this. This whole thing with us both conveniently being set up on dates at the same time by our friends and then both getting stood up?” She turned her eyes towards Twilight, resting her gaze on Twilight's deep violet eyes.
“It is strange. Do you think they set us up together? How could they be so sure it would work out so well?”
“Well... I may have told Fluttershy and Pinkie I was into mares but I don't get it, I didn't mention you at all.” Rainbow eyes drifted up as she thought back to her confession to Fluttershy. We'll, I guess I didn't exactly say I had the thing for Twi, but I sure did talk about her a lot. I guess it makes sense now, It must have been obvious to Fluttershy. Wait, if that's how Fluttershy figured out I was into Twilight... That means Twilight must have been talking about me too! She was talking about me. I just can't get over how awesome this is. I never really thought I would end up on a date with Twilight. I guess life's just weird like that. Oh well, not like I'm complaining.
“I don't know either.” Twilight began as she enjoyed the dreamy look that had overtaken Dash's expression. “I never told anypony I was like mares at all except Spike and my family.”
Her horn began to glow as she levitated a bite of strawberry cheesecake to her mouth, it melting to a cool and flavorful lump in her mouth. She closed her eyes and gave a content hum as she let the sweet flavor tantalize her taste buds. That was so good! Well, I guess I never told Spike to keep it a secret anyway. Now that I think back, I suppose I did talk about Rainbow on more than a few occasions. I would go on about a new trick she learned or the latest issue of Daring Do that we were both reading. I guess I always held admiration towards her, but now that I look at it from this new perspective I can see, I've been fond of Rainbow Dash for quite a while. I guess our friends got tired of seeing us be oblivious. I bet it was Rarity's idea, she probably heard about it from Spike.
“Hey girls!” A familiar and ever excited voice shouted from beside them, eliciting a startled jump from both Dash and Twilight.
“Could you keep it down Pinkie, I got a headache.” Dash said rubbing her temple with her hoof.
“Oops! Sorry Dashie. So, what are you both doing here?” Pinkie Pie asked innocently with her usual amiable demeanor. At the harmless sounding question Dash broke into a soft blush and looked pleadingly towards Twilight.
“W-well Pinkie.. Dash and I..” Twilight stuttered as she struggled to find the best possible wording and to gather her nerve.
“Yea, Twi and me, we're kind of um...” Dash said, fumbling with her words as bad as twilight was. Both glancing at each other and back to Pinkie Pie.
“We're on a date!” They exclaimed simultaneously, earning many incredulous looks from the other patrons as well as a few shocked and delighted gasps. While the other customers were stunned by the sudden revelation, Pinkie was beaming, her pearly white teeth fully exposed by her wide grin. Oh boy... Was written on both their faces as they waited for the explosion of hyperactive enthusiasm that often proceeded that look on Pinkie's face. They braced their ears for what was to come.
“That! Is! Awesome!” Pinkie screamed in her shrill, squeaky voice loudly enough to not shake the entire bakery but also leave Dash and Twilight's ears ringing.
“Pinkie!” Twilight and Dash both reprimanded at once. Pinkie however, continued joyfully bouncing up and down around their table.
“I knew you two would get together soon! I told Rarity that you two were totally falling for each other and that you should definitely be a couple!” Pinkie exclaimed proudly while Twilight and Rainbow stared at her in disbelief.
“Pinkie, you don't mean...” Twilight trailed off as her brain began to put all the pieces together.
“That I convinced Rarity to set you up? That's exactly what I mean! You and Dashie are just so cute together I just had to and you two definitely weren't going to do it anytime soon.” They both blushed at Pinkie's complement and Dash couldn't help but smile as she looked bashfully at Twilight.
“B-but... how did-” Twilight began before her friend interjected.
“How did I know? Well, about two months ago I was hanging with Dashie and we were going go pull some hilarious pranks. Anyway, we were on our way to Rarity's when we passed by the library. I noticed she slowed down to take an extra special long look at the library. At first I thought it was because a new Daring Do was coming out but the next one isn't even scheduled for release date yet so I was stumped. After she did this a couple more times I started to get an inkling of what was going on. So after Dash told me she was into mares I knew I was right and that she told me because you had been on her mind that whole time even if she didn't really know it.” Pinkie puffed out her chest, thrilled at her deductive skills.
“But how did you know Twilight would like me back?” Dash said in bewilderment that she could jump to such a dramatic conclusion from only a couple glances at a library and her coming out to her. Pinkie began pacing back and forth as she prepared to talk about her brilliant deduction.
“Well, at first I wasn't sure because I always thought Twi wasn't into anypony but I just couldn't stand seeing Dashie so obviously head-over-hooves-completely-distracted-flying-into-houses in love! So I just had to find out!” As she spoke loudly enough for every pony in Sugar Cube Corner to hear her, Dash sunk in her chair and lowed her head in embarrassment, completely avoiding eye contact with Twilight.
“So, I went to talk to Twilight and try to get to the bottom of this!” She continued, unfazed or unaware of Rainbow's discomfort. “I went to the library but you weren't home Twilight but Spike was! So I asked him if you were seeing anypony and he said no, so I asked him if you like mares. At first he got really quiet and shy so after a little coaxing he finally told me that you were! You told him almost the same time Dashie told me and Fluttershy! That could only mean one thing!” Pinkie took a pause, presumably to build dramatic tension. Both Twilight and Dash looked wearily at each other. “That you two were in love!”
“Pinkie, that's astonishingly little to go on. What if you were wrong?” Twilight's concern was met with a hoof patting her head as Pinkie Pie smiled.
“Well I bet we're all glad I was wasn't, that would have been awkward.” She said nonchalantly. “Ooh! You know what this calls for!?” She pulled her hoof away and smiled expectantly at them as they exchanged an apprehensive look.
“Pinkie, I don't think...” Twilight began, but it was too late as Pinkie quickly spun around.
“A party! We'll need balloons and streamers and music. Games and candy, punch and a giant cake shaped like a heart! I'll invite Gummy and all our friends! All of Ponyville will want to come! I bet I can get the Ponytones to sing for the party! Oh it'll be so much fun!” She spun back around to her friends' table. “Right Twi- Twilight? Dashie? Where'd you go?” She asked bemused as stared at the suddenly vacant table sitting near an open window. Several bits lay on the side Dash was sitting.
“What about the party?” Pinkie asked to nopony in particular. “Oh well! I bet those two want to spend bunches of time together, just the two of them.” She smile as she looked out the open window.
“Pinkie, we've got customers.” A voice called out with a hint of impatience. Pinkie turned towards the front counter and smiled sheepishly.
“Sorry Mr. Cake! I'm coming.”
**********************************************
Twilight felt her hooves touch the ground as Dash's forelegs withdrew from around her. Her mane, as she was convinced was impossible was now even more disheveled. Even so, as the comfortable warmth of her friend's stomach left her back, she felt like she missed it, despite the heat. My friend... Dash is my friend, but we're on a date. Soon, will she be more than a friend? My marefriend Rainbow Dash. This is Rainbow Dash, she's my marefriend. I would be her marefriend. A warm and delighted smile on her face grew with every utterance of the word in her mind. Marefriend. Marefriend. I never thought such a simple word would make me so happy. This date, it's been so much fun. I can't see why she and I couldn't do it, why we couldn't be more than friends. Maybe, I'll ask her to go out with me at the end of this. No, I don't think I could, I would be too nervous. What if it's too sudden, what if I'm being too pushy? But still, I want to be with her as more than just friends, but I can wait until the time is right, or until she asks me. We have plenty of time to get closer. Right now, I'm extraordinarily happy and that's enough for me.
“Twi, you okay?” Dash asked with a chuckle. “You're kind of spacing out and your smiling like Pinkie Pie.”
“Y-yeah, I'm fine, I was just thinking that's all. Hey, do you think it was such a good idea to fly out on Pinkie like that? I feel kind of bad.” Twilight asked, looking down the street to Sugar Cube Corner.
“Don't worry Twi, she'll be fine. Beside, I saw that look, you didn't want to get dragged into one of her parties right now anyway right?”
“Yeah, you're right. But still...”
“Hey, they set us up so today is all about us. We should get to be a little selfish and enjoy each other right?” Rainbow said as she landed beside Twilight. Looking at the pegasus' smile, a smile just for her, a smile that told her that the only pony Dash wanted to be with right now was her, she knew, she felt exactly the same way. Returning the loving expression, she conceded.
“You're absolutely right.” She stepped closer to Dash until she could feel her powerful, muscular wing against hers. Twilight had never really made note of it before, but she was surprised at how soft her light blue down was. Dash's wings twitched at the sudden contact and her cheeks again began to heat up. Twilight gave a soft giggle. “So Dashie, where to next?”
“W-well... How about we just walk for a bit and, like, talk about whatever. It's pretty hot, how about we get some ice cream on the way?” Dash said tepidly. I didn't really plan this, I figured this would be a disaster so I didn't think about staying out any longer than I had to.
“That sounds great.” Twilight said jovially as she began walking before turning back to Rainbow who was still standing behind.
“You coming?” Twilight said still smiling. Her smile faded as no response came, Dash seemingly staring off into space.
“Rainbow? Are you okay?” She spoke, concern growing in her voice. Suddenly Rainbow Dash seemed to snap out of her daze, shaking her head to regain her focus.
“Y-yeah, I'm fine. Let's go.” Dash said, her voice regaining it's usual enthusiasm as she caught up with Twilight.
“Are you sure? You kind of spaced out back there? Is your headache getting worse?”
“Relax Twi, I'm fine. Come on, let's get going, I bet the ice cream stand will be packed today, we should get there soon.” Rainbow said, smiling to ease her dates worry.
“If you're sure...” She said sounding less than convinced. Dash took her place beside Twilight and the two began walking perfectly in step with her, side by side.
********************************************************************************
“Hey Twi, I was thinking...” Dash began, giving pause for Twilight to respond before she finished her thought.
“Thinking what?” Twilight prompted.
“Well, Rarity was bribing me with tickets to a real Wonderbolts practice and I was wondering, if you would want to come with? Like, on another date.” She asked, bashfully scraping at the ground with her hoof as she awaited a reply.
'She already wants to go on another date with me?! M-maybe it's not too soon to ask her to be my marefriend. Maybe when this date is over, when she walks me home I'll ask her. I- I wonder if a kiss goodbye would be out of the question? Okay Twilight, don't get ahead of yourself, She's just asking for another date.' Twilight tried to calm herself, but a rush of excitement and happiness surged through her body. 'She asked me on another date! This is wonderful!
“Uh Twi, you're kind of spacing out and giggling, is something wrong?” Dash asked apprehensively, feeling equally confused and worried. Suddenly Twilight snapped back to attention as she realized she still had yet to respond.
“Oh I, um...” She stammered as she hurried to form the words she wanted in her mind. “S-sorry, I was just-”
“You don't want to go...” Dash resigned dejectedly as she slumped down, lowering her head. Yeah, I guess it was a stupid idea. Why would Twilight want to go see the Wonderbolts?
“No! That's not it! I would love to go! I was just, I was surprised that's all. That you would already be asking me on another date, I mean, It's not like either of us expected to be dating each other. I'm happy, really I am.” Twilight, not often one who struggled for words, now found it becoming a regular occurrence today making her unsure if her points or feelings were even coming through. Those fears were dispelled as Dash's head raised, her eyes meeting hers with a strange kind of happy sincerity Twilight couldn't recall ever seeing in her eyes.
“You really mean that? I mean, sure we didn't expect this, but I'm cool with how it turned out. No, that's not even good enough, I'm like, I don't know, really happy with this. Why wouldn't I want to keep seeing you like this?” There was a gravity in Dash's voice that Twilight wasn't expecting. She was serious about what she was saying. They came to a stop, never once breaking eye contact with each other.
'What do I say? She- she really likes me and she wants to keep seeing me. Maybe... now is the right time to ask. I mean, I know it's sudden, we haven't even finished our first date. But, we've been friends for so long, it wouldn't be weird, we are already so close and I guess the girls already saw something between us a while ago. It's not something new, it's just the next step. Dash and I have such a long and rich history together and we've been through so much. I think, it would be logical. Just ask her, she wont think less of you. Just say those words. “Will you be my marefriend.” It's simple, just say it Twilight.' She let her fear and apprehension go and steeled herself for one of the toughest things she would have to ask.
“Rainbow Dash... Will you-”
“Hey Rainbow Dash, hey Twilight. What are you guys up to?” A young tomboyish voice said, cutting off Twilight, both to her relief and frustration. They both turned to see three familiar fillies looking up at them.
“H-hello Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom.”
“You okay Twilight? Ya seem kind of nervous and out of breath?” Apple Bloom observed astutely much to Twilight's embarrassment.
“Well girls... I um, I was-”
“She was just about to tell me how awesome a couple we would make and I couldn't agree more!” Before what Dash said could sink in or be processed in her brain, Twilight felt a firm but also soft and warm wing drape over her back and pull her into a hug, pressing her tight against Dash's side.
“Twilight, would you be my marefriend?” All jaws dropped. Twilight's body almost went limp in Dash's embrace, her mouth hung open as she stared stunned at Rainbow Dash who simply held her cocky grin. Scootaloo was almost equally flabbergasted, her eyes flitting back and forth between Dash and Twilight. Sweetie Belle wore a deep blush.
“Well, good luck with that you two... We have um, a thing... On the other side of town. Come on girls.” Apple Bloom nudged Sweetie with her shoulder.
“R-right...” She all but whispered after being nudged. “C-come on Scootaloo...” The two turned and began trotting away.
“Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom turned to find her friend in question was still staring up at the two mares, eagerly looking at both of them. Her stunned expression had evolved into a wide smile as she awaited on baited breath for the conclusion to this story.
“Sweetie Belle, give me a hoof.” With a nod the unicorn filly took position on the opposite side of their friend and began to pull her away, Scootaloo's eyes still glued on the couple. Rainbow watched as the fillies vanished behind a hill before turning back to her stupefied date.
“Well Twi? What do you say? Will you go out with me?” Her tone had changed from the cocksure voice she was accustomed to wearing to a more nervous and weary one. Her confidence shrinking every minute she desperately waited for a response.
Many things were running through Twilight's mind. She was used to having to multitask but her mind was overloaded with emotions, thoughts, fears and hopes. She gulped and tried her best to regain her ability to articulate, but all she could manage was a soft- “Me?”
“Yeah Twi, you. Would you go out with me? Or, is this too soon? I don't know why I thought I should bring this up so soon but, I guess I just felt like we really hit it off and it seemed right to me. I'll understand if you want to wait and I really hope you would still give me another chance. Just dates, no pressure.” Her voice was heavy with fear and anxiety. She could feel her heart racing in her chest and her head was pounding. Her heart sank and Twilight slowly shook her head. She could feel tears building in her eyes.
“No, It's not too soon. Rainbow, I would love to be your marefriend.” Twilight smiled. There's that word again, “Marefriend”. It makes me so happy. I'm somepony's marefriend! Her grin intensified as she repeated the word in her mind.
“Really!” Dash shouted, her countenance completely reversed in an instant as her smile could suddenly match even Pinkie Pie's happiest grin.
“Really.” Twilight responded simply with a light chuckle. Suddenly, Dash's wing wrapped around her pulled her in tighter, squeezing the air from her lungs. Dash pressed her cheek against Twilight's and entwined her tail around hers.
“Dash... Can't breath!” Twilight choked out as she was being suffocated by Dash's affections.
“Oops, sorry Twi,” Smiling apologetically she loosened her grip and folded her wing back to her side and unwrapped her tail from Twilight's, " He he, my bad."
“It's alright.” She cooed after regaining her breath. To Dash's elation, Twilight followed her side step and pressed up against her and, at Twilight's lead, the continued their walk.
“Twilight?” Dash asked nervously.
“Yes Rainbow?”
“Could we weave tails?” Her face reddened with blush as she asked. She knew being turned down was unlikely but she couldn't shake the feeling of fear of being rejected. She couldn't meet Twilight's eyes as she awaited a response, but Twilight didn't say a word. As Dash's worry was building to a boil, she felt a softness wrap around her tail and gave a gently squeeze. Almost unconsciously, Dash's tail did the same and the two mare's tails wrapped together, a sign of mutual affection and caring. So they walked, letting the whole world know, they were now more than friends.
*********************************************************
“Twi, you have to hear this joke Fluttershy told me! It's the worst joke ever!” Dash began, already chuckling from the mere thought of the joke. The couple had been walking aimlessly, too wrapped up in their company to keep track of time. Onlookers had done double takes when they saw two of the towns most recognizable mares walking tails weaved. Nopony was quite sure how to react: fond 'Awww's' were mixed with confusion and parent's shielding their foals eyes from the site of two mares sharing such affections. Neither Dash nor Twilight gave any care at all.
“Worst joke ever eh? Go ahead, You've got me curious.” Twilight said affably.
“Okay, here goes. Did you hear about the cat that ate a ball of yarn?”
“No Rainbow, I can't say I have.” She replied with a hint of sarcasm.
“It had a litter of mittens!” Dash burst out laughing at the “Worst joke ever”, stifling Twilight's soft but genuine giggle.
“That was funny and adorable. That's exactly the type of joke I would expect from Fluttershy.”
“You kidding? That was awful! I've told it to like, fifty ponies already!” She struggled to speak through her laughs.
“And you've laughed like this every time?” Twilight asked incredulously, giggling right along with her marefriend.
“Buck yeah! It gets worse every time!” Dash's laughing intensified as Twilight rolled her eyes. Suddenly, her fit of laughter came to an end as she was brought to an abrupt stop. She brought her hoof to her head and groaned.
“Dashie? Are you okay?” She asked softly.
“Y-yeah, I'm fine. Just a little dizzy. I think this heat is getting to me. Mind if we sit down somewhere?” Despite her efforts, Twilight's worry wasn't eased.
“Yeah, there's a tree over there, we can get out of the sun. Come on.” Twilight led Dash slowly to the oasis of shade in the nearly vacant park they found themselves in. Dash shakily sat herself on the parched grass.
“Are you going to be okay? Maybe we should cut today short, you probably need rest, maybe even a doctor.” The concern in her voice was palpable.
“I'll be fine Twi, I just haven't drank enough that's all. I just need to rest a minute.”
“Wait here, I'll get you something cold to drink.” Twilight began to turn away.
“You don't have to. I told you I'm fine.”
“I'll be right back. Promise me you'll wait here?” She implored. With a sigh, Dash gave in to her marefriend.
“Fine, I promise, but don't worry so much Twi, I can handle a little headache.” Without another word, Twilight vanished in a flash of violet magic, leaving Dash sitting alone under the tree. The cool shade and a light breeze refreshing her from the heat.
Having her as my marefriend is going to be something. She worries about me, even fussing over me. I'm strong, I can handle anything, but, it's nice to have somepony to care and worry about you. I'll have to try to keep her from worrying too much. Well, we'll get used to each other. Today has been one of the best days of my life.
Not even a minute had passed before another flash of light heralded Twilight's return, and with her were two sports bottles, dripping with condensation. Padding up to her marefriend Twilight uncapped the light blue bottle and hovered it over to her. Dash graciously accepted, grasping the bottle between her hooves and gulping down it's contents.
“If you drink that fast you'll-” Her blasé reminder was abruptly cut off as Dash broke into a coughing fit, banging on her chest with her hoof. “Tried to warn you.” She chuckled, as she began rubbing Dash's back.
“I was thirsty! It's not my fault.”
“It's not your fault you forgot to drink?” She raised her eyebrow.
“Exactly!” Dash said with mock finality. The couple shared a hearty laugh, as they lay side by side, Dash placing her hoof over Twilight's.
“Today really has been awesome Twi. Thank you, for giving me a chance.”
“I should be thanking you, I never imagined it would turn out like this, but I couldn't be happier. Thanks, for having the courage to ask me on a date. Rarity, Pinkie Pie or whom ever may have set things in motion, but none of it would have mattered if you hadn't asked me out.” Twilight's statement gave Rainbow pause for thought.
It is all because I saw Twilight was sad. I hated seeing her like that so much, I just, I had to do something. I don't know, maybe the girls were right, maybe without that, I never would have come to my senses about it. What matters now is what comes next right? I'm her marefriend now, that means we'll take on everything together. I won't be alone...
As Dash lost herself in her thoughts, Twilight enjoyed the park scenery. Despite the oppressive temperatures, It was beautiful out. The sky was clear and the scent of flowers and trees was carried along the gentle breeze. A middle aged mare with a pale coat and dull blonde mane trekked though the park, occasionally shooting a glance at the couple. They must have been pretty conspicuous to keep getting looked at, Twilight thought. That thought galvanized a deeper curiosity.
“Hey Dashie?” Twilight asked without looking at her, instead keeping her eyes half on the older mare and half on the past.
“What's up Twi?”
“How did you come out to your parents?”
“What brought that up?”
“We've been attracting strange looks and it made me remember when I came out to my mom and dad.” Twilight seemed to be receding into a bittersweet nostalgia.
“You told me you only ever told Spike and your family. How did they take it? If you don't mind talking about it.” Dash prompted supportively.
“It was a couple years before I came to Ponyville. I didn't give any thought to dating, let alone dating a mare. There was this student at Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, she was outgoing and eager to learn and a very talented unicorn. I started having feelings for her. I never told her, I couldn't even bring myself to talk to her. I knew that I liked her though. I went to my mom and dad for advice. The were convinced I was a phase or that I was misunderstanding my feelings. She was two years ahead of me so when she graduated, I gave up on it. I never really felt anything like that for anypony else. Shining Armor was the only one who was really supportive and understanding.”
“I'm sorry to hear that Twi. I'm glad you had at least somepony who could understand.” She put her hoof on Twilight's shoulder sympathetically. Twilight shook her head.
“It's alright, It took me a long time to be sure about it anyway. I was fairly certain that I was getting set up with a stallion today. Part of me wanted to go just to know for sure if I really liked mares.” She spoke with a sense of resolution and closure, a satisfied and relieved smile illuminating her face. “What about you? Did you tell your parents?”
“Well, not really.” Dash rubbed the back of her head.
“Oh, Do you think they wouldn't understand?”
“Well, I haven't talked to my dad since my mom died, and that was when I was really little. So I doubt the most interesting thing we would talk about if we got together would be my sexuality.”
“Oh Rainbow, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I brought it up.” An overwhelming guilt overtook Twilight as she listened to the melancholic tone in Dash's voice.
“It's alright, like I said, it happened a long time ago. After she died my dad sent me to live with my Grandma. That's his mother, not my mom's. Anyway, she died a few years later and nopony else in my family would take me in. I was put in foster care until I was old enough to be on my own. It was rough, but it made me the pony I am today, and I think I'm okay with that.” She said solemnly as she looked up to the bright blue sky. Twilight stared at the pony she now called her marefriend, seeing her in an entirely different light.
To think that Rainbow Dash had gone through something like that, it's... unbelievable! How is she always so strong and confident? Do any of the other girls know? How does somepony become okay with something like that? She's strong in a way I never would have considered. What her childhood must have been like... Her train of thought came to a stop as Rainbow Dash slowly got to her hooves.
“Sorry Twi, do you think we could maybe take a rain check on the rest of our date? I'm feeling kind of crappy and I think I need to sleep it off.” She looked regretful and distraught at Twilight, hoping she would understand and not hold it against her.
“Is your headache getting worse? Are you still dizzy? Maybe we should-”
“Yeah, a little bit. Don't worry, I'll be fine. I just need some rest that's all. I'm probably coming down with a cold or something. Wouldn't want you to catch it.”
“Rainbow, your symptoms sound more like a concussion than a cold, maybe you should go to the doctor's.” She said with an every growing expression of worry.
“Twi, I've had concussions before and it didn't feel anything like this. I promise I'm fine.”
“Are you sure? I wouldn't hurt to go and see a doctor.” Twilight pleaded. Hearing the unease in her voice, a pang of guilt forced Dash to defer to her concern.
“Okay Twi, you win. If It's not better by tomorrow I'll go to the doctor.” Dash finished with a reassuring smile.
“Thank you, I just want to be sure you're alright.” She said with relief before taking up her place by Dash's side.
“You don't have to worry so much about me Twilight.”
“That's what marefriends are for.” She countered, weaving her tail around Dash's. She doesn't have a mom and her dad doesn't want anything to do with her. With a life like that, she really turned out amazing. I kind of understand her a lot better now. I think I get why she's so confident and always wanting to be the best. But it's those same things that make her a loyal and amazing friend. The couple slowly made their way to Twilight's home with a new and deeper understanding of each other. Twilight couldn't help but feel that her new relationship with her marefriend would certainly last.
***********************************************
Twilight's heart raced in her chest as her lips met Rainbow Dash's, her hooves pressed against her chest. Her body was trembling with adrenaline. She pulled her head back, looking down at her marefriend, her eyes wide with terror.
“Rainbow! Rainbow Dash!” She screamed as she brought her weight down to bear on Dash's chest, her ribs compressing, releasing the life sustaining air she had breathed from her lungs to Rainbow's. Tears began flowing down her cheeks, dripping onto Dash's limp body.
“No... Please wake up! Breath Rainbow, you have to breath...” Her sore chest and forelegs were beginning to lose strength. She collapsed on top of her lifeless marefriend as the emergency services arrived and rushed towards the couple. Twilight buried her face into Dash chest, her tears soaking into her fur. Her body was still warm but she had no pulse. Rainbow Dash was dead.