//------------------------------// // A Caring Rainbow // Story: The Rainbow and The Comet // by RNBW //------------------------------// The bright, silvery moonlight trickled through the windows of Rainbow Dash's bedroom, shining onto the bed where the rainbow haired girl slept peacefully. She had donned her sleep wear; a white tank top and blue sweatpants with a white stripe running down on each side. Everything was awfully quiet, save for her loud snore as her chest rose up and down. The silence was broken when the door slowly creaked open. Rainbow awoke suddenly to the sound of the door, and sat up in the bed, yawning and rubbing her eyes. Squinting, she dropped her gaze to Comet Moonstone standing in the doorway. The kid clutched a pillow to his chest, tears glistening as they streamed down his cheeks. Rainbow immediately untangled herself from the sheets, sliding over to Comet in a panic. "What's the matter, buddy?" Comet merely whimpered in response, and turned to leave the room, but felt a soft hand stop him by the shoulder. Comet slowly looked up at Rainbow Dash, shivering with each breath he took. "Come on, Comet, what's wrong?" Rainbow urged, as she crouched down to the floor on her knees. Her magenta eyes sparkled in the moonlight, her shadowed face in worry. Comet let out a hiccup, stumbling forward and wrapping his arms around her waist, dropping the pillow in the process. He buried his face against her neck as he began to sob freely. Rainbow said nothing, instead, she pulled the kid into a tender hug and gently rubbed his back. Comet cried, pausing every so often to wipe at his face, grasping the folds of Rainbow's clothes with his hands. Comet wanted to cry. He needed to, this the girl knew. So, she sat in the darkness, murmuring words of comfort into a lullaby. The young boy sniffed heavily as Rainbow held him close, and after many minutes of tears, he pulled himself up from Rainbow's neck. She brushed Comet’s hair back from his damp face, wiping away a tear that trailed down his cheek. "Comet, are you alright, now?" she whispered after the storm had passed. Comet glanced into the darkest corner of the room, refusing to let go of his protector. His eyes dilated in fear, but he remained still on Rainbow's lap. "Yes," he stuttered, uncertainty creeping across his tone. Rainbow managed a tight-lipped, yet relieved smile. "What happened?" she asked softly, rocking the child back and forth, like how her mother used to soothe her. "Did you have a bad dream?" she gently stroked his hair, closing her eyes. "Y-Yes," he finally choked out, hardly above a whisper. "A really bad dream, Rainbow," he hugged her tightly again, only relenting when Rainbow pushed him back. "What was it about?" she asked again, never ceasing her rocking. Comet took a deep, shuddering breath. "I-It was dark. I don’t know where I was, but it was dark. I tried to get up, but my legs were shackled with chains. I was inside of a cage and my head was hurting really hard," he whispered. Rainbow hummed in reply, bringing him closer to her chest. Comet rubbed roughly at his eyes. "And-and then I heard a scary roar. I got scared and I-I tried to move and I called for help, but nobody came. The roar got louder than before. Then a big, scary dragon appeared from the dark, glaring at me. I started to cry and then the dragon ate me and I died!" Rainbow Dash drew in a sharp breath, pulling back to look at the kid. "You died?" she asked, her eyes wide. Comet nodded solemnly. "Yes. I did! And I was really scared, and couldn't move. Why would that happen to me?" he cried. Rainbow shook her head hard, shushing his sobs. "No, no. Buddy, no, it was a dream. Of course, That would never, ever happen to you," she reassured, her voice tight. Comet sniffed. "But..." "No," Rainbow repeated firmly, rubbing his back. "Never, Comet. If someone wants to hurt you, I will always be here for you, got it?" “Y-You will?” Comet stammered, his tone filled with hope. Rainbow smiled warmly at him and nodded. Comet was silent for a moment, the only sound being the racing of his heart. Finally, he gave her a soft grateful smile and hugged her. Rainbow let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. "There. There, it's alright now, okay?" she murmured. Without hesitation, Rainbow gently lifted him into the air and sat him on the bed. Comet looked up at her face, his eyes filled with hope. "C-Can I... s-s-sleep here... with you... p-please?" Rainbow let out a mix between a laugh and a sigh. "Of course, kid," she said, sliding across the warm bed sheets, and laying out a pillow for Comet. He gasped, scrambling over and under the blankets, hiding from his fears. Rainbow Dash smiled at him comfortingly as she brought an arm over the small child, pulling him to her side. Comet trembled a bit, but his breathing slowed as soon as Rainbow began to sing. Comet didn't know why, but he felt safe with her, like a bright light in the darkness. Even though they meet, she had a comforting glow that made him feel safe. Rainbow continued her song, the smooth lilt of each word soothing over the child as he moved closer. His eyes slowly closed with every note the girl drew out. Rainbow ceased her song as her voice fell to a whisper. "Don't worry, Comet. I’ll chase away your nightmares," she breathed in a motherly tone, kissing his forehead. Rainbow slowly closed her eyes and fell asleep as Comet snuggled close to her and rested his head on her shoulder. The light of the morning sun shone through the windows of Rainbow's room. Opening her magenta eyes, Rainbow Dash let a refreshed yawn before turning to see Comet Moonstone snuggled up against her. Rainbow couldn't help but lean over and brush his hair from his face with a smile. This sight could be only described as 20% adorable. She sat up in the bed, and in a soothing tone, whispered into his ear. "Comet, it's time to wake up." Hearing her voice, Comet carefully opened his eyes and smiled at the rainbow haired girl. "Good morning, Rainbow," he said quietly. Rainbow lifted him and placed him on her lap. "Hey there, little guy. Did you sleep well?" Comet nodded and laid his head on Rainbow's neck. "Good to hear. Would you like some breakfast?" Rainbow asked as she ruffled his hair. "Yes Rainbow. I-I’d like that," Comet replied, while his stomach grumbled. Rainbow Dash chuckled. With that, Comet hopped off her lap, and took the hand offered to him. When the two arrived at the kitchen to have some breakfast, Comet gently sat in one of the kitchen chairs while Rainbow went to the fridge to make something to eat. Rainbow made herself a strawberry jam sandwich and for Comet a delicious bowl of yogurt with berries. Once she finished making breakfast, Rainbow Dash walked over to Comet with the bowl of yogurt in her hands and gently set it in front of him with a spoon. "Here you go, I hope you enjoy it, buddy," Rainbow said to him, clinking the spoon and bowl. Comet smiled softly at Rainbow Dash before taking a spoonful of the yogurt. "Thank you, Rainbow. It tastes very good." Comet grinned, hurriedly eating another bite. Rainbow Dash patted his shoulder. "No problem, Comet, I'm happy that you liked it." Breakfast continued as it would, with Comet finding yogurt 'the best thing in the whole world'. He proceeded to then polish it off in less than a minute, to which Rainbow found highly amusing. Placing the dishes in the sink, she turned to Comet. "Hey, Comet, would you like to meet my friends?" Rainbow asked. Comet nearly tripped out of his seat in excitement. "Yes, I would like that, a lot. Are your friends nice just like you?" "Oh, they are the most awesome friends I've ever met. Don’t worry Comet, you’ll like them," she gave him a wink. "I hope so," Comet said lightly, yet his head lowered. "I've never had a friend before." "Well, guess what? You already have one," Rainbow said as she pointed at herself with her thumb. Comet giggled, running up beside Rainbow and hugging her. Rainbow blushed, caressing his arm. "But before we leave, is it alright if I take a shower?" He gave her a small nod, before Rainbow took Comet’s hand into hers and led him upstairs. Once the two arrived in front of the bathroom's door, Rainbow placed her hand on his shoulder. "You stay here, alright?" Comet stood back. "Okay, Rainbow," he agreed. With a quick pat on the head, Rainbow closed the door behind her, the shower kicking on a few minutes later. Slumping down to the floor, Comet waited patiently, playing with the ends of his shirt. When the older girl appeared, she wore the same clothes from yesterday; a short sleeved blue jacket with a white tank top underneath which had a rainbow lightning bolt in the center, a white and pink skirt with short black leggings underneath and blue boots. "Comet, are you ready?" she asked, stepping up next to him, still drying her hair with a towel. "No," The little kid said as he stood up, looking at his pajamas. Rainbow snapped her fingers. "Oh, right! I forgot!" she said before walking to the laundry room which was beside the bathroom. A few minutes later, Rainbow came out with the child’s clothes, folded and clean. "Here, get changed in my room. I'll be waiting for you," Rainbow said as she handed over his clothes. Comet kindly took his clothes and gave her a grateful, small nod, going towards Rainbow’s room. It didn’t took long as Comet came out fully dressed with his clean clothes. "Does your clothes feel warm, buddy?" Rainbow asked as she ruffled his hair. Comet giggled at the head ruffle, happily nodding. The pair went downstairs, walking outside to the golden sunny day. As Comet held her hand, Rainbow glanced down at him with a twinge of worry. 'Something is wrong with him, but I can't put my finger on it. I hope everything goes well.'