//------------------------------// // 02 - The Two Of Us // Story: Perfectly Harmless // by JustHere4ThePonies //------------------------------// The day passed without incident: Flying, swimming, hiking. Laughing. Talking. Touching. It was more one-on-one time than they'd had in their last few visits put together. It was perfect. Scoots had such a nice time she occasionally forgot about her master plan, and how it had been foiled so unceremoniously. After all, this trip was the result of weeks of orchestration. Well, more like weeks of freaking out, second-guessing, and finally inviting Dash at the last minute - but still. Her desire to invade R.D's personal space had started out innocent enough. She'd appreciated every opportunity over the years, but the reasons behind that appreciation had been changing little by little. At first it was just a welcome sign of care and tenderness, but - although she could scarcely admit it to herself - she'd begun to crave Dashes' touch for more complicated reasons. They'd never been physically close for more than a few seconds at a time. Not as close as they would've been tonight, anyway. Dammit. No, she might get a hug on arrival, a hug on departing, or on the odd special occasion - but that's about it. The few times she'd tried to cling on longer than "just friendly", Dash had made it pretty clear she found it awkward. Half a dozen wrestling matches over the years, delightful as they were, didn't quite count as intimate. A few jocular embraces among friends? Just some platonic affection. Sleepover at Rainbow's place? You're riding the couch. There was never room for discussion. Not that Scoots would dare discuss it. Last month though, a peck on the cheek in a moment of shared excitement - that smooch had haunted her ever since. It set this whole plan in motion. Yes, this was the only way. The only way to be alone together, in forced proximity. Touching... Oh my gosh, she doesn't want to. Obviously. No reason we can't sleep out?! This was a bad idea. The fire they'd built at dusk popped loudly, sending embers skyward and drawing her back to the moment. It would die down presently if they didn't add to it, and the pile of brushwood Scoots had gathered was spent. ("You go gather up some firewood, and I'll stay here and...not gather up firewood. Heheh. It'll be just like old times!") Crickets chirped, frogs croaked; nature's night shift had come on duty, and the rest had gone to sleep. They were lying just inches apart, staring up at pale stars and inky clouds. Wait - where did those come from? It had taken all Scoots' focus and courage just to come sit beside her, then to lie back like this after she did. (Not immediately after, of course - that would've been too obvious.) She'd been lost in thought ever since. If Dash found her nearness disagreeable, she gave no indication. In fact, Dash seemed more relaxed than she usually did when Scoots would work up the nerve to get this close. One of them moved; their shoulders brushed and stayed together. Holy wow. Okay. I'm cool with it. She's cool with it? Scoots presently became aware that it had been a while since either of them had spoken. Five minutes? Ten? Her mind raced for the perfect thing to say. "I had a-" "You wanna-" They cut each other off. "I just wanted-" "You go ahead-" They both chuckled. Dash rocked into her shoulder to give her a nudge. "I- Had a nice time today," Scoots offered meekly. It sounded weird out loud. Had a nice time? Could you be more lame? She tried to pull it off, adding, "We don't really do this kinda thing any more." Dash let her stew a while before responding: "Yeah, I know. Haven't been making enough time for my little sis." Little sis. Dammit! She suddenly felt sick to her stomach. Deep breath. Bad plan. Stupid idea. Stupid! "Glad you twisted my leg, though," Dash continued, unaware of the collateral damage, "This was great. I feel like we reconnected, yanno? Like we've sorta been going in different directions." Oh great. Now we're growing apart? That's news to me. Dash seemed to be waiting for a response, but nothing came to mind. Nothing but a year's worth of unvoiced frustrations, which Scoots sure as hell wasn't going to bring up now. Stupid plan. Bad idea. "It's like," Dash picked up the slack, "we had this whole 'sister' thing going, but, I dunno. I guess I've kinda taken it for granted..." Wait, are we actually talking about this? You're not gonna get a better opportunity, Scoot! "It's just," R.D. went on with an exasperated sigh and mounting discomfort, "I mean, it started out really natural. But, lately I've been wondering if we're really on the same page. Yanno?" Oh no. She knows. Yeah. I'm pretty sure we're not. Not even close. Scoots struggled against her nauseating anxiety, but nothing would remove the knot from her stomach. Nothing but confronting this thing, right now. Right now! This is the best chance you'll ever get. You'd better speak up. Do it. Do it, you chicken! "I really-" Scoots began without the faintest idea what she was going to say, when the bottom fell out. Rain? Seriously? All that flying around and we neglected the rain? It didn't even look like rain a few hours ago. It came on so fast and at just the wrong moment, it was as if someone had conspired to ruin her best shot at finally confronting this mess once and for all. Sonuva- Oh, right- Rain! Scootaloo's insides did a somersault. Dash was already up and hurriedly kicking dirt into the fire, just to be safe. "Come on, let's go Scoots!" she had to raise her voice against the commotion. Okay. Alright. Plan's off. Or- Hell, I don't know. Let's just see what happens...