When Two Fly As One

by John H

Act 1, Scene 8

“Thanks, Rainbow Dash.” Twilight repeated for the umpteenth time as her friend carried her home. Repetition created familiarity. Familiarity created comfort. Although she should have spent the flight home thinking of ways to prepare for Trixie’s traps, she spent it instead comforting herself. “Really, thanks.”

Contemplation of numbers, formulas, and magic dissolved away when Rainbow Dash carried Twilight through the starry night. It must have been from the moment Rainbow first wrapped her arms around her protectively. The view of rooftops and street lights passing under her hooves was broken only by the occasional cloud Rainbow Dash would fly through. She felt Rainbow Dash’s unwavering “You’re welcome’s” tickle her ear, never once sounding annoyed or impatient with her. But the replies, no matter how often repeated, did not bring the complete comfort Twilight expected. Something gnawed at the back of her mind, a feeling of being ill at ease.

“Deja vu,” she whispered under her breath. A memory floated just below the surface, teasing her before flying away just out of hoof’s reach. It wasn’t enough that she just escaped Trixie or that the view was beautiful. She didn’t like that clinging to Rainbow Dash was supposed to feel familiar to her, though she had only ever been briefly carried by her a few times, and only ever for a moment or two.

It was difficult to focus on any worries in the serene atmosphere, and the pleasant breeze eventually convinced Twilight to stop overthinking. Clouds and worries dissipated as she flew through them, leaving only an ambient warmth which overpowered the night’s chill. She peered through the dream-like state to see her home, disappointed that the flight would end so soon. “Thanks for flying slowly, too.”

“Almost got ya home, Twi. So you can stop thanking me so darn much.” Twilight reluctantly shifted around in Rainbow Dash’s arms to ready for her landing. Rainbow Dash placed Twilight gently on the balcony connected to Twilight’s room.

“But I can’t thank you enough!” Twilight shivered as cold air grasped her once again. She shook it off and stepped tentatively towards Rainbow Dash. “Everypony just gawked at me, like I was doing something wrong. And for what, not wanting to play along with whatever Trixie cooked up? Or was it because my best friend wants to go out with me?”

Twilight was surprised to see the normally-cool Rainbow Dash standing there with her head hung low and her wings tucked in. She moved to her side hoping to huddle up with her, but Rainbow Dash headed for the railing instead. Refusing to give up, she resorted to small talk. “I’ve only flown with you a few times. I didn’t realize that until now.”

Rainbow Dash threw her arms over the railing in a huff. Twilight heard her pant, most likely catching her breath from carrying her. She let out a broken laugh. “R-really? Heh, I guess I’ve only carried you when you’ve needed help.”

“Maybe you can take me for a ride sometime when I’m not in peril for once.” Twilight playfully nudged Rainbow Dash with her shoulder. “Or was that already in the itinerary?”

“Itinerary? Uh...”

Twilight giggled. “Plan.”

Rainbow Dash smirked and spread her wings. “Oh! Wouldn’t be a date with yours truly if I didn’t show off my latest moves!”

Twilight stood beside Rainbow Dash and threw an arm over her shoulder. “How would that be different from any other day we hang out?”

Rainbow Dash’s smile faded and her eyes shot downward. “Sorry, Twi.”

Twilight patted Rainbow Dash on the back. “Don’t sweat it, Rainbow. I’m just teasing you.”

“No, Twi. I’m sorry for what happened. For everything.” Rainbow Dash sighed. Of all the stress and tension Twilight went through in the past hour, it was the guilt in Rainbow Dash’s voice and slump that kept Twilight from finding the words to say. Though only a foot or two apart at most, Twilight found the distance nearly unbearable. Each moment Twilight counted the number of times she could’ve tried to reach for Rainbow Dash’s hoof or even hug her.

Rainbow Dash still fixated on the ground and made no effort to break the silence. Twilight spoke softly and hoped Rainbow Dash would at least see her smile. “What are you sorry for? Trixie was the one acting weird about the two of us. True, you blurted out our plans for tomorrow, but you stood by me. I can’t blame you for being yourself.”

Rainbow Dash sniffled and rubbed her eyes. “Even if it hurts your feelings?”

It pained Twilight to see Rainbow Dash trembling and huddled up by herself. Twilight thought of getting a blanket, but Rainbow Dash’s ruffled feathers and watery eyes cried for more than warmth. If anything, she looked like she needed a hug. Twilight wanted to see her bounce back, even if Rainbow Dash didn’t think anything of their embrace.

Of course the hug would mean something to her, stupid! She asked me out. What’s stopping me?

With narrowed and determined eyes, Twilight tore herself from the railing. A hug should mean a lot to Rainbow Dash. She took a deep breath and ignored her heart’s pounding to pull Rainbow Dash away, who yelped in confusion. Twilight didn’t allow herself to hesitate and threw her arms around Rainbow Dash, hugging her for what seemed like the first time. It wasn’t like hugging any of the others. Twilight felt the tightness in her chest finally relax. Her heart beat furiously while Rainbow Dash was in her arms, but it was a good feeling. “I can always forgive you. We’ve been through way too much to let a bad day get to us.”

Rainbow Dash exhaled and gently squeezed Twilight. She rested her head against Twilight’s, her breath tickling Twilight’s coat. “Thank you Twi, but if you don’t want to do this tomorrow because of me-”

“Rainbow Dash, this isn’t your fault. Trixie was obnoxious and ponies bought her act wholesale.” While Rainbow Dash was good at heroics, Twilight excelled in lecturing. She could feel Rainbow Dash trying to break away from the hug, so she kept a firm grip and tone. “I can’t believe I have to talk you into going on your own date!”

Rainbow Dash leapt out her arms, flapping her wings above Twilight while wildly gesturing. “No you don’t! It’s just that I asked suddenly, but you just as suddenly said yes so I didn’t think you were sure, and then I thought Trixie’s scare-tactics –”

“Would scare me off?”

“You were freaking out, remember?”

“Not after being with you.” Their faces were inches apart. Rainbow Dash’s lips quivered and provoked Twilight’s anticipation of what could happen. Twilight turned away. The night had been too long and confusing. Her head was a mess. “I better get going to bed. Won’t do us any good if I’m a zombie tomorrow, right?”

Rainbow Dash stretched out her arms and yawned. “Yeah, I should get going too so we can start early. Hey, maybe you’ll have some fun outside of the library for once.” She nudged Twilight with her elbow.

“C’mon, I’m not that bad.” Twilight blushed, expecting her to do something a little more romantic than yawning. She felt like a foal for the sudden letdown, though admittedly she broke away first. “My nose isn’t in a book all the time, you know.”

“Are you kidding? I bet you’re thinking about a book right now, aren’t you?” As far as Twilight could tell, Rainbow Dash forgot or put aside what was bothering her. Twilight smiled, accepting this Rainbow Dash over the guilty one, though her accusation reminded her of something.

“Oh no!” Twilight broke away, casting a spell to make the memory spellbook she left outside appear behind her in a purple flash. Not wanting to bother Rainbow Dash with another problem on top of her apparent guilt over Trixie’s antics, she tucked the book under her arm and maintained a nonchalant demeanor. Rainbow Dash looked at her suspiciously.

“What is it?” Rainbow Dash poked her head through Twilight’s defenses, which couldn’t do much more than twist her arms away and cover up the book’s title.

“Oh, just another dusty old spellbook I left outside earlier. You wouldn’t be interested.” Twilight saw the curiosity in Rainbow Dash’s eyes. Hiding behind a forced grin and a glowing horn, her spell swiftly opened the door and threw the book inside. Seeing Rainbow Dash following it, she raced her to the door and shut it. “It’s not the new Daring Do, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

Rainbow Dash peeled her face from the door, checking her face with her hoof for any serious injury. “If I catch you so much as reading a menu tomorrow, so help me!”

“Don’t be so harsh! I needed that book to —” Twilight stopped. She still recalled everything the memory her spell recovered earlier, from the way the wind made her wince to how tightly the pegasus held her to its chest. She didn’t realize it sooner with all the stress, but she retained what little she could long after the spell’s failure, through the stage debacle and the flight home. Perhaps being carried in the air earlier strengthened the lucidity, but that wouldn’t explain how she held onto it after blacking out previously.

There was only one new factor introduced which made today different from all of her previous attempts to use the book. Could that be it? She could try the spell again to be on the safe side, but Twilight had good reason to guess that Rainbow Dash was helping the spell’s potency. And Rainbow Dash’s coat was the same color as the pony from that memory. Or had her mind filled in that detail after her flight with Rainbow Dash?

“You’re lucky it’s so late at night, or I’d pry further.” Rainbow Dash was right that it was too late at night to pry further into things. Twilight would have to ask her questions at a better time, preferably after a full night’s rest and hopefully a quiet breakfast with Rainbow Dash.

Twilight had a good idea now what to ask, though the answers may prompt even harder questions. Either way, appeasing her no-books request may be the best way to keep her mood up. As she started brainstorming possible ways to tactfully bring up such topics, Rainbow Dash started to take off. “Let’s go to Canterlot tomorrow!” Twilight shouted.

“Canterlot?” Rainbow Dash stopped mid-air turned her head.

“I can return the book to the library there, and I know there’s plenty to see and do.” Rainbow Dash continued to stare at Twilight with her “you’re being an egghead” look. “We could take the train, but I’d bet it’d be a lot more fun to fly.”

Rainbow Dash smirked and flapped her wings. “I’ll have to see if it fits into our ‘itinerary.’” In seconds she was gone, above the clouds.

“Good night!” Twilight made a note to herself to lecture Rainbow Dash on the proper way to say goodbye. She wasted no time heading inside and crawl into bed, forgoing the usual preparations for sleep. It was cold outside without Rainbow Dash, and for now she had to make do with a blanket.

Comments

[John H]

[Mister Morden]

D'Awwww!

I am happy to see this story progressing.

Curious what Trixie's plan will result in.

Want to see more super cute RD and Twi!

[ForeverFreest]

Ha, bloody good.

[NikitaKitten]

I'm really liking this story so far; nice and slow, so that it lasts longer.

It must have been from the moment Rainbow first wrapped her arms around her protectively.

Ooops.

[Kail]

Glad to see this story's still going. The secret of what went on between these two is getting to me though. Hopefully we'll see what it is soon.

[John H]

1947250 oops?

[Stormgnome]

Hurray an update

[Vates Despero]

1947738 Pegasi don't have arms.

[John H]

1951075 Just going by this. i.imgur.com/Ka4yR.png

[Vates Despero]

1951359
1) Ponies don't use that... it's better than some I've seen but still not accurate to what a pony would use outside of a medical setting.
For example Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon don't call the CMC "Blank Haunches". Also this.
2) YOU asked what NikitaKitten meant by 'oops' and I was just telling you what HE/SHE was saying.

[John H]

1951422 I did ask, that wasn't in question. Ponies don't have arms. Nor do they sweat, fly, cast magic, or anything like that. They also don't hug — well I take that back, they *hug* in a nsfw kind of way. For the purpose of writing a romance fanfiction starring cartoonized miniature equines whose physical interactions with each other and their surroundings are relatively unrealistic, I'm going to describe anatomy for context. I believe that saying "she wrapped her front legs around Rainbow Dash," while technically more accurate than calling them arms, breaks up the mood a bit.

I'm not getting defensive, I just like discussing these things with folks on this site. I like how I can get immediate feedback for my failings and shortcomings, and get spammed with praise when I actually get something right for once. The ease of talking to other readers was partially responsible for convincing me to write on this site in the first place. So whenever it looks like I'm giving my three cents' worth when I was only asked for my two cents' worth, it's only because I really get into things here.

[Prof Yana]

I liked it. It took my a little bit to get back into it, as I haven't thought about it in a while, on account of the fact that it wasn't updated. Because of that, I completely forgot about that whole spellbook thing, therefore I was a little confused at first. Other than that, the only problem I had, which is a very minor one, mind you, as my love of the ship strengthens my suspension of disbelief, is that sometimes Rainbow and Twi's voices didn't sound quite right. They didn't always sound like something either of them would say. Anyway, still a good chapter, and I look forward to reading more.

[John H]

1956915 I KNEW it! I saw all this praise, see the bumps in fav's and likes, then BAM! Reality.

Reality, thy name is Prof. Yana. You make me duck face.

[Bairiko]

Rainbow NEEDS to have a scene with that bow tie from your blog it would be adorable. Great story so far, even if I did need to go back and re-read it to remember what happened.

[John H]

1962654 alright, so 4 people want it.

That's a start.

[Goatmeal]

I feel bad because I don't really remember the spellbook or the dream. Sooner updates would be nice, but don't feel compelled to write just because I asked.
I really like this story. I think I'll re-read the previous chapters to make more sense of it.

[John H]

1962978 the "dream" is really just what the memory spell "retrieves" or resurfaces, per se. I'm going to do a revision of the first three chapters, or at least the first two, since my sister didn't team up with me until later in my progress. She's been a big help in making my stuff make sense.

[Goatmeal]

1963062 Sounds good.

[John H]

1981571 thank you for reading and offering criticism!

It's things like that blurb that I need to clean up when I re-write the first two or three chapters.

[Stryker12324]

Glad to see this is still going. And btw, ponies don't have arms. They have forelegs and hindlegs.

Keep writing.

[John H]

2050685 see my previous comment on the matter.

[ModMCdl]

Is this fic still around, or is it really gone

[Daring Cammie Do]

*pokes the story twice* Is it dead?

[femikol]

6114064 GET ME DA DEFILIBRATORS!!!

[Daring Cammie Do]

6154160 *charges defibrillators* Here you go!