Chapter 1
"Ahhh....After a long day, this is exactly what a stallion needs." Elusive said outloud as he sank in deeper into the waters of the bath.
The white unicorn stallion was at the spa, relaxing after completing a large order he had been asked to fill for a store in Las Pegasus. As always, he was up for the challenge and doing it would be a huge boost for his business; the only problem with the order was his younger sister, Sweetie Belle. The younger unicorn had offered her assistance, which Elusive absentmindedly accepted too quickly and soon regretted it. Not more than 30 minutes after starting, the little unicorn had managed to sew a suit sleeve to her tail. It didn't hit any flesh, but with the curls in her tail, Sweetie's handiwork proved to be a bit of a tedious endeavor to remove the bit of cloth without resorting to cutting the hairs on her tail.
All-in-all, he still managed to finish the order just in time.
"Elusive! Hey, Elusive!" he suddenly heard a loud voice call out to him, one that he was rather familiar with.
"Rainbow Dash." he replied to it as he turned to face the pegasus as she hovered just inches off the ground, "I didn't expect to see you here. Did you come for pampering?"
"What...?! No! Of course not! Why would I do something so uncool like that?"
"I thought that might've been the case." he replied dully then gave a sigh, "You know, you're the only mare in all of Ponyville that doesn't enjoy a little pampering. So, assuming that is indeed the case, I assume then you were looking for me?"
"Yeah, I'm looking for you. I need some advice." Rainbow replied and landed on the side of the tub.
"Oh!?...Well..., It would be unbecoming of me to just turn a friend away." he said outloud, rather taken back that Rainbow of all ponies would go looking for advice, then looked at Rainbow, "What exactly do you need my advice for?"
Rainbow opened her mouth to answer, but hesitated for a moment and closed her mouth as her wings opened and closed nervously.
"Rainbow, if it's something quite personal, I won't take offense if you wish to just turn around and leave, but if it's really bothering you and you absolutely feel it's something I can truly help you with, then please, speak."
"Can you promise this stays between us? At least...for now."
"Of course." he replied, now worried for her, "I promise, this conversation shall stay between us." he added as he looked toward the front of the business to check if Aloe and Lotus were still there, and out of earshot, before turning to once again look at his rainbow-maned friend.
"I need..." a pause to give a sigh, "I need love advice." she replied quietly, which sounded more like an inaudible mutter to Elusive.
"I didn't quite catch that I'm sorry, can you say that again for me?"
"I need love advice." she repeated, more loudly this time.
"'Love ad-'....So somepony has caught your eye, well that's very good news to hear. If I may prod a little further, who?"
"Uh, I'd rather not say." Rainbow replied with a blush and turned away, "And it's really none of your business really."
Elusive gave a sigh, "Well, that makes it more difficult. Nonetheless, I shall try helping you. Now, let's see..." he said as he brought a hoof to his snout, "Wait, what kind of love advice are you asking for?"
"I...I want to know how to...to tell him."
"Ah, I see. Well, you're in luck, between Fluttershy and myself, we happen to have quite an extensive library of romance novels. Now, let's see..." he paused to think it over once again, "Well, I'd suggest you perhaps try inviting him on an excursion of sorts you both would enjoy. Something like flying or maybe racing each other if that happens to be a hobby you both share and enjoy."
"And...how exactly does that help me tell him?"
"You just have to tell him afterwards. By taking part in simple activities you both like, such as...music for example, you work towards that moment. It's unbecoming -and I can guarantee you would probably just scare him if you do- to just say it out right to him the very moment you see him. Also, doing so, he may mistaken that you told him as part of a joke, that you are not serious at all. Though I would advise you be gentle when you do try telling him, and gradually build towards that moment."
"Okay...Just one problem though."
"And pray-tell what would that be?"
"What if he doesn't enjoy any of those activities, because he can't do any of them?" Rainbow asked with a slight blush, the statement earning an interested look from Elusive, "Because he's not a pegasus. He's a unicorn."
"Oh...well...that does change a couple of things." Elusive stated as he brought a hoof up to his chin, "Hm..., well, what does this stallion like to do then?"
"Uh..."
"You may take as long as you need to think it over, I'm in no hurry. Preferably these 'likes' happen to be ones you can agree on as well."
Rainbow stopped to think about it. A few times she did open her mouth but didn't make a sound as she had second thoughts about the comment and went back to thinking how to reply without giving any clue who it was.
While he waited, Elusive tried to relax back into the warm bath water and continue to melt his work stresses away. Unfortunately, it was only just so, he simply couldn't help but wonder who. Assuming Rainbow is mostly in town, and doesn't go visiting other cities in the middle of the night, this unicorn had to be local to Ponyville. His first guess was Thunder Lane, but of course he's a pegasus. There was Pokey Pierce, but those two have interacted so few times. Doctor Stable...nope. Comet Tail..., has Rainbow even met him? Same probably goes for Ponet and Written Script, a duo of artistic unicorn like himself, but prefered to stay home most of the time. And, any other unicorn just seemed completely out of the question, as they tended to be simple visitors to the town.
The thought it being him did cross his mind as it bring a slight blush to his cheeks, but quickly dismissed it as a possibility. As of late the pegasus and himself hadn't had the best of interactions, and the two preferred to simply ignore the other when the tension really got high. Besides, the recent rumors about Fluttershy and himself seemed to still be circulating around the town. Whether that rumor was true though, was still greatly debatable.
Well..., there is one other in town, but it seemed rather unlikely. It was their friend Dusk Shine. The two were practically clear-cut opposites, one an intellectual, the other an athlete. They didn't argue at any of the weekly parties thrown at Sugarcube Corner, at any of the town's major events, at any get-together between them and their friends, and certainly not when it came to helping one of their friends. The two did seem to agree quite a bit actually now that he thinks about it. From what he knew so far, Dusk and Rainbow seem to both enjoy similar foods, both were similarly helpful to their friends as well as himself, and similar activities and likes. Reading being a new addition to that list, granted that the list wasn't very long to begin with, but it wasn't exactly a short one either.
Without really opening his eyes, not even a crack, Elusive raised a brow in thought. Maybe Dusk isn't as unlikely as he thought. He opens an eye a crack to look at Rainbow, who seemed to be still preoccupied with finding a reply, her wings fluttering to show how irritated she was getting. It was almost as if by saying one single reply would've actually given away her crush.
Now this was becoming a very, very curious thought. Elusive remained silent as he awaited Dash's reply, at the same time mulling over the possibility of Dash's crush being Dusk. After another moment, the unicorn was about to say something, but Rainbow interrupted.
"It's Dusk." the rainbow-mained pegasus admitted.
"Dusk?"
"Dusk Shine. You know, egghead-stay-indoors-all-the-time-came-from-Canterlot Dusk Shine."
"I understood the first time, Rainbow Dash. I was simply confirming what you just told me." Elusive stated, "You do realize you didn't need to tell me it was him. You could have just said one of his likes."
"Well, could you think of anything I could've said that wouldn't have tipped you off?" Rainbow asked as she got back into the air, but wasn't that far off the ground.
Elusive thought about the question, but found finding an answer difficult since he did have a hunch about it. "Point well taken Rainbow."
"So...where's my advice?" she asked landing again.
"To the point as always." Elusive remarked as with a smirk, "Well, why don't you simply go over and tell him?"
"I thought you said NOT to just tell him."
"Well, of course not, you still must build toward that moment; but, correct me if I'm mistaken, are you not going over there today? I know you have mentioned how irritated you were about not having the chance to read the most recent Daring Do book before somepony managed to borrow it out two weeks ago. And, how Dusk had reminded you endlessly that, that-said pony is suppose to return it today."
"Oh yeah, it...it just slipped my mind is all." Rainbow stated a little nervously.
"I figured that might have been the case." he stated before clearing his throat a little, "With that being said, I advise you to act normal. Don't try to worry so much about telling him, simply focus on what you normally do and wait for the right moment to tell him."
"Yeah..., I can do that." Rainbow cheerfully stated as she got into the air to leave, "Thanks for the help Elusive."
"My pleasure Rainbow Dash. I'm always glad to lend a helping hoof when needed." he stated before closing his eyes again and let himself relax again into the warm water. After a brief moment though, he failed to stop hearing the beating of Rainbow's wings as the pegasus remained in a hover near the tub. He opened and eye again and looked to see Rainbow still hovering where he last saw her and she was looking at him.
"Is there anything else you need Rainbow?" he asked
"You are a stallion, right?"
"I beg your pardon?! What kind of question is that? Of course I'm a stallion." Elusive replied, rather taken back at the question.
"Well, I see a lot of mares come here, and you're the only stallion I-" Rainbow was saying as a matter-of-factly, till Elusive interrupted.
"Just because not many stallions take as much interest in coming here, like myself, doesn't neccessarily mean I'm not one." Elusive stated, "Everypony is entitled to their own opinions and preferences Rainbow Dash. Afterall, you don't see anypony questioning your position as a mare simply because you mostly smell like sweat, and don't enjoy a good pampering."
"Hey! We're not talking about me!" she stated with a glare
"I was simply making a point Rainbow. In any case, is that all? Or do you have anything else to ask me?" he asked, "Preferably something that will not result in us arguing." he muttered to himself.
"Nah, I'm good. Thanks again Elusive." then turned and left the spa.
"That Rainbow sometimes, seriously." he thought to himself before taking a deep breath and sighed, "Still though, I hope she has luck with Dusk. That stallion could use a little change in his life."
Back with Rainbow, as soon as she left the spa, took a moment to land on a cloud and discretely sniff herself. As much as it usually didn't matter to her how she looked or smelled, to a certain degree anyway, she did suddenly felt a little self-conscious and became somewhat worried that her B.O. might a little putting off. Especially to Dusk Shine.
She came to the conclusion that it wasn't that bad, not more than she usually did, which she was kinda proud of in all honesty. It showed that she had a good workout that day, and that she was at the top of her class; but, considering what she was hoping to doing today...Rainbow looked around to check if any pony was gonna see her, then proceeded to lay down and began rubbing herself on the cloud she was on. The aroma of fresh raindrops always trumps the smell of sweat. After another check to see if anyone had seen her, she quickly flew away in the direction of the library.
Upon arriving at her direction, Rainbow took a very brief moment to make sure she looked as confident as ever. Anything less would be unacceptable to the cyan pegasus, even though she was about run a risk, and tell her crush how she felt, and it may or may not be returned. She gulped then proceeded to knock at the front door before opening the door.
"Dusk, it's me Rainbow. Hope you don't mind me coming in." she shouted out as she entered.
"It's a public library Rainbow." she heard Dusk's voice come from the kitchen, "And, I've been expecting you anyway considering how badly you bothered me about loaning out the book before you had a chance to read it."
"Not my fault that you didn't tell me the next book was coming out this month." she replied as she walked where she usually sat when she came by to read Daring Do. "So, um, did you get it back yet?"
"Yes, I've gotten it back. It's on the center table." he replied as he came out to the center room with two cups on a tray, a small tea cup and a larger mug. The pungent smell of coffee in the air suggesting what was in the mug.
As soon as Dusk came into Rainbow's view, the pegasus took a step back as her eyes widened to the size of saucers. "Jeez! What happened to you? You look horrible." she stated, quite concerned at how Dusk looked.
The unicorn stallion, who was usually very spotless and presentable, was a mess to say the least. His eyes looked blood-shot, his mane and tail had more than just a few hairs out of place, and his coat overall lacked the usual luster it had from his daily morning shower.
"I noticed." he replied, his tone more than clearly showing irritation in his voice.
"Hey, I didn't mean to offend."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say it like that." Dusk apologized, then gave a sigh, "I've just had a long night last night. I was up all night with my most recent research project, looking through whatever book was at my disposal, and taking time to write notes in my journal. My research journal to be more exact.' he added, giving a slight grin at the end.
"Maybe you should get some rest Dusk. I'm not one to talk, but looking as bad as you do now, I don't think you should've even opened the library today."
"I still have work to do Rainbow. I can't sleep right now, not yet."
"Dusk."
"I'll be fine Rainbow. Trust me, doing this isn't exactly all that new to me."
"Well, alright, if you're sure." Rainbow stated, accepting it for now at least, just as Dusk used his magic to place the tea cup and the latest Daring Do book in front of the pegasus.
"I hope tea's alright with you. I ran out of apple cider. Barbra hasn't returned from Canterlot yet with whatever Princess Celestia wanted her help with, and I didn't have much time today to go grocery shopping."
"Eh, I'm not big on tea, but, hey, better than nothing I guess." she replied as she took the tea cup in her hooves to take a quick sip, all the while keeping a close eye on Dusk, looking for that window that Elusive had mentioned. Just as she was about to take a sip though, her nose caught the scent of the contents.
"Huh?" she turned her attention to the cups contents, and took a big whiff of its scent, "Uh, Dusk, I don't think this is tea."
"What? I think you're mistaken Rainbow, I'm sure that's tea."
"No, I know what I'm smelling and this smells like-" she took a deep whiff of it, "It smells like coffee. Dusk, I think this is coffee." she stated firmly as she gave an amused grin.
"Can't be..." he then turned his attention to his mug, which was not seated next to the mounds of paper and books he was looking at for his study, which he pulled a small amount out with his magic and put in his mouth. After taking a moment let his tongue register the flavor, he came to a resounding conclusion, "You're right, this is your tea. Trade?" and without really waiting for an answer was already using his magic to retrieve the tea cup of coffee from Rainbow, and giving her the mug of tea.
"Are you sure you're alright Dusk. I can come back tomorrow if you want."
"Yes, I'm sure." he replied as he gave a loud yawn, "I'll just get more coffee later, and you don't have to finish that."
"By the way, you know that coffee is black right?"
"Yes, I know." and took a quick sip of it before saying nothing more as he turned his attention back to his project.
As the last couple of hours came and passed, the two settled into a relatively normal, and relatively quiet, peace. Dusk was still diligently working away at whatever he was up to as book after book was pulled off the shelf, then re-shelved a few minutes later after he either deemed it was inadequate in providing him with the answer he seeked, or it had served its purpose and after jotting down a few notes he was done with it. All the while though, Rainbow had been going back and forth between reading the Daring Do book and glancing up at the target of her affections. Occasionally though, Rainbow could've sworn her lavender friend was also taking glances at her. She excused it as Dusk checking on her.
True to her intentions, Rainbow was adamantly keeping an eye out for that perfect moment to tell Dusk. On a few occasions she did feel the moment was right, but hesitated when her confidence suddenly dropped faster than a lead balloon, which she was internally very much pissed off at herself about. One such moment was when she, with Dusk's permission, decided to go into the kitchen and helped herself to some food from the fridge. After finishing her quick snack, she returned with a cupcake for Dusk as a thank you for letting her raid the fridge, and as an apology for accidentally dropping a large bowl of pudding onto the floor. At that moment, she was sitting next to Dusk, he wasn't studying, and they were able to chat a bit; but, of course, she had to choke up and didn't even hint at it.
As pissed as she was at herself about being weak, in her opinion, about just telling Dusk. She found she couldn't stay pissed for very long. She understood that this was a very delicate matter, if she messed up, it wouldn't just mess up her chances, but also their friendship. If worse came to worse, and Dusk didn't feel the same, she wanted to at least stay as a close friend to him.
As the light of Celestia's sun disappeared from the horizon, quickly replaced by the light of Luna's moon, Rainbow gave a loud yawn and closed the Daring Do book that she had been reading whenever she wasn't stealing glances at Dusk. She stretched to rid herself of the stiffness that had formed in her muscles associated with being in a position for long periods of time, which was then proceeded by a few of bones in her shoulder popping.
"It's getting kinda late Dusk." she stated outloud.
Dusk gave a kind of mumble that sounded like he was agreeing with her.
She then looked at the clock, promptly stating it was 9:45pm, "Okay, it's very late. I probably should've left over an hour ago." in truth though she wasn't all that interested in leaving just yet, not without telling Dusk.
Dusk lazily turned his head to look at the clock, before shaking his head to wake himself up more, "Oh, you're right. I really should've eaten by now too."
"Yeah, I'm kinda hungry again too. Mind if I raid your fridge again?"
"Sure, I have no problem with that. Just don't drop anything else on the floor."
"Yeah, yeah, I know." and trotted into the kitchen.
Once again going through Dusk's refrigerator, she was again forced to consider what to eat. Outside of some purple goop in a jar that was labeled as "Jello" and had a date when it was made, nothing interesting was there. Eventually she pulled out a box of waffles from the freezer and started heating some up for herself and Dusk, who she expected to walk in at any moment looking for food as well. Rainbow barely knew how to cook, in fact the last time she tried cooking something, she almost burned half of Applejack's kitchen; but, she at least knew how to use a toaster.
"I'm running out of time!" Rainbow mentally shouted at herself, "I have to tell him, and soon, otherwise this day was a total waste of my time. Well..., other than reading Daring Do anyway, and getting a chance to visit Dusk again. Maybe, over dinner..."
She took a deep breath, trying to steel herself, cause it was now or never, just before the toaster finished cooking their meals and the waffles popped out. Quickly finding some plates she placed one waffle on each plate before she started looking around for the syrup.
"Hey Dusk, do you have any syrup?" she asked loudly
"..."
"Dusk. Syrup. Where do you keep it?"
"..."
"Dusk...?" hearing no response back, Rainbow abandoned the waffles for now and trotted back to the main room of the library.
As she turning her attention to the center table, she couldn't help but amusingly smirk as she noted that Dusk was now resting his head on the table, though he was still in a sitting position, and was quietly snoring. Appears the lack of sleep had finally caught up with the stallion.
Rainbow quietly walked over to where she could take a seat next to Dusk and have a look at his face. The sight brought an even bigger amused grin out of her, Eventually, her smile softened as she lowered her head and rested it on the table as well, the tips of their snouts a mere two inches away from the other.
"Dusk really is quite the looker when he's alseep." Rainbow muttered to herself. Sure the stallion still wasn't as presentable as he would've, his mane and coat were still remained as frazzled as it was when she arrived, but that didn't matter much to Rainbow. Just the level of calm that was on his face was more than enough for her at the moment.
Rainbow gave a quiet snort, "You sure have some nerve Dusk. Falling asleep just when I was about to tell you about how I feel about you." she remarked quietly as she draped a wing over Dusk's back. She gave audible sigh before saying, "Whatever, sleep tight egghead." before gently nuzzling a side of Dusk's snout.
Sure, it was a little mushy of her to do so, and true that Dusk wasn't her's yet, but it's not like anypony was gonna see anyway. Besides, even if she hated to admit it, the fluttering feeling she got from it was probably worth the embarrassment.
As if acting in response, Dusk gave a loud groan, forcing Rainbow to immediately freeze. She was about to pull away just in case he woke up, but hesitated once she felt the unicorn press his nose against her's. They weren't kissing per say, but it was pretty close to it.
Rainbow's irises shrank to the size of needle-points, as her heart-rate went through the roof and her breathing started to quicken. After a moment or so, her breathing and heartbeat started to relax, as it appears that Dusk hasn't woken up yet. Despite the fact she had managed to relax herself, she still hadn't moved from that position. This was the closest she had ever been to Dusk and she was more than certainly not too keen on letting it slip through her hooves.
A smile formed on her face as she took in a deep breath of Dusk's scent, which was a mix of clovers and coffee, the latter possibly being his breath, and relished the feeling of electricity run down the length of her spine.
"Of all the ponies in Equestria, why did I have to fall for you?" she audibly muttered to Dusk, then gave a sigh and brought herself to giving the unicorn a quick kiss on the nose. As she finally pulled her face away from Dusk, half of her wished he would've just woken up then and there, while the other half was relieved that he didn't.
Just as she was pulling away from him, she noticed the journal that Dusk had been writing his notes in, part of it was under his head. It was still open, and while true that she didn't really care for anything like that, it did catch her attention that her name was written in a short paragraph at the top of a page.
"Was he...?" she started thinking before looking at Dusk, then came to a conclusion, if it had her name on it, then no fault if she looked at it, and quickly grabbed it with her teeth and pulled it away from under his head.
Rainbow looked at Dusk again, just to make sure he didn't wake up, before removing the journal from her mouth and began holding it in her hooves. As she started reading it, Rainbow noted how organized it was (no surprise), and noticed it was divided into sections: "Introduction", "Methods", and so forth. "Wait, I recognize this. This is...what was it that Dusk called it...? Scientific format? Yeah, that's probably it. This is the same thing was muttering about when he asked me to help him with his study of thunderclouds a while ago."
"As a follow-up to the previously tested hypothesis in 'Research of Emotion and Associating Symptoms' (pg 45), continued observation, testing, and analysis will be pressed on further. Increased pulse-rate, nervousness, feeling of constriction in the throat, and difficulty with concentration, as aforementioned, are several symptoms that I have been suffering as of late; and, of which are a few signs of physical attraction according to Fair Heart, a psychologist specializing in psycho-physiology research at Canterlot General Hospital. This premise is somewhat questionable to me as I've only suffered from these symptoms around my friend Rainbow Dash."
Rainbow blinked a few times as she re-read the last sentence a few more times as she felt a blush start forming on her cheeks, as well as a smile. She then took a moment to shake her head and take a deep breath. "Relax Rainbow, don't go jumping to conclusions." She thought to herself before skipping to where she could get some real answers.
"Discussion #1: My findings are still inconclusive. Despite searching through all the available books her at the library, I've yet to fully prove whether my third hypothesis is true. Nothing properly references, thus providing me with an answer, as whether these unique symptoms indicate some level of attraction. Perhaps a field observation would be more suitable. Our weekly pony-pet playdate is tomorrow, will report findings then."
"Discussion #2: After spending some time Rainbow, as well as the others as well of course, the unusual feelings have continued. Though I still feel uncertain, after sharing some of my symptoms with Fluttershy, she confirmed the 'results' of my analysis. After much deliberation, I must agree with my findings: I'm in love with Rainbow Dash."
Rainbow couldn't believe her eyes, right there in front of her was defined proof that Dusk had feelings for her too. True, it could've been anypony else's, but then again, why would Dusk have somepony else's journal. A very wide grin began to form on the pegasus's face as her wings started to slightly flutter in excitement. It didn't last very long though.
"Rainbow! Are you reading my journal?!" she heard Dusk shout, shocking the pegasus as she almost threw the journal into the air.
Looking toward the unicorn, who clearly woke up while she was pre-occupied, she first noticed her friend's face torn between shock and anger.
"Rainbow, it's incredibly inconsiderate to read another pony's journal! What the hay were you thinking going through my journal?" Dusk snapped as he quickly used his magic to take the journal from Rainbow.
"Hey! You didn't say anything about me not taking a peek at your diary."
"Two things. First, I shouldn't have to tell you at all not to go through another pony's things. Secondly, this is not a diary, it's a journal."
"What's the difference?"
"A diary is far more personal. It's a collection of thoughts and feelings you write down at the end of the day."
"Well, that's what you're doing isn't it?"
"Well, yes, but it's still not a diary."
"Then let me see it."
"No!"
"You won't let me read it?"
"Of course."
"Because it's personal?"
"Yes."
"Then it's a diary." she declared with a wide, victorious smirk.
"..."
The two remained quiet as both Dusk and Rainbow looked away from each other, though it was only brief for Rainbow as she looked back at her friend within 10 seconds of looking away, smiling her usual confident grin.
Dusk sighed, "Just...How much of it did you read?"
"Enough to know that you've been checking me out."
Dusk turned a bright shade of red comparable to a tomato.
"So you really do like me like that? More than a friend?" Rainbow asked as she went up a few feet in the air and hovered there, her former excitement and content returning in full force as her eyes were wide and her smirk replaced by a very wide grin. This was exactly, if not more, what she was looking for all day. That one moment.
Dusk hesitated for a moment, before hanging his head low and closed his eyes. "Yes... yes, Rainbow. I really do like you as more than just a friend. Go ahead....you can laugh if you want. I know I nev-"
He was then cut-off as Rainbow tackled him so hard it knocked the wind out of him. Before the achiness from the tackle could even register to him, he felt a pair of lips press up against his. His eyes shot open, and looked in disbelief as was able to make out Rainbow's prismic mane. At the moment, he was laying flat on his back against the ground, as Rainbow was standing over him.
"You have no idea how happy I am to hear that!" she exclaimed as soon as she pulled her face away from him before giving him a quick kiss on the nose.
"W-wait, wha...?! Huh?!"
"You really don't get it egghead...? It means, I like you too." She said before bringing her head back down to give him another kiss, one that was more tender.
It took a moment for Dusk to fully register what was happening, before he started to relax and wrap his hooves around Rainbow as he returned the kiss.
As the two pulled away from one another, Dusk had a ridiculous grin on his face, "Please tell me I'm not dreaming right now."
"This had better not be." Dash remarked, "Why would you say that?"
"Well, I lack any sufficient amount of sleep and I might be hallucinating. Besides, what is there about me that could possibly equate to your abilities that I would be so lucky?"
"A lot Dusk, a lot of things." she stated firmly, "Now stop talking, you're gonna ruin the moment." and gently began nuzzling his face
He took the hint, they could talk about it later, for now he'll savor this the moment and let his now-obsolete concerns fade away as he returned the affection and nuzzled Rainbow back.
-------------------------
Now roughly five months has passed since that day, and Rainbow and Dusk's bond grows stronger. Sure, it wasn't always smooth sailing, but they're still learning. Their friends were more than glad to see them get together, even if they themselves did occasionally make quite a few embarrassing moments for their two friends. Eventually the news even became known to the public, as with all small towns, word travels fast; and, of course, the fact Rainbow started hanging out around the library rather frequently also helped tip off a few ponies.
Dusk was just finalizing his thoughts for the day in his journal, which Rainbow still insists on calling a diary, before stashing it away where his pegasus marefriend wouldn't look for it. Despite now dating Rainbow, he was still more than hesitant to let Rainbow read his most private of thoughts. Not that it stopped the cyan pegasus from trying to find out. After that, Dusk would then quickly heat up some tea for himself, then ask Barbara if she could -wait scratch that, she was attending a sleepover with some of the fillies in town that night- so Dusk would to cook some hayfries as he waited for Rainbow to come by.
Rainbow had requested to stay the night, which of course Dusk didn't mind at all. It wasn't really new to the two, Dash had stayed quite a few times already, usually on really bad weather days; and, it was always quite comforting to wake up snuggled up with her, even if she did snore a little bit. Luckily, Dusk wasn't light sleeper.
Of course, with Rainbow, planning something meticulous as that didn't come easy. As he was placing the journal away where Rainbow wouldn't find it, he heard the familiar sounds of somepony landing on the balcony outside.
"She's early." he thought to himself before looking at the clock, "I suppose there's a first for everything."
He then turned his attention to the stairs that lead to the balcony and his bedroom, just a second before seeing Rainbow quickly fly down the stairs.
"Hey Dusk. Hope you don't mind me dropping in earlier than usual."
"Not at all, though I will admit, I'm a little taken back that you arrived earlier than I had expected."
"Hey, I can be early if I want to." she declared before landing next to him and nuzzling his ear, "So, what are ya up to?"
"Oh you know, the same old thing I always do. I was about to fix up some tea, would you like some?" he asked as Rainbow made herself comfortable on one of two pillows that were next to one another.
"Sure, as long as it's not the one you get from Elusive. I swear they always taste like rotten apples to me." she gave a pause, as if contemplating something, before making up her mind, "Hey, um...Dusk, mind if I ask ya something?"
"Go ahead, whatever it is I'm sure I can answer your question."
"Filly or colt?"
Dusk hesitated for a brief moment as he looked at her in confusion, "I...beg your pardon?"
"Filly...or colt?" Rainbow repeated, with a very cute smirk on her face.
Dusk continued to give a confused look at Rainbow, wondering what in Equestria she was asking. Until a thought crossed his mind, and it made the unicorn take a step back in shock.
"Wait?! Are you implying that you're-"
"Yep."
"Pregnant?!"
"And you're the dad."
"B-b-but...but we haven't done anything!"
"I know, but remember that spell you were working on to help Lyra and Bon-Bon get a kid last month?" she asked, earning a nod from him, "I think you might've hit me by accident."
His jaw just dropped, his mind already running the possibility of that happening.
"Like you said, it was a new spell, and it's not easy to predict how a new spell will react."
At that moment, Dusk's mind finally snapped as he started panic and started moving about the room, verbally listing a bunch of things he needs to consider and look at, as scrolls and books started flying off of shelves and hovered around the room. All the while, Rainbow was now on her back with her forehooves wrapped around herself laughing.
"Dusk. Dusk, relax." she shouted out as soon as she got back onto her hooves and approached him, "Relax."
Dusk did stop for a brief moment to look at her.
"Dusk, relax, I was only kidding."
"K-kidding...?" he asked as he panted, his adrenaline levels going back down to normal.
"Yeah, I just wanted to see the look on your face." she chuckled, "Great prank, huh?"
"NO!!!" he yelled at the top of his lungs, forcing the pegasus to take to the air in surprise, as every item that had been floating around the room now dropped to the floor, "How could telling me you were pregnant possibly be a joke?! I don't know what mares think, I can't speak for them, but I can assure you, to any stallion, that is NOT a joke!"
Rainbow landed back on the ground as her ears laid flat against her head.
"That's never a joke to a stallion. Especially, when telling him he's the father." He groaned as he sat down and started rubbing his forehead with a hoof.
"I'm sorry. I just thought it'd be, you know..., a good quick laugh between two ponies who are dating."
"I need my tea. I need to relax." and quickly trotted off to the kitchen.
Rainbow hesitantly followed behind. She found him pouring himself a cup of tea, before walking past Rainbow back into the main room. All the while, refusing to make eye contact with the pegasus.
"Come on Dusk, I said I was sorry."
He didn't say a word, or even show any sign that he was going to acknowledge what Rainbow had just said. He simply took a seat on one of the pillows and sipped his tea.
"Dusk..." she sounded a little like she was begging now, as she walked over.
"..."
"Come on. I didn't mean to hurt you. You gotta forgive me." then laid her chin on the other pillow, as she looked at Dusk.
Dusk looked at her with half-lidded eyes and regarded her. Rainbow looked pathetic to say the least, she had her ears flat against her head, all four of her limbs were underneath her body, her tail was wrapped off to a side of her body, and she was giving him what looked like puppy-eyes.
He gave another sigh, before finally saying, "Alright..., I forgive you." earning a smile from her, "Now, can you stop with that look? It's really starting to bother me seeing a pony I'm so use to be so confident look so....weak."
"Especially when it's your awesome marefriend, right?"
He remained quiet, before smiling, "Yeah, especially when it's my marefriend."
Rainbow eventually got onto the other pillow and laid a wing over his back as the two sat close to one another.
Dusk gently nuzzled the side of her face.
"So, um...what do you prefer? A filly or a colt?"
Dusk shot her a pissed off look.
"Hey, I already brought it up. Might as well talk about it."
"You know, most ponies consider it somewhat inappropriate to talk about having kids till after their married."
"Well, I'm not like most ponies, and I'm curious enough to not care about that."
Dusk rolled his eyes, before looking over to the side as he thought about the question. "I don't know really. I've never really thought about it. I guess...I suppose it doesn't really matter to me. All I think I would care about is whether they were a unicorn or not."
"Oh?"
"I have nothing against it if they were an earth pony or a pegasus, it's since if they were a unicorn, then I'd have a little foal to teach, and watch grow up knowing I was able to do my best teaching him, or her, the level of magic they achieved." he added with a smile, which earned a smile from Rainbow as well, "So, what about you...? Have you ever thought about it?"
"Hm...Eh, I guess the same as you, except they be a pegasus. Gotta make sure the best of me makes it to the next generation ya know."
Dusk chuckled at that, "Well, it certainly is quite likely. Knowing how you are, you'd probably make a good teacher, and...a good mother."
"Only if I have a great partner to help." and smiled her usual confident smile
Dusk could only smile in response.
Rainbow gave a more affectionate smile before bringing her head closer to give him a quick kiss.
They both remained silent, just lovingly looking into the other's eyes, taking in the mild scent from of the other as their noses were only a fraction of an inch apart from one another.
"I love you Dusk Shine. I hope you never find somepony better to take my place."
"I think I'd have a tough time looking for another pony who's better than Rainbow Dash."
"That's right." she remarked with a slightly cocky tone.
Dusk didn't mind it though as he brought their lips together again for another kiss. As soon as they pulled apart, Rainbow placed her head under his chin.
"I love you too Rainbow." he stated just quietly enough for her to hear as he nuzzled her prismic mane.
The two remained like that for a couple of hours, just silently enjoying each other's presence, before both had to go eat dinner and head off to bed. Leaving whatever further speculation their future might hold for them silently in their minds.