“Telegram for Ms. Rainbow Dash?” The past-his-prime greying mailpony announced, standing at the doorstep to The Blunt Horseshoeinn. Twilight smiled gratefully as she accepted the envelope, wishing the stallion a farewell as she shut the door to keep the building snow storm out.

Inside the inn was a far cozier environment. A large two-story open dining area, wooden balconies providing access to the rooms while two massive coal fired fireplaces sat grandly at either end of the hall. The inn was empty, save for a near-blind, generously proportioned innkeeper behind the faded bar under a balcony, and the six attractive mares he had the pleasure of housing.

“Rainbow, a letter came for you,” Twilight said, yawning slightly, the strange coziness of the rather cavernous room seeping into her. Not that she would let herself sleep of course, not when she, and her friends had been tasked by Celestia herself.

Rainbow’s ears perked, getting up from the beanbags that the group had arranged in a circle just in front of one of the hearths. With a grin, the pegasus swiftly launched herself over to Twilight, accepting the letter readily.

“Who’s it from?” Twilight asked curiously. Its appearance striking her as odd, seeing as the postal service wouldn’t have known Rainbow was in some random inn in the far north reaches of Equestria.

“It’s marked first class. Whoever sent it must have wanted it here quick,” Rainbow mused aloud, biting and tearing into the brownish package.

With a quick flick of her head, the letter came free and Rainbow hastily fumbled to find the sender.

With a happy squeal, she looked over to her friends with a beaming smile. “It’s from Andrew!”

“Aw shoot, ain’t that sweet of him to send a letter all the way out here,” Applejack smiled.

“I’ll be right back girls. Don’t want any prying eyes if theres something for ‘my eyes only’ in here,” Rainbow smirked.

“Have fun!”

“You gotcha! Oh but like... come and tell me if we need to go and save Equestria or whatever,” Rainbow quickly added as she rocketed upstairs.

“Well, its good to know that whatever threat Celestia sent us up here to confront might get the drop on us because of a letter,” Twilight snorted.

“Oh don’t be a stick in the mud, Twilight. It’s romantic. Besides, I’m sure whatever anomaly she sent us up here for was just our princess being cautious. You can’t let your guard down if your subjects’ lives are at stake.” Rarity commented.

Twilight huffed down onto her bean bag. “I know I know. It’s just that... why does Rainbow get such a sweetheart? I mean I’m happy for her and all but she wasn’t even looking for a relationship.”

“My my Twilight, don’t tell me you're jealous of our dear Rainbow,” Rarity smiled coyly.

“Well, maybe I am. Just a little. It’s not so much Andrew, I mean he’s sweet and all, but I’m not looking for... that kind of relationship. I’m jealous because she just happened to have the perfect guy fall right into her hooves.”

“Oh don’t be like that, Twi. You’ll find someone! I mean you're a princess now! Give it another few months when your publicity really picks up and stallions will be falling at your hooves!” Pinkie declared.

“We’re all gonna find someones to share our lives with! Dashie just found hers first.”

“Um.. I do have a colt friend,” Fluttershy added.

Twilight sighed. “You're right, Pinkie. I should be happier for Rainbow. I guess I’m just a little on edge with us being so far from home and not really knowing why we’re here.

“I hate not knowing things,” Twilight grumbled. “Like what was in that letter!”

“Coco’s up!” the keeper suddenly spoke up, pushing a silver tray onto a small coffee table nearest to Applejack.

“Oooh!” Pinkie drooled, instantly trying to slurp up the boiling broth and failing.

“Blow on it would you, Pinkie?” Applejack sighed, handing out the mugs till there was only one left.

“Shoot, Dash ordered one didn’t she? Hang on girls I’ll be right back,” Applejack announced.

Sensing an opportunity, Twilight’s ears perked. “Oh no don’t worry, AJ. I’ll take it up for her. Give mine a chance to cool down.”

“Alright here ya go. I’ll make sure Pinkie keeps her hooves off from your drink.”

“Thanks AJ,” Twilight smiled, taking the mug into her magical grasp before turning for the stairs.

The balcony creaked as Twilight walked across it making her way to the slightly ajar door that was Rainbow’s room.

“Rainbow, I got your coco,” she announced, rapping her hoof on the door twice before entering anyway, privacy be damned.

“It might be a little hot so you’re probably gonna want to blow on it... Rainbow, are you alright?”

In the corner of the room, the pegasus sat hunched over the small reading table. A soft arcane desk lamp washed the table in front of her, but left her dark as the room. Small sounds of sniffling and the slightest hint of choking sobs left the mare.

Ice settled into the alicorn’s gut, that dreadful feeling of one’s stomach dropping while your skin bristled hot with fear. Quickly making her way over to the pegasus, she placed a hoof reassuringly over her tiny frame.

“Rainbow,” she started, in the same tone a police pony might use to give bad news to a foal. Seeing that the pegasus wasn’t turning to address her, she took on a more concerned tone. “What’s wrong Dash?”

Rainbow only sniffed three times. turning away she pushed the letter over the desk towards the purple mare.

Twilight’s eyes lingered on the pegasus for a few moments longer, almost as if looking away would make her break down. Finally, she turned her attention towards the slip of paper, fearing the worst.

‘Oh please in the name of Celestia tell me he didn’t break up with her.’

The unmistakable print of a typewriter looked back at her. With a final glance over at the pony in tears, Twilight began to read.

To my Rainbow.

I don’t know if you're going to get this letter. I don’t know if the postal service is as good as they say they are. I don’t even know if they’re going to be able to find you. But I do know why I’m typing this letter instead of trying to steady my shaking hands.

I miss you.

It’s been two weeks now and everyday has me hurting without you here. I guess my shrink was right when he said I have attachment issues. It hurts, Rainbow. It hurts to not be able to see your gorgeous face or to feel your body against mine. It hurts to not be able to hear you laugh and see you smile.

I feel sick. I haven’t slept a full nights rest since you left. Even now as I write this its the dead of night. I can’t sleep. I can’t breath. Not until you're back here, resting with me.

You, out of everyone I’ve met since coming to Equestria should know how... broken I was. A mangled mess of twisted emotions and homesickness.

But then you came along.

Dashie. My guardian, my blue angel. My Rainbow. You were there, every step of the way. You helped me more than I could imagine, just being able to see you each day was enough of a reason to tackle each day with a brave face.

Believe me when I say that when I first cottoned on to your feelings for me, I was surprised. But deep down I couldn’t find it in myself to push you away, or to say no to your affection. I saw your passion, your hope and most of all, your fear of rejection.

I couldn’t say no to you Rainbow. You helped me so much, the least I could do was give you a chance. And then, I opened my heart to you. You may think that I’m always your shoulder to cry on, that I’m the strong one in this relationship. All those times you opened up your soul to me, you looked so fragile. Of course I was going to be your rock in those times.

But what you don’t know is that I rely on you just as much. Your presence alone makes me feel at home, no matter where I am. Just being able to wake up to you each morning, to hear you giggle as I whisper into your ear. It’s the greatest feeling I’ve ever had.

But now, that’s not here.

Our house feels so cold, its like it needs you just as much as I do. Everything feels so much bleaker when you're not here to give it color. Your Rainbow. But you're not here, you're up there.

I understand why you're there. You're a hero, Rainbow. Equestria would be nothing without you and the others being there to pull us through the dark times. You're not only my saviour, but everyone’s.

I miss you Rainbow. Oh god do I miss you. But I know that I can’t pull you away from your duties just for me. You're defending Equestria and I understand that.

And that scares me more than anything.

I already lost everything. I’ve already lost my loved ones, I’ve lost whatever semblance to a normal life that I had before, I’ve even lost the chance to see my most cherished daughter again.

Which is why I can’t lose you.

I can’t, I just can’t. You're everything to me Rainbow. In a world where I have nothing, I have you. Your smile means more to me than the very turn of the planet itself. I would walk to the ends of the earth and back again if you asked me.

You are my world, Rainbow Dash. My life.

Without you, the sunrise wouldn’t greet me for much longer.

I don’t think anyone else could understand, anyone other than you. I miss you Dashie, and the fact that at anytime when Equestria is in danger you have to go risk your life to save ours, I can never shake the feeling that you might not be coming back.

You're out there. Almost an entire continent between us and facing some unknown threat. I'm scared, I’m so scared that this time, you're not going to make it back.

It’s not that I doubt your ability or skill, but what are the odds that you would come back safely from every single disaster that comes our way? I fear that one day, you're going to be called away to fight for your country, and it may be the last thing you’ll do.

I can’t ask you to choose between your home and me. My life isn’t nearly as important as thousands of others, even if you do disagree. You’re needed to go go out there and to save the world once more.

I wish I could ask you to promise me that each and everytime you're going to make it home safe, but I’m realistic. I know that there’s a chance that that’s not going to happen and I don’t want you to worry over breaking a promise to me.

So I’ll make a promise to you instead.

I promise, that if you ever pass. Be it natural, and accident or fighting for your country. I will always love you. If you’ve taught me anything it’s that loyalty is so very very important.

I promise that for as long as I live, you will be my mare.

I love you Dashie. I don’t know where you are, I’m confused as to why as well. But, just know that things will never change for us at all.

Now, and always I will love you with every fiber of my being. You're my Rainbow. I love you.

P.S. Ignore the wet patches on the paper. It was raining when I mailed this.

A purple hoof rubbed under the snout of its owner. With a quick wipe of brewing tears, Twilight turned back to Rainbow, who had since resorted to tiny sniffles.

“Rainbow, I don’t know what to say,” Twilight offered.

“Rainbow sniffed again taking a moment before speaking, “Why do I love him so much?”

“Because he loves you just as much Rainbow,” Twilight responded, putting the letter on the desk.

“I,” she hiccuped. “I never thought about it that way. What if I did die... while we were away fighting?

What would my- my family do? They wouldn’t even know, they would have to be told, and I-”

A hitching breath left the mare, “I couldn’t leave Andrew alone like that. He doesn’t deserve that.”

Burning tears began to spill over her cheeks again. “I love him too much to do that to him. And he’s back home hurting without me!”

With a quick rub of her hoof, she looked up with puffy red eyes at Twilight., “I’ve gotta go back.”

Twilight shook her head. “You can’t Dash,” she said softly.

“He needs me! Why am I out here away from him when he’s back home, hurting without me?” Rainbow replied, keeping herself from shouting at Twilight.

“Rainbow, he even said so in the letter. He asked you to not put him above Equestria,” Twilight returned softly.

“He’s lost without me Twilight,” Rainbow moaned softly head hung low. Twilight moved to her side, putting her hoof across the pegasus’ shoulders and resting her head on Rainbow’s scalp.

“You need to be strong here Dash,” she began. “You need to be that super-confident awesome pony that you are. Do you wanna know why?”

Rainbow didn’t say anything, not even bothering to give a shrug or a shake of her head.

Undeterred, Twilight kept on. “Because if Celestia was right, and we were sent up here for a reason, then we’re going to kick whatever it is all the way back to Tartarus.”

“And you're going to prove to Andrew, that he’s got nothing to be afraid of.”

“ I know that Twi,” Rainbow retorted. “We’re going to find whatever’s threatening Equestria this time and we’re going to prove Andrew’s fears wrong.”

“It’s just that… this letter has given me a lot to think about, and I’d like to be left alone for the rest of the night.”

With Twilight giving her one last concerned gaze before leaving the room, Rainbow Dash wordlessly sat down on the edge of the bed. She then looked towards the window, showing the snowstorm that was still raging outside.

After the door gently clicked shut, Rainbow casted a glance over to her luggage sitting at the foot of the bed. Silently, she popped the latches, letting the lid open. With utmost care, she slowly pulled out an old, rugged and battered green T-shirt.

With a sniff, she gingerly pulled the wrinkled old shirt over her body, fitting herself easily into the massively oversized shirt, letting its texture and scent sooth her. Curling up into a loose ball, she lay still on the bed, inhaling the lingering scent of her distant man through his old shirt.

She stayed that way for the rest of the night, lost in her thoughts.

Author's Note

Sorry bout the wait, have some feels.