Chapters With a saddlebag on her back, Rainbow Dash was soaring over Ponyville. With only a few clouds in the sky, she certainly was enjoying the flight. Celestia’s sun was starting to sink in the distance and the chill of the evening was starting to set in. The change in temperature felt good on the blue pegasus’s coat, causing her to shiver with each beat of her wings as she was coming in for a landing. Looking at the building in front of her, she gave a small smirk. Just a short time ago, she would have laughed at the thought of her wanting to visit the library to read. And yet, here Rainbow was with a bag full of recently read books, ready to be returned.
Raising her hoof up, she knocked loudly on the wooden door.
“Come on in!” a female voice called out.
Opening the door to the library, Dash saw a purple unicorn seated on the couch in the center of the main room with an open book. It was none other than her good friend Twilight Sparkle.
“Oh, hello, Rainbow Dash! What brings you to the library?” the unicorn warmly smiled.
Trotting up to the table in front of the couch, Rainbow set down her saddlebag. The bag opened up and four books slipped out, “Done with these. I was hoping I could get something a bit more….edgier.”
A concerned smile appeared on Twilight’s face, “I really do love how you have taken up reading, Rainbow Dash, really I do. But you don’t have to be so rough with the books.” The unicorn got up off her seat and looked at the books on the table. She organized them quickly with her magic. Bringing a notebook out of seemingly nowhere, she began to scribble something on the parchment.
“Sorry,” Dash apologized as she took her saddlebag back, “just didn’t have that good of a read this time, ya know?”
Twilight opened up one of the books and started to write down the information about the book, “The Great Galloway by F. Scott Freiberger….checked back in….I guess I can understand. You like books with a storyline that suit you and your tastes, right?”
“Yeah, something like that,” Rainbow commented as she began to look amongst the shelves of books.
“To Kill A Mockingbird by Halter Lee….” Twilight wrote down the next book’s title and author into her notebook, “I’m a little surprised you read through these books. The Great Galloway is known for being mostly about high society ponies and how they live their lives.”
“You want my opinion? That book was about nothing but spoiled, rich ponies acting like colts and fillies in school,” Rainbow expressed her bitterness about the book.
That comment caused Twilight to giggle as she continued processing the books, “Hehe, that’s what I said when I first read it, but there are more layers to it. The Oats Of Wrath by John Steinbuck….” She read aloud the next book she inputted.
“Now, that book was good. A lot of heavy stuff in that book. A lot like the stuff Spike recommended to me,” Dash commented as she continued her search amongst eh bookshelves.
“And lastly, Catcher In The Hay by J. D. Haflinger,” Twilight finished writing the books as checked in before turning her attention to the pegasus. “By the way Rainbow, have you told Spike how you feel?”
Still staring at the wall of books before her, Dash was silent. The only apparent movement she made was her head slumping downward.
“Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked again.
The pegasus mumbled quietly, “Is he here right now?”
“No, he’s running some errands for me right now.”
Not moving, she replied, “No….I’m….I’m too scared to say anything.”
Twilight scoffed a little in surprised, “Really? You’re scared?”
In one, fluid motion, Rainbow Dash turned to look at Twilight, “Yes, I’m scared!” she admitted, “I confess, I’m too scared to do or say anything because….who knows what he might think of me….”
“You’re scared of what he might think of you?”
Dash trotted up to the table, “Yeah, I’m scared he might think I’m not cool or something.”
“Is it really that big of a deal?” Twilight raised an eyebrow in confusion.
“Of course it is!” Rainbow exclaimed, “It’s like if ponies didn’t think you were smart….or whatever!”
“That’s….not how that works for me. Anyway, I’m sure he won’t care either way, Rainbow,” the purple mare explained, “He’s a really sweet dragon and I’m sure he feels the same way about you.”
“Really?” the pegasus looked up at Twilight.
She nodded, “Uh-huh. He told me about how the two of you went to grab lunch as friends. Spike said he was really happy that you saw him as an equal. He also really thinks you are a very spectacular pony. The both of you share a lot of interests when it comes to a lot of things, especially literature.”
An expression of relief flooded onto Rainbow Dash’s face, “Well, I guess that’s good, but I’m still scared to act on my feelings.” Her voice showcased her anxiety.
“That, my dear Rainbow Dash, is something I cannot help you with,” Twilight gave a comforting smile to her friend, “However, I can help you with some books to help fit your taste. How about a Shetland King novel about seven young ponies who are being followed by a nightmarish creature that morphs into each of their own fears?”
“Now that sounds like a good book to me!”
Celestia’s sun had sank down beyond the horizon and her sister’s moon had risen up to the sky. The cool night air encompassed Ponyville and was causing one blue pegasus to shiver as she exited the library. With her saddlebag filled with a new batch of books for her to read, she began to trot toward the center of the town.
Looking up at the sky as she walked, Rainbow Dash sighed, “At least I got some better books for this time around, just wish I could have some help with admitting how I feel.” Her voice was soft as she spoke, not wanting her words to be heard by any other ears.
As she continued to trot, a familiar building appeared before her. Rainbow paused before it. Inside her, she knew she should talk to the pony that lived there, knowing that they could help her. On the other hoof, Dash knew that the pony within could easily get on her nerves.
After weighing her options, the pegasus trotted up onto the wooden porch and knocked on the door. She was already regretting her action when she heard a voice from inside.
“Coming~!”
Dash mumbled under her breath, “What have I done?”
The door opened, with a flood of light pouring out from inside. A white unicorn with a very stylish purple mane was standing in the doorway, “Oh, why hello there, Rainbow Dash!”
“Hey Rarity. I have a bit a problem,” the pegasus stated in a bit of a detached tone.
“Oh, I see. Please, come right on in,” Rarity stepped aside to allow her friend in her home.
Upon entering, the warm atmosphere wrapped around the pony’s body. “Thanks. I just don’t know who else to turn to about this.”
“It’s quite alright, dear,” Rarity said as she closed the front door, “Can I get you something to drink, perhaps?”
Rainbow felt bad to impose, “Um….what do you have?”
“Well, I could get some tea heated up, or maybe some hot cocoa to warm you up. I also have some apple juice, strawberry lemonade, and orange ju-“
“Strawberry lemonade….please,” Rainbow quickly stated.
Rarity smiled and nodded, “Okay, go ahead and take a seat.” She trotted out of the room to the kitchen.
Rainbow made her way to the sofa. Taking her seat, she shuffled around a bit, trying to make herself comfortable on the couch. However, she was having trouble doing so.
As quickly as she left, the white unicorn returned, using her magic to levitate a metal tray with drinks on it, “I’m quite surprised you chose strawberry lemonade, Rainbow Dash.”
“I….uh…..like the sour taste,” Rainbow was a little bashful.
Setting the tray down on the small table, Rarity offered the drink to the pegasus, who took it. Rarity then took her small cup of tea and took a sip of the warm liquid. “So, what is troubling you, dear?”
Dash took the glass of strawberry lemonade and took a sip. The sweet and sour taste caused her shake a little. Taking a quick breath, she began, “No sense in hiding it. I….really, really like an individual, but I’m too afraid to do or say anything.”
Rarity’s face beamed as she set her tea cup down and clapped her hooves together, “Oh, that’s absolutely wonderful, darling!”
“Did you not hear what I said? I’m scared. Me. Rainbow Dash.” The pegasus pointed to herself with her free hoof.
The unicorn giggled, “Well, there’s no shame in that, dear. We all are only ponies, after all.”
Rainbow sighed, “Well, I’m glad you think that way, I just can’t do anything about it. How am I supposed to tell him when I can barely talk about it without acting all weird?”
Taking another sip, Rarity spoke, “Force yourself.”
“Huh?”
“Put yourself in a situation where you are forced to do something about it, in this case, admitting to this lucky somepony how you feel about them,” the unicorn explained.
“That sounds a bit….complicated,” Rainbow raised an eyebrow as she took another drink of her strawberry lemonade.
“I’m sure that if you put yourself in that situation, it will allow you to be honest with your feelings, Rainbow. It’s never easy to share how you feel about somepony, but once you get started, it becomes that much easier,” Rarity gave a comforting smile to her pegasus friend.
Returning the smile, Rainbow nodded, “I guess you have some experience with that.”
The unicorn ignored Dash’s comments, “So, may I ask who this lucky stallion is?”
“It’s not a stallion….it’s Spike.” Dash took a drink of the sweet and sour liquid.
This caught Rarity’s attention, “It’s Spike that you like?”
Rainbow Dash looked away to avoid eye contact with Rarity, “It….It is….”
Rarity’s voice grew stern, “Rainbow my dear, this is Spike you are talking about. Our little dragon friend.”
“He’s more than just a little dragon,” the blue mare commented.
“Beg pardon?”
“Spike isn’t just a little dragon. He is much more than that, and he as proven that time after time,” Rainbow started to speak, “Remember when Spike left Ponyville on that dragon migration? He showed himself being quite an awesome guy. He stood up for what was right against those jerky dragons and did the right thing. He’s amazingly smart too for such a young dragon.”
“But he is younger than us,” Rarity voiced her concern.
“So? My parents had an age difference. Besides, I really mean how I feel about him. I honestly like- no, I love Spike. I know it’s weird for me to say it, but I honestly love that little dragon,” Rainbow’s face grew red as she spoke.
Rarity was silent for a few moments. Taking a sip of her tea, she calmly spoke, “Rainbow Dash, do you truthfully feel this way about Spike?”
“Yes,” the pegasus replied, “I honestly love him. As crazy as it sounds, even to me, I do.”
The unicorn sighed and gave a small smile, “Then I say follow your heart and share you feelings with him. He is truly a kind and caring dragon.”
Dash also gave a little smile, “Spike is a really remarkable guy. Guess that’s what makes like him so much.”
“Just a word of warning, darling,” Rarity started.
Rainbow tilted her head in puzzlement.
“If you so much as hurt a single scale on that sweet dragon, you’ll have to answer to me,” the unicorn gave a firm glare to her friend.
Rainbow was a bit taken back at Rarity’s expression. However, she understood where her friend was coming from, “I swear on all the Daring Do novels that I have no intention to hurt Spike.”
The smile returned to Rarity’s face, “Then I wish you the best, darling. Who knows, maybe Spike will give you a kiss after share how you feel about him!” The unicorn giggled and winked to Rainbow Dash.
The blue mare’s face turned a deep red at Rarity’s comment, “Sh-Shut up!”
It was early in the morning as Rainbow Dash sat on the park bench. Luna’s moon had already started to hide behind the horizon, but Celeista’s sun had not yet started to rise. She sat in silence, looking out across the pond before her, watching the low fog just above the surface of the water. Wrapping herself up more in her scarf, she waited as a thousand thoughts raced through her mind.
“What if he doesn’t show up? Or what if I get tongue-tied and can’t spit it out? There’s nopony around here, right? I really hope that there isn’t somepony here to watch this. Oh….darn it Spike, why aren’t you here yet?” Those were only a few of the many concerns that were in her head. She took a deep breath of the icy, morning air in an attempt to calm herself down. It didn’t help.
“Dang, why did I have to choose this place for him to meet me….why didn’t I think of someplace warmer?” she mumbled aloud.
As she shivered, she saw a figure walking along the path that bordered the pond. After a few moments, the pegasus noticed it was the dragon she invited. Also sporting a scarf around his neck, Spike waved his arm up to greet Rainbow.
With a big yawn, he spoke, “Hey, Rainbow Dash. What did ya call me out here for?”
“Yeah, sorry about that. I kinda wanted to talk to ya in private without anypony else around, ya know?” Rainbow explained.
“I guess,” Spike hopped up onto the bench, taking the seat next to the pegasus, “So what’s up?”
Rainbow didn’t speak right away. Instead, she was busy in her head trying to convince herself to follow through with what she had planned. ‘Come on, Rainbow Dash, just as Rarity said: force yourself to say it.’
“You alright, Dash?” Spike’s voice called her back to the real world.
Finally able to speak, she began, “You remember when we began to hang out in the library, reading and junk? Well, during that time I kinda found out that….I like ya.”
Spike looked at the mare with a confused expression, “Well, we are friends, so that’s normal, right?”
“I don’t mean that. I mean I honestly like you more than just as a friend. I….I love you,” her face grew a bright shade of red.
“L-Love?” Spike’s face began to turn colors as well.
The mare was beginning to shake for a reason other than the temperature. She looked directly at the foggy pond as she spoke, “I….really like you, Spike. I feel a great connection with you, Spike, one I feel with no other. It honestly feel there is something between us….that’s how I feel it anyway.”
Spike was at a loss for words, “I don’t know what to say….”
Rainbow paused slightly before adding a few more words, “Just….say something….”
The dragon didn’t say anything at first. Instead, he also looked at the fog that stayed just above the water. Their breathing was the only thing audible for what felt like an eternity. Spike finally spoke, “I….I really like you too, Rainbow Dash. And I feel that connection too….but….I don’t feel we know a lot about each other right now….” Spike’s words left his mouth slowly as he struggled to say how he felt.
“I like strawberries….”
Spike turned to look at Rainbow Dash’s face, “Huh?”
Dash’s head was pointed downward and her eyes were tightly shut, “I have always liked strawberries, ever since I was a filly. But I’ve always wanted to keep the appearance of being cool, so I didn’t want anypony to know I liked strawberries, because they might think I’m lame or weak.”
“Really?”
“Yeah….” Rainbow Dash continued her confession, “I have a bunch of stuffed animals. Most of them are of bears and rabbits, animals I just really like because….because I think they’re cute….” Her face became flushed again. “I….also like music of Tawleed Swift, Coldneigh, and other music that’s….cheesy and junk….and I-“
“Rainbow Dash?” Spike interrupted.
She turned her head to finally look at the dragon that was sitting next to her.
“Why are you telling me all of this?”
Dash became a bit bashful, “Because….I feel like we should try to get to know each other better, ya know? You said it yourself we could learn a lot more about each other….even the parts of me that aren’t cool….”
“I don’t care about the stuff that isn’t cool about you. Heck, I wouldn’t care if other ponies thought you were cool or not. I like you for who you are,” Spike smiled warmly to the pegasus.
“You do?” Rainbow’s eyes widened.
Spike nodded, “Yes, you’re an awesome pony, Rainbow Dash. You’re brave, daring, strong, loyal obviously, and so much more. And those are just a few reasons why I love you back.”
Rainbow Dash was caught off guard by Spike’s words, causing her to blush deep red, “S-So….does that mean….”
The dragon smirked a little as he spoke, “If you are asking that if I want to be your coltfriend, the answer is yes. And I hope you know I’m not going to stop teasing you about that collection of stuffed animals.”
END