For You
By Craine
Synopsis: One way or another, Rainbow Dash is going follow the instructions on that Wonderbolt acceptance letter, live her dreams, and forget that stupid argument. No matter what Pinkie Pie thought about it.
Indecision. Topped at Rainbow Dash’s list of hated things. Her teeth grounded together, remembering exactly why. It should have been easy to break this hesitance. Tossing all caution into the air with a loose curse should be second nature by now. Knowing this only made it harder, though, only stilled her hooves at the doorstep of Sugarcube Corner.
Rainbow glared at the door like it was responsible for all of this, and that only made task all the more important.
Mouth desert-dry, Rainbow Dash knocked at the door. She stood stout, ignoring her brain’s screeching protests, ignoring the inexplicable urge to take to the sky and pretend this never happened. Had that not been what got her in this mess, Rainbow would deem it an option.
That was before the door opened. That was before she saw a frowning Pinkie Pie.
Rainbow’s eyes locked to the other mare’s, silent and gauging. Her brows squared when she realized how long they’d stood there. Rainbow knew the score, she knew when she was being tested. And when she sauntered passed Pinkie without word, Rainbow was sure to make that known.
The subtle rise of temperature was expected, given it was a bakery, and all. But, now, stepping into Sugarcube Corner was like stepping into an oven. Rainbow’s eyes narrowed when the door behind her shut. She dared not look back, quickening her pace to the kitchen so she could get this over with.
Promising the pink menace a baking day seemed like much better idea before their argument.
Baking cupcakes was never on Dash’s list of hated things. In fact, it had grown on her as a relaxing pastime. But as of that day, it was second only to indecision, and she didn’t hide that when she rummaged the cabinets.
Rainbow ignored the seething glare from Pinkie, resisting a smug grin as she slammed cabinet doors and threw mixing bowls on the countertop.
Pinkie couldn’t complain. She wasn’t allowed to complain, and Rainbow knew it. Pinkie knew the score, and Rainbow was sure to remind her.
Pinkie retrieved the ingredients, thus the baking commenced. And it was the most stomach-turning thing Rainbow had ever suffered. There was no smiling. No eye contact. And worse, there was no talking. With every crack of an egg, Rainbow would shoot a glance toward Pinkie, who glowered at her own task. With every stir of the batter, Rainbow would pretend not to notice Pinkie’s own glances.
Even after all of her pep-talk, knowing her attitude and crude approach was well-justified, Rainbow begun to crack.
Then came the worst part of all: the cooking time. Were it in her ability, Rainbow would jump clean out of her skin. Instead, she settled for staring through the oven glass. Watching the cupcakes bake.
Rainbow allowed a tiny smile, knowing that this was very much a ’Pinkie Pie’ thing to do. Then her face soured, once again hammering all thoughts about that pink menace away. But as Rainbow felt her teeth grind again, she knew that wasn’t going to happen.
It was ridiculous. Downright absurd. Why should she be the bad pony here? Why should she scrounge for the right things to say when none of this was her fault? Why should she be the one to apologize? It wasn’t fair. Pinkie wasn’t being fair! The least she could do was talk, and not resign Rainbow to her thoughts. But no, talking was beneath her! She’d rather be a snooty little foal about everything and sniffle alone in her little corner…
…
…
Oh…
If there was any reason for the tightness in Rainbow’s chest, it was Pinkie’s droopy mane and tail. Only when she heard a faint sob did Rainbow actually leap to Pinkie’s side. In an instant, every horrible thought of yelling at her again, of telling her what baby she was, of actually wanting to make her cry, was washed away.
Rainbow choked on her own breath, and she knew what she had to do, she knew what she had to say. But as Pinkie turned to her, those eyes sullied with tears that should’ve never been, Rainbow had forgotten. She may have very well forgotten how to fly.
Then her breath was snatched away by pink lips.
It was quick and deliberate. So much that Rainbow questioned her shortness of breath when Pinkie pulled away. It brought many other questions too. But none more maddening than why Rainbow had fiercely resumed the kiss. Every instinct commanded her to stop, reminded her why they shouldn’t do this. Why they couldn’t this. Rainbow ignored the command, but Pinkie didn’t.
Rainbow gazed unto the other mare, confused and deprived with only a pink hoof to her chest and a shaking head offered to her.
Rainbow’s teeth grit, a feeling she grew weary of. She knew the score, she knew when she was being tested. But Pinkie knew the score too. Pinkie knew that Rainbow would fail this test. Pinkie knew why Rainbow kissed her back.
And worse, so did Rainbow.
It was all suddenly unbearable to look at. Everything. The wall, the countertop, the floor, all of that damn pink. All of it.
Rainbow whipped her head away, her wings preparing for a shattering take off. She grunted, frustrated at the pink forelegs bounding her wings shut. Her body demanded she leave. Her brain demanded she leave. Her heart demanded she leave. But Pinkie? Pinkie demanded she stay. Just as she had when Rainbow showed her the acceptance letter.
As all the fight was flailed out of her, Rainbow sunk into Pinkie’s immovable embrace, sobbing. The fight was lost. The test was failed. And now, as if there weren’t enough problems, being a Wonderbolt didn’t sound so enchanting.
Author's Note
This was a personal favorite of mine written for TMP's 318th Prompt: Forgiveness is Never Easy. Loved it, do you understand me? LOVED IT! And, oddly enough, it turned out to be a well-received little s**t. Inconclusive for fimfiction at the moment, but... eh.
The Compendium continues!
Craine...
Adorably Stupid
By Craine
Pinkie Pie didn’t always like Rarity.
She’d never actually say that, of course. But the temptations were there. They were always there. Every time Rainbow Dash laughed at jokes that weren’t funny. Or every time Rainbow would take to the sky with Rarity instead of her.
And worst of all, the unforgivable sin that left Pinkie scowling into the wind: when Rainbow enjoyed lips that weren’t pink.
When Rarity talked about clothing designs, business lingo, or high society—things Rainbow would pretend to know. When Rarity swooned with every whiff of that gorgeous, colorful mane. When Rarity pretended that she’d be there to see Rainbow shine when she became a Wonderbolt.
It was all a lie. It had to be. And every time Pinkie watched that shameless unicorn bury her face into Rainbow’s, she told that to herself so many times. And so many times did Pinkie wave their concerns away with a wobbly smile. Or try to find reasons to love the smile she wasn’t responsible for. Even if Rarity had caused it.
Especially if Rarity had caused it.
**********
Rarity wasn’t always fond of Rainbow Dash.
It seemed silly, at first. But it was there. Every temptation to yank Rainbow by the tail and threaten her with bodily harm, was… well, it was sometimes there.
It was clearly justified, Rarity believed. Surely allowing somepony as radiant as Pinkie Pie into Rainbow’s embrace, was a crime worthy of death. Yet, Rarity would always watch it happen. She would always stare with pursed lips and a bitten tongue.
Pinkie would talk, making sunny days impossibly brighter with her smile, and Rainbow would pretend to listen. It wasn’t fair. Pinkie deserved somepony who cared about other’s happiness as much as she did. Pinkie deserved to laugh with somepony that didn’t always need a reason to laugh. Pinkie deserved somepony that actually enjoyed baking with her. And Rarity simply couldn’t make Pinkie see that. She couldn’t make Pinkie see the terrible mistake she made every day.
Rarity couldn’t pull those lips apart.
But, of course, Rarity never could.
**********
Rainbow Dash couldn’t always tolerate Pinkie Pie.
This was nothing new. But it would stab at her to see Pinkie laugh—with Rarity. It would hurt to see that glossy, purple mane bounce alongside Pinkie, laughing, dropping her guard in a way Rainbow could never inspire.
Naturally, Rainbow never said anything. It was always easier to zoom ahead, and leave the bouncing pair in her wind-whistling dust. Rainbow would always come back hours later, hoping it’d be over, hoping she’d return to a lonely unicorn starving for attention.
Of course, Rainbow was never that lucky.
It was hard—really quite impossible—to understand why Rarity would smile so wide around Pinkie. Why did Rarity laugh so hard when Pinkie told a joke? Why didn’t laying on uncovered grass bother Rarity when Pinkie lied next to her? Why did Rarity shudder when Pinkie whispered in her ear?
Rainbow couldn’t answer those questions. Not really.
And night after night, watching Rarity moan into lips that weren’t hers, and gaze lovingly into eyes that weren’t hers, Rainbow may never answer those questions. Maybe Rainbow frowned at the pair because she knew it. And maybe she smiled at them because she didn’t care.
Or maybe they were all stupid. So very, adorably stupid.
Author's Note
Another shorty from the late Thirty Minute Pony Stories. I must admit, I smiled the whole time I wrote this, and reading still gives me a little smirk here and there.
Good times...
The Compendium continues!
