Rainbow Dash was quietly humming ‘Happy Birthday’ to herself while she glided through the skies of Ponyville. The skies were clear, her birthday was in only a few days, and Spitfire was in town for the week just for her. Yep, almost nothing could be better, especially since Spitfire had promised her a wonderful birthday present.
Rainbow Dash looked down and saw Spitfire walking through town, heading straight for Carousel Boutique. Maybe she’s picking up my present, Rainbow thought as she started following her love, drifting on a cloud. Spitfire scanned around her before knocking on the door to Rarity’s shop, and the fashionista came out. Rainbow started drifting her cloud lower so as to hear what the two mares might be talking about, but she had to go painstakingly slow so she wouldn’t get caught.
As the mare drifted downwards, her mind did the same, trying to figure out what her present might be. She knew Rarity made lingerie, maybe that was what Spitfire was getting? Rainbow’s face burned at the thought, remembering the fact that the two hadn’t even kissed yet, let alone do something like that. Of course, after four months, Rainbow kinda wished the two would go at least a little faster. Then again, the secrecy of their relationship kinda prohibited that. Rainbow pushed the thoughts out of her mind, looking back down at the two mares on the ground.
Spitfire pulled out a Wonderbolt’s uniform, a really nice one too. Wait, that was Spitfire’s uniform! Rainbow didn’t care at this point about stealth, she had to know what was going on. Rarity’s elegant, and not to mention way too high, voice carried up to Rainbow’s cloud asking,
“Are you sure darling? The uniform is quite nice.” Rainbow’s eyes shot open as she heard Spitfire’s response.
“No, I won’t be needing the old thing anymore, besides, I’m done putting on a performance with it.” Done putting on performances? Wait, she was also getting rid of her uniform, and that could only be for one reason. She must be quitting the Wonderbolts, but why? Rainbow sighed, knowing she couldn’t go to Spitfire. She would just get mad at Rainbow for eavesdropping, and that might ruin their week together. Fortunately for the blue pegasus, Soarin was also in town.
Rainbow had flown for about an hour before finally spotting Soarin in the park, sitting on a bench. She flew down, coming to a screeching halt in front of him, huffing as her lungs burned from exertion. “Spitfire, uniform, LEAVING THE WONDERBOLTS!” Soarin blinked at Rainbow, and then brought a piece of popcorn up to his mouth.
“Calm down birthday girl and let ol’ Soarin help. Here have some popcorn, so sit and chill girl. I mean I came to have a good time with you, and I know Spitfire wanted good quality time with her best friend. So sit and relax already.” Soarin patted Rainbow on the head, a wide grin on his face. This was met by Rainbow rolling her eyes.
“Yeah, you coming had nothing to do with the ton of single mares in Ponyville who would probably swoon just at the sight of a celebrity.” The two grinned at each other, and Rainbow brought her hoof up. She then tapped Soarin on the cheek, causing him to wince. “Looks like you haven’t been doing well though,” Rainbow said mockingly. Soarin laughed nervously.
“Hey, we don’t need to talk about my failures right now, let’s instead focus on your news about Spitfire. What did you say again?” Rainbow’s eyes went wide and she knocked the bench over as she flew about five feet into the air.
“Has Spitfire talked to you recently about quitting the Wonderbolts?” Soarin looked up from his less than dignified position on the ground, his head spinning.
“No, why would she?”
“Because she gave Rarity her old uniform, and even said she was done with performances!” Soarin flew up, clamping the blue mare’s mouth shut.
“Wo there girl, calm down. I know Spitfire’s been in a bad mood for the past few months, but I doubt shes quitting. Spitfire loves this job.” Rainbow came down to Soarin, calming a little.
“Yeah, but why would she get rid of her old uniform?” Rainbow turned on Soarin, worry creaing her face, “And why has she been depressed these past few months? I need answers dammit!” Soarin smiled nervously, thinking hard on the subject.
“Well, she has been pretty annoyed recently, and keeps talking to me about lying to herself and others. Actually she’s been doing that a lot lately, and Spitfire also said things would change after this trip. What if this is what she meant by ‘a change’?” Soarin was now in the air with Rainbow the two locking eyes. “If she did that, I would have to be captain, and then I would actually have to work all day long.”
“Screw that, what about the new recruits? You can’t teach them as well; she’s the best!”
“Exactly what I’m saying!”
The two were now in the cloud cover, having risen with each comment. Rainbow was done discussing this though. “We need to get going NOW!”
“Yeah, but a quick kiss first for luck?” A quick hoof into Soarin’s grin, and the two pegasi flew off to find Spitfire.
After hours of flying around Ponyville, looking up down, and sideways for Spitfire, the two finally started heading to Rainbow’s house.
“Hey Rainbow, got anything to eat when we get back? I’m starving.” Rainbow scowled at the stallion, and then sighed, worried for Spitfire. Both stopped mid flight though as they heard,
“What’s up guys? Haven’t seen either of you all day.” Rainbow and Soarin stared for a moment at the yellow pegasus, and Spitfire cocked an eyebrow at them.
“Where have you been all day?” Rainbow grabbed Spitfire’s shoulders, looking like she was on the brink of tears. “We’ve been looking for you so we can convince you not to quit!” Spitfire’s eyes went wide, and she scowled.
“Quit, why would I quit?” Soarin shook his head.
“Rainbow told me about how you went to Carousel Boutique and got rid of your old uniform.You loved that thing! You’ve had it since your days back in the academy. Not only that, but you’ve also been really annoyed when we talk about performances, and just in a general bad mood at the academy. Besides, what other kind of ‘big change’ could you have been talking about?” Spitfire crossed her hooves, glaring at both of them.
“Soarin, I’m not quitting. Now leave before I give you a matching bruise on your left cheek as that delightful one on your right..” Soarin chuckled nervously and saluted Rainbow Dash.
“Sorry, you’re on your own. Uh, something came up.” And with that, Rainbow had to turn back to the Spitfire’s angry glare alone.
“Come inside, we need to talk.” The two flew into Rainbow’s house of clouds, Rainbow staying at the doorway. “Now, any guesses as to what i need to talk to you about now?” Rainbow looked down.
“Please, please tell me you’re not angry.” Spitfire sighed, wrapping a hoof around the blue mare’s neck.
“I’m not Rainbow, disappointed would probably be more accurate. You shouldn’t have been following me, its an invasion of my privacy and makes me question just how much you trust me. However, since you did follow me, I may as well explain what I was up to so you can stop worrying.”
“I got rid of that stupid old uniform because I’m getting a new one. It was old and torn and should have been trashed years ago, but only now did I have an actual reason to get it replaced. As for what’s been wrong with me, its because of that stupid decision we made four months ago.” Rainbow was now on the brink of tears, barely whispering,
“The decision for us to start dating?” Spitfire shook her head while smiling.
“No, that was the greatest decision I’ve ever made. No, it was our agreement afterwards. You know, to keep it a secret from everyone that we were going out. I know that I was the one that insisted on it, to keep up what little professionalism there was at the academy between us, but it’s been tearing me up on the inside putting on this show. And now I can’t take it anymore, I want people to know; screw the consequences.” Rainbow sat down next to Spitfire, nuzzling with her nose.
“I think I’m done hiding as well, and I’m sorry for eavesdropping. I promise to try to control my curiosity in the future.” The two smiled at each other and Spitfire bonked Rainbow on her head.
“I would hope so, especially since I was also getting your birthday present, though I guess I may as well show you now.” Spitfire grinned at a very excited Rainbow as she walked over to one of her suitcases and pulled out two new uniforms, and matching slippers for them. “From now on, I don’t wanna hide, and I hope this is a good way to start hinting about it to others.”
Rainbow grabbed one of the yellow and blue patterned uniforms, inspecting it. The uniform was an exact match of Spitfire’s old one, stylized specifically for her, and just different enough from the normal cadet outfit to be noticeable. Of course, every recruit envied the personalized uniform, sick of looking like clones of each other. Looking over at Spitfire, Rainbow blushed, realizing that Spitfire had a new copy of the uniform, one that matched Rainbow’s perfectly.
Rainbow decided to turn back to the slippers, and immediately blushed further. “I’m guessing these aren’t supposed to be a not so subtle hint.” Rainbow brought up one of the slippers, looking at her cutie mark that was emblazoned on the yellow. This would have been okay, but it was also rimmed by a ring of orange fire in the shape of a heart. “Thanks.”
Spitfire wrapped Rainbow in her arms, nuzzling once more. “See, I’m not quitting anything except this stupid charade we’ve been putting on. Hey, maybe this will get Soarin to finally stop hitting on you?” The two laughed and hugged, walking to the kitchen to make dinner. “Oh, and Rainbow? Will you just trust that I know what I’m doing for once, instead of always trying to guess what I’m thinking?”
Rainbow smiled at her lover saying, “Sorry, you’re stuck with me, like it or not.” The two looked into each other’s eyes and Rainbow’s widened as Spitfire leaned in, kissing her. Pulling away, Spitfire whispered,
“Trust me, I like it.”
