Only A Matter of Time

“What’s up?” Rainbow Dash asked as she went towards the small little fire her friends had started.

Aaron stumbled after her, trying his best not to face plant into the sand shifting beneath his feet.

“I like you, Rainbow Dash.” He said, trying to keep those five words as plain as possible.

“I Like you too, Aaron. You’re a cool guy...”

“No, that’s not what I meant. I mean I like, like you.” He tried again.

Rainbow turned her head slowly over to Aaron. He was prepared for her to give him a face of disgust, to tell him that they were nothing more than just friends or something about how she was an entirely different living being than him, and they would never work being together.  She opened her mouth; His anxiety began to kick on overdrive. He didn't know how he would react to whatever the response was to his statement. Every second she let escape; his heart would thump twice as fast. He saw her take a deep breath in, and he felt like he was going to explode.

“You know it’s whatever. I just thought (hic) that I would tell you now so that I wouldn't stress (hic) about how I never got to tell you that I (hic) liked you.” He suddenly burst out, cutting Rainbow Dash off from saying whatever heart ache she was about to say.

“Aaron, Relax. It’s cool. I understand exactly how you feel, and honestly… I like you too.”  She smiled at him. She noticed Aaron’s body suddenly began to loosen up, especially his grip on his own leg, and he looked at her with stunned face.

“Are you serious? This isn't part of your (Hic) plan to get me back right?” He slurred suspiciously.

Aaron felt like he was going through so many emotions by what Rainbow had just admitted to him. He was extremely glad that she took it completely well, especially since she seemed to feel the same way about him. He was also just as confused. Didn't she think it was weird that he liked her?

“Yeah I’m serious, why would I prank you about that? I know it may seem weird, after all we've known each other for about a month now, but ever since you wrapped your arms around me, I felt this sense of security. I like that feeling. Plus, you aren't afraid to be yourself, that’s another thing I like about you.” She said as she looked him straight in his dark brown eyes.

Aaron let her words sink into his mind and let out a satisfying smile. He never thought Rainbow Dash saw him as close as she had just mentioned him. He never thought Rainbow would actually give him a chance, to even begin with. To him, Rainbow Dash was the straight up Tom-girl of the group, who never cared about relationships nor having feelings for a boyfriend, only in being the best at what she does. He admired that from her, her determination. She wouldn't take no for an answer, and would not stop trying if she failed.

“You know, this night means a lot to me, even though I’m sort of drunk. I love you Dash, you make me feel right at home.” Aaron said to her.

“Me too, and speaking about home, I thinks it’s time we start heading out, it’s starting to get cold out here.” Dash replied as she put out the fire and grabbed her cooler.

“Okay, you ready?” She added, as she lowered herself to the ground, and pointing her head behind her.

“Alright, but just don’t go too fast in the air this time, okay?” He said as he dragged his feet over to the cyan Pegasus waiting for him.

He slowly placed one leg over Rainbow’s back, careful enough not to topple over her and adjust his weight accordingly. He leaned forward and placed his arms over her neck, using her neck to keep a hold on her just in case anything happened.

“Are you good?” She asked him as she extended her wings, flapping them in the cool night air.

“Yeah, I’m good.” He responded, as he swallowed hard and hoped for the best.

Rainbow raised her body up and flapped her wings extremely hard, the wind from her flaps rustling the leaves from the trees surrounding them. She bent her knees a little before giving on final flap, and took off into the air. Aaron grabbed at his wrist’s, tightening his grip on them as the G-forces from Rainbow’s  take off started pulling him back. He maintained a steady grip on her as she rose higher into the night sky, the cool wind brushing his face helped to maintain his composure.

Soon, Aaron felt like they weren't rising anymore. He looked around at his surroundings and saw that they were at cloud level, the dark outlines of the clouds giving the sky a mountainous landscape. The scenery looked like something from a dream, with Luna’s moon illuminating the cloudy plains. Out all the cool things about flying, the scenery was Aaron’s favorite part.  He smiled has he looked at the world around him, he was definitely glad today had happened.

“Was that much better?” He heard Rainbow’s voice call back over to him, as she slowed down; her cloud home was just a few yards

“Yeah, that was a lot better.” He said to her as he sat up and loosened his grip on his wrists. He wasn't nervous anymore. He had no reason too, Rainbow would never put him in dangers way.

Rainbow landed swiftly at the front of her home and knelt down so Aaron could hop off of her. He carefully stepped off into the cloud floor, placing both of his hands on Rainbow’s back until he regained his own balance.

“You ok? If you need to, you can place your arm around me; I know you’re still a little tipsy.” Rainbow told him as she opened the door and looked at her partner standing awkwardly next to her.

He nodded his head yes, as he took his first steps into her house. He walked slowly, so that he wouldn't crash into anything inside the house. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash placed the cooler back into the kitchen and threw the plastic bag filled with empty bottles into the trash can. Aaron made his way into the living room. He planned on just crashing on the couch. He shuffled slowly around, his hands touching the walls and everything else in his surroundings until he finally reached his destination.

“Aaron, wouldn't you prefer to go upstairs?” Rainbow asked as she noticed Aaron lying on the couch.

“I guess, but I’m perfectly fine down here, Dash.” He moaned as he forced himself to get up, stumbling hard as he stood back up.

“Nah man, I can’t have you sleeping alone here, it’s cold and I believe your clothes are still damp. At least come up so you can dry off.” She said as she walked next to him and placed his arm around her for support.

They slowly made their way up the stairs and into Rainbow’s bedroom. She walked him to her bed and went inside the bathroom to grab a few towels. She went back to him with the towels and placed them next to him, while he took off his shoes and socks, exposing his wrinkled white feet.

“Damn it, I knew I should have  at least, taken my shoes off.” Aaron sucked his teeth as he grabbed one of the towels and rubbed his delicate feet dry.

Rainbow watched as he dried his feet. She thought about how complex Aaron was, about how his body worked and thought about how her world would look like if she was similar to Aaron.  When she first saw Aaron, she thought he was the weirdest looking thing in the world, that he was weak and probably not very self efficient. She also thought he was slow, only able to walk on two feet compared to a pony, which could walk on four legs.  Of course, that was before she actually met him. He was a very strong being, as well as fast, able to harvest large amounts of apples and cutting work time in half. He was also very athletic, he was always in motion. She would often see him out on running’s or doing some type of physical activity that only he could perform, like climb rocks or trees to gather feathers for Rarity or something.

Aaron placed both feet on the floor, letting the soft cloud carpet shape into the soles of his feet. Luckily his jeans had dried already from the dip into the lake, so he didn't need to worry too much about his legs being wet. His shirt, on the other hand, was still damp and it bothered him that it stuck to his skin, so he had no other choice but to take it off and let it dry. He stood up and began to unbutton his flannel shirt. Rainbow looked as he worked his way down to the last button, and then uncovered his upper half to the open air. He laid the flannel shirt on the floor and grabbed another towel, passing over his chest and forearms. Once he was finished he sat back down on the bed and ruffled his black hair.

“Thanks Dash, do you want me to put these towels up or leave them here?” he asked as he finished drying himself off.

“What? Oh, yeah just leave them there; I’ll get them in the morning.” She replied as she snapped out of her thoughts and walked to the other side of the bed.

“Well, today was fun. Hopefully I won’t wake up feeling like shit tomorrow.” Aaron said as he laid himself out on his side of the bed, while Rainbow got into her side.

“Yeah, if anything, I have some pain killers I can give you if you need any.” She replied as she snuggled herself into bed.

“Good night, Dash.  I’ll see you in the morning.” Aaron said as he scooted closer to her, wrapped his arm around her body and kissed her on her forehead.

“Good Night Aaron.” she replied back.

She closed her eyes and let the darkness carry her to sleep in Aaron's arms. She listened to Aaron’s soft breathing, felt his chest rise and fall with every breath he took. She was surprised at how warm Aaron actually was, despite having no fur what so ever. She opened her eye’s one last time to take a look at Aaron’s face, before closing them for the night. For the first night in weeks, Rainbow Dash fell asleep without a trouble in the world.

Rainbow Dash flew merrily into the bright blue sky. She would occasionally fly through patches of little white clouds floating by. She giggled happily as the clouds tickled her body as she continued to fly through them. She was on her way to go see Aaron at Sweet Apple Acres. She looked at her shadow, which trailed behind her as she flew over Ponyvill’s green pasture.  She honestly never felt so alive in all her life, and was all thanks to Aaron.

She was approaching Sweet Apple Acres; she could see Aaron waiting for her by the white wooden fence near the Apple Family barn. She swooped down from the sky and landed right next to Aaron, who greeted her with a smile and approached her.

“Hey Dash, how you doing today?” He said, giving her a welcome hug.

“I’m doing just great, actually. I Just finished doing some practicing over at Fluttershy’s place. I can’t wait to show you my new moves!” she replied as she jumped for joy.

“Awesome, I’d love to see what new moves my beautiful pilot has to show me.” He said as he gave a kiss and hugged her in his arms.

They locked lips, their bodies melting with pure bliss stopping only to catch their breaths.

“Yeah but first, I need to go over to Pinkie’s. She said she needed my help with something.” Rainbow said as she suddenly remembered her plan with Pinkie Pie.

“Oh okay, do you want me to wait for you here?” Aaron asked her.

“Nah, you can tag along, she only needs my help with baking some cupcakes. It shouldn't take long.”

“Oh okay, let’s go. We don’t want to keep Pinkie waiting.”

Aaron walked along side Rainbow Dash, as they made their way to Sugar Cube Corner. Along the way, the two talked about their morning. They were greeted by their friends along way. Soon enough they arrived at Sugar Cube Corner. Rainbow Walked towards the entrance to the bakery. She knocked on it three times and waited alongside with Aaron. The door to the bakery opened up, and the curly haired pink party pony opened to the door.

“Hello Dashie, I’m so glad you made it. I have this AMAZING recipe that I want try out and I need your help to make it the very, very greatest batch of Cupcakes ever!” Pinkie greeted Dash, bouncing up and down with her normal explosive energy.

“Hi Pinkie, I’m sorry I’m a little late, I was just finishing up from practice and heading over to meet Aaron when I remembered about our plans. If it means anything, I brought Aaron along with me so he could make up for lost time.” Rainbow apologized.

Pinkie’s smile began to fade and her face suddenly became stern. Rainbow noticed the quick change of expression but didn't mention anything about it, as Aaron greeted Pinkie pie. She was beginning to think that Pinkie had wanted this plan between them to be some quality bonding time between the two of them, and she began to feel bad about Bringing Aaron along.

“Oh, hey Aaron…How are you doing?” The Party pony asked, letting out a little out a little annoyed sigh escape from her mouth.

“I’m fine, thank you.” Aaron replied. He didn't seem to notice Pinkies mood change.

“Um…Pinkie if you want Aaron can go…”

“Never Mind Dash, I just remembered…I’m all out of Flour and the next shipment comes in tomorrow.” Pinkie Interrupted Rainbow in mid sentence, and slammed the door to the bakery quickly behind her.

“…Ok then? That was really weird.” Rainbow whispered confused about what just happened.

“Yeah, something must be biting at Pinkie lately. Well, we better get going if we want to do all the things we have planned today, Dash.” Aaron agreed as he started turning from the bakery.

“Alright, let’s go.” Dash replied as she followed behind Aaron.

She looked back at the bakery and began to wonder what in the world was going on. The more she looked at the door, the weirder she felt, like something within the bakery was watching her closely.