Those Who Need A Friend

The music was still playing. Sane seemed to be focusing on it. Maybe this was one of Sane's things he did while he was upset. It wasn't slow music but not fast either, it was electronic, maybe considered indie. She'd never heard it before because it just wasn't her typical sounds.

However she did find it alleviated some of her stress, if only a little. A thought made her recoil a bit. Nothing bad, or extreme... Just different. It made her a bit uncomfortable but in a good way, an idea that could help them both to take their minds off of things. Though she worried what Sane would think if she told him.

There lies the problem however. Worrying what other ponies thought. Again something she needed to work on. So just ask... What's the worse that could happen? But... I don't... I want to though... She growled to herself and shook her head. Buck it, I'm trying.

Sane looked over as the weight of the bed shifted and saw Rainbow propped up on the bed with her forehooves, looking at the computer. “Do you want me to turn it off?” He hadn't taken into account that she may not like this.

“No, no I don't actually.” She replied sheepishly. “How long will this music play?”

“Um... well this song is only three minutes long.”

“You have more like it?” Rainbow asked.

“Yeah, a lot.”

“Over here.” Rainbow pushed off the bed, trotted to the center of the room and turned to face the confused looking pony who had just gotten off the bed himself. “Come here, leave the music on.” She motioned with her hoof.

Sane did as he was told and stopped a few hooves away. “You alright?”

“Yes, I-I'm fine. Give me your hoof.” Rainbow stated quickly.

“My hoof?” That's... odd.

“Yeah.” She outstretched her own forehoof toward him.

Sane didn't refuse her and took her hoof awkwardly, then jumped a bit when Rainbow pulled him up to his rear legs.

“Calm down.” Rainbow giggled, but felt a little awkward herself as she reached and took Sane's other hoof. “D-do you know how to dance?”

“No, n-no not really.” Sane blushed when he became aware of her intentions.

“Good, I'm not that great either.” She sighed and stepped a little closer to him. “Is this okay? You're not too uncomfortable are you?” Her cheeks lit up.

“A little, but it's fine.” Curiosity kept him in place.

“Okay.” She took a deep breath and let his forehooves go in favor of resting her own on his shoulders. “Take my waist.” She instructed. While she had no problem with it she still had to be the more confident of the two or this would never work.

“Rainbow don't make yourself uncomfortable to make me feel better.” Sane replied with uncertainty, breaking eye contact.

“Sane, I was the one that suggested, now please.”

Sane did as he was instructed, placing his forehooves a little high on her waist, then blushed when Rainbow released his shoulders and pushed his hooves down just above her flank, then resting her hooves back on his shoulders.

“Like that.” She smiled sheepishly. Rarity had briefly taught her a few things on dancing. She had said something about the lower you allowed a stallions hooves on your waist when you danced, the more it showed you trust them. I hope he understands. She thought to herself. Her only consolation was that Sane was more nervous than she. This made her feel better due to the fact she knew she was in charge.

“Alright, but... I still don't know how... I mean I know some, but I c-can't lead.” Sane stuttered.

“Don't worry about it, just relax.” She breathed, then listened to the rhythm of the music for it would set the pace. It wasn't actually dance music but Rarity had also told her that as long as the music had a steady rhythm, you could dance to it. She raised one of her rear hooves and nudged Sane's to get him to move.

Sane had to look down to keep his rhythm. To his amusement she had to look down every so often too. However it was barely a minute before Sane made his first mistake, accidentally misplacing a step and raking Rainbow's shin.

Rainbow bit back a yelp.

“I-I'm sorry, I knew I shouldn't have done this.” When Sane let go and tried to pull away, Rainbow held him in place. He looked back up at her confused.

“Don't be such a filly. I'm fine.” She giggled. “Come on, put your hooves back.”

Sane took a moment to think. Not what you expected. I'm worrying too much like I always do. Just relax. He took a breath and replaced his hooves back on her waist, again a little high.

Rainbow gave him an exasperated look. “Sane... relax.”

Sane knew what she meant and lowered his hooves to where Rainbow had moved them before with a coy smile. “Sorry. I just, haven't been close to a mare in a while. What made you want to dance anyway?” He decided he was going to turn the tide of the conversation.

Rainbow blushed and looked away. “Just because I'm considered a tomcolt, does not mean I'm not a mare.” She sighed. “Ponies see what I want them to see, sound familiar?” She looked back up at him.

“Y-yeah.” He got the reference. “I guess, I didn't really stop and think that other ponies might think that way.” He sighed.

“It's fine.” She smiled, then gently kicked one of his rear legs. “Lets try again.” She was glad to see him smile.

“Okay.”

It took the two of them another three mistakes, one on Rainbow's part, to get the simple step down. However, once they had and were able to focus on things other than where they were stepping, their feelings with the situation got involved.

Up until then they had pretty much avoided eye contact. When Rainbow looked up into his eyes a warmth seeped through her body. She didn't understand it at all. It was that vulnerability again, but without the fear. She was definitely safe now.

He was so gentle, so timid. She'd seen what he could do, what he was capable of, but she hadn't experienced him being so soft. The way he held her so lightly, it made her feel good. The thought confused her, but gave her the sudden desire to be closer. Would he mind? Get upset? She wouldn't know until she tried.

In one smooth but deliberately slow motion she stepped closer to him, wrapping her forelegs around his back, under his wings and pulling him close, resting her muzzle on his shoulder and closing her eyes. She'd done this slowly as to give him a chance to pull away if he was too uncomfortable. Too her relief and joy he hadn't, and had only tensed up a second before relaxing again.

Sane hadn't expected this. He hadn't taken her to be the affectionate type. Maybe she just needed some consolation after what had happened. Whatever it was, it made him feel good, though he couldn't really form a thought and did the only thing he could do.

Sane wrapped his forelegs around her, and under her wings in return. He didn't know why he did it but he nuzzled the top of her head. He thought he heard her purr and squeeze him a bit as he did this. She was warm, her fur soft against his own. He wasn't as uncomfortable as he thought he would have been.

For a moment the two couldn't believe this was the same pony they had met only a few days before, shared secrets with, fought with... Though it didn't really matter to either of them now. Right now they were two ponies who needed a little affection, and somepony to make them feel safe. Safe from the world, safe from themselves. Being in each others hooves made them feel just that.

While the dance and their embrace seemed to last forever, in reality it was over in a little more than five minutes, when the music changed to something a bit more upbeat. They stopped moving, but still held each other for a while until Rainbow pulled away slowly, staring into Sane's eyes.

A not so familiar urge flooded her mind. She wanted to kiss him, for what she did not know. She just knew she wanted to, but she didn't. No Dash, you barely know him, he might freak out... Too much can go wrong.

Sane backed away a couple of paces and dropped to all fours. He sudden;y became very afraid. He panicked a bit. No, no I can't get attached... But... I won't turn her away. If she stays... I won't be able to keep myself from wanting her. I don't know what to do.

He shook a bit and sat in place. This might be a chance... What's wrong with accepting some help? What's wrong with a little hope? I can stay, and have a chance of becoming happy, or getting hurt. Or... I can go, and spend the rest of my life in limbo with my emotions. Stay in this safe, lonely world inside my head... Do I really want that? No... No I don't. If you want anything you have to take chances. He sighed.

“Sane... Are you okay?” Rainbow took a few steps toward him before taking a seat herself. Why does he look so sad?

He looked up at her “Yeah... Yeah I'm fine. Just a little confused. I don't know what's going on.”

“What do you mean?”

“This... I feel funny. I feel... I'm just being me, don't worry about it.” He sighed.

“But, this is what I said I'd help you with... Unless you still don't want my help...” The last words came off as sad.

“No, I... I do. I'm just scared. I'm being a filly. I feel like my emotions are the only thing I can't protect.”

“Protect them from who? Me?”

Sane didn't answer, only turning his head away.

“You don't need to. If I want to help... I'm not going to try and hurt you.” She put her forehoof on his shoulder. “I mean it, it won't be like last time.”

“What did you tell Pinkie?” He asked suddenly, but his tone was absent of anger.

Rainbow replaced her hoof to the floor. “All I told them was that you were a little shy, and different. I didn't tell them any of your history... I swear.” Instead of the relief she expected to see, she saw grief in his eyes.

“I should have asked... I should have gotten the whole story before I got mad. I let fear control me and anger protect me. Knowing that was the wrong answer. I'm sorry.” You're an idiot. He scolded himself.

“It's fine. I was still wrong.” She smiled and raised his chin with a forehoof to meet his gaze. “I don't care about any of that.” There it was again, she wanted so badly to kiss him, but she suppressed the urge. He was already feeling vulnerable and she didn't want to put him in a corner he might not want to be in.

Sane smiled and took her forehoof from under his muzzle, holding it for a moment. “I trust you.” He replied simply.

Those three words made Rainbow feel ten times better. “You won't regret it.”

Then, as with all moments such as these, there passed an awkward silence until Rainbow cleared her throat and gently pulled her hoof away. “I guess I'd better get going, I'm tired, and I'm sure you are too.”

“Yeah... I'm pretty tired. Will you be alright though? Maybe I should take you to one of your friends houses.”

Rainbow giggled and stood up. “I'll be fine. I'm the Dash.”  Her attempt at humor paid off when she revived a humorous grin. “Besides... They were being chased down by the guards and they are all earth ponies. My house is in the sky, they wouldn't be able to get to me unless they had help from a Pegasus or a unicorn, and they don't like either.” Rainbow explained.

“If you're sure. You're wings aren't hurt right?”

Rainbow ruffled them a bit and stretched them out. “Sore, but I can still fly.”

“Okay, I'll let you go, but I want to see you take off, just to be sure.” He added quickly.

“That's fair.” He's so sweet.

They trotted to the door, Rainbow behind Sane. Sane got to the door first and opened it for her. He followed her out without closing the door. She watched as Rainbow was about to take off, but turn to face him again. “I'll see you tomorrow, right?”

“I'm not working tomorrow. So sure, just drop by and we'll get something to eat or something. Start on a new hoof.” He smiled.

“Sounds good... and Sane?” Rainbow paused.

“Yes?”

“Thank you...” She didn't wait for a response before taking off into the sky.

Sane's smile widened. “You're welcome.”