Fueled Fantasy

Scootaloo felt more at home when she was with Rainbow and Soarin, as she laid cuddled up to the mare’s soft fur she couldn’t help but think of just how much time she’d recently spent with them. As she began to ponder more on the subject, something began to eat away in her mind. Her thoughts turned to what was said the day before about the two pegasi taking care of her on a more permanent basis. Would her idols really become her mom and dad?

Currently the three ponies sat around the television, staring intently, all captivated by the moving pictures in front of them. Rainbow was holding Scootaloo close as the pair looked towards the screen with sleepy eyes, Soarin slowly eating the remaining popcorn out of the near empty bowl. It had been a few hours since the sleepover had begun and so far the only fun had been the movie currently showing on the television, but as the credits began to roll past the screen that fun quickly seemed to vanish. Scootaloo let out a small yawn, quickly clapping her hooves across her mouth as she looked over to Dash who was already grinning at her.

“Someone tired?” Dash asked in a sly tone. Scootaloo shook her head, thoughts of the last sleepover rushing through her mind. Rainbow leaned down, muzzle to muzzle with Scootaloo as she whispered, “I think you are.”

Dash gave the filly’s nose a slight nuzzle, making her giggle out as Soarin turned around to see the pair, “Now, Dash, what did you say about being sappy around fans?” he quipped with a smirk.

Dash looked at her coltfriend and then back to the filly, the two sharing a rather mischievous yet knowing look that Soarin knew all too well. Rainbow made sure to give him a five second head start before her and Scootaloo grabbed pillows off the nearby sofa and chased after him. The house was suddenly alive with the sound of laughter as the pegasi ran around. The two ponies quickly cornered Soarin in the kitchen before beginning to advance on him slowly.

“T-Time out?” Soarin asked in meek desperation as his back pressed up against the cloud refrigerator.

“Not a chance,” Rainbow said as the two jumped, pummeling Soarin with the fluffy mass of their pillow weapons. Within moments the stallion was already on the cloud floor, but he managed to squirm free of the two ponies, quickly getting back to all fours as the pillow fight turned into another chase. Soarin bolted for the bedrooms, Scootaloo and Rainbow’s laughter following with him.

“Why is it always me?!” Soarin called back as he ran into the the bedroom, finding himself caught once again as he found the only exit was blocked.

“Maybe because you're just a cheeseball?” Rainbow replied with a chuckle as she and Scootaloo started another advance.

“Or maybe it’s just because I’m that irresistible?” Soarin retorted with another smirk. Making both ponies stop dead in their tracks.

“You win this round,” Rainbow said simply, leaving the stallion to revel in his victory for a moment before she pounced on him. Pinning him to the bed as Scootaloo took the lead, taking her wing and pulling out a feather before holding it close to him.

“Remember this?” Scootaloo asked with a grin as Soarin’s pupils dilated quickly.

“Ready to beg for mercy?” Dash continued with a snicker, Scootaloo bringing the feather inches closer.

“You’ll never take me alive!” Soarin exclaimed as Scootaloo began the next phase of assault, tickling up and down his fluffy chest as Rainbow kept his hooves from intervening.

“You’re-haha, you’re too cruel!” Soarin laughed as he struggled against his mare’s hold, quickly breaking free as he dived over to Scootaloo, tickling her while Dash tried to break the pair up, only to get caught up in it herself. After a few moments of more tickling the three fell down onto the mattress as they panted for breath.

“Shall we call it a draw?” Soarin asked hopefully between breaths. Rainbow nodded as she laid her head on the pillow, with Scootaloo lying on her stomach catching her own oxygen. Soon the ponies began to yawn in unison, each feeling sleep coming to them. Soarin got off the bed and laid the covers over the two ponies before crawling back in quietly.

“Rainbow?” Scootaloo asked softly as the three began to snuggle up within the large bed.

“What’s up, Scoots?” Dash replied calmly.

“Well,” Scootaloo paused, “D-Does this now mean we’re kinda like a family now?” she asked, a hopeful tone to her soft voice.

The question caught Rainbow off guard. The mare took a few moments to process the thought in her mind. It was what she wanted, but was taking Scootaloo in for a few nights enough to give them that title?

“I-I don’t know, Scootaloo,” was all Rainbow could say.

It only took the look in the filly’s eyes after she had spoken those words for Rainbow to quickly jump in, holding her close as she began to play with her purple mane softly, “Hey, that’s not to say we couldn’t be,” the mare said, hoping the positivity would help lift the filly's spirits.

Scootaloo smiled a little, “You mean it?”

Dash nodded firmly, “You bet.”

As she watched the filly lay her head onto her chest for some sleep. Dash couldn’t help but think on those words more. If anypony was to take one look at her right now, there would be no doubt that she looked like the proud mother of a small family. However, it puzzled Dash to think who she really was to Scootaloo, was she still the loving sister she’d tried to be? Or was she something much more than that now?

With a sigh, Rainbow laid her head further into the soft cloud pillow. She would have to talk to Sky more about it when she next saw her. For now though, she was going to be happy with being able to take care of the filly who cherished her just as much.

“Goodnight, cheeseball,” Rainbow spoke softly as she bopped Soarin on the nose, the stallion giving a small snore in approval. The mare chuckled quietly before giving a look at the cute filly curled up on her chest and breathing calmly, she leaned in and gave a soft kiss on her forehead before whispering, “Goodnight, my Sweetheart.”

Soarin cracked his eyes open as the light hit him. He was always an early riser in his youth, but he wasn’t really like that anymore. With a groan, he shuffled lightly on the bed, his eyes falling on the two ponies in front of him who were just waking up. Dash gave a yawn as she stretched her forehooves out, while Scootaloo rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as she regained consciousness.

“So, what’s on the agenda today, then?” Soarin asked in a groggy voice as he moved towards the edge of the bed to get up.

“More sleep,” Scootaloo announced, rolling off Rainbow’s chest and laying on the warm area which Soarin has just occupied, causing both adults to laugh a little at the slightly adorable scene.

Rainbow ceased her snickering as she righted herself on the bed, looking towards the stallion with a grin, “Well since you’re already up Soarin, you can make breakfast.”

The sky blue stallion stopped suddenly in his tracks, silently cursing himself for making the move as Dash sat there with a smug grin. He sighed before turning to his love with a sarcastic smile, “Of course, Your Majesty.”

Rainbow had to try her best to suppress her laughter as Soarin trotted out of the room. The stallion headed down the steps to the main living area of the home, taking a right towards the kitchen before stopping as he heard a knock at the door. He quickly opened it to reveal Derpy Hooves hovering just in front of him, her mail uniform proudly worn as she held a letter out to him.

“Letter for Rainbow Dash,” Derpy announced as Soarin took the parchment kindly.

“Thanks, Derpy,” he said happily as the mare gave a salute before heading off, Soarin shutting the door as he headed for the kitchen. He eyed the parchment carefully but decided to leave it on the kitchen table for now.

It was a few minutes later as Soarin was just about finished with making the group’s meal that he heard Rainbow and Scootaloo descending the stairs.

“Took you long enough,” he said with a chuckle, keeping his eyes on the sizzling food.

Rainbow shrugged playfully, trotting up to the stallion. “We’re just surprised that it’s not a burning smell for once.”

Soarin laughed, “Honey, you’re hardly one to talk,” he replied with a grin.

Dash felt her cheeks burn slightly as she poked Soarin in the side, revelling in watching the stallion flinch slightly before spotting the parchment on the table, “That for me?” she asked, gesturing towards the letter.

Soarin nodded as he placed the cooked waffles onto the nearby plates that he’d set out; “Yep, Derpy dropped it off a few moments ago.”

Dash trotted over, taking the parchment into her hooves as she took the letter out. Her eyes began to sift over the paper as Soarin brought over the waffles to a very hungry looking Scootaloo, who was licking her lips at the sight.

Dear Rainbow,

I hate to bring this to you on such short notice, Dash, but the Mayor has just informed me that I’m required at a meeting in Manehattan. Something to do with Managerial Training for all orphanages in Equestria. It does mean I will be away until the end of the week, though, so if you have an issue caring for Scoots beyond a few days, then there’s someone you can call on at the orphanage just in case.

P.S ~ If Scootaloo needs anything from the home, she knows where to find the spare key.

Sky Heart

Rainbow didn’t care to read any of the details for the extra carer, she would be able to take care of Scootaloo over the week. She actually felt excitement when she put the parchment back down, like when her father would let her stay with Fluttershy a little longer. However, it did mean she would have to wait to ask Sky about her lingering questions from the night before, but they could wait until then anyway.

Turning to Scootaloo, who was amusingly going muzzle first into the waffles, she spoke, “Hey, Scoots, looks like you’ll be staying here a little longer.”

“Was it Sky?” Soarin asked with a raised eyebrow, knowing the announcement must have come from whatever was on the letter. Rainbow nodded back taking a seat between the two at the table.

“Yeah, she said she’s been called to some manager thing.” Rainbow replied simply as she turned to Scootaloo who was beaming at the idea of spending more time with her idols, “You’ll be spending a whole week here now.”

“Awesome!” Scootaoo cheered.

Rainbow smiled back as she began thinking about what they could get up to during the next week. One idea stood out against all of them, but she decided to keep it a secret to surprise the filly with later. As she dug into her own waffles though, she remembered more about her thoughts from last night. Maybe rather than waiting for Sky to return, she could ask Twilight. She made a mental note of the idea before finishing up her waffles and looking towards the ecstatic filly in front of her. Those things could wait for later. As for right now, she was gonna give this filly one heck of an awesome week.