Romp

Rainbow regretted her decision.

Not for any emotional reasons, but because the wind and rain were literally going to rip her wings off at any moment.

“Gaahh!” Rainbow spun against the tempestuous darkness, illuminated in waves by the lightning skirting around her body. Thunder boomed from every direction, which Rainbow tried to use to her advantage – it was simply too dark and chaotic to see where she was going.

She flicked her ears to each side. Sure enough, the clap of a nearby bolt rang off something tall and hollow – the castle, no doubt. Banking against a gust, she aimed her body for the source of the echo, pitching down toward what she could only hope was the front entrance. She struggled to close her wings for the dive, but upon doing so caught a violent updraft beneath her plumes, sending her body tumbling skyward.

A glint of green flashed in her periphery. On instinct, she wrapped her forelegs around her chest and tucked her head, pulling herself into as tight of a ball as possible.

“Oomph!” Rainbow slammed into one of the castle’s highest windows with a wet thump. For a second, she was astonished she didn’t break right through. She unfurled herself and blindly felt around the window’s frame, struggling to find the edge. Feeling a small protrusion, she grabbed hold of the thing and yanked it back.

A trip and a fall later, Rainbow Dash found herself tumbling inside, the window slamming itself back shut from another gust of wind.

“Grrh… oww.” Rainbow lay sprawled on her side against a hard, cold floor, clutching her head with her hooves. “Seriously, enough with the headaches.”

After resting for a moment, she stood and peered around the room. A set of wall-mounted manalights glowed dim beside a door, illuminating a small bed across the way with an end table and lamp. Behind her stood a rolling closet, and next to the window she came through was a mirror – currently toppled over and partially soaked.

Rainbow sighed as pleasantly as she could muster. Fate could not have provided her a better escape.

The pegasus had landed in one of the many guest rooms of the castle. Although she originally intended to fly back home, this was a perfect alternative. At least as far as she knew, neither Twilight nor Spike ever checked these rooms for any reason, given they were rarely used.

And the last thing she wanted right now was to see Twilight.

Rainbow took a moment to shake off the excess moisture from her wings, siphoning out her mane and tail with her hooves. Once finished, she noticed the puddle she left behind. With a groan, she trotted over to the closet and looked inside for a towel. Nothing.

Ignoring the puddle and knocked-over mirror, she walked over to the bed and prodded the covers a couple times, then climbed on top and sprawled out, shivering slightly against the cool surface.

All Rainbow wanted right now was to get away from things for a bit. Everything that had taken place over the past few hours was finally taking its toll, not to mention the most recent event. Grabbing a pillow from beside her head, she cradled it into her forelegs and curled up, closing her eyes.

She hated to leave Twilight behind like she did. She hated even more that she hadn’t explained herself. But she could only handle so much. Getting that close to the same feeling she had so long ago…

Just let it go, Dash. It’s all in the past.

Breathing one last longer sigh, Rainbow allowed fatigue to take hold, sending the pegasus slowly off to sleep.

__________

Another day.

Another awesome win for the Cloudsdale High hoofball team.

…Another stupid essay to write this week.

But, another day.

Alrighty. Feathers preened. Mane tousled. Covers back. Lights out.

All set.

I swear, she better hurry up and get here already.

…ah, sweet – the sound of talons. She’s the only griffon living down this hall, so it’s gotta be her.

Just play it cool, Dash. Everything’s set up and ready to go.

Gosh, I sure hope she hasn’t had a bad day. I… I really wouldn’t want her to walk in on me like this. It's not exactly the way we usually start, so I just—

Oh shoot – she’s opening the door! Play cool, play cool…!

“...Dash? You in here?”

“Y-yeah.”

“Um, why are the lights off?”

“Just… come over here. You’ll figure out why.”

Come on. Just set your saddlepack down and head this way. Please don’t make this difficult…

“...Alright.” Yes. That’s the stern tone I was hoping to hear.

Now, to scoot over a little – yeah, there we go. Any second now, she should—

“Mmph!” Perfect. Just like every time. I can’t say I like how your talons dig into the my forelegs when you pounce like that, but feeling your strength press against them… hearing your wings thrash as you take your place on top of me…

And those eyes. Those fierce amber eyes of yours.

To Tartarus with school and flight training, this is what life’s all about.

“You know, Dash, you’ve been wanting this a lot recently.” Your voice is harsh and low, that teasing thing you use against me every time.

“I know,” I whine in a whisper, just the way you like. “But… I need it.”

Through the dim light that’s still getting past the blackout curtains, you tilt your head. “Need?”

I nod, breathing a pathetic whimper. You know I need this.

For a moment, you grunt thoughtfully to yourself, pressing your forehead against mine. That freakin’ cold beak of yours startles me every time it touches my muzzle, but what gets me even more is how you lock your stare with mine. Right before you take command. Right before…

You blink.

You exhale against me, but it isn’t with passion.

I feel you hesitate.

…What’s wrong, Gilda?

My mouth opens to ask the question, but I hesitate too. I know how tricky this game is with you. One wrong word, one wrong move, and I’m left waiting until Celestia knows when for you to be in the mood again.

I’m careful. Maybe too much, even. I don’t want this to end before it begins. So I hold my breath.

…and yet, you continue to pause.

Finally, I stutter, “Wh-what’s wrong?”

Your breath catches for a moment. There’s no way to miss it; your chest stops against my own, and from the sound of it, your wings are sending all the wrong signals.

Then, they collapse.

You lift off my chest.

And you say it.

“Dash… I’m sorry. I can’t do this anymore.”

Suddenly, the chill from your absence makes me feel a hell of a lot colder than I really am.