Grounded

The sound of rustling leaves outside your window stirred you from your slumber and you lazily sat up on the edge of your bed. With an arched back and outstretched arm, you let out a large yawn.

Yep, days off are the best, you thought to yourself as you happily walked to the bathroom after a good night’s sleep to brush your teeth. A few years had passed since you mysteriously appeared in Equestria and settled in Ponyville. While memories of the world from before create some longing every once and awhile, you were never eager to find a way, if there was such a thing, to return. Things were better here, the air, the peo-, er, ponies, and the food, although you did miss carnivorous dining options. You even had a place to call your own after saving up bits from working on the Apple family farm in Ponyville. Not that it was bad occupying a space in the Apple residence and getting to know Applejack’s family for a time, but you missed your privacy after a while.

You had just finished a breakfast of bread and butter when you heard a knock at your door. A muted tomboyish voice sounded outside.

“Hey sleepyhead, you up, yet?”

“Yeah, give me a sec,” you responded as you moved towards the door. Upon opening the door, you were greeted by light blue pegasus with a rainbow-colored mane grinning at you. “Good morning, Rainbow Dash,” you said with a warm smile back. As far as friendships go, you and Rainbow Dash are quite close. It was her keen eye that initially spotted you wandering the outskirts of Ponyville following your unexplained arrival into Equestria. After a brief introduction with the blue pegasus  that revealed a pleasant surprise that, despite being a human, you could communicate with ponies, she showed you around, taught you some mannerisms and customs of ponies, introduced you to some of her friends, and set up temporary living arrangements. Ever since, the both of you have been best buddies.

“Well, well, you’re late,” she remarked with her eyes taking on a mischievous look.

Erm, what?

There wasn’t anything you were supposed to do today. Before you could respond to her comment, she continued, “I’ve got some new aerial maneuvers to practice and you were going to give me your opinion on them.”

“Right. When exactly did I agree to this?” you playfully asked while leaning against the door frame. However, you racked your brain to make sure there really weren’t any commitments you promised to anypony for today.

“Hmmm…” the blue pegasus hummed briefly with averted eyes and one of her front hooves touched to her chin. “Just now!” she exclaimed quickly setting her hoof back down and returning her gaze back to you.

“Ah, I see,” you laughed. Damn, she’s cute. “Alright, you caught me. Gosh, I was so close to escaping another one of your boring airshows. Say, it’s going to take me minute to get into some decent clothes. Do you want to come in?”

“Pssh! Whatever,” Rainbow Dash teased as she followed you in. “You were the last one I asked, anyway. Everypony else was busy. I guess you must be the laziest slacker in town.”

“Yeah sure, me lazy. Says the pony who just naps all day,” you retorted from your bedroom, which elicited a giggle from the pegasus. One thing was for sure, your snarkiness had increased twenty percent from all the time you hung out with her. After emerging from your bedroom in freshly changed clothes, you set out with Rainbow Dash. Following at her side, you felt the sun’s rays paint tones of warmth over your body and your nostrils savored the multitude of aromas from kitchens. As she led you out of Ponyville into a wide circular clearing amongst a perimeter of trees, the scents of the town faded into the sweet Equestrian morning air. “Don’t mess up,” you jested while taking a seat at the base of the one of the trees. The pegasus froze mid-stretch. Her eyes became half-lidded and a smug grin spread across her face as she trotted towards you. She leaned her face centimeters away from your own and continued her seductive gaze. Slowly raising one of her forehooves she gave a swift thwack to the side of your head. “Ow!” you yelped with a wince while rubbing the side of your throbbing head.

“Whoops, my mistake,” Rainbow Dash crooned before she stretched her wings wide and launched into the sky.

“Smart aleck,” you muttered under your breath. Note to self: ponies, although adorable, can still cause physical harm.

“I heard that!” Rainbow Dash yelled from up above before zooming off.

Wow, that is impressive, you thought to yourself as an agile Rainbow Dash bolted across the sky in a flurry of high-g turns and loops. Comfortably seated underneath a tree with arms outstretched behind, you observed in awe as the nimble pegasus transitioned into her finale routine. She gracefully glided a good distance in front of you close to ground level and channeled her remaining momentum into starting a wide semi-circle trajectory along the earth towards your seat. Hm, this is new. Oh shi-! your musing was cut short when Rainbow Dash accelerated along her flight path that seemed to cut through your impromptu stadium seat. In the midst of scrambling out of her way, your pegasus companion passed inches away into a quick ascent above you. Remarkably, her form seemed unphased by the potential collision as she climbed higher into the sparsely clouded sky. Straining your neck to see her finishing maneuver, you spied a light blue silhouette rapidly pull into a dive bomb right above you. This time, more trusting of her calculations, you remained where you were, leaned against the tree trunk with one arm, and watched the spectacle unfold. Rainbow Dash’s form sped past you at the same distance as her beginning ascent, then peeled off one last time in a break-neck turn that seemed like only fighter jets could pull off. In her lazy gliding to reduce velocity, the details of her equine form came into sharp focus once again. Her rainbow mane and tail flapped serenely in the wind, her fierce eyes conveyed a dogged determination to become the best, and her outstretched wings portrayed a powerful grace that deceptively disguised her adroit flying potential. Sweet Celestia, she’s beautiful, you thought to yourself as you continued to observe her gliding body. I mean, for a pony, you swiftly added. However it was too late, your mind had started to expound on the thought. Hmm, still, what would a serious relationship be like with her? I mean, would she even consider being with me? Naw, no! The crushing reality hit home. You both weren’t even the same species or even from the same dimension, if one wanted to get technical. No way she would date somepo- er, someone like m-

“Helloooooo? Anypony still there?” A blue hoof waved back and forth across your vision.

“Huh? Wha-?” you managed to stammer, interrupted from your ponderings.

“I said, what did you think?” the blue pegasus inquired with a giddy grin. After all that, she didn’t even break a sweat.

“I...aye...uh,” was all you could muster as the corners of your mouth locked into a nervous smile. There was no time to shake the mental image of the admittedly charming pegasus from your mind. It also didn’t help that she was stood close to you in a bipedal stance on her hind legs with one foreleg propped against the same tree you leaned on. The intense purple irises that peered at you quizzically for your response along with her slightly unkempt multicolored mane further impeded your ability to think coherently. There was no denying it, she was gorgeous.

“Oookay…” Rainbow Dash muttered, never breaking her gaze.

An imaginary pep talk attempted to goad your mind to make a proper response. C’mon brain, let’s go! Make the words! You shut your eyes and shook your head vigorously in an attempt to produce a respectable answer.

“What?! You didn’t like it?” a raspy voice cried out in disbelief. “Was it because I was too close to you at the end? I guess it would have been better to warn you first, but that would have ruined the surprise.” After reopening your eyes, you saw that the blue pegasus now stood on all fours. Her face had changed into a downcast expression and her normally perky ears had drooped downward.

Argh! Great, just great! Not only is she cute and adorable, but now she’s sad. Good going. Real smooth. Alright, do or die. I have to ask her out. Your internal monologue pushed you into action. “No, Rainbow Dash, don’t say that. It was awesome!” you exclaimed, despite the near-death experience. “I appreciate you showing your new routine just for me and I know you trained really hard on it. It’s just that...well...I was distracted.”

“Oh yeah? Why didn’t you just say so? I knew you would enjoy it.” Rainbow Dash elatedly responded, her mood instantly transformed. The blue pegasus’s eyes had shut in glee and a wide toothy smile had spread across her face.

“Mhm, the coolest, yet. Anyway, I really wanted to ask you someth-” before you could complete your sentence a new complication arose. During your undoubtedly short time in Equestria, you’ve never actually seen ponies paired with non-ponies in a serious relationship. Maybe that sort of thing was unheard of? you quickly pondered. Oh man! At the very least, that would make things super awkward between me and her. At worst, ruin the current relationship I have with her. Oh shit! Oh shit! Oh shit! Mission abort! you screamed internally as you scrambled to salvage the situation. “Uh, yeah...I needed to, uh,” you nervously stammered. “Needed to...returnabooktoTwilight! Yeah, that was it!” you exclaimed with a nervous smile at the end. Luckily, the ecstatic pegasus didn’t take too much notice.

“Hah! That all?” Rainbow Dash happily inquired. “I’m sure she’ll be fine without it for a little while. Buuuuut, if it bothers you so much I could take the the book back for y-”

“Nooo!” you awkwardly shouted, which shocked her into a slight lurch backward. Wow, this sure is going swimmingly, you silently remarked to your chagrin, but you were well versed in Rainbow Dash’s incredible speed. If she helped you out, which you normally wouldn’t have minded on any other day, you were afraid there wouldn’t be enough time to think through the situation. “Er sorry, I mean...I also wanted to borrow another one,” you hastily followed up.

“Oh, uhm, okay. I guess we can hang out later, then? That is, if you aren’t doing anything else,” Rainbow Dash said with somewhat equal awkwardness while she ran a forehoof through her mane and casted a furtive glance to the side. Ugh, she never ceased being cute.

“Yep, sure! Sounds good,” you answered against the urge to become stupefied once again.

“Sure thing. Catch you later,” Rainbow Dash said with a small smile. After leaving the clearing and parting ways, you turned and gave a small wave back which the pegasus enthusiastically returned. After traveling a short distance, you heard her take to the skies and watched her deftly zoom overhead.

Funnily enough, you did actually need to return a book to Twilight Sparkle’s library. With food and lodging well taken care of in Equestria without the burden of clawing for a stable method of financial security, you pleasantly found yourself with more free time than you could possibly spend. And there was something about Equestria that encouraged positive action. You exercised more, learned how to cook some of the local fare, made more genuine friends, and pursued studies that were actually of interest to you. Now, this inexplicable energy graced your thoughts as you stroll to Twilight’s library-, tree-, thing with book in tow.

Honestly, there isn’t any reason to worry, you say to yourself as you pass through the center of Ponyville. It was a lazy afternoon, and the town center was sparsely populated, but the few ponies out and about gave you a friendly wave as you walked by. Returning the cordial gestures reinvigorated your spirit with the infectious bliss exuded by every pony around. Ponies are the most accepting and caring beings you’ve ever come across, and there’s no reason for your friendship with Rainbow Dash to end badly just because you asked her out on a date. Besides, it’d be a shame to miss out on a definite answer, you reasoned further. Alright, today’s the day. I’ve got to ask her out. No crazy schemes like from the movies. I just gotta do it, plain and simple, you internally monologue with conviction as you reached the entrance to Twilight’s house/library. The door was ajar and you could make out voices within. Upon entering, you saw Rainbow Dash among a couple of her friends, Twilight Sparkle and Rarity unaware of your presence.

//Before you could offer a greeting, Twilight suddenly doubled over in laughter, “What? Oh, me with Anon? You must be joking,” the purple unicorn cried out. And with that, all your hard-fought momentum vanished.

“I agree, dear. Being with Anon would be quite preposterous,” a giggling Rarity chimed in. No, the momentum didn’t vanish. It channeled into fury.

“Wow, girls, thanks. I’m glad to call you friends as well,” you snarled after you had slammed the book on a nearby table. Suddenly, the air went deathly quiet as the ponies previously ridiculing you gasped and turned their attention towards you with wide eyes. After a brief period of silence Twilight managed to break the uneasy hush.

“A-Anon. S-sorry, didn’t know you were there. We were just-”

“No need to explain, Twilight. I know exactly what’s going on here,” you interrupted in a tone of calm malice. “You know, I really thought I had finally found actual friends after being alone for so long,” you remarked with an increasingly bitter inflection. “But I suppose that was never the case. I should have figured things wouldn’t change from my past. I guess all I’m good for is serving as a punching bag anybody or anypony can beat up on to feel better about themselves. Well, don’t let me keep you,” you furiously declared before you left and slammed the door behind you.

Being alone wasn’t something you minded too much. However, being alone and undesired was a lethal combination. Oh well, now wasn’t them time to brood. Currently, you had no desire to remain in Ponyville any longer, and that meant scouting for a nice, isolated spot far, far away. However, your new quest was cut short by a flurry of hooves and tomboyish voice that called out behind you.

“Anon! Wait! Hey, Anon!” Despite her insistence, you ignored her and continued walking. Unfortunately, Rainbow Dash quickly launched overhead, landed in front of you, and blocked your path.

“What do you want? Shouldn’t you be hanging out with your real friends?” you spitefully commented more than asked to the pegasus in your way.

“Anon, please. Just...just let me ask you something.” Rainbow Dash implored with pleading eyes.

Ohho, this ought to be good, you silently surmised. Folding your arms, you responded with a one-word, “Okay.”

“Anon, w-would you like to gowouthmh?” the blue pegasus incoherently asked with her head hanging low.

“I don’t understand,” you said, unable to decipher her stammered question. The blue pegasus sighed and drew small circles in the dirt with one of her forehooves. Then with a deep breath, she straightened her neck and paired her eyes with yours.

“Anon, would you like to go out with me?” For a brief moment you were taken by surprise, but despite the unusual circumstances, you instantly recollected yourself.

“Oh, ha ha, very funny. Did Rarity put you up to this?” you asked angrily.

“No, I mean it,” Rainbow Dash declared. She sighed again and hung her head once more. “Nothing today is going how I imagined,” she added with an angry huff. “Look, I really, really like you Anon, and, and I’ve never asked anypony out on a date before. I was hoping some of my friends had some experience, but when I asked about you, er...I didn’t expect the conversation to turn into...well, that. And I’m sorry.” This time, it was the anger’s turn to dissipate completely, which left your emotions as a swirling mixture of frustration, relief, and elation.

“Rainbow Dash,” you began, but the rainbow-maned pegasus didn’t notice.

“But I get it if you don’t want to. I’m sure you don’t even want to be friends anymore,” she went on. Little pools of water glistened at the corners of her eyes.

“Alright Rainbow, no more,” you said closing your eyes and massaging your temples. “I don’t know what to think right now, okay? I- I’ve got to get away and sort all this out.” You stole a glance at the blue pegasus who looked completely dejected yet remained where she was. “But I also don’t want to be alone. Walk with me?” you requested, which prompted Rainbow Dash to recover her spirit a little. She nodded and moved out of your way, then trotted next to you as you began walking again.//

The journey back to your abode was uneventful, and both of you settled on the three-seat couch shortly after entering. Truth was, you were feeling better and found it more conducive to avoid thinking about the other ponies for the time being. You spied your companion lying on the other side of the couch, with a guilty aura lingering around her. You couldn’t blame her for what happened. If anything, she faced the same predicament you did. It was hard enough mustering the courage to ask somebody out. Furthermore, she was a pony and you were a human. Wait, scratch that. You were the only human, an anomaly in her world. Yet, she still saw something special in you and all that mattered now was that she was with you now.

You shifted over to the middle seat closer to Rainbow Dash and gently brushed your fingers through her multicolored mane. Turning her gaze towards you, she let out a tiny sigh as a smile crept across her lips. She rested her head on your lap and the caress of her body’s warmth fell over you. With one hand, you began softly massaging the upturned ear closest to you while resting your other free arm against her side.The pegasus let out a serene murmur and her body curled closer as if she melded with you.. “Oh yeah, this is nice,” you quietly commented, which elicited another soft murmur of agreement from Rainbow Dash. Gently moving your hand from the pony’s ear to the side of her head rested on your lap, you slowly rotated her face upwards towards yours. Her eyes gleamed fondly, her smile exuded a calm happiness in being close with you, and her rainbow mane draped tenderly over your arm. Earlier, you were awestruck by her beauty, but up close, it was staggering. You leaned in and touched her lips to yours. The pegasus inhaled sharply, then shut her eyes and wrapped her forelegs in an embrace around the back of your neck for the remainder of the kiss. When she let go with a tiny squeal, she shifted upright and cuddled her whole body against yours. The rise and fall of her chest with each breath she took passed through you in a slow sentimental rhythm.

“I love you, Anon,” she whispered.

“I love you, too Rainbow Dash,” you affectionately responded wrapping an arm across her side, pulling her closer to you. The moment continued for a few more precious seconds before being cut off by a soft knocking at your door. “Who could that be?” you wondered aloud, hesitant to break the half embrace. In moving towards the door, you heard her dismount from the couch and follow a small distance behind you. A muffled voice penetrated from the opposite side.

“Anon, are you there? We’re really sorry. Can you talk?” the voice of Twilight Sparkle pleaded.

“Oh great, gonna have to deal with this now,” you grumbled to yourself. Well, it’s good to get these things over with sooner rather than leave them to fester for later. Opening the door, you were greeted by both Twilight and Rarity from earlier.

“Come in,” you said flatly and the duo slowly trotted inside. Instantly after shutting the door, Rainbow Dash sprung to your side.

“So I hope you came to apologize,” she huffed in annoyance. Apparently she was just as perturbed by the interruption as you were. This time, it was Rarity’s turn to speak.

“Now there’s no need to be so brash, dear. We really do regret our actions earlier.” Uh oh, that didn’t sound good. You’ve heard this tone of half-apology before on Earth. Luckily, Twilight stepped in to divert the conversation from becoming sour.

“No, Rainbow Dash is right to be angry. We shouldn’t have treated Anon like that. Friends need to look out for each other, not laugh at them when their back is turned,” the purple unicorn entreated with sincerity.

“But of course! I have absolutely no qualms about maintaining Anon’s friendship, but as to our dear friend, being Rainbow Dash’s special somepony, well...Anon isn’t even a pony.” Alright, enough was enough. My turn.

“You know what, Rarity? I’m already aware that I don’t fit in and you can make fun of me all you want,” anger brewing in your voice.

“Anon, please. don’t take this-” Rarity nervously interjected, but you didn’t give her the chance.

“No! Shut up!” you yelled with clenched fists at your sides. “You’ve had your say, now it’s time for mine.” The unicorn’s attempted rebuttal fell silent and she slinked backwards in fear. “Good. Like I said, dear,” you spat, mocking her words. “I don’t care what anypony says about me, especially you. You want to know why?” You paused briefly, but not long enough to garner a response. “Because I feel like you do. I cry like you do. I love like you do. And nothing anypony thinks or says can take that away from me. But I’m warning you,” you said slightly leaning over the cowering Rarity, causing her to shrink back further. “Don’t you dare put Rainbow Dash down like that ever again,” you declared while straightening your posture. “She’s the nicest pony I’ve met in Equestria, and she deserves to be happy. I will not let you get in the way of that.” One of Rainbow Dash’s hooves prodded your side and you glanced down at her. The expression in her eyes was that of slight concern but she gave a small comforting smile of thanks. Grinning back, you gave her neck a tiny massage and she cooed in response.

“You’re...absolutely right, Anon. I- I was foolish to think that way. You and Rainbow are always very happy together, and it isn’t right for me to get between that. I’m sorry, I truly am. Please forgive me,” Rarity said in between light sobs. This time, the message got through.

“It’s okay, Rarity. I’m just glad you were able to see it through at the end. Thank you for being open to change,” you reassured her. A collective sigh of relief passed through the entire group.

“I agree, Anon. Guess we all learned something new about loyalty today, huh?” the purple unicorn remarked.

“Heheh, yep. Dear Princess Celestia,” you jokingly sported, which brought out a good giggle from everyone. Meanwhile, the sky had turned shades of fire and purple as the sun started to disappear down the horizon.

“Oh my, evening time already. I’ll have to excuse myself and retire for the day,” Rarity chirped.

“Yes, it is getting late for me, as well,” Twilight concurred.

“Thanks for coming by, girls. I’m glad we were able to talk it out. Still friends?” you asked with arms outstretched.

“Friends,” Twilight and Rarity said in unison in a group hug.

“Aww, thanks you guys,” Rainbow Dash said joining the embrace.

Ahh, Equestria. You can never let a day end on a sour note here, can you? you thought to yourself as the two visitors departed. Looking back, you saw the blue pegasus lingering in her spot from before the hug. “Don’t you need to get back to your house, as well?” you asked. She glanced furtively to the side before retracing her gaze back to you.

“Mmm, it’s so far away, though. And it’s sooo late, too,” she said flashing an awkward toothy smile. It couldn’t be said enough. She was too adorable. “Could I spend the night here?” she asked, cheeks turning crimson. You knew it would take less than a minute for her to fly back to her cloud-, fortress-, thing at a leisure pace, but you could make out what she was doing. Still, you wanted to have a little fun first.

“Hmm...or I could escort you home. At least until we’re below your cloud. I’m sure my mattress couldn’t compare to sleeping on a fluffy cloud,” you teased attempting to put on a guise of obliviousness. The pegasus instantly deflated.

“B-b-but! Anon-, I-, you- don’t have to do that! I don’t mind mattresses! Nope! Not at all! Totally cool!” she yelped in rapid succession with desperation in her eyes.

“Whoa, whoa, okay. If you say so. Then, make yourself comfy,” you said while moving to your kitchen to prepare a meal for two. A secretive, “Yes!” cheered from behind you. In the back of your mind you pictured Rainbow Dash leaping up and pumping her foreleg. Yeah, that’s probably what happened.

A hearty meal later, the both of you once again snuggled together on the couch. She gently nuzzled your neck and you nuzzled hers in turn.

“Anon?” the blue pegasus called out, turning to face you.

“Yes?” you hum.

“Thanks for today. For everything,” she said with half-drooped eyelids, her body fully nestled within your arms. Cuteness was at a maximum.

“I should be the one thanking you,” you say after giving her a peck on the lips. “You’re so awesome.”

“Heehee, I am aren’t I?” she teased back and booped her snout to your nose. She settled back and nestled further into your body. Her eyes shut peacefully and her chest heaved a big sigh.

“Time to hit the hay?” you asked, giving a stretch and a yawn.

“Okay,” she agreed, stretching all four of her appendages and yawning herself. You scooped her up in your arms and made your way back into the bedroom. After the pegasus tucked into the bed, you snuggled up next to her. With her forelegs, she stroked your hair before pulling your head to her chest. Her fluttering heartbeat matched yours and she cooed softly while cradling your head in her forelegs. The both of you fell into the best sleep ever for the night and again for every night after.