Scarves and Snuggles

It was the beautiful kind of morning where the sun peeked over the horizon, its golden rays seeping through the chilly air. Despite the early hours, many ponies chatted aminatly within the centre of town, their colorful coats flashing against the dew-covered autumn leaves.

Trotting casually down the cobblestone path, a rainbow-maned pegasus drew in a deep breath, her old saddle bag thumping against her sides. This was her favorite kind of day; the refreshing air, the blue, open skies! She licked her drying lips, nodding hello to a familar mare selling flowers by the road.

Daisy, was it? Either way, she waved, as she made her way clip-clopping down the street. Suddenly, a swift wind blew past, sending Rainbow's cyan fur on end. It whistled loudly, before passing through the town. She shook her head, shivering slightly despite herself.

And then, without warning, she was there. Rainbow yelped, quickly covering up her surprise with a cough. Of course she was there—she was everywhere. "Pinkie," Rainbow chuckled, rolling her eyes, "what are you doing?"

Pinkie didn't reply at first, as she was still staring intently into Rainbow's eyes, her head cocked to the side. A pink and white scarf was wrapped tight around her neck. She inched closer, causing Rainbow to take a nervous hoof step back. "Pinks? You gonna keep standing there, or wha—"

She was cut off by the earth pony rushing forward, tightly embracing her with two warm forelimbs. Rainbow froze up in bewildrement, awkwardky patting her friend's fluffy hair. "Hey, are you good? I mean, I know I'm amazingly huggable," Rainbow said, "but, what gives?" She cracked a smile, her cheeks flushed from, obviously, the cold.

Pinkie scrunched her muzzle up, slowly bringing her hooves up and down Rainbow's chest. Rainbow Dash's eyes widened, and she pushed her away with a panicked glance around them. "What—what are you doing?!" she hissed, her heart pounding.

Pinkie Pie huffed, tapping her hoof to the ground in annoyance. "What?" she squeaked. "I'm just checking! And I was right!"

Rainbow furrowed her brow. "Checking for what, Pinkie? Geez, couldn't you just ask?"

Pinkie Pie giggled. "Nope, no siree! Rainbow Dash doesn't like to admit things, so I had to find out myself!" She leaned in closer, as if telling a secret. "You're cold!" she exclaimed gleefully, booping the mare on the nose.

Rainbow opened her mouth to deny it, but quickly snapped it shut apon realizing the futility. Pinkie was right, she hadn't realized how cold it would be this morning. Rainbow raised her eyebrow. "Uhh...how do you know that?"

Pinkie waved her hoof dismissildy. "Oh, I just saw you shivering, so shiverly, and so sadly across the street. And lo and behold, you had goosebumps!" she proclaimed, poking Rainbow's chest again.

Rainbow almost asked why Pinkie had been watching her, but then sighed fondly. "You know what? That's great, Pinkie. Good for you. Go scout across town, find anypony else that appears to be cold, 'kay?" she replied, already starting to turn around.

Pinkie stopped her by the shoulder, trembling with hardly congained laughter as she turned her back around. "No, silly! I just saw you, and that's all I plan on. Now, hold still," she whispered, yanking off her scarf and throwing it across Rainbow's neck. The pegasus quirked her lips up at the kind gesture. "Oh, thanks. I guess I could use it..."

Pinkie sided up next to her and wrapped the tight garment around her own neck. Rainbow swallowed hard, a strange feeling shooting through her body at the feeling of Pinkie's cheek fuzz against hers. Her face heated up, and she squirmed away.

Pinkie snorted, placing a hoof on Rainbow's to stop her struggling. "Oh, come on! Stay still, will you Dashie? If you leave you'll be all chilly!"

Rainbow highly doubted that with the warmth rushing to her face, but she ceased, pouting. "Do you have to do this right here?" she gasped, feeling the gaze of all the surrounding ponies on her.

Pinkie giggled. "Of course not, Dashie. We're heading somewhere, right? Where were you going?"

Rainbow pulled gently at the knotted scarf, trying to avoid bumping into the mare's totally not adorable muzzle. She made a little growling noise. "Pinkie," she whined, her cheeks aflame.

Pinkie lifted her ear. "Well?" she asked.

Rainbow Dash groaned out loud. "I was just heading to my favorite tree to have a picnic, alright?" she said.

Pinkie gasped excitedly, jumping up in place. Rainbow wheezed, putting her hooves on her friends sides.

"A picnic?! That sounds just amazing! Oh goodness, what do you have?" Pinkie shouted, much to loud for Rainbow's liking. She shushed her, pulling out her sadle bag.

Pinkie peered in without hesitation, her mouth falling open. "A hay sandwich?" she exclaimed in shock. "Are you crazy?"

Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck. "So, yeah, I'll admit it isn't the best sandwich in the world, but I put a lot of effort into it, and I'll bet it'll tastes pretty darn good," she joked.

Pinkie shook her head. "No, no, not that, Dashie. It's just... that sandwich is so boring! I mean, if it had a name, it would be Bob, or something bland like that. That's how unamazing it is. And food should always be amazing!"

Rainbow Dash looked down at her hay sandwich in dismay. "But—"

"No buts," Pinkie chirped, covering the mare's mouth. "We got to get you some real goodies!" She grinned, dropping her hoof down.

Rainbow chuckled, begrudgingly beginning to follow Pinkie with a couple steps. "We're heading to the one and only sugarcube corner!"

With a delighted laugh, Pinkie began to bounce, her usual way of travel causing her tag-along to stumble. "Woah, woah! Pinkie, slow down!" Rainbow cried, practicaly being dragged down the cobblestones with each jump. The mare, humming a little tune, stopped suddenly, sending the woozy pegasus straight into the back.

"Whoops, sorry," she apologized, helping Rainbow back up with a wink. Rainbow muttered something under her breath, the scarf forcing her to walk side by side.

Pinkie glanced over at her as they trotted down the streets, earning more than a few stares. "Ooh, you're so soft Dashie!" she cooed, rubbing against her fur with a squee.

Rainbow went beet red, the tips of her ears flaming. "...Just keep walking!"

"Hmm, what do you think, Rainbow? This looks really good, right?" Pinkie was leaning across a cookbook, pointing out a recipe of atrawberry cucakes.

Rainbow snapped to attention, quickly drawing her gaze away from Pinkie's sky blue eyes. "Oh, uhh... yeah. Perfect. Let's get baking!" she declared, slapping her hoof on the table.

Pinkie shrugged, sticking out her tonuge. "Okay! These do seem pretty delicious!" She spun on her forelegs, taking Rainbow with her to the other counter. Pinkie had insisted they stay tied together—they's be heading out any moment. For some  reason, Rainbow hadn't been able to say no to her pleading face.

"Alright. Dashie, will you get the strawberries from the fridge, pleasies?" Pinkie asked, setting up her mixer bowls. Rainbow rolled her eyes at the pet name, managing to reach over and pry open the door without falling on her face and bringing Pinkie Pie on top of her.

She stood back (as far as her binds would let her) and watched almost in awe as the mare whipped up the eggs, added flour as fast as lightning, and measured each teaspoon.

"Wow, you're really good at this," Rainbow remarked, popping yet another berry in her mouth. Pinkie blushed, placing the tray in the oven with a nod.

"Aww, thanks. You would be too, if it were a big part of your life work," she said modestly.

Rainbow giggled raspily, shaking her head. "Oh, I highly doubt that, Pinkie."

Pinkie took her oven mit out of her mouth, coming closer and placing it on Rainbow's vibrant head. "But, look! You're the queen of baked goods!" she protested, bowing slightly to Rainbow's oven mit crown.

Rainbow raised both her eyebrows, looking up at the thing placed on her head. "Oh, why look at that beautiful crown. Does this make you my servant, then?" she asked.

Pinkie grinned. "But of course, your majesty!"

"Queen Dashie?" Pinkie asked, pushing up her pile. "Is this a good amount of leaves, your magesty?" She tilted her head at the mare beside her, whom was paying no attention.

"Dashie?" Pinkie prompted again.

Rainbow lifted her nose up as they stood beaide the steps. "Screw leaves, I think the cupcakes are done!"

Pinkie immediatly dropped her stash, and rushed up the steps, pulling Rainbow along with her to the kitchen. "That smells ah-mahzing!" she cried, hurridly taking her pink oven mit and pulling out the steaming dessersts.

Rainbow's mouth watered at the sight of the vanilla cupcakes with creamy, red frosting. She licked her lips, following with her eyes as Pinkie packed them into a box and tucked it between her arms. "You ready, Dashie?" she asked, trailing forward and giving Rainbow a faceful of pink hair.

Rainbow's eyes shown. "Uh huh... she murmmered, tugged along by the giggling pony out the door. The cool, fall air hit her once again, and she snuggled closer to her friend as they continued to the picnic area. Pinkie hummed, pretending not to notice.

"So, way up there," Raunbow gestered up near the horizon with her hoof, "is the best tree in Eqeustria; just the right amount of branches, shade from the sun, a great view..." she trailed off meaningfully, stopping to look at Pinkie when she felt a bump on her flank.

"Dashie," she began. "Wouldn't be easier if you just... you know? Flew me up there?" Pinkie fluttered her eyelashes. Rainbow flushed, glancing up at the sky.

"Yes," she answered simply, her throat going dry.

Pinkie giggled. "Okay, then! Scooch down, silly!" Without a second word, the pony hopped on to her back, causing Rainbow to stumble.

"Ugh, Pinkie! Cut back on those sweets!" Rainbow cried playfully, earning a loud guffaw.

"Ha! Try to stop me!" Pinkie crowed.

Shaking her head, Rainbow spread out her wings, and took a running leap. She nearly fell, but manged to level out, due to her many years of altheltic training.