The Sweetest Thing

Today was a good day, Rainbow Dash realized. The first day of their camping trip. What a way to kick off the summer. Track season was over, and Rainbow Dash had a couple weeks before baseball season began.

She had always wanted to go camping. Dad was always busy, though. Naturally, Rainbow was ecstatic when Pinkie Pie invited all of the gals out to go on their own camping trip. It was perfect!

Of course, Rainbow Dash didn't have her own tent. Fortunately, Pinkie was more than willing to share. It dawned on Rainbow Dash just how uncomfortable she was with the idea when the time came to douse the fire and break out the sleeping bags.

Thankfully, Pinkie seemed to recognize Rainbow's thinking, and had done nothing to make it... awkward.

So, all things considered, it was an enjoyable first day. The strong scent of pine excited Rainbow when the van finally parked. It was a thirty minute walk, then another half hour to set up the tents. After that, they just did whatever. They talked, snacked, played a few games.

Applejack had the idea to head to the river and enjoy the water. It had turned out to be a good idea, as when they had all arrived, they were all drenched in perspiration. After Twilight forced them all to lather themselves with sunblock, they all jumped right in (even Rarity broke out a bathing suit).

After that, the day had gone pretty quick. As soon as the sun began to set, Sunset (ha) urged them all to head back before dark. The small hike seemed a lot longer on the way back. The firepit was full and blazing in an instant, drying them all off as they cooked their brats. Once dinner was over, it was time to change into pajamas and finally go to sleep.

Rainbow fidgeted as they said their goodnights, still a bit unsure. Pinkie was waiting, holding open the flap to her tent. Rainbow Dash nodded thankfully before entering. Once her sleeping bag was unrolled, Rainbow flopped down, folding her hands behind her head.

Pinkie curled up inside her own. To be honest, Rainbow Dash was half-surprised that Pinkie Pie brought a tent instead of a bouncy castle. She put the thought to rest as she closed her eyes, trying to sleep.

After a few hours of tossing and turning, Rainbow Dash sat up. She had to pee. Gritting her teeth, Rainbow Dash carefully stood up. She raised a foot, trying to pinpoint Pinkie's exact location, to avoid stepping on her. She squinted as she stepped over the lump of mass.

Strange that Pinkie wasn't snoring like she usually does. She must be using one of those breathing strips or something.

Rainbow Dash stopped to think about how odd the mere thought sounded.

Once she was at the entrance to the tent, Rainbow slowly unzipped it. She climbed out, her bare feet landing on the earthen floor. She noticed that the sound of insects was a tad louder out here. Crickets, most likely.

Rainbow Dash pursed her lips. There wasn't exactly a bathroom nearby. She meandered around until she was a fair distance away from the camp site.

Well, not like I'm hurting anything, Rainbow Dash shrugged as she ducked behind a bush. She wasted no time going back as soon as her business was done.

Rainbow Dash wiped her dirty feet on the grass before hopping back into Pinkie's tent. The air was considerably warmer in here, she realized. Zipping the tent closed once again, Rainbow sighed. She turned around. With her eyes more adjusted to the dark, Rainbow Dash saw Pinkie lying on her back in her sleeping bag, eyes wide open.

"Uh, Pinkie?" Rainbow Dash whispered. She received no response. Feeling a sense of urgency, Rainbow knelt down next to Pinkie Pie. She felt for an artery on Pinkie's neck, then placed her hand over Pinkie's mouth.

"Well, you're breathing, so at least you're alive." Rainbow muttered.

"Of course I'm alive, silly."

Rainbow Dash jumped upon hearing Pinkie's voice. "Geez, Pink! You scared me!"

Pinkie Pie smiled. "I don't get to do that, often."

"Ha, ha," Rainbow huffed sarcastically. "What are you even doing? You looked like one of those creepy dolls with that look on your face."

"I'm thinking."

"About what?" Rainbow Dash winced silently at the can of worms she just opened. She braced herself as she laid down.

"Life."

"Huh?" Of all the things Rainbow Dash didn't expect. "What do you mean?"

Pinkie sighed deeply. The sound was incredibly alien to Rainbow Dash.

"Sometimes, I just like to stop and think about my life. All the things I've done, and everything I want to do. I think about how much I try to be the best person I can be. It's hard sometimes, but I know I can do it. I look at myself in the mirror each morning, and I see that I'm not perfect. And that's okay.

"I think, that I'm really lucky. I'm lucky, because I have a family that loves me. Friends that love me. And how making them all happy is the one thing that makes me happy. I feel like, like it's my destiny. And I think about how stupid that sounds, but then I think about how somewhere, right now, there is a Pinkie Pie with balloons on her butt down on all fours. If alternate dimensions exist, is it so crazy to believe in destiny?

"I think not. Even as small as I am in this universe, I think I have the duty and privilege of being the best I can be, for myself and everyone else. The one thing I love is to make people smile. It's... there's nothing like it. Knowing that maybe I've brightened up someone's day, it's just so invigorating. It lets me know that I'm doing something right in this world.

"I don't need everything to go right for me. As long as I'm bringing happiness to someone else... then I'm doing something important. There's nothing I want more than to make you happy."

Rainbow Dash gaped at Pinkie Pie. The sudden barrage from Pinkie ended just as quickly as it began.

"Wha... huh? What?"

Pinkie Pie waved it off. "I have a lot on my mind, so I won't go into detail."

So, what? That was the dumbed down version?

Another thought occurred to Rainbow Dash.

"Pinkie Pie... are you alright?"

Pinkie Pie smiled again. "Of course."

Rainbow Dash stared, unconvinced.

"Do you like stargazing, Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow frowned in confusion. "What the heck brought this up?"

"I like stargazing," Pinkie Pie continued. It was then that Rainbow Dash looked up, seeing a stream of bright stars in the clearing through the netted top. "I look up, and I see some of the most beautiful things in the universe. Not the most beautiful thing, but definitely more than any granite formation. Trust me, my parents are geologists."

"Well, what is the most beautiful thing, then?" Rainbow Dash asked, rolling over to face Pinkie.

Pinkie Pie sighed again as she unzipped her bag, this one sounding more tired. "Rainbow Dash, you are one of my closest friends. You can trust anything with me, and so I know I can expect the same from you."

"Well, yeah, Pink. Of course." Rainbow Dash nodded assuringly. She stared dumbly as Pinkie Pie reached a hand out to her. And began tickling her.

"Whoa, h-hey, Pink!" Rainbow Dash clamped her hand down over her mouth as she started giggling. "Pinkie, what you doing? You-You're, heheh, gonna wake them up!"

Rainbow Dash bit her tongue trying to refrain from laughing as Pinkie tickled her ribs, under her armpit, and her neck. Only a mere ten seconds, and Pinkie Pie relented, leaving Rainbow Dash already exhausted.

"That."

"Huh?" Rainbow Dash lifted her head, her face pulled into a grin. Pinkie Pie gently ran her hand along Rainbow's cheek, tracing the curve of Rainbow's smile with her fingertips.

"For every party I've thrown, every gift I've given, nothing warms my heart more than seeing a smile on your face."

"What?" Rainbow Dash felt like she had just swallowed a rock. Pinkie gazed at her with an expression that spoke volumes. One that was somehow both longing and defeated, expectant and barren, inquiring and asserting. Both deeply joyful, and thoroughly darkened with melancholy.

"Pinkie Pie..." Rainbow Dash's voice trailed off. Her face burned as she scrambled for words to say. Pinkie smiled wryly, shaking her head.

"I'm sorry for springing that on you, Rainbow. You can just go back to sleep." Pinkie retreated back to her sleeping bag. As she began to zip it closed, she felt Rainbow's hand clasping the zipper.

"What if I... what if I don't want to?"

Pinkie looked up at Rainbow with a new curiosity. Rainbow Dash bore a nervous smile, but maintained her typical swagger in her voice. The acknowledgement in her eyes said everything.

"Well... you're welcome to look at the stars with me."

"I think I'm already seeing stars." Rainbow Dash grinned. Pinkie was happy to return it. "You know, it's kinda cold tonight." Rainbow Dash commented as she rubbed her arms exaggeratingly. "Maybe we should share a sleeping bag. To conserve body heat."

"We could do that," Pinkie giggled. Still rather hesitant, Rainbow Dash wiggled into the space, her body pressed close to Pinkie's slightly chubbier own.

Feeling more snug and secure, Rainbow Dash sighed in content. "You do make me happy, Pink. I want you to know that."

With the warmest smile on her face, Pinkie brought her face close to Rainbow's. In one gentle, fluid motion, their lips met. Rainbow Dash felt an impossible surge of energy, like lightning shooting through her veins. She tasted the faintest sweetness, as if Pinkie's lips were dusted with sugar. Nothing had ever tasted so good.

Much to Rainbow's disappointment, Pinkie's lips departed from hers, leaving her with the memory of the blissful moment.

"Goodnight, Rainbow Dash." Pinkie whispered soothingly.

Yes, today was a good day.

Rainbow Dash smiled, wrapping her arms around Pinkie, eyes closed. "Goodnight, Pinkie Pie." She held onto Pinkie, entranced with their embrace, oblivious to everything else in the world. After a few moments of silence, Rainbow Dash cracked one eye open.

"Maybe just one more?"