C'mere You Dork

by northerious

Rating: everyone
Tags: Spitfire, Slice of Life, Soarin, Romance, Drama, Fleetfoot, Rainbow Dash, Wonderbolts
Length: 2793

A mistake, an apology, a new start.

When Rainbow Dash's ego gets the best of her, she ends losing one of her closest friends, Soarin. Will they make amends, and might their relationship become something more?

Published 2016-10-13 23:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-10-13 23:40:01 UTC

Chapter One

C'mere You Dork

Rainbow Dash stretched her wings, a slight breeze rustling through her feathers, the sunlight glinting off her flight goggles. She sighed, letting out all her pent up stress and tension. Although she's been a Wonderbolt long enough for her teammates to stop teasing her so much, she can't help but get nervous every time there's a show. Even after her stress relief routine, flashbacks from her first show as a Wonderbolt ran through her mind, the disappointment in her idols' gazes burning in the back of her mind. A light touch on her shoulder brought her out of her thoughts, and she gasped as she looked up to comforting, emerald eyes.

"Hey, flashbacks again?" Soarin asked softly.

"Erm, yeah..." Rainbow said sheepishly.

He nudged her playfully.

"Remember, there's no need to get all worked up about it. Would you like to hear another one of my epic fails again?"

"Nah, I've heard enough stories of your klutziness to last me a lifetime!" Rainbow giggled, a soft glow coming to her cheeks.

"Clipper! Crash! Get in formation, we're about to enter the stadium!" barked Spitfire.

"Yes Ma'am!" The two saluted as they got into position.

Rainbow Dash could hear the roar of the crowd, chants of 'Wonderbolts' ringing throughout the stadium. She smiled to herself, remembering the time when she was once just another fan. She looked over to Soarin, who had a confident smile on his face. Knowing that he was by her side throughout the whole routine, it was comforting to her. Rainbow faced forward, a now confident grin on her face, all traces of earlier doubt gone.

"Let's do this."

They started off with a series of loops, white clouds trailing behind them. Under Spitfire's subtle signal, the Wonderbolts split into two teams, one half gliding dangerously close over the crowd, and the other performing intricate barrel rolls in the sky. Rainbow could hear the gasps of amazement from the crowd below her, as she continued to do barrel rolls, her world spiraling. Dash never liked spinning upside - down continuously; it made her feel as if she was falling. She could feel herself start to panic, until a flash of light blue caught her eye. Immediately, a calmness settled over her, remembering that Soarin was there. She knew he wouldn't let her fall.

After what felt like eternity, the barrel roll sequence was completed, and Rainbow righted herself as she and her teammates prepared to enter the next stage. Many stunning, and complex tricks later, it was time for the finale. Dash turned towards Soarin, and the two nodded confidently at each other.

Two cloud dusts were left in their place, as they rocketed into the sky, the roars of the crowd growing faint behind them.

"You ready for this Crash?" Soarin asked with a teasing grin.

Rainbow just snorted.

"Psh, I was born ready."

She began to free fall, adrenaline coursing through her veins as she plummeted towards the crowd. Rainbow could see the faint air cone start to form around her hooves, and she brought her limbs closer together, trying to gain more speed. Rainbow could feel a change in the wind behind her, and she grinned knowingly. Soarin was close behind her, and soon enough the two were neck in neck, one giant air cone surrounding them about to burst. He winked at her, and the two gave a final burst of speed, breaking the sound barrier. A resounding boom echoed throughout the stadium, and the crowd gasped in awe as lightning and rainbows erupted in the sky above. Just when it looked like the rainbow trail was running out, the lightning from Soarin's blitz gathered around Rainbow, giving her an extra boost to create a second rainboom. As if the first feat wasn't epic enough, the crowd never expected to witness a double rainboom, a trick only the pair could pull off. Rainbow grinned cockily at the rising cheers and screams from the audience, and she glided right above them, leaving a rainbow trail in her wake.

At long last, the trail diminished, and Rainbow did a quick flip, before landing smoothly on a platform. Cheers of 'Rainbow Dash' were bellowed from the crowd, demanding more. Dash grinned confidently, embracing the attention around her. Little did she know, a light blue stallion slinked back into the rest of the 'bolts, completely forgotten in the excitement.

"Mares and stallions, the Wonderbolts!" the announcer shouted enthusiastically.

The Wonderbolts all took a bow, and one by one flew away, the crowd still going wild.

"Great job Crash, that double rainboom was epic!" exclaimed Fleetfoot enthusiastically.

"Thanks Flee- woah!" Dash said as she was suddenly swarmed by a bunch of reporters.

"Rainbow Dash! That double rainboom was amazing! How did you do that!"

"Rainbow, over here! How does it feel to be the only pegasus in the world to pull off the double rainboom!"

"Dash! What does it feel like to do a trick like that?"

"Rainbow! Dash! Dash! Over here!"

Lights flashed all around her, as voices struggled to be heard over one another.

"Woah, slow down everypony! But to answer your questions, it felt absolutely amazing. The secret to pulling off a double rainboom though is to... well, be as awesome as me of course!" Rainbow Dash proclaimed proudly, swishing her mane with a bit of flourish.

The media seemed to approve her answer, and continued to bombard her with questions, which Dash happily answered. Nearby, her Wonderbolt teammates were rolling their eyes and chuckling at her cockiness, except one certain stallion, who noticed his name wasn't mentioned once in the interview.

"ALRIGHT, THAT'S ALL FOR NOW FOLKS. NOW MOVE IT!" Spitfire snapped at the media.

Grumbling to themselves, the interviewers dispersed, leaving the Wonderbolts to tend to themselves.

"Hey Soarin!", Dash said as she caught up with as he was heading to his locker, "Wasn't my sonic rainboom awesome, or what!"

He paused, standing still and not facing her.

"Yeah... it was great, because clearly you pulled it off all by yourself without any help from anypony," he muttered dully.

Rainbow took a step back in confusion.

"W-What? But, that's not what happe-"

"But that's what you said, isn't that right?" cut off Soarin, finally turning around to face her, hurt emerald eyes staring into wide magenta ones.

"I...I..." Dash trailed off as she bit her lip, realization hit her like a ton of bricks.

Soarin chuckled weakly.

"It's okay Rainbow. Since you're so awesome, let's just see how you do without your wing pony. I'm gonna go hit the showers now."

"Wait, what! No! Soarin, I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!" her voice cracked as she yelled frantically after his retreating form.

But he already rounded the corner, out of sight.

"Soarin...." she trailed off, still gaping at the space where he once stood, and not noticing Fleetfoot coming up next to her.

"Hey Crash, you okay? Wait, where'd Soarin go?" Fleet asked, looking around.

"He... went to take a shower. Hey Fleet, I'm feeling kinda tired. I think I'm gonna head home now." Rainbow mumbled as she headed for the exit.

"But Crash, you're going to miss the team recap with Spitfire!"

"It's okay Fleet, I'll make it up tomorrow" Dash sighed, not even bothering to look back.

Fleetfoot watched her go, tilting her head to the side worriedly.

"Hey Rainbow, did something happen between you and Soarin?"

Rainbow stopped dead in her tracks.

"I don't really wanna talk about it..."

She continued to walk, and the last thing Fleefoot heard was the door slamming behind her.

Once outside the stadium, Rainbow Dash thought she would have time to herself on the way home. What she wasn't expecting, was a mob of ponies waiting for her just outside, cameras and microphones ready. A wave of deja vu hit Rainbow, and she was once again flooded with questions all concerning the double rainboom.

"What did it feel like to perform your double rainboom?"

"How do you do it?"

"Teach us your ways Rainbow Dash!"

Rainbow's stomach churned, the guilt increasing with each question.

Since you're so awesome, let's just see how you do without your wing pony...

"Excuse me, but I gotta go."

Rainbow shot into the air, flying as far away from the crowd as possible and back towards her house. She could hear the pleads of fans to come back, but she shut them out as her house approached in the distance.

The moment she was inside, she shut the door and headed straight under her bedsheets, panting heavily.

What have I done...

Soarin turned on the shower, letting the water drench himself, tiny droplets dribbling off his chin. He stared hard at the tile floor, thinking about the earlier events.

Maybe I overreacted a bit.... but then she should've at least mentioned me. The double rainboom is only possible because of both of us...

The rhythmic patter of water on his back relaxed him, yet he still felt conflicted.

Maybe I just need a day off...

The next morning, Rainbow Dash entered the Wonderbolt HQ, a fake smile plastered on her face. Her ears perked up to a familiar commanding voice.

"HEY CRASH! WHERE WERE YOU YESTERDAY! YOU MISSED THE TEAM RECAP!" demanded Spitfire, raising an eyebrow.

Rainbow raised her head to look at Spitfire with a bleak gaze. "I wasn't feeling very well, sorry Captain."

Spitfire's eyes softened briefly, before returning to their normal, commanding look.

"Well, you better look alive Crash. Soarin's taking a day off today, which means that you're filling in for him as my second in command."

Suddenly, a wave of relief washed over Dash, knowing that she won't have to face him today.

"Yes Ma'am!" she saluted, mustering a confident smile.

After a long day's work of being bossed around by Spitfire and fullfilling demands, Rainbow had a newfound respect for Soarin. It takes more than your average pony to be able to handle Spitfire's demands every. single. day.

Sighing to herself, Rainbow looked up towards the sky, a cool breeze swirling around her.

Maybe it's time to pay him a visit...

Soarin was lounging on the couch watching his favorite anime, an empty pie tin beside him. The main character was about to finish off the antagonist with a resounding blow, when an innocent 'ding dong' ruined the moment. Soarin groaned as he rose to get up from the couch, stomach full of pie and cider. He put an eye drowsily to peephole on the door, and saw colors of every shade, belonging to a very guilty looking pegasus.

Who is that? She looks pretty cute, especially with that adorable pout. Maybe I should open the door for her...

His hoof hovered over the knob, when his brain finally registered who it was at the door, and he froze.

Wait- she's here now?! But, I'm not ready to see her yet!

Soarin was about to move away from the door, when a meek voice halted him in his tracks.

"S-Soarin?" Rainbow murmured quietly.

He sucked in his breath, not daring to make a sound.

"I-I understand if you won't forgive me. I was ignorant, and vain, and conceited. Y-You shouldn't have to suffer because of my mistake. In fact, I can't do half the things I can do today if it weren't for you. All those times in practice where you encouraged me, making me feel safe during performances, and calming my nerves. And of course, the double rainboom. It was wrong for me to take all the credit for it, I-I see that now." Rainbow Dash choked out, tears starting to form in the corner of her eyes, "I was a horrible friend, and I-I hurt you, a-and y-you can w-walk away knowing that you were right all along. I really am not that awesome."

Silence filled the air along with soft sniffles.

Maybe.... maybe he didn't hear me at all. I guess all my efforts were wasted then...

Rainbow Dash hiccuped, wiping her tear stained cheeks as she was about to turn tail and go home, when she heard the sound of a door being unlocked. Her breath caught in her throat as the door creaked open, revealing a tired looking Soarin with a soft smile gracing his features.

"So..." he began softly, a hint of amusement in his voice, "the great Rainbow Dash finally admits to not being that awesome."

Rainbow eyes widened as she just stared at him dumbfounded.

Soarin chuckled, a twinkle in his eye.

"C'mere you dork."

Rainbow's breath hitched as she let out sobs of joy and relief, diving head first into his fuzzy chest. Soarin wrapped his wings and hooves around her lovingly, embracing her with a smug look on his face.

Art by me

"Don't worry Skittles, I won't tell anyone about your confession." he teased lightly, "Your secret is safe with me."

Rainbow just responded by burrowing herself deeper into him, enjoying the safe reassurance he provided for her.

Everything's gonna be okay.

It was that time again, and the roar of the crowd was as loud as ever. Rainbow sighed deeply, completing her stress relief routine as she opened her eyes, determination burning within them.

She looked towards Soarin with a grin, who smiled at her curiously.

"No more flashbacks?"

"Nope!"

Soarin smiled.

"What made them stop coming back?"

"You did." she said, smiling fondly at him, "It was all thanks to you."

Soarin looked away, blushing slightly.

"Hey Skittles, wanna know why you aren't that awesome?" he asked playfully.

Dash cocked an eyebrow.

"Oh? Do tell."

"Because you're more than that. You are utterly amazing, to the point that awesome can't describe you anymore." Soarin confessed, a dorky smile adorning his face.

Rainbow Dash gasped in shock.

"Y-You really mean that?" she whispered, eyes wide.

He inched closer to her, until they were mere centimeters apart.

"Yes. Every word."

"CLIPPER! CRASH! GET IN FORMATION, WE'RE ABOUT TO GO OUT!" yelled Spitfire, ruining the moment and causing the two pegasi to flinch.

Spitfire blinked before smirking, the atmosphere of the situation settling on her.

"Oh, was I interrupting something?" she asked innocently.

"N-NO MA'AM!" they squeaked, as the two stumbled over to their positions, clearly very flustered.

The show went off without a hitch, and the crowd ate all of it up, begging for more. After the show, Rainbow Dash headed backstage with Soarin, ready to face the mob of reporters waiting for them.

"Rainbow Dash! Over here!"

"Rainbow!"

"Hey, Dash!"

Both Soarin and Rainbow were up to their heads with reporters, but only one name seemed to be mentioned.

"Hey!" Rainbow Dash yelled through all the voices, "Listen up! I just want to say as a Wonderbolt, I love doing what I do everyday, but without my teammates I wouldn't be nearly as awesome as I am. When it comes to the double rainboom, I could never do it by myself. It's a team effort between me and my best wing pony, Soarin. Without him I'd be devastated, so please, show him some love as well because he deserves it."

A few seconds of silence were heard, before applause erupted from the crowd, and soon enough Soarin was the one being mobbed and not Rainbow Dash. Just when it seemed like they were going to be devoured alive by the media, the fireball herself came in and broke everything up.

"QUESTION TIME IS OVER. NOW GO HOME!" Spitfire bellowed, snorting hotly.

"Wait, Spitfire! Just one more question pleeeaaase," a pink unicorn with a two tone brown mane pleaded.

"Alright what." she grumbled, rolling her eyes.

The mare grinned eagerly, an evil glint in her eye.

"Are Soarin and Rainbow Dash dating?"

Soarin suddenly choked as Rainbow began to cough and splutter.

Spitfire grinned deviously.

"Well, if you want my honest opinion I'd say yes, but you'd have to ask the two love birds yourself."

"W-What?! No! W-We aren't dating, what in Equestria gave you that idea?!" stuttered Rainbow Dash, blushing profusely.

Soarin coughed, catching Dash's attention.

"Um. Well maybe, we could change that..." he grinned dorkily, rubbing a hoof sheepishly behind his neck.

Rainbow's face turned an impossible shade of red, and one could practically see the steam radiating off her ears.

That night, fangirl squeals were heard all over Equestria, along with a ton of teasing from the Wonderbolts as word of the newest couple spread.

Author's Note

I blame Inkscape. It's all her fault for making me write again XD

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this random one shot that I made up on the fly that was loosely based on Zootopia! XD :twilightsmile: