Forever and Always

Rarity

Just like that she’s gone. I truly hadn’t intended foreplay when I came up here, just a quick goodbye before she went on her way. She’s just so… alluring. There’s a vulnerability when she’s here that is intoxicating.

When we went public as couple, I was astonished at the number of ponies that hinted or outright asked me how I felt about being constantly dominated by such a braggart. Yes, she does like to be the aggressor sometimes, but far more often my Rainbow Dash wants to let go of the bravado and be acted upon rather than taking charge herself. In truth, she can be quite shy and tenderhearted when she’s feeling safe and comfortable.

It has been a long road getting to where we are now, and it all started with that first date.

Rainbow and I left for Canterlot the next morning. I found myself feeling rather nervous as we found our seats on the train. We had spent so little time together just the two of us, but I wasn’t concerned. We'd agreed that it wasn’t a date after all, so there really was no reason for tension. Yet, I was nervous.

I needn’t have been. Rainbow was nearly as excitable as Pinkie Pie for the duration of the ride. We talked animatedly about the event: who we expected to be there, what else we’d like to do while we were in Canterlot.

After a brief, amiable pause in conversation she had said quietly, “Hey Rares?”

“Yes, darling?”

She was looking out the window wistfully and spoke in a surprisingly melancholy tone, “Thanks.”

“Whatever for?”

Then she looked at me and said, “For being such a good friend to Fluttershy.”

I was quite taken aback by her sudden melancholy. Then she went on, looking out the window again, “Shy and me were best buds when we were kids. After the big race when we both got our cutie marks-”

“When we all got our cutie marks,” I interjected.

“Yeah. When we all got our cutie marks. Anyway, Shy came back a different pony, and it was awesome. She was still Shy, so she was still scared of everything, but she knew where she was going in her life. It was like she had this light at the end of the tunnel. As soon as school was over she was moving to the ground, and that made all the other stuff ok."

Here Dash breathed a rather large sigh before going on. “I really worried about her when she left. We stayed close through most of school. She didn’t need much of a protector from bullies anymore, but she did need someone. When she was gone it felt like she’d have no one. Then she told me about meeting you. She said how nice you were, and how even though she was scared of you at first you didn’t give up on her; and once you understood that she was just scared, you stayed patient and let her get to know you so you could be friends.”

I hadn’t ever heard that story before. Seeing how it affected Rainbow Dash made a rather strong impression. We had been sitting across from each other, but I moved to sit next to her and took her hoof in both of mine. She acted startled by the contact, then turned to look at me.

“It just meant a lot to know my best buddy was safe. So, thanks.”

All I could do was nod and say, “Of course.” Then release her hoof, but I didn’t move away. The silence lasted the rest of the train ride, but it wasn’t awkward. She was obviously mulling something over, and I certainly didn’t want to intrude.

Once we were off the train in Canterlot, she was back to being eager and excited. So much so that I couldn’t help but mirror her enthusiasm. We proceeded directly to the stadium with our VIP passes to watch the team practice for the performance.

We made a quick stop at a shop to change into our clothes. She into her shirt and blazer, and I into a light sun dress and hat that I had thrown together for the occasion. We didn’t exactly match, but we were obviously a pair and looked very well together.

We got to go down on the field while the Wonderbolts flew above. When Spitfire and Soarin recognized Rainbow, they invited her to fly with them for a few maneuvers. I helped her with her blazer, and she took to the sky. The loose shirt certainly wasn’t as aerodynamic as the vest would have been, but it did fly beautifully and she seemed very comfortable.

In truth, she was mesmerizing. We’d been watching the practice for sometime, and she’d paid close enough attention to simply insert herself into the formations. She raced Spitfire across the sky and only just lost at the last moment, certainly blaming it on her attire.

My attention was brought back to the ground by the approach of a rather handsome stallion in a suit. “Your marefriend is quite the flyer,” he said.

“Oh, you’re very kind, but we aren’t a couple. Just good friends. Although you are absolutely correct about her ability. Rainbow Dash was made for speed and the sky.”

“Do you know where she got her shirt?”

“Her shirt?”

“Yeah, I’m the Top Sales. I do all the merchandising for the Wonderbolts. I would love to talk the pony that made the shirt and jacket your friend is wearing today. It’s some of the best fangear I’ve seen.”

“You truly think so?”

“Absolutely, I took a quick look at that jacket when she set it down. That would sell for quite a few bits in the team shop. So, do you know who made it for her?”

“Yes, actually, I do."

“You?”

“Well, yes.” I said extending a hoof, which he shook politely.

“I never would have pegged you for a sports designer. High fashion maybe, definitely model worthy, but not the Wonderbolts.” Then he chuckled to himself and continued, “I suppose that’s what I get for judging a pony by her hat I guess.”

“Oh do you like it? It is one of my latest creations.”

“It’s very nice,” He said with a smile. “So, what do you think? Want to work up some designs for Wonderbolts fans across Equestria? Actually, I’m thinking that blazer would be a great item for the team themselves. Dress them up a bit. What do you say?”

“Oh, I would absolutely love to!” My eyes took to the sky again as I saw Rainbow Dash streak across it. She’d taken her shirt off and handed it to another pegasus who was looking at it appreciatively as Rainbow and Spitfire went for one more race, which Dashie won.

A thought occurred to me as I turned back to the stallion. “Mr. Sales, as I’ve said, I would be delighted to create some designs for you. However, I would like to consult with my friend before I offer you either of the designs she is wearing today. You see, they were custom made for her and I simply wouldn’t feel right having you consider them without her consent.”

“You’re a better friend than I am.” He said with another chuckle. “But sure. That’s fine. Ask your friend. If she’s the Wonderfan I think she is, it’s not going to be a problem anyway.”

Of course, he was right.

When Rainbow landed near us, as the rest of the Wonderbolts headed for the locker room, she again said as many words as she could in one breath: “Rares! Did you see? I totally beat Spitfire. It wasn’t even close! And she wants a shirt! They all do. Soarin’ asked to see my jacket later too. Can you believe I just got to fly with the Wonderbolts? It was all casual and cool like, ‘Hey Dash you wanna fly for a few?’ and then I totally did it. And the coach saw and everything! Even he knew my name. And he saw me beat Spitfire. This is most awesome day ever!”

She collapsed to the ground in sheer uninhibited happiness. While she caught her breath, I introduced Top Sales and explained his proposition. She took to the skies again with her typical, “OhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygosh,” and that settled it. I took the stallions card and we arranged to be in touch the next week about the designs.

When Rainbow finally came back to ground, she circled me quickly. Exuberantly say, “Rares, that’s so cool! You’re going make clothes for the Wonderbolts!”

“Clothes that were inspired by you, darling.” I reminded her.

We had a few hours between the practice and the pre-show event. Twilight arranged with Princess Celestia for us to use one of the rooms at the castle to freshen up, which Rainbow especially needed. She was all sweaty from her work out.

It was during the ride from the stadium to the castle that I noticed for the first time how viscerally attractive an athlete could be in their element. Rainbow’s mane was wet and wind tossed. The feathers in her wings were slightly askew after the rough flying. By the time we got in the taxi, her breathing had slowed but her lean muscles were still twitching with energy and excitement. Her eyes were bright with adrenaline and joy like one rarely gets to see. She was a pony truly and completely herself, and it was both beautiful and seductive.

I expected her to jabber on and on during the brief ride, which she did for just a moment. Then she leaned back, closed her eyes, and just “basked in the awesome.” It was in that quiet moment of examining her that I felt the fire inside me. It was something like inspiration, but different. Something like finding the perfect fabric for a garment I’ve been dreaming of, but different. Something like finally singing the high note I’ve been working on for weeks, but different.

In that moment, I felt myself stop being Rainbow Dash’s friend and felt myself become her admirer- her lover- if she would let me.

It was terrifying.

The taxi ride was too short, that moment of quiet between us didn’t last long enough for me to process the sudden rush of feelings I was having. Luckily, Rainbow Dash knew where we were going when we arrived, so she disembarked without looking at my face.

When I exited, I found that she had already paid our driver, which immediately snapped me out of the mild anxiety attack I’d been having.

“Oh Rainbow, you didn’t need to do that. I can-”

“I got it Rares.” She said cutting me off with a smile. “You don’t have to do everything.”

That was it. It was such a simple phrase, but it was also incredibly baffling. I was treating her, and she was letting me for the most part. It was a small gesture that felt so much more significant somehow; as if it communicated her appreciation for the day without being showy or ostentatious. She wasn’t going to take away my delight in planning and executing a perfect day for her; she was just going to do this one thing for me.

It made my heart swell. “Th-Thank you,” was all I could say.

“No prob,” she replied. “Now let’s find me a shower. I can’t wait to show off my vest at the thing later!”

We trotted along in a companionable silence. We were returning to the suite of rooms I’d used previously on visits to Canterlot. Some of the guards we passed seemed familiar and gave us polite nods as we went by.

When we got to the room Rainbow asked, “Do you need a shower too? I know you’ll probably take longer to get ready than me, so you can go first if you want to.”

I hadn’t planned on showering, but a quick rinse did seem like a good idea, so I took her up on her offer. I was keeping myself busy, keeping myself moving, keeping myself from feeling suddenly overwhelmed by my new found feelings of attraction, desire, and commitment to the mare in the next room.

When I exited the washroom wrapped in a towel, Rainbow unmistakably eyed me up and down. I’d caught her off guard and her eyes wandered all over me before she could stop herself. It was the most incredible feeling. I wanted her to do it again, so I dropped my towel (which might seemed like it shouldn’t matter since we rarely wear clothes around each other anyway, but it mattered). Her wings sprang to attention like I had never seen, and she blushed. It was a deep, gorgeous blush. Even if she’d never had a romantic feeling toward me in her life, in that moment she wanted me and her wings and cheeks had done me the courtesy of letting me know it.

The fire in me that had sparked in the taxi received a healthy dose of fuel from that look. There was hope! If she could look at me like that, then perhaps she could consider me as more than a friend.

She sat there blushing with her mouth hanging open for a moment. Then her eyes met mine and her mouth snapped shut, and her blush deepened. She knew I’d caught her looking, and I’d see the arousal her wings refused to hide. Notably, she still hadn’t tried to tuck her wings back by her sides. More importantly, she must have seen her desire matched in my own eyes. I hadn’t dropped that towel on accident, and now she knew it.

I walked slowly over to her. Our eyes still locked on each other’s.

I had no idea what I was doing. I wasn’t trying to seduce her or corner her. I just...it felt right.

When I got with a hoof’s reach of her I stopped and waited for her to say something. She’d been sitting having a sandwich she’d apparently ordered. Later I’d realize appreciatively that she’d ordered enough for two, and although she generally preferred hayburgers and fries. That day she’d order a salad for two and some daisy sandwiches, along with water (still and sparkling).

She stood up, still looking at me; her wings had relaxed just a little. She took a step forward. I thought, I hoped, I prayed to the goddesses that she was going to kiss me. Her eyes had moved to my mouth. We were so close.

Then she pulled back half a step and looked me in the eye again. She spoke quietly, in a vulnerable voice I had never heard before. It was breathy, with even more rasp than her normal tone.

“Rares?”

“Yes.”

“I want to kiss you. But...I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Why?” I said trying hide my disappointment.

“Cuz you’re.. beautiful, and I want to, but…” She looked down at the floor then. She was pawing at the carpet with her hoof. I reached forward barely touching her foreleg. It was enough to bring her eyes back to mine.

“I want you to kiss me darling,” I said, sounding much braver than I felt. “But if you aren’t sure, then I agree that we shouldn’t.” I couldn’t believe the words coming out of my own mouth. Who was to say that I would ever get another chance like this. Nevertheless, I continued, “Perhaps, we can consider the rest of our day as more of a date and see how we feel at the end?”

Had I really just asked her out on a date, for an evening that we already agreed to spend together?

Yes. Yes, I had. And it made her smile. It was a shy smile. A smile that overtime I would realize was reserved for her moments of uncertainty when others found a way to make her feel safe. I didn’t know it then, but later I learned that my suggestion made her feel safe in a big way.

Her eyes lit up again. “Yeah. A date. That sounds cool. Can we do that?”

“Of course,” I said.

“Cool,” She said. Then she quickly leaned forward and gave me a very swift, chaste kiss on the cheek. “I’m gonna shower now.” Then she proceeded to do just that, and I sat at the vanity to get ready.

I swept my hair up in a simple, but sporty, ponytail that seemed fitting for the night’s festivities. My skirt and and jacket combo was a subtle nod to the rock and roll feeling of the vest I knew Dash would be wearing. I had one black onyx earring in. I’d kept my make-up simple and light. I felt polished, but casual.

Rainbow Dash emerged from the steaming washroom, and immediately repeated the process of looking at me from hoof to head. Once again, according to her very excitable wings and her suddenly dropped jaw, she liked what she saw.

I couldn’t restrain the giggle that escaped my lips, nor the blush that found my cheeks. It was incredibly validating to know that I still had that chance. Even if it was just based on my looks. I’ve never been the natural, obvious beauty that the long-legged Fluttershy lays effortless claim to; but on that night I felt like Rainbow Dash saw me and liked me and I liked it.

I took advantage of the opportunity to look her over from head to hoof. She was gorgeous: all lean muscle and impeccably preened feathers. She’d obviously spent a few minutes wrangling the few unruly ones I’d seen in the carriage earlier back into perfect, aerodynamic sleekness. Her eyes were bright, and my wandering, appraising eyes were causing her to blush in the most adorable way.

After a moment she said shyly, “Uhh, you look really good Rares.” She was trying to settle her wings. A naughty place in my mind suggested that I could get up and try to help her with them, which would ideally prove counter productive.

“Thank you, darling. You had better hurry if we’re going to make the pre-party like you wanted to.”

“No problem. Do you have any gel or mouse in all that stuff you brought?”

“Of course, which do you prefer?”

“Anything with a medium hold works.”

Magically, I floated over a bottle of styling cream. She applied it roughly over her entire mane and tail. For a moment, she looked like a well fluffed owl. Then she jumped out the window. A few seconds later she reappeared, her mane in perfectly windblown spikes and her tale in a striking, but intentional disarray.

Hot is not a word a lady uses to describe attractive ponies, but there was only one appropriate way to describe her that night. Rainbow Dash looked hot. She oozed confidence and sex appeal.

She crossed the room to me with a raspy giggle. For a moment, it appeared that she intended to caress my face. Rather she simply put her hoof under my chin and lifted it up, effectively closing my mouth, which had dropped open at the sight of her in all her well groomed glory.

Our eyes met, mine slightly embarrassed, hers filled with a mischievous delight that I had seen from her many times. It relaxed me. She would be our confident one for the rest of the evening. She was in her element. All was well.

She kissed my cheek again, and I blushed just a bit. Then she pulled back and asked, “Do you mind helping me put my vest on?”

“Not at all darling. Wings up!” We both had a good giggle at that as I settled the vest onto her lithe body. She went from hot to irresistible, and she knew it.

“Shall we go?” I asked trying and failing keep my voice even. She nodded.

As we walked down the stairs from our tower room, I noticed a shift her demeanor. It was slight, but noticeable.

“Is something wrong, Rainbow Dash?” She blushed. She hadn’t expected me notice.

“Uhh yeah, everything is cool. I just…” She glanced over to look me in the eye. “I was thinking about putting my wing around you.” She shut her eyes tightly as she said the last few words. It was as if she was hiding from me, afraid of what I might say.

Despite my own inner longing to simply shout that she was welcome to touch me however she liked, I simply replied “Oh, I think that would be alright if you feel comfortable with it.”

“Really?” Her eyes had lit up like Hearths Warming Eve again.

“Of course, darling.”

We’d just reached the bottom of the stairs, and she extended a wing around me. I noted the remarkable softness. Rainbow was diligent about wing care- despite her well earned reputation for being a little lazy about hygiene. In the various fittings I’d done for her, I always noticed that her wings were the picture of perfection. I couldn't help but wonder if some of the naps she took were actually preening sessions that simply got a little too comfortable. Her feathers were always show ready. She could perform any flying feat at a moment’s notice without fear that her wings might betray her.

My thoughts turned to her singular method of mane styling, which made me smile. I’m sure very few ponies understood what it took for Rainbow to maintain her image of purposefully unkempt coolness, but I certainly had some idea. I’d often noticed that despite her nearly constant high speed travels her mane was nearly always her own definition of perfection- never fluffy or frizzy, never a strand out of place in the chaos. Of course, it wasn’t as high maintenance a coiffeur as my own mane, but to the attentive eye it showed a high level of dedication to her own signature style.

Rainbow interrupted my musings, “Do you wanna just walk to the stadium? It’s not really that far.”

The immediate reaction my brain conjured was: If you keep that wing touching me, I’ll do whatever you want. . Happily, my mouth had better sense.

“That sounds wonderful. I had rather hoped that you would fly the last block or so to show yourself off a bit.” That brought out the braggart smile all of our friends know and love as belonging to the one and only Rainbow Dash.

“Yeah,” she said. “I can totally do that.”

We picked up our pace to a trot and proceeded toward the stadium. Rainbow asked me questions about my interest in aerial sports. I had attended enough events with the Wonderbolts as entertainment to know that I found the displays pleasing enough, but truly had never invested any interest beyond that.

Rainbow began to explain that tonight’s show was different, because while it had the traditional aerial displays the Wonderbolts were known for it also had two other components. The first was a game, which was best compared to hockey. The second would take up the entire second act after intermission. It was a combination of aerial and musical talent. According to Dash it was hard to describe, it wasn’t the fast paced performance everypony might be expecting; the Wonderbolts had been building the concept for years, and it was more art than sport.

Watching her talk was beautiful. Her eyes were alight. Her voice was animated. She never talked down to me, only asked me questions to ascertain how much I already knew, then filled in the blanks. She drifted into tangents about flying techniques, or specific plays for the game, only to realize that I had no idea what she was talking about and circling back to pertinent information.

In what felt like an instant we were a block from the venue. Rainbow grabbed a security pony quickly to verify that she wouldn’t be arrested for making an entrance. With permission granted, she gave me a wink and took to the sky.

I could hear the oos and ahhhs of the crowd as I approached. When she came into view, she had just finished a large loop that she turned into a triple barrel roll only to shoot straight into the sky then back down at nearly sonic rainboom speed (she must have been bleeding speed on purpose, not wanting to totally steal the spotlight for the entire evening), then buzzing the top of the crowd before she landed next to me and gave a little bow.

I used my magic to unzip her vest and gave her a quick, unthinking nuzzle on her neck. “That was absolutely lovely, darling. You’ve really wowed them.”

I half expected her to go stiff and pull away, but she didn’t. She just threw a wing over me, began walking down the red carpet into the stadium as cameras flashed and fans screamed. A few even asked for her autograph, which she gladly gave.

When some newspony asked Rainbow who she was wearing she responded, “The totally awesome designs of this pony right here! My girl Rarity, who is also going to be the designing the new Wonderbolts fangear, so watch out!”

That buzz swept across the crowd in an instant, and all the ponies with cameras and recorders started asking about the new line. I pretended not to hear them, and we went inside.

I presented our tickets, and we were waved through an ornate door. The roar of the crowd faded away as we walked down a hall. There was a large sigh at my side, and I felt the air go out of Rainbow just a bit.

“Are you quite alright?” I asked, unable to mask my concern.

“Yeah, I’m fine Rares. That was just a really intense level of awesome.”

“It was indeed. Who knew you would rule the red carpet with such distinction?” I asked playfully. “Although you have never lacked for charisma. Fame and fashion look quite nice on you.”

She gave me a little hip check. “Awww shut up.” There was an undeniable smile on her face as we entered the VIP green room though.

A jingling of a bell down in the shop snaps me back to reality again.

Sigh. Duty calls.

“Welcome to Carousel Boutique!” I call down the stairs. “Where every garment is unique, chic, and magnifique!”