Author's Note

First up, Rainbow Dash/Night Glider. This one carries a rating of E for Everypony!

Gliding Into Love

Rainbow Dash slid into her landing in Our Town, and checked her back to make sure her ski gear was still with her. It was, so she headed through town. She greeted the other ponies as she passed, and soon saw a mare with a blue coat, and eagerly trotted to meet her.

“Hey Night Glider!” she called.

“Rainbow Dash!” the other shouted back, meeting her halfway in a hug.

“How’ve you been?” Rainbow asked her, stepping back.

“Pretty good,” Night replied. “Well other than breaking up with Party Favor, but…”

“Oh no, you did? How come?”

“He’s sweet and all but I don’t know, we just weren’t clicking. But we’re still friends.”

“Darn. Well, I’m glad you ended it on good terms.” Rainbow patted her shoulder.

Night checked out her gear and said, “Skiing with Double Diamond?”

“Yeah! Have you seen him?” Rainbow looked around.

Night thought about it and shrugged. “I haven’t seen him today. He might still be asleep.”

“What? But it’s eight AM! We should be heading to the mountains by now! Ugh, he always forgets our dates!” Rainbow scowled and dumped her stuff on the ground, zipping up to the window of Double Diamond’s house. “Hey Double D! Wake up!”

The stallion flailed out of bed, hitting the floor with a grunt. He rubbed his eyes and looked up, squinting at the sunlight coming in. “Huh… oh… Dashie!”

“We’re still skiing, right?” she asked.

“Oh, right! I’m so sorry, my alarm clock must not have gone off.” He clambered to his hooves and picked up his clock, shaking it. “Heh, busted old thing…”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Okay, well, I’m gonna be outside.”

“I’ll be right there, babe!”

Rainbow sighed and flew back down, going to talk to Night. “We arranged this last week. I reminded him of it in a letter yesterday. Broken alarm clock, my tail feathers…”

Night rested a wing over her. “Stuff happens, I’m sure he didn’t mean to forget. Diamond’s a good guy.”

“I know. Just…” Rainbow sighed. “He kinda irritates me sometimes. He’s forgetful, and can be kinda arrogant, plus he has this habit of just talking and talking without letting me reply...”

“You’ll get through it. Maybe just talk to him about it, let him know how it makes you feel when he forgets about dates.”

“Ugh, talking about emotions? Come on.”

Night laughed. “I know, it’s painful. But that’s what couples have to do.”

Rainbow kicked at the ground, and pulled on her ski goggles before strapping the skis onto her back.

It took a few minutes, but finally Diamond came outside with his gear. “Okay, sorry again! Why don’t we get going?”

“Sounds good.” Rainbow nodded to her friend. “See ya when we get back.”

“See you.” Night waved as they headed out.

“It’s a bit warm still,” Diamond said as they walked. “But the very tops of the mountains have snow and there’s a great skiing spot. And just wait until a few months from now, we can ski for miles without stopping!”

“Sounds great,” Rainbow replied. After a few minutes of walking, she said, “So, can we talk about something?”

“Sure, what’s up?”

“Well, I was thinking. You know we go on dates a lot and well… a lot of the time, you seem to show up late, or forget. I just…” Rainbow took a deep breath, and said, “I just want you to pay a little more attention, okay? And be on time. Please?”

“It’s not that big a deal, right?” he replied. “I mean I always do make time for you. It just slips my mind sometimes.”

She sighed. “I wouldn’t care if it was sometimes. But it seems to be every date! It makes me think you don’t care enough to at least show up at the agreed time, ya know?”

“Well, I do care,” Diamond declared. “And I’ll start writing myself notes, okay? I won’t be late to a date again, alright babe?”

“Alright.” She gave him a brief hug with her wing.

They made the long trek up the mountain, passing onto snow. It was light and powdery. Diamond gave it a small kick.

“This’ll do for now but winter is gonna be awesome.” He started trotting, and Rainbow took to the air, flying over him.

It still took about thirty more minutes, but finally they were at a suitable spot and stopped, setting their skis down and pulling on their goggles. Rainbow pulled on a coat for warmth, but it probably won’t be needed once she gets to the bottom of the slope. Diamond didn’t even bother with a coat, but she’s noticed he had fairly long fur. Plus he was used to the cold.

They carefully stepped into their ski shoes and tightened them around their hooves, making sure their skis were firmly attached as well. They leaned down to help each other with their checks, then turned to face the slope.

“Looks kinda steep,” Rainbow commented as she looked down.

“Not a problem for the Dash, is it?” Diamond asked.

She smirked. “Of course not! Ready? One, two, three!” They stepped forward and slid down.

It was slow at first, but then they picked up speed. Rainbow hooted as wind rushed through her mane, this almost felt like flying and she loved it. But it was dangerous flying, low to the ground, which made it a challenge.

She lowered her body and shifted weight forward, going faster. Diamond did the same, and they began weaving between trees.

“There’s a pretty sick jump up here, let’s see who goes further!” Diamond called, angling toward a snow-covered hill that was just low enough to be jumped. Rainbow made sure she was right next to him, so they both hit it at the same time. They flew into the air, and Rainbow waited until they were angling back down and Diamond’s eyes were focused forward, before ever so slightly extending her wings. She fanned out her primaries just enough to generate lift, carrying her further and making her land ahead of Diamond.

“No fair!” he called.

“Use it if you got it!” she yelled back. “See you at the bottom!” She powered forward.

After a few minutes of fast racing, the slope evened out, and she could see the snow starting to end, making way for grass.

She turned her skis and slowed down, before finally coming to a stop, laughing. “Whoo!”

Diamond was a few seconds behind her, sliding in and spraying snow over her. She coughed and pulled a hoof out of its shoe to wipe her face off. She lifted her goggles.

“Wow, that was fun,” she said.

“Yeah, guess so,” Diamond said, pulling his hooves free of his own skis.

Rainbow tilted her head at his neutral tone. “You alright?”

“Yeah, fine,” he said shortly.

She hesitated, then said, “You wanna go back up for another race?”

“Depends. Are you going to use your wings again?”

Was he upset about that? “Hey, I didn’t really think about, I just… I’m a pegasus, I was flying through the air, opening my wings is natural. I closed them when I realized!”

Diamond sighed and messed with his mane, brushing it down. “Well, from how you bragged about it, I thought you did it on purpose.”

She rubbed her leg, then said, “Does it really matter? We’re just skiing for fun, who cares if I use my wings to get a little distance? It’s no different from you earth ponies using your powerful legs to get a little more running speed than the rest of us.”

“I guess. Okay, we can go back up for another race.”

“Want me to fly us? Then we can drop down, extreme skiing style!”

He seemed to perk up at that. “Sure!”

“Go ahead and get your skis back on.” Rainbow pulled her goggles back down and stepped into her ski shoes, tightening them. Once Diamond was ready, she flew over him and lifted him, carrying him up the mountain with her. It was difficult, but she’s trained with the Wonderbolts to be able to lift full grown ponies in case of emergencies. She could certainly carry Diamond up a mountain.

Once they were back at the top, she held him below her, letting him get ready. Once he nodded, she dropped him. She moved over and closed her wings, dropping after him.

Hitting the ground was a jolt, but the snow and the slope softened it. They glided down next to each other, each trying to go as fast as possible. They dodged trees and flew over bumps, before approaching the large jump from before. This time when they went over, Rainbow kept her wings firmly against her sides. Diamond landed just ahead of her, but she didn’t mind. He was far more experienced. She just focused on moving fast.

They were neck in neck as they approached the end, and Rainbow moved her legs slightly, helping to drive the snow behind her.

They chose a rock for the end point, and slid past it too close to tell who won.

Rainbow turned her skis and stopped, and Diamond did the same, tossing his head to get his mane out of his face.

“Well, that was close,” he said. “I think I won that one.”

“No way, we were nose and nose,” Rainbow replied.

“Heh, well, I think I got just slightly ahead of you toward the end.”

“Maybe you did, guess we’ll never know, since nopony was watching.” Rainbow unlatched her hooves. “Another?”

“Eh, I think I’m done for today,” Diamond replied. “The slopes just aren’t this fun during this time of the year.”

“Oh, alright. Then what do you want to do? The day’s still young.”

“To be honest… I want a warm bath and a nap.”

“But you were just sleeping!”

Diamond shrugged and tossed his stuff over his back, starting to walk. Rainbow huffed and followed him down. She was in a moody silence for most of the walk, and Diamond started to look guilty once they were almost back.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “It’s just… I haven’t really been in a relationship before and I’ve never really had someone to pay this much attention to, it just… takes some getting used to is all. I spent so long only worrying about myself. But I’ll do better.”

“It’s okay,” she replied. “I can tell you’re trying.”

“I’ll make it up to you, alright? What can I do to make you feel better?”

“Let’s set up another date. And all I really want you to do is show up on time.”

“Absolutely. When and where?”

Rainbow thought about it, then said, “How about I come over tomorrow for lunch, at about noon, and we can go to Sugar Belle’s bakery?”

“Perfect. I’ll be here,” Diamond vowed.

“Okay. See you tomorrow, then.” Rainbow leaned in to kiss his cheek, and he nuzzled her back. Then she watched him go inside, before going to Night’s house.

“You’re back early,” Night commented.

“Yeah, we only went down the slope a couple times,” Rainbow replied. “Not enough snow to get very far.”

“Ah. Well, did you have fun at least?”

“Sure, it was fun. Until Double Diamond got mad at me for using my wings to get some distance on a jump.”

“He got mad at you?”

“Well, I guess he wasn’t too mad, but he seemed annoyed. We went down the slope again after that, but then he wanted to just come back and go back to sleep!”

“That’s pretty lazy of him.” Night laid back more comfortably on her couch. “So are you heading back to Ponyville?”

“I just barely got here. I’d hate to have to leave so soon.”

“Then hang around! I was gonna go on a flight, wanna come? We can race, and don’t worry, I don’t care if you use your wings.” Night gave her wings a flutter.

Rainbow grinned and opened her own wings. “You’re on!”

They probably spent nearly an hour racing each other around. First to one landmark, then another. Over the town, around the town. To the mountains and back. But finally they slowed, and found a cloud to sprawl onto.

“You’re so fast,” Night said, groaning as she stretched her wings.

“Years of practice.” Rainbow watched as her wings shook slightly. “That looks painful, are you sore?”

“A little.”

“Want a massage? The Wonderbolts taught me a great one for sore wing muscles.”

“Sure.” Night moved to lay more on her stomach, and Rainbow stood over her.

“Lay your wings down flat. Alright, now hold still.” Rainbow rubbed her front hooves together. And then began stamping them into Night’s back.

“Ow, you call that a massage?” Night demanded, starting to get up.

“No, hold on, just relax! I promise, it’s good!”

Night sighed and laid back down, gritting her teeth as Rainbow’s powerful hooves crashed into her back. But after a few moments the rhythm became soothing, and she realized the tension was leaving her flight muscles. She smiled a bit, letting herself relax. “Mm, okay, that is pretty good.”

“Told ya! First time I got this done, it was from Spitfire herself! Heh, I was sore for ages but man was I loose.”

“No kidding.” Night rested her chin on her forelegs, sighing. Rainbow soon slowed her pounding, instead just rubbing her hooves into the other’s back. She went up and down a wing, then switched to the other one. A few more minutes and she was done, helping her friend up. Night gave a few stretches, hopped up and down, and nodded. “I feel good, thanks!”

“No problem. Wanna head back?”

“Sure.” Night lifted off the cloud, following her. “Do you think I’ll ever be able to do a sonic rainboom like you?”

“Heh, maybe one day. Maybe I could teach you.”

“That’d be awesome!”

They discussed the intricacies of performing a sonic rainboom as they flew back to Our Town, and Rainbow thought to herself that she was glad she had such a great flying buddy.

Rainbow was in a good mood as she trotted up to the door of Sugar Belle’s bakery. It was a nice day and she was looking forward to seeing Double Diamond again. The smell of fresh pie wafted out the open windows, and though she didn’t personally eat pie, she could still appreciate the fruity scents. There were some very delicious-looking cupcakes for sale though. She went inside, looking around. The shop was busy with ponies buying treats for lunch, and she waved to them, before approaching the counter.

“Hey, Sugar Belle,” Rainbow said.

“Oh, hi Rainbow Dash!” Sugar said, smiling as she cut a piece of blueberry pie out for someone. “How are you?”

“I’m great, and you?”

“I’m good! How’s it been in Ponyville?”

“Oh, same ol’ same ol’.” Rainbow looked around. “Have you seen Double Diamond?”

“I saw him buying flowers earlier- oop.” She quickly covered her mouth and blushed. “Heh, guess I probably spoiled a surprise.”

“Oh, flowers? Hah, wonder who those could be for.” Rainbow grinned and brushed her hoof through her mane. “I’m just gonna take a seat and wait for him.”

“Sounds good.” Sugar handed over the pie to her customer and took the bits he offered.

Rainbow sat down at an open table, looking out the window. It was only a few minutes later when she saw Diamond trotting over, a bouquet of flowers in his mouth. He came inside, found Rainbow, and hastily approached her.

“Wow, you’re on time for once,” Rainbow commented.

Diamond offered her the flowers, and she took them. He sat down, blushing. “H-heh, yeah. I made sure my alarm was set. Sorry about, you know, yesterday.”

“It’s alright.” Rainbow sniffed the flowers. There were mostly peach-colored roses, but mixed among them were valerians. She casually took some bites out of them. “Mm, these are good.”

“I was hoping you’d like them. So, um, what do you want to eat?”

Rainbow looked down at the menu. “Ah, well… I don’t really eat pie, but maybe we could get some cupcakes?”

“Cupcakes are good.”

They discussed what they wanted for a while before Sugar Belle came over. They placed an order for a half dozen vanilla cupcakes with various flavors of frosting, and once she walked away, they looked at each other.

“So, do anything fun lately?” Diamond asked.

“Well, after we went skiing, I went flying with Night Glider,” Rainbow said.

“Ah. Sounds like fun.”

“It was, we did so much racing! I won, but she’s getting really good.”

“Yeah, she loves flying almost as much as you do.” Diamond messed with the silverware. “I got this new book that just came out, it’s an autobiography by Powder Snow! He’s one of the top skiers in Equestria and he goes all over the world looking for the sickest slopes! Did you know that twenty years ago he set the record for the fastest time down Mt. Saddlehorn, without dying in the process?”

“Wow!” Rainbow had no idea where Mt. Saddlehorn was. “That’s impressive, how fast was he?”

“Heh, it took him over two hours to get down, but the peak is well over three miles high! It’s located across the Celestial Sea to the east. Hikers need literal days to travel all the way up there and many have died in the process. Not only did Powder hike all the way up there with his skis, he then went all the way back down on skis! And he didn’t stop for breaks, no, he just went straight back down! Honestly the book tells you the entire story and it’s so intense!” Diamond gave a little bounce. “I wanna do that one day!”

Rainbow blinked. “You… want to ski down a three mile high mountain?”

“Yeah! We don’t have any mountains like that around here, it’d be so awesome!”

“How many ponies have tried to beat his record?”

“Oh, so many. And not just ponies. Griffins have tried to beat it, and even some zebras, but it’s never been done. Heh.” Diamond rubbed his hoof against his chest. “But I feel good about my chances.”

“But what if you get hurt?”

“Please, I’m a skier. It’s an occupational hazard.”

Rainbow swallowed. She supposed she couldn’t say much. She was a daredevil herself, but that mountain sounded serious. It was one thing to take risks that could injure you, but risks that could kill you? “And um… how’s the mortality rate?”

“It’s not so bad these days, they usually keep a team of pegasi with medical training around to save people who get hurt.” Diamond started stacking packets of butter into a pile. “I’m not too worried.” He ran a fork sideways down the pile as if skiing.

“Ah. Well, good luck. When do you plan on going on that trip?”

“I don’t know. It’s mostly on my bucket list.” Diamond looked over. “Oh good, our food’s here.”

Sugar Belle placed a tray of cupcakes down between them, and set down two plates, along with glasses of milk. They thanked her, and she nodded before returning to the counter.

Diamond continued to talk about his planned trip to Mt. Saddlehorn, and Rainbow just smiled and agreed that it sounded fun. However, it soon became apparent that all he wanted to talk about was Powder’s book. Rainbow was totally lost when he started using ski lingo.

“These cupcakes are good, aren’t they?” she asked, trying to change the subject.

“Oh, they’re great!” Diamond had already finished two, unfortunately talking with his mouth full the whole time. “Sugar Belle is so good at baking, it sucks that Starlight Glimmer made her hide it for so long! But we get to enjoy it now.” He started on the third cupcake. “Anyway! On his way to the third camp, Powder got bad frostbite! He was probably minutes from losing his front left hoof, but luckily-”

Rainbow sighed. She liked Diamond, she really did, but he wasn’t that great at conversation. He’d let her talk for a bit, but then just jump right back into talking about whatever he wanted to talk about without waiting for her input. It was really starting to grate on her nerves.

She finished her share of the cupcakes, and then munched on the rest of her flowers, waiting for a lull in Diamond’s rambling. It took actual minutes, before he finally paused to drink some milk.

“Well, I’m glad you enjoyed the book!” Rainbow said. “But I don’t know too much about skiing, so maybe we could talk about something else? At least until, ya know, I can learn more about that stuff.”

“Do you want to read it too? I’m sure you’ll find his story very inspirational!”

“Oh, that’s okay, I’ll pick it up some other time. But really, you gotta hear about this blunder at training the other day! Haha, so there I was with Fleetfoot in the locker room…” Rainbow got through the story without him interrupting, and he burst out laughing at the end. She grinned, hoping he would want to talk about her training now, to take an interest in her life…

“That reminds me of when Powder crashed into his friend Blue Slope at one of his practice sessions!”

Rainbow rested her head against her hoof. “Ah. Of course, not surprising that he crashed too. Lots of sporty ponies do that at some point.”

“Heh, yeah, but this one was really bad, he broke his leg. But you know, that kind of thing can happen when the snow starts to melt and turn to slush, you really need to stay in control and don’t look away from where you’re going for even a moment! Like one time when I-”

Rainbow was at the end of her rope. She groaned and stood. “I’m sorry, I just don’t think this is working out.”

“Wh-what?” He blinked, staring at her.

“I’m sorry. You’re a really great guy, but I just… I don’t think I can be around a pony who barely lets me talk,” Rainbow said.

He looked hurt. “I’m sorry, I just… have so many stories to tell, I just want you to be entertained by them like I was…”

She sighed, and walked over to hug him. “I know. And they’re good stories, I just… I think you deserve someone who likes hearing you talk. Because unfortunately… I also like to talk. A lot.”

Diamond frowned. “Oh. Yeah, I… guess I can get pretty talkative. But I can work on it! Please, if you want to talk, go ahead!”

Rainbow thought about it. Then she said, “I don’t really have anything to talk about, actually. I think I’m gonna go. But…” She hugged him tighter. “We can still be friends, right?”

“Of… of course.” He wrapped a foreleg around her, nuzzling against her cheek. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be what you wanted.”

“It’s okay. I enjoyed hanging out with you anyway. And maybe when winter comes, we can still go skiing together?”

He smiled, leaning back. “I’d like that.”

Rainbow nodded. “Ya know, if you want a pony who’d be happy to just listen to you and see you smile… Party Favor is single and he loves hearing about other ponies' interests.”

Diamond blinked, then blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. “O-oh, yeah… maybe…”

Rainbow walked over to the counter to pay, and gave Diamond a final wave goodbye before walking out. The second she was out of his view, tears brimmed in her eyes and she groaned, galloping toward Night Glider’s house.

“You broke up with Double Diamond?” Night asked as Rainbow collapsed on her couch. “But you got along so well!”

“Yeah, we did, but I don’t know, it just didn’t feel right.” Rainbow buried her face into a pillow. “He talks so much and I’m happy he has such a passion for things but he barely lets me talk and it finally got too annoying!”

“Mm. I guess I can understand that.” Night walked over to rub her withers. “I’m sorry. But things just kinda happen that way sometimes. You get along with someone, but when it comes to always being around them, you realize they kinda bug you. There’s nothing wrong with that. He can get super talkative. I know how much you like talking about yourself though.”

“Does that make me a bad pony?” Rainbow asked, abruptly rolling onto her back to look up at her friend. “Breaking up with him over him not letting me talk? Am I being selfish?”

Night frowned when tears rolled down Rainbow’s cheeks, and gently wiped them off. “No, of course not. Well, maybe a little. But I think everypony’s a little bit selfish. You like getting attention. You just need somepony who understands that.”

“I guess so.” Rainbow exhaled slowly, and smiled as Night caressed her face. “I’m glad you let me babble on.”

“I like hearing your voice.” Night smiled back at her, and Rainbow found her cheeks feeling a little warm. But before she could think about it too much, Night dropped her hoof and turned away. “How about I get us some ice cream? I wanna hear that story about you and Fleetfoot again.”

Rainbow laughed and sat up. “Sounds perfect.”

Night went to the kitchen to get the ice cream, and Rainbow watched her go, reflecting on their friendship. Maybe she and Double Diamond didn’t really work out… but perhaps there was somepony else in Our Town she was interested in.

When Night came back out with the tubs of ice cream, Rainbow accepted the neapolitan one from her. Night sat next to her with her tub of mint, and they ate together in peaceful silence for a while. Then Rainbow started telling her the story again, pleased with how she laughed, enjoying the way her nose scrunched up and how her mane moved when she tossed her head back.

When she finished the story, Night set her ice cream down. “Honestly, you guys are hilarious! Who knew the Wonderbolts could be so silly when nopony’s around.”

“I know, right? Haha, they’re all such geeks.” Rainbow kicked her back hooves a bit as she laughed too, leaning against the other. Night leaned back against her, and Rainbow sighed with content, letting a wing stretch out and slide behind Night’s back.

After a moment, Night did the same, and Rainbow blushed as her feathers brushed along her back.

“So, um… would you consider… dating anypony else?” Rainbow asked her. “You know, after Party Favor?”

“Sure, if I met the right pony.”

“Ah. What would you look for?”

“Mm… somepony brave, and daring… with a bold personality, who likes to have fun…” Night Glider shifted, sprawling out across Rainbow’s lap and looking up at her. “Party Favor was great but I think I want somepony I can fly with.”

Rainbow’s heart beat faster. “Oh, really? Well, I’m sure you can find a stallion like that.”

Night chuckled. “It doesn’t have to be a stallion.”

Was this really happening? Was Night into her? Rainbow swallowed as she looked into her friend’s bright cerulean eyes. “Heh, oh, well that makes things easier. There are definitely mares like that.”

“Is that so? Think you could name some for me?”

“Ah, well…” Rainbow rubbed the back of her head. She noticed the other blushing slightly. “There’s Spitfire, Surprise, uh…” Night’s eyes never left hers. “And m-me, I suppose.”

“Hmm. Yep, you’re definitely all those things.” Night stretched and let out a soft hum, and Rainbow set her ice cream aside, before brushing a hoof along the other’s mane.

“Hey, Night?” Rainbow asked.

“Yeah?”

“Would you, um…” Rainbow took a breath. It was strange feeling so nervous, but she knew Night Glider wouldn’t mind her asking this. If she was reading the other’s body language right, she was practically begging her to ask it. “Would you like to go out with me?”

Night smiled widely, and twisted around to sit up, nuzzling her. “I’d love to.”

Rainbow sighed with relief. Then she leaned in, nuzzling her back, before leaning her down and kissing her cheek. “Great. I mean… yeah, great! Okay then!”

“I’ve admired you since we first met,” Night admitted. “But I was always happy just being your friend. I wanted to be there for you, to help you like you’ve helped us. But wow, going out with you! I’m so excited!”

“Heh, I doubt things will change that much. I still want to hang out, and race together, and do tricks.” Rainbow rubbed their foreheads together affectionately.

Night laughed. “Of course. And you need to teach me how to do a sonic rainboom.”

“Of course!”

“But for now… why don’t we just hang out and finish this ice cream? And I’ll tell you some of the dirty little secrets I learned about Double Diamond while we were all under Starlight’s influence.”

“Oh man, yes!” Rainbow grabbed for her ice cream, and Night got comfortable snuggled against her.

“Alright, so we all know he was Starlight’s most loyal lackey, but what you don’t know is just how much he helped her even in private…”

As Rainbow got comfortable, she decided that this was one pony she didn’t mind listening to for hours.