Author's Note
Inspired by a bunch of underrated hardcore bands from the early 2000's (Still Breathing, Theadora, Love Lost But Not Forgotten, Last Breath, etc.)
One Kiss
Rainbow gazed at the photograph in her hoof. The contents reflected in the candlelight revealed a long chain spanning the course of a decade. The friends she'd made throughout her life had drastically changed her in a number of ways. She was wiser, stronger, and kinder than anyone would have ever imagined. Among those present in the picture, she found her eyes continually trailing back to one in particular.
"Scoots..."
Watching the filly grow up over the last ten years had been a strangely sobering experience. It was a bittersweet blend of change and contemplation. Back then, everything seemed so simple: no cares or worries, no need for introspection, but that's the thing about reality. It's rarely, if ever so cut and dry.
"I'll see you soon..."
Rainbow blew out the candles and let herself drift off...
A few days later, Rainbow met up with Applejack in town.
"RD?" the farm pony called out.
"AJ?"
"God, it's good to see ya."
Applejack squeezed her friend in a tight hug.
"Where in tarnation have ya been?"
"Here and there. Aside from working and training, I've mostly been at home."
"That explains it."
"How are the others?"
"Same as always."
"That's good."
"You okay? Ya seem kinda down."
"I've just had a lot on my mind."
"Still thinkin' about the accident?"
"How'd ya know?"
"It ain't hard to tell. Ya changed after that whole mess. Ya got all quiet and started keepin' a closer eye on her."
"Can you blame me?"
"Course not, sugarcube. Almost dyin's an eye-opener ever there was one."
"The first time I ever saw something like that, a filly around my age was decapitated by a shard of broken glass. That's why I was so freaked out over the whole thing."
"Please tell me you're yankin' my chain."
Rainbow shook her head.
"Her folks had just gotten married that day. They were on their way home from the reception when some drunk asshole crashed into them."
"I'm sorry ya had to see that."
"Yeah..."
Applejack placed a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder.
"I know it was scary, but Scootaloo's fine, and you know that better than anyone."
"There was something I realized after that night: something important."
"What's that?"
"She was there for me whenever I needed someone to cheer me up. She was always encouraging me in her own way to keep improving and growing, and all I ever did was brush her off when it was convenient for me. That was probably the least cool thing I ever did."
"We all make mistakes. If we were born perfect, we'd have nothing to strive for."
"I guess that's true, but still..."
"If you really want to make things right, you should tell her this yourself."
"I had the same idea."
"Ya think she deserves all the love and happiness in the world, right? So go give it to her."
"...You're right."
"Well? What are ya waitin' for? Go on, git!"
"I'm goin'. I'll see you later. Tell the others I said hey."
"Hay is for horses. Get it?"
"Ever think about getting into comedy?"
"I'd do better than you, Mopey."
"Only because I have prior engagements."
"Come again?"
"Heh."
Rainbow flew away from the center of the city.
Scootaloo heard a knock at the door. She finished drying her hair.
"Who is it?"
"Hey, squirt. Long time, no see."
"Dash?"
The orange Pegasus removed the barrier between them.
"Hey." Rainbow greeted jovially.
"It's good to see you again."
"How long's it been?"
"Three years. We were at my graduation with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle."
"Guess time really got away from me, huh?"
"Looks like it."
"How are they anyway?"
"They're fine. Sweetie's been helping Rarity with her new line. Apple Bloom's back at the farm."
"And you?"
"I've been studying engineering downtown and doing some construction work in my spare time."
"I'm guessing your wings have gotten a lot stronger."
"It's a lot easier than a ladder, I'll tell ya that."
"Sounds like you've been busy."
"You caught me at the perfect time actually. I have today off."
"Can I come in?"
"Sure."
Scootaloo shut the door behind them.
"How's your stomach?"
Scootaloo raised a brow.
"Fine. Why?"
"Don't you remember?"
"Remember?"
Scootaloo thought back.
"You mean the crash?"
"Yeah."
"I'm surprised you even remember that."
"I couldn't forget it if I tried."
The Pegasi took seats across from each other.
"After the doctors stitched me up, they told me I was lucky to be alive. The piece of the frame that punctured my abdomen barely missed my lung. I was in pain for a few weeks, but it eventually went away on its own."
"I was worried about complications, but I'm glad to see it all worked out."
"What made you bring it up?"
"Because it made me realize what a shitty friend I was."
"Huh?"
"Don't you remember how I used to brush you off all the time when other people were around?"
"You were seventeen. There was no way you could've known who was on the road that night."
"I know, but it took you almost bleeding to death before I got my shit together. You had every right to be angry with me."
"Why would I be?"
"Remember how you used to follow me around all the time? You would always tell me how great I was and how I could do anything. At the time, I was so high on my own ego that I couldn't see the honesty behind your words. You genuinely believed in me, and I should've done the same for you, but I didn't."
Rainbow strolled over to her companion. She dropped to her haunches and held Scootaloo's hooves.
"I promise, I'll do whatever it takes to make things right, even if it takes the rest of my life."
Scootaloo was stunned. Before her was the mare she had admired her whole life on her knees and begging for forgiveness, tears streaming from her eyes.
"I promise I'll protect you, no matter the cost."
"Rainbow..."
The sky outside darkened. A torrential downpour battered the world below.
"Kiss me."
Rainbow's brow furrowed into a raffish expression. She nodded.
Scootaloo leaned forward. She embraced the lips of her appointed protector.
Rainbow carried Scootaloo to the bedroom. She placed her on the mattress.
"You sure you wanna do this?"
"I've known for a long time this is how things would go."
"Really?"
"I don't know how, but I knew."
"Do me a favor, would ya?"
"What?"
"If this is a dream, don't wake me up."
Scootaloo placed a hoof on Rainbow's cheek. The sensation was warm and comforting.
"This is real."
Scootaloo kissed Rainbow again. Rainbow broke away long enough to remove Scootaloo's shirt. She saw the scar from her lover's childhood trauma.
"Lay back."
"What are you gonna do?"
"Make it better."
Rainbow kissed the wound.
"You're such a worry wart."
Rainbow and Scootaloo laid together under the comforter, holding on to each other as though the world were being ripped apart.
"If I'm being totally honest, after you graduated and moved out of your aunts' place, I used to follow you around to make sure you were all right."
"So that's what I was feeling."
"I was scared the wound would open up internally. No one would've known what happened until you bled out."
"When did you stop being afraid?"
"I didn't, but I wasn't sure whether you even wanted me around at that point. I was the one who asked you to come with us that night. You almost died because of me."
"Look at me. I don't need you any less now than I did back then. It wasn't your fault."
"From this point on, if we go, we go together. Deal?"
Scootaloo nodded.
"Deal."
"Good. Now get some sleep. You need the rest."
"Will you still be here when I wake up?"
"Wherever you are, I won't be far behind."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Good night..."
"Night, kiddo. Sleep well."
Rainbow kissed Scootaloo's forehead. Scootaloo buried her head in Rainbow's chest. The lullaby of Rainbow's heartbeat carried her mind to the depths of the dream world...
