Love's Hydration
B_25

Her hooves wrapped around nothing. Rainbow shifted in her sleep, weakly groaning. Her wrestling form rustled the sheets. Her exhale caused her to become still. She blinked to the blurriness of an empty bed. Sitting up, she looked around.

Her nethers tingled, a dwindling sensation. Nobody else was here. Nothing of them, except for the letter on the bedside table. Crawling toward it, Rainbow felt the sheets crinkle beneath her knees. Her wing extended, grabbing the paper, and holding it before her eyes.

"Thanks for the amazing night! Sorry for... y'know."

Rainbow looked between her legs. The disappointing and dwindling tingles clicked. She sighed, falling into her pillows. The bed squeaked. The desire to crawl beneath the covers emerged.

An alarm blared.

"Rainbow! Rainbow Dash! Over here!"

Lights flashed, stinging her eyes hidden beneath shades. Chatter rose and metal clattered. Rainbow blinked. She returned to consciousness on a stage. Reporters were bunched together below. Fans gathered behind. Cheering fillies with aspirations, colts being drowned in her coolness. Mares respecting her status; stallions being stallions.

I'm not even doing anything.

Had it come to this? Celebrated for just existing? For just being her? Where was the worth in that? She had earned it, she supposed, but some things were supposed to be constantly achieved.

"Uh." Rainbow scratched the side of her head, drawing a roar from the crowd. Confusion doubled, but her hoof pointed at a puffy mare set in a red sweater. "You can go."

The selected mare rose as the rest fell to their seats. Mouths sealed, and ears flared to the lucky pick. In the silence, there were hushed whispers, before the chosen cleared her throat.

"Spitfire's retirement plans have become more discussed inside and outside the Wonderbolts." The reporter looked like a plump, oversized marshmallow, with a red knitted sweater failing to capture the center of her belly. Holding a notepad in a wing, she flipped through the pages with her free wingtips. "Insider scoop and public opinion say that you'll be the one to take charge of the Wonderbolts. Is there any merit to these claims?"

Well, I mean, yeah.

"That call is in the air." That wasn't a Rainbow Dash response. It didn't ooze with style or arrogance. It wasn't like her—or what she'd been. The crowd seemed amused. Acting as if she'd been strained by a leash for the weekly interview. "Being a leader is different from being the fastest flyer."

Flashes exploded into spreads of white and the scratching of pencils deafened the air. Rainbow cleared her throat, raising her voice. "The best pony for the role is the one chosen for it. Spitfire and Princess Celestia decide that."

"And who do you think that best pony is?"

Me.

"That's already a known answer."

It wasn't a boast. Irritation infected her tone. Cheers washed from the crowd, splashing onto the stage. Rainbow stepped back while looking aside. She scratched her foreleg, feeling bored, and embarrassed. None else exists as she did for the job. But that's what it was—a job.

Rainbow waved off the applause while still looking away. Her lack of attention drove them crazier. It annoyed her. It was deserved. The praise and the applause. She had earned it by being herself, acquiring her ambitions. Now her status spoke for her. Skill, sex appeal, everything. "Yeah, yeah. Next question—someone different."

Her foreleg stuck out, pointing at a caramel filly with a mouth that did not close, and a gap between her front teeth. Her gasp also whistled. She gushed, and her father calmed her down, rubbing her back and whispering.

The filly exhaled, accompanied with faint whistling, a question.

"How come ya didn't go to Rarity's funeral?"

Rainbow's mouth opened. It stayed like that as her mind racked for an answer. Feeling flushed through her nerves, clenching her stomach. Her head leaned back, and she looked to the cloud-inspired ceiling. She became alive for a moment. Plagued by something personal.

"Because..." Rainbow began without knowing what words would come out, set to learn the answer with her fans and entourage. "...I didn't want to take time off work."

Baggie, dirty, with a saggy hood. The hoodie covered her well. It swallowed her face. Only the hardest looking could make out her forlorn appearance. She sat at the bar with a strange hunger in her stomach. Food didn't appeal to her.

A plate held steaming fires on the counter. Vinegar wafted, inspiring vomit.

You're twenty-seven.

You're running out of time.

Are you wasting it?

The thoughts appeared. Slumped on the stool over the counter, she planted her face into the sole of her hoof, rubbing it, sighing into it, wanting to bash into it. Nothing would change that number. Nothing could cancel that pain.

"She's still a fuckin' knockout, dude." Rainbow blinked. Her hooded head turned to the opposing end of the counter. Few other ponies sat in the way, silently drinking. A few young studs spoke a little too loud, hanging close to a portrait-covered wall. "That issue of Playmare she appeared in? Fucking sold out. Bitch didn't even have to strip. She's got it all, dude. Whoever bags it, no matter her age—she's timeless."

The trio chuckled. The bartender left a tray of drinks on the counter, each swept and drunk. Half-finished glasses later, the stallions cheered, beating on their chests. "Ooo! Ooo!"

Rainbow sighed with a flick of her tail. Tucked inside her hoodie, it tickled her back. She took a solid chug from her own beer. Golden foam burned within her chest. She held in the flinch, remaining composed.

"Didn't Thunder bang her?"

She sidelong-glanced again. A shadow dimmed her face. Wisps of mane flicked out from inside her hood. Her eyes lit like soft, rose-burning torches.

Sadness permeated.

One stallion looked like a handsome donkey. Straw-like mane with a broad, elongated muzzle. He knocked on the rich red chest of his friend. "Wait, wait. Wasn't he foolin' with that?"

The red jock rested against the counter. "Nah. He ploughed her soil. Heard about it this morning."

The donkey shook his head. "No way."

The third, skinny but long, tapped danced in place. "H...How?"

"Found her in a bar." Red shrugged. "Tried his luck. She seemed game. Could never get on top in any sense. Couldn't get her to... y'know." The rest blinked with opening mouths. "Wouldn't have believed him otherwise. That... and the idiot stole a strand of her tail."

The donkey blasted with a laugh. "He took a trophy with him! No freakin' way!”

The trio continued their laughing, their drinking, minds awash in the previous. Rainbow hunched forward again. Her hoof reached for the drink... but faltered. She had every mind, right, and ability to deliver imprints to remember her by.

Rainbow's spirits couldn't muster any willpower.

They're boys. Boys talk. You're just hearing it. Like Twilight said. You're a symbol. You're something different. This is how some view symbols.

Her desire was to be something higher than normal, to be greater than the average. Now she was something special. That specialness outshone all else.

"Given the chance," Red opened, "how would you do her?"

Rainbow's head snapped to them. Her hood slid, catching on her ears. Other patrons shifted, turning to the crew. Near the end of the counter, an elderly drinker lowered his drink. He glared at them.

"Shut it down," a southern accent laced his words. "This is a bar. Not your clubhouse with all the lights off." His lips returned to the glass, mumbling from the rim. "Have some respect."

The trio shrugged.

"Blowjob," Red broke first, bringing out his drink, holding it out and over his boys. "Let that pretty face blow me dry. She's cute when she wants to be. Coat that mane and face in white. Drench the bitch in my nut—let her know who that perfection belongs to. "

The others retreated.

"Whoa," said the donkey.

"Damn," spat the twig. He looked at the donkey. "I wanted to fuck her ass or something. Cop a feel."

Donkey narrowed his eyes and raised an eyebrow. "She ain't anything special back there. You go for Rainbow because she's Rainbow.”

Twig shrugged. "Still a nice ass."

Donkey bunched his lips, thought, then nodded.

Enough.

The word appeared in Rainbow's mind.

Enough of this already. I... no. No. I can't.

She looked at her hooves. What would be the point of using them? Of laying a beating? Another article, another spin. Mare Doesn't Take Shit. Or. Has Rainbow Taken Her Fighting Attitude Too Far? Would more ponies find it hot that she fights her own battles? Would the creeps take their wounds as badges of honour?

Just... quiet.

Everything be quiet.

"Tell you what, though," Red followed after downing another swig, "once I had her good and drench, I would—"

Footsteps.

Heavy. Impactful. Dirt crunched.

Every patron, standing or sitting, before the counter or at a table, turned to the door. It creaked open. The storm invaded. Cold winds and water pelting. Darkness cloaked the figure. A slender mountain caught before a door frame.

The creature stepped inside. Rain rushed down dark scales touched with a tint of purple. It came inside lethargically. Big, hulking, though limber in its limbs and in its walking. It stalked inside the bar. Each step hundred a clap. Plates rattled. Behind it, a tail rose, thick and windy, floating of its own accord.

It swam through the air like a snake, the spade slapping the door closed, which clicked, and the tail returned to its post behind the entity. It hulked toward an empty stool at the middle of the counter. Those next to it rose, drinks curled by forehooves, clearing the way.

Rainbow watched wordlessly as the beast passed. His shadow swallowed her. Reduced to a filly, she watched the monster stalk the halls. Primed, but uncaring, it glanced over its shoulder, a moment of dim emerald flashing.

Her stomach swirled.

The beast clambered onto a stool, the wood groaning, with him taking another, using the two. It leaned to the side, untying a thread around its waist. It plopped a pouch onto the counter. The bartender, emerging from double doors behind the counter—froze.

He wiggled his ebony moustache, clearing his throat.

Still croaking. "A drink for the..."

"Dragon."

Rainbow blinked. She looked and didn't look. Drawn by desire but restrained by guilt. Words rose in her throat like vomit. She swallowed the filth. Rainbow kept still. Remained still. Not trusting movement. Nothing that could reveal.

"Dragon, huh?" The bartender exhaled heavily, too-easily expressed relief inflecting his words. "Been a while since we've had one in here. At least not one like you. That's… if you don't mind my saying."

Dissing your customers? That's one way to earn their coin.

Pointed claws tapped on the wood.

"It's better none like me are around." His tapping grew louder and faster. "So no offence. Now… a drink." He untied a pouch from his waist, tossing it onto the counter. A few golden coins spilled out. "Give me your strongest. Whatever you think can decently entertain a dragon."

The bartender collected and pocketed the coins with dignity. He held up one, its glint shining. He looked over it, eyeing the dragon. "Is price an issue?"

"Not currently."

"Very well." The bartender slipped the coin into the front pocket of his vest. "I've two bottles for you." He turned to the back shelves of drinks, leaning over the bottom shelves to reach the topmost bottles. Taking one, he leaned back to the counter, placed it there, then repeated the action.

He settled behind them. "Those should last you an hour. They would kill anyone else."

The dragon smiled. "You trying to give me ideas?"

"I think you have better tools than my drinks at your disposal."

The dragon tapped the bottle's bottom against the counter, stabbing its cork with a claw, plopping it out. He toasted to the bartender, who nodded and tended to other drinkers. The dragon fell into his drink, now quiet.

Rainbow watched him. The side of his face was dark, chiselled, and handsome. His scales were the darkest shade of purple. His eyes lingered in a concentrated, emerald glow. He lowered the bottle to the counter after his swig. Amusement played on his expression.

Her eyes passed him to the trio looking at her.

Fuck.

"Buuullshiiit." Red's mouth remained open as he stared her dead on. He turned to pat his boys on their shoulders. They left the counter as a crew in Rainbow's direction. Red tugged on his jacket "Rainbow! Rainbow fucking Dash!"

Rainbow's eyes squeezed tight. Inhaling through her snout, she steadied her rising panic. You used to throw punches before you got answers or apologises. What happened to the mare that cared? Who set the rules instead of letting others create them? Bring her back, Dash. Burn that fighting spirit.

Rainbow's wings flared. Anger narrowed her eyes, wrinkling her snout. Pulling back her hood, she pushed off the counter, turning from the stool with her hooves landing on the floor. Wild hair streaked over her face.

She walked toward them without lowering or hesitation.

"Oh-ho! As I live and freakin' breathe." Red looked side to side, checking out the turned faces, the attention drawn to him.

Fighting your type used to be fun. It was always the mares that cheered me on the most. Now… this is just annoying.

Red's face returned to hers with a smirk. "Say. I've got this bet I need to settle with the guys."

On Rainbow's left, the backs of those on stools passed, but soon a larger, scaly one appeared, and she stopped a few feet before it. She would stand her ground here. Red didn't seem to care.

"Everyone has it that you take charge," the dickhead continued. His voice always sounded like it was about to break into a snide laugh. "That you like to be on top and all that. My contention? You're the opposite. You're a needy, horny girl, waiting to be bent over and broken into."

"Dude!" Donkey whispered from at his side. "That's Rainbow Dash."

"So?" Red stared Rainbow down, not even breaking to glance. "She'll be fucktoy once I'm done. Once I show her the bliss of being wrapped around my waist."

Rainbow cracked her neck. There wasn't anger. Not when she could break his wings and drop him from above the clouds. It was that assurance that created her boredom. Her feelings, matters of importance, none of it meant much anymore.

Bring it out already. C'mon! They're expecting to see the Dash.

How long do you plan on being still and silent?

"How 'bout it?" Red puffed his chest. His boys backed his sides. The mare stood alone against them. In the middle, the dragon sat with his back facing them, enjoying his drink. "Bathroom's only a few steps away."

Red stepped forward. Something slithered in front of him. Large, curvy, and striking through all four of Red's knees. The tail swept Red's legs out from underneath him as it flew back into place. Red's face hit the wooden floor, his chest next, the rest of him thumping onto the ground.

The other two backed away from the mess of a stallion.

They looked to the dragon, who continued to drink from the bottle, finishing the one with an exhale and wiping his mouth. He set the bottle toward the bartender as he reached for the second. His talon loomed over the cork—when a red hoof set on his tail.

"The fuck is the matter with you?" Red's shout sounded nasally from his bloody nose. His hooves climbed over the dragon's tail to his side, where Red leaned against him, looking up. "What? Is your tail working on its own?"

"Mhm?" The dragon glanced, with a confused look, down at Red. "Must be. Didn't know something had happened. My apologies." He looked at the bottle and had an idea. He shook it over Red's muzzle. "You want some? Just have to promise not to drink too much."

The dragon made a serious face. "Because it could kill ya."

"Fuck you!" Red leaned up and smacked the bottle out from the claw. Its center struck the counter, the glass breaking, alcohol splattering. "It's going to take more than a drink to—"

It happened in a blur.

Rainbow had blinked. Something crashed, and the bar shook. At the counter's far end, the dragon's back towered, his imposing height casting a long shadow. His wrist dug into Red's throat, pinning him to the wall. The stallion struggled, wiggling, helplessly kicking his hooves high above the ground, too far away to reach the dragon's chest.

The dragon glared from over his forearm.

"More?" He pushed harder on Red's throat, the stallion audibly choking. "Just how much more do you want? How much more can you take? Where's the point when it's too much?" The dragon's increased pressure strained Red's throat muscles. "Is it here? When you start blacking out? Or is it when I forget my strength and collapse your throat?"

Fear brightened Red's eyes. He scrambled and kicked as choke after choke tried throwing out words. Rainbow's heart raced. Something buzzed in the dragon's voice. Behind its power, there was bliss. The sweetness that comes from exerting one's dominance.

The dragon shook like he remembered himself. Looking around to those watching, he stared back at the stallion, stepping and pulling back. Red plopped to the ground and remained there like a slinky. The dragon looked away from him—almost disappointed.

Disappointed in himself? Or disappointed that he didn't go further?

"Go."

Red couldn't stand. His friends raised him by the shoulders, treading around the dragon, leaving through the front door. The dragon stood in silence for a while. His smoky exhale turned his head to the bartender.

"Sorry for the mess." He nodded at the pouch on the counter. "Keep the rest for the hassle." He walked away as each footstep rumbled the establishment. The dragon slowed as he passed Rainbow, who remained frozen.

He stared at her from over his shoulder. His mouth opened to say something, but then it closed, and the beast carried himself out the door. His tail swayed behind him. Roars of thunder drowned all other sounds. The rain outside washed away his large footprints. He disappeared into the night.

Rainbow's bedroom light switched on. The bulb's buzzing reminded Rainbow that she was alone. She could only hear it when she was alone, which made its buzzing worse. Rainbow dragged herself across the floor and limply threw herself onto the bed. She slunk into the mattress, exhaling, feeling the breath raise the furs of her face. She wiggled her exhausted body forward.

Sleep called.

But the tingles in her hooves would not go away.

Something warm made waves inside her frame. It nibbled on the inside of her thighs, and swirled like a milky stream below her belly. Rolling onto her back, she touched her chest with forehooves, feeling across it, bounced by her pumping heart. She groaned—but moaned instead.

"Mhm." The back of her head settled onto pillows. Her eyes remained shut. "M-More."

Rainbow imagined the dragon. Giant and lurking like a dangerous predator looming at the edge of the forest. Dangerous, deadly. There was that look to him. Turned face, dark scales, him watching her from the corner of his eye. He'd become something different.

Something that flushed hot blood through her veins once more.

I'm not… n-no. I wouldn't… not to him, not after what I did. It's been so long, I can't just…

Rainbow remembered what had happened. Envisioned what he'd been like. Lording over that other stallion, towering. The weight in his step, that crunch that rose even when he turned. All that size. Muscle and might. He could hold her down and—

The Great Rainbow Dash... t-touching herself… to some dragon…

She stopped touching herself long ago. Not when any stallion or mare could be sprawled on her bed. It was the ease of having someone that ruined her appetite for sex. But that dragon. He'd break her bed.

He would break her.

Her hooves touched her burning sensitivity, drawing a long moan from her throat, that rising temperature scorching her nethers. Rolling onto her side, she tucked her thighs into her forelegs, trapping them against her crotch. She started to rub, then started to stroke faster.

Recalling how his eyes stared at her from over his shoulder.

They owned me.

Author's Note

~

End of Chapter!

~

This is a strange story that I'm trying something different with.

I hope you enjoy it!
~ Yr. Pal, B