Love's Hydration

~ XIII ~

Breaking News

Rainbow Dash stood at the back of the stage as Princess Celestia and Spitfire addressed the audience. Outside, voices were silent, and nothing of the place existed within her vision. She was thinking back to the graveyard. Holding the dragon like that. Seeing him weak. Her hoof had brushed his spines as she did her best to console him.

Even the strongest are suffering.

It wasn't a hug between lovers or friends. It was between two lonely creatures connecting on a similar pain. Spike cried into her mane while holding her tight. Broken by the letter and unsure how to piece himself back together.

Days had passed.

And the announcement had come.

Rainbow peeked out from the side of the stage, looking to the side of the speakers to the array of seats, all of them filled except one. Spike's chair remained empty at the front. Maybe the crowd's a bit much. Looking to the back of the room, she saw the shadowy figure leaning against the door.

Their eyes met.

And both came to wear casual smiles.

Rainbow shuffled back to avoid being seen. On the other side of the stage, Twilight stood behind the curtain, having watched the exchange. Rainbow shuffled awkwardly and did away with the smile. A smirking Twilight, however, manifested a pair of running shorts with her horn. They floated, a size too small for the pegasus's hips.

Twilight stretched the material in the air, revealing Dash's cutie mark.

She stuck her tongue out.

Spike and Twilight are talking again. That's great… and bad…

"And now we present the mare of the hour!" Princess Celestia's voice chirped as hooves clopped away on the stage, gesturing hooves to the emerging mare. "Captain Rainbow Dash!"

The crowd roared, rising from their chairs. Clapping hooves and talons and wings sounded the Captain's approach. Rainbow approached the podium with a bashful smile. Coming face to face with Spitfire, she stood in place, throwing a salute. Spitfire returned it. Then, in removing the brass from the chest of her uniform, she brought it forward, pinning it to Rainbow's uniform.

"This is yours now, kiddo." Spitfire stepped back and gave another salute. "Take good care of it."

Rainbow nodded, smiling. "Aye."

Spitfire smiled and, taking her leave, stood in the shadow that was the back of the stage. Rainbow looked to Celestia, who also smiled and nodded. The princess cleared the scene. Eyes were on Rainbow. She took a moment to scan and address them all.

"I just wanted to say… thanks, to everyone, for being here." The last interview session had been a nightmare for the unformed Dash. Who saw them as troublesome and nearly ridiculing. Now, however, she saw them as others to share her accomplishments. "I know I was out of it the last session. I'm thankful for all who have watched me since my beginning and stuck with me even when I didn't seem worth it."

Her eyes passed over the audience in an attempt to see every face there.

"It's my goal to ensure everyone in Equestria, no matter what may come, will feel safe because the Wonderbolts are here." She nodded to the faces. "We'll be there before you even think to call for help. That fire will be out before it even has a chance to touch the second floor. Our goal is to be the fastest, smartest, and strongest fliers. There is pride in striving for those qualities. But there is greater pride in putting them to their greatest use—when they're used for the sake of others."

Rainbow swallowed. "More than just being your protectors, we want to inspire you to tackle what doesn't seem possible. To give that extra rep or to burn that extra flame. When you think of the Wonderbolts, what we practice and encourage, we want you to buzz with that same passion for life. To chase after something that radically transforms you in the process. It can be little. Or it can be big. So long as you're after something—even if it's learning to recover—you have found a path to walk in this life."

She bowed. "I am proud to be your newest Captain."

Applause ensued.

Ended when Celestia stepped forward. "We are proud to welcome Rainbow Dash as our newest Wonderbolt Captain. With the promotion complete, Rainbow Dash has agreed to answer a few questions." Rainbow rose. "Would anyone like to go first?"

Wings and hooves flushed up.

The questions went as expected.

Any planned changes to the organization?

Have you fixated on anyone to eventually succeed you?

Any doubts or worries on your part to succeed in your responsibilities?

And, of course, personal questions.

"With a job that requires a greater demand of your time," one reporter started as the rest of the room fell quiet, "will the great Rainbow Dash have any time for romance? Or will you, as the saying goes, be married to the job?"

"Nothing of the sort," Rainbow answered simply in drilling out the answers. "I'm already taken."

It was seconds after that her eyes blazed pinkly in horror. Twilight, who had come to the side of the stage, was blown by the revelation with widened eyes. Despite knowing of the fun and seriousness the pony and dragon shared, she was unsure if it had actually cemented into something official.

Rainbow blinked. Flashes of cameras firing more than they did during the promotion itself. Questions went voiced. Who was this lover that had swept her from the side? What kind of creature could have claimed the great Dash? Quotes and headlines and a drama were beginning. The mystery of who bagged the latest Captain, the unobtainable mare, the one above them all.

"Who is this mysterious stallion?"

Rainbow mouthed the word. "Stallion?" She blinked. Fuck. Oh, fuck. They're going to. He's going to know. Cover. Spike's the next hot topic in this town. There's already rumours. You've gotta cover this NOW. "That stallion is… for you to find out."

Her trademark smirk returned as the crowd blew into applause.

But behind it all, at the very back where, despite his size, the dragon had come to step forward. He'd been so still as to not be noticed. Something infected his face. Oh, shit Spike. I didn't mean to confess to you like this. I should have done it straight up, and… finally told you how I felt.

Spike shook his head. He turned away after that. No words.

Rainbow reached out a hoof to him as a slash of pain crossed her face. More questions buzzed in the air as hooves stomped the ground. Suddenly nothing mattered again. Sounds or the like. Not being in a castle. Or golden being pinned to her chest. Not even a princess's kind words and annotating could make her feel that swirling, filling sensation.

Her hoof lowered as her sense of duty returned.

It'd taken an hour or so to calm down the audience, and return the focus to the matter of the promotion and the coming changes and ideas. There was a request for feedback on current performances and possible improvements. Something of a photo session afterward. Then everyone went home trying to find out who was the newest stallion that had won Rainbow without appearing in the headlines once.

And the headlines did come.

Newspapers were left at every door with the game afoot. Quotes asking for any hints on the matter. They seemed so focused on looking for a stallion that not one of the papers thought that the male, perhaps, could have been a dragon. Spike's return, and his time with Rainbow, had avoided suspicion.

Rainbow sat at the club with a foreleg wrapped around a drink, the chilliness set against her coat, a sip not taken. She hunched forward, sighing. In finally making Captain, she could never have expected that her love life would make a more prominent headline. The things of dreams never go the same in real life.

One such paper laid next to her hooves on the counter.

"Captain's Hidden Love? One of the Wonderbolts, or Someone Outside? The Scoop on Page Nine!"

"Ugh." Rainbow swatted the page further across the counter and wrapped the drink tighter. She went to raise the glass for a drink but, in a sudden flush of self-hatred, pushed her muzzle into the mug. "Idiot. I'm such an idiot. How could I have let my feelings slip like that? The dragon's going to know for sure I've got a hard-on for him."

Rainbow didn't mind how that last part didn't make sense.

Isn't this a good thing, though? Another voice asked from her subconscious. You're beyond thinking you're not into him. And even if it doesn't make sense, all you want is to have that dragon in your life. He's everything you need. The one that can keep up. That can protect you. That can help you after a long, lonely, and boring day of work.

Rainbow smirked at that. Her muzzle rose from the mug and, on the thought of him alone, was able to take a proper drink. Her closed eyes envisioned leaving the office and coming home, the dragon waiting behind the door with open arms. That minute-long embrace. The hug, kiss, and talk of the day while coffee was made. Having another to lounge on the couch with. A partner to bring to the gym.

And, even though she was meant to protect the nation, there was something sweet in knowing, no matter the threat, the dragon could take care of it, cradling the girl in her arms, a lovely walk back home afterward. Such gushy feelings and thoughts could never be shared by the mare who, even currently, found it hard to admit to herself such fantasies.

What's he going to think?

Rainbow winced. She had knocked at his door, the only one without today's paper, to no answer. It wasn't odd for him to go out wandering into the woods to enjoy the day. Or even the farm. But Rainbow didn't have the heart to track him down. Not when she confessed her love for him before the world. When she told him without telling him.

Out of everyone in the world, you're the one, you scaley bastard.

Rainbow smiled some more and traced circled on the counter with a hoof. She tittered, blushing, without minding, swaying to the bangs of mane over her face. She even drew his name without giving it a second thought. Spike had mellowed somewhat after their talk at Rarity's grave. She finally saw the goodness that he tried to lock away.

Not that I mind your teasing… or that it'll ever end.

The dragon, without rank or a profession, a near bum, had the smallest right to a heart such as Rainbow's. Yet, because of who he was, he had won it whole. Rainbow should have gone with a royal or someone who ranked as high as her. Or even someone who blazed as hard as she did.

But the dragon, in being a dragon, owned her completely.

I'll be yours, big guy.

From here and to the end.

And even after that.

Strangely enough, despite not being dressed or hidden in a hoodie, none at the club had noticed Rainbow Dash. Maybe Vinyl Scratch had put out a notice to leave the mare alone. That, or everyone was so in the talks of Wonderbolt's Captain that they couldn't see the mare sitting right next to them. In either case, the girl didn't mind her one night of being left alone.

What comes next between us? I don't think he'll reject me. He's said too much for that to be the case. Rainbow went for another drink of her beer, the glass becoming half-full. Its bottom smacked on the counter. Rarity's letter has let him be more open. Maybe… he might believe that he's good enough for me. Maybe he'll finally give up those talks of me finding someone else. What we have is good. We can let it be what it is. Let it slowly grow on its own.

Rainbow smiled at those thoughts, finding her resolve, content to find the dragon the following day and confess. To lay it all on the table and hope for the best. Then it would all be up to the dragon. The mare had surrendered herself to the beast. She could only hope that she wouldn't be devoured.

Wait. That voice. Is that…

Rainbow's ears had flicked in hearing a voice deeper, darker, and louder than the rest. Her back rose as her head spun around, searching for its source in the crystal palace of fun. The club was open concept with crystal beams for pillars. A counter stretched from every four corners with bartenders behind each. Ponies passed in crowds.

At the middle was the dance floor with crystal tiles colourfully synced to the music. Above loomed a disco ball. Booths and the like filled the rest of the floor. Over the music and the chatter of raising voices, one spoke calmly, not needing to doubt its power or control.

The smoky assurance of a dragon.

You're here.

What the hell are you doing in a place like this?

Rainbow turned from her stool while leaving enough bits on the counter. The bartender bowed and collected the glass and the change. Bumping music vibrated the floor and buzzed the air. Sweat collected on everyone. Ahead, through the crystal of one beam, the mare could see a towering purple blur—one with a smaller, creamy one, trapped and tucked beneath it.

No. No, no.

You're not.

You're seriously not right now.

Rainbow's breathing hitched as she rounded the corner, slipping beneath the ponies, coming to round the corner, following his reflection in the varying crystals. These mirages led her to him. Rainbow turned the corner and paused in place.

Spike towered against the beam with a claw resting on the crystal. His form slunk over another mare, who rose on her back legs as if on command, both of their muzzles pressed together, a devouring kiss that transported two into a new world of pleasure. They weren't there—but somewhere better. Somewhere special.

His other claw felt up and down the thickness of her creamy coat, claiming it in a clump, a squeeze that caused her to shiver, before falling to her flanks, the best kind of fast, offering heaps of dough to be kneaded. The dragon's talons played with the squishiness. Feeling it and jiggling it. Meshing it into different shapes and playing with it in every possible way.

And none dared to stop the two, to tell the dragon he was going too far, in fear of his size and might.

Except for Rainbow Dash