Quiet Afternoon


                                            >You were just walking through the park after a movie and dinner, silently enjoying each others company.

                                            >You and Dash had been going out for a few weeks now.

                                            >They were the best few weeks of your life so far, and you suspected the upcoming ones were only going to be better.

                                            >There weren’t any other ponies around in the park so she was trotting much closer to you than she normally did; her folded wing would brush against your thigh every few steps and she flicked her tail in futile attempts to wrap it around your leg.

                                            >She was never keen on public affection since the start, not because of any lack of motivation, but because she had her reputation as well as her own personal embarrassment holding her back.

                                            >Though you didn’t harbor the same reservations, you respected her unspoken wishes and avoided initiating anything that would make her uncomfortable.

                                            >As far as you were concerned it was a win-win, Dash got to keep her awesome reputation and it made the few times she did show affection all the more special.

                                            >Though you were pretty sure she’d still be just as awesome regardless of what she decided.

                                            >You were pretty far into the park now and were coming up on one of your favorite spots, an oak tree on the top of a hill.

                                            >The sun was about to begin setting and the meadow was quiet. Speaking of which, Dash was being unusually not-talkative.

                                            >Your thoughts were interrupted when you noticed her looking up at you out of the corner of your eye.

                                            >You glanced down just in time to catch her blush and look away. But she doesn’t give you the opportunity to say anything before she pushes away from you and takes off running.

                                            >”Race ya to the top of the hill!”

                                            >You couldn’t help but crack a smile.

                                            “Oh you’re on!”

                                            >You take off after her in a dead sprint; you kept yourself in pretty good shape, but even Usain Bold wouldn’t be able to outrun her without a good head start.

                                            >As predicted, she makes it to the top of the hill far ahead of you and stops next to the tree. She finishes catching her breath just as you crest the hill totally winded.

                                            >”Chalk another one up to the Dash!” She exclaims with a hoof pump and a toothy grin.

                                            >You saunter over and plop down with you back against the tree, trying to catch your breath. She moves to sit next to you.

                                            “Gotta hand it to you, although I ate a lot more at dinner so you kinda had the advantage.”

                                            >She turns with her brow furrowed and her nose scrunched up, prepared to argue her case. But her features soften when she sees your wry smile.

                                            >She punches you lightly in the shoulder, ”Heh, well next time I’ll eat the whole chocolate dessert and still win, then you won’t have an excuse.”

                                            Before she can dodge your hand you reach out and ruffle her hair, “Haha, sure Dashie.”

                                            >”Hey knock it off!” She exclaims but doesn’t reach to swipe away your hand.

                                            >The sun was now setting right in front of you now and there was no better place to watch it than on the hilltop; the sky was bathed in a myriad of colors—yellows and blues and reds that spanned the horizon. Far more beautiful than the best your old home had to offer.

                                            >But there was no doubt in your mind that the most beautiful thing sat right next to you with a flustered blush on her face.

                                            >Her hair was arranged into her characteristic Dash-fro and it swam with life; different hues that could only be seen under certain conditions revealed themselves in the wake of the setting sun.

                                            >Her enthralling features shifted back and forth with her thoughts, struggling to find the words to express something.

                                            >Her wings sat loosely retained at her sides and showed that she was relaxed and comfortable.

                                            >Her fore hoof prodded the grass nervously.

                                            >You could tell she was going to say something so you waited patiently with a gentle smile, savoring her cute expressions.

                                            >”So… uhh, can I ask you something? Like, a serious question?”

                                            “Sure Dash, anything.”

                                            >She looks at the grass, then back to you, her eyes full of sincerity.

                                            >”Why do you keep racing me? Uhh…I mean… no offense but, you’ve never one a single race. Why are you so happy to do it even though you know you’ll lose?”

                                            >Oh that’s an easy one.

                                            “Well it’s because I just enjoy spending time with you. It doesn’t matter to me if I win or lose, just as long as I get to do things with my favorite mare.” You reach out and cup her cheek with one hand as her blush deepens. “Seeing you happy is my motivation for getting up in the morning, so… when you win, I do to.”

                                            >Your thumb rubs her cheek as she leans into your touch, her face was impossibly red and her blue fur only served to make it stand out more. Her eyes were wide open and her mouth was slightly agape, she clearly wasn’t sure how to respond.

                                            >This was a mushy as she’d ever let you get before, and so far you only hoped you weren’t disappointing her.

                                            >Her response was as nonverbal as it was spontaneous.

                                            >Before you knew it you were on your back and she was assaulting your cheeks and forehead with kisses. You tried your best to return each one of them, but amidst the smacking of her lips, you couldn’t help but giggle a bit at your mare’s fanatics—that and her fur was a bit ticklish.

                                            >To your dismay she relents and props herself up on your chest with her hooves. Moments like these made you wonder if you’d actually died and gone to heaven.

                                            >Her magenta eyes seemed to radiate a light of their own as they glanced down to your lips then back up.

                                            >Man the lines, this is where we make our final stand!

                                            >But the assault never came, instead she let herself down and gently placed her lips on yours. Her flavor invades your mouth and makes you feel a bit light headed, but in your haze you manage to get an arm around to cradle her head.

                                            >You stay there for what seemed like minutes, silently agreeing to drag out your first kiss as long as possible by breathing through your noses.

                                            >Eventually your accelerated heart rates require more oxygen and you have to pull away so you can live to love another day.

                                            >Her eyes smile at you with complete care and love, appreciative of the moment you’ve allowed her to share with you.

                                            >You push yourself back up to a sitting position and Dash slides off your chest. Once balanced you turn to face her again.

                                            >She snaps out of her trance and narrows her eyes, “If you ever tell any pony about that you’ll regret it” She finishes by poking your chest for emphasis.

                                            >Your only reply is a feigned surrender motion with your hands.

                                            “I know it sounds crazy but lets just enjoy the sunset Dash.”

                                            >She let out a semi frustrated sigh and faced away from you to look at the glowing orb on the horizon.

                                            >Her resistance to her own feelings was brave, but her subconscious ego had already accepted defeat.

                                            >Despite her facade you found her leaning against your shoulder, and you feel her wing drape over your back and brush against your opposite leg.

                                            >She let out another sigh which turned into more of a grumble as you shifted to wrap an arm around her midsection.

                                            >As far as you were concerned, Dash was perfect, even if she was awkward and still a bit feisty with affection.

                                            >The sun was almost completely below the horizon now and the sky was exploding like a kaleidoscope, it was truly amazing to watch.

                                            >…

                                            >She lets out another angsty huff.

                                            “What’s wrong Dash?” You ask, beginning to fear you did something wrong.

                                            >”I just…”

                                            >Her head pivots nervously, making sure you’re still alone.

                                            >”I kinda want to do that again.” She says, no longer caring about the blush on her cheeks.

                                            >Yep, this is why you fell for her, and you wouldn’t have it any other way.