Bundled Up

>In the calm of the Manehatten night the only noise to be heard is the crunching of snow by footsteps.

>They belong to you and the rainbow-maned pony at your side, Rainbow Dash.

>Together you were walking through the snow-filled streets towards the train station.

>The day had been a long one, but it was time to return home.

>With winter having gone underway, you had to dress for the season.

>Snow had long since stopped falling from the clouds today, though.

>A nice winter jacket and a hat was your attire, courtesy of Rarity.

>Rainbow Dash was somewhat dressed for the weather as well, wearing what you could only assume was a very un-insulated scarf, also courtesy of Rarity.

>Turning to face you, she resumes the conversation.

>“I knew you’d love the Wonderbolts, Anon!”

>She says this, pointing out that she’d been correct about her earlier assumption.

>It was true, the show had been largely entertaining, not that you doubted it would be considering how highly Dash thought of them.

“Heh, I guess I see exactly what you admire about them now.”

>Suddenly her lifelong aspiration seemed a little less childish and misguided.

>With a nod, she responds.

>“And one day, it will be other ponies admiring me and my skill.”

>Her voice had taken on a slightly more serious tone.

>You couldn’t help but quip back at her.

“More ponies than your already humongous fanbase back home?”

>Yes, the “Rainbow Dash Fanclub” as it was called.

>The two of you exchange grins and a few laughs at your sarcastic remark.

 

>“Gotta aim big, ya know?”

“Yeah…”

>Sure sounded like a motto she’d have.

>The walking continues as you slowly make your way to the train station, the street lamps of Manehatten dimly lighting your path.

“Thanks for inviting me to the show, Dash.”

>After having said that, Rainbow turns her head and looks up at you, an almost confused looking expression upon her face.

>“Uh, hey, no problem man. That’s what buds do for each other, right?”

“Yeah, of course.”

>The rest of the walk continued in relative silence, leaving only the soft crunch of snow to accompany you.

--

>With a low sigh, you announce the obvious to Dash.

“Here we are: the Manehatten train station.”

>Standing on the slightly raised platform, there was an assortment of benches placed in an orderly fashion.

>Off to the left was a booth, where there would undoubtedly be an underpaid nightshift worker.

>Snow had claimed this place as well, as there was no roof except the slight overhang at the booth.

>The area was just as dimly lit by lamps as the street was.

>Giving a quick look around, Dash makes her own equally obvious statement.

>“Nopony’s even around here.”

>True, but it was cold, late, and you just wanted to buy your tickets and get on the next train home once it arrived.

“Yeah well, if we had a choice, I’m sure we wouldn’t be out here either.”

>“Pfft, whatever, not like it’s that cold out.”

“Says the girl wearing nothing but a scarf.”

 

>Rainbow rolls her eyes and gives you her reasoning.

>“You know darn well there was no way Rarity was going to get me to wear that winter outfit she made me.”

>Teasingly, you respond to her.

“Oh? And I thought it would have looked so nice on you.”

>You knew Rarity’s idea of fashion wasn’t really Dash’s thing, but you were certain she’d soon be facing the consequences of being underdressed in the winter weather.

>“I can handle it out here, okay?”

>Not caring to press her much further, you let the matter slide.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah… I’m going to go get our tickets now.”

>Giving a quick motion towards the ticket booth, you start to make your way before calling out to her once more.

“Clear us off a bench, will ya?”

>Seeing her nod at your request, you turn back towards the small structure.

>Approaching the booth, you realize you can’t see through the frost on the glass.

>As an attempt to get the attention of whoever was inside, you knock on the glass.

>You hear a faint ‘yeah?’ come out through the port cut in the glass.

>Rubbing at the glass with your sleeve, the frost comes off rather easily.

>Within seconds you can make out a rather bored looking stallion through the now wet glass.

“Hey, I’m looking to get two tickets to Ponyville for the next train that stops by.”

>Looking down at what you can only assume to be a schedule or something, the stallion scans through some papers.

>“Next train for Ponyville arrives at midnight, buddy.”

 

“What time is it now?”

>“About… half past eleven.”

>It was certainly later than you originally thought.

>You sigh.

“That’ll have to do then.”

>After exchanging some bits for the two tickets, you start to head back towards Rainbow.

>“Enjoy the wait.” You hear the stallion dully say.

>You hadn’t noticed it, but it had indeed started to snow again.

>Perfect.

>It wasn’t thick or heavy, but it certainly wasn’t a welcome change.

>Spotting Rainbow sitting on one of the now snow-free benches, you make you way towards her.

“I got the tickets.”

>Looking up at you with a contorted look on her face, she asks you the obvious.

>“H-how long?”

>Sitting down on the bench next to her, you give her your answer.

“Too long.”

>It’s definitely starting to feel like it’s gotten colder out.

>The snowflakes, thankfully, haven’t picked up in speed.

>You pocket your hands into your jacket and try to wait out the wait.

>If that makes any sense.

>You last maybe two minutes before you get sick of waiting and notice something.

>It’s Rainbow Dash, the poor girl is shivering hard.

>Without even looking up you give her a remark.

“Should’ve worn that outfit Rarity made ya.”

>“Sh-sh… shut up, A-Anon.”

>She manages to get that out before she resumes her fierce shivering.

>Knowing the only solution to the problem, you sigh and somewhat reluctantly unzip your jacket.

>Rainbow doesn’t hear it over the chattering of her teeth.

>Bringing the right side of your jacket behind her, you pull her in up against your side, effectively wrapping your jacket around the two of you.

>Her head sticks out of your jacket next to yours.

>Rarity makes these things big, apparently.

 

>“A-Anon?”

>There is a quiver to her voice.

>She must have been colder than you thought.

“Can’t have you freezing to death, now can I?”

>Her face is looking at yours now, a slight red starting to bleed through on her cheeks.

>Through even your underlying sweater, you can feel the cold coming from her presence.

>You wrap your arms around her snow covered body a bit more, pulling her closer to your side.

>For a split second there’s a resistance, but it’s gone as soon as you noticed it as you feel the warmth start to spread between you both.

>Soon, she gives in completely and rests her head on your shoulders, gladly accepting the warmth your body has to offer.

>Closing her eyes and rubbing her head against you, you hear her release a content sigh.

>The snow continues to fall in the dimly lit night.

>Snowflakes drift past the street lamp, shining in the light, becoming brighter.

>Waiting becomes ever so easier.

>Maybe if you were willing to admit it, you’d say…

>This was nice.

>It wasn’t the time to start to doze off, however.

>The train will get here when it does, but for now, it’s just you and her.

>Rainbow Dash starts to stir from her silence and speaks up.

>“Th…”

>Her voice is quiet at first and there’s a stutter, but it leaves as she speaks louder.

>“Thanks, Anon…”

>You close your eyes as well, fully joining her in the pleasantness.

“That’s what buds do for each other, right?”

>“Yeah… of course…”

>And together, you wait.