>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 your 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.