Dash's POV

I stared at the girls, my jaw practically on the floor. "You're kidding me, right?"

Applejack smirked, her arms crossed. "Nope. A dare's a dare, sugarcube. And we all know you're not one to back down."

Twilight adjusted her glasses, her expression smug. "Besides, it's just a dance. You and Soarin looked great out there during the last song."

"Yeah!" Pinkie chimed in, bouncing on her heels. "Now you just have to make it all fancy-schmancy. Like in those royal balls from the movies!"

I shot them all a glare, but Rarity stepped forward, her hands clasped together as though she were pleading. "Oh, darling, you simply must! The waltz is elegant, timeless. And you'll look absolutely divine with Soarin."

My stomach churned, and I glanced toward the dance floor, where couples were gracefully moving in pairs. It wasn't the waltz that made me nervous. It was the thought of dancing with him.

"Fine," I muttered under my breath, trying to mask the butterflies in my stomach with a facade of irritation. "But if I trip and embarrass myself, it's on you guys."

Spitfire, who had apparently overheard, snickered from the sidelines. "Oh, don't worry, Dash. If you fall, Soarin'll catch you."

The laughter from the Wonderbolts and my friends only added to my mortification. Great.

As if on cue, Soarin approached, looking effortlessly perfect in that teal suit. His hair was just the right amount of messy, and his confident smile only made him look more... ugh, why did he have to look so good?

"So, what's going on?" he asked casually, hands tucked into his pockets.

Rarity grinned, stepping up to him before I could say a word. "Rainbow has been dared to waltz, and naturally, you're her partner!"

Soarin's brows rose, his smile widening. "Oh, naturally." He turned to me, holding out a hand. "Well, princess, care to dance? again?"

I hesitated for half a second, my heart racing, before placing my hand in his. "Let's just get this over with."

The orchestra started again, and the opening notes of "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran filled the ballroom. My breath caught in my throat. Of course, it had to be this song.

https://youtu.be/cNGjD0VG4R8

[Verse 1]

I found a love for me

Soarin led me to the center of the room, placing his hand gently on my waist. His touch was warm, steady, and annoyingly reassuring. I placed my hand on his shoulder, trying to focus on my steps instead of the way he was looking at me.

His teal eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, everything else faded. The room, the music, the crowd—it was all a blur.

"Relax, Dash," he said softly, his voice almost drowned out by the music.

I scoffed, trying to mask how flustered I felt. "I'm perfectly relaxed."

Oh darling, just dive right in and follow my lead

Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet

Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me

'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love

He looked... well, perfect. The way his suit fit him, the way his smile softened as he watched me—it was maddening. Why did he have to look like this? Like he belonged on the cover of some cheesy romance novel.

Not knowing what it was

I will not give you up this time

But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own

And in your eyes, you're holding mine

"Focus, Dash," I muttered to myself, shaking my head slightly. "You don't like him. You don't like him."

[Chorus]

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms

But as the music swelled and he spun me effortlessly, I couldn't help but think how unfair it was that he made it look so easy to feel like this.

Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favourite song

When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath

But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight

[Verse 2]

Well I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know

Soarin's POV

Dancing with Rainbow was... surreal. I'd always known she was incredible, but seeing her like this—dressed in royal elegance, her usual fire softened by the music—it was like seeing a whole new side of her.

She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share her home

I found a love, to carry more than just my secrets

Her hand in mine was steady, but I could feel the subtle tension in her grip, the way she was trying so hard not to let me know she was nervous. It was endearing.

To carry love, to carry children of our own

We are still kids, but we're so in love

Fighting against all odds

And then there were her eyes—those magenta eyes that always seemed to pierce through everything. They flicked up at me, just for a second, and I felt my heart skip a beat.

I really think that I am falling for her.

I know we'll be alright this time

Darling, just hold my hand

Be my girl, I'll be your man

I see my future in your eyes

I didn't want to admit it, even to myself, but the way she smiled, the way she rolled her eyes when she thought I wasn't looking, the way she trusted me to lead her in this dance—it was impossible to ignore.

[Chorus 2]

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms

"You're doing great," I said softly, leaning slightly closer.

She scoffed, her usual bravado slipping back into place. "Don't push it, flyboy."

I chuckled, unable to hide my grin. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song

When I saw you in that dress, looking so beautiful

I don't deserve this, darling, you look perfect tonight

[Instrumental]

As the music carried us through the next steps, the sound of muffled giggles reached my ears.

From the sidelines, Pinkie Pie's voice was unmistakable. "Ohhh, they look so cute together!"

"Look at the way he's holding her," Fleetfoot added, her tone dripping with amusement. "It's like a fairytale."

Applejack's drawl cut through the chatter. "I don't know who's more smitten—him or her."

Spitfire snickered. "Definitely him. Look at the way he's staring at her."

Twilight's voice chimed in. "If they don't figure it out soon, I'm writing a letter to Princess Celestia about this."

[Chorus 3]

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms

I caught Rainbow's eye, and from the faint pink rising in her cheeks, I knew she'd heard them too.

"Don't say a word," she muttered, her voice low but filled with mock warning.

Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song

I grinned. "I wasn't going to. But for the record, they're not entirely wrong."

I have faith in what I see

Her eyes widened, and for a split second, she looked genuinely flustered.

"Keep dancing, Soarin," she said quickly, looking anywhere but at me.

Now I know I have met an angel in person

I smirked, guiding her into the final turn as the song began to fade. "Anything for you, Dash."

And she looks perfect

I don't deserve this

You look perfect tonight

Dash's POV

The music ended, and I stepped back from Soarin, my heart still racing from the dance. The applause from the ballroom rippled around us, but all I could focus on was the knowing smile on Soarin's face. Ugh, why did he have to look at me like that?

"See? Told you it wasn't so bad," he teased, offering me a slight bow.

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, crossing my arms. "Don't let it go to your head, idiot."

Before he could respond, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning, I saw Blitz, his arms crossed but his expression soft. He leaned in close, lowering his voice.

"He's a good one, trust me," Blitz whispered, his lips barely moving. He gave me a wink before straightening up, a sly grin spreading across his face.

I blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, what—"

"Have fun, sis." Blitz was already walking away, blending back into the crowd like he hadn't just dropped a bomb on me.

I turned back to Soarin, who was watching me with a curious tilt of his head. His expression shifted slightly, almost as if he was about to ask what Blitz had said.

"Something wrong?" he asked, his voice gentle but probing.

"Nope," I replied quickly, shaking my head. "Blitz is just... being Blitz."

Soarin's brow quirked, clearly not buying it, but he didn't press. "Well, if you're done with dares and waltzes, care to join me for some air? This time in the garden probably."

I hesitated, glancing toward my friends. The Mane Six and the Wonderbolts were all watching us from across the room, their expressions ranging from amused to outright mischievous. Pinkie was practically bouncing in place, mouthing something I couldn't quite catch.

"Maybe I should—"

"Let them watch," Soarin interrupted, his smile softening. "It's just a conversation. Unless, of course, you're scared."

"Scared?" I repeated, narrowing my eyes at him. "I'm not scared of anything, Soarin."

"Prove it."

His teasing tone lit a fire under me, and before I could stop myself, I nodded. "Fine. Lead the way."

The stars above were breathtaking, scattered across the sky like shards of glitter. For a moment, I forgot about everything else—my friends, the teasing, even Soarin.

"This place is amazing," I murmured.

Soarin joined me, his gaze on the horizon. "It really is. But it's not the view that's amazing tonight."

I turned to look at him, rolling my eyes. "Are you seriously pulling the cheesy lines right now?"

"Cheesy, maybe. But that doesn't make them any less true," he said, his voice lower now, almost sincere.

I felt a blush creeping up my neck and quickly looked away. "You're impossible, you know that?"

He chuckled, leaning closer. "And you love it."

I opened my mouth to retort, but the words got stuck. Did I love it? The way he teased, the way he smiled at me like I was the only person in the room—it was infuriating and... something else I wasn't ready to admit.

Soarin must've noticed my silence because he leaned back, giving me some space. "You're overthinking again."

"Am not," I said quickly, but even I didn't sound convincing.

He shook his head, his smile soft. "Dash, it's okay to just... be in the moment."

I didn't respond, too busy trying to figure out why his words hit me so hard.

Back in the Ballroom

Before I could untangle my thoughts, a voice called out from inside. "There you are!"

Rarity stepped onto the grass, her dress shimmering under the moonlight. "Honestly, you two disappearing together like that—do you know what people are saying?"

I straightened up immediately. "Nothing happened!"

Rarity raised an elegant eyebrow. "Oh, darling, no one said anything happened. But the way you're blushing speaks volumes."

Soarin laughed, completely unbothered. "Don't worry, Rarity. I was just keeping her out of trouble."

"Well, do hurry back inside," Rarity said, her tone playful. "There's more dancing to be done, and some of the princes are still asking about you, Rainbow."

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. "Great."

Soarin smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "What's the matter? Not interested in more admirers?"

"I think I've had enough for one night," I muttered, shooting him a side-eye.

"Good," he said simply, offering me his hand again. "Then let's make sure they all know you're taken—for this dance, at least."

I hesitated, staring at his hand, but the teasing look in his eyes was impossible to resist. Taking a deep breath, I placed my hand in his.

"Fine. But this doesn't mean anything," I said, trying to sound casual.

"Whatever you say, Dash." His grin widened as he led me back inside.

And maybe, just maybe, I wasn't as annoyed as I pretended to be.

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