Chapter 10: Long Night

(Dominic's P.O.V.)

Looking out the window, I looked towards the stars, trying to find some kind of answer from them to solve my ever growing problems. Sure, the issue of not having a home was solved, and the way I was going to earn currency was as well, but the only thing that mattered more to me right now was fixing my personal life. I knew a group of mares that should I need it, seemed all the more ready to offer me support, but that support couldn't be used for what I was dealing with now nor would I think of bringing them into it. I had a princess that was infatuated with me and only because she happened to steal a kiss that she had felt was directed towards her and not my dream girlfriend. And the last part was the one that hurt even me just to think about.

Dash was my only true friend in all this mess, and while she seemed bull headed and fast to do anything, she was also a little horn dog Pegasus when she wanted to be... though only around me. It was always a game of telling what her feelings were, along with trying to read her body language as she did many things that were obviously not what other Pegasi tended to do. But there was one thing I could tell without any kind of superficial knowledge; Dash was hurting. She wasn't physically hurt... she seemed emotionally hurt. And not just emotionally hurt, but somehow I was the cause of it; proof from the constant denial of her wanting to converse with me. I have tried so many times to get her to just talk to me, but every time, she had merely turned her head or sped her flying up.

I didn't want to bring it up near her friends, so I made sure to try and converse when we were relatively alone. That was the problem though, those moments were far and few in between, and now would be the perfect time to talk; but she was asleep. Along with all the other mares...

Sighing softly as Pinkie Pie slid against the seat and snored softly when she landed on my shoulder, I shook my head lightly, before leaning her the other way once more. Looking across the seat, I saw Dash curled into a tight ball, occasionally twitching in her sleep. Her mane looked even more disheveled than it normally was, and even though I feared such contact, I wanted nothing more than to be close to comfort her. Yet there were a few things holding me back from doing such a thing, and the primary issue was our proximity to her friends... something I knew she would hate me for if they woke up to see me holding her.

Shaking my head, I lowered my head to the table, before placing my arms over it but in front of my head. If anything, I would confront Dash about it tomorrow when she would be more willing to talk with me... and when the time comes, if I have to, I will force her to listen. Even though I don't want to have to do that...

...

Click...

Opening my eyes, I looked towards the window and saw the stars were still shining brightly. Looking across the table, I saw there weren't four mares anymore... rather there was only three...

Looking over them all, I noticed that one was missing.

The one that was missing is Dash...

Shooting my head up, I felt all forms of sleep leave me immediately, and I looked towards where the click and come from, and saw the door on the other side of the train car closing. Getting up and out of the seating booth, I quickly yet quietly made my way towards the train car door. This was probably going to be my only time in a while to talk with Dash, and I didn't want to squander it.

Stepping into the next car, I saw the opposite door close, and through the slits between the cars, I saw a ray of moonlight land on a rainbow colored mane. Dash...

Moving quickly across the car, I grabbed the door and opened it, and saw Dash in the other car. Moving quickly, I was now in the third car, "Dash..."

She slew down for a moment as her ear twitched, but she soon resumed walking. "D-Dash... please, we need to talk..."

She didn't even slow down this time.

Moving after her, I watched as the car train door closed, but I opened it just as the other one closed as well, and by then I made sure to move quicker than last time. I caught up to Dash as we reached the middle of the train car, and I placed a hand on her shoulder to keep her from moving, "D-Dash, please. We need to-"

"T-Talk?" Her voice sounded stressed, and I felt her body tremble a bit from my touch, but when her head snapped around and her eyes glared towards me, I felt my heart give out a painful ache. She looked like she was ready to cry, but her anger kept it in check as she shrugged my hand off her shoulder and turned to face me. "W-What d-do you want to talk about?"

"I wanted to talk about us D-" I began, but was quickly cut off as she advanced with a scoff.

"W-What about us Dominic? I t-thought I wasn't good enough for you... I t-thought you liked Princess L-Luna more. S-So what, you don't l-like me, f-fine, ju... just..." she let out a heavy breath, and she sat down as she looked away from me and towards the window. I could see her breathing heavily as she shook lightly in the train car, and just before I could say anything, she sniffed loudly as she asked, "Is... why... w-what does P-Princess Luna have t-that I don't...?"

Kneeling down, I sat back and on my legs as she continued to look away from me, and everything she had just said practically felt like she shouted at me. I could see the tears threatening to run down her cheeks and stain her blue fur, but I could see the pain threatening to tear her inside out even more. "D-Dash..." I saw her trembling intensify for a moment, before I continued, "You need to understand," at this, she turned and locked gazes with me, and I felt myself pause for a moment, before I finished, "I don't like Princess Luna in that way more than I do to you."

Dash's gaze dropped as a single tear raced down her cheek, but I raised a hand up and placed it on her cheek. "However, when Luna kissed me... I felt violated more than enjoyment. When I kissed you... I didn't want it... but I didn't necessarily hate it." Letting out a soft sigh as I too dropped my gaze to the floor, I tried to mule over what to say, but there wasn't really any other way to fix this other than talk with my heart. "There isn't anything between us yet, but please... I in no way want you to continue to feel hurt. I want you to trust me Dash... it... I..."

"T-Then why wouldn't you even tell me w-what you read in t-that book? I-Instead you did... that, and t-then left me... a-alone..." she shook a bit more, but I rubbed my thumb over her cheek, and I soon found her leaning into my touch.

"If you really want to know Dash... fine, I will tell you. I was reading about Pegasi body language so that I could better understand you. I know nothing of this world or its inhabitants, but I at least wanted to know more about you, even if it was indirectly. Believe it or not Dash, but you are important to me..." once I finished, I looked up and found her doing the same, and when our eyes met, she blushed lightly, but didn't look away. The tears at least seemed to be disappearing now, but I didn't care about that, I could still see the unsureness in her eyes.

"T-Then why do you act so strangely? One minute you are scared to t-talk to me... t-then the next you are acting like a tough stallion... yet even a-after that, you act even m-more different... j-just like that time in the park. You called me your mare... but then you d-dumped me in the water..." By now, I could see the disappointment in her eyes, and the grin from that memory was instantly wiped away as she asked, "D-Do you n-not like me?"

"Dash, I do like you!" My sudden shout startled her a bit as she cringed, and I just realized what I had just said. It felt different than I would've thought to say something like that. Shaking my head to force myself to abandon those thoughts, I cut Dash off before she could say something, just this time with a much softer tone, "It's just at the time you were forcing yourself on me, and then the bruised arm. Maybe what I did was harsh compared to what you did... just." I watched as Dash's eyes left my own, and she looked at the ground for a moment. When she looked back up however, there was a tiny grin on her muzzle as her eyes seemed to brighten a bit. When her eyes were once more looking into my own, then I continued to speak, "And the way I act around you, while I am not sure what you mean by it, it's probably because I am new to this whole thing." Looking into her eyes for a bit longer, I needed to finish gathering my thoughts before I continued on, and she too seemed to notice as she remained silent. "As for how I act around you... well, I am reacting to your different personalities, those of the ponies around me. Maybe that is why you are seeing so many sides to me..."

Then, there was the sound of the metal wheels of the train sliding over the occasional bumps in the rails, and the sound of the wind blowing past the glass of the train. Letting go of Dash's cheek, I carefully pulled her closer, and she didn't resist. So it was me kneeling in front of Dash, who now was no longer disheartened, but she still trembled occasionally. That silence was soon broken though as Dash said, "You said you didn't hate my kisses... does that mean that you liked them...?"

Feeling a chuckle leave my throat, I lightly rubbed Dash's mane as I held her close to me, and I said softly, "Yes... yes I did... even if it wasn't at first..."

I felt her shift around a bit, but she just seemed to move closer, once more allowing the silence to take over us as the train continued on its journey. It wasn't the best spot, but it also wasn't the worst either. Dash was comfortably within my arms, her head was leaning against my chest, and her breathing was no longer labored and heavy, rather calm and even. Her hooves were wrapped around my chest and over my back as she let out a soft sigh. I felt her lean up a bit until she was nuzzling into my neck, and she asked softly, almost in a tone that was scared of being denied, "Am... am I still your mare...?"

Looking down, I saw her eyes were peeking up at me with a hopeful gaze, and her wings fluttered a bit at her sides. Looking deep into her eyes, I couldn't see anything else but the hope and... I wasn't sure if it was love or not, but it was deep within her gaze, watered down until it was almost nothing. She trembled a bit, before I smiled gently and nodded, "Yes Dash..." leaned my head down a bit, I brought a hand up and moved that majority of her mane away, before planting a kiss on her forehead. "You are my mare..."

Pulling away, I looked down and saw her eyes were closed as she nuzzled closer to me, and she sighed happily as her grip around me intensified to a small degree. I almost missed it, but was still able to hear her mumble happily, "You are my stallion..." Chuckling softly but still being careful to not disturb Dash, I did my best to nuzzle back, and I held her close.

It wasn't long until I could hear a soft snoring from my chest, and I looked down with a humored smile, though I made sure not to laugh this time. Carefully, I moved my arm under her, and then I hefted her up. When she was within my arms and fully resting against my chest, I carefully stood up with as minimal jostling as I could manage.

Now that I was standing up, I turned around and made my way back to where the others were. If anything I would just be sure to wake Dash up before any of them woke up.

Passing through another car, I felt Dash sigh softly as she opened her wings and wrapped them around me as much as she could. Looking down, I saw her smiling softly as she tried to nuzzle even closer to me, yet that didn't work out too well other than simply moving my shirt around.

As I let the car door slide closed behind me, I brought my hand up and began to rub Dash's back softly, and it was during this time that her smile widened.

Walking into the last car, I looked around, and saw all the girls were still sleeping. Smiling, I shook my head before looking around. Once I located a booth that would be big enough for me to stretch my legs out on, I made my way towards it as quietly as I could. It wouldn't do well to wake any of these mares up...

Sitting down in the booth, I made sure to twist myself sideways, before I carefully slid myself back until my back pressed against the wall. Dash continued to slumber, and I felt a smile tugging at the corners of my lips again. Letting Dash's weight rest in my lap, I rubbed her back gently as I moved a few stray locks from in front of her closed eyes, and planted another soft kiss on her forehead...

The small smile and soft sigh that left her lips was all well worth it, and when she snuggled herself closer to my chest, I couldn't help but chuckle warmly. I know I would probably look back at this with regret, but the more I thought about it, the more I knew I wouldn't regret giving Dash my affection. I could see the obvious hurdles that we would face with such a strange romance, and a few I didn't even want to think about, but then again, there were a few I was curious about.

Shaking my head as a yawn came over me, I soon found myself leaning back and into my seat.

I will just close my eyes for a few minutes... I won't let myself go to sleep... I need to just rest my eyes for just a few moments...

The sensation of rubbing Dash's soft and warm fur was what I was focusing on to stay awake, and the more I focused on it, I felt my hand slowing down...

(Twilight's P.O.V.)

"Pssh... Twilight... Twi, wake up already..."

Shaking my head a bit, I swatted my hoof at the source of the soft nudging as a yawn left my lips. "Spike... stop it..."

Returning to my blissful comfortable spot on my bed, I snuggled deeper into the soft pillow, before I felt more nudging occur on my shoulder. I tried to ignore it so I could possibly get more sleep, but then I heard the voice again, "Twilight, hurry up, you don't want to miss this."

That was when I recognized the voice wasn't a male voice, but more of the voice of an honest mare I knew all too well. Lifting my head and opening my tired eyes, I saw Ponyville at night through the glass pane, and I discovered that my 'soft pillow' was in fact the back of the seat. Looking over, I saw Applejack smiling widely towards me, yet before I could ask what it was, she said, "Twilight, get your flank up, you need to see this!"

The glee and oddly happy giggle that left her muzzle was enough to draw my curiosity, so I got up and followed her as she walked away. I looked up and saw the rest of the girls were crowded near a booth near the corner of the train car, and curiosity drove my sleepiness away quickly. From what I could see, Rarity had an awe yet happy grin on her muzzle, and Fluttershy even seemed mildly happy, though extremely tired. Pinkie Pie was leaning heavily over the seats directly adjacent to the corner, yet when I looked to see Rainbow Dash... she was oddly absent. "Where is Dash?"

As soon as the question left me, I felt a yawn take over once more. Once it was passed, I saw AJ looking towards me with a wide grin as she said, "Because Dash is the one you need to see!"

When we were closer, Applejack walked over to Rarity and asked, "Has she moved?"

"Only to move closer... oh it is so adorable..."

Making my way closer to see what my friends were talking about, I then heard Applejack say, "I bet you ten bits that she denies this ever happened."

"Oh, I think she might pretend it didn't even happen, but I agree to your wager."

Stopping beside Fluttershy, I looked to the corner, and I felt a bit of confused as I had to force my mind to work... and then I felt a smile forming on my muzzle. It seemed so absurd... yet I couldn't deny it as I looked on. This was the last pony I would've expected to fallen for a stallion, and yet, here she was...

Dash was sitting in Dominic's lap as he slept, and she was curled into a loose ball as she leaned against his chest. Her wings were open and draped across his sides, and from what I could see, it appeared she was smiling in her sleep. Then there was Dominic as he slept. His head had apparently fallen forward as his arms remained around Dash. I had to narrow my eyes a bit, but I could see where Dash's fur was ruffled... almost like Dominic had been rubbing her fur before he fell asleep. All in all, it was a heartwarming sight... until I felt something nag at the back of my mind.

Does Dominic have feelings for another species... or does he just have a thing for interspecies relationships?

Before I could fully comprehend it, I saw a pink hoof nudge Dash's shoulder, and then Pinkie spoke in her cheerful, if somewhat quietened tone, "Wakie wakie Dashie..."

"Urg... five more minutes..." and just like that, her head turned to the other side as she nuzzled closer to Dominic. There was more poking from a pink hoof, and soon Dash was shifting as she mumbled quietly, "Leave me alone Dom..."

There was a giggle off to the side, before Rarity spoke in a somewhat knowing tone to Applejack, "Aw... the dear has already made a nickname for him..."

As soon as Rarity stopped talking, Dash's ear gave a mad twitch, and from what I could see, she shifted around a bit, before she shot into a sitting up position. This in turn woke up Dominic, who pulled Dash closer to him as his wide eyes scanned everything around him. His eyes flew over every one of us, and then I watched as his eyes shot to every corner of the room quickly... as if looking for something. Dash seemed to glow red around her muzzle, and she was soon pushing away from Dominic's grip as Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie all giggled, with Fluttershy merely smiling. I felt a giggle leave my own lips shortly afterwards, but then Pinkie said something that made my own face heat up, "Heya Dashie, have fun sleeping in Dommy Wommies lap?"

There was a snort of laughter from Applejack, and I noted the light red hue under her own eyes as well; but nopony was as red as Dash was. Dash's gaze shot over to Pinkie Pie before she said, "I-It w-wasn't l-like that!"

There was a chuckle from Applejack, before I stepped in and said, "It isn't anything to be ashamed of Dash... hehe..."

Raising a hoof, I failed to cover my muzzle before my giggle escaped, and the sheer look of embarrassment was a clear as any indicator of what Dash was feeling.

"Uh... g-girls, if you don't mind, I am t-terribly tired, and w-while this is c-cute, I really want to get home..." Fluttershy said, and it was now that I truly saw her drooping and tired eyes.

Applejack gave a sheepish smile, before she said, "Yer right sugercube... I will walk you home in case anything is lurking near the Everfree forest..."

Rarity let out a quite giggle, before she too nodded and she said, "That sounds like a wonderful idea darling..."

Smiling, I fought to suppress a yawn, but it was short lived. I shook my mane briefly, before I wordlessly agreed with the others, but before I started to walk out, I looked back towards Dominic and Dash, and I saw neither of them was meeting each other's gazes, "Remember Dash, it isn't anything to... ah... be ashamed of..."

That was the third yawn so far... unless I was wrong...

"OHMYGOSH! I need to go check on gummy!" And before anypony knew it, Pinkie Pie was gone...

...

(Dominic's P.O.V.)

Glancing over at Dash, I saw her back was still turned towards me, and I felt a bit of guilt worm its way into my gut. I had told myself repeatedly not to go to sleep... and now Dash was embarrassed due to my inability to tough it out and remain awake. "Sorry Dash..."

"N-Nah... it isn't your fault..."

I watched as her rainbow locks bounced to the side a bit from her head shaking, but I still wasn't convinced, as I knew it technically was my fault. Sighing softly, I looked outside and saw all the girls walking away from the train station, and I asked, "Do you think we should both be going home now...? It is pretty late..."

"Sure..."

Looking over, I saw Dash was still sitting down, so I moved over and gently ran a hand down her neck. Her body immediately reacted as she shivered in delight, and I even heard her let out a quiet sigh. Moving my hand back up, I rubbed down to the base of her shoulders again, before she spoke up again, "A... actually dude... can I s-sleep at your place tonight...? I am feeling a bit too tired to fly home..."

I felt a chuckle leave my throat as I left my hand on her lower neck, before I said, "Sure thing Dash, but I am sad to say I still won't sleep with you."

She turned around, and I saw just how red her cheeks were before she pushed a hoof firmly into my chest, "S-Shut up..." Even though she tried to act mad, she still giggled lightly afterwards before she lowered her hoof back to the seat. She then proceeded to smile widely as she did something extremely out of character; she giggled. But then she did something I had expected, and that was she stepped closer and gave me a hug and nuzzle. And then she asked, "Can you... um... can you carry me...?"

Chuckling, I looked down and prepared myself to say no, but then I saw what I can only surmise as puppy eyes. It was damn near impossible to even think of saying no, let alone actually saying it...

Sighing, I pulled her closer to me in my own hug before I pulled my mare closer and said, "Sure thing..."

My mare... never thought I would ever think of a living creature like that... let alone a smart, if somewhat overly playful one...

...

It would be a lie to say I thought of Dash the same way I had when I accepted that she was a living, breathing, talking Pegasus. No... we were different now than we were back then... and the worst part is, it wasn't even a month ago... it probably was only a little over a week ago too. No, Dash has grown on me in a way I had never experienced from another woman... or in this case, I should just say mare. And as I walk up my stairs, it was painfully obvious just how much of a truthful fact that was with her currently in my arms as she slept. Dash and I were no longer the same to each other as we had been before.

Smiling, I looked down into the mane of the sleeping mare in my arms, and then I felt my smile morph into a painful grin. Turning my attention back to our mouth to mouth kiss a few days ago, I just now realized a joke I could use should I ever meet another human from my world. I have literally tasted the rainbow. And no, it doesn't taste like fruit or small pieces of sugary candy...

Shaking my head to rid myself of that thought, I stepped into the hallway of my upstairs home, and walked into the bedroom. There was the large bed I had made specifically for my size, and there was where I was going to place Dash for the night. It was the perfect spot for not only a giant among ponies, but also a pony that has caused me so much grief, yet so much new perspective as well...

Moving over to the side, I knelt down and removed the blanket, before leaning over and placing Dash in the bed. As I leaned over her, I got to truly see her sleeping. To say it wasn't adorable would also be a lie. As she slept, her fore hooves were held to her chest, and her mane was spread everywhere around her as her chest rose softly and rhythmically. To say she looked peaceful was an understatement I wasn't going to bother making, so I simply resolved to say she was in peace as she slept with that soft grin on her face. As she slept, I stood up and looked down at her with an adoring gaze. It felt strange, and I knew I must've been strange to anyone else that knew what was running through my head, but this morning I wanted nothing to do with Dash's antics and romantics. Now however, I wouldn't mind... as much. I realized earlier through that hurt she had been feeling, I had nearly lost a friend.

My best and only real friend.

She was a pony, I was a human, and there should be no way a romantical setting would work... yet I found myself trying to think how it would. It was definitely better than being violated in my dreams... and then having that same pony try to gain those affections in reality when I don't even really know her...

Sighing softly, I kneeled down once more and pulled the covers up and over Dash's sleeping form. Despite my earlier judgments... perhaps Dash wasn't as bad to be around...

At least when she behaved and didn't try to force me to kiss her that is... then again, I had that coming. It wasn't like I could blame her. I read it in the book... I had essentially turned her into a horny Pegasus and then left her as quick as I could. Letting out a chuckle, I knew it was so wrong, yet then again, why was it so damn funny to think of it like that?

I left her high and dry that day... or something like that...

Well... time for me to get to sleep. I'm sure a couch isn't any worse than a military cot... I know Rarity's couch was better than a military cot for sure.

Turning around and walking out of the room, I closed the door softly behind me, before making my way down stairs and to my eventual sleep...