Bullets Before Blossoms

"Too late!" Bloom snorted and cantered ahead, reaching where they were before easily. She laid there, her head against the tree again.

"Not fair!" Rocket said, arriving a few moments later. "I let you win. That's the stallion's way of being courteous. I can be nice." He flashed a smile and took a step to aline shoulders.

"Liar!" She said jokingly. "Just kidding. I know you can be nice."

Bloom closed her eyes for a few seconds then opened them, snorting.

Rocket snorted in return, more of a laugh. "Are you okay? You look tired. Do you need to rest?"

"I'm fine," She said, holding back a yawn.

Rocket smiled. "I'm not so sure. We can rest if you'd like."

"Trust me, I'm fine." She said, getting up.

Rocket shrugged, giving up. "Okay then. What else would you like to do?"

Bloom smiled, then kicked the tree with her back hoof, knocking a rock free. Sighing with relief, she laughed, looking around, then shrugged.

Rocket looked around for something to do after smiling at Bloom. He had never smiled and laughed so much in his life! "So kick trees, huh?"

"No!" She said, laughing softly. "It's just a rock."

"I knew that!" Rocket said quickly, laughing. "Because I'm smart."

Bloom shook her head, smiling.

"I am!" Rocket said quickly. "Are you okay?" He asked Bloom suddenly. "You're quiet."

"Yeah, I'm fine." Her eyes were a brownish red. She sneezed, then smiled.

"You don't look so good...Are you allergic to anything? Your eyes are reddish brown..." Rocket sneezed himself, blinking in embarrassment.

"No, they're...they're....they are?." She said, which they were. She blinked slowly, then looked around. "No...no no no no no!"

"W-what? What's wrong?" Rocket stepped closer, his side touching hers for comfort. "What's wrong, Bloom?" He nuzzled her, hoping she was okay.