Bullets Before Blossoms

Bloom laughed and smiled, nodding. "Trust me, I'm perfectly fine." She laughed again and sighed, then laughed again. She shook her head and rested it against the tree.

Rocket wasn't convinced, but didn't want to press the matter any longer. "How bad are my wounds?" He changed the subject quickly. "They're not too bad, right?"

"Not at all, they should clear up in no time." Bloom reassured him, and shook a fly of her nose.

Rocket nodded, "Good." He was distracted by a fly but soon got back on course. "Are you sure you're okay?" He asked warily. She seemed to have something on her mind, or something troubling her. "Is something on your mind?" Rocket echoed his thoughts, "Is anything troubling you?"

"If I was a human, I would be crossing my arms right now!" Bloom laughed and stood up, nuzzling his cheek. "I'm fine, don't worry." She said and shook her mane.

"Good," Rocket whinied, finally relieved. He stood up after her, and nuzzled her in return. "Hey, wanna go swim in the lake?" He asked with a small smile, "It'll be fun!"

"Why wouldn't I?!" She laughed and bolted towards it, dust flowing behind her. She bucked and laughed harder.

Rocket, just like his name. set off in a blaze of speed, kicking up dirt, grass and a few unfortunate bugs. When they reached the lake ((srry for pp!!!)), Rocket jumped into the water, making a big splash. The cool water was up to his chin, but that was when he was swimming, not standing. When he was standing in the water, it was just about half way up his neck. "Come on in, Bloom! The water's fine!"

Bloom shuddered as she got in, then swam next to him. "How can you stand this?" She laughed and splashed him.

Rocket shrugged, "Cause I'm lean, strong, and tough!" He joked, splashing water back. "Or maybe I'm just used to the cold."

"Yeah, sure..." Bloom held out the sure, then rolled her eyes, going under, coming up farther away.

Rocket blew air at Bloom and swam over to her, laughing the whole way. "So you don't think I'm strong, huh?"

"I never said anything. Did I?" She asked, acting dumb. Her smile grew, then splashed him again.

"Yeah," Rocket laughed, noticing that she was playing dumb. "You said 'Yeah, sure....'" Rocket splashed her in return and jumped by her, landing with a splash.

"Maybe, maybe I didn't." She sneered and turned around so her back was facing him, then laughed, turning back to face him.

Rocket snorted, pretending to be offended. "I see how it is! Now you're playing the silent treatment. Or you could be playing hard to get," he added. "But either way," he sucked in a deep breath, as if it were hard to say the next few words -- which it was, "I want you to know that I love you."

Bloom had a blank look on her face, as if she had just froze in place. A few minutes later, after she was done comprehending everything, a smile broke onto her face. "I love you, too. Ever since I met you."

"Really?" Rocket asked in belief. "M-me, too..." He had never believed in love at first site, but he was proven wrong with Bloom.

"Really," She reassured him and nodded softly, then nuzzled him.

Rocket nuzzled Bloom back, not caring about the chilly water that lapped against his black fur. All he cared about right now was Bloom.

Bloom pressed into him, needing warmth. She soon forgot about the water and just focused on Rocket.

Rocket felt warmth instead of the chilly water and was soothed all over once again. "Want to go lie down in the shade over there?" He suggested as he climbed out of the chilly water. Laying down, he made room for Bloom.

Bloom nodded and laid down next to him, her head rested on Rocket's back. She felt an instant warmth come over her and she sighed.

Rocket smiled at Bloom and rested his head on the grass, still being able to glance at Bloom at the corner of his eye. "Do you believe in love at first site?" He asked suddenly. "I didn't." Rocket paused. "But I was proven wrong."

"I didn't, but now I truly do." She smiled and nosed the grass, then shook her head.