The pink earth pony knocked on the wooden door unusually quickly, stopping every ten seconds then starting up again. She knew that the pegasus she was looking for was home.
Pinkie Pie sighed, maybe she wasn't home?
Pinkie Pie was about to walk away when, the door creaked open. Fluttershy gave a weak, slow smile.
"W-w-what are you doing here? It's so... Late. You should come inside."
Pinkie Pie nodded and joined Fluttershy in the warm glow of the cottage, making her feel more relaxed and... Warmer. The night was absolutely freezing!
Fluttershy led Pinkie Pie to a padded seat with a pillow on it, in which there was a pink butterfly embroidered on it. Pinkie Pie sat down, and smiled. Fluttershy smiled back before sitting down on another chair, this one had a blue butterfly on it.
"I'm sorry I couldn't answer the door straight away, I was sleeping." Fluttershy apologised, steadily looking at the ground.
"It's ok!" Pinkie Pie beamed, swinging her legs back and forth. She looked at Fluttershy and grinned, her friend shouldn't be sorry! But that's Fluttershy for you.
"Pinkie, it's 9:30, what are you doing up so late?"
"Umm...." Pinkie Pie stopped swinging her legs, she looked into Fluttershy's eyes and begun to talk again, "I need some-pony to talk to, something has been bugging me lately. Tonight I couldn't go to sleep. I needed some-pony I could trust." She smiled feebly, "After all, your the only one who knows the truth."
"The truth about me."
In a few minutes Fluttershy had made hot-chocolate for Pinkie Pie and herself, put some logs into the fire and calmed down the awoken animals.
"Pinkie, I... I mean you shouldn't be worried about the past." Fluttershy mused, sitting back down.
"I'm not worried about the past, it's the future. Everything is still super duper bad!"
"How so?" Said Fluttershy, taking a deep long sip of her drink, further warming her body up.
"I've been lying.... To all of you..." Pinkie Pie sulked, drooping her head.
"W-w-why? How?"
"Remember last week? I'm sure you do. It was Gummy, my toothless crocodile's birthday. When I thought you hated my parties. I snapped Fluttershy. I was soooo lucky I could stop myself from hurting you guys! But still...." Pinkie Pie gazed out of the window closest to Fluttershy.
"I can't handle it! All the lies! But... You know I can't tell them the truth." She glanced at her drink, gratefully drinking it. "I hate doing... This:"
Pinkie Pie beamed, showing Fluttershy her signature smile. She then jumped up and down, "Fluttershy!!! I love love love your house! And your hot chocolate! Yum yum yum!"
Pinkie Pie returned to her earlier state, "This persona, this mask I put on everyday to hide my true self... Now..."
Pinkie Pie started to cry, "I don't know who I am anymore."
Pinkie Pie had fallen asleep at Fluttershy's so the pegasus gently lifted her into bed. It was useless to wake her up now so, Fluttershy decided to let her spend the night in her cottage.
Fluttershy climbed into her bed with the sleeping earth pony, "Oh Pinkie..." Fluttershy whispered, snuggling into her. She wrapped her arm around Pinkie Pie, her warmth comforted her.
She remembered when Pinkie Pie first came to town, a pink earth pony with a straight dull mane. She also remembered all too well why Pinkie Pie shouldn't snap; no, why she can't.
But believe it or not, Fluttershy can read people easily. Maybe too easily. She knew what Pinkie was planning to do in Ponyville. And how to stop her.
The first time Pinkie Pie came out, Fluttershy was watching. Just before Pinkie caused any damage Fluttershy got in her way, Pinkie Pie was ready to do unspeakable things to her.
But before she could, Fluttershy did something that no-one else had done to her before.
Fluttershy gave Pinkie Pie a hug and whispered, "I know how you feel."
To that day, Fluttershy taught Pinkie Pie how to laugh. How have fun. Even so, Pinkie Pie believes she isn't who she acts to be. She believes, that her bubbly personality is just an act. A cover up.
"Only if you realised," Said Fluttershy closing her eyes, "This is you."
She smiled as she slipped away into unconsciousness of her own mind.
But, before she did she whispered into Pinkie's ear; "Plus, I like you this way."
