Rainbow and Fluttershy stepped in to the cottage late that evening, both aching from the day.
After having helped get all the children re-located they had been among the group putting word out for anyone who had some spare time on their hooves to please come and help out at the barracks.

Later Fluttershy had gone with Rarity to the Boutique to help the fashionista to help start setting up the details for a fashion auction to help raise money for any foal in an orphanage. Any bit’s made would be put into a single account that would be managed by the crown. Upon becoming of age if they hadn’t been adopted already the foal would receive a starting balance that would be enough for them to start them out. Even though she had hated her time in the limelight, Fluttershy had decided that she would help by being one of the models at the show. She knew that if the word got out she was modelling, then ponies like Hoity Toity and Photo Finish would show up.

Rainbow had gone to the Ponyville weather team and had helped work out a new weather schedule to optimise the team’s performance while she couldn’t fly – on top of which she sent in the request for Ponyville to have a Crisis Weather Team trained. Not letting on to the three she was considering for the posts.

Now Rainbow looked towards the canary coloured mare that had taken hold of her heart. She watched as Fluttershy made her way into the kitchen humming away, seemingly at peace with the world, Rainbow knew she wasn’t but would be over time.

Thinking back to her conversation with Applejack as she’d stopped by the farm to grab a pie for their dinner that night she decided that she would speak to Fluttershy about her feelings. She could only hope they were returned.

-Flashback-

Rainbow watched as Derpy took to the sky with her message to Cloudsdale and could only hope they agreed to her request. She truly felt that aside from her; Cloudkicker, Firestorm and Bloomer were the best fliers in Ponyville and deserved to get shown that she appreciated the hard work they put in.
She chuckled at the thought of their reaction when they got their pay next week, what would their faces be like when they saw their bonus.

Looking around she saw the time on the main clock above the town hall and figured she’d got enough time to head to Applejacks and grab a pie, and maybe finally talk about how she felt for Fluttershy. With that thought in mind she headed towards the farm.

Taking her time she looked about appreciating the walk, deciding that maybe, just maybe her friends were right. Sometimes a walk in the countryside helped calm you down almost as well as a slow flight. Sighing she looked up to the clouds and wished she was in the air again, it had only been a week and she was already itching to feel the wind through her feathers.

With these thoughts in her head she crested the hill the path was on to see the farm. Shaking her head to clear her more morose thoughts she made her way down the path to knock on the door.
“Just a minute!” Pinkie Pie’s voice sounded out. Rainbow shook her head surprised, she thought Pinkie would have been at Sugarcube Corner.

“Heya Rainbow! Whatsup!” Pinkie’s cheerful voice asked as she opened the door.
“Err, do you know where Applejack is I kinda need to talk to her?” Pinkie nodded.
“Yeppers. Just gimmie a minute an I’ll take you to her.” She quickly turned about and trotted into the kitchen leaving the door open so Rainbow could see in.
At the table was Applespark. He looked lost as he stared at the wall opposite. Rainbow looked about as she stepped in, watching as Pinkie was getting things into a basket.

“Hey kid, you doin any better?” Rainbow asked, knowing Applejack had already told him about his parents.
He looked up and gave her a wan half smile. “I guess, If you mean ‘Are you healthy.’ But it hurts. . .I . . .I” His eyes closed as he seemed to try bottle his feelings.

Rainbow noticed Pinkie watching with a pained expression on her face and somehow knew that she’d been trying to help him, but couldn’t.
Taking a seat next to him Rainbow spoke up. “Hey kid listen. I don’t know what you were told in the orphanage, but from my own time in one I can make a pretty good guess.”
Pinkie carried on moving quietly about the kitchen, this time grabbing a tankard of hard cider for Rainbow. Rainbow smiled her thanks – it wasn’t often she talked about her own time at the orphanage but the times she did, she always needed a drink after.

She carried on as Applespark looked up to her, eyes pleading to help with the pain.
“I’m guessing the only time you’ve let yourself cry is when you spoke to Applejack yesterday? An’ since then you’ve been holding it in – trying not to ‘be weak’” Rainbow carried on.
“I’m guessing you were told tears made you weak, and that weakness was bad huh?” Applespark nodded.

Rainbow forced eye contact with the young colt who had maturity beyond his years.
“Well I’ll tell you what I told them at my old orphanage. That is a load of horseapples. –“ *Thwack* Pinkie bopped rainbow on the head.
“Language” Was all the party pony said, but Rainbow got the message. “Sorry Pinkie.”
Turning back to Applespark she continued. “Now I’m not sayin’ you need to show your emotions all the time kid – I mean look at me, I still hide my emotions a lot – except in front of my closest friends – to me they are my family. Pinkie, Applejack, Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy – I don’t hide much from them.
Honestly kid, let it out – if you don’t it’ll eat you up inside – whether it’s wi’ me or somepony else I don’t mind, but trust someone to be there for you – it helps.” As Rainbow finished Applesparks own barriers seemed to crumble as his tears finally fell.

He stumbled up from the table a cry tearing from his throat as he ran towards the door, a door that Applejack was stood in, having come in at some point and stayed quiet as Rainbow spoke, now she had her hooves around the crying colt and held him close as she made her way to the bench, sitting with him, just letting him get the pain out.
Rainbow stayed quiet as Pinkie sat next to her placing the tankard in front of her.
“Thanks Rainbow – Applejack came to the shop earlier an asked me to try help him – but I think he needed someone who he could relate to. I couldn’t even get him to talk to me.” Pinkie said quietly.

Slowly Applespark’s cries died down until he fell asleep. Applejack carefully lifted him to her back and made her way into the living room, coming back a few minutes later.
“Granny’s gonna keep an eye on him.” She said before sitting down.
“So other than gettin’ through to mah cousin, what’cha here for?” Applejack asked Rainbow as the cyan Pegasus took a long swig from her tankard.
“To get a pie for dinner tonight and advice” Applejack nodded as Pinkie set another tankard down and sat next to her.
“Ok sugarcube, what’s on yer mahnd?”

Rainbow took a deep breath before she let out a sigh. Taking a swig of her drink she looked down into the amber liquid hoping for an answer from it before she started speaking.
“I. . .you see. . .you know. . . Oh hell.” She took another sip before trying again.
“I like somepony, as in like, like.” Rainbow started. “Now I’m lost as what to do. Normally I’d not have a problem, but this pony’s a mare, and I really don’t want to lose their friendship, but I don’t think it’s right hidin’ from them how I feel.”

As she finished she looked up and contrary to what she was expecting she saw the two mares smiling back at her. Unexpectedly it was Pinkie who spoke up, not Applejack.
“Took you long enough to figure it out.” She said before pulling a multi-coloured cupcake out of nowhere and sliding it across the table to her. Rainbow was one of only a handful of pony’s that could not only take, but enjoyed liquid rainbow cupcakes.

Shaking her head at the randomness before taking a bite of the cake and asking in shock.
“You. . .you knew?”
Applejack chuckled at her. “Darlin’ oh course we knew – it’s been drivin’ the rest o’ us girls mental watchin you an Fluttershy dance abaht each other.” Rainbow felt her jaw drop.
“You, you. How? Whaa…” Pinkie giggled at her reaction before speaking up.
“Oh come on – you’re just as cute flustered as Fluttershy was when I told her we’d figured you two out. Trust me Rainbow, tell her how you feel.” Pinkie settled back leaning against the orange farm pony who’d wrapped a foreleg about the pink pony.

Rainbow looked between the two and saw nothing but honesty and truth from them.
Smiling she nodded finishing her cake and washing it down with the last of the cider.
“Thanks girls, I will. Now about that pie . . .” she trailed off.
Laughing Applejack got up and headed to the storage cupboard, she returned a moment later with a ready to bake pie.
“This’ns on th’ house. Now y’all take care an let us know how it goes y’hear?” Applejack said passing the pie to Rainbow before the blue Pegasus nodded and made her way to meet Fluttershy before they went back to the cottage.

-End Flashback-

After Fluttershy set the pie Rainbow had brought in the oven she turned to Rainbow and spoke.
“Ok, while that cooks let me have a look at you wing please. . .if um that’s ok.” Rainbow rolled her eyes at this.
“Flutters you know it’s more than ok, I’ll go lay down while you get the clean bandages.” Rainbow said before suiting actions to words and making her way up to the bedroom and laying down on her cloudbed.
Fluttershy followed in a few minutes later carrying a new splint and bandages.
“Okay, you ready?” She asked. Rainbow nodded, knowing from the past changes that this was going to hurt, but was necessary.
Fluttershy made quick work of stripping away the old bandages and splint, carefully stretched out the new splint along Rainbows wing, all the time trying to keep the movement to a minimum.
It didn’t take long but through it all Rainbow was gasping and wincing.

Once finished Rainbow sat up on the edge of the bed, catching Fluttershy’s shoulder with the tip of her good wing.
“Hang on Flutters. Can we talk a moment? Please” Rainbow finished.
Fluttershy looked back surprise and worry flitting across her features before she sat next to Rainbow.
“Look, I got something I need to tell you, and I promise whatever you say afterwards I’ll still always be your friend okay?”

-o.O.O.o-

Fluttershy felt her eyes widen at Rainbows words. Whatever it was Rainbow wanted to say Fluttershy could tell had the mare truly worried, enough that the pink maned mare was glad nopony else was around. Rainbow had dropped all her barriers and was showing true fear at what Fluttershy’s reaction to her words would be.

Fluttershy carefully stretched the wing nearest to Rainbow out, inviting her to lean in, which the blue Pegasus did.
“It’s ok Rainbow” Fluttershy said in her quiet melodic voice. “tell me. Please?” She finished.
Rainbow looked to Fluttershy her magenta eyes hiding nothing, to Fluttershy it made it seem like time had slipped away and they were two fillies alone in the world again.

Rainbow took a deep breath letting it out with a deep exhale before speaking.
“Fluttershy. . . Flutters, we’ve been friends forever like y’know?” Fluttershy nodded, not saying anything just letting Rainbow get her words out.
“Well it’s like this, I . . . I . . . like. . . you Flutters. As in like, like – y’get what I mean?” she finished looking to the floor.

‘Rainbow likes me? Rainbow LIKES ME?’ was running through Fluttershy’s mind as she pulled Rainbow close into a strong embrace, a tear or two slipping from her eyes.
“Rainbow, you. . .you really like me?” She whispered out unable to hide the hope in her voice.
“Well, yeah. Look I’m no good with the words thing but you mean everything to me Flutters.” Rainbow finished, head resting over Fluttershy’s shoulder.
“Rainbow, do you know I’ve wanted to hear that from you for so long?” Fluttershy whispered slowly letting Rainbow go.
“You know that leaves a question?” Fluttershy added, trying to hide behind her mane.
Rainbow blinked looking at Fluttershy confusion running across her features. “uuh it does?” Fluttershy nodded. “It does, Where do we go from here?”

-o.O.O.o-

Rainbow was ecstatic in her mind. Not only had she confessed her feelings for Fluttershy, but if she had understood the shy mare properly then Fluttershy returned those feelings as well, but now she had to answer Fluttershy’s question.
‘What were they?’ friends? Yes certainly, Lovers? Maybe, hopefully someday soon, Special Someponies? That last one sounded right so she just came out with it.
“eurgh, well Flutters, would you, maybe, be my special somepony?” She stammered out, thinking it sounded much better in her mind right before all thought stopped as she tumbled backwards on the bed as Fluttershy claimed her lips with her own.

To Rainbow all thought was at this point meaningless, why think when you can feel.
Fluttershy’s lips on her own were soft as the new born snowflakes in the first snowfall in winter.
As the kiss continued Rainbow brought her fore legs up to wrap about Fluttershy’s neck as she closed her eyes, holding her there
When Fluttershy gently traced Rainbows lower lip with her tongue asking for entrance. Rainbow was happy to oblige and deepened the kiss.

Finally as all creatures must breath their kiss finally ended with them both gasping for air, looking into each-other’s eyes.
“I love you Flutters.” Rainbow whispered, pulling the canary coated Pegasus down on the bed with her as they held each other.
Fluttershy’s smile at these words was nothing short of brilliant as she answered with four little words.
“I love you too.”
They held each other close not saying anymore as sleep claimed them.

Rainbow startled awake when she felt her hoof being repeatedly struck.
“Wuh. . .” She said eloquently as she looked down to see Angel bunny tapping away to get her attention.
It was then her nose brought the smell of apple pie to her attention.
“ooh horsapples” Rainbow mumbled, carefully extricating herself from Fluttershy’s hooves and making her way down to the kitchen and extricating the pie from the oven before it was burnt.

Turning to the little rabbit that had come to get her she smiled.
“Thanks Angel – I forgot about that.” Angel bunny just stared at her before pointing to Fluttershy’s room and back to Rainbow.
“Eh, if you’re askin’ what I think you’re askin’ then yeah, I think we’re together now. That’s not gunna be a problem is it?” Rainbow asked, a slight challenge in her tone. Angel bunny just shook his head before hopping away back to his little house in the living room.

Shaking her head at the overprotective rabbit Rainbow set about the kitchen getting things ready for their evening meal. Plates were set on the table, drinks in clean glasses and she was just about to cut the pie when she heard a loud cry throughout the cottage.
Immediately Rainbow bolted back up the stairs.
She darted in the bedroom to see Fluttershy eye’s wide, whimpering on the bed, trembling with fear.

“Easy Flutters, it’s ok, you’re at home, it’s just you, me and Angel here. It’s ok, nopony’s gonna hurt you.” Rainbow spoke in a quiet soothing tone, completely at odds with her usual brash bravado.
Fluttershy looked over to her, eyes wide, tears threatening.
As soon as Rainbow moved forwards Fluttershy let out a little cry and launched herself from the bed at Rainbow, burying her face against the blue Pegasus, arms holding tight as she shivered in what Rainbow could only assume was fear.

Rainbow carefully sat down on her haunches, settling Fluttershy next to her, keeping her good wing around the distraught Pegasus, just holding her, being there for her.
As Fluttershy’s cries turned to broken wails, all Rainbow could do was hold her, be her rock in the storm. “It’s ok Flutters, I’m here, I ain’t goin’ anywhere you hear? You’re safe” She whispered over and over.

Gradually Fluttershy calmed down and her cries eased off.
“I . . . I’m so sorry . . .You didn’t have to. . . to do this. . .for me” Fluttershy mumbled into Rainbows shoulder.
“Hey now.” Rainbow shot back “What kind of marefriend would I be if I didn’t hold you when you needed it huh? Rainbow asked before answering the question herself. “A pretty bad one, and as I’m an all-round awesome super-fantastic pony I can’t be a bad one now can I?” she finished with a little smile as Fluttershy lifted her head to look Rainbow in the eye.

-o.O.O.o-

As Fluttershy’s eyes met Rainbows, all the shy Pegasus could see in them was love and caring. It was true, Rainbow really did love her and want to be her marefriend.
“Now then, why don’t you go freshen up, an then we’ll grab a bite to eat hmm?” Rainbow suggested as they got off the bed.
Fluttershy smiled towards Rainbow as she made her way to the bathroom.

Once there she reached into the cupboard where she kept her washclouds. As far as she was concerned just because she was ground-bound by choice didn’t mean she had to do without the best of the Pegasus world. With a gentle smile on her face she pulled the cloud about her face, washing away the signs of tears.

Once done she dampened down her mane to make it easier to tease back to shape.
Taking one last look in the mirror Fluttershy smiled once more at the thought of how kind and caring Rainbow really was. Making her way to the table downstairs and sitting down Fluttershy thought it was a shame Rainbow kept her gentler side hidden most of the time. The only times she’d shown it recently were for Fluttershy or the foals in the orphanage.

Fluttershy’s eyes widened and her brow burrowed at that thought, unfortunately Rainbow was just setting the food down and caught her frown.
“Ok Flutters, what’s eatin’ ya? An’ don’t say nothing, I know that face.” Rainbow challenged.
“Oh Dashie, I don’t know what to do! I promised myself I’d take in one of the orphans, now that I’m with you, I don’t want you to not want me too, but I need to help him! He thought he was useless, now I know anpony’s not, and. . .”

“Woah there Flutters, calm down. You say you were gonna adopt?” Fluttershy nodded, keeping her face fixed to her empty plate, still waiting for food to be put out, so she missed the little interchange between both Rainbow and Angel Bunny who’d come to the table, had she been watching she’d have seen them both roll their eyes at the same time.

“Look Flutters, I’m the last person to say you shouldn’t consider it, what with what I’m doin’”
Fluttershy looked up both with hope in her heart and confusion on her face.
“er . . . well yeah, you see ya know scoots?” Fluttershy nodded wondering where this was going.
“Well it seems the little squirt’s an orphan too, now at the moment she’s stayin with Lyra and Bon Bon, but Lyra’s made it pretty plain she’d not be able to be the parents scoots needs, so I bin thinkin. . . I . . I was going to adopt Scootaloo.” Rainbow finished quietly.

Fluttershy could feel the smile across her face, if it was any bigger it would be of Pinkie Pie proportions.
“That’s great Rain, I . . .I think you’ll be a great mom,” Fluttershy sad excitement in her voice, as her thoughts continued though, she dropped he gaze back to the table.
“I. . . Just hope. . .um that. . . I’ll be good at it.” Fluttershy finished with a little sigh.

Rainbow slipped a hoof under Fluttershy’s chin.
“Flutters, two things. One, you are the kindest, most caring, and loving pony that I know, I Personally think you’ll do brilliant at it.” Rainbow had that smile on. The one that whenever Fluttershy saw it couldn’t help but believe her.
“Two, that name you just called me, Rain?” She paused for confirmation which Fluttershy gave in the form of a blush on her face as she nodded.
Rainbows features softened as she finished in a quiet tone. “Don’t stop it, I like it.” She admitted, a light blush coming to her own cheeks.

The two of them paused at the slight sound of gagging, looking towards the source they saw Angel making – as rainbow would say Fluttershy thought – Barf motions and noises. Rainbow chuckled as Fluttershy smiled and started to serve up their food.
“I know Angel it was getting a bit too mushy wasn’t it?” Rainbow said with a chuckle at angels furious nodding in agreement.
“Now, now Rain, don’t encourage him” Fluttershy said finishing with a little kiss to the cheek before settling down to eat.

-o.O.O.o-

Shining Armour was busy, yes that he was. He must get through Twilights entire Daring Doo collection before returning to Canterlot. That was his master thought, his master plan he said when borrowing the books. Unfortunately for him, Cadance had been helping out with the orphans on base and had walked in on him entertaining them with a dramatic reading of one of the books.
He was using his magic to help tell the story with small illusions.

Cadance stood to one side of the doorway watching, smiling at how natural it seemed he was with the youngsters. To the side was the only two soldier’s to stay on the base with the change-over. Sgt. Rine and the Private who had chosen to protect Fluttershy instead of following orders.
They were both off duty but they themselves had their own groups of youngsters around them.

Cadance looked about the room wondering what sort of pony could have deliberately hurt these sweet innocent fillies and colts. It was with a heavy sigh she turned to hide her tears at these thoughts. Once she had gotten hold of herself she moved quietly over to the group that the Private was with, seeing what he was doing to keep them occupied.
To her surprise he was tutoring them in the basics of reading and writing.

It was as she sat at the back, out of view but able to hear she noticed a young fillies hoof in the air.
“Yes Sprinkles?” The private said quietly.
“Uh, I understand why you want us to read, but. . . why writing? I’m sorry.” She finished looking to the floor. The Private, Fair Flair if Cadances memory proved correct from what her aunties had told her, scowled slightly at how the youngster immediately apologised and shrunk in on herself.
“Now we’ll have none of that young miss. You asked a fair question.” He finished with a little smile for the filly.

”Now to answer your question, I would like a volunteer from the audience.” He carried on with a gleam in his eye that Cadance realised meant that she’d just become ‘the volunteer.’ As he’d used the word ‘Audience’ all the youngsters looked around until they all realised Cadance was there.
“Ok, I volunteer” She said quietly making her way next to him in front of the group.

“Now young ones pay attention.” Private Flair instructed before turning to Cadance.
“Princess, if you wanted me to do something you would order me to do so correct?” Fair Flair asked her. She nodded.
“Now, would care to try and give me an order from over there please?” He asked pointing to the wall opposite that was far enough away. Cadance immediately caught on and made her way there, turning to face them she quietly ordered Fair Flair to fly in a circle around the group. As she said it quietly he couldn’t hear her, so he sent Sprinkles with a quill and parchment to her.
Fly around the group in a circle. Cadance wrote on it, rolling it up so Sprinkles coupdnt read it she watched as the filly ran back with the scroll and passed it to Fair Flair.

He took the scroll with a smile before reading it as Cadance made her way back over to the group. He just looked up with his eyebrow raised before a wry grin crossed his features and he took wing, inscribing a slow lazy circle before landing again.
“Now, Sprinkles, do you get what happened?” Fair Flair asked. She nodded repeatedly. “Uh-huh, we need to lear to write because sometimes we need to tell someone something when they can’t hear.”
Fair Flair nodded as Shining Armour came up to the group. Cadance looked over to the corner he’d been sat to see a couple of mares from Ponyville watching over the group, who all lay under a blanket asleep. She couldn’t help but smile.

“You’re a natural Shiny.” She whispered into his ear as he got close enough.
She couldn’t help the giggle that forced it’s way out at his expression. He was trying to go for dignified but fell woefully short with the flustered blush on his features. Shaking his head he made his way to the door Cadance following.

Once outside she spoke to him.
“I want one. Shiny I want a foal.” She said quietly, causing him to stop in his tracks before he turned and pulled her into a one forelegged hug.
“I know love, and I want one too, why do you think we’ve been ‘forgetting’ the protection the past couple of times. But remember what the Doctor said? We won’t have a problem having children, we checked out just fine, but it may still take some time.” Cadance smiled.
“I know, but do you think. . .no it’s stupid.” She said quietly.

Shining Armours face as she said this slipped into a disapproving stare.
“Cadance, you have never, will never, and haven’t ever done anything to make me think that of you. Now what was it you were going to ask?”
Cadance swallowed a little, wishing their walk to the Library would be a bit faster, It wasn’t often he spoke forcefully like this to her, but everytime he did, all she wanted to do was get him to the bedroom and not come out until ne next day.

“Cadance?” Shining prompted as she got lost in her thoughts.
“oh, er, I . . . was kind of hoping that, well, once the orphanage is built. . . that maybe we could help out?” Shining gave her a small smile as he nuzzled her cheek.
“Of course love – why would you need to ask my permission though?” Cadance rolled her eyes at this.
“No, I want you to continue story time with them.” She told him.
His wide smile was all the answer she needed.
“Ok, now that’s settled, come on, we’re heading over to Fluttershys.” Shining told her.

This piqued Cadances curiosity.
“Oh-kaay, I’ll bite, why are we going there?” She asked him, mildly irritated that her time with him in her bed wasn’t going to be as soon as she wanted.
“Well, Rainbow Dash sent me a message, she want’s too adopt a filly who’s been living rough, so she asked me to fill in the character reference for her, Normally I don’t like playing on my title as a prince consort, but. . .” He let the thought trail off.

Cadance looked once more to her husband, glad, very glad she’d said yes when he’d asked her to marry. It was this smile that stayed on her face through the visit to Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.
Once paperwork was out of the way they returned to the library, Cadance having filled out a character reference for Fluttershy, with her wanting to adopt as well.

They slipped up to their room surprised how late it was, as Shining slipped next to her in bed, her horn flared as their door locked.
“Locking and silencing?” Shining asked.
Indeed.” Cadence said before kissing Shining deeply. “Don’t think you’re sleeping yet.” She whispered huskily.

It was three hours later a tired unicorn and Alicorn were asleep, both with tired but happy smiles on their faces.

Author's Note

Okay that's this chapter done, and I don't mind admitting I'm STILL not happy with it, been after multiple re-writes and edits, I've finally got it to a point where I think it's semi-publishable, yet it still seems lacking in my opinion - an I'm the bleedin' author! I hope the next chapters transfer from notes to a story better.

If anyone has any decent constructive criticism to add on this please feel free to tell me - now it's 2:30am where I am so I'm heading off to bed.