Mutual Rescue

Fluttershy followed Rainbow into the barracks, stopping briefly to ask the guard where all the physically injured foals had been put from the orphanage, she noticed with some relief it was Private Fair Flair.
“Just wait a moment miss Fluttershy, my shift is almost over and I’ll escort you over there myself.” He said as another younger Pegasus guard stepped up.

As the new Pegasus arrived he looked at Fluttershy before speaking in a slightly over the top voice, leering slightly.
“Hey there, aren’t you that beautiful model I saw a couple of years ago? How about after my shift we go and explore ways of defeating your fear of stallions from what that glass collector did.”

Fluttershy froze, not even able to squeak in terror, this stallion wanted to do things to her, wanted to pin her down, he would. . . Her thoughts a whirl all she knew was fear.
Her eyes welled up as her mind provided the images, she started whispering.
Stop it, please stop it” over and over, now completely trapped in her mind.

-o.O.O.o-

Rainbow Dash had to try to bury the rage she felt towards this insensitive immature idiot of a stallion, not noticing Fluttershy retreating into herself she rounded on the guard.
“What! The! Bucking! HAY! What?!” She tore into him her volume increasing by the syllable until her voice rivalled that of a drill sergeants.

“Look, if the mare’s already been ridden she’ll be fi-“ *CRASH* The guard went flying, unnoticed by all participants Rarity of all ponies, had sent the guard flailing with a telekinetic blow across the face; using a unicorns equivalent to a right hook on the chin.

“I have never heard such uncouth words, and – oh my.” She cut herself off, Rainbow turned to see what had stopped Rarity when she spotted Fluttershy’s wide eyes, pupils only pinpricks as she was whispering the same sentence time and time again.
“Oh Buck!” Rainbow whispered harshly.
She quickly moved so that she was stood in front of Fluttershy before speaking.

“Fluttershy, come on love, Flutters, you’re ok, you’re safe. I’m here, nothing will happen, I’m here.” With each word she spoke she stepped closer until they were cheek to cheek as she brought a forehoof around Fluttershy’s neck, gently pulling her against herself.

Slowly Fluttershy started to respond – at first only twitches of her body, then she started to shake, before finally after many moments she collapsed against Rainbow, quiet sobs against Rainbows shoulder.

Being careful not to dislodge or startle her marefriend Rainbow adjusted them so she could lead them towards the guards office where Fair Flair stood duty. Moving quickly he took to the air out of the way, so as not to be seen by Fluttershy and send her into another panic attack.

Rainbow nodded to him, thankful for his understanding as she led Fluttershy into the office and then closing the door – On some level Fluttershy must have registered they had their privacy, as the muffled sob turned into a heartrending wail. All Rainbow could do was wrap a wing about the upset mare and be a shoulder to cry on.
Silently she hoped Rarity would deal with the stallion.

-o.O.O.o-

Rarity watched with a jaded eye as the stallion got to his feet, spitting a little blood out to the ground.
Wary that the confrontation could easily escalate she moved herself between him and little sister whom she’d brought to the base with her to talk to Fair Flair.
She felt a presence next to her and a quick glance told her it was the very private she’d come to speak with.

“Ow, you got a good blow there ma’am.” The unnamed stallion said, about to say more when a mare’s wails echoed out of the closed office door. The sound seemed to hit the guard harder than any punch with how fast he sat back down on his rump, shaking his head.
“Buck, bucking buckity, buck, buck!” He whispered.
“Language sir, My filly sister is present!” Rarity snapped out in her harshest tone. The guard flinched before looking up to the irate unicorn.

“Sorry ma’am. Also, I’ll take my leave, I did not wish to upset your friend, it’s just my friends back home, they said once . . .well you know.” He nodded towards the office. “They told me that at that point all a mare thinks about is what its like.” Rarity closed her eyes and let out a frustrated sigh.

“Private Fair Flair, please watch my sister for a moment, I believe I need to explain more thoroughly what his friends meant.” Fair flair nodded as Rarity stepped closer to the downed Pegasus.“Walk with me sir?” Rarity asked. Slowly the guard stood up as she turned and headed to the base green.

“Now, your friends were right, it is all a mare thinks about. BUT, from what just happened I think they failed to impress upon you which part.” Stopping she turned to face the guard, forcing eye contact.

“I hope I never have to understand first hoof what my friend is going through, but I can tell you now – she wouldn’t be thinking about any sort of pleasure. She had NO control, NO way to say no – fortunately the attack she suffered was stopped before it could go on to be much worse. But here, you’re seeing the after effects of a near violation. I tell you now, you’re friends were not trying to guide you into how to get a willing mare into bed, far from it sir, they were warning you not to approach mares who’ve had this sort of violation.” The guard hung his head low, shame on his features.

“T-Thank you ma’am. Might I beg a big favour off you?” He asked quietly.
Rarity still highly annoyed at the stunt the guard pulled decided to be cautious in her response.
“What is it you would ask? I shall, if I deem it acceptable acquiesce.” The guard nodded before he spoke.

“I would ask that when she’s able to talk you pass on my apologies to your yellow friend, and I think coming from yourself, some form of notice about a hole in guards training needs to be addressed. In training we were warned that we may see and deal with the aftereffects of these attacks, more than most, but none of the warnings told us about the mental state of a pony who’d had this happen.”
Rarity nodded once, both in accepting the request, and agreement of the training.

“Very well, I shall pass on your apology, however I do believe it would be in Fluttershys best interests should she not see your face again.”
The guard nodded. “That’s fine I’m on weather patrol duty in five anyway.” Rarity nodded and turned away, heading back towards the gate.

As she got there she noticed Fair Flair showing Sweetie-Belle how to properly tie a knot.
With an eyebrow raised she stepped next to them and watched.
“So if I had used this know the raft would have stayed intact?” Sweetie asked, providing all the information Rarity needed.

Sweetie had obviously been talking about the failed rafting attempt to get her Cutie-Mark. Fair Flair nodded, “You got it kiddo,” he said ruffling Sweeties hair, before standing up and turning to Rarity neither noticed just how close they were until their muzzles nearly touched.

Rarity blushing looked away before she could see the guards own blush.
“Hehe, thank you for watching Sweetie for me Private Flare.” Rarity said demurely.
Fair Flair rubbing the back of his head spoke. “Ah, it was nothing miss. She seems a good kid.” Rarity nodded with a smile.

“All the same thank you, in fact I believe you are the very guard in which we came to see.” Fair Flare looked a bit surprised at this but nodded for her to continue. Instead of this Rarity turned to Sweetie-Belle and spoke. “Go on Sweetie, remember you asked to do this before I could tell you we were going to anyway.”

Sweetie-Belle looked to the floor before speaking.
“I-I just wanted to say sorry to you. I’m sorry I tried to sneak on the base a few days ago. I didn’t know you might have had no choice in how you acted when you saw our box moving.” Understanding passed across Fair Flare’s face as he spoke.

“It’s all right kid. Look at it like this, I didn’t have to stop you as miss Dash did. I do appreciate what you’re trying to say. I’ll accept your apology if you tell me one thing. Sweetie-Bell looked up and Rarity could tell she was worried at what the guard was about to ask.
“How about you tell me how in the hay you ended up with tree sap covering you. From falling in a lake?”

Sweetie-Bell giggled at the goofy expression he pulled as he asked this.
“Honestly sir, I don’t know! It always happens no matter what we do. Just ask my sister!” Rarity smiled as she rolled her eyes nodding to the Guard who just laughed.
“Okay, apology accepted. Think no more of it, just” His tone got very serious at this point. “Don’t try it again.” Was all he said but Rarity saw Sweetie understood so she just smiled and thanked the guard before making her way out the gate, taking her sister back to the boutique.

-o.O.O.o-

Fluttershy slowly calmed down once more looking to the floor in despair she quietly spoke.
“Rainbow, how can I do it? How can I adopt if I can’t stop myself being afraid of everything?” She asked, watery eyes looking up to gentle magenta.

“Easy Flutters it’s okay, remember what you told me? Pinkie’s said it’ll be okay eventually, it’ll just take time okay?” Fluttershy nodded, the confidence in Rainbow’s voice almost forcing her to believe it by sheer force of will.

Rainbow gently kissed Fluttershy on the cheek before turning to the little sink in the office to dampen a cloth. Turning back to Fluttershy she gently dabbed the cloth over her face.
“There, beautiful as usual.” Rainbow whispered giving Fluttershy a quick peck on the lips.

Fluttershy couldn’t help but smile at the tenderness and care Rainbow was showing.
It seemed ever since she’d admitted her feelings to Fluttershy that it was easier for her to show her more mushy side, even if she was still a tomcolt at heart.

Smiling Fluttershy opened the door and stepped out, turning to Fair Flair she spoke.
“Um. . .If it’s not too much trouble. . .Could you tell me where the injured foals were put?. . .if that’s okay?” The guard smiled down at her and nodded. She noticed he was deliberately keeping his distance and making sure she had plenty of room, for which she was thankful.

“Sure, you see that bunker over there with the number two above it?” Fluttershy nodded.
“It’s big enough to house all the foals from the orphanage.” he told her as Rainbow started to lead her away.

Fluttershy smiled her thanks and made to follow Rainbow.
Moving so she was alongside her Fluttershy started to think about the future, what it would hold. A little colt to look after. Helping Rainbow with Scootaloo - they wouldn’t be what was considered a normal family by any means but she knew they would all have love in it, that was what was important anyway.

She didn’t notice when they had got to the hangar until she heard the gruff sound of a guardsmare’s voice addressing Rainbow.

“So my old polychromatic problem, hows life treating you?” Fluttershy’s eyes widened at the eloquent insult that was obviously in good humour by the way Rainbow snorted with a smile.
“Feather Blade, you never quit do ya? Flutters, this old” *Bonk* Feather’s hoof tapped Rainbow between the ears with a mock glare thrown in for good measure.
“-Ahem, this guadsmare was my old Spring-hoof martial arts instructor years ago, you can blame her for me having some sense.”

Fluttershy smiled shyly to the mare in the doorway. “Thank you - you don’t know how much she means to me, I think it must have been that training that let her fight on when - whe”
Rainbows wing settled once more over Fluttershy.

“Easy Flutters, deep calming breaths.” Rainbow said quietly before guiding the canary pegasus in a slow breathing exercise. The guardsmare didn’t say anything while this happened, just nodded approvingly after Fluttershy closed her eyes and let out the breath she’d just drawn in and held for a second.

“Rainbow, you take good care of her” Feather said quietly as Fluttershy opened her eyes once she was calm again.
“Oh don’t you worry about that.” Rainbow said quietly as not to startle Fluttershy before nodding to the door.
Feather Blade nodded and let them in, closing the door quietly behind them.

“Oh dear” Fluttershy said when she looked about. All the orphans had already collected into little groups. All except one. A little colt foal with bandages about his bright blue body.
Carefully walking closer making sure he saw her before her could even hear her so as not to make him jump.

“Hi how’s your wing doing little one?” Fluttershy asked the little colt quietly. He looked up to her with a small smile on his young face. “It don’t hurt if I don’t move it” he told her. Fluttershy smiled and sat on the floor next to him.

“That’s nice. I’m glad the bandages are helping.” The colt nodded. “Oh they are miss, they helps better than when we had do it ourselves.” Fluttershy smiled at the colt before she continued.
“Do you remember what I said when I last spoke to you?” The foal looked up to Fluttershy his eyes with hope in their depths.
“You - you said you was going to helps me to choose a name?” Fluttershy smiled and nodded her head. “yes, Also I promised to introduce you to ponies who would want to be your friend.” He nodded warily.

Fluttershy looked back over her shoulder smiling encouragement to her marefriend. Rainbow being careful not to startle the little colt carefully sat down next to fluttershy.
“Hey there.” She said with a grin. “H -hello?” he colt said quietly, edging closer to Fluttershy.
Fluttershy draped her wing over Rainbow.

‘Just to see how he deals with it’ she told herself.
His smile was all she needed to see so she kept her wing where it was, also noting how he relaxed seeing that she trusted Rainbow like she did.
“So have you thought what name you would like?” Fluttershy asked quietly.

The little blue pegasus looked to the ground as he mumbled an answer.
“Hey, you’re doing better than me at being quiet.” Fluttershy said. “I’m sorry but you’re going to have to speak up. Still looking to the floor he mumbled a bit louder. “You’ll think I’m bein’ silly.”

Fluttershy carefully wrapped her foreleg about him pulling him closer.
“No, it’s okay - go on.” She encouraged in her quiet soothing voice, the colt looked up he looked even more nervous than when Fluttershy had first met him and treated his wing.
“I dunno about last name yet, but . . . first name . . . ‘Starsky?’” He said quietly.

Fluttershy gently pulled him into a light hug as Rainbow spoke. “Okay, I like it. But why did you say it’s silly?” the muffled reply from the colt could still be heard.
“Because I used my coat colour in my name.”

Fluttershy felt more than heard Rainbows chuckle. “You want that name that’s fine with me, besides, Fluttershy hasn’t told you my name yet - It’s Rainbow Dash.” The little colt looked up from his place his eyes wide. “Really” Rainbow nodded with a grin.
“Yep - named after my mane” she said.

“So . . .Starsky, can, can I suggest a possible last name?” Fluttershy asked quietly. A little nod from him was all her answer, but it was enough to make her continue.
“How about Brightlight?” He looked up with a smile.
“I I like it, wh where did you get it?”

It was now that Fluttershy’s nerves decided to settle in and silence her - She tried to speak, but no sound came out. She looked imploringly to Rainbow.

-o.O.O.o-

Rainbow could no more ignore that look than she could give up flight.
Leaning in she placed a small kiss on fluttershy’s cheek before looking down to the little colt in fluttershys foreleg.

“It’s Fluttershy’s last name.” Rainbow said quietly. As she finished, Rainbow swore his mouth dropped lower than was physically possible before his eyes snapped back to Fluttershy’s.
“you - you mean you - me come live - I no gotta go - wow” he stumbled over his words before the largest smile Rainbow had ever seen on a colt his size burst across his features.

He launched himself into Fluttershy. Looking to them Rainbow saw the small serene smile on Fluttershy’s face as she looked down to the small shaking colt in her arms, nuzzling his ice blue mane.

“That’s right Starsky, If you want I’m going to adopt you.” the shaking of his shoulders as the muffled sobs into Fluttershy’s coat reached Rainbows ears she had trouble keeping her own tears in check, Fluttershy wasn’t even trying.

They both knew the pain of being without family, without belonging. Even at Starsky’s age, hearing that anypony wanted you was always a little miracle to an orphan. Moving closer she lifted her good wing to offer him a bit of privacy while he got the relief out his system.

She knew this feeling well, even though they’d been adults when she and Fluttershy had found acceptance, she knew this feeling well.

-Flashback-

Rainbow stepped through the door following Applejack and the rest of her friends in to Pinkie Pie’s parents home. Moving to stand next to Fluttershy, knowing that whenever they met somepony’s parents for a little time Fluttershy always felt a little sad.

Sad that she hadn’t had parents.
“Well hello dears.” a friendly aged female voice welcomed them all into the room.
Looking around Rainbow saw they’d all been led into a large dining room, with a table all set up for 10.

The smells coming from the pots on the table made Rainbow’s stomach grumble a reminder they hadn’t eaten since early this morning. Pinkie had been desperate to get on the earliest train possible wanting to finally introduce her friends to her family.

Rainbow looked up to the face of a smiling aged grey mare sat at the table, her mane already gone gray tied in a tight bun, gold glasses perched on the end of her muzzle. She could just make out the sight of a brown Stallion sat next to her but her sight was blocked by Pinkie currently hugging the breath out of her father.

“Hi, it’s so nice of you to have us visit, I didn’t think we should have all imposed on you at the same time, but Pinkie sai-” Twilight started speaking before she was interrupted by Mrs. Pie.
“Oh fiddlesticks. When Pinkie wrote us saying she wanted to introduce you all well, We sent out letters to Octavia and Summerdawn, we’re having a good ol’ family get together.”

At these words Rainbow felt Fluttershy next to her suppress a sob as she fought her own - to anypony else it looked like nothing was wrong, but inside along with the joy of being here with everypony was the bitter taste of knowing that they didn’t have their own family. Once again Rainbow and Fluttershy became the silent strength and support to the other.

Pinkie moved around the room and promptly started squeezing the life out the Royal Canterlot Symphonies premier cellist, who just happened to be her sister. “ooh oh oh - OctaviaIt’sbeensolongandwhenIknewyouwerecomingibakedyouyourfavouritestcakehereyougo!”

Pinkie’s voice ran off as she released the violet eyed cellist. Pinkie reached into her poofy pink mane and withdrew a small almond cake and passed it to Octavia.
“Thank you Pinkie, I’ll save it for after dinner!” Octavia practically glowed.

Rainbow watched as Summerdawn seemed to dodge and grapple Pinkie into her own breath stopping squeeze and smiled.
“I do wish you gave me more warning you were coming pinnie!” Summerdawn said.
Pinkies blush could be seen even through the colouration of her coat.

“Summmeeeeerr! I asked you to stop calling me that!” She mock whined.
“Aw doesn’t little pinnie want her friends to know how she used to say her own name as a filly”
Pinkies eyes narrowed in fake fury. “oooohh, just you wait, I’ll soooooo prank you for this.” Pinkie finished with a raspberry as the rest of the room were all falling about laughing at the sisters antics.

“Okay, come on and settle down everypony” Mr. Pie said while trying to get his breath back. As they all took thier seats Rainbow caught Fluttershy’s eye. Although there was laughter in her eyes Rainbow could also see the pain buried deep, knowing as she did, being the only other pony in the room to feel the same, she knew she would be the only pony to spot it.

‘you okay’ she quickly mouthed while the rest were distracted, Fluttershy nodded with a small sad smile hiding behind her mane. Neither noticing that Mrs. Pie had seen the exchange.
As they all settled and enjoyed the meal Mrs. Cake turned to Applejack.

“So Applejack wasn’t it?” Applejack nodded quickly swallowing the mouth-full she had.
“That’s right ma’am” Applejack replied.
“Oh none of this Ma’am stuff, I’m Cloudy, and this is Igneous.” She pointed to her husband who just nodded. “So Applejack,” She continued. “Pinkie tells me you’re a farmer too?” Applejack nodded with a proud smile.
“why yes, ah run Sweet Apple Acres in Ponyville. It’s been in mah family fer generations.”

Cloudy nodded with a smile before turning to Twilight.
“And Pinkie tells me you’re the best at magic she’s seen.”

Twilight blushed at the praise before answering. “I’m not that special” with an embarrassed smile.
“That’s not right and you know it darling.” Rarity spoke up. “I know of no other unicorn that could single-hornedly take on an Ursa.” At this Igneous fell out his seat in shock before getting back to his feet.

“Not special? Well I would bet with that sort of skill your family would be impressed.” He said to Twilights blushing face. Twilight just nodded “Yes sir.”

Once more Rainbow closed her eyes a moment, realising that they were going to ask her sooner or later about her own family. This was something that not even her friends knew about. She hoped they’d ask her and not Fluttershy first.

“And you miss Rarity, I hear you’re one of the rising stars in the fashion world, you must make your family so proud with all your hard work.” Rarity tried to affect a nonchalant air that was ruined by her own blush at the praise.

“Oh darling, it’s nothing, if anything I’m more proud of them, they did all they could to see I was raised right - i shan’t tell you some of the troubles I caused them.” She finished with a laugh, before looking to Fluttershy and Rainbow with a spark of worry in her blue eyes.

Rainbow suddenly realised Rarity knew about them and had kept their secret for them, but knew this discussion must be tearing them apart inside.

Cloudy turned to Fluttershy next prompting Rainbow to silently groan. ‘Oh no.’ in her mind.
“And you Fluttershy?” Fluttershy nodded, face nearly completely covered by her mane.
“From what Pinkie tells me of what you do, I bet your parents love how you hel-”

Fluttershy suddenly stumbled away from the table, eyes already leaking tears to the shock of most of the table - except Rainbow and Rarity.
“e - ex - Im sorry!” She called out and bolted out the door harsh cries heard by all in the room as she ran.

Rainbow looked to Rarity and nodded to the door. Rarity got up and started to make her way out the door stopping by Rainbow and placing a hoof on Rainbows shoulder.
“Are you sure you’ll be ok darling?” Rainbow nodded once jerkily before whispering back.
“Eventually, but this needs sorting now.” Rarity nodded once before leaving the room.

Rainbow turned to see all her friends getting up to follow Rarity out the door before she blocked the way shaking her head. “No, leave Rare to deal with this, I think you’ll understand when I tell you what triggered this.”

Applejack carried on moving forwards towards the door as she spoke.
“Mah friends upset an ah wanta know why. Now git out th’ way” Rainbow stretched both wings across the door before looking Applejack in the eye, letting all the pain she felt at growing up alone with nopony but Fluttershy show in her face.

“Applejack Plea-” Her voice broke as she fought her emotions. “Please. I’ll explain why she’s -” She half broke herself, tears falling down her cheeks. Applejack's face showed the shock at seeing Rainbow cry and not even trying to hide it.

“Dahm this gonna be that bad?” She said as she collapsed back on her rump. Rainbow nodded before bowing her head and closing her eyes. “It all started when I was just a little filly, no older than Applebloom.”

-o.O.O.o-

*ding-ding* The bell of the front door rang. Rainbow was sat in the hallway as the Matron went to open the door. looking out the door Rainbow saw two pegasi walking away, not even taking the time to talk to the matron, as a small yellow filly eyes streaming was sat in the doorway.

“My momma an’ poppa said I’m a drain, they don’t want meeeee!” She burst out her voice going higher pitched as her wails echoed off the walls. her cries tore into Rainbow, this little filly who hadn’t hurt anypony had it worse than Rainbow did. Rainbow at least didn’t remember her parents abandoning her - but to be just left on the doorstep with nothing in the middle of winter!

Rainbow quickly got off the bench she was on and went up to the filly before the matron could say anything and pulled her inside, wrapping her little legs about her in a hug.
The yellow filly held on to Rainbow tightly as if she were the only thing in existence as she cried. “They, they always said - sa- said when I was - The told me - id be left here - if - if i wasn’t a good fillyyyy!” Rainbow just held onto the little one,, she must be at least a year younger than her.

Looking up to the matron she mouthed the words “my room” and gently started herding the distraught little pegasus with the pinkest mane she’d ever seen up the stairs.
Carrying on she led her to a doorway to a two pony room, that until now had been Rainbows alone.

Guiding the yellow filly to the spare bed she sat on it as the matron went to get the forms Rainbow knew every new orphan had to have filled out. As they sat on the bed Rainbow held on to the crying filly as her tears stained Rainbows blue fur.
Heartrending cries echoed through the room, the pain of abandonment had it’s own voice, this fillies despairing wails.

Rainbow, her own tears falling for the pain she heard in the filly’s voice decided there and then that she would always protect this little ray of sunshine. Nopony was going to hurt her ever again. That day Rainbow stopped being a filly that backed down, now she had to be there for this new orphan.

-o.O.O.o-

By the time she’d finished her face was wet with the tears matting her fur. Whenever she thought of that day, knowing just how much pain Fluttershy was in all the time at her abandonment and still having the kind wonderful heart she did was like a permanent knife to her - she could protect Fluttershy from anything, anything except her own pain.

Drawing in a couple of ragged breaths she continued on, explaining just how painful it was growing up, seeing other colts and fillies getting adopted but nopony would take Fluttershy.
Sabotaging her own adoptions Rainbow stayed with the orphanage until she reached her majority and stayed on as free help an extra year to always be there for Fluttershy.

When they Fluttershy’s time came to leave the orphanage, they both set their sights making their way to Ponyville, hearing that it was a nice quiet little town that would be perfect to get a new start in life.

“So you see, when you were all talking about families. . .” Throughout Rainbows tale there had been the backdrop of hearing Fluttershy’s cries from outside. Out the window she could be seen being held by Rarity, face buried in a white shoulder. Her yellow shoulders shaking with the constant cries she emitted as the pain of her abandonment ran through her.

Everypony in the room had their own tears falling, even the perpetual party pony Pinkie Pie.

“Well that settles that.” Igneous’ voice said quietly looking at his wife. Cloudy nodded as they made their way out the door.

-o.O.O.o-

Fluttershy held on to Rarity, face pressed into her white fur, unable to hold back the heart wrenching sobs tearing out her throat.
She couldn’t stop, it hurt so much, her Parents hadn’t wanted her, they’d abandoned her. It just wasn’t fair, she’d done nothing wrong and they’d discarded her - told her she was useless and a drain on them.

She could feel Rarity holding her, not saying anything, just running a soothing caring hoof through her mane.
It really didn’t help that today was the anniversary of her abandonment. As that thought hit her her sobs escalated to wails of emotional agony. What had she done to deserve being dropped at the orphanage and left? simply been born. Throughout the storm she cried out the pain.

Normally when the pain got to her like this she’d either have gone to the boutique or flown to Rainbows house. They were the only friends who knew her full past, knew just how worthless she was. Not deserving of a family, not if she could just be dumped.

It didn’t matter how many times they told her that wasn’t the case, Fluttershy knew it must be true, it wouldn’t have happened otherwise.

Her body shuddering with the cries she held on, knowing that no matter what her friend would hold her steady. She had in the past when it hurt this much cried herself into an exhausted sleep, waking up the next day on her friends couch. Still being held by either Rainbow or Rarity, they always made the time for her when she lost it completely.

She didn’t notice the others were there at first as she was lost in her own misery, only noticing when a second pony started holding her with a wing. That was all she needed to know it was Rainbow.

Turning from Rarity she collapsed into the arms of the mare who had been there for her always. She didn’t understand why she always felt safer inside Rainbows wings but it always helped.

-o.O.O.o-

Rainbow felt the shaking of Fluttershy and gently rested her head atop Fluttershys, knowing the more she could feel another pony holding her the better it was for the canary coated mare.
As Fluttershy's muffled sobs soaked into her fur, decreasing in volume, strength and frequency Rainbow realised Fluttershy was falling asleep.

Knowing the others were behind her all offering their silent support helped more than they knew.
When Fluttershy finally fell asleep Rainbow carefully picked her up in her forelegs, using her wings to carefully fly her back to the house, following the Pie matriarch as she led her to the large guest room.

She lay Fluttershy down on the bed, lying next to her, determined to be there for her when she woke.
What surprised her was when all her friends and the Pie family all came in carrying the sandwich platters from their dinner.

“I’m sorry Rainbow, I saw you checking if Fluttershy was okay earlier when Pinkie was greeting us all, I thought that maybe her parents weren’t like us, but I had no idea. . .” The genuine regret in cloudy’s voice halted any annoyance rainbow could of held.

“It’s ok, and guys, thanks for being so understanding.” Rainbow said quietly as not to disturb her sleeping friend.
“Ah ‘twasnt nothin.” Applejack said quietly looking with fondness at her friends. “ah tells ya now, you got a place in our lives though.” Rainbow smiled a small sad smile at the earnest reply.

“Well I think I agree with my whole family when I say this Rainbow.” Igneous spoke up. “I know you’re too old to be adopted now. But if you’d like, well you can always consider yourselves welcome and part of the Pie family.” He said making Rainbows eyes shine with unshed tears.
“Th . tha - thanks.” She said quietly, too emotional to say more.

They all looked at each other and nodded. To Rainbows surprise Twilight lit her horn up and the bed glowed as it was magically expanded, by the time she was done the bed could have hosted a tea party with how big it was.

Twilight and and Pinkie got up on the bed next to her as Rarity and Applejack settled next to Fluttershy.
“We’re all here for you two.” Twilight told Rainbow. This was the final push that completely dissolved Rainbows own emotional control, harsh silent sobs went through her body as she leaned into Pinkie. Her own tears accompanying her to sleep.

-o.O.O.o-

Fluttershy awoke the next morning to a sea of ponies.

Looking around, there was Rainbow, head resting on her back, Rarity pressed into her side, further along was Applejack, providing a solid mass at the edge of the bed stopping them all falling out. Looking over beyond Rainbow she saw Pinkie curled up into a ball chewing on her own tail, and finally there was Twilight sat up a little leaning against the wall, smiling at her.

Fluttershy gave a tentative smile back, she knew her outburst yesterday would have forced Rainbow to reveal the truth, and yet, all her friends were still here.
Slowly the others started stirring awake until they were all ready to head out and freshen up for the day, each one of them however giving Fluttershy a little hug before they left the room.

Turning to Rainbow who’d stayed with her she saw something that sent her heart fluttering, quickly suppressing any other reactions she leaned in against Rainbows side.
“Thank you.” Was all she said, it was all that was needed between the two.

Rainbow smiled and nuzzled her cheek briefly before telling her about the conversations last night finally letting her know what Igneous had said, about them being welcome to consider themselves part of the family. She finally had a place to belong. It was with a much lighter heart that she went to wash up and go down to breakfast.

As soon as she stepped through the door all chatter at the table stopped, Igneous got up from the table and moved close to her with a small smile on his face.

“If I suspect right, then Rainbow has probably told you of our offer last night, I just wanted to let you know personally, It’s genuine - if I could adopt adults then you and Rainbow would be part of the Pie family officially if you wanted it.”

Fluttershy held hope when Rainbow had told her, but to hear it straight from Igneous’ mouth was more than she could have dared wish for.
“Oh Thank you! thank you!” She cried out.

Rushing forwards and feeling herself being surrounded by his arms, Before long Pinkie came up to them and wrapped her arms about Fluttershy too, and quietly, with a small smile whispered. “welcome to the family.” This time Fluttershy's cries weren’t of pain or despair, they were pure unadulterated joy, she finally belonged, she had a family.

-Flashback ends-

When the colts cries finally settled Rainbow looked down to him.
“Now unfortunately we can’t take you home today, we’ve got to do the whole system to make sure Fluttershy’s home checks out, make sure any changes that need to happen get done. But once that’s all sorted either me or Flutters will come and collect you ok?

Starsky’s smile was all the answer they needed, but Fluttershy made the day better for him.
“Now that doesn’t mean you won’t see me before then, I’ll visit every day, even if it’s just for an hour ok?” Fluttershy said quietly.
“Yes, yes oh yes please!” He squeaked out before hugging her tightly.

Sometime later when Fluttershy finally moved he’d fallen asleep, she carefully lifted him up to the bed as Rainbow pulled the blanket back, tucking him in afterwards making their war out the hangar and off base.

She felt Fluttershys gaze on her as they left the base, looking back towards her she saw Fluttershy looking back to her, stepping forwards Fluttershy planted a loving kiss on her lips before slowly pulling away.

“Now to see Scootaloo.” Fluttershy whispered, turning and leading Rainbow down the street.