Shy of Gems

     Rarity had a simple dream. Ever since she was a foal, she had wanted to marry a prince and become a princess. She realized how futile trying to get a real prince was after the Grand Galloping Gala, but she still looks for that Prince Charming to sweep her off her hooves and carry her into the sunset. And she finally found him.

     Or, in this case, her. It was really just a matter of time before Rarity finally realized her true feelings for her childhood friend. Back then, nothing mattered. She was just a peppy unicorn, and Fluttershy was just a timid pegasus. They sat for hours at a time, chatting about their princes and what their kingdom would look like. Fluttershy always made it a point to come down to earth every once in a while against her parents' wishes just to see Rarity. Rarity realizes now how naive they both were back then. Princes, money, and sometimes they just, talked. If Rarity was being fully honest, she didn't remember half of the things they talked about. All she could remember is a pleasant feeling of being with a friend. Rarity didn't have many friends. In fact, Fluttershy was her only one. She can't believe how long it took to realize her true feelings towards Fluttershy.

     It all started with a picnic. Rarity had made plans for her and all of the girls to have a lunch upon the luscious landscape overlooking Ponyville. However, all but one of her friends had made last minute plans. Rainbow had managed to scrounge enough money for a ticket to a Wonderbolts show, Twilight had forgotten her mother's birthday and within a flash was at Canterlot, Applejack had to take Applebloom and Sweetie Belle to a school dance, and Pinkie Pie had to watch Sugarcube Corner while the Cakes were away. That left her and Fluttershy alone on top of one of the tallest hills in Ponyville. Needless to say, it was a tad awkward. They enjoyed small talk about gossip and the old days. It was very relaxing after the awkwardness was gone. After a couple of hours, it had grown nearly pitch black. Rarity was about to get up, but found it very difficult because of a yellow pegasus slumbering on her side. Rarity noted that Fluttershy seemed peaceful, and incredibly adorable when she snored. With a tint of a blush on her face, Rarity used her magic to carry Fluttershy to her cabin.

     Rarity layed her light bundle in her bed, and tucked her in, causing Fluttershy to stir slightly. The sight of Fluttershy was adorable right then, and Rarity had the urge to cuddle up to her, but stopped herself before waking up and embarassing her longtime friend.

     "What am I thinking?" Rarity wondered aloud, before leaving the slumbering figure behind. "Do I really... like Fluttershy?"

     And now, Rarity was sitting in Sugarcube Corner After-hours. After realizing adult visitors were declining, the Cakes decided to open a little bar that opens after the bakery closes. There have been plenty of interesting stories there, but that's a different story. They get Pinkie to run the bar occasionally, usually when they have been sleep deprived from the foals crying. Unfortunately for Rarity, tonight was one of those nights.

     "Hey there Rareware! Hee hee, that rhymed! What's gotcha all down in the dumps." Pinkie asked Rarity while pouring her a Martini. "You look all grumpy wumpy. You look kind of like Pumpkin after she doesn't get her breakfast on time, even though she's already had breakfast and just forgot." Ignoring that previous statement, Rarity just sighed.

     "It's... nothing darling. Can you just give me my drink?" Rarity was obviously sulking and looked like she'd actually kill somepony for her drink. If Pinkie didn't stop yapping, she just might. Rarity sighed for what seemed like the thousandth time this month. 'Thinking that way of a friend is horrible', she told herself. "Okay Pinkie, can we... talk?"

     "Silly Billy, we're talking right now!" Rarity was about to strangle her when Pinkie giggled. "You look funny when you're mad. I knew what you meant. But, I'm not allowed to leave the bar to tonight, so how about tomorrow afternoon at 1:00?" Pinkie chipped in. Rarity had no other plans, so she cheerfully agreed and went home after finishing her drink.

"Rarity, there's something I've been wanting to tell you. I - I love you." Fluttershy's mouth was closed off as Rarity attacked her with her tongue voraciously. Fluttershy's tongue and her tongue fought for dominance, until Rarity felt a hoof prod her nether region. Suddenly, Fluttershy went lower, until she- OH CELESTIA NO!

     Rarity awoke with a start. She felt her bedspread was a little damp, but thankfully the dream hadn't left her bed soaked and making her try to slip past Sweetie Belle with wet blankets. Looking for the source of her rude awakening, she saw smoke coming from the kitchen. Looking at the clock, Rarity saw it was 11:00. She realized that she had overslept! Her meeting with Pinkie was at 1:00, so she had to quickly eat, shower, brush her teeth, etc. within two hours! Galloping down the hallway to the kitchen, she found a very guilty looking Sweetie Belle and a half-singed Opalescence.

     "Sweetie Belle... What have I told you about using the kitchen without my permission?" Rarity was trying hard not to grind her teeth together, but was failing miserably. Sweetie Belle, sensing the venom in her words, sheepishly smiled and said "I'll clean it up." and ran away. Rarity took a deep breath and made Sweetie Belle and herself some breakfast, also using a spell to regrow Opalescence's hair. 'It's a sad world that I have to learn a spell to regrow a cat's fur.' Rarity thought to herself. After her morning routine, she cantered over to Sugarcube Corner, and made it just in the nick of time.

     "Rarity! How are you doing today!" Mrs. Cake cheerfully greeted her first customer of the day.

     "Fine, thank you. Do you mind telling me where Pinkie is?" Mrs. Cake sulked a bit at the prospect of Rarity not being her first customer, but she dutifully nodded and bobbed her head up the stairs. Before she went up though, Rarity whispered in her ear, "Also, may I have a Sea Salt Caramel Shake? I'll grab it on the way out." Before handing Mrs. Cake five bits and walking upstairs, leaving behind a very ecstatic Mrs. Cake.

     *knock knock* "Pinkie Pie? Are you in there?" This proved to be a very silly question, because she could hear the sounds of drills and markers inside. How she was using them, she left up to her imagination. All of a sudden, the sounds stopped and the door opened for a split second, just long enough to pull Rarity inside.

     "PINKIE! DON'T DO TH-mrfmrmf" Pinkie shoved her hoof in Rarity's mouth before Rarity spat it out, noting how it tasted like oil grease. "What in Luna's name are you doing in here?"

     "Science." Pinkie whispered ominously. "Sorry, I kinda forgot you were coming over. I asked Gummy to put it in my day planner, but he forgot! I guess I kind of thought he would be like an elephant, and wouldn't forget, but he instead decided to be a goldfish." A quick glance to the side and Rarity caught a glimpse of Gummy trapped in a cramped fishbowl. Shaking her head, Rarity reassured her friend it was alright.

     "It's alright dear, it's just that... I want to talk to you about... somepony." Rarity blushed slightly and looked down, dragging her hoof across the ground guiltily.

     Pinkie put on a serious face, and pulled a bubble pipe out of her hair. She gestured for Rarity to take a seat, and she took one too. "Hmm, and who might this somepony be? And why do you want to talk about them? Did they hurt you? *GASP* You're not hurt right?" Pinkie inspected Rarity for a second before Rarity pulled away.

     "I'm quite alright dearie, but it's about a certain... Mare I like..." Rarity became slightly redder before continuing. "I really like her, but I don't want to ruin our friendship. Do you have any advice?" Rarity was basically pleading for an answer.

    Pinkie visibly sighed in relief and dutifully stated, "Well, obviously you should take Fluttershy on a date, but don't let her know it's a date. At the end, try and tell her your true intentions. That should work." Pinkie grinned happily before blowing into the bubble pipe once again.

     "Thank you Pinkie, you're a lifesaver!" She gave the party mare a big hug, eliciting a chuckle from both of them, before Rarity left the room. She went downstairs, collected her milkshake, and walked out. Humming to herself, she thought about Pinkie's suggestion. Take Fluttershy on a date and... wait.

     How had she known it was Fluttershy?

     "PIIIINKIIIIIE!" Rarity shouted, kicking open the confectioneries' door, frightening Mrs. Cake, and then tearing back up the stairs. When she reached the top, she saw Pinkie hiding a drill behind her back, looking frazzled.

     "Yes Rarity? Is there a problem? Ooh, I know! You need a place for a date. Well, since Fluttershy doesn't like public pla-" Pinkie got cut off by Rarity.

     "How did you know it was Fluttershy? Have I been that obvious? Oh no, what if Fluttershy found out... this is the WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!" Right as Rarity was swooning, Pinkie caught her.

     "Whoa Rarity, hold your humans there. You weren't obvious you silly filly. In fact, I probably wouldn't have found out if it weren't for my Pinkie sense." Rarity had a twitch in her eye. Of course it was Pinkie sense. What couldn't that mare predict with her Pinkie sense. Letting her relief show, Rarity thanked Pinkie for clearing it up, and trudged downstairs, after brushing herself off of course.

     Looking down at her almost finished shake, she went back up to Mrs. Cake.

    "Do you, by any chance, have any Strawberry Shortcake?"