Snowed Into Carousel Boutique
One cold day in Ponyville, Fluttershy was visiting Rarity at Carousel Boutique in order to help Rarity learn how to take care of Opal. Fluttershy's knowledge of animal care always mystified Rarity and made her jealous. It didn't make sense for her own cat to love someone more than her owner, even if it was dear Fluttershy.
"Opalescence, where are you, darling?" Rarity asked, Fluttershy walking in the door dressed in a fluffy pink scarf and matching boots. Rarity turned, and upon spying Fluttershy's getup, smiled. "You look fabulous as always, Fluttershy. I don't know how you do it without even trying!"
"I-I just put on something warm," Fluttershy said shyly, lowering her ears and sinking her head to the ground, looking away from her best friend. "It's r-really cold today."
"Oh, I know!" Rarity exclaimed, grabbing up Opal as she sauntered into the room to eat before her afternoon nap. "This is the coldest winter we've had in years. The ponies in Cloudsdale say that it really moisturizes the ground for spring, but I just don't see why they must make it so hard on us down here." She sighed, removing Fluttershy's scarf and boots with her magic. She then placed them on a clothes rack beside the door. "And that's why it means so much to me that you took the time to help with Opal."
"Oh, it's no problem, Rarity. Anything for a friend," she said, smiling through her long, pink hair.
“And that is exactly why you are the element of kindness! Now then, let’s get to this training, shall we?”
“Oh yes, let’s.” Rarity handed Opal--who was now snarling and scratching Rarity for not releasing her grip on her--to Fluttershy. The cat became immediately calm and started to purr and lick Fluttershy’s face. “The most important rule is to be calm. If you’re afraid of Opal, she will never respect you enough to love you.”
Rarity laid on her red chaise lounge as she was known to do frequently, holding a paper and quill with her magic. She wished her Spikey-Wikey were in the boutique in order to take her notes for her. However, she quite cherishes her time with Fluttershy and wouldn't want to ruin it by inviting anyone else.
She’s noticed for some time that her time with Fluttershy meant more to her than with any other pony, and although she is her best friend, it seems odd somehow. Whenever she was with somepony, she would be thinking about Fluttershy, wishing she were with her. But telling Fluttershy this might ruin their perfect friendship, and Rarity was too afraid to try.
“You also have to be kind to her,” Fluttershy continued, giggling at the use of her element of harmony in the sentence. Rarity blushed. Fluttershy’s giggle was positively adorable. “You have to pet her and sure she has toys to play with, and plenty of food an--”
“Wait!” Rarity suddenly spouted, interrupting her friend. “Do you hear that?”
“I-I don't hear anything.” Fluttershy moved towards her, frightened by her friend’s outburst. “What do you think it was?”
“It sounded like something falling outside.” She moved to the window, pulling the curtains back to see what was outside. She gasped at what she saw, and Fluttershy crying out in response, her eyes widening.
“W-what i-is it?” Fluttershy was visibly shaking; however, it was impossible to tell if it was from fear or the cold of the room. Rarity normally had the temperature set at 81.4°F, but right now it had dropped to 78°F, and it continued to fall. Opal shivered as she curled up in a blanket strewn on the couch.
“There is at least a foot of snow on the ground, and some fell off of the tree outside and landed directly in front of the door! It looks like we're stuck in here until the snow melts enough to allow passage.”
Fluttershy bolted into the air. “What? No! I have to get home to my animals! They'll starve without me there to feed them, and Angel Bunny will be worried sick! I have to get home!”
“Fluttershy, darling, there's simply no way to get out. The snow is covering the door. Your animals will be able to survive a few days without you.”
Not listening, Fluttershy opened the front door of Carousel Boutique as Rarity shouted “No!” and snow poured into the room and on top of Fluttershy and Rarity. Fluttershy popped out of the pile and flew as hard as she could at the wall of snow and smacked into it, leaving a shallow pony-shaped imprint in the wall. She continued to do this until finally her body gave up, her wings folding against her body. She fell on top of Rarity, sighing sadly.
“It’s no use,” she said, wiping water from her face. “It's frozen solid.” She sat upright to allow Rarity to stand and close the door before sitting next to Fluttershy.
“It'll be okay, dear. We just have to wait a bit. I'm sure the pegasus ponies in Cloudsdale will see Ponyville frozen solid and allow some sunlight through the clouds to melt it for us. Then you can go home, and your animals will be perfectly fine.”
“How can you possibly know all that?” Fluttershy’s hair fell in front of her face as she listened to Rarity’s wisdom.
“Because the weather ponies are smart. They know how it all works, so they know how to fix this.”
“I-if you say so. But it's a-awfully cold in here.”
“Oh it certainly is. Fifty-five degrees! Here, let me get us some blankets.” Heading to her bedroom, Rarity frowned. “I know those animals are important to Fluttershy,” she mumbled to herself, “but I wish she weren’t so eager to leave.” She was actually glad that the snow blocked Fluttershy’s way. Otherwise, Rarity would have had to spend the cold night all by herself.
“Here we are. Unfortunately, I only have two blankets available since Opal has the third, so we’ll just have to share to keep warm.” Fluttershy blushed a little at the thought of sharing the blanket with Rarity, but she didn't say a word.
The girls lay on the ground, huddled for warmth as the temperature settled at 25°F. Fluttershy leaned against Rarity, her head settled on her neck and her eyes closed. Rarity sat reading her favorite book by the light of her magic. Eventually, she gave up on straining her eyes in the darkness and put the book down.
Looking at Fluttershy, she smiled. “Fluttershy, I just want to tell you how much you mean to me. I know you’re asleep, and you won't hear this, but I love you. You're not only my best friend, but my greatest companion. They say that generosity and kindness go hoof-in-hoof, and I honestly believe that to be true. We are perfect for each other. I only wish I could really tell you this without the fear of losing you.”
Fluttershy opened her eyes and looked up at Rarity. Rarity’s eyes widened, not knowing her friend was awake. Now she didn't know what to think. What would happen next? Would Fluttershy hate her? The thought brought tears to her eyes.
“I love you too, Rarity,” Fluttershy said in her usual soft voice.
“I’m so sor--what? You--you don't hate me?”
“H-hate you?” Fluttershy’s voice quivered. “I would never! I love you more than anything, Rarity. Everything you said is what I feel too. We are perfect for each other.”
“I love you so much,” they said simultaneously.
