The Stolen Date

Chapters

The Steal
The Date
The Apology

The Steal

The Stolen Date

"Uh, can you say that again? I think I misheard you."

Fluttershy beamed at her friend, her wings spreading slightly from her back. "A date! Can you believe it?" She stamped her hooves excitedly against the grass outside Carousel Boutique, her ears perked up. "Rarity set it up for me."

"With who?"

"I don't know!"

"You don't know? How can you not know?"

"It's a blind date."

"Rarity set you up on a blind date with a pony you don't even know? That's dangerous!" Rainbow Dash was growing increasingly agitated as she spoke, her voice rising in argument.

"I'm sure that Rarity would never set me up on a date with somepony like that." Fluttershy's ears fell back against her head, her enthusiasm waning slightly as her friend paced aggressively back and forth in front of her.

"Really? How do you know that? You don't even know this pony! They could be anyone!" Rainbow Dash waved her hoof for emphasis. "It could be some weirdo, like Jars! Or worse, somepony who seems normal, but is only after one thing!" She lifted the hoof she had been gesturing with for emphasis.

Fluttershy frowned. "She said the pony was a good friend. I don't think it would be someone like Prince Blueblood."

Rainbow Dash spread her wings. "But you don't know who it is! It could be some creep! What if they come onto you, what then?"

"Rarity wouldn't pick somepony like that," Fluttershy said quietly, looking away. "Besides, I can stand up for myself."

"Can you, if you're all by yourself? What if they grab you and you can't fly away?"

"Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy straightened, her chin rising as she met her friend's gaze. "That's a terrible thing to say. Do you think any pony in Ponyville would do something like that?"

"Well, no, but..."

Fluttershy advanced on her friend, fanning her wings, the steel in her eyes making Rainbow Dash stumble backwards in surprise. "She said she was a very good pony who would treat me to a very nice evening, and I would think that you of all ponies would be happy to see me out and about."

"Well, yeah, but..."

"No buts! I am going on this date and that's that, and I am not going to let you ruin my evening." Fluttershy huffed before turning away from her friend, walking back to the front door to grab a bag in her mouth. She hesitated when she turned around, then stepped over to help nose the fallen pony back to her hooves guiltily. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright," Rainbow Dash replied automatically. She opened her mouth to start arguing again, but a stern look from Fluttershy silenced her. "I guess I'll see you later, then."

Fluttershy nodded her head happily at that, her smile returning as she trotted off down the street with her bag.

"Sheesh," Rainbow Dash said, lifting a hoof to dust herself off. "When did she grow a backbone?" She sighed as she looked back towards the front door of the boutique, her ears falling back. Why did Rarity set her up on a date anyway? She's not ready to go on a date with some random pony! And what if it is some weirdo? I gotta find out. Squaring her shoulders, the mare strode confidently to the front door of the boutique before pushing it open. "Rarity, where are you?"

"Ah, Rainbow Dash, just in time!" came a voice from the back. A few moments later the elegant unicorn trotted out of the back, her sewing glasses perched on her snout. "Are you ready to try on the new outfits for me?"

"Yeah, yeah, just a minute. Did you set Fluttershy up on a blind date?"

Rarity smiled slyly. "Why, yes I did. She just left a few minutes ago."

"I know, I ran into her on the street."

"I hope not literally."

"Hey, unplanned landings only happen when I'm practicing a new stunt." Rainbow Dash shook her head dismissively. "But that's beside the point. The point is, you set her up on a blind date? What if the guy's some creep?"

Rarity blinked, then laughed musically. "Oh, darling, you don't need to worry about that. I had assumed you knew."

"Knew what?"

Rarity trotted past Rainbow Dash towards one of her clotheshorses, her horn glowing with azure magic as the clothing began to lift itself away from the wooden model. "That Fluttershy likes mares, of course."

"Fluttershy likes mares?"

"Rainbow Dash! You've been her friend for years, how did you not know?"

"We don't really talk about mushy stuff like that much."

Rarity rolled her eyes. "Romance is hardly all 'mushy stuff'. Besides, Fluttershy is hardly the only pony who needs a little romance in her life. Have you been on a single date the entire time you've lived in Ponyville?"

"No, but I don't want to. And quit trying to change the subject! Who did you set Fluttershy up on a date with? Was it Raindrops? Cloudkicker? Who was it?"

"Now why would you want to know a thing like that?" Rarity paused for a moment before smiling slyly. "It sounds almost as though someone is jealous."

"Jealous? I'm not jealous!" Rainbow Dash sprung into the air, waving her hooves in negation. "I just want to make sure she doesn't go out on a date with some creep!"

Rarity shook her head. "Mmm, well, in that case, I am not going to tell you." She lifted her snout primly as she spoke. "But I promise, it is not 'some creep.' She is a good friend of mine."

"Does Fluttershy know her?"

"Of course. I wouldn't set her up on a date with somepony she didn't know, at least not without telling her first."

"She didn't seem to have any idea of who it was going to be."

"That's the point of a blind date, darling. Now come on, I need to make sure these outfits look good on you."

"Why do you need me to do this, anyway?"

"Because you're about the same size as Spitfire."

"Wait, these clothes are for Spitfire?" Rainbow Dash blinked, looking at them for the first time. "Huh. I guess I can see that. But why do you need me? I'm not the same color as she is."

"It isn't about the color, I need to ensure they sit right on your flanks. You are slender, strong; for ponies like you, I need to be certain the fabric does not accentuate your barrel inappropriately."

Rainbow Dash took several seconds to make sense of her friend's words. "Wait. Are you saying dresses make me look fat?"

"Only if they are not designed by moi," Rarity replied proudly. "I also need to make sure that you can still move and fly around in them without fouling your wings."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it." The pegasus spread her wings and lifted off, only to land on the fitting platform that Rarity was standing by, clothing already hovering at the ready.

"Thank you. Could you spread your wings for a moment?" The unicorn deftly slid the dress onto the pegasus, sliding the fabric in around her blue wings before tucking it in against her sides. A blue glow seized the necklace built into the front of the outfit, slipping the cool metal around Rainbow Dash's neck before tightening it snugly against her coat.

"So do you know what they're doing on their date?"

"Of course I do. I set it up for them, after all."

"What is it, then?"

Rarity gave her friend a look. "You aren't going to spy on them, are you?" Rainbow Dash shifted uncomfortably under the unicorn's gaze.

"No! I'm just curious, that's all."

"Well, if you must know, it is all going to be very romantic. She is going to bring acacias! I had Rose cut a bouquet just for her. I am certain Fluttershy will be impressed."

"Flowers? That's your big romantic plan?"

"Acacias are a flower of love, darling."

"I thought roses meant love."

"That depends on the rose, dear."

"Wait, different flowers mean different things? I thought they were just supposed to look good!"

"Oh no! If everyone only needed roses, then Rose would hardly need all those different flowers, now would she?"

"I guess that makes sense."

"Even different colors of flowers can mean different things!" The unicorn circled the pegasus, tugging on the garment here and there. "Can you spread your wings again and fly across the store?"

"Sure, I guess." Rainbow Dash wiggled her body, letting the dress settle in around her before launching herself from the platform. The pegasus flapped her wings powerfully to zip across the room to the front door of the boutique before landing with all four of her legs pressed up against the wall, only to propel herself back to where she had been standing, twisting in midair to land with all four hooves back where they started.

"How did it feel?"

"Good! I can fly in it just fine."

"Perfect. Next one!" Rarity's voice lilted as she pulled the previous outfit off of Rainbow Dash, her magic swiftly folding them up and setting them aside before pulling another outfit off a clotheshorse and settling it in around the live one.

"So wait, different colored roses mean different things?"

"Mmhmm. Why do you think so many ponies give their mothers pink roses in thanks? And sometimes yellow ones, to apologize."

"Huh. I guess that makes sense." Rainbow Dash shifted as Rarity tucked the second dress in over her tail, a mantle sliding around the pegasus's shoulders. "So what are they actually doing on their date?"

"I asked Applejack to prepare a little something for them so they could have a little picnic together, alone somewhere romantic."

"Alone?"

"That's the idea."

"But that's dangerous! What if the other pony tries something?"

"She won't."

"But what if she does?"

"Rainbow Dash," Rarity said sternly. "When you were alone with Fluttershy during the butterfly migration, did you 'try something'?"

"Well, no, but..."

"Then I am quite certain that her date will not either."

Rainbow Dash huffed. "Fine. So that's it? Flowers and a picnic? I thought you'd come up with something more... fancy." The pegasus gestured vaguely.

Rarity laughed. "Oh ho. Well, at first I was thinking of something more romantic. An elegant, formal candlelit dinner, dancing, lovely music..."

"So why didn't you set that up?"

"Because, darling, her date would be too worried about other ponies watching her to do anything."

"See!"

Rarity sighed. "I don't mean that. I simply mean showing Fluttershy the attention and affection she deserves. Now, can you fly across the room again?"

Rainbow Dash nodded her head, launching herself across the room once more, managing a double spin despite the confined space as she propelled herself to the door and back again.

"Perfect," she said. "Does it feel too tight anywhere?"

The pegasus shifted, rolling her shoulders, then flapping her wings. "Nope."

"Then we're done. Thank you for your help."

"Wait, that's it?"

Rarity nodded her head. "Just the two dresses. The others are just variations; they should hold just as well." The unicorn's blue magic surrounded the pegasus once more, swiftly removing the clothing from the mare's body and depositing the folded outfit on top of the first one. "If you'd like to stay, I can make some tea."

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "Nope, I gotta run. I've got plans."

"Oh? Well I hope you have a good evening then."

Rainbow Dash hopped down off the platform she had been standing on. "Oh, I will." The pegasus smirked to herself as she trotted to the door, letting herself out of the boutique. Once outside, she kicked the door shut behind her and spread her wings, cocking her head to look up into the sky.

Heh, she told me everything I needed to know.

Step one: get the flowers from Rose. If acacias are the perfect flower for Fluttershy, I just gotta make sure she doesn't have any left for her date.

Step two: get the food from Applejack. No food, no picnic.

Step three: show up at Fluttershy's, laugh about Rarity setting us up on a date, and get her out of there before her real date can show up.

The perfect plan. Am I good or what?

***

"Hey, Rose!"

"Hello, Rainbow Dash!" the earth pony florist replied, a smile on her face. "What brings you here today?"

"Rarity said you had flowers?"

"Flowers? Well, we certainly have those." Rose beamed at Rainbow Dash. "What kind of flowers did you need?"

The pegasus lifted a hoof to awkwardly rub at her mane. "Some acacias, I think?”

"For Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash shifted uncomfortably under the red-maned pony's stare, before Rose broke the tension with some laughter. "I never thought it would be you!"

"Uh, what?" Rainbow Dash shifted awkwardly.

"I just didn't think she was your type. I always assumed you had a thing for more athletic ponies, what with the pictures of Spitfire you hung up all over town so you could look at them while practicing."

The blue pegasus's cheeks reddened. "She's just on all the posters of the Wonderbolts, that's all!" Her denial sounded too loud even to her own ears.

"Of course!" Rose smiled brightly at Rainbow Dash before trotting away from the counter, returning with a bouquet of yellow flowers in her mouth which she set down on the counter in front of the pegasus, Rainbow Dash bending her neck to retrieve her bits.

"Rarity already paid for these. Didn't she tell you?"

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "Nope. Thanks!" She bent her head down to grab the flowers by their stems before pausing and straightening back up, staring at Rose for several seconds. The florist stared right back, her smile fixed on her face.

"...is there something else you need?"

"Yeah, actually." Rainbow Dash averted her gaze before looking back to Rose. "I was wondering if you might have any yellow roses."

"I do!" The florist turned away, then paused, looking back at Rainbow Dash. "You do know what they mean, right?"

"Uh... they mean you're sorry, right?"

Rose blinked. "They do! That's funny, I never thought you knew much about flowers."

"I don't. Rarity told me."

"What do you need them for?" The florist inclined her head slightly in curiosity.

"Nothing! She just asked me to pick some up."

"Don't tell me you got in a fight with Fluttershy before your first date." Rose smiled slyly, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

"What? No way! They're for... somepony else. I don't even know who."

Rose bent down to grab a half-dozen yellow roses out of a jar. "You know, most ponies try to be nice to their marefriends." The florist walked back to the counter, starting to carefully thread the roses in with the acacias.

Rainbow Dash shifted uncomfortably. "She's not my marefriend. Like I said, Rarity just asked me to pick up these flowers."

Rose giggled. "Well, I'm sure she will forgive you. But if she doesn't, remember, we don't give refunds."

"Right," Rainbow Dash said before passing several bits over the counter, pausing mid-transfer. "Uh... do you have any more bouquets like this?"

The florist tilted her head. "Of what?"

"Acacias. Rarity said she really likes flowers..."

Rose smiled knowingly. "We have more. Why? How many do you want?"

"Uhm... how about all of them?"

Rose stared. "All of them?" The pegasus nodded her head. "Well, alright." The florist took a few uncertain steps back, before turning and trotting over to one of the racks, retrieving three more matching bouquets as the pegasus pulled out a bag of bits and deposited them on the counter next to the bouquet she had already purchased.

"And one more thing - please don't tell Rarity."

Rose winked. "All flower sales are strictly confidential."

Heh, gotcha. One down, one to go.

***

Rainbow Dash rapped on the farmhouse door. "Applejack, you home?"

"Just a minute!" came the farmer's response, the clop of hoof-falls against the wooden floor announcing Applejack's approach long before the door opened. "Well howdy, Rainbow. What brings you out here today?"

"Rarity said you had food for me?"

Applejack stared at Rainbow Dash blankly.

"For Fluttershy?"

Blink.

"For the date?"

"Wait, what do you need it for? I was told her date was goin' to be pickin' it up for her."

Rainbow Dash lifted a hoof to rub her mane uncomfortably. "Er, change of plans I guess?" The lie sounded unconvincing even to herself.

"Uh huh. And I guess she asked you to pick up the flowers as well?"

Rainbow Dash sheepishly looked over at the huge bundle of yellow flowers she had set down by the front door. "Uh, yeah."

"And buy up every flower in the shop by the looks of that bouquet."

"Hey, there were still plenty left!" The pegasus's ears fell back, making Applejack laugh at her friend's vehement denial.

"I think you're a mite bit embarrassed."

"Look, do you have the food or not?"

"Well that depends. Rarity told me that Fluttershy's date was comin' to pick it up, and I'd hate to give away all that food and leave some poor pony hangin'." Rainbow Dash fidgeted at Applejack's growing grin.

It's not like I ever really had much of a choice; what if her real date showed up anyway? It's not like Fluttershy would say no just because they didn't have the right flowers. "Okay, okay, I'm taking her out, alright?"

"Well shucks, why didn't you say so in the first place?" Applejack laughed as she leaped forward to give her feathery friend a hug around the shoulders, squeezing Rainbow Dash to her chest as she laughed, making the pegasus squeak. "Congrats pardner."

"Thanks," Rainbow Dash replied, shifting uncomfortably.

Applejack sat back on her haunches, releasing her friend from the hug. "You don't sound too happy about it."

"Well, yeah. It's awkward."

Applejack smirked. "Not worried about the Wonderbolts, but scared of little old Fluttershy?" She gave Rainbow Dash a nudge in the shoulder with her hoof.

"You laugh, you're not the one going on a date with one of your best friends."

"Sugar cube, you worry too much. She's not gonna bite."

"Nah, that's not what I'm worried about. We've had picnics all the time, I just don't want there to be, you know..."

The farmer arched an eyebrow silently.

"Expectations."

Applejack reached up to adjust her hat. "Don't ya like her?"

"Well, yeah, as a friend."

"A friend huh? That's a mighty big bouquet for someone bein' friendly."

Rainbow Dash looked over at the bouquet she had set down next to the front door. "Well, Rarity didn't say how many to buy, so I kinda bought all of them." Applejack started laughing. "What?"

"Nothin'," Applejack said, smirking.

"Hey, don't get the wrong idea! I don't have a crush on Fluttershy!"

"Sure don't. Bet you never kissed her neither."

"Kissed her?" The pegasus flared her wings challengingly. "I've never kissed her!"

"Then what was that I saw after that fight with the changelings, hm?"

Rainbow Dash yelped. "That wasn't what it looked like! We just bumped noses when I was helping her up!"

"Uh huh. And now you're on a date with her with every flower in Rose's shop. As a friend."

"Look, is the food ready or not?"

"Well, you're a mite bit early. The pie's still bakin', so we have some time to chit-chat."

"Great," groaned Rainbow Dash.

"I thought you'd be excited, the way Rarity has been talkin' this up."

"Wait, Rarity has been talking to you about this?"

"I prepared the food, didn't I?"

Rainbow Dash looked over her shoulder nervously, scanning for any sign of another pony coming up the road. "I guess that makes sense." Silence drew her attention back to the earth pony, who was now looking at her curiously.

"Did you ask Rarity to set this up?"

"Why would I ask Rarity to set me up on a date?"

Applejack chuckled. "Guess it musta been Rarity's idea then. Took us a while to convince Fluttershy it was a good idea."

"How long have you been planning this for?"

"Depends on what you mean. Rarity has been pesterin' Fluttershy about this off and on for a couple weeks now. Took a while to get her to say yes."

"You made her go on a date with somepony she didn't know?" Rainbow Dash spread her wings aggressively, taking a step towards her friend.

"Whoa, settle down there. We didn't make her do nothin'. I thought it'd be good for her."

"To go on a date with some stranger," Rainbow Dash said flatly.

"Hey, Rarity told me the pony was one of her friends, and not one of them fancy Canterlot types neither. I figured she couldn't be all bad." Applejack gave her friend another friendly nudge.

Rainbow Dash frowned. "I guess. Still, I wouldn't have helped set her up on a date with somepony I didn't even know the name of."

Applejack laughed. "Bet you wouldn't a set her up with anypony at all if you had your way."

"Yeah!" Rainbow Dash didn't catch her friend's grin until it was too late. "Wait, I didn't mean it like that!"

"Sure ya didn't, sugar cube."

"Ugh! Look, I don't have a crush on Fluttershy!"

"So you're just leadin' her on then? Bringin' a girl a heap of flowers is a mighty strange way of showin' that you just want to be friends."

Rainbow Dash's ears fell back against her head as she pawed at the ground with her hoof. "I didn't really think about it like that. I just thought it would be bad to leave her hanging, you know?"

Applejack sighed. "If you ain't serious about this, you'd better be up front about it. I'm pretty sure that Fluttershy is expectin' a date, and if you're plannin' on bein' just friends from the get-go, she's gonna feel pretty bad. 'Specially if you agreed to the date knowin' you weren't serious about it."

"I didn't! I just found out about it this afternoon! What was I supposed to do! Just let her go out with some creep?" The pegasus began pacing outside the front door, her wings rising from her sides.

Applejack blinked. "What do you mean by that?"

"Uh, nothing."

Applejack eyed Rainbow Dash skeptically.

"Look, if I didn't go on the date with her, somepony else would, alright?"

"I'm not sure that's how it works, sugar cube. Pretty sure Rarity had her heart set on you."

"How do you know that?"

"Uh... the way she talked about it? Pretty sure Rarity was tryin' to set y'all up together. Wouldn't work with another pony."

Rainbow Dash scowled. "Look, I have to go on this date."

"Why? If you don't want to, don't."

"It's not like that!"

"Then what is it like?" Applejack stared at her friend, making the pegasus shift uncomfortably.

"It's just something I have to do, that's all!"

"Did you lose a bet or somethin'? Cause leadin' on poor Fluttershy is awful mean of ya. I didn't think y'all would do somethin' like that."

"I'm not leading her on, okay? I just... don't want her to get hurt."

Applejack shook her head before lifting a hoof and putting it on Rainbow Dash's shoulder. "Just be honest with the girl. If you don't like her, don't make her think she's got a chance with you." She put her hoof down. "But if you're are so eager to buy out every flower in the shop for her, maybe there's somethin' more to it?"

Rainbow Dash looked down at the big bouquet, sighing. It's not like that, but I can't tell you why.

"Just think about it before you go breakin' her heart, alright?"

"Alright," Rainbow Dash said automatically, drawing a look from the farmer. "I mean it! I'll think about it."

Applejack seemed appeased by that. "Well alright then. Let's get y'all's food packed up." Applejack backed into the house, turning around and heading to the kitchen, her friend close following close behind.

Sorry for lying, Applejack. I'll make it up to you later.

The Date

Rainbow Dash carefully folded her wings back against her saddlebags as she landed on the far side of the bridge leading up to Fluttershy's cottage, setting down the bouquet of flowers against the wood as she thought.

Perfect. No sign of anypony else, got the food, got the flowers. Now, how to do this? Rainbow Dash turned her head to look back down the road nervously before her gaze returned to the bouquet. Just walk up to the front door and be like, 'Hey Fluttershy! Funny story, Rarity set us up on a date! Crazy or what?' Bleh, that sounds lame.

Rainbow Dash frowned, recalling Applejack's words. I don't want to lead her on, but maybe I can just act normal, and she'll get the idea that I'm here to hang out. She nodded her head. Yeah, that's better than saying, 'Yeah, Rarity set us up but I don't actually like you at all.' Show her I'm her friend, even if I don't want to be her girlfriend.

Right, let's do this. Rainbow Dash bent down to grab the bouquet in her mouth, lifting it up and crossing the bridge unsteadily, the huge bundle of flowers nearly blinding her as she made her way up the path to Fluttershy's front door. Sitting back on her haunches, she lifted her hoof to knock on the front door.

"Coming~" came Fluttershy's sweet voice from inside the cottage, the mare's words' lilting tone making Rainbow Dash's heart sink in her chest. She sounds so happy. She turned her head to scan the road again nervously, but it remained as empty as ever.

The sound of the door opening made the blue pegasus turn her head back towards the door, but the massive bouquet of yellow flowers completely covered her face, hiding her friend from view. "Oh my! Are those for me? I'm sorry, I must have lost track of the time, I thought you weren't going to be here for another hour." Rainbow Dash could feel her friend lean in, Fluttershy's snout brushing against her own as the yellow pegasus gently grasped the bouquet in her mouth. Rainbow Dash let go of the bouquet, letting Fluttershy pull it awkwardly inside the front door, flowers brushing against the doorframe before she turned away from the door, walking over to set the large bouquet of yellow flowers into a vase on her table. Fluttershy certainly looked ready for her date - her mane and tail were completely brushed out and her yellow coat immaculate.

"Oh, these flowers are beautiful! And acacias!" The pegasus breathed in deeply, inhaling the scent of the flowers which matched her coat in color. "Oh, this is very sweet of you. Did Rarity—" Fluttershy cut herself off as she turned back towards the door, getting a proper look at the mare who brought her the flowers. "Rainbow Dash! What are you doing here?"

The pegasus in question shifted her weight. "Uh, surprise?" Her friend glanced from the flowers, then back to the mare haunting her doorstep.

"Why did you bring these? Rarity told me that my date would be..." Fluttershy gasped. "You aren't!"

"Uh, I kind of am." Rainbow Dash rubbed at her mane awkwardly in a hoof.

"But you were so angry this afternoon!"

"I didn't know this afternoon, okay?"

"You didn't know? But Rarity has been... ooh!" She lifted a hoof to her mouth. "She didn't tell you?"

"Nope."

"Oh, no wonder you were so jealous!" Fluttershy rushed over to her friend, throwing her hooves around the startled pegasus's shoulders. "I'm sorry!"

"It's alright," Rainbow Dash replied, pulling her wings back in. "I—" She cut herself off when her friend gave her a slight shove before sitting back on her haunches, crossing her front legs across her chest.

"But that is no excuse for how you behaved!" Rainbow Dash blinked at the sudden firmness in Fluttershy's voice. "You should know better than anyone that I'm not some helpless filly! I can make my own decisions about what ponies I see, thank you very much." The pegasus at the door shifted uncomfortably as Fluttershy turned her head away.

"Er, does that mean you don't want to have dinner with me then?"

Fluttershy cracked an eye open, looking back at her friend. "That depends. Do you know what you did wrong?"

Rainbow Dash pawed at the ground with her hoof. "I was a jerk?"

Fluttershy smiled a little, taking a step forward to put a hoof on her friend's shoulder. "You didn't trust me. I don't want someone who is trying to protect me all the time; I want someone who believes in me." She leaned forward to look into Rainbow Dash's eyes. "I liked it when you believed in me when we were trying to raise the rain to Cloudsdale. That was nice."

Rainbow Dash's eyes dropped in guilt. "You're right. I know you're tougher than you look, I just forget sometimes." She lifted her head slightly at a nuzzle from Fluttershy.

"I know you do. But I'm not the little filly who was scared of her own shadow anymore. I've become a lot more brave, and I would like for my friends to see that and treat me with respect."

"Heh, well, you did manage to make Discord get in line."

Fluttershy smiled. "Oh, I didn't make him get in line. I just showed him kindness, and made him want to."

"Same difference," Rainbow Dash said offhandedly, earning a giggle from her friend. "You know, you never would have stood up to me like this two years ago."

"I know. Isn't it great?" Fluttershy puffed out her chest proudly, making Rainbow Dash chuckle.

"You're alright, Fluttershy," she replied, clapping her friend on the shoulder with a hoof.

"So, are you willing to be coach Rainbow Dash, and not 'Fluttershy needs to be saved' Rainbow Dash?"

Great, all I have to do is tell Fluttershy I don't believe in her and I can get out of this date. No problem. "Yeah," she said, rubbing her mane with her hoof.

"Good!" Fluttershy beamed at Rainbow Dash, her voice soft but proud. "Rarity said it was important to be open with my feelings."

"Yeah, you're doing great," Rainbow Dash said, her voice flat.

Fluttershy tilted her head slightly at her friend. "You don't sound like you really mean that."

Ponyfeathers. "No, I do! I'm sorry, just a bit off today."

"Oh, it's alright. I understand. It must be hard for you too; I've never seen you go on a date before. Not that I'm saying you couldn't! I'm sure you could date anypony you wanted, really!" Fluttershy stepped towards the front door, then hesitated as her friend continued to stand there. It took Rainbow Dash several seconds to realize why - she was in the way.

"Yeah, I don't really date," the pegasus said as she took a step back, moving out of the way to let Fluttershy out.

"Oh, but you must have been so happy when Rarity told you." Fluttershy turned back towards her cottage, leaning down to speak to Angel as he hopped to the front door as if to follow. "Now, now, Angel, I'm going to eat with Rainbow Dash. Can you be a good little bunny and make sure that everyone is okay while I'm gone?" The rabbit glared at Rainbow Dash, who peered back at the rabbit before lighting up.

"Hang on a sec, Applejack packed something for you." Turning her head, Rainbow Dash nosed into her pack, only to pull out a ruby red apple, setting it down in front of the rabbit, who looked at the offering in disgust. "I guess not?"

"Oh, Angel, she's just trying to be nice to you." The rabbit put his hands on his hips, tapping his foot. "Maybe you should take it? I'm sure it's a very good apple."

The rabbit hesitated before grabbing the apple reluctantly, then slamming the door shut behind the ponies. "He doesn't like being treated like a pet," Fluttershy admitted, drawing a roll of the eyes from Rainbow Dash.

"You still letting him push you around?"

"Oh no, he has been much better behaved since I went to Iron Will's seminar. I feel kind of guilty about that; he wasn't very helpful, but I think I really did change for the best once it was all done."

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "Nah, that guy was a jerk." The pair began to make their way down the road, Rainbow Dash looking straight ahead, avoiding looking at her friend as they walked side by side, a shoulder's width apart.

"You know, your feathers are looking very nice today," Fluttershy said, letting her mane drift in front of her left eye as she smiled over at her date.

"Huh? I didn't do anything special with them." Rainbow Dash spread her wings, flexing them for a moment before returning them to her sides.

"And your mane always looks very nice, and so unique. I bet even Princess Celestia is jealous."

The colorful pegasus laughed, tossing her head to flick her mane. "Heh. You say that now. I remember back in flight school, they always used to say I fell in the weather factory. Or that I dyed it."

Fluttershy giggled as she moved to step in front of Rainbow Dash, steering her date onto the road leading towards the river on the edge of town. "They were just jealous because you were pretty without even trying."

Rainbow Dash blinked at the compliment, before looking over at her friend, noticing the look she was being given for the first time. "Are you flirting with me?"

"Um... yes. Sorry, I guess I'm not very good at it."

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "Nah. I mean, yes. They're nice compliments and all, it's just... I dunno, it feels wrong, you know?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you," Fluttershy said demurely, making her friend shake her head again.

"Oh, I'm not upset. I like being complimented as much as anypony. It's just... not me." Plus it's kind of weird.

"Maybe I should talk about something else then? Like how much I like watching you fly? You're very good at it, you know." Fluttershy's earnest words earned a bark of laughter from Rainbow Dash.

"Oh man. You're cracking me up, Fluttershy." Silence answered her words, and when she glanced over at her companion, Fluttershy's head had dipped down towards the ground, her mane nearly dragging on the road. Oh man. "Look, Fluttershy..."

"No, it's alright," she sniffed. "I should just be quiet."

Rainbow Dash bit her lip; she could already hear Applejack scolding her in her head. “Now why did you have to go and say that, Rainbow?”

The pegasus shook her head to dismiss the voice. "I'm no expert on this,” Rainbow Dash said slowly, “but if you're trying to flirt with somepony, it has to feel natural. Just trying to flatter them is weird. It's like Scootaloo is dating me or something." Fluttershy's head dipped lower at her friend’s words. "Not that I'm saying you're like a foal! Just... ugh. I'm not good at this."

"Well that makes two of us," Fluttershy said quietly.

Rainbow Dash sighed. "You've seen Rarity flirt with guys, right?"

"Yes."

"Well... that doesn't really work most of the time. I mean, you saw her flirting with Prince Blueblood, and we all know how that turned out."

Fluttershy laughed quietly. "I think she still hates him."

Rainbow Dash grinned at her friend, glad to see her smiling again. "Yeah. I heard she had Twilight teach her how to start a fire with her horn, just so she could burn a picture of him."

"Really?"

"Yeah, Twilight was talking about it one day when I asked her if Spike had set her desk on fire."

"Oh dear," Fluttershy giggled.

"Yeah. I dunno, maybe it's like her with Prince Blueblood; you're trying too hard."

"Mmm. Maybe you should show me how it is done then."

"Me?"

Fluttershy smiled over at her friend, drooping her eyelids, giving her fellow pegasus a coy look that made Rainbow Dash shift away. She opened her mouth a couple times, searching for words, but they died on her lips every time, finally ending in a nervous laugh.

"Okay, this is way hard. Everything I can think of is lame." Or awkward.

"That's okay. I sounded pretty silly too."

"No, I mean really, I can't think of anything that isn't totally sappy."

"Oh, Rainbow, I don't mind."

Great. Now what? Rainbow Dash looked over at her companion, the pretty pony smiling when she met her gaze, before she let her eyes slip away. She's cute, but that's just lame. Nice mane? She already said that. She has pretty eyes, but that's as bad as the rest of it. Her eyes trailed further down her friend's body. I guess she does have nice legs, but that'd just be kind of creepy to say. Fluttershy blushed, her pace quickening slightly, her gait changing. What's she doing now? Is she... uh, wow.

"Fluttershy, stop."

"Stop what?" Fluttershy smiled, glancing back over her shoulder as she tried to strut in a crude imitation of Rarity.

"That. It's just..." Creepy. "Weird."

Fluttershy stopped in the road, allowing Rainbow Dash to step up alongside her once more. "What do you mean?"

"It's not you."

Fluttershy's eyes fell to the ground. "I know. I was just trying to show off a little."

"Look, Fluttershy, I was trying to tell you earlier... we're friends, right?"

Fluttershy looked up and nodded. "Right."

"And well... I mean, isn't this a little weird?" Fluttershy bit her lip as Rainbow Dash continued to speak. "I mean, it's kind of awkward."

"I'm sorry. I just..." Fluttershy's voice trailed off into incomprehensible squeaking.

"Just... act natural. Don't make things weird." Rainbow Dash's scarlet eyes drifted away from her friend, only to snap back when she spoke.

"I'm sorry." Fluttershy was lying down now, her legs bent, mane and tail touching the road, her voice small.

"Gah! Don't be sorry!" Rainbow Dash saw her friend flinch and sighed, stepping over alongside her, putting a hoof across her back, the prone pegasus shifting uncomfortably at the contact. "Look, don't try to be Rarity. Be yourself."

Fluttershy murmured something from underneath her friend's wing, her voice incomprehensible.

"What was that?"

"Nothing," Fluttershy squeaked, earning a nudge from her companion.

"It wasn't nothing, you said something. What was it?"

Fluttershy sighed before speaking in a soft, mournful voice. "I said she would know what she was doing." Rainbow Dash snickered.

"Really? From the one date she's been on?"

"Rarity has been on more than one date!" Fluttershy said loyally.

"Oh really? With who?"

"Uhm..." Fluttershy paused, then sighed. "I guess you're right. She just seems so experienced."

"Well, duh." Rainbow Dash squeezed her foreleg against her friend's back. "That's because she's Rarity. If she was here, she'd be all, 'Darling, you must tell me where you got your mane done,' and if I didn't care, she'd act like I did anyway." Fluttershy giggled quietly. "See? She doesn't know any better than you do. So lighten up."

"But, it's a date."

Rainbow Dash waved her hoof. "What, if it's a date, you have to act weird to impress me?"

Fluttershy turned her head away.

"Relax. It doesn't have to be anything special."

The shy pegasus bit her lip.

"What's wrong?"

"I want it to be something special," she said in a small voice, making Rainbow Dash close her eyes and sigh before opening them.

"Alright, you wanted me to say something nice to you? I dunno if it is really flirting, but, you want to know what the best thing about you is?" Fluttershy turned back towards her date and gave a slight nod of her head. "When it's really important, you come through for us. Discord, that dragon, the tornado - hay, even modeling for Rarity and cheering for me at the Best Young Flier Competition. When it really matters, you've never let us down, not even once. That's pretty awesome in my book." Rainbow Dash, distracted by her gesturing, was surprised when she felt Fluttershy lean up against her, a soft touch whose warmth lingered against her cheek even as Fluttershy leaned back and stood up, smiling tenderly.

"Thank you, that was very sweet."

Did she just kiss me? The stunned mare's blue cheeks took on a rosy hue; it took her several seconds to realize Fluttershy had begun walking again and that she should follow. "Where are we going anyway?"

"Oh, I thought it would be nice to eat by the waterfall. It has a wonderful view."

Rainbow Dash looked up towards the promontory in question. "Wouldn't it be faster to just fly up there?"

"Uhm, yes, but that would give us less time to talk."

That's the idea. "Well, it's not like I'm in any rush to go home after this, but I am pretty hungry."

"Well, alright, if you want." Fluttershy sounded reluctant as she looked down at the ground, making her friend shake her head.

"Come on, let's get up there. I'm not just going to eat and ditch you."

Fluttershy sighed before spreading her wings and taking to the skies, Rainbow Dash quickly following, zipping ahead before slowing to fall into place beside her friend. Sorry Fluttershy, but the longer we walk like this, the more disappointed you're going to be. In the air, it didn't take the pair more than a couple minutes to make their way up to the top of the cliff, Rainbow Dash landing first and reaching back into her saddlebag to pull out a large checkered blanket, shaking her head to unfold it before tossing it out over the grass. "That look good?"

"Oh yes, thank you," Fluttershy said as she stepped out onto the blanket, using her hooves to smooth out the wrinkles before smiling back at Rainbow Dash. "Want help with the food?"

"Sure, why not?" Rainbow Dash said without thinking, and moments later Fluttershy was reaching around her to loosen the straps on the saddlebag, reaching around Rainbow Dash's chest to do so, giving her a light nuzzle on the back before she grasped the bags in her mouth and laid them out on the blanket. Nosing open the flaps, she began to tug the food out onto the blanket, various pastries along with a few more obviously apple-based dishes, and finally the pie that Applejack had insisted that Rainbow Dash take, without any sort of implement to cut it with.

What does Applejack think I am, a unicorn? Ugh, she probably just forgot. Rainbow Dash shook herself. And what is with Fluttershy being all touchy-feely? When she looked over at her friend, the pretty mare smiled at her before gesturing with her wing for her to lie down next to her. This is going to be awkward. Good plan, Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash fluttered over next to her friend before setting down on the blanket, her hooves slightly shifting the food spread out in front of the pair as she settled down, keeping a several hoof-span distance between herself and Fluttershy, who looked disappointed at her choice, before smiling again. "This looks very good. And it smells good too! It was very nice of Applejack to make this for us."

"Yeah, she's a great cook," Rainbow Dash said noncommittally, earning another quiet sigh from her friend before Fluttershy looked to the pack again, nosing inside before squeaking in surprise, pulling out a glass bottle filled with a golden liquid.

"Cider?" Rainbow Dash's ears perked up. "I didn't see her put that in."

"I guess she did." Fluttershy's voice was soft as she grasped one of the bottles around its neck with her mouth, gently setting it down in front of her friend before grasping the other herself, carefully removing the cap with the edge of her hoof before taking a sip. "And it's still cold!"

Rainbow Dash was drooling at the prospect of off-season cider, and rather quickly started draining her own bottle before noticing the look Fluttershy was giving her. "Er, sorry." She said as she set it back down, the precious golden liquid already half gone, earning a giggle.

"It's alright. I just thought you might want to save some for when we eat."

"Right! So, uhm, what do you want? She gave us a lot of food."

"Well..." Fluttershy leaned down, taking one of the sugar-frosted fritters in her mouth, before resting it against her hoof as she took a delicate bite from the side. "This is wonderful!"

Rainbow Dash grinned. "Yeah, they're pretty good," she said, taking one of the pastries in hoof herself and starting to eat. Silence began to stretch between the pair as Rainbow Dash concentrated on eating rather than talking; each time Fluttershy spoke, her response was to take another big bite, chewing for long enough to let the attempt at conversation drift off into silence. Running out of pastries, Rainbow Dash looked at the pie for a moment before pushing it over towards Fluttershy.

"Oh my goodness! She didn't pack any knives?"

"Nope, nothing. It's alright, you can have it."

"Oh, I couldn't. It's far too much for me to eat by myself. We should share it."

"Sure. But you can have first crack at it. It'd be kind of cramped to eat at the same time."

"I don't mind. It's not as if we haven't bumped noses before."

Rainbow Dash's ears fell back against her head at the mention of that incident. "Look, Fluttershy, I really didn't mean it like that."

"I know. But it was very sweet of you anyway." Fluttershy smiled, reaching over with one of her hooves to put it atop Rainbow Dash's own, making her flinch slightly. "I was really scared and wasn't sure you were really you until you did that."

"Yeah, but it was..."

"I understand." Fluttershy tilted her head slightly, letting her mane slide in front of her eye as she slid herself over on the blanket closer to her friend. "But you know, it was very sweet."

"Thanks." Rainbow Dash shifted uncomfortably, trying to subtly slide away from her friend, but Fluttershy was having none of it; she soon found herself with her friend nestled against her side.

She smells nice. Rainbow Dash blushed at the unbidden thought, even as Fluttershy snuggled in closer, soft fur brushing against her flank. We've done this a hundred times before. Why is this weird? Her question was soon answered as Fluttershy rubbed her cheek against her friend's neck. "Look, Fluttershy..." she began uncomfortably.

"Yes?" her friend said with wide-eyed innocence, making Rainbow Dash bite her lip.

No, I have to say it. "Fluttershy, you're a really good friend, but this really isn't going to work." She could feel her friend stilling against her side, the pretty pegasus allowing her pink mane to fall down over her eyes as she lowered her head. "I'm sorry. I just don't want to..."

"You know, I'm scared too?"

Rainbow Dash looked over at Fluttershy, her friend's face still hidden by her mane, concealing her expression. "Scared of what?"

"Scared of liking you."

"Scared? I'm not scared."

Fluttershy sighed. "I'm sorry, but... I know you are."

"What?"

"Rarity told me."

Rainbow Dash looked at her friend in confusion. "Told you what?"

"Oh Rainbow, you don't need to lie to me. I know everything." Fluttershy pushed her shoulder against her friend's side, her wing extending over her friend's back in a comforting gesture.

"You do?" Rainbow Dash shifted uncomfortably as the yellow wing slid over her back - while the pair had definitely hugged like this before, in this setting, it was making her feel awkward. "How?"

"Rarity told me," Fluttershy repeated gently, making her friend's eyes widen.

"Rarity knows?" Rainbow Dash's voice was small, embarrassed. How did Rarity find out I was going to crash Fluttershy's date? Did Rose tell her?

"Of course she knows. I know you two don't always see eye to eye, but she is a very smart pony."

"Wait, she knew, and she just went along with it?" Rainbow Dash's ears fell back against her neck.

"She didn't want to embarrass you. She didn't even tell me until a few days ago."

"Back up. A few days ago?" Rainbow Dash's agitation was growing as she shifted beneath Fluttershy's wing.

"Yes. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go on this date, but she told me that you had a crush on me and had for months, but were too shy to ask me out yourself." It was now Rainbow Dash's turn to freeze beneath Fluttershy's wing.

"What?" Her voice rose an octave in shock as Fluttershy lifted her head to look her in the eye, sympathy showing on her face.

"I'm sorry. I know it was supposed to be a secret, but Rarity was right. I never would have said yes if I didn't know that you were just as scared about it as I was."

"Rarity told you I have a crush on you?"

"She was very discreet; she didn't tell me who you were. Just that you were too shy to ask me out. I know what that's like, being too shy to tell someone how you feel." Rainbow Dash felt a stab of guilt in her chest. "I had a crush on you back in flight school, you know, but I never told you because I thought you'd hate me."

"Fluttershy, I'd never hate you. I've told you that before."

The yellow pegasus smiled sadly. "I know that now, but I was scared back then. You were already friends with Gilda, and you know how much she hates me."

"Wait, back up. Gilda doesn't hate you."

Fluttershy sighed. "Of course she hates me. Or at least, she really doesn't like me. She was never nice to me. She was a bully." Rainbow Dash shifted uncomfortably.

"She just doesn't like hanging out with you because you're 'lame'. She's totally wrong, but that's how it is."

Fluttershy shook her head. "Rainbow, she always scared me, and tried to chase me away from you. She almost did."

"I never realized..."

"I know." Fluttershy's wing squeezed against her friend's back. "And I forgive you. But I was really afraid if I talked to you about it, you would never speak to me again. I didn't even know if you liked mares."

"Fluttershy, I didn't even know if I liked mares until a few years ago."

"I know, your crush on Spitfire."

"Hey! Those posters were for inspiration!" Fluttershy gave another quiet giggle at her friend's denial, making her friend's face redden. "What? They were!"

"Mmhmm. I know." Fluttershy rubbed her cheek against her friend's neck comfortingly, but the intimacy of the touch made Rainbow Dash recoil slightly.

No, this isn't right. "Fluttershy, Rarity was wrong. I-"

"She told me you would say that, too." Rainbow Dash's mouth worked as her friend's soft voice carried on. "I know you're scared, but I promise, I don't hate you for liking me. I have to admit, even though I was pretty sure it wasn't you, I kind of hoped that it might be."

"You wanted me to like you? But you just said got over that crush years ago!"

Fluttershy sighed. "I did. But I always admired you. You're so brave and strong and assertive and all the things I'm not. I always knew you had a hard time showing your feelings, though, when they didn't make you feel strong. I know what it is like to like someone and not be able to say it, because you know that they'll never like you back." The yellow pegasus snuggled up against her blue friend. "I wanted to make sure that whoever it was, they didn't have to hide anymore. And it was you!" She looked up into her friend's face, tears starting to form in her eyes, sliding one hoof over her friend's shoulder as she pulled her into an embrace.

This isn't happening. Rainbow Dash's pulse was racing as her best friend in the world pressed herself up against her, warmth from the delicate pegasus's body seeping into her flesh.

"I like you. I know you don't like talking about your feelings, but you don't have to be scared anymore." The crying pegasus buried her face against her friend's neck, her tears seeping into her fur.

This is NOT happening. My best friend did not just confess that she lo-likes me, and that the only reason she is on this date is because whoever she was SUPPOSED to go on the date with likes her but is too shy to admit it. So now not only did I ruin some shy mare's date with Fluttershy, probably making her think that Fluttershy hates her and avoided her on purpose, but...

"No." Rainbow Dash said it out loud, the pegasus crying into her neck lifting her head to look at her, blinking.

"What?"

"No. Fluttershy, Rarity was wrong. I don't like you. I don't have a crush on you." Rainbow Dash tried to pull away from her friend, but was trapped in her embrace, her wings pressed up against Fluttershy's. "That's not me." Her breathing was growing increasingly rapid, a note of desperation in her voice.

"Rainbow, even if Rarity hadn't told me, you did. Don't you think I know what flowers mean?"

"Rarity told me to get those flowers! That wasn't me!"

"Stop lying!" Fluttershy's voice came out in a sob. "I saw the yellow roses in there. Did Rarity tell you to buy those, too? Did Rose?"

"No, but..."

"Rainbow, I know what those mean. And if you bought me yellow roses, that means YOU know what they mean too."

"Yes, they mean I'm sorry!"

"And what do the acacias mean?"

Rainbow Dash's mind raced in panic, as she thought back on what Rarity said, her world crumbling around her, her belly feeling hollow despite the food inside. "They... Rarity said they meant love."

"Secret love." Fluttershy's hooves squeezed desperately around Rainbow Dash's shoulders. "Are you telling me you got me flowers that said you have a crush on me, and that you were sorry, on accident?"

"No!"

"Then why are you saying you don't like me?" Tears were flowing freely down the her cheeks; Rainbow Dash could feel her own eyes threatening to do the same as her chest heaved.

"I'm sorry, okay?" Rainbow Dash shuddered. "I messed up," she said in a smaller voice, tears starting to fill her own eyes before she blinked them away. "I messed up. I never should have done this."

"Don't say that!" Fluttershy rubbed her snout against Rainbow Dash's jaw.

"It's the truth! I—" She was cut off by a yellow hoof pressing itself to her lips.

"I knew I might get hurt." Fluttershy pressed herself in tight against her blue companion. "But Rarity told me, if I don't ever try, then I'm just hurting myself. And she's right."

Rainbow Dash fell back on her rump, her hooves coming up automatically to steady herself against her friend. Every instinct in her was crying out to comfort her friend, to throw a hoof over her shoulders and let her tell her what the problem was... but the problem was her. Feeling Fluttershy press her head up against her throat, Rainbow Dash sighed and spread her wings, mantling around her friend comfortingly as her hooves moved to pat her on the back.

"Fluttershy, Rarity wasn't talking about me."

"What?" the stricken mare lifted her face, her cheeks streaked with tears.

"I lied. About everything. Rarity told me about the date, and I went and bought all the flowers and got the food from Applejack so whoever it was you were supposed to go on the date with couldn't get them, and then showed up early to make sure she didn't get there first anyway." Fluttershy's mouth fell open.

"I don't have a crush on you. I never did. Everything Rarity said was about some other mare. I was just trying to make sure you didn't get hurt. Great job, huh?" Rainbow Dash could feel her friend shaking against her as the sobbing began anew, Fluttershy's mouth working as her eyes shone with hurt.

"You... then... everything... why...?"

"Because I'm a jerk. I didn't trust you, and now some shy girl who I don't even know is probably crying her eyes out because you aren't at your cottage, and it's all my fault."

The expression on Fluttershy's face grew increasingly horrified by the word. "I trusted you!" she said, her voice rising in volume, quivering with emotion; Rainbow Dash only bowed her head in response, then toppled over onto her side when Fluttershy pushed her away. The surprised pegasus looked up in shock, only to see her friend galloping away.

"Fluttershy, wait!" she shouted, flying after her friend, who only redoubled her pace, tears raining down on the grass as she fled. After a few seconds of this, Rainbow Dash simply swooped ahead of her, landing in her path. "Stop!"

Fluttershy did stop, but only to lift her head to glare at her friend. "Go away!" she shouted, her voice thick with sorrow and anger, making Rainbow Dash take a startled step back, the yellow pegasus rushing by her once more, running for the road. Rainbow Dash's wings fell, her head falling close to the ground as she sat down morosely.

Now what do I do?

The Apology

For the second time today, Rainbow Dash found herself pounding at a door, this time much more urgently than before. "Rarity! Open up!" Not waiting for a response, the pegasus pounded on the door again, rattling it in its frame. "I need help!"

A few seconds later the pegasus tumbled inside, falling in across the entryway as the door was pulled open by magic. "Rainbow Dash, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be on your date!"

"That's just it! Fluttershy—wait, what?"

Rarity trotted forward to fuss over her friend. "I thought I was being obvious enough. Rose even said you bought every acacia she had in the shop. How romantic!" The unicorn batted her eyes, before a serious expression stole over her face once more, seizing the pegasus with her magic to stand her back up on her feet. "You're late now, but if you fly over to Applejack's farm quickly, I'm sure the food will be waiting for you. I'll trot over to Fluttershy's cottage and—"

Rainbow Dash slammed her hooves into the floor of the shop, cutting Rarity off, the prim unicorn's words ending in a yelp as the desperate pegasus glared at her. "What do you mean, waiting for me? I totally just ruined her date! What happened to the mare who was supposed to go out with her?"

Rarity grimaced. "I thought I was obvious. I do hope you didn't do anything with those flowers; I'm not sure what else would do. Perhaps some honeysuckle and some br—"

"You're worried about flowers?"

"Why yes, darling, you're supposed to be... whatever is the matter, darling?" Rarity blinked, truly taking in her friend's disheveled appearance for the first time. "Have you been crying?"

"No!" Rainbow Dash's denial was automatic. A troubled look crossed Rarity's face as she trotted over to her friend, reaching up with a hoof to touch her damp cheek.

"What's wrong, dear?"

Rainbow Dash growled. "Alright, fine. Yes, I've been crying, because I took Fluttershy out on a fake date!"

Rarity looked at her in surprise. "But you have barely been gone an hour. A dinner date is supposed to be more than dinner you know."

"I know that! I don't need your advice on dating! Now, where is that mare that Fluttershy was supposed to go on the date with? Did she come back here? I've still got most of the food, we didn't eat it all." The pegasus was looking around in a panic now, her sides heaving with emotion.

"Darling, there was no other mare." Rarity's voice was worried now. "What happened?"

"What do you mean there's no other mare?" Rainbow Dash took a threatening step forward, the unicorn retreating from her aggressive advance.

"I knew that you would never go on a date willingly, but I thought that if you thought there might be another mare after Fluttershy, you—" Rarity's words were cut off as Rainbow Dash trembled with anger, tensing up before slamming her hind leg back against the wall behind her. "Rainbow Dash! I can't have you destroying my boutique!"

"What the hay were you thinking?"

"Well, I know how much you enjoy playing the hero. I knew that when you heard that your amour was being set up on a date with somepony else, that you would swoop in for the rescue. Of course, I knew you knew nothing about such things, so I arranged for Rose to have some flowers cut for the occasion." Rarity pouted at her friend. "It was going to be so romantic."

"Yeah, well, you were wrong."

Rarity's voice was low and threatening. "What did you do?"

"Fluttershy told me she likes me!"

The unicorn's concerns were immediately washed away, replaced with glee as she squealed in delight, clapping her hooves together. "And?"

Rainbow Dash panted raggedly. "I told her that I didn't."

"Rainbow Dash!" Rarity said sternly. "Now why would you say a hurtful thing like that?"

"Because it's true!"

Rarity's voice rose in surprise. "What?"

"I don't like her, Rarity! I don't have a crush on her! I never did! If I wanted to ask out Fluttershy, I would have done it myself!"

"But the kiss! Darling, you practically—"

Rainbow Dash exploded. "Yeah, I kissed her, alright? I didn't mean it like that! I was just letting her know it was me. She was scared, and it just kind of happened. You've kissed Spike I don't even know how many times, and I know you aren't planning on dating him!"

Rarity sputtered. "But that's different!"

Rainbow Dash snarled. "No, it isn't. Fluttershy is my best friend, and yeah, sometimes we're a little bit mushy. But that's none of your business!" She fell back on her haunches, looking tired. "Well, she was my best friend. She probably hates me now."

Rarity shook her head, taking a step forward. "You know that isn't true."

"I know." Her voice caught. "But that doesn't make it right. She trusted me because you told her I had a crush on her."

"Don't you?"

"No!" Rainbow Dash waved a hoof in front of her, gritting her teeth in frustration. "That's what I've been trying to say."

Rarity sounded skeptical. "Surely you must have some feelings for her if you're willing to buy up every flower in Rose's shop and pretend to be her date."

The blue mare's head dropped. "I did it because I was worried about her, okay? I was worried you'd set her up with some creep." Tears began to flow down her cheeks, soon to be dabbed at by a lacy handkerchief wrapped in blue magic.

"I would never subject one of my friends to someone like that." Rarity walked over to take a seat next to the pegasus, reaching over to put a white hoof on her shoulder.

"Oh yeah? Well you did."

Sympathy entered Rarity's eyes as she leaned over to nuzzle at her friend. "Don't talk like that. You're a good friend."

Rainbow Dash's ears pressed tight against the back of her head. "No I'm not. I'm a jerk who decided that her best friend shouldn't go on a date and sabotaged it on purpose, after she called me out on it."

"It isn't your fault, darling. I was the one who made you jealous."

"I wasn't jealous. I was just mad."

Rarity squeezed her friend around the shoulders. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah I'm sure! Rarity, no matter what you think, I don't have a secret crush on Fluttershy. If I did, I wouldn't have told her that I didn't like her. I don't like lying, you know that."

The unicorn bit her lip. "Well, then, it seems I have two apologies to make."

"Two?" Rainbow Dash looked over at her friend, reaching a hoof up to rub at her cheeks quickly.

"Yes. I should never have gone behind your back like that. I am sorry."

Rainbow Dash sniffed. "Yeah, but it's still my fault."

Rarity pursed her lips. "No doubt. Now, I shall go speak to Fluttershy." The unicorn lifted her head, looking out the door before looking back to the pegasus. "Where is she?"

"I dunno. She kind of ran away after I told her that the whole date was fake."

Rarity sighed. "I will just have to go find her then." Rarity straightened up resolutely.

"I'll help."

"No," the unicorn said firmly.

"No?" Rainbow Dash was nonplussed.

"I don't think she wants to see you right now. I'll let her know that you're sorry, and that you'll see her in the morning."

Rainbow Dash frowned, then shook her head as she slumped back down.

"And Rainbow?"

"Yeah?"

Rarity looked away. "If you are speaking the truth, if you truly don't like her, you should tell her. But if there's even a chance you do... well, after this, I don't think you'll ever have another opportunity after tomorrow."

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "I don't."

Rarity turned back to face her friend. "I think you do." She raised a hoof as her friend opened her mouth to object. "I don't mean you're lying. But if you wished to ruin her date, you could have simply taken the flowers and the food and not shown up." She put her hoof on her friend's chest.

"I just didn't want to leave her hanging." The words, true as they were, sounded hollow even to her own ears.

Rarity sighed, her own ears lowering. "Just think about it, for me?" Rainbow Dash looked away, only to glance back when her friend patted her wordlessly on the shoulder before stepping towards the door. "For what it is worth, I am sorry."

"Me too."

***

Rainbow Dash couldn't sleep, though Luna had pulled the moon into the sky hours ago. The events of the day continued to plague her thoughts, making her roll over in her fluffy bed to stare out the window at the starry sky.

"This is dumb," she said out loud to the empty room, before huffing. Stupid Rarity. I'm not jealous. Am I?

She rolled over again to face away from the window with an unhappy sigh. Gah, what was I thinking? The pegasus grabbed her cloud pillow in her hooves, mashing it up around her head as if the cloudstuff could block out her thoughts. Fluttershy is right, I don't believe in her. Some friend I am.

Rainbow Dash growled at herself. But worse than that, I lied about it. She wasn't even being oversensitive for once; I was a jerk. She punched her pillow, smoothing it back down as she set her head down on the middle of it. Rarity was a jerk too, but that's Rarity. She didn't do it on purpose. No, she just thought that I had a crush on Fluttershy and that I totally would want to go out with her without even asking. Not that she would have believed me anyway.

Rainbow Dash's lips curved angrily as she dwelled in her bitter thoughts. She tricked me. And I did exactly what she thought I'd do. Am I really that predictable? She rolled over again, flopping on her bed, making her fluffy mattress oscillate for several seconds as she grumbled to herself.

If she hadn't done that, then Fluttershy wouldn't be crying right now. She bit her lip. And I wouldn't know she liked me. Crossing her hooves across her chest, Rainbow Dash closed her eyes.

What am I even supposed to do about that? What am I supposed to say? 'Sorry I went on a fake date with you and tricked you into liking me?' Rainbow Dash grimaced. It doesn't matter what I say, it's going to be weird either way. This would all be a lot easier if I actually liked her.

Rainbow Dash shook her head, rolling over further to bury her face in against her pillow, her tail swishing against her blanket as her mind drifted to her yellow friend, contemplating Rarity’s words. Do I like her? What's the best thing about Fluttershy?

Her mind flashed through her memories of the shy pegasus. Finding Fluttershy on the ground after the race, the pair celebrating their newly acquired cutie marks. Her grateful face after Rainbow Dash drove off yet another group of bullies picking on the shy pegasus. Watching the injured robin her friend had nursed back to health flying south before their first winter in Ponyville. Fluttershy's exuberant cheering at the Best Young Flier competition. Her glee when Rainbow Dash had finally asked her to help choose a pet. The ordinarily reclusive pegasus's jubilation when everypony acknowledged her contribution in raising the water to Cloudsdale.

Each of them had one thing in common - Fluttershy's smile, and the warmth it gave, even in memory. Really? Her smile? Is that the best I can do? The pegasus rolled over again, shifting her wings against her back. No, it's not that.

She's just... nice. The pegasus snorted, the surface of her pillow swirling. Well, I guess we all were chosen for a reason. Some loyalty I've turned out to be. I guess there's no element of being a bad friend, though. Rainbow Dash squeezed at her pillow with her hooves, adjusting herself on the bed.

Fine, so she's sweet. What else? She's tougher than she looks. She's loyal. She tries. Rainbow Dash frowned further. Is that really all I can think of?

The pegasus opened her eyes, gazing out the window once more. I guess she likes to take care of animals. Her eyes focused on the stars glittering in the dark fabric of the night sky. Ponies, too.

She wanted to help me. Rainbow Dash closed her eyes at the thought. That's why she said she liked me; because she thought I was too scared to, that she was doing me a favor. Her legs tightened across her chest. That just makes it worse. Though she didn't ask me either. At least she listened.

That thought brought their last moments together back to her - the sobbing embrace, the tears on her chest. Rainbow Dash could feel her eyes watering, and shut them tight. Yeah, and then I ripped her heart out. Great job, Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash grunted, flipping herself over and pounding her bed a few times with her hooves in frustration before huffing loudly. This sucks. Why does she have to like me? Rolling over again, she could feel her blanket drawing in tighter around herself and flailed at it violently before tossing it across the room with one of her hind legs. Muttering to herself, the pegasus rolled out of bed to pace back and forth by her bed.

"I can't even really complain about that. I mean, I am pretty awesome. But I'm not really her type." Rainbow Dash sighed again, sitting back on her haunches and ruffling her mane with her hoof. "I guess that's the point." Shaking her head, she walked over to grab her blanket with her mouth and toss it back onto her bed before crawling underneath it once more, hiding her head beneath her pillow.

Is there even any reason I would want to do something with her? The pegasus closed her eyes and thought, relaxing against her mattress. Slowly, her thoughts flowed over the date, remembering the pegasus's soft touch, her lips on her cheek... Underneath the mattress, Rainbow Dash's cheeks flushed. Okay, so there’s that. But if all I wanted was that, I could have anypony. Why her?

Tucking her legs in close to her body, no answer came to her as the stress of the day finally began to catch up to her, darkness closing in around the edge of thought.

Tomorrow is going to suck.

***

Rainbow Dash had to get up early to move the clouds into place for a morning shower, the skies growing gray as more and more sunlight was blocked out, a slow drizzle starting to fall down over Ponyville and the surrounding area. "What great weather for today," the pegasus muttered to herself as she looked down from the cloud tops at Fluttershy's cottage.

Now or never, I guess. Spreading her wings, she slowly glided down towards her friend's house, letting the wind catch her feathers and slow her descent. It took her over a minute to coast down in front of her friend's house, landing on a small patch of dry earth outside the front door which she had deliberately avoided hitting with rain. Lifting a hoof, she hesitated for a moment before knocking. "Fluttershy?"

There was a quiet shuffling sound inside the house, followed by the sound of slow footsteps before the door swung open almost a minute later. "Oh, hello, Rainbow Dash," the downcast pegasus said, eyes not meeting those of her friend, her bed robe wrapped loosely around her.

"Hey Fluttershy. You doing alright?"

Fluttershy smiled listlessly. "Not really."

"Mind if I come in?"

The pegasus hesitated for a moment before nodding her head slowly, backing out of the way. "Can I get you some tea?"

"Nah, that's alright," Rainbow Dash said, looking around the inside of the living room awkwardly before glancing back to Fluttershy.

"I'm sorry," Fluttershy said, lowering her head, making Rainbow Dash put a hoof to her forehead.

"You don't have anything to apologize for."

"Oh, but I do. Rarity told me how she tricked you into taking me out on a date. It wasn't your fault."

"Oh yeah, because two of your friends setting you up on a fake date is way better than only one of them being a jerk." Rainbow Dash began to pace. "I already yelled at Rarity anyway."

Fluttershy took a step back, her ears falling as she cautiously watched Rainbow Dash pace from behind the wall of her mane.

"Ugh." Rainbow Dash swept her hoof through the air. "Look, I was a jerk, alright? I shouldn't have done what I did."

"Yes, you were."

Rainbow Dash flinched.

Fluttershy's expression took on a hint of worry, her voice quieting. "Oh, I didn't mean you're always a jerk. You just sometimes don't think about other ponies' feelings."

"You're right, I don't." Rainbow Dash pawed at the floor with her hoof, before lifting it to put it on her friend's shoulder. "But I promise I won't do it again."

Fluttershy shook her head a little. "Oh Rainbow, I'm sure you won't."

Silence hung in the air between the two ponies.

"You don't sound convinced."

Fluttershy sighed, her head falling forward, pink mane obscuring her eyes. "You said you were sorry yesterday too. Before..." Her words trailed off into inaudibility.

Rainbow Dash felt her stomach sink. "Yeah, I did," she said as she sat back on her rump. "So what do you want me to do? Pinkie promise?" She started making the gestures, only for a yellow hoof to interrupt her.

"No. I don't want you to promise something that you won't do." Fluttershy looked her in the eye, and Rainbow Dash could see the tears welling in them.

"So that's it. You don't trust me." Rainbow Dash turned her head away. "I don't blame you."

"I do trust you! I just..." Fluttershy swallowed. "You like saving ponies."

Rainbow Dash glanced back to her friend, then reached over to put one of her hoofs on Fluttershy's shoulder, the yellow mare cowering slightly at the touch before her friend noticed and removed the offending appendage. "You're right. I do like saving ponies. But I kind of get carried away sometimes."

Fluttershy smiled uncomfortably. "You do."

"So what am I supposed to do then? Stop saving ponies?"

"Uhm... you could ask."

"Yeah, I'm sure that will work out great when they're falling off a cliff." Rainbow Dash couldn't keep the bitterness out of her voice.

"That's not what I meant and you know it." Fluttershy said firmly, only to recoil slightly when Rainbow Dash looked at her, before her ears fell back.

"Yeah, I know. But what if the pony doesn't want to be saved? Or doesn't know they need to be saved?"

"What if they don't need to be saved?" Fluttershy tried to meet her friend's gaze, but Rainbow Dash was looking away now.

"I get it." The pegasus huffed, before shaking her head. "Not much of an apology, huh?"

Fluttershy smiled hesitantly, "Oh no. It's alright."

"No it isn't! We're supposed to be cool, and we're not." Rainbow Dash stomped her hoof on the floor, immediately regretting it as her friend jumped slightly.

"Uhm, well, I'm not sure that you can just say something and make everything better."

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "I know." she said morosely. "I just kind of hoped, you know?" She looked around absently. "What happened to the flowers, anyway?"

Fluttershy blushed. "Well, I was feeling pretty sad after I ran home, so I uhm... ate them."

"All of them?"

Fluttershy giggled quietly, turning her head away from her friend. "Yes."

"Hah!" Rainbow Dash prodded her friend playfully in the side, making her squeak and take a step back. "Did they taste good at least?"

"Oh yes, they were very good."

"Well, at least they didn't go to waste." Rainbow Dash's eyes widened. "Oh ponyfeathers!" she swore.

"What?" Fluttershy fanned her wings slightly at her friend's curse.

"I forgot to clean up after the picnic! I just left all the food up there. And the saddlebags. And the blanket. It's all going to be totally soaked!"

"Oh no! I'll go get it; it's my fault for leaving."

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Don't bother. It's been raining for half an hour already over there; it's all going to be ruined anyway." She laughed to herself.

"What's funny?"

"Oh, just me worrying about a wet blanket." She laughed again, making Fluttershy look at her curiously, only to be waved off before her laughter ended in a sigh. Silence filled the cottage, broken only by the light sound of rain falling outside.

"So what now?"

"I don't know."

Silence stretched out once more, both pegasi shifting uncomfortably. Fluttershy's hooves fidgeted with each other while Rainbow Dash looked everywhere but at her friend.

"This is dumb," Rainbow Dash said, finally meeting Fluttershy's eyes. "Look. I won't screw things up for you again without asking you first, alright?"

Fluttershy smiled softly. "Alright."

"Cool." The pegasus rubbed her mane, before stepping over next to her friend and tossing her leg around her friend's yellow shoulders. "Mind if I ask you something?"

"A-alright," Fluttershy replied uncertainly.

"Do you really like me, or were you just saying that to try and make me feel better?" Rainbow Dash's voice was softer than usual, almost plaintive.

Fluttershy shifted uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact. "Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Well, if my best friend has a crush on me, I kinda wanna know so I don't hurt her feelings."

Fluttershy sighed. "Yes." She murmured.

"Why?"

It was Fluttershy's turn to blink. "Why?"

"Yeah. I mean, I know I'm awesome, but why do you like me? You kind of told me yesterday, but it didn't really make sense."

Fluttershy looked at her friend shyly. "Do you really want to know?"

"Of course! I always like hearing why I'm great." She grinned cockily, but there was a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

Fluttershy took a deep breath, only to let it out as she lowered her head, her cheeks flushed. "It's... complicated."

Rainbow Dash arched an eyebrow. "Complicated?"

Fluttershy nodded her head. "Complicated."

"Thanks." Rainbow Dash's voice was flat, though there was a hint of amusement in her eyes.

"It's true." Fluttershy sighed. "You're strong. Like, really strong. And you're always trying to be strong for everypony. I like that."

Rainbow Dash blinked. "Didn't you just say you didn't want me to do that?"

Fluttershy shook her head. "I don't mean like that. That was you trying to be strong instead of me."

"What do you mean then?"

Fluttershy leaned into her friend a bit more, making Rainbow Dash's cheeks color slightly as she shifted uncomfortably. "When you encourage me to be the best I can be."

"Oh." Rainbow Dash shifted in place. "Uh... is that it?"

The yellow pegasus blinked as the weight supporting her head moved, before squeaking and shifting away from her friend. "I'm sorry!"

Rainbow Dash laughed awkwardly. "No problem."

"Uhm... well, there's lots of other things." Fluttershy spoke softly, her friend smiling uncertainly at her words. "You're funny, you're honest..."

"Not that honest," Rainbow Dash admitted, making Fluttershy laugh quietly.

"Oh Rainbow, you're a terrible liar. And you did the right thing in the end."

"Yeah, but only because I had to!"

Fluttershy shook her head. "You tried to tell me nicely. You just aren't very good at it." Her words earned another uncomfortable chuckle from her companion. "And I don't mind that. You might hurt ponies sometimes, but your heart is in the right place, and you never do it on purpose."

Rainbow Dash tilted her head slightly, her cheeks rosy. "Alright."

"And you are very cute."

"Cute?"

"Mmhmm." Fluttershy nodded her head. "You are very pretty. And your mane is lovely. It's too bad you won't brush it, but it still looks wonderful."

Rainbow Dash's cheeks brightened. "Alright, alright, that's enough." She laughed quietly, making Fluttershy giggle as well.

"So you like me, huh?"

"Yes," Fluttershy declared, before her eyes slid away from her friend. "I'm sorry."

"Hey, don't be sorry. You like me. It's no big deal." The smile vanished from Fluttershy's face, her eyes falling as Rainbow Dash realized her mistake. "Hey, I didn't mean it like that! I mean, I don't mind. I'm not going to stop being your friend or anything." Fluttershy pulled her wings in closer to her back, making Rainbow Dash put her hoof on her face before stepping over and draping a wing over her friend's back, eliciting a squeak of surprise.

"Fluttershy, I don't really know how to be... you know, mushy. But I really don't mind that you like me. It's actually kinda nice."

Fluttershy looked up at her friend from under her mane, smiling weakly. "Thanks," she said, in a weak, insincere tone of voice, making Rainbow Dash lift her hoof and ruffle her mane again.

"Hey, Fluttershy. I was thinking..."

"Yes?"

"I know that you're probably burned out on blind dates right now, but there's this mare I know that was thinking that it might be nice to take you out. Now, I'm not going to lie like Rarity did; she doesn't think she's in love with you or anything. She doesn't really know how she's feeling. But she kinda wants to give it a shot."

Fluttershy's eyes welled with tears. "Oh, that's very sweet of you, but I don't need a pity date."

Rainbow Dash reached down to lift her friend's chin with her hoof, looking her in the eye. "It's not a pity date. I don't know if I like you, and last night, I kinda decided that I didn't. But... well, I got to thinking." Fluttershy tilted her head curiously, sniffing quietly as her friend spoke. "I realized when I woke up this morning that I was thinking about it all wrong. You're my best friend. You've been my best friend for years. And I realized this morning when I was thinking about you, I was being dumb. It wasn't your smile, or that you were nice. Or I guess it was, but, it was what it meant."

"I don't understand," Fluttershy murmured quietly, making Rainbow Dash reach up with a hoof to brush back her own mane.

"Argh. Look, I'm not very good at explaining this stuff. I just mean... thinking about you, we help each other out a lot. And you know, I always like to think of myself as the hero, but you know, you've done a lot for me too. You're pretty awesome when you think about it. I mean, you chased me down when Discord messed me up. And when that dragon was pummeling us you made him go away just by looking at him! Sure, we had to drag you up the mountain, but you saved all our tails."

Fluttershy giggled quietly, a smile slowly forming on her face.

"So yeah, you're pretty cool. I mean, you're not cool like me, but not everyone can be me, ya know?" Rainbow Dash ruffled her friend's mane fondly.

"Plus, I mean, I kinda realized I was being an idiot." Rainbow Dash smiled sheepishly. "I mean, I've got a hot mare who is really nice and pretty awesome who likes me, and I was going to say no because she's my friend. I mean, if you were some mare I didn't know, would I really have said no?"

Fluttershy looked away at the rhetorical question, making Rainbow Dash chuckle nervously.

"Actually, I probably would have said no anyway. But look, that's not the point. The point is that I never even gave you a chance."

"Oh, Rainbow, you don't have to do anything."

"But I want to. I gotta admit, if things hadn't been super awkward yesterday, it might have been kinda nice. Maybe we can try again, except, you know, without the whole me being a jerk thing."

Fluttershy giggled quietly, looking back up into her friend's eyes before leaning forward to gently touch noses.

"I think I would like that."

Author's Note

Thanks to Bribri, AcreuBall, and HoofBitingActionOverload for their help editing, and the poor sods in the ISD Skype who helped me make sure that passages written at 4 in the morning made sense.

Rose in the cover image courtesy of Dani Shaffer.