That night, a soft rapping came from the library front door. Spike was already soundly asleep in bed while Twilight stood at her desk, absorbed in her book by lamp light. Owlowiscious fluttered in front of the studious unicorn, interrupting her, softly hooting for her to answer. “Huh? Oh!” She heard the soft rapping, finally, as it repeated itself. “Thank you, Owlowiscious.”

“Hoo.”

“I honestly don’t know who it could be at this hour, unless ...” Twilight opened the door to find Fluttershy. Despite her hunch being correct, she was surprised to see her. “Oh! Hello, Fluttershy!”

“Hello, Twilight. I’m sorry to bother you so late.”

“It’s no problem! Please, come in.”

Fluttershy stepped inside, and the lamp that Twilight carried more fully illuminated her so that she noticed Fluttershy’s saddle bag.

“I’ve just been finishing Basic Flight Techniques. What can I do for you?” She eyed the saddlebag curiously.

“Well, um ... I hate to impose, but ...” Fluttershy suddenly looked and sounded very tired, “I’m not—I mean, I don’t feel ... safe, right now.”

Twilight understood. “Of course. No worries. I’ll make you a bed.” The word ‘safe’ had gained special meaning between them throughout their talks the past week. Twilight hugged the yellow mare, and they shared a meaningful look. “Thank you ... for coming to me,” Twilight sounded genuinely glad and somewhat relieved.

Fluttershy had expected Twilight wouldn’t be put out by her unannounced arrival, but she hadn’t quite expected the tenderness and warmth with which her friend received her at such a late hour. She blushed a little. “I ... I should be thanking you, instead.”

Twilight’s smile widened in response, and she began to lead the way to her bedroom loft. “You’re more than welcome. It makes me really happy to have you close by when you’re feeling ... at risk. I mean ...” Twilight’s expression suddenly became apologetic, “beside knowing you trust me, I feel a lot better, knowing you’ll come to me to be ... safe ... for everypony’s sake.”

Fluttershy felt very grateful and a little guilty for her friend’s concern on her behalf. “Of course, Twilight. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

They arrived in the loft shortly, and Twilight summoned a small bed, sheets, pillows, and a blanket with a quick magical burst. “The feeling is mutual, actually.” Twilight responded while levitating the sheets and blanket and placing them neatly over the bed.

A moment later Fluttershy replied. “I don’t really understand.”

Twilight turned her full attention to the yellow mare. “Don’t tell me you don’t realize how much you’ve helped me in the past.”

Fluttershy tried to recall times when she’d been of much use to Twilight. There had been moments, most of which she felt she’d simply been doing her duty for Equestria, or fulfilling her role as an animal expert.

“I guess so.” She smiled a little and rested on the bed made for her. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay you for this, though, I mean, with everything that’s happened recently.”

Twilight looked back tenderly. “I’d say you already have.” She paused, and her expression became thoughtful. “Your friendship is reward enough by itself, but, just by letting me help you, what you’ve given me that, I think, more than makes up for ... recent events, has been ... purpose.”

“Oh. I see,” Fluttershy replied, uncertain of how to respond.

Neither pony said any more on the matter but, as Twilight finished the last of her book and both donned their pyjamas (not a common occurrence for Fluttershy, but she was a guest after all) and, as they wished each other good night, Fluttershy pondered what Twilight had said.

After the lamps went out, Fluttershy lay awake still.

What animals were for Fluttershy, pony friends were for Twilight. It was hard for Fluttershy to imagine being as comfortable around ponies as she was around animals, but, if Twilight felt the same way about her as a friend as she did about the critters she protected and helped, that was something extraordinary, Fluttershy thought. Twilight had been so sincere, and, while, at first, it seemed unlikely that she could actually be happy that Fluttershy relied on her, took so much from her, as Fluttershy thought about how caring for animals had always brought her happiness, she was moved deeply.

Fluttershy thought of countless nights she’d spent nursing her animal friends to health, about the love she felt, as Twilight seemed to, when one came to her in serious need, and the sense of purpose that those instances brought her. Tears began to flow silently across her cheek and muzzle as she realized that she was undeniably, unquestionably, unconditionally loved by Twilight, just as she knew her animals were loved.

“Twilight.” Fluttershy called softly and sniffled.

Seconds later, a tired but warm voice responded. “Yes, Fluttershy?”

“Can I ... sleep in your bed with you?”

A brief pause followed, and Twilight smiled compassionately in the dark.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

Restless though she’d been before, torn with fears and self doubt, Fluttershy slept better that night than she had in years.

Author's Note

Last revised 2 February 2015
- for punctuation and style

Original Note:
This bit came as a surprise to me. Hooray for surprises.
Now I wonder what would happen if I broke every chapter into a gajillion little ones. How annoying would that be? Or maybe it wouldn't be so bad.. *shrug*
No, but seriously, I don't consider this a full chapter, more of a theatrical interlude.

Edit (5/19/14): Tweaked the punctuation and some small things. Trying out the correct form/use of ellipses as well, for once. Thanks to Setokaiva for the volunteered proofreading.