The midnight moonlight was spilling into a delicate puddle on Fluttershy’s bed. Stars twinkled in the heavens above the mare’s little cottage. Fluttershy was warm in her bed, but she couldn’t get to sleep. She groaned and got out of bed, her fur itching restlessly. She trotted downstairs, taking extra care to be gentle with her walking, as to make sure not to wake some of the animals that slept in her home.
She pushed open the door and was greeted with a gentle breeze of wind, her bubble gum colored mane flowing in the wind. It felt great to be outside, and the air had a sweet smell to it. The yellow pegasus closed the cottage door and began to trot aimlessly, thinking about what could have been keeping her up.
Soon she slapped herself with a hoof. Rainbow Dash’s birthday was coming up soon-May 15th was the date, and it was only May 13th. She was clueless about what to get her cyan friend. The yellow pegasus pony kicked the dirt, huffing her soft mane out of her face as it fell in a disjointed curtain on her face. She felt bad and unloyal-Dash got her a bunch of new cages and things for her on her birthday a few months back, and sometimes they went on strolls together and talked about some of the colts in town. During sleepovers with the other mares in their little group Dash protected Fluttershy during the night if any of the ponies told spooky stories because she knew how much she got scared easily. She was a great friend and Fluttershy felt like she was just being selfish if she couldn’t think of anything nice to give to her sky blue friend.
“Oh, I’m such a selfish baboon, no offense to baboons of course.” Fluttershy began to speak aloud. “Rainbow Dash might like some Wonderbolts tickets but Twilight told me that she already got some from Princess Celestia...ooo, I’m such a bad friend-”
“Fluttershy?” a voice peeped up from behind a tree.
“EEEEEP!” Fluttershy jumped and wrapped her tail around herself in a protective bundle. “Wh-what do you want from me?” She raised her head at the shadowy figure that spoke behind her.
A bright blue pegasus slipped from the shadows, a clumsy grin plastered onto her face. “What are you doin’ out so late?” Rainbow Dash asked her timid pal.
“I couldn’t sleep.” Fluttershy answered, raising her head.
“I thought it was a pretty nice night.” Dash answered back, her bright tail swishing softly. “I couldn’t help but want to take a little stroll.”
“Oh,” Fluttershy didn’t know how to respond.
“So! Wanna go on a stroll with me? I wanna fly tonight though, if that’s alright with you, we don’t have to go so high.”
“Oh, of course,” Fluttershy whispered, flapping her wings and floating upwards with Dash. The other mare’s eyes reflected in the moonlight. In that instant, Fluttershy felt her chest tighten, her head getting lighter, and her wings tremble. The pegasus looked gorgeous in the spring moonlight, her rainbow mane practically sparkling in the sky.
“Oh, wow...Dash you look magnificent...” the yellow pegasus nervously bit her lip after realizing what she let out.
“What’d you say, Fluttershy?” Dash blinked.
“N-nothing, I-I didn’t s-say anything!” Fluttershy stuttered.
Dash gave her a curious look. “Alright, if you say so.” the two pegasi then flew off, the spring air feeling good on their wings.
+++++
After a few minutes of flying, Dash decided to pull together some clouds for them to rest on. The cloud was soft and fluffy, and Fluttershy found herself leaning against Dash. The sky blue pegasus breathed softly, trying to keep her breath steady.
“The moon looks pretty tonight.” the yellow pony cooed. Dash’s ears twitched in suspicion. Her friend was acting a bit strange around her tonight. The breeze picked up again, and Fluttershy’s pink mane flew gracefully in the wind. Her cerulean eyes glistened in the moonlight. Dash’s heart quickened a bit at the sight. It was almost like Fluttershy was pulling at her heartstrings. But how could Fluttershy know that she had a crush on her? She’d been a bit affectionate a few times but for the most part she thought she was good at hiding her affection.
“Yeah, it does,” Dash agreed. “But not as good as you. You’re beautiful...”
“Wh-What?!” Fluttershy squeaked, whipping around to face her friend. “Di-did you just say I was beautiful, Dash?” her face turned an odd shade of pink and yellow.
Dash’s cheeks flushed to a radiant crismon. Darn, she thought she was hiding it all so well. The cat was out of the bag now and it was time to fess up.
“Y-yeah, I’m sorry, it k-kinda slipped out--” Dash hid behind her wings, shame rolling in waves over her body. Fluttershy would leave any moment now and tell the other ponies, and they wouldn’t want to be her friend anymore, and-
“No, no, it’s okay, because I think you’re beautiful too, Rainbow Dash. I think you’re the most gorgeous mare in all of Ponyville.” Fluttershy whispered after a few seconds of silence.
In the distance, an owl hooted, and Fluttershy was once again spooked. She jumped onto Dash, who caught her by instinct. Fluttershy opened her eyes and looked into Dash’s violet ones. “I-I’m sorry, I should go-” Fluttershy began, but Dash stopped her.
“You think I’m beautiful too?” she asked, her heart rate picking up again. “Well, I-” Dash began to speak, but Fluttershy cut her off with a quick kiss.
The mare’s lips were warm and soft, and Rainbow’s legs quivered. When Fluttershy pulled back from the sky blue pegasus she was blushing even more than before. “I-I love you Dash, I just thought th-that you didn’t r-return the feelings so-so I kept them a s-secret. I-I hope you d-didn’t mind th-that...” Fluttershy’s head bowed. “I’m sorry.”
Rainbow Dash pulled her friend closer. “I love you too Fluttershy. I was afraid what you would think of me if I told you. That kiss was really brave.” It was the truth, Rainbow was thinking of leaving the situation rather than staying and kissing the shy pegasus.
“R-really?” Fluttershy asked.
“Really.”
