“Thanks for the help… I really appreciate it. Those boxes were just really heavy.” Fluttershy said in her usual quiet voice, but still comfortably and reasonably loud tone. She didn’t stutter or shy away from talking to her friends (most of the time).

“No problem. I’m always happy to help you.” Dash smiled, lightly punching her in the shoulder. Fluttershy let out a cute ‘eep’, slightly dazed by the ‘light’ punch. She blinked a few times before smiling and rubbing her arm slowly.

“Did you need anything to drink? You’re probably really thirsty.” Fluttershy suggested, not even waiting for an answer before gently tugging on Dash’s hand and motioning to the couch. Dash smiled and sat down.

“That sounds great!”

“I’ll be right back.” Fluttershy nodded, returning her usual shy smile before scurrying off into the kitchen. Dash heard a small high pitched noise as something poked her leg. She glanced down and saw a kitten staring up at her curiously.

“Hey there little guy.” Dash smiled as she reached down to scratch the kittens’ head. The little fuzzball bit down on Dash’s finger and started to teethe gently on the foreign object. Dash chuckled a little and lifted the kitten up with her other hand. The kitten looked around in wonder as she was raised up to Dash’s level, glancing around the cottage from its’ new vantage point. “Enjoying bein up there?” Dash asked. She was greeted by a loud meow, followed by the kitten hopping onto her shoulder and headbutting Dash’s ear. She started laughing and scratched the kitten’s head even more.

“Oh you found Mittens.” Fluttershy’s voice rang in. Dash looked up and saw her friend standing there with a tray containing a glass of orange juice, a salad, and several sandwiches.

“Um… I think you may have gone a bit overboard.” Dash joked. Fluttershy just smiled a little more and set the tray down in front of the athletic pony. “Thank you.”

“Did you need anything else? You’re really um… You look hot, maybe I should open a window.” Fluttershy suggested.

Dash raised an eyebrow momentarily before she shrugged, “Sure, that would be nice.” She said.

“I um… I didn’t mean it l- Oh, okay!” Fluttershy shook her head, hiding the growing redness in her face as she ran over to the window and opened it as far as it would go.

“Fluttershy.” Dash said loudly. Fluttershy tensed up, a small ‘eep’ escaping her mouth as the window was released, clamping down on the yellow pegasus’ fingers. Fluttershy’s eyes widened as tears welled in them. Dash was instantly on her feet and she rushed over, releasing Fluttershy’s fingers from the window. Fluttershy held her hands shakily in front of her, whimpering quietly. Dash hugged the yellow pegasus tightly, “I didn’t mean to hurt you…” She said softly.

“I’m… It’s…” Fluttershy mumbled, attempting to say something that she couldn’t quite think of.

“What? What is it?” Dash asked quickly. There was a long pause between the two.

“Ow…” Fluttershy said quietly.

“Okay… How about you sit down for a little?” Dash said, guiding her friend over to the couch. Fluttershy nodded slowly and walked over to the couch, sitting down with her hands still extended, fingers throbbing painfully.”I’ll go get you some ice.” Dash said as she ran into the kitchen. When Dash grabbed the ice pack, the sudden realization hit her. Where was Mittens? She quickly looked around for the kitten. There was a faint giggle from the living room, peeking out at Fluttershy. She saw the pegasus on the couch, Mittens in her lap licking the injured fingers. Dash sighed and walked towards them with an ice pack in hand. She sat down beside Fluttershy. Mittens looked up at Dash and pawed at the air. Dash smiled and patted Mitten’s head before she gently pressed the ice pack to her friends hand.

“Ah… It’s cold.” Fluttershy shivered.

“Of course it would be.” Dash chuckled. Fluttershy stared at Dash for a moment.

“Oh, right.” Fluttershy nodded, laughing quietly as the realization hit her. Dash smiled widely as she hugged Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash could feel a heat radiating from Fluttershy’s face and saw it was reddening again as she returned the hug.

“It’s good that you’re feeling a little better.” Dash said.

“I can’t feel bad if you’re here D-” Fluttershy paused, cutting herself off. Dash smiled wider and stared at Fluttershy. “I’m… um…” She mumbled, seeming extremely uncomfortable.

“You don’t need to feel uncomfortable around me.” Dash said.

“I know I… I’m just…” Fluttershy mumbled, looking down shyly.

“Fluttershy…” Dash said softly. Fluttershy looked up at Dash slowly.

“I’m sorry.” Fluttershy said quietly.

“It’s alright.” Dash sighed.

“I’m just um… Going through a… a um…” Fluttershy continued, seeming a little more nervous as her face reddened further. Dash tilted her head slightly. Fluttershy mumbled something inaudible before pulling away from Dash and turning in the opposite direction.

“Fluttershy…” Dash said. “You know you can tell me anything.”

“A ph…” Fluttershy mumbled.

“Fluttershy.” Dash said.

“A phase…” Fluttershy said.

“A phase of what?” Dash asked.

“It’s um… You know.” Fluttershy said, motioning to something in Dash’s vicinity.

Dash raised an eyebrow. Fluttershy pointed reluctantly to Rainbow’s crotch. Dash’s face blanked and her eyes widened slightly. “I’ve just been um… really curious.” Fluttershy said quietly.

“Um… Okay…” Dash mumbled.

“I’m just… I don’t know why I said this, oh…” Fluttershy stammered nervously, shaking her head quickly.

“It’s fine… really…” Dash said quietly.

“I mean… Does this make me um… You know, gay?” Fluttershy practically choked on her words. Fluttershy’s eyes widened a little. “Oh, that’s only if you… If you like me back right?”

“I… d... “ Dash mumbled. Fluttershy stood up and bolted upstairs into her room, locking the door behind her.

Dash stood up and quickly ran up after her. “Fluttershy!” She said as she banged on the door. Fluttershy could be heard whimpering something inaudibly. “Please let me in!” Dash said, this time pulling back on the banging.

“Ahmnig poh lake youygh.” Fluttershy babbled inaudibly, the sadness obvious in her voice.

“No you didn’t.” Dash stated.

“Bah I min porl dah!” Fluttershy returned incoherently.

“Says you…” Dash muttered. Nothing but silence followed from Fluttershy’s side of the door. “Fluttershy… please let me in.” Dash said a little louder. There was a click and the door cracked open, Fluttershy’s pink face coming into view. Dash looked at Fluttershy, her face almost equally as red.

“Um… Now what?” Fluttershy asked quietly, not knowing what to do.

“I don’t know.” Dash shrugged.

“What do mares um… usually do with each other. I mean… you know.” Fluttershy asked.

“Um…” Dash mumbled.

“I just… Do we just um… Poke each other?” Fluttershy asked reluctantly.

“I don’t… um…” Dash said.

“Because we um… I dunno.” Fluttershy shrugged. She seemed extremely nervous, avoiding all eye contact with Rainbow.

“Yeah… Neither do… I…” Dash mumbled.

“I don’t really know what to do. You’re really experienced in this kind of stuff, right?” Fluttershy asked, looking up at Dash for answers. Dash’s mouth was slightly agape as she stared silently at her friend. “I mean… you must get a lot of… um… Suitors. You’re really… good at… looking.” Fluttershy slowed to a mumble.

“Oh… Oh… Um… Yeah.” Dash mumbled, quickly nodding. “Maybe we should start with… Um…” She scratched her chin as she thought. Fluttershy looked at Dash with a growing interest, seeming hopeful for some ideas. Dash’s eyes lit up and she smiled as she looked at Fluttershy. “How about we start somewhere simple?” She asked as she grabbed both of Fluttershy’s hands. She blushed, hiding a smile half behind her hair and resting her head on Dash’s chest. Dash smiled and squeezed Fluttershy gently.

“I’m…” Fluttershy started, beginning to laugh quietly.

“What’s so funny?” Dash asked.

“I guess I never expected you to… to be one that um. Cuddled.” Fluttershy said, her innocent face glancing up at Dash.

“You got a problem with it?” Dash asked jokingly. Fluttershy responded by burying her face in Rainbow’s neck and hugging her as tightly as the fragile pegasus could. Dash squeezed her closer and laid her head down on top of the yellow pegasus’. Fluttershy pulled back a little, just enough to look the cyan pony in the eyes. “Yeah?” Dash asked softly.

“Would it be okay if… if maybe I…” Fluttershy mumbled, looking down as she trailed off.

“If you…” Dash mumbled.

“Could we kiss?” Fluttershy blushed brightly. Dash’s smile grew and she stared down at her. “If that’s something ponies do… I mean… Is it?” Fluttershy asked quietly. Dash’s smile widened as she leaned closer to Fluttershy and kissed her. Fluttershy’s eyes grew wide and she froze, her cutie mark moving from her left flank up to her stomach as a sudden tingling filled it.

Dash pulled back, “How was that?” She smiled. Fluttershy sat silently for a few moments.

“Could we um… do it again?” Fluttershy asked. Dash didn’t respond as she kissed her shy friend again. Fluttershy closed her eyes, the tingling spreading through her entire body. Her arms gripped Dash’s back gently as she unintentionally shifted to Dash’s lap. Dash suddenly stiffened up. Fluttershy pulled back, a smile beaming on her face.

“I love you.” Fluttershy said with a lot more confidence, seeming more comfortable. Dash squirmed around slightly and looked down at the floor.

“I… love you too…” She mumbled.

“What’s wrong? Am I making you uncomfortable? I can move if you want.” Fluttershy asked kindly, grabbing Dash’s hands this time.

“It’s um… I…” Dash muttered as she trailed off.

“I’ll just… Oh my!” Fluttershy gasped as something prodded her nethers. “Oh my goodness…”

Dash stiffened up even more. Fluttershy’s eyes wandered down, realizing she was still gripping Dash’s hands, so what was poking her? The yellow pegasus’ mouth parted slightly. Dash continued to stare at the floor. “You’re… a guy?” Fluttershy said, her tone filled with shock.

“No! Not completely…” Dash mumbled.

“What does that mean?” Fluttershy asked, her expression catching Dash off guard, not seeming so surprised, as curious.

“Well… I do have a… you know… and I also have the other… I have both parts.” Dash sighed.

“Oh. Were you born like that?” Fluttershy asked, tilting her head.

“Yeah… I was. And you’re… pretty calm for what I just said.” Dash said.

“Well you’re my best friend. I’m not going to judge you.” Fluttershy smiled, hugging Dash again. “I love you too much to do that.” Dash smiled and her cheeks reddened a little as she hugged Fluttershy back. Fluttershy yawned and rested her head on Dash’s shoulder. Dash yawned too.

“Looks like we’re both a little tired.” Dash said.

“A little.” Fluttershy giggled quietly. She crawled over onto the bed and lied down, burying herself under the covers and looking at Dash. Dash got onto the bed and laid down beside Fluttershy. She was quickly pulled into Fluttershy’s embrace and was greeted by the warmth of the yellow pegasus’ body. Dash nuzzled closer to Fluttershy and looked up at her with a small smile. Fluttershy kissed Dash’s forehead and pulled her head back to her own plump breasts. “I hope we’re not rushing this… You’re one of the closest people I have, and I don’t want to lose you because of this…” She said in a slightly pained tone.

“You won’t…” Dash said quietly. “You won’t ever lose me.”

Fluttershy pulled the blankets up to make sure Dash wasn’t cold before squeezing her a little more. Dash buried her face into Fluttershy’s neck and sniffled quietly. Fluttershy looked down at Dash. “What’s wrong? Am I squeezing you too tight?” She asked caringly. Fluttershy pushed the hair back behind Dash’s ear and ran her hand across her head, stroking it gently.

Dash laughed quietly, “Nothing’s wrong.” She said. “Not a single… thing.”

Author's Note

As always, I couldn't have done this without my wonderful husband Patric. I hope you all have a great day!