(Flutterdash) The Whole Story

Mrs. Cake told Mr. Cake about Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, Mr. Cake mentioned it talking to a friend, that friend told his friends, those friends told their friends, and so on and so forth. What with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy being town celebrities, and the town being so close-knit and small, nearly everypony in Ponyville knew by next morning. And not everyone was happy about it.

They talked in the rising sun:

“How disgusting, absolutely scandalous!”

“I bet they make a cute couple.”

“What? I thought Rainbow Dash didn't have time for love.”

“Ha, I knew she was gay.”

“I can't believe, after all this time, two of the town heroes turn out to be dykes.”

“Thank goodness you told me! I need to keep little Bean Sprout away from them.”

“I wonder if they've banged yet.”

“I can't believe they have some fag up there controlling our weather! They need to send up someone else.”

“Awww, I'll have to stop by and congratulate them. Coming out is a big deal, you know. I bet it was hard on Fluttershy, she’s so shy.”

“Shit, that’s gross.”

“I bet the sex is good.”

“Haha, that's cute.”

“Whoa, really? I had no idea Rainbow Dash, of all people, would be into the quite type.”

“I thought they were already a thing?”

“Good grief, first monsters, Discord, then lesbians. What could possibly be next?”

Fluttershy woke up with awful bedhead. It looked like a miniature pink tornado was freeze-framed on her face. She shook it dimly, and decided to take a shower first off. The hot water plastered her hair into a wet submission; steam rose and wafted in the air, fogging the mirror. After washing, she stepped out and saw herself as a muddled pink-and-yellow blur. For some odd reason, she felt like it was going to be a long day today.

But she yawned and fed the animals, spruced up feathers and fur, cooked for Angle, cooked for herself, ate, cleaned cages, cleaned litter boxes, skimmed the paper; cleaned the kitchen.... By one she already felt ready to go back to bed. Instead, she made her way into town. She needed to go grocery shopping, and if she put it off much longer she would start eating her backyard. Not that that was particularly awful, but she tried to save that for the other grazing animals she took care of. She also wanted more variety than just common lawn grass.

The market wasn't overly crowded, but it was never quiet. A good number of ponies walked the streets with saddlebags and focused thoughts in their faces. But gradually, it seemed they paid more attention to her. Some snickered and smiled, some frowned at her coldly.

She walked up to her first stop and tried not to feel the eyes crawling on her back like bugs under her skin. “I'd like to buy two bunches of celery, please.” She said, opening her bag with her wing and pulling the bits out with her mouth.

The stall pony, a stallion with a blond coat, red mane, tail, and beard, roundish face, and rather gruff voice, said, “Of course, Fluttershy. Nice to see you're staying strong.”

“Staying—?” but the words were lost in her throat as another pony from behind her muttered something about taking all day. “Oh, I'm sorry,” she squeaked as she quickly took her celery and left.

“Gross,” somepony muttered behind her; she just caught a glimpse of the speaker rubbing her fur, as if to brush off dirt, where Fluttershy had brushed her.

What? Do I have dirt on me somewhere? Fluttershy thought, but before she could check, another pony walked up to her.

“Hey Fluttershy, you don't really know me, but I want to say thanks for standing up for ponies like us.” Lyra smiled as she talked.

“P-ponies like us? What—” But suddenly Lyra was pulled away by a friend, and she only waved goodbye. Fluttershy frowned and looked around quickly for a place to hid—rest. She ducked her head and started walking toward an empty stall when she caught a group of ponies glaring hatefully at her. Their leader, a pink-and-blue unicorn mare, started walking forward.

Fluttershy decided she had had enough of the market today. She flew home with only her celery, and while she coasted on the air above thatched roofs she tried to sort out what had happened at the market. Ponies like us? What does that mean? Standing up? For what?

Rainbow Dash noticed some of the weather team snickering behind her back. Nothing too unusual, but she wasn't about to let it slide. “Hey! You two! What are you laughing at?” she yelled as she swooped up them—Thunderlane and another stallion.

He snapped a quick salute, and the pony next to him looked up at her. Thunderlane spoke: “Sorry mam! We were only giggling mam.”

“About what? I can't have you two over here cracking jokes and letting the clouds fly rampant. Not if you want to get paid, that is,” Rainbow said, narrowing her eyes.

The pony beside Thunderlane made chocked on a sound that stuck in his throat, and said mustered out, “Of course!” He flew off and began to work on the clouds again.

“Yes sir, mam sir!” Thunderlane flew off as well.

Rainbow returned to her work as well, but soon she was looking up again at Flitter, who looked like she wanted to say something. “Ms. Dash?”

“Yeah Flitter?”

“Me and Cloudchaser talked it over and we want you to know that no matter who you choose to be, we'll still be here on your team, working in the skies.”

“Umm, thanks?”

Flitter nodded and started for a hug, but Rainbow put a hoof on her chest and said, “Uh, Flitter, what—?”

“Oh, I'm sorry, I guessed it might be different now. I'll go back to helping Cloudchaser and Candylane.”

“But what... does..?” But she flew away. Rainbow petered out. She went back to work, and tried to concentrate. Hmm. Today doesn’t feel quite right...

It wasn't until the day's work was almost done did she realize what was wrong.

“Hey! Thunderlane, don't go yet.”

“Uhh, okay?” He twirled around and looked scared. Everypony else was already heading home, off to enjoy the rest of the day. “Is this about earlier? Gusty Wind and I were only—I mean—you do have to still pay me for today. Right?”

“What? Yeah, of course you're getting paid. No, I wanna talk about something Flitter said. She said that her and Cloudchaser were going to keep working here no matter who I choose to be. Do you have any idea of what that means? And does it have anything to do with Lightning Chase, Cold Cloud, Rainy Cloud, and Feather Prick missing today?”

“Well,” Thunderlane scratched the back of his neck with a hoof, “They quit this morning—said they didn't want to have anything to do with a ‘scandalous lesbian'.”

It was what she feared. They knew. Somehow, it had finally gotten out.

Thunderlane interrupted her fiery train wreck of thoughts, “If it helps any, the rest of the weather team hardly bat an eye. I mean, there was some little fussing, but you know Cloudchaser and Flitter got it straightened out in the end.”

“And—why—do—” Okay. Rainbow felt queasy, but she tried to focus. One thing at a time. “Why did no one tell me they quit until now?”

“Didn't you read the bulletin posted on the wall at the weather hub? It had their resignation notices on it.”

“I never read the bulli—okay. Fine. We can get along without them. How did everyone find out? I never told them, and F—do you know who it is?”

“We, uh, heard it was Fluttershy. And the news just kind of spread—like wildfire. I don't know who it came from in the beginning.”

Rainbow's head was spinning. She grabbed a cloud and sat down on it shakily. “So... you know now. You were giggling at us! At me and her being in a relationship, weren’t you?”

“We didn't mean it to be mean,” Thunderlane said quickly, “we just thought it was funny, because we never thought you would go for the quiet type.”

“You suck.” She whispered, looking down at the cloud.

Thunderlane tried to comfort her. He sat down next to her and awkwardly put a foreleg on her shoulder. But then suddenly Rainbow realized that a few ponies quitting was far from the worst. The worst would be, “Oh my Celestia! Fluttershy!” In a shot she was off the cloud and into the air.

Thunderlane looked on as she flew in a frenzy. “She’s probably fine,” he mumbled to himself.

Fluttershy was boiling pasta, somehow there always seemed to be some kind of noodles hiding in the back of her pantry, when she heard a slam behind her. She had half a second to be scared before Rainbow Dash swooped her up in her forelegs, clutching her close and looking her all over.

She was stumbling over her words, “Fluttershy! You're okay! I know I've heard horror stories before, and Applejack, but you're alright!”

“Rainbow, I—” She was cut off as Rainbow kissed her hard on the lips, slipping in tongue in rough passion. “Rainbow, what are you doing?”

Rainbow hugged her tight and said, “You’re being okay.”

“Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy pulled away, “What's going on?”

“They know. They found out we're dating, and four ponies quit the weather team because of it.”

For a little bit, all they did was sulk in the kitchen, with pasta boiling next to them. Fluttershy told Rainbow about what had happened in the market. “What should we do now?” She asked Rainbow, who was biting her lip.

“I don't know. First AJ, then the weather team, what if the whole town reacts like that?”

“But surely the whole town won't.”

“I hope not.”

They were eating lunch (the pasta, which Fluttershy had luckily boiled enough of for both of them) when suddenly Rainbow had an epiphany.

“Hey! This means we're out now. We can—we don't have to hide anything anymore. I mean, I'm sure there will be a bunch of problems and stuff, but we're free! We don't need to hide.”

Fluttershy smiled. Yeah. Free. That sounded nice. Even if, well, even if there were going to be problems then let them be. Because they were free. Yeah. “We should, um, if you're free, we should have a public date. A real date.”

Up until now every date they went on had been secluded and private. No other ponies around, just a pick-nick at an empty park, talking on a rouge cloud, sitting together in the dark of the theater. Only once or twice had they gone to restaurants, and then they never let it look too much like they were dating. They looked like good friends, or sisters. But that would change now.

So they ate and decided for their real date they should eat dinner at a fancy restaurant. A romantic restaurant, preferably with the table in the middle of the evening crowd and the lighting set to a nice soft mood. And this time they wouldn't hide a thing.

In the meanwhile, Rainbow wanted to stay at Fluttershy's. She had an uneasy feeling that something bad would happen if she left her alone. As if somepony would come and... and something. It was silly she knew, but still. So Rainbow helped her do chores and this and that, and the afternoon passed slowly. And as it did she realized something. She realized that right here, with Fluttershy, was exactly where she wanted to be the rest of her life.

Applejack was crying. Silently, hotly, the tears falling to the roots of the apple tree next to her. Big Mac went over to her, and gave her a minute to collect herself. She would talk when she was ready, even though Big Mac already knew what it was about.

“It's just so stupid.” She said, and Big Mac listened. “I don't want them to stop being my friends. But I just can't believe it. And after all this time, all this time I've spent with them.”

Big Mac thought carefully over what to say. “Applejack, do you really believe this is something big enough to terminate your friendship?”

“Of course it is! Do you think I would still be friends with them if they turned out to be thieves? I can't let toxic relationships into my life, and Celestia knows it.”

Big Mac nodded sadly. “If you're really so sure, then it can only take time to move on.” Like vinegar coming out of his mouth. It was true, but the exact opposite course of action she needed to take.

“Yeah... but it ain’t gonna happen fast.”

That night Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy dined at Le Doré Haystack, the most prestigious eatery in Ponyville. It was no match for most Canterlot restaurants, and the bill would be expensive, but it was famous for having a romantic atmosphere. It was, in the town, the place to go on a good, serious date.

Fluttershy dressed up in a small outfit Rarity had made her some time ago. It was simple, a cape with sleeves almost, but it looked beautiful. Red and white Ribbons laced over her chest and clutched a pink single-flower corsage. The fabric danced up to meet her train that spilled over her back and down both sides near her hind legs. There opened a small, running slit for her tail. It was done up simply, just a beaded hair tie at the end, but her mane had more work on it. It was pulled back from her face and billowed in large curls. She wore eyeliner and flat red lipstick. She was nervous and scared, but she felt safe with Rainbow Dash and pretty with all she had done to prepare.

Rainbow Dash was dressed up as well. She really only had a few clothes at all, but she had managed to find something. She wore a simple black skirt with a black, frilly, short-sleeved top. A pink flower of her own slept against her chest. Her mane and tail were properly brushed together, and they looked shining. All the little cowlicks and sprawls had disappeared, leaving only a cool, collected rainbow. She didn't wear any makeup, but smiled continuously.

They came up to the double door of the restaurant, large worked oak with one opened into the building and spilling warm light out into the night. A stallion with slicked-back hair and a pencil mustache waited to greet clientele. He raised an eyebrow at them, but didn't say anything.

“Are you here for a table?” He asked in a thin accent, just enough that you could be impressed.

“Yes,” Rainbow said, “for two please.”

He bowed, and ushered them inside, “Naturally.”

He showed them to a table near one wall, with a perfect view out into the sea of puppy-eyed ponies on the right, and a good look at the river that cut though the town out the window on the left.

“Your waiter will be with you momentarily, the menus are here for you to review while you wait. Enjoy.” He left, heading back to the door.

No one had noticed them yet. “Well here we are. We're actually doing this.” Rainbow was grinning wickedly, like it was all some kind of stunt.

Fluttershy scanned over the menu. “Oh my gosh, Rainbow, nothing on here is less then fifteen bits, are you sure you don't want to split the bill?”

“Relax, Fluttershy, I got it. You can get the tip, okay?”

She sighed, “Alright.”

“Hey,” Rainbow pulled a saucy face, “You wanna split a plate of spaghetti?”

Fluttershy giggled.

Eventually they settled on their entrees and ordered.

“This is so nice.” Fluttershy said, looking around at the ambiance. She shivered. “I feel like a daredevil!” She was smiling. “Like I'm getting away with something.”

Rainbow laughed, “Like that time in flight school when we skipped class and you were freaking out the entire time?”

“Hey, you had to drag me into that!” She put her forelegs around herself. “Something like that yeah.”

By now some of the other patrons began to notice them. They were dressed up, and it sure looked like they were going out. They weren't holding hooves or anything, though. Maybe they were just catching up? But wait, that was Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, wasn't it? Weren't they a couple now?

One mare was frowning intensely at them, and several other ponies looked on in disgust.

“Rainbow, ponies are starting to notice,” Fluttershy

“Let's give them something to look at then,” Rainbow said, leaning forward to kiss her.

At this there was a small gasp and one dark-maned stallion stood up angrily, “Can't you go fag it up somewhere else?”

There was a little ripple of consent.

“I don't want to be a daredevil anymore,” Fluttershy whispered, leaning forward and purposely letting her hair fall into her face.

Rainbow stood up as well, “You wanna talk? Maybe you should look in a mirror. I should be asking you to leave so the rest of us can eat without barfing!”

“You little,” he threw out an accusing hoof, “At least I'm not some kind of sexual deviant!”

“So you admit you're dangerously disgusting?”

By now several other ponies were starting to stand up. Fluttershy sunk lower in her chair and kept her eyes on Rainbow. From the crowd came general accusations:

“Hey, we're trying to eat here, can you maybe respect that?”

“This is a restaurant for the adults, not the sluts!”

“Can't you just leave us alone?

But there were several who stood up and defended Rainbow:

“Oh would you shut it, Doughy, they're just eating!”

“And if this is a place for adults, why exactly are you here?”

“As if you've ever been in love.”

Rainbow's voice joined the many, and from the corner of her eye, Flutterhsy saw several waiters running off. The restaurant became a verbal brawl, with nearly every single pony shouting at somepony else.

A thick, sick feeling started to eat into Fluttershy when suddenly the air quieted. She looked up.

A very annoyed-looking Stallion was standing in the middle of the room, with a stiff suit and styled hair that suggested he was the owner. He was saying, “Everypony shut up, or I'll kick every one of you out!

“Now,” he strode over to Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Rainbow was still standing, and still fueled fire in her eyes. “Do you girls have bits to pay for your meal?”

“Of course we do!”

“Then I honestly,” He turned to the rest of the crowd, “Don't know why you should be bothered.”

There were several cries of outrage, but they were quickly silenced. “If anypony has a problem with this, then they can leave right through there!” He pointed a furious hoof to the door.

There was a grim silence that slowly faded back to a gentle, angry murmur of talking. He turned back to them, “I am terribly sorry about that. If it happens again, I'll be sure to.... Stop it again, I suppose.” He sighed and ran a hoof through his mane. “If you'll come with me, ladies, I can seat you at a finer table up in the balcony. If you wish, of course.”

Rainbow nodded, recognizing that this was a weak way of compensating for their trouble. “I wouldn't mind that. Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy wiped her tears off, so at least the owner wouldn't know she had been crying, and nodded weakly. “I'm coming.”

“Follow me then.”

He led them to a nicer table at that sat on the balcony overlooking the river. It was more lavishly decorated, and lit by white taper candles. There were a few other tables, some filled, but no one bothered them again. They must have heard the commotion downstairs.

“That was awful,” Fluttershy whispered when the owner had left them.

“Yeah, but hey we did it!” Rainbow said, “And now we're here. We've made it.”

Fluttershy shuddered. Rainbow noticed.

“Hey,” She said, “Come on. Those guys were jerks, but we're free of them now. We can enjoy the rest of the night.”

Fluttershy nodded, “I'll try to.”

The rest of the evening was much less eventful. They talked and smiled, ate and had a good time. When they left, they both smiled.

“I had a wonderful time,” Fluttershy told Rainbow as they rounded onto her cottage. “Apart from—you know, the beginning. You were right, it felt good to finally be able to something like this as a couple, not just friends.”

“Yeah, it did. And the food was pretty good too.”

“Well, Rainbow Dash, thank you for everything tonight.” She kissed Rainbow, and their lips held together just long enough for them both to forget the world. Eventually, Fluttershy pulled away. She gave Rainbow one more hug, then disappeared inside with a final, “Goodnight, Rainbow.”

Rainbow lingered for just a moment. Was it wasn’t too soon, but maybe... yea, not tonight. Almost perfect for it, but not quite. Rainbow jumped up and looped around. The stars, the horizon, hazy with dry moonbeams, turned and swiveled in her eyes. There was no up or down, there was only pure freedom in the starlit air—air that breezed in and out of the clothes she wore in puffed billows. It had been a great night nonetheless.

The diners that had fought with Rainbow Dash and each other spread the story, including how the owner of the restaurant himself had come out and served them. It trickled down through the town.