Strong Cider, Weak Heartsby ToiskiChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 1Rainbow Dash shrugged off her saddlebags and winced a bit when their contents clinked loudly in protest at the rough handling. She turned her attention at the other pegasus sitting in the meadow, surrounded by all sorts of colorful birds. ”Hey Fluttershy. Sorry I'm late.” Fluttershy looked up from her pals. “Oh, it's no problem. I had my friends to keep me company.” She didn't seem to mind, but Rainbow knew Fluttershy wouldn't voice a complaint if she were made to wait for hours. “So, are you ready to cheer me on for my new big stunt?” Rainbow dash rummaged though her saddlebags and fished out her flight goggles. With practiced hoof motions she slapped them over her eyes and tightened the strap. Fluttershy nodded. “Oh yes. I'm excited to see what awesome new tricks you've planned. Woo-hoo!” Her cheers were still more quiet than a regular pony's speaking voice, but Rainbow Dash thought she could hear a tiny difference compared to before the Best Young Fliers Competition. The volume wasn't the important part, anyway. As long as there was somepony heaping much-deserved praise on her, Rainbow felt like she couldn't fail. Rainbow stretched her wings and took to the air, hovering just above Fluttershy. “Okay, this next trick looks awesome any way you cut it, but it's coolest from above. Go sit on that cloud,” Rainbow said, pointing at a fluffy white cumulus the size of a haycart, a hundred feet off the ground. Fluttershy craned her neck and her ears turned back. “Oh, I don't know. It's so high. If you don't mind, I'd rather stay down here.” Rainbow Dash put on her best 'are you kidding me' face. “Fluttershy, you're a pegasus. You're supposed to be up in the sky.” She could see the earthbound mare was about to object, but cut her off. “You can't appreciate my radical new stunt from way down here. Come on!” Rainbow Dash grabbed Fluttershy in her forehooves and the saddlebag in her mouth and took off, scaring away the little birds. The yellow mare let out a tiny squeak and stiffened. That was good, Rainbow thought, way better than struggling. It made it so easy to carry the frozen pegasus and softly clinking saddlebags up to the cloud, that Rainbow wasn't even properly warmed up. When she was unceremoniously dumped on the soft cloud, Fluttershy finally let out the breath she had been holding. “Oh my. Oh, oh my. Oh gosh.” She risked a peek over the edge and curled up as small as she could, in the middle of the cloud. Rainbow dug inside her saddlebags again, pulling out a few bottles of cider. “Relax, 'Shy. Have a bottle. I got some from Applejack. She had these left over from cider season 'cause they were left in the sun for too long and now they taste funny or something. So she gave them to me and the other girls on the cheap.” She planted the bottles into the cloud mass to keep them cool and took off again. “Now watch me pull off things that would leave even the Wonderbolts amazed at my, uh, amazing agility and guts!” With a trembling hoof Fluttershy uncorked a bottle and took a deep, shaky swig. It did taste weird, but not bad. Maybe stronger than usual, with a lingering warmth in her stomach. Halfway through the bottle, Fluttershy noticed she wasn't as nervous anymore. So she took a long drink, emptying the rest of the bottle, and uncorked another one while watching her friend defy the laws of inertia. -O-O-O- Rainbow Dash swooped onto the cloud and plopped herself next to Fluttershy. “So was that great or what?” She nudged her flight goggles up to her forehead. Fluttershy appeared slightly flushed and was swaying gently from side to side. There were three empty bottles next to her. “Yay. You're really pretty. I mean the trick was. Almost as cool as the sonic rainboom.” Rainbow Dash lifted an eyebrow. “Yeah, sure. Whatever. Do you think-” Fluttershy did the unthinkable and actually interrupted her. “I never got a sonic rainboom for myself.” She appeared slightly misty-eyed. “Rarity got one when you saved her. Remember when you did one the first time? I fell and you didn't come to catch me.” Now Rainbow Dash was really confused. “Hey, Fluttershy. You know I'm sorry about that. I didn't notice that you--” And again Fluttershy interrupted. “It's my fault. I wanted you to save me because,” she sobbed, “because then it wouldn't be weird, it wouldn't be wrong that I...” her voice thinned into a whining mumble and she stood up abruptly, nearly losing her footing. Her face was hidden under her mane, but Rainbow could see a tear roll down her cheek. “Fluttershy, what's wrong?” Now Rainbow was standing as well. Her usual bravado was gone. She had tried not to think about that day, because it was so far from her usual cool self. Yeah, the sonic rainboom was all sorts of cool, but she'd let a friend down. That was decidedly uncool. “I said I'm sorry, okay?” Fluttershy looked over the edge of the cloud and whispered. “I'm sorry, but I'm going to be a little bit selfish now.” Then she fell over the edge, wings pressed tightly against her sides. For a split second all of Rainbow's muscles seized up. She felt an emptiness in the pit of her stomach and a tightness in her throat, and then she was over the edge and diving after Fluttershy. The rush of air past her face stung her eyes, but there was a yellow blob in front of her. Her hooves reached out, slipping once and sending the other pegasus tumbling through the air. She flapped her wings furiously to accelerate downwards and grabbed again, this time getting a solid hold around Fluttershy's midsection. She couldn't see well enough to tell how far the ground was, but her instinct told her it couldn't have been far. She hauled up on both their weights with all of her might, extending her rear hooves below them. The collision sent jolts of pain through Rainbow's legs and she stumbled, but managed to tuck in her wings and twist herself under Fluttershy. The other pegasus fell on top of her, and Rainbow's breath was squeezed out of her lungs between the grass and the yellow mare. They slid a few feet until coming to a halt, and Rainbow shook her head to clear it. “What was that all about, huh? You could've gotten hurt!” There was a hint of tremor in her voice. Fluttershy was curled up against her chest, her face hidden under her voluminous mane. The yellow mare stirred and continued whispering as if she hadn't just leapt from the height of a hundred feet. “You saved my life.” Her voice was surprisingly steady. “You're my savior, Rainbow Dash. So now it's not weird at all if I fall for you.” Fluttershy's nose emerged from under her shroud of pink hair, and she gave Rainbow a brief kiss on the lips. “My hero.” Rainbow's eyes stared into nothingness and her mouth hung open. She felt Fluttershy rest her cheek against her chest, where her heart was doing its best to pummel its way out. There was the tingling aftertaste of strong cider on her lips. It was so... soft. Rainbow couldn't quite get her thoughts organized. But... buh. What just happened? It took her some length of time to marshal her thoughts, and realize that they were still curled up together on the grass. “Fluttershy? What was...?” There was no reply. Fluttershy was breathing calmly, ruffling Rainbow's chest fur with her warm breath. She was asleep. -O-O-O- Fluttershy woke up with a slight headache. For a moment she wondered where she was and why it was so cold. The late evening light coming through a window stung her eyes. Yes, this was familiar; she was in her own bed. She rolled over to get the sun out of her eyes, but scooted back to the window-side half of the bed when she landed in a wet spot. “That's odd,” she said, feeling like her mouth was dry as a desert. There was indeed a pony-sized moist splotch in her linens. The faint smell of sweat was all around her, and seemed to even cling to her hair. She saw Rainbow Dash's flight goggles hanging off the corner of her bedside table. “What's happened? How did I get home?” She wondered aloud. Her memory failed her. She'd been watching Rainbow's flight practice and drinking that strong-tasting cider. Then something... Fluttershy's head throbbed. Something about falling, holding onto somepony... She smacked her lips and licked them to get the dryness out, and that brought back a memory. Kissing Rainbow Dash. “Oh my goodness. It must have been a dream.” She blushed held a hoof to her lips, ashamed of her wild imagination. But why was she suddenly here, in her bed? Why was there a wet spot that vaguely smelled like Rainbow Dash after strenuous exercise? And the goggles on the nightstand? The coin finally dropped. “Oh, now you've done it, Fluttershy. Silly, silly, stupid Fluttershy.” Her panicked breathing hitched in her throat. She grabbed the blanket from the foot of the bed and pulled it over her head, curling up as tiny as she could. “Oh my. I don't think I can ever show my face to Rainbow Dash.” She sniffled. The strong scent of her friend was gathering up under the blanket. For a moment she regretted not being able to remember exactly what had happened, and then blushed from her eartips down to her neck when she realized what she was probably trying to remember. “Oh, silly Fluttershy. That's not friendship.” Chapter 2Twilight Sparkle poured some of Applejack's leftover cider into a cup. She placed the cup onto a metal grating and lit the Bunsen burner under it with a spark of her magic. Then she floated over a vial containing a dark purple liquid and, after briefly consulting a tome filled with complicated formulas, poured it into the cup. She flipped a few pages and began to read, just as she heard the basement door open above and behind her. Spike's voice echoed in the sparsely decorated basement. ”Twilight! Rainbow's here to see you!” Twilight glanced at the heating cup of cider and replied: ”Not now, spike. I'm in the middle of an important experiment. I'll be up in a few minutes.” ”Rainbow says it's urgent. She looks pretty winded, like she raced here.” Twilight groaned. ”Okay. Send her in, but tell her not to touch anything.” In Twilight's opinion, Rainbow Dash was a hazard in the same class as errant tornadoes and hordes of rabid badgers. She didn't mean to disrupt, but Dash's speed and energy could 'displace' anything not nailed down, especially if she was in a hurry or excited. Soon the aforementioned pegasus glided down from the basement stairs and landed behind Twilight. “Hey, Twi, could you- Uh, why are you heating up cider?” “Oh, it's probably nothing. I heard Applejack left these last bottles of cider out in the sun for too long, so I'm making sure they're okay to drink. You see, when apple cider is exposed to excessive temperatures for periods exceeding-” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Forget I asked. Anyway, I was wondering. What should I-” She cut herself short and waved her hoof in the air, as if to erase her words. “I mean not me, but, you know, in general, what should a pony do, if somepony told them they like them, but that pony doesn't like her back?” She paced from hoof to hoof, looking everywhere except at Twilight. Twilight noticed Dash's inability to stay still. She's always on the go, so she must be feeling anxious in a closed underground space, she guessed. “Rainbow Dash, is there somepony who you would want to be friends with, who doesn't like you?” Rainbow appeared confused for a second. “What? No, you've got it all wrong. I mean like like. As in, has a crush on?” She waited for a moment, as Twilight revised her mental model of the situation and nodded to show she was following the conversation. Rainbow Dash added hastily: “Besides, this is totally not about me in any way. Nope.” “Well, if you say so.” Twilight tapped her chin with a hoof. “I'm flattered you came to ask me, but that's not really my area of expertise. Maybe there's a book in the library that could help you? Spike can check one out for you.” Rainbow Dash stomped a hoof. “I don't have time to read! I'm in sort of a hurry here.” She didn't seem angry, just anxious. Twilight completely understood the feeling of urgency when faced with a difficult problem, hypothetical or not. She was glad that Rainbow was engaging in a mental excercise so vigorously, even if she did lack independence. Twilight searched her mind for alternate information sources. “Well, you could always ask Rarity. She seems like the kind of pony that would know more about romance.” Rainbow hung her head. “Okay then. I guess I'll have to...” She raised her head in alarm and pointed a hoof over Twilight's shoulder. “Twilight, there's smoke coming out of the cider.” Twilight twirled around and saw that the cup of cider was indeed emitting a bright green vapor. She quickly shut the valve on the Bunsen burner. “Green? That means my hypothesis was right! This means the cider contains ethyl alcohol, which can cause intoxication similar to that from a salt lick. But the alcohol has been banned from use in food products for centuries, because of its effects on the liver and other organs. Rainbow, this means you have to-” But when she spun around, Rainbow Dash was already gone. -O-O-O- Rainbow Dash was walking towards Carousel Boutique. I'm walking. When's the last time I've walked anywhere? She stretched her wings, and they still complained. For that matter, when was the last time my wings were this tired? Not one of my best ideas, flying upside-down while carrying a sleeping pony on my chest. But I couldn't wake up Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash was grateful that the other pegasus hadn't woken up during the flight, or that short while she took to rest her wings, lying on Fluttershy's bed, sweating like she hadn't since she could remember. Slow flying meant she wasn't cooled down by the breeze like usually. She smelled her wingpit, and was beaten back by the smell of drying sweat. Now that I think of it, maybe it wasn't cool to sweat all over Fluttershy's bed. She suddenly remembered she had left her flying goggles somewhere at Fluttershy's. She had probably just set them down somewhere after wiping the sweat from her forehead. I really need to get my head together. My cool is supposed to be unflappable, and she's got me so flapped I'm almost not cool anymore. There it was now, the round, purple building that was her destination. Rainbow Dash wasn't afraid of anything, of course, but she didn't like the thought of entering it. There were all sorts of foul beasts hidden within. Dresses, hats, and fancy shoes. She would just have to make sure the keeper of the monsters didn't get the chance to command them to attack her. The sign on the door said 'open' so Rainbow pushed it and entered the Boutique, feeling like she was sticking her head into the maw of some giant, frilly monster, although markedly less awesome. She spotted the proprietress fussing with some dresses on a display rack. “Hi, Rarity.” She swallowed hard. “I need to ask you about something.” The unicorn turned around, nearly dropping one of the dresses in her surprise. “Rainbow Dash! Oh, how delightful of you to have come. I don't suppose you're here for fashion tips, hm? I happen to have a few things that would look magnificent on you.” “No thanks. I need your advice with something personal.” Rainbow glanced around the store floor. “Nopony else in here right now?” Rarity nodded and sashayed closer. “You can rest assured that whatever you say will be treated with utmost confidentiality. Would you like to discuss your woes over some tea, perhaps?” Rainbow suppressed the urge to groan. “No. No tea. No dresses. No... I don't know, No hairstyling.” Rarity's eyes lit up at the last one, and Rainbow Dash could feel the unicorn's appraising gaze sweep over her mane and tail. Quick, an excuse! Uh... screw it, let's go with the truth. “I don't have time for fancy stuff. I'm in trouble, and I need your help, Rarity. Please?” Rarity recoiled as if struck. “Rainbow! You said 'please'!” She put a forehoof on her head in a theatrical gesture. “Oh, whatever troubles you must be absolutely horrible to have shaken you like that.” Rainbow Dash bit back a retort. This was no time to argue with the one pony who could help her. “It's pretty bad, yeah. Somepony told me she's in, uh, that she's got a crush on me. And I don't know what to say back to her.” Rarity reached behind Rainbow to flip over the 'open/closed' sign. “This is a delicate matter, and it won't do to be disturbed. I was about to close soon, anyway. Shall we continue this discussion in the boudoir?” She didn't wait for an answer, walking across the store floor to a door marked 'private'. Rainbow sighed and trotted after the white mare. “Fine. But I wanna solve this as fast as possible.” I owe that to her. The other room was lavishly decorated with sofas, cushions and soft, plush carpets. Rarity stretched out on a sofa, while Rainbow collapsed in a heap on a cushion. “Well then, Rainbow Dash. This pony who confessed to you. Who is it?” Rarity must have thought she looked nonchalant, but Rainbow noticed her lick her lips in a predatory manner. “None of your business.” “Oh, don't be that way. I can't rightly be expected to give advice if I don't know the details.” Rarity raised her eyebrows and cocked her head in a pleading look. Dash bit her lower lip. She shouldn't give away too much. “It's somepony who's a friend. I don't wanna let her down, but I just don't like her the same way.” Rarity's ears twitched and the keen look form before was back. “You don't think romantically of her in particular, or other mares in general?” “I don't think romantically about anypony, ever,” Rainbow deadpanned. Rarity dismissed the reply with a wave or her hoof. “Surely, even you entertain some fantasies or idle daydreams. You must have thought of going on a date with one of those Wonderbolts, hm?” Rainbow furrowed her brow in confusion. “Why would I do that? I wanna fly with 'em, not smooch 'em.” Rarity giggled quietly into her hoof. “That would be admirably professional of you if it weren't so adorably naive. Oh, to never have felt the euphorious torture of love!” Despite not understanding all the words, Rainbow knew she was being made fun of, and scowled. Rarity cleared her throat, set her face and continued. “But I digress. If you do not feel for her, there is sadly but one thing to do. You must turn her down, as gently as possible of course.” Rainbow Dash leapt to her feet. “But I don't wanna hurt her! She's... Shes an important friend, and she's probably gonna bawl her eyes out if I tell her no.” Just thinking of it made Rainbow want to cry as well. Fluttershy was a delicate creature, and after sticking with her since foalhood, letting her down now felt like stabbing her friend in the back. Some of Rainbow's feelings must have shown on her face, because Rarity looked at her in that way. It didn't make her feel any better, and neither did the unicorn's next words. “It might be hurtful, yes. But if you lied to her and accepted her advances, only for your deceit to be later revealed, it would hurt her much more.” She got up as well and pulled Rainbow into a tight hug, softly murmuring in her ear. “If you want to keep her friendship, there can be no guarantee. But lying can only make it worse in the end.” “If you say so. I'll take your word for it.” Rainbow Dash couldn't shake the feeling that it was a terrible wrongness, but the alternative didn't look any better. She hugged Rarity back, but her heart wasn't in it. It felt like a gaping hole. “I'll tell her tomorrow.” Chapter 3"Fluttershy? Fluttershy, dear, are you home?" Rarity tried to keep a frown from her face – for frowns grew into wrinkles – and knocked on the door again. "You didn't show up for our spa date, so I was worried that you might be – oh!" The door swung inwards halfway , leaving Rarity's hoof swishing in thin air. The one who had opened the door was not the expected pegasus, but a scowling rabbit. Rarity lowered her hoof and nodded politely at the little white creature. "Why hello, Angel. Might I inquire after Fluttershy's well-being? As I said, she didn't show up today and I'm dreadfully worried for her." Angel scowled harder and tapped his foot. Eventually he seemed to come to a conclusion of some sort. He opened the door the rest of the way and pointed a fluffy forepaw towards the back of the house. The bunny mimed laying his head on a pillow, and then covering his ears. Rarity cocked her head. "Sleeping? And... Trying to ignore me? Oh my, what could have brought about such a situation?" Urged on by the bunny's frantic pointing, she stepped into the house. "Thank you for inviting me in. I suppose you'd like me to see what's upset her, would you?" The rabbit nodded and bounced off ahead of her. Even though Rarity couldn't recall ever entering Fluttershy’s bedroom, the principle of exclusion quickly pointed her to the stairs to the second floor. Strictly speaking they weren't the only flight of stairs, but the rest were at most a few hoofwidths wide and led to a variety of perches, nests and hidey-holes in the walls and ceiling. The stairs led directly into a spacious room encompassing the entire second floor. The bed was in front and to the left of the stairs, and upon it was a heap covered with a red-and-pink checkered blanket. The covers rose and fell slightly in rhythm with the breathing of the pony hidden underneath. Rarity wrinkled her nose at smell of old sweat emanating from the dirty bed sheets lying crumpled on the floor. Ducking under a low-hanging birdfeeder, she turned her attention to the bed and the mare rather obviously cowering thereon. "Fluttershy, dear. Angel let me in to check on you. Are you feeling unwell?" The blankets twitched and fell still, but remained silent. After a few seconds, the breathing resumed, though it appeared to have quickened slightly. Rarity took a step closer and lifted the corner of the blanket with her magic, peeking under it warily. As expected, Fluttershy was huddled on the bare mattress underneath, hooves draped across her face. Rarity considered nudging her, but remembered that the pegasus might have some contagious illness and thought better of it. "Now, Fluttershy, if there's anything at all I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask.” She folded back the blankets to reveal the yellow pony's head and disheveled mane. Fluttershy lowered her hooves and rolled onto her side, facing Rarity. She seemed very upset, but not sick. "Oh, Rarity. There's nothing you can do for me." She turned her gaze down to her hooves. "I've made a terrible mistake, and I've decided I have no choice but to become a hermit. So, um. I'm never going to come out again, so I'll have to cancel our spa meetings." She looked up at Rarity, and then down again. "If that's okay." Rarity was shocked. "No, that is not okay." Fluttershy flinched, and Rarity realized her tone had been quite stern. She continued in a softer voice. "Whatever it was, I'm sure it's not that bad. Tell me all about it, and let me at least share your worries. You and I have no secrets from each other, correct?" Fluttershy's face fell even more at the last sentence. She drew in a deep breath and blurted out, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, there's a really big secret I've kept from you, and from everypony else. But now she knows and I can never face her again. You see, yesterday..." -O-O-O- Rainbow Dash yawned as she balanced her now empty breakfast plate on a tower of unwashed dishes. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she looked out of the window, where the sun was already beginning its descent. It was early in the afternoon, but she had just woken up less than an hour ago - she'd been tossing and turning in her bed until morning, finally tiring herself out with her worries. I’m not worried. I was just thinking, that's all. It's gonna go alright. She paced back and forth a few times, sinking back into the same thoughts that had kept her occupied all night. Oh boy, Fluttershy's gonna be so bummed. And I don't exactly like this idea of Rarity's either. I mean, what if it goes bad and she doesn't want to see me anymore? That thought scared her – I'm not scared! – because of all that she might lose. Fluttershy was her oldest friend after all. They had an understanding that their other friends, close as they were, couldn't begin to fathom. Whenever Rainbow Dash was troubled with something, Fluttershy saw through her bravado. Of course Rainbow would deny everything when asked, but she knew Fluttershy knew how she really felt. And Fluttershy knew she knew. It was almost a game, a masquerade. It had started when Rainbow took the shy pegasus under her wing way back in flight camp. It had soon become apparent that Rainbow’s competitive and brash attitude didn't earn her new friends but instead created rivals. So after she stood up to the bullies bothering Fluttershy – something she would have done in any case – she found it easy to let the shy filly grow close to her. At first it was just cool to protect somepony. Plus she had somepony to brag to occasionally , without being challenged to prove her claims. Especially when I might have exaggerated just a tiny bit. But when Fluttershy told her she was her first real friend, she began to feel bad about using her. So Rainbow Dash promised to herself she’d always be the best friend she could. And now it feels like I’m breaking that promise. Rainbow Dash’s hooves were wearing a groove into her cloud floor. She stopped her pacing and flew out the window, heading in the direction of Fluttershy’s house. I’ve been over all this once. I’ve been over it a dozen times. I think Rarity’s right. The wind in her hair cleared her head somewhat as she accelerated in a shallow dive. Finally she was doing something, instead of just thinking of doing. Paradoxically, the more risks she took while flying the calmer she felt. No time to fear failure when it’s just one flap away, she reasoned as she slalomed through a small grove of trees, her wingtips barely brushing the leaves. If you worry in a turn, you will crash and burn, she chanted to herself. But it’s Fluttershy who’s doing that this time, because I’m shooting her down. That thought eradicated her temporary confidence all over again and she slowed to a more sedate pace. Rainbow kicked at the air in frustration. For a moment she wanted to blame Fluttershy for busting out that confession, or Rarity for making her go through with this plan, but she knew they weren’t at fault for the mess she found herself in. If anything, it was her own fault for being so cool she made mares and stallions alike fall for her left and right. Maybe she could afford to turn off her swag every now and then. -O-O-O- “… and then Rainbow Dash flew after me, and, um, she caught me. And then I sort of… k-ki… eep.” Fluttershy blushed again. Rarity waited a few seconds for her to continue, then sighed. “Fluttershy, dear, do you mean to tell me you’ve been hiding, all alone in your room, because you accidentally fell off a cloud? There was something most strange about that cider, I hear. I’m sure Rainbow Dash doesn’t think… that you’re… Oh. Oh my.” Suddenly she felt like the floor was trying to retreat from under her hooves. Rainbow Dash. Yesterday. “You told her that-“ Before she could steady herself, there was a knock on the window. Rainbow Dash was peering in through the glass, hovering in place while she squinted and held up a foreleg to see past her own reflection. “Fluttershy? I’m coming in.” She awkwardly grabbed a muntin in her hooves and swung the window outwards on its hinge. Swooping in, she spotted the still reeling pony on the other side of Fluttershy’s bed. “Rarity? What are you doing here?” Rainbow didn’t sound angry, just surprised. In the space of a second, Rarity formed a plan. She’d tell Rainbow Dash she had been wrong, she had been mistaken, that it was a better idea to give the relationship a try, because Rainbow would regret it if she let a chance like this slip by. After a few dates she would find her true feelings, and she would be so happy with Fluttershy, and nopony would have to cry- “I’ll be downstairs.” For a moment Rarity didn’t believe she’d just said that. It took her another second before she turned in place to face the stairs. Between lifting her hoof and setting it down, she realized she’d have to talk to Fluttershy right away. Rainbow Dash wouldn’t, couldn’t be gentle enough. The fragile sculpture that was Fluttershy would break into teeny tiny pieces that nopony could ever put together again. Rarity had to tell her that she was sorry, that sometimes life didn’t go the way it was supposed to- “Take your time, dears.” Again her lips betrayed her. She began to descend the stairs shakily, leaning on the bannister as her heart screamed for her to run back and undo her mistake. She didn’t. She’d meddled enough, and for better or for worse, the two pegasi deserved some privacy for their delicate situation. -O-O-O- Rainbow Dash scraped the floor with her forehoof and looked away. “So... (It’s about yesterday.)” The unsaid words were clearly transmitted to Fluttershy. “Um. Yes? (Oh my. Which part exactly do you mean?)” Rainbow Dash, likewise, could easily decipher her oldest friend’s intentions from the subtlest movements of her ears and wings. Just remembering it brought a blush on Rainbow’s face, adding unintentional undertones to her nonvocal communication. “I caught you and you told me that thing (I hope you remember what you said / I’m both embarrassed and flattered)...” Rainbow bit her lip, blushed harder, and inclined her head a few degrees while turning her ears just so. “…and then passed out. (You kissed me / super embarrassed / I appreciate the feelings, but I can’t handle this right now.)” For the first time she looked Fluttershy in the eyes. “So I couldn’t talk to you right away (because I had to get my head on straight). But now I am. (And I’m sorry, but I can’t do it.) So, uh. (Will you be okay?)” Fluttershy seemed strangely relieved, and Rainbow Dash wondered what in this situation could cause that. “Oh, it’s fine. (Nothing else happened? That’s good.) I’m sorry. (Sorry for keeping it hidden / for accidentally revealing it.) Sorry. (I hope you don’t hate me for that.)” Rainbow Dash felt as if there was something lodged in her throat. “It’s... OK. (I could never hate you.) So… see you around. (We’ll be friends just like before, right?)” Fluttershy seemed to be taking it better than expected, even if she was apologizing for something that definitely wasn’t her fault, and for a moment Rainbow Dash dared hope… Fluttershy looked down at her hooves, fidgeting nervously. “Yes. (I’m going to need some time.) See you around. (I’ll tell you when I’m fine again. Sorry.)” Rainbow Dash nodded (I’ll be waiting). I did what I came to do, but it still feels like I failed. I suppose this is as good as I could expect. She turned to the window and clambered onto the sill. Even if there had been anything else she could think to say, the tightness in her throat wouldn’t have let her. Suddenly, she could feel Fluttershy’s stare on her back, but she didn’t turn around. She’s gotta be hurting worse than me. I don’t want her to see how much this is tearing me apart, too. Without a word, she leaned forward into a low glide that carried her over the little stream outside Fluttershy’s house. From thereon she walked back into Ponyville. I don’t feel like flying.
Chapter 1Rainbow Dash shrugged off her saddlebags and winced a bit when their contents clinked loudly in protest at the rough handling. She turned her attention at the other pegasus sitting in the meadow, surrounded by all sorts of colorful birds. ”Hey Fluttershy. Sorry I'm late.” Fluttershy looked up from her pals. “Oh, it's no problem. I had my friends to keep me company.” She didn't seem to mind, but Rainbow knew Fluttershy wouldn't voice a complaint if she were made to wait for hours. “So, are you ready to cheer me on for my new big stunt?” Rainbow dash rummaged though her saddlebags and fished out her flight goggles. With practiced hoof motions she slapped them over her eyes and tightened the strap. Fluttershy nodded. “Oh yes. I'm excited to see what awesome new tricks you've planned. Woo-hoo!” Her cheers were still more quiet than a regular pony's speaking voice, but Rainbow Dash thought she could hear a tiny difference compared to before the Best Young Fliers Competition. The volume wasn't the important part, anyway. As long as there was somepony heaping much-deserved praise on her, Rainbow felt like she couldn't fail. Rainbow stretched her wings and took to the air, hovering just above Fluttershy. “Okay, this next trick looks awesome any way you cut it, but it's coolest from above. Go sit on that cloud,” Rainbow said, pointing at a fluffy white cumulus the size of a haycart, a hundred feet off the ground. Fluttershy craned her neck and her ears turned back. “Oh, I don't know. It's so high. If you don't mind, I'd rather stay down here.” Rainbow Dash put on her best 'are you kidding me' face. “Fluttershy, you're a pegasus. You're supposed to be up in the sky.” She could see the earthbound mare was about to object, but cut her off. “You can't appreciate my radical new stunt from way down here. Come on!” Rainbow Dash grabbed Fluttershy in her forehooves and the saddlebag in her mouth and took off, scaring away the little birds. The yellow mare let out a tiny squeak and stiffened. That was good, Rainbow thought, way better than struggling. It made it so easy to carry the frozen pegasus and softly clinking saddlebags up to the cloud, that Rainbow wasn't even properly warmed up. When she was unceremoniously dumped on the soft cloud, Fluttershy finally let out the breath she had been holding. “Oh my. Oh, oh my. Oh gosh.” She risked a peek over the edge and curled up as small as she could, in the middle of the cloud. Rainbow dug inside her saddlebags again, pulling out a few bottles of cider. “Relax, 'Shy. Have a bottle. I got some from Applejack. She had these left over from cider season 'cause they were left in the sun for too long and now they taste funny or something. So she gave them to me and the other girls on the cheap.” She planted the bottles into the cloud mass to keep them cool and took off again. “Now watch me pull off things that would leave even the Wonderbolts amazed at my, uh, amazing agility and guts!” With a trembling hoof Fluttershy uncorked a bottle and took a deep, shaky swig. It did taste weird, but not bad. Maybe stronger than usual, with a lingering warmth in her stomach. Halfway through the bottle, Fluttershy noticed she wasn't as nervous anymore. So she took a long drink, emptying the rest of the bottle, and uncorked another one while watching her friend defy the laws of inertia. -O-O-O- Rainbow Dash swooped onto the cloud and plopped herself next to Fluttershy. “So was that great or what?” She nudged her flight goggles up to her forehead. Fluttershy appeared slightly flushed and was swaying gently from side to side. There were three empty bottles next to her. “Yay. You're really pretty. I mean the trick was. Almost as cool as the sonic rainboom.” Rainbow Dash lifted an eyebrow. “Yeah, sure. Whatever. Do you think-” Fluttershy did the unthinkable and actually interrupted her. “I never got a sonic rainboom for myself.” She appeared slightly misty-eyed. “Rarity got one when you saved her. Remember when you did one the first time? I fell and you didn't come to catch me.” Now Rainbow Dash was really confused. “Hey, Fluttershy. You know I'm sorry about that. I didn't notice that you--” And again Fluttershy interrupted. “It's my fault. I wanted you to save me because,” she sobbed, “because then it wouldn't be weird, it wouldn't be wrong that I...” her voice thinned into a whining mumble and she stood up abruptly, nearly losing her footing. Her face was hidden under her mane, but Rainbow could see a tear roll down her cheek. “Fluttershy, what's wrong?” Now Rainbow was standing as well. Her usual bravado was gone. She had tried not to think about that day, because it was so far from her usual cool self. Yeah, the sonic rainboom was all sorts of cool, but she'd let a friend down. That was decidedly uncool. “I said I'm sorry, okay?” Fluttershy looked over the edge of the cloud and whispered. “I'm sorry, but I'm going to be a little bit selfish now.” Then she fell over the edge, wings pressed tightly against her sides. For a split second all of Rainbow's muscles seized up. She felt an emptiness in the pit of her stomach and a tightness in her throat, and then she was over the edge and diving after Fluttershy. The rush of air past her face stung her eyes, but there was a yellow blob in front of her. Her hooves reached out, slipping once and sending the other pegasus tumbling through the air. She flapped her wings furiously to accelerate downwards and grabbed again, this time getting a solid hold around Fluttershy's midsection. She couldn't see well enough to tell how far the ground was, but her instinct told her it couldn't have been far. She hauled up on both their weights with all of her might, extending her rear hooves below them. The collision sent jolts of pain through Rainbow's legs and she stumbled, but managed to tuck in her wings and twist herself under Fluttershy. The other pegasus fell on top of her, and Rainbow's breath was squeezed out of her lungs between the grass and the yellow mare. They slid a few feet until coming to a halt, and Rainbow shook her head to clear it. “What was that all about, huh? You could've gotten hurt!” There was a hint of tremor in her voice. Fluttershy was curled up against her chest, her face hidden under her voluminous mane. The yellow mare stirred and continued whispering as if she hadn't just leapt from the height of a hundred feet. “You saved my life.” Her voice was surprisingly steady. “You're my savior, Rainbow Dash. So now it's not weird at all if I fall for you.” Fluttershy's nose emerged from under her shroud of pink hair, and she gave Rainbow a brief kiss on the lips. “My hero.” Rainbow's eyes stared into nothingness and her mouth hung open. She felt Fluttershy rest her cheek against her chest, where her heart was doing its best to pummel its way out. There was the tingling aftertaste of strong cider on her lips. It was so... soft. Rainbow couldn't quite get her thoughts organized. But... buh. What just happened? It took her some length of time to marshal her thoughts, and realize that they were still curled up together on the grass. “Fluttershy? What was...?” There was no reply. Fluttershy was breathing calmly, ruffling Rainbow's chest fur with her warm breath. She was asleep. -O-O-O- Fluttershy woke up with a slight headache. For a moment she wondered where she was and why it was so cold. The late evening light coming through a window stung her eyes. Yes, this was familiar; she was in her own bed. She rolled over to get the sun out of her eyes, but scooted back to the window-side half of the bed when she landed in a wet spot. “That's odd,” she said, feeling like her mouth was dry as a desert. There was indeed a pony-sized moist splotch in her linens. The faint smell of sweat was all around her, and seemed to even cling to her hair. She saw Rainbow Dash's flight goggles hanging off the corner of her bedside table. “What's happened? How did I get home?” She wondered aloud. Her memory failed her. She'd been watching Rainbow's flight practice and drinking that strong-tasting cider. Then something... Fluttershy's head throbbed. Something about falling, holding onto somepony... She smacked her lips and licked them to get the dryness out, and that brought back a memory. Kissing Rainbow Dash. “Oh my goodness. It must have been a dream.” She blushed held a hoof to her lips, ashamed of her wild imagination. But why was she suddenly here, in her bed? Why was there a wet spot that vaguely smelled like Rainbow Dash after strenuous exercise? And the goggles on the nightstand? The coin finally dropped. “Oh, now you've done it, Fluttershy. Silly, silly, stupid Fluttershy.” Her panicked breathing hitched in her throat. She grabbed the blanket from the foot of the bed and pulled it over her head, curling up as tiny as she could. “Oh my. I don't think I can ever show my face to Rainbow Dash.” She sniffled. The strong scent of her friend was gathering up under the blanket. For a moment she regretted not being able to remember exactly what had happened, and then blushed from her eartips down to her neck when she realized what she was probably trying to remember. “Oh, silly Fluttershy. That's not friendship.”
Chapter 2Twilight Sparkle poured some of Applejack's leftover cider into a cup. She placed the cup onto a metal grating and lit the Bunsen burner under it with a spark of her magic. Then she floated over a vial containing a dark purple liquid and, after briefly consulting a tome filled with complicated formulas, poured it into the cup. She flipped a few pages and began to read, just as she heard the basement door open above and behind her. Spike's voice echoed in the sparsely decorated basement. ”Twilight! Rainbow's here to see you!” Twilight glanced at the heating cup of cider and replied: ”Not now, spike. I'm in the middle of an important experiment. I'll be up in a few minutes.” ”Rainbow says it's urgent. She looks pretty winded, like she raced here.” Twilight groaned. ”Okay. Send her in, but tell her not to touch anything.” In Twilight's opinion, Rainbow Dash was a hazard in the same class as errant tornadoes and hordes of rabid badgers. She didn't mean to disrupt, but Dash's speed and energy could 'displace' anything not nailed down, especially if she was in a hurry or excited. Soon the aforementioned pegasus glided down from the basement stairs and landed behind Twilight. “Hey, Twi, could you- Uh, why are you heating up cider?” “Oh, it's probably nothing. I heard Applejack left these last bottles of cider out in the sun for too long, so I'm making sure they're okay to drink. You see, when apple cider is exposed to excessive temperatures for periods exceeding-” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Forget I asked. Anyway, I was wondering. What should I-” She cut herself short and waved her hoof in the air, as if to erase her words. “I mean not me, but, you know, in general, what should a pony do, if somepony told them they like them, but that pony doesn't like her back?” She paced from hoof to hoof, looking everywhere except at Twilight. Twilight noticed Dash's inability to stay still. She's always on the go, so she must be feeling anxious in a closed underground space, she guessed. “Rainbow Dash, is there somepony who you would want to be friends with, who doesn't like you?” Rainbow appeared confused for a second. “What? No, you've got it all wrong. I mean like like. As in, has a crush on?” She waited for a moment, as Twilight revised her mental model of the situation and nodded to show she was following the conversation. Rainbow Dash added hastily: “Besides, this is totally not about me in any way. Nope.” “Well, if you say so.” Twilight tapped her chin with a hoof. “I'm flattered you came to ask me, but that's not really my area of expertise. Maybe there's a book in the library that could help you? Spike can check one out for you.” Rainbow Dash stomped a hoof. “I don't have time to read! I'm in sort of a hurry here.” She didn't seem angry, just anxious. Twilight completely understood the feeling of urgency when faced with a difficult problem, hypothetical or not. She was glad that Rainbow was engaging in a mental excercise so vigorously, even if she did lack independence. Twilight searched her mind for alternate information sources. “Well, you could always ask Rarity. She seems like the kind of pony that would know more about romance.” Rainbow hung her head. “Okay then. I guess I'll have to...” She raised her head in alarm and pointed a hoof over Twilight's shoulder. “Twilight, there's smoke coming out of the cider.” Twilight twirled around and saw that the cup of cider was indeed emitting a bright green vapor. She quickly shut the valve on the Bunsen burner. “Green? That means my hypothesis was right! This means the cider contains ethyl alcohol, which can cause intoxication similar to that from a salt lick. But the alcohol has been banned from use in food products for centuries, because of its effects on the liver and other organs. Rainbow, this means you have to-” But when she spun around, Rainbow Dash was already gone. -O-O-O- Rainbow Dash was walking towards Carousel Boutique. I'm walking. When's the last time I've walked anywhere? She stretched her wings, and they still complained. For that matter, when was the last time my wings were this tired? Not one of my best ideas, flying upside-down while carrying a sleeping pony on my chest. But I couldn't wake up Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash was grateful that the other pegasus hadn't woken up during the flight, or that short while she took to rest her wings, lying on Fluttershy's bed, sweating like she hadn't since she could remember. Slow flying meant she wasn't cooled down by the breeze like usually. She smelled her wingpit, and was beaten back by the smell of drying sweat. Now that I think of it, maybe it wasn't cool to sweat all over Fluttershy's bed. She suddenly remembered she had left her flying goggles somewhere at Fluttershy's. She had probably just set them down somewhere after wiping the sweat from her forehead. I really need to get my head together. My cool is supposed to be unflappable, and she's got me so flapped I'm almost not cool anymore. There it was now, the round, purple building that was her destination. Rainbow Dash wasn't afraid of anything, of course, but she didn't like the thought of entering it. There were all sorts of foul beasts hidden within. Dresses, hats, and fancy shoes. She would just have to make sure the keeper of the monsters didn't get the chance to command them to attack her. The sign on the door said 'open' so Rainbow pushed it and entered the Boutique, feeling like she was sticking her head into the maw of some giant, frilly monster, although markedly less awesome. She spotted the proprietress fussing with some dresses on a display rack. “Hi, Rarity.” She swallowed hard. “I need to ask you about something.” The unicorn turned around, nearly dropping one of the dresses in her surprise. “Rainbow Dash! Oh, how delightful of you to have come. I don't suppose you're here for fashion tips, hm? I happen to have a few things that would look magnificent on you.” “No thanks. I need your advice with something personal.” Rainbow glanced around the store floor. “Nopony else in here right now?” Rarity nodded and sashayed closer. “You can rest assured that whatever you say will be treated with utmost confidentiality. Would you like to discuss your woes over some tea, perhaps?” Rainbow suppressed the urge to groan. “No. No tea. No dresses. No... I don't know, No hairstyling.” Rarity's eyes lit up at the last one, and Rainbow Dash could feel the unicorn's appraising gaze sweep over her mane and tail. Quick, an excuse! Uh... screw it, let's go with the truth. “I don't have time for fancy stuff. I'm in trouble, and I need your help, Rarity. Please?” Rarity recoiled as if struck. “Rainbow! You said 'please'!” She put a forehoof on her head in a theatrical gesture. “Oh, whatever troubles you must be absolutely horrible to have shaken you like that.” Rainbow Dash bit back a retort. This was no time to argue with the one pony who could help her. “It's pretty bad, yeah. Somepony told me she's in, uh, that she's got a crush on me. And I don't know what to say back to her.” Rarity reached behind Rainbow to flip over the 'open/closed' sign. “This is a delicate matter, and it won't do to be disturbed. I was about to close soon, anyway. Shall we continue this discussion in the boudoir?” She didn't wait for an answer, walking across the store floor to a door marked 'private'. Rainbow sighed and trotted after the white mare. “Fine. But I wanna solve this as fast as possible.” I owe that to her. The other room was lavishly decorated with sofas, cushions and soft, plush carpets. Rarity stretched out on a sofa, while Rainbow collapsed in a heap on a cushion. “Well then, Rainbow Dash. This pony who confessed to you. Who is it?” Rarity must have thought she looked nonchalant, but Rainbow noticed her lick her lips in a predatory manner. “None of your business.” “Oh, don't be that way. I can't rightly be expected to give advice if I don't know the details.” Rarity raised her eyebrows and cocked her head in a pleading look. Dash bit her lower lip. She shouldn't give away too much. “It's somepony who's a friend. I don't wanna let her down, but I just don't like her the same way.” Rarity's ears twitched and the keen look form before was back. “You don't think romantically of her in particular, or other mares in general?” “I don't think romantically about anypony, ever,” Rainbow deadpanned. Rarity dismissed the reply with a wave or her hoof. “Surely, even you entertain some fantasies or idle daydreams. You must have thought of going on a date with one of those Wonderbolts, hm?” Rainbow furrowed her brow in confusion. “Why would I do that? I wanna fly with 'em, not smooch 'em.” Rarity giggled quietly into her hoof. “That would be admirably professional of you if it weren't so adorably naive. Oh, to never have felt the euphorious torture of love!” Despite not understanding all the words, Rainbow knew she was being made fun of, and scowled. Rarity cleared her throat, set her face and continued. “But I digress. If you do not feel for her, there is sadly but one thing to do. You must turn her down, as gently as possible of course.” Rainbow Dash leapt to her feet. “But I don't wanna hurt her! She's... Shes an important friend, and she's probably gonna bawl her eyes out if I tell her no.” Just thinking of it made Rainbow want to cry as well. Fluttershy was a delicate creature, and after sticking with her since foalhood, letting her down now felt like stabbing her friend in the back. Some of Rainbow's feelings must have shown on her face, because Rarity looked at her in that way. It didn't make her feel any better, and neither did the unicorn's next words. “It might be hurtful, yes. But if you lied to her and accepted her advances, only for your deceit to be later revealed, it would hurt her much more.” She got up as well and pulled Rainbow into a tight hug, softly murmuring in her ear. “If you want to keep her friendship, there can be no guarantee. But lying can only make it worse in the end.” “If you say so. I'll take your word for it.” Rainbow Dash couldn't shake the feeling that it was a terrible wrongness, but the alternative didn't look any better. She hugged Rarity back, but her heart wasn't in it. It felt like a gaping hole. “I'll tell her tomorrow.”
Chapter 3"Fluttershy? Fluttershy, dear, are you home?" Rarity tried to keep a frown from her face – for frowns grew into wrinkles – and knocked on the door again. "You didn't show up for our spa date, so I was worried that you might be – oh!" The door swung inwards halfway , leaving Rarity's hoof swishing in thin air. The one who had opened the door was not the expected pegasus, but a scowling rabbit. Rarity lowered her hoof and nodded politely at the little white creature. "Why hello, Angel. Might I inquire after Fluttershy's well-being? As I said, she didn't show up today and I'm dreadfully worried for her." Angel scowled harder and tapped his foot. Eventually he seemed to come to a conclusion of some sort. He opened the door the rest of the way and pointed a fluffy forepaw towards the back of the house. The bunny mimed laying his head on a pillow, and then covering his ears. Rarity cocked her head. "Sleeping? And... Trying to ignore me? Oh my, what could have brought about such a situation?" Urged on by the bunny's frantic pointing, she stepped into the house. "Thank you for inviting me in. I suppose you'd like me to see what's upset her, would you?" The rabbit nodded and bounced off ahead of her. Even though Rarity couldn't recall ever entering Fluttershy’s bedroom, the principle of exclusion quickly pointed her to the stairs to the second floor. Strictly speaking they weren't the only flight of stairs, but the rest were at most a few hoofwidths wide and led to a variety of perches, nests and hidey-holes in the walls and ceiling. The stairs led directly into a spacious room encompassing the entire second floor. The bed was in front and to the left of the stairs, and upon it was a heap covered with a red-and-pink checkered blanket. The covers rose and fell slightly in rhythm with the breathing of the pony hidden underneath. Rarity wrinkled her nose at smell of old sweat emanating from the dirty bed sheets lying crumpled on the floor. Ducking under a low-hanging birdfeeder, she turned her attention to the bed and the mare rather obviously cowering thereon. "Fluttershy, dear. Angel let me in to check on you. Are you feeling unwell?" The blankets twitched and fell still, but remained silent. After a few seconds, the breathing resumed, though it appeared to have quickened slightly. Rarity took a step closer and lifted the corner of the blanket with her magic, peeking under it warily. As expected, Fluttershy was huddled on the bare mattress underneath, hooves draped across her face. Rarity considered nudging her, but remembered that the pegasus might have some contagious illness and thought better of it. "Now, Fluttershy, if there's anything at all I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask.” She folded back the blankets to reveal the yellow pony's head and disheveled mane. Fluttershy lowered her hooves and rolled onto her side, facing Rarity. She seemed very upset, but not sick. "Oh, Rarity. There's nothing you can do for me." She turned her gaze down to her hooves. "I've made a terrible mistake, and I've decided I have no choice but to become a hermit. So, um. I'm never going to come out again, so I'll have to cancel our spa meetings." She looked up at Rarity, and then down again. "If that's okay." Rarity was shocked. "No, that is not okay." Fluttershy flinched, and Rarity realized her tone had been quite stern. She continued in a softer voice. "Whatever it was, I'm sure it's not that bad. Tell me all about it, and let me at least share your worries. You and I have no secrets from each other, correct?" Fluttershy's face fell even more at the last sentence. She drew in a deep breath and blurted out, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, there's a really big secret I've kept from you, and from everypony else. But now she knows and I can never face her again. You see, yesterday..." -O-O-O- Rainbow Dash yawned as she balanced her now empty breakfast plate on a tower of unwashed dishes. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she looked out of the window, where the sun was already beginning its descent. It was early in the afternoon, but she had just woken up less than an hour ago - she'd been tossing and turning in her bed until morning, finally tiring herself out with her worries. I’m not worried. I was just thinking, that's all. It's gonna go alright. She paced back and forth a few times, sinking back into the same thoughts that had kept her occupied all night. Oh boy, Fluttershy's gonna be so bummed. And I don't exactly like this idea of Rarity's either. I mean, what if it goes bad and she doesn't want to see me anymore? That thought scared her – I'm not scared! – because of all that she might lose. Fluttershy was her oldest friend after all. They had an understanding that their other friends, close as they were, couldn't begin to fathom. Whenever Rainbow Dash was troubled with something, Fluttershy saw through her bravado. Of course Rainbow would deny everything when asked, but she knew Fluttershy knew how she really felt. And Fluttershy knew she knew. It was almost a game, a masquerade. It had started when Rainbow took the shy pegasus under her wing way back in flight camp. It had soon become apparent that Rainbow’s competitive and brash attitude didn't earn her new friends but instead created rivals. So after she stood up to the bullies bothering Fluttershy – something she would have done in any case – she found it easy to let the shy filly grow close to her. At first it was just cool to protect somepony. Plus she had somepony to brag to occasionally , without being challenged to prove her claims. Especially when I might have exaggerated just a tiny bit. But when Fluttershy told her she was her first real friend, she began to feel bad about using her. So Rainbow Dash promised to herself she’d always be the best friend she could. And now it feels like I’m breaking that promise. Rainbow Dash’s hooves were wearing a groove into her cloud floor. She stopped her pacing and flew out the window, heading in the direction of Fluttershy’s house. I’ve been over all this once. I’ve been over it a dozen times. I think Rarity’s right. The wind in her hair cleared her head somewhat as she accelerated in a shallow dive. Finally she was doing something, instead of just thinking of doing. Paradoxically, the more risks she took while flying the calmer she felt. No time to fear failure when it’s just one flap away, she reasoned as she slalomed through a small grove of trees, her wingtips barely brushing the leaves. If you worry in a turn, you will crash and burn, she chanted to herself. But it’s Fluttershy who’s doing that this time, because I’m shooting her down. That thought eradicated her temporary confidence all over again and she slowed to a more sedate pace. Rainbow kicked at the air in frustration. For a moment she wanted to blame Fluttershy for busting out that confession, or Rarity for making her go through with this plan, but she knew they weren’t at fault for the mess she found herself in. If anything, it was her own fault for being so cool she made mares and stallions alike fall for her left and right. Maybe she could afford to turn off her swag every now and then. -O-O-O- “… and then Rainbow Dash flew after me, and, um, she caught me. And then I sort of… k-ki… eep.” Fluttershy blushed again. Rarity waited a few seconds for her to continue, then sighed. “Fluttershy, dear, do you mean to tell me you’ve been hiding, all alone in your room, because you accidentally fell off a cloud? There was something most strange about that cider, I hear. I’m sure Rainbow Dash doesn’t think… that you’re… Oh. Oh my.” Suddenly she felt like the floor was trying to retreat from under her hooves. Rainbow Dash. Yesterday. “You told her that-“ Before she could steady herself, there was a knock on the window. Rainbow Dash was peering in through the glass, hovering in place while she squinted and held up a foreleg to see past her own reflection. “Fluttershy? I’m coming in.” She awkwardly grabbed a muntin in her hooves and swung the window outwards on its hinge. Swooping in, she spotted the still reeling pony on the other side of Fluttershy’s bed. “Rarity? What are you doing here?” Rainbow didn’t sound angry, just surprised. In the space of a second, Rarity formed a plan. She’d tell Rainbow Dash she had been wrong, she had been mistaken, that it was a better idea to give the relationship a try, because Rainbow would regret it if she let a chance like this slip by. After a few dates she would find her true feelings, and she would be so happy with Fluttershy, and nopony would have to cry- “I’ll be downstairs.” For a moment Rarity didn’t believe she’d just said that. It took her another second before she turned in place to face the stairs. Between lifting her hoof and setting it down, she realized she’d have to talk to Fluttershy right away. Rainbow Dash wouldn’t, couldn’t be gentle enough. The fragile sculpture that was Fluttershy would break into teeny tiny pieces that nopony could ever put together again. Rarity had to tell her that she was sorry, that sometimes life didn’t go the way it was supposed to- “Take your time, dears.” Again her lips betrayed her. She began to descend the stairs shakily, leaning on the bannister as her heart screamed for her to run back and undo her mistake. She didn’t. She’d meddled enough, and for better or for worse, the two pegasi deserved some privacy for their delicate situation. -O-O-O- Rainbow Dash scraped the floor with her forehoof and looked away. “So... (It’s about yesterday.)” The unsaid words were clearly transmitted to Fluttershy. “Um. Yes? (Oh my. Which part exactly do you mean?)” Rainbow Dash, likewise, could easily decipher her oldest friend’s intentions from the subtlest movements of her ears and wings. Just remembering it brought a blush on Rainbow’s face, adding unintentional undertones to her nonvocal communication. “I caught you and you told me that thing (I hope you remember what you said / I’m both embarrassed and flattered)...” Rainbow bit her lip, blushed harder, and inclined her head a few degrees while turning her ears just so. “…and then passed out. (You kissed me / super embarrassed / I appreciate the feelings, but I can’t handle this right now.)” For the first time she looked Fluttershy in the eyes. “So I couldn’t talk to you right away (because I had to get my head on straight). But now I am. (And I’m sorry, but I can’t do it.) So, uh. (Will you be okay?)” Fluttershy seemed strangely relieved, and Rainbow Dash wondered what in this situation could cause that. “Oh, it’s fine. (Nothing else happened? That’s good.) I’m sorry. (Sorry for keeping it hidden / for accidentally revealing it.) Sorry. (I hope you don’t hate me for that.)” Rainbow Dash felt as if there was something lodged in her throat. “It’s... OK. (I could never hate you.) So… see you around. (We’ll be friends just like before, right?)” Fluttershy seemed to be taking it better than expected, even if she was apologizing for something that definitely wasn’t her fault, and for a moment Rainbow Dash dared hope… Fluttershy looked down at her hooves, fidgeting nervously. “Yes. (I’m going to need some time.) See you around. (I’ll tell you when I’m fine again. Sorry.)” Rainbow Dash nodded (I’ll be waiting). I did what I came to do, but it still feels like I failed. I suppose this is as good as I could expect. She turned to the window and clambered onto the sill. Even if there had been anything else she could think to say, the tightness in her throat wouldn’t have let her. Suddenly, she could feel Fluttershy’s stare on her back, but she didn’t turn around. She’s gotta be hurting worse than me. I don’t want her to see how much this is tearing me apart, too. Without a word, she leaned forward into a low glide that carried her over the little stream outside Fluttershy’s house. From thereon she walked back into Ponyville. I don’t feel like flying.
