Void: United

It had been a few months since Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash entered a relationship. The fall came, and was nearly in full swing. The leaves had lost their lush green, and replaced it with many shades of orange, yellow, and red. The air was colder, but remained mostly stagnant. The mares had slept together the night before, and were currently lying in the same bed, while sunlight slipped through the windows, lighting up the room in a warm shade of yellow.

Rainbow Dash yawned, and her eyes slowly fluttered open. She attempted to reclose them, but the sunlight forced them back open. The prismatic mare sighed, trying to get up. She didn't get very far, as she heard a mumble from the mare next to her. Rainbow Dash was held in an embrace that might make Rainbow Dash proud in another situation, but she groaned.

"Flutters?", she tiredly said, yawning immediately after she spoke. The shy mare didn't budge, and remained asleep. Rainbow Dash decided to slide out from her embrace by going down and under her arms. When she exited the embrace, she felt a longing to return to the comfortable forearms of the beautiful wonder next to her, but she felt another longing to make breakfast.

Rainbow Dash decided to make breakfast for them both, so that way when Fluttershy woke up, the two could start a day off perfectly fine. Rainbow considered food, and after a few minutes after thinking in the kitchen, she pulled out four slices of bread, a jar of jam, and after Dash filled a kettle with water, she put it ontop of the stove. Rainbow Dash slid the bread into a toaster, clicking them down after pulling a switch. She set the timer to a few minutes, and stared at the toaster. She shook her head a few times to stop her staring, and looked around.

"Aha!", Rainbow Dash had a moment of genius.

She pulled out little packets for oatmeal, and placed two small bowls out. She ripped open the packets with her teeth, and poured the packages contents into the bowls. Rainbow Dash observed the directions, and then when the kettle began to whistle, she pulled it up with her teeth around the handle, and poured the steaming water into the bowls. Rainbow Dash chuckled lightly after she thought about tea, but the chuckles were muffled by the kettle. Rainbow Dash opened a cupboard, and placed two small tea cups down, pouring the water inside. Rainbow Dash placed the kettle off to the side, putting a small teabag into each cup.

Rainbow sighed happily, feeling accomplished. She yelped and hit her head against a roof beam when four slices of toast popped up from the toaster. Rainbow nervously licked her lips, pulling out the toast with her hooves. The toast was slightly burnt, but not that badly. The toast was mostly orange and yellow, which was an accomplishment for Rainbow.

"Good morning, Rainbow...", came a quiet voice. The voice caused Rainbow Dash to stop putting jam onto the slices of toast. She put the utensil onto a plate.

"Hey, 'Shy. I uh... I made breakfast.", Rainbow Dash said, grinning.

"It all looks wonderful, Dashie. You didn't have to do this.", Fluttershy said appreciatively.

"Well, you've been making the meals alot lately, so I decided that I'd do it today. I uh... I kinda owe you.", Rainbow Dash pulled Fluttershy into a hug, which the canary mare then returned in full.

"You don't owe me anything, Rainbow.", Fluttershy softly spoke, rubbing the back of Rainbow's neck.

"I do though. With how you've been cooking so much, and you've always been there for me, and...", Rainbow responded, sighing.

"You protect me, and you're always there for me too. So don't feel like you have to go and do things like this if you don't want to.", Fluttershy giggled appreciatively.

"I wanted to though, so... That's enough to do it, right?", Rainbow Dash left the hug a moment later.

"Of course, if you wanted to do it.", Fluttershy slightly nodded.

"So! How 'bout we go out front? I think it might be nice to sit out at the table outside. I'd clear the table, but I've gotta finish up with the food here, so think y'could do that?", Rainbow Dash asked.

"Mhm. Thank you for breakfast today, Dashie. I'll go clear the table now.", Fluttershy answered, walking out of the kitchen. Rainbow Dash finished putting jam onto the toast, stirred the oatmeal and then she put it all onto two plates. She grabbed the plates with her wings, carrying them outside the front of the cottage. Once outside, she inhaled, and then sighed. Rainbow Dash wouldn't admit it, but slowing down sometimes to just take everything in was nice. She chuckled when she thought, "Wonder who taught me that."

"Pardon?", Fluttershy asked, looking towards Rainbow Dash as the blue mare placed the plates on the table.

"Err... Nothing, just thinkin'.", Rainbow Dash responded.

"Oh, well um... What about?", Fluttershy asked curiously.

"Nah, don't worry about. How'd you sleep? Probably pretty awesomely with ME there, right?", Rainbow Dash winked.

Fluttershy giggled, "Yes. Your awesomeness made it very... Um... Awesome. Oh, and safe. I haven't had a nightmare in so long with you around, and um... Even if I did, you'd be there to make it better."

"Wow... That's really nice of you to say... But uh, I'm glad you've been sleepin' really well lately.", Rainbow Dash's expression softened, as she gazed in Fluttershy's direction

"How'd you sleep?", Fluttershy softly smiled.

"Pretty well, actually. Your bed isn't that bad. I mean, cloud beds are nicer, but your bed is really good.", Rainbow Dash inserted, "Oh, and you were there with me, so that made it about, a hundred percent more comfortable."

Fluttershy blushed, and then said, "I'm glad you slept well. Say, for lunch, do you want to go to Sugarcube Corner? For um... A date?"

"I'd like that. You sure you wanna go there, or is there somewhere else you'd like to go?", Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow.

"Um... I think Sugarcube Corner might be best. It's not expensive, and it's not fancy, and I would feel much more comfortable going to a place I'm more used to anyways.", Fluttershy sipped her tea after she finished talking.

"Hey, if you wanna go somewhere fancy and romance-y, I'd be cool with that.", Rainbow Dash shrugged.

"If you want to, we can. But um, no thanks, I'd really prefer somewhere we're used to still."

"Well, alright.", Rainbow Dash said.

The two pegasi ate their respective plates. The shy mare ate at a calm, steady pace, while the cyan mare did practically the opposite. Fluttershy giggled at the sight of Rainbow, and Rainbow looked up at Fluttershy, grinned, and then returned to her meal. Once the two finished their food, they just sat still, and waited.

Rainbow Dash patted her belly, and then said, "Pretty awesome breakfast, huh?"

"Mhm! You made it, so I'm not too surprised it was so um... awesome.", Fluttershy cheerfully commented.

"Heh, yeah. 'Cept you're much better at cooking, much as my ego hates to admit it.", Rainbow Dash shrugged.

"Well, maybe I could help get you better at cooking, then?", Fluttershy suggested.

"Guess that'd be good, just... Is 'patience' a step?", Rainbow Dash asked.

"A step?... Sort of, not fully, but um... Sometimes, patience is part of cooking. When you're waiting on the food when it's cooking, then I guess patience is required, and you have to be careful and patient when it comes to measuring sometimes.", Fluttershy slightly frowned.

"Meh, I'll manage. As long as you're there with me, I'm pretty sure I can.", Rainbow Dash chuckled, "So, how about I'll go put the dishes inside real quick, and then we'll go for a walk or a flight, or... Something?"

"Oh, no, no. I'll go and do the dishes, I'll only be a few--", Fluttershy started.

"Nah, I mean just... I'll bring these in, 'n we'll do them later.", Rainbow Dash explained.

"...Oh, um... Okay.", Fluttershy nodded, and then Rainbow Dash flew up from her cushion, carrying the plates with her inside. Once she entered the cozy cottage, the rambunctious mare placed the dishes inside the sink, running hot water onto them. The moment the dishes were mostly clear of excess food, she turned the water off and flew back outside.

Fluttershy waited for Rainbow Dash, and she obviously didn't have to wait that long at her marefriends speed. The moment the mare flew outside of the cottage, closing the door, the frightful mare jumped in surprise. Fluttershy squeaked after being picked up and brought into the air. Rainbow Dash released Fluttershy to let her fly on her own, and Fluttershy just barely entered flight. Rainbow Dash watched the canary mare, ensuring that she didn't need help or saved. Once Fluttershy got into flight, she felt her heart stop racing, and she let out a sigh of relief -- Rainbow Dash then immediately slammed headfirst into a thick and brown tree branch.

Fluttershy gasped in shock and fear, flying down to Rainbow Dash, "Are you okay?! Oh my goodness!", Fluttershy searched Rainbow for any injuries, but came up with none. It was Fluttershy's turn to sigh in relief.

"Ugghhh... Yeah... I'm fine...", Rainbow Dash sat up, rubbing her head with a hoof.

"...So, um...", Fluttershy lightly bit her soft lip, not sure where to go from there.

"Guess we'll just walk around for now on?", Rainbow Dash suggested, standing up onto her legs.

"Sure, that would be nice.", Fluttershy replied.

The two mares were currently in Whitetail Woods, where the trees were proud and tall, the birds were singing, leaves coated the ground and tree branches in a mix of colours. Fluttershy observed her surroundings while the two walked along a dirt path they had found off to the side of where Rainbow Dash crashed.

"If um... You're bored, then we can... Go do something else.", Fluttershy quietly said.

"No, no. It's fine.", Rainbow Dash assured.

"Are you... Sure?", Fluttershy looked over concernedly at Rainbow.

"Yeah. I like walks with you. Alone they're pretty boring, 'n stuff, but they're cool with you around.", Rainbow Dash grinned.

"Oh... Really?", Fluttershy asked in disbelief.

"Uhuh. Can talk 'n stuff, but uh... You alright with watching me do some tricks at the next clearing? I DO need my sweet cheerleader y'know.", Rainbow Dash said, inserting the final part as praise.

"I'd like that. I just love watching you perform, it's wonderful.", Fluttershy lightly smiled, looking ahead along the path.

Rainbow Dash remained silent. She was glad that Fluttershy enjoyed her performances, mostly because that's how it's been for a long time now. Rainbow Dash performs, Fluttershy cheers. Usually, Fluttershy was the only support she often needed. The canary mare may have been quiet, but she was extremely prominent in Rainbow Dash's mind. Whenever Rainbow had important news, she went to Fluttershy first. Whenever she needed help, she went to Fluttershy right away. Unless it had to do with magic or books, of course. Infact, she loved sharing special days and moments with her. Cider season was always one of those times, where she would bring Fluttershy along right away, and then put the adorable mare ahead of even herself. She mostly let Fluttershy ahead of her so Rainbow could watch over her easier, but it just became a polite thing for her to do with how friendly and safe Ponyville was.

When she considered the thought of friendliness, she chuckled at the memory of Trixie, or the Flim Flam Brothers.

"Hmm?", Fluttershy prompted, curiously looking at Rainbow Dash.

"Remember the 'Great and Powerless Trixie'?", Rainbow Dash asked.

"Oh, yes. She was very... Um... Rude, and mean.", Fluttershy giggled.

"Yeah. You were pretty awesome though, with your super secret mission. I knew y'could do it.", Rainbow Dash wrapped a wing around Fluttershy, pulling her closer. Fluttershy squeaked and blushed when the wing tightly squeezed her flank.

"Plus, I knew you could imitate me as a clone. I mean, with how long we've been friends...", Rainbow Dash trailed off.

"...I'm not sure if I miss 'old times' or not.", Fluttershy randomly commented, her ears flattening against her head.

"'Old times'?", Rainbow Dash repeated in question.

"When we were young, um... Most ponies miss their fillyhood, but... But I really don't. I mean, it wasn't so bad once I met you and when you protected me... But it was still scary, and..."

"Oh... I agree with you there. We get the respect we deserve here in Ponyville. Two of the most awesomest pegasi to leave Cloudsdale, for sure. I mean, we're both Elements of Harmony, we've both got super cool talents. Heh, bet Hoops is hating his basketball cutiemark right about now, the featherhead he is... Only skill he had was a sport in school, and then he never pursued it afterward anyways... He's a weather pony now, isn't he?", Rainbow Dash asked.

"Um... I think so... I was so assertive that one time we went up for the Young Fliers Competition though. Remember that?", Fluttershy smiled proudly.

"Yeah... I do, and it was pretty assertive of ya.", Rainbow Dash supplied, bobbing her head twice.

"It was mostly because you were there though, Dashie.", Fluttershy licked Rainbow Dash's cheek, leaving a line of saliva.

Rainbow Dash blushed from the sudden contact, and gazed off to the side while flustered.

"Hey, why DID you stop callin' me 'Dashie' when we got to Ponyville after we left Cloudsdale?", Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow.

"Um... Well, I thought you wanted me to. After we met Pinkie, and she umm... Borrowed it, you sort of seemed mad.", Fluttershy mumbled.

"What?! I wasn't mad at YOU Fluttershy, I was probably mad at Pinkie!", Rainbow Dash explained, "I've always been okay with YOU saying it! Doesn't matter to me."

"Oh... I thought you were mad at me, and... well, your reputation--", Fluttershy quietly started.

"Forget that reputation stuff from now on, 'Shy, really. May have mattered long ago back in Flightcamp, but ugh... Only caused problems here in Ponyville. Sorta. Just, uh... Don't go completely... Mush-ball on me, alright?", Rainbow Dash nervously chuckled. Not the first time she gave Fluttershy advice. Rainbow thought back to times where she tried to explain assertiveness to Fluttershy before, but in the end, she just gave up and watched over her instead.

A moment of silence was born after Rainbow Dash explained her statement. Fluttershy's ears flattened against her head, and she sadly sighed. Rainbow Dash thought back to what she said, not sure if she had said something wrong, but she didn't find much that could've caused this.

"What is it?", Rainbow Dash bluntly asked.

"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about... Um... Something.", Fluttershy quickly responded.

"...Alright.", Rainbow Dash pursed her lips in thought.

A few moments later, Fluttershy shivered under a gust of cold wind. The wind picked up slightly, and the stagnant air became cold amongst the motion. Rainbow Dash noticed this, and felt a little cold herself, so she completely put her side up against Fluttershy's side as to share their body heat. Fluttershy blushed, causing Rainbow Dash to chuckle.

The two lovers walked among the dusty dirt path for a while longer until they reached the border of the forest. The path led outwards, entering a long stretch of grass, and with very few trees spread out. Fluttershy sighed calmly, nuzzling Rainbow Dash's neck affectionately. Rainbow Dash giggled at the contact, and once Fluttershy's nuzzling ceased, she nuzzled her back.

Fluttershy took rest at a bench along the path, and Rainbow Dash said, "So, ready to see some cool new tricks?"

Fluttershy nodded ecstatically, "Mhm! I'm so excited."

"Heheh. Here I go!", Rainbow Dash flew up into the sky, pulling off loops and daring dives, swift corkscrews and barrel rolls, and even some special personal moves. The dance of flight continued on and on, with Fluttershy cheering every so often.

"Woohoo!", cheered the shy mare, as Rainbow Dash flew right over top of her. Rainbow Dash grinned at the adorably quiet cheers.

Rainbow Dash did half of a loop, and then pulled sideways, directing her entire body to the left, and finally broke off to the side, remaining sideways. Rainbow then flew over a pond, splashing water upwards around herself. Rainbow Dash twisted around, and then landed harshly on the path infront of the bench that held a gleeful Fluttershy upon it.

"Way to go!", Fluttershy praised while raising a hoof to the air.

"What did you think?", Rainbow Dash asked, coming to sit upon the bench with the canary-coated mare.

"It was amazing! I especially liked the one where you flew right over water. It was very pretty to watch.", Fluttershy pulled Rainbow Dash into a hug, which the cyan mare accepted gratefully.

"Thanks! Still wish you could cheer louder though...", Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her neck, looking off to the side.

"Oh, I'm sorry... Maybe we can try practicing my cheering again?", Fluttershy suggested.

"Nah, nah. No need. I don't think it was helping much, so maybe we'll try something else another time.", Rainbow Dash said, "Besides, we gotta get to Sugarcube Corner."

Rainbow Dash lifted herself up into the air, and then impatiently asked, "Y'coming or what?"

"Oh, sorry.", Fluttershy said while slightly embarrassed, lifting herself up and off of the bench, flying next to Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash grabbed Fluttershy's soft hoof, catching the pink maned mare off-guard, and then sped off. Fluttershy was used to being dragged around at that speed by then, but it always managed to get her afraid. She knew she could trust Rainbow Dash, but the possible 'what if' lingered in her head whenever such a thing happened.

Rainbow Dash landed them down infront of Sugarcube Corner, and trotted in, directing Fluttershy as she got her bearings. By the time Fluttershy's eyes weren't spinning around wildly, she had assessed that she was sitting at a table. Fluttershy gazed off to the left, and looked for a bright cyan mare. Once she spotted a prismatic mane, and then the blue coat, she observed what was going on. Rainbow Dash was in a line of ponies infront of Sugarcube Corners frontdesk.

Fluttershy sighed. She hoped for a slower flight over to Sugarcube Corner, but she didn't mind. She understood that Rainbow Dash was quick and would probably just get angry at her if she even suggested such an idea. Fluttershy didn't like when Rainbow Dash was mad. Usually she was able to calm her down, but it still wasn't fun with how Rainbow Dash could easily say something harsh. Even if she regrets it, or didn't mean it, it still hurt Fluttershy immensely. But she accepted the apology whenever Rainbow Dash blew a fuse. Eitherway, it wasn't a common occurance. Not as common anymore, atleast.

Fluttershy didn't notice that Rainbow Dash had returned to their table, she heard an audible tap on the table, and quickly blinked away a single tear that was burning in her eye with her thoughts and memories. She quickly plastered a fake smile on her face, looking towards Rainbow Dash's direction. Rainbow Dash looked at Fluttershy suspiciously, but shrugged off the wetness from the wind that was probably blowing into her face earlier.

"So, I got cupcakes, bagels, orange juice, and nachos.", Rainbow Dash said.

"Oh, okay. That sounds just lovely.", Fluttershy gave a thankful smile, "Do you want me to pay?"

"No way. I'm paying.", Rainbow Dash assured.

"But... But... I can pay.", Fluttershy inserted, attempting for Rainbow Dash to just let her pay.

"You can, but you're not gonna. I've got it covered.", Rainbow Dash said.

"...Okay...", Fluttershy quietly mumbled, biting into her bagel.

"Something wrong?", Rainbow Dash asked, and then sighed, "Do you reeaally wanna pay, I dunno, half or something?"

"Yes.", Fluttershy responded in a hurt tone.

"Why? I offered to pay fully, and... and... I just don't get it.", Rainbow Dash groaned.

"I'd feel... Nevermind.", started Fluttershy.

"You'd feel like what?", Rainbow Dash asked.

"Please, just don't worry about it.", Fluttershy replied.

"Fluttershy! Just tell me!", Rainbow Dash exclaimed in frustration. When she saw the shocked mare ahead of her, she mentally kicked herself, "Sorry... Just. Can you tell me why?"

"I'd feel like I'm being... 'babied' by you. I already feel that way around most of our friends...", Fluttershy sadly explained.

Rainbow Dash bit her lip, and said, "Oh, I uh... Well, then we'll go with the  'pay half' idea since we ARE both eating. Sound fair?"

Fluttershy nodded, glad that they could come to a fair and simple conclusion. It was true that Fluttershy felt like she was treated as a porcelain doll by most ponies, but Rainbow Dash usually didn't act that way most of the time.

"...Hug?", Rainbow Dash randomly asked, even though it was more of a statement.

"Um... Okay.", Fluttershy felt herself get pulled into a hug by cyan forelegs. Rainbow Dash sighed, placing her head ontop of Fluttershy's mane, and she inhaled the wonderful scent that Fluttershy emitted. Fluttershy decided to just stuff her face against Rainbow's neck, and Rainbow happily accepted the body contact.

When Fluttershy tried to pull away, Rainbow Dash held her in place, "Just a little longer."

"O-okay.", Fluttershy responded.

"I uh... I'm sorry I get so impatient and frustrated at you sometimes.", Rainbow Dash said with a frown.

"It's okay.", Fluttershy quietly said.

Rainbow Dash remained silent, drinking in the comfort she gained from the hug. A few minutes later, the two left the hug, but Rainbow kept close to Fluttershy, with a feathered wing draped around her. The two finished eating happily, and then fell into eachothers embrace once more for what seemed like a few minutes, but what really was an hour.

Rainbow Dash leaned downwards, and then closed her eyes, preparing to kiss Fluttershy. Fluttershy blushed, and leaned toward Rainbow Dash. The two's lips pressed against eachother, and then when Rainbow's tongue pushed up against Fluttershy's lips, Fluttershy granted access to Rainbow's tongue. Fluttershy then let her own tongue move forward, and then they spent the next few minutes tongue-wrestling with eachother. When they spread apart, gasping for air, a thin line of saliva had formed between their mouths.

"Wow...", Rainbow Dash breathlessly said.

"That was... Wonderful.", Fluttershy commented.

"Mmmhm.", Rainbow Dash agreed.

"...Again?", Fluttershy asked with a sheepish smile.

"You just read my mind.", Rainbow Dash replied, leaning towards Fluttershy once more.