"Uggghhh", moaned Rainbow Dash. She. Was. Bored. She sat on a chair in the mall's premier department store. Everywhere she looked, she saw clothing on racks, and consumerist patrons willing to try them. "I'm sooooooo boooored!", she complained to nobody in particular. She had tried nearly every way possible to alleviate her boredom. She'd taken some buttons from the plastic bags attached to some of the outfits, only to be scolded by the fashionista. She'd resorted to fooling with the long metal hook that someone had just left out in the open, only to be scolded by the fashionista.

"Honestly, Rainbow Dash. Try to take a page from Fluttershy's book, and behave with just a little bit more patience, if you'd be so kind. You're acting like a child!"

Although the athlete had mixed feelings about being compared to her girlfriend in such a manner, she'd let it slide. This time. "Hey, I'm plenty kind! Besides, how much longer is this going to take?!"

"Darling, I'm afraid you simply cannot rush aesthetic perfection. But, if you really are so inclined, please, feel free to leave. I'm sure you'd rather be out and about, doing who knows what".

Rainbow Dash half seriously considered the motion for a moment, before dismissing it. Partially because of her pride, she figured she would stay. Aside from pride, Rainbow Dash did realize that, without sports practice, a ball to kick, or Fluttershy to talk to, she actually had nothing better to go to.

"Eh, nah. Sorry Rare, but you're not getting rid of me that easily!", she declared. "Although, I do think it would help everybody here if we could speed this process up, just a bit."

With this, the fashionista could only pinch her nasal septum and sigh. Sometimes, how Fluttershy could deal with Rainbow Dash so proficiently was beyond her. "Rainbow Dash, dear, how is it that Fluttershy is able to control you with such ease? With the simplest and quietest of pleas, Fluttershy could most definitely have you pacified and satisfied. Frankly, it is indeed sort of a wonder. How does she do it?"

This clearly does not resonate well with the athlete. "Control?! Rarity please, nobody controls me. I'm just too aweosme to be confined in a cage! I, uh, just kind of like to make Fluttershy happy!", she exclaimed with the beginning of a blush evident.

"Hehehe", chuckled the Farm girl. "Gotta say, Dash. She does have a point. If there's anybody who can bring you to your senses, it's probably Fluttershy".

These points mildly shocked the athlete. She wasn't being controlled. She just knew how to act well. They don't even know what they're talking about, Rainbow Dash thought to herself. "Whatever, you guys just don't understand".

"Uh-huh. Whatever you say", Applejack replied jokingly.

Abruptly, the regal member of the group was feeling the need to interrupt the playful argument. Playful teasing is fine, but for crying out loud, she was rather uncomfortable at the moment."Hmmph. R-Rarity, are we almost done here?"

In the discussion, the Fashionista had lost her focus. She took a moment to return her attention over to her princess friend, who was, for the moment, in the process of modeling several different outfits, an uneasy look her face. Sure, she may have looked a bit uncomfortable, but such is the price to pay for proper fashion.

"Oh! My apologies, Twilight. You'll be joyed to know that we are nearly finished here. I need only to find a scarf that properly complements your complexion, and shade.... And, it may be wise to ensure that no unexpected "pony ups" will ruin your attire. Although, that could also be handled back at the boutique..."

"UUUGGGGHHHH", groaned Rainbow Dash, again. "I was right, this really is going to be five hours of hell".

Despite Rainbow Dash's renewed impatience, Rarity paid no mind this time around.

"Well, at least we'll all be here together. You have to suffer waiting, and Rarity has to suffer your complaints. Sounds like a fair trade, if you ask me", offered Sunset Shimmer.

"Amen", the Farm girl found herself agreeing.

"Hey. Buddy.". Rainbow Dash stuck a single hand up at their bacon-haired friend. She cupped her hand, and brought her thumb to rest in between the middle and ring fingers.

"Ha, do you even know what that means, Rainbow?"

Although she could have taken the time to explain the several different meanings of the gesture to her friend, the athlete simply raised her other hand, in much the same gesture.

"Right. Ok, then.", Sunset Shimmer resigned, before reciprocating the hand gesture.

"Listen, all I'm saying is that it wouldn't kill the owner to put in an arcade. "

"And have all the riff raff just permeating, loitering, and taking up valuable space? No thank you dear, that sounds downright dreadful.", countered Rarity, taking a sip from her newly acquired Caramel Brulée Latte.

"I don't know, Rarity. Considering the mall is literally a 15 minute walk away from one of the city's biggest highschools, it might actually make sense to invest in an arcade." Sunset Shimmer wasn't keen on the argument one way or the other, but logic dictates alignment. Not for the first time that week, Sunset was finding that she wished for more coffee-free options at the premier drink shop. Sugar Cube Corner was great, but a bit of variety never killed anybody.

As the group of girls stepped out of the mall and into the chill of the air that surrounded the city, and as the conversation deteriorated, they relished in the comfort of a hot drink. It had already started to feel like Christmas. For most of them, at least.

"Well, Twilight, how does that feel? Is that not far more fitting, and far more desirable, than that old skirt and blouse? It should suit the winter weather quite well, if I may say so myself. Now, with that, all that is left is to fashion custom scarves for you all! Then, and only then, will it be a complete winter wardrobe!"

"It... fits well, actually. Just as good as anything the other you would have picked, assuming she hadn't gone and made it herself."

"Oh, yes. Terribly sorry about that, Darling. Up to this point in time, I'd been unable to find much spare time, what with the holiday preparation and all", the fashionista replied apologetically.

"No no, it's fine. I understand completely", Twilight assured.

"Rarity, you don't have to go through that trouble with the scarves, by the way", inserted the Farm girl. "Really, you don't."

"I know!", exclaimed the fashionista, with much excitement.

As they all edged ever closer to the edge of the mall property, the Farm Girl caught an interesting sight in her peripheral vision, a sight that brought back memories of a time not long ago. Memories that revolved around a couple that she knew quite well. "Hey, Dash!", she called.

"Hmm?"

Applejack gave her a hand motion that clearly meant "come here".

Thinking nothing of the request, Rainbow Dash complied. She figured she'd humor her country friend. "What is it, AJ?".

"Go ahead and take a looksie over in that there direction, Dash, by the door, and tell me what ya see".

"By the door?", the athlete clarified, taking a quick, thorough look. There wasn't much to see, in all honesty. From the sidewalk, she could see the entrance to the cinema, she could see the food court, and she could see a fountain. "I'm... not sure. Uhh... AJ? Just what am i supposed to be looking at, exactly?"

"Ya see that there group of girls standing near the fountain? Chatten' the day away like there's no tomorrow?"

Rainbow Dash could see them.

"Yeah, ok, sure. I see them, but what about them? Is there something I'm missing here?"

"You and I both know how you were before you started datin' Fluttershy. Ah may have avoided you like the plague for a while, but in a school like Canterlot High, we were bound to cross paths every now and then. Ah distinctly remember that you were a lady's girl. Always flirtin' and always ooglin the pretty girls. Ain't that right, Rainbow Dash?

At the recollections, the athlete developed the bare beginnings of a blush, as her cheeks warmed. "S-so what? None of that matters anymore. Fluttershy and I are happy together!"

"Settle your horses, Rainbow. Trust me, it's obvious that the two of ya are happy together. But still. Ah'm willing to bet that ooglin' a good lookin' girl every now and then wouldn't hurt none, right?

The athlete didn't like the the sound of this conversation. Something felt... wrong. Was Applejack serious, or was she just testing her loyalty?

" 'Cause one of them girls has got a nice pair of legs, and a real pretty face, if I may say myself. Don't ya'll agree?"

The farm girl nodded in the direction of the girls in question. The girl was dressed for the winter season, but was modest about it. A light sweater draped over a majority of her form, but left her thighs open for scrutiny. The tight skirt and short top were both clearly provocative, and would have made for one hell of an attractive setup. Would have, if Rainbow Dash had turned her head to look.

"Ah don't think you were even looking, Rainbow Dash."

"I probably wasn't. And I don't need to."

"You sure about that?."

"Uh, yeah. Pretty sure."

"Pretty sure of the fact that you don't feel the urge to turn and oogle that girl's body?", the Farm girl pressed for the last time.

Suddenly feeling a considerable weight on her shoulders, Rainbow Dash let out a tired sigh. She wasn't frustrated, just tired, all of a sudden. "I love Fluttershy, and according to Twilight, I'm the "element of loyalty". That would feel too much like a betrayal. I'm not going to betray Flutters like that." The athlete really wasn't sure that was technically a betrayal, but it would feel like one all the same.

For a fraction of a minute, the two girls stood, facing each other eye-to-eye. Applejack was concentrating, trying to find any fault or doubt in her friend's eyes or words. In that fraction of a minute, neither was willing to yield. Rainbow Dash stared with what appeared to be resolve and devotion, while Applejack with cautious inquisition.

Satisfied that the athlete was good to go, the farm girl did finally, after what felt like an hour, relent. "Hmph. Alright then, Dash. I was just testin' you.", she confessed, as she turned to continue walking.

Seeing that Applejack was going to simply move on, Rainbow Dash seized her attention, wishing to understand exactly why they had just had that stare-down. "Hey! What even was that?! What reason could you possibly have had to think that you had to test me, after two weeks?!"

"I was also just pushin' your buttons!", she admittedly yelled back.

Pushing her buttons? "Why you...", Rainbow Dash thought's lingered, as she continued walking behind her group of friends. The thought to look back didn't even occur to her.

Rainbow Dash awoke in a very warm haze. As her eyes slowly fluttered open, the grogginess that naturally accompanied an awakening was slow in moving. Her muscles felt tight, yet buzzed. They themselves were asleep. That meant that standing up would suck. When her eyes fully opened, however, any annoyance or dissatisfaction that may have been present were abolished. Rather, the daredevil resigned herself to the fate. she would wake up like this every time, if she could.

Fluttershy still lay there with her, the caretaker's head still resting on rainbow Dash's chest. Fluttershy barely snored, instead signifying her sleep with rhythmic breathing. She was a beautiful sight. Rainbow wasn't sure if it was creepy that she liked to watch her marefriend sleep, but right now, as they lay still in their earlier embrace, she was still happy.

Should I wake her up?, she thought to herself. If she were to wake her marefriend, Fluttershy wouldn't be upset. They'd most likely just keep lying here until one of them conjured the motivation to break the embrace.

...

Nah. I'll just let her sleep. While laying there, awake, Rainbow Dash resigned to stroking her marefriend's mane, and allowed her thoughts to roam free. She thought of the increased workload- not tremendous, but generous- the elements of harmony would each have in Twilight's absence, Her and Fluttershy's first kiss, their human counterparts, and of the future. She thought of what would happen if she and Fluttershy were to visit the mirror world, together. It would be like, 3.5x more awesome.

In her contemplation, the Daredevil nearly failed to notice the love of her life stir. Nearly.

"MMmhm", the cream-likened pegasus mumbled.

Ever the prankster, Rainbow Dash was struck by an idea. A pleasant, potentially awesome, idea. While she would never do anything to hurt or seriously embarrass Fluttershy, this idea of hers was completely harmless.

As Fluttershy was stirring, Rainbow Dash checked to ensure that she was waking, and proceeded to attempt to feign sleep.

"R-Rainbow..."

It sounded more like the caretaker was simply stating her name, than asking for her presence. For a couple of seconds, they both lay still, neither attempting any further movement. There was only the light wind, and the low temperatures, warded off by their romantic embrace.

Eventually though, Rainbow Dash felt Fluttershy lift her head from the cyan chest. Following a moment more of silence, the shy mare began softly stroking her love's chin with a hoof. Although Rainbow Dash would never admit it, it took a considerable amount of effort to remain frozen in space, to avoid squirming under her marefriend's touch. She'd never expected the tables to be turned like this, to have Fluttershy subjecting her to sensual touches, while having to remain visibly inert. But hey, she'd roll with it.

The only sound was of the caretaker's enraptured sigh. Nowhere in her expression was there a hint of frustration or annoyance. Only joyful observation, only serving to feed the daredevil's ego. Seeing that her lovae wass going to sleep through her chin strokes, Fluttershy resolved to change tactics. She positioned her head directly over her love's rainbow mane, bringing them what would be eye-to-eye. The luxurious, pink mane fell around them like a curtain half-closed. In a simple, yet loving gesture, the demure of the two gently nuzzled her marefriend's face.

Holy Celestia, thought Rainbow Dash. Now this? This was just too much. The daredevil, in all of her playfulness and will, could not help but show a grin on her face, revealing her awakening to her love.

Upon seeing that the athlete had awoken, Fluttershy ceased her motions, and looked into Rainbow's eyes, with a smile.

"Aww, why'd you stop?", Rainbow dash asked, half-seriously.

Author's Note

I have been trying to write this chapter for 3 weeks now. You know what kept stopping me? Time. I never have enough of it.