Socially Awkward

by PegasusDash

Rating: everyone
Tags: Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rainbow Dash, Romance, Fluttershy
Length: 3366

Fluttershy learns to control her social anxiety through the help of a special somepony.

Fluttershy will learn to cope with her social struggles through the help of a very special somepony.

Published 2016-09-07 23:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-09-07 23:30:01 UTC

Anxious

"Oh Angel, what is it now?"

The little white bunny tapped his foot in impatience.

"You want more carrots, don't you?"

The yellow pony sighed. She didn't want to have to go out into public again. She would make a mistake or embarrass herself. It would be exactly the same as the bullies at flight camp when she was younger; the ponies would stare at her and laugh. This made her feel uneasy. But she had to do it, for poor little Angel. He was hungry.

"Maybe there are some more in the cupboard?"

The rabbit shook his head.

"Oh, Angel Bunny, you know how I feel about going out. Everypony is going to see me struggle. I want to get help, but..." Fluttershy trailed off. Angel looked pleadingly into Fluttershy's eyes.

"Oh...okay, if you insist."

Angel nodded, and hopped away to the many other bunnies scurrying around the quiet little cottage. Fluttershy packed up her saddle bags and readied herself with plenty of Bits. She took a final glance at her animal friends, a deep breath, and headed out the door.

The streets of Ponyville were filled with many friendly ponies. Fluttershy tried to stay as far away from them as she could, but it seemed impossible. Most of the Ponyville folk were loud and outgoing. She ducked her head and tried to stay low. She felt a pang of worry as she realised that she would have to walk up to the cashier and buy things.

She shivered. Fluttershy felt her cheeks go pink, and sweat built up on her forehead. She felt slightly nauseous. Oh no, She realised.

I'm panicking. The shy pony gasped as a blur of colour suddenly landed next to her.

"Hey, Fluttershy! How are you doin'? I see you got up the courage to go out by yourself." Rainbow Dash said, in her usual, loud, raspy voice.

"You wouldn't understand how hard it was for me. Usually somepony has to come with me, or else I have a panic attack."

"I know. And you're right, I don't understand. But I was thinking...maybe I could help you learn to control your anxiety? I think I know some tips about being confident. And I'm awesome. Although, you probably already knew that."

Fluttershy had never heard Dash saying she wanted to help anypony in this type of way before.

"Are you sure? Thank you, Rainbow Dash. That's so nice of you." Fluttershy said, beaming.

"So... buying some food for your animals, I guess?"

"Yes."

"I might be able to help you get past talking to the cashier."

"Oh, thank you so much. I appreciate your kindness."

The two ponies walked slowly through the crowd. The cyan pegasus yelled at the large crowd to move so the pair could get through. This made Fluttershy feel anxious.

"Um, Rainbow Dash? Could you maybe stop yelling? All of these ponies are..."

Fluttershy dared to look up. The surrounding crowd looked down at her, some giggling, some with disgust.

"Dash...?"

"Yeah, what Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy's face went red. Her breathing suddenly became faster and more shallow. Her hooves and forehead were sweaty and her legs were shaking. She was panicking.

Rainbow Dash spun around, but she could already see her friend galloping away.

"Fluttershy! Wait, I --"

"No! I'll face my f - fears another day!"

Rainbow Dash's expression changed.

"Fluttershy..."

Author's Note

So, what do you think of my first chapter? I'm planning for this story to show people how social anxiety really feels. Please remember to give me feedback on where I went well, how I can improve, etc. Have a great day! <3

Realisation

Fluttershy felt her eyes watering. Her throat was clogged up and her face was still red from the embarrassment. She slammed open her door and ran inside. Angel looked over. He stood there for a second, trying to figure out what was going on and then leaped over to his pony friend and snuggled up against her.

"Aw, thank you Angel. You should have seen those ponies staring at me. They were laughing. I was so humiliated. I really need another pony to talk to."

And then, as if on cue, there was a knock at the door. Rainbow Dash was standing in the doorway.

"Fluttershy? Hello?"

"Oh...hi Rainbow Dash. Please don't do that again. All those ponies..."

"I know. I'm so, so sorry. I didn't know that was going to happen."

"Oh, Rainbow Dash --"

And Fluttershy was surprised as she was pulled into a hug. She blushed harder. And then she cried. She cried into her filly friend's shoulder, the pony she had known forever, her best friend since childhood. She let out a sudden gasp.

"What is it?" Rainbow asked.

"Thank -- thank you so, so much Rainbow Dash. I..."

She trailed off. She had already been humiliated once today. That was enough.

"Seriously Fluttershy, what's up?"

She should just be quiet about her sexuality for now. She didn't need to be embarrassed even more.

"Oh...nothing." Fluttershy stammered.

But in her mind, it was something. A very big something. Possibly the biggest thing that has ever happened to her.

She was crushing on Rainbow Dash.

"Oh, um...I'm sorry Dash, but I have to talk to Twilight..."

"...Oh. I understand."

Fluttershy was sad to hear the drop in her friend's tone, but she couldn't possibly tell Rainbow her true feelings. Not yet, anyway.

"Well...bye Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash said, fluttering slowly out of the pony's house.

"...Bye, Dash..."

Fluttershy trotted out of her tiny cottage. She walked around the outskirts of the town until she reached the Golden Oak library. She knocked carefully on the door.

"Twilight?"

No answer.

"Um, it's me, Fluttershy...?"

Still nothing. Fluttershy courageously decided to carefully open the door...

...and immediately regretted her decision.

There, her purple unicorn friend was, on the floor, with her lips planted firmly against Pinkie Pie's.

Twilight turned her head and gasped. Her cheeks went red.

"F -- Fluttershy...?"

Fluttershy was speechless. She felt her cheeks going as red as Twilight's.

"Uh...I'm so sorry... about...um...you know..."

An awkward silence filled the air. Pinkie broke it by suddenly having a fit of giggles.

"Twily, there's nothing to be ashamed of!"

Twilight giggled, still blushing. "I guess you're right...So, what is it Fluttershy?"

"Well, um...I just decided to tell you something, but you have to keep it a secret."

"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" Pinkie Pie said, her voice suddenly going serious.

"I promise never to tell anypony." Twilight said.

"Ever?"

"Ever."

"Okay, well..."

The pony took a deep breath in.

"I...I think I have a crush on Rainbow Dash...Oh Twilight, I'm a filly fooler, aren't I?"

"Fluttershy, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Look who I found from being a filly fooler!" Twilight giggled, looking lovingly into Pinkie Pie's eyes. Pinkie giggled and hugged Twilight. They blushed.

"Oh...well, maybe..."

"What?" Pinkie asked.

"Maybe you two could somehow... I don't know... set up a date for me and Dash?"

Twilight looked into Pinkie's blue eyes, shimmering with excitement. They both had sly grins.

"I think we may be able to help."

Author's Note

Hope you like it so far! I also ship Twinkie! XD I thought it might be funny to add in that kind of thing. Remember to give me feedback!

Dress

"So um, Rarity, I need a dress. It's for a -- a date."

Rarity gasped and suddenly had a wide smile. "A DATE? Who with?"

"Uh..."

Fluttershy didn't want to answer that.

"I'd prefer...not to answer."

"Aw, please? You know how I get about gossip...!"

"Oh...okay. But you have to promise NEVER to tell anypony."

"I promise. I know how you get about humiliation, and I'd hate to put you through that."

"It's my second date. With...Rainbow Dash."

"Oh, yes, you and Mac were an item a few years ago, right?"

Fluttershy nodded.

Rarity lowered her voice. She was trying hard not to shout.

"Oh my, Fluttershy! I didn't take you for a filly fooler!"

Fluttershy's face went red.

"I'm sorry. I won't tell anyone, I promise."

"Twilight and Pinkie are going to set up Rainbow and I. Probably at a party, seeing as Pinkie Pie is involved."

"So? What colour palette are you going for? What style? Oh, and when does it need to be ready by?"

"It should be ready by tomorrow night at 6:00. That means you have the rest of today and all of tomorrow to make it."

"Okay, I think I can do that. I just need your measurements, Fluttershy."

"Alright."

Just remember, do it for Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy told herself.

Fluttershy walked out of the Carousel Boutique feeling pleased. Finally, she felt even the tiniest bit more confident. Hopefully Rainbow would want to be her marefriend. Hopefully the date wouldn't end in disaster.

The yellow pegasus trotted home. She couldn't wait to tell her animal friends about her exciting news.

"Angel! You won't believe what just happened!"

Fluttershy went into detail, telling her bunny about everything that went on while she was out. Angel nodded silently.

"You do know what being a filly fooler is, right Angel?"

The little rabbit nodded his head and hugged Fluttershy.

"Thanks so much Angel."

She looked outside. The sun was setting.

Fluttershy went over the plan in her head. Pinkie would invite her and Rainbow to a party. She and Twilight would convince her to spend some time with Fluttershy, and they would get Rainbow Dash to be her marefriend. The shy pony just hoped it would work.

The sky turned dark. Fluttershy spent the night prepping herself for tomorrow. She had to be ready.

The pegasus found herself in bed, falling asleep, all the while thinking about her significant other, and how exciting, yet terrifying, a second date would be.

That night, she had a dream that Rainbow Dash and her were zooming above the clouds, without any worries, any problems. It was just the two of them. She dreamt that Rainbow Dash really loved her.

Fluttershy soon awoke. She was feeling great. Slightly anxious and worried, but mostly great. The first thing she decided to do was check if Rarity had finished her dress.

The pony knocked on the fashionista's door. "Hello?"

Rarity appeared in the door. "Fluttershy! I've finished your new dress! I hope you love it!"

Fluttershy walked up the stairs. In the centre of Rarity's room, there stood a mannequin with the most gorgeous white, silky dress displayed on it.

"I...I absolutely love it! Thank you so much!"

"Try it on! I'm sure you will look absolutely stunning!" Rarity exclaimed.

Fluttershy carefully dressed herself and looked in the mirror. She was speechless.

"Thank you so, so much. It's beautiful. And um, I think it accentuates my eye color."

Rarity laughed at the statement. "Thank you Fluttershy, I put my heart and soul into this!"

"Well, I have to go and meet Pinkie and Twilight to finalize this plan of theirs. See you later!"

"Goodbye, Fluttershy! I hope your date goes well!"

"Wow Fluttershy! You look great in that dress!" Pinkie complimented.

"Thank you Pinkie. So, have you got this plan ready?"

"Yes! I don't think I have to tell you though, unless you have the memory of a goldfish..!" Pinkie said, in her usual funny ways.

"Pinkie Pie, you're so silly." Twilight giggled.

"Yeah, I know that!" Pinkie said, kissing her marefriend softly on the lips.

"So..." Fluttershy began, looking over at a clock. It read 5:00.

"We've got an hour left to plan this party. Pinkie?"

"Yeah?"

"Let's get started."

So the three ponies set everything up. The decorations, the snacks, the music -- all in traditional Pinkie Pie style. Soon, sure enough, everything was ready. The party would begin in 5 minutes.

"Okay, Fluttershy, you ready?"

"Yes. At least, I think so."

Author's Note

Ah, the suspense -- am I right? So, what do you think of it so far? Don't forget to give me some feedback!

The Party

The first few ponies had already arrived. Fluttershy was still waiting for Rainbow Dash to show up. She sighed. It was already 6:30. Surely nopony in Ponyville, let alone Rainbow Dash, would want to be late for one of Pinkie Pie's parties?

Fluttershy was nervous. She had only ever been on one date before, with Big Macintosh, Applejack's brother. He had done it without AJ or Granny Smith's permission, so he had gotten in trouble. They weren't allowed to date anymore. Maybe that was why Fluttershy was nervous; because she was afraid this new relationship would crumble just as her previous one had?

Fluttershy sighed. She sat at the snack table, alone. If only Rainbow Dash would just show up.

Somepony walked up to the bowl of fruit punch, and Fluttershy's worst fears came true. The pony knocked the bowl over, sending it splashing over poor Fluttershy's head. The ponies in the room stopped and stared at Fluttershy. A mare giggled, and then the whole room was laughing.

Then she looked up. She gasped.

As if getting totally humiliated in front of half the town wasn't enough, there, in the middle of the room, was Rainbow Dash. Dancing away with another mare, completely oblivious to the whole thing. Rainbow was giggling, and blushing. She held the other pony by the waist in a position so that Dash was leaning on top of her. Time seemed to slow down as Rainbow leant down and kissed the mystery mare on the lips.

Fluttershy was suddenly filled with rage, fear, sadness, loneliness and disgust, all mixed up into one giant emotion. She escaped the library, tears streaming down her red face. She had been abandoned by her best friend.

She galloped away as fast as she could out into the freezing night air. Her dress was too long and wet. She tripped and fell, but she didn't care. Not right now. Not after Dash had just betrayed her like that. She ran inside to the warmth of her cottage.

Her animals all looked her way. They seemed to be worried. Harry the bear scooped Fluttershy up off the ground and gave her a big hug.

"Aw, thank you Harry, but I'm afraid a little hug won't fix my broken heart. My anxiety got the better of me yet again, and then...then Rainbow Dash... She... Oh, Harry, she kissed another mare!" And then Fluttershy started crying again.

Angel scurried up Harry's arm and hugged Fluttershy, as did all of the squirrels, birds, mice, and all the other animals in the room. And they cuddled her until Fluttershy fell asleep in her big bear friend's arms.

She had another dream. More of a nightmare, really. A nightmare where Rainbow Dash came up to her with a disgusted look on her face. She said; "Look, Fluttershy, I don't like you, okay? I'm dating another mare. Just leave me alone."

And that's why Fluttershy woke up crying.

Author's Note

So, I hope you liked it! I look forward to hearing your feedback.:pinkiehappy:

Kiss

"Alright Rainbow, what is it?"

"Well, uh..."

Rainbow Dash stepped forward and hugged Fluttershy first.

"Wha -- What --" Fluttershy stammered.

And Rainbow pulled her in to a kiss.

Rainbow's lips tasted like -- electricity. It made Fluttershy feel alive. It was warm. It was... beautiful.

Fluttershy had to break away.

"Oh, Rainbow Dash --"

And Fluttershy leaned forward and pressed her lips to Dash's.

They broke away, blushed, giggled and hugged.

"Did you know that I love you, Rainbow Dash?" Fluttershy said, laughing.

"Sure did -- doesn't everypony?"

"Dashie, you're so cute when you say stuff like that."

"I'm not cute."

"You're cute when you say stuff like that, too."

The pegasi both laughed.

And they enjoyed each other's company for the rest of the night.

TWO DAYS LATER

"So...I guess you forgive me then?" Rainbow asked.

"Apology accepted!" Fluttershy giggled.

"I don't suppose we could maybe... go on a date some time?" Rainbow asked the yellow pegasus.

"Yes! Oh Rainbow, being with you makes me forget all about my anxiety. Did you know that?"

Rainbow was surprised. "Really?"

"Yes! I feel so much more confident with you. Of course we can date!"

Rainbow Dash beamed. She was happier than ever before.

Author's Note

So... nearly done! Please tell me what you thought!

1 month later

1 MONTH LATER

"Oh Rainbow... I don't feel a bit nervous! Dating you has made me feel so much more confident!"

Rainbow Dash smiled.

"Aw, glad I could help. Who wouldn't want to help somepony as cute as you?"

Fluttershy giggled. The crowd of ponies didn't bother her one bit. She blushed. "Well, I'll go get some more carrots for Angel."

She walked up to the Carrot stand, tall and proud.

"Hello, Carrot Top!"

"Fluttershy! How have you been? You seem a lot more confident than last time I saw you!"

"Oh, yes, Rainbow Dash over there has been helping me get control of my fears. She's nice like that. I love her."

"Ha ha, well, what would you like, then?"

"A large bunch, please."

"That'll be three Bits."

Fluttershy put the money onto the bench and Carrot Top handed her the bunch of carrots.

"Thanks! Have a great day, Fluttershy!"

"You too!"

Fluttershy walked back over to her special somepony, feeling proud.

"Did you see that? I didn't even feel worried!"

"Yes! You're amazing, Fluttershy!"

They hugged, and Rainbow kissed Fluttershy softly on the lips. And, for once in her life, Fluttershy didn't mind everyone looking.

Apologies

There was a knock at the door. Standing outside was Rainbow Dash. She had an apologetic look on her face.

"Fluttershy. Please, just let me in..."

"NO! How could you betray me like that?!"

"Fluttershy, please. You have to believe me when I say that I love you."

There was an awkward pause.

"...What?" Fluttershy exclaimed.

"There. I said it. Please, let me in."

Fluttershy stayed quiet.

"Look, I know I kissed that other mare last night, but...you're the only pony I love Fluttershy. I just haven't had the time to say it properly to your face. Please, just let me inside."

"Well, if you really loved me then you would not have kissed that other pony last night!"

Rainbow tried to hold back from crying.

"Please -- Please Fluttershy, I don't wanna lose you." Dash said, her voice trembling.

Fluttershy felt bad for Rainbow, but she had to be stern.

"I'm sorry Rainbow Dash. I have to take a break from you. At least for a day. Goodbye."

Rainbow felt the stream of tears fall down her cheeks.

"Oh -- okay. See ya tomorrow, I guess," She said, zooming away with her trademark rainbow streak.

Fluttershy couldn't help but feel sad. But she tried to push the feelings away. She knew that deep down, it was best if the both of them just took a break from each other for a while.

*SWITCHING OVER TO RAINBOW DASH'S SIDE*

Rainbow Dash flew back to her floating cloud house and slammed open the door. She laid down on her bed and cried. She screamed and decided to go bust some clouds outside to help calm her rage.

She kicked the clouds with frustration. Why would Fluttershy -- nay, ANYPONY just push her away like that?

When she was done killing those clouds, she went back inside and sobbed some more. Hopefully nopony had seen her out there. It would ruin her reputation as the tough pony of action.

She felt hopeless now.

Rainbow cried herself to sleep that night. She had to make up to Fluttershy somehow.

Then she knew. All Fluttershy needed was a simple kiss.

*SWITCHING OVER TO FLUTTERSHY'S SIDE*

Fluttershy woke up feeling empty. Last night made her feel so worthless, like she wasn't worth Rainbow's time, even though she was the one who pushed her friend away.

Just as she was thinking these thoughts, a certain rainbow haired pegasus appeared in the doorway.

"Open up Fluttershy. We need to talk."

Author's Note

So how do you like it? Tell me!