Changing for the Better

Fluttershy sighed with contentment as she joined her sleeping pegasus on the bed they had relocated to be in front of the hearth. Basking in the comforting warmth of the fire that filled the cottage with its bright yellow and orange glow was nice, but the warmth of Rainbow Dash snuggling against Fluttershy, curling against her body as she draped a protective wing over her special somepony, gave her an inner warmth that contrasted starkly against cold winter’s nights, making them much more endurable. Rainbow squirmed fitfully and gave a murmuring whimper in her sleep. Fluttershy was instantly cooing comfortingly and nuzzling behind Rainbow’s ear licking at the sensitive spot that she so loved.

“Shhhhhhh... It’s okay, Dashie,” she whispered softly, concern for her pegasus growing within her. “You and the weather team saved Ponvyille from the blizzard. We’re all safe and sound thanks to you.” She continued whispering sweet comforting nothings into Rainbow’s ear as she softly trailed a hoof down her sides and over her cyan wings. Suddenly a cold blast of frigid air made her shiver violently and she grabbed another thick blanket and threw it over herself and Rainbow for extra warmth. But the cold slowly seeped through the blanket making her shiver even more violently and snuggle tightly against Rainbow’s warmth. She was quite suddenly jolted and she woke up on the train going from Ponyville into Canterlot.

Fluttershy whimpered softly, curling up into a smaller ball on her seat, wrapping her wings more tightly around her body before pulling her fallen blanket back over her body. Her warm breath formed misty clouds in the cold air and fogged up the window, obscuring her view of the outside world. She buried her muzzle into the prismatic scarf around her neck and took a deep breath, filling her senses with the smell of lightning and rain on a summer’s night, the smell of Rainbow Dash. The mare she was taking this trip into Canterlot for.

She sighed quietly and stared blankly out the train’s window too consumed by her own thoughts to properly appreciate the view of the frozen, snow covered landscapes and the tiny snowflakes dancing gracefully on the frigid air outside. Was she a good marefriend to Rainbow Dash? Rainbow was certainly more than a good marefirend to her, she was an excellent marefriend. But over the span of their two year relationship it became increasingly clear that she wasn’t able to effectively return some of Rainbow’s more protective or dominating traits. It was always Rainbow who initiated a kiss, while she just stood there hiding shyly behind her mane. It had always been Rainbow who had protected her from harm and bullies in their youth. It was always Rainbow who held her in her warm, cyan wings as she wiped away her tears. And it was always Rainbow who had been on top whenever they ‘played’ with each other in the bedroom.

Fluttershy wished and sometimes when she asleep even dreamed of having enough confidence and self-esteem so she could be a strong support for her marefriend when the times came. It wasn’t even herself who also felt this way and while Rainbow had never said anything about it, she could always see the longing in Rainbow’s eyes to have a special somepony whom was strong enough for her to lean on and occasionally take control. And now over the next week and a half when Rainbow was away training with the Wonder Bolts Fluttershy was determined to become that mare with the help of Doctor Starsong. Starsong specialized in therapy ranging from helping victims of parental and spousal abuse, to helping couples become more closer, open and intimate with each other. Starsong was her only hope for doing this properly and while the prospect of being so open and upfront with a stranger was terrifying and nerve wracking, she was going to do her very best in her efforts of becoming the mare she wanted to be for Rainbow Dash.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

The train’s piercing whistle shattered the calm atmosphere and the train came to a screeching stop outside Canterlot station, Fluttershy gave a startled squeak, diving underneath her seat. She took a deep breath and placed a hoof over her thumping heart, giggling a little with amusement as she thought of all the playful teasing Rainbow would have poked at her for being so skittish. After quickly packing up her blankets, she shivered violently as she stepped out of the warmth of the train and onto the platform in the cold outside air.

The city was alive and busy with thick crowds of ponies walking around attending to their various businesses, which did nothing to soothe her already stretched nerves. Not even a minute alone in Canterlot without at least one of her friends accompanying her and she was already wishing for the sanctuary of her secluded cottage and the company of her animal friens, but mostly she wanted Rainbow’s wing draped protectively around her back. Taking a deep breath and trying her best not to think about all the noises and ponies, she made her way from the train station to Doctor Starsong’s office.

She kept her gaze down on the snow covered streets not willing to meet anypony’s gazes or do anything to draw attention to herself. At one point she had gotten lost and after a long consult of the map she had bought with her, she finally managed to find her way to Starsong’s office located just outside the castle perimeters. Gulping, trying to swollaw down the nervous lump in her throat she stepped up to the door and outs and quietly knocked three times before giving a terrified squeak and diving into some nearby bushes.
Shortly afterwards, the door was opened and by tall unicorn, almost the size of Luna, with a light gray coat, a primarily golden blond mane with platinum streaks, and a cutie mark in the shape of a kite shield with a medic’s cross decorating its surface. Starsong stepped out of the office and glanced around, her frosted light blue eyes falling on the ill concealed Fluttershy. She gave a little whimper at being found out and quickly hid herself behind her mane.

“I promise I don’t bite, Fluttershy.” Starsong smiled with genuine affection down at the pegasus. Her voice was warm with a comforting motherly tone and even with those few playful words Fluttershy felt herself becoming more at ease.“Why don’t you come and join me inside? I’ve got a brazier heating the office and some cookies with warm milk.” She turned and walked back inside leaving the door open in an invitation for Fluttershy’s to join her.

That nervous lump was still stuck in her throat as she stepped out of the bushes and sighed in relief as the warmth of the Starsong’s office flooded over her, making her slightly damp coat steam as the snow evaporated. The office was quite nice and tastefully decorated with thick plush carpet and massive body pillows scattered around the room instead of furniture. Starsong had settled in a nest of the pillows, a little filly with only one eye was tucked securely under an illusionary wing made of magic. Fluttershy blinked a little wondering if she had seen those wings when Starsong was outside.

“Please, make yourself comfortable, my dear.” Starsong lit her horn and suddenly another nest made of the thick plush cushions formed in front of her.

“T-thank you,” Fluttershy mumbled settling down on the bed of pillows with a hum of contentment. She kep her gaze down cast not meeting Starsong’s gaze.

“So, you reached out to me for...” She consulted a thin file for a few moments. “...‘becoming confident in being more dominant with your partner’. Your partner being a fellow Element of Harmony, Rainbow Dash.” A comforting smile formed on her muzzle as she placed the file down. “Well we certainly have a lot of work to do.” Starsong winked playfully at Fluttershy, signifying she was only jesting and meant no malice. Fluttershy looked down at her hooves as she nervousy fiddled with them. “But I belive the one and a half weeks we have together is more than enough time to help you.” Once more she lit her horn and she levitated a tray with steaming hot tea on the floor between them, making some mint tea for herself and some of Fluttershy’s favorite herbal tea. Taking a delicate sip of the tea, she fixed Fluttershy with a slightly more serious stare. “Let’s get started shall we?”
“O-okay?” Fluttershy mumbled.

Starsong gave her an encouraging smile and gently lit her horn, her magic swirling around her body and making her the size of an average mare. “Why don’t we start off small, my dear? Walk over and give me a nuzzle.” Fluttershy blushed brightly, feeling somewhat awkward at following Starsong’s instructions. With a little whimper she buried her muzzle into pillows beneath her in an vain attempt to hide. “Shhhhhhhhhh... It’s okay little one,” Starsong murmured softly as she approached Fluttershy and ran a comforting hoof through her mane. “If you ever feel uncomfortable at all with anything I ask of you, just say ‘moonstone’ and we shall stop immediately.” She gave a little comforting coo and continued running her hoof through her patient’s mane. “Just remember, all this is to help you improve your relationship with Rainbow Dash, okay little filly?”

Fluttershy hesitantly raised her head as she was reminded why she had come to starsong in the first place and she was determined to at least try her therapist’s suggestions and instructions. “O-okay?... Ummmmmmm?...” She looked away and petted her mane. “What was it you wanted me to do?”

Starsong took her seat back into her nest, once more placing the sleeping filly with one eye under her wing. “Walk over and give my cheek a nuzzle.”

Fluttershy nodded and after a few long moments of hesitation she stepped out of her nest. Starsong observed Fluttershy with a critical as she kept her face hidden behind her mane and her head lowered so close to the floor she was almost kissing it. She took tiny shuffling timid steps making her progress slow and long and the occasional whimper escaped from her. It took a full five minutes before FLuttershy was finally close enough to lean forward, giving Starsong’s cheek a tiny little nuzzle, before Starsong could even attempt to progress their little role play session, Fluttershy was scampering back to the nest of pillows quite literally burying herself in them.

“Hmmmmmmmm...” Starsong muttered, gently tugging on Fluttershy's tail to pull her out of the pillows. “I’m very proud of your first effort Fluttershy. But might I make a few suggestions for you...”