Forever and Always

Rarity

There is nothing more glorious than being clean! A quick summoning spell, and my bag pops into existence and tumbles open allowing the various essentials I’ve brought with me free. I’m purposefully making a bit of a ruckus. If Rainbow sleeps much longer, she won’t sleep tonight. Not to mention that we have precious few moments to strategize before joining Fluttershy downstairs.

I start to sing. Rainbow always wakes to listen to me sing. It’s flattering and adorable, but has also proven problematic; as I often sing as I go through my morning beauty ritual, which results in a very cranky pegasus who would have liked to sleep longer.

I’m not singing anything in particular, but it’s enough to get Rainbow stirring. She sighs happily and I know she’s nearly awake.

Rainbow Dash

Rares singing is the best alarm clock ever. This pillow awesome. Whatever Shy is making downstairs smells good.

Life. Is. Good.

Wait!

I’m up.

Rares is laughing. “Good morning, Rainbow Dash.”

“Where’s Fluttershy?” I ask panicked.

“She’s downstairs making tea and dinner, if I’m not mistaken. She needed a few moments to herself.”

Rares is doing her hair. Not the usual do, it’s the quick “we gotta hurry, but nopony is gonna notice a difference anyway, because it all looks the same” do. She looks good. What do I care if she spends 5 minutes getting ready or 45? She’s never late. She’d never make anypony else pay the price for her beauty time. Plus, even though I think she looks good with bedhead and smeared make-up, she’s happier when she feels put together. It’s like her warm-up routine for life. I can respect that.

There’s a feeling happening. Worry. I’m worried about Fluttershy.

Oh, yeah.

“Think she’s ok?” I ask.

“No, but I think she will be.”

“Any idea what happened?”

“Well, I was rather distracted at the time, but if I had to guess then I’d assume she saw us and was overcome in some fashion.”

“Duh.” That gets me an eye roll and a glare. “Sorry,” I say.

“It’s alright, darling.” She says putting on mascara. I love watching her get ready. It’s just so Rares. “I just don’t have any more answers than you do. I have quite a few questions, however I am in no way certain that she is prepared to answer anything. All I know is that I’m optimistic about our chances. She certainly seems interested in us.”

“Interested in you, you mean.” That gets her attention, and she crosses the room to lie down in front of me. “What was that about anyway?”

She sighs a big heavy sigh. “I don’t know, Rainbow Dash. Saying I was surprised would qualify as the understatement of the year.”

“Yeah.” I sound disappointed, but I don’t even know why. Of course, Rares notices.

“I’m sorry, darling.” She says and gives me a good nuzzle. “We both thought that you would be our selling point for getting her interested.”

That’s true.

“I just always assumed that she’d be thrilled at the chance to be with you, and that she would need some convincing about giving me a chance at all,” Rarity finishes.

“That’s what I thought too. But I also figured it would be a while before she was ready to...try anything.”

“That’s what I thought too darling,” she says leaning against me. “I think perhaps we would do well to simply accept that there are questions we cannot answer, and that we must ask Fluttershy those questions. It may also be wise to try and dispose of any assumptions we’ve made about her. It certainly seems that there is too much we don’t know to trust our own hypotheses.”

“What if she just wants you Rares?”

“Rainbow. Dash. Do you really believe that’s even a possibility?”

“I don’t know.”

“I do. It isn’t. That mare is in love with you. If I had to guess, that’s part of the reason she didn’t launch herself at you. Fluttershy has been romanticizing about you for ages. Even in the heat of passion she didn’t want to give that up.”

“Maybe.”

Rarity stands up. “Maybe it’s time to go ask her. I won’t have your confidence about her feelings shaken Rainbow Dash. I simply won’t allow it.”
I stand up and pull along side her.

“It’s not up to you, Rares.”

I have never felt more….vulnerable? (that’s not even a word I thought I knew).

We both take a big breath and start walking toward the stairs.

Fluttershy

Dashie and Rarity are coming down the stairs.

EEEEEP.

They aren’t talking. Why aren’t they talking?

I give the soup I decided to make one last stir, then turn to look at them. Rarity smiles at me. “Something smells wonderful,” she says. It’s nice.
Dashie looks nervous.

Oh no. Of course she looks nervous. Is she worried I’m going to lose my mind again and attack them? Is she worried I’m going to lose my mind again and attack Rarity? Wouldn’t she like that? That seems like something Dashie might like to watch. Is she worried that she wouldn’t get to watch?

The events of the evening replay in my head yet again.

Of course Dashie looks nervous! Oh my goodness. She probably thinks I don’t even like her at all. She probably thinks I want to try and take Rarity, but they have a strong enough relationship that Dashie knows Rarity won’t go. If that’s what they think, then why aren’t they mad? Maybe that isn’t what they think, but Dashie still looks nervous.

I think I’m a little bit right that she’s worried I only like Rarity. I need to do something brave. I need to let her know that she’s wrong. I need her to know that I want her too!

There’s something about how they’re standing. They’re both nervous. Rarity is trying to hide it, and be brave. She doesn’t want me to feel bad, and she doesn’t want Dashie to feel bad for being nervous. Their eyes have so many questions, but they aren’t sure they can ask, because I’m me and they don’t want to scare me. Only I’m not scared. I’m confused and I don’t understand what I did, but I’m not scared.

I’m happy.

I’m thrilled.

I could fly across the sky screaming for joy (if there wasn’t any rain or thunder or lightening or chance that I might be bothering somepony).
My best friends want to date me! They have such a beautiful, wonderful relationship and they want to share that with me, which is kind of perfect for me. I’ve never tried dating anypony, because I always worried I would disappoint them, but if there’s a third pony then….then….it’s safe. It’s safe to be me, because that third pony can help me. They’ve wanted this for a long time, but they were being careful with me. They haven’t said the words, but those actions tell me that they love me. I never thought anypony would love me, and now two ponies do. And not just any two ponies, my two perfect ponies!

I can be brave. I can do this. I can and I will, because I wasn’t wrong before. Those are my mares, and I’m going to make them happy.

Rarity

I watch Fluttershy as we come down the stairs. By the time we reach the bottom, the confusion is gone and she’s decided something. She gives her hoof an adorable little stomp of determination. She’s been looking at Rainbow, but now she glances at me. Everything I need to know is in that look. Now, we must convince Rainbow Dash.

As if she can read my thoughts, Fluttershy gives her head the slightest shake. She’s right. It’s up to her to convince Rainbow that things are ok.
She’d never admit to it, but Rainbow has spent years preparing for this moment. She’s longed for Fluttershy, but never believed they could make it work. It became so apparent so early on that as perfect as my Rainbow and I were together, she longed for Fluttershy.

I glance around the room, and realize Fluttershy’s bed is still there. I consider returning it to it’s proper place, but decide against it. If not because of the distraction, then because I’m truly hoping to be wrapped up with two pegasi in front of the cozy fire before the night is out and a bed would prove far more comfortable than the floor.

Perhaps, I should have stretched before my run. I’m feeling a bit sore from the day's exertions.

We cross the room to Fluttershy. It’s really too bad Rainbow is looking at the floor. Each step we move closer increases Fluttershy’s resolve. It’s beautiful to watch.

Fluttershy looks at me with a question I don’t quite understand, but I nod anyway. I’ll follow her lead and see where it takes us. She gives Rainbow a quick glance, then steps toward me. A confident Fluttershy is a rare and exquisite sight. An alluring Fluttershy is a wonder, and that is what I see.

A yellow wing tip lifts a cyan chin to watch as we kiss. There is no hesitation, but it’s a very shy kiss. It’s brief, and followed by a gentle nuzzle. I lean to Fluttershy’s ear and whisper, “I’m going to give you two a moment,” before pressing a kiss to her cheek and excusing myself to the kitchen.

Rainbow Dash

Rarity walks toward the kitchen, and Shy looks at me with a smile. It’s supposed to be comforting. I know that, but I feel my ears droop anyway. I don’t want Shy to think something is wrong though.

Right. I just have to figure out how to talk to this new Fluttershy, then everything will be ok. It will be fine. I wish Rarity wasn’t hiding in the kitchen. How are she and Shy ok anyway? They didn’t talk while I was gone, at least Rares made it sound like they didn’t.

I suck at this.

“Do you want to sit down, Dashie?”

I tried really hard to do the brave and cool thing, but the thinking started and we’ve just been standing here for almost a minute. I can’t think and do other stuff at the same time, so I have no idea what Fluttershy has been doing while I’ve been staring at the floor. But, yeah, sitting down sounds like a good idea. So, I nod and hop onto the bed, because the couch isn’t really an option.

Fluttershy

Carefully, I climb onto the bed and lie down facing Dashie. She looks so confused, and I’m not sure I can help. I don’t know how to talk about tonight, not yet. I was trying to be brave, but then she just stood there not looking at me. She didn’t look disappointed, just confused- and that’s even worse.

I glance toward the kitchen.

Rarity, where are you?

What would Rarity do?

I don’t know!

I’m useless. I’ve known Dashie since we were foals. She’s my best friend, but I don’t know how to help with this. I know we need to talk, but I don’t know what to say. I have so many questions, but I don’t want to ask. I love her, but I don’t know how to talk to her.

And now I’m crying.

Good job, Fluttershy.

Rarity

What are they doing in there???

I made myself a cup of tea, and now I have my ear pressed to wall as I sip. It’s unladylike, but there’s nopony here to see me.

Are they really just sitting in silence? Are they crying? What happened to Fluttershy’s confidence?

Oh, I know the answer to that. She’d never be able to sustain such boldness without reinforcement, and it sounds like Rainbow Dash was unable to summon her usual mask of bravado.

Oh my mares, how do I help you? We all want this work so badly that we’re ruining it.

Should I go in there and mediate the conversation?

No, I don’t think so. They need to work through this. They also need to work through a lot of things I am certain I am not even fully aware of; things that I won’t be able to help with when the time comes, because they are issues unique to the two of them. Perhaps those issues can be tabled for now, and all that needs to be addressed is tonight. Tonight’s problems are mine as well. I should be involved in the conversation, but we can’t even have that conversation if those two won’t talk to each other. I just need them to say something, then I can find an opportunity to return to the room and guide us through this.

Honestly, this shouldn’t be so angsty.

Just say something!

Rainbow Dash

Rares must be freaking out. I know she’s not sitting in there eating a salad. She’s eavesdropping for sure. The thought makes me smile on the inside, but it doesn’t make it to my face. Flutters is crying, and I don’t know how to fix it, so I’m crying too. Shy’s got her face in her hooves, so she hasn’t seen it yet though, which is ok.

I wish we didn’t have to talk. I suck at talking. Words are stupid. I wish I was a unicorn, and I could just do that thing Rarity does sometimes, where she puts her horn on the side of my head and I just know all the stuff. Maybe I should ask her to do that….she won’t. I’ve asked before and she said no, and she was right. Talking through stuff is good. It sucks, but it’s good.

Ok. So, I can’t talk. Neither can Shy. What are the other options?

What does Rarity do when I can’t talk? She plays with my mane. Shy does that too for me sometimes. It’s not really my thing, but I really like Shy’s mane. She’s kinda weird about it though. She hasn’t cut it in forever. I remember when we were fillies and it was shorter, it was cute. I like it like this though. I like that she always has some place to hide if she needs it.

It’s so soft, and there’s so much of it.

Wait.

When did that happen?

We scooted together somehow, and I’ve been running a hoof through Shy’s mane for a while now. She’s not crying anymore, and neither am I. Awesome. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky, I guess.

I wonder what Rarity is doing. I haven’t heard her move in a while. She is not a patient pony. Maybe she teleported her file down and is giving herself a hooficure while she waits. She’s good like that. She isn’t even mumbling to herself, just sitting in there screaming on the inside for the two of us to hurry up.

I laugh silently, but Shy’s ear twitches when I move.

Crap.

Maybe the spell isn’t broken. Maybe we can just keep sitting here for a while.

“Dashie?” Shy asks in a whisper. It’s a good thing we’re close and I’m paying attention, or I totally wouldn’t have understood her.

“Yeah, Shy?”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Shy.”

“Ok.”

“Shy?”

“Yes?” I’m still playing with her mane. Other than that ear flick, she hasn’t moved. This whole playing with the mane thing is working. It’s weird and makes me feel all the squishy feelings, but it gives me something to do, and makes it so she doesn’t have to look at me.

“Can we talk about it later? I just...can’t tonight.”

I can’t tell if she sighs in relief or deflates in disappointment.

Crap.

“Yes, please. I want to, but I don’t think I can talk about it tonight either.”

“OH. COME. ON!!!!”

Fluttershy

“Sorry, Rarity” I squeak smiling.

“She’ll get over it. Won’t you Marshmallow?” Dashie calls out. She’s still playing with my mane. It’s nice.

“Marshmallow?” I ask giggling as Rarity stomps around the corner with a pout.

“I’ve asked her not to call me that.”

“Don’t even try to act like you don’t like it. Now, get your flank over here.”

Rarity rolls her eyes and lowers her head in exasperation, but starts walking toward the bed anyway. “The two of you genuinely aren’t going to talk about anything tonight?” She asks as climbs up on the bed.

Dashie is still playing with my mane. Rarity tucks herself into my side, resting her head on my back. It should feel perfect, but I feel like running away again. I know Dashie and I can’t talk, but maybe with Rarity here….

“M- Maybe we can talk...th- the three of us?”

“Would that be alright with you, Rainbow Dash?”

Dashie sighs. She doesn’t want to talk. “It’s ok, Dashie. We don’t have to. I’m sorry I asked.” I say the words and I really mean them. I really don’t think it’s a good idea for us to just let this go. I’d really like to understand what’s going on, and I don’t, but I really don’t want to put Dashie through anything more either.

“No. It’s ok, Shy. I just suck at talking.”

“Perhaps, it would be best if you and I listened for a little while,” Rarity suggests.

EEEP. No. That isn’t what I wanted. “I- I really don’t know what to say,” I confess.

“You must have some questions for us, darling,” Rarity says. I’ve had my eyes closed focusing on Dashie stroking my mane, because it helps with the anxiety, but I open them now to find the brilliant blue eyes of my best friend looking at me.
Just talk to Rarity, Fluttershy. You can do that.

“I- I don’t understand. Dashie said- that you…”

“Wanted to date you?” Thank Celestia for Rarity and her willingness to finish my sentences for me. I nod in response. “Well, that’s very true darling. Let me explain.”