11:30.
The day had been long and tiring, but the fun Fluttershy had had more than made up for it. She always loved winter. The season reminded her of simpler, easier days. It let her be a child again. Fluttershy could never imagine hurling a solid object at another person under any other circumstance. But the feeling of the crisp, packed snow flying as it left her gloved fingers was exhilarating beyond words.
The play war that followed the first who dared fire was long and merciless. But still, she loved ducking and diving to avoid the hail of enemy fire. She even loved it when they caught her, blasting her with frozen bullets. It was a vast improvement over school (which thankfully spared their students, letting them out a day early).
It didn't end there. When they got tired of stacking snowmen and pelting each other with snowballs, the girls headed over to Pinkie's house, where they all knew she was sitting on a horde of delectable goodies. By the time everyone had long surpassed their yearly quota of chocolate, they passed around what gifts they had gotten each other.
Fluttershy thanked everyone who passed her a little wrapped up box or bag. She was grateful that they were all fairly small; nobody went overboard getting her gifts. They had all hugged, gave a jovial, "Merry Christmas," and began heading home to be with their families.
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy walked side by side when they left. Fluttershy saw each breath crystallize in the air. The snow on the ground reflected the glow of the moon. The undisturbed snow in the street looked so serene. Fluttershy smiled. Silently, the two of them had linked hands.
The blush was probably just from the chill.
When they came to Fluttershy's street, they stopped. This was normally where Rainbow Dash would snatch Fluttershy in a hug, whisper something flattering about Fluttershy's eyes or hair, and send her off with a kiss. Instead, Rainbow held onto Fluttershy's hand, as if afraid to let go. She looked at Fluttershy with a reluctant expression on her face.
Fluttershy bit her lip as she remembered. Rainbow Dash lived alone.
"Come on," Fluttershy whispered in Rainbow's reddened ear.
Rainbow Dash looked around. "Come on, what?"
Fluttershy tugged Rainbow gently in the direction of Rainbow's street. "Come on, home."
Slightly confused, Rainbow Dash allowed herself to be dragged down the sidewalk. Only a couple more minutes later, they were at Rainbow's house. Rainbow Dash had tried (and failed) to conceal her relief when she realized what Fluttershy was doing. She smiled like a dork as she opened the door for Fluttershy.
Shedding coats, the couple retreated into the living room. Rainbow Dash deposited all of the presents she held in one arm under the short tree. She rubbed her hands together as she stood awkwardly.
"So, uh... wanna watch a movie, or something?"
Fluttershy smiled, brushing flecks of snow from her hair. "That'd be nice."
Anything would be nice with Rainbow. The girl was more of a sweetheart than she let on. Rainbow scurried about, asking what she wanted to watch, if she wanted to change, if she wanted a beverage. Eventually, Fluttershy sat comfortably on a bean bag chair, wearing lounge pants and a sweater that were a little too big, sipping on hot apple cider.
Rainbow hesitantly sat between Fluttershy's legs, laying her back into Fluttershy. Fluttershy coaxed her by gently stroking Rainbow Dash's arm. Typically, Rainbow Dash cradled Fluttershy whenever they had alone time. But sometimes, following a hot shower after Rainbow Dash would finish a game, she would curl up in Fluttershy's arms, all worries abandoned.
Watching Rainbow Dash play was the only reason Fluttershy joined the cheerleaders. She could never match the volume and enthusiasm of the other cheerleaders, but the look in Rainbow's eyes whenever she stopped to shoot a cocky smirk at Fluttershy told her it was loud enough. She hoped so, at least.
Together they sat, watching the holiday antics of Charlie Brown and Snoopy in the dimmed room. A chilly melody filled the air as Peppermint Winter cooed from Rainbow Dash's iPod. It was around this time that Fluttershy looked at the grandfather clock that probably originally belonged to a relative of Rainbow's.
11:30.
Only half an hour to go.
Fluttershy turned her attention back to the screen. Charlie Brown was standing before a pitiful looking tree. He placed a single red ornament on a branch, then watched in horror as it bent and sagged under its weight.
"I've killed it," He murmured to himself, before crying out in anguish. "Everything I touch gets ruined."
As Charlie Brown hung his head dejectedly onscreen, Fluttershy felt Rainbow Dash's grip on her arm tighten slightly. She pulled her legs in, hugging them with her free arm. Fluttershy shook her head slowly.
Placing her cup aside, Fluttershy gently ran her hand through Rainbow's hair. She combed through the rainbow strands, massaging Rainbow's head in the process.
You're not Charlie Brown.
Rainbow Dash sighed silently, eyes closed. Fluttershy smiled, placing a kiss on the top of Rainbow Dash's head. Enjoying the warm comfort of Fluttershy's embrace, Rainbow Dash took Fluttershy's hand in hers. The spaces between fingers fit like puzzle pieces.
Even good old Charlie Brown gets his happy ending.
Fluttershy didn't notice the rest of the cartoon go by. When it ended, the room was only lit by the candy-colored strings of Christmas lights strung on the tree. Neither of the girls moved, not wanting to leave their position. Rainbow Dash flinched when the clock began to chime.
"...Merry Christmas, Fluttershy."
Rainbow Dash turned around where she sat, shifting onto her knees. She looked like she had a lot of things she wanted to say. Instead, she softly ventured in for a kiss. Fluttershy pulled Rainbow Dash closer, kissing her back. It wasn't heated, like when Rainbow wanted to make out, nor was it a nervous peck that Rainbow gave when other people were around. It was something calmer. Something... nice.
Rainbow's arms wrapped over Fluttershy, hands rubbing her back. Rainbow leaned back, pulling Fluttershy on top of her, then proceeded to throw a blanket over them. Snuggled together on the carpet, Fluttershy smiled as she remembered:
One of the best feelings in the world is when you hug someone you love and they hug you back even tighter.
"Merry Christmas, Rainbow Dash."