In An Instant

Pinkie Pie was sitting alone. Her back was turned to Fluttershy.

Fluttershy ran over to her friend, ready to apologize and tell her what she discovered. "Oh, Pinkie-"

"Fluttershy..." Pinkie's voice trailed off.

"I'm so sorry. I've been feeling frustrated lately and what I said couldn't be more wrong. I just-"

"You don't need to apologize!" Pinkie stood, turning around to face Fluttershy.

"Huh?"

"I know that you realize what you said was wrong. To be honest, I've been feeling the same way."

Fluttershy's stomach did a flip. "Really?"

The pink earth pony nodded. "Yes. But listen. We are these ponies last hope. We have to protect them at any cost."

"Just a pinch of this, a pint of that..."

Fluttershy spoke to herself while potion making. It was the only way she could, she thought. She continuously guided herself through the recipes. Zecora's rhyming words confused her, and potion making was a delicate art. She couldn't screw up.

Fluttershy leaned back, almost expecting her concoction to explode. Thankfully, it seemed that she had followed the recipe to a T.

Fluttershy sighed with relief. She turned around, to that see Zecora had already made dozens more health potions. Not that this was surprising to Fluttershy.

Although she was supposed to show Zecora her potion so she could evaluate, Fluttershy felt something for this potion. She'd made it. All by herself. If she didn't feel like she was doing enough for the camp already, potion making was another thing on the list she could check off. (Besides, finding the Princesses, assembling an elite team of offense ready soldiers, and telling Pinkie Pie how she felt were all very farfetched tasks.)

Fluttershy told herself that she wanted to tell Pinkie that they were friends. Maybe Pinkie already even knew. But it just felt wrong. Zecora had told her that changelings fed off love, and even a small friendship could get the whole camp in big trouble. That was the last thing Fluttershy wanted.

It was a difficult thing to do, but Fluttershy was up to the challenge.

"I made it. For you."

Fluttershy handed the potion over to her fri-campmate. "It's silly, I know...But it's my first potion. I thought you should try it."

Pinkie frowned. "First potion? What does Zecora think? Did she even try it?"

"She said...She said it's fine. Please Pinkie. It would mean a lot to me."

Pinkie shrugged. "What have I got to lose?"

Fluttershy was hurt. She'd hoped that Pinkie would be excited by the gift. How can I be so ridiculous? Her protection is her biggest gift.

And mine.

Pinkie Pie slowly took a sip. Fluttershy's stomach flipped multiple times, but in an instant her...campmate's expression changed. "It's great!"

"Really?"

"Absolutely! Rarity would be proud."

Fluttershy blushed. "I'd hope so."

Pinkie shoved the potion into Fluttershy's face. Fluttershy asked, "What?"

"Aren't you going to try it?"

The thought of placing her lips where Pinkie's were made Fluttershy's face turn tomato red. "I...er..."

"Don't be silly!" Before she could respond, the cup was pushed into Fluttershy's muzzle. She took a long sip, enjoying the sweetness and warmth...

Fluttershy then quickly pulled away. "My...Er...How, wonderful."

Pinkie smiled. It was a genuine smile, and though it was probably because Fluttershy was still blushing like a maneiac or because she had pink liquid covering her upper lip, Fluttershy knew it was real. And the mares started laughing.

They didn't stop for a long time.

"Pinkie, can I...Ask you something?"

The mares sat around the pond on the edge of camp. Fluttershy picked at the ground while Pinkie sharpened her spear with a rock. It was then that Fluttershy realized that they were just waiting. Itching for something to happen.

Pinkie laughed. "Of course."

"Are we...Friends?"

Pinkie froze. She then looked up at Fluttershy, who saw nothing but confusion in her eyes. "Friends?"

Fluttershy's face grew red once more, embarrassment flooding every inch of her body. "Well, yes, I just though...You know, we've been hanging out so often-"

The pink mare just blinked. "We're partners."

"Well, of course. And everypony knows that partners are more...Friendly than campmates, but I just thought-"

"Of course we're friends."

Fluttershy felt like she'd been snapped out of a trance. This mare, who she'd known for years, was suddenly aware that they were friends? It was honestly noticeable enough, but Fluttershy never knew that Pinkie felt the same way.

Fluttershy then realized: She never really knew what Pinkie was thinking.

The mare cocked her head, her blue gaze burning holes in Fluttershy's eyes. "What?"

Fluttershy smiled. "You are really a complex pony, Pinkie Pie. I've never met somepony like you."

Pinkie smiled. And although she said, "Whatever do you mean?" Fluttershy knew she just wanted to hear Fluttershy say it.

"You never say what you think until I'm flustered enough. I worry about you, and you like it. You've been trying to deny our friendship for longer than I have." Fluttershy shook her head. "Why did I have to be partnered with the strange mare?"

"You're not so great yourself."

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Oh?"

"Nope. You're tough, but you have like, zero confidence. You just like being around me 'cause I'm supportive. Plus, you say exactly what you think, when you decide to talk."

The air was filled with silence for a moment as the mares smiled at each other. Fluttershy finally said, "I think that was pretty accurate."

Pinkie Pie added. "Me too, best friend."

In an instant, everything had changed.