In An Instant

How soon is too soon?

Fluttershy and Pinkie were friends. Best friends. But Fluttershy fill felt strange.

She suspected that it was because they were the only two friends in camp. Not that that was a bad thing, but they briefly considered hiding it. They soon realized that hiding friendship is probably harder than hiding love. Nopony gave them any weird glances anyway.

So, Fluttershy thought, why do I feel strange?

Fluttershy learned when she came to camp how to not be selfish. The way Zecora taught, half the ponies in camp (including Fluttershy) really hadn't realized how selfish they were being. (Because, apparently not sharing food with random strangers who also have food is selfish.)

But Fluttershy was selfish. She wanted to like Pinkie. She wanted to like her eyes that shined like the never ending seas. She wanted to like her Cutie Mark, that was obviously perfect, for Fluttershy knew first-hoof how Pinkie was incredible at bringing joy. She wanted to like her bouncy, beautiful mane.

She wanted to like her.

Fluttershy hated herself for that. She would rather like somepony than keep her campmates alive. It was the most ridiculous thing ever, she thought.

But one morning, when it was just the two of them, walking through the forest for the billionth time, Fluttershy asked,

"Pinkie, have you ever had another friend?"

The moment she asked it, Fluttershy felt ridiculous. She winced, and then looked at her friend. Pinkie looked confused, even a little shocked.

"I...um..."

"You don't have to-"

"Yes. I mean, my sisters were my best friends. But when I moved to Ponyville...You see, I was going to plan parties. To be honest, I don't know how I ended up in Sugarcube Corner. Anyway, I wanted to know ponies better, so I'd have better ideas on how to plan their parties, if they so desired. So I suppose a few ponies and I were friends."

Pinkie leaned in closer to Fluttershy. "Have you ever had another friend?"

Fluttershy thought of Dumbbell. They never spoke of the events that happened at the wedding. They split apart. Fluttershy hardly ever saw him. She knew he wasn't angry with her, or anypony...But their "love" felt more fake than ever.

"No. I suppose not."

Mares can be beautiful.

Fluttershy never realized it. But it's true.

Fluttershy saw the blue in Pinkie's eyes that sparkled like the sea. Her beautiful bouncy mane. Her gorgeous pink coat. Her cutie mark, something so simple, yet Fluttershy never wanted to look away.

Once Pinkie caught her staring. "Is there something on my flank?"

Fluttershy blushed. "Er, no. Just a cutie mark."

Fluttershy felt her personality melting away. She no longer felt tough. She didn't really care about setting traps or making potions. She just wanted to be with Pinkie.

It was a strange thing to think. Being with somepony, just following them around? With no reason or rhyme to your actions? It was stupid.

That's just what friends do.

But...is it?

Most nights, Fluttershy was kept awake by her thoughts. They wandered, back and forth between, "I like her. I want to be more than her friend" and, "Haven't you caused enough trouble already?"

What trouble? Fluttershy turned from her back onto her side, pulling up the woven blanket over her body. Zecora doesn't know. Nopony knows that you love her except you.

Fluttershy's eyes widened. ...Love?

Fluttershy was free.

Nothing feels better than saying what you've been holding in for years. Especially if you didn't know you were holding it in.

And because she felt like she was flying, or at least walking on air, like she could do anything or go anywhere...Fluttershy was going to tell Pinkie. Fluttershy didn't care what Pinkie would say, or what Pinkie would think after she said it. She was going to say it.

It was early.

Fluttershy took her love into the forest, so nopony would hear them if it was the worst thing Fluttershy would ever say. But Fluttershy really doubted it.

Pinkie looked to the sky. The sun was in the same position as always. There was no way to tell it was early besides the cold winds. "Why must we be out here so early, Fluttershy? I mean, it's fine. But it is a little...chilly." The pink mare shivered.

"I'm sorry, Pinkie. I just need to tell you something."

Fluttershy stepped closer to the wide-eyed mare. "Oh?"

"Yes." Fluttershy nodded, her heart beating faster. "And you might hate me. And you might be mad at me forever, and we will never speak again..." Fluttershy shrugged and laughed awkwardly. "I guess, no more friendship for me-"

Pinkie laughed. "Don't be so ridiculous. You could never say anything to make me that upset."

Fluttershy frowned. You underestimate me.

"Listen, Pinkie...I'm in love with you."

Silence.

It hung in the air for a good...thirty seconds. For Fluttershy, it felt like days. And then Pinkie asked, "...What?"

"I'm in love with you."

"Love." Pinkie didn't ask. "Love." She repeated the word until Fluttershy felt stupid. "You love me."

"Yes."

"...Why?"

"You-"

"Don't you know anything? Don't you remember anything Zecora has taught you?"

"Pinkie, I don't care!" Fluttershy laughed, her heart finally ending it's horrid pounding. "I don't care. I love you. I want to be with you. I don't care if we die. If changelings come, I will fight-"

"You don't care!" Pinkie laughed. "You'd force me to die."

"I would never force you to do anything. I want you to know how I feel. I don't care what happens between us. I just can't lie to your beautiful face anymore."

More silence. Pinkie shook her head. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I can't. I don't want to...I can't."

Fluttershy frowned and nodded. "I figured."

Fluttershy hung her head as Pinkie galloped away. In an instant, friendship seemed impossible.