Fuzzy Blue Lights

One year later...

Fluttershy used to wonder how she could be so lucky. She had moved to a new school where she was reunited with her best friend, and had been welcomed with open arms by so many people who seemed to genuinely want to be her friends.

Of course it had to end. Nothing good ever lasts. How many fake smiles did Fluttershy greet each day, oblivious to the disdain for her that was obviously present? Everyone had their place back home, and Fluttershy's was at the bottom of the food chain. And this school was no different.

They showed their true colors, and the truth was that nobody here cared about Fluttershy. Nobody except Rainbow Dash. The same way it had always been.

Which was why Fluttershy wasn't surprised that no one came to her aid when Sunset Shimmer rammed into her, causing her to stumble and fall.

"Watch where you're walking, idiot."

Things had started falling apart shortly after she arrived. Tensions that Fluttershy hadn’t known existed rose. And soon, they all just... couldn't stand each other. Fluttershy wanted to blame it on Sunset. Her and the way everything she does is perfect. How mean she is to everyone whenever there's no one around to keep her in line. She came along, and she ruined everything for Fluttershy.

In all actuality, Fluttershy knew she was just using Sunset as a scapegoat. But the way Sunset treated her sure didn't make it any harder.

Rainbow Dash grunted as she kicked. The ball sailed across the field, straight into the goal. Not too shabby. Maybe she should play more soccer this year.

She jogged to retrieve her ball. Once it was scooped up safely in her hands, she turned back. Rainbow squinted when she saw someone standing beside the bleachers, watching her. Rainbow waved, then jogged over.

"Sup, Fluttershy?"

"Hi." Fluttershy greeted quietly. She rubbed her raw, skinned elbow, which did not escape Rainbow's notice.

"You okay? What happened?"

Fluttershy froze, then fidgeted. "It's nothing."

"No, it's not nothing," Rainbow Dash insisted. "What... it was her her, wasn't it?"

Fluttershy turned, covering her face. Rainbow Dash balled her fist. "I am gonna kill that bitch."

"Rainbow, please. It was an accident."

Rainbow Dash groaned. "Fluttershy, you can't just keep standing there and taking her bullshit. You gotta stick up for yourself."

"I know. I'm sorry."

Rainbow Dash's stony face eroded when she saw that Fluttershy was on the verge of tears. "Okay, okay. Don't-don't... look, let's just get home, okay?"

Shaking inside and out, Fluttershy accepted Rainbow Dash's hand. Rainbow Dash hugged her, trying as hard as she could to be comforting.

Way to go, Fluttershy. Way to show off how weak and helpless you are, Fluttershy mentally wagged a finger at herself. But it probably didn't matter. Rainbow Dash already knew that. And she's going to become tired of holding your hand through everything, eventually.

Fluttershy watched the TV screen with tired eyes. Rainbow Dash had asked if she wanted to go for a hike, or walk down the nature trail. She knew Fluttershy loved those. But Fluttershy declined, feeling nothing but a vague disinterest. It was eerily familiar.

So, Rainbow asked if she just wanted to hang out for the night. Desperately needing company, Fluttershy nodded thoughtlessly. It was only after Rainbow Dash texted her parents that she was spending the night did Fluttershy remember that today was Rainbow's leg day.

Of course, Rainbow didn't say anything. Fluttershy wished she would.

Get angry. Yell at me. I just ruined your workout.

She never did. Somehow that felt even worse.

Rainbow Dash's knee kept bobbing up and down.

Should I do it?

Rainbow looked over at Fluttershy. She looked sad. Why did she always have to look sad? Rainbow felt so helpless; she was tired of seeing Fluttershy like this, and always having words fail her whenever she tried to ask what was wrong.

Rainbow sighed. It had gotten even harder lately, because of all these weird feelings. Like, just wanting to be around Fluttershy more. Wanting to touch her, even if that meant just brushing arms.

Fluttershy had always been pretty cute, that never changed. And Rainbow Dash had been considering her own preferences for a couple years, now. And yes, she decided that she would be open to dating whoever clicked with her.

But... why Fluttershy? Okay, besides being adorable as hell. She hated sports. She hated all of Rainbow's action and gory movies. She could never cheer loud enough for Rainbow, she was insanely introverted, and they had almost nothing in common.

But, she was still Rainbow's best friend, wasn't she? They almost always got along, they were always there for each other, and no amount of differences ever changed that. Rainbow Dash cared about her. She hoped Fluttershy cared about her just as much.

Mrs. Shy inserted the key into the post office box. She twisted, and opened it up. Inside she found a few letters and Zephyr's magazine. It puzzled her that Zephyr Breeze wanted a subscription to this, but if he saw a future in cosmetics, they were certainly happy to allow him it.

Mrs. Shy looked over the letters, checking to see that they didn't accidentally receive anyone else's. She paused when she got to the last letter.

A judicial summons? It's... to our address, and our name. Who is it for?

Mrs. Shy placed the rest of the mail in her purse, and pulled out her letter opener. She slit the envelope open, and pulled out the neatly folded piece of paper inside. She unfolded it, then donned her reading glasses.

As she mouthed the words, her expression slowly shifted into that of disbelief. This... this couldn't be true.

"Oh... Oh my goodness."

"And the next time I catch you rooting through my stuff, it's gonna be an atomic wedgie!" Rainbow Dash growled as Zephyr skittered out of the room. She huffed, sitting back down next to Fluttershy. "Sorry. Honestly, how do you put up with him?"

Fluttershy only shrugged.

Rainbow Dash exhaled. They had been watching TV for several hours. Now that the creep skedaddled, she could give it a try. With just a moment's hesitation, Rainbow Dash brought her arm up, and laid it across Fluttershy's shoulders.

It bought her no reaction, so... cha-ching? Well... whatever. Next step.

Rainbow Dash scooted closer. Fluttershy settled closer to Rainbow Dash. Progress! Okay, now Rainbow Dash was actually starting to feel a little nervous.

Should I really do it?

She pursed her lips. No guts, no glory.

Fluttershy sighed. This felt... good. Rainbow Dash always had that effect. The way Rainbow Dash's fingers massaged the side of her head was almost enough to make Fluttershy fall asleep right next to her.

"Fluttershy?" Fluttershy almost didn't recognize Rainbow's voice, she spoke so softly.

She turned to look at her. Rainbow looked down at her, her face turning pinkish. Her eyes had that jolting movement that she got whenever she was concentrating.

"Yes?"

Just do it.

Rainbow Dash was kissing her.

Fluttershy didn't dare move. The feeling of lips against hers was one that brought scorching memories, still fresh in her mind. She held her breath. Rainbow Dash was kissing her.

Oh no.

Rainbow Dash opened her eyes as she inched back. Okay, too eager, too stiff, and a bit too high. She could definitely work on her kissing before anyone could call it romantic. Rainbow Dash froze, the thought vanishing the moment she saw the look on Fluttershy's face, and it was immediately replaced.

Oh, shit, I shouldn't have done that.