Birds of a Feather

"Oh... Hi there, Gabbs. How's it... hangin'?" Scootaloo gave an awkward chuckle and smile.

"Oh, y'know amazing! Haha..." Gabby looked around.

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom merely watched the uncomfortable exchange, shifting on their hooves as silence settled upon the room.

"I'm just going to go." Scootaloo's snout scrunched up as she shuffled out awkwardly.

When the door closed Apple Bloom spoke, "What the hay was that all about?"

Gabby rubbed the back of her neck, "Some... Stuff happened this morning and I realized some things and I don't want to ruin our friendship anymore then I already have."

"It couldn't have been that bad Gabby," Apple Bloom comforted.

"Yea! You and Scootaloo's friendship is really strong, I doubt some little thing will ruin it!"

"We almost kissed." The Griffon uncharacteristically deadpanned then looked to the floor.

For not the first time that day the crusaders' mouths hung open.

"You almost kissed?"

"Yea," Gabby said, blushing, then whispered, "and I think I wanted to really kiss her..."

"What was that, Gabbs?" Apple Bloom tilted her head.

"I think that I really wanted to kiss her..." She whispered just loud enough for them to hear, blushing madly.

Sweetie Belle squeed and Apple Bloom spoke, "I'm happy for you, but Scootaloo told us she ain't a filly fooler."

Gabby sighed, "I know, she probably hates me now..."

Sweetie Belle chimed in, "Maybe she does like mares and she just didn't tell us?"

"Hmm, that is a possibility, either way you gotta be honest with her."

"B-but that could ruin our entire friendship!"

"Look at it Gabby! Y'all are already dancin' around each other, I was uncomfortable just watching you two!"

Gabby pawed at the ground, "I guess it was a little bit awkward..."

"Nope, that was pretty damn awkward, Gabby." Sweetie Belle joined in.

"C'mon Gabbs, we'll be there to back you up, out of sight if you need us."

"Promise?"

Both young mares nodded enthusiastically, eager to help their friend.

They finally found Scootaloo by their old school and the other two crusaders each gave Gabby a reassuring nod before backing away as she moved forward. She sat next to the young Pegasus and curled her tail around her while the other just blushed, looking away.

"Hey, Scoots?"

"Hm?" She leaned into the warm griffon's body watching the setting sun paint the sky warm colors.

"I... I think I really like you."

Scootaloo stiffened, eyes going wide and Gabby was sure it was over, she felt Scootaloo's wings twitch.

"I've done a lot of thinking Gabby," she nuzzled her feathery neck, "and I think I like you too." She planted a peck on Gabby's jaw.

Gabby's face lit up with a blush and a smile and she pulled the Pegasus, her Pegasus, into a fierce hug.

Scootaloo giggled and returned the gesture full force, both were letting out laughs and other noises of pure, unadulterated joy. As they leaned in, mouths almost touching Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom interrupted, shouting about how happy they were for them.

"Wait, I've gotta do this officially," Gabby was back to her normal, chipper tone, "Scootaloo, will you be my marefriend?"

Scootaloo let out a resounding 'YES' before hugging Gabby again.

They spent the rest of the evening alone snuggling with each other and basking in the other's presence.

"Are we gonna tell the other's scoots?"

"We probably should, I don't think I'm going to be able to keep my hooves off you either way."

"We'll tell them tomorrow then, right now I just want to spend some time with you." She wrapped her wing around Scootaloo, nuzzling her tenderly.

Scootaloo pushed her snout against Gabby's  beak, drawing her into a kiss which Gabby gladly reciprocated.

"Hey, Gabby, Scoots! How are--" The blue Pegasus paused as the new couple separated quickly, blushing furiously, "Am I interrupting something?"