The Bolt and the Butterfly

by Mist

Rating: everyone
Tags: Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance
Length: 6498

Years have passed since Rainbow got into the Wonderbolts. Now she's their captain and Fluttershy is given a chance to see Rainbow again after years, perhaps an opportunity to speak the truth of how she feels. How will Rainbow receive it though?

Fluttershy watched her grow, she watched her learn, she watched her chase her dreams and eventually watched her catch them. Now Rainbow has everything she ever dreamed of, everything could ever want out of her life.

However watching Rainbow achieve her goals has left Fluttershy in want, desperately needing something that she isn't even sure that her old friend even has to offer, love.

For years the two had gone their separate ways, however the chance to see her old friend again means Fluttershy has one more chance to speak from her heart. Will it make a difference though?

Inspired by the artwork of AlanD-nyan

Published 2017-07-25 08:50:06 UTC
Last updated 2017-07-25 08:50:06 UTC

The Speedster and the Slowpoke

The Bolt and the Butterfly

By Mist

A blur of colors whizzed through the sky, a rainbow trail left behind for brief seconds where the owner of those colors had been. Cyan eyes would move to follow the object moving at lightning speeds, only managing to catch the blazing trail of vibrant hues behind it; once to the left, once to the right, and a loop through the rings of clouds above for good measure. Rocketing only feet away from the observer, pink strands of the observer's mane got caught in the gust created by the flyer and pulled to the left in front of her face.

With the gentle brush of her hoof, the girl removed her mane from her face and continued to watch in awe at the speeding creature in the sky. Quickly coming to a screeching halt, and skidding across the clouds, the mare flicked her wild messy mane back, and ran a hoof through her sweat dripping locks. She hadn’t showered today clearly, but her scent of sweat seemed only topped by the scent of confidence she exuded.

Her thick mane tied back in a ponytail; she took a fresh breath and grinned to her friend who had been observing her. The pegasus’ moderate cerise eyes fixed themselves onto the girl who had been watching from the side lines as a hoof was extended to her offering a towel.

Taking it, she dabbed her forehead and rubbed her multi-hued mane dry before letting it rest around her neck unceremoniously. She gave a gentle nod of the head and a lift of her chin trying to incite some kind of reply from her observer.

“Well?” she asked impatiently.

The other pegasus shyly brushed a lock of her mane out of her vision and found herself unable to speak. Her mind traveled to examining the teen pegasus in front of her. A pale cerulean coat, with fully grown wings decorated her. She had hit puberty a bit earlier than the other girls in their class and had finished up much sooner as well; by the time she was sixteen she had a full grown set of wings, a shapely rear and an ego to match it all.

There on her flank was a mark resembling a rainbow lightning bolt extruding from a soft cloud. A mark symbolic of her and the various nicknames she had over the years. Zapp, Captain Awesome, Rainbow Smash, and Speedy to name a few, though she had insisted her middle name was “Danger” from time to time; however it had never been truly substantiated.

Her messy wet mane looked darker than usual due to being soaked with sweat, but it was easy to see the mixture of red, purple, moderate cerulean, harlequin green, vermillion orange and paled yellow.

Teeth sparkling from her grin, she leaned in and took another step closer to try and spark her friend into responding instead of staring dumbfounded.

The gesture woke her back up as she shook her head and brought her attention back to the flyer’s eyes.

“Oh… Well… I think you’ll ace the test tomorrow for sure…” Her friend squeaked.

The arrogant speedster nodded and closed her eyes as she held her chin up with pride. “I am pretty awesome aren’t I?”

A giggle exited her friend. “You’ll finish the finals as the fastest flyer in class, Rainbow. I know it.”

The praise from her friend only emboldened her further as she felt the smirk on her face somehow grow larger. “Heh, thanks Fluttershy. Today flight school, tomorrow the Wonderbolts!”

The Wonderbolts were all this young teen ever talked about, from the day they had met, it was impossible to get Rainbow Dash to stop talking about them. She would ramble for hours and hours about various facts about the group that she was familiar with, and then go on about all the moves they would name after her when she inevitably joined.

Fluttershy didn’t mind though, she wasn’t a very skilled conversationalist, and spent a vast majority of her time listening. Over the past eight years, the two had become companions, almost always seen together. One wouldn’t see Rainbow Dash without a pink mane following gently behind her.

“You’ll be amazing, I know you will,” Fluttershy replied.

Years had passed since that day, and much had changed. Fluttershy was correct in her praise; Rainbow passed her final exam that day and was awarded the title of best flyer, just as she had won in her Junior Speedster years. She would go on to the same college at Fluttershy and focused heavily on flight and agility training but minored in weather control, at the encouragement of her friends whom insisted she needed a backup plan. The confident pegasus however was certain her dream would be realized and she would one day fly with her idols.

As if just to spite naysayers, Rainbow ended up being correct again. After years of practice, she managed to get into the Wonderbolts training program, and within time would become their newest and most anticipated member.

Her life from there on was grand, meeting important ponies, flying for shows put on for royalty, breaking world records and quickly becoming one of the most loved and adored Wonderbolts in the history of the group.

Many had their eyes on Rainbow, but none more than her old friend Fluttershy whom attended every event she could get into.

Unlike Rainbow, Fluttershy did not score in the top of her class that day, in fact she barely passed. She came in dead last, and only barely managed to surpass the allotted time to not fail the exam.

When Rainbow and she attended college together, she focused her studies on animal caretaking, hospitality and opted out of any physical education classes she could.

Rainbow had gone off to do big and exciting things and she had done the exact opposite. Instead of living an exciting high speed life, she settled down in a cottage on the edge of the Everfree Forest. Her greatest company aside from her friends were woodland creatures whom saw her as a motherly figure.

While she tried to keep up with Rainbow as the years rolled by it grew harder and harder for her to attend Rainbow’s events, and after enough time passed the two grew distant. A hole was left in Fluttershy’s heart, a hole that took months to finally look past. Rainbow eventually moved out of Ponyville and moved back to Cloudsdale to be closer to her team.

News had eventually spread however that Spitfire would be retiring from the Wonderbolts, and sure enough it became the most televised event of the now. Whispers among every pony in every town echoed who they thought the next captain would be, however to Fluttershy, she already knew.

She remembered sitting at the Café in Ponyville sipping some tea as a large group clambered towards the television, filling the normally peacefully quiet café with tons of noise. Curious herself, she looked over to the television to see what she knew would happen.

There a proud and decorated Spitefire, wearing her jacket filled with ribbons, badges and other various awards and trophies stood. Her eyes concealed behind aviator sunglasses, but her expression stern and forward as always. Fluttershy had only met the mare a few times in her life, but she recalled her to always be a serious creature, one of duty and sense. Spitfire avoided saying anything unnecessary and kept herself right to the point, today was no exception.

“Ladies and Gentlecolts…” The mare on the television began.

“As many of you know, I am officially retiring from the Wonderbolts today. I have spent many months contemplating this decision and I have determined that it is time for a new Wonderbolt to shine as the captain of the team, one whom I have personally trained and witnessed excel at every challenge thrown to her. It should come as no surprise to anyone that I value her dedication, her ability and leadership enough to name her the captain of the Wonderbolts,” she paused for a moment so reporters could murmur amongst each other, “That is why I am naming Rainbow Dash, the new captain of the Wonderbolts, effective next week when she leads her first ever performance. I wish her the best, and I know she will carry the Wonderbolt name with honor and bring glory to the organization.”

With those words, Spitfire stepped down off of the podium to allow a familiar face to take the stand; a face that brought back a sea of memories and emotions for Fluttershy.

Removing her hood and pulling her goggles up, the girl shook her head to free her lavish mane. It had grown thicker, fuller and wilder over the years, but she still looked absolutely stunning, even through a small television screen.

Fall was approaching so she had a scarf that matched her mane that Fluttershy recalled their old friend Rarity crafting for her a few winters back. Rarity had gone on a designing spree and made on inspired by each of her friends.

Clearing her throat, Rainbow’s loud voice echoed through the stadium even without the aid of a microphone. She was as commanding as ever. Authoritatively she spoke to the audience and all watching at home.

“Thank you, Spitefire,” she paused to look towards Spitfire whom gave an approving nod before she continued, “Being a Wonderbolt has been my lifelong dream. I remember even back when I was a young filly dreaming of being on this fantastic team. Today, I’m here with some of the best flyers around whom have lead me to greatness. Through their leadership, assistance and help I have grown leaps and bounds as a flyer. However I also owe it to the ponies who supported me throughout the years, thank you. I promise to uphold this position with honor, respect and dignity. I hope my fans and the ponies who have helped me achieve this monumental achievement will be there next week when I give my first performance as captain of the Wonderbolts, thank you!” With those words she waved to a cheering crowd whom seemed elated to hear her speak.

The crowd in the little coffee shop were all abuzz with talk of Rainbow as the new captain after that. Ponies whispering about how they needed to get tickets to see her, others on about how they thought this was going to be a new age for the Wonderbolts, Fluttershy however simply smiled and sipped her tea.

Coming back from a house call to aid an ailing alligator from her close friend, Pinkie; Fluttershy yawned as she entered her home. She had not expected the task to take as long as it had, however it took several hours simply to explain to Pinkie she couldn’t feed an alligator a consistent diet of cake and pie with nothing in between. The concept of deserts not being good for you in excess seemed completely lost on the pink ball of energy.

After she had meticulously laid out a diet plan for her pet, Fluttershy had instructed her three times over that she needed to stick to it if she wished for him to get better.

With a frown and a grumble, Pinkie obliged and nodded.

Sitting down upon the couch in her living room, Fluttershy leaned her head back and rested it upon the throw pillow. She wanted to simply lay there and pass out from exhaustion, but her pet rabbit, Angel had other plans. He tugged at her mane that dripped off the side of the couch and draped across the floor.

Silently, Fluttershy attempted to ignore him as she turned away. Only further annoyed, he tugged again, finally grabbing her attention.

She turned to him with half open eyes and another yawn. “What is it, Angel?” She said.

The rabbit offered her a few letters that he had gathered while she was out. He would regularly retrieve her mail for her when she wasn’t home. Taking the envelopes she sorted through them.

Bill. Bill. Junk. Junk. Junk.

Her eyes fell upon a single letter in the back of the pile. It was sealed in a blue envelope with chicken scratches in terms of the writing upon it. Flipping it over, she recognized a familiar rainbow emblem on the back, along with a Wonderbolts seal.

She gripped the top of the letter with her mouth and tore it open before pulling the paper out from inside of it. To her surprise there was no official Wonderbolts letterhead, no stamps or seals, just a simple piece of lined paper with writing upon it done by hoof. She read it silently.

Hey Fluttershy,

It’s me, Rainbow. You probably could have guessed that though from the letter. How have you been? It’s been years since we’ve talked, I’m sorry I haven’t written or visited; I’ve been insanely busy with the Wonderbolts, I haven’t had time for much of anything. I missed Twilight’s birthday a while ago and I felt super rotten after she had invited me.

I hope you’re not too mad from me not poking my head around enough because I actually wanted to invite you to join me for my first show in Manehatten. They gave me a sweet hotel and everything to stay at; I was wondering if maybe you’d be interested in joining me there. We could catch up, talk about old time and then you could come and watch me fly.

I sort of missed having you in the audience; I really hope you’ll meet me there. I should be there by the seventh of October. Inside this letter is a train ticket to Manehatten on that date, I’m staying at the Mareiot on 8th avenue. I hope to see you there, Fluttershy.

Sincerely,

Rainbow Dash

Sure enough, as stated inside the envelope was a golden colored ticket for a train ride to Manehatten, first class no less, a bit fancier than Fluttershy was used to, but appreciated.

Her heart felt like it stopped for a moment as she sat there in inner conflict. She had never said it out loud, but all those years of watching Rainbow fly, cheering her on, they had grown to be more than just tradition or custom for Fluttershy. They had grown into feelings in her heart that became harder and harder to ignore over the years. She was too bashful to say anything, and she knew that Rainbow had big important dreams; she couldn’t expect her to give those up to enjoy a simple life with her.

She had held her tongue for so long, that the distance between them that began to grow at first was painful, but slowly became a blessing. It allowed Fluttershy to get over those feelings, to move them to the back of her mind and dismiss them. While they never truly vanished, they were easier to manage when the two were not in contact. She was able to focus on work, on trying to move on.

Under the advice of Rarity she had gone on a few dates and tried her hoof at some events designed to help ponies meet other ponies in the hopes that it would get that majestic multi-hued mare out of her mind, but no matter how hard she tried, even if it was just in the tiniest corner of her memory, she couldn’t let go of Rainbow.

It made her consider not going at all. If she went, she knew those feelings would grow again, that she’d find it impossible to function again, it would start all over again, and likely worse than before.

She even contemplated ripping the letter up to prevent any kind of temptation, but a voice in the back of her mind echoed to the front and made her stare forward at the letter.

Maybe this is your chance.

Was that possible? She knew it was a shot in the dark, but maybe there was a chance that Rainbow felt the same way.

She began to rationalize with herself, admitting that even if Rainbow rejected her, she would at least be able to have the closure of knowing for sure. Part of her realized how foolish it was to carry a torch for a girl for this long without uttering a word.

Rationality and common sense won her over in the end, as she nodded and decided this trip needed to happen.

First class was an unusual experience for Fluttershy. While she was sure the likes of Rarity could enjoy having ponies coming to check up on her every ten minutes, Fluttershy was having a hard time just maintaining a smile for the hour train ride to Manehatten. She was elated when it was finally over and she stepped off with her bag at her side.

Adjusting herself, she looked at her reflection in a nearby window. To make sure she was prim and proper. She had decided on a blue sweater than Rainbow had given her years ago as a Christmas present. She knew it wasn’t likely that Rainbow would notice, but she felt a sense of luck just by wearing it and she would need all the luck she could get.

The autumn air was cold, so a sweater was almost necessary this time of year in the freezing city anyways. Manehatten always seemed to be a lot colder than other parts of Equestria. Snow had not touched the ground yet, but being October it was likely only a few weeks around the corner.

She had brushed her hair meticulously that morning in the hopes of looking her best. It likely wouldn’t have an impact on what Dash would think or say, but in her mind even if it was a wasted effort, she wanted every possible advantage she had when she said what she felt to her childhood friend.

Taking in a breath or two, she made her way to the address given to her for the hotel. The streets of Manehatten were busy, crowded and filled with activity. Street performers to her left, pan handlers to her right. The atmosphere was far more intense than the gentle Pegasus was used to. She bumped into a few ponies just trying to make it through the crowds, whom responded with very annoyed expressions.

She blushed and kept her head low while she finally made it to the Mareiot Hotel. Fluttershy craned her neck to try and see the top of the insanely high building, but doubted even if she broke her neck she could see the top of such a structure. It felt like it reached into the clouds it was so tall.

Knowing her friend well, she guessed Rainbow was up on the higher floors. Height was always preferred by the bold dare devil, and she opted to live large whenever she could. Fluttershy’s small cottage outside of Ponyville suddenly felt smaller than ever before, and so much further away than an hour train ride.

She entered the lavish building and approached the front desk. The clerk there completely ignored her presence and even her attempts to get her attention. She gave a gentle “excuse me” several times over before finally having to cough and raise her voice to get the attention of the uninterested manager sitting there. When he finally did notice her, he looked her up and down as he squinted from behind his large glasses and gave a grunt at her in disapproval. It was clear he wasn’t used to serving such low class commoners like her, and he had no interest in doing so either.

“May I help you?” He asked, though his words suggested he wanted no part in assisting her.

“I am looking for Rainbow Dash; she said she was expecting me…”

The bellboy had lead Fluttershy up several floors via the elevator before arriving on floor thirty where Rainbow Dash was residing. Guiding her to Rainbow’s room, he bowed as her took his leave, letting the banana colored pegasus stand there stare at the door.

She gulped before tapping on the door lightly. She could hear a television from inside and commotion that seemed to shift only seconds after she tapped on the door. Sounds from inside moved closer and closer to the door as fluttershy adjusted her sweater, hoping she looked alright for when whatever opened that door did.

Only a few seconds later, the door swung open and there standing in the door frame was a light paled blue mare with a bottle of wine that looked like it had only had a few sips taken from it so far. Her mane was fluffy, implying she had showered recently and her mane had just dried.

Her magenta toned eyes shined back to Fluttershy as a look of surprise was plastered upon her face. “Fluttershy? Whoa!”

The girl stepped out of the room and pulled Fluttershy into a hug before she had any opportunity to object or reply. She gave the same tight squeeze that Fluttershy always remembered. Every hug, every hoof shake, every touch with Rainbow always seemed to be a chance for her to show off her strength.

After practically squeezing the oxygen out of Fluttershy, she stepped back and looked her over, however Fluttershy’s attention fell onto the red sweater she was wearing, the very same she had given her for Christmas when Rainbow gave her the one she was wearing. An odd coincidence? Or perhaps it was destiny speaking to her. The sight of the sweater lifted her spirits a small portion.

“Dear Luna, you haven’t aged a day. You look great!” Rainbow complimented.

Fluttershy shuffled her foot bashfully as she nodded. “T-thank you… You look good yourself.”

“Eh, I’m a mess. I showered about an hour ago after practice all day, so I was all sweaty and nasty until you got here; totally gross. Had you come only an hour earlier, you’d have seen a much more disgusting smelling me.” Rainbow winked.

Fluttershy giggled lightly and shrugged. “I’m sure it wasn’t that bad…”

Rainbow gestured into the room with the hoof holding the bottle. “Come on in, we have so much to catch up on!”

She nodded and followed the mare inside, trying to avert her eyes from her swaying tail that drew attention to that behind of hers. Her face heated up as she tried to dismiss those thoughts and scoped out the room.

The room was filled with dark mahogany furniture, dark lighting to match, tons of dark browns and deep reds were the color scheme of the room. Expensive wine glasses decorated one wall that had several bottles of wine lined up in front of it, one of which missing, which at least told Fluttershy this was Rainbow’s first bottle and not second or third.

The large television on the other side of the room had a movie playing, one that Fluttershy wasn’t terribly familiar with, but she sat down on the couch with Rainbow anyways.

Rainbow sighed and smiled as she shook her head and placed her free hoof on the back of the couch as she looked to Fluttershy.

“I can’t believe it; it’s been way too long…” Rainbow spoke with a smile.

Fluttershy nodded as she looked to the bottle in Rainbow’s hoof. “Yes, it has…”

Rainbow clearly detected her hesitation in replying and frowned as she looked down. “I’m sorry I’ve been so distant. I know I’ve been a pretty crappy friend, huh?”

A part of Fluttershy wanted to agree, Rainbow had more or less abandoned her, she had forgotten about her as she went off to her big fancy new life, but seeing Rainbow’s sad face changed that line of thinking.

“It’s alright.” It wasn’t, but she didn’t care at this exact moment.

“So… What have you been up to?” Rainbow asked awkwardly. It was clear she knew she had made the conversation awkward, and was hoping to segway to somewhere safer.

Her ears twitched at the question.

“Oh, you know… Nothing out of the ordinary… Just taking care of animals…” Fluttershy shrugged.

Rainbow took a sip from the wine bottle and swallowed the red liquid before speaking again, “any plans for your future?”

Fluttershy shrugged again. “I am saving up to open my own animal shelter, so on the side I am taking classes on owning my own business so I don’t have to work out of home anymore, maybe I’ll train a few people to work for me…”

Rainbow nodded as a smile grew upon her face and she leaned in. “That’s great! It sounds like you’ve got big plans then!”

“Not as big as yours,” Fluttershy replied.

Rainbow waved her hoof dismissively. “Pffft, apples and oranges. This is huge for you, we should celebrate.”

“It hasn’t happened yet…” Fluttershy reminded.

With a roll of her eyes, Rainbow offered the wine bottle to Fluttershy. “Okay, I’m just looking for an excuse to keep drinking,” she admitted.

Fluttershy’s eyes were drawn to the bottle in her friend’s hoof then up to her eyes. Rainbow chuckled.

“I don’t backwash or anything, but hoping you’re not offended or grossed out that my lips were on the bottle.”

Quite the opposite.

Fluttershy gingerly took the bottle in her hoof and gulped as she looked inside at the red fluid swishing around inside. She wasn’t much of a drinker, but she took a sip anyways. She coughed and choked, not expecting the wine to be as strong as it was.

Rainbow merely laughed before taking the bottle from her, taking a sip herself, setting it upon the table and placing a hoof on Fluttershy’s shoulder. “Always a lightweight, just like college.”

Surviving her coughing fit, Fluttershy rolled her eyes.

Rainbow grabbed a tissue from the coffee table and reached forward to wipe a bit of drool that had exited Fluttershy’s mouth after her coughing fit. She wiped it off of the girl’s lip which caused Fluttershy’s eyes to focus directly onto Dash as she cleaned her.

“Something wrong?” Rainbow asked as she tossed the tissue onto the floor and leaned back into the couch, relaxed as ever.

“N-nothing…” Fluttershy replied.

Rainbow shrugged and turned her attention back to the movie on TV, clearly looking for some kind of distraction. Fluttershy’s eyes fell onto her lips. Examining them this close she could see they were moist, soft looking, and oh so inviting. Rainbow’s mouth hung slightly open as she absentmindedly watched the television in the room.

Fluttershy turned her attention to the television as well as she tried to lose herself in the movie, as she figured out what to say. So far this entire meeting was proving difficult and unproductive. She had hoped there would be a way to subtly move the conversation towards the reason why she showed up in the first place. However just as she was starting to form ideas, Rainbow stood up and stretched.

“I’m gonna use the bathroom,” she stated plainly without even looking Fluttershy’s way.

The pegasus nodded in response as she watched Rainbow leave the room from the corner of her eye. When she heard the door to the bathroom click, she let out a loud sigh before throwing herself backwards onto the couch and sprawling out.

Awesome job you’re doing so far, Fluttershy. She internally scolded herself.

Why was it so difficult to voice this? She wished she had said something years ago, as the fact that she had been sitting on it for so long was making it seem more and more of an insurmountable task.

Fluttershy came to a stand and trotted over towards the window to gaze out it. She climbed up onto the windowsill that was clearly designed for ponies to sit on and enjoy the view and turned to look at the city below. From up where she was, she could finally see the beauty of this place. Though it scared her, this place was gorgeous.

At the same time though, looking upon it as gentle raindrops began to fall from the sky, she realized this place wasn’t for her. Fluttershy may have grown up in Cloudsdale but she never felt she belonged. She wasn’t cut out for city life and she knew that.

All of this started to make her question what she was thinking just showing up to this place.

What would she want with a girl like you? She’s a big star now, she lives an exciting life, why would she ever want to settle down with a boring animal caretaker?

Fluttershy sighed before she heard the hoof steps coming from the bathroom. She could feel Rainbow’s presence behind her as Rainbow looked over Fluttershy’s shoulder out the window. “Sure is a sight, huh?” Rainbow asked.

Fluttershy nodded quietly, keeping her eyes out the window. Rainbow hopped up onto the windowsill and joined her friend, staring off into the abyss that was the city. Lights shined in every direction, and the gentle patter of rain calmed the air, it was so perfectly peaceful.

Rainbow held a gentle smile upon her face as she stared outside. “I’m really sorry, Fluttershy…” She spoke in a quiet tone as she kept her eyes locked on something in the distance, “I should have made a bigger effort to contact you… I haven’t forgotten about you, I promise. I think about you all the time, I feel rotten about not saying anything sooner, but every time I’d go to write you a letter… I didn’t know what to say,” Dash’s voice had grown almost sad sounding as she fininished, “enough time passed and then… Well… After so long of not saying anything, it grew harder and harder to say something, you know?”

Fluttershy couldn’t deny that for a while, she was angry with Rainbow. That anger turned to sadness, then to acceptance. However after hearing what she was saying, Fluttershy realizd the two were on the same process of thinking, and she was reminded that she too didn’t make a sincere effort to reach out either. Fluttershy had tried to write letters too, sometimes she’d get a sentence down, others not a single word before ripping up the paper and tossing it into the trash.

Hearing Rainbow though, she wanted to comfort her, to let her know she wasn’t angry anymore. The words slipped out of her unfiltered.

“That’s alright, I still love you.”

Fluttershy instantly covered her mouth and grabbed a nearby pillow to hide her face. She didn’t mean to say that, she was internally screaming at herself.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Why did you say that?

Her cheeks grew hot and she could tell her face had likely changed colors. She avoided any and all eye contact with Rainbow that she could. Quickly she was trying to figure out ways to pass off what she said as some kind of accident.

Rainbow blinked and her mouth hung open slightly. “W-what did you say…?”

“Nothing…” Fluttershy’s voice was muffled from behind the pillow.

Rainbow reached forward and tore the pillow away from her and tossed it aside. “Don’t say nothing. Tell me the truth.” Rainbow’s voice was commanding.

Fluttershy felt tiny, smaller than a bug standing next to a mountain. She squeaked her answer, knowing that Rainbow would badger the truth out of her if she didn’t say it upfront.

“I-I said… That’s alright… I-I-I… I still love you…” She wished she had her pillow back to hide behind; instead she just tried to move so her mane would cover most of her face.

Rainbow’s expression remained serious. “I see…”

Rainbow looked out the window again and kept very still as she asked her next question. “For how long?”

“S-since we were kids probably… I’ve always admired you, Rainbow. You’re determined and strong, things that I am not. You had dreams and you were willing to do whatever it took to accomplish them. I would do anything to have half the confidence you have,” Fluttershy admitted.

Rainbow blinked and looked over to Fluttershy. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

Fluttershy gave a long sigh that felt like it had been held in forever. “Look at you. Look at me. You’re this big successful Wonderbolt, you like this super amazing adventurous life… And I’m just…”

“An animal caretaker?” Rainbow finished for her.

Fluttershy let out a long sigh. “Yes… An animal caretaker…”

There was a long silence that filled the room; both girls dared not speak for several moments. Fluttershy took a stand and lowered her head. “I should go… I’ve made things pretty awkward… Sorry. I hope you do well with your show tomorrow,” she encouraged.

Rainbow remained silent before looking back out the window; her mind clearly in other places. Letting out another sigh Fluttershy took a few steps in the opposite direction before hearing Rainbow’s voice call out to her.

“Wait.”

The yellow pegasus’ ears twitched at Rainbow’s raspy voice. She stopped dead in her tracks and turned her head in Rainbow’s direction.

Rainbow hopped off of the windowsill and approached Fluttershy casually.

“Don’t go,” she added.

A shrug was released from Fluttershy. “There’s nothing else to say… You’re this big important Wonderbolt and I’m… I’m… Not so important…”

Rainbow’s face grew stern as she stopped Fluttershy from turning away from here by blocking her head with her hoof. “Don’t say that about yourself.”

“It’s true though… What business do I have telling you such things? You deserve to be with someone stronger than me… More confident than me…” Fluttershy could already feel tears welling up in her eyes. “That’s why… You left me behind isn’t it?”

A frown crossed Rainbow’s face. “Is that what you think?”

“It’s true isn’t it?” Fluttershy sniffled.

Rainbow guided the mare back over to the couch where the two sat down. Retrieving yet another tissue to hand her, Rainbow sighed. “I didn’t abandon you on purpose, Fluttershy and as I said before I felt terrible about it. However don’t think for a minute you’re weak. You’re stronger than you know, and I’m only strong and confident because of you.”

“How’s that even possible?” Fluttershy took the tissue and wiped her tears.

“How? Fluttershy, you were always there for me. You gave me a reason to push myself. A lot of people cheered me on, but you were always loyal to me. You showed up to all of my events, you cheered every time, you always told me I could do it before I was anything. Before I was a Wonderbolt, I was just Rainbow Dash, but you cheered for me and supported me like I already was a Wonderbolt,” Rainbow explained.

“You’d have done the same for me, Dashie…” Fluttershy responded.

Rainbow nodded. “Darn right I would have. Fluttershy, I may represent loyalty, but you’ve been more loyal to me than anypony I know. I don’t know what makes you think you don’t deserve me…”

Her choice of words piqued Fluttershy’s interest. She looked up with red cheeks and puffy eyes in a pleading manner. “Do you mean…?”

Rainbow reach forward and brushed Fluttershy’s mane away from her face. Gently she petted her friend’s cheek. She would have gone all in, but after years of knowing Fluttershy, she figured it was best to ask. “Do you mind if I…?”

Fluttershy nodded lightly, her words just whispers as Rainbow inched closer, their voices becoming breathy and filled with lust. “I was waiting for you to ask…”

Moving her hoof behind Fluttershy’s head, Rainbow pulled her in closer before locking her lips with the mare’s. Fluttershy almost gasped at the sudden contact, but kept her composure. Rainbow’s lips were sweeter than she ever dreamed. Up this close to her crush, she caught a whiff of her vanilla body spray while she tasted her flavor.

The remnants of red wine still lingered in her mouth, but it tasted so much better coming from her. Fluttershy felt Rainbow’s lithe muscle prod her lips, asking for entrance. She obliged and allowed her partner’s tongue to enter her mouth and dance with her own.

Rainbow was a fierce but passionate kisser, drawing the kiss out for as long as possible and making it as deep as possible. Her other hoof snaked around Fluttershy’s body and pulled her form in closer to Rainbow’s, causing their bodies to touch.

Fluttershy didn’t want it to end, she could stay like this for an hour if it was permitted, but eventually the kiss broke, Rainbow sporting a blush as she looked Fluttershy in the eyes, a smile upon her face.

“I guess this means you forgive me?” Rainbow spoke as her wings wrapped around the girl in her grasp.

“Consider yourself forgiven…” Fluttershy replied before pulling Rainbow in for another kiss.

With wings stretched and ready to fly, Rainbow looked to her fellow Wonderbolts with a nod of approval. They had rehearsed this routine many times over before today, and she was ready to show it off. Any doubts she had about it going anyway but perfect had been completely dismissed.

The sound of a bell that signified it was time to exit their startup area rang through the air and the group could hear the yelling of an announcer from out in the stadium.

“AND NOW THE WONDERBOLTS!”

That was her cue, Rainbow ripped out of the room in the lead, followed by her teammates who took off just behind her. With skill and finesse, Rainbow gave gentle coordination gestures while leading the group.

The crowd’s reaction was exactly what she had expected, they had had their breath stolen from their performance, and with one final hoorah, Rainbow skyrocketed into the air as high as she could before coming down at lightning speed. Faster, faster and faster still, she needed just enough speed to pull it off.

Bang!

The sound of the sound barrier being broken cracked through the sky, colors of every hue splashed in every direction, and the audience was in awe. Cheers and stomps of approval filled the air as the Pegasus came to a halt and landed with her teammates. She looked to the audience to see them cheering for her, It was everything she ever dreamed it would be, but there in the front row she saw a yellow pony with a pink mane cheering as loudly as they could.

And in Rainbow’s mind, that cheer was the one that made it all worth it. While they could barely get their voice above a whisper, Rainbow could hear them over the entire stadium.

The End

Author's Note

Special thanks to all my followers whom have been loyal to me over the years even though I rarely seem to update. You guys rock! Now I don't do a lot of one shots, and I also rarely write shipping stories, but I wanted to try something different for a change. Thanks for reading guys!