Those Pesky Old Feelings

by KalenNighteyes

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy (EqG), Romance, Rarity (EqG), Drama, Equestria Girls
Length: 5867

Rarity has been coping well with the fact that Rainbow Dash and Applejack had started dating. However, nearly nine months after the fact, her feelings are starting to get the better of her. Fluttershy tries to help her resolve those feelings.

Rarity has been coping well with the fact that Rainbow Dash and Applejack had started dating. However, nearly nine months after the fact, her feelings are starting to get the better of her. Fluttershy tries to help her resolve those feelings. What happens within might be a little surprising.

Published 2017-12-27 19:40:05 UTC
Last updated 2018-01-08 15:36:07 UTC

Those Pesky Old Feelings...

I sat in the cafeteria with my friends, listening to all their stories from the weekend. Ordinarily we all would have done something together, but most of them had something else they wanted to do, which was fine. It gave me time to work on some very fabulous dress designs. Sunset Shimmer had had some time with Princess Twilight, which I was glad those two finally managed to get themselves sorted out. It seemed the two of them were so happy to be together. Now that Twilight was spending her weekends here, it was all the more special for Sunset. It made me happy for them.

Fluttershy, as usual, had spent the weekend caring for the animals at the shelter. I would expect nothing less from her. Her humanitarian efforts were positively amazing and you could tell just how much she cared for the animals. Pinkie Pie was there with her and held a bake sale to raise funds for the shelter. It seemed that their weekend was great.

Then there was Rainbow Dash and Applejack. Ever since the two of them got together, they've been attached at the hip. Where one goes, the other is not far behind. It was adorable in sickening kind of way. The two of them weren't exactly tactful in the beginning of their relationship, romping around the broom closet like they did. Did they really thing we wouldn't notice? I shook my head, looked down at my lunch, and began poking at it with a fork. I knew Rainbow and AJ liked one another, but I didn't think it was in that way. In all honesty, I had thought it would be Applejack and myself that were bound to get together eventually. Oh, naturally I have been most supportive of them being together, but it is quite hard to keep doing so.

Fluttershy suggested to me one day that I should air my feelings on the subject, but I felt that was a little… much for me to do. I didn't want to make my friends feel like they couldn't be themselves with their partners. It would be unfair of me to allow Sunset and Twilight to be lovey with one another while at the same time make Applejack and Rainbow Dash stay apart when they were around me.

And yet, I wanted very much to be selfish; wanted very much to tell them both to just stop! Applejack and I certainly had our differences, but I never once hated her for our differences. In fact, I saw it going a very different way between us. I wanted things to be that different way for she and myself. I guess I was just a little too late, like poor Princess Twilight with her Rainbow Dash in Equestria.

“So, what'd ya do this weekend, Rarity? Anythin' special?” Applejack said.

“Hmm? What? Oh, nothing much really. Just put some finishing touches on a few clothing designs. Nothing at all special,” I said, sounding a little more glum than was meant.

“Oh come on! You live for designing clothes, so it is something special to you,” Rainbow said, placing her hand on top of Applejack's.

I glanced only a moment at their hands before returning my gaze to my food, which had become a mess with all the poking I'd done to it. “Yes, quite right. Fashion is, of course, my passion. I'm glad that the rest of you had a good weekend.”

“Um… Rarity, is everything okay? I noticed that you've, um, just been poking at your food rather than eating it,” Fluttershy said.

I looked up at her and set my fork down. “Yes, of course darling! I'm perfectly fine! I'm just not that hungry is all. In fact, I'm not feeling the greatest. I think I'll take a trip to the nurse's office,” I said, standing up and grabbing my bag.

“All right. Let us know if we can do anything to help,” Sunset called as I walked away.

Once out in the hallway, I did not, in fact, go to the nurse's office. Instead I went to the bathroom, into a stall, and closed the door behind me. I stood leaning against the door of the stall just thinking and trying to calm down. I had Coped just fine with the fact that Applejack had chosen Rainbow. I'd dealt with this for most of last year, watching the two of them hold hands or even sneak a kiss when they thought none of us were looking. Why was it starting to bother me so much all of the sudden? Why couldn't I just keep letting it go instead of start having the selfish thought of wishing they would just stop?

“Um, excuse me, Rarity?” came Fluttershy's meek voice from the other side of the stall door.

I let out a squeak of surprise as she spoke. “Yes, Fluttershy dear? Is there something you need?”

I heard her footsteps grow closer. “I was a little worried about you so I came after you and saw you run in here. Are you sure you're all right?”

“Just a little tummy bug is all. I'm sure I'll be fine in no time. Thank you for your concern,” I said, hoping she would buy that.

“Oh, well, if you're sure that's all…” she said.

“Quite sure, dear!”

She approached closer now. “Rarity, you know that you can talk to me, right? If something is bothering you, I'd like to help if I can. Is this about Applejack again?”

I sighed, closed my eyes, and leaned my head against the door. “Yes, it is. I'm so ashamed of myself for feeling jealous. Especially since I have been so good about dealing with it, but today, it just got to me…”

“Oh, Rarity. Is there anything I can do to help you?” she asked.

“Not unless you can roll back time and allow me to get to Applejack first,” I said, sarcasm coating my words.

“No, I'm afraid I can't do that. What I can do is talk through it with you. What started this feeling today?”

I shook my head and opened the stall door. “It was hearing about everything you all did over the weekend. You all had something to do with each other while I was left by myself to work on my clothing.” I walked across the bathroom and to one of the sinks. “I guess I should be grateful, however. I would have been nothing but a third wheel to them.”

“Rarity, you could have come to the animal shelter with Pinkie Pie and me. You wouldn't have been a third wheel with us,” she said.

“I know… I'm honestly unsure as to why I didn't come with you, then I wouldn't have been alone all weekend.”

Fluttershy looked at me in the mirror. “You said you had too much work that you needed to get done.”

“Right. I did say that didn't I?”

I could feel my eyes starting to burn as thoughts of being alone over the weekend combined themselves with thoughts of not being with Applejack. No, I couldn't cry, because then everyone would know something more was wrong than just an upset stomach. I'd been able to tough it out thus far, I should be able to do it now. Right?

“Rarity, I truly feel that if maybe you spoke to Applejack and Rainbow Dash, you'd feel better… It would air your feelings and it might make you feel better.”

“Certainly not! I can't do that to them, Fluttershy. It would just make things even more awkward than they already are when I'm around,” I protested. “Besides, perhaps I am just not meant to have someone to be with. I held out hope with Applejack for so long, I never even considered other possibilities.”

That was when the tears came. What if that was true? What if I really am just meant to be on my own?

“Goodness, Rarity. I didn't mean to make you cry…” Fluttershy said, hurrying over to me and putting an arm around me.

I sniffled. “Oh, nonsense. It wasn't you that did this. I was just thinking that maybe I what I said is true. I'm supposed to be alone. I lost the one person I loved. What if no one else would be willing to have me?”

Fluttershy pulled me into a tight hug. “That just isn't true, Rarity. For all you know there might already be someone else out there for you just waiting for the right moment to let you know how they feel.”

I returned her hug, trying my best not to cry all over her clothes. “Do you really think so?”

“I know so! One day that person will march right up to you, look you in the eyes, and confess their feelings for you. And who knows. There is the Valentines dance coming up in a month. Maybe it will happen there!” Fluttershy said, her tone enthusiastic and full of energy I didn't know she was capable of ordinarily.

With another sniffle, I pulled away and looked at her. “Oddly specific, but I will not get my hopes up. Besides, I don't know. I worry that Applejack is still too fresh a wound for me to accept someone's feelings about me.”

“Oh… I see,” she said, taking a couple of steps back, and letting her hair fall down to partly cover her face.

I moved back over to the sink, placed my bag on it, and opened it. “Now I need to redo my makeup. Crying always makes my mascara run so dreadfully.”

“A-Are you feeling better Rarity?” Fluttershy asked, her tone once again meek.

“I think so,” I said, looking to her in the mirror. She was still half hiding behind her hair, which actually made me a little concerned now. “Perhaps I should ask you if you're all right. You were so full of gusto before, but now you're hiding behind your hair like you do.”

“Oh, sorry. It's nothing Rarity,” she said, pushing her hair back and giving me a smile. “I'm glad you're feeling better. Don't let Applejack and Rainbow being together get you down. You'll find that special someone. I'm sure of it!”

With that, Fluttershy gave me one more quick hug then left the bathroom. For a moment I stood there staring at my reflection in the mirror. This is what not being with Applejack resorted me to. Bottling up my feelings until they just spilled out. I couldn't let her affect me anymore. Fluttershy was right. There would be someone out there for me eventually. I would just have to be patient, and patient I would be. With a sigh, a wave of resolve washed over me, and I set to fixing my makeup to return to my friends.

Fluttershy Point of View outside bathroom after leaving Rarity.

I wanted to scream, to just let out all of my frustrations with my lack of courage and pushing my confession back even farther. Valentines dance? What was I thinking? That will still be too close. She'll still be trying to get over Applejack, so I shouldn't even bother.

“Did you tell her yet?”

Sunset's voice scared me out of my scolding of myself, which made me let out a squeak of fear and resulted in me recoiling away from her.

“Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you, Fluttershy!” she said, holding her hands up.

After my heart stopped pounding, I started walking down the hall with Sunset following at my side. “I, um… No. It's not the right time. She was having a moment about Applejack in there.”

Sunset sighed. “Again? Fluttershy, the sooner you tell her, the sooner she'll be able to move on I think. You've been holding this in for a while now.”

“I know. It just never seems like the right time. She's so busy usually with her work and she's still dealing with-”

“Applejack. Yeah, I know. Look, I'll make it simple for you. Either you tell her, or I'm going to,” Sunset said.

I stopped dead in my tracks and looked over at her. “No! I'll tell her, just not today.”

“Then when?”

I retreated behind my hair a bit, only looking at Sunset with one eye. I put my hands together and tapped my index fingers together nervously. “At the Valentine's dance.”

“Fluttershy, that's a month away!” Sunset exclaimed.

“I know, but it will give me time to better prepare myself and figure out a good way to tell her. Like, maybe when a slow song comes on or something,” I said.

Sunset cocked an eyebrow at me, clearly unsure if I meant what I said. “All right, but if you don't tell her that night I'll find her and tell her myself. You've been holding onto this for so long, I don't know how you stand it.”

“It isn't easy, but I manage. And I promise. I will tell her at the dance.”

“You better. You know I've been all for you two getting together this whole time. I think you'd make a wonderful couple,” Sunset said, giving me a smile.

I smiled and gave a giggle. “Me too.”

After that, the conversation dropped. I may have looked happy outwardly, but in actuality I was screaming inside. Would I actually be ready to tell her by then? I certainly hoped so.

Author's Note

I am leaving this one incomplete for the moment. I honestly don't feel like this story is complete, but I'm going to watch comments and see what others think! I hope you enjoyed my first foray into this ship.

Keep Pulling Me Down...

A few days after my incident in the bathroom, my friends and I were gathered at Sugar Cube Corner. I had brought them all together to get them to approve my design choices for their dresses for the Valentines dance.

“Rainbow Dash, for the last time, I am not going to put basketballs on your dress. It isn't very fashionable. You will just have to trust me. This dress will look very good on you,” I said.

Rainbow crossed her arms and frowned at me. “Fine. I like it the way it is I guess…”

“Well, I for one love the dress designs, Rarity. When I get home later I'm going to write to Twilight and describe her dress to her,” Sunset said with a smile. “Oh! Maybe I can draw it into the book! I wonder if that will work…”

“Yes, Rarity. I love the dress you designed for me. It's very lovely,” Fluttershy said.

I beamed as my friends all complimented their dresses. “Oh, it always makes me feel so good to know that my designs aren't hated. Even if Rainbow Dash always has input to make hers look 'cooler'.”

“Don't ya worry. Ah won't let Dash here bother ya about it,” Applejack said, nudging Rainbow with her elbow.

Rainbow shrugged. “Yeah, yeah. No pestering…”

“Good. Ya just leave her be,” AJ said.

I felt a pang of sadness hit me, but it faded quick. It felt nice to have her defend my designs, but it also hurt to know she wasn't doing it for…love.

Pinkie Pie's arms going around me in a hug made me forget about the sadness. “Yeah! My dress looks so fluffy! Like cotton candy!” She gasped loudly and pulled me closer to her. “Is it made of cotton candy? Do I get to eat it after the dance is over?”

I gently pushed her back from me, a laugh escaping me as I did so. “Pinkie, working with cotton candy would be positively sticky and just would not be conducive of a functional dress. I'm afraid this one will not be edible.”

“Bummer! Oh well! It still looks like a cotton candy dress!” she exclaimed, moving over the counter to get another drink for herself.

“Well, I think I'm going to call it a day and get a jump start on these dresses. I will see you all tomorrow at school,” I said. I gathered up my designs, placed them back in the folder I brought with me, then headed for the door.

Fluttershy PoV, Mere seconds later

I felt a nudge on my side, then Sunset leaned over and whispered to me.

“Now is a pretty good opportunity, Fluttershy! You should talk to her about how you feel. You'll both have the whole walk to talk about it,” she said.

I felt my cheeks begin burning and glanced quickly around at my friends. I let my hair fall forward to cover part of my face as I turned to Sunset and whispered back. “Oh, I don't know Sunset. She's got a lot of work ahead of her and I don't think now is exactly the right time.”

“Okay, then at least walk and spend some time with her. You might enjoy it and feel more comfortable,” Sunset said.

I looked over to Rarity and felt the smile spread on my face. It was like the whole world slowed down as I watched her walking for the door. I only had a moment to decide. I glanced over to Sunset, who gave me a thumbs up, then looked back to Rarity. Before I knew it, I was on my feet running over to her.

“Um, Rarity? Is it okay if I walk with you?” I asked.

She turned and gave me a smile. “Of course Fluttershy dear. I don't mind at all.”

I twirled a strand of hair on my finger as I looked back over my shoulder to Sunset. She gave me an encouraging smile and mouthed the word “go”. Feeling a little more confident, I followed Rarity out of Sugar Cube Corner.

We walked in silence for a good five minutes before Rarity finally spoke up.

“Well, I certainly have a lot of work to do before the dance. And today marks exactly thirty days until the dance,” she said with a sigh and looked to the ground.

“Is something bothering you, Rarity?”

She looked up and at me. “Hmm? Oh, it's nothing. Same thing, different day.”

“So, Applejack then?” I asked.

She nodded slowly. “I simply can't understand it. I should be so happy for them. This is going to make concentrating on my work a little harder, but then again, maybe it will make it easier.”

In that moment, I felt a bit more of a surge of confidence. I felt like I wanted to tell her. And why shouldn't I tell her? I was still nervous, but I had to say it. “I'm so sorry Rarity. I wish I could do something to help you. I-I-I mean, there is b-but I don't know if yo-”

“If you're suggesting you come by and help me put the dresses together, I would gladly accept the help. However, I don't think you should feel obligated to do so,” she interrupted.

“Oh, yes. That's what I was going to suggest,” I said quickly while nodding to her. However, of course that wasn't what I was going to say. What was I thinking? I couldn't believe I had almost spilled the beans early. No, the dance would be the right time for me tell her. I was certain of it.

Rarity wrapped her arm around mine and smiled. “I would love nothing more than to have your help! Would you like to come in tonight at help me some?”

“Of course! I'll do what I can!”

We walked into Carousel Boutique and into the back room. On different mannequins I could see the different dresses already showing signs of having been worked on. I walked over to the one she was putting together for me and placed my hand on it. It was so soft that I knew it would feel nice to wear.

“Now, I know I already have your measurements, but I was just thinking that since I have you here, I should have you try on what I have done already. Working with the customer is always preferred, but I can work miracles with just measurements,” Rarity said, walking over and pulling the dress gently off the mannequin.

I was a little surprised by this. “You want me to try it on now? Oh, I don't know Rarity. What if I rip it or something? I'd hate for you to have to start all over!”

“Nonsense!” she said, pushing me to the changing room. “And if you don't put it on yourself, I'll put it on you!”

“Oh, okay. I'll put it on then,” I said.

Rarity nodded and closed the door to the changing room, leaving me in there with the dress. I held it up against myself before taking off my clothes to put it on. It was a beautiful white with trim that matched my eye color. Even though it was missing almost all of the detailing, I already loved it. With a smile, I changed out of my clothes and slipped the dress on. It went down to just above my knees. The material felt soft, but warm against my skin. It was a nice feeling to have.

“Do you have it on yet? How does it feel?” Rarity called from outside the door.

I ran my hands along the outside of the dress, then turned and opened the door. “I love it Rarity. It feels nice.”

Rarity, who had her glasses on at this point, looked me up and down, then tapped on her chin. She pulled me more into the middle of the room and up on a stand. Once I was up there, she proceeded to walk circles around me a couple of times. I was starting to feel uncomfortable now.

“Um, Rarity? Did I do something wrong? Is the dress okay? I didn't rip it did I?”

“No no, darling. You look magnificent in it,” she said, then I felt her hand touch my side.

It took every fiber of my being not to jump down and away from her touch. It wasn't that it was unwanted, I just felt strange being touched like that. Instead, I allowed my hair to once again fall in my face to hide the blush that certainly formed in my cheeks.

“I'm going to have bring the sides in a little bit. It's just too loose here,” she said, rubbing her hand along my side. I could feel her pull the cloth, then fold it over and shove a pin through it. After she was done with that side, she proceeded to fold the cloth on the other side and pin it as well. Once she was done, she walked back in front of me and looked at the dress again. “Yes. I think taking it in like that would be best. My, I'm going to have to get the other girls over here so I can make sure that theirs look all right. You can step down now.”

I nodded and stepped off the stand. Rarity moved over to a table and grabbed a tape measure, and proceeded to take my measurements. As she did, I tried best not to look directly at her, but she was so close a couple of times there was no where else I could look.

“Here, let me get that out of the way,” she said, pushing my hair back over my shoulder.

I gave a slight shudder as I felt her fingers move through my hair. It felt nice to have her do that, but it was over too quickly. A sigh escaped my lips as she measured one last time, but she must have heard me.

She gave me a concerned look. “Are you all right? Are you cold? You can change out of the dress now if you want.”

“No, I'm f-fine. Um, Rarity? There's something I-I-I want to tell you,” I said, feeling the urge rise in me once again.

Rarity walked over to the table again and replaced the tape measure, then looked back at me. “Yes? What is it darling?”

“W-Well, I j-just wanted to tell you th-that I…” I shook my head slightly, my hair falling back over my shoulder. Now that she was fully paying attention to me, it made me nervous again.

“You what?” Rarity asked, looking at me curiously.

No. I couldn't tell her. Not now. “I just wanted to tell you: I really do love the dress. I especially like the trim on it. It matches my eyes.”

“Well, if you like it now, wait until it's done! You'll positively adore it!” Rarity said. “Now, you go get changed and hand out the dress so I can start bringing the sides in slightly.”

I gave her a big smile and nodded. Once I had retreated into the changing room, I had to sit down. My heart was racing and I felt a little light headed. What was wrong with me? Why did I have to be so shy and reserved? I felt my eyes start to burn and a few tears fell. In that moment, my feelings were so down that I wasn't even sure I'd have the strength to tell her at the Valentines dance. I just wanted for us to be together, but at this rate…we never would be.

Author's Note

I think Fluttershy is telling me this is more her story than Rarity's. It may transition into that from this point. I'm not sure yet. Rarity didn't really speak to me in this chapter like Fluttershy did. We'll see! I hope you enjoy!

But Thinking Of You...

Fluttershy PoV

Not long after I finished at Rarity's, I found myself over at Sunset Shimmer's place. I sat in her loft with my legs pulled up to my chest and my face buried in my knees. I was trying to keep from crying more. I was so tired of crying over my inability to tell Rarity how I felt about her. It infuriated me beyond words. No matter what I did, I ended up chickening out every time.

After a moment of more wallowing in self pity, I felt the cushion next to me depress followed by the clink of a glass being set down on the coffee table in found of the couch. Then came a gentle hand placed on my shoulder.

“I brought you some tea… I hoped that might make you feel a little better,” Sunset said.

I glanced up at her through my mass of hair, then looked at the tea on the table and shook my head. “No thanks. I don't think there's anything that can help me feel better about being a big old coward.”

Sunset squeezed my shoulder. “You aren't a coward, Fluttershy. Confessing how you feel about someone isn't an easy thing to do for anyone.”

“Apparently not for Dashie and Applejack. I mean, look at them. One day they aren't together and the next they are,” I said, lifting my head a bit more.

Sunset pushed some of my hair away from my face as she looked at me. “Yeah, but they're AJ and Dash. Who knows how they got together.”

“Then there's you and Princess Twilight. The two of you managed to get together all right.”

Sunset chuckled. “That's putting it positively. The two of us getting together was rough. I was basically comforting her after her heartbreak over the Rainbow Dash in Equestria. Not to mention that Twilight and I have been taking it absurdly slow. And for the last year it's been almost nothing but writing back and forth in the journal.”

I lowered my feet to the floor and glanced back over to the tea. “Right… I knew that. I'm sorry, Sunset. I just wish I knew what I should do.”

“Why don't you start from the beginning. You haven't even told me why you were in tears in the first place.”

I twisted some of my hair around my finger as I continued to avoid Sunset's gaze. “I-I almost told her my feelings tonight.”

“Only almost?” Sunset said, sounding disheartened.

When I heard her tone, my hair fell to hide my face from her. I could feel the tears burning my eyes again. No, Fluttershy. No more crying about this. You're not allowed anymore.

“Well, she was measuring me for my dress and I could feel her hands on my hips, then she moved my hair back from my face. It made my heart beat ever so quickly,” I said, smiling at the thought and absentmindedly pushing my hair back now. “I could feel the urge to just blurt out my feelings for her building up inside me, I managed to get her attention, but when it was fully on me and she looked at me with those eyes of hers… I just could bring myself to say the words.”

Sunset rubbed at my back gently. “I'm sorry, Shy. Maybe it wasn't the best idea for me to push you into going with her to Carousel Boutique.”

I finally looked at her and shook my head. “Oh, you shouldn't apologize. You didn't do anything wrong. Besides, you can't push someone into doing something they wanted to do in the first place.”

“I know, but still. You tell Rarity when you're ready. I won't…” Sunset trailed off.

I looked at her in confusion for a moment. “Sunset? You won't what?”

“Hmm? Oh, sorry. I just had a thought. Why don't you stay here tonight. Princess Twilight will be coming over tomorrow. Maybe she can help you out. Maybe even give you a little insight into what Rarity might be feeling and what you can do to help her.”

My eyes widened. “Oh, no. I couldn't possibly intrude on your time with Twilight. You only get time on the weekends with her.”

“Oh please. I can share Twilight with you for a day. I haven't even decided on what we're going to do. I have all this time with her now and we're blowing through the usual stuff couples do. It will give me time to come up with something,” she said.

I still didn't feel right intruding, but if Princess Twilight could offer help who was I to decline? I let out a sigh of resignation and reached for the tea. “All right, Sunset. If you insist,” I said, taking a sip.

Sunset smiled. “Great! I'll take the couch and you can have the bed. No protesting. I wouldn't make my worst enemy sleep on that leather couch.”

The next day Twilight showed up just as Sunset had said she would. It was nice to see her and it made me happy to see just how the two of them enjoyed seeing one another. Rather than impose myself immediately, I waited patiently and let them come to me. After all, Twilight was here to see Sunset, not me.

Much to my dismay, it wasn't long after Twilight arrived that she and Sunset approached and sat next to me on the couch. I felt nervousness building in me, but I fought the urge to shrink down and hide behind my hair.

“Um… Hi girls,” I said meekly.

“Fluttershy, Sunset told me what's going on. Are you all right? I know it's a dumb question to ask, but I want to know,” Twilight asked.

I shook my head. “Oh, it's not a dumb question at all, Twilight. I'm, um, coping? I guess that's the best way I can describe it.”

I saw Twilight give a glance to Sunset, who gave a nod.

“Look… I am all for you and Rarity getting together. I think you would make an adorable couple. I just think you should be careful. She's in a vulnerable place right now even if she can't admit it. I've been in her place,” Twilight said, once again glancing at Sunset for a moment then looking back to me. “I almost ruined my chance at being with Sunset because I let my feelings for Rainbow Dash overwrite the ones I had started feeling for Sunset.”

My brow furrowed as I looked between the two of them. “I don't know if I understand where you're going with this.”

“Well, before I could let my feelings for Sunset truly come out, I needed closure. That closure came in the form of Rainbow Dash coming here from Equestria to show me just how much Sunset actually cared for me. So, what I think you should do is get Rarity some closure from Applejack-”

“Twilight I'm not-” Sunset started.

Twilight put her hand up to Sunset. “Hang on. I'm not done yet.” She looked back at me. “Or, since you can't say how you feel about her, you need to show Rarity just how much you care for her.”

“You really think that will work? Doing some big gesture that shows how much I care about her? I don't know Twilight…” I said, playing nervously with a strand of my hair.

“Fluttershy, if you do not get your feelings out they'll just eat at you forever. What if one day you finally get the courage to tell her how you feel and then find out she already got with someone?” Twilight asked.

My heart lurched and I felt the tears burning hot at my eyes. “I-I would be devastated.”

I felt Sunset place her hand gently on my shoulder. “I'm not sure I agree with how blunt Twilight was just now, but I see her point. I don't know how you'd even pick up the pieces of yourself after that. Then again… I don't think you're that weak. I think you're pretty strong. You might surprise us.”

“What do you think, Fluttershy?” asked Twilight.

“I think… I think you're right,” I said, wiping my eyes of unfallen tears. “I need to show her that I care for her. Will you both help me come up with something to do? I still think the Valentines dance would be the best time for it.”

“Of course we will. We can't leave our friend high and dry can we?” Sunset said with a smirk.

Twilight grasped my hand and smiled. “I wouldn't dream of leaving you to think of something on your own. I think, together, we can come up with something really great for you to do.”

The hope that filled me up in that moment was the most I'd felt in days. It was a warm and wonderful feeling compared to the sadness I'd felt just a few moments before. I just knew that I'd be with Rarity and that we'd both be happy again. After all, that's all I wanted for Rarity. Happiness.

Author's Note

In this chapter were references to my story called Epiphany. You don't have to go back and read it to continue with this story as this story stands on its own, but is within that continuity. I have enjoyed building up this little universe I have going.

Another thanks to Allykitty ~~for making sure I keep things working correctly~~ pre-reading. Such a big help!