Angel Wings, Broken Rainbows

Fluttershy did not know how much time had passed since she entered Rainbow's hospital room, and honestly she didn't care. Rainbow said she didn't want to talk and Fluttershy was content just holding her close. She kept having thoughts that if she let go, her best friend would simply crumble away. She tightened her embrace and ran her hoof through the multicolored mane, the mare in her forelegs began to tremble less and less.

" 'Shy?" Her voice was unexpected. She'd stopped crying a while before, but Fluttershy had not expected the tender, quiet moment to end so soon. She wasn't disappointed though, because Rainbow Dash was the only thing that mattered right then, and if she wanted to talk then Fluttershy would do her best.

"Yes Dashie?"

"You know, you're really warm."

"Oh.....I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. I was kind of cold anyway."

"I could get you some more blankets."

"No. I know I'm a selfish pony and I'm not gonna change that now. I want you to stay here with me."

"I will stay as long as you need me Dashie."

"You're like the sun 'Shy. Without you, everything would be so dark. I wouldn't grow or change. I love you so much.....and I always will."

Fluttershy's heart was pounding, the heat filling her face was enough to alarm Rainbow. For the first time since she entered the room, the prismatic pegasus lifted her head off Fluttershy's chest and met her gaze. Fluttershy looked into those beautiful, roslyn eyes and thought, "She's worried about me? All that's happened to her and she can still worry about somepony else. You really are amazing Dashie. I don't deserve any of it."

Just then Rainbow Dash reached her mouth up and gently pressed her lips to the yellow mare's forehead. "Her lips.....they're so soft.....what is she doing?.....I don't know, but.....she doesn't have to stop."

Fluttershy felt Rainbow's lips leave her skin and she felt herself lean forward, as if to prolong the contact, before she caught herself. "What am I doing?"

"I think you have a bit of a fever 'Shy. Maybe you should see the doctor as well."

"Oh no, I'm fine. It's just.....it makes me really happy how much you care about me. But still, the only thing that matters right now is you, Dashie."

"That's not entirely true 'Shy. You matter the most to me."

She reached a cerulean hoof up and caressed the yellow mare's cheek, who in turn, brought her own hoof up and held the hoof that felt so warm against her face. Their eyes met again, aquamarine and rose, lightning arcing between them creating an immense magical force drawing them ever closer together.

"Oh Dashie," Fluttershy's thoughts wandered again, "I think.....I think I-"

-Knock-Knock-Knock-
_______________________________

The sound was enough to startle Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy all but flew across the room.

"What is she so scared about? We were just talking....."

"Miss Fluttershy?" Nurse Redheart slowly opened the door. She talked quietly, thinking Rainbow was asleep, "I'm sorry but I have to examine Miss Dash's wounds and change her dressings."

"I'm awake Nurse Redheart. You don't have to whisper."

"Oh good. I apologize, but the magic that's healing you is still experimental so its very important that it be monitored closely, " she turned to face Fluttershy, who's face was darker than the red cross on the nurse's flank, "it should only take a few minutes Miss Fluttershy. Oh, and the investigator from the capital has arrived. He's talking with your friends in the waiting room now."

"Oh, okay. I'll go talk to him."

Rainbow Dash's heart sank as she saw the mare she loved turn to leave. Her breathing got heavier and her pulse quickened. It wasn't as severe as before, but she didn't want to worry Fluttershy. She would hold it together.

" 'Shy?" the cyan mare said, trying to hide the tremble in her voice.

"Yes?"

"Please hurry back. And tell the others I'd like to see them too."

"I will," her face got red again as the door closed.

The feeling of loneliness came back full force. The tremors in her body were almost enough to rattle the walls and her vision was becoming blurry. Suddenly, she felt a hoof being placed on her shoulder. She looked up and met eyes with the nurse, her eyes communicating a deep understanding. Her body slowly began to relax under Nurse Redheart's empathetic presence.

"No wonder her special talent is nursing," Rainbow Dash thought as the nurse pony removed the bandages around her head to examine the throbbing wound on the back of her head.

"It looks good. It was blunt so the cut is not very deep. Regardless, the swelling has gone down quite a bit."

Rainbow felt little relief at the news, not remembering that part of it at all. But everything else.....that she remembered very well. She fought back the tears as the nurse redressed her head and moved around to the foot of the bed. She reached on either side and pulled out two metal leg rests.

"If you could just rest your hooves in these, I'll try to get the examination done as quickly as possible."

Rainbow Dash didn't want to be looked at. The tremors came back as she imagined the nurse, or anypony.....or Fluttershy seeing the damage that had been done. She didn't even want too see it. The pain was enough for her to know that nothing would ever be the same again.

"Please Miss Dash. I know it's hard, but we are trying to fix you. It will only take a minute. I promise."

The cyan mare swallowed hard and gave a slight nod to the reassuring nurse pony. She moved her legs one at a time into the rests, wincing at the pain the movement caused. She felt blanket move from over her and she had to fight against the urge to scream.