The Pink-Maned Pairby TwilicornChaptersFirst SightFirst RegretsFirst TellingsRandom Author's Note in the Middle of the Story Because I CanFirst Setup, First KissThe PartyFirst SightFluttershy looked around the bakery, enjoying her perch on a small chair in the corner. The room was filled with ponies, shaking, writhing, and simply having a good time. Glow sticks flashed periodically through the air, accompanied by shrieks and cheers. Multi-colored lights flashed as well, reflecting off of mirrors and disco balls hung around the room. It really was the ideal party, for anypony but Fluttershy. With earplugs filling her ears, she could truly enjoy the show, simply watching as if it was a silent movie. There, in the corner, was two ponies arguing. Lyra and Bon Bon, from the looks of it, but with the flashes of light, anypony could be anypony. Hooves pointed at each other, eyes flashing, until finally Lyra collapsed, her eyes filled with tears. Bon Bon embraced her, whispering into her ear, and they leaped up, running up the stairs. Fluttershy saw it all, and couldn't help but smile. They really were perfect for each other, always comforting the other when it was needed. To her right, Pinkie was taking command of Vinyl Scratch, or in this case, DJ-PON3's equipment. Fluttershy gently chided herself for not remembering how her personality changed on stage, gently cuffing herself on the nose. She heard the music slow to a stop, accompanied by loud groans of disappointment and some curses from those who had found the hard apple cider. "Hay everypony!" cheered Pinkie, waving her hooves around. Fluttershy's eyes remained glued to her, following her as she walked around, the balloons on her flank threatening to burst into the sky at any moment. "Are you enjoying the parrrrrrty?" she cried, and the crowd yelled its agreement, stomping their hooves eagerly. "Well remember, it's already two o'clock, and this place closes up at three!" she reminded, and this time the crowd's stomps were in disappointment rather than eagerness. "Let's make this last hour special!" the pink mare declared, and once again, the crowd was cheering again. 'Just like Angel Bunny,' thought Fluttershy quietly to herself. 'His moods can be fixed so quickly, all the time,' she added, remembering the morning where he had been easily coaxed out of a tantrum with a strawberry. Her eyes turned back to the equipment, searching for Pinkie, but found her much closer instead, mere inches from her side. "Eep!" squeaked Fluttershy, ducking under her hooves. "Do you want to go upstairs?" asked Pinkie, though to Fluttershy, it just appeared to be her mouth moving. "What?" she asked quietly, removing her head from under her protective hooves. "Do you want to go upstairs?" "Hmm?" she repeated, and Pinkie sighed, grabbing Fluttershy by the hoof. Fluttershy squeaked once again as she was yanked up the stairs, past many of the closed bedroom doors, and into Pinkie's own room. Fluttershy's eyes traveled over all the pinkness of it, shocked by how much pinkness could fit in a room. "Can you hear me?" yelled Pinkie, and Fluttershy blinked, tilting her head in confusion. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she removed the ear plugs from her ears, setting them down on the dresser. "Can you hear me?" repeated Pinkie loudly, and Fluttershy squeaked, darting under the bed. She looked around nervously, just in time to see Pinkie next to her. "Can you hear me now?" she asked, significantly quieter, and Fluttershy nodded. "What did you want?" she asked, not unkindly, and Pinkie's smile widened, threatening to fall from her face. "You weren't having fun downstairs!" she cried, shaking Fluttershy a bit. 'Oh, but I was. Watching you,' she thought, then shook her head. 'What am I thinking,' she chided herself, a blush rising to her pale yellow cheeks. "I was, Pinkie, really," she insisted, quite unconvincingly. "Rrreally?" asked Pinkie, leaning her face into Fluttershy's. "Really," Fluttershy squeaked, cowering from Pinkie's face. "Okie-dokie-lokie," said Pinkie, slowly. "Now let's get out from under this bed!" Fluttershy sighed, crawling out from the comforting darkness of under the pink bed, blinking rapidly to adjust to the pink lighting of the room. "Hey! You wanna know a secret?" asked Pinkie suddenly, twisting her head ninety degrees. "Sure?" said Fluttershy worriedly. "You have to Pinkie Promise not to tell," she added, her eyes widening. "Okay," sighed Fluttershy, raising a hoof. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," she said in a carefully rehearsed tone, going through the motions smoothly. "Goodie! Now watch this!" insisted the pink mare, turning off the lights. Fluttershy eeped, but forced herself to remain out from under the bed. Within moments, a white light flashed on, shining around the room. "The furniture..." she said slowly, looking around and following the flashlight. "Is all white!" exclaimed Pinkie, now waving the flashlight around crazily. "I use a pink light to make everything look pink, instead of actually having it pink. Isn't it cool?" she asked, dancing along to the beat of the music throbbing through the floor. "Yeah, I guess..." said Fluttershy, her eyes following Pinkie. 'Stop it! Why are you looking at her like that?' she scowled at herself, but her eyes remained affixed to Pinkie's body, the way it moved carefully in time to the music, never missing a beat. "Hey Pinkie?" asked Fluttershy abruptly, tearing her eyes from Pinkie's body and to her eyes. "Yes, Fluttershy?" she asked, stopping her dancing. "I think I'm going home now. I need to get my sleep, okay?" "Okay," said Pinkie, her voice's energy dropping a bit. "But you'll come over tomorrow, right?" "Of course, right after my spa appointment," said the pegasus warmly, flapping her wings a bit. Trotting towards the window, she opened it, leaping into the darkness. Her wings beat quickly, finding their own rhythm in moments, and she glided above the town. Spotting her home in the distance, she continued towards it, gliding downwards towards her front lawn. She landed carefully, her hooves sliding along the recently-wet grass. Trotting into her home, she was glad to see all her animals were asleep and eagerly sneaked up the stairs, careful to keep her damp hooves from squeaking along the decrepit wooden stairs. Following the hall with her eyes adjusted to the dark, she entered her room quietly, shutting the door behind her. Entering the adjoined bathroom, she rapidly dried her hooves, then turned on the shower, sticking her hoof under the steady stream of water to find a comfortable temperature. Finding a comfortable heat, she slid in, shutting the curtain behind her. As she ran the soap over her body, she couldn't help but imagine Pinkie dragging the bar of soap over her, looking up at her with teasing eyes... Fluttershy shook her head ashamedly, lifting the shampoo deftly with one wing and pouring it over her mane, gently rubbing it into her scalp. She just stood there, under the water, letting her mind run free until the soap was cleared from her mane. Stepping out from the water, she looked down at the puddle forming under her. Sighing, she dropped a towel carelessly on the floor, sliding her hoof around on it until it was mostly cleared from the ground. Shaking her mane out, she turned around, flinging some remnants of water on the mirror as she went back into her room. Crawling carefully under the covers, she closed her eyes, and ignoring the constant pinkness her mind shoved at her, fell into a relaxed sleep. First RegretsFluttershy awoke to the sound of impatient tapping on a wooden floor. Yawning, she stretched her hooves in front of her, carefully removing the kinks in her joints. Rolling tiredly out of bed, she shook her head, letting her mane fall to its natural place. Ignoring Angel Bunny's impatient tapping, she lifted her manebrush, looking at it in oblivion. 'Pink. Like Pinkie Pie,' she thought to herself. 'No! What are you doing, Fluttershy? Just like your parents said, you are going to settle down with a nice stallion,' she scowled, yanking the brush through her mane with vigor. 'Not some... mare! You're no filly-fooler!' she sighed, setting the brush down and walking towards Angel Bunny's food dish. 'Or are you?' Her thoughts were interrupted by Angel gesturing rudely at her, then back to the food bowl. "Umm, okay, Angel," she whispered, finding his cookbook and beginning to prepare his meal. As she finished, she went to her other pets, filing their trays or bowls with their respective foods, filling water bowls where needed as well. Finishing her tasks, she trotted back eagerly to the kitchen, ready to have her own meal. Opening the small cupboards, she found a box of Celesti-O's and quickly poured it into a bowl. Eating it straight from the bowl, she took no time to be careful, simply eager to finish up. Running up the stairs, she quickly wiped off her face and washed her hooves, then darted back down the stairs. "Bye Angel! Bye everybody!" she chirped, taking off. Her hooves were mere inches off the ground, trailing carefully behind her as she zipped towards the spa. She touched down mere moments before Rarity walked in the door, flipping her mane casually. "So glad you could make it, darling," said Rarity with a smile. Fluttershy smiled back, following the unicorn as she approached the front desk. "The usual please," she said, but Fluttershy raised a hoof. "Can I have the same as Rarity this time? If that's okay with you," she added, ducking behind her mane. "Of course dear!" exclaimed Rarity, grinning as they followed Aloe to the sauna. Aloe hoofed them each a robe and Fluttershy took it graciously, tying it around her waist as she sat on a wooden bench. "Now spill dear. How has your week been?" "It's been fine," said Fluttershy, her voice loud, or at least the same as a regular pony's. "Nothing exciting?" asked Rarity, her disappointment evident. "Well..." said Fluttershy uncertainly. 'Is this what love feels like? When you can't stop thinking about somepony? It's just like those novels I read...' she thought, a small blush rising to her cheeks as she thought of the novels she read. "How do you know you're in love?" she asked abruptly, then quickly hid once again, her body glowing a pale pink. "Oh my!" exclaimed Rarity with an exaggerated gasp. "Who is the lucky stallion?" she pressed, her eyes searching over Fluttershy eagerly. Upon seeing the pegasus' blush, she stopped, her voice becoming gentler. "Well, to answer your question, I guess the main thing would be that they're always on your mind. Everything makes you think of them, and you might feel awkward around them, even if you didn't before. Does that answer your question?" "I suppose so," said Fluttershy, mustering an eager tone. 'What does this mean? I'm in love with a mare? I'm a filly... filly... Look at you. You can't even admit it to yourself! What kind of doormat are you?' she chided herself, ignoring Rarity for the time being. She was alerted by a dull ringing, and Rarity stood up, shaking her body out with a yawn. "Onward?" she inquired, and Fluttershy nodded. "Onward," she smiled, and they both stepped out of the booth, heading to the mudbaths. Aloe took Fluttershy, Lotus to Rarity, and gently rinsed them off as they finished their mudbaths. They then entered the small 'makeup' section, enjoying the creamy masks and cucumbers that covered their faces. Fluttershy winced as they removed the mask, feeling a few hairs come loose with the cream. "Did you enjoy today?" asked Rarity as they exited the spa, walking towards Sugar Cube Corner. "Of course, Rarity," said Fluttershy, her quiet voice returning. "Good, good. Now, who's for getting a treat?" she asked, entering Sugar Cube Corner. "Oh-okay," she whispered, blushing as she saw Pinkie behind the counter. "Can I have a brownie please?" she asked, her mane covering half of her face. "Of course!" exclaimed Pinkie, smiling at the pair. "Whaddya want, Rarity?" "I will have an eclair," said Rarity formally, her eyes looking down upon the rest of the contents with contempt. "Okie-dokie!" cried the earth pony, pulling out the two treats and setting them on two plates. "Four bits please!" Fluttershy reached for her bits pouch, just to see Rarity raise a hoof. "I've got it," she said kindly, levitating the bits towards Pinkie's outstretched hoof. "Thanks!" said Pinkie with a wide grin, watching carefully to make sure Rarity levitated the plates into the air. The treats followed the two mares towards a small, unoccupied booth, and they took their seats with ease. Fluttershy smiled gratefully at Rarity as took small nibbles of the chocolate treat. They ate in silence until Rarity broke the silence, delicately clearing her throat. "Is it a mare?" "Wha-huh?" asked Fluttershy, caught off guard. "You blushed when I said a stallion. Are you in love with a mare?" Fluttershy teetered back and forth, visibly unsure, before sighing. "I'll tell you at the boutique," she finally relented, then swiftly dug into her brownie, remaining silent for the rest of their meal. As they finished, they left the plates stacked on the table, the crumbs swept into a small pile per Rarity's magic. Their silence continued as they trotted down the cobbled streets of Ponyville, their hooves creating small clacks that added to the dull roar of the market as they walked. Arriving at Carousel Boutique, they entered, both knowing any secrets shared would remain just that, since Sweetie Belle was at school. Rarity led Fluttershy back past her main workroom and into a small, cozy den. Various fainting couches were situated throughout the room, pillows lining the floor. Fluttershy smiled softly, curling into one of the chairs as Rarity left, returning to set a teakettle and cups on the small table between them. She silently poured them each a cup, adding honey to one and sugar to the other. She hoofed the one with sugar towards Fluttershy. "Thank you," accepted Fluttershy gratefully, taking a small sip from the slightly steaming glass. "Thank you dear," smiled Rarity as well. Fluttershy sighed. She knew what Rarity wanted, and Fluttershy was going to tell her. First Tellings"Itspinkiepiethatithinkiminlovewith," rushed Fluttershy, her voice scarcely audible. Rarity sighed, standing from her perch. Walking to Fluttershy's side, she began stroking her mane gently, simply comforting the pegasus. "Can you repeat that, darling?" asked Rarity, her voice a soft, welcoming tone. "I-i-i... I think I'm in love with Pinkie," confessed Fluttershy, choking back a sob as she finished. "Why is that a bad thing?" asked Rarity, her confusion for once not fake. "I'm not supposed to like mares! I'm supposed to have foals with a stallion!" she cried, her voice rising. "I'm wrong!" she sobbed, burying her head in her hooves. Rarity's own hoof kept stroking gently, letting Fluttershy's cries echo through the small room slightly. "Sweetie, there's nothing 'wrong' with you at all! Do you know Lyra and Bon Bon?" "Y-yeah?" sniffed Fluttershy, her eyes watering. "What do they do?" "Bon Bon's a candymaker, and Lyra plays in the Royal Orchestra," said Fluttershy. "And guess what? They're getting married in the spring. Is that a problem?" she continued, raising her eyebrows to accentuate her point. "I guess not," admitted Fluttershy, lifting her head slightly. "But what does that have to do with anything?" "If they can do just fine, why can't you?" "It's different!" exclaimed the pegasus angrily, or at least as angry as she could sound without yelling at a dragon. "Not really. What about Rainbow Dash? We all know she leans that way too," she whispered, as if she was spreading juicy gossip. "R-really?" eeped Fluttershy, looking around as if she expected Rainbow Dash to pop out at any moment. "Really," confirmed Rarity. "Now, how are you going to tell Pinkie?" "Tell her?" asked Fluttershy indignantly, staring at Rarity as if she expected turnips to sprout from her ears. "Why would I tell her when I can be perfectly happy and safe not telling her?" "Do you really want to keep it a secret, dear?" 'Do I? I don't know. Telling her would be easier, but what if she doesn't like me back? What if she hates me forever? What if-' "Don't think like that," silenced Rarity, somehow reading Fluttershy's mind as she gently set her hoof on the other mare's shoulder. "You will tell her. How, you have to decide, but I can set something up too. Whatever is easiest for you. I want you to be comfortable," added Rarity. 'What a good friend,' thought Fluttershy with a sniff. "I, I don't know if I can tell her yet," sighed Fluttershy. "But maybe I'll try," 'Someday,' she added mentally. "I should go," she said, craning her head to look at Rarity. "Come back soon darling!" cried Rarity, waving good bye as Fluttershy walked out the door. "Bye!" called Fluttershy, already in the hallway. She walked down the hall, half full of confidence and half full with worry. 'What if I tell her and she does like me?' echoed through her mind as she walked towards home, looking forward to having dinner. Fluttershy looked up at the night sky, laying on her back lawn on a small blanket. Her hoof was raised to the sky, tracing constellations. Angel Bunny sat next to her, cuddled into her mane. She smiled as she heard light snores from him, coming in light flutters. As she traced, thoughts bounced around her head. 'Maybe I should tell her. What's the worst that happens? We are the elements of harmony. What can go wrong? What could happen? Even if she hates me, she can't hate me forever, right? Right?' Shaking her head, she slowly stood up, letting Angel Bunny fall onto her back, tucked between her wings as she lifted the blanket between her teeth, carrying it back inside. She set it down in a loosely folded square on the couch, then trotted up the stairs, deciding to retire early. She set the sleeping bunny in his bed next to her own, then hopped in to her bathroom, taking a quick shower. Returning to her room, she snuggled under the butterfly-printed covers adorning her bed, and within a few short moments was asleep. Fluttershy was sitting across a small table from Pinkie, looking deep into her eyes. The room was decorated for a party, but they were alone, simply sitting by each other. Fluttershy cleared her throat, then smiled softly. "Pinkie?" "Yes Fluttershy?" "I love you," said the yellow pegasus, looking at Pinkie, searching for a reaction. And a reaction she got. Pinkie's mane slowly deflated, her eyes narrowing to glares. Her whole body took on a greyish tone, not like that of when Discorded, but grey all the same. "What did you say?" hissed Grey Pinkie, slowly standing. "What did you say?!" "N-nothing?" cowered Fluttershy, shrinking as small as she could. "You said something!" cried Grey Pinkie, leaping on Fluttershy. The greyed hooves began pummeling her, hitting her over and over in the same spot until Grey Pinkie tired of it, moving to the next clean inch of Fluttershy's body. And all the while, Fluttershy just sat there, cowering under her hooves like the doormat she was. 'Like the doormat I am,' she thought. "Like the doormat I am," whispered Fluttershy as she woke up. She blinked rapidly, looking around in fear for the Grey Pinkie. Confident she wasn't there, Fluttershy stood from her bed, ready to start the day away from that dream. As she trotted down the stairs, her thoughts were interrupted by rapid knocking on the door. "Hello," said Rarity kindly as Fluttershy opened the door. "Yes? What do you need? There isn't another dragon, is there?" "Oh, goodness no! The girls and I decided you needed a day off, so Applejack is going to take care of your creatures for you while you go have the meal Pinkie prepared for you at Sugar Cube Corner! She made you a whole breakfast herself, and it'd be terrible to waste it, wouldn't it be?" "Oh, of course. I'll head over there right away," smiled Fluttershy gratefully, stepping out of her home and heading down the lane. She followed her hooves towards the town's center, ignoring the hustle and bustle of the early marketeers. Waving politely to Big Macintosh, Apple Bloom, and Granny Smith at their cart and nodding a polite hello towards the other early morning salesponies. Just as Sugar Cube Corner loomed ahead, she stopped in her tracks, staring at the building. 'What in Luna's name are you doing? Just going to walk in there?' she asked herself as another voice piped up. 'Yes, yes you are. She's being a good friend!' Fluttershy shook her head, ignoring odd looks from passerby as she mentally argued with herself. With a cartoonish puff of smoke, the first voice disappeared, replaced only with the confident one as she continued towards the building. 'Yes. Yes I am.' Random Author's Note in the Middle of the Story Because I CanWell, hello readers. How art thou? Okay, good to know. I'll cut to the chase. This story was damn difficult. Not just writing Fluttershy, which was a pain in itself, but writing Fluttershy from when she first falls in love. I'm not patient in real life or in writing, and the way I've rushed things thus far proves it. If I could've, I would've started where the next chapter's about to. But I couldn't, so I didn't. Despite the pain in the rump this was, I loved it. I wrote more for this story in two days then I have for some of my other stories in months. Besides the deadline on this for Kits' competition, I really was engrossed in this story, eager to write the next part so I could see what happens next. I don't write these stories. I get an idea, and the end of each chapter determines what happens next. The next chapter comes tomorrow, and thanks for reading! First Setup, First Kiss'Yes. Yes I am,' resounded through her mind as she cautiously opened the door to the cafe, letting it shut behind her with a small bang. "Surprise!" cried Pinkie, leaping out from behind the sole table in the room as small party-poppers fired from nowhere. "Sorry," added the pink mare as Fluttershy ducked down, gently patting her on the head. "There's just us here. See?" she gestured around the room to prove her point. "Okay," whispered Fluttershy, standing up to look out at Pinkie. 'Pinkie and her blue, blue eyes,' she thought, then sighed. 'Over romanticizing again, you foal,' she thought with a snicker. "Come on! Sit down!" cried Pinkie, pulling Fluttershy both from her thoughts and to the table. On the table sat two plates, both loaded with treats and other breakfast foods. Fluttershy smiled as she sat down, looking up at Pinkie across the table. "Thank you, Pinkie," she said, nodding her head towards her before burying her muzzle into the platter, eating the eggs, salad, and pancakes with a hunger she hadn't known she had. 'Hunger for worry,' her mind teased her, but she ignored it, simply enjoying the meal. As she finished, a small piece of paper sat on the bottom of the plate, folded in half. She lifted it carefully with her mouth, ignoring the eager looks from Pinkie as she carefully unfolded it. Her eyes ran over the paper eagerly, searching for words until she spotted small writing at the bottom of the page. She finished reading it, then read it again. And again. Completing her third time reading it, she looked up at Pinkie, who's mane seemed just a bit flatter. Just a bit. Fluttershy inhaled deeply, then read the paper a forth time. And as she finished that, she set the paper down, folding it back in half, and stood from the table, walking around it slowly, tentatively. Every step seemed to be exaggerated, the world slowing around her. The first step, with all the weight leaning on her front right hoof. The wooden grains of the floor were clearer, sharper. The second step, leaning onto her back right hoof. Her tail dragged along the ground. The third step, now to her front left leg. She saw Pinkie staring at her, eyes filled with worry and anticipation. The forth step, to her back left leg. Pinkie's face was now just filled with worry. A small skip, landing just next to the pink mare, their muzzles mere inches apart. Staring at each other, piercing blue on lighter turquoise. Breaths mingling, one warm with eagerness, one quick with fear. Hooves shaking, eyes blinking, breaths mingling. Muzzles meeting, one pulling away. Pinkie Pie with an injured look. Fluttershy ducking down, then looking back up. "Sorry," whispered Fluttershy, but her words were cut short. Muzzles meeting, staying together. Hooves reaching, wrapping around. Tongues overlapping, fireworks booming. Sky falling, world disappearing. Simply together, as close as could be. Pinkie coming down from her chair to embrace Fluttershy tighter. "Th-that was..." "Perfect?" offered Fluttershy as they both panted for breath. "Pinkie-perfect!" cried Pinkie, smiling at Fluttershy eagerly. They both sat in silence for a bit, simply thinking, until Fluttershy interrupted. "What are we?" "Ponies! Unless you mean a different way, and then I could say we're Elements of Harmony, or mares, or friends, or..." she scratched her head. "Other stuff." "I meant, um, between us," said Fluttershy quietly, and Pinkie smiled. "Oh duh! Well, obviously we're marefriends now! Right?" she countered herself, looking at Fluttershy uncertainly. "Well," started Fluttershy, then stopped herself. 'What am I doing? The mare you love just said you're her marefriend and you're going to turn her down? What kind of idiot are you?' "We're marefriends," she confirmed, her voice strong. "We're marefriends!" she cried, throwing her hooves in the air. "I think they get it, Fluttershy," said Pinkie with a smile, and Fluttershy stopped in her tracks. "Th-they?" "Never mind," said Pinkie, shaking her head. "Someday I'll show you. Now, do you want to go upstairs?" "I've been upstairs before. Remember? You showed me your furniture?" Pinkie sighed, patting Fluttershy on the head again. "Up-stairs," she enunciated. "To my room?" Fluttershy cocked her head, then suddenly, her eyes widened. "Now? We just had our first kiss! I'm not ready for that!" she fretted, pacing around nervously. "I'm kidding!" cried Pinkie, jumping up. "Sheesh. Tough crowd," she added, and Fluttershy blinked again. 'Crowd? Better not ask,' she decided, then smiled at Pinkie. "I think our friends already know about us." "Of course! I told them so that you could come here!" "Well Pinkie, what do you usually do after something big like this happens?" "Make a cake?" "And...?" "Have a party!" cried Pinkie as the idea hit her. "Of course! A party party party party PARTY!" Fluttershy chuckled, shaking her head. "My silly filly," she cooed. "My shy butterfly," added Pinkie, catching on. "My pink party pony," she smiled. "My yellow marshmallow," sighed Pinkie. "Wait, what? D-do you think I'm fat?" "No! It just rhymed!" protested Pinkie. "Kidding," teased Fluttershy, tackling Pinkie to the floor. Within moments, Fluttershy's hooves were teasingly prodding Pinkie's stomach. Pinkie's giggles quickly transformed to guffaws until she was pleading. "Stop! Ca-can't breathe!" she cried between her laughter, and Fluttershy carefully backed off of her, then sat down on the floor. Shaking her head, she was caught completely by surprise as Pinkie reciprocated the tickling, sitting down on Fluttershy's stomach. The two continued their tickle-fighting for a while, until finally Pinkie and Fluttershy tired of it, simply staring at each other. "Pinkie?" "Yes, Flutter-utter-shy?" "When's the party going to be?" "Well..." said Pinkie, her voice trailing off. Hopping up, she reached under the table, fiddling around for a bit before pulling out a calendar. "For calendar emergencies!" she explained to Fluttershy's questioning look. She flipped through it, her hoof trailing across the page until it stopped. "Aha! We can have it next Monday!" she exclaimed, and Fluttershy nodded, grinning quietly at Pinkie. "Perfect?" she asked, her eyes betraying her teasing intent. "Perfect," agreed Pinkie, and they leaned in to kiss again. The PartyA week flew by for Fluttershy, and she was now on her way to Pinkie's to help prepare for the party. Nopony besides their friends knew what it was for, since it was going to be their main announcement at the party. She knocked on the door, but just as she rose her hoof, the door swung open with a small creak. Fluttershy smiled at Pinkie, trotting in. The room had been lightly decorated, but was greatly underdone compared to normal Pinkie standards. Pinkie gestured to a large box full of hanging decorations, and Fluttershy nodded, lifting the streamers in her mouth and flying up to the ceiling. "Hww rr we gin t tell 'em?" asked Fluttershy through the streamers in her jaws, and Pinkie snickered. "I have my ideas," she said, wiggling her eyebrows. With that, Fluttershy began laughing too, letting the streamers fall from her mouth as she flapped her wings in time with her giggles. "Oh, sorry," she whispered, as she realized she had dropped the streamers. Flying down to grab them, she instead crashed into Pinkie, toppling her over. Fluttershy stood over Pinkie, and Pinkie stared up at her, lifting her head. "Really Fluttershy?" she asked, kissing the pegasus deeply. "Eep!" replied Fluttershy, jumping back and holding the small roll of streamers protectively over her. "Now Fluttershy, you know I won't hurt you," said Pinkie, her voice taking on a low, seductive tone. Fluttershy sighed, then slowly lowered the streamers compliantly. "R-really?" "Yes. Now why don't you come sit on Miss Pinkie's lap for a spell?" "Oh, I couldn't Miss Pinkie," said Fluttershy, enjoying the take of a small child. "Why's that?" "Because I already know a," she let the voice drop, "Pinkie Pie, and she's all mine!" she cheered, pouncing onto Pinkie and kissing her. Pinkie was surprised, but soon her mouth opened and their tongues were intertwined as much as their muzzles. Their kiss was interrupted by the gentle clearing of somepony's throat, and they jumped apart, looking around wildly. Peering through the kitchen was Mrs. Cake, looking at them embarrassedly. "I just wanted to remind you girls the party starts in half an hour," she said, then quickly went back in the kitchen. "Oops," whispered Pinkie, then the two mares were giggling again. "Though really, we should get started," she added, and Fluttershy nodded. "Yes Miss Pinkie," said Fluttershy, looking over her shoulder suggestively before flying towards the ceiling. Lifting the first in her jaws, she carefully attached it. She tilted her wings, turning towards the next portion of the ceiling, and strung up the bright- and pale-pink toned paper. Finishing the ceiling, she glided back towards the floor and lifted the lanterns, handing them from various locations in an asymmetrical pattern. She smiled, landing back on her four hooves just as the door opened. "Heyheyhey!" cried Pinkie as ponies flooded in, exactly on time. Rainbow Dash hovered above the crowd as Twilight and Rarity approached. "Hello, darlings!" cried Rarity, throwing her hooves around the two and kissing them each on the cheeks. "How are you today?" "Fine, Rarity," sighed Fluttershy, gently wiggling out of Rarity's grasp. "I just want to say, I'm incredibly proud of you two. This is fantastic!" she exclaimed in her standard melodramatic voice, and Fluttershy laughed. "Did you laugh, darling?" "Y-yes? Is that bad?" asked Fluttershy, looking around anxiously. "No dear! It's fine. I'm just shocked at how much Pinkie's drawn you out of your shell!" Fluttershy blushed, ducking behind Pinkie's mane. "Now, Fluttershy," reprimanded Pinkie, gently pulling her out. "We need to go on stage, okay?" "U-up there?" asked Fluttershy. "As in, up there up there?" "Yes, as in up there up there. Now come on!" cried the earth pony, yanking on Fluttershy to lead her up on the stage. Fluttershy bent down, walking cautiously. Pinkie tugged on her by the mane, yanking her the final steps towards the center of the stage. "Hay everypony!" she cried, standing over the microphone. "Hay!" they cried back, stomping their hooves. "Now, does anypony know why they're here today?" "For a party!" responded the crowd. "Yeah!" replied Pinkie eagerly. "But this is a special reason! You see Fluttershy here?" she asked, pulling her over. "Yeah!" "Well, guess what!" "What?" "She's... my... marefriend!" she exclaimed, and with that, the world faded away for Fluttershy. Pinkie leaned in, her eyes wide with excitement, and they were the only thing Fluttershy saw as they embraced, there on the stage, in front of everypony. The crowd's breath froze as their muzzles met once again, but this time it was different. More passionate. Tongues met, and fireworks glided through the air against the spinning background. Fluttershy closed her eyes, letting her muzzle do the feeling. After what felt like a millennium, they broke apart, gasping for breath as silent echoed through the room. 'They don't like us,' thought Fluttershy, tears welling in her eyes. Then stopped. As the whole room filled with applause, cheering, and whistles. Pinkie turned towards Fluttershy, her eyes also filled with tears, but of the opposite sort. Tears of joy. Fluttershy leaned in, gently nuzzling her as the room filled with a slow song, and they began dancing. Swaying back and forth to rhythm, they ignored the crowd once again as they stood on the stage, leading the dancers in their own dances. As the song ended, Pinkie grasped the microphone once again. "Food time!" she cried, leaping off the stage. Fluttershy followed, gently trailing above the crowd as she approached the table. As she landed, the crowd parted, and Fluttershy's smile stretched wide enough to rival Pinkie's grins. There, sitting in the center of the table, was a giant cake, with more layers than she could count, and on the top was her name, next to Pinkie's surrounded by a giant heart. Fluttershy put on her best hurt face, flying down slowly. Within moments, Pinkie was at her side within moments, looking more hurt than Fluttershy. "Don't you like it?" asked Pinkie, and Fluttershy sniffed. "Like it? Like it?" she asked, though inside, she was laughing. "I love it!" she cried, embracing Pinkie tightly. "Fluttershy..." said Pinkie in a warning tone. "Hmm?" "I love you too," she grinned, stroking Fluttershy's mane.
First SightFluttershy looked around the bakery, enjoying her perch on a small chair in the corner. The room was filled with ponies, shaking, writhing, and simply having a good time. Glow sticks flashed periodically through the air, accompanied by shrieks and cheers. Multi-colored lights flashed as well, reflecting off of mirrors and disco balls hung around the room. It really was the ideal party, for anypony but Fluttershy. With earplugs filling her ears, she could truly enjoy the show, simply watching as if it was a silent movie. There, in the corner, was two ponies arguing. Lyra and Bon Bon, from the looks of it, but with the flashes of light, anypony could be anypony. Hooves pointed at each other, eyes flashing, until finally Lyra collapsed, her eyes filled with tears. Bon Bon embraced her, whispering into her ear, and they leaped up, running up the stairs. Fluttershy saw it all, and couldn't help but smile. They really were perfect for each other, always comforting the other when it was needed. To her right, Pinkie was taking command of Vinyl Scratch, or in this case, DJ-PON3's equipment. Fluttershy gently chided herself for not remembering how her personality changed on stage, gently cuffing herself on the nose. She heard the music slow to a stop, accompanied by loud groans of disappointment and some curses from those who had found the hard apple cider. "Hay everypony!" cheered Pinkie, waving her hooves around. Fluttershy's eyes remained glued to her, following her as she walked around, the balloons on her flank threatening to burst into the sky at any moment. "Are you enjoying the parrrrrrty?" she cried, and the crowd yelled its agreement, stomping their hooves eagerly. "Well remember, it's already two o'clock, and this place closes up at three!" she reminded, and this time the crowd's stomps were in disappointment rather than eagerness. "Let's make this last hour special!" the pink mare declared, and once again, the crowd was cheering again. 'Just like Angel Bunny,' thought Fluttershy quietly to herself. 'His moods can be fixed so quickly, all the time,' she added, remembering the morning where he had been easily coaxed out of a tantrum with a strawberry. Her eyes turned back to the equipment, searching for Pinkie, but found her much closer instead, mere inches from her side. "Eep!" squeaked Fluttershy, ducking under her hooves. "Do you want to go upstairs?" asked Pinkie, though to Fluttershy, it just appeared to be her mouth moving. "What?" she asked quietly, removing her head from under her protective hooves. "Do you want to go upstairs?" "Hmm?" she repeated, and Pinkie sighed, grabbing Fluttershy by the hoof. Fluttershy squeaked once again as she was yanked up the stairs, past many of the closed bedroom doors, and into Pinkie's own room. Fluttershy's eyes traveled over all the pinkness of it, shocked by how much pinkness could fit in a room. "Can you hear me?" yelled Pinkie, and Fluttershy blinked, tilting her head in confusion. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she removed the ear plugs from her ears, setting them down on the dresser. "Can you hear me?" repeated Pinkie loudly, and Fluttershy squeaked, darting under the bed. She looked around nervously, just in time to see Pinkie next to her. "Can you hear me now?" she asked, significantly quieter, and Fluttershy nodded. "What did you want?" she asked, not unkindly, and Pinkie's smile widened, threatening to fall from her face. "You weren't having fun downstairs!" she cried, shaking Fluttershy a bit. 'Oh, but I was. Watching you,' she thought, then shook her head. 'What am I thinking,' she chided herself, a blush rising to her pale yellow cheeks. "I was, Pinkie, really," she insisted, quite unconvincingly. "Rrreally?" asked Pinkie, leaning her face into Fluttershy's. "Really," Fluttershy squeaked, cowering from Pinkie's face. "Okie-dokie-lokie," said Pinkie, slowly. "Now let's get out from under this bed!" Fluttershy sighed, crawling out from the comforting darkness of under the pink bed, blinking rapidly to adjust to the pink lighting of the room. "Hey! You wanna know a secret?" asked Pinkie suddenly, twisting her head ninety degrees. "Sure?" said Fluttershy worriedly. "You have to Pinkie Promise not to tell," she added, her eyes widening. "Okay," sighed Fluttershy, raising a hoof. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," she said in a carefully rehearsed tone, going through the motions smoothly. "Goodie! Now watch this!" insisted the pink mare, turning off the lights. Fluttershy eeped, but forced herself to remain out from under the bed. Within moments, a white light flashed on, shining around the room. "The furniture..." she said slowly, looking around and following the flashlight. "Is all white!" exclaimed Pinkie, now waving the flashlight around crazily. "I use a pink light to make everything look pink, instead of actually having it pink. Isn't it cool?" she asked, dancing along to the beat of the music throbbing through the floor. "Yeah, I guess..." said Fluttershy, her eyes following Pinkie. 'Stop it! Why are you looking at her like that?' she scowled at herself, but her eyes remained affixed to Pinkie's body, the way it moved carefully in time to the music, never missing a beat. "Hey Pinkie?" asked Fluttershy abruptly, tearing her eyes from Pinkie's body and to her eyes. "Yes, Fluttershy?" she asked, stopping her dancing. "I think I'm going home now. I need to get my sleep, okay?" "Okay," said Pinkie, her voice's energy dropping a bit. "But you'll come over tomorrow, right?" "Of course, right after my spa appointment," said the pegasus warmly, flapping her wings a bit. Trotting towards the window, she opened it, leaping into the darkness. Her wings beat quickly, finding their own rhythm in moments, and she glided above the town. Spotting her home in the distance, she continued towards it, gliding downwards towards her front lawn. She landed carefully, her hooves sliding along the recently-wet grass. Trotting into her home, she was glad to see all her animals were asleep and eagerly sneaked up the stairs, careful to keep her damp hooves from squeaking along the decrepit wooden stairs. Following the hall with her eyes adjusted to the dark, she entered her room quietly, shutting the door behind her. Entering the adjoined bathroom, she rapidly dried her hooves, then turned on the shower, sticking her hoof under the steady stream of water to find a comfortable temperature. Finding a comfortable heat, she slid in, shutting the curtain behind her. As she ran the soap over her body, she couldn't help but imagine Pinkie dragging the bar of soap over her, looking up at her with teasing eyes... Fluttershy shook her head ashamedly, lifting the shampoo deftly with one wing and pouring it over her mane, gently rubbing it into her scalp. She just stood there, under the water, letting her mind run free until the soap was cleared from her mane. Stepping out from the water, she looked down at the puddle forming under her. Sighing, she dropped a towel carelessly on the floor, sliding her hoof around on it until it was mostly cleared from the ground. Shaking her mane out, she turned around, flinging some remnants of water on the mirror as she went back into her room. Crawling carefully under the covers, she closed her eyes, and ignoring the constant pinkness her mind shoved at her, fell into a relaxed sleep.
First RegretsFluttershy awoke to the sound of impatient tapping on a wooden floor. Yawning, she stretched her hooves in front of her, carefully removing the kinks in her joints. Rolling tiredly out of bed, she shook her head, letting her mane fall to its natural place. Ignoring Angel Bunny's impatient tapping, she lifted her manebrush, looking at it in oblivion. 'Pink. Like Pinkie Pie,' she thought to herself. 'No! What are you doing, Fluttershy? Just like your parents said, you are going to settle down with a nice stallion,' she scowled, yanking the brush through her mane with vigor. 'Not some... mare! You're no filly-fooler!' she sighed, setting the brush down and walking towards Angel Bunny's food dish. 'Or are you?' Her thoughts were interrupted by Angel gesturing rudely at her, then back to the food bowl. "Umm, okay, Angel," she whispered, finding his cookbook and beginning to prepare his meal. As she finished, she went to her other pets, filing their trays or bowls with their respective foods, filling water bowls where needed as well. Finishing her tasks, she trotted back eagerly to the kitchen, ready to have her own meal. Opening the small cupboards, she found a box of Celesti-O's and quickly poured it into a bowl. Eating it straight from the bowl, she took no time to be careful, simply eager to finish up. Running up the stairs, she quickly wiped off her face and washed her hooves, then darted back down the stairs. "Bye Angel! Bye everybody!" she chirped, taking off. Her hooves were mere inches off the ground, trailing carefully behind her as she zipped towards the spa. She touched down mere moments before Rarity walked in the door, flipping her mane casually. "So glad you could make it, darling," said Rarity with a smile. Fluttershy smiled back, following the unicorn as she approached the front desk. "The usual please," she said, but Fluttershy raised a hoof. "Can I have the same as Rarity this time? If that's okay with you," she added, ducking behind her mane. "Of course dear!" exclaimed Rarity, grinning as they followed Aloe to the sauna. Aloe hoofed them each a robe and Fluttershy took it graciously, tying it around her waist as she sat on a wooden bench. "Now spill dear. How has your week been?" "It's been fine," said Fluttershy, her voice loud, or at least the same as a regular pony's. "Nothing exciting?" asked Rarity, her disappointment evident. "Well..." said Fluttershy uncertainly. 'Is this what love feels like? When you can't stop thinking about somepony? It's just like those novels I read...' she thought, a small blush rising to her cheeks as she thought of the novels she read. "How do you know you're in love?" she asked abruptly, then quickly hid once again, her body glowing a pale pink. "Oh my!" exclaimed Rarity with an exaggerated gasp. "Who is the lucky stallion?" she pressed, her eyes searching over Fluttershy eagerly. Upon seeing the pegasus' blush, she stopped, her voice becoming gentler. "Well, to answer your question, I guess the main thing would be that they're always on your mind. Everything makes you think of them, and you might feel awkward around them, even if you didn't before. Does that answer your question?" "I suppose so," said Fluttershy, mustering an eager tone. 'What does this mean? I'm in love with a mare? I'm a filly... filly... Look at you. You can't even admit it to yourself! What kind of doormat are you?' she chided herself, ignoring Rarity for the time being. She was alerted by a dull ringing, and Rarity stood up, shaking her body out with a yawn. "Onward?" she inquired, and Fluttershy nodded. "Onward," she smiled, and they both stepped out of the booth, heading to the mudbaths. Aloe took Fluttershy, Lotus to Rarity, and gently rinsed them off as they finished their mudbaths. They then entered the small 'makeup' section, enjoying the creamy masks and cucumbers that covered their faces. Fluttershy winced as they removed the mask, feeling a few hairs come loose with the cream. "Did you enjoy today?" asked Rarity as they exited the spa, walking towards Sugar Cube Corner. "Of course, Rarity," said Fluttershy, her quiet voice returning. "Good, good. Now, who's for getting a treat?" she asked, entering Sugar Cube Corner. "Oh-okay," she whispered, blushing as she saw Pinkie behind the counter. "Can I have a brownie please?" she asked, her mane covering half of her face. "Of course!" exclaimed Pinkie, smiling at the pair. "Whaddya want, Rarity?" "I will have an eclair," said Rarity formally, her eyes looking down upon the rest of the contents with contempt. "Okie-dokie!" cried the earth pony, pulling out the two treats and setting them on two plates. "Four bits please!" Fluttershy reached for her bits pouch, just to see Rarity raise a hoof. "I've got it," she said kindly, levitating the bits towards Pinkie's outstretched hoof. "Thanks!" said Pinkie with a wide grin, watching carefully to make sure Rarity levitated the plates into the air. The treats followed the two mares towards a small, unoccupied booth, and they took their seats with ease. Fluttershy smiled gratefully at Rarity as took small nibbles of the chocolate treat. They ate in silence until Rarity broke the silence, delicately clearing her throat. "Is it a mare?" "Wha-huh?" asked Fluttershy, caught off guard. "You blushed when I said a stallion. Are you in love with a mare?" Fluttershy teetered back and forth, visibly unsure, before sighing. "I'll tell you at the boutique," she finally relented, then swiftly dug into her brownie, remaining silent for the rest of their meal. As they finished, they left the plates stacked on the table, the crumbs swept into a small pile per Rarity's magic. Their silence continued as they trotted down the cobbled streets of Ponyville, their hooves creating small clacks that added to the dull roar of the market as they walked. Arriving at Carousel Boutique, they entered, both knowing any secrets shared would remain just that, since Sweetie Belle was at school. Rarity led Fluttershy back past her main workroom and into a small, cozy den. Various fainting couches were situated throughout the room, pillows lining the floor. Fluttershy smiled softly, curling into one of the chairs as Rarity left, returning to set a teakettle and cups on the small table between them. She silently poured them each a cup, adding honey to one and sugar to the other. She hoofed the one with sugar towards Fluttershy. "Thank you," accepted Fluttershy gratefully, taking a small sip from the slightly steaming glass. "Thank you dear," smiled Rarity as well. Fluttershy sighed. She knew what Rarity wanted, and Fluttershy was going to tell her.
First Tellings"Itspinkiepiethatithinkiminlovewith," rushed Fluttershy, her voice scarcely audible. Rarity sighed, standing from her perch. Walking to Fluttershy's side, she began stroking her mane gently, simply comforting the pegasus. "Can you repeat that, darling?" asked Rarity, her voice a soft, welcoming tone. "I-i-i... I think I'm in love with Pinkie," confessed Fluttershy, choking back a sob as she finished. "Why is that a bad thing?" asked Rarity, her confusion for once not fake. "I'm not supposed to like mares! I'm supposed to have foals with a stallion!" she cried, her voice rising. "I'm wrong!" she sobbed, burying her head in her hooves. Rarity's own hoof kept stroking gently, letting Fluttershy's cries echo through the small room slightly. "Sweetie, there's nothing 'wrong' with you at all! Do you know Lyra and Bon Bon?" "Y-yeah?" sniffed Fluttershy, her eyes watering. "What do they do?" "Bon Bon's a candymaker, and Lyra plays in the Royal Orchestra," said Fluttershy. "And guess what? They're getting married in the spring. Is that a problem?" she continued, raising her eyebrows to accentuate her point. "I guess not," admitted Fluttershy, lifting her head slightly. "But what does that have to do with anything?" "If they can do just fine, why can't you?" "It's different!" exclaimed the pegasus angrily, or at least as angry as she could sound without yelling at a dragon. "Not really. What about Rainbow Dash? We all know she leans that way too," she whispered, as if she was spreading juicy gossip. "R-really?" eeped Fluttershy, looking around as if she expected Rainbow Dash to pop out at any moment. "Really," confirmed Rarity. "Now, how are you going to tell Pinkie?" "Tell her?" asked Fluttershy indignantly, staring at Rarity as if she expected turnips to sprout from her ears. "Why would I tell her when I can be perfectly happy and safe not telling her?" "Do you really want to keep it a secret, dear?" 'Do I? I don't know. Telling her would be easier, but what if she doesn't like me back? What if she hates me forever? What if-' "Don't think like that," silenced Rarity, somehow reading Fluttershy's mind as she gently set her hoof on the other mare's shoulder. "You will tell her. How, you have to decide, but I can set something up too. Whatever is easiest for you. I want you to be comfortable," added Rarity. 'What a good friend,' thought Fluttershy with a sniff. "I, I don't know if I can tell her yet," sighed Fluttershy. "But maybe I'll try," 'Someday,' she added mentally. "I should go," she said, craning her head to look at Rarity. "Come back soon darling!" cried Rarity, waving good bye as Fluttershy walked out the door. "Bye!" called Fluttershy, already in the hallway. She walked down the hall, half full of confidence and half full with worry. 'What if I tell her and she does like me?' echoed through her mind as she walked towards home, looking forward to having dinner. Fluttershy looked up at the night sky, laying on her back lawn on a small blanket. Her hoof was raised to the sky, tracing constellations. Angel Bunny sat next to her, cuddled into her mane. She smiled as she heard light snores from him, coming in light flutters. As she traced, thoughts bounced around her head. 'Maybe I should tell her. What's the worst that happens? We are the elements of harmony. What can go wrong? What could happen? Even if she hates me, she can't hate me forever, right? Right?' Shaking her head, she slowly stood up, letting Angel Bunny fall onto her back, tucked between her wings as she lifted the blanket between her teeth, carrying it back inside. She set it down in a loosely folded square on the couch, then trotted up the stairs, deciding to retire early. She set the sleeping bunny in his bed next to her own, then hopped in to her bathroom, taking a quick shower. Returning to her room, she snuggled under the butterfly-printed covers adorning her bed, and within a few short moments was asleep. Fluttershy was sitting across a small table from Pinkie, looking deep into her eyes. The room was decorated for a party, but they were alone, simply sitting by each other. Fluttershy cleared her throat, then smiled softly. "Pinkie?" "Yes Fluttershy?" "I love you," said the yellow pegasus, looking at Pinkie, searching for a reaction. And a reaction she got. Pinkie's mane slowly deflated, her eyes narrowing to glares. Her whole body took on a greyish tone, not like that of when Discorded, but grey all the same. "What did you say?" hissed Grey Pinkie, slowly standing. "What did you say?!" "N-nothing?" cowered Fluttershy, shrinking as small as she could. "You said something!" cried Grey Pinkie, leaping on Fluttershy. The greyed hooves began pummeling her, hitting her over and over in the same spot until Grey Pinkie tired of it, moving to the next clean inch of Fluttershy's body. And all the while, Fluttershy just sat there, cowering under her hooves like the doormat she was. 'Like the doormat I am,' she thought. "Like the doormat I am," whispered Fluttershy as she woke up. She blinked rapidly, looking around in fear for the Grey Pinkie. Confident she wasn't there, Fluttershy stood from her bed, ready to start the day away from that dream. As she trotted down the stairs, her thoughts were interrupted by rapid knocking on the door. "Hello," said Rarity kindly as Fluttershy opened the door. "Yes? What do you need? There isn't another dragon, is there?" "Oh, goodness no! The girls and I decided you needed a day off, so Applejack is going to take care of your creatures for you while you go have the meal Pinkie prepared for you at Sugar Cube Corner! She made you a whole breakfast herself, and it'd be terrible to waste it, wouldn't it be?" "Oh, of course. I'll head over there right away," smiled Fluttershy gratefully, stepping out of her home and heading down the lane. She followed her hooves towards the town's center, ignoring the hustle and bustle of the early marketeers. Waving politely to Big Macintosh, Apple Bloom, and Granny Smith at their cart and nodding a polite hello towards the other early morning salesponies. Just as Sugar Cube Corner loomed ahead, she stopped in her tracks, staring at the building. 'What in Luna's name are you doing? Just going to walk in there?' she asked herself as another voice piped up. 'Yes, yes you are. She's being a good friend!' Fluttershy shook her head, ignoring odd looks from passerby as she mentally argued with herself. With a cartoonish puff of smoke, the first voice disappeared, replaced only with the confident one as she continued towards the building. 'Yes. Yes I am.'
Random Author's Note in the Middle of the Story Because I CanWell, hello readers. How art thou? Okay, good to know. I'll cut to the chase. This story was damn difficult. Not just writing Fluttershy, which was a pain in itself, but writing Fluttershy from when she first falls in love. I'm not patient in real life or in writing, and the way I've rushed things thus far proves it. If I could've, I would've started where the next chapter's about to. But I couldn't, so I didn't. Despite the pain in the rump this was, I loved it. I wrote more for this story in two days then I have for some of my other stories in months. Besides the deadline on this for Kits' competition, I really was engrossed in this story, eager to write the next part so I could see what happens next. I don't write these stories. I get an idea, and the end of each chapter determines what happens next. The next chapter comes tomorrow, and thanks for reading!
First Setup, First Kiss'Yes. Yes I am,' resounded through her mind as she cautiously opened the door to the cafe, letting it shut behind her with a small bang. "Surprise!" cried Pinkie, leaping out from behind the sole table in the room as small party-poppers fired from nowhere. "Sorry," added the pink mare as Fluttershy ducked down, gently patting her on the head. "There's just us here. See?" she gestured around the room to prove her point. "Okay," whispered Fluttershy, standing up to look out at Pinkie. 'Pinkie and her blue, blue eyes,' she thought, then sighed. 'Over romanticizing again, you foal,' she thought with a snicker. "Come on! Sit down!" cried Pinkie, pulling Fluttershy both from her thoughts and to the table. On the table sat two plates, both loaded with treats and other breakfast foods. Fluttershy smiled as she sat down, looking up at Pinkie across the table. "Thank you, Pinkie," she said, nodding her head towards her before burying her muzzle into the platter, eating the eggs, salad, and pancakes with a hunger she hadn't known she had. 'Hunger for worry,' her mind teased her, but she ignored it, simply enjoying the meal. As she finished, a small piece of paper sat on the bottom of the plate, folded in half. She lifted it carefully with her mouth, ignoring the eager looks from Pinkie as she carefully unfolded it. Her eyes ran over the paper eagerly, searching for words until she spotted small writing at the bottom of the page. She finished reading it, then read it again. And again. Completing her third time reading it, she looked up at Pinkie, who's mane seemed just a bit flatter. Just a bit. Fluttershy inhaled deeply, then read the paper a forth time. And as she finished that, she set the paper down, folding it back in half, and stood from the table, walking around it slowly, tentatively. Every step seemed to be exaggerated, the world slowing around her. The first step, with all the weight leaning on her front right hoof. The wooden grains of the floor were clearer, sharper. The second step, leaning onto her back right hoof. Her tail dragged along the ground. The third step, now to her front left leg. She saw Pinkie staring at her, eyes filled with worry and anticipation. The forth step, to her back left leg. Pinkie's face was now just filled with worry. A small skip, landing just next to the pink mare, their muzzles mere inches apart. Staring at each other, piercing blue on lighter turquoise. Breaths mingling, one warm with eagerness, one quick with fear. Hooves shaking, eyes blinking, breaths mingling. Muzzles meeting, one pulling away. Pinkie Pie with an injured look. Fluttershy ducking down, then looking back up. "Sorry," whispered Fluttershy, but her words were cut short. Muzzles meeting, staying together. Hooves reaching, wrapping around. Tongues overlapping, fireworks booming. Sky falling, world disappearing. Simply together, as close as could be. Pinkie coming down from her chair to embrace Fluttershy tighter. "Th-that was..." "Perfect?" offered Fluttershy as they both panted for breath. "Pinkie-perfect!" cried Pinkie, smiling at Fluttershy eagerly. They both sat in silence for a bit, simply thinking, until Fluttershy interrupted. "What are we?" "Ponies! Unless you mean a different way, and then I could say we're Elements of Harmony, or mares, or friends, or..." she scratched her head. "Other stuff." "I meant, um, between us," said Fluttershy quietly, and Pinkie smiled. "Oh duh! Well, obviously we're marefriends now! Right?" she countered herself, looking at Fluttershy uncertainly. "Well," started Fluttershy, then stopped herself. 'What am I doing? The mare you love just said you're her marefriend and you're going to turn her down? What kind of idiot are you?' "We're marefriends," she confirmed, her voice strong. "We're marefriends!" she cried, throwing her hooves in the air. "I think they get it, Fluttershy," said Pinkie with a smile, and Fluttershy stopped in her tracks. "Th-they?" "Never mind," said Pinkie, shaking her head. "Someday I'll show you. Now, do you want to go upstairs?" "I've been upstairs before. Remember? You showed me your furniture?" Pinkie sighed, patting Fluttershy on the head again. "Up-stairs," she enunciated. "To my room?" Fluttershy cocked her head, then suddenly, her eyes widened. "Now? We just had our first kiss! I'm not ready for that!" she fretted, pacing around nervously. "I'm kidding!" cried Pinkie, jumping up. "Sheesh. Tough crowd," she added, and Fluttershy blinked again. 'Crowd? Better not ask,' she decided, then smiled at Pinkie. "I think our friends already know about us." "Of course! I told them so that you could come here!" "Well Pinkie, what do you usually do after something big like this happens?" "Make a cake?" "And...?" "Have a party!" cried Pinkie as the idea hit her. "Of course! A party party party party PARTY!" Fluttershy chuckled, shaking her head. "My silly filly," she cooed. "My shy butterfly," added Pinkie, catching on. "My pink party pony," she smiled. "My yellow marshmallow," sighed Pinkie. "Wait, what? D-do you think I'm fat?" "No! It just rhymed!" protested Pinkie. "Kidding," teased Fluttershy, tackling Pinkie to the floor. Within moments, Fluttershy's hooves were teasingly prodding Pinkie's stomach. Pinkie's giggles quickly transformed to guffaws until she was pleading. "Stop! Ca-can't breathe!" she cried between her laughter, and Fluttershy carefully backed off of her, then sat down on the floor. Shaking her head, she was caught completely by surprise as Pinkie reciprocated the tickling, sitting down on Fluttershy's stomach. The two continued their tickle-fighting for a while, until finally Pinkie and Fluttershy tired of it, simply staring at each other. "Pinkie?" "Yes, Flutter-utter-shy?" "When's the party going to be?" "Well..." said Pinkie, her voice trailing off. Hopping up, she reached under the table, fiddling around for a bit before pulling out a calendar. "For calendar emergencies!" she explained to Fluttershy's questioning look. She flipped through it, her hoof trailing across the page until it stopped. "Aha! We can have it next Monday!" she exclaimed, and Fluttershy nodded, grinning quietly at Pinkie. "Perfect?" she asked, her eyes betraying her teasing intent. "Perfect," agreed Pinkie, and they leaned in to kiss again.
The PartyA week flew by for Fluttershy, and she was now on her way to Pinkie's to help prepare for the party. Nopony besides their friends knew what it was for, since it was going to be their main announcement at the party. She knocked on the door, but just as she rose her hoof, the door swung open with a small creak. Fluttershy smiled at Pinkie, trotting in. The room had been lightly decorated, but was greatly underdone compared to normal Pinkie standards. Pinkie gestured to a large box full of hanging decorations, and Fluttershy nodded, lifting the streamers in her mouth and flying up to the ceiling. "Hww rr we gin t tell 'em?" asked Fluttershy through the streamers in her jaws, and Pinkie snickered. "I have my ideas," she said, wiggling her eyebrows. With that, Fluttershy began laughing too, letting the streamers fall from her mouth as she flapped her wings in time with her giggles. "Oh, sorry," she whispered, as she realized she had dropped the streamers. Flying down to grab them, she instead crashed into Pinkie, toppling her over. Fluttershy stood over Pinkie, and Pinkie stared up at her, lifting her head. "Really Fluttershy?" she asked, kissing the pegasus deeply. "Eep!" replied Fluttershy, jumping back and holding the small roll of streamers protectively over her. "Now Fluttershy, you know I won't hurt you," said Pinkie, her voice taking on a low, seductive tone. Fluttershy sighed, then slowly lowered the streamers compliantly. "R-really?" "Yes. Now why don't you come sit on Miss Pinkie's lap for a spell?" "Oh, I couldn't Miss Pinkie," said Fluttershy, enjoying the take of a small child. "Why's that?" "Because I already know a," she let the voice drop, "Pinkie Pie, and she's all mine!" she cheered, pouncing onto Pinkie and kissing her. Pinkie was surprised, but soon her mouth opened and their tongues were intertwined as much as their muzzles. Their kiss was interrupted by the gentle clearing of somepony's throat, and they jumped apart, looking around wildly. Peering through the kitchen was Mrs. Cake, looking at them embarrassedly. "I just wanted to remind you girls the party starts in half an hour," she said, then quickly went back in the kitchen. "Oops," whispered Pinkie, then the two mares were giggling again. "Though really, we should get started," she added, and Fluttershy nodded. "Yes Miss Pinkie," said Fluttershy, looking over her shoulder suggestively before flying towards the ceiling. Lifting the first in her jaws, she carefully attached it. She tilted her wings, turning towards the next portion of the ceiling, and strung up the bright- and pale-pink toned paper. Finishing the ceiling, she glided back towards the floor and lifted the lanterns, handing them from various locations in an asymmetrical pattern. She smiled, landing back on her four hooves just as the door opened. "Heyheyhey!" cried Pinkie as ponies flooded in, exactly on time. Rainbow Dash hovered above the crowd as Twilight and Rarity approached. "Hello, darlings!" cried Rarity, throwing her hooves around the two and kissing them each on the cheeks. "How are you today?" "Fine, Rarity," sighed Fluttershy, gently wiggling out of Rarity's grasp. "I just want to say, I'm incredibly proud of you two. This is fantastic!" she exclaimed in her standard melodramatic voice, and Fluttershy laughed. "Did you laugh, darling?" "Y-yes? Is that bad?" asked Fluttershy, looking around anxiously. "No dear! It's fine. I'm just shocked at how much Pinkie's drawn you out of your shell!" Fluttershy blushed, ducking behind Pinkie's mane. "Now, Fluttershy," reprimanded Pinkie, gently pulling her out. "We need to go on stage, okay?" "U-up there?" asked Fluttershy. "As in, up there up there?" "Yes, as in up there up there. Now come on!" cried the earth pony, yanking on Fluttershy to lead her up on the stage. Fluttershy bent down, walking cautiously. Pinkie tugged on her by the mane, yanking her the final steps towards the center of the stage. "Hay everypony!" she cried, standing over the microphone. "Hay!" they cried back, stomping their hooves. "Now, does anypony know why they're here today?" "For a party!" responded the crowd. "Yeah!" replied Pinkie eagerly. "But this is a special reason! You see Fluttershy here?" she asked, pulling her over. "Yeah!" "Well, guess what!" "What?" "She's... my... marefriend!" she exclaimed, and with that, the world faded away for Fluttershy. Pinkie leaned in, her eyes wide with excitement, and they were the only thing Fluttershy saw as they embraced, there on the stage, in front of everypony. The crowd's breath froze as their muzzles met once again, but this time it was different. More passionate. Tongues met, and fireworks glided through the air against the spinning background. Fluttershy closed her eyes, letting her muzzle do the feeling. After what felt like a millennium, they broke apart, gasping for breath as silent echoed through the room. 'They don't like us,' thought Fluttershy, tears welling in her eyes. Then stopped. As the whole room filled with applause, cheering, and whistles. Pinkie turned towards Fluttershy, her eyes also filled with tears, but of the opposite sort. Tears of joy. Fluttershy leaned in, gently nuzzling her as the room filled with a slow song, and they began dancing. Swaying back and forth to rhythm, they ignored the crowd once again as they stood on the stage, leading the dancers in their own dances. As the song ended, Pinkie grasped the microphone once again. "Food time!" she cried, leaping off the stage. Fluttershy followed, gently trailing above the crowd as she approached the table. As she landed, the crowd parted, and Fluttershy's smile stretched wide enough to rival Pinkie's grins. There, sitting in the center of the table, was a giant cake, with more layers than she could count, and on the top was her name, next to Pinkie's surrounded by a giant heart. Fluttershy put on her best hurt face, flying down slowly. Within moments, Pinkie was at her side within moments, looking more hurt than Fluttershy. "Don't you like it?" asked Pinkie, and Fluttershy sniffed. "Like it? Like it?" she asked, though inside, she was laughing. "I love it!" she cried, embracing Pinkie tightly. "Fluttershy..." said Pinkie in a warning tone. "Hmm?" "I love you too," she grinned, stroking Fluttershy's mane.
