It was already evening as Rainbow Dash trotted along the path to Fluttershy's cottage. Normally, she would have just flown the whole way there, but an accident, as well as doctor's orders to refrain from using her wing for a little while, prevented that. Rainbow Dash wondered if she should think about getting a frequent patient card at the Ponyville hospital based on her numerous visits.
She knocked on the solid wooden door of the cottage and Fluttershy answered.
"Hello Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy answered cheerfully.
"Hey, Fluttershy, I was wondering--"
"Oh my, what happened to your wing?" Fluttershy interrupted her. Peering around Rainbow Dash and inspecting the injured wing with her own.
"I had... another accident," Rainbow Dash replied in embarrassment.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, " Fluttershy said. "Would you like a cup of tea or anything?"
"Sure," Rainbow Dash replied. "There's actually something else, I kinda need a place to stay for a while. I can't fly up to my house since... you know." Rainbow Dash said while scratching the back of her head.
"O-oh I see, well come on in and make yourself at home," replied Fluttershy. While it was entirely normal for Fluttershy to be nervous, there was a reason why she felt a little more nervous than usual. This is going to be the first time Rainbow Dash stays over. I have to make this as pleasant for her as possible.
Is it just me or did she look nervous? Or, well, more nervous than usual? Rainbow Dash gave a quizzical look as she followed Fluttershy in. Actually, come to think of it, this is going to be my first time staying in Fluttershy's cottage.
"Just make yourself at home. I'm gonna start tea and make dinner," said Fluttershy as she walked into the kitchen. There should be enough food for Rainbow Dash, Angel and me.
As Rainbow Dash was sitting on Fluttershy's couch and watching all the little critters running around, she started feeling a little nervous. She doesn't like to admit it but after the cutie mark swapping incident, she doesn't want to be left alone with them, especially since she was nearly cooked alive.
"Hey, Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash said walking into the kitchen. "Is there anything I can help you with?".
"Oh, well I suppose you could help me stir the soup." Fluttershy pointing to a pot of soup on the stovetop.
As Rainbow Dash was stirring the soup, its fragrance wafted up to her nose. Wow, the soup smells great. I wonder will Fluttershy let me have a taste.
" Fluttershy, can I have a taste of the soup?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Oh, sure." Fluttershy reached over and gave Rainbow Dash a saucer.
"Mmmmm, the soup tastes great. Fluttershy, when did you learn how to cook and why didn't you say anything about it." She said before handing the saucer back to Fluttershy.
"If I had known you could make such delicious food, I would have come over more often!" Rainbow Dash said hugging Fluttershy. Fluttershy's face became flush after hearing Rainbow Dash say that.
"W-well, I learn how shortly after I came to Ponyville, I figured some soup should help the animals feel better and I never told anyone else since it never came up," Fluttershy said.
Shortly after, dinner was ready and after setting the table, they were ready to eat. After eating their dinner, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were both talking when Rainbow Dash spotted a picture of Fluttershy with a successfully trained Orthros.
"Cool, I didn't know you had managed to successfully tame it when was this picture taken?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously.
"Oh, that was taken shortly before Twilight came to ponyville, a friend of mine was going to take a look at some ancient beasts and I ask if I could accompany him". Fluttershy said shyly.
After hearing this, Rainbow Dash started to look around Fluttershy's cottage and realised that things sure have changed a lot from the last time she came here.
"You know, it's been quite a long time since the 2 of us had a sleepover, we should do it more often." Rainbow Dash leaning towards Fluttershy.
"Oh, um we could, it's just that I'm nervous about you staying with me since.." Fluttershy said nervously looking down.
"Well, um I think its getting kind of late so why don't I show you to your room and we call it a night." Fluttershy quickly got down from the couch, missing Rainbow Dash's disappointed look. Why is Fluttershy that nervous around me, I know we haven't hung out in a long time but we are so close back in flight school. What changed?
I was so close to admitting it. Why are just those few simple words so hard to say. Rainbow Dash is even my oldest friend.
"You can sleep in here tonight," Fluttershy said, gesturing to her room.
"Isn't this your room?" Rainbow Dash said, looking questioningly back at Fluttershy.
"It's alright, I'll sleep on the couch for the night," Fluttershy said, already beginning to back out of the room.
"Why don't we sleep together?" Rainbow Dash said before her words finally caught up to her. That probably wasn't the best way to put it.
"Oh, goodness! No, it's alright. I can sleep on the couch just fine," Fluttershy said while nervously shuffling her hooves. Oh, I wish I could, but I'm just so nervous! What if I do something
embarrassing?
"Don't you worry, Fluttershy," Rainbow Dash said while pushing Fluttershy from behind.
"W-well, I mean, if you insist," Fluttershy said, reluctantly walking towards the bed.
"Of course I insist, you are my friend after all!" Rainbow Dash said.
"Right... friend," Fluttershy said wistfully.
After the two of them had gotten themselves comfortable on the bed, Fluttershy had fallen asleep quickly. It had been a tiring day of taking of animals and she still had to go to the market tomorrow.
Rainbow Dash, meanwhile, was having a bit of a hard time falling asleep. She wasn't used to the feeling of pillows since they weren't as soft or fluffy as clouds. Rainbow Dash started shifting around while making an as little movement or noise as possible to avoid waking up Fluttershy. In the process, she came face to face with Fluttershy. While Rainbow Dash would never admit this to anyone due to how uncool it would make look her look, Fluttershy was indeed a very attractive mare. I guess that makes sense, since she was a model for a while.
Now that Rainbow Dash thought about it, why had she even chosen Fluttershy's? She could have gone to any one of the girl's homes. Applejack's farm would have been a good choice, considering it is closer to her own house. She could even have bunked with Pinkie for the night and been closer to home. Instead, she chose this cottage. Maybe it's because Fluttershy is my oldest friend.
Yet Rainbow Dash couldn't help but think that it was because of something more.
Eventually, Rainbow Dash fell asleep without realising that she had wrapped her forelegs around Fluttershy.
The next morning, Fluttershy woke up feeling something feeling something tickling her snout. She looked up and saw Rainbow Dash dangerously close to her.
Wh-what? How? Why is Rainbow Dash hugging me? She had to find a way out before Rainbow Dash woke up. But while Fluttershy was trying to free herself, she moved around too much.
"Mmmmm, Fluttershy, stop moving," Rainbow Dash said, hugging Fluttershy tighter. "You're nice to hug."
It does feel kinda nice to be hugged like this. Fluttershy thought.Alright, I've decided. I'll tell Rainbow how I feel about her once she wakes up. After about five minutes, Rainbow Dash woke up. She immediately started apologising for hugging Fluttershy and was about to get up before Fluttershy stopped her.
"Rainbow Dash, I have something to tell you and I hope this won't ruin our friendship," Fluttershy said, rubbing her hooves together nervously.
"Alright, don't worry. No matter what it is I'll, always be your friend," replied Rainbow Dash
"I've actually had a crush on you ever since flight school." Fluttershy hid behind her mane.
Rainbow Dash was a little shocked, what her oldest friend had just confessed to her. It now made sense why Fluttershy had been blushing and acting weirdly yesterday. Alright, Fluttershy just confessed she had a crush on me. What do I say to that?
Rainbow Dash started to think back on all the times that she had accompanied Fluttershy on her trips to see animals, even the boring butterfly migration. She also remembered that instead of going to any of the girl's houses, she had come to Fluttershy's cottage instead and how it didn't feel out of the way, simply because she had known Fluttershy since they were young.
Oh no, Rainbow Dash still hasn't said anything! Does she hate me now?
"Fluttershy, would you like to go on a date with me?" Rainbow Dash asked with an outstretched hoof.
"What, so you don't hate me?" asked Fluttershy.
"Of course not! I liked you too, it just took me a little nudge to get me to realise it." Rainbow Dash smiled sheepishly.
"Well, in that case, I would love to go on a date with you." Fluttershy grabbing onto Rainbow Dash's hoof.
Author's Note
This story is edited with proofreading and additional ideas by SilverStar7 as well as some tips from Natedogg2006