Rainbow Strike and Fluttershy

by BurningMockingJay

Rating: everyone
Tags: Sad, Romance, Original Character, Fluttershy, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 6067

During a therapy session with Fluttershy, Rainbow Strike feels like he can finally get something off of his chest.

Fluttershy has offered a helping hoof and an open ear to Rainbow Strike and taken him in as a therapist patient. Over that time, Strike has made tremendous progress and he has started to become more open about his past. However, there is one part of his past that has remained undiscussed until today, and what Strike has to say comes as a surprise to Fluttershy.

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Featured 20th December! (I must be doing something right, otherwise, I may be having a stroke. :applejackconfused::rainbowderp:)

Published 2018-12-20 16:10:02 UTC
Last updated 2018-12-20 16:10:02 UTC

Rainbow Strike and Fluttershy

Author's Note

Before you read: I wasn't originally going to publish this story. This is something that can be considered as an extra to The Rainbow Strike Series, but it was originally going to be a part of Moving On. In that retrospect, it is not a sequel in any sense. I only wrote this because it was something that I felt had to be written because it was pestering me to no end.

That being said, it isn't what I usually go for. It's strange, a little awkward, somewhat spiritual and plainly depressing. So, with that in mind, happy reading and judge for yourself, Brethren!

Rainbow Strike and Fluttershy

''I really appreciate all of the help that you've given me, Fluttershy,'' Rainbow Strike said as he sat across from the butter mare. In her hoof, she held a small, purple ceramic teacup supported by a saucer, steam wafting from the top of the cup from the beverage held inside.

''Oh, it's my pleasure, Strike,'' Fluttershy said with a smile as she finished taking a sip of her tea. Rainbow Strike did the same and he relished the taste of Fluttershy's homemade tea. It had a herb-like taste to it, balanced perfectly with hints of spearmint and lemon, all working together to form a light, fruity tea that had a smooth and delicate taste. It was exactly what the doctor had ordered. ''I'm always happy to help a friend in need.''

The time was late into the afternoon, and Rainbow Strike had dropped by to the cottage for yet another therapy session with the mare in front of him, whom was sat comfortably on her pink-cushioned armchair while Strike had the green couch.

It was a rather odd adjustment for Strike to get used to, but he found himself to be quickly melting into the atmosphere of the timid mare's cottage. He never was one for talking openly about serious topics or his personal life to a stranger that he'd only just met, but his tune soon changed when he found the warmth of Fluttershy's kind heart. She was a lovely mare that he found a friend in, and he wasn't so sure what it was about her that made her so easy to talk to, but it seemed like there was a working chemistry between the two of them. It made him feel more open and comfortable about spilling his feelings and expressing himself.

Fluttershy was surprisingly similar to Rainbow Strike in a multitude of ways. True to the 'shy' pony's nature, she, like Strike, was quiet and reserved, soft-spoken and only really spoke when asked something by a friend. Rainbow Strike had inwardly thought that it was a rather cute trait that the mare shared in common with him. The only pony that Fluttershy spoke with more than her other friends was Rainbow Dash, her life-long friend that she accepted as her sister.

Strike could tell that Fluttershy adored Rainbow Dash and thought very highly of her. It was an adorable sight to witness them both together in certain situations. It reminded Strike of a pair of younger and older siblings, yet their roles were reversed in the sense that Dash was younger yet tougher. She was always the one to look out for and protect her older sister when danger comes knocking.

''No, I mean it, Fluttershy,'' Rainbow Strike said, lightly placing his cup down onto his own saucer as he firmly set his green eyes on the mare in front of him. ''If it weren't for you, well, I don't really know how I'd go on with my life. I'm pretty sure that I'd be just like fiancé right now if you didn't come along and...'' Strike paused for a moment as he realised what he had said, and his eyes soon became sad.

He never spoke about her. He saw her almost every single time when he closed his eyes, just about every single night that he would put his head on his pillow and wish for a peaceful sleep. However, it never came. He was always haunted with memories of her. The only mare that he mentioned her to was Fluttershy, but that was it.

''Oh, Strike,'' Fluttershy said soothingly, catching on to his saddened attitude. ''How about we change the subject?''

''Sorry, Fluttershy. It still gets to me whenever I speak about her,'' He apologised.

''There's no need to apologise. You just need to let it all out. You'll feel better in time,'' She said, still smiling warmly. ''So, how about your progress with The Crusaders? I've heard from Applejack and Rarity that they seem to be doing very well from their lessons!''

''Yes, they are,'' Strike said, lifting up his head, his eyes brightening a little bit. ''All three of them have come a long way since I first took them in to teach them all that I know. I think that Scootaloo is getting to be a pretty decent drummer, and both Sweetie and Apple Bloom have seemed to bond with their instruments, too. It'll only be a matter of time before they all form a band together, don't you think?'' He asked, and Fluttershy giggled behind her hoof.

''That'll be the day. From what I've heard, they all seem to idolise you,'' Fluttershy said before taking a small sip of her tea. ''You definitely have a way with children, Strike,'' She said, impressed and proud.

''Ah, well, they're all easy to work with,'' Strike said. ''They're all really sweet girls, and I like to think of them as my own children, so I treat them as I would my own child,'' Strike said, and Fluttershy's face transformed into one of adoration.

''You know, Strike, if you ever had a child of your own, I'm sure that you would make a terrific parent,'' She said.

Rainbow Strike looked down for a moment or two as he remembered something from a number of years ago. He remembered when he first came into the hospital with his wounded fiancé on his back as she was leaking blood and slowly becoming pale, on a very strong decline into the unforgiving arms of death. Strike remembered how he was given news by the doctors that she would not make it and that she was with child, a fetus of about two months in the making. He had found out that, not only had he lost his bride-to-be that day, but also his unborn child, a fact that only added to his misery and inner turmoil.

''Um, Strike? Is everything alright?'' Fluttershy asked concernedly.

''Uh, y-yeah,'' Strike said, not wishing to get deep into the details on his mind. ''It's just that...''

''Yes? It's okay if you don't want to tell me anything, Strike. I'll always lend you my ears if you want to say something.''

Strike liked that about Fluttershy. Even if she can see that something is painful for someone to say or if she can detect a weight that is pushing them into the ground and bearing nothing more than a burden to them, she always feels happy to offer her ear and a shoulder. She was an honourable and noble soul, and for that, Strike was grateful for her friendship.

Now, he bit his lip as he placed his teacup and saucer aside onto a nearby coffee table, the cup now empty with only a few drops of still-warm tea pooled in its bottom. Strike drew in a breath and felt his body go tense before he exhaled and relaxed his muscles. He slowly brought up his emerald eyes to view Fluttershy, and after a long pause of silence, he eventually spoke up.

''Fluttershy, would you mind if I told you something? About my fiancé?'' Strike asked slowly, and when Fluttershy heard him mention her, she immediately felt herself go tense, knowing full-well how much of an ordeal the topic was for the timid stallion.

''You mean, um,''

''Remedy,'' Strike said, feeling the name roll around in his mouth as his tongue formed the words. It felt good to say her name again, and for once, he was able to say it without his stomach tying itself into a tight, firm knot. ''You can say it.''

''Oh, um, right. Remedy,'' She said, feeling strange upon saying the name, almost reluctant to let it roll off of her tongue and out between her lips. ''No, not at all,'' Fluttershy said.

''You know, Fluttershy, you remind me a bit of her, if you don't mind me saying so. You even act the same in some ways.'' Fluttershy's ear perked slightly.

''Oh? How do you mean, exactly?'' She asked, curious.

''Well, I see a lot of her in you. Remedy was kind, sweet, loyal, she loved animals and socialising with her friends and she was an amazing singer. That's how I met her, actually,'' Strike said fondly, recollecting his memory on the first time he set his eyes upon his dreamgirl.

''Aw, well, that's really sweet. But...you've never heard me sing. At least, I don't think you have,'' Fluttershy said, pondering on whether or not there might have been an occasion in which she was caught in the middle of a spontanious song. Strike only giggled at her reaction, catching her attention once more.

''Well, actually, I have. Don't you remember that one day when you were tending to your animals during your morning routine and we had an appointment together?'' Strike asked, to which Fluttershy thought silently to herself before a lightbulb suddenly went off in her head.

''Oh! You mean about a couple of weeks ago!'' She suddenly became sheepish. ''You...heard that, huh?'' She asked, and Strike smiled.

''Hey, it's nothing to be ashamed about, Fluttershy. If it's any consolation, you sound just like an angel. I mean, when I lived with Remedy back in the city, I used to play my guitar in the living room while I listened to her sing in the shower. She had a lovely voice, and every time I'd listen to her sing, I'd fall asleep. I've never heard anything like it until the day I heard you sing,'' Strike said with a sweet smile, to which Fluttershy's cheeks ignited in a soft blush.

''Oh, um, I,'' Fluttershy stammered, at a loss for words.

''Fluttershy, it's alright. There's no need to feel embarrassed by it. You'd be surprised how rare it is to discover a voice so beautiful. I'd say that you have a talent you don't realise the potential of.''

Fluttershy's cheeks were burning by this point, and her face had transformed into that of a cherry tomato that had been lit on fire. Her friends had heard her sing before, but nopony had actually told her that she had a beautiful voice. Normally, Fluttershy would die of fright and conceal herself from both small and large crowds. She was modest like that. She would have a heart attack if more than a single pair of eyes were bestowed upon her, and as adorable as it may be, her stagefright held back a wonderful talent that gave a true voice to The Element of Kindness.

''That's sweet of you to say, Strike. So, um, would you mind if I ask you something?''

''Sure,'' Strike said with a smile. ''What's on your mind?''

''Yesterday, I was talking with Rainbow Dash, and she was telling me that you were asking about, well, me,'' Fluttershy said, her voice slow and her words delicate, almost as if she was hesitant to speak about what she was about to say.

The moment that Rainbow Strike heard her say his sister's name, he knew what she was going to say. He knew exactly what was going to come out of her mouth next. However, given how tight of a rapport Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy shared, Strike couldn't say that he was surprised that it might have come up at one point or the other.

Strike's ears twitched to the sound of Fluttershy's voice as he waited for her to resume with her speaking, eagerly awaiting what she had to say. He felt a little foolish on the inside, having not had the courage to speak openly about this, only to have it brought up by the spreading of his sister's mouth.

''Oh. You heard about that, huh?'' Strike said softly as he stared down towards his bandaged hooves, courtesy of Fluttershy. They were both freshly wound with gauze, the layers fully encasing but allowing air to travel to the wounds underneath, a reward from the day he rescued his sister. They didn't hurt as much as they used to, but the scars will always remain with the burned flesh.

''Y-Yes,'' Fluttershy said slowly. ''I did.''

A heavy silence hung in the air as those words left her mouth, and the two pegasi sat there in a tense and heavy atmosphere as nopony breathed a single word. What would they say, anyway? What was there to say that hasn't been said already? They were both simply waiting for each other to gain the courage to speak again, yet it wasn't going to be an easy mountain to climb.

In the background, Strike heard the scurrying of field mice and the fluttering of wings as Mr and Mrs Hummingbird preened each other's wings and straightened their feathers. They both sat on a persh bolted to the higher portion of the living room, a dark red and a turquoise pair of birds nestled together with white-silver underbellies. One of them met the eyes of Strike when he looked up to see the birds, and the red one, Mrs Humminbird, gave him a nod, as if ushering him to speak or to do something, anything, to finally come out to Fluttershy.

Can I really go through with this? Rainbow Strike thought to himself. Can I really speak up to Fluttershy and tell her that I want to hold her in my hooves like with Remedy? I don't even know if it's something that I can bring myself to do out of my love for Remedy. I still love her, but...she's not going to be coming back to me. Oh, what do I do?

''Strike?'' Fluttershy asked, Strike flinching and jumping slightly out of his seat on the couch upon hearing the voice so close to him. It took him a moment to process that Fluttershy had moved herself from her armchair and relocated herself on the seat beside him, one of her hooves touching against his right bandaged appendage, a sign of comfort and reassurement, a sign to tell Strike that she knew that something was bothering him. ''Is everything alright?''

No, Strike thought. Not really. Damn, Fluttershy, why does this have to be so complicated? Why can't it all be simplified to a hoof shake, a hug and a coffee?

He could feel her warm breath against his shoulder, delivered in soft and short pulsations of air, carrying with it the scent of the homemade tea from earlier. It was rather pleasant and it soothed Strike's nerves somewhat. Having her closer to his being made his core shiver, but it wasn't because he was nervous, but rather because he was afraid.

Strike had learned to shut others out of his life for their own safety, and that goes especially for when the marauder known as Whipper was still living and breathing, a constant threat and a looming black shroud of pain. He was akin to the very impostate of death and evil, carrying torment in his wake wherever his hooves trotted in the soil. He contaminated the land of Equestria. Even though he was gone, the ghosts remained, forever branded into Strike's memory. It scared him.

Looking into the eyes of Fluttershy, Strike couldn't deny to himself that they held the warmth and radiance of Remedy's own amber eyes. When he looked deep within them, he couldn't help but become lost in the kindness and beauty that they housed. They shined as bright as the summer sun on a cloudless day and they generated a sense of caring and hospitality. They promised a shoulder to lean on with an open ear, an emotional crutch and a support beam.

The only time that Strike had ever experienced such euphoria and ecstacy was when both he and Remedy shared their first kiss a couple of weeks from their first meeting. He recalled how his heart fluttered and how much his ribs tensed with each pulse from his heavily-beating heart as his lips intertwined with hers, pushing deeper and deeper into the bliss they produced, wanting more and more with each passing second. She was an enchantress, a heavenly vision. It hurt now because it always made more sense that an angel such as her would belong in the stars rather than on the ground. Every day that he dwelled on the truth of the matter, it stabbed his heart with a poison-laced spear.

''Rainbow Dash told you, didn't she?'' Is all Rainbow Strike said, and Fluttershy blinked, surprised by the emotionless tone of his voice. ''About...well, you know what,'' Strike said, mentally preparing himself.

''Strikey,'' Fluttershy began, only to be cut off by Strike, causing her to remove her hoof from his own.

''Don't call me that, Fluttershy,'' Strike said. ''That's what my fiancé used to call me,'' He said, and Fluttershy immediately felt bad, knowing that she had unintentionally upset him.

''Oh! Sorry, Strike!'' She quickly apologised. ''So, um, is it true?''

''Is what true?'' Strike asked, turning to face her. Fluttershy blushed as she shyed away slightly.

''That you...''

''Like you?'' Strike said, finishing her sentence. She nodded in response, clarifying the rest of her sentence. Rainbow Strike blushed, too. He had forgotten how nice it was to talk to a mare and make her feel noticed and appreciated. ''Yes, Fluttershy. It is.''

''O-Oh, my,'' Fluttershy murmmered to herself, feeling her insides become tingly as her eyes began to glimmer, similar to that of Remedy's eyes when Strike presented her with the engagement ring. ''You mean that you...?''

Strike didn't say anything else. Instead, he gently took a hold of Fluttershy's hooves in his own, lightly grasping them as he gazed lovingly into her eyes. Even through the bandages, he could feel their softeness and delicate touch. He found himself to be gently massaging them, giving them cicular motion rub.

''How could I not, Fluttershy? In all honesty, I first developed a crush on you when we first started to have these therapy sessions. That and the get-togethers for some tea,'' He said with a smile. ''I enjoy your company and chatting with you. I like you, well, for you, Fluttershy. I'm, uh, well, I'm in l-l-love with y-you.''

If Strike's cheeks were not burning before, they were certainly glowing now, and as he looked into Fluttershy's eyes, he saw that she looked as if she had been struck by lightning, her body numb while her gears turned.

Has she really been this naive towards him? Was what Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie told her true? Was Rainbow Strike truly and sincerely...

''Y-You're in love with me?'' She eventually asked, her voice quieter than her typical volume as she hid an eye behind her curtain of pink mane.

''Yes, Fluttershy, I am!'' Strike said as he pulled her slightly closer. ''I didn't want to say anything about it or to bring it up, but truth is that I've had a crush on you for at least a couple of years. I didn't want to scare you or to make you uncomfortable, or worse, risk losing your friendship or---''

''Hey, hey, shhh,'' Fluttershy said soothingly, lightly touching one of her hooves against Strike's lips to stop him in the middle of his rambling. ''Strike, you know that I wouldn't stop being friends with you for being honest. I care too much about you to do such a thing,'' She said, and Strike felt a wave of relief wash over him as he felt a terrible weight release itself from his shoulders.

''Hey, Fluttershy, listen, there's still something else that I want to ask you,'' Strike began, and Fluttershy tilted her head to the side in wonder as she waited for him to voice his inquiry. ''Fluttershy, I know that this might sound a little strange, but when I was dating Remedy for the first time, I used to...embrace her in a certain way when we were alone. I w-was wondering if you'd, um, maybe like me to show you how I held her?'' Strike asked, feeling beyond the realms of awkward and in an all-new ballpark.

Oh, great, you were all over the place with that one, weren't you, Strike? Congratulations on potentially making yourself appear weird at requesting such a thing from your sister's best friend and your therapist! Very subtle! Strike thought to himself, almost regretting having asked this of Fluttershy.

The timid mare's face was expressionless, blank and neutral, void of any emotion and rendering her unreadable. Her poker face was making Strike more uneasy as the ticking of a nearby clock resounded loudly within his ears, each tick and tock equal to the rumble of an earthquake within his eardrums. Eventually, as sweat began to form on his forehead, Fluttershy smiled and said,

''Sure. I don't mind.''

Sighing in relief, Rainbow Strike slowly brought one of his hooves around Fluttershy's trim waist, the other coming around her shoulders to create a loose yet firm brace. Next, ever so slowly, Strike pulled Fluttershy forward so that her chin came to a rest upon one of his shoulders, her cheek buried snugly into the crook of his neck.

Fluttershy would be lying to herself if she said she didn't feel amazed by his body tone. He had quite a decent set of muscles on him beneath his coat, and she couldn't believe how she never noticed it before. It felt like he had more muscle beneath his coat than Rainbow Dash!

She blushed as she felt herself slowly melt into his figure, snuggling herself into him like he was her teddy bear in the middle of a stormy night, her only source of comfort and happiness. Their bodies were lightly pressed against each other, their breasts touching while Fluttershy's own hooves found themselves enveloped around Strike's back, locking her onto him.

Fluttershy couldn't help herself but feel somewhat kinky as a few short-lived thoughts swam through her head, only to be shaken away almost as soon as they appeared. Thankfully, it didn't go noticed by Rainbow Strike. He seemed to be lost in his own world as he held onto the mare's slender and smoothly-toned figure.

Rainbow Strike missed doing this. There were times at Rainbow Dash's home that he'd be laying in bed with his head on the pillow, unable to sleep as make-believe scenarios such as this unfurled in his mind. He had always wanted to hug Fluttershy close like this, to grow closer to her. He wanted to share something special with her like he did with his fiancé on cold nights in the penthouse.

He remembered how they'd both snuggle together in the front of a burning hearth, wrapped up in a silk blanket to fend off against the cold air that followed with the winter season. They would be sat on the couch together as they watched the fire crackle and pop in front of them, bathing them in an orange-yellow glow.

Strike used to rest his head on top of her head as he rubbed her back gently, just above her shoulders, right where her sweet-spot was located. It always made her purr like a kitten, and he knew exactly how to elicit the blissful notes out of her when he wanted to. Strike knew how to play Remedy as if she were a keyboard or a guitar with newly-replaced, nickel-plated strings. When he wanted to amp things up, he'd lightly kiss her on her lower neck, slowly working his way up to her cheek before sealing the deal with a firm peck on the lips.

He would whisper into her ear, when she was nearing the point of losing herself to the realm of dreams, ''I love you'', and he would give her a goodnight's kiss behind her ear, a weakness that he had figured out shortly after their first ever kiss together.

Making a bold move, Strike decided to try the same maneuver on Fluttershy. Slowly, he gently brought his chin to a rest on top of her pink mane, and he was amazed by how plush and well-kept it felt against his skin. If he weren't mistaken, he could smell what he recognised as warm cinnamon emanating from her hair, and it brought back memories of the smell of home-baked fruit cake with mixed spice, just like his mother used to make during the holiday season.

Like with his previous flame, Strike brought up his hoof to rub Fluttershy's back, right between her neck and shoulders, the same spot which Remedy had a weakness in against his display of affection, and, sure enough, as he began to massage her, Fluttershy began to moan. From between her lips, she gave low and blissful tones of nirvana as pleasure coursed through her, and it gave Strike chills as his ears detected ghosts of Remedy's voice singing as he pushed and pressed her buttons.

''R-Remedy...'' Strike uttered beneath his breath, lost in the moment.

''Strike?'' The mare nestled below him asked, and when Strike looked down, he saw that the glistening amber eyes of Remedy were staring right back at him like glowing embers of wood. Upon seeing her in front of him, Strike felt ready to jump out of his skin, sure that he was seeing a ghost. Either that or he had finally let himself go around the twist and into the deep, desolate pit known as insanity.

''I've got to be dreaming,'' Strike said quietly, staring into the bright eyes of his beloved. He had missed those eyes. He had forgotten how brightly they shined in the daylight. Those were the eyes that he loved to see every single morning when he woke up in bed next to her, always so lively and ambitious, a tenacious spark.

''Would you rather be dreaming?'' She asked, her voice silky-smooth.

''N-No,'' Strike said, feeling his heart pulse heavily behind his ribs. ''I've missed you so much,'' He said, bringing a hoof over to cup her smooth, orange-coated cheek. She melted into it immediately and brought up her own hoof to touch his own. ''I'd rather not be dreaming, Rem,'' He said with a small smile.

''Neither would I,'' Remedy said, fluttering her eyelids seductively. Rainbow Strike glanced between her lips and her eyes for a moment or two as he felt the urge to kiss them tenderly like he had so many times before, a taste of the love that he had lost. ''Come here,'' She said, and Strike wasted no time in moving in for the kill, ready to seal the deal.

Their lips connected for the first time in a long time, and like the many times before, it was always an experience that was unforgettable. They were smooth and held a trace of warmth, the taste of a fruity sweetness lingering on them as their lips locked firmly.

Remedy pushed in as Strike resisted, creating his own tension as he deepened the smooch. He closed his eyes as he felt himself become lost in the sweetness of her lips, something that he had desired for years to experience once more.

They stayed like that for well over a minute before Strike opened his eyes, only to reveal that, rather than the form of Remedy on the receiving end of his smooch, Fluttershy was in her place. Her eyes were half-lidded and dreamy, completely numb to the world around her as her cheeks were burning brighter than a million suns.

''Oh!'' Strike gasped. ''F-Flutt-Fluttershy, I'm s-sorry, I didn't mean t-to!'' He began to stammer, mortified at what he had been doing. He inched away from her as he positioned himself to the other end of the couch, his cheeks on fire and his mind racing as he felt a instant regret flood his system, worried that he may have cost himself the most wonderful friendship he's ever had.

However, Fluttershy didn't say anything for a while. Instead, she rather sat there with a trance-like expression, her lips gently moving in a subtle fashion as if Strike's lips were still pressed against them. She appeared to be completely lost to the world as her mind resembled a circuit board having a meltdown, her cognitive functions frying.

''F-Fluttershy?'' Strike asked, concerned that he had broken her. Gently, he lightly moved towards her and gave her a nudge in the shoulder, hoping that it would coax her out of her state. ''Are you alright?'' He asked.

''S-St-Stri...'' Is all that fluttered from between Fluttershy's lips, a hardly-comprehensible utterance. Her voice was as shallow and as hollow as a spirit's whisper, almost as if she were under heavy sedation.

''Fluttershy!'' Rainbow Strike said, this time, a little louder. In an instant, the butter mare seemed to come out of her daze as she suddenly became more aware of her surroundings, bringing her back to reality as he soft, confused eyes landed upon Strike's own. Strike held a hoof to her shoulder. ''Are you okay?'' He asked her again.

''I...'' The mare began, unsure of how to respond. She didn't even know how she should respond to him. If anything, she was at a loss for words and unsure of how to handle the situation, or if she should even do anything. Her mind was still in tatters from the passionate kiss they had both shared.

It wasn't like Fluttershy hadn't thought about it, either. Ever since that conversation that took place with Pinkie Pie, regarding an implied crush on the stallion, she had started to search the deepest sections of her heart for an answer.

Pinkie Pie had always implied and suggested something more beyond the boundaries of a general friendship between her and Rainbow Strike, but she had always been so absent-minded on the matter. She never really thought of herself as attractive or even remotely worthy of a stallion's eye. There may have been times when a stallion had approached her every now and again with a pick up line or flirted with her, but she didn't pay any mind to it. She only saw it as them being polite and sociable.

She always wondered on what Pinkie Pie had said, thinking that she was only poking fun at her and trying to get her riled up for the sake of a hearty laugh, but after discovering for herself from the mouth of Rainbow Dash of her older brother's affections for the timid mare, she suddenly came to understand what it all meant.

Pinkie Pie had mentioned before and even teased her about Strike having sneaked the occasional glance at her hindquarters and body when her back was turned, a sneaky and subtle gesture. Fluttershy had done the same, too, so she wasn't so innocent on the matter. She had taken notice of Strike's rather appealing and well-sculpted frame since the moment she had laid eyes on him, and now that she had actually been so close to him, she found herself to be infatuated with his physique.

She couldn't believe that she had been so blind! She couldn't believe that she had let his affections slip as something so innocent and friendly-natured! It made her feel stupid. It made her want to slap herself in the cheek for having such an absent mind.

Fluttershy had never actually been told by a stallion that they were in love with her, and she hadn't ever been kissed before, by mare or stallion. With Rainbow Strike, she liked the sensation of her lips intertwining with his, and she enjoyed the warmth that it had brought to her chest, but she didn't have the slightest clue on how to deal with it.

They were great friends, true, but Fluttershy didn't quite know if she was one-hundred percent ready for such a commitment, and by looking into Strike's eyes, she saw that he was at war with a similar problem. She knew that he loved Remedy still, despite the fact that she was no longer amongst the living, but she knew that it was going to be a constant obstacle for him in future life that he was going to need help with to overcome. For her friend, Fluttershy knew that she was the pony to offer that help, and she was more than happy to give it.

Slowly, Fluttershy drew in a breath through her nostrils and lightly took a hold of Strike's hooves, much like he had done with her earlier. She raised them and looked down to the bandages covering them.

She remembered the very first time that she saw them after leaving the hospital, how mangled they were and how burned and charred his flesh was, small tufts and pockets of his white-blue fur still clinging on. She had always been kind enough to offer her medical knowledge to regularly switch out his gauze and bandages. It wasn't like she was going to run out of supplies anytime soon with how many animals she keeps spares for, so she didn't mind in the slightest.

She recalled how badly Strike squirmed and fidgetted when she took off the hospital's layers of bandages that he was given upon being admitted into A&E after being brought over from Stockholm. He almost screamed out in pain as pockets and scraps of his flesh peeled away with the gauze along with dry blood and ruined skin. Thinking about how pained and tortured his face was on top of all what he had been through stung Fluttershy's heart.

Looking back up to gaze into his eyes, she offered him a sweet smile. ''Strike, I really like you, I do, but I know how you're feeling. About Remedy, I mean. I know that you'll always love her and that you still need time to heal, so, I...I can't right now. I'm sorry,'' Fluttershy said sadly, lowering her head slightly. She felt her heart sink as she sensed the deepening tear within Strike's battered and bruised heart.

''O-Oh,'' Is all he said, his voice disappointed and quiet. Fluttershy felt his body tense around her hooves.

''But,'' Fluttershy said, to which Strike's ear perked slightly. ''Until you feel happy and well enough, I'll always be here to help you move on. Until then, I think we can take things slowly and one step at a time,'' Fluttershy said, seeing Strike's eyes brighten a little at the idea.

Strike's face became brighter and more vibrant as the words left the mare's mouth, and he found himself to be sporting a genuine and authentic smile for the very first time in a long time. He felt his stomach tickle and buzz with butterflies as the knot that had formed in it along with his demons and sorrow unfurled and loosened, and, for once, he felt a whole lot lighter.

He was grateful for the support that the butter mare had provided for him when he first came to her therapy sessions. He was more grateful for her friendship, and he was going to treasure her for as long as he might stick around, and, although he knew the road ahead was going to be a rough one with more obstacles to prevail through, he was going to do whatever it takes to get back on track. As long as Fluttershy was there to aid him, of course.

''Oh, Fluttershy, I don't even know how to thank you!'' Strike said happily as he hugged the mare closely for a brief moment. ''You never cease to amaze me with how wonderful you are, you know that? I think you're the nicest pony that I know,'' Strike said truthfully, to which Fluttershy blushed softly.

''Oh, well, it's no trouble, Strike. I'd do anything for one of my closest friends,'' She said. ''And besides, you're an amazing kisser,'' Fluttershy admitted as she shied away slightly, her blush deepening in colour as her soft yellow cheeks tinged red.