Author's Note

Alright. This is my first attempt at a FlutterDash ship fic. Hopefully you guys like it.

Beautiful Love

"Come on, Fluttershy! Keep up! You can do it!"

Dash's enthusiastic urging spurred her flying companion to pick up a tiny bit of speed. But only a tiny bit. Dash sighed and dropped back to fly along side her.

"Y'know, Fluttershy, you don't have to go out flying with me if you really don't want to. I mean, its ok."

"Oh, no, Rainbow Dash, I want to!" Fluttershy was quick to say. "It's just that...well...I don't like flying as fast as you do. I just like to-"

"-take it slow and enjoy nature. I know." Dash said, rolling her eyes. "You say it every time we go flying."

Fluttershy giggled. Dash gave her a sideways look and grinned. She turned her attention back to thier flight, and glanced at the horizon. Celestia's sun hung low in the sky now, a sign it would soon be night...and time for Luna's moon to take the place of the golden orb now slowly moving down to its place of rest.

"Guess I better head back to Cloudsdale." Dash announced. "I promised Scoots I'd meet her and take her home with me tonight." She grinned widely.

"Ok. You have fun." Futtershy said, smiling.

"See you, Flutters!" Dash shot forward and headed on her way.

Fluttershy watched her, smile fading a little as she whispered to herself,"I love you..."

Her heart fluttered at the words and she swallowed hard. How could she bring herself to tell her closest friend she was in love with her? How would Dash react? The thought of admitting her feelings to her made her shiver slightly in fear. Turning slightly, she flew slowly homeward, unaware that, in the distance, a certain cyan pegasus was watching her from behind a tree.

Hovering in the air, Dash took a deep breath, and whispered softly,"I love you, Fluttershy..."

Her heart beat faster as she spoke the words, and she smiled a little. But how in Equestria could she tell the shy, tenderhearted mare she was deeply in love with her? How would Fluttershy take it? The thought was frightening. The normally cool and courageous pony, who was not fazed by facing down dragons or other fierce foes, was shaking at the mere thought of telling her feelings. She gulped before she turned and flew away in the opposite direction of the pony she loved with all her heart.

***********************************

Fluttershy was caring for her animals the following morning when a blue blur whizzed past, startling the peacefully eating creatures. A familiar laugh rang out.

"Rainbow Dash, don't scare the animals." Fluttershy scolded gently, her gaze going to the source of the laugh.

Dash poked her head out from behind a bush, smirking. "You want to go flying with me again today, Fluttershy?"

Deep down she was hoping the answer would be yes. And she also hoped that her now rapid heart beat couldn't be heard by the beautiful mare looking back at her.

"Oh..I don't know, Rainbow Dash. I was going to go to town today. I need to do some shopping for the animals. And myself."

Dash grinned widely. "Then I'll come along! We can talk and stuff, and I'll help you carry stuff home if you want."

Please say yes, Fluttershy...please? I just want to be with you...I love you...say yes...

Fluttershy felt her heart skip a beat as she looked into Dash's hopeful eyes. So beautiful She blinked once and smiled back, silently willing her heart to slow down its rapid beat.

"Alright. You can come with me. Um, if you want." She said lightly.

I want you with me forever...

"Awesome!" Dash lept into the air and did a series of small loops before landing next to her friend. "Can I help you finish anything?"

She was standing almost against Fluttershy, and as she leaned forward to study to animals, her wing brushed the other pegasus on the side. The touch immediately made her heart pound furiously and she tried to not blush.

Fluttershy, of course, let out a barely audible "eep" and looked away before Dash could notice her reaction. Her heart sped up and her mind whirled with thoughts.

I love you, Rainbow Dash...but I can't say it. How will you react? I want to tell you, but...I'm so scared...

"Um...no, I'm done. But thank you." She said softly."We should get going."

Dash nodded, her thoughts and emotions whirling as they both lifted up off the ground and began slowly flying towards town, side by side.

Wish I was brave enough to tell you how much I love you... she thought. To say how much I want you. How much I need you. You're my everything, Fluttershy...but...I'm too afraid to tell you.

"Rainbow Dash, are you ok?"

Fluttershy's gentle voice pulled Dash from her thoughts.

That beautiful, wonderful, musical voice...

"Hm? Oh, yeah, Flutters, I'm ok." She chuckled lightly. "Just thinking."

"Oh? Is it anything I can help with?" Fluttershy asked, trying to keep her overwhelming affection out of her voice, and barely succeeding.

Oh Fluttershy, if you only knew how much I want your help on this...I love you so much, I can't even fully explain...but... Dash shook herself from her internal response and glanced briefly at her friend.

"Nah, its ok." She said, trying to ignore the way her heart fluttered as she spoke. "Its nothing."

Nothing but my extreme love for you...

"Ok. If I can help, let me know." Fluttershy smiled at her friend, and Dash's heart skipped a beat.

"Yeah, I...I will." She said. "Sooo...what are we getting from town?"

"I have to get more food for the animals, plus a few things I need..."

Fluttershy went on talking about her list, and Dash silently flew alongside her, listening not to the list, but to the sound of her voice. It was so beautiful, gentle, kind, and musical...and had a calming effect about it that Dash loved. She smiled a little and let the soothing, melodic tone wash over her.

"Sounds like a plan." She finally stated, when she noticed Fluttershy had stopped talking. "And of course, I'll be right with ya to help haul it back to your cottage! Awesome Rainbow Dash, at your service!"

Fluttershy giggled. "Thank you, Rainbow Dash."

"Aw, its nothin'." Dash said."There's not a thing I wouldn't do for you, Flutters." She tensed a little at the note of serious affection she heard in her own voice. "I mean, cause I'm Loyalty and all. I'd never leave you hangin'."

Fluttershy's heart had skipped more than a beat at the way Dash had spoken. She'd heard the note of affection...however brief it had been. She glanced at her friend and spotted a slight blush. Blushing slightly herself, she looked away.

Dash...did I hear right? Do you love me too? She thought. But no...surely you meant that a different way. Could you ever love me the way I love you?

Dash coughed a little. They were now approaching the market section of Ponyville. Both of them landed in perfect synch with each other and began to walk, Dash trying to make light conversation while Fluttershy made her purchases. When she was done, they divided the packages between them and began walking back to the cottage.

********************************

They didn't talk much as they walked along the path that would take them to Fluttershy's...instead sharing a companionable silence and each lost in her own thoughts. Once they arrived at the cottage, and all the day's purchases were neatly put away, Fluttershy turned to Dash and broke the silence.

"Would you like some tea, Rainbow Dash?"

Dash, though not really much for tea, nodded. "Sure, sounds good."

Anything was good with her, as long as it meant being close to Fluttershy for a while longer.

Fluttershy set to preparing tea, and Dash took a seat at the table, watching her every move, her heart beating faster as she thought through her feelings.

I should tell you how much I love you...but...oh Fluttershy...what if you don't feel the same? What if you just see me as a friend, like always? Dang it, Rainbow Dash, stop being so scared and tell her! But somehow...I can't. But I should. Oh, I don't know! I'm terrified!

The gentle clatter of the tea cups being placed on the table jerked her from her thoughts. Fluttershy sat down opposite her and gave her a warm smile. Dash felt her heart speed up further as she looked into the gentle, caring eyes of her friend. In that instant, she knew what she had to do. She just needed to find the right words.

"Th..thanks."she managed, before raising the cup with a shaking hoof and taking a long sip of the hot tea.

"Are you alright, Rainbow Dash?" Fluttershy asked in concern, while internally declaring her love for her.

Dash took a breath as she set her cup down, and locked eyes with Fluttershy. She had to say something. She had to. And she had to know if Fluttershy could feel the same way towards her.

"Fluttershy..." she began, voice shaking slightly."I...I want to tell you something...I have to tell you something...but...but I'm...I'm not sure I..." She stopped, heart pounding, breathing rapidly.

"Rainbow Dash?" Fluttershy looked scared. "What is it? Are you ok? Did something happen? Is something wrong?"

Dash offered a weak smile. "No...its...not that. This is right, Flutters...I think...but...its hard to say it to you, so..."

"Just tell me. Let me help." Fluttershy pleaded.

Rainbow Dash, please let me help you....I want the best for you. I love you so much...

Dash took a deep, shaky breath and held her gaze, letting her true feelings shine through as she gathered her courage and spoke.

"I...I love you."

There. It was out. Dash felt relieved momentarily, then held her breath as she waited for the reply. Fluttershy looked stunned.

"I...we're friends, so...of course you do. I mean, I...love you too." She finally said, hesitating only slightly on the final few words.

Dash shook her head. "No, Fluttershy." She spoke with more confidence this time. "I love you. As in, I want to be close to you. I want to be by your side forever. I want to be so much more than your friend. I want to be the one you turn to for anything you might need, no matter what it is. I want to be yours and only yours, for as long as you want me."

Fluttershy blinked at that, stunned and overwhelmed.

"Rainbow Dash...I..." she tried, only to choke up.

Dash leaned forward. "Its ok if you don't feel the same....but...I was hoping, maybe, you did."

Fluttershy's eyes filled with tears, and Dash looked taken aback by it. She sat back and rubbed a hoof through her rainbow mane.

"Oh Celestis...I'm so sorry, Flutters. I didn't mean to upset you, I should have just stayed quiet. I, um,...I'll just go home now..."

She stood and turned to leave. She was halfway to the door when she heard a soft reply behind her.

"No...stay...I love you too, so much..." There was no hesitancy in the words this time, only a soft, yet strong confidence.

Dash spun around to face Fluttershy. "You...you do?"

"For a long time. But I was so scared to say it...but hearing you say it, gave me the strength to say it too...I love you, Rainbow Dash. And I...want to be yours, and only yours, too, forever. For as long as you want me."

Dash let out a happy shout and grabbed Fluttershy in a warm hug, snuggling her close. Fluttershy snuggled back, smiling and sighing happily.

"You've made me the happiest pony alive." Dash said, nuzzling her.

"You've made me happy, too." Fluttershy responded, returning the nuzzle.

Dash moved to the couch, where she sat, drawing Fluttershy down beside her. Fluttershy leaned happily into her embrace, and they snuggled each other closely, lost in the beautiful bliss of each other's love. Nothing else in all of Equestria mattered at this moment in time...nothing but the deep love they felt for each other. It was a beautiful and wonderful thing. And so, they stayed happily where they were..., snuggled up, hearts beating as one, their breathing matching perfectly.

"I love you, sweet Fluttershy." Dash whispered softly.

"And I love you, my dear sweet Rainbow Dash." Fluttershy whispered back.

Dash responded by holding her closer to her heart, resting her head on Fluttershy's, and Fluttershy smiled softly as she snuggled closer, both of them content to stay there, in that moment, forever.