When the Weight of the World is on Your Shoulders

Rainbow Dash collapsed onto her bed. Her head was swimming with anxiety and stress. Thankfully, it was a Friday so she could put the Battle of the Bands and her Junior year midterms at the back of her mind. Though her anxiety was still through the roof.

Rainbow finally let the mask slip and tears formed in the corners of her eyes. She buried her face into her soft pile of pillows and sobbed uncontrollably. Seeing everyone around her fighting constantly over counter spells and fashion choices drove her to near insanity. On top of that, there was big important future things to worry about. Just as Dash's mind was starting to sink deeper into the depths of teenage struggle, the familiar ring of her phone came from one of the pockets on her rainbow-colored backpack.

Rainbow Dash rolled herself out of bed and pulled the device from her bag's front pocket. She read the caller ID: "Flutters". Rainbow tried to clear the sadness from her throat and tapped the green answer button.

"Hey, Shy. What's up?"

"Are you alright, Rainbow Dash? You sound like you've been crying." That was Fluttershy for you, always worrying.

"Pfft! Yeah, I'm totally awesome!"

"Alright then," She also didn't like to pry, "I was wondering if you were still coming to the shelter with me tonight?"

How could Rainbow Dash have forgotten? She made plans with Fluttershy to volunteer together. They hadn't been able to hang out recently like they used to.

"I'll be over soon!" Rainbow and Fluttershy said their goodbyes and Dash got ready to leave the house. She cleaned the tear streaks from her cheeks and packed the few things she'd need into her backpack. Dash considered asking her parents for a ride, but she figured a long walk would do her some good.

The walk was incredibly uneventful but Rainbow still couldn't get the negative thoughts out of her head. It was eating her up inside but she had to be strong. That was who she was after all; strong.

Rainbow Dash arrived at the small animal shelter and opened the glass door. A bell that hung above the door rang and Fluttershy perked up. She walked to the front of the building and greeted her friend, "Hi, Rainbow Dash! I'm just refilling food bowls right now." Fluttershy held her hand out and Rainbow grabbed it.

After they finished with their work and sent the animals to bed, Rainbow and Fluttershy locked the front door and stood outside in the chilly spring eve. They stood there in silence for a moment.

"Do you want to stay the night at my house?" asked Fluttershy looking over to Dash. It was a regular occurrence, impromptu sleepovers were such a regular thing that Rainbow Dash kept some of her stuff at Fluttershy's house.

Rainbow thought for a moment, it was the weekend anyway, "Lead the way!"

They walked to Fluttershy's house. As soon as the pair entered - as expected - Zephyr immediately pounced on Rainbow Dash. After the usual fanfare of ignoring him, Rainbow and Fluttershy had a late dinner with Fluttershy's parents and then they went upstairs.

The two got changed into their sleepwear. They sat on Fluttershy's bed listening to music and shooting the breeze. Eventually, Fluttershy gained the courage to pop the question that had been on her mind all night, "Rainbow Dash, I've noticed you've been a bit different lately. Are you alright?"

"Pfft! I'm awesome; as always!"

"No, Rainbow, are you doing okay?"

Rainbow Dash paused for a moment. Fluttershy was her best friend in the whole world, but she couldn't let her see this side of herself.

She could feel tears forming.

Don't. Stay strong.

"Rainbow, I'm right here..."

Rainbow Dash flung herself into Fluttershy's arms. She sobbed and wailed into Fluttershy's soft nightshirt. It wasn't very long until Fluttershy's shoulder was drenched in salty tears. Fluttershy rubbed Rainbow's back gently.

"Its okay, Rainbow, I'm right here..." was all Fluttershy could say to comfort her friend. Dash hugged Fluttershy close.

After a few minutes of intense and uncontrollable sobbing, Rainbow Dash placed her head in the crook of Fluttershy's neck, "Its been so hard with the Sirens and the girls and and an-" She was beginning to become hysterical.

"Shh... its alright..."

Fluttershy grabbed a nearby box of tissues and handed one to Dash. The tears kept falling.

Half an hour later, all of Dash's tears had dried up and her voice was raw. She fell back onto Fluttershy's bed still sniffling and curled into a ball.

"Thanks, Fluttershy..."

Fluttershy lay down next to Dash facing her, "Its no problem, your feelings are valid. I love you."

Wait-

Did Fluttershy say that last part out loud?

Fluttershy blushed a deep crimson. Rainbow Dash looked slightly surprised.

Rainbow scooted herself closer to Fluttershy, "I... I love you too."

They cuddled together and laid like that all night. It was pure bliss for the two.

They began going out after that, in fact, the next morning the two went out for lunch at a nice cafe.

Things got so much better after that night: the Dazzlings were defeated and left to who-knows-where, the Rainbooms were getting along again, Princess Twilight went home, and finals were over. Everyone was happy again and there was only minor property damage.

Then, on the last Friday of the school year, a note fell out of Fluttershy's locker. She opened it:

Flutters,
As a thank you for a few weeks ago, meet me at the park tonight at seven. Wear something nice.

Fluttershy knew exactly who it was from. She smiled and closed her locker. She said goodbye to her friends and skipped home to get ready.

Meanwhile, Dash had been true to her name and rushed home to gather together picnic supplies. She packed together some of Fluttershy's favorite snacks and borrowed a blanket from her parents. This date had to be perfect because its what Fluttershy deserves!

Seven rolled around and Fluttershy stepped towards the hill Rainbow Dash sat on wearing a sundress. Rainbow looked over from the blanket she sat on. Rainbow herself was wearing a button-up with the sleeves rolled and some dark skinny jeans. Fluttershy sat down and the two began talking.

The sun began to creep ever closer to the horizon. The sky was beautifully colored a mixture of pinks and reds and blues. This was perfect, everything was going according to Rainbow Dash's plan. While Fluttershy's attention went to the sky, Rainbow began a little monologue she had written when she should have been fulfilling some kind of responsibility.

"Fluttershy, you're the most awesome person I know and when I'm with you I just feel so safe. When you told me you love me a few weeks ago, I kinda realized that I wasn't the only one of us who felt that way," she paused for a moment, "What I'm trying to say is that you're the coolest and nicest person I know and I love you!"

Fluttershy smiled warmly. They both blushed slightly and leaned in. They passionately kissed. It felt like an eternity before they broke away but when they did, they immediately kissed again.